"Be vigilant, Curseborn. A new Calamity comes to claim Althanas. This world, for good or ill, will never be the same."

Magdan was lost in thought, trudging down nearly deserted streets, breathing air lightly mixed with ash. By his last count, much of Radasanth -- of Corone -- had been evacuated in response to the news of this coming catastrophe. All that were left were those too stupid or too stubborn to leave. A quiet unease had rolled in like a low fog and enveloped them all. Magdan was given the distinct feeling that Radasanth was a city left holding its breath.

"A new Calamity...," Magdan muttered to himself, echoing the dire prophecy the Revered Mother had given. The Land Betwixt had been born from the chaotic and destructive energies of the last Calamity millennia ago. If the destructive power of this new disaster proved to be even a fraction of that, it could damage the Ward, if not collapse it outright. If that happened, Althanas would be at the mercy of a plane unshackled by the natural laws that govern the world. Every land would be flooded with unfathomable horrors and monstrosities. Chaos would spread like a wildfire in a strong wind, and no amount of Curseborn magics could stop it.

"I need a drink."

After a few minutes of searching, Magdan found himself at a small establishment, not bothering to see what it was named. He stepped through the door and approached the bar. His first instinct was to order alcohol, but when he felt a tickle at the back of his throat and the dryness of his mouth, he thought of something better.

"Clean water," he rasped from under his misshapen cowl and slid a coin across the bar.