The Arden Door

The Arden Door is the eighth quest in The Hall of Memories - Darkovian Wing.

Dialogue
«Scene: Greenguard at night»

You may skip this section at any time, moving directly to the battles.

«You»: Culak, Kendrel. What are you doing here? Kendrel: These undead are under the protection of both the Ulgathi of Gulgin Dar and the Elani of Greenguard, human. Cenara: We mean them no harm. Culak: Already know that. Also know that you are poking at dangerous business for our friend here... Kendrel: We cannot be sure that you are not followed. Cagliari: This really is not necessary... «You»: Maybe not... but given what Cenara and I have experienced it can't hurt to play it safe, Brother. It is clear you have found strong allies in the Orcs and Elves of this region. Kendrel: We do not forget the debts incurred in the war against the Network easily. Lavistria and Brontus are closing the rear as we speak and the Brilhado have taken to the air. Cagliari: If Seth Cay Dhows is involved, none of that will matter... Shadows are everywhere. The only thing that will deter him is that which prevented him from taking me initially. Cenara: Just what was that something? What can you tell us about Father Dhows and the fall of Luminovia? Cagliari: I am afraid that my memories of that time are fragmented by my transition to my current state... I can recall little. This, however, I can offer. Cagliari: Seth Cay Dhows positioned himself in the place of the Light Lord's high communicant. For a time, she remained silent to this affront. Cagliari: Why it is that she was so quiet is beyond my knowledge. For several years this condition of oppression continued. «You»: Years? So you grew to be a young man in that environment. What changed it? Cagliari: Dhows raised an army of the church against Vampire Queen Safiria and against all matter of undeath and darkness... Cagliari: He tried repeatedly to place Commander Paladin at the army's head. Cenara: I take it Paladin resisted. Cagliari: He did more than resist. Cagliari: As Dhows continued his advancement and his onesided war against Lady Safiria, a new force arose in Luminovia. Cagliari: In the form of the Children of the Moon led by Constantin Petyrovich. «You»: We guessed that much. Dhows created that problem with Petyrovich himself... Cagliari: Aye, and somehow Commander Paladin came to suspect that... He began to openly oppose and question the Father. Cenara: Dhows must have loved that. Cagliari: That's just the thing. It seems that that was exactly what Dhows wanted and expected of him... It gave him ammunition. «You»: Ammunition? To do what? Cagliari: While Paladin refused to fight, even in supposed protection of the people, Drageth Slugwrath was far more willing. Cagliari: His own armies fought on all sides and many died. Drageth was hailed as a hero and named heir to the throne... when the king met untimely end. Cenara: Drageth became king... «You»: What did that mean for Paladin? Cagliari: I was awoken in the dead of night with a dire warning. Cagliari: "You must delay what shall surely come, my faithful servant," the voice called. "Go now to the temple and see what you must see..." Cagliari: I was in that moment made a true communicant of the Lord of Light, but my service in that capacity was destined to be very short lived. ...At least in the normal sense. Kendrel: The shadows thicken. You must hurry this. Culak-- with me, brother...

Culak and Kendrel leave.

Cagliari: He wishes to silence me now, as he wished to silence me then. He shall be just as unsuccessful... Cagliari: Dhows conspired with Slugwrath. The king was to declare Paladin an enemy of the state, even as Dhows excommunicated him as an enemy of the church. Cagliari: His own words were to be used as evidence of his treason and refusal to stand for the light against the darkness. «You»: *whistles* Turning Paladin's own men against him... Cagliari: I fled at once to find the Commander... I alerted him to his danger and bid him seek refuge within the forest. We were to meet the next day at sundown... Cenara: By the way you say "Were to..." I take it that meeting never occurred. Cagliari: I returned to the temple to find Dhows waiting for me. He was outraged... Called me a "meddling egret who would soon be full fall fowl of regret for failing his master"... «You»: How... poetic. Definitely sounds like him. He's got a thing for birds. Cenara: And the bad alliteration. Cagliari: He struck me repeatedly and I lost consciousness... and I never awoke from that slumber. Cagliari: Yet he failed, for even changed as I was by his vile necromancy, my Lady held fast to me and I to her... Cagliari: In fact, entire sections of her cemetery at the temple awoke... and I was placed at their head. Cagliari: My new role was as a leader of the army of the Lady's undead... until their ultimate leader was ready. Cenara: Ultimate leader? Who? Cagliari: I neither know that that is my place to tell... nor can I fully recall much of the war that happened thereafter. «You»: You have done enough... thank you. Cagliari: Know this... Dhows is evil beyond any evil I have ever known. Cagliari: The enforced servitude of my brethren during the actions of the Network were paradise compared to his ministrations. Cagliari: If he returns... you have an ally in Cagliari Lux. He is my immortal enemy and my greatest pleasure is in thwarting his desires. Cenara: Thank you. Cagliari: But make no mistake... Where Dhows goes, Death and Undeath follow. There will be casualties. ...And worse. Cagliari: My entire tribe.... Cagliari: We were many, a nomadic desert people. He... Cagliari: He took them all in vengeance for my resistance. «You»: ...I'm sorry.

Kendrel returns.

Kendrel: This ends now. There are strange undead in the forest. We fall back to safety.

Both Kendrel and Cagliari leave the scene.

«You»: Ugh. Transmorphers. That's our cue to leave.

From the shadows appear the Mysterious Stranger, who confronts both you and Cenara.

Mysterious Stranger: Silly birdies. Need to check shadows more carefully, the birdies do. Mysterious Stranger: And you do underestimate me. I am not a one trick pony, birdies. Mysterious Stranger: I'll tell you what. Dhows has more to say to you... but first has business elsewhere. Mysterious Stranger: In the meantime, you birdies can play with these tortured mirrors. Mysterious Stranger: Take them as a warning of what comes from resisting me, birdies.

6 BATTLES (Non-random)

Level 0-29: Krie-Guardian Warrior (10) Level 30-49: Krie-Guardian Warrior (30) Level 50-69: Krie-Guardian Warrior (50) Level 70-89: Krie-Guardian Warrior (70) Level 90+: Krie-Guardian Warrior (90)

Level 0-29: Krie-Guardian Rogue (10) Level 30-49: Krie-Guardian Rogue (30) Level 50-69: Krie-Guardian Rogue (50) Level 70-89: Krie-Guardian Rogue (70) Level 90+: Krie-Guardian Rogue (90)

Level 0-29: Krie-Guardian Mage (10) Level 30-49: Krie-Guardian Mage (30) Level 50-69: Krie-Guardian Mage (50) Level 70-89: Krie-Guardian Mage (70) Level 90+: Krie-Guardian Mage (90)

Level 0-29: Undead WunEye (10) Level 30-49: Undead WunEye (30) Level 50-69: Undead WunEye (50) Level 70-89: Undead WunEye (70) Level 90+: Undead WunEye (90)

Level 0-29: Undead MoonCalled (10) Level 30-49: Undead MoonCalled (30) Level 50-69: Undead MoonCalled (50) Level 70-89: Undead MoonCalled (70) Level 90+: Undead MoonCalled (90)

Level 0-34: Undead BlackHawke (15) Level 35-54: Undead BlackHawke (35) Level 55-74: Undead BlackHawke (55) Level 75-94: Undead BlackHawke (75) Level 95+: Undead BlackHawke (95)

Full Heal after battles #2, #3, #4 and #6

«You»: Those? How could it be... but those... those were Regeirk's undead... And he was freed... but...

''The scene transitions to the Hall of Memories. You can skip this section at anytime.''

Cenara: If what Cagliari says is true, then Dhows manipulated that entire region. Cenara: Unfortunately, he was there for only a very small part, and while he suspected Dhows and alerted Paladin... «You»: And with Dhows aware whenever we see him directly, even in the memory, we have to be very careful where we look. Cenara: The timing still makes very little sense. I cannot understand how my grandmother and grandfather could have lived so long ago. «You»: I suggest we revisit your grandmother's door. Our last visit was cut short. We can probably get more from her.

Severe quakes shake the Hall.

Cenara: (In unison) Abode?! What was that? «You»: (In unison) Why do I hear a bell? Abode: I do not know. I feel weak and disoriented. Abode: The bell is my warning klaxon, but it makes no sense for it to be ringing here. Abode: It is supposed to indicate a violation of Caelestia’s Farpoint is occurring, and should only occur in my Caelestian forms -- not within the Hall of Memories. «You»: Farpoint? Abode: Caelestian history is very complicated. I will explain some other time. Abode: Suffice to say that the Farpoint was an effort by the higher level deities of the pantheon to limit catastrophic interference in Caelestian affairs. Abode: Both from within and without.

The Hall shakes again, and Falerin appears, leaning against a wall.

«You»: Loremaster!?! Falerin: I fade. It is ended. It is over. I think I was colocated too far this time... «You»: What?! What do you mean? Don't talk like that. You're a god. You can't die. That's not how it works. Falerin: Would that that were true, my friend... but... Falerin: Tell all that you know to Eldron. I have faith in you, my friends, and I respect you more than I ever expressed or ever could. Falerin: One last thing I do now... he will revert it, but it shall be known... Falerin: Stay strong, friend. You are so important. Cenara, aid our friend as you have been aided. It is vital-- for not only does Hope dwell within, as within all, but The'Galin als... o... Falerin: UGH... it hurts so... I did not think it would hurt so. I cannot hold on... Stay strong as I could not... Cenara: Falerin?! Abode: I am detecting interruption of vital processes. Life signs are fading...

The Hall shakes once more.

Cenara: Loremaster? What is this door? The Arden Door? Who is Arden?

The hall fills with a light.

Abode: Arden is one of Falerin's other avatars, but I do not imagine this is actually about him given Falerin's state. I think it more likely that... Abode: WARNING State error 232. No life signs detected. Containment is failing. Initiation of Transit is now unavoidable. Am I... ended... too?

''The scene changes to Falerin's library on Isle D'Oriens. The Mysterious Stranger approaches Falerin.''

Falerin: What are YOU doing here? You have no business entering my premises uninvited. Mysterious Stranger: Didn't the birdies tell you, Ardendor? Mysterious Stranger: Oh, what unreliable messengers those birdies are. Not like homing pigeons at all! Heheheh. I told them to tell you that I am not finished with you. Falerin: What do you want with me? Mysterious Stranger: I made that quite clear during our last conversation, I think. Falerin: And I think I made my answer even clearer, Shadowscythe. I will have no part in your action. Not in this realm, and not in any other. Mysterious Stranger: I think that I can change your mind... These chickens follow you blindly. They have no idea what you really are and what you have done... Falerin: I have been quite honest about who I am. Mysterious Stranger: And what you have done... are they aware of that? What their would-be benefactor is really like? Falerin: That's enough. My actions speak for themselves. Do what you will and I will do what I have to do. Mysterious Stranger: I think that when the truth of Falerin Ardendor is known... you will have few willing to cooperate with you... Falerin: I have many friends, and I think you will find the heroes of Lore and myself shall both be far more resistant to your manipulation than you think... Mysterious Stranger: Just not to your own... you either underestimate me or give yourself far too much credit. I think that as things fall apart you will reconsider... Falerin: Do your worst. Mysterious Stranger: Well, as you ask so nicely, birdie, I shall... heheheh. Mysterious Stranger: You see, I am both within and without this world and all worlds. I am willing to bet that you won't retaliate against me... or even resist... for fear of creating a mess. Falerin: ... Mysterious Stranger: The Loremaster struck speechless! Oh, magnificent! This day shall go down in history. I, unlike you, have no compunctions about a god war... or anything else... Falerin: So you kill me. I might have guessed. Is this it then? No matter. I would not laugh were I you. Mysterious Stranger: Oh, but you manifestly are not me... heheheh. Mysterious Stranger: So what will you do? Shall we see now... Falerin: Enough games. You think you have this all scripted. Do what you intend to me...

A spiraling, flashing light moves toward Falerin.

Mysterious Stranger: No motion... not even the tiniest effort to resist. Is the birdie playing chicken? Will you duck, birdie, or fight back?

The light surrounds Falerin's head.

Falerin: And so it ends... how anticlimatic... I would have hoped for more. More is deserved. Yet... it is as it must be. You are right. I do not resist. Several worlds have too much at stake. Falerin: I have never been perfect. I have done terrible things. I am arrogant. I am vain. I speak like a professor and have a perpetual scowl and brusque demeanor to keep people away. Falerin: But I have known things that a nonbeing such as yourself can never understand. You treat us all as if we are children... but emotionally it is YOU that are a child. Falerin: Lore will resist you... I have faith in the champions that the powers of this world chose. While once I counted one an enemy, I now count both friends. Now, enough... end it.

Falerin disappears.

Mysterious Stranger: All his silly words and threats. He is just like the rest of the flock now. Mysterious Stranger: Poor birdie... he's gone native. Living? Livining? Lividing! in linear time. Mysterious Stranger: He does not even know what's really coming soon for him and his precious worlds. When worlds collide next time, birdie...

The scene zooms in on Dhows's hood.

Mysterious Stranger: Oh, but I can't be giving spoilers to all you peeping Terns... Heheheh...

The scene zooms out.

Mysterious Stranger: Ah... and here is the book I wanted, right here in this pile. I guess that is one task I do not need your help for, lost birdie.

''Clicking on the box with books beside the Mysterious Stranger zooms in to it. A variety of books are within it.''

Codex of Deeper Mysteries Dickens' Oliver Twist History of Cardenio Shakespear & Fletcher Intrapolar Gastronome The Answer is Mu A Concise Delta V Military History

''However, you can only read the following books: Codex of Deeper Mysteries, Intrapolar Gastronome and The Answer is Mu. Clicking on Resume Quest brings you back to the start of when you enter the Arden Door.''

Mysterious Stranger: Oh, but how messy your library was getting, birdie. What a state you must have been in to allow it to get this out of hand. Mysterious Stranger: Poor birdie. But now you can fret no further... Mysterious Stranger: And now, as to the two of you. Mysterious Stranger: I suggest you birdies find out who you are... were... working with. I think you might even like me a tad better than him... By the end. Mysterious Stranger: Now run along, spying little birdies... Go on back to your doors.
 * Leave


 * Play again!
 * Guardian Tower!
 * Leave

Armors
Undead Guardian Plate (10) Undead Guardian Plate (40) Undead Guardian Plate (70) Undead Guardian Plate (100) Undead Guardian Plate (130)

House Items
Undead BlackHawke (15) Undead BlackHawke (35) Undead BlackHawke (55) Undead BlackHawke (75) Undead BlackHawke (95)

Miscellaneous
Cagliari's Zpectacles (0) Cagliari's Spectacles (20) Cagliari's Spectacles (60) Cagliari's Spectacles (80) Cagliari's Spectacles (105) Cagliari's Spectacles (130)