Valornor turns from the wrecked ridge and takes the south road toward Talonford. The path is choked with fallen stones, broken crates, and refugee tracks. A wrongness rides the wind, cold as cellar water.
Ahead, a palisade town sits low on the horizon, its watchfires thin against the dark. If any military command still stands nearest the breach, it is there.
At a bend in the road, a petty warlord and his scavengers strip packs from abandoned carts. They freeze at the sight of Valornor, then see his bow, his cloak, the steel at his belt.
The Petty Warlord
Easy now, ranger. That sort of gear buys a better road than this.
The warlord studies Valornor's face, then glances past him toward the far-off glow where the Keep once stood. Greed gives way to calculation.
The Petty Warlord
You have news from the Keep. Bring it to Talonford, or sell it south. I can make either worth your while.
Valornor Gladewarder
Talonford first. The breach has to be reported before it spreads farther.
Valornor moves on, leaving the scavengers behind. With every step south, the cold behind him feels less like weather and more like a thing following the road.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Talonford and report the breach
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the petty warlord's blockade
“Keep my hand on my bow and walk past the warlord without breaking stride.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +0)
Valornor does not slow. He keeps one hand on his bow and threads past the warlord’s cart without breaking stride.
The Petty Warlord
That road belongs to people with steel enough to hold it. You sure you want to keep walking?
Valornor’s cloak brushes a spilled sack, and the warlord’s men flinch as the ranger’s gaze stays fixed south.
Scavenger One
He is not stopping. Not for us.
Scavenger Two
Let him go. I do not want that bow turned this way.
The warlord shifts aside at the last second, opening the road by force of caution rather than courtesy. Behind Valornor, a scavenger’s hand slips off a pack strap, and the camp goes still.
Ahead, the south road narrows between broken stones. Talonford remains in sight, while the cold behind him keeps pace like a shadow with a grudge.
Quest Complete
Get past the petty warlord's blockade