Mother of Stars

Mother of Stars

Year

1336 AE

Storyline

Secrets of the Obscure

Chapter

Mother of Stars

Location

Skywatch Archipelago
(Horn of Maguuma)

Level

80

Preceded by

Hell Breaks Loose

Followed by

Voices beyond the Veil

API

688

Astral Ward Infirmary loading screen Mother of Stars: Stargaze Ridge and Mother of Stars: Cosmic Observatory loading screen

Mother of Stars is the third chapter of the Secrets of the Obscure story.

Objectives

Learn more about the Astral Ward and Rift Hunters.

• Meet up with Frode at the Beacon of Ages Command Center.
• Learn about the Rift Hunters from Frode.
• Learn details about the situation from Uenno.
• Allow Uenno to attune your comms device.
• Speak to Rian to learn more about the situation.
• (Optional) Get to know more about Uenno.
• (when not yet unlocked the Rift Guidance mastery)
  • Earn the Rift Guidance Mastery to attune to the Heart of the Obscure.
  • Work with Rian to begin your training.
• Use the Scan for Rift skill in Wizard's Ascent.
• Discuss your experience with Rian.
• (Use the Heart of the Obscure to track and close rifts in Wizard's Ascent.)
• Use the Heart of the Obscure to Track and Close Rifts in the Skywatch Archipelago
  
• Make plans with your allies.
• Get checked out at the Astral Ward's infirmary.
• Sit down on the simple stool to get examined.
• Return to Skywatch Archipelago.
• Learn more about the skyscales.
• Gather with your allies outside of the cave to the Cosmic Observatory.
• Make a plan with Frode, Uenno, Zojja, and Mabon.

Explore the cave to locate Dagda.

• Follow Zojja and search the cave for Dagda.
• (Defeat the Kryptis.)
• Kryptis Defeated
  
• (Defeat Dagda's apprentice Ceri.)
• Ceri, Dagda's Apprentice
  
• Continue exploring the observatory with Zojja.

Cleanse Dagda of her Kryptis possession.

• Enter the rift to confront Dagda.
• Approach Dagda.
• (Defeat Dagda to cleanse her Kryptis possession.)
• Dagda
  
• (Defeat the Kryptis minions.)
• Kryptis Minions Defeated
  
• (Defeat the Kryptis minions.)
• Kryptis Minions Defeated
  
• (Defeat the Kryptis minions.)
• Kryptis Minions Defeated
  
• Check on your allies.

Rewards

• Bag of Loot (5)
• Deluxe Gear Box
• Rift Hunter Leggings Box

Unlocked during playthrough

• Simple Stool

Walkthrough

Learn more about the Astral Ward and Rift Hunters.

After some mysterious words from a Strange Voice, head south from the end point of the last mission Frode and the rest are in the  Beacon of Ages Command Center — , through a door a floor up from ground level. Speak with Frode and Uenno, optionally also speaking to Uenno again, for more information and to connect your communications devices. Exiting this small sub-location after this will also cause Frode to sent a letter re-inviting the Commander to the Command Center, where they can speak to him to receive Weaponmaster Training, unlocking all elite specialization-exclusive weapons to be used freely on the professions they are connected to. For example, it allows all guardians to use a main-hand axe, not just firebrands. Speak to Rian just west of the  Beacon of Ages Waypoint — to finish this collection of dialogues.

Proceeding from here on requires earning enough experience points to unlock the Rift Guidance mastery, letting you use the Heart of the Obscure to Scan for Rift to cause flow lines to appear around the character to guide them to the nearest Kryptis Rift where you have to kill a bunch of enemies to be able to use the Rift again and lure out a stronger foe to kill. The Heart is used with the Activate Mastery Skill hotkey (default: J), or by right clicking on the small rectangular box beneath the Swap Weapon Sets button, to the left of all the skills. A total of 6 points are needed to complete this step, and luring out the strong foe from the Rift grants 1 point while defeating the strong foe grants 2 point, meaning at least 2 Rifts need to be closed.

The next stop is the Astral Ward Infirmary, an instance found on the floor just above the Command Center (though it is also possible to enter the Command Center at this point for a short conversation with Zojja), to check for any weird side effects from visiting Nayos and ignore the Strange Voice. After the checkout, speak to Skyscale Trainer Dyanne just west of Rian's position and then head to  Fragmented Passage — to start the next instance.

Explore the cave to locate Dagda.

For the cave segment of the it's mostly a simple matter of following Zojja while defeating cave-dwelling animals such as bats, spiders, and chak. Be aware of the Primordial Ooze as they will buff themselves to reflect damage in general and projectiles in particular. After the first combat encounter there is a small lake to dive down into it, with a small land area with the Letter for Reader of Notes being found halfway through.

On the other side of the lake is a pretty obvious combat arena, with the Field Notes for Reader of Notes being found on top of a collection of rocks next to the stairs at the other end. Entering the arena causes an ambush by a group of Kryptis to spawn and when those are defeated an elite enemy, Ceri, Dagda's apprentice, will appear as an introduction for the next fight. She doesn't have a defiance bar, so control effects and conditions such as  Stun and  Blinded will make her easier to deal with. The one big attack for this fight is Ceri teleporting to one side of the arena and unleashing a spread-out cone of projectiles. Since she can't turn while doing this, getting to the other side or waiting it out between the lines of projectiles is an easy way to deal with it.

Once Ceri is defeated, head up the stairs to the dome at  Dagda's Perception — to make the portal to the next instance appear.

Cleanse Dagda of her Kryptis possession.

Upon reaching Dagda's Perception, there'll be another combat arena. Dagda herself doesn't hit the hardest, but has a lot of health. She will mostly do normal greatsword attacks while occasionally teleporting to another spot in the arena before unleashing a cone of barraging light bolts. However, upon reaching 80% health (and 50% and 25%) a small group of Kryptis enemies will be summoned as has to be killed before the fight will resume. Around half health she will use begin to use Starburst, covering half the arena in a pulsing AoE damage field, so make sure to get to the other half of the arena quickly. At various points throughout the fight she will occasionally become invincible and gain a defiance bar while channeling a massive attack. Pick up one of the spots of light that appear on the floor and use the resulting special action skill   Purifying Light (default hotkey: N) to stun her out of it.

After she is defeated, head back in the direction of the first arena and speak to Frode and Uenno to finish the mission.

Achievements

Mother of Stars	Secrets of the Obscure: Act 1	1  1
Explore the fractal-like islands and begin to earn a place with the Rift Hunters.Journal: Mother of Stars Reward: Stash of Astral Coins	Completed "Mother of Stars"	1

• Complete the story mission.

Reader of Notes	Secrets of the Obscure: Act 1	1
Find all the readable notes while following Zojja.Journal: Mother of Stars Objectives: 2 objectives in total Read a letter. Read field notes.	Found 2 Notes	1

• Find all readable notes while following Zojja in the cave at the Fragmented Passage point of interest in Skywatch Archipelago.
  • The Letter is found on the first landmass during the swim in the lake, while the Field Notes are found straight ahead after exiting from the cave lake, on a small outcropping at the stairs.
• Achievement qualification may be tracked via the  Achievement Eligibility: Reader of Notes effect.

Weaponmaster Training	Horn of Maguuma	1  3
Speak with Frode during or after Secrets of the Obscure chapter 3, Mother of Stars. Players can also unlock this achievement by purchasing the Weaponmaster Training Document in WvW from the Heroics Notary vendor.Weaponmasters are free to wield any weapon they have learned to use, regardless of their current elite specialization.	Completed the Training Course	3

• Speak to Frode again during this story.
  • More specifically, a letter is sent as soon as the Beacon of Ages Command Center is exited the first time. Simply enter again and speak to him to get the achievement.

NPCs

Allies

Asura

• Zojja
• Uenno

Human

• First Hunter Rian
• Rift Hunter Medic
• Skyscale Trainer Dyanne

Jotun

• Dagda

Mursaat

• Mabon

Norn

• Frode

Foes

Chak

• Sky-Chak Drone
• Sky-Chak Slinger
• Sky-Chak Zapper

Grub

• Grub (NPC)

Kryptis

• Incarnation of Judgment
• Incarnation of Terror
• The Corrupted
• The Craven
• The Cursed
• The Tormented

Ooze

• Primordial Ooze

Sylvari

• Ceri

Objects

• Field Notes
• Letter

Dialogue

On exiting the previous story instance

Strange Voice: You made it back alive.

<Character name>: What are you?

Strange Voice: You worry too much.

Inteacting with the door to the Beacon Command Center

Beacon Command Center: This door leads to the Astral Ward's Beacon Command Center.

Open the door and enter.

Entering the Beacon Command Center

Frode: Commander, over here.

Uenno: Ah. They are taller than I thought.

Frode: Commander, Uenno. One of our oldest members.

Uenno: Oldest mortal members.

Frode: Wish I had the time to give you a proper introduction to the Astral Ward, but things are...dismal.

<Character name>: Remind me why we can't call for more help? I could have a fleet of airships here in a day.

Frode: The Astral Ward is a secret. That is Isgarren's preference. Even in...times of worry.

<Character name>: Isn't Isgarren compromised? Won't it be too late if you wait for his permission?

Frode: Mabon is choosing to honor his will, and we will do the same.

Frode: Rian could really use your help in the Rift Hunters—one of our more hands-on divisions.

Frode: They track down rifts before whatever horrors inevitably spill out of them.

Frode: Just like the one that pulled you into Nayos; they're popping up all over Tyria. Innocent lives are at risk.

Frode: Rian is waiting for you. He'll gear you up and give you whatever details you need.

Uenno: While you help contain the threat, we've got Astral Ward searching for Dagda and Isgarren's whereabouts.

Uenno: As soon as we gather more intel, we'll call on you to help with the cleansing.

<Character name>: What exactly are we dealing with?

Uenno: Dagda and Isgarren will need to be "cleansed," so to say, of their Kryptis possession before they can aid us.

Uenno: Dagda is our first target. We believe she's hiding nearby, probably attempting to cleanse herself of any unwanted guests.

Uenno: As soon as we can confirm her location, we'll call on you.

Uenno: Give me your...thing. The one you use to talk to your friends from far away.

<Character name>: My comms device? Oh, sure—

Interacting with Uenno

Uenno: I do not miss the ever-changing nature of technology... There.

Uenno: I've attuned your little device to pick up on arcane fluctuations. We'll be able to contact you anywhere.

Uenno: Even if you stumbled into another rift.

<Character name>: Well, let's hope the latter doesn't happen anytime soon.

Uenno: Yes, let's.

Talking to Uenno again

Uenno: I was an esteemed professor in the College of Synergetics.

Uenno: To study the metaphysical is to study the inner workings of the flow itself. It's good work.

If asura:

Uenno: But we're...stubborn, our kind. Bureaucratic. It's all so stifling.

Otherwise:

Uenno: But my people are...stubborn. And petty. Bureaucratic, even. It's limiting.

Uenno: Zojja and I had the same realization. Expecting satisfaction from that city is like expecting a skritt to win the Snaff Prize.

Uenno: So I went on a long sabbatical to explore the world beyond the stuffy labs and debate halls of Rata Sum.

Uenno: And then I found this big "lump of bricks" hiding away in Garenhoff.

Uenno: Mabon noticed my curiosity. And here I am.

Uenno: I still collect stipends from the Arcane Council. They think I'm in a jungle somewhere, gawking at plants. Bureaucracy.

Wandering outside after getting your comm device attuned

Zojja: We're up and running! Good.

Frode: This'll help. Navigating the islands might be a bit...

<Character name>: Confusing.

Frode: Right. Over time Isgarren and the wizards created various "reflections."

Zojja: For the scientific-minded, you can think of them like simulations.

Mabon: They were kept on an astral plane, separated from our physical reality.

<Character name>: So they're like fractals.

Zojja: Exactly!

Zojja: But unlike fractals, these are HERE. These "copies" are now physical and susceptible to Kryptis influence.

Mabon: When the dragon cycle ended and the spire's magic was fractured, some of those reflections spilled out.

Mabon: They fell into multiple planes of existence. Some of them solified here.

Frode: Kaineng, Elona... So often the world was only inches away from a completely different reality.

<Character name>: So they are real, not just...illusions? Living beings, trapped in "simulations"?

Frode: Real as you and I. They're shaken and in need of someone's help.

Talking to Rian

First Hunter Rian: Ah, Commander. Your eyes have seen so many places, so many beasts... I know a hunter when I see one.

First Hunter Rian: Apologies. Being in your presence may be more shocking for some than others. I am Rian of the Rift Hunters.

<Character name>: Frode and Uenno sent me to help. It sounds like we're working against the clock.

(while not yet unlocked the Rift Guidance mastery)

First Hunter Rian: Your eagerness is welcome, but there remains one step before I teach you how to locate rifts. The Heart must be attuned.

First Hunter Rian: The ancient magics within the artifact call out for a bond to be formed between itself and the wielder.

First Hunter Rian: It should be a simple matter of spending time with the artifact in your possession, doing whatever you normally do.

First Hunter Rian: Once you've attuned to the Heart, return to me and I'll help guide you through the next steps.

(after unlocking the Rift Guidance mastery)

First Hunter Rian: Well, your help comes with kind timing. Rifts have been appearing all over Tyria, but they're especially potent here.

First Hunter Rian: Thankfully that device of yours—the Heart of the Obscure—has given us a new windfall. In your hands? A blessing.

First Hunter Rian: They found it in Waiting Sorrow's quarters just before we lost the tower...

First Hunter Rian: Don't know what she made it for, but the Heart's ability to open and seal rifts by following their astral frequency is impressive.

First Hunter Rian: I've not much more time with the Heart than you, but let me guide you.

First Hunter Rian: The Heart of the Obscure is capable of astonishing things.

First Hunter Rian: It can act as a conduit for your emotional energy, channeling it as a source of power.

First Hunter Rian: Now, hold the Heart aloft and focus your thoughts on the demonic rifts, and your desire to hunt down these...intruders.

After scanning for rifts

First Hunter Rian: Do you feel it?

<Character name>: I can... I can see it. The magic in the air is...flowing.

First Hunter Rian: Incredible. What does it look like?

<Character name>: Hard to describe. A little...frightening. Like the world itself is...reaching toward...something. You can't see it?

First Hunter Rian: No. You and the Heart are one in this moment. I've seen before what you do now, but I am a bystander.

First Hunter Rian: It might seem overwhelming, but don't be afraid. These are your own thoughts made manifest.

First Hunter Rian: Go on now, why don't you see where it leads you?

On rift hunting while working on the progress bar

<Character name>: I can see the rift.

First Hunter Rian: Terrifying, isn't it? You'll need to stabilize it before you can seal it. Get closer and channel the Heart.

First Hunter Rian: The Kryptis will attempt to break your focus on the spell and stop you. Be prepared to defend yourself.

First Hunter Rian: Focus on your desire to protect Tyria.

<Character name>: It's done.

First Hunter Rian: Good. The Kryptis are relentless. There are doubtless many other rifts to seal. You've got your work cut out for you.

First Hunter Rian: If you have questions, or need guidance on any of this, come and find me. We're in this together.

After filling the progress bar by sealing rifts (two full rift events are required)

Uenno: I gather your rift hunting is going as planned.

<Character name>: Adapting. These fractals... To be "born" into one reality, then pulled into another to be hunted by demons.

Uenno: Another thing that we'll need to handle.

Uenno: When you've got a moment, please report back to the medical ward at the Beacon of Ages.

Uenno: Given your exposure in Nayos, I'd like to confirm that you're at optimal health.

Strange Voice: If the fox pokes his head into one too many burrows, who knows what will snape at his face...

Strange Voice: Be careful approaching the rifts. Cerus is looking for you. He got a taste, and he wants a bite.

<Character name>: If you're so concerned, why did you rescue me?

Strange Voice: For curiosity, perhaps. Or...do I want to kill you myself?

<Character name>: Not making a great case for yourself.

Strange Voice: You are such a fascinating creature. Your memories are molten. The trials you've faced...

Strange Voice: Can you blame me for wanting to see what comes next?

Talking to Zojja

Zojja: Oh, hey.

<Character name>: This place is...impressive, if not a little terrifying. The wizards can create fractals. Still trying to wrap my head around it.

Zojja: Yeah, it can be a lot. We're still getting used to all of this ourselves.

Strange Voice: This one is a little...prickly. But I can tell you're familiar.

Strange Voice: She's...harder to read. Emotional. Angry.

<Character name>:: (grumble)

Zojja: Say something, Commander?

Strange Voice: Oh, I wouldn't tell her about me if I were you. She's a bit more raw. Might not react how you'd like.

<Character name>:: Nothing from me. I'll leave you to your work.

In infirmary

Rift Hunter Medic: Uenno told me you were coming. Sit. Quickly, please.

Rift Hunter Medic: Vital signs...mostly normal.

Rift Hunter Medic: Do you feel anything strange? Sharp pains in your feet, any nausea? Distant memories surfacing...?

<Character name>: Nothing like that.

If sylvari:

<Character name>: No. Nothing like that. Nothing like Maguuma...

Rift Hunter Medic: Need you to be honest if we want a proper bill of health, Commander.

<Character name>: Maybe I've been hearing a whisper. Since I got back from the...demon realm? Nayos?

Rift Hunter Medic: Not surprising. Here, let's check on your astral alignment.

Rift Hunter Medic: Hm, influenced...perhaps, but I can confirm that you aren't possessed. Your will is intact. We can work with that.

Rift Hunter Medic: Hearing voices after traveling through the Mists isn't entirely uncommon.

Rift Hunter Medic: So long as it's not telling you to murder anybody and you're not acting on those impulse, I see no threat.

Strange Voice: That would make things exciting, wouldn't it?

<Character name>: I'll let you know if that changes.

On exiting infirmary

Frode: Nice work out there. Skyscales are invaluable for navigating the fractured landscape, but there's even more they can do.

Frode: Speak with Skyscale Trainer Dyanne at the Beacon of Ages if you want to learn everything there is to know about skyscales.

Talking to Skyscale Trainer Dyanne

Skyscale Trainer Dyanne: Good to see you again. You've got the look of someone who comes to life when they soar high above the clouds. What ca I do for you?

Frode asked me to come see you.

Yes, Skyscales are essential for navigating around the area. Even if you've got experience flying one, the Astral Ward have devised some tricks you might not know about.

Where do you suggest I start?

If you want to learn more about the mount and its abilities, I can give you all the details. If you want practical experience, talk to the Astral Ride master, just over there.

Tell me more about skyscales and their abilities. (See regular dialogue of Dyanne)

Thanks, I think I can take it from here.

Let me get back to you.

Tell me more about skyscales and their abilities. (See regular dialogue of Dyanne)

I'll check back later!

After talking to Skyscale Trainer Dyanne

Uenno: Commander. We think Dagda is near the old observatory.

Uenno: Rian will watch for additional rifts. You need to come to us. Immediately.

Gathering with your allies

Frode: How did she look?

Zojja: I only got a glimpse before she moved farther into the cave. But...not good.

Uenno: We shouldn't overwhelm her. I'd recommend that Zojja and the commander move ahead without us.

<Character name>: What are you going to do?

Frode: Uenno and I will guard the entrance. As soon as Dagda moves, every Kryptis nearby will want to join the fray.

Uenno: Wizard magic is...delectable to the Kryptis. Every well of power they hold is a feast to be devoured.

Zojja: Right, so we'd better get moving. Commander, with me?

<Character name>: Yeah, let's go.

Zojja: What, nervous?

<Character name>: Not used to taking orders.

Zojja: A lot has changed.

Mother of Stars: Stargaze Ridge instance

After entering the cave

<Character name>: Anything I need to know about Dagda?

Zojja: She's the Wizard of the Celestial; specializes in power drawn from the cosmos. A jotun.

Zojja: Packs one heck of a punch, too. Any Kryptis that took her down is probably one we should be afraid of...

<Character name>: A jotun wizard?

Zojja: They were among the most magical races in Tyria..

<Character name>:: Right, but—

Zojja: They're not anymore. Dagda is...a thousand years old? More? She's seen a lot.

<Character name>: A thousand years old?

Zojja: At least. You've got a lot to learn about the wizards.

After leaving the water and entering the courtyard

<Character name>: Do you hear that?

Zojja: Yeah. I do.

Zojja: Alchemy, they're already swarming...

After defeating the Kyptis

Ceri:: Z-Zojja...? H...help me...

Zojja: Ceri, is that you?

Ceri:: Kill... Kill me!

After defeating Ceri

Zojja: May the stars cradle you.

<Character name>: She was a friend?

Zojja: Found family.

Zojja: They'll keep coming until Dagda is stable. Let's move.

Reaching the rift

Zojja: Another rift. That's where Dagda'll be. I...I can feel her. And...

<Character name>: And?

Zojja: You lead.

Mother of Stars: Cosmic Observatory instance

After entering the rift

Zojja: She's just ahead.

Strange Voice: The air is particularly...dense in here.

Strange Voice: Which one of you latched on to the wizard's soul?

Dagda: Zojja, what are you doing...?

Dagda: You brought the Harbinger? To kill me...?

Zojja: They're here to help! They're a friend!

Dagda: They're here to end me, as they've ended so many others.

Zojja: I'll see if I can cast a barrier to keep her trapped.

Zojja: Don't want to lose her again.

Strange Voice: What is going on in there...?

Strange Voice: It can't be...

At 75%

Dagda: There are so many...voices!

Zojja: Alchemy—Commander, don't let them overwhelm you!

<Character name>: There are too many of them!

Zojja: Hold on!

Dagda: Argh!

At 50%

Dagda: They're whispering things — the color of the sky that day. The smell of smoke. Blood.

Dagda: Brother...?

Zojja: Stay with me, Dagda.

Dagda: Zojja...? I don't know any of these faces!

When the light orbs appear

Zojja: Commander! Collect those orbs of light on the ground.

Zojja: I think... I think she’s leaving them for us. She's trying to help.

At 25%

Dagda: That's... that's not my name.

Dagda: Don't call me that!

Strange Voice: You've almost conquered Vanda's hive. Keep pushing!

Zojja: I don't know how much longer I can keep this up!

After the fight

Dagda: I can imagine the sound of waves, crashing against the shore...

Dagda: My thoughts are my own, again...

Zojja: You're okay? No missing limbs?

Dagda: An ache in my neck, but I'm fine, little one.

Dagda: This is the commander?

Dagda: Thank you for refraining from killing me. I'm sure you resisting that urge was a challenge.

<Character name>: What? I don't understand. I helped you.

Zojja: Mabon brought them here. We're on the same side.

Dagda: Mabon is too trusting.

Zojja: Maybe you should check in on Frode and Uenno. Make sure they didn't get ambushed?

<Character name>: Understood.

When walking away

Zojja: They've had to make some very...difficult decisions. You can trust them.

Dagda: What if the Elder Dragon views us as a threat next?

Zojja: Even if Aurene eventually succumbed to the Void, the commander would make the right decision. As Glint rejected Kralkatorrik.

Dagda: It wasn't that simple, and those with good intentions make ignorant decisions every day.

Dagda: (painted groan)

Zojja: Rest. We'll talk about this later, okay?

After talking to Uenno

Uenno: You look like you've seen a ghost.

<Character name>: Or ten.

Uenno: How's she faring...?

<Character name>: Zojja's with her now. A little beat up, but managing.

<Character name>: If I'm going to be honest, we didn't have the warmest of introductions...

Frode: Unsurprising. Dagda is...

Uenno: A mother to us all.

Frode: And fiercely protective of her brood.

Frode: We'll get Dagda somewhere safe to recuperate until we can get back into the tower.

Frode: We'll meet you at the Beacon of Ages. Catch your breath, and don't take it too hard. She'll see you.

Notes

• If the account does not have the Rift Guidance mastery, any character doing this mission will have the effect  Attuning to the Heart until it has been acquired.
• Completing this mission allows characters connected to the account to open Strike Mission: Cosmic Observatory.

My story

“ Without hesitation, my new "friends" in the Astral Ward put me to work in this strange, millennia-spanning war against the Kryptis. I'm still adjusting to the revelation of this information (just as I'm fighting the urge to call in a fleet of airships and get the whole ordeal resolved). But...I'm choosing to trust the ward. For now, at least. Got a lot of new faces to track, and Zojja seems tense in my presence. We haven't spoken since her injuries in Maguuma—I didn't know she'd left the confines of Rata Sum since returning there to heal—but I expect that'll be a heavy conversation. Plus, I suppose it might complicate things if Logan were to fly up with a bunch of Pact or Seraph. Everyone was busy tracking down Dagda and Isgarren—the other two missing "wizards," the latter being the leader of this organization—so I met up with Frode at one of the Astral Ward's outposts to see how I could help. He informed me of one of their more hands-on divisions: the Rift Hunters. Led by a man named Rian, they've been tasked with tracking down and opening Kryptis rifts to challenge the demons hiding inside while the rest of the Astral Ward searches for their missing. Rian taught me how to use the Heart of the Obscure—the device that Zojja gave me in the battle prior that we used to close rifts at the Beacon of Ages. Apparently, it was crafted by a kodan wizard named Waiting Sorrow who has since left the Astral Ward (on somewhat precarious terms, I hear). Whenever I channel the device's power, strange waves of emotion seem to guide me forward. Though I can't easily describe why, I feel a strong connection to it already. Frode also introduced me to one of his right-hand soldiers, a brassy asura named Uenno, who assisted in my training. She sent me to one of the ward's medical tents, where I was tested for possession (spending any time in Nayos seems to arouse suspicion, and honestly, rightfully so). That...voice in my head urged me to keep my mouth shut, and given her aid in helping me escape Cerus, I did. Whoever she is, the motivations of Peitha escape me, but I am just as much a stranger to the Astral Ward as I am her. So long as I don't start clawing my eyes out or speaking in tongues, I'll keep her under my helm, as dangerous as she may turn out to be. After all, she's done nothing to harm me thus far (which further piques my curiosity as to her motives). My mind is a bit bronzed after everything I've endured over the years, and should I play the right hand, maybe I can gather more intel on Cerus and the Kryptis. After attuning my comms device to the Astral Ward's local fluctuations (further separating me from contacting my allies at home), I aided Rian in quelling some of the Kryptis and sealing rifts before Zojja and Mabon called me back to camp: Dagda had been found, and things aren't looking good. I'm headed out to meet my new allies in the sprawling, fractured islands of the archipelago to find her. *** These particular fractals, as they've been described to me, are a complete marvel; they've been used by Isgarren and the wizards for centuries to test the many possibilities that the future may contain in an attempt to predict future threats. When Isgarren's magic was fractured by the end of the dragon cycle, these tiny realities were ripped from the Mists and manifested here above Tyria. They're not entirely dissimilar from the fractals monitored by Dessa, from what I can tell—Dessa's naturally occurring in the Mists and these deliberately formed—but the inhabitants that live within these are flesh and bone. They're outside of the Mists. They're alive, and I can't imagine the fear they're experiencing. The Astral Ward are doing what they can to contain the local threats, but I'm not sure if anyone really knows what to do with the inhabitants. All I know is that their fear is potent to the Kryptis. They're being hunted, and keeping those inhabitants safe should be one of the ward's leading priorities. Thankfully, though, Zojja and the others were able to pinpoint Dagda's location on one of these fractals—an abandoned observatory fixed inside of one of the floating islands. Frode and Uenno guarded the entrance while Zojja and I ventured inside. A small group, so as to not overwhelm Dagda under the worst of circumstances. Before we reached the wizard, Ceri, one of Dagda's apprentices, ambushed us inside of the cave. She was...gone. The entirety of her being possessed by a Kryptis. With no hope of quelling the beast inside her, death was Ceri's mercy. Zojja took a moment to mourn before we pushed forward, clearly affected by the loss of "found family," as she called it. She has an entire life here: new friends, a mentor. I'm the stranger looking in. *** We found Dagda, a jotun from another era of Tyrian history, inside of the observatory. Or as Zojja described her, the Wizard of the Celestial. My presence immediately put Dagda on the defensive. She snarled in fear, claiming I was there to kill her as I had "so many others." Apparently my reputation as the champion of an Elder Dragon preceded me. To her, I was as unpredictable as Drakkar or Kralkatorrik's Branded. Hostile and unfeeling. That's all she saw, and I...I've never been met with that kind of hostility before. Dagda was clearly struggling against something or someone, and my arrival exacerbated her rage. Zojja attempted to frame my involvement as benevolent, but talking things out clearly wasn't going to work as she fought back against whatever voice lingered her in[sic] own mind. Zojja cast a barrier over the arena to trap her inside, where I attempted to expel whichever threat was occupying Dagda's mind. She fought back with the power of the cosmos itself, summoning all manner of otherworldly entities throughout a drawn-out fight. After a brutal fight against not one, but an entire hive of demons (led by someone named Vanda, Peitha teased in my ear), Dagda came to her senses. Despite being cleansed and my role in freeing her from possession, her disposition toward me was unchanged. Zojja tried to convince Dagda that I am an ally and not some unpredictable force of nature, to no avail. Not only does the ward need to earn my trust, but I need theirs. Lyhr had mentioned that the Astral Ward had been watching me as they watched all magical anomalies. At best this was out of curiosity, but at worst it was out of fear. I suppose I'd be afraid of me, too, if I was a passive observer. I've helped kill dragons—a god. But all of this does raise the question: Why didn't they intervene? Did they ever consider ending me for the greater good of Tyria? — My story

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Secrets of the Obscure storyline

Act 1	Prologue: Uncertain Times → Commander without a Cause → Hell Breaks Loose → Mother of Stars
Act 2	Voices beyond the Veil → The Missing Facet → Tower of Secrets → Mabon's Fate
Act 3	Into the Obscure → The World Spire → Treachery
Through the Veil	Duress → The Survivors → Heitor's Gate
The Realm of Dreams	The War Council → Forced Hand → Eventide's March
The Midnight King	Desperate Measures → The Eleventh Hour → Sovereign of Nayos
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