Killing Him Softly

Main story quest #69, level 26. 144th of 173 in play order.

Quest giver: Meffrid, South Shroud (X 25.6, Y 20.7).

Next: Helping Horn ›

Steps

Speak with Albreda.
Speak with Charline.
Report to Meffrid.

Journal

Meffrid needs help tending a wounded brother.
One of Meffrid's men requires urgent treatment for a wound, but the residents of the hamlet refuse to lift a finger. You must prevail upon Albreda to convince them to aid him.
Although her compatriot's life is in danger, Albreda cannot bring herself to disregard the will of the elementals. Instead, she bids you consult the hamlet's resident Hearer, a woman named Charline.
Despite your earnest pleas, Charline does not relent; the will of the elementals is absolute, and there will be no succor for the Ala Mhigans. You sorely dread having to return to Meffrid with the unhappy tidings.
Meffrid is understandably displeased with the verdict, and uses some choice words to express his opinion of the elementals. Is there no other way to aid him and his people?

Hidden

Title reference The title plays on 'Killing Me Softly with His Song', a 1973 hit for Roberta Flack. Here no one strikes Gallien

, but Meffrid

says the Hearer's quiet refusal 'might as well kill Gallien herself'.

Characters 4

Albreda
Albreda lives in Quarrymill. Meffrid thinks the villagers might listen to her.
What you know from earlier quests 1
- #143 Meeting with the Resistance: Albreda first refuses to help. Hearing Haribehrt's name makes her furious, since he left his comrades and his woman. Then she calms, calls him a good man who did what he felt was right, and points you to Meffrid.
Meffrid
Meffrid, a proud man of the Ala Mhigan Resistance, is at Quarrymill with his men.
What you know from earlier quests 1
- #143 Meeting with the Resistance: Albreda points Meffrid out to you at Quarrymill and names him as a captain of the Resistance. She hopes he can give you what you need.
Charline
Charline is the resident Hearer of the hamlet of Quarrymill, in the Twelveswood.
Gallien
Gallien is one of Meffrid's soldiers in the Ala Mhigan Resistance.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Albreda wants to help her countrymen, but she dares not defy the elementals, the guardians of the forest. She fears they could banish everyone because of her. She sends you to Charline, the Hearer, but does not expect much.
Meffrid's man Gallien has a festering wound and a fever. Meffrid begged the villagers on his knees, but they refused to help. Too angry to plead well, he asks you to try through Albreda. The Hearer's refusal enrages him, and he curses the elementals.
Charline calls you kind-hearted but says she has no power to grant your wish. Only the elementals, the wood's eternal guardians, judge outsiders, and they denied the Ala Mhigans' petition. She says it has always been this way.
Gallien: A Resistance soldier reports that Gallien's wound has festered and he is burning with fever. He may not have much time left, and the villagers refuse to help him.

Dialogue 14 lines

Accepting the quest

Meffrid

Aye, I'm Meffrid, a proud man of the Ala Mhigan Resistance.

What business do you have with me, adventurer?

Resistance Soldier: C-Captain! It's...it's Gallien, sir! His wound's gone an' festered, an' he's burnin' up! I don't think he's got much time!

Meffrid

Godsdammit! I asked the villagers for aid─got on my knees and begged─but they refused to lift a finger! If Gallien dies, his blood is on their hands!

DE Ich habe diesen dämlichen Waldeulen schon tausendmal gesagt, dass wir dringend Medizin brauchen. ‘I've already told these stupid forest owls a thousand times that we urgently need medicine.’ English says "the villagers"; German insults them as "these stupid forest owls".
DE Für die sind wir Luft! ‘To them we are just air!’ English blames the villagers if Gallien dies; German complains that the villagers treat them as thin air.

These Quarrymill cravens would turn a blind eye to our plight, but they might listen to Albreda. I fear my anger will prevent me from rightly convincing anyone at the moment. I realize we scarce know each other, but this is a matter of life and death. Please, adventurer, go to her and try!

Speak with Albreda.

Albreda

One of Meffrid's in bad shape, you say? I'm...I'm sorry, but there's naught I can do.

I want to help, truly I do─they're my countrymen, after all─but that'd mean going against the elementals' will.

I've been at Quarrymill long enough to know how right terrible the beings can be. I couldn't forgive myself if everyone gets banished because of me.

If there's anyone who can help you, it'd be Charline, the hamlet's resident Hearer. If you take the matter to her, might be as she'll listen...though I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Speak with Charline.

Charline

You wish to aid the Ala Mhigans? You are possessed of a kind heart, adventurer, but I'm afraid I have not the authority to grant you your wish.

DE Du weißt nicht, welch törichte Bitte du da an mich richtest! ‘You do not know what a foolish request you are making of me!’ English praises the adventurer's kind heart; German scolds the request as foolish.

This authority belongs only to the elementals, eternal guardians of the Twelveswood. All outsiders, be they babes at the breast or men grown, are judged of a night whether they may have a place beneath the boughs.

Alas, the Ala Mhigans' petition has been denied. Harsh though it may seem, they do not have leave to receive of the wood's bounty. Ever has it been since time immemorial, and ever shall it be.

Report to Meffrid.

Meffrid

That's how it's to be, then!? The bloody Hearer might as well kill Gallien herself!

DE Mögen die Druiden an ihrem Blätterfraß ersticken! ‘May the druids choke on their leaf fodder!’ English says the Hearer might as well kill Gallien herself; German wishes the druids would choke on their leaf fodder.

Spit on the elementals and spit on their bloody will! I cannot wait until the Resistance is free of this place!