The Origins of Madness: A Moment's Peace

The Origins of Madness: A Moment's Peace

Year

1327 AE

Storyline

Living World Season 1

Chapter

The Origins of Madness

Location

Sanctum Harbor
(Lion's Arch)

Level

2–80

Preceded by

The Origins of Madness

Followed by

Scarlet's Secret Lair

Click to enlarge

The Origins of Madness: A Moment's Peace is a Living World story instance as part of The Origins of Madness release. To enter the instance, the character must participate in the fight with the Twisted Marionette. The instance is repeatable, however the map marker and the sparkling star will not be visible at the entrance after the first visit.

Objectives

• part of The Origins of Madness
  • Speak with Scholar Ela Makkay.
  • Optional: Catch up with Rox.
  • Optional: Catch up with Braham, Logan and Taimi.
  • Optional: Catch up with Marjory and Kasmeer.

Walkthrough

This instance only consists of dialogues. Talk to Ela Makkay until she mentions Scarlet's lair. Participating in the rest of the instance is optional.

NPCs

Allies

Asura

• Taimi

Charr

• Blood Legion Soldier
• Rox
• Rytlock Brimstone

Devourers

• Frostbite

Humans

• Kasmeer Meade
• Logan Thackeray
• Marjory Delaqua
• Scholar Ela Makkay

Norn

• Braham Eirsson

Quaggans

• Bloomanoo
• Peneloopee

Dialogue

Scholar Ela Makkay beckons to <character name>.

Speaking with Ela Makkay

(If in Durmand Priory)

Good to see you. I've been instructed to make sure everyone in the Priory is up to date with current knowledge surrounding Scarlet. Do you have a few minutes right now?

(Otherwise)

Sure. I'm listening.

Hi. The Durmand Priory is warning and informing people about the sylvari outlaw Scarlet Briar. Would you like to learn more about her and her history?

Yes, please.

The biggest news is that we've identified the location of one Scarlet's labs. And, would you believe it's been right under the Durmand Priory the whole time?

You're joking.

No. It's right in Lornar's Pass. You're going to want to see this for yourself.

What can you tell me about Scarlet Briar?

Our finest scholars have approved the following information, though as always, we may not yet have the full story. In her early years, Scarlet showed an insatiable desire for knowledge.

Go on.

She traveled from mentor to mentor, soaking up what knowledge she could from each–an admirable pursuit, I'm sure you'll agree. Unfortunately, she went astray when she lost her moral compass.

Go on.

She dabbled in knowledge that would have damaged the minds of even our most stalwart researchers. Combining magic and engineering, she looked beyond our world.

Go on.

What she saw in those greater workings broke her mind. Thus, she murdered her mentor and began her assault on Tyria. First, she explored an alliance between Flame Legion charr and dredge.

Go on.

This alliance provided her and her allies with weaponry they'd never have developed on their own. They combined Flame magic with the earth element skills of the dredge. Fire and earth.

I see.

Scarlet is preparing a well-balanced army. Elementalists must surely have noticed her use of all the elements.

Go on.

Next, she enticed airship pirates to join with Inquest. The pirates had been working on an airship design, but it didn't become viable until Inquest magic was added to the mix. Air.

Go on.

We suspect that she has always been fascinated with asuran portal magitech, and she succeeded in taking it to a whole new level. She used this to assault the Queen's Jubilee.

Go on.

She took the queen's watchwork sentinels and created horrors of them, warping them to her own purposes. This is her pattern. She steals the knowledge of others, then twists it.

Go on.

Her latest victory was convincing krait to work with Nightmare courtiers. We have confirmed that she held one of their sacred icons over their heads to get them to do so. Water.

Go on.

The result was a plant so toxic that it has all but destroyed beautiful Kessex Hills, and now, she has the toxin from it. We're trying to guess how she will use that toxin but have little to go on.

Go on.

She guards her motives closely, though if we knew them, we could perhaps her next move. I hesitate to mention the theories, because I do not know which is the truth.

Go on.

Some believe it's a lark. A few suggest that her ultimate target is the dragons. More say she's working for the dragons. Still others believe she has a maniacal desire to rule the world.

Go on.

I honestly don't know, but I have a bad feeling it won't be long before we find out. You be careful out there. There's a dark cloud hanging over us all.

I will. You too.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Good to know.

Maybe later.

Dialogue between Rox and Rytlock

Rytlock Brimstone: Soldier! Report! Where's my Tequatl tail?

Rox: Back where I'm bunking, sir! I'll go get it immediately.

Rytlock Brimstone: Wait. You took down Tequatl.

Rox: As reported, sir. I sent you a missive requesting an audience.

Rytlock Brimstone: Hm. Been busy. But I'm here now.

Rox: Should I go get the tail and bring it to you, Tribune?

Rytlock Brimstone: No. I don't need a slab of decaying meat.

Rox: But I...I've been hauling it around for weeks.

Rytlock Brimstone: Ooh. I bet that smell sticks to your gear.

Rox: It does.

Rytlock Brimstone: I've been hearing about this Scarlet sylvari. You know anything about her?

Rox: She's building an army, sir. She's the one behind the Molten Alliance.

Rytlock Brimstone: So I heard. I want you to take her down, permanently. Whatever the cost. You do that, Rox, and you're in the warband.

Rox: What? I, uh...

Rytlock Brimstone: I need to repeat myself?

Rox: No, Tribune! Consider her dead!

Rytlock Brimstone: Report to me when it's done. And, um...Rox? Be careful.

Rox: Will do, sir!

Dialogue between Rox and Braham

Braham Eirsson: Rox, your devourer–

Rox: Chewed on your axe handle. I know. Sorry.

Rox: Listen. You won't believe what Rytlock just said. If I kill Scarlet, I'm in the warband. Definitely.

Braham Eirsson: Oh. I see.

Rox: What's the matter? I thought you'd be happy for me.

Braham Eirsson: I just don't understand why you need some warband you don't even know.

Braham Eirsson: I mean, you've got me. And we've got a team of our own. Look around. They're all here, with you.

Rox: It's a charr thing. You wouldn't understand.

Braham Eirsson: A charr thing? You'd rather be in your fancy warband than with people who've been beside you all this time?

Rox: That's not what I said. It's a big deal to get into the Stone warband.

Braham Eirsson: Why? Because it'll make you special? You're already special. At least, to me.

Rox: (sigh) You'll still see me after I get in.

Braham Eirsson: Uh huh.

Rox: You will. Sometimes.

Rox: Braham? Braham! We have to talk about it sooner or later.

Braham Eirsson: I have to go clean my gear.

Rox: Braham! (growl)

Dialogue between Braham, Logan and Taimi

Taimi: Braham! There you are.

Logan Thackeray: Somebody care to tell me why this child was on the battlefield?

Braham Eirsson: Hey! I'm not a child!

Logan Thackeray: Not you. This asuran girl. I found her out there, trying to get to Scarlet's twisted marionette. Who does she belong to?

Braham Eirsson: Oh. Her.

Taimi: Help! Help! Save me from this creepy human!

Logan Thackeray: It's okay. I'm a Krytan Seraph. The kid's in no danger.

Taimi: Braham! Don't let him take me away! Please!

Logan Thackeray: Are you her guardian?

Braham Eirsson: Who me? Wolf's teeth, no! I've never seen her before in my life.

Taimi: Braham, you're so mean. Can't we just go home now?

Logan Thackeray: Listen, buddy. I don't know what your game is, but you better get this kid to safety. She's got no business on a battlefield.

Braham Eirsson: What? I swear I've never seen her before in my life.

Braham Eirsson: Hey! Where's he going? You're not my responsibility!

Taimi: It's okay, Braham. You can take me home now. I live in Rata Sum.

Braham Eirsson: Huh? What?

Taimi: Where do you live? Maybe we could go there instead.

Braham Eirsson: No. You found your way here. You can find your way back.

Taimi: Fine! Here I go. By myself. Off into the big city. You'll probably never see me again, Braham.

Braham Eirsson: Good luck, kid.

Dialogue between Marjory, Logan and Taimi

Logan Thackeray: Marjory, a word please.

Marjory Delaqua: I'll be right back, Kas.

Logan Thackeray: Is Lady Kasmeer okay?

Marjory Delaqua: Yeah. She'll be fine. It's just been a rough day. Did you see that twisted marionette?

Logan Thackeray: I did. And, I heard there are jungle wurms erupting from the ground in Bloodtide Coast.

Taimi: That's because they're disturbed by Scarlet's seeking devices.

Logan Thackeray: I thought your norn was taking you home.

Taimi: He is. He just doesn't know it yet.

Logan Thackeray: What does a little squirt like you know about Scarlet, anyway?

Taimi: As it so happens, I know a lot. I've been studying her for months. I came to meet her, but she didn't show up.

Marjory Delaqua: To meet her? Why would you want to do that?

Taimi: Because she's brilliant, of course. My theory is that she knows something about the dragons, and that's why she's building an army.

Logan Thackeray: Your theory, huh? You don't think she's just a big ol' meany?

Taimi: Do you always talk like a four-year-old?

Marjory Delaqua: Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something. You wouldn't know anyone who goes by the initial E, would you? Just E?

Logan Thackeray: E? No. Why?

Marjory Delaqua: No reason. Just eliminating possibilities. How's the queen?

Logan Thackeray: I wouldn't know. The Shining Blade have her so tightly wrapped up, I can't even get near her.

Marjory Delaqua: Well, at least she's safe.

Dialogue between Kasmeer and Marjory

Marjory Delaqua: Hey. What's wrong? You've been unusually quiet today.

Kasmeer Meade: (sigh) It's my father's birthday. He'd have been forty-five today.

Marjory Delaqua: I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?

Kasmeer Meade: I just miss him. He didn't deserve to die like that...like a rat in a cage.

Marjory Delaqua: Why was he in jail?

Kasmeer Meade: He was in debtor's prison. It's not what you think. He was a good father.

Marjory Delaqua: How did he get into debt?

Kasmeer Meade: My brother, Kyle, liked to gamble. He lost a lot. My father loved him, and he used family money to bail him out.

Kasmeer Meade: They were going to kill Kyle.

Marjory Delaqua: So then your father couldn't pay his own bills.

Kasmeer Meade: That's right. So they took everything we had left, and they put him in prison.

Marjory Delaqua: That's why you were looking for a job.

Kasmeer Meade: And you hired me. I'll never forget how you saved me that day, Jory.

Marjory Delaqua: I had no idea your situation was so...dark.

Marjory Delaqua: He died in prison?

Kasmeer Meade: Uh-huh. A nobleman in debtor's prison... Well, you can imagine what they...thought of him there.

Kasmeer Meade: I visited him as often as I could, but he hated me seeing him like that.

Kasmeer Meade: And then he was just gone.

Marjory Delaqua: It must have been terrifying for you when they arrested your father.

Kasmeer Meade: I'd been with my tutor, working on staff spells, and when I got home, they were there.

Kasmeer Meade: They had him in chains, and they wouldn't let me speak to him.

Kasmeer Meade: They wouldn't let me...do anything. They seized the house and were taking all our things.

Marjory Delaqua: I'm so sorry.

Kasmeer Meade: The guard in charge took pity on me, I think. He told me I could take one item from the house.

Kasmeer Meade: But I had to decide right then. One thing...from all my belongings, my family's heritage.

Kasmeer Meade: He said, "You better choose carefully. It's all you're ever getting back."

Kasmeer Meade: I could have taken one of my mother's necklaces or a valuable piece of art, but he was adamant. Only one thing.

Marjory Delaqua: What did you take?

Kasmeer Meade: I took the stuffed bear my father had given me... (sob)

Marjory Delaqua: Oh, Kas. Shhhh. It's okay.

Marjory Delaqua: Listen, honey. Why don't you stay with me tonight? You shouldn't be alone.

Kasmeer Meade: I'm afraid I'll never want to leave.

Marjory Delaqua: I won't let you.

Speaking with Kasmeer

(if ???)

May I help you?

Perhaps I am. It's my father's birthday, and he's not here with me.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I doubt it.

(Otherwise)

Hi. Don't mind me. I'm in a foul mood today.

Is something wrong?

It's my late father's birthday. I miss him.

How did he die?

I'm ashamed to say, but since it's you, I guess it's okay. He was stabbed while in debtor's prison, paying the price for my brother's foolishness.

Your brother?

Kyle. He lost all his money and more gambling with criminals in Lion's Arch. My father spent our entire fortune to pay them off so they wouldn't kill him.

Who put your father in prison?

The Ministry Guard came to the house and took him away, along with all our belonging. Now, a minister lives there.

They took everything?

They let me keep what I was carrying and wearing, which meant I was able to keep my staff. It had been in my family for generations, on my mother's side. All else was lost–except the stuffed bear.

I see.

I see.

I see.

I see.

I see.

I see.

Speaking with Marjory

(if ???)

Hi there. You from around here?

No. Are you?

I'm from Divinity's Reach. We're here 'cause Scarlet is. We're her archenemies.

Me too. We should work together.

Maybe.

(Otherwise)

Hello, cutie. What's the plan?

Now, we find a way to corner Scarlet.

How do you recommend we do that? We don't know anything about her.

Then we learn everything we can.

All right. I'll put out feelers with what friends I have left at the Ministry and around Divinity's Reach. Maybe someone knows something.

I see.

I see.

I see.

Speaking with Rox

(if ???)

Hey. You look like you've been traveling. Got any stories to tell?

I got one about a killer jungle wurm. (if ???)^{[verification requested]}

Yeah? Were you out in Bloodtide Coast? I heard they had an outbreak there. Were they tough to take down?

That's an understatement.

I heard there are several too. In different locations. It seems odd that they're occurring simultaneously with Scarlet's attacking marionette.

Scarlet's marionette? Where's that?

In Lornar's Pass, southeast of Lion's Arch. If you haven't been out there, you should go. My friend Braham and I are heading that way too. We'll see you there.

See you.

This'll be interesting.

Not for me.

(Otherwise)

You see that metal human with the enormous...yeah. Dangerous. So, what're we going to do about Scarlet?

We're going to find her.

Sounds good to me. How?

First, we have to learn everything we can about her.

I know she apprenticed with an Iron Legion blacksmith named Asagai. She was ancient at the time, though, and no one has seen her for some time. My guess is she went out for her final patrol.

Final patrol?

It's when an aging or badly mutilated soldier knows she's going to die soon. She goes out for one final patrol so she can die in battle, defending what she loves. It's an honorable path.

So why's Braham mad at you?

I see.

I see.

I see.

So why's Braham mad at you? (if ???)

(If charr)

He doesn't understand why I want to join the Stone warband. He sees it as a betrayal. He doesn't get what an honor it is. You know?

I see.

(Otherwise)

He doesn't want me to join the Stone warband. He thinks he'll never see me again.

Will we? See you again, I mean?

I'll be busy, sure. They'll have missions and tasks for me. But I'll be able to take leave sometimes to visit. And if you need help, I'll be there if I can.

If you can?

Well…I can't predict where I'll be or what I'll be doing. You know? I can't...promise.

I see.

I see.

I see.

You fought Tequatl by yourself?

Oh, cinders, no. There was a small army there. I just nabbed a piece of its tail. Others hacked into the rest.

Got it.

Let's put an end to it.

Speaking with Peneloopee

Teehee. You and quaggans are free and alive! Come and play with quaggans!

Are you happy?

Quaggan has found true love. Quaggan is focusing on the silver lining. That nasty sylvari can't take that away from quaggan too.

I like your attitude.

In a minute.

Speaking with Bloomanoo

Hoo. Friend or foe?

Friend.

GooOOood. Quaggans are new here, so friends are welcomed. Quaggans came from Kessex Hills. Toxic krait and Nightmare Court destroyed the lake quaggans called home.

Hang in there.

Never mind.

Speaking with Braham

(if ???)

Hi. What's up?

I was wondering what you know about Scarlet Briar.

I know she's dangerous and getting worse every time we encounter her. If we could figure out where she's going to strike next, we could get there ahead of her.

Good point. So, what's with your little friend there? (same as "So, what's going on with you and your little friend?")

Later.

(Otherwise)

I'm still stirred up by that fight. You?

Yeah! I could go again.

See? That's why you and me are friends. We're the ones should be doing something about Scarlet. What's the plan?

For now, we gather information.

Makes sense. If we could figure out where she's gonna strike next, we could get ahead of her. She's been one step ahead of us all along.

Are you mad at Rox?

No...maybe. She wants to go off and be in the Stone warband, but if she does, we'll never see her again. I just don't get it.

It's her decision to make.

Why does she want to go be with a tribune who has no time for her and a bunch of old, crusty soldiers who don't know her?

So, what's going on with you and your little friend?

My little...oh, the asuran ragamuffin? I've never seen her before, She must have heard Rox say my name. She tricked that Seraph into thinking I was her guardian.

You're not?

No. I've never seen her before. She's not my...aw crud. Not you too. All right. I'll make sure she gets home safe. But just this once.

You're a good friend.

She's not my friend.

Uh-huh.'

Later.'

No idea.

(If charr)

It's a charr thing.

That's what she said. But is it a charr thing to leave your friends to go be with people you don't know? I don't think so.

So, what's going on with you and your little friend?

I wouldn't hold your breath.

She's made her decision.

Later.

Later.

Speaking with Taimi

Hi hi hi. Are you a friend of Braham's? I am. Or rather, I will be. Soon.

(If asura)

Progeny, do your teachers know you're out here? What college are you in?

Absolutely. You needn't worry. I'm in the college of Synergetics. I'm performing important field experiments.

So Zojja approves of your field experiments?

Ask her. I wouldn't dare to speak for her. I know you. You're the Snaff Prize winner. <Character name>. Your entry was impressive. I'd love to learn how you did it sometime.

Maybe later.

Good luck.

(Otherwise)

Where are you from?

I'm from Rata Sum. It's a city in the southwest of Metrica Province. All the asura live there. You do realize I'm an asura, right?

Of course.

Phew. I thought maybe you were one of those slow <character race>. The smart ones are so rare, really. I wouldn't have blamed you. Hey! What's your name?

<Character name>.

Zap! Nice name. I'm Taimi.

Did I hear right? You're curious about Scarlet?

Most definitely. She's sparky. I drool when I think about everything she could teach me. Have you seen her mechamagical creations? Alchemagical bonanza!

She'd kill you without a second thought.

Me? Inconceivable. She'd recognize my potential and would mold me into her favorite assistant. Then, I'd learn more than her, and I'd surpass her. She'd die old and sad, but I'd be amazing!

Uh-huh. Just be careful.

I have other things to do.

I have other things to do.

Not your business.

I'll leave now.

Good luck.

Speaking with Rytlock

(If charr)

You're a long way from home.

I could say the same about you.

I'm out here hunting information on this sylvari everyone's panicking about. You know anything?

I know we're lucky she hasn't hit the Citadel yet.

And I know you're NOT saying we couldn't crush her into sylvari juice if she tried. What can one little plant thing do to a city full of Legion soldier?

So, when you gonna let Rox in your warband? (same as "I'm a friend of Rox's.")

Let's hope we never find out.

Later.

Not for long. See you later.

(Otherwise)

Yeah? What do you want?

I'm a friend of Rox's.

She got you spying for her? Soon, I can tell you that. One more successful mission and she's in. The others are looking forward to having someone new to harass.

You've been tough on her.

It takes the hottest fire to make the hardest iron. I need to know, before I entrust her with my warband's lives, that she can hold her own. She sure don't need you protection.

I know she doesn't. But, she's a friend.

I see.

Never mind.

Speaking with Logan

What can I do for you?

Heard you know Rytlock Brimstone.

Yeah, I know him. Why do you ask?

I'm curious what his warband is like.

Truth is, I've never met his warband. They've been together for so long, they don't adventure together anymore. Not like guilds do. Every one of them is an officer in the legions, I believe.

So they're all politicians?

Soldiers. Military officers who take their duties quite seriously.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Never mind.

You're Seraph from Divinity's Reach, right?

That's right. I'm on Scarlet Briar's trail, which is why I'm here. Why do you ask?

What did you learn when she attacked your city?

Good question. We learned everything we could. What stood out to me was the fact that no one seems to have ever gotten close to her. She's sylvari, so she has no birth family. But she never made one either.

What does that say about her?

In my opinion, it says she was broken from the moment she stepped out of the Dream. If there is someone out there she loves, she killed them. We found no witnesses who spoke well of her.

That's kind of sad.

Well, when you're unlovable, I'd guess you insulate yourself by not caring for anyone. That way, no one can ever break your heart. But, the loneliness breaks you.

Are you speaking from experience?

I think we all have some amount of experience with loneliness.

I see what you mean.

I see what you mean.

I see.

I see.

Never mind.

Never mind.

---

Living World Season 1 storyline

Flame and Frost	New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration
Sky Pirates	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed
Clockwork Chaos	The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces
Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied
Battle for Lion's Arch	The Twisted Marionette → Connecting the Pieces → Escape from Lion's Arch → The Battle for Lion's Arch → Battle on the Breachmaker → Scarlet's End → After the Battle → Dawn of the Next Journey
← Previous: Personal story Next: Living World Season 2 →