Dark Collusion

Difficulty:  Minimum to Survive, 140+ to solo
Level Restriction:  120+
Timer:  ?
Can be Solo'd?  Yes
Rewards:  Random Royal Runed Weapon, 15M XP, Whispering Blade promotion

Rumors speak of a foolish alliance between the Rossu Morta and the lunatics of the Order of the Raven Hand and rumors are often correct.  As a trusted member of the Whispering Blade, you have been asked to uncover proof of such an alliance and do your best to disrupt their efforts.

*NOTE!*  You must be a member of the Whispering Blade to do this quest!  That means having completed the Rebel Quest Series, the Shade Iron Attack, and Whispering Blade Chapterhouse quests.

Step 1:  Preparation.  Begin your quest in the Whispering Blade Chapterhouse outside of Ayan.  Don't forget to wear your ring to enter the portal!  Upon entering, head right to the practice range and look for Hassim.  Talk to him and he will ask you to check out an installation in the Obsidian Rim, located at 60.0S, 75.5W.  Getting to this dungeon is a royal pain - there aren't any shortcuts, so you will have to run from Ayan.  Unfortunately, you will need to run through some very rough terrain to get there and you will probably end up coming to a dead-end on several occasions.  Your other alternative is to use Aerlinthe or Caul recall and take the portal to the northern edge of the Obsidian Rim.  Run south and then southwest to get to the dungeon.  This run is quite a bit longer, but since you get into the riverbed around the Obsidian Plains, it's quite a bit easier.  Given the nature of the creatures in this area of Dereth, you should probably buff first - all protects, elemental banes, and your favorite weapon.

Step 2:  Pheraion's Sanctum.  Head into the dungeon and if you haven't buffed yet, do it now.  The dungeon isn't particularly complicated, but there is one trick to it you might miss if you aren't looking.  Go slowly through this dungeon - you'll be fighting Raven Cultists and they have a habit of vulning and then repeatedly warring you.  If you are careful and keep your enemies down to a minimum, you won't take too much damage, but if you run blindly into the next room, you could end up doing a corpse recovery.  Your general goal in this dungeon is to make your way north and down at every opportunity.  Ultimately you will find yourself on top of a slab of rock in a room full of acid - dispatch whatever enemies are left and then look below you.  There is a small walkway on the north face of the rock.  Carefully jump down onto that walkway, being sure not to go for a swim in the acid pool.  Once you are down, you will quickly come to the end of the dungeon.  Look for Diviner Pheraion and kill him.  Loot his corpse for a key and then make your way into his room, which is the farthest room to the south.  In one corner is the chest the key opens.  Loot the chest and  you will find a copy of Pheraion's Notes and a Royal Runed weapon.

Step3:  Rewards.  Return to the Whispering Blade Chapterhouse for your reward.  Give Hassim the notes and he will reward you with 15M XP and promote you (although there's no way to know you've been promoted - your promotion just opens up new quests to you).  Your other reward is the Royal Runed Weapon you found.  Hopefully you can use it, but if not, trade it to someone who can.  The Royal Runed Weapons are the strongest of the Cast-on-Strike weapons and can be especially useful to melees and archers who don't have Life Magic specialized.  Their spellcraft rating of 450 means they cast Gossamer Flesh with the same potency as a character with 450 Life Magic, which is sufficient to imperil a lot of monsters.  The Royal Wand doesn't cast on strike, but if you use the wand as an item, it casts Futility with a spellcraft of 450.  If you really need a monster magic yielded and don't have Creature Magic specialized, this wand is extremely handy.