Story Prologue: Uncertain Times

Part of Prologue: Uncertain Times in Secrets of the Obscure

1. Goal 1

   Active: Check into the situation in the Salma District.

   Complete: Faren, writing on behalf of Queen Jennah (many questions to be answered), summoned me back to Salma. Given that I'm not especially busy, I'm on my way.

2. Goal 2

   Active: Check into the situation in the Salma District.

   Complete: Ambushed in my hometown. "Faren"—or someone pretending to be "Kryta's playboy"—sent an urgent mail calling me to the Salma District. I should've suspected something was amiss based on the phrasing—since when does Faren report to Jennah? (Not to mention the lack of the cologne that his letters are usually drenched in.) But the urgency could not be ignored, so I heeded the call. Shortly after my arrival, this mysterious "Faren" was nowhere to be found. Instead, a reporter from New Kaineng named Mi-Rae—now revealed as the impostor—ambushed me on the spot. She went straight to an interview, but the whole thing was a blur. She asked very...pointed questions about the events in Cantha, and—against my better judgment—I answered. Unfortunately, I got the sense that she was less interested in the truth and that she was looking for spectacle or sensationalism. Thank goodness Taimi just happened to send a message right when things began to sour, giving me the chance to make a quick but polite exit. Mi-Rae said she got everything that she needed. We'll see how that turns out, but I'm not optimistic.