Halwen has the local knowledge, I agree.

Well I think we all wanted a quest after resting so let's see what's on offer Story Update – Day 8, Morning Location: Windrest Hollow – Spirit Grove Commons Status: HP: 26 / 26 | EP: 16 / 16 | Fatigue: None Inventory: 32 copper, Flickerglass Shard, Minor Earthshard You decide to seek another task before departing for the Verdant Hollow. Halwen directs you to a weathered board in the commons—a gathering post for wandering adepts and villagers alike. A few notices catch your eye: Available Quests: 1. “Echoes in the Orchard” Location: Southridge Orchard Description: Strange whispers and shadowy flickers have unsettled the orchard workers. A Spirit-attuned adventurer is requested to investigate. Reward: 12 copper + a harvest talisman (minor EP regen in nature zones) Difficulty: Moderate – Spirit focus recommended 2. “Tunnel Trouble” Location: West Hollow Caves Description: Something has disturbed the deep burrow routes—likely a small earth elemental or burrowing beast. Collapse risk is rising. Reward: 14 copper + gemstone fragments (useful for spell augmentation) Difficulty: Moderate – Earth or Fire recommended 3. “Lost Heirloom” Location: Old River Shrine Description: A child claims their grandmother’s amulet was stolen by a mischievous water sprite. Not officially posted, but the elder confirms it may be real. Reward: Unknown copper amount + family favor (could lead to gear or support) Difficulty: Low – Water affinity helpful As you look over the board, Halwen steps beside you, glancing at the second quest. “I’ve heard tremors from that direction. If it’s what I think, it’s best not left too long.” What would you like to do? Accept “Echoes in the Orchard” (Spirit investigation) Accept “Tunnel Trouble” (Earth elemental issue) Accept “Lost Heirloom” (Water sprite mischief) Ask Halwen for any hidden or unofficial tasks What would you like to do?

Ok it's dark so let's rest. We can still do more quests in the morning Story Update – Day 7, Nightfall Location: Windrest Hollow – Spirit Grove Status: HP: 26 / 26 | EP: 16 / 16 | Fatigue: Cleansed Inventory: 22 copper, Flickerglass Shard, Minor Earthshard You return to Windrest under the glow of lantern-lit trees, your steps light with victory. Halwen waits at the edge of the grove, his eyes catching the faint pulse of energy still clinging to your aura. “You’ve calmed the ridge,” he says, voice thoughtful. “That shrine has been volatile since the last elemental surge. The Veil feels quieter now.” He reaches into a satchel and hands you a cloth pouch. +10 copper earned (Total: 32 copper) Halwen’s Favor +1 – He now considers you a reliable elemental adept and may share rarer lore or trade favors. You rest beneath the boughs of the Spirit Grove that evening, letting the Codex hum gently against your chest as your dreams flicker with earthlight and shifting roots. Codex Pulse – Elemental Shift Detected With your recent experiences, the Codex suggests refining your spell arsenal or preparing for terrain-based challenges ahead. Would you like to: Modify your spell loadout before traveling Attempt to create a new hybrid spell using the Flickerglass Shard Speak to Halwen about Spirit-Veil anomalies Depart for the Verdant Hollow (Earth Temple) Seek another side quest or bounty to earn more coin Let me know what you'd like to do?

Cat

Yeah I just slept through most of Empire and all of Return of the Jedi. I then I got woked up. Just as well as I needed to stalk my youngest on the way home from his son.

It's getting dark again....

Reflection

Well I decided on the Shard because we already got an earth core here. Time to meditate Story Update – Day 7, Evening Location: Cragshade Ridge – Cleansed Shrine Status: HP: 26 / 26 | EP: 13 / 16 | Fatigue: Low Inventory Update: + Flickerglass Shard (Hybrid Catalyst), +12 copper (Total: 22 copper), + Minor Earthshard You kneel at the crumbling altar as the last of the elemental’s energy fades into the dusk. Placing the Flickerglass Shard at the center of the shrine, you breathe deeply and let the stillness of the land settle into your core. Codex attunement initiated… Earth resonance flows into your aura briefly, harmonizing your base Weave structure. Temporary Buff Gained – Earth Attunement (Minor): For the next major encounter, gain +1 to Earth Weave checks and +1 damage mitigation vs physical attacks. Your Codex flickers, absorbing some of the ambient restoration as well. EP Regeneration: +2 Fatigue reduced – You feel clear and grounded. The wind whispers through the ridge trees, and for the first time since Windrest, the air feels undisturbed. The shrine is quiet now… but it may serve as a safe resting place in the future. Current Resources: HP: 26 / 26 EP: 15 / 16 Copper: 22 Inventory Additions: Flickerglass Shard (Rare hybrid spell reagent – can enhance or modify Weaves using two or more elements) Minor Earthshard (Can be socketed into Codex or traded) What would you like to do next? Return to Windrest Hollow – Report success and rest Seek a new side quest (Halwen may offer more, or check the local bounty board) Begin journey to the Verdant Hollow (Earth Temple) Visit the market and see what you can afford with your coin Attempt to craft or modify a hybrid spell using the Flickerglass Shard What would you like to do?

Maybe I should toss a coin lol

Burn

Red

Gaudy

Ok so meditate seems to be a consensus, but I'm fine with either the Bloom or the Flickerglass. Hopefully America is starting to wake up and we can get a bit more input.

I tried to stay awake last night, but then I did that thing where you close your eyes and tell yourself you're just resting them lol

Yup yup. Am gonna do the work on Key. And I guess Marsh too. But also I'm watching Star Wars now and probably gonna have a nap. I got the day off today. It's a Bank Holiday on Monday and work was all, oh you can't book a Tuesday off after a Bank Holiday so don't be thinking you can have a 4 day weekend. So I booked the Friday off before instead lol

Hmmm. I was wondering if the Flickerglass shard would help us boost Nyra, but the Grantite Bloom could jump-start our Earth build up. I think we could meditate before we go back? It's only early afternoon.

We go Spirit! Story Update – Day 7, Late Afternoon Location: Cragshade Ridge – Broken Shrine Status: HP: 23 / 26 | EP: 11 / 16 | Fatigue: Medium Active Quest: Elemental Hunt – “Stone Unbound” Status: Combat Concluded – Victory Rewards Gained: 12 copper, Minor Earthshard, choice of reagent pending You plant your feet, centering your breath, and focus your Spirit. The corrupted elemental surges forward—each step a quake—but your Codex flares, echoing with Veil of Equilibrium and your innate resonance. You channel Soul Veil combined with targeted Spirit pressure. The elemental hesitates—its jagged form twitching, mask fracturing. Spirit Weave – Purge Pulse (Custom Hybrid) Spirit + Codex Resonance triggers a targeted echo disruption. The blow doesn't shatter it—but the corrupted core flares violently, then flickers out. The elemental stumbles, limbs fragmenting, expressionless stone face tilting upward before collapsing into inert rubble. Spirit Purge Successful Enemy core neutralized Local Weave corruption dispelled Halwen’s voice echoes faintly through your Codex as the tremors subside. “You did it. I felt the disruption from here. I’ll begin warding the site tonight.” You recover from the clash and inspect the remains: 12 copper coins scattered near the shrine base A Minor Earthshard pulsing with dormant stability Choose one: Alchemic Dust (used in potion crafting or spirit ink) Granite Bloom (earth-enhancing spell catalyst) Flickerglass Shard (used in hybrid elemental focus work) What would you like to do next? Return to Windrest Hollow and rest Seek another side quest (ask Halwen or visit the bounty board) Spend your copper at the market Travel to the Rootcircle Path and begin your journey toward the Verdant Hollow (Earth Temple) Stay and meditate with the purified shrine (gain temporary Earth affinity) So you will need to type out what reward you think we should take AND use the reaction for what we'd like to do next.

I think 2 as well. He might actually be a nice dude but someone has corrupted him. Also once we've dealt with him we need to thoroughly loot cos we are poor.

Right the game got a bit confused at this point. I chose option 1, which was to speak to Halwen again and it thought we wanted to go looking for mushrooms. So I've corrected that and jumped us straight to looking for a rougue elemental Got it! You’ve shifted to Option 3: Hunt a rogue elemental. Here’s your updated progress as you take on the new side quest: Story Update – Day 7, Afternoon Location: Cragshade Ridge (North of Windrest Hollow) Status: HP: 26 / 26 | EP: 16 / 16 | Fatigue: Low Active Quest: Elemental Hunt – “Stone Unbound” Reward on Completion: 12 copper, minor Earthshard, choice of crafting reagent You follow Halwen’s directions to a jagged trail northward. Cragshade Ridge juts like broken teeth from the forest, long abandoned after mining collapses—but now disturbed again. Locals reported tremors, livestock disappearing, and a thick haze of dust that won't settle. Halwen suspects a rogue Earth Elemental destabilized by Spirit leakage—a dangerous anomaly that must be dealt with before it burrows further or draws in worse. As you climb the ridge, the Codex begins to hum. The ground trembles—once, then again. A shattered shrine comes into view, with stone glyphs cracked and bleeding dust. Then, something massive stirs behind it. The rogue elemental rises—limbs formed of slate and granite, its “face” a broken mask. A corrupted Earth Weave pulses through its chest. Encounter: Unbound Stoneheart (Earth Elemental) Weakness: Water (erosion), Spirit (purge effect) Resistance: Fire Special Trait: Gains defense over time; stagger interrupts this buildup Your Options: Engage with erosion tactics – Use Water spells (like Aqua Surge) to wear it down Target its Spirit-corrupted core – Use Soul Veil or Spirit-affinity Weaves Try diplomacy through the Codex – Risky; attempt to calm it with your Spirit bond Use the terrain – Trigger a collapse or hazard from the shrine to weaken it first What would you like to do?

Bling

I think we have to choose 1 for side quests and then choose again for the quests we want.

I don't mind what we do, as long as it's not go to the Earth Temple lol

There is a Spirit Temple but I think it's like that castle from Krull and it moves around.