Doppelganger quest
The Doppelganger quest sees you fighting Transmuter for The Medallion of Shifters. For more information on the quest branch in general, see the quest article.
| Home level | The Circle of Change |
|---|---|
| Locate level | The Transmuter's Cave |
| Goal level | The Transmuter's Domain |
| Leader | Master Shifter |
| Guardians | shifters |
| Nemesis | Transmuter |
| Quest Artifact | The Medallion of Shifters |
Contents
Levels
Random monsters on this Quest are generated with the following frequencies:
- 96/175 (55%) chameleon
- 24/175 (14%) random :
- 24/175 (14%) guardian naga
- 6/175 (3%) random N
- 1/7 (14%) normal random monster
Oddly enough, despite xorns not being one of the quest monsters, they are prominently mentioned in two of the Master Shifter's encouragements.
The Circle of Change
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The two-way magic portal back to the Dungeons of Doom is at the marked point to top left. The Master Shifter is in the large room in the center left part of the building, with a chest next to him; there are also eight shifters in the room. There are eight chameleons and four guardian nagas surrounding the Circle. In addition to the two marked polymorph traps in the small maze-like area, there are four random other traps on the level. The entire level is no-teleport and has undiggable walls and floor.
Upper filler level
This is an "ordinary" room-and-corridor level, with six rooms. The level contains three chameleons, a guardian naga, three random :, a random N, eight random objects, and four random traps.
The Transmuter's Cave
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This level contains fourteen chameleons, nine guardian nagas, fifteen random objects, and six random traps. The entire level has undiggable walls and floor. Teleportation is permitted.
Lower filler level(s)
These are "ordinary" room-and-corridor levels, with six rooms. Each level contains two chameleons, two random :, three random N, nine random objects, and four random traps.
Transmuter's Lair
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The above core of the level is surrounded by empty lava plain. The Transmuter, with the Bell of Opening and the Medallion of Shifters, is on the marked unaligned altar; also in the mapped area are nine chameleons, nine guardian nagas, fourteen random objects; four fire traps, and two other random traps. Teleportation is permitted.
Messages
Entry
First time:
You find yourself standing in sight of the Circle of Change. Something is obviously wrong here. The Circle of Change is badly damaged, walls have been blasted apart and torn. You realize that the Master Shifter needs your assistance!
Next time:
Once again, you stand before the Circle of Change.
If already rejected twice due to bad alignment:
Again you face the Circle of Change. Your intuition hints that this may be the final time you come here.
Quest guardians
If #chatting before the quest is complete:
"Greetings, honored <currentrank>. It is good to see you." "Ah, <playername>! Surely you can help us in our hour of need." "Greetings, <brother|sister>. The Master Shifter has great need of your help." "Alas, it seems as if even <deity> has deserted us." "May <deity> be with you, <brother|sister>."
Quest leader
When you first meet your quest leader:
"Ah, <playername>, my <son|daughter>. You have returned to us at last. A great blow has befallen our order; perhaps you can help us. First, however, I must determine if you are prepared for this great challenge."
When you return, having been rejected due to lack of experience:
"Again, my <son|daughter>, you stand before me. Are you ready now to help us?"
This message is not currently used:
"Once more, <playername>, you stand before me. Are you ready now?"
When you are expelled from the quest for having failed the alignment test seven times:
"You have been corrupted, <playername>! How can you, a <currentrank>, deviate so from the teachings of <deity>? Begone from this place! You are no longer a <brother|sister> to this order. We will try our best without you, as you have failed us utterly."
When being rejected due to lack of experience:
"Alas, <playername>, it is not yet to be. A mere <currentrank> could never withstand the might of the Transmuter. Go forth, again into the world, and return when you have attained the rank of Clone."
When being rejected due to having worse than pious alignment:
"This is terrible, <playername>. You have deviated from way of balance! You know that <deity> requires that we be impartial in the world around us. The <brother|sister>hood must stand for utmost piety. "Go from here, atone for your sins against <deity>. Return only when you have purified yourself."
When finally assigned the quest:
"Yes, <playername>. You are truly ready now. I shall endevor to tell you what has occurred while you were away. "A short time ago we were beseiged by the Transmuter, a wizard of great power. We though nothing of it as we were well defended and he would be no match for us because of our ability." "However through the use of great magic he opened a portal into the room containing the Medallion of Shifters and stole it. With its power he could easily see through our transformations. He then summoned many chameleons, and we can not transform in fear of destroying members of our own clan. "We need you to find the Transmuter's cave, and then, from there, travel to the Transmuter's lair. If you can manage to defeat the Transmuter and return the Medallion of Shifters here, we can then drive off the legions of creatures that roam the land. "Go with <deity> as your guide, <playername>."
Encouragement
If you subsequently chat to your quest leader, you are encouraged:
"You can prevail, if you rely on <deity>." "Remember that the Transmuter has great magic at his command." "Be strong, my <son|daughter>." "Beware, the Transmuter's Cave is guard by many Xorns and Chameleons." "You may not be able to affect the Transmuter with magical spells." "Acquire and wear the Medallion of Shifters if you can. It will aid you against your enemies." "Call upon <deity> when your need is greatest. You will be answered." "The Xorns may pass through rock at will, beware of ambush!" "Beware the lava, <playername>. If you do not, you may be consumed." "Wear the Medallion of Shifters. It will assist you against the undead."
Locate and goal levels
When first entering the locate level:
You have entered a cave that seems to have been drastically altered by magic. There is smoke and fumes all around, yet the air seems moist and damp. You remember the descriptions of the Transmuter's cave, given to you by the Master Shifter. It is ahead that you will find the Transmuter's trail.
When returning:
Again, you stand before the Transmuter's Cave.
When first entering the goal level:
The black fumes and heat wash over you as you decend into this dark place. Ahead, there is a small clearing amidst the bubbling pits of lava...
When returning:
Again, you have invaded the Transmuter's domain.
Quest nemesis
When first encountering the quest nemesis:
"Ah, so the Master Shifter has sent another shifter to retrieve the Medallion of Shifters. "No, I see you are no shifter. Perhaps I shall have some fun today after all. Prepare to die, <currentrank>! You shall never regain the Medallion of Shifters!
Upon further meetings:
"So, <currentrank>. Again you challenge me."
And on the 4th and subsequent meetings:
"Die now, <currentrank>. You power is a mere speck compared to mine."
When you have the Medallion of Shifters, but the Transmuter is still alive:
"You shall die, <currentrank>, and I will have the Medallion of Shifters back."
Discouragement
The Transmuter will occasionally utter maledictions:
"Submit to my will, Doppelganger, and I shall spare you." "Your puny powers are no match for me, Doppelganger." "I shall have you turned into a newt for my pleasure!" "Despair now, <currentrank>. <deity> cannot help you." "I shall feast upon your soul for many days, Doppelganger." "Your death will be slow and painful. That I promise!" "You cannot defeat the Transmuter, you fool. I shall kill you now." "Your precious Master Shifter will be my next victim." "I feel your powers failing you, <currentrank>. You shall die now." "With the Medallion of Shifters, nothing can stand in my way."
Victory
When picking up your quest artifact:
As you pick up the Medallion of Shifters, you feel as though a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders. You understand why the Transmuter stole it from the Circle of Change, for with it, a Doppelganger of <deity> could easily defeat his plans. You sense a message from <deity>. Though not verbal, you get the impression that you must return to the Master Shifter as soon as possible.
When killing the nemesis:
You hear the Transmuter gasp one last breath and collapse to the ground.
Suddenly, you hear a voice in the back of your mind,
How could you have defeated me? I was so much
more powerful, I had the Medallion of Shifters and legions of
creatures at my command. You are certainly a force
to be reckoned with ... I pity the Wizard of Yendor.
Then the voice of the Transmuter fades away, never to be heard again.
When returning to your quest leader:
"You have returned, <playername>. And with the Medallion of Shifters, I see. Congratulations. "I have been awaiting you return and have been thinking. You should take the Medallion of Shifters with you. Use it to restore the balance of the world and serve <deity>. "Go forth, and let <deity> guide your steps."
Post-quest
When talking to the Master Shifter after the quest:
"Welcome back, <playername>. How is your quest for the Amulet going?"
When talking to the Master Shifter after getting the Amulet:
"You have prevailed, <playername>! <deity> is surely with you. Now, you must take the amulet, and sacrifice it on <deity>'s altar on the Astral plane. I suspect that I shall never see you again in this life, but I hope to at <deity>'s feet."
