Vartai Secrets!

Vartai Secrets! is the eighth quest in the Dragonspine Saga. It is directly followed by Galanoth's Fate!.

Dialogue
Medrovia, ancestral home of Lord Cyrus and the Dracomancers...
 * Continue

«Scene: Medrovia.»

Lord Cyrus and Sheila enter.

Sheila: Brother, scouts have reported an unusual group of humans making their way toward the city.

Lord Cyrus: All the humans from the south are unusual. What makes these so special?

Sheila: They claim two of them are Dragonslayers. One matches Galanoth's description, and they're headed for the Elite Guard barracks just outside the city.

Lord Cyrus: ... The Elite Guard barracks? We're in no danger, then. Tell the sentries to avoid a fight for now.

Scene zooms in to Sheila.

Sheila: You're going to just LET them walk right into the training grounds for our best soldiers and possibly find out military secrets?

Scene shifts to Lord Cyrus.

Lord Cyrus: Sheila, do you know why I had that barracks built almost half a mile from the city proper? ... Trust me, there's a very good reason--

Scene zooms out.

Lord Cyrus: --and that is exactly why I don't care if Galanoth tried to storm the place. The slayers are no threat.

Sheila: You'd let Galanoth and your own soldiers kill each other with no interference?

Lord Cyrus: Yes, sister, if that's what it takes to open Galanoth's eyes to what he's doing.

Sheila: I hope you know just what you're getting into here...

«Scene: Near Medrovia, with Galanoth and another Dragonslayer.»

Dragonslayer: Are you sure you should be doing this yourself, Sir?

Galanoth: What choice do I have, Ryllik? We have to know what kind of army they're preparing to unleash on us, and if we can get rid of whoever's leading it.

«You»: There's no way all three of us can get through safely. We'll have to split up.

Ryllik: Right. You go with Galanoth. If he's spotted in this city, things will get dicey, and he'll need some help getting out in one piece.

Ryllik: I will recon to the northeast and meet you back here at sunset. Good luck to you!

«Scene: Outside the barracks of Medrovia.»

«You»: It's a barracks! From the looks of it, there are probably a few hundred Vartai soldiers down there.

Galanoth: Then we have nothing to worry about. Let's do our best to sneak around, though-- We'll learn more by that method than by knocking heads together.
 * Go!

«Scene: Within the barracks.»

Galanoth and «You» enter.

«You»: Isn't it a little strange that this barracks is so far away from the actual city? It's out in the middle of nowhere, really... like Cyrus wanted to keep something AWAY --

A group of Vartai enter

Galanoth: We've been spotted! Get them before they can warn the others!


 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Hunter
 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Blade Master
 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Hunter
 * Optional Full Heal

«You»: Quick, get through that door before someone else spots us!
 * Go!

«Scene: Inside a wooden cottage.»

Galanoth: We're in. Though I fail to see how we are far better off...

«You»: Well, we might be able to find out just what it is Cyrus is trying to HIDE here, you know.

Galanoth: Ahh.. quite a nice view. Maybe this barracks was placed here simply because the commanding officer liked the scenery.

«You»: Let's see what is behind those oversized doors....
 * Go in!

«Scene: Room with Vartai.»

Galanoth: ..................

All the Vartai face «you» and Galanoth.

Galanoth: Very good choice, my friend.

Guard: Dragonslayers all the way out here? Did the Captain get us new training victims?

Guard: No, the only 'slayer that big and ugly is...Galanoth! GET HIM!

«You»: We're only outnumbered a LITTLE bit, Galanoth....
 * Fight!


 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Blade Master
 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Hunter
 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Blade Master
 * Optional Full Heal

???: What's with all the commotion out here? I don't need you wrecking the place with your training, whelps.

A huge Vartai enters.

Galanoth: ...I might need a bigger weapon for this one.

«You»: H..H-Huge Vartai...Not good...

Xerxes: The name is Xerxes, human. Warlord of the Medrovian army, and...

Galanoth: I don't need a life story before I slay you! Fire Dragon, come forth!

''A fire dragon appears and breathes fire onto Xerxes. Xerxes moves a little, then the fire dragon disappears''.

Xerxes: Not a bad opener, tin can. That actually hurt a little.

«You»: ................

Galanoth: .....................

«You»: He's... still standing? How strong IS this guy?

Galanoth: I think we should make a quick tactical retreat... I'm going to need some time to come up with a plan to take care of him.

«You»: Hurry! Back out the door we came in!!
 * Escape!

«Scene: Back outside, with a Vartai Archer present.»

Galanoth: It would appear our retreat is going to be... complicated...
 * Battle!


 * 1 BATTLE
 * Vartai Hunter
 * Optional Full Heal

«You»: Let's run down that hallway and find the back door!!

«Scene: Hallway.»

Galanoth: Ah, good choice, friend. More draconic goodness to smash!!
 * Fight!


 * 1 BATTLE
 * Void Dragon
 * Optional Full Heal

«You»: They must have kept some of the Void Dragons to breed them for their army! We have to get out of here. Let's turn left--

«Scene: Dead end.»

Xerxes enters.

Galanoth: I just LOVE dead ends!

Xerxes: Why do you keep running, Galanoth? You're supposed to be the best the Dragonslayers have to offer!

«You»: Don't do it, Galanoth! I'll hold him off. You get out of here!

Xerxes: Don't try to waste my time, human. You're not worth the effort of swinging my axe even once. Galanoth is the one who I'll destroy today!

Galanoth: Allow me to INDULGE you--

''Galanoth engages in battle with Xerxes. Xerxes power is so overwhelming that he flings Galanoth out of the house, causing a hole. Outside, Galanoth gets back up from his knees and throws a dagger at Xerxes. Xerxes uses his axe and strikes the ground. A blast hits Galanoth, sending him flying off the hill, away from the barracks''.

«You»: GALANOTH!!!!

Xerxes: A battle worthy of a Vartai. You had your brother's spirit and honor, human.

«You»: N-- no way... Galanoth...

Xerxes: Get out of my sight. You wouldn't be any fun to battle at all.

«You»: Is that all that fight was to you? Are you that heartless?!

Xerxes: Stupid human... True warriors live and die in battle. There's no other way!

You are given two options: Fight Xerxes!=
 * FIGHT XERXES! (Lose 5 Gray Matter Points)
 * Try to avoid the fight! (Gain 5 Niceness Points)
 * «You»: Then prepare to die by this!
 * Fight!
 * 1 BATTLE
 * Level 0-??? : Xerxes
 * Level ???-??? : Xerxes
 * Level ???-??? : Xerxes
 * Level ???+ : Xerxes


 * If you were defeated...


 * Xerxes: You were more of a threat than I expected. Still, I can't believe Cyrus lost to you once before.
 * «You»: Nngh... Too strong...
 * Xerxes: You're still alive? I guess you ARE tougher than you look. Drag your beaten hide out of my barracks, and come back when you know how to fight.
 * «You»: I-- I'll be back....
 * Xerxes: Whatever you say, Terminator.
 * Xerxes: I have plans to make. With Galanoth out of the way, the Dragonslayers should fall easily.


 * Xerxes turns away from facing you.


 * Xerxes: Now go lick your wounds!
 * Continued!


 * If you defeated Xerxes...


 * Xerxes: ...Heh. You're stronger than you look, human. This has actually been kind of fun.
 * «You»: Humans aren't the weaklings you think they are, especially when you kill their friends!
 * Xerxes: Perhaps, but if you're smart, you'll back off now and call this battle a draw.
 * «You»: Never! I'm not stopping as long as I can still move!
 * Xerxes: *smiles* That's the spirit, human. Now, let's see if you're still moving after this!


 * Xerxes slashes you and then strikes you downwards. The impact is so large that you fall through a hole.


 * Xerxes: Those humans took a lot out of me... Perhaps we can fight again when I take care of this little Dragonslayer problem once and for all...


 * Xerxes leaves.


 * «You»: ...uuuuhhhhhhhhhh........

Try to avoid the fight!=
 * «You»: Humans aren't the weaklings you think they are, especially when you kill their friends!
 * Xerxes: Perhaps, but if you're smart, you'll back off now and call this battle a draw.
 * «You»: Never! I'm not stopping as long as I can still move!
 * Xerxes: *smiles* That's the spirit, human. Now, let's see if you're still moving after this!


 * Xerxes slashes you and then strikes you downwards. The impact is so large that you fall through a hole.


 * Xerxes: Those humans took a lot out of me... Perhaps we can fight again when I take care of this little Dragonslayer problem once and for all...


 * Xerxes leaves.


 * «You»: ...uuuuhhhhhhhhhh........

Weapons
Smoldering DrakeTongue

Flaming DrakeTongue

Fiery DrakeTongue

BlaZing DrakeTongue

Incendiary DrakeTongue

Conflagrant DrakeTongue

Trivia

 * If the player chooses to fight Xerxes and is defeated, the Vartai warlord calls the Chosen "".
 * The reward shop is called "Xerxes One".