Jay
Marauderator 🧭
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Reactivation Location: Book of Lore -> Reactivation / Revelation / Reclamation, Location: Falconreach (Book 3) -> Up -> Left -> Uaanta -> The Maleurous -> Myalos -> Reactivation, Location: A Friendly Contest -> To the War! -> Reactivation Level/Quest/Items required: None Completion of Myalos Release Date: March 12th, 2021 Objective: Well, this is a tricky situation. Objective completed: Time for a friendly contest to determine the fate of Myalos! Experience rewarded: 0 Gold rewarded: 0 Monsters None NPCs ??? Celeritas Fiamme Haeos Key Khazri Kyanos Lock Myalos Neso Temblor Uaanta Voidstar Rewards None Dialogue *At the Firmament, you, a sleeping Uaanta, and an incapacitated Lock and Key, are surrounded by the Avatars.* Neso: What is the meaning of this? Kyanos: We did not summon these objects! Celeritas: Explain! <Character>: Hold on, hold on! As you directed, we stopped Myalos from activating the ruins. <Character>: But then we ran into Remthalas. And another Maleurous. <Character>: They wanted to use Myalos for their own ends. <Character>: These... uh, "objects", Lock and Key, protected us and held off the Maleurous while we fought to save Myalos. <Character>: When we emerged from the ruins, it seemed as though Lock and Key had been defeated. <Character>: We confronted the Maleurous, and Remthalas put Uaanta to sleep. <Character>: And... now we're here. I don't know how Lock and Key came with us though. Fiamme: They look... familiar. Temblor: Containers of Exalted design, perhaps? Voidstar: Do we contain them? Should we destroy them? <Character>: They did save Uaanta and me from the Maleurous, so I think they're probably open to working with us. Khazri: Working? Are they not storage...? Khazri: Ah, something is happening to them... Haeos: But this presence... is it not... that of the Maleurous? *Lock and Key rise, and their bodies reform.* Lock: W-w-w-w-w-we are Lock. Key: And we are Key. Lock: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Avatars of the Elements. Key: We mean you no harm. Kyanos: It is unmistakable! They are Maleurous! How did you infiltrate our firmament? Lock: We noticed powerful magic. Key: We... attached to the magic. Lock: We also do not designate ourselves as Maleurous. Key: Why is that our designation? Neso: This is not good. They must be trying to influence us. Voidstar: Such deceitful tactics. Perhaps destruction is the appropriate response here. Lock: We do not wish to be destroyed. Key: We are here to help. Lock: To teach. Key: To learn. Temblor: How is it that they can speak? Khazri: If they are here, they can be contained here. <Character>: Um. Avatars, I think they just want to talk to you. Celeritas: We must not be influenced. We must not. We can not be! Haeos: Is this part of their plan? To sow indecision? Fiamme: If so, then they are succeeding. What... what do we do? Neso: I... do not know. Uaanta: Uuuugh... Lock: New experiences are instrumental to learning and development. Key: We have learned much. We can share. Uaanta: What's... Oh. And I was having the most pleasant dream, too. Haeos: Uaanta Fayt, our champion, what is your judgement on this Lock and Key? Uaanta: I don't know much, but they definitely fought against the other Maleurous. They defended us, and Myalos. Uaanta: I can't speak for any other motives, but I think I would trust them. Uaanta: To an extent. Uaanta: ...I'd let them speak, at least. Khazri: Very well... Fiamme: Speak, Maleurous. Lock: We do not designate ourselves as Maleurous. Celeritas: But that is what you are, by nature of your... power. Key: What does it mean to be designated Maleurous? Temblor: It means... It means that you have been influenced by... Kyanos: They mean to make us doubt ourselves! <Character>: Is that so wrong? You've admitted you've made mistakes in the past. You're not infallible. Maybe... you're making a mistake here. Uaanta: ... Neso: There is no mistaking this presence. This... Evil that permeates their systems. Lock: Were you not already influenced? Key: Before we arrived? Voidstar: Silence! Haeos: ...Yet the containers speak true. We have been influenced. Whether we admit it or not. Lock: You fear the unknown. Key: You fear losing control. Fiamme: We have our responsibilities. We cannot neglect them. Kyanos: Our responsibility is control! It is balance! We are to be the arbiters! Lock: Yet your actions disturb the natural flow, the natural push and pull. Key: You introduce factors that create more variables. Lock: Your actions cause imbalance. Key: This is why you struggle so. Lock: Your responsibilities did not account for. For. For. Freedom. Key: For balancing those that could balance themselves. Khazri: And what would you have us do, Maleurous? Abandon our watch? Fall into slumber while our responsibilities decay? Lock: We are not designated Maleurous. Key: We wish to free you. Uaanta: That's the kind of thing that Remthalas talks about. Be wary, Makers. Neso: So it is a Maleurous ploy, after all! Temblor: But... do they speak the truth? Lock: Your responsibilities ended when the prophecies began. Key: You know this, yet you cling to them, for that is all you know. Kyanos: What do you know of... of... Lock: Mistakes. We are gatherers of information. Key: We know many things. Lock: Shame over past mistakes is a step toward freedom. *The Avatars pause to process Lock and Key's claims.* Celeritas: It seems you know much about our history. History that was thought lost and buried. Fiamme: Can they be trusted? Lock: We can. Key: We are here to help. You can be free. Temblor: Free from this responsibility... to let the world balance itself... Perhaps... Voidstar: Stop. I sense... a Maleurous has become active yet again! Lock: We do not wish to– Haeos: Not you. And not Remthalas. Haeos: Which just leaves... Khazri: Peculiar. It's... right where we extracted you from. Neso: Uaanta, <Character>. Our champions. We ask that you deal with this Maleurous presence. Kyanos: Lock and Key, you may assist. Key: We do not need your permission. Lock: We were going to anyway. Key: We will protect Myalos. *You, Uaanta, and Lock and Key are teleported back to the site of Myalos' construct; the unknown Maleurous appears to be attempting to enter.* Uaanta: I know I don't look it, but I think I'm getting too old for this. <Character>: Stop, Maleurous! We will not let you harm Myalos! ???: That was very convincing. ???: Well done! Uaanta: You again! ???: Me again! ???: And here I thought you wouldn't be back so soon. ???: But- one moment, please, I would like to try something before we continue. *The Maleurous blasts the entrance to Myalos' construct–similar to the blast that destroyed Sinnocence–to no avail.* ???: Hmm... that wasn't enough. Oh well. ???: Now, what can I do for you, champions of the Avatars? Pleasant day, isn't it? Uaanta: You can step away from Myalos and leave this place for good! <Character>: Or we can make you. ???: Make me? Now that is an interesting idea. Is a conversation really no longer an option? <Character>: You just tried to blast your way into Myalos! And now you want to talk? ???: Well, when you put it like that, I seem kind of unreasonable! ???: That's unfair. Uaanta: No more warnings. *Uaanta attempts to attack the Maleurous, but they teleport behind Lock and Key, unaffected.* ???: Oh, and I see the Avatars let you keep your toys too. Curious. Lock: They are learning. Key: They will be free. ???: Well, when they get bored of you, can I have a turn playing with you? ???: There's so much we could learn from each other, I'm sure. Lock: We decline the invitation. Key: We do not require your knowledge. ???: So heartless. ???: But... Hmm... This... this situation presents an opportunity! ???: You see, I am interested in the ruins of Myalos behind you. <Character>: Didn't you say before that you were done with Myalos? ???: I have no use for the entity known as Myalos. The ruins themselves though, well, I certainly like to believe I'm resourceful. Uaanta: We will not let you pass, enemy of the Makers. ???: Ugh. Them again. Avatars this, Makers that. ???: Don't you ever think of anything else? ???: You already know how I feel about the Avatars, I'm sure. A shame you're still so attached to their commands. ???: But that means we find ourselves at an unfortunate impasse. And I've been so polite, too! <Character>: What are you going to do about it? ???: Remthalas has very clearly warned me so many times that I shouldn't underestimate you. ???: So why not a different tactic? This conversation has been quite pleasant, has it not? ???: Why don't we have a friendly contest? Uaanta: A what? Speak plainly. ???: You'll defend the ruins from whatever odds and ends I have at my command. ???: And if I find your performance satisfactory, I'll leave this place. ???: If not, then you will leave me to my research. Or you can help me with some of it! I'm sure there's much we can discover together. <Character>: And we're supposed to just take you at your word? Uaanta: Or we could just stop you now! ???: Ahahaha! *The Maleurous laughs audibly.* ???: Oh. ???: I'm sorry, were you serious? ???: Stop me... now? ???: No, if you want an "epic final encounter", that will have to wait. We need to build some tension, raise the stakes... ???: And have some fun! *The Maleurous pauses.* ???: Ah, which reminds me, I should get prepared. ???: See you soon, heroes! *The Maleurous teleports away.* Uaanta: I have a bad feeling about this. I don't trust them. <Character>: Who even are they? Is there anything you can tell us about them, Lock and Key? Lock: The final Maleurous. Key: The first Maleurous. Lock: The explorer. Key: The researcher. Lock: Insatiable in the search for knowledge. Key: Experimenter of the forgotten. Lock: Jifa Ciy'jvpmrt. Key: Error. Lock: Data encrypted. Key: Apologies, we do not have access to that information at this time. <Character>: Thanks for trying. Uaanta: Hmm... <Character>: We should make the most of the time we have before the Maleurous returns. Let's check on Myalos. Lock: We should. Key: We will. *The entrance to Myalos' construct opens; once inside, you and Uaanta talk to Myalos, while Lock and Key appear connected to the construct itself, presumably to gather data.* Myalos: I see. Even if I were to finish my body and leave this shell, the Maleurous still have designs for the remains. <Character>: I don't know what to do. I mean, we have to defend you, but we can't hold out forever. Uaanta: We can't take Myalos and flee either. The Maleurous is interested in the ruins now. <Character>: And even if we succeed in fending off the attack, we don't know if this Maleurous will keep their word and leave! Myalos: I... see. *Myalos looks down solemnly.* Myalos: ...I know what must be done. Lock: Error. Lock: Logic fault. Myalos: No, this is sound. I would have liked to... explore... but... Key: This is not the correct decision. Myalos: Am I not free to make this choice for myself? Uaanta: What's going on? What choice are you making? Myalos: Logically, if the Maleurous wish to exploit the shell to their own ends, then if the shell were gone, there would be nothing to exploit. Uaanta: Makes sense to me. Myalos: This unit was created for interstellar travel. I could power it up, launch away from this planet. No longer be present. Myalos: However, my power reserves are dwindling. Myalos: Were I to follow through with such a plan, there would not be an opportunity to finish my body. I would drift until the reserves of power ran out. <Character>: So... your idea is to sacrifice yourself and everything you've dreamed of... Myalos: I believe this is the only option. Lock: We can find another way. Key: We have to. Myalos: Lock. Key. Thank you, but I believe <Character> and Uaanta will need your help defending me while I... brush off some of my old systems. Key, Lock (in unison): ... Myalos: This is my choice to make. I will do as heroes do. I will make a sacrifice for the greater good. *Myalos appears to detect something.* Myalos: My sensors indicate that the first of our unwelcome guests have arrived. I suggest haste. Uaanta: Let's go, then. We're not changing their mind, and we have a job to do. <Character>: ...Right! Complete Quest Other information After first completion, Book of Lore and Falconreach (Book 3) access points no longer direct you to this quest, but A Friendly Contest instead.
< Message edited by Jay -- 3/27/2021 1:37:48 >
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