Diplomacy and Discovery

Diplomacy and Discovery

Year

1337 AE

Storyline

Janthir Wilds

Chapter

Diplomacy and Discovery

Location

Lowland Shore
(Janthir)

Level

80

Preceded by

Unknown Territory

Followed by

Home Sweet Home

API

713

Diplomacy and Discovery is the second chapter of the Janthir Wilds story.

Objectives

Explore Harvest Den.

• Meet up with Stoic Alder's son.
• Check in with Caithe.
• Talk to Mists of Dawn about obtaining a spear.
• Train the Kodan Spear Training Mastery in the Kodan line.
• Return to Mists of Dawn.
• Destroy Targets with Your Spear
  
• Help out around Harvest Den and explore its culture.
• Check in with Malice.
• Find the warclaw trainer Malice mentioned.
• Use your warclaw's Sniff skill to locate the lost cub in town.
• Return the wayward cub to the trainer.
• Return to Poised Arrow and discuss what you have seen of the lowland kodan.

Check in at Moon Camp.

• Fill Frode in on the kodan and your experiences.
• Find out what Vanak needs help with.
• Use the Heart of the Obscure to Track and Close Rifts in the Wilderness near Moon Camp
  
• Speak with Vanak again.
• Complete!

Rewards

• Bag of Loot (5)
• Janthiri Gear Box
• Tale of Adventure

Walkthrough

Speak to Poised Arrow at  Harvest Den Waypoint — , then Caithe southeast of the arena at  Sleuth Brawlfields — . The next step requires completing the mastery Lowland Spear Training, the first mastery in the Lowland Kodan mastery line, and then equipping a Spear to destroy the 4 targets next to Mists of Dawn (the step is somewhat inconsistent, so sometimes more than 4 targets need to be destroyed).

• Complete Lowland Spear Training to progress.
• Complete the Renown Heart at Harvest Den to progress.

Find Malice Swordshadow, hidden on the top level of  Bonfire Lodge — , then the warclaw trainer at  Journeykin Pens — . Use the Warclaw's second skill, Sniff, to look for tracks, marked with a green spyglass, and follow them until you find the cub (one possible spot is behind  Wry Lichen's House — ) to bring back to the trainer and be able to speak to Poised Arrow again.

Head back to  Astral Ward Moon Camp Waypoint — and speak to Frode and Vanak, then use the Heart of the Obscure to seek out and complete 2 rifts and their pre-events (4 points are needed and both luring out a target and sealing a rift counts as 1 point each, meaning an additional rift can be needed if the "luring out the target" step is missed for a rift).

Achievements

Diplomacy and Discovery	Janthir Wilds: Act 1	1  1
Learn about lowland kodan culture.Journal: Diplomacy and Discovery Reward: Large Stash of Carved Lowland Pine Coins	Completed Diplomacy and Discovery	1

• Complete the mission.

Ash Legion Diplomacy	Janthir Wilds: Act 1	0
Find Malice's hiding spot in Harvest Den before it's time to meet up with her.Journal: Diplomacy and Discovery	Found Malice in Her Hiding Spot	0

• Find Malice during the objective "Help out around Harvest Den and explore its culture."
  • She can be found next to the chandelier on the top floor of Bonfire Lodge.

Loremaster's Library	Janthir Wilds: Act 1	1
Read from Wry Lichen's personal library in his home in Harvest Den.Journal: Diplomacy and Discovery Objectives: 4 objectives in total Dragon Parentage and Family From Pirate to Pilot The Ravaging of the Jade Runner Letter from Dagonet	Read from Wry Lichen's Library	1

• Enter Wry Lichen's House above Harvest Shore (a bit north of Harvest Den) and read all 4 books inside of it.

Warclaw Wrangling	Janthir Wilds: Act 1	1
Find the lost cub and return it within the time limit.Journal: Diplomacy and Discovery	Returned the Cub within the Time Limit	1

• Complete the objectives "Use your warclaw's Sniff skill to locate the lost cub in town." and "Return the wayward cub to the trainer." within 4 minutes.
• Eligibility and time can be tracked via  Achievement Eligibility: Warclaw Wrangling.

NPCs

Allies

Charr

• Malice Swordshadow
• Vanak Faithwalker

Felines

• Lost Warclaw Cub

Kodan

• Burning River
• Mists of Dawn
• Poised Arrow
• Swift Rapids
• Willow
• Wry Lichen

Norn

• Frode

Sylvari

• Caithe

Objects

• Mists Rift

Dialogue

Speaking with Poised Arrow

Poised Arrow: Here you have it: Harvest Den. Much to keep a newcomer occupied. Especially this time of year.

Poised Arrow: Have one last hurrah before the deep freeze sets in. Then our time of Torpor begins and things really slow down.

Poised Arrow: So enjoy the fun while it lasts!

<Character name>: Weren't you supposed to show us around?

Poised Arrow: A wayfinder needs no chaperone, yes? Seem the type who'd rather blaze your own trail.

Poised Arrow: Your friends—the flora and feline—make themselves at home already.

Poised Arrow: Besides, if you need me, I'll be right here. Friend of mine plans to take part in the dance circle.

Poised Arrow: Poor beast dances like his feet are forged from ore, but I'll be cheering for him nonetheless.

Approaching Caithe

Willow: So you're a plant...person? Can you make your own food? (gasps) Do animals graze on you?

<Character name>: Making friends already, Caithe?

Caithe: Delightful, aren't they? What I love about children is their shamelessly charming lack of tact.

Swift Rapids: Willow, focus! We're training, not harassing newcomers!

Willow: But how pretty she is! I love her flowers best of all!

Caithe: How sweet. These were a gift from a very dear friend. A dragon friend.

Willow: There's a dragon here as well?

Caithe: I'm afraid we're on this adventure without her. She's...resting. And she's more than earned it.

Swift Rapids: Something you've not, Willow. Back to your sets!

Willow: Could complete these with my eyes closed! Now this newcomer looks like a fine sparring match for you, Swift Rapids.

<Character name>: Never trained with spears before.

Swift Rapids: Really? Bet you'd take to it naturally. Talk to my sparring partner, Mists of Dawn. She'll help you get a feel for it.

Swift Rapids: Most kodan train in spears before they can talk. Though some prefer to exercise their jabbering jaws.

Caithe: Thank you for letting us watch.

Mists of Dawn

Here to learn about the spear, eh, outsider? If you think you can handle it, you'll need to earn the right just like any cub here.

Like the cubs, huh?

You must earn it. Fight, help out around the delta, and observe how others use the spear. In time, it will be yours. Once you have done this, return and show me your mastery against these targets.

I'll give it a go.

I'll have to come back later.

Speaking to Malice before its time to talk to her

Malice Swordshadow: Need to focus, Commander. Diplomacy is delicate work.

Speaking to Mists of Dawn after completing the Kodan Spear Training Mastery

Back, you are. How's the spear? Weight feel good? If you need more pratice, [sic] try these targets. Make enough progress, and maybe I'll pass a good word along to the Claw.

Okay.

Approaching Malice

Malice Swordshadow: Commander. Quietly.

Speaking to Malice

<Character name>: Catching up on kodan affairs?

Malice Swordshadow: The only meeting worth attending is the one you're not invited to.

Malice Swordshadow: Seems there's been discussion about those "strangers" the kid mentioned earlier...

Malice Swordshadow: Also "scouts," and what I assume are "journeykin." Which kicked off some squabbling...

Malice Swordshadow: Then something about "isles." And, interestingly, "alliance." Which led to more squabbling.

<Character name>: What do we have to do with any of this?

Malice Swordshadow: Still piecing that together. But now you see why espionage and diplomacy go together like Bovarin steak and a cold ale.

<Character name>: If I didn't know better, I'd say you're enjoying this.

Malice Swordshadow: And Crecia's still trying to convince me that fieldwork gets old after a while...

Malice Swordshadow: Anyway, the warclaw master seems to be the one spearheading all this. She said to speak to her understudy, correct?

Malice Swordshadow: Wouldn't hurt to see if you can get any info out of him.

Malice Swordshadow: Something's definitely got them on edge. Our timing could be good or bad.

Speaking to Burning River

Your journeykin has taken to you. That bond can grow even stronger. Why don't you put your new friend's nose to work and find me a missing cub?

A missing cub?

The youngins are naturally curious, which is not always a good thing... They'll wander far and wide, then they lose their way back. Track it down, bring it here, and we'll see the state of your bond.

We'll get sniffing.

I'll have to come back later.

Approaching Poised Arrow

<Character name>: What is it?

Poised Arrow: Straight to the matter! Wayfinders waste no time on windy hellos. Pleasantries by damned!

<Character name>: I see Malice has gotten you up to speed on our communications.

Poised Arrow: She gifted it to me to keep in touch. A neat device, for sure!

<Character name>: So you waited for me to walk here? When you could've called me?

Poised Arrow: And forego a chat face-to-face? When you're a stone's throw away?

Poised Arrow: Besides, I imagine it gets tiresome being always reachable. Surely one needs uninterrupted time with their thoughts?

Poised Arrow: Speaking of life's interruptions, my paw requires a favor. Some small task for which he finds you fit.

Poised Arrow: Said to meet him in the Lower Waterfalls at an old place of ours. Making my way over now. I'll see you there.

Poised Arrow: By the way...I'd make haste if I were you. My paw values promptness.

Poised Arrow: Lateness won't anger him, but it surely won't impress him. I speak not from experience...

If human:

<Character name>: Good to know. Bye, now.

If norn:

<Character name>: Great. Thanks.

Frode: I heard things are going smoothly with the lowlanders, Wayfinder. That's good.

Frode: I'd love to talk. Probably best done in person.

If human:

<Character name>: We'll need to be quick; I have a standing invitation with the Claw. Might know about you-know-who.

If norn:

<Character name>: Got a standing invitation with the Claw, so let's keep it quick. Might know about you-know-who.

Talking to Frode

Frode: Ah, there you are. Tell me, how are the lowland kodan?

<Character name>: They're a little skeptical, but welcoming. Some creature has them on edge.

Frode: My ward has reported the same—the good and the mysterious. "Strangers" pending, I'm glad it's going well.

Frode: Now, as for your second mission... Any sign of her?

<Character name>: Not yet. Though, that Barbed Vale character definitely turned a few heads...

Frode: It's a journey, not a race. Haven't gotten much more out of Isgarren myself.

Frode: I asked Dagda about her departure. Claims that it was a building reaction to the deaths of Vass and Akeem—former court members.

Frode: Started isolating herself. She was detached from the rest of them. Left a note before she fled.

Frode: But that's all I've gotten so far. I'll let you know if anything else kicks up.

Frode: Before you head back to the village, Vanak wanted to speak with you about something.

Frode: A couple of rift sightings outside of Moon Camp. Probably good to stay on top of that.

<Character name>: Kryptis, you think?

Frode: Maybe not; could be the "strangers." But I bet the kodan would appreciate it. Could swing them to joining the alliance.

Speaking to Vanak

Vanak Faithwalker: Wayfinder, thanks for stopping by. Know you're busy, but I'd like your eyes on this one.

Vanak Faithwalker: Not sure how much Frode said, but we've had a few rift sightings in the area. Don't think it's Kryptis, but I'm not thrilled.

Vanak Faithwalker: That something you can look into?

<Character name>: Of course.

Talking to Vanak after closing rifts

Vanak Faithwalker: Huh... Definitely not Kryptis, but I'm not sure what they are.

Vanak Faithwalker: Thanks. I'll pass it up the chain.

My story

“ Since the Claw's son decided to shirk his duties as tour guide, Malice, Caithe, and I took it upon ourselves to get familiar with Harvest Den. It's a quaint town. One could easily forget its location in the treacherous wilds of Janthir. Considering our abrupt arrival, the residents have welcomed us with great hospitality, though an understandable cautiousness underlies their warmth. While out and about, I practiced some spear work and trained with the local warclaw, or "journeykin," as they're called here. Both are cornerstones of lowlander culture, and hopefully my participation will be taken as good faith. From the time they're cubs, lowlanders train in both disciplines, ultimately forging a strong bond with both. A wise strategy for survival in such harsh tundra. One strategy the lowlanders are generally less keen on is the use of magic. Aside from herbalism and some other nature-based practices, their comfort with magic has its limits. Quite opposite to the Astral Ward's approach. Some locals are receptive to the ward's outreach efforts though, incorporating magic into their daily trades. Or at least, the kodan are patient enough to humor the ward's whims. Caithe and Malice have also been busy. For a former rogue, Caithe has quite the knack for getting off on the right foot with people. The locals seem rather taken with her, and her with them. This trip seems to be putting some pep back into her petals already. Malice, ever diligent, immediately set to work collecting intel, aka eavesdropping on our hosts. We've heard whispers of "strangers" troubling the locals. Offering our support to the lowlanders could be just the thing to earn their trust and fortify diplomatic ties. But in order to do so, we'll need to gather more intel on these so-called strangers and their whereabouts. Fortunately, we brought the right people for the job. *** On my way to reconvening with Stoic Alder, Frode requested I stop by to briefly discuss findings. The ward also caught word of the mysterious "strangers," though they also have little info regarding specifics. Likewise, the search for Waiting Sorrow remains in its preliminary stages. Other than Isgarren's claims and some tidbits from Dagda regarding her disappearance, we have little to go off. So far, the most fitting of Waiting Sorrow's (admittedly sparse) profile is probably Spear Master Barbed Vale. She's certainly strong and appears quite perceptive. Still, hardly damning evidence. As such, I'll keep an ear to the ground for potential leads, and Frode will work his angles. Before leaving, I spoke to Vanak, who informed me of some rift sightings. I attended to them with the Heart of the Obscure simply enough. However, the enemies emanating from the rifts weren't any that I'd seen before and certainly not Kryptis. I reported back to Vanak, and they seemed rather disconcerted by my discovery. One thing's for certain: Janthir is already living up to its reputation for uncertain dangers. — My story

Notes

• Any tier of rift will work for the step asking you to track some. This was particularly relevant at release when T1 rifts were bugged.
• Players who don't own the Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure expansion can still use the Activate Mastery Skill keybind (default J) to look for rifts.

Bugs:

• When searching the cub lost in town with your Warclaw, it might not appear. Relog to see it.
• When searching the cub lost in town with your Warclaw, if you drop it there is no way to get it back and progression will be hard locked. No current workaround.

References

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Janthir Wilds storyline

Act 1	Prologue: The Tyrian Alliance → Unknown Territory → Diplomacy and Discovery → Home Sweet Home → Missing in Action → Strangers among Lands
Act 2	Storm Clouds over Janthir → Twice Stricken → Finding Balance → Against the Wall → Sorrow in These Halls
Godspawn	Trial and Error → Battle's Eve → Balrior Peak
← Previous: Secrets of the Obscure