Festival lanterns glow above the monster town's crowded street, then gutter as a ring of pale flowers thrusts through the cobbles.
Music dies. Masks turn. Beyond the lanternlight, fey shapes stand perfectly still, their faces hidden behind painted antlers and porcelain smiles.
At the ring's center, a woman in a patched green cloak raises a crooked ash wand. Silver charms tremble from her sleeves.
Brigid
Stop there, fox-child. The flowers have chosen you.
Every blossom bends toward Kanji. Their closed petals pale brighter, and a cold scent of old rain spreads through the street.
Brigid
I am Brigid, hedge wizard and keeper of this failed festival. Your arrival has woken an old debt.
The masked fey lean forward together. One flower opens, revealing a tiny black bell at its heart. It rings once.
Brigid
Will you step into the circle, Kanji, or let the debt name its own price?
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve the old debt between the town and the fey
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn what price the old debt demands
“*i swallow nervous* "I uh. i dont think thats a good idea...i-i dont know what the debt wants a-and im just a traveler..."”
FAILURE (Terrible Willpower, rolled -2)
Kanji
I, uh... I don't think that's a good idea. I-I don't know what the debt wants, and I'm just a traveler.
The words leave Kanji softly, but the circle accepts no refusal. The flowers fold inward, stopping just short of his boots.
Brigid
I know. That is why I asked, rather than dragged you in.
Brigid lowers her ash wand. Around her, the blossoms turn their faces toward the masked fey instead.
A Masked Fey
A traveler cannot owe what the town promised.
Another Masked Fey
Unless the traveler carries the old promise with him.
The tiny bell rings again. Pale stems weave letters across the cobbles: ONE KIND DEED, GIVEN FREELY.
Brigid
That is the price the debt demands. Not blood, not obedience. A kindness that belongs to you alone. Will you let us tell you whose kindness was promised?
Quest Complete
Learn what price the old debt demands
“*i pause* "oh so like.. i have to do something nice?" *i dig in my bag and pull out some thread* "i can make a bracelet!" *my tail starts to wag*”
SUCCESS (Superb Sewing, rolled +0)
Kanji
Oh, so... I have to do something nice? I can make a bracelet!
Kanji pauses, then digs through his bag and draws out a coil of thread. His tail begins to wag as his fingers sort the colors.
The thread slips through his hands with practiced ease. Small knots become a neat bracelet, bright enough to catch the dead lanternlight.
Kanji
Here. You can have it.
Kanji extends the finished bracelet across the flower ring. The blossoms lift their faces, and the nearest masked fey steps forward to accept it.
A Masked Fey
Given freely, and received without claim. The town's promise is answered.
The bracelet settles around the fey's wrist. Pale flowers open all along the street, and the lanterns flare back to life, warm and gold.
Brigid
Then the debt is ended. Let this kindness be the first thread of trust between us.
Quest Complete
Resolve the old debt between the town and the fey
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Terrible→Poor