Shadow Aspect of Grael Quest

Quest Overview
Recommended items and pre-quests: Sanctuary Recall (or Invitation Ithaenc Cathedral from a Wedding Planner), Shadowfire Isparian Wand, Gems of Stillness. None of these are required, but will make your life MUCH easier.

Walkthrough

 * 1) Start out by heading over to Abbess Zik'Lir at 83.5S, 97.2E. The easiest way is via Recall the Sanctuary, or Invitation Ithaenc Cathedral from a Wedding Planner in any of the starter towns. Talk to her.
 * 2) Head on over to the Falatacot Vault at 74.7S, 98.2E. It is a short run from the Abbess, just down the shore. The drop is safe, if you need to buff. The dungeon is quite simple. There is only one route through the dungeon, just make your way down however you need to. The easiest method is to run right by all the creatures (a run rare and high melee defense will help you here). Use dispell potions or Gems of Stillness as necessary if you brought some (recommended). Once at the end, you will be faced by Count Dardante and multiple Twisted Shadows. If you have your Shadowfire, you can vuln the Count and kill him in a short amount of time. If you don't, you are in for a much longer and harder battle.
 * 3) Once Count Dardante is killed, loot the Falatacot Vault Key from his corpse, and use that to unlock the Falatacot Vault. Make your way down to the end and pick up the Falatacot Soul Trap from the ground. You can then recall any way you like, and head back to Abbess Zik'Lir via Recall the Sanctuary, or Invitation Ithanc Cathedral gem. Hand the Soul Trap to Abbess Zik'Lir.
 * 4) Again, it is a short run to the Shadow-Infested Black Spear Temple at 76.83S, 93.79E. Unlike the Ruschk Aspect dungeon, the Shadow-Infested Black Spear Temple is identical to the Mukkir Infested Black Spear Temple. The drop is safe, so rebuff as necessary. You can avoid 90% of the traps in this dungeon by hugging the walls, and jumping over intersections.
 * 5) Hold to the right wall until you reach a room of Falling Rocks. You can avoid these rocks by hugging the left wall. If you have under 300 HP, you will most likely be one shot if hit. After the rock room, follow the left wall to a large room with a ramp and multiple exits. Take the west exit. Make your way down to a second room, and take first south exit. Take the left hall, and follow the left wall. At the next split, take the left again. Keep to the left wall until a 3-way. Take the middle hallway. Take four lefts through three 3-ways, and one 2-way split. Take the middle passage through the following two 2-way splits, then the next left. Take two rights, a left turn, and a right until you reach a ledge. Simply take a full running jump straight (with a triple axle, if you like), across to the next ledge. Turn around 180 degrees, and repeat. If you fall, it is a straight shot back to the ledge, but it is well-guarded, so avoid doing so. After the second jump, simply waltz right down the tunnel and enter Grael's Chamber.
 * 6) Once inside Grael's Chamber, you will run to a ledge. The Shadow Aspect of Grael is down inside the pit, out of radar reach. There are multiple ways to defeat him easily:
 * 7) Go all out and hope no one dies.
 * 8) Stay on the ledge, and have melees cast Imperil 1 on him, while mages and archers rain missiles down on him.
 * 9) Jump down, stand on opposite sides, and use wall spells (Tusker Fists works with a Shadowfire and Bludge Vuln, it is very effective). He will run in between the two sides, and this limits his offensive ability.
 * 10) Push him in to a corner to avoid melee attacks.
 * 11) Pray he glitches.
 * 12) * Note: Grael can be solo'd by a combination of methods #2 and #5, or #1 and #4.
 * 13) * Warning: When the aspect dies he casts Dark Vortex, a ring spell which quickly drains your health. Watch your health and back off to a safe distance as soon as you can.
 * 14) From his corpse, retrieve a Falatacot Chest Key, and a Shard of the Black Spear. Enter the trophy room, and use your key on the Falatacot Chest. It will spawn a random Rare item, and high quality loot. The Rare item is generally tier 2 or higher, but it is possible to get lower tiers as well.
 * 15) Once everyone has pulled their items, head back to Abbess Zik'Lir, and give her the Shard of the Black Spear.
 * 16) Now that you have your nifty new spear, bring the Shadow Aspect Slayer Title Token you received to Soju Bo-Ki in Ayan Baqur.
 * 17) The Mukkir Slayer Stone can be used on a loot-generated weapon to give it the "Mukkir Slayer" effect, alternatively it can be given to Soju Bo-Ki for xp..

Images
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Lore & Dialog
Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Yes, you may aid in this. Strong enough to, most likely, survive, but not so strong that the Black Spear's wards will hold you out. I can aid your people in removing the Black Spear from this world, as is the will of my Lord, Nc'thail. To do this, you must gather a thing lost for me." Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "There is a thing called a Soul Trap. My people have not used such in ages, but it may find use here. I have managed to locate one, but those who serve the Black Spear have reached the location first. I can enchant you to bypass the magicks on the portal there, so you can gain the Soul Trap." Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Go to the portal you will find at 74.7 S, 98.2 E. Somewhere in that ancient vault, you will find the Soul Trap. Beware those who will try to stop them, and have a care while carrying the device, lest you accidentally activate it..." Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Go, bring the Soul Trap back to me. Remember my warnings."

You give Abbess Zik'Lir Falatacot Soul Trap. Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Ahh, the Soul Trap. It is good to see you carrying it, as opposed to the other way around. I see you heeded my warnings. Now, I will prepare this to contain the Shadow of the Black Spear. It will not hold him forever, but it will serve for a time." Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Go to the following location, 76.9 S, 93.8 E. There, you will find the portal to where Grael's Shadow lurks. My Lord tells me this, so you may know it to be true. Find the Shadow, kill it. I will deal with the rest."

Shadow Aspect of Grael is reduced to cinders! The Shadow Aspect of Grael is struck down! As he falls, his essence is ripped from his body and collapses in on itself!

You give Abbess Zik'Lir Shard of the Black Spear. Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "Well, this is indeed a fitting Token. Perhaps it will also make a suitable reward..." The Abbess chants over the shattered remains, which reform into a spear. Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "It will not survive use as a weapon, but the magicks within the pieces are strong, and tappable, if you place the spear in a secure location. Also, take this token, so you may prove to your people that you are worthy of whatever reward they have in store for you." You've earned 80,000,000 experience. Abbess Zik'Lir gives you Shadow Aspect Slayer Title Token. Abbess Zik'Lir gives you Black Spear of Shadow Renewal.

Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "The Shadow Aspect is diminished, for now. I do not think this will last for long.  Return later, if the Shadow Aspect has escaped, We may need to begin this process all over again."

The Black Spear seems to write in pain like a snake for a moment, then it casts on you. Black Spear of Shadow Renewal cast Regeneration Other Incantation on you, but it is surpassed by Combat Regeneration. Black Spear of Shadow Renewal cast Rejuvenation Other Incantation on you. Black Spear of Shadow Renewal cast Mana Renewal Other Incantation on you. Black Spear of Shadow Renewal cast Shadow's Heart on you, surpassing Major Healing.

You give Soju Bo-Ki Shadow Aspect Slayer Title Token. Soju Bo-Ki tells you, "I salute you as a true hero, friend. I thank you on behalf of Dereth and on behalf of the Whispering Blade for the great thing you have done." You've earned 80,000,000 experience. Soju Bo-Ki grants you the title Hero of the Golden Flame. Soju Bo-Ki gives you Mukkir Slayer Stone.

You give Soju Bo-Ki Mukkir Slayer Stone. Soju Bo-Ki tells you, "Very well, if you do not desire this gem, I will take it in exchange for a bit of advancement..." You've earned 6,496,628 experience.

You give Abbess Zik'Lir Black Spear of Shadow Renewal. Abbess Zik'Lir tells you, "The Spear does not suit your desires? Very well, I think you'll find this gift more... inspiring." You've earned 6,496,628 experience.

Update History

 * During ? event, the experience rewards received the following updates:
 * Xp reward for the Shard of the Black Spear increased from 32,483,143 (10% pxp up to 150) to 80,000,000 (?% pxp).
 * Xp reward for the Shadow Aspect Slayer Title Token increased from 32,483,143 (10% pxp up to 150) to 80,000,000 (?% pxp).
 * Xp reward for the Mukkir Slayer Stone increased from ?? to 6,496,628 (2% pxp up to 150).
 * Xp reward for the Black Spear of Shadow Renewal increased from ?? to 6,496,628 (2% pxp up to 150).
 * Oddly, the XP cap for turning in the Shadow Aspect Slayer Title Token is well beyond the maximum range for doing this quest.