DemonicDarkwraith -> Final Steps, The (2/10/2024 23:45:10)
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The Final Steps Location: Outpost Yeden -> 2 Right -> Up -> Quests! -> The Final Steps Requirements: Completion of At Fissure's Edge Release Date: February 10th, 2024 Objective: Into the Fissure you descend... Objective completed: And so the paths converge. Experience rewarded: Scaled Gold rewarded: Scaled Monsters (2) Darkness Elemental (2) Earth Elemental (2) Energy Elemental (2) Fire Elemental (1) Ice Elemental (1) Light Elemental (2) Water Elemental (2) Wind Elemental (1) Entangled Mana Elemental - Boss NPCs Aegis Akanthus Alexander Alteon Amadeus Jaania Ostromir Vseslava Warlic Zvezdana Rewards Mana Elemental Residue Dialogue Alteon joins you as Guest A. Amadeus joins you as Guest B. *Outside the Rose encampment, Ostromir and Vseslava look at the Scaffold's lift below; you look at them.* <Character>: Vseslava, Ostromir, is everything okay? Vseslava: Ostromir is inspecting the cargo lift. Ostromir: I... I do not think I quite understood just how far down this went... Alexander: Hold on, there's a lift and we were about to walk all the way down? Amadeus: Can't you fly, Blue Mage? Warlic: It may be best if I do not exert myself too much before the inevitable confrontation. <Dragon>: I can fly! | *Eager chirps* Warlic: Besides... we will all need to work together if we want to succeed. <Dragon>: Let me at them! | *Proud roar* Zvezdana: Ostromir, what is your assessment? Is the lift a viable option? Ostromir: ... Zvezdana: Ostromir! Ostromir: Wha— Oh. Er. No. I actually cannot see how far down the lift platform may be. Ostromir: I expect it would take too long to get it back up. If it is even still connected. Amadeus: Then let's stop wasting time. <Character>: Ostromir, Vseslava, maybe you should wait up here. You're not fighters. Ostromir: But... the Fissure... and the Mana Core... Vseslava: You're clearly terrified, Ostromir. We would be liabilities. Ostromir: ... Zvezdana: Ostromir and Vseslava of Golden Hand Division Osiem, the Shapeless wills that you remain above. Zvezdana: Perhaps you can see if the lift is functional. It would facilitate the execution of Project Casca. Ostromir: ...Yes. You are right, Zvezdana. The Shapeless wills it. Zvezdana: As the Shapeless decrees. <Character>: The other Magesters and golems are still securing the encampment, so you should be safe up here. Vseslava: Your concern is appreciated. Ostromir: Good luck, Hero. <Character>: Onward, then. And be ready for anything. *You fight through various elementals as you and your allies descend through the Fissure; however, as you and your allies continue their descent, they stop as Alteon becomes hurt by a strange pressure.* Amadeus: Keep up, Alteon. Alteon: You all... you don't feel that? <Character>: Feel what? Alteon: There's a pressure. It's not too bad, but it's a weight. And then sometimes it... pinches. Amadeus: ... Amadeus: Now that you mention it, there is something slight. Amadeus: Not quite a weight, though. Is this something we should be concerned about? Warlic: It's the... the mana enveloping us. Warlic: I should have anticipated this. <Character>: Warlic? Warlic: It's a good thing I didn't fly down here alone. If it caught me off guard, I would have been drowned in mana, and, well... Alexander: I'm fine. Zvezdana: My containment unit appears to be functioning properly. Amadeus: And I don't believe I am feeling the same weight as Alteon. <Dragon>: I'm perfectly fine! | *Normal and confused grumble* Warlic: I'd have to do more research to discover the exact nature of this phenomenon, but... I do have a theory. Warlic: Alexander and Amadeus, your bodies and souls have both... greatly shifted, let's call it, toward specific elements. Warlic: Alexander toward Fire, and Amadeus toward Darkness. Warlic: Alteon, you do not have such an alignment. I can sense a small imbalance toward Energy, but... Warlic: I can only surmise... Warlic: ... that severe elemental alignments of the body and soul provide some mitigation against the effect of the enveloping mana. <Character>: What about me and <Dragon>? Warlic: <Dragon> can normally regulate their element, right? I assume that they are therefore unaffected. Warlic: Or perhaps they are simply unaffected due to their... unique nature. <Dragon>: There's only one of me! | *Proud growls* Warlic: As for you, <Character>... Warlic: Hm. I'm not sure. I'm sensing some Ice, but it's not you... <Character>: Ice... <Character>: Aegis?! *You become surprised as you realize that your bond with Aegis is protecting you from enveloping mana of the Fissure; Aegis appears as you turn around.* Aegis: That would be me! Aegis: Oh. Wow. Hello everyone. Nice to meet you all! <Character>: Aegis! Uh, everyone, this is Aegis, my SoulAlly. Aegis: Hello, <Character>! So this is where your adventures are taking you! This... Aegis: Uh. Aegis: Place. Zvezdana: So, the Hero is a Chaosweaver as well... <Character>: Is that going to be a problem? Zvezdana: Not at all. The Magesterium has Weavers in our employ. Just keep your spirit on a leash. Aegis: Oh, I'm not going anywhere! I was just relaxing in the Plane of Elemental Spirits, when I noticed <Character>'s soul was straining a bit. Aegis: So I thought I'd jump in and help protect it. Warlic: Ah. That would explain it. Warlic: Similar to the Rose's attempted use of trithril, Aegis, as an Ice aligned soul, is acting as, well, a shield against the tide of mana. Warlic: The decay toward Ice would be a significant part of the efficacy... <Character>: Thanks, Aegis. Aegis: No problem! I'm glad to help. Now, if you all don't mind, I'm going to get back to protecting <Character>. *Aegis teleports away.* Alteon: ...Didn't Aegis mention that <Character>'s soul was... straining? Then... perhaps I should fall back. If this is only going to get worse... Warlic: I think I have a handle on things now. I just needed to... adjust some of my internal elemental balance. Still, best to get this done quickly. Warlic: Given our proximity to the Mana Core, and my... nature, I shouldn't be casting any spells unless absolutely necessary, but... Warlic: I can extend some protection to you. That should be manageable. Alteon: If you would be so kind. I've come this far. I would hate to turn back now. Warlic: Very well. Let's see.. I think Energy would suit your soul. Alteon: ...That... That would be fine. *Using one of his fingers, Warlic touches the hurting Alteon with the Energy element, rejuvenating and protecting him from the enveloping mana.* Alteon: I... wow. I can breathe! I didn't realize how heavy I felt until the weight was gone. Warlic: Glad to be of service. Zvezdana: If we are all sufficiently protected, may I suggest we continue our pursuit? <Character>: How much farther down do we have to go? Warlic: I imagine we still have quite a ways left. <Character>: ...I just hope we make it in time. *Meanwhile, in the Scaffold's lift, Jaania, Akanthus, and the remaining Rose forces are making their final preparations for Jaania's spell.* Jaania: Place those instruments over there. Make sure they're properly spaced. Jaania: The other ingredients need to be close to hand... Akanthus: Shall I go hold off our pursuers? Jaania: And threaten to bring down the entire Scaffold with the chaos of battle? No. Jaania: Stand watch, or help move things, if you wish to be of use. Jaania: I must prepare for my ascension. *Akanthus abides Jaania's order.* Akanthus: As you say, my lady. *Akanthus leaves; after he leaves, Jaania, now alone, hopes that her actions will see "the greater good" from her in mind.* Jaania: ...Surely they will see reason. Jaania: They are not villains. Jaania: They want what's best for Lore, just like me. *Jaania smiles.* Jaania: They will come to see that this is the only way. *Scene cuts to black.* Complete Quest Other information A box of potions, capping at 2 HP/MP potions, can be found during the quest. Completion of this quest unlocks Yeden Upgrades shop at Outpost Yeden. Pop-up headlines during the quest: quote:
Zvezdana: "I must say, Alexander, I have never encountered someone with your… condition." Alexander: "...Warlic is a mage of many talents." Zvezdana: "He is the one who stabilized you, then?" Alexander: "Something like that. It’s actually a funny story—" Warlic: "Ahem. Actually, Zvezdana, I am a bit curious about you." Zvezdana: "What is there to say? I am a Magester of the Shapeless Empire." Warlic: "You must have a lot of confidence in the Shapeless to come so far from home." Zvezdana: "This was the home of our ancestors. And so, it is also mine." Alexander: "Your ancestors. Did the Shapeless protect them, too?" Zvezdana: "Of course." Alexander: "...Right." Zvezdana: "I should like to study you and your condition, Alexander, after this mission." Alexander: "..." Alexander: "Warlic, I don’t like how the Magester is looking at me." Zvezdana: "Aha. I meant no offense. I am simply curious." Warlic: "You must trust us a great deal to travel this far with us on your own, Zvezdana." Zvezdana: "I am only one Magester of many. If I fall, there will be others to take my place." Zvezdana: "Besides, the Hero is too… principled to allow any potential betrayal." Amadeus: "Sounds like you have us all figured out." Zvezdana: "Not nearly to the degree I would like." Zvezdana: "The Magesterium significantly regulates magic in the Shapeless Empire." An endless box of potions! What luck! Zvezdana: "There are far fewer opportunities to pursue such unexpected curiosities." Warlic: "Doesn’t the Magesterium have its own research projects?" Zvezdana: "Approved by the Shapeless, certainly. But there is always so much more to learn." Zvezdana: "Once the Empire is restored, I am sure there will be new approved pursuits." Warlic: "I see…" Alteon: "Ow! Ow… Does anyone else feel that… pressure?"
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