The Hero of Istan

The Hero of Istan is the fifth part of Daybreak.

Objectives[edit]

Infiltrate the prison.

Meet Sayida the Sly outside the Mordant Crescent Great Hall.
Allow Sayida to put you in manacles.
Let Sayida hand you over to the Mordant Crescent.

Escape the cells.

Speak with Zaeim.
Find a way to escape your cell.
Take the jailer's key.
Free Zaeim.
Collect your gear.
Escape the dungeons.

Escape the prison.

Defeat Warden Amala.

Leave the Great Hall.

Get your communicator.
Give the coin to Sayida the Sly.
Investigate the commotion outside.
Defeat the Great Hall defenders.
Plan your next move with your allies.

Complete!

Rewards[edit]

Pile of Bloodstone Dust (5)
Gilded Strongbox
Bag of Loot (5)
Pamphlet of Wisdom
Volatile Magic (consumed automatically for 50 Volatile Magic)

Upon replaying

Memory of Aurene (3) (Rewarded after defeating the Great Hall defenders)

Walkthrough[edit]

Meet Sayida the Sly south of the Mordant Crescent Great Hall. After a brief discussion, she will make you her prisoner, which applies the Shackled effect, and lead you to the front gate. Warden Amala will emerge from the hall and, once Sayida has made a deal with her, knock you out. You will awaken in a cell room, and Zaeim, another prisoner will give you a brief on what happened. You will need to find a way to escape your cell, with each profession having a different way of breaking out:

Mesmers can interact with the Cell Bars to gain the Blink skill.
Rangers can interact with the Remains to gain the Vermin Call skill that can be used to destroy the Cell Door Lock.
Revenants can channel the power of the Legendary Prisoner Palawa Joko to escape.
Warriors can channel their rage and punch through the bars.
Guardians can use Hammer of Unchaining to smash their way out.
Elementalists can Conjure Slag Axe to melt the cell bars.
Thieves can pick the lock.
Engineers can interact with the debris to remove cell bar hinges.
Necromancers can summon a Flesh Wurm to use Necrotic Traversal.

Only the instance owner can use their appropriate method above. Once you've made it out of your cell, take the nearby's Jailer's key and unlock Zaeim's gate. Grab your equipment from a nearby weapon rack and join Zaeim in escaping the dungeon. At this point you can interact with the book 101 Things the Mordant Crescent Doesn't Want You to Know! next to a corpse in one of the cells for the Library Detective achievement.

The path outside will be riddled with Awakened forces - try and avoid their line of sight, indicated by a white radius in front of them. If you are seen (by entering the radius), you will have to fight the Awakened forces. Climb the final set of stairs and unlock the gate. Once you've gone through the gate, you'll enter a large hall, where a fight is taking place between members of the Sly Crew and Warden Amala.

Warden Amala will be transforming throughout the fight, calling upon different human gods. In the first phase (occurring between 100 and 85% health) she will leap across the room, creating circular AoE attacks, as well as occasionally blocking. Once she reached 85% health, she will have a break bar that you can break. If broken, she will be stunned for a short period of time. Regardless, she will call upon Lyssa, creating multiple clones inside the room. An easy way to identify the "real" Amala is by the legendary rank border around her icon in the UI. She will continue teleporting and switching places with her clones until you get her to 70% health, at which point she will call upon Melandru. Attacking with her scythe, Amala will spawn several AoEs that knock back. At 55% health, the power of Dwayna will be called upon, attacking with various lightning AoEs that inflict daze. At 40% health, she will call upon Grenth, using more leaping attacks and grasping hands to inflict bleeding and crippled. As her final phase, which she enters at 25% health, she will call upon Balthazar, forming multiple fiery AoE attacks that can quickly fill up the room. Finish her off and obtain your communicator from her in order to talk to Taimi, who will brief you on what happened before being interrupted by Palawa Joko.

Sayida the Sly will expect payment for her help, so talk to her and give her the coin. Go outside the hall into the courtyard which is being defended by Awakened forces. Alongside Zaeim, Sunspear and Sly crew members, clear the defending forces. Talk to Rytlock to finish the story.

Achievements[edit]

The Hero of Istan	Daybreak	0
Execute your elaborate plan within the Mordant Crescent Great Hall.Journal: The Hero of Istan Completed	Completed the Hero of Istan	0

Complete the story.

Return to The Hero of Istan	Return to Daybreak	0
Complete the story mission The Hero of Istan in Living World Season 4 Episode 1. Reward: Volatile Magic (5)	Completed The Hero of Istan	0

Complete the story.

Library Detective	Daybreak	8
Collect overdue library books—through whatever means necessary. Reward: Volatile Magic Collection	Found 1 Overdue Library Book	1
	Found 3 Overdue Library Books	2
	Found 7 Overdue Library Books	5

Book n°6: interact with the Tattered Book next to a corpse in one of the cells passed by the player character right after escaping. You can re-enter the jail area at the end of the mission.

Stop Right There	Daybreak	1
Defeat the Awakened guard who goes to check on the riot before he can reach the top of the stairwell.Story Instance: The Hero of Istan	Stopped the Awakened Guard	1

Shortly after beginning your escape attempt from the cell, a nearby Awakened Soldier will slur something about hearing a commotion upstairs and begin walking towards the exit. Break out of the cell, grab your equipment, and kill him before he reaches it. He walks slowly, so you can afford to take your time so long as you don't dally.
Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Achievement Eligibility: Stop Right There effect.

Thereby Hangs a Tale	Daybreak	1
Relive the tales of the imprisoned storyteller.Story Instance: The Hero of Istan	Met the Storyteller	1

After breaking out of your cell, head down the stairs to the north and open the cell at the bottom to reveal a skeleton reclining in an armchair. Simply interact with it and read the dialogue through to the end.

Tipple Toes	Daybreak	1
Escape the dungeons without being spotted by the drunken Awakened.Story Instance: The Hero of Istan	Escaped the Dungeons	1

Some of the guards will pass out as soon as you approach them; others will remain standing and display a white "field of view" cone at their feet. Avoid these cones as you climb your way out of the dungeon; the guards will occasionally turn or patrol a small area, so take care. Climb on fences and walls when you can to help avoid detection.
Achievement qualification may be tracked via the Qualify for Tipple Toes effect.
Completion may bug if attacking Awakened Soldier for the Stop Right There achievement aggros other nearby guards. This achievement will likely need to be done on a separate attempt.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Charr

Rytlock Brimstone

Dragon

Aurene

Humans

Sylvari

Canach

Foes[edit]

Awakened

Mordant Crescent

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

Approaching Sayida: Sayida the Sly: Ah, I was starting to think you'd wised up.; <Character name>: No such luck.; Sayida the Sly: Why are we even here? There's no sign of your Shadows agent or his cavalry yet.; <Character name>: I trust Kito. The cavalry will be here.; Sly Medic: Uh, Cap'n, these casks are getting heavy.; Sayida the Sly: Well, I have my crew in position, enough of Mehdi's grog to fell a hydra, *and* a little something for you.

Sayida the Sly: Do you have my coin?

<Character name>: You'll get it when we have Zaeim out safe.

Sly Medic: My back...

Sayida the Sly: Okay, time to hand you over to the people who want you dead.

Letting yourself handing over: Sayida the Sly: Oi! Captain Sayida the Sly, requesting entrance! I come with gifts!; Sayida the Sly: Come on, pick up the pace, you miserable excuse for a hero. The warden hasn't got all day.

Warden Amala: Back for more, Captain Sayida? The Sunspear's bounty wasn't enough for you?

Sayida the Sly: I only live to give Joko what he wants, Warden Amala. Praise Joko.

Warden Amala: Praise Joko.

(The nearby Awakened Soldiers repeat "Praise Joko." in unison.)

If alone in the instance:

Sayida the Sly: And there's nothing he wants more than the Tyrian hero — in the flesh.

If in party with another player(s):

Sayida the Sly: And there's nothing he wants more than the Tyrian hero and some co-conspirators — in the flesh.

Warden Amala: Well, I'll be a scarab's breakfast... How did you and your drunken wharf rats manage this?

Sayida the Sly: Sorry, Warden. Captain's gotta have her secrets.

Warden Amala: Hmph. Fine. I'll have the gold brought to the front hall. Take it and go. Now.

Sayida the Sly: Without drinking a toast to the most magnificent Palawa Joko?

Sayida the Sly: Wonder what he'd do if he heard you refused to honor him.

Sayida the Sly: We've brought you the finest grog found outside the pleasure halls of Vabbi just for this purpose.

Sly Medic: It's very heavy.

Warden Amala: One toast — to honor the most glorious Palawa Joko.

Taimi: Commander, it's Taimi. Are you there...?

Warden Amala: Wait. What's that? Quiet, prisoner!

Waking up (cutscene): Unknown Voice: Ahai...you in there. Are you dead?; <Character name>: Not now, Taimi...; Unknown Voice: Ah. Grog. Sleep it off, then.

In the cell: <Character name>: Wait. What happened?; Spearmashal Zaeim: You're in the holding cells of the Mordant Crescent Great Hall.; Unknown Voice: Keep it down over there!; <Character name>: Ugh... Are you...Zaeim? The hero of Istan?; Spearmashal Zaeim: That is what people call me, yes. And who are you?; <Character name>: People call me the hero of Tyria.; Spearmashal Zaeim: Oh—the famous commander. Agent Kito told us tales of how the two of you killed Balthazar.; Mordant Crescent Jailer (1): Nonshense. Joko killeded Baltushar. He told us sho, himshelf...; <Character name>: I'm here to rescue you.; Spearmashal Zaeim: And how is that going?; Mordant Crescent Jailer (1): You twos better — (hiccup); <Character name>: According to plan, believe it or not. Now we need to find a way out.; Spearmashal Zaeim: It's no use. I've tried everything.

While finding a way to escape: Mordant Crescent Jailer (2): Shome kinda riot outside. Shunspearsh. (burp) Gonna sheck it out...; Spearmashal Zaeim: My people are here?; <Character name>: A friend is bringing some help from the outside.; Spearmashal Zaeim: What did you do to the guard?; Spearmashal Zaeim: You're wasting your time. I've tried everything on this lock.; Spearmashal Zaeim: Is it true you and Agent Kito also killed two Elder Dragons?; Spearmashal Zaeim: You might as well just give up.

Interacting with various objects in your cell

Cell Bars: The bars are solid iron.

(If mesmer)

Iron? That's it?

The Iron is very strong.

But there's nothing magic about it? Just iron?

It's just iron. Strong, solid iron.

This is too good to be true.

Truly. Iron. That's it.

It's not possible. Through walls? Can't be done.

The bars are spaced a bit apart. It would take some extra effort, but it might be possible...

This is a Mordant Crescent prison. Escaping can't be this easy.

Contrary to what some mesmers believe, the best answer is the simplest one.

Well, here goes nothing... (gives access to Blink)

No way.

Best not risk it.

This is the end.

It appears there's no way out.

Surely these bars are impassable.

(If necromancer)

If only there were some way past them.

The blow to the head left you drained. But that tar puddle is crawling with vermin and practically radiates blood energy.

These are tools you can use. (gives access to Summon Flesh Wurm)

I'll just keep looking.

(If revenant)

They cannot hold you.

For some reason, you have no doubt you will escape.

Perhaps you can use Joko's strength against him.

A whisper needles at your subconscious, an urge for freedom.

...And power... Just this once, never again... (gives access to Legendary Prisoner Stance)

No, this is a mistake.

It must just be your imagination.

(If warrior)

You hate prison.

The walls, the bars... People were not meant to be caged.

Nothing can hold you. Nothing! (gives access to Seethe)

Maybe it's best to take a breath and think.

Perhaps you should look around.

Disgusting Bucket: That water is positively foul.

(If engineer)

But there's an iridescent film floating on top. (gives access to Disgusting Grease)

(otherwise)

Keep looking.

Strange Stones: These stones have an odd sheen to them.

(If engineer)

On closer inspection, these appear to be flint stones. (gives access to Crude Flint Stone)

(otherwise)

Keep looking.

Remains: Not much left of the previous occupant.

(If engineer)

A few of the bits seem rather sturdy. (gives the item Makeshift Lever)

(If ranger)

But this round fragment could work as a summoning horn. (gives access to Vermin Call)

(If thief)

There's a shard or two here that seem pretty solid. (gives the item Makeshift Lockpick)

(otherwise)

Keep looking.

Debris: The debris is black and sticky.

(If engineer)

It looks like dried tar flakes. (gives access to Tar Flakes)

(otherwise)

Keep looking.

Cell Door Lock: :The lock is forged iron.

(If elementalist)

But even steel melts. (gives access to Conjure Slag Axe)

(If guardian)

But not unbreakable steel. (gives access to Hammer of Unchaining)

(If thief)

But not impossible to pick. (with Makeshift Lockpick in inventory; use Lift Pin every time it pops up, to successfully open the lock)

But the keyhole is large. (without Makeshift Lockpick in inventory)

Your fingers are too large to fit, but something smaller could fit inside and work the tumblers.

See what else is in the cell.

Perhaps you should look around.

Cell Door Hinge::Several hinges hold the door in place.

(If engineer)

But they look poorly fitted. The result of shoddy construction. (after having found Disgusting Grease, Tar Flakes, Crude Flint Stone, and Makeshift Lever)

The pins are held in place only by friction.

Work the grease into the cracks.

The metal encasement is a bit loose. It if could be expanded just a little...

Press tar flakes around the casing.

The flakes form a kind of paste, coating the coarse metal.

Use the flint to strike a spark on the bars.

The tar catches fire and billows an acrid smoke as it burns.

Use your makeshift lever to lift the door off its hinges. Opens door.

Give up.

Keep looking.

After opening your cell: Spearmashal Zaeim: Aren't you the crafty one. The jailer has the keys on his belt.

After taking the jailer's key: <Character name>: I'm going to get us out of here, and then I need you to get me into Fahranur.; Spearmashal Zaeim: That's a tall order. One thing at a time.

After freeing Spearmarshal Zaiem: Spearmashal Zaeim: Thank you, Hero of the Mordant Crescent Great Hall.

While collecting your gear: <Character name>: Damn. My communicator's not here... So, can you get me into Fahranur?; Spearmashal Zaeim: As I said, one thing at a time. Why don't we get out of here first?

Interacting with the Imprisoned Storyteller

The figure looks oddly calm, confident in its eternal repose. It's strangely compelling. A voice whispers, "Imagine..."

Touch the skull.

Fractured images flash before you, as if in a dream. Whoever he was, this man had tales to tell. You're not sure if you can make out details...

...but you feel compelled to try.

Dark dwarves, white stone, colorful dragons. A motley crew, gathered around a fire. A pistol, a staff; a shield, a lute; three daggers; a bear. And a whole lot of grog.

What does it mean?

The images fade, and you draw back. You can't explain it, but something about the man...

...makes you smile.

No doubt he brought escape and hope to the weary denizens of Istan. Perhaps that's how he ended up here, master of the dungeon.

Sleep well, storyteller.

...gives you the creeps.

Grog, grog... Oh, right. You were escaping!

...and you don't want to.

Leave it be.

If spotted by a drunken Awakened guard while escaping: Awakened Archer/Occultist/Soldier: Prishoners...shtop 'em!

Interacting with the door to the Warden's Quarters: Taimi: Commander, please, are you there...?; <Character name>: Taimi?; Taimi: He's got me—I need you...; <Character name>: I'm coming, Taimi!

Encounter Warden Amala: Warden Amala: I knew this had to be a ruse. I'd expect it from you, Commander, but Sayida...Joko would not approve.; Sayida the Sly: Who needs approval when I've got his gold?; Taimi: Oh no...he's coming...; <Character name>: Where is she?; Warden Amala: He commands that you must die!

While fighting: Taimi: Hurry, Commander! (Amala reaches 70%); Taimi: Where are you? (Amala reaches 55%); Taimi: Commander! Why aren't you answering? (Amala reaches 25%)

When defeating Warden Amala: Warden Amala: Sweet release...

After getting your communicator: <Character name>: Taimi! Taimi, where are you?; Taimi: Commander! I-I think it's the city from Aurene's vision!; Taimi: Oh no, he's coming!; <Character name>: Who? Who's got you, Taimi?; Taimi: No, no, stay away! Please...; Mysterious Voice: Your turn, little one.; <Character name>: No. It can't be...; Sayida the Sly: Joko. Sounds like he has a friend of yours. I suppose you'll want help saving her next—; Spearmashal Zaeim: Not from you. Commander, this pirate is the one who *sold* me to Joko.; Sayida the Sly: Relax, Sunspear. He'd never pay me twice for the same merchandise.; <Character name>: We don't have time for this. My friend is in that sick lich's hands. I have to go help her!; Sayida the Sly: Fine. There is one matter outstanding, however...

After handing Sayida the coin: <Character name>: Take your damn coin.; Sayida the Sly: Your gratitude is...touching.; Sayida the Sly: That's my cue to get out of here. I suggest you do the same.

Investigating the commotion outside: Spearmashal Zaeim: My Sunspears!

After defeating the Great Hall defenders: Rytlock Brimstone: Commander! I heard you pulled a Thackeray and got yourself captured. Is that the spearmarshal?; <Character name>: We've got new problems: Joko's back, and he's got Taimi—at Fahranur.; Canach: Aurene's vision!; Rytlock Brimstone: He has Taimi? Let's GO!; Spearmashal Zaeim: I'll prepare the Sunspears to reclaim Champion's Dawn. Then I'll meet you at the old dock at Issnur Bay.; Spearmashal Zaeim: Sunspears! Let's liberate Champion's Dawn!; <Character name>: Aurene! If you can hear me, please protect them!

My story[edit]

“

I met with Sayida and her crew just outside the entrance to the Mordant Crescent Great Hall. She clapped me in irons and escorted me inside.
Sayida handed me over to Warden Amala, and with scores of Awakened looking on, she sweet-talked the warden into a toast to Joko, slyly handing over the spiked grog. All was going smoothly until Taimi called me over my communicator, raising the warden's suspicions. Amala cracked me over the head, and everything went black.
I came to in a dungeon cell next to Zaeim, the Hero of Istan. After the jailer outside toppled over from the spiked grog, Zaeim and I escaped and reached the stairwell leading out of the dungeons.
I must still make it past Warden Amala, and time is of the essence: Joko is back from the Domain of the Lost. And he has Taimi.
Amala put up a difficult fight: a dervish who had once dedicated her life to opposing Joko, she'd been executed and Awakened by the lich. Even under his control, she was still able to channel the power of the gods, but with the help of Sayida and her corsairs, Zaeim and I brought her down at last.
The skirmish outside the prison is still something of a haze: the Sunspears burst through the Great Hall's main gate with Rytlock and Canach to reunite with their Spearmarshal, while Aurene strafed the overwhelmed Mordant Crescent from above.
But it's hard to enjoy our triumph when Joko has Taimi. Zaeim has offered to guide us into Fahranur and has directed us to meet him at a cave on Issnur Bay. There's no time to waste.

— My story

Trivia[edit]

The imprisoned storyteller is a reference to the position of 'dungeon master' in Dungeons & Dragons, and the third line in its dialogue specifically references the long-running Dungeons & Dragons livestream Critical Role.
The following effects are applied to the players while in the dungeon, even though they appear to not have any actual effects: Unease, Apprehension, Dread, and Panic.

Living World Season 4 storyline

Daybreak	Eye of the Brandstorm → Under the Stars → Champion's Dawn → Convincing the Corsair → The Hero of Istan → The First City
A Bug in the System	Tracking the Scientist → The Test Subject → A Kindness Repaid → The Road to Rata Primus → The Charge
Long Live the Lich	Seized → Forearmed Is Forewarned → Tactical Triage → I'm Brave, You Know → Be My Guest
A Star to Guide Us	A Shattered Nation → Chaos Theory → Legacy → From the Ashes → Storm Tracking
All or Nothing	Scion & Champion → Dragonsblood → The Crystal Blooms → Resonance → The Crystal Dragon
War Eternal	The End → Landfall → Glory of Dragons → Bleed → Descent
← Previous: Path of Fire Next: The Icebrood Saga →

The Hero of Istan

Contents

Objectives[edit]

Rewards[edit]

Walkthrough[edit]

Achievements[edit]

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Foes[edit]

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

My story[edit]

Trivia[edit]

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