The reeds part as the Proprietor stumbles into view, pale and shaking, just as before. His eyes fix on Valornor near the hidden opening, and his whole body tightens with fear.
The Proprietor
Turn back. The anchor below is the only thing keeping it from swallowing the marsh. If you break it, this whole reach is lost.
The cold draft breathes up from the fissure. Valornor can see it now, the Proprietor is not watching the opening for danger alone. He is watching it like a man counting the seconds until a sentence is carried out.
The Proprietor
You do not understand. I kept it fed, I kept it bound. If the bond fails, the debt comes due on me first.
The truth lands hard. The plea was never only for the marsh. He is trying to make Valornor take the burden before the anchor breaks and claims him.
Valornor Gladewarder
The opening is the lock, and he is the keyholder.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the marsh reach
“Valornor wants nothing more to do with any of this! He begins running southwestward. Flee these wretched lands.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)