Test of the Champion

Would you like to hear about my splendid past? When I was young I used to be hired as a soldier. Back in those days I wandered around freely and fought against the alien army and made love with foreign women. There were times when things seemed to be too harsh, but even then, my blazing spirits as a Warrior never burned low. The flaming friendship among comrades, struggles, fierce battles, love and romance, I experienced them all. We were true Warriors.

But I am too old now. If I find a talented young fellow who will succeed me, I would like to retire in peace. Is there a righteous and talented young lad among your friends? If there is such person, please recommend him to me.

(This quest may only be undertaken by a Warrior or an Orc Marauder.)

Would you like to hear stories of my splendid past? In my youth I was a soldier of fortune, wandering freely, fighting aliens and making love to women with foreign names. There were some hard times, but my blazing warrior spirit kept me going. The deep brotherhood among comrades, struggles, fierce battles, love, romance, I experienced it all. I was truly a warrior.

But now I am old. If I could find a talented young person to succeed me, I would retire in peace. If only you could enhance your skills a bit, you could be the one to succeed me. What do you think? Please come back to me after you have improved your skills.

(This quest may only be undertaken by a character of level 39 and above.)

Would you like to hear stories of my splendid past? In my youth I was a soldier of fortune, wandering freely, fighting aliens and making love to women with foreign names. There were some hard times, but my blazing Warrior spirit kept me going. The deep brotherhood among comrades, struggles, fierce battles, love, romance, I experienced it all. I was truly a Warrior.

But now I am old. If I could find a talented young fellow to succeed me, I would retire in peace. I see that you are a strong young Warrior, what do you think? Will you attempt the Test of the Champion?

"I will take the Test of the Champion."

Oops! Aren't you an Orc? You look strong, for sure. Are you a Warrior by any chance? Or perhaps a hired soldier? You remind me of my younger days when I used to work as a hired soldier...

Would you like to hear stories of my splendid past? In my youth I was a soldier of fortune, wandering freely, fighting aliens and making love to women with foreign names. There were some hard times, but my blazing Warrior spirit kept me going. The deep brotherhood among comrades, struggles, fierce battles, love, romance, I experienced it all. I was truly a Warrior.

But now I am old. If I could find a talented young fellow to succeed me, I would retire in peace. I can see that you are quite a well-trained Warrior, what do you say? Will you attempt the Test of the Champion?

"I will take the Test of the Champion."

Things are not so different from the time when I was an active soldier. Perhaps a bit more chaotic and violent. The Blue Shark, the Black Lion, the Storm Blade and the Iron Rose which I belonged to... Many soldiers are battling alien armies in many different locations at the moment. There has never been a time in history when the aliens were so bellicose.

The leaders of each tribe, and the Masters, Magisters and Priests from many other guilds are all complaining that the situation now is very unnatural. All the secret agents from every domain are looking behind the scenes, but for now we have no choice but to face the aliens and destroy them in order to protect ourselves.

I wish to do something useful before I retire. Although I am too weak to participate in the war myself, I shall teach you. While you are taking the test, you must do exactly as you are instructed. Is that clear?

"I shall obey your orders!"

Good! First you must go and visit my friend Mason. He is an old comrade of mine. We fought together on the battlefields as part of the Iron Rose. Although he has retired, I am sure he knows more than anyone else about the invaders who are threatening the villagers of Dion. Who knows, he might even get up and head off to the battlefield, inspired by your young spirit...

I heard that Mason, the master of spears, has settled happily with his family somewhere in southern Dion. If you bring this letter with my seal on it, he will welcome you.

Before doing anything else, go meet my friend Mason. He is from Iron Rose, just like me, and has fought beside me in many battles. That was long ago, of course, and the most action he probably sees now is chopping wood for his cooking fire. But even if his spear-arm is weaker and his belly broader, he still knows more about the races that threaten the Dion villagers than anyone. And who knows? Perhaps your youthful enthusiasm will even motivate him to take his spear from its place above his hearth and again venture onto the field of battle. He was a master of the spear in his day, you know...

I heard long ago that he settled somewhere in southern Dion with his wife and family. If you show him this letter with my signet, I'm sure he will welcome you.

Finally, please accept this Dimension Diamond as my gift. You can trade it for something special from the village gatekeeper. I hope it will help you on your journey.

Go and meet my old comrade, Mason. He is the master of spears and a good and faithful friend. I heard that he settled down somewhere in southern Dion, I wonder how he is doing?

So you have met Mason and have agreed to seek revenge for him? But... What do you mean revenge..., Revenge on whom?

You have returned! How is Mason? Please tell me everything...

...You say with your mouth that he is living happily, but the expression on your face says something else. You must tell me the truth!

...What! Never could I have imagined that he would be living a lonely, wretched life after losing all his family during the assault of Gracia... Perhaps his grief would be less severe now, since you have completed his revenge.

A Warrior must share the pain of his comrade, but still cannot stop fighting. It is time for you to fight once more.

"What is the next battle?"

Have you heard that recently the guards and soldiers fought against the medusas in order to protect Giran? They fought with all their might and drove them away, but during the battle many soldiers were infected by the deadly poison of the medusas. If this goes untreated they will all die very soon. And what will happen if the medusas mount another attack? We must find the cure...

Rather, an Antidote to neutralize the medusa's poison. Even the Priests do not know how to make it. However, my old companion Groot will know how. He was once a medic for the Iron Rose, and we served together on the battlefield for more than 10 years. I heard that he now owns a store in the Town of Giran. Go and help him make an Antidote.

You must hurry and meet Magic Trader Groot. He was once a medic of the Iron Rose, but now he is making a living from a magic shop in the Town of Giran. Go and help him make the Antidote to neutralize the medusa's poison. At this very moment, many guards and soldiers are dying from this poison.

Groot, my comrade, brother of fate... You must go and help him make the Antidote to neutralize the medusa's poison. At this very moment many guards and soldiers are dying because of the poison.

Well done! The soldiers of Giran will soon recover. Thank God for that. However, now we have a new problem. A big problem which only we can solve...

"What is the next battle?"

Word comes from the Town of Oren that it is about to be pillaged by the great army of road scavengers. We must gather as many volunteers as possible to help protect the town! Go and meet Captain Mouen of the Town of Oren and follow his instructions. You must not forget that the future of the kingdom is depending on this battle!

You must hurry and meet Captain Mouen of the Town of Oren. He will tell you of the road scavengers, a powerful force which is threatening the entire kingdom.

I taught Mouen swordmanship when he was but a child, and now he has grown into a fine Captain of the town. Go and help him protect the peace of this kingdom!

I have been hearing of your exploits! You are indeed a true Warrior! My successor! I shall give you the Mark of the Champion in recognition of your military skill and bravery! The mark is reserved for the few people who have proven to be the best among the continent's Warriors. I, Ascalon assure you, that this mark will guarantee your bright future!

This letter...? Wow, from Ascalon!?

"Why are you so surprised?"

Ascalon was my teacher when I was young. At one time he was a good soldier, but now he is very old and his mind wanders. Age has begun to tell on him... But he is like a father to me, and I won't go against what he says. Nowadays he seems to be suffering from the delusion that only he can save the kingdom from destruction. I am very worried about him...

"What about the scavengers threatening the Kingdom?..."

The Road Scavengers may not be the great threat to the kingdom that my superior makes them out to be, but they certainly are troublesome. They prey on merchants traveling between Oren and Giran.

Your orders are to wipe out those troublesome thieves. Go to Death Pass and slay all you find. But watch out for surprise attacks! If you bring me 100 Road Scavenger heads, I will write a letter commending you for your service to the kingdom. That will surely help advance your career...

Go to Death Pass and slay all the Road Scavengers you find. But be wary of surprise attacks! If you bring me 100 Road Scavenger heads, I will write a letter saying that you saved the kingdom. Our superior will be pleased to see such a letter...

We are in trouble! It turns out to be that the road scavengers that you killed were an instrument of the Leto Lizardmen! Now the lizardmen are planning an attack on Giran Castle! Ascalon must have been right. We must strike the first blow! Many troops are already on their way. Please join them in the fight!

"I will join the fight!"

Ahem! Slay the Leto Lizardmen and bring me their fangs as evidence. Bring 100 Leto Lizardman Fangs and no one will be able to dispute your victory. Do this and Ascalon will be very pleased!

Destroy the Leto Lizardmen troops! Then collect and bring me 100 fangs from the fallen Lizardmen. No one will be able to dispute your victory if you bring me 100 fangs!

Congratulations on your success, Warrior. You have been a remarkable help in the defeat of the Leto Lizardmen threatening the town of Giran. Word has already spread throughout the kingdom of your achievement. Now take this letter with you and go back to Ascalon. I'll wager that your teacher will be pleased to read it.

Ascalon can now retire in peace knowing that the future of the kingdom is in the hands of noble Warriors like you.

I lost my wife and children during Gracia's attack. Gracia's army deprived me of my family, my most precious possession, and are my lifelong enemies. These scoundrels are the Ol Mahums, also known as the 'Bloody Axe'. I swear to God that I will one day have my revenge!

Show him the letter from Ascalon.

Ascalon... It has been many years since I heard that name...

When I left the army I married a beautiful woman named Lillian. We settled down in my hometown of Dion where we lived a happy and peaceful life and raised our family.

And then, one dark day, Gracia's army attacked and killed my wife and children. Since then alcohol has been my only friend. I often find myself sitting by the river crying... The grief I feel from my loss is sometimes unbearable...

I swear that I shall have my revenge on them. Will you help me?

Say you will help.

I want to rip apart the soldiers of Gracia's Foreign Legion still in our kingdom! Ah, but I am too old now to pick up the sword of revenge alone.

Here, take the ring I once wore as a mercenary. Put it on and obtain vengeance on my behalf. Slay all the Bloody Axe Elites that killed my beloved family. Go north through Death Pass into Giran and you will find their barracks. The Ol Mahums are in the Plains of the Lizardmen.

Bring me at least 100 Bloody Axe Heads and I'll begin to sleep easier.

I am now too old and weak too even lift a spear. But my hatred towards those who killed my family still boils up like lava. I beg you, please obtain vengeance on my behalf. I will be able to die without regret if you bring me 100 Bloody Axe Heads from the Bloody Axe Elite soldiers.

You will find the Ol Mahums in the Plains of the Lizardmen, in the southern region of Oren. Head north through Death Pass into Giran and you will find their barracks.

Thank you. Now the souls of my family can rest in peace... The fire of revenge that has driven me mad is finally extinguished... Please give this letter to Ascalon. Tell him that my family and I are finally at peace.

Revenge became my life force... Now as I examine my life all I see are hatred and regret... All for nothing... I thought that revenge would let me finally join my dear family in peace...

But now word comes of Ascalon's continuing fight for his beliefs against the doers of injustice. I have changed my mind! I cannot just sit here and wait to die!

I may look old and withered, but my experience and know-how accumulated in the battlefields cannot be ignored... Recently I have been teaching young recruits how to deal with the flying corps, and the strategy of siege warfare. Keep up the good work for the peace of the Kingdom!

I see that you are a follower of Ascalon. Seeing a strong warrior like you brings back memories. Like Ascalon, I was once a member of the Steel Rose Mercenaries. When I was young, I studied herbology and first aid in the temple and used these skills to become a medic for the troop. Of course, occasionally I also wielded a spear and joined the battle.

These days I am retired and run a small shop. Ascalon still comes around and asks me to make medicine and Antidotes for the village guards from time to time.

"I have come to assist you in making Antidotes."

Ah! Thank you so very much. This is such a blessing, as I was badly needing help. Could you do me one more favor? I must gather Antidote ingredients.

I am concerned about the increase in the number of soldiers poisoned by Medusa's Venom, but near destruction? That's a serious exaggeration.

In order to create the Antidote, I will need 3 ingredients. They are the Harpy's Egg, Medusa Venom, and Windsus' Bile. There is no need to search afar for these ingredients, they are all quite common right here in Giran. I know that there are an abundance of windsus near the Death Pass and many harpies and medusa can be found in the Gorgon Flower Garden. Please gather 30 each of the ingredients. Thank you.

As I said, you will need 3 ingredients to treat Medusa's Venom poisoning. You will need 30 each of the Harpy's Eggs, Medusa Venom, and Windsus' bile. I know it is a lot to ask, but I desperately need your help. Please gather all the ingredients for me.

Thank you so much for gathering these ingredients for me. Now I will create the Antidote and deliver it to the temple and the guards. I felt as if I was growing too old to be of any use, but thanks to you I am able to contribute to the defense of my beloved Giran! I am indebted to you... Here is a letter explaining my gratitude. Please take it to Ascalon.

Although I am too old for battle I am satisfied in knowing that my talents may be of help in protecting Giran. This is all thanks to you. Please give Ascalon my regards when you see him.

There is dark news from Ascalon. The entire kingdom is in peril! Warriors like yourself must now join the battle to save our land! I shall do everything I can to help.