The Guardian Of The Forgotten Cavern

Vespera, Skylar, and Orion stood at the edge of the deep pool in the Quenaris' Lair, surrounded by a friendly flock of dragon Minimals. Small dragons had continued to arrive throughout the day, encouraged by their Adventurer friends to help convince the legendary Quenaris out of hiding -- if it could be found at all.

"Woah!" Skylar laughed, catching their balance after nearly tripping over a mischievous Scalegrin scampering underfoot. "There are certainly plenty of dragons here. What happens now?"

"That, I believe, is for the dragons to decide," Scholar Orion replied. He was standing on the verdant shore, a beacon of calm amongst the rustling, fluttering, clambering dragon Minimals crowding the cave.

"I think it's nearly time..." Vespera said, gazing deep into the ancient text. "I don't know why I think so...but I can feel it."

Just then, one of the Minimals perched on the craggy wall let out a whistling call. The rest of the dragons quickly picked up the cry, until the cavern was echoing with a song of interweaving notes.

Then the water of the pool shivered, ripples spreading out on its surface as an even louder call rang out through the air. It was a melodious cry like the sound of wind chimes mixed with the playful burble of a stream dancing over the rocks.

The trio of investigators froze as the echoes of the dragon's cry faded and a silhouette began to take shape under the surface of the pool. Then, all at once, a sinuous figure emerged from the waters -- a long, blue-green dragon raised its elegant head and regarded Vespera, Orion, and Skylar with its luminous stare.

"It really is..." Scholar Orion whispered, staring back with astonished fascination.

"The Quenaris -- it's here!" Skylar said under their breath.

Vespera felt a connection with the ancient dragon immediately, but the Quenaris was swimming in elegant circles just out of reach. The majestic dragon seemed cautious of its visitors, and didn't seem eager to approach. But as it twisted and turned through the waters of its pool, it always kept one eye fixed in their direction.

Vespera took a juicy berry out of her pack -- one of River's favorite kinds. Holding it out as an offering on her flattened palm, she hoped to coax the Quenaris closer. She took one cautious step into the shallows of the pool, then another. She stopped with the crystalline waters halfway to her knees, holding out the berry carefully.

The Quenaris didn't swim farther away, but nor did it approach. Its eyes flickered from the offered berry to Vespera's face searchingly.

Vespera felt a nudge against her leg and stumbled, narrowly avoiding falling into the pool. As she caught her balance, a couple of items from her bag splashed into the water — including a jar of Natural shimmer dust. The mystical dust spread through the water in a sparkling cloud that looked like it was drawn toward the Quenaris!

After catching her balance, Vespera looked down.  A skinny Sparkwyrm was in the shallows, looking up at Vespera with a hopeful-looking expression.

Vespera smiled down at the bold Minimal and leaned down to feed it the berry, happy to care for any creature in need. The electric blue dragon accepted the snack with a snap of its jaws before swimming back out into deeper water.

Along with the Sparkwyrm, a group of other dragon Minimals began to swim and flutter around the Quenaris. They were twelve in total -- all Minimals Vespera had befriended over the last couple of days. The small dragons chirped and hummed as they surrounded the Quenaris, who seemed to listen to what they had to say.

Helpful Hint: SILVERSHADEDRAGONS

After watching the dragon Minimals' display, the Quenaris' cautious, appraising expression shifted into a softer look. The mighty dragon ducked under the water, but a telltale ripple on the surface showed that it was swimming straight toward shore!

The Quenaris emerged right in front of Vespera, holding itself out of the shallows on its short but strong front legs. It bent its neck down in an elegant curve until its gaze was level with Vespera's, and the Adventurer and the dragon looked deeply into one another's eyes. It looked like it was waiting for something more. 

Vespera didn't know how she knew what to do next, but her instinct guided her to reach into her pouch for the spare Quenaris Orbs she had collected. The Orbs were glowing with soft light. As she lifted each one from her bag, they began to float and swirl around the Quenaris in an intricate orbit.

Bathed in the energy of the Quenaris Orbs, the Quenaris seemed to relax. It lowered its head toward Vespera.

Vespera extended her hand, full of awe and wonder. She felt cool, smooth scales under her touch as the Quenaris pressed its nose against her palm. At that moment Vespera knew: She and this Quenaris would be companions for life!

"Welcome back," Vespera whispered to the dragon. "It's been such a long time since your kind visited the rest of Santae. I can't wait to show you the world!"

The Quenaris' eyes sparkled with excitement as it tossed its elegant head in what looked like a nod of agreement.

"You'll need a name," Vespera mused aloud as she stepped out of the water and back onto the lush shore. The Quenaris ducked its head back underwater for one last dip in the crystal-clear pool before leaving. As Vespera watched the luminous surface of the water shift and dance with the Quenaris' movements, an idea came to her.

"Ripple," she said, and the Quenaris popped its head out of the water, looking at her intently. "Seems like you like it! Ripple it is." Ripple swam back to shore and climbed out onto the bank, Vespera stepping back to make room. 

"Congratulations," Skylar clapped Vespera on the shoulder, eyeing the magnificent dragon. "Ripple is amazing! I'm sure you'll go on fantastic adventures together."

"Indeed," Scholar Orion agreed, smiling warmly as he beheld the legendary dragon that was the answer to so many of the mysteries he'd spent his life investigating. "Let's begin by returning to Skybound Outlook, shall we?"

The group retraced their steps out of the deep, dark caverns -- helped along the way by Ripple's faint magical glow. The twists and turns within the dark mountainside occasionally branched off into other passages. Clearly there would be more to discover within the caverns someday! Most interestingly of all, some of the Minimals within the cave were scratching at the cavern walls, scraping out further small tunnels and burrows. It seemed like some Minimals possessed the ability to Dig!

When they reached the entrance, Vespera, Skylar, and Orion stepped right out into Halo Haven's sunshine, but Ripple hesitated in the shadows for a moment.

"There's no need to be frightened!" Vespera urged, holding out a hand to her new companion. "The skies are beautiful here. I promise you'll love it."

Ripple extended one claw out into the sunlight, then -- seeming to come to a decision -- rushed out all at once. Its scales sent glittering reflections across the ground and the gathered investigators as the light struck them. The Quenaris raised its head on its long neck, looking around in wonder as the group crossed the bridge back to the Outlook and Halo Haven proper.

As Ripple crossed through the archway leading onto the Forgotten Cavern's bridge, the secret island shimmered. Before everyone's eyes, it began to fade away into invisibility again.

"The Lair --" Orion cried, watching it disappear. "It's gone!" He rushed to Ascendants Shrine to see that the collected Quenaris Orbs had vanished, too.

"That's interesting," Skylar remarked, walking up after him to survey the shrine. "But on the bright side," they grinned, "there's nothing saying the Orbs can't be collected again!"

"I think you're right," Vespera agreed. "Returning to the cavern is surely possible -- if we can reveal the island again."

"But for now, Vespera," Scholar Orion said, "You should take some time to relax and celebrate. Why not return to Shadow Veil Pass to visit the Festival and celebrate with your new companion? Share the event with Ripple --  who I'm sure has not seen people or other pets in a long time. 

Quenaris Community Event Trophy Awarded

Congratulations to everyone! As like with any previous Community Event we have hosted, if you participated in any way, during the entire event, you will receive the Trophy! There is also a new Hidden Forum Avatar! Are you able to figure out the mystery of where it comes from?

Tame The Legendary Quenaris!

The way to the Lair is clear, Adventurers! If you have gathered all 12 Quenaris Orbs and placed them on the pedestals at Ascendants Shrine, you're now able to venture deep into the Forgotten Cavern and tame a legendary dragon of your own.

Once you have reached the Lair of the Quenaris, pour a shimmer dust of the color of your choice into the waters to determine which color of Quenaris will emerge -- and which you will then have to befriend!

Then, a Quenaris will appear in the Lair for you to attempt to tame! First need to show that you are worthy of its loyalty by turning in 12 dragon Minimals that you have tamed. These Minimals will leave you to remain in the Lair -- but they will help you win the trust of the secretive dragon!

Once you have demonstrated your friendliness, it is time to attempt to form a bond with the Quenaris by giving it more Quenaris Orbs. The Orbs will float around and orbit the Quenaris until the bond is formed -- and the exact number you will need to win the Quenaris' companionship may vary.

When you successfully tame the Quenaris, you'll have the choice to leave the Lair with a brand-new dragon companion -- or with a Divine Quenaris Figurine imbued with magic capable of transforming one of your existing pets into a legendary dragon.

Once you have tamed the Quenaris and left the Lair, the Forgotten Caverns will vanish behind you. To tame another Quenaris, you will need to locate all 12 Orbs again and repeat the process.

Legendary dragons are finally returning to the skies of Santae after centuries! Will you befriend a magnificent Quenaris today?

Legendary Dragons In A Rainbow Of Colors

The brand-new Pipsqueak & Regal Quenaris are brimming with energy! Freshly emerged from the Quenaris Lair in Halo Haven, these dragons are eager to explore the world of Santae by your side. Just a dash of Pipsqueak or Regal Shimmer Dust is enough to give your Quenaris companion a sweet new look.

The Divine Twilight Quenaris Figurine, Divine Pipsqueak Quenaris Figurine, Divine Synthwave Quenaris Figurine and Divine Earthbound Quenaris Figurine are also now available! Imbued with powerful mystical energy, these carvings have the power to transform any pet into a legendary dragon. Will you choose the elegant, mysterious Twilight Quenaris, or the majestic Earthbound Quenaris to be your lifelong companion?

SC/SD Return Page Now Live!

The refund page is now available for those who need to return items purchased directly from the sC/sD shop prior to the chest’s release can visit the page here. Please note that this refund option is ONLY VALID for items bought from the main shop—it does not cover purchases made from other users’ shops.

Thank you all for your understanding and patience, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by this hiccup. We appreciate your support as we work to make things right!

New Prizes In The Plushie Machine

The Grusim may look ferocious -- but its plushie counterpart is nothing but cute!

Next time you visit the Plushie Machine, you may receive one of these sweet, cuddly Grusim plushies as your prize in exchange for your Token. Try to collect them all!

Congratulations To The Drink Contest Winners!

The results are in, and the Santae Drinks Contest Voting has officially concluded! We're thrilled to announce the three winners for the drinks category, as well as the winners for the other three special categories. Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and effort!

Overall Drink Contest Winners:

First Place: Daisy

& +

Second Place: Oki

or +

Third Place: Clefairiel

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Special Category Winners:

Most Creative: Oki

Most Accurate: Daisy

Most Delicious: Daisy

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted—your engagement made this contest a huge success also everyone who participated will also receive one (1) Nectar of the Deep and be listed as an Honorable Mention on the contest results page! Stay tuned for more exciting events on Santae!

TL;DR

• ★ Vespera tamed the Quenaris within the Lair! Her new companion is named Ripple.
  ★ You can now tame a Quenaris companion of your own! The process requires gathering all 12 Quenaris Orbs for Ascendants Shrine, visiting the Lair, taming 12 dragon Minimals, and giving more Orbs to the Quenaris to tame it.
• ★ You can now obtain a refund if you purchased anything from the two newest cash shop sets prior to the chests being released. Visit this page.
  ★ New Redemption Code: SILVERSHADEDRAGONS
  ★ New Grusim plushies are available in the Plushie Machine,
• ★ The Pipsqueak & Regal Quenaris are now available, along with the Divine Twilight Quenaris Figurine, Divine Pipsqueak Quenaris Figurine, Divine Synthwave Quenaris Figurine and Divine Earthbound Quenaris Figurine.
• ★ Drink Contest Winners Announced.

A New Look For Some Tasty Treats

Baking would get boring if you didn't try new recipes and techniques once in a while! Thanks to Breezyl's latest experiments in the kitchen -- and, of course, the hard work of the Santae art team -- seven bakery items have gotten a sweet new look.

Next time you visit the Luminary Meadows, stop by Breezyl's Bakery for a taste of these newly refreshed and oh-so-delicious items!

A Hearty Harvest Of New Vegetables

Melina at Mirage Grove Vegetables has been hard at work harvesting the latest crop of new vegetables for Adventurers to enjoy. With all the excitement in Santae recently -- from the rising of the Nether Moon to the discovery of ancient hidden caverns -- you're bound to need energy to fuel your journey. What better way to fuel up for your adventure than with some healthy snacks or a hearty feast?

If you're looking for a refreshing snack on the go, munch on some Emerald Snap Peas, Glimmerbeans, or Verdant Cucumber! These verdant veggies are bursting with fresh flavor.

Or are you looking to settle in and simmer a full meal? These bold, savory onions are delicious when chopped, fried, or stewed, adding a tasty kick to almost any dish. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a rare Mystic Beetroot, enjoy it fresh for a burst of energy -- or roast it to bring out its delectable sweet and earthy flavor.

No matter what kind of healthy ingredient you need, Mirage Grove Vegetables is sure to have what you're looking for!

These are now being requested at Islanders Feast as well.

Santae's Mixology Contest Voting Closes

The voting for our Santae Mixology Contest has officially closed! Thank you to everyone who participated, from the creative minds who submitted delicious drink ideas to all of you who cast your votes. The level of creativity and skill shown was nothing short of amazing, and the entire team and I were truly blown away by the talent in this community!

We're excited to announce the winners and distribute prizes to all participants on November 13th, 2024, at 20:00 SST. Be sure to check out the news post then for the big reveal. Best of luck to everyone, and thank you once again for making this contest such a success!"

News from Eldrin, the Seeker of Knowledge!

Over 50 items have now been transformed into rare artifacts, waiting to be discovered! These elusive treasures hold ancient secrets and unique powers, making them a valuable find for any adventurer.

Happy hunting, and may your search lead you to hidden wonders!

Heartfelt Response

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to share your questions and thoughts with us. Your engagement means the world, and I’ve provided a thorough response that you can view at any time. This will also serve as a space to keep you updated on the progress of our new NPC art. I truly appreciate your patience, support, and curiosity, which inspire us to keep improving. Thank you for being such an amazing part of this journey with us!

Here is the direct link to the forum post with all my answers for the questions, thank you all again <3 I also would like to share the progress with Vixon and Glimmer, the lines have been completed!

SC Return Page

The refund page that folks will be able to utilize will be for those that had made purchases in the shop before the chest was released. This will not work if you purchased from a usershop, this will only be if you purchased the item itself. This will be completed later today, this evening Santae time. Thank you all again for your continued patience.

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

~CJ and The Santae Team

TL;DR

• ★ 7 bakery items have received refreshed artwork
  ★ 14 new vegetable items are stocking at Mirage Grove Vegetables
  
• ★ Santae's Mixology Contest Voting Closes. Winners announced November 13, 2024 @ 2000 Santae Time
• ★ Forum Response to all the Questions regarding the AI situation have been posted.
• ★ Vixon and Glimmer Lineart is Officially Released.
  ★ The SC Refund Page will be released sometime later this evening Santae time.
• ★ 50 Items have been made Artifacts.

Secrets Within The Forgotten Cavern

Vespera and Orion quickly realized they needed another expert to help explore the possibilities of the Forgotten Cavern. Skylar -- one of Santae's foremost investigators of flora and fauna -- would be the perfect! Vespera sent a letter inviting Skylar to the Forgotten Cavern, and before long, they arrived. Finally, Vespera, Skylar, and Orion were ready to continue exploring.

The trio arrived at the Gathering cave, and Skylar spent some time familiarizing themself with the fascinating plants and crystals. When they were satisfied with their sketches and notes, they looked to the others.

"Where to next?" Skylar asked, surveying the walls of the chamber for signs of further paths to take.

Scholar Orion hummed thoughtfully, sweeping one foot to clear away some of the sand on the ground near the edge of the pool. The soft sand scattered, revealing a harder floor underneath. He could see that -- unlike the natural craggy walls of the cavern -- the floor underfoot was chiseled with ancient inscriptions and designs!

"Look at this!" Orion called Skylar and Vespera's attention to the etchings, and they all paused to admire the designs in a moment of awed silence. The layer of sand showed that nobody had been here for a very long time, but the presence of the mystical inscriptions showed that the depths of this cavern were rich with ancient magic.

"We should try to follow the inscriptions," Orion suggested, carefully sweeping away more sand to reveal the direction the designs were pointing.

"Good idea!" Vespera agreed. Together, the trio set off into another dark, twisting corridor through the depths of the hidden mountain cave.

They proceeded slowly and carefully into the darkness, leaving the soft violet glow of the crystals behind as they entered a new tunnel. Vespera, in the lead, was guided by one hand resting gently on the tunnel wall -- and by the occasional sound of skittering claws or flapping wings. Tiny gleaming eyes reflected the scant light within the passageway. The dragon Minimals were here, deep in the cavern!

After a few minutes of carefully following the traces of the dragon Minimals, a new glow became faintly visible up ahead. Vespera quickened her pace.

As she stepped into the next chamber, Vespera stopped short, causing Skylar to stop too, and Orion to bump into them from behind. "Oof!" he said -- then he, too froze, enraptured by the sight in front of the trio.

It was a chamber even bigger and more beautiful than the last, with a lush carpet of flowers and greenery sloping down toward a massive, gorgeous pool. The water cast rippling reflections of glowing pink crystals upon the cavern walls, and small golden sparkles of magic danced over the pool's surface. The walls were marked with even more ancient inscriptions that Scholar Orion eyed eagerly. The greenery carpeting the floor, the air, and the waters of the pool were full of dragon Minimals! Flying, frolicking, sleeping -- they seemed perfectly at home in the idyllic cavern.

"This is the Lair of the Quenaris," Vespera whispered into the cathedral-like space. "It has to be!"

"I think so, too," Scholar Orion murmured in reply. "But where is the Quenaris itself?"

The trio stepped into the center of the chamber, closer to the edge of the enormous pool. The waters were crystal clear, but so deep that the bottom couldn't be seen. The small, shadowy shapes of swimming dragon Minimals were all that could be seen in the depths.

"If the Quenaris is here," Orion said, "it probably hasn't seen any visitors for a long time. The secret of this cavern has been lost for centuries -- until now. It might not trust us enough to show itself."

"I think I have an idea," said Vespera, smiling at the dragon Minimals scattered throughout the cavern.

Community Event: Befriend Dragons To Draw Out The Quenaris

"Here's what I think, Adventurers! What better way to show the Quenaris that we're friendly than to befriend some of these Minimals?

"These dragons have known about this cave forever, even when nobody else remembered it. They've been flying here ever since we started investigating this mystery -- and for who knows how long before that. Surely the Quenaris knows them, and probably trusts their judgment."

"Let's tame as many dragon Minimals as we can -- that will show the Quenaris that we're friendly! I'll let Silvershade know so they can help as well."

"I'll help, too! If you've already made friends with some dragon Minimals, they can help convince the Quenaris to appear, too. We'll just need to collect them and bring them up here to Halo Haven!

"Bring me dragon Minimals you've already tamed -- it'll be a big help. And if you do, I've got prizes to share in exchange!"

New Supply Packages Help You Tame Minimals With Ease

The day at Silvershade's Ranch was coming to a close, and the Herding expert was getting ready to head home and relax.

It had been a great day so far. First, they had gotten an exciting letter from Vespera -- it sounded like it was time to prepare for taming even of the dragon Minimals still flocking around Santae. Plus, the last couple chores of the day had gone by quickly and easily -- almost suspiciously easily.

On their walk across the Ranch after finishing up, Silvershade finally put their finger on what felt amiss. There weren't a lot of Minimals underfoot like usual, and their usual buddy Quin the Quibblet was nowhere to be seen.

"Now that's odd," Silvershade muttered to themself. "I wonder what the critters are up to?"

When they arrived at the main building of the Ranch, they found out!

Inside was chaos. Minimals were racing and leaping around, playing with piles of toys and plushies heaped across the floor. Quin and a handful of other Minimals had scattered a pile of berries everywhere and were snacking away merrily. All the supplies that Silvershade kept on hand to share with Adventurers who need materials for Herding were scattered everywhere!

"Aw, come on now." Silvershade stepped inside to scoop Quin up and plop the Quibblet back on its usual perch on their shoulder. "Looks like you had fun, buddy! Why'd y'all have to go and break into all this stuff?" Silvershade addressed the playful Minimals around the room with mock sternness. "You know I'd play with you whenever you like!"

Silvershade surveyed the mess with a pragmatic eye. In a way, this wasn't all bad. They had been meaning to reorganize the materials soon, anyway. Silvershade got to work.

As night fell, Silvershade finally closed the lid on the last boxed-up package of Herding supplies.

"Done!" Silvershade exclaimed, and Quin let out a happy chirp. "This'll be much more organized -- and convenient!"

"These new Herding Supplies are sure to give Adventurers everything they need to tame a Minimal all in one place. I hope everyone finds them especially useful to win the friendship of even more dragons."

Herding Supplies is a new container-type item available from Silvershade regardless if you have insufficient materials to begin Herding. It can be opened to reveal a variety of useful Plushie, Toy, and Berry items!

TL;DR

★ Vespera and Orion discovered a new chamber deep in the Forgotten Caverns. It looks like the Lair of the Quenaris, but there's no Quenaris inside.
★ Community Event goal: Tame 10,000 dragon Minimals
★ You can also contribute progress toward the Community Event by turning in dragon Minimals you've already tamed to Skylar, who is offering Ancient Echoes clothing in exchange.
★ Silvershade is now offering new Herding Supplies bundles instead of individual berries, toys, and plushies

The Twelfth Orb Appears

Orion beckoned Vespera out of the library, leading her to a small workshop in an adjacent building. "Let me show you what else I've been working on. As a resident of the Shadow Veil Pass, I'm sure you'll find this interesting, especially now that the Nether Moon has risen again--"

"Orion, wait!" Vespera cut the Scholar off. She was looking up into the sky over Halo Haven, eyes wide. Something was shining there, standing out against the clouds.

Scholar Orion fell silent, following Vespera's gaze. He squinted into the bright sunlight, then gasped. "Is that...?"

"I think it is!" Vespera exclaimed. "River -- we have to go see for sure!"

With a swirl of draconic magic, River once again grew large enough for Vespera to ride. The duo took off with a mighty flap, bounding up into the skies to investigate the mysterious object.

High above Halo Haven, suspended in midair, they saw it. There was no mistaking it: The final Quenaris Orb was here.

River soared up toward the Orb. Vespera reached out as far as she could without falling off to try and grab it. Closer and closer... they were almost there!

But then, with a mirage-like shimmer, it disappeared! Vespera's hand closed on empty air as River shot past.

"What?" Vespera gasped. River flapped in a tight circle, looking back and forth for the vanished Orb.

"Sorry, Orion!" Vespera called down after a moment. "That was definitely the Orb -- we can't let this opportunity go by! We'll go chase it down. I'll be back as soon as I can!"

Orion waved in farewell as Vespera and River soared off toward the horizon on a quest for a Quenaris Orb one final time.

The duo flew far and wide, eyes on the sky for another glimpse of the mysterious Orb. Vespera had a strong feeling that the Orb was still out there somewhere, traveling the skies just as she was -- but she wasn't sure where it would appear next.

The search consumed the rest of the day. As the sun sunk down toward the horizon, Vespera was napping on River's back as the Raylen soared. But just as the last daylight was fading, a squawk from River caused Vespera to snap awake.

River banked her wings to soar toward a sparkling speck on the horizon. "Did you see something?" Vespera asked, crouching down against River's neck to speed her flight. Then she gasped. It was the Orb! "I see it too! We won't miss it this time!"

Together, the duo sped toward the glittering Orb -- and Vespera snatched it out of the air. They had claimed the final Quenaris Orb at last!

Search For The Final Quenaris Orb!

The twelfth and final Orb is now appearing around Santae! Can you discover its location and claim it for yourself?

The Orb moves from place to place every hour. If you find the right location, you'll see it hovering in front of you -- the same way a wild Minimal wanders a location when you're trying to tame it in Herding.

When you find the Orb, you can claim it for yourself -- and, if you like, you can share the secret with your friends! The Orb's location will be the same for every Adventurer in Santae each time it appears.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

The Secret At Skybound Outlook

Vespera and River returned to Halo Haven as quickly as they could. When they arrived, they rushed with Orion to Ascendants Shrine. They could finally place the final Orb -- and see what secrets the magic of the shrine would reveal!

"It is time," Scholar Orion said, nodding at Vespera.

"Here we go!" Vespera reached out and carefully placed the final Quenaris Orb onto its glowing pedestal. Like all the others, it fit perfectly.

The faint magical hum in the air intensified as all the Quenaris Orbs flared with light. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, a great sparkling whirl of energy engulfed the shrine. Scholar Orion threw up an arm to shade his face, and Vespera squeezed her eyes shut. The surge of magical energy was too bright to look at!

When they opened their eyes, only a few sparkles of magical energy remained -- but something had changed!

The path leading to the edge of the Outlook now connected to a sturdy wooden bridge. On the other side, an entirely new island had appeared! A craggy mountain was suspended in midair, with two dark cave entrances yawning in its side.

"Incredible!' Scholar Orion exclaimed. "It's just as the illustration we were examining predicted -- an island was hiding here after all!"

Vespera approached the edge of the Outlook and paused for a moment with her hand on the arch in front of the bridge. She gazed deep into the caves across the way, brimming with excitement. What was waiting to be discovered within? "Let's go in! We have to go look."

Together, Vespera and Orion crossed the bridge and entered the cool shadows of the Forgotten Cavern.

They proceeded cautiously through the darkness, but before long a deep violet glow helped illuminate the cavern's interior. Crystals embedded in the walls emitted the mystical light. Vespera and Orion followed the sound of water through the cave's twists and turns. Eventually, they found the source of the noise: a chamber with soaring ceilings, enclosing a luminous pool!

Lush plants crowded the shore of the deep pool, unlike any flora Vespera had seen before. Deep in the waters, strange fish were visible as shimmering silhouettes. The cave was home to a rich, beautiful, and totally unknown ecosystem!

"This is beautiful!" Vespera remarked, turning in a slow circle to admire the whole chamber. "I'm sure there are all kinds of new things to Gather here."

"It is," Orion agreed. "But one thing perplexes me. This is supposed to be the cave of the Quenaris -- the Shrine, and the illustrations from earlier make that seem clear. But I see no sign of any Quenaris here. I don't even see traces of any dragon Minimals."

"Let's keep exploring!" Vespera said. "We can invite the Adventurers here to investigate. Surely together we can find the rest of this place's secrets."

Gather and Fish In The Forgotten Cavern

What wonders will we discover inside, Adventurers? It's time to explore every corner of the Forgotten Cavern and discover its secrets. By Gathering the items found there, we can learn more about this mysterious and newly discovered place.

Visit Gathering or Fishing to discover the bounty of the Forgotten Cavern for yourself today!

Conveniently Complete Your Apparel Collections With New Chests

The Cash Shop has two new items available: The Eventide Beast Chest and Corrupted Enchanter Chest!

The Eventide Beast Chest radiates fierce energy, encased in molten metal with chains and sharp, monstrous adornments. The Corrupted Enchanter Chest is an ethereal treasure adorned with mystical gems and dark tendrils, exuding a mysterious, otherworldly charm. Each contains the corresponding set of 14 wearable items -- a convenient way to grab the complete collection of these Ancient Echoes apparel sets all at once!

TL;DR

★ The final Quenaris Orb is discoverable! It can be found at a random location around Santae that shifts every hour.
★ Orion and Vespera placed all 12 orbs at Ascendants Shrine and revealed a new island with caves inside.
★ New Gathering location available: Forgotten Cavern
★ New Cash Shop items: Eventide Beast Chest and Corrupted Enchanter Chest

Vespera's Orb Search Continues

After a harrowing night of camping -- and a strange encounter with shadowy Minimals -- Vespera and River were ready to stop by somewhere more civilized to rest, resupply, and continue the hunt for the orbs. Taking flight again, they left the spooky forest far behind. They soared far across Santae, finally alighting in the sun-drenched sands of Mirage Haven to resupply.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Vespera!" Melina greeted the adventurer warmly as Vespera approached the Mirage Grove Vegetables stand. "What brings you all the way out here?"

Vespera answered as she perused the stand, picking out some fresh vegetables to pack up as provisions for the rest of her journey. "The usual," she said with a smile. "River and I are working with a Scholar in Halo Haven to track down some ancient artifacts. There's always something new to discover out there!"

The two women continued chatting amiably as Vespera finished picking out her purchases. Eventually, Vespera passed over a pouch of sanPoints in exchange for a substantial stack of supplies.

"Wait, Vespera!" Melina called out as Vespera was finishing up packing her purchases away. The shopkeeper rooted around in a basket of carrots and parsnips for a moment before withdrawing something round and golden.

Melina slipped the object into Vespera's hand with a wink. "Here, a little extra for you -- since you're such a good customer."

Vespera looked down at her hand in astonishment. The object was sparkling with unmistakable magic -- it was a Quenaris Orb!

"Melina -- where did you find this? It's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for!" Vespera asked.

"I thought it might be, when you got to talking about ancient artifacts," Melina replied. "It just turned up in the Grove one day, and I figured I'd know when the time was right to pass it along to somebody else. I've heard rumors that a lot of shopkeepers are finding strange things like that in their shops recently!"

"Thank you so much," Vespera said, carefully stowing the Orb away.

"With this, we've finally discovered nearly all of the Quenaris Orbs. I should go show Orion -- together, we can make a plan to find the last one!"

The newest Quenaris Orb can be discovered while making purchases at any NPC shop!

Orion's Discoveries

Vespera went to find Orion in the library as soon as she returned to Halo Haven.

"Welcome back," Scholar Orion greeted her. "I've been busy while you've been gone. And it looks like you have been, too," he remarked, eyes locking on to the golden Quenaris Orb Vespera pulled from her pack.

"Yes," Vespera replied. "This is the eleventh one. Only one more to go, and then we'll finally be able to see what Ascendants Shrine is for!"

"About that..." Scholar Orion shuffled some papers around on his desk, carefully arranging two worn sheets of parchment next to each other. "I believe I've found yet another clue. Look at this illustration -- these two fragments fit together perfectly!"

Vespera leaned over to look.

"Those look like the Quenaris Orbs!" Vespera gasped, pointing at the left-hand side. "And that..." she peered at the right side. "That's the legendary Quenaris itself, isn't it?"

"Yes," Orion replied with a nod. "I believe so. And the most interesting piece is in the center," he indicated the central illustration with a sweep of his hand. "Where the Orbs and the Quenaris meet, there is an island!"

"What could that mean?" Vespera wondered aloud. "The sky islands of Halo Haven have all been thoroughly explored, and certainly no Quenaris has been found here in living memory."

"Hard to say," Scholar Orion replied. "But I'm confident that, when we discover the final Orb, all will become clear."

Vespera nodded. She could feel a sense of burgeoning excitement in the air. They were so close!

Orion smiled, seeing that Vespera was already eager to get moving again. She truly couldn't stay in one place for long! "I can see you're ready to return to exploring," Scholar Orion said, "but wait a little longer if you can. I have one more thing to show you, and I think you'd find it useful to take with you and share."

New Backgrounds Bring You To Sunny Skies And Foggy Forests

Two beautiful new backgrounds are now available to help you customize your HA exactly the way you like! Take to the skies and soar among sparkling clouds, or creep through the luminous mist of an ancient forest -- the choice is yours.

Is one of these backgrounds the perfect complement for your HA's newest outfit? Get your hands on the Shining Clouds and Essence of the Forest at Seeker of Knowledge and Shadow Alchemy today!

Book Art Refreshment

The Book Emporium shelves just got brighter! Eight beloved books across Santae have had their cover art refreshed, bringing vibrant new visuals to these timeless tales. 

QoL Update

NPC purchase pop-up box's have received an update, they are now less intrusive on the purchase/fail responses.

TL;DR

• ★ A new Quenaris Orb is now discoverable while making purchases from any NPC shop!
  ★ An old illustration discovered by Orion shows a mysterious island related to the Orbs and the Quenaris.
  ★ Two new refreshed backgrounds are available; Shining Clouds and Essence of the Forest.
• ★ 8 Books have had their art updated.
  
• ★ NPC Shops pop-up dialogue QoL update.