Mission:Glory and Dark Tidings - Chapter Two: The Cave

Chapter Two: The Cave

Briefing

It is good to see you again, Warrior of Fate. I have conferred with my attendants, the sybils, and held a brief audience with Sister Solaris about the nature of this map.

There is agreement amongst us that the map makes little sense; there are no true routes between these points. However, it is possible that these routes may have been carved into the earth itself.

Sister Valeria points to a spot on the map, just off the Cimeroran coast.

I will ask you to investigate this area next - to determine what, if any, truth is to be learned from this map.

This cavern was once the site of a fierce battle with a Dark One, vanquished shortly after Imperious' cohort purged a set of stones from the ancient caves. Evil fled there once, it could be there anew.

Be on your guard, friend.

• I'll head there now.

Excellent news, friend / sister. Make sure to bring back anything of interest.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Report back when you have news for me.

Mission Objective(s)

Darkness and faint laughter surround you.

• Explore the coastal cavern
  • Search the caverns for anything of interest
    • Secure the cavern exit
    • Defeat the crystal's guardians

The map makes more sense now - the Nictus are growing new crystals and using them to move troops about! But who are these newcomers, and why do the Nictus seem so eager to ally with them?

Enemies

Cimeroran Traitors

Ravenna Conclave

Nictus

Notable NPCs

• ??? (Archvillain) (Teleports away when aggroed)
• Nictus Shadow Crystal (Object)
• Shadowy Defender (Nictus Greater Unbound Nictus)
• Shadowy Brood Leader (Nictus Greater Unbound Nictus)
• Guardian Empusa (Ravenna Conclave Sybil)
• Tachyon (Nictus Dark Dwarf)

Cimeroran Traitor Dialogue

Before Combat:
Cimeroran Traitor 1: She'll see the truth. A new age dawns!
Combat Start:
Cimeroran Traitor 2: It is quite a spectacle. I bet she will be swayed by it.
Cimeroran Traitor 1: For the alliance!

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Before Combat:
Cimeroran Traitor 1: If she sees the truth, she will ally with us for knowledge alone.
Cimeroran Traitor 2: Her support means the world is within our grasp!
Combat Start:
Cimeroran Traitor 2: But first, Imperious must die!

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Before Combat:
Cimeroran Traitor 1: This is the moment we've been hoping for. To unite the clans!
Cimeroran Traitor 2: Dohoho... You're going to meet fate head-on?

Legatus and Monster Dialogue

Before Combat:
Legatus Legionis: Protect the site!
Cyclops: [GUTTURAL AGREEMENT]
Combat Start:
Legatus Legionis: Leave none alive!
Cyclops: [ECHOING ROAR]

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Before Combat:
Legatus Legionis: Something's coming. Get ready!
Cyclops: [THREATENING GROWL]
Combat Start:
Legatus Legionis: Stop them! Kill them all!
Cyclops: [ECHOING ROAR]

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Before Combat:
Legatus Legionis: Commotion ahead. Be prepared!
Cyclops: [UNDERSTANDING GRUNT]
Combat Start:
Legatus Legionis: Kill the godlings!
Cyclops: [ECHOING ROAR]

 

???: It is as he said. A combination of heat, minerals, and a well-timed death...

A newly created Shadow Crystal

???: You feel familiar, but changed. Did we know each other?

???: Rest in peace, friend. Your death brings us an alliance.
???: Ah, the irresistible temptation of future knowledge. There's nothing else quite like it.

Ambush! Reducing the Nictus Shadow Crystal to 75% health triggers an ambush by one wave of Nictus, including the Shadowy Defender.

Shadowy Defender: The path is under attack!

Shadowy Defender: Kill the godlings!

Troop Transports

These Shadow Crystals are acting as some kind of transport endpoint. You realize that if this is true, Nictus could flood from anywhere to Earth!

Ambush! Reducing the Nictus Shadow Crystal to 50% health triggers an ambush by one wave of Nictus, including the Shadowy Brood Leader.

Shadowy Brood Leader: A thousand years of science still cannot prepare me for that method of travel.

Shadowy Brood Leader: The god-spawn are here! Kill them all!

Unfamiliar Sensations

The second troop transport commander was less accustomed to this method of travel.

Ambush! Reducing the Shadow Crystal to 25% health triggers an ambush by one wave of Nictus, as well as the Guardian Empusa.

Guardian Empusa: Do not impede the crystal's growth!

Guardian Empusa: You will suffer for this!

Femme Fatale

A Sybil, acting like a guardian to the crystal, lamented that you were depriving it from growing... But wasn't it already fully grown?

Ambush! Destroying the Nictus Shadow Crystal triggers an ambush by two waves of combined Cimeroran Traitors and Nictus and one wave of combined Nictus and Ravenna Conclave. These waves contain multiple bosses even at low notoriety, and each of the first two waves also includes a Cyclops or Minotaur elite boss.

Cimeroran Traitor Minion: Only eternal darkness awaits!

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Cimeroran Traitor Minion: They shall be lost to the shadows!

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Priestess of the Path: They cannot be allowed to escape with what they have seen!

Exit Defender Dialogue

Combat Start:
Ravenna Conclave 1: The mere fact that you persist in living is vexing us.
Ravenna Conclave 1: Anyone! A thousand denarii for Character's head!

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Combat Start:
Ravenna Conclave 1: So now you know more of the truth... that makes you dangerous.
Ravenna Conclave 1: And we just can't have that, can we?

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Combat Start:
Cimeroran Traitor 1: You have no idea what you're up against.
Cimeroran Traitor 1: Your death now would be a mercy!

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Combat Start:
Tachyon: You die. NOW!

Ambush! Entering the cavern exit chamber triggers an ambush by one wave of combined Ravenna Conclave and Nictus.

Priestess of the Path: They cannot be allowed to escape with what they have seen!

Debriefing

This is dire news, warrior / friend. Romulus and his obsession with the Dark Ones are a plague upon the spirit of the people, and mere mention of it brings great fear and trepidation to those who hear of it.

I am putting my soldiers on high alert - if anyone sees these traitorous females in their darkened garb, eliminate them on sight!

It is not my desire to deliver news that the Dark Ones grow once more, but our mission is clear now - we must finish what Imperious started, and eliminate these cursed gems at all costs!

I will not rest until I know where these new threats hail from. You have my word.