Kynd rests beside a low fire, his travel gear gathered within reach. Beyond the firelight, five bandits emerge from the darkness, weapons drawn, their boots closing a ring around the camp.
Bandits
Money, traveler. Toss it out, and no one needs to make this difficult.
A broad-shouldered bandit, a middle-aged man with weathered tan skin, cropped black hair, and a crooked nose, in a patched brown coat steps nearest, keeping a short sword angled toward Kynd while his free hand reaches for the bundled gear.
Bandit 1
Easy now. The pack first.
Firelight catches the others: one with a hooked axe, two with knives, and a woman holding a bow low but ready. Their circle tightens around the sleeping ground.
The reaching hand closes around the strap of Kynd's travel gear. The fire snaps sharply, throwing cold shadows across his glowing scales and the silver hilt at his side.
✓ Quest Accepted
Take down the bandits
“*Kynd simply slashes at the Bandits to get some room, he prepares for combat*”
Hit for 1 damage — Bandit 1 struck back for 6 damage
Kynd tears the blade across the broad-shouldered bandit's coat and flesh, forcing him back from the gear. The cut is shallow, but blood darkens the patched brown fabric.
Bandit 1
You cursed frost-blood!
The broad-shouldered bandit recoils, then surges in with his short sword. Kynd twists aside, but the blade catches him hard, driving pain through his winter robes.
Kynd remains upright, one hand tightening around his weapon as his breath clouds the firelight. His glowing scales brighten against the surrounding dark.
Bandits
Hold him there! Don't let him reach the road!
The ring shudders but does not break. The axe wielder shifts left, the knife carriers close ranks, and the bowwoman raises her weapon while Kynd prepares to fight through them.
Kynd
The sword arm is hurt, but still moving.
“*He casts a frost storm, to freeze the bandits in place*”
SUCCESS (Superb Arcana, rolled +0)
Kynd plants his boots beside the fire and draws the cold through his breath. Frost races from his glowing scales into the dark, gathering above the bandits in a roaring white spiral.
The storm breaks. Snow and ice lash the ring, sheathing weapons, boots, and patched coats in glittering layers as the five outlaws lock rigidly in place.
Bandits
Hold... hold your ground!
The broad-shouldered bandit remains frozen with his short sword raised, his wounded arm trapped halfway through the attack. His breath stops in a pale crystal plume.
The axe wielder, the two knife carriers, and the bowwoman stand immobilized around the camp, their faces stark beneath the ice. The road beyond them lies open.
Kynd
The storm holds them fast.
Snow settles over the silent ring. Kynd's fire burns steadily beneath the frost, while his travel gear remains within reach and the ambush has become a frozen tableau.
“"I suppose it only right that I end you here" *He draws his sword, imbuing the element of cold into it. He goes for the finishing blow*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +0)
Kynd
I suppose it is only right that I end you here.
Kynd draws his silver katana. Cold pours along the blade, frosting its edge until blue-white light glimmers through the falling snow.
His injured sword arm protests as he steps through the firelight, but the strike remains swift and exact. The frozen ring cannot move.
The cold-forged blade passes through the broad-shouldered bandit's guard and ends his life cleanly. Ice fractures from the fallen outlaw's coat as he sinks beside the fire.
The remaining bandits stay locked in their icy prison, weapons raised and faces stunned beneath crystal. None can pursue Kynd or reach for his gear.
The storm slackens around the camp. Beyond the silent survivors, the road lies open beneath the snow, and the fire continues to burn.
Kynd
The road is clear.
Quest Complete
Take down the bandits
Skill Upgrade: Arcana Superb→Legendary