Warm smoke rolls under the beams of the Settlers guild common room in East Orangol. Roasted meat spits on the hearth, ale foams in rough cups, and a bundle of lake-cold rain clings to boots by the door. Hansel, a halfling with red cheeks and a braying laugh, pounds the table while Broderick leans back with a victor’s grin. Young Lupus watches them both, hungry-eyed and careful.
The room does not notice Liza Honeycrumb at first, then her silhouette fills the doorway, and the laughter thins to a wary hush. A few guild hands glance up, remembering the fear her name carries on these streets.
Hansel
Well, saints preserve us, the room goes quiet. Either we’ve a ghost, or Liza Honeycrumb has come for her share.
Broderick
Keep your coin close, Hansel. She does not look like she came for supper.
Lupus
If she is here for work, I should speak first. If she is here to warn us, I should listen.
Broderick’s hand slides nearer to his purse. Hansel’s grin falters, but he keeps his chin high. Lupus straightens in his seat, trying to look older than he is, trying to look useful.
Lupus
You’ve chosen a loud room, Liza Honeycrumb. Is this business, or trouble?
Behind them, the hearth pops. Outside, wind scrapes cold off the lake and rattles the shutters. All three men wait on her next move.
✓ Quest Accepted
Win the guild members' respect
“News is coming from the west of an invading guild. Im here to form an alliance. Stronger together we may supplant there efforts.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
Liza Honeycrumb
News comes from the west, an invading guild is moving. I come to form an alliance. Together, we can push back their efforts.
The words settle over the tables like ash. Hansel stops smiling. Broderick’s cup hovers halfway to his mouth. Lupus’s eyes sharpen, not on the danger, but on the opening it makes.
Hansel
An alliance, from you? Saints, that is not the offer I expected tonight.
Broderick
Speak plain. If the west is sniffing here, we need more than rumor and bravado.
Liza’s name hangs in the smoke with heavier weight than before. Hansel studies her hand, the dagger, the stillness in her stance. Broderick does the same, and his grin thins into respect he does not quite enjoy giving.
Lupus
If the west comes organized, then we need someone who can cut through organization. Someone they fear.
No one laughs at that. Hansel gives a small, reluctant nod, and Broderick taps the table once, already thinking past caution to strategy.
Broderick
Then sit, Liza Honeycrumb. Tell us what you know, and whether the west has reason to fear your shadow as much as you claim.
Quest Complete
Win the guild members' respect