Hevelseld reaches the hill road as nearby human settlements burn beneath a bruised sky. Scattered defenders brace behind broken carts while smoke rolls across the fields.
Beside an old stone shrine stands a gaunt middle-aged man in stained crimson robes, his shaved head marked with ash and a silver charm clenched in one fist.
The Charlatan Priest
The orcs follow the trail of a broken oath! I am Marovan, sworn servant of the shrine, and I have read the warning in its stones.
He points toward the sealed mountain pass. Fresh tracks disappear beneath a smear of strange black ash, and fearful defenders begin arguing over whether the road should be abandoned.
The Charlatan Priest
Break faith with the pass, and mankind's doom follows. Hold here, or flee and carry the curse to every settlement behind you!
The claim divides the survivors. Some tighten their grips on spears; others glance toward the burning homes, ready to run. Then shadows gather along the ridge.
Orc raiders crest the hill in a ragged line, weapons raised against the red-lit sky. The defenders falter, and the old shrine's cracked stones seem to whisper beneath the wind.
Hevelseld
The pass is sealed, but something crossed it recently.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hold the hill road against the orc raiders
“Ask the villagers what arms they have and who is willing to fight with me.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Hevelseld turns from the ridge toward the gathered survivors. Smoke stings his eyes as he raises his voice over the defenders' anxious muttering.
Hevelseld
What arms do you have? Who is willing to stand and fight with me?
Villagers
We have six spears, three hunting bows, a woodcutter's axe, and kitchen knives. Seven of us will stand, if you lead us.
The villagers bring their weapons into view: ash-shafted spears, bent bows, and blades meant for work rather than war. Their hands shake, but none steps away.
The Charlatan Priest
Then let their courage answer the omen. Put the spears before the shrine, and keep the archers behind the stone.
Hevelseld's question has gathered a small fighting line, but holding his resolve before so many frightened faces leaves his composure visibly strained.
Villagers
We are ready. Tell us where to stand.
“It appears the orcs are split one on the left and one on the right, come with me you brave fellows and let us attack one group before they combine. We will go with the nearer one the left one. Come quickly now we can win this they are not to numerous if we stand bravely victory will be ours!”
FAILURE (Great Willpower, rolled -3)
Hevelseld
Come with me, you brave fellows! We will strike the nearer group on the left before the orcs can combine. Come quickly. We can win this if we stand bravely!
Hevelseld draws the villagers into a hurried advance toward the left knot of Orc Raiders. Spears lift, bows sway, and boots hammer the ash-streaked road while the right knot turns toward them.
Villagers
Forward, then! Keep close!
The charge loses its shape almost at once. Two villagers hesitate beside the shrine, and the archers fall behind as the left raiders descend with harsh cries and raised weapons.
The Charlatan Priest
Your courage outruns your line! Hold together, or the pass will claim you before steel does!
The villagers halt short of contact, clustered within the shrine's broken shadow rather than striking. The left raiders now have the height and the initiative, while the right group closes across the ridge.
Villagers
We cannot reach them in this disorder! Give us a place to stand!
“There appears to be some high ground right there we can get there right now that should give us some advantage.”
SUCCESS (Fair Athletics, rolled +1)
Hevelseld
There is high ground just ahead. We can reach it now and gain the advantage.
Hevelseld waves the villagers uphill, abandoning the stalled advance for a steep shelf of stone above the road. He drives them onward through loose ash as the orc raiders turn below.
The climb succeeds, but a sliding slab catches Hevelseld's shin and tears through his trouser cloth, leaving a bright scrape and a burning ache. He reaches the shelf without slowing.
Villagers
High ground! Set the spears along the edge. Archers, kneel behind us!
The villagers form a rough line atop the shelf. Their elevation forces the left raiders to climb under watchful bows, while the right knot loses its clear path around the shrine.
The Charlatan Priest
A narrow advantage, but an advantage all the same. Hold the stones, and make them pay for every step.
Villagers
We have the height now! Let them come!
“Their getting close prepare to fire. 1 2 3 Fire!”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
The villagers settle along the stone shelf as the approaching orcs climb into bow range. Hevelseld raises one hand, steadying the line amid the wind and shouted orders.
Hevelseld
Ready your bows. On my count. One, two, three. Fire!
Villagers
Loose!
Seven bows release together. Arrows sweep down from the high ground, striking the foremost climbers and forcing the orc line to stagger and recoil beneath the shelf.
The Charlatan Priest
Well commanded, captain. Their ascent is broken.
The villagers nock fresh arrows with renewed confidence. Below, the orcs falter among the loose stones, their formation scattered while the shrine watches in silence.
Quest Complete
Hold the hill road against the orc raiders
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb