Counterfeit Writ Quest

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From the Friend and Foe event.

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard reports that a crew of bandits have set up an impregnable fortress atop a spire in the Direlands. The Queen has asked her guard to confront those bandits for certain crimes they have committed against the realm, but none of them have yet figured out how to scale that spire."

This quest gives yet another opportunity to earn a Writ of Refuge!

To begin, head to where the Bandits reside: Bandit Castle! To reach Bandit Castle, take the Mountain Shortcut from Arwic at 34.9N, 56.0E, then run to 42.0N, 60.5E. You'll be dropped just a short run from Bandit Castle. One member of your party may want to tie to the portal, as you'll be returning several times during the course of the quest.

Before setting out, make sure someone in your party has a C Note. You'll give it to Shanrek the Forger when you speak with him.

NPC: Shanrek the Forger - 66.5N, 49.9E

Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Do you need cheap Housing Writs?"
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "For the kindly donation of a Trade Note (10,000), I'd be willing to tell you how this can be done."
Shanrek the Forger wrings his hands anxiously.

You give Shanrek the Forger Trade Note (10,000).
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "It just so happens I can make perfect copies of Niffis Pearls that can fool even the most discerning Agents of the Arcanum."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I'm just missing one key ingredient: Blue Coral."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Once I have some Blue Coral, I'll be able to make some counterfeit Niffis Pearls which can be traded to the Agents of the Arcanum for Housing Writs."
Shanrek smiles broadly at you.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I thought I saw a Blue Coral Reef at 75.6N 46.9E."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I'm sure you can find some Blue Coral there."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "A bit of advice before you go."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I would bulk up a bit before attempting to retrieve the Blue Coral."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "You do me no good if you go and get yourself killed."

The Blue Coral Reef is a short run from the Castle, out in the water. When you use it, 4 Guardian Blue Coral Golems (Level 155) spawn. Each carries a piece of Blue Coral. Once everyone has a piece, return to Shanrek the Forger.

You give Shanrek the Forger Blue Coral.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "This is a fine piece of Blue Coral! One moment while I finish making your Fake Niffis Pearl."
Shanrek the Forger leaves and returns carrying a small round object.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Here you go. Take this to any Agent of the Arcanum and trade it for a Housing Writ."
Shanrek the Forger gives you Fake Niffis Pearl.

Head to any town and find the Agent of Arcanum and give him the Fake Niffis Pearl. You can't fool him, however! He immediately knows it's counterfeit. Instead of hauling you off to a dungeon for your perfidy, he offers you a deal. Help him catch the counterfeiters!

You give Agent of the Arcanum Fake Niffis Pearl.
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "A counterfeit Niffis Pearl! You will soon learn the punishment for trying to deceive an Agent of the Arcanum."
Agent of the Arcanum seems to be lost in thought for a moment.
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "How does a thousand year sentence in the Queen's dungeon sound to you?"
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Perhaps a deal may be struck."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Lately, a flood of these Fake Niffis Pearls have been appearing all over Dereth."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Unsuspecting adventurers such as yourself are taken in by nefarious individuals and sold Fake Niffis Pearls to be traded to the Arcanum for Housing Writs."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "We have just recently discovered these fakes and have been trying unsuccessfully to uncover the hideout of the forgers who craft these items."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Perhaps you will help us? In exchange for uncovering and destroying their hideout, I am willing to 'forgive' your transgression."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Or if you prefer I can just throw you in the dungeon and be done with it."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "It's your choice."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Here. Take this note and return to your contact. Try to get in their good graces and find the location of their hideout."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Once you destroy their ability to produce Fake Niffis Pearls, bring back any leftover inventory to us so that we may dispose of them."
Agent of the Arcanum gives you Official Agents of the Arcanum Notice.

Text: Official Agent of the Arcanum Notice

Return to Bandit Castle and give Shanrek the Forger the Notice from the Agent. He'll give you access to the portal leading to the Bandit Forgers' Hideout!

Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Well? Did you get it yet?"
You give Shanrek the Forger Official Agents of the Arcanum Notice.
Shanrek the Forger's eyes widen noticeably as he reads the notice.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "We'll make a fortune!"
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I tell you what. You seem like a trustworthy person."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "There's a portal around back that leads to our hideout."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Go and fetch me as many Fake Niffis Pearls as they have and bring them back to me."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Hold on a moment, I need to sprinkle some of this on you in order for you to be able to pass though the portal safely."
Shanrek the Forger sprinkles some powder on you.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "This stuff will allow you access to the portal for about a week."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "So don't dawdle."

The portal, labeled KEEP OUT! is located just behind Bandit Castle at 66.6N, 49.9E. You'll arrive atop one of the obsidian hills in the Direlands, right outside a large mansion. The inside is full of Bandit Forgers (watch out for their hollow bows!), several prisoners (Chef Jonus, Hinkel, Markis, and Larnia) and Gronk the Hammer, the apparent leader of the Bandit Forgers.

Chef Jonus tells you, "I used to be a famous chef, but now I am forced to cook for these outlaws."
Chef Jonus tells you, "Bah!"
Chef Jonus tells you, "It wouldn't be so bad except these heathens have no taste. I could cook up a pot of Banderling Stew and they would still eat it and call it great!"
Chef Jonus tells you, "My talents are wasted here!"
Chef Jonus tells you, "However, that blue skinned fellow that came in the other day seemed to appreciate my culinary skills. He even complimented me and said my food was fit for a King!"

Hinkel tells you, "You didn't hear this from me, but Gronk isn't running this operation. I wish I could tell you who it is, but it definitely isn't Gronk."
Hinkel tells you, "An auroch has more smarts than that one."
Hinkel looks around.
Hinkel tells you, "And you didn't hear that from me neither."
Hinkel tells you, "You didn't hear this from me, but Gronk isn't running this operation. I wish I could tell you who it is, but it definitely isn't Gronk."
Hinkel tells you, "An auroch has more smarts than that one."
Hinkel tells you, "And you didn't hear that from me neither."
Hinkel looks around.

Markis tells you, "I promise not to try and run away again."
Markis tells you, "Please don't let them eat me!"

Markis refers to the Eaters in the mansion basement.

Larnia tells you, "These awful people kidnapped me from Holtburg and forced me to make Fake Niffis Pearls for them. But now that you're here I can go home now."
Larnia tells you, "Right?"

Gronk the Hammer is upstairs in the NW room. When you kill him, he drops a crate of Fake Niffis Pearls. In addition, he drops all his equipment (minus the hammer): a Platemail Breasplate, a Niffis Shell, a Niffis Shell Helm, and Silk Viamontian Pants! Everyone will need a crate, but Gronk spawns every few minutes, so it won't take too long.

Portal recall back to Bandit Castle (the mansion cannot be recalled) and give the crate to Shanrek. Next head to the Agent of Arcanum (you can skip Shanrek and go straight to the agent if you prefer). When you give him the Crate of Fake Niffis Pearls, you'll be absolved of your crimes and will receive a Writ of Refuge and a Scribe's Quill as a reward!

Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Well? Did you get it yet?"
You allow Shanrek the Forger to examine your Crate of Fake Niffis Pearls.
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Very good! These will do nicely."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Take these to an Agent of the Arcanum and we'll split the profits."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "Double cross me and I'll put a price on your head."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "I'm a personal friend of Oswald."
Shanrek the Forger tells you, "A word from me and you'll be dead before you count your last Housing Writ."

You give Agent of the Arcanum Crate of Fake Niffis Pearls.
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "You have done well. I'm sure they will think twice before trying to fool the Agents of the Arcanum."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "I absolve you of the crime of counterfeiting."
Agent of the Arcanum tells you, "Although no reward is necessary, please accept this as a small token of our thanks."
Agent of the Arcanum gives you Writ of Refuge.
Agent of the Arcanum gives you Scribe's Quill.