Nemesis: Justice goes blind (Rewritten) (Full Version)

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Scakk -> Nemesis: Justice goes blind (Rewritten) (3/9/2011 16:54:22)

Nemesis: Justice goes blind

Location: Battleon » Warlic's Shop » Mastercraft Sets » Nemesis!

«Notes»
  • After each mid-boss battle, you are given two choices: Visit the Shop! or Journey On!
  • Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of choices which are: Continue Quest, Story Mode or Abandon Quest.
  • If you select Story Mode, you receive a message:
      You are about to enter Story Mode. You will be able to experience the rest of the story without any fights - but you will not have the opportunity to earn the higher-level sets. This decision cannot be changed without restarting the quest. Do you wish to continue?
    • Yes, enter Story Mode
    • No, continue
  • Selecting 'Yes, enter Story Mode' at any point skips all remaining battles. You receive replacement dialogue for battles, which are colored light blue.
  • If you selected 'No, continue' instead, you then proceed on as per normal and battle your way to the next checkpoint/through to the end.


    A thousand years ago, the whole world was an arena for forces from each Elemental Realm. The First Great Elemental War raged through Lore as a tide sweeping the common people aside in every front. It seemed as though even the smallest truce was undone by some great betrayal, until something seemed to change.

    Legends say that the armies suddenly slowed down, and their advance stopped in days, as the Great Dragons called off their own forces in shame and many went into hiding. To some, this was enough. To a legend within the legend, it was not. Nothing was enough. Before the war, he was a hero of the people. A beloved protector with a passion for peace. As he watched people, communities, and centuries of progress burned away by each day of strife, this passion burned away too, leaving behind something else. Something cold. Something that the end of the war couldn't satisfy.

    This hunger for vengeance consumed his soul, his body, and his name. As he constantly, tirelessly hunted down every corrupt fiend who had pushed the war or accepted the otherworldly influence that sparked it. The ending changes from tale to tale, but it is said that those few enemies that outlived him sealed away his weapons in fear that he would return to them.

    That fear lived on, however, haunting them with the new name of this cold, unrelenting avenger: Nemesis. A relentless promise that vengeance itself would rise again.

    Today, that promise is fulfilled.


    «Scene: Outside a cave in Greenguard Forest. Calladus enters.»

    The far mountainous edges of Greenguard Forest, several days ago...

    Calladus: The secret traffickers were spot on after all. When I return to Satharion, I will have to unseal them to demand more. But first... Uncovering *this* seal will take a while.

    «Calladus enters the cave. The scene fades and changes to Warlic's Shop.»

    Warlic: I'm glad you could come on such short notice. We have a serious problem.
    «You»: What is it, Warlic?
    Warlic: I need your help for a rushed expedition. I'm detecting signs of a very powerful seal being tampered with. Ancient, yet very advanced for its time.
    «You»: A seal over what? Some kind of threat, I assume?
    Warlic: Something dangerous enough to warrant extreme measures. My colleagues have been finding broken artifacts that seem like remote abjuration anchors for several months.
    Warlic: After figuring out that they work like distant locks to one great seal, I've been leaving detection charms everywhere they were to find its location... And they've been *flaring*.
    Warlic: Someone put a lot of work into making, and hiding, a great seal that is now being forced open. I need your help to make sure whatever it is doesn't fall into the wrong hands.


      If your Background Compass is Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: Then we'd better hurry. Back when I worked with the 'wrong hands', they were already three steps ahead when war broke out. Let's head out while the seal holds
      Warlic: This lacks the subtlety of the Network's initial infiltration, but you're right. I've tracked down the faltering seal to an underground location in Greenguard Forest.
      Warlic: If we can get there quickly enough, we can figure out what's going on and whether this is something that should *stay* locked up.
      «You»: If they're leaving this much of a trail, we're dealing with someone very ambitious or reckless. They think they'll be too powerful to stop when they get what they want. Let's hurry.


      If your Background Compass is Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: Then we'd better hurry. If someone's about to unleash some ancient threat and we have a chance to prevent it for once, we'd better alert people and then rush to stop it.
      Warlic: I've alerted allies to be ready if we take too long, and my contacts know to rally their own communities if things go wrong. We can head out as soon as you're ready.
      Warlic: The faltering seal is underground, deep in Greenguard Forest. If we can get there quickly enough, we can figure out if this is a threat and if the seal should remain.
      Warlic: I'm sorry that I can't provide more information. I'm having to work with ancient languages and magic concepts, much like when you helped find the Temple of Hope.
      «You»: ...Yeah, I can imagine that would take a while if the runes were spread out all over the continent. Well, whoever is unsealing this isn't too subtle, so they're confident. Let's hurry.




    Warlic: I'll teleport us as close as we can, but I'll need you to handle most of the fighting. I'll save my stronger magic for when we find this seal.
    «You»: I've got your back.

    Choice: How will you quest?
  • With Warlic
  • Alone

    Regardless of choice:

    «Scene: Outside of the same cave as above.»

    Warlic: This is it. The actual underground source is a ways off from here, but the very air at this entrance has a lingering charge. This place had very intense wards.
    «You»: Monsters have been moving in, but the depth of the tracks is still easy to make out. Someone has clearly been here for a while, moving a little closer every day.
    Warlic: Some magical traps have been triggered, others dispelled... But this is being brute forced, for the most part. It's like someone knew exactly how they were designed.
    «You»: Then we're lucky it hasn't been unleashed. Let's get inside!
      4 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles. See below for monster list.


    Warlic: Do you feel something strange...? ...Wait! One of the traps must have been left active! It's flooding this entire area!
    «You»: It's not just one trap. They're all over the place... I feel so heavy...

      Life Draining Traps!
      Can you identify and disarm the magical traps hidden in the walls?
      Difficulty: 61
      Stat Used: Intelligence


      «If you fail, then you can choose to defy it, and continue as if you won the save»
    «If you win:»

      «You»: There! I found one of them! Can you get the other one up ahead? It seems like some sort of withering curse.
      Warlic: You figured it out fast enough to directly counter it? Very impressive. I'll clear the others... It must be some manner of anima dampening and enfeebling aura.
    «If you fail:»
      Tough It Out!
      Can you resist the trap's effects through sheer physical might?
      Difficulty: 61
      Stat Used: Strength


      «If you fail, then you can choose to defy it, and continue as if you won the save»

      If you succeed:

        Warlic: There! I've dispelled it... What a cruel trap. Walking through it must have taken monstrous physical strength. ...Wait, you were hit? And you're fine? ...That's ins- Er, impressive.

      If you fail:

        «You»: Gah! I'm hit... I can't take many more of those...
        (You lose 1/4 of your max HP and 1/4 of your max MP.)
        Warlic: Sorry, friend, I didn't catch it in time... But now that I know where they're coming from, I can shield us from the rest.
        (Warlic glows)
        «You»: That already feels a lot better.
        Warlic: It's some manner of withering curse and anima dampening field... A very cruel trap, meant to make trespassers faint and stay here until their bodies break down.
        Warlic: Whoever came before us must have immense physical strength, to have simply rushed through this before it took them down
        .

    «You»: Whoever set up this seal was incredibly vicious, then. I'd have expected traps to just try to kill trespassers, but it's like they wanted to leave bodies to discourage others.
    «You»: Still, just because it was someone really cruel sealing something, it doesn't mean it's a good thing. Let's keep going.


    You have survived this far and earned intermediate rewards! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest

    Story Mode:
    You continue to battle through this cave, covering Warlic as the very stone opens to unleash monsters, as if traps were summoning them to swarm you. Through your prowess and his study of the ancient runes, you begin to gain ground on whoever is breaking through the underground barriers... Until you reach the source of magic he had been tracking: A chamber with a strange stone slab.


    Otherwise:
      4 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles


    Calladus: ...You've caught up to me already? I should have left more traps standing.
    Warlic: Calladus! Step back from that seal! You're messing with magic you don't understand, you brute! Do you even know what's in there?
    «You»: ...*Someone* does. Since when do you work with magic this ancient? Step back from that seal and tell me who put you up to this!

    «Calladus raises his hand and the slab breaks.»

    «You»: ... You reckless idiot.
    Calladus: Did you expect a speech? I wanted to test these weapons out before killing you with them, but when the chance presents itself and starts screaming at you...

    «Nemesis erupts from the crack.»

    Calladus: What? What is this?! This tomb was only supposed to hold the weapons of Nemesis!
    Nemesis: It did. Corrupt, ambitious fools like you sealed them to keep my spirit at bay. And now you broke every barrier keeping me from returning to claim vengeance.
    Warlic: ... Nemesis? The legendary warrior from the Great Elemental War?
    Warlic: Unbelievable. The legend is real after all... However, it has been a thousand years. The world has seen more strife, yes, but your enemies are long since dead...
    Nemesis: Has it? I lost track, split between this tomb and the world beyond... If you're right, then good riddance. But that doesn't change anything.
    Nemesis: There is still corruption to destroy. Even here... You. The fool who cracked the stone. I heard your intent. You're next.
    Calladus: Hmph. It's an even match now, but after this much hard work and with the Blue Mage on your side... I yield. I'll tell you how I got here.
    Nemesis: No.

    «Nemesis hits Calladus, who falls onto the ground.»

    Calladus: Ugh... I... surrendered...
    Nemesis: Surrender didn't matter when the likes of you bathed the world in war and crushed the people under your corruption. Corruption gives no quarter, and neither do I.
    Nemesis: You're a demon, are you not? You'll return. Then I'll find you, and kill you again and again until you can't bear to return. That's the only surrender I'll accept. Now die already.

    «Calladus disappears and Nemesis turns around.»

    «You»: He had surrendered! We could have gotten important information out of him!
    Nemesis: I don't care. He would have bargained for that information. Containing him would be a drain. His ilk are beyond redemption, and beyond mercy. They deserve only death.


      If your Background Compass is Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: I've seen my own share of war, and always stood against evil. When the Devourer came, it was thanks to former enemies accepting redemption that we survived!
      Nemesis: Then the gods have gone soft where I will not. Tell me, how many suffered and died until you finally wore down each corrupt heart? What cold comfort did their families get?
      «You»: Don't patronize me. Giving enemies a second chance to do right doesn't mean I'm forgetting what they did. Besides, what about people who are manipulated or forced to fight?
      Nemesis: There is always a choice. Corruption must be defied until the bitter end if that's the only alternative to serving it. Those manipulated into aiding evil are their puppeteers' victims, not mine.
      Nemesis: Enough talk. I'm not here to educate the soft hearted. I am a being of purpose. Get out of my way.

      If your Background Compass is Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: When the Devourer came, it was thanks to former enemies accepting redemption that we survived! I was given a second chance, and it'd be hypocritical to deny it to others!
      Nemesis: ... Second chance... Do you know what that really means? It means turning your back on someone who has already failed to resist temptation.
      Nemesis: It means watching them slaughter your loved ones when temptation strikes again, because one person took the second chance, so you kept offering it. Get out of my way, fool.


    «Regardless of your alignment, you proceed to the battle below.»
    New Description: A legendary warrior whose ideals of justice twisted into an endless hunger for retribution, returned as a vengeful revenant after being sealed by his enemies!
    Lose to Nemesis / Story Mode:
      You struggle valiantly against Nemesis, but as the battle drags on, his strength remains constant. A living foe would have worn out by now, and most undead would be accumulating enough injuries to wear down their controlling magics or force them to flee...

      But Nemesis doesn't tire. He wears you and Warlic down while constantly using you as a meat shield to keep him from using more powerful spells. In life, he must have been an expert in facing powerful casters. Whatever he is now could keep fighting for days on end...


    Nemesis: An impressive effort, but a pointless one. Why do you still stand against me? I will never tire, even after you can't move.
    «You»: ...I can do this... *huff* all day...
    Nemesis: If you insist on getting in my way, I have no choice but to slay you like any other corrupt fool.
    Warlic: You always have a choice, Nemesis.*cough* It's one thing to not want to parlay, but if you kill $player... I will bring this entire cave down on us and grind you to dust inside it.
    Nemesis: ... You would go that far once you move on from trying to stop me to trying to slay me?
    Nemesis: You should be using that power to right the world's wrongs, not to slow me down... But I respect your camaraderie.
    Nemesis: Fine. You may live.
    Nemesis: Don't get in my way again. Either of you. I will not simply walk past you if you insist on interfering. To delay justice is to abide evil.

    «Nemesis leaves.»

    Warlic: ...Something about him is very strange. He's not like any spirit I have ever seen. He's not simply haunting his old armaments... The energy flow is the opposite to that.
    Warlic: It's as if he emanates from them! They give him shape. This isn't undeath. Nemesis has become something else entirely...
    «You»: Yes: a madman. Did you hear what he was saying? He implied he was aware of Calladus as he opened the seals. How long has he been conscious, half-living like that?
    Warlic: I can't say for sure. It could be as early as when the first ritual anchors were broken. Maybe some part of him has always been aware, fighting against the seals.
    Warlic: You're right. It must have been maddening, whether it was months or centuries, to grind his mind against these... Hold on. These are still affecting him somehow.
    «You»: That could be useful. Someone so uncompromising is going to be very dangerous out there. I'm going to tail him and see what he gets up to. Can you investigate this?
    Warlic: Now that I already have an idea of what languages are involved here, yes. Perhaps I can isolate the containment element and redirect all energy to that. I'll be in touch.

    ««You» leave.»

    Warlic: ...Now, what intricate madness is this? They somehow kept Nemesis from manifesting, so why didn't they simply destroy his weapons? Who even did this? Let's see.

    «The crack seals and the scene fades.»

    Story Mode:
      You leave Warlic to analyze the magic that imprisoned Nemesis and leave in pursuit of him. Although he is easy for an adventurer of your experience to track, the need to regain your strength after such a battle of attrition slows you down enough for hostile creatures to interfere. In time, you catch both your breath and your quarry.


    Otherwise:

    You have survived this far and earned intermediate rewards! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis II shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest
      4 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles


    «You»: Nemesis!
    Nemesis: I made it very clear what would happen if you got in my way again, $player.
    Nemesis: Walking the world again, though, I am beginning to remember. I recall people as persistent as yourself. Hearts in the right place, if all too soft.
    Nemesis: Stay back. The world will need people like you to hold it together as I carve out the corrupt.
    «You»: I can't stay back and let someone whose first resort is murder run rampant.
    Nemesis: And do you have the time and means to detain and rehabilitate every tyrant, every betrayer, every despoiler out there? Save the soft touch for when my work is done.


      If your Background Compass is Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: That's the thing about people like you, Nemesis. Or whatever you've become. You'll never be done. Because you've taken the worst part of your enemy with you.
      Nemesis: What are you even getting at?
      «You»: I've walked this path. When the world was tested, I fought on the side that would see it fail. And you know what it was full of, Nemesis? People who spoke like you.
      «You»: Ambitious people who would never be satisfied. Uncompromising, higher-cause, ends justify the means. Their vision or death. That's who you've been sounding like.
      Nemesis: And I'm supposed to be deterred by this?
      Nemesis: You chased me all this way to say that you're worried that I *sound* evil? The corrupt have always hidden behind the names of higher causes. That doesn't taint the true ones.
      «You»: You're talking to what you wish I'd said, not to what I actually said. What I'm saying is that you're not a hand of justice. You speak like a *fanatic*.
      «You»: You act like the people who have terrorized the world, the same kind of people you're supposedly out to kill. You're also prepared to kill anyone who gets in your way.
      «You»: Don't you see the problem with that? The kind of evil masterminds I've met would just let you get at it! You'll kill their enemies over simple misunderstandings!


      If your Background Compass is Good (-5 or higher alignment):

      «You»: And when exactly will it be done?
      Nemesis: When wicked blood doesn't flow anywhere but the ground. The world can't keep producing tyrants faster than I can kill them.
      «You»: No, but YOU can. You were instantly prepared to lower the bar and kill me just for standing in your way, just so you could rush back to killing. How much more will you lower it?
      Nemesis: What are you even getting at?
      Nemesis: You got in my way even after seeing what my true purpose is. There will always be the meek who can't pursue the greater good, but interference with it is its own evil.
      «You»: You barely HAVE a purpose, though! You don't even have a concrete plan, how am I supposed to NOT interfere? How can people even know what your 'greater good' even is?
      Nemesis: You chased me all this way to ask me for a moral lesson? I'm leaving.
      «You»: No, Nemesis, I chased you all this way to GIVE you one! Don't you see how unfocused you are? You don't have concrete targets. You even ruined the chance to get them!
      «You»: You're talking about the greater good, but you're just out to kill anyone you consider evil enough, and anyone who interferes. And you're so misguided that people WILL!



    Nemesis: ...You're annoying. What a headache you can cause when you prattle on... It's... It's familiar. Enough. You're only here to delay me. Two can play that game.
    «You»: No, Nemesis, I want you to think! The legends say you were relentless, but focused! Or is this how you always acted?
    Nemesis: ...No. I was... And then I became... Stop this. The meek who cannot commit to the greater good are nothing but pets to tyrants. And a pet is enough to deal with you.

    Story Mode:
      The familiar summoned by Nemesis latches onto you and attacks viciously, keeping you busy while Nemesis stumbles away, then steadies himself and changes course to run North with frightening speed. When you finally shake the creature off and best it in direct combat, it admits defeat and becomes an incorporeal haze speeding towards its master.

      Using its trail, you resume pursuit. It seems you're starting to get through to Nemesis. Hopefully Warlic has learned something useful by now...


    Otherwise:
      1 BATTLE: Nemesis Guardian
      New Description: A familiar summoned by Nemesis, consumed by the same violent haze that drives him!
      Full Heal
    You have survived this far and earned intermediate rewards! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis III shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

    «You»: ...That's the first time I've seen a familiar THAT vicious. I was half expecting it to start throwing exploding frozen poo or something.
    «You»: Nemesis took off really fast... And if he really doesn't tire, I'm not going to catch up until he makes a stop. Following his fleeing familiar should help.
    «You»: Something about him is starting to crack. I might be able to break through and make him think more clearly. Hopefully Warlic found something good by now, or it'll cost me.
  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest

    Story Mode:
      Nemesis turns out to have left more than broken foliage in his path. Over the days it takes you to stalk his suddenly timid familiar, you notice the monsters of the icy north are suffering a similar confused frenzy to what it displayed when fighting you. There's clearly more to the madness overtaking this ancient warrior.

      Perhaps his violent aura is affecting the creatures in his wake. Perhaps whatever corruptive force looms over him is so intense that it overflows. Regardless, the danger of his presence is clearly growing by the day.

      When you finally catch up to Nemesis, though, he is simply standing before a shrine. He seems to have been restoring it, but his weapon hand trembles with barely restrained violent intent.


    Otherwise:
      4 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles


    «You»: What is this place, Nemesis?
    Nemesis: This was the temple where I bound myself to my weapons. All that remains... Yet someone was taking care of it, before they too passed. Are you here to make it your grave?
    «You»: I'm not here to die, Nemesis. I came here to save people from being killed just for being near you at the wrong time... But now I think I'm here to save you, too.
    (off-screen) Warlic: $player!

    «Warlic appears.»

    «You»: Warlic! Please tell me you've found something useful. Or something that'll get this stubborn bucket of spikes to think clearly... I'm certain that something is actively clouding him.
    Warlic: And you're right! I found that there's one last anchor to the seals... Calladus didn't find all of them. In fact, the last one is right here!
    Nemesis: ...This is a shrine to the Elemental Lords. Even encased in ice and hidden in a dead pilgrim's house, this is the last stone of a temple that welcomed all. It's not some arcane trinket.
    Warlic: It is now, warrior. $player! The anchors were meant to influence Nemesis, not just contain him! His will outlived his enemies, but this shrine is still clouding his mind!
    Warlic: I could use it to cast a spell to weaken his armaments so that you can banish him... Or you could try to face him at full strength to distract him while I undo the magic!
    Nemesis: ...You expect me to believe this trickery? I've entertained your prattle long enough. I will end you both and renew my oath with your blood!

    Story Mode:
      You launch into a fierce battle with the vengeful revenant, doing your best to keep his increasingly desperate blows away from Warlic. Proximity to the shrine seems to influence Nemesis in strange ways... The corruptive magics hidden within drive Nemesis into greater violence, but memory of it brings occasional moments of clarity.

      Once Nemesis falters, Warlic's spell takes hold and damages the magic of Nemesis's armaments enough to weaken him! Where he once stood untiring before any blow, projectile, or spell, your attacks finally wear him down. Each powerful hit begins to dampen his violent haze, and Nemesis eventually surrenders.

      You are victorious!

    Otherwise:

    Earn Lvl 120 and Lvl 135 Sets (Challenge Battle)
  • Fight Unaided - Opens Final Nemesis shop at the end of the questEarn Lvl 90 and Lvl 105 Sets
  • Cast Spell - Opens Nemesis IV shop at the end of the quest

    Nemesis: I... I... am... Where am I? The temple. I was ambushed here. They put me in chains, and I... I slept? No, something deeper...
    «You»: Take your time. Look around. How do you feel?
    Nemesis: Lighter. Lighter, but so strong. As if a mountain of spiders had been weighing me down, burrowing into me, and whispering sweet vengeance... And now its weight is gone.
    Nemesis: ...But this strength... My power comes from conviction. So when everyone I protected was taken away... That's what I aimed to become.
    Nemesis: A spirit of pure conviction. An aspect of emotion that could not be swayed. A tireless slayer of the corrupt... To avenge the innocent. Not for its own sake.
    Nemesis: ... That was meant to be the whole reason. But I have these... These gaps in my being, and it feels like only killing would fill them. You. You're a protector of the people, yes?
    «You»: I try to be.
    Nemesis: I cannot trust myself anymore. But you... My power may be better off in such stalwart hands. Always remember... Justice is not a law, or an act. It's a lifelong commitment. An eternal vigil.

    «Nemesis leaves, transparent.»

    Warlic: ...He found a way to turn himself into an eidolon. A creature of legend... Spirits embodying an emotion or ideal. Even through his torment, how did you sway such a being?


      If your Background Compass is Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: I saw him heading down the same path I once did. I had to try to get to him, or fight whatever clouded him. If I got a second chance, he deserved one as well.
      Warlic: You knew injustice, but you were just. That's the kind of person the world needed when he went down the path of vengeance. That makes you a worthy heir of his power.

      If your Background Compass is Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: Any time he started to reason, something snapped. Even before today, it was clear that he was... off. He cared about the innocent... Yet he was on a path that'd trample them.
      Warlic: You saved him from becoming the same kind of uncompromising warrior that swept away the people he once protected. I don't think he could've found a more fitting heir.

    «End-quest shops open here.»

    And so Nemesis's rampage was brought to an end. An eidolon of pure vengeance, bound and slowly corrupted by the enemies that couldn't defeat him... Yet so strong-willed that it took a thousand years of torment to even begin to sway him.

    In the end, you overcame him through sheer prowess and will. Beyond simply defeating him in combat, you brought a legendary warrior to rest before his tale could be tainted with the blood of the innocent. By reminding him of the commitment to justice that set him on his path in the first place, you became the heir to his armaments! Now that they are free of corruption, you can return to your own path as an avenging champion of justice, inheriting the weapons and name of...

    Nemesis!


    Original write up from ArchMagus Orodalf. Monster list from Ianthe. Updated location thanks to Archlist. New dialogue from Lorekeeper.


    quote:

    OLD VERSION: Nemesis: Justice goes blind

    Location: Battleon » Warlic's Shop » Mastercraft Sets » Nemesis!

    «Notes»
  • After each mid-boss battle, you are given two choices: Visit the Shop! or Journey On!
  • Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of choices which are: Continue Quest, Story Mode or Abandon Quest.
  • If you select Story Mode, you receive a message:
      You are about to enter Story Mode. You will be able to experience the rest of the story without any fights - but you will not have the opportunity to earn the higher-level sets. This decision cannot be changed without restarting the quest. Do you wish to continue?
    • Yes, enter Story Mode
    • No, continue
  • Selecting 'Yes, enter Story Mode' at any point skips all remaining battles. You receive replacement dialogue for battles, which are colored light blue.
  • If you selected 'No, continue' instead, you then proceed on as per normal and battle your way to the next checkpoint/through to the end.
    A long time ago, there was a great warrior who was so blessed by the Elemental Lords that he was known as the hand of divine justice... the nemesis of all that defied the gods, whether good or evil. So powerful was this "Nemesis" that upon his death his spirit was sealed away in the deepest and darkest recesses of the earth, out of fear that not even death could stop a force of nature, a harbinger of divine vengeance such as this...

    Though his spirit was trapped deep below the earth, the seal has grown steadily weaker, and traces of his powerful spiritual essence have begun to leak out into Lore. This has caught the attention of unsuspecting villains, who seek to take advantage of this great power for their own twisted ends... but they know not what they are threatening to let loose upon the world.

    For in the vast time that has passed, in the depths of the unknown cavern, the seeds of corruption have begun to take root...

    «Scene: Outside a cave in Greenguard Forest. Calladus enters.»

    The far mountainous edges of Greenguard Forest, several days ago...

    Calladus: I don't know what sort of power lies here, but perhaps if I can harness it, I can finally lead an army of dragons to claim Lore as my own!

    «Calladus enters the cave. The scene fades and changes to Warlic's Shop.»

    Warlic: I'm glad you could come on such short notice. We have a serious problem.
    «You»: What is it, Warlic?
    Warlic: I have detected traces of a very powerful and ancient magic hidden deep underground. The source seems to be coming from the distant edge of Greenguard Forest.
    «You»: You can feel the magic from so away?
    Warlic: Only faintly, but yes. And if this magic is so powerful that it can be felt from such a distance, then it could be quite dangerous.
    Warlic: Worse still, the sensation of its magic has only grown stronger and stronger since I first began to feel it. I feel as though some great forgotten power is awakening...
    Warlic: «You», you must help me find this magic. Whatever it is, it is clearly too powerful to be trifled with. And if such power should fall into the wrong hands...

      If you are Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: And how do you know you can trust me with it, either?
      Warlic: I don't intend to. Whatever is stirring beneath our feet threatens all of Lore.
      Warlic: I will seal its magic away and force it back into dormancy.
      «You»: We'll see about that.
      If you are Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: You can count on me, Warlic!
      Warlic: No, I can't. Whatever is stirring beneath our feet threatens all of Lore.
      Warlic: Even a hero such as you can't be trusted with such power. Power is the greatest form of corruption there is.
      Warlic: I will seal its magic away and force it back into dormancy.
      «You»: Hmm... That is probably for the best, then, if it's as menacing as you say it is.
    Warlic: I will come with you, to ensure that this power is properly contained.
    «You»: Then let's get going!

    Choice: How will you quest?
  • With Warlic
  • Alone

    Regardless of choice:

    «Scene: Outside of the same cave as above.»

    Warlic: The flow of magic appears to be coming from this cavern.
    «You»: There are tracks on the ground here, and they look quite new. Someone got here before us.
    Warlic: We must hurry, «You». If one of Lore's villains has already stumbled upon this strange magical power source...
    «You»: We'd better get inside, then!
      12 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles. See below for monster list.
    Warlic: The magic power is still below... and it is still growing stronger.
    «You»: I know... I can feel it weighing down on me...

      Intelligence Check!
      Do you have the magical power necessary to resist the pressure from this strange magic?
      Difficulty: 61
      Stat Used: Intelligence


      «If you fail, then you can choose to defy it, and continue as if you won the save»
    «If you win:»
      «You»: But so far, I've been able to counter the pressure by pushing back with my own magical power.
      Warlic: Oh, indeed? Very impressive.
    «If you fail:»
      Strength Check!
      Lacking the arcane strength, do you at least have the physical strength to soldier on despite this palpable weight?
      Difficulty: 61
      Stat Used: Strength


      «If you fail, then you can choose to defy it, and continue as if you won the save»

      If you succeed:

        Warlic: And yet you remain standing? You must have exceptional physical strength to hold out this long!

      If you fail:

        «You»: Uuungh. I don’t think I can go any further... whatever it is, it’s weakening me and sapping my mana to feed its own strength.
        (You lose 1/4 of your max HP and 1/4 of your max MP.)
        Warlic: Perhaps I can help...
        (Warlic glows)
        «You»: That did help, thanks!
        Warlic: I extended the reach of my own magical shielding so that you could resist the magic’s great pressure, too.
        Warlic: You should be fine for the time being.
    «You»: What a great and fearful power!
    «You»: Let's keep going. Whatever is going on down there, we have to stop whoever else is down here from getting to it first!

    You have survived this far and have discovered a mystical shop! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest

    Story Mode:
      You continue to battle through the dark tunnels of this cave and its large monster population until you reach the heart of the cave:

      A large cavernous area with a strange stone slab in the center...
    Otherwise:
      12 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles
    Calladus: Ah, the heroes have arrived. But you're too late!
    Warlic: Stop! You have no idea what you're doing!
    «You»: If you break that slab...

    «Calladus raises his hand and the slab breaks.»

    «You»: ... all of Lore could be in danger. *sigh*
    Calladus: Of course all of Lore is in danger! I will now use this great power to conquer all of Lore's heroes, obliterate them, and then take over!

    «Nemesis erupts from the crack.»

    Calladus: What? I thought this slab contained some sort of powerful magic. Who are you? Where is the power I sought?
    Nemesis: I was known by many names... but to those who feared and knew me the most, I was merely called "Nemesis."
    Warlic: ... Nemesis? The magical warrior blessed by the Elemental Lords to exact divine justice on the forces of evil?
    Warlic: But you are just an ancient legend... a few pages in some forgotten text. You were said to never have existed at all.
    Nemesis: I was merely sealed away. The forces of evil feared that even death would not be enough to stop me.
    Nemesis: But now, the seal has been broken...
    Calladus: And you will serve me! I released you from your bonds, and--
    Nemesis: -- Serve?! Presumptuous knave, I serve NONE! You, I will DESTROY!

    «Nemesis hits Calladus, who falls onto the ground.»

    Calladus: Ugh... wh... what... what are you?!
    Nemesis: You, follower of evil, have sown chaos among the world of Lore. Your sinful deeds have left scars on your soul, scars which I can see.
    Nemesis: And now, you shall be brought to justice. For your misdeeds, there is but one punishment: a swift death.

    «Calladus disappears and Nemesis turns around.»

    «You»: ... You... you killed him!
    Nemesis: His death was just. The gods were displeased with him, and the only fate for such a being is death.

      If you are Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: Don't try to justify your actions here. I've stopped villains before without killing them!
      Nemesis: Then you are a sorry excuse for a hero.
      «You»: If murder is heroic, then I'm proud not to be a hero.
      Nemesis: I have heard enough. Though you claim to follow Good, you are clearly Evil to denounce the hand of the gods!
      Nemesis: Prepare to join your fellow follower of Evil in death!
      If you are Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: Eh, well...
      Nemesis: ... come to mention it, you, too, reek of Evil...
      Nemesis: Prepare yourself... for justice from the Elemental Lords!
    «Regardless of your alignment, you proceed to the battle below.»Lose to Nemesis / Story Mode:
      You struggle valiantly against the powerful Nemesis, but it is clear you are outmatched. You begin to grow weary, while he never seems to get any weaker at all...
    Nemesis: A fair effort. But with the power of the Elemental Lords themselves flowing through my veins, I do not tire.
    «You»: *huff* ... *wheeze*
    Nemesis: Are you prepared to die?
    Warlic: You shall shed no more blood today, Nemesis, least of all that of «You»!
    Nemesis: ... you choose to interfere with my mission? Then you, too, are a follower of Evil, magus!
    Nemesis: Hmm... no. Though you do bear a stain on your soul, I also see the light of the Lords in you.
    Nemesis: Very well, then. If you insist, I will spare this... "«You»".
    Nemesis: But there are others. Many others! I feel that Lore's people have been corrupted in my absence. They will all feel the hand of justice!

    «Nemesis leaves.»

    Warlic: There's something wrong here. Nemesis was never concerned with Good or Evil in the legends of old.
    Warlic: It was said he brought justice to those who had earned divine punishment, Good or Evil, and never killed in cold blood. But this is clearly not how he behaved today...
    «You»: He wanted to kill me without any real reason at all. There is definitely something wrong, Warlic.
    Warlic: He has no doubt gone out to continue his mission. But his mind and mission have been corrupted somehow...
    Warlic: I will stay here to examine this place. Maybe I can find a trace of what caused this. Perhaps I can even find a way to seal him away again.
    «You»: I wish you luck. I have to follow him. You heard what he said-- There's no telling what he'll do to Lore!
    Warlic: That is a good plan. I will endeavor to meet up with you when I have learned something we can use against him.

    ««You» leave.»

    Warlic: Now let's see what this will do...

    «The crack seals and the scene fades.»

    Story Mode:
      You leave Warlic to examine the area for clues, and go off in pursuit of Nemesis, hoping to prevent any more bloodshed. You exit the cave and fight your way through the forests of Greenguard, before finally catching up with Nemesis at the forest's edge...
    Otherwise:

    You have survived this far and have discovered a mystical shop! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis II shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest
      12 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles
    «You»: Nemesis!
    Nemesis: Do not bother me, «You». Though your mage convinced me to stay your sentence, I assure you that your death at my hands, as with all Evil, is inevitable.
    Nemesis: For now, I intend to visit a shrine that I recall deep in the frozen mountains of the north.
    Nemesis: It was there that I became the harbinger of divine justice... and it is there that I shall renew my vows!
    «You»: You don't even seem to care that you just murdered someone!
    Nemesis: Because I don't. He was a villain. Evil exists to corrupt the world, and I exist to bring it to justice.

      If you are Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: Evil is not mere corruption. You speak as a true follower of "Good"... ignorant of reality.
      Nemesis: Do not try to claim otherwise. The blood of many monsters stains your spirit red.
      «You»: Those who oppose me perish. It is their... how would you put it?... "just reward."
      «You»: They claim to serve some higher calling while calling us outcasts and destroying our livelihood.
      Nemesis: You waste your time complaining to me. I once foolishly believed that good and evil were equal in sin.
      Nemesis: But that was before I came to the realization that the forces of evil are always more corrupt.
      «You»: More ignorance, spoken out of misunderstanding and delusion.
      «You»: I've seen those who serve Good wield their worthless sense of morality to exact unjust ends. It's all a matter of perspective-- and yours is clearly clouded.
      «You»: Or else you might soon become just another one of them. Petty failures, all...
      If you are Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: What justice is served by killing in cold blood?
      Nemesis: You are hardly one to talk. The blood of many monsters stains your spirit red.
      «You»: But when I fight monsters, it is for a just cause. I do it to defend my home from those who would destroy it. Can you claim the same?
      Nemesis: Perhaps at one time, when I believed that good and evil were equal in sin.
      Nemesis: But that was before I came to the realization that the forces of evil are always more corrupt.
      «You»: By whose standard?
      Nemesis: ... What nonsense do you speak?
      «You»: That which is considered "good" by some can still be "evil" to others, Nemesis.
      «You»: I've seen Good used blindly to exact unjust ends, too. It's a matter of perspective. And your perspective is clearly clouded.
    Nemesis: ... Why am I even listening to you? Your words are meaningless, lies spoken only in a vain attempt to save yourself from my future wrath.
    «You»: No, Nemesis, you're wrong! They are spoken to prevent more death!
    Nemesis: I will tolerate your delays no longer. I make for the mountain shrine. In the meantime, my loyal spirit guardian will take care of you.

    Story Mode:
      You commence an intense battle with Nemesis's Spirit Guardian. The spirit shows no signs of fear or wear, however, and you begin to worry that you might not be able to overcome it. Eventually, however, the spirit seems to admit defeat and flees after its master.
    Otherwise:
    You have survived this far and have discovered a mystical shop! You can either:
  • Visit the Shop - Opens Nemesis III shop
    or
  • Journey On!

    «Regardless of choice, you'll be led to the next set of options.»

    «You»: Whew, that was quite the fight.
    «You»: Let's see... Nemesis didn't really specify WHERE in the mountains he intended to go. But maybe if I follow his little spirit friend, I'll find him.
    «You»: Get ready to face TRUE justice, Nemesis!
  • Continue Quest
  • Story Mode
  • Abandon Quest

    Story Mode:
      You find yourself battling a large number of ice monsters, as well as the elements themselves, as you ascend into the icy mountains of the north. Following the spirit animal turns out to be a boon, as it leads you straight to the shrine, where Nemesis is waiting...
    Otherwise:
      12 BATTLES
      Full Heal after every 2 battles
    «You»: I have found you, Nemesis. Here, in this icy shrine, I will end this before you kill anyone else!
    Nemesis: I think not, «You». I AM the power and judgment of the Elemental Lords. I far surpass your capabilities.
    «You»: Your time imprisoned has corrupted you, Nemesis. Powerful or not, I must set things right!
    Warlic: (off-screen) «You»!

    «Warlic appears.»

    «You»: Warlic! I don't know how you found me, but you're just in time. I hope you have some good news.
    Warlic: I managed to find some ancient texts that referred to this shrine as the origin of Nemesis's power. So it would seem natural that he would come here first to awaken his full power.
    Nemesis: You will not stay my hand this time, mage! I am resolved!
    Warlic: Of course you are. I also managed to study the runes carved into the tablet he was trapped within.
    Warlic: I believe I now have a spell that can bind his powers somewhat, making it easier for you to defeat him.
    Nemesis: Cowardice! You would resort to magickal trickery, rather than facing me at my full skill and power?!

    Story Mode:
      Even with Warlic's spell, your battle with Nemesis is long and challenging. The clash of weapon against weapon and armor rings through the chamber. Eventually, you land enough blows to bring Nemesis low, and you are victorious!
    Otherwise:

    Earn Lvl 120 and Lvl 135 Sets (Challenge Battle)
  • Fight Unaided - Opens Final Nemesis shop at the end of the questEarn Lvl 90 and Lvl 105 Sets
  • Cast Spell - Opens Nemesis IV shop at the end of the questNemesis: I... I... am... beaten.
    «You»: It turns out that it is I who brought the justice of the Elemental Lords today, Nemesis.
    Nemesis: Indeed... and in defeat, the haze that clouded my mind has cleared. I... was mistaken in thinking that I was serving justice.
    Nemesis: Good or evil, true justice treats both sides of the coin equally. The times have changed... and so have I. Perhaps it is time for another to inherit my role.
    Nemesis: «You»! YOU are hereby charged with my duty! Be the hand of divine justice and bring the wrath of the Elemental Lords to bear!
    Nemesis: If you accept this task, I shall grant you my powers.
    «You»: I accept.
    Nemesis: Then... I can finally embrace death...

    «Nemesis leaves, transparent.»

    Warlic: What will you do now, «You»? You have been granted great power.

      If you are Evil (-6 or lower Alignment):
      «You»: I told you that you would not withhold this great power from me, Warlic.
      Warlic: Yes... and I fear that, though you have aided Lore in the past, perhaps Nemesis chose poorly in the end...
      If you are Good (-5 or higher alignment):
      «You»: Carry on his legacy, the way he would have wanted it.
      Warlic: I do not think Lore could ask for a better keeper of justice than you.
    «End-quest shops open here.»

    And so, Nemesis was defeated and passed his duties to you.
    Whether good or evil, you are now charged with the duty of bringing true justice to the land of Lore.

    Use your new powers wisely, lest you meet the same fate as your predecessor...

  • Play again!
  • Guardian Tower!
  • Leave
    Nemesis

    Weapons
  • Punisher's Decree Z
  • Punisher's Decree

    Armors
  • Punisher's Maxim Z
  • Punisher's Maxim

    Shields
  • Punisher's Protection Z
  • Punisher's Protection

    Pets
  • Punisher's Escort Z
  • Punisher's Escort
    Nemesis II

    Weapons
  • Vindicator's Edict

    Armors
  • Vindicator's Precept

    Shields
  • Vindicator's Shelter

    Pets
  • Vindicator's Attendant
    Nemesis III

    Weapons
  • Avenger's Judgment

    Armors
  • Avenger's Principle

    Shields
  • Avenger's Barrier

    Pets
  • Avenger's Sentinel
    Nemesis IV

    Weapons
  • Vigilante's Verdict
  • Scourge's Conviction

    Armors
  • Vigilante's Creed
  • Scourge's Tenet

    Shields
  • Vigilante's Bulwark
  • Scourge's Rampart

    Pets
  • Vigilante's Shepherd
  • Scourge's Defender
    Final Nemesis

    Weapons
  • Castigator's Retribution
  • Nemesis's Condemnation

    Armors
  • Castigator's Doctrine
  • Nemesis's Testament

    Shields
  • Castigator's Stronghold
  • Nemesis's Bastion

    Pets
  • Castigator's Champion
  • Nemesis's Guardian


    Monster List

    Random Ice monsters:

    Cavezard (48)
    Corpsicle (40)
    Frost Wraith (40)
    Ice Burrower (35)
    Ice Warlord (55)
    Jotun Executioner (48)
    Quadrus (50)
    Shellzard (50)
    Shellzard (30)
    Tundra Reaver (54)
    Two-Bear (40)
    Yeti (45)

    Nemesis (130)

    Forest monsters:

    Am-Bush (80)
    Deery (82)
    Drakel Swordmistress (79)
    O'Beany (67)
    O'Greeny (65)
    O'Meany (85)
    Owl (78)
    Plant Dragon (75)
    Rabid BURP (80)
    Ravenous Were-Hare (80)
    Sneak (75)
    Wolverine (75)
    Woodland Pack (85)
    Woodland Pack (65)
    Zard X-3 (80)

    Nemesis Guardian (80)

    (More forest monsters)

    Nemesis (100 or 130)

    Write up from ArchMagus Orodalf. Monster list from In Media Res. Updated location thanks to Archlist.




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