Stryker reaches an old forest path choked with roots and brown needles. An armed caravan guard, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with a graying beard and rust-red cloak, stands over a trembling young woman in a torn green dress, a slim woman with olive skin and a narrow, freckled face. Five armed travelers form a wary ring around them and a long, sealed bundle.
The Caravan Guard
There. The elf has arrived. Let him see what folly has brought us to this cursed road.
The guard plants one hand on his sword hilt, while the travelers tighten their circle. Beneath the oilskin wrappings, the artifact gives a faint blue pulse that stains every face with cold light.
The Caravan Guard
This object must be returned to the old shrine before its magic brings disaster. I gathered these people to stop the witch hunt from becoming a slaughter.
Mira Pell
Do not believe him. Garran started the hunt himself, and not for the reasons he claims. He wants what is sealed beneath those wrappings.
The young woman lifts her bound hands toward Stryker, her dark braid shaking. The guard snaps a command, but the travelers hesitate as another pulse rolls through the roots.
The Caravan Guard
Judge between us, elf, or intervene before the seal fails. Either way, choose quickly.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prevent violence among the caravan
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether Garran seeks the sealed magic
“"we must return the artifact, I will carry it myself, but release the woman”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +2)
Stryker
We must return the artifact. I will carry it myself, but release the woman.
Silence settles over the path. Stryker steps toward the sealed bundle, offering himself as its bearer while the armed travelers watch Garran for permission.
The Caravan Guard
You would shoulder its danger willingly? Then the bargain is fair. Cut her bonds.
Garran draws his knife and slices through the cords around the young woman's wrists. She rubs them, then rises unsteadily as the travelers part.
Mira Pell
My name is Mira Pell. I will remember that, elf. Do not let him guide you somewhere the shrine cannot see.
The oilskin bundle passes into Stryker's hands. Its cold blue pulse seeps through the wrappings, heavy with ancient magic, while the travelers lower their weapons.
The Caravan Guard
Then carry it, Stryker. We walk for the shrine at once, and Mira walks free.
Quest Complete
Prevent violence among the caravan
+ New Item Acquired
Sealed artifact
Director's note
I begin walking to the shrine
“"she said that you started the witch hunt, is this true garran?"”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +2)
Stryker
She said you started the witch hunt. Is that true, Garran?
The Caravan Guard
It is. I began it, but not to claim the relic. I needed its trail exposed before the ones behind it found us first.
Stryker turns toward the shrine and begins along the root-choked path, the sealed bundle held firmly against his chest. The armed travelers fall in behind him.
Mira Pell
Then why hide that from everyone? You let them believe I was the witch you hunted.
The Caravan Guard
Because fear moves faster than truth, and I needed the relic kept moving. The shrine is the only place its seal can be renewed.
Mira walks free at Stryker's left, rubbing her wrists. Garran follows at the rear, watching the trees while the bundle's blue pulse marks each silent step toward the shrine.
Quest Complete
Learn whether Garran seeks the sealed magic
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great