On the Threshold

On the Threshold

Year

1339 AE

Storyline

Visions of Eternity

Chapter

On the Threshold

Locations

• Starlit Weald
  (Castora)
  
• Eternity's Garden
  (Castora)

Level

80

Preceded by

Path of Divinity

Followed by

Within Your Grasp

On the Threshold: Camp On the Threshold: Camp (the next morning)

On the Threshold is the ninth chapter of the Visions of Eternity story.

Objectives

• Speak with Meliza about the captured Inquest members.
• Inquest Interrogated
  
• Contact your allies to fill them in on recent developments.
• Optional: Read Notes
  
• Clues
  
• Contact your allies with the updated information.
• Meet with your allies and determine your next steps.
• Answer the call from Vloxx.

Carve a path deeper into the island.

• Venture deeper into the Castoran Jungle.
• Catch up with your allies.
• Grab a machete.
• Vines Slashed
  
• Wait for Isgarren to catch his breath.
• Vines Slashed
  
• Let Isgarren rest a moment longer.
• Vines Slashed
  
• Take in the view.
• Makes your way to the area below.
• Inquest Fought
  
• View the message left behind.
• Check on Isgarren.
• Get some rest.

In the morning light, gather your bearings.

• Approach your allies.
• Talk with your allies.
• Ask Isgarren about the curse.

Rewards

• Bag of Loot (3) (guaranteed)
• Castoran Cache of Riches (1) (guaranteed)
• Tale of Adventure (guaranteed)

Walkthrough

Go to  Priory Expedition Waypoint — and speak with Meliza to start.

Speak with one of the Inquest prisoners then interact with the Confiscated Inquest Belongings and speak with the prisoner again. Repeat for all 4 prisoners, one at a time. You'll get an optional task to Read Notes; despite this popping up at the Priory Expedition site, the notes are at Forward Base Bravo.

Head to  Forward Base Bravo — and interact with the Tracking Device, Old Prints, Power-Lifting Charger, Broken Tablet, and Supply Box. Optionally, interact with the Journal, Book of Poetry, and Muddy Report first.

Head to the  Archway of the Worthy — and speak first with Sayida then Vloxx a bit to the left, and finally return to the Archway to start the story instance.

Carve a path deeper into the island.

Speak with Sayida, then pick up a machete from the Crate of Machetes. Use the machete's Slash skill twice to cut down each wall. The walls deal a small amount of damage and there are enemies after each wall, but these can be ignore. Isgarren needs a moment to rest after the 3rd and 6th walls but this is otherwise uncomplicated.

Continue down along the path into the basin after the 9th wall (gliding is disabled, so avoid the cliff) to find a camp with some Inquest to fight in two waves. Continue forwards and view Kuda's message, then speak with Isgarren (optionally speaking with Canach, Rytlock, and Sayida first, and also with Isgarren again afterwards).

Use the hammock bed to start the next part.

In the morning light, gather your bearings.

Wake up and speak with Isgarren twice to complete the instance.

Achievements

Any Last Thoughts	The Only Way	1
Check in with your friends after taking the Inquest camp.Journal: On the Threshold Objectives: 4 objectives in total Canach Rytlock Isgarren Sayida	Checked In with 4 Allies	1

• Eligibility is tracked by the  Achievement Eligibility: Any Last Thoughts.
• Speak with Isgarren, Canach, Rytlock, and Sayida after completing the "View the message left behind." objective and before completing the "Get some rest." objective.

Expert Explorer	The Only Way	1
Slice through the jungle thicket only using a machete.Journal: On the Threshold	Only Used a Machete	1

• Eligibility is tracked by the  Achievement Eligibility: Expert Explorer.
• Only damage the 9 vine walls (3 sets of 3 walls) with the machete.
  • Be careful with your weapon & utility skills, as they might hit the vines.
  • Necromancer minions do not remove eligibility.
  • Consider simply ignoring the enemies and just attack the vine walls with the machete as they go down in two hits each and the enemies aren't particularly strong.

On the Threshold	The Only Way	1  1
Regroup and head further inland.Journal: On the Threshold	Completed On the Threshold	1

• Complete the mission.

NPCs

Allies

• Ash Legion Scout
• Assistant Marri
• Astral Ward Protector
• Canach
• Corsair Sharpshooter
• Historian Meliza
• Inquest Prisoner
• Isgarren
• PTM
• Rift Hunter Warrior
• Rytlock Brimstone
• Sayida the Sly
• Tengu Scout

Foes

• Augmented Boar
• Augmented Swiftwing
• Augmented Spitter
• Crocodilian Razortooth
• Inquest Amalgam Assassin
• Inquest Amalgam Engineer
• Inquest Galvanic Technician

Objects

Starlit Weald

• Book of Poetry
• Broken Tablet
• Confiscated Inquest Belongings
• Journal
• Muddy Reports
• Old Prints
• Private Area
• Power-Lifting Charger
• Supply Box
• Tracking Device

On the Threshold: Camp

• Bed
• Crate of Machetes
• Hologram (Kuda)

Dialogue

Starting the story

Tyrian Alliance Operative Official Summons Commander, Your allies are struggling to reach you from Castora—the magical anomalies surrounding the island continue to scatter all communication frequencies. A nautical expedition outside of Cantha was able to parse a message for you from Tribune Rytlock, however. Your party has detained a handful of Inquest scouts, but they are holding on questioning the detainees until your arrival. Make haste.

Rytlock Brimstone: You there, Commander? Looks like we might've found the lead we were looking for.

<Character name>: What've you got?

Rytlock Brimstone: Well, as expected, we still haven't been able to directly follow the Inquest's path.

Rytlock Brimstone: Seems Ancora let them walk right through the magical defenses the seers left around the inner part of the island.

Rytlock Brimstone: But apparently the Priory of all people captured some Inquest who returned. Might want to get over there and grill them.

<Character name>: I'm on my way now.

Starlit Weald

Talking to Meliza at the Priory Camp

<Character name>: What's the situation?

Historian Meliza: We found some Inquest traveling through here and managed to capture them.

Historian Meliza: I didn't think much of it until one of them mentioned how they knew they shouldn't have come back here.

Historian Meliza: It seems they were deeper in the jungle with the bulk of the Inquest and decided to return for something.

Historian Meliza: Of course, they've refused to say a word since. I figure you can be more persuasive than me though.

(Afterwards)

Historian Meliza: Always a pleasure, Commander.

Likewise.

Talking to the Inquest Prisoner next to Meliza

Inquest Prisoner: What do you want?

Let's have a little talk.

I've got nothing to say to you.

Maybe your stuff will talk for you.

Suit yourself.

Just sit tight.

(Getting their belongings)

(Inside is a journal where they express great concern that they can't trust their friends and great fear that they will wind up being the one punished for it.)

Perfect, I can play off of this.

(Back to the Inquest prisoner)

Inquest Prisoner: What do you want?

Let's have a little talk.

I've got nothing to say to you.

Funny, all your friends talked. Couldn't stop talking, even.

They wouldn't dare.

Can you afford to take that risk?

Fine. Kuda sent us back here to find something. I don't know what. I was just the escort.

Suit yourself.

Just sit tight.

(Afterwards)

Inquest Prisoner: What're you looking at?

You're in a poor position for that attitude.

Talking to the Inquest Prisoner behind Meliza's tent

Inquest Prisoner: You're wasting your time.

Oh, yeah?

You'll never get me to talk.

I bet there's something that will change your tune.

So be it.

I often am, yeah.

(Getting their belongings)

(Inside is a Mr. Quiggles, slightly worn from being held often.)

This will do nicely.

(Back to the Inquest prisoner)

Inquest Prisoner: You're wasting your time.

Oh, yeah?

You'll never get me to talk.

Oh, I'm not here to talk.

You're not?

I just wanted to let you know I'm taking your Mr. Quiggles.

What? You can't do that! C-come on, can't you take something else instead?

Like some information, maybe?

Look, you're too late. Kuda sent us to recover something, but they've already taken it back.

Nope.

So be it.

I often am, yeah.

(Afterwards)

Inquest Prisoner: Leave me alone.

Sure, you'll be alone for a long time.

Talking to the Inquest Prisoner at the southeast side of the camp

Inquest Prisoner: Don't bother, I'm not talking.

It's in your best interest.

Not likely. Do you know what Kuda will do to me if she finds out I talked?

Maybe you won't talk, but your things will.

Fine.

Suit yourself.

(Getting their belongings)

(There are a lot of Inquest missives inside, including several that suggest the execution of members that had been captured by the alliance and released, on the assumption that they talked.)

Seems like he's in big trouble either way.

(Back to the Inquest prisoner)

Inquest Prisoner: Don't bother, I'm not talking.

It's in your best interest.

Not likely. Do you know what Kuda will do to me if she finds out I talked?

She'll assume you talked even if you didn't.

That's... Damn, that's probably true. It doesn't matter anyway, the rest of the team has made it back by now. They probably think I'm dead.

Made it back? Without Ancora?

The scouts found another way through. Don't bother pressing me for it; I don't know the way.

Fine.

Suit yourself.

(Afterwards)

Inquest Prisoner: Go away.

Gladly.

Talking to the Inquest Prisoner at the south side of the camp, next to their belongings

Inquest Prisoner: Oh, Alchemy, it's the commander... Please don't kill me.

Let's just talk for now.

Can I...can I just defect? I don't wanna do this anymore. You can trust me.

Let's see if that's really true.

Quit your crying.

I won't. For now.

(Getting their belongings)

(Inside is a lot of literature about clemency laws and protection for defectors.)

Seems like she was telling the truth.

(Back to the Inquest prisoner)

Inquest Prisoner: Oh, Alchemy, it's the commander... Please don't kill me.

Let's just talk for now.

Can I...can I just defect? I don't wanna do this anymore. You can trust me.

Sure, but first, tell me what you all were doing here.

All I know for sure is that Kuda needed us to retrieve something. But only her favorites knew what it was.

Quit your crying.

I won't. For now.

(Afterwards)

Inquest Prisoner: I don't want to talk...

Frankly, neither do I.

After interrogating all Inquest members

<Character name>: You were right, Rytlock, I think this is going to be the break we've been looking for.

Rytlock Brimstone: What'd you find?

<Character name>: Kuda sent some Inquest back to search for something. Whatever it is, they found it and left already.

<Character name>: But if they could get here and back without Ancora...

Rytlock Brimstone: Then we can too.

<Character name>: Exactly. I'm going to go investigate a camp they were at. Let the others know to be ready to move.

Interacting with the Tracking Device

<Character name>: Looks like they left a lot of stuff behind, including a rough description of the way back.

<Character name>: Kuda wouldn't be pleased about that.

Interacting with the Old Prints

<Character name>: From these tracks, it looks like this was a decent-sized group. Most of them must have escaped.

Interacting with the Power Lifting Charger

<Character name>: Whatever they were after, it looks like it took several of them to carry it away.

Interacting with the Broken Tablet

<Character name>: Well, they didn't leave much on here, but there are coordinates, at least. Let's see where they lead.

Interacting with the Supply Box

<Character name>: Look at all this trailblazing gear. Wherever they came through must be really overgrown.

After examining everything

<Character name>: If you guys can hear me, I've found where we need to go.

<Character name>: I'm sending some coordinates. Gather up what you need, and meet me there when you're ready.

Arriving at the Archway of the Worthy

Sayida the Sly: Looks like we're finally making some progress here.

<Character name>: Going to be a tough trek through the jungle though.

Canach: That makes, what, the sixth time we've done so together?

PTM: Interesting. Are these excursions a regular hobby of yours?

Isgarren: Castora has dangers other places do not, but Canach is right; this is not outside of your usual fare.

Rytlock Brimstone: Let's get going, then. We're far enough behind as it is.

<Character name>: Wait, I'm getting a call here, give me a moment.

Stepping aside to answer the call

Director Vloxx: I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. There have been pressing matters I couldn't ignore.

Director Vloxx: I hope you've had some time to consider everything.

<Character name>: I have, but it's hard to know what to make of it when I still don't know what you're going to do.

Director Vloxx: I haven't hidden anything from you, Commander, but as I said before, I can't tell you what I don't even know myself.

Director Vloxx: When the rite is complete, I will decide what to do next.

Director Vloxx: Perhaps I'll merely need to make Tyria's rulers stand aside and let their people decide their future for themselves.

Director Vloxx: But it also may require more complex maneuvering. Who's to say? I'm as eager to find out as you are.

<Character name>: The only way this is going to end well is if you step down from the Inquest and come to our side.

<Character name>: Think of what you could accomplish working alongside the alliance and the Astral Ward.

Director Vloxx: Commander, does one partner with the disease in searching for the cure?

Director Vloxx: The alliance and the ward are infected with the very corruption and myopia I need to fix.

Director Vloxx: I tried to do this the way you always have, but it doesn't work. The problem is too large, and the stakes are too high.

Director Vloxx: I know you're coming to find me. I'm glad.

Director Vloxx: Once this ugly business is done, you'll see that I've been on your side all along.

On the Threshold: Camp

Upon entering the instance

Rytlock Brimstone: This is it, then. What's the plan, just hack our way through the jungle?

<Character name>: Unless you've got a better idea.

Canach: We've waited long enough for a way in, so let's not waste any more time.

<Character name>: Are you up for this journey, Isgarren.

Isgarren: It matters not. We must act now while we can. Do not worry after me.

Sayida the Sly: Well then, let's get to it, shall we?

Talking to Assistant Marri after picking your machete

Assistant Marri: If you lose your machete, just let me know and I'll get you a new one!

Do people lose their machetes a lot?

Assistant Marri: Out here? All the time! I've reclaimed and repaired no fewer than 47 machetes since arriving on Castora. I've gotten really good at it!

Well, I'll try to keep a tight grip on mine.

Will do.

After the third vine wall

Isgarren: (groans painfully)

Closer to the next wall

<Character name>: Are you all right? Let's stop to rest for a moment.

Isgarren: Our enemies will not give us that same luxury. No, you must press on, without me if need be.

Rytlock Brimstone: I'm not sure that's a real option.

<Character name>: Rytlock's right, we can't do this without you. If you need a moment, let us know.

Isgarren: Hm, very well. But do not lose sight of the task in front of us. This is more important than I.

<Character name>: I'm surprised you left the pub to come trudging through the woods with us, Canach.

Canach: You're frustratingly perceptive, you know that?

Canach: Do you remember how I was when we met, Commander? Determined and idealistic, willing to do whatever was necessary.

Canach: At some point, I stopped trying to save the world. I wasn't very good at it anyway, so why not leave it to someone else?

Canach: I don't regret the life I lead now, make no mistake. And it could be that's where my real talent lies.

Canach: But...maybe your new friend makes me feel a little guilty about giving up. And maybe it's time I fix that.

<Character name>: Glad to hear it.

After the sixth vine wall

Igarren: I need...just a moment.

Closer to the next wall

<Character name>: Think you've caught up to Margrid yet?

Sayida the Sly: Heh... Getting there. Ask me again when this is all done with.

Sayida the Sly: You know, while Vloxx is our first priority, we're still going to have to deal with the rest of the Inquest.

Sayida the Sly: If he really doesn't plan to stay as their leader, they might be even more dangerous afterward.

<Character name>: Agreed.

Rytlock Brimstone: There's something else that's been bothering me.

Rytlock Brimstone: Vloxx says he doesn't know what he's going to do after the rite.

Rytlock Brimstone: Let's say he really does intend to do the right thing. What if there isn't one?

<Character name>: What do you mean?

Canach: You mean to ask, Tribune, what he'll do if only bad options exist.

Canach: Will he pick the least harm or the most potential for good?

Isgarren: A quandary older than Tyria itself.

Rytlock Brimstone: Not sure I even know what we would do.

After the final vine wall

<Character name>: Wait, I think there's something up ahead. Let's see if we can get a better angle.

Arriving at the Inquest camp

Canach: Looks like we've got the drop on them. Let's take them out quickly.

After the fight against Inquest

Rytlock Brimstone: Let's see if they've got anything useful on them.

Interacting with the hologram

Overseer Kuda: This is a reminder that you have all been given your assignments and know your duties.

Overseer Kuda: The director is occupied with his own tasks, the details of which are not your concern. You answer to me.

Overseer Kuda: Your loyalty is to the Inquest. Don't you dare forget it.

Sayida the Sly: Definitely sounds like they're not all on the same page.

Speaking with Isgarren

Isgarren: (groans exhaustedly)

<Character name>: Are you all right, Isgarren?

Isgarren: Sidony plotted his revenge well, it seems. He'll see me humiliated even if it costs all of Tyria.

Rytlock Brimstone: We should make camp for the night anyway. We'll need to be rested for what's to come.

Talking to Isgarren

Isgarren: I think it better I not spend what strength I have on idle talk.

Are you going to make it through this?

Isgarren: Come now, Wayfinder. I have survived worse degradations than this.

Fair enough.

Makes sense to me.

Talking to Canach

Canach: You know I love to chat, Commander, but perhaps we should be moving?

Any last thoughts about the situation?

Canach: I think that we'd better hurry, because no matter what happens next, it'll be much safer if we're there.

Can't argue with that.

Fair enough.

Talking to Rytlock

Rytlock Brimstone: Not a fan of all this humidity.

Anything else bothering you?

Rytlock Brimstone: Pretty much everything. Business as usual.

Good to have things I can count on.

Can't disagree with that.

Talking to Sayida

Sayida the Sly: Need something, Commander?

Ready for what's ahead?

Sayida the Sly: Definitely ready to be done with it. Ready to see the Inquest buried for good.

Agreed.

Just checking in.

Waking up the next morning

Isgarren: Good, you're all awake. I have made a decision.

Isgarren: The weight of this place is too much. Even if I press on, I'll be of no use.

Isgarren: And now more than ever, you must not slow down. For me or anyone else.

Isgarren: I must wait until the curse is broken. But I will do what I can to assist you from here.

Sayida the Sly: Wait, do we even know what we're looking for?

Isgarren: The rite took place at the Spire of Exaltation. I do not remember the path; it has been millenia since I stood here.

<Character name>: Then we'd best start looking immediately.

Speaking with Isgarren

Isgarren: Perhaps the answer to this curse is here.

Isgarren: Your focus must remain on Vloxx, but if an answer presents itself, please do let me know what you find.

My Story

“ Word finally came through that we found the break we've been looking for. Rytlock called to tell me that the Priory had captured some Inquest in the area, so I stopped by the camp to find out more. Meliza told me that she had overheard the captives saying that they "never should have come back," but that they weren't talking. I was able to get a bit more out of them with a little pressure, but they didn't know much beyond that they had been sent here to retrieve something and it had already been taken back to the deep jungle. That means that, even without Ancora, they had some way to get through all of Castora's defenses that have been keeping us from getting to Vloxx. I did some more digging around the area and turned up some more evidence of their visit. Not enough to figure out what they had actually returned to get, but enough to figure out what path they had taken in the process. I informed the others and we all met up at the start of it, ready to blaze our trail through the thicket. That's when I got a call from Vloxx. He reiterated his point that he doesn't know what he's going to do with this power, but that he'll decide once he has it. He seems to genuinely want to help Tyria, so I pleaded with him to abandon the Inquest and join us instead. Predictably, it didn't work. He's already anticipated that we're getting closer, and he doesn't seem worried about it. Which means we'd better hurry, before it's too late. *** We cut our way through Castora's deep jungle, trying as best as we could to follow the path the Inquest had already laid out. Isgarren is really struggling; it seems the closer we get to the ritual ground that Vloxx is seeking, the stronger the effect of Sidony's curse. We had to stop regularly for him to rest, though he urged us to continue on without him. Perhaps it's my imagination, but he seems insistent on being helpful. I wonder if Mabon's words finally got through to him. As we traveled, I discussed the situation with the others. Canach is unusually motivated, and he described how seeing Vloxx willing to do whatever is necessary made him question his own priorities. It's good to see him eager, although I hope he doesn't follow Vloxx's lead too much. Rytlock is concerned with what might happen if Vloxx is faced with only bad options and how he might decide between them. And Sayida raised the question of what might happen if Vloxx actually does abandon the Inquest and leave it to Kuda. They're all valid points, but I don't think we can resolve any of them just yet. We came upon an Inquest encampment, dispatched them, and found a message from Kuda to the rank and file among their belongings. No new revelations available, but it did confirm that they're not all on the same page, at least. Isgarren has been unable to continue, so we're making camp here for the night. Hopefully tomorrow's light will bring some new answers. *** When morning arrived, Isgarren informed us that he can't continue onward until the curse is broken, so we will proceed on and rely on his guidance from the camp. He asked that we be on the lookout for anything that might be able to break the curse, and we certainly will be. For now, we will continue to search for the ritual grounds, and for Vloxx. — My story

Notes

Anomaly:

Despite the initial mail claiming difficulties communicating out of Castora, Rytlock's communicator dialogue triggers in any map, not just in Castora.

---

Visions of Eternity storyline

Act 1	Prologue: On the Sly → Unscheduled Departures → Solid Ground → Eyes, Ears, and Arms → Truths Unearthed
Act 2	Beneath the Canopy → Ruins of the Old World → Fumbling in the Dark → Path of Divinity
The Only Way	On the Threshold → Within Your Grasp → Divitium Nava → A Bold Strategy → So It Is Written
← Previous: Janthir Wilds Next: To be continued →