Snag scrambles up the shale, his breath coming in jagged, desperate gasps. He keeps glancing over his shoulder at the looming peaks. Reaching a small hollow in the ridge, he frantically pushes a glowing, pulsating satchel into a crevice and begins piling loose stones over it.
Snag
Just a little longer. Keep it hidden. Keep it safe from those iron-clad devils.
A loud, resonant bleat vibrates through the rocks, causing Snag to jump. He spins around, hand clamping tightly onto the hilt of his rusted dagger. He stares at the large, muscular goat standing mere paces away.
Snag
Oh. It is you. You startled me, you ancient terror. Please, keep your voice down. The iron men track sound as well as scent.
Goat
This goblin smells of frantic sweat and stolen magic. The satchel glows with a rhythm that matches the thrum of the mountain. I want to scream at him until the rocks fall again.
+ Scene Quest Added
Investigate the source of the mountain's thrumming magic
“*Lick him, he smells like snacks*”
SUCCESS (Legendary eat anything, rolled -1)
I lean forward, neck muscles corded like knotted rope. Snag freezes, his rusted dagger trembling in his grip, as I extend my tongue. It is a swift, sandpaper-rough movement that bypasses his guard entirely. I firmly plant a lick against the side of his grimy, terrified cheek, sampling the salt and the lingering, metallic tang of the magic he carries.
Snag
Ugh! What are you doing? I am not food, you slobbering mountain god!
Goat
He tastes like copper and terror. The satchel in the crevice is vibrating harder now, pulsing with a rhythmic thrum that sets my teeth on edge. I should scream. The mountain is waking up.
Snag
Stop that, back away! If the iron men hear you, we are both dead. Do you understand?
Goat
He is trying to push me back, but his hands are weak. I could butt him aside, or perhaps nudge those stones away to see what is really inside.
“*Just stand there, clomp once, don't push but don't move either, lol*”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled -1)
I stand my ground, a wall of muscle and coarse fur. The earth vibrates through my hooves, a rhythmic thumping that syncs with my own heavy heartbeat. I deliver a single, solid clomp against the rocky shale, the sound sharp enough to startle a raven.
Goat
Let him tremble. The thrumming is growing louder, turning from a vibration into a whine that prickles my skin. If I stay perfectly still, the sound seems to emanate from beneath my very hooves rather than just the crevice.
Snag
Why are you doing that? You are making it worse! Can't you feel the ground shivering?
Goat
The goblin is sweating buckets, his eyes darting between my horns and the glowing fissure. He looks ready to bolt, but he is too terrified to leave his precious burden behind. The satchel emits a flare of orange light, brighter than before, casting long, frantic shadows against the crag wall.
“*Well obviously, ima eat whatever that fiery stuff is in there*”
SUCCESS (Legendary eat anything, rolled +0)
Goat
That glow smells like burnt ozone and dry summer grass. It calls to my hunger. The goblin can keep his shaking, but the light is mine to consume.
I thrust my snout deep into the pulsating crevice, ignoring the goblin's frantic screeching. My teeth meet the orange, ethereal light, and I bite down with the strength of the mountains. It tastes of lightning and old magic. As I tear the glowing essence from the dark gap, the energy surges into my gullet, swirling like liquid fire.
Snag
No! You foolish beast! That is not for eating! The curse will tear your belly open!
Goat
His warnings are nothing but wind. The magic is thick, chunky, and surprisingly filling. I gulp down a jagged shard of the light, feeling it hum deep in my chest.
Quest Complete
Investigate the source of the mountain's thrumming magic
Skill Upgrade: Arcane Resonance Mediocre
+ New Item Acquired
Shard of mountain magic