Kraz
No. I am not following that any farther.
Hooded Rider
Keep your voice down. The forest hears fear.
Kraz backs away from the hollow tree, one hand up, eyes fixed on Rozah. The Hooded Rider turns with them, already angling toward the camp path.
Kraz
She is too dangerous. We take the others and leave before she turns on us.
The path tightens. Thick thorn-vines slide out of the undergrowth, lacing together across the ground like a living gate. Their tips curl toward the retreating pair.
Rozah the Goblin
The vines block the way.
Hooded Rider
Rozah, call it off. If you can.
Kraz freezes at the tangle, then looks back, fear and relief fighting in their face. The camp lies beyond the barrier, but the forest now waits on Rozah's command.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep Kraz and the Hooded Rider following Rozah
“I step forward and place a hand on the vines to show them I am in control.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Rozah steps to the thorn-vines and lays her palm against them. The living barrier does not snap at her, it loosens, as if recognizing the weight of her hand.
Violet residue shivers through the woven thorns. Their tips uncurl, then bend aside in a slow, obedient ripple.
Rozah the Goblin
They listen.
Behind the gate, the forest beasts stay frozen in the brush, heads low and silent. The path opens a narrow seam through the vines, but the clearing still waits on Rozah's next command.
Kraz
...By the roots. They really do answer you.
Hooded Rider
Then tell them to stand down, and tell us whether we leave as your people, or as trespassers.
Quest Complete
Master control of the forest
New Gift: Forest Root Command
“I tell them to stand down”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Rozah’s voice cuts through the clearing, low and certain. The thorn-vines answer at once, their edges settling flat instead of bristling.
The silent beasts at the path edge lower their heads further. The narrow opening holds, but the forest keeps listening.
Kraz
...Stand down, then. If this place kneels to you, I can kneel with it.
Kraz
Rozah is not bluffing. The roots would have taken us if she wanted them to.
Hooded Rider
I do not trust the forest. I trust what it does when you speak to it.
Hooded Rider
So I will follow your lead, Rozah. For now.
A thin line of violet residue gleams on the thorns, and a smear of sap darkens Rozah’s palm where she pressed too hard. The gate stays open.
Quest Complete
Keep Kraz and the Hooded Rider following Rozah
New Gift: Shadow Stalker Instincts