Missions:A Woman's Scorn - Part One: Shadowy Negotiations

Part One: Shadowy Negotiations

Briefing

At first I was unsure, but now it is painfully clear. Our enemy is not the Apparitions, Character, it is Cole's witch who is behind this. Diabolique.

It was she who must have stolen Blind Makwa's spirit sight, and with it she is directing the Apparitions to attack the living.

It all stinks of Diabolique's doing, and some totemic wards will not stop her from carrying out her plans. We must strike before she does, but to confront her risks a fate worse than death. Any who have tried have had their soul ripped from their body and enslaved to her will. There must be another way...

• I'll go talk to her.

Talk to her?! Are you mad...?

...

She is not one for idle chitchat and revealing our hand to her is borderline suicide.

Still... she and I know one another... from a long time ago. That may give us enough of an edge to take advantage of her short comings. She may be a soul stealing witch, but she's still the power hungry pupil I knew years ago.

I'll summon a shadow of her power in a summoning circle so we may converse with her under our terms. This will be the safest way.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I'll summon Diabolique's shadow inside of a spirit warded summoning circle. But be wary. Even a fraction of her power may be enough to break it.

Cerulean

Briefing

Diabolique is a spirit trapped in this world, she must obey the same rules as any other spirit, but there is a problem. Magic breaks rules, and Diabolique is a powerful magician. Once I've summoned a shadow of her power into the summoning circle she will do her best to break free. If she breaks free we'll have to destroy her shadow quickly, else she may manifest fully in our presence, and that would be disastrous.

Make every possible preparation before we proceed. If Diabolique attacks us we must defend ourselves with every bit of strength we have.

• "I'm ready." (Enter Mission)

	Diabolique's Shadow
	Cerulean is summoning only a portion of Diabolique's true power, what he calls her shadow. If this shadow is allowed to escape from the wards holding it then she could manifest all of her power at its location, and that would be a very bad thing.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: IOM_MERCYVIEW_CERULEAN

Cerulean draws out a summoning circle and then calls you over to participate in the ritual.

• Meet with Diabolique's shadow
  • Participate in the summoning ritual

You drove off Diabolique's shadow, but now the evil ghost has cordially invited you to meet her face to face at the Westerman Building in the middle of Sunken City.

Enemies

Praetorians
Apparitions

Notable NPCs

• Cerulean (Boss Ally)
• Shadow of Diabolique (Elite Boss)

Ritual Dialogue

Before Ritual: Cerulean: Character, come, the ritual has begun. Ritual Start: Cerulean: Sha-na-to-re-ma-tu-na. Cerulean: Vo-ku-ra-te-la-sha-ra. Cerulean: Su-ver-na Ta-may Ar-ka-nus. Shadow of Diabolique: Who Shadow of Diabolique: DARES Shadow of Diabolique: Summon me?! Cerulean: I dare, Diabolique. Shadow of Diabolique: Cerulean! Shadow of Diabolique: It has been far, far too long... lover. Cerulean: That was a long time ago, Tammy... Shadow of Diabolique: Not so long ago for you to forget my name, I see. Shadow of Diabolique: Or my affections? Cerulean: Not long enough ago for me to forget how you murdered your father and abandoned the Midnight Squad. Shadow of Diabolique: Ah yes, father and the Midnighters. Shadow of Diabolique: They didn't fare too well after I left. Shadow of Diabolique: I had wondered if that insect, Master Midnight, had killed you. Cerulean: Midnight is another matter! Cerulean: Tell me why you're summoning the Apparitions now or I'll be forced to... Shadow of Diabolique: Or you'll be forced to WHAT? Shadow of Diabolique: Destroy me? Shadow of Diabolique: By all means, Cerulean. Shadow of Diabolique: If you aren't going to speak civilly with me then I see no reason to keep up this charade of powerlessness... Cerulean: Charade?! Cerulean: Oh no! Cerulean: Character, the ward has no power over her! Shadow of Diabolique: Your feeble magic can't even contain a splinter of my power, Cerulean. Cerulean: She's been free this entire time! Shadow of Diabolique: And to think, I was once your naive, affectionate pupil. Shadow of Diabolique: It would seem that now it is you who are in need of a master. Shadow of Diabolique: Let us see how much power you possess. Combat Start: 75% Health: Shadow of Diabolique: Impressive. Shadow of Diabolique: Most impressive. 50% Health: Shadow of Diabolique: Let's see how you fare against others I've taken. Dispersed Impression: The mistress calls! Upon Defeat of Minion: Shadow of Diabolique: Very good, Character. Shadow of Diabolique: You are powerful. I must have you. 25% Health: Shadow of Diabolique: Perhaps it is you who I should enslave to my will. Upon Defeat: Shadow of Diabolique: It would seem that Character is not without his / her uses. Shadow of Diabolique: If you wish to speak about the Apparitions, civilly, then meet me in person atop the Westerman Building in the center of the Sunken City. Shadow of Diabolique: And don't bring Cerulean, he is no longer of any use, or interest, to me.

Debriefing

My apologies, Character, I lost my poise.

Seeing Tammy again drudged up some dark memories.

That creature may have once been Tammy Arcanus, a woman I loved very much, but now she is just Diabolique. I see that now.

I feel I can trust in you, Character. Take this bead. If you ever need to talk to me, just think of me and we can share our thoughts. Across space, across time, even across dimensions.