View source for Template:StoryArc The Library of Souls

{{ArcAward|m=21}}
=== The Library of Souls (30-34) ===
{{Souvenir Note from Akarist}}
{{Mission:The Library of Souls - Rescue Edgard Torvald}}

{{Mission:The Library of Souls - Pry into the secrets of the Magic Library}}

{{Mission:The Library of Souls - Rescue Naomi Hutchins}}

{{Mission:The Library of Souls - Find Akarist}}

{{Mission:The Library of Souls - Talk to Azuria}}

==== {{UL|Help the soul within the crystal orient itself}} ====

'''Briefing'''

The souls trapped within the Circle's crystals continue to give [[Azuria]] more information about the [[Circle of Thorns]] and their sunken city of [[Oranbega]]. One of them claims to know the location of the great Library of Souls where many more spirits are kept in torment. However, the soul needs to orient himself before he can remember the library's exact location. {{Green|Will you take the crystal containing a dead man's soul to find the place where he died?}}

'''Mission Acceptance'''

I knew you wouldn't falter. Azuria sent me the crystal containing the spirit who's willing to help us. His name is Ashton Fletcher, and according to what he has told us, he was a sailor aboard the Novus Cartago Expedition in the early 1600's. Mr. Fletcher here will need to get his bearings. In order to do that, he asks to be returned to the last place he went before he met his fate at the hands of the Circle of Thorns.

{{Mission Clue|Name=Soul of Ashton Fletcher|Text=The surface of this perfect geometric crystal is inscribed with numerous magic runes.  A single point of light lies at the crystal's heart, and it sheds an unnatural warmth.  As you hold it in your hand, you can sense the thoughts of Ashton Fletcher, a young man who died more than 400 years ago.  He seems excited to be out on an adventure again, even if it's only a small one.}}

''Here's the crystal. The soul inside is named Ashton Fletcher. It seems like he's pretty eager to help.''

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

The soul within the crystal still needs to orient himself. You should find some more landmarks.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=Ashton's spirit has led you to this place.  It yearns to go inside and explore, but you can see telltale signs that the Devouring Earth have taken up residence here.|Primary=Find landmarks|Secondary=3 landmarks to find|Additional=|Completion=Ashton's soul has found its bearings.  As you ready to leave, you find a scribbled note from the Circle mystic [[Akarist]].}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Devouring Earth}}
{{Enemy Circle of Thorns}}

'''Notable NPCs'''
* Akarist
{{NPC Text|title=Akarist dialogue|text='''Before Combat:''' I know that presence. {{Character}} is here.<br />'''Combat Start:''' Surprised to see me again? You shouldn't be!}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Akarist's second message|Text=This message is penned in a spidery hand.  It reads:

'From your route I can see that you must have one of the Novus Cartago crew with you. Understand that such a creature's knowledge is fragmentary at best, and be on your guard. Invisible eyes watch your every step. Do you understand, now? Do you judge us? It was all we could do, once we learned the forces that threatened us. We needed flesh, and so we took it.

'We have become inhuman, evil, corrupt. But even I have to wonder: after all we have become, is such evil not our right?

'Akarist'}}

'''Notes'''

There's a brief message after discovering each clue:
* After finding the strange stone marker: ''You can sense that Ashton's soul remembers this place. It was this intriguing marker stone that convinced Ashton and his comrades to explore the caves further.''
* After finding the rubble: ''You can sense that Ashton's soul remembers this place. It is here that he and his comrades tried to dig their way out of the Circle's trap.''
* After finding the bones: ''You can sense that Ashton's soul recognizes these bones and feeble tatters of clothing. This body was once his own.''

'''Debriefing'''

Thanks for helping Ashton's soul get his bearings. Now that he's oriented himself, he should be able to take us to the underground library where the rest of the Circle's imprisoned souls are kept. You say that Circle mystic was there again? Akarist? How strange. These messages keeps sending you are so cryptic. What is he getting at?

==== {{UL|Liberate the imprisoned souls}} ====

'''Briefing'''

With your help, one of the trapped souls you recovered has shown us the way to the Greater Library of Souls, deep within the ruins of [[Oranbega]]. The souls of hundreds, possibly thousands of Paragon's missing are trapped down there, {{Character}}. {{Green|Will you liberate those imprisoned souls?}}

'''Mission Acceptance'''

According to Ashton's soul, there are ten crystals down there, each of which holds a hundred or more trapped souls. As soon as you recover all ten, get them to [[MAGI]]. They'll know how to keep the crystals safe.

===== {{UL|Liberate the Library of Souls}} =====

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

There could be thousands of people's spirits trapped down there, {{Character}} You may be their only hope for freedom.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You hear the whispers of tormented spirits in the echo of every footstep.|Primary=Liberate the Library of Souls|Secondary=10 soul crystals remaining|Additional=|Completion=You have recovered all of the soul crystals.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Circle of Thorns}}

'''Notable NPCs'''
* Librarian {{Named|Faction=Circle of Thorns|Type=Agony Mage}}
{{NPC Text|title=Circle Patrol|text=
''Before Combat''
:'''Circle Minion 1:''' I sense a presence. The Library is under attack!
:'''Circle Minion 2:''' Find the intruder!
''Combat Start''
:'''Circle Minion 1:''' I will boil your blood!
:'''Circle Minion 2:''' I will send your soul to the netherworld!
}}
{{NPC Text|title=Librarian|text='''Before combat:''' I will not brook these disruptions!<br />'''Combat start:''' I will personally add you to our collection!}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Soul crystals|Text=These crystals glow brightly with the light of the hundreds of souls trapped within.  They are warm to the touch.}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Darkened soul crystal|Text=The darkness that radiates from this crystal draws all the warmth from the air around it.  The anguished thoughts of the souls within brush against the edges of your mind.}}
{{Ambush|

After exiting the mission you will be ambushed by a group of Circle of Thorns mystics.}}

===== {{UL|Take crystals to Azuria}} =====

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Now that you have all the soul crystals, you must get them to Azuria without delay.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Take crystals to Azuria|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}}

{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Azuria|Text=I am relieved to see that you have recovered all the soul crystals. As we learn more about these severed souls, I foresee a day when we may be able to release them from their crystal prisons.}}

'''Debriefing'''

It will take MAGI years to sort through all of the souls trapped in those crystals and put them to rest. But without you, {{Character}}, they wouldn't even have a chance.

You know, I've been thinking. Do you remember Ashton Fletcher, the sailor from the 1600's whose soul was in the first crystal you found? From what we know, the Circle of Thorns started in the 1920's when Baron Zoria discovered Oranbega and unlocked its magics. So how could Ashton have been trapped by the Circle of Thorns way back in the 17th century? I have a feeling that the souls you recovered might still have some things to tell us.

==== {{UL|Recover Zoria and Akarist}} ====

'''Briefing'''

{{Character}}, I just got word from [[MAGI]]. They've made contact with one of the souls in the strangely darkened crystal you recovered from the Greater Library of Souls. It claims to be the soul of [[Historical_Heroes_and_Villains#Lord_Frostimus|Lord Frostimus]], one of [[Baron Zoria]]'s old allies from the 1920's. What's more, it claims that the Baron himself is also a prisoner in another soul crystal! It says that it was transferred from the Baron's crystal to make room for a special guest: a [[Circle of Thorns]] traitor named [[Akarist]]! If half of what Frostimus claims is true, this could be the biggest break we've ever had against the Circle of Thorns. {{Green|Will you recover Zoria and Akarist?}}

[[Image:Akarist.jpg|100px|thumb|{{center|Akarist}}]]
'''Mission Acceptance'''

You should be able to find Zoria in a dark soul crystal, like the one you already recovered. I don't know whether Akarist's alive or dead, but keep your eyes peeled for him.

'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''

Have you recovered Zoria and Akarist? No? Well, get cracking.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You have seen much of Oranbega, but today the crushing weight of its age presses down on you as never before.|Primary=Rescue Zoria and Akarist|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You have recovered Baron Zoria and rescued Akarist.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Circle of Thorns}}

'''Notable NPCs'''
* [[Akarist]] {{Named|Faction=Circle of Thorns|Type=Thorn Caster (Fire)}} (NPC Ally) (Pet)
* [[Circle of Thorns#Agony Mage|Agony Mage]] (Guarding Akarist)
{{clr}}
{{Ambush|

After freeing Akarist you will be ambushed by a group of Circle of Thorns mystics.}}
{{NPC Text|title=Akarist|text=
''Before Combat''
:'''Akarist:''' For the moment, I stay my hand. Count yourself lucky, Furias.
:'''Agony Mage:''' Don't make me laugh, Akarist. You're lucky we don't discorporate you.
''Combat Start''
:'''Agony Mage:''' Destroy the intruder!
''Upon Rescue''
:'''Akarist:''' For now, I will aid you against my brethen.
}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Soul of Baron Zoria|Text=The lone prisoner within this dark crystal lashes out at your touch. You can sense the thoughts of the spirit trapped within:

'We were fools, we were deceived. We asked for their power, and they came. They gave us the thorns, telling us they were the key to great power.

'We stabbed the thorns into our hearts, never knowing that by doing so, we were giving up our souls. Some they flung to the void. Others they kept in these crystal prisons. Our bodies they usurped, our forms they wore as clothing. They were mere spirits, but we gave them flesh!'}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Akarist's story|Text=When you rescued Akarist, he told you:

'Fool Zoria thought to invoke us as gods, for as such we have been worshiped. We clothed ourselves in their flesh, took over the bodies of those who sought our favor. As living people, we could once again summon demons and perform all our old magics.

We told ourselves we sought only security. But the truth is, we wanted power.

Oranbega is no lost city. No empty sepulcher of abandoned stone. Every hall, every chamber is filled with us. Invisible wraiths, we have floated through uncountable eons, here in the city we built before history, before we lost our own humanity. Oranbega is no ruin. Oranbega is a living city. A living city of the dead.

And through the gulfs of eons, I am the first to betray it. I must now leave Oranbega.'  }}

'''Debriefing'''

So, the Circle's acolytes are really just hollow shells, inhabited by the spirits of long-dead Oranbegans? Uhg, Akarist was right. I almost wish I didn't know. This is mind-boggling, {{Character}}! All those ghosts, living under our feet for thousands of years! You've done the city a great service by uncovering this secret. Now that we know how they operate, perhaps we can strengthen our fight against the Circle of Thorns.<noinclude>[[Category:Hero Story Arcs|Library of Souls]]</noinclude>