The Archmage's Vault

 is a side quest in.

Synopsis
You must find a way inside Archmage Arkemyr's Manor, in Periki's Overlook, to retrieve the Harapo Epic - an ancient tablet said to contain clues of the lost island of Ukaizo and a priceless historical artifact for the whole of Huana. Scholars want it particularly badly, to analyze the language structure, narrative voice, and use of metaphor to determine when and how it was made. For the Rauataians, it has historical purposes, and is only useful as a clue for where Ukaizo may be.

Walkthrough
Find a way inside Arkemyr's Manor


 * The front door is locked. The key can be attained by completing the quest Velvet Glove, Brass Fist and saving Bertenno from RDC slavery, given by Fassina in the Dark Cupboard in Periki's Overlook.
 * From the top of the Dark Cupboard's window, the player can use a grappling hook with Athletics 3 to sneak to the roof of Arkemyr's Manor.
 * Talk to Ifren in The Dark Cupboard to discover that he and an orlan partner previously tried to break into the manor via the natural rock passages underneath the Luminous Bathhouse. At the back of the boiler room of the bathhouse there is a crack in the wall. This will take you into Arkemyr's basement. In order to gain entry you must break down a recently built wall using 16 Might or by using a Hammer and Chisel.
 * The manor is full of patrolling Ironclad constructs and Imps, as well as a number of other enemies downstairs in the laboratory. While the imps are fairly weak, the automatons certainly make up for that, and can be difficult to take down depending on your level.
 * To make things easier, head up to the bedroom (accessed from the manor's rooftop) and grab Arkemyr's Old Robe from the wardrobe beside his bed, and Arkemyr's Notes from the desk drawer. Wearing the robe will allow you to explore the manor freely. Posing as Arkemyr requires the Watcher to lie to the imps (Shady).

Locate Arkemyr's Vault


 * The vault is located in the basement of the Manor, in the Laboratory.
 * The laboratory contains a few more enemies than upstairs, more Imps, Ironclad constructs, as well as additional Storm blights and a Steelclad Prototype.
 * You can interact with a soul in the room to the north, an orlan thief (an associate of Ifren) who was killed by the constructs while trying to break into the vault - and now destined to be transferred into a construct. If you have Xoti in your party, she will harvest the soul.

Unlock Arkemyr's Vault


 * The vault is protected by some kind of combination lock involving rare gems and a combination.
 * The combination can be found in a bookcase in Arkemyr's Study on the ground floor. Combined with a sufficient mechanics skill, you can open the lock without the gem.
 * Yellow-Eye Three, an imp in the second floor lounge has the gemstone - a Translucent Crystal. You can either pickpocket it from the imp, loot it from his dead body, or convince him to give it to you.
 * To assure the imp that you're no intruder, you'll require either 8 Bluff or 9 Diplomacy. Alternatively, if you have Arkemyr's Old Robe equipped, you can also disguise yourself as Arkemyr, and lie to the imp - saying that you're "..testing out a new illusion". He'll ask for a passphrase, to which you can respond with 8 Bluff to convince him that you've stopped using passphrases, or by providing the true phrase "Cider and cheese", available only if you have read Arkemyr's Notes.
 * Asking about the crystal will allow you to persuade Yellow Eye to hand it over. You can do this by threatening him with 4 Intimidate, tricking him into thinking that the crystal is cursed with 2 Bluff, or by pretending that you're an imp too with 3 Streetwise or 3 Arcana. Most of these dialogue options can be followed up with additional optional checks. He'll also be willing to give the crystal to you in exchange for . If you have convinced Yellow-Eye Three that you are Arkemyr, his master, he'll hurriedly give you the crystal if you ask about it.
 * Once you have everything, head down to the vault. Opening it is straightforward, place the crystal in the recess, and enter the combination. After opening the vault, all the creatures in the area will become hostile, so make sure to do this after exploring the rest of the lab, unless you posed as Arkemyr, in which case they will remain passive

Retrieve the tablet from the Vault.


 * The vault itself contains many treasures and artifacts, mostly in locked chests of varying difficulty, including Ninagauth's Teachings, Cloak of Greater Protection, Brass Teo (x123), Stone of Power, Ivory Wurm Figurine, Cabalist's Gambeson and a number of other items. Careful though, as there are a number of traps on the floor here.
 * The Harapo Epic is contained in the southern-most chest.
 * As the manor will be on alert, you can safely exit via the passage behind the wall, just down the hall from the vault. It leads back to the Luminous Bathhouse boiler room.

Return the artifact to Tumara or Netehe:
 * Tumara awaits in front of Imperial Command at The Brass Citadel, and Netehe in front of the Kahanga Palace in Serpent's Crown.
 * Both will reward you with and a moderate reputation increase with their respective factions. You will also receive and invitation to Arkemyr's mansion from the Archmage himself. Ooops.
 * Upon completion of the quest, Fassina, the shop keeper at The Dark Cupboard can be recruited as a sidekick.

Gallery
Interaction 1= From The Dark Cupboard's window: