The Start of Contamination is the first part of Tighnari's Story Quest, Vulpes Zerda Chapter: Act I - The Unanswerable Problems.
Steps[]
- Talk to Katheryne
- Ask Tighnari about the situation
- Buy Vasanti Grass from a traveling merchant
- Gather information nearby (0/3)
- Discuss what to do with the traveling merchant
- Go to the location where the robbery took place
- Follow the Sumpter Beast
- Feed the Sumpter Beast
- Continue following the Sumpter Beast
- Defeat the mechanical crab
- Give the mechanical components back to the merchant
- Go back to Avidya Forest to heal Yara
Dialogue[]
Quest DescriptionYou haven't gone to see Katheryne in a while. Why don't you go have a look?
- (Talk to Katheryne)
- Katheryne: Traveler, you've come at a good time.
- Paimon: Wait, this sounds like... another commission?
- Katheryne: Hehe, it is as you say. The commission this time around is of high importance. It pertains to the safety of the Avidya Forest's inhabitants.
- Paimon: Huh? What happened?
- Katheryne: Not long ago, we received word that a section of the Avidya Forest seems to have become "contaminated."
- Paimon: Contaminated? You mean... a new Withering Zone?
- Katheryne: I don't know about the specifics, but I hear that strange things are happening to people who cross through that region.
- Katheryne: The Avidya Forest's inhabitants won't leave their home so easily. If we allow this contaminated region to expand, the consequences could be unimaginable.
- Katheryne: That's why I want to ask you to investigate the situation. Even if all you can do is stop the contamination from spreading, that will still save many people.
- Paimon: This is forest business... Hmm, maybe Tighnari will know something. Let's go find him!
Step DescriptionYou hear about the contaminated region of sorts from Katheryne. Time to ask Tighnari about the matter.
- (Approach Tighnari)
- Paimon: This is where you've been, Tighnari! Hm? That's—
- Tighnari: Shh... Keep your voice down.
- Yara: Tighnari... Everything's spinning...
- Yara: Am I going to die? *sniff* Tell Mom that I should've listened to her...
- Yara: And tell Suna that I'm sorry for breaking her toy. I didn't tell her because I was scared that she wouldn't play with me anymore...
- Yara: Tighnari, I heard that people turn into birds after they die. Is that true? I feel like I'm getting lighter...
- Paimon: What happened...? Tighnari, is he...
- Tighnari: Okay, okay, enough nonsense.
- Tighnari: You just have a small fever. Take your medication and rest. You'll be bouncing off the walls in no time.
- Yara: Really? Then... Can you keep the thing about the toy a secret for now?
- Tighnari: No can do. You're a big kid now. Once you've recovered, go and apologize. Keeping secrets to yourself won't solve anything.
- Yara: Aw...
- Tighnari: Hey, let me ask you something... I recall that you're usually pretty healthy. How did you get this sick all of a sudden?
- Yara: I don't know, either... Mom's been telling me not to play in the forest. I just wanted to look inside...
- Yara: It's different from before... I got lost and went around in a huge circle.
- Yara: After I got out, I started feeling dizzy...
- Paimon: Could it be...
The contaminated region?- Tighnari: ...
- Tighnari: So that's how this whole mess happened. Anyway, go rest. No running around until I say so, got it?
- Tighnari: (TravelerTraveler), Paimon, let's step out for now.
- You leave the room with Tighnari...
- Asha: Mr. Forest Watcher, how is my son?
- Tighnari: I gave him some antipyretics. Let him rest here for a while.
- Tighnari: I told him that he would feel better after some medicine and rest, but I only said that to comfort him.
- Tighnari: His symptoms resemble a fever, but something else is causing them. They seem more akin to a disruption in his psyche. Antipyretics won't be of much use.
- Asha: What do we do? Mr. Forest Watcher, you have to help him!
- Tighnari: If memory serves, a plant called Vasanti Grass can help soothe the mind.
- Tighnari: A small number grow in arid deserts. They usually look like shriveled weeds, but can be revitalized with a splash of water.
- Tighnari: They're expensive and unable to grow in the Avidya Forest's climate, so I don't have any on hand.
- Tighnari: I'll ask the caravans. Go find Collei, have her prepare medicinal tools, and a set of traveling gear for me.
- Asha: Alright! Thank you!
- Tighnari: Contaminated region, huh... Is that why you two are also here?
- Paimon: Yep. Is it a new Withering Zone?
- Tighnari: Doesn't seem like one. Whether you look at scale, internal conditions, or resultant effects, they're completely different.
- Tighnari: The only thing they have in common is that they aren't welcome. This nuisance made itself home in the Avidya Forest, so I can't turn a blind eye.
- Paimon: We feel the same way!
- Tighnari: Alright, let's contact the caravans first and purchase some Vasanti Grass. We can also ask about the contaminated region.
- Tighnari: There's no time to waste. We have to move quickly. Let's go.
- (Talk to Yara again)
- Yara: *sob* My head's still spinning...
Step DescriptionTighnari would like to heal Yara, who has been to a contaminated region, but is missing a key herb known as Vasanti Grass. Go to a traveling merchant to see if you can get some.
- (Talk to Mahir)
- Tighnari: Excuse me, I'd like to purchase some Vasanti Grass. Do you have any?
- Mahir: I'm sorry, Mr. Forest Watcher, but we've been closed for the past few days.
- Tighnari: Closed? Now that's odd. It's my first time hearing you say something like that.
- Mahir: *sigh* It's a long story... Some of our goods were stolen recently.
- Mahir: They were mechanical parts that we got from the Akademiya. Although they're old models, they still fetch a good price on the market.
- Mahir: Our caravans had to pool together Mora to afford those parts. Now that they've been lost, we'll likely come up short this trip.
- Mahir: All the merchants talked it over, and we decided to raise the prices of our remaining inventory. Until this plan takes effect, none of us can privately sell anything.
- Tighnari: I don't get it. If these goods are so important, then why not think of a way to get them back?
- Tighnari: Raising prices won't solve anything. At best, you're shoving the consequences of the robbery onto your customers.
- Mahir: Mr. Forest Watcher, it's not that we don't want to, it's just the thief disappeared into the deepest parts of the forest.
- Mahir: We asked around, and apparently the forest has been very unusual as of late. Anyone who goes in experiences mental anomalies.
- Mahir: We can't keep waiting out here for the thief to come out. All we could do is come up with another solution.
- Tighnari: So the bandit hid in the contaminated region after stealing those mechanical parts?
- Tighnari: How many people were there in total? Were they not affected by the contaminated region?
- Mahir: That crook CAME from the contaminated region! As for how many... Er... There weren't any "people."
- Paimon: No people?
- Mahir: *sigh* Even if I tell you, you might not believe me. *sigh* Fine, the thief that stole our parts was a huge, mechanical crab!
- Paimon: What the heck!? The Avidya Forest has creatures like that?
- Is it that "crab"?
- Didn't see any in the Avidya Forest Field Guide...
- Mahir: To be honest, I'd rather not think about it... It moved too skillfully to be new at this.
- Mahir: It came out of nowhere. Before we could react, it swiped our goods and ran away.
- Mahir: We were all shocked. By the time we came to our senses, the thief was already long gone.
- Tighnari: I see. If we help you retrieve your stolen goods, then business will return to normal?
- Mahir: Oh, but of course.
- Mahir: Not only that, but you'll become one of our caravan's VIPs. On all future purchases of any—
- Tighnari: Enough. Tell me something that's actually useful. Any leads on that mechanical crab?
- Mahir: Maybe one? After our goods were stolen, we specifically got someone to assess the situation.
- Mahir: If you're interested, you can go and talk to them.
- Tighnari: Alright, we'll go and have a word.
- (Talk to Mahir again)
- Mahir: How's it going? Figured out a solution?
- (Talk to Akarsh)
- Akarsh: After the goods were stolen, I made multiple inquiries with nearby caravans and residents.
- Akarsh: Turns out that many others have also been robbed by that crooked crab.
- Akarsh: However, the crab only seems to be interested in machinery. It doesn't even bat an eye at other valuables.
- Akarsh: A caravan carrying a large amount of Mora had an uneventful trip, but another caravan had a child whose metal toy was taken.
- Akarsh: Whatever the case, that thing is a scourge! We'll eventually think of a way to get rid of it!
- (Talk to Akarsh again)
- Akarsh: We can't let it get away...
- (Talk to Abdo)
- Abdo: That mechanical crab is fast, strong, and a pain to deal with.
- Abdo: Ten of us might not even be able to take that thing head-on.
- Abdo: Didn't the Akademiya ban research on mechanical life forms years ago? Where did that thing come from?
- Abdo: Our salaries even got slashed because of it... *sigh* Who would've thought that the robber wasn't a human, but a mechanical crab? This is rough...
- (Talk to Abdo again)
- Abdo: *sigh* What a disaster...
- (Talk to Kadin)
- Kadin: I heard from the caravaners that there have been a lot of robberies lately, but we haven't been affected.
- Kadin: We don't normally see the mechanical crab, and it doesn't disturb our daily lives.
- Kadin: It only shows up when the caravans are here, and it runs back to the contaminated region after it's done making a mess.
- Tighnari: You haven't tried capturing it?
- Kadin: We have, but it's too agile and fast.
- Kadin: However, we did unexpectedly learn something the last time we tried to capture it.
- Kadin: It apparently lives in the deepest part of the forest, so instead of immediately moving its spoils, it first hides them nearby.
- Kadin: Once its stash grows large enough, it moves everything in one go. You'll have to move fast if you want those goods back.
- (Talk to Kadin again)
- Kadin: You know, I always thought it looked kinda familiar...
Step DescriptionThe traveling merchant seems to have encountered some trouble. Does this strange mechanical crab have something to do with the contaminated region?
- (Talk to Mahir)
- Mahir: How are things? Did you make any progress?
- Tighnari: We learned of its behaviors, but much still remains unclear.
- Tighnari: Assuming normal operational status, mechanical constructs generally act according to their given commands.
- Tighnari: If I were its owner, I'd command it to steal more valuable things... or the Mora you made. That would be the most efficient method.
- Tighnari: But it only goes after mechanical components. This doesn't make any sense.
- Paimon: Right! It's really weird!
- Mahir: So you all found a way to retrieve our goods?
- Tighnari: Do you have any more mechanical parts with you?
- Mahir: Yes, I still have a small bag of samples. They weren't taken since I keep them on me at all times.
- Mahir: Oh, are you planning to—
- Tighnari: Under constant external conditions, organisms rarely initiate changes in their habits.
- Tighnari: Here's what we know so far: It has a mechanical composition; it lives in the contaminated region; and it comes out to steal mechanical components.
- Tighnari: If we have said components, we can lure it out, capture it, and then make observations for further conclusions.
- Tighnari: Well... Chatting like this won't get us anywhere. We're only wasting time.
- Mahir: You're right. We don't have any other options right now... This bag of samples is all yours, Mr. Forest Watcher. If you can get our goods back, the caravans will reward you generously.
- Tighnari: We don't need anything in return, but I'll be keeping this bag. I may have other uses for it later.
- Tighnari: We'll also need to borrow a Sumpter Beast. Our act has to be convincing if we want the crab to fall for it.
- Mahir: Oh yeah, no problem at all! If it means getting our things back, you can even borrow me to do whatever you need!
- Tighnari: I'll have to decline that offer. Anyway, we'll use the mechanical components and Sumpter Beast to pose as a transiting caravan and lure out the crab.
- Tighnari: Once it appears, capture it. I leave the timing to you.
- Paimon: Don't worry! We're professionals!
- (Talk to Mahir again)
- Mahir: *sigh* Trading sure is dangerous. Not only do you have to contend with the wits of others, but you have to be ready to deal with anything and everything...
Step DescriptionYou and Tighnari decide to disguise yourselves as passing merchants to try to lure the Mechanical Crab out. Here goes nothing...
- (Approach the marked area)
- Tighnari: Looking at the trade routes and the contaminated region's current perimeter, the goods were likely stolen somewhere around here.
- Paimon: Then let's get to it! We'll definitely capture that criminal crab!
- Tighnari: Okay. We'll start from here and have the Sumpter Beast, with the components on-board, lead the way.
- Tighnari: This Sumpter Beast isn't familiar with us yet, so be calm and take your time with it.
- Paimon: The Sumpter Beast went ahead. Let's keep up with it!
- (Approach the marked area)
- Paimon: Huh? Why'd it stop?
- Tighnari: Hmm... Looks like it's loafing around. Or maybe it's hungry.
- Tighnari: The caravaners grew disheartened after their goods were stolen, so they probably didn't feed their animals as scheduled. Let's give it something to eat.
- (After feeding the Sumpter Beast)
- Paimon: Alright, it's moving again!
- (Approach the marked area)
- ???: Kulilu?
- Paimon: Did you hear something—
- ???: Kolu!
- Paimon: Waaah! Is that the mechanical crab the caravan was talking about? It's charging straight at us!
- Tighnari: It looks strong. Be careful!
Step DescriptionThe mechanical crab has emerged! Subdue it now!
- (During the fight, when it is at low health)
- Mechanical Crab (Sans Will to Fight): *rumbling*
- (After defeating the mechanical crab)
- Mechanical Crab: Kuli...
- Paimon: Hmph, just try to escape this time, you naughty, caravan-robbing crab!
- Mechanical Crab: Kulilu?
- Paimon: Hey, playing dumb won't save you! Spill it! Why are you stealing so many mechanical parts?
- It doesn't seem to understand us...
- Tighnari: Hmm, it doesn't seem capable of comprehending complex questions. Keep an eye on it. I'll search around the area for the caravans' goods.
- After some searching, Tighnari finds the goods that the mechanical crab stole...
- Tighnari: I don't know why you're stealing mechanical parts, but they don't belong to you.
- Tighnari: Stolen items must be returned to their rightful owners. Any objections?
- Mechanical Crab: Kuli...
- It looks sad...
- Tighnari: You came from the depths of the contaminated region, right? How about you help us with something?
- Tighnari: If you take us there, I'll give you some mechanical parts as a reward.
- Mechanical Crab: Kolu!
- Paimon: It reacted!
- Does it understand us?
- Tighnari: We can't be certain yet. Its excitement may be a simple, programmed response upon seeing mechanical components.
- Paimon: Okay, so you want the crab to lead us into the contaminated region?
- Tighnari: That's right. The contaminated region has a large and currently expanding perimeter, so it would be difficult to conduct a thorough search.
- Tighnari: If we charge straight in, we'll get lost like headless pigeons. Also, our new friend here seems to be full of secrets.
- Tighnari: I've been studying this contaminated region recently, and I have a hypothesis of my own. So to be absolutely safe, it would be best to have a "guide" lead the way.
- Paimon: Paimon gets it now! Does this scuttler understand what you're saying?
- Tighnari: It doesn't have to, as long as it isn't hostile towards us.
- Tighnari: I gave it some components that it will definitely take back to the contaminated region. So long as it doesn't attack us, we can simply follow along.
- Mechanical Crab: Kalu!
- Paimon: It seems to be really happy...
- Tighnari: Listen to me. Wait for us here. No running off.
- Tighnari: We'll be back soon. If you're still here when we return, I'll give you another mechanical part as a reward. Understood?
- (The Mechanical Crab nods its head)
- Mechanical Crab: Kolu!
- Does that count as understanding us?
- Tighnari: I'm not sure, but our priorities are to retrieve the mechanical components, and to purchase Vasanti Grass to make medicine with.
- Tighnari: We should return, but before we do, we need to set up a few "traps." Can't have that crab escaping.
- (Talk to the Mechanical Crab)
- Observe Mechanical Crab: (The mechanical crab looks quite well-behaved and does not intend to run away.)
Step DescriptionAlthough the mechanical crab doesn't seem to know much of anything in general, it accepts Tighnari's simple trade. But before you let it lead you to the contaminated region, there are some things you need to settle first...
- (Talk to Mahir)
- Mahir: Oh, oh!
- Mahir: These are the mechanical parts that were stolen! You really got them back for us!
- Mahir: Thank you all so very much! I don't know how I can repay you... Wait, didn't you want to purchase Vasanti Grass?
- Mahir: Don't worry about the price — they're on the house! How many do you need?
- Tighnari: Two is enough.
- Mahir: No, that won't do. Here, I'll throw in some Mora—
- Tighnari: No need. I've already received a reward from you.
- Mahir: Reward...? You mean that bag of mechanical parts? Ah, they aren't worth much compared to this merchandise.
- Tighnari: But those parts are very useful to me, just like the Vasanti Grass.
- Tighnari: I retrieved the things you needed, and you gave me what I needed in return. We're even.
- Tighnari: Oh, and before we go, just a reminder, the forest has an intricate and biodiverse ecosystem. Even if there were no mechanical crabs, other dangers are still present. Take caution on this route.
- Mahir: Noted! Thank you all ever so much!
- Tighnari: Let's return to the village. The earlier we can give the child medicine, the sooner he'll start feeling better.
- (Talk to Mahir again)
- Mahir: Thank you all for your help. If it weren't for you, we would've lost a fortune.
- (Talk to Abdo, Akarsh, or Kadin, optional)
- Akarsh: In the end, the goods got stolen because you all didn't guard them properly.
- Abdo: You're not wrong, but it's not entirely our fault. No one said we'd have to go up against a mechanical crab...
- Abdo: You guys are in charge of caravan affairs, yet you didn't scout the trade route beforehand... Hey, you, here to help us settle this?
- Kadin: Umm... I'm still more interested in the whereabouts of that mechanical crab...
- (Approach Collei)
- Collei: Oh, hi there, (TravelerTraveler) and Paimon.
- Collei: Master, I prepared the pharmaceutical equipment. Do you need me to help grind the medicine?
- Tighnari: No need. A precise dosage is required this time, so I'll do it myself.
- Collei: Oh, okay...
- Tighnari: But once I'm done, you can deliver the medication to the child.
- Tighnari: He gets a little nervous when I'm around for too long. I don't think he finds me very approachable.
- Tighnari: I'll go prepare the medication. (TravelerTraveler), give me a hand.
- After you and Tighnari prepare the medicine, Collei gives it to Yara.
- Paimon: How is he? Doing any better?
- Collei: I feel like he's doing a lot better, and his temperature is returning to normal.
- Paimon: That's wonderful!
- Collei: Oh yeah, he asked me to tell you that Suna came by earlier, and he told her everything about the toy.
- Collei: Suna didn't get mad, so he wanted to thank you. Can I ask what happened?
- Tighnari: It's nothing. Did you prepare the traveling gear that I asked you to?
- Collei: Of course I did! Are you going somewhere far away?
- Tighnari: Yes, we're going to the contaminated region. Judging by its size, we will likely have to stay overnight.
- Tighnari: I'm leaving everything to you while I'm gone.
- Collei: Huh? But I... I can't even begin to compare to you...
- Tighnari: Many things are learned by doing, and once they've been done, you'll realize that they weren't as difficult as you once thought they were.
- Tighnari: Deal with problems as you yourself see fit. You don't have to emulate me.
- Paimon: That's right! You'll do great, Collei!
- Collei: Alright, then I'll do my best!
- Collei: Master, (TravelerTraveler), Paimon, take care of yourselves.
- Don't worry.
- Tighnari: I'm sure we'll be fine. I think you'll understand why once we arrive at the contaminated region.
- Everything will be fine with Tighnari around.
- Tighnari: You put too much confidence in me. Anyway, like you said, things will likely be uneventful.
- Tighnari: Let's return and find that crab.
- (Quest ends)
- (Talk to Collei)
- Collei: I can do this. I can do this...
- (Talk to Yara)
- Yara: Thank you. I feel much better now.
- (Talk to Asha)
- Asha: (Murmuring to herself, Asha seems to be praying for her son's recovery.)
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | The Start of Contamination | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 污染之始 Wūrǎn zhī Shǐ | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 污染之始 Wūrǎn zhī Shǐ | |
| Japanese | 汚染の始まり Osen no Hajimari | The Start of Contamination |
| Korean | 오염의 시작 Oyeom-ui Sijak | The Start of Contamination |
| Spanish | Los orígenes de la contaminación | The Origins of Contamination |
| French | L'origine de la contamination | The Origin of Contamination |
| Russian | Начало загрязнения Nachalo zagryazneniya | The Start of Contamination |
| Thai | จุดเริ่มต้นของการปนเปื้อน | |
| Vietnamese | Nguồn Ô Nhiễm | Source of Contamination |
| German | Quelle der Verunreinigung | Source of Contamination |
| Indonesian | Asal Muasal Kontaminasi | The Start of Contamination |
| Portuguese | A Origem da Contaminação | The Origin of Contamination |
| Turkish | Kirlenmenin Başlangıcı | |
| Italian | L'inizio della contaminazione |
Change History[]
Released in Version 3.0