The Cursed King

Guide to overcoming The Cursed King quest in Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Learn how to deal with the Lantern King's curse and its debilitating effects on your party.

You’ll appear in your capital, where the Lantern King has merged your lands with the First World, causing fey beasts and shadows of vanquished foes to appear. As king, you must defeat these enemies to protect your kingdom.

The Lantern King will curse you and your party, causing all d20 attempts to automatically roll a one (40% miss chance), and 40% of enemy d20 rolls to be 20s (40% hit chance, 16% critical hit chance). Additionally, your damage, Base Attack Bonus, Saving Throws, and Hit Points are reduced by 60%. Casters are limited to zero-level spells, making warriors a more viable option.

Head southeast, descend stairs, then turn southwest to find your capital’s plaza overrun by Owlbears, Young Hydras, Manticores, Wyverns, and Dweomercats. Loot fallen foes and any treasure found.

Make your way west to find the Shadow of Nugrah and several bandits (levels 7-9). Nugrah retains his spells. Defeat Nugrah, follow the road southeast, kill two more bandits, and loot a chest for a Necklace of Magic Missile Mastery. Continue south to a magical barrier; the Storyteller will remove it and encourage you to follow refugees to the Camp at the Capital Gates via an area transition to the south.

At the Camp at the Capital Gates, head southeast to find the Storyteller, Anoriel Eight Eyes, and your stash. This is your base for preparations, including hiring new characters and selling unwanted items.

Talk to the Storyteller for vital information: you have fifteen days to resolve the situation. To break the Lantern King's curse, you must save your kingdom from First World influence by traveling and defeating shadows and First World critters. Only then can you confront the Lantern King.

This begins the quest The Cursed King, which tracks your remaining time and required aid. Current objectives include:

• Varnhold: Vordakai’s shadow is causing havoc.
• Pitax: Irovetti’s shadow seeks to reclaim his throne.
• The Flintlock Grassland: Another Brevic army is beset by barbarians.
• Oleg’s Tavern: Bandits are threatening the location again.

Merchants have fled to your camp: Issili (near the Storyteller) and Arsinoe (northwest). Arsinoe sells clerical scrolls, including nearly 200 Scrolls of Heal, which are essential for healing. Ensure you have a cleric or a character with the Use Magic Device skill.

Make a hard save before proceeding.

When ready, head northeast from Arsinoe to find a portal to your next destination. Choose between Oleg’s Trading Post, the Shrine of Lamashtu, and the depths of Trobold. It is suggested to avoid the Shrine of Lamashtu and Trobold due to stronger enemies and dubious necessity.