In a nutshell...
Start at the wounded messenger in the temple
Rewards:
150,000 experience and a loyal white gold ring
Now, for the details....
greet messenger
The wounded messenger smiles wanly as you approach, and extends a hand in greeting. "Well met, stranger", he says, "Though I admit, if it were in my hands, it would be a meeting held over a mug of ale at the inn, instead of in this sterile hospice." He turns to the healer, smirks, and says "No offense intended, of course."
"The lord has seen fit to delay my mission, it seems-- the reason I am resting here and not working on my fourth ale is because on the way through the Dragon's Teeth, a bandit leaped out from behind a large stone and attempted to ambush me. Fortunately for me, my mount panicked and trampled him-- however, the dumb animal also threw me in the process and charged off. I obtained this nasty-looking gash when I landed on one of those blastedly sharp rocks. I was knocked unconscious, and when I awoke, I was here." He pauses to shift his leg, and continues, "I was on my way to deliver a vital message to Chancellor Annora at the mountaintop monastery. For some reason Lord Markus insisted that it be delivered as quickly as possible. But now, there is no way I can make it there, and I know no one here who I may trust to be my surrogate."
Ask about all the highlighted words you see on the screens in front of you. If you ask Mission, you will not be able to do either the good or evil quests.
ask messenger mission
The wounded messenger looks you up and down.
The wounded messenger says, "Indeed, I know not how I am going to complete this mission. Even with magical healing, this wound may take a week or more to heal, and by that time it will be too late for the information in this letter to have any effect."
He pauses for a moment, and looks you up and down appraisingly.
"Actually", he continues, "You may be able to help. Perhaps you could deliver this letter to Chancellor Annora for me? You look like a fine upstanding citizen-- though of course, I have never been a perfect judge of character."
He frowns slightly, lost in though for a moment.
He says, "Perhaps if you were to obtain the approval of an offical of Silvermere, the Guildmaster perhaps, I would give you the letter to deliver. I am sure there would be some reward for this, though if you are good of heart the reward would be the least of your concerns. The information in this letter may mean the safety of the lives of the western garrison!"
ask wounded guildmaster
The wounded messenger asks, "Have you talked with the Guildmaster?"
ask wounded markus
The wounded messenger says, "Lord Markus commands the garrison of Royal Soldiers at the western outpost. He's a strong and courageous man, as he has to be-- they are constantly plagued by bloodthirsty monsters, as well as the occasional assault by the forces of the Dark One. Since they are so isolated out there, they do not receive reinforcements often, and so the soldiers there are forced to become very tough, very fast to survive."
ask wounded chancellor annora
The wounded messenger says, "I've never met the woman. She's the one in charge of running the monastery up in the Blue Mountains. All I know is that she is supposed to receive this letter as quickly as I can get it to her..."
ask wounded monastery
The wounded messenger says, "The monastery is located at the northern edge of Darkwood forest. It's a little bit of a hike to find it, but in my condition, it may as well be next door."
ask wounded dragon's teeth
The wounded messenger says, "The Dragon's Teeth are the range of rocky hills to the west of here. They are abominably difficult to travel through, and you never know when you are going to be ambushed by some nasty creature or another."
greet guildmaster
The guildmaster looks you up and down, and exclaims, "Well, well, another adventurer come to see old Cobhan! What be your business, youngster? Are ye here on personal business, or are ye pursuing a private matter? Perhaps ye're wondering about the sudden arrival of strangers in Silvermere?"
ask guildmaster strangers
The guildmaster says, "Indeed, three strangers, all within the past few weeks! One is a nice enough fellow, sent from the western outpost on some sort of mission. He's in at the Temple gettin' his leg healed, it seems he was thrown from his horse and gashed it up good. Another spends all his time in the inn, seemingly waiting for someone. An odd fellow, that one-- always wears a cloak that nearly conceals everything. The last one is a seedy-looking man, but what sewer he crawled out of I don't know. He stunk to high heaven, and was always lookin' around shifty-like, as if he was bein' followed. I didn't like him."
ask guildmaster wounded messenger
The guildmaster says, "What's that about the messenger?"
You tell the guildmaster about what the messenger said.
The guildmaster exclaims, "Ahh, so he trusts me to pass judgement on ye! Perhaps he is a finer judge of character than he thinks."
He smiles brightly, and touches you lightly on the forehead. You feel a faint feeling of warmth for a moment.
The guildmaster says, "There ye go. I have put a charm upon ye, its only use being to be noticed by the messenger. He will note it and know ye have my approval. Go now, and aid him in his mission!
ask wounded guildmaster
ask wounded accept
The wounded messenger smiles brightly.
"Wonderful!", he exclaims, "I knew I could count on you. Now remember, this letter must be delivered in person to Chancellor Annora, at the monastery atop the mountains north of Darkwood Forest."
He reaches inside his tunic, pulls out a sealed envelope, and hands it to you. You stow it away in a safe place.
"Now do NOT lose it!", he says, "And hurry in delivering it. Time is of the essence! Good luck, friend, and Godspeed. You may need it."
greet annora
Chancellor Annora smiles at you as you approach, and motions for you to sit down in one of the chairs. She looks you up and down, and says:
Evidently you know who I am, or you would not be here. You must therefore be here on some business, though if I may be so rude, please keep it brief-- we are extremely busy here of late, and I will be up late into the night completing paperwork and copying scrolls."
ask annora letter
Chancellor Annora looks you in the eye, and says "You have talked with the envoy from the Western Outpost?"
You tell her all about the wounded messenger at the Temple, and how you have been entrusted with the letter, after receiving the Guildmaster's mark.
Chancellor Annora exclaims, "Excellent! This is great news indeed, we were afeared that he had been waylaid, as it seems was the case. He is a day late, and the news he was bringing is vitally important information on the movements of the Enemy's forces."
She reaches out her hand, and continues:
"May I have the letter now, please? Since you have earned the trust of the Guildmaster, who is an excellent judge of men, you will surely return it to its rightful recipient."
You pull the letter out of the secret place you hid it, and give it to her.
Chancellor Annora says, "Thank you, virtuous one. Indeed you are worthy of the Guildmaster's trust, and now mine as well! Please wait a moment while I read the letter."
She opens a drawer in the desk, pulls out a letter opener, and opens the envelope. Taking out the letter, she quickly scans it, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
Chancellor Annora exclaims, "By the Powers! I had not thought it was so dire a situation. I must think. Ah, yes, I know the answer. Please wait while I write a response."
She picks up a quill and hurriedly scrawls a message on a blank sheet of paper, blots it, folds it and stuffs it in an envelope. Then she holds a bar of red wax over a candle, and melts some onto the back of the envelope, pressing down her seal ring into it. She waits a momen for the wax to cool, then turns to you and says:
"Now it is time to truly test your mettle. In the name of all things holy, I request you to deliver this letter to Commander Markus of the Western Garrison. He can be found west of Silvermere, through the Dragon's Teeth hills, far up in the mountains beyond. The trail to the Western Outpost is quite treacherous, and is frought with deadly beasts-- it will be a difficult journey. However, I cannot stress how important it is for you to complete this mission. You MUST succeed!"
Chancellor Annora looks at you gravely, and holds the letter out to you. You take it and tuck it away. She continues:
"Speak to me again once you return from the Western Outpost. Go now, and further the goals of the forces of Goodness!"
greet markus
Commander Markus turns to you, his intimidating features furrowed with a frown.
"What business do you have here," he rumbles, "this is no place for idle adventuring. This outpost is regularly besieged by vicious and evil creatures never meant to exist in this land! However, as you must have travelled far to reach me, I suppose that you must be on some sort of business... if so, explain it quickly, as I have little time to spare."
ask markus annora
ask markus letter
His face brightens up with joy at your recanting of Chancellor Annora's words.
At his request, you hand over the envelope, which he wastes no time in opening. Scanning the letter's contents with intense scrutiny, he folds it up, and lowers his head in though. After a few moments, in a rush of speed. he rummages about in the drawers of his desk, pulling out a few strange object and putting them in a polished darkwood box. He takes a minute to write a reply, and stuffs it in the box along with the other objects, after which he fastens the box closed with a sturdy iron lock.
"Chancellor Annora has the key to this lock," he says, "and I have its only mate. Courier this box to her as quickly as possible-- there is darkness brewing and we must act quickly."
He pauses for a moment, and looks you up and down appraisingly, after which he grins broadly and pats you on the shoulder.
"I must admit, I admire your courage. It must have been hard travelling to reach me-- I know this area well and it is fraught with peril. Take care on your travels back to Silveremere, and Godspeed."
With that, he hands you the box (which you hide in a safe place) and sends you on your way.
ask annora return
You give her the news of Commander Markus, and hand her the darkwood box. Chancellor Annora leaps up with a smile, exclaiming, "Well done! I had hoped for you to be skilled and courageous, but it is wonderful to behold! Please excuse me a moment while I read Lord Markus' reply, it is very urgent."
She pulls out a small iron key on a neckchain, and unlocks th ebox, taking out its contents carefully. Reading the letter twice over, her expression becomes grim, but no fear passes over her face. She looks up and says"
"Indeed, this is not good news. However, now that we have knowledge of the Enemy's plans, we can work to counteract them, or at least deflect some of their carnage. There are no words to express my thanks, but know tht you may have saved the lives of thousands of innocents! And... Lord Markus bids me to give you this ring. It is of dwarven craftsmanship, and while worn will speed the healing of your wounds. May it prove useful in your journeys. Now, however, I have a great task ahead of me, and I must get back to work. Perhaps in the future I will have further need of your services, and you may once again venture forth on a quest in the name of goodness, but for now, brave adventurer... Godspeed."
