When the Aetheric Field that was protecting the broken Tower of Eternity after the Cataclysm weakened, we could enter Norsvold for the first time in 1000 years.

Lord Azphel dispatched Agent Peregrine and the Archon's Shadow legion, and we are protecting the land that has emerged from the Aetheric Field while also gathering fragments of the Tower of Eternity to restore the field.

To be successful here, I'd suggest you learn more about this land before taking any action. First, go and talk to Svanhild next to me. She's a Judge of Silence and not part of the Archon's Shadow but she knows this place better than anyone else.

Player: Accept

As Judges, we investigate and compile reports on all Atreia. We were here before even the Archon's Shadow.

Since this place was caught inside the Aetheric Field that Lord Siel erected during the Cataclysm, it is an Atreia of antiquity.

However, it is very different from the Atreia that we are living in now. I think these many scattered fragments of the Tower are to blame.

Player: "Go on."

The fragments of the Tower of Eternity are made of condensed Aether and when they decay, they emit concentrated Aether.

In regions like this, where Aether with a high density appears so concentrated, several strange phenomena keep happening: A geyser may suddenly appear, or strange clouds overshadow the sky.

Places where you weren't able to fly suddenly turn into places where you can fly. Some of these phenomena are beneficial for us but it's best if you see for yourself later on. That's the fun in exploring new territories.

Player: "Interesting."

Oh, and there are also rift here that we haven't seen before.

It's said that these small fissures appear irregularly in certain areas... Corto should be able to tell you more.

You can find Corto at the village's square. Please go and talk to him.

Player: "I will find Corto."

Svanhild sent you to me, so I could tell you more about those unusual rifts?

Svanhild was right, the scouts who checked out this region reported that they found strange rifts.

The rifts we know from Atreia and Balaurea always appeared at the same time and location and were open for a longer period of time. These here are different.

Player: "How are they different?"

Are you aware that rifts are created by a large amount of Aether released from the destruction of the Tower of Eternity?

What's special about the rifts here is that they are rather small, requiring a minimum of 6 people. And they don't stay open for very long.

I'm suspecting that the proximity of the Tower of Eternity is causing the rifts to be smaller and open for a shorter period of time. The investigations are still ongoing but so far there's been little progress.

Player: "What should we do?"

Oh, you were such a good listener that I just kept on babbling.

If there's anything you'd like to know about other than rifts, you should go and talk to Vigdis.

She's been here since the very beginning to help the scouts, so Vigdis will be able to give you more detailed information about all kinds of things.

Player: "I'll speak with Vigdis."

You're learning about the features of this region before starting your missions?

Blood for blood, most Daevas these days aren't like you at all! They rush in recklessly... stupidly.

When the body reacts before the mind catches up, the Archon's Shadow legionnaires call it the mind without shadow: the head is so empty that nothing is left inside to throw shadows.

Player: "A formidable insult."

Yes, well, anyway, another feature of this region that I've learned from my investigation is that its ecology changes erratically according to the changes in weather or climate.

The types of enemies that appear vary depending on the changes in environment, such as the flow of time from day to night or a simple weather event like rain.

Then there are changes like an area becoming flyable when the flow of Aether suddenly shifts. So, you should remember to be especially cautious when you investigate this region.

Player: "Thank you for the advice."

Well, you are an excellent listener.

Ah! I wonder if you know that there are convenient ways to travel between areas in this region.

Let me take a short rest, and I'll tell you about them in depth.