Black clouds coil around the mountain peak as Nocturne enters the dragon's lair, the air thick with ash, thunder, and old oath-magic.
Beyond a bridge of obsidian, the firstborn daughter of House Vaelcaryn kneels within a ring of blue flame, guarded by chains of living silver.
The Dragon
The oath was broken. Its promised price now stands before me.
The vast dragon lowers its horned head. Each breath makes the cavern floor tremble, and molten light moves beneath its scales.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
You came for me, then. Tell him the truth, before this bargain buries us all.
A sigil flares beneath Nocturne's feet, sealing the only visible path back through the storm.
The Dragon
Choose, oathbreaker. Kneel and seal the debt, or watch the noble bloodline end beneath my mountain.
✓ Quest Accepted
Free the firstborn daughter of House Vaelcaryn
✓ Quest Accepted
Reestablish the bond between House Vaelcaryn and the dragon
“Okay... So, how do we restore this "bond" and does it really need the firstborn to work, you oh so great creature of this cave?”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +3)
Nocturne
Okay... so how do we restore this bond, and does it truly need the firstborn to work, you oh-so-great creature of this cave?
The oath-sigil dims beneath Nocturne's feet. His challenge enters the ancient magic, and the cavern falls still enough to hear the silver chains whisper.
The Dragon
The bond is not restored by blood. It is restored by truth freely spoken, and by a vow freely chosen before witness.
The Dragon
The firstborn is required only because her ancestor named her as the living seal. She is not the debt. She is the witness who can break its false shape.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
There. At last, the words he buried beneath the oath. My house promised service, not my life. The dragon's heir accepted that bargain, then died before it was fulfilled.
A second sigil appears in the blue fire, divided into two empty halves. One bears the crest of House Vaelcaryn. The other bears the dragon's ancient mark.
The Dragon
I will hear the true vow from the house's firstborn, and I will answer with my own. Then the bond may be remade, or ended by mutual consent.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
Ask me what my house promised, Nocturne. I will speak it before the mountain, if you will stand as witness.
“Okay, Speak this "truth" then. I don't have all day. Though I this would have been a lot easier if that grouchy patriarch of yours had just given me permission to place a soul contract on you and the dragon.”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +1)
Nocturne
Speak this truth, then. I do not have all day. Your patriarch should have granted permission for a soul contract between you and the dragon.
The words strike the divided sigil. Mithril flashes across Nocturne's gauntlets, and a sharp heat bites through both palms.
The Dragon
You invoke contracts while standing before an oath. Very well. Let truth judge the difference.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
House Vaelcaryn promised a firstborn's service to the dragon's heir, freely given for one generation, in exchange for protection over our valley. My ancestor's successor died before claiming that service. No descendant promised my life, my soul, or endless bondage.
Her declaration fills House Vaelcaryn's half of the sigil. The living chains slacken for one breath, but remain wrapped around her wrists and torso.
The Dragon
The mountain recognizes the truth. Daughter of Vaelcaryn, will you freely vow service for the debt's rightful measure, or will you end the bond with my consent?
“*I whisper under my breath* God... This is why I hate doing noble jobs. So much talk. *Once the oath done I grab the girl, thank the dragon and be on my Mery way.*”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +0)
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
I freely vow one generation of service to the dragon's heir, and no more. Let the debt end when that service is fulfilled.
The divided sigil locks together. Silver chains burst into harmless sparks, leaving the Firstborn Daughter free as the blue flame gutters low.
The Dragon
Witnessed and accepted. The oath stands in its rightful measure.
Nocturne
God... This is why I hate doing noble jobs. So much talk.
As the last syllable fades, Nocturne crosses the ash-black stone, seizes the freed daughter by the arm, and pulls her beyond the dying ring of flame.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
Careful. The oath is ended, but the mountain still remembers every trespass.
Nocturne gives the dragon a curt thanks and reaches the storm-lit passage with her in tow. Mithril scorches both palms, the concrete cost of forcing speed through the sigil's lingering magic.
Behind them, the dragon's voice follows through the cavern. "Which service will you claim first, witness-bearer?"
Quest Complete
Free the firstborn daughter of House Vaelcaryn
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Fair→Good
Quest Complete
Reestablish the bond between House Vaelcaryn and the dragon
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great