Portal Space Research

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Portal Space Research
Level:	??
Type:	Solo
Starts At:	??
Repeat:	??

Walk Through

Overview

• The quest this month is drawn out over several weeks, with each "week" a minimum of six days between steps. You start the quest at Week One and do the what is required for that week, then you must wait at least six days before you can do the next week's part.
• There is some degree of divergence based on your choices, which can net you additional dialog and an extra title.
• This quest is a prerequisite to the Portalspace Rifts quest and to access to Mar'uun as a full-service town before its destruction.
• WARNING: If you miss the jump across the bridge in "Destroyed Mar'unn" you're likely to take 120+ fall damage in addition to nearly instant death from the liquid magma below. Exercise extreme caution, as corpse recoveries are very difficult if you miss the jump.

Week One

1. Required First Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1E (via Al-Arqas to Al-Nosaj settlement portal at 33.5S, 13.1E) and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun. This is to flag for the use of the randomly spawning Resonant portals.
2. Optional Step: While in Mar'uun, go to the portal research area area, north of the main loop of the town and across the bridge. You'll need to jump the gap in the bridge. Climb the stairs to the west and find a hole on the wooden floor. Jump down and pick up the Scrap of Paper. This will be worth 1 million experience points in Week Three, so hang on to it.
3. Search the western Direlands (i.e. Ayan, Lethe areas) until you find a white Resonant Portal (no level restrict, no summon/tie/recall).
4. Use the portal to travel to Mar'uun at a point in time somewhere during Coldeve, 20 P.Y, AKA February 2009, Unfinished Business, the patch Mar'uun was first introduced. The Virindis Jean and Luc are not present, neither is Kaywin the machinist, and Marcus and Wren are conducting the original experiments.
5. Proceed to the portal space research area north of the main loop and across the bridge. Speak with Wren the Curious and Marcus Manfried. During your interactions with Marcus, you are presented with the option to reveal to him about the arrival of Jean and Luc via a Yes/No Dialog Box.
6. After making your choice, you will be told to come back in a week's time.

   You think you have already done everything you can here for now.

   If time progresses in this lost place the people here will soon learn more.

   It seems like a good idea to check back in a week's time.

7. Optional Step: The Test Portal can be used for 1 million experience if you didn't do so prior to Mar'uun's destruction. The Test Portal sends you to the wooden platform above it, but in the present day destroyed Mar'uun. Make sure you do everything you want in this version of Mar'uun before you do this.
8. Once you've talked to the NPCs once and have left, you cannot return for six days.

   There is no response from the portal.

   The portal seems to be out of phase.

   It seems that you may be in phase with this portal within a week.

Week Two

1. Optional Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1E and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun. Find the Scrap of Paper as described in Week One. This is for another 1 million experience in Week Three. (Hint: for a free trip to the Resonant Portal, do this step after Marcus gives you the Research Notes - then just go out the Mar'uun exit portal and it's right there)
2. Search the western Direlands again for the Resonant Portal.
3. Optional Step: Talk to Jean and Luc at the portal drop. A dialog box will appear asking "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?". You can answer Yes or No. Answering Yes gives additional dialog.
   • Warning: This appears to interfere with earning the Virindi Informer title! This step is not necessary and should probably be avoided.
4. Proceed to the portal space research area. You'll notice Wren isn't in her usual spot but rather inside the nearby room staring at the wall. She doesn't say much when you talk to her. Also, the Test Portal is now the Enhanced Test Portal.
5. Talk to Marcus to receive the Research Notes, which he asks you to take to an Arcanum Researcher.
   • If you told him about the Virindi last week, he will award you 1,000,000 xp.
   • If you didn't tell him about the Virindi last week, he will award you 750,000 xp.
6. Optional Step: Hand the Research Notes to Jean or Luc. They will just examine them and give you some dialog.
   • Note: This step appears necessary to earn the Virindi Informer title.
7. Take the Research Notes to any Arcanum Researcher in any one of the capital heritage libraries. The Arcanum Researcher will examine them and direct you to give them to Ned the Clever in Zaikhal.
8. Give the Research Notes to Ned and he will give you Aetherium Research Notes. He directs you to give these to Marcus.
9. You must wait a six days before you can enter the random Resonant portal again to give the Aetherium Research Notes to Marcus.

Week Three

1. Optional Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1E and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun.Find the Scrap of Paper as described in Week One. This is for another 1 million experience.
2. Search the western Direlands again for the Resonant Portal.
3. You now have two different divergent set of steps you can follow.
   • Hand your Aetherium Research Notes to Jean or Luc. They will keep the notes so you will be unable to turn them into to Marcus. They award you 250,000 xp.
   • Talk to Marcus and he will award you 750,000 xp and give you Research Notes.
     Or you can
   • Hand the Aetherium Research Notes to Marcus for 1 million xp and the Research Notes.
4. Optional Step: Give your Scraps of Paper to Kaywin who is at the Stabilizing Machine behind the portal space research area, near where you found them in the destroyed Mar'uun. She will award you 1 million experience apiece.
5. Optional Step: Allow Jean or Luc to examine the Research Notes. They will not keep the Notes.
6. Take the Research Notes to Ned the Clever in Zaikhal. He will hand you Aetherium Research Notes to deliver to Marcus next week.

Week Four

1. Optional Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1E and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun.Find the Scrap of Paper as described in Week One. This is to give to Kaywin for another 1 million experience. Note that this is the last time you can do this.
2. Search the western Direlands again for the Resonant Portal.
3. You now have two different divergent set of steps you can follow.
   • Hand your Aetherium Research Notes to Jean or Luc. They will keep the notes so you will be unable to turn them into to Marcus. They will award you 250,000 xp. If you handed all of the previous Notes (Research Notes and Aetherium Research Notes) to the Virindi then they will give you the title Virindi Informer.
   • Talk to Marcus and he will award you 750,000 xp and the title Timeless Adventurer.
     Or you can
   • Hand the Aetherium Research Notes to Marcus for 1 million xp and the title Timeless Aventurer.
4. Optional Step: Give the Scrap of Paper to Kaywin who is found at her old spot by the Stabilizing Machine. She will award you 1 million experience.

Beyond Week Four

• If you exit Mar'uun, perhaps via the surface portal, and use the Resonant Portal at 10.6S, 17.1E, it will portal you into a different version of Mar'uun before it was destroyed. Mar'uun is now stable, and using the resonant portal at 10.6S, 17.1E will now always transport this character to this version of Mar'uun.
• It appears this version of Mar'uun is identical to the version that was available during the Secrets of the Apostates patch, the month before the disaster.
• Kaywin in this version doesn't know what to do with the Scrap of Paper but she gives the Machinist's Gloves Quest as usual.
• You will be unable to enter the random Resonant Portal in the Direlands once you complete Week 4.

There is no response from the portal.

The portal seems to be out of phase.

Items

File:Research Notes Icon.png Research Notes Aetherium Research NotesFile:Research Notes (Week 3) Icon.png Research Notes (Week 3) Aetherium Research Notes (Week 3)

Images

• 
  Wren the Curious and the Test Portal before the Disaster
• 
  The now dysfunctional Test Portal, after the destruction of Mar'uun
• 
  Jean and Luc (plus an extra Jean due to a bug)
• 
  The Corpse of Archmage Malak ibn Hern after the Disaster
• 
  The Test Portal Drop before the Disaster
• 
  The Test Portal Drop after the Disaster

Lore & Dialog

Week 1

Marcus Manfried tells you, "Thank you for all your assistance. We have gathered what we can from our understanding of your personal properties, the sum of the things you've done and how that interacted with our experimental portals."
You tell Marcus about what you've seen in Mar'uun.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We're here to do serious research, I'm really not interested in your ghost stories."
You think you need to find some way to make him believe you.
Dialog Box asks you if you want to tell him about the Virindi, you can click Yes or No
If you click Yes and tell him about the Virindi:

You tell Marcus about the Virindi, Jean and Luc who will soon be moving into town.

Marcus Manfried tells you, "You expect me to believe that Virindi are going to materialize here out of the blue?"

Marcus Manfried tells you, "I'm not certain which of your stories is the least likely..."

If you click No and don't tell him about the Virindi:

You elect not to tell Marcus about the Virindi, it may be best not to upset him any further.

It seems like it would be a good idea to talk to the assistant as well.

Wren the Curious tells you, "Thank you for your assistance as a test subject. We could use more good subjects like you."
You tell Wren about the things you've seen in Mar'uun and her coming demise. She seems disturbed by your story.
Wren the Curious tells you, "I'm really not certain who you are, but we're trying to work here. Please leave me alone!"

You think you have already done everything you can here for now.
It seems like a good idea to check back in a week's time.
If time progresses in this lost place the people here will soon learn more.

---

There does not seem to be more you can do to convince Wren.
You think you have done everything you can here for now.

---

The portal restrictions do not allow your access.

---

There is no response from the portal.The portal seems to be out of phase.It seems that you may be in phase with this portal within a week.

Week 2

Jean tells you, "I have come here in order to exchange metals and promissory notes for goods from the locals. I also look to imbibe liquid substances in order to forget my pains and bond with my fellow humans over eccentric tales."
Dialog Box asks you "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?"
If you confront them

Jean tells you, "Fellow human, I am not aware of these Virindi you speak of."

Jean tells you, "You should let us, your fellow humans, know if you discover anything."

---

Luc tells you, "I have come here in order to exchange metals and promissory notes for goods from the locals. I also look to imbibe liquid substances in order to forget my pains and bond with my fellow humans over eccentric tales."
Dialog Box asks "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?"
If click Yes to confront them

Luc tells you, "Fellow human, I am not aware of these Virindi you speak of."

Luc tells you, "You should let us, your fellow humans, know if you discover anything."

If click No to not confront them

Nothing happens, talk to them again and you will be prompted to confront them again.

---

Jean tells you, "Fellow normal human, how is it being human today? My flesh is healthy and I am well."
Luc says, "Yes, our flesh is good."
Jean tells you, "Hello fellow Human Adventurer. We also are adventurers who have come to this town. We have had many human adventures just like you." Jean tells you, "As humans Luc and I are very similar. There is no reason for suspicion. Our humanity makes our stories very similar."
Luc says, "Yes, Jean and I come from the same human pod. We are indeed very similar."

---

If you informed Marcus of the Virindi last week:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "I'm uncertain as to how you knew there would be Virindi named Luc and Jean coming to our town..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "This certainly does lend credence to your stories."
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Take this note to an Arcanum Researcher. I think they can help."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If we're displaced in time you may find it difficult to reach us again."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "From what you've told me it seems like it may take about a week before you can reach us again if time shifts."

If you did not inform Marcus of the Virindi last week:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Many adventurers have come through here telling stories much like the stories you told me..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "It would be reckless of me not to think that these things may be true."
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.
You've earned 750,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Take this note to an Arcanum Researcher. I think they can help."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If we're displaced in time you may find it difficult to reach us again."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "From what you've told me it seems like it may take about a week before you can reach us again if time shifts."

---

Handing Marcus the Research Notes after he gives them to you:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Make sure that the note is delivered and returned to me."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If you're correct this is a matter of life and death."

---

Wren seems preoccupied.
Wren the Curious tells you, "Uh, I can't talk right now."
Wren the Curious tells you, "Please leave me be."

---

You try to enter the portal but there is no effect.
The portal seems unstable.

---

Handing Jean or Luc the Research Notes for the first time:
You allow Jean to examine your Research Notes.
Jean tells you, "Fellow human, we appreciate that you've informed us."
Jean tells you, "Our human lives very well could be in danger."

---

Handing Jean or Luc the Research Notes after already handing it to them once:
You allow Luc to examine your Research Notes.
Luc tells you, "Fellow human, I must thank you for your assistance."

---

You allow Arcanum Researcher to examine your Research Notes.
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "You've made contact with the lost town of Mar'uun?"
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "This is very shocking indeed."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "I've read through the research note."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "I'm going to send you to talk to one of our researchers, Ned the Clever."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "He's been looking into a substance that may tie into this research."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "Ned the Clever has been residing in Zaikhal."

---

You give Ned the Clever Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "This is very interesting indeed."
Ned the Clever tells you, "I've been working with a substance called Aetherium, we actually sent a shipment to Mar'uun to assist in their experiments before it vanished."
Ned the Clever gives you Aetherium Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "I put togeather several diagrams and several notes for the researchers based off their notes."
Ned the Clever tells you, "Take my note to Marcus, it'll help him determine the cause of the accident."
Ned the Clever tells you, "My personal theory is that they used the Aetherium in a way that destabilized portal space..."
Ned the Clever tells you, "Sundering a barrier between the planes of existance and time..."
Ned the Clever tells you, "Truely shocking."

Week 3

If you give Jean or Luc the Aetherium Research Notes from Week 2:
You give Jean Aetherium Research Notes.
Jean tells you, "We are glad you have decided to share this information with us."
Jean tells you, "Aetherium, very interesting."
You've earned 250,000 experience.
Jean tells you, "We are going to keep this note, it could prove useful."

---

Taking to Marcus after giving the Virindi the Aetherium Research Notes:
You describe to Marcus the contents of the note from the Aetherium.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "It would have been much more helpful if you could have brought us the note..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "But the information you brought me and the information I've received from others should be enough."
You've earned 750,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.

---

Taking to Marcus when you still have the Aetherium Research Notes:
You hand over 1 of your Aetherium Research Notes.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "This note is going to assist us greatly."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Give me a few seconds to read this over and write a reply."
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.

---

You give Kaywin Scrap of Paper.
Kaywin tells you, "What's this?"
Kaywin tells you, "... but, this is my hand writing."
Kaywin tells you, "I never wrote this."
Kaywin tells you, "Marcus talked to me about this, but I didn't really believe him."
Kaywin tells you, "So, we really all do die?"
Rips up the scrap of paper.
Kaywin tells you, "Hell with this. I'm gonna live!"
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.

---

Wren the Curious tells you, "I can't tell you how happy I am to know that you're going to help us."
Wren the Curious tells you, "I was so afraid I would die..."
Wren the Curious tells you, "Now I know it's going to be okay with all these people helping up."
Wren the Curious tells you, "... You are helping us right?"

---

You allow Jean to examine your Research Notes.
Jean tells you, "Marcus seems to think this new aetherium will react with his portal experiments."

You allow Luc to examine your Research Notes.
Luc tells you, "Fellow human, I must thank you for your assistance."

---

You try to enter the portal but there is no effect.
The portal seems unstable.

---

You allow Arcanum Researcher to examine your Research Notes.
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "You need to see Ned the Clever about this. He's the one familiar with this research."

---

You give Ned the Clever Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "As I suspected, it seems their calculations about the resonant properties and volatility of aetherium were off."
Ned the Clever gives you Aetherium Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "I've corrected their calculations in this note. Please deliver it to Marcus."
Ned the Clever tells you, "I am also suggesting that they hold their experiments for the time being, at least until we know more."

Week 4

If you give Jean or Luc the Aetherium Research Notes from Week 3:
You give Jean Aetherium Research Notes.
Jean tells you, "It seems the Arcanum has a shipment of aetherium intended for Mar'uun."
Jean tells you, "My human podmate and I think this could cause a problem."
You've earned 250,000 experience.
Jean tells you, "We are going to keep this note, it could prove useful."
If you handed all the Notes from the previous weeks to the Virindi then you also get this:
Jean tells you, "Our human pod has found you very useful."
Jean tells you, "We have learned much more about this Aetherium and Marcus's research."
You are an informer of the Virindi in Mar'uun. You have been given the Virindi Informer title.

---

Taking to Marcus after giving the Virindi the Aetherium Research Notes:
You explain to Marcus the contents of the note you received from the Arcanum.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "It would have been great if you could have delivered the actual notes."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "I'm going to have to take your word on this. But it seems that aetherium has a possibly volatile reaction with our research."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We'll have to look through our experiments again... possibly we can make this work."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Please come back and see me again later... if everything I suspect is correct you've saved us all."
You've earned 750,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Return to Mar'uun in its original location. You'll have to compensate for the variance in time again."
You are truely an adventurer of space and time. You have been granted the title of Timeless Adventurer.

---

Giving the Aetherium Research Notes to Marcus:
You hand over 1 of your Aetherium Research Notes.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "This note describes how the Arcanum thinks aetherium will effect our experiments."
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We'd previously scheduled the addition of the aetherium substance in our tests."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We're going to have to back over our calculations... I still think this can work."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Please come back and see me again later... if everything I suspect is correct you've saved us all."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Return to Mar'uun in its original location. You'll have to compensate for the variance in time again."
You are truely an adventurer of space and time. You have been granted the title of Timeless Adventurer.

---

Wren the Curious tells you, "I've been helping Marcus revise our experimental protocols."
Wren the Curious tells you, "We're certain that we're going to make this work. We've temporarily aborted our plans to experiment with aetherium until we've learned more."

---

Marcus Manfried tells you, "We received a shipment of aetherium."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "I had intended to use it in our experiments, it would have been ground breaking..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "But thanks to this information from the Arcanum we'll have to adjust our experiments."

---

Using the Resonant Portal at Mar'uun's old location:
Resonant Portal teleports you with Mar'uun.