Beyond the open postern, the stair descends into a collapsed passage. Fallen stones frame a small reliquary untouched by the raiders, its sealed door bearing the unmistakable emblem of the Scaled Temple.
Gold dust glitters in the door’s seams. From somewhere within comes a faint, patient tapping, regular enough to sound deliberate beneath the fort’s settling silence.
The three surrendered raiders stop at the foot of the stair. Their weapons remain scattered behind them, and the nearest recoils from the reliquary as though the stone itself might reach out.
The Raiders
No. That door stays shut. Our commanders forbade anyone from opening it, and they gave no reason beyond saying the order was absolute.
The tapping answers from within, twice in quick succession. Dust slips from the lintel, revealing a narrow line of moon-pale metal beneath the stonework.
The Raiders
We never looted this chamber. We never even searched it. Whatever is inside, the commanders feared it more than they feared losing the caravan.
Behind Sakara, the route back to the yard remains open. Zamanie and Moonpearl wait beyond the ravine, while the reliquary’s tapping continues, inviting neither trust nor easy retreat.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure this raider tribe's submission to Kendethar
““I have no interest in your reliquary” I level my glaive at them “however, you and your tribe will surrender to the Moon Prince Kendethar’s rule when it comes to the Ruby Isle. In exchange, I won’t slaughter you all””
SUCCESS (Great Intimidation, rolled +2)
Sakara
I have no interest in your reliquary. You and your tribe will submit to Moon Prince Kendathar’s rule in the Ruby Isles. In exchange, I will not slaughter you all.
Sakara levels her glaive across the stair, its moonlit edge steady between the two conscious raiders. Behind them, the sealed reliquary taps once, then falls silent.
The Raiders
We submit. Our tribe will acknowledge Kendathar’s rule, and we will carry his terms to our commanders.
The nearer raider drops to one knee, followed by his companion. Their lowered heads and empty hands make the pledge before the hidden chamber and the open stair.
The Raiders
By our lives and by the fort we hold, we swear allegiance to the Moon Prince. Spare our people, and we will serve his rule.
The surrender settles through the ruined fort. The raiders’ weapons remain abandoned behind them, and their tribe now stands claimed for Kendathar rather than marked for slaughter.
The Raiders
The dragon’s assassin offered a choice, and living beneath her prince is better than dying for commanders who hid this place from us.
Quest Complete
Secure this raider tribe's submission to Kendethar