The Mana Forges were introduced during Ancient Powers although keys were not widely available until the following patch, Risks and Rewards. Keys can be obtained by hunting Pristine Mana Shards and turning in 10 per key up to five times a week (25 per key thereafter) or as a reward from a number of quests (see below). Other than the chests in the Faction Strongholds, the Mana Forge chests are the only location where the new Tier 8 Loot can be obtained. The chests vary in the probability of what they will contain. All chests can produce any item, but a weapon chest will contain mostly weapons most of the time, research/mage chests will contain mostly VIII spell components, armor will contain mostly armor, and the equipment chests will contain a mix of mostly armor and weapons. Advanced chests will contain more items that have the top req, such as weapons with 420 req.
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "Welcome to the Mana Forge!"
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "This wonderful place is one of three locations where the Arcanum is putting the wonders of the Ley Lines to work for the betterment of all Dereth."
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "If you wish to partake of the works of the Mana Forges, there is something you must do."
Each Mana Forge has an Arcanum Quota Officer (gives Mana Forge Key for 10 Pristine Mana Shards (up to five timers per week), an Arcanum Mana-smith (gives Mana Forge Key for 25 Pristine Mana Shards, and an Arcanum Broker who will buy unwanted loot from the chests. Given that mana shards are givable/tradable, it's unclear what purpose the turn in limit serves in pragmatic terms. Previously the quest keys opened all non-shard chests and Pristine Mana Shard keys only open the shard chests, however in Seeds of Corruption these restrictions were lifted and now both keys will open any of the chests.
Locations
Mana Forge Chests
- Mana Forge Advanced Equipment Chest (Armor will have 180+ level req.)
- Mana Forge Armor Chest (Armor will have 150+ level req.)
- Mana Forge Magic Chest
- Mana Forge Mixed Equipment Chest
- Mana Forge Weapon Chest
- Shard Mana Forge Equipment Chest
Quests with Key Rewards
Fortified Mana Forge Key (4 Use)
- Aerbax's Citadel - (29 days)
- Asheron's Savior - (27 days)
Braced Mana Forge Key (2 Use)
- Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow - (13 days)
- Aerbax's Prodigal Olthoi - (13 days)
- Aerbax's Prodigal Harbinger - (13 days)
- Guardian of the Deru Trees of Marae Lassel - (27 days)
Mana Forge Key (1 Use)
- Aerbax's Prodigal Human - (13 days)
- Blight Lord Lair (Quest) - (29 days)
- Delving into Claude's Mind - (13 days)
- T'Thuun's Marauders - (Unknown timer) (3 single use keys)