Published by: The Santae Team
Putting The Pieces Together: Ancient Fossils Revealed!
Vespera sifted through the materials piled up in her Mining Cart, examining each sparkling stone in turn. Mining had revealed plenty of rare ores, but how could the ancient fossils be safely extracted?
She reached into her pack to pull out the trusty Ancient Fossil Codex -- a manuscript that had already provided lots of useful clues in the exploration of Echoes Cavern. The faint glow of the Fossil Chamber was just bright enough for her to read by. Vespera paged through the Codex from cover to cover, studying it deeply.
Her perusal of the Codex reminded Vespera of the research Orion and Rose were doing. Vespera started feeling more and more hopeful as she flipped through the pages. The pieces were all coming together!
For months, Orion and Rose had pored over the Codex, too, deciphering its cryptic instructions and the minerals that would be needed to realize their design. These minerals, imbued with ancient energy, held the promise of powering their most ambitious invention yet: A Resurrection Machine capable of restoring the creatures whose remains had been preserved in stone.
The Codex spoke of minerals like Petrastone Amber, Petrified Prism Shard, and the most important component: the Petrastone Relic. Each would be essential to harnessing the energy needed for this monumental task.
Finally, Vespera flipped the Codex carefully closed and replaced it in her bag. Nodding decisively, she turned to Ripple and River. "That was the key -- I understand now! Let me show you how to extract the fossils..."
With the guidance of the Codex -- and some very careful pickaxe work -- Ripple and River returned to the walls of the Fossil Chamber to continue mining.
After a while, Vespera heard a peep from River. The adventurer walked over to go look at the Raylen's most recent batch of mining discoveries. Using the techniques from the Codex had caused all kinds of new materials to appear: Chunks of amber that caught the light with a warm glow, scintillating rainbow-hued crystals, a stone that hummed with a powerful sense of ancient energy -- and several fossil fragments!
An air of excitement permeated the still air of the deep cavern as
Vespera held the fossil shards carefully in her hands. The rough stony
fragments were cool to the touch, but seemed to pulse faintly with
energy. “This isn’t just a discovery,” Vespera murmured, brushing her fingers across the fossil’s surface. “It’s a chance to bring these majestic creatures back.”
Vespera walked back over to the back wall of the cavern, where deep grooves perfectly matched the shapes of the fossil fragments in her hands. One by one, she worked to fit them into the wall, watching with delight as the outline of the ancient creature seemed to take shape.
First, she placed the fossil that had been given to her by the weary traveler she had met in Shadow Veil Pass all those weeks ago. Then, she added the five that had been newly mined from the nearby cavern. They fit perfectly -- but some fossils were still missing!
"Hmmm." Vespera took a step back from the wall, crossing her arms as she surveyed the incomplete collection.
"I need to find the weary traveler again..." Vespera mused. "I wonder if he knows where the final pieces could be hiding?"
Consult The Codex To Mine For Fossil Treasures
Dig into the depths of the Fossil Chamber to discover ores, stones, and gems of all kinds. But to discover fossils themselves, some more specific guidance is required.
The Ancient Fossil Codex is full of detailed notes, diagrams, and descriptions that will help you delve even deeper into the secrets of Echoes Cavern. Add the Ancient Fossil Codex to your Artifact Collection to learn the secret to discover fossils!
Copies of this rare manuscript can be purchased from Yara at Timeless Relics. Pay her a visit to start your journey toward fossil discoveries today!
Dig Up New Hidden Avatars
Two new hidden avatars can now be discovered somewhere around Santae -- or maybe somewhere beneath?
Dig deep into Echoes Cavern and the Fossil Chamber to see if you can add these avatars to your own collection!
TL;DR
★ Using the Ancient Fossil Codex, Vespera discovered how to mine fossil fragments and other rare materials.
★ Add the Ancient Fossil Codex to your artifact collection to discover fossils of your own!
★ The newly mined fossils fit into the Fossil Wall deep in Echoes Cavern, but some pieces are missing. Vespera plans to seek the advice of the weary traveler she once met to discover the final parts.
★ Two new hidden avatars are discoverable!
Published by: The Santae Team
Ancient Secrets In The Depths Of Echoes Cavern
Vespera peered closely at the Fossil Chamber Map, examining it for clues. The weathered paper was inscribed with intricate diagrams that, at first, looked impossible to understand. But by comparing the map to the expedition notes Vespera had compiled with the help of Adventurers across Santae, she was beginning to see how the contours of the Map matched up with the chambers and tunnels of Echoes Cavern!
Vespera traced a path across the map with her fingertip. "If this is the entrance...and this is where I went Fishing with Ripple...and this is that tunnel..."
She gasped. "I didn't see that passageway at all!" The Map indicated a curving tunnel deep within the cavern that Vespera had completely overlooked. "We have to go check it out..."
Vespera, Ripple, and River quickly readied themselves for another trek into Echoes Cavern, and followed the Fossil Chamber Map through the cave's twisting passageways.
The trio splashed through shallow pools, crept through vaulted caverns, and squeezed through dark passageways. After several twists and turns, Vespera found herself in a part of Echoes Cavern she had never seen before.
The cave walls were faintly illuminated by Ripple and River's Netherflame glow, but there was another source of light faintly glowing around the corner...
There was a new chamber back there, waiting to be explored!
Vespera eagerly rounded the corner to see what the depths of the Cavern were hiding.
Tufts of Glowroot Grass illuminated a wide chamber with a craggy floor and a curiously patterned far wall. Vespera stepped closer to examine the strange protrusions on the rocky surfaces all around.
The shapes became clearer as she examined them more closely: A bony claw, the smooth curve of a rib. There was no mistaking it. These were fossils -- the ancient imprints of creatures from long ago!
Orion and Rose had been exploring how they could re-discover these majestic creatures, although all traces so far have suggested they are truly extinct.
Each fossil was a fragment of history, a piece of the ancient tapestry that had shaped their world. This cavern held secrets long forgotten, but not entirely lost. The weary traveler she had encountered in the Eerie Caves had handed her a single fossil, that fossil, worn with time but still radiating quiet power, matched the imprints scattered across this very cave.
If Orion’s research was correct, these fossils were more than just relics of the past. They were keys to a future that could bring the ancient creatures of Aleriea and Valaria back to life...
It was time to start Mining!
Mining Begins In Echoes Cavern
Grab your Pickaxes and Mining Carts, Adventurers. By venturing deeper into Echoes Cavern, you can now begin Mining!
In order to discover the deepest parts of the Cavern, you will need a map to guide you. Add the Fossil Chamber Map to your Artifacts Collection so that you have the reference you need to reach a suitable area for Mining. If you don't have a Fossil Chamber Map, speak with Nyra the Traveling Merchant! It will reward you with this rare artifact if you trade in enough excess items.
With the Map in hand, you're ready to begin your mining adventure!
Referral Contest Reminders + The Coveted Wispyr Raffles!
As we approach three weeks left for the Referral EventThe Referral Event we are currently hosting has three weeks remaining, and with over 8500+ users joining Santae so far, we are beyond elated to welcome each and everyone of you to our amazing community. We also want to remind everyone that we are holding two (2) separate Wispyr Raffles at the conclusion of the event. When the Raffle Contest ends on February 15, we will be raffling a total of 100 Wispyr Figurines to give those with fewer than 5 referrals a chance to also receive one of these rare pets!
One raffle with a prize pool of 50 Wispyrs will be held for Santarians with 0 referrals.
A second raffle with a prize pool of 50 Wispyrs will be held for Santarians with 1-4 referrals.
Disclaimers:
The only people entered into the above Raffles are users who have been Active since the start of the Referral Event!
Additionally, for the contest of having 1 or 4 referrals, you will receive one entry for the second Raffle. (Example: If you refer 1 user you will receive 1 entry to the raffle, however if you refer 4 users, you will also only receive one entry to the raffle.
Thank you everyone who has spread the word about Santae, and joined us during this Referral Event! Keep it up to work toward earning your own exclusive Wispyr pet!
Don't forget, Adventurers: Right now is a better time than ever to invite your friends to the world of Santae!
The ongoing Referral Contest will reward you with Referral Points for every new user that signs up using your special referral link. Spend your RP at the new Referrals Shop to take home rare prizes, including rare Divine Wispyr Figurines for 5 RP each!
TL;DR
Published by: The Santae Team
The Mysterious Wandering Merchant
After returning from her latest expedition into Echoes Cavern, Vespera, River, and Ripple returned to Sienna Canyon. The trio continued down the road to the heart of the canyon, eager to see even more of what the small settlement nestled inside had to offer.
To Vespera's surprise, she saw something on the outskirts of town that she hadn't noticed before. What looked like a traveling cart pulled by a beautiful Carbon and Chalk Kyree was stopped on the side of the path -- with a masked and dark-robed elf leaning up against it!
"Good afternoon," Vespera greeted the stranger as she approached. "How are you, friend?"
"Greetings," the mysterious shopkeeper replied, "and welcome. I am Nyra Duskshade, and this is my traveling shop." Nyra gestured with a sweeping hand toward its cart, which upon closer inspection was piled high with berries, plants, roots, rare stones, and glass containers with shimmering fish just barely visible inside.
"A traveling merchant, you say!" Vespera exclaimed. "What do you have for sale?"
"Ahh." Most of the elf's face was concealed, but Vespera saw its one visible eye squint in a smile. "I am not here to sell. I'm in the market to buy," Nyra said with a slow whisper.
"I'm a collector of sorts, you see," Nyra continued. "All the bounty of the earth and seas -- I will buy it at a fair price. I get new treasures, and in exchange I will give you 
sanPoints. So, do we have a deal?"
Vespera examined the contents of the cart, gaze lingering on a strangely familiar-looking scroll. Peering closer, she realized why it had caught her attention -- it looked just like the map that Scholar Orion had once shown her, the one with vital information about the Petrastone Relic!
"Are you sure nothing is for sale?" Vespera asked Nyra, pointing out the map. "I'm very interested in this map of yours. My friend Scholar Orion studied one just like it, and it may hold useful information about the depths of Echoes Cavern."
A smile crept slowly across the elf's face. It picked up the map and held it out toward Vespera. "You have a keen eye," Nyra said. "I have corresponded with your Scholar Orion, too. He sent this map to me, knowing my destination was Sienna Canyon -- and that I could, in turn, hand it on to you."
Vespera took the map, holding the precious parchment carefully.
"Thank you!" She exclaimed. "I just know this will be vital to our expedition."
Trade 100 items in exchange for the Fossil Chamber Map of your own! - Be sure to add this to your Artifact Collection as we continue to discover the mystery of Echoes Cavern with Vespera and the Explorers. Disclaimer: The Fossil Chamber Map is a account locked item and untradeable.
Trade In Your Items At This New Shop
The Traveling Merchant's stall in Sienna Canyon is now open. Is your inventory flooded with more material from Gathering, Foraging, Fishing and more than you think you could ever use? Nyra will happily take it off your hands -- albeit at a discounted rate, of course.
Nyra will pay a percentage of the value for your treasured items you've gathered from all across Aleriea and Valaria.
You can exchange up to 100 items at a time to turn your unneeded materials into sP!
Every time you turn in 100 items to Nyra, you will be rewarded a token of appreciation!
The Rare Fish And Flora Of The Caverns
Expeditions into Echoes Cavern are turning up even more new and exciting never-before-seen materials!
Traveling into the depths of Echoes Cavern is like stepping into the past and exploring the ecosystem of a time long past. The Fossilized Fern's curling stem and lush green leaves recall a time when ancient creatures roamed Santae. Glowroot Grass has adapted to its dark cavern home by producing blooms that create soft golden light, perfect for illuminating your explorations!
The floors of Echoes Cavern's deep, rocky pools are imprinted with the fossils of generations of flora and fauna long passed. The Glyphscale Goby camouflages itself perfectly with intricate scales that resemble ancient fern fossils. In contrast, the luminous Celestera Glowfish doesn't hide at all. Its beautiful, delicate fins radiate a soft celestial light as it swims through the darkness.
Silvershade Brings Vespera A Surprise!
Silvershade has been busy behind the scenes and has delivered something truly enchanting to Vespera—the Minimal Crate!
This awesome crate is filled full of companionship, offering one random minimal that has recently been featured in the Cash Shop and SanDust Shop. Packed with a variety of adorable and unique minimals, the Minimal Crate is the perfect way to find a companion to accompany you on your adventures if you have a hard time deciding.
TL;DR
sP.
