Arcane shadows rush across Erouno's icebound form, threading through the lawful chain until every red sigil closes. He remains secured within the standing-stone custody ring.
Elaris
Vast stranger, I ask for a private audience before I leave him here. Another danger threatens my people, and I need your aid.
Elaris leads the Devil away from the den and its silent witnesses. Erouno stays behind, contained beneath the stones while the escaped creatures keep their distance.
They reach a fortified base carved into coastal mountain caves, where sea wind moves through torchlit passages and broad roosts open above the cliffs.
An exhausted young adult woman rider with wind-burned cheeks, braided dark hair, and a blue-gray scaled coat steps forward, one winged saddle beside her.
The Senior Rider
Every week, airborne dragons and lesser beasts raid our roosts. We repel them, but the attacks grow closer to the inner caves.
Elaris
Their testimony names a titan red dragon posing as the true matriarch. Will you help us before the next assault reaches this stronghold?
✓ Quest Accepted
Stop the raids on the dragon riders
“I will help”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
The Devil
I will help.
The Devil's quiet assent settles beneath the mountain's torchlight. Sea wind moves through his vast horns and scorched robe as the caves seem to listen.
Elaris
Then we stand together. I will protect my people while you confront the false matriarch and the force gathering behind her raids.
The Senior Rider
Our scouts have mapped the attack paths. The titan red dragon nests beyond the western cliffs, where the old watchtowers can still see the sea.
The senior rider unrolls a hide map across a stone table. Red marks circle the roosts, while black claw-shaped symbols gather around the western headland.
The Senior Rider
We will provide wings, guides, and a clear route through the cliffs. If you break the impostor's claim, our defenders can hold the caves.
Elaris
His answer is given. Whatever waits beyond the cliffs, this time my people will not face it alone.
✓ Quest Accepted
Confront the false matriarch
“If you have a large sturdy enough dragon to tag team with me, i can get close and strike her”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
The Devil
If you have a large, sturdy dragon, can one team with me so I can get close to the false matriarch?
The Senior Rider
We have one who can bear your weight and withstand a titan's wake. She is our strongest sky-guardian.
From a high roost, a massive adult blue-gray dragoness lowers her horned head into the torchlight. Her plated shoulders are broad, her wings scarred, and an iron ring circles one foreleg.
The Senior Rider
Her name is Vaelith. She has carried wounded riders through firestorms and knows the western cliffs better than any scout.
Vaelith
I will carry you beneath the matriarch's notice, vast one. When you call for the approach, I will hold steady.
Elaris
That pairing gives us a direct path. Vaelith can draw the false queen's attention while you reach her guarded side.
Vaelith folds her wings and crouches beside the roost ledge, presenting her armored back. Beyond the caves, western watchfires kindle along the cliffs, marking the route to the titan dragon's nest.
“I bow nod to her respectfully and contact her using telepath. I tell her i could ride along her, disguised as a normal rider”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -3)
The Devil bows and nods respectfully toward Vaelith. He reaches across the short space between them with disciplined telepathy, careful not to press against her mind.
The Devil
I could ride along with you, disguised as a normal rider, and approach the false matriarch without revealing what I am.
Vaelith
His presence is immense, yet the message arrives controlled. He asks rather than claiming my back.
The contact succeeds, but holding his vast mind behind an ordinary rider's shape leaves the Devil's composure visibly taut. His assent to the disguise hangs in a moment of strained silence.
Vaelith
I accept. Take the form of a rider, and I will carry you beneath the matriarch's notice. Do not break concealment until you command the approach.
Elaris
That will bring you close without announcing your strength. Vaelith knows the cliffs, and your hidden presence may reach the false queen's guarded side.
Vaelith lowers her neck and shifts one wing aside, making room along her armored back. Beyond her, the western watchfires burn steadily beneath the darkening sky.