Ah, Player. It's good to see you. I've been thinking about Brusthonin's fate, and it occurs to me that I may have a job for you.

Brusthonin was beautiful once, did you know that? This village is a window to the past in that respect. But then, well...the contagion changed everything.

It spread slowly, house by house--through food, contact.... We still don't know all the methods. One case led to another within families and soon everyone was dying and then rising again as undead.

Player: "What has this to do with me?"

I'm getting to that--patience, please. Once the settlers realized what was happening, they tried to get to safety. Survivors from across Brusthonin fled to Adma Stronghold in hopes of finding shelter. Their hopes were dashed as soon as they arrived.

Lannok, Lord of Adma Stronghold, was only concerned with his own survival. He abandoned his duty as a Daeva and locked the gate, refusing entry to anyone. Humans starved and died just outside his walls, still calling out for mercy, but Lannok never relented.

No one knows whether the contamination made it beyond Adma's gates. The great gate is still locked and nothing I've ever tried would open it.

Player: "Why does it worry you?"

If everyone in Adma Stronghold became undead... Well, that's a major threat to later reclamation efforts, isn't it? We need to know what we're up against.

There are also the strangest reports...well, little more than rumors, actually. There's word of a child wandering the Stronghold. Orphan or tall tale, we can't risk not investigating. Azphel's shade, that's no place for a child.

Player, I want you to check this out. There's an Elim named Neligor who may have some ideas how to get into the stronghold. Let me know what you find.

Player: "Blood for blood!"

Player...you are known to us.... We thank you for...your vigilance...in bringing life back...to the forest.

Whatever...may be...within my power...is yours to ask. How can I...help you?

Player: "I need to get into Adma Stronghold."

Where is...Adma Stronghold? Elim rarely...travel.

I am sorry...I cannot help you. The Brohums are...also long lived. They are...shy, however. Perhaps...yes.

You should seek out...the Skurv. If it is...secret ways you seek...they will know. Find BuBu Khaaan. He will know.

Player: "Aion's shade protect you, old one."

Why you come here, Daeva? What want?

Seek you the wisdom of BuBu Khaaan?

Speak, then. BuBu Khaaan listens.

Player: "How does one get into Adma Stronghold?"

Adma Stronghold? Hmm. I know not this place.

BuBu Chan might know, though. He once grand chieftain of BuBu tribe. He live long time, know many things.

Go up path to northeast. High up in the hills you find him. Be nice, eh? He great and wise Skurv.

Player: "Azphel watch over you, BuBu Khaaan."

Hmm? Why you come bother me? What want?

Daeva never come see Skurv but want something. Maybe wisdom you seek? If something else, go back to BuBu Village. Too noisy there for me. Darn Skurvlings always playing on my grass....

Player: "How do I get into Adma Stronghold?"

Oh ho! Daeva does want Skurv wisdom. How odd. Still, I think I know. Many years ago, though...many many.

Ah! Know what might help me remember? Dinner! Belly making growly noises. Takes so long to get up and down this hill, though.... Very distracting to old Skurv like me.

You willing to help, maybe? Get BuBu Chan dinner? Good! Go find Chimaera Sirloin, Brandy, Aether Crystal, and Fresh Grobule.

Chimaera Sirloin best from Sea Chimaera along the Carobian Coast. Daraia in Pandaemonium has best Brandy. Aether Crystal comes from Big Vortex, and Fresh Grobule nicest in Iollu Forest. Good? Good! I be waiting!

Player: "...All right, then."

Ah, so hungry. So hard to think. You have dinner for old BuBu Chan?

Good! You fine Daeva. A true friend to Skurv. We like you just fine.

Okay, give me food. All here? Chimaera Sirloin, Brandy, Aether Crystal, and Fresh Grobule? Good? Good! Now I--oops, mean we--feast!

Player: "You...go ahead. I'm not hungry."

Ah ha! Daeva great at shopping. Good work. I feel much better. So sleepy, though...Zzzzz.

Zzzz...wha? What want, what want?!? Oh, you. You not go? Darn. Adma Stronghold? Of course. Adma. I remember well. I know...

...

Okay. I know nothing about Adma Stronghold. Never been there. But dinner very good! Um...you go see Cayron in Iollu Forest. He very wise Brohum, know many things. Also, Cayron not hate Daevas! Very lucky for you.

Have good trip, Daeva. Now, time for nap....

Player: "I.... Fine. Dark days, BuBu Chan."

Ah, Daeva! Long has it been since one of your kind sought me out. The rift between our peoples saddens me. It was not always thus.

Once we lived in harmony--did you know this? Before the contamination, there was peace, but now Brohums blame the Humans for our land's devastation. Humans in turn have forgotten we also live in Aion's shade.

Wherever Beritra may be now, he must be laughing to see what he has done.

Player: "Do you know a way into Adma Stronghold?"

Adma Stronghold? So long ago, and the center of so much pain....

If the main gate is still barred, I believe there is another way. Lannok always built secret ways between his holdings....

There is a book in my village, Brohunir, that will help us. Find the house made with plaited tree branches, deep inside the village, and bring the Book of Brohum to me.

Player: "If it will help, certainly."

(This book is made of leaves. It seems very delicate. You open it carefully.)

(The pages are covered in drawings and strange symbols that must be the Brohum language. On one page, there is a picture of a Human stronghold that could be Old Nahor Castle.)

(This seems to be the book Cayron asked you to find.)

Player: "Let's see if this helps."

(This book is made of leaves. It seems very delicate. You open it carefully.)

(The pages are covered in drawings and strange symbols that must be the Brohum language. There are many drawings of animals and weapons.)

(This does not seem to be the book Cayron asked you to find.)

Player: "It must be here somewhere...."

Ah, good. You have returned. Were you able to retrieve the book?

Player: "Is this it?"

Yes, this is the right book. Let me see.... Here. Yes, Lannok built a secret passage between Old Nahor Castle and Adma Stronghold. It should still be there.

You will need a key to access the passage. You'll likely find it somewhere inside Old Nahor Castle. Look for this Old Wooden Box and the key should be inside.

Also...there is a child who wanders the Stronghold. How he got there, I cannot say, but even as I gazed at him across the distance, I felt something...wicked...about him. Things are not right within Adma Stronghold. Be careful.

Player: "Aion's shade protects us, Cayron."

(You pick up an old wooden box, its decoration worn away with age.)

(You open the box carefully. Inside, you find a single copper key, still bright even in the dim light.)

(Surt would undoubtedly want to see this. It's time to go report what you've learned so far.)

Player: "Time to go back to Baltasar."

(You pick up an old wooden box, its decoration worn away with age.)

(You open the box carefully. Inside, there's nothing but dust and dead insects.)

Player: "It must be here somewhere."

Cayron? The Brohum? That's...surprising. I would ask if you were sure, but it's undoubtedly hard to mistake speaking with a Brohum. Still...it's worth noting. Perhaps we can make something of that.

Anyway, Old Nahor Castle, you say? That would be just like Lannok, to find a way to move from one to the other with none the wiser. Good work.