Mahjarrat Discussion (spoilers)

Felt the need to change the title, as the conversation has moved on from just ROTM...

So obviously, the Future Updates forum has gone into a frenzy, but the main topic of speculation is on a surprising subject, the requirements.
Many people believe them to be too low and have noticed that the Mahjarrat quest, Fight Arena, is missing along with the Ghostly Robes and Shadow Sword miniquests.

It seems to be a popular theory already that more requirements are needed than are shown, however, the reason for it is under debate:
Some believe that Ritual of the Mahjarrat will be a Recipe For Disaster style quest, with several subquests, and that the requirements given are just those needed to start.
Others seem to think the requirements are simply waiting to be unveiled, like some form of surprise.
I saw one person say he thinks Paul is avoiding "forcing" requirements, referencing Salt in the Wound where the writer implied he felt many parts of the quest were only there to give a requirement. Personally, I agree with this guy.

I'd be interested to hear your opinions on the matter...

It could also be that they simply want to limit the new requirements such that lots of people will be able to complete an epic quest that they've been spending years on.

Bilrach has been temporarily incapacitated in light of the current events. As to how he has disappeared is unknown, but a journal page was found. Some doubt whether it belongs to him, because it wasn't in his handwriting. It merely reads;

"You're only second rate!"

What could it all mean?

Is there a source for that, Morb, or are you just making it up??
I do predict a no-show from Bilrach though. However I doubt Jhallen will be lucky enough to miss the ritual...

And 3mpty, while I agree with you, whats your view on the omission of Fight Arena and the miniquests?

Whilst I believe that Morbius was speaking nonsense, he has made a point. Bilrach also isn't required in this quest...

I think the reason that Bilrach, Fight Arena and the other Shadow Quests aren't included because this isn't the end of the story. This quest will conclude the Ritual storyline, but I feel it will not conclude the Zaros storyline. Neither Zaros nor Zamorak will be freed during this quest. The Temple at Senntisten is only required for Azzanadra's participation in the ritual, rather than the story in Temple at Senntisten. (wow I spelt it right)

Do we actually get to decided who dies?

Also, "The planets are set to align; kith and kin will fight. More than one judge is fated to die this year however"

There is far more at work here. This Ritual might not be the one that is spoken of.

Perhaps this ritual sees the gathering of the Mahjarrat at a weak point in the world. They approach a hole in reality, which leads to a place called Archeron, a place that borders the Underworld. Once there, a Mahjarrat chosen is given a task. Suceed, and their brethren will completely regenerate and the victor will find new life. Fail, and the chosen perishes whilst the others feed off used life, which is lesser so than regeneration.

The trivial fact about this ritual is that because the portal traverses not only space, but time. It all happens in seconds, so it may appear as simply dying. However, one Mahjarrat was lucky to succeed, but misunderstood the meaning of the reward. The Mahjarrat were granted new powers and their "regeneration" meant that they would be reborn to human worlds, whilst the one with new life would have their memory erased, to start anew as a different creature.

Origin of Koschei, solved, for he was once the victor and gained new life. Reason for Mahjarrat resurgence in fourth age, solved, for their rebirth in human society.

Morb, Problem with your theory, fun as it sounds, is that Zemorgal's (sp?) notes state Koschei simply disappeared and was not sacrificed.

3mpty, I see your point, it is a possibility that Khzard's storyline will be tied up elsewhere, but for the Fight Arena to not be required, Khzard would have to be a no-show for the Ritual (if he turned up and got rejuvenated it would make him stronger in Fight Arena and that would create logical inconsistency) for reasons other than his defeat at the hands at the player or his venture into the shadow realm. Consider this too - Khzard soldiers have been shown in the concept art for ROTM. I'd like to think it's an oversight by either the developer (not likely) or the person who "discovered" the fact. I am very intrigued by this one.
Also, in the developers blog, it stated that we would have no choice over which Mahjarrat (that's plural by the way, well aware of the Chaos Elemental's prophecy ) die.

My theory, by the way, always has been this: Enakhra will die because she's hurt Zemourgal's pride, her rival Akthankos may form a strong alliance with the Zarosians and gang up on her, and her love for Zamorak might make her fight Lucien. She might not be the one to be sacrificed, but she will die...
The last reason in particular is a guaranteed way to die...

I'm very mainstream, Azzanadra is my favourite. What about you?

And feel free to ask me the favour, no guarantees I'll do it though...