Inside the concealed roots, the old hermit settles beside a low ember-bowl. Sophia Honorforge, a short, sturdy dwarf woman with limestone-pale skin and a wavy light-brown ponytail, listens grimly. The unconscious enforcer remains bound near the passage.
the old hermit
A year ago, we believed Heliovera was ready to rise. We had blades, hidden allies, and names whispered from village to village.
the old hermit
Charles Vane's forces found us before dawn. They dragged every rebel from their beds, marched us beneath his banners, and executed us where the city could watch.
Sophia Honorforge
They call slaughter order when the king gives it a name.
The hermit's voice falters over the old grief. Then a tiny young fairy woman bursts through a root-crack, her translucent wings beating wildly around a green cloak and tear-streaked face.
the fairy
Please, help us! Vane's men are seizing my people and taking them to a fairy dust farm. They are carrying them away now!
the old hermit
Slow down, child. How many are taken, and where is this farm? Lady, Sophia, we need to decide quickly.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover the location of the fairy dust farm
✓ Quest Accepted
Rescue the captured fairy people
“*Lady perks up* "A Fairy dust farm you say... is this farm located in Riverfell Village, perchance?"”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Reasoning, rolled +3)
Lady perks up, her ears angling toward the tiny fairy as the ember-bowl paints restless gold across her scarred face.
Lady
A fairy dust farm, you say... is this farm located in Riverfell Village, perchance?
the fairy
Yes! Riverfell Village, beyond the eastern bridge. They took my people there before the sun rose.
The fairy wrings her green cloak between trembling fingers. Her wings beat harder, stirring ash from the ember-bowl into the cramped air.
Sophia Honorforge
Riverfell is three days by the old road, less if we cut through the marsh. Vane's men will have guards posted.
the old hermit
Then the farm is confirmed. We cannot abandon the hideout, but neither can we leave those captives to the king.
the fairy
Please. They are being forced to harvest their own dust. If you hurry, some may still be alive.
Quest Complete
Discover the location of the fairy dust farm
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Mediocre→Fair