Level 104

Lucas the Minotaur, in Grim Mansion, says not to judge a book by its cover.  He's a good person who means you no harm and would like to believe the same about you.  He finds your face trustworthy and wonders if you ever considered having a minotaur for a friend.

He introduces himself as Lucas Rampant Stare of the Thunder Axe settlement.  He's an educated minotaur, having always had more interest in books and knowledge than combat.  Lucas realizes the stereotype is that minotaurs are warlike, but make no mistake, he can still handle an axe!

On the Dark Side, there's a sacred town of minotaurs called Ariadne's Labyrinth, but the way there is hidden to outsiders.  The town is beautiful and few ever had the honor of visiting it.

Level 105

Something dark and horrible appeared in the labyrinth; something Lucas believes is a shadow serpent.  Having long slumbered in the deep darkness, the shadow serpent is one of the Dark World's most ancient and horrible restless shadows.  But something woke it and now it's hunting.  The shadow serpent is small, but it grows each night as it hunts the minotaurs.  And the town is in danger as the shadow serpent grows bigger and bolder.

Lucas remembers old tales from his youth that mention a Hidden Sword, a legendary weapon capable of destroying dark creatures.  While swords aren't common weapons for minotaurs, Lucas is sure his hand won't shake while wielding the Hidden Sword.  He admits the tale of the sword seemed clearer and more logical when he was a kid, but vows to deal with the shadow serpent himself.

The legend contains a riddle, "The red stone near the rocks is hidden by the shadow of the forgotten tale", and Lucas realizes his youth wasn't wasted in those dusty old libraries after all when he knows where to find the sword.

Lucas prepares for his journey with jerky, clean water and his faithful axe.  He offers up a minotaur tradition while casting aside thoughts of what could happen if he fails to defeat the shadow serpent.  In his culture, minotaurs bump horns with those close to them before setting off on a journey, but decides it would be safer for you to just shake hands as humans do.

Lucas the Minotaur disappears from Grim Mansion.

Level 105

Ludwig Milton in Ancient Cemetery wonders what brought you to such a grim place at such a grim hour.  He apologizes for his unusual appearance and hopes you learn to look past it once you get to know him better.

Ludwig Milton calls himself a true knight and begins to relate a little about his life.  When he was alive, a long time ago, he was brave but foolish, and it's his fault he ended up here.  He used to live in a castle, was a threat to foes, a protector of friends and a magnet for ladies.  Those were happy times.

One day, Ludwig caught a glimpse of what he thought was a simple village girl in the forest.  She stole his heart, both figuratively and literally.  But she turned out to be a witch.  Nevertheless, Ludwig became obsessed with her and every day plunged deeper and deeper into blind love.  He saw her eyes at night and heart her voice call to him from the darkness.

One night, Ludwig succumbed to her song and went to her as a meek lamb.  She greeted him happily and asked for a favor.  She asked Ludwig to help her defeat the Lord of Darkness himself.  He'd barely heard her request before he found himself agreeing.  The witch led Ludwig to an old portal and began whispering spells and waving her staff.  As though hypnotized, Ludwig approached the portal and saw the reflection of a terrible world.  He stepped inside and heard the wretched witch call the Lord of Darkness 'master'.

That's when the veil of love fell from Ludwig's eyes and he found himself on the Dark Side.  He could barely move, but used the last bit of his strength to stab the portal's base with his dagger, destroying it.  But the Lord of Darkness' revenge was elegant.  Ludwig is neither alive nor dead and unable to leave the Dark Side.

After hundreds of years in solitude, Ludwig is happy to have someone to talk to.  He knows about the artifact and will help get the Sky Stones.

While Ludwig can't leave the Dark Side, the descendants of those who once swore their allegiance to him now exist in the land of the living.  His faithful raven, a reliable means of communication, will deliver a message to the one who swore allegiance; he might be dead, but sometimes the sons must pay for the debts of the father.

The story behind the sworn allegiance isn't exciting; Ludwig saved a noble knight from a terrible death in harpy's claws during a hunt.  Exciting or not, if it weren't for Ludwig, that knight's descendants wouldn't even exist.    

That descendant is an honorable person who understands the mission's importance.  Ludwig finds it good to know that even after his death, rebirth and years of silence, he still has allies.

Ludwig says "It's hard to see from your perspective, but many people are working together to help our mission.  Isn't that a reason to be proud?"  (Sounds like a message from the devs)

Even though the only thing holding his bones together is magic, Ludwig hasn't felt so alive in a long time.  He's still able to put a plan into action and can't believe the Lord of Darkness' reign is coming to an end.  But it's odd the Lord of Darkness isn't interfering at all; it's as though he doesn't believe he can be stopped.  Centuries of doing as he pleased made the Lord less vigilant and the time is right to take advantage, or defeating him will only be a dream.  Now is the time to take action as you are rewarded with the Sky Stones.