“What do you think it is?”

You and Burt stare at the crystallized crimson object, observing it from every angle. The Shuffle’s grand prize lies upon its black velvet pillow on a table in Quatal’s home. Without Quatal, the place seems lifeless, and even more so with the ominous object at the center of the room. You had lit some candles inside the house, but once the chest had been opened to display the crystal, it felt as though all the warmth and light had been sucked from the room.

“Welcome back to The Shuffle! I hope you all placed your bets for this final series!”

Dela shouts as the crowd roars. The sun creeps past the top of the stands, projecting a shadow over half of the arena dome. With the night on its way, lanterns are being lit, and a large magical globe of light is hung over the table where the two competitors will battle for the championship.

“Hey you, are you a contestant?” A rough voice calls from behind you.

You shake your head at a burly whisker wielding an axe and a round shield.

“Off the stage then; we’re about to start.”

“...'scuse me.” You and Burt rush through the dusty streets of Amalhasu, looking for the same alley where Zul’grasi previously held his pop-up shop.

“Excuse me,” Burt says, more as an impatient warning than a polite apology. But the other whiskers don't seem to hear him anyway, making it difficult to navigate. “How can the streets be so busy this early in the morning?”

“I don’t know what Quatal was so worried about,” says Burt as he climbs out into the blinding sun. “What did he say again? The Crimson Sands thirst for something. Well, nuts to him, cos we’ve already got our hands on some Highland coffee and the day’s not even through yet!”

Thanks to Quatal, Burt spent most of the night obsessing over his card collection and stayed up until the early morning hours. Before giving the sun a chance to rise, you wake Burt from his slumber. Today is a day for an early start. You and Burt spend the early morning gathering supplies for the journey and information about the Crimson Sands. According to a merchant at a nearby stall, the Crimson Sands is a treacherous place, even for the most experienced southern whiskers…