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 Arcs

Silver-Tongued Devil

Souvenir: 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.

Interrogate Wailers

Briefing

Normally, I don't do mercy missions. I mean - if you're stupid enough to get yourself in trouble with a demon, it's your own damn problem, right? Well, there's a lady who came to me asking to help her with a little demon problem she had. Apparently, she didn't know what she was getting herself into and made a pact with a Wailer King who goes by the name of Silvertongue. In any case, she promised to compensate for helping her with her troubles. Payout and demon killing? Works for me!

Some demons have something called a true name.Knowing a demon's true name gives you power over them and can be used to banish them or bind them to your will when used with the proper ritual. The Wailer King responsible for messin' with the ladywill never reveal his true name, but his minions might reveal it - given the proper persuasion. Interrogate the Wailers for Silvertongue's true name.

I know there's a bunch of them in some caves nearby here. Check them out.

Once we have Silvertongue's true name, we can get to the business of banishing him.

The caves resonate with distant shrill screams.

Mission Objective(s)

• Interrogate Wailers

Enemies

Wailers

Silvertongue's True Name

After interrogating a number of the lesser demons, you found the Wailer King known as Silvertongue has a true name of "Cacophonix".

Notable NPCs

• None

Debriefing

So Silvertongue's true name is Cacophonix, eh? Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.

Steal banishing ritual and components

Briefing

We're well on our way to getting our payoff for banishing the Wailer King known as Silvertongue. Learning his true name means all we need to get rid of the demon is to get an appropiate banishing ritual. Who knows more about binding and banishing demons than anyone? The Circle of Thorns. Raid a Circle temple on Primeva and steal the Banishing Ritual of Gymon're and the necessary components for it.

The Circle does not readily share its knowledge, so be prepared to bust some heads.

The air is charged with arcane energies

Mission Objective(s)

• Steal banishing ritual and components
  • Find ritual, Find components

Enemies

Circle of Thorns

Notable NPCs

• Agony Mage (boss)

Debriefing

You got the stuff? Excellent - now we can get rid of Silvertongue and get the payoff!

Defeat Silvertongue

Briefing

We got Silvertongue's number now! All we have to do is find and banish the demon!

I just got a call from the lady who made the deal with Silvertongue. She thinks the demons have tracked her down and Silvertongue is on his way! Take down Silvertongue once and for all!

Make sure you get the lady out of there too - she's our big payoff!

Mission Objective(s)

The warehouse smells of must and brimstone. Not a pleasant combination.

• Defeat Silvertongue

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Silvertongue (Wailers Wailer King)

Dialogs:

During this mission, Silvertongue will explain everything:

Before combat: Shh! Villain is approaching!
Combat start: Hahaha! Villain fell for our little trap! Guess what? I'm the "lady" who was speaking with Hardcase! Your banishing ritual will do nothing, as you don't know my REAL true name! I set you up! I SET YOU UP! Hahaha!
At 50% life: Get'em, boys!
Defeated: I'll be back, Villain! I'll be back!

Debriefing

You mean the lady was Silvertongue? Damn! I've been played for a fool. I should have known better than to fall for some lame damsel-in-distress routine. Trust no one, Villain, especially when you're dealing with demons!

Sold for a Song

Souvenir: 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.

Collect demonic essence

Briefing

I'm here to deal with the demons around St. Martial, but I can't solve the problem until I have a better understanding of what makes these demons tick. Take this pendant - it was created to capture the essence of Wailer Demons you defeat. There's an old warehouse nearby which has been overrun with Wailers. Steal the essence of all the Wailers there and return the crystal pendant to me. Once the crystal pendant is full, I'll be able to get a better idea of what we're dealing with.

A warning: the demons can sense the nature of the pendant, so they may come after you!

You see small shapes scuttling in the shadows

Mission Objective(s)

• Collect demonic essence

Enemies

Wailers

Full crystal pendant

This is a crystal pendant created by the demon hunter Hardcase. It is used to collect the magical essence of demons you defeat. It is now full, it's crystal blackened by the demonic energies it contains.

Notable NPCs

• Wailer King (boss)

Debriefing

Huh, interesting. From the look of the crystal, these Wailers have a certain demonic resonance linked with sound and music. It's probably something on St. Martial itself that is drawing them here. But what?

Interrogate Circle of Thorns

Briefing

I may be an expert demon hunter, but there are others who know more about demons. That'd be the Circle of Thorns - their whole shtick is about souls and demons. I want to know what they know about the demons running about St. Martial. Interrogate the Circle of Thorns about the Wailers.

There are some powerful Circle mystics here on St. Martial and on the Nerva Archipelago

The Circle makes deals with demons constantly. They're our best source on the Wailers.

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat Circle of Thorns
  • Defeat 30 Circle of Thorns

The Circle surrenders the name and location of one of their mystics who has had dealings with the Wailers.

Karvost the Mystic

Karvost is a Circle of Thorns Mystic who has had dealings with the Wailer demons in St. Martial. He may be able to provide more information on the monsters.

Mission Objective(s)

• Interrogate Karvost the Mystic

Piercing wails echo through these caves

Enemies

Wailers

Circle of Thorns

Interrogation of Karvost

Karvost learned to control the Wailers from a tome known as the Tolshak Mysteries. It is hidden in a Circle of Thorns temple beneath Sharkhead Isle

Notable NPCs

• Karvost (boss) (Agony Mage)

Debriefing

So Karvost learned to control Wailers through this tome, huh? We might need to get hold of that...

Steal Tolshak Mysteries

Briefing

Karvost the Mystic spilled his guts about how he controlled the Wailers. The tome called the Tolshak Mysteries is exactly what we need to find out more about those demons. Break into the Circle of Thorns temple and steal the Talshok Mysteries.

The Circle of Thorns temple is likely to be well-guarded, so be prepared to take on some serious trouble.

This ancient Circle of Thorns temple smells of mold and incense

Mission Objective(s)

• Steal Tolshak Mysteries

Enemies

Circle of Thorns

Tolshak Mysteries

This ancient and musty-smelling tome is filled with occult ciphers that would take years for the uninitiated to interpret. According to Karvost the Mystic, it unlocks key secrets of demonology.

Notable NPCs

• Agony Mage (boss)

Debriefing

Ah, the Tolshak Mysteries! It'll take me a bit of time to decipher the occult ciphers, but it should be able to provide me more info on the Wailers.

Rescue Daniel Hawthorn

Briefing

You've been getting some good info on these Wailers. You got more information on the nature of the demons through the resonance crystal, and tracking down and stealing the Tolshak Mysteries from the Circle of Thorns was very valuable. But we need to know more.

I got some idiot who came to me screaming about a deal with the devil, and how he wants out. He was all paranoid, and took off on me when he tought he saw something on a rooftop looking down at him. If we rescue his sorry self, we might be able to get some details on the contract he made with the demons. Rescue Daniel Hawthorn from the Wailers.

Last time I saw him he was heading off towards the slums of St. Martial. You can take this truck there.

The Hard Way

The screams of the Wailer demons echo down the streets

Mission Objective(s)

• Rescue Daniel Hawthorn

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Wailer King (boss)
• Daniel Hawthorn (NPC) (defeat the nearby Wailers to free him)

Dialogs

Once free, Daniel says:

Thanks! The demons promised me luck at the casino, but in turn wanted me to destroy a seal on the Golden Giza! I chickened out so they came after me!

Debriefing

So they want to break one of the seals on the Golden Giza, eh? Demons are sometimes bound by seals - perhaps someone wants to keep them bound to the Giza? I need more info.

Get info from Tarixus

Briefing

We got some good info on these Wailers: they have a resonance having to do with sound and music, and they're trying to break the seals on the Golden Giza. We got what the Circle of Thorns know about them from the Tolshak Mysteries, though it's going to take a while to unlock those secrets.

There's another source we ain't tapped yet. You heard of the Archmage Tarixus? He's a ghostly dude with some major mojo back on Sharkhead. He might be able to provide us with some insight - for a price. There's always a price. Get whatever information Tarixus can provide.

Do whatever that old ghost might tell ya. It might be dangerous, but it shouldn't be anything you can't handle, right?

Mission Objective(s)

• Visit Archmage Tarixus

Briefing: Archmage Tarixus

I am aware of Hardcase's wishes. Yes, I can provide you with assistance by performing a divination on the seals of the Golden Giza. However, I wish you to do something for me first. The Circle of Thorns have been trying to gain control over my spirit form. Even now they perform rituals on Primeva in the hopes of destroying my magical wards. I wish to punish them for their insolence! Go to Primeva and cull the Circle of Thorns! Once you have done this, I will perform the divination and tell Hardcase the resuslts.

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat Circle on Primeva
  • Defeat 30 Circle of Thorns

Debriefing

I have received the results of the divination from Tarixus! The seals aren't mean to bind the Wailers to the Golden Giza - they're there to keep the demons out of Babylon! Something the demons want is inside the Golden Giza, and it's only the seals that are keeping them out. If the seals break, it means that St. Martial is going to be overrun with demons, and we're ALL dead.

Steal Babylon property records

Briefing

So someone wants to keep the Wailer demons out of Babylon, eh? I'd like to find out who. I found out where the property records for Babylon are being kept - this may provide us a link to whoever finnanced the building of the Golden Giza. Raid the office where the property records are being kept.

You might have to deal with some private security there. A lot of money flows around St. Martial, so you can be sure these guys are top-notch.

The office smells of polish and carpet cleaner

Mission Objective(s)

• Steal Babylon property records

Enemies

Security Guards

Babylon property files

The property files indicate Babylon had received considerable funding from none other than the Golden Giza's star singer, Johnny Sonata! A conditional clause was included requesting specific architectural modifications and additions which includes the obelisks and seals on the pyramid itself.

Notable NPCs

• Private Security Captain (boss)

Debriefing

So, Johnny Sonata is the guy who finnanced the buildings of the wards? Huh. It sounds like the demons are after him, likely because of some deal he made which came due.

Normally I'd just deal with this problem by killing Johnny. Johnny is a demon-caller, and I got no respect for them. Johnny is dead, his soul is released, and the demons have nothing to go after. But you can bet Johnny has got some sort of supernatural backup. Also, if the Wailers have been after Johnny this long, they may just tear St. Martial apart in frenzy after losing Johnny's soul!

I guess until we find some way to kill this pact between Johnny and the Wailers, we'll stick to hunting demons.

Pied Piper

Souvenir: 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.

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

(MISSION OBJECTIVE: Defeat the group of Freakshow and the Wailers fighting with them)

You found the cause of the Wailer attacks!

Enemies

Wailers

Freakshow

Notable NPCs

• None

Debriefing

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

(BUG?: It seems we should get a Clue in this mission, but I never got any after defeating the targets, nor I found anything in the whole warehouse. The Freakshow are described as ones having sonic implants, but the ones I fought were just regular ones. /shrugs.)

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

(MISSION OBJECTIVE: Defeat Blahpunk and his group. This seems to be a bug.)

You got the sonic device!

Enemies

Freakshow

Notable NPCs

• Blahpunk (Boss)
• Noise Tank X 2 (Boss)

Template: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...

(BUG: Here's a funny mission: all of the Freaks in this mission will take out their boomboxes and dance the first time you see them...at least for a couple seconds. after that, the boomboxes vanish and they start doing the usual Taunt emote. I don't think this is working as intended...)

(BUG: This mission seems to be bugged: Apparently this is one of those missions where you have to kidnap a NPC and take him to his machine. Certainly, there was a machine in the mission with the message "You can't complete this objective yet" when touched, and the group of the Blahpunk seemed to be guarding a hostage (probably Trey Belcleff, the technician), or at least that was the animation they were doing. Just that no hostage spawned at all: they were talking to the air. As soon as I defeated Blahpunk's group the mission ended.)

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

Enemies

Longbow

Wailers

(Wailers will come only after planting the device)

Notable NPCs

• Longbow Officer (Boss)

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!

Chaos Affair

Souvenir: Carnival Party Hat

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 in 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.

Hardcase wanted to know more about the Wailers plans. He knew the Circle of Thorns were trying to broker many pacts with the Wailers, and so sent you to raid a Circle temple and interrogate its leader to find out more. The Circle leader told you the demons were trying desperately to break the wards around St. Martial which were preventing them to get into Babylon and the Golden Giza, to get at someone inside there. Hardcase speculated the Wailers' goal was to get to Johnny Sonata.

Hardcase got a tip there was a Carnival of Shadows leader named Paradox seen in the casino offices before the Wailer attack occurred there. Tracking her to an abandoned warehouse, you found she was making deals with the Wailer King Silvertongue! She spoke of an upcoming 'Chaos Affair' the Carnival was hosting.

Hardcase didn't like the sound of what was to come, so sent you to get more information from the Circle on the street. You found the 'Chaos Affair' was being led by a Carnival leader know as Lady Deveraux, as well as the time and location of the event. They're planning on destroying one of the warding statues keeping the Wailers out!

You went to try and prevent the warding statue from being broken and the Wailers from overrunning St. Martial.

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!

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Victim x3 (NPC)

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 in 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!

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Silvertongue (Boss) (Wailer King)

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 a while, 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.

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!

Enemies

Circle of Thorns

Notable NPCs

• Karthist (Death Mage) (Boss)
• Sacrifice victim x2 (NPC)

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.

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

You got some information from Paradox.

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Silvertongue (Boss) (Wailer King)
• Paradox (Boss) (Ring Mistress)

Paradox Interrogation

Paradox from the Carnival of Shadows relates that one of the local Carnival leaders named Lady Devereaux made a deal with the Wailer demon known as Silvertongue. She would sneak into the offices at the Golden Giza to break a few wards keeping out the Wailers. In return, they would help the Shadow set up a 'Chaos Affair' on the streets of St. Martial.

Debriefing

The Wailers have struck a deal with the Carnival of Shadows? That's got bad news written all over it. This 'Carnival of Chaos' sounds like it's gonna be a heap of trouble for St. Martial.

Interrogate Carnival

Briefing

So the Wailers have been going nuts trying to steal souls around the Rogue Isles. What's more, they convinced the Carnival of Shadows to help them break into Babylon and the Golden Giza! I really don't like the sound of this 'Chaos Affair' the Carnival is talking about either. We should find out more about this even and what they're planning to do there.

Mission Acceptance

We better find out where this Chaos Affair is happening, and fast.

Mission Objective(s)

• Interrogate Carnival
  • Defeat 30 Carnies

The Carnival minions relate that their mistresses plan to destroy one of the warding statues keeping the demons out of Babylon. You also find an invite to the Chaos Affair.'

Debriefing

We're going to have to do something about this Chaos Affair. If the seal is broken all hell will break loose!

Keep Wailers out of Babylon

Briefing

Alright - we know the Carnival is having this 'Chaos Affair' street event as a cover to destroy one of the main wards on St. Martial keeping the Wailers out of the Golden Giza and St. Martial. If that happens, we got the place overrun by demons, and the whole of St. Martial is going down the drain. This is a matter of survival. Stop the Carnival from destroying the warding statue.

If you fail at that, you're going to have to deal with a whole lot of Wailers screaming in and trying to overwhelm the place. If you can hold 'em off long enough, I can put a temporary ward in place which will keep 'em out until the statue can be repaired. In any case you need to take down Lady Devereaux, the Carnival leader responsible for this mess.

You have 75 minutes to complete this mission.

Mission Acceptance

This is gonna be tough. If you got any favors to call in with other villains, I suggest you do it.

Mission Objective(s)

The sounds of the Carnival 'Chaos Affair' call to you from a distance.

• Keep Wailers out of Babylon - 1:15:00
  • Protect Statue
  • Defeat Devereaux
    

You stopped the Wailers!

Debriefing

Excellent work. You helped prevent the Carnival and the Wailers from laying waste to St. Martial. We may be villains, but it doesn't mean we can't protect our own.

Store

Hardcase sells the following to villains:

• Inspirations
• All level 35 dual-origin natural/magic enhancements
• All level 35 single-origin magic enhancements
• All level 40 single-origin magic enhancements

Hardcase does not buy enhancements or inspirations.

Missions

Level 30-34 Missions

Retrieve banishing ritual

Briefing

There's all kinds of banishing rituals you can perform when dealing with demons. Some rituals require true names of demons, some rituals require a part of the contract they made with a mortal, some require rare magical ingredients. Needless to say, it's a good idea for a demon hunter to have as many as possible at your disposal - a banishing ritual for all occasions.

I got an associate on Sharkhead who is willing to pass one on to me in return for a future favor. Retrieve the banishing ritual from the Archmage Tarixus.

Watch out - I think the demons suspect what we're up to and might try to take you out!

Mission Objective(s)

• Retrieve banishing ritual

Archmage Tarixus

Briefing

I sensed your arrival, Villain. Yes, I can provide a banishing ritual for Hardcase. The demon hunter and I have an understanding; this is a repayment for services he has rendered to me in the past.

Here is the ritual. Leave now before you draw the Wailers here!

Banishing ritual of Tarixus

This ritual calls upon the power of Mu to permanently banish otherworldy entities.

Debriefing

You got the ritual? Nice work. Hope the demons didn't cause you too much trouble.

This ritual is excellent! I better put this sucker away for safekeeping.

Stop Wailers in spirit world

Briefing

We got some trouble. All the local mystics have been freakin' out about demons in the spirit world, sayin' they're ripping apart some kinda magical essence there. This don't sound good, and I'm thinkin' this might have somethin' to do with the Giza.

There's a guy over in Cap Au Diable named Virgil Tarikoss. I helped Tarikoss with a demon problem at one point, and he owes me one. He'll be expecting you, and will open a portal to the spirit world, allowing you to enter. Head into the spirit world and stop whatever the demons are up to.

This is gonna be a bit weird, but hang tough and take out those Wailers.

Mission Objective(s)

• Speak to Virgil Tarikoss

Briefing Virgil Tarikoss

Hardcase sent you? Yes, I will open the portal for you so you may enter the spirit world. Know that this settles the deal I have made with Hardcase.

The swirling mists of the spirit world make you uneasy.

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat all Wailers

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Wailer King (boss)

You prevented the Wailers from weakening the wards!

Debriefing

They're sapping energies from wards? Huh. What are these wards protecting? I better look into this more.

Defeat Pandora and minions

Briefing

You know about the Carnival of Shadows? They're some crazy super-powered chicks who think they're high-class party girls. They'll do anything if they it'll (sic) amuse them, no matter who dies because of it. The word on the street is a Carnie named Pandora who made a deal with some Wailers. She sneaks in a box full of them into the Golden Giza and lets them out, then all hell breaks loose in there! The Carnival gets to cause all manner of chaos while the demons run wild!

This is just bad business for St. Martial. There's some fat bucks flowing through these parts, and we can't afford the downtime. Take down Pandora and retrieve the Demon Box.

Mission Acceptance

Pandora and her groupies have taken over one of the St. Martial offices. Head over there and take her down!

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat Pandora and minions

Enemies

Carnival of Shadows

Notable NPCs

• Ring Mistress x 3
• Pandora (boss) (ring mistress)

Dialogs

Oh, Pandora is such a funny girl...this is what she said (and did) :

Combat start: Greetings, my darling! I hope to entertain! (At this point she will bow before you and all!)

At 75% Life: Boys? Attend me! (Then a group of Strong Men will come)

At 50% Life: Ladies? The boys can't seem to do their job! (Now a group of Attendants will come)

At 25% Life: It would seem the situation has become quite dire.

Defeated: Oh, dear. I think I'm going to have a bit of a lie down.

You recovered the Demon Box!

Temporary Power Demon Box

As soon as you defeat Pandora, you will get:

Demon Box

Magic Origin: Summon Wailer, Non-Magic Origin: Tar Patch

This is a small carved box made of wood stained black carved with intricate sigils, while silver hinges and clasp keep the box closed. It trembles slightly in your hand and you hear dark whispers in your mind. The Demon Box can call upon the powers of darkness to snare your foes with living darkness from the netherworld. If you are of Magic origin, you can unleash the demonic minions within the box instead!
You may call upon the power of the Demon Box three times before the wailing demons within it are drained of all their dark energies.

Debriefing

You got the Demon Box? Perfect

Look, I know you must be sick of me telli' you what to do, so this is where you get the payoff. The Demon Box has got some major mojo in it, and the more you use it, the more the demons inside suffer as you steal their energy to power the box. Demons suffer, and you get more powerful. Sounds like a sweet deal for both of us! Don't say Hardcase doesen't look after his own.

Defeat Circle and Wailer negotiators

Briefing

I hate the Circle of Thorns. Their mystics are responsible for bringing in more demons into this world than anyone, and that ain't healthy for anyone, hero or villain. Y'see, if demons get their toehold into our world, they won't stop until they rule it all - including you and me.

One of the local Circle mystics has been askin' about, trying to find more stuff on the Wailers. He wants to get control over a new type of demon in order to expand his power base. I want you to take him down - permanent-like. Head over to the secret caves where the Circle mystic is making a pact with a Wailer demon, and take'em down!

Juat wipe'em out. We're all better off without'em.

A grim foreboding washes over you. Dark forces are at work here.

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat Circle and Wailer negotiators

(Objectives: Defeat all enemies in the cave. Be warned that both bosses will be together and you'll have to fight them at the same time.)

Enemies

Circle of Thorns

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Agony Mage (boss)
• Wailer King (boss)

Debriefing

You took them down? Excellent. Less Circle mystics means less demons running around.

Defeat all Wailers

Briefing

There's some weird stuff going on with the Wailers. I hear they've been seen diggin' tunnelsin the sewers beneath Babylon and the Golden Giza. Considering there's no demons found inside the Golden Giza, they must be trying to avoid something which is keepin' them out. If they succeed, they will wreck Babylon, which'll kill the money flowin' through St. Martial. Stop the Wailers from entering Babylon.

Take out all the Wailers. We can't risk any of them getting into Babylon.

The screech of the sewer grate is echoed by demons in the depths

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat all Wailers

Enemies

Wailers

Notable NPCs

• Wailer King (boss)

Debriefing

You took out those demons? Good - when I head to the Giza tonight I won't have to worry about dealin' with Wailers!

Level 35-39 Missions

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!

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!

Mission Acceptance

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.

Mission Acceptance

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!
    

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.

Provide relief against Wailers

Briefing

Got another problem with our old friends the Wailers. They've been getting aggressive again, attacking people in the local neighborhoods. The local Arachnos authority have been called in, but the local force is havin' trouble dealin' until backup arrives. If you're up for it, help the local Arachnos force against the Wailer incursion.

Mission Acceptance

I got a truck waitin' nearby which will take you to the spot where the assault is going on. The Arachnos soldiers there will be expecting you. Go in and kick some demon butt!

Mission Objective(s)

You hear a few bursts from an Arachnos rifle fire off as you step onto the streets of St. Martial.

• Provide relief against Wailers
  • Rescue assault leader
  • 3 squad leaders to rescue
    

You provided relief for the Arachnos force!

Debriefing

Excellent. Those Wailers are gonna have to lick their wounds a bit before comin' around again.

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