Solteris Access #3: Snakes Hiding Something  

Quest Started By:Description:
Where:
Who:
Rating:
*****
Information:
Level:75
Maximum Level:125
Monster Mission:No
Repeatable:No
Can Be Shrouded?:No
Quest Type:Task
Quest Goal:
  • Advancement
  • Faction
Factions Raised:
Factions Lowered:
    Quest Items:
    Related Zones:
    Related Creatures:
    Related Quests:
    Era:The Buried Sea
    Recommended:
    Group Size:Group
    Min. # of Players:3
    Max. # of Players:6
    Appropriate Classes:
    • All
    Appropriate Races:
    • All
    Entered: Thu Feb 15 22:28:40 2007
    Modified: Tue Dec 5 05:21:04 2023
    This group task is the first group mission in a series for Solteris access. It follows this 'A City in Peril' mini-task (required for progression and Combine Signet Ring upgrade).

    This group task is offered by Tactician Sodut in Katta Castum (-550, +108, -19).

    You say, 'Hail, Tactician Sodut'

    Tactician Sodut says 'Hmm, well, hello there _____. I'm sorry if I seem distracted but right now I fear the entire city may be in danger if I do not unravel this [mystery].'

    You say, 'What mystery?'

    Tactician Sodut says 'What mystery? Why the Shissar of course! I just know those snakes are up to something, I just can't [find out] what it is!'

    You say, 'I will help you find out'

    Tactician Sodut says 'Your help would be much appreciated in this matter! Please let me know when you are [ready] and I will arrange transportation for you to the Shissar Habitat. I believe I can slip you into the Habitat with less notice than if you take the main teleporter.'

    You have been assigned the task 'The Snakes are Hiding Something!'.

    Let Tactician Sodut know when you are "ready" to enter Zhisza and he will teleport you to a secret location that should be safe, the he offers no guarantee.

    You have been asked to enter the Shissar Habitat and investigate the Shissar activites. Something is definitely going on in there!



    Enter the Shissar caves and spy on their activities 0/1 (Zhisza)

    You can send someone IVU, SoS or FD'd into the caves for the task update.

    As you enter the cave you hear a hissing chant that seems to be coming from a section of the cave ahead and to your right. Every nerve in your body tingles with the haunting chant and you know in your bones that caution is definitely advised in this situation!

    Observe the ritual in progress! 0/1 (Zhisza)

    Said explorer stays at update point a minute or so.

    As the dead appear before you to serve the Shissar priests you realize that what is happening before you is nothing less than an army being born! As the ritual comes to a close you hear one of the priests order one of the newly risen dead to report to the quarry. You realize now would be a good time to leave and perhaps investigate the quarry yourself!

    Search the golems in the quarry area for evidence that the Shissar are planning something! 0/1 (Zhisza)

    The quarry is the second "opening" on the west side path. There are 1 or 2 Shissar that path through there as well as a couple of basher golems. The golems drop the Schematic required.

    Search the Shissar in the temple for more evidence that the Shissar are planning something! 0/1 (Zhisza)

    Kill shissar in the temple until you loot their Schematic. NOTE: This is reportedly only dropped by Level 79+ patrollers found in the upper floors of the pyramid.

    Follow the couriers back into the caves and find out who is in charge 0/1 (Zhisza)

    Send in a IVU or SOS or FD'r into the caves directly across from zone in to get this update. Several shissar scouts will be in the caves, along with a named Shissar, Lesstos Fintal (they do not need to be killed).

    a Shissar scout delivers a report.

    Deliver the Golem Schematic to Tactician Sodut! 0/1 (Katta Castrum)

    Deliver the Temple Schematic to Tactician Sodut! 0/1 (Katta Castrum)

    Talk to Tactician Sodut about your experience in Zhisza 0/1 (Katta Castrum)

    You say, 'Hail, Tactician Sodut'

    Tactician Sodut says 'Grave news indeed, friend! These golems would be frightening indeed and the plans for this pyramid hint at even darker and deeper plans. You have earned a rest friend, but return when you feel prepared for a [challenge] and I think together we can blunt this threat once and for all.'

    Upon completion, you receive positive faction with Combine Empire Merchants, a number of Onux.

    The next task in the series is 'Counter-Attack!'
    Rewards:
    Send a Correction
    Post Comment
    Faction
    # Apr 14 2015 at 1:27 PM Rating: Good
    Scholar
    17 posts
    +30 Combine Empire Merchants rep for completion
    orux
    # Oct 04 2013 at 5:36 PM Rating: Good
    Avatar
    *
    228 posts
    you get 151 orux at level 100
    ____________________________
    You just GNOMED THAT!.

    Hoarder Stickietoes Budderfingers Debt Collector of the Freeport Militia - 105 Froglok Paladin, Luclin
    Mats 105 Magician of Luclin
    Fillip 105 Bard of Luclin

    "Man who runs in front of car is tired, Man who runs behind car is exhausted"
    soloed
    # Nov 14 2009 at 8:20 PM Rating: Default
    soloed 85 monk 10 min
    Easy
    # Jul 27 2009 at 1:00 PM Rating: Decent
    19 posts
    Soloed as 85 monk in 45 minutes.
    looong
    # Jan 01 2009 at 2:11 PM Rating: Decent
    long one, pretty easy tho
    26 orux 4/5/08
    # Apr 05 2008 at 9:33 PM Rating: Decent
    32 posts
    finding the only yellow con snake inside the temple and pulling it if you have the skill is no doubt the fastest way to complete this mission. I triple boxed this mission with 3 80's, necro cleric and shaman. It took me 5 hours but it would've taken only 1-2 if i didn't have to kill everything in the temple. If you can get a target on the yellow con snake pet pull it down and find a way to snare / tag it, it will save a load of time.
    165!
    # Jan 04 2008 at 11:24 PM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    *
    91 posts
    165 Orux on Xegony tonight.
    ____________________________
    ~~Fenthen Jus'taceio
    60th Cleric, Xegony
    Patroller for Temple Schematic
    # Dec 02 2007 at 8:15 PM Rating: Decent
    Yellow at 80 still.

    Edited, Dec 2nd 2007 11:17pm by FnordShoggothslayer
    Th Patroller for the schematic
    # Nov 24 2007 at 12:24 AM Rating: Decent
    ...was a yellow con to me at level 78. It does see invis. And it was on the 2nd floor.
    Golems
    # Nov 19 2007 at 4:07 PM Rating: Decent
    The golems in the quarry do respawn so that if you acidentally miss part of the quest you can still get the schematics.
    My Experiences
    # Aug 24 2007 at 4:25 PM Rating: Decent
    25 posts
    This is not written any order, so read them all before starting.

    1. The mobs do not summon.
    2. The mobs do not repop.
    3. The mobs have a lot of hp. The shissar mobs have about twice the amount as the efreeti do in Atiiki.
    4. Inside of the temple, the mobs quad over 2.6k.
    5. The shissar mobs all cast ranged a Direct Damage spell with an added effect, either a 1.6k/460 damage per second DD/DoT/snare or a Feign death DD. The feign death DD )tail precision strike?) will suprise you.
    6. The Golems have a rangedDD effect, 1.8k.
    7. The see invis mob in the temple that is also red to a level 75 should drop the temple schematics.
    8. A good place to kite is south of the west path quarry.
    9. Another good place to kite is east of the temple after you clear the two wanderers.
    10. It is possible to do this without an enchanter. Just get a good puller/pullers (I recommend a Shadow Knight tank and monk/necro calling for adds if they appear).
    11. At all costs, avoid getting an add.
    12. Use the west path (the left path)
    13. Animals are not KoS and they will not assist the shissar or golems.

    NOTE TO FD CLASSES: when pulling, don't get up from being FD once in the temple unless the "enemies have forgotten you" message appears. Wait the extra minute or your group will have to spend 30 minutes on a CR. Do not stand up with a patroller on the other side of a wall... It may aggro.
    little help
    # Aug 03 2007 at 3:45 PM Rating: Decent
    Just did this task today with a pal/shm/nec/brd/brd/bot cleric. When you zone in u want someone to go into caves to the north and get tas update. then take west path, get the golem drop. then go up inside temple and up to second floor. red con dropped waht we needed. the necro then evacced and scouted in the caves for the second time, but couldnt go deep enough in. bard then went in with DA up, went all the way to the back, got update, and faded when he got back out of hte caves. the necro could have done it, or the cleric if they could get back to the zonein. all you need is that invulnerability to get u all teh way into the back of those caves. mission took a couple hours.

    By the way, our paladin was getting hit for 2500s with 16k/3k and capped shielding, so adds will kill you. bard mez works fine, so i believe enc mez will also.

    Edited, Aug 3rd 2007 6:46pm by Masloftw
    82 orux but,...
    # Jun 03 2007 at 5:56 PM Rating: Decent
    Sage
    ***
    3,008 posts
    Currently pays 82 orux on Saryrn but, man, what a timesink. It's a LOOOOONG crawl to the temple and then more work once inside and the zone is very unforgiving of mistakes. Adds CAN be mezzed with the top enc mez spell but you'd better get the adds locked down quick as an unmezzed add can do a lot of damage to the group.
    ____________________________
    Sippin 115 DRU **** Firiona Vie ****Agnarr
    FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
    Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
    Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
    Zone In
    # May 13 2007 at 9:02 AM Rating: Good
    *
    101 posts
    I would strongly advise that your party buff (including haste) before you go in. We do a countdown, all say 'ready' at the same time and then our druid invises group asap before we zone in. MOST of the time it is safe, but not always. Can be a real PITA.

    There is a mob that will wander close to ZI as well. ZI faces NWish, and the mob will sometimes be directly north, only a few feet away but you cannot see him. We have SK or monk run out and look about for mobs before we begin to cast if we need to buff up in ZI hut for some reason.

    Have your FDer run down west tunnel without group with invis on just to see whats what before you begin to move group. Sometimes you can get almost the entire way to the Golem pit with no fighting, but usually there is one Golem that wanders the tunnel on the way. I like to have my group time it so that we come up across golum when he is single.

    We sometimes get ONE add when fighting in the tunnels, but never more than one that I can remember.

    Edited, May 13th 2007 1:04pm by Adix
    City in Peril
    # Mar 17 2007 at 4:09 PM Rating: Decent
    There are more City in Peril quests that are not listed on the site that are needed to complete Solteris access.

    YOu have repeats of A city in Peril 2b
    Quote:
    You say, 'Hail, Prime Researcher Elnot'
    You say, 'Darken'
    You say, 'Solteris'
    You say, 'Cause'
    You say, 'Send a force'
    You say, 'Shissar'

    Prime Researcher Elnot says 'Seek out Tactician Sodut in the city. You must work with Tactician Sodut to uncover a way to use Shissar technology to travel to Solteris. I eagerly await your return Soandso.'

    You have been assigned the task 'A City in Peril - Speak with Tactician Sodut'

    Speak with Tactician Sodut

    Tactician Sodut is located in Katta Castrum at about -560 +100 (south courtyard area from the temple zone in).

    You say, 'Hail, Tactician Sodut'

    Tactician Sodut says 'Prime Researcher Elnot sent you? I'm sure that we can discover what you need to learn, in time, but first we need to clear the way. You and I already know the perils that await in Zhisza but I think you are up to the [challenge] that awits you.'

    This completes the task.

    Completion of this mini-task opens up Tactician Sodut's three missions, 'The Snakes are Hiding Something!', 'Counter-Attack', and 'Confront Emperor Zaarisz'.


    And need to be done before every mission or else your ring seems to bug and dont update or you pull a stupid and get the wrong mission and do it again.

    This should be a 3a and a 4a
    drops
    # Feb 22 2007 at 5:42 AM Rating: Decent
    **
    301 posts


    Drops are named:

    "Schematic: Golem of Power" from the golem
    "Schematic: Pyramid" from the red con temple partollers
    requirments
    # Feb 21 2007 at 1:00 AM Rating: Decent
    **
    301 posts
    oh, I can confirm that this task was obtained by someone without prior "progression tasks". Information above is also accurate prior to the patch on Feb 21 since it seems they have already changed this task a bit at least once.
    task info
    # Feb 21 2007 at 12:57 AM Rating: Decent
    **
    301 posts
    Location of Sodut is n550, 108, n19


    You say, 'Hail, Tactician Sodut'
    Tactician Sodut says 'Hmm, well, hello there Esquiline. I'm sorry if I seem distracted but right now I fear the entire city may be in danger if I do not unravel this [mystery].'
    You say, 'mystery'
    Tactician Sodut says 'What mystery? Why the Shissar of course! I just know those snakes are up to something, I just can't [find out] what it is!'

    You say, 'find out'
    Tactician Sodut says 'Your help would be much appreciated in this matter! Please let me know when you are [ready] and I will arrange transportation for you to the Shissar Habitat. I believe I can slip you into the Habitat with less notice than if you take the main teleporter.'

    You have been assigned the task 'The Snakes are Hiding Something!'.

    task stages:


    1) Enter the shissar caves and spy on their activities Zhisza, the Shissar Sanctuary
    2) Observe the ritual in progress Zhisza, the Shissa Sanctuary
    3) Search the golems in the quarry area for evidence that the shissar are planning something Zhisza, The Shissar Sanctuary
    4) Search the Shissar in the temple for more evidence that the shissar are planning something Zhisza, The Shissar Sanctuary
    5) Follow the couriers back to the caves and find out who is in charge Zhisza, The shissar Sanctuary
    6) Deliver the Golem Schematic to Tactician Sodut! Katta Castrum
    7) Deliver the Temple Schematic to Tactician Sodut! Katta Castrum
    8) Talk to Tactician Sodut about your experience in Zhisza

    notes on the task window:

    Let Tactician Sodut know when you are "ready" to enter Zhisza and he will teleport you to a secret location that should be safe, the he offers no guarantee.

    You have been asked to enter the Shissar Habitat and investigate the Shissar activites. Something is definitely going on in there!


    Most of the mobs outside the temple were yellow con to level 75. Primary mobs included Shissar patroller, Shissar deathcaller, Shissar deathmaker (cast a spell or had a proc "precise tail swipe" that was a DD and FD), Basher golems, and temple golem. Once you proceeded to the second floor of the temple there were red con potrollers but I dont remember if they were called shissar patrollers or temple patrollers. Probably worth noting that at least for us, zone in was NOT safe.

    1) send someone IVU, SoS or a FD'r into the caves for the task update.
    2) said explorer stays at update point a minute or so.
    3) Group works its way west thru the valley. Most mobs except the deathcallers did not see invis, the gorilla and beetles are not KoS so we invised except when killing a see invis mob. The quarry is the second "opening" on the west side path. There are 1 or 2 Shissar that path thru there and a couple of basher golems, we killed 2 basher Golems and both dropped Golem Schematics (dont have the exact name but its pretty evident when you see it).
    4) Invis back up, continue working west to the temple killing see invis. We started clearing just inside the temple area and cleared straight thru to the second level. We had a red patroller on the second level drop the temple plans for this stage. Invised back to zone in.
    5) Person that did stage 1, went back into the caves directly across from zone in, got update.

    zoned back out, ran back to Sodut! and did the turn ins then the hail.


    Grizabelle
    75 SK of Only the Brave, Luclin Server

    Edited, Feb 21st 2007 3:58am by Grizabelle

    Edited, Feb 21st 2007 4:03am by Grizabelle
    !
    # Feb 19 2007 at 7:29 AM Rating: Default
    The mission name actually is "The Snakes are Hiding Something!" (exclamation mark included)
    progression ??
    # Feb 18 2007 at 10:52 AM Rating: Decent
    you do not need to have completed progression mission 2 to get this task. I have only done the 1st and am able to get this task. It is most likely a faction issue.
    Golem Drop
    # Feb 21 2007 at 9:10 PM Rating: Default
    The name of the no drop piece that drops off the golem is "Schematic: Golem of Power". This seems to be a common drop as it dropped off the first one we killed in the quarry area.
    Not to bad
    # Feb 17 2007 at 3:36 PM Rating: Decent
    1) Go in cave just near the point where you zone in.

    2) Stay inside for a bit until it updates a second time.

    3) Move WEST along the tunnels tot he golems areas, ANIMALS are not KoS only Golems and Shissar are.

    4) Come to the golem quary and kill a few golems, it seems all or most drop a note that is your task update.

    5) Continue West and then North twards the Temple a the top of the map, move inside and begin clearing, clear everything to go UP stairs, kill the Patrolers that are red to level 75 and you will get your next drop.

    6) move back to zone in tot eh cave, move intot he back adn get the update.

    The End =)

    PS:

    Need all missing information:
    - Pre-Requisite tasks? Or are there no flag requirements to get this? --- This is mission THREE of the prgoression tasks, you need missions one and two to get the task.
    - Task Description --- Fidn out what the snakes are hiding =P
    - Task Stages --- see above
    - Names of zone(s) involved (instanced?) ---
    - Names of items, NPCs (levels?), and locations involved----
    - Any other pertinent information
    Long mission
    # Feb 16 2007 at 8:07 AM Rating: Decent
    In this mission First off I sneaked into the caves straight ahead in zone in and we were supposed to find out what was going on in the caves. Basically just walked in and overheard the shissar, then walked back out. Next we cleared to the quarry which is up the left trail if you are facing the caves. We killed a few golems there and each one in the quarry dropped a note proving the shissar's activities, which was the next step. After that we had to fight deep deep into the temple, up on the third floor of it...or was it down? whichever way the stairs go, I think up. Had to kill a red con to 75 shissar patroller I believe it was, it dropped the quest piece for the third update, which was to get more proof from the shissar in the temple of their activities. After that, we ran back to zone in (there was no respawn in the zhisza instances as far as I saw) and ran into the caves again I believe, just had to find out what shissar were in charge, there was a named at the back just ran back there dying in the process, dragged out and went back to tactician sodut to finish mission.
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