The kitchen crowds around Calimakal with salvaged onions, roots, wilted greens, loaves, and uncorked wine. Beside the hearth, the shadow-beast's steaming carcass darkens the flagstones.
His burned hand glows faintly, warming the bowl of herbs nearby. Survivors fill the common room beyond, bruised and watchful, while the innkeeper arranges every pot and pan within reach.
Garran Holt
There, master cook. The copper kettle, iron skillet, little knives, great knives, and my finest oven. If it can hold heat, it is yours.
The innkeeper retreats only far enough to clear a cutting board, then begins sorting vegetables with anxious efficiency. Guests pass bread and wine toward the kitchen, eager to help.
Dame Serilda Vey
The beast is dead, but its omen remains in the floor. Feed these people, Calimakal, and perhaps courage will return before darkness does.
Dame Serilda stays at the doorway, sword resting across her scarred armor. Her clear eye watches the carcass, the blue flames, and every survivor who comes too near.
Garran Holt
Name the first dish when you are ready. No one leaves this room hungry, not after what tried to hunt us here.
✓ Quest Accepted
Cook the slain shadow-beast into a memorable supper
“With precise grace I carve the beast flesh and prepare it in a large pot along with onions, garlic, salt, pepper, carrots, potatoes and with some of my arcane magic to make stew. You know my name innkeep, what is yours?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled +0)
Calimakal works with precise grace, carving the shadow-beast's dark flesh into neat pieces while onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes gather around the great copper pot.
Salt and pepper fall in measured pinches. His burned hand lends the simmering broth a quiet arcane warmth, and the stew deepens from harsh smoke to a rich, savory fragrance.
Garran Holt
That is a finer transformation than I expected from cursed meat. The whole room can smell supper becoming a blessing.
Calimakal Odinthrund
You know my name, innkeeper. What is yours?
The innkeeper pauses over a basket of roots, then wipes his hands on his dark green vest. Around him, survivors lean closer as the pot begins to bubble.
Garran Holt
Garran Holt, master cook. Though after tonight, I may be the innkeeper who works for you. Call me Garran.
Dame Serilda's stern face eases as the first ladlefuls fill bowls. Blue firelight glints across the omen-marked floor, while Garran raises bread in a quiet toast.
Quest Complete
Cook the slain shadow-beast into a memorable supper
Director's note
I turn to Serilda
“Garran, well met! Ho ho! No, I'm but a humble cook! what is a knight doing here, surely there are crusades going on all the time and why such a beast could be this close to civilization?”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled -2)
Calimakal Odinthrund
Garran, well met! Ho ho! No, I'm but a humble cook. What is a knight doing here? Surely there are crusades going on all the time. And why could such a beast come this close to civilization?
His question draws every nearby ear. As Calimakal gestures toward Dame Serilda, his glowing burned hand slips against the kettle handle, and a sharp hiss sends broth over the stones.
Garran Holt
Well met indeed, master cook. Mind the hand, though. I would rather not serve our hero alongside the stew.
Dame Serilda Vey
Because I was not chasing a crusade, Calimakal. I was following this omen from three villages away, where livestock vanished and hearthfires turned blue.
Dame Serilda steps from the doorway to the table, her scarred armor catching the firelight. She points with two fingers toward the dark carcass and the floor-mark.
Dame Serilda Vey
The creature came close because the omen led it here. Fear, crowded walls, and many warm souls made this inn a nourishing hiding place.
Garran Holt
And now it has found a cook instead of supper. Hold still, Calimakal. I am fetching fresh cloth for that hand.
✓ Quest Accepted
Have Calimakal's burned hand treated
“Ah, yes, this burn isn't any normal wound. I normally would treat this on my own but Ho! Tis quite painful. As for these creatures slaying livestock, I can't have that, what would I cook more of these beasts? I'm a good cook but cooking these creatures on a daily routine? I'd quit cooking all together and sell life insurance! Ho ho!”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Calimakal Odinthrund
Ah, yes, this burn is no ordinary wound. I would usually treat it myself, but ho, it is quite painful! And if these creatures keep slaying livestock, what am I to cook? I might quit and sell life insurance! Ho ho!
Turning toward Dame Serilda Vey, Calimakal keeps his injured hand raised from the kettle. The burn pulses with blue-white heat, and the stew continues simmering safely without his touch.
Garran Holt
Life insurance? I do not know that dish, but I have fresh cloth, willow salve, and enough sense to keep you from seasoning yourself.
Dame Serilda Vey
The pain is the omen clinging to you, not merely a burn. Hold still, Calimakal. I have seen cursed wounds worsen beneath brave laughter.
Garran Holt wraps the fresh cloth around Calimakal's hand while Dame Serilda Vey studies the glowing mark. At her approach, the blue flames bend away from the bandage.
Dame Serilda Vey
As for the livestock, these beasts are not a harvest. Something drives them toward living warmth, and this omen may point to its master.
Garran Holt
Eat first, hunt after. If you are selling policies against monsters, master cook, I will buy one for my kitchen.
Quest Complete
Have Calimakal's burned hand treated