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Paper Trail

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A Morgrave scholar has asked you to help retrieve his stolen manuscript. You head to his apartment to investigate the theft.

Requires access to adventure pack: Vecna Unleashed
Paper Trail
Heroic level: 18
Epic level: 34
(considered Legendary)
Duration: Medium
Heroic XP:  ♣2,868Solo/Casual ♦4,960Normal ♥5,140Hard ♠5,320Elite
Epic XP:  ♣13,098Solo/Casual ♦22,344Normal ♥22,857Hard ♠23,370Elite
Takes place in: On the Trail of the Manuscript
Bestowed by: Halman Best
NPC contact: Halman Best
Quest acquired in: Morgrave University - Upper Commons
Patron: Morgrave University
Base favor: 6
Purchase: Vecna Unleashed
Extreme Challenge: No
Entrance and bottom zone
Top big room and end of quest area
Loading screen

Overview

Go to Nymph's Court and start On the Trail of the Manuscript to find Halman Best's dissertation.

Quest bestower and entrance are located in the lower part of Upper Commons called 'Nymph's Court'.


Spoiler Warning: Spoiler material below this point!


Objectives

  • Speak with Halman Best
  • Recover the missing manuscript
  • Find and speak to the manuscript thief
  • Find and speak to Hidden Hand contact Haska Torlath
  • (Optional) Collect all the manuscript pages (8 total) — Bonus (15%): Heroic( ♣430 ♦744 ♥771 ♠798 ) Legendary( ♣1,965 ♦3,352 ♥3,429 ♠3,506 )
  • (Optional) Clear the sewers of Rat Tail Packs (9 total) — Bonus (40%): Heroic( ♣1,147 ♦1,984 ♥2,056 ♠2,128 ) Legendary( ♣5,239 ♦8,938 ♥9,143 ♠9,348 )
  • (Optional) Slay Effluent the Otyugh — Bonus (15%): Heroic( ♣430 ♦744 ♥771 ♠798 ) Legendary( ♣1,965 ♦3,352 ♥3,429 ♠3,506 )
  • (Optional) Slay Byrum Morrus the Nothic — Bonus (15%): Heroic( ♣430 ♦744 ♥771 ♠798 ) Legendary( ♣1,965 ♦3,352 ♥3,429 ♠3,506 )

Known Traps

Trap DCs

  • Pressure plates around a locked chest behind a secret wall

Tips and Misc

  • Though he has no idea of it himself, Halman Best has discovered a secret of critical importance: a legend describing the Traveler's Astral Fortress as a trap. If the manuscript reaches Vecna, the Traveler's plan to expel him from Eberron is ruined. Luckily, the Traveler has a plan in motion – but Halman still needs his manuscript back...
  • The optional Manuscript Pages are scattered fairly evenly across the map. The entrance to the sewer is a point of no return without Dimension Door, so make sure you have all three pages before dropping down.
    • The first page is by Halman's feet.
    • The next two pages are in the room with the sewer pipe.
    • The fourth page is in the sewers, before you reach the big room with three exits.
    • The fifth page is in the room with three exits, in front of one exit. This is the direction you should go to find Walmer Longtail as quickly as possible.
    • The sixth page and seventh pages are somewhere along the path indicated by page five.
    • The eighth and final page is by the rune-locked door.
  • To progress the quest, you need to find Walmer Longtail. He is sprawled on one of the many red sofas in the Rat Tail hideout. The location of the fifth Manuscript Page (see above) determines the quickest route to find him.
    • If you take the east or west path, the quickest way to get to the upper floor of the hideout is to blow up the barrels next to the glass wall and jump through.
  • Optionals in the sewers:
    • The "kill 9 Rat Tail packs" optional can be completed very easily by running around the main hideout.
    • Effluent is behind a door on the lowest level of the Rat Tail hideout (the one you reach by taking the middle route.)
    • There are secret doors in the sewers on the East and West trails. One contains optional boss Byrum Morrus, the other contains a locked chest – the locations are random.
  • Walmer Longtail doesn't really want to fight you, and at any rate he's already handed the manuscript to Haska Torlath, a Hidden Hand cultist. He unlocks a rune-locked door in his hideout which leads to Haska through two red-named Hidden Hand bosses.
  • On your way, you find a note from "you-know-who" cluing you into the Traveler's plan – he's established himself as a cheap courier in the city. You also find posters for a party taking place in Morgrave tonight, mentioning complimentary headwear...
  • As you speak to Haska, she realises that the green-hatted courier that took the manuscript isn't taking it to Vecna as she ordered. She rushes out into the courtyard to find them, only to be confronted with pretty much every student in Morgrave wearing an identical green hat.
  • As Haska has a breakdown in the corner, you can head over to a nearby behatted Iron Defender and retrieve the body of Halman's manuscript.

Bonus XP

  • Aggression bonus: 34 or more monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣287 ♦496 ♥514 ♠532 )
  • Onslaught bonus: 67 or more monsters killed +15% Bonus.( ♣430 ♦744 ♥771 ♠798 )
  • Conquest bonus: 100 or more monsters killed +25% Bonus.( ♣717 ♦1,240 ♥1,285 ♠1,330 )
  • Tamper bonus: 2 or more traps disarmed +10% Bonus.( ♣287 ♦496 ♥514 ♠532 )
  • Neutralization bonus: 3 or more traps disarmed +20% Bonus.( ♣574 ♦992 ♥1,028 ♠1,064 )
  • Ingenious Debilitation bonus: 4 or more traps disarmed +30% Bonus.( ♣860 ♦1,488 ♥1,542 ♠1,596 )
  • Mischief bonus: 39 or more breakables smashed +8% Bonus.( ♣229 ♦397 ♥411 ♠426 )
  • Vandal bonus: 51 or more breakables smashed +10% Bonus.( ♣287 ♦496 ♥514 ♠532 )
  • Ransack bonus: 63 or more breakables smashed +15% Bonus.( ♣430 ♦744 ♥771 ♠798 )
Notes: In some cases there seems to be another set of 4 traps resulting in an ingenious progress 4/6/7. (Never found that second set)

Loot

  • Chests: 4
  • in the hidden room, locked and trapped
  • for killing the Otyugh
  • for killing Byrum Morrus
  • end chest
  • Collectables: 8 out of

NPC end rewards

Randomly generated loot, ML correlates with effective quest level.

Named Chest Drop

Last Edited Item Type Enhancements ML Bind Quests
Azure Rotella
(edit)
Large shield 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
Mystic Monocle
(edit)
Goggles 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
University Sentry's Helm
(edit)
Helmet 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
University Spellshield's Coat
(edit)
Medium Armor 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
Legendary Azure Rotella
(edit)
Large shield 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
Legendary Mystic Monocle
(edit)
Goggles 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
Legendary University Sentry's Helm
(edit)
Helmet 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest
Legendary University Spellshield's Coat
(edit)
Medium Armor 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Paper Trail, End chest

Based on Paper Trail loot ( t • e • h )

This quest may also drop the following named augments:

 

 

Item Type Enchantments ML Bind Location
Ravil's Book of Recipes Colorless augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Ravil's Book of Legendary Recipes Colorless augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Guide to Animal Handling Yellow augments
  • +1 Enhancement bonus to Wild Empathy Charges
18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Legendary Guide to Animal Handling Yellow augments
  • +3 Enhancement bonus to Wild Empathy Charges
32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Art of Sabotage, Vol. 1 Yellow augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Art of Sabotage, Vol. 3 Yellow augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Moment to Moment Yellow augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Legendary Moment to Legendary Moment Yellow augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Art of Persuasion, Vol. 1 Yellow augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Art of Persuasion, Vol. 3 Yellow augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Book of Defense: Fortitude Blue augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Legendary Book of Defense: Fortitude Blue augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Book of Defense: Reflexes Blue augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Legendary Book of Defense: Reflexes Blue augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Book of Defense: Willpower Blue augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Legendary Book of Defense: Willpower Blue augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

How To Cast Fast Blue augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

How To Cast Faster Blue augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Encyclopedia of the Dead, Vol. 1 Red augments
  • Undead Bane 4Undead Bane 4: Those that have died must return, and this weapon is attuned specifically to lay them to rest. This weapon deals an additional 4d10 bane damage vs. Undead.
  • Ghost TouchGhost Touch: An incorporeal creature's 50% chance to avoid damage does not apply to attacks with ghost touch weapons.
18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Encyclopedia of the Dead, Vol. 3 Red augments
  • Undead Bane 6Undead Bane 6: Those that have died must return, and this weapon is attuned specifically to lay them to rest. This weapon deals an additional 6d10 bane damage vs. Undead.
  • Ghost TouchGhost Touch: An incorporeal creature's 50% chance to avoid damage does not apply to attacks with ghost touch weapons.
32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

A History of Draconic Interference Red augments
  • Dragon Bane 4Dragon Bane 4: This weapon is attuned specifically to disrupt those with draconic blood, dealing an additional 4d10 bane damage vs. Dragons.
18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

A Legendary History of Draconic Interference Red augments
  • Dragon Bane 6Dragon Bane 6: This weapon is attuned specifically to disrupt those with draconic blood, dealing an additional 6d10 bane damage vs. Dragons.
32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Bestiary of the Planes Red augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Legendary Bestiary of the Planes Red augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Finite Limits of Construction Red augments 18 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

The Infinite Limits of Construction Red augments 32 Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire

Item:Esoteric Relic Weapon trades with Steps Obliss Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Vecna Unleashed, any end chest
Item:Legendary Esoteric Relic Weapon trades with Steps Obliss, Esoteric Table upgrades for Defiled items and Fire Over Morgrave loot Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire Vecna Unleashed, any end chest

Monsters

Name ( picture ) CR Type Race
Bonifal Kez( view
 • edit )
 ♦21Normal ♥25Hard ♠31Elite ♦35Epic Normal ♥39Epic Hard ♠44Epic Elite Humanoid Human
Byrum Morrus( view
 • edit )
 ♦21Normal ♥25Hard ♠31Elite ♦37Epic Normal ♥41Epic Hard ♠46Epic Elite Aberration Nothic
Controlled Raptor( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Animal Dinosaur
Effluent( view
 • edit )
 ♦21Normal ♥25Hard ♠31Elite ♦37Epic Normal ♥41Epic Hard ♠46Epic Elite Aberration Otyugh
Hidden Hand Cleric( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Humanoid Human
Hidden Hand Fighter( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Humanoid Human
Hidden Hand Sniper( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Humanoid Human
Rat Tail Cutpurse( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Monstrous Humanoid Wererat
Rat Tail Footpad( view
 • edit )
 ♦16Normal ♥19Hard ♠23Elite ♦30Epic Normal ♥34Epic Hard ♠38Epic Elite Monstrous Humanoid Wererat
Rat Tail Plinker( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Monstrous Humanoid Wererat
Rat Tail Whiz Bang( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥36Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Monstrous Humanoid Wererat
Sharn Sewer Crayfish( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Vermin Crayfish
Sharn Sewer Fire Beetle( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Vermin Insect
Sharn Sewer Rat( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Animal Rat
The Bone Blade( view
 • edit )
 ♦21Normal ♥25Hard ♠31Elite ♦37Epic Normal ♥41Epic Hard ♠46Epic Elite Undead Skeleton
Trash Swarm( view
 • edit )
 ♦18Normal ♥22Hard ♠28Elite ♦34Epic Normal ♥38Epic Hard ♠43Epic Elite Vermin Insect