Kerson and Patch travel south beneath thinning forest, the recovered provisions secured between them. Behind, the bandit hollow disappears beneath firs and fading smoke.
Patch
You know, Kerson, most men would call this a successful day and stop seeking trouble. You keep walking toward it.
Around the next bend, the road opens onto a trampled clearing. An Orc warband stands beside a captured supply wagon, its prisoners bound beneath a torn crimson banner.
The orcs notice the travelers and turn toward them. Among the captives, Moxxi Dra'Kane lifts her concealed face sharply, recognizing Kerson before the others understand why.
Patch
Orcs ahead. Prisoners in the wagon. And unless my eyes deceive me, one of them knows you.
Moxxi’s red hands remain bound before her, but her posture is controlled rather than defeated. Her hidden gaze stays fixed on Kerson as an armored orc steps into the road.
Orc Warband
Travelers. Halt there. State your names and business, before the road decides for you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the orc warband
✓ Quest Accepted
Free Moxxi Dra'Kane
Director's note
Before kerson can try to sneak past the Orcs Moxxi begs for Kerson's help
“"I am Kerson, a traveler going south." you murmur calmly.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +3)
Kerson
I am Kerson, a traveler going south.
Kerson’s calm answer carries across the clearing. The armored orc studies his scar, then shifts aside, leaving the road open rather than ordering an immediate attack.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
Kerson, please. Help us. They seized the wagon and bound everyone. I know you can get us free.
Moxxi lifts her bound hands as far as the ropes allow. The other prisoners watch her, then turn toward Kerson with sudden, fragile hope.
Patch
That sounds like trouble seeking you by name. Still, the road is open, and the prisoners are worth more than whatever is in the wagon.
Orc Warband
Kerson, then. Your name has weight, but not enough to command this road. State whether you pass alone or speak for the captives.
The orc lowers his weapon a fraction, impressed despite himself. His gesture reveals a clear path between the warband and the wagon, while Moxxi waits for Kerson’s answer.
“sigh as you turn to the Orc. "Very well, I challenge whoever claims to be your leader to single combat, for the right to pass by unopposed and to free those I would take with me." you declare loudly in an intimidating manner.”
FAILURE (Fair Intimidation, rolled +0)
Kerson
Very well. I challenge whoever claims to be your leader to single combat, for the right to pass unopposed and free those I take with me.
Kerson’s declaration cuts across the clearing. He turns the challenge toward the armored orc with deliberate menace, while Patch shifts her weight and watches every spear.
Orc Warband
You mistake a road captain for the one who commands this warband. I will not wager prisoners on your pride, human.
The orcs tighten around the wagon instead of yielding. Two raise spears toward Kerson, while the captain points to a scarred iron ring fixed beneath the wagon’s front rail.
Orc Warband
But I will answer steel with steel. Defeat me, and I open that ring. The prisoners may choose whether to follow you. Lose, and your weapons join our spoils.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
Kerson, the ring holds the wagon’s chain. I saw the captain keep its key beneath his belt. If you win, free the others first.
The challenge has not won passage or freedom, but it has narrowed the warband’s demand to a single combat and revealed the key’s location. The captain steps into the open.
“"I accept these terms." you murmur as you draw your Assassin's blade and stare down the Orc, waiting for him to draw his weapon to fight.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Kerson
I accept these terms.
Kerson murmurs the words and draws his Assassin's blade. Its dark edge catches the clearing’s pale light as he fixes the armored orc with a steady stare.
The warband falls silent around the wagon. Patch shifts toward the prisoners’ side, watching the spears while Moxxi keeps her bound hands raised and her attention on Kerson.
Orc Warband
So be it. Let steel judge whether your name deserves its weight.
The captain unhooks a broad, single-edged sword from his belt and draws it with both hands. The key remains fastened beneath his belt, plainly visible.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
Remember the ring, Kerson. Win, then take the key before they can interfere.
The armored orc advances into the open ground, boots grinding over trampled earth. Kerson stands ready opposite him, blade low, while the warband forms a watching circle.
“move forward, ducking underneath the Orc's swing before you stab your blade into his unarmored neck.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +2)
The orc captain swings his broad sword in a hard horizontal arc. Kerson moves forward and ducks beneath it, the blade cutting empty air above his head.
Kerson rises inside the captain’s reach and drives his Assassin’s blade into the unarmored gap at the orc’s neck. The captain stiffens, then collapses.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
The captain is down. Kerson, the key. Free the prisoners before the warband regains its courage.
The watching orcs recoil from their fallen leader. Kerson steps to the body, removes the key from beneath the belt, and turns toward the wagon’s iron ring.
Orc Warband
Hold your spears. The challenge was witnessed, and the human won. Let him take the key.
Patch reaches the prisoners’ side as Kerson unlocks the ring. The chain drops from the wagon with a heavy clatter, and the captives pull free of its restraint.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
You came when I called. I will not forget it, Kerson. Now we must decide whether these orcs retreat or demand another blood-price.
Quest Complete
Free Moxxi Dra'Kane
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Fair→Good
+ New Item Acquired
Wagon key
“use the wagon key to unlock the rest of the prisoners chains.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Kerson crosses to the wagon’s remaining restraints, the iron key cold in his hand. Bound prisoners watch him closely as the orcs hold their spears at rest.
He fits the key into the first lock and turns it. The shackle opens with a dull click, freeing an exhausted dwarf from the wagon’s side rail.
Kerson works down the line, unlocking each chain in turn. Iron falls against the wagon boards, and the prisoners gather their freed hands beneath the torn crimson banner.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
There. Every prisoner is free. Keep close, everyone, and do not give the warband a reason to mistake fear for defiance.
Patch guides the freed captives away from the wagon while Kerson checks the last lock. The key turns cleanly, and the final chain drops into the trampled earth.
Orc Warband
The human won his wager and opened the chains. We will not spill more blood for a captain who broke the terms.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
You gave us our freedom, Kerson. Now choose whether we leave quietly, or make certain these prisoners reach safety before we part.
“"Moxxi, if you wish us to escort the people safely than say so. I am not opposed to it provided you are with us." you say calmly as you meet her gaze patiently.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled +1)
Kerson
Moxxi, if you wish us to escort these people safely, say so. I am not opposed, provided you are with us.
Kerson meets Moxxi’s gaze patiently. Around them, the freed prisoners gather their scattered belongings, while the orcs remain watchful beside the wagon.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
I do wish it, Kerson, but I cannot leave them to follow you. They need someone who knows the river roads, and that must be me.
Her answer turns the proposed escort aside. Moxxi steps among the prisoners instead, taking charge of their packs and keeping the frightened group together beneath the torn banner.
Patch
Then we are not escorting them with us. We are choosing whether to escort them alongside her, which is a different bargain.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
There is a safer route east through the alder marshes. It reaches the river settlement before dusk, and I can lead them there without crossing the main road.
The path offers a usable alternative, but Moxxi’s condition is clear: the prisoners stay under her direction. The freed dwarf looks toward Kerson, waiting to see whether he will join them.
Director's notewhole tale
Patch teases Moxxi about seducing Kerson before Patch could do it, that must be why you are listening to Moxxi according to Patch.
“"Then we will join you." you decide calmly as you follow along.”
Kerson
Then we will join you. You decide calmly as you follow along.
Kerson steps toward Moxxi and the freed prisoners, accepting the alder marsh route without hesitation. Patch falls in beside him, while the orcs remain by their wagon.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
Thank you, Kerson. Stay near the rear of the group, where the road watchers will have the least chance to trouble us.
Patch
Well, well. Moxxi must have seduced you before I could manage it. That is surely why you are listening to her now.
Moxxi Dra'Kane
Do not mind her. I am asking for his skill, not claiming anything else. These people need to reach the river safely.
The freed dwarf gathers the others beneath the torn banner. Moxxi leads them east, and Kerson and Patch take position alongside the moving column.
Patch
Come along, Kerson. Let us see whether her safer route earns all this confidence before sunset.
Quest Complete
Get past the orc warband
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Good→Great