The air crackles with an unseen energy, a pressure building beneath the surface of everyday life. You, Thalia, feel it acutely – a weakening in the magical barriers that hold this world together. The raw power coursing through Authios is straining against its confines, threatening to erupt in a cataclysmic release. The villagers, unaware of the impending catastrophe, go about their daily routines, oblivious to the subtle tremors in the magical fabric of their reality. The powerful, however, know. Their whispers, caught on the wind, speak of desperate measures, of hidden sanctuaries, of escape routes for the privileged few. You, however, blend into the periphery, observing, sensing, but not interfering.
Your heightened senses pinpoint the source of the hushed conversations—a small, unassuming hut nestled at the edge of the village. Smoke curls lazily from its chimney, carrying the scent of herbs and something else… something ancient, almost ethereal. You know whom you seek. This village holds a wise woman, a healer known for her knowledge of herbs and ancient lore, whispered to possess skills that transcend mere herbalism. Her name, you recall from your unexpected wealth of knowledge, is Anya. She is the perfect person to aid your integration, to guide you through this unfamiliar world. As you approach Anya's hut, you notice her tending to her small garden.
Her movements are deliberate, her touch gentle, yet there is a strength in her posture, a silent authority that commands respect. The magic surrounding her is subtle, different from the raw power of the world itself; hers is a refined, contained magic, focused and purposeful. You approach cautiously, Analamuk padding silently beside you. Anya looks up, her eyes, the colour of warm honey, meeting yours. There is no surprise in their depths, only a quiet understanding. "You feel it, don´t you?" she asks, her voice soft, but clear enough to be heard above the gentle hum of the evening breeze. "The world… it's straining.
The veil is thinning." You nod slowly, feeling a wave of understanding wash over you. She offers a small, knowing smile. "Come in, child. Let us talk. There is much you need to learn. Much you need to understand." The scent of herbs and something else – something ancient and powerful – fills the air as you step across the threshold, the weight of the world's impending chaos settling heavily on your shoulders. The conversation that follows, whispered in hushed tones in the quiet of Anya´s hut, will determine your next steps, will shape your path in this world on the brink of chaos.