First Blood

The fifth major event is the first real confrontation. With all the activities by several magi from both factions and with the player magi most likely working to unravel things for (at least) one such faction, a clash is inevitable. The storyguide should decide when and how, trying to keep the balance. This confrontation should not be the climax of the story, so the leaders of the factions should not be involved. However, it should make it clear that things have built up to open conflict.

The details depend on the actions of the player magi, but the Wächter are the most likely faction to make a preemptive strike. The Soterists are not any way holding back, but the religious zeal they've instilled into the villagers lacks a well-defined enemy and place to strike at. The storyguide should set up a situation that results in the conflict escalating and a magus (from whichever faction) ending up dead at the hands of another magus — without it being part of a legally declared Wizard's War. At this point, it is all but impossible to avoid Quaesitorial involvement.