Dark Tides

Dark Tides is a Necromancer tutorial quest that introduces players to the core skills and mechanics of the Necromancy profession. The quest follows a linear story in which you serve Mardoth, guildmaster of the Necromantic Brotherhood, as he works to summon the elder daemon Kronus from the Well of Tears. Along the way, you'll learn to use Animate Dead, Summon Familiar, Spirit Speak, and navigate the political landscape between the Necromancers and Paladins in Malas.

This quest can only be completed once per character — it does not reset.

Overview

Mardoth, the guildmaster of the Necromantic Brotherhood, needs help summoning Kronus — an elder daemon who will crush the Paladin forces that have plagued the Necromancers. To summon Kronus, the Well of Tears must be charged with dark rituals, but the ritual scrolls have been lost. Your job is to recover a Scroll of Calling by any means necessary, perform the ritual at the Well of Tears, and return to claim your reward.

The quest takes place primarily in the Malas facet, moving between Mardoth's tower, the Tomb of Maabus, the Paladin City of Light, the Crystal Cave, and the Well of Tears. Mardoth gives you a Horn of Retreat at the start — use it at any time to open a gateway back to his tower if you get lost or into trouble.

Getting Started

Locate Mardoth in his tower in the Malas facet. Speak with him to receive the quest offer. He introduces himself as the guildmaster of the Necromantic Brotherhood and offers to train you in the dark arts in exchange for a few services.

Quest Walkthrough

Step 1: Find the Tomb of Maabus

Objective	Step onto the teleporter near Mardoth and follow the path of glowing runes to the Tomb of Maabus

Upon accepting the quest, Mardoth gives you a bag containing a Horn of Retreat (a magical horn that opens a gateway back to his tower — hand it to Mardoth to recharge when it runs out). He then directs you to use the teleporter to the west of where he stands.

After teleporting, follow the path of glowing runes. It leads directly to the Tomb of Maabus, an ancient Necromancer burial site.

Step 2: Find the Corpse of Maabus

Objective	Enter the tomb and find the corpse of the ancient Necromancer Maabus

Enter the tomb and make your way to the inner chamber where Maabus' corpse lies in a coffin.

Step 3: Animate the Corpse of Maabus

Objective	Re-animate the corpse of Maabus using your Animate Dead spell and question him about the Kronus rituals

This is your first practical lesson in Necromancy. Open your spellbook and cast Animate Dead on Maabus' corpse. The reanimated Maabus is initially furious at being awakened, but once you explain your purpose, he cooperates.

Maabus reveals that he once owned a Scroll of Calling needed for the summoning, but he lost it when he was killed in a Paladin ambush. He believes it was hidden in the Crystal Cave near the Paladin City of Light. He points you to a teleporter in the corner of his tomb.

Step 4: Travel to the Crystal Cave

Objective	Take the teleporter in the corner of Maabus' tomb to the Crystal Cave

Use the teleporter in the tomb to travel near the Crystal Cave. Upon arrival, you encounter Horus, a blind Paladin guard standing watch at the cave entrance.

Step 5: Deal with Horus the Guard

Horus guards the Crystal Cave and the Scroll of Calling within. Despite being blind, he is suspicious of you — he says you reek of death like a Necromancer. He demands that you speak the secret password contained in the Scroll of Abraxus, which is kept in the Vault of Secrets inside the Paladin City of Light.

Horus explains that Necromancers cannot enter the Vault due to powerful protective magic, so in his mind, anyone who knows the password must be a legitimate Paladin. You'll need to find another way in.

Objective	Infiltrate the City of the Paladins and figure out a way into the Vault — see Mardoth for help

Step 6: Consult Mardoth About the Vault

Objective	Return to Mardoth for advice on getting into the Vault of Secrets

Return to Mardoth (use your Horn of Retreat or the teleporter). He confirms that the Vault's anti-Necromancer magic makes it impossible for you to enter personally, but he has a solution: your Horde Minion familiar is not a Necromancer and won't be affected by the protective wards.

Mardoth teaches you the Summon Familiar spell and instructs you to travel to the Paladin City of Light via his western teleporter, follow the road of glowing runes to the Vault, and send your familiar in to steal the scroll.

Step 7: Travel to the Paladin City of Light

Objective	Use the teleporter near Mardoth to travel to the Paladin City of Light

Take the teleporter to be transported to the city. Be careful not to reveal yourself as a Necromancer while in the city.

Step 8: Find the Vault of Secrets

Objective	Follow the road paved with glowing runes to find the Vault of Secrets

Follow the glowing rune road through the Paladin City until you reach the Vault of Secrets. You can feel the protective magic pressing against you as you enter.

Step 9: Use Your Familiar to Fetch the Scroll

Objective	Summon your Horde Minion familiar to fetch the Scroll of Abraxus for you

Inside the Vault, you can see the Scroll of Abraxus among a collection of scrolls and books, but it's out of your reach due to the anti-Necromancer wards. Cast Summon Familiar and select the Horde Minion. Your familiar is unaffected by the protective magic and will automatically move to fetch the scroll when you're close enough.

You'll see the message: "You instinctively will your familiar to fetch the scroll for you."

Step 10: Retrieve the Scroll from Your Familiar

Objective	Double-click your Horde Minion to open his pack and retrieve the Scroll of Abraxus

Once the familiar has the scroll, double-click it to open its pack and take the Scroll of Abraxus from its inventory.

Step 11: Read the Scroll of Abraxus

Objective	Double-click the Scroll of Abraxus to read it and learn the Crystal Cave password

Read the scroll by double-clicking it. This reveals the secret password that Horus requires for entry into the Crystal Cave.

Step 12: Return to the Crystal Cave

Objective	Return to the Crystal Cave to speak with Horus — use the teleporter outside the Vault if needed

Travel back to the Crystal Cave. You can use the teleporter located just outside the Vault to get there quickly.

Step 13: Speak the Password to Horus

Objective	Speak the secret password to Horus using his context menu (single left-click on Horus)

Left-click Horus to bring up his context menu and select the option to speak the password. Horus accepts it and grants you passage. He also mentions the cave has been infested with vermin called Skittering Hoppers and asks if you'd be willing to clear out at least 5 of them for a reward.

Step 14: Find the Scroll of Calling

Objective	Enter the Crystal Cave and find the Scroll of Calling

The energy barrier drops and you may enter the Crystal Cave. Inside, you'll encounter Skittering Hoppers — insect-like creatures that attack on sight.

Optional: Kill 5 Skittering Hoppers

This is an optional side objective. If you slay 5 Skittering Hoppers while inside the cave, you can claim a bonus reward from Horus on your way out. The first time you kill one, you'll also receive a tutorial message about using Spirit Speak to heal yourself — Necromancers recover hit points by communing with the spirit world through this skill.

After killing 5, speak to Horus on your way out. He rewards you with 500 gold and a magical artifact.

Find the Scroll of Calling deeper in the cave and collect it.

Step 15: Return to Mardoth with the Scroll

Objective	Bring the Scroll of Calling to Mardoth for further instructions

Return to Mardoth's tower with the scroll. He's thrilled and explains that you can now perform the ritual at the Well of Tears.

Step 16: Travel to the Well of Tears

Objective	Follow the red lanterns outside Mardoth's tower to the Well of Tears

Exit Mardoth's tower and follow the path lined with red lanterns. This leads to the Well of Tears where you will perform the calling ritual.

Step 17: Use the Scroll of Calling

Objective	Double-click the Scroll of Calling near the Well of Tears to perform the ritual

Stand near the Well of Tears and double-click the Scroll of Calling. This charges the waters and begins the summoning ritual for Kronus. Be prepared — performing the ritual triggers a fight with a Summoned Paladin who arrives to stop you.

You may either defeat the Paladin (victory) or be slain yourself — either way, the ritual is completed. The quest continues regardless of the outcome, though your completion message will differ.

Step 18: Return to Mardoth

Objective	Return to Mardoth for your reward

Whether you triumphed over the Paladin or fell in battle, the ritual is done. Return to Mardoth's tower. If you won the fight, loot as much as you can carry from your defeated foe before heading back.

Mardoth congratulates you, releases you from his service, and gives you your reward: a magical weapon and a 2,000 gold bank check.

Step 19: Cash the Bank Check

Objective	Use the enchanted sextant in your pack to locate the nearest bank, then go there and speak with the Banker

Mardoth gives you an enchanted sextant that guides you to the nearest bank. Travel there and speak with the Banker.

Objective	Open your bank box and cash the check

Open your bank box (say "bank" near a Banker) and double-click the check to cash it. The Banker explains how the banking system works — items stored in any bank box can be retrieved from any other bank in the land. Your gold is now deposited and you're free to explore the world.

Rewards

Reward	When Received
Horn of Retreat	Quest start (reusable, rechargeable by Mardoth)
Ninja/Necro Clothing	After first trial (placed in your pack automatically)
500 Gold + Magical Artifact	Optional — from Horus for killing 5 Skittering Hoppers
Magical Weapon	Quest completion (from Mardoth)
2,000 Gold Bank Check	Quest completion (from Mardoth)

Tips

• Keep your Horn of Retreat handy. If you get lost or overwhelmed, play the horn to open a gateway back to Mardoth's tower. Hand the horn to Mardoth to recharge it when it runs out of charges.
• Don't forget the Skittering Hoppers. Killing 5 of them in the Crystal Cave earns you a bonus 500 gold and a magical artifact from Horus — easy extra loot on your way to the Scroll of Calling.
• Learn Spirit Speak early. The quest teaches you that Necromancers heal via Spirit Speak rather than Healing or bandages. Practice this skill as you fight Skittering Hoppers.
• Use the Radar Map (ALT+R) to navigate the paths between locations. The quest areas are spread out and glowing rune paths can be hard to follow on the main screen.
• Don't lose the Scroll of Calling. If you arrive at the Well of Tears without it, you'll have to go all the way back to the Crystal Cave for another one.
• The Paladin fight at the Well is optional to win. Whether you slay the Summoned Paladin or are defeated, the ritual completes either way. Victory just gives you loot to carry back.

Quest Flow Summary

 1. Accept the quest from Mardoth — receive Horn of Retreat
 2. Teleport to the Tomb of Maabus (follow glowing runes)
 3. Find Maabus' corpse inside the tomb
 4. Cast Animate Dead on the corpse — learn about the Scroll of Calling
 5. Teleport to the Crystal Cave — meet Horus the blind guard
 6. Horus demands the Vault password — return to Mardoth for advice
 7. Mardoth teaches you Summon Familiar — teleport to the Paladin City of Light
 8. Follow the glowing rune road to the Vault of Secrets
 9. Summon your Horde Minion familiar to fetch the Scroll of Abraxus
10. Retrieve the scroll from your familiar's pack
11. Read the Scroll of Abraxus to learn the password
12. Return to the Crystal Cave
13. Speak the password to Horus via his context menu
14. Enter the Crystal Cave — find the Scroll of Calling
    (Optional: Kill 5 Skittering Hoppers → claim reward from Horus)
15. Return the Scroll of Calling to Mardoth
16. Follow the red lanterns to the Well of Tears
17. Use the Scroll of Calling at the Well — fight the Summoned Paladin
18. Return to Mardoth — receive magical weapon + 2,000 gold check
19. Find the nearest bank (use enchanted sextant) → cash the check

Key NPCs

NPC	Role	Location
Mardoth	Quest giver, Necromantic Brotherhood guildmaster	Mardoth's Tower, Malas
Maabus	Ancient Necromancer (reanimated corpse)	Tomb of Maabus, Malas (via teleporter)
Horus	Blind Paladin guard at the Crystal Cave	Crystal Cave entrance, Malas
Summoned Paladin	Antagonist at the Well of Tears	Appears during the calling ritual