The Forbidden Remnant

The Forbidden Remnant is a Raid Event scheduled to start on September 1, 2017 at 8:00 PM (PST) and end on September 7, 2017 at 7:59 PM (PST). It is the thirty fith episode of the Dark Stigma story and eighteenth in the Malice Canon storyline.

Half-time Reward Calculation Period is at September 3, 2017 from 8:00 PM to 8:59 PM (PST).

Feature Changes
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Raid Bosses Skill Cards

 * Future-Peering Erina (UR) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * ? (UR) Anti-Hidden Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * ? (UR) Anti-Secret Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * Rectifying Geslam (UR) Special Evolution Card, Skill works against all Raid Bosses of the event, obtained from the Master of Fate Card Pack

Prologue
The unforgiving winds blew a torrent of sand across the southwest desert, threatening to bury anything foolish enough to stop moving. It was here that a large complex of ruins could be found. Few who set an unguided foot within its bounds ever returned, hopelessly lost within the maze of walls above ground and the network of rivers that coursed through shallow ravines. However, locating it was also a test; the blinding gusts were capable of obscuring even a landmark of that extent. And that same hindrance was serving as your lone shield.

Pah! I knew followin' this half-baked explorer was a bad idea!

Who're you calling 'half-baked'?! I'll have you know my senses are as sharp as any other elf! Now stop griping unless you wanted the entire desert blown into your trap!

Salvador, Erina, please be quiet! The sandstorm might be hiding us from the Lightholders, but if they hear us, we'll be- Ack, there sand's in my mouth!

Elimval made an undignified expression as she leaned into the old wall. It was meager shelter, but it was all you had while waiting for danger to pass -- not that of the storm's, but rather the Lightholders.

......

After reaching the southwest region, you faced numerous assaults from the Lightholders. The imperial dogs would chase with suitable stubbornness, after a time convincing you to take a risky route through the neighboring desert. Famed for both the intricate ruins and the frequent sandstorms, you expected it would greatly hinder if not outright halt them.

Unfortunately, the shifting, arid landscape proved to be as merciless as your foes. Its scale far exceeded your imagination and the night brought bitter cold. It taxed everyone's stamina, most of all Elimval's, and your already scant provisions were soon exhausted. It seemed prudent to turn back, but if the Lightholders had not abandoned the chase, they would undoubtedly capture you in your weakened state. You struggled to come to an impossible decision... until salvation appeared.

Whether by luck or fate, you encountered a youthful elf girl called Erina who was researching the ruins of the area. To see her cresting a high dune with a map and a flask of water was an experience akin to a divine advent.

Good for you I happened to be passing through! I've got a base not far from here with supplies to spare, so come take a break!""

Her base was no more than a simple tent, but it gave enough protection from the harsh conditions to allow you to recover. Erina tended to Elimval as she shared what she had learned of the ruins in her years-long study.

The remains of the buildings nearby are unique compared to the ones in the outlying areas. Those cultures left clans of descendants who kept a verbal record of the old legends, but this one was wiped out ages ago, so there are all of these huge structures with no known history. What gods they worshiped, what their daily lives were like, what caused their disappearance -- no one nowadays has a clue even though it was a pretty advanced civilization. It's like everyone just vanished into the desert overnight...

To shed even the faintest light upon the mystery, Erina had been recording all of her findings.

I've made a whole lot of progress in many aspects. Back when I first started, I had to depend on guides from the desert clans just to find the place...

One in particular called Y'newmy had shared with Erina all of the stories her tribe had taught her during the expeditions. This was how she learned that most of the buildings were places of worship, and they held faith in a great many gods. Several of them were well known in the present day, such as the goddess of travelers Harlton and judge of might Geslam. All of the deities were good or had good intentions... which was unnatural as every culture recognized those that were utterly evil.

Their belief system resembled many other polytheistic cultures, but without any bad or even mischievous gods. You can't have light without dark, right? The worst they had were monsters and none of them were revered in the same way.

Survival in harsh environments demanded a tightly knit society, meaning some irrationally negative presence was needed to discourage conflict.

So there had to have been at least one destructive god, even if none of the legends mentions them. That's the greatest mystery of the ruins. Some obscene power, possibly even responsible for the culture's swift downfall, which might also explain its absence in legend. And that's what I'm digging around for. I'm not the only one though. A mage from the royal house of one of the nearby kingdoms has been researching it too, but she's indifferent to the whole 'preserving history' side of things so she's not exactly delicate in her methods. I mean, I once watched her use her magic to blow a hole in a tall wall covered in undeciphered script just to check the inside. Still, she won't beat me; Mathrow's Telescope said so!

Taking notice of the confusion on the faces of you and Elimval, Salvador explained that Mathrow was a legendary adventurer adored by all who also explored.

And I found the magic telescope he used just being sold by some random peddler who visited my town. It's not your regular telescope; it'll show people what they need to see when the time is right. Years ago, it actually showed me exploring these very ruins, far from my hometown. I simply put it up to my eye like this...

She casually brought the eyepiece to an eye... and suddenly gave an astonished shout.

Oh my... You'll never guess what it showed me just now! It's the four of us, all smiling and laughing on the other side of the desert! Maybe we even solved the ruins' mystery! You were trying to cross the desert, weren't you? Then you've got nothing to lose by joining up with me! I even have a handmade map that'll show us the way through in no time!

Erina's eyes glittered with excitement. It was true her knowledge would be helpful, and you felt obligated to repay her for her care. She also did not pry into your circumstances, so you felt she was trustworthy. Salvador was doubtful, but you readily voiced agreement. In retrospect it may have been wise to share his hesitance...

......

Are you sure we're headin' in the right direction this time? If you made another wrong turn, we're splittin' up for good!

Salvador's irritation was natural. Erina's map lacked considerable detail, which hinted at the greater issue of her atrocious sense of direction. You suspected that quality contributed to her lengthy stay as much as her enthusiasm. To make matters worse, as she struggled to establish orientation, you encountered the Lightholders. Regardless of your immediate escape, they had confirmation you were near. All you could do was reduce your visibility as much as possible, keeping low and close to any walls available.

I know for sure this is the right way! Besides, you never told me you were wanted criminals! I swear, if anyone should be upset here, it should be... Aha, look over there! We've made it!

Erina pointed through the sandy veil at a crumbling gate. It was a section of the sprawling ruins she had yet to examine, fortunately situated in the middle of the shortest route through the desert.

All right, here we go!

Glancing above, you could see blue skies... and several dragons bearing Lightholders. It seemed they were waiting to strike once the ground forces found you, so you could not risk turning back despite entering unknown territory with a questionable guide. Gritting your teeth, you entered the passage into the labyrinth.