A Forest of Change

==Steps==
# Go to the land of the Dendro Archon
# Continue through the forest
# Follow the unresponsive person discreetly
#* The player will be teleported into the Quest Domain A Forest of Change
# Follow the voice
#* Only the Traveler will be in the party from this step onwards, and only movement keys can be controlled.
#* The player can only walk at this point.
# Continue following the voice
==Gameplay Notes==
* During steps 4 and 5, all game menus are unavailable. The domain can only be exited by force-closing the game or dying in the domain from Fall Damage or repeatedly falling into the abyss until the Game Over screen is triggered, which will provide a button to exit the domain as usual.
* Exiting the domain resets the quest to step 3.
==Dialogue==
;(Approach the marked area)
: Paimon: Now that we've made it to Sumeru, our next objective should be to head to Sumeru City and find a way to meet with Lesser Lord Kusanali.
: Paimon: And speaking of Lesser Lord Kusanali, even though we haven't heard too much about her, she doesn't seem to be the same deity who abducted your ...
: Paimon: But even so, people call Sumeru the "Nation of Wisdom," you know. If we can get a chance to meet the God of Wisdom, maybe she can give us some useful information.
: Alright, sounds like a plan.
: Paimon: But, uh... Paimon doesn't know the way to Sumeru City... Maybe we can climb up to that spot with the Statue of The Seven on it? That'll give us a way better view of things!
: Paimon: Even if we can't see exactly where the city is, at least we'll be able to check for some smaller settlements nearby.
: Paimon: Wait a second, look! There's someone up ahead!
: Paimon: Perfect timing! Now we can just ask for directions rather than wander around like lost adventurers.
: Paimon: Hey there. Uh... we're not from around here and seem to have gotten a little lost... We'd like to ask for some directions!
: Paimon: Huh? Did they not hear Paimon? HEY! You over there! Could you give us some directions?
: Sumeru Local: Huh?
: Paimon: What's going on here? There's no way she could've missed that... Wait! Could she be ignoring us!? How dare she?
: Calm down, it's probably nothing to get worked up about...
: Or maybe there's a reason she ignored us?
: Paimon: Hmph! Well, even so, she might be heading someplace where we could find other people to ask. Let's keep our distance and follow her!
: Paimon: When we get the chance, we'll just ask someone else for directions.
;(After the earlier dialogue)
: Paimon: C'mon, let's follow her. Just keep quiet and make sure she doesn't notice us.
;(Approach the waterfall)
: Paimon: Huh!? She just walked near that small waterfall and then suddenly vanished! Let's go take a closer look.
;(The Traveler and Paimon walk into the cave)
: Paimon: Paimon thought this cave would lead to a village or something, but uh, it looks like that's not the case.
: Paimon: Look, she's sitting over there. Wait, she couldn't possibly be living here, could she?
: Paimon: Uh, what should we do now? Do we try asking her for directions again?
: Sure, let's give it another shot.
:: Paimon: Alright then, it's not like we have anyone else we can ask... Even if she's not very friendly, we just need her to point us in the right direction, that's all.
: Maybe we shouldn't bother her.
:: Paimon: Hmm, it looks like she's meditating or something. If we bother her now, she probably wouldn't let us off very lightly...
: Paimon: Oh? Mmm! What a lovely smell!
: Paimon: It's coming from that censer over there. This is definitely not your typical place to call home, but at least it smells nice! Hmm, maybe living here wouldn't be too bad after all...
:: Ugh! Uh oh...
: Paimon: Huh, what's the matter? You don't look too good.
: This smell, it's...
: Something's... not right!
: Paimon: What? Is the smell making you feel sick? Strange, Paimon doesn't feel anything...
:: (I've got to get out of here!)
;(The Traveler turns around, but another headache stops them)
:: (I think I'm gonna pass... out...)
: Paimon: What's happening? ? This is no time for a nap! C'mon, wake up...
;(Paimon's voice fades out)
----
:
:: ...World... Forget me...
----
;(Paimon's voice fades in)
: Paimon: ...Are you sure it's not serious? The Traveler's been out for a long time now...
: ???: Yes, you can relax... Believe me, Master is extremely knowledgeable. If he says that 's going to be alright, then there's absolutely nothing to worry about.
: ???: Oh, are you awake now?
: Paimon: Oh, thank goodness! , you're finally awake!
: Where am I?
: Paimon: Well, we're at... uh... Good question, where are we!? Paimon was in such a panic when you passed out that she even forgot to ask what place this is.
: ???: This is Gandharva Ville. It was originally built by scholars from Sumeru as a place to rest in the rainforest. Now it's mainly used by the Forest Rangers as a base of operations.
: Collei: My name is Collei. I'm a Trainee Forest Ranger. My master and I found you passed out during our patrol, so we brought you here.
: Thank you for the help.
: Collei: Oh n—no, no thanks are necessary! I didn't do anything, really. By the way, how are you feeling now? Any discomfort?
: No, I seem to be fine, except...
: This taste in my mouth... It's so bitter!
: Collei: Oh, haha... That's Master's herbal medicine you're tasting. He gave you some while you were unconscious.
: Collei: Before I forget, Master mentioned you should take more medicine once you wake up.
;(Collei walks to a nearby desk, picks something up, and turns back around, only to drop the item)
: Collei: Ah, whoops!
: Tighnari: Collei, what's the matter? Were you trying to retrieve the medicine? As I've already told you, you must be careful with these... I'll get it for you once I'm finished here.
: Collei: Ah, sorry, Master...
: Tighnari: *sigh* Now, the "Guide to Avidya Forest's Edible Fungi" is clearly posted on our bulletin board. But, if Farbod forgets which mushrooms to avoid one more time, I'll have no choice but to leave the guide somewhere a little more visible — like right smack on his forehead so others can remind him to be careful.
: Nasrin: Right, this is the second time he's come down with food poisoning this month. I'll be sure to give him a good talking-to!
: Tighnari: Yes, please do. If, on the off-chance, Farbod simply enjoys having little imaginary fairies dance before his eyes, then we'll just let him be. But, the next time he requires any of our medicine, be sure to charge him accordingly.
;(Nasrin nods, then leaves)
;(Tighnari enters the room)
: Tighnari: So, how are you doing? Feeling better?
: Collei: Oh, this is my master, Forest Watcher Tighnari. He is chief officer over all the rangers here in Gandharva Ville.
: Tighnari: I already informed Paimon about the reason you fell unconscious earlier, but now that you're awake, let me explain it for you as well.
: Tighnari: It is common practice for Sumeru scholars of certain Darshans to dedicate themselves to training and meditation in isolated areas, particularly the nearby forests. While meditating, they use a certain incense known as Spirit Borneol to help calm their minds as they enter a state of deep rumination.
: Tighnari: In hopes of asking directions, you two followed a scholar named Haypasia into her cave. The incense you smelled inside was the Spirit Borneol I just mentioned.
: Tighnari: That incense typically has no effect on most people. But, for a very select few, it can have profound effects on one's cognition, as you experienced firsthand. Does that make sense?
: Yes, that all makes sense.
: Tighnari: Very good. Now, answer me this, did you feel anything after passing out? Say, any out-of-body experiences, or did you see anything while unconscious?
:
: Tighnari: Hmm...
: Tighnari: Collei, let the others know to stop bringing their patrol logs here for now.
: Collei: Huh? W—Why?
: Tighnari: Because these two will be staying here for the next few days. They can have my room, and I'll bunk with Amir. Now get a move on and be sure to do as I've said.
: Collei: Uh, yes, Master Tighnari!
;(Collei leaves)
: Paimon: Wait, hold on a second! Can you tell us what's going on?
: Tighnari: Sure, let me fill you in. I originally planned to send you on your way once you finished your medicine. However, it appears now that you should stay a while longer in Gandharva Ville for further observation while you recuperate.
: Paimon: Further observation?
: But we need to get to Sumeru City...
: Tighnari: No need to be hasty. As long as you have the capacity to judge between right and wrong, I promise that you'll understand the gravity of the situation once I explain everything to you.
: Tighnari: Based on what you saw after smelling the incense and losing consciousness, we can conclude that you experienced a powerful hallucination, which suggests your mental state is not in the best of shape.
: Tighnari: If you're skeptical, have a whiff of this.
: Wha—!
: Paimon: Whoa, are you okay?
: Tighnari: You're experiencing a similar sensation as when you passed out, aren't you?
: Tighnari: So even though your condition is stable as of now, if I were to haphazardly let you leave, it's highly likely that you'd suddenly pass out again somewhere else.
: Tighnari: The rainforest is home to many fierce animals and hazardous areas. If something were to happen to you again, I'm afraid you might not be so lucky.
: Tighnari: For now, I suggest you continue taking your medicine each day and avoid wandering off on your own, at least until you stop having adverse reactions to this kind of smell, okay?
: Alright...
: Tighnari: Mmm, good. Now continue resting while I fire up another bowl of medicine for you.
;(Tighnari leaves)
: Paimon: *sigh* Seriously, we just arrived in Sumeru. We're already having problems left and right...
: Paimon: Paimon knows we were set on meeting Lesser Lord Kusanali as soon as possible, but you really don't look too good... It'd probably be best to let you recover first.
: Paimon: Uh, hey! Are you even listening to Paimon? Paimon's over here worrying about you, ya know!
: I feel it's a little weird...
: Paimon: What's weird? You mean how you're feeling now?
: Yeah, my body does feel a little weird, but what I mean is...
: I don't think what I saw were hallucinations.
: Paimon: You mean the vision of tree roots and red skies you saw? But if those weren't hallucinations, what could they be?
: I'm not sure.
:: (When I saw the vision, it felt as if I was standing deep underground. But the red sky... Could it have been Khaenri'ah?)
: Paimon: Well, considering how unique you are, Paimon trusts your judgment here. But why didn't you say anything about it to Tighnari?
: Paimon: If he misjudged your condition, then there's a chance you could get worse, right?
: I don't think that's the case.
: He probably wasn't telling us the truth.
: Paimon: Huh? You mean that Tighnari already knows that what you saw weren't hallucinations? But if that's the case, why would he try to hide that from us?
: Exactly. We need to get to the bottom of this.
: Paimon: Paimon gets it now... That explains why you were so quiet earlier.
: Paimon: Well, that settles it, then. We'll stay here to rest up and figure out what's going on with your hallucinations.
: Paimon: But it seems like asking Tighnari might not be an option anymore... What do you think we should do?
: Let's start by having a chat with Collei.
: Paimon: Good idea. Collei's pretty friendly... We can ask her tomorrow about what she knows regarding the Dendro Archon and customs in Sumeru.
:
==Soundtracks==
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
==Navigation==
es:Un bosque en transformación
ja:森での遭遇
vi:Gặp Nạn Trong Rừng