Fog boils at the tower base as the frost-bright air finally thins. A hooded figure steps clear of the gloom, ash-stained robes hanging in strips, bone-tipped staff planted hard in the scorched soil.
The Stranger
Surrender the Black Book. You clutch a burden you do not understand.
The Lead Ogre lowers his head and growls a warning. The goblins shrink back behind the barricade, while the air around the newcomer spits with unstable sparks of clashing magic.
The Lead Ogre
Turn back, ash-robe. This tower stands under the Black Lord's hand.
The Stranger
Your lord feeds on ruin. I come for the book, and the ruin with it.
Ellowicous the Black stands firm at the tower threshold, his staff's green gem dimming to a steady glare as the unseen Black Book stirs near him, watchful and cold.
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the Black Book from the stranger
“Instructs the ogres to attack, and runs back into the tower with the black book”
SUCCESS (Great Intimidation, rolled -1)
Ellowicous the Black
Attack him.
The ogres surge forward at Ellowicous's bark, boots grinding ash as they break from the barricade. The stranger snaps their staff up, and the air crackles hard enough to sting the eyes.
Ellowicous turns on his heel and strides into the tower with the Black Book tucked close under his arm. Frost sparks lick at the threshold and die against the black stone.
The Lead Ogre
Hold the line, ash-robe! You come no farther.
The stranger answers with a harsh thrust of magic. One ogre flinches back, smoke rising from a scorched shoulder, and the barricade shudders under the impact.
Inside the doorway, the Black Book gives a low, satisfied pulse against Ellowicous's side as he clears the hall, but the tower doors yaw open behind him, inviting pursuit.
Quest Complete
Protect the Black Book from the stranger
+ New Item Acquired
Black Book