Desert Map - Introduction 1
I am Asala, the {Sekhema} of the Ardura. I have heard of you, of course, but Zarka assures me you have almost served your time of banishment. Time will tell.
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Desert Map - Introduction 2
I am Asala, the {Sekhema} of the Ardura. I care not where you came from, nor what caste you might have been there. All that matters is that you have shown yourself capable in battle, {jingakh}. Remain a friend to the Ardura, and you shall have nothing but respect from us.
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Desert Map - Pursuing the Beast
So, the Beast {has} entered the world once more. We were following a trail of Corruption before we were waylaid, and now we shall resume the hunt. We Maraketh are honour bound to seek and contain Corruption wherever it may be found. It seems this sacred duty falls on us once more. The trail connects to two locations, but we don’t know where the Beast currently resides. I am willing to begin wherever you and your Shade think is wisest.
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Desert Map - Recent Events
Corruption has returned to the Vastiri. Before this season, the hyenic warriors you fought would never have dared raid a caravan. The dead have begun to rise again, and other creatures of the desert have started… changing. By Zarka’s accounts, the land is returning to the way it was before. These are ill times.
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Desert Map - Rank and Status
Foreigners often misunderstand the concept of the {Sekhema}. I am no dictator, and do not make some pathetic claim of divine right. Emperors are for nations filled with the weak-minded and soft, as history has proven every time an empire falls and we endure. I am Sekhema because others have put their faith in me as the strongest and most capable among us. I lead because there is no better replacement. It is a role I deserve, by definition.
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Desert Map - Travel to the Halani Gates 1
One of the trails of Corruption leads towards the Halani Gates. Anyone who would wish to leave this region must pass through them.
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Desert Map - The Closed Gates 1
The Halani Gates are closed for the first time in one thousand years! This can only be related to the Beast. We should investigate the Faridun camp and demand answers.
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Desert Map - The Closed Gates 2
The Halani Gates are closed, and the Faridun hold them in defense of the Beast. We will have to find another way.
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Desert Map - Travel to the Halani Gates 2
The Halani Gates are closed, and the Faridun hold them in defense of the Beast. We will have to use this… traitors passage instead.
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Desert Map - Travel to the Halani Gates 3
We have reclaimed the Halani Gates from the Faridun, but Jamanra’s foul sorcery holds us at bay with a sandstorm. Speak to Zarka. She may know of some way forward.
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Desert Map - Travel to the Halani Gates 4
We have reclaimed the Ancient Gates from the Faridun, but Jamanra’s foul sorcery holds us at bay with a sandstorm. Only a reforged Horn of Vastiri can open a way through.
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Desert Map - Clear the Sandstorm
It is time to use the reforged Horn of the Vastiri to open the way through. Prepare yourself. War is nigh.
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Desert Map - Travel to Mawdun Quarry
Outcasts currently make their home in the forgotten Quarry in the hills of Mawdun. They call themselves the Faridun. We should travel there and find out what it is they are doing.
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Desert Map - Travel to Traitor's Passage
Let us see if the defector’s information is truthful. Infiltrate this passage, find your way to the top of the Halani Gates without being detected, and then call for aid. I shall answer.
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Desert Map - Glorious Keth
Once the seat of power for our people, now a buried testament to a glorious past. We will build a new Keth someday, when all this is over, and the Maraketh will shine under the sun once again. That is a promise.
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Desert Map - Mastodon Badlands
That valley of the Badlands, where Mastodon bones rot under the sun for all time, is proof that a culture can vanish entirely if the world changes too much. I will not let my people diminish and disappear the same way…
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Desert Map - Valley of the Titans
I am forbidden by the terms of the Third Pact from invoking the Rite of Flame myself. I must send an emissary… as must they. I do not know in what form it will come.
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Desert Map - Deshar 1
Enter Deshar, and take our vengeance upon the Faridun within! We will flank them while you ascend and undertake your duty.
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Desert Map - Question the Defector
This {balbalakh} will live or die based on her usefulness in pursuit of the Beast. Ask her what questions you will, then we Ardura will decide her fate.
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Desert Map - Assaulting the Gates
So, the outcasts have raised their new ‘King’ from the grave, and he seeks to violate Deshar to feed our honoured dead to the Beast. Such a transgression… those {vile dogs!} Our city of the dead lies beyond the Halani Gates we should move to crush the Faridun immediately. Let us see if this defector’s information is truthful. Infiltrate this supposed passage, find your way to the top of the Gates without being detected, and then call for aid. I shall answer.
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Desert Map - Risu's Fate
If her information proves to be truthful, {then} she will live. If she is a deceiver sent to misdirect us, she will be left to die in the open desert… once again.
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Desert Map - Trial of the Sekhemas 1
Your success in the trial will go a long way to redeeming you with your {akhara}. I congratulate you. You will always have a place aboard my caravan.
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Desert Map - Trial of the Sekhemas 2
You participated in our trial, {jingakh?} Well, it is unusual, but no less impressive. We welcome you now as a {dekhara.} As far as I am concerned, you are one of us.
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Desert Map - The Horn of the Vastiri
Ah, yes, the Horn of the Vastiri… I know the tale. The ancient city of Keth, the Badlands, and the Valley of the Titans… We can retrace Orbala’s steps in any order.
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Desert Map - AsalaA2MastodonTusksComment
The last remnants of a wise and powerful race of creatures. A lesson in bone for those whose numbers dwindle from generation to generation.
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Desert Map - The Water Goddess 1
Ah, you found the essence of water! I expected something like this to be tended to by a goddess, but I suppose Keth has been abandoned far too long for that.
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Desert Map - The Water Goddess 2
There was a {water goddess} in Keth? It is a shame that she chose to be burned alive rather than to stand and fight, but it is not our shame to bear, only her own.
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Desert Map - Deshar 2
I am hesitant to allow you access to sacred Deshar, but better a single {jingakh} than an army of spiteful enemies. Our city of the dead must be protected, no matter the cost.
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Desert Map - Show Asala the Final Letter
Why would you show me this? You fool! This folly is only harmless because there are no names on this letter. Otherwise, tradition would demand unhappy duties of me. I value each and every one of my dekhara. This is why I say: get this out of my sight.
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Desert Map - Assault the Dreadnought 1
The Faridun have assembled a tremendous Dreadnought, a war caravan larger than we have ever seen. As we speak, it is barreling through the heart of the Vastiri, leaving devastation in its wake.
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Desert Map - Assault the Dreadnought 2
The time has come for a final confrontation. We must attack the Dreadnought and face Jamanra and the Beast ourselves. This must end here.
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Desert Map - AsalaA2FinishSpeechSeePlayer
Ah. There you are.
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Desert Map - Travel to Sandswept Marsh
Yes, we can take you to the edge of the desert. Then, we will continue to track the Beast. You {must} find a way to contain it. When we find out where it is being taken, we will seek you out. Until then, may the winds ever be calm on your path.
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Desert Map - Oriana
This ‘Oriana’ would find no allies among our {akharas…} we are no strangers to the eternal war against Corruption. If she has allies in this region, they cannot be of the Maraketh.
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Desert Map - Honour Bound
After the Beast of Highgate was slain, all other {akharas} vowed to pursue and eradicate Corruption should it ever return. Never again will a sole akhara suffer the weight of history.
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Desert Map - The Fate of the Faridun
Jamanra is back where he belongs. I have given him a proper death. By removing his head, I acknowledged him. Though, he was never a King, despite what the Faridun may choose to believe. Those who have survived this war will be given a choice. It would be a waste to kill the Faridun who have proven themselves in battle… they may choose to be acknowledged. To have a place at the table. Or… they can remain outcasts. Either way, it is time to write a new chapter. Who knows what the future holds? After what has happened here, the other {akharas} must consider joining the Ardura. I intend to be… persuasive.
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