Bard quest

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The Bard quest pits you against Aglaope for the Lyre of Orpheus. For more information on the quest branch in general, see the quest article.

Home level The Conservatorium
Locate level The Island of Anthemoessa
Goal level The Old Ruins
Leader Pindar
Guardians rhymers
Nemesis Aglaope
Quest Artifact The Lyre of Orpheus

Levels

The Conservatorium

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Monsters on this level include seven nymphs by the river, a piranha, and six other random animals. The chest on the throne of Pindar, the Bard Quest Leader, will include three scrolls of resistance. The tool shop includes a full range of musical instruments; the food shop is filled with potions of booze.

Upper filler level

This is a forest level, with seven random forest creatures such as snakes, spiders, dogs, and cats; seven random objects; and four random traps.

The Island of Anthemoessa

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The entry point to the island is on the right side of the map, and the downstairs are in the center of the island, including a magic chest next to the downstairs. The level includes three piranha, two each of random canines, felines, snakes, and bats, along with a random rat and equine. The level also includes nine random objects, five random traps, and some statues and boulders that are part of the island's ruins.

Lower filler level

This is an "ordinary" room-and-corridor level, with six rooms; two spiders, three snakes, and one rat; nine random objects and four random traps.

The Old Ruins


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Aglaope will be asleep in the center of the ruins, holding the Lyre of Orpheus and a pair of water walking boots. Scattered across the level will be some random boulders and rocks, and two each of random spiders, snakes, rats, canines, and felines.


Messages

Entry

First time:

Suddenly, you see yourself at the surroundings of the Conservatorium.
You smile as you recognize the land, remembering of the days you lived here,
learning the power of songs over nature, before you went on your voyages 
around the world.

But, wait... something is wrong.  The land looks desolated; the beautiful
river, which flow produced a soft music, now looks dead; the breeze,
once an inspiration to the music students, makes you shiver. The nymphs are
scattered and it seems all the muses abandoned the place. You feel something 
is wrong with the wild life here, too.  What happened to the Conservatorium?

Next time:

By <deity>, you can't bear seeing the Conservatorium again in this sorry state!  You must hurry.

If already rejected twice due to bad alignment:

You are back at the Conservatorium.
You have an odd feeling this may be the last time you ever come here.

Quest guardians

If #chatting before the quest is complete:

"Pindar managed to play a space-bending music to create the magic portal!"
"The muses are gone, and all the beauty of this place was taken... We are hopeless..."
"Hurry, <playername>!  Pindar are waiting for you!!"
"Aglaope's minions attacked us without warning!"
"The poor muses... they didn't stand a chance..."

If #chatting after the quest is complete:

"Do you want to buy a second hand harp? Just a couple chords are missing!"
"The magic portal now seems like it will remain stable for quite some time."
"Have you noticed how much stronger Pindar is since the Lyre of Orpheus was recovered?"
"Thank <deity>!  We weren't positive you would defeat Aglaope."
"I, too, have the desire to venture the world, and to use all the musical
knowledge we learn here to make the world a better place."

Quest leader

When you first meet your quest leader:

You see Pindar smile sadly as you approaches him.

"<playername>, it has been a long time since you departed.  I hope you had made
good use of your musical abilities in your voyages, since you were my most
promising student.  But I did not called you to discuss that.

"The Conservatorium are in desperate need of your help, and you are to 
go on the most difficult task of your life. But first, let me hear your
voice to determine if you are already prepared for it..."

When you return, having been rejected due to lack of experience:

"Well, <playername>, one more time you returns to the Conservatorium.
Perhaps you are now ready..."

When you are expelled from the quest for having failed the alignment test seven times:

"You are not honoring your training, <playername>!

"You are expulsed from the Conservatorium. Go away! I need to find another one."

When being rejected due to lack of experience:

"<playername>, you have not yet mastered your full potential to harmonize your
music with the world. You are a mere <role> yet; the quest I have
for you will demand at least a Troubadour. Go, now, train yourself in
the arts you learned here, and return when you become more experienced."

When being rejected due to having worse than pious alignment:

"What is that, <playername>? You had deviated from the paths of <deity>?

"Remember what I taught you: music is a gift from the gods.
If you can not harmonize yourself with <deity>, you will not be able
to harmonize your music with any living creature.

"Go for now, <playername>. Learn the <alignment> paths again, and only return when
you have purified yourself."

When finally assigned the quest:

"<playername>, I see you are ready for this dire task.

"The Conservatorium was attacked by dozens of wild animals controlled by the 
mesmerizing voice of Aglaope the siren, 
and the Lyre of Orpheus was taken. 
She always envied the power the Lyre of Orpheus has over nature and all 
living things. 

"<playername>, I am too old and weak to go after the Lyre of Orpheus.  You were
always my most promising student; it is over your shoulders the responsibility
of rescuing it.

"Please, take the Lyre of Orpheus back from Aglaope.  We do not know what
she can do with it, and it is supposed to be used to create harmony in this
world, not as an instrument to enslave nature.  You must travel to 
the Island of Anthemoessa, find her lair at the old ruins there, and face
Aglaope herself. <deity> be with you."

Encouragement

If you subsequently chat to your quest leader, you are encouraged:

"Beware, for Aglaope is immune to most songs."
"At the Island of Anthemoessa you may face many beings controlled by Aglaope. Be cunning."
"Aglaope can corrupt the Lyre of Orpheus. Hurry!"
"<deity> will come to your aid when you call."
"Use Aglaope's own ways against her; try to break her control over 
the Island of Anthemoessa's wild life."
"You will find the way to the Island of Anthemoessa near the back of the Conservatorium."
"Go forth with the blessings of <deity>."
"I will have my rhymers watch for your return."
"Beware, the Island of Anthemoessa can be a very dangerous place."
"You will feel when the Lyre if Orpheus is near.  Proceed with care!"

Locate and goal levels

When first entering the locate level:

You see the Island of Anthemoessa. The entrance to the lair must be inside the old ruins...

When returning:

You believe that you may once again invade the Island of Anthemoessa.

When first entering the goal level:

You can feel in your soul that the Lyre of Orpheus is very near; its presence
is soothing, even in this dark place.

When returning:

The aura of the Lyre of Orpheus tingles at the edge of your perception.

Quest nemesis

When first encountering the quest nemesis:

Aglaope holds the Lyre of Orpheus close to her face, and she seems to be
quietly talking to it. After hearing you enter, she looks at you and her
cold stare makes you paralyzed for a second; then her beautiful, frightening
voice is heard:

"Pindar sent one of his pupils instead of coming himself? 

"Mortal hands do not deserve to touch the Lyre of Orpheus, its power is beyond 
your understanding. I can use its melodies to control all beings, maybe even 
nature itself... I know I can. It should always have been mine. I deserve it!"

Upon further meetings:

"You again, <playername>?  You are not able to handle the Lyre of Orpheus... how could 
a worm possibly understand the music of the gods?"


And on the 4th and subsequent meetings:

"I'm sure that your perseverance shall be the subject of innumerable
ballads, but you shall not be around to hear them, I fear!"

When you have the Lyre of Orpheus, but Aglaope is still alive:

"Please. You are a mere <role>, what could you possibly do?
You think I can fall for your songs and sleep like a weakling?
You do not deserve the Lyre of Orpheus"

Discouragement

Aglaope will occasionally utter maledictions:

"I am not susceptible to feeble enchanting songs, you fool!"
"Stop fighting. Just hear my voice... everything will be alright..."
"I shall make the Conservatorium the palace of my empire over nature!
The Lyre of Orpheus was always meant for me..."
"Are you ready yet to beg for mercy?  I could be lenient..."
"You shall join the enslaved multitude I command!"
"Your soul belongs to me now, <playername>! Grovel before your queen!"
"Your faith in <deity> is for naught!  Come, submit to me now!"
"Go on, <playername>... You are just increasing my wrath..."
"My loyal servants shall take care of you!"
Aglaope laughs, and the ruins walls shake...

Victory

When picking up your quest artifact:

As you touch the Lyre of Orpheus, its harmonic power infuses you with joy.
You finally understand what Pindar always meant when he talked about
harmonizing with the living beings throughout the music.  Although you feel in
your heart it accepting you as its new master, you know you must return it to
its rightful owner, Pindar.

When killing the nemesis:

Aglaope yells while her legs falter and she falls to the floor:

    No!  It can not be.  The Lyre of Orpheus is mine!  Mine!

The Island of Anthemoessa seems to shake as Aglaope shrieks, 
and then everything is silence.

When returning to your quest leader:

Pindar notices the Lyre of Orpheus in your possession,
smiles at you and says:

    I knew you could defeat Aglaope and retrieve Lyre of Orpheus.
    You are truly destined to be a great Troubadour.

    I feel the Lyre of Orpheus has already chosen to be used by you.
    Do not be shy, my <son|daughter>; it is yours know. May <deity> give you wisdom
    on how to use it.

    Now you are ready for a quest even greater. Go, and retrieve the
    Amulet of Yendor for <deity>.

When subsequently throwing the Lyre of Orpheus to Pindar:

"You are the keeper of the Lyre of Orpheus now.  Return to the Dungeons of Doom,
and continue with your quest."

Post-quest

When talking to Pindar after the quest:

"Come near, my <son|daughter>, and share your adventures with me.
So, have you succeeded in your quest for the Amulet of Yendor?"

When talking to Pindar after getting the Amulet:

"Congratulations, <playername>.  I always knew that if anyone could succeed
in defeating the Wizard of Yendor and his minions, it would be you.

"Go now, and take the Amulet to the astral plane.  Once there, present
the Amulet on the altar of <deity>.  Along the way you shall pass through the
four elemental planes.  These planes are like nothing you have ever
experienced before, so be prepared!

"For this you were born, <son|daughter>!  I am very proud of you."