The warm supper remains between Delfarius and Morghain, but the starwell’s gentle orbit falters. One constellation over Orosia gutters, then another over Karak’Grom, followed by the distant lights of Merc’haetc Forest.
Thin streams of magic rise from the world below, silver and gold threads pulled upward through the clouds before vanishing beyond the observatory’s sight. The untouched starwater trembles in its crystal cup.
Morghain
That is not a local failure. The roads beneath three distant regions are dimming together, and something is drawing power away from them.
Morghain rises slowly, her violet eyes fixed on the lens. Its descending constellations shudder around her, rearranging themselves into broken arcs that point downward rather than toward any Astral road.
Morghain
It is reaching through the world’s foundations. Whatever it seeks, it is not asking permission.
Morghain
Delfarius, look at the lens. I do not know what lies beyond its sight, but the disturbance is spreading, and the observatory has begun to notice us noticing it.
The starwell gives one final, uneven pulse. Far below, another constellation goes dark, leaving the supper pavilion suspended in widening silence and the next choice entirely open.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine where the stolen magical power is being drawn.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stop the force draining the world’s magical vitality.