The Old Archives

The Old Archives is the 4th quest in The Catacombs story arcStory arcs are chains of quests that make up a story line. Completing everything in a story arc often yields a nice reward..
The Friar's Niece • To Find a Witness: Archbishop Dryden • Return to the Sanctuary • The Old Archives • The Crypt of Gerard Dryden • Setting the Wards: The Lower Cathedral • Setting the Wards: The Patriarchs' Crypt • Endgame: Marguerite • Endgame: The Archbishop's Fate

Descend into the Archives and search for a tome that tells of the mysterious Duality.

Requires access to adventure pack
Definition: Adventure Pack
A list of all adventure packs
: The Catacombs

The Old Archives
Heroic level:	3
Epic level:	23
Duration:	Medium
Heroic XP:	♣456Solo/Casual ♦820Normal ♥880Hard ♠940Elite
Epic XP:	♣7,313Solo/Casual ♦12,572Normal ♥12,956Hard ♠13,340Elite
Takes place in:	Library Archives
Bestowed by:	Archbishop Dryden
NPC contact:	Archbishop Dryden
Quest acquired in:	Catacombs
Patron:	The Silver Flame
Base favor:	3
Purchase:	The Catacombs or VIP
Extreme Challenge:	No

Loading screen

Overview

Enter the library archives and search for a book about "The Duality."

Spoiler Warning: Spoiler material below this point!

Objectives

Seek aid from Head Librarian Guillaume
Acquire the fragments of the Book of the Duality from their secret chambers (3 total)
(Optional) Clear out the infestation in the library (40 total) — Bonus (20%): Heroic( ♣91 ♦164 ♥176 ♠188 ) Epic( ♣1,463 ♦2,514 ♥2,591 ♠2,668 )
(Optional) Have each party member report to Graylight (minor bug, see Tips) — Bonus (5%): Heroic( ♣23 ♦41 ♥44 ♠47 ) Epic( ♣366 ♦629 ♥648 ♠667 )

What to Expect

Traps (fixed)
Spawning/respawning monsters

Known Traps

Spot and Search DCs for Traps and Secret Doors
Disable Device DCs

Skill DCs and pictures of all traps and control panel locations, and secret doors can be found in the above links by hovering over the description text.
Trap protecting the first fragment of the book. (Bug: This trap is bugged and never goes off), but still has a Control panel to the right just before the steps.
Cold trap protecting the chest behind the secret door. Control panel is to the right before the steps. One-shot with a delayed activation.
Blade trap protecting the third fragment of the book. Control panel is to the right by the crest slot. Note that the chest is safe to open.

Tips and Misc

The acid trap protecting the chest sprays about a second after opening it, giving one plenty of time to open it and then jump back to safety.
The fragments are in rooms behind secret doors. The Spot and Search DCs are all −5, so the mission can be completed even if you haven't leveled those skills.
The first Fragment and crest are behind a secret door in the east shortly before you start ascending.
The second Fragment and crest are behind a secret door in the southwest corner on the upper floor.
The third Fragment is behind a secret door in the northwest corner on the upper floor. It is protected by a blade trap.
Shadows now dwell in the archives and so a Ghost touch weapon is advised.
Two crests (Sword and hammer) are needed to unlock the final fragment and access the final chest – these are found alongside the book fragments.
The quest ends when you pick up all three fragments.
(Optional) After the third piece is picked up, Bishop Thaddeus Graylight appears again, near the final fragment. Speak with him to earn +5% XP.

Minor bug: Only one person needs to speak to Graylight to earn the +5% XP for all in the party.

With the arrival of Bishop Graylight, passage opens behind him which can be used for a fast exit.
If you leave the quest without talking to Thaddeus Graylight you have to visit Archbishop Dryden to progress the story.

Bonus XP

Insidious Cunning bonus: 0 or fewer monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦82 ♥88 ♠94 )
Devious bonus: 5 or fewer monsters killed +7% Bonus.( ♣32 ♦57 ♥62 ♠66 )
Discreet bonus: 11 or fewer monsters killed +5% Bonus.( ♣23 ♦41 ♥44 ♠47 )
Aggression bonus: 28 or more monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦82 ♥88 ♠94 )
Onslaught bonus: 37 or more monsters killed +15% Bonus.( ♣68 ♦123 ♥132 ♠141 )
Conquest bonus: 46 or more monsters killed +25% Bonus.( ♣114 ♦205 ♥220 ♠235 )
Tamper bonus: 1 or more trap disarmed +10% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦82 ♥88 ♠94 )
Perception bonus: 2 or more secret doors discovered +10% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦82 ♥88 ♠94 )
Mischief bonus: 26 or more breakables smashed +8% Bonus.( ♣36 ♦66 ♥70 ♠75 )
Vandal bonus: 34 or more breakables smashed +10% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦82 ♥88 ♠94 )
Ransack bonus: 44 or more breakables smashed +15% Bonus.( ♣68 ♦123 ♥132 ♠141 )

Loot

Chests: 2
- 1 trapped behind a secret door in the southern part of the upper floor, west of the shrine; trap is a one-shot on a delay.
- 1 End Chest near the Third Fragment (May contain named loot).
Collectables: Three
- Bookshelf just south of the first fragment
- Bookshelf just east of the second fragment
- Bookshelf just south of the third fragment
NPC rewards: None

Named Chest Drop

Last Edited	Item	Type	Enhancements	ML	Bind	Quests
Update 46.1 3 years, 11 months, and 1 day Cru121	Templar's Mail ^(edit)	Banded Mail	+2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to Armor Class. Physical Sheltering +4 Physical Sheltering +4: +4 Enhancement bonus to Physical Resistance Rating Lesser Undead GuardLesser Undead Guard: This armor burns those Undead that attack the wearer, causing 1d8 Good damage on a successful melee attack. Blue Augment Slot: EmptyBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	2	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, Chest at the third fragment
Update 53.0.2 2 years and 29 days PurpleSerpent	Guidance ^(edit)	Light Crossbow	+2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Ghostbane 1Ghostbane 1: This weapon is attuned specifically to hunt the risen dead, dealing an additional 1d10 bane damage vs. Undead monsters. Passive: This weapon has Ghost Touch, and bypasses ethereal monster's 50% chance to evade bane damage. SilverSilver: A complex process involving metallurgy and alchemy can bond silver to a weapon made of steel so that it bypasses the damage reduction of creatures such as devils and vampires. Silver weapons have 2 points lower hardness then equivalent steel weapons, and as such aren't quite as durable. , Alchemical Purple Augment Slot: EmptyPurple Augments Named: Category:Purple augments Red Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Blue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	2	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, End chest (by the third Fragment)
Update 65.1 3 months and 23 days Corgrind	Mask of the Asylum ^(edit)	Helm	Concentration +5Concentration +5: Passive: +5 Competence bonus to the Concentration skill. Wizardry +41 Wizardry +41: +41 Enhancement bonus to spell points. Yellow Augment Slot: EmptyYellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, End chest (by the third Fragment)
Update 53.0.2 2 years and 25 days 87.150.225.139	Epic Templar's Mail ^(edit)	Heavy Armor	+6 Enhancement Bonus+6 Enhancement Bonus: +6 enhancement bonus to Armor Class. Physical Sheltering +27 Physical Sheltering +27: +27 Enhancement bonus to Physical Resistance Rating Superior Undead GuardSuperior Undead Guard: This armor burns those Undead that attack the wearer, causing 7d8 Good damage on a successful melee attack. Competence Healing Amplification +43Healing Amplification: This effect amplifies all incoming positive energy healing by +43 (Competence bonus). Includes spells, potions, and other effects. Spell Resistance +24 Spell Resistance +24: +24 Enhancement bonus to Spell Resistance. Blue Augment Slot: EmptyBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, End Chest
Update 60.0.1 8 months and 19 days Omunam10	Epic Mask of the Asylum ^(edit)	Helm	Intelligence +11 Intelligence +11: This item focuses the power of the wearer's mind, granting a +11 enhancement bonus to Intelligence. Wisdom +11 Wisdom +11: This item makes the wearer more in tune with her surroundings, granting a +11 enhancement bonus to Wisdom. Charisma +11 Charisma +11: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +11 enhancement bonus to Charisma. Concentration +18Concentration +18: Passive: +18 Competence bonus to the Concentration skill. Yellow Augment Slot: EmptyYellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, End Chest
Update 62 6 months and 12 days PurpleSerpent	Epic Guidance ^(edit)	Light Crossbow	+6 Enhancement Bonus+6 Enhancement Bonus: +6 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Holy 5Holy 5: This weapon is wielded by the pure to smite the wicked, dealing an additional 5d6 good damage on each hit. This effect makes the weapon good aligned. Evil characters wielding this weapon will suffer one negative level. Unnatural Bane 5Unnatural Bane 5: This weapon is attuned specifically to hunt beings that should not exist, dealing an additional 5d10 bane damage vs. Aberrations, Monstrous Humanoids, and Undead. Ghostbane 5Ghostbane 5: This weapon is attuned specifically to hunt the risen dead, dealing an additional 5d10 bane damage vs. Undead monsters. Passive: This weapon has Ghost Touch, and bypasses ethereal monster's 50% chance to evade bane damage. SilverSilver: A complex process involving metallurgy and alchemy can bond silver to a weapon made of steel so that it bypasses the damage reduction of creatures such as devils and vampires. Silver weapons have 2 points lower hardness then equivalent steel weapons, and as such aren't quite as durable. , alchemical Purple Augment Slot: EmptyPurple Augments Named: Category:Purple augments Red Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Blue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Old Archives, End Chest

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Monsters

Name ^{( picture )}	CR	Type	Race
Corrupt Giant Spider ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal	Vermin	Spider
Corrupted Spiderling ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦24Epic Normal	Vermin	Spider
Greater Arcane Skeleton ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Rotting Dwarf Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦7Epic Normal	Undead	Zombie
Rotting Elf Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦7Epic Normal	Undead	Zombie
Rotting Halfling Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦7Epic Normal	Undead	Zombie
Rotting Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦7Epic Normal	Undead	Zombie
Shadow (Mabar) ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal	Undead	Shadow
Skeleton Archer ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥3Hard ♠5Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥29 - 31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Skeleton Knight ^{( view • edit )}	♦4Normal ♥6Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Undead Rat ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦7Epic Normal	Animal	Rat

External Links