View source for The World is a Stage

{{QstSub
|Step={{{1|QstIndv}}}
|Sel={{{2}}}
|Icon=The World is a Stage.png
|Name=The World is a Stage
|Groups=Side|QstNum=58
|Giver=[[Cordelia]]
|LocStart=[[New Anthur (City)]]
|LocCmp1=[[Leonato]]|LocCmp2=[[Banquo]]
|LocCmp3=[[Laertes]]|LocCmp4=
|LocCmp5=|LocCmp6|LocCmp6=
|LocEnd=[[Cordelia]] or [[Polonius]]
|Steps=# Talk to [[Cordelia]] and join the play.
#(Optional) Speak with [[Polonius]].
# Buy 2 bottles of [[Friguld Rum]] from [[Leonato]].
# Go to the docks and talk to [[Banquo]].
# Set out for [[A Small Islet]] and find [[Laertes]].
# Help Laertes kill the [[Manticore Whelp]] or duel with him.
# If Laertes died ensure you pick up his [[Laertes' Medallion|medallion]].
# Return for your reward.
|Walkthrough=On your first encounter with [[Cordelia]] you will suddenly find yourself in the middle of a play, one that is not going too well by the way. The reason is quite obvious: The hero of the play, the beloved [[Laertes]], does not appear and Cordelia is desperately trying to string along the audience.
:
Depending on your dialogue choices you can either save the day or bring the play to an abrupt end with an angry audience leaving the scene:
* entertaining the audience (by telling them you are a companion of Sir Rudolph and then narrating your exciting  adventures) grants +2 [[New Anthur]] reputation
* passing a PER 4 check gives +2 additional rep and the "Drama Queen" achievement
* attempting to improvise and failing leads to -2 rep
* not taking part by informing the audience you are just a random passerby will lead to a neutral outcome.
:
Afterwards Cordelia will tell you that Laertes is currently missing and asks for your help to find him. The only hint she can give you is that the last time she saw Laertes he was enthusiastic about some rumours which, according to his own words, would make the play unforgettable. With little more info than that set out speaking to the people of [[New Anthur (City)|New Anthur]]. Eventually you will encounter [[Polonius]], who has no interest in Laertes' return and offers you a reward for making his absence permanent in case you ever find him. But the only one who is really able to provide useful information on the whereabouts of Laertes is [[Banquo]] down by the docks, a boatman and drunkard. Unfortunately, his lips are sealed as long as they are not moistened by some hard liquor. So buy two bottles of [[Friguld Rum]] from [[Leonato]], who resides in front of the stage. The first bottle is needed for persuading Banquo to tell you a story of [[A Small Islet]], where, according to rumour, living [[Manticore]]s still can be found and which obviously was the target of Laertes. The second bottle is needed as payment to get you to the [[A Small Islet|island]] itself. 
:
On the island go north, sticking to the western coast line until rocks block your way. Proceed around this formation of rocks, fighting [[Goblins]] and [[Batraxs]] on the way. Your goal is the northwestern edge of the island, where a [[Manticore Whelp]] is living. Upon approaching it (make sure you are healed at this point), you will be greeted by the missing Laertes, who just happens to be preparing for a fight against the [[Manticore Whelp]], the shell of which he thinks would make a great costume for the new play.
:
Now it's time for a choice: You can either help Laertes killing the [[Manticore Whelp]] and make sure he returns savely to [[New Anthur (City)|New Anthur]] (which will grant you [[Icicle]], a nice little sword) or work toward Laertes' early death by letting him die during the fight or doing the job yourself by dueling with him. Irrespective of how Laertes dies, make sure you grab the [[Ring of Charm]] and [[Laertes' Medallion]] from his body.

Head back to [[New Anthur (City)|New Anthur]] and report to either Cordelia or Polonius, depending on your choice and the current vitality of Laertes.
|Outcome1=Save [[Laertes]]:
|Reputation1=[[Varsilia]] +3; [[New Anthur (City)]] +3
|Reward1=[[Icicle]]; 900 XP
|Outcome2=[[Laertes]] dies and you give his [[Laertes' Medallion|medallion]] to [[Polonius]]:
|Reputation2=|Reward2=[[Ring of Charm]]; 1000 gold; 200 XP
|Outcome3=[[Laertes]] dies and you give his [[Laertes' Medallion|medallion]] to [[Cordelia]]:
|Reputation3=|Reward3=[[Ring of Charm]]; 800 XP
|Outcome4=Duel with [[Laertes]] and give his [[Laertes' Medallion|medallion]] to [[Polonius]]:
|Reputation4=|Reward4=[[Ring of Charm]]; 1000 gold; 200 XP
|Outcome5=
|Reputation5=|Reward5=
|Outcome6=
|Reputation6=|Reward6=
|Outcome7=
|Reputation7=|Reward7=
|Outcome8=
|Reputation8=|Reward8=
|Related=
|Long_Description=[[Laertes]], the admired actor and casual adventurer, has disappeared from the stage in [[New Anthur (City)|New Anthur]]. In her despair [[Cordelia]] asks you to search for him, knowing nothing more than that Laertes was pursuing some weird idea for making his new play unforgettable. With the help of a drunken boatsman you set out on a journey across the sea, where a	mythical beast is already waiting.
|Completable=Yes
|Notes=* Having [[Grissenda]] as a companion on this quest will make it easier especially if your level is not sufficiently high.
* You can go back and forth between [[New Anthur (City)|New Anthur]] and the [[A Small Islet|island]] as often as you want, but a fresh bottle of [[Friguld Rum]] is needed for each round trip. You may have to sleep at an inn to be able to purchase one.
}}