Spray hammers the gatehouse stones. The pirate ship is half-lost in the surf behind the rocks, its mast tilting under Ethrosise's cold pressure.
Gromm stands at the ford of the gate, huge and wet with seawater, boulder braced against one shoulder. He watches the horizon, then turns his heavy gaze to King Hammon.
Gromm
King, I come with word and help. If Ethrosise means war, Clan High Hoof can stand beside your walls.
King Hammon
?
Gromm
I ask only this, do you defy the serpent, or do you yield the shore to his law?
A young minotaur squire, her horns bound in rope cord, hurries in from the outer stair and stops hard beside Gromm, breathless from the climb.
The Squire
My lord, the high path is clear. If you choose to move troops or beasts, we can guide them before the next storm lash.
Gromm lowers the boulder a fraction, waiting on Hammon's answer while the surf booms below.
✓ Quest Accepted
Show strength to the minotaur envoy
✓ Quest Accepted
Describe Ethrosise as a guardian
“I asure them that Ethrosise doesnt attack anyone unless theyre morals are vile. I describe him policing the ocean as a dangerous looking heard dog to the good ships”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
King Hammon answers with calm certainty, and the words carry over the spray. Gromm’s shoulders ease a little as he listens.
King Hammon
Ethrosise is no butcher of the coast. He hunts the vile and keeps the sea in order, like a fierce hound set on dangerous ships.
Gromm
A guardian, then. Not a raider with a monster’s shape.
The squire straightens, eyes fixed on the black water beyond the rocks, where lightning flickers through the rain haze.
The Squire
Then the coast has a watchman larger than any tower. That is a hard thing to trust, but it is a strong one.
Gromm shifts the boulder higher on his shoulder, not in challenge now, but in respect.
Gromm
If he guards your shore and leaves honest folk unbroken, Clan High Hoof will not name him enemy. Say the word, King, and we stand where you need strength.
Quest Complete
Describe Ethrosise as a guardian
Quest Complete
Show strength to the minotaur envoy
“I let them know theyre more then welcome to visit, drink, eat, and call on us for help”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
King Hammon gives them the offer plainly, with no courtly flourish. The wind snatches at his cloak, but his voice stays steady over the surf.
King Hammon
You are welcome at Castle High Wind, both of you. Come for drink, food, and shelter, and call on us when Clan High Hoof needs aid.
Gromm
Then the friendship is not only words. Good. A hall shared is a bond stronger than a shouted oath.
The Squire
I would like to see that hall. And the kitchens, if they are as well kept as the gate.
Gromm rumbles a short laugh, easing the boulder down to a less ready angle. The squire’s ears perk, and she keeps glancing from Hammon to the castle entrance as if measuring the distance already.
Gromm
We will bring trade when we can, and spears when we must. But I would hear it from you, King, what sort of ally does Castle High Wind make of its guests?
Behind them, lightning flickers again over the sinking wreck, a cold flash on the black water. The minotaur’s attention stays on Hammon, waiting for his answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Clan High Hoof's continued support
“I say, if your clans heart is true then theyre family and our troops will stand for them as so”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +1)
King Hammon
If your clan’s heart is true, then you are family here, and our troops will stand for you as well.
Gromm
Then that is a real pledge, not a pretty one. Clan High Hoof will remember it.
The Squire
Family at a castle gate, under stormlight. That is stronger than I expected.
Gromm lifts his chin once, slow and solemn, as if taking the weight of Hammon’s words onto his own shoulders. The lightning behind the wreck flares white, then fades into the black surf.
Gromm
Then hear mine in return. If Castle High Wind is pressed, Clan High Hoof answers. Spears, shields, road work, messengers, all of it.
The Squire
And if the hall is as clean as I hope, I will tell the others the king keeps his promises.
The squire’s eager glance returns to the gate, no longer measuring a stranger’s distance, but a host’s threshold. Gromm waits for Hammon’s final shape to the bargain, patient as stone.
Quest Complete
Secure Clan High Hoof's continued support
“I say, there are children and wives here that would ask you wear a breechcloth atleast”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -3)
King Hammon
There are children and wives here. Wear a breechcloth at least, when you come inside.
Gromm
A fair rule. Clan High Hoof does not ask my kin to bare what your halls do not need to see.
Gromm reaches down to his pack and pulls free a folded length of rough cloth, already half prepared for the road. The stormlight catches the wet shine on the black stones behind him.
The Squire
I can pass that word on. They will laugh, but they will mind it.
Gromm
And if it keeps peace in the hall, I mind the laughter.
The squire grins, then sobers at once, studying Hammon with open curiosity. Gromm’s posture loosens, not offended, only practical, as if this is another gate rule to remember alongside spear drill and road duty.
The Squire
Do your people always set such rules so plainly, King Hammon?
✓ Quest Accepted
Set the castle's gate rules plainly
“I say, i say i and the men dont care, especially out in the field, but the women and children here would prefer it, as theyre dressed”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
King Hammon
I say, the men do not care much out in the field. Here, though, women and children pass these stones, and they prefer the rule plain because they are dressed for it.
The Squire
Her grin fades into a thoughtful look, then she nods as if that settles something practical in her mind.
Gromm
Plain words save time, and time saves trouble. Your hall sounds well ordered, King Hammon.
Gromm folds the cloth back over his forearm instead of stowing it away, making the choice feel accepted rather than merely obeyed.
The Squire
So it is not about shame, then. It is about who must walk these paths, and how they are met.
Gromm
Aye. A rule that can be named can be kept. A rule left vague invites boasting.
Behind them, the surf still mutters around the drowned wreck, and a brief flash of lightning silver-lines the wet black rocks before fading.
The Squire
Then I will tell them your gate is kept like a spear point, straight and visible. Is that the kind of wall you mean to build here, King Hammon?
Quest Complete
Set the castle's gate rules plainly
“I ask them if anything i bothering their clan, i mention we are doing well on supplies and have many troops i could send”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
King Hammon
Is there anything troubling your clan right now? We are well supplied, and I can send troops if you need them.
Gromm
Trouble is never absent, but it is seldom worth naming until a king asks plain. Raiders test our outposts, and the high stones shift under winter ice.
The Squire
And the paths near our cairns are watched too closely by hungry eyes. Not always enemies. Sometimes just fools.
Gromm
Your offer is heard, King Hammon. If your stores run full, coin and grain travel well, and spears travel better.
The Squire
If you can spare riders, even a few, it would tell our folk the pact has teeth.
Gromm
That is the mark of a strong ally, not a boastful one. You ask after our needs before making them your banner.
The Squire
Then I will tell my kin Castle High Wind listens before it commands.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring aid to Clan High Hoof
“I say, it sounds like i should send troops on horseback with spears, and with bows”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
King Hammon
It sounds like I should send troops on horseback, with spears and bows.
Gromm
That would be clear support, and swift support. Riders can reach the high stones before winter locks the paths.
The Squire
And bows matter on those ridges. Stone alone does not answer every raid.
Gromm
Your mind is practical, King Hammon. You do not dress aid as grandeur, you give what works.
The Squire
Then our folk will know Castle High Wind sends help in a form that can keep up with danger.
Gromm
Name the number when you are ready. We will receive it with honor, and use it well.
“I ask how many they think they need”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
King Hammon
How many riders and archers do you think you need?
Gromm
For the ridge roads, two score mounted and a good block of bows. Enough to answer a raid, not so many that your own gates feel stripped bare.
The Squire
And a few spare spears for the men who dismount when the ground turns rough. High Hoof respects a host that thinks ahead.
Gromm
We would rather you send fewer well-fed riders than a proud crowd that arrives tired. Practical aid endures longer.
The Squire
If you choose, we can show you which passes take the most punishment. Then your help reaches the right stones.
Gromm
A king who asks for the number first, not the boast, is a rare and steady ally.
The Squire
So, King Hammon, do you want the count for a hard push, or for a guard that can hold the roads?
Quest Complete
Bring aid to Clan High Hoof
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Good→Great
“I call for my general of the troops, to address the situation”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
King Hammon’s call carries down the gate path. The waiting soldiers turn at once, and the first broad-shouldered general answers from the stair, armor clinking softly as he comes into view.
General Rovan
You called, my king?
King Hammon
Bring me the troop count and the road assignments.
Rovan stops beside Gromm, takes in the minotaur envoy, and immediately straightens. The stormlight beyond the gate flashes pale over their faces.
General Rovan
Then we mark the ridge roads first, and keep the castle garrison whole. I will have riders, spears, and watch rotations set by dusk.
Gromm
That is the sort of answer Clan High Hoof trusts.
The squire’s ears lift, pleased. Rovan gives a curt nod toward her and the minotaur, already measuring the path beyond the gate.
The Squire
Then the passes get what they need, and the alliance gets to prove itself.
✓ Quest Accepted
Appoint Rovan as commander
“I put rovan in charge of it, i tell the minotaurs that rovan cunning”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
King Hammon
General Rovan takes command of the assignments. Clan High Hoof can trust his judgment.
Gromm
Good. A chain of command we can see is worth more than a dozen promises.
The Squire
Then I bring the passes to him, and he tells us where to stand.
General Rovan
Aye. I will set the riders, the spears, and the watches. Bring me every road that bends near the ridge.
Gromm
That answer carries weight. He does not hide behind the king, he serves beneath him.
Rovan draws a quick map in the air with two blunt fingers, then turns it into orders with a glance. Gromm’s shoulders ease, and the squire leans in as if already measuring the first route.
Quest Complete
Appoint Rovan as commander