Mission:Tip - The Dagger of Caernoz

The Dagger of Caernoz (40-50)

You've come across a box containing an old dagger with fiery sigils lining the blade. Inside the box is a note addressed to a hero named Desdemona.

'Your actions have convinced us that you truly wish to seal away Lord Caernoz rather than bind him to your will. We now send you the true dagger, not the replica you believe will seal him away. Only with this can you hold power over that infernal being. We believe you will use this power for the good of all. Know that you are trusted amongst us. - The Sightless Court'

Recently, Desdemona has been causing problems amongst the elite of the Rogue Isles as she tracks down some 'nameless being'. You remember hearing that she was last seen heading off to a Circle of Thorns temple to perform some ritual or another. Now you know what she has planned, and it seems she's woefully unprepared. What better time to pay her back for all the trouble that turn-coat has been causing than when she's about to get her rear kicked royally?

On the other hand, you're the one with the dagger, not her. She'd likely pay a pretty penny to get her hands on this at the moment she needs it the most.

Villain Acceptance

Briefing

Having once been a demon-summoner filled with an unholy hatred towards all caped do-gooders, Desdemona's change of heart is rather... upsetting. Now it seems that she's managed to convince other people of her noble intentions, enough that they're willing to give her such a powerful object to *STOP* demons? No... she's gone too far this time.

Instead of just watching her grisly end at the hands of this powerful demonic entity, why not add to her failure by presenting this dagger to that demonic beast?

Who knows? Maybe it might grant you a reward in the process.

• Stop Desdemona from sealing the Demon's portal

You have a pretty good idea where Desdemona might have gone. If you make it there in time, you just might be able to finish her off personally. The look on her face will be all the more delightful once you present this dagger to her demonic foe.

Unnecessary Solicitation

If you're going to get any kind of reward from this demon prince, you're going to need to stop Desdemona from sealing him away forever!

Mission Objective(s)

You're pretty certain this is the place Desdemona plans on facing off against the demon Caernoz. If you track down Desdemona before she finds out her plan isn't going to work, you may get to beat her face in yourself!

• Return the dagger to Caernoz
  • Find and defeat Desdemona
    
  • Return the dagger to Caernoz
    
  • Destroy Lord Caernoz's Altar before he returns!

You've destroyed the altar of Lord Caernoz. Now get out of here before his worshippers get more ticked off than they already are!

Enemies

Circle of Thorns
Knives of Artemis

Notable NPCs

• Desdemona
• Lord Caernoz (Circle of Thorns Death Mage)

Lord Caernoz, a demon lord most foul, has taken the host of a Death Mage to house his manifestion upon this world. Any mortal form less powerful would slowly melt away under the sheer greatness of his presence.

Desdemona dialogue

Before Combat:

With the power of Caernoz's very own dagger, I'll be able to forever seal away this unholy terror!

Combat:

Character? Do not tell me that you are now in the employ of this deceitful one?

I thought even you had some standards!

You can not stop me, Character.

Tell your lord that he will no longer hold this world in his inhuman grip!

What you don't know is that this dagger works on his minions just as much as him!

This means you, Character!

What is wrong here... Why is the dagger not banishing you to the nether realms!?

Why... Why do you also possess the dagger?

*gasp*

This one I'm holding... it... it's false...

Defeated:

No... Character... Don't do this.

Caernoz's only reward given to his minions is a cold, unending death...

Lord Caernoz dialogue

Before Combat:

I sense you, mortal.

Creeping among the detritus of these foul halls...

The scent of corruption gives you away...

...stand before me, Character.

Combat Start:

You presumed too much.

Feel my wrath, mortal

You think to defeat me, but you are sorely mistaken.

As long as my altar stands, my supplicants will bring me into this world again and again!

Defeated

You have delayed me, Character, but not stopped me.

I will see you shortly.

Guardians of the Altar dialogue

Before Combat:

Circle of Thorns Minion: Protect the passageway of Lord Caernoz with your lives!

Circle of Thorns Minion: He shall tear our souls from our corpses if we fail!

Combat Start:

Circle of Thorns Minion: You will not leave here with your soul, unbeliever!

Debriefing

Although you managed to humiliate Desdemona by defeating her in combat, you earned a new enemy by the name of Lord Caernoz, an infernal demon from the depths below. Word of that is sure to spread like wildfire, and they'll all know it was *YOU*!

Rogue Acceptance

Briefing

Having once been a demon-summoner filled with an unholy hatred towards all caped do-gooders, Desdemona's change of heart is something that doesn't really concern you in the least. If she wants to go the holier-than-thou route, that's entirely up to her. According to this message, it appears she's about to face off against some demon or devil or whatever boogeyman she thinks she needs to fight. But seeing as you're the one with the object she needs to pull this off, you've got the upper hand when it comes to... negotiating a deal.

It would benefit you a lot more to let her succeed rather than watch her painfully die. When the day's done, she'll stop that demon of hers and you'll walk away with a fat sack of cash!

• Trade with Desdemona before she gets hersefl killed!

You have a pretty good idea where Desdemona might have gone. If you make it there in time, you just might be able to make a deal with her before that demon winds up eviscerating the girl. Remember, she's in no position to make any demands.

Unnecessary Solicitation

If you're going to make some money off of this situation, you're going to need to talk with Desdemona before she's finished!

Mission Objective(s)

You're pretty certain this is the place Desdemona plans on facing off against the demon Caernoz. If you track down Desdemona before she finds out her plan isn't going to work, you may make yourself some fast, easy cash!

• Make a deal with Desdemona
  • Find and work out a deal with Desdemona
  • Destroy Lord Caernoz's Altar While Desdemona Fights Him!
  • Get your reward from Desdemona

Instead of getting a reward, you were given a speech about changing your ways. You showed Desdemona what she could do with it.

Enemies

• Circle of Thorns
  
• Longbow
  

Notable NPCs

• Desdemona (Rogues Gallery Boss)
• Summoning Altar of Caernoz (Object)

Make a deal with Desdemona

Desdemona
Upon approach:

With the power of Caernoz's very own dagger, I'll be able to forever seal away this unholy terror!

Character? Do not tell me that you are now in the employ of this deceitful one?

I thought even you had some standards!

Combat start:

You can not stop me, Character.

Tell your lord that he will no longer hold this world in his inhuman grip!

First blood:

What you don't know is that this dagger works on his minions just as much as him!

75% health:

What is wrong here... Why is the dagger not banishing you to the nether realms!?

This means you, Character!

50% health:

Why... Why do you also possess the dagger?

25% health:

Stop! I yield to you, Character. Before you finish me, at least tell me why you joined forces with Caernoz.

Upon defeat:

gasp

This one I'm holding... it... it's false...

Destroy the Altar

Upon approach:

Ice Thorn Caster: Protect the passageway of Lord Carnoz with your lives.

Ice Thorn Caster: He shall tear our souls from our corpses if we fail!

Combat starts:

Ice Thorn Caster: You will not leave here with your soul, unbeliever!

Get your reward from Desdemona

Desdemona
Upon approach:

Character! I'm over here. It's time for your reward.

Remember me telling you we heroes do things the right way?

Well, the right way is that you'll need to pay for your crimes before you can collect any kind of reward.

Combat start:

I know it sounds like I'm betraying you, but I'm not

Once you've done your time, I will see to it personally you get your money.

75% health:

Character, please listen. This is your one chance to turn things around for yourself.

I did it, and I know you can, too.

50% health:

Stop fighting! I'm actually trying to help you here!

25% health:

Don't ruin this chance, Character! Just turn yourself in and you'll have taken the most important step!

Upon defeat:

No... I believed... you could... do it...

Debriefing

After all the work you did to help that idiot of a demon summoner, all you got for it was a high-and-mighty speech about turning your life around.

That's the last time you'll work out a deal with someone without seeing the cash FIRST!