Pillars #3: Crisis of Faith  

Quest Started By:Description:
Where:
Who:
Rating:
*****
Information:
Level:95
Maximum Level:125
Monster Mission:No
Repeatable:Yes
Can Be Shrouded?:No
Quest Type:Task
Alaran Language:81
Quest Goal:
  • Experience
Success Lockout Timer: 06:00:00
Factions Raised:
Factions Lowered:
    Quest Items:
    Related Zones:
    Related Creatures:
    Related Quests:
    Era:Veil of Alaris
    Recommended:
    Group Size:Solo
    Min. # of Players:1
    Max. # of Players:1
    Appropriate Classes:
    • All
    Appropriate Races:
    • All
    Entered: Tue Nov 29 23:29:43 2011
    Modified: Tue Dec 5 05:21:04 2023
    Veil of Alaris Information & Guides: An Overview | Group Progression & Task List | Raid Progression | Visible Armor



    This solo task begins with an apparition in the Pillars of Alra (roams around the Windsong Sanctuary entrance above the center island). Note: This NPC is only visible if you've done all of the task's pre-requisites (the see-invis buff "Visions of Faith" will automatically affect you if you approach the mob's area).

    Pre-requisites for requesting the task:
    - Completion of "The First Pilgrimage"
    - Completion of "The Word of Melretia"
    - Completion of "The Word of Anriella"
    - Completion of "The Word of Fal`Kaa"
    - Completion of "The Word of Erion"
    - 81 Skill Level in Alaran

    You say, 'Hail, an apparition'

    an apparition continues pacing around the shrine, non-responsive to your introduction, leaving you to wonder [who they are]...

    You say, 'Who they are?'

    an apparition turns to face you and smiles. It waves its hand and suddenly your eyes are filled with visions. Scenes of chaos and turmoil that haunted you upon your first visit to Alra's shrine return. In your mind the sky shines a bleak red, the ground is stained with blood and the air is heavy with death. Amid the crowd of warring Alarans is a small figure, out of place and obviously [lost].

    You say, 'Lost?'

    an apparition waves its hand again and your vision changes from a scene of war to a scene of peace. The once lost figure now sits on a field of grass under a tree, two larger Alarans stand to the side, facing away toward what you recognize to be the Resplendent Temple. The larger figures appear to be speaking about the [Pillars], thinking the smaller one does not hear them...

    You say, 'What about the Pillars?'

    an apparition staggers backwards, your visions fade. The apparition turns its focus back to the surrounding pillars. Yet you feel there is more to this story, perhaps an investigation into the resplendent garden pill unearth some clues regarding this mysterious shade.

    You have been assigned the task 'Crisis of Faith'.

    In the Garden of Grandeur are a number of beautifully tended trees. The apparition seems to have some memory regarding them. Explore the garden and pay careful attention to the base of the trunk of each tree to see if you can gain any insight into the garden's importance...

    (Optional) It is possible that completing this errand in a single day will allow the shade to piece together some memories from the clues you find.

    NOTE: While doing this task, you may be buffed with a spell as you approach each pillar that makes you kill-on-sight to that pillar's mobs.



    Investigate the trees in the upper temple garden 0/1 (Resplendent Temple)

    Zone into Resplendent Temple and walk around the trees in the upper garden (the area just outside the Pillars zone-in). Randomly, you'll get a directional emote like this:

    Carved into the base of the tree is a small arrow, it points south-west.

    You feel the voice of the wind calling you south-west.

    You'll want to move from tree to tree in the directions the emotes tell you. At some point, the voice will stop:

    The voice of the wind grows silent. You are now on your own to find any remaining clues...

    At which point, you'll need to investigate the trees yourself. You have to stay at each tree for a full tick. If, after 6 seconds, you've gotten no update, move onto another tree. Eventually, you'll find one that gives you the update along with this emote:

    You hear echoing whispers emanating from all of the trees in the garden.

    This opens up the next step.



    Find the source of the curious sound 0/1 (Resplendent Temple)

    Task Window Says: Although it may sound like there are voices whispering from all different directions, there is only one source. Find which tree the sound is originating from and shake out anyone who may be following you!

    You now have to go from tree to tree (again, standing under each one for a full 6 seconds) until you spawn a mob:

    The echoing whispers are interrupted by the cry of a screaming voice. Someone is not pleased with your presence here!

    a verdantguard ambusher says, in Alaran, 'Your inquisitive nature shall be the end of you, _____!'

    Defeat your attackers 0/1 (Resplendent Temple)

    "a verdantguard ambusher" attacks, hitting for a max ~12,500 (stunnable, slowable). It's auto-aggro on whoever triggered it, is not leashed (will follow you anywhere) and isn't social with the mobs in the zone.

    Upon its death, you receive a "Ragged Doll" on your cursor.

    Return to the apparition with the doll 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: The doll appears to be a child's toy, though judging by its condition, that would have been a great number of years ago. Perhaps the apparition can shed some light on the strange relic's origin.

    You say, 'Hail, an apparition'

    an apparition looks at you with a confused expression, as if struggling to remember who you are.

    The apparition reaches out and pulls the doll from your hand. Several seconds pass before it looks back toward you. The young Alaran's face contorts into a grimace, it opens its mouth to speak and you are overwhelmed by the storming sound of rushing wind. The din grows louder and louder until you are wracked with a pain so intense that you fear for your life! The shade closes its mouth and the sound ceases... All that is left in your mind is a vision of ethereal trees rooted in misty clouds...



    Investigate the ethereal trees along the outskirts of Windsong 0/1 (Windsong Sanctuary)

    Take the elevator platform to Windsong Sanctuary.

    LOADING, PLEASE WAIT...
    You have entered Windsong Sanctuary.

    A soft breeze gently pushes you north-west.

    Find a tree (it will be random which one you're directed to) in the direction of the emote you're given (the above-emote is an example). Do this for one more tree to open up the next step.

    Find the source of the haunting melody 0/1 (Windsong Sanctuary)

    Task Window Says: The sound of several flutes drifts over the gusting winds. As you pass each of the ethereal trees their chord progression migrates toward less and less harmonious tones. Seek out the source of this dissonant chorus!

    Once you find this tree (with the same type of emote as the last tree), a named will spawn on you: a lightward ambusher.

    The haunting melody ceases and you are confronted by a glowing figure!

    a lightward ambusher says, in Alaran, 'Your journey ends here, _____!'

    The ambusher is auto-aggro and not social with other mobs in the zone. It hits for a max ~13,500, is immune to stun and is slowable.

    Silence the odius tune 0/1 (Windsong Sanctuary)

    Upon the ambusher's death:

    You reach down and grab one of the less damaged pieces of parchment that the lightward dropped. Though the ink is smudged, you think you can make out an image of three Alarans standing near a body of water. Two of the figures tower over the third, parents and their child perhaps ... The apparition's motives are starting to become clearer.

    You receive a "Brightly Glowing Torn Page" on your cursor.

    Return to the apparition with the recovered image 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: There is something curious about the figures depicted on the torn page. Bring the page to the apparition and see if it will shed any light on the situation.

    You say, 'Hail, an apparition'

    an apparition looks at you with a confused expression, as if struggling to remember who you are.

    Give it the page:

    The apparition looks at the torn page then stares into your eyes. Its sullen expression seems to suggest it knows something about the image, yet the shade does not speak. A moment passes before it gently takes the piece of paper from your outstretched hand. As the page transfers ownership it disintegrates into dust, yet their remains never touch the ground. The apparition motions toward the Pillar of Light and returns to its silent patrol...



    Search for the rest of the journal 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: Perhaps there are more pieces to the journal that the page was torn from. Start at the Pillar of Light's lower library and see what clues you can find.

    Head to the northwest pillar and up a few floors to the lower library:

    You begin looking around for something that resembles an old journal.

    An Erion tomeguard spawns and attacks. It hits for a max ~13,500 (slowable; immune to stuns) and is not social with the other mobs in the room.

    Defend yourself 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: It seems someone has taken notice of your interference in the library. Defend yourself!

    Upon the tomeguard's death:

    As the tomeguard falls to the ground, you notice a novelty about its clothing. Around its neck is a small emblem reminiscent of the Pillar of the Black... Perhaps more can be learned in Fal`Kaa's extraction halls...



    Investigate the origins of the torn journal 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: A lightward wearing the Crest of the Black is a troubling sight. Travel to the lower Purification halls in Fal`Kaa's Pillar and see if you can gather any relevant information...

    Head to the southeast pillar and head up to the third floor (around -800, -500, 500).

    You survey the walls as you climb the stairs into the "purification" hall. The dim lights overhead cast small shadows on the floor as you make your way toward the extraction rooms. Perhaps one of the fallen lightwards will have a postmortem clue about the journal.

    Right-click a corpse (this is just a normal update; no mob spawn).

    You kneel down to inspect the fallen lightward. Your vision begins to dim until only faint outlines of the room are visible. Silhouettes of shadow move against a background of darkness, memories of subversively planting the truth in the pillar of light begin to overshadow the dark scene. Without impetus you come to understand that the journal, while penned on parchment from the pillar of light, was written in the ink of darkest shade. The writing however, strikes of natural calligraphy practiced only by followers of Anriella...



    Locate the journal's previous owner 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: Your visions are becoming more troubling. You see connections between the warring factions never before conceived. Travel to the upper library in the Pillar of Nature and find why their handwriting would be in a tome carried by the agents of light...

    Head to the Nature Pillar's (southwest pillar) 6th floor:

    You should tread carefully in these halls, your presence is being monitored...

    Anriella`s tomekeeper spawns and attacks, hits for a max ~13,500 (slowable; immune to stun) and is not social with mobs in the room.

    Defend yourself 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: The journal is being held by your assailant. Defeat them so you can return it to the apparition.

    Upon its death:

    The tomekeeper looks shocked as it begins falling to the ground. It uses the last of its strength to destroy the journal in its possession. The small book ignites and burns with an eerie blue flame, a flame less natural than any magic taught under the tutelage of Anriella... The final clues must lie in the source of the Arcane Pillar's power.



    Seek answers from the Arcane Pool 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: With the journal destroyed, the hope for clarity is much less bright. Your only lead now is in the tenuous connection between arcane magic and the tome's embers. Travel to the Mana Pool in the Pillar of the Arcane. It will be here that any final guardians remaining will try to stop you...

    Head to the basement of the Arcane Pillar (northeast pillar) and clear the mobs in and around the pool. Once ready, step into it.

    The pool begins to buzz and crack with the sound of thunder. An ominous voice echoes through the entire hall as it addresses you, 'It is such a shame that a failed disciple such as yourself would go to all this trouble just to fall dead in my halls. No matter, none shall challenge the will of the master!'

    "Melretia`s manatender" spawns and attacks. It hits for a max ~13,500 (slowable; immune to stun).

    Disrupt the Arcanist's ritual 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Upon the manatender's death:

    The manatender glares at you, it falls to one knee as its eyes close and it accepts its inevitable death. It grabs something at the bottom of the pool and clutches it tightly in its outstretched hand as it falls to the ground. Its final words are muffled and hoarse, '...garal... alsa.' You take the odd substance the former keeper held tightly.

    You receive a "Malleable Ooze" on your cursor.

    Return to the apparition with the ooze 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Task Window Says: Whatever this strange substance is, it's the last clue available to help get the apparition to speak. Deliver it to them and see if it will evoke any lost memories...

    (Optional) Recover the clues in a single day 0/1 (Pillars of Alra)

    Upon the final turn-in:

    You offer the strange ooze to the apparition who stares at it for a moment. It takes it from your hands and looks at it curiously. In a flash the shade's mood changes dramatically, it steps backwards and drops the substance on the ground and begins screaming as if in agony! The winds pick up and howl... Yet after mere moments the shade ceases its crying and returns to its patrol, acting as if the two of you had never once interacted...

    The apparition seems unreachable, but this journey has shed new light on the motives of the warring factions. As you reflect for a moment on your journey, a soft voice enters your thoughts, 'Thelara ser! Thel Lrah...' The sound seems to originate somewhere around the shrine of Alra.

    Your faction standing with Purity of Alra got better.
    Your faction standing with Shades of Alra got better.
    Your faction standing with Arcanists of Alra got better.
    Your faction standing with Living Will of Alra got better.


    Rewards:
    675 platinum
    Experience (4-5 AAs worth at Level 95)
    Elatarki's Diary - Four Cornered
    Rewards:
    Send a Correction
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    FREAKIN STUPID
    # Nov 01 2023 at 10:06 PM Rating: Good
    Scholar
    26 posts
    who designed this quest, look for random trees and the direction can be zone wide. I swear the designer of this expansion was on crack. Hang up your quest writing skills bud
    Windsong Tree Hunt
    # May 20 2018 at 3:58 PM Rating: Good
    Avatar
    **
    263 posts
    Following the directions to the next tree in Windsong was a real PITA. I had given up on this quest but many months later I was back doing other Windsong stuff so I restarted this quest.
    Turns out that your tree can be anywhere in zone, which wasn't too apparent since the Temple search had concentrated in a small area. Once I stumbled on the next tree in the far North East of zone, it fell into place.
    Didn't have any problems with adds in final sections in the Temple towers.

    105 Solo Mage, Silver
    ____________________________
    Chard ~ 115 Magician of Bertoxxulous
    Mean Ole Men
    Formerly a soloer but now twin boxing another mage.
    5th fragment
    # Jul 29 2017 at 5:03 PM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    **
    340 posts
    You can get another Fragment of Legendary Alaran History if you do it quickly. Likely in one day means in less than 72 min since thats the length of an in game day. No problem for a 105. Just did it molo on my bard in 45 min. And repeatable like the previous 4.
    5th fragment
    # Jul 31 2017 at 2:58 PM Rating: Excellent
    svann wrote:
    You can get another Fragment of Legendary Alaran History if you do it quickly. Likely in one day means in less than 72 min since thats the length of an in game day. No problem for a 105. Just did it molo on my bard in 45 min. And repeatable like the previous 4.


    What part of this quest did you get the Fragment of Legendary Alaran History?
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    5th fragment
    # Aug 01 2017 at 9:47 AM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    **
    340 posts
    Gidono wrote:
    svann wrote:
    You can get another Fragment of Legendary Alaran History if you do it quickly. Likely in one day means in less than 72 min since thats the length of an in game day. No problem for a 105. Just did it molo on my bard in 45 min. And repeatable like the previous 4.


    What part of this quest did you get the Fragment of Legendary Alaran History?


    When I turned in the malleable ooze. Did it again just now in 33 minutes.
    edit: when i said "another" fragment I meant 1 from this quest (optional step) in addition to the 4 you get for 2a - 2d optional steps.

    Edited, Aug 1st 2017 11:53am by svann
    Faction Standing
    # Jun 27 2016 at 2:59 PM Rating: Excellent
    *
    77 posts
    I received a +30 to all four factions upon completion of task
    Faction Standing
    # Jun 28 2016 at 12:07 AM Rating: Good
    Lemuello wrote:
    I received a +30 to all four factions upon completion of task


    Thanks, added.
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    bad design - windsong tree search
    # Aug 29 2015 at 12:35 PM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    **
    340 posts
    They gave good emotes in resplendent temple so why didnt they continue the design in Windsong sanctuary? There are no emotes telling you where to go. Instead of emotes at a certain point it turns you in the direction you need to go. But if you are moving when it happens it is all too easy to get turned around and not see where it wanted you to go. Once you miss it you missed it. No going back. So then you are back to checking every tree on the map.
    WHEEE
    # Oct 04 2012 at 5:47 PM Rating: Decent
    Sage
    ***
    1,065 posts

    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] Your task 'Crisis of Faith' has been updated.
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] Your faction standing with Purity of Alra could not possibly get any better.
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] Your faction standing with Shades of Alra could not possibly get any better.
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] Your faction standing with Arcanists of Alra could not possibly get any better.
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] Your faction standing with Living Will of Alra could not possibly get any better.
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] You receive 675 platinum .
    [Thu Oct 04 19:37:59 2012] You have gained 5 ability point(s)! You now have 50 ability point(s).

    I am a faction maniac
    inputs
    # Sep 29 2012 at 4:30 PM Rating: Decent
    Sage
    Avatar
    **
    689 posts
    each time you zone into windsong, whether you are looking for the tree or the source of the noise (ambusher) ... you get an emote that points you towards the tree you need.

    I found that it was different each time I zoned in with that step incomplete (usually from a death, imagine that) ...

    When I had 2 toons go up to the lower library in the pillar of light, I feared a double spawn of the Erion's tomeguard. Both toons got the emote when they got to the lower library, but only 1 mob spawned and they both got credit for the kill :)
    ____________________________
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    Povar
    the aura effects
    # Jan 29 2012 at 12:23 AM Rating: Good
    *
    156 posts
    candaan's post is a bit incorrect- there IS an aura that may or may not land on you in each tower when you have this task(i had it affect me about 50% of the time)- but it does not make mobs SI that were not previously SI.

    what it DOES do is lower your faction with that tower, basically by one level. (for example, if you are normally apprehensive you will be dubious while the aura is active)

    i do not know if the amount lowered is officially 'one faction step' or a set numbered amount which basically amounts to one step.

    in candaan's case, someone in his party must have normally been dubious and thus became 'threatening' while the aura was on.

    there are plenty of SI throughout all of the towers- however they are easily avoided if you take care.

    Task info
    # Jan 19 2012 at 8:02 PM Rating: Decent
    12 posts
    This task is time comsuming, so get yourself ready for a long long task, reminder its solo tasks so if your boxing, try to keep your self saine when traveling through windsong and Rt hugging trees.... /yawn...
    Task Info
    # Jan 10 2012 at 7:58 PM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    32 posts
    Be careful. There is an aura you have on that makes you see invis to mobs in a tower. You may have gone through a tower safely with invis on before, but now the aura makes you visible. Was a unexpected surprise and wipe first time. we hadn't noticed the aura.

    Get aura Arcanaphobia:Permanent while in Nature's PIllar. Spell effect: a vexing seal has been emblazoned upon your chest. The strength does not favor the meek.

    Different aura depending on where in task, and which tower you are in.
    Task Info
    # Jan 10 2012 at 7:52 PM Rating: Decent
    Scholar
    32 posts
    Locate the journal's previous owner location in southwest pillar location neg 400, 735, 862

    Trees - If more than one in your group, each will have emotes going to different trees. If you have all follow one for his emotes, then others may run out of emotes and have to wander till they get the updates. The update location will be different for each member of the party with the task.
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