Serpent Drummer
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Overview
| Serpent Drummer | |
|---|---|
|
File:SerpentDrummer.jpg Serpent Drummer | |
| Zone | Rikti War Zone |
| Level Range | 40-50 |
| Introduced By | Levantera |
| Enemy Groups | |
Serpent Drummer is a hero and villain contact in the Vanguard Compound neighborhood of Rikti War Zone. His level range is 40-50.
Introductions
New Contacts
Contact Introduced By
Information
Leader of the Vanguard Gauntlet
The enigmatic man called Serpent Drummer is the head of the Vanguard's Gauntlet division. The Gauntlet was originally Vanguard's offensive division, but changing events have seen it shift those responsibilities to the Shield Division, while the Gauntlet concentrates on coordinating Vanguard's forces with the recent influx of super-powered volunteers. Even in the middle of such great changes, Serpent Drummer remains serene.
Initial Contact
You draw the admiration of our allies and the ire of our enemies. Excellent.
I think it will be very good to work with you, Character, but this is not the time for pleasant chit-chat. I have some very important issues where I could use, well, someone like you.
Below Level Requirement
I apologise to you Character, but I am afraid that I must ask you to wait a bit before we begin working together. I would suggest that you take some time to settle other matters first, then return to me. Perhaps when you are around Level 40. Yes, that should be about right.
Store (?)
Story Arc
Dreams of Peace and Acts of War
souvenir info
Help with Conference Security
Dreams of Peace and Acts of War
Part: One
You have proven that you can handle some weird situations, so I want your help with something strange. I need you to work security on one of the most important conferences in the history of mankind. Interested?
I'm glad to hear it. The conference is to discuss terms of peace between humanity and the Rikti Traditionalist faction. You did hear that correctly. One of the factions of Rikti on Earth seeks a peaceful end to the war. They are the far smaller faction, but it is a start. This conference is delicate, to say the least, and someone of your experience will be an excellent asset. Dress well, this is an important time. Your main responsibility is to guard Lady Grey. Once you arrive on site, keep your eyes open for signs of trouble. It'll be up to you to determine if anything seems amiss.
Serpent Drummer hands you a book entitled 'Rikti Factions Vol. 1' to help you catch up, in case you weren't familiar with the Traditionalist and Restructurist factions.
This book is an explanation of how the Rikti have become divided since their time on Earth. While there's a great deal of information covered in the book, a series of bookmarks and highlightings help you pick out the important information:
Ever since the end of the First Rikti War, the Rikti on Earth appear to have suffered through disagreements about how best to proceed. These disagreements grew until the Rikti on Earth began to factionalize into two groups: the Traditionalists and the Restructurists.
The Traditionalists believed that wherever they were, they should maintain the norms of Rikti society, with its slow decisions reached through psychic debate and group consensus. The majority of the Traditionalists were from the minority of scientists and engineers who had accompanied the invasion force and had been trapped when the portals were sealed.
The Restructurists felt that the old paradigms wouldn't work in their current situation and were open to creating new ones, centered around the military majority of the invading force. They quickly became focused on advancement through military accomplishment and swelled their ranks with converted humans.
The Traditionalists were terrified of these changes as they saw their society turned upside-down and becoming a military dictatorship. In an attempt to blunt the power of the Restructurists, they've even begun talking to humanity about ending the war. The Restructurists need the continued war to justify their changes, and are unlikely to accept any peace.
It is conjectured that on the Rikti Homeworld, the military is a small minority of Rikti population, and that the Rikti civilian government could have far more power. But, in the war on Earth, the Rikti military and the Restructurists are all anyone knows.
Mission Objective(s)
For once, things seem to be under control when you arrive on the scene.
- Guard Lady Grey
- Check security computer
- Protect Lady Grey
You saved the peace negotiations!
No no no! Don't hurt them! They're just making conversation! They were completely and totally respectful of me and my person at all times! Please do not instigate an argument on my account!
What pigs. Seriously. I'm not kidding. I was this close to blasting them into next week. Good thing you got here. What's with the get-up? This is supposed to be formal. Oh. Whoops.
What? Oh, no, that's not at all necessary! I'm sure Faultline understands they were just inquiring about heightened security measures for the peace conference! You don't have to tell him at ALL!
That'll fix their little red wagons. Even those Rikti Traditionalists had better manners. Well, except that one. He kept saying, "'nette: Sup?" Someone needs to take away his Mark 1 decoder.
Like my attire? I picked it up from Icon. I practically had to beat Serge senseless before he'd give me a decent deal.
So, hey, did you talk to Faultline and Serpent Drummer yet?
So you may be wondering why I'm all dressed up in this fancy suit. Oh, Serpent Drummer already told you? Okay. So you call that dressing up? Anyway, 'nette and I are on security for this conference. Only the best for world peace, right?
So far so good. It's been pretty quiet, actually. Everyone is surprisingly civil. It kind of makes me nervous, if you want the truth. Anyway, Serpent Drummer slipped in the back door a few minutes ago, so maybe you should go talk to him. He's got that purposeful stare about him and it's directed at you.
This peace conference is crucial. Whatever Serpent Drummer requests of you, do it.
Vanguard security has been heightened throughout the rest of the base so that we can observe the conference proceedings. If Serpent Drummer has requested your assistance, you must have great potential.
I'm here for security, not idle chit chat. If Serpent Drummer requested you oversee this conference, you'll want to check in with him. He's right over there.
You have more important things to do than stand here speaking with me. I have more important things to do than let you.
Before the coming of Heroes: My people peaceful. Our creators taught: War an excess: Producing only death: Despair.
Among us: Some Rikti maintain: Counter belief system. Preference: Continue warfare.
I: We: Not among those. We: Traditionalist. Belief: ways of peace: Ways of Knowledge. This legacy: We desire to foster.
I've been watching the conference for a little while and, so far, everything is progressing according to plan. We have diplomats and Rikti Traditionalists in the same room and there is no bloodshed.
I should be glad about this, but I'm not.
Nothing ever runs this smoothly during a conference where peace between two worlds is on the line. I need to stay here for a while longer so make sure you keep an eye on Lady Grey. If you haven't found her yet, slip out the corridor behind me and look at the security computer. She hasn't reported in for a while.
Faultline, Fusionette, and I can keep an eye on things in here.
The Lady Grey: 'Lord' Nemesis!
- You dare interrupt these negotiations, and yet you lack the decency to show up in person?
Fake Nemesis: Please, my dear, do not fret!
- Your 'Vanguard' society has simply gone too far, and had to be corrected.
- It was all quite humorous, but steps had to be taken.
- Now, don't let it trouble your pretty little head.
The Lady Grey: PRETTY! LITTLE! HEAD?
- Oh, steps are indeed going to be taken!
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Traditionalist Ambassador: Il'los
- Faultline
Faultline: So I said, "Ninjas and lawyers? Then it's a Tsoo Sue Studio!"
Faultline: Get it? Sue like litigation versus Tsoo the gang? No? Oh, nevermind, no one appreciates an artiste.
Faultline: Hey, Character!
Fusionette: No, I will NOT. Didn't your mama teach you any manners? Honestly. HEY! EYES UP HERE.
Fusionette: Character!
Fusionette: It's my strong and highly capable yet highly twitchy relative Character! Sorry, guys, family beckons!
Fake Nemesis: They are surely cogs in the great machine of Nemesis.
Dragoon: For Lord Nemesis!
Lady Grey: Ah, Character, and just in time.
Fake Nemesis: To arms, lads! Have at them!
Lady Grey: The gall of that foolish old man! Well, let us clean up this mess.
- Conference Attendee
Conference Attendee: Go away. I'm attending this very...bzzt...important conference.
- Serpent Drummer
Serpent Drummer: Character, good to see you. Let's talk a moment.
Lady Grey seemed rather upset by Nemesis' actions, and even let her normally calm demeanor slip as she vented her frustrations:
'The absolute GALL of that man! Machine. Cyborg... Whatever! Only he would have the brazen temerity to interrupt these crucial proceedings for his own petty aims of world domination! And then to dismiss me like a precious niece! Oooh!
No, we shall not give in to such angers. No doubt Nemesis wishes to fray Our nerves, and We shall not be so easily manipulated. In all likelyhood, he wishes for us to grow angry, and miss his true objectives whilst blinded by rage. As you are well aware, Nemesis rarely acts through direct means. So let us consider his actions... You thwarted those Arachnos impostors that were surely his, preventing the abduction of Mr. Arnold Decker. And this time, after his imposter negotiators were discovered, his forces abducted several human and Rikti negotiators. Alas, We are not seeing the connections, but clearly this is all part of something larger. Whatever it is, We fear that we are only seeing the edges.'
The Lady Grey spoke well of you, and I can see why. The negotiations will continue, thanks to your efforts in coordinating the defense, but the Nemesis Army was not completely unsuccessful. We must now reverse their gains and recover our losses.