Melchior
Wandering the streets of Ankrahmun (usually somewhere east of depot)
Where to find them
Notes
Melchior was blinded by the Efreet because of his greed. He's the reason you cannot form an alliance with both races of Djinn. He has a great story to tell (see his transcripts).
He has a large walking area, but he will never leave the area shaded in the picture:
Part of the To Appease the Mighty Quest and both Djinn Quests.
Transcripts
100 linesPlayerhi (male)
MelchiorGreetings, Player. I do not see your face, but I can read a thousand things in your voice!
Playerhi (female)
MelchiorWelcome, Player! The lovely sound of your voice shines like a beam of light through my solitary darkness!
Playername
MelchiorMy late father, may he rest in peace, chose to call me Melchior.
Playermelchior
MelchiorThat is my name.
Playerjob
MelchiorI am a poor beggar. I try to make a meagre living here since a cruel fate has left me a blind man.
Playerblind
MelchiorYes, I am. I was not born that way, but a cruel fate caused me to lose my eyesight.
Playerfate or story
MelchiorFate played a cruel trick on old Melchior. If you want me to, I can tell you my story - talking about one's grievances does help to ease the pain. So - would you like to hear my story?
Playeryes
MelchiorWhile my eyes were still of use to me I worked as a trader. I was not too successful, so I started looking for alternatives. Remembering some old nomad legends I went to explore the Kha'zeel. If only I'd never done that! ...
MelchiorAfter many days I met a weird creature - it was humanoid, but it was also much larger than any man, and it seemed to be only half-solid in a way. ...
MelchiorI was scared, but I remembered my grandfather's stories and I hailed the creature using the traditional djinn word of greeting. ...
MelchiorIt worked. I managed to engage the djinn - for it was one sure enough - in a conversation. In fact, I even managed to come to an agreement with it. The djinns living there needed supplies, and I promised I would bring them some. ...
MelchiorA highly profitable business relationship ensued. Unfortunately, my greed grew every day, and it clouded my sense of judgement. ...
MelchiorHearing that there was a second djinn fortress I travelled there. Those djinn, who called themselves the Marid, were friendly enough, and soon I traded with them as well. ...
MelchiorUnfortunately, it did not take the other djinn tribe, the Efreet, long to find out what I was up to. ...
MelchiorThe Efreets' punishment was cruel: They blinded me and left me in the Kha'labal to die of thirst and exhaustion as food for the scarabs. But that was a favour I could not do them. ...
MelchiorI desperately struggled on and finally I was picked up by a caravan. They took me here, and now I am sort of stuck here in this city of the half-dead.
Playerdjinn
MelchiorThe djinns are a wondrous race. Swift and strong they are and larger, much larger than any man. ...
MelchiorAnd yet, djinns fit into tiny lamps, for they are but half solid creatures who can change into mist whenever they want to! It is as though they lived between the worlds, travelling hither and thither as they please. ...
MelchiorLittle is known about their origin, but legend has it Zathroth himself, the dark master of magic, created them to some unknown evil purpose. ...
MelchiorBut they are not evil, and perhaps that is why Zathroth eventually abandoned them! Djinns have independent minds and souls just like humans, and just like us they are forlorn creatures struggling to find their place in creation. ...
MelchiorThey have fought a bitter, bitter war between themselves over this, a cataclysmic war that led them to the brink of self-destruction. ...
MelchiorToday they are few and far between, but they are still divided into two warring factions, the gentle Marid and the cruel Efreet, and neither side will rest until the other is utterly defeated. ...
MelchiorIf you ever meet a djinn make sure to say the word of greeting immediately. Otherwise he will simply ignore you or worse - if it is an Efreet he will kill you outright. ...
MelchiorAnd remember, once you decided to follow one group of djinns you can never switch sides, so choose well. No Efreet will ever deal with a follower of the Marid and vice versa.
Playerefreet
MelchiorBeware the Efreet, stranger! They hate all humans, and if they had their way all of us would be killed. If you meet one be sure to say the word of greeting immediately because otherwise you will be killed in a heartbeat. ...
MelchiorAnd do not approach them if you are a follower of the Marid - they are impossible to fool!
Playermarid
MelchiorThe Marid are gentle, kind-hearted djinn, or at least that is how they act towards humans. However, they are quite reclusive, too. They will not talk to human unless he says the word of greeting first. ...
MelchiorAnd do not approach them if you are a follower of the Efreet - they are impossible to fool!
Playerword of greeting
MelchiorThe djinns have an ancient code of honour. This code includes a special concept of hospitality. Anybody who utters the word of greeting must not be attacked even if he is an enemy. Well, at least that is what the code says. ...
MelchiorI have found out, though, that this does not work at all times. There is no point to say the word of greeting to an enraged djinn. ...
MelchiorI can tell you the word of greeting if you're interested. It is DJANNI'HAH. Remember this word well, stranger. It might save your life one day. ...
MelchiorAnd keep in mind that you must choose sides in this conflict. You can only follow the Efreet or the Marid - once you have made your choice there is no way back. I know from experience that djinn do not tolerate double-crossing.
Playerkha'zeel
MelchiorThat is the name of the huge mountain range to the west of the great desert, the Kha'labal. That's where you will find the djinns' fortresses Ashta'daramai and Mal'ouquah. ...
Playerashta'daramai
MelchiorAah yes - the Marids' fortress. Perched high on the Kha'zeel, it is a marvel to behold. They say Gabel built it on the ruins of his original palace.
Playermal'ouquah
MelchiorThat is the Efreet's gloomy fortress, home of Malor, hidden high up in the Kha'zeel mountains. I used to go there often. Don't make the same mistake, stranger! I would love to think there is somebody who profited from the lesson I had to learn!
Playergabel
MelchiorHe is the leader of the Marid! I have never met him myself, but everybody was full of praise for him back at Ashta'daramai. The legend has it that it was him who introduced the djinns to wise Daraman's teachings.
Playermalor
MelchiorMalor is the Efreets' leader. He is perhaps not the strongest of all efreet, but his treachery and cruelty are certainly unrivalled. He was defeated a long, long time ago, but he was not killed. ...
MelchiorI don't know why... I have a strange feeling of foreboding whenever I hear his name.
Playertibia
MelchiorTibia is such a beautiful place. I would give it all if I could see it again.
Playerdaraman
MelchiorDaraman was a holy man, a true prophet. He showed us how we can master grief and affliction through dignity and brotherliness. It is a shame I only came to fully appreciate his teachings when fate had cast me into darkness.
Playerdarashia
Melchior<Sighs> Aah yes... Darashia. I would give anything if I could see it again.
Playerankrahmun
MelchiorI hate this city. Period. I would never have come here, but I haven't had much of a choice. The caravan that picked me up in the Kha'zeel was headed for this place, and I was glad enough they brought me here. ...
MelchiorBut now I really wish I could leave. <whispers> These people and their ruler give me the creeps!
Playerruler or pharaoh
MelchiorThe pharaoh? He is always in the palace, so I have heard only rumors about him. But I know one thing for sure - he is mad. End of story.
Playerold pharaoh
MelchiorThe old pharaoh? I keep on hearing rumours about him, but I do not know if they are true.
Playerrumour or rumor
Melchior<whispers> It is said his son, the present pharaoh, killed him and turned him into some ghastly undead!"
Playerpalace
MelchiorThe palace lies to the south of the arena and to the west of the temple. Better stay clear of that place. If but half the things I have heard about it are true this palace is not a place for the living anymore.
Playerarena
MelchiorAh yes, the arena. I do not really know what's going on there, because I have never seen it myself. However, I often hear strange noises from there, cheers and jeers and sometimes pityful screams.
Playertemple
MelchiorThat temple is very old, and for centuries it used to be a place of worship and of contemplation. Now that the priests there are fanatic followers of the pharaoh this is no longer a holy place.
Playerascension
MelchiorThe concept of ascension is central to the pharaoh's creed. I am not sure I really understand it, but apparently it has to do with transformation to undeath. Nice, isn't it?
PlayerRah
MelchiorAh yes - I recognize that. According to the pharaoh that is a living being's soul.
PlayerUthun
MelchiorAccording to the pharaoh's teachings this is the total of a living being's memories and personal experiences.
PlayerAkh
MelchiorIn the pharaoh's creed, this is what the physical body is called.
PlayerBas'saam
MelchiorYes, I know him. He is an Efreet trader. I met him often during my travels, and even though there was no real sympathy we had a certain mutual respect for each other. But all that changed when he found out I had dealings with the Marid.
PlayerFa'hradin
MelchiorI know that name. He is a Marid, right? I have met him once. He seemed pretty important.
PlayerBo'ques
MelchiorHe is a cook - a djinn cook. A weird guy. Always used to ask me to procure some strange kind of ingredient or other for him. ... Melchior: He made me laugh. Can you imagine what that looks like - a djinn wearing an enormous chef hat?
Playerscarabs
MelchiorThose damn scavengers! I detest them. When I was stumbling through the desert, all blind and desperate, they followed me around. ...
MelchiorThey watched my every step, waiting for me to give up and die. But I never did. Damn vermin! You'll have to eat somebody else!
PlayerKazordoon
MelchiorI have never been to cities on other continents. And I suppose now I never will. I would be glad enough to leave this place.
PlayerAlesar
MelchiorI know that name. He is a Marid. This djinn is one of the best smiths ever to live. You should see the scimitars he makes - hard as titanium yet light as a desert breeze. ... Melchior: I kept on trying to get the Marid to sell one to me, but they never did. Too bad - I could have made a fortune.
PlayerHaroun A Marid trader. I have often had dealings with him. He drove me mad because he never accepted any haggling, but then he never ever tried to trick me. He was not really a trader at heart, I suppose. He was more of a monk or maybe a preacher.
Playerbye
MelchiorFarewell, stranger. May Uman the Wise guide your steps in this treacherous land.