Any Sufficiently Advanced Science

Any Sufficiently Advanced Science

Year

1325 AE

Storyline

Personal story

Chapter

Interested Parties

Location

Snaff Memorial Lab
(Rata Sum)
Luminates Plant
(Metrica Province)

Level

20

Race

Asura

Choice

Infinity Ball

Preceded by

Gadd's Last Gizmo
Defusing the Problem
The Things We Do For Love
Here, There, Everywhere

Followed by

Beta Test

API

34

Any Sufficiently Advanced Science is part of the personal story for asura characters whose first invention was the Infinity Ball.

Objectives

Meet Zojja in her lab to discuss the Infinity Ball.

• Speak to Zojja.
• Speak to Shodd.

Use the Megahedron Collider[sic] to test the Infinity Ball.

• Speak to Supervisor Wenn at the Luminates Plant's Megahedron Collider.
• Connect the Infinity Ball to the Megahedron Collider.
• Defeat the strange creatures from the portal.
• Retrieve the Infinity Ball.

Rewards

Click here to edit the reward data

All professions

• Leather Bag (12 Slots, Soulbound on acquistion)
• Bag of Loot (2)

Profession-specific

• One of the following: Ruby Heart, Amethyst Heart, Sapphire Heart
• One of the following: Ruby Heart, Emerald Heart, Amethyst Heart
• One of the following: Ruby Heart, Emerald Heart, Amethyst Heart
• One of the following: Topaz Heart, Emerald Heart, Sapphire Heart
• One of the following: Topaz Heart, Carnelian Heart, Ruby Heart
• One of the following: Carnelian Heart, Topaz Heart, Ruby Heart
• One of the following: Ruby Heart, Topaz Heart, Sapphire Heart
• One of the following: Carnelian Heart, Topaz Heart, Ruby Heart
• One of the following: Emerald Heart, Topaz Heart, Ruby Heart

Walkthrough

The first part of this quest is completely straight forward, and could be achieved as soon as you receive Zojja's letter. Simply enter your own lab and talk to both Zojja and Shodd in turn. The second part is much more combat intensive, and should wait until you are confident in your skills. Once at the Lumines plant, talk to Wenn, then wait for the device to be activated. Portals will appear with steam monsters, and everyone except Shodd will run away. Defeat all the monsters from the portals, and talk to Shodd to end this part of the story.

NPCs

Allies

First Instance

Asura

• Shodd
• Zojja

Golem

• Mr. Sparkles

Second Instance

Asura

• Head Protestor
• Protestor
• Peacemaker Officer
• Luminates Supervisor Wenn
• Shodd

Foes

Steam creature

• Steam Mechataur
• Steamrider
• Steam Hulk
• Veteran Steam Hulk

Objects

• Megahadron Collider

Dialogue

Zojja So, About That Infinity Ball Hey, Savant! I need to talk to you about your very first invention. I've got an alternative application in mind for it, and I'd like to pick your brain before I start modifying it. Come to my lab as soon as it's feasible. —Zojja

At Snaff Memorial Lab

Cinematic with Zojja:

Zojja: I'm glad you came. I was messing around in my lab...I mean, conducting open-ended research...and I ran across your Infinity Ball.

<Character name>: Ah yes, my first invention ever. Still proud of it. Designed to show you a glimpse of the future...well, a potential future, anyway.

<Character name>: It functioned well enough to earn a spot in the archives, but it wasn't as reliable as I'd hoped. The feasibility stabilizer was...unpredictable.

Zojja: Still, I like it. What would you say if I told you I could repurpose it into something useful?

<Character name>: Take your best shot. I'd love to see your modifications. And thanks for the heads-up. As always, you professional courtesy is impeccable.

Shodd: Excuse me, Zojja? You've talked so highly of the Snaff Savant, I couldn't pass up this chance for an introduction.

Zojja: Of course. Shodd, meet the Snaff Savant. Savant, meet Shodd. He's trouble, so don't let him drag you down to his level. You two play nice, now. I've got work to do.

Talking to Shodd:

Shodd: Don't get me wrong, Zojja's a genius and all, but she's too cautious. You can follow her lead, but don't let her timidity and trepidation prevent you from achieving your dreams.

Zojja? Timid? That's crazy talk. Zojja's opinion is one of the most valuable in Rata Sum.

Doesn't mean she's always right. Your invention is a winner-or it could be, with just a little more work. Why let her do it? Any accolades from the Infinity Ball should be yours.

What accolades? The Infinity Ball doesn't even work, remember?

It DIDN'T work. That's my point. Maybe Zojja can make it work, but so can you. Especially if I help. You just need to stop thinking like a krewe menial and start thinking like a genius. Take charge!

I would like to finish what I started. Okay, I'm listening. What did you have in mind?

I've conducted a cursory review of your designs, and I think the problem is all in the power input-to-output ratio. What you need is a high-yield power supply.

Yes, that would make a difference. But where do we find one that'll work?

Head over to the Luminates Plant. I know the krewe chief on their Megahedron Collider project. I'll send word ahead and set up a trial. Tell him I sent you, and you'll have full run of the place.

The Megahedron—of course! Okay, Shodd, you're on. I'll meet you at the Luminates Plant.

Talking with allies:

Shodd: We are destined for greatness. Combining our collective genius and drive is a recipe for success of unimaginable proportions!

No argument here. We are the perfect combination of brains and ambition.

A sound theory. Let's test it and the Infinity Ball simultaneously!

Zojja: Can't wait to show you my take on the Infinity Ball. It'll be like we're collaborating—across time! Which I actually prefer, as it limits the amount of interaction with other people I have to endure.

Any level of collaboration with you is a worthwhile endeavor.

I'll leave you to it, then. Good luck. And thanks.

Mr. Sparkles: Zojja—has—all—the—information—you—require. My—role—here—is—threefold: 1) observe, 2) assist—Zojja—as—necessary, 3) look—sleek—and—intimidating.

You're definitely doing your job, then.

At the Luminates Plant

Upon entering the Luminates Plant:

Head Protestor: Stop the madness! If you activate this thing, it could end all life as we know it.

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Are you really this naive? Or did some other krewe put you up to this?

Head Protestor: We won't let you get away with this! We will not let you murder Mother Tyria!

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Mother Tyria's not in danger...but you will be, if you don't let me get back to work.

Protestor speech bubbles:

Protestor: Only you can prevent the Megahedron Collider!

Protestor: Please, take a moment and think of our offspring!

Protestor: Ethics first! Science second!

Protestor: Ethics first, and then pudding!

Protestor: Invention, not destruction!

Protestor: The Megahedron Collider will kill us all! Shut it down!

Protestor: Stop the madness! Hey hey, ho ho, the Megahedron Collider has got to go!

Protestor: Support ethical science! Practice ethical magic!

Talking to the Head Protestor:

Head Protestor: You there! Join us! Now's the time to stand up for responsible magical resource management. Don't let the Megahedron Collider poison Mother Tyria!

I'm busy. Pipe down and get out of my way, goofball.

Your nuanced argument has totally convinced me. Excuse me while I go plant a tree.

I respect your position, but you have to move past slogans and present real alternatives.

Excuse me, I have work to do.

Cinematic with Luminates Supervisor Wenn:

<Character name>: Are you in charge? I'm here to apply the Megahedron Collider to an invention of mine. Shodd sent me.

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: You picked a bad time, but I owe Shodd a favor. I had to pull a few strings, but the collider is all yours. Hope you don't mind a little noise.

<Character name>: Yeah, I saw the protestors. They looked upset. Why are they picketing you?

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: They hate me. We blew this place up too many times already, and now they fear that if we turn the Collider on, it'll start a chain reaction and end all life on Tyria.

<Character name>: Uhh...will it?

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Doubtful. It hasn't so far. But hey, maybe today's the day. Most of my krewe took a day off, and the protestors want a disaster. Let's roll the dice!

Talking to Wenn:

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Between the protestors and my krewe all being out sick, I've got my hands full.

Don't worry about me. I won't get in your way.

After placing the Infinity Ball in the Megahedron Collider:

(A strange blue portal appears, and the Head Protestor is sucked into it.)

Head Protestor: You were warned, but you didn't listen! Now we're all gonna d—

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Heh. One less dirt-hugger. And don't look so nervous, I can handle this.

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Uh-oh. Something's coming through the portal, and it doesn't seem happy.

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Tell you what: you kill whatever sticks its head out while I shut down the portal.

Shodd: Well, I can't say that was completely unexpected. No worries. I'm here to help.

Talking to Shodd as he arrives during the battle:

Shodd: Nobody knows just how the Megahedron Collider and your Infinity Ball will interact... but we're about to find out.

You got that right, partner.

After the fight:

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Whoa! For a second there, I thought that might have been the big one. Good-bye cruel world.

Shodd: Did you see those things that came out of the portal? Machines like that just don't exist.

Shodd: Anyway, thanks for your help. Now I owe you one. Keep up the good work!

Cinematic with Shodd upon retrieving the Infinity Ball:

Shodd: That was unbelievable, unprecedented! We made history and saw the future, all at once.

<Character name>: Empirically, it shows an alternate version of reality, not the future. And based on those mechanical monstrosities, a reality we're better off without.

Shodd: Details, details. You should be excited! The collider supercharged your Infinity Ball. Now it works on an entirely different level.

<Character name>: We need to test this somewhere remote, far from Rata Sum, with all its spying ears and innocent bystanders.

Shodd: I have an old lab I don't use anymore. It would be perfect. You have to do this, Savant. Greatness is within your grasp.

<Character name>: I do want to see this through...and if no one else gets hurt... All right. I'll meet you there and we'll run more tests.

Talking to allies again:

Luminates Supervisor Wenn: Thanks for your help. I'll be filling out the incident report paperwork all day, but it's worth it for even a short respite from all that sanctimonious chanting.

The protestors have valid concerns about this facility.

Glad you think so. See you around.

Shodd: I'd call that a hugely successful first effort. We've taken the Infinity Ball into exciting new territory. The path to worldwide acclaim stands open before us!

Then we must press on. Together, we could revolutionize life as we know it.

Couldn't have done it without you.

Excellent. Let's continue.

My story

“ Zojja expressed interest in my very first invention, the Infinity Ball. It was supposed to predict the future, but I never got it to work exactly right. Now Zojja's interested in taking a crack at it, which I view as a huge compliment. I also met a fellow inventor named Shodd, who agreed to collaborate with me to perfect the Infinity Ball ourselves. This is a chance to redeem my first invention and test myself against Zojja, one of our greatest living geniuses, so I accepted Shodd's offer. We made plans to visit the Megahedron Collider to begin our work on the improved Infinity Ball. Shodd set up a test for my Infinity Ball at the Megahedron Collider, but the results were...problematic. After the collider supercharged the Infinity Ball, a portal opened up and strange mechanized monsters came pouring out. We took care of them, and despite some serious misgivings on my part, Shodd and I agreed to continue with our tests—in a much safer and more remote location. — My story

Trivia

• The name of this quest likely comes from Arthur C. Clarke's third "law" of prediction: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
• The Megahedron Collider, and the fact protestors are worried that if turned on it will end all life on Tyria, is likely a reference to the Large Hadron Collider and the fear the public had that it might create microscopic black holes.

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Asura storyline