View source for Mission:The Gate that Cannot Open - Part Four: Seeing Double

==== {{UL|Part Four: Seeing Double}} ====
'''Briefing'''

Now is the time to counter strike and dash Serene's plans against the rocks of divine justice. The means to trap Lamashtu once more within the Eternal Prison exist, but are beyond my grasp. Already I have begun work on forging new keys for its seven doors. {{darkorange|But in order to get her into the prison we must know Lamashtu's seven true names, which are unknown to me.}} Once they were written in {{darkorange|The Book of Names}}, but the Emperor saw fit for that artifact to be destroyed. 

* {{green|Perhaps there are others for whom these names are known.}}

Yes... Yes!

While Lamashtu's names are hidden in this place, the flow of magic connects all worlds.

Serene has proven a most capable arcanist... {{darkorange|If you could find her equal in another world she may be able to match her wits and help you discover Lamashtu's seven true names before all is lost.}}

===== {{UL|Talk to War Witch in Pocket D}} =====
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Know your enemy and in a thousand battles you will never know defeat.

{{Mission Briefing|Contact=War Witch|Text=
Whoa, you've got some major spiritual energy clinging to you. What have you been getting into?
*{{green|Catch War Witch up on things.}}
:''or''
*{{green|Begrudgingly catch War Witch up on current events.}}
:{{darkorange|Clarissa Moore studies your words for a hard minute after you stop talking, only then does she speak.}}

:I don't doubt the gravity of what you've told me, {{Character}}, but I'll need to speak to the spirits of my own coven on the matter. If indeed there is the spirit of a Praetorian ''me'' doing great evil in the Netherworld, they will know about it.

:{{darkorange|Clarissa smiles at you.}}

:If I've learned anything, {{Character}}, it is that no matter how bad things get, there is always hope. While my sisters have wisdom eternal, it is slow to gain. So allow me to give you some insight you can use right now.

:If there is a duplicate of me, then it goes to stand that Praetoria has a duplicate of almost everyone and everything. Me, you... even a certain {{darkorange|Book of Names}}...
:*{{green|...then I can retrieve The Book of Names for The Magician.}}
:{{darkorange|Clarissa winks and flashes a smile.}}

:I'd go and talk to Mercedes Sheldon of the Midnight Squad... the, uh, Primal Earth Midnight Squad, that is. I saw her around here earlier. Almost didn't recognize her in that little number she was wearing.

:If the Book of Names is around she is the person most likely to have an idea of its whereabouts. As for me, I have quite a bit of meditation and astral communication to get started on. If I find anything out that can help, I'll make sure to get you the information ASAP.
:*{{green|I'll do that. Thanks, Clarissa.}}
:*{{green|I appreciate your assistance.}}}}

===== {{UL|Talk to Mercedes Sheldon in Pocket D}} =====
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Know your enemy and in a thousand battles you will never know defeat. 

{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Mercedes Sheldon|Image=Contact Small Mercedes Sheldon (Pocket D).jpg|Text=
{{Character}}, Clarissa astrally messaged me from across the dance hall. She told me that you would be coming by and mentioned something about the spirit of her Praetorian self and then something about her coven and a plan involving her spirit trapped between worlds itself in Croatoa.

{{darkorange|Mercedes begins chattering on about the plight of a spirit, trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead before she catches herself.}}

Oh, a thousand pardons, listen to me going on and on and here we have a crisis on our hands. No time to play catch up, let's get straight down to business, yes?
*{{green|Yes, the Book of Names...}}
{{darkorange|Mercedes lets a mischevious smirk cross her face. Obviously she has some very good news.}}

Not only is such an artifact known to me, it is also here in Paragon City.

{{darkorange|Her smile fades as she pauses before continuing.}}
*{{green|But...?}}
{{darkorange|Another smile and Mercedes continues, a bit nervously.}}

But... The book is currently in the possession of David 'Odysseus' Hill, the leader of the [[Warriors]]...
*{{green|Of course... This couldn't be simple.}}
{{darkorange|Mercedes laughs nervously.}}

Oh... ho ho... Yes, quite, well, I mean to say... it does get worse...
*{{green|Worse? How?}}
Odysseus is planning on selling the book... Tonight... To the highest bidder.
*{{green|Tonight?! Who is bidding on it?}}
{{darkorange|Mercedes sighs and puts a hand to her forehead, as if trying to conjure the names of the individuals from some distant memory.}}

I've been trying to, well, get information out of some of the more unsavory patrons here, actually, but so far I have no solid leads. You can rest assured, however that it will included the worst of the worst.

{{darkorange|Mercedes yells a little louder over the music.}}

I mean, you ''do'' understand how powerful this artifact is and how much damage it could do in the wrong hands, yes? Demon summoners, necromancers, spellcasters of every breed and creed, even dabbling occultists with more money than actual arcane power. All of them would kill to have total power over all manner of creatures whose names are hidden in that book.

{{darkorange|Mercedes shakes her head.}}

I just can't fathom why Odysseus would want to sell such an artifact. There has to be more to this than I'm seeing.
*{{green|Where is this going down?}}
{{darkorange|A smile broadens across Ms. Sheldon's face.}}

Odysseus is holding the auction at one of his shipping warehouses on Talos Island. Oh! Wait just a moment... I.. have a... yes, here it is!

{{darkorange|She removes a slip of decorated card stock from inside her jacket and hands it to you.}}

The rat had the ''bravado'' to send me an invitation to the auction, as if I had forgotten his theft of my family properly. I was planning on sending {{red|Exorcist}} in my place to make a play for the book myself, but now I think you might be the wiser choice to send, if only so Odysseus doesn't link me to the ''liberation'' of his property.
*{{green|Mercedes, crashing a party doesn't usually require an invitation.}}}}

===== {{UL|Crash Odysseus's Auction}} =====
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

A collector of artifacts holds what you now seek. Find him and take what the world needs to survive.

{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Mercedes Sheldon|Image=Contact Small Mercedes Sheldon (Pocket D).jpg|Text=
Ready to crash the party? {{darkorange|That invitation allows you to bring guests, it might not be a bad idea to bring some backup.}}

'''This mission is of higher difficulty than normal, you may want to bring a friend or two to help.'''
*{{green|"I'm ready." (Enter Mission)}}}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Your 'invitation' gets you past the doorman without any trouble. Inside it seems quiet. Is this the right place?|Primary=Crash Odysseus's Auction|Secondary=Recover the Book of Names|Additional=**Listen to Odysseus' Speech
**Defeat Odysseus
**Take the Book of Names from Odysseus!
**Escape with the Book|Completion=You retrieved The Book of Names from Odysseus and the Warriors.|Map=I20_VSF_ODYSSEUS_WAREHOUSE}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Warriors}}
{{Enemy Tsoo}}
{{Enemy Circle of Thorns}}

'''Notable NPCs'''

* [[Odysseus]] {{Named|Faction=Warriors|Type=Odysseus|Rank=Elite Boss|Role=Enemy}}
* [[Libri Vermis]] {{Named|Faction=Circle of Thorns|Type=Libri Vermis|Rank=Elite Boss|Role=Enemy}}
* [[Nemesis]] {{Named|Faction=Nemesis|Type=Fake Nemesis|Rank=Boss|Role=Enemy}}
* Hwong Li {{Named|Faction=Tsoo|Type=Sorcerer|Rank=Lieutenant|Role=Enemy}}

{{NPC Text|title=Warriors Chatter|text=
'''Warrior Slammer:''' Hey, {{GenderDialogue|male=bro|female=girl}}, keep it civil in there, ok?
----
'''Warrior Slicer:''' Friggin' Nemesis, man...<br />
'''Warrior Chopper:''' Here comes another one, be cool.}}

{{NPC Text|title=Odysseus' Speech|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' Welcome. Welcome to you all.
:'''Odysseus:''' Libri Vermis, Librarian of the Circle of Thorns...
:'''Odysseus:''' Hwong Li, respected sorcerer of the Tsoo...
:'''Odysseus:''' And Lord Nemesis, whose plans within plans have brought him here...
:'''Odysseus:''' Gentlemen, as you know, The Book of Names is an artifact unlike any other.
:'''Odysseus:''' Within its ancient pages are scrawled the names of anyone and everyone of significance...
:'''Odysseus:''' You must all be wondering why I would be willing to part with such an obviously powerful artifact
:'''Odysseus:''' Well, the answer to that is quite simple...
:'''Odysseus:''' I'm -not- parting with it.
:'''Nemesis:''' Predictable.
:'''Odysseus:''' I used the book to weave a spell over this place using your true names.
:'''Nemesis:''' Which is why I'm not the real Nemesis.
:'''Odysseus:''' You will find that you are all quite powerless to oppose me.
:'''Odysseus:''' And now my trap is sprung, and my rivals doomed...
:'''Odysseus:''' WARRIORS!
:'''Warrior Slicer:''' HUA!
:'''Warrior Bruiser:''' HUA!
:'''Odysseus:''' Cut them down where they stand.
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Far Fire:''' Kill them! Kill them all!
:'''Agony Mage:''' Get the book!
:'''Warrior Slicer:''' Warriors!
:'''Warrior Chopper:''' Warriors!
:'''Libri Vermis:''' You shall die for this treachery, Odysseus of the Warriors!
:'''Hwong Li:''' Kill these traitorous dogs!
:'''Odysseus:''' No contest.
:'''Hwong Li:''' You shall suffer in the hell of a thousand blades for this cowardice!
:'''Libri Vermis:''' Now that I am free your souls are forfeit!
'''First Blood:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' What the? I didn't invite you!
'''75% Health:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' No matter, I have magic enough to deal with you!
'''50% Health:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' You'll never get the book!
'''25% Health:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' I will not yield!
'''Upon Defeat:'''
:'''Odysseus:''' This is why I should never invite Nemesis to anything!
:'''Odysseus:''' No... How did my plan fail?!
:'''Nemesis:''' That is why I sent an invitation to Mercedes Sheldon.
:'''Odysseus:''' This is why I should never invite Nemesis to anything!
:'''Libri Vermis:''' {{Character}} has the book!}}

{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Odysseus|Text=
{{darkorange|The Book of Names lies on the ground before Odysseus. He is in no condition to stop you from taking it.}}
*{{green|(Take the Book of Names)}}}}

===== {{UL|Talk with The Magician}} =====
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Return to me once you've acquired the Book of Names.

{{Mission Briefing|Contact=The Magician (Contact)|Text=
{{darkorange|The power of Night Ward has acted upon The Book of Names, gifting it with intelligence not unlike the Animus Arcana. Upon meeting The Magician, the book begins speaking in strange tongues before finally speaking coherently.}}

Keymaster; Keeper of the Seven Keys, daemon lord of the winds, known as Pazuzu, husband of Lamashtu, enemy of Lamashtu. I am most honored to meet you.

{{darkorange|The Magician, or Pazuzu as the book called him, has a look of dawning recollection. His eyes widen as memories return to him with the power of his name remembered and he smiles.}}}}

'''Debriefing'''

My name remembered... Yes, I remember who I was before my name became the Seventh Key.

{{Character}}, I am as The Book of Names says, and Lamashtu is indeed my wife. But know this - She was imprisoned by the Furies and the gods because ''I'' convinced them to do it. That is why I was the keeper of the seven keys...

But none of that matters now. My wife may be free once more, but with The Book of Names we have the power to send her back to the Eternal Prison, back to the only place where the world is safe from her appetite for destruction.

Once, long ago, she and I balanced one another as husband and wife. But things changed as they are wont to do. Where I believed in the need for balance between good and evil in the world, my wife grew arrogant and unsatisfied. She visited suffering, plague, death, and monsters upon men and obeyed no one. . She is my adversary as much as she is yours... and the time to stop her for the good of everyone is now and no other.

<noinclude>[[Category:The Magician Missions|Part 4]]</noinclude>