As a lonely construct atop the abandoned archive, Bernard yearns for companionship after his years of solemn service.
Who better to know the cure than a friendly illithid?
But who needs friends when you’ve got rage and a desperate need for experience points?
The fullguide for exploring the tower and foralternate options for interacting with Bernardcan be found here.
The exception to this isif you befriend Bernard, he stands near the windowby default.
In total, there will befive enemies to deal with; four Animated Armors and Bernard himself.
How To Befriend Bernard
Bernard can bepacified before combatby knowing how torespond during his first dialogue cutscene.
Reading the bookThe Roads to Darknesson the floor below can unlock a unique dialogue option.
Byresponding to Bernard with poetryin turn, he willnot automatically attack you, and instead be marked as neutral.
This gives you the chance to strategize before the fight.
To pacify Bernard, you only need toanswer his first dialogue correctly.
The next phases of dialogue do not make him more or less hostile.
Get Some Sussur Flowers
Bernard isn’t the only foe at the top of the Arcane Tower.
You’ll also have to deal withAnimated Armor.
It’s not too much of a hassle, but their ranged attacks make them tricky.
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verify tosplit your partyand have your fighterswaiting in front of the tower entrance.
Once Bernard falls, you will get to attack himwithout even initiating combat.
Bernard will leak oil once he is broken, so fire attacks will ignite the area.
The best way to use the Sussur Flowers is toput them on your fastest party member.
Run around to thefour corners of the roomwhere the Animated Armors are standing.
If you have four flowers, you’ll have enough to leave one next to each armor.
The anti-magic field of Sussur Flowersalso affects your characters that cast magic.
Putting a flower near the armor shuts the armor off.
This inflicts theIncapacitated condition, meaning the armor can’t attack or move.
However, they will still be alive for all intents and purposes.
Stay spaced out to best avoid the lightning hopping around.
Defeating Bernard in the first round of combatis key to making this encounter as easy as possible.
For the first round, Bernard will only make one halberd attack.
As long as you aren’t marked by the Supercharge Aura, youdon’t take the extra Lightning damage.
you might also wait out thetwo turns until Bernard stuns himself, then go in to finish him off.
Bernard also has aGreater Healing Potionand aKey.
The Animated Armor all have simple weapons on them that can be looted.
Finally, on the top floor you will findplenty of Broken Machinerylying around.
More than just armor lurk in this forge.
