Raedwulf and the three armed beastfolk hold position beyond Hearthhollow’s western gate, watching the frost-pale road. The boarfolk patrolwoman grips her spear, the jackalfolk keeps his bow lowered, and the bearfolk steadies his shield.
A mud-covered young adult elf man stumbles from a narrow ravine beside the road. His torn treaty-blue tabard hangs from one shoulder, dark hair plastered to his face, and one hand clutches a half-burned order.
the courier
Do not wait for raiders on the road. They were ordered to bypass Hearthhollow and seize another target inside the settlement.
The courier drops to one knee, breath ragged. Wax clings to the charred parchment, bearing Caldris Vey’s three-pronged seal beneath soot and torn fibers.
the courier
I carried this from the western delegation route. Caldris’s men changed course before dawn, and the order names a target within Hearthhollow.
the boarfolk patrolwoman
Who is the target? Speak clearly, courier. Every breath now costs the settlement time.
The jackalfolk turns toward the gate while the bearfolk scans the ravine’s rim. Behind them, Hearthhollow’s bells remain silent, awaiting a warning that could send the raiders into panic.
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect Caldris’s intended target from the raiders
Director's notewhole tale
I send the patrol to warn after the courier tell them who's the target inside Hearthhollow, while I guard the ravine.
the courier
The target is Marra. Caldris’s order calls her the settlement’s binding authority and commands his men to take her alive before the delegation can protect her.
The courier raises the half-burned order toward the gate. Beneath soot and torn fibers, Caldris’s three-pronged seal remains visible beside Marra’s name.
Raedwulf
Warn Marra and the settlement. Caldris’s raiders are coming for her, and they must find Hearthhollow ready.
Raedwulf turns toward the gate, voice calm and steady as he gives the warning. The boarfolk patrolwoman, jackalfolk patrolman, and bearfolk patrolman immediately break from the road.
the boarfolk patrolwoman
We will reach Marra before the raiders do. Hold the ravine, and do not let their second route become an unseen entrance.
The three armed beastfolk hurry toward Hearthhollow, carrying the courier’s warning. Raedwulf remains with the kneeling messenger beside the ravine, watching the frost-rimed heights.
the courier
They changed course near the ashwood. If scouts find you here, the raiders will know their order has been exposed.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hold the ravine against the raiders
Director's notewhole tale
Raedwulf looks at the courier with a cold smug
“"Well then... Best I go find them first."”
FAILURE (Good Survival, rolled -1)
Director's notewhole tale
Raedwulf looks at the courier with a cold smug
“"Well then... Best I go find them first."”
SUCCESS (Good Survival, rolled +2)
Raedwulf
Then I will find them first.
Raedwulf leaves the courier beneath the ravine’s shelter and moves up the frost-rimed slope, following the faint horse tracks toward the ashwood.
Beyond the trees, six mounted raiders, all adult humans in dark riding cloaks and weather-stained armor, their faces shadowed beneath hooded helms wait beside a dry streambed. Their dark cloaks conceal weapons, but Caldris’s three-pronged marks show beneath their cuffs.
the courier
There they are. The order was real, and they are close enough to reach Hearthhollow before the next bell.
Raedwulf reaches the streambed’s upper edge unseen. Below, two scouts study Hearthhollow’s walls while the other riders prepare a narrow trail toward the settlement.
the lead raider
We take Marra alive. No fires, no disorder, and no warning reaches the delegation until she is in Caldris’s hands.
The raiders’ route, numbers, and purpose lie plainly before Raedwulf. Behind him, the courier remains concealed, while Hearthhollow’s warning bells begin to sound.
Director's note
Raedwulf leaves he's hiding spots and proceeds to calmly walk down the road, directly toward the six raiders. Hands in his pocket, shoulder relaxed. His posture is as non-threatening as possible
“"Greetings... Ummm, is this main road to Hearthhollow?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Raedwulf
Greetings... umm, is this the main road to Hearthhollow?
Raedwulf steps from the ashwood and walks calmly down the road toward the six raiders, hands in his pockets and shoulders relaxed. Frost crackles beneath his feet.
The movement draws every hooded face toward him. Behind the raiders, the dry streambed opens onto the narrow trail leading directly toward Hearthhollow’s walls.
the lead raider
It is. Keep walking and you will reach the settlement. State your name and business.
the lead raider
He approaches alone, but no traveler walks into six armed riders by accident. Is he warning us, or measuring the road?
The answer confirms the route, but the exchange costs Raedwulf his concealment. Two raiders shift toward the trail, while the lead rider watches him with open suspicion.
the lead raider
You chose a poor time to travel, stranger. Hearthhollow is under armed protection until further notice.
Director's note
Raedwulf talks calmy and nonchalant. As if he's talking to a stranger at a tavern
“"My name is Raed. I'm just a local hunter. I tend to stay out in wilderness for few or weeks. Sometimes a month is the game is good for a season." "Armed protection? " "When the hells they that happened?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Raedwulf
My name is Raed. I am a local hunter. I spend weeks, sometimes a month, in the wilderness when the season is good. Armed protection? When in the hells did that happen?
Raedwulf keeps walking with his hands in his pockets, posture loose and voice casual. The six raiders study him as an inconveniently ordinary traveler on their road.
the lead raider
Since before dawn. The settlement’s ward failed, and Caldris Vey’s men were ordered to secure Hearthhollow until the treaty delegation arrives.
the lead raider
A wilderness hunter would know the roads, but not speak like a man testing our orders. Keep him talking.
the lead raider
You have been away from the valley, then. That explains your ignorance. Turn aside toward the settlement, and you will pass safely under our protection.
Two raiders ease nearer the trail while the others remain by the dry streambed. Their answer confirms the false story: they intend to occupy Hearthhollow before the delegation can intervene.
the lead raider
Unless you have business inside Hearthhollow, hunter, keep to the road and do not make trouble. We have no wish to harm a local.
“"I see... Sorta. I tend to stay away from local politics. They tend to get in the way and just become meddling to simple folks like myself." "I'm come to check on my old aunt, a wolfkin name Sava."”
FAILURE (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -4)
“"I see... Sorta. I tend to stay away from local politics. They tend to get in the way and just become meddling to simple folks like myself." "I'm come to check on my old aunt, a wolfkin name Sava."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Raedwulf
I see. I tend to stay away from local politics. They meddle in simple folks’ lives. I’m here to check on my old aunt, Sava, a wolfkin.
Raedwulf keeps his hands in his pockets and his shoulders loose, speaking as casually as he might at a tavern. The raiders listen beneath their shadowed helms.
the lead raider
Sava? The wolfkin woman who keeps to Hearthhollow’s eastern terraces?
The lead raider’s suspicion eases. One of the men glances toward the settlement, where warning bells continue sounding, then looks back at Raedwulf.
the lead raider
You should have said so earlier. Family business is no concern of ours, provided you do not interfere with the protection order.
the lead raider
Take the lower path toward the east gate. Tell the sentries you are visiting Sava, and they will let you through. Caldris’s men have no quarrel with locals.
The raiders shift aside, opening the road toward Hearthhollow. Their attention returns to the settlement, satisfied that the harmless hunter has a reason to enter.
“"Oh? You know my Aunt Sava?" "That's new to me. She hardly opens to strangers."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Raedwulf
Oh? You know my aunt Sava? That is new to me. She hardly opens herself to strangers.
Raedwulf keeps his hands in his pockets and his shoulders loose. The raiders’ path remains open, though their attention settles on him again beneath their shadowed helms.
the lead raider
I know her because our scouts watched the eastern terraces before dawn. Sava confronted one of them and sent him back with a warning for Caldris.
the lead raider
She was not welcoming. She demanded our names, our authority, and the reason armed men were studying Hearthhollow’s approaches.
The lead raider glances toward the lower path, then back to Raedwulf. His guarded tone carries reluctant respect rather than familiarity.
the lead raider
We learned her name from the terrace sentry and from Caldris’s order. It identifies Sava as one of Marra’s trusted household voices.
the lead raider
If you are truly her nephew, hunter, go to her. She will tell you what our men were doing there, and why she expected trouble.