More Than Meets The Eye

Adventurer, you may believe that you are skilled and strong, but your soul is not yet strong enough to endure this transformation experiment.

(Only characters level 50 or above may undertake this quest.)

Among Shilen's creatures, there are those who are able to change their appearance to terrorize and attack people.

As a Necromancer, I am naturally very interested in such abilities. What if their power could be utilized as a kind of magic?

...

Why do I research transformation magic?

At the core, it is because I am curious about lifeforms and knowledge -- I want to understand all knowledge, power and magic under the sun.

Ha ha...

...

Hmm...

Actually, this Transformation Magic is almost complete.

...

But in order to transform, the soul must first be prepared.

I am still researching that final component... Frankly, I could use some assistance.

[It sounds interesting. Say that you will help]

Thank you for agreeing to help me complete my experiment.

Now, listen carefully...

The transformations that I am researching are not like illusions or hypnosis or some other parlor tricks...

[Continue listening]

My process will physically change the subject's actual material form.

Understand that the body of living being is merely a vessel for the soul.

Outward appearance is an expression of that inner substance; put another way, the body is intimately connected to the soul.

By using powerful magic, I was successful in changing a subject's outward appearance by reconfiguring the molecular bonds that constitute the body.

However, I discovered that life functions soon came to a halt. Soon thereafter, the reconfigured bonds themselves disintegrated...

[Does that mean the soul has to be transformed as well?]

Very good! You are a quick study, I see. Yes, in order to successfully transform a subject's physical appearance, the soul must also be transformed to some degree.

[Is it even possible to transform the soul? Moreover, if the soul transforms, wouldn't there be a loss of identity?]

Ha! An adventurer after my own heart... Don't try to satisfy your curiosity in one gulp, though.

If we make progress with these experiments, I'm sure all of your questions will be answered.

At this stage in my research, I absolutely require Stabilized Ectoplasm.

I have learned that it can be obtained from Dark Elf Magister Errickin in Hunters Village, but I cannot leave my experiment at the moment.

Will you go in my place obtain it and bring it back here?

Ah, I see that you have brought me the Stabilized Ectoplasm. Excellent!

I see you are bursting with questions; let me satisfy at least a portion of your curiosity.

Through research and experiment, I have arrived at certain conclusions.

The energy that makes up the soul is like the water in a water balloon. Depending on the shape of the balloon, it can be shaped into different forms, but once the shape within the water ballon is fixed, it cannot endure another change in form.

Another example: melted plaster can be fashioned into any shape, but once it hardens it must be broken in order to change its form. The souls of gods are eternal and immortal, and therefore free form bodily constraints. As a result, the gods can come and go as they please, appearing in different forms at their whim.

This is why transformation magic was originally the province of the gods alone.

[Keep listening]

The ability to change the soul and then restore it to its original state is an essential condition for transformation magic.

If the soul perishes after transformation, or if the subject cannot be returned to its original state, the power is worthless.

Needless to say, this posed an extremely difficult problem even for my intellect, but I was able to use Mimir's Elixir and principles of Necromancy to solve it.

Still, the process has not been perfected...

I am now experimenting with a method that I believe may provide that last key.

By using Mimir's Elixir and the Stabilized Ectoplasm that you brought me, I am reasonably certain that I can allow your soul to endure the transformation process.

Once in that state of transformation, you should be able to use the Seal of Transformation to further transform at will.

[Seal of Transformation?]

The soul's combination of information and energy that is necessary to preserve a living being's outward appearance can be magically stored in a Seal of Transformation...

Unfortunately, I cannot personally link this Seal of Transformation with your individual body. It is simply not my specialty...

However, the Wizard of Transformation, Avangard, can engrave the Seal of Transformation. You can find him in the Ivory Tower.

If you convey to him the meaning of the Seal, the detailed method of preparation, and the energy of the Transformation magic that I have designed, he will be able to give you the Seal.

["How do I do that?"]

You must produce a Book of the Seal of Transformation, a specially made Book of Magic. In it will be described the meaning of the seal of Transformation and the detailed method of preparation. You must also use special arcane methods to write the transformation magic and store its power in the Book of Magic.

But first, we will need an empty Book of Seal.

[How do I make this empty Book of Seal?]

Take these detailed instructions to Magister Clayton in Dion Village. He will craft an empty Book of Seal for you.

I see that you have nrought the empty Book of Seal. With this, all our preparations are completed!

While you were gone, I made an infusion using the Stabilized Ectoplasm and Mimir's Elixir.

Drink this and your soul should be able to endure the transformation process.

Not nervous, are you? I suppose that technically you are the first to attempt this, but I am entirely confident in my theory, and you seem a hardy, healthy specimen.

(Hardin holds out a bowl with a smoking, foul smelling liquid.)

[Drink the concoction]

(As soon as you drink the liquid, you feel stabbing pain inside your head. You can't seem to pull yourself together; you feel as though you are seeing the world from two perspectives, almost as through a mirror. Everything is spinning. Something fundamental in your soul feels like it is changing... You perceive Hardin as though at the end of a long tunnel. He is chanting an incantation... Time passes, and the world seems to steady as you come back to your senses.)

Success! Success!

You have done well, my young subject!

Now your soul is in a state in which you can endure transformations.

Excellent!

[Then can I transform now?]

Such impatience! The experiment was intended to create a stable state for the soul prior to transformation. We have done so...

However, since you have incurred some risk -- however marginal -- to assist me, I will help you attain a simple transformation. That is why I asked you to bring the empty Book of Seal...

Wait a moment.

[Wait]

(Hardin draws something and begins writing in the empty Book of Seal. Once finished, he casts some sort of spell on the Book of Seal, which flashes for a moment.)

Now take this Book of Seal to Avangard, the Wizard of Transformation on the 2nd floor of the Ivory Tower and you should be able to effect a transformation.

My thanks -- you are a valuable assistant!

Since I am as generous as I am brilliant, I also wish you to take this...

Now I can plunge myself into research for a more varied kind of transformation magic.

Farewell!

What is it?

[Hand him Hardin's order form]

Oh, this is... I do not know your purpose, but it looks as though you are seeking a new type of spell medium...

And a very powerful one at that...

It will be difficult, but I believe I can create it according to these specifications.

Unfortunately, I am missing a key ingredient.

Apparently, in order to create it, I will require 5 Glass Jaguar Crystals.

Interesting... You see, I am also keenly interested in new magic.

I will make you a deal. If you bring back 5 Glass Jaguar Crystals, I will create an empty Book of Seal set for you at no cost.

In case you were unaware of it, Glass Jaguar is a malignant spirit in the shape of a leopard that guards Plains of Dion.

You have brought back all the Glass Jaguar Crystals? Good! Then I will create the Blank Book of Seal for you immediately...

(Clayton takes out some arcane ingredients and begins to create the tome.

He grinds up and liquefies the Glass Jaguar Crystals, then uses the mixture to each in complicated patterns in the margins of each page of the Blank book of Seal.)

Ah, finished! I must admit to being curious to know what manner of great magic it will carry. I suspect that you are experimenting with a new spell, so I bid you farewell...and good luck.

I will make you a deal. If you bring back 5 Glass Jaguar Crystals, I will create an empty Book of Seal set for you at no cost.

In case you were unaware of it, Glass Jaguar is a malignant spirit in the shape of a leopard that guards Plains of Dion.

I suspect that you are experimenting with a new spell, so I bid you farewell...and good luck.

Wait...did you say that you have come for Stabilized Ectoplasm?

There are not many magicians these days who deal with ectoplasm, which is composed of filthy and unpleasant souls...

Fortunately for you, I am one of them.

Ah, you undoubtedly will not wish to divulge to me your purpose for this ectoplasm...

Well, I do not know what kind of necromantic magic you are experimenting with, but it must be a challenging task.

[Can you get me Stabilized Ectoplasm? What will be the price?]

How much are you willing to pay?

Hmm, you must be here on the orders of another...

No matter. In order to obtain Stabilized Ectoplasm, I first require plain ectoplasm, which is itself a rare item.

In fact, I have need of it as well...

You have the look of an adventurer, so I will strike a bargain with you.

Exterminate the Mirror Ghost and the Mummy in the Forest of Mirrors and you will be able to acquire ectoplasms.

Thirty ectoplasms will produce one Stabilized Ectoplasm. Bring back 35 of them and give me 5. Then I will make you a Stabilized Ectoplasm using the remainder.

You're lucky! Securing ectoplasm requires several other rare materials, which I just happen to have.

No need to pay me for them -- I appreciate you sharing the ectoplasm. Now I can begin an experiment of my own... He he he!

Here is your secured ectoplasm; take it and go.

(Return to Hardin's Academy.)

Now Return to Hardin's Academy.