Archeologist Annec

You said {birthmark on black dragon Alechi's bum} to him to complete the task.

"Did Redosa send you?"

"He's a bit of an oddball. Why didn't he come himself? It's not a long distance, and there are no frightening beasts along the path."

"Eh, maybe I just don't understand rich people. Go ahead, take Litaryn's notes. Don't lose them! I accepted Redosa's money for them, so I want to make sure he gets them. I'm a man of my word."

"Litaryn's notes are an excellent find. I made a nice chunk of change off of them, so now I don't have to worry about digging anything up for a while."

"I'd prefer to relax with a cocktail rather than muck around in the dirt looking for an old broad's notebook."

"I can't believe Redosa gathered the materials so quickly. Looks like there's just a few steps left." Annec took the materials from you.

Annec began to blend ingredients, muttering every so often and waving his hands about wildly.

"Rulibah, cristoph..." Annec intoned a strange spell as he added Alechi's soul to his concoction. Suddenly, a beam of light shot out from the potion, illuminating the room in an eerie glow.

When the light faded, Annec removed a strange key from the vat of goo he had mixed up. "Here it is: the key of fire spirits!"

"It still needs fire energy, though; without energy, it's just a worthless trinket."

"Take this key, it will summon strong fire spirits at Flame Altar. Defeat them, and the key will be infused with fire energy."

"Why do fire spirits grow out of Alechi's claw marks? I just don't get it."

"Extreme heat is only one of the factors in the creation of fire spirits. If it were just about heat, we'd be swimming in fire spirits! This place is hotter than a Vegas fourth of July!"

"Can you go near Alechi's claw marks and bring me ash from the Burning Fire Spirits? I'd like to study them."

"Goblins believes fire spirits are born of a fire god's spiritual essence. I'd like to figure out what, scientifically, is in a fire god's essence."

"If we get to the bottom of it, we might even be able to manufacture fire spirits," Annec said with a laugh.

"This ash from the fire spirit is somehow different from the ash left behind when one burns a normal object."

"But I can't figure out why the ash is such an odd color." Annec let out an odd chortle.

"Rumor has it there's a stone giant northeast of Alechi's claw marks. They say it's made of lava from Alechi's mouth. They call it Duke of Black Flame Sadanpu, and it's supposedly Alechi's servant."

"I believe Sadanpu still remains in contact with Alechi, perhaps as its eyes and ears at volcanoes."

"Brave %c%, will you help kill it? I'd like to know how Alechi will react to losing Sadanpu."

"Black dragon Alechi's affects the volcanoes, but none have ever found his lair."

"I believe killing Duke of Black Flame Sadanpu will considerably weaken Alechi."

"Sadanpu is reborn! Amazing!" Annec let out a high-pitched giggle as you explained what had happened.

"There must be some logical explanation for this."

"The strangely shaped stone pillar that I discovered can be found inside the ancient ruin. The writing on the pillar share similarities with the writing on the Sprite Altar in the northwest," Annec explained nervously.

"Did I really break that stone pillar? I hardly touched it! It was probably already broken,"Annec muttered.

"Can you please head to the Sprite Altar in the northwest and check to see if the ancient ruin is recorded in the writings on the altar?"

I wonder what the purpose the stone pillar inside the ruin serves. I hope nothing bad happens, Annec murmured.

You told Annec about what happened inside the Black Flame Ruins and the "gentle" reminder from the Underworld King.

"So Sprite King Siropas used that stone pillar to seal in evil demons?"

"I promise it will never happen again." You noticed Annec's legs trembling. "And he doesn't like my singing voice, either? That seems kind of personal... I mean, no, no, I won't sing anymore. Tell him to have mercy."

You didn't think Annec would dare get close to Black Flame Ruins again.

"How can I help you, friend?"

"I hope this is important. I don't like being disturbed whilst I'm dusting off rocks. I have to concentrate extremely hard. I also like to sing to the rocks, usually oldies."

You asked if the rocks enjoyed rock and roll, thinking yourself quite clever. Annec rolled his eyes.

"Don't be stupid. Of course not. Anyway, I cannot wait to excavate the ancient ruin! I believe I'll uncover astonishing artifacts!"

"But...but..."

You asked Annec what happened during his archaeological work.

"I discovered an ancient ruin two days ago. I began digging excitedly, but I accidentally touched a nearby stone pillar."

"Suddenly, I heard a horrible, ghastly groaning all around me. I dropped my tools and ran," admitted Annec.