The brazier collapses under its own heat. Stones split across the shelf, exposing a narrow stair cut directly into the cliff face, descending into darkness.
At the lower landing, the dying scout emerges from a concealed ravine passage. His green cloak is torn, and one hand presses his blood-darkened sleeve.
the dying scout
You found the old stair. George’s scouts used it to move unseen beneath the pass.
Desmond
The scout is alive, but the stair leads below the mountain.
He grips the wall and looks past Desmond toward the broken brazier. Below, fresh bootprints descend in pairs, their edges sharp in the dust.
the dying scout
Those tracks are recent. They lead to the sealed mountain gate, and whoever went down knew the way.
The scout lowers himself onto the landing, leaving the descent open to Desmond. Behind him, the freed villagers remain hidden in the ravine, while the defeated raiders lie scattered near the wagons.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether George passed through the mountain gate
“Ask the wounded scout: Have you seen George? Big gorilla guy?”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled -1)
Desmond
Have you seen George? Big gorilla guy?
The wounded scout studies Desmond’s face, then glances down the black stair. His breath catches as pain tightens his blood-darkened sleeve.
the dying scout
Yes. George passed through here before dusk. A big gorilla man, broad as a gate, with a scar across his left cheek.
the dying scout
He went below with two scouts and carried a black iron key. He is at the sealed mountain gate.
The dying scout’s wound opens beneath his fingers, and fresh blood darkens the stone. His voice drops, but the directions are clear.
the dying scout
The gate is open from the inside now. Follow the lower stair, but do not trust the first landing. George leaves watchers there.
Below, dust sifts from the cliff as distant footsteps echo through the stairwell. The dying scout remains on the landing, while the path to George lies open in darkness.
Reach the sealed mountain gate
Quest Complete
Learn whether George passed through the mountain gate