Balam Ri

Balam Ri

Race

Human

Location

Arborstone
(Cantha)

Image(s)

Interactive map

Balam Ri is a former curator for the Kaineng historical society. She can be found in the Arborstone library on the upper floor after upgrading the Entertaining Amenities mastery, and is involved in the Lost Lore collection.

Location

Cantha

• Arborstone
  • Kestrel Archives (only after completing Entertaining Amenities mastery and until finishing the Lost Lore collection)

Dialogue

Before starting the Lost Lore collection

Well, thirty-five shelves in, it's looking like another bust. That'll teach me to get my hopes up, I guess...

Looking for something?

Oh! I didn't see you there! Balam Ri, curator for the Kaineng historical society. Well, former curator now. I guess my research was too controversial for a few of our "distinguished" patrons.

Controversial how?

I specialize in forbidden texts and banned books purged by the ancient Ministry of Purity. Between the censorship and propaganda, there's so little we know of their regime. I call it our lost history.

Why would that be controversial?

Oh, the usual—powerful families worried about surfacing old Purist connections, bureaucrats worried about reopening old wounds with the tengu. Some officials prefer the past stay buried.

And you're looking for some of your "lost history" here? (Same as below)

Got it. Well, good luck.

And you're looking for some of your "lost history" here?

Something like that. My ancestor hid troves of incriminating documents from the Ministry to keep them from being destroyed. I'd hoped to find one hidden here, but no such luck...

Your ancestor?

Yeah. He was one of the first recruits in the original Ministry of Purity, but he had a change of heart. I believe it's my responsibility to finish his work by bringing the truth to light.

If they've been hidden for centuries, how are you finding them? (Same as below)

Good luck.

If they've been hidden for centuries, how are you finding them?

When he died, he left clues behind for his allies to decipher that would lead them to his hidden caches. It took years to piece these together. Fat lot of good it does me now, though...

What do you mean?

Have you been outside? It was harrowing enough just getting here—there's no way I'd survive the return trip. I can't do much except hope those records survive the chaos.

I could track these down for you. (starts Lost Lore collection)

Wait, are you serious? That's fantastic! Here, take my notes. Oh, and you'll want to meet my contact from the Ministry of Archives, Juwon Ral. He'll be working in Archives somewhere.

Let's see these clues. (Exits the conversation)

Why should I meet Juwon Ral?

Well, it's been centuries. Some of the hidden records have wound up in the Imperial Archives just by accidental discovery. So, we'll just ask Ral for the records the archives have. Should be easy!

Let's see these clues. (Exits the conversation)

I'll check these clues later.

I'll check these clues later.

Afraid you're on your own there. Good luck.

Shame.

Afraid you're on your own there. Good luck.

I have to go.

Sorry, no time to talk.

I'll leave you to it.

After starting the collection

Hey, welcome back. Still nothing on my end, how about yours?

Any suggestions where I can find Juwon Ral?

You can find him in the Ministry of Archives building, in the Soojung Heights district in New Kaineng. He should be waiting somewhere inside.

I had another question.

Thanks.

Where do you think this "great library across the sea" is?

If it's across the sea, that must mean it's in Central Tyria. Do any scholarly organizations come to mind? It could be in one of their archives somewhere.

I had another question.

Thanks.

Got any leads on what the "Mists of Zen Daijun" might be?

I'm not sure about this one. It's a fairly mysterious place. Perhaps the temple building itself could have some records or scrolls in storage?

I had another question.

Thanks.

Any hints what the "Emperor's Feet" could mean?

The emperor at the time this was written was probably Emperor Usoku. Are there any buildings or statues dedicated to him on Shing Jea? They'd be pretty old at this point.

I had another question.

Thanks.

Have any ideas where I'd find the "Markets of Shing Jea?"

I think it should be at a market stall, hiding in plain sight. There are lots of street stalls in Lutgardis Plaza—maybe start there?

I had another question.

Thanks.

I've found them all. Here you go. (Only after all the records have been collected)

(See below section On completing the collection)

Never mind.

On completing the collection

Balam Ri: My family, immortalized in these pages! I didn't expect to get so emotional. But I'm glad history will know the truth.

Balam Ri: You don't know how much this means to me. Promise you'll visit once I'm done writing. I'll have a signed copy for you!

Balam Ri: Never know, might be worth something someday! Guess that's usually after the author dies, though...

Balam Ri: Ah, the grueling sacrifice and self-flagellation of the literary process. I love it!

After completing the collection

Thank you, really. I have to start writing, but come back later to read the full volume? And I do mean "have to." I'm not sleeping until this is finished!

Don't burn yourself out.

Related achievements

• Arborstone: Lost Lore — Locate the lost records of Shing Jea's history across Tyria. (5)

Trivia

• Based on her dialogue, name and the collection, she is very likely a descendant of Zei Ri.