Near the edge of the pines, a large pack lizard, a mature, broad-bodied beast with slate-gray scales, a blunt horned head, dark eyes, and a thick, scarred tail collapses beside the road. Its iron footplates are cut, its harness torn open, and its scaled sides heave with frightened effort.
No rider or handler appears among the trees. A small bronze coffer remains chained to the ruined harness, its engraved marks unfamiliar and bearing none of House Valemont’s seal.
Embria
Stop there, little flame. It is alive, frightened, and strong enough to break you if you approach without care.
The lizard’s head jerks toward Kara, jaws parting around a harsh rasp. One powerful hind leg scrapes the road, dragging the chained coffer against the stones.
Embria
Do not reach for the coffer. Watch its eyes and its breathing first. If it lashes out, give it room rather than answering fear with fire.
The road lies empty in both directions, and the pines offer no sign of pursuit. The wounded creature trembles beside the harness, guarding the bronze burden as though it knows no other choice.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the bronze coffer
“I nod slightly, moving down to one knee as I watch it quietly. "Such a big creature, They use these like human's use horses?" I ask, tilting my head as I bring my hands up reassuringly to the Pack Lizard.”
FAILURE (Good Empathy, rolled -1)
Kara
Such a big creature. They use these like humans use horses?
Kara lowers to one knee several paces away and raises both hands, palms open. She watches the lizard’s eyes and heaving sides, keeping her movements slow and quiet.
The gesture does not soothe it. Its head jerks higher, and the torn harness snaps taut as it scrapes backward. The bronze coffer strikes the stones with a sharp clang.
Embria
It does not understand reassurance from you yet, little flame. You are too close, and it fears that your hands mean another restraint.
The lizard bares its teeth and drags one iron-plated foot across the road. Its gaze fixes on Kara’s raised hands, and its breathing turns ragged rather than calmer.
Embria
Lower them and move back. Do not try to prove kindness twice. Give it space, and let it decide whether you are another handler.
The creature keeps guarding the coffer as Kara’s attempt falls short. The road remains empty, but any closer approach would now invite a defensive strike rather than trust.
“I nod, moving back slightly, resting my hands on the ground instead, waiting for the lizard to get used to my presence.”
SUCCESS (Good Empathy, rolled +3)
Kara nods, retreats a little farther, and lowers herself onto the road. She rests both hands on the ground, keeping her posture open and still while the wounded pack lizard watches.
The lizard’s breathing remains rough for several moments, but its head gradually lowers. Its hind leg stops scraping, and the torn harness slackens around its broad, trembling body.
Embria
Good, little flame. Stay exactly there. You have given it a choice instead of another command.
The wounded pack lizard blinks at Kara, then shifts its weight away from the coffer without guarding it so fiercely. The bronze chain lies visible across the stones, no longer pinned beneath its foot.
As the creature settles, Kara can see a narrow leather tag beneath the ruined harness, stamped with the same crooked branching symbol carved beside the spring. The mark is fresh enough to read clearly.
Embria
It accepts your presence for now. Remember the mark, but leave the coffer and harness untouched until it shows you more trust.
“I nod slightly, from a distance, I try to look at the Lizard's wound.”
SUCCESS (Superb Perception, rolled +0)
Kara nods slightly from her place on the road, then shifts her attention over the lizard’s broad body without moving closer. She studies its breathing, posture, and the torn harness around the injured leg.
Her careful gaze traces the damaged iron footplate and the furrow beneath it. Blood darkens the scales around a deep cut, but the wound is no longer actively bleeding.
The torn harness has rubbed the injury wider, while one broken strap presses across the lizard’s ribs whenever it breathes. Its hind leg bears weight poorly, though the limb remains aligned.
Embria
The footplate caused the worst of it, little flame. The cut needs cleaning, and the harness must be loosened, but neither should be done while Braska still fears your hands.
Kara’s distance reveals another detail: the lizard’s eyes remain alert, but its attention no longer fixes solely on the coffer. Its trembling eases whenever she stays still.
Embria
You know what is wrong now, little flame. Let that knowledge guide your caution. The wound is serious, but Braska has time if no one frightens it into breaking itself further.
The bronze coffer remains untouched between Kara and the wounded beast. From her chosen distance, she has read the injury clearly without provoking another retreat.
“"Braska? Is that what kind of creature this is?" I ask, looking to Embria.”
SUCCESS (Fair Conversation, rolled +1)
Kara
Braska? Is that what kind of creature this is?
Kara keeps her place on the road and looks toward Embria’s hovering glow rather than the bronze coffer. Braska watches her, alert but no longer scraping at the stones.
Embria
Yes, little flame. Braska is a pack lizard, bred to carry burdens over roads and rough country. The iron plates protect its feet, though these were fitted poorly or forced too hard.
Braska’s broad head lowers a fraction at the familiar word, and one dark eye remains fixed on Kara. The torn harness shifts against its ribs with each careful breath.
Embria
It is not a wild beast, though it may defend itself like one when frightened. Someone taught Braska to bear chains, harness, and heavy cargo.
The bronze coffer rests beside the loosened harness, still untouched. Braska’s breathing steadies as Kara remains quiet, and the creature no longer treats her presence as an immediate threat.
“I nod slightly. "It can't see you can it?" I ask, looking back to the Braska.”
FAILURE (Fair Conversation, rolled -3)
Kara
It can't see you, can it?
Kara glances from Embria’s hovering glow back to Braska. The pack lizard follows her gaze, lifting its head and tightening its attention on the space between them.
Embria
I do not know, little flame. Braska may see the light, or may only see you looking toward it.
Braska shifts its weight and angles one dark eye toward the ember-glow, then back to Kara. Its breathing roughens, and the loosened harness gives a nervous creak.
Embria
Do not test it by pointing or reaching, little flame. Your question has made your attention part of the uncertainty it is watching.
The lizard lowers its head again, but no longer watches Kara alone. The space beside her has become part of Braska’s guarded attention, leaving the answer uncertain and the creature less settled.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain Braska's trust enough for it to accept help
“I think for a long few moments, eventually fishing through my belongings slowly. "Well, I don't know if this'll work but... " I fish out some hazelnuts from the food I secured away, before slowly pushing them towards the Braska.”
SUCCESS (Superb Charm, rolled +0)
Kara waits several long moments, watching Braska’s breathing and the uncertain space beside her. Then she slowly searches through her secured belongings, moving with deliberate care.
Kara
Well, I don't know if this'll work but...
She retrieves several hazelnuts from the food she secured away, keeping them visible in her open palm. Slowly, she extends her hand toward Braska without reaching across the creature’s guarded space.
Embria
Good, little flame. Let the offering speak before you do. Keep your hand low, and let Braska choose the distance.
Braska studies the hazelnuts, then lowers its broad head. After a cautious breath, it stretches its neck forward and takes one from Kara’s palm with careful, blunt teeth.
The lizard chews, then accepts another nut. Its harness slackens, its breathing steadies, and its dark eye no longer treats Kara’s hands as a threat. Trust has begun between them.
Quest Complete
Gain Braska's trust enough for it to accept help