Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
11: destroying evil
As I look over the map, I see two mausoleums we have not explored. It is probably a good idea to bring Ginny along while exploring the Adrianus mausoleum, so I attempt to trace the best path to the Valenport mausoleum. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that is an option, so we head for the Navincius Mausoleum to get out of these catacombs and back into the graveyard.
We start by turning around and walking nearly to the wall. Seeing that the map wants us to turn north, we turn right and continue walking. Reaching the wall, we turn left, west, and walk nearly to it. Spotting the Navincius family crypt on our right, we turn toward and enter it.
For some reason, some of the coffins and 1 of the reliquaries have been refilled with items. So once again we loot every container that isn't empty, before leaving the crypt to the north, heading to the wall, and turning west. Reaching a corner we turn north. Walking a short distance to another corner we turn east. Seeing the door to the mausoleum ahead we walk to and enter it.
It has been a while since we've been in here. However not wanting to waste any time I immediately trace a path to the exit to the graveyard on my map.
Walking straight north we at last come to a corner and turn east. We walk a short distance before we reach another corner and turn south. The walk this time is a little longer but we eventually reach another corner and turn east. Another short walk to a corner and a turn north. Another longer walk but at last, we reach a corner and turn east. Finally leaving the staircase we reach another corner and turn south. After walking south for a while we reach another corner and turn east. Reaching the wall we turn south. At last, seeing the door that leads out of the mausoleum we hurry to and exit through it into the graveyard.
Remembering Madeline at the General store needs 15 Nightshade we start looking around the graveyard for 5 more. We find 1 just outside the mausoleum.
As we continue to look for Nightshade we come across a nurvous looking Hope. We stop to speak with her.
"Have you seen Liam? Not that I'm worried of course. Just...curious."
Liam? Oh, he must be the man we met in the catacombs. "Yes, he's fine. He's asked me to help him find some amulet."
Hope visibly relaxes. "That's a relief. You've done a lot already, but maybe you could help him. Me, I've got to get back to the hunt."
As Hope walks away words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Strange Bedfellows, completed. Hope has asked me to help Liam with his search for the dark artifact." Shrugging I get back to searching for Nightshade.
It took a while, and running all over the section of the graveyard we have been in ever since coming out of the Navincius Mausoleum, but finally, we find the last Nightshade Madeline needs. Deciding that Ginny's magic would be helpful in the Ulcano Mausoleum I trace a path on my map that leads back to Farhaven.
We start by walking south until we reach the graveyard fence. Then we turn east and walk until we reach a small gate in the fence. Turning south we exit the gate and turn west. We walk west until reaching a small gate. However, instead of entering the gate, we turn south. When the path on my map turns right we turn west. After crossing a duck pond, and reaching a fence, we turn south. We exit the duck pond and continue walking south until we spot a gate to our west. The map tells me to enter this gate, and so we turn toward the gate and enter it. Finding ourselves on a path that leads around the graveyard we head west until we reach a fence. Turning south we follow the fence until it ends and we spot the gate to farhaven on our right. Turning west once again we head for Farhaven.
I know the path to the General store quite well now and so I guide Luna and Alice straight to it. Entering We see Madeline standing behind her counter as always. Smiling to myself I walk up to her. Madeline gives me her standard greeting.
I grin as I pull out her Nightshade. "I've brought the nightshade plants you asked for."
Madeline beams at me as she takes the Nightshade plants and gives me more gold. "Wonderful! Now I can finally start distilling those potions. I'll gladly buy any more nightshade you find, as well."
I blink as I notice the quest isn't marked as complete. How much more does Madeline need? "Is there anything else I can acquire for you?"
Madeline nods distractedly as she sorts her items before looking up. "I can't make jewelry and other high-end items without gold. I need you to bring me thirty nuggets of gold ore."
I blink rather hard. "That's a lot of gold. Any suggestions where I should look?"
Madeline doesn't look up from her brewing. "My usual suppliers mine it directly from Silvershade Mine. You could try there."
Thanking Madeline we leave the general store.
As we step out into Farhaven Luna gives me a searching look. "You're not thinking of exploring a new area are you Ivy?"
I shake my head. "First we will see what is causing the attacks from the graveyard before entering any new areas. However, I think we will need Ginny's magic to help us in the Ulcano Mausoleum. So we're heading back to the tavern."
So saying I lead Luna and Alice to the tavern. Checking the shelves I find a "Psychic's Amulet" which I give to Alice. Traveling the hallway we enter the Large South Bedroom. After resting for the night I have Ginny and Luna join me as we leave the tavern.
As Ginny asks what we're doing I notice her stats have changed. Her "Will Power" is now 14, and her "Intelligence" is now 12. I also noticed she has attuned her element to ice, and her "Ice Spike" skill is now rank 2.
While I was noticing all this, Luna has been explaining what happened to us in the graveyard.
Ginny pouts. "Oh! I wanted to explore my family's mausoleum. Do you think we can take a look while on our way to the Ulcano Mausoleum?"
I shrug. "I don't see why not", I say remembering the door being locked. However, it is possible Ginny has the key. After all, I didn't ask her about it at any time.
"Yay!" Ginny exclaimed jumping around for a few minutes while Luna and I watched in amusement. Once she is finished the 3 of us head for the east gate and enter the graveyard.
Tracing a path on my map that will lead us to the Ulcano Mausoleum we start by heading east. Once we reach the graveyard fence we turn north. Upon reaching a small gate in the fence on our right we turn east and pass through it. Reaching the outside wall of the mausoleum we turn north. We follow the wall until we spot the door leading into the mausoleum. The magical berrier is indeed down so we walk up to the mausoleum's door. None of us are surprised to find the door locked. Luna suggests we search the catacombs for an entrance.
Deciding to use the Navincius Mausoleum entrance into the catacombs we head west for a few feet before turning north. Reaching a small gate we pass through it heading west. Spotting another small gate to our north we turn toward it and pass through. Before proceeding I give Ginny the "Armor of Alanzo Madranus" we found while exploring the Madranus Mausoleum. Finding the outside wall of the Navincius Mausoleum we turn east and follow it. We follow the wall until the entrance to the Navincius Mausoleum can be seen on our left. Turning north we enter the Navincius Mausoleum.
Not wasting any time I trace a path from the entrance to the door leading into the catacombs on my map. We walk a few feet forward before we turn west. Reaching a corner we turn north. After a long walk, we spot a staircase on our left. Turning west we enter the staircase.
Walking forward we reach a turn in the staircase. Turning south we walk to the next turn. Turning west we walk the few steps to reach the next turn. Turning north we walk a little way before we reach the door to the peace room. Upon reaching that door we turned west and continued walking. Reaching a corner we turn south and spot the door to the catacombs. Hurrying forward we enter the catacombs.
As we enter the catacombs the door causes us to turn west. Pausing only long enough to trace the path we need to take to find the Ulcano Mausoleum we continue walking west until we reach a corner. Turning south we walk to the next corner. Turning east we follow the wall until we reach another corner. Turning south we spot the Navincius Family Crypt just ahead, and once more we loot it of every item we can before leaving the crypt to the south. After a long walk south we see the wall on our left open to reveal a passage leading east. After walking for a little bit the map shows us to turn north. Following the map's directions we turn north and walk until the Ulcano Family Crypt can be seen on our right. We turn east and enter the crypt.
Once again we loot the crypt of all its valuables before leaving the crypt to the east. Reaching a corner we turn north. Reaching another corner we turn east. Reaching yet another corner we turn south and see a door leading into the Ulcano Mausoleum. Walking forward we exit the catacombs and enter the Ulcano Mausoleum.
Entering through the door we climb a set of stairs that wind around until at the top we are facing north. Reaching a corner we turn west and walk forward toward the next corner. Along the way, we spot a body just lying in the passage. Searching the body gets us a new ring, and the key to the mausoleum. Well, at least we will be able to exit by the door leading out into the graveyard instead of going back through the catacombs again.
Turning south we spot the Tomb of Alastaire Ulcano.
As we walk into the tomb we hear a voice. "So, these are the fools who have been working so hard to reach me. Tell me, do you want so badly to die?"
Luna seems to draw strength from somewhere and faces the voice. "The world of the living is no longer open to you, Alastaire Ulcano. Return to the dark slumber that has been prepared for you."
I blink. This is Alastaire Ulcano? I was expecting more.
Ulcano doesn't seem to care. "Death has no sway over me. It is my plaything, and I its master. As for you... your deaths will make me strong."
For some reason, those words awaken a fire within me. "I think you'll find my friends and I aren't easy to kill."
Ulcano just shrugs. "Come - see how you fare against a true master of darkness."
We draw our weapons as Ulcano summons a "Boneman Warrior", a "Boneman Archer", a "Ghost", and a "Newborn Vampire"
The fight was long but none of the enemies could stand up to our combined power. As Ulcano returned to dust Luna placed her hands in a position of prayer. "A great darkness has been cast from the world. Divine be praised."
Ginny nods. "Let's just hope he stays dead this time. Though I wouldn't mind putting him in his place again, if we had to."
I nodded in agreement. "I hope he can't raise himself from the dead again."
Luna shakes her head. "From what I understand of such magic, he could not have returned of his own accord. Whoever called Ulcano back from beyond the grave... that is our true adversary."
I blink at Luna. "You don't think Ulcano was responsible for the attacks from the forest and the mines?"
Luna shakes her head again. "No, I see it now. Ulcano was only a puppet."
I frown in determination. "Then we must find the puppeteer. Come on, let's report back to Lord Adrianus."
As we take stock of ourselves after the battle I notice Luna has reached level 12. I watch as she places her attribute point into her "Will Power" bringing it up to 15. She uses her skill point to raise her "Hands of Healing" to rank 5.
As we explore the mausoleum looting every container we can find we spot Liam standing in a shrine. Wondering if this is where the ancient amulet is kept we walk over to him.
As we approach Liam looks at us in excitement. "Liam: Well, this is it. The coffin of Adranar Ulcano himself."
I nod to him in greeting. "Is the amulet inside?"
Liam nods. "The coffin's magically sealed. It's an old trick used by necromancers to protect their prized possessions. I've seen it before. Only a vampire can open it."
I have to stop myself from trying to pull my hair out. "Great - I'm sure there's a vampire somewhere who'd just love to help us out."
Liam looks shifty. "That's not the problem. Look...you trust me, right?"
I nod. "Of course I do."
Liam looks sheepish. "Well, in that case, you may as well know... I can open it just fine."
Luna nods to herself. "I sensed darkness about you, but I never imagined...a vampire!"
Liam gives Luna a nod. "It's not exactly something I advertise. You can imagine why."
I think it over. Liam hasn't attacked us. Either here or when we met him in the catacombs. "I understand. You're not like the others - but you can't expect people to see that."
Liam looks down. "I used to be just like the rest, until... Well, it's a long story. Let's just say I developed a guilty conscience."
Ginny looks up in something close to despair. "Does Hope know?"
Liam nods. "Yes. She's the whole reason I'm here trying to save the world."
I shrug. If Hope believes in him then I will as well. "So, what happens now?"
Liam opens the coffin and pulls out a strange-looking amulet. "Now I destroy this amulet, so that it can't fall into the wrong hands."
I think what someone like Voldemort could do with this artifact and shutter. "Good. Do it."
Liam floods the amulet with energy causing it to crack and shatter into pieces. Once it's done he relaxes. "It's done. I couldn't have done this without you. Thank you...most people would never trust me the way you have." Liam thinks for a bit. "I know these catacombs better than anyone. I can show you some shortcuts to get around the graveyard - it's the least I can do. I'm gonna stay here for a while - catch my breath...so to speak."
As Liam rests against the coffin words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Ancient Evil, completed. Liam has destroyed the dark artifact, preventing its powers from ever falling into the wrong hands."
– Separator –
An: and that's it for this chapter. Alastaire Ulcano is defeated, and Liam completes his self-appointed task of destroying an artifact of evil.
Next chapter the group will be heading back into the northern woods, and searching for the flowers needed to enter the western ruins.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all next time.