Bird in a Cage

I am Priest Kanis. I am privileged to serve the great Shamaness Parme of the Crystal Oracle,

who offered herself as a sacrifice in order to appease the Water Dragon Fafurion.

Several days ago, Demons, crazed servants of the Water Dragon and Crystal Golems attacked the Oracle.

It was completely destroyed, and its people were lost.

Only I was able to escape to seek help...

On the day of the attack on the Crystal Oracle, the Oracle's Shamaness was also lost.

After much effort, I was finally able to determine her whereabouts.

But my skill is insufficient to defeat the monster that guards her.

I need the help of an experienced adventurer.

• "I will help."

We must prepare thoroughly if we hope to rescue the Shamaness.

If we act rashly, she will be moved to a different location, and all our efforts will have been in vain.

You need more training before setting out on this mission.

(Only characters who are level 78 or above may undertake this quest.)

x(finishedquest.htm)

Thank you for agreeing to help.

The Shamaness is being held captive in the Crystal Caverns of the Water Dragon at the center of this island.

• "What happened at the Crystal Oracle, and why is the Shamaness being held captive?"

In the past, the Water Dragon rose up because of the conflict between the Water Dragon's anger, which was fueled by Shilen's influence, and its original heart.

The Innadril Elves and the goddess Eva, who felt pity for the Dragon, used a special method to commune with it. They selected an Elf maiden to serve as the Dragon's Shamaness in order to provide it with some comfort.

The servants of the Water Dragon built this Crystal Oracle for the Shamaness.

• Keep listening.

In the past, the Water Dragon rose up because of the conflict between the Water Dragon's anger, which was fueled by Shilen's influence, and its original heart.

The Innadril Elves and the goddess Eva, who felt pity for the Dragon, used a special method to commune with it. They selected an Elf maiden to serve as the Dragon's Shamaness in order to provide it with some comfort.

The servants of the Water Dragon built this Crystal Oracle for the Shamaness.

• Keep listening.

Recently, however, the Shamaness began to act strangely, and the Water Dragon stopped coming.

Then monsters that had never appeared here before attacked the Crystal Oracle, along with many of the Water Dragon's servants -- including even the Crystal Golems that had previously protected us.

Many people were killed or captured, including the Shamaness...

(Kanis looks like he is reliving the experience.)

• Wait until Kanis calms down.

(Kanis calms down and continues the story.)

I escaped to Gakas and made many dangerous attempts to find the location of the Shamaness.

During my search, I found the diaries of the Shamaness' maidservant and her supervisor.

• "What did you learn from the diaries?"

(Kanis calms down and continues the story.)

I escaped to Gakas and made many dangerous attempts to find the location of the Shamaness.

During my search, I found the diaries of the Shamaness' maidservant and her supervisor.

• "What did you learn from the diaries?"

Considering all that has happened, it is clear to me that some evil force is trying to use the Shamaness to obtain the Water Dragon's power.

It must have disguised itself as a hurt, weak creature and entered the most vulnerable part of the Shamaness' mind.

By the time the Shamaness realized that something was wrong, the evil force had managed to obtain nearly all of the Water Dragon's power.

If the Shamaness were restored to her own mind, however, it would undoubtedly feel the wrath of the Water Dragon...

The evil force realized this and acted first by attacking the Crystal Oracle and imprisoning the Shamaness some place where she cannot communicate with the Water Dragon.

• "How did you find the place where she is being held?"

I was able to determine the Shamaness' location by using a relic of Eva that contains the power of the Water Dragon.

...

Take this Echo Crystal for now.

When I confirmed her location through the relic, I was also able to ascertain a little about her condition.

It seems that her mind has been sealed in order to block her from communicating with the Water Dragon.

When you find her, you may need this Echo Crystal, which contains the voice of her mother, also a famous priestess.

• Take the Echo Crystal from Kanis.

They say that a monster named Balor rules over the Water Dragon's Cave.

I believe that Balor guards the place where the Shamaness is being held captive.

If that is the case, you will only be able reach the Shamaness by defeating Balor.

That creature is said to be far stronger and more frightening than ordinary monsters, so please be careful...

• "I will depart now."

Then please make the necessary preparations.

Depart once you are ready to rescue the Shamaness from the Water Dragon's Cave beneath the Crystal Oracle.

• "Have you learned anything else about the Water Dragon's Cave?"
• "I will depart now."

To enter the Water Dragon's Cave, you will need 1 Contaminated Crystal. The Contaminated Crystal can be found at the Dark Cloud Mansion.

They say that a monster named Balor rules over the Water Dragon's Cave.

I believe that Balor guards the place where the Shamaness is being held captive.

If that is the case, you will only be able reach the Shamaness by defeating Balor.

That creature is said to be far stronger and more frightening than ordinary monsters, so please be careful...

• "I will depart now."

I entreat you...

You will only be able to reach the location where the Shamaness is being held captive after defeating the evil creature named Balor.

You can enter the Water Dragon's Cave using the Contaminated Crystal from the Dark Cloud Mansion. Please be careful...and good luck!

Oh...?

Have you rescued the Shamaness?

What happened?

Where is the Shamaness?

Did you fail to find her?

• Calm the flustered Kanis and hand him the Shamaness' letter.

(Kanis begins to read the Shamaness' letter. His expression brightens.)

Oh, thank you!

(Tears form in Kanis' eyes.)

Thank you very much!

The Shamaness will be safe in this secret location.

You are a true benefactor of this Crystal Island.

• "During our escape from the Crystal Dungeon, the Shamaness said that Beleth was responsible for this."

(Kanis begins to read the Shamaness' letter. His expression brightens.)

Oh, thank you!

(Tears form in Kanis' eyes.)

Thank you very much!

The Shamaness will be safe in this secret location.

You are a true benefactor of this Crystal Island.

• "During our escape from the Crystal Dungeon, the Shamaness said that Beleth was responsible for this."

Ah, the notorious Demon Beleth... So the Shamaness reports in her letter.

She says that she was due to be transported shortly to Beleth's stronghold on Hellbound Island.

You succeeded in rescuing her in the nick of time!

This could have been an even worse disaster...

Apparently, though, several others from the Oracle, including several high-level priests with the weakened power of the Water Dragon, were taken to there.

Once Innadril's Elven Army has been summoned, it will likely have to mount a major rescue operation.

The Shamaness was able to describe in general terms the presumed location of Beleth's stronghold, at least.

I now have many things to attend to.

Oh, this is one of the Oracle's treasures -- the Shamaness has instructed me to give it to you with her gratitude.

Please speak to me if you are interested in Beleth's stronghold on Hellbound Island...

Thank you again for all your help.

I will pray that divine blessings rain down upon your path.

The Shamaness' eyes stare into space, blank and unfocused. She is in no state to carry on a conversation.

(Suddenly, an ethereal and sorrowful melody begins to flow from the Echo Crystal you received from Kanis.

The Shamaness' body is engulfed in light, and her eyes come back into focus as she clutches her head and shrieks in pain.

A moment later...

She seems to recover, although still appears somewhat disoriented.)

Wh...who...are you?

And where...am I?

• Explain what happened.

(As she listens, the Shamaness continues to tenderly hold her head in her hands.)

Uhh... Uhh...

...

Ahh! I remember everything now.

Thank you very much.

There is so much to tell, but...

It would be best to leave this place first.

I will go to a secret location to take care of a number of tasks for the Water Dragon that cannot be delayed.

I am sorry to not be able to tell you more, even after you saved me.

But it is that important...

I will teleport you outside.

(The Shamaness begins to write a letter.)

Please deliver this letter to Kanis.

We must go now!

(The Shamaness concentrates for a moment and then begins chanting a spell.)

• Take the letter and wait until the spell is complete.

While being teleported through the power of the Shamaness, you hear her final whisper in your ear:

The name of the one who destroyed the Oracle and trapped me in this place is...

Be...le...th...