Burning Sage

Burning Sage is a Mini-Quest discovered by reading a note found on the third floor of the College of Pensives.

• Location: Third floor of the College of Pensives
• Trigger: Read a Note found on a table amidst the burnt furniture.

Climb to the third floor of the College of Pensives in the Greater Curlail area. Interact with the note lying on a burned table:

The Forest's Vast Voices I: Salzbrim

A masterwork of a novel loomed in my mind's eye., Her content unclear, in wilds I sought counsel. Among pines bristling on sun-scorched hills, I caught sight of my new muse, a magnificent squirrel! Yet I found my awe's flame fleeting. In reckless spurts did my mentor traverse these woods, death avoided by hairsbreadth over and again in pursuit of...nuts! Injury would be but a memory if our warriors possessed such limberness, yet in squirrel's paw? It simply makes their idiocy survivable. My mind conjures images of Orlick, my doddering Pensive peer, dancing through mother's good graces. Perhaps man has already mastered the way of the squirrel.

Surely nature's wisdom lies elsewhere…

- The Mystical and Mysterious Sage Rodrich

Travel to a cluster of houses above Salzbrim. Interact with the note sitting in the shed. It is identical to the note found in the College.

Head to a small Ode'n camp east of Roods and north of Bradan Bank. Kill the resting Ode and interact with the note sitting on a wood log:

The Forest's Vast Voices II: Roods Valley

Having grown weary from my frenetic friend, I descended towards the basin. Perhaps Roods River would grant me a muse anew. And so it did, for there, carrying out the Arbearer's will, was a beaver! Small as she was, she felled a tree-turned-snag through tooth and grit alone. Such tenacity! With time enough,even Dendrit armor could be stripped by such teeth, I am sure! Yet what interest is served through such toil? Why tooth and not axe? Surely these creatures have seen the speed with which the Hews work. What wisdom can be gained from one who learns not the tools of its trade?

And so continued my search for Nature's enlightenment…

- The Mystical and Bewildered Sage Rodrich

Next, make your way to Bracken Brae. Interact with the note pinned to a wall by a

Precklies

:

The Forest's Vast Voices III: Heedoway Ruins

In a rare moment of poor judgement, I had taken advice from an inferior. Orlick suggested I brew a draught of Agaric for its insight-granting properties, and for knowledge's sake, I did. It was unbearably bitter, yet possessed an indescribable depth. My time to savour was short, as I noticed an ethereal glow creep into my surroundings. Had I the Spectral Sight? The thought stirred in me a terrible unease. To be an Envoy, a blue-blooded witch would be ill-fitting of a scholar! And being a scholar who trusts his gut, I began to run. I did not get far ‘fore a malevolent tree root dared grip my toe! I kissed the dirt, so to say, when I came to, I felt a profound relief to find Midrath in its natural state.

Was that fool trying to poison me? Mother shall hear about this, I assure you!

-The Mystical and Incensed Sage Rodrich

Then, trek east to Kairness. Interact with the note on a bench inside the tavern:

The Forest's Vast Voices IV: Kairness Village

Utterly done with the wilds, I retreated to Kairness, in search of reprieve at the bottom of a tankard. Yet even hidden ‘way within tavern's warmth, a creature dared confront me! Beneath my table skittered a rat, breaking away to a safe larder with a nibble of stale bread. Such ingenuity! Why risk life at the paws of predators when one could simply gorge themselves on human scraps? Here there is warmth. Here there is safety! Finally, a creature with wits that I may learn from.

It would seem that the rat and I both forgot a detail of highest importance, that being the dangers of a well-aimed hit from a broom. I shall remember you always, little rat.

- The Mystical and Melancholic Sage Rodrich

Finally, travel north to the World Tree outside Wyndoun. Interact with the note affixed to the rope around the tree:

The Forest's Vast Voices V: Wyndoun

Having had my fill, I rested at last before the silvery mirror of a lake. A duck dared disturb the perfect surface. At this moment a worthy mind was graced by inspiration once more. My thesis, fully formed, appeared within my mind.

Midrath's fauna are simpletons, yes. But wherein does the fault lie? With them? No. Is it the fault of the unwashed masses that they know not of soap? Of water?? Of course not. This is an issue, nay a crisis, of education. In my upcoming treatise, I posit that through rigorous study and schooling, even the squirrels, beavers, and rats of this realm may rise to the ranks of scholarhood. I pity Orlick, truly. Soon to be surpassed by the intellect of the common duck.

- The Mystical and Truly Brilliant Sage Rodrich

Completing Burning Sage will award the following:

• 15x Dendrit Weave

• 15x Patch Leather

• 250x Dracs