[
  {
    "id": 725,
    "name": "8. Finding Balance",
    "level": 80,
    "story": 148,
    "goals": [
      {
        "active": "Speak with Frode.",
        "complete": "With Poised Arrow recuperating, I took the opportunity to check in once more with Frode. I updated him on our most recent face-off with Decima, careful not to arouse suspicions about Waiting Sorrow. I think I navigated the interaction well enough to keep the reveal of Waiting Sorrow's true identity in my pocket. For now, at least. However, before returning to the field, Frode dropped his voice and suggested that I take a peek at a book he left for me upstairs. I found his demeanor...curious. Perhaps he's trying to nudge me in the right direction?\n\nMuch to my surprise, the journal revealed that Isgarren broke seer rules to ascend Waiting Sorrow to the Wizard's Court. But the greatest shock came in the form of another confession: The legendary missing Voice, the very one whose tribe the present-day lowlanders are descended from, is in fact...Waiting Sorrow. My mind is ablaze with countless questions: Why return to the lowlanders now, after all this time? How will Stoic Alder and Poised Arrow react? How old IS she?\n\nI paid Alder and Poky a visit soon after, with my original intent of checking on the kid. Though my mind was swimming, I kept as collected as possible. Their family has more than enough on their plate, and, as I've said before, this situation is Waiting Sorrow's to address. Although, the more I learn, the more suspicious I am of her...\n\nAlder was not pleased to see me, to say the least. While I've long accepted that my lifestyle comes with a certain amount of...risk, I can hardly blame a father concerned for his son's well-being. I must say, Poky's resolve to take responsibility impressed me. He also de-escalated the situation rather smoothly—I imagine he's had practice getting his father to come around. And his help was certainly appreciated. For now, I hope to make amends with Alder, in part by aiding some restorative efforts. Oddly enough, Alder's frustration served as a perfect distraction from Waiting Sorrow. Like Poky's approach, perhaps time out in the wilds will help me get my thoughts in order. Some space to reflect on everything that's happened is probably best for me, and for all of us.\n\n***"
      },
      {
        "active": "Assist in restoration efforts.",
        "complete": "Staying true to my promise to Stoic Alder, I rescued some damaged flora and fauna, which I'll rehabilitate at my homestead. Thinking back to my arrival here, I recall some whispers of weather and environmental changes among the villagers. At the time, I was too preoccupied by other matters to show much concern. Now I'm experiencing firsthand just how much the titans' presence has disrupted the local ecosystem. Hopefully, our efforts will help curtail the casualties. But I can't overlook the reality: we're treating the symptoms while the disease looms large.\n\n***"
      },
      {
        "active": "Check in on your homestead.",
        "complete": "I returned to my homestead and, as promised, tended to the rescued flora and fauna. While there, I checked in with Waiting Sorrow and Poised Arrow. Poised Arrow's health appears to be on the mend, as do his spirits. Stoic Alder was not present, as I imagine he has a slew of matters to attend to at the moment. But it's probably good for Poky and Waiting Sorrow to have some together to patch things up. Their relationship does seem to be strengthening. I witnessed them chatting much like they had before the current upheaval. How things will change when he discovers his mentor is the missing Voice of legend...remains to be seen. For the time being, it's best not to disturb his recovery process. And it's rather nice seeing my homestead become a haven for rest and relaxation.\n\n***"
      },
      {
        "active": "Help restore environmental balance.",
        "complete": "I've continued my work of helping restore the environmental balance around Janthir Syntri. My efforts, though small in scale, do seem to be making an impact, no matter how slight. I'll take any signs of encouragement where I can get them. More encouraging yet, I received a call from Malice and Caithe boasting a potential lead involving bloodstone that could bolster our chances against the titans. Though I'm still keeping my hopes in check, I'm eagerly making my way to the Astral Ward's research camp to see what this new development entails.\n\n***"
      },
      {
        "active": "Conduct bloodstone research at Sanguine Crater.",
        "complete": "At the Astral Ward research camp, I met with Malice, Caithe, and an unexpected guest: Waiting Sorrow. She had apparently overheard our plan to scope out the bloodstone. Leaving Poky in the care of Deft Lahar and Patient Willow, she came armed with an interesting idea. Since the titans have been using the area's bloodstone to replenish their energy, Waiting Sorrow proposed neutralizing it with the Heart of the Obscure. Clever. But like any hypothesis, we had to test it.\n\nOur attempt at neutralizing the bloodstone was successful, but not without consequences. The magical blowback from the exploding bloodstone is quite powerful and must be handled with care. Waiting Sorrow managed to shield us from the explosion, but if we intend to use this strategy during battle, we'll have to coordinate our attacks with her defense.\n\nAs it turns out, Waiting Sorrow wasn't the only unexpected visitor we'd encounter. The bloodstone's explosion revealed the ghosts of several individuals sacrificed during the White Mantle's occupancy. Speaking with them, we came away with an unsettling picture of Gavril, the village that stood here long ago, and the dark history that plagued it. Overall, our work proved bittersweet. We leave with our strongest strategy yet for defeating the titans and a harsh reminder of the blood with which history's pages are written.\n\nWith all that's happened, it was finally time to confront Waiting Sorrow about her true identity as not only a wizard, but a wizard of legend. Unsurprisingly, she echoed her request that I not say anything to Stoic Alder and to keep the additional details of her identity hidden from Poky, assuring me that she'd handle the fallout. While my patience is running thinner than Willow's weaving thread, the genuine hurt in Sorrow's voice is a stark reminder that if I'm feeling worn down by this situation, the pressure she's under is immense. Ultimately, she's going to need to come forward, and she'll need to do it soon. Easier said than done, I suppose, but there's no way around it. Still, I don't envy her position. I may be weary, but I'll give her that much."
      }
    ]
  }
]