The restored waystone opens a branching trail through whispering reeds and silver mist toward the eastern bank. Behind them, Veyra Ford’s bells fade, leaving only Alexios and Penelope on the marked path.
Maressa remains at the ford to receive the returning ward-light and prepare the valley councils. Her silver river-stone shines at Penelope’s side, carrying the councillor’s welcome into the marsh.
At the trail’s boundary, the spring pool heaves upward. Orunath, an immense elder river dragon with blue-green scales, sweeping antler-like horns, and pearl-bright eyes, rises through the mist.
Orunath
The waystone burns again, and Maressa’s welcome rests upon you. I am Orunath, keeper of the oldest spring. The boundary waits for your names.
Water streams from Orunath’s plated neck into the pool. Reeds bend away from the dragon’s vast presence, revealing a pale line of stones beneath the shallow water.
Orunath
State who you are, and request permission before crossing. No guest enters the Reedveil Confluence by assumption, however honored their sponsorship.
Penelope
I am Penelope, witness of the sealed harbor bloodline and companion to Alexios. We will name ourselves and ask properly before we take one step beyond your boundary.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain Orunath's permission to enter the Reedveil Confluence
“I am Alexios of Ithaca, lawful guest and marked witness.”
Alexios
I am Alexios of Ithaca, lawful guest and marked witness. I request permission to cross into the Reedveil Confluence.
The words settle over the spring. The marked witness carried in Alexios’s declaration answers the silver river-stone, which glows warmly at Penelope’s side.
Orunath
Alexios of Ithaca, your name stands beside Penelope’s, and Maressa’s welcome confirms your purpose. I grant permission for you both to cross.
Orunath lowers one antlered horn toward the pale stones. Water withdraws between them, revealing a dry crossing through reeds veiled in silver mist.
Penelope
Thank you, Orunath. We will cross respectfully, and we will ask before seeking knowledge of your spring or your people.
Penelope steps onto the revealed stones, and Alexios follows without haste. The reeds incline around them as the confluence accepts their lawful passage.
Orunath
Enter, guests of the river. At the spring’s heart, speak your questions plainly, and the water will answer what it is willing to remember.
✓ Quest Accepted
Earn Orunath's trust
Quest Complete
Gain Orunath's permission to enter the Reedveil Confluence
“but before we go, Orunath, may i draw a quick sketch of you, im somewhat of an artist. i say as pull my sketchbook and pencil”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
Alexios
Orunath, may I draw a quick sketch of you? I am somewhat of an artist.
Alexios draws his sketchbook and pencil, holding them carefully as the silver mist curls around the exposed stones. Penelope watches with a fond, quiet smile.
Orunath
You may. Let the spring witness your hand, and draw what you truly see, not what legend would place upon me.
Orunath settles beside the pool, immense horns framing his pearl-bright eyes. Water gathers in still rings around his claws as he holds himself patiently for the drawing.
Penelope
He has granted you a rare honor, Alexios. Take your time, and remember the details the water reveals.
The pencil moves across the page, tracing Orunath’s sweeping horns, plated neck, and watchful eyes. The sketchbook’s paper catches a faint blue reflection from the spring.
Orunath
Your gaze is careful, marked witness. When the sketch is finished, I will tell you what the spring remembers of those who came before you.
“done, that's one down, and about, 20 or so to go, that i know of at least. i say as i return my sketch books and pencil back t my satchel”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)
Alexios
Done, that’s one down, and about twenty or so to go, that I know of at least.
Alexios returns the sketchbooks and pencil to his satchel, securing them carefully as the silver mist drifts across the exposed stones.
Penelope
One remembered face among many, then. Your sketches may preserve details that stories lose, beloved.
Orunath
Twenty, at least? You seek more than a likeness of river dragons. You are gathering the faces and forms of this continent.
Alexios
The spring’s reflection shows details legend would miss.
Orunath
That purpose is not forbidden here. But each lineage carries boundaries, and some faces may not welcome a stranger’s page.
Penelope
Then we will ask each time, and accept refusal without turning it into a challenge. Who should Alexios seek after you, Orunath?
“indeed we will, but i will always leave an open page should the ones that refuse ever change their minds. i say as we head to reedveil”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +2)
Alexios
Indeed we will. I will always leave an open page for those who refuse, should they ever change their minds.
Alexios closes the sketchbook without marking its final page, then returns it to his satchel. He and Penelope follow the pale stones deeper toward Reedveil.
Orunath
That promise honors choice without treating refusal as silence forever. The river remembers those who leave room for a later voice.
The crossing winds beneath arching reeds, where silver mist beads on blue-green scales and the spring’s murmur gives way to a broader, hidden current.
Orunath
After me, seek the moon-pale frost dragons at the northern ice. Their eldest is Vaelrith, and patience will earn more than admiration.
Penelope
Then we will remember Vaelrith’s name, and approach with the same courtesy. An open page is an invitation, not a demand.
Ahead, the reeds part around a luminous pool ringed with ancient stones. Orunath’s presence guides them onward, while a second route glimmers faintly beneath the water.