Seeking Guidance II
Required: Seeking Guidance I quest.
→ Go to Rulayne Ogrin
YOU: Hi. I am searching for the legendary weapons that belonged to Lerivia Smare. I need information about a Diaboli who is said to have had the items, Perg Zrar.
Rulayne Ogrin doesn't show any sign of interest.
-He begins to talk as if he already knows all about your enquiries.-
Rulayne Ogrin: Tisd isn't a Diaboli or Dermorian affair.
Rulayne Ogrin: Tisd is Ynnwn.
Rulayne Ogrin: Why are you wasting my time by bothering me?
YOU: I need to know if Perg Zrar or his daughter Mzapt still possessed the famous weapons when rejoining the Death Realm.
Rulayne Ogrin: Dakkru doesn't bother with such details, and neither do I.
Rulayne Ogrin now speaks as if he witnessed what he speaks of himself.
Rulayne Ogrin: The Diaboli got rid of the unholy items, to a Ynnwn from Lerivia's circle of acquaintances.
YOU: I see. Thanks. Do you know who that was?
Rulayne Ogrin: You step in the Goddess's waters.
Rulayne Ogrin: Nevertheless, you are asking the wrong coven.
Rulayne Ogrin: But doesn't everyone end in Dakkru's embrace?
Rulayne Ogrin smirks or what looks like it.
-The two dark holes of his eyes glimmer dark purple light.-
Rulayne Ogrin: Menlil Toresun will surely like to spend his time in futility.
Rulayne Ogrin: Go ask him.
→ Go to Menlil Toresun
YOU: Good Day, Menlil. [You tell Menlil about your research.] I have been told to ask you about the Ynnwn.
Menlil Toresun: Laanx bless you, YOU.
Menlil Toresun: I heard of your investigations.
Menlil Toresun: You see, despite most races, Ynnwn don't have an evident attraction or aversion toward any god.
Menlil Toresun: Such freedom can be intoxicating, sometimes even troubling as paths and choices can be too vast.
Menlil Toresun: Even unconsciously, our race searches for guidance.
Menlil Toresun: One such as Rulayne found it in Dakkru as for me, it is Laanx.
Menlil Toresun: It can be wholesome.
YOU: I understand, Menlil. But can you tell me about this Ynnwn? Do you know where the weapons are?
Menlil Toresun chuckles, he nods as if he knows exactly where they are.
Menlil Toresun: They are in each of us.
Menlil Toresun: Tisd relates very little to what came after Lerivia's death.
Menlil Toresun: In fact, everything you heard about her and them is myth and legend, traditions for the most recent stories.
Menlil Toresun: The Diaboli of Tisd confided "Defiance" and "Confidence" to his daughter Mzapt, who was an Ynnwn.
Menlil Toresun: Mzapt joined the cause and brought more with her.
Menlil Toresun: Though, Mzapt was a radical.
Menlil Toresun: She developed a wild hate toward Dermorians, probably linked to her mother.
Menlil Toresun: She had quite a number of disciples.
Menlil Toresun: She slowly pushed the Ynnwn out of Dermorian influence while the Diaboli were on their way to disappearing into the Death Realm.
Menlil Toresun: With hindsight, we could say that she contributed to forging the Ynnwn a proper identity.
YOU: Ah! That's interesting. Thank you, Menlil. Any ideas what she did then? Where are the weapons today?
Menlil Toresun continues talking as if you said nothing.
Menlil Toresun: But a character with such a furious personality would never end well, in a legend.
Menlil Toresun: Ynnwn are a peaceful people, they melt in the population they meet, in their culture, they adapt.
Menlil Toresun pauses and then speaks slowly.
Menlil Toresun: A mage marginalized Mzapt, convincing the community that she was a clear danger they should fear.
Menlil Toresun: A riot is said to have taken place and Mzapt had to give up Lerivia's weapons to a charismatic mage.
Menlil Toresun: And he went off with them, preaching his ideal of peace and unity.
YOU: A mage... Who was he? To which Way Circle did he belong?
Menlil Toresun: Hum.
Menlil Toresun takes some time to remember.
Menlil Toresun: The legend calls him Daxosh Morona, if I recall.
Menlil Toresun: I believe he belonged to the Crystal Way Circle.
Menlil Toresun smiles as you thank him and walk away.
Menlil Toresun: May Laanx frighten the shadow from your path.
→ Go to Govell Mihdren
YOU: Hello Archmage. Could you tell me what you know of a mage called Daxosh Morona?
Govell Mihdren: Ah.
Govell Mihdren: You are the Klyros searching for "Defiance" and "Confidence".
Govell Mihdren: I know the tale of this mage well.
Govell Mihdren: The Circle often uses it to illustrate to our apprentices the various manners to use Crystal Way.
Govell Mihdren pauses then explains on in a confident tone.
Govell Mihdren: In fact, Daxosh was extraordinarily bad at magic.
Govell Mihdren: He couldn't even summon a proper energy arrow or cast the most basic healing spell.
Govell Mihdren: Despite this evident fact, he became one of the most respected members of the Circle.
YOU: And I suppose it's because he was wielding "Defiance" and "Confidence"?
Govell Mihdren looks at you, a slightly worried yet benevolent expression develops.
Govell Mihdren: Daxosh was endowed of a very rare talent for persuasive rhetoric.
Govell Mihdren: He could convince anyone of anything or the opposite in a minute.
Govell Mihdren: He was able to gather people together, from different religions, races, motivations...
Govell Mihdren: In fact, he was extremely charismatic.
Govell Mihdren: Not exactly the most intelligent being, but kind hearted.
Govell Mihdren: The fact he supposedly wielded the weapons certainly contributed to the influence of his ideas.
YOU: Why "supposedly"? I thought he took them from Mzapt. And why do you teach your apprentices about Daxosh if he couldn't even cast any Crystal Way spells?
Govell Mihdren: Because they are a myth, YOU as much as is Daxosh Morona.
Govell Mihdren: Also, he is the most brilliant representation of the famous "Crystal Aura".
Govell Mihdren: A spell isn't simply a mechanic, a technique.
Govell Mihdren: It's mostly what you make of it.
YOU: "A myth", that's all I've heard since I started this research. I have the strong feeling that I've been conned this whole time.
Govell Mihdren: It's probably because it's true, YOU.
Govell Mihdren: You are on a quest.
Govell Mihdren: And its purpose is truly important.
Govell Mihdren: You must continue.
Govell Mihdren: Who knows, you might just find these weapons.
YOU: If they are a myth, then how could I find them? I wish everyone would start to play fair.
Govell Mihdren: Play?
Govell Mihdren: This is not a game.
Govell Mihdren: Most Ynnwn, wonder about their culture at some point.
Govell Mihdren: To which culture do we belong, to which race do we feel a strong identity?
Govell Mihdren: Which races' past forged who we are now?
Govell Mihdren: Do we feel Ynnwn or do we feel like a simple fruit of a Dermorian and a Diaboli?
Govell Mihdren: What is being a Ynnwn?
Govell Mihdren: These are questions that many Ynnwn crave to answer.
Govell Mihdren: We don't feel diminished by it, but we are curious.
Govell Mihdren: It's the most positive attitude one can have, I think.
Govell Mihdren: We are proud people; it's our way to stand.
Govell Mihdren pauses, and asks gently.
Govell Mihdren: Now, do you wish to know more about "Defiance" and "Confidence"?
YOU: Sure...
Govell Mihdren: The shield "Defiance" was given to Lerivia by her Dermorian father; the sword "Confidence" by her Diaboli mother.
Govell Mihdren: Lerivia's pure will to forge herself and her siblings an independent identity is said to have imbued the weapons with a kind of spiritual power.
Govell Mihdren: Or a magical power, I can't tell you which.
Govell Mihdren: Supposedly working like the Crystal Aura; on a greater scale, of course.
YOU: That's why you teach about Daxosh and his use of this spell?
Govell Mihdren: Definitively, yes.
Govell Mihdren: It's a typical Ynnwn spell if you dare to push the argument that far.
Govell Mihdren smiles.
Govell Mihdren: Daxosh Morona was first based in Listarindel but preaching involved travelling in his great plan.
Govell Mihdren: The goal was to spread the word, to kindly present and support the existence and uniqueness of the Ynnwn race.
Govell Mihdren: He traversed the dome travelling to all the major cities including Ojaveda, Hydlaa, Gugrontid, Amdeneir and all seven of the Bronze Doors.
Govell Mihdren: He settled near the Eagle Bronze doors to be near to as many of the major cites as possible, this is where he stayed until passing to Dakkru.
YOU: And that's where I shall go now, I suppose? The Eagle Bronze Doors?
Govell Mihdren: Most certainly.
Govell Mihdren: You could start by questioning the administrator at the fortress, Beniua Busuka.
Govell Mihdren insists, gravely.
Govell Mihdren: Remember who you are working for, YOU.
→ Go to Beniua Busuka
YOU: Good day, Miss Busuka. Do you have a minute? I am seeking information about the whereabouts of a mage called Daxosh Morona. I know he died not too far from here.
Beniua Busuka smiles, taking you gently to a more discreet corner of the room, not far from Aerayau Strongwill.
Beniua Busuka: Yes, YOU, I was waiting for you.
Beniua Busuka: I've made an effort to try and remember precisely what I've heard about it.
Beniua Busuka: As far as I recall, the weapons never left the fortress area.
Beniua Busuka: But it has no importance anymore now.
Beniua Busuka smiles.
Beniua Busuka: You've completed your quest already largely, I think.
YOU: No, I haven't. I am searching for the weapons and I will continue do so until I find them or until I find proof that they never were anything but a myth.
Beniua Busuka: They ARE a myth.
YOU: Is Lerivia Smare a myth then, as well?
Beniua Busuka: No, of course, not.
Beniua Busuka: Lerivia is history.
Beniua Busuka: She was as real as you and I.
YOU: Then nothing proves that the weapons weren't real too?
Beniua Busuka seems speechless for a while then nods.
Beniua Busuka: You are right, nothing proves it.
Beniua Busuka: But in fact it doesn't really matter.
Beniua Busuka: What does matter is the "Ynnwn principle" itself, how alive it is.
YOU: Without offence, Miss Busuka, I would be glad if the "Ynnwn principle" would cooperate more directly. I am working for Vigesimi Stronghand.
Beniua Busuka looks down, embarrassed. She then proposes.
Beniua Busuka: Let's say that it's true.
Beniua Busuka: That Lerivia really wielded "Defiance" and "Confidence", that those weapons were real.
YOU: Let's say that, yes.
Beniua Busuka: Daxosh arrived here and most certainly came up to the fortress, at least to find a refuge.
Beniua Busuka: He could continue with his teachings in the surrounding villages and cities while being based here.
Beniua Busuka: His death must have occurred not so long ago, knowing that a Ynnwn can live around 130 cycles.
Beniua Busuka: Our race was already well integrated and seen positively in Yliakum.
Beniua Busuka: The weapons would likely have become useless, evidence a Ynnwn could achieve their goal without magical help.
Beniua Busuka: They fulfilled their and Lerivia's original goal.
YOU: I understand your idea. But, for historic note, couldn't he have entrusted the items to someone?
Beniua Busuka: Could be.
Beniua Busuka: If that is the case, it would obviously be to an Ynnwn.
Beniua Busuka: I am sure.
Beniua Busuka: I have access to the fortress archives, I will go and dig there and try and get some names.
Beniua Busuka: Please, wait for me here, take a seat.
Beniua Busuka disappears off to look through the fortress records. As she does, you see Aerayau Strongwill motioning for you to approach him.
→ Go to Aerayau Strongwill
YOU: Commander Strongwill?
Aerayau Strongwill: YOU, apologies but I overheard your conversation with Miss Busuka.
Aerayau Strongwill: You are working for Vigesimi Stronghand?
YOU: Yes, Commander Strongwill.
Aerayau Strongwill: Right.
Aerayau Strongwill: Please, assure the Vigesimi of my support.
Aerayau Strongwill then announces, almost excited.
Aerayau Strongwill: I might be able to contribute more concretely to her "project".
Aerayau Strongwill: The things you said to Beniua remind me of a Dermorian poem called "Spreading Roots".
Aerayau Strongwill: It's a metaphorical piece of text or so I thought, speaking of the fortress squadrons...
Aerayau Strongwill: I never made the link with Tisd until today!
YOU: That's very interesting! Is there any information in this poem?
Aerayau Strongwill nods, looking to your left, blinking as he struggles to remember the text.
Aerayau Strongwill: Ah.
Aerayau Strongwill: I will try to write the poem down, it will come more easily then, I guess.
Aerayau Strongwill struggles some more, scribbling on a piece of parchment that he finally hands to you.
Aerayau Strongwill: There it is and...
Aerayau Strongwill: Ah!
Aerayau Strongwill: Miss Busuka is back.
Aerayau Strongwill: Remember, report my support to the Vigesimi, YOU, will you?
>You have received an Aerayau's Dermorian Poem.
→ Go to Beniua Busuka
YOU: Welcome back Beniua. And thank you. What did you find?
-She waves a folder filled of old paper in front of you, proudly.-
-Her forehead is covered with dust and she coughs some.-
Beniua Busuka: I quickly browsed those documents.
Beniua Busuka: Unfortunately there were very few Ynnwn in the fortress and they were all soldiers.
Beniua Busuka: Maybe that's a good thing...fewer people to track down.
Beniua Busuka: Maybe one of them is the right one, but all were stationed deeper in the surrounding caves or at outposts.
YOU: And Dermorians?
Beniua Busuka: Dermorians?
Beniua Busuka: Why Der...
Beniua Busuka interrupts herself as if she just understood.
Beniua Busuka: Ohh!
Beniua Busuka: Yes!
Beniua Busuka: Why not?
Beniua Busuka: It would fit with Daxosh's idea of unity and peace.
Beniua Busuka: Indeed.
Beniua Busuka: Let me check...
-She opens the folder and reads a bit in silence then pokes a line.-
Beniua Busuka: There.
Beniua Busuka: Four were listed...
Beniua Busuka: Hmm, soldier...
Beniua Busuka: Hmm.
Beniua Busuka: Ah.
Beniua Busuka: This one was an officer, Dalantai Seorin...
Beniua Busuka: Ah, no, pardon me, he's 60 years old and still alive.
Beniua Busuka: A bit young for Daxosh, I believe...
Beniua Busuka: Wait.
Beniua Busuka: This one was responsible of the civilian barracks.
Beniua Busuka: It's a woman, Bayarma Falarill.
Beniua Busuka: The approximate dates fit, as well as her activity...
Beniua Busuka looks at you expectantly as much proud as curious in unexpected hope.
YOU: Please, read this. [You hand Beniua the poem Aerayau Strongwill gave you.]
Beniua Busuka reads, clearly impressed.
Beniua Busuka: By Laanx!
Beniua Busuka: Braid my hairs and call me a rivnak, I never even imagined this could be!
Beniua Busuka's now speechless, hands you a token to take the pterosaur back to Hydlaa.
Beniua Busuka: Use if you can to get back faster.
Beniua Busuka: Thank you, YOU.
Beniua Busuka: I believe that now, we have a conclusion.
→ Go to Amidison Stronghand
YOU: Vigesimi Stronghand, I think I solved the great "riddle" you assigned to me. I can't tell for sure if it's all a myth or true history, but the fact remains. [You summarize the information you gathered for Amidison and give her the poem.]
Amidison Stronghand: And so the brave soul is back from her journey.
Amidison Stronghand puts a hand on your shoulder after reading the poem.
-You can feel her emotion.-
Amidison Stronghand: YOU, what you accomplished these past few days was, is, truly a gift for the Ynnwn people.
Amidison Stronghand: You probably realized it by now but you renewed the link that unifies us all.
Amidison Stronghand: This is the strength of our people, to be able to gather everyone under a cause, be it good or bad, it is our purpose.
Amidison Stronghand: This is why we prefer to live in cities and this is why we are imbued of other races culture.
Amidison Stronghand: We are a binding.
YOU: The Crystal Aura of Daxosh...
Amidison Stronghand nods, laughing, probably out of nervousness or simply joy.
Amidison Stronghand: Exactly!
Amidison Stronghand: To be perfectly honest though, I ignored the existence of this poem and the possible link to "Defiance" and "Confidence" with the Shadow and Sunshine squadrons.
Amidison Stronghand: The "challenge" and "audacity" of the poem surely refer to them.
Amidison Stronghand: This is incredible.
Amidison Stronghand: Truly is.
Amidison Stronghand: You went beyond all my expectations and I can't thank you enough.
Amidison Stronghand: I'm sorry for not laying all my cards on the table at the beginning.
Amidison Stronghand: I wanted to avoid influencing you in any way.
Amidison Stronghand: You more than deserve these crafting manuals as a reward.
Amidison Stronghand: It seems pale now compared to the joy I feel.
Amidison Stronghand: Here you go.
Amidison Stronghand hands you two books.
Amidison Stronghand: There are two of them...one for light shields and one for heavy shields.
Amidison Stronghand: You probably have enough of these books by now to fill a library.
Amidison Stronghand: I guess there was too much information for just a single book, so they made two.
YOU: Thank you Vigesimi Stronghand, I truly appreciate it. This will be put to good use. Oh, by the way, Aerayau Strongwill assures you of his unstinting support.
Amidison Stronghand looks into the distance, her eyes shining with a renewed pride.
-She even seems taller, her calm assurance almost palpable.-
Amidison Stronghand: We can be proud now.
QUEST COMPLETED
Rewards: 1 Enchanting Light Shields, 1 Enchanting Heavy Shields, 15000 XP.