Mender Silos Task Force

This article is about the hero Task Force. For the villain Strike Force, see Mender Silos Strike Force.

Mender Silos

Trading Places

Contact: Mender Silos
Level Range: 46 - 50
Notes: You can attempt this task force solo, but a team is recommended.
Zone: Ouroboros
Location: Ouroboros Citadel ledge
Primary Enemy: Arachnos
Name: Trading Places

Missions

Agree to form a task force

Trading Places
Part One

Briefing

Greetings, Character. I hope you appreciate the gravitas of our mission. Too often humanity squanders its potential on the petty and the inconsequential. Even my own past is one quixotic venture after another. I was bellicose and prone to conflict. In a manner of speaking, those times are well past me, but in a very real way they now surround me.

You see, I was key to this world's destruction, a destruction that saw the rest of the universe crumble in its wake. I always knew my methods were heterodox, but I had no idea the damage I would cause. Now I return to correct my mistake, make amends for my past, and mend time itself. The question I put before you, Character, is: would you give yourself to Ouroboros?

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in issues #10 - 12 of the City of Heroes comic book. Enjoy.

Mission Acceptance

Very well, Character. There is a man of your time, shrouded in mystery and deception, born from strife with a skill for death. He walks a line that is neither good nor evil, yet divergent from both. This man is put in question, his loyalties tested and his beliefs challenged. He sways leaders to war, bringing the most powerful forces of your time into direct conflict.

Humanity, oblivious and unconcerned, did not witness this event, but were once again unknowingly pulled away from the brink. However, for Ouroboros nothing is obfuscated. There are merely events we have yet to focus upon. I would like you to focus on this 'Man of Conflict'. Observe, even aid him in his path. We know very little about what happened, but my hypothesis is that a man of this caliber will play a crucial role in the coming storm.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Find the man divided through the Pillar of Ice and Flame. Follow his path, for it is a path of either utter salvation or complete decimation.

Mission Objective(s)

Stepping through to this time and seeing Manticore, you remember back when Manticore was kicked out of the Freedom Phalanx by Statesman. This must be when you are.

• Investigate this 'Man of Conflict'
  • 2 Raid Leaders to Defeat

You aided Manticore in his path against Arachnos.

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs

• Manticore (Ally) (Boss)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Tarantulas Tarantula Queen)

Bug! This mission is currently missing the second Arachnos Raid Leader.

Bug! Though Manticore is presented as a Hero, his Hit Points and attacks are more like those of a Boss class ally.

Manticore Dialog

When discovered: "Did Statesman send you, Character?"
"I don't have time for this."
"I'm picking up coded Arachnos messages."
"We need to find out what they're doing in Croatoa."

Arachnos Raid Leader Dialog

Before combat: No, I don't know why we're here. Do you want to ask Recluse?
Didn't think so.
Combat Start: "Ah, perhaps this mission wasn't a waste of time after all."

The Jade Spider

The Arachnos Raid Leader you defeated in Croatoa let slip something about a Jade Spider. However, even after further questioning with the aid of Manticore, you were unable to get more information regarding it. What is Lord Recluse planning?

Trading Places
Part Two

Briefing

Manticore has left the Freedom Phalanx for reasons that are currently irrelevant. Yet, he still continues to fight what he considers to be the good fight. Go to him. Find out what he's doing and why.

Mission Objective(s)

You learned from Manticore, that Arachnos also planned an attack on Striga.

• Fight Against Arachnos in Striga
  • 3 Raid Leaders to Defeat
  • 20 Arachnos to Defeat

You've aided Manticore in his path against Arachnos. Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs

• Manticore (Ally) (Boss-class)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Mu Mystics Mu Guardian)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Tarantulas Toxic Tarantula)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Tarantulas Tarantula Queen)

Bug! Though Manticore is presented as a Hero, his Hit Points and attacks are more like those of a Boss class ally

Manticore Dialog

When discovered: "You can tell Statesman I'm not coming back."
"He made his decision."
"I made mine."
"Now, let's get to work."

Patrolling Arachnos Troops Dialog

Bane Spider Commando:

When approached: "So far so good. Clear for now."
Combat start: "Excessive force is permitted and encouraged!"

Bane Spider Commando:

When approached: "So far so good. Clear for now."
Combat start: "You know what to do!"

Bane Spider Commando:

When approached: "If anyone gets through here, it's on your head. Got me?"
Combat start: "Breach!"

Arachnos Raid Leaders Dialog

Arachnos Raid Leader 1:

Combat start: "There they are! Go. Go. Go."

Arachnos Raid Leader 2:

When approached: "Keep your eyes open."
Combat start: "When I return with your head, Lord Recluse is sure to give me a promotion."

Arachnos Raid Leader 3:

When approached: "We've got trouble here. Stay alert."
Combat start: "That's trouble with a capital 'M'."

Ambush! After defeating each Arachnos Raid Leader, an ambush of one squad of Arachnos Soldiers will appear.

Narcotics Shipment

During your battle with Arachnos in Striga, you didn't notice what was in all those crates around you. It wasn't until afterwards when Manticore was covering the crime scene did they stand out.

They're crates full of pharmaceutical grade chemicals. Manticore's analysis shows that they're used in most prescription anti-depressant medication. 'But it's in its purest form,' Manticore tells you. 'Uncut and undiluted.'

What would Lord Recluse want with heavy grade mind stimulants?

Dear Character...

While time traveling into the past, you visit Striga and in an empty cardboard box you find a handwritten letter addressed to you...

"Again, I apologize for my inability to meet with you in person. You may find these clandestine letters frustrating, but it is the safest way for both of us to communicate until we are ready to act. Silos and Ouroboros are dangerous beyond measure and while I have asked you to be vigilant regarding their intentions, I still do not know which side will you choose.

On the topic of Mender Silos, I will say only this:

He is a silver-tongued serpent in a garden full of innocents with an orchad of apples at his disposal. Do not trust him; he will have you cast out. Do not raise a hand to him; he will strike you down before you can react. Play your part in their garden and claim your innocents, but keep your eyes open to the truth.

Character, I pray you have found my letters and you have taken them to heart. It is my hope that you remain quiet and patiently await the appropiate moment to strike. If you have not found my other letters, please search for them. Hopefully, they will reveal the truth behind Ouroboros and guide you towards my path.
Ultimately, the choice will be yours.

As always, look for me in the Pillar. I will make myself known when the time is right."

Trading Places
Part Three

Briefing

You need to find Manticore in Kings Row. He is getting closer to revealing the truth behind his motivations and his connection to the Jade Spider.

Before you leave, I want you to be aware of my gratitude.

Mission Objective(s)

Of all the places you thought Arachnos could assault, Kings Row was not one of them.

Lord Recluse is building up to something big. But what?

• Aid Manticore in Kings Row
  • 1 Raid Leader Left
  • 3 Raid Leaders to Defeat

you have saved Kings Row from Arachnos. Return to Mender Silos for further instruction.

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs

• Arachnos Raid Leader (Tarantulas Tarantula Queen)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Mu Mystics Mu Guardian)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Bane Spiders Bane Spider Executioner)
• Arachnos Raid Leader (Crab Spiders Crab Spider Webmaster)

Ambush! After defeating each Raid Leader, there will be an ambush from Arachnos.

Manticore's Warning

After you've defeated the Arachnos in Kings Row, Manticore approached you...

'You must leave me alone. I do not know who you are or where you come from. At first I thought Statesman had sent you, but now I see that is not the case. You've just gotten yourself mixed up in something that you best leave alone. I'm sorry, but you can't follow me down this path... no hero can.'

Debriefing

Did you speak with Manticore? What did he tell you? Ah yes, it was a warning for you to stay away from him. Where do you think he is going? What do you think he is doing?

Only time will tell.

Meet up with Vindicators

Trading Places
Part Four

Briefing

Manticore summoned a group of Vindicators to meet up with him in Siren's Call. It is possible that this is the moment when a man's fate will decide a world's future.

Go there and aid these young Vindicators. Witness the unraveling of history as a single string of fate's cloth is pulled to the point of breaking.

Mission Acceptance

Ms. Liberty will be leading them at this time. Join up with her and her little gang of heroes. I believe Manticore will make himself known to them and perhaps reveal his true intentions regarding Arachnos.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You need to go back to the point in history when Ms. Liberty meets up with Manticore in Siren's Call. This point in time is crucial.

Mission Objective(s)

Manticore has called Ms. Liberty, Mynx and Swan to Siren's Call.You need to question him to find out what else he knows about Recluse's plans.

• Question Manticore

Manticore has changed sides. He now appears to be working for Arachnos.

Enemies

Arachnos

Notable NPCs

• Ms. Liberty (Hero, Ally)
• Mynx (Hero, Ally)
• Swan (Hero, Ally)
• Manticore (Hero, Enemy)

Vindicators Dialog

Ms. Liberty: "So, Manticore sent for you too, Character."
"Well, let's go find him and ask him why he wanted us here."

Manticore reveals his allegiance to Arachnos.

Manticore:

Sorry, Character.

I have no choice in this.

I don't expect you to understand, that's not why I called you here.

I expect your defeat to be used as proof to Recluse of my TRUE loyalties.

Manticore Dialog

At 75% Life: "There are things at work here bigger than you, Character."
At 25% Life: "Defeating me will only make things easier for me."
Defeated: "You have not defeated me. Only hastened my role in Arachnos"
Defeats a hero: "(Missing text)"

Debriefing

Ah, so that's what happened? We were lead to believe something along those lines, but honestly, did you expect anything less? Manticore has always walked the line from Hero to Villain. I myself have witnessed multiple timelines where he was in fact the right hand man to Lord Recluse. It may horrify you to know that in almost all of those worlds, Recluse and Manticore ruled without question.

Lazarus was right about you. We did come to the correct time.

Agree to Mender Silos' mission

Trading Spaces
Part Finale

Briefing

Lord Recluse is poised to strike Paragon City. I've found the key temporal node where this event takes place. I would like to send you there to determine if the 'greater good' is actually brought about.

Mission Acceptance

Recluse assaults Siren's Call to use it as a staging ground to assault Paragon City. Heroes and Villains clashed at that harbor, each fighting for what they believed in. Neither side knew that this battle could play a part in the events of the future. Even Lord Recluse himself would have difficulty comprehending the full measure of his actions.

Go to Siren's Call and aid the heroes of your time. Make sure they succeed where so often they have failed.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You need to go through the portal to Siren's Call. Aid Statesman and the others in their defense against Arachnos. It is my current belief that the heroes must win this battle.

Mission Objective(s)

As you step out of the Ouroboros portal, you can feel the ground shaking under your feet.

• Stop Arachnos Assault
  • 13 Phalanx and Vindicators to Aid
  • Defeat the Jade Spider

You've defeated the Jade Spider and helped saved Paragon City... this time.
You've saved Paragon City from Lord Recluse's attack.

Enemies

Arachnos

Bug! Though each Vindicator and Freedom Phalanx character is presented as a Hero, his Hit Points and attacks are those of a Pet class ally, regardless of difficulty. Citadel is the only exception to this rule, and he spawned as an Elite Boss. He could be a Hero in fact. Please update this info if this is the case.

Notable NPCs

Allies:

• Back Alley Brawler (Ally, Hostage)
• Citadel (Elite Boss Ally, Hostage)
• Infernal (Ally, Hostage)
• Manticore (Ally, Hostage)
• Malaise (Ally, Hostage)
• Ms. Liberty (Ally, Hostage)
• Mynx (Ally, Hostage)
• Numina (Ally, Hostage)
• Positron (Ally, Hostage)
• Statesman (Ally, Hostage)
• Sister Psyche (Ally, Hostage)
• Swan (Ally, Hostage)
• Synapse (Ally, Hostage)

Enemies:

• Jade Spider Battalion x 7 (Arachnos Bane Spider Executioner) (Boss)
• Black Scorpion (Arch-villain) (Guarding Synapse)
• Mako (Arch-villain) (Guarding Citadel)
• Ghost Widow (Arch-villain) (Guarding Positron)
• Lord Recluse (Arch-villain) (Guarding Statesman)
• Scirocco (Arch-villain) (Guarding Ms. Liberty)
• Silver Mantis (Arch-villain) (Guarding Mynx)
• Jade Spider (Arch-villain) (Spawns once all heroes have been rescued)

Ambush! Character is with the Freedom Phalanx! After rescuing each Freedom Phalanx member, you will be ambushed by one squad of Arachnos soldiers.

Ambush! Character is with the Vindicators! After rescuing each Vindicator, you will be ambushed by one squad of Arachnos soldiers.

The Jade Spider attacks Siren's Call.

Arachnos Fortunata Mistress:

Look! The Jade Spider arrives.

Arachnos Fortunata Mistress:

Arachnos shall prevail.

Debriefing

The Jade Spider has fallen, and with it Recluse's plans for domination of Paragon City. You would not believe the world that unfolded from Recluse's successful assault. I believe even he would not want such a world to rule.

Reward

Unlike the larger Task Forces, "Trading Places" is more like a Story Arc, and can be completed in about an hour. Consequently, it has no accomplishment badge, and offers only a Single Origin Enhancement reward instead of a Pool C Recipe.