Derick Force steps into the Golden Tankard, and the last echoes of the ruined square die behind him. The tavern is dim, warm with peat smoke, and tense with spilled fear. The Tavern Keeper swings the heavy oak door shut and drives home the lock.
The Tavern Keeper
By the gods, that door holds now. If anything else comes sniffing, it will meet wood first.
Joi pads to the hearth and circles once, ears high, then settles into a restless pace. At a scarred table near the fire, the Hooded Figure sits slumped and silent, candlelight catching the exhaustion on their face.
Kellan
You were not meant to break the seal that cleanly.
Derick Force
The square is behind us. The room is sealed.
The Tavern Keeper glances from Derick Force to the Hooded Figure, awed and uneasy, while the fire crackles low in the grate. Dust from the square still clings to boots and hems, bright against the dark floorboards.
The Tavern Keeper
If you have answers, now is the time. Oakhaven has had enough secrets.
+ Story Quest Added
Uncover the truth behind the seal and the Hooded Figure's secrets
“Sit across from the hooded man, thank the inn keeper for the use of the tavern, call Joi softly to your side so you can scratch her head and give her a treat for a job well done, then look the hooded man in the eyes and say, ''please. Speak''”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
Derick Force lowers himself into the chair opposite the Hooded Figure, the old wood creaking under his weight. The Tavern Keeper lingers by the bar, still listening.
Derick Force
Thank you for the use of the tavern.
Joi comes at a soft call, tail giving one quick, pleased wag. Derick Force scratches behind her ears and offers a treat from his hand. She accepts it delicately, then presses close to his leg.
The Tavern Keeper
Aye. Keep it brief, then. I would like this night to end without more surprises.
Derick Force turns back to the Hooded Figure, steady and direct. The fire snaps once, throwing a brief orange light across the hood.
Derick Force
Please. Speak.
Kellan
You have already forced the seal open, and now Oakhaven pays for it.
Kellan
They still do not understand what answered from beneath it.
The Hooded Figure leans forward, one hand tightening on the table edge. The tavern falls into a tight, waiting silence.
+ Scene Quest Added
Extract information from the Hooded Figure
“Tell him calmly, but firmly, ''the sooner and more quickly you tell me what's going on, the faster we can react, so please, tell us quickly and directly what is happening. '' Then try to reassure him, ''since i was able to force the seal open, do you think i cant deal with what comes next? ''”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
Derick Force
The sooner you tell us what is happening, the faster we can react. Tell us quickly and directly.
Derick Force keeps his tone even, but the words land like a blade set flat on the table. The Hooded Figure swallows, their panic shifting into a brittle focus.
Derick Force
I forced the seal open. Do you think I cannot deal with what comes next?
Kellan
No... no, that is not what I mean. I think you can fight, but this is not a fight you strike down cleanly.
The Tavern Keeper
Then speak plain, all of it. I have had enough half-truths to choke on.
Kellan
The seal was a lock, and a warning. Something old is waking beneath Oakhaven, and it is not pleased to be found.
The fire dips low. Joi presses closer to Derick Force's leg as the Hooded Figure reaches into their cloak with a shaking hand.
Kellan
If you want the next step, take this. And decide fast, because whatever heard the seal break will not stay buried for long.
Quest Complete
Extract information from the Hooded Figure
+ New Item Acquired
Mysterious object