Time-Bound Artificer

"If you seek to test yourself in the Labyrinth of Fog, speak with me."

Time-Bound Artificer is an NPC located in the Midnighter Club. He stands beside the Labyrinth of Fog Artifact and will give an overview of the Trial Zone. He is not a contact.

Information

I am bound to the Midnighter Club for the purpose of providing guidance to those with potential that seek to test themselves against the Labyrinth of Fog. How may I serve you?

What is the Labyrinth of fog?

The Labyrinth of Fog is an ancient artifact that has been hidden away in these vaults for many long years. It is a dimensional pocket containing an enchanted labyrinth that transforms using reflections of humanity's strongest memories to become the corridors and obstacles for those who seek to navigate it.

Now, the Dream Doctor has opened the labyrinth's endless passages to any who might seek power, as a means to further prepare those who may bear the burden of the world's future.

Those who survive will certainly find themselves stronger for the experience. The confines of the maze are a place where various types of rewards might be collected, as well as visages of giant monsters. Such challenges would prove lucrative to somebody like you I would imagine.

What are the rules of the labyrinth?

Space inside the Labyrinth of Fog does not operate by the normal rules, as the maze itself is your enemy and it will work against you as much as it is able:

1. The Combat Level of all players is automatically set to 50.

2. There is no mini-map within the labyrinth.

3. All Experience & Influence gained within the labyrinth are boosted by 25%.

4. Logging out while in the labyrinth will return you to the entrance lobby.

5. Taking the hospital in the labyrinth will return you to the entrance lobby.

6. If you are idle for 10 minutes you will be returned to the Midnighter Club.

7. You will be provided Midnighter spells that allows you teleport to an ally or escape the labyrinth at any time.

8. Enemies within count for normal badge credit and have their standard drops.

9. Cumulative zone defeats of Elite Boss enemies will grant labyrinth-wide Level Shift to all players. Progress towards this buff is shown as a percent in the navigation window of your HUD.

10. All Malevolent Fog defeats are worth 50% on the Level Shift meter.

11. Alive players inside of the Labyrinth (non-lobby/secret) will receive a Reward Merit when any Malevolent Fog are defeated.

12. Accumulated Level Shifts decay at a rate of one every 5 minutes.

Who are You?

Who I am is irrelevant to all timelines that endure.

Once I was amongst the ranks of the Midnighters, an artificer who sought immortality. In a vain attempt, I sacrificed the body and souls of my wife and daughter.

As punishment for these sins, my own soul was to be shackled in an infernal prison for all eternity, but the Dream Doctor thought I may yet be of use...

1,000 years of service in exchange for the release of death.

So now I serve.

...What more can I share with you?

Why was this labyrinth Created?

Truly, that is the question...

Many claim it hides a treasure of unfathomable value, some believe it was the prison of a great evil, and yet others say it is the true form of Daedalus' labyrinth, created for King Minos and housed the legendary Minotaur.

Whatever the unseen truth may be, it seems the Midnighter leadership have deemed these risks worth taking. The gates of the Labyrinth of Fog have been opened to all who are brave or foolish enough to venture into its eternal corridors.

Over hundreds of years many powerful champions have attempted to find the core of the labyrinth, none have ever succeeded.

...Was there anything else?

What was that about a minotaur?

Ah yes, that reason is why one popular theory is that this artifact is none other than Daedalus' fabled labyrinth itself.

Within the confines of the maze lurks The Minotaur In The Fog, a beast of unparalleled ferocity and strength that roams the winding corridors of the labyrinth looking for prey.

If you see it, you best move to a new area quickly unless you have some kind of plan, because its power has brought many would-be legends to their end.

Best to not idle too long, if you understand my meaning.

I faced the Minotaur in combat

Dialogue unlocked after defeating the Minotaur. Each variation weapon unlocks separately.

Oh? It is no mean feat to have faced The Minotaur In The Fog and emerged victorious...

You must truly be a worthy champion, it would seem that the Midnighters ploy bore fruit after all?

Were you aware that the beast was also renowned for being a master of multiple forms of combat.

Can you recall which of their weapons you have conquered?

Axe & Shield

History tells us of many battles won with an impenetrable defense. The shield is as reliable a weapon's companion as any other...

Truly, a classic of historic warfare.

It is no surprise then, of course, that the Minotaur was well-trained in wielding it in phalanx fighting.

Despite the methodology of modern wars having evolved drastically through time, the need to physically protect oneself still endures.

Bow & Arrow

Who can argue the efficiency of a well-placed shot between the eyes? Certainly none alive...

An odd weapon choice for a Minotaur perhaps, but do not underestimate the strength behind firing a bow with arrows of that size, almost a veritable ballista.

Don't forget that archery was an ancestor to the modern missile, history has always coveted the power to strike from afar without fear of retaliation.

Dual Blades

Ancient scrolls rambled of air-cutter twin axes, detailing fates of those who were cleaved in two by the Minotaur from over fifty feet away...

Now tell me, how accurate were those accounts?

Swiftness in both action and decisiveness... Committing to a cut-throat offensive in war leaves no room for hesitation, Peacebringer.

Staff

A long warstave does not make for the most threatening weapon, does it? But then again, those whose reach dictates the flow of battle are often who survive longest. The Minotaur is well-trained.

Don't let the innocuous threat of the ordinary subvert your ability to maintain control of the battlefield.

If you allow your opponent to dictate the pace of the fight, you will inevitably find yourself back foot.

Titan Weapon

Ah yes, a titanic battleaxe for a beast with a titan's strength. This is the most famous of the Minotaur's armaments, and the weapon they appear most commonly wielding in myth.

Strength is not everything, but must be respected..

The power to sweep aside all those who who resist, many have succumb to it's lucrative enticements, do ensure you don't become one of them, hmm?

I had help...

Dialogue unlocked after unlocking the Mini Benefactor in the Fog Vanity Pet.

Indeed, the Midnighters have been made aware of this enigmatic "shadow of Daedalus".

We have taken to calling them The Benefactor In The Fog, as it seems they stand with us in opposition against the Minotaur, but all attempts to communicate with them have yielded nothing.

I would exercise caution. We understand this phantom little, and they could be yet another twisted visage of the Labyrinth.

The Benefactor revealed themselves as Icarus

The phantom is visibly alarmed by your revelation.

...You speak truly?

History makes only the scarcest mentions of the lost son of Daedalus, and even then, most historians consider those accounts fictional ramblings.

If you have earned the Benefactor's favor, in time, it may very well lead us to the truth...

The Midnighters will do what we can to investigate the implications of this report, {Character}.

Trivia

This NPC is an "amalgamation homage to ideas that were left on the cutting room floor" as per Cobalt Arachne in reference to his old City of Heroes fan comic.

See Also

The Labyrinth of Fog
The Minotaur in the Fog