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Pride Before a Fall is a quest available in Dragon's Dogma.

A straightforward quest to complete, with several possible outcomes with differing rewards. One path gives the Arisen the unique item, Julien's magick shield, the Wizard's Vizard and requires forward planning to complete; elsewise one may obtain Mercedes' unique sword the Silver Rapier, or just a common Cutlass.

Objective[]

"Mercedes is determined to undertake a mission under the Royal Orders. Look after her safety."

A Royal Orders Quest. Follow Mercedes Marten to the Windbluff Tower and ensure her safety.

Walkthrough[]

This quest becomes available after completing both Trial and Tribulations and Griffin's Bane. Obtain the quest by speaking with Aldous and selecting "Assist Ser Mercedes".

Speak with Mercedes and travel to the tower[]

Rebel emblem (2)

Rebellion at the tower

After accepting the quest from Aldous, exit the castle and speak with Mercedes at the front gate to the Noble Quarter. Apparently, there is unrest among the soldiers at the Stone of the North (the Windbluff Tower).

After speaking with Mercedes, she will depart for the Windbluff Tower. Travel north to the Windbluff Tower, besieged by two groups of soldiers engaged in battle. Leave the soldiers to fight among themselves and head up the stairs to the main castle building.

In the upper courtyard, Mercedes confronts Julien and they duel.

Observe the Duel[]

The duel between Mercedes and Julien has two different outcomes. Each outcome grants different reward weapons and will impact the game differently, so choose which outcome is preferable:

Julien wins.
Idly observe the duel or walk out of the courtyard during the duel. Mercedes will lose the duel. Julien escapes and Mercedes will hand over her Silver Rapier. Julien will automatically win if the Arisen takes part in the fight and damages Mercedes or if Julien lands an attack on the Arisen.
Julien is defeated.
Interfere in the fight and slay Julien. The time the Arisen can intervene is limited to Mercedes being hit three times. After Julien is slain there is a brief opportunity to revive him with a Wakestone before leaving - if so revived he may be later be visited in the Dungeon and his magick shield, the Wizard's Vizard, obtained.
The Arisen sides with Julien
If the Arisen interfers with the duel, and attacks Mercedes she will be defeated. In this case she gives the Arisen a Cutlass before departing.

The last possible moment to interfere is right after Mercedes says "Rrgh...! Bastard!" while Julien is beating down on her shield with his Threaded Cudgel. Otherwise the cutscene in which Mercedes is bested starts.

Report Back to Aldous[]

Heading down the Windbluff Tower stairs, the battle between the soldiers has been decided. Speaking with Ser Daerio before leaving provides some interesting background information. Head back to Gran Soren, and report to Aldous.

Outcomes[]

Regardless of the duel's outcome, Mercedes is crestfallen and plans to leave for Hearthstone to gather aid for Gransys.

If Julien is slain, and then revived with a Wakestone he will admit defeat and return to the Duke's Demesne of his own volition, turning himself in for his crimes. He can then be later found in the castle dungeon. Speak with Julien in his cell and he will gift you his Magick Shield, the Wizard's Vizard.

After the rebellion the fort is near deserted, with Ser Daerio and most of the rebellious guards slain, fled, or defeated. Ser Francis may be found outside the tower after the battle.

Considerations and preparations[]

Pride_Before_a_Fall_(quest_walkthrough_to_obtain_Julien's_Wizard_Vizard_magic_shield)

Pride Before a Fall (quest walkthrough to obtain Julien's Wizard Vizard magic shield)

Bring a Wakestone to revive Julien immediately after slaying him. Proceed to the Windbluff Tower and run upstairs. Allow him to take a few steps forward first before attacking. If he's standing too close to the doorway behind him, it won't be possible to revive him before the cutscene with Mercedes starts. Return to Gran Soren and visit the dungeon to acquire his magic shield. Report to Aldous to complete the quest.

  • Be advised that initiating this quest will terminate the quest Supply and Demands if it has not already been completed.
  • Determine in advance which of three weapons would be a preferred reward :
  • After completing this quest, Mercedes leaves Gransys. If Mercedes is the desired Beloved it is possible to maximize her Affinity after the duel whilst still in conversation with her afore leaving.
  • In order for Julien to be the Beloved, the Arisen must slay him during the duel then revive him with a Wakestone.
  • Completion of the quest flags the start of the quest Bad Business which will make Madeleine's shop inventory inaccessible until after The Dragon.

Quotes[]

Ser Tedrick :

"There's talk of revolt in the north. Won't say I cannot understand the impulse...manning a desolate stronghold that serves no purpose in staying the Dragon is mean work. There's only so much fear and idleness a man can take. Especially on those meager wages."

Ser Pol :

"The Stone of the North ? Aye, there's tell Lord Julien rode for there not long ago. I don't ken the cause of the uproar, but I'll warrant the matter's well in hand. By all accounts, he's as skilled a diplomats as a warrior. Equal parts fox and lion, that one."

Orsay, one of the castle residents, confirms that Mercedes may need more than moral support :

"Lord Julien is well enough, but Ser Mercedes is more burden than boon, it's told. She's the daughter of the Lord of Hearthstone, you see.... and for a knight sent to aid the Duke, one hears precious little praise of her skill. If the woman falls before the dragon arrives, we'll have another war on our hands."

Ser Daerio reveals the full extent of his involvement in the revolt; he is Lord Julien's man :

"It is as you see, Arisen, the Stone of the North crawls with the agents of Salvation. The Night's Champion is a fearsome intellect. He authored and executed the scenario in full. He scoured the Duke's men for those with ties to Salvation, gathered them here and sparked a revolt before anyone was the wiser. Myself, I put no stock in Salvation's creed. But the Champion claims that the Duke is lost in this war with the Dragon, and in that I feel he speaks true. I will not gainsay your mettle, ser, but even the Arisen is human. The wyrm cannot be slain. Pray, forgive me. As a commander I am duty bound to observe the conditions and exercise my best judgment. I take no joy in crossing you, ser."

Ser Francis on Julien's treason, if the latter was wakestoned :

"The uprising at the stronghold was Salvation's handiwork Villains all, those zealots... 'Tis a painful thing to hear it was Lord Julien what lead them, though. I'd always heard him told a good and noble knight. I suppose the greatest of men is still human. Hmm. He'll be rotting in a cell below the castle now. 'Tis a terrible waste..."

Julien, if defeated and wakestoned :

"I am bested, ser... Slain by your hand, and brought back as well... Such utter defeat ill leaves room for argument. I shall return to the capital and place myself at the mercy of the court. They will have my confession, and my head, should they wish it... And you shall have the glory, ser. Worry not, I've no design on running. Even as I am, I've some semblance of pride. I leave you with a word of warning: The revolt was but a diversion. The killing blow will be delivered elsewhere... Pay heed, ser."

Pawn Chatter[]

"Leave this place to us, Arisen! Find Ser Mercedes!"
"She made her wishes clear... We were honor-bound to accede."
"It has been some time since we last saw Lord Julien, has it not?"
"Gransys' fate weighted upon him. He cared, in his own way..."
"Seems the uprising to the north has been quelled."

Notes[]

  • While walking to the Windbluff Tower from Gran Soren, three Gran Soren soldiers (Ser Tulius, Ser Rustom, and Ser Morrison) can be found across the bridge observing a dead Cockatrice. This foreshadows a later quest.
  • It is possible to both receive Julien's Wizard's Vizard and have Mercedes as one's romance - after receiving the magick shield lower his affinity by attacking him or giving him Liquid Effluvium.
  • Ser Antonio, Ser Cashew, Ser Nevitt, Ser York and Estoni accompany Ser Mercedes in this quest, while Ser Macklyn and Ser Palotti serve as reinforcements.
  • ERROR!!! If Julien is inflict with torpor the timing of the (in-engine) duel cutscene is broken, and Julien's attacks do not connect correctly visually.
  • (Glitch) Getting killed by Julien and then reviving the Arisen with a Wakestone may bug this quest's script resulting in additional copy of Mercedes showing up right after Julien's victory speech and the duel continuing. In this state it's impossible to lose the duel to Julien no matter how many hits Arisen receives. Loading last save fixes this issue.

Trivia[]

Mutineer coat of arms

Mutineers' coat of arms

  • The mutineers swap their usual pauldron bearing the shield of Duke Edmun with different heraldry, consisting of a red rose in a crown of thorns.
  • Pawns will stay out of the duel area to help the Duke's forces quell the rebellion.
  • Both Julien and Mercedes can be Blinded during their duel, though this has no effect on their ability to fight each other. It only serves to lower their Affinity for the Arisen.

Gallery[]


MSQHD
Main
Quests
The End at the Beginning  · Harbinger of Destruction  · Newly Arisen  · Upon a Pawn
Call of the Arisen · A Rude Awakening · Off With Its Head ·A Matter of Myrmidons
Lure of the Abyss · The Cypher · A Fortress Besieged · Seeking Salvation · The Watergod's Altar
Come to Court · Griffin's Bane · Trial and Tribulations · Pride Before a Fall · The Wyrmking's Ring
Honor and Treachery · Reward and Responsibility · Deny Salvation · The Final Battle
Post-Game
Quests
A Warm Welcome · Fathom Deep · Final Judgement · The Great Hereafter
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