Difference between revisions of "Curse of Maraqua"

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[[Image:CoM Logo.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Com battle.png|right|thumb|400px|Maraqua faced the return of an old threat.]]


'''Curse of Maraqua''' is a [[Plot]] which took place between March 15, 2005 and June 10, 2005, revealing the long time dormant world of [[Maraqua]]. The plot follows the path of [[Garin]], a pirate who stumbled across the long lost land.
'''Curse of Maraqua''' was a [[plot]] that began on 15 March 2005 and concluded on 10 June. Prizes were released on the 14 June, and for the first time players were able to choose their prizes instead of being awarded one automatically. The plot featured the return of [[Maraqua]], a world that [[Destruction of Maraqua|had been missing]] since 2001, and a battle to protect it from [[Captain Scarblade]]'s pirate crew who sought to destroy the city for a second time.  


==Plot summary==
Like in the [[Champions of Meridell]] and [[Hannah and the Ice Caves]], players were able to choose which side to help in the conflict. They could choose either a warrior or supporter role, which each participated in different ways. Warriors were ranked into three classes depending on how well trained their Neopets were, with players with stronger Neopets having to fight stronger enemies.  
The story of Maraqua centers around an [[Usul]] named Garin, who is the captain of a fierce pirate ship with his first mate and also best friend since childhood, a red [[Kyrii]] named [[Jacques]]. His life is full of plunder and adventure, and he lives with hardly a care until after he and his crew rob a wedding. This provokes the rage of [[Captain Scarblade]], terror and master of the Five Seas of Neopia. Scarblade seeks out [[The Black Pawkeet]] to extract his revenge.  


Meanwhile, beneath the sea, a Maraquan [[Aisha]] by the name of [[Isca]], whom Garin knows from only a brief glimpse of her during his childhood, dreams this. Isca and [[Caylis]], orphaned Maraquan sisters, were recovered by King Kelpbeard while he was looking for survivors after the attack on Old Maraqua. Upon bringing them into his court, it is discovered that Isca has the ability to foretell things in her dreams that greatly aid the citizens of Maraqua. Caylis later begins to be tormented by nightmares of disasters that always come true. The citizens of Maraqua believed Caylis was the cause of these catastrophes and Kelpbeard was forced to exile her. After Isca dreams of seeing Garin, the Usul of her childhood, in grave danger, she ascends from the depths of Maraqua to the surface. This is breaking the law of King Kelpbeard, who decreed that none were to mingle with the "surface-folk."
==Synopsis==
[[Garin]] and his crew are attacked by the dreaded [[Captain Scarblade]], and would have drowned if not for [[Isca]], a seer from the secret city of New Maraqua. Garin returned to the surface to reunite his crew, but inadvertently alerted Scarblade to the fact that the city he had once destroyed was rebuilt.  


On board the Pawkeet, a fight rages between the pirates of the Black Pawkeet, and those of [[The Revenge]], the ship captained by Scarblade. Jacques insists that they must abandon ship, for their forces are outnumbered. While Jacques is making his way to the skiff, Garin is knocked out and sent plummeting to the waves below. In his effort to reach his unconscious friend, Jacques's skiff is destroyed, and [[The Drenched]] take him as prisoner.
Together, Garin's crew and the Maraquan army are able to repel Scarblade's invading army and New Maraqua was saved.  


Isca saves Garin and takes him to New Maraqua, where he discovers the amazing underwater city and steals a dagger from there, made out of [[Maractite]] ore. Once he is recovered, he returns to the surface in hopes of finding information about Jacques and his crew. He finds one crew working at a local pub and began relaying his time in New Maraqua, not know that a member of Scarblade's crew had overheard the conversation and left to inform the captain.
==Story==
[[Image:Com isca and caylis.gif|frame|left|[[Isca]] and [[Caylis]], sisters with the gift of prophecy.]]
After the old city of Maraqua [[Destruction of Maraqua|had been destroyed]], [[King Kelpbeard]] gathered as many of the survivors as he could, and began building a new city, in secret. Amongst the Maraquans rescued were two sisters, [[Caylis]] and [[Isca]]. Both came to have prophetic dreams: Isca saw the future in her dreams, but Caylis in her nightmares. Other Maraquans began to blame Caylis for the disasters she foresaw, and King Kelpbeard banished her for the safety of his people. He had learnt the value of Isca's advice, however, whose dreams helped protect the city. King Kelpbeard issued a moratorium on Maraquans visiting the surface dwellers in order to keep their city secret: Isca defied him once, and saw a young Usul, who would come to feature in many of her dreams.
[[Image:Com plank.gif|frame|right|"Those of you who surrender can become part of my crew... And those who do not will walk the plank!"]]
The young Usul's name was [[Garin]], who would grow up to captain the ship ''[[The Black Pawkeet]]''. Together with his best friend and first mate [[Jacques]], they began a glamorous life of piracy. One day, they robbed a wedding party, but had ventured into territory claimed by [[Captain Scarblade]], self-styled ruler of the Five Seas of Neopia. His galleon ''[[The Revenge]]'' attacked and captured ''The Black Pawkeet'', and both Garin and Jacques went overboard.  


Below sea level, Isca dreams of Jacques, captive of the Drenched, and she returns to tell Garin of this. Garin and Isca plummet below and travel to the caves where the three witch sisters of the sea, otherwise known as The Drenched, live. A struggle ensues, and with some help from a wandering sea monster, Garin and Isca rise victorious with Jacques having been rescued. Garin promised Isca after being prompted by Jacques, that he will help her with her new visions of a danger approaching New Maraqua.
Isca saw the attack in a dream, and swam to the surface in time to rescue Garin from drowning. She gave him a magical necklace to allow him to breathe under water. As his ship was captured and his crew prisoner, Garin had no where to go: Isca took him inside the hidden city to recover from the fight, explaining how displeased the King would be if he knew she had brought him there. After he had healed, he returned to the surface to find out what had happened to his ship and crew.  


Garin and Jaques were abducted later to a remote island where they are reunited with the Black Pawkeet crew. Escaping from the prison, they re-commandeered their ship and head out to prevent Scarblade's invasion of the underwater city. However, when Garin (along with Caylis whom he found on the way) returned to warn the king of the upcoming invasion, Kelpbeard blamed him for likely leading the evil pirates right to their doorstep, and sentenced him to imprisonment. Believing Isca for helping Garin, as well as breaking the decree many times, he banished her along with her sister.
In a tavern on [[Scurvy Island]], he discovered Talak, a member of his crew who had been made to walk the plank when he didn't join Scarblade. Learning that his ship had been towed by ''The Revenge'' and his crew alive but imprisoned, he resolved to find ''The Black Pawkeet'', rescue his crew, and take them all to the fantastic underwater city he had been shown. He learnt his best friend Jacques, though, had been captured by [[The Drenched]], evil [[Water Faerie]]s, and did not know how he could possibly save him.
[[Image:Com garin sea.gif|frame|left|"What can I do? I've lost my ship, and my best friend has vanished..."]]
Isca's latest dreams had foretold of both a terrible danger to [[New Maraqua]] and of the fate of Jacques, held hostage in the lair of The Drenched. Returning to the surface again, she offered to help Garin rescue Jacques in return for his help averting the danger she had prophesied - a ship that could somehow sail underwater. They were able to rescue Jacques, who used one of The Drenched's potions to breathe under water, and escape thanks to the unintentional aid of the monstrous [[Chasm Beast]].  


As the war began, Garin escaped from the guards to find the Aisha sisters and soon his crew, and help turn the tide in the battle. Kelpbeard entered the fray as well, facing off against Scarblade himself. With his crew overwhelmed, Scarblade called a retreat, vowing to one day return. New Maraqua was victorious, preventing the same fate of the old kingdom.
On returning to Scurvy Island, Garin and Jacques discovered it almost deserted, with almost everyone having been recruited into Captain Scarblade's army: Garin had been overheard when he spoke to Talak by Scarblade's first mate, [[Benny the Blade]]. Captain Scarblade gathered an army to destroy the city for a second time. Garin and Jacques were kidnapped to become part of Scarblade's labour force - and unintentionally reunited with ''The Black Pawkeet'''s crew. Together, they seized their ship - which Scarblade had been using as an armoury - and set sail for Maraqua. Their ship being faster, they managed to reach it just before ''The Revenge''.
[[Image:Com 20b axf2981s.gif|frame|right|"I swore to never take another life, but for you I will make an exception."]]
Garin swam down to the city to warn them of the invasion, but King Kelpbeard blamed him and Isca for revealing the secret of the city's existence. He banished Isca like her sister, then rallied the Maraquan army. ''The Revenge'' arrived at Maraqua, but before Jacques could engage it, it disappeared under the water: Isca's premonition had become true, an underwater ship.  


With his trust in the surface-folk restored, Kelpbeard made Garin's crew honorary citizens, and lifted the exile of Isca and Caylis as redemption for his misjudgments. While the former accepted, and latter decided she grew more comfortable with the outside world. Garin returned to his crew, rather preferring the pirate life over Isca's offer for a life of luxury, and sailed for more adventure.
Although they fought valiantly, the Maraquan army was being pushed back. Garin reunited with his crew, Isca, Caylis, and Isca's pet [[Goregas]] outside the city, and attacked Scarblade's pirates from behind, trapping them in a pincer movement. King Kelpbeard took to the field himself, and bested Captain Scarblade one-on-one. The pirate army was beaten, Captain Scarblade and those that could retreat escaped, while others were captured.  


==User participation==
King Kelpbeard lifted the exile of Isca and Caylis, and welcomed the crew of ''The Black Pawkeet'' to the city. Garin, though, was not ready to give up on his life as a pirate, and he and his crew set sail for new adventures.
Users were given the option to help Maraqua or the pirates during the attack in two ways. One form of participation, ''Battler'', involved fighting against Maraqua or the pirates in the [[Battledome]]. The other, ''Supporter'' involved acquiring certain items to assist the battlers, and playing Maraquan themed games to acquire points
 
==Participation==
As well as being able to chose whether to side with the pirates or Maraqua, users could chose whether to become a warrior, who could fight the enemies that were released in the [[Battledome]] and earn points that way, or to become a supporter. Supporters earned points by retrieving requested items, playing [[Maraqua]]n games, or handing in special war tokens given out by random events.


===Battledome===
===Battledome===
Those who joined Maraqua fought the pirates, and vice versa. Also, depending on the strength of the users selected Neopet (which was the only one which could fight in the war), only certain ranked opponents would award the user with points. Opponents could be fought an infinite number of times, but with each in the opponent became progressively stronger.
Those who joined Maraqua fought the pirates, and vice versa. Each player was placed into either rank one, rank two, or rank three based on how well trained their Neopets were. In each wave, there was an opponent corresponding to each rank for each side, and only these could be fought. All players could fight the boss characters. Opponents could be fought an infinite number of times, but with each win the opponent became progressively stronger.
{| border="1"
 
|-style="background:gray"
These challengers were fought in the Water Arena.
!colspan=2| Maraquan Army ||colspan=2| Pirate Crew || Difficulty  
 
|-style="background:silver"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto;"
|colspan=5| '''Wave One''' 1 point per win
|-
!Rank
!colspan="2"|Maraquan Army  
!colspan="2"|Pirate Crew  
!Difficulty  
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Lancer]] || [[Image:com_bfguard.gif]] || [[Pirate Scout]] || [[Image:com_dswab.gif]] || 7
!colspan="6"| '''Wave One''' 1 point per win
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Chef]] || [[Image:com_mchef.gif]] || [[Pirate Helmswoman]] || [[Image:com_bfcrew.gif]] || 100
| 1 || [[Maraquan Lancer]] || [[Image:com_bfguard.gif]] || [[Pirate Scout]] || [[Image:com_dswab.gif]] || 7
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Foot Soldier]] || [[Image:com_bmguard.gif]] || [[Petty Crewmate]] || [[Image:com_bmcrew.gif]] || 250
| 2 || [[Maraquan Chef]] || [[Image:com_mchef.gif]] || [[Pirate Helmswoman]] || [[Image:com_bfcrew.gif]] || 100
|-style="background:silver"
|colspan=5| '''Wave Two''' 4 points per win
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Sergeant]] || [[Image:com_amguard.gif]] || [[Pirate Avenger]] || [[Image:Pirateavenger bd.gif]] || 15
| 3 || [[Maraquan Foot Soldier]] || [[Image:com_bmguard.gif]] || [[Petty Crewmate]] || [[Image:com_bmcrew.gif]] || 250
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Blade Specialist]] || [[Image:com_afguard.gif]] || [[Pirate First Mate]] || [[Image:com_amcrew.gif]] || 300
!colspan="6"| '''Wave Two''' 4 points per win
|-
|-
| [[Enraged Maraquan Mob]] || [[Image:com_amara.gif]] || [[Pirate Brute]] || [[Image:com_pbrute.gif]] || 600
| 1 || [[Maraquan Sergeant]] || [[Image:com_amguard.gif]] || [[Pirate Avenger]] || [[Image:Pirateavenger bd.gif]] || 15
|-style="background:silver"
|colspan=5| '''Wave Three''' 8 points per win
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Charger]] || [[Image:com_mcharge.gif]] || [[Pirate Bomber]] || [[Image:Piratebomber bd.gif]] || 37
| 2 || [[Maraquan Blade Specialist]] || [[Image:com_afguard.gif]] || [[Pirate First Mate]] || [[Image:com_amcrew.gif]] || 300
|-
|-
| [[Grand Commander]] || [[Image:com_famc.gif]] || [[Cannon Master]] || [[Image:com_pcm.gif]] || 475
| 3 || [[Enraged Maraquan Mob]] || [[Image:com_amara.gif]] || [[Pirate Brute]] || [[Image:com_pbrute.gif]] || 600
|-
|-
| [[Maraquan Shieldmaiden]] || [[Image:com_fafc.gif]] || [[Pirate Champion]] || [[Image:com_pchamp.gif]] || 1100
!colspan="6"| '''Wave Three''' 8 points per win
|-style="background:silver"
|colspan=5| '''Wave Four''' 12 points per win
|-
|-
| [[Swordmaster Talek]] || [[Image:Talek bd.gif]] || [[Benny]] || [[Image:com_benpirate.gif]] || 80
| 1 || [[Maraquan Charger]] || [[Image:com_mcharge.gif]] || [[Pirate Bomber]] || [[Image:Piratebomber bd.gif]] || 37
|-
|-
| [[Garin]] || [[Image:com_mgarin.gif]] || [[Quartermaster]] || [[Image:com_mbully.gif]] || 850
| 2 || [[Grand Commander]] || [[Image:com_famc.gif]] || [[Cannon Master]] || [[Image:com_pcm.gif]] || 475
|-
|-
| [[Goregas]] || [[Image:com_mgoregas.gif]] || [[Ships Cook]] || [[Image:com_fvcrew.gif]] || 1500
| 3 || [[Maraquan Shieldmaiden]] || [[Image:com_fafc.gif]] || [[Pirate Champion]] || [[Image:com_pchamp.gif]] || 1100
|-style="background:silver"
|colspan=5| '''Final Boss''' 10,000 points
|-
|-
| [[King Kelpbeard]] || [[Image:com_kkb.gif]] || [[Captain Scarblade]] || [[Image:com_sap.gif]] || 100000
!colspan="6"| '''Wave Four''' 12 points per win
|-
| 1 || [[Swordmaster Talek]] || [[Image:Talek bd.gif]] || [[Benny]] || [[Image:com_benpirate.gif]] || 80
|-
| 2 || [[Garin]] || [[Image:com_mgarin.gif]] || [[Quartermaster]] || [[Image:com_mbully.gif]] || 850
|-
| 3 || [[Goregas]] || [[Image:com_mgoregas.gif]] || [[Ships Cook]] || [[Image:com_fvcrew.gif]] || 1500
|-
!colspan="6"| '''Final Boss''' 10,000 points
|-
|N/A || [[King Kelpbeard]] || [[Image:com_kkb.gif]] || [[Captain Scarblade]] || [[Image:com_sap.gif]] || 100000
|}
|}


==Prizes==
==Prizes==
Prizes were released on June 14, 2005. The total points players collected from defeating opponents in the [[Battledome]] were spent in the ''Curse of Maraqua War Prize Shop'', where 6 items were available to be bought, all 6 different depending on who users fought for. A 7th item was available for both sides, the Maraquan [[Sidebar]]. Four exclusive [[Avatar]]s were also released, only one of which could be acquired depending what the user did during the war.
Prizes were released on June 14, 2005. The total points players collected from defeating opponents in the [[Battledome]] were spent in the ''Curse of Maraqua War Prize Shop'', where 6 items were available to be bought, all 6 different depending on who users fought for. A 7th item was available for both sides, the Maraquan [[Sidebar]]. Four exclusive [[Avatar]]s were also released, only one of which could be acquired depending what the user did during the war - whether they were a pirate supporter, a pirate warrior, a Maraquan supporter, or a Maraquan warrior.  


[[Trophies]] were also awarded to users showing who they fought for, were a ''Battler'' or ''Supporter'', how many points they collected and their rank.
[[Trophies]] were also awarded to users showing who they fought for, were a ''Battler'' or ''Supporter'', how many points they collected and their rank.


 
{| style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;" cellpadding="0"
 
!style="text-align: center;background-color:#8888ff;color:#ffffff; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big><big>Maraqua</big></big>
{| style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" cellpadding="0"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:#8888ff;color:#ffffff" colspan="7"|<big><big>Maraqua</big></big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000" colspan="7"|<big>Warrior</big>
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big>Warrior</big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_maraqua_w_1.gif
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_maraqua_w_1.gif
Line 94: Line 108:
|'''Vindicator''' 4000 - 4999<br>'''Waverider''' 5000 - 6499<br>'''Commander of the Tides''' 6500+
|'''Vindicator''' 4000 - 4999<br>'''Waverider''' 5000 - 6499<br>'''Commander of the Tides''' 6500+
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000" colspan="7"|<big>Supporter</big>
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big>Supporter</big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_maraqua_s_1.gif
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_maraqua_s_1.gif
Line 112: Line 126:
|'''Disciple''' 553 - 649<br>'''Advocate''' 650 - 999<br>'''????''' 1000+
|'''Disciple''' 553 - 649<br>'''Advocate''' 650 - 999<br>'''????''' 1000+
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:#ffaa00;color:#ffffff" colspan="7"|<big><big>Pirates</big></big>
!style="text-align: center;background-color:#ffaa00;color:#ffffff; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big><big>Pirates</big></big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000" colspan="7"|<big>Warrior</big>
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big>Warrior</big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_pirate_w_1.gif  
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_pirate_w_1.gif  
Line 132: Line 146:
|'''First Mate''' 4000 - 4999<br>'''Captain''' 5000 - 6499<br>'''????''' 6500+
|'''First Mate''' 4000 - 4999<br>'''Captain''' 5000 - 6499<br>'''????''' 6500+
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000" colspan="7"|<big>Supporter</big>
!style="text-align: center;background-color:transparent;color:#000000; font-weight: bold;" colspan="7"|<big>Supporter</big>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_pirate_s_1.gif  
|http://images.neopets.com/water/plot_com/com_pirate_s_1.gif  
Line 151: Line 165:
|}
|}


== Trivia ==
Different sets of prizes were available to buy depending on how the player participated:
*Even though the Water Arena turned into a hidden link for the duration of the plot, the plot's war was taken place in the Water Arena.
 
*[[Kanrik]] and [[Hannah]] marrying in the second page of Chapter 2 of the plot comic was used as a joke. Apparently, it was a coincidence that this plot was right after the [[Hannah and the Ice Caves (Plot)|Hannah and the Ice Caves]] plot.
{| style="margin: 0 auto;"
! style="background-color:#8888ff;color:#ffffff;"|Maraquan warrior
! style="background-color:#8888ff;color:#ffffff;"|Maraquan supporter
|-
|
*'''Goregas Keyring''' - 1 point
*:''<small>Iscas brave Petpet can now guard your keys from danger.</small>''
*'''Maraquan Print T-Shirt''' - 10 points
*:''<small>This rather fetching shirt can only be bought if you battled in the Maraquan war.</small>''
*'''Maraquan Decorative Banner''' - 25 points
*:''<small>Brighten up your [[Neohome]] with this colourful banner.</small>''
*'''Isca Pull Along Toy''' - 50 points
*:''<small>When you pull this toy along, Isca sings.</small>''
*'''Garin Negg''' - 75 points
*:''<small>This ordinary [[Negg]] has been painted to look just like Garin.</small>''
*'''Maraquan Commanders Helm''' - 863 points
*:''<small>Made of purest Maractite with gold detail.</small>''
*'''Swift Maractite Darts''' - 1153 points
*:''<small>These darts will fly straight and true both above and below the waves.</small>''
*'''Maractite Warriors Shield''' - 1717 points
*:''<small>A magnificent shield that any warrior should be proud of.</small>''
*'''Runed Maractite Bow''' - 3050 points
*:''<small>There has never been a more accurate bow...</small>''
|
*'''Goregas Keyring''' - 1 point
*:''<small>Iscas brave Petpet can now guard your keys from danger.</small>''
*'''Maraquan Print T-Shirt''' - 10 points
*:''<small>This rather fetching shirt can only be bought if you battled in the Maraquan war.</small>''
*'''Maraquan Decorative Banner''' - 25 points
*:''<small>Brighten up your Neohome with this colourful banner.</small>''
*'''Isca Pull Along Toy''' - 50 points
*:''<small>When you pull this toy along, Isca sings.</small>''
*'''Garin Negg''' - 75 points
*:''<small>This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Garin.</small>''
*'''Maraquan [[Gallion]] Pull Along Toy''' - 166 points
*:''<small>If you cant afford the real thing, why not get this nifty pull along toy?</small>''
*'''Jacques Stained Glass Window''' - 230 points
*:''<small>If you love [[Kyrii]]s and Jacques, this is the window for you.</small>''
*'''Secrets of Maraqua''' - 316 points
*:''<small>This is said to have been borrowed from the royal library in Maraqua.</small>''
*'''[[Marafin]]''' - 515 points
*:''<small>A cheerful little [[Petpet]] that makes gurgling noises when it is happy.</small>''
|-
! style="background-color:#ffaa00;color:#ffffff"|Pirate warrior
! style="background-color:#ffaa00;color:#ffffff"|Pirate supporter
|-
|
*'''Skull Keyring''' - 1 point
*:''<small>Who would dare take your keys with this menacing skull on the chain?</small>''
*'''War Logo T-Shirt''' - 10 points
*:''<small>Let everyone know you took part in the Maraquan war with this loud and colourful t-shirt.</small>''
*'''Pirate Decorative Banner''' - 25 points
*:''<small>Arrr, its be the perfect addition to your pirate themed home.</small>''
*'''The Revenge Model Ship''' - 50 points
*:''<small>This model version of The Revenge will amuse your Neopet for hours.</small>''
*'''Scarblade Negg''' - 75 points
*:''<small>This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Captain Scarblade.</small>''
*'''Shield of Revenge''' - 900 points
*:''<small>Modelled after the ships wheel of The Revenge, this is a truly menacing shield.</small>''
*'''Triple Bladed Sword''' - 1203 points
*:''<small>Why settle for one blade when you can have three?</small>''
*'''Ring of Revenge''' - 1675 points
*:''<small>This ring has many uses, none of them are pleasant.</small>''
*'''Trusty Hand Cannon''' - 3025 points
*:''<small>Your [[Neopet]] will have a blast with this weapon :)</small>''
|
*'''Skull Keyring''' - 1 point
*:''<small>Who would dare take your keys with this menacing skull on the chain?</small>''
*'''War Logo T-Shirt''' - 10 points
*:''<small>Let everyone know you took part in the Maraquan war with this loud and colourful t-shirt.</small>''
*'''Pirate Decorative Banner''' - 25 points
*:''<small>Arrr, its be the perfect addition to your pirate themed home.</small>''
*'''The Revenge Model Ship''' - 50 points
*:''<small>This model version of The Revenge will amuse your Neopet for hours.</small>''
*'''Scarblade Negg''' - 75 points
*:''<small>This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Captain Scarblade.</small>''
*'''Piraket Pull Along Toy''' - 87 points
*:''<small>If you cant afford the real thing, why not get this nifty pull along toy?</small>''
*'''Skull Motif Stained Glass Window''' - 144 points
*:''<small>People will fear to enter your home if you have this window on display.</small>''
*'''Rare Treasure Maps''' - 238 Points
*:''<small>Packed full of treasure maps for your Neopet to follow.</small>''
*'''[[Blorbis]]''' - 435 points
*:''<small>Grumpy, foul smelling and terribly unhygenic.</small>''
|}
 
==Behind the scenes==
[[Image:CoM Logo.jpg|right|frame|Curse of Maraqua TCG logo.]]
 
===2001 cancellation===
[[Image:Rebuild_maraqua_poster.gif|left|frame|"Rebuild Maraqua"]]
This plot followed on from the [[destruction of Maraqua]], but its release was [http://www.neopets.com/newnt/index.phtml?section=editorial&week=13 delayed due to scheduling conflicts] for four years. In the interim, [http://www.neopets.com/ntimes/index.phtml?section=editorial&issue=179 two of the characters were changed] - [[Captain Dread]]'s role was replaced with Captain Scarblade, and [[King Koi]] was replaced by [[King Kelpbeard]].
 
A teaser that this plot would be revisited was released in the [[Advent Calendar]] of 27 December 2004, which showed all the bands of the [[Concert Hall]] playing to a version of [[Wikipedia:Band Aid (band)|Do They Know It's Christmas?]] with the words "Rebuild Maraqua - let them know Neopia loves them!". A ''Rebuild Maraqua Poster'' was given out as a prize on the same day.
 
===Cameos===
*The wedding party ''The Black Pawkeet'' robs appears to feature [[Kanrik]] and [[Hannah]] from the [[Hannah and the Ice Caves]] plot.
*[[Punchbag Sid]] appears in [[Swordmaster Talek]]'s training grounds.
 
===Other===
*This plot was released in conjunction with the Curse of Maraqua expansion to the [[Neopets TCG]].


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 14:00, 11 November 2014

Maraqua faced the return of an old threat.

Curse of Maraqua was a plot that began on 15 March 2005 and concluded on 10 June. Prizes were released on the 14 June, and for the first time players were able to choose their prizes instead of being awarded one automatically. The plot featured the return of Maraqua, a world that had been missing since 2001, and a battle to protect it from Captain Scarblade's pirate crew who sought to destroy the city for a second time.

Like in the Champions of Meridell and Hannah and the Ice Caves, players were able to choose which side to help in the conflict. They could choose either a warrior or supporter role, which each participated in different ways. Warriors were ranked into three classes depending on how well trained their Neopets were, with players with stronger Neopets having to fight stronger enemies.

Synopsis[edit]

Garin and his crew are attacked by the dreaded Captain Scarblade, and would have drowned if not for Isca, a seer from the secret city of New Maraqua. Garin returned to the surface to reunite his crew, but inadvertently alerted Scarblade to the fact that the city he had once destroyed was rebuilt.

Together, Garin's crew and the Maraquan army are able to repel Scarblade's invading army and New Maraqua was saved.

Story[edit]

Isca and Caylis, sisters with the gift of prophecy.

After the old city of Maraqua had been destroyed, King Kelpbeard gathered as many of the survivors as he could, and began building a new city, in secret. Amongst the Maraquans rescued were two sisters, Caylis and Isca. Both came to have prophetic dreams: Isca saw the future in her dreams, but Caylis in her nightmares. Other Maraquans began to blame Caylis for the disasters she foresaw, and King Kelpbeard banished her for the safety of his people. He had learnt the value of Isca's advice, however, whose dreams helped protect the city. King Kelpbeard issued a moratorium on Maraquans visiting the surface dwellers in order to keep their city secret: Isca defied him once, and saw a young Usul, who would come to feature in many of her dreams.

"Those of you who surrender can become part of my crew... And those who do not will walk the plank!"

The young Usul's name was Garin, who would grow up to captain the ship The Black Pawkeet. Together with his best friend and first mate Jacques, they began a glamorous life of piracy. One day, they robbed a wedding party, but had ventured into territory claimed by Captain Scarblade, self-styled ruler of the Five Seas of Neopia. His galleon The Revenge attacked and captured The Black Pawkeet, and both Garin and Jacques went overboard.

Isca saw the attack in a dream, and swam to the surface in time to rescue Garin from drowning. She gave him a magical necklace to allow him to breathe under water. As his ship was captured and his crew prisoner, Garin had no where to go: Isca took him inside the hidden city to recover from the fight, explaining how displeased the King would be if he knew she had brought him there. After he had healed, he returned to the surface to find out what had happened to his ship and crew.

In a tavern on Scurvy Island, he discovered Talak, a member of his crew who had been made to walk the plank when he didn't join Scarblade. Learning that his ship had been towed by The Revenge and his crew alive but imprisoned, he resolved to find The Black Pawkeet, rescue his crew, and take them all to the fantastic underwater city he had been shown. He learnt his best friend Jacques, though, had been captured by The Drenched, evil Water Faeries, and did not know how he could possibly save him.

"What can I do? I've lost my ship, and my best friend has vanished..."

Isca's latest dreams had foretold of both a terrible danger to New Maraqua and of the fate of Jacques, held hostage in the lair of The Drenched. Returning to the surface again, she offered to help Garin rescue Jacques in return for his help averting the danger she had prophesied - a ship that could somehow sail underwater. They were able to rescue Jacques, who used one of The Drenched's potions to breathe under water, and escape thanks to the unintentional aid of the monstrous Chasm Beast.

On returning to Scurvy Island, Garin and Jacques discovered it almost deserted, with almost everyone having been recruited into Captain Scarblade's army: Garin had been overheard when he spoke to Talak by Scarblade's first mate, Benny the Blade. Captain Scarblade gathered an army to destroy the city for a second time. Garin and Jacques were kidnapped to become part of Scarblade's labour force - and unintentionally reunited with The Black Pawkeet's crew. Together, they seized their ship - which Scarblade had been using as an armoury - and set sail for Maraqua. Their ship being faster, they managed to reach it just before The Revenge.

"I swore to never take another life, but for you I will make an exception."

Garin swam down to the city to warn them of the invasion, but King Kelpbeard blamed him and Isca for revealing the secret of the city's existence. He banished Isca like her sister, then rallied the Maraquan army. The Revenge arrived at Maraqua, but before Jacques could engage it, it disappeared under the water: Isca's premonition had become true, an underwater ship.

Although they fought valiantly, the Maraquan army was being pushed back. Garin reunited with his crew, Isca, Caylis, and Isca's pet Goregas outside the city, and attacked Scarblade's pirates from behind, trapping them in a pincer movement. King Kelpbeard took to the field himself, and bested Captain Scarblade one-on-one. The pirate army was beaten, Captain Scarblade and those that could retreat escaped, while others were captured.

King Kelpbeard lifted the exile of Isca and Caylis, and welcomed the crew of The Black Pawkeet to the city. Garin, though, was not ready to give up on his life as a pirate, and he and his crew set sail for new adventures.

Participation[edit]

As well as being able to chose whether to side with the pirates or Maraqua, users could chose whether to become a warrior, who could fight the enemies that were released in the Battledome and earn points that way, or to become a supporter. Supporters earned points by retrieving requested items, playing Maraquan games, or handing in special war tokens given out by random events.

Battledome[edit]

Those who joined Maraqua fought the pirates, and vice versa. Each player was placed into either rank one, rank two, or rank three based on how well trained their Neopets were. In each wave, there was an opponent corresponding to each rank for each side, and only these could be fought. All players could fight the boss characters. Opponents could be fought an infinite number of times, but with each win the opponent became progressively stronger.

These challengers were fought in the Water Arena.

Rank Maraquan Army Pirate Crew Difficulty
Wave One 1 point per win
1 Maraquan Lancer Com bfguard.gif Pirate Scout Com dswab.gif 7
2 Maraquan Chef Com mchef.gif Pirate Helmswoman Com bfcrew.gif 100
3 Maraquan Foot Soldier Com bmguard.gif Petty Crewmate Com bmcrew.gif 250
Wave Two 4 points per win
1 Maraquan Sergeant Com amguard.gif Pirate Avenger Pirateavenger bd.gif 15
2 Maraquan Blade Specialist Com afguard.gif Pirate First Mate Com amcrew.gif 300
3 Enraged Maraquan Mob Com amara.gif Pirate Brute Com pbrute.gif 600
Wave Three 8 points per win
1 Maraquan Charger Com mcharge.gif Pirate Bomber Piratebomber bd.gif 37
2 Grand Commander Com famc.gif Cannon Master Com pcm.gif 475
3 Maraquan Shieldmaiden Com fafc.gif Pirate Champion Com pchamp.gif 1100
Wave Four 12 points per win
1 Swordmaster Talek Talek bd.gif Benny Com benpirate.gif 80
2 Garin Com mgarin.gif Quartermaster Com mbully.gif 850
3 Goregas Com mgoregas.gif Ships Cook Com fvcrew.gif 1500
Final Boss 10,000 points
N/A King Kelpbeard Com kkb.gif Captain Scarblade Com sap.gif 100000

Prizes[edit]

Prizes were released on June 14, 2005. The total points players collected from defeating opponents in the Battledome were spent in the Curse of Maraqua War Prize Shop, where 6 items were available to be bought, all 6 different depending on who users fought for. A 7th item was available for both sides, the Maraquan Sidebar. Four exclusive Avatars were also released, only one of which could be acquired depending what the user did during the war - whether they were a pirate supporter, a pirate warrior, a Maraquan supporter, or a Maraquan warrior.

Trophies were also awarded to users showing who they fought for, were a Battler or Supporter, how many points they collected and their rank.

Maraqua
Warrior
com_maraqua_w_1.gif com_maraqua_w_2.gif com_maraqua_w_3.gif com_maraqua_w_4.gif com_maraqua_w_5.gif com_maraqua_w_6.gif com_maraqua_w_7.gif
Commoner 1 - 4 Initiate 5 - 9
Soldier 10 - 24 		Defender 25 - 49
Legionnaire 50 - 99 		Preserver 100 - 299
Vigilante 300 - 499 		Myrmidon 500 - 999
Centurion 1000 - 1499 		Strategist 1500 - 2499
Kelpguard 2500 - 3999 		Vindicator 4000 - 4999
Waverider 5000 - 6499
Commander of the Tides 6500+
Supporter
com_maraqua_s_1.gif com_maraqua_s_2.gif com_maraqua_s_3.gif com_maraqua_s_4.gif com_maraqua_s_5.gif com_maraqua_s_6.gif com_maraqua_s_7.gif
Servitor 1 - 4 Follower 5 - 9 Assistant 10 - 24 Helper 25 - 49
Supplier 50 - 99 		Contributor 100 - 149
Reinforcer 150 - 299 		Ally 300 - 400
Partian 401 - 552 		Disciple 553 - 649
Advocate 650 - 999
???? 1000+
Pirates
Warrior
com_pirate_w_1.gif com_pirate_w_2.gif com_pirate_w_3.gif com_pirate_w_4.gif com_pirate_w_5.gif com_pirate_w_6.gif com_pirate_w_7.gif
Landlubber 1 - 4 Bilge Rat 5 - 9
Swabby 10 - 24 		Sailor 25 - 49
Sea Dog 50 - 99 		Cannoneer 100 - 299
Navigator 300 - 499 		Cutthroat 500 - 999
Swashbuckler 1000 - 1499 		Mariner 1500 - 2499
Buccaneer 2500 - 3999 		First Mate 4000 - 4999
Captain 5000 - 6499
???? 6500+
Supporter
com_pirate_s_1.gif com_pirate_s_2.gif com_pirate_s_3.gif com_pirate_s_4.gif com_pirate_s_5.gif com_pirate_s_6.gif com_pirate_s_7.gif
Urchin 1 - 4 Pickpocket 5 - 9 Thief 10 - 24 Plunderer 25 - 49
Grog Runner 50 - 99 		Taskmaster 100 - 149
Brigand 150 - 299 		Raider 300 - 400
Smuggler 401 - 552 		Pillager 553 - 649
Quartermaster 650 - 999
Marauder 1000+

Different sets of prizes were available to buy depending on how the player participated:

Maraquan warrior Maraquan supporter
  • Goregas Keyring - 1 point
    Iscas brave Petpet can now guard your keys from danger.
  • Maraquan Print T-Shirt - 10 points
    This rather fetching shirt can only be bought if you battled in the Maraquan war.
  • Maraquan Decorative Banner - 25 points
    Brighten up your Neohome with this colourful banner.
  • Isca Pull Along Toy - 50 points
    When you pull this toy along, Isca sings.
  • Garin Negg - 75 points
    This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Garin.
  • Maraquan Commanders Helm - 863 points
    Made of purest Maractite with gold detail.
  • Swift Maractite Darts - 1153 points
    These darts will fly straight and true both above and below the waves.
  • Maractite Warriors Shield - 1717 points
    A magnificent shield that any warrior should be proud of.
  • Runed Maractite Bow - 3050 points
    There has never been a more accurate bow...
  • Goregas Keyring - 1 point
    Iscas brave Petpet can now guard your keys from danger.
  • Maraquan Print T-Shirt - 10 points
    This rather fetching shirt can only be bought if you battled in the Maraquan war.
  • Maraquan Decorative Banner - 25 points
    Brighten up your Neohome with this colourful banner.
  • Isca Pull Along Toy - 50 points
    When you pull this toy along, Isca sings.
  • Garin Negg - 75 points
    This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Garin.
  • Maraquan Gallion Pull Along Toy - 166 points
    If you cant afford the real thing, why not get this nifty pull along toy?
  • Jacques Stained Glass Window - 230 points
    If you love Kyriis and Jacques, this is the window for you.
  • Secrets of Maraqua - 316 points
    This is said to have been borrowed from the royal library in Maraqua.
  • Marafin - 515 points
    A cheerful little Petpet that makes gurgling noises when it is happy.
Pirate warrior Pirate supporter
  • Skull Keyring - 1 point
    Who would dare take your keys with this menacing skull on the chain?
  • War Logo T-Shirt - 10 points
    Let everyone know you took part in the Maraquan war with this loud and colourful t-shirt.
  • Pirate Decorative Banner - 25 points
    Arrr, its be the perfect addition to your pirate themed home.
  • The Revenge Model Ship - 50 points
    This model version of The Revenge will amuse your Neopet for hours.
  • Scarblade Negg - 75 points
    This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Captain Scarblade.
  • Shield of Revenge - 900 points
    Modelled after the ships wheel of The Revenge, this is a truly menacing shield.
  • Triple Bladed Sword - 1203 points
    Why settle for one blade when you can have three?
  • Ring of Revenge - 1675 points
    This ring has many uses, none of them are pleasant.
  • Trusty Hand Cannon - 3025 points
    Your Neopet will have a blast with this weapon :)
  • Skull Keyring - 1 point
    Who would dare take your keys with this menacing skull on the chain?
  • War Logo T-Shirt - 10 points
    Let everyone know you took part in the Maraquan war with this loud and colourful t-shirt.
  • Pirate Decorative Banner - 25 points
    Arrr, its be the perfect addition to your pirate themed home.
  • The Revenge Model Ship - 50 points
    This model version of The Revenge will amuse your Neopet for hours.
  • Scarblade Negg - 75 points
    This ordinary Negg has been painted to look just like Captain Scarblade.
  • Piraket Pull Along Toy - 87 points
    If you cant afford the real thing, why not get this nifty pull along toy?
  • Skull Motif Stained Glass Window - 144 points
    People will fear to enter your home if you have this window on display.
  • Rare Treasure Maps - 238 Points
    Packed full of treasure maps for your Neopet to follow.
  • Blorbis - 435 points
    Grumpy, foul smelling and terribly unhygenic.

Behind the scenes[edit]

Curse of Maraqua TCG logo.

2001 cancellation[edit]

"Rebuild Maraqua"

This plot followed on from the destruction of Maraqua, but its release was delayed due to scheduling conflicts for four years. In the interim, two of the characters were changed - Captain Dread's role was replaced with Captain Scarblade, and King Koi was replaced by King Kelpbeard.

A teaser that this plot would be revisited was released in the Advent Calendar of 27 December 2004, which showed all the bands of the Concert Hall playing to a version of Do They Know It's Christmas? with the words "Rebuild Maraqua - let them know Neopia loves them!". A Rebuild Maraqua Poster was given out as a prize on the same day.

Cameos[edit]

Other[edit]

  • This plot was released in conjunction with the Curse of Maraqua expansion to the Neopets TCG.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://pinkpt.com//neodex/index.php?title=Curse_of_Maraqua&oldid=85574"