The north road winds below a rocky overlook, where the first wagons crawl between dark trees. Behind Kahrdoom, the cellar and both stranded men lie far out of sight.
Among pale branches stands Starlight Clearbottom, a young adult moon elf woman with luminous skin, flowing silver hair, and a graceful, fine-boned figure. Her pale cloak catches the last blue light.
A moonstone clasp gleams at Starlight's throat, and a longbow rests perfectly steady in her hands. One arrow is nocked, its head aimed at Kahrdoom rather than the distant wagons.
Starlight Clearbottom
Do not reach for steel, dark elf. I have watched you follow the convoy from the town's edge.
Wind moves through the pale limbs overhead. Below, canvas-topped wagons emerge one by one, their wheels muffled by the damp road and their guards hidden among the trees.
Starlight Clearbottom
That convoy carries something my mother's enemies must not possess. Tell me whether you hunt the relic for them, or for yourself.
Starlight Clearbottom
Her trinkets match the reports. If she turns toward the wagons, the first arrow must stop her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Intercept the artifact convoy
“Rubbing the charm pendant on her earing khardoom laughs subtly and graciously bows”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Kahrdoom's fingers find the small charm pendant threaded among the piercings of her ear, drawing it free from the glittering cluster she wears. She rubs its cool surface, then gives a quiet, restrained laugh and bows with deliberate grace.
Starlight Clearbottom
A charming performance. I expected defiance, not courtesy.
Starlight Clearbottom's bow remains nocked, but her aim shifts a fraction from Kahrdoom's heart to her shoulder. Below, the lead wagon rolls into a patch of moonlight, its iron-bound chest briefly visible beneath the canvas.
Starlight Clearbottom
You hunt it for yourself, then? That laugh suggests you find my warning entertaining.
The moon elf studies Kahrdoom's face and jeweled ear, weighing the gesture against every report of dark-elf cunning. Her posture stays elegant, ready, and wholly unwilling to relax.
Starlight Clearbottom
Answer with honesty, and I may let you pass the overlook. Lie, and the convoy will hear my arrow before you take another step.
“I am tasked by Jaraxle, leader of the Braegan Daerth Clan. A handsome price shall I receive. Grins mischievously”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Kahrdoom
I am tasked by Jaraxle, leader of the Braegan Daerth Clan. A handsome price awaits me.
Kahrdoom's mischievous grin sharpens as she lets the charm pendant glitter between her fingers. Below, the convoy continues beneath the trees, unaware of the negotiation above.
Starlight Clearbottom
Jaraxle of the Braegan Daerth Clan. Then this is clan business, not an errand for my mother's enemies.
Starlight studies Kahrdoom for a long breath. Her bow remains ready, but the arrow lowers from its deadly line and points toward the earth.
Starlight Clearbottom
I believe you. Your price may be handsome, but mine is simpler: the relic must not fall into darkness.
Starlight Clearbottom
Pass the overlook, Kahrdoom. Do not touch the convoy, and I will direct you to the road ahead.
Starlight Clearbottom steps aside from the narrow trail, granting the passage she threatened to deny. Moonlight gleams along her silver hair as the lead wagon rolls onward below.
“Khardoom hands starlight a black obsidian gem off one of her arm bracers, and smiles decievingly. Thank you fair moon elf.....ner the day our races co-exist”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +2)
Kahrdoom slides a black obsidian gem from one of the bracers circling her arm. Its surface drinks the moonlight as she extends it toward Starlight.
Kahrdoom
Thank you, fair moon elf. Perhaps not until the day our races coexist.
Her deceptive smile lingers while Starlight studies the offered stone, then lowers her bow fully and accepts the gem between gloved fingers.
Starlight Clearbottom
A gracious gift, though your smile makes me wonder what price you have hidden inside it.
The obsidian catches a faint inner gleam, reflecting Starlight's silver hair and the dark elf's many glittering piercings. Below, another wagon passes beneath the branches.
Starlight Clearbottom
Go, Kahrdoom. The road ahead bends east beyond the standing stones. Keep your bargain, and this need not become a royal matter.
Starlight closes her hand around the gem and steps farther aside, leaving the narrow trail open while her watchful gaze follows Kahrdoom toward the convoy.
“Khardoom swiftly makes her way along the route to intercept the wagons”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
Kahrdoom slips from the overlook and cuts through the trees, using the eastern bend to overtake the convoy. Wet branches rake her cloak, but she reaches the road ahead of the lead wagon.
She steps from the shadows into the wagon's path, forcing the driver, a middle-aged man with a lean build, weathered brown skin, and a red scarf over a tan coat to haul the reins hard. Wheels grind against stone, and the following wagons halt in a crowded chain beneath the standing trees.
The sudden stop costs Kahrdoom a silver ward from her bracer. It catches on a branch during her descent and snaps, its spent fragments scattering among the roots.
Starlight Clearbottom
You reached them swiftly. I did not mistake your courtesy for surrender, Kahrdoom.
Starlight appears on the ridge behind her, bow lowered but ready. Below, canvas shudders as hidden guards stir, and the iron-bound chest shows clearly beneath the lead wagon's cover.
Starlight Clearbottom
You have intercepted the convoy. Now keep your hands away from the chest, or my bargain ends with the next breath.
Obtain the artifact
Quest Complete
Intercept the artifact convoy
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Superb→Legendary