Portal Space Research

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Portal Space Research
Level:	??
Type:	Solo
Starts At:	??
Repeat:	??

Quest Overview

As of the Secrets of the Apostates (May 2009) patch, you no longer need to do the this quest to gain access to Crystalline Crag. Previously this quest was needed to use the Resonant Portal to be portaled to Crag.
This quest is changing every patch.

Walk Through

Required First Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1 and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun. This is enough to flag for the use of the randomly spawning Resonant portals.

Picking up the Pieces

Week Three

Optional First Step: Go to 10.6S, 17.1 and use the Resonant Portal to enter the destroyed Mar'uun. Go to the area above where the portal researchers are and find a hole on the wooden floor. Jump down to where Kaywin used to be and pick up the Scrap of Paper.
Run around the Direlands until you find a white Resonant Portal (no level restrict, no summon/tie/recall). They are known to appear at least in the Western Dires area (the Ayan and Lethe area).
You now have two different divergent set of steps you can follow.

Hand your Aetherium Research Notes to Jean or Luc. They will keep the notes so you will be unable to turn them into to Marcus. They reward you with 250,000 xp.
Talk to Marcus and he will reward you with 750,000 xp and give you Research Notes.

Or you can

Hand the Aetherium Research Notes to Marcus for 1 million xp and the Research Notes.

Once you Have the Research Notes

Optional Step: Give the Scrap of Paper to Kaywin who is found at her old spot by the Stabilizing Machine. She will reward you with 1 million experience.
Optional Step: Allow Jean or Luc to examine the Research Notes. They will not keep the Notes.
Take the Research Notes to Ned the Clever in Zaikhal. He will hand you Aetherium Research Notes to deliver to Marcus next week.

Week Two

Run around the Direlands until you find a white Resonant Portal (no level restrict, no summon/tie/recall). They are known to appear at least in the Western Dires area (the Ayan and Lethe area).
Talk to Jean and Luc at the portal drop. A dialog box will appear asking "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?". You can answer Yes or No.
- Note: On at least FF, LC, and VT there are two identical versions of Jean. They both behave identically so its probably a bug.
Proceed to the area where Marcus and Wren are. You'll notice Wren isn't in her usual spot but rather inside the nearby room staring at the wall. She doesn't say much when you talk to her. Also the Test Portal is now the Enhanced Test Portal.
Talk to Marcus.
- If you told him about the Virindi last week he will hand you some Research Notes and award you with 1,000,000 xp. He asks you to take the Notes to the Arcanum Researcher.
- If you didn't tell him about the Virindi last week he will hand you some Research Notes and award you with 750,000 xp. He asks you to take the Notes to the Arcanum Researcher.
- If you didn't do anything last week then you proceed with the Week One state and conversations; the Virindis are not there.
Optional Step: Hand the Research Notes to Jean or Luc. They will just examine them and give you some dialog.
Take the Research Notes to any Arcanum Researcher in any one of the capital heritage libraries. The Arcanum Researcher will examine them and direct you to give them to Ned the Clever in Zaikhal.
Give the Research Notes to Ned and he will give you Aetherium Research Notes. He directs you to give these to Marcus.
You must wait a week before you can enter the random Resonant portal again. So just hang on to the Notes until next week (the timer appears to be only 6 days rather than a full 7).

Week One

Run around the Direlands until you find a white Resonant Portal (no level restrict, no summon/tie/recall). They are known to appear at least in the Western Dires area (the Ayan and Lethe area).
Use the portal to travel to Mar'uun at a point in time somewhere during Coldeve, 20 P.Y, AKA February 2009, Unfinished Business, the patch Mar'uun was first introduced. The Virindis Jean and Luc are not present, neither is Kaywin the machinist, and Marcus and Wren are conducting the original experiments.
Speak with Wren the Curious and Marcus Manfried. During your interactions with Marcus, you are presented with the option to reveal to him about the arrival of Jean and Luc via a Yes/No Dialog Box.
After making your choice, you will be told to come back in a week's time
You think you have already done everything you can here for now.

If time progresses in this lost place the people here will soon learn more.

It seems like a good idea to check back in a week's time.
The Test Portal cannot be used if you had previously used it several months ago. However, if you didn't use the Test portal back then you can use it now for the same old 1 million xp. The Test Portal sends you to its regular location, but in the present day destroyed Mar'uun.
- Note: Some players have reported being able to use the test portal for 1m xp despite having done this before Mar'uun was destroyed. Perhaps it depends on which patch you used it?
Once you've entered the portal and talked to the NPCs once you cannot return for one week.
There is no response from the portal.

The portal seems to be out of phase.

It seems that you may be in phase with this portal within a week.

Old Ghosts

With the destruction of Mar'uun, the Test Portal is still there, but does not function. Both NPCs are gone, 2 corpses can be found near the Test Portal...
Pick up a Scrap of Paper (Mar'uun) on the ground near where Kaywin once was.

Secrets of the Apostates

During this patch the Test Portal has become unstable so no experiments are currently possible. Marcus says they hope to resume testing next month.

You try to enter the portal but there is no effect.
The portal seems unstable.

Who Watches the Virindi?/What Once was Lost

Enter the Mar'uun portal at 10.6S, 17.1E.
- Route: From Al-Arqas, take the Al-Nosaj portal at 33.5S, 13.1E.
The dungeon is a town with regular vendor NPCs and no monsters. In the dungeon find the area with 2 NPCs conducting portal space experiments.
Talk to Marcus Manfried then Wren the Curious and he will direct you to enter the Enhanced Test portal there by double clicking it.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.

Enhanced Test Portal teleports you with Test Portal.

Unfinished Business

Optional Step
Go to the Resonant Portal at 14.6S 62.2W. Double click the portal and you will get a green message but not be portaled anywhere.

Route: Use the Izji Qo's Portal Device at your mansion.
The portal emanates an odd thrumming sound. The vibrations through the air seem foreign to even you, an experienced portal traveler.
This will result in a slightly different response from the NPCs and the Test Portal but as far as we know does not give any benefit.

Required Steps

Enter the Mar'uun portal at 10.6S, 17.1E.
- Route: From Al-Arqas, take the Al-Nosaj portal at 33.5S, 13.1E.
The dungeon is a town with regular vendor NPCs and no monsters. In the dungeon find the area with 2 NPCs conducting portal space experiments.
Talk to Marcus Manfried then Wren the Curious and he will direct you to enter the Test portal there by double clicking it.
If you didn't go to the Resonant Portal it will only portal you a short distance away.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.

Test Portal teleports you with Test Portal.

If you went to the Resonant Portal before you went to Mar'uun you may get portaled to a strange area called the Portal Space Eddy where lots of portal space energy is flowing (it looks like the Portal Space dungeon from the Invoker quest). After a few seconds you will be portaled back to Mar'uun near the NPCs.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.

Test Portal teleports you with Portal Space Eddy.

Portal Space Eddy teleports you with Test Portal.
Talk to the two NPCs again and you will be flagged to enter the Resonant Portal.
Go to the Resonant Portal and double click it. It will now portal you to the top of the Crystalline Crag.
Your resonance is now properly in tune with that of the portal.

Resonant Portal teleports you with Crystalline Portal.

Images

Wren the Curious and the Test Portal before the disaster
The now dysfunctional Test Portal, after the destruction of Mar'uun
Jean and Luc

Items

Quest Items

File:Research Notes Icon.png Research Notes Aetherium Research Notes

Lore & Dialog

Picking up the Pieces

Week 2

Jean tells you, "I have come here in order to exchange metals and promissory notes for goods from the locals. I also look to imbibe liquid substances in order to forget my pains and bond with my fellow humans over eccentric tales."
Dialog Box asks you "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?"
If you confront them

Jean tells you, "Fellow human, I am not aware of these Virindi you speak of."

Jean tells you, "You should let us, your fellow humans, know if you discover anything."

Luc tells you, "I have come here in order to exchange metals and promissory notes for goods from the locals. I also look to imbibe liquid substances in order to forget my pains and bond with my fellow humans over eccentric tales."
Dialog Box asks "Would you like to confront the Virindi about their presence in Mar'uun?"
If click Yes to confront them

Luc tells you, "Fellow human, I am not aware of these Virindi you speak of."

Luc tells you, "You should let us, your fellow humans, know if you discover anything."

If click No to not confront them

Nothing happens, talk to them again and you will be prompted to confront them again.

Jean tells you, "Fellow normal human, how is it being human today? My flesh is healthy and I am well."
Luc says, "Yes, our flesh is good."
Jean tells you, "Hello fellow Human Adventurer. We also are adventurers who have come to this town. We have had many human adventures just like you." Jean tells you, "As humans Luc and I are very similar. There is no reason for suspicion. Our humanity makes our stories very similar."
Luc says, "Yes, Jean and I come from the same human pod. We are indeed very similar."

If you informed Marcus of the Virindi last week:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "I'm uncertain as to how you knew there would be Virindi named Luc and Jean coming to our town..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "This certainly does lend credence to your stories."
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.
You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Take this note to an Arcanum Researcher. I think they can help."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If we're displaced in time you may find it difficult to reach us again."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "From what you've told me it seems like it may take about a week before you can reach us again if time shifts."

If you did not inform Marcus of the Virindi last week:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Many adventurers have come through here telling stories much like the stories you told me..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "It would be reckless of me not to think that these things may be true."
Marcus Manfried gives you Research Notes.
You've earned 750,000 experience.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Take this note to an Arcanum Researcher. I think they can help."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If we're displaced in time you may find it difficult to reach us again."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "From what you've told me it seems like it may take about a week before you can reach us again if time shifts."

Handing Marcus the Research Notes after he gives them to you:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Make sure that the note is delivered and returned to me."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "If you're correct this is a matter of life and death."

Wren seems preoccupied.
Wren the Curious tells you, "Uh, I can't talk right now."
Wren the Curious tells you, "Please leave me be."

You try to enter the portal but there is no effect.
The portal seems unstable.

Handing Jean or Luc the Research Notes for the first time:
You allow Jean to examine your Research Notes.
Jean tells you, "Fellow human, we appreciate that you've informed us."
Jean tells you, "Our human lives very well could be in danger."

Handing Jean or Luc the Research Notes after already handing it to them once:
You allow Luc to examine your Research Notes.
Luc tells you, "Fellow human, I must thank you for your assistance."

You allow Arcanum Researcher to examine your Research Notes.
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "You've made contact with the lost town of Mar'uun?"
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "This is very shocking indeed."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "I've read through the research note."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "I'm going to send you to talk to one of our researchers, Ned the Clever."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "He's been looking into a substance that may tie into this research."
Arcanum Researcher tells you, "Ned the Clever has been residing in Zaikhal."

You give Ned the Clever Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "This is very interesting indeed."
Ned the Clever tells you, "I've been working with a substance called Aetherium, we actually sent a shipment to Mar'uun to assist in their experiments before it vanished."
Ned the Clever gives you Aetherium Research Notes.
Ned the Clever tells you, "I put togeather several diagrams and several notes for the researchers based off their notes."
Ned the Clever tells you, "Take my note to Marcus, it'll help him determine the cause of the accident." Ned the Clever tells you, "My personal theory is that they used the Aetherium in a way that destabilized portal space..."
Ned the Clever tells you, "Sundering a barrier between the planes of existance and time..." Ned the Clever tells you, "Truely shocking."

Week 1

Marcus Manfried tells you, "Thank you for all your assistance. We have gathered what we can from our understanding of your personal properties, the sum of the things you've done and how that interacted with our experimental portals."
You tell Marcus about what you've seen in Mar'uun.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We're here to do serious research, I'm really not interested in your ghost stories."
You think you need to find some way to make him believe you.
Dialog Box asks you if you want to tell him about the Virindi, you can click Yes or No
If you click Yes and tell him about the Virindi:

You tell Marcus about the Virindi, Jean and Luc who will soon be moving into town.

Marcus Manfried tells you, "You expect me to believe that Virindi are going to materialize here out of the blue?"

Marcus Manfried tells you, "I'm not certain which of your stories is the least likely..."

If you click No and don't tell him about the Virindi:

You elect not to tell Marcus about the Virindi, it may be best not to upset him any further.

It seems like it would be a good idea to talk to the assistant as well.

Wren the Curious tells you, "Thank you for your assistance as a test subject. We could use more good subjects like you."
You tell Wren about the things you've seen in Mar'uun and her coming demise. She seems disturbed by your story.
Wren the Curious tells you, "I'm really not certain who you are, but we're trying to work here. Please leave me alone!"

You think you have already done everything you can here for now.
It seems like a good idea to check back in a week's time.
If time progresses in this lost place the people here will soon learn more.

There does not seem to be more you can do to convince Wren.
You think you have done everything you can here for now.

The portal restrictions do not allow your access.

There is no response from the portal.The portal seems to be out of phase.It seems that you may be in phase with this portal within a week.

Secrets of the Apostates

Marcus Manfried tells you, "Our test portal has become unstable and we won't be able to continue our tests until we're able to stabilize it."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We've heard of some very stange experiences from our test subjects that we're looking into also."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "There's nothing else that you can do for us now. Come back next month, we're hoping to have everything resolved by then."

Wren the Curious tells you, "I've been here adjusing this portal for days and we're no closer to having it stabilized."
Wren the Curious tells you, "Marcus doesn't seem to know what the problem is but I think something is very wrong here."

Wren the Curious says, "I can't wait to get back to work... trying to stablize this portal one adjustment at a time is monotonous at best."

You try to enter the portal but there is no effect.
The portal seems unstable.

Who Watches the Virindi?

Marcus Manfried tells you, "We're starting a new round of experiments. Our last round of participants assisted greatly."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "We'd like to measure the changes in our previous subjects as well as taking in new subjects as this time."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "You can talk to me again if you would like to assist us."

Marcus Manfried says, "We need to examine the properties associated with this modulation."
Wren the Curious says, "I'm examining the modulation of the portal... now."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Talk to my assistant if you would like to participate in this round of testing. We've also been correcting the resonance of adventurers to match that of the portal found at what is now being called the Crystalline Crag. Simply pracipate in our test and we'll make sure you're set."

Wren the Curious says, "Are you back to help again or a new participant?"
Wren the Curious says, "Okay, I'll set up the correct tests. Talk to me when you're ready to go."
Wren the Curious tells you, "The process has been prepared. When you are ready use the test portal."
Marcus Manfried says, "We're never going to make any progress at this rate. We need to bring in some test subjects."

You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Enhanced Test Portal teleports you with Test Portal.

Unfinished Business

Marcus Manfried says, "We need to stay organized to maintain the validity of our experiments."
Marcus Manfried says, "Starting next iteration..."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Sorry about that, I needed to finish initializing the current iteration of our portal experiments."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Our current experimentation is intended to further understand and possibly bypass the restrictions of certain portals."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "This is only our current round of experiments. We're hoping to unlock all the secrets of portal space and time."
Marcus Manfried tells you, "You can talk to me again if you would like to assist us."
Marcus Manfried says, "Process complete. Observe the results and make the proper notations."

Wren the Curious tells you, "The process has been prepared. When you are ready use the test portal."

Response if you used the Resonant Portal prior to going to Mar'uun:
Marcus Manfried tells you, "When you came in here I detected some indications that you've interacted with a portal with some strange properties. Could you tell me about the portals you've encountered recently?"
You describe the long list of portals that you have interacted with recently.
Marcus Manfried tells you, "You've really been around haven't you?"
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Could you tell me more about the portal in the direlands surrounded by crystals?"
Marcus Manfried tells you, "Very good, I think I can help you out. Just talk to my assistant and he'll do what I believe is required to assist you in entering the portal you've described."
You describe everything you know about the resonant portal you found in the direlands.

You've earned 1,000,000 experience. Test Portal teleports you with Test Portal.

You've earned 1,000,000 experience.
Test Portal teleports you with Portal Space Eddy.
Portal Space Eddy teleports you with Test Portal.

Marcus Manfried tells you, "Thank you for all your assistance. We have gathered what we can from our understanding of your personal properties, the sum of the things you've done and how that interacted with our experimental portals."
Wren the Curious tells you, "Thank you for your assistance as a test subject. We could use more good subjects like you."
Marcus Manfried says, "Yes, we were able to obtain valuable information from the results of your portaling."

Your resonance is now properly in tune with that of the portal. Resonant Portal teleports you with Crystalline Portal.

Marcus and Wren's Conversations:

Wren the Curious says, "This is never going to work..."
Marcus Manfried says, "Don't get discouraged and be patient."
Marcus Manfried says, "Continue to monitor the mana flow."
Marcus Manfried says, "We need to examine the properties associated with this modulation."
Wren the Curious says, "I'm examining the modulation of the portal... now."
Wren the Curious says, "Where did I place those documents..."
Marcus Manfried says, "We need to stay organized to maintain the validity of our experiments."
Marcus Manfried says, "We're never going to make any progress at this rate. We need to bring in some test subjects."
Marcus Manfried says, "Examining portal differential."
Wren the Curious says, "Examination in process."
Marcus Manfried says, "We need to examine the properties associated with this modulation."
Wren the Curious says, "I'm examining the modulation of the portal... now."
Marcus Manfried says, "Continue to monitor the mana flow."
Marcus Manfried says, "We need to examine the properties associated with this modulation."
Wren the Curious says, "I'm examining the modulation of the portal... now."
Wren the Curious says, "When do we expect to get new test subjects?"
Marcus Manfried says, "We should have more subjects any time now. This place has no lack of adventurers."
Wren the Curious says, "Where did I place those documents..."
Marcus Manfried says, "We need to stay organized to maintain the validity of our experiments."
Marcus Manfried says, "We're never going to make any progress at this rate. We need to bring in some test subjects."
Marcus Manfried says, "Adjusting resonance."
Wren the Curious says, "Adjusting resonance."