Water of Mount Lethe

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Magic

Quests

If you've done the Holtburg starter quests, you've probably heard the tragic tale of Celcynd the Dour. How during the Tumerok invasions at the Holtburg Redoubt, he cast a portal to save the children, but was unable to cast a second to save the adults. Haunted by the faces of those lost, Celcynd uses alcohol to blur the memories. But he seeks a more permanent erasure: the Water of Mount Lethe, rumored to remove all earthly pain.

To begin the quest, speak to Harlune the Misanthrope, Celcynd's former mentor. You can purchase the rumor to his whereabouts from Laquisha the Scribe in Arwic.

The Reclusive Mage
Years ago, the mage Harlune the Misanthrope lived in Arwic. Harlune was an exceptionally powerful Life Mage. Some say he had gained mastery over death itself. Young mages came from all corners of Dereth seeking apprenticeship, yet he only took a single pupil; Celcynd of Rithwic, who later became the first of us to master the Empyrean portal spells. Celcynd scribed these spells for Harlune, but the elder mage considered them more trouble than they were worth, and locked them away. Harlune later moved into a cave to the north, infested by mites, to avoid would-be apprentices.

- Laquisha the Scribe

To find the Mite Maze, take the Mountain Shortcut from Arwic at 34.9N, 56.0E. You'll exit just a short run from the entrance portal to the maze at 41.1N, 57.3E (restricted to levels 8+). Inside you'll encounter Mite Diggers, Scamps, Sentries and Squibs. Bring your earplugs!

Harlune the Misanthrope is on the upper level of the Mite Maze behind a locked door (resistance 162). You'll need lockpick to open it. Don't pester his pet reedshark! If it's anything like its namesake, you'll be sorry! ;-) Harlune at first will be reluctant to speak with you; he wants to be left alone. But if you persist, he'll eventually start you on your way.

Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "What, looking for some great quest, some grand purpose from the Empyrean? Go away!"
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Alfrega, Alfrega girl! Fresh meat!"
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Go away! And don't tell Asheron I'm down here! Never could stand the man..."
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Off with you, I'm a busy mage!"
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Did you know that Empyreans have 14 schools of magic? Would you like me to demonstrate them all on you?"
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "You best not have done anything to Alfrega, if you know what's good for you..."
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "It was so much better when you people thought I was one of you. That's impossible now though, thanks to that cretin Gaerlan."
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Well if you are going to continue to bother me, you can at least do something for me. Take this note to Ceclynd in Rithwic."
Harlune the Misanthrope gives you A Crabbed Note.
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "He borrowed one of my history books sometime ago and didn't return it because he became a drunken waste. Probably spilled alcohol all over it."
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Go get it and I'll give you some scroll I've got lying around here...or not. Will you leave me alone then?"

A Crabbed Note
Celcynd, I loaned you one of my histories of Aluvia several years ago. If you hadn't turned into a drunken moron, perhaps you'd remember. When I hear the people of Holtburg praising you for saving their children all those years ago, the thought of your current condition sickens me. If I could trouble you to pull your head out of the wine, and possibly forgive yourself for what happened with the second portal, give my book to this adventurer, who's pledged to bring it back to me.

-Harlune

As Harlune instructs, head to Rithwic and speak with Celcynd. He can be found (where else?) in the tavern at 10.7N, 58.1E.

You give Celcynd the Dour A Crabbed Note.
Celcynd the Dour tells you, "Oh. Yeah, I have that. If Harlune sent you, you must be getting something back from him, right? I'll tell you what. There's this... this thing that I need. From a volcano in the Direlands."
Celcynd the Dour tells you, "You'll find it at the very bottom, but you must be level 20 or above to get in. Wait, I'll write you the location."
Celcynd the Dour gives you Mount Lethe Directions.

Mount Lethe Directions
Mount Lethe is a volcano in the west Direlands. 86W 34S. Little volcano, with old magma tubes leading down into it. There were strange crystals found deep in it, so some noble - forget his name - organized an expedition to mine them out, find a use for them. Go to the very bottom, below the old mine. There were funny rumors about the noble. Miners claimed to see cloaked figures in the corner of their eye. Many fled, but money was good and guards strong. Then Lethe erupted, killed the workers and the noble.

The Mount Lethe Magma Tubes are located at 33.8S, 85.3W (restricted to levels 20+, cannot be summoned). To reach them, you can make the run from Ayan Baqur. If you're lucky enough to know of someone with a tie to the Sclavus Cathedral (33.5S, 80.0W), the Magma Tubes are just a short run away.

Map: Mount Lethe Magma Tubes

The area surrounding the entrance portal is extremely lively, with Firestorms, Flammas and Flares, Crystal Minions, Virindi Observers, Panumbris Shadows and more! Immediately inside is safe. A Charred Sign stands at the entrance to the tunnels, warning of what lies beneath.

Charred Sign
NOTICE TO ALL WORKERS:
The opening of the fissures in the lower levels is no cause for alarm, but be cautious in these areas. As long as you do not jump down into the magma, you will be fine. If anyone is foolish enough to jump down, the rest of us will be safer without them. Remember to keep your mind on your work and you [sic] wits about you.

- Brelax, Foreman, 25th Seedsow

The dungeon itself if mostly linear. You'll be facing Virindi Observers; Magma and Obsidian Golems; Embers, Hellfires, and an Inferno; Charred Miners (Level 140) and Seared Guards (Level 167); as well as a few Altered and Augmented Drudges. From the entrance, take your first left and head down the ramp. Continue down again past a Seared Guard, a Virindi and a few Drudges. You'll enter a large open room with a door exiting to the West. Pick the lock and continue through. You'll come to the first bridge, guarded by a Magma Golem.

Continue lower, and you'll reach a room with blue crystals growing from the floor and scattered mining equipment lying about. Head through the west hallway and cross the second bridge, passing a Shadow Wisp and fighting a Seared Guard, Charred Miners and a Magma Golem or two.

Next you'll encounter Embers and Hellfires, and an Inferno. Continue until you reach the third bridge. A small room is at the other side with a locked door to the right, a SIK (Sturdy Iron Key) chest, and a lever, guarded by a Magma Golem.

The lever opens the door to the right. Inside you'll find an Altar of Bael'Zharon. Ignore the lever next to the altar and head down the ramp. You'll be in a small room with another lever, plus the unfortunate Foreman Brelax (level 278 Skeleton) and Lord Cambarth (level 278 undead). Cambarth is carrying the latter part of his Torn Journal.

After you throw the lever, head back out to the SIK room and go the opposite direction towards the surface portal. Be careful that you don't accidentally go through. Make a hard right at the portal instead and you should see a ramp heading down.

Pass the Fire Elementals and a Drudge or two until you see a small pool of flaming water. This is what you're looking for, the Pool of Lethe. The Virindi Overseer (Level 130) guarding the pool carries the first part of Cambarth's Torn Journal.

Text: Torn Journal

The Pool of Lethe can be used like a chest. Double click on it to retrieve the flask of Water of Mount Lethe. Don't stand too close. It's hot! The water spawns every 2 minutes.

Hot air burns you for 1 points of damage.
Hot air burns you for 1 points of damage.
Hot air burns you for 1 points of damage.

Return to Rithwic and give the Water to Celcynd the Dour.

You give Celcynd the Dour Water of Lethe.
Celcynd the Dour tells you, "You got the Water of Lethe!  I don't believe it.  I... I've wanted this for...  Do you know what this does?  Do you know what it's like... the faces of so many waiting behind your eyes every night?  The children asking you where their parents are?"
Celcynd the Dour tells you, "But... Brentsella. I'll lose her too, won't I..?"
Celcynd the Dour gives you The Reign of Alfrega.
Celcynd the Dour tells you, "Here's Harlune's book. Please go, I have to... I need to think. Thank you, but I need to..."

Don't do it, Celcynd!!!!

*ahem*

Head back to Harlune the Misanthrope in the Mite Maze and return his history book. Before you do, take a few minutes to read about the cruel Aluvian Queen and the Orts resistance. In return for the book, he'll give you the Scroll of Mount Lethe Recall!

Text: The Reign of Alfrega

You give Harlune the Misanthrope The Reign of Alfrega.
examines the book closely. [sic]
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Hah, got it back from that drunkard, did you? Only a fool lets himself lose as much as he has. Once, he was the greatest of his generation. Did you know that?"
Harlune the Misanthrope gives you Scroll of Mount Lethe Recall.
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "You'd never think it to see the sot he is now - well, you got my book back, so you deserve that reward."
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "By the way, I'd be careful when you use that spell."
Harlune the Misanthrope snickers.
Harlune the Misanthrope tells you, "Now leave me in peace."

He's not kidding when he says be careful! The scroll drops you high in the air above a hot spot. Before you use it, make sure you are fully buffed and be prepared to heal yourself from the damage you'll take on the initial fall.

Mite Maze
Mount Lethe Magma Tubes

Special thanks to Elph of MT and Danier of TD.

For an alternative map of the Mite Maze, click here.