The Last Hierophant

Objectives

 * Defeat Justiciar Thommis.
 * Defeat Rand Stormweaver.
 * Defeat Selvetarm
 * Defeat Forgewight.
 * Destroy Duncan the Black
 * See Veth the Storyteller for your reward.

Reward

 * 15,000 Experience
 * 2,750 Gold

General tips

 * Most of the Stone Summit have some type of resurrection skill, consider bringing Frozen Soil.
 * You don't need to do earlier levels in Hard Mode to get the Hard Mode page for the dungeon book, only Duncan's.
 * If striving to complete all the sub-quests in one go, consider bringing a few Identification Kits. There is a Weaponsmith in the main area to whom you can sell your items.

Forgewight's level
Enemies primarily consist of large groups of fire elementals and large groups of Stone Summit.

A general strategy against this is to have a dedicated Tank/Aggro manager, a Protection or bonder monk, and a few AoE damagers. Cast protective spells on tank, have them hold the aggro, then do as much AoE damage as possible to thin out the group. A ranger with Frozen Soil is highly recommended against Stone Summit to prevent resurrection, and Gaze of Fury to remove spirits when needed.

Justiciar Thommis' level
There are two bosses on this level, Justiciar Thommis, and Rand Stormweaver. It is recommended to do both during the same run, otherwise the exit will be blocked. The main difficulty is the large number of Dwarves that tend to aggro at the same time. Be prepared to do hit and run, or to manage large groups.

Selvetarm's level
Aside from large groups of Dwarves (see above), there are three additional difficulties here. (1) Some places have chained clerics and reavers popups, which may overwhelm groups already engaged in a fight. Pulling is recommended, as well as tactical retreats. (2) At the door right before the boss, there are popups. Each time you kill them, a larger groups spawns. There are a limited number of groups, but unprepared groups may suffer a wipe. Pulling is recommended to avoid the new group appearing on top of you. Also, these use life-stealing skills. Focus fire and general caster-shutdown is recommended against them. (3) Selvetarm and his group use Jagged Bones and Death Nova to produce a self-renewing supply of undead bombs. Using Verata skills to steal his minions will help, or some form of spike AoE damage such as splinter barrage.

Duncan the Black's level
Many Restless Dead popups. These use Vampiric Touch and Vampiric Bite quite a bit. Be sure you've got at least 2 healers.

When approaching Duncan the Black, be careful. Huge groups of Spirits and Restless Dead come up. When you've defeated Duncan, the spirits will die. If using Swap to eliminate the spirits, it is advisable to move the offensive ones behind the ruins to the west of the stairs, which will block attacks on party members.

The mobs in this area are composed entirely of Restless Dead popups and Stone Summit. Consider bringing the paragon skill Can't Touch This! for a partywide counter to the frequent toucher popups. Refer to the other sections for skills and tactics to counter Summit dwarves.

Initial dialogue

 * Veth the Storyteller: I have many stories. This unfortunate tale began only a few weeks ago...my brothers received word that the last of the Stone Summit Hierophants has gathered a force of enslaved creatures.
 * Veth the Storyteller: One of his slaves chafes enough at his collar to risk a message to his master's enemies and has told us that the Hierophant Duncan seeks to harness the power of the recently defeated Great Destroyer's soul.
 * Veth the Storyteller: My brothers rejoiced at these tidings, resolving to wait until the Hierophant has completed his ritual so that they may stage a glorious battle.
 * Veth the Storyteller: You may say it's not very Norn of me, but it might be wise for someone to confront Duncan the Black before he has the chance to harness the power of this dread creature.

Duncan
When he turns hostile:
 * Duncan the Black: By the blood of the fallen!
 * Duncan the Black: I will destroy you, and your wretched soul will reveal which of my minions betrayed me!

Reward dialogue

 * Veth the Storyteller
 * You have done us a great boon, . We thank you.