The clearing holds its breath around seven mossy monoliths. In the dim ring of stones, Alizard stands with the faintly glowing ring tucked away, while the Mistwarden watches from the shadows. A twig snaps, and the Watchman steps in from the trees, bruised and hard-eyed.
The Watchman
There you are. Hand over the ring, little thief.
His gaze locks on Alizard’s pocket, then flicks to the stones, weighing distance and cover. The air around the monoliths shivers once, as if the ring answers his attention.
The Mistwarden
Careful. The forest notices hunger.
The Watchman hesitates, just enough to show he hears the warning. Behind him, the woods remain thick and dark, but more boots crunch somewhere out of sight.
Alizard the Gnome
The ring is drawing attention, and the stones are still active.
The faint glow in the pocket pulses again, unstable now, as if it may flare or fail at any breath. Between hunter and watcher, Alizard stands at the center of the clearing, with the ford and the standing stones suddenly feeling much closer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach the standing stones by the old ford
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the magical ring