The first snow of winter dusts Kolob's peaks, marking three months since your initial encounter with the settlers. Your wire-rimmed glasses fog slightly as you exhale, watching the growing town of Cedar City from your hidden vantage point in the newly whitened forest. The crystalline formations beneath your white fur resonate differently in the cold – a warning tone you haven't heard since the last great change in guardianship.

The settlers' response to Kolob has evolved exactly as you shaped it. The religious leaders speak of sacred ground requiring protection, while the professor's scientific papers describe unique geological phenomena worthy of preservation. Yet this morning brings unwelcome news: a larger expedition is being planned: more wagons, people, and risks.

You sense unusual movement around the Underground Lake through the Life Stream's subtle currents. The ancient defenses are reacting to increased human activity and the Heartstone's energy pulses more frequently. The N'hava symbols etched throughout the sacred sites seem to shimmer with renewed purpose as if awakening to the growing threat.

You've noticed the young woman with her sketchbook regularly visiting the forest's edge. Her drawings have grown more detailed and purposeful. Sometimes, she leaves offerings—a gesture that speaks to either religious devotion or scientific dedication, depending on the path you chose. But today, she's accompanied by someone new: an elderly Native American man whose bearing suggests deep knowledge of the land's old ways.

The Life Stream carries whispers of his words to you: “The white settlers are not the first to know of this place's power. My people have long respected the Guardian of Kolob.”

It would be best if you decided how to handle this new development. The knowledge held by the indigenous peoples could either reinforce the protections you've established or complicate the delicate balance you've created.

What path will you choose?

Choice A: Ancient Alliances

Reach out to the Native elder through dreams and signs, seeking to align his people's ancient understanding with your guardianship of Kolob.

Choice B: Protected Isolation

Strengthen the physical and spiritual barriers around Kolob, ensuring that no additional layers of human knowledge can complicate your established protections.

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The seasons change, but the duty of a guardian remains eternal. Choose wisely.