The defeated troll lies unconscious in the wet grass, mist veiling his hulking shape. Gwendolyn keeps her bow readied beside the open northern trail, while Buttercup remains hidden among the reeds.
Footsteps hurry from the direction of Bree, stumbling over stones and dead grass. A disheveled man emerges through the gray, stopping short when he sees the fallen troll.
Bill Ferny
Keep that bow pointed elsewhere, ranger. I have no quarrel with you, and I have seen what happened to the Chumwells.
Bill Ferny raises both hands, breath sawing in his chest. His wary eyes flick from Gwendolyn to the troll, then toward the northern trail.
Bill Ferny
The trolls carried Rufus, Lacy, Hildie, and Bodkin away from Staddle. I followed until I nearly ran into the others, then came back.
Bill Ferny
There is a shorter route through the woods, cutting toward the old ruins. I can lead you, but those creatures will hear us if we blunder after them.
Beyond Bill, the trail disappears into gathering mist and darkening trees. Behind Gwendolyn, the road toward Bree remains empty, while Buttercup watches silently from concealment.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find the lost ranger
✓ Quest Accepted
Assess the situation
“She brings her sword down on the fallen troll's neck.”
SUCCESS (Good Melee Weapons, rolled -2)
Gwendolyn steps through the mist and brings her sword down upon the unconscious troll’s neck. The blow ends his threat, but the blade bites into the earth beneath him.
The impact rings across the road, startling birds from the hedges. Gwendolyn’s bruised fingers jolt around the hilt, and the sword’s edge emerges visibly nicked.
Bill Ferny
Mercy preserve us, ranger. You said nothing of killing him.
Bill lowers his hands only slightly, his face paling as he looks toward the northern trail. From the trees beyond, a distant crash answers the sword’s ringing blow.
Bill Ferny
That will bring the others faster. If we mean to reach the Chumwells first, we must take the woodland route now.
Buttercup slips from the reeds and pads to Gwendolyn’s side, staring toward the old ruins. Bill turns into the misty woods, waiting for her to follow.
“"You're Bill Ferny, aren't you? You won't deceive me talking about the Chumwells. I know what happened to them. Begone, or I'll shoot you too." She holds up the ranger's token for Buttercup to sniff and then follows where she leads her.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Gwendolyn
You're Bill Ferny, aren't you? You won't deceive me talking about the Chumwells. I know what happened to them. Begone, or I'll shoot you too.
Bill’s raised hands lift higher. His gaze darts to the ranger’s token, then back to Gwendolyn’s bow, while the distant crashes fade among the trees.
Bill Ferny
Aye, I’m Bill Ferny. I’ve no wish to test that bow. Take the woodland path, then, but do not blame me when the ruins answer.
Gwendolyn holds Heldric’s token beneath Buttercup’s nose. The wolfhound sniffs it, nudges her hand, and turns decisively toward the mist-dark woods.
Bill Ferny
The dog knows the trail, does she? Fine. I’ll keep out of your way. The Chumwells were dragged toward the old ruins.
Bill steps aside and retreats toward the road, watching warily. Buttercup slips between the trees, and Gwendolyn follows her beneath dripping branches.
The woodland closes around them, muffling Bree behind a curtain of mist. Ahead, broken stones and ancient shadows gather where the old ruins wait.
“Gwendolyn is not expecting to see any Chumwells. She knows what happened after they were dragged into the ruins. But the ranger might still be alive, or if not, she needs to find him anyway.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Gwendolyn follows Buttercup beneath dripping branches and enters the old ruins. Fallen stones choke the courtyard, and enormous tracks lead between shattered walls.
Gwendolyn
The Chumwells are gone. Heldric may still be here.
Buttercup lowers her nose and threads through nettles toward a collapsed arch. Beneath its shadow, a torn ranger’s cloak catches on the stones.
Heldric
Gwendolyn? By the stars, I knew that hound would find someone.
Heldric lies pinned beneath fallen masonry, pale and battered but breathing. His marked token is absent from his neck, yet his eyes remain clear.
Heldric
The Chumwells were taken deeper into the ruins. I could not follow. Three trolls guard the lower chambers, and one carries a torch.
Buttercup presses against Gwendolyn’s leg as dust sifts from the broken arch. Beyond Heldric, a stair descends into darkness, bearing fresh troll tracks.
Quest Complete
Find Heldric
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great
Quest Complete
Assess the situation
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb
Quest Complete
Find the lost ranger
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary