Dark Astoria (Pre-Issue 22)

Dark Astoria

Hero Hazard Zone (21-29)

Trainers:

none

Trial / TF Contacts:

none

Events:

Adamastor

Exploration Badges:

Cairn Warder, Dark Mystic, Seeker of the Unknown

Plaque Badges:

Authority IV, Historian III, Researcher IV, V

Day Jobs:

Mortician, Caregiver

Enemies:

Banished Pantheon, Circle of Thorns, Tsoo

Connecting Zones:

Talos Island

Transits:

none

No updated MoreMaps4U map available

Overview

Dark Astoria was originally known as Astoria. Prior to Issue 16, a hero needed to be at least Security Level 21 to enter.

Once an idyllic commercial center, much like Talos Island and Steel Canyon, this area thrived as people bustled about their daily lives. Even the presence of the pastoral Moth Cemetery did not detract from the beauty of this area. The Rikti Invasion came and went, and the people in this peaceful neighborhood were relatively untouched by the devastation.

However, while the Heroes of Paragon were busy rebuilding the city, the trickster god of the Banished Pantheon stumbled upon something... beneath the sod and graves of Moth Cemetery lay an ancient god, far older than those of the Pantheon, and far more powerful. Wishing to use this power to release him and his fellow gods, he ordered all of his followers to invade the area and seize control of it.

The city authorities and Heroes, already reduced in number and staggering from the Rikti onslaught, had no choice but to relinquish the area to the Pantheon and wall it off. Within the walls, the army of Husks and Shaman ravaged the zone, tore the ground apart and sacrificed every man, woman and child in their efforts to wake the god Mot. But all their efforts were in vain. To this day, Lughebu's soldiers search for a way to wake the sleeper, while the spirits of those who once lived there wander about, unable to sleep.

Dark Astoria Reconnaissance Officer

(6118, 0, 2576)

I don't know what malignant force brought you here but you are now in the place known as 'Dark Astoria.' Not far from here, the dark god Mot stirs from his slumber, intent on devouring us all. Do not give up hope though! Both heroes and villains who have reached the pinnacles of their training and have begun to unlock their Incarnate powers have been known to survive for a time on these forsaken streets.

If you have found yourself here, uncertain on how to proceed, look for either Captain Nolan or The Arachnos Threat among your contacts.

See my report for more information. It should give you an idea what to expect:

RECONNAISSANCE REPORT
*** Approved Use Only ***

History: The fog that has gripped Dark Astoria for years has receded, revealing a place filled with evil. Mot's influence is nearly complete, but it is not just his followers that roam these streets threatening the unfortunate souls that have found themselves trapped here.

Hostiles Strength: Levels 50 through 54

Suggested Squad Parameters: 1-person to 3-person teams. 1-person to 5-person teams in Moth Cemetery

Neighborhoods:

- Romero Heights

The Bulwark can be found here, offering protection. Level Range: 50

- Barca Plaza

Beware of the Tsoo that guard this neighborhood. Scintillating Prism can be found here, offering protection. Level Range: 50 to 51

- Toffet Terrace

Watch out for the Knives of Vengeance that prowl these streets. The protected area known as The Rose Lamp can be found here. Level Range: 51 to 52

- Raimi Arcade

The Circle of Thorns control this neighborhood. While here, seek out Fading Nimbus or Flicker for sanctuary. Level Range: 52 to 53

- Dido's View

Talons of Vengeance threaten all who enter here. Illuminous offers protection in this neighborhood. Level Range: 53 to 54

- Moth Cemetery

Banished Pantheon maintain unwavering control over the Cemetery. It is here that Mot's sway is absolute. There is no protection to be found amongst the desecrated monuments so be cautious. Enemies here are more numerous than anywhere else. Level Range: 54

Identified Hostiles:

• Banished Pantheon
• Circle of Thorns
• Tsoo
• Talons of Vengeance
• Knives of Vengeance
• Knives of Artemis

Amenities:

- St. Elegius Hospital

Zone Events

Adamastor sometimes spawns in the Moth Cemetery neighborhood.

Neighborhoods

• Barca Plaza (Orange - Level 24-29) (Music)
• Dido's View (Orange - Level 24-29) (Music)
• Moth Cemetery (Red - Level 26-29) (Unused Music Loop)
• Raimi Arcade (Yellow - Level 21-25) (Music)
• Romero Heights (Yellow - Level 21-26) (Music)
• St. Elegius (Green) (Unused Music)
• Toffet Terrace (Orange - Level 24-27) (Music)

Famous filmmakers George Romero and Sam Raimi are presumed to be the inspirations for some of these neighborhoods.

Exploration Badges

Dark Mystic (1678.5, 5.5, 2834.5)

Some once claimed the reason the spirits walk the streets of Dark Astoria is the fact that there is a powerful Ley Line nexus in the middle of Moth Cemetery. They have since learned the truth.

Seeker of the Unknown (1868.0, -79.9, 1352.5)

This tomb was used to represent the thousands of heroes who gave their lives in the Rikti War. It now stands a mute vigil at the site of even greater atrocities.

Location: due west of the Moth Cemetery marker by about 166 yards there is a tall mountain. At the base of the mountain is a small tunnel leading into the catacombs.

Cairn Warder (1026.0, 51.3, 219.0)

Mortals erect petty monuments and cairns in the foolish pursuit of stemming the forces of Death. Mot has since sundered such vanities.

Location: very near the NE corner, there's a rock formation which is cave-like in shape. The badge itself does not appear but is granted right at the foot of the formation's sloping ground.

Historical Plaques

• One Authority Badge monument
• One Historian Badge monument
• Two Researcher Badge monuments

Day Jobs

Common

Mortician

Your time spent studying death itself has earned you the Mortician Day Job. Logging out in a graveyard will earn you protection against Experience Debt, when you log back in, for a short time.

Hero-Specific

Caregiver / Pain Specialist

You have spent a great deal of time working in the hospitals of Paragon City during your free time earning the Caregiver Day Job. Logging out in a Hospital will earn you a Regeneration Bonus, when you log back in, for a short time.

---

Your expertise in surgery and understanding pain has earned you the Pain Specialist Day Job. Logging out in a Hospital will earn you a Regeneration Bonus, when you log back in, for a short time.

Villain-Specific

Caregiver / Pain Specialist

You have spent a great deal of time working in the hospitals of Paragon City during your free time earning the Caregiver Day Job. Logging out in a Hospital will earn you a Regeneration Bonus, when you log back in, for a short time.

---

Your expertise in surgery and understanding pain has earned you the Pain Specialist Day Job. Logging out in a Hospital will earn you a Regeneration Bonus, when you log back in, for a short time.

Transfer Points

• There is a gate along the west wall of the zone that leads to Talos Island
• The Dark Astoria Beacon location is (3580, 0, 631.5) , northeast of the Barca Plaza marker.

Villain Groups

• Banished Pantheon
• Circle of Thorns
• Tsoo