Crackdown

Remove your I4 Badge to stay undercover. Question suspects at: The Inventor's Study, Mibastoerook's Armory, The College of Artisans, Thetaton Workshop, and Uebatix's Institute of Wizardy. Talk to the following inventors and magic apprentices: - Prometara Malotter in the Inventor's Study - Silaskun Lojay infront of the College of Artisans - Issya Axdov behind College of Artisans - Kabixil Maynox in the College of Artisans - Tolut Emanihen in the College of Artisans - Pori Hokat in the Thetaton Workshop - Apprentice Einxet in Domination of the Mind - Apprentice Mugysp in Domination of the Mind - Apprentice Beitza in Fire, Ice, and You - Apprentice Dalenax in Fire, Ice, and You - Apprentice Omhcrium in The Reanimators - Apprentice Xaenald in The Reanimators

Commissioner Epgar asks, "Ready for your first assignment?" He clears his throat. "Over the past few months, we've had an alarming number of inventors and magic apprentices disappearing from Mekalia without a trace. I want you to go undercover as a new apprentice and find out everything you can about those who've gone missing from their colleagues." "Since this is an undercover operation, you'll need to conceal your badge." "Start in Thetaton Square, and then move on to the Institute of Wizardry."

Commissioner Epgar
Ready for your first assignment? Over the past few months, we've had an alarming number of inventors and magic apprentices disappearing from Mekalia without a trace. I want you to go undercover as a new apprentice and find out everything you can about those who've gone missing from their colleagues. Since this is an undercover operation, you'll need to conceal your badge. Start in Thetaton Square, and then move on to the Institute of Wizardry.

Commissioner Adnomid Epgar
Quest Offering Commissioner Epgar asks, "Ready for your first assignment?" He clears his throat. "Over the past few months, we've had an alarming number of inventors and magic apprentices disappearing from Mekalia without a trace. I want you to go undercover as a new apprentice and find out everything you can about those who've gone missing from their colleagues." "Since this is an undercover operation, you'll need to conceal your badge." "Start in Thetaton Square, and then move on to the Institute of Wizardry." NPC Prometara Malotter '"You ask, "Are you the owner of this establishment?" Prometara Malotter says, "I am, can I help you?" You say, "I'm just starting on a new project down at the Institute of Wizardry and was getting to know where my colleagues normally spend their off time." Prometara Malotter smiles. "Many crafters, artisans, and inventors enjoy a few hours here relaxing between work and sleep. You're welcome to stay awhile if you like." You shake your head. "Oh, no. I don't have much time today for that sort of luxury." Prometara Malotter nods. "Yes, that seems a common problem these days. What is the Institute working on, if you don't mind me asking?" You smirk. "I can't say, unfortunately. Thought I am rather perplexed at the sudden clambering for more staff. They must be nearing a critical new stage of development." Prometara Malotter says, "Well, word on the iron vein is that there have been a few set backs - mostly having to do with a few unexplained disappearances." You blink, asking, "Disappearances? Some sort of teleportation device, then?" Prometara Malotter laughs, but then gets serious. "I'm afraid not. Some people are whispering about an Ulabenian plot - others about accidents and cover ups. Still others think they are leaving Mekalia, perhaps into the Deepdark." You say, "Well, they can't go back into the Deepdark, not even an L2C's emerol drill could break through the gate." Prometara Malotter suggests, "Well, be careful then. If it's either of the other two rumors then you might be in some danger." You say, "My being careful will prevent accidents. It's up to I-3 to make sure an Ulabenian plot isn't taking place within our city." Prometara Malotter says, "I hope you are right. At any rate, come back whenever you have some free time. Sometimes I serve cookies." You say, "Oooh! Cookies." Silaskun Lojay You ask, "Routine maintenance?" Silaskun Lojay shrugs, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You ever have one of those projects that you just never quite feel is really done?" You nod, saying, "Just about all of them, but maybe it's because I keep starting on new ones." Silaskun Lojay laughs. "What are you working on now?" You say, "Not sure yet. The Wizardry Institute has me working on some new project, but I'm not due to start for a few days." Silaskun Lojay ponders this information. "Hmm." You inquire, "What? What're you thinking about?" Silaskun Lojay says, "Oh, just that I think I know what you'll be working on." You smile. "Really? What is it?" Silaskun Lokay shakes his head, saying "Can't say, though I do know that it's a cursed project. You'd do well to keep your eyes open." You ask, "What do you mean cursed? What aren't you telling me?" Silaskun Lojay whispers, "I've known three inventors on that project. Every last one of them has up and disappeared." You give him a concerned look. "Disappeared? You mean they're working around the clock?" Silaskun Lojay says, "No, I mean, they are gone. No sign of them." You furrow a brow. "What do you think happened to them?" Silaskun Lojay says, "Personally, from what I know, I think they ran away - got as far away from Mekalia as they could get." You say, "That sounds pretty unlikely. The constables would know if they left." Silaskun Lojay asks, "If they did know what makes you think they'd tell anyone?" Issya Axdov Issya Axdov says, "Hi, haven't seen you wandering around here before." You peer at Issya Axdov and say, "Hi, my name is (your name) . I'm new at the Institute of Wizardry. Issya Axdov says, "I'm Issya Axdov, anything I can help you with? I know how tough it can be starting out. I see those poor apprentices walking the streets like zombies at all hours. I don't think they ever sleep." You laugh. "Well, I'm actually just getting to know everyone right now. They got me on some project. I don't know the specifics of it, but it's pretty important and very hush, hush." Issya Axdov smirks. "I know the one. I suppose they would be in need of new personnel." You ask, "What was that? I'm not sure I follow." Issya Axdov says, "Well, from what Tals Sabet told me last week, it sounds like a lot of the workers on that project are pretty unhappy." You inquire further, "Why? I thought it was a big deal to work on this project. That's why I dropped everything to join the team."' Issya Axdov shakes her head. "There's talk of people disappearing from the teams. Someone said that trust was fast becoming an issue amongst the workers." You say to yourself, "Maybe I should consider buying a locking tome for all my notes then." Issya Axdov suggests, "You might spend your time better by watching your back. My nose tells me that the inventors are reacting like gophers in a flooded tunnel." You pretend not to get the analogy, asking, "What does flooding a gopher tunnel have to do with watching my back?" Issya Axdov sighs and smiles. "It was an analogy. What I mean is, desperate situations result in desperate measures being taken. Just be careful." You nod. "Thanks, Issya Axdov. I will." Kabixil Maynox You ask, "Kabixil Maynox?" Kabixil Maynox nods, responding, "That's me. What can I do for you?" '"You say, "Oh, nothing yet. I'm just learning faces and names." Kabixil Maynox says, "You must be a replacement for some of those missing inventors down at Uebatix's Institute." You blink. "Yeah, I am. But I didn't know there were missing inventors." Kabixil Maynox speaks matter-of-factly, "They sure are. Ulabenian plot I tell you. Kidnapping right out from under I-3's nose too. Makes me pretty mad." You can't resist taking a jab at the I-3 boys. "Yeah, they've perfected standing on guard duty. Now they just need to learn how to perform guard duty." Kabixil Maynox laughs. "Don't say that too loud. You never know when there is an I-4 agent around, and they could haul you in for morale disruption." You change the subject. "So you really think there are Ulabenian agents in Mekalia who are targeting inventors at the Institute of Wizardry?" Kabixil Maynox nods. "It's the only explanation. General Ulaben took most of our best soldiers and agents with him, but some of the best inventors and wizards stayed in Mekalia, opposed to the war." You say, "So you suspect that Ulaben might be sending in his agents to kidnap inventors and wizards from Mekalia to assist him?" Kabixil Maynox says, "That's a possibility. He could also just be having them killed, but I like your more optomistic version better." You say, "That really gives me a lot to think about. Thanks Kabixil." Tolut Emanihen You say, "Hi Tolut. I was curious if you'd heard anything about these missing inventors I keep hearing about?" Tolut Emanihen says, "You know what? I overheard Niro Gavea talking about that to someone. Are people really missing?" You say, "That's what I've heard. What did Gavea say?" Tolut Emanihen ponders for a moment. "He said something about getting together and meeting privately to discuss things more privately. About that time, they noticed that I had heard them and they walked off." You say, "That sounds pretty suspicious. Where did they go?" Tolut Emanihen says, "I'm not sure. They left the shop. That's all I know." You shrug and switch subjects to avoid sounding like you are asking too many questions. "What's in other news?" Tolut Emanihen smiles. "I just got a shipment of recipes from Khal. They're the latest rage." You can't help but be interested - the upside is, after all, such a very curious place. "What is it?" Tolut Emanihen says, "Varanthari blanket weaving techniques." You blink. "What do they need blankets for? It's burning hot on the upside." Tolut Emanihen says, "From what I've seen, about half the day is dark and cold. They call it night. I have no idea how the upsiders survive such drastic temperature changes, but I suppose blankets may help." Pori Hokat You say, "Pori Hokat, right? I'm (your name) ." Pori Hokat yawns. "Yeah, good to meet you. What did you ask?" You blink at him. "Just your name..." Pori Hokat interrupts, "No no, before that!" You clear your throat. "Nothing, that was the first thing I said." Pori Hokat studies you for a moment. "So, need new gloves? Those crystals eat right through these things. I need a better material - not that the profit isn't appreciated, but I-5 is starting to nose around. I can't stand those guys..." You interrupt, "Whoa. Wait a second there Pori. I don't need new gloves." Pori Hokat says, "Oh. Why'd you ask for some then?" You shake your head. Poor Pori must be sleep deprived. Maybe he's open to suggestion. "Pori, have you heard anything about missing inventors lately?" Pori Hokat shakes the sleep from his head and yawns again. "Those guys who went missing? They left town. You want those gloves or no?" You say, "No on the gloves. Where did they go?" Pori Hokat says, I'm not sure. Somewhere away from here, that's all I know. Why you asking?" You change the subject. "On second thought, how much are those gloves?" Pori Hokat sighs. "Make up your mind already... let's see, three copper." You frown and say, "Nah. Nevermind. I just remembered I have some back at the Institute." Apprentice Einxet You ask, "What're you working on?" Apprentice Einxet is startled and nearly loses his balance. "Gah! You almost killed me!" You say, sheepishly, "Sorry I didn't mean to startle you. I thought you heard me approaching." Apprentice Einxet shakes his head. "It's alright. I was just practicing my mental clarity exercises while I worked on a few ideas." You nod, ignoring the mention of a psionic ability to avoid getting in a discussion about psionics. "I didn't catch your name. Are you one of the new inventors?" Apprentice Einxet raises a brow, saying, "I'm Apprentice Einxet, and I'm not new. I think Mugysp is new though." You say, "Well, let's hope we don't run out of replacements before we finish, eh?" Apprentice Einxet smirks, saying, "Yeah, no kidding. Over a dozen inventors and wizards missing in less than a few months. Have you heard anything about what's going on with that?" You say, "I heard that it's an Ulabenian plot, but I'm not sure I believe it. I mean, I-3 would have to be totally incompetent to let something like that happen." Apprentice Einxet nods, saying, "Yeah. I guess a bunch of the inventors are pretty shake up about it. I overheard them talking about those who are missing." You ask, "What'd they talk about?" Apprentice Einxet looks around. " Niro Gaeve said that Porcep Dastrum has told him he thought he was being followed the night before he disappeared." You frown. "Maybe it really is an Ulabenian plot." Apprentice Einxet looks around again and whispers, "I think they're being kidnapped by someone here at the Institute and being experimented on. Maybe by the Tebix sisters." "You may a face. "Ew. Why would they do that?" Apprentice Einxet shrugs. "I don't know. I just had a thought that they could probably get away with it. Feed the remains to their abominations or something. I mean, if I was a necromancer, that's what I'd do." Apprentice Mugysp Need Dialogue Apprentice Beitza You ask, "Do you have an extra pair of gloves?" Apprentice Beitza sighs. "Alright, listen, this is the last pair... oh, hi, you must be new." You nod. "Sorry, I didn't grab any gloves yet and saw you had a few extra in your pocket. I guess you get asked that a lot." Apprentice Beitza says, "I do, if I charged as much as Pori, I could retire with the amount of gloves people borrow from me." You laugh. "Maybe you should try that. I hear selling gloves isn't as dangerous as working here these days." Apprentice Beitza gives you a quizzical look. "You must mean the disappearances. Duh, of course you do, that's why you're even here. We're short on brain power these days." You say, "What's with the disappearances? I heard about them earlier and nobody seems to know anything solid about them." Apprentice Beitza says, "Well, they certainly aren't random, which means that someone is consciously making a decision on who disappears." You ask, "What do you mean they aren't random?" Apprentice Beitza says, "We've lost some of the best and brightest of the project. Sabet and Dastrum most notably." You ask, "So you think someone is purposely trying to disrupt the project?" Apprentice Beitza suggests, "Well, if they aren't, they are still doing a good job of disrupting it anyway." You chuckle lightly and then get serious, "Well, I'm sure I-4 and I-3 will get it all figured out soon enough." Apprentice Beitza laughs and rolls her eyes, "Tough chance on that. I-3 has already doubled security coming into the city, and I-4 has kept surveillance on all of us the second we leave the Institute of Wizardry." You deduce, "Then maybe we should be looking inside the Institute of Wizardry itself." Apprentice Dalenax You ask, "What're you working on?" Apprentice Dalenax gives you a look. "Don't you have something you should be working on? I'm really rather busy." You shrug, "Actually, I don't have a task yet. I was wondering if you needed a hand on anything." Apprentice Dalenax says, "Oh, you're one of the new ones. Why do they always talk to me?" You say, "Sorry, I was just trying to be friendly. So, what are you working on?" Apprentice Dalenax sighs. "The primer for the Broad-area Dispersal Unit, if you really need to know." You ask, "How wide area are we talking about here?" Apprentice Dalenax returns to her work and says casually, "Currently the projected blast is at about five-hundred meters radius." You whistle. "That's a big area alright." Apprentice Dalenax says, "Yeah, the target is two kilometers." You ask, "A two-kilometer blast radius? Isn't that a little over the top? That'd destroy all of Mekalia, and the mountain range we're under." Apprentice Dalenax smiles at your antics. "Yeah, that's the idea. Well, not to destroy Mekalia, but to cover such a huge area. But I have no idea how Gavea thinks we can get it that big." You ask, "Why isn't Gavea here to help you out?" Apprentice Dalenax replies, "I don't know, he said he'd be back in an hour, but it's easily been that long." You ask, "Do you know where he went?" Apprentice Dalenax shakes her head. "Nope, you'd have to ask Headmaster Uebatix. Gavea only reports to him." Apprentice Omhcrium You say, "Do you have any free floating Emerol around here? The Sorcerers need some, so they sent me here." Apprentice Omhcrium grumbles, "We get all our Emerold from them anyway. Tell them we don't have any to spare." You shrug. "No need to get so angry. What's got you so upset?" Apprentice Omhcrium says, "Just some rumors floating around that our experiments are what's to blame for the missing inventors and wizards. It's all nonsense." You say, "I haven't heard that. I heard it was an Ulabenian plot." Apprentice Omhcrium raises a brow. "Now that makes sense." You ask, "It does?" Apprentice Omhcrium says, "When General Ulaben left the city, he took with him a lot of soldiers and some of the more aggressive researchers, especially Emerol specialists. I guess he didn't think the more relaxed inventors had what it took to make weapons." You ask, "So you think he knows we're making weapons then?" Apprentice Omhcrium says, "Undoubtedly. He either wants them for himself, or he's just trying to slow us down. If you ask me, an invasion is next." You ask, "So who all has ended up missing so far? It's rather hush, hush up in Thetaton Square." Apprentice Omhcrium thinks for a moment, "The big name is Dastrum. He's the one who perfected the Watlun Mortis Dispersion pulse. Though I suppose Gavea's work on the Broad-are Dispersal Unit it kind of the key to this entire project." You ask, "So if you wanted to cripple the project, who would you get rid of?" Apprentice Omhcrium ponders for a split second, "Gavea, definitely Gavea." You ask, "Have you seen him lately?" Apprentice Omhcrium shakes his head. "Look over in Fire, Ice and You. That's his normal locale." Apprentice Xaenald You ask, "Where are all the abominations at?" Apprentice Xaenald says, "Most of us don't have time to worry about taking care of our abominations while working. I leave mine at the Menagerie. It likes the sound of all the fauna." You say, "The Menagerie keepers let it stay there? Isn't it a danger to the animals? I've seen the teeth on those things. They're as big as my hand." Apprentice Xaenald laughs. "No, no, an abomination is built to obey orders. I tell him to stay, and he stays until come back for him." You ponder. "That's kind of creepy. What if you were to die and not be able to order him, what would he do then?" Apprentice Xaenald says, "He'd wait there until he rotted away, I supposed. Though that does bring up a question..." You ask, "How long would it take for him to rot away?" Apprentice Xaenald shakes his head. "No, silly, would he obey commands from me if I were animated from the dead?" You ponder this a moment and decide to switch topics. "Let's just pretend the answer is no and not dwell on it. Speaking of dead and missing, what's going on with the missing inventors?" Apprentice Xaenald says, "Fear." You ask, "Fear of whom?" Apprentice Xaenald says, "Not whom, but what. This device we're building. A lot of them opposed its construction, but did it anyway because they recognized that if they didn't General Ulaben probably would." You ask, "So where did they go then, if they are so afraid?" Apprentice Xaenald says, "Not sure, but I'm pretty convinced that they wanted to get away from this thing before it's complete. I think Sabet had warned that it would fail and destroy us all. Uebatix wouldn't listen though and gave the go ahead to finish the project up as scheduled." You ask, "So you think Sabet and the others just up and left?" Apprentice Xaenald nods. "That's my theory, anyway. Most people think someone is kidnapping them to work for Ulaben. I suppose that is a more logical scenario since I-3 has this place locked up like a cave-in." You say, "Thanks for the insight. Anyway, say hi to your abomination for me." Quest Completion No closing dialogue. As you complete the final parley, the quest will auto-complete and you will be granted the option to accept the following quest, Speak to Headmaster Uebatix .