The iron-studded gates of the hold creak open, finally admitting the cool, damp breath of the morning mist. Harold Blackhoof limps into the courtyard, the cobblestones beneath his hooves slick with a mixture of rain and residual grime.
Ollisir the Silent
The perimeter is silent, Harold. We have rooted out the last of the interlopers. The Brass Shield is ours again, though she bears the scars of the struggle.
Harold Blackhoof
The banner still flies. My ribs burn with every ragged intake of air, but the eggs are safe and the hold stands. Three years of blood and grit... it has to be enough for one more day.
Yuz
Captain, the men are exhausted. We have lost good souls tonight, and the granary is compromised. How shall we proceed with the wounded?
Harold Blackhoof
Triage them in the infirmary, Yuz. Ollisir, bring the remaining crew to the central courtyard. We hold a short vigil for the fallen, then we begin the repairs. The dawn wait for no one, and neither does the Wildthorn.
Ollisir the Silent
He remains as stubborn as the mountain stone. I hope he realizes that even stone crumbles if it is not allowed to rest.
+ Scene Quest Added
Repair the granary and infirmary
“I ask ollisir if for a short time he can lead the repairs? I tell him i must send a letter to the order as soon as i can”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Harold Blackhoof
Ollisir, take command of the repair efforts. You know these stones better than anyone.
Harold Blackhoof
My quill and parchment are waiting. The order needs to know the reality of this position. A formal report must go out before the tide turns again.
Ollisir the Silent
The repairs will be handled, Harold. But do not stay buried in your ink for long. The men look to you, not just the report.
Ollisir gestures toward the splintered gates, his drow eyes scanning the mist for any sign of returning shadows.
Yuz
Captain, what of the coastal route? If the pirates caught wind of the fighting, they might try to land their skiff under cover of this fog.
Harold Blackhoof
Yuz is right. Every moment spent at the desk is a moment the coast goes unpatrolled.
+ Story Quest Added
Send a formal report to the Wildthorn order
+ New Item Acquired
Pirate musket pistol
+ New Item Acquired
Heavy leather bag
“I ask ollisir if he thinks the pirates will press us”
SUCCESS (Great War tactics, rolled -2)
Harold Blackhoof
Ollisir, tell me true. Based on the chaos we just weathered, do you believe the pirates are brazen enough to press our gates while we are still mending?
Ollisir the Silent
They are vultures, Harold. They watch the horizon for the first sign of a limp. If they saw the fighting, they know our strength is frayed.
Ollisir the Silent
The fog is their ally. It masks their approach and swallows the sound of oars against the surf.
Harold Blackhoof
My war tactics serve me well, but intuition is the real blade here. If they commit to a landing, they expect us to be sheltering our wounded, not mounting a defense.
Harold grips the pommel of his blade, the cold iron biting into his palm as the wind shifts, carrying the faint, salty scent of the sea.
Yuz
Captain, I have archers on the western rampart, but we lack eyes on the shoreline. Should I pull men from the repairs to man the cliffs?
“I tell him yes”
SUCCESS (Great War tactics, rolled +2)
Harold Blackhoof
Yes, Yuz. Pull them now. If we lose the high ground of the cliffs, we lose the ability to see the daggers before they are at our throats.
Yuz
Moving to it, Captain. I will have them take position before the fog eats the path entirely.
Harold Blackhoof
The fog is not just weather. It is a shroud designed to hide their movements. I need to make them regret the attempt.
Harold signals the retreat from the repairs, his movements steady despite the fatigue pulling at his heavy frame.
Harold Blackhoof
Ollisir, you know the cliffside crags better than anyone. Meet me at the overlook. We will turn their own cloak of mist into a trap.
Ollisir the Silent
Gladly, Harold. I have been waiting for them to walk into the dark.
Quest Complete
Repair the granary and infirmary
Skill Upgrade: War tactics Great→Superb