Not too long ago, Zen Daijun was quiet and peaceful. People came here on pilgrimages seeking enlightenment. After the plague, a miasma covered this holy place and the tortured humanoids known as Afflicted took over. One of the students that I formed a bond with on the island: Yijo Tahn was stricken by the plague and I was forced to kill him. Although many bad things have happened to me since training to become an adventurer, at least I was able to clear the miasma with the help of Zunraa and restore some peace to Zen Daijun.



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Morganna was very pleased helping me explore Jaya Bluffs, that she came with Solorian and myself for the next one. I can’t blame her because Shing Jea Island is so beautiful. As we entered Haiju Lagoon, our eyes were treated to a wonderful sight. The Haiju Lagoon is dotted with several small villages.


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The entrance to Jaya Bluffs is tucked away in a corner of Seitun Harbor. Because of this, foreigners often miss this area (unless they are trying to enter Zen Daijun). Apparently word of my travels has reached people I’ve never met before. Morganna D. came across some writings I distributed on Tyria and sought me out. The thought of turning down more help didn’t enter my mind when I saw how excited she was to assist me. Along with Solorian, Morganna and I set out to explore Jaya Bluffs.



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Few people remember passing through Saoshang Trail because it lies between two major outposts: Shing Jea Monastery and Seitung Harbor. The only foes you will find here are mantids, which can be dealt with easily. Even though it is such a small stretch of land, if you stop to look around, you can catch a nice view. Solorian the ritualist is joining me once again to explore Shing Jea Island.



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Kaitan Village is located just outside of Tsumei Village, where Solorian and I departed to explore Panjiang Peninsula. Aside from a few kappas, there are few dangers to living in this village. The sunflowers grown here can sometimes be double the height of a man, and you can often find farm children running through them.



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Knowing that the exploration would not be very exhausting, I decided to wait in the outpost for several hours. Hearing that monks often meditated here I tried out meditation for myself. At the time I expected Solorian to tap me on the shoulder, I opened my eyes and found Akela D. in front of me and my expected friend beside him. I don’t like to take too many people with me when I explore Shing Jea because the limit on groups leaving the outpost. However I made an except because Ritualists are so versatile. Solorian decided to bind defensive spirits, and Akela D. would do so with angry spirits that attack our foes.

Seijun Woods is located just outside the Ran Musu Gardens outpost. Mantids can be found here, and just beyond the woods you can spot kappa.


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Revisiting Minister Cho’s Estate after clearing it of Afflicted brings back painful memories. Solorian and I have both witnessed perfectly healthy people being overcome by a sinister disease and turning into monsters. It’s not the sort of thing you forget easily. If you are an adventurer, you have of course seen necromancers exploit corpses and summon forth undead minions. Turning into an Afflicted one happens while you’re still alive, not when your life ends. Poor Minister Cho was turned into one of these creatures when I was escorted to the estate with Master Togo and Yijo Tahn. Even though this is a tragedy, some people cannot stop gossiping about who will take over the estate.




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Revisiting Shing Jea brings back a lot of fond memories, and Sunqua Vale is no exception. My friend Solorian, a ritualist, offered to help me explore the area just as I was preparing to leave. I was reluctant at first, but he persisted and promised that he would not be a burden.

Everyone who shows promise as an adventurer has to meet their trainers in Sunqua Vale. Master Togo completely runs everything, choosing trainers and students alike. Not everyone I’ve met is crazy about their first trainer, but they deeply respect Master Togo. I for one, would not want to spend most of my time wandering the (dirty) streets of Kaineng City.



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Normally the Monastery Overlook is off limits to everyone, even native Canthans that have graduated from their studies on Shing Jea Island. However Instructor Ng owed me a favor and let visit a few areas inside while he was on a lunch break.

After finishing my exploration of Tyria, it feels good to be back home and to visit where I began training to become a ranger. Only the most talented (or richly funded) can hope to be accepted into Shing Jea Monastery. Unlike Tyria, in Canthan you can be taught the arts of the Ritualist, a mystical spellcaster that can bind ritual spirits and command them to attack enemies and protect allies. Although others prefer to learn the deadly arts of the Assassin, a quick and efficient killer who carries out murders under many circumstances: revenge, paid contracts, or personal gain. I’ve also heard of Paragons and Dervishes coming from Elona, but I will discuss it when I visit the Land of the Golden Sun. For now I am finally back home in the Empire of the Dragon!



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