With Great Power

Minmatar epic arc - Wildfire
Chapter 3 - Revelation
Previous mission: Stillwater
Next mission: Revelation OR Retraction

Type	Branch
Objective	Choose your path

ExpandMission briefing

I have devoted much of my life to history of all sorts, from its unflappable truths to its infallible lies to the nuanced information systems found throughout the chronicles, artifacts, disputed ruins, and subjective quagmires. Despite what people think, history is a shapeless void of nonsense, akin to space's vacuum or the cold, thoughtless smattering of stars that we call home. There is no meaning besides what we make of it; we do not know truth outside of the lenses we place over this shapeless void, the teeming nothingness, the endless morass of information. This book troubles me. I do not know what to make of it, nor do I know how to proceed. If what this book says is true, and the chances are good that at least some of it is, then the Starkmanir did not begin their rebellion out of a thirst for independence, but rather out of loyalty to their Holder, a man known to them as St. Arzad. The Wildfire Khumaak, a symbol he stole from them, is not an enduring relic of independence, nor is it a glowing tribute to the spirit of the Matari people. Rather, it is an artifact devoted to the memory of Starkmanir captivity, an heirloom of oppression, but also an endearing homage to a fallen captor. In other words, the Wildfire Khumaak subverts the defiance of my people. That is, of course, if this is true. All we have is the relic and this book. The story of St. Arzad is practically hidden or buried in the Amarr history: I can't find a trace of it. For all we know, this is apocryphal heresy, a rash account of history, a fever dream from some demented Starkmanir, or an outright hoax. I don't know. I honestly don't know. I'm torn on what to do, and thus I will put the choice in your hands. I don't want the responsibility for what happens to this text. There are two places we can take it: Return it to the Defiants and reunite it with the Wildfire Khumaak, or donate it to a Gallente historian I know. The former option gives the book back its people, though I don't know how they'll approach the text (or even if they'll release it to the general public, which to me seems a shame). The latter will keep the book safe and make it available for the greater good. Even though it's a troubling account, it's still history, and it still needs to be known. The choice is in your hands. Retraction >> As I said, I leave the decision in your hands. This book is a remnant of the Minmatar people, and thus it probably belongs with my brethren. If you feel the same way, then take the Book of St. Arzad back to Oggur Marendei, the Defiant member you spoke with earlier. They have the Wildfire Khumaak, and they should have this book as well. Take this book to Oggur Marendei at the Defiant base. Let them deal with it. It's out of my hands. Revelation >> Posmon Aubenard is a friend of mine, a Gallente historian working with the University of Caille. He's a trusted academic, an astute scholar, and a respected member of the university's staff. If you take this book to him, I know that he will preserve it and keep it safe, possibly even put the book in the proper historical light with a best-selling book of his own in a few years. That might not sit well with my Minmatar brethren, but at least we won't lose the truth, or whatever part of the truth this book represents. The Defiants can keep the Wildfire Khumaak – although I'm sure Posmon would love to get his hands on it – but it's just an empty symbol without the book. Go and give the Book of St. Arzad to him, and let him keep it safe. It's the right thing to do. Isn't it?

Choose one of two different pathways to complete the Minmatar Epic Arc:

• Revelation (Mission 18a) = 25 Million ISK & Minmatar Republic Faction Standing increase = +10% Base (+12.5% with Social 5)
• Retraction (Mission 18b) = 10x RSS Core Scanner Probe (Base Sensor Strength = 45 points) & Minmatar Republic Faction Standing increase = +5% Base (+6.25% with Social 5)

Both choices lead to easy courier mission where you deliver the book to someone.

Selecting a pathway choice completes this mission.