Helm's Hold and Henchmen Quests

Once you enter the portal, the Stone of Recall will not work, so be prepared. You arrive near the Helm's Hold. There are three ways to get into the hold. You can take the front entrance, the side entrance and the cave entrance. Cave entrance in the west side of the map, other two are in the hold's courtyard. If you decide to take the front entrance, be sure to search the bodies in the courtyard for an "etched gem". It can be used on the altar. That way the guardians will not attack you and they will help you fight your enemies. An interesting quest here is with the demon. The demon asks you to free him by getting the book in the room behind you but you have other options. In the same floor there is a "book of helm" guarded by a helmite lieutenant (I think). That book lets you summon Helm's avatar that can reward you. To be able to summon it you have to banish the demon and then summon the avatar. If you free the demon it will be considered as an evil act. And if you banish the demon and summon the avatar you should as it for a magic item or insight because other rewards are not worth any consideration. You will eventually come to Desther himself.

Enemies to beware:
Wraith. They aren't hard to kill but they might lower your constitution so have restoration potions or spells ready.

Skeleton Priest/Cleric. Beware Hold Person spell. Nothing more.

Boss - Desther. He can be very hard. If you do not kill the support zombies/undead (the ones that are producing energy beams) Desther will kill you instantly. He will have many death spells that way. Once you get rid of the supports, Desther will become a simple high level cleric. He can do lots of damage with his spells, so don't let him cast them. He will eventually give up but you can't kill him. He has way too many hit points.

After the battle you can look around the hold, loot the treasure or just take Desther to JUSTICE. Chapter 1 is done and welcome to chapter 2 which will be the longest one of all.

Mercenary Quests

Tomi Undergallows (Rogue)
The documents he wants are in the Beggar's Nest in the wagon repair building.

Daelan Red Tiger (Barbarian)
The item he needs is at the boat in the chest in Docks where bloodsailors are.

Linu La'neral (Cleric)
Silver chalice of Moonbow is in Meldanen's house where you face him. In a drawer.

Grimgnaw (Monk)
The ring he seeks is in a house in No Man's Land near the entrance to Blacklake itself. It is on a dead body I think.

Sharwyn (Bard)
The "flower" she's searching is actually a celestial elixir found in Tanglebrook estate on an alchemist's table.

Boddyknock Glinckle (Sorcerer)
The recipe can be found in Beggar's Nest in one of the "locked houses".