Hardcase

Overview

Hardcase is a villain contact in the Black Mariah neighborhood of St. Martial Hardcase is a Magic origin contact. His level range is 30-34 as well as 35-39.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

• Isabel the Knife
• Ian the Shark

Information

Demon Hunter

Hardcase is a professional demon hunter. Demon hunters as a general rule don't live very long, so the fact that he is a veteran is a testament to his skills or luck. Hardcase has come to St. Martial to deal with the demons who plaque the area, and is looking for freelancers who aren't afraid to tuss with the monsters.

Initial Contact

Demons. St. Martial is full of 'em. That's why I'm here. They call me Hardcase, and I'm a demon hunter. I don't care what your story is. All I want to know if you're tough enough to deal. If you are, then maybe we can do some business. If you're not, then I suggest you slink back to whatever hole you crawled out of.

Story Arc

Silver Tongue

This is a silver forked demon tongue. It's all that's left from a Wailer King demon known as Silvertongue after you defeated him in a tale you like to call:

Silver-Tongued Devil

It all stated when Hardcase spoke with you about getting rid of a demon problem for a lady in return for a big payoff. She wanted to get rid of a Wailer King known as Silvertongue who she inadvertently made a deal with. hardcase had you start interrogating the Wailers to see if you could find Silvertongue's true name - it turned out to be Cacophonix!

The next step was getting a banishing ritual. No one knows mroe about demons than the Circle of Thorns, so you taided one of their temples to get the materials for the ritual.

Hardcase passed word the lady who made the deal with Silvertongue was trapped in a warehouse with the demons closing in on her. since she was the payoff, it was important to get to her in time. Confronting Silvertongue there, you found that the whole mess was set up by the demon! The banishing ritual was useless against him since he passed on a flase true name. You managed to defeat Silvertongue anyway, but he promised to return again.

Johnny Sonata Tickets

These are a couple of Johnny Sonata tickets. You got these as a reminder of a tale you like to call:

Sold for a Song

It all started when Hardcase the demon hunter got you to beat down some Wailers on St. Martial and collect their essence in a crystal pendant. You got the job done, and Hardcase related the Wailers had a 'resonance' having to do with sound and music, possibly something on St. Martial itself.

Hardcase wanted to know more, and sent you to interrogate some Circle of Thorns mystics, known demon summoners. You found that one of the Circle mystics known as Karvost had made some deals with the Wailers. Heading to Karvost's lair, you interrogated the mystic to discover that he had learned to control them through a book known as the Tolshak Mysteries, hidden in a Circle temple beneath Sharkhead Isle.

Raiding the Circle of Thorns temple on Sharkhead Isle, you ransacked their libraries to find the Tolshak Mysteries. You took the book back to Hardcase who began to unlock its secrets.

Hardcase was recently visited by Daniel Hawthorn, a man who had made a pact with the Wailers. He reneged on the deal however, and was being hunted by the demons. Hardcase wanted to know the details of the pact, so sent you to get to the man before the demons did. After you rescued Daniel Hawthorn, he told you the deal: they'd provide him luck in the casino, and he'd destroy one of the seals on the Golden Giza. Hardcase theorized that the demons were bownd to the seals in some way.

Hardcase decided to ask an expert in magical matters, and requested a divination on the seals from the Archmage Tarixus on Sharkhead Isle. Tarixus required a boon first, asking you to eliminate some of his Circle enemies on Primeva. Once you succeeded, he sent the results of the divination to Hardcase. Hardcase revealed the seals were not there to bind the Wailers to the Golden Giza, but to keep them out of Babylon!

Hardcase still had the question of who was behind the building of the seals. He sent you to the local property office to find out more info on Babylon and the Golden Giza. there you found that major architectural reconstruction was done by none other than the star singer of the Golden Giza, Johnny Sonata! Hardcase speculated Johnny had sold his soul to the demons for a song, but then found the means to prevent them from getting at him. Hardcase was frustrated: killing Johnny to solve the Wailer problem would be difficult, and was not the guaranteed solution. Hardcase was consigned to hunt demons until a clear path was apparent.

Johnny Sonata Techno-Remix

This techno-remix recording of the star of the Golden Giza on St. Martial, the crooner known as Johnny Sonata. You have it as a reminder from a tale you like to call:

Pied Piper

It all started when Hardcase contacted you about a horde of Wailers attacking a warehouse in The Hard Way. Investigating, you found a gang of Freakshow with sound modifications being swarmed by Wailers. After you dealt with the situation, you found a bunch of music discs on the Freakshow, including a techno-remix of Johnny Sonata's greatest hits. Hardcase speculated the Wailers were attracted to the music!

Hardcase saw this as an opportunity to draw the Wailers away from St. Martial. He sent you to go after Trey Belcleff, one of the Freakshow's sonic techies. Getting to Trey, you got him to build a sonic transmitter capable of attracting the Wailers from a distance.

Hardcase picked a target for the sonic device: Paragon City. You snuck over to the mainland and planted the sonic transmitter in the sewers beneath Paragon, avoiding patrols of Longbow who caught word of your presence. You managed to plant the device, giving a momentary reprise from the Wailers for St. Martial.

Store

Store section not complete

Hardcase sells level 35 magic and natural dual-origin enhancements and level 35 and 40 magic single-origin enhancements.

Level 35-39 Missions

Find cause of Wailer attack

Briefing

Hey. I got word that all hell is breaking loose in a warehouse down in Hard Way. Nothing new considering what the Hard Way is normally like, but in this case there's a LOT of Wailers there. I don't know if it's some sort of ward they're after there, or Johnny Sonata tried to make a break for it or what, but it's worth checking out. Head over to the warehouse and find out what's causing these Wailers to attack in such huge numbers.

You might want some backup - there's a LOT of Wailers in there!

Mission Objective(s)

In the distance you hear discordant music accompanied by the screams of Wailer demons.

• Find cause of Wailer attack

You found the cause of the Wailer attacks!

Clue: Wailer Freakout

It all started when Hardcase contacted you about a horde of Wailers attacking a warehouse in The Hard Way. Investigating, you found a gang of Freakshow with sound modifications being swarmed by Wailers. After you dealt with the situation, you found a bunch of music discs on the Freakshow, including a techno-remix of Johnny Sonata's greatest hits. Hardcase speculated the Wailers were attracted to the music!

Debriefing

The Freakshow had a Johnny Sonata remix which drew the Wailers? Damn. We might just be able to use this to our advantage...

Steal sonic device

Briefing

Those sonic Freakshow who were playing the Johnny Sonata techno-remix which attracted the Wailers gave me an idea. If we could get hold of some of the sonic tech, we can plant a device on another island and draw the Wailers away from St. Martial! I know the name of a techie who's working for the Freakshow leaders on St. Martial developing their sonic tech. Get Trey Belcleff from the Freakshow to build you a sonic device.

Once we capture Belcleff, we can get him to construct the sonic device to attract the Wailers!

Mission Objective(s)

Off in the distance you hear a discordant squeal from a loudspeaker.

• Steal sonic device

You got the sonic device!

Notable NPCs

• Blahpunk
• Noise Tank

Clue: Ultra Mega Boombox

This oversized boombox is a sonic transmitter built by the Freakshow sonic techie Trey Belcleff. It is loaded with a cycling techno-remix of Johnny Sonata's greatest hits. The Wailers of St. Martial are attracted to the music!

Debriefing

This'll be perfect. Now we just need to pick a good target. I have something in mind...

Draw Wailers to Paragon City

Briefing

So we found the Wailers were attracted by the techno-remix of Johnny Sonata's music, and managed to get a Freakshow sonic techie to make a heavy duty sonic transmitter. Now all we need to do is plant it somewhere off of St. Martial...

I know - let's put it in Paragon City. Let those hero jerks deal with the Wailers when they come after it. They'll probably find the device after a while, but it'll give St. Martial a break from the Wailers for a while at least. Plant the sonic transmitter in the Paragon City sewers and make sure there are no nearby witnesses!

Mission Acceptance

I have a boat waiting in Nerva to take you to Paragon City. Longbow usually watches for villains going in and out of the Rogue Isles, so keep an eye out for them.

Mission Objective(s)

The foul sewers below Paragon City is a perfect place to hide the sonic transmitter.

• Draw Wailers to Paragon City
• Plant sonic device
• Defeat reinforcements
• Defeat witnesses

You planted the sonic device!

Debriefing

That should draw some of the Wailers off St. Martial - at least for a while. Let the 'heroes' of Paragon City deal with that mess!

Rescue casino patrons from Circle

Briefing

Our old friends in the Circle of Thorns are up to no good. They've been nabbing some folks from the casino to use as bait for the Wailers, and that's no good for the bottom line in St. Martial. Rescue these people from the Circle of Thorns.

We got to keep the money flowin' in St. Martial, so let's get those casino customers back.

Mission Objective(s)

The air crackles with magical energy.

• Rescue casino patrons from Circle
• 5 casino patrons to recover

You recovered the casino patrons!

Clue:

Debriefing

You got 'em back? Good. They can't spend their money at the Golden Giza if they're dead!

Break up negotiations

Briefing

Well, it looks like even the Wailers are even trying to make pacts with the Tsoo! I doubt the Tsoo are going to buy into it, but the sum total is the same: if the Wailers get an edge, it could mean St. Martial being overrun by demons. Break up the meeting between the Wailers and the Tsoo!

No need to start a war with the Tsoo, but at least take out the negotiators.

Mission Objective(s)

You hear angry shouts in the distance.

• Break up negotiations

You broke the negotiations!

Debriefing

Alright! The last thing we need is the Tsoo workin' with the Wailers!

Rescue kidnap victims

Briefing

I consider St. Martial my home, and the people who work in St. Martial my people. Well, I just got word some of my people have gone missing. Some Council goons came chargin' in and loaded up a bunch of the locals into trucks. I heard they do experimentation on people they kidnap, and that just ain't cool. Not on my people. This ain't your regular thing, but I want you to rescue the kidnap victims from the Council base.

No mercy.

Mission Objective(s)

The Council has transformed this cave network into another base for their dark designs.

• Rescue kidnap victims
• 5 kidnap victims to rescue

You saved the kidnap victims!

Clue: Nictus Experimentation

Apaprently, the Council are kidnapping people to perform Nictus experiments on them!

Debriefing

Thanks for doing this. I know it's not your regular thing, but we gotta protect our own, right?

Stop the Carnival pact

Briefing

The Carnival of Shadow have been causing problems again. They've been making some deals with the Wailers, gaining power over them by luring people away to use as bargaining chips in pacts with the demons. The Carnival has just taken a bunch of people from a local tenement for the Wailers, and that just ain't cool. Stop the Carnival from carrying out their deal with the Wailers.

If we don't prevent these people from being kidnapped, the Wailers are gonna gain more power in St. Martial. Besides, no one deserves their souls ripped away by demons. No one.

Mission Objective(s)

The shadows seem to be playing tricks on you.

• Stop the Carnival pact
• 3 kidnap victims to free
• Defeat negotiators

You stopped the Carnival pact!

Debriefing

Nice work! No one needs to go through that kind of hell. Especially not our people.

Rescue victims from Wailers

Briefing

There's something going down, but if you're one of those, 'I want to eat human brains' types, then I got nothing for you. Look, we may be villains, but we still live here. I do what I do to make my life easier, but I don't go out of my way to hurt people who don't deserve it. I make my own destiny and I don't care about the laws unless someone's strong enough to stop me. But I ain't a monster.

Y'know those Wailer demons? Well, they been goin' around St. Martial collectin' souls from people who don't deserve it. When demons take out people they make pacts with that's one thing, but when they start pickin on folks just mindin' their own business, that's when I gotta step in and kick some demon butt! If you're still here, then I guess you see things my way. Head over to the slums in St. Martial and protect the people from the Wailers.

There may not be too many innocents in the Rogue Isles, but there's such a thing as protecting your own. That's where I'm coming from.

Mission Objective(s)

The terrified screams from residents of this neighborhood echo through the streets.

• Rescue victims from Wailers
• 3 victims to rescue

You rescued the victims!

Clue: Soul Raiders

"It all started when Hardcase asked you to help deal with Wailers stealing souls from people in St. Martial who didn't deserve it. Hardcase isn't the bleeding heart type, but he does believe in protecting his own. You agreed to help out and managed to save a few of the working stiffs of St. Martial from having their souls ripped away.

Debriefing

Apparently, there was some sort of astrological conjunction which allowed the Wailers to seize souls without making a pact with them first. You did a good job ni protecting our own. You got my respect.

Defeat all Wailers in office

Briefing

We got us a problem. I got a call about some Wailer demons breaking into an office in the Golden Giza. There ain't been problems in the Giza with demons before, so we best take care of this pronto before it develops into something worse. Clear the Wailers out of the casino office.

Make sure you clear all of 'em out. Even one escaping could mean a whole lotta problems.

Mission Objective(s)

You hear a crash and the scream of office workers. The demons are here.

• Defeat all Wailers in office
• Stop Silvertongue from escaping!

You defeated the Wailers!

Clue: Casino under Siege

"It all started when Hardcase asked you to help deal with Wailers stealing souls from people in St. Martial who didn't deserve it. Hardcase isn't the bleeding heart type, but he does believe in protecting his own. You agreed to help out and managed to save a few of the working stiffs of St. Martial from having their souls ripped away.

It seemed as though the soul raid by the Wailers on the streets of St. Martial was just the beginning. Hardcase got the call about demons running amok ni the offices in the Golden Giza. This worried Hardcase, as the Giza never had demon problems before. He sent you there and you dealt with a Wailer King known as Silvertongue.

Debriefing

Silvertongue the Wailer King was there? This demon problem is getting worse by the minute. We gotta deal with this.

Disrupt Circle plans

Briefing

I don't like these increased demon attacks around St. Martial. First, regular joes on the street, then an attack on the Golden Giza itself. We gotta get to the root of these attacks.

The Circle of Thorns have been trying to control the Wailers for awhile, so they might have insight into what the Wailers are up to. Hit a Circle of Thorns hideout and interrogate their leader, Karthist, on what they know about the Wailers' plans. While you're there, free a couple of the sacrifice victims they recently nabbed from St. Martial. Again, these are just folks that done nothin' but get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mission Acceptance

Karthist is a bit of a coward and will likely try to run when things get rough for him. Don't let him escape!

Mission Objective(s)

The air is charged with arcane energies.

• Disrupt Circle plans
  • 2 victims to free
  • Interrogate Circle leader

You interrogated the leader and freed the sacrifice victims!

Clue: Circle of Thorns Interrogation

The leader of this Circle of Thorns temple relates his knowledge of the Wailers plans. Apparently, the Wailers are desperately trying to get break through wards scattered around Babylon trying to get to someone within the Golden Giza.

Debriefing

Huh. Well, it's nothin' really new. We already knew the demons were wanting to get into the Giza, and by all accounts it's likely 'cuz they want to get to the Giza's star, Johnny Sonata. Looks like Johnny's luck is starting to run out.

Interrogate Paradox

Briefing

Listen up. We know the Wailers are trying to break into the Golden Giza, and we've got a pretty good idea why. I just got more info on that raid the demons made on the offices by the casino. Apparently, there was one of the Carnival of Shadows nearby there acting suspiciously, a woman named Paradox. She was recently seen heading into the Hard Way to an abandoned warehouse.

Mission Acceptance

Paradox has a rep for dealing with all sorts of supernatural entities. Don't be surprised to run into a few there.

Mission Objective(s)

Out of the corner of your eye, you see a shape disappear into the shadows of this abandoned warehouse.

• Interrogate Paradox

(Mission completion)

Clue:

Debriefing

Briefing

Mission Objective(s)

Clue:

Debriefing

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