Three weeks after Rootfall, Teef reaches Ashroot Waystation, where wagon wheels grind over red ash and caravan bells murmur beneath the evening smoke. Her reputation has arrived before her.
A broad young adult man stands beside a spice-laden wagon, sun-browned and heavyset, with a black braid, copper earrings, and a saffron cloak. He raises a charred root shard in one gloved hand.
the caravan trader
Behold the proof! The masked champion who destroyed Rootfall carried this from the heart of it. Survivors swore the tale by every ash-god.
The shard pulses faintly as Teef draws near, its blackened grain glowing like an ember beneath wet ash. The trader notices, then quickly closes his fingers around it.
the caravan trader
Strange. It has slept for weeks, but now it wakes. Perhaps the champion's shadow still follows it.
Teef
The shard reacts when I approach.
Around the waystation, pack handlers slow their work and whisper about Rootfall, the goblin who broke its heart. Beyond the wagons, the ash road disappears into darkening thornwood.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the charred root shard
✓ Quest Accepted
Claim the glory for destroying Rootfall
“"How'd you get that?"”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +2)
Teef
How'd you get that?
The caravan trader studies Teef over the shard, then loosens his grip. The ember-glow fades beneath his glove, though ash continues drifting from the grain.
the caravan trader
Bought it from a gray-haired survivor three days east, at Cinderhook Ford. He claimed he crawled from Rootfall after the collapse, carrying this in his teeth.
He turns the shard so its charred edge shows. A thin red line opens across his palm where the wood bites through the glove, and he winces.
the caravan trader
Would not sell it at first. Then it whispered your name in the night. I paid him silver, two water skins, and my best mule for silence.
The nearby handlers hear that last part and fall quiet. Several eyes shift from the shard to Teef, suspicion joining the old awe surrounding her.
the caravan trader
If you know what it wants, champion, tell me before it wakes again. I would rather lose silver than another night’s sleep.
“"I don't know what IT wants, but I know what I want. Give it here. I destroyed Rootfall, and I'll destroy this remnant too."”
SUCCESS (Superb Intimidation, rolled -1)
Teef
I don't know what it wants, but I know what I want. Give it here. I destroyed Rootfall, and I'll destroy this remnant too.
The caravan trader's bravado collapses beneath her demand. He unwraps the shard and places it in Teef's waiting hand, ash biting cold against her palm.
the caravan trader
Take it, then. If it wakes for you, I want no part of what follows.
The shard flares crimson as Teef closes her fingers around it. A splinter pierces her palm, drawing a thin bead of blood before the glow subsides.
Handlers recoil from the wagon, whispering that the champion has claimed the cursed remnant. The trader stares at his emptied glove, suddenly pale.
the caravan trader
It never answered anyone before. Now it knows your blood. Whatever comes looking, Ashroot Waystation will remember who brought it here.
Quest Complete
Secure the charred root shard
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Fair→Good
Quest Complete
Claim the glory for destroying Rootfall
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great
+ New Item Acquired
Charred root shard