Mission:The Hearts of Darkness - Heroic Measures: Zephyr's Gust

Zephyr's Gust

Briefing

The aftermath of the execution of your plan has caused us to keep the details of what we are doing more hidden from the eyes of the Arachnos. Due to this, our competition had to be adjusted. Our benefactor has agreed to alter the proceedings to more - intimate - events. And with you being the maind catalyst to these alterations, it would be most fitting if you continued to play the role for the remainder of the competition. Of course, you can always concede your current victory to the others if you do not feel up to the task for the remaining events.

• I'm not giving up, Graves. Bring it.

Very well. From here on out the contestants will be required to come up with ingenious means by which they can capture, torture, and ultimately defeat those that would impede our benefactor's goals. Since one of you will become the protege to the master, you will use this time to show that our masters' attentions will not be wasted on the victor. Each of these plans will require vicious cunning, a complete disregard to ethics and cultural mores, and a touch of dramatic flair by the means in which the unfortunate 'hero' is beaten, broken, and eventually destroyed.

You, Character, will be given the honor of playing the role of said hero in your fellow contestants' plans. All you need to do is survive what they have in store for you. Simple enough for someone so daring, yes? Zephyr, in last place, will be given first go at you. He awaits. Now go.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I am not in the mood to wait any longer for this. Zephyr is waiting, as are the rest. Wait too long and we will list you as 'FORFEIT' in regards of the competition.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: SmoothCaves_60_Layout_09

This is the location Dr. Graves directed you to. When it comes to planning, Zephyr is not much of a threat. However, it would be best to stay on guard.

• Survive Zephyr's Insidous Plan
  • Tell Zephyr you're ready to begin.
  • Defeat the first of Zephyr's new goons
  • 3 Channeling Altars remaining
  • Find Zephyr
  • Gloat over Zephyr

You survived Zephyr's foolish plan of giving his newly acquired minions significant potions of his power... with the help of Arachnos, of course.

Enemies

Gold Brickers

Notable NPCs

• Zephyr (Hearts of Darkness Lieutnant)
• Zephyr's Hired Lackey (Gold Brickers Boomer)

Zephyr Dialogue

Upon Approach:

Zephyr: I thought you were gonna chicken out.

Zephyr

Briefing

Okay, dude. Here's the plan. I'm all about brute force, right? So the way this is going to go down is that you're gonna need to bust the chops of all these dudes I've paid to beat you up. Pretty good plan, eh?

• No. That's actually pretty boring, Zephyr.

You know, I thought you were gonna say that. So since I didn't want you to get all whiney, I figured I'd give all these dudes a bit of my power. You know, like the way a god or something does to his worshippers? 'Cuz I'm cool like that.

• You can hand out your powers to other people?

Yeah, totally! All they've gotta do is wear one of these bracelets that look like my totally sweet belt, and *whamo!*, they're sporting cool wind powers and all that.

• So your powers come from your belt?

Wha... huh? My belt? Dude... why should my powers, uh, come from my belt? That's like, you know, totally dumb, dude. Why gotta be so stupid, you know?

• Hm... looks like I touched on a sore spot.

Okay, you know what dude? I don't like your attitude. So 'cuz of that, I'm gonna crank up the voltage, like, totally big time, right? Now these dudes are gonna get even more of my powers. Like, the part where I can't even be killed because I'm the freakin' wind, dude.

Haha! You are so gonna get your butt kicked now!

• So... they can't be killed?

Well, it's gonna take a bit for all that to transfer over to them, alright? But I can tell you one thing for certain - you ain't fast enough to take down all these dudes before that super invulnerability stuff starts working.

Wow... why didn't I think about doing that from the start? That was kinda dumb...

• So your plan is to make your henchmen invulnerable?

Yeah, what's wrong with making all my little slaves as powerful as me?

All I had to do was channel all of my Enhancements into these altars.

It's not hard to do. So now, you're like my hero captive and all, and you gotta bust your way out from my hordes of invulnerable lackeys.

• I'll find a way, Zephyr.

Zephyr Dialogue

Zephyr: Good luck, amigo...

Zephyr's Hired Lackey Dialogue

Before Combat:

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: So you're Character we've got to bust up?

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: Whoa! I'm totally feelin' this. I'm... I'm quicker than I've ever been!

Combat Start:

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: Hit me all you like, bucko, ain't gonna do you any good.

75% Health:

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: Oh man... I forgot to charge up. Doesn't matter... I can still do you without this bracelet.

50% Health:

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: Hey now... I was just kidding about beating you, you know?

Upon Defeat:

Zephyr's Hired Lackey: I shouldda listened to that weirdo...

Altar Guard Dialogue

Combat Start:

Rocketman: Once we're done with you, we're gonna use these bracelets to take over the Isles!

---

Combat Start:

Rocketman: I'm not feeling anything. What's going on?

---

Combat Start:

Rocketman: So when are these new powers going to kick in?

Zephyr Dialogue

Upon Approach:

Zephyr: How did all my dudes get busted up?

Zephyr: I know this is breaking the rules, but I'm gonna kick your teeth in, Character.

75% Health:

Zephyr: I'm gonna tell Graves that you freaked out and started attacking me.

50% Health:

Zephyr: Just give up dude. I'm, like, totally invulnerable.

25% Health:

Zephyr: How are you able to kick my -- oh no -- I gave those dudes my power...

10% Health:

Zephyr: Okay... I give up. You win.

Zephyr

Briefing

Look, I said I give up, okay?! You win, dude!

• Say it again. Say that I win.

YOU WIN! YOU WIN!

There, happy now? Jeez. You know, you're a really sore winner. You, like, totally suck.

• Perhaps I should tell Graves --

Aw c'mon, dude... that's like totally uncool. I take it back. You don't suck. You're like the coolest villain I've ever met, okay?

• Say it LOUDER.

FINE! You are the coolest villain here in the Rogue Isles and I only wish I could be as cool as you. I'm scum and you're totally rad.

Now PLEEEEEASE don't tell Graves and get me disqualified.

• I grant you mercy... for I am a gracious god.

Enhancements

Enhancements are items that will improve the effects of your character's powers. You can make you attacks more accurate, your health more powerful, or even make your powers recharge faster. How you choose to Enhance your powers is up to you, but make sure you keep your Enhancements up-to-date. Each Enhancement has a Level associated with it. Caharcters can equip Enhancements that are up to three levels above them, or down to two levels below them. Enhancements that are beyond this range will not have any effect on your character. This means that as your character levels up, you will need to update your enHancements to keep your powers top-notch. You can increase the level of your Enhancements in two ways: You can equip new, higher-level Enhancements that drop of the enemies or are bought at a Store. or you can combine Enhancements. If two Enhancements of the same type and similar levels are combined, they will increase in level! Experiment with different Enhancements to see what improvements you want out of your powers, and make sure to keep them up-to-date. You won't regret it!

Debriefing

So you survived, did you? I would have been rather shocked if you hadn't. Zephyr has shown himself to be a complete idiot, so your success shows that you can fight your way out of a wet paper sack. Be lucky that I did not authorize any of you the right to attack each other. As much of an idiot as he may be, he does seem to be rather impervious to all forms of damage - allowing him that would have been to have just handed him a victory. I may not like you, Character, but I truly like him less.