The Crystal Desert · Amnytas
The wizard Mabon falls holding the line
Mabon, one of the most senior wizards of the Wizard's Court, is possessed by one of Eparch's champions and dies after opening the Wizard's Tower and exhausting himself, weakening the wards that hold the Kryptis back.
Mabon, a mesmer and one of the most senior members of the Wizard's Court who led the Bastion of Strength in Amnytas, had helped Isgarren banish Eparch during the demon's first incursion centuries before. During the renewed invasion of 1336 AE, the champion Asthenes tethers its soul to Mabon and possesses him after he spends himself saving allies and opening the Wizard's Tower.
At the Bastion of Strength, Mabon urges the Commander and Zojja to slay Asthenes despite the cost to himself. They do, and Mabon dies — a loss that weakens the wards around the sky-realm and leaves the way open for the Kryptis to press deeper toward Eparch's goal in the Mists.