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