Rachel confirms Traver remains stable through the night, though he needs continued rest and observation. She stays with him in Rostrum’s infirmary while Captain Gallahar handles the custody dispute.
Belron, Alena, and Ezuri leave through Rostrum’s western gate beneath a pale morning sky. The city walls recede behind them, carrying the healer, the wounded soldier, and unresolved politics out of sight.
Ezuri
Try not to look so serious, handsome. The shrine may be ancient, but I intend for our journey to remain enjoyable.
Beyond the walls, the road narrows beneath ancient trees whose branches knit overhead. Frost clings to roots and fallen leaves, while Ezuri’s map rustles in the cool wind.
Alena Knight
The surviving trail signs point east, but the map says west. Are you certain this is the road to the shrine, Ezuri?
Ezuri
Certain of the old route, yes. Certain the forest has been polite enough to preserve it, no. We have reached the fork where the map stops telling the whole truth.
Two overgrown paths divide beneath the trees. One bears a weathered elven marker half-buried in moss; the other shows fresher tracks leading into deeper shadow as Ezuri waits for the party’s judgment.
“"It is an elvish shrine, we should follow the path with the elvish marker."”
SUCCESS (Good Survival, rolled +2)
Belron kneels beside the moss-covered elven marker, clearing leaves from its carved crescent. The worn groove points toward the western path, while the fresher tracks vanish into darker woodland.
Alena Knight
Then the marker settles it. We follow the path the elves left for those who know how to read it.
Ezuri
A sensible choice, handsome. I was hoping you would trust the old stones over my rather questionable map.
Belron leads them along the marked trail. Beneath the tangled branches, half-buried stones emerge one by one, each carved with the same crescent and curling leaf.
The forest opens into a sheltered hollow where pale pillars rise around a clear spring. Beyond them stands the ancient elvish shrine, its green doors intact beneath curtains of ivy.
Ezuri
There it is. Older than Rostrum, just as I promised. And you found it without letting my map embarrass us further.
Alena Knight
You chose well, Belron. Let us see what this place has preserved for us.
Discover what the shrine preserves
Quest Complete
Find the lost woodland shrine
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Great→Superb