Hunters and prey #1

Learn the basics of combat.

Welcome homin. I am Guilan Guiter, commander of the Burning Spear, and a proud Fyros warrior, a people that have proven their masterful control over any kind of weapon.

Have you just arrived?

It wasn't hard judging by the weapon you carry there... Still I think you should know how to use it.

I will quickly explain the art of combat

It only makes sense that a warrior always carries his weapon in hand.
Certain weapons are 'one-handed' and are able to be used together with a shield or a dagger. There are also 'two handed' weapons

With your weapon in hand you can attack your target. At the moment you possess only 2 or 3 combat actions (in your action window at the top)

Standard attack:

Simple, this action does not consume any Stamina, the power necessary to use special actions, however this attack is not very effective

Accurate Attack:

This attack allows you to hit your enemy almost every time. The stronger your adversary, the more precise your attack has to be. If not, your adversary will dodge your attacks

Increase Damage:

This attack allows you to hit harder. The damage you inflict will be higher. Like your accurate attack, the stronger your adversary, the harder you have to hit

You see, it is possible to combine an accurate attack and an increased damage attack, and even more options in exchange for a higher Stamina consumption.

You can exchange your Skill Points earned in battle (press 'P' to see your personal information) for new combat techniques.
You could, for example, buy Increase Damage if you do not have it yet

I didn't bore you too much with my explanation? So then, prove to me you understood! Explore the surroundings of the encampment and show me you pose a greater threat to your adversaries than to yourself.

Kill 3 Suckling Yubos, Do not forget to cut them up and loot them. Come see me when you are done.

Well done! However, the task that you have just completed wasn't very complicated. That said, you now know that yubo meat tastes good, and that artisans can always find something to do with it. That's not a real challenge for a warrior, but everyone has to learn one way or another, don't they?
Before moving on to the next lesson, I strongly recommend that you go and see the Fight Trainer. He will be able to teach you new combat techniques or increase your physical capacity.

Talk to Utehes Isy.

Good day young warrior! I am here to help you progress. I will teach you to develop battle skills but also improve your physical capacities

The more you train, the more Skill Points you gain. You can then use those to learn new techniques at the trainers

I will give you some advice you might find interesting. Listen carefully

Constitution:

Improving your constitution will give you higher maximum Hit Points (HP), and you become harder to kill

Metabolism:

Metabolism is your ability to regenerate hit points. You can battle more enemies at the same time, and continue to fight longer before needing a break

Strength:

Your amount of Stamina. More Stamina ensures you can use your special, more costly actions more. Stamina is indispensable for any warrior. The only attack that does not use any Stamina is the default attack, but this is also the weakest

Balance:

Balance is your ability to regenerate Stamina points. Just as important as your Metabolism

I advise you keep those 4 up to date as much as possible. Augmenting your strength will also allow you to carry higher quality weapons which will inflict more damage.

Hunters and prey #2

Locate the prey before the hunt.

If you wish to continue your lessons with me, Homin, you have to prove to me you can think like a Fyros. We are neither brutes nor bandits. We are not thrilled by massacres. We observe, and learn lessons. Know, my friend, that the Fyros possess and maintain the Flames of Truth, and seek to ban ignorance from the world.

When the Fyros army and the warriors of the Burning Spear pick up their arms, it is not without a reason, it is with the goal of letting justice reign in these lands. Remember this, and let's return to your lessons

A warrior who throws himself head-first at his enemy without thinking is a bad warrior. Before going into battle, you need to watch and learn about your adversary. Only that way can you come up with a feasible strategy. It is of the utmost importance to know the animal life in the region where you hunt

So, what i expect of you: You will go to the area called "Hunting Grounds" to observe the animals. Don't use your weapon, this is a reconaissance mission only. Now go and come back with your report once you have accomplished your mission.

During your future journeys, it would be wise for you to remember these lessons, and to observe the animals which surround you.

Some animals feed on other creatures, some ignore each other, and others cooperate with each other. You should learn to recognise the behavior of each species.

Hunters and prey #3

Gather the results of the hunt.

Good, I have another mission for you. The camp cook's provisions are running low, we'll have to remedy the situation. I'm counting on you to provide food for your companions. Get ready, you're going to hunt some Bodoc. Be careful though, Bodoc move in large herds.

If you don't feel ready for this mission, don't hesitate to first learn how to hunt dag and improve yourself by training. You will be able to learn new fighting techniques or powers which will make your mission easier. Don't worry, there's no hurry, take your time. Once you have completed the mission, bring me back what you have gathered.

Great, I see that you had a good hunt. Your fighting techniques are improving, and you seem to have made a good start towards becoming a hunter worthy of the title. However, you should know that a fighter can only fully master his art if he learns how to develop his own techniques.

This is not an easy task, I grant you, but it is of the utmost importance. Learn as many techniques (stanzas) as you can from your trainers, and use them to develop new, personalised actions which are better adapted to your needs. You should start trying straight away. Come back and see me as soon as you feel ready so that we can move on to the next stage.

Hunters and prey #4

Fight of the predators.

We have a problem. Last night our scouts found a dead Bodoc, far from its usual migration route. It looks like it was dragged there, then savagely disembowled.

We're positive that another animal is responsible, the wounds match those caused by a carnivore's teeth. The animal responsible for this attack is very crafty. It looks as if the Bodoc was somehow isolated from its herd before being killed, then the carcass was dragged into a ditch where it couldn't be seen.

If this creature is capable of attacking a Bodoc, it's also capable of attacking a homin

The dead Bodoc was found at the eastern edge of the Hunting Grounds. Please explore the place, and find out what type of creature carried out this attack.

Excellent. The danger presented by these animals should be less now. Allow me to express my gratitude and present you with this axe, it's a traditional Fyros weapon used by the company of the Burning Spear. Handle it, see how light it is, I think you'll find it to your liking. When you're ready, come back and see me and we'll move on to the next stage of your training!

Teamwork

Cleaning up the area.

Very good. I was becoming impatient for your return, because I have urgent need of a mercenary. Have you seen the ruins to the north? If not, you should go and explore them.

The Shattered Ruins is a field of broken lives and crumbling buildings. It's a tragic reminder of a Matis experiment which went wrong and turned against them. The area is pretty quiet now, only a few harmless yelks wandering around.

But the javing and the slaveni pose a problem. The Zoraï want to take care of this problem, and we're going to help them to clean up the area

Until now I have asked you to work alone. From now on you're going to have to learn how to work in a team. The strength of the Fyros lies in their ability to fight as a group. We will not be able to get back our land with simple individual actions.

When the time comes for our forces to gather, it will be your ability to work in a team that we'll need, not your skill in handling an axe

Many fighting and power techniques are very useful when working in a team. For example, the Taunt power which will enable you to draw your enemy into an ambush, or the Shielding technique which will enable you to protect an ally. Use those techniques when you're fighting in a team

Now, go to the Shattered Ruins, ally yourself with the apprentice magicians sent by the Zoraï or with other apprentice fighters in order to reduce the scourge of the Javings.

You have done well. A day will come when homins will squabble over your services. Never forget that as a fighter, a heavy responsibility rests on your shoulders when you fight alongside other homins.

It's up to you to protect your allies, in particular those who are weakest. You must stand between the enemy and the weakest section of your team.

The red blades #1

Dispense justice.

Good, I've a more serious and perilous mission to entrust to you. If you accept, I'll make you an honorary member of the company of the Burning Spears so that you can dispense justice in our name and keep this place safe

To the north of the Shattered Ruins, lives a tribe of fanatics who go by the name of the Goo Heads. They maintain close relations with the evil eating away at our planet: The Goo. The Goo contaminates everything on Atys: Creatures and plantlife, and progresses every day. the Goo Heads use the Goo like a drug, the substance has become their only reason for living. This tribe lives isolated from our civilization and is a great danger to us

Many of our brothers have perished under frenzied attack from those madmen. We must find out what they're doing in that region, why are they there, what are they looking for? What's even more astonishing is that the tribe normally lives in the Knot of Dementia area, very far from here on the Zoraï continent

Why has a small faction of their tribe exiled itself on this island?

We must answer these questions, to understand the reason for their presence on this island and the nature of their plans. That's why you're going on an expedition to their camp. Kill as many as you have to, but make sure you find something which will enable us to understand their plans.

Over the years I have lost a lot due to parasites like those you have killed.

When I was younger, we combed the wilderness looking for pockets of civilization. I was just a simple scout for the Burning Spear, who had just re-formed, and I thought that all the refugees we found would be delighted by our arrival. I met a group of what I thought were normal refugees, and I led them straight to our camp. I took them through our defences, thinking that I was bringing friends. In the massacre that followed I lost my brother and my sweetheart

It took me a year to get over it and pull myself together... So you'll understand how much this means to me.

As a thank you for this first mission, and so that you're better protected when you tackle the next stage, take this.

The red blades #2

Fight the bandit chief.

Let me examine the document you have just given me... Hmmm, this is strange... It doesn't make any sense. These orders mention consignments arriving and coming from here, but it is impossible. Except for a few of the best climbers on Atys, it is impossible to access the plateau since the collapse of the jungle accesses about ten years ago.

What's more, they talk about intensifying the attacks on the herds, to drive us out of our camp! Could the bandits possibly have something to do, in some way or another, with the Gingos that attack our beasts

We must do something, and quickly! I talked to the faction leaders who support us in this operation and you will be proud to know that I have informed them of your sense of duty and your exploits. I have named you to be our agent in charge of investigating and solving this case

The orders mention a specific individual, someone by the name of Arken, who apparently is the leader of operations among the bandits.

Find him, and kill him, but beware. Arken is a powerful warrior who may cause you no end of trouble. Obviously, fighting him alone would be suicide. Put up a team of skilled mages and warriors together before launching the attack. Now go, and may Ma-Duk protect you.

We heard Gingos howl from here! So, the chief of this vermin was an animal trainer? That explains the Gingo attacks and the massacre of Bodocs. If they were training the Gingos to join the attacks, they could have massacred all our herds very quickly and so deprive us of all our sources of food

We haven't answered all our questions but we've solved the problem, that's what matters. Maybe they're looking for something in the ruins. Maybe they're interested in the former experiments of the Matis. It's very likely that we'll never get all the answers

The council asked me to give you this for all the risks you have taken. Take it, and know that every refugee who will pass through this camp will owe you much.

First steps in magic #1

Learn how to cast a spell on an enemy.

Greetings stranger, it's always a pleasure to see new faces. No doubt my appearance intrigues you: I belong to the Zoraï people.

My people were the first to have known those noble creatures, the Kamis, and we have remained very close to them. In addition, the masks that I, and those like me, wear are symbol of their teachings

Like the Kamis, we Zoraï are intimately connected to Atys' magical forces.

If you have the patience and the desire to learn how to master these forces, I would be happy to guide you in your quest for knowledge. Good Homin, let us continue.

Excellent, let's get started! The first thing you need to know is that a magician's powers are fed by sap. Sap is the vital energy of Atys; it's the very essence of our planet.

Sap is life, and everything on Atys is life: You, me, the friend who fights by your side, the enemy that you're killing, the tree that shelters you from the rain, the ground that you trample underfoot... Everything

These notions may seem rather abstract to you, but they are essential. As a magician, you will have to learn how to control the sap, to draw your powers from it. The stronger your hold over the sap, the more powerful your spells will be

You have within you, like all homins, an innate spell: The Acid Damage spell, which means you're able to fight your enemies by burning their skin.

Before moving onto serious stuff, you have to master this elementary spell. So I'm going to ask you to go and train by killing yubos. These little omnivores aren't aggressive, but that doesn't mean, of course, that they will not defend themselves. So be careful, heal yourself between fights and avoid attacking more than one yubo at a time

You'll find yubos near this camp. Off you go now, pay heed to these first bits of advice, and come back and see me once you've completed your task.

You have just successfully completed your first mission. I can see that you're perfectly capable of tackling more complex subjects. We can move on to the next stage now.

First steps in magic #2

Continue training.

You knew how to handle yourself with the yubos. But I'm not sure that you were using your magic amplifiers. Magic amplifiers, which are worn like gloves and augment the power and speed of spells, are the most essential equipment of mages

Not all amplifiers have the same characteristics. Some are good for offensive magic, others for healing magic, and some, like the ones you have, amplify all sorts of magic equally.

A good knowledge of their amplifier (right click the mouse on the magic amplifier icon) is one of the first things asked of an apprentice

It is for this reason that I would like to see you train on the jars farther away. First try attacking them with your bare hands. Then try again using your amplifiers and compare the results.

Ha, it's you? Sorry, I'm a little preoccupied. We just got word that a child is crying but I don't have anyone who is able to go see what happened. Can I charge you with the task?

First steps in magic #3

Learn how to turn experience you've gained into new techniques and powers.

Let's put the magic aside for a moment while we tackle a more general problem. No matter what your field of expertise, whether it's magic, crafting, foraging or fighting, the only way to progress is practice.

For example, the more you use your sword in combat, the more experience you will gain in this field. Once you've gained enough experience you can go and see a trainer who will be able to teach you new techniques, or new powers. You'll find trainers in all towns and villages

You must also have gained experience in magic during the mission that you've just completed. So I advise you, if you haven't already done so, to go and see a magic trainer so that he can teach you new skills. Come back and see me once you've done so

If I could just give you one bit of advice, you should, for starters, ask the trainer to strengthen your constitution and sap skills, you'll definitely need that.

Also, it would be wise to get hold of the Heal Life spell. It will enable you to heal your fellow homins. You'll soon see that cooperation is beneficial in hostile lands. Now, you're free to choose whether or not to follow my advice.

Excellent! No point wasting time, let's move on to serious stuff, only I'm afraid that you're still slightly lacking in experience. In addition, the attack spell that you're currently using is a bit weak. Go and train in the forest until you have enough experience to get a more powerful attack spell. Come back and see me once you have it.

Birth of a magician #1

Learn how to handle the most powerful spells.

Good. What I'm going to teach you now is of crucial importance.

Know that you can develop your own techniques and powers from what you have learned from the trainers.

A good mage has to prepare his/her own spells

Use the spells the trainers taught you, practice the creation of your own spells and if you feel the need for it, go try out these new techniques in the forest, this way you will be able to figure out those that are the most efficient. Come back and see me when you feel ready.

Very good, I hope you've realised how important it is to be able to develop your own techniques. Since you seem to be ready, let's move on to the next stage.

Birth of a magician #2

Find a place in a team.

I'm pleased to see how interested you are in magic. Knowledge of it can make you a powerful magician.

That said, don't think that it's easy to become a magician or that there's no danger involved.
To get the most out of the sap, a magician must not cover himself with cumbersome armor. That would considerably reduce his magic powers, which obviously makes him more vulnerable.

So you'll soon realize how useful it is to have an escort of warriors when in hostile lands

Now it's up to you to put this lesson into practice.

In the region known as the Hunting Ground you'll find creatures which are a lot more powerful than the yubos that you've just fought: I'm talking about rendors.

Their skin is as impenetrable as tree bark and with their powerful legs they can trample their enemies violently under foot

I'm asking you to go and kill ten. Like I said, rendors are dangerous, so find yourself one or more companions who know how to handle a sword and then go and complete this test as a team.

Come back and see me once you've completed your mission.

I'm very happy to see that you're making great progress. The task that you've just completed was not easy but you did brilliantly. I'm proud of you.

We can continue your training. Now I'm going to teach you how to establish magical links with your enemy. You'll need to know how to do that for the Root spell.

Birth of a magician #3

Learning magic links.

Many of the magic powers that you'll use will involve creating mystic links connecting you and your target. These links are powerful, but fragile, and only last as long as you are concentrated. Changing your course of action, or even moving, will break the link. Remember that

'Root' spells are a good example of this. These spells enable you to summon up roots which, coming out of the depths of Atys, grab onto your target and immobilise them, so that in the meantime you can direct fight spells at them.

When you face an adversary who you know you won't be able to beat with weapons, use this magic - it will keep them at a distance, buying you time and sparing you a tragic fate

There are creatures known as Javings in the Shattered Ruins to the north - you can try out your new knowledge on them. These flying creatures bat their wings frenziedly and are swift to strike out with their talons.

They are unequaled when it comes to disarming even the most experienced of swordsmen. Learn how to use magic links and help us to rid our lands of some of those dangerous vultures. You are, of course, free to call on team mates.

Using magic links isn't easy, but they're very useful spells, especially when used in a team. For example, the Root spell can help you keep an enemy away from the most vulnerable members of your team, such as healers or offensive magicians

Now we're going to put your skills at the service of our people. Your next mission will be to clean the ruins of the city of Silan by eliminating the plants that have invaded it. To do this, you'll need a Rot spell, you'll soon see that the spell is particularly effective against all kinds of plants.

In the service of the people #1

The diversity of magic.

As you will have noticed with the Rot spell and the Acid spell, there are different kinds of offensive magic - soon you'll find out about others, such as Fire and Cold.
You will also discover that your enemies have their own strengths and weaknesses. Plants, for example, are sensitive to the Rot spell, but the vast majority of animals are either only slightly affected by it or not affected at all. So use your spells wisely

Getting back to our main problem: The city of Silan.
This city, formerly Matis, fell victim to its residents' madness. The Matis have little respect for the environment which supports them and don't hesitate to exploit and manipulate nature.
This point is the main subject of discord between our two peoples. We Zoraï, like the Kamis, venerate nature and do everything in our power to protect it

A long time ago, the residents of the city of Silan tried to manipulate plants in order to extract substances buried deep under the Atysian ground.
This experiment turned against them: They weren't able to control the mutations which gave birth to these more aggressive and more invasive plants. The result was the destruction of their city

The interests of the Zoraï and the Matis have now come together because of that tragedy: The Zoraï don't want this mutant to breed and upset the balance of plantlife on Atys, and the Matis want to be able to enter the ruins of Silan to get back their property. So we're going to help them to wipe out those mutant plants

Go to the ruins of Silan and use your rot spell to finish off fifteen slavenis. Complete this mission and then come back and see me. Good luck!

Good, but I would like you to be aware of an important concept which the Zoraï people hold dear. A Zoraï does not kill for pleasure or glory.

The Zoraï people, like all races on Atys, are part of a whole, of a fragile equilibrium. We have our place in the world, and it's natural for us to safeguard it. To do so, we hunt in order to eat and we fight to defend ourselves.

But we must keep our minds away from murderous intent, we must remain humble and understand that the domination of one race or people over another can only lead to imbalance and the destruction of Atys

The Matis have never understood this, they're hungry for power and believe themselves superior to other races on Atys. Beware of them, don't lapse into their madness and learn to respect the environment which supports you

It's time to move onto the next stage. For your next lesson you will need the Fear spell.

In the service of the people #2

Use fear to your advantage.

We've already tackled affliction spells by looking at the Root spell. Today we're going to look at another: The Fear spell.
Affliction spells enable a magician to handicap his enemy: To blind him, paralyse him, frighten him or even as we've already seen, root them

The Fear spell can be a great help when a fight is going badly.
When you cast this spell at an enemy, they are seized by a terrible fear and take flight. But the spell doesn't last long and once it's worn off you can be sure that your adversary will be on the attack again.
While the spell is working, you can take advantage of it either to strike your enemy from a distance or to retreat.
So it's a very useful spell when you are alone

By the ruins of Silan you'll find creatures known as yelks who have particularly nourishing flesh and mushroom-shaped growths. Yelks are omnivores and peaceful creatures, but they are very capable at defending themselves.
The real danger with these creatures is the toxic gas that is released when they die. So it's wise to keep at a safe distance when fighting them, especially when they're on the point of dying.
It's in a case such as this that a fear spell can be useful. When you see that the creature is in agony, use your Fear spell and finish it off from a distance

This test will give us a chance to fill up our stock of food. Go back to the ruins of Silan and bring me ten yelk mushrooms.

Perfect, you've done a good job. You're really starting to understand our art. Your magic skills are increasing and your ability to use them is improving by the day.
I'm glad to see that my teaching is bearing fruit. Let's continue our efforts and move on to the next lesson

We've studied Atysian Missile Spells, ie. offensive spells, which enable you to strike your enemy, we have also looked at Affliction Spells, which allow you to handicap your enemy, now let's look at Celestial Missile Spells.

In the service of the people #3

Magic for treating allies.

Celestial Missile Spells are the basis of healing magic. For example, they enable you to treat your allies, give them back their vigor or replenish their sap. Defensive magic is vital if a team is to work well.
The Restore Life spell, that you probably possess and about which I've already talked to you, belongs to this spell category. Of course, it's not the only one. Healing magic is a noble calling for a magician, as they then become responsible for the health and smooth running of their team. It's a heavy responsibility

The mission that I am going to give you is particularly dangerous, and it would be suicidal to go alone. Make use of what I've just taught you: Put together a group and make sure it includes a healer magician. If you want to, and if you feel up to it, you could fill this position yourself

Moving on to the mission's objectives. Our magicians continue to open up the ruins of Silan, unfortunately they are regularly attacked by predators from the north. These creatures, known as Gingo, are particularly fearsome, and like all similar predators, they attack homins on sight.
So be extremely vigilant or it won't be long before you find yourself under attack from all sides. As you've no doubt realised, your objective is to strike hard and weaken this rabid pack. Eliminate about 10 of those creatures and come back and see me once you've achieved your goal.

Seeing you fills my heart with pride. You have successfully completed all the missions that I have given you. Your quick mind has picked up on even the slightest subtleties of the art of magic and you've really made the most of them.
I think that I've taught you more than enough to become a magician - you've still a long way to go before you can take on the powers of this world, but I now know that you're ready to spread your wings. You still have a lot to learn about magic, but I'm sure that you'll manage without my help

I believe you're ready to go back to the continent. But perhaps, before you do that, you'd like to find out about the arts of fighting, crafting or foraging? If so, I'm sure that my Matis, Tryker and Fyros counterparts will welcome you with open arms

Moreover, the Kamis and the Rangers are engaged in a bitter struggle on this island, and your help could be extremely useful to them. I won't tell you any more about that, but if it's adventures you're after, don't hesitate to go and see them. It just remains for me to wish you a safe journey. May Ma-Duk protect you!

The art of harvesting #1

Learn the basics of extracting raw materials.

Well, hi! It's always a pleasure to see a new face, and may I say that I like yours: Aerodynamic profile, sturdy air, soundly fixed on your shoulders, I even like the color. Allow me to introduce myself, Milles Dodoine, Tryker Master, an exceptional forager and great adventurer

So, let me guess... You'd like to see far off and exotic lands, find marvellous lost treasures, save Homins in distress, and all as quickly as possible so you can earn nice sums as a reward that you insist on refusing but that we'll force you to accept, is that it? Great, I love it! Here we go

Let's put aside the far off lands, the Homins in distress and the healthy rewards for now. We're going to start with the easiest task, though it's no less thrilling: Excavating. Extraction is the basis for everything. You'll see, there's nothing easier

You have two arms, a bag and a pickaxe, so you can dive in straight away. And since it's always much more useful to do something than talk about it, you're going to go straight off and find me some raw materials: Fragments of Basic Horny Shell. You won't have to go far, just about 30 meters behind me on the other side of the barriers, there are some deposits. Off you go and don't come back empty handed.

It's a good start, you've managed quite well. Before we move on, you're going to go and see the Harvest Trainer. With him you'll be able to make use of the experience you have gained foraging. Ask him to teach you the Basic Prospecting skill if you don't already have it. Without that we won't get far. Come back and see me once it's done.

The art of harvesting #2

Learn the basics of prospecting for raw materials.

Very good, let's move on! Do you think that to find raw materials, all you have to do is go for a walk and keep your eyes peeled? Well you're wrong

Sources which emerge naturally from the ground like those you found are not only rare but also very poor quality, and when I say very poor quality, I'm being polite. No one will do anything with these raw materials, maybe craftsmen who are just starting out, but still. The vast majority of sources are buried deep underground, and it's up to you to bring them to the surface. That's what we call Prospecting

Firstly, you need to know that you don't find raw material sources everywhere. Also, not all sources are of the same quality or contain the same materials. Generally, the better the quality of the source, the harder it is to find. Some aren't even there all the time: They only appear in certain seasons or at certain times of the day; some even depend on the weather. But you're not at that stage yet, so let's not get carried away

Just be aware of the fact that the more developed your Prospecting and Extracting techniques are, the better the quality of the materials that you can harvest. It's time for you try your hand at prospecting. I want you to bring me Basic Caprice Seeds. Look to your right, to the north, do you see the tower perched on top of that little hill? Well you'll be able to find Basic Caprice Seeds around that tower, all you have to do is use your new Prospecting skill. Off you go.

Isn't it incredible what you can do with two hands and two feet...and a pick. If you want you can go and sell what you've gathered, that'll earn you a few dappers.
Let's move on the next stage, I can tell you're dying to know more. For the next lesson, you're going to have to go back and hassle your trainer. Don't worry, I know him, he likes it

Ask him to teach you Prospection for Fine Materials Only, we can't continue the lesson without it. Make the most of it, and ask him about at least one other technique related to Prospecting, such as Accelerated Prospecting or Prospecting Range. If you don't have enough experience, train at extracting raw materials. Come back and see me once you've got all that.

The art of harvesting #3

Learn how to create your own extracting and prospecting actions.

Perfect! Now you know how to extract and prospect raw materials. Apart from that, a good harvester must be able to develop their own extracting and prospecting techniques, and as you'll quickly realize, that's vital. Use all the prospecting techniques that you have learnt to create your own technique

With this technique you'll have to be able to find fine-quality materials, because your next objective will be to bring me back what? Fine-quality raw materials... well done! You'll have to find me Fine Sarina Seeds and Fine Hash Amber, all of them of fine quality. You'll find all of that a couple of hundred metres to the north-east of the camp, use your compass and you should be alright. Right, I've already said too much, it's up to you to cope now! Get to work!

You're a pretty smart disciple, I'm glad to see it. You learn quickly, that's good. Let's continue then, there's no point stopping when we're doing so well. For your next lesson you're going to have to get hold of the 50 m Deposit Tracking technique, unless you have it already. Come back and see me once you have it.

The art of harvesting #4

Learn how to find a deposit of raw materials.

Good, with that you're really going to be able to be independent. Like I told you, you can't find raw materials everywhere, especially not if you're looking for a specific material. Let me give you an example: Imagine you're on an ENORMOUS island, and that somewhere on this island there's a tiny, miniscule, ridiculous little source, and that you, unfortunately, haven't the faintest idea where it is. What do you do

The first method, also known as the Fyros method, consists of shouting, throwing your pick into the ground and then slaughtering some unfortunate passing yubo in order to soothe your rage. The effectiveness of this method is highly debatable

The second method, better known by the name of the method of the homin who's lost their senses, consists of dividing up the island and prospecting every two meters. It's a standard method which, I admit, can have results. But you need to be very patient and very motivated

The third method, or the method of the homin who has finally come to their senses, consists of using the technique that you've just learnt: Deposit Tracking! Simple, fast and effective

Deposit Tracking has nothing to do with Prospecting, this technique won't bring up sources of raw materials up to the surface. It just enables you to find a deposit

It's time to put you to the test. Near to the camp, less than a hundred metres past the barriers, there's a Fine Zun Amber deposit. The deposit isn't very big, but with your new technique you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. So I want you to bring me back a Fine Zun Amber sample. Off you go, and good luck!

Excellent! I was a bit worried that you'd resorted to the Fyros method. But you've obviously managed really well. Given your progress we're going to be able to increase the difficulty of your missions, and start looking for more interesting materials.

The Shattered ruins #1

Go looking for the best raw materials, but be careful of the dangers!

You will now be able to explore a new region: Shattered Ruins. All around the ruins of the ancient city of Silan, you will be able to find many sources of raw material better than you've been able to extract so far. But it's not just about finding them; you also have to be able to extract them. If you don't have what you need, go and see the trainer, he'll teach you the appropriate technique

Oh, I almost forgot a small detail, nothing major, but it's better that I let you know. There are some nasties in that area that are slightly lacking in the friendliness department: Javings and gingos. If you get too close to them, they won't hesitate to attack you. So unless you've got bulging biceps and something to split skulls with, I advise you to be very careful and to learn how to zigzag between dangerous areas. Or else you can find yourself some brawny escorts to protect you

There you go, that's everything. Now you just have to head over there and find me some lovely, quality materials that'll have your co-harvesters drooling. You'll find everything you need within the ruins of the city of Silan.

Good work. You can keep your loot; do what you want with it.

The Shattered ruins #2

Set off on a treasure hunt by exploring ruins.

Have I already told you about the appalling fate of the city of Silan? No, well it's high time I did. A long time ago, when homin refugees emerged from the Prime Roots... actually, perhaps you don't know why the homins emerged from the Prime Roots, nor why they went there in the first place?

Okay, let's start at the beginning. A very, very long time ago, homins were living quite happily when those big-muscled, tiny-brained Fyros had the bright idea of going and fiddling about in the bowels of Atys. To tell the truth, I don't really know what they were looking for, but I know what they found: The worst plague we've ever known, the Kitin. The Kitin, a pretty bloodthirsty bunch of creatures, didn't really feel like making the homins their friends, so hordes of them surged out of the depths of Atys, through the hole opened up by the Fyros

That's when things started to get serious. The homins were relentlessly tracked and slaughtered by the Kitin. The survivors fled to the Prime Roots and hid. Many of them continued to perish. The homins survived as best they could for years until the day they discovered the new lands, far from those they had fled. The first land they emerged onto was this island

Since then, a continuous stream of refugees has followed in their footsteps. When the Matis arrived here they were in a hurry to build a new city. Of course, as it's in their nature to want to do more than everyone else and quicker, they tried to install a system that would bring them large quantities of raw materials, without them having to lift a finger. That's when they had the brilliant idea of transforming plants into natural extractors, a brilliant idea which turned against them, and turned their city into ruins

A rather tragic story, which to tell the truth, makes me laugh more than cry. The Matis are crazy; they think they're better and more intelligent than everyone else. Most of them still can't admit that their experiment was a mistake. Furthermore, in the past the Matis enslaved my people. So I wouldn't give them the honor of pitying the terrible fate of their city

For them it's a tragedy, for me it's a windfall because those ruins are still overflowing with forgotten treasures. So it's time for you to give treasure hunting a go, you'll see, nothing is more exciting. Go and nose around in the ruins and steal everything you can.

What a magnificent item! I must admit that the Matis are really skilled at crafts. It deserves a good reward. Take this.

The shattered ruins #3

Explore the tower of the High Syndic.

Excellent, we're going to continue exploring the rest of Silan. There are still lots of things to steal from those traitorous Matis. Let's not deprive ourselves. This time I'd like you to be our scout. When Silan was still habitable, a big tower dominated the city: the Throne Room. That's where the Matis high powers handed down their judgements. To tell the truth, I don't really care what they did there, but I reckon that a building like that must have contained some pretty nice treasures, and that now that's very interesting

And where you've got treasures, you've got pillaging. However, I don't really know what remains of the tower. With a bit of luck the foundations have held up, meaning not everything has been buried. The tower, or at least what remains of it, is to the north of the city. Go there to see what kind of condition it's in, and then come back and report to me. But be careful, it's a dangerous area.

Dappers, lots of dappers! We'll be able to fill our pockets with dappers. What marvellous news! You've done a good job. Thank you, thank you Jena, and thank you to the Matis for all the beautiful treasures that we'll be able to gather. There's no job better than that of an explorer, and no job more lucrative either.

The merry harvester #1

Gather specific materials in a dangerous area.

You have more than proved yourself, and that's a good thing. I've got more than enough motivated beginner explorers, more than I know what to do with really. The problem is that I need someone competent. In fact, that's not really a problem since you're exactly what I'm looking for

I've already told you about Silan and the work the Matis carried out on plants. Actually, we also carried out experiments on plants that we brought from far away. The difference between us and the Matis, is that we had the presence of mind not to do it on our doorstep. We carried out our experiments on an isolated island to the north-west of here

We ran into a problem too: Our experimentation ground was invaded by crays. So it's difficult for us to get there now. I'm going to ask you to go there and get samples of our work: Plain Dead Leaves, and I know that you'll be more than happy to help. Thank you, thank you so much

Perhaps you're thinking that this mission is going to be dangerous because of the presence of crays. Don't worry, as long as you don't provoke them the crays won't attack you. That said, I've got a bit of advice for you which could save you a lot of trouble. If you should be attacked by a cray, jump into the water, you can be sure that they won't follow you

Furthermore, there's a technique that you can get from your trainer that's called Speeding Up Power and which makes you run very, very fast - it could be very useful to you. Off you go now, good luck, try and come back in one piece!

Not only did you find the Plain Dead Leaves, but you also came back in one piece. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be crazy enough to go there. I think that Jena must be keeping an eye on you.

The merry harvester #2

Go and pollute the Goo spots.

Have you noticed the presence of a group of bandits in the north of our little island? They're the Chlorogoos, they're absolutely nuts. They infect plants like slaveni or cratcha with Goo, and then they harvest the results and inject themselves with it during terrifying rituals! In case you didn't know, the Goo is an evil which is contaminating Atys. It progresses slowly but we can't stop it. These bandits, the Chlorogoos, are ruining the region, they attack anyone who has the bad idea of venturing there, they're a real menace. Furthermore, they infect the unfortunates they take prisoner with their damned drug. I won't tell you what kind of state they end up in

Anyway, I don't think we'd be able to take them on in a fight, but I do know a way of ruining their lives. And I'm giving this mission to you... what an honor! You have to find Goo spots near their camp and then pour on a little bit of our concoction: It's a product we use to dry out our mixtures. Just a few drops are enough to pollute the Goo. So do me favor and use up this whole flask, they shouldn't be able to use their drug any more.

It worked? Amazing!! It's probably not enough to rid us of them, but at least imagining them faced with unusable Goo gives me a good laugh

You've done a lot for us Trykers, and it's been an immense pleasure for me to work with you and teach you what I know. Accept this modest gift as a thank you for all your efforts, it's the least I can do for you

This is where we part ways, but I'm not worried about you, I think you'll make an excellent harvester. Don't lose your curiosity or your courage and you'll go far. Right, that's enough of the heart-breaking goodbyes or else I'll be in tears again. Go on, off you go

Oh, I forgot, you should go and see the Karavan, they're sure to have some interesting missions for you.

A future artisan #1

Learn the basics of crafting by making boots.

What have we here, a new arrival? Let me introduce myself: My name is Sterga Hamla, I am the representative of the Matis people on this accursed island. Look around you at this miserable camp that we're jammed into, lodged under the same sign as the other homin tribes.

A prisoner of this island, I'm obliged to rub shoulders with the Fyros, barbarians of the desert who swear by arms, the Tryker, a sub-race that once were Matis slaves and the Zoraï, mystical crazies and followers of Ma-Duk

But my people, the proud Matis people, assigned to me the weighty task of teaching crafting to any homin who wishes to be taught, regardless of their race. If you think that it is possible to rebuild a civilization by the sword alone, then I can do nothing for you.

But, if you're really here to learn about crafting, I will make it my duty to teach you. The Matis have proven their superiority over the other peoples by their refinement and intelligence. We are great builders and know better than anyone how to use our hands to make civilised items out of crude materials

Come on then! I warn you, I don't like wasting my time, so you'll have to be conscientious.

Before trying anything complicated, show me that you're capable of something easy: Make me a pair of boots. You have the required tool, and even the most stupid of homins can do it.

Take these raw materials, they're of poor quality but they have the advantage of being suitable for the crafting of any kind of item. Complete this task and then come back to me.

Good, but there's not really much to be proud of, the needlework is coarse and the overall quality is mediocre. That said, everyone has to start somewhere. You are only just learning and I honestly didn't expect any better from a first try. Now, we can start your training.

A future artisan #2

Buy raw materials and use them to craft boots.

To craft an item of good quality, it is not enough to have the appropriate tool or even competence. The main problem of all crafters is to find the right raw materials. You need, of course, the right materials for the item you wish to create. For example, to obtain the stuffing for a piece of armor you can use oil, but wood or sap would be useless.

Therefore you must make sure to gather all the necessary materials before starting on crafting an item. There are three ways to acquire raw materials: Buy them from merchants, quarter them from the creatures you hunt, or harvest them from the ground

As you have proven you know how to craft boots, we will continue along that path. Take this money, go to the raw materials merchant and buy from her what you need to craft a pair of boots. Craft a pair of boots and report to me. Simple, right? I will wait here.

You seem to be brighter than I thought. You were able to gather the right materials, an essential stage in the process. Learn how to tell the difference between materials, test them to observe the results, and remember that the properties of a material differ according to where it came from. For example Pilan oil doesn't have the same properties as Gulatch oil, likewise, a yubo bone doesn't have the same properties as a capryni bone. That is very important

Okay, let's move on. As I said before, there are three ways of getting hold of raw materials: Buying them, harvesting them, or from quartering dead creatures. It's time for you to try the second method: Harvesting, because I don't think that an artisan can work properly without knowing something about this area.

So I suggest that, before we continue with your training, you go and see my Tryker counterpart, Yoh Yawh, so that he can teach you the basics of harvesting, i.e. prospecting and extracting. Don't worry, it shouldn't take too long. Come back and see me afterwards.

Rebuilding the future #1

Learn how to obtain materials while hunting or exploiting the resources of Atys.

This knowledge will not be useless, far from it. You will from now on be able to aquire the raw materials needed for your work without having to spend money or depend on others. For the final method, I'll say it again, there is hunting. Thus I strongly recommend you develop your combat skills, either through magic or by wielding weapons

My Fyros and Zoraï counterparts are there to help you. This will allow you not just to obtain new raw materials, but being competent in battle ensures your survival in these hostile lands. It is your choice if you wish to follow this advice; if you are suicidal, it is your own problem. Just don't blame me for the consequences

Okay, off to the next. You posses the skills to allow you to craft armor pieces, and that's a good thing. You should be able to craft pants. But this I sincerely doubt, unless you had the presence of mind to buy a Light Pants plan from a trainer. As you understand, technique alone does not suffice, you need to also possess the corresponding plan for the item you want to create

It is about time we start putting your skills to good use, and we will be needing artisans capable of crafting pants. So I will ask you to go obtain the Light Pants plan from a crafter trainer. It is very possible you will not have enough Skill Points for the purchase, so you will have to train crafting by creating what you can, boots for example. As for raw materials; you know how to obtain them. Come see me when you have the plan and i will give you your mission.

You probably know we are currently rebuilding our civilization. The stupidity of the Fyros once drew this scourge to us: The Kitins. You have not lived this gloomy episode of our history; you are far too young. The homins who survived the massacre fled to the Prime Roots. Those with less luck survived and roamed in search of a land that would welcome them.
Today we are resurfacing on these new lands in order to reconstruct what we have lost. And it's in this camp we form our future combatants

Our armies are always in need of weapons and armor, you are unfortunatly not yet skilled enough to support the war effort. But that will come, at least I hope so. Meanwhile, you will help us produce the equipments necessary for the refugees who, like you, have just returned to the surface. So i'd like you to make boots and pants.
Craft 5 pairs of boots and 5 pants, and bring them to me. For the raw materials, I will give you what you need. If these are not enough, you know how to acquire more.

Good, it's a nice start, I'm beginning to think you're somebody worthwhile. We can continue a bit faster.

Rebuilding the future #2

Learn how to give characteristics to your creations.

We're going to continue to take advantage of your skills. But first you're going to get the Crafting Option for HP Boost 1 from a craft trainer. I'll explain what it's used for once you've got it. If you don't have the required experience to get this option, you know what you have to do: Train.
Come back and see me once you have it.

I've really underestimated you. You do good work and you seem to have mastered the basics of the craft. But you've still a long way to go before you'll be a master in the subject. However, I'm sure that your determination will help you achieve that goal.

Secrets of Silan #1

Harvesting a larger amount of materials.

The time has come to include you a bit more in our affairs. I think I can place my confidence in you. Now it is up to you to see if you want to open up for the Matis people.

I knew I could count on you. I think we'll be able to do great things together. Until now, we have worked to reintegrate the refugees occupying this camp. The time has come to leave that ungrateful task to the beginners and devote to the reconstruction of the great Matis civilization

I will tell you about the city of Silan, of which the ruins are right here, on this island. After the Homins started resurfacing in these new lands, leaving their hiding places in the Prime Roots, a number of them are still trembling.
The fear to relive the bloody confrontation which decimated the homin races paralises them. They have hidden themselves for years and weren't able to do more than that. Many of them have lost their pride and will to fight. This weakness is contrary to the Matis nature

I admit that among those who became weak were also some Matis, who have thus proven they are not worthy to serve our civilization. The only comfort we can offer them is forgetting them

Arriving on this island, the Matis have thus left behind the weak, and started rebuilding a city: Silan. But having wanted to do too much, we have attempted to manipulate plants to extract natural raw materials for us.
A genious idea that unfortunatly ended up in disaster: Certain unexpected mutations started appearing. The plants did not extract large enough quantities, and went out of control, became agressive and destructive. And we were not numerous enough to contain the scourge and had to leave our city

Today, Silan is nothing more than a ruin, and the plants responsable are still there, though less numerous.
The Zoraï sided with us to retake control over the ruins. Their goal is to eradicate this mutant species, ours is regaining access to the ruins to get back our goods. It's as simple as that

All this to arrive at your next mission. The most effective technique to get the plants is to use the rot spell. So mages are most suited for this mission. And for a mage to be efficient, he needs magic amplifiers

We will start by gathering the materials needed to craft some amplifiers. As a first step, we will concentrate on the first element needed, which we call the shaft, which is why i advise you go look for either bark, or javing bones. In both cases, you will find what you need around the ruins. But be careful of Javing, they are dangerous creatures: If you choose this path, it may be worthwile to find some teammates.

Very good, put all that aside, you will soon use them. You work fast and well, so let's not train and move to the next step.

The secrets of silan #2

Continue to gather materials.

The two other constituent parts of magic amplifiers are what we call the Grip and the Magic Focus. For the grip, I recommend you find either yelk skin or fibre.
As for the magic focus, you have a choice between yelk mushrooms and amber, and you'll need more of it than of the rest

For your information, and in case you decide on hunting to find the raw materials, yelks are omnivores that, if truth be told, eat a bit of everything and anything. Their solid shell covers a whole micro-vegetation, including the mushrooms which might interest you.
Be careful of the yelks, they aren't aggressive but they hide a nasty surprise. When a yelk dies it releases a toxic cloud. When you kill a yelk, wait until this cloud disappears before quartering it, and, obviously it's better to attack from a distance. Now go and find what I've asked you for.

That's perfect, now you have all the materials you need to create magic amplifiers. The last stage, as you know, will be to craft them.

The secrets of Silan #3

Craft higher quality items.

But perhaps you lack the skill to gain experience through work, and acquire the necessary techniques from a trainer. If that's the case, you know what to do.
For information's sake, crafting magic amplifiers requires a tool for crafting Melee Weapons that you can get from Anibre Bechini, the Melee Weapons Crafting skill, and the Magic Amplifiers Plan. Now go and bring me back three pairs.

Very good. Some amplifiers may appear to be little, but if all my disciples would accomplish this task as efficient as you, we would soon have those parasite plants on the run. Besides, i have one last mission to entrust to you, my loyal apprentice.

The secrets of silan #4

Help to understand the nature of the enemy.

I think that the best method for beating the enemy, is to first get to know them. If we could analyse some samples of these plants, we could find an effective way of eradicating them.
So that's your mission: To bring me samples. If you don't feel you're up to confronting the slaveni alone, don't hesitate to join up with other homins. Near the ruins, you shouldn't have any problems finding magicians in the service of the Master Zoraï to help you.

Magnificent, you have been a model disciple throughout. You have my wholehearted gratitude, and that of the Matis people. If you continue on this path you could become a powerful ally of our people

These samples are priceless for us. We could certainly use them to eradicate this scourge which we gave birth to. But the Zoraï seem to have the situation in hand, and I trust them to deal with it without our help. They're so frightened of these mutant slavenis propagating, that their fighting spirit has increased tenfold

I have a much better use in mind for these samples, which you so valiantly acquired. By analysing them my people's scientists will be able to begin their work again without committing the errors of the past. Don't worry, we will be extremely vigilant, and you can rest assured that this time we will achieve the desired result: The creation of a docile and productive plant

These samples must leave for Yrkanis quickly. Find Aryu Ken in the camp, he's one of ours and regularly makes return trips to our capital. Give him what you've gathered; he'll take care of getting it to our researchers. But most importantly, make sure that the Master Zoraï doesn't find out. We have to let him think that we're working towards the same goal. Go quickly now.

Aryu Ken

Fine, since those are your orders. However, I fear we're repeating old mistakes. I really don't like these tricks.
But, perhaps I'm worrying over nothing. In any case, I'm not going to question the will of my superiors, that would be suicide. The same goes for you. You've done your duty, you've loyally served the Matis people and you can be proud of it. Give me those samples and take this reward for your good and loyal service.

Nomis Merclao

You preferred to bring them to me, than to support that crazy plan! The wisdom and courage that you have demonstrated, does you honor. However I'm afraid that the Matis will achieve their goal. You had the strength of spirit to oppose them, but you aren't the only one to have served them, and others may not have made the same decision as you

But you can't do anything about that. Be proud of your actions, and rest assured of the esteem in which the Zoraï hold you. I'm not criticising the Matis, I know they aren't all treacherous, just as I know that not all Zoraï are wise. That's just the way things are on Atys! There's nothing we can do. Now, give me these samples so that I can destroy them, and take this as a token of our people's respect. Be on your way, and may Ma-Duk protect you.