The old forest path winds beneath dripping branches. Ahead, a weatherworn waymarker lies toppled in the mud, beside a traveler clutching a bloodstained sleeve.
Azamaria slows near the fallen stone. Behind her, twigs snap in the thickening shadows, followed by the faint hush of hurried footsteps.
Iven Marr
You there. If you mean to pass, help me up, or leave me before they find us both.
The traveler reaches toward the road fork, where one branch disappears into bracken and the other slopes toward distant chimney smoke.
Iven Marr
The village is close. But the safe road is not the one marked by that stone.
A low whistle cuts through the trees behind Azamaria. More answering whistles rise farther along the path.
Iven Marr
Choose now. Take me with you, hide me here, or run for the village alone.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the pursuers
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the wounded traveler to the village
“I help the wounded traveler up and take the bracken road.”
SUCCESS (Great Strength, rolled +1)
Azamaria catches the traveler's offered arm and hauls them upright. Their weight settles against her shoulder as mud sucks at both their boots.
Iven Marr
Bracken path. Keep low, and do not follow the smoke.
Therefore, Azamaria turns from the village road and carries the traveler into the dense bracken. The toppled waymarker vanishes behind wet leaves.
Iven Marr
The whistles are nearer. They must not see us together.
The narrow trail bends beneath thorny branches. Azamaria's daggers brush the fern fronds, while the traveler stifles a pained breath against her shoulder.
Behind them, a branch cracks hard enough to carry through the rain. A hunter's whistle answers from the fork, and the bracken path offers only two shadowed turns ahead.
“I lead the traveler down the darker turn”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +1)
Azamaria guides the traveler into the darker turn, placing each step where roots and stones will not betray them.
Iven Marr
There. The branches close behind us.
Therefore, the thorn canopy swallows the path. Rain ticks on the leaves, while the brighter fork fades to a green-black slit behind them.
Iven Marr
Their whistles pass the fork. They have not seen us.
A shadow moves beyond the bracken, then stops. No one enters the darker turn. The pursuers' footsteps continue toward the village road.
Iven Marr
Keep going, but quietly. This turn reaches an old charcoal hollow. From there, we can choose whether to circle toward the village.
The traveler shifts their weight against Azamaria, and the hidden trail descends toward the hollow beneath dripping branches.
“I lead the traveler toward the charcoal hollow”
SUCCESS (Great Strength, rolled +2)
Azamaria bears the traveler down the slick descent, finding strength in the steep ground and keeping their weight steady against her.
Iven Marr
The hollow is just below. I can smell the old ash.
Therefore, the bracken opens into a sunken charcoal hollow, ringed by blackened stones and rain-dark timber. Azamaria reaches its shelter with the traveler.
Iven Marr
Set me beside that fallen kiln wall. The branches will hide us from the road.
Azamaria lowers the traveler beside the mossy wall. Above the hollow, the path divides: one narrow track bends toward the village, while another climbs beneath thicker trees.
Iven Marr
Their trail has not followed us here. But which way now, the village track or the high woods?
Quest Complete
Escape the pursuers
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Great→Superb