At the hollow's edge, a mud-spattered young human woman, slim with a narrow freckled face, chestnut braid, and a dark green tunic beneath her brown cloak steps between dripping thorns. Her brown courier's cloak hangs torn at one shoulder, and both empty hands rise above it.
Sella Reedcloak
Do not loose a spell or blade. I heard the escape and came to warn you. My name is Sella Reedcloak.
The pinned kobold stiffens beside the mossy root, clutching his satchel. His amber eyes fix on the courier while rain threads down his blunt snout.
Pip
I know that voice from the road. I cannot tell if she warned the bandits, or fought them.
Sella Reedcloak
The ambush was meant for someone carrying a holy relic. I tore this from one of them when I ran.
She lowers one hand only far enough to display a ragged strip of dark cloth, stitched with a faded red chevron. No weapon, purse, or other gear shows beneath her cloak.
Sella Reedcloak
If that relic is yours, courier's honor says I should help you keep it from their hands. If it is not, you should still leave before they search this hollow.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a safe route away from the search
“{Glancing back to ensure the bandits are not following, Ekko levels a steady gaze on the newcomer, arms crossing.} I can't say I am familiar with any such relic, but how queer for you to have fought them while empty handed. Perhaps if you truly mean well, you can distract the bandits should they come this way, while me and this darling pet of a kobold follow the path and turn left at the nearby crossing. Ah, I suppose I should ask- Kobold, what ever is your name?”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled +2)
Rose Thornweald
I cannot say I am familiar with any such relic, but how queer that you fought them empty-handed. If you mean well, distract the bandits should they come this way while my darling kobold and I take the path left at the crossing. Ah, kobold, what is your name?
Rose glances through the dripping branches. The bandits remain on the road, their lantern glow dull behind curtains of rain, while the crossing waits beyond the hollow.
Sella Reedcloak
Agreed. I will draw them east along the road, and make them believe the relic went with me. Take the crossing and do not look back.
Sella folds the ragged chevron into her palm and steps toward the road, her torn cloak making her look like a frightened, fleeing courier rather than an accomplice.
Pip
Pip. My name is Pip. I am not a pet, but I will follow you to the crossing.
The kobold tightens his grip on the satchel and peers toward Sella. At the road, she raises her voice, calling the bandits after her as she breaks east through the rain.
Their lanterns swing after Sella, and the hollow falls quiet enough for Rose and Pip to slip toward the nearby crossing and turn left.
Quest Complete
Secure a safe route away from the search
“{Upon reaching the crossing, instead of turning left, Rose instead heads to the right, pulling Pip along with her. After all, if Sella was intent on betraying them, the bandits would most likely follow the left path.}”
At the crossing, Rose veers right instead of following the leftward track. Her hand catches Pip's satchel strap, and she draws him after her beneath the dripping boughs.
Rose Thornweald
The left path is the one I told Sella aloud.
Pip
Right, then. Sensible. If the bandits trust her, they will search the road she tells them we used to flee along.
Pip stumbles once, then matches Rose's pace, clutching his satchel beneath one arm. Mud sucks softly at their feet while the crossing disappears behind curtains of rain.
Pip
You pull like someone who has escaped trouble before. Is this a usual talent of yours, or should I thank the rain?
The right-hand trail narrows between thorn trees and descends toward darker ground. No lantern follows; only the rain keeps pace as Rose leads Pip deeper from the road.
“Hah, normally the chase starts from a town into the wilderness, not often it's the other way around. Well then pet- I mean, Pip. Come along. It shouldn't be far now to the next town.”
Rose Thornweald
Hah, normally the chase starts from a town into the wilderness, not often the other way around. Well then, pet, I mean, Pip. Come along. It should not be far now to the next town.
Pip's ears twitch at the correction, but he keeps pace beneath the thorn canopy. The trail descends through wet ferns, and the forest's darkness slowly thins ahead.
Pip
I heard the first word. I shall pretend the second never happened, provided this town has food and no bandits waiting at its gate.
Rose leads him onward, her three tails brushing rain from the low branches. Behind them, the road and its lanterns vanish completely, leaving only their footprints in the mud.
Pip
What sort of town are we approaching? A busy one, perhaps, where a kobold with a damaged satchel will not attract too many questions.
Beyond the trees, a pale ribbon of evening sky opens over distant rooftops. A bell sounds once through the rain, faint but unmistakable, and Pip's step quickens beside her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach the next town
“Can't say, only got directions this way recently. But I'm sure it can't be too bad. A kobold with a damaged satchel is less likely to be questioned then one with a well kept one right? Hopefully at least it has something good to drink! You can even thank me for getting you out of that little kerfuffle. {She keeps her pace with small talk, while the bell is curious, it could just be the top of the hour. With no bandits obviously on their trail, she leads Pip along to the town of Logs Horn.}”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)