Efficiency Expert Pither

Overview

Efficiency Expert Pither
Arachnos Efficiency Expert
Zone	Grandville
Coordinates	(3007, 243, 1267)
Level Range	45-50
Introduced By	== Broker == Wiggy the Brit == Level 40-44 == Arbiter Daos
Introduces	== Level 45-50 == Tavish Bell Shadow Spider Vernon von Grun
Enemy Groups	Arachnos Arachnoids Council Crey Longbow Malta Operatives Nemesis Soldiers of Rularuu
Badges	Efficiency Expert

Efficiency Expert Pither is a villain contact in Grandville at coordinates (3007, 243, 1267) . His level range is 45-50.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

Level 40-44

• Arbiter Daos

Contact Introduces

There are some people who would like to meet you.

Level 45-50

• Tavish Bell

Tavish Bell Tavish Bell is a Crey Security Chief in charge of sub-contracting their security to independent operators like yourself.

Tavish expects results. Don't disappoint.

• Shadow Spider

Have you heard of Shadow Spider? Considering her line of work, I'm not surprised. She deals with covert ops for Arachnos, and she's looking for someone relatively capable to accomplish some work for her.

As long as you are professional and competent, Shadow Spider will treat you well. Cross her and you might get yourself in trouble.

• Vernon von Grun

I was wondering if you might be interested in meeting one of the rising lights in the field of mad science? He's only a lab assistant at the moment, but I think Vernon von Grun will make mad scientist soon enough, and I think your unquestionable skill at harming others would be a big asset to his schemes. Interested?

Very good. Vernon currently works for Operative Grillo on a sub-section of Project: FURY involving plant/human hybrids and reverse evolution.

Information

Arachnos Efficiency Expert

Mr Pither is a small-minded and petty man, who would have led a mean and meaningless life if he had not found his true calling: efficiency. He was so dedicated to this task that it started to cost the lives of inefficient workers, in accidents that could have been avoided had they followed his efficiency regimen, of course. Lord Recluse came upon him when he volunteered a more efficient way to defeat a hero in mid-battle. Recluse offered him a job, and now Mr Pither is one of the most feared men in Arachnos. Mr Pither has a wife and three children, all of whose lives he runs like clockwork.

Prior to Introduction

And you are...?

Initial Contact

I was told to expect you, Character. Let's make this quick, I have a schedule to keep.

Greeting

• State your business.
• This better be quick, I've got a schedule to keep.
• Hmmm?

Too Busy

I've looked at your schedules, and I can't reasonably give you anything to do until you clear some time for it.

No More Missions

Well, that's all I have scheduled for you to do... perhaps your other associates have something?

Store

• Inspirations
• Level 45 Science Single Origin Enhancements (200% base costs)

If you keep this up, you are going to put me out of a job.

• Level 50 Science Single Origin Enhancements (200% base costs)

Badge

Completion of Kick Longbow out of base, Steal formula from Crey, Beat up Fortunata Iverson, Wipe out Council base, Kidnap Diocletian, and Get info about Malta Group missions earns a villain the Efficiency Expert Badge. Note: Originally, you had to be the mission owner to be able to earn this badge, but now any members of your team earn credit for the badge.

Efficiency Expert

You have proven yourself efficient by succeeding at all of Mr. Pither's timed tasks.

Story Arcs

Alone in the Darque

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 8 Reward Merits.

Souvenir

Alone in the Darque

You have been working for Arachnos Efficiency Expert Pither when he asked you to perform the simple task of getting some overdue reports from the governess of Aeon City, Olivia Darque. She was not in her office, and instead there were a mish-mash of robots singing the praises of Dr. Aeon. After finding the reports (since Pither would have it no other way), and learning from Darque's assistant that the robots came with Dr. Aeon, who kidnapped Darque and left the robots as a 'gift', you returned to Mr. Pither.

Mr. Pither asked Dr. Aeon what he did with Olivia Darque, and Dr. Aeon lied and said he knew nothing about it. Mr. Pither then asked you to go beat the truth out of Dr. Aeon, and find what he did with the governess. You went into Dr. Aeon's lab and roughed up the good doctor. Looting through his personal effects, you found his To Do list, and checked off was 'Throw Olivia Darque into the Shadow Shard' revealing exactly what Dr. Aeon had done with her.

You then ventured into the Shadow Shard, fighting off the forces of Rularru and eventually located Olivia Darque. You dragged her back to the portal, where she was thankful for the rescue. Mr. Pither admitted he didn't have much faith in you, but pulling this job off has impressed him.

Get Reports from Aeon City

Briefing

Here's a task simple enough even you can't screw it up. Olivia Darque, the Governor of Aeon city, is overdue on several reports that I need from her. I want you to play courier. Go to Aeon City in Cap au Diable, there you will find her offices. She should have the reports to hand over, and at best a flimsy excuse as to why they were not delivered on-time. Once you have the reports and an excuse from Olivia herself, return them to me and we can check that off your To Do list.

Mission Acceptance

Don't delay. I've been waiting for these reports long enough, I shouldn't have to wait any longer.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Nothing makes me more irritated then an employee who has to be told twice what to do: Go to Aeon City, go into Olivia Darque's lab there and get me those overdue reports!

Mission Objective(s)

This is the right address, but no one is there to greet you. You'd better just get those reports and get back.

• Get Reports for Mr. Pither
  • Find Olivia Darque
  • Recover Reports

You recovered the reports and know what happened to Olivia Darque.

Enemies

Arachnos

Nemesis

Notable NPCs:

• Darque's Assistant (Hostage, non-escort)
• Security Manager (Boss)

Ambush! Each glowy you touch will trigger a large ambush by Arachnos which will include a Security Manager

Darque's Assistant dialogue

Upon Rescue: "Dr. Aeon came in and took her! I have no idea where they went."

Debriefing

Dr. Aeon has been messing with Olivia Darque and ended up kidnapping her? No wonder those reports were late.

Beat the truth out of Dr. Aeon

Briefing

Dr. Aeon won't get away with kidnapping Darque like that. I contacted him but he denies everything Darque's assistant told you. I know he's lying though, his heart rate and blood pressure altered greatly while I asked him about it. I happen to have accessed his personal scheduler and know where he is right now. Be a good little villain and go and beat the snot out of the maniac until he gives up the truth about Darque.

Mission Acceptance

Dr. Aeon won't just give you the info you want, you're going to have to beat it out of him.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Nothing makes me more irritated then an employee who has to be told twice what to do: Go to Aeon City and beat the truth out of Dr. Aeon about what he did to Olivia Darque.

Mission Objective(s)

Dr. Aeon's lab. Not high on the tourist spots of Cap au Diable.
(This is probably because the mission is inside the Aeon Corp building in Grandville.)

• Beat the truth out of Dr. Aeon
  • Beat up Dr. Aeon

Dr. Aeon's To Do list tells you exactly what he did to Olivia Darque. He threw her into the Shadow Shard.

Enemies

Arachnos

Nemesis

Notable NPCs:

• Dr. Aeon (Elite Boss)

Dr. Aeon dialogue

Before Combat: "Cripes is that Pither guy annoying. Asking me what I did with Darque over and over. Like I'd tell him!"
Combat Start: "I'll never tell you what I did with her. Never, never, never! Ha!"

Debriefing

Dr. Aeon is insane, did I mention this? This isn't the first time he's tossed someone into the Shadow Shard for no real reason other than his demented mind told him to. If we're going to get Darque back, we're going to have to do it quick.

Find Olivia Darque & escape

Briefing

I've called in a couple favors and I have tasked you to get back Olivia Darque. You're going to have to go to the Shadow Shard itself and find her. This will bring her back to this plane of existence. It won't be easy, and I'm afraid we won't be able to recall you normally. But don't screw this up or this will put a black mark on all our records.

Mission Acceptance

We believe that she's in a location called the 'Chantry'. It's supposed to house some kind of god, but he has shown no hostility, and apparently enjoys taking in strays. Once you've found Darque, you'll have to make it back to the portal yourself. I'm afraid I can't authorize the energy expenditure to transit you back. I'm sure you'll be able to make it out all right.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I don't like repeating myself when there is a time crunch: Go to the Shadow Shard, find Olivia Darque, and return.

Mission Objective(s)

The Shadow Shard. A prison universe built to house a god.

• Find Olivia Darque & escape
  • Find Olivia Darque
  • Find Mission Exit

You have rescued Olivia Darque. Now you must escape the Shadow Shard.

Enemies

Soldiers of Rularuu

Notable NPCs:

• Olivia Darque (Hostage, Non-escort)
• Faathim the Kind (Arch-villain, Neutral)

Ambush! Upon rescuing Olivia Darque you will be ambushed by three waves of Rularuu which will include an Overseer
See for Rularuu!

Faathim the Kind dialogue

Before Combat: "Rularuu is mad. I am of him, but no longer share in that madness."
Combat Start: "Know this, Character:"
"I am no foe of yours this day."
"Take your lost one and leave."

Olivia Darque dialogue

Upon Rescue: "That. . . thing told me how to get out of here. You cover my escape!"

Debriefing

To be honest, I didn't think you could pull it off, Character. I was just about to write everything off as a wash when Darque phoned me to thank me for orchestrating her rescue. You've impressed me, Character, now get back to work!

Missions

Kick Longbow out of base

Briefing

I've just received word that Longbow has captured one of our bases here in the Rogue Isles. Arachnos has clamped down on computer access to systems outside the base, but we need to send someone inside to sever the conection before they can upload the database to a Freedom Corps server stateside. Make sure that whatever heroes those Longbow jerks have with them don't make it back either. They will be done uploading the database in 30 minutes, so you'd best hurry up. You have 30 minutes to retake the base.

Mission Acceptance

They have just started the upload, so you have 30 minutes to sever the connection and take down those Longbow heroes.

Unnecessary Solicitation

It's like I told you, kick Longbow out of the base by taking out any heroes they brought with, and then sever their connection before they can finish uploading the local database to their servers.

Mission Objective(s)

Longbow is already uploading data. Cut it off as soon as possible.

• Kick Longbow out of base - 30:00
  • 4 uploads to disrupt
  • 2 defeat heroes

You have defeated the heroes and stopped the data upload.

Enemies

Longbow

Notable NPCs:

• Brikhaus (Special Boss)
• Mindspider (Special Boss)

Mindspider & Brikhaus dialogue

Before Combat:

Mindspider: Don't order me around. I don't handle authority well.

Brikhaus: Arachnos, not so tough, eh?

Combat Start:

Mindspider: Oh, it's Character! I'll do them for free!

Brikhaus: Ah, Character, so nice to meet you.

Debriefing

That was a close one. There wasn't much of Arachnos' operations in that data, but there was enough to set us back for a while. Thanks for making sure that stayed out of the hands of the do-gooders.

Steal formula from Crey

Briefing

You know why I was hired by Lord Recluse? I got results, and I didn't get results by relaxing in a hammock and sipping drinks with frilly umbrellas. Results require action, and action requires you get out and actually do something for a change. I have a job for Lord Recluse. He needs the formula that Crey has been working on for their Usurper Project. Don't worry if you've never heard about it, just hit their lab and get it. I have a hacker who can stick this data into an unsecured part of their network, but it will only be there for 15 minutes before the network daemons see the errant file and move it back behind the firewalls. This means you'll have 15 minutes to get the data before it becomes irretrievable. I work on a clock, and you had best start to get used to it. You will have 15 minutes to complete this mission.

Mission Acceptance

Clock's ticking, Character, haste not waste!

Unnecessary Solicitation

Tick tick tick... Go to the Crey lab and steal the formula from their computer before the time runs out.

Mission Objective(s)

Time is wasting. The files will only be accessible for just a short while longer.

• Steal formula from Crey - 15:00

You've stolen the formula, and in the nick of time, too.

Enemies

Crey

Notable NPCs:

• Special Agent Johnson (Crey Sniper)
• Cloned Hero (Paragon Protector)

Special Agent Johnson & Cloned Hero dialogue

Special Agent Johnson
Before Combat:

Section 8... Where the heck is Section 8?

Combat Start:

Oh yeah, party time.

---

Cloned Hero
Before Combat:

Section 8, all clear

Combat Start:

Back to the Rogue Isles with you!

Usurper Project Formula

This is what Mr. Pither was looking for, the Usurper Project Formula.

Debriefing

Well done, Character. You've surprised me. My hacker associate could have kept the file outside the firewall longer, but I thought it would be a good test of your skills if you could retrieve it in the time allotted.

Beat some sense into Fortunata Iverson

Beat up Fortunata Iverson

Briefing

I've been going over the books, and one of our bases has been underperforming dramatically. I suspect it's because the superviser there, one Fortunata Iverson. I suspect the Fortunata is sandbagging Arachnos projects while her team is helping out one of our enemies. I need you to go and have a 'talk' with Iverson and find out who she is really working for. And by 'talk,' I mean go beat some sense into her. Once you have learned who she is working for you will have a very limited amount of time to exact our brand of vengeance on whoever she is directly dealing with. This is a two part mission, part two is a 30 minute timed mission.

Mission Acceptance

Remember, once you have the information from Fortunata Iverson you will have only 30 minutes to wipe out that base.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Fortunata Iverson is working for someone who is not us. Beat her up and find out who that is.

Mission Objective(s)

This is Fortunata Iverson's operation. If they are working for someone else, expect resistance getting to the Fortunata.

• Beat up Fortunata Iverson
  • Interrogate Fortunata Iverson

You know the location of the Council base. Wipe it out.

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs:

• Fortunata Iverson (Fortunata Mistress)

Fortunata Iverson dialogue

Before Combat:

I suspect that Pither has deduced that this operation is serving two masters.

Combat Start:

Pither's man I suspect? You won't take me without a fight!

Iverson's Interrogation

Fortunata Iverson explains to you that her division has been selling secrets to the Council. They have been paying well for info on the projects this division was working on, and eventually started taking the projects for themselves, which is why Mr. Pither must have gotten suspicious.

Wipe out Council base

Unnecessary Solicitation

You only have 30 minutes before they have everything in place to move their operation and escape our wrath.

Mission Objective(s)

The Council is aware they have been given up, you have a short amount of time in order to send the message not to subvert Arachnos.

• Wipe out Council base - 30:00
  • 1 Plant Bomb

You have destroyed the Council base!

Editor's Note:

Even though it isn't a stated mission objective, this mission cannot be completed until all enemies have been defeated.

Enemies

Arachnoids

Council

Notable NPCs:

• Archon Cosa (Ascendant Archon)
• Black XIII (Super Arachnoid)

Archon Cosa dialogue

Before Combat: "With Character attacking, I have to make sure that this technology we got from Fortunata Iverson makes it out of here and back to Striga Isle."
Combat Start: "You won't take Black XIII!"

Debriefing

Very good, Character. Fortunata Iverson is in custody, and with Archon Cosa out of the picture we can get the Black XIII project back on track.

Kidnap Diocletian

Briefing

The Council is working with a retired US Army general, who they have code-named Diocletian. Our wiretaps have just uncovered his location is in a building here in Grandville. We must know what he knows, his intelligence is priceless to Arachnos. I have tasked you to go and kidnap Diocletian and bring him to the waiting hands of Arachnos. We have a very short extraction window, so you'd best hurry up. You have 30 minutes to complete this mission.

Mission Acceptance

The Council won't risk harm to Diocletian, but I can't say they won't be gunning for you.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You'd better hurry, get to the Council base and kidnap the US General code-named Diocletian.

Mission Objective(s)

This is the Council base, you'd best be quick if you want to get Diocletian out within the extraction window.

• Kidnap Diocletian - 30:00
  • Kidnap Diocletian

You have kidnapped the general code-named Diocletian from the Council.

Enemies

Council

Notable NPCs:

• Diocletian (Hostage, Must Escort)
• Ascendant Archon (Boss, Guarding Hostage)

Ambush! Upon capturing Diocletian you will be ambushed by a group of Council
Arachnos won't get away with this!

Diocletian & guards dialogue

Before combat:
Ascendant Archon: "I need to know what you know!"
Diocletian: "I don't care what powers you have. I want to talk to your boss."
Random Council guard: "All in good time, Diocletian."

Combat Start:
Ascendant Archon: "Oh, Character, very nice."
Diocletian: "Great, I was assured full protection!"
Random Council guard: "Full protection, coming up!"

Upon Capture: "Unhand me, you buffoon."

If Lost: "(Maybe they won't notice if I slip away)"

When Found: "I wasn't trying to escape!"

Upon Reaching Exit: "I was going to work with these Council jerks, I guess I can work with Arachnos instead."

Debriefing

Well done, Character. Diocletian is currently being 'debriefed' by our best interrogators. He started singing almost right away too. Apparently he had some nasty rumors about the FBSA being corrupted from within, and even the Freedom Phalanx was being watched by the US Intelligence Agencies.

Get Info About Malta Group

Briefing

Lord Recluse is interested in this Malta group that operates out of the Mediterranean. They have established a base here in Grandville without Lord Recluse's permission. They are using an old abandoned warehouse as their staging area, and I need someone with skill to go in and extract as much information as possible, from their computers and from their leaders. Of course, nothing is that simple. Lord Recluse demands that he have this information within the half hour. You will have 30 minutes to complete this task.

Mission Acceptance

There are four computer files we need, along with the information held by two of their leaders in that base.

Unnecessary Solicitation

(Sigh)... Go to the Malta base, extract the files from four of their computers, and two of their leaders, and hurry, the clock is already ticking.

Mission Objective(s)

This is the place. Time to find out what this Malta Group is all about.

• Get Info About Malta Group - 30:00
  • 4 pieces of info to retreive
  • 2 defeat leaders

You got the information on Malta that Mr. Pither was looking for.

Enemies

Malta Operatives

Notable NPCs:

• Commander Grimm (Tac Ops Commander)
• Commander Weir (Tac Ops Commander)

Malta Computer Files

These computer files have a lot of detailed information about the Malta group.

Commander Grimm's Notes

After rummaging through his uniform, you come across Commander Grimm's notebook. It has some details on Malta, but mostly is a collection of blackmail against Commander Weir.

Commander Weir's Notes

After rummaging through his uniform, you come across Commander Weir's notebook. It has some details on Malta, but mostly is a collection of blackmail against Commander Grimm.

Commander Grimm dialogue

Before combat: "I have the evidence, he's definitely up to something."
Combat start: "Oh, here we go..."

Commander Weir dialogue

Before combat "Yes, I am sure of it. He's definitely up to something."
Combat start: "Gotta go, we've got company!"

Debriefing

Very good. This tells me something of what Malta is doing here, but it also tells me that, like any organization, they have in-fighting within their own ranks. We can use this, oh yes, we can definitely use this.