Researchers Under Fire

Researchers Under Fire is a set of two timed scenarios located at ^{[47.4, 58.0]} at Ruins of Drekazera in the Sulfur Wastes of central Zaralek Cavern. The timed scenario runs hourly at the bottom of the hour (at xx:30).

The scenario has players assist researchers Rannan Korren, Greta Herzig, and Thaelin Darkanvil as they investigate a titan mining lockdown with their new niffen guides in the Zaralek Cavern.

The adventurer Rannan Koren, a member of the Dragonscale Expedition, often heads into the fray before his colleagues are ready. His group, with the players' help, will try to lift a hostile titan lockdown of a mining operation in the Sulfur Wastes, or investigate an abandoned Zaqali Djaradin ruins in the Molten Overflow.

It should require many players to defeat the powerful foes that will resist Rannan and his company as they seek to complete their objectives. The area is dangerous and the time the researchers have is limited. Players will be rewarded each week based on the highest number of objectives they complete. Completing more objectives in later scenarios will garner higher item level and greater currency rewards, but helping each time will provide some compensation and a chance for more rewards.

Rewards

Rewards vary based on how many objectives of 12 have been completed and whether it's the first or repeated clear at that completion level:

Getting to 12/12 will require an organized raid group of at least 20 players to zerg down all of the adds and turn in all of the gatherables.

All containers have a chance at collectables, including a mount ( [Flaming Shalewing Subject 01]) and a pet ( [Devourer Lobstrok]). Additionally, they can drop gear up to Champion 1/6 (ilvl 415).

There's also a series of achievements:

[Cooling the Research Field] (meta)
Titan Lockdown
Zaqlai Ruin
Both
- [Hot Research Zone]
- [Nothing Stops the Research]

Titan Lockdown scenario

Please add any available information to this section.
The scenario lasts for a maximum of 25 minutes and runs for up to twelve steps.

Five minutes before the scenario starts:

Rannan Korren says: Tuberros, what can you tell me about Drekazera? If my draconic translation is right, it would mean false nest?

Tuberros says: I was not one to focus on the dragon script, but that does sound in line with the ancient stories. The great black dragon would use this platform to test his creations.

Perisimona says: Yeah, that they would force the creations through the caustic pools in the area! You can smell all these icky containers here. They were beastly things my elder said.

Rannan Korren says: Interesting. We must take samples. I wish we had a sample from Aberrus to compare it to.

Starting With Trouble

Sundered Flame Patrol

Defeat the Sundered Flame Patrols.

Northern Patrol Defeated
Southern Patrol Defeated
Western Patrol Defeated

Sundered Flame Flamespinner yells: You only delay the inevitable. Runners have been sent. Captain Reykal will be here soon to destroy your meager expedition.

At the ruins, Tarasek Fighters and Sundered Flame Cleavers (among others) attack using the three sets of steps to the ruins. This step can largely be soloed, though it will take a large amount of time.

Cleansing the Lockdown

Titan Contamination Forces

Clear out the Titan Contamination Forces to the southwest.

Titan Forces Cleared (0/100%)

Tuberros says: The titan camp has had a contamination lockdown for many years. Rannan thinks you can find the contaminant and neutralize it. You should do that, but you must clear the area first!

Rannan Korren says: Greta, niffen scouts report a titan containment force coming straight for you! Hurry! You're running out of time!

This step (and the next few) have a separate timer that starts counting down from roughly 7:30, regardless of the length of time left in the greater scenario. When that timer runs out, the scenario will skip ahead to A Titanic Counterattack.

Head southwest and defeat titan constructs and defense orbs to fill the bar.

Lockdown Mess

Clear the boulders blocking the main console and gather titan parts nearby for Greta to repair it.

Large Boulders Destroyed (2)
Titan Parts Gathered (40)

Greta Herzig yells: This place has been on lockdown for a while. We need to clear these boulders away from the console, and I will need parts from around the area to fix it.

Greta Herzig yells: Kortei and Marisina, you two deal with the ore processors. Imrou, the contaminant is most likely in the cave. Caeen, organize the parts our escorts are collectin'. I might also need ye help with the console.

Huezeki Windsong yells: I will be waiting over here. If anyone gets into trouble, come to me for healing!

Attack the boulders covering the console and look around the area for cylinders and gears and bring them, on foot and one-at-a-time, to the big bucket.

Acidhide Krolusks may pop out when interacting with parts, so be prepared to fend them off.

Cylinder
Gear

Hostile Investigators

Attacking wildlife

Our scuffle with the Titan forces has riled up the local wildlife.

Attacking Wildlife Defeated (0/100%)

Greta Herzig yells: Our fightin' with the titan forces has angered the local wildlife. Watch out!

New packs of wildlife appear including Acidhide Krolusks and Deepstrider Alphas. Defeat them.

Cave Cracking

Break into the cave to find the containment.

Greta Herzig yells: According to the console's memory, the titan forces sealed the contaminant in the cave nearby. We must break through the rocks so we can get it and neutralize it. How is it lookin' over there, Imrou?

Imrou yells: I couldn't find a way in, but the fallen boulders are weaker for some reason.

The mouth of the cave at ^{[44.9, 62.4]} is full of Fallen Boulders. AoE them all down and the earth elementals that spawn. Destroy 100 (over the course of several runs of the event) to earn the achievement [Rockin Research].

Broken Container

A Titan Overseer has been contaminated after being locked in the cave for all this time!

Contaminated Titan Watcher slain

Contaminated Titan Watcher yells: Must... report... contaminant... Must destroy... contaminant...

Contaminated Titan Watcher yells: Contaminant Escaped... Risk to Contaminant identified... Must destroy threat to contaminant!

Greta Herzig yells: Look out! That Titan Watcher has been exposed to the contaminant. I will see if I can snag a sample while ye keep it occupied.

The Contaminated Titan Watcher pops out of the cave. Pop cooldowns as it stacks a disease that ticks rather hard. Huezeki Windsong's healing can keep up, but only to a point.

Defeat it to earn the achievement [Lockdown Mystery].

Neutralizing the Contaminant

Place ore samples in the sulfur pool while Greta Herzig prepares the machine to neutralize the contaminant.

Curious Ore Samples collected (60)

Greta Herzig yells: Got it! We will need the curious ore they were minin' in the area to neutralize it! Bring samples to the ore processors Kortei and Marisina are overseein'!

Marisina says: This ore has a peculiar smell. Our people could not get a good sniff until now due to the lockdown.

Much like the Lockdown Mess stage, bring ore chunks, on foot and one-at-a-time, to the console. Fend off the adds that spawn. Bring back 100 (over the course of many runs) to earn the achievement [A Research Sampler].

Affected Wildlife

Prevent the contaminated wildlife from escaping the area.

Contaminated Wildlife destroyed (15)

Greta Herzig yells: The wildlife is bein' contaminated. We cannae let any escape! You must prevent them from spreadin' it!

A brimstone serpent lets out a roar as it emerges from a nearby sulfur pool.

Various Contaminated varieties of the nearby wildlife spawn. Pull them into the water to ensure they are counted.

A Violent Reaction

The Animated Contaminant under attack

The last traces of the contaminant have coalesced into a hostile elemental that must be destroyed.

Animated Contaminant destroyed

Greta Herzig yells: That did it! But... the reaction is catalyzin' into somethin'...

Animated Contaminant yells: You have created your own end!

An elemental spawns in the southwest of the water, outside of the cave. Defeat it before time runs out to earn the achievement [Contaminant Cleaner]!

A Titanic Counterattack

Defeat the first wave of the Titan Containment Response Force to allow Greta to retreat back to the platform.

Titan forces defeated (0/100%)
Response Team Overseer defeated ^{[47.7, 63.8]}

Greta Herzig yells: We are out of time; a new containment response force is here. Fend off the first wave to give us time to escape with our samples and data.

Huezeki Windsong yells: I will stick with the adventurers and watch their backs.

Huezeki Windsong yells: I bring the breath of life into this hostile cavern!

When the sub-timer runs out, the scenario skips ahead to this point. Clear out more titan constructs, defense orbs, and the Response Team Overseer that spawns:

Response Team Watcher yells: Your violation of the containment area is at an end!

Greta Herzig yells: Our group is clear! When ye finish with tha overseer, get to the hub!

A Clear Sign We Are Not Wanted

The Sundered Flame reinforcements have arrived, we must defend the camp long enough for our forces to withdraw.

Sundered Flame Forces Defeated (0/100%)

Tuberros says: Hey, Rannan? Those dragony fellows there to the north.. They aren't your friends, right?

Rannan Korren says: What? Oh no... no, no no! Adventurers, the Sundered Flame are back! Quick! Get back to the platform!

Back to the Ruins of Drekazera and fend off attackers from three directions at the steps.

One of the waves will spawn Lietenant Narlena.

Lieutenant Narlena yells: You have interfered in our affairs for the last time. Prepare to meet your end!

Fend her off:

Lieutenant Narlena yells: Reykal, I have failed! Avenge me!

Leaders to a Flame

The Sundered Flame leader, Captain Reykal has taken the field!

Captain Reykal Defeated ^{[48.9, 58.1]}

Rannan Korren yells: Their leader has taken the field to the southeast. But we haven't all evacuated yet! Deal with them so we can make our escape!

Captain Reykal yells: Fools! You are not worthy to even set foot in this sacred cavern. I will take back the knowledge you stole when I take your heads!

Reykal spawns to the southeast. Defeat him to earn the achievement [Nothing Stops the Research].

Getting Out

Rannan has completed everything he can for now, and must retire before more Sundered Flame reinforcements arrive.

Talk to Rannan to complete this expedition

Rannan Korren says: Stop and drop everything! Let's get out of here! We'll pick up our work later. Thanks for your help, adventurers. Take this!

Zaqali Djaradin ruins scenario

Perisimona says: Rannan, why is Thaelin so interested in the Zaqali?

Rannan Korren says: I do not think it is the djaradin specifically, more their artifacts and how they deal with the elements.

Tuberros says: Why? Is it because he has the scent of a volcano as well?

Rannan Korren says: Actually, that might be it. His people live deep in the heart of a volcano, surrounded by lava. They are close to the elements of fire and earth similar to the djaradin.

Perisimona says: What do you think he hopes to smell about these elements?

Rannan Korren says: He's the expert. All I know is it might mean a breakthrough we can use back up above.