They tell you what they know: the Emerald Crown was disturbed, not destroyed. Its removal weakened the balance of Iredale, and only a mind that thinks clearly under pressure can restore it. One Druid presses a symbol into your palm—the Mark of Balance. "It will guide you," he says. "But only if you pay attention. Knowledge," she says, "is not a list of answers. It is also knowing what to notice." She leads you out of the stone chamber and into a narrow passage that curves beneath the building. The walls glow faintly, etched with symbols that seem to shift as you pass—paths crossing, circles breaking, stones turning. At the end of the passage, the ground opens into a hidden hollow beneath the earth. "The crown was taken by cave gnomes who are hoping that the crown will bring them better luck. Follow the passage until you reach a fork in the path. Remember this, balance is restored not by force, but by understanding." The symbol in your hand warms. You realize it will react when something important is near—not loudly, but subtly. A nudge. A warning. A clue.