Thrawn, the Curious
You bring me a Hunter's Permit? I assume you are already aware of our situation. We have to stop Laveris. Talk to Sygrund in the Training Pit, I'll open up the Gate of Trials and gather the other hunters in the meantime. See you at the ancient portal, comrade.
Let's do it. (Hand over the Hunter's Permit)
I'm not ready yet.
Over there, behind that gate, amongst other things, we keep dangerously powerful artifacts locked away from the world. We have accumulated quite the collection over the years. One of these artifacts might be capable of achieving exactly what we require. Quick! Talk to Sygrund and meet me over at the Ancient Portal in Hunter's Trials.
I'll meet you there.
Welcome back, comrade!
I retrieved the ingredients you asked for!
That is great! *sigh* Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse. I am afraid we weren't fast enough. While you were gone, we pinpointed the location of Laveris and his goons... or so we thought. We decided to scout out the area. Once we got there, we were greeted by a repulsive scenery. Instead of our enemies, we came across a massive rift splitting the very earth and heavens in half. Deranged and deformed beings, more hideous and twisted than any beast I have ever seen in my endlessly long lifetime, were spewing out of its cracks.
You seem to be fine. What happened?
A fierce battle ensued. It was quite the bloodbath, but we were able to fight our way up to the rift and close it off. At least temporarily. I fear Laveris has already made it to the other side. Honestly, I am somewhat overwhelmed right now. Ever since, I have been standing here and contemplating over what to do.
What a rough situation. Should we go after him? After all, I do still have a Lapis Portalis in my possession.
Go after him?! Use the Lapis Portalis ourselves?! That is an insane proposal! *takes a deep breath* You know what? *thinks* Maybe we SHOULD do that. The fate of the world depends on us! It is in times like these, where fear stains the soul, while unimaginable horrors lurk on the horizon, that one must be courageous! We, the Arkovian Hunters, have been in so many daunting and hopeless situations before and we have always ended up prevailing! And how did we prevail? By stubbornly braving the elements. By taking action! Thank you, comrade. You helped me see a path forward. There is but one caveat; one little detail that still concerns me.
Yes?
If we do use the lapis portalis to go after Laveris, then we will need to be able to stabilize its effect somehow. We cannot afford to let anything seep into our world from the other side. *lost in thought* Hah! I think I might have a solution! Over there, behind that gate, amongst other things, we keep dangerously powerful artifacts locked away from the world. We have accumulated quite the collection over the years. Only anointed members of the order are allowed to enter. One of these artifacts might be capable of achieving exactly what we require. Quick! We can't afford to waste any time. Let's head over there.
I'll meet you there.
Wait! You need to be prepared for what is coming. Go talk to Sygrund in the Training Pit behind the door to the north, he will sharpen your senses.
I'm on my way.
Where can I find an oversized rift scourge again?
I have heard rumors that a quite formidable specimen has claimed the caves in the Mountain Deeps as its territory. Maybe you should have a look around down there.
Thank you.
Where can I find a potent matriarch spider again?
I have heard rumors of a very potent matriarch spider lurking in the dark depths deep below the Shaded Basin. Maybe you should have a look around down there.
Thank you.
Welcome back, comrade!
I retrieved the ingredients you asked for!
That is great! *sigh* Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse. I am afraid we weren't fast enough. While you were gone, we pinpointed the location of Laveris and his goons... or so we thought. We decided to scout out the area. Once we got there, we were greeted by a repulsive scenery. Instead of our enemies, we came across a massive rift splitting the very earth and heavens in half. Deranged and deformed beings, more hideous and twisted than any beast I have ever seen in my endlessly long lifetime, were spewing out of its cracks.
You seem to be fine. What happened?
A fierce battle ensued. It was quite the bloodbath, but we were able to fight our way up to the rift and close it off. At least temporarily. I fear Laveris has already made it to the other side. Honestly, I am somewhat overwhelmed right now. Ever since, I have been standing here and contemplating over what to do.
What a rough situation. Should we go after him? After all, we have a Lapis Portalis now.
Go after him?! Use the Lapis Portalis ourselves?! That is an insane proposal! *takes a deep breath* You know what? *thinks* Maybe we SHOULD do that. The fate of the world depends on us! It is in times like these, where fear stains the soul, while unimaginable horrors lurk on the horizon, that one must be courageous! We, the arkovian hunters, have been in so many daunting and hopeless situations before and we have always ended up prevailing! And how did we prevail? By stubbornly braving the elements. By taking action! Thank you, comrade. You helped me see a path forwards. There is but one caveat; one little detail that still concerns me.
Yes?
If we do use the lapis portalis to go after Laveris, then we will need to be able to stabilize its effect somehow. We cannot afford to let anything seep into our world from the other side. *lost in thought* Hah! I think I might have a solution! Over there, behind that gate, amongst other things, we keep dangerously powerful artifacts locked away from the world. We have accumulated quite the collection over the years. Only anointed members of the order are allowed to enter. One of these artifacts might be capable of achieving exactly what we require. Quick! We can't afford to waste any time. Let's head over there.
Alright.
Wait! You need to be prepared for what is coming. Go talk to Sygrund in the Training Pit behind the door to the north, he will sharpen your senses.
I'm on my way.
Where can I find a volcanic titanovore?
I have heard rumors that a quite formidable specimen has been spotted lurking around west of the Infernal Wastes. Maybe you should have a look around over there.
Thank you.
Where can I find a sovereign gryphon again?
I have heard rumors of a sovereign gryphon being spotted south of the Sunward Spire. Maybe you should go and have a look around in that area.
Thank you.
If we want to engage in a fight with Laveris and end up victorious, we need to come up with a method to subdue him. "Applying" a "potion of stasis" to Laveris should work wonderfully.
Do you have one of these potions available?
I don't have one on hand... You see... In order to brew such a potion, one requires very peculiar ingredients that are annoyingly difficult to come by. The formula for this potion was developed by a witch. She was an arch-enemy of ours, that we were able to defeat a while back. We were able to salvage the formula from amongst the few possessions she left behind. Unfortunately, I am missing some of the ingredients that are required to make this potion. The ones that I would still need to get my hands on are: a prawn's claw from an oversized rift scourge and a spider fang. Importantly, it can't just be any spider fang. It has to be harvested from a potent matriarch spider! Would you be willing to hunt down these ingredients for us? In the meantime, I will put together a group of warriors to accompany us on our raid. There are some other preparations I have in mind as well...
You mean like... these?

I'll head out right away.
Where can I find an oversized rift scourge?
I have heard rumors that a quite formidable specimen has claimed the caves in the Mountain Deeps as its territory. Maybe you should have a look around down there.
Thanks for the tip! I'll be heading out now.


Where can I find a potent matriarch spider?
I've heard rumors of a very potent matriarch spider lurking in the dark depths deep below the Shaded Basin. Maybe you should have a look around down there.
How big is this matriarch spider? Is it larger than the palm of my hand?
Larger than the palm of your hand? Ha! You are quite the hilarious one. It's a large and magnificent beast. An apex predator! Bigger than a chillmane brute! Deadly as can be! *grins* Hunting it will be EXHILARATING!
Wonderful! This should be fun! I'll be heading out now!
Gross. This isn't going to work out.




Hold on. Tell me about this witch that you've taken down!
We have more pressing matters to attend to... That's a story for another time.


More fetch quests? I think someone else would be better suited for this.
If we want to engage in a fight with Laveris and end up victorious, we need to come up with a method to subdue him. "Applying" a "potion of stasis" to Laveris should work wonderfully.
Do you have one of these potions available?
I don't have one on hand... You see... In order to brew such a potion, one requires very peculiar ingredients that are annoyingly difficult to come by. The formula for this potion was developed by a witch. She was an arch-enemy of ours, that we were able to defeat a while back. We were able to salvage the formula from amongst the few possessions she left behind. Unfortunately, I am missing some of the ingredients that are required to make this potion. The ones that I would still need to get my hands on are: the feather of a sovereign gryphon and an obsidian claw. It can't just be any obsidian claw! It has to be harvested from a volcanic titanovore. Would you be willing to hunt down these ingredients for us? In the meantime, I will put together a group of warriors to accompany us on our raid. There are some other preparations I have in mind as well...
You mean like... these?

I'll head out right away.
Where can I find a volcanic titanovore?
I have heard rumors that a quite formidable specimen has been spotted lurking around west of the Infernal Wastes. Maybe you should have a look around over there.
Thanks for the tip! I'll be heading out now.


Where can I find a sovereign gryphon?
I have heard rumors of a sovereign gryphon being spotted south of the Sunward Spire. Maybe you should go and have a look around in that area.
Thanks for the tip! I'll be heading out now.


Hold on. Tell me about this witch that you've taken down!
We have more pressing matters to attend to... That's a story for another time.


More fetch quests? I think someone else would be better suited for this.
Welcome back, hunter!
I uhh, think I must've lost my loot. I'll head back to the den.
They weren't just hoarding materials... they completed a Lapis Portalis! Thankfully, I was able to snatch it and leave.
Magnificent! The fact that you were able to steal the Lapis Portalis from them is a big win for us. It has bought us a lot of time. Crucial time. However... the fact that they were already able to make a portal stone and seem very willing to use it, is very concerning. It pains me to say this, but I fear the only way forward is to take down the Architect for good. We cannot allow him to go through with whatever he is planning. It is too dangerous. We have to immediately start preparing for an all-out battle.
Then let's get to it.
If we want to engage in a fight with Laveris and end up victorious, we need to come up with a method to subdue him. I might have a solution for this, though. You see... Somewhat recently, I came across a formula for a rather powerful potion... a "potion of stasis". Anyone who consumes it will be frozen in time for a while. "Applying" this to Laveris should work wonderfully. It is a rather merciful way to restrain an individual while also being very potent.{^n}And most importantly, I am convinced Laveris won't be able to resist its effect. It is the perfect tool for the job!
Impressive! Do you have one of these potions available?

Applying? You mean... force it down his throat?
Yes. Unfortunately, we will have to force him to drink it. There are other ways to apply the potion, but I'd like to avoid those. Forcing Laveris to drink it is the least cruel option available to us... trust me.
If you say so... Are you in possession of such a potion?

That is barbaric. I don't think I am cut out for this.
Imprison him?!
We don't have any other options. He is an immortal being after all. We have to do something and imprisoning him is the most humane option we have available to us.
I see... Do you have a potion of stasis available to you?

You will have to do this without me. I can't do this.
If we want to engage in a fight with Laveris and end up victorious, we need to come up with a method to subdue him. I might have a solution for this, though. You see... Somewhat recently, I came across a formula for a rather powerful potion... a "potion of stasis". Anyone who consumes it will be frozen in time for a while. "Applying" this to Laveris should work wonderfully. It is a rather merciful way to restrain an individual while also being very potent. Additionally, I am quite sure Laveris won't be able to resist its effect. It is the perfect tool for the job!
Impressive! Do you have one of these potions available?

Applying? You mean... force it down his throat?
Yes. Unfortunately, we will have to force him to drink it. There are other ways to apply the potion, but I'd like to avoid those. Forcing Laveris to drink it is the least cruel option available to us... trust me.
If you say so... Are you in possession of such a potion?

That is barbaric. I don't think I am cut out for this.
Imprison him?!
We don't have any other options. He is an immortal being after all. We have to do something and imprisoning him is the most humane option we have available to us.
I see... Do you have a potion of stasis available to you?

You will have to do this without me. I can't do this.
It was very stressful. I encountered Laveris, the Architect.
What?! And you got out of the situation unscathed? You are more resourceful than I could have ever imagined. Consider me impressed! My curiosity is getting the better of me... I have to ask... How did you manage to escape?
Escape? I bested him in a fight! His battle prowess was surprisingly... disappointing.
You defeated Laveris? Impossible! I fear that man is more cunning than one would initially assume.
Well... our duel ended in a stalemate.
His magic probably stopped any killing blow from taking him out, but apparently you were strong enough to suppress his offense. Ha! I think I understand what happened. Impressive! I am very grateful for your commitment. Were you able to sabotage their materials as well?
They had already created a portal stone, but I was able to retrieve it!

I ran like the wind!
You just ran away? And he just let you leave? Somehow, I doubt that you are giving me the full story... but it doesn't matter. I am glad you were able to return. Were you able to sabotage their materials?
Well... They had already created a portal stone, but I was able to retrieve it!

Time is of the essence! Raid the den in Smuggler's Path.
I'm on it.
Time is of the essence! Raid the den in the Infernal Wastes.
I'm on it.
Time is of the essence, comrade.
I'm ready for your assignment now.


Welcome back, hunter!
I found these items in the ghost dens I raided.
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our wounded comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in Smuggler's Pass.
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
I found these items in the ghost dens I raided.
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our wounded comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in the Infernal Wastes.
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
I couldn't find anything of interest. Should I go back and take another look around?
Yes! Go back and pay those dens another visit. You sure haven't missed anything. We need to get to the bottom of this! I'll go into the details of our current situation later.
Will do.
Your answers have convinced me so far... I am under the impression that you'd be a good fit for the Arkovian Hunters. I don't need you to answer any more questions. Congratulations, you have passed my questions successfully! I will stay truthful to my promise and hereby anoint you to an official member of the Arkovian Hunters. Welcome aboard, comrade!
Thank you! You won't regret letting me join your order.
I don't think I will. Your values seem to align with ours and your heart seems to be in the right spot. Also... the timing of your arrival is quite ideal. We are currently in dire need of capable hands... Since you seem so motivated, why don't I put you on an assignment right away.
I am ready.
Well... I have a very straightforward task for you. One of our most capable warriors has been heavily wounded while raiding a den. We were able to get our comrade back to our hideout and get her the first-aid she needed, but as a result our numbers are stretched rather thin. I would be very thankful if you could fill in and take over what she was investigating. I am convinced she was on to something important.
What was her task?
We found a letter in the Architect's handwriting. It indicated he and his lackeys had made a breakthrough discovery and talked about stashing their findings. We don't exactly know what they found but were able to locate where they are intending to stash whatever they unearthed! The dens you raided were amongst the referenced locations. Did you happen to come across any peculiar items or materials?
I found these items in the ghost dens I raided.
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in Smuggler's Pass.
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
I found these items in the ghost dens I raided.
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in the Infernal Wastes.
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
I couldn't find anything of interest. Should I go back and take another look around?
Yes! Go back and pay those dens another visit. You sure haven't missed anything. We need to get to the bottom of this! I'll go into the details of our current situation later.
Will do.
Can I ask you some questions first?
What would you like to know, comrade.
Who is the Architect of Destruction?
He is one of the founders of our order, I'm afraid.
What? What happened?
I guess you deserve to know the full truth after all... fine. After the curse was cast upon our people we had to try hard to keep our sanity, keep control over our bodies and minds, which, as you can imagine, is not an easy task in this ghastly form that we are in now. The Architect started to dislike the body and mind training methods I came up with that, as you can see, were very successful.
They were successful... I guess?
They are! How else would I be able to have a conversation with you right now.

What kind of training methods?
Those won't concern you in your current mortal form.
Alright, go on then.
The Architect made some rather rash and concerning moves. I fear he is straying off the righteous path. Recently, he rounded up his most trusted followers, laughingly announced he was going on an "adventure" and made off with his closest subordinates. Ever since then, we haven't heard from him. His demeanor while leaving and the abrupt nature of the whole thing was discomforting. I'm not sure how much longer his sanity will last.
I see. I have more questions.

What's up with all the ghost dens popping up in the world?
They are the work of the followers of the Architect of Destruction. We sent out some of our comrades to investigate and their experiences have been... to put it frankly... disturbing. Not too long after Laveris left, his followers began digging out dens all over the place and started acting up. "Followers" is a nice way to phrase it... they seem to be going mad.
Going mad?
It is impossible to start a conversation with any of them. If approached they mumble incoherently and aggressively attack. Some of them are even swarming out and actively causing havoc! Additionally, he seems to be actively recruiting new members... Although I don't understand from where... They seem to be searching for something and do not care who comes to harm along the way. The list of horrible deeds they have committed is growing ever longer...
How bad is it?
Fighting and harming our comrades, abducting seemingly innocent people and interrogating them with... gruesome methods... and, shockingly, digging up graves are just the tip of the iceberg. One might come to think they are possessed by something. Although, we don't have any evidence to confirm that... Their actions started off seemingly harmless, but have gotten more and more extreme by the day. My old comrades are unrecognizable. At this point they make a very desperate impression.
I have more questions.

We should act quickly! How can I help?

I found these items in the ghost dens I raided, do you have any idea what they are?
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our wounded comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in Smuggler's Pass.
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
I found these items in the ghost dens I raided, do you have any idea what they are?
By the gods! You have struck a goldmine of information! This sketch is a blueprint for a "Lapis Portalis". It is based on the technology of an old and forgotten kingdom. It can be used to venture to distant places... possibly even other planes of existence! I thought this knowledge had been forever lost. What an amazing discovery!
You seem rather excited about this? Is The Architect actually on to something here?
*ahem* Forgive me... My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me and I get excited by such extraordinary finds... no matter the context. Truthfully, it would have been better if this had never seen the light of day again. There are some records of people using such devices to venture outside of our realm, but none of those stories conclude in a happy ending. I don't even want to contemplate what could happen if The Architect gains access to one of these. The scale of calamities he might end up unleashing by using this technology is unpredictable. His hubris has the potential to end up ripping our world apart!
That is a troubling thought.
The Architect and his goons are most likely hoarding materials to craft a "Lapis Portalis" in the den that our wounded comrade was trying to infiltrate. We need to act quickly and intervene. Go and raid the Ghost Den in the Infernal Wastes
I'm on it.
I need some time to take all of this in.
No feast? No ceremony? That is rather anticlimactic...
*smirks* Welcoming a new member to our order does usually involve having a feast. That is true! Unfortunately, given the circumstances, we will have to postpone that to a later date. You see, we are currently in quite the predicament. I hope you don't mind saving the festivities for later. In fact... it would be ideal if I could put you to work right away.


Are you ready for my questions?
Yes,
Well then... let us begin! The first question is:{^n}{^n}What is the main purpose of the Order of the Arkovian Hunt?
To hunt down and capture a specimen of every beast in this world.
*sighs* This is what we used to be before the curse of immortality was cast over all of us. If we ever find ourselves in more peaceful times, we could return to our original purpose. I still have this dusty hunting catalog and had always dreamed of setting up a menagerie.... hmmm...
So do I pass the question?
No, your answer is wrong! Go back to your studies.
Uhm, okay.
To watch over and protect this world from evil.
That was never our purpose, but simply how Arkovia's nobility saw us. Protecting the Arkovian people from the monsters and beasts of this world. Your answer is wrong.
Maybe I am an Arkovian noble.
Don't be ridiculous, back to your studies!
Ok.
To get rid of the arkovian curse in a collaborative effort.
Correct! Originally we were the empire's finest hunters. We tracked down the most formidable and menacing beasts across the arkovian lands and proceeded to eliminate or capture them. It was an exciting and fulfilling way of life. The empire's nobility perceived us as protectors from monsters and beasts alike. In reality, warding off dangerous threats was just a convenient side-effect of our day-to-day life... The real reason most of us became hunters was because at some point in our lives we had experienced the thrill of the hunt. The sensation of taking down the most savage creatures that walk amongst us is intoxicating. *grins* Anyone who has experienced it, always, inevitably, will desire more. *sigh* This changed drastically once Uroboruuk's curse had us in its grip. Our strength made us the only Arkovians who were able to retain their sanity, while under the influence of this disdainful magic. As such, it became our duty to right the wrongs of our people. Ideally, one day, we will figure out how to get rid of the curse entirely. Our story has turned into a redemption arc.
I'm ready for the next question.
What character trait is most important for an Arkovian Hunter?
Empathy.
Wrong. This world is not some peaceful dreamland fairytale. This is reality. There is time for compassion, but, more often than not, a hunter needs to stay strong and stoic. You must never forget that we have very important duties and it is essential that we fulfill them. We have to be careful. We cannot afford to get too attached to small and inconsequential worldly matters. Becoming emotionally attached to others might hinder a hunter's ability to carry out an assignment. Back to your studies.
I see.
Humility.
Correct! An Arkovian Hunter should be humble. Being able to admit flaws in oneself is an important part of self-improvement. We need to be powerful to fulfill our duties. We cannot have a comrade rush into combat and perish, because they were not able to admit their own shortcomings.
Let's move on to the next question.

Courage.
Wrong. I see you think Sygrund is everyone's idol? Don't get me wrong, he is a great hunter and also your bravery will be tested. There will be critical moments where you cannot afford to turn and run. However, overall, nobody cares if you are brave or not while working on an assignment. We are hunters, not actors. Being capable of achieving results is a crucial part of being an Arkovian Hunter. Concerns about how others perceive you should not influence your actions.
I see.
Integrity.
Wrong. Integrity is important. Deceitfulness is to be avoided, but sometimes a hunter needs to have a trick up their sleeve to lure their prey into the trap they have laid. Given the gravity and the scope of our responsibilities it is sometimes required to act in more morally ambiguous ways to guarantee success. Being uncompromisingly truthful, at all times, is a beautiful character trait to strive for, but the role we play in this world is too important. We cannot always afford to be so virtuous. This reality is quite the dark one and sometimes we are forced to act accordingly.
I see.
Precision.
Wrong. I assume you have seen, or at least heard of, Cyrrah's hunting techniques. Being precise is useful, but not required to be a good hunter. With proper foresight and planning you can easily compensate for a lack of precision. If you struggle to deal the finishing blow consistently, set up situations where you give yourself multiple opportunities to deliver the knockout punch without exposing yourself to counterattacks. Go back to your studies.
I see.
Curiosity.
Ha! Trying to get on my good side by referencing my nickname?! Nice try. Most call me "the Curious" and I might happen to be this order's leader, but it is not the most important trait a hunter should have. Go back to your studies.
I see.
To coach individuals to be the strongest they can be.
Wrong. We are not a boot camp! We train each other in several disciplines to make each individual member as strong as possible. Being powerful is very useful and grants agency. It lets us have an impact in this world. However, it is not our main purpose.
So a boot camp with extra steps?
You clearly haven't studied our ways enough. Come back when you are ready for my questions.
Ok.
Actually, I need more time to prepare.
An outsider? I see Silent N brought you here. What is going on? Outsiders are not permitted here.
I've been helping Silent N deal with your current dilemma, so he'll surely vouch for me. What's going on?
Oh really? Nice to meet you then, I guess. I am Thrawn, the current leader of our order, the Arkovian Hunters. We could use a helping hand but I am afraid I simply cannot, under any circumstances, share information about our current ventures with someone who is not an anointed Hunter.
What if I join your order?
Hmmm... It is tradition to partake in a rather difficult initiation trial, if one wishes to become an Arkovian Hunter. We currently do not have the time or the means to set up such a trial. However... the fact that you have been brought here by one of my trusted comrades has me intrigued. I am willing to compromise. I will ask you a couple of questions. If you manage to answer all of them correctly, I will officially anoint you as a member of our order.
Of course, let's do it.

What are these questions about?
Oh! Are you analyzing your probability of success? Trying to find hints and clues to work off of? Making sure nothing can foil your plans? Well... Some would be put off by this behavior, but in my eyes you are already making a good impression. Evaluating and considering options before taking action is an important skill in our line of work. I will ask some questions about our traditions and our values. This should be enough to figure out if you are a good fit for us.
That seems reasonable. Let's get started.


I'd rather go fight something to prove my worth!
Ha! All brawn... no brain? We are all rather skilled fighters... but that is not enough to become an Arkovian Hunter. Maybe you should take some time to rethink your approach to life.
I get it. I will take on your questions.

I am who I am. I like bonking things. I don't care to answer your questions.
An outsider? I see Ricardio brought you here. What is going on? Outsiders are not permitted here.
I've been helping Ricardio deal with your current dilemma, so he'll surely vouch for me. What's going on?
