Tihark Orchard (mission)

Objectives
You must be the only person in your party to enter this mission.

Convince the three Princes of Vabbi to join the fight against Varesh. Defend the garden and its guests by slaying the harpies.
 * Recruit Prince Mehtu the Wise for your war against Varesh.
 * Persuade Prince Bokka the Magnificent to join the Sunspears in the struggle against Warmarshal Varesh.
 * Coerce Prince Ahmtur the Mighty to ally against Warmarshal Varesh.
 * Prince Ahmtur the Mighty wishes to speak with you again. Find out what he has to say.


 *  *BONUS*  Participate in the Festival of Lyss.
 * You have participated in # of 5 festivities.

Primary
Most of this mission you will spend interacting with the various NPCs. Your goal is to obtain an audience with the three Princes, located at the western end of the lower level, but they will snub you until you do something to impress them.


 * Prince Ahmtur will speak with you after you defeat "Palawa Joko" in a reenactment duel, or when you win a drinking contest against Zilo the Drunkard (bonus objectives 1 and 2).
 * Prince Bokka will speak with you when you present him with a worthy gift (bonus objective 3).
 * Prince Mehtu will speak with you after you teach his niece or nephew to dance, or after you defeat Lumo the Mime in a miming contest (bonus objectives 4 and 5).

Unfortunately, no matter what you do, all three princes will refuse to join your cause.

After you have spoken with all three princes, Prince Ahmtur will ask to speak with you again. When you do, a cutscene will play during which a band of harpies descends on the Festival. You will have to defeat these harpies with the help of 4 Vabbian Guards and whatever other NPCs stick around (most will run away). There will be 4 pairs of harpies, two to the north and two to the south, consisting of Skree Raiders, Skree Trackers, and Skree Singers. Note they all use physical attacks, two types can interrupt, and the third can remove a stance. Bring skills to prepare for this as well as a means to self heal. Killing all 8 harpies will trigger the final cutscene.

Tip: Usually, the three pairs of harpies on the lower level can be defeated quite easily because guards engage them at the beginning of the fight, or they can be pulled close enough for guards to notice them. The last pair upstairs is, however, much more difficult since by the time other harpies have been defeated, the remaining pair has killed every NPC in their vicinity. They are reluctant to follow you all the way down to the remaining guards on the floor and fighting an uphill battle on the stairs puts you to a significant disadvantage. If you want to play it safe, you can take the stairs opposite to those leading to the harpies and walk around the edge to the other side of the orchard where you started the mission. The guards that were initially blocking your access to that passage will let you past this time, and you can pull the remaining harpies to the nearest stairs up where two guards still remain. Thus, you get two allies and the advantage of elevation and it shouldn't be too difficult to dispatch the last pair.

Another method is that of running past through the last batch of harpies, until the 4 guards in your group manage to arrive up to top of the stairs and engage the harpies themselves. Then turn round and assist in casting.

Tip: since you must enter this mission solo (without henchmen or heroes), bring some form of self healing in order to survive the fights against level 24 harpies

Bonus
There are five festivities to take part in:


 * 1) Speak to Duel Master Lumbo to take the part of Turai Ossa in a reenactment of his victory over Palawa Joko.
 * 2) * "Palawa Joko" is a level 20 Necromancer who only uses Blood of the Aggressor, Life Siphon, and Dark Pact; he's quite the pushover.
 * 3) * If you're having trouble winning on your own, you can activate the duel, then leave while Lumbo is talking and before "Palawa Joko" turns hostile. You can defeat him during the harpy invasion (when you will be assisted by four allied guards plus the nearby NPCs), and you will still receive credit for the bonus.
 * 4) * You can also just slowly back up to get the assistance of friendly NPCs, e.g. Vabbian Nobles, Vabbian Guards, and Royal Servants.
 * 5) Win a drinking contest against Zilo the Drunkard.
 * 6) * You must nab 12 drinks off of the NPCs in the area (Royal Servants, Vabbi Children, and Vabbi Guards don't have drinks). Click on someone, then on the response in the dialog that pops up.  Your response will become more slurred and unintelligible as you quaff more drinks.
 * 7) * If you do not nab 12 drinks before Zilo's timer finishes, you may lose this bonus. It cannot be attempted again without restarting the mission.
 * 8) ** If you nab The Great Zehtuka's drink, he will become hostile and begin attacking people at random until he is subdued. If he attacks the drink servants they will drop the tray which you can pick up.
 * 9) * The drunkenness incurred during this festivity does not count toward the Drunkard title and will wear off immediately when the contest is over.
 * 10) Obtain a Rare Antique Elonian Vase from Jejumba as a gift for Prince Bokka the Magnificent.
 * 11) * You can pay 4 platinum to buy the vase, or you can trade a Golden Phoenix Feather for it, or you can simply kill Jejumba and take the vase.
 * 12) **To obtain a Golden Phoenix Feather you must defeat the Royal Guard Captain towards the east end of the garden in a 1-on-1 duel. Although this is an option, killing Jejumba is a much easier task. (She is only level 10, and very easy to kill)
 * 13) * Present the vase to Royal Finance Minister Oluda to gain an audience with Prince Bokka. You will not receive credit for this festivity until you have talked to the finance minister.
 * 14) Teach the little boy, Dende, or the little girl, Mina, to dance.
 * 15) * All you have to do is speak to the boy (with a female character) or the girl (with a male character), then /dance quickly. They will thank you, then run to join the rest of the Vabbian dancers. If you do not start dancing within about 5 seconds they will cancel the dance and you have to talk to them again.
 * 16) Defeat Lumo the Mime in a mime duel.
 * 17) * Lumo mimes emotes, which you have to recognize and mirror. You need to match 10 emotes in a row to win the contest.
 * 18) * You have about 3-4 seconds to match each emote. It does not matter if you use the wrong emote as long as you also use the correct emote within the allotted time. If the time expires, you lose the contest and must start over. Simply talk with Lumo again to retry as often as necessary to defeat him.
 * 19) * Lumo has the same emote animations as a male ranger, and he is known to use the following emotes in the mime duel:
 * /beg (He falls to his knees.)
 * /boo or /scare (He raises both hands abruptly and thrusts his head and arms forward, towards the player.)
 * /breath or /catchbreath (He bows forward, breathing heavily.)
 * /cheer (He stretches both arms in the air.)
 * /dance (He does the male ranger "breakdance".)
 * /drum /flute /guitar /violin (He plays the respective "air" instrument. In case of the flute he stands on one leg.)
 * /flex (He does a classic greek pose with one arm towards the ground and one behind his head.)
 * /laugh (You can see his chest shaking.)
 * /pickme (He points towards himself with both arms.)
 * /point (He points towards the player with one arm.)
 * /roar (He stretches one fist in the air.)
 * /shoo (He waves both hands in front of his chest, towards the player.)
 * /taunt (He waves both hands beside his face and shakes his head.)
 * /wave (He waves with his left arm.)

Hard mode
The changes before the cutscene are pretty inconsequential. After the cut scene, the harpies are stronger, but the Vabbians are a lot stronger, and will mostly kill the harpies on their own, though sometimes the guards wait until you get near to attack.

NPCs

 * 2 Dende
 * 2 Mina
 * 2 Vabbi Child
 * 10 Duel Master Lumbo
 * 10 Horticulturist Hinon
 * 10 Jejumba
 * 10 Jekunda
 * 10 Kurideh the Mad
 * 10 Lumo the Mime
 * 10 Master of Ceremonies
 * 10 Musician
 * 10 Royal Finance Minister Oluda
 * 10 Royal Food Taster Rendu
 * 10 Royal Servant
 * 10 Vabbi Noble
 * 10 Vabbi Peasant
 * 10 Vabbian Priest
 * 10 Vaughn the Venerable
 * 10 Zilo the Drunkard
 * 12 Tahlkora
 * 18 Goren
 * 18 Norgu
 * 20 General Morgahn
 * 20 Kehanni
 * 20 Lieutenant Murunda
 * 20 "Palawa Joko"
 * 20 Prince Ahmtur the Mighty
 * 20 Prince Bokka the Magnificent
 * 20 Prince Mehtu the Wise
 * 20 Royal Guard Bunda
 * 20 Royal Guard Zendeh
 * 20 Vabbi Guard
 * 20 The Great Zehtuka

Allies

 * 20 Palace Guard
 * 20 Vabbi Guard Captain

Monsters
Harpies
 * 24 Skree Raider
 * 24 Skree Tracker
 * 24 Skree Singer

Inside the mission
Kehanni: ''Morgahn, I didn't expect to see you here. It has been too long, general.''

General Morgahn: And I did not expect to find you in the company of Istani spies, dear Kehanni.

Kehanni: ''Lyssa guides me in all I do, Morgahn. You should remember that which Priest Jeshek has taught us. Trust me when I say this is for the greater good.''

General Morgahn: ''A valid point, Kehanni. Now it is time to celebrate Lyssa and her beauty. I will spare your friends during the festivities, but don't think for a moment that I am not watching.''

General Morgahn: ''Know this, Istani, you are my enemy. I have sworn on my honor to crush you. Should we meet again, I won't turn a blind eye.''

Kehanni: ''Don't worry about Morgahn. He's a man of his word and will spare you this day. We need to attend to the matters at hand. Do not be distracted.''

Kehanni: ''Spread out and talk to the princes. I need to converse with Morgahn about the Kournans.''



Vabbi Noble: ''I hear the Kournans are taking an unusual interest in Vabbian art and history. Perhaps we have misjudged Varesh. A woman of grace and culture would soon realize that Vabbi is worthy of a strong alliance. It could be best for both our provinces.''

Vabbi Noble: ''Art? History? My friend, you're far too trusting in rumors. Varesh doesn't want to study Vabbi. She wants to conquer it!''

Vabbi Noble: ''No. Be serious. Varesh Ossa? She's a noble ruler, as her father before her. The treaties between Vabbi and Kourna are sterling.''

Vabbi Noble: ''There's sterling, my friend...and then there's gold. I'll bet you I know which of the two Varesh has more interest in. Why else would her army be massing at our door?''



Vabbi Noble: ''Famian the Fabulous is staging a new play this month in the Bokka Amphitheatre. I already have tickets, of course. I hope it's as meaningful and moving as his last production. Norgu was in it, and you know how I adore his work.''

Vabbi Peasant: ''What? You mean "Assault of the Twenty Foot Bananas?" I suppose I would call it "moving," if by that you mean the audience disappeared from the theatre faster than a ham from Bokka's buffet line.''

Vabbi Noble: ''Hmmph. Obviously you don't appreciate true art.''

Vabbi Peasant: Either that or I don't like bananas.



Vabbi Guard: ''General Morgahn attended another gathering here a few months ago. I found him to be quite cultured; and such a dep faith the man has in Lyssa. The soldiers under him are lucky to have such a noble leader.''

Vabbi Guard: ''The general, yes. But if you speak of all Kournan leadership...well, I have to disagree. I do not personally like the direction Varesh is taking her province...and Morgahn has done nothing to stop her.''

Vabbi Guard: ''Don't assume that just because Morgahn follows orders that he agrees with them. Anyone in the military will tell you...obey first, then question. General Morgahn is a loyal man who believes in the good of Kourna. He followed Varesh's father, you know.''

Vabbi Guard: ''Well, in this case, the apple has fallen quite far from the tree. The Ossa lineage is not what it once was.''



Vabbi Noble: ''Will there be a new production this month? I would love to escort you to another play. You looked resplendent the last time we attended the theatre.''

Vabbi Noble: ''The last time...? Ah, yes. Now I remember you. Yes, I do believe a new play is opening soon. But, I believe it's by a Kournan playwright. Trying to understand Kournan plays gives me a headache.''

Vabbi Noble: ''Ah, but I heard this is a light romantic comedy; just your style! You do enjoy romantic plays, don't you? Remember the performance during the winter festival? The one that made you cuddle up against me?''

Vabbi Noble: ''That wasn't because of the play. It was snowing.''



Vabbi Child: ''Oh, daddy! Look at that tree! It's floating!''

Vabbi Noble: ''That's the Seborhin tree, Ashante. It's Lyssa's favorite tree in all the world. It's fed with water from the Elon and it grows in the light of Lyssa's smile.''

Vabbi Child: ''Look! A leaf fell right into my hands. Can I keep it, Daddy? Can I?''

Vabbi Noble: ''Of course you can, sweetheart. That means Lyssa is watching over you.''



Vabbi Peasant: ''Kwesigam! It's so good to see you! Where have you been keeping yourself lately? You haven't been at the library at all, and I was hoping to twist your ear about the latest book on making paint from cuttlefish scales.''

Vabbi Peasant: ''Oh, I've been doing landscape work for Prince Mehtu. They're going into his private fault. I'm not sure why he wants so many paintings, but he pays well and I'm happy to work for someone so well-regarded.''

Vabbi Peasant: ''Private vault? How interesting. Tell me, what does he keep in his private vault?''

Vabbi Peasant: ''I don't know. I've never been there and the prince is being quite mysterious about the whole thing. He even has a special name for the vault...Ahdashim. I don't know what it means, but it certainly sounds ominous!''



Duel Master Lumbo: ''Lords and ladies of Vabbi, gather 'round. For today, we celebrate the victory of the mighty Turai Ossa at the battle of Jahai!''

Duel Master Lumbo: Long ago, two great armies met near the Grand Cataract of the Elon River to determine our people's fate.

Duel Master Lumbo: One army led by the undead lord Palawa Joko, the scourge of Vabbi, set to bring destruction and chaos to our lands.

Duel Master Lumbo: The second army was led by the great hero of Elona, Turai Ossa, who sought to lead our people to the promised lands of the gods.

Duel Master Lumbo: The two leaders faced off to determine the outcome.

Duel Master Lumbo: Witness the great battle between these great heroes as it was long ago!

"Palawa Joko": On this day, Palawa Joko will prove victorious!

"Palawa Joko": ''Turai Ossa, you are the victor. I, Palawa Joko, scourge of Vabbi, yield to you!''

Duel Master Lumbo: Ladies and gentlemen, our hero and protector, Turai Ossa, is victorious!



Zilo the Drunkard: ''I don't have any drinks for you. This trusty keg here is for me alone. Slip through the party and nab drinks from the willing. If you can imbibe 12 mugs before I finish this keg, you win. But trust me, you don't have a chance, lightweight.''

Zilo the Drunkard: ''Give up now, amateur. You'll never beat me!''

Zilo the Drunkard: ''What? You *hiccup* beat me? My pants off to you. *hiccup* Now if you'll *burp* excuse me...I have to attend a meeting betwteen an empty *hiccup* bucket and tonight's dinner. *burp*''



Zilo the Drunkard: I love you, man!

First cutscene
Prince Ahmtur the Mighty: ''The flaw in Palawa Joko's invasion of Vabbi was that he outran his supply lines. Once Turai Ossa flanked him Palawa's forces were doomed.''

Prince Ahmtur the Mighty: What's that?

Goren: ''Sounds like harpies. Skree Harpies!''

Prince Bokka the Magnificent: ''Don't be a fool, Goren. There are no harpies anywhere near here!''

Norgu: Of course, you have been wrong before.

Prince Mehtu the Wise: ''Everyone move to the exists in an orderly fashion! There is only one of them! This is not the time to panic!''

Prince Mehtu the Wise: ''Very well! This is now the time to panic!''

Tahlkora: ''This way, Father. I'll protect you.''

Ending cutscene
Prince Bokka the Magnificent: What a mess!

Prince Ahmtur the Mighty: Yes, but the question is- why would the Skree Harpies attack here?

Prince Mehtu the Wise: All i can say is- thank the gods for Warmarshal Varesh!



Prince Mehtu the Wise: If the harpies are raiding, we'll need all the troops she can spare!

Prince Ahmtur the Mighty: ''True. Excuse me. I need to check in with my forces.''

Prince Mehtu the Wise: ''Yes, I had best get back as well. Will you be joining me, Daughter?''

Tahlkora: I have made my own arrangements, Father.

Prince Mehtu the Wise: ''I see that you have. We will speak of this, later.''

Prince Bokka the Magnificent: ''And I had best get back home as well. The new theatre season is about to start! Goren! Fetch my sedan chair!''



Kehanni: ''Let them go. You've broken the ice. I have some leads that we should follow up on.''

Follow-up

 * Upon completion of the mission players will find themselves in: The Kodash Bazaar
 * To continue the storyline, take on the following Primary Quest: All's Well That Ends Well from Royal Food Taster Rendu.

Trivia

 * One of the random comments that partygoers will make is "Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?" This is a reference to the movie Real Genius.
 * One of the musicians grumbles about drunken partygoers requesting the song "Freemoabird". This is likely a reference to the American rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd's hit song Free Bird.
 * After beating Zilo the Drunkard, you and he each say, "I love you, man!". This is probably a reference to a series of beer commercials from the 90s and is also one of the random comments your character will say when normally drunk.
 * One of the random comments goes 'Looks like I picked the wrong weekend to quit drinking'. This is a reference to captain Steve McCroskeys recurring oneliner 'Looks I picked the wrong weekend to quit drinking / amphetamine / sniffing glue etc.' in the spoofmovie Airplane! (1980)


 * If you talk with The Great Zehtuka he will tell you that he is going on a hunting safari into Desolation to get one of the wurms that live there. Later in the game if you go to the northeastern most part of Desolation you can find his Pack, Bow, his Great Horn and his Jug just laying on the ground. Presumably he ran into some trouble.