The Crystal of Serafina

Summary

• Task Force
• Issue 6
• 4 team members required
• Ice Mistral (St. Martial)
• 35 - 40
• Crystal Keeper You have destroyed the psychic control network the Circle grew from shards of Serafina's crystal, and recovered the crystal itself.

Temporary Powers

Enchantment of Serafina
PBAoE, Ally +Resist (Psionic), +Dam (Psionic)

Agree to form a Strike Force

So you're here. Looking for favour from my master, Scirocco, I suppose. Well, I suspect it'll be easy to earn. All he wants is a crystal, one belonging to the genie, Serafina. It's currently being held by the Circle of Thorns. Bring that crystal here, and Scirocco will smile on you.

Scirocco is far too trusting, Strike Force Wild. I am not. You haven't earned my faith just yet, and to do it you'll need to do more than trasure hunt.

Prove yourself to me by unleashing your fury upon the Circle mages. I have had far too much experience with arrogant mystics who believe they know what is best for the world. After all, it was the Monks of the Four Winds who made me what I am, and they have since had cause to regret it.

You'll need a name, something I can call you by. Perhaps Strike Force Wild.

The air down here is damp and cold.

Objective: You found a shard, but the rest of the crystal is missing!

Shard of Serafina's crystal

This small shard of crystal fits easily into the palm of your hand. Plainly, Serafina's crystal has been split into pieces by the Circle of Thorns.

Mission Complete: You defeated the mages and recovered a shard of Serafina's crystal.

This isn't the crystal of Serafina! This is merely a shard! You'll have to do better than this, Strike Force Wild. My lord Scirocco is watching you.

Find the crystal

You were charged with bringing me Serafina's crystal, but you didn't do that. No. You brought me only a shard. Scirocco will not be contented with that, and neither will I. Get out there and find me that crystal! Now!

The Circle broke it, so the Circle should know where the pieces are. I suggest you start with them.

Mission Complete: One of the Circle mages you defeated snarled, 'You're too late! Already, the network is begun! Starting in Sharkhead!'

The mage's story

One of the Circle mages you defeated snarled:

'You're too late! Already, the network is begun! Starting in Sharkhead!'

You feel a strange sensation when you walk into these caverns.

Objective: You can see that these Circle crystals are vibrating strongly.

Observations

When you destroyed the massive pink crystals scattered throughout Primeva, you observed that they were vibrating. it could be that these large crystals are somehow linked to the shards of Serafina's crystal.

Mission Complete: You have destroyed the crystals.

Strike Force Wild, I am not satisfied. I am, however, intrigued. The large pink crystals you describe seem to be similar to the crystals that grow in Oranbegan caverns, but I ave never seen pink ones before. I wonder what their properties are?

You are doing quite well. I am sure Scirocco will be pleased.

Seek crystals in Primeva

My lord Scirocco is sensative to the vibrations of this network the Circle is building, though he doesn't yet know what it's for. He senses vibrations coming from Primeva. Go there, and bring me what you find.

I still want the remainder of Serafina's crystal, Strike Force Wild. Don't forget that.

You feel some strange vibrations through the water.

Objective: The mage was carrying another shard of Serafina's crystal.

The second shard

This shard of Serafina's crystal is no larger than the first. There must sill be many pieces missing.

Mission Complete: You destroyed the crystals and found another shard.

Another mere shard? Strike Force Wild, you must think me a fool to be satisfied with such poor gains. I am not. You will have to do far beter than this.

Get a sample of the crystals

It seems the Circle's network of crystals is expanding. Scirocco has sensed a portion of it has been placed on a cargo ship in Cap au Diable. Go there and get me a sample of the crystals they're using. I want to see what we're up against.

It's likely the Circle's network has drawn new victims to it. I don't know what you'll be up against. I do know that, whoever's in there, I want them to feel my wrath. Destroy them!

I'll have these crystals examined. Don't go far. I'm not through with you yet.

Destroy the crystals

I have information for you, Strike Force Wild. I have had those crystal fragments you brought me analyzed. It seems that they are being grown from the crystal of Serafina! I believe the Circle is building a vast psychic network, bent on controlling everyone within the Rogue Isles, possibly the world. You and I cannot have that, Dread Tomax. And so you must do what you can to stop it. If Scirocco's senses are accurate, there is a great buildup of psyionic crystals in St. Martial. Go there, and destroy them!

I believe these crystals the Circle are using have been grown from the shards of Serafina'ss crystal. Recover the whole, and you may stop them entirely.

The sound of the vibrations is nearly deafening.

Mission Complete: You have destroyed the crystals, and uncovered an important clue rom one of the mages.

Archus' secret

One of the Circle mages you defeated snapped:

'You will never defeat Archus! His massive network of mind control crystals is invulnerable!'

So, this Archus fancies himself invulnerable, does he? We'll see about that. Strike Force Wild. It's time to take this fight to the source. I want Archus' head on a platter, and I want the crystal of Serafina!

Defeat Archus

Scirocco has sensed a vast amount of vibrations coming from a cavern in Primeva. It could well be that this is Archu's lair. I want you to fin dthat Circle archmage, and I want you to wring his neck for me. If they even have necks under those cowls. Heh. If you find any sign of the crystal of Serafina, bring it back to me.

If that Circle mage you met is to be believed, Archus will have quite a bit of protection. Be wary.

The vibrations of the crystals are somehow fainter. Perhaps you haven't truly found the source.

Mage Archus [Arch-Villain] Despite your efforts, Archus has nearly completed his psychic network using the shards of Serafina's crystal. Stop him, or you could wind up as his pawn forever!

Mission Complete: You defeated Archus!

Large shard of Serafina's cryta

Before reporting of Archus' demise to Ice Mistral, you carved this large chunk from Serafina's crystal. It's all you can take with you for now, but at least some portion of Serafina's power has become yours.

Enchantment of Serafina
PBAoE, Ally +Resist (Psionic), +Dam (Psionic)

Crystal Keeper
Awarded for completing the last mission of the Strike Force

Archus is done for, his network destroyed, and the crystal of Serafina restored to Arachnos at last. Excellent. You have done well, Strike Force Wild. So well, that I will be forced to keep my eye upon you. It seems you have more power than I had realized.