Overview
You emerge from the Portal at the heart of an ancient stone circle, your name and history wiped clean. Mist coils around the runes. The air hums with residual magic. Before you can rise, a robed figure approaches — Vara, Seer of the Old Ways, who has been waiting for someone like you to step through.
Vara speaks of The Forgetting: a magical plague that devours memories, places, and people, advancing realm by realm across the cursed island of Avalon. The Portal does not summon strangers by accident. According to the Prophecy of Forgetting, it draws the one capable of restoring the four broken Seals. That, she believes, is you.
The Portal Awakens is the tutorial quest of Avalon. It introduces dialogue mechanics, the Codex, the Quest Log, and basic exploration. Combat is optional, the route is short, and every objective unlocks a new layer of the early game — the village merchants, the herbalist's request, and the road that leads, eventually, to the Forgotten Fortress.
Objectives
- Speak with Vara at the Portal Clearing.
- Travel to Misty Village and speak with the Elder.
Walkthrough
Step 1 — Wake at the Portal Clearing
After class selection, the game opens at Portal Clearing. Read the location description for atmospheric flavour, then click Talk to Vara the Seer. The first node sets the tone: "You're awake. The Portal chose well."
Step 2 — Exhaust Vara's Dialogue
Three top-level branches exist: Where am I?, Who are you?, and What happened to me?. Each branch nests two follow-ups. Exhausting all of them awards roughly 30 XP and unlocks the Prophecy of Forgetting Codex entry. If you play a Seer or Mentalist, an extra Insight-gated reply appears in the What happened to me? chain.
Step 3 — Accept the Call
Choose "Tell me what I must do". Vara hands you a Travel Ration and 25 Avalon Coin (AC). The objective Travel to Misty Village and speak with the Elder is added to your Quest Log (press Q).
Step 4 — Cross the North Path
Exit the Clearing to the north. There is a 20% encounter chance for a Glade Wisp (Lv. 1). It hits for 6–9 damage and dies in two attacks. Flee is also safe at this level. Keep moving north.
Step 5 — Enter Misty Village
The road opens into a stone-and-thatch hamlet wrapped in fog. Approach the Elder at the central fountain. A short dialogue closes the quest, awards 70 XP, and unlocks the village hub: Old Maren's hut, Merchant Thorn's stall, and three Side Quests.
Rewards
| Reward | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 100 XP | Enough to reach Level 2 if you also exhausted Vara's dialogue |
| Avalon Coin (AC) | 25 | Spend on Health Potions at Merchant Thorn (20 AC each) |
| Codex Entry | Prophecy of Forgetting | Lore foundation for all Main Quests |
| Hub Unlock | Misty Village | Three Side Quests + merchant stall |
Tips
- Read every dialogue branch. Skipping costs you the Codex entry and roughly 30 XP — a meaningful loss at Level 1.
- Save AC for potions, not weapons. No combat in MQ-1 requires gear. Stock 3 Health Potions before MQ-2.
- Mentalists and Seers should ask Vara about memory first — the Insight check is auto-passed and rewards bonus dialogue.
- Do not rush to the Fortress. Pick up The Herbalist's Request before MQ-2 to reach Level 3 first.
Related Lore
The Portal you stepped through is older than Avalon itself. Vara's Codex entry hints at the Prophecy of Forgetting and the four broken Seals. For background on the Realm you have entered, see the Mystical Sanctum wiki page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip the introduction with Vara the Seer?
You can, but you lose roughly 30 XP and the Prophecy of Forgetting Codex entry. We recommend exhausting all three dialogue branches before leaving Portal Clearing.
What class is best for The Portal Awakens?
Any class clears MQ-1 easily because there is no mandatory combat. The Seer unlocks an extra lore line with Vara, while the Mentalist gets an Insight-gated reply.
Do I have to fight the Glade Wisp?
No. Fleeing succeeds 60% of the time and keeps your HP intact. If you do fight, the Wisp drops 20 XP and rarely a Spirit Tonic.
What unlocks after I complete The Portal Awakens?
MQ-2 Echoes of the Forgotten becomes available from Old Maren, plus three Side Quests open in Misty Village.