The portal opens into a courtly thorn maze, its golden fire flickering between walls of living briars. Beyond it, Sylvaro's twilight glimmers like a fading dream.
Spicerkhano braces the Planar Phaser against a twisting hedge. His fire-bright silhouette strains as the maze shudders, branches knitting across the glowing passage behind him.
Spicerkhano
Move, Wysteria! The passage will not wait for either of us.
Thorns curl inward with a dry, whispering scrape. Pale blossoms unfold along the briars, releasing motes of silver light that drift toward the portal's unstable rim.
Wysteria
The hedge is moving faster than the portal is closing.
Spicerkhano
I can hold it for moments, not miracles! Get through before the thorns seal the way.
The golden opening narrows to a tall, wavering arch. Spicerkhano plants his feet, sparks scattering over the dark soil, while the maze groans around the waiting escape.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape Sylvaro with Spicerkhano
“I make a hasty spell to command the vines to open up the portal”
SUCCESS (Great Arcana, rolled +0)
Wysteria thrusts their hands toward the briars. Sparkles burst from their palms as innate magic gathers, bright against the portal's fading gold.
Wysteria
The vines are listening.
Their command flows into the living hedge, not as sound but as intent. Thorned branches shiver, then bend outward in obedient arcs.
Spicerkhano
Well cast! Keep that opening clear!
The briars peel away from the portal and knot themselves against the maze walls. Silver blossoms dim as the passage widens into a stable golden arch.
Spicerkhano lowers the Planar Phaser and strides through, his firelight washing over the cleared threshold. The thorn maze falls silent behind him.
Spicerkhano
After you, Wysteria. The way is open.
Wysteria leaves Courtly Thorn Maze behind and arrives at Beyond the thorn maze.
“I quickly go through the portal with Spicerkhano, hoping a few of mother's servants have not seen us as it closes”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Agility, rolled +1)
Beyond the thorn maze, Wysteria lands lightly on a broad stone causeway beneath a violet sky. The portal snaps shut behind them, leaving no trace but a fading warmth.
Spicerkhano emerges beside them with the Planar Phaser held close. Ahead, silver reeds ripple around a deserted roadside shrine, where a fresh trail of golden footprints leads into the mist.
Spicerkhano
We made it cleanly. Better still, no courtly hounds followed us through.
The last golden footprint brightens. From within the shrine comes a delicate chiming, followed by the unmistakable scent of unfamiliar sugar and warm spice.
Wysteria
The Planar Phaser is quiet, and the air tastes different.
Spicerkhano
That shrine is signaling someone, or something. We should decide whether to answer before it decides for us.
A small lantern inside the shrine flares blue. The golden footprints turn toward the doorway, while the mist beyond the causeway gathers into a slow, watchful spiral.
The portal is gone, and Sylvaro is safely out of sight. For the first time, the realm ahead belongs entirely to the road before them.
Quest Complete
Escape Sylvaro with Spicerkhano
Skill Upgrade: Arcana Great→Superb