Biggletorque: The Archmage Darkstaff

From Istaria Lexica


Quest type: Errand
From NPC(s): Finagle Biggletorque
Locations: Delgarath
Previous quest(s): Vandus Confederation: Traitor in the Midst IIDralnok's Doom (Chapter 2): The Torturers
Next quest(s): Biggletorque: Chests in the Deep
View this quest in the Quest Tree
Item(s) required to start, progress or finish the quest:
none.


Finagle Biggletorque has heard of chests that cannot be opened being discovered within Dralnok's Doom. He believes special keys may be needed to open these chests, but the technique has been lost for centuries. He remembers, however, seeing an odd looking key in the study of Gregory the Scholar many years ago and suggests you go there and see what you can discover.


Quest text[edit]

Ho there, friend. Come closer! Have you ventured into the darkness beneath Delgarath yet? Many enter, many more return with terror etched onto their faces. Perhaps you are different, yes?

  • I am Gifted.

Perhaps that is it. Rumors swirl about this camp like flies on a corpse that has lain in the sun for a week. These rumors speak of chests in the darkness that hold secrets... or treasure... or perhaps both! They cannot be opened so adventurers call once again on us, the tinkerers, for help.

  • What sort of chests? And why won't regular keys open them?

I thought that might pique your interest. Why won't standard keys open them? That is a question many are interested in, <player>. What a day for the academy, isn't it?

  • The Academy of... tinkerers?


Of course! Enough of that, however. I suspect you are ready to get on with business, am I right? Yes, yes, I can tell from the look on your face. <player>, I believe I know what it will take to open these chests.

  • You do? What?

Why, a key of course! Not just any key, however, but a skeleton key.

  • What is a skeleton key?

A special type of key that will open any lock! This will be a glorious discovery and they will name them after me, for sure. Keys will now be known as... Finagling. Hm, no, that isn't so good. Well, no matter, I will think on it and take my petition to the Imperial Office of Copyrights later.

  • Good. Where would I get a skeleton key?


Game Feedback: He chuckles to himself.

Well, that is the problem, isn't it? We don't have one and I haven't seen any around, have you? I daresay you haven't! I think I know where one is, however.

  • You do? Where?

Years ago I visited a strange, old scholar by the name of Gregory. It was there in his study in Dalimond that I remember seeing something that, at the time, seemed out of place; something I'd never seen before. I asked him about it and he told me he had recovered it from the study of the Archmage Darkstaff, long before the mage disappeared.

  • Darkstaff?

Yes. You have heard of him, haven't you? Gregory didn't go into further detail and I did not press him as it seemed a minor matter at the time.

  • Gregory is dead, turned traitor.

He is? Well. Hm. Perhaps his study remains intact. Go there, <player>, try to gain access to his study.

  • Where is the study?

Listen to Finagle Biggletorque

Oh, hm. It was in a large building near the docks in Dalimond. Can't miss it, <player>, lots of magic and scholarly types there. Good luck!


Look for Gregory's Study in Dalimond. Hint: Finagle mentioned he was a scholar, perhaps those at the Academy of Magic might know where it was.

Game Feedback: You don't see anything that stands out as a study, maybe you should ask Richlan for its location.

Hello. What can I do for you?

  • I am looking for the study of Gregory.

Speak with Richlan about the whereabouts of Gregory's Study

He is gone, <player>, hopefully for good. Gone for some time now. The last thing he said to me was that he was leaving to seek answers. To what I do not know and now that we know the truth about him, I daresay I hope he does not return. I am sorry, <player>. No one has even stepped foot into his study since he left. You wish to? Yes, you are welcome to enter. Be sure not to disturb anything! The Mayor would probably blame me if something went missing or was broken before they discovered its purpose.

Game Feedback: Richlan grimaces.


Look around Gregory's Study for the Key of which Finagle spoke

Game Feedback: On one of the highest shelves piled among numerous objects of unknown origin and of varying shape, size, color and composition (but all well covered in dust) you find not one but two objects that Finagle described as keys. You suspect Gregory won't notice and you won't tell Richlan so you take one of them from the shelf.

Welcome back, <player>. What did you find?

  • I found this odd key.

Return to Delgarath and speak with Finagle Biggletorque about the keys

Entropy! This is an excellent find and we shall make use of it. I will take the key off your hands to study. This is very interesting. I think I might have a task for you, in the future, that will make use of this key.


Steps[edit]

  • Listen to Finagle Biggletorque
  • Look for Gregory's Study in Dalimond. Hint: Finagle mentioned he was a scholar, perhaps those at the Academy of Magic might know where it was.
  • Speak with Richlan about the whereabouts of Gregory's Study
  • Look around Gregory's Study for the Key of which Finagle spoke
    • Go upstairs to one of the bookshelves
  • Return to Delgarath and speak with Finagle Biggletorque about the keys

Rewards[edit]

  • Adventure Experience: 99000
  • Money: 30s