Praetoria's Hidden Treasure
The clues were subtle at first. The number of plans that Arachnos had started to dwindle and they weren't sending out as many operatives on foreign assignments as they used to. Arachnos seemed to be concentrating on internal affairs, as if they were gearing up for something big. They were conducting numerous deals and more than a few raids on war materials to bolster their armories' stockpiles. And then there was the research being done about the Devouring Earth. Disturbing reports that covered not only how to combat them, but also methods of controlling them.
The final piece of the puzzle came in when one of your contacts let slip that Arachnos was trying to figure out how to correctly deal amiably with the Carnival of Light and recruit displaced members of the Resistance. That's when it all fell into place! Arachnos must have been planning some sort of attack on Praetoria, but only after Cole was defeated.
You heard along the grapevine that Recluse staged a massive attack to bring down Tyrant himself, but that his armies were wiped out. It seems Recluse knew all along he wasn't going to defeat Tyrant - he was simply using this as a distraction while his army created another portal to sneak into Praetoria and loot the city of every scrap of useful information and technology they could get their hands on!
You have it on good authority that Arachnos is finishing up their looting of Praetoria in Grandville. They're utilizing the DESTINY portal to travel to and from the area. The place should be in enough chaos from troops going back and forth that you could slip into the portal and investigate Praetoria yourself.
If Praetoria is collapsing, you should at least see what you can take from it before the Hamidon completely devours everything! You're not sure what you'll find, but you can't pass up this opportunity of discovering something interesting.
Investigate the Dying Praetoria
Unnecessary Solicitation
You'll have to brace yourself for whatever awaits you in Praetoria.
Editor's Note:
Upon entering the main Arachnos building, you will see several groups of Praetorian mobs held captive by Arachnos troops along the edge of the room.
Random Arachnos Chatter
Dr. Aeon -- guarding captured Clockwork BCUs:
- Dr. Aeon: Little tweaks here and there will make these a perfect addition to Arachnos. Haha!
- Dr. Aeon: Some of these in Aeon City should help show those Luddites a thing or two...
- Dr. Aeon: Fascinating stuff here, these Clockwork! Some improvements could be made, however... heh heh...
Magus Mu'Drakhan -- guarding captured Carnival of Light:
- Magus Mu'Drakhan: I wonder... Praetorian Mu blood...
- Magus Mu'Drakhan: Yes, your magic will do nicely...
Deputy Assistant of Information -- guarded by Bane Spiders:
- Deputy Assistant of Information: I can do whatever you want, I'll infiltrate Paragon!
- Deputy Assistant of Information: I knew a lot of big names in Praetoria, they'll vouch for me!
Red Widow -- addressing group of Widows
- Red Widow: Lord Recluse expects great things out of you all. Do not dissappoint us.
- Red Widow: Remember the mission. Find the people on your list and get them out. If they resist, you know what to do.
Arbiter Sands -- addressing group of Crab Spiders
- Arbiter Sands: Come on people, we're not sipping tea here, we're pillaging a dying dimension for everything its worth!
- Arbiter Sands: Last time I was in Praetoria, I was nearly kicked off a reactor. Good riddance to the entire place going to hell.
- Arbiter Sands: In and out people, in and out! And no hoarding! We're not hoarders!
- Arbiter Sands: I'll give one of you a raise if you can get one of those synthetic flowers for me.
Grant Naylor -- working on portal
- Grant Naylor: I'm gettin' a lotta strange... okay... I'll just keep us goin', don't say I didn't try to warn ya.
- Grant Naylor: I got nothin' against doin' this, but it's not gonna be space to keep this thin' goin' much longer!
Mission Objective(s)
You're shunted out of the DESTINY portal and into the outside of Imperial City. The Hamidon hasn't wasted any time in taking over.
Time to see what you can find in here.
- Investigate the Dying Praetoria
- Investigate the area
- Search the lab for survivors
You've gained a new ally - Mr. G!
Enemies
Briefing
You see the body of a civilian on the ground. It looks like she was killed recently. You notice she wasn't killed by the Devouring Earth. She has several slices across her body that look to be the work of a heavy bladed weapon, almost certainly a sword, and by the depth of the wounds, probably a katana.
Briefing
You see the body of the same woman that was outside of the lab. She is also dead, killed by someone wielding a katana. What exactly is going on?
Briefing
You see... yourself! How is that possible? The clone factory you had taken control of was destroyed by Protean. Yet, here you see dead clones of yourself scattered throughout the room. What is the meaning of all this? Who is using you in this manner?
Editor's Note:
Your clone will only be visible if you have completed Leonard's story arc.
Briefing
You see the body of what appears to be a ninja. Their wounds indicate they were killed by a katana.
Briefing
You see the dead body of Praetor Sinclair. His wounds are severe; it looks like he went down fighting nearly every single being that's within this lab. He has other wounds as well, which must have been from his fight in the Magisterium.
Briefing
If you have completed Leonard's story arc
The old man in the suit slowly looks up at you. He's badly injured. The man laughs, shaking his head.
Ah... Character. You're the... original... aren't you? Here I did not think... you and I would ever meet for quite some time, quite some time.
My name is... urgh... my name is Mr. G. As you can... see... I've found myself in a bit of a situation...
Hah... here I thought Sinclair... couldn't fight all my clones... it looks like I was wrong.
- What is the meaning of this, Mr. G? Tell me -everything-.
I suppose... I'm in no position to lie... no... no position to lie... no position. Hah... where to begin...
Have you heard of Doppelganger? I'm sure you've heard of... Protean. Protean is Primal Earth's version of Doppelganger. That would... hah... happen to be me. Surprise, eh...? I was the one... who trained Sinclair. I assumed... I would be the one who killed him, too, though I have grown... old, unlike Protean.
The clones... ah... yes... that would be another story.
Yes... well... I had a dream, Character. I realized... a clone of myself... would have my abilities. If I could control the clones... I could be anywhere... and everywhere. Tami Baker, my secretary, she was the first prototype. As you can see, I made several... she wasn't perfect... heh... she was even killed a few times by the Resistance, quite annoying.
I cloned the members of Project Phoenix before Sinclair... disposed of them. And... as you can see, you were the final step.
I was... working with Protean... before he abandoned me. He was the one... who sent me the data on... your cloning matrix. I would've made an army from you... Character... one that would've conquered Praetoria and Primal Earth...yes, conquered it quite nicely.
... Obviously that has been... foiled. Sinclair sought me out... in his last moments, believed he could try to... deliver some justice upon me, but I showed him, showed him what... I could still do.
- Now that just leaves what I do with you, Mr. G.
I have... a proposal... if you would hear me out. I can be... quite useful to you... quite useful.
I know of... some powerful assets that were taken by the Vanguard. I am also... quite good... at getting my hands on... information.
I can help you... with your plots... and schemes... gather information that you need. I can even suggest... one for you... which involves recovering criminals of... Praetoria... that Vanguard... has arrested.
They would all be under... your command... owing you a debt... we would all work... to help you with your... plots. I have... a small warehouse... in St. Martial... that we could use.
My own plots are over... Character... and I don't believe... I will ever fully recover from my wounds. Just help me... teleport out of here... and I'll be in your debt.
- Alright, Mr. G, but if you betray me, this is -over-. I'll see you in the Martial.
If you have not completed Leonard's story arc
The old man in the suit slowly looks up at you. He's badly injured. The man laughs, shaking his head.
Ah... Character. I've... heard a bit about you.
My name is... urgh... my name is Mr. G. As you can... see... I've found myself in a bit of a situation...
Hah... here I thought Sinclair... couldn't fight all my clones... it looks like I was wrong.
- What exactly is going on? What were you planning?
I suppose... I'm in no position to lie... no... no position to lie indeed. Hah... where to begin...
Have you heard of Doppelganger? I'm sure you've heard of... Protean. He is Primal Earth's version of Doppelganger. That would... hah... happen to be me. Surprise, eh...? I was the one... who trained Sinclair. I assumed... I would be the one who killed him, too, though I have grown... old, unlike Protean.
The clones... ah... yes... that would be another story.
Yes... well... I had a dream, Character. I realized... a clone of myself... would have all my abilities. If I could control the clones... I could be anywhere... and everywhere. Tami Baker, my secretary, she was the first prototype. As you can see, I made several... she wasn't perfect... heh... she was even killed a few times by the Resistance, quite annoying.
I cloned the members of Project Phoenix before Sinclair... disposed of them. I would have made... an army... eventually... ruled Praetoria from the shadows...
Obviously, that project has been... shattered. Sinclair sought me out... in his last moments, believed he could try to... deliver some justice upon me, but I showed him, showed him what... I could still do.
- Now that just leaves what I do with you, Mr. G.
I have... a proposal... if you would hear me out. I can be... quite useful to you... quite useful.
I know of... some powerful assets that were taken by the Vanguard. I am also... quite good... at getting my hands on... information.
I can help you... with your plots... and schemes... gather information that you need. I can even suggest... one for you... which involves recovering criminals of... Praetoria... that Vanguard... has arrested.
They would all be under... your command... owing you a debt... we would all work... to help you with your... plots. I have... a small warehouse... in St. Martial... that we could use.
My own plots are over... Character... and I don't believe... I will ever fully recover from my wounds. Just help me... teleport out of here... and I'll be in your debt.
- Alright, Mr. G, but if you betray me, this is -over-. I'll see you in the Martial.
Badge
After you or Arachnos have defeated a combined total of 40 Devouring Earth and The Infested, you are awarded the Hamidon's Enemy Badge.
You went back to Imperial City to find anything useful, but while you were there, you decided to send the Hamidon a message about who it shouldn't mess with.
Locate Mr. G in St. Martial
Unnecessary Solicitation
If this is a trap, you'll be sure to take down Mr. G as painfully as possible.
Mission Objective(s)
- Locate Mr. G in St. Martial
Briefing
Ah... you have no idea how good it feels to... well... not be dying, yes, not dying.
In my short time back, very short, I've done some digging around, and I do believe I've found some information that can be of use to you. Shall we begin, Character?
At this point, you may receive missions from Mr. G.
