Long time no see, Player.

Thank you so much for your prompt response. I know it's been a while.

It's odd, eh? Being called back to Sanctum, just like old times?

Player: "It's good to see you again."

Sanctum doesn't change much, eh? Though actually, that's part of why I asked you back here.

For a while now, locals have been coming to me complaining of strange and unsettling dreams. I didn't worry about it too much at first... these are dark and difficult times. Such a response is natural. Even I've woken up in a cold sweat a few times as of late....

Then, Leah reached out to me about something exceedingly unusual. I don't know if it's linked to all the strange dreams, but it is troubling, either way.

Player: "What happened?"

Have you ever heard of Elianan, Player? It's a Guestbloom that Leah cares for. It has a strong connection to the life energies and Aether here in Sanctum.

Recently, Elianan froze over.... Literally, it's covered with frost. You know Sanctum, it's always temperate here.

Given your own strong connection to Aether, I was hoping you might have some insight. Will you look into it? You'll find Leah on the Exalted Path.

Player: "I'll see what I can do."

Hey, Player!

It’s been a while! You're looking great!

Player: "Thanks! Jucleas sent me about a Guestbloom?"

Oh, so you’re here for Elianan!

Elianan is a Guestbloom, but since it's here in Sanctum, it's become tied in with all the Aether here. It exudes so much divinity!

I guess Jucleas already told you it's frosted over? I've never seen anything so bizarre.... Jucleas mentioned something about Essence and a Daeva in Iluma when I asked if he had any ideas on making Elianan better.

Player: "Huh. Where is Elianan?"

I left Elianan with my sister, Letia.

She's in the square. The Aether flow is stronger there, so I thought it might help!

Jucleas sent you, right? Do you think there's anything you can do for my poor Frozen Elianan?

Player: "I'll take a look."

(As you reach out to touch Elianan, a faint glow collects around you both.)

(Slowly, the frost recedes and bud unfurls from the stem. The glow fades, leaving Elianan whole and vibrant once more.)

Player: End dialog.

What happened?! You fixed it!

Wow! I tried everything I could think of for two days, and then here you are, reviving it within mere seconds! There really is something different about you, isn't there? I mean, I'd heard rumors, but who ever knows how much is real and how much is gossip in this town?

If even half the stories are true, maybe you might have some insight on something else that's been worrying me....

Player: "What?"

I meet Ludina for lunch sometimes. Y'know, the bartender? She has a regular who's been chatting about some pretty concerning stuff.

At first, it sounded like he was just some crazy drunk, rattling off about seeing monsters with transparent scales.

Then, she said that he got... really intense. Terrified, even. He started talking about how he was certain what he'd seen was one of the Balaur. He was here, in Sanctum....

Player: "The Aether field keeps them out of Sanctum, I thought."

It does! At least, it's supposed to. Ludina said it rattled her, though. She said he sounded SO genuine.

I know it's probably just a wild goose chase. You know, drunken imaginings and all... but it would set both our minds at ease if someone like you looked into it.

I'll let Leah know that you were able to help with Elianan. Will you go talk to Ludina?

Player: "Sure, I guess it couldn't hurt."

Arieluma.

What can I get you?

Player: "Letia asked me to come by."

Ah, you're here about Damasion. A couple of days ago, he came into the inn and started blabbering about how he saw Balaur in Sanctum.

He said they were huge monsters, covered in icy, transparent scales. He's never NOT drunk, so nobody was paying him any mind, but... I don't know. It just stuck with me. Drunk or not, he's always so easy-going, but he seemed shaken by the whole thing.

Really, though, it was probably just bar gossip. I'm surprised Letia sent you. I certainly didn't mean to distract someone like you from your duties... I hope it didn't pull you away from anything important.

Player: "Actually, I'd like to talk to him."

Well, if you really want to get a rambling account from Damasion, you're welcome to try.

Around this time he should be sleeping his hangover off in peace near the Tempest Shipyard.

Player: "Thanks."

What do you want? (Hic!)

Player: "Tell me about the Balaur you saw."

Oh! Oh, they were... wait. Why are you askin' about this?

Nobody wanted to hear about it. Said I was imagining stuff. I might like my liquor now and again, but I'm not stupid.

If you're just here to make fun of me, you can turn right around and flap outta here, Daeva.

Player: "No, I really want to hear about it. Please?"

Well... all right. I've never seen anything like them before. Big, and nasty-looking.

Their scales were transparent. I've heard stories of the Balaur, but I've never heard THAT. It was skulking around. I know this sounds weird, but I swear I caught a whiff of incense.

I SWEAR I saw it. You've gotta believe me. I left my Hombel Liquor Bottle in the alley, it scared me so bad. It was the little alley behind the shipyard.

Player: "Thanks. I'll take a look."

(A liquor bottle that can be purchased all throughout Sanctum.)

(Picking it up, you realize that it's completely full. Not a drop has been imbibed. It must be the bottle that Damasion dropped.)

(The bottle is cold to the touch. As you turn it over in your hands, your fingers brush off a collection of frost.)

Player: "Strange..."

So, how did it go?

Player: "Here's what happened..."

These... look like ritual items. And you say you were attacked? By a DRAKAN?

This is not good at all.

There's something written on the scroll. Let me take a look.... I think it's a summoning spell of some kind.

Player: "Summoning what?"

These... look like ritual items for summoning something. And you say you were attacked? By a DRAKAN?

Do you see the dried bloodstain on the bottle? Even now, it pulsates with a vile, dark energy.

This cannot be from an ordinary Balaur. I don't know what's going on here, but one thing is for certain. Something terrible is about to happen. I know it.

Player: "Whatever it's trying to summon, we'll stop it."

I just... don't know anymore, Player. Elianan's previous condition, a magic ward in Balaur blood, a summoning spell....

Something must truly be wrong. None of these should ever have made it into Sanctum.

Have you... had any strange or unusual dreams as of late, Player?

Player: "What are you talking about?"

Do you remember how I spoke of the people here having strange dreams? I had this awful, gripping nightmare not long ago. The same dream for a few nights, in fact.

When I woke, I would remember feeling a great weight upon my heart, but I couldn't call to mind what I'd seen.

But these... these items are so familiar to me now.

Player: "Were they in your dream?"

It was a nightmare. Yes... I remember now.

Black clouds gathered over Sanctum, hanging low and dark. Then, in among the thunderheads, a great eye appeared, gazing down upon the city.

I fear that Sanctum itself is in grave danger.

Player: "What do you mean?"

I think... the Empyrean Lord has been trying to send me signs, but I did not yet know what to make of them.

There is only one possibility... only one reason that the Balaur could ever have made it to the heart of Elysea like this.

There must be a problem with the Aether field here.

Player: "That's a problem...."

If there is an issue with the Aether field that has permitted the Balaur into Sanctum, we cannot predict what will happen. We have so little information right now....

I will inform the other Sanctum officials of this and call for a meeting. We must discuss defense of the city itself.

Thank you so much for your help, Player. We would still be completely in the dark about this if you hadn't looked into it. I hope that should Sanctum need safeguarding, we can call upon you once more.