Mission:Forever Bound (Hero) - Part II: Believers

Part II: Believers

Briefing

I will be upfront with you, Character. I was recruited into the Luddites because of my experience with the occult, beyond the Circle of Thorns or the Banished Pantheon.

One group that I have been pursuing for years has been the Rulu-Shin. They worship an entity known as Rularuu. He is, in the plainest terms, a devourer of dimensions. Currently, he is trapped within the Shadow Shard. These Rulu-Shin worship him as a god, and want to see him return into this world.

It is ridiculous, of course; they know the moment he enters the world, he will attempt to destroy everything. They believe that they will become 'one' with him at that point and reach true happiness. It's insane, to be sure, but at the same time, this is what makes them extremely dangerous. They fervently believe that Rularuu will satisfy their endless desire for happiness, and they will stop at nothing to achieve that.

At any rate, I know of where we might be able to track them down.

• Where?

Sharkhead Isle. I know the area quite well from my time there. Their members have been using the graveyard there as a gathering place.

At first, the Rulu-Shin were small,but now it seems they grow day by day. I believe the destruction of Galaxy City has caused people to look for answers to their lives in very strange places. Some may scoff at the idea, bit I suppose others woulds see it as a relief; a being of infinite power that comes into the world and takes away all your problems, all your worries.

I can arrange a boat to get you to the cemetery. From there, it will be up to you to get to the bottom of this. I should war you, the Rulu-Shin are very disturbed. Be on your guard.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I wish I could help you, but I must stay here in Paragon.

Mission Objective(s)

File:Map IOM SHARKHEAD GRAVEYARD.png

Map: IOM_SHARKHEAD_GRAVEYARD

The boat slowly comes to a halt near the cemetery in Sharkhead Island.

• Find the Rulu-Shin Meeting Grounds
  • Find the Rulu-Shin guarding the meeting place.
  • 3 Clues to find inside the crypt
  • Speak with the Rulu-Shin Guardian.
  • Defeat the Rulu-Shin Gatherer

You've defeated the Rulu-Shin gathering and found out where they're storing the artifacts!

Enemies

Banished Pantheon

Rulu-Shin

Notable NPCs

• Wisp (Soldiers of Rularuu Wisp Overlord) (Non-Combat)
• Rulu-Shin Gatherer (Rulu-Shin Rularuu's Will)

Rulu-Shin Guards

Before Combat:

Rularuu's Might: Rularuu shall deliver us into his warm embrace.

Rularuu's Might: The items have gathered. The time is coming.

Combat Start

Rularuu's Might: You do not deserve to be in the sight of Rularuu.

You found scribbled directions on the Rulu-Shin.

The Path to the Beyond

You found scribbled directions on the Rulu-Shin detailing the, 'Path to the Beyond'. Most of the words in there seem to be nonsensical. All you can make out is hat in their meeting spot there is a guardian to their main gathering. The only way to get safe passage is to answer the guardian's questions, or so they say, to be a 'true believer'. Perhaps there are items in the area of the cave that can help you gather information on the Rulu-Shin.

Rulu-Shin Crypt Dialogue

Before Combat:

Rularuu's Might: Life will never be the same, now when this is over.

Combat Start:

Rularuu's Might: You will not stop what is to be!

---

Before Combat:

Rularuu's Might: The representative must be fed.

Rularuu's Might: The Midnighters will suffice, for now.

Combat Start:

Rularuu's Might: You will fuel the coming of our savior!

You found some sort of eyeball symbol.

Eyeball Symbol

You found inside one of the chests an eyeball symbol. Looking at it closer, it almost seems like the eyeball is inside some sort of hideous jaw. The eyeball looks lifelike enough that you almost expect it to twitch, or even blink. IT seems like it is searching for something, or even watching you, waiting for you to do something.

At the base of the symbol is an image of a lithe creature and a hulking brute, but it seems as if the eye is being venerated above them.

You have found something that seems to be called a kora fruit seed.

Kora Fruit Seedling

You discovered some sort of odd seedling inside of the chest. It looks like the seedling died some time ago. A note in the chest indicated that this was a seedling for something called 'kora fruit' and that it can be used to attract the monsters of Rularuu.

You found a small artifact littered with strange runes.

Spherical Artifact

You pulled out an artifact shaped like a sphere, which has several runes on it. As you touch it, an image of some dark, twisted place enters into your mind. The sky is twisted and purple, and in the distance an impressive floating fortress looms. The sky cracks from lighting, while islands swirl around. A pair of ominous eyes appear in the distance, as if this place is home to some sort of monster. The images fade, and you can tell something powerful is attempting to control your emotions, to spark some sort of reaction out of you.

Rulu-Shin Guardian

Briefing

You stannnnd before an innnnner sannnnnctummmmmm. Annnnnswer the questionnnnnns to prove your worth.

The floatinnnng watchers, the lithe wisps, the powerful brutes.

All immmmportant, all part of the cause. Onnnnne is mmmmore immmmportant thannnn the other. Who is it?

• The floating watcher (Trigger next question)
• The powerful brute (Trigger ambush)
• The lithe wisp (Trigger ambush)

Hortha Vines. Kora Fruit. Echoes. All immmportant to Rularuu. Onnnne serves mmmmore, onnne attracts mmmore. Which onnnne attracts more?

• Echoes (Trigger ambush)
• Hortha Vines (Trigger ambush)
• Kora Fruit (Trigger next question)

The Stormmmm palace. Channnntry. Archipelago. Two belonnng to Rularuu. Onnnne is hommmmmme to a monnnnster, separate from Rularuu. Where does the monnnnster live?

• Storm Palace (Trigger final dialogue)
• Chantry (Trigger ambush)
• Archipelago (Trigger ambush)

You have provenn yourself. You may pass.

or

You are nnnot a believer. You will be punnnnished by the faithful!

• Leave

Ambush! If you answer the Guardian's question's incorrectly, a single wave will spawn and aggro on you.
Rularuu's Might: Destroy the non-believer! For Rularuu!

Rulu-Shin Gatherer (Incorrect Answers)

Before Combat:

Rulu-Shin Gatherer: We have been warned, there is an intruder amidst us. Prepare yourselves.

Combat Start:

Rulu-Shin Gatherer: You were a fool to try to come here. This will be your grave!

Rulu-Shin Gatherer (Correct Answers)

Before Combat:

Rulu-Shin Gatherer: We call upon you, Rularuu, to see our sacrifice for you. Answer us, help us to deliver you!

Combat Start:

Rulu-Shin Gatherer: An intruder into the sanctum! You will not escape!

Rulu-Shin Cellphone

You defeated the Rulu-Shin acting as the gatherer for the group. You search the man and find, of all things, a cellphone on him. It appears even cultists who worship the coming of a being who will destroy all of existence still need phones to communicate.

You go through the contents of the cellphone and find several old voicemail messages. The latest one is from a man named Harry Stein, saying that he has 'moved the items to the store, further help shouldn't be a problem.'

Debriefing

What did you find down there? Hrm... Interesting. At least we've stopped one of their gatherings, but who knows how many more they have? It's disturbing that they had the aid of a Wisp, but at least it was one that did not actively seek to kill you.

You explain to Michael that you found a cellphone off of the Rulu-Shin Gatherer, which gave details about a man named Harry Stein holding items for the Rulu-Shin.

Hrm, a man named Harry Stein is holding the supposed items for the Rulu-Shin? I just may be able to help you with this. However, we will have to hurry. If I'm correct, we may already be to late to save Numina's father.

I think I've figured out what the Rulu-Shin are up to. They mentioned how they were looking to use 'magic bodies' to 'feed' the change, yes? I believe they are literally feeding something to a creature. If that's the case, then we have no time to lose.