Neverwinter Nights Main Campaign Chapter 1 Walkthrough
When you finish the Prelude you'll find yourself in the Temple of Tyr - Sanatorium near Fenthick and Desther. Talk to them about whatever you want then head out to Aribeth who will start the main quest for this chapter, The Wailing and the Waterdhavians. Our overarching goal for this whole chapter is going to be to find 4 Waterdhavian Creatures and cure the Wailing Death.
In order to accomplish our goal there's going to be 4 different quests and each of them will take place in a different district of Neverwinter. Also, while you're in the Temple of Tyr I recommend you pick up Never's Tomb from Oleff, his offices are marked on the map.
Before I give you a complete list of all the story and side quests in Chapter 1 there are a few optional things that I believe deserve your attention.
Bag of Holding: The first Bag of Holding that you can buy in this game is sold by Jerod at the Twenty in a Quiver building in the Docks District.
Magic Bags: You can find 4 different Magic Bags for sale at the Mizzenmast Mercantile vendor in the eastern portion of the Peninsula District.
Blacksmith Crafting:
While I do consider the Bag of Holding and the Magic Bags 'optional' for some classes they really aren't. If you're playing a class with naturally low Strength there is no way you're going to be able to carry around loot without these bags. What I like to do is use Bags of Holding for all of the loot that I plan to sell then use Magic Bags to put my Potions, Quest Items and other various loot inside of.
As aforementioned the way Chapter 1 of this game works is you'll be given one story quest per District. Each of these quests will typically involve hunting down the Waterdhavian Creature and getting the reagent from it to turn into Aribeth. Once you've finished all 4 of these main quests you'll be able to proceed to the final part of Chapter 1.
I've included a complete quest list below for Chapter 1 detailing every single Main Quest as well as every Side Quest. To learn more about a specific quest simply click on the link to be taken to the appropriate page.
Main Quests:
Docks: Trouble in the District
Beggar's Nest: Undead Infestation
Side Quests:
Beggar's Nest: Aldo and Hector
Beggar's Nest: A Missing Brother
Beggar's Nest: Sword Coast Boys
(City Core Start) Blacklake Arena
(City Core) Moonstone Mask: Art Theft
Henchman Quests:
After you turn in the final Waterdhavian item to Aribeth she'll ask you to tell her when you're ready to proceed with making the cure. WARNING! This is the point of no return! Before proceeding make sure you finish all side quests and any optional objectives that you want to complete! When you tell Aribeth that you are ready and she begins the ritual all quests you didn't finish will be removed from your Journal and you'll be unable to access every area we previously explored of Chapter 1.
In order to start the ritual you'll need to speak with Aribeth, Fenthick, Desther and Lord Nasher. Once the ritual is completed and the cure is made Desther reveals his treachery and escapes through a portal with Fenthick while summoning False Helmites to attack everyone in the chamber.
Defeat all of the False Helmites and then go through the portal to find yourself on the Road to Helm's Hold. I would recommend you enter into Helm's Hold through the back entrance rather than through the front gates. When you enter through the back entrance you'll meet a young kid named Johnny who will act as the only vendor for this part of the game. Until you complete Helm's Hold and move onto Chapter 2 if you need Potions, Healing Kits or to sell your loot - you'll have to do it all through Johnny.
One other important thing to mention about Johnny is that he sells a Bag of Holding. This item is a must buy and you'll only get a short window of opportunity to buy it. Once you complete Helm's Hold the item (along with Johnny) are gone from the game forever.
Inside Helm's Hold there is only a single side quest to complete, A Devil's Deal. Once you're done with that quest and ready to fight the boss of this dungeon you'll want to proceed to the 2nd floor where you'll find Desther (pictured below). Desther will be in a room with many undead all of which will start off as hostile to you.
Before you are able to damage Desther you'll need to eliminate most of the Ritual Creatures that are surrounding him. Once you no longer see the blue line connecting the Ritual Creatures together Desther will become vulnerable to your damage. Typically this happens when 2 or 3 are still left alive. It's worth noting too that all you need to do is get Desther low and all of the undead still alive will die.
After defeating Desther before you agree to take him back to Neverwinter with you I strongly recommend you raid all the chests on this floor of the dungeon. There are a few side rooms with chests that will contain magical weapons and armor that you should grab; once you're done tell Desther you're ready to return to Neverwinter and have him face his punishment.
Once you agree to return to Neverwinter with Desther Chapter 1 will finish and Chapter 2 will begin.
Continue to Chapter 2 Walkthrough