War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
“Listen closely, Vikstone, for there is not a moment to spare. Your prisoner is being prepared for interrogation here in our tower. In the event that he is less than forthcoming, your assistance may be required. Make your way up to where he is being detained and tell Librarian Normantis that I’ve sent you to assist him.”
-Librarian Donathan
Librarian Donathan ordered you to offer your assistance to Librarian Normantis in the mage tower on Amber Ledge.
Quest Giver: Librarian Donathan at Amber Ledge [45, 33]
Turn In: Librarian Normantis in the mage tower on Amber Ledge [46, 32]
Objective: Speak with Librarian Normantis in the mage tower.
Quick Facts
Walkthrough
This is a simple transition quest. No combat, no items to use.
Story Context: Preparing for Interrogation
Donathan sends you to assist with what’s about to happen:
“Listen closely, <name>, for there is not a moment to spare.”
“Your prisoner is being prepared for interrogation here in our tower. In the event that he is less than forthcoming, your assistance may be required.”
“Make your way up to where he is being detained and tell Librarian Normantis that I’ve sent you to assist him.”
Normantis’s response reveals why an outsider is needed:
“It was wise of Donathan to send you, <class>.”
“As it turns out, I am in need of someone outside the Kirin Tor.”
This sets up the moral dilemma of the next quest. The Kirin Tor has a code of conduct that prevents them from using “extreme measures” even in desperate times. But you, as an adventurer, are not bound by such restrictions…
Easter Egg: Monty Python Reference
The quest title is a reference to the famous Monty Python sketch “The Spanish Inquisition” (1970), whose most memorable line is “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!”
This may also refer to the historical Spanish Inquisition.
Note on the Next Quest
The follow-up quest, The Art of Persuasion, is where the actual interrogation takes place. That quest became notable for requiring players to torture a prisoner for information, sparking real-world discussion about video game morality.
Game designer Richard Bartle’s critique of the quest gained significant attention in gaming publications.
The prisoner (the same Imprisoned Beryl Sorcerer you captured) is held on the second floor of the mage tower. After completing the torture quest, a vendor named Initiate Mehrtens on the top floor sells a Prototype Neural Needler that allows players to continue torturing the prisoner indefinitely.
The prisoner has additional dialogue lines that only appear if you keep torturing after the quest is complete, including a Firefly reference: “Are you trying to meet the real me?”
Explore Borean Tundra’s hidden easter eggs, lore mysteries, and connections across Warcraft history in Vikstone’s Borean Tundra Chronicles, along with the complete quest storyline.
Phase1
Binds when picked
Two-Hands Sword
605 - 1,010 Damage Speed 3.60
(224.3 damage per second)
+283 Strength
+596 Critical Strike
Durability 85 / 85
Requires level 110 to 120 120
Sell Price:
64
64
8
Phase2
Binds when picked
Ranged Bow
572 - 774 Damage Speed 3.00
(224.3 damage per second)
+320 Agility
+576 Critical Strike
Durability 85 / 85
Requires level 110 to 120 120
Sell Price:
62
12
73
You will be able to choose one of these rewards:
You will receive:
Upon completion of this quest you will gain:
Vikstone's War Journal
“Listen closely, for there is not a moment to spare. Your prisoner is being prepared for interrogation here in our tower.” Donathan glanced toward the stairs. “In the event that he is less than forthcoming, your assistance may be required. Make your way up to where he is being detained and tell Librarian Normantis that I’ve sent you to assist him.”
My assistance. A polite way of saying they might need someone willing to do what mages preferred not to dirty their hands with.
I climbed the tower.
The sorcerer hung suspended in arcane bonds, still wearing the wounds I’d given him. Librarian Normantis circled him slowly, studying his captive.
“It was wise of Donathan to send you.” Normantis didn’t look away from the prisoner. “As it turns out, I am in need of someone outside the Kirin Tor.”
Someone outside the Kirin Tor. Meaning someone whose methods wouldn’t stain Dalaran’s reputation when the council asked questions later.
The prisoner’s eyes found mine. Whatever defiance he’d been holding onto flickered.
Good. Fear made people cooperative.
Normantis wanted somebody the Kirin Tor’s rules did not reach, with the prisoner hanging in arcane bonds and a Neural Needler on the table beside him, which is one word for The Art of Persuasion.
