Work Hard for Now

Work Hard for Now is an achievement to obtain the Wizard's Portal Tome.

Achievement

Work Hard for Now	Work Hard for Now	15
Uncover the tale of a memory-seeking artifact and its true purpose. Note: You will need more than a raptor mount to get this job done.Just for now... Title: Shiniest Shiny Reward: Wizard's Portal Tome Collection	Completed 1 Task	2
	Completed 15 Tasks	0
	Completed 29 Tasks	8
	Completed 31 Tasks	5

Walkthrough

• The Zone where each objective is located is indicated in its name. The flavor text and hint will often point at a particular Area.
• Shiny Object will be marked on the map when approached, and then will remain marked regardless of distance.
• It is possible to complete the collection using only a Springer and a Glider or with a Recharging Teleport to Friend.
  • A Warclaw works as an alternative where a springer is not available (such as not having access to Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire). This is very time consuming and requires a lot of skill and familiarity with warclaw movement mechanics.
• Steps 2 to 28 can be completed in any order.

Memory Essence nearest waypoints chat codes (click and copy)

• Organized by steps.
  • Step 2-15: [&BE4DAAA=][&BK8BAAA=][&BGIAAAA=][&BDkBAAA=][&BBsDAAA=][&BN4AAAA=][&BFoCAAA=][&BHoHAAA=][&BEwBAAA=][&BEAFAAA=][&BEMFAAA=][&BOEAAAA=][&BKgAAAA=][&BO4BAAA=]
  • Step 16-29: [&BBYAAAA=][&BDEHAAA=][&BKwCAAA=][&BEIAAAA=][&BEIFAAA=][&BIcBAAA=][&BPMAAAA=][&BMEAAAA=][&BNgGAAA=][&BNABAAA=][&BPkCAAA=][&BKwHAAA=][&BFUCAAA=][&BHQBAAA=]

• Organized by distance between waypoints.
  • Start in Lion's Arch, then take the Asura gate to Divinity's Reach.
  • Next take the Asura gate to Fields of Ruin.
  • Then follow the links in order ending in Cursed Shore.
  • Return to Lion's Arch using the final two links.
  • The table below can be sorted by the "Nearest-neighbor Order" column to match this set order:
    • Set 1: [&BDMEAAA=][&BEwBAAA=][&BIcBAAA=][&BE4DAAA=][&BO4BAAA=][&BEAFAAA=][&BEMFAAA=][&BMEAAAA=][&BN4AAAA=][&BHQBAAA=][&BFoCAAA=][&BDEHAAA=][&BOEAAAA=][&BKgAAAA=][&BPMAAAA=]
    • Set 2: [&BBYAAAA=][&BGIAAAA=][&BKwHAAA=][&BHoHAAA=][&BEIAAAA=][&BDkBAAA=][&BNgGAAA=][&BK8BAAA=][&BFUCAAA=][&BEIFAAA=][&BNABAAA=][&BPkCAAA=][&BKwCAAA=][&BBsDAAA=][&BDMEAAA=][&BC4EAAA=]

	Collectible	Type	Subtype	Map	Area	Nearest Waypoint	Nearest-neighbor Order	Notes
1	Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Incomplete)	Item	Service		Lion's Arch	Farshore Waypoint —	1	South from Waypoint. Head up to the windmill and drop onto the cliff, then talk to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna. Alternatively, she is north of  Mantle's Arrival Waypoint — northwest of Collector of Unusual Coins
2	Memory Essence: Blazeridge Steppes	Item	Service		Blazeridge Steppes	Lowland Burns Waypoint —	4	South from Waypoint on the wall.
3	Memory Essence: Bloodtide Coast	Item	Service		Bloodtide Coast	Jelako Waypoint —	23	In the crow's nest of the wrecked ship.
4	Memory Essence: Brisban Wildlands	Item	Service		Brisban Wildlands	Seraph Observers Waypoint —	17	West from Waypoint on a tree root.
5	Memory Essence: Caledon Forest	Item	Service		Caledon Forest	Sperrins Waypoint —	21	North-west from Waypoint.
6	Memory Essence: Cursed Shore	Item	Service		Cursed Shore	Verdance Waypoint —	29	North-east from Waypoint through an underwater tunnel, on a set of roots on the ceiling.
7	Memory Essence: Diessa Plateau	Item	Service		Diessa Plateau	Nolan Waypoint —	9	South-west from Waypoint, through the pipes (pipe entrance covered by vines), above the Strawberry Patch.
8	Memory Essence: Dredgehaunt Cliffs	Item	Service		Dredgehaunt Cliffs	Grey Road Waypoint —	11	North from the Waypoint, left at Tomb of Stoneskin POI and then follow the cave wall around to your right. Using a skyskale to fly across to the dredge platform and then over to the top of the silo. This is also possible with a Springer.
9	Memory Essence: Dry Top	Item	Service		Dry Top	Prosperity Waypoint —	19	Right above the Waypoint.
10	Memory Essence: Fields of Ruin	Item	Service		Fields of Ruin	Fangfury Watch Waypoint —	2	East from Waypoint.
11	Memory Essence: Fireheart Rise	Item	Service		Fireheart Rise	The Citadel of Flame Waypoint —	6	South-west from Waypoint, by the bridge. You must walk across the chain if using anything less than a flying mount.
12	Memory Essence: Frostgorge Sound	Item	Service		Frostgorge Sound	Slough of Despond Waypoint —	7	East from Waypoint.
13	Memory Essence: Gendarran Fields	Item	Service		Gendarran Fields	Broadhollow Waypoint —	13	South-west from Waypoint, inside the entrance of the Not So Secret jumping puzzle.
14	Memory Essence: Harathi Hinterlands	Item	Service		Harathi Hinterlands	Wynchona Rally Point Waypoint —	14	South-east from Waypoint.
15	Memory Essence: Iron Marches	Item	Service		Iron Marches	Gladefall Waypoint —	5	West from Waypoint.
16	Memory Essence: Kessex Hills	Item	Service		Kessex Hills	Greyhoof Camp Waypoint —	16	South-west from Waypoint, on top of the structure.
17	Memory Essence: Lornar's Pass	Item	Service		Lornar's Pass	False River Waypoint —	12	South-east from Waypoint.
18	Memory Essence: Malchor's Leap	Item	Service		Malchor's Leap	Wren Waypoint —	28	Right above Waypoint.
19	Memory Essence: Metrica Province	Item	Service		Metrica Province	Akk Wilds Waypoint —	20	North-west from Waypoint.
20	Memory Essence: Mount Maelstrom	Item	Service		Mount Maelstrom	Crucible of Eternity Waypoint —	25	North from Waypoint.
21	Memory Essence: Plains of Ashford	Item	Service		Plains of Ashford	Ascalon City Waypoint —	3	South-east from Waypoint, on the lake.
22	Memory Essence: Queensdale	Item	Service		Queensdale	Phinney Waypoint —	15	North-west from Waypoint, in the tree branches.
23	Memory Essence: Snowden Drifts	Item	Service		Snowden Drifts	Owl Waypoint —	8	In the second floor of the structure.
24	Memory Essence: Southsun Cove	Item	Service		Southsun Cove	Owain's Refuge Waypoint —	22	North-east from Waypoint, travel into the lower part of the cave and it will be on the ledge to the right.
25	Memory Essence: Sparkfly Fen	Item	Service		Sparkfly Fen	Splintered Coast Waypoint —	26	South from Waypoint.
26	Memory Essence: Straits of Devastation	Item	Service		Straits of Devastation	Xenarius Waypoint —	27	South-west from Waypoint, inside the catacombs.
27	Memory Essence: The Silverwastes	Item	Service		The Silverwastes	Hidden Depths Waypoint —	18	North from Waypoint, on the cliffs above Blue Oasis.
28	Memory Essence: Timberline Falls	Item	Service		Timberline Falls	Concordia Waypoint —	24	Right above Waypoint.
29	Memory Essence: Wayfarer Foothills	Item	Service		Wayfarer Foothills	Horncall Waypoint —	10	North-east from Waypoint, near the wurm.
30	Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Complete)	Item	Service		Lion's Arch	Farshore Waypoint —	30	Return to Miyrna.
31	Proof of Eternal Skritt Friendship	Item	Service		Lion's Arch	Western Ward Waypoint —	31	North-west from Waypoint, speak with Gharr Leadclaw on the left side of Hooligan's Route or in Moon Camp Covert.

Collection items

	Collectible	Type	Subtype	Notes
1	Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Incomplete)	Item	Service	Hint: Talk to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna at Bloodcoast Ward in Lion's Arch or at Mantle's Arrival in Bava Nisos to start.
2	Memory Essence: Blazeridge Steppes	Item	Service	Hint: Didn't you have to scale this Monument to have a skyscale egg experience acrophobia? Luckily, we took a small detour to look at some flowers.
3	Memory Essence: Bloodtide Coast	Item	Service	Hint: Keeping your balance while carrying an explosive keg through the Depths was quite a challenge, not to mention the large wurm heads.
4	Memory Essence: Brisban Wildlands	Item	Service	Hint: The only thing Hidden about this place was those branches. So many roller beetles were caught on them.
5	Memory Essence: Caledon Forest	Item	Service	Hint: We had our own vista with a view of the Bay, the market, the hylek, and the tengu.
6	Memory Essence: Cursed Shore	Item	Service	Hint: I am thirsty from all the walking we did, but I would not trust any of the Water here.
7	Memory Essence: Diessa Plateau	Item	Service	Hint: I couldn't participate in that fest after seeing all those cattle. I'd rather just visit a different Town and have strawberries.
8	Memory Essence: Dredgehaunt Cliffs	Item	Service	Hint: When you thought were close to the Peak, a dredge would knock you back.
9	Memory Essence: Dry Top	Item	Service	Hint: The Prospect of something happening to what you call home is a scary thought.
10	Memory Essence: Fields of Ruin	Item	Service	Hint: There sure are a lot of smashed chickens, as if someone was intentionally triggering Cave-ins.
11	Memory Essence: Fireheart Rise	Item	Service	Hint: There were so many of them on that bridge, I am surprised they weren’t called the Baelfire Legion.
12	Memory Essence: Frostgorge Sound	Item	Service	Hint: They said “Watch the ledges,” so we did. It’s a nice view despite seeing the chaos in the Tundra when that ice dragon was around.
13	Memory Essence: Gendarran Fields	Item	Service	Hint: How many walls did you think were Bluffing you? I really thought this mountain was the entrance.
14	Memory Essence: Harathi Hinterlands	Item	Service	Hint: I don’t know what I hated the most in the Woods: the spiders, the bandit with the pistol, or the skritt that threw bears.
15	Memory Essence: Iron Marches	Item	Service	Hint: I wanted to Run around this place but felt I was being chased by either a suspicious charr or some anomaly-looking thing.
16	Memory Essence: Kessex Hills	Item	Service	Hint: It was peaceful here in the Meadows, but now you can get a good look at the ruins of a fort and tower.
17	Memory Essence: Lornar's Pass	Item	Service	Hint: She thought it was a False hope that we could stop the Twisted Marionette.
18	Memory Essence: Malchor's Leap	Item	Service	Hint: Getting to that vista seemed like it was another hidden Garden jumping puzzle back in our day.
19	Memory Essence: Metrica Province	Item	Service	Hint: It I was participating in Hunger Royale, a Wild idea would be to hang around a potato farm.
20	Memory Essence: Mount Maelstrom	Item	Service	Hint: We needed to go back to the Coil and look for more clues on this “Mordremoth.”
21	Memory Essence: Plains of Ashford	Item	Service	Hint: Why did they have so much garlic bread in the catacombs? Do you think we will find more in the Ruins of their city?
22	Memory Essence: Queensdale	Item	Service	Hint: You took a break at some Heartwoods, but adventurers were already taking out trolls, boars, bandits, wasps, oakhearts, and spiders.
23	Memory Essence: Snowden Drifts	Item	Service	Hint: There’s something surreal about hanging around inside an abandoned building, but at least you can hear Owls.
24	Memory Essence: Southsun Cove	Item	Service	Hint: It did not feel good chasing a karka back to a Cavern where there could have been more dangers lying in wait.
25	Memory Essence: Sparkfly Fen	Item	Service	Hint: If I was on the cliffs, I would be safe from any tidal waves that crashed on the Coast. It would be a disaster if you couldn’t find any launch pads in time.
26	Memory Essence: Straits of Devastation	Item	Service	Hint: Using the Catacombs as a shortcut probably wasn’t the best idea. It’s like a maze down there.
27	Memory Essence: The Silverwastes	Item	Service	Hint: Sometimes you were Desperate and needed to get airship support when defending your fort.
28	Memory Essence: Timberline Falls	Item	Service	Hint: To think Mordremoth could destroy a fort so Rapidly, and now we can’t use the waypoint anymore!
29	Memory Essence: Wayfarer Foothills	Item	Service	Hint: Have you seen Issormir? That is a large wurm. It is worth the Climb.
30	Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Complete)	Item	Service	Hint: Return to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna at Bloodcoast Ward in Lion's Arch or at Mantle's Arrival in Bava Nisos.
31	Proof of Eternal Skritt Friendship	Item	Service	Hint: I told you somewhere in Tyria, not en Route to a literal Moon. You're looking for a skritt-friend of a skritt friend, which probably is someone that exhibits skritt-like behavior, such as hoarding and appreciating shinies.

Dialogue

Talking to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna to start the collection

Hello, <Character name>. Do you have a moment? If not, you're still welcome to pet the animals.

I was told you needed help.

Good timing. I'd like to request your help, if you're willing to offer it.

Hm... Okay.

A ward member reached out from the Mythwright Cauldron. Though it wasn't Zommoros himself, this ward member agreed with our ally that this artifact has potential.

Hopefully not another wager.

Not quite. I can't make out the writing on it, but it should be revealed when enough memory essences are found.

Are you able to help? (Rewards Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Incomplete))

By the Six, of course I can! I deciphered some of the words and made a list for you to keep track. Good luck!

Excellent. I'm ready! (Opens the collection)

I've got plenty of tasks already.

I've got plenty of tasks already.

No, I'm busy.

I'm busy...but I suppose I do have time to pet animals.

Talking to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna before having collected all memory essences

Hello again. Make any progress on the request?

What was I supposed to be doing again?

I gave you a list of where to find memory essences. That should help you uncover the next steps.

Ah, that's right. (Opens the collection)

Wow, that's quality armor!

Thanks! You look fancy yourself.

For sure!

I'm on it.

Talking to Astral Ward Medic Miyrna after having collected all memory essences

Hello again. Make any progress on the request?

I found all of the memory essences. Can you tell me what's next? (Rewards Miyrna's Guide to Memory Essences (Complete))

Hmm. Looks like more text has been revealed on this object. It says, "Present this to a friend of skritt. They may not be a skritt themselves, but they're for sure a friend."

That's pretty vague. Any hints?

Can you think of someone who exhibits skritt-like behavior? Someone who hoards...er, appreciates shinies. They could be somewhere in Cental Tyria or possibly Janthir.

In that case, I might have an idea.

Wow, that's quality armor!

Thanks! You look fancy yourself.

For sure!

I'm on it.

Talking to Gharr Leadclaw

Hello, <Character name>! Got excess stuff on your hands? I can exchange it for shinies! I can also offer you the shiniest shiny I have, but...it's going to be very costly the first time you buy it.

You had me at shinies! (Opens the vendor window)

Excellent. Here's what I have.

Stuff, stuff, stuff!

Tell me about this "shiniest shiny." (Opens the Gobblers and Exchanges Collector collection)

Why shop for gobblers and exchanges separately when you can access them from a single item? Don't worry, I know the services you're eligible for: I've got connections. Your inventory will thank you.

That's a great idea!

Wow, that's quality armor.

Thanks. I like what you chose to wear today!

Aw, thanks!

Gharr, we found this artifact. We figured it is meant for you.

Hmm, that drawing... Why is it so familiar?

Drawing? I don't see anything.

It was made for me to see. It is triggered by...are those memories? Those people look familiar...

It's not me, is it?

Some of them look like you, though it's hard to tell. But the shorter figure by me is clearly in focus.

Continue to let Gharr examine the artifact.

A-ha! There's a message hidden in all of them. "You have to get better. You are all that I have." (You notice Gharr's eyes watering, but there's a faint glow of...magic?)

Leadclaw, are you all right?

<Character name>, I'm scared. The message has changed, and It wants you to read the next phrase. I can't make it out, you have to do it. Please. (The artifact shows a skritt with a message for you to say.)

"Don't take too long. You won't be here forever."

You notice the faint glow in Gharr's eyes brighten for a few seconds, then return to normal. He's still a little teary-eyed, though.

Leadclaw?

Commander, it all makes sense now. Those are memories from when I adventured around Central Tyria with a skritt. A dear friend of mine. We collected many curiosities, shinies included.

(Continue to listen.)

It's not easy when your best friend comes down with some mysterious illness that the Orders of Tyria don't have an answer for. But I kept up my hopes that I would find a cure.

(Continue to listen.)

Then one day, she was gone. Suppose I should have figured out there was something special about her. Not long after, the Astral Ward found me. They needed an expert in gathering items.

(Continue to listen.)

I accepted the deal as a way to honor her and our legacy. But every item I gathered felt like a cruel reminder. The ward offered to make those memories dormant, but not to erase them.

(Tilt your head in interest.)

It was Krrsol's idea. The way to reawaken my memories was through those phrases. They were our parting words. But I promise, not all of this is so morose, <Character name>.

(Raise your eyebrow.)

She wanted me to discover this because she's found a place. A place she can continue being the Shiniest Shiny, just as we promised each other. The Mystic Forge.

Ah. I see.

It's thanks to you that I know where to visit her. You can keep the artifact. It seems it may have some powerful magical properties. I can always ask her for more.

I'm glad I could help, Gharr. Thank you for the gift. (Rewards Proof of Eternal Skritt Friendship, completing the collection)

Take care of yourself, <Character name>. You're all you have.

You too, Gharr Leadclaw.

I think I'll save my shinies.

Fair enough. Enjoy your shinies. Thanks for stopping by. Take care of yourself and don't be a stranger, <Character name>.

Take it easy, Gharr.

Trivia

• Each memory essence's hint has the area name hidden in a word that has the first letter capitalized. For example, "Sometimes you were Desperate" hints at Desperate Passage. For some zones, this only narrows it down; the Iron Marches has more than one "Run" area, Plains of Ashford have multiple "Ruins", Gendarran Fields have multiple "Bluffs"...
• Many of the hints and flavor texts pay homage to different events and player experiences throughout GW2's lifespan.
  • The Blazeridge Steppes hint references the Skyscale of Fear step of the original lengthy Skyscale collection introduced in War Eternal. The flavor text, and its position as first hint, may also reference how it was the first map showcased at conventions, and used in promotions.
  • The Bloodtide Coast flavor text and hint refers to the Taidha Covington and Triple Trouble world bosses, and the Dragon Response Mission.
  • The Brisban Wildlands hint refers to the issues players faced during Rollerbeetle Racing in this map, where smaller trees wouldn't render quick enough to avoid.
  • The Cursed Shore flavor text references the temple meta events.
  • The Dredgehaunt Cliff flavor text references the Guild Wars 1 prestige armor.
  • The Field of Ruin hint refers to the guild race in the area.
  • The Fireheart Rise step references the event chain that had to be completed to un-contest the Citadel of Flame before Dungeon Transportation was added in 2023.
  • The Frostgorge Sound flavor text references Guild Wars NPCs Nicholas Sandford and Professor Yakkington and the weekly collection system.
  • The Gendarran Fields flavor text references the refugee camp during Battle for Lion's Arch in Living World Season 1.
  • The "skritt that threw bears" mentioned in the Harathi Hinterlands hint refers to the map's Guild Bounty target Brekkabek and his pet bear Maully.
  • The Iron Marches flavor text references the Searing Cauldron, while the hint text references the guild bounty and Legendary Ley-Line Anomaly.
  • Kessex Hills hint refers to the version of the map prior to the permanent changes made during the Tower of Nightmares release.
  • The Lornar's Pass flavor text refers to a Droknar's run, an emergent player service in Guild Wars where runners are paid to transport another player from an early part of the campaign to its final town (now ruined and known as Sunken Droknah) by taking an otherwise difficult shortcut.
  • The Malchor's Leap hint is a callback to the Garden of Ilya vista which was notoriously difficult to reach before gliders and mounts were added.
  • The Metrica Province hint references Hunger Royale, a survival game event held for players during GW2's Beta.
  • The Mount Maelstrom hint references GW2's early theorist community. Before Mordremoth's official reveal, Zone Green was used as evidence to theorize that a yet-unrevealed sixth Elder Dragon, with a plant theme, might exist. Additionally, the Dragon's name was theorized to be "Mordremoth" based on the name of one of Subject Alpha's attacks in the Crucible of Eternity (explorable).
  • The Plains of Ashford hint references how the only way to acquire Garlic bread in game, besides cooking it, is as a drop during Ascalonian Catacombs (explorable). The flavor text refers to perma pre characters, which remained in the tutorial area of Guild Wars Prophecies, before the Searing.
  • The Queensdale hint references the Queensdale champion trains, a popular group farming activity in the game's early years.
  • The Snowden Drifts flavor text refers to the difficulty of the Rollerbeetle Race in the map.
  • Southsun Cove's hint refers to the finale of The Lost Shores and the fight against the Ancient Karka.
  • Sparkfly Fen's hint refers to Defeat Tequatl the Sunless and its fail state.
  • Timberline Falls' hint references how the waypoint at Fort Concordia remains unusable since Entanglement.