**NOTE** If you wish to have access to a particular merchant at the conclusion of this quest, then you must reach a peaceful resolution with the Ogre Matron AND without having killed any of her Crag Ogres within the Flames-That-Whisper Caves beforehand.
The first step is to speak to the mayor the village, Renengild, in her home which is at #24 on the map. Renengild will want you to find a way into Durgan's Battery, as she sees it as a way to advance the fortunes of Stalwart Village. That in itself also advances the Durgan's Battery quest.
Further along the conversation she also views a nearby clan of Crag Ogres as being a threat. She also lets on that she may see taking our their Matron, Beregan, as a solution. This particular branch of the conversation triggers the quest.
If you speak to Denegild, who is in Renengild, he'll indicate that a peaceful resolution with the Ogres is possible and from his perspective, preferable.
There is more than one way to reach the Lower Caves from the Upper Caves. The stairs at #7 of the Upper Caves map lead to #16 on the Lower Caves map. You can also use a Rope and Grappling Hook at the ice chute at #5 on the Upper Caves map to create a way down to #31 on the Lower Caves map.
*NOTE* The latter way may be preferable if you want to have access to a particular merchant after the quest's conclusion. The chute can be reached without killing any Crag Ogres on the Upper Caves. Once you go down the chute, you only need to fight Lagufaeth and Ice Blights to reach the stairs leading up to the Ogre Matron.
There will be at least two ways to reach the Ogre Matron at #13 on the Upper Caves map.
One way is to get the Scrying Chamber Key from the corpse at #29 on the Lower Caves map. Return to the Upper Caves, and use it to open the door at #13. The Matron will be on the other side.
The other way is to fight your way through the Ice Blights at #34 on the Lower Caves map, and take the stairs up at #35. You will find yourself at #15, in the same room as the Matron who will be just a little to the left.
Matron Beregan and a large force of Crag Ogres will be at #13 on the Upper Caves map. You can of course cut straight to the chase and start a fight. A straightforward dialogue option will start a fight, but so will contradicting yourself during the conversation along the lines of saying you aren't present on behalf of Stalwart Village but then admitting that you are, or vice versa. It will be a close space, so area effect spells can catch a lot of them if it comes to a fight. The Matron will leave behind:
You could also reach a peaceful resolution with the Matron. It basically involves getting her to admit that she fears the forge inside Durgan's Battery, and then making a Resolve check of 12 during the subsequent dialogue. If you successfully reach an understanding with her, she'll voluntarily provide you with:
The Leaden Key Expedition Journal does not really have any significance beyond providing additional confirmation that you'll need a 'cantec' phrase to enter Durgan's Battery. The Battery Relief Tile is itself needed to enter Durgan's Battery.
Killing Matron Beregan will get you a moderate gain of positive reputation with Stalwart Village. Sparing the Matron will not result in any reputation gain with Stalwart Village. Other benefits for doing things this way is a discount from Yduran's Wares in Stalwart Village, as well as improved resting bonuses available from the Gref's Rest inn.
If you completed the quest without killing Matron Beregan AND without killing any of the other Crag Ogres inside the cave, Matron Beregan will introduce you to a Crag Ogre Merchant named Murag. He will be in the Russetwood just outside the entrance to the caves. He sells plenty or armor and weapons, plus some miscellaneous items, including Camping Supplies. The two distinctive items in his inventory are the Tempered Helm and the Gauntlets of Ogre Might.
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