In 1790, a group called the Hidden Order of International Alchemists created the Elder Crystal, a seeing device which can look deeply into the universe, viewing its nebulas and galaxies and other celestial bodies of incredible magnitude. An Oaken College student provides a few materials from their body in order to feed it. Over time, they become the primary guardian of it, continuing to work with alchemists as the Elder Crystal furthers knowledge of the cosmos. Sometimes, people must give plenty of their own blood in order to nourish it, especially if they want to look deeper and farther. The year after the former Oaken College student retires, the second Elder Crystal will be crafted.

According to the Department of Culture and Tourism for Broken Thorn, there lies a Blasted Quarter—a stretch of treacherous snow—surrounding the city of the Broken Thorn. The Blasted Quarter became such after countless experiments of wizardry which have devastated nature. However, the Broken Thorn is still a remarkable feat of architecture which balances both nature and humanity safely away from the horrific weather beyond its reaches. Reporters attempt to stay at the Broken Thorn to learn more, but they are forbidden from printing much about it, and while they are afforded much hospitality by the High Keep’s royalty, they suffer both physical and spiritual ailments after their visitation. One reporter is left bleeding and scarred from their lumbar region after returning to their hotel.

Fairies are disappearing because, in the 1980s, a scientist at the Elemental Society of Zauberfield in Germany has created a malaise trap which can capture them. After 25 years, the fairy population fell by 76%. Fairies are known to leave transformation in their wake and sap blood from any human beings they come across. There are over a million species of fairy with millions more not yet discovered. They have great biodiversity in terms of environments, facilities and adaptations. The scientist responsible for the malaise trap soon realizes that humanity will die out without fairies, as fairies nourish human imagination, sentimentality, creativity, and other faculties of the mind. He thus creates a benefit concert in a theater to raise money for research and preservation. However, the benefit concert goes wrong quickly, as various jars of fairies displayed within it are smashed, releasing an enormous wave of grief which afflicts the concertgoers. They flood out of the theater.