Oh, Daeva. I'm glad to see you're here. Apologies if I look a little haggard. Life has been... eventful these past few days.

The flow of Aether is disappearing in several places, and I think it has something to do with the artifacts in Eltnen.

I would be in your debt if you could go to Novan's Crossing and speak with Lakaias about fixing the problem. Someone who uses a suit powered with Aether should understand the gravity of this situation.

Player: Accept.

You've come to ask about the Aether? Any expression of how happy I am would be an understatement.

Look around you. Feel the flow of Aether. Even the untrained senses can detect a problem, no? Luckily, the Aether flow hasn't completely ceased. This is where your part comes into play. I'll give you what little information I have. I only ask that you get to the bottom of this.

When I noticed the intermittent flow of Aether, I went to check the Artifact. Look to the source, as I was taught. I regret to say it has been partially destroyed--sawed off at the base, it would seem. This is a dire blow to our research. It may even be a permanent setback to understanding the inner workings of the Artifact.

Player: "Can you tell me anything more?"

Look to the ruined buildings to find the original place of the Artifact. I saw dragging marks leading away from the Artifact's base, and there seems to be a great deal of movement in the area.

If you break apart the Ancient Caryatids that were guarding the Artifact, you might be able to find some extra clues. We certainly don't have any use for them anymore. I don't have a mind for criminal investigation. Hopefully you'll be more successful where I hit a dead end.

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

Any news? I assume you wouldn't have returned unless you found something worth sharing.

I thought it impossible to destroy the artifact... obviously I was wrong. I can't imagine what magic or machinery was employed to do such a thing.

I should have been prepared for this. I feel so useless.

Player: "I found this."

Huh? This is... This is something the Lepharist Revolutionaries carry with them!

The Lepharists! If they're involved, that's serious--serious for the Artifact's fate, and serious for what it says about the Lepharists.

This situation is much worse than I expected. I'll take this to my superiors. We'll get to the bottom of it.