Overview
Each of the three race islands has a series of quests that allow access to an alternate source of the aqua level group.
The series of quests become more and more difficult as you progress, requiring an increasing amount of grinding vs Elite level creatures with their much lower drop rates. The quests end with completion of defeating enough Grandmasters level Elites to get a three stat piece of armor to drop.
Completion Rationale
So why bother completing these quests at all?
Arguments in Favor
The areas provide much easier access to regular and elite/two stat level Aqua level armor groups, especially for those pieces found in the Pyramid.
The quest rewards do help balance the loss of experience vs creatures in comparable training areas.
As with many quests, these act as a diversion to grinding.
The food drops of these areas do give the character temporary abilities to Fly, Swim, and See in the Dark.
You probably want to do these if you are looking for completing the world badge, since there is a lot of area to explore here. ~BP
Arguments Against
Simply put, you are better off grinding the Ocean than using any of these islands as alternate training areas. The max hits of even the lowest groups put them above whirlpool.
The time spent vs reward gained decreases exponentially as you progress through the quest line. This discrepancy is only compounded by the increased max hit of each group of Elites.
If you didn’t do all the Shilla Bay related quests you’ll have to complete that quest series to gain access to the Open Sea and then the islands themselves.
All the armor can be found in other areas in the game, so not doing this isn't going to stop you from having all 7 aqua level pieces of armor. ~BP
Hints
Look ahead in the quest chain to see if you can collect a future drop. This is also true when you can farm Noble Elites vs Veteran or lower. You might get lucky and get one or more of the two or three stat armor drops that you’ll need, speeding up quest competition tremendously.
I found the potion drop rates was high enough to cover even the loss of health while fighting the Elites and above. I did complete these quests at a much higher level than needed, and on a double elite drop day. This held true until I went for the Shadow Shoes on the Land of the Lizards. The same would have been true for the Indestructible Sabatons on the Avian Hideout, but I didn't bother trying for those.
Pick up and save all the Fish@Vermin that drop in your grinding of the Dark Elven Hideout. Don't use them for healing if you can help it. Instead drop them into storage. Your future self will thank you when dealing with the darkness of Hell Pit… unless you can naturally see in the dark. :-)
Final Thoughts
I spent around 6 hours completing all the two stat and below quests. I earned around 300B experience and 35M gold total between quest rewards and experience from creature kills. If you did similar amount of time on the Ocean's 4th Fathom would get you around 360B exp and 72M gold. So to wrap up the +/- of these areas… I recommend doing the quests on double elite drop day as soon as you can survive the hits of the involved creatures. Because of that, the quest are probably best done in groups. i.e. All three areas of the normal room creature kill and fetch quests, followed by all three areas Elite/Veteran creature fetch quests, and so on…
Good luck,
Aa
I did some of the Avian quests because I thought it was easier to get some Mage equipment. I may have been overleveled at this point, but I felt like I was wasting my time doing the whole thing and got enough to visit the Grandmaster location, which is where the portal is for the extended Vast Desert section.
AA suggests waiting for double stat day, but I thought this instead - why waste a double stat day on trash like this if you can farm yourself better equipment for your level? That's how I'll put this entire area, honestly. ~BP
The Quests
Generally speaking, the level of difficulty proceeds from Avian Hideout, to Land of the Lizardfolk, and finally the Dark Elven Hideout. I found that once a character is strong enough to complete the initial quest for Dark Elven Hideout, they should be close to safely starting the Elite level quests for the Avian Hideout quest. I'll research some hard data on the Elites’ max hits, confirm this assumption, and include it here eventually.
Avian Hideout Quests
Keep Avians under Control
This quest requires completion of the Bottle 1 quest line. The starting location can be found on the Avian Hideout map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 100 of Scouts. The reward is 1.4B Exp and opens the Green highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites
This quest requires completion of Keep Avians under Control quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 22 Aqua Shellplate Bascinets. The reward is 1.74B Exp and opens the Yellow highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites II
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Elite Oracle Pendants. The reward is 1.74B Exp and opens the Orange highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites III
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites II and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect an Impenetrable Aqua Shellplate Bascinet. The reward is 2,524,705,800B Exp and opens the Red highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites IV
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites II and has the same starting location. Completing the quest allows access to the Grandmaster Elite location (G1 on the map). To complete the quest you will need to collect an Visionary Oracle Barrier, which is dropped by the other group of creatures. So if you haven't, you need to begin that quest line at this point. The reward is 9,524,705,800B Exp.
Keep Avians under Control B
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites II guest. The starting location can be found on the Avian Hideout map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 150 Infiltrators. Pick up any Oracle Barriers that drop for the next quest in this quest line. The reward is 2,721,175,900B Exp and opens the Pink highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites B
This quest requires completion of Keep Avians under Control B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Oracle Barriers. They are the lowest drop rate of the two Avian Wizard's drops, so hopefully you picked up some while completing the previous quest. The reward is 3.77B Exp and opens the Blue highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites II B
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 12 Elite Aqua Shellplate Sabatons. Grind on the Veteran Elite rooms if you can survive the hit and keep a look out for those 2 Impenetrable Sabatons for the next quest and the Visionary Oracle Barrier for Armor Up like the Elites VI quest. The reward is 3.77B Exp and opens the Purple highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites III B
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites II and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 2 Impenetrable Aqua Shellplate Sabatons. The reward is 5.27B Exp and opens the Grey highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like the Elites IV B
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like the Elites II and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect an Indestructible Aqua Shellplate Sabaton. It is a very low percentage drop, but the configuration of Noble + Leader Elite rooms is all you have access to at the moment. This means that half of your back and forth movements are wasted. So grind away if you're someone who must complete an area, but honestly the time spent isn't worth the reward. Completing the quest opens up the Grandmaster Elite location (G2 on the map). The reward is 11.27B Exp.
Land of the Lizardfolk Quests
Work your way through the mangroves
This quest requires completion of the Bottle 2 quest line. The starting location can be found on the Land of the Lizardfolk map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 120 Lizard Trappers. Pick up any Chausses that drop for the 20 you'll need for the next quest. The reward is 1.62B Exp and opens the Green highlighted rooms on the Avian Hideout map.
Armor Up like a Reptile
This quest requires completion of the Work your way through the mangroves quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 20 Aqua Shellplate Chausses. The reward is 1.66B Exp and opens the Yellow highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile II
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like a Reptile quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Elite Illusionary Neckbands. The good news is that you'll have access to two side by side Veteran rooms, so keep a look out for an Impenetrable Gorget for the next quest. The reward is 1.86B Exp and opens the Orange highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile III
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like a Reptile II quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect an Impenetrable Aqua Shellplate Gorget. The reward is 2.86B Exp and opens the Red highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile IV
This quest requires completion of Armor Up like a Reptile III and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Shadow Illusionary Shoes, which is a drop of the other creature group. So, if you haven't started that quest line, do so now. When you get the Noble + Noble elite room configuration start grinding away. Its a pretty low percentage drop, even on a double drop day, so might take a bit of time. Concentrate on Lizard Sergeants unless you're looking for a Stalward shield drop. Completing the quest opens up the Grandmaster Elite location (G1 on the map). The reward is 9.86B Exp.
Work your way through the mangroves B
This quest requires completion of the Armor Up like a Reptile III quest line. The starting location can be found on the Land of the Lizardfolk map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 180 Lizard Stalkers. Pick up any shields that drop for the next quest. The reward is 1.93B Exp and opens the Pink highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile B
This quest requires completion of the Work your way through the mangroves B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 25 Aqua Shellplate Shields. The reward is 2.13B Exp and opens the Blue highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile II B
This quest requires completion of the Armor Up like a Reptile B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Elite Illusionary Shoes. There is a Veteran + Elite room configuration, so keep a look out for a Gifted Tasset for the next quest while you grind out those 10 Shoes. And since Lizard Sergeants are the ones that drop both, just concentrate on them vs killing everything. Less hits/healing that way. The reward is 2.93B Exp but doesn't open any additional rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile III B
This quest requires completion of the Armor Up like a Reptile II B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Gifted Illusionary Tasset. The reward is 3.33B Exp and opens the Purple highlighted rooms on the Land of the Lizardfolk map.
Armor Up like a Reptile IV B
This quest requires completion of the Armor Up like a Reptile III B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Shadow Illusionary Hood, which is dropped by the other creature group. You'll have access to the Noble + Noble elite room configuration now, so getting a hood to drop shouldn't be too time consuming. Concentrate on Blademasters to minimize the hits/healing. The Leader + Leader elite room configuration is open as well, if you want to try getting a three stat aqua. lol Completing the quest opens up the Grandmaster Elite location (G2 on the map). The reward is 9.86B Exp.
Dark Elven Hideout Quests
Resist the Dark Elf Force
This quest requires completion of the Bottle 3 quest line. The starting location can be found on the Dark Elven Hideout map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 100 Dark Knights. Pick up the Handguards as you go for the next quest. The reward is 1.44B Exp and opens the Green highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites DE
This quest requires completion of Resist the Dark Forces quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 22 Illusionary Handguards. The reward is 1.74B Exp and opens the Yellow highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites II DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Elite Oracle Robes. You have a choice of Elite + Normal room configuration, and a Veteran + Normal room configuration at this point in the quest chain. I suggest the V + N to open the possibility of a Gifted Gambeson dropping. The reward is 1.74B Exp and opens the Orange highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites III DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites II DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Gifted Illusionary Gambeson. The reward is 2,524,705,800 Exp and opens the Red highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites IV DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites III DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Saintly Oracle Slipper, which is a drop of the other creature group. So, if you haven't started that quest line, do so now. The only advantage for completing this quest, and its twin on the B quest line, is that you have two Leader or better rooms to bounce back and forth between. Completing the quest opens up the Grandmaster Elite location (G1 on the map). The reward is 9,524,705,800 Exp.
Resist the Dark Elf force B
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites III DE. The starting location can be found on the Avian Hideout map. To complete the quest you will need to kill 150 Dark Ritualists. Collect those Pavise drops for the next quest as you kill them Ritualists. The 2x2 island isn't efficient at completing this and the next quest, so head northwest to the other island home of the Dark Elves. The reward is 2,721,175,900 Exp and opens the Pink rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites B DE
This quest requires completion of Resist the Dark Forces B quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 30 Illusionary Pavises. The reward is 3.77B Exp and opens the Blue highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites B II DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites B DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect 10 Elite Oracle Slippers. You'll need to move to the Northwest island at this point and will find your choices to be an Elite + Elite room configuration or a Veteran + Veteran room configuration. Once again I suggest going with the V + V, until you get two Visionary Slippers to drop for the next quest. Concentrate on Dark Elf Sorceress' no matter what set of rooms you grind, unless you don't mind the hits and/or want the experience. The reward is 3.77B Exp and opens the Purple highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map.
Armor up like the Elites B III DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites B II DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect two Visionary Oracle Slippers. The reward is 5.27B Exp and opens the Grey highlighted rooms on the Dark Elven Hideout map
Armor up like the Elites B IV DE
This quest requires completion of Armor up like the Elites B III DE quest and has the same starting location. To complete the quest you will need to collect a Saintly Oracle Hat. Completing the quest opens up the Grandmaster Elite location (unhighlighted G2 on the map). The only advantage for completing this quest, and its twin on the A quest line, is that you have two Leader or better rooms to bounce back and forth between. The reward is 11.270B Exp.
