The car rolls into The Lodge’s gravel lot and crunches to a stop under the mountain shadow. Warm light spills from the cabin windows, and the porch creaks as someone barrels down the steps.
Tanner reaches the drive first, tablet hugged to his chest, ears flicking so fast they almost blur. He has been waiting, and he looks thrilled to finally have witnesses.
Tanner
You made it. I have new seismic readings from the Galgok entrance, and I swear they are better than they looked this morning.
He thrusts the tablet forward, the screen full of jagged lines and color blocks. Gerard steps out beside Remedy, already scanning the data, while Zara peers over his shoulder.
Zara
Please tell me those lines mean stable, and not, you know, collapse-y.
Tanner
Stable enough to read, at least. I also brought coffee, if anyone wants to pretend we are not about to go into a ruin underground.
From the side of the porch, a stranger in a lodge apron pauses with a mug stack in hand, quietly taking in the group and the loaded car. Tanner keeps talking, excited and breathless, waiting for Remedy’s response.
✓ Quest Accepted
Catch up with Tanner and Bruce
“"Guessing Bruce went ahead as per usual? I had no idea you were also after the ruins, Tanner! Maybe we can team up. More heads is always good."”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Remedy
Guess Bruce went ahead like usual. I had no idea you were into ruins too, Tanner. You should come with us, more heads help.
Tanner
Tanner’s ears lift, and he breaks into a grin so wide it nearly splits his face. “Come with you? Absolutely. I was hoping someone would ask before I started pitching myself like a carnival act.”
He snatches the tablet back to his chest, then turns it so everyone can see the jagged readout and the handwritten notes taped beside it. Gerard leans in again, slower this time, while Zara’s shoulders ease a fraction.
Zara
“Good. Because if we are doing this, I want the enthusiastic science guy on our side.” Her voice is lighter now, but she still studies the data like it might bite.
Gerard
“Then let’s hear the short version,” Gerard says. “If you are joining us, I need to know whether your numbers support the tunnel or if we are about to inherit a problem.”
Tanner
“The short version is, the tunnel still looks the safer path.” He taps one marked line. “But there is fresh movement near the lower chamber. Not collapse, not yet. Just enough to make me want boots on the ground instead of guesses.”
The stranger on the porch shifts their mug stack and watches the group with quiet interest, while the porch light hums over the gravel and the mountain looms dark behind the lodge.
“Walk over to the stranger while the group is talking. "You're a new face around here. I'm Remedy. Pleasure is all mine."”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Remedy leaves the tablet circle and crosses the gravel toward the porch, keys quiet in her hand. The stranger lowers their mug stack just enough to make room, watching her approach with open curiosity.
Remedy
You look new here. I’m Remedy. Pleasure is all mine.
Bruce
The pleasure’s mine, Remedy. I’m the one hauling coffee duty tonight, apparently.
They tilt their head toward the lot, then glance back at the tablet in the others’ hands. The porch light paints the rim of each mug gold, and the handwritten notes on Tanner’s screen catch enough light to flash from this angle.
Bruce
You’re the expedition crew, right? I heard someone mentioning Vervoless. That ridge line is not shy about moving.
Remedy
Those notes are still there, and the data looks messy from here too.
Bruce
If you want, I can tell you what Bruce said before he headed up. He was watching the tunnel side a lot harder than the rest of us.
Behind Remedy, Tanner’s excited chatter dips under Gerard’s quieter reply, while Zara keeps one eye on the tablet and one on the porch, waiting to see what Remedy asks next.
Quest Complete
Catch up with Tanner and Bruce
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Great→Superb