Guild Wars 2 Hidden Arcana
28:04
This is the last instance of Echos of the Past. It's VERY interesting but very long.
Why exactly? The boss fights sadly are the lowlight of the patch. They drag on and involve a LOT of waiting for things to happen before you can actually damage the boss.
Well not all of them are bad just the Facet of Light and the final boss just tend to drag on...
However the lore and everything else is AMAZING. The vision finally is making sense now. Due to the length however I had to split this into two videos.
Oh and Ogden is SUCH a troll even if he's a dwarf.
Tags: Hidden Arcana Guild Wars 2 (Video Game) Guild Wars 2 Instance Living Story Living World Sexy Elder Dragon GW2 Patch Update Story Mesmer Necromancer Ranger Guardian Engineer Thief Warrior Human Female Boobs Norn Charr Asura Pro Kasmeer Marjory Delaqua achievement Let's Play Rox,Braham Tyria Mordremoth Dusk Lesbian Boss Taimi Living Story Season 2 Season 2 Echoes of the Past Episode 5 Silverwastes The Dragon's Reach: Part 2 Durmand Priory Ogden Stonehealer
Added: 5 months ago
From: DuskDragoon0
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From ign.com:
"Hidden Arcana" is the second instance in Season 2 Episode 5 of the "Living World" scenario from Guild Wars 2, "Echoes of the Past."
Find Explorer Campbell and retrieve the cipher.
* Retrieve the cipher from Explorer Campbell in the Silverwastes.
Search the Durmand Priory for Ogden Stonehealer
* Meet Marjory and Kasmeer at the Durmand Priory.
* Meet with Magister Ela Makkay.
* Gain access to the Priory library.
* Speak with the archivist.
* Books Read: x/3
* Read the remaining books.
* Enter the reliquary.
* Speak with Ogden Stonehealer.
* Inspect the hourglass.
* Re-orient yourself.
* Find Marjory and Kasmeer.
* Explore the area up ahead.
* Defeat the Distorted Facet of Strength
* Inspect the glowing crystal.
* Determine your next course of action.
* Explore the area up ahead.
* Defeat the distorted Facet of Light.
* Reveal the crystalline memory.
* Examine the teleportation crystal.
* Explore the area up ahead.
* Find a way past the gate.
* Destroy the Facet of Darkness
* Reveal the crystalline memory.
* Examine the teleportation crystal.
* Follow the path.
* Malevolent Memory
* Regroup with your allies.
* Examine the teleportation crystal.
* Speak with Ogden Stonehealer.
Walkthrough
Echoes of the Past - 04 Hidden Arcana (Story Mode)
You'll find Explorer Campbell near the Strange Pillar skill challenge in the Central Silverwastes. Afterwards travel to the Durmand Priory in Lornar's Pass to start the next instance. The first part of this storyline mission is easy, just follow the green stars on the map and talk to people. When you finally reach the hidden basement of the archives and have talked to Ogden, touch the Ornate Hourglass to get teleported to Glint's Lair.
Domain of Strength
Walk forward to trigger a cutscene and dialogue between Kasmeer and Marjory. Simply follow the path, and when the dialogue has finished the Distorted Facet of Strength will appear at the end of it. Simply dodge the orange circles, and damage it to kill it. It will occasionally summon Summoned Facets, but those die almost instantly and can mostly be ignored. Continue to the Glowing Crystal, then onward to the other crystal to teleport yourself to the next area.
Domain of Light
Domain of Health Draining - Deals damage every second
Head forward and kill the summoned facets to get the Crystalline Coating effect, then walk to the red light to transform it into a Protective Bond effect. This will prevent you from taking damage from the purple AoE coating the floor. Repeat with the Summoned Facets you find afterwards, then proceed to jump across two sets of rocks. Eventually you will reach the next boss, Distorted Facet of Light. Here you need to kill Summoned Facets again to gain a colored light around you. Walk to the light orb matching your color to gain the Protective Bond to be able to approach the boss. Be sure to monitor the duration of the effect especially if you fight in melee, because once the effect runs out the purple AoE will pretty much one-hit kill you. Once the effect runs out, wait for the next Facet to appear and repeat the process. Once finished, proceed to the next Glowing Crystal and then teleport again.
Domain of Darkness
Domain of Energy Draining - Skill cooldowns doubled. Endurance regeneration halved.
Head forward and across the platforms. At the end of the bridge you will see a round, transparent shield. Walk into it to get the Fragile effect, then run across the field to reach a Vortex Crystal. Stand inside it until it gets a white circle around it and steals the Fragile effect. This will reduce its health to 1, letting you kill it. If you try to attack it without letting it absorb the shield first, it will simply regenerate its health and so basically stay invulnerable. Make your way down the crystal stairs to reach the next boss. This boss is invulnerable to direct damage, so you will need to kill it by destroying Vortex Crystals. Each time the boss attacks with the big orange circle, a shield will appear. Walk on it to gain it, and then transfer it to a Vortex Crystal, then destroy it to damage the boss. Rinse and repeat to finish the boss off. Just be cautious when you have the fragility effect, because it will reduce your HP significantly, making you very vulnerable to the boss's attacks. When the boss is dead, proceed to the crystal and teleport to the final area.
Central area
Follow the Crumbling Path, where Marjory and Kasmeer were upon arriving, to enter the central room with the final boss, Veteran Malevolent Memory. This boss is a combination of the previous three facets. It cycles through two phases throughout the fight. The Memory will switch to the second phase at 75%, 50%, and 25% health, and will return to the first phase after a Vortex Crystal is destroyed during Phase Two.
During the first phase, the Malevolent Memory uses the jumping attack from the Facet of Strength, the huge PBAoE attack from Facet of Darkness, and the small distanced AoE attack from the Facet of Light. In this phase, the Malevolent Memory can be damaged by any means, but using the same strategy as with the Facet of Darkness (destroying Vortex Crystals via Fragility shield) is fastest.
The second phase, the Malevolent Memory will gain the Facet of Light's shield, and the Vortex Crystals will be defended by the color orbs, and spawns Summoned Facets, but will lose all but the distanced AoE attack. In the second phase you will need to kill Summoned Facets to gain the colored light around you. Then you need to find yourself a Fragility shield, BEFORE entering the colored column of light. Once you are fragile, you can enter the column of light and kill the Vortex Crystal. If there is more than one colored column of light, choose the one that matches your buff.
You will then listen to some dialogue and a cutscene will play, after which you can teleport back to the Priory headquarters. Speak to Ogden to receive your reward. Note that Ogden has story exposition if you talk to him again after receiving the reward.
Achievements
You need to complete the story instance of the whole episode once before you can start going for achievements. Once you have unlocked the achievements, you can replay any of the instances by going to the specific purple markers on the map.
The following are achievements found in this instance. Click on the achievement names for details.
* Better Red Than Dead (Defeat the facet of light without using blue or green attunements)
* Strength Without Sacrifice (Defeat the facet of strength without being stunned or grabbed)
* Exposed Weakness (Reduce the health of the facet of darkness from 75% to 0 in less than 15 seconds)
* Exposed Weakness: Redux (Defeat the malevolent memory without transferring any boons to vortex crystals)
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From guildwars2.com:
The Special Collections area in the Durmand Priory Basement is a storage and research area with a continually changing access cipher to ensure the highest level of security. It can only be entered through the kitchen in the lower level of the Durmand Priory; Chef Robertus acts as gatekeeper, adjusting the wards on the portal (fireplace) to allow admittance to authorized individuals. Currently, this is only possible when entering the Living Story chapter Hidden Arcana.
A bronze Statue of Abaddon stands at the entrance to the area, surrounded by 3 tablets and stairs on each side and Lord Odran's map of The Mists depicted on the ceiling. Around the edge of the map, the phrase "Beware the dangers of secrets kept" is written in Ascalonian runes. The stairs lead into the next room, which contains a circular arrangement of bookshelf stacks. To the south (on the left when standing behind the statue of Abaddon) is a large storage area. After passing through to the west of the circular stacks, additional bookshelves are arranged in six two-story alcoves (three on the north and three on the south). An area to the north (on the right when standing behind the statue of Abaddon) is closed shut by a gate; with a sign "Autopsy Lab, Do not enter", written in New Krytan. Suspended from the ceiling in the main room is one of Zhaitan's tail, preserved for further study. And on the ceiling itself is a map of The All.
Upon solving the security cipher, the circular stacks rotate so that their openings align (forming a direct route from the statue to the alcoves). As the stacks lower, retracting into the floor, the medallion at the center of the circle retracts in a spiral, forming stairs down to the lower level of the Special Collections, which consists of an additional, larger, storeroom.
NPCs
* Archivist Ernswort
* Ogden Stonehealer
Books
* A Treatise on the Shadow of the Dragon
Scholar Caterin interviewed dozens of her fellow sylvari who claimed to have seen the Shadow of the Dragon in the Dream. She concludes that only one such report has any credibility.
"Shadow of the Dragon" is the name assigned to Mordremoth's champion. This nightmarish creature has been spied in the Dream and in the world.
While some believe it is immortal and cannot die, others do not. To date, there is no proof in either direction.
* Ascalon Census
This historical document is a record of the inhabitants of Ascalon prior to the Searing that destroyed their culture and killed so many.
* Ashford History: Duke Barradin
Written by Ela Makkay, this collection of historic facts reveals the life and death of one of Ascalon's most notorious dukes.
Though first in line to the throne, Duke Barradin did not object when the people called for Adelbern to be king instead. He spent his life on the Barradin Estate, making wine and training warriors.
Barradin's daughter, Althea, was betrothed to Prince Rurik, son of King Adelbern. Althea was murdered by charr, and her ghost remained restless until a renowned hero returned her ashes to Barradin.
Duke Barradin was caught in the Foefire, and his ghost now causes regular trouble for the charr in the Plains of Ashford.
* Black Moa: A Personal Account
This book, by Rutger zu Heltzer, describes a carnivorous bird that is feared, respected, and legendary among the Kurzicks.
It all began when l was out on patrol, keeping my eyes peeled for Luxon scouts. My ears filled with the shrill cries of a beast.
I chased the Black Moa. It was evil. I had heard that it eats other animals. I now believe it eats people as well.
I nearly caught it, but it thrashed and scratched. It squawked and screamed. When it ran, I tried to track it, but it is fast and ferocious.
* Bloodstones
"What are bloodstones?" From notes taken by a young Nicholas Sandford in discussion with his friend, historic figure Durmand, a renowned historian.
Last time Elder Dragons awoke, Seers put magic in a stone (to save it from dragons). This worked. After dragons went back to sleep, gods came and hoarded bloodstone and other treasures in Arah.
Abaddon, god of water and secrets, gave the stone away to some races. This caused wars, because people fought over it. King Doric begged that it be taken back so the battles for power would end.
The gods agreed. They used Doric's blood to seal the stone (blood + stone = bloodstone) and it broke it into five pieces. They threw them in a big volcano. Of course, it erupted, and spewed them out.
People found them and used them for evil, like Mursaat. Not all have been found.
Bloodstones affect an area: healing and cursing, for example. The four bloodstones (fifth was a key - whatever that means) have properties: aggression, destruction, preservation, and denial.
Magic flows from the bloodstones back into the world. Bloodstone shards are rare, but still known to affect anyone or anything within range. Bloodstone dust is far less effective.
* Centaur Tribal Culture and History
In this series of reports from the Hinterlands, Explorer Ket details what her research has uncovered about centaurs and their tribal society.
Centaurs can be found in many places throughout Tyria and as far away as Elona. Some tribes, such as the Orshad Raiders from the Crystal Desert, are known to eat human flesh.
Centaurs are one of many races displaced by humans. The number of warring tribes far outweighs that of peaceful tribes.
The rise of the Elder Dragons, especially Zhaitan and Jormag, has put centaurs in even greater conflict with humans in the Shiverpeaks and in the plains as the two races compete for territory.
* Destiny Set in Stone: The Last Days of the Dwarves
This book, by Ogden Stonehealer, describes the events of 1078 AE that caused the Transformation of the Dwarves.
The dwarves are not really gone. They are living weapons, no less real than the Hammer of the Great Dwarf who created them.
This hammer, wielded by King Jalis Ironhammer, was the magical catalyst. It caused the success of the Rite of the Great Dwarf.
The rite connected all dwarves' minds so that they could be stronger together. They became one Great Dwarf instead of many weak ones.
This collective consciousness (along with some asura, humans, and stubborn norn) put the Great Destroyer to rest.
* Dragons and Gods
A scholarly argument for the symmetry between Elder Dragons and the human gods. Unfortunately, by the end, it is clear that no proof exists to support this theory.
* Flora To Fawn Over
This book by Scholar Alainn goes into meticulous detail about the various species of plants found in Kryta.
Wild herbs can be found throughout Kryta. Thyme, parsley, tarragon, and other leafy greens can be found in natural patches.
Other edibles, such as strawberries, can be cultivated easily, but thrive mostly on farms and not in nature.
Once you learn the plants of Kryta and can tell oregano from sage, the world is more engaging and less of a surprise.
* History of Tyria
As summarized by Wilhelm Tannhauser, Associate Archivist of Durham[sic] Priory.
Our world has seen the rise and fall of the serpent kingdoms, the arrival and exodus of the gods, the renewal and limitation of magic, the devastation of dragonfire, and the saga of humans.
Cults and conspiracies have fought to destroy civilization, yet heroes have risen to defeat them. Evils long forgotten rise again, as history repeats itself in new forms and guises.
The Shining Blade, once exiles and revolutionaries, have restored the rightful ruler of Kryta to her throne. We venture into the countryside, no longer fearing the oppression of the White Mantle.
Races once locked in bitter war now live on the same streets, work in the same neighborhoods, and trade in the same marketplaces. And today, Tyria unites in the struggle against the dragons.
* In Consideration of Sacrifice
In Consideration of Sacrifice by Evennia of the Shining Blade.
A human lay upon the sacrificial altar. White Mantle braziers cast a demonic glow. Mursaat - they didn't touch the ground but floated above it, as if too good for our land.
Still just recruits, my fellows and I had rushed into the depths of the Maguuma Jungle to make a difference. I watched the Mursaat drift toward the terrified captive. Our orders were to wait.
They circled their victim, and his fearful cries rang out. I saw it then, the Scepter of Orr, raised high, glinting in the moonlight. "We have to go now!" I looked to our lieutenant. "Why do we wait?"
Our lieutenant cast a warning glare at us. They were going to kill their prisoner, and we were waiting. I didn't understand.
The man screamed, a sound so full of pain I thought I was hearing his soul being torn from his body. I gripped my weapon tightly to keep from screaming with him. It was done. The man was dead.
A wave of euphoria came over the White Mantle and their grotesque gods. They fell into chaos and let slip their vigilance.
My lieutenant raised his weapon and said, "To know when to sacrifice one for the many is never easy, but today, the Shining Blade will gleam with the blood of murderers. Charge!
* King of the Dwarves
Ogden Stonehammer[sic] delivers a possibly premature eulogy to King Jalis Ironhammer, last and greatest king of Deldrimor.
Never before and never again will there be such a ruler as King Jalis Ironhammer. Steadfast and mighty, he inspired love from the dwarves and loved them in return.
Black was the day when Jalis's eyes went firm as iron. He'd made the decision that it was time. The Tome of the Rubicon predicted it. The Deldrimor dwarves would make the ultimate sacrifice.
Jalis never once hesitated. He stood at the fore with his subjects around him, and he performed the ritual known as the Rite of the Great Dwarf.
It turned us to stone so that we could fight the Great Destroyer on even terms. The last time I saw my king, he was leading a charge into the depths of Tyria, into a nest of Primordus's Destroyers.
* Koss on Koss
This autobiography focuses mostly on the events surrounding the Ascension of Kormir in 1075 AE.
I am Koss Dejarin, and I gave up a lot for the Sunspears. I lost promotions, a father, a sister, friends, and my home to fight for the organization.
I became known as the bane of corsairs and demons. I fought for my country and my spearmarshal.
Holy goddess Lyssa gave me Kormir and Melonni. One of the two I married. The other, I pray to. I love them both with all my being.
I risked my life many times for Kormir, but she got what every great warrior deserves. She died courageously.
* Krewe Influencers
This collection of tips and tricks will guide the reader through krewe selection. Written by Florggi.
Not all tasks can be performed by krewe members. You may need "special" volunteers to further your research.
For example, suppose your krewe has a prototype that will allow asura to fly at the speed of a Canthan firework. How are you going to test it?
Obviously YOU can't test it. You're far too valuable, and krewe members can be expensive to replace. So, you need a bookah.
Your average bookah (human) is very easy to manipulate with flattery and tends to enjoy going on adventures.
* Myths and Legends of Ancient Ascalon
This tells ancient charr legends about Ascalon. It was a mythology book compiled by Cita Commandheart.
Once, fearsome beasts walked the land. These giants ripped smaller animals apart with their sharp teeth and kicked rocks miles away.
The creatures had claws longer than charr arms that they used to spear and cook their prey.
These creatures died because they did not work in warbands. When dragons attacked, they fought and died alone.
The charr ruled Ascalon differently. We made warbands and legions. We made armies. Then the humans arrived and pushed us from our land.
We retaliated and took it back.
* Nightmare Courtiers
Written by Iowerth, this work is a psychological and historical look at the Nightmare Court. It offers several sound theories for why the Court tortures and kills so indiscriminately.
Secondborn Cadeyrn founded the Nightmare Court, gathering its members from sylvari who had darkened hearts and cruel minds. Firstborn Faolain was one of the early converts.
Nightmare courtiers believe that in order to have balance, one must allow darkness in. They seek to inject Nightmare into the Dream by torturing their fellow sylvari and breaking their minds.
They have no empathy for other creatures and will massacre a whole village if its citizens get in their way. The depth of their depravity has never been fully measured.
Firstborn Faolain herself took over as the court's grand duchess. Obsessed with Caithe, she has tried on numerous occasions to introduce Caithe to Nightmare and convert her as well.
Caithe continues to resist, though Faolain has taken extreme measure, including poisoning Caithe with Nightmare and forcing her to participate in Nightmare activities.
The Nightmare Court rejects Ventari's tablet and its philosophies. The more time that passes, the more dangerous and unpredictable they become.
* No Moa!
This children's book by Pitney tells the hilarious tale of a moa who constantly gets into trouble and the exasperated farmer who takes care of him.
When the moa wandered out of its pen, the farmer shouted "No, moa," but the bird didn't listen.
The farmer followed and shouted, "No, moa!" as the bird nearly ran afowl [sic] of a hungry charr.
The farmer yelled, "No, moa!" when it ran into the catacombs to escape the charr.
The farmer reluctantly went in after the moa, knees knocking, and said "Yes, moa" as the bird ran to him, its knees knocking too.
* On the Tome of the Rubicon
High Priest Alkar of the Deldrimor dwarves explains in a letter why the tome must be secured beyond the reach of any.
I have just rescued - with the help of a heroic human - the Tome of the Rubicon from the Stone Summit. The idiots were attempting to read from it and summon the Great Destroyer.
I have translated it in portions, but the ancient language is difficult to understand. I do believe there is a prophesy here, however. One that mentions the Deldrimor line.
Once the translation is complete, I will secure the tome until such time as it is needed. Fear not. It will not fall into ignorant hands again."
* Primeval Kings: Unearthing Ancient Elona
This history, by Bahltek, discusses the rulers of Elona from 200 BE to 452 AE.
The arduous task of unearthing what happened during the rule of the Primeval Kings is compounded by the devastation of the Scarab Plague at the end of their reign.
The golden age of Elona was all but erased by the chaos that ensued when people succumbed to insects that eviscerated them.
An adept researcher can rediscover the truth about Elona's splendor during this period.
A socioeconomic divide can be seen in the architecture of devastated Fahranur. Copious servants were available to serve the royalty.
These royals had relics from as far away as Kryta and such strong archemetrical infusion that they ruled without opposition for 600 years.
* Quotes from Ventari the Centaur
A first edition of the collected quotes of Ventari, the centaur beloved by many sylvari.
"There was a time, once, when humans and centaurs lived in peace. But that was long, long ago. I'm afraid I will not live to see such a time come again to Tyria."
"The outside world is a violent place, where the seeds of chaos are sown with innocent tears."
"Centaurs are a proud race, fiery with passion... They would not see humans as equals. Against the odds, they fought. The humans rose to crush them. War consumed those lands...and my home with it."
"Forging the path of serenity from the mind to the heart is more difficult than any battle fought with steel."
"The only peace to be found is within the self."
"This place is home... As bloodshed cast its shadow, we shelter beneath this place of solace, to live life as it was meant to be, in harmony and unity, regardless of race or caste. All are welcome."
"...all of this began as a seed that Ronan gave me. He...fought the White Mantle who slaughtered my people. Those battles cost him his wife and daughter. In his grief, he threw down his weapon."
"Perhaps he (Ronan) was looking for escape, or a place to die, to end his suffering. There he lay a broken man, and in that moment he found the seed that would become all of this."
"Live life well and fully, and waste nothing. Do not fear difficulty. Hard ground makes stronger roots. The only lasting peace is the peace within your own soul."
"All things have a right to grow. The blossom is brother to the weed."
"Never leave a wrong to ripen into evil or sorrow. Act with wisdom, but act. From the smallest blade of grass to the largest mountain, where life goes—so, too, should you."
* Riding the Wind: The Tengu Exodus
This history, by Genzhou Talonrend, tells of Tengu population migrations over the years.
Tengu have always built perches to watch the world turn, but sometimes we are pushed off in great gusts.
My people had to flee the home we had made for millennia in Cantha when the Ministry of Purity blew us north to Tyria.
When the Great Tsunami hit, we built our Dominion on Sanctum Cay to defend against Zhaitan's minions.
Now we see the world ripped by dragon's teeth and send a message of survival to all the races. We believe in taking flight.
* Shiro Tagachi's Biography
Written by Anonymous, this document is a behind—the-scenes account of Shiro Tagachi's life.
In the early years, Shiro was a loyal guardsman and hero to the Canthan emperor. He fell under the influence of a demon fortune-teller sent by an ancient being named Abaddon.
Shiro turned on his own ruler, slaying him, and was killed in the ensuing battle. His death wail unleashed all the magic he'd stolen and been gifted in what has come to be called the Jade Wind.
The Jade Wind turned the Jade Sea into solid jade, encasing all its creatures forever, and had many other terrible repercussions.
Shiro returned as a vengeful spirit, leading an army of magical constructs known as Shiro'ken. He attacked Cantha, but was eventually defeated and cast into the Realm of Torment.
Once more, he returned to fight as Abaddon's general, ruler of the Realm of Torment. Only with great difficulty were the heroes of Tyria able to defeat him that time. He has not been seen since.
* Stone Summit Siege Weaponry
These appear to be hand-drawn plans for a siege weapon. The note on the first page states that they are original drawings done by Stone Summit dwarves.
A brief historical passage reveals that Stone Summit dwarves once enslaved the Dredge, until overthrown. After they warred with the Deldrimor dwarves and lost, they scattered and disappeared.
* Stormcaller: Calling the Storm
This book by Watchman Pramas is the definitive tome on the history of the ancient relic used in the war against the Charr.
King Doric constructed Stormcaller on Horn Hill north of Rin, his capital city, in the year 0 AE.
The horn had originally been built to demonstrate the king's mastery of the arcane arts, but it became a weapon shortly after.
As the Great Northern Wall was being built, it became known via prophecy that the sounds of the billowing pipes would render the enemies of Ascalon helpless.
The horn's mouthpiece had been lost in the Guild War, but it was recovered by Prince Rurik who then used the horn to summon rain and weaken the Charr by putting out their fires.
* Symon's History of Ascalon
It's a revealing historical and cultural work, including various notes Symon could not resist putting into it. His ability to analyze political conflict and diplomatic maneuvering was unparalleled.
The book includes coverage of the war between Ascalon and Kryta in great detail with insightful commentary and evaluation.
* The Charr Rise of Rin
Part three of a three-part volume by Arae Lorehunter about the history of Ascalon's capital...
Charr builders replaced the crumbling stones of the human capital with strong iron and renamed it the Black Citadel.
Some of the pitiable stone architecture can still be seen south of the Bane in the Black Citadel. The Imperator has left the ruins there as a reminder to all.
Charr society has flourished and taken root in the land that once was called Ascalon. We have returned home.
* The Evening Song
These are collected poems about Nightfall, compiled by Melonni.
When the undead arise and the old women cry, the Sunspears fight to shut down the inevitable fall of night.
Varesh's troops need a cartful of pain; with Kormir to lead, the Sunspears will never complain.
Crossing the desolation to face Joke himself, we all tremble a little and make haste over the continental shelf.
Through devastation and torment we see Kormir rise, and after an extensive effort, Abbadon[sic] dies.
* The Forgotten Not Forgotten
Warden Illyra delivers a primer on the history and nature of the Forgotten.
What you need to know about the Forgotten is this: they once acted as wardens to ancient races in Tyria and shepherded their development from primitive to civilized.
They served the beings known as the Five Gods, and they fought wars for them. They had a strong connection to Glint, and they left guardians with her for many centuries.
During the last dragon cycle, it was the Forgotten who freed Glint from Kralkatorrik's corruption and control. In gratitude, she hid them from the Elder Dragons until they returned to sleep.
If they remain in Tyria, they are elusive at best, and many believe they have gone back to the Mists from which they came - perhaps never to return.
* The Great Golem Uprising of 1284: A Commentary
Steward Gixx gives his uncensored thoughts on this historic event and what it portends for the future.
Not since the Destroyers has Rata Sum come so close to disaster as when the city's golems began to malfunction and turn on their makers.
One must consider the current Peacemaker-to-golem ratio of 1:10 when gauging the potential for future recurrences.
The potential for cataclysm is unsettling, at best. For now, Inquest krewes remain part of our society, but their antagonism against the Council grows with each passing cycle.
We must install countermeasures to ensure history does not repeat itself, this time with even more disastrous results.
* The Great Hunt Rite of Passage
Arnlief Iceborne gives us a basic primer on the ancient norn ritual called the Great Hunt.
Every year, norn contenders compete to take home the title of "Slayer." This is an important trial for the young. It launches their legendary journey.
The note says, "Revolution came to Rata Sum (N1-2), and a pall fell upon emerging blooms (SYL)."
Experienced hunters capture a different foe each year. In 1325, for example, it was Issormir, a great ice wurm. Many died in the battle. Only one was victorious.
* The Human Rise of Rin, Part 1
Part one of a three-part volume by Arae Lore-hunter about the history of Ascalon's capital...
Rin is the sister city to Drascir. Drascir was the seat of government and business, while Rin represented art, magic, and learning.
King Doric founded Rin for the study of arcane arts and in order to create a powerful defensive force with mages of immense power.
Drascir was weakened in the Guild Wars and finally fell when the Charr attacked. The terrified king moved his capital to still-strong Rin.
* The Human Fall of Rin, Part 2
Part two of a three-part volume by Arae Lorehunter about the history of Ascalon's capital...
Humans lost most of what made Rin special during the Searing when Flame shamans destroyed Ascalon.
King Adelbern moved out of Rin but kept it as his capital throughout his life. The Sorcerer-King loved Rin.
Adelbern's son used Stormcaller to cripple the Charr, but eventually Bonfaaz Burntfur and his warband overran the city of Rin.
* The Map of the All
If you're not mistaken, this ancient tome was written by someone known as the Apostate. It appears to describe something similar to what you saw in your vision of the Eternal Alchemy.
The author calls it the Antikytheria, describing it as a cosmic mechanism made of many parts, all spinning around a central body known in ancient Krytan as Thyria.
Six large bodies orbit the world, existing in primal symbiosis. The energies move with the push and pull of positive and negative, ever in motion.
The Apostate says one thing that is especially troubling... "Should the energies become imbalanced, the world will tilt and all beings will fall off it into the void." It's probably a metaphor.
* The Margonite Mallyx
No one knows who wrote this, but it is an ancient letter to the High Priest Zhellix, a Forgotten who led a historic assault on the Margonites (demon followers of Abaddon).
To be noted: breaching the Ebony Citadel will likely kill you. Mallyx the Unyielding rules the four Lords of Anguish, and they will shred you.
If they don't get you, Mallyx will. If you do succeed, Mallyx will embark on a mission of vengeance from which you are unlikely to escape."
If you insist, do not use standard tactics against this demon. They will not work. Good luck. I hope to see you again."
* The Natural War
This book by Airkas describes the history of weaponry in Tyria and how it has been shaped by the availability of natural resources.
Almost nothing is known about ancient weapon use on Tyria. The Great Giants are theorized to have fought mostly with huge claws and feet.
Jotun and dwarves were the inventors of modern weaponry. Rocks, metals, and trees of the Shiverpeaks became battle equipment in 10,000 BE.
Weapons changed when humans and charr acquired them in Ascalon because lush lands led to better wood for bows, shields, and torches.
* The Nightmare Harbinger
Discussions with Amaranda the Lonesome resulted in this collection of thoughts and theories on Malyck, a sylvari who awakened beyond the Pale Tree.
As you know well, all sylvari, whether of Ventari's philosophy or of a Nightmare bent, come from the Pale Tree. To consider that one who is so like us could come from elsewhere is humbling...
...and confusing. We know that we are who we are because of Ronan and Ventari's care. So, where did Malyck come from? I have many questions about this.
If he came from a different tree, then where did he get his knowledge of the world? Is there another Dream out there, somewhere? Why does he resemble humans as we resemble Ronan?
Why does he not know his own Mother? Surely, if there were another tree, he would remember her. And why do the Nightmare Court call him their harbinger? A harbinger is an omen, but is it good or evil?
Malyck is no one. He comes from no where. On one hand, I am sorry for him. He has no roots. On the other, I am envious. He can become whatever he chooses. I hope he chooses well.
* The Politics of Kryta
In the missive to Niamh in the Grove, Firstborn Dagonet describes the court politics of the Krytan royalty.
Dearest Niamh, I write you from the beautiful gardens of Divinity's Reach. One day, you really must visit. You would be amused by the political maneuverings I witness here.
The kingdom has two ruling bodies: the queen and the Ministry. Although the queen technically is in charge, the Ministry goes to great lengths to get what they want - and they're often successful.
The Ministry is led by a bombastic human named Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone the Wise. I kid you not. And if you think his name is dazzling, you should meet him. He's quite the charmer.
But, he's no Queen Jennah, and try as he might, the people will not love him as they love her. She is the ruler of a diminished society of humans - the combination of Kryta and Ascalon.
I am ever impressed at her ability to pull her people together to defend each other, their territory, and their beliefs. Humans have many flaws, but their nobility is sometimes as sincere as ours.
* The Quotations of Behn Millen
This book is a first printing and compiles the work of Krytan philosopher Behn Millen.
All humans contain vast amounts of hate. The key is to release that evil in prayer to Grenth.
If magic and power are too strong, quell them with monotony and routine.
When you see yourself do good, praise the gods. When you see yourself do evil, mourn their absence.
* The Six: Being or Playing God
More editorial than actual historical work, this book by Gadd deconstructs the nature of the gods worshipped by humans.
Is it coincidence that they have been gone since the first dragon began to stir? I think not. While they may not be gods, they are certainly not fools. The dragons would covet magic such as theirs.
These beings are benefactors - often reluctant, sometimes misguided, and occasionally vindictive. To say that they created our world is ridiculous.
Did they bring humans to Tyria? I cannot argue against this. It is an ancient belief that has no proof to support or deny it. Perhaps humans are constructs created from clay and bone.
Perhaps they were brought here from somewhere else in the Mists or some other realm within the Eternal Alchemy. I think either of these is plausible, given the power wielded by these beings.
But, are they gods? I say no. They are what we would all become if given the amount of magical energy they possess and allowed to live as long as they appear to have.
* The Thief of Toys
Welcome to Osbert Bleake's Nightmares for Naughty Children, a series of children's books designed to scare the snot, wit, and spittle out of them. Lock your doors, and settle in for a dreadful tale.
In times woefully recent, there was a wealthy human boy named Thom who lived in Lion's Arch with his widowed mother. Thom had many luxuries, including a box of toys that he kept all to himself.
One day, a mysterious stranger came to the door, dressed in tatters and with his face hidden inside a deep hood. Thom's mother invited him in and offered sustenance.
The stranger told them he had left his family to search for work. He was finally able to return home, but he was returning empty handed.
He wished more than anything for a present to give his son, a boy the same age as Thom. Thom's mother suggested he take one of Thom's toys, since Thom had so many.
Thom grew angry. "Why must I give my toys to this stranger? I don't know him. I don't know his son. They're my toys - mine until I die."
The stranger watched as Thom's humiliated mother ?ed to her bedroom, and he asked, "You will not share even one toy with a child who has so much less than you?"
Thom shook his head.
"For your mother's sake," the stranger told Thom, I will take the least valuable and most useless item in this house." He touched Thom's arm and murmured the curse.
The curse hardened Thom's heart even more. It turned him to wood, carved and jointed. The mysterious stranger tucked Thom under his arm and headed for home.
* Tome of the Five True Gods
This is a placeholder book, left to indicate that the Tome of the Five True Gods is currently unavailable due to ongoing translation efforts.
* Unending Autumn
A poem by Arcanist Davworth details the time just after the Searing of Ascalon.
The summer of 1070 AE was particularly hot in Ascalon. Fire rained from the sky. Thousands died.
Autumn was worse, because it hadn't ended and Ascalon shriveled.
Still, some trees are dead wood rather than leafy beacons of hope. Winter never came to soothe tensions.
* Vekk's Thesis
An asura named Vekk postulates in this antique scholarly thesis that if an Elder Dragon were to die, its magic would be released back into Tyria, starting at the moment of death.
He further suggests, however, that this will allow the remaining dragons to become even more powerful as they begin consuming the released magic as well.
* Wallows: The Definitive Defense
Written by Dunmel Gorhopf, this book defends the usefulness of one of the many strange creatures found in Cantha.
The chubby gray creature known as the wallow is a perfect example of an animal for which people should have the utmost respect.
Wallows love to eat truffles and can be domesticated to help you find the luxurious and expensive ingredient.
Some hunters kill them for their tusks and the truffles they are digesting instead of taming the useful beasts.
Because of this, dozens of hunters are knocked down and killed by wallows every year. Respect, as opposed to assault, would save lives.
* Zhaitan's Last Flight
This detailed account of the final fight with the Elder Dragon Zhaitan includes a list of all Pact members who were killed. The feats of
are called out as having been critical to the victory.
---
From wikia.com:
Race: Human
Level: 80
Location: Durmand Priory Basement (Hidden Arcana)
Organization: Durmand Priory
Archivist Ernswort is a Priory member. She is tasked with safekeeping one of the most important and dangerous artefacts owned by the organization.
---
From guildwars2.com:
* Speaking to Campbell.
Campbell: Commander! I had a feeling I'd be seeing you again after you saved me from those Seraph ghosts. What brings you here?
[I was told you know about a certain Priory cipher...]
Campbell: Oh! The cipher for the storage room? I guess I am the only one besides Magister Stonehealer who knows it. We're all so scattered these days. Far too busy. Do you have the password?
[What do I need a password for? You know who I am.]
Campbell: Normally, Commander, given your rank and reputation, I'd see no harm in sharing it. But, the Priory is extra careful these days. Too many mesmers around.
[Luckily, I have it.]
I do have it.
Campbell: Great! What is it?
[Death to Primordus.]
Campbell: You're just guessing, aren't you.
[Wait. I think I have it.]
Every dwarf must do his duty.
Campbell: You're just guessing, aren't you.
[Wait. I think I have it.]
The Great Dwarf guide my hand!
Campbell: You're just guessing, aren't you.
[Wait. I think I have it.]
Long live the king of Deldrimor.
Campbell: That's it! You got it! (laugh) Okay, you can have my written copy. I've memorized it.
[Can you read it to me?]
Campbell: "An almost king fathered a ghost. Hoofbeats drum at a trading post. And once a year upon a stage, and eager kid comes of age." There are two more lines, but I don't carry them with me.
[Can I get in without the other two?]
Campbell: No, but you needn't worry. I left the other half behind for security reasons. You'll find it when you find the three books each of the lines of the cipher refer to.
[How does this cipher work?]
Campbell: Each of the lines of the poem is a clue to a book in the Special Collections. You have to find them in order and touch them to activate their magic. Once you've found them all - in order - you're in.
* When the player reaches Marjory and Kasmeer
Magister Ela Makkay: In conclusion, let's recap. The five confirmed dragons are Kralkatorrik, Jormag, Primordus, Mordemoth, and Zhaitan.
Magister Ela Makkay: We believe there is another deep in the oceans, but its entry in the Scroll of the Five True Gods is partially missing.
Magister Ela Makkay: The scroll, written in ancient times, has a section dedicated to the Elder Dragons, but it came to us in bad shape.
Magister Ela Makkay: It is written in an ancient form of old Krytan. We're still attempting to decipher the damaged portions.
Magister Ela Makkay: Each dragon has two spheres of influence. For Mordremoth, that's mind and plants. Zhaitan ruled shadow and death.
Magister Ela Makkay: By next class, I want you to research the many theories about the different spheres of influence. Choose one and defend it.
Magister Ela Makkay: If you have questions, there's further literature in the library. Class dismissed.
* Speak to Marjory
Marjory Delaqua: Hi. There you are. How did it go? Did you get it?
[The cipher? Yeah, I got it.]
Marjory Delaqua: It's a testimony to how scattered the Priory is right now that the only person who knows the cipher to get into the storage area is out in the Silverwastes. It's good you saved her at Fort Salma.
[It's definitely not typical. So, where's Ela Makkay?]
Kasmeer Meade: We need to speak to Magister Makkay. She's pulling some heady-duty strings to get us into the Special Collections. We're meeting a Magister Stonehealer.
[You don't know who Ogden Stonehealer is?]
Marjory Delaqua: Kas, he's one of the most magical beings I've ever met. He's a dwarf, the last of his race on the surface of Tyria. Grenth alone knows how old he is, hundreds of years, at least.
[Tell Kasmeer what happened to the others.]
Marjory Delaqua: Centuries ago, many dwarfs[sic] turned themselves to stone to save Tyria from Primordus's champion. Most went underground to fight Destroyers. Ogden remains so their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
[That explains his area of expertise: dragons.]
* After talking to Marjory and Kasmeer
If non-Priory:
Marjory Delaqua: Hello again, Magister. The Pact commander has arrived.
Magister Ela Makkay: Welcome, Commander. I'm familiar with your accomplishments.
Marjory Delaqua: Magister Makkay is a wold historian and reporter. Her focus these days is on Mordremoth.
Magister Ela Makkay: The Durmand Priory knows that when world events of this magnitude occur, it pays to chronicle them.
If Priory:
Marjory Delaqua: Hello again, Magister. Have you met-
Magister Ela Makkay: Welcome, Scholar. It's a pleasure to see you again. I hope your well of knowledge has deepened in the intervening time.
Marjory Delaqua: The magister is documenting Mordremoth's awakening and its ensuing actions.
Magister Ela Makkay: My field experience has provided a good foundation for my research and chronicle.
Magister Ela Makkay: Magister Stonehealer is going to help you gather information on the Elder Dragons.
Magister Ela Makkay: He rarely agrees to such things. I will warn you, he's quite old and has little patience. He's the last of his kind.
Kasmeer Meade: We'll show him the utmost respect, of course.
Magister Ela Makkay: I'll take you to the Special Collections entrance. Archivist Ernswort will guide you from there.
Magister Ela Makkay: You retrieved the cipher?
Marjory Delaqua: Yes, we have it.
Magister Ela Makkay: Very well. Follow me.
Chef Robertus: For the millionth time, there are no culinary applications for bloodstone dust. None.
Chef Robertus: No good can come from feeding it to living beings.
Sous-Chef Seimur Oxbone: Pfft, what do you know? I'll take the dust to the streets and start my own food cart. I'll be rich!
Magister Ela Makkay: Ahem. Are we interrupting something important, Chef?
Chef Robertus: No, Madam Magister. We're just having a small...professional disagreement. Are these the visitors you mentioned?
Magister Ela Makkay: Yes. They have dispensation from Magister Stonehealer to visit the Special Collections.
Chef Robertus: I've already adjusted the wards to allow them entrance, and the archivist has been warned that they're coming.
Magister Ela Makkay: I'll show you how it's done.
Chef Robertus: Be careful down there.
Magister Ela Makkay: Follow me, please.
* After gaining access to the Special Collections
Magister Ela Makkay: This is the Durmand Priory's Special Collections. Security here is tight, for reasons you'll soon understand.
Magister Ela Makkay: You are free to browse. All we ask is that you handle artifacts with care and remove nothing from this area.
Magister Ela Makkay: I have to return to my work. Archivist Ernswort is here somewhere. She can guide you to Magister Stonehealer.
* Talking to various NPCs in the Special Collections
Magister (human): Hm? Oh! It's you! Oh, shh.
Arcanist: Shh!
Historian (human): I've spent decades here, and I discover something new every day.
Arcanist: Shh!
Historian (human): Sorry!
Arcanist (asura): I'll be out of your way soon as I finish cataloging this row.
Arcanist: Shh!
Scribe: Sorry, I can't help you. I'm not the archivist.
Historian (sylvari): No. I'm not done with this section. Move along.
Historian (1): Shh!
Historian (2): Shh!
Historian (norn): Greetings. What are you...oh, right. Shh!
Arcanist (norn): No talking allowed. This is a serious place of study.
Historian (human): Shh!
Arcanist (norn): Shh!
Historian (human): Shh!
Historian (asura): The archivist is on duty. I can't help you.
Researcher (asura): Oh! You startled me!
Magister: Shh!
Arcanist: Shh!
Historian: Shh!
Magister (charr): Can't you see I'm busy?
Historian (1): Hush!
Historian (2): Shh!
Historian (charr): Every interruption is a thought lost.
Historian (1): Breathe deeply. The air is rich with history.
Historian (2): Shh!
Historian (1): And hot air.
Historian: Did the archivist send you to check on me? Tell her I'm being careful. It won't happen again.
Explorer: The numbering system here is surprisingly complex.
Historian: Go. Away.
Magister (human): A person could live down here, you know? So many glorious books!
* Talking to Historian (male norn standing in the northwest section).
Historian: Shh. What do you need? Are you lost?
[No. I have a question about the ceiling. What is that image?]
Historian: That's a map of the All. I like to think of them as spirit realms. That's Tyria in the middle. All those other circles are spheres of influence and powerful magic.
[What about the letters? Are those...]
Historian: Yeah. First letter of each dragon's name.
[Who's S?]
Historian: Don't know any more than that. That was all they could get from the Tome of the Five True Gods. It's too damaged. Some of these scholars in here would kill to know the full name of that dragon.
[Is it the deep sea dragon?]
Historian: They think so. Me, I think they probably got the letter wrong, but who knows. They're still translating and trying to fill in lost pieces.
[Interesting. Thanks.]
* Talking to Archivist Ernswort
Ernswort: Are you delivering something? I'm already buried in magic items. I don't have enough scribes, and every piece needs to be cataloged.
[I really have to ask. Is that Zhaitan's tail?]
Ernswort: As a matter of fact, it is. We brought it here after Zhaitan's death. We had to construct special rigging to get it in here. It took months.
[And they're experimenting on it?]
Ernswort: They're studying it, yes. It may one day reveal all the secrets of the Elder Dragons.
[What was that you were saying about being buried in magic items?]
Ernswort: Oh, wait. You're [[character name]]. That's a relief. Every day it's magical this and arcane that. Half the time all they bring me are glowing rocks and fungus.
[Why do they do that?]
Ernswort: The word is out that we're storing artifacts for safekeeping from the dragons. As you can imagine, every noble with a magical pinky ring wants to store it here.
[You sure it's safe here?]
Ernswort: Don't tell anyone, but we can only hope so. Our best defenses are magical. They'll protect us for a while, but as the magic levels in the world drain, they'll eventually cease working.
[Have you seen any especially interesting items?]
Ernswort: Look around. You've got permission to browse. Just remember who has to put an item back if you don't.
[I may stay awhile after I've met with Magister Stonehealer.]
Ernswort: Let's get you on your way then. What can I help you find?
[How do I decipher the shelf numbers?]
Ernswort: The N refers to cardinal direction in the main annex. Some alcoves are on the south side, some on the north. The second number tells you which floor, and the last number is which alcove.
[I have another query.]
I'm looking for a book on norn.
Ernswort: "Once a year upon an open stage, an eager kid comes of age." Browse section N2-1 for information on that subject.
[I have another query.]
I'm looking for a book on centaurs.
Ernswort: "Hoofbeats drum at a trading post." I'd say you need the Human Studies section, numbered S1-2.
[I have another query.]
I'm looking for a book on Duke Barradin.
Ernswort: "An almost king fathered a ghost." Might be in Charr or Human History then. The book you're looking for will be somewhere between S.1.1 and S.2.2.
[This is exactly what I needed. Much appreciated.]
* Talking to Archivist Ernswort again
Ernswort: This folded parchment bears handwritten lines. They say "An almost king fathered a ghost. Hoofbeats drum at a trading post. Once a year upon an open stage, an eager kid comes of age."
[Put it away.]
* Reading "Ashford History: Duke Barradin"
Written by Ela Makkay, this collection of historic facts reveals the life and death of one of Ascalon's most notorious dukes.
[Read on.]
Though first in line to the throne, Duke Barradin did no object when people called for Adelburn to be king instead. He spent his life on the Barradin Estate, making wine and training warriors.
[Read on.]
Barradin's daughter, Althea, was betrothed to Prince Rurick[sic], son of King Adelburn. Althea was murdered by charr, and her ghost remained restless until a renowned hero returned her ashes to Barradin.
[Read on.]
Duke Barradin was caught in the Foefire, and his ghost now causes regular trouble for the charr in the Plains of Ashford.
[Close book.]
* Reading "Centaur Tribal Culture and History"
In this series of reports from the Hinterlands, Explorer Ket details what her research has uncovered about centaurs and their tribal society.
[Read on.]
Centaurs can be found in many places throughout Tyria and as far away as Elona. Some tribes, such as the Orshad Raiders from the Crystal Desert, are known to eat human flesh.
[Read on.]
Centaurs are one of many races displaced by humans. The number of warring tribes far outweighs that of peaceful tribes.
[Read on.]
The rise of the Elder Dragons, especially Zhaitan and Jormag, has put centaurs in even greater conflict with humans in the Shiverpeaks and in the plains as the two races compete for territory.
[Close collection.]
* Reading "The Great Hunt Rite of Passage"
Arnlief Iceborne gives us a basic primer on the ancient norn ritual called the Great Hunt.
[Read on.]
Every year, norn contenders compete to take home the title of "Slayer." This is an important trial for the young. It launches their legendary journey.
[There's a note written on parchment between the pages of this book.]
The note says, "Revolution came to Rata Sum (N1-2), and a pall fell upon emerging blooms (SYL)."
[Close book.]
[Read on.]
Experienced hunters capture a different foe each year. In 1325, for example, it was Issormir, a great ice wurm. Many died in the battle. Only one was victorious.
[Close book.]
* Reading "The Great Golem Uprising of 1284: A Commentary"
Steward Gixx gives his uncensored thoughts on this historic event and what it portends for the future.
[Read on.]
Not since the Destroyers has Rata Sum come so close to disaster as when the city's golems began to malfunction and turn on their makers.
[Read on.]
One must consider the current Peacemaker-to-golem ratio of 1:10 when gauging the potential for future recurrences.
[Read on.]
The potential for cataclysm is unsettling, at best. For now, Inquest krewes remain part of our society, but their antagonism agains the Council grows with each passing cycle.
[Read on.]
We must install countermeasures to ensure history does not repeat itself, this time with even more disastrous results.
[Close book.]
* Reading "A Treatise on the Shadow of the Dragon"
If sylvari:
Scholar Caterin interviewed dozens of her fellow sylvari who claimed to have seen the Shadow of the Dragon in their Dream. She concludes that only one such report has any credibility, that of [[character name]].
If non-sylvari:
Scholar Caterin interviewed dozens of her fellow sylvari who claimed to have seen the Shadow of the Dragon in their Dream. She concludes that only one such report has any credibility.
[Read on.]
"Shadow of the Dragon" is the name assigned to Mordremoth's champion. This nightmarish creature has been spied in the Dream and in the world.
[Read on.]
While some believe it is immortal and cannot die, others do not. To date, there is no proof in either direction.
[Close book.]
* Approaching Ogden
Ogden Stonehealer: What took you so long?
Majory Delaqua: Getting the cipher from Explorer Campell took longer than expected.
Kasmeer Meade: We're sorry for the inconvenience.
Ogden Stonehealer: Well, don't waste my time. Tell me what you seek.
* Speaking to Ogden Stonehealer
Ogden Stonehealer: Speak up. These old ears are worse than my old eyes, and they're worse than my old...oh, nevermind. Go on.
[Magister, it's me. [[Character name]]. We met-]
Ogden Stonehealer: Yes, yes. I remember you. No time for nostalgia. Get to the point.
[I need information about how to deal with Mordremoth.]
Ogden Stonehealer: Actually, I think you need information about the meaning of your vision from the Pale Tree.
[What? How did you-]
Ogden Stonehealer: There are those who have taken interest. I had some warning that you might be calling. Your challenges do not go unnoticed.
[Who?]
Ogden Stonehealer: All in good time. But know that they have Tyria's best interests at heart. Now, this is what you're looking for. This artifact. Go on, examine it closely.
[What is it?]
Ogden Stonehealer: Don't ask. Act. Examine it, and you shall see.
[As you wish.]
* Examining the Ornate Hourglass
Ornate Hourglass: This ornate hourglass is made of precious metals and has a palpable aura of magic.
[Examine the artifact.]
Ogden Stonehealer: Don't be shy. You can touch it.
[Touch the hourglass.]
* In the Domain of Strength
Marjory Delaqua: (groan) What...just happened?
Kasmeer Meade: I... (hic) I don't know. But my legs feel like Zhaitaffy.
Kasmeer Meade: (gasp) Is this-
Marjory Delaqua: It must be.
Kasmeer Meade: Glint's lair! It's even more beautiful than I imagined.
Marjory Delaqua: And eerie. Doesn't look like we'll be leaving the same way we came in.
Kasmeer Meade: I never thought I'd see this.
Kasmeer Meade: Where's the boss? Hello?
Marjory Delaqua: Boss! It doesn't look like we can reach you from here. This place...it's something else entirely. Maybe our paths will intersect beyond here.
[Right. You look for a path up ahead. I'll do the same on my side.]
Marjory Delaqua: Be safe. Glint may no longer live here, but that doesn't make her lair any less dangerous.
[I'll be fine. See you up ahead.]
* After talking to Marjory
Marjory Delaqua: Let's move ahead and search for a place to meet.
Kasmeer Meade: All right.
Marjory Delaqua: We'll see you in a bit, boss. Stay safe.
Kasmeer Meade: Keep your voices down. We don't know what's in here.
* After inspecting the glowing crystal
Kasmeer Meade: My father used to talk about Glint and her prophecies.
Kasmeer Meade: He said she was grand and noble, as noble as any Krytan. She loved humans.
Kasmeer Meade: Except when they tried to steal her eggs. She defended her children like any good mother.
Marjory Delaqua: What an empty place.
Marjory Delaqua: My mother told me stories passed down by her mother. She said it was once guarded by fearsome dragons.
Marjory Delaqua: The lair itself would tear and gnaw at you, but heroes braved its dangers to have an audience with Glint.
Kasmeer Meade: Can you imagine what it must have been like?
* After defeating the distorted facet of light and revealing the crystalline memory
Marjory Delaqua: We studied the Flameseeker Prophecies in school.
Kasmeer Meade: Me too. I remember the stories about the fall of Ascalon, Prince Rurik, the Chosen...
Marjory Delaqua: I used to pretend I was a Chosen when I was little. Me and my sisters put on plays for our parents.
Kasmeer Meade: I can just imagine it.
Kasmeer Meade: Glint was ancient-thousands of years old. Why wasn't she like the Elder Dragons?
Marjory Delaqua: She was freed from Kralkatorrik's control by the Forgotten a long, long time ago.
Marjory Delaqua: And then, because of her gift for reading minds, she connected with humans.
Marjory Delaqua: She learned to think like us. Elder Dragons don't. They're too...different.
After defeating the facet of darkness.
Marjory Delaqua: I know how Glint died.
Kasmeer Meade: Destiny's Edge went to kill her, right? So she wouldn't wake Kralkatorrik?
Marjory Delaqua: That's my understanding. But she communicated with them and they changed their minds.
Kasmeer Meade: Then what?
Marjory Delaqua: They tried to take down Kralkatorrik, but they ultimately failed. Glint perished.
Marjory Delaqua: Logal Thackeray was supposed to be with them, but he left to protect the queen from Kralkatorrik's minions.
Kasmeer Meade: I don't know what we'd have done if something had happened to her.
Marjory Delaqua: Some blame Logan for why Glint died instead of Kralkatorrik that day.
Kasmeer Meade: He was just doing his duty.
Marjory Delaqua: Shhh. What was that? Did you hear that?
* While on the path to the next area
Marjory Delaqua: Kas, stop moving. Listen.
Kasmeer Meade: Jory, what was that?
Marjory Delaqua: Watch out!
* After defeating the Malevolent Memory.
Marjory Delaqua: You're okay!
Kasmeer Meade: What just happened? What was that?
Marjory Delaqua: Not sure. If I had to guess, I'd say it was part of the lair itself rising up to greet us.
Kasmeer Meade: Not much of a greeting if you ask me. Thanks for swooping in when you did, boss. We'd have been toast if not for you.
Marjory Delaqua: Mhmm. We weren't sure we'd see you again, to be honest.
Mysterious Voice: You must pronise to protect it with your life. Will you?
Marjory Delaqua: What...was...that?
Kasmeer Meade: It couldn't be...
Marjory Delaqua: We need to speak with Ogden immediately. Let's find a way out of here.
* Back at the Durmand Priory
Ogden Stonehealer: (laugh) The looks on your faces!
Marjory Delaqua: You could have warned us.
Ogden Stonehealer: Nope. No no no. That would've sapped the fun right out of it.
Ogden Stonehealer: So tell me. What do you know now that you didn't before?
* Speaking with Ogden Stonehealer
Ogden Stonehealer: Entertain an old dwarf. Tell me your tale.
[It was a portal to Glint's lair.]
Ogden Stonehealer: So it was. The Master of Peace and I set it up after Glint's death so I could guard it for the Brotherhood.
[I saw the Master of Peace take en egg.]
Ogden Stonehealer: The last one intact. It's been in stasis since her death. The Master of Peace is taking it where it will be safe and allowed to hatch.
[Where has he taken it? You must tell me!]
Ogden Stonehealer: Sadly, I do not know that. He disappeared beyond Dry Top, and I've had no word since. You will find him, won't you? He is in great danger out there.
[I will do my best.]
Ogden Stonehealer: That is why you were chosen for this. Go now. Find him and make sure he arrives safely at his destination.
[What's his destination?]
Ogden Stonehealer: Only he can tell you that. Go, but be smart. Do not rush into danger unprepared. You have many trials ahead of you.
[Yes, Magister. I'll be careful.]
* Speaking to Ogden again
Ogden Stonehealer: My time is less precious than my knowledge. I have prepared for this so that I could inform you. As you have ascertained, there is - currently - no greater threat than Mordremoth. What answers can I give?
[I need to know more about Mordremoth.]
Ogden Stonehealer: That ol' beast is going to give us quite a fight.
Ogden Stonehealer: Its natures are plant and mind, as you've undoubtedly inferred.
Ogden Stonehealer: In my opinion, it is the most destructive of the Elder Dragons, tearing the ground from beneath our feet.
Ogden Stonehealer: Creatures that live underground are especially vulnerable as its vines spread.
Ogden Stonehealer: It is my belief that it is rooted deep in the land, which may be an exploitable weakness.
Ogden Stonehealer: I do not know specifically how to overcome it, and I am still researching how its corruption spreads.
Ogden Stonehealer: With Zhaitan, any who died in proximity to its corruption became Risen.
Ogden Stonehealer: To date, I've seen no evidence that the same is true of those who die in proximity to Mordrem.
Ogden Stonehealer: You will undoubtedly learn more if you plan to enter the jungle.
[Please, tell me about the Elder Dragons.]
Ogden Stonehealer: You already know much about them. But for Miss Delaqua's benefit…
Ogden Stonehealer: The Elder dragons may be as old as the world itself. They're more than creatures.
Ogden Stonehealer: They're part of nature's workings. They rise and fall on a cycle that spans millennia.
Ogden Stonehealer: Much of what we know about them comes from a document written by the first humans to walk the face of Tyria: the Scroll of the Five True Gods.
Ogden Stonehealer: It is written in an ancient dialect, therefore it is subject to interpretation.
Ogden Stonehealer: In it, the gods revealed the names of the Elder Dragons: Mordremoth, Kralkatorrik, Jormag, Zhaitan, and Primordus.
Ogden Stonehealer: There is one other name listed, but it is illegible, lost to time. I suspect this is the deep-sea dragon.
Ogden Stonehealer: The gods expound on how Tyria's health is tied directly to them. This portion is somewhat abstract, however.
Ogden Stonehealer: There are varied theories on what it means, but I believe it refers to the natural balance of magic.
Ogden Stonehealer: Too much magic, and the world spins out of control. Too little, and it crumbles into darkness.
Ogden Stonehealer: The last time the Elder Dragons awoke, they wiped out almost every intelligent race on the planet.
Ogden Stonehealer: It is from this low-magic environment that the gods built the world as they wanted it.
Ogden Stonehealer: They are the ones who brought humans to Tyria.
Ogden Stonehealer: The gods shared the magic stored in the Bloodstone. That is a complex tale for another time.
Ogden Stonehealer: Slowly, more magic seeped back into the world from the dragons, over thousands of years. Cultures evolved again.
[How does this all tie into the Eternal Alchemy?]
If asura:
Ogden Stonehealer: Ah yes. Only you asura would attempt to quantify nature itself. But then, your people are somewhat limited. No offense.
Ogden Stonehealer: By attempting to define the undefinable, you actually move further from the truth rather than closer to it.
Ogden Stonehealer: The Eternal Alchemy, nature, our world, the All-however you want to name it-is beyond understanding.
Ogden Stonehealer: We can only grasp portions of it. Even the Elder Dragons are small relative to the All.
Ogden Stonehealer: We see only certain layers of the Mists, the Elders, and Tyria. Anything beyond that is hidden from us.
Ogden Stonehealer: We must content ourselves with first understanding what's before us.
Ogden Stonehealer: Right now, the Elder Dragons are the most critical to understand.
If non-asura:
Ogden Stonehealer: Ah yes. Only asura would attempt to quantify nature itself. But then, they are limited in perspective.
Ogden Stonehealer: By attempting to define the undefinable, they actually move further from the truth rather than closer to it.
Ogden Stonehealer: The Eternal Alchemy, nature, our world, the All-however you want to name it-is beyond understanding.
Ogden Stonehealer: We can only grasp portions of it. Even the Elder Dragons are small relative to the All.
Ogden Stonehealer: We see only certain layers of the Mists, the Elders, and Tyria. Anything beyond that is hidden from us.
Ogden Stonehealer: We must content ourselves with first understanding what's before us.
Ogden Stonehealer: Right now, the Elder Dragons are the most critical to understand.
[Can you share what you know about Zephyrites?]
Ogden Stonehealer: The Zephyrites, yes. They inherited a thankless and difficult job from the Brotherhood of the Dwarves.
Marjory Delaqua: They didn't understand what they were taking on, but I believe they do now.
Ogden Stonehealer: I was in the Brotherhood of the Dwarves.
Ogden Stonehealer: I am now its sole surviving member. We were the keepers of Glint's legacy.
Ogden Stonehealer: Glint has the power to communicate with her mind. She learned language from humans this way.
Ogden Stonehealer: According to her, other dragons speak and think in something I hesitate to call a language. But not Glint.
Ogden Stonehealer: She learned that humans and other races were not her enemies, but allies to be nurtured.
Ogden Stonehealer: Thus, she became a protector of the Tyrian races. We recognized the importance of this, as did some exceptional humans.
Ogden Stonehealer: Glint foretold the future in the Flameseeker Prophecies over a thousand years ago.
Ogden Stonehealer: The brotherhood believed that she would one day become an Elder Dragon. She was old and wise, well on her way.
Ogden Stonehealer: You can imagine how it might have changed the world if she had survived long enough to become that powerful.
[Sylvari were invulnerable to corruption. But not with Mordremoth. Why?]
If sylvari:
Ogden Stonehealer: You refer to Scarlet and Aerin. Similar symptoms. Yes.
Ogden Stonehealer: I'm no expert on your kind. But your people's concept of nightmare and Dream is simple.
Ogden Stonehealer: Too black and white, too unsophisticated to explain the changes affecting some of you.
Ogden Stonehealer: The Pale Tree is said to protect you from the corruption of the other dragons. They both rejected her, no?
Ogden Stonehealer: It makes sense that sylvari would be vulnerable to Mordremoth, a plant-based being like yourselves.
Ogden Stonehealer: This is a question you should ask you Pale Tree.
If non-sylvari:
Ogden Stonehealer: You refer to Scarlet and Aerin. Similar symptoms. Yes.
Ogden Stonehealer: I am no expert, but they're immature as a race. Their concept of nightmare and Dream is simplistic at best.
Ogden Stonehealer: Too black and white, too unsophisticated to explain the changes affecting some of them.
Ogden Stonehealer: The Pale Tree is said to protect them from the corruption of the other dragons. They both rejected her, no?
Ogden Stonehealer: It makes sense that sylvari would be vulnerable to Mordremoth, a plant-based being like themselves.
[What do you know about the fight against Kralkatorrik?]
Ogden Stonehealer: Only what Eir told me. They nearly took it down, and Glint was killed during the fight.
Ogden Stonehealer: Destiny's Edge went to the Crystal Desert looking for Glint, intending to destroy her.
Ogden Stonehealer: She instead managed to convince them to ally with her against her master, the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik.
Ogden Stonehealer: They fought with all had. But one of them was called away, and so their strength was diminished.
Ogden Stonehealer: Glint wasn't the only loss that day. A brilliant asura named Snaff also sacrificed himself.
Ogden Stonehealer: That was years ago. Since then Kralkatorrik surely has gotten stronger. Time is your enemy when dealing with the Elder Dragons.
* Personal story [recap of "Hidden Arcana"]
Explorer Campbell, the researcher we rescued at Fort Salma, provided us with a cipher that gained us access to the Durmand Priory's inner research facilities. Once inside, we explored the library before making our way into the Special Collections room, which was packed from floor to ceiling with rare antiquities and artifacts.
We met up with Ogden Stonehealer, who had been hard at work researching dragon history. At his request, we handled a mysterious hourglass and were unexpectedly transported to Glint's Lair. I explored its wondrous paths, putting down the creatures in our way. Whether they were guardians of the lair, or simply manifestations created by magic that was freed upon Glint's death, I am unsure. I did, however, see echoes of past events. The Master of Peace had visited the lair before us, and he found what appeared to be Glint's remaining egg.
We returned to the Priory and discussed our findings with Ogden. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we find the Master of Peace and help him protect Glint's egg before Mordremoth seeks to destroy it.
The Librarian
