Night hangs over Raiga Ravenborn’s forest camp. A cookfire burns low. Smoke threads through black pines, and something large shifts in the shadows beyond the light.
At the fire’s edge, three adventurers lie sprawled in a heap of travel cloaks and rope. They are bound, but not bloodied, and all three breathe in the slow, heavy rhythm of drugged sleep.
Above them looms Setsuna, a huge demon spider, legs folded careful and precise around the captives. She keeps the cords tight enough to hold, gentle enough to spare.
The Red-Haired Adventurer
My head... Where am I...?
The Red-Haired Adventurer
Hey...! Unbind us. Now.
Setsuna
No. You were dying in my woods. I carried you here.
One of the others stirs against the rope, testing it with a weak jerk. The fire pops. Somewhere deeper in the trees, an unseen creature answers with a low warning hiss.
Raiga Ravenborn
The ropes are meant to restrain, not wound. Setsuna is guarding them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Help Setsuna keep the adventurers safe
✓ Quest Accepted
Find out why the adventurers were in the woods
“Sigh "thank you setsuna" I say scratching one lf her mandible "I left a rabbit by your tree, please continue keeping watch"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Silver tongue, rolled +0)
Raiga Ravenborn
Raiga lets out a tired sigh, thanks Setsuna, and scratches one mandible in passing. He mentions the rabbit left by her tree, then asks her to keep watch.
Setsuna
Of course. Your offering was kind. I will stand guard until the stars fade.
Setsuna lowers her head a little, careful not to loom over him, and shifts her weight so the captives stay neatly webbed in her shadow.
Setsuna
These three came into the woods frightened, then reckless. They wanted a path that was faster than the safe one.
The Red-Haired Adventurer quiets at that, watching the spider instead of the rope.
Setsuna
I told them the forest has rules. They did not listen. So I carried them here and waited for you.
Raiga Ravenborn
She kept them alive, and she wants them kept alive still.
Quest Complete
Help Setsuna keep the adventurers safe
“"One would hope the threat of big scary monsters" I say teasingly "woukd deter trespassers"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Silver tongue, rolled +0)
Raiga Ravenborn
One would hope the threat of big scary monsters would deter trespassers.
Setsuna
It should have. Yet fear makes some people hurry, and hurry makes them careless.
Setsuna lifts her head a little higher, the firelight catching on the curve of her mandibles as she studies the bound travelers with patient concern.
Setsuna
They said the trees were whispering about a shortcut. The red one wanted to prove she could take it. The others followed because none of them wished to be left behind.
The Red-Haired Adventurer blinks through the haze, then looks away with a tight mouth, while the other two fall still and listen.
Setsuna
I dislike frightening them, but I dislike graves more. So I waited for you, and I watched them.
Her guard never leaves the captives, yet her posture softens by a fraction, as if she is willing to let the answer rest with Raiga for the moment.
Quest Complete
Find out why the adventurers were in the woods
Fault Removed: Feared Reputation