Bottu bursts from the hatchery as the rear ice wall caves in behind him. Vaelthurax disappears beneath slabs and snow, buried alive, defeated, and unable to pursue.
Ketha leads the five survivors beyond the collapsing entrance, while Skara shields the youngest and Tessik keeps the group moving across the open snow.
The five relics remain dim beneath Bottu’s robe. Their power will not answer, but together they tug northward toward a jagged pass beneath the distant shadow of Mount Veyr.
Ketha
The mountain pass is dangerous, Bottu. The old paths cross broken ice and storm-cut ridges, but it is the only route toward Mount Veyr.
Bottu stands wounded and exhausted amid drifting snow, his magic silent and his claws trembling from the spell that defeated Vaelthurax. Behind him, the hatchery settles into ruin.
Skara
We will take the survivors to the western vents and search for the scattered families. Tessik and I can keep them hidden from the dragon’s followers.
Tessik
Your road begins there, Bottu. Rest if you can, then follow the relics north. We will carry word of what happened here.
“*So my former tyrant was buried alive under the crumbling ruin… a fitting end. The mountain he spoke of. It was near Histol. Back where it all began.* “My family… I have a journey to finish. One day I will return home again.””
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Bottu
So my former tyrant was buried alive under the crumbling ruin... a fitting end. The mountain he spoke of was near Histol, back where it all began.
Bottu
My family... I have a journey to finish. One day I will return home again.
The vow carries across the snow without grand display. Ketha lowers her cracked ceremonial scale, while Skara and Tessik turn fully toward Bottu.
Ketha
Then return to us when the journey is finished, Bottu. We will keep a place for you, wherever our scattered people settle.
Skara
Go north toward Mount Veyr when you are ready. We will carry your words west, to anyone still searching for home.
Tessik
You were hatchery-born, and you remain ours. Finish what you began, then come back to us alive.
Around them, the hatchery survivors gather their few belongings and prepare for the western vents. Bottu’s road points beyond the ice, while his family’s promise remains behind him in the snow.
“*It seems the dragon did get me good considering the wound. It’s best I spend the night with them to recover, using the wrap and salve to help the pain.*”
SUCCESS (Fair Health, rolled -1)
Night settles over the snowbound camp. Bottu lays out his bedroll beside the survivors, then works Hessa’s comfrey salve into the serious wound and secures the warming wrap around it.
Ketha
Sleep, Bottu. We will keep watch, and no one here will ask you to stand before morning.
Ketha settles near the outer edge of camp with her cracked ceremonial scale. Skara and Tessik arrange the survivors behind a low ridge of ice, shielding them from the wind.
Tessik
The wrap is snug, not tight. Let the salve work while you rest, hatchery-born.
Bottu follows the instruction and lies still beneath his robe. The salve’s sharp warmth spreads through the wound, while the wrap steadies him against the cold and eases his breathing.
Bottu
The pain is quieter. I can recover here.
The night passes without interruption. By dawn, Bottu’s wound has settled enough for movement, and the survivors remain safe beside him as the road toward Mount Veyr waits beyond the camp.
“*Feeling better in the morning, I say goodbye to my family and take the long road back to Histol.*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)