Ruby Mines of Ulkas (Quest)

Quest Overview

Clear the mine guardians to gather rare Ulkas Rubies.
Start Location: Cobalt Sweeps
Requirements: Level 20+
Quest Starter: Ilia Grayton, 16.6N 4.6W
Time Limit: 48 hours
Repeat Time: None
XP Reward: 0
Other Rewards: 8 Rubies
Related Quests: Armor of the Ancient Knights, Shoyanen's Solutions

Walkthrough

To begin this quest, travel to the Ruby Mines of Ulkas near Molwirth at 16.6N 4.6W. Hand one Ferrous Pyreal to Ilia Grayton, and she will grant you access to the nearby portal until you've mined all 8 rubies. This quest should not be soloed if you're near level 20, as it's guarded by many undead including a level 27 group Undead Monouga Slave. However, read the protips below for soloers.

Once you take the portal, you'll see three mines and a swarm of undead. Look for the Spirited Skeleton Guard. Killing it will give you a quest recipe for ruby mining, and allow you to click any of the nearby mines to gather a Ruby, 8 times. There are three mines to do this, but the respawns are fairly quick, so your group may need to kill the undead several times before everyone is done.

Once you've done this 8 times, your quest recipe will expire and you'll have to pay again if you want any more rubies.

PROTIP: This quest can be soloed or made easier for the group. It is highly recommended that you take the eastern portal up to the mines. All you need to do is to pull the Spirited Skeleton Guard ONLY. A human Ranger, archer, or anyone with a bow is recommended for their long range to pull it. If done correctly, no other mobs will follow the guard; he will come alone. Nevertheless, you still have to be able to kill the guard who is level 28. Fortunately, it should be easy with just a single HOT potion if you try to solo at level 20. Once it is killed, everyone in the group will get a craft recipe for mining the rubies. Open the craft window for mining the rubies and keep it open. Then move silently behind the mountain close to the mine without attracting attention from the other mobs. Then start mining by clicking on the mine, then the Craft button 8 times, until the craft window disappears. You should now have 8 rubies. You can use a similar technique to solo the Sapphire Mines in the Lords Armor quest.

PROTIP: You can also have a higher level alt solo the mines and then pass the rubies to the alt who needs them. You don't get XP any way and not all classes can safely pull the guard away from the rest.

NOTE: It's also possible to gather rubies from rare spawn undead on the west side of Lake Artefon. This is an option for soloers who wish to complete their Knight's Armor without mining them, but it could take awhile to find 8 rare spawns.

NOTE to above note: Since this guide doesn't name the rare spawn and neither can other guides mention this monster, it's not worth it to risk running around Lake Artefon. Just follow the above PROTIP to sneak into the mines and mine with relative safety and efficiency.