The caravan rolls beyond Everdawn’s boundary stones, canvas wagons creaking beneath the shadow of the Great Woods. The road warden remains behind at the gate, while merchants and drivers accompany Evethal westward.
Caelen walks beside Evethal, steadier now but still pale beneath his loose copper hair. His recovered blade hangs at his hip, and his attention keeps returning to the healer.
Caelen
My name is Caelen. I formally offer my knowledge and my blade to this company, for as long as the western road demands them.
The scout keeps close as the wagons pass beneath interlocking branches. Their pace settles into an easy rhythm, and Caelen’s guarded manner softens in Evethal’s presence.
Caelen
You saved my life back there. I would rather remain near you until I have repaid that debt, though I suspect no debt can truly equal it.
Fresh root scars cross the muddy track ahead, broad ridges pressed up from below. Caelen stops beside them, studying the torn earth without touching it.
Caelen
I heard something beneath these trees whispering the names of travelers. Have you ever encountered a thing that knows who walks above it?
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the caravan from the thing beneath the Great Woods
Director's notewhole tale
Evethal places a soft hand on Caelen's arm, reassuringly.
Director's notewhole tale
When Caelen looks at the tracks, Evethal pauses.
“"Of course, Caelen. It is my pleasure to meet you. My name is Evethal, it is wonderful to make your acquaintance." "You owe me nothing." "Can you track this creature? Surely this must be whatever is threatening the woods."”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +1)
Evethal
Of course, Caelen. It is my pleasure to meet you. My name is Evethal, and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. You owe me nothing.
Evethal places a soft hand on Caelen’s arm. Caelen’s guarded expression eases, and the wagons continue their slow passage beneath the interlocking boughs.
Caelen
Then I will accept your kindness as freely as you offer it, Evethal. That is a rarer gift than coin.
At the torn track, Evethal pauses beside him. The root scars are fresh, their edges dark with damp soil, and faint impressions lead west between the trees.
Evethal
Can you track this creature? Surely this must be whatever is threatening the woods.
Caelen
Yes. These marks are its trail, and the broken roots show its direction. It moved west toward the ravine, beneath the oldest trees.
Caelen kneels without touching the earth, following the pattern with his eyes. He rises and points into the green darkness, certain now of the creature’s passage.
Director's notewhole tale
Evethal gently tugs on Caelen's forearm to bring him back with him.
“"We must find more aid to handle this beast. You are still injured, and I am merely a healer. We'll need to find a knight, or a paladin- someone who is strong enough to help aid us." "We'll return another day with more help."”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
Evethal
We must find more aid to handle this beast. You are still injured, and I am merely a healer. We need a knight or paladin strong enough to help us. We'll return another day with more help.
Evethal places a soft hand on Caelen’s arm, then gently tugs his forearm away from the root scars. The wagons continue westward behind them, creaking beneath the boughs.
Caelen
You are right. Tracking it farther would be foolish while I am weakened, and your healing should not be spent covering my recklessness.
Caelen turns from the trail and starts back toward the caravan. After several steps, his color fades and he presses a hand to his side, the old wound aching through his coat.
Caelen
The pain has returned, but I can walk. We will seek a knight or paladin at the next settlement, then come back prepared.
The torn earth disappears behind curtains of fern and shadow. Caelen stays close to Evethal as they rejoin the wagons, leaving the buried trail undisturbed for now.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find a knight or paladin to aid against the beast
Director's notewhole tale
Evethal's brows furrow in concern, tilting his head and looking up at Caelen.
“"Caelen, please- sit. Let me use some of my medicine to mend you further. I'll... need to remove your shirt, so I can best access your wound." "I have my healing supplies, this should take little time."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Medicine, rolled +0)
Evethal
Caelen, please sit. Let me use some of my medicine to mend you further. I need to remove your shirt to reach the wound properly. I have my healing supplies, so this should take little time.
Evethal’s brows furrow as he tilts his head up toward Caelen. His soft hand remains reassuringly on the scout’s arm until Caelen lowers himself beside the nearest wagon.
Caelen
Of course. I will trust your judgment, healer.
Caelen carefully removes his coat and shirt, revealing the old injury beneath his ribs. Evethal opens his satchel and arranges clean cloth, salve, and a small vial of restorative tincture.
He cleans the wound, applies the medicine, and presses a glowing palm nearby. Warm light gathers beneath his fingers as the torn flesh closes and the ache recedes.
Caelen
The pain is gone again. More completely this time. You carry a temple’s mercy in those small hands.
Caelen dresses and rises with steadier breath. Around them, the caravan continues westward, while the dark forest keeps its silence beyond the road.
Director's notewhole tale
Evethal watches Caelen dress with a soft flush on his face, grateful for the praise and eyes averted from Caelen's built form. He smiles.
“"It is nothing, friend. I am... happy that you feel more soothed. We must keep moving- we need to find a knight or paladin to aid us."”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +1)
Evethal
It is nothing, friend. I am happy that you feel more soothed. We must keep moving and find a knight or paladin to aid us.
Evethal places a soft hand on Caelen’s arm, brows furrowed as he tilts his head up in concern. His gentle touch steadies the scout more surely than the medicine.
Caelen
Then onward, Evethal. I will not delay you. The next settlement may hold the aid we need.
Caelen adjusts his coat and fastens his sword belt, moving with renewed ease. Evethal watches him dress, then lowers his eyes with a soft flush and grateful smile.
The caravan’s drivers call for the wagons to advance. Caelen falls into step beside Evethal, and the western road opens beneath the swaying green canopy.
Caelen
I will ask after a knight or paladin when we arrive. With such help, we can return to those buried roots prepared.
Evethal gently tugs Caelen’s forearm away from the fading trail and back toward the wagons. Together, they continue west toward the settlement.
Director's notewhole tale
The two of them and their caravan make it safely to the next settlement, Rosewater Grotto, a florally-abundant trade settlement on the coast. Evethal follows Caelen as they search for an adventurer's guild to find a paladin or knight to join them. He stays close to Caelen, tiny hands wrapped gently
Director's note
He stays close to Caelen, tiny hands wrapped gently around Caelen's strong arm so that they don't get separated.
By late afternoon, the caravan reaches Rosewater Grotto, a coastal trade settlement bright with flowering vines, painted awnings, and salt wind drifting inland from the sea.
Evethal stays close beside Caelen, his tiny hands wrapped gently around Caelen’s strong arm as they pass safely between bustling wagons and fragrant market stalls.
Caelen
Rosewater Grotto has grown since I last passed through. An adventurer’s guild should be near the harbor quarter.
Caelen slows whenever the crowd thickens, allowing Evethal to remain beside him. Flowering balconies spill color overhead, while gulls cry beyond the tiled rooftops.
Caelen
There. The sign bears a shield and climbing rose. If knights or paladins gather anywhere in this settlement, they will hear our request.
He guides them toward a broad timber hall beside the harbor road. Its open doors reveal quest notices, weapon racks, and travelers gathered beneath a carved guild emblem.
Caelen
Stay with me, Evethal. We will explain what lies beneath the western trees, and seek someone strong enough to face it.
