The BMV Ararat is a wreck sunken on the bottom of Gravewater Lake in Malas. The wreck can only be accessed by those wearing four special pieces of equipment. This equipment can only be obtained by undertaking the ‘Exploring the Deep’ quest chain. The quest begins in the Sons of the Sea near Trinsic dock where 3 scrolls found on top of the barrels set the scene.
These scrolls make it clear that you need to speak to Hepler Paulson, who stands just outside the building. He tells you:
Greetings! My have my pockets become burdened with gold! Not that this is a bad thing of course … *grins* So ye seek to cash in salvaging many wrecks that now litter the sea floor? Well I’ll tell you what… buy some of this here salvage gear and go find yourself a wreck. Return to me when ye have a piece o’wreckage.
What of all these shipwrecks?
Almost uncanny how many wrecks now dot the seascape, none can say for sure why there are so many as of late…sure a drunk skipper here or there will bring a ship down real quick…but this…well why question good fortune I always say!
How do I use salvage gear?
Buy a salvage hook from me, head to deep water and hoist the hook overboard. With any luck you’ll pull out a bit o’ wreckage and if fortune smiles on you, a bit o’ treasure too!
You will need to buy several hooks to be sure of success, and at 1900gp each you can understand why his pockets are burdened! Launch your boat and sail into deep water, then begin to toss your hooks. Beware! They are very likely to pull up sea creatures that will attack you.
Eventually you will see the message *The line snaps tight as you snare a piece of wreckage from the sea floor!* When you give this to Hepler (drop on his head) he will give you more information.
Well well! Lookie here! That’s a fine pull indeed! Shame we can only salvage with hooks and the like… if we could peak beneath the waves and score the big hauls! Say, I heard once of a Master Tinker that may be able to tell of a suit specially made for exploring deep ship wrecks… if you manage to get your hands on one of those suits return to me and I’ll share a map with you showing the location of a secret wreck only I know about!
Who is the Master Tinker?
I’ve only heard they live in East Britain, if ye find them I bet ye may convince em to tell you of the suit
Cousteau Perron
Touring East Britain you will find a little north of the bank the home of Cousteau Perron, Tinker *You knock on the door but there is no answer. You decide to let yourself in…* Nothing unusual can be seen on entering, so ascend to the upper floor. There you find a scroll and a book, the book gives the clue to where you might find the elusive tinker. Head for Ice dungeon, though you will find nothing in the dungeon – leave it by the entrance into the Lost Lands. There you will find the tinker’s camp.
*she looks up from the slowly rotating rabbit on a spit* Oh hello there, what brings you way out to this frozen tundra?
Hepler sent me to ask about Shipwrecks
Ahh, been listening to old Hepler have you? So I’ve heard something of these shipwrecks, even all the way out here. I’m guessing you want me to tell you of one of these suits to help you explore beneath the waves?
Do you know of the suit?
Before I will help you with this perhaps you can assist me with a small task? I require an Ice Wyrm Scale to assist me in my research, but sadly I am not strong enough to slay one alone. Do you think you could collect this for me? Yes? Oh grand! Return to me with the ice wyrm scale and I will assist thee further.
The ice wyrm is found on the river bank close to the Ogre Lord, kill it to gain the scale needed
Cousteau is delighted with your prize
You’ve got one! I don’t know how but you did! This will prove invaluable in my research! I will do as promised. Long ago I learned of a set of items known as the Salvager’s Suit. It had been quite some time since anyone had seen the actual plans – or a suit for that matter, but legend tells any who wear the suit will be aided in undersea exploration. Last anyone heard the plans could be found deep within the Sorcerer’s Dungeon in Ilshenar.
Sorcerer’s Dungeon
The route to Sorcerer’s Dungeon lies through Ilshenar’s Valor gate, turning west from the gate passage and crossing the river, then following the river bank south. If able to teleport, jump up by the waterfall to the building above for the shortest route to where the table is found.
On the table a strongbox, a scroll and five plates, each plate is inscribed with a clue to what must be placed on it (mouse over).
- The Blackened Orb, A Traveler’s Boon, It Is Never Undesired By Novice or Master
- Fire And Hate It Burns Any Who Touch It, Power So Vast Ageless And Warm
- Essence of Life Given From Hate, Bottle It Up In A Flask Topped Tight.
- Root Sunk Deep The Tap Grows Strong, Man And Dragon Dug As One
- The Hidden White Frame Of The Living And Warm, Cold And Frightening The Visage Seems Now.
All these ingredients can be found on the same level as the table, though fallen rocks block the passage in one part. (teleport over at the lowest point is possible). Warning Once you start collecting the items these, the key and the reward at the end of this section, are all on timers (one hour for items and key, five hours for the schematic). Do not begin this section unless you are sure of time to finish it.
Collect these items by double clicking, a copy will be placed in your back pack, to place them on the plates double click the plate and target the quest item in your pack.
When the last item is in place the Master Instructor will appear, dressed in blue, he appears to be a cousin to the lich. You must fight and defeat him causing him to drop the key you will need to unlock the strongbox on the table. Take the plans you find to Cousteau Perron, she will tell you.
This is exactly what I was talking about! How did you ever find such a thing! No matter! *reads the plans carefully* It’s all here by golly, detailed instructions on how to craft each item. There are a number of professionals throughout the realm who will be able to assist you with crafting such things – I’ve written them down on this list here *hands you a note* Simply seek the professionals I have listed and you should be well on your way
Cousteau’s note is found in your packpack it says:
Now that you have done what i asked, I shall do what you ask of me. before you may continue your adventure you’ll need to collect the components of the suit. I have listed the components and whom you might seek to acquire them from below. Return to Hepler Paulson in the City of Trinsic when you’ve got everything!
- Nictitating Lenses – Josef Skimmons, The Master Blacksmith at the Cutlass Smithing in Buccaneer’s Den will surely know how to craft such a thing.
- Canvass Robe – Madeline Harte, Seamstress at the Adventurer’s Needle in Jhelom is well known for her prowess with a needle. If anyone can craft this for you, it is her.
- Aqua Pendant – Zalia the Gemologist, in her craft few are better. She will surely be able to supply the pendant. She can be found at the Gypsy camp in Northeastern Ilshenar.
- Boots of Ballast – Champ Huthwait, a seedy man to say the least but a fine cobbler. Seek him at the Adventurer’s Supply in Vesper.
Note: If you should lose these items, a replacement set can be obtained by clicking on the sign that you will find on the building behind Hepler Paulson.
Josef Skimmons
Hello there… what’s this? *reads the note* Look at these lenses! Cousteau drew these up did she… hrmm… well in any case I might be able to craft these lenses if you would be willing to assist me
What do you need assistance with?
I’m looking to expand my operation here, before I can do that though I need a more reliable source of raw ore. Rumor has it the Orcs have a new machine they are using to drill huge quantities of ore!
An orcish machine?
Yes! That’s exactly what I’m talking about! Drill baby drill! You get me some schematics to make that machine and I’ll strike your lenses for you… I bet those Orcs are holed up in their cave outside Yew.
There is indeed a drilling machine – right at the very bottom of the mine and guarded by the orcish engineer. The only way you’re going to get the schematic is off his dead body!
Returning to Josef with the schematic he tells you.
Great work! *Reading the schematic* Excellent! This is just what I need to give me a leg up on the competition! As promised here are those lenses your requested!
You now have the first part of the salvage suit! On to part two.
Madeline Harte
Finding Madeline in the tailor shop, take time to read the sad tale detailed on the three scrolls nearby then speak to her.
*You notice a woman whimpering as she struggles through manipulating the spinning wheel, you smile at her and hand her the note* Oh hello, *wipes tear* …I’m sorry did you need something… it’s just that… *begins crying again* … my son Willem has been killed in Destard! If only I had something to remember him by…
Willem went to Destard?
That’s right! I told him not to go, but he didn’t listen! If only I had a bit of something of his to remember him by, you look brave… would you venture into Destard and find it for me? Please?
How can you refuse? Off to Destard you go, and since the note mentioned an ancient wyrm, you know where in Destard to make for. Descending to the bottom of Destard you encounter an obsidian wyvern. This is the creature you need to defeat.
As the dark wyvern breaths its last you find yourself in possession of Willem’s hat. Take this to his mother with all haste. 
Oh! You’ve found his hat! Did you… *pauses and appears to begin to cry but regains her composure* Oh, I see. At least he showed Valor… I thank you for give me closure. I had a chance to read the note from Cousteau, this should be what you need.
You receive the Canvass Robe. Half the suit has been obtained!
Zalia the Gemologist
Cousteau’s note says Zalia is found in North East Ilshenar. All of Ilshenar is North, but very little of it is East, a quick look at the map shows that the gypsy camp she’s at must be one of the desert camps close to the ancient citadel. The nearest moongate is Compassion, from which you must turn south. Zinia is found at the first camp, close to the bridge.
Hello zere my darling- looking for something shiny? Zalia has just what you are looking for!
I’m looking for a special pendant
*Reads the note from Cousteau* Oh another one of you zhen eh? Zha Aqua pendant! Might as well ask for zha crown jewels! I will craft zhis jewel for you if you acquire zha correct gemstone!
Where do I find such a gemstone?
Zha Aqua Gem! And I vhant a loaf of bread filled with gold! *laughs* Oh, you vhere serious? Well zhen ye mus wrestle one avay from zhe Djinn.
You want me to wrestle a Djinn!?!
Zhey are usually around the winding sandy paths around zhe camp here… oddly zhey are fond of zhe water… *shrugs*
Taking the hint about water and following the water’s edge past the other gypsy camp will eventually lead you to discover the Djinn’s bottle on a hammock, and thereby the Djinn himself. Fight carefully, he has the ability to summon efreets to his aid.
Defeating the Djinn you take the gem back to Zinia
Ahah! Yes, yes, zhat is indeed zhe gem! *does some quick tinkering* Here is your pendant as you vish…
Champ Huthwait
One piece left to get – but Cousteau’s note describes this individual as ‘seedy’! Find him at the Adventurer’s supplies, on the mainland part of Vesper, east of the bank. Conversation with him goes like this:
Just tell him I’ll have the money by… *pauses* … *with a smile* …Oh, you aren’t part of Mercutio’s crew? Oh well then, what’s your business then? Loafers? Sandals? A Fine pair of boots then?
I’m looking for the Boots of Ballast…
*Reads the note* Well I see you and Cousteau are after that suit then. Well I’ll tell you what I tell everone else… If you want the Boots of Ballast you need to help me out with a sticky situation.
What kind of sticky situation?
Yea, that’s right. Seems Mercutio’s Gang is after me for a bit of a… disagreement about a small debt… if you were to… take care of Mercutio’s gang I’d be willing to hook you up with those boots.
Where is Mercutio’s Gang?
They usually hangout just southwest fo the City in some old ruins. Bring me evidence of Mercutio’s demise and I will get you the boots you seek.
Travel to the area described, around halfway between Vesper and Cove to find Mercutio. Not an easy fight, his gang don’t help. Finally victory will give you Mercutio’s cutlass which you can take back to Champ Huthwait 
You did it! Hot diggity! Looks like I won’t have to deal with that knave any longer! Smooth sailing from here on out… just m and the tables… oh, right here are your boots!
You did it, you have the full suit. Now all that is left to do is to return to where you started, to Hepler Paulson in Trinsic.
Neptune’s trident! I can’t believe ye got the suit! Well best be off then! Here’s a map to the location where I heard a big wreck might be. Best of luck!
Hepler drops the map in your back pack: *You unfurl the map and study it carefully. You recognise Gravewater Lake. In the center of the lake is a large X*
Heading to Gravewater Lake you find a dock equipped with an ankh and a hitching post. A sign at the water’s edge tells you ‘Warning! Only Those With Proper Gear May Enter The Lake For Salvage Operations! Enter At Your Own Risk! No Pets!’ Here then is the reason for the hitching post. Walking out into the middle of the lake you find the remains of a ship, from there you descend to the sea bed (double click the whirlpool). You have found the BMV Ararat and have earned the reward title ‘Salvager of the Deep’!
The sea bed is not uninhabited, water elementals and diabolical seaweed can be seen. The seaweed seems related to tangling roots with the same ability to entrap you. Hidden beneath the sand and likely to ambush you are the crab-like Paralithodes. These can be subjugated and tamed as temporary replacements for tamer’s pets stabled from the dock. Also lurking beneath the sand are hidden chests, found by use of detect hidden skill, these are locked and trapped. They contain an amount of gold and some small gemstones.
