[4] Bard Epic Quest

Bard Epic Quest

You say,		'Hail, Baldric Slezaf'
		'Hello, Temperance . Don't you think this would be a wonderful place to perform a symphony?
You say,		'What symphony?'
		'It has been my dream for years to perform a symphony that would be remembered for ages to come. I have run into a few minor snags, however.
You say,		'What snags?'
		'Several years ago I bought sheets of the most beautiful sounding music from a traveling merchant. He did not know the author of the work as it was simply signed 'the Maestro'. The melody I played from them was wondrous and invoked feelings in me I have never felt before. However, as I reached the middle of the music, I discovered it was missing two pages!
You say,		'What two pages?'
		'The pages that were missing were pages 24 and 25. I have been searching the world for a spot to hold my symphony and I have finally found it. Without the music and a new lute crafted by the famous instrument maker Forpar Fizfla, I do not think I can pull it off.
You say,		'What lute?' - or - 'Who is Forpar Fizfla?'
		'Forpar Fizfla is an eccentric instrument maker from Ak'Anon. He makes enchanted instruments that enhance the sound of the music. If I am to perform the concert of all concerts, I must have one of his instruments. I went to Ak'Anon, seeking to purchase an instrument from him but he wouldn't even speak to me.
You say,		'What music?'
		'It makes me sad to know that the pages of this music may be spread across the world or destroyed. If you find and bring me the two missing sheets as well as a new lute, I would be happy to repay you in some way.
You say,		'How would you repay?'
		Baldric Slezaf pulls a fantastic looking sword from its scabbard and says, 'I might be willing to part with this wonderful sword if I were able to perform this symphony. You would also gain recognition at the opening of the symphony.' Baldric sheathes his sword and begins to hum a haunting melody.

Test of Speed

You say,		'Hail, Konia Swiftfoot'
		'Hello there, Temperance . I am hosting a relay running contest. Would you like to participate?
You say,		'I would like to participate.'
		'Great! The prize will be this silly old music sheet. Let me know when you are ready and I will pass you the torch and tell you where the first stop is.
You say,		'I am ready.'
		'Here you go. Run with this torch as fast as you can to the misty thicket and hand this torch off to Fajio Knejo. He will tell you where to go from there. Hurry! You do not have much time! ( You receive ' Torch of Misty ' )


You say,		'Hail, Fajio Knejo'
		'Greetings, Temperance . I hope you are having a fine day.
		( You hand in ' Torch of Misty ' ) 'Run onward, my friend, to the far off Desert of Ro and give this torch to Andad Filla. ( You receive ' Torch of Ro ' )


You say,		'Hail, Andad Filla'
		'Hello, traveler, please do not bother me right now. I am waiting for someone.
		( You hand in ' Torch of Ro ' ) 'You still have a way to go! Seek out Misty Tekcihta near the arena at Lake Rathe. Run like the wind! ( You receive ' Torch of Rathe ' )


You say,		'Hail, Misty Tekcihta'
		Misty Tekcihta smiles and taps her foot.
You say,		'Okay, here.'
		( You hand in ' Torch of Rathe ' ) Misty Tekcihta hands you a small ring. ( You receive ' Proof of Speed ' )


		( You hand in ' Proof of Speed ' ) 'Excellent! You are quite a runner. Here is half of the sheet music. I decided to keep the other half because it has this wonderful signature. I think it might be quite valuable. It is probably worth as much as an instrument the great Mahlin used. ( You receive ' Maestro's Symphony Page 24 Top ' )

Serra's Doll also Mahlin's Mystical Bongos

You say,		'Hail, Serra'
		'H..h..hello? Can you help me? I lost [something] and I need it so I can go back home.
You say,		'You lost something?'
		'I never got my doll for my birthday. Before he could bring it to me I was h..hurt by the bad man. I cannot leave without my doll. Will you please help me?
You say,		'What doll?'
		Serra claps her hands. 'Oh goody! But... I cannot seem to remember his name. He gave me this note before I...'
You say,		'What note?'
		'I hope it will help you out. Please find him so I can leave this place? ( You receive ' Ripped Qeynos Bards Guild Flyer ' )


You say,		'Hail, Belious Naliedin'
		'Welcome, my name is Belious Naliedin of the League of Antonican Bards. A few years ago, I finally saved up the money and bought this place. I settled in and have been working here ever since.
You say,		well, almost anything . . .
		'I've seen some strange things in my travels and heard many unbelievable legends, but I've never heard of anything like that!
You say,		'I have a Ripped Qeynos Bards Guild Flyer.' - or -
		( You hand in ' Ripped Qeynos Bards Guild Flyer ' ) 'A famous bard, you say? Why you must be seeking none other than the great Baenar Swiftsong! He is not here as you can see. Mayhap you seek an audience with him? He is a busy man and has not the time to speak with everyone who wishes to preoccupy his time with useless prattle! You are many and he is but one! Leave him be, I beg of you, to continue his songwriting in peace.
You say,		'I seek an audience with him.'
		'Ah! In order to gain an audience with him, you must have a letter of introduction from me, otherwise he will not give you the time of day. 'Belious laughs briefly.'
You say,		'May I have a letter of introduction?'
		Belious Naliedin looks around. 'Well, you want a letter of introduction, eh? I think that fifty shiny platinum pieces sounds like a good introduction to me, my friend.'
You sigh.		( You hand in 50 platinum pieces )
		'Ah! Here is that letter of introduction I was looking for! Baenar likes to frequent a serene fountain in the southern Karanas. He finds the peace there accommodating to his work. He may even sing a tale for you if the mood strikes him. ( You receive ' Letter of Introduction ' )


You say,		'Hail, Baenar Swiftsong'
		'Please, I am trying to work here. If you bother me I will write a horrible song about you and sing it from the mountain tops!
You chuckle.		( You hand in Letter of Introduction )
		'So, Belious Naliedin sent you, eh?' Baenar shakes his head. 'I hope your letter of introduction did not empty your purse. You have the audience you seek. What is your [request]? A song perhaps? To immortalize your heroic deeds in song? How about an epic battle with a gnoll pup? I'll make you famous.'
You say,		'I request a song.'
		'You have no request for me? How odd. Well, then. Perhaps a tale of [history] will do?
You say,		'What history?'
		Baenar Swiftsong strums his lute and clears his throat. 'Here is a tale of the place of torment from which souls good and bad have come to call home upon this earthly [realm].'
You say,		'What realm?'
		'The place I speak of is the Estate of Unrest. It is a place that the dead roam and the living detest. Garanel Rucksif was his name, a name that no longer came to be. A name that Quellious herself saw fit not to let anyone see, for a cleric loyal to her called the lands home. Open to all, the Fier'Dal, Koada'Dal and even the occasional [gnome].
You say,		'What gnome?'
		'A mansion built by the cleric with care For he came to spread the word of Quellious to Faydwer. Garanel mad with rage, killed his wife and children three. From his dwarven homelands he now will flee. Upon this place of tranquility he stumbled upon. He tortured and killed the cleric and his kin by morning's dawn Within the sacred chapel walls the bloodshed took place. Eyes wild with rage, madness and blood upon his [face].
You say,		'What upon his face?'
		'Quellious enraged by this act of violence and murder, decreed that this would continue no further! Garanel was struck down, his soul cursed forever more, to haunt the grounds of the defiled estate, guarding its bloody floor. Undead monsters, ghosts and [ghouls] slaughter all those who stray. They say his undead power grows within him to this day. This sad tale, my friends, is the Legend of Unrest.
You say,		'What ghouls?'
		'I've even heard of the ghosts of poor children haunting the estate. Have you ever [seen a child's ghost]?
You say,		'I have seen a child's ghost.'
		'You have? Did it speak to you? What did it say? Only the essences of those unjustly wronged or the vilest of souls are bound to this realm and sometimes end up in that accursed place. Only that which binds them to this realm may set them free. Curse those who would harm an innocent child! I knew of one such unfortunate child. I was to bring her a [doll] for her birthday but she fell to a thieving cutthroat's sword!' Baenar's eyes fill with tears. 'Pardon me, friends, she was like a daughter to me. I loved her as I would my own!
You say,		'What doll?'
		'What's that you say? You wish to have the doll I was to give her? Whatever for? Bah! Nevermind me. I rant like an old woman sometimes. I should let her memory go but I would stop my heart from beating before I forget that child. Here, take this invoice. I have no further use for it. Give it to Marfen Binkdirple. ( You receive ' Solusek Mining Company Invoice ' )


You say,		'Hail, Marfen Binkdirple'
		Silence.
		( You hand in ' Solusek Mining Company Invoice ' ) 'Ah! 'Bout time ye got yer lazy bones down here! I was beginnin' ta worry bout ya. Thought ye'd never pick the doll up. Me kin worked and toiled over this thing fer days. That Baenar was sure exact in every detail. For a special child, he said. Must be some child. He spent all he had and some he didn't. Still owes us a show! Anyway, I heard she passed away some time ago. Give the lad muh regards. ( You receive ' Mechanical Doll ' )


		( You hand in ' Mechanical Doll ' ) 'Oh! You have the dolly! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can go home now. Please give this to my father, Baenar. He will understand when he gets it.' Serra begins to fade away. 'Bye bye!' ( You receive ' Note for Baenar ' )


		( You hand in ' Note for Baenar ' ) 'A note from the child? How can that be! How could she know I was her father? Unless? Cyrah told her. Forgive me. Cyrah was the name of the woman to whom I was betrothed. Unfortunately her parents forbade her from marrying a lowly bard such as myself. Her father married her off to a young merchant in Qeynos named Maligar. She married him only out of respect to her father. Her heart was truly mine, at least, so she always said. When Serra was born, I visited them both often. She was like no other, so innocent and sweet. In those few years I watched her grow up to be more and more like her mother and I saw none of the father in her appearance. I do not like Maligar, but the least we can do is inform him of his child's death. I saw his caravan pass by not more than a day ago headed to Qeynos. ( You receive ' Note to Maligar ' )


You say,		'Hail, Maligar'
		Jasari begins to cast a spell. ( You hand in ' Note to Maligar ' ) ( This spawns ' Maligar's Enraged Dopplgan[ger] ' ) 'Hmmm. What's this? A note from that silly bard Baenar? I wasn't aware that those of his kind could write, much less read.' Maligar lets out a deep laugh. 'I see you do not share my sense of humor. Let's read it, shall we? Oh, no! She's dead? I knew that already, you fool. It was by my hand she died! Ooops! Did I let that slip out? Silly me. I guess I will have to kill you now!'

		Maligars Enraged Dopplgan begins to cast a spell. . . . Maligar says 'Changing position master.' . . . Maligars Enraged Dopplgan has been slain by Theodwyn! . . . You have slain Maligar! ( You loot ' Maligar's Head ' from the Dopplganger )


		( You hand in ' Maligar's Head ' ) 'That vile dog! I knew there was something not right with him, the way he stared at everyone with contempt! Even his own wife! I curse him! I curse him to stay upon the realm and deny him what he most desires! This is too much! I cannot play or write this day. The sadness overwhelms me. In honor of Serra, the daughter that was denied to me in spirit, I vow never to play this instrument again! It was her favorite and she listened to me play for hours on end. Here take it! Take it out of my sight! Leave me be with my grief and my loss. ( You receive ' Mahlin's Mystical Bongos ' )


		( You hand in ' Mahlin's Mystical Bongos ' ) 'Mahlin's bongos! Here, take the other half of the sheet music. I can not really make out what the signature was anyway. ( You receive ' Maestro's Symphony Page 24 Bottom ' )

Kelkim's Lute Strings

You say,		'Hail, Kelkim Menkia'
		Kelkim Menkia sighs as she looks over her lute. 'My lute was mangled by those damnable gnolls! I have no idea how I'm going to get a new set of strings for it. They were so rare.'
You say,		'How rare?'
		'I only use the finest lute strings on my lute. My uncle got them for me from across the world. His name was Zendrik the Wurmslayer. As his name implies, he killed many wurms and drakes. The strings for my lute were all made from the guts of the wurms and drakes he slew.
You say,		'What drakes?' or 'What wurm?'
		'The strings were from a chromodrac, a red wurm and a huge onyx drake. It always sounded so wonderful.' Kelkim sighs, looking off to the horizon. As she shakes her lute angrily, she says, 'I'll kill all of you dirty gnolls!'


		You begin tracking Blackwing. . . . Blackwing begins to cast a spell. Your body is encased in fire. You have taken 72 points of damage. . . . Blackwing died. ( You loot ' Onyx Drake Gut ' )


		( You have entered Burning Woods ) . . . Nezekezena has been slain by Dirgrin! ( You loot ' Red Wurm Gut ' )


		Eldrig the Old begins to cast a spell. Dirgrin's blood boils. . . . Gwaenavie begins to cast a spell. Eldrig the Old begins to cast a spell. You feel a bit dispelled. . . . Eldrig the Old has been slain by Uzuden! ( You loot ' Chromadrac Gut ' )


		( You hand in ' Onyx Drake Gut ' and ' Red Wurm Gut ' and ' Chromadrac Gut ' ) Kelkim Menkia snatches the gut strings from your hand and immediately begins to string her lute. 'This is wonderful, I will be able to play my lute again soon! Take this old sheet of music I found - I don't think I will have much use for it. My new desire is to bash gnoll heads in with my lute. Safe travels to you, Temperance.' ' ( You receive ' Maestro's Symphony Page 25 ' )

Vedico's Alluring Horn prelude to A Mystical Instrument

You say,		'Hail, Vedico Windwisper'
		'Hello, Temperance . Have you seen the port master? I am here to complain about the shoddy service.
You say,		'What shoddy service?'
		'I was sailing from Freeport on one of the boats when a giant cyclops attacked the boat! No one lifted a finger as he stole the horn I was playing and ran off. Someone here has to answer for the loss of my horn.
You say,		'What cyclops?'
		'He was a huge cyclops! He came rushing up out of the water and stared at me with his big eye and said, 'Me like horn me take and play pretty music!' before he snatched my horn and disappeared back under the waves. '


You say,		'Time to die, Quag Maelstrom'
		Quag Maelstrom begins to cast a spell. Your mind clouds as your concentration bleeds away. Quag Maelstrom begins to cast a spell. You resist the Mana Drain spell!! Quag Maelstrom died. ( You loot ' Alluring Horn ' )


You smile.
		( You hand in ' Alluring Horn ' ) 'Where did you find this? I thought the cyclops took it. I am in your debt, Temperance . This horn has always been special to me.' Vedico reaches into her pack and pulls out a note. 'Do you think you could deliver this to my gnome friend Forpar. I have not spoken to him in a while and unfortunatly I will be unable to make the trip to visit him. If you are looking to have an instrument made he is the man to ask. ( You receive ' Note to Forpar Fizfla ' )

Beginning work on A Mystical Instrument

You say,		'Hail, Forpar Fizfla'
		'Get out, you pesky Wood Elf! I don't need any Wood Elf germs! Out, ye filthy beast!
You chuckle.		( You hand in ' Note to Forpar Fizfla ' )
		'So you know Vedico! How is the lass? If Vedico would give you the time of day, you must be something special. What can I do for you? I hope you have not come to have me make another [mystical instrument].
You say,		'What mystical instrument?'
		'I have made many mystical instruments in the past. Each one seemed to be better than the last. I have always had a dream of building the world's best lute, but I have yet to find someone brave enough to gather the components needed to make the instrument.
You say,		'I will gather the components.'
		'To make a mystical lute I will first need to make several pieces. If you bring me the backbone of an ancient fishman, a strong tentacle from one of the long lost amalgyms, and a petrified skull of a lycanthrope I may be able to create the head and neck of the instrument. If you go out and gather these things, make sure to bring me the note I gave you or I might forget who you are. I am getting quite old, you know. ( You receive ' Forpar's Note to Himself ' )


		( You have entered Kedge Keep. ) ( Phinigel Autropos has been slain by your party! ) ( You loot ' Kedge Backbone ' ) ( 4 raids - 2 backbones ( 1 Wizard staff ) )


		( You have entered the Plane of Fear. ) ( Amygdalan Warrior has been slain by your guild! ) ( You loot ' Amygdalan Tendril ' ) ( 2nd raid - 2 tendrils )


		( You have entered Karnor's Castle. ) ( A Drolvarg Warlord has been slain by your group! ) ( You loot ' Petrified Werewolf Skull ' ) ( 8 spawns - 1 skull ( 1 Bard dagger ) )


You say,		'Hail, Forpar Fizfla'
		'Get out, you pesky Erudite! I don't need any Erudite germs! Out, ye filthy beast!
		( You hand in ' Kedge Backbone ' and ' Amygdalan Tendril ' and ' Petrified Werewolf Skull ' and ' Forpar's Note to Himself ' ) 'Wow! I didn't think a Erudite like you would be able to gather all of those things.' Forpar rambles around and works with small tools for a good ten minutes before handing you a very fine looking lute head. 'Now, do you want to gather the next pieces for me?'' ( You receive ' Mystical Lute Head ' )

Continuing work on A Mystical Instrument

You say,		'What next pieces?'
		'The next pieces are a little harder to come by than those. To make the body of an instrument that will last for ages to come, I need something very special. The scales of a big red dragon and the scales of a big white dragon will make it unbreakable, as well as giving it a unique look. Some metal bits will allow me to hold the body together. Please, if you gather up these things, bring them to me as soon as possible. I have not felt this good in years!'


		( You have entered The Hole. ) ( Nortlav the Scalekeeper has been slain by your party! ) ( You win the lottery for ' Red Dragon Scales ' )


		( Your guild has entered The Dreadlands. ) ( Gorenaire has been slain by your guild! ) ( You have been allocated ' White Dragon Scales ' )


		( You have entered North Freeport. ) ( You smith ' Metal Bits ' in the nearest forge )


You say,		'Hail, Forpar Fizfla'
		'Get out, you pesky Vah Shir! I don't need any Vah Shir germs! Out, ye filthy beast!
		( You hand in ' Red Dragon Scales ' and ' White Dragon Scales ' and ' Metal Bits ' ) 'Woooooo! You are doing a wonderful job, Temperance. I wish I could go out and gather these things myself.' Forpar sits back down at his desk and pulls several very strange looking tools out. Eventually, he looks up at you and says, 'The body is done! Only one more piece to go!'' ( You receive ' Mystical Lute Body ' )

Finishing work on A Mystical Instrument

You say,		'What is the one more thing?'
		'The lute has a head and a body. The only thing missing is a set of strings that will never break! I have heard rumors of a living dead poison dragon in the lands of Kunark. If you were somehow able to get your hands on his guts, I could finish the lute. You would have to bring me the head, the body and the undead dragon gut for lute strings!'


		'Hello there, Temperance. How about a nice Lute?'
You say,		'Hail, An Undead Bard'
		Hail, Temperance. Are you perchance a minstrel?''
You say,		'I am a minstrel.'
		'I, too, am a bard, or was rather. I have been cursed by that blasted pile of bones who calls itself, Trakanon''
You say,		'Who is Trakanon?'
		'He is the undead dragon who rules this realm. I came on a quest seeking strings for my new instrument.''
You say,		'What new instrument?'
		'I sought to create a Magical Lute.''
You say,		'What Magical Lute?'
		'One that would make me the greatest bard in all the lands! Are you on a similar quest?''
You say,		'I am on a similar quest.'
		'Well then, I would ask you a favor for one in return. If I bring that cursed dragon here, will you kill it for me?''
You say,		'I will kill it for you.'
		'Excellent. I have stayed here far too long and I wish to go to my eternal slumber. But before I do so, I ask for one last request''
You say,		'What is your [one] last request?' ( This pile of bones was broken when I asked so I am borrowing the response from Kocho Diva until I can log a correct response personally )
		['Give me the Mystical Lute Body you have. I will return it, don't worry. I only wish to hold an instrument one last time before I leave.'']
		( You hand in ' Mystical Lute Body ' ) ( This makes the skeleton aggressive. ) 'I feel so powerful once again...a strange feeling is overcoming me!' ( You receive ' Mystical Lute Body ' )
You say,		'Time to die An Undead Bard.'
		An Undead Bard has been slain by Musubi!


		( Your guild engages Trakanon. ) ( Trakanon has been slain by your guild! ) ( You loot ' Undead Dragongut Strings ' )


You say,		'Hail, Forpar Fizfla'
		'Get out, you pesky Half Elf! I don't need any Half Elf germs! Out, ye filthy beast!
		( You hand in ' Mystical Lute Head ' and ' Mystical Lute Body ' and ' Undead Dragongut Strings ' ) 'Goodness! I can hardly contain myself! This will be my greatest creation ever!' Forpar sits down, slides the lute head into place and screws it together. After a few minutes, he begins to string the lute with the gut strings of the poison dragon. A wonderful sound fills the air as he strums the lute once and hands it to you. 'I hope you find a good use for that! I bet you could play it from the mountaintops and the people below would hear you. Thank you,Temperance, for making my lifelong dream come true!'' ( You receive ' Mystical Lute ' )

The Reward

You say,		'Hail, Baldric Slezaf'
		'Hello, Temperance . Don't you think this would be a wonderful place to perform a symphony?
		( You hand in ' Maestro's Symphony Page 24 Top ' and ' Maestro's Symphony Page 24 Bottom ' and ' Maestro's Symphony Page 25 ' and ' Mystical Lute ' ) Baldric Slezaf looks shocked as you hand him the pages and the mystical lute. 'I will put on a symphony the likes of which the gods have never seen. Thank you so much, Temperance. Please take this sword as a token of my gratitude. ( You receive ' Singing Short Sword ' )

Temperance @ Erollisi Marr
Monday, 12-Aug-2002, 20:00 PDT