City of Hope
City of Hope
- Year
- 1328 AE
- Storyline
- Heart of Thorns
- Chapter
- City of Hope
- Location
- Tarir, the Forgotten City
(Auric Basin) - Level
- 80
- Preceded by
- Prized Possessions
- Followed by
- The Predator's Path
- API
- 402
City of Hope is the eighth chapter of the Heart of Thorns story.
Objectives[edit]
- Return to Auric Basin to earn Masteries.
- Earn your Exalted Markings Mastery to continue your story.
Secure Glint's egg in Tarir.
- Meet Ruka the Wanderer at the gates to Tarir.
- Accompany Ruka to meet the Luminate, the Exalted leader.
- Read the pylon shown to you by the Luminate.
- Glide down into the city to follow Ruka.
- Glide down into the heart of Tarir.
- Accompany Ruka to the newly opened portal.
- Enter the portal to search for the egg chamber.
- Read the Exalted pedestal.
- Fight dragon minions until the exit opens.
- Exit the chamber through the newly opened door.
- Reach the egg by solving the maze.
- Activate all three runes before time runs out.
- Optional: Defeat enemies to add bonus time. (after activating two runes)
- Think above and beyond to reach the egg.
- Rely on your allies to defeat Mordremoth's champion and unblock the exit.
- Leave the trial area.
- Place the egg in the center of the chamber.
- Use the teleport symbol to exit the egg chamber.
Rewards[edit]
- All professions
Pile of Auric Dust (10)
Bag of Auric Basin Supplies (5)- Maguuma mastery point (once per account)
- Profession-specific
Auric Focus, Auric Hammer, Auric Mace
Auric Mace, Auric Staff, Auric Sword
Auric Hammer, Auric Mace, Auric Warhorn
Auric Pistol, Auric Rifle, Auric Shield
Auric Axe, Auric Longbow, Auric Torch
Auric Dagger, Auric Short Bow, Auric Sword
Auric Focus, Auric Scepter, Auric Staff
Auric Greatsword, Auric Sword, Auric Torch
Auric Axe, Auric Staff, Auric Warhorn
All weapons have the Wanderer stat prefix. The article Auric weapons lists all weapon choices in a tabellaric form and discusses the most cost-effective way to obtain the whole set.
Walkthrough[edit]
Find Ruka at the quest marker to start the quest. After a short cinematic cutscene the player is then directed to a portal at the underground section of Tarir. Enter the portal to begin the Exalted’s challenge. This portal stays open so the player may return here whenever. You can stop and rest after each challenge.
- Challenge of Strength
The first challenge requires the player to defeat, in order, a Destroyer Harpy, Icebrood Elemental, Risen Plaguebearer, Branded Minotaur, and a Mordrem Stonehead in an enclosed room. After defeating the first enemy, traps will pop up around the room, which cause damage and knockback. The player is permanently under the 
Mortality effect. Their health does not regenerate and healing skills do not provide any healing benefits during this challenge. It is, therefore, paramount to dodge and avoid the traps as much as possible throughout the fight. Players may use the pillars around the room for cover. If the player manages to get out of combat, the player's health will not regenerate. Once the player defeats the Mordrem Stonehead the challenge is won and the exit opens to the next area. You will lose the Mortality debuff and your health will recover once you step out of this room.
If you are having trouble, you can try to lure the enemies towards the eastern part of the room near the stairs leading to a water pool. While the enemies will follow you there, there are no traps.
- Challenge of Wit
The second challenge is a timed maze. The player is tasked with finding and activating three runes around the maze before a timer runs out. The maze itself is patrolled by hostile Sparks and has lightning traps throughout the area. Once the third and final rune is activated, the timer stops, the traps and hostiles disappear and the zone is safe. The player then has to climb to the high ground above the start of the zone and navigate above the walls of the maze to reach the exit.
For the first rune, go right from the entrance, then on the right wall jump up via the stone blocks arranged like stairs. Once at the top, glide onto the top of the maze wall, then run and jump to the second rune. The way back is the most hazardous, but the aim is to get back to the stone stairs on either side of the entrance, and approach the third rune (again along the top of the maze wall). To finish, return to one of the stone stairs, and run along the maze wall towards the exit. You may take the stone stairs and "cheat" the maze at any time throughout the puzzle.
- Challenge of Leadership
The third and final challenge transforms the player into a rabbit and replaces the skill bar with rabbit skills:
| # | Skill | 
|
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headbutt | 2 | Rush forward headfirst, evading attacks; if you hit an enemy, you damage that enemy and daze yourself. | |
| 2 | Sneak | 10 | Provides a short duration of stealth and a movement speed reduction. | |
| 3 | Play Dead | 11 | 10 | Trick your enemies by pretending to be dead. The skill can be canceled by movement. |
| 4 | Strength in Numbers | 25 | Grants fury and might to nearby allies. | |
| 5 | Spot Weakness | 30 | Shout. Call out to target a foe and make them vulnerable. |
The player then has to find and revive seven downed Vigil NPC allies around the room and rely on them to defeat seven patrolling Mordrem Wolves and a Mordrem Alpha. Avoid fights as much as possible until you can revive enough Vigil soldiers to take on the boss. Be sure to not be overwhelmed by the patrolling wolves. Use Strength in Numbers and Spot Weakness to buff your allies and attack the enemy with Headbutt. One Vigil Recruit should be able to handle one Mordrem Wolf, with the use of the buffs mentioned previously. Any Mordrem Wolves that are defeated will not respawn. Any Vigil NPC that is killed, will respawn at the revived location. Also, it is possible to use regular ranged attacks to defeat the closer Mordrem if you avoid stepping beyond the pedestal. Several Tasty Berries are scattered around the room for additional health (which respawn after 60 seconds), and Adrenal Mushrooms for cooldown resets (if the player has the applicable Mastery).
Partially revive several of the nearby soldiers in turn, so they each reach about 80% health, but remain down. Use Play Dead and Sneak if attacked. Then quickly finish reviving several soldiers all together. They will fight together, defeating one or two wolves at a time. As they progress, keep them away from the boss. Meanwhile, continue reviving the remaining solders, until all the soldiers are up. Then kill the boss.
As of Build 97,617 (June 2019), it's possible to avoid all Mordrem wolves and take down the Mordrem Alpha with three of the revived Vigil NPC allies. Fully revive the first soldier at the entrance, then progress in a diagonal towards the northeast corner of the room, avoiding all wolves. Revive the two soldiers in this area to 80%, then fully revive them and target the boss. If you huddle in the northeast corner, the remaining Mordrem Wolves should not path towards you, and you will be able to use Strength in Numbers, Spot Weakness, and Headbutt to slowly tick down the Alpha's HP.
Achievements[edit]
| City of Hope | Heart of Thorns: Act 2 | 1  0
|
|---|---|---|
| Prove yourself to gain access to a forgotten refuge.Journal: City of Hope Completed | Completed City of Hope | 0
|
- Complete the story chapter.
 Never Say Die
|
Heart of Thorns: Act 2 | 5
|
|---|---|---|
Complete the trial of strength with no deaths.Story Instance: "City of Hope"
|
Completed the Trial of Strength with No Deaths | 5
|
- To get this achievement simply complete the first challenge without dying.
- Achievement qualification may be tracked via the
Achievement Eligibility: Dragon Bane effect.
| No More Time
|
Heart of Thorns: Act 2 | 5
|
|---|---|---|
Complete the trial of wits without gaining any bonus time.Story Instance: "City of Hope"
|
Completed the Trial of Wits without Gaining Any Bonus Time | 5
|
- This achievement requires you to reach the runes in the second challenge, the labyrinth, without killing any Sparks. Simply navigating above the labyrinth with swiftness will be enough. Bringing other players trivializes this.
- Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement Eligibility: Speed Run effect.
| Leave It to Me
|
Heart of Thorns: Act 2 | 5
|
|---|---|---|
Complete the teamwork trial without reviving any Pact soldiers.Story Instance: "City of Hope"
|
Completed the Teamwork Trial without Reviving Any Pact Soldiers | 5
|
- To get this achievement you will need to kill the Mordrem Alpha in the third challenge without reviving any Vigil Soldiers. As a rabbit you only have access to one directly offensive ability which is also very weak. However, your character will not take armor damage, allowing you to throw lives at enemies until they die.
- Foods that regenerate endurance greatly improve the killing speed as you can stay in the fight longer and re-enter it more quickly. This is also an effective strategy for completing Predatory Prey.
- This can be done without any food. Lure the wolves one by one to the corridor where you spawn and fight them there, using abilities 1 and 5 as much as possible. This way you don't have to run back to them and also get a few seconds of invulnerability after each revive. If they de-aggro and walk back to their normal places, they sometimes regenerate health as well, so revive as soon as possible when you die. Using this method to get both Leave It to Me and Predatory Prey takes about half an hour.
- Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement Eligibility: Who Needs Friends? effect.
| Predatory Prey
|
Heart of Thorns: Act 2 | 5
|
|---|---|---|
Defeat all enemies in the teamwork trial.Story Instance: "City of Hope"
|
Defeated Every Enemy in the Teamwork Trial | 5
|
- To get this achievement you will need to kill all the Mordrem Wolves in the third challenge before you kill the Mordrem Alpha. Killing the Alpha will complete the challenge and make the achievement unobtainable. See Leave It to Me for an alternative solution.
- Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement Eligibility: Killer Bunny effect.
NPCs[edit]
Allies[edit]
- Various
Foes[edit]
- Branded Minotaur
- Destroyer Harpy
- Icebrood Elemental
- Mordrem Alpha
- Mordrem Stonehead
- Mordrem Wolf
- Risen Plaguebearer
Dialogue[edit]
Meeting with Ruka:
- Ruka the Wanderer: At last you're here! Come, our leader wishes to meet you.
Entering Tarir:
- Luminate: Welcome, egg bearer. You are a most honored guest. We have waited so long for your arrival. Welcome to Tarir.
- Luminate: This city and we Exalted were created to protect the whole of Glint's legacy, including the egg.
- <Character name>: So Ruka said, I mean to confront Mordremoth, but Mordremoth wants the egg. I'm not about to bring those two together.
- <Character name>: I need to make sure the egg is totally secure before I move on Mordremoth.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Let us help you. We are the egg's sworn protectors, and Tarir is where it is meant to be.
- <Character name>: I'd like to know more about the Exalted and your city.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Of course. Our patron is Glint, the dragon prophet. She loved sentient beings and dedicated her life to protecting them.
- Ruka the Wanderer: She used her vast magic and her prophetic gifts to preserve life on Tyria the last time Elder Dragons rose.
- Ruka the Wanderer: As a seer, she knew what was to come. She charged her valued attendants, the Forgotten, with preparing for that future.
- Luminate: Do you see? These runes spell out our charter, our purpose, our sworn duty as handed down by the Forgotten themselves.
- Exalted Burnisher: This is a great day.
- Exalted Burnisher: At last, our great work can truly begin.
Reading the Exalted Pedestal:
- May what I leave behind light the way.
- May those I leave behind nurture what I could not.
- May all who read these words gladly share the burden of my life's work.
- May this be my legacy: a city of hope.
View Tarir.
Looking over Tarir (cinematic):
- Ruka the Wanderer: Centuries ago, the Forgotten magically erected Tarir to hold and nurture the artifacts Glint would leave behind.
- Ruka the Wanderer: They also sought out mortals to become Exalted—ageless, enhanced guardians of the city and its contents.
- Ruka the Wanderer: We who volunteered and passed the necessary tests were converted into pure energy and encased in golden armor.
- Ruka the Wanderer: When all the preparation were complete, we began to go dormant, waiting for our noble duty to begin.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Glint...died. Soon after, Tarir began to stir...and we Exalted awoke, mourned, and took up our duty once more.
- Luminate: A new portal appeared when you arrived with the egg. Ruka will lead you to it.
Heading to the portal:
- Ruka the Wanderer: Here we are. The new portal is below us, and this is the way to it.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Now you're here, and so is the egg. Glint's grand design can finally begin to unfold.
- Ruka the Wanderer: I don't know what you'll find, but if I know the Forgotten, you'll be tested before you're allowed to proceed.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Don't be offended, it's nothing personal: they never give anyone what they want without making them earn it.
- Ruka the Wanderer: According to the runes, this is as far as I go. You have to face whatever waits on the other side of that portal alone.
- Ruka the Wanderer: I believe this new portal will always be open to you, so you may return here whenever you wish.
Entering the first room:
- If charr:
- <Character name>: The egg's gone! (growl)
- If asura:
- <Character name>: Where'd the egg go?
- If sylvari:
- <Character name>: The egg's vanished!
- If human:
- <Character name>: The egg's vanished.
- If norn:
- <Character name>: The egg vanished.
Reading the Exalted Pedestal:
- In Glint's name, your strength will be tested.
- Our foes are formidable, relentless, indefatigable.
- Those who serve Glint must be more so.
- Endure, without respite, until the onslaught ends.
- I don't need to think about this. I'm ready to begin.
The meaning is obscured. It seems to say...- Translate.
- This is a trial of strength. Healing will probably not work here. Anyone who fails or tries to leave will have to do it all over again.
- I'm ready to begin.
Never mind.
- <Character name>: Nothing's ever easy.
When challenge begins:
- <Character name>: Something's sapping my strength.
When salt traps appear:
- If asuran:
- <Character name>: What are these waterspouts? They're salt water.
- If charr:
- <Character name>: Waterspouts? What? Hmm, salty.
- If sylvari:
- <Character name>: Salt water? What the...
- If norn:
- <Character name>: Is that the smell of brine? Mixed with the smell of blood.
- If human:
- <Character name>: I smell the ocean.
Leaving the chamber:
- <Character name>: At least the egg is still safe.
Second room:
- <Character name>: Oh good, another room. Now what?
- If asuran, charr, or human:
- <Character name>: I can do this.
- If sylvari:
- <Character name>: This won't stop me.
- If norn:
- <Character name>: I could do this with my eyes closed.
Reading the Exalted Pedestal:
- In Glint's name, your wits will be tested.
- Our foes add a measure intractable, a riddle unsolvable.
- With no clear solution; perhaps over time there is none.
- Question the questions three, or remain lost.
- A riddle in a riddle. I've go this. It says...
- This trial of wits will require the aspirant to solve a puzzle with three answers within a time limit. It seems the foes will help or hurt, depending on what happens. Perhaps time will be added?
- That must be what it means. I'm ready.
- I don't need to think about this. I'm ready to begin.
- <Character name>: I knew it wouldn't be that simple. I'm going to have to out-think this trial.
Climbing up the nearby steps:
- <Character name>: Maybe if I go up, I'll have a better view of the labyrinth.
Killing a spark:
- If charr or human:
- <Character name>: This is a test of wit. Brute force alone isn't the answer.
- If asuran or sylvari:
- <Character name>: This is a test of wit. Martial skill alone isn't the answer.
- <Character name>: I must activate the glyphs.
Activating the glyphs:
- Exalted Glyph Part: You just undid one of the door's locks, but you must also find two more like it before the door will open.
- Leave.
- Exalted Glyph Part: You've cracked the second lock, but there remains a third. Time is growing short! The enemies here can also help as well as hurt. Perhaps clearing them out will make your task easier.
- Leave.
- Exalted Glyph Part: The door is open, but the trial continues. The egg waits. Solve the maze in order to reach it.
- Leave.
Reading the Exalted Pedestal in the third room:
- In Glint's name, your leadership will be tested.
- Our foes are unified, organized—lethal cogs in a dire machine.
- The Elder Dragons see you only as prey.
- Prevail, not by might, but by leadership.
- Must be harder than the others. I think it means...
- Testing leadership qualities, this trial requires the aspirant to survive using a team strategy against efficient enemies.
- I hope I have a good team. Here I go.
- I don't need to think about this. I'm ready to begin.
Reviving the recruits (randomly):
- Vigil Recruit: Commander? Burn me, this isn't good.
- Vigil Recruit: Consider me your bodyguard.
- Vigil Recruit: Hmm. You're not combat-ready, are you? No matter: you're not alone, either.
- Vigil Recruit: I'll keep you safe.
- Vigil Recruit: I've got this.
- Vigil Recruit: I won't let anything happen to you.
- Vigil Recruit: Let me do the heavy lifting.
- Vigil Recruit: Ooh, tough break, Commander. But don't worry: you can count on me.
- Vigil Recruit: Stay behind me.
- Vigil Recruit: Thanks...ummm...Commander? Is that you?
- Vigil Recruit: Tough break, Commander. But don't worry: you can count on me.
- Vigil Recruit: What happened to you? Never mind: stick close to me. I'll back you up.
- Vigil Recruit: What the—okay, Commander Bunny: stay low and leave the fighting to me.
- Vigil Recruit: You can rely on me.
- Vigil Recruit: You call the shots, Commander. I'll do the shooting.
- Vigil Recruit: You're in trouble. Don't worry. I'll keep you safe.
Defeating the Alpha:
- <Character name>: Three trials, three victories. That should satisfy the Forgotten.
- Vigil Recruit salutes <Character name>. (×7)
After seeing a vision from the egg:
- <Character name>: What? I think the egg...showed me that.[1]
- <Character name>: Mordremoth is using Logan, Zojja, and Trahearne... If we don't get to them soon, we'll be fighting an army of them.
Returning to Ruka:
- Ruka the Wanderer: Congratulations! I knew you could do it. Tarir has accepted the egg, and you as its champion.
- Ruka the Wanderer: On behalf of Glint, the Luminate, the Exalted, and Tarir itself: thank you.
- <Character name>: I'm just glad the egg is where it needs to be, with dedicated keepers like you to protect it.
- <Character name>: But now I need to rejoin my friends. Mordremoth is still a threat, and the egg just showed me how dire that threat is.
- Ruka the Wanderer: By all means. One of our gate sentries is holding a message for you, which I believe is from your comrades.
- Ruka the Wanderer: Go. Confront Mordremoth. No matter how that mission ends, know that you have restored hope to Tarir, and to the world.
My story[edit]
|
|
Notes[edit]
- Requires Exalted Markings Mastery to play.
- During the Challenge of Strength, players face minions of all Elder Dragons (Mordremoth's Mordrem, Kralkatorrik's Branded, Zhaitan's Risen, Primordus' destroyer, and Jormag's icebrood), except the Deep Sea Dragon. Instead the player notices springs of salt water that erupt from the ground which can damage and knock the player down if gotten too close to.
References[edit]
- ^ Some voice-overs say "hatchling" instead of "egg", even though the text still reads "egg". This happens at least with female charrs.
