Vincent Ross

Overview

Vincent Ross
Former Legacy Chain Researcher
Zone	Sharkhead Isle
Coordinates	(-49, -28, 71)
Level Range	20-29
Introduced By	None

Vincent Ross is a villain contact in the Port Recluse neighborhood of Sharkhead Isle at coordinates (-49, -28, 71). He can be found at the end of a pier at the beach below the Hospital. He was first introduced in Issue 19.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

Vincent Ross will be automatically unlocked for villains at level 20, and will contact villains himself if they reach level 20 and have not visited him in Sharkhead Isle yet.

Contact Unlocked

A former member of the Legacy Chain is looking for help in exacting his vengeance against the group. It seems he's promising whoever helps him the ability to unlock untold power...

Vincent Ross has been added to your contact list.

Information

Former Legacy Chain Researcher

Vincent Ross was once a member of the Legacy Chain, something which is obvious by the outfit that he still wears. It's widely known to the inhabitants of Sharkhead that he and the group had a falling out of sorts, though what exactly happened is not known to many.

Initial Contact

Vincent Ross Initial Contact dialogue

Vincent Ross

Hello. Character. I've heard a lot about your exploits here within the Isles, both from the side of the 'law' and the other side. Allow me to introduce myself, properly. My name is Vincent Ross, former Legacy Chain researcher. I'm sure you've run into the group during your travels. If not, then that's too bad, because each of them deserves to be tortured and killed for their actions.

Ahem... as you can see, I have a rather strong opinion about the group. At any rate, I believe that given my background and your talents, you and I have the opportunity to help each other get what we want.

• What do you mean?

I was heavily involved with operations that the Legacy Chain had here in the Isles. Operations involving a substance known as red coral. This substance, Character, is quite powerful, rumored to be part of an ancient, slumbering beast called the Leviathan. This red coral is very precious within Sharkhead Isle, enough that Cage Consortium has created an entire industry around it. This small piece of rock can do wonderous things... it can increase one's power, even animate static objects.

However, what the Legacy Chain discovered is that there is something... better than this red coral. Something that could give a group true power to do whatever they wished. The Legacy Chain seeks to use that power for their own goals of bringing 'justice' to Sharkhead Isle. They are all fools, and I would seek their destruction. I imagine that one such as yourself would be against this, and so it is here that I wish to make a deal with you. Aid me in destroying the Legacy Chain in Sharkhead, and I shall help you obtain the Legacy Chain's secret project: Blood Coral.

• What is this Blood Coral?

Blood Coral is much stronger than Red Coral. If you gather enough of it, you will have a direct link to the Leviathan itself. My research indicated that if a person gathered enough of the red coral, they could physically go inside the Leviathan and gain control of it. That, Character, is what the Legacy Chain are after. They seek to utilize the Leviathan for their own ends, to use it as a weapon against Arachnos and to bring in any super-powered being in the Isles who they believe are against them.

You can see now, the gravity of the situation. I, myself, care little for the power of the Leviathan. In fact, given... various events that happened, it would be very bad for me to get anywhere near the creature. All I care about is utterly destroying those scum in the Legacy Chain, and I believe helping you obtain this Red Coral would do that.

Shall we begin working together?

• Let's begin. We need a plan of attack

missing reply

• Hold on a minute. How can I trust you?

Trust me? I suppose trust is a difficult thing, isn't it? I trusted the Legacy Chain once, only for them to backstab me when my research went poorly.

Suffice to say, Character, I was investigating things that the Legacy Chain... frowned upon. When they discovered what my research, the same research that was supposed to help the group with Blood Coral, was doing to me, they tried to have me arrested. But I was able to escape, Character. Day by day, my mind becomes clearer as to what the true nature of my former 'friends' were; nothing but traitors, backstabbers, and glory-hounds.

No, Character, you do not have to worry about trust from me. I have felt the bitter sting of betrayal. I will not do that to you, I swear.

• Alright, let's get moving. We need a plan of attack.

Greeting

• Let us continue our tale of vengeance.
• The time is nearing to make our enemies cower in fear, Character.

Store

Vincent does not sell Inspirations or Enhancements.

Story Arc

Old Friends, New Enemies, and New Opportunities

Part One: The Race for the Blood Coral

The Coralax carrying one of four remaining pieces should be in a cavern near the Pit. This was a place once filled with Scrapyarders, but from what I can tell, the Coralax have taken the cavern for themselves. You should know, however, they the Legacy Chain are most likely making their way there as we speak. It would be best to wipe out the lead collector for the Legacy Chain while you're down there.

Now, regarding aid. It is no secret amongst certain groups in Sharkhead that the Legacy Chain are collecting Blood Coral. I do not believe any of them are privvy to what exactly it is, just that the Legacy Chain are acting as a consistent thorn in their sides. If you were interested in earning some more money or favors on the side, I would speak with specific members of the factions in Sharkhead to see how you can turn their annoyances with the Legacy Chain into your gain.

You can speak with Vince Dubrowski to work with Cage Consortium, and Lorenz Ansaldo to work with the Family. Those who have worked together with Diviner Maros to seek out his aid during these events.

Unsolicited Contact

You need to hurry, Character. If I know those fools in the Legacy Chain, then they will already be inside that cavern as we speak!

Mission Objective(s)

The sound of battle rings in the air, along with magic. Members of the Legacy Chain are here, along with the Coralax.

• Obtain the First Blood Coral Piece
  • Retrieve the Blood Coral from the Coral Holder
    
  • Find the Expedition Leader who has the Blood Coral

The Legacy Chain have made off with the Blood Coral!

Enemies

• Legacy Chain
  
• Coralax
  

Coral Holder dialogue

Before Combat

Where...?! Where did it go?!

Combat Start

You! You took the Coral!

Expedition Leader dialogue

Before Combat

We're one step closer to where we have to be. Soon, Sharkhead will become civilized, along with the rest of the Isles.

Combat Start

A being of evil! You are too late, the Blood Coral has been sent away!

Debriefing

What?! The Legacy Chain have already obtained that piece of the Blood Coral?

Vincent's eyes begin to glow yellow as he looks around nervously.

This is bad, how could they have beaten us?! Is it possible we can't defeat the Legacy Chain?! That not even my power with yours is enough to stop them? But why? Why was I turned to this only to fail?

Character, maybe I was wrong to try to go against this fate, to go against the power they wield. Perhaps we were set on this course only to fail in the end. The Legacy Chain have most likely brought the piece they've recovered back to their warehouse and melded it with the chunk they already have. This... this piece that I told you was the only one I knew of. The Legacy Chain, however, have the resources and the manpower to find the others. There is nothing else that we can do!

• Calm down. You know where the main Legacy Chain base is, right? We'll just go there.

Part Two: Bold Plans

Attack their main warehouse? No, Character, that would be suicide. But...

Perhaps not for you. Perhaps... I underestimate your power. You need to understand, the Legacy Chain have that warehouse guarded very well to hold such an object. I was there before I was removed. There are many rituals in place to keep the pulsating power of the coral under control. You see, there is another... small part to the coral that I did not mention. Those who hold Red Coral have commonly felt a foreign presence in their minds, whispering to them. With Blood Coral, it is much more intense, given that enough of it can physically send a person into the Leviathan.

If we were to attack the warehouse... wait... yes... yes, that's it! Yes, if you were to attack the warehouse, I could work from here on overriding the rituals, of making them my own. From there, a simple teleportation spell to a different location will give us our own little base of operations for the Blood Coral. Hah! Brilliant! We can still recover from this!

• Good. Where is this warehouse?

Here is the address. They'll have it well guarded, as I said, but I believe you have the power to overwhelm them. When you get to the Blood Coral, you will need to activate runes there for my magic to take effect there. It will take three minutes for it to work. In that time, you will have to fend off the Legacy Chain and activate the runes as my magic empowers them. Once that is all done, I can use my teleportation magic to get that Blood Coral out of there and into our own safe keeping.

Just as a warning, Character, we will need to move fast on recovering the final pieces. My magic will only be able to hold the power of the Blood Coral back for so long. When that breaks... well, let us just say that anyone with any desire for power will swarm our warehouse. Oh, and I suggest for this little operation to leave anyone you're working with out of this. I wouldn't trust them with a secret as big as this.

Those working with Diviner Maros may still speak with their contacts for this mission.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I'll need to focus if I'm to properly prepare this ritual, Character.

Mission Objective(s)

The walls of the warehouse almost pulse with the energy of the Blood Coral. The Legacy Chain must have a large amount gathered here.

• Steal the Blood Coral from the Legacy Chain
  • Defeat Arcanist Millian
    
  • 3 minutes until Vincent's full magic is ready 3:00
  • (Activate runes when requested during the three minutes)

You've taken control of the Blood Coral for yourself!

Enemies:

• Legacy Chain
  

Editor's Note: Once Arcanist Millian is defeated, a three minute timer starts. You will need to fend off waves of Legacy Chain during this time and also activate the runes next to the Blood Coral when required.

Legacy Chain dialogue

Before Combat:

Legacy Chain 1: Is this the best way to recover the Isles?

Legacy Chain 2: This is the fastest way. We kill two birds with one stone by doing this.

Combat Start:

Legacy Chain 1: You can't get by us, Character!

Legacy Chain 2: Character! Don't you give up?!

---

Before Combat:

Legacy Chain 1: We need to track down Vincent. He needs to understand the condition he's in.

Legacy Chain 2: How can you still believe that? He's a victim of his own undoing. It isn't because of what the Coralax did to him.

Combat Start:

Legacy Chain 1: I should've known you'd show up here, Character!

---

Before Combat:

Legacy Chain 1: What about Vincent? Are we just going to leave him when we begin to cleanse Sharkhead?

Legacy Chain 2: We'll recover him and try to reverse what was done to him. If we're able to locate him.

Combat Start:

Legacy Chain 1: You're working with Vincent, aren't you Character? You're just as delusional as he is!

Arcanist Millian dialogue

Before Combat:

Perfect, we've been looking for this Coralax cavern for some time. We'll have all the shards in place to make our next move.

Combat Start:

Character! You and your kind will have no place in this world when we're done!

Debriefing

Brilliant work, Character! The Blood Coral is safe and sound in our own warehouse and the Legacy Chain is battered and beaten! I couldn't ask for anything better. The fools will soon see that the day they exiled me was the day they destroyed themselves! What did you think of the Blood Coral that was formed already? Was it beautiful? Magnificent?

I wish I could see it, truly I do, but... I must ignore the calls that it sends to me, the whispers in my mind. I know what they are a symptom of. If I were to get near the fully formed Blood Coral, I fear I would lose myself entirely. But you, Character, you have not been poisoned as I have. You are immune to the call, which is why you will attain great power all too soon. We just need to simply go after the Coralax lair and recover the last pieces! Then we will have all the Blood Coral needed to control the Leviathan!

Part Three: There's Always a Catch

We have little else to speak about, Character. All that's left is to go into the caves that the Coralax inhabit and recover the three remaining pieces of Blood Coral. When that is done, we can merge them with what we have already and begin our conquest of Sharkhead Isle and the Legacy Chain!

While the prospect of unlimited power may be at your fingertips, there seem to be many odd happenings during your short time with Vincent; the whisper from the Blood Coral, Vincent's possible 'disease', and his fear of getting taken over by the Blood Coral. Many people have been destroyed in the past by not understanding the power they're taking. You'll have to look for more research on this Blood Coral in the Coralax cavern to prevent yourself from meeting the same fate.

• I'll get it handled, make sure the runes remain strong.

I shall, Character. I won't have much to fear from the Legacy Chain for the moment, given the sound beating you just gave them. Hah! What a terrific feeling it is, I only wish I could've seen how much you beat them down! Now, just as a fair warning, these Coralax caves are rumored to hold Shapers. They're considered the figures of authority in the Coralax society, ever since their goddess, Merulina, vanished. They're a little more powerful than your average fish, and I'm betting they'll be holding onto the Blood Coral.

Those who have been working together with other factions should contact the factions representative at this time.

Mission Objective(s)

You traverse nearly a mile of winding caverns before ending up here, somewhere deep beneath the ocean surrounding Sharkhead Isle. You're in the domain of the Coralax now.

• Raid the Coralax Cave
  • One piece of research to find
    
  • 3 Shapers to defeat
    
  • Coralax will arrive at the end of the timer 3:00

You've retrieved all the pieces of the Blood Coral and learned that the plan that Vincent Ross had might not go so smoothly after all.

Enemies

• Coralax
  

Notable NPCs

• Shapers x 3 Missing Info about Shapers

Coralax Shaper dialogue

Before Combat:

We will only regain our glory through the Blood Coral. We must find the secret of its power and spread it to our champions!

Combat Start:

You do not deserve to have the Blood Coral, Character!

---

Before Combat:

The humans will try to take our glory away, but we shall not let that happen!

Combat Start:

Character! Give us back the Blood Coral!

---

Before Combat:

The Blood Coral will be ours. The Leviathan's power will allow us to create a new society!

Combat Start:

We've heard of you, Character. You have the treasure we seek!

Debriefing

It's done! The final pieces obtained! CheIubai, we are at the pinnacle of destroying those fools!

What?

It's... not going to control the Leviathan? Is this some cruel joke? That's impossible! It's supposed to control the beast, it's supposed to do what we need it to do! How could I have missed this in my research... I thought I found everything, everything! It must've been those traitors in the Legacy Chain... they knew I was onto something, they hid the research from me! Of course... it all makes sense now. I was blind not to see it before.

Maybe there would be a way for you to gain power through the Leviathan, but what good would it do us if you were taken over? We'd need a way to stop that, but not even the Coralax have found it yet! But... wait... the Midnight Squad. Yes... yes that could be it.

Part Four: The Path to Knowledge

I've dealt with the Midnight Squad in the past, though not a terrible amount. They tend to believe the Legacy Chain are beneath them. They're right, of course, the Legacy Chain just do parlor tricks, spinning their wheels to the tune of their pathetic ideas. The Midngiht Squad is not any better, but they're much more powerful and much more learned.

Unfortunately for us, they're also much more secretive. If the Midnight Squad somehow holds the secret to protecting you from the control of the Leviathan, we'll need to find out where that secret is and how to get it. In all my power, I'm unable to help you with this, but I know someone who can.

• Who is it?

A man named Darrin Wade. Perhaps you've heard of him. He's a clever man, a former member of the Midnight Squad. He holds many of their secrets still and has done battle with them on occasion. He resides here in Sharkhead now, an outcast, much like myself. There are many things that Wade desires, and one of them would be the destruction of the Midnight Squad. Speak with him about what you're looking for, and perhaps he'll be able to help you. Just be warned that he thinks very... highly of himself. He may be difficult to deal with. Just make sure you keep it general, we don't want him to know that you might be able to gain the power of the Leviathan. All Wade needs to know is that we want to steal information on the Leviathan.

Unsolicited Contact

Have you spoken to Wade yet?

Mission Objective(s)

• Speak with Darrin Wade

Darrin Wade

Briefing

Well, CheIubai, looks like you and I are bound to keep running into each other, eh? Curious about my research into Rularuu, or are you here to make a deal?

I still haven't forgotten your help in 'replacing' those artifacts with the Midnight Squad.

• (Explain to Darrin the information you need)

Hrm... information on the Leviathan, eh? Sure, why not? That beast has been asleep for centuries. All the attempts I've heard to awaken it have ended in failure, though I would rather the Midnight Squad not have any knowledge on it. It is true that they have a method to find more about the Leviathan, though they have not used it yet. It isn't so much a book, as it is a creature that they have. You see, the Midnighters use the Isles to conduct activities that the authorities in Paragon would... frown upon. One such activity is the containment of a demon named Botis.

Don't ask how I've come about this information, as there's several little sources I have in the Midnighters. This Botis is a demon that has a condition similar to Diviner Maros. It can see both the present and the past. Rumor is that it's a timeless demon, but that's another story. The demon is being bound in one of the Midnighter's offices here in Sharkhead Isle, and few in the Midnighter's even know of its existence. They're keeping it there as a resource for forbidden knowledge. I think our Leviathan friend would count as that, eh? Here's the location of the office, but there's one thing you should be aware of. The Midnighters are guarding this secret very heavily. The office has various portals that connect each of the levels. If you choose the wrong portal, you'll end up in a cavern full of the Midnighter's guardian spirits. There should be members of the Midnighter's in there that have notes on which portals are the right one. Anyway, that's all, and remember, you didn't get this information from me. But when the time comes, remember, you got this information from me. Do we have an understanding?

Those who have been working together with other factions should contact the factions representative at this time.

• I believe we do.

Mission Objective(s)

You feel as if all the eyes of the Midnighters are suddenly on you as you enter the office building.

• Meet with Botis

Unsolicited Contact

Wade told you what you needed? Excellent! Perhaps we still stand a chance of obtaining ultimate power!

Enemies

• Midnight Squad
  

Notable NPCs

• Botis (Circle of Thorns Blade Prince)

	Office Guide
	You found a note on the Midnighter you defeated regarding the portals within the Midnighter's Office. The first floor is the simplest one. Follow the portal that is not lit in the color of anguish. The only way to reach the third level is to follow the path colored in anguish. The true path into the forbidden sanctum is the one that is unique from all the others.

Editor's Note: On the first floor there are two portals, one of which is glows with a red hue. The meaning of the clue is to enter the other portal, as red is the color of anguish. Choosing the red portal will send you to a dark cavern filled with Spectral Guardians, with the exit portal on the opposite side of the cavern. Entering the correct portal brings you to the second level (an office space filled with Midnight Squad members). Make your way to an area with three portals — one of which glows red. The second part of the clue tells you to "follow the path colored in anguish", meaning you need to enter the red portal. Choosing this portal will bring you to the third level. Choosing the other portals will bring you to the cavern filled with Spectral Guardians again. On the third level (a very dark set of office spaces filled with Midnight Squad members) make your way to an area containing six portals. They all seem identical, except that you may notice the four torches set in front of one portal are arranged in a straight line, whereas each of the other portals have torches arranged in a semi-circle. Choose the different portal — the one with four torches in a straight line. Choosing the wrong portal will send you to a cavern filled with Spectral Guardians. The Inner Sanctum is a dark area filled with books and also the demon Botis.

Botis dialogue and decision

Botis

CheIubai. Do not be surprised. I know that you know who I am. I know of your deeds here within the Rogue Isles. And I know what you come here to seek. Do you see, CheIubai, that I am bound here? The Midnighters have gone to great lengths to see that I am here to serve them, to show them the secrets of the past and the possibilities of the future. Much like yourself.

I shall give you my aid, CheIubai, in exchange for your help in setting me free.

• ...I'm supposed to believe a demon's word?

My word is all that I have, CheIubai. That, and the vengeance I wish to enact on those who have bound me into this place.

• Tell me the information, and then I'll free you. That's the deal.

Botis glares at you.

Very well, CheIubai. But before we begin, I shall give you a glimpse of what would happen, should you try to go back on your word.

You see a number of images flash before your eyes, as if a part of you were travelling through time. You see yourself betraying Botis, and Botis moving to attack you. In the battle, you notice Botis is unable to damage the artifacts that keep him bound. You watch Botis kill you and siphon your power for his own use. The images fade and you're able to see clearly.

Now, I believe we have an understanding.

• ...Tell me what I need to know.

The Leviathan's power is immense, yes, but there is a ritual that can be enacted to prevent it from taking over one's mind.

A scroll appears in your hand, detailing the ritual.

There is a far greater power behind the Leviathan. You could say that the Leviathan is linked to it; this being is the origin of the Leviathan's power. What exactly that being is, and where the power comes from, is a mystery even to me. All that is known is that this being rewards knowledge and power to those who have earned it. Those who do not... are destroyed.

Those who overcome the obstacles within the Leviathan will be granted the knowledge that not even I have; the truth behind the Leviathan's power and the method to acquire it for yourself.

• Is that it?

That is it. Now, we have a deal, CheIubai. I have given you what you want, now you are to give me what I want.

• Sorry Botis, but I'll take my chances. I won't be freeing any demon today

Missing reply.

• A deal is a deal. I'll get you out of here.

Excellent. I eagerly await my freedom, CheIubai.

• I'll make sure you get it, trust me.

Missions

Vincent Ross does not offer any missions outside of his main story arc.