The eastern deer track descends from the pines onto a muddy king’s road. Ahead, a palisaded camp bears the royal sunburst, its watchfires burning low in the morning mist.
Four royal soldiers step from the gatehouse and lower their spears. A scarred middle-aged man, broad-shouldered, with close-cropped iron-gray hair and a battered leather cuirass beneath his cloak, in a weathered red cloak advances before them, one pale line crossing his cheek.
Vaelith keeps the three eggs’ glow veiled beneath her coils. Runty still carries the warm luminous egg, while Mara and Oren stand ready beside him.
Sergeant Halvek
Stop there. Names and purpose, before anyone comes closer to the camp.
Behind the sergeant, a map board displays fresh patrol marks around the mountain. One royal outpost near the siphon’s outer slope is circled twice, its last report absent.
Mara
We seek lawful help. The mountain’s covenant is threatened, and one of your outposts has gone silent.
Sergeant Halvek
Then you know something about that silence. Tell me who carries the light, and why the dragon travels with you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain guarded assistance from the royal camp
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn what happened to the silent royal outpost
“I say, "I am the one that is carrying the light and the one that convinced my lady Vaelith to come with us. We are being pursued by dragon hunter in seek of what they believe is a dragon's treasure."”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Runty
I carry the light, and I convinced my lady Vaelith to come with us. Dragon hunters pursue us, seeking what they believe is a dragon’s treasure.
Runty’s words meet the sergeant’s suspicion plainly. Racial Prejudice makes the orc’s claim costly to hear, but Passwise Judgment keeps his account aligned with the visible egg, Vaelith’s guarded presence, and the marked mountain patrols.
Sergeant Halvek
I am Sergeant Halvek. I believe you know why the outpost vanished, and I believe hunters are involved. That belief does not make you trusted.
Halvek lowers his spear by a fraction. Behind him, the four royal soldiers keep formation, while the circled outpost on the map turns Runty’s warning into an official concern.
Sergeant Halvek
You and your company may enter under royal protection. The cost is watchfulness: weapons stay sheathed, the dragon remains under guard, and you answer every question inside.
The gate opens, granting the lawful shelter Runty sought, but Halvek’s suspicion becomes the company’s price. Royal soldiers step aside without relaxing their grip on the spears.
Quest Complete
Gain guarded assistance from the royal camp
“We walk in the camp. I say, " Oren and Mara, you guys go look for some place for us to get breakfast in this camp. I wish to have a private word with Lady Vaelith."”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Runty
Oren and Mara, go find us breakfast in the camp. I wish to have a private word with Lady Vaelith.
Runty walks through the gate with his company. Racial Prejudice makes his request sound presumptuous to Halvek, but Passwise Judgment keeps its purpose clear: food for the travelers, and a private protective counsel with Vaelith.
Sergeant Halvek
Mara and Oren may seek the breakfast stores. You and Vaelith will speak in the command shelter, with my soldiers outside. Private from your companions, not from royal protection.
Halvek grants the separation, but his terms place the company under formal scrutiny. The cost is plain: Runty’s word has earned shelter, not trust, and every private answer will become part of the sergeant’s report.
Mara
We will find food and return quickly. Keep the conversation focused, Runty. The camp is listening even when it pretends not to.
Oren Vale
I’ll stay with Mara and keep our route through the camp lawful. We’ll bring back enough for everyone.
Mara and Oren head toward the camp kitchens while Halvek leads Runty and Vaelith into a canvas command shelter. Royal soldiers remain outside, and the flap falls closed behind the three of them.