With the town safe, you follow all follow Alster who knew the streets of the great city like he knew his own house in the dark. You quickly arrive at the first location marked in the tower's star map: the Astrologers' Observatory. It has stood for centuries and was the first observatory in all of Solea. The healers pride themselves on the science that carries their society forward and places like this were both museum and living testament to the power of knowledge. 

You step inside the dark building to see sprites drifting happily among huge luminescent flowers. The plants have taken over, their thorny vines getting tangled in everything.

One of the Astrologers steps forward to greet you. She recognizes Alster, the one Eldonian in your group. "Alster, I am glad to see you, your knowledge of plants and study in the Medic's gardens are in great need." 

"Observer Biota, it warms my heart to see you, but what you are talking about?" Aslter asked.

Observer Biota went on, "Ever since the tower appeared, the vegetation has grown out of control and has taken on etherian attributes" she says, pointing to a variety of the green and purple plants that had invaded the observatory. "They've clogged all our equipment. Whenever we try to remove them, they just come back stronger." 

You offer your assistance, which she gratefully accepts. Richalt calls on his sprite, Ivy, who uses her connection to the natural world to communicate with the living plants.  Ivy phased in and out, flittered and flew and investigated the room. The plants were everywhere, growing like a weed in summer and were even filling the gaps between stone with their out of control roots and purple leaves. After a short while Ivy returned to Richalt and toned into his ear. "She says they don't want to grow but they have too much food. They can't help themselves." 

You say quietly to Haden, "I could have told you that." The sprite seems to have heard and shoots you a frown. "Oh, sure they can understand us but..." you don't get to finish your thought because Alster interupts. "These are all one plant, look," he points to a crack in the floor and you see the root system leading down into the stone floor. "What is below the observatory? He asks Observer Biota, " There are machine rooms for the reticule and the sextant, some storage rooms, housing and bathrooms for the students, that's about it." 

"Mind if we take a look?" you ask the learned stargazer.  "Please," she responds, "anything you need." 

Next E1Q3 A Mysterious Gift