Editing Alatar Locke

{{Character Summary
 |              Image = Alatar Locke Live.jpg
 |               Name = Alatar Locke
 |               Race = 
* [[Isparian]] ([[Aluvian]])
 |     Related Groups =
* [[Exploration Society]]
 |        Eras Active =
* [[Portal Year Era]]
 |    Important Dates = 
 | Related Characters = 
* [[Elysa Strathelar]]
* [[Lilitha]]
 | 
 |  Display Top Links = True
 |       Link Related = True
 |       Link In Game = True
 | Link Lore Articles = True
 |         Link Texts = True
 |    Link Characters = False
 |        Link Quests = True
 |          Link NPCs = True
 |     Link Creatures = False
 |     Link Locations = True
 |         Link Items = True
 |        Link Images = False
 |    Link References = True
 |
 |         Minor Char = True
 |      Isparian Char = True
 |       Aluvian Char = True
 |        Living Char = True
}}

'''Alatar Locke''' is a famous early explorer of Dereth.<ref name="ANoteFromIquba">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[A note from Iquba]]</ref><ref name="TheLostLight">''Date Unknown'' [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive|The Mysterious Portals Archive]] - [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive/The Lost Light|The Lost Light]]</ref><ref name="GeneralHistoryOfDerethVolXI">2000/12 [[The Child of Daralet]] - [[General History of Dereth Vol. XI]]</ref><ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke">2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke|The Explorations of Alatar Locke]]</ref>

Alatar is from a region of Aluvia not unlike the rich farmland of the [[Plains of Gaerwel]] on Dereth.<ref name="QuickRefCard">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Quick Reference Card]]</ref> He is of the highest education that Aluvia could provide, taught by the most brilliant Gharu'ndim scholars his father could afford.<ref name="AnExplorersNotes">2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/An Explorer's Notes|An Explorer's Notes]]</ref> It is not known exactly when Alatar arrived in Dereth, however, it is known that he explored [[The Floating City]] at least a decade prior to any other Isparians,<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /> which means he explored it in Harvestgain, [[Portal Year 1]], if not earlier.<ref name="GeneralHistoryOfDerethVolXI" />

In his early days of exploration, Alatar was famously the first Isparian to chart the [[Direlands]],<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" />, the first to explore the [[Halls of the Lost Light]],<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /><ref name="TheLostLight" /> and as previously mentioned, the first to explore [[The Floating City]].<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /> Alatar also explored the [[Swamp Temple (Yanshi)|Swamp Temple]] in the [[Blackmire Swamp]],<ref name="SwampTempleTome">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Swamp Temple Tome]]</ref> and many other dungeons throughout Dereth.<ref name="InuoKonKousBook">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Inuo-Kon Kou's Book]]</ref>

Alatar is an old friend of [[Elysa Strathelar]], and the two corresponded up to [[Portal Year 4]].<ref name="ACrumpledLetter">2003/05 [[Discoveries]] - [[A Crumpled Letter]]</ref> Alatar was still active up to [[Portal Year 10]]. In his text on the festival stones, as well as the map credited to him that was provided to new arrivals, he mentions both the towns of [[Al-Arqas]] and [[Lytelthorpe]],<ref name="TheFestivalStonesOfTheEmpyrean">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[The Festival Stones of the Empyrean]]</ref><ref name="QuickRefCard" /> which we know to have been founded in Portal Year 10.<ref name="ACManualAlArqas">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Asheron's Call Manual/Al-Arqas|Asheron's Call Manual: Al-Arqas]]</ref><ref name="AlArqasTNSign">2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Al-Arqas (Town Network Sign)]]</ref><ref name="ACManualLytelthorpe">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Asheron's Call Manual/Lytelthorpe|Asheron's Call Manual: Lytelthorpe]]</ref><ref name="LytelthorpeTNSign">2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Lytelthorpe (Town Network Sign)]]</ref>

Despite this, by [[Harvestgain, 12 PY]], the scholars of the Zaikhal Arcanum feared that Alatar may have been lost before Lifestones rose.<ref name="ACDMCDLoreIntroduction">2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Introduction|AC:DM CD Lore: Introduction]]</ref><ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /> It is not known why they thought this, but perhaps they were unaware of his more recent activity, or perhaps they thought he had never attuned to a lifestone. Thankfully, the Arcanum's judgement was wrong in this case. In [[Seedsow, 13 PY]], adventurers discovered Alatar Locke residing in the [[Precarious Sojourn]].<ref name="ArcanePedestalQuest">2002/06 [[Castling]] - [[Arcane Pedestal Quest#Dialog|Arcane Pedestal Quest: Dialog]]</ref> Alatar explained that he was a cartographer for the [[Exploration Society|Explorer Society]], and that he had ended up at this location after spending some time in the Floating City.<ref name="ArcanePedestalQuest" /> After resurfacing, Alatar sent correspondence to his old friend Elysa.<ref name="ACrumpledLetter" /> She wrote back to him around [[Solclaim, 14 PY]], however, her letter was intercepted and found its way into the possession of the [[Mite Warrior Queen]].<ref name="ACrumpledLetter" />

Presumably also after resurfacing, Alatar helped Elysa and her allies identify the Tursh Totem, which Elysa's Royal Guard had found some years prior to [[Snowreap, 16 PY]].<ref name="ReplicaOfATurshTotem">2005/01 [[Assault]] - [[Replica of a Tursh Totem]]</ref> After searching through a series of ancient Empyrean texts, Alatar discovered that Tursh was some sort of being worshiped as a god by a group of cannibalistic savages that once lived in the snow-covered peaks of Dereth. Tursh was purported to be the god of Hunger, though no other reference to Tursh's specific powers or exploits were uncovered in Alatar's research.<ref name="ReplicaOfATurshTotem" />

=== Works ===
The Arcanum described Alatar locke as the first great human Explorer of Dereth.<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /> He is notable for his exploration of the Direlands and many dungeons throughout Dereth.<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /><ref name="TheLostLight" /><ref name="SwampTempleTome" /><ref name="InuoKonKousBook" /> While he is credited as the first to ''chart'' the Direlands, legend claims that [[Lilitha]] was the first human to travel through them.<ref name="TheLegendOfLilitha">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[The Legend of Lilitha]]</ref>

Alatar is also noteworthy for his study of the [[Empyrean]]. The very term Empyrean was coined by Alatar Locke.<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /><ref name="AnExplorersNotes" /> Alatar also theorized that, contrary to the beliefs of Isparian scholars at the time, the Empyreans were not all from a single culture, but instead there were several eras of vastly different Empyrean civilizations.<ref name="AnExplorersNotes" /> In some of his early writings, Alatar wrote of the different Empyrean cultures.<ref name="SwampTempleTome" /><ref name="AnExplorersNotes" /> He described the architecture and some rituals of the Falatacot, although he did not call them Falatacot at that time.<ref name="SwampTempleTome" /><ref name="AnExplorersNotes" /> By the time he explored the Floating City, Alatar was using the term Falatacot,<ref name="AStainedBookLostChamber">2000/10 [[Hollow Victory]] - [[A Stained Book (Lost Chamber)]]</ref> and knew of the [[Millennium War]] and the fall of the [[Ice Throne]].<ref name="AStainedBookLostChamber" /><ref name="AStainedBookMuseum">2000/10 [[Hollow Victory]] - [[A Stained Book (Museum)]]</ref>

Another theory of Alatar's was that Asheron's discovery of portal magic was actually a rediscovery.<ref name="AStainedBookLostChamber" /><ref name="AStainedBookBanderlingArea">2000/10 [[Hollow Victory]] - [[A Stained Book (Banderling Area)]]</ref> This was later confirmed, as Asheron based his portal magic on the work of [[Nilrhem Facill]].<ref name="ABriefHistoryForTravelersTheChildOfDaralet">2000/12 [[The Child of Daralet]] - [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/A Brief History for Travelers|A Brief History for Travelers]]: [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/A Brief History for Travelers/Should the Stars Fall and The Child of Daralet|Should the Stars Fall and The Child of Daralet]]</ref><ref name="AerfallesLetter">2000/07 [[To Raise a Banner of Flame]] - [[Aerfalle's Letter]]</ref><ref name="TheBookOfMinesh">1999/12 [[Sudden Season]] - [[The Book of Minesh]]</ref><ref name="AJournal">2000/02 [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[A Journal]]</ref> And later still, we learned of the Falatacot and their portals to Bur. Perhaps the most bold claim made by Alatar is that the Empyrean are not native to Auberean, and that long ago, before the time of the Falatacot, the Empyrean willingly came to Auberean with a singular purpose.<ref name="AStainedBookLostChamber" /> What that purpose was, Alatar was not certain, and he believes that even the Empyrean forgot this purpose.<ref name="AStainedBookLostChamber" /> Whether or not this theory is true remains a mystery.

Some of Alatar's other theories are:
* Old Falatacot dungeons, noted for their geometry, symmetry, and repetition of forms that resemble spirals or perfect squares or other such constructs, served a magical purpose.<ref name="AnExplorersNotes" />
* The [[A'mun Desert]] was once lush and fertile.<ref name="TheFestivalStonesOfTheEmpyrean" />
* The cove of [[Yaraq]] was once an [[Inner Sea]] port used by the Empyrean.<ref name="TheFestivalStonesOfTheEmpyrean" />
* The area of the festival stone of Darktide, where [[Ayan Baqur]] would later be founded, was once a port.<ref name="TheFestivalStonesOfTheEmpyrean" />
* [[Mount Esper]] was once a sizable Empyrean town, and they refined pyreal in the fiery core of the mountain.<ref name="TheFestivalStonesOfTheEmpyrean" />
* The Halls of the Lost Light bore witness to a long struggle against darkness, and when the defenders within perished, their corpses were reanimated by evil magic.<ref name="LetterFromAlatar">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Letter from Alatar]]</ref>
* The Yalaini living in the Floating City that became trapped there after the portals became too unstable eventually turned to necromancy.<ref name="AStainedBookMuseum">2000/10 [[Hollow Victory]] - [[A Stained Book (Museum)]]</ref>

=== Relationships ===
Alatar Locke and [[Elysa Strathelar]] are old friends.<ref name="ACrumpledLetter" /> They have known each other since at least the time when Alatar first explored the Floating City,<ref name="AStainedBookSkyway">2000/10 [[Hollow Victory]] - [[A Stained Book (Skyway)]]</ref> which was during [[Portal Year 1]] if not earlier.<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /><ref name="GeneralHistoryOfDerethVolXI" /> The two corresponded until [[Portal Year 4]]. By [[Portal Year 5]], Elysa had gone to live in Asheron's castle,<ref name=HistoryOfAubereanVol5>2003/03 [[The History of Auberean/Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)|The History of Auberean: Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)]]</ref> which may explain why the two lost contact. In her letter to Alatar, Elysa seemed to imply that Alatar has negative feelings towards Asheron.<ref name="ACrumpledLetter" />

Alatar had something of a rivalry with another famous early explorer, [[Lilitha]]. Both have claims to being the first Isparian to explore the Direlands.<ref name="TheExplorationsOfAlatarLocke" /><ref name="TheLegendOfLilitha" /> In the note she left tucked inside the Elari Wood Bow, Lilitha called Alatar an overweening blowhard.<ref name="ExquisiteElariWoodBow">2000/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[Exquisite Elari Wood Bow]]</ref><ref name="SublimeElariWoodBow">2004/06 [[Pillars Made of Sand]] - [[Sublime Elari Wood Bow]]</ref>

Alatar had a friend named [[Galtith]], who died helping the townsfolk of [[Edelbar]] escape from Tumeroks.<ref name="QuickRefCard" /> He met [[Ru Shaha the Healer]],<ref>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Ru Shaha the Healer#Dialog|Ru Shaha the Healer: Dialog]]</ref> perhaps on his way to or from the Swamp Temple. Both [[Felscuda]] and [[Jordan Ibn'Ikia]] are familiar with his work.<ref>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Dagger of Tikola Quest#Dialog|Dagger of Tikola Quest: Dialog]]</ref><ref>2002/06 [[Castling]] - [[Jordan Ibn'Ikia#Dialog|Jordan Ibn'Ikia: Dialog]]</ref>

=== Apocrypha ===
According to old articles about the Undead, Alatar has a son named [[Ardivan Locke]].<ref name="TheUndead">''Date Unknown'' [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive|The Mysterious Portals Archive]] - [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive/The Undead|The Undead]]</ref><ref name="ZoneBestiaryUndead">''Date Unknown'' [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Call Handbook|Asheron's Call Handbook]] - [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Call Handbook/Bestiary#Undead|Bestiary: Undead]]</ref> Since this version of the backstory for Undead was [[Continuity/Undead|retconned]] later, it is unknown if Ardivan still exists in canon.

The Official strategy guide for Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty lists stats for Alatar's Battle Axe, Alatar's Helm, and Alatar's Platemail Hauberk.<ref name="ACDMSybexGuide">2001/10 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[Asheron's Call Dark Majesty: Sybex Official Strategies and Secrets]]</ref> These items have never been discovered and are considered [[Unreleased Content]]. They do provide some insight as to how the developers may have seen Alatar, though. Despite being very well educated and known for his exploration and research, he also would have been a capable fighter, able to wield heavy plate armor and fight with an axe.

== Related Pages ==
=== Appearances In Game ===
* [[Alatar Locke (NPC)]]

=== Lore Articles ===
Featured in:
* [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke|AC:DM CD Lore: The Explorations of Alatar Locke]]
** [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/An Explorer's Notes|An Explorer's Notes]]
** [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/Halls of Lost Light|Halls of Lost Light]]
** [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/Swamp Temple Tome|Swamp Temple Tome]]
** [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/Festival Stones|Festival Stones]]
** [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Explorations of Alatar Locke/A Stained Book|A Stained Book]]
* [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive/Petroglyphs|The Mysterious Portals Archive: Petroglyphs]]
* [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive/The Lost Light|The Mysterious Portals Archive: The Lost Light]]
* [[Quick Reference Card]]

Mentioned in:
* [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/A Brief History for Travelers/Hollow Victory|A Brief History for Travelers: Hollow Victory]]
* [[AC:DM CD Lore/Historical Overview/Dereth: Harvestgain PY 11 - Earth: October 2000|AC:DM CD Lore: Dereth: Harvestgain PY 11 - Earth: October 2000]]
* [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/Of Lord Cambarth|AC:DM CD Lore: Of Lord Cambarth]]
* [[AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/The Legend of Lilitha|AC:DM CD Lore: The Legend of Lilitha]]
* [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Call Handbook/Bestiary#Undead|Asheron's Call Handbook: Bestiary: Undead]]
* [[Into the Darkness#New Dialog|Into the Darkness: Town Crier Dialog]]
* [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Lore/The Mysterious Portals Archive/The Undead|The Mysterious Portals Archive: The Undead]]

=== Texts ===
{{Item Table
 | A Crumpled Letter
 | A note from Iquba
 | A Stained Book (Banderling Area)
 | A Stained Book (Bar)
 | A Stained Book (Lost Chamber)
 | A Stained Book (Museum)
 | A Stained Book (Skyway)
 | General History of Dereth Vol. XI
 | Inuo-Kon Kou's Book
 | Letter from Alatar
 | Of Lord Cambarth
 | The Festival Stones of the Empyrean
 | The Legend of Lilitha
 | Swamp Temple Tome
}}

=== Quests ===
* [[Arcane Pedestal Quest]]
* [[Floating City Quest]]
* [[Swamp Temple Quest]]
* [[Sword of Lost Light Quest]]

=== NPCs ===
* [[Felscuda]]
* [[Jordan Ibn'Ikia]]
* [[Ru Shaha the Healer]]

=== Locations ===
* [[Halls of the Lost Light]]
* [[Precarious Sojourn]]
* [[Swamp Temple (Yanshi)]]
* [[The Floating City]]

=== Items ===
{{Item Table
 | Exquisite Elari Wood Bow
 | Unframed map of Dereth
 | Tursh Totem Shard (40+)
 | Tursh Totem Shard (60+)
 | Tursh Totem Shard (80+)
 | Tursh Totem Shard (100+)
 | Replica of a Tursh Totem
 | Sublime Elari Wood Bow
}}

== References ==
<references/>