Lucien descends from the observatory with the heart-star’s shard glowing in his palm. At the hidden sunward gate, Raven and Teren wait beneath the crescent arch while Maelis remains behind to guard the hospice.
The gate unfolds into a narrow road winding through black pines. Far below, distant golden light gathers beyond the trees, promising Pelor’s temple and safer ground.
Raven
The shard has chosen its road. Let us descend before the hunters find another way through the mountain.
A figure stumbles from the pines before they can pass. The pilgrim’s robes are torn, and one hand presses a hastily bound wound as he catches himself against the gatepost.
Wounded Pilgrim
Do not take the lower pass. Shar’s agents have sealed it with shadow and iron. They watch every traveler who comes down from the hospice.
Teren
Then the sunward road is already contested. We must learn whether another path remains before darkness gathers.
Behind them, the gate’s silver hinges begin to close. Ahead, black pines conceal the descending road, while the shard’s radiance points steadily toward the distant gold.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure safe passage to Pelor's temple
“teren treat him please”
SUCCESS (Great Magic, rolled -2)
Lucien Draken
Teren, treat him, please.
Teren kneels beside the wounded pilgrim and opens his satchel. He cuts away the blood-darkened binding, cleans the wound with moon-distilled water, and packs it with silverleaf balm.
Teren
Hold still. This will close the wound, but the balm is the last of my prepared supply.
The pilgrim grips the gatepost while Teren works. The wound seals enough for travel, though the treatment consumes the satchel’s only strong healing salve.
Wounded Pilgrim
You have my thanks. I can stand now, and I know a hidden trail through the pines, away from the lower pass.
Teren rises, wiping silver balm from his hands. The healing has made no more than a muted rustle, but the gate’s closing hinges groan loudly behind them.
Raven
Then we move together. Keep the pilgrim between us, and let the shard lead us through the trees.
“Let's go hurry”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Lucien Draken
Let’s go. Hurry.
Lucien leads the group onto the hidden pine trail, keeping Raven close as the heart-star shard casts a steady gold-white path between the trunks.
Raven
I am with you. The trail bends east, away from the watchers on the lower pass.
They move swiftly through resin-scented darkness. Teren supports the wounded pilgrim over roots and stones, while Raven matches Lucien’s pace without faltering.
Wounded Pilgrim
There, beyond those leaning pines. The hidden trail joins an old sun-road beneath the ridge.
The party reaches the concealed sun-road as the hospice gate vanishes behind the trees. No horn follows, and the distant golden radiance grows brighter ahead.
Teren
We are clear of the lower pass. Pelor’s temple lies beyond the ridge, and we have reached the road unseen.
Quest Complete
Secure safe passage to Pelor's temple
Skill Upgrade: Magic Great→Superb