Todd Riordan's Academic Research: The Three Draconic Transformations

Todd Riordan’s Academic Research: The Three Draconic Transformations is an Adventure Mission on The Xianzhou Luofu.
==Steps==
#Talk to Todd and see what he wants to do
#Take a photo of the high elder statue
#Take a photo of a Vidyadhara historical mural
#Take a photo of a Vidyadhara egg
#Take a photo of the dragon-shaped ray of light
#Hand the photos over to Todd
#Head to the Alchemy Commission, piece together the hidden markings, and collect the completed rubbing
#Find the way to collect rubbings
#Collect the remaining rubbings in the Alchemy Commission (0/2)
#Hand the collected rubbings over to Todd
#Collect rubbings in Scalegorge Waterscape (0/5)
#Hand the collected rubbings over to Todd
#Take Todd to inspect the Vidyadhara high elder statue
#Take Todd to inspect the Vidyadhara eggs
#Return to the Vidyadhara high elder statue and look for the lost notebook
#Return Todd's notebook to him
==Dialogue==
===Talk to Todd and see what he wants to do===
;(Talk to Todd)
: Why are you looking around?
:Todd: You came at a good time, (Trailblazer). There's something I want to ask you.
:Todd: I heard there has been thunderous noise coming from Scalegorge Waterscape recently. Has something big happened?
: Are you asking me to investigate something again?
::Todd: Nothing of that sort. I'm just curious about the happenings on the Luofu. Besides, aren't we close friends who help each other out?
: I have no clue!
::Todd: That's not what I gather from your face.
:Todd: Looks like you are quite perturbed after helping with my research last time. I swear, on Nous's name, that your investigation will not be used immorally!
:Todd: "Back to the topic, could you tell me what happened in Scalegorge Waterscape?
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:You talk about your experience briefly...
----
:Todd: The reincarnated high elder has returned to his homeland, parted the sea, and stirred the waves? Just hearing you say these gives me a vivid imagery, it's as if I were there.
:Todd: Since I started studying the history of Xianzhou civilization, I have been longing to visit the famous sites on the Luofu mentioned in the books.
:Todd: It's a shame that the star rail has become unstable since the disappearance of Akivili. The worlds are getting further and further away from each other, and the Guild has gradually lost interest in the Xianzhou.
:Todd: My teacher, Bernini, was a fan of Xianzhou culture all his life. He once wrote to me, describing the peculiar ecology in Scalegorge Waterscape and the water that was full of vitality.
:Todd: Unfortunately, cultural study has always been a niche thing. Without an impressive result, a study would not be funded. In the end, my teacher never returned to his teaching post out of embarrassment and left to work elsewhere.
:Todd: As for me, I'm just a mediocre and untalented person. In fear of ending up the same way as my teacher, I've wasted most of my life on things that would quickly get me rich and famous. Now that I'm getting older, I have decided to stay true to myself and come here.
:Todd: Help me, (Trailblazer). I want to complete what was left unfinished by my teacher and witness the beautiful Scalegorge Waterscape before I am too old to walk.
:Todd: Of course, you can take some time to think it over. This time, I won't promise you a handsome pay, as I understand the offer is humiliating to a Nameless.
:Todd: After all, both of us have the same kind of courage. While we scholars study the unknown, the Nameless pursue the unknown, right?
:Todd gets breathless after speaking too fast. He waits for your decision while catching his breath.
;(Talk to Todd again)
:Todd: (Trailblazer), have you decided whether to help me?
: Fine, I'll help you.
::Todd: Hahaha, how should I express my gratitude in the Xianzhou language? I'll forever be "in your debt"!
::Todd: I just realized neither of us are from Xianzhou. Forget it.
: Please humiliate me with a handsome pay...
::Todd: ...
::Todd: It's a deal, (Trailblazer). No wonder I feel so close to you though we've just met. You're the embodiment of the quality that the Guild reveres — pragmatism!
: I'm sorry. I need more time to think about it...
::Todd: No problem.
::Todd: Well, life is all about waiting. Since I've already waited for so long, I don't mind waiting a little longer.
::Todd: Still, please don't make me wait too long. I'm afraid I don't have too much time left.
:;(Exits Conversation)
----
:Todd: Now, let's talk about the investigation.
:Todd: I'd like to compose a report discussing the changes in Scalegorge Waterscape and the pros and cons of the high elder succession system. For this, I need the latest information. As usual...
: ...You need me to run errands for you?
:...Can't you do the investigation yourself on-site?
:Todd: Yes, but please don't get the wrong idea that I'm trying to avoid physical work.
:Todd: Mr. Arthritis has been giving me a hard time whenever I walk. Without the help of the medical exoskeleton, I feel like I'm stepping on glass with every stride I make.
:Todd: Anyway, my teacher mentioned that he had sighted some Vidyadhara monuments in Scalegorge Waterscape in his letters. For example, and many beautiful . These bore witness to the Vidyadhara history.
:Todd: He also told me that he had seen a sunken underwater. I wonder how he got into the sea. Could he have controlled the water and moved it away? Just kidding. He must have worn a diving suit.
:Todd: The last thing he saw was... umm... quite hard to describe. He said it was a . Could it have been a miracle left behind by Long the Permanence for their descendants?
:Todd: Anyway, if you see any of those things, please take a picture and show it to me. I'll attach these supporting documents to my report. Of course, I'll make you the co-author.
;(Talk to Todd again, optional)
:Todd: Scalegorge Waterscape... What kind of spectacle did Bernini see?
:Todd: Hi, (Trailblazer). I'm counting on you for the pictures.
===Take a photo of the high elder statue===
;(Approach designated spot)
:(Trailblazer): (Todd wants to see the high elder statue. I'll look for it in this area...)
;(After taking a photo of the high elder statue)
:(Trailblazer): (This is an artifact left by Dan Heng... Errr, no, by Dan Heng's previous incarnation... Errr, actually, by his previous incarnation's previous incarnation... Seems I've made a remarkable friend indeed.)
===Take a photo of a Vidyadhara egg===
;(Approach designated spot)
:(Trailblazer): (The Vidyadhara egg Todd wants to see seems to be nearby...)
;(After taking a photo of a Vidyadhara egg)
:(Trailblazer): (Todd is looking for a Vidyadhara egg. Those eggs differ so much in size...)
===Take a photo of a Vidyadhara historical mural===
;(Approach designated spot)
:(Trailblazer): (The historical murals Todd is interested in seem to be nearby...)
;(After taking a photo of a Vidyadhara historical mural)
:(Trailblazer): (There's a continuity in the story... Looks like this is the mural that records the Vidyadhara history that Todd mentioned.)
===Take a photo of the dragon-shaped ray of light===
;(Approach designated spot)
:(Trailblazer): (Todd wants to see the dragon-shaped ray of light... This place has an unobstructed view. Let's look around here...)
;(After taking a photo of a the dragon-shaped ray of light)
:(Trailblazer): (The light is untouchable but can be captured by the camera... This should be the one Todd is looking for...)
===Hand the photos over to Todd===
;(Talk to Todd)
: I took the pictures.
:Todd: Fantastic! Let me have a look!
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:Todd takes the pictures from you and scrutinizes them one by one.
----
:Todd: I'm sorry for keeping you waiting... As we get older, we can't see and tell colors apart that well.
:Todd: These views look exactly the same as those described by my teacher. If only I could have admired them earlier...
:Todd: Huh? Hold on. What's this shiny mark? Are my eyes failing me? Isn't it a marking of the Guild?
: I didn't notice it when I took the pictures...
::Todd: Oh, this is a special optical marking used only by the members of the Intelligentsia Guild. It shows that a scholar has done research at that particular location and left some clues for his or her peers.
: Is there a problem with the pictures?
::Todd: No, there's no problem at all. On the contrary, you captured something interesting. I thought I was lucky enough to be able to see these views through the pictures.
:Todd: In one of the pictures, I noticed a special optical marking used only by the members of the Intelligentsia Guild. It shows that a scholar has done research at that particular location and left some clues for his or her peers.
:Todd: It was automatically detected by the processing program of the Guild when I received the pictures. What an unexpected and pleasant surprise, haha.
:Todd: Did you leave this marking, Bernini? You really were driven.
: Are you sure this is your master's marking?
::Todd: After all these years of being a scholar, the only thing I am certain of is that nothing is certain.
::Todd: But that's a logical explanation. After all, the research hype has long gone, and very few scholars are sent to Xianzhou for cultural exchange.
: It's uncivilized to vandalize a historical monument!
::Todd: Please let me explain. If it is an optical paint that is non-corrosive, harmless, and can only be detected by a device of the Guild, I'd personally call it "protecting history."
::Todd: These markings serve as reminders for those moronic Armed Archaeologists, so they won't blow up the historical sites.
: What's the purpose of leaving these markings?
:Todd: I have no idea. Since they were left there, they're meant to be clues. What did Bernini discover?
:Todd: (Trailblazer), I'm going to follow this lead and see what Bernini has left behind.
: You mean "you'll send me there to see"...
::Todd: Hahaha, what a nitpicker you are. That's right. I'll need you to check it out for me.
::Todd: Well, if you insist on me being there myself, I'd be more than willing to oblige. However, I'm afraid you can't accept the idea of carrying me on your back when doing the investigation.
: I knew it wouldn't be so simple.
::Todd: Ah, this is what research is like. It starts with a "why" and ends with an "I knew it wouldn't be so simple"...
:Todd: I'll install the Guild's detection plug-in to your phone. That way, you'll be able to recognize the markings and take pictures of them... Ahem, in terms of archaeology, it should probably be called "optical rubbing."
:Todd: Bernini mentioned several places he had visited in the letters. I've marked them out on the map for you.
:Todd: Just bring your phone with you. The plug-in will issue a notification if the reflection signal of a nearby marking is detected. Your job is to locate the marking and make a rubbing of it. Easy-peasy, right?
:Todd: That's all. You may set off now.
;(Talk to Todd again, optional)
:Todd: Is there a problem, (Trailblazer)? Should I explain the objectives of this investigation again?
: Sure.
::Todd: I've marked out several points on the map. They are the places where Bernini may have investigated.
::Todd: I've installed the plug-in for you so you won't be lost. Just walk around the place, and the plug-in will tell you where to look for the markings.
::Todd: Your job is to hold the camera and snap pictures of the markings.
: No, thank you.
::Todd: I knew you were smart enough to get what I meant right away.
:Todd: Set off now, (Trailblazer). I wonder what Bernini left behind. I can't wait to find out.
===Head to the Alchemy Commission, piece together the hidden markings, and collect the completed rubbing===
;(Approach designated location)
:(Trailblazer): (The coordinates given by Todd show that the marking is nearby, but I can't find it here.)
:(Trailblazer): (Should I switch on the camera's detection system, just to be safe?)
: Enable the Precise Recognition mode.
:Note: Specific response detected. An optical marking of the guild is nearby. Owner: Scholar Bernini Serrano.
:(Trailblazer): (Hm... Is this what Todd meant by marking? This drawing is interesting, but it isn't complete.)
:(Trailblazer): (But the coordinate that Todd gave leads here. The missing markings are probably around somewhere... Maybe I should look around?)
:(Trailblazer): (Nothing really looks out of place, maybe I should switch on the camera's detection system?)
: Enable the Precise Recognition mode.
:(Trailblazer): (...Something's glimmering over there? It's worth going to take a look.)
;(Opens Xianzhou Rubbings tutorial)
===Find the way to collect rubbings===
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (I got it! Just as Todd said... this thing is made of photosensitive material. It only appears under light refracted at specific angles.)
:(Trailblazer): (So... I just have to get the Camera and I'll be able to get the markings ...)
:(Trailblazer): (This marking... looks half like a tree and half like a human. What exactly is it? A tree person?)
;(Obtain )
===Collect the remaining rubbings in the Alchemy Commission (0/2)===
;(Approach designated location)
:Note: Specific response detected. An optical marking of the guild is nearby. Owner: Scholar Bernini Serrano.
: Enable the Precise Recognition mode.
:Precise Recognition enabled. Please save the information timely by taking pictures, memorizing, extracting, or by any other existing means.
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (A warrior with a bow. It seems to have a strong association with Xianzhou's history, but I'm not sure which part it is referring to...)
;(Obtain )
----
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (This drawing... looks like the roots of an enormous tree. Is it... the Ambrosial Arbor?)
;(Obtain )
===Hand the collected rubbings over to Todd===
: I've got the rubbings of the Alchemy Commission's markings.
;(Submit , , )
:Todd: Let me take a look. Did you find this complex shape on a building, or was it pieced together by the plug-in?
:Todd: This... is indeed the handiwork of Bernini.
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:As Todd is fiddling with the rubbing you provided, his withered Adam's apple moves up and down before he starts coughing vigorously.
----
:Todd: *coughs* Interesting. These motifs seem to depict a significant historical moment in Xianzhou.
:Todd: Look at this. It's a depiction of a deity figure with multiple arms and branches growing behind. It portrays...
: The advent of Yaoshi.
::Todd: You're pretty well-versed in Xianzhou history. This might be an image without any special meaning for a layperson, but a professional can surely understand its meaning.
: I must say you're very good at making up stories.
::Todd: "This rubbing depicts the moment when the Abundance bestowed the Ambrosial Arbor upon Xianzhou.
::Todd: Todd lowers his voice and looks around as though to make sure not a single soul can hear him.
::Todd: I'm not making this up. A professional can understand its meaning, but for those without the knowledge, this is just a meaningless drawing.
:Todd: Look at this drawing. A warrior bends his bow and shoots at an enormous tree. It's clearly about The Hunt chopping off the Ambrosial Arbor — a well-known myth about the Reignbow Arbiter.
:Todd: Yet, instead of crediting the deed to the deity, a regular human form is drawn instead... Interesting.
:Todd: If these drawings are about the important moments in Xianzhou history, there must be more than three. (Trailblazer), let's go deeper into Scalegorge Waterscape and explore. Since my master went there before, he must have left some other clues.
:Todd: If you find anything, please show me. As for now...
:Todd's auto-note starts taking down information rapidly upon his touch.
:Todd: By the way, please take this. You can find my interpretation on the drawings inside. Although it isn't much, it's got potential to be made into a good Xianzhou history report.
;(Obtain Ambrosial Arbor's Arrival, A Shot From the Sky, and Divine Root Subdual)
===Collect rubbings in Scalegorge Waterscape (0/5)===
;(Approach designated location)
:Note: Specific response detected. An optical marking of the guild is nearby. Owner: Scholar Bernini Serrano.
: Enable the Precise Recognition mode.
:Precise Recognition enabled. Please save the information timely by taking pictures, memorizing, extracting, or by any other existing means.
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (There are some ships in this drawing. Could they be... the first few Xianzhou ships?)
;(Obtain )
----
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (What an evil drawing. It seems like one will be stricken with some misfortune just by looking at it... Is there an intrinsic meaning to it?)
;(Obtain )
----
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (Five silhouettes? I wonder who they are...)
;(Obtain )
----
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (This drawing bears an obscured meaning. It seems to portray some kind of resistance, and there is a being with wings on its back... What does it mean?)
;(Obtain )
----
;(After collecting rubbing)
:(Trailblazer): (A gigantic flying ship. The Xianzhou people like to call the universe the "seas beyond the sky." How romantic... Perhaps, they are the only ones who understand how arduous the journey through the universe is...)
;(Obtain )
===Hand the collected rubbings over to Todd===
: All the remaining rubbings are here.
;(Submit , , , , )
:Todd: Are you sure? Did you do a thorough search in the locations I marked? What about those I didn't mark?
: There's no more left!
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:Todd's auto-note starts taking down information rapidly upon his touch.
----
:Todd: In this drawing, an authoritative and solemn superior extends his arm to the air as fleets of ships set sail... This must be a depiction of Xianzhou's departure from ancient history.
:Todd: And this, a figure covered in sprouts... This is obviously a drawing of someone stricken with mara. I believe all of us have witnessed how scary the disease is recently. I'm afraid that's the price the Xianzhou people must pay for escaping death.
:Todd: And this drawing shows a group of people summoning waves to drown an enormous tree. I suppose this illustrates the contribution of the Vidyadhara to the Luofu...
:Todd: One, two, three, four, five... and the three you have previously found. Although they aren't in order, the eight drawings almost cover all the significant myths or history of Xianzhou from the past to the present. Still, there's something odd...
: What's wrong?
::Todd: The Guild has a systemic way of recording Xianzhou history. Indeed, there are secrets like the mara-struck that are kept well-hidden.
::Todd: Still, these myths and historical stories aren't exactly taboos. Why did Bernini leave these drawings in the Alchemy Commission and Scalegorge Waterscape?
: That's really odd...
::Todd: Have you noticed it, too? Besides the scary drawing about the mara-struck, a condition the Xianzhou people have been downplaying and hiding desperately...
::Todd: The other myths and historical stories aren't exactly taboos. Why did Bernini leave these drawings in the Alchemy Commission and Scalegorge Waterscape?
:Todd: Did he lose his mind because his research was fruitless? Or is there more to this than meets the eye? Let me think about this.
: You scholars are so convoluted...
: ...Why don't you all just write down what you think?
:Todd: ...
:Todd: You are... right, (Trailblazer).
:Todd: Hehe, hahahaha... I can't believe I was fooled by such simple trickery.
:Unlike his usual tired and old self, the elderly man starts sorting out the drawings at an astonishing speed. In the meantime, he can be heard muttering to himself like a sleep talker's ramblings.
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:After some time, Todd snaps out of his trance and starts gasping in agitation.
----
:Todd: Huff... Huff... I... I understand it now.
: What do you understand?
: Have you figured out what your teacher meant?
:Todd: (Trailblazer), what did you say?
:Todd: *coughs* Sorry about that. I was too concentrated on the interpretation. When you start aging, your reactions start to become slow.
: So, what do you understand?
:Todd: It seems to me that Bernini drew the well-known historical events because he wanted to tell the other scholars that Xianzhou no longer bore any secrets worth pursuing.
:Todd: The futile trip might have dealt a devastating blow to him. Perhaps, all his hopes for the fate of Xianzhou's long-life species were dashed when he learned about the mara-struck's existence.
:Todd: So, he drew these drawings, gave up on his career as a scholar, and decided never to return to his teaching post at the Guild.
:Todd: I'd like to visit Scalegorge Waterscape to pay respects to my teacher. (Trailblazer), my friend, could you be my guide?
: Now?
::Todd: We can go later or tomorrow, but why not now?
: Scalegorge Waterscape isn't safe at the moment...
::Todd: It doesn't matter! Of course, it'll be safer if we have the escort of an Armed Archaeologist.
::Todd: I guess you can protect me too, no? After all, you have brought back the rubbings safely.
: Has Mr. Arthritis stopped giving you a hard time?
::Todd: No, he's never spared me. Still, I must be there myself to show my respect.
::Todd: Bernini led me to this career and made me an official scholar with his recommendation. Since I can never see him again, I'd like to walk the path he walked before.
: Alright. Let's go.
:Todd: Let me take a painkiller first before the long journey.
:Todd takes out a pill from a pillbox with his trembling hand and struggles to swallow it. A while later, his face distorted by pain looks more relaxed.
:Todd: Let's go.
===Take Todd to inspect the Vidyadhara high elder statue===
:Todd: Oh, is that the high elder statue? Nothing beats seeing it in person.
:Todd: According to my teacher, the legendary Vidyadhara high elder is empowered by a secret spell. Not only can the high elder transform into the dragon form at will, but their appearance will also never change.
:Todd:...Alas, look at how youthful the high elder looks. Without trouble and without hardship.
: Did your teacher ever meet the high elder?
::Todd: Whether he did or did not, it isn't likely that a long-life species can remember a short-life species like us. We are like fruits that look fresh one day, shrunken and dry the next, and are reduced to dust in yet another few days.
::Todd: The Xianzhou people regard us just like how this statue would regard me. It won't be long before I'm gone.
: The current high elder doesn't look like this.
::Todd: I know. Something complicated took place. It's a shame that the Guild is unable to unearth the secret.
: Are you done? We need to head to the next spot...
:Todd: Tsk, youngsters nowadays are so impatient. Only dying old people like me should feel anxious.
:Todd: Let's go and check out the Vidyadhara eggs.
===Take Todd to inspect the Vidyadhara eggs===
:The old man approaches the pearl-like Vidyadhara egg to examine the glimmer and scales on its surface. He is so captivated that he has lost track of time.
:Todd: The Foxians have a long lifespan, but they aren't immortal. The Xianzhou people have an endless lifespan, but it has driven them to madness...
:Todd: Only the Vidyadhara undergo rebirths and endless circles of life.
:Todd: So... there will always be an "insurmountable limit." Is this inevitable in the pursuit of immortality?
:Todd: Do we, short-life species, really want to live forever? We just want to stay youthful for as long as possible.
:Todd: Bernini must have realized that. That is why he has left behind those drawings.
: It's time to go.
: Should we check out some other places?
:Todd seems like he had just been awakened from his sleep. Instinctively, he reaches for his pocket and immediately looks anxious.
:Todd: (Trailblazer), my notebook... It's missing.
: Where did you last use it?"
::Todd: My memory is failing me because of old age. Let me think...
: You dropped it somewhere?
::Todd: I guess so? I'm not sure. I must have misplaced it.
:Todd: I think I used it at the high elder statue. I wrote something down and put it down somewhere.
:Todd: , please do me a favor and help me look for my notebook.
:Todd: I'm sorry. The effect of the pill is waning, and my joints are hurting like there are needles inside. I can't walk anymore.
----
;(Talk to Todd again, optional)
:Todd: Urgh... Ow... My bones...
:Todd's wrinkled face crinkles up in pain
:Todd: (Trailblazer), could you do me a favor and help me retrieve my notebook?
===Return to the Vidyadhara high elder statue and look for the lost notebook===
;( Investigate the notebook)
:A notebook is left near the base of the high elder statue.
: Pick up the notebook.
:(Trailblazer): (This is Todd's notebook, but it's empty inside. How strange...)
;(Obtain )
===Return Todd’s notebook to him===
:Todd: (Trailblazer), did you find my notebook?
: I found your notebook.
:Todd: You really can't do much when you're getting old.
:Todd: When I was young, I could hop from star to star no matter the millions of light years apart. Now, I feel like I'm going through the pain of hell and going on a journey to the end of the universe when taking just a few steps.
:Todd: When I was young, I enjoyed taking solo adventures and trips and felt like there was nothing I couldn't do. Now, I have to beg for the kindness of a youngster to retrieve my lost notebook.
:Todd: Thanks, (Trailblazer)... I owe you a big one.
: The notebook is empty...
::Todd falls silent.
::He looks like he has aged another ten years in an instant. The wrinkles and the age spots that resemble stubborn stains on his face suddenly become more visible.
::His eyes are bleak and weary when he gazes at you. He looks like a helpless beggar cowering in a dark corner, pleading for charity.
::You can hear him silent imploring. He wishes for you to stay silent.
: (You glance at him without making a comment.)
:Todd: Thanks, (Trailblazer). I'll pay you as promised.
:Todd: As for the knowledge, I'll never forget the Intelligentsia Guild's rule of reciprocity. I'll summarize my recent research and share the results with you.
:Todd: I'm done paying my respects. Should we go back, (Trailblazer)?
----
;(The screen goes black, and white text appears)
:Todd and you return to Starskiff Haven. None of you have spoken during the journey.
----
:You sense something is off and a peculiar feeling of foreboding comes over you: Todd's issues don't seem to be as straightforward as they appear, and your entanglement with him shouldn't stop here.
:(Trailblazer): I wonder if Todd has truly gotten everything he wanted...
:(Trailblazer): Perhaps he got what he wanted and left. Who knows...
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
==Navigation==