Test of the Maestro

This old fool just doesn't understand... The contract was over last month! You don't know how that Dwarf feels about Orcs? Oh, damn...

Oh, well, believe what you will. Now leave, I am busy!

Truthfully, we were exiled from the holy land and have been living in a foreign village. The bitterest pill to swallow is that the altar of our ancestors is in the hands of our betrayers.

I have tried and failed several times to retrieve the altar which is being kept in the Cave of Trial.

This year we sent the army and not one has returned. My nephew Kamuru is among the lost... Possibly lost in the cave or killed by the monster... Anyway, if something has happened to him I won't be able to face my sister.

Let us make a bargain. Go to the Cave of Trial and find out what has happened to Kamuru. If he was killed by monsters, bring his belongings to me.

If you will do this favor for me, I'll fulfill the request of that old Dwarf! Do you understand?

The altar of our ancestors is in the Cave of Trial. It is a huge cave in an area frequented by Orcs. Our army was last seen heading there. My nephew was among them. If you search the cave, you may find the remains of my nephew. If he was killed by monsters, please bring his belongings to me.

I see. My nephew died a hero's death.

I am jealous in a way... He was so tragically young. His name will be inscribed forever in Paagrio's temple.

Now only bitter sorrow is left for this old man...

I must send reinforcements to Elder Balanki. Well done!

Thank you for letting me know of my nephew's fate! I have sent more soldiers to Elder Balanki. You may now leave safely!

The products of the Black Anvil Guild are considered the cutting edge of Dwarven Village technology. We are responsible for the renaissance of the ancient giants' technology. If I become guild master, I intend to double the pace of our technological development, and Dwarves will take a new place among the races...

So, you want a letter of recommendation. Such things do not come freely.

A mobile teleport device developed by our guild was recently stolen. We suspect Master Toma, but our guild cannot investigate directly. Meet Master Toma to find out if he has the device. If he does, get it from him and return it to me. I can show you where he is on the map you have with you... We will talk about the recommendation letter afterwards.

Five?! Did you say 5?! My dream... The future of my race... What shall I do...?

Whew... Yes… A recommendation letter, you say? OK, here you go.

I need to think, so please leave me in peace.

Get letters of recommendation from 3 Elders and take them to the First Elder.

Obviously you have the skills... But skills alone do not guarantee success.

Could you possibly do me a favor? I would like to spend the rest of my life in service to my race.

Next year is the election for the new First Elder. But that greedy Lockirin and the Steel Gate Guild are a very formidable enemy! But if I can pull this deal off, my political fortunes would rise... But...

Well, I can't go into details, but it concerns the delivery of a certain item. I don't know how the news leaked out, but it seems that every thief around here is targeting our wagon.

I have decided to hire some Guards. The Orcs are perfect for this job.

But when I tried to hire them, the Orcs staying in the town would not listen!

Do you think you can go and persuade them? The Orc Village Leader's name is Kroto or something like that. All I ask is that you extract a promise from them that they will send some of their mercenaries.

Time keeps passing, and not an Orc Village in sight! Have you met with Kroto, the leader of the Orcs? Are you taking this task seriously? If you expect to get a letter of recommendation, go and bring those Orcs to me at once!

Good deal! Well done! Those Orcs... I'm afraid to say I doubted that they would agree for a while, but here is their promise! Thank you so very much! I wish there were more Dwarves around like you! Here js the letter of recommendation that I promised. I shall make a place for you once I am First Elder. I hope we can work together again in the future...

Gather 3 letters of recommendation and go to the First Elder.

I don't mind writing you a letter of recommendation, but first you must do something for me. In anticipation of next year's First Elder election our guild is planning to construct an amazing building. Our current skills are not up to the task. We require the technology of the ancient giants! If we can secure that our dreams will become reality.

Certainly you know of the Cruma Tower? It is where the skills of the ancient giants are preserved. I have heard that a scout team from the Black Anvil Guild is there, too. They are led by a woman named Loraine or something like that... Go and obtain the technology from them. Do what you must.

Is this what I have been searching for? So I judged you correctly. Well done! Here is your letter of recommendation.

Now there is just to build our amazing building!

If you have received recommendation letters from 3 Elders, take them to First Elder Lockirin at once. The path of the Warsmith that you desire lies ahead of you!

Ah, Balanki... So proud over the success of such a small deal... He'll get a taste of his own medicine soon. He he he.

Oh! Who are you? What do you want? A letter of recommendation? Can't you see how busy I am? Go get your letter somewhere else!

Patience and dedication are essential if you intend to master a skill. You must remember this as you continue your practice. You are not yet ready for this quest.

(Artisans of level 39 and above may undertake this quest.)

The Test of the Maestro may only be taken by Artisans of a considerable level, learned through much hard training. It is not a test that can be taken by just anyone.

(Artisans of level 39 and above may undertake this quest.)

First, go and find the Elders in this building.

The First Elder cannot give recommendations. This is one way his powers are restricted. You must receive recommendations from the other 3 Elders.

Let's see, yes they are all here. I am impressed! I'm sure the other Elders are preoccupied with the upcoming election. Did you learn much from them? Many people covet this position and would like it for themselves. Many also fail to realize the deep significance it holds for all of us Dwarves. I pray that you become a perceptive and far-sighted Warsmith.

Ah, those trespassers I caught in this cave? He he he, you should have heard their screams as their limbs were torn off one by one... They didn't stop until I lopped off their heads! The one that Cursed Village the loudest escaped somehow...

But he is as good as dead. He has surely become a lovely meal for the evil eye Lord that stalks this cave. He he he...

Ha! I guess I got caught! How quick-witted you are, I thought I had been careful enough. But it was not a stealing, don't be misunderstood~! I just borrowed it for a little while to make the incomplete machine complete. By the way, if you want the machine back, please help me finish my test.

Good decision! Now, hold this machine and press this button here! If you can fly to the Dwarven Village in a blink, then it is a success! Let's try it now.

Hey... foolish! Find me if you can, you fool!

Hey! This is not fair! You have to cooperate if you want to get it. Easy man, easy--

He he he. Ho, ho... Don't be too mad. Thanks to that we now know for sure which equipment is connected to the arrival set up! Now give me back the machine, not the one that we broke just now... Tell the old man that we broke 5 of them. Take care, then.

Tell that old man that the durability was too poor, next time he'd better send something in good condition.

Let's talk about the research paper afterwards! One of the research team was poisoned by a monster in the dungeon! He managed to escape from the monster, but if he doesn't have his antidote quickly, he'll die soon! Fortunately, we can find all the materials for the antidote around here... But we are short of people!

You said you were an adventurer? We need 10 Needles of Weird Bees, 10 units of Leech's Blood, and 10 Cobwebs of Swamp Spider from the swamp area right now... Can you find these things, please? We'll talk about the research paper after we have saved my colleague.

Now! This is a copy of the research paper. I am not sure if it will be of any help to you. As you see there is not much research we can do with this small group. Moreover, we have to fight these monsters and poisonous insects... Ah! My colleague seems to have regained his consciousness. Excuse me now. Thank you very much for your help.

The research material that I gave you is everything I have. I don't have anything to add in particular...