Delving into Claude's Mind

Short caption for the image.

Quest Summary
Quest Type	Group
XP Reward	25%
XP Cap	--
Item Reward	Visage of the Shadow Virindi
Title Reward	--
Starting Location	Singularity Caul
Map	--
Timer	13 days
Level Restrictions	???
Level Suggestions	200+
Introduced In	Masked Memories

General

There is some preparation for this quest that only needs to be done by one person. Go to the Artifex Collegium at 91.9S 93.7W in the Singularity Caul, and get a Virindi Essence from the west wing -- there is no timer on pickup, and they are not attuned. Then go to 53.4N 79.0W, on Marae Lassel, and search for an Atuakeh Plant. Get a skilled alchemist to grind the plant into Atuakeh Dust.

In the Witnessing History section, you see: Asheron, Isin Dule, Claude the Archmage, Lord Haranue Amarand, Talaagran Sarian, and possibly others.

Walk Through

This is sketchy. Please fill in the missing details if you know how to run this quest.

1. Go to 53.4N 79.0W, on Marae Lassel. You can take the Northern Ahurenga Plains Portal at 40.9N 83.5W out of Redspire and run from there.
2. The quest leader gives the Atuakeh Dust to the Keh Fire in the tent. This locks the fellowship, and you have one hour to complete the quest.
3. The quest leader should search for Claude the Archmage and hand him a Virindi Essence, which will teleport the entire fellowship to the next section.
4. The quest leader should talk to Claude. This will trigger spawns of Virindi. Everyone should kill while the quest leader picks up five essences to hand to Claude, who will then teleport the fellowship to the next section:
   • Essence of Conformity
   • Essence of Loyalty
   • Essence of Order
   • Essence of Stasis
   • Essence of Selflessness
5. Everyone should kill and heal while the quest leader handles this part. As the Ulgrims die, they drop Mana Applesauce on the ground, and possibly reflections of the townspeople. The reflections exist for at most 10 minutes. The quest leader picks up each of the 17 reflections, and gives them to the appropriate Virindi, who will then begin to glow. When they are all done, hand Claude his reflection to teleport the fellowship to the next section.
6. Just heal in this section until you are teleported to the next. Aerbax will attack while waiting, but it only takes a few seconds.
7. Kill the shadows. Do not stand in between the NPCs. (There is currently a bug where this may cause the portal to not take you to the next section.) (Do you need to trigger the spawn of the shadows?)
8. Enter The Path to More Recent Times portal.
9. Dispell any debuffs, and then kill Claude the Dark Archmage and loot a Shadowy Virindi Essence.
10. Give the Shadowy Virindi Essence to Leopold in Ayan Baqur for experience and a Visage of the Shadow Virindi. (Do you need to hand it in within the hour, or is it enough that you got the Essence?)
11. If you don't want the Visage, you can hand it back to Leopold for experience?

Items

• File:Atuakeh Plant icon.png Atuakeh Plant
• File:Atuakeh Dust icon.png Atuakeh Dust

Essences:

• Essence of Conformity
• Essence of Loyalty
• Essence of Order
• Essence of Stasis
• Essence of Selflessness

Reflections:

• Reflection of Claude
• Reflection of Sung Wenxio
• Reflection of Jaleh al-Thani
• Reflection of a Scrivener
• Reflection of Berkholt
• Reflection of Ellimar Jorning
• Reflection of Khekierea
• Reflection of the Town Crier
• (plus 9 more reflections)
• Mana Applesauce

Final Items and Rewards:

• Shadowy Virindi Essence
• Visage of the Shadow Virindi

Lore & Dialog

Aun Kelauri tells you, "Peace be with you, buhdi. Welcome to my abode."
Aun Kelauri tells you, "All are welcome to come and meditate upon their own keh, or upon the keh of others."
Aun Kelauri tells you, "I have found that sometimes such visions are aided by the use of atuakeh dust. Form a fellowship and toss your dust into the fire, and your fellowship will be able to see things you were unable to before for a short time."
Aun Kelauri tells you, "Beware - the atuakeh dust will only work upon those who are a member of your fellowship when you toss the dust upon the fire and who remain with your fellowship as they approach the fire."
Aun Kelauri tells you, "The mists will only remain parted for a short time - a half hour at most. Hurry on your task"
Aun Kelauri tells you, "Finally, if you die, the journey to your lifestone will erase what tie you have to the other world. Be careful in how you tread, for that which lurks there can kill as surely as the monsters of this world."

---

You give Keh Fire Atuakeh Dust.
A member of your fellowship is attempting to place atuakeh dust within the fire!
Your fellowship is now locked. You may not recruit new members. If you leave the fellowship, you have 15 minutes to be recruited back into the fellowship.
Your fellowship member has placed atuakeh dust within the fire and subsequently vanished in a cloud of hazy smoke!
You place the dust into the fire. A large cloud of smoke puffs up toward your face, and your vision goes purple. You find yourself in a strange alien landscape.

---

Claude the Archmage tells you, "Welcome to my shop. My name is Claude. How are you today..."
Claude the Archmage tells you, "A pleasant day, is it not, fellow human? What interests you in my shop..."
Claude the Archmage tells you, "Please, enjoy my one hundred and four items for purchase. I cast dispels in exchange for metals or promissory notes. My one hundred and fourth item is a rumor about the Obsidian Plains..."
Claude the Archmage tells you, "I will eat your soul! What would you like to purchase from my normal human store, fellow normal human..."

You give Claude the Archmage Virindi Essence.
You take the twisted key, which feels amorphous here in this shadowed, shattered place. At first it is not very apparent what to do with the key. You hold it out in front of you, hoping for some reaction.
A key springs from your fellowship member to Claude and disappears into Claude's robe. Suddenly, you find yourself spinning.
Claude the Archmage teleports you with Delving into Claude's Mind.

---

Claude does not react to the interaction. A low humming noise begins to emit from all around you.
A voice booms all around you, a hormony speaking as one.
The voice says, "We will go between to this place. We will conduct reification in this place. We will perceive in a place called 'Ayan Baqur'. We maintain vigilance in secret. We will conceal our presence by disguising ourselves as the inhabitants and using labels similar to their own. We will classify the reified part of ourselves...Claude.
Claude the Archmage tells you, "We shall maintain vigilance in Ayan Baqur. We shall resist the negative influence of individuality."

---

You give Claude the Archmage Essence of Conformity.
Claude shivers as it receives the token.
You give Claude the Archmage Essence of Loyalty.
Claude shivers as it receives the token.
You give Claude the Archmage Essence of Order.
Claude shivers as it receives the token.
You give Claude the Archmage Essence of Statis.
Claude shivers as it receives the token.
You give Claude the Archmage Essence of Selflessness.
Claude shivers for a moment, then stops and looks up.
Claude the Archmage says, "Our purpose is clear. Our direction is true."
Claude the Archmage teleports you with Exploring the Past.

---

Claude does not react to the interaction. A low humming noise begins to emit from all around you.
A voice booms all around you, a harmony speaking as one.
The voice says, "We will go between to this place. We will conduct reification in this place. We will perceive in a place called 'Ayan Baqur'. We maintain vigilance in secret. We will conceal our presence by disguising ourselves as the inhabitants and using labels similar to their own. We will classify the reified part of ourselves...Claude."
Claude the Archmage says, "We shall maintain vigilance in Ayan Baqur. We shall resist the negative influence of individuality."

---

Human says, "I've seen quite a bit of fighting, and I put that experience into these bows that I make. You'll not do better."
Human says, "I serve the varied interests of our own organization. You may have heard of my mistress? We handle housing, research into the arcane secrets of this place, and such."
Human says, "I tell the news of events in far off lands. In my spare time, I might be..ahem...encouraged...to speak of some more private matters I might have heard."
Human says, "...I've read some stories of a demon that resembles you once. It is my will that you go. This is a sanctuary..."
Human says, "...I have seen many unusual things in my career, but nothing such as you. What call yourself?..."
Human says, "D'you want something to eat or drink? Don't know if you rightly can... anyways, I hear a lot from those that them through these parts, and that's a side business I run - the trade of information."
Human says, "Say ...Do you taunt me, demon? Go back whence you came..."
Human says, "...I do not see why you approach me like this, and you scare away the customers..."
Human says, "...I can't help you - we offer nothing here that you could use..."
Human says, "...I have seen many unusual things in my career, but nothing such as you. What call yourself?..."
Human says, "Say ...Do you taunt me, demon? Go back whence you came..."
Human says, "I run a business of repute - I am the mayor of this town."
Human says, "We have learned how to scribe magics onto parchment - a remarkable achievement. We allow others mages of our community to use these harnessed magics."
Human says, "I would call myself a bowyer, but not just a simple bowyer. I help to craft those unique weapons called composite bows."
Human says, "If you see a gem so sparkling and clear that you almost mistake it for the desert sun...that is my work, dear sahr. I also take those gems that others find, that I might craft greater works from them."
Human says, "I bring relief for those have been wounded and come to this sanctuary. I am a healer."
Human says, "We record our history and philosophies in these parchments. I can share them with you, in return for pyreal."
Claude the Archmage teleports you with Witnessing History.

---

Lady Aerfalle says, "We shall begin with the Exchange of Lineage honors. I am Aerfalle, Lady of Aerlinthe and the Dericost. I have walked this world for over ten millennia, and I shall walk it long hence."

Lord Haranue Amarand says, "I am Haranue Amarand, Lord of the Dericost and seneschal of Chalicmere. My people shall rise again and assume their rightful place as rulers of this land."

Asheron says, "I am Asheron Realaidain, heir of Lord Atlan and Lady Maila and last scion of the Yalaini."

Claude says, in concert with the other Virindi, "We go between all. We explore material. We improve doers. We maintain perfection. We maintain scaffold. We build the next."

Isin Dule says, "I am simply a man of the former town of Daralet who calls himself Isin Dule, who concerns himself most fiercely with an individual's right of choice. I just happen to have compatriots who...agree with me...and former friends who have gone too far."

Lady Aerfalle says, "Now that we are introduced, it is traditional to begin the Exchange of Insults. I shall begin, and say, Lord Haranue, that the Latzimestal approach towards rulership has truly brought ruin to all you hold dear."

Lord Haranue Amarand says, "And your spidery manipulations are no better, you spawn of insects. As are yours, you blaspheming fool 'man of Daralet'."

Isin Dule says, "Both of you can take your Dericostian arrogance and throw it into the void. You regarded those beneath you as chattel and treated them in the worst way possible. It was only a blessing that your empire fell. As for the rest of you...you are no better, Asheron, you meddling child of Yalaini nobility, and I cannot even begin to verbalize the dread I would feel at a Wind-Walker rulership."

Claude says, in concert with the other Virindi, "We consider your statement valueless. Your knowledge is unworthy of inclusion to the Singularity. The Quiddity comprehends all. You will cease existence."

Lady Aerfalle says, "Lord Asheron, will you retort?"

Asheron says, "No. I have come to work toward alliance against our common enemy Bael'zharon, and I believe that exchanging insults is counterproductive."

Lady Aerfalle and Lord Haranue both look upon Asheron with dark looks.

Lady Aerfalle says, "So be it. We next traditionally begin the Exchange of Cups. Lord Haranue?"

Lord Haranue picks up a chalice that you do not recall seeing before and says, "We welcome you to our gathering." He hands the chalice to Isin Dule.

Isin Dule holds the chalice before him and says, "How could I refuse such an invitation? The madness of my old friend must be stopped before it is too late." He hesitantly hands the chalice to Asheron.

Asheron holds the chalice up and says, "Yes, we must work toward unity against a common foe." He offers the chalice to Claude.

Claude slashes the proferred cup from Asheron's hands. "You do not understand true unity. You insult the concept with your individualism. To comprehend unity, yield to the Directive," the Virindi say in unison.

Lady Aerfalle says, "Stop this! We are here to discuss the defeat of Bael'Zharon, not to begin a war amongst ourselves."

Isin Dule says, "I agree. Let me first begin by saying, though it grieves me to do so, that I hereby declare myself in opposition to Ilservian Palacost. While his original goal was admirable, his endless war against all creation has gone too far. I cannot stand with him anymore."

Isin Dule says, "What I tell you now is highly secret, for it is a key to Ilservian's newfound power. There is an item which acts as a channel between this world and the realm of the Living shadow, from which we draw our power. We call it the Heart of Shadow. While the Heart is heavily guarded by Ferah's forces, a skilled group could invade, claim the Heart for their own, and somehow use its connection to Ilservian to weaken him."

Asheron says, "Thank you, Isin. Know that you have chosen wisely, and repentance is not impossible even at this late date."

Isin Dule says, "Repent? I think not. I merely object to total annihilation, not to power."

Asheron says, "So be it."

Lady Aerfalle says, "Enough of this. Walkers, do you have anything to contribute to this discussion?"

Claude says, in concert with the other Virindi, "We find the entity classified as Bael'Zharon to exceed limits on discordance. Tapping a fragment of the Singularity may reduce the entity's power by serving as a conduit to all. The entity may be susceptible to the solidification of all that the Singularity represents."

Lady Aerfalle says, "I see - and will you grant us a fragment of the Singularity to use?"

All three Virindi emphatically answer, "No."

Lady Aerfalle says, "You seem...enthusiastically reluctant to help."

Claude and the other Virindi reply, "We are prepared for a reduction in discordance either through the entity's defeat or through your defeat."

Lady Aerfalle says, "If I took you more seriously, I might feel threatened. Lord Haranue, why don't you reveal to our guests what we have to share?"

Lord Haranue Amarand says, "Yes, Lady Aerfalle. Some of you may be familiar with Dame Tolani, one of the great explorers of the Dericost. At one point she conducted a survey of our ancient homeland at Lord Rytheran's request. One thing she unearthed was the skull of a particular little boy - one Avoren Palacost. Unfortunately, of recent years it seems that Dame Tolani has decided to no longer honor the oaths she swore to follow the lords of Dericost. She has secreted the skull in the desert, in an ancient crypt. I do not care what becomes of those who guard that crypt, but the skull could be potentially be used against Ilservian, as my...dear...Lady Aerfalle will explain."

Lady Aerfalle says, "Ilservian Palacost suffers from overly attaching himself to things of this world - notably, to the fate of his departed son. His rage swelled forth when his son died, and when Ilservian became Bael'Zharon, the magic that flowed through his veins flowed into the remains of his child. The skull, then, is bound to the father and is a weakness we can exploit."

Asheron says, "Here is what I would propose, then - what I believe is needed in order to defeat Bael'Zharon. Let us obtain and use these artifacts - forge them into the keystone of a ritual, whereby I may weaken him. Then he may perhaps be defeated, at least for a time..."

Umbris Elite Commander says, "The great Ler Rhan sends his greetings to all of you, and regrets only that he could not find time to personally see to your destruction." Lord Haranue falls, destroyed by the attackers.

---

Aerbax teleports you with Crossing the Threshold of Darkness.

---

You cleave Artifex of the Singularity in twain! As you deal the final blow to the Artifex of the Singularity, it collapses upon itself with a high pitched screaming noise, and a cold voice speaks directly into your mind: "The Master's will shall live on, even as this shell, and all other imperfect vessels of the Master's will, decays into dust. Rejoice that you were in some small way a part of the birth of an eternal consciousness..."