The sheltered ravine tightens around a clear stream that slips beneath leaning stones. The wounded pack lizard lowers its horned head and follows the water toward a half-submerged stair.
The bronze coffer answers with a muted chime from its padded support. The wounded pack lizard pauses, injured leg lifted, then tests the first submerged step with its sound forefoot.
Embria
Careful, little flame. The water is clear, but the stones beneath it may conceal a break or a drop.
Beyond the ford, carved markers emerge along the ravine walls. Their crooked branches point beneath the leaning stones, toward an unseen chamber under the earth.
The wounded pack lizard enters the shallow water. The current curls around its feet, and the coffer’s chime deepens as the half-submerged stair descends into shadow.
Embria
The road continues below, and the coffer recognizes it. Watch Braska’s footing, but do not assume the chamber welcomes us.
Braska reaches the far side and waits beside the carved markers, water dripping from its claws. The dark entrance remains open before Kara, its depth hidden beyond the ford.
“I nod, glancing at the submerged stairs, then to Embria. "Can it even breath underwater?"”
SUCCESS (Fair Conversation, rolled +0)
Kara
Can it even breathe underwater?
Kara’s question carries across the clear water. Braska turns its horned head toward her, while the submerged stairs descend into shadow beneath the leaning stones.
Embria
No, little flame. Braska cannot breathe underwater. It can hold its breath briefly, but it must keep its nostrils above the surface and cannot remain below.
Braska tests the next submerged step, keeping its muzzle high as the current curls around its chest. The coffer stays above the water on its padded support.
Embria
It can cross this stair if the water remains shallow and the ceiling leaves air above it. Your question was wise, but Braska heard fear in it and now watches your confidence.
Braska pauses at the waterline and fixes Kara with one dark eye. It does not retreat, yet its head stays angled toward her, waiting for her trust before descending farther.
Embria
Let it see that you understand, little flame. It knows its limits, and it has already chosen the air above these steps.
✓ Quest Accepted
Cross the submerged ford safely
“I nod slightly. "That's great for it, but it is double my height, and I can't breathe underwater, how am I supposed to follow?"”
Kara
That's great for it, but it is double my height, and I can't breathe underwater. How am I supposed to follow?
Kara nods slightly, then looks from Braska’s raised muzzle to the dark water covering the lower stairs. The current reaches her waist before the passage disappears beneath the leaning stones.
Embria
You are not meant to follow beneath it, little flame. Wait here while Braska tests the passage, and look for a dry ledge along the wall.
Embria’s ember-glow drifts along the ravine wall, revealing a narrow shelf above the current. It runs beside the submerged stair and slopes gently toward the hidden chamber.
Braska lowers its head and steps onto the next submerged stone, keeping its nostrils above the water. The coffer remains high on its padded support.
Embria
There is your road, little flame. Keep to the shelf, stay beside Braska, and let the water carry only its feet, not your breath.
“I nod slightly, following the raised path.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Kara nods slightly and steps onto the raised shelf. Her sure footing finds the dry stone above the current, and she follows its narrow slope without slipping.
The shelf bends close against the ravine wall, keeping Kara’s boots above the dark water. Below, Braska advances with its muzzle raised and the coffer steady overhead.
Embria
Well done, little flame. The ledge holds, and you need not enter the water to remain beside Braska.
Kara keeps one shoulder near the stone and matches Braska’s pace. The current deepens beneath them, but the raised path carries her safely toward the hidden chamber.
Braska reaches a broad shelf where the submerged stairs vanish beneath an overhanging stone. It pauses there, nostrils clear of the water, and looks back to confirm Kara has followed.
Embria
The air continues beyond the overhang. Stay on the raised path, little flame, and enter only when the stone opens above the water.
“I nod slightly. "It's odd that they made a lower path for Braskas alone." I say continuing to follow the path.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +4)
Kara
It’s odd that they made a lower path for Braska alone.
Kara continues along the raised shelf, keeping her shoulder near the wall as it narrows above the current. Her sure footing carries her cleanly beneath the overhang.
Embria
Not for Braska alone, little flame. The lower stair is the burden’s road, but this shelf was made for its keeper to follow without entering the water.
The shelf rises around the overhang and emerges onto a dry stone landing beside the hidden chamber. Braska reaches it moments later, muzzle still clear, the coffer secure above its shoulders.
Beyond the landing, a narrow dry passage leads around the chamber rather than beneath it. Fresh scrape marks on its wall show that Braska can bring the coffer through without another submerged crossing.
Embria
There is your answer, little flame. The makers expected a bearer and a companion, and they left the companion a safer road. Braska has reached the chamber safely.
Braska turns its head toward Kara, then enters the dry passage. The raised path has brought her beside it and revealed a route onward, with solid stone beneath every step.
Enter the hidden chamber
Quest Complete
Cross the submerged ford safely
Skill Upgrade: Survival Mediocre