RESTRICTION: Level 20+

Recommendations for party size:

• Level 20-30 - 8 or more

• Level 30-40 - 5 or more

• Level 40-50 - 3 or more

• Level 50-60 - 1 to 2

• Level 60+ Solo

Rewards:

• 30,000 xps

• 3 Wood Hearts

• 3 Copper Hearts

• 3 Obsidian Hearts

• 2 Sturdy Iron Keys

• Elysa's Favor (See bottom for description)

The Story So Far...

  In January of 2002, the starter towns were attacked and most entry portals destroyed by Virindi!  Fortunately, Elysa Strathelar had created a group of sentinels who were in place and defended the towns of Shoushi, Yaraq, and Holtburg.  Now it seems that there is something amiss.  You job: Find out what strange occurrences are going on in the areas around these towns, and unveil the evil plot to defeat the Strathelar Guard!!

Step 0: Preparation

•  This quest may be started in Shoushi, Holtburg, or Yaraq.  I chose Shoushi as it is the most popular starter town.

• You will fight hollow monsters for most of this quest.  High AL base armor is a MUST!

• Tying to Subway makes it much faster to go through all the steps of this quest.

Step 1: Shoushi

   Go to the Starter area near Shoushi, and talk to Sir Tenshin, located at 32.8s, 73.3e.  This is what he will tell you:

Sir Tenshin tells you, "Greetings!  I've just come to head up the garrison here in Shoushi.  The townsfolk of this peaceful city must be protected, and everyone should do their share to help!  Could you help me to investigate a certain matter?"

Sir Tenshin tells you, "There is a farmer who lives a little ways past the Shoushi South Outpost.  He's been a normal townsmember for a very long time, but no one can speak for how he's come into so much wealth recently. Normally it's a cause to celebrate when one's neighbor moves up in the world...but why is he acting so distantly when he comes to town to stock up on provisions?"

Sir Tenshin tells you, "Could you go and check in on him? I am sure there is nothing amiss, but after hearing all of this I have to be sure..."

  Journey out to the farmer's house, located at 37.4s, 75.5e.  Inside, talk to the Ostentatious farmer.

  This is what he will say:

Ostentatious Farmer tells you, "Welcome to my grand opening! You are welcome to peruse my wares...but please, stay to the front of my shop--the heat from the fire is very strong, and I don't want you to get burned."

Ostentatious Farmer tells you, "Thank you for your patronage. Now please be on your way, I have much work to do."

  When you look in the back of his shoppe, near the fire, you will find a trapdoor! 

Double-click on it to open it and climb down into his basement (Map courtesy of ACMaps.)  The area below his shoppe appears to be a nice small storage room, but when you pull on the candleholder next to the fireplace, the fireplace slides aside to reveal a secret area!  Here is a map of this "dungeon", courtesy of ACMaps.

Back in this area, you will find a chest with a folded guards uniform in it.  Take the uniform and head back upstairs.  If you happen to talk to the farmer on your way out, this is what he will tell you:

Ostentatious Farmer tells you, "How dare you nose around my house, when I expressly asked you not to?  Ok, you can buy something, but after that, GET OUT!"

  At this point, head back to Sir Tenshin to report your findings.  When you hand him the folded guard's uniform, this is what he will say and reward you:

Sir Tenshin tells you, "There you are! Have you found out what that farmer's secret is? Let me know if he's been hoarding anything that could be considered...unusual in his house."

You give Sir Tenshin Folded Guard's Uniform.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "You say you found this Guard's uniform in a hidden room in the farmer's basement? What's more, he had many of them? And he's stockpiling a large armament as well?"

Sir Tenshin tells you, "How could he have found access to these uniforms? These are the sole property of Her Majesty's Guard--and are dispensed only through our headquarters. They must have been stolen whilst our quartermaster was in his cups...I will alert our Queen of this affair immediately. Thank you for your help--here is your reward."

You have been awarded 5,000 experience.

Sir Tenshin gives you Wood Heart.

Sir Tenshin gives you Wood Heart.

Sir Tenshin gives you Wood Heart.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "I believe Dame Tsaya in Yaraq should be alerted to this affair as well. Please take this letter to her--I have included your recent discoveries. I'm sure she will be highly interested to hear of what you have found."

Sir Tenshin gives you Sir Tenshin's Letter to Dame Tsaya.

  At this point, recall to subway and head over to Yaraq for the next part of the quest.
 

Step 2: Yaraq

  Upon arrival in Yaraq, head over to 21s, 0.8w and talk to Dame Tsaya.  Here is what she will say:

Dame Tsaya tell you, "I am mentoring Sir Tenshin in the responsibilities that come with being the leader of an important garrison.  Did he send any letters for me along with you?  I do like to keep track of his progress."

  Give her Sir Tenshin's Letter to Dame Tsaya, and she will tell you:

Dame Tsaya tell you, "What a disappointing happenstance.  Not only has a farmer been allowed to stockpiled an arsenal in his basement, but he is concealing stolen Guards uniforms as well?  Tenshin must learn to keep better order than this."

Dame Tsaya tell you, "Nonetheless, perhaps you could aid me as well.  Queen Elysa recently appointed me to lead the garrison here in Yaraq. She was deeply grieved when the 12 Training Halls were destroyed and wants to ensure that no harm will come to her subjects here."

Dame Tsaya tells you, "To that end, I have a small task for you: We have heard that a newcomer to this town has moved into a villa that has lain abandoned for many years. No one knows where he came from, although it is said he speaks with a Northern accent. Would you stop by his residence, and find out more about him? He lives to the southwest, near Lubziklan al-Luq's apple orchards."

  When you go visit the stranger, located at 23.7s, 2.8w, he will say:

Stranger in Town tells you, "Greetings, my friend, greetings! Welcome to my humble home. The hurly-burly of Marae Lassel proved too much for me, so I've decided to move here and call Yaraq home. Blend in. Make some friends among the peaceful townsfolk. In fact, I've made a good friend over in the Darkened Halls. He's recently moved here too. Why don't you pay him a visit as well? I'm sure he'd be happy to meet you and make you feel right at home."

  After talking to him, report this information back to Dame Tsaya and she will tell you:

Dame Tsaya tells you, "The stranger actually asked you to visit his new "friend" down in the Darkened Halls? That dismal place is has always been just the lair of some lowly Drudges, to my knowledge...perhaps you should investigate this matter. If you find anything out of the ordinary, I'd appreciate it if you brought it to me for inspection. Something just doesn't sound quite right."

  Head over to the Darkened Halls, located at 20.7s, 0.7e.  Follow the flow of the dungeon down and you will quickly come to a very strange looking area, with weird sound effects. 

Follow the dungeon to a largish room with Hollow minions in it.  You need to kill a level 30 Hollow Minion, who carries a special key, which you will need to open the purple chest against the wall.  Open the chest to reveal... A HUMAN HUSK!!  Also contained within the chest is an unsigned message. 

Return both of these objects to Dame Tsaya and she will say:

Dame Tsaya turns to you gravely.

Dame Tsaya tells you, "Yes, what did you discover up in the Darkened Halls?"

You give Dame Tsaya Human Husk.

Appalled, Dame Tsaya gingerly handles the human husk and covers it with a linen cloth.

Dame Tsaya tells you, "You found this in the Darkened Halls? Poor soul. I can only wonder what he went through in his last tortures. What dark intent could spur the Hollow Minions into committing such an atrocity? No wonder that stranger asked you so nicely to visit his comrades in those Halls--he must have been seeded here to send weak, innocent victims to their deaths--luckily he failed in taking your measure. I must write Sir Rylanan immediately and alert him to the crimes being committed here. But first, I must reward you for your discoveries here today."

You have been awarded 10,000 experience.

Dame Tsaya gives you Copper Heart.

Dame Tsaya gives you Copper Heart.

Dame Tsaya gives you Copper Heart.

Dame Tsaya tells you, "And now, please take this letter to Sir Rylanan in Holtburg. He must know immediately of the terrible crimes that are being committed here in Yaraq."

Dame Tsaya gives you Dame Tsaya's Letter to Sir Rylanan.
 

Step 3: Holtburg

   Recall back to subway, and head over to Sir Rylanan in the Holtburg starter area, located at 41.6n, 34.2e.  Hand him the letter and he will say:

Sir Rylanan tells you, "I see you've just come over from Yaraq. Did Dame Tsaya send a letter with you? She has always been so good about updating her reports."

You give Sir Rylanan Dame Tsaya's Letter to Sir Rylanan.

Sir Rylanan reads the letter from Dame Tsaya with great interest and growing concern.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "What terrible news! It sounds as if Tsaya and Tenshin both have their hands full in their garrison towns.  Stolen Guard uniforms and Human Husks!  What's next?"

Sir Rylanan tells you, "Well, I have had some interesting times myself. I've recently been assigned to Holtburg to build a garrision and be on the lookout for suspicious happenings. There is one fellow on the outskirts of town that I've been keeping my eye on. He's just moved here from Marae Lassel and sometimes comes into town for provisions. He says he's been "reformed", but I can spot a bandit when I see one! Townsfolk say they've spotted shady-looking guests coming and going from his house at odd hours. Could you go check on him? His house lies to the northwest of town, past the Holtburg West Training Academy."

  Head over to the bandits house, prepared for a fight.  Hollow Minions spawn both outside and inside near the bandit.  Talk to him and he will tell you:

Reformed bandit tells you, "Greetings stranger.  I've done many things to be ashamed of in the past, but I've come here to make a new start near the fair town of Holtburg.  I enjoy the peace and quiet of these parts.  Would you mind if I asked you to be on your way?  I am entertaining some important guests and I don't want them to be disturbed."

  Inside the bandit's house you will find some Hollow Minions hanging out in the basement.  Kill the level 30 one to get a Cryptic Note to take back to Sir Rylanan.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "You're back! How did your interview with that ex-bandit go? Did you find anything of note in his house?"

You give Sir Rylanan A Cryptic Note.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "You say you found this note in that bandit's house? Surrounded by a pack of Hollow Minions? I knew that fellow was up to no good! Look here...it refers to Asuger Temple, up to the north. Last I heard, the temple was just a Banderling hideout...harmless really. I wonder what sort of trouble might be brewing up there? Find out what is going on, and I'm sure I could find something in the Guard's coffers to reward you with."

  Head over to the Asuger Temple, located at 45.1n, 30.4e.  Work your way down to the area that looks like the weird area of the darkened halls.  Down in this area you will find a large room with a number of hollow minions in it, and some weird yellow portals floating in the air. 

  Kill the level 30 minion to recover a key to open the purple chest on the back wall.  In the chest you will find a Glass Spherule, which you will return to Sir Rylanan.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "I see you've returned from Asuger Temple in one piece. Did you find anything out of the ordinary while you were there?"

You give Sir Rylanan Glass Spherule.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "What a strange object! Perfectly round, and perfectly smooth!"

Sir Rylanan holds the spherule up to the light and stares into the milky glass.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "What substance could possibly be swirling around in there? Looks like portal space energy, doesn't it?"

Sir Rylanan starts to shake the spherule but suddenly thinks better of it.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "I am out of my depth here...the mages of the Arcanum might be able to fathom this object's purpose. I will send it to the Arcanum for analysis. I should now reward you for your aid in investigating this matter."

You have been awarded 15,000 experience.

Sir Rylanan gives you Obsidian Heart.

Sir Rylanan gives you Obsidian Heart.

Sir Rylanan gives you Obsidian Heart.

Sir Rylanan tells you, "I believe Sir Tenshin would be very interested to hear about your discoveries. He is heading up the garrison down in Shoushi. This letter will serve as your introduction to him--I have chronicled your discoveries, as well as the contents of the note you found earlier."

Sir Rylanan gives you Sir Rylanan's Letter to Sir Tenshin.

Step 4: Return to Shoushi

  Head back to Shoushi and talk to Sir Tenshin, located at 32.8s, 73.3e.  Here is what will happen:

Sir Tenshin tells you, "Greetings, Sir Rylanan mentioned he might be sending updates to me from Holtburg every so often.  Might he have sent one with you?"

You give Sir Tenshin Sir Rylanan's Letter to Sir Tenshin.

Sir Tenshin reads the letter from Sir Rylanan with no small amount of amazement and disgust.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "This is just too much.  Farmers stockpiling arsenals in their hidden basements, Hollow Minions torturing hapless victims and removing the very skill from their bodies, fill spherules with portal space energy.  I can't take it!  Why was I ever promoted?"

Sir Tenshin quickly descends into a short flurry of hysteria, hiccups, and pulls himself together.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "There must be connection here... could the Hollow Minions be taking the skins from their victims in order to fill them with the portal space in those spherules Sir Rylanan told me about?  All to clothe them in our Guards uniforms?  This is terrible... I'm never going home, am I?  Alright, pull yourself together, soldier!"

Sir Tenshin tells you, "We have heard that a group of Hollow Minions have recently claimed Fort Witshire and barricaded themselves inside.  Now that I think of it, this must be where their headquarters for this plot are located.  It has long been known that Fort Witshire was built upon the ruins of an old Empyrean prison.  We have been planning to infiltrate the fort by using the hidden corridors deep beneath the fort--and you seem like just the person to help us with this.  Here is a key that was found among Witshire's effects--it may be useful when you reach the surface to enter the fort."

Sir Tenshin gives you Copy of Witshire's Key.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "Use the portal next to me to enter the prison, then find your way to the top to reach the confines of Fort Witshire.  Now hurry!  Try to find out what those Minions are plotting!  There is no time to waste!"

  Take the portal in the room behind Sir Tenshin, which leads to Fort Witshire Dungeon.  Once you arrive there, head upwards until you get to the Fort Witshire surface portal, which will drop you off inside Fort Witshire.  You will fight Skeletal Warriors, Captains, and Hollows on your way up.

Part 5: Fort Witshire and Dranith Menacet

  When you appear on the surface, you will quickly be attacked by a number of hollow minions.  Kill them all and then use the key to open the door to the house in front of you.  Inside this house, there is a trapdoor leading to the final dungeon.  I recommend you go upstairs and buff before taking the trap-door, as you will be fighting some tougher monsters in much higher numbers in the final part of this quest.

  When you take the trapdoor portal, you will appear inside the final dungeon, the Hall of Hollows.  Work you way down to the final room, fighting both Hollow Minions and Martinate Simulacrums.  The Simulacrums look like Strathelar Guards, and carry Quiddity Weapons.

  The final room is rather difficult, as there are a HUGE number of Minions and Simulacra in this final room.

  Your goal is to kill the level 43 Hollow Minion, Dranith Menacet, and recover Menacet's Orders, which you will return to Sir Tenshin.

  Upon returning to Sir Tenshin, he will tell you:

Sir Tenshin tells you, "Good to see you again.  I am glad to see that you survived infiltrating Fort Witshire unscathed.  Did you find anything of note while you were there?"

You give Sir Tenshin Menacet's Orders.

Sir Tenshin reads the note you found in the Hall of Hollows.

Sir Tenshin tells you, "As I suspected--I thought they would try to infiltrate our ranks to gain access to Queen Elysa.  But who would have though they would be so low as to murder Borealean, Thorsten Cragstone's own son?  The storm gathers once more...but never mind.  Your efforts have not gone unnoticed this day, comrade.  Let me bestow upon you a mark of our Queen's favor, in recognition of your service to the crown of new Aluvia."

Sir Tenshin gives you Elysa's Favor.

Sir Tenshin gives you Sturdy Iron Key.

Sir Tenshin gives you Sturdy Iron Key.