Saga of the Trickster

You are an Arbalester, are you not?

Then you must have learned many secrets in your missions, among them something about our race's ability and purpose...

No doubt, though, you have been frustrated that so much was still hidden from you. That was no accident.

Even wthin our race itself, there is a grave secret about our origin. Because of it, we were sealed on this Isle of Souls, trapped between dimensions for ages in order to hide from the wrath of the gods themselves.

But now our power is needed to help oppose the growing strength of Shilen and her evil minions.

Our hidden island was visited by a man in black armor and a woman in a dazzling blue dress who offered to remove the seal in exchange for our help.

• "Wait, wait -- what are you saying?"

You may believe that your skills are sufficient to discover the secret of the Tablet of Vision and stop Beleth, but I do no think you are quite ready.

(Only Arbalester class characters level 76 or higher may undertake this quest.)

This will be a very dangerous and difficult journey.

But from what I have seen of you thus far, I think you are up to the challenge.

...

As I have already said, you will need an object called the Resonance Amulet in order to communicate with the Tablet of Vision. This was created in order to prevent the knowledge of the Tablet from falling into the wrong hands.

According to my research, the first Resonance Amulet is in the possession of Magister Justin in the Town of Goddard. Go find him.

Be warned, though: Beleth's minions may also be seeking the Resonance Amulet and may try to stop you.

Go now to Magister Justin in Goddard Castle Town and obtain the first Resonance Amulet...

The woman in the blue dress distributed these Tablets of Vision all over the world.

It will be very difficult to find the locations of them all, hidden as they are in secret and dangerous places.

Even if you do find their locations, you will still require a mystical object called the Resonance Amulet in order to decipher the secret of the Tablets...

The Demon Beleth is also seeking the knowledge contained within the Tablets -- you must prevent him from acquiring it at all costs!

• I will find the Tablets before Beleth does.

You have thwarted Beleth's intentions and completed the quest for the Tablets of Vision.

Well done! You have justified my faith in you.

• During the quest, I met one of the 3 heroes of the Kamael, Rodenpicula, and was told that we were created in order to oppose the gods.

The Giants who created us are long gone, and we are beings with free will.

Once the Isle of Souls was unsealed, my obligation to our former masters ended. The only thing I still feel compelled to do is share the truth with you...

Our future as a race will depend on the strength and wisdom of those like yourself.

You already know of our fighting skills, but that is not all that separates us from the other races.

We are unique in that we are not bound by the same gods-decreed fate that binds the other races.

You now know the truth about our race and who have obtained the power of the Trickster.

How you use that power depends entirely on you. I trust that you will use it well both for the Kamael and for the world itself.

Congratulations, Trickster.

The Giants who created us are long gone, and we are beings with free will.

Once the Isle of Souls was unsealed, my obligation to our former masters ended. The only thing I still feel compelled to do is share the truth with you...

Our future as a race will depend on the strength and wisdom of those like yourself.

You already know of our fighting skills, but that is not all that separates us from the other races.

We are unique in that we are not bound by the same gods-decreed fate that binds the other races.

You now know the truth about our race. One day, perhaps you will have the opportunity to obtain the power of the Trickster to use for the benefit of both the Kamael and the world itself.

(Only characters level 76 or higher may change occupations. Do not abandon the quest or you will not reach that goal!)

I think you have met all the required conditions.

I trust that you will use your powers for the benefit of the Kamael people and the world in general...

Congratulations, Trickster...

Continue on your path and one day you will be in a position to benefit not only the Kamael people, but the world itself.

(Only characters level 76 or higher may change occupations. Do not abandon the quest or you will not reach that goal!)

I cannot say for certain, but...

Listen carefully to what I have to say.

Several decades before the seal was unbound, a man in black armor and a woman in a blue dress came to me and said that Shilen's power was growing stronger. To oppose her, our power was needed.

They said that the beings who had sought our destruction in the past were now distracted and weakened.

So for the intervening years, I have trained you younger Kamael to sharpen your fighting skills even further.

During that time, the man in black armor and the woman in the blue dress visited the island from time to time to monitor our progress...

I cannot tell you their true identities, but suffice it to say that they were no mere mortal beings.

When the time came to lift the seal, they still sought to avoid attracting the attention of those who hated us so long ago. Therefore the full extent of our power remained sealed, even from us.

But the woman in the blue dress fashioned it so that a skilled Kamael who proved worthy of that power would be able to unlock the seal and wield the full range of our abilities

It is not an easy process, however...

• "So there's a hidden power that can make us stronger... how do I acquire it?"

Hmm...something like that happened, eh?

...

Then I should tell you the truth...

Long, long ago, we were created to be living weapons with which the Giants might oppose the gods.

That is the secret of our race.

Because of this, we were sealed between dimensions for ages...

(Kekropus stares off into space, apparently deep in reminiscence.)

Long, long time ago, following the great civil war between the gods, the Giants began to become disillusioned about the gods' rule. They built a mighty empire, developing their science to a level that the world had never seen.

To protect themselves from the gods, they also began to develop weapons capable of harming the gods themselves.

They used what they had discovered during the war of the gods to unlock the secrets of life itself.

We, the Kamael, are the result of the Giants' experiments to create life independent of the gods and their wheel of fate.

Although we have not the raw power of the Giants, much less the gods, because we were created outside of the natural order we, more than any other creatures, are able to oppose the gods.

Just as even the mightiest beast can be felled by a drop of deadly poison, so we were created to be a poisoned dagger to fell the gods themselves...

• Continue listening.

I myself was born in the Giants' great laboratory, Arviterre, and even assisted in the creation of an improved version of the Kamael like yourself...

However, the gods eventually discovered the Giants' secret.

Einhasad was enraged, seeing this as an act of rebellion. The other gods, though, were unwilling to take action against the Giants. They feared that the races who worshipped them would be held hostage by the Giants...

But Einhasad and her army of angels had no such reservations.

• Continue listening.

When war broke out, the 3 heroes of the Kamael, the Spicula, joined the Giants along with other Kamael.

They fought well, helping shift the tide of battle in the Giants' favor.

Mighty Harkilgamed wielded the great sword Emanu Elishu and slew Einhasad's second daughter, while

Katenar bombarded the goddess' army with the huge cannon, Leopod.

Meanwhile, Rodenpicula used the impenetrable shield Prahunahu to ward off all attacks on the Kamael.

Thanks to the Kamael, Einhasad and her soldiers were forced to retreat, abandoning her celestial palace. The Giants believed that they had won...

But Einhasad, nearly out of her mind with rage, obtained the Hammer of the Stars, a weapon almost unbelievably destructive, and used it to rain huge fireballs upon Grande Perion, the Giants' capital.

Whole portions of the continent sank into the sea, and within a day the mightiest empire the world had ever seen was no more.

• Continue listening.

While Einhasad's forces mercilessly hunted the surviving Giants,

the head of the Aviterre research facility struck a deal with another powerful being to hide the remaining Kamael from Einhasad by sealing this island between dimensions.

That is how we were removed from the world for so many years.

• "So...are we still at war with the gods, now that we have been unsealed?"

Ah, my descendant...my heir... There is so much to say...

First we must destroy the enemy before us, however.

(The hero of the Kamael is concentrating on the enemy with a cold, hostile expression. She does not notice this side.)

Blast! Our enemies have retreated.

As exhausted as they must be, though, I think we can defeat them right now.

Let us pursue and destroy them.

(The hero of the Kamael seems disinterested in anything other than the tactical situation.)

Now concentrate on attacking the enemy, my child...

I am certain that we can destroy them at this point...

No! At this rate we will lose them.

(The hero of the Kamael seems disinterested in anything other than the tactical situation.)

My young heir,

I am the bane of the goddess of light.

Together, we have defeated her messenger.

Thanks to your help, I may now watch over you a little longer.

We were created by the Giants as weapons to oppose the gods...

But though you are my descendant, you are free to choose a different destiny than mine.

I envy you -- I should very much like to see what the future brings...

...

Now, take this.

• Receive the Resonance Amulet.

My young heir,

I am the bane of the goddess of light.

Together, we have defeated her champion.

Thanks to your help, I may now watch over you a little longer.

We were created by the Giants as weapons to oppose the gods...

But though you are my descendant, you are free to choose a different destiny than mine.

I envy you -- I should very much like to see what the future brings...

...

Now, take this.

• Receive the Resonance Amulet.

My young heir, I will thwart our enemy while you communicate with the Tablet of Vision...

With the Resonance Amulet I have given you, go communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

. I must pursue our injured enemies before they can regroup...

I have avoided pursuing my vendetta against the goddess of light

because I hoped that the time would come when I could bequeath this magical stone to one of my heirs

capable of attaining true power and insight.

Now use that Resonance Amulet wisely.

I do not know how you will deal with the truth -- that we were all created as weapons to help the Giants oppose the gods...

But bear this in mind: the future is open to you, and you must now judge how to use your strength for yourself.

...

I must pursue and destroy our injured enemies...

Farewell...

• Wait...

I have avoided pursuing my vendetta against the goddess of light

because I hoped that the time would come when I could bequeath this magical stone to one of my heirs

capable of attaining true power and insight.

Now use that Resonance Amulet wisely.

I do not know how you will deal with the truth -- that we were all created as weapons to help the Giants oppose the gods...

But bear this in mind: the future is open to you, and you must now judge how to use your strength for yourself.

...

I must pursue and destroy our injured enemies...

Farewell...

I knew you would come to me. Information is my business, after all.

During my mission, I have uncovered the existence of a secret about the hidden power of our race.

Looking into it further, I obtained this Resonance Amulet by defeating an evil sorcerer...

But it is not perfect, corrupted perhaps by the sorcerer's magical experiments.

• "So, what do you want?"

Gain the trust of Ketra Orcs and obtain the Divine Stone of Wisdom from them. You can also obtain it from the Varka Silenos. Either is fine.

Gain the trust of the Varka Silenos and obtain the Divine Stone of Wisdom from them. You can also obtain it from the Ketra Orcs. Either is fine.

Bring me the Divine Stone of Wisdom. You can obtain it from either the Ketra Orcs or the Varka Silenos.

Excellent! You have brought the Divine Stone of Wisdom!

Now I can use it to repair the damaged Resonance Amulet.

This will take some time...

• Wait.

Go to the Tablet of Vision north of the Varka Silenos Camp and discover its secret.

According to my investigations, this Resonance Amulet can be repaired with the Divine Stone of Wisdom possessed by both Ketra Orcs and the Varka Silenos.

But I cannot leave here.

I know you are on a quest to find the Tablets, so this is a task well suited for you.

Both the Ketra Orcs and the Varka Silenos have a Divine Stone of Wisdom.

You must earn one tribe's trust obtain their Stone.

Which tribe will you choose?

• The Ketra Orcs.
• The Varka Silenos.

It worked!

Now take this repaired Resonance Amulet to the Tablet of Vision north of the Varka Silenos stronghold.

Good luck!

You sense the presence of someone nearby.

It is the Crimson Duchess, a follower of Beleth who is also searching for the Resonance Amulet.

You cannot fight her by normal means.

Fight her as Kekropus directed in his report.

• Take out your weapon and examine the area in which you feel the presence.

The Crimson Duchess eyes you suspiciously.

She already holds the Resonance Amulet and seems ready to return to Beleth.

You cannot communicate with the Tablet without the Resonance Amulet.

You must defeat the Crimson Duchess and take it from her.

You sense a disturbance near the Tablet of Vision.

Now is not the time to prove yourself.

The Resonance Amulet begins emitting light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

It seems like a woman's voice can be heard from somewhere.

You hear something about the next Resonance Amulet! Whispers and shivers and flashes abound... you see a female Kamael... then flashes of a town... Goddard! It's Goddard! That woman must be Medeia!

You sense the existence of the next Resonance Amulet. It seems to be in the hands of the female Kamael Master Medea in Goddard.

You sense the presence of someone with great white wings who harbors enmity against the Kamael.

Looking closely, you see what looks like a female Kamael warrior battling this white-winged being.

• Help the female warrior.

As you approach to help her...

You see that the female warrior looks like Rodenpicula, one of the three legendary Kamael heroes and the possessor of the powerful Shield of Light.

Communication with this Tablet right now would be futile.

Rodenpicla, the legendary Kamael heroine, looks at you curiously.

Speak with the one who has been in your dreams since youth.

There is a disturbance nearby.

Do not get involved. Wait and see what happens.

The Resonance Amulet begins to emit light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

Thoughts beyond your understanding race through your mind.

...

You seem to hear a conversation between a man in black armor and a woman dressed in blue.

"So, that is how you gave them the forbidden power... Now that they have achieved it, they can destroy us all, even you..."

"I believe in their wsidom and their strength. If we are to turn the great flow of fate away from chaos and destruction, we need their true power..."

...

Return to Hierarch Kekropus.

You have now gained all the knowledge available from the Tablets...

Return to Hierarch Kekropus.

Justin sent you here?

Ah...I think I know why...

Justin has pestered me for months now, but transporting cell tissues isn't easy.

• Why is that?

To transport the cell tissues intact, we have to lower their temperature dramatically.

Ask Chef Jeremy in the Hot Springs area about how to obtain the ice crystals we will need.

I see that you've managed to find some ice crystals.

Very good!

Now all we need to do is give the cell tissues a special low temperature treatment to preserve them during the journey.

It might take a while -- do you mind waiting?

• Wait

Hurry and take these treated cell tissues to Justin before they thaw.

The cell tissues that Justin needs are very fragile, and if they are less than perfect they are completely unusable.

It is possible to transport them using a special low temperature treatment,

but we will need ice crystals for the procedure.

Bring me some and I'll be able to complete the treatment.

Ask Chef Jeremy in the Hot Springs region where to obtain ice crystals.

Phew! All ready, at last.

Here are the treated cell tissues.

Hurry and take them to Justin before they thaw.

As a magician and a scholar, my interest in life energy is extremely keen.

While studying the Kamael, I have come to learn about the Tablet of Vision and the existence of the teaching stone.

However, journeying to those dangerous places myself in search of the stone is too arduous.

Instead, I have found a substitute material that can assist me in my research.

• "I need the Resonance Amulet."

Visit the Warehouse Keeper Stephano, bring back bio-cells for the life-energy research.

Use ice crystals to deep freeze the tissue cells so they can be transported without damage.

I am thrilled to finally obtain the research materials I need!

Thank you!

From what I have learned so far, the knowledge that can be gained from the Tablet of Vision is very abstract. It may not help me at all.

I think I am safe in giving you the Resonance Amulet.

• Receive the Resonance Amulet.

What I have given you can be used with the first Tablet of Vision.

You will find it south of the Tower of Insolence.

Then bring me the Cellular Tissues I need to further my life force research instead of visiting the Tablet of Vision. Once you've done so, I'll give you the Resonance Amulet.

Go see Warehouse Freightman Stefano, who I've asked to help you.

The Tablets of Vision are scattered throughout the world.

Each requires a different Resonance Amulet in order to communicate with it.

This means that the Amulets and Tablets are uniquely paired.

The Amulet I have given you matches the first Tablet of Vision, which is located to the south of the Tower of Insolence. Go find it!

The hieroglyphs on the Tablet are indecipherable. The Guardians of Forbidden Knowledge have the Resonance Amulet necessary to communicate with the Tablet.

The Resonance Amulet begins emitting light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

Thoughts beyond your understanding race through your mind, and you hear the faint whisper of a female voice.

You sense the existence of the next Resonance Amulet; it is being held by the Crimson Duchess, a follower of Beleth, who is near the Tablet located southeast of the Ketra Orc Outpost.

You cannot fight them by normal means, so you must gain more information from Kekropus' report.

You sense the existence of the next Resonance Amulet.

It is being held by the Crimson Duchess, a follower of Beleth, who near the Tablet located southeast of the Ketra Orc Outpost.

You cannot fight them by normal means,

so you must obtain more information from Kekropus' report.

There is no response from the Tablet.

The Resonance Amulet that will allow you to communicate with this Tablet can be found at the Wall of Argos or the Imperial Tomb.

The Resonance Amulet begins to emit light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

Thoughts beyond your understanding race through your mind, and you see a vision of a black knight!

You sense the existence of the next Resonance Amulet.

It is in the possession of a female Kamael warrior near the Tablet located southeast of Hunters Village.

She is battling a great white-winged being,

who has been ordered to keep the Kamael from learning the secret about themselves.

The next Resonance Amulet

seems to be in the possession of a female Kamael warrior near the Tablet of Vision located southeast of Hunters Village.

She is battling a great white-winged being who has been ordered to keep the Kamael from learning the secret about themselves.

Go the Tablet southeast of Hunters Village.

You wish to obtain a Resonance Amulet?

I happened to obtain my own Resonance Amulet while researching some historic ruins.

I would like to help you, but unfortunately

my Resonance Amulet acts as the activator for the prototype of a sorcerer's weapon that I'm currently researching.

It is already completely merged with the device, so I'm afraid it wouldn't be useful to you.

• "Is there perhaps another way?"

You may also obtain a Resonance Amulet by defeating Halisha's minions at the Four Sepulchers or the Shrine of Loyalty. Why not give it a try?

Once you have the Amulet, go to the Tablet of Vision near the northwestern sector of the Wall of Argos.

I researched the Resonance Amulet on my own after I obtained it.

Its true character requires further study, but its physical structure is composed of one material favored by Gran Kain.

One of the Rulers of Hell, Halisha, is said to use this very same material. Were you to elminate a sufficient number of his minions, I imagine you could gain it for yourself.

Apparently, Halisha has sent many of his minions to the Four Sepulchers, so that is a good place for you to start.

Oh, the evil creatures at the Shrine of Loyalty are also Halisha's minions, if you would rather try your luck there. Wherever you go, if you eliminate enough of Halisha's minions, some who are more highly ranked will eventually appear, and one of those will likely have a Resonance Amulet.

Once you have it, go to the Tablet of Vision near the northwestern sector of the Wall of Argos.

The Resonance Amulet emits light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

Thoughts beyond your understanding race through your mind.

But it feels incomplete...

You hear the faint whisper of a female voice.

The visions continue... You sense the next Resonance Amulet in the hands of countless warriors as you realize that you must find several more Tablet of Visions in order to obtain the knowledge you seek. The Tablet reveals the location; it is south of the Valley of the Saints.

Further communication with this Tablet is futile. The Guardians of Forbidden Knowledge have the next Resonance Amulet in the west part of the Valley of Saints. Defeat them and take the Amulet.

The Resonance Amulet begins to emit light as you approach the Tablet.

• Communicate with the Tablet of Vision.

Your mind is filled with incomprehensible knowledge... You see a vision of a man wearing black armor...

You sense that Magister Alminas in the Town of Goddard holds the next Resonance Amulet.

Find Magister Alminas in the Town of Goddard and obtain the next Resonance Amulet.