Cronos

Water Mage · New Camp

"We plan to channel the ore's magical energy and release it in a giant burst that will 'detonate' the barrier."

Keeper of the Ore

Cronos is a Water Mage who oversees camp business tied to the ore reserves. He explains that the mages plan to destroy the Barrier by channeling the ore's magical energy into a giant burst aimed at it.

Amassing so much ore attracts blackguards and bandits, which is why the Water Mages rely on mercenaries to protect the vault and keep order.

The messenger's amulet

When the Hero mentions carrying a letter for the highest Fire Mage, Cronos says the New Camp sometimes sends messengers to its brothers in the Old Camp. Lares's men normally handle that work—crooks, but reliable when it comes to this—but the camp needs another courier.

Cronos gives the Hero an amulet identifying him as a messenger and a letter for Corristo, telling him to show the amulet to Thorus.

When the Hero confirms the letter was delivered, Cronos rewards him and says he knew he would succeed. The task is a small bridge between rival camps, relying on a symbol of trust where ordinary access is denied.

The focus stones and admission

Cronos also rewards the Hero for finding the focus stones with nuggets straight from the camp's reserves. He directs anyone who wants to join the camp to Lares or Lee, while would-be mages are warned that the Water Mages do not share their knowledge lightly.

Loyalty must come before instruction, just as the ore must be guarded before it can be used against the Barrier.

What other NPCs say

Gorn, Lares, Milten, and Saturas send the Hero to Cronos when he needs ore, a messenger amulet, access to the castle, or information about the focus stones. The repeated directions show that Cronos is a practical junction between the Water Mages' plans and the camp's material resources.

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