The unbarred door opens onto the violet dusk. Mara Pell, a soot-covered middle-aged woman with a narrow frame, ash-gray braid, and patched brown work clothes, staggers inside carrying a clay basin.
Within the basin, a tiny horned ember-creature, a young elemental with ember-red fissures glowing beneath its smoky hide curls around itself. Blue light pulses beneath its smoky hide, matching the glow clinging to the dead beast and Calimakal's bandaged hand.
Garran Holt
Stop there, Mara. Set it down slowly, and keep that thing away from my kitchen.
Garran snatches a cleaver from the table, planting himself between the basin and the stew. Several patrons retreat, while the innkeeper's knuckles whiten around the handle.
Mara Pell
It was crying beneath the old well. I found it in the ash-water, little more than a coal, and it followed the warmth.
Dame Serilda raises one gauntleted hand, barring Garran's advance. She circles the basin without touching it, her clear eye fixed on each blue pulse.
Dame Serilda Vey
No one approaches. Calimakal stays protected, Garran keeps that cleaver lowered, and I will decide whether this creature is bait, offspring, or messenger.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover what drives the ember-creature toward civilization
“Aww it's cute! I bet the little fellow is hungry, let's feed him some of my magic stew!”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled +1)
Calimakal Odinthrund
Aww, it's cute! I bet the little fellow is hungry. Let him try some of my magic stew!
Calimakal ladles a small portion from the copper pot and carries it toward the basin, keeping the offering warm with the magic in his bandaged hand.
Dame Serilda Vey
Slowly, Calimakal. An offering may reveal more than a blade ever could.
The tiny elemental unfolds from its smoky curl and leans over the basin. The stew's savory steam gathers around its horned head like a welcoming veil.
It drinks the stew in glowing sips. Blue pulses soften to gold, and the creature's ember-red fissures brighten with gentle, steady warmth.
Mara Pell
Oh, listen to it. It has stopped crying. It likes your cooking, master cook.
Garran Holt
That is the first guest tonight to eat without breaking a chair. Calimakal, you may have just made yourself a very small friend.
Director's note
I turn around searching everyone's faces for any hint of an answer
“I might not have all the answers to life but a good meal solves many things! Ho ho! Does anyone here have any idea what this wee lad is?!”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +1)
Calimakal Odinthrund
I might not have all the answers to life, but a good meal solves many things! Ho ho! Does anyone here know what this wee lad is?
Calimakal turns, searching every face for recognition. The patrons exchange uneasy glances, while the tiny elemental curls protectively around the empty basin and gives a warm, chiming burp.
Dame Serilda Vey
It is an emberling, a young fire elemental. Its kind nest near old hearths, volcanic springs, and places where magic has soaked into ash.
Mara Pell
The old well has been smoking for three nights. I thought it held a buried coal, but this little one crawled out when I called.
At Serilda's words, the tiny horned ember-creature lifts its horned head. Gold light settles beneath its smoky hide, and a faint ring of warmth spreads through the basin without scorching the clay.
Dame Serilda Vey
There is your answer. It is no monster's lure. It is a displaced child, drawn here by Calimakal's living warmth and enchanted stew.
Garran Holt
Then the wee guest may stay, provided it learns not to sleep in my oven. I will fetch a small stone bowl for its next serving.
Quest Complete
Discover what drives the ember-creature toward civilization
Skill Upgrade: Survival Poor→Mediocre