Trading Places

Summary

  • CategoryFlashback
  • IntroducedIssue 11
  • ContactsMender Silos (Ouroboros)
  • Level Range46 - 50
  • NoteEditor's Note: This story was originally published in issues #10 - 12 of the City of Heroes comic book. Enjoy.


Agree to form a task force

Mender Silos

Greetings, Red Tomax. I hope you appreciate the gravitas of our mission. Too often humanity squanders its potential on the petty and the inconsequential. Even my own past is one quixotic venture after another. I was bellicose and prone to conflict. In a manner of speaking, those times are well past me, but in a very real way they now surround me.

You see, I was key to this world's destruction, a destruction that saw the rest of the universe crumble in its wake. I always knew my methods were heterodox, but I had no idea the damage I would cause. Now I return to correct my mistake, make amends for my past, and mend time itself.

The question I put before you, Red Tomax, is: would you give yourself to Ouroboros?

Very well, Red Tomax. There is a man of your time, shrouded in mystery and deception, born from strife with a skill for death. He walks a line that is neither good nor evil, yet divergent from both. This man is put in question, his loyalties tested and his beliefs challenged. He sways leaders to war, bringing the most powerful forces of your time into direct conflict.

Humanity, oblivious and unconcerned, did not witness this event, but were once again unknowingly pulled away from the brink. However, for Ouroboros nothing is obfuscated. There are merely events we have yet to focus upon. I would like you to focus on this 'Man of Conflict'. Observe, even aid him in his path. We know very little about what happened, but my hypothesis is that a man of this cliber will play a crucial role in the coming storm.

Part 1: Investigate this 'Man of Conflict' (2 Raid leaders to defeat)
Instanced Outdoor [Croatoa] @ Ouroboros Arachnos

Stepping through to this time and seeing Manticore, you remember back when Manticore was kicked out of the Freedom Phalanx by Statesman. This must be when you are.

Objective: Perhaps this is the 'Man of Conflict' Mender Silos told you to look for.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

ClueThe Jade Spider

The Arachnos Raid Leader you defeated in Croatoa let slip something about a Jade Spider. However, even after further questioning with the aid of Manticore, you were unable to get more information regarding it. What is Lord Recluse planning?

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Mission Complete: You've aided Manticore in his path against Arachnos.

Part 2: Fight against Arachnos in Striga (3 Raid leaders to Defeat, 20 Arachnos to Defeat)
Instanced Outdoor [Striga Isle] @ Ouroboros Arachnos

You learned from Manticore, that Arachnos also planned an attack on Striga.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Mission Complete: You've aided Manticore in his path against Arachnos.

ClueNarcotics Shipment

During your battle with Arachnos in Striga, you didn't notice what was in all those crates around you. It wasn't until afterwards when Manticore was covering the crime scene did they stand out.

They're crates full of pharmaceutical grade chemicals. Manticore's analysis shows that they're used in most prescription anti-depressant medication. 'But it's in its purest form,' Manticore tells you. 'Uncut and undiluted.'

What would Lord Recluse want with heavy grade mind stimulants?

ClueDear Red Tomax...

While time travelling into the past, you visit Striga and in an empty cardboard box you find a handwritten letter adressed to Red Tomax...

"Again, I apologize for my inability to meet with youin person. You may find these clandestine letters frustrating, but it is the safest way for both of us to communicate until we are ready to act. Silos and Ouroboros are dangerous beyond measure and while I have asked you to be vigilant regarding their intentions, I still do not know which side will you choose.

On the topic of Mender Silos, I will say only this:

He is a silver-tongued serpent in a garden full of innocents with an orchad of apples at his disposal. Do not trust him; he will have you cast out. Do not raise a hand to him; he will strike you down before you can react. Play your part in their garden and claim your innocents, but keep your eyes open to the truth.

Red Tomax, I pray you have found my letters and you have taken them to heart. It is my hope that you remain quiet and patiently await the appropriate moment to strike. If you have not found my other letters, please search for them. Hopefully, they will reveal the truth behind Ouroboros and guide you towards my path.

Ultimately, the choice will be yours.

As always, look for me in the Pillar. I will make myself known when the time is right."

Part 3: Aid Manticore in Kings Row (3 raid leaders to defeat)
Instanced Outdoor [Kings Row] @ Ouroboros Arachnos

Of all the places you thought Arachnos could assault, Kings Row was not one of them.
Lord Recluse is building up to something big. But what?

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Objective: You've defeated an Arachnos raid leader.

Mission Complete: You have saved Kings Row from Arachnos. Return to Mender Silos for further instruction.

ClueManticore's Warning

After you've defeated the Arachnos in Kings Row, Manticore approached you...

'You must leave me alone. I do not know who you are or where you come from. At first I thought Statesman had sent you, but now I see that is not the case. You've just gotten yourself mixed up in something that you best leave alone. I'm sorry, but you can't follow me down this path... no hero can.'

Mender Silos

Did you speak with Manticore? What did he tell you? Ah yes, it was a warning for you to stay away from him. Where do you think he is going? What do you think he is doing?

Only time will tell.


Meet up with Vindicators

Mender Silos

Manticore summoned a group of Vindicators to meet up with him in Siren's Call. It is possible that this is the moment when a man's fate will decide a world's future.

Go there and aid these young Vindicators. Witness the unraveling of history as a single string of fate's cloth is pulled to the point of breaking.

Ms. Liberty will be leading them at this time. Join up with her and her little gang of heroes. I believe Manticore will make himself known to them and perhaps reveal his true intentions regarding Arachnos.

Part 4: Question Manticore (25 Arachnos to defeat)
Instanced Outdoor [Siren's Call] @ Ouroboros Arachnos

Manticore has called Ms. Liberty, Mynx and Swan to Siren's Call.
You need to question him to find out what else he knows about Recluse's plans.

Objective: You've defeated Manticore, but it looks as if his teleportation to the hospital has been redirected somewhere else.

Objective: Manticore has changed sides. He now appears to be working for Arachnos.

Mender Silos

Ah, so that's what happened? We were lead to believe something along those lines, but honestly, did you expect anything less? Manticore has always walked the line from Hero to Villain. I myself have witnessed multiple timelines where he was in fact the right hand man to Lord Recluse. It may horrify you to know that in almost all of those worlds, Recluse and Manticore ruled without question.

Lazarus was right about you. We did come to the correct time.


Agree to Mender Silos' mission

Mender Silos

Lord Recluse is poised to strike Paragon City. I've found the key temporal node where this event takes place. I would like to send you there to determine if the 'greater good' is actually brought about.

Recluse assaults Siren's Call to use it as a staging ground to assault Paragon City. Heroes and Villains clashed at that harbour, each fighting for what they believed in. Neither side knew that this battle could play a part in the events of the future. Even Lord Recluse himself would have difficulty comprehending the full measure of his actions.

Go to Siren's Call and aid the heroes of your time. Make sure they succeed where so often they have failed.

Part 5: Stop Arachnos Assault (13 Phalanx & Vindicators to Aid, Defeat the Jade Spider)
@ Ouroboros Arachnos

As you step out of the Ouroboros portal, you can feel the ground shaking under your feet.

Objective: You've defeated the Jade Spider and helped save Paragon City ... this time.

Mission Complete: You've saved Paragon City from Lord Recluse's attack.

Mender Silos

The Jade Spider has fallen, and with it Recluse's plans for domination of Paragon City. You would not believe the world that unfolded from Recluse's successful assault. I believe even he would not want such a world to rule.


Go to Top