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Crypt of Hearts

Author: 
Xan, Lady N

Gaining the fifth piece, Ria Silmane made a visit to her champion:

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It has become a habit, congratulating you on your success. Still, there are three pieces left, and what guards them only the Divine Lady may know. I have spent many a day searching the ethereal planes for some clue as the location of the sixth piece of the Staff. This is what I have found. The piece was sent to a place called the Crypt of Hearts. I have no clue as to the location of such a place. The price for the little knowledge I have was... exacting. Still, only three provinces remain that can hold these last pieces. It can only lie in one of these. Good luck...

Eventually, the Champion heard rumors of a certain Brotherhood of Seth, located in Camlorn, High Rock, that knew of this mythical location.

The sun must have addled your wits! The Crypt of Hearts is just legend, and even if it were real, it would be a most dangerous place. If you are bent upon this course, you can of course check at the Brotherhood of Seth. It is said that they hold many clues to the location...

I would not wish to travel there, legend or not. I did hear however, that the Brotherhood of Seth found clues to the location of the Crypt in the Mines of Khuras. You might want to go ask the priests for more information...

The priests of the Brotherhood of Seth were ever a ecretive lot, one that did not share information lightly. Still, I think that if you wish to uncover the Crypt of Hearts, you must begin your search at the Temple itself...

With that as their best clue, the Brotherhood's temple was the Champion's next stop.

I welcome you to the Brotherhood of Seth, [player name]. Word of your inquiries concerning the Crypt of Hearts has come to my attention. I am Halfas Varn, senior Brother in this temple. I would gladly help you on your quest, but dire times are upon us. One of our brethren, Barnabas of Tethis, went mad, raving that the Emperor had been captured! He insisted that only something called the Staff of Chaos could free the Emperor from his fate. Naturally we did not believe him, he was ever one live in fanciful dreams. Instead, we tried our best to soothe him, talking to him of brighter, happier things. We thought he was fine.

Yesterday afternoon he went berserk and killed Brother Martinus, then fled from the temple. With him he took a scroll that he claimed would help him find a piece of the missing so-called Staff of Chaos. I fear he has gone to the Mines of Khuras, the place where he claimed the map said he would find his first clue. What he doesn't realized is that the map he carries was originally found in the Mines. Part of the inscription on the map is a code that we planned to use to decipher the location of the Crypt of Hearts from the Elder Scrolls. Without that map, we haven't a chance. If only there was a way of recovering the map, but the Mines of Khuras are too dangerous. Poor Brother Barnabas has surely perished by now. I will tell you how to get to the Mines. There you can search for the map, or Brother Barnabas. I think it unlikely that you will find either, but there is always a slim chance. If you return to me with the map, I will tell you the location of the Crypt of Hearts. It is a fool's errand, but such is your only hope. Do you wish to search the Mines?

The Champion knew that Brother Barnabas had the right idea, and promised to rescue him and his map from the Mines.

I had thought you would decline, faced with the danger of the mines. Lava pools and fire pits are scattered throughout its scorched corridors. You must find something to protect you from the heat of its fires. Hopefully you will find both Brother Barnabus and the map. No matter, the Mines of Khuras are located near Camlorn. If you find the map, return here to the Brotherhood of Seth. I will tell you the location of the Crypt of Hearts...

Brother Halfas gestures and you see on your map the location of the Mines of Khuras magically appear...

After successfully navigating the Mines and recovering the map fragment from Barnabas' dead body, the Champion recieves their reward from the Brotherhood.

Unbelievable! I did not credit you with the tenacity you obviously possess. For my part, I gave my word to tell you the location of the Crypt of Hearts,
and Gods do not suffer men whose words carry no weight. Hold a moment while I read this map...

Brother Halfas takes the map you recovered and goes into another room. Almost an hour goes by before he returns. He nods knowingly to you and then asks for your map. Quickly he sketches out the location of the Crypt of Hearts, somewhere in High Rock Province...

The Champion heads for the Crypt of Hearts, eager to finish off their quest.

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The chill of death seems to touch your heart as you gaze upon the stone walls of the Crypt of Hearts. Above the entrance stands a grinning skull, a warning to those who would traverse the halls of the dead. You can sense the sixth piece of the Staff of Chaos, somewhere below...

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Jagar Tharn greeted the Eternal Champion again, after the Champion takes the staff piece:

You have rejected my offer of everlasting life, and defeated the Crypt of Hearts. Your list of accomplishments grow. You will not however, accomplish the forging of the Staff. My forces are inexhaustible, and you will succumb. Prepare, for my servants arrive...

He sent another set of weak servants, easily dispatched.