With all his thoughts pushed to the side, Alexander forged ahead. "I still don't know anything for certain, but might as well check that bizarre castle," he thought, his curiosity piqued. As he walked, he noticed brilliantly colored flowers scattered throughout the forest clearing, and he noticed a faint glow emanating from them, just as he had with the veins of the tree.

Crouching down, he took a closer look. The flower was bright purple with thorns resembling those of a rose, but the petals were a beautiful deep purple, and the leaves on the stems had designs resembling faces. "I know some animals and plants use faces to scare predators, but this just doesn't look...normal," Alexander pondered, his eyes narrowing as he studied the strange plant. He peered closer as if trying to see beyond the plant's surface, his mind whirling with questions. Suddenly, he received a prompt.

Skill Learned:

Examine

Common

You gained the ability to examine objects and creatures in detail. By focusing your mind on the subject, you are granted a detailed description of its properties and uses. This ability can be activated by simply focusing on an object or creature and channeling a small amount of mana. It also allows you to see the item's stats and effects, providing a deeper understanding of the world and its inhabitants.

As Alexander examined the flower more closely, he focused his mind and tried to somehow activate his Examine ability. A prompt appeared in his vision:

Name: Grimace Petal

Rarity: Uncommon

Description: A vibrant purple flower that grows in the forest of Avendor. The petals are soft to the touch but lined with sharp thorns. The stem of the flower is covered in small leaves that resemble faces. The petals of the Grimace Petal are known to have mild sedative properties and are often used in healing potions. However, consuming too many petals can lead to lethargy and drowsiness.

Alexander was amazed by the information he received about the Grimace Petal. He had never seen anything like it before and was fascinated by its properties. He gently touched the petals, feeling their soft texture and marveling at the glow that seemed to pulse beneath the surface.

"I guess this could help me get a better sense of what's going on. Apparently, I was using my mana subconsciously, but I didn't even feel it. Is that because it drains a small amount, or because mana doesn't have a feeling...?" Alexander groaned, rubbing his temples. "Just more and more unknowns!"

He continued through the clearing, his mind still racing, until he finally reached the castle. From a distance, the building seemed very different from any castle he had seen on TV or in pictures. The basics were the same: it was a big building that would house some type of royalty or noble. However, nothing from the materials to the architecture seemed familiar.

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The castle stood tall and proud, its dark stone walls weathered by time but still imposing. Ivy and moss clung to the surface, adding to the sense of age and mystery. The towers reached for the sky, their tips lost in the clouds, and the gate was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and symbols.

As he approached the gate of the building, a prompt appeared in his vision.

Quest: Ruined Castle

You have found yourself in an unfamiliar land with no idea of what is happening. Learn more by examining your surroundings and exploring the ruins of the castle of Ser Loriend.

Objectives:

Explore the castle

Find the hidden Elemental Stone

Rewards:

1,000 EXP

Everlasting Satchel

"Well," Alexander said, his eyes widening at the quest details, "I don't know what an everlasting satchel is, but I think I want it. The hidden treasure doesn't sound too bad, either."

Walking to the gate, he saw that it was closed and completely worn from time. The iron bars were rusted, and the wood was rotting, covered in moss and vines. "Yea there's no way I'm getting that opened," he said, his voice filled with determination. Walking around to find another way, he saw a small opening in the wall that seemed just big enough to fit a person. As he got closer, he saw through the hole and out to the other side. Alexander could see some ruined buildings as well as an open, overgrown courtyard.

Making his way through, unhappily nudging his way past the small opening, he took a moment to try and use Examine on the stone but nothing happened. "I'm going to have to figure out how this works," he said to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. Appearing on the other side of the wall, he had a better view of the ruins in their entirety.

As Alexander approached the main building, it became increasingly clear that this was not like any castle he had ever seen before. It was large and imposing, made of dark gray stone with intricate carvings adorning its walls. There was a strange, almost otherworldly quality to the architecture that suggested it had been built by some kind of ostentatious architect.

The castle's grandeur was marred by decay, but it still held a haunting beauty. The wind whispered through the broken windows, and the sound of distant water dripping echoed through the empty halls. Shadows danced on the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of damp stone and moss.

As he entered the castle grounds, he noticed the surrounding area was overgrown with wild, tangled vegetation. The castle itself was in a state of disrepair, with sections of the walls crumbling and the roof partially caved in. There were several large stone pillars that had fallen over, and the once-grand entrance was now blocked by rubble.

Despite its ruined state, the castle held an air of mystery and intrigue. Alexander felt drawn to explore its secrets, and he sensed that the answers he sought might be hidden somewhere within its walls. With a mischievous grin, Alexander approached the castle gate and addressed the nonpresent Ser Loriend with a theatrical bow. "Ahem, Ser Loriend, esteemed proprietor of this fine establishment. I was wondering, would you mind terribly if I took a few things off your hands? I promise to put them to good use." He paused, waiting for a response. "No? Alright then, much obliged." With a wink and a smirk, he thought to himself, "I'm already going crazy, why not roll with it?"