At dusk, Calimakal reaches the village inn beneath a violet sky. Inside, spilled wine threads across the floor while broken candlelight shivers over the crowded room.
A retired knight stands over the pattern, an elderly woman in scarred steel and a weather-faded blue cloak. Her silver braid rests against one shoulder, and one eye is clouded white.
Dame Serilda Vey
The red river, the severed flame, the shadow at the rim. It names a monster, but not its hiding place.
The innkeeper hurriedly bars the doors. At once, a bright new gash opens across the knight's old breastplate, though no blade is visible and no hand touches her.
Dame Serilda Vey
Nobody leaves. The beast may stalk beyond those doors, or it may already breathe among us.
Patrons recoil from one another. A serving girl drops a tray, a farmer grips a stool, and every candle flame bends toward the wounded armor.
Dame Serilda Vey
Stranger, you arrived with the omen's final turning. Speak your name, and tell me what you see.
✓ Quest Accepted
Unite the inn's guests against the monster
Director's note
I unsheath my sword grin like a hungry man that knows he's about to eat!
“I'm a traveling cook I go from tavern to tavern. Don't worry I've seen worse! Ho ho! Let's find this beast and slay it then I'll plate it and the taste will make you sing! Ho ho! Ready yourself knight of heralding beauty! Dinner time!”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled -1)
Calimakal Odinthrund
I'm a traveling cook, and I've seen worse! Ho ho! Let's find this beast and slay it, then I'll plate it until the taste makes you sing. Dinner time!
Calimakal unsheathes his sword and grins like a hungry man before a feast. The blade rings through the inn, and every candle gutters blue.
Dame Serilda Vey
Then stand beside me, cook. By herald and blade, we hunt together. Your courage has shamed this room into remembering itself.
The omen on the floor twists beneath Calimakal's shadow, its red river flowing toward the cold hearth. Ash exhales, revealing a crouched, horned beast woven from smoke.
Dame Serilda Vey
There! The hiding place is found. Strike when it crosses the flame, and I shall hold its shadow fast.
The knight drives her sword through the beast's shadow, pinning it. Calimakal's stroke follows, and the creature collapses into a steaming, dark-fleshed carcass beside the hearth.
The victory costs him blood: the beast's dying heat burns a shallow line across his sword hand. Still, the inn erupts in cheers as the knight begins clearing a table for dinner.
“Ho ho! The little bugger thought he'd get away! Ahh, my hand! Bah! Just a simple burn, these things are to be expected when cooking! I don't think I've had the opportunity to introduce myself. I am Calimakal Ondinthrund, traveling cook!”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Calimakal Odinthrund
Ho ho! The little bugger thought he'd get away! Ahh, my hand! Bah, just a simple burn. These things are expected when cooking. I am Calimakal Ondinthrund, a traveling cook!
His wounded hand smolders faintly as Calimakal lowers his sword. The dark carcass steams beside the hearth, and the inn's cheering settles into attentive silence.
Dame Serilda Vey
Calimakal Ondinthrund, then. I am Dame Serilda Vey, retired knight, and tonight your name joins mine in this victory.
The elderly knight offers her gauntleted hand, careful not to touch his burn. Her clouded eye studies him while her clear eye measures the ruined beast.
Dame Serilda Vey
A cook who hunts shadow-beasts and laughs at their fire is a rare companion. Let the innkeeper bring salve, and let supper hear your tale.
Around them, patrons drag benches toward the cleared table. Someone produces a loaf, another uncorks wine, and the innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, a round weathered face, short brown hair, and a dark green vest over a cream shirt, sets a bowl of cool herbs beside Calimakal.
“Many thanks, Miss Serilda Vey! To be complemented by a knight alone would be enough praise for one day but from you with such beauty is truly an honor! Here, innkeeper! Would you perhaps be in need of a cook?”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +0)
Calimakal Odinthrund
Many thanks, Dame Serilda Vey. Praise from a knight is honor enough, but such praise from one so beautiful honors me doubly. Innkeeper, might you need a cook?
Calimakal keeps his sword ready at his side and grins like a hungry man before a feast. He turns his unburned hand toward the innkeeper while the bowl of herbs waits beside him.
Garran Holt
Need one? After tonight, I need a miracle. If you can make supper from what remains, the kitchen and a place at my table are yours.
The innkeeper offers his broad hand across the crowded table. Behind him, guests cheer approval, already gathering bread, onions, and the dark beast's strange steaming flesh.
Dame Serilda Vey
A sensible bargain, Master Calimakal. Your blade guarded this house, and now your craft may restore its appetite.
Garran Holt
Come, master cook. Name what you need, and I will put every pot, pan, and hungry soul in this inn at your disposal.
The barred inn becomes a kitchen around him. Firewood crackles, knives are fetched, and the wounded hand's faint heat mingles with the promise of a remarkable supper.
Prepare supper for the inn
Quest Complete
Unite the inn's guests against the monster
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great