Penance for the Past

Penance for the Past is the 16th chapter of the Janthir Wilds story and the third chapter of Repentance.

Objectives[edit]

Continue tracking Mabon's memory wisps.

Check in with Anise back at the Alliance Staging Ground.
(Optional) Talk with Anise about Mabon.
Head to the central survey lane.
Investigate the wisp.
(Use your warclaw's Sniff skill to identify the wisp's magical signature)
Wisp Magical Signature Identified
Find the first part of the magical signature.
Find the second part of the magical signature.
Find the final part of the magical signature.
Track the wisp's magical signature.
Report back to your allies.

Follow Mabon's memory wisp.

Enter the ruins outside Bava Nisos.
Follow the wisp deeper into the ruins.
(Optional) Information Gathered
Discover where the wisp went.
Speak with the nearby researchers.

Uncover the secrets in Mabon's memory.

Regroup with your allies.
Defeat Yagon
Use the Heart of the Obscure on Yagon.
Witness the last memory of Mabon.
Debrief with your friends.
Complete!

Rewards[edit]

First time

Woodland Kodan Leather Gloves (1) (guaranteed)
Janthiri Gear Box (5) (guaranteed)
Mursaat Obsidian Chunk (15) (guaranteed)
Titan Heatstone (15) (guaranteed)
Tale of Adventure (2) (guaranteed)

Replay

Tale of Adventure (5)

Walkthrough[edit]

Continue tracking Mabon's memory wisps.

Locations of Magical Signature.

Speak to Countess Anise at Alliance Staging Ground Waypoint — , then head east to the central survey lane and interact with Memory Wisp near The Obsidian Scar — . Use the Warclaw's Sniff skill and follow Trace of Wisp Magic. Interact with Magical Signature at the end of traces with the following order: Arrow (basement level), Circle (ground level), Heart (second floor). The latter wisps will not be seen if previous wisps are not been interacted yet. Interact with Memory Wisp at the western edge of Grand Athenaeum and enter the instance nearby.

Follow Mabon's memory wisp.

Follow the wisp to The Veiled Library — first.

Complete different objectives to earn three achievements Barren of Mistburned, Expert Exterminator and So Touchy.

Follow the wisp again to The Gilded Approach — and head further to the east to the entrance of Bava Nisos. Speak to Illuminate Katla and Isgarren. Head back to The Gilded Approach — and Yagon will spawn.

Yagon will shoot projectiles centered on herself or cast wave attack, which can be jumped over, with indicators. When Yagon is at 50% health, a cinematic scene takes over. At 1% health, she will become invulnerable and the special action skill Finish Yagon. becomes available after a short dialogue. Use the skill to end the fight. Interact with the vision of Mabon to finish the chapter.

Achievements[edit]

Penance for the Past	Repentance	1 1
Continue on Mabon's path.Journal: Penance for the Past Reward: Large Stash of Carved Lowland Pine Coins	Followed Mabon's Path	1

Complete the story mission.

Achievement qualification can be tracked via the effect Achievement Eligibility: Barren of Mistburned.
Defeat the enemy groups scattered throughout the area.
- Both groups of Mistburned Bees are found in the eastern section of the top floor with bookcases on it, in the smaller archways that leads to the next section
- The Mistburned Reindeers are outside to the east, around the The Gilded Approach — . This group is roughly twice as large as the others, so look around for stragglers if the objective doesn't trigger.
- Both groups of Mistburned Iboga are found on the bottom floor of the library.
- The Mistburned Valravns are found in the northeastern corner of the bottom floor of the library.

Achievement qualification can be tracked via the effect Achievement Eligibility: Expert Exterminator.
Find and defeat the hunger-crazed murellow:^[1]
- First, interact with the Dank Nest on the 1st floor southwest side, marked with the Personal Waypoint on the map below. Then select the first option of the dialogue twice.
- Take the Rotten Meat, object name will show if you get close. It will spawn at one of various locations marked on the map below, including:
  - 1st floor: Commander marker Arrow and Circle.
  - 2nd floor: Commander marker Heart, Square, Star and Spiral/Swirl.
- Return to the Dank Nest and interact with it.
Find and defeat the imprisoned jade armor:
- Interact with the Strange Tablet found on the 2nd floor north wall near the glowing door.
- Then interact with the talisman on the 2nd floor in the following order: Lifespring, Midsummer, Arboreal, then Mistral.
- Finally, go back to the glowing door next to the tablet and defeat Barboza.
  - If you fail the puzzle, a notification will appear saying: You feel a deep sense of disappointment and shame, then you hear a haunting laugh. To start over simply interact with the Strange Tablet again.
Find and defeat the source of the spider infestation: First, trigger and defeat six spider ambushes located throughout The Veiled Library area. Each ambush is indicated by some spider web on the wall or ceiling, and consists of two Cave Spiders and a single Veteran Cave Spider.
- Finishing all six ambushes is indicated by the dialogue line "That's all of them. Ugh, this place..."
- Next, travel upstairs to the southeastern corner of the library, reach a Spider Nest and defeat a Crypt Spider Queen (the nest disappears when the Queen appears, which can prevent So Touchy from being completed that time).

Possible locations of Rotten Meat (squad markers) and the Dank Nest (personal waypoint).
Locations of Cave Spider ambushes (squad markers) and the Spider Nest/Crypt Spider Queen (personal waypoint).

Achievement qualification can be tracked via the effect Achievement Eligibility: So Touchy.
Find and interact with 17 objects during the library instance.
- Pile of Discarded Clothing: Found near the top of the second northern stairs.
- Desiccated Corpse: Found in the northeast corner of the ground floor of the library.
- Torture Collar: Found east of the southwest entrance, and then on the other side of the stairs to the next floor.
- Mursaat Monument: Found after the first southern stairs, on a small ledge to the right.
- Tattered Book: Found in a bookshelf to the right when going up the second northern stairs.
- Soiled Page: Found near the top of the second southern stairs.
- Murellow Nest: Interact with the Dank Nest among the bookshelves south of the southwestern entrance.
- Lifespring Talisman: On the top floor that still has bookshelves, on the edge of the overhang between two pillars. North/Northwest of The Veiled Library POI.
- Midsummer Talisman: Found near the top of the second northern stairs.
- Arboreal Talisman: Found near the top of the second southern stairs.
- Mistral Talisman: On the top floor, on the edge of the southernmost overhang.
- Spider Nest: Found near the top of the second southern stairs. Disappears when the Crypt Spider Queen appears.
- Dusty Tome: Found atop the first northern stairs, in a bookshelf to the right.
- Historical Record: On the top floor, on the inner corner of the northernmost overhang.
- Well-Worn Journal: Found atop the first southern stairs (named Stolen Journal).
- Strange Tablet: Found near the top of the second northern stairs.
- Propaganda Pamphlet: Found in the southeast corner of the ground floor of the library.
The four talismans appear after interacting with the Strange Tablet.

Bug:

The "Spider Nest" objective will disappear when approached if all 6 ambush groups of spiders have been defeated, rendering it impossible to examine in time that instance.

Bug:

For hidden objects, if your character entered the reveal range but the objective "(Optional) Information Gathered" has not started then the object(s) will take longer to appear or not appear at all.

The achievement will progress at the end of the chapter.
- If replaying this chapter for the achievement, it's possible to start at the last checkpoint of the end instance to save time.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Foes[edit]

Objects[edit]

Books

Dialogue[edit]

Mistburned Barrens[edit]

Talking to Countess Anise: <Character name>: Countess?; Countess Anise: You know... when I first met him... I wasn't sure I trusted him. His motives seemed...hazy.; Countess Anise: But Livia trusted him, which meant something. And she was right. (sighs) My fears seem silly now...; <Character name>: You were being cautious. Even Mabon had reservations about his own kind.; Countess Anise: He's made that clear. You could hear it in his voice. Gods, his voice...; Countess Anise: What are we missing, Mabon? We don't have time for games. The alliance is growing impatient. And not just Livia and Ludo.; <Character name>: Well, the only place I haven't been yet is the central region. Not exactly a lead, but...; Countess Anise: It's all that's left...

Talking to Anise again

Commander, sorry to be so maudlin. I'm sure that this feeling of helplessness will pass... Eventually.

I get it. I didn't know him long, but I could see Mabon was special.

Countess Anise: You must have quite the extraordinary picture of Mabon from your few encounters with him.

Countess Anise: He wasn't always plagued by this much...excitement. He could be boring, too. Those might be the moments I miss the most.

Countess Anise: Politics is a strange world. Makes you question motives: Which do people care more about—me, or what I can do for them?

Countess Anise: Once I came to truly know Mabon, that was never a question. He was genuine. In that regard, you two are very alike.

Countess Anise: I believe you would've grown to be dear friends had time allowed for it...

I should leave you to your thoughts.

Upon sighting the Memory Wisp west of The Obsidian Scar: <Character name>: Knew you'd come through.

Examining the wisp: <Character name>: Very funny. But like Anise said, there's no time for games.; <Character name>: Hmm, I wonder if my warclaw could pick up on any leads. Worth a shot.

Interacting with any Trace of Wisp Magic leading to the first Magical Signature: Trace of Wisp Magic: (This trace amount of the wisp's magic appears to pulse in the direction of the ruins.); I should keep following.

One of the following when interacting with a Magical Signature: <Character name>: On the scent?; <Character name>: Follow your nose.; <Character name>: Picking up on something?; <Character name>: Lead the way.; <Character name>: Sense something?; <Character name>: What is it?

Interacting with the first Magical Signature: Magical Signature: (The magic of the wisp remains strong here. It appears as though it lingered here by the rubble for some time.); What were you thinking about, Mabon?

Interacting with any of the following Traces of Wisp Magic: Trace of Wisp Magic: (The wisp's magic thrums in the direction of the hallway ahead.); I should keep following.

Interacting with the second Magical Signature: Magical Singature: (The magic of the wisp hovers in the air around this location. It fills you with a sense of agitation that sends tingles down your spine.); Something you didn't want to see here?

Interacting with any of the following Traces of Wisp Magic: Trace of Wisp Magic: (The wisp's energy pulses upward, toward the platforms and catwalks above the ruins.); I should keep following.

Interacting with the third Magical Signature: Magical Signature: (The trace of the wisp stands still, seemingly looking down from the edge of the platform to the entrance of the ruined library below. You sense sadness.); Whatever happened here, it was powerful.

Upon interaction with the Memory Wisp by the entrance to The Veiled Library: <Character name>: Good job, you.; <Character name>: It wants us to follow it into Bava Nisos. And we're back to square one.

<Character name>: Anise, I located another wisp, but it's leading me into the city.

Countess Anise: Of course it is. Hold tight. I'll send backup to help examine the area. Surely we've overlooked something...

Mabon's Grief: Bava Nisos Outskirts instance[edit]

Upon reaching the entrance, getting ambushed by cave spiders: <Character name>: (gasp)

Upon entering the library: <Character name>: Now what? Guess I could just forge ahead...or take a moment to look around.

If mounting your Warclaw: <Character name>: Let's put that nose of yours to work again. Just in case...

If using Sniff while mounted: <Character name>: Nothing? Might be too much magic interference. Guess we'll do this the old-fashioned way.

Getting ambushed by more spiders while exploring: <Character name>: (sigh) What now?

Any subsequent ambush by spiders: <Character name>: Ahhh!

After defeating the final ambush of Cave Spiders: <Character name>: That's all of them. Ugh, this place...

Sometimes while exploring the library: <Character name>: This place is full of surprises.; <Character name>: Interesting...; <Character name>: Worth a closer look...; <Character name>: Might be onto something...; <Character name>: Huh...; <Character name>: Hmm...

Approaching two Mursaat Ghosts in the northwestern corner of The Veiled Library: Mursaat Ghost: I have just learned that Yagon is dead. Felled by the seer exile.; Mursaat Ghost: Isgarren...? Her mind had abandoned logic if she willingly pursued the Mask Scourge.; Mursaat Ghost: I would expect more remorse in your tone, Overseer.; Mursaat Ghost: Her spectral agony killed his people's premier. Yagon was never going to win that battle.

Inspecting the Dank Nest in the south-west

The stench coming from this makeshift nest of filth is nearly overwhelming. It writhes ever so slightly in a disturbing fashion.

Take a closer look.

You peer closer, resisting the urge to gag. From somewhere under the muck, you can hear a deep, intermittent growling sound, like the noise of a very empty stomach.

Leave the nest alone.

Back all the way up.

Interacting with Torture Collar: Overbearing Mursaat Overseer: (snarls) Don't touch that!; Torture Collar: This savage device appears to have been used around the neck of a victim to keep them docile. There's still dried blood on the spikes.; That's inhumane.

Upon interacting with the Propaganda Pamphlet: <Character name>: Sure were modest.

Interacting with Desiccated Corpse: Overbearing Mursaat Overseer: (snarls) Don't touch that!; Desiccated Corpse: The body of a man, dead for many years. The corpse appears surprisingly well preserved, making it almost impossible to tell how long it's been here.; Disturbing.

Upon approaching a Mursaat Ghost by the Stolen Journal: Mursaat Ghost: All of the effort spent retrieving the Mists Gate... And we cannot open it.; Mursaat Ghost: The Door of Komalie is about to burst as the seams, but there's no escaping it now.; Mursaat Ghost: I hope they're watching. Wherever they are... Home. You sent us to die.

After reading the Stolen Journal: <Character name>: Spectral agony... Yagon deserved to die for bringing such vile magic here.

Interacting with Mursaat Monument: Overbearing Mursaat Overseer: (snarls) Don't touch that!; Mursaat Monument: This distinctly shaped monument is weathered and worn, making the glyphs engraved into its surface mostly unreadable. Using the Heart, you can make out the words "heroic" and "sacrifice."; Wonder if there's something more to this.

Interacting with the Spider Nest: This mound of webs appears to be undisturbed at the moment. Whatever made it may be elsewhere. You get the eerie feeling that there's something out there, watching...; I'd better keep my eyes open.

Interacting with the Pile of Discarded Clothing: Overbearing Mursaat Overseer: (snarls) Don't touch that!; Pile of Discarded Clothing: This pile of discarded clothing is soiled, but the style of the garnments is like nothing you've ever seen before. It seems strangely intact, given how old they appear to be.; How odd...

Upon interacting with the Strange Tablet: <Character name>: What does it mean...?

Upon interacting with the Historical Record: <Character name>: Yagon killed the seer leader and turned the war... No wonder Isgarren hunted her down.

Upon interacting with the Dusty Tome: <Character name>: They sure feared Isgarren...

Following the wisp until The Gilded Approach where it disappears: <Character name>: Seriously?

Approaching the wisp up the stairs in the east by Illuminate Katla: <Character name>: There you are! Wait...; <Character name>: It was headed for that gate...and I see people over there. Maybe they saw something I missed.

Talking to Katla: <Character name>: Did either of you see a...wisp floating nearby?; Brazen Sunrise: A brief flicker caught my eye's corner. But it vanished before I got a closer look.; Illuminate Katla: Afraid I was too focused on my work to notice it. This gate's taken up my full attention since we arrived.; <Character name>: Any progress on entry?; Illuminate Katla: Not yet. All I can tell so far is that the gate doesn't seem to be mursaat magic.; Illuminate Katla: The force sealing it is on a power scale all its own. So is the distance the enchantment covers.; <Character name>: I'll be surveying nearby. Keep me updated.; Brazen Sunrise: Keep kindled your life-fire, Wayfinder. The dark is death's watchman.

As your allies appear through a portal: Isgarren: Wayfinder. Closer to me.

Talking to Isgarren: Waiting Sorrow: Wayfinder. Anise said you found another wisp. She's busy fielding pressure from the alliance about entering Bava Nisos.; Poised Arrow: What do they expect her to do? We're trying everything we can!; <Character name>: We're at an impasse on all accounts. The wisp led right to the gate. Seems Mabon also wants us inside the city.; Isgarren: Of course he does. It's the epicenter of the mursaat's demise—; Yagon: (laughs) You say that as if the mursaat hadn't already anointed these grounds with seer blood.; Poised Arrow: She's back!; Isgarren: Like a common household pest. I'm putting an end to this now!; Yagon: And you wonder why we never got along.; Yagon: Hubris always was the downfall of your kind.

When Yagon reaches 75% health: Yagon: This is who you bring into battle, Isgarren? A child, an old medicine woman, and a "champion" past their prime?; Yagon: Would've been better off bringing that traitor friend of yours. Oh, right, I saw what happened to him...; Waiting Sorrow: Kill her.

When Yagon reaches 50% health: Isgarren: Have you tired of your antics yet? I certainly have.; Yagon: Expect me to fall to my knees, begging for death? A coward's end may suit Mabon, but it doesn't befit me.; Isgarren: You cower in shadow like a cockroach fearing light. Fearing what it might reveal you for.; Isgarren: A disgusting, worthless little vermin! Yet you deem Mabon the coward?; Yagon: (roars)

When Yagon reaches 25% health: Yagon: You don't know...what you you're up against.; Poised Arrow: I see it, and I'm not impressed.; Waiting Sorrow: If only you'd brought an "old medicine woman" to mend your wounds.

When Yagon reaches 1% health: Yagon: (groans); Isgarren: This is exactly how the world will remember you, Yagon. I'll make sure of it.; Isgarren: The Heart of the Obscure. Finish her. NOW.

After defeating Yagon using Finish Yagon.: Isgarren: Arrogant enough to think she mattered and stupid enough to act as such.; Waiting Sorrow You have a way with insults I've always admired.; Isgarren: Hm.; Waiting Sorrow Mabon. Guide us.

Upon interacting with Mabon's memory: Mabon: You've nowhere left to flee. Now, who are—; Mabon: A titan.; Mabon: Well... What are you waiting for? Going to kill me like you did the rest?; Mabon: I'm not sure I'd blame you... I might have done the same. Spare us all a lot of misery...; Mabon: Stop! Face me. There's nothing left inside.; Mabon: We're what's left.; <Character name>: He followed the titan into Bava Nisos after the city fell...; Isgarren: He never told me.; Waiting Sorrow So, we can't get into the city. Mabon chased a titan into the city. And there's a Mists Gate.; Poised Arrow: Is that gate how the other strangers got here? The three we fought?; Waiting Sorrow It seems that way.; Poised Arrow: So...does that mean it's open?; Isgarren: Yes. And even my power can't disable the ward that blocks our path...; Isgarren: Summon the alliance.

Optional dialogue with Isgarren

Wayfinder. I'm sure you seek answers, but this day has been...troubling. I will answer your most pressing question, but the rest must wait until I've...taken some time.

How nervous should we be about this Mists gate?

<Character's name>: How nervous should we be about this Mists Gate?

Isgarren: If Ura did not deceive and it sits open, then we must abandon caution for action. A race has begun.

Isgarren: But another anxiety overcomes that of the gate...

<Character's name>: Mabon?

Isgarren: I've scrutinized every conversation. Every memory since the day I pulled the knife away from his throat.

Isgarren: He was sullen when he returned from Bava Nisos... And of course he was! He'd just observed the death of his people.

Isgarren: But now I know that something remained untold. He hid something from me.

Isgarren: Mabon... What happened? What did you do?

Don't let me bother you, then.

Optional dialogue with Waiting Sorrow or Poised Arrow

Waiting Sorrow/Poised Arrow: Wayfinder, there is much for us to think about and discuss. Is there something in particular you wished to speak with us about?

How are you two doing?

Waiting Sorrow: (scoffs) I don't even know what to say. This...just got a lot more complicated...

Waiting Sorrow: What about you, cub? I know this involves a lot of people and things you don't have history with.

Poised Arrow: Well, it affects you, so it affects me. That's reason enough to care.

Poised Arrow: But it'll affect everybody eventually if we don't do something about it. What that something might be? No idea...

Waiting Sorrow: That's not on you to figure out. You helping us is enough. I'm grateful you're here.

Waiting Sorrow: Worried sick every moment that you're gonna get hurt but...that comes with the job.

Poised Arrow: I'll do my best not to rile your nerves.

Nothing else. We'll speak again soon.

My story[edit]

“

I visited the countess after giving her space to process recent happenings. Normally confident and collected, it was clear that Mabon's memory pained her. I had done my best to provide her a supportive ear, but aside from the isle's exploration, I was afraid there was little I could do to lessen her burden. As I was prepared to depart, I noticed that Anise's parting words were drained of her usual cunning. Equally deflated, I set off toward the one area of the island our party had yet to explore: the central region.
I trudged along, mulling over the situation, when my thoughts were interrupted by a wisp flickering into view. This time, I was in no mood for its cageyness. Thinking on my feet, I realized I'd been overlooking one of my most trusted allies: my warclaw. With its refined nose to guide the way, we recovered the scent and were back on the trail. Just as soon as I had the sprite in my sight, it darted off toward the door to Bava Nisos—a door we're still unable to breach. I informed Anise and used this moment to have a look around as I awaited backup.
***
I made use of my time by browsing the Grand Athenaeum. Strict as they could be, the mursaat had a refined sense of architecture, based on the ruins. During my visit, I found some useful historical tomes. One book in particular gave context on Yagon, her role in creating spectral agony, and also her role in killing the seer leader, Sidony. This was a major turning point in the war. Another tome, written by another mursaat, painted an especially menacing picture of Isagarren. Having worked with him the past couple years, it can be easy to forget I'm working with the most powerful wizard in known history.
I satisfied my curiosity and cleared out various pests in the process. Afterward, I sought to regroup with my allies. It was then that I caught a final glance of the wisp as it sauntered right through the door to Bava Nisos. I chatted with some nearby researchers examining the obstruction, but sadly, neither got a clear look at the wisp. As I waited for my friends, I imagined the wisp taunting me from just beyond the gate.
***
Soon, Isgarren, Waiting Sorrow, and Poised Arrow came to meet me outside the gate to Bava Nisos. Our reunion was interrupted by a chilling familiar voice. It was a reminder of a menace yet to be dealt with: Yagon. The ghastly mursaat crone showed no restraint or decency, which sowed the seed of her downfall. Tensions between her and Isgarren came to a head when she accused the late Mabon of cowardice. Infuriated by her callous words, we dispatched this wicked remnant once and for all. Wielding the Heart, I sealed away what remained of her.
With Yagon removed from the site, the wisp reappeared in the battle's wake. This time, we were met with a scene of Mabon cornering the unseen presence from the previous memory. In doing so, Mabon confirmed the fear that had been in the back of my mind: there was another titan. We watched as Mabon went so far as to challenge the titan to kill him. Instead, the titan fled into Bava Nisos. Mabon pursued. The memory ended.
There we found ourselves at the entry to Bava Nisos, its gate unyielding before us, barring us from the answers awaiting us inside.

— My story

Notes[edit]

Trying to use a Warclaw and Sniff in the instance will do nothing, and only play dialogue suggesting it won't help.

Trivia[edit]

The chapter's title alludes to Mabon confessing his reason for visiting Bava Nisos in the past in A Collective History, Volume 6: "He was stressing over a trip northward, to Janthir, to the ruins of an old mursaat city. Said it was penance for the past, a promise made, 'one former monster to another.'"

References[edit]

^ u/interlukin. Comment on Bava Nisos Expert exterminator.. reddit.com.

Janthir Wilds storyline

Act 1	Prologue: The Tyrian Alliance → Unknown Territory → Diplomacy and Discovery → Home Sweet Home → Missing in Action → Strangers among Lands
Act 2	Storm Clouds over Janthir → Twice Stricken → Finding Balance → Against the Wall → Sorrow in These Halls
Godspawn	Trial and Error → Battle's Eve → Balrior Peak
Repentance	Into the Valley of Shadow → A Legacy Damned → Penance for the Past
Absolution	Forced Entry → A Titanic Undertaking → Salvation's Cost
← Previous: Secrets of the Obscure Next: Visions of Eternity →

[1] u/interlukin. Comment on Bava Nisos Expert exterminator.. reddit.com.

[1]

Penance for the Past

Contents

Objectives[edit]

Rewards[edit]

Walkthrough[edit]

Achievements[edit]

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Foes[edit]

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

Mistburned Barrens[edit]

Mabon's Grief: Bava Nisos Outskirts instance[edit]

My story[edit]

Notes[edit]

Trivia[edit]

References[edit]

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