Snaff Would Be Proud

Snaff Would Be Proud

Year

1325 AE

Storyline

Personal story

Chapter

Experiments Gone Wrong

Location

The Hinterlabs
(Metrica Province)
Jeztar Falls
(Metrica Province)

Level

10

Race

Asura

Choice

College of Statics

Preceded by

Explosive Intellect

Followed by

Piece Negotiations

API

25

Loading screen for the Hinterlabs. Loading screen for Jeztar Falls.

Snaff Would Be Proud is part of the personal story for asura characters who have chosen the College of Statics and completed the tutorial Explosive Intellect.

Objectives

Join your krewe to compete for the Snaff Prize.

• Report to your krewe chief, Pokka.
• Retrieve the Very Old Energy Detector (VOED).
• Present your krewe's VOED to Councilor Flax.
• Use the VOED to locate a powerful magical object to show the judges.
• Use the VOED to find another powerful magical object to show the judges.
• Use the VOED to find yet another powerful magical artifact to show the judges.
• Defeat the creatues spawned by the object.

Track down the magical object detected by the VOED.

• Meet your krewe at the location indicated by the VOED.
• Find the source of the VOED readings.

Rewards

Click here to edit the reward data

All professions

• 2,641 
• 50 
• Leather Bag (8 Slots)
• Bag of Loot (3)

Profession-specific

• One of the following: Chainmail Gauntlets, Ringmail Gauntlets, Scale Gauntlets
• One of the following: Rawhide Bracers, Marksman's Bracers, Studded Leather Bracers
• One of the following: Cloth Gloves, Linen Gloves, Velvet Gloves

Walkthrough

Talk to your krewe, then pick up the VOED and show it to Councillor Flax to trigger a cinematic. You must now prove that your VOED works, by using the Scan Area skill to locate some nearby very old energy. Digging at the located pinged on the minimap will unearth the object - which turns out to be a raptor egg. Scan the area and retrieve the item found twice more, and then kill the earth golem that appears. The judges then agree that you won the Snaff Prize.

Meet with Zojja at the next instance east of the Jeztar Falls waypoint. Dive into the water beneath the bridge and swim under the waterfall. Clear out the crabs, skale and bats and then retrieve the artifact. Digging up the artifact triggers the final cinematic, and the story step is complete.

NPCs

Allies

Asura

• Citizen
• Councillor Flax
• Councillor Haia
• Councillor Ludo
• Councillor Phlunt
• Councillor Zudo
• Doxa
• Hronk
• Inquest Engineer
• Kazz
• Kozzak
• Pokka
• Pol
• Teyo
• Varkk
• Zojja

Golems

• MIG
• Mr. Sparkles

Raptors

• Shrieksy (named "Raptor" initially)

Foes

Bats

• Cave Bat

Crustaceans

• Hermit Crab

Elementals

• Earth Elemental

Skale

• Bog Skale

Skelk

• Jungle Skelk Lurker

Objects

• Relic

Bundles

• Boulder
• Very Old Energy Detector (VOED)

Dialogue

Mails received:

Pokka Time To Win Us A Snaff Prize The Snaff Prize competition is underway—the most presitgious[sic] title an inventor can earn—so where are you? The College of Statics is counting on us, and we can't demonstrate the mind-blowing genius of our Very Old Energy Detector if you're not with us to hold up your end. We're a krewe, a team, and each krewe member has a part to play. Get your ears over to the parade grounds near Obscura Incline, on the double! —Pokka, Genius

Zojja The Snaff Prize is Up For Grabs Hey, Just a quick note to say thanks again for helping me put the Inquest in its place. I hear you've been busy out there, and that you've entered the Snaff Prize competition—I have to remain impartial, of course, but I'm eager to see you demonstrate what else you can do. See you there, —Zojja

The Hinterlabs

Interacting with Pokka:

Pokka: Not a moment too soon. Put your best prize-winning game face on. We're up next.

Kozzak: So far it's all power couplings and energy matrices. Bo-ring! Our device is clearly the best.

Pokka: Grab the device and get ready. Kozzak will back you up and assist during the demonstration.

Before retrieving the VOED:

Kozzak: I don't know about you but I'm about to collapse on the ground shaking. This is for the Snaff Prize! The! Snaff! Prize!

Breathe, Kozzak. We've been prepping for months. We're ready.

Pokka: Time to make your mark. I'll need you and Kozzak at your best. This is for the Snaff Prize!

Tell me more about the Snaff Prize.

Snaff was the preeminent genius of his day. He died heroically...or tragically, depending on who you ask. Zojja, his former apprentice, worked day and night to set up this competition in his honor.

I've met Zojja. She's one of the best there is...and Snaff was her mentor?

Right. Snaff always challenged would-be geniuses to excel. She founded this contest as a testament to his work, and to identify Rata Sum's most promising new inventors.

That's us, then. Let's show these other so-called geniuses how it's done.

I'm ready, chief. Let's go.

Zojja: There's a strong golem entry this year, but Snaff excelled at much more than golemancy. The Snaff Prize is still up for grabs, and it's still anybody's competition.

Tell me more about the Snaff Prize.

Snaff was the preeminent genius of his day...of all time. He died heroically, but too young. Since then I've worked day and night to set up this competition in his honor.

How does an invention contest honor Snaff?

He always encouraged the young would-be geniuses. The Snaff Prize competition continues that work, and also identifies Rata Sum's most promising inventors.

Nobody looks forward to living up to Snaff's example more than me.

Only until my krewe goes. Then it's all ours.

Approaching the Battleground Plaza before retrieving the VOED:

Councillor Flax: Yes, yes, Teyo. Your Floating Grizwhirl is very impressive.

Teyo: Keep dreaming, dimwit. Today is not your day. In fact, you'll never win.

Approaching Flax at the Battleground Plaza before retrieving the VOED:

Councillor Flax: I'm confused, Teyo. Your krewe's entry, the Floating Grizwhirl...is a toy?

Teyo: This is just the portable version. It's every bit as effective as the full version.

Teyo: Both sizes control the mind and make the subject pliant and open to suggestion.

Teyo: It doesn't work as well on us, but it's 100-percent effective on humans and other lesser races.

Talking to Councillor Flax:

Councillor Flax: Your krewe is up soon. Make sure you're ready. The judges are all very important people with very important jobs.

We are. Tell me more about the Snaff Prize.

Snaff was a great, great genius in the field of golemancy. He died too young and under tragic circumstances, so his apprentice, Zojja, pushed hard to create this competition in his honor.

I've met Zojja. She's one of the best there is...and Snaff was her mentor?

Right. Snaff always encouraged the young would-be geniuses. She founded this contest as a testament to his work, and to identify Rata Sum's promising new inventors.

That's us. Time to show the judges that we live up to Snaff's example.

We're standing by.

Talking to the competitors:

Kazz: Greetings, esteemed competitor. Did you see my beloved Doxa piloting our krewe's Massively Impressive Golem? Poetry in motion. We'll be tough to beat, but good luck all the same.

Thanks. Competition is the test of all true geniuses.

Hronk: There's some impressive entries, but nothing compares to our Massively Impressive Golem. This year belongs to Dynamics, mark my words.

Mark your own words. I've got a Snaff Prize to win.

Doxa: My partner Kazz keeps saying we've got it won, but he also thinks everyone loves what I do as much as he does. Anyway, may the smartest genius win!

I feel the same way. Thanks.

Varkk: Your artifact detector can't beat our translocator. We're going to revolutionize travel! How can a mere thing-finder top that?

Our VOED gives you a worthy destination. Without that, a teleporter is useless.

Pol: You'll never beat our translocator! Ha! Ha-ha! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Oh, bother...I'm just no good at this bluster thing, am I?

You just need more practice. Something to work on for next time.

Teyo: If you're not Inquest, I hope you die screaming in embarrassing agony.

You're quite a charmer. I bet your social calendar is full to bursting.

Cinematic after retrieving the Very Old Energy Detector:

Zojja: Hello again. I was just admiring your entry. Helping me smash Inquest golems not enough for you, eh? I like an ambitious inventor.

<Character name>: Thanks, but you haven't seen anything yet. My krewe's demonstration is going to blow you and the other judges away.

Zojja: Ambitious and confident. Generally, you Statics types are too conservative and deliberate for my taste, but I think you've got a real shot at this year's Snaff Prize.

Pokka: We're up, apprentice. If you can tear yourself away from the founder of this event, the other judges are waiting. We've got a presentation to make.

Zojja: Better get moving. On behalf of the judges' panel, and in memory of my beloved mentor Snaff, we're standing by to be blown away. Good luck.

Cinematic with Councillor Flax:

Pokka: Councillors! For your consideration, it is my pleasure to present my krewe's Snaff Prize entry: the Very Old Energy Detector, or VOED.

Pokka: It locates ancient and/or powerful magic, be it manufactured or naturally occurring. If it exists, and it's got magical oomph, the VOED will find it!

Councillor Flax: That certainly sounds impressive, but ideas alone will not win you the Snaff Prize. You'll need to demonstrate your device for us.

<Character name>: Of course, Councillor. Just give me a moment with the VOED, and I'll locate the most mind-blowing magical item in the immediate vicinity.

Speaking with Councillor Flax:

Councillor Flax: Your VOED certainly looks impressive, but the judges can't do their job until you show it in action. Bring us something spectacular.

I'm on it.

Speaking with Teyo:

Teyo: You're putting that tired thing up against our Floating Grizwhirl? Good. I'm sure the judges could use a laugh.

If they've seen your invention, they're probably all laughed out.

After using the VOED:

Pokka: There! There's a signal coming from over there.

At the location of the first signal, upon digging:

Kozzak: Look! It's some kind of oblate ovoid—an egg!

Returning to Councillor Flax:

Councillor Flax: An egg? Your Very Old Energy Detector detected an egg.

Pokka: Ah, but it is a very old, very powerful egg.

Councillor Flax: I'm not impressed. Show us something else.

Kozzak: Aha! Behold! From nothing, we bring forth this...raptor!

Kozzak: She's so scaly and cute. I shall love her forever, and I shall name her "Shrieksy."

Kozzak: Let's go, Shrieksy. On to the next relic!

After using the VOED a second time:

Pokka: We're getting another signal.

At the location of the second signal:

Kozzak: Is that...a head? I'm not used to looking for powerful magical artifacts that can look back.

Returning to Councillor Flax:

Councillor Flax: Is that all you've got? The head of a statue?

Pokka: This just might be a priceless artifact of an ancient culture.

Councillor Flax: It looks human to me, and therefore worthless. Bring me something extraordinary!

After using the VOED a third time:

Pokka: The readout is going crazy! U-uh, that way!

At the location of the third signal:

Kozzak: (laughs) That looks expensive. The judges will love it.

Cinematic with Councillor Flax:

Councillor Flax: You've certainly found something, but is that item anything of consequence?

<Character name>: Hard to say without more extensive research, but it's steeped in powerful magic. Can't you feel it? It's fairly crackling with arcane energy.

Councillor Flax: I believe I do feel it, yes. It's hard to deny that artifact's considerable presence. Your VOED may be about to win you the Snaff Prize.

Councillor Flax: First, we need to know more. If you could just—hang on. Does anyone else feel that? It's like a highly pressurized wave of ionized particles—a magical storm!

Councillor Flax: What's going on here? What has your device unleashed?

After the earth elemental spawns:

Councillor Flax: By the Eternal Alchemy, that's an elemental! Destroy it before it enkindles us all!

Councillor Ludo: Another rogue elemental outburst? That's three years in a row!

Councillor Zudo: Keep that thing away from me! I—I'm allergic to pain!

Cinematic after defeating the earth elemental:

Councillor Flax: You idiots nearly got us all killed! The judges are unlikely to weigh this in your favor.

Pokka: But we just proved how effective the VOED is! The artifact is dangerous, yes, but it's also about as magically robust as they come.

Zojja: If entries that nearly killed us all were disqualified, it'd be a pretty lonely contest. The VOED deserves to win.

Councillor Flax: Very well. For its novelty, its ingenuity, and its possible impact on locative science, I declare the VOED victorious. Congratulations.

<Character name>: Outstanding! Pokka, I'm getting another signal from the VOED. It's similar to the first, and not too far from here. I'd like to check it out.

Zojja: And I'd like to accompany you. I'm seeing a lot of potential in this device...and in the krewe that made it.

Councillor Flax: By all means, go. Find this new artifact, render it harmless, and bring it before the council. We want to make sure you get the credit you deserve.

After the cinematic:

Pokka: Before we go any further, we have to decide who gets to carry the "Snaff Savant" title.

Kozzak: Not it! I hate titles. They always come with expectations and responsibility.

Pokka: Ah...yes. So if Kozzak is recusing himself, that makes the decision an easy one.

Pokka: Congratulations! For your hard work and diligence, you are hereafter the Snaff Prize Savant.

Talking to other characters after winning the competition:

Pokka: Now that's how you win a Snaff Prize! Now to capitalize on our achievement: let's get out there and track down whatever has the VOED so worked up.

Right behind you, chief.

Kozzak: We won! Well, we can't call one of us the Snaff Prize Savant just yet. But they did say we won. That's what I told Shrieksy, anyway.

We did win. And you can tell Shrieksy we won't let the Inquest spoil it.

Teyo: I can't believe you won! How many judges did you have to buy?

I couldn't hear you over the sound of you losing.

Varkk: What a farce. Your inventions weren't nearly as innovative as ours. Plus, you almost killed the judges.

I prefer to call it "getting their undivided attention."

Pok: Let me try again. Ahem...laugh while you can, Snaff Prize winner! We'll be back next time, and we'll crush you beyond recognition! Ha! Ah-ha-ha-ha! Okay, how was that?

You've got bluster down, and you're ready to try full-on taunting.

Hronk: "Very Old Energy." Nice...if you're a weekend treasure-hunter. But this contest—our whole society!—is built on golems. Our Massively Impressive Golem should've won.

Next time, try innovation instead of imitation.

Kazz: Well done! It'd be a lie to say I'm not disappointed, but our loss means it's back to the lab...and Doxa.

That's the attitude. You'll get 'em next time.

Doxa: Congratulations. Smart to build a wondrous thing that finds other wondrous things. I'll note that for next time.

As a concept, it's all yours. My krewe never repeats itself.

Councillor Flax: Best Snaff Prize competition in years! I saw some fascinating marvels today, but yours was clearly the best.

Thanks. Genius plus teamwork equals victory.

Zojja: Congratulations again. Especially for ruffling the Inquest's feathers. I look forward to seeing what generated such a strong signal on your VOED.

What can you tell me about the Inquest?

Completely amoral, bent on world domination, and care only about results...which they often get. That gives them sway with the Arcane Council and free run of Rata Sum.

Why does the Arcane Council tolerate them at all?

The council[sic] is for long-term asuran supremacy. As long as the Inquest delivers spectacular and effective new inventions, the Council turns a blind eye to them.

Then it's up to us to show the Council another way.

If they keep messing with me and my krewe, they'll be sorry.

Me too. I'll see you later.

Jeztar Falls

Upon arrival:

Pokka: The signal is emanating from somewhere behind this waterfall. There must be a channel under it.

Kozzak: Stay here, Shrieksy. I don't want you getting wet. Or drowned.

Cinematic following opening remarks:

Pokka: So glad you could join us, Zojja. The Savant and my entire krewe welcome your input.

Pokka: Krewe! The signal points here, but I don't see anything. Keep looking. As Snaff Prize winners, we are the standard-bearers for the College of Statics.

<Character name>: Kozzak was right: titles do come with responsibility. These readings are still in the red. There has to be something here.

Zojja: Perhaps we're standing right on top of it. We haven't been on the surface so long we've forgotten how to dig, have we?

Zojja: Not that we'll actually dig, mind you. There's bound to be a tunnel or cavern entrance around here somewhere. We just need to find it.

Zojja: And, Savant? Considering the dangerous nature of your last discovery, I recommend we keep our guard up. Shall we proceed? The correct answer is "Yes," by the way.

Speaking with your allies:

Kozzak: Think we'll find a dwarven tome? A bloodstone fragment? The recipe for a perfect dolyak, lettuce, and tomato sandwich?

DLT sandwhich[sic] or not, it's close.

Pokka: The VOED says where to look, but we still have to do the leg work. Keep one eye on the terrain, one eye on the VOED readout, and both feet moving.

Way ahead of you, chief.

Zojja: I hope your VOED shows something soon. I'm too busy to search for treasure all day, and I'd hate to think I erred as a Snaff Prize judge.

Wipe that from your mind and be patient. We're getting close.

Shrieksy: Shrieksy peers up, but keeps shifting her gaze to Kozzak. Is she loyal to her new master, or hungrily deciding which krewe member is the best prey?

You're a good girl, Shrieksy, but I'm keeping my eye on you.

Cinematic after finding the source of VOED readings:

Zojja: We have our item. So, Savant, tell me: what do we have?

<Character name>: I'm not sure. The VOED just tells us where it is and how magical it is. This thing here is packed with arcane energy.

<Character name>: A cursory visual examination tells me it's part of something larger. Something that was accidentally broken or intentionally modular.

Pokka: Well, we can't learn any more here among these damp, foul-tempered beasts. Let's get the relic back to our lab and run some tests.

Zojja: I'll leave it to you. You're not the only ones with big projects that need managing. But if you need more input from me, all you have to do is ask.

Speaking with your allies:

Kozzak: What a day! First the Snaff Prize, then Shrieksy, and now this...thing we found. It's no DLT, but it's something special. Can't wait to study it in the lab.

Good plan. I'll meet you there.

Pokka: Now this is research! One discovery demands further study, which leads to another discovery. Kozzak and I will analyze this back at the lab. Meet us there.

Will do.

Zojja: Congratulations on your find. I look forward to hearing your full analysis notes later. Right now, I've got my own projects to tend to.

Thanks for your help, Zojja. I'll keep you informed.

My story

“ My krewe and I presented our entry in the Snaff Prize competition: the Very Old Energy Detector, or VOED. The judges were impressed (eventually), and Zojja herself expressed support, so we not only walked away with the Snaff Prize, my krewe voted me the title of Snaff Savant. The VOED also pointed out something very powerful in the vicinity, so we went to see exactly what our detector detected. Zojja joined my krewe as we tracked down the powerful readings we got off our VOED. We found the artifact, which seemed to be part of a larger whole. We decided to take it back to our lab for further tests. — My story

Previous text

After helping Zojja fend off a wave of killer Inquest golems, I deciced to show the residents of Metrica Province how a real genius gets things done. That should settle the argument over who is the premier inventor, adventurer, and intellectual paragon of our time.

My krewe and I presented our entry in the Snaff Prize competition: the Very Old Energy Detector, or VOED. The judges were impressed (eventually), and Zojja herself expressed support, so we not only walked away with the Snaff Prize, my krewe voted me the title of Snaff Savant. The VOED also pointed out something very powerful in the vicinity, so we went to see exactly what our detector detected.

Zojja joined my krewe as we tracked down the powerful readings we got off our VOED. We found the artifact, which seemed to be part of a larger whole. We decided to take back it to our lab for further tests.

Trivia

• The statue head (the second artifact uncovered) is from a statue of Kormir in the style of the first Guild Wars games (with the blindfold).

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Asura storyline