Nights of the Dead: The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh
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You are automatically assigned this task as you complete the first "Digging Their Graves" task.
This is a grand task in which you complete each step by repeating the "Digging Their Graves" task. Your task 'The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh' has been updated. Edmund Strangeways' hands tremble as he holds up the tattooed skin. 'I've seen these markings before, once on a corpse in the mass graves of a plague-ridden village, again in a forgotten crypt in a dark forest half a continent away. But they were like two pieces of the same puzzle. Both times it was during Harvester's Haunt, and I've been searching ever since. Can you find more?' You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day. First Step Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered 0/1 (Plane of Knowledge) This step updates automatically as soon as you're assigned this task. You'll need to complete the "Digging Their Graves" task four more times in order to complete this grand task. Each step is the same, with different dialogue from Edmund Strangeways. Second Step Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered 0/1 (Plane of Knowledge) Upon second completion: Edmund Strangeways flips the piece of flesh this way and that, comparing it to the one in his other hand.'They match. By the gods, they match. Only twice in my long wanderings have I seen the same patterns, and only once have I seen any [writings] about them.' You say 'What writings?' Edmund Strangeways says 'In the forest grave I slaughtered the undead. He rose out of the ground shrieking and clawing at my cloak; I struck his neck with the point of my shovel, lopping his head into the fresh earth. His enchantment was weak. When his convulsing stopped, I laid him upon his stomach. The tattoo on his back was faded, and much of his skin had rotted away. But a moldy [pocket] still held something worthwhile.' You say 'What was in the pocket?' Edmund Strangeways says 'A book of prayers: paeans to Bertoxxulous, lamentations over a lost temple, and incantations for sacred embalming rites. The version told of the journey of the dead to their final place of rest, to the place where they would live anew in the diseased embrace of their god. They spoke of the immortal path being upon them. I had to find more of these tattooed adherents and learn their dark secrets. And so must you. Find more flesh.' Third Step Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered 0/1 (Plane of Knowledge) Upon third completion: Edmund Strangeways snatches the piece of flesh from your hands and fits it with the others. They form what looks to be trees, a mountain and a path. "I was not honest with you before. I found three corpses, not two. years ago, I was digging in the backwaters near Qeynos. A bedraggled clan of men had settled amid the ruins of an abandoned village that must have been an outpost during the days of [Bayle]. You say, 'Bayle?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'During the ravages of the Cult of Bertoxxulous. Something must have remained in the soil: the children and elders of the clan fell ill and died shortly after they had arrived. In the hills outside the village, I laid them to rest, like I had done before, as though shoveling dirt over the faces of my brothers, my village elders. I covered the last child when the [sun] fell into its own grave behind the hills.' You say, 'The sun?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'In the dark of twilight I rested on my shovel. Dusk grew into night, and I removed myself further into the hills. I walked among broken stones...scattered headstones that turned monuments to individuals into a mass grave, annonymous and forgotten. I sat and waited until Luclin rose. By it's light I spied a mound. The earth was fresh. I dug madly. Fingernails, fingers, palms, arms...and then emerged a face. a [female] face.' You say, 'A female face?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'A priestess perhaps, regal. Her skin looked pale in the gray light, but it was intact. I peered closer, and her eyes flicked back and forth. Her mouth was open, but her chest did not rise or fall. I crept into the grave next to her and carefully scooped away the remaining dirt, slowly, slowly, no daring to [startle] her.' You say, 'Startled her?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'She lay still for a moment. I was amazed: but for excess pallor, she was intact. I merely put a hand on her shoulder, for one moment, to lift her up. She tore into me. My arm gushed blood froma wound she raked with sharpened talons. Shrieking like a cornered beast, she scrabbled against the side of the grave, whcih reached just above her head. And as I clutched my arm, I got my first view of her [back].' You say, 'Her back?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'The tattoo. It covered her entire back, in flawless detail. Not a peice was missing. I saw the temple moving side to side and up and down as the undead woman kept climbing up and slipping back down the side of the grave. I wanted a closer look, but she tiurned on me, wailing and slashing. I struck her with the flat of my shovel until her limbs [stopped] flailing.' You say, 'When they stopped...' Edmund Strangeways says, 'She yet lived - of you can call it that. I dragged her to a small, collapsed vault, of which only the entrance remained. I placed her inside and secured the rusty gate with the handle of my shovel. She began shrieking again, no doubt frightening the wolves from the hills. I could not examine her like this. My thought was to give her [time].' You say, 'Time?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'Most of the dead I find don't live past Harcester's haunt. But I almost hoped she would. Then there might be some chance...of seeing the dead live on, of seeing a life after death not of undead mindlessness, but of recovered sentience. As much as I wanted to see that map, I wanted her to truly live. I turned back for the [village], and her scream followed me.' You say, 'The village?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'I spent the next week in the village during the day and the crypt at night. When the sun would go down, I'd slip away and head into the hills. I left scrolls and books for her to read, but they were torn up the next day. Some nights I slept by the crypt and endured her howling. In the morning, when I'd draw near, she would still be awake, eyes darting, teeth bared. She was always facing me, always watching, and I never could get a glimpse at her vack, So, I'd return to the village and face another day of frightened [rumors].' You say, 'What rumors?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'The Villagers heard her screams at night. They heard her howls echoing among the hills. They thought their dead clansmen were angry with them for bringing them to the village to die. The villagers huddled in their homes abd around their fires, waiting for thr rnd of Harvester Haunt, for the end of their loved ones' castigation, But it did not [end].' You say, 'The end?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'To my amazement, she was still living. Harvester's Haunt had been over for a week, and still she was howling. I resolved to open the vault. I had to know. Was the power of Bertoxxulous this strong? Was the sewer of disease also the reaper of immortality? I had to ask. And she would answer me one way or another...But the villagers had other [ideas].' You say, 'What ideas?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'The simpeltons were alarmed that their dead clansmen were still wailing after te close of the Haunt. In their fear, they became angry. One night, as I was about to slip away, they gathered and called for an end to their suffering. They would fan out into the hills and [silence] their crying clansmen.' You say, 'Silence?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'My captive began to wail, as she did every night. There was nothing I could do. Swords and torches marched in a burning cluster into the darkened hills. They followed the cries, and I followed the villagers, knowing my captive's time was at an end. The creis were peircing as the tiorchlight crept across the splintered gravestones. And there she was, mouth agape, hands clenched aroound the bars of the [gate].' You say, 'The gate?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'The villagers reeled back as she let out another scream, but one brave man hopped forward and yanked the showvel from the gate. The woman burst out and ran parallel to the crowd. I though for a moment she might escape, but the man holding my shovel set upon her and began to beat her abou the head. The other villagers gathered around, and I turned away when I saw all the flashes of metal arcing in the [torchlight].' You say, 'Torchlight?' Edmund Strangeways says, 'The burned her body. After the swords had cut off her screams, they cast all of their torches onto her mangled form. A pyre blazed around her as they trudged home in darkness. I slept by her, keeping warm, knowing with every crackle and spark that I wuld never know her secrets, never know what arcane spells and concotions had kept her alive, never know where her map would lead. I decided to stay with her until morning. the morning...why? Would I have stayed if I had known what would [happen]?' You say, 'What would happen?' Edmund Strangeways narrows his eyes and seems to withdraw inward. 'No, I best not be talking of such things right now. You still have work to do. I need those skins. Perhaps we'll talk later.' Fourth Step Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered 0/1 (Plane of Knowledge) After the fourth turn-in: Edmund Strangeways lines up the skins. A temple appears. He grips tightly a satchel hanging at his side. 'Only one piece remains. The temple is here, but the path winds around it. I must know where the trail leads. You've been uncannily fortunate thus far, adventurer. I don't doubt you'll find it. It's almost as though you've [seen] as much or more than I ever have. No. . .it can't be possible.' You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day. You say, 'Seen...?' Edmund Strangeways says 'When the morning came, the fire had dwindled. The embers were gray; the bones were flecks of powder. My former captive was a pile of ash, whiter than her skin in moonlight. I don't know why I did it. I'm a gravedigger; I bury the dead. And even a pile of coals you cover with earth to snuff the lurking fire. But I made an [exception] for her.' You say, 'An exception?' Edmund Strangeways says 'Food, clothing, water. . .I dumped them all out of my satchel. I started first where her head had been: Handfuls of her ashes I scooped up and sifted into my bag. Chips of skull, singed hair, a split and scored vertebrae. . .my hands shook as she slipped through my fingers. I slung my satchel over my shoulder. Her entire body against my back. . .she felt so [light].' You say, 'Light?' Edmund Strangeways says 'Desiccated by fire, her being had been dispersed into the ether. But what remained was pure. Her dust clung to my black cloak, and I looked like a white wraith ascending from the graveyard as I walked into the hills, away from the village. . .into the [wilderness].' You say, 'Wilderness?' Edmund Strangeways says 'You think me a fool for heading into the wilderness without food or water? It was the smartest thing I could have done. Hours passed. I climbed rocky hills and threaded through thick copses, and I grew hungry. I had not eaten since the day before, but she was first in my mind. I sat on a rock beneath a pine and opened my [satchel].' You say, 'Your satchel...' Edmund Strangeways says 'Why had she lived for so long? Why had she been so preserved? So close to sentience she had been. I was sure of it. Even as I stared into her ashes, I could feel her presence, see a faint gleam of life in her remains. Say whatever curses you may about Bertoxxulous, but if his spells and rituals are sufficient to sustain a woman through death and flames, his [power] is worthy of respect.' You say, 'His power?' Edmund Strangeways says 'My hunger was great. I ran my hands through her. I cupped her and brought her to my lips. My belly was [filled].' You say, 'Filled...?' Edmund Strangeways pulls his cloak tighter around himself and turns his face from yours. 'I covered thirty miles that night, through the barren spaces beyond Qeynos, into lands untrod by men. My cloak was torn from brambles and jagged rocks, but I surged on at a maddening pace. Light seemed to blaze from my eyes, and I could see the landscape lit in some preternatural glow, incandescent visions thumping in time with my heartbeat. I walked on through the next day, a hundred miles. Another hundred the next. I did not sleep. And when at last my hunger returned, on the fifth day of journeying, I went again to her ashes. My strength [redoubled].' You say, 'It redoubled?' Edmund Strangeways says 'I trekked the entire continent, end to end. I had the endurance of a battalion on the march. I dug and dug, grave after grave, seeking any signs of the temple, any others like her. And she sustained me. I shunned all sight of inns or alehouses; I eschewed the company of men at mealtime. But at night, sweating over a freshly dug grave, I would place her in my mouth, tear the coffins open with my bare hands, and watch the lines of light flow from my eyes and dance over limbs and ligaments. But I never did find what I [sought].' You say, 'What you sought...' Edmund Strangeways says 'There was never another like her. One day I looked into my satchel, and half of her was already gone. Soon she would vanish. I could not maintain the pace. I began to wean myself: I supped again at the alehouses, only every fortnight returning to her to regain my [strength].' You say, 'Your strength?' Edmund Strangeways sighs, and a hundred lines crease across his brow. 'I'm older than I look. I can't remember how long it's been. . .a hundred years, perhaps? She's still with me, but not much is left. A small amount keeps me alive, but I have not the strength or means to search any longer. You are my hope now. Find the final piece of the map. . .I implore you.' Fifth Step Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered 0/1 (Plane of Knowledge) After the final turn-in: You have assisted Edmund in completing a map tattooed on the skin of long dead worshipers of Bertoxxulous. You have been given: Frightening Writ Edmund Strangeways laughs as he threads a needle and twine through all the pieces of skin, forming a patchwork parchment. 'The map! The temple! So here lies the passageway. . .I thank you, adventurer. And my companion thanks you too. I have just enough left of her to aid me in my journey. She will see the temple she sought in both life and death. I will feast with her people and live among them ever after, eternal in the arms of Bertoxxulous. At last my journey is nigh completion, and I could not have done it without your help. Here, I am giving you a record of these deeds, penned with a mix of my blood and her ashes. Read it and then speak to a Frightening Liaison. I'm sure he would want to hear the tale. Be warned, though: It is frightening, and powerful. I reckon merely the words themselves could breathe [life] into the inanimate.' You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day. You say, 'Life?' Edmund Strangeways says 'Who knows what could spring from a word, a thought, an obsession. But farewell, adventurer. I must follow the map now. If I don't make it, promise me this: you'll dig up my corpse and ferry me to the temple, where my companion and I will live until Qeynos crumbles into dust.' Reward Upon completion, you receive a Frightening Writ which is used to gain access to the scarecrow mercenary from "a frightening liaison" in the Plane of Knowledge (all mercenary classes). Scarecrow Tank Scarecrow Healer Scarecrow Damage Caster Scarecrow Melee Damage The effect on this item also grants the title "the Gravedigger". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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4 posts
This quest couldn't be more annoying if it tried. Doing the exact same thing five times with a 17 hour lockout is bad, but the fact that the zombie you need doesnt spawn every time and the shovel has a 16 minute cool down is icing on the annoying cake.
Scholar
43 posts
If you are trying to box this or have extra accounts with toons high enough to dig in the area you are sent to for the quest have each one get the quest to reduce the down time. Once a toon loots a skin do not turn in your shovel until all the toons you are trying to complete this task have their skin. I made this mistake on my first run not realizing the lockout timer. You can keep digging even after you have your skin increasing your chances of spawning the zombie for your other toons. Also if you are planning to knock out all of the Halloween achievements I would highly suggest starting with this quest line first as the lockout timer will bog you down for nearly a week before you can finish the quest.
Aurastrider wrote:
If you are trying to box this or have extra accounts with toons high enough to dig in the area you are sent to for the quest have each one get the quest to reduce the down time. Once a toon loots a skin do not turn in your shovel until all the toons you are trying to complete this task have their skin. I made this mistake on my first run not realizing the lockout timer. You can keep digging even after you have your skin increasing your chances of spawning the zombie for your other toons. Also if you are planning to knock out all of the Halloween achievements I would highly suggest starting with this quest line first as the lockout timer will bog you down for nearly a week before you can finish the quest.
Does it take your shovel when turning in the last skin?
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This is exactly what I did. I've learned from doing other quests to not turn in until everyone has what they need. Good info!
Did this at 105, it sent me out to Field of Scale. Got the skin on my 3rd kill, another person in zone took 6 or 7 tries.
Scholar
41 posts
For some reason the Halloween achievements I've done didn't show up so I started doing them all over. I started Digging Their Graves the day before yesterday. I gave him the flesh and the shovel. I got the 2nd quest. So I went back and got the quest after the timer was up. Got a new shovel and went off to FoS and got another tattooed flesh (after an hour and a half). Back to PoK and he won't take the flesh. I had my druid along that hasn't done the quest before and got the same results. Tried the key words for the 2nd step and ran through the dialogue, and still nothing, he won't take the flesh. Won't give the Digging Their Graves quest to me for another 15 hours.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Does anyone know if the tattooed skin is pre lootable? Like what I mean is after the first skin, can you go around with the shovel for the other four before you do the turn ins? Or do you HAVE to go through the long way and spend a couple days on this?
no you can not preloot it is Lore.
1 post
After I turned in the shovel for the prequest, I never got another to do the other 4 steps. Anyone know what I'm missing or if it's a bug?
2 posts
you have to wait 18 hours and then hail him again, there is an 18 hour lockout timer on the quest, so if doing it exactly every 18 hours, will take you a little over 4 days total heh
as of Halloween 2010 ... all 4 merc types can be bought from the scarecrow vendor after finishing this quest and using the writ.
Tank
Healer
Melee DPS
Caster DPS
Tank
Healer
Melee DPS
Caster DPS
Confirmed :D
Confirmed. All 4 merc types purchasable. This is also retroactive for those who completed the quest in PREVIOUS years. :)
I did it because I wanted the title The Haunted for my necro. I won't be using Gravedigger.
Oh well. Not all quests will become classic like Trick or Treat is
Leerah of Quellious (in necro forms: Deathlee and Foebos.)
Oh well. Not all quests will become classic like Trick or Treat is
Leerah of Quellious (in necro forms: Deathlee and Foebos.)
Fight smarter not harder.
So they ended up adding a cleric mercenary? That is really lame. I mean I avoided this quest with most my chars save my Necro, who can use the Melee merc (please don't tell me I shouldn't use a melee, that's a different discussion for a different time). The fact that they added it I think means there should be a 5 day extension and a MOTD added explaining this, its really unfair imo to make a last minute add, so people who could've done it simply avoided it...
You're talking to me all wrong... It's the wrong tone. You do it again and I'll stab you in the face with a soldering iron.
the scarecrow merc is still tank only. next patch the writ will give you the same mercenary it does now, plus the Gravedigger title.
Are you allowed to have more than one mercenary? I already have a regular one that I bought.
5 posts
According to posts in station forums due to the mistake about the title being mentioned in the writ they will now change it so that u get the title "Gravedigger"
Dev-Ngreth wrote: To make up a bit for my mistake with mentioning the title, we have decided to grant anyone that clicks on the Frightening Writ item the title " the Gravedigger."
This *is* retroactive. I will use the same flag that allows you access to the mercenary to grant the title. So if you have access to the mercenary you will have access to this title.
So after the next patch the item will say:
Grants access to mercenaries that resemble a scarecrow, and grants you the title: the Gravedigger
Dev-Ngreth wrote: To make up a bit for my mistake with mentioning the title, we have decided to grant anyone that clicks on the Frightening Writ item the title " the Gravedigger."
This *is* retroactive. I will use the same flag that allows you access to the mercenary to grant the title. So if you have access to the mercenary you will have access to this title.
So after the next patch the item will say:
Grants access to mercenaries that resemble a scarecrow, and grants you the title: the Gravedigger
After reviewing both the Halloween Merc quests: the scarecrow merc tank, and the blue skelly for cleric. I realize, the fun is over.
It is sad, that the only way to fully complete either task, is by SOE getting some more of your hard earned cash.
The scarecrow quest requires marketplace purchase for title, and the skelly quest is not a quest at all, but requires you to get 3 LoN cards either through getting lucky with your 5 free booster packs (yea like that is going to happen), or by buying booster packs and opening them in hopes of loot cards.
Sad, sad, sad. Most of us would be fine with some long quest to achieve both, like the Timeshear quest which is still broken btw SOE thanks, but no go get your credit card out, and maybe you can have these items.
Wow that sounds like alot of fun.
Edited, Oct 29th 2009 12:39pm by skytraffic
It is sad, that the only way to fully complete either task, is by SOE getting some more of your hard earned cash.
The scarecrow quest requires marketplace purchase for title, and the skelly quest is not a quest at all, but requires you to get 3 LoN cards either through getting lucky with your 5 free booster packs (yea like that is going to happen), or by buying booster packs and opening them in hopes of loot cards.
Sad, sad, sad. Most of us would be fine with some long quest to achieve both, like the Timeshear quest which is still broken btw SOE thanks, but no go get your credit card out, and maybe you can have these items.
Wow that sounds like alot of fun.
Edited, Oct 29th 2009 12:39pm by skytraffic
The scarecrowe quest series does not require any marketplace purchase at all.
The tite "The Haunted" is actually unrelated to this task. The writ awarded by this task is currently mislabled and is (and was) only intended to award access to the Scarecrow Merc tank.
But yes, if you want "The haunted" as a title, you can buy it in the Marketplace.
However, I do agree... as a tank... that the tank merc is useless to me. So, I need the Cleric tank and you are right... fat chance and good luck throwing cash into LoN trying to get it.
The tite "The Haunted" is actually unrelated to this task. The writ awarded by this task is currently mislabled and is (and was) only intended to award access to the Scarecrow Merc tank.
But yes, if you want "The haunted" as a title, you can buy it in the Marketplace.
However, I do agree... as a tank... that the tank merc is useless to me. So, I need the Cleric tank and you are right... fat chance and good luck throwing cash into LoN trying to get it.
2 posts
I posted this on the related thread at the EQ online site referenced above:
I'm a bit discouraged to see so many cool items in the game that I can never get if I don't play LON or purchase at the marketplace. While making more money...and I'm fine with that, Sony has changed some of the basic nature of the game. Used to be you would see a cool item and ask the player where it dropped from or what quest they did. Now I just assume it's a bought effect or item and my respect for cool items in general is low. There's no sense of pride at having these items if you just paid for them and didn't work. It's sort of like having an EBAY character that you bought, but never levelled or equipped. Now instead of being encouraged to aspire to various items or effects I just know they are privileged and have little to do with excelling in the game. It makes the entire game a little less attractive and now I struggle with envy or distast toward the items. I wish it were not so. Now, we also can purchase various titles. I worked for 16 quests to get my "Favored By the Gods" title. That was a great thing that I'm still proud of. Seeing people running around with "Haunted" on their tags will not impress me. I wouldn't be caught dead now with a title that I didn't earn somehow...esp this one which is part of a controversy. It will identify you to all of the server as someone who buys his cool stuff and doesn't earn them.
I really enjoy the Holiday quests, but there should at least be one thing you get out of doing one. I didn't care for the pig with the Anniversary quest, but I loved the title and it was nice to get the various potions, exp plat and pie throwing machine so I never felt it was a waste of my time. With the old quests for Halloween, I outfitted several lower toons nicely and enjoyed doing them. This year, it's just a disappointment to see that the best of the Halloween rewards isn't available to the normal players.
Also, a tank merc is nice...and I could use it with several of my toons, but why would I want it for those that use clerics? Also, if I'm going to loose the plat I spent on my previous tank merc to change the skin for a new look, why would I want a Scarecrow, and in the old graphics? Not only do we already see low level enchanters use this, and see them in various lowbie zones as mobs, but we can also have our merc turned into this already with chanter illusion. Devs should have used a new or less common skin for it and it would've been worth it to do the quest for it. I'll probably skip the tattoo and grave stuff and stick with the skulls and blood cape.
I'm a bit discouraged to see so many cool items in the game that I can never get if I don't play LON or purchase at the marketplace. While making more money...and I'm fine with that, Sony has changed some of the basic nature of the game. Used to be you would see a cool item and ask the player where it dropped from or what quest they did. Now I just assume it's a bought effect or item and my respect for cool items in general is low. There's no sense of pride at having these items if you just paid for them and didn't work. It's sort of like having an EBAY character that you bought, but never levelled or equipped. Now instead of being encouraged to aspire to various items or effects I just know they are privileged and have little to do with excelling in the game. It makes the entire game a little less attractive and now I struggle with envy or distast toward the items. I wish it were not so. Now, we also can purchase various titles. I worked for 16 quests to get my "Favored By the Gods" title. That was a great thing that I'm still proud of. Seeing people running around with "Haunted" on their tags will not impress me. I wouldn't be caught dead now with a title that I didn't earn somehow...esp this one which is part of a controversy. It will identify you to all of the server as someone who buys his cool stuff and doesn't earn them.
I really enjoy the Holiday quests, but there should at least be one thing you get out of doing one. I didn't care for the pig with the Anniversary quest, but I loved the title and it was nice to get the various potions, exp plat and pie throwing machine so I never felt it was a waste of my time. With the old quests for Halloween, I outfitted several lower toons nicely and enjoyed doing them. This year, it's just a disappointment to see that the best of the Halloween rewards isn't available to the normal players.
Also, a tank merc is nice...and I could use it with several of my toons, but why would I want it for those that use clerics? Also, if I'm going to loose the plat I spent on my previous tank merc to change the skin for a new look, why would I want a Scarecrow, and in the old graphics? Not only do we already see low level enchanters use this, and see them in various lowbie zones as mobs, but we can also have our merc turned into this already with chanter illusion. Devs should have used a new or less common skin for it and it would've been worth it to do the quest for it. I'll probably skip the tattoo and grave stuff and stick with the skulls and blood cape.
-REDACTED-
Scholar
47 posts
Everyone that did or is doing this quest needs to petition it for two reasons:
#1 is the writ reward to add the new suffix "the Haunted" is currently broken and won't show up in your title window.
#2 the liaison that offers the scarecrow merc reward needs to have a scarecrow healer merc added. Currently only a scarecrow tank merc can be hired. This makes it useless to all the melee in the game. Needs a healer merc option for balance.
Master Artisan Villin
85 Shadowknight - BB server
#1 is the writ reward to add the new suffix "the Haunted" is currently broken and won't show up in your title window.
#2 the liaison that offers the scarecrow merc reward needs to have a scarecrow healer merc added. Currently only a scarecrow tank merc can be hired. This makes it useless to all the melee in the game. Needs a healer merc option for balance.
Master Artisan Villin
85 Shadowknight - BB server
The Halloween quests usually reward users with "fun" stuff, not "uber" items for the complacent, jaded player (really, you should have noticed this by now about EQ). I actually petitioned about the whole "title" mix-up, but after reading posts it makes much more sense why the title isn't the actual reward. I'm perfectly happy with hiring a new scarecrow friend to come along with my dynamic-duo tag team group.
I loved the story telling involved in the quest. I thought it was quite cute. =)
I loved the story telling involved in the quest. I thought it was quite cute. =)
-REDACTED-
Scholar
47 posts
Braikkarrii wrote:
The Halloween quests usually reward users with "fun" stuff, not "uber" items for the complacent, jaded player (really, you should have noticed this by now about EQ). I actually petitioned about the whole "title" mix-up, but after reading posts it makes much more sense why the title isn't the actual reward. I'm perfectly happy with hiring a new scarecrow friend to come along with my dynamic-duo tag team group.
I loved the story telling involved in the quest. I thought it was quite cute. =)
I loved the story telling involved in the quest. I thought it was quite cute. =)
I think you're missing my point here Brai, there is nothing jaded about my statement.
The fact remains this is a USELESS task for half the people playing and has nothing to do with scoring an uber item by anyone "jaded".
Was the task fun? Yes
Was the reward worth it? Yes but for HALF the people playing.
Good idea for a Halloween task but a FAIL because its pointless for melees.
Add a scarecrow cleric merc and I would be the first to give this task a 5 star rating. Until then - zero.
Master Artisan Villin
85 Shadowknight - BB server
#1 - wrong. the item you get at the end of this quest line is only used for acquiring the (tank) scarecrow merc, in PoK. it is not for "The Haunted" suffix title. that title is available for purchase in marketplace. this was a mistake on the item description by the Devs.
#2 - Ngreth says "At this time it will only be the Tank Mercenary."
see link below, page 3 for what the Dev had to say about this mixup:
http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?start=100&topic_id=156993
Question: Frightening Writ states it grants the title "the Haunted".
After using it, you apparently do not receive the title, at least in my case. Is this a mistake on the item information? Or perhaps a bug?
Yeah. That is a mistake on my part, that did not get noticed That should say something about clicking on it grants you the ability to get the special mercenary. That title is for a Marketplace item, not this item.
I will look into the endurance issue as well. Unfortunately I am new to mercs and probably made the same mistake Nodyin did. Which ends up NOT being a copy and paste error, but an error in my database query that did NOT include the endurance field... thus it went to the default of... 0.
At this time it will only be the Tank Mercenary.
Edited, Oct 28th 2009 5:38pm by Zaztik
#2 - Ngreth says "At this time it will only be the Tank Mercenary."
see link below, page 3 for what the Dev had to say about this mixup:
http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?start=100&topic_id=156993
Question: Frightening Writ states it grants the title "the Haunted".
After using it, you apparently do not receive the title, at least in my case. Is this a mistake on the item information? Or perhaps a bug?
Yeah. That is a mistake on my part, that did not get noticed That should say something about clicking on it grants you the ability to get the special mercenary. That title is for a Marketplace item, not this item.
I will look into the endurance issue as well. Unfortunately I am new to mercs and probably made the same mistake Nodyin did. Which ends up NOT being a copy and paste error, but an error in my database query that did NOT include the endurance field... thus it went to the default of... 0.
At this time it will only be the Tank Mercenary.
Edited, Oct 28th 2009 5:38pm by Zaztik
-REDACTED-
Scholar
47 posts
Thats weird, I got a something similar from a GM today:
I'm afraid the Frightening Writ, doesn't grant a tile. The description on this item is wrong, which the dev team has been informed. As for other type's of scarecrow merc's we haven't heard anything from dev as to the possibility of adding others.
Best of luck to you,
Senior GM Vedan
Its a shame you have to pay for that title, why bother? Also, the reward should have been noted, because access to tank merc only would make this a useless quest for melees.
Good idea, poorly implimented.
Master Artisan Villin
85 Shadowknight - BB server
I'm afraid the Frightening Writ, doesn't grant a tile. The description on this item is wrong, which the dev team has been informed. As for other type's of scarecrow merc's we haven't heard anything from dev as to the possibility of adding others.
Best of luck to you,
Senior GM Vedan
Its a shame you have to pay for that title, why bother? Also, the reward should have been noted, because access to tank merc only would make this a useless quest for melees.
Good idea, poorly implimented.
Master Artisan Villin
85 Shadowknight - BB server
agree, this quest is FAIL.
As others have said, it might be worth it if there was also a healer merc. They also should have added other Halloween themed mercs besides the scarecrow. Add something players can't already get using an illusion spell.
Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
Your task 'The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh' has been updated.
You have assisted Edmund in completing a map tattooed on the skin of long dead worshipers of Bertoxxulous.
You have been given: Frightening Writ
Edmund Strangeways laughs as he threads a needle and twine through all the pieces of skin, forming a patchwork parchment. 'The map! The temple! So here lies the passageway. . .I thank you, adventurer. And my companion thanks you too. I have just enough left of her to aid me in my journey. She will see the temple she sought in both life and death. I will feast with her people and live among them ever after, eternal in the arms of Bertoxxulous. At last my journey is nigh completion, and I could not have done it without your help. Here, I am giving you a record of these deeds, penned with a mix of my blood and her ashes. Read it and then speak to a Frightening Liaison. I'm sure he would want to hear the tale. Be warned, though: It is frightening, and powerful. I reckon merely the words themselves could breathe [life] into the inanimate.'
You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day.
You say, 'Life'
Edmund Strangeways says 'Who knows what could spring from a word, a thought, an obsession. But farewell, adventurer. I must follow the map now. If I don't make it, promise me this: you'll dig up my corpse and ferry me to the temple, where my companion and I will live until Qeynos crumbles into dust.'
Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
Your task 'The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh' has been updated.
You have assisted Edmund in completing a map tattooed on the skin of long dead worshipers of Bertoxxulous.
You have been given: Frightening Writ
Edmund Strangeways laughs as he threads a needle and twine through all the pieces of skin, forming a patchwork parchment. 'The map! The temple! So here lies the passageway. . .I thank you, adventurer. And my companion thanks you too. I have just enough left of her to aid me in my journey. She will see the temple she sought in both life and death. I will feast with her people and live among them ever after, eternal in the arms of Bertoxxulous. At last my journey is nigh completion, and I could not have done it without your help. Here, I am giving you a record of these deeds, penned with a mix of my blood and her ashes. Read it and then speak to a Frightening Liaison. I'm sure he would want to hear the tale. Be warned, though: It is frightening, and powerful. I reckon merely the words themselves could breathe [life] into the inanimate.'
You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day.
You say, 'Life'
Edmund Strangeways says 'Who knows what could spring from a word, a thought, an obsession. But farewell, adventurer. I must follow the map now. If I don't make it, promise me this: you'll dig up my corpse and ferry me to the temple, where my companion and I will live until Qeynos crumbles into dust.'
That Step 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 are all exactly the same (wording).
Each step is repeating the sub-task, Digging Their Graves. (not Digging THE Graves as currently shown above).
Each step is repeating the sub-task, Digging Their Graves. (not Digging THE Graves as currently shown above).
Edmund Strangeways snatches the piece of flesh from your hands and fits it with the others. They form what looks to be trees, a mountain and a path. "I was not honest with you before. I found three corpses, not two. years ago, I was digging in the backwaters near Qeynos. A bedraggled clan of men had settled amid the ruins of an abandoned village that must have been an outpost during the days of {Bayle}.
(Bayle)
During the ravages of the Cult of Bertoxxulous. Something must have remained in the soil: the children and elders of the clan fell ill and died shortly after they had arrived. In the hills outside the village, I laid them to rest, like I had done before, as though shoveling dirt over the faces of my brothers, my village elders. I covered the last child when the {sun} fell into its own grave behind the hills.
(sun)
In the dark of twilight I rested on my shovel. Dusk grew into night, and I removed myself further into the hills. I walked among broken stones...scattered headstones that turned monuments to individuals into a mass grave, annonymous and forgotten. I sat and waited until Luclin rose. By it's light I spied a mound. The earth was fresh. I dug madly. Fingernails, fingers, palms, arms...and then emerged a face. a {female} face.
(female)
A priestess perhaps, regal. Her skin looked pale in the gray light, but it was intact. i peered closer, and her eyes flicked back and forth. Her mouth was open, but her chest did not rise or fall. I crept into the grave next to her and carefully scooped away the remaining dirt, slowly, slowly, no daring to {startle} her.
(startle)
She lay still for a moment. I was amazed: but for excess pallor, she was intact. I merely put a hand on her shoulder, for one moment, to lift her up. She tore into me. My arm gushed blood froma wound she raked with sharpened talons. Shrieking like a cornered beast, she scrabbled against the side of the grave, whcih reached just above her head. And as I clutched my arm, I got my first view of her {back}.
(back)
The tattoo. It covered her entire back, in flawless detail. Not a peice was missing. I saw the temple moving side to side and up and down as the undead woman kept climbing up and slipping back down the side of the grave. I wanted a closer look, but she tiurned on me, wailing and slashing. I struck her with the flat of my shovel until her limbs {stopped} flailing.
(stopped)
She yet lived - of you can call it that. I dragged her to a small, collapsed vault, of which only the entrance remained. I placed her inside and secured the rusty gate with the handle of my shovel. She began shrieking again, no doubt frightening the wolves from the hills. I could not examine her like this. My thought was to give her {time}.
(time)
Most of the dead I find don't live past Harcester's haunt. But I almost hoped she would. Then there might be some chance...of seeing the dead live on, of seeing a life after death not of undead mindlessness, but of recovered sentience. As much as I wanted to see that map, I wanted her to truly live. I turned back for the {village}, nd her screasm followed me.
(village)
I spent the next week in the village during the day and the crypt at night. When the sun would go down, I'd slip away and head into the hills. I left scrolls and books for her to read, but they were torn up the next day. Some nights i slept by the crypt and endured her howling. In the morning, when I'd draw near, she would still be awake, eyes darting, teeth bared. She was always facing me, always watching, and I never could get a glimpse at her vack, So, I'd return to the village and face another day of frightened {rumors}.
(rumors)
The Villagers heard her screams at night. They heard her howls echoing among the hills. They thought their dead clansmen were angry with them for bringing them to the village to die. The villagers huddled in their homes abd around their fires, waiting for thr rnd of Harvester Haunt, for the end of their loved ones' castigation, But it did not {end}.
(end)
To my amazement, she was still living. Harvester's Haunt had been over for a week, and still she was howling. I resolved to open the vault. I had to know. Was the power of Bertoxxulous this strong? Was the sewer of disease also the reaper of immortality? I had to ask. And she would answer me one way or another...But the villagers had other {ideas}.
(ideas)
The simpeltons were alarmed that their dead clansmen were still wailing after te close of the Haunt. In their fear, they became angry. One night, as I was about to slip away, they gathered and called for an end to their suffering. They would fan out into the hills and {silence} their crying clansmen.
(silence)
My captive began to wail, as she did every night. There was nothing I could do. Swords and torches marched in a burning cluster into the darkened hills. They followed the cries, and i followed the villagers, knowing my captive's time was at an end. The creis were peircing as the tiorchlight crept across the splintered gravestones. And there she was, mouth agape, hands clenched aroound the bars of the {gate}.
(gate)
The villagers reeled back as she let out another scream, but one brave man hopped forward and yanked the showvel from the gate. The woman burst out and ran parallel to the crowd. I though for a moment she might escape, but the man holding my shovel set upon her and began to beat her abou the head. The other villagers gathered around, and i turned away when i saw all the flashes of metal arcing in the {torchlight}.
(torchlight)
The burned her body. After the swords had cut off her screams, they cast all of their torches onto her mangled form. A pyre blazed around her as they trudged home in darkness. I slept by her, keeping warm, knowing with every crackle and spark that I wuld never know her secrets, never know what arcane spells and concotions had kept her alive, never know where her map would lead. I decided to stay with her until morning. the morning...why? Would I have stayed if i had known what would {happen}?
(happen)
Edmund Strangeways narrows his eyes and seems to withdraw inward. "No, I best not be talking of such things right now. You still have work to do. I need those skins. Perhaps we'll talk later.
(Bayle)
During the ravages of the Cult of Bertoxxulous. Something must have remained in the soil: the children and elders of the clan fell ill and died shortly after they had arrived. In the hills outside the village, I laid them to rest, like I had done before, as though shoveling dirt over the faces of my brothers, my village elders. I covered the last child when the {sun} fell into its own grave behind the hills.
(sun)
In the dark of twilight I rested on my shovel. Dusk grew into night, and I removed myself further into the hills. I walked among broken stones...scattered headstones that turned monuments to individuals into a mass grave, annonymous and forgotten. I sat and waited until Luclin rose. By it's light I spied a mound. The earth was fresh. I dug madly. Fingernails, fingers, palms, arms...and then emerged a face. a {female} face.
(female)
A priestess perhaps, regal. Her skin looked pale in the gray light, but it was intact. i peered closer, and her eyes flicked back and forth. Her mouth was open, but her chest did not rise or fall. I crept into the grave next to her and carefully scooped away the remaining dirt, slowly, slowly, no daring to {startle} her.
(startle)
She lay still for a moment. I was amazed: but for excess pallor, she was intact. I merely put a hand on her shoulder, for one moment, to lift her up. She tore into me. My arm gushed blood froma wound she raked with sharpened talons. Shrieking like a cornered beast, she scrabbled against the side of the grave, whcih reached just above her head. And as I clutched my arm, I got my first view of her {back}.
(back)
The tattoo. It covered her entire back, in flawless detail. Not a peice was missing. I saw the temple moving side to side and up and down as the undead woman kept climbing up and slipping back down the side of the grave. I wanted a closer look, but she tiurned on me, wailing and slashing. I struck her with the flat of my shovel until her limbs {stopped} flailing.
(stopped)
She yet lived - of you can call it that. I dragged her to a small, collapsed vault, of which only the entrance remained. I placed her inside and secured the rusty gate with the handle of my shovel. She began shrieking again, no doubt frightening the wolves from the hills. I could not examine her like this. My thought was to give her {time}.
(time)
Most of the dead I find don't live past Harcester's haunt. But I almost hoped she would. Then there might be some chance...of seeing the dead live on, of seeing a life after death not of undead mindlessness, but of recovered sentience. As much as I wanted to see that map, I wanted her to truly live. I turned back for the {village}, nd her screasm followed me.
(village)
I spent the next week in the village during the day and the crypt at night. When the sun would go down, I'd slip away and head into the hills. I left scrolls and books for her to read, but they were torn up the next day. Some nights i slept by the crypt and endured her howling. In the morning, when I'd draw near, she would still be awake, eyes darting, teeth bared. She was always facing me, always watching, and I never could get a glimpse at her vack, So, I'd return to the village and face another day of frightened {rumors}.
(rumors)
The Villagers heard her screams at night. They heard her howls echoing among the hills. They thought their dead clansmen were angry with them for bringing them to the village to die. The villagers huddled in their homes abd around their fires, waiting for thr rnd of Harvester Haunt, for the end of their loved ones' castigation, But it did not {end}.
(end)
To my amazement, she was still living. Harvester's Haunt had been over for a week, and still she was howling. I resolved to open the vault. I had to know. Was the power of Bertoxxulous this strong? Was the sewer of disease also the reaper of immortality? I had to ask. And she would answer me one way or another...But the villagers had other {ideas}.
(ideas)
The simpeltons were alarmed that their dead clansmen were still wailing after te close of the Haunt. In their fear, they became angry. One night, as I was about to slip away, they gathered and called for an end to their suffering. They would fan out into the hills and {silence} their crying clansmen.
(silence)
My captive began to wail, as she did every night. There was nothing I could do. Swords and torches marched in a burning cluster into the darkened hills. They followed the cries, and i followed the villagers, knowing my captive's time was at an end. The creis were peircing as the tiorchlight crept across the splintered gravestones. And there she was, mouth agape, hands clenched aroound the bars of the {gate}.
(gate)
The villagers reeled back as she let out another scream, but one brave man hopped forward and yanked the showvel from the gate. The woman burst out and ran parallel to the crowd. I though for a moment she might escape, but the man holding my shovel set upon her and began to beat her abou the head. The other villagers gathered around, and i turned away when i saw all the flashes of metal arcing in the {torchlight}.
(torchlight)
The burned her body. After the swords had cut off her screams, they cast all of their torches onto her mangled form. A pyre blazed around her as they trudged home in darkness. I slept by her, keeping warm, knowing with every crackle and spark that I wuld never know her secrets, never know what arcane spells and concotions had kept her alive, never know where her map would lead. I decided to stay with her until morning. the morning...why? Would I have stayed if i had known what would {happen}?
(happen)
Edmund Strangeways narrows his eyes and seems to withdraw inward. "No, I best not be talking of such things right now. You still have work to do. I need those skins. Perhaps we'll talk later.
Edmund Strangeways flips the piece of flesh this way and that, comparing it to the one in his other hand. "They Match. By the gods, they match. Only twice in my long wanderings have I seen the same patterns, and only once have I seen any {writings} about them.
(say writings)
In the forest grave I slaughtered the undead. He rose out of the ground shrieling and clawing at my cloak; I struck his neck with the point of my shovel, lopping his head into the fresh earth. His enchantment was weak. When his convulsing stopped, I laid him on his stomach. The tattoo on his back was faded, and much of his skin had rotted away. But a moldy {pocket} still held something worthwhile.
(say pocket)
A book of prayers: paeans to Bertoxxulous, lamentations over a lost temple, and incantations for sacred embalming rites. The verses told of the journey of the dead to their final rest, to the place where they would live anew in the diseased embrace of their god. They spoke of the immortal path being upon them. I had to find more of these tattooed adherents and learn thier dark secrets. And so must you. Find more flesh.
(say writings)
In the forest grave I slaughtered the undead. He rose out of the ground shrieling and clawing at my cloak; I struck his neck with the point of my shovel, lopping his head into the fresh earth. His enchantment was weak. When his convulsing stopped, I laid him on his stomach. The tattoo on his back was faded, and much of his skin had rotted away. But a moldy {pocket} still held something worthwhile.
(say pocket)
A book of prayers: paeans to Bertoxxulous, lamentations over a lost temple, and incantations for sacred embalming rites. The verses told of the journey of the dead to their final rest, to the place where they would live anew in the diseased embrace of their god. They spoke of the immortal path being upon them. I had to find more of these tattooed adherents and learn thier dark secrets. And so must you. Find more flesh.
After handing him the second tattooed flesh:
Edmund Strangeways flips the piece of flesh this way and that, comparing it to the one in his other hand.'They match. By the gods, they match. Only twice in my long wanderings have I seen the same patterns, and only once have I seen any [writings] about them.'
You say 'What writings?'
Edmund Strangeways says 'In the forest grave I slaughtered the undead. He rose out of the ground shrieking and clawing at my cloak; I struck his neck with the point of my shovel, lopping his head into the fresh earth. His enchantment was weak. When his convulsing stopped, I laid him upon his stomach. The tattoo on his back was faded, and much of his skin had rotted away. But a moldy [pocket] still held something worthwhile.'
You say 'What was in the pocket?'
Edmund Strangeways says 'A book of prayers: paeans to Bertoxxulous, lamentations over a lost temple, and incantations for sacred embalming rites. The version told of the journey of the dead to their final place of rest, to the place where they would live anew in the diseased embrace of their god. They spoke of the immortal path being upon them. I had to find more of these tattooed adherents and learn their dark secrets. And so must you. Find more flesh.'
Edmund Strangeways flips the piece of flesh this way and that, comparing it to the one in his other hand.'They match. By the gods, they match. Only twice in my long wanderings have I seen the same patterns, and only once have I seen any [writings] about them.'
You say 'What writings?'
Edmund Strangeways says 'In the forest grave I slaughtered the undead. He rose out of the ground shrieking and clawing at my cloak; I struck his neck with the point of my shovel, lopping his head into the fresh earth. His enchantment was weak. When his convulsing stopped, I laid him upon his stomach. The tattoo on his back was faded, and much of his skin had rotted away. But a moldy [pocket] still held something worthwhile.'
You say 'What was in the pocket?'
Edmund Strangeways says 'A book of prayers: paeans to Bertoxxulous, lamentations over a lost temple, and incantations for sacred embalming rites. The version told of the journey of the dead to their final place of rest, to the place where they would live anew in the diseased embrace of their god. They spoke of the immortal path being upon them. I had to find more of these tattooed adherents and learn their dark secrets. And so must you. Find more flesh.'
Finishing this will get you a Frightening Writ, which you can right click to get a title suffix: " the Haunted". You also get access to the (tank) scarecrow merc from "a frightening liaison" in PoK.
the reward is only for hiring the scarecrow merc, no title included. the title is available in marketplace. this was a mix up of item descriptions by the Devs.
Scholar
20 posts
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Your task 'The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh' has been updated.
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Edmund Strangeways lines up the skins. A temple appears. He grips tightly a satchel hanging at his side. 'Only one piece remains. The temple is here, but the path winds around it. I must know where the trail leads. You've been uncannily fortunate thus far, adventurer. I don't doubt you'll find it. It's almost as though you've [seen] as much or more than I ever have. No. . .it can't be possible.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day.
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:09 2009] You say, 'Seen'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:10 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'When the morning came, the fire had dwindled. The embers were gray; the bones were flecks of powder. My former captive was a pile of ash, whiter than her skin in moonlight. I don't know why I did it. I'm a gravedigger; I bury the dead. And even a pile of coals you cover with earth to snuff the lurking fire. But I made an [exception] for her.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:27 2009] You say, 'Exception'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:27 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Food, clothing, water. . .I dumped them all out of my satchel. I started first where her head had been: Handfuls of her ashes I scooped up and sifted into my bag. Chips of skull, singed hair, a split and scored vertebrae. . .my hands shook as she slipped through my fingers. I slung my satchel over my shoulder. Her entire body against my back. . .she felt so [light].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:40 2009] You say, 'Light'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:41 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Desiccated by fire, her being had been dispersed into the ether. But what remained was pure. Her dust clung to my black cloak, and I looked like a white wraith ascending from the graveyard as I walked into the hills, away from the village. . .into the [wilderness].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:56 2009] You say, 'Wilderness'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:56 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'You think me a fool for heading into the wilderness without food or water? It was the smartest thing I could have done. Hours passed. I climbed rocky hills and threaded through thick copses, and I grew hungry. I had not eaten since the day before, but she was first in my mind. I sat on a rock beneath a pine and opened my [satchel].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:09 2009] You say, 'Satchel'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:09 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Why had she lived for so long? Why had she been so preserved? So close to sentience she had been. I was sure of it. Even as I stared into her ashes, I could feel her presence, see a faint gleam of life in her remains. Say whatever curses you may about Bertoxxulous, but if his spells and rituals are sufficient to sustain a woman through death and flames, his [power] is worthy of respect.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:31 2009] You say, 'Power'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:32 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'My hunger was great. I ran my hands through her. I cupped her and brought her to my lips. My belly was [filled].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:36 2009] You say, 'Filled'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:37 2009] Edmund Strangeways pulls his cloak tighter around himself and turns his face from yours. 'I covered thirty miles that night, through the barren spaces beyond Qeynos, into lands untrod by men. My cloak was torn from brambles and jagged rocks, but I surged on at a maddening pace. Light seemed to blaze from my eyes, and I could see the landscape lit in some preternatural glow, incandescent visions thumping in time with my heartbeat. I walked on through the next day, a hundred miles. Another hundred the next. I did not sleep. And when at last my hunger returned, on the fifth day of journeying, I went again to her ashes. My strength [redoubled].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:56 2009] You say, 'Redoubled'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:57 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'I trekked the entire continent, end to end. I had the endurance of a battalion on the march. I dug and dug, grave after grave, seeking any signs of the temple, any others like her. And she sustained me. I shunned all sight of inns or alehouses; I eschewed the company of men at mealtime. But at night, sweating over a freshly dug grave, I would place her in my mouth, tear the coffins open with my bare hands, and watch the lines of light flow from my eyes and dance over limbs and ligaments. But I never did find what I [sought].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:15 2009] You say, 'sought'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:15 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'There was never another like her. One day I looked into my satchel, and half of her was already gone. Soon she would vanish. I could not maintain the pace. I began to wean myself: I supped again at the alehouses, only every fortnight returning to her to regain my [strength].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:26 2009] You say, 'Strength'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:26 2009] Edmund Strangeways sighs, and a hundred lines crease across his brow. 'I'm older than I look. I can't remember how long it's been. . .a hundred years, perhaps? She's still with me, but not much is left. A small amount keeps me alive, but I have not the strength or means to search any longer. You are my hope now. Find the final piece of the map. . .I implore you.'
Spacing added for readability.
Edited, Oct 27th 2009 11:34am by Szriko
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Your task 'Digging Their Graves' has been updated.
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Your task 'The Hunt for Tattooed Flesh' has been updated.
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] Edmund Strangeways lines up the skins. A temple appears. He grips tightly a satchel hanging at his side. 'Only one piece remains. The temple is here, but the path winds around it. I must know where the trail leads. You've been uncannily fortunate thus far, adventurer. I don't doubt you'll find it. It's almost as though you've [seen] as much or more than I ever have. No. . .it can't be possible.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:27:56 2009] You have done enough grave digging for one day. Perhaps you will feel up to digging again another day.
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:09 2009] You say, 'Seen'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:10 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'When the morning came, the fire had dwindled. The embers were gray; the bones were flecks of powder. My former captive was a pile of ash, whiter than her skin in moonlight. I don't know why I did it. I'm a gravedigger; I bury the dead. And even a pile of coals you cover with earth to snuff the lurking fire. But I made an [exception] for her.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:27 2009] You say, 'Exception'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:27 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Food, clothing, water. . .I dumped them all out of my satchel. I started first where her head had been: Handfuls of her ashes I scooped up and sifted into my bag. Chips of skull, singed hair, a split and scored vertebrae. . .my hands shook as she slipped through my fingers. I slung my satchel over my shoulder. Her entire body against my back. . .she felt so [light].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:40 2009] You say, 'Light'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:41 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Desiccated by fire, her being had been dispersed into the ether. But what remained was pure. Her dust clung to my black cloak, and I looked like a white wraith ascending from the graveyard as I walked into the hills, away from the village. . .into the [wilderness].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:56 2009] You say, 'Wilderness'
[Tue Oct 27 08:28:56 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'You think me a fool for heading into the wilderness without food or water? It was the smartest thing I could have done. Hours passed. I climbed rocky hills and threaded through thick copses, and I grew hungry. I had not eaten since the day before, but she was first in my mind. I sat on a rock beneath a pine and opened my [satchel].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:09 2009] You say, 'Satchel'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:09 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'Why had she lived for so long? Why had she been so preserved? So close to sentience she had been. I was sure of it. Even as I stared into her ashes, I could feel her presence, see a faint gleam of life in her remains. Say whatever curses you may about Bertoxxulous, but if his spells and rituals are sufficient to sustain a woman through death and flames, his [power] is worthy of respect.'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:31 2009] You say, 'Power'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:32 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'My hunger was great. I ran my hands through her. I cupped her and brought her to my lips. My belly was [filled].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:36 2009] You say, 'Filled'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:37 2009] Edmund Strangeways pulls his cloak tighter around himself and turns his face from yours. 'I covered thirty miles that night, through the barren spaces beyond Qeynos, into lands untrod by men. My cloak was torn from brambles and jagged rocks, but I surged on at a maddening pace. Light seemed to blaze from my eyes, and I could see the landscape lit in some preternatural glow, incandescent visions thumping in time with my heartbeat. I walked on through the next day, a hundred miles. Another hundred the next. I did not sleep. And when at last my hunger returned, on the fifth day of journeying, I went again to her ashes. My strength [redoubled].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:56 2009] You say, 'Redoubled'
[Tue Oct 27 08:29:57 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'I trekked the entire continent, end to end. I had the endurance of a battalion on the march. I dug and dug, grave after grave, seeking any signs of the temple, any others like her. And she sustained me. I shunned all sight of inns or alehouses; I eschewed the company of men at mealtime. But at night, sweating over a freshly dug grave, I would place her in my mouth, tear the coffins open with my bare hands, and watch the lines of light flow from my eyes and dance over limbs and ligaments. But I never did find what I [sought].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:15 2009] You say, 'sought'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:15 2009] Edmund Strangeways says 'There was never another like her. One day I looked into my satchel, and half of her was already gone. Soon she would vanish. I could not maintain the pace. I began to wean myself: I supped again at the alehouses, only every fortnight returning to her to regain my [strength].'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:26 2009] You say, 'Strength'
[Tue Oct 27 08:30:26 2009] Edmund Strangeways sighs, and a hundred lines crease across his brow. 'I'm older than I look. I can't remember how long it's been. . .a hundred years, perhaps? She's still with me, but not much is left. A small amount keeps me alive, but I have not the strength or means to search any longer. You are my hope now. Find the final piece of the map. . .I implore you.'
Spacing added for readability.
Edited, Oct 27th 2009 11:34am by Szriko
4 posts
wish we knew what reward was
All 5 steps are the same:
- Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered
So, do the "Digging the Graves" quest five times, with an 18 hour lock-out. When you're done with each step he'll tell you a bit more of his story. Can't wait for the final episode.
Edited, Oct 26th 2009 9:21pm by Pidian
- Edmund has inspected the tattooed skin you delivered
So, do the "Digging the Graves" quest five times, with an 18 hour lock-out. When you're done with each step he'll tell you a bit more of his story. Can't wait for the final episode.
Edited, Oct 26th 2009 9:21pm by Pidian
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