Testimony of Life

The future seems very dark...

The blood-red sky fades to darker shadows... Blood will soak the earth and run in rivers...

The time of the 'Chaotic Chronicle' draws nigh...

(This quest may only be undertaken by an Elven character.)

Soon our tribe shall face a mortal challenge. The Mother Tree is dying... We must prevent this at all costs!

Hierarch Asterios has called for the young Elves to gather in the Elven Forest. Soon you will return to your homeland, but you must gain more experience first.

(This quest may only be undertaken by a character who is level 37 or above and has completed his 1st occupation change.)

The Mother Tree... Mother of all forests and Elves... The heart of the Elven tribe...

Long ago... Thanks to the sacrifice of the very first guardian, the Mother Tree was reborn in the land filled with dead bodies. She gave the tree life by sacrificing her own, and becoming one with the dying tree.

Until this day her shape remains in the stem of the Mother Tree. Her noble sacrifice must never be forgotten.

Now once again the tree is dying...

Our tribe's very existence is at stake. If we are to survive, it will be thanks to the help and sacrifice of young Elves like you. Will you join our struggle?

"I will join the struggle."

When you have completed this task and return, I shall present you with the Mark of Life.

Now more than ever we must take the love of nature into our hearts and meditate upon our place in the family of creatures. As our first guardian sacrificed herself, we must sacrifice to overcome this difficulty.

Hierarch Asterios has called the young Elves to gather in the Elven Forest. Your trial has begun. Now you must take this letter to the hierarch in your hometown. May the blessings of starlight guide your way.

After you have completed this trial returned a bit more seasoned, I will acknowledge that you are ready to master the higher teachings and will reward you with the Mark of Life.

More than any other time in history, we must now truly respect nature, love life and care for our people. Just as the first guardian sacrificed everything, so perhaps will we have to sacrifice many things to overcome the evils of this age.

Even now, Hierarch Asterios is calling young Elves back to the Elven Forest. Behold, your trial has begun! Take this letter and make haste to your hometown to see the Hierarch. May the stars light your path and bless your journey.

I give you this Dimension Diamond. You can trade it to the village gatekeeper for something special that may help you on your journey.

The hierarch awaits your return. As we speak the Mother Tree is dying. You must quickly return to the Elven Forest.

At this moment the Mother Tree is dying. Please find the Water of Life and give us hope!

You have returned! Your eyes tell the tale -- you have learned much in such a short time. I perceive that you have experienced a deep sorrow, but I see you have also grown in wisdom.

This is the Camomile Charm that Hierarch gave you to fight for the tribe's survival. But I think you are ready for more advanced teaching now.

Here is the Mark of Life. Keep it with you -- it will assist you wherever your path leads you in the future. No matter what trials you must face, never forget the sacred time you spent in the shadow of Mother Tree, learning our timeless lessons of balance and beauty. May Eva's peace be with you always!

How is the Hierarch? I can only imagine his concern for the future of our race... We must do all we can to lighten his burden.

My sisters and I have attempted to revive the dying Mother Tree, but all our efforts have failed. Still, there is hope.

According to the legend, there is a Water of Life that can cure all diseases and poisons. It is said that the purest form of life, used by the Gods to create all living creatures, is contained in that water.

Eva has entrusted this Water of Life to the 'Guard of Tears'. I don't know his identity, but your task for the 'Test of Life' is to get some of the Water of Life from that person. We must do this in order to survive.

Ask about the Test of Life.

We must prepare two things before acquiring the Water of Life. They are the Grail of Purity and Talin's Spear.

Talin's Spear was at one time kept by the Elves living in Innadril Lake, but we decided to move it here.

You must find the Grail of Purity that will be the container for the Water of Life. This magic grail will purify anything, and is even said to be able to counteract deadly poisons such as Belladonna. The Water of Life must be contained in this vessel or it will lose potency.

"How do you create a Grail of Purity?"

In the past, we Elves possessed the knowledge to create the holy grail. During the war with Humans the High Artisan Elves who kept the secrets of Mithril and platinum were killed, and the secrets of the grail were lost with them. Therefore we must have the help of other tribes in order to create the grail.

First of all we need to carefully craft a cup made of Pure Mithril. 'Pure Mithril' is Mithril which contains no other elements but itself, and there are only a few Artisans throughout the continent who can make it.

Go to Blacksmith Pushkin of the Town of Giran. Although he is a money-grubbing Dwarf who only thinks of money and jewels, he is an outstanding Artisan who knows the techniques of handling Pure Mithril. Take this illustrated book and show it to him. Ask him to make the grail exactly as it appears in the book. He will surely ask a price for that, since he is a Dwarf. Try as much as you can to satisfy his wishes.

I shall be waiting for your return. May the blessings of the starlight be with you.

Go to Blacksmith Pushkin of the Town of Giran. He is the only person who can make the Pure Mithril Cup. I shall be awaiting your return. May the blessings of starlight be with you.

He wanted something in return, didn't he? Just as I expected... It is so humiliating to be ordered about by a Dwarf! Oh well, we have no choice...

Ah, the Pure Mithril Cup... It is indeed a masterpiece. Occasionally the Dwarves show their true worth. In order to transform a Mithril Cup into a Grail of Purity we must have 'Stardust'. It is a silvery powder, said to be sprinkled by the spirits of starlight. Only Dark Elves have the skill to gather it.

We must enlist their assistance to obtain the Stardust. Dark Elves are our dark shadow... Although we may never forgive them, our survival and that of all the forests in this land depends on their cooperation in this matter.

Go to the Dark Elves Initiation Altar and meet a Shaman named Arkenia. She knows how to gather Stardust. I shall write you a letter, but I am afraid that the Dark Elves will not cooperate gladly...

You must go to the Dark Elves' Initiation Altar and meet Shaman Arkenia. She knows the secrets of Stardust.

I doubt that the Dark Elves will easily tell their secrets... But what is the alternative? We must obtain the Stardust at all costs.

This is Stardust... Now we will be able to perform the ceremony of starlight and create the Grail of Purity. Thank you for your hard work. Now we have one of the 2 materials needed for obtaining Water of Life. Now if we only had Talin's Spear...

Ask about Talin's Spear.

At this moment, Talin's Spear is being transported here from Innadril. We must wait until it arrives.

You seem to lack the adequate experience to use the power of the spear fully. How about going for a journey of discipline while we have the time? When you feel that you are ready, come back and see me. Perhaps Talin's Spear will have arrived by then.

There is terrible news! Talin's Spear has been stolen! The lake spirits who were bringing it from Innadril were attacked by lizardmen who massacred them and absconded with the spear.

You must hurry and meet Isael Silvershadow of the Hunter's Village. She will need assistance finding the spear. We must find Talin's Spear! Our future lies within it!

The spear hasn't arrived yet. A bigger problem is that you lack the power to use the spear properly. Perhaps you should go for a journey of discipline while you have the time? When you feel that you are ready, then come back and see me. Perhaps Talin's Spear will have arrived by then, as well.

I have terrible news! Talin's Spear has been stolen on its way here! It is said that the lake spirits who were bringing the sword from Innadril were attacked by the lizardmen who massacred them and absconded with the spear.

You must hurry to Isael Silvershadow of the Hunter's Village. Help her deal with this matter. We must find Talin's Spear! Our future lies within it!

Hurry! You must go to Isael Silvershadow of the Hunter's Village. Help her find the stolen Talin's Spear. Our future lies within it!

We must find Talin's Spear! Our future lies within it!

May the blessings of the starlight be upon you. You have recovered Talin's Spear! Thank you very much for your trouble.

Now that we have both the Grail of Purity and Talin's Spear, we can set off in search of the Water of Life. This will bring the utmost sacrifice and the greatest sorrow...

We must pierce Eva's Unicorn, the guardian of our forest, with Talin's Spear and collect its tears in the Grail of Purity. That is the 'Water of Life' itself. In order to recover the life of the Mother Tree, we must sacrifice the life of Eva's dearest incarnation, the unicorn...

Do you understand what I have asked of you? May the Goddess forgive us for what we are about to do...

May the Goddess forgive us for our deed...

The tears of the unicorn in the Grail of Purity... That is the Water of Life itself. Such a huge sacrifice for so little water...

Return to Hierarch Asterios with the Water of Life.

Return to Hierarch Asterios with the Water of Life. I must stay and grieve over the death of the unicorn...

It's funny... You Elves used to scorn us Dwarves and think of us as inferior. And now here you are asking for help! You Elves wouldn't even know about the secrets of Mithril and adamantite if you hadn't learned them from us in the ancient days. And now you brag as if those were your skills!

I do not want to help you, how will you try to persuade me?

"I will pay any price."

The price? Do you think Dwarves will do anything for money? How dare you...! You think we don't have any pride? Hey Elf! Have you heard of Dwarf Artisans?

OK, if you will apologize for your impertinence, and also apologize on behalf of your whole race which has treated dwarves with such contempt, then I will think about it.

Apologize.

Ha! This is rich! Such an arrogant young Elf, promising to apologize to me. I wish my buddies could see this!

OK. Let me see the diagram...Hmm... A container, not a difficult design, but there is a problem with the material.

Ask about material.

Pure Mithril! It isn't a material that just anyone is capable of handling. The skill of refining and crafting Pure Mithril is something that is handed down to selected Artisans. It is even a rarity in my esteemed Black Anvil Guild. I, Pushkin, of course, just so happens to be one of the few that know it's secrets.

However it is very difficult to get Pure Mithril nowadays. At one time Pure Mithril could be found in the mine fields that we Dwarves operated long ago, but it is very rare since we stopped that operation once the Earth Wyrm arrived. However there is one place that we may still be able to find it...

Ask where to get Pure Mithril.

You can get Pure Mithril from Guardian Basilisk. Basilisks eat sand and pebbles to help their digestion.

You will find small amounts of Pure Mithril Ore when you cut open their gut. You will find the Guardian Basilisk at the corner that connects the towns of Giran and Oren. This place is known as the 'Death Pass' because of the abundance of monsters there.

There are more materials needed than Pure Mithril...

Ask about materials.

First I will need a very pure, specially-made Varnish to refine Pure Mithril. Using normal Varnish to refine Pure Mithril will destroy it. This special Varnish is derived from the secretions of giant ants.

You will find these ants in the Wastelands of Gludio. There are hundreds of giant ants in the underground there... Kill only ant soldiers and collect the acid from their body in a bottle. 20 bottles will be enough.

And last, we will need Wyrm Talons. Carving a Mithril surface requires a strong and sharp knife, normal knives and chisels are not suitable. I need a chisel made from Wyrm Talons. Please get me 20 unbroken talons.

So, the 3 materials we need are: Pure Mithril Ore, Ant Soldier Acid and Wyrm Talons. You can remember all this, right? Good luck, Elf!

I can't make a cup if I don't have all the ingredients. Do you remember the 3 materials that I told you we needed?

Ask for material's description.

What a pity, I thought Elves all had good memories. I will tell you once more. First get 10 units of Pure Mithril Ore. You can find it by hunting the Guardian Basilisks in the Death Pass, north of Giran.

Next,20 bottles of ant soldier's acid. You can find these ants in the caves of the Wastelands of Gludio.

Also 20 Wyrm Talons. Wyrms are often seen in Giran.

You brought all the materials needed! Well done, Elf! Now, let's get to work. I will make you a fine container, more wonderful than in your diagram!

Don't worry! I know that the design on the cup's surface is important. I will carve it accurately! However it will take time to finish... Do you care to wait?

Wait until he finishes.

Clang! Clang! Smash with Maphr's hammer! Like smashing her window! Clang! Clang!

Burn it with Pa'agrio's flame! Like sweet nothings to my lover!

Clang! Clang! Dip it in Eva's water! Like drying her tears! Clang! Clang!

Call it with Sylph's wind! Her laughter in my ears! Clang! Clang!

Bright Mithril, you light up the sky! Like love growing in my heart!

Clang! Clang!

Wait until he finishes.

Finished at last! It was well worth the wait, wasn't it? Not to brag, but this would fetch hundreds of adena if you were to sell it in a store.

I will put it in this sturdy box for you, handle it with care! Even though our time together was short, it was enjoyable! I can work with an Elf like you. May the fertility of Maphr be with you and your family!

I hope you are keeping the Pure Mithril Cup I made for you safe. It is sad to say, but that cup is probably the most valuable work throughout the continent.

May the grace of Maphr bestow wealth on you and your race!

Did Cardien send you here? It seems to me that it was only recently that you ventured from the Mother Tree to take lessons from me, but look at you now... You have matured so much...

You must be very tired from your journey, I suggest that you drink the clear waters and feel the wind blowing from this beautiful nature and recover your strength.

So, tell me, what have you seen and felt in the kingdom of men?

"I saw the approaching of their dark future summoned by their ignorance and greed." "I predict their bright future which their wit and courage will bring forth."

Ignorance and greed is not exclusive to Humans. We also should watch out for such faults...

The reason I called for young Elves such as you, is because the mother of all Elves, our Mother Tree, is dying. We should prevent this from happening, at all costs. This is a big trial for all Elves. Are you ready to devote yourself to protecting our Mother Tree?

"I am in."

Of course the Humans are witty and sometimes can be very brave. But at the same time they are ignorant and greedy. For sure, they will open a new future but we Elves must always watch out for the possibility of that future as a dark one...

The reason I called for young Elves such as you, is because the mother of all Elves, our Mother Tree, is dying. We should prevent this from happening, at all costs. This is a big trial for all Elves. Are you ready to devote yourself to protecting our Mother Tree?

"I am in."

The Mother Tree is the origin of life and a shelter for spirits. Rays of heaven shine through her branches and life branches forth from her roots. She is the center of the universe where the sky and earth become as one.

The Elves and the Mother Tree have been inextricably linked from the very beginning... After death our spirits return to the shelter of the Mother Tree.

Our mother of souls is dying.

"Why is the Mother Tree dying?"

Ten years ago, I was shocked to discover that the Mother Tree was slowly dying. I worked tirelessly to find the reason...

Could it be the poisonous wind blowing from the Sea of Spores... Or maybe the disruption of earth energies by forces of nature? Perhaps the Sorcerers of the Dark Elves contaminated the river which feeds the Mother Tree?...

I looked into every possibility but could not find the reason. Perhaps the Mother Tree is dying from sadness at the injustice in the world...

We must not lose hope. We must find a way to save our mother Mother Tree...

"How can we save the Mother Tree?"

Long ago the first guardian sacrificed herself to give life to the Mother Tree. There are so many fewer Elves now that we cannot afford to lose one if we wanted to, and believe me, we don't! I hope that I never see anything so horrible again in my life!

Fortunately, we have another way to restore health to the Mother Tree. We must obtain the Water of Life mentioned in the Giants' creation story... The sacred water flowed from the fountain of Eva and gave birth to the first living things in the beginning of times...

The Water of Life has flowed through all rivers and streams since, and given life to the earth. But with the great flood it became diluted and contaminated.

For thousands of years we thought that the Water of Life was lost to us...

We didn't dare imagine, but now we know that it can still be found, in the tears of the purest being. You must meditate on what I have told you.

"I will set off in search of the Water of Life."

I apologize for putting such a heavy burden on your young shoulders, but it is your fate so you must deal with it.

You must find the Water of Life and save the Mother Tree! Finding the water will be a painful task that will require patience and sacrifice. I give you this amulet which contains the blessings of the Mother Tree guardians, keep it safe.

Thalia and her sisters know more than anyone else about the Water of Life. Take this letter and meet Thalia. You can find her in the eastern part of the Iris Lake.

Finding the Water of Life will be a painful task that will require patience and sacrifice. I apologize for putting such a heavy burden on your young shoulders. But we each must play our part in the survival of our tribe. May the blessings of the starlight be upon you.

So, I see that you have returned with the Water of Life. Please forgive me, but I neglected to mention before that we must sacrifice Eva's unicorn. This animal, blessed by the Goddess, our guardian of the forest, must give her life to save our precious Mother Tree.

This sacrifice, along with this Water of Life will certainly restore health to the Mother Tree at last...

Now take this amulet and go see Master Cardien of the Town of Dion. May the splendor of Mithril forever shine on the forest and the lake!

Young brother, thanks to your help we now have hope for the future... I see in you a spark... the luminance of which will brighten the future of our entire tribe...

Now return to Master Cardien of the Town of Dion. If you show him the Camomile Charm he will give you the Mark of Life.

How dare you come to this sacred place uninvited! Leave at once or I shall call the shadow to pluck out your eyes! Or perhaps the silhouette from the fog to drink your blood? Now get out!

Show Thalia's letter.

So what if the Mother Tree dies, what is that to us?

You Elves of Light turned your backs on us and treated us as outcasts. We were obliged to sever our relationship with our beloved forest and earth and take refuge in the shadows! Consequently we are not dependent on the Mother Tree as you are, and now we are the ones with true freedom.

Why not join us in the shadows, and escape the deceptive clutches of the Mother Tree?

The death of the Mother Tree means nothing to us. Stardust is also useless, so don't bother asking for its secrets!

Ask for help.

Shut up! That is not our problem! The recipe for Stardust is our only secret and you expect me to teach it to you without any payment...?

You are an enemy of the Dark Elves, are you not?

Say you will pay the price.

Oh, really? so price is no object is it? Hmm...

...Then how about this? I cannot tell you the recipe, but if you bring me 'Andariel's Book' that you Elves of light think so precious, I will give you some Stardust.

The book was actually a part of 'Kaysha's Revelation' which contained Shilen's secret, but the followers of Einhasad edited it for their own purposes.

This book made by the hypocrites of the light is certainly corrupted, but perhaps I could find some clues about Kaysha's Revelation. As far as I know, Andariel's book is in the Temple of Einhasad in Gludin. I care not how you get it, just bring it to me.

Produce the book and I will give you some Stardust. I swear by the Gaze of Abyss that this promise will be kept.

Don't you remember my promise pledged under the Gaze of Abyss? I swore that if you would bring Andariel's Book, I would give you Stardust in return. I have heard that the Elven Priests from Gludin are in possession of the scripture...

I didn't think you would actually find it... Even though this is a copy it is certainly Andariel's Book. I see that your situation is urgent.

Giving life to that which is destined to die is against nature and contrary to the will of Shilen. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to let die what should die?

Oh well, it is obvious nothing will change your mind. I am through talking about it. Here is some Stardust as promised... Take it and go!

Didn't I already give you Stardust? You are trespassing on ground that is holy to the Dark Elves. The uninvited are not allowed! I'll let you go this time, but if you show your face here again you will be killed.

What are you doing here? You act like you belong here but you are sorely mistaken. This is holy ground for the Dark Elves. The uninvited are not allowed here! You may leave this time, but if you come back you will be killed.

Brother, have you come to learn the secrets of Andariel's Book? Have you come to contemplate the goodness of Einhasad related in the sacred texts? May the Goddess accompany you on your journey to the truth...

Dark forces are gathering, wanting to destroy this precious book, the keeper of the tenet of light. It must be protected at all costs, I cannot allow it to leave this sanctuary. However I regret not being able to fulfill the request of a brother....

Perhaps something can be done. As we speak, scores of Priests are transcibing these holy scriptures onto lambskin. We hope that by creating many copies of the texts the truth of Einhasad will spread around the world. Copies will be sent to the guardians of the Mother Tree and Einhasad shrines around the world.

Would you care to help us?

"I will help."

Thank you so much, brother of the forest. We have run short of the ink and pens which are used for copying the sacred texts.

To make the ink, we need Spider Ichor. You can extract it from the spiders of the Cruma Marshlands. As for the pens, we create them with Harpy's Down. It would be most helpful if you could bring 20 of each. When you bring me these supplies I shall give you a copy of the book in return.

Thank you, brother. Your assistance with our copying project was a great help.

Thank you for your help, brother of forest. Here is your copy of Andariel's Book. Although you haven't mentioned it, I know that you seek to save the Mother Tree... This book should be of great help to you...

Your faith in the Goddess of harmony and light will guide your path. Listen carefully to the blowing of the wind, the trickling of water and the whisper of starlight. The Goddess will always watch over us.

This book is vital to the survival of our sacred Mother Tree. You must save her from the grasp of our enemies... You must not tarry in your mission. May the light of the Goddess shine upon you always...

May the beneficent light of Einhasad guide your way...

I understand that Thalia has sent you to retrieve Talin's Spear, 1 of the 4 great Elven treasures. This is a serious matter indeed. It must be recovered at once! The scout troop of the hunter's association has discovered the whereabouts of the spear.

Ask where Talin's Spear is.

It was the Leto Lizardmen who wrested the spear from the lake fairies. It is said that the Shamans and Chiefs of their group broke the spear into many pieces and divided them among themselves. The spear was divided into six pieces: the blade, the shaft, and four jewels that adorned the handle...

These wretched creatures are taking the pieces to Dragon Valley to destroy the spear there. This hostility is not typical of the lizardmen... I am certain that someone is controlling them.

But the most important matter is the recovery of the spear. My friend, I beseech you. Find the Shamans and Chiefs of the Leto Lizardmen , and recover all the pieces of the spear that they have taken from us. Time is of the essence. I don't think they have gone very far. I suspect that they might be somewhere on the Plains of the Lizardmen, not far from here. May Sayha of the Winds guide your way...

Please, you must hurry and find the blade, shaft, and four jewels of Talin's Spear that were stolen from us by the Leto Lizardman Shamans and Chiefs.

Time is of the essence. May Sayha of the winds guide your footsteps...

You have found all of the pieces of Talin's spear! Reassembling this will be easy for me! I studied the art of weaponry with Hierarch Terestian of the lake fairies.

Now! Take this spear and return to Thalia. Please find the Water of Life so that the Mother Tree may become green and healthy once more. May Sayha of the Winds guide you safely home...

Hurry and take Talin's Spear to Thalia. Please also find the Water of Life so that the Mother Tree may become green and healthy once more.

Please find the Water of Life so that the Mother Tree may become green and healthy once more. May the Goddess guide your path...