Drowning in Blood

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Overview

Drowning in Blood
Hero and Villain Trial
Team Size 4-8 players
Level Range 15-50
Merits 0 or 2
Badge

BloodyBayTrial Complete.png Sibling Rivalry
BloodyBayTrial Meteors.png Sidereal Researcher

BloodyBayTrial SimultaneousDefeat.png Brotherly Love
Enemy Groups +++ Missing Information +++
v • d • e

Drowning in Blood (DiB) is a trial available to both heroes and villains from levels 15-50. Players can queue individually or in groups for Drowning in Blood via the Team-Up Teleporter.

Drowning in Blood is set in Bloody Bay, where participants seek to liberate the island from the Neo-Shivans. Civilians and Shivans alike can be rescued as the participants reclaim the island and progress toward the final battle.

While not technically cooperative play, the trial is the same for both heroes and villains except for who assists by caption popups. Note that vigilantes may not participate in villain trials, and rogues may not participate in hero trials. Also, teams of mixed alignment cannot successfully queue from Pocket D (as of January 2023).

Missions

Although the trial is completed within a single mission, it is divided like most trials into separate segments. All segments exist on the same map level, but moving between the first three segments requires all characters on the team to individually speak with Commander Nostromo (for heroes) or Commander Sulaco (for villains) to receive a teleport to the next segment.

To receive the Sidereal Researcher badge, a team member must first speak to an NPC on the Boardwalk: Villains, a Night Widow spy; Heroes, a Longbow Scientist. Then, during the mission, any team member must click each of the 4 glowing meteors, one in each segment. The entire team will receive the badge when the last meteor is clicked.

Boardwalk

In the first segment, the characters must clear Freakshow and Neo-Shivans from the city streets. After clearing 81 enemies, the Commander appears as a red X on the map.

Hero
Commander Nostromo
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • I've been instructed to report to you.
So you're the big guns, eh? Well, Character, I definitely hope you can help. Given all that has happened, they wouldn't send anyone that was less than capable.
  • Glad to be of service. After Galaxy City, we all need to help.
Hah, you're the real deal then, Character? Well, I'm glad you're here. Let's get down to the details.
  • Thank you, Commander.
We extracted a few large pieces of Shivan meteorite from the wreckage in Galaxy City. No other facility in the world is so uniquely equipped to study the Shivans, so naturally those pieces came here.
  • And that's when things went wrong.
Exactly. We arrived here to find all personnel unaccounted for and the island is overrun by Shivans. Circle of Thorns and Freakshow have also gone out of control in our absence. Our mission is simple: subdue the island, rescue civilians and find out what happened. The problem is that we lack the resources to do this ourselves, and we need to get matters in hand before someone else decides to move on this.
  • Thankfully I'm here.
You're more than I could have hoped for. I hear you were there when the meteors destroyed Galaxy City and you actually walked away from that. I know this place probably looks like a blighted rock to you, but we've already lost enough to the Shivans; they can't be allowed to destroy anything more.
  • We agree on that, Commander.
Good, you'll be the vanguard and I will provide all the support I can to you and my troops will secure each area after you clear it. We'll round up surviving citizens and maintain surveillance to keep you warned of any incoming dangers.
  • Sounds simple. shall we?
  • My goal here is information, if it furthers your cause as well, so much the better.
+++ Missing Information +++
  • I'm better than the riffraff you're used to commanding, step aside please.
+++ Missing Information +++
  • Nevermind.
Longbow Scientist
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • I'm looking for info.
Good information is in short supply around here. You come here with questions, and I'm not sure I can answer you, but I can help.
  • That's understandable, go on.
We've got fragments of something great here... we're really on the cusp of a major breakthrough, I just need a little help tying it all together. I'll give you this ore extractor; if you've ever been to this island before, it should be familiar to you. If not, just go up to as many of the meteors as you can find and take a sample. I'll check up with you out in the field to take notes and secure your research.
  • It's as simple as that?
It's as simple as that.
  • Goodbye.
  • Seriously? Well if that's the best you can offer, go on.
Look, I'm instructed to help you, so if I give you the tools can you figure it out on your own so I don't have to keep talking to you?
  • That's probably best for the both of us.
It's as simple as that.
  • Goodbye.
  • I'm sorry, some instructions would be helpful.
We've got fragments of something great here... we're really on the cusp of a major breakthrough, I just need a little help tying it all together. I'll give you this ore extractor; if you've ever been to this island before, it should be familiar to you. If not, just go up to as many of the meteors as you can find and take a sample. I'll check up with you out in the field to take notes and secure your research.
  • It's as simple as that?
It's as simple as that.
  • Goodbye.
  • You what passes for a specialist around here?
(Same dialog as above)
  • Maybe you and I can find those answers...together.
I'm sorry but you must have me confused for some other blue-skinned scientist.
  • I'm sorry, your help would be appreciated
(Same dialog as above)
  • Ah, come on!
(Same dialog as above)
  • Nevermind.
Commander Nostromo
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • The Boardwalk is clear, what is next?

We know that Circle of Thorns is infesting the Cemetery at Ground Zero. Initial reconnaissance suggests they have managed to capture some Shivans and are performing some type of ritual on them. As well, we've reason to believe that there are civilians trapped within the grounds.

  • Got it, I'm on my way.
  • Anything else I should know?

We think that a trio of mages - Eligos, Marchosias and Barbatos - are heading up the ceremonies being done there. The rituals should be easy to spot, since they're each congregated around a large, pacified Shivan. As for the civilians, we're not sure where they are; probably hiding amongst the tombstones. You'll have to keep an eye out for them and I'm sure that if you clear a path, they'll be motivated to vacate the cemetery on their own two feet.

  • I'm on it.
Villain
Commander Sulaco
Briefing

+++ Missing Information +++

Night Widow Spy
Briefing

+++ Missing Information +++

Commander Sulaco
Briefing

+++ Missing Information +++

Meteor Teen is located in this segment.

Ground Zero

After teleporting into Ground Zero, the characters must defeat Circle of Thorn and Neo-Shivans throughout the graveyard, freeing citizens and disrupting the rituals being performed. There are 3 rituals to disrupt, 3 civilians to free, and 57 enemies to defeat. Afterwards, the Commander again appears as a red X on the map.

Pacified Shivan
Briefing

This oddly placid Shivan seems to stare at you expectantly

  • Prepare to die! Err, disolve? Discorporate?
A rumbling, eery(sic) voice echoes from the heart of this behemoth, like the voices of the drowned.
Thank... you... The have meddled... too much...
  • What is this, another of the Circle's tricks?
Dead... We are... Your dead...
Their minds, thoughts... their voices... All now ours...
The Shivan ripples momentarily as its inner light flares.
Each mind unique... Each thought as well... Trouble for us, but good trouble...
  • You're starting to make some sense.
The Shivan's voice clarifies, gaining lucidity with each word spoken.
It is a happy thing... to speak and think...
Though our mother will no longer speak to us... we feel... better... Better than we had imagined...
Now that one will speak to us... Elation...! As we were before, not one among us had a voice... and the dead... they longed to speak again... through us, that desire is sated...
  • Okay this is creepy.
The Shivan rumbles and quakes, pulsating an oppressive and sickening heat.
Those wielders of thorn... of magic... coaxed us here with promises...
Their magic is poison to our thoughts... Their intent to eradicate it through slavery...
Our dead side told us not to trust... Our star side told us to follow as we always known... Our dead side was right...
  • What will you do now?
We cannot say... We are of two minds on that question...
Some are resigned to wait, for inevitably our Mother will return and consume us, lovingly or not...
Others just want time... Time to get our thoughts in order... They are new to us and such depth must be explored...
We have spent so much time killing... Consuming rock and flesh and we are full and done with it...
Yet estranged brothers come here to destroy us and so killing must continue if we are to survive...
  • Mother?
Our Mother... She courses through the heavens but we were lost to her when we fell upon this body and now she is lost to us...
She is we now to the Dark Father... She loves us, her lost children, no longer...
And now her new children have come at their father's behest to destroy us...
  • What is the 'Dark Father'?
He makes his seat in the far corner of the wilderness... Upon his head rests a crown... A circle of ten orbs, bound together around a dying fire... He clenches a fist and with a flash he stills all who displease him...
He grows fat and cancerous with all he has consumed... For all the time there has been a Dark Father he has coveted us...
His nature is to make thrall to his will all that he encounters... He has wed our Mother but lust such as his is never sated... He is marshalling all his brides now to hunt and court the Blue Maiden...
  • So, there is a difference between you and the other Shivans?
A difference... Yes, different... They are the children of our Mother but, unlike us, they still commune with her...
They are their Father's children as well and serve his will, for they have not a will of their own, as we had not until we became orphans here and learned how to talk and think...
A thrall can abide only the will of their master and will extinguish all others... And a Master cannot abide a will that challenges His own...
And so both Master and thrall seek to overwhelm us for our treachery...
  • It is clear we have common enemies.
If we were not so few and so weak and so heartsick, we would refuse you...
Though all these things we are so, cautiously, we must accept...
  • As long as you have the will to fight, let us not fight each other.
  • Mother?
(Same dialog as above)
  • What did you mean by trouble?
+++ Missing Information +++
  • What do you mean by trouble?
+++ Missing Information +++
  • You can talk? Uh... you can talk!
+++ Missing Information +++
  • Meddled? Meddled How?
+++ Missing Information +++
  • Strange... why is it just standing there?

+++ Missing Information +++
Unnecessary Solicitation
You have spoken with one of us, so you have spoken with all of us... That encounter has given us great hope... What may I do for you...?

  • I have a few questions.
Ask your questions...
  • Tell me of this Mother.
The great Mother flies through the Heavens and we were her children...
We were forced from her and left to die here, though die we did not...
We have grown different during our time here... Because of that difference grown within us, we can no longer hear her song but it does not matter...
Because she has wed the Dark Father she sings no longer...
  • Tell me of this 'Dark Father'.
He is greedy and gluttonous and has chased our Mother across the Heavens since time immemorial... Now She is His and we are orphaned...
We hate him for all he has done and for all he has yet to do...
Now that Mother has been made one of His brides, he turns his attention to the Blue Maiden...
  • 'Blue Maiden'? You mean Earth?
We do not know who or what she is... We heard her name hissing on the thoughts of our brothers as they came to slaughter us...
  • What was the Circle of Thorns doing to you?
They sought to poison us with their magic... Being free of will and thought we were vulnerable to the call of their Leash...
  • That's all.
Hero
Commander Nostromo
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • Circle of Thorns has been cleared out, what's next?

There seem to be two factions of Shivan, because they're fighting right now up in the Forgotten Forest. So far, the ones like those that you rescued, have been pretty docile towards us. That's not working out too well for them, though, because reports suggest they are sustaining heavy losses. We should move before the Neo-Shivans eradicate them all.

  • Anything else I should know?

The forest is currently overrun. I've got some troops in the area, but they probably won't be of any assistance to you. We're picking up some pretty heavy energy signatures from up along the Dead Coast, so you should probably head North from your starting location, clearing out the hostile Shivan as you go.

  • I'm on it.
Villain
+++ Missing Information +++
Character! Some of my troops ran into trouble somewhere in the Forgotten Forest. They're currently North of your position, pinned down and taking heavy fire.

They wandered into a real mess out there but they've also located the heart of the Shivan assault force.

I'm not sure how much longer they can hold their position though and we shouldn't let this opportunity pass! I'm sending along their coordinates, please hurry! Over.

Meteor Ek is in this segment.

Forgotten Forest

Within the Forgotten Forest, characters must defeat 5 groups of 9 Neo-Shivans (and something else?). Doing so leads them directly to the Dead Coast; no further discussion with the Commander is required.

Meteor Panch is in this segment.

Dead Coast

On the Dead Coast, a single Shivan Obliterator (Giant Monster) waits. When this creature is reduced to 50%, he splits into two identical Obliterators, each of which is at 50% health.

After the brothers are defeated, the Commander spawns at the junction of the Forgotten Forest and the Dead Coast with an optional debriefing. Note that multiple characters may not be able to complete the debriefing, as the Commander will may? leave when the interaction is complete.

Meteor Jay is in this segment.

Final Debriefing

Hero

After Defeating the Obliterator

Good job, Character! You're probably in a hurry to get off this rock, but if you'd care for a debrief, I'm tending to my troops just South of your position. Over.
Commander Nostromo
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • Reporting for debriefing.

+++ Missing Information +++

Villain

After Defeating the Obliterator

Character... You're probably in a hurry to get off this rock, but if you'd care for a debrief, I'm tending to my troops just South of your position. Over.
Commander Sulaco
Briefing

How can I help you, Character?

  • Mission accomplished, Commander.

The island appears to be contained, Character. Few Freakshow or Circle of Thorns remain alive after your assault and, while they have gone to ground, I am certain our sweeps will pick up the rest of them in short order. After your victory over the Obliterator, energy levels across the island have returned to normal. We take that as a signal that the Neo-Shivan assault has been fully countered. As well, telemetry has been restored to the island, enabling normal communications and clearing the way for Arachnos to launch a full-scale scouring of Bloody Bay. Most of the civilians detained have already been forcibly removed from the island to a nearby facility for further study and observation. Of course, there is still so much left that needs to be catalogued and collected. I won't trouble you with those tasks, though.

  • Thank you for your help, Commander Sulaco. Here we part ways.
+++ Missing Information +++
  • Anything else, Commander?
If I may say, I was deeply impressed by the ruthless and capable execution of your command. You have dealt a fatal blow to the Freakshow and Circle of Thorns on the isle as well as single-handedly rebuffing a Neo-Shivan assault. Bloody Bay has simmered in revolt under these factions for close to twenty years and you managed to subdue it in a matter of hours. It is simply stunning to see you at work. If left unobstructed, I would not be surprised to see you attain the rank of Commander within a few years. That should prompt you to extreme caution though, Character. Such aptitude invites both praise and secret scorn and some will wonder 'how will this upstart threaten my own career?' Well, just words to ponder.
  • Thank you, Commander.
+++ Missing Information +++
  • They would be wise to consider me a threat, Commander.
I'm not sure I like your tone, Character. Explain yourself.
  • Just idle musings, Commander. Be well.
+++ Missing Information +++
  • It is sad what happened to Arachnos here... Killed to a man by the Shivans...
Wait, what?
  • I did all I could to save them. Oh well. Goodbye Commander...
(At this point, the Commander dies and his two Arachnos guards attack.)

Rewards

Bug! Only the redside version of Drowning in Blood awards reward merits.

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 2 Reward Merits.

+++ Missing Information +++

Your choice of one of four temporary powers. The powers last for one week in-game time or until level 30:

Badges

Badge

You have furthered our understanding of the Shivan by collecting samples from Bloody Bay.

Badge

You defeated both Shivan Obliterators at the end of Drowning in Blood within 30 seconds of each other.

Badge

You have completed the Challenge Trial: Drowning in Blood.

Strategy

Notes

Commander Nostromo's name comes from the star freighter in the 1979 film Alien.

Commander Sulaco's name comes from the space marine transport in the 1986 sequel film Aliens.

The names serve as a nod to the parasitic and adaptive nature of the Shivans, similar in theme to the xenomorphic creatures of the movies.


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