Claude's Mind

Difficulty:  120+ to survive
Level Restriction:  None
Timer:  13 Days
Can be Solo'd?  No
Rewards:  XP, Luminance, Visage of the Shadow Virindi mask, Mana Forge Key

Claude the Virindi Archmage of Ayan has finally returned, but he's come back as a Shadow-touched Virindi.  His 'podmate' Leopold is worried about him and would like you to investigate what's happened to Claude during the months he's been gone.

*NOTE!*  There are a couple unique features to this quest.  First of all, if you die, you won't leave a corpse behind, but you will get vitae.  Second, you have a limited time to complete the quest.  You have an hour to defeat the end boss, so you need to be as fast as possible!  If time expires before you complete the quest, your fellow will be teleported out.

Step 1:  Preparation.  This quest really only works with one fellowship at a time, so it's not a great idea to try this with a very large group.  Aside from gathering a solid fellowship, you will need to do a couple things as the quest leader.  First, head to the northern plains of Marae Lassel and look for plants called Atuakeh.  They spawn pretty frequently on the ground, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding them.  You need one, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to find a second.  When you find one, you will need to have a skilled alchemist grind it with a mortar and pestle.  The skill check is fairly high, so plan accordingly.  Next, you will need to copy down some information.  Refer to a map created by the good people at ACVault, located HERE.  Printing it out wouldn't be a bad idea, or you can just copy the names and locations.  You will need to refer to this image during combat, so I wouldn't recommend alt-tabbing or you run the risk of dying.

Step 2:  Shadow Virindi Essence.  This next step you can also do alone in preparation for the quest.  You will need to head to the Artifex Collegium on the Singularity Caul.  This dungeon is located just west of Isin Dule's shadow spire, at 91.9S, 93.7W.  You will be fighting Telumiat Hollow Minions, Virindi Desecrators, and a stray Virindi Quidiox (who you can just run past), so break out your slashing weapon.  When you enter, hug the left wall.  Follow the path - it's linear - and you will eventually reach a Paradox-style boss Virindi.  Dispatch his friends, then work on him.  When he dies, you'll find his corpse full of Shadow Virindi Essence.  Loot them all - they aren't attuned and there isn't a timer.  Recall out and get your group together.

Step 3:  Claude's Nightmare.  Get your group together and head to Aun Kelauri, who lives in the North Ahurenga Plains.  Start in Holtburg, then take the Redspire portal, then follow the road to the west until you find a portal to the Plains.  Then run east to Aun Kelauri's tent, located at 53.4N, 79.0W.  When your group arrives, buff up.  Physical banes, all protects, and either a fire or slash render will work well.  When you are ready, turn in the ground Atuakeh plant and you will be teleported into a dungeon.  It's pitch black except for a glowing purple fog.  Inside are plenty of nasty monsters, but I would recommend that you leave your group at the drop and do this step alone.  Your goal in this section is to find Claude the Archmage, who is at the end of a long stretch of corridor.  Unfortunately, there really isn't a simple way to find him unless you are running the Minimap plugin.  Do your best to hug the left wall - you will come to several dead ends along the way.  Don't fight - just run.  When you reach him, hand him one of your Virindi Essences and he will teleport your whole group to the next section.

Step 4:  Virindi Values.  You will find yourself in a large room with another Claude NPC.  Go talk to him and have your group stand near him.  Shortly after you talk to him, Virindi will appear.  Kill them and they will drop what look like portal gems on the ground.  There are 5 different types - Stasis, Order, Conformity, Loyalty, and Selflessness.  While everyone else fights, you should loot these from the ground.  Once you have one of each, hand them to the Claude NPC.  When he receives the 5th one, he will teleport you into the next section.

Step 5:  Ulgrim and Ayan.  You will find yourself standing by a phantom Lifestone (you can't use it), a Claude NPC, and a good number of shadowy Virindi-shaped NPCs called "Human".  This part is quite difficult and if you botch the quest, it will likely be here.  As soon as you arrive, a wave of Virindi will attack you.  Amusingly, they are all called Ulgrim.  When each dies, it will drop Mana Applesauce (annoying) and another portal gem-shaped object.  Each gem has a name on it - one of the residents of Ayan.  You will need to hand the correct gem to every Human NPC to proceed.  Refer to your map!  Be aware that you enter by the north end of town, so you will be facing the south.  Go as fast as you can, leaving the fighting to your fellowship.  Save the Claude gem for last - once you have given each NPC (except Claude) his gem, turn Claude's in and you will be portalled into the next section. 

Step 6:  Claude's Origins.  The next two phases of the quest are particularly fun.  Head into the middle of the next room and wait.  Soon you will witness a meeting between the Dericost Undead (Aerfalle and the Steward of Chalicmere), Asheron, Isin Dule, and Claude that happened just before the Hopeslayer was freed.  Enjoy Claude's memories of the meeting, but be prepared!  Historically the meeting ended when shadows loyal to the Hopeslayer attacked, killing one of the Undead.  You will be in the line of fire too, so get out your Shadowfire weapon (or render) and fight off the Shadows.  When you have dispatched all of them, Claude will summon a portal into the recent past, where you will see the terrifying true form of Aerbax, the Virindi experimenter.  He will attack you, but all you need to do is stay alive for a few seconds, as he will also teleport you into the final battle.

Step 7:  Dark Claude.  Once Aerbax teleports you, you will find yourself in a large room.  Leave your group at the drop point and have them all use dispel gems or spells.  If you don't dispel whatever debuffs you have left from the Shadow fight, you will die in short order.  In the mean time, you should run straight ahead and find another Claude NPC.  Talk to him and several Dark Claude Virindi will spawn.  Although there are several Dark Claudes, you only need to kill one, so your best bet is to pull one from maximum range and then have everyone focus on that one alone.  The Dark Claudes have very strong magic, so be very careful.  When he dies, loot the corpse for shadowy shards.  Everyone will need one.  Now it's time to head back to Leopold for your reward.

Step 8:  Rewards.  Return your trophy to Leopold and he will grant you a solid chunk of XP (which does not cap, by the way), 20,000 Luminance, and a Visage of the Shadow Virindi mask, which casts Major Focus among other things.  Although it's only base AL 180, it casts a spell that adds 500 points to its buffed AL, making it a solid choice if you need Major Focus.  If you don't want the mask, turn it back in for about half as much XP as you got for the quest. 

New for the September 2008 patch is an additional reward - a Mana Forge key, which will allow you to open the mana forge chests in the capital cities once!