Altador Plot

The plot deals with the ramifications of The Darkest Faerie's betrayal.

The Altador Plot is a plot centred around the city of Altador. It began on 17 March 2006, with plot steps being released over time until 2 June, when it could first be completed. Unlike other plots, it remains open to this day, and players who have not yet started or completed it can still do so. There is no accompanying plot comic or story for the player to read - in the context of the plot, the player themselves are the hero and the story unfolds as they solve puzzles.

The plot opens following the events of the PlayStation 2 game Neopets: The Darkest Faerie: Altador has been rediscovered and The Darkest Faerie defeated, however as the player explores the city they discover that all records - and memories - of Altador's history have been magically erased.

Synopsis

As the player explores Altador for the first time, they find the Book of Ages in the Altadorian Archives, blank except for a prologue, and an observatory at the top of the Hall of Heroes. They join the Astronomy Club, and, guided by mysterious clues that start appearing around the city, begin to identify constellations in the sky representing the founders of the city.

As more constellations are found, more chapters of the Book of Ages appear. Finneus the Lenny archivist identifies two magic spells at work in the city - although neither appear to be the work of The Darkest Faerie, nor particularly hostile. He hopes the mystery will solve itself as the player continues to identify constellations. During the course of this quest, the player finds Jerdana's Orb. When they are all discovered, and the Book of Ages complete, Finneus and the player note a drawing at the end of the book of The Darkest Faerie with flames in her hand like her statue in the Hall of Heroes.

Finneus suggests they can use a spell to animate the flames on the statue, and after searching the archives, the correct spell is eventually discovered. The player then places Jerdana's Orb on the statue, and it explodes. The history obscuring spell is lifted, and Jerdana herself returns to the Hall and explains she cast the spell to prevent The Darkest Faerie from rewriting the history of Altador with herself as the sole founder. The second spell was used to provide hints to an adventurer like the player, so that after the danger was over the spell could be removed.

Participation

Prologue

The plot begins as the player investigates the Hall of Heroes in the centre of Altador. Inside, the Hall is shrouded in darkness. A Yurble Janitor is standing guard by a button labelled with a sun. He tells the player it does not do anything, and gets irate when the player pushes it anyway.

Next, the player must visit Finneus, the curator of the Altadorian Archives. He too is puzzled by the button in the Hall, and wonders if there is a book that might help them. There is in fact a book in his office - but it is being used to prop up a table leg that is perfectly flat but three inches too short. He won't let the player remove it unless he has something to replace it.

Inland from the city, there is a Perfectly Flat Rock Quarry, where two JubJub miners are arguing over its name. Here, the player can take a perfectly flat three inch tall rock, and swap it with the book in Finneus' office. The book is the Book of Ages. According to the book's prologue, it contains a record of how Altador was founded - however, the rest of the book is blank.

The player can now return to the Janitor in the Hall of Heroes. While the user was away, he came up with an idea: if the mechanism is just seized up, he could get the button working again with some Grease (lubricant)grease. Some plaque-polishing oil can be found next to a random one of the statues in the Hall - the player must now find it, bring it to the button, and press it.

The mechanism opens the ceiling above the Hall, and the room brightens up. This angers the Janitor - as now he has to go back to mopping instead of guarding the button. It also reveals gemstones embedded in panels above each statue, and a stairway up to the Astronomy Tower.

Constellations

Starting on the 25 March, the Astronomy Club opened at the Altadorian Archives. The player can join the club by clicking the flyer in the Archives' entrance foyer. The President of the club gives the player their own EZ-See telescope, which can then be placed on the stand in the Astronomy Tower.

The next twelve steps of the plot follow the same formula: the player discovers a hint in the city to a certain constellation of stars. After visiting Finneus and telling him of the clue, the player will be able to find it in the sky by using the telescope in the Astronomy Tower. They then must mark out the constellation.

Each constellation corresponds to one of the founders of Altador. Finding a constellation makes the gemstones above that founder's statue light up, and a chapter about that founder will appear in the Book of Ages. The player must visit the Janitor, the Astronomy Club, and Finneus after finding each constellation before they can find the clue to the next one.

The Sleeper

The first constellation clue was released on 28 March. The player can now visit a new area - the Restive Tomb that overlooks the city. Examining the markings on the door reveals a pattern - two lines of three dots. Finneus suggests that there may be a matching pair of lines somewhere, and there is: in the stars in the sky.

The stars represent a pair of eyes, the symbol of The Darkest Faerie, who is known among the founders as The Sleeper. Once the player has found the constellation, Finneus notes that the section on the Sleeper has appeared in the Book of Ages. The Janitor is angry that the user has been leaving the lights on, while the Astronomy Cub president congratulates you on discovering a constellation so quickly.

The Dreamer

On 30 March, a new clue was released. The player can look at the clouds floating above Altador by clicking on them to the top right of the map. Examining the gaps in the clouds gives the next clue. Finneus supposes it is a hint to a new constellation, and instructs you to look for it immediately.

The stars represent someone sleeping. They are the symbol of Psellia, who is known among the founders as The Dreamer. The Janitor notes that more gems have lit up - these ones above Psellia's statue. The Astronomy Club President is thrilled that one of the club's members has found two constellations, and Finneus tells you a chapter on the Dreamer has appeared in the Book of Ages.

He wonders why the clues are revealing themselves to the player, and why it is only happening once The Darkest Faerie has been defeated. He says he will try to find some books on history that might shed some light on the mystery, but notes that it may take him a while with all the mess in the Archives.

The First to Rise

The next clue was released on 1 April. The player can visit the Restive Tomb and click a small link in the bottom left hand corner to turn around. The sun is shining straight through the Hall of Heroes' tower. Returning to the Tower, the player must now look at the statue of Sasha, the Dancer, who is holding a tambourine with six discs. Looking out the window behind the statue, the player sees light has been focussed into six points in a circle. Clicking on these points will reveal a clue - two lines of three points, shaped like the outline of a circle. Finneus remarks that even the sun is trying to help them, and sends the player of to find the constellation while he compiles a list of the clues so far.

The stars represent a faerie yawning in front of a sunburst - the symbol of Siyana, known as The First to Rise. The Janitor complains that he's going to have to clean the window sill since you touched it, and the Astronomy Club President gives you an Astronomy Club Membership Badge. Although he congratulates you on finding so many constellations so quickly, "[t]he smile is not in his eyes".

Finneus says that the Book of Ages has updated again, but that he has determined every other history book is missing from the archives.

The Farmer

The next clue was released on 4 April. The player became able to visit Old Follies Farm, a small white building between the city and the coast. Farmer Follies, a Moehog farmer, greets the player in front of his windmill. Inside the windmill, the player can pull a lever.

“You try to force the windmill's blades to turn, in an attempt to blow excess wheat away from the field. Farmer Follies runs into the windmill, shouting at you. "WINDMILLS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY!" He slaps your hand away from the windmill machinery.”

Looking outside of the windmill, the player sees several piles of wheat that reveal a pattern of seven stars fanning out. Finneus notes that the magic at work to make these clues must be strong indeed.

The stars represent a hand holding three stalks of wheat - the symbol of Florin, The Farmer. The Janitor notes that more lights have lit up in the ceiling, and the Astronomy Club President is upset that the player is making so much progress so quickly.

While the Book of Ages has updated again, Finneus still has had no luck finding any other history books in the Archive. He believes magic is involved - but it does not appear to be the magic of The Darkest Faerie. He resolves to search the rest of the city for any books that might help.

The Dancer

The next clue was released on 6 April. A new flyer appeared on the noticeboard of the Archives: the Quiggle who runs the alchemy club, the herbalism club, the mining club, and the underwater basket weaving club, none of which the player could join, has founded a new club, the disco club. When the player visits the club, however, the Quiggle doesn't allow them to join this club either. Behind the Quiggle, however, is a pattern of lights reflected off the wikipedia:disco ball: the next clue. Finneus is surprised to hear of the dance club, saying no one authorised it. He tells the player to find the constellation while he deals with "these hooligans".

The clue is similar to that for the First to Rise, but the positions are rotated so the lines are on the top and bottom of the constellation. It represents a tambourine, and is the symbol of Sasha, The Dancer. The Astronomy Club President won't even talk to the player after this constellation is found, although the rest of the club is happy to see them, and the Janitor is angry that his favourite underground dance club was shut down.

The Book of Ages has been updated again, and Finneus has determined that there is no other book on history left in the city - no one can even remember the city's history.

Book of Ages

Prologue

Long ago, before the building of our great city, twelve heroes arose. Each was famous for different deeds of varying natures. The greatest of these heroes is the one whom we now know as King Altador. He, with the aid of the other heroes, founded our illustrious city by the sea.

Before the Great Betrayal, the kingdom of Altador was one of the most glorious places in all Neopia. It was a centre of culture and greatly admired for its dignified citizens. Those blessed times were nearly lost when one of our own, who once called herself an ally and friend to the heroes, turned her heart to darkness and attempted to destroy the city. Only by Jerdana's magic were we saved, though our future remains uncertain.

Within this tome you will find the recorded history of the twelve heroes and how they came to form the Kingdom of Altador. Protect this knowledge well, for it may be all that is left if Jerdana's magic fails and the betrayer succeeds....

Chapter 1, The Sleeper
See The Darkest Faerie

Chapter 2, The Dreamer
See Psellia

Chapter 3, The First to Rise
See Siyana

The Book of Ages

Chapter 4, The Farmer
See Florin

Chapter 5, The Dancer
See Sasha

Chapter 6, The Wave
See Marak

Chapter 7, The Gladiator
See Torakor

Chapter 8, The Collector
See Gordos

Chapter 9, The Thief
See Kelland

Chapter 10, The Gatherer
See Fauna

Chapter 11, The Protector
See Jerdana

Chapter 12, The Hunter
See King Altador

Epilogue - The Veiled Past
The early years flew by for King Altador and his council, as the city began to take form. For hundreds of miles, Neopians from all over the countryside flocked to the budding city. Its twelve heroic rulers pledged that, together, they would form the greatest and most noble city to ever grace Neopia's landscape. Even King Altador himself, when he wasn't holding court, would help place stones and build walls side by side with the his subjects.

These building sessions would often last late into the night, until the builders' torches had burned themselves out. The one who would one day come to be known as the Betrayer wished to use her magical powers to speed the process, but Altador simply shook his head each time she suggested it. "One appreciates a home far more when it is he who places its stones."

The truth of his words was bourne out by the immaculate care that Altador's inhabitants took of the city when it was finally completed. No one threw trash to the ground, or marked upon a wall, as that would only serve to dishonour and defile what they had strived so hard to create.

Word spread of the magnificent city, and soon caravans began to arrive, bringing goods to be bartered for the amazing crops and fine products that the kingdom had started to produce. Within a few short years, the kingdom of Altador became known as a center of culture and enlightenment. Here, everyone could live out their lives in comfort and dignity.

To insure that the glorious city survived the ages, Siyana, the First to Rise, blessed its mortal heroes with the gift of great longevity. Decades came and went, and Altador remained a shining beacon to those who wished for just rulers.

Seeing that the kingdom was the envy of all others, the Betrayer suggested to Altador that Torakor and his soldiers be sent forth to unite all the other kingdoms under the Lupe's fair rule. Once again, Altador kindly denied her proposal. "Our army is a defensive one, not offensive. If I ordered Torakor to use the army to intimidate others into joining our kingdom, even if I thought that it would eventually be for their own good, I would be no better than the leader that Torakor once wisely stood against."

Although the Betrayer hated having her ideas declined, she could only admit that Altador's wisdom was once again correct. Some feel that events such as these sowed the seeds for her future betrayal. In the meantime, however, the kingdom of Altador continued to prosper, until that fateful day....

Prizes

Prizes were released on September 16, 2006, 3 months after the plot could be fully completed. Users visit King Altador in the council chambers, who rewards the user with...

• The Altadorian Constellations Sidebar (not to be confused with the Altador Cup sidebar)
• 5,000 Neopoints
• Royal Astronomer Trophy
• Club President Super Plushie
• The Way Windmills Work
• Hall of Heroes Play Set
• Set of Four Commemorative Punch Club Pie Plates

After collecting these prizes, the user can return the next day and receive a prize from King Altador, similar to a Daily. On the chat boards, many Neopians have expressed diasppointment with the meager prizes.

The Editorial of the Neopian Times issue 253 stated users would be "mini-rewarded for [their] mini-efforts on the mini-plot", implying the prizes may not be as grand as previous plots. The same editorial states the plot was intended to run long so many users could participate. It's unknown how long the prizes will be given out and how long users will be able to complete the Altador Plot to receive prizes.

Trivia

• On May 27, 2006, The Neopets Team declared on the news page the Altador Plot was over, and congratulated all those who found all constellations, and hoped everyone enjoyed their prizes. Two paragraphs down though, they claimed it was a joke, and they were still working on the next part, hopefully to be released next week.
• Finneus, the Lenny Archivist, is the uncle of the Conundrum Lenny.

External links

• Altador, Hall of Heroes, Altadorian Archives, Council Chamber
• Neopets TCG: The Dancer, The Darkest Faerie, The First to Rise, The Gatherer, The Hunter, King Altador, The Protector, The Thief, Altador, The Collector, The Farmer, Florin, The Sleeper, Treasurer Gordos, The Dreamer, Fauna, The Gladiator, The Wave
• Editorial: 232, 233, 236, 239, 241, 242, 243, 253, 257, 261, 264, 267, 292, 302, 309, 332, 336, 342, 454