Oracle Parchment, for the End of Death

Oracle Parchment, for the End of Death
Hidden Exploration Objective Type	Quest-Like
Starting Location	Devantaka Mountain, Sumeru

Oracle Parchment, for the End of Death (unofficial name) is a Hidden Exploration Objective that takes place in Devantaka Mountain, Ardravi Valley, Sumeru. It features a piece of parchment whose name and contents change with each challenge completed.

While there is no prerequisite for starting it (see Gameplay Notes), completing the final step is only possible after completing the World Quest Vimana Agama: Jazari's Chapter in Series Vimana Agama.

Steps

1. Complete the following in any order:
   • Time Trial Challenge near the Ruin Golem's outstretched hand, collect 8 particles in 100 seconds.

     

     Time Trial Challenge location

     

     Additional context

   • Time Trial Challenge on the eastern cliff, defeat Ruin Sentinels ×3 in 60 seconds.

     

     Time Trial Challenge location

     

     Additional context

   • Fishing at the Devantaka Mountain Fishing Point, may take several catches.

     

     Fishing Point location

2. Solve the final puzzle in the waterside cave under the Ruin Golem. (Area is unlocked after completing Vimana Agama: Jazari's Chapter.)
   • Light the torches in counter-clockwise order, starting with the torch on top of the stone bricks.

     

     Final puzzle location

     

     Additional context

Gameplay Notes

• The Strange Parchment is the base version of the parchment, but it is a missable item, only obtained by completing the World Quest Royinjan's Chapter: Linga in Series Vimana Agama before completing any part of Step 1, which yields the Unsealed Parchment first and makes the Strange Parchment unobtainable.
• The map is identical across all parchment versions, depicting the spots for all the challenges in it, and indicating the solution to the final challenge with the arrows.
• Completing this Hidden Exploration Objective awards the Wonders of the World achievement Call of the Nameless City.

Lore

Each time a challenge is completed, the parchment will be replaced by the next version, expanding the text on the item description.

1. Strange Parchment

   Hapless traveler, what brings you to this deep underground cave?

   Did the legendary tales of Hasad the Golden Adventurer entice you so?

   Know that the tales told the world over are but a speck of sand compared to what I have experienced.

   Only the nameless god of the desert knows what terrible misfortune has befallen me.

   Those ancient secrets unbeknownst to anyone,

   They have laid layer upon layer of curses on me,

   And I have become the oracle of a creature invisible.

    

   Three challenges I have set forth, by order of the evil spirit watching me from the shadows.

   Within them I hide treasures brought forth from the cursed city of brass.

   If fear shall not stay your greed and curiosity,

   Then follow my path.

3. Unsealed Parchment

   Beside the deep tunnel that leads to the pit of filth where countless Dev once dwelt,

   The wails and screams of death echo across the ruins.

5. Guiding Parchment

   When the flames are lit in the correct order,

   In the same way you came here,

   I shall be free from this endless curse.

7. Whispering Parchment

   But those eternal beings can never perish,

   Until death has become the end of death.

9. Mysterious Parchment

   Deep in the desert of eternal desolation, there are things even older than the ancient pyramids.

   Those are the sinister whispers of the spirits of al-Azif, each one of them repeating that accursed name:

   Shiruyeh.

The parchment reveals the fate of Royinjan's grandfather, Hasad, who went missing during one of his expeditions. Royinjan never learns about his grandfather's fate, even after this Hidden Exploration Objective is completed.

Trivia

• The text on the parchment item icon translates to "That is not dead which can eternally lie, and with strange aeons even death may die." This is from a couplet by H.P. Lovecraft that he attributed to the fictional "mad poet" Abdul Alhazred in The Nameless City short story.
• Al Azif is a title H.P. Lovecraft attributed to the Necronomicon.
• The particle collection challenge labels the particles as Anemo, but are instead Dendro.

Video Guides

Ever-Changing Parchment Guide

Ever Changing Parchment: Hidden Luxurios [sic] Chest & Achievement

Change History

Released in Version 3.0

[Create New History]