 The Paragon Wiki Archive documents the state of City of Heroes/Villains as it existed on December 1, 2012.
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Matthew Burke
Overview
Matthew Burke is a villain contact in the Darwin's Landing neighborhood of Mercy Island. His level range is 1-4.
Introductions
Contact Introduced By
New Contact(s)
I know this guy named Doctor Creed here on Mercy. He's a bit of a nut, but he's always looking for volunteers to help him with his 'experiments' on the Infected.
Be prepared to face a lot more of those Infected freaks. Doctor Creed seems to be obsessed with them.
Information
Mercenary
Matthew Burke's been around the Rogue Isles a long time. Long enough to see Arachnos grow in power, and long enough to resent their interference in his work. Most people on the Isles tend to roll over when Arachnos gets too close to their territory, but not Matt. Instead, he's learned to fight back. With his network of contacts and his long line of experience in the dirty business of mercenary work, Matt's managed to stay one step ahead of any Arachnos assassins who might want to take him down. How long this can last is anybody's guess.
Initial Contact
Interesting handle. I can tell one thing about you already: you're nobody's puppet. That's why you're here with me instead of toadying up to Kalinda. I can get you some jobs and help you make your way in the Rogue Isles. Just remember: you have to decide how much to deal with Arachnos. Don't let them decide for you.
Story Arc
The Origins of the Snakes
Souvenir: Snake shell fragment
You kept this Snake shell fragment from the Snake hatchery you violated in search of Stheno. It's a reminder of your investigation into:
The Origins of the Snakes
It began with a new client for Matthew Burke. The client wanted information on the nature of the strange snake creatures that plague Mercy Island, and Burke had agreed to get it. You went to recover a Snake skin, and came away with some interesting information. The Snakes you fought had referred to a creature called 'almighty Stheno,' and you and Burke resolved to seek it out.
Burke tracked down some rumors, so he sent you to another Snake den. There, you recovreed the Book of Stheno, which helped clear up the mystery. Stheno was a Gorgon, the sister of the legendary Medusa.
Burke was determined to track down Stheno himself, if he could. He learned of a Snake hatchery in the area and sent you there. Although you failed to find Stheno herself, you did destroy every egg in the hatchery. So it's a safe bet that Stheno might now be looking for you.
Store
Matthew Burke sells the following items:
- Inspirations
- Level 1 Training Enhancements
- Level 5 Training Enhancements
Missions
Find out about Arachnos
Briefing
You think you know all about Arachnos, huh? Sure you do. Big, fancy posters, lotsa pomp 'n' circumstance. Well, let me tell you: you don't know jack. That's ok, though. You're about to find out.
I like to keep tabs on my neighbors, so I need you to plan these little bugs on the flyers inside Fort Darwin. Easy peasy. It'll give you a chance to see what Arachnos is like in combat. Heck, you might even impress 'em! Arachnos is always looking for the latest good material to come out of the Zig. They use this whole island as a proving ground for their fresh meat.
Here's an access code to get into Fort Darwin. Wait until the coast is clear, then plant the bugs on the Arachnos flyers.
Mission Objective(s)
All you've got to do is plant these bugs. If you choose to take out a few Arachnos operatives--well, that's just a bonus.
- Plant bugs on flyers
- 4 flyers to bug
You have bugged the flyer. All of Burke's bugs are set.
Primary Enemies
Debriefing
Good job. Arachnos has been a thorn in my side ever since I set foot on Darwin's Landing. They think they own everything and everyone here. Most of the time, they're right. Just don't you let them be your masters, ok? You've got what I'd call a bright future ahead of you.
Get away with an op under Arachnos' nose
(The Origins of the Snakes - Part 1)
I'm sure you know that Arachnos likes to think they own everything on this grubby little island. Well, they're wrong. For starters, they don't own me. And if you're smart, you won't let them own you either. So here, in the shadow of Fort Darwin, I'm asking you to help me get away with an operation right under Arachnos' nose. Think you can handle that?
I've been hired by an interested party to investigate the origins of the Snakes. Now, Arachnos doesn't want anybody but themselves knowing what goes on with those slimy little worms, but I happen to think that knowledge belongs to the person strong enough to grab it. So, I've picked out a snake hole for you to investigate. Bring me back a snake skin, and we'll get to work.
Mission Objective(s)
You hear the scraping of scales on stone in the distance. Get a Snake skin and bring it back to Burke!
- Bring back a snake skin
- Defeat Sithius and guards
You defeated Sithius and his guards! You have a Snake skin!
Primary Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Sithius (Cobra)
Template:Clue Snake skin
You collected the snake skin that Matthew Burke requested, but you also found something else. The words of Sithius echo in your head: 'Almighty Stheno.' Who could this creature be?
Debriefing
Almighty Stheno? I don't know who or what that is, but I'd be willing to bet money it's important to the Snakes. Which means it's important to my client. Which means it's important to you and me.
Learn more about Stheno
(The Origins of the Snakes - Part 2)
Briefing
All right, I've tracked down a few rumors about this Stheno character. Apparently she's the Snake's leader. More than that, I've got a lead on a place where you may be able to learn more. It's another snake den, so you'll want your heavy boots.
Whatever you learn, let me know as soon as possible. My client is getting antsy.
Mission Objective(s)
The air smells of Snake breath: damp and disgusting.
- Defeat all Snakes
- Seek clues
You found a clue to Stheno's nature, and learned of one of her haunts!
Primary Enemies
Template:Clue Book of Stheno
This ancient tome refers to Stheno, the sister of the Gorgon, Medusa. It seems she is the goddess worshipped by Mercy's Snakes. It speaks of a time when Stheno will return to spawn new and powerful progeny.
Template:Clue The Hatchery's Location
One of the Snakes you defeated gasped:
'Leave me be! You will never learn of my lady'sss den from me!'
After a judicious interrogation, however, the Snake revealed the location of a Snake hatchery.
Debriefing
Nice work. Looks like we'll have to check out this Snake hatchery. Could be we'll find something worth selling.
Check out the Snake hatchery
(The Origins of the Snakes - Part 3)
Briefing
I can't say for certain whether we'll find Stheno at that hatchery, but I'd say it's worth looking. Be careful. If the reports about Medusa are to be believed, her sister won't be any pushover.
My client will want to know about everything you find.
Mission Objective(s)
You hear a swift and sudden crack.
- Defeat all Snakes in hatchery
You have cleared out the Snake hatchery, but found no sign of Stheno.
Primary Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Cobra Trueborn (Cobra)
Template:Clue Snake shell fragments
You recovered these Snake shell fragments from the Snake hatchery. Though you were unable to find the Gorgon Stheno, these fragments should be worth a lot to Burke's secretive client.
Debriefing
No sign of Stheno, eh? Well, them's the breaks, I guess. I guess my client will have to be content with these Snake shells. I just hope the information we've gathered on the Snakes doesn't get back to Arachnos. I'd hate to think we'd done all this work for their benefit.
Steal book from Ghost Widow
Briefing
Glad to see you. We've got a job. Seems someone's hired us to steal some old book from Ghost Widow's faction. Called the Mu Codex. Who's hired us, you ask? Why, Mako's faction! That's right, those Arachnos factions are always at each other's throats. You'd best remember that if you ever decide to get involved with their lot. Trust no one.
Oh, there's one more thing I didn't tell you. I'm planning to keep this book for myself. So wipe out everyone in the Arachnos lab, won't you? It's the only way we can get away clean.
Mission Objective(s)
- Defeat all operatives in base
- Steal the Mu Codex
Mako hired Burke to steal this book from Ghost Widow's faction. He's hoping to keep it for herself, though, which is a dangerous proposition.
Debriefing
Ah, the Mu Codex. This'll fetch a pretty penny. Oh, don't worry. Mako will believe that Ghost Widow managed to keep the Codex from us. It'll give him a good excuse to call her out, which is what those elite Arachnos operatives like more than anything. They just love their petty intrigues!
Of all of them, only the Arbiters are above all that in-fighting. Heck, even I respect the Arbiters to a certain degree. You may want to check them out.
Go after the good guys
Briefing
You know my code of honor? None. I'll steal from anyone if the price is right. From Arachnos, from Longbow, even from the Snakes if they had anything worth taking. But on this particular day, we're going after the good guys. Longbow. Saviors of Paragon City, thorn in the side of Arachnos. Truth is, I don't mind Longbow so much. They irritate Arachnos, which I can't help but find entertaining. Trouble is, Longbow's got something I want.
Longbow's got some of the best cryptographers this side of Paragon City. One of them is known as Agent Kurst. I need Kurst's files. Not only do they contain a wealth of knowledge about Arachnos ciphers, they also are likely to contain a mention or two about the codes my clients use. Which means, I'm sorry to say, Kurst isn't long for this world.
Mission Objective(s)
- Defeat Kurst and his guards
- Steal Kurst's files
These files, composed by Longbow Agent Kurst, detail the many ciphers he has successfully broken while working on Mercy Island. Although many of these ciphers originated with Arachnos, some of them are the codes Burke uses to correspond with his clients.
Debriefing
Excellent job. These files will server me well. They should let me eavesdrop on secret Arachnos conversations—at least, until these ciphers are rotated out of use. It's important to keep an eye on Arachnos. They're always testing everybody here on Mercy, myself included. Trying to figure out who's strong enough to survive and who's weak enough to crush under their boot heels. When someone's watching you, it's a good idea to watch them right back.
There's a rather odd fellow I'd like you to meet: Doctor Creed. He's a strange man, but he knows a lot about the Infected, and he's looking for a lab assistant.
