Hamud

[Milon]

I decided to go visit my old friend Hamud in his hiding place of Mountain Fortress. Of course, he is still holed up in his dungeon surrounded by Shadows still. But after dealing the Dark Ones for so long now, I didn't have any troubles getting through. Hamud still looks sad and lonely. I suggested to him that he return to the surface with me. He is and has been out of immediate danger for some time now.

Still, he is a stubborn one. I believe he likes his solitary existence, making his infamous katar for those willing to take the time to complete this quest. He is a powerful being. More so than Lord Rytheran, whom I've just decimated. I would never think of attacking Hamud though. I think he would clean is study with me.

Who else knows about Hamud? Does Ulgrim, Elyssa, Asheron or any other prominent figureheads of Dereth's followings know of him? I'm sure only the Dark Ones really know of his existence. I wonder if he makes an appearance in a town once in a while if that would scare the locals of Qalaba'r too much. I thought that Hamud had a daughter....If so, does anybody know what became of her? I was too timid to ask him of this. He does seem to be a bit bitter at times and I did not want to anger him.

Along the same lines, I took a short trip to Dungeon of Tatters. I remember coming to this place during the Shadow Insurgence to collect the shards and slivers that were needed to create the Shadow Hunter's Armor. I was glad to see that the lower catacombs were opened up and an Alloy Cylinder was found there. At least this place hasn't been forgotten. After my personal discovery of the cylinder, I had to check around town who could tell me more about this device and where to find the other pieces.

Not long ago, I was musing about my old adventures about the Mountain Keep. I learned of another piece or some device located within the keep. I explored every known hallway and room. I found that it has been overrun with Mu-Miyahs and the Banderlings had all run away. Then I recalled one area where I found some wasps. There was a bridge or catwalk after a short jump down. Another jump took me to the bottom and the gate. Up the stairs I went and came to the Strength Font. It was here I found the Sprocket. I almost forgot about this precarious jump and weird angle at which I had to make it. It took a lot of coaxing myself and building myself up before attempting it. Upon further consideration, I just decided to use my Asheron-granted power of recall!

[Milon]

Upon further investigation, I now remember Hamud's daughter and I paid her a visit. Devana seemed in fair condition and living her life normally. I can't say that much for her father's sake. Yet, as Devana and Hamud were both worried about past enemies, namely Oswald, who may or may not have been contracted to assassinate Hamud, I remember that I've heard rumors of Oswald just recently.

I examined the blade Oswald used to kill Gertarh. Hamud once wrote something about the Dark Master and the consequences of him leaving the Mountain Fortress. Where is the Dark Master now? Haven't we driven him back to his home? His minions still roam Osteth, but Hamud can hold his own against what are now his people. The Zharlim who he once worked closely with are not to be found anywhere near Osteth. I've run into quite a few on the plateau of Marae Lasse. I think they have forgotten about Hamud.

Then, I remembered who controlled the Zharlim or used them for her own, dark purposes. I dare not speak her name, for I may be smitten or taken down on a list of things to do by one Oswald the Assassin. Does she remember Hamud? Was his contract signed by her? Surely she must have recruited Oswald for the purpose of ousting Hamud.

Now, since the Dark Master (wherever he may be) has "plans" for Hamud, wouldn't he protect Hamud against any attempts on his life by the likes of Oswald and his contractor? I'm not sure whose side I would join or who to root for in that instance.

[Milon]

Continuing my research, I overlooked something Hamud said about ibn Salayyar. I figure Hamud is Gharu'ndim and he is actually from Ispar like myself and once lived in Gharu'n. Whether he worked with or knew something about what the Milantans did in their research (which as been called "dark") I will not soon discover. I do know that Milantos was a two-caste society where the Magus used the Commoners as specimens and for their experiments. Magical enhancements or deformities? Who knows? This sounds very much like what the Virindi were or are still doing in Dereth.

In the past, Aluvia and Gharu'n had driven back the forces of the Viamont. It seems the Roulean had an unsteady treaty with the Viamont for their trade and routes. For all of their advances, the Roulean did not venture into Dereth on their vessels? Perhaps their vessels are how the Viamont had migrated to Halaetan. The ancient race there they had conquered and stolen from must have been small in population or defenses. Why then hadn't Duke Bellenesse landed on Osteth?

Asheron must have opened the portals in the Sho, Gharu'ndim and Aluvian lands as a chance to escape further expansion of the Viamont. Hamud had to have come via a portal. To escape the Zharlim and quit his experimentation on humans. Is Hamud associated with Milantans? Perhaps She gained her knowledge from the research of Milantos and the technologies of the Roulean and the magical prowess from the Gharu'n.

Roulean are virtually non-existent on Dereth as well as the races of Silveran and Souia-Vey. What, then, are Oswald’s origins? It seems he would be Aluvian considering his preference to daggers. But why would Oswald of Aluvia want to kill Hamud of Gharu'n? Had they not both retreated from Ispar to escape the same enemy? Was Asheron's Call not about the salvation of the good races of Ispar, but for some dark purpose of Derethian experimentation?

Now the Viamont have taken Halaetan and Oswald has made another appearance. Hamud should join forces with Oswald and help the good races of Ispar to defend our new homeland against Duke Bellenesse. My mind is torn between the events of Ispar and the happenings of Dereth. Maybe this is why Hamud chooses to remain hidden and locked away? Or perhaps he is ashamed of his new form, that of a Dark One. Being Gahu'ndim, he must be tormented by this change. Yet, isn't it only fair if he himself had conducted research with the Zharlim on Isparians that he be punished in the same manner?

Still, Hamud is my friend. I would like to help him in any way I can. Let's all give Hamud a big hand for surviving everything that has taken place. Oswald should respect Hamud, but we should also respect Oswald, for he has survived through a lot as well.

[Protes]

Good write-up, I enjoyed reading it. It's been a long time since I last done Hamud's quest and I had forgotten about Oswald giving Devana his dagger. That's a very interesting triangle with Oswald, Hamud, and Nuhmudira :cool:


One thing though - I think we have more to worry about from King Varicci II than Duke Bellenesse. At least from how I've been understanding the expansion pack lore thus far, King Varicci II will be the threat since he has been magically altering Viamontians for his army. I suspect the Viamontians we create will be in conflict with King Varicci II. Of course I've been wrong a lot on speculating future outcomes with the ongoing story so who knows, hehe.

[Milon]

I talked to my old friend Hamud recently. He and I were talking about old friends and ancient pasts when he mentioned a little story about Oswald. I listened to him speak the words as his face was as shadowy and blank as ever as if he was looking through the thick, stone walls. I picked up on a word, dirk. Then I finally understood.... Oswald's Dirk. I really couldn't understand as Hamud spoke of this. So, I decided to uncover some of the story myself and do some more investigating.

While in Cragstone, I met a weird, old guy who said something about Aaminah looking for her missing husband. He speculates that the assassin, Oswald, was probably the cause. I have no idea who Aaminah or her husband Jaleh has to do with Oswald. I asked around for a quick way to Ayan Baqur and found Jaleh's wife easily enough. After much discussion and a lot of conjecture, I took on the challenge of finding out what happend. My journey too me many places I had not been to in years. Sawato, Yaraq, and Nanto. I finally got clues that lead me to the drunkard near Baishi. He mentioned Ulgrim to me. I've had dealings with him before and was dreading asking anything of him again.

I made progress in my investigation and recieved a coded message from Celcynd. He couldn't translate it for me nor hand me any means to decode it. It took many hours of staring at the jumbled letters to finally break the code. My brain hurt very much after that, as if an Ice Golem bashed me upside the head. I got coordinate for some sort of "gateway". Ok...gateway.... Using my map, I found the location of this "gateway" and made my preparations to depart. Who knows where this gateway will bring me? It's best to be ready for anything. I have yet to step foot toward this stage in my investigation. I am asking locals if they have heard anything about this gateway. As I venture forth, I shall continue my tale as it unfolds. Wish me luck.

[Milon]

I am wholly surprised! This "hideout" that I've come across is rather interesting. It is very dangerous and at times difficult. I brought a fellow adventurer along with me to check this secret lair. Once we found the secret entrance near a large fir tree, we entered into a room with only a portal. Thoroughly checking the walls for any switches or secret passageways, we came up with nothing. We hit the portal full blast and was in another small room with a puzzle box on a pedastal. What's this? I've seen a puzzle box before and was used for some type of magic-user's quest. I started tinkering with it to see if I could open it or solve the box's puzzle. As I did I was drained of most of my health very quickly! That was very scary. My friend took it upon himself to try to find the puzzle's secrets. Unfortunately, he did not fare so well as I, for his health was drained to nil.... How could this happen? The first stage in our adventure and my fellow had passed.

I examined the box and found a small pattern running along the sides. Tracing the pattern I turned the box one more time and was instantly teleported to another room. This was the very scary part! Huge, glowing balls of magma, lightning, acid and ice were rolling all across the room in all directions! How was I going to navigate this? What was so important in here? I noticed floating platforms in this room. I figured that jumping along these platforms over the elemental balls of doom would be the wisest choice. That is, until I noticed the corpse of a man I met in the marketplace once. I decided not to jump along the platforms when I saw his charged, seared, jolted, frozen corpse. I did, however, manage to squeeze by the dooms rocks before they flattened me!

This next room I entered was almost as bad. From my starting point I was being shot at by arrows and bolts! Archers!? No...not archers, a trap or another test. I dodged, ducked and weaved so the sting of missiles wouldn't touch me. I must have wore down the trap's supply, becuase I was safe standing on the raised floor. Looking down, I found magma and a few lower platforms below. Across the way I saw a target. It looks like an archer's target. To my great disadvantage, I did not have any missile type weapons to launch at the target. I thought about taking fallen arrows from the trap, but without a way to propel them to the target, I was out of luck. Rummaging through my pack yielded nothing to throw as well. How frustrating!
I must return to my hometown to buy missile weapons and then come back, avoid death at every turn and find out what lays beyond. I'm sure it has something to do with Oswald and maybe, perhaps, Jaleh. First, I will visit my friend Hamud and tell him of where I've been. Maybe he has some knowledge of this.

[Milon]

I have passed the trials. I found Oswald's Dirk! After using the key I aquired, I found a very pretty dirk. I took it with me....Although, I think Oswald may be upset with me. I recently made a deal with a being that said it would assume my identity for me and lead Oswald away, for the right price of course. Of course, I agreed, made my payment and the creature took my form and glared at me with eyes that resembled that of Hamud. Who knows if they are related or if they were made by the same entity. I'll tell Hamud of this when I return to him. For now, I fear there may be more of these creatures assuming personages of importance. Therefore, the Queen's life, any race's life may be in danger from beeing "assumed". I'll send a note and talk to the Town Criers so they may spread this information. More to come as I find out more information, stay safe, Oswald is out there somewhere as well as these shapeshifters.

[Allura]

i remember doing the "hamud's pyreal katar" quest a long (loooonnnnnggg) time ago. your "memoir" had me searching maggie's for the lore/notes that went with, but i could only find bits and pieces. wasn't that the quest where it told how shadows came to be? i've wondered for years why there isn't a quest to save the shadows :)