The dragon’s immense body lies peaceful beneath settling ash. Near its heart, one coal-sized ember remains, glowing faintly through the darkened scales.
Silas is alone beside the fallen dragon; no companion has followed him into the Ashlands, and the departing spirit leaves no shape behind.
the ember voice
Please. Do not let the last warmth take me. I do not know the road beyond this fire.
The ember pulses once. A thread of pale gold slips across the dragon’s chest, carrying the plea through ash and stone rather than through any living throat.
the ember voice
I was hidden here before the dragon fell. I remember a name, perhaps, but the ending has worn it away. Will you guide me?
Sir Silas Mori
The ember is warm, but the dragon’s heart beneath it is still.
Ash settles over the valley in soft gray veils. The ember dims toward red, waiting beside the silent heart for Sir Silas Mori’s answer.
“The mercy of the Sacred Skull reaches all that have lived and ever will live, little ember. If you wish me to show you his mercy then stat it plainly and i will fulfill your request as gently as i can”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Sir Silas Mori
The mercy of the Sacred Skull reaches all that have lived and ever will live, little ember. If you wish me to show you his mercy, state it plainly, and I will fulfill your request as gently as I can.
Silas’s words settle over the ember like a benediction. The coal brightens, and the pale gold thread gathers toward his outstretched hand, answering the invitation.
the ember voice
Then I ask plainly: show me the Sacred Skull’s mercy. Guide me from this warmth, and let me cross without fear.
The request becomes clear within the ash. When Silas touches the ember, its heat passes into his palm and leaves a sharp, painful burn beneath his glove.
the ember voice
The road is not empty now. I can feel a hand beside me, and the dark no longer seems like an abyss.
A small radiance rises from the dragon’s chest, no longer clinging to the dead heart. It rests against Silas’s hand, ready to be led onward.
the ember voice
I remember enough to release this place. Take me where the mercy waits, death-priest, and I will go.
✓ Quest Accepted
Guide the ember beyond the fire
“I let the little ember rest in my burned palm as I pray to the Sacred Skull, asking him to lead the ember onward without fear.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Sir Silas Mori
Sacred Skull, lead this ember onward without fear. Let your mercy show it the road beyond warmth and darkness.
Silas lets the radiance rest in his burned palm and bows his head. Ash lies still around him as his prayer descends into the silent valley.
The ember’s heat intensifies, and the burn beneath Silas’s glove deepens into a sharp, steady pain. Its light nevertheless steadies, no longer flickering against the dead dragon’s heart.
the ember voice
I hear the Sacred Skull in your prayer. The road opens before me, and I can walk it without fear.
A pale shape gathers above Silas’s palm, suggesting a distant skull crowned in quiet silver fire. The radiance lifts free, drawn toward a waiting darkness that feels like welcome.
the ember voice
Thank you, death-priest. I release the warmth, the buried heart, and the name I could not carry.
The ember passes beyond sight. Its final glow fades through Silas’s fingers, leaving only a scorched glove, a tender palm, and peaceful ash settling over the dragon.
Quest Complete
Guide the ember beyond the fire