Vasillia supports the rescued villager along the moonlit cliff path while the mapmaker follows close behind, shielding her lantern. The deserter remains at the cove to mislead the baron's men.
A wounded young adult man staggers from behind a salt-stained rock. His weather-darkened smuggler's coat hangs torn across one shoulder, and blood marks his sleeve as he grips a sealed message.
the wounded smuggler
Wait. I carry a warning, not a blade. Caesar Cicero's mark is on this seal, and you must see it before the baron's search reaches the cliffs.
The villager recoils against the rock, while the mapmaker raises the lantern. Wax stamped with Caesar's familiar sign glints between the smuggler's trembling fingers.
the wounded smuggler
The baron's men are only one danger. Someone else is driving them toward this cove, someone who wants the message buried with everyone who knows of it.
Two thin whistles answer from the darkness below, followed by another from the ridge behind them. The wounded smuggler turns toward the sound, his face tightening.
the wounded smuggler
They followed me. Choose quickly, tiefling. Take the message, hide me, or leave me here and run before the path closes.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Caesar Cicero's sealed message
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the wounded smuggler to safety
“*I approach the wounded man.* “You’re wounded allow me to heal you. If we continue we’ll be leading them to us with your drops of blood. I promise this will be quick.” *I prepare am healing spell.*”
SUCCESS (Good Arcana, rolled +0)
Vasillia Bassith
You’re wounded. Allow me to heal you. If we continue, we’ll lead them to us with your drops of blood. I promise this will be quick.
Vasillia approaches the wounded smuggler and raises one hand. Warm golden light gathers around her fingers, spilling across the moonlit path as the searching whistles echo below.
the wounded smuggler
A healing spell? Then do it, quickly. Caesar’s message must reach someone he trusts.
The light settles over his torn shoulder and stained sleeve. The wound closes beneath the radiance, the bleeding stops, and his strained breathing steadies.
the wounded smuggler
The pain is gone. Your magic has bought us time, tiefling, and I will not waste it.
The rescued villager watches with renewed hope while the mapmaker lowers her lantern behind the rocks. The whistles fade toward the lower path, leaving the ridge briefly quiet.
the wounded smuggler
Caesar marked the seal for you alone. Break it when we are sheltered, and you will learn why the baron’s men were sent here.
““Is Caesar’s message meant to protect me?” *I say deep in thought but also in speculation.* “We don’t have time now, let’s get to safety first before I touch the seal.””
YES, BUT (Likely, rolled 56)
Vasillia Bassith
Caesar’s message is meant to protect me, but we cannot risk opening it here. Safety first.
Vasillia Bassith
We don’t have time now. Let’s get to safety before I touch the seal.
The wounded smuggler nods and closes his fingers around the sealed message. Caesar’s mark carries a protective ward keyed to Vasillia, but its magic has already stirred, leaving a faint silver glow along the wax.
the wounded smuggler
Yes, it was meant to shield you. But the ward knows you are near, and whoever planted the pursuit may sense that flare.
Below, a whistle answers from much closer than before. The mapmaker extinguishes her lantern, and the rescued villager grips the rock as darkness folds over the path.
the bound mapmaker
Then move now. The cliffside trail bends toward an old watch post, and its stones may hide all four of us.
the wounded smuggler
I can walk. Keep the message sealed until those ears and eyes are behind us.