If you haven't read the previous parts, read them here: Chapter One & Epilogue, Chapter Two & Epilogue, and Chapter Three.

***

The mood in the library had shifted. It was fierce, hopeful, and excitement sparked between the Huntsmen as they gathered around the desk, bare but for the mythic horn you’d worked hard to recover. Humming to herself, Ragaim observed her spellwork, ensuring the magic woven into the silver engravings was still intact. Duncan stepped forward, eyes bright for the first time since Hakkon had threatened the guild.

“Nuenin’s Horn,” he breathes, the power of the legend thrilling the Huntsman’s bard. “Finally, we have a chance of saving the Pixiu.”

He straightens up, glancing around at the gathered guild members, ready to speak.

An echoing boom shakes the stone beneath your feet.

Dread boils in your chest.

A call of alarm from the front gates.

The Huntsman waste no time, seething from the library and out into the halls. They pour out onto the ramparts above the massive door, weapons drawn and prepared to defend the keep.

Instead of the massive dragon you’ve expected however, a single woman stands demurely below you. She glances up and meets your eyes, a gentle smile on her face.

“Hello,” she calls out, the tips of her ears sluicing through the river of her hair. “It is only polite to answer when someone knocks, yes?”

Beside you, Duncan - the horn still in hand - calls out.

“Be you friend or foe?”

“Would a foe knock?” comes the reply, and she seems genuinely curious as to the answer. When Duncan appears rather lost for words, she speaks again. “I am Valtheryn, and I have come to speak with those who have recovered the horn of my ancestor.”

The name sounds familiar to you, and in your heart you know she is a friend. With a word to Duncan, the door is raised and Valtheryn strolls into Griffin Lodge with the confidence of a queen. She’s invited to the library, where the Huntsmen gather once more to hear what she has to say.

The smile has drifted from her face, the ethereal air floating around her shoulders hardening.

“I’ve come to warn you. Hakkon has seized control of the beasts you’ve been seeking.”

Unease washes through the room, and Duncan appears grim.

“We have the horn, as you know,” he says slowly. “We can call the Pixiu to us.”

But Valtheryn shakes her head, eyes sharp.

“Hakkon has stolen the power of the kelpie; his hypnotic power over the creatures will keep them from responding at such a distance. You must pursue him, dedicated, unfailing. Dog his steps, and use the Horn to weaken his hold--”

Her voice cuts off suddenly, the breath stuttering in her lungs. Her eyes flash pure white, glowing as her hair begins to rise, drifting on currents of magic that pulse from Valtheryn and wash through the room. When she speaks again, her voice is deep, echoing, and powerful.

“They are coming. Arm yourselves, ready your hearts for the fight. Your stronghold will crumble, your doors will break. Should the courage of hunters fail, all will be lost. They are coming. Arm yourselves…”

And then the sky shatters.

With an unholy sound, the night is wrent open. A gaping black gash tears itself through the sky, and from within the depths of the abyss, a sea of indescribable evil pours forth. Shapes foreign and foul in numbers incomprehensible claw over each other and rain down upon the ground just beyond walls.

“Demons,” Duncan whispers, and you see real fear in his eyes. Around you, the same terror echoes in the faces of the Huntsmen. But behind them, Valtheryn is looking at you. She holds Nuenin’s Horn in her hands, and offers it to you.

“They must fight,” she says calmly. “You must find Hakkon. Save the Pixiu. If you succeed, so too will the Huntsmen.”

You glance over your shoulder, numbly accepting the horn. The others are still transfixed by the evil outside their door, all except for Ragaim. The orc mage is watching you, and when she meets your eyes, she gives a single, sharp nod.

“Go.”

Welcome back, adventurers! This is Chapter 4 and the finale of the 2020 edition of my Epic Quest!

A brief review of how this works: Every month, I host an activity that tells a story. You get to participate in the event and the story! Your goal is to earn the most XP points by the end of the year to get the grand prize: this unique layout, fully coded by me and featuring an image that's themed after the quest!

Participate in each event to earn XP points and special prizes!

Participate in every Epic Quest activity for the whole year, and you'll get an achievement!

If you didn't participate last month but would like to join in now, you're more than welcome! You'll just need to create your character, and instructions for that can be found in Chapter One. Just message me a race, name, and guild for your character, and then you can get started on this month's quest!

Now, the final quest awaits!


Hakkon has the Pixiu and Griffin Lodge is under attack! In order to save the beasts and the Huntsmen, you must pursue the evil shapeshifter and free the Pixiu from his hypnotic control.

Hakkon will pop up around HP throughout the week! Any time you see him online, take a screenshot and send it to me with the date and time you spotted him. You will get a chance to blow Neunin’s Horn and weaken the hypnosis on the Pixiu. A roll of the die will decide if you are successful or not. Whenever you succeed, you will earn 1 XP point. 

If you have a companion, you will earn an XP point regardless of whether or not you were successful!

Additionally, Hakkon will openly challenge everyone with a question once a day. The question will be hidden around HP - in the chat rooms or in the forums. Find his question and answer him correctly to earn an XP point each time! There's no time limit on his questions, so you can answer any of the ones you find at any time until the end of the event.

You must face Hakkon and successfully blow the horn or answer his question five times in order to free the Pixiu, so be sure to keep your eyes open to maximise your chances! He may show up multiple times a day.

Prizes:
Successfully blowing the horn will earn you 1 XP point each time.
Answering Hakkon's daily question correctly will earn you 1 XP point each time.
Freeing the Pixiu will earn you 15k points on an animal & 10 XP points!

You have until 11:59 pm HP time on December 20th to free the Pixiu and save Griffin Lodge! Good luck! :D

The Good Guys

Duncan Voidcaller - Human, Master Huntsman - Infinite XP
Ragaim Wolf-Runner - Orc Mage, Griffin Lodge Innkeeper - Infinite XP
Valtheryn - Half-Elf, Mage Recluse - Infinite XP

Alais Virra & Lyari - Elf, Order of Blades - 51 XP
Cendalle & Dragonwolf - Elf, Arcane Circle - 43 XP
Liathana - Elf, Shadow Hand - 42 XP
Imra Torric & Matroo - Elf, Shadow Hand - 25 XP
Budgrelsia Heavytoe & Amoux - Dwarf, Arcane Circle - 18 XP
Lastande & Lucca - Elf, Order of Blades - 18 XP
Cathrivra Whitegloom & Xena - Human, Order of Blades - 17 XP
Goren Olaric - Elf, Order of Blades - 11 XP
Lila & Stardust - Human, Arcane Circle - 9 XP
Aiaiui & Zumwynn - Elf, Arcane Circle - 8 XP
Cyrva Underfoot & Lakora - Dwarf, Order of Blades - 8 XP
Morwen Rathnez & Fluffy - Orc, Shadow Hand - 7 XP
Galeth Firehammer & Dave - Dwarf, Order of Blades - 7 XP
Thalia - Elf, Arcane Circle - 6 XP
Mazikeen Phoenix - Human, Order of Blades - 4 XP
Ayame - Arcane Circle - 1 XP
Aerin - Elf, Arcane Circle - 0 XP
Huxley Longbow - Dwarf, Order of Blades - 0 XP
Vera Flame - Human, Order of Blades - 0 XP
Daenala - Elf, Order of Blades - 0 XP

The Bad Guys

Hakkon - Human Mage, master of Ebon Claw - Infinite XP

When you say we're looking for Hakkon, what are we looking for, exactly? 

Quick question! We message you with the answer to the question, yes?

Yessssssss. I'm excited :D

Jaya: Hakkon is an actual player account, you're looking for the player account online. 

Blitz: You can message me or the Hakkon account ^^

That makes more sense than whatever I was thinking. Thanks, Mango!

Your Hakkon link is broken Madam Mango!

^ It's account 4288, if anyone needs it

I challenge you to tell me the name of this creature that possesses two forms. He lives in the sea and walks on land. As a man, he must hide the skin of his other form. If his pelt is found and hidden, he can be trapped and enslaved.

D:

Why sad face? :(

I just thought of this, I've been sending a screenshot of when I see HAKKON online, should I just be sending a written message lol 

Just a screenshot works! 

What creature is hatched by a rooster atop a serpent or toad's egg?

This was a ton of fun, Mango! Definitely my favorite event from 2020.

Mine too! I wish I was active enough in the beginning so I could have played from the start. I really loved this!