| 1 | Assist Asala in opening the Gates
The Ardura Maraketh have run into some trouble. Assist Sekhema Asala in fighting the enemy and opening the Gates.
Area: The Halani GatesNPC: The Hooded One Shambrin: I am accustomed to others shivering and turning away when my gaze falls upon them, but I must confess, for once the feeling is reversed. Although she is blind, I sometimes have the strangest notion that she is looking at me - even at night.The Hooded One Zarka: You have no idea how much restraint it requires to listen to tales of peoples and places I knew, yet {not} correct her. She's close, I shall grant her that. Often startlingly so, in certain details or sequences of events, but the spirit of what happened thousands of years ago, the {essence} of that life... it has been embellished. Yet other times, the stories convey only a pale shadow, and the true magnificence is lost. Or is it my memories that have drifted with time? I suppose we shall never know, because those days are gone, never to return... all that I once loved has been dust hundreds of years longer than you have even been alive.Zarka Risu: Each young one is much like another. Faridun, Maraketh, what does it matter to an old woman? Others may scowl for letting Risu sit and listen to my stories, but none may order me silent.Shambrin The Hooded One: When I face his direction, there is a faint... impression. Even the sun does not intrude upon my blindness, so this is a new sensation for me. What am I seeing from your strange companion? |
| 2 | Assist Asala in opening the Gates
The Ardura Maraketh have run into some trouble. Assist Sekhema Asala in fighting the enemy and opening the Gates.
Area: The Halani GatesNPC: Shambrin Prisoner Freed: So, you released Balbala from her prison, and she fought well. Good. She may now earn her redemption, if the ancient places still hold power. Her {barya} contains her soul. She will tell you what to do next.Shambrin Prisoner Freed: So, you released Balbala from her prison, and she fought well. Good. I'm sure you know what to do next, but touch the {barya} and ask her, if your time away from the Maraketh has faded your knowledge of the tales.Zarka The Trial of the Sekhemas: Ah, you released Balbala, the Traitor? Then it is your duty to redeem her soul, by allowing her to serve as a mentor Djinn during your dance with the scorpion. In modern times, we give aspiring {dekharas} a straightforward test. For {this} task, however, the old ways are required. You will have to face a much deadlier trial. Speak to Asala. The original trial is not far from here, and the caravan is duty-bound to carry you there.Zarka The Trial of the Sekhemas: Ah, you released Balbala, the Traitor? Then it is your duty to redeem her soul, by allowing her to serve as a mentor Djinn during your dance with the scorpion. This will not be a simple matter, the old ways are required. Speak to Asala. The ancient trial is not far from here, and the caravan is duty-bound to carry you there. |
| 3 | Return to the Ardura Caravan
Return to the Ardura Caravan and speak to Zarka about what you have just found.
Area: The Ardura CaravanNPC: Sekhema Asala The Horn of the Vastiri: Ah, yes, the Horn of the Vastiri... I know the tale. The ancient city of Keth, the Badlands, and the Valley of the Titans... We can retrace Orbala's steps in any order. Desert Map Travel to the Halani Gates: We have reclaimed the Halani Gates from the Faridun, but Jamanra's foul sorcery holds us at bay with a sandstorm. Speak to Zarka. She may know of some way forward. Desert Map Travel to Keth: Once the seat of power for our people, now a buried testament to a glorious past. We will build a new Keth someday, when all this is over, and the Maraketh will shine under the sun once again. That is a promise.Desert Map Travel to Mastodon Badlands: That valley of the Badlands, where Mastodon bones rot under the sun for all time, is proof that a culture can vanish entirely if the world changes too much. I will not let my people diminish and disappear the same way...Desert Map Travel to Valley of the Titans: I am forbidden by the terms of the Third Pact from invoking the Rite of Flame myself. I must send an emissary... as must they. I do not know in what form it will come.The Hooded One Our Next Move: The Countess has used Corruption to resurrect Jamanra, and they have escaped with the Beast... thankfully, we have some idea what the Faridun intend. We must reach Deshar as soon as possible.Shambrin Risu: Risu has proven herself, at least to me. She has spoken only the truth, and I believe she means well. In another life, we might have been fellow {dekhara,} or even friends.Zarka Dispelling the Sandstorm: Jamanra can control the sands? This was not an ability he had in life. It must be born of Corruption. There {is} something in the tales that could help us overcome such a power. It was said that the Horn of the Vastiri could control the winds. I believe the Horn's location has been lost to time... {but}... perhaps it is possible that we can reconstruct it. We would have to retrace the steps of our greatest heroine, Orbala, on her final adventure. Speak to Asala. She knows the tale, and where it might take us. Let her know how you wish to begin. Or, you may seek my wisdom if you have further questions.Zarka The Trial of the Sekhemas: Ah, you released Balbala, the Traitor? Then it is your duty to redeem her soul, by allowing her to serve as a mentor Djinn during your dance with the scorpion. In modern times, we give aspiring {dekharas} a straightforward test. For {this} task, however, the old ways are required. You will have to face a much deadlier trial. Speak to Asala. The original trial is not far from here, and the caravan is duty-bound to carry you there.Zarka The Trial of the Sekhemas: Ah, you released Balbala, the Traitor? Then it is your duty to redeem her soul, by allowing her to serve as a mentor Djinn during your dance with the scorpion. This will not be a simple matter, the old ways are required. Speak to Asala. The ancient trial is not far from here, and the caravan is duty-bound to carry you there. |
| 4 | Return to the Ardura Caravan
Return to the Ardura Caravan and speak to Zarka about what you have just found.
Area: The Ardura Caravan |
| 5 | Use the Desert Map to travel to the Trial of the Sekhemas
Use the Desert Map to travel to the Trial of the Sekhemas.
Area: The Ardura Caravan |
| 6 | Find a Relic Altar
Find a Relic Altar in the Trial of the Sekhemas to place your Barya into.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 7 | Place your Barya into the Relic Altar
You have found the Relic Altar. Place your Barya into it.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 8 | Speak to Balbala
Speak to Balbala, the Released.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 9 | Use the Relic Altar
Place your Key into the Relic Altar to begin the Trial of the Sekhemas.
Area: Trial of the SekhemasNPC: Balbala, the Advisor Aid: The role of advisor is strictly bound by tradition. I may offer you aid, but only in certain specific ways. Look to me in your times of doubt.Balbala, the Advisor Imprisonment: The tale-women of many {akharas} gathered on the day of my sentencing. Death was not punishment enough for my crime. They enacted the ritual, but my imprisonment as Djinn would not have been possible without my willful agreement. I accepted. I let it happen, because I deserved it. I have no idea how long I was trapped there, but it was as close to eternity as I can possibly imagine.Balbala, the Advisor The Trial: I have had a great many years to think on my foolish choices, and now all I want is to earn my right to rest. This place was built to determine honour, to prove oneself worthy as a Sekhema. Tradition allowed for one {dekhara}, and one advisor. If I aid you here, and if you succeed, then my crimes will finally be forgiven. Then, and only then, may I join those that have gone before.Balbala, the Advisor Traitor: I hardly know the woman I was before. I remember betraying my {akhara}, but the reasons why now feel petty and small. If I could go back, if I could speak to the woman I was, I would tell her what a fool she was being. Would she listen? Probably not... The mistakes we make are shaped from who we are.Balbala, the Advisor Vastiri Desert: What happened to the Plains of Vastiri? The land has changed so much since the time of my imprisonment. There were several desert regions slowly spreading, but it wasn't like this. The Halani Gates where I committed my crimes were water-locks for a river. Now, there is nothing but sand and salt flats. How could they have allowed this to happen? |
| 10 | Begin your Test of Strength
Begin your Test of Strength.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 11 | Complete the Trial of the Sekhemas
Complete the Trial of the Sekhemas.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 12 | Defeat Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker
Defeat Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 13 | Use the Altar of Ascendancy to choose your Ascendancy
Use the Altar of Ascendancy to choose your Ascendancy.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 14 | Use the Altar of Ascendancy to obtain Ascendancy Passive Skill Points
Use the Altar of Ascendancy to obtain Ascendancy Passive Skill Points.
Area: Trial of the Sekhemas |
| 15 | Quest Complete
Quest Complete - You have completed the Trial of the Sekhemas and have obtained Ascendancy Passive Points as a reward. |
| 16 | Quest Complete
Quest Complete - You have completed the Trial of the Sekhemas and have chosen an Ascendancy as a reward. |
