Rain lashes against the narrow alley walls, turning the filth of the city into a slick, treacherous slurry. Mystkyller holds his long sword steady, the steel biting into the skin of Sera’s neck as he traps her against the damp brick.
Sera
The fool thinks he has won, but he does not hear the rhythmic stomp of heavy boots echoing from the street corner. The contract is worth more than a little blood, and the industrialist does not pay for failure. I need only keep this ranger distracted for ten more heartbeats.
Sera
You are far from the safety of your trees, elf. Look behind you and see how quickly your noble cause turns into a shallow grave.
Mystkyller
Her eyes are too bright, too focused on the shadows shifting beyond the alley mouth. She is not defeated, she is stalling.
Mystkyller
Keep your eyes on my blade, mercenary. Whatever reinforcements you expect will find nothing here but your own broken promise.
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the mercenary ambush
“Knock out Sera and leave the alley in the direction away from the stomping”
FAILURE (Good Melee Combat, rolled -1)
The strike misses as Sera twists with serpent-like fluidity. Mystkyller’s pommel strikes only the damp brickwork, sending a jarring vibration through his arm.
Sera
Too slow, ranger.
Mystkyller
My footing is compromised by the slick stones. The heavy boots are closer now, the sound rhythmic and deliberate. They have me cornered.
Sera kicks out, catching Mystkyller in the midsection with a heavy boot. He stumbles back, his grip on his long sword faltering as the breath leaves his lungs. Behind him, three armored figures emerge from the shadows, crossbows leveled at his chest. The rain intensifies, blurring the lines between the hunters and their prey.
Sera
The contract is mine.
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the mercenary ambush
“Duck into the shadows and attempt to escape the ambush down the other end of the alley”
FAILURE (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Mystkyller spins, his boots slipping on the slick, rain-drenched cobblestones. As he lunges for the dark mouth of the alley, his foot catches on the discarded serrated blade. He hits the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from his lungs.
Mystkyller
The shadows are not deep enough. I am exposed.
Before he can recover, a heavy boot slams into his shoulder, pinning him to the wet stones. He looks up to see the lead mercenary looming over him, a steel-tipped crossbow bolt inches from his throat. The other two hunters step forward, their faces obscured by deep, wet hoods.
Crossbowman
Don't move, ranger. Your forest isn't here to save you now.
Mystkyller
My longbow is out of reach. If I reach for my side blade, the bolt will find my neck before I clear the leather. I need a distraction, or I am done.
“Use my draconic heritage to breath fire and incenrate the mercenaries”
SUCCESS (Fair Innate Spellcasting, rolled +3)
A guttural, draconic resonance vibrates within Mystkyller’s chest, the air growing hot enough to warp the falling rain into swirling steam. As the mercenary prepares to drive the bolt home, Mystkyller throws his head back and exhales. A violent, searing cone of white-hot flame erupts from his lungs, slamming into the trio of hunters with the force of a furnace blast.
Crossbowman
My eyes! By the gods, he is burning
The mercenaries shriek, their heavy armor glowing cherry-red as they stumble backward, desperate to shed their molten equipment. The crossbows clatter onto the cobblestones, the wood frames smoldering before they even hit the ground.
Mystkyller
They are blinded and broken. Now I reclaim my footing.
Quest Complete
Survive the mercenary ambush
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Great→Superb