Dawn enters through the charcoal shed’s broken roof. Dagg sits on the overturned crate in his ranch clothes, hat, and green hatband, mouth harp resting in one hand while Caldus guards the entrance.
Arden Pike stirs against the livestock ropes. His arms remain stretched wide and suspended from the beams, boots hanging above the packed earth, the gag fixed across his mouth.
Pike wakes fully and strains against the ropes, his eyes moving from Dagg to Caldus. Caldus waits without touching him, leaving the decision to begin the questioning with Dagg.
Caldus Rime
He is awake. Say the word, and I will take out the gag.
Dagg Nabbitt
Take it out. I have questions for him.
Caldus loosens the gag and removes it, keeping clear of Pike’s suspended legs. Pike coughs once, then stares at Dagg with fear hardening into defiance.
Arden Pike
You want Mara’s death explained? I ordered Caldus to shoot her. He was paid to carry out my judgment, and I will not pretend otherwise.
✓ Quest Accepted
Kill Arden Pike
“{Dagg pulls out his sword, lights it a flame, His face begins to melt into his Lich Form. Bones and Skull showing with purple smoke pouring around him. Dagg takes his sword and slashes at Arden Pike, doing a small cut across his legs.} You do not get to say her name. {Dagg says calmly} You will only Speak when spoken too or i take off body parts one at a time. I think I will use you for sword practice. {He says as he makes another small cut on Ardens arm} {Dagg wants Arden to tremble in fear before this is over}”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Dagg draws the restored sword. Purple smoke pours through its channels, then ignites into violet flame as his face slackens, flesh giving way to bone and a bare skull.
The sword’s flame paints the charcoal shed in unnatural violet. Arden Pike’s defiance falters as Dagg’s lich form rises before him, smoke coiling around the rancher’s armor and cloak.
Dagg steps close and slashes across Pike’s legs. The cut is small but precise, drawing a narrow line of blood and making the suspended prisoner jerk against the ropes.
Dagg Nabbitt
You will only speak when spoken to, or I take off body parts one at a time. I think I will use you for sword practice.
Relaxed resistance makes the next motion feel like tedious work, but Steady Under Watch keeps Dagg’s hand measured. The dwarf-forged blade turns, and its violet edge makes another shallow cut across Pike’s arm.
Pike’s breath catches. His eyes stay fixed on the skull and burning sword, while his trembling travels through the ropes into the beams. He does not speak.
At the doorway, Caldus lowers his gaze and keeps silent. Inside the shed, Pike’s defiance has collapsed into fear, and Dagg’s quiet threat controls the questioning completely.
“{Pike calls Dagg a monster and is terrified by this form. Stuttering trying to get words out. Pike calls him a demon.} {Dagg laughs.} How funny it is for you to call me a demon when I was turned into this without my choice being involved. You have chosen all of your wrong doings and evil actions, mine were forced upon me and I still overcame them. {Daggs purple smoke melts off his armor and clothes revealing his full Lich body. A full skeleton with purple smoke that makes the air chill and numbs people near him in fear pours out of his ribcage and skull. His hat the only clothing item not effected by the smoke, proudly sits upon his head.} I demand you tell me where your treasury is. I want everything you own, every last copper, every last scrap of food, every last piece of straw that fills your pillows at night. It is all mine now.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Arden Pike
M-monster. You are a demon. Gods preserve me, what are you?
Dagg Nabbitt
How funny, calling me a demon when I was turned into this without my choice. You chose every wrong and evil act. Mine were forced upon me, and I still overcame them.
Dagg laughs, and purple smoke pours from the sword through the shed. It melts his armor and clothes away, revealing a full skeleton, smoke chilling the air from his ribs and skull. His hat alone remains.
The violet flame gutters along the sword’s channels while the smoke numbs fear into every nearby breath. Dagg’s awareness of the Lich Queen’s danger makes him hesitate for one visible instant, then Steady Under Watch restores his measured control.
Dagg Nabbitt
Tell me where your treasury is. Everything you own is mine now, every copper, scrap of food, and piece of straw in your pillows.
Arden Pike
The treasury is beneath the tollhouse. East room, under the hearthstone. The iron box is set into the floor. The key is sewn inside my red cloak. Take it all, just keep that sword away.
Pike’s confession gives Dagg the treasury’s exact location and key. Caldus stares from the doorway, while Pike sags in the ropes, his courage spent and Dagg’s brief hesitation left exposed.
“{Dagg slashes the sword across Pikes Face, leaving a slice all the way down it. His power strong enough now the flame sticks to Ardens face burning him as he is helpless.} Caldus, I want you to come here. Stand in front of Pike and look at him. Look at the flame searing his flesh. {Caldus walks over and listens to the command. Caldus stares up at Pike and for a brief moment a look of disgust as Caldus knows he should have never listened to pike's orders. Just then, Dagg's flaming sword stabs straight through Caldus and stabs into Pike, both bodies lighting up in purple flames.} {Dagg then says outloud to himself} Your death is now fully avenged Mara, I am so sorry I could not protect you. {He falls to his knees weepin, as the sword stays skewered through both Caldus and Pike.}”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Dagg’s restored sword sweeps across Arden Pike’s face, violet flame clinging to him. The fire consumes the helpless man, and the cost of the act settles heavily on Dagg’s spirit.
Dagg Nabbitt
Caldus, come here. Stand before Pike and look at him. Look at what the flame is doing.
Caldus walks forward and obeys. He looks up at Pike, and disgust crosses his face as he understands that he should never have followed Pike’s order against Mara.
Dagg drives the flaming sword through Caldus and into Pike. Violet fire engulfs them both, and when it fades, neither man moves or breathes. The sword remains planted through the two bodies.
Dagg Nabbitt
Your death is now fully avenged, Mara. I am so sorry I could not protect you.
Dagg’s will finally breaks beneath the completed vengeance. He drops to his knees and weeps beside the sword, while the charcoal shed grows quiet around the dead and the fading purple smoke.
Quest Complete
Kill Arden Pike
Skill Upgrade: Melee Weapons Poor→Mediocre