Nicholas the Traveler/Past Dialogues

Nicholas the Traveler's Past Dialogues

 * April 23: Red Iris Flower (Regent Valley)
 * For years, my nightmares have lingered on this place, the place where I lost my Mary. She meant the world to me, but I have mourned her loss long enough. I'm sure if Mary were here today, she’d no sooner want to see those spiders back in her orchard than she would want to see me imprisoned by grief. In just a few short years, deepest despair shocked my beard and hair with white and almost finished what the Charr started when they destroyed my home, my parents, and my Mary. Now I know that I can't let them win like that. I must live on to keep the memory of my beloved alive and find a new home, find happiness again. There is still much work for me to do in this world.


 * And so my travels begin again with new purpose: to take Yakkington and I to the far corners of the globe and back again. But before my journey continues I feel the need to ask my love for her blessing and pay tribute to her, though I suppose the only thing fitting would be Red Iris Flowers. A bunch of at least 3 would do, but the only Ascalonian flora collector I know of has moved far to the north. She was so young the last time I saw her! It makes me worry that she won't remember me. Although, she was quite fond of the Professor, even if he did eat all those flowers.... I don't suppose you have any, do you?


 * April 27: Bolt of Linen (Traveler's Vale)
 * Did you know that dolyaks will abandon a calf if they perceive it to be weak? Yup, it's true, and it's actually extremely common among their species. I know it seems cruel by our standards, but I imagine that they believe it keeps their bloodlines strong. And who would argue?


 * It's also the most likely explanation for why Yakkington was alone when I found him, here in this very place. He was as white as the snow itself, but that was hardly surprising, since all dolyak calves are born that way. The poor thing was huddled up against these rocks, but he wasn't actually the one in trouble; I was. I had been nearly blinded by a blizzard for hours and couldn't make heads or tails of where Yak's Bend was. Luckily I stumbled past him before succumbing to the elements!


 * I approached carefully, because I knew wild dolyaks were particularly dangerous. As I got closer, he held my gaze with those warm blue eyes, and I felt completely safe. Though I couldn't explain it, I knew we had an instant connection. So to honor that night, I wish to craft us a nice, warm blanket, hah! Would you, by chance, have 3 Bolts of Linen that I could take off your hands?


 * May 4: Branch of Juni Berries (Bukdek Byway)
 * I just found out that my old friend Yileng is now an imperial chef. What an achievement! You know, I would expect that when a man reaches a status such as his, that he would live each day with a smile from ear to ear, but he actually seemed troubled when I ran into him.


 * Apparently the fruit he uses for the emperor's favourite dish has been hard to aquire since the plague hit, and he doesn't want to have to tell the emperor that they no longer have the ingredients to make it. I had some spare time, so I offered to scour the city for 3 Branches of Juni Berries, but I've had little luck so far. So I ask you, friend, will you help me? I would like to say I knew where you could start looking, but other than having Chuno ship some here from Ronjok, I can't think of a way.


 * May 11: Mandragor Root Cake (Arkjok Ward)
 * ''Oh, thank the gods, help has come at last! My bullheaded companion here refuses to budge an inch, because he hasn't had his daily allotment of sweets. I swear he is as stubborn as, well, as stubborn as a dolyak, I suppose. Do you have time to swing by Yohlon Haven and talk to Yajide? See if he still makes that wonderful Mandragor Root Cake. I bet that would get Yakkington going again.


 * May 18: Chromatic Scale (Ice Cliff Chasms)
 * ''Forgive me. It may seem like I'm hiding out here, but it's not from you. You see, there are people within these walls that I have not seen since the Searing, and for all they know I've been dead these last few years. I think I'll feel a bit sheepish when I show up at such a late hour, especially alive, don't you? Of course, I'm also nervous about showing up empty-handed, especially when I see Gwen. Are you willing to track down a Chromatic Scale for me? I could probably make a nice wind chime out of it for my old friend to put in this garden. Hopefully between that and a reunion with the Professor, I can have a nice visit without having to fully explain why I've been gone so long!


 * May 25: Gloom Seed (The Falls)
 * ''By the gods, what an amazing place! Yakkington and I were on the way to visit Zinn when we detoured to the west to avoid a large group of trolls, and what a sight to be rewareded with! You know, I've heard tales of something called a Gloom Seed. They say it comes from a realm beyond ours, a realm that has something to do with the statues of the gods. I know not how to enter such a place if this is indeed it, nor would I if I could. I dare not travel where Yakkington can't follow, but if you could somehow return with one for me, then I would forever be in your debt! I've always wanted to behold what kind of plant could come from such a seed of legend.


 * June 1: Dessicated Hydra Claw (The Scar)
 * ''How fortuitous to run into a friendly face out here! Yakkington and I were nearly chomped to bits by some hydras when they backed us in a corner near some strange runic circle. I was doing my best to keep them at bay when all of a sudden we arrived at another location with an identical runic circle. I could only figure that something the Professor was doing caused the runes to activate. I don't know how he did it, but I sure am glad I have my buddy here. Would you by chance be willing to make sure the coast is clear out there, and let us know? Oh, and if you find 2 Dessicated Hydra Claws while you're at it, would you mind giving them to me? They seem like prime bone for carving tools out of.


 * June 8: Margonite Mask (Poisoned Outcrops)
 * ''What a bleak place to meet at your end. Bones are scattered everywhere, and the only creatures I recognize are ravens. I find neither of these things to be the best of omens, though a Norn might disagree. I would like to leave with the fleetest of strides that Yakkington and I can muster, and I'm sure you do too. Would you mind hastening my retreat by finding me 2 Margonite Masks? I hope they have clues that'll help Durmand reveal the secret origin of these monsters.


 * June 15: Sapphire Djinn Essence (Resplendent Makuun)
 * Ahh, I see that you, too, must have buisness with Prince Bokka. I am here on behalf of local villages that clearly need his aid, but I am not sure that he will hear what I say unless there is something in it for him. Do you happen to have a Sapphire Djinn Essance on you? Such a gift would surely get him to hear my plea in full


 * June 22: Parchment (Zen Daijun (explorable))
 * Ahh yes, well met, friend! I am here working on a piece of writing to add to the library at Durmand's request, but I am rapidly running out of Rolls of Parchment. Would you be able to pick up 5 pieces of it for me ? I have much recording to do of the circumstances leading up to the searing, and the years following. Perhaps you may even get to read it someday! I am thinking of entitling it "There with Yakkington: A Traveler's Tale", what do you think, pretty catchy, huh?


 * June 29: Stone Carving (Arborstone (explorable)
 * "The Stone Carvings found in these hallowed walls are legendary for their quality amongst the people of Kryta. Goods from a foreign land such as this are always of great value to trade, but ones of these particular quality are a rarity even by the standards of a city as proserous as Lion's Arch. I need to return to Kryta with something worth bartering so that I can continue to feed my big lummox of a friend here! So if you have the time to spare, would you mind helping me find 1 of them?"


 * July 6: Feathered Avicara Scalp (Mineral Springs)
 * The Avicara of these parts are as fierce as they are feathery, and they do have quite fine feathers indeed. Have you managed to retrieve any of their Feathered Avicara Scalps while doing battle with them? I have need for 3 of them, as I wish to make a fine feathered headdress for Yakkington to wear. He may be a beast of burden by birthright, but he also wants a little pampering from time to time as a reward, and I like to keep the big lug as happy as possible. For now, let's just say his quirks are worth putting up with since the only alternative involves me carrying all the luggage on his back!


 * July 13: Charr Hide (The Breach)
 * I spent much time around the wall, cooling myself in its shadow and walking alongside it on the way to Ascalon. And now I wonder how we're going to rebuild it, and if we're even going to rebuild it. Doesn't seem likely, does it? And that makes me sad. Maybe it would comfort me if I had some Charr Hides. I mean, it is their fault, after all. And Charr Hides are quite useful! I could make all kinds of things and not feel like I'm doing this just for the sake of revenge. Perhaps 1 would be enough to make a warm blanket for the refugees. If you have 1, I'm willing to barter for it!


 * July 20: Skelk Claw (Verdant Cascades)
 * Well met, friend! If there's one thing I learned about myself, it's that I like working with my hands. Putting things together and the like. Take Skelk Claws, for example. Did you know I can make excellent digging implements out of them? I may not look like a farming expert, but there was a time in my life I would have given anything to settle down on a farm with the right woman. Oh, I may sound nostalgic, but I'm being practical too. Farmers these days have enough to contend with. Come to think of it, with 3 Skelk Claws, I can make them some tools, maybe feel like I'm a farmer too.


 * July 27: Herring (Twin Serpent Lakes)
 * You don't walk the world without picking up a few culinary tricks here and there. Spices, berries, sugar cane-I've tasted so much! In fact, I've even become quite the gourmet chef, as the galloping girth of my friend here will surely testify. I've an excellent stew recipe I'm working on-excellent, I tell you-and, while Yakkington's in the mood for veggies (if you'll pardon a parlance), I feel like something with a meatier flavor. If you have any Herring, that would be quite a tasty and substantial addition. I'd only need 1. And I'd bet my best boots I could probably find something useful to do with the head...


 * August 3: Bowl of Skalefin Soup (Zehlon Reach)
 * That storm was insane! Did you see it? What craziness! Lightning bolts and huge, painful thunderclaps, over and over again, like we had a swarm of mages pursuing us. And I'd swear I saw Destroyers in the waves that night. Yakkington and I finally made it to Istan this morning, but now he refuses to budge. I think that wild storm made him seasick. Food is the safest way to calm him down, even when he's sick, so maybe you could find some Bowl of Skalefin Soup for my friend while I tend to him?