Before Evethal and Caelen can enter, shouting erupts along the harbor road. A loaded wagon crashes against the guild steps as black roots burst through the paving stones, pinning two merchants beneath its axle.
Sir Meredin Vale, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man in battered silver armor, surges from the hall. His dark beard is streaked with gray, and a blue-plumed helm hangs at his belt.
Sir Meredin Vale
Healers! Get those merchants clear! Keep the roots away from the doors!
The paladin draws his longsword and plants himself between the writhing roots and the guild entrance. Black tendrils scrape over stone, seeking gaps beneath the steps.
Caelen
That is the thing from the western road. Evethal, the merchants are trapped, and the roots are closing around them.
Caelen reaches toward Evethal’s arm, then stops himself as another root heaves upward. His face tightens, and his newly healed side remains rigid beneath his coat.
Sir Meredin Vale
You there, the small elf with the healer’s satchel! Can you reach the wounded? I will hold this line, but not forever.
✓ Quest Accepted
Rescue the trapped merchants
Director's note
Evethal looks at the paladin speaking to him, and he nods, quickly rushing into action. With his innate spellcasting, his mastery of medicine, and his healing supplies, he moves quickly to tend to the wounded.
“"Caelen, cover me!"”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
Evethal
Caelen, cover me!
Caelen
I have you. Reach them, Evethal!
Evethal places a soft hand on Caelen’s arm, then slips toward the pinned merchants with his satchel clutched close. Caelen steps between him and the writhing roots.
A black tendril lashes across the paving stones. Caelen knocks it aside with his blade, but the impact tears open the fresh bandage beneath his coat, and he grits his teeth.
Evethal reaches the merchants, brows furrowed as he kneels beside the axle. One merchant is conscious and gasping; the other lies stunned, both trapped but alive.
He quickly applies clean cloth and restorative salve, then lays glowing hands over their injuries. Warm temple light steadies their breathing as the pressure eases.
Sir Meredin Vale
Good work, healer! The merchants can be moved now. Stay low, and I will keep the roots from reaching you.
Quest Complete
Find a knight or paladin to aid against the beast
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Good→Great
Director's note
Evethal helps the merchants from underneath the rubble, his magic making quick work to move any wood or stone. He helps the merchants up, pointing them towards safety.
Director's note
Evethal's voice is steady and his words are warm and reassuring.
“"Go, quickly! Find shelter, we'll protect you."”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +1)
Evethal
Go, quickly! Find shelter. We'll protect you.
Evethal keeps one hand reassuringly on Caelen’s arm, then gestures the merchants toward the guild doors. His steady voice cuts through the shouting roots.
the conscious merchant
Aye, healer! We can move now. Help my brother with me!
With glowing hands and practiced care, Evethal helps the merchants free themselves from beneath the loosened axle. The conscious merchant supports his stunned companion toward shelter.
Sir Meredin Vale
Keep going! The guild hall is safe. Caelen and I will hold the road.
Caelen plants himself beside Sir Meredin, blade raised as roots writhe across the stones. He glances back only once, finding Evethal still close and unharmed.
Caelen
They are through, Evethal. Stay with me now, and we will face this thing together.
Protect the caravan from the thing beneath the Great Woods
Quest Complete
Rescue the trapped merchants
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Great→Superb