Harker's Head - Sunstone & Opal Gauntlets

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From A Swelling Tide.

Town Crier tells you, "It appears as though Hibdin Velos has taken the position once held by Martine. I've heard tell that he moved into the throne room and everything."

Town Crier tells you, "Martine's Retreat could have been such a nice place to live, and now look at it. They have barely enough food to survive."

If you went on the Panaq quest and met Tekapuapuh's Putiputi and fetched him his onga, you already know that beneath the surface of Dereth, Olthoi grubs are crawling rampant! The Subterranean Farms beneath Martine's Retreat have likewise been affected. Grubs, Olthoi, Rats and other vermin are destroying the crops! It seems one of the farmhands, a fellow named Harker, got Simulcra-ized and is weaking havoc with his Subtle friends! Kill Harker and return his head and you will be rewarded with either Sunstone (for Levels 60+) or Opal Guantlets (For Levels 59 and below). You can also use a Ruined Amulet on the Sunstone Gauntlets to imbue them with a moderate weapon spell.

To begin the quest, head to Martine's Retreat in Rithwic at 10.6N, 58.3E. As the town crier mentions, seek out Hibdin Velos in Martine's Throne room (head straight at the drop and up the ramp). Ambrosia Roe, standing outside the door, guides you to Hibdin.

Map: Martine's Retreat

Ambrosia Roe tells you, "Things have begun to quiet down thankfully. But there are stirrings from the deeper areas of the Retreat. Hibdin knows more about it than I do. I'm content simply watching for now. I'm just glad that I am free of Gaerlan's mind control."

Hibdin Velos tells you, "Hello friend. We've fallen on some hard times here in Martine's Retreat. With Martine being gone for so long, we can only surmise that he is indeed dead. But that is the least of our problems."
Hibdin Velos tells you, "About two weeks ago Remmick, our head farmer, came up from the subterranean farm and said that it was madness down there. It seems that a farm hand named Harker had become... touched."
Hibdin Velos tells you, "If you wouldn't mind helping us out with getting some of the food and maybe killing Harker, we'd be in your debt. I'd pay you handsomely."
Hibdin Velos tells you, "Before you go, you might want to speak to Remmick. He might have some pointers for you."

As Hibdin Velos suggests, go back downstairs and speak to Remmick. He tells you that not only is the place overrun with grubs, but Harker now has a pack of hooligans with him!

Remmick tells you, "Everything is falling apart. I can't get crops anymore, and without those crops then everyone here will starve, or be forced to move back to the surface. But most don't want that. They'd rather live out their lives here."
Remmick tells you, "If only we could get rid of Harker! The farm has never been truly safe. Rats, wasps, even Olthoi have been known to peek their heads in from time to time."
Remmick tells you, "The worst were the grubs, though. Hundreds of them at times. They're small enough to smash outright sure... but they're more a threat to the harvest."
Remmick tells you, "If you're going down there, be prepared... One more thing: Harker has a bundle of hooligans who traffic with him now. You watch your back down there, you hear?"
Remmick tells you, "Go talk to Hibdin, he's the one organizing the expeditions down there."

The entrance to the Subterranean Farms is restricted to Levels 20+ and cannot be summoned or recalled. You'll find the portal right next to Martine's Study portal (down the left hall from the entrance).

Map: Subterranean Farm

Once inside you'll pass through rooms of various crops: cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, whatever that plant is that grows on Marae Lassel.... As Remmick said, disgusting little grubbies (Level 18) are everywhere! And they're not the only pests. You'll also have to work you way through Olthoi Slaves (Level 44), Silver Rats and Gold and Jungle Wasps!

Keept to your left and eventually you'll come to Harker's living quarters. His journal lies on the table.

Text: Harker's Journal

Take the NW passage from this area and continue down through the farm, keeping left again, until you reach corridor with brightly colored lights emanating from it. Head through and you'll see the final room where Harker, a level 95 Simulacra, and his Subtle Simulacra (Level 61) friends await. Kill Harker and loot his head (no-give). He'll also be carrying a virindi shard.

You cleave Harker in twain!
Harker tells you, "A shell is nothing more than a device that allows us to traffic amongst your ilk. This body will return with me as its host. Our lives are eternal thanks to Aerbax"

Joxer T Mighty of SC reports that Harker will spawn either with an xbow, or alternatively with a sword and Simulacra Shield. Melee attacks. No type of melee attack appears to be more effective, but life bolts seem to work rather well. The final room is also a great place to collect some gemstone salvages (7+).

Take the head and return to Hibdin Velos. He'll give you a pair of Gauntlets as a reward! Levels 60 or above receive Sunstone. Levels 59 and below will get Opal Gauntlets. Hibdin will also direct you to Leandra for information on how to enhance your gauntlets!

You give Hibdin Velos Harker's Head.
Hibdin Velos tells you, "Well, it looks like you've done pretty well down there. I've got a reward for your efforts--it's only fair that we give you something. You have, after all, returned the productivity to the farm for the time being."
Hibdin Velos gives you Sunstone Gauntlets.
Hibdin Velos tells you, "If you show these to Leandra she might be able to explain the special properties of these gauntlets."

Leandra is located in the lower level of Martine's Retreat. Take the ramp down on the south wall, directly to the west of the ramp to the throne room. When you let Leandra examine the gauntlets, she tells you they may be imbued with an insignia! Use a Ruined Amulet (the amulet, not the potion) on the Sunstone Gauntlets to imbue them with a moderate Weapon spell!

You allow Leandra to examine your Sunstone Gauntlets.
Leandra tells you, "I remember these. Martine was working on these before he left. He said that they would be some of the best gauntlets that this world would ever see. Now what was it that he said about them..."
Leandra tells you, "Ah yes! He said that with the right insignia, we'd be able to infuse the gauntlets with a fairly potent cantrip."

You place the amulet into the gauntlets and alter the properties.

Unfortunately, Opal Gauntlets cannot be imbued.

You allow Leandra to examine your Opal Gauntlets.
Leandra tells you, "These are made with the same process as the more potent gauntlets, but they lacked the setting for the amulet. This doesn't make them useless, but makes them less desirable."

Finally, take the Virindi Shard to Zaikhal for translation.

You give Diyas al-Yat Virindi Shard.
Diyas al-Yat tells you, "These are simple orders that were given by a member of a directive, nothing that important to see here. You might better spend your time writing your own information in books."
Diyas al-Yat gives you Harker's Orders.

Rumor: Harker's Orders

The timer on the quest is 3 weeks. The Gauntlets may be given; however, the Ruined Amulets are no-give. If someone else has an amulet you need, they may imbue the gauntlets for you and hand them back.

See the Ruined Amulet write-up for a list of which creatures drop which types of amulets!
 

During Visions in the Darkness, it became possible to have your sunstone gauntlets altered into a choice of 3 different colors by the apprentice mask makers. Speak to Leandra in Martine's Retreat for information.

You allow Leandra to examine your Sunstone Gauntlets.
Leandra tells you, "I remember these. Martine was working on these before he left. He said that they would be some of the best gauntlets that this world would ever see. Now what was it that he said about them..."
Leandra tells you, "Ah yes! He said that with the right insignia, we'd be able to infuse the gauntlets with a fairly potent cantrip."
Leandra tells you, "Also, in an effort to make a name for themselves, the Apprentice Mask Crafters in Sawato, Al Jalima, and Eastham have devised ways to bring out some of the facetted colors of Sunstone. Unfortunately, they still aren't up to the level of mastery they need in order to go into business on thier own."
Leandra tells you, "While I am far too busy providing my services here in our small retreat, I am confident that Pagrok in Candeth Keep can restore your gauntlets to their original luster should they be damaged by the hands of the apprentices."

--Janda's Apprentice - 7.4N, 4.7E
  Al Jalima - Red

--Alexander's Apprentice - 17.6N, 63.4E
  Eastham - Orange

--Tsua's Apprentice - 28.7S, 59.3E
  Sawato - Yellow

Janda's Apprentice tells you, "Also, with Janda's blessing, I am learning the art of facetting. She believes I am capable of applying what I have learned. If you have them handy, I will be happy to alter your Sunstone Gauntlets and bring a dark red color to them."

You give Janda's Apprentice Sunstone Gauntlets.
Janda's Apprentice tells you, "Thank you for having the same faith in my
skills as Janda. It makes me happy to know that... Oops..."
In his zeal, Bleis accidentally gouges the gauntlets.
Janda's Apprentice tells you, "I'm so sorry! I don't think the gauntlets are
damaged badly, if anything they will just be lightly scarred."
Janda's Apprentice gives you Sunstone Gauntlets.

You give Alexander's Apprentice Sunstone Gauntlets.
Alexander's Apprentice leans over his small work bench and attempts to
muffle the sound of his work as much as possible.
As he hands the newly fashioned Sunstone Gauntlets back to you, he quickly brushes the gemstone chips out the nearby window.
Alexander's Apprentice tells you, "Now I know these aren't the highest
quality alterations, but I'm learning. Promise me you won't go to Alexander
if they fall apart on you in combat."
Alexander's Apprentice gives you Sunstone Gauntlets.

You give Tsua's Apprentice Heiromancer's Gauntlets.
Tsua's Apprentice tells you, "Hey, thanks! I'm glad that I can be of use for
something outside of festival trinkets!"
You cringe in horror as flakes of red sunstone fall to the floor in front of
you.
Tsua's Apprentice tells you, "Hmm, well... I guess that did what I wanted
to... sort of..."
Tsua's Apprentice gives you Heiromancer's Gauntlets.

Tsua's Apprentice tells you, "Making masks is a valuable trade... once a year. So, to both learn and provide a service to my fellow Isparians, I have taken up the craft of Gem-smithing. If you have a pair of Sunstone Gauntlets, I will take the gauntlets and facet them to bring out the color of the sun in them."
You give Tsua's Apprentice Life Giver's Gauntlets.
Tsua's Apprentice tells you, "Hey, thanks! I'm glad that I can be of use for something outside of festival trinkets!"
You cringe in horrow as flakes of red sunstone fall to the floor in front of you.
Tsua's Apprentice tells you, "Hmm, well... I guess that did what I wanted to... sort of..."
Tsua's Apprentice gives you Life Giver's Gauntlets.

Note: Bee Och of TD reports that the Lugian Trophy Collector in Candeth Keep, in the basement of one of the shops, will revert the sunstone gauntlets back to their original color for you. Megadread of FF reports the same results from a Stone Collector.

You give Pagrok the Stone Collector Pugilist's Gauntlets.
Pagrok the Stone Collector tells you, "Ah, Sunstone is truly a beautiful gem. A shame that clumsy hands have marred it as such. I shall restore it for you."
Pagrok pulls a few small vials of oil and a pair of fine chisels from a nearby pack. As he finishes the repairs, he polishes the gauntlets and hands them back to you.
Pagrok the Stone Collector gives you Pugilist's Gauntlets.
 

Martine's Retreat
Subterranean Farm

Thanks to Julian's Touch of TD and Nightmare and Cataclysm of HG for preliminary details and to Danier of TD for the escort through the dungeon! Thanks also to Black Falcon of WE, Wyome Willow of LC, Tears-of-Rain of TD, Dark Marcsun of TD, Lan-Mandragoran of FF, Que'ne of SC, Zalliun of SC. Dadga Silverhand of LC, Cataclysm of HG, Sho the blade of SC, psychotyc of MT, Mojo Mofo of WE, Sucamarto of LC, Tears of Blood - WE, Jigaro Kano of FF, Joxer T Mighty of SC, Morcroft of FF, Altegus of TD, Rebirth of SC, Gripen of SC, Marombi Feuler of LC, Shabranigdu of WE, Haus der Liebe of DT, A Stranger of LC, Abysmal of WE, Joe King of FF, Coyote the Trixter of LC, G'rundas the Dark of HG, Ssj-Mustaffa of FF.

Thanks to Thanks to Todd S., Julian's Touch of TD, Boomer Ji of TD, Fierce Angel, Inochi Genki of WE, Ooryl the Bodyguard of FF for info on colored gauntlets.