Our success in Gelkmaros is dependent on expanding the terrain under our control. We must install Aetheric Field Generators as quickly as possible to press the attack.

Of prime importance are the Nunglark Ruins and the Marayas Scrubland, but not much progress has been made as of yet. The Balaur have already installed Drana growing devices in those areas. They beat us to the punch.

Player: "Then we must punch back."

Indeed. The Drana growing devices represent the most advanced Balic technology. They not only activate Drana, but they keep our generators from producing artificial Aether.

Even if we succeed in installing new Aetheric Field Generators, they will be useless unless we can destroy these Drana growing devices.

They are like living creatures, and they reproduce even if destroyed. Farbin is doing research into a way to permanently remove them, but he needs help. From you.

Player: "I will visit him immediately."

Ah, it's good to see you, Player. Brigade General Valetta said she was sending someone to help me.

I've been studying the Drana growing devices as she asked, but I can't give it my full attention. I'm quite busy, you understand, but here's what I've worked out so far.

The Aether generators and the Drana growing devices are too close! Drana devices grow Drana, Aether generators restore Aether. Back and forth, back and forth, like a stone slab I once saw at the Temple of D...

Player: "You're rambling."

Oh. Right. Aether. Drana. As the two devices conflict, a special environment is being created. Anything that wanders nearby might be horribly mutated or killed. Or worse!

So, I'll need you to get some samples from the area. First some Marayas Wild Grass, a very common plant in this area, though not so common as Duggan the Elder mentions in...what was that book?

I'll be a moment finding this. You should also bring back some tissue samples from a Wilds Barghest and a Mutated Barghest Corpse. That should do it.

Player: "I'd better not get mutated."

...that should definitely NOT have turned blue so quick...oh, you're ali...back. I'm pleased. This does ruin a theory I was working on.... I suppose I can discard this as an outlying datum. Problem solved!

I sent you for samples, as I recall? You're quite fast. Though not fast as the legendary Millicent, who ran twelve leagues in a single hour during the second rising of the f....

Sorry. Samples. Just let me check your hands for mutations first. We wouldn't want another outbreak like the Blistering Plague. Horrible! I have a book that lists every one of the four hundred symptoms....

Player: "Please take the samples."

Exactly as I asked. If I'm right--and I'm right 81.7 percent of the time--I will now be able to chemically mutate the tissue of the Drana growing devices, rendering them useless.

Perhaps then Brigade General Valetta will allow me to get back to my research on Drakan....

Hmmm...perhaps you can help kill two qooqoos with one stone? There are some Naduka Gloriators near the Drana growing devices in the Marayas Wilderness. If you can dispatch them, it will make the upcoming process easier, and aid my research too.

Player: "I'll see what I can do."

...a spray to permanently adhere flesh to wood. Surely there's...oh, you're back! And I have the solution for the Drana growing devices! Literally, a solution. In this bottle. I can see you don't appreciate a good pun. Such a shame, for many a war was won with a joke. At least nine that I can thi...

Right, the solution. Applying this will stop the Marayas Drana Growing Devices from absorbing Drana, and enable you to destroy them.

You should target the Nunglark Ruins first. The Marayas Wilderness can wait, since you eliminated the Naduka Gloriators there. Speaking of which, tell me--in detail--about your experiences with them. How did it make you feel?

Player: "Like leaving."

How hard is it to kill a few Balaur? I'd do it myself, if I weren't so busy doing twelve things at once. Yes, twelve. Thirteen now. I just started another while we talked. Fourteen.

The Drana solvent is not quite ready, so there's no sense standing there. Though that does give me an idea for a petrification device that will...

Fifteen!

Player: "It better be ready soon...."

Can you feel it? The Aether is spreading. I've done it! And I could never have done it without...er...what was your name? Player!

Of course we're not quite done. No, don't slink off like a Mau. We need to install aetheric Field Generators where there used to be Drana growing devices.

This stone--don't drop it--will summon a single Aetheric Field Generator. I recommend you install it right where a Nunglark Drana Growing Device used to be. Go now! Go go! Shoo!

Player: "This is the last bit, right?"

Oh, you're back? Obviously the task I sent you on is not complete, so you must be here to assist me with my work. Wonderful.

Just sit right there. I'll bring the scrolls. I need someone to transcribe all 999 of these tablets, in triplicate. Let me find a writing utensil....

You seem displeased. Well, I could also use help with another task. Such as using the summoning stone I gave you in the Nunglark Ruins where the Marayas Drana Growing Device used to be. Your choice.

Player: "Summoning stone. Right."

...the Jorelian hypothesis makes the most sense, but that would imply that Kelin's Razor is...

Ah, Player! You've installed the Aetheric Field Generator as I asked. Obviously I knew about it the moment you did it, with this--I call it the Long Crystal Spyglass of Long Gazing. Name needs work.

Pity you must be off so soon. Be sure to tell Brigade General Valetta that my task is complete, and that I have done as asked. If you want to mention your role as well, go ahead.

Player: "Very kind of you."

This is great news. Far more than I expected. This may mark our first real victory in Gelkmaros. Now that we know how to destroy Drana growing devices, we will be able to advance to Tiamaranta in no time.

Words cannot express my gratitude, so instead I will merely give you this. I hope it is enough.