Shard's #1b: Exploring Shard's Landing  

On completion : "Your faction standing with Harbingers of Thule has been adjusted by 25".

I've done this quest 16 times; I just always left it running while questing and helping others in the zone. The timer is based on when you start the task, so by the time I finished it I could usually retake it immediately. As long as you're on the task, you get venom and spittle from every snake/beetle kill, except you never have both because they automatically combine to make the potions. You need 9 potions for the task. You need to kill a snake or beetle to update the first task step (which usually gets you another potion if you had leftovers of the matching drop), but if you've built up a stock of potions you can then go back to slaying whatever else you need. You can often get credit on this task, Unspoken Verse, and various hunter tasks all on the same kill.

When you hail Drent for the final step, the dialog includes a piece of information about the named (if any) in one of the 9 areas the task sends you to. Here's an example from my last turn-in, clearly describing Pyrebeak.

You say, 'Hail, Overseer Drent'
Your task 'Exploring Shard's Landing' has been updated.
Overseer Drent pulls out a small journal and scratches in a few notes before setting the samples aside. He smiles, 'The information you've gathered should prove very helpful in our efforts to understand both this land and the effects of the crystal upon it.' He hands you a small scrap of paper which reads as follows...
Analysis of the local Icebeaks: These kangons do not tend to wander far from their icy roost. That said, there have been several reports that the lead matriarch has been spotted wandering the lower hills and pecking at some of the less tended-to shards. From the data we have gathered over several sightings it sounds as if the once icy hide that distinctly identified this group has been mutated slowly for the lead matriarch. Be considerate of your protection against fire should you encounter the matriarch. If she proves to be hostile then remain close to minimize the increasing power of her attacks.
Your faction standing with Harbingers of Thule got better.
You receive 450 platinum .
Overseer Drent nods approvingly as he looks over the samples you have collected.

The "Analysis" line is the only one that changes. I've seen 9 different versions in my 16 turn-ins, and it seems likely that's all of them.

Analysis of the local Frostcoats: Despite my initial suspicions I am more inclined to believe that the braxi in these hills show signs of advanced intelligence. The most noticeable trait of these creatures is the manner in which they are able to use their hands to perform complex tasks. Much like the local wyverns, the upper echelon of this group is not defined by brawn but rather brain. The higher ranking Frostcoats tend to be the smallest in size. Despite this fact I have advised my soldiers that these are some of the most dangerous creatures we will encounter in the area. I share this same warning with you now, discretion when choosing opponents can mean the difference between life and death.

Analysis of the local Greenscales: Unlike the Icescale wyverns, these Greenscale wyverns seem to have been impacted very heavily by the release of the crystal. Current data suggests that creatures with innately higher intellect have taken to the effects of the crystal more rapidly than those without social structure or signs of higher thought processes. The Greenscales have proven resourceful in their recent change in nesting formation, seemingly in order to protect the crystals that they consider their own property. The social structure of this group suggests that the lead wyvern is the one that displays the most intellectual cunning. This fact should come as a warning as that wyvern will likely show signs of advanced power granted by the crystals.

Analysis of the local Icebeaks: These kangons do not tend to wander far from their icy roost. That said, there have been several reports that the lead matriarch has been spotted wandering the lower hills and pecking at some of the less tended-to shards. From the data we have gathered over several sightings it sounds as if the once icy hide that distinctly identified this group has been mutated slowly for the lead matriarch. Be considerate of your protection against fire should you encounter the matriarch. If she proves to be hostile then remain close to minimize the increasing power of her attacks.

Analysis of the local Icescales: These wyverns seem far removed from the effects of the crystals, unlike their close relatives that have made their nests on the lower ground. At this time there is no evidence to suggest that these creatures have been impacted by the release of the crystal into the land.

Analysis of the local Naeya: The mutation on the cubs of the species is nearly nonexistent. Elder members of the pack seem to show early signs of poisoning. More information will need to be gathered to understand how the disease manifests itself in these creatures. Due to the hierarchical social structure of this group the eldest naeya has been given authority over the shards that have landed in their breeding grounds. As such, the Alpha Naeya shows early signs of enhanced magical power in a rather primitive fashion - a simple projection of its biting attack most likely.

Analysis of the local Plainskeepers: The impact of the crystal on the selyrah of the hills is varied and worth investigating further. Most noticeable is the immediate color changes we are seeing in the hides of both young and old beasts. Initial reports suggest that the creatures are growing gaunt and unhealthier as a result of exposure, with the most exposed members of the pack showing open wounds and bloodstained pelts. These reports suggest that some creatures are being 'poisoned' rather than empowered. Be wary of any highly exposed selyrah as their manifestation of the crystal, the disease, will likely be contagious.

Analysis of the local Verdantbeaks: The kangons of Cragfeast Rock appear to be mutating more quickly than their icy counterparts. We are unsure if it is a matter of the plains kangons being patriarchally managed or if it is simply a matter of prolonged direct exposure to the crystals themselves. Should you encounter the lead patriarch of the Verdantbeaks you will want to stay close to him because his physically damaging screech grows more powerful the further away it is allowed to echo from him.

Analysis of the local Worntooths: These grendlaen appear to be about as advanced as the local naeya displaying signs of a simple social structure. The only discernible difference between the packs is that the grendlaen are a matriarchy versus the naeyan patriarchy. The effect of the crystal on these creatures is difficult to gauge due to our unfamiliarity with the 'normal' state of these beasts. Early reports suggest that the most impacted members of the pack are losing their most defining characteristics, the immense weight and resilience of their rock-like pelts. Be wary of any crystal-tainted grendlaens you run into as it is likely that these creatures will exert their newfound powers in a manner that is particularly harmful to spellcasters.

Analysis of the pests surrounding the Forsaken Village: The creatures that tend to the junk and bones of 'The Forsaken' do not seem to be impacted by the crystal in any fashion at this time. More data may eventually prove otherwise, but at this time there is no concern that a particular threat will arise from the rats or bugs in the small Alaran village.

level 85 can get this task
i am doing it with a level 85 now

Please note this quest is repeatable. In addition to the 6 AA's, it also gives @7% Reg XP at level 96. Not sure on lockout timer, will report back. I have done this quest several times, it is a good one to always have up as you are hunting in this zone, simply have some analytic pots on h nd watch the updates come in as you roam the zone.

The quest reads plainsdweller wyvern rather than greenscale wyvern as shown above.


Edited, Dec 27th 2012 1:11pm by Spaarcus