The Search for the Ultimate Story (Meldrath Mansion Access)  

Quest Started By:Description:
Where:
Who:
Rating:
*****
(From 1 rating)
Information:
Level:80
Maximum Level:125
Monster Mission:No
Repeatable:No
Can Be Shrouded?:No
Quest Type:Task
Quest Goal:
  • Advancement
  • Experience
Quest Items:
Related Zones:
Related Creatures:
Related Quests:
Era:Secrets of Faydwer
Recommended:
Group Size:Solo
Min. # of Players:1
Max. # of Players:1
Appropriate Classes:
  • All
Appropriate Races:
  • All
Entered: Thu Nov 15 18:38:31 2007
Modified: Tue Dec 5 05:21:04 2023
Midway through this task you will be granted access to the locked zone, Meldrath's Majestic Mansion. Full completion of this task allows you to participate in the raid expedition instance involving Meldrath's Majestic Mansion.

Also, you will need access to this zone in order to complete the Crystallos access quest.

Gimblefixx can be found at 0, 0 in the Dragonscale Hills.

You say, 'Hail, Gimblefixx'

Gimblefixx says 'Hello there! These certainly are interesting times, my friend. Keeps me busy, it does. Every gnome, dwarf, and elf has come by here to tell me one amazing story after another. It's almost to the point where these stories are getting boring. What we really need is an amazing story, something truly fantastic. I don't suppose you know anything like that? No, I imagine not. But maybe you're a good investigator. Are you [willing to] look into a lead for me?'

You say, 'I am willing to'

Gimblefixx says 'Well, that's good to hear. I'd look into this myself, but I have to stay here to keep in touch with everything. One of my contacts found this odd looking item. I don't know what it is, but it's obviously finely crafted. One of the nicest pieces of work I've ever seen. Clearly gnomish. I'd like to make a deal with you. I'll give you this thing on two conditions. You find the rest of the device and you tell me the story that comes along with it. How does that sound to you? Is it [a deal]?'

You say, 'It's a deal'

Gimblefixx says 'Great. I'll show you the thing now, but I'm only giving it to you if I'm convinced you have the rest of the device, whatever it is.' Gimblefixx shows you a finely forged and silver filigreed rod. The rod is thin and about seven inches long, with a thread at one end and eight threaded holes along its length at the other end. 'I'm certain it's gnomish, probably part of some masterwork of tinkering skill. It might even be made by Meldrath himself, but he rarely uses silver. It's been ages since anyone has taken the time or had the skill to make something this detailed, this finely crafted. So find the rest of it and I'll give you this piece, as long as you give me the whole story and figure out what it is and how it's used.'

You have been assigned the task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story'.

Find the rest of the mysterious item 0/1 (Dragonscale Hills)

Turn in the following (all are random drops from minotaurs in Dragonscale Hills):

Crank Handle with Silver Filigree + Small Silverthread Sack + Small Silver Clockwork Device

Gimblefixx says 'Well done! As promised, I will give you the piece I have. I see it all fitting together now to make a key of some sort. Most curious indeed! I wonder what this key fits. Take it and bring me back further news for my story.'

Receive a 'Clockwork Key' (Item Lore: A clockwork key made of fine silver).

Find out what the key guards 0/1 (Dragonscale Hills)

You say, 'Hail, King Ak`anon'

King Ak'Anon is inside a locked building in the northern part of Dragonscale Hills. Use the key to open the door.

King Ak`anon says 'You, you have my key? Well then, it's good to meet you. I certainly don't know you, but you have found your way here and have rebuilt one of my lost keys. Therefore you have earned my respect. And I can sense that you are not one of [Meldrath]'s servants, for you have the independent air of an adventurer, not one of his cogs.'

You say, 'Meldrath?'

King Ak`anon says 'Ah, Meldrath. That crazy gnome has had it out for me for years, decades in fact. Long, long ago we heard that he was planning something, so we decided that I should disappear for a while. We were concerned that the peaceful and, I must say, naive folk of Ak'Anon would be lost without their king. This is not due to any great skill of my own, mind you, but because few of them care for the task of managing a city. With me in charge they are free to tinker, research and explore to their hearts content. Making my people happy is my only goal in life, regardless of the risks or inconveniences for me. So I decided to remain in hiding. After all, my replacement seems to be doing a better job at being king than I ever could.' The king of Ak'Anon smiles warmly. 'So I have remained here for a very [long] time.''

You say, 'A long time?'

King Ak`anon says 'Well, I figure it's been more than a hundred years.' Another warm smile, 'I know, I don't look a day over ninety. Every time I think about returning to my throne it occurs to me that my replacement is doing a fine job and my people have come to accept him. If I return there will be turmoil. And if I return and then Meldrath finally manages to kill me, things will be very bad for my people. As it is now, Meldrath has never bothered to try to kill my replacement. I guess he figures we'd just make another one.' Laughter this time. 'I suppose I was foolish to hope that he'd just move on to some other ambition, needlepoint perhaps. This time he's decided to take the whole city down. We stopped him, with some help from adventurers like you, but he's not defeated. Say, you seem the clever sort, after all you rebuilt my key. And no doubt you are brave. Perhaps you can find a way to defeat that necromantic menace? Perhaps you would be willing to put your bravery and wits to the [test]?'

You say, 'Test?'

King Ak`anon says 'The test is simple enough. Kill Meldrath.' Ak'Anon grins, showing surprisingly white teeth. 'I also would like to ask for my key back. You see I would feel safer here if you didn't take it up into Meldrath's crazy flying fortress where he might get his hands on it. This small hut holds the things I need to keep myself hidden and alive.' He leans forward conspiratorially, 'Tinmizer and I came up with a device that sort of locks you in time. When things are safe, I sort of shut myself off for a bit. The magic I used to help build Ak'Anon awaken me when there is danger. That or one of my trusted companions who have keys to this place.' He straightens up again. 'So, will you accept this challenge? If you do, simply hand me the key and I will tell you where to go to get started.'

Give him the Clockwork Key.

King Ak`anon says 'Fantastic! Take this seal. It will alert my agents that you are a trusted person. You should speak with the Warmarshal up on that flying grotesquery, he will probably have the best idea about where to proceed from here. But please, keep my existence quiet. Thank you. Oh and on that note, since I took your key you'll need some other way of leaving this room. I have this portable teleporter but I haven't used it in ages. If you want to [leave] we can give it a try.'

You say, 'I want to leave'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

King Ak`anon says 'Be safe. I hope this machine still works after all this time.'

Receive Clockwork Seal of Ak'Anon

Speak to Gimblefixx 0/1 (Dragonscale Hills)

You say, 'Hail, Gimblefixx'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Gimblefixx says 'Well that is definitely quite a story so far but I believe we have just hit the tip of the iceberg. Follow King Ak`Anon's request and find the Warmashal. Remember to report back to me with any details you find.'

Speak with the Clockwork Warmarshal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'That seal. . .it could't be. If you have come to me it could only be for one reason.'

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'These are trying times and we are definitely able to use as much help as possible. You must now go out and seek Gurtrude. She is in charge of our spies as well as on finding a way into the mansion. Speak to her and tell her "Warmarshal sent you". I'm afraid that is all of the information I have for you at this time.'

Speak with Gurtrude the Spymaster and tell her "Warmashal sent you" 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Warmarshal sent me'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'So I see, that can only mean you are here to help us get into the mansion. I have sent countless spies to attempt to break in but they have had little success. Recently however, I sent another spy that has yet to return. If you can locate him, maybe he will have had better results.'

Locate Gurtrude's Missing Spy 0/1 (S.H.I.P. Workshop)

An injured spy can be found at 393, 253, 414 in S.H.I.P. Workshop. You must have the clockwork seal with you, or he won't respond properly.

You say, 'Hail, an injured spy'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

an injured spy says 'Ah, I was wondering if anyone would find me before the end. No matter, it was the choice I made when I decided to serve Ak`Anon. You must complete my mission for me. Give Gurtrude this information and make sure it gets to her safely.'

Receive a 'Spy Document'.

Return to Gurtrude with the Document 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'What is this? I see, we will miss her contributions to the cause but we must not hestitate to continue. We will make sure her memory is held by succeeding in our mission.'

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'Her note says that Meldrath's mansion is locked by a key code that changes daily. Only Meldrath's top advisors know the code and even then, it's only part of it.'

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'You must now go out and search for some of these important people and retrieve the codes from them.'

Deliver at least two more document samples from the towers 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

Technician Masterwork in Gyrospire Zeza and Engineer Gyrzim in Gyrospire Beza are your targets. Both drop a "Document Sample" which must be brought to Gurtrude. The two documents are Lore and No Drop. They are two different items even if they look the same. They can be looted in advance.

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'You definitely have what it takes to become a spy. Let me see now. Ah yes, we were right about the key code changing daily. It seems as though I may be able to make a key for the door if I had some scrap metal from the steamworks in this area and your clockwork seal. Go now and bring me back some scraps of metal.'

If you do not have "Clockwork Seal of Ak'Anon" in your inventory when you do this hand in...

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'I'm sorry, but you don't appear to have the, um... seal of approval. I just can't trust you. My works is too important to risk on untrusted sources.'

Give the scrap metal and the clockwork seal to Gurtrude 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

Hand in "Clockwork Seal of Ak'Anon" and one "Piece of Scrap Metal". The scrap metal is not No Drop. It is Lore. It can be looted in advance.

Upon turning in:


Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Receive a 'Clockwork Key' (Item Lore: A key with movable teeth).

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'Simply amazing! It will take just a moment to construct your key. Ah, yes, here we go. Now you will need to [configure the key] to enter the mansion. Take the key once configured, and speak to the Warmarshal. I'm sure he will want to have some words with you.'

You say, 'Configure the key?'

Gurtrude the Spymaster says 'Yes. You will need to stand at the Mansion's front door and use the key until you have aligned each portion of the eight teeth. After you have set a tooth, if you wait five seconds, the mechanotimer will switch the key to the next tooth. Once you have clicked the door to see if it has been configured properly the key will either open the door, or reset the key back to the first tooth of the key. Good luck.'

Speak with Clockwork Warmashal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'You are truly magnificent. You have done what no one else here was able to. You now have access to Meldrath's Mansion. Enter it and snoop around. I am sure there are areas we would love to have valuable information on. I should also warn you that you will first need to configure your key with the door.'



You now have access to Meldrath's Majestic Mansion (the static version of the zone). The remainder of this task is to gain access to the mansion's raid instance.



Explore Meldrath's Mansion 0/1 (Meldrath's Mansion)

You are given the task 'Exploring the Mansion'. Completion of the task updates this step. Update locations marked in red on these maps:

The Main Floor The 2nd Floor The Top Floor The Basement

Speak with Clockwork Warmarshal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'Hmm, it seems as though Meldrath's forces are rarely seen within the mansion. This means there are more hidden areas that we are unaware of.'

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'The only other information I have for you is that one of the assistants was overheard talking about having to visit the "old man" and the "beast". We're not entirely sure what that means, but we have some ideas. We have heard rumors of an incredibly powerful minotaur, some sort of ancient creature that may be a progenitor to all the minotaurs on Norrath. As for the old man, well that probably refers to Tinmizer.'

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'There is a rumor that Tinimizer lives somewhere within Dragonscale Hills. If you can find a large number of adventurers like yourself, perhaps you can investigate these people and find out more information.'

Find some information out from a powerful minotaur 0/1 (Deepscar's Den)

This involves the raid task Deepscar's Den in the Dragonscale Hills. When you enter the main building, turn right; click on the door (behind two wooden 'barriers' at /loc +2420, +2345, +35) to receive the task. Overseer Gakkor Deepscar drops 12x Cryptic Timetable. This step updates after looting the item. (NOTE: This item can be pre-looted.)

Find out what information Tinmizer has 0/1 (Tinmizer's Wunderwerks)

This involves the raid task Big Bynn's Return from Falrazim, a drake in the Dragonscale Hills. Big Bynn I drops 12x Coded Log Sheet. This step updates after looting the item. (NOTE: This item can be pre-looted.)

Speak with Clockwork Warmarshal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'These pages are unfamiliar to me but they are obviously dates with notes. One looks like a parts list while the other a calendar or schedule of sorts. These notes need to be decrypted , and for that we will need an encryption key. Only the most powerful of creatures will probably have any information on the encryption because Meldrath would not trust it with anyone else. Once you have found it, use it with the notes you have now and return back to me.'

Find a decoder and combine the Log and Timetable 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

Prototype Decoder is a container that drops from Oxidilus the Junk Collector (group mob; six per kill) and Octa the Collector (raid mob; six per kill). The container is PRE-LOOTABLE. Combine the Coded Log Sheet and Cryptic Timetable in this container to produce a new container, Codified Prototype Decoder.

Speak with Clockwork Warmarshal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'Wonderful. Now that you have set up the decoder, venture out and find other samples that may help lead the way to Meldrath.'

Seek samples and documents that might lead you to something useful 0/1 (The Steam Factory)

The Raid Expedition: The Steamfactory is available after completing the Big Bynn I and Deepscar events. The required raid drop is called Notebook Page, marked as Lore and Quest, from each of the three raid bosses in this instanced Steam Factory zone: Chief Mechanic Clankwrench, Spindlecrank, and Mining Behemoth. Each raid boss drops 12 Notebook Pages.

In the Codified Prototype Decoder, put in the Notebook Page from each of the three above bosses, and hit combine. This results in a Majestic Mansion Milestone and Meeting Schedule. This updates the task step.

Speak with Clockwork Warmarshal 0/1 (Fortress Mechanotus)

You say, 'Hail, Clockwork Warmarshal'

Your task 'The Search for the Ultimate Story' has been updated.

Clockwork Warmarshal says, "Thank you for all of your hard work and efforts. Ak`Anon will forever be in your debt. If you [wish to have the honors] of facing Meldrath, let me know."

You receive a LOT of exp at this point (about 4 AAs worth), and a new /keyring entry:

SoF - Key - Meldrath - Mansion Raid.

This is the flag you need to be fully flagged for Mansion raids.



From now on, when you hail Clockwork Warmarshal, he will respond with the following text:

Clockwork Warmarshal says 'Welcome back soldier. It's good to see you are still safe! As you can see I'm still the leader of the Albatross' ground forces since my [promotion]. I'm still overwhelmed with necessary military action and underprovided with forces to complete those actions as well. I know after all you have done for us I hesitate to ask, but perhaps you could [accept orders] from an old clockwork and help out all of Norrath in the process? Or if you and your allies are still up for some work, someone needs to make forays into those dratted [gyrospires] if we're to have much of a chance getting reinforcements up here. Of course if you still [wish to do the honors] of confronting Meldrath, it is all yours.'

If you "wish to have the honors", you will be given the Raid Expedition: Meldrath's Majestic Mansion.


Reward:
Experience
Access to Meldrath's Majestic Mansion, as well as the raid expedition involving the zone
Submitted by: (Additional Info from Rildoan, Final Empire, Povar server)
Rewards:
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Locked door
# Nov 16 2007 at 3:52 PM Rating: Decent
*
97 posts
The key IS to the locked door to the King. However it didn't work. I picked the lock with my bard and spoke to the King, he took the key and off we go.

King gave me
Clockwork Seal of Ak'anon
Lore, No Trade, Quest
Class: ALL
Race: ALL

Size: Tiny
Weight: 0.8

Steps so far...

Find the rest of the mysterious item
Find out what the key guards
Speak to Gimblefix
Speak with the Clockwork Warmashal
Speak with Gurtrude the Spymaster and tell her "Warmashal sent you"
Locate Gurtrude's Missing Spy

Apparently I was way off track on this. Having trouble locating the "an injured spy". Any clues please?



Edited, Nov 18th 2007 2:39pm by CaptainRich
Locked door
# Jul 08 2008 at 1:19 PM Rating: Default
I couldn't get my key to work either so I had my cleric get on her mount and ride into the door, then clicked her mount off and she popped into the room. With Ranger, I changed him into a wolf, ran him into the door, then clicked it off and popped into the room.
Locked door
# Feb 07 2008 at 11:42 AM Rating: Decent
I had the same problem, I couldnt open the door either but I found that if I got on my mount to look through the door I could not only target and talk to him but also hand in the key. 8)
~Devisty 68 cleric
~Aensyphris 77 Wizard
Of Sullon Zek, Zek, and now Luclin
Locked door
# Nov 18 2007 at 12:47 PM Rating: Decent
The injured spy is located at the very top level on the south side. I was able to hail him through the hallway wall and get the document.
Locked door
# Nov 18 2007 at 4:16 PM Rating: Decent
*
97 posts
Ok, I went up the ZI elevator, inside the big circular room, up the first ramp. Left at the top and in the second door on right to catch the next ramp up. then on that lvl found another ramp up to, what I hope is to top. there is a patroling see invis lab protector.

Eye of Zomm FTW.

Ok, across this top room is a door and a short corridor beyond it. The door at end leads outside to the roof of the complex. 2 Minos at the door and a pack of mobs. The "an injured spy" and the Spy Mark III are both out and around to the right. The wall of the corridor, as stated above should allow for the hailing. But you have to get into that corridor. Not an easy task to make it with see invis.

Waited for the lab protector to track way to the right and made the dash. Hail from corridor and...

Spy Document
Lore, No Trade, Quest
Class: ALL
Race: ALL
Size: Tiny
weight: 0.8

Edited, Nov 18th 2007 11:33pm by CaptainRich

Edited, Nov 19th 2007 7:43am by CaptainRich
Locked door
# Nov 19 2007 at 2:29 PM Rating: Decent
*
158 posts
I made it out to where 'an injured spy' is laying on the ground, and am on the "locate spy" step...but all he will say to me is 'Go away and let me die in peace.' Didn't matter if I was invis or vis, or where I stood. Any ideas? Tried hailing the steamwork spy near him, but all it did was buzz and whir and then stare at me...
Locked door
# Jan 08 2008 at 8:32 AM Rating: Decent
Having the same problem here. Any ideas?
Locked door
# Nov 19 2007 at 12:50 PM Rating: Decent
You can get anoter task from Gutrude that enables you to move freely in workshop without getting aggro :P
Locked door
# Nov 19 2007 at 5:30 PM Rating: Decent
What is this Task you speak of ? None listed to this or the next zone to here.
Locked door
# Nov 20 2007 at 10:46 AM Rating: Decent
I am talking about "Disrupt the Workshop" from Gurtrude
Locked door
# Nov 17 2007 at 12:59 PM Rating: Decent
Update on Steps:
Find the rest of the mysterious item
Find out what the key guards
Speak to Gimblefix
Speak with the Clockwork Warmashal
Speak with Gurtrude the Spymaster and tell her "Warmashal sent you"
Locate Gurtrude's Missing Spy
Return to Gurtrude with the Document
Deliver at least two more document samples from the towers
Give the scrap metal and the clockwork seal to Gurtrude
Speak with Clockwork Warmashal
Explore Meldrath's Majestic Mansion
Incomplete
# Nov 16 2007 at 2:17 PM Rating: Decent
Scholar
***
2,600 posts
Task as currently show above is by far incomplete.

The Key is obtained after the first (1st) step as noted. There are a LOT more steps after that.

2nd Step (I just got to) is "Find out whAt the key guards" in DragOnscale Hills. Dunno what that is yet.

In fact -- I count about 17 more steps after that.

I strongly suspect, at present, this is the master task for the mechanical parts given as rewards in other tasks.

Edited, Nov 16th 2007 5:20pm by GOMN

Edited, Nov 17th 2007 4:57am by GOMN
____________________________

Gimblefixx Loc
# Nov 15 2007 at 3:49 PM Rating: Decent
Gimblefixx is located at 0,0 in Dragonscale Hills.
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