Three weeks after the ruined inn, the company rests in a Zahareen wayhouse. Their wounds have healed into scars; Lioran still adjusts to his missing arm, while the others prepare to travel.
Dusty sunlight falls through the shutters as Veil places a blackened fragment on the wayhouse table. Its edges are broken, and tight cipher marks cover the surviving surface.
Veil
I recovered this from the inn’s debris. The marks match Veyra’s duplicate ledger, including the same concealed notation used for payments and routes.
The fragment depicts a river bend, an abandoned storehouse, and three ash-marked turns. One section has been deliberately cut away, removing the final approach and whatever destination followed it.
Veil
The route is clear enough to identify the storehouse, but not to enter it safely. Someone removed the crucial section before the fragment reached us.
Saadia leans over the table, while Lydia studies the marks and Oskar watches the shutters. Lioran steadies the fragment with his remaining hand, careful not to smudge the ink.
Veil
We can search the wayhouse records, question travelers, or follow the incomplete route and learn what the missing piece was meant to conceal.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover Veyra’s duplicate ledger
Director's note
Equivalent of prime minister or president of a country
“Veil then tells us, with a serious glare, that in no case or form, must we inform the Guardians of what we’ve seen that day. He continues and says that like he told us weeks ago after the fight against the entity, He suspects the governement of Akav’Ren to be corrupted. They could even have ties with Haldvar. He continues and says that the Current High Custodian Peligros Leiner, he believes there’s something wrong with him, that he’s planning something big and because of that, we cannot trust Akav’Ren’s governement, Neither any other kingdom or nation. He continues and says that he believes that there’s something bigger than these criminals. He believes they will need to create their own group of rogues, or a sort of Resistance. He doesn’t know what, but he senses something is coming that if we don’t prepare for, Eryn will perish. All nations, children, parents, animal, architectures, everything.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Veil’s serious glare moves across the table, stopping each companion in turn. The black fragment remains between them, its missing section suddenly seeming deliberate rather than accidental.
Veil
Under no circumstance do we tell the Guardians what we saw that day. I warned you weeks ago: Akav’ren’s government may be corrupted, and it may have ties to Haldvar.
Veil
The Current High Custodian, Peligros Leiner, is wrong. I believe he is planning something vast. We cannot trust Akav’ren’s government, or any kingdom and nation until we know more.
Veil places one finger beside the erased route. His conclusion is not a rumor or a frightened guess: the pattern connects the government, Haldvar, and a danger larger than either.
Veil
There is something larger than these criminals. We may need our own rogues, a resistance outside every throne. I do not know its shape, but something is coming.
Veil
If we do not prepare, Eryn will perish. Nations, children, parents, animals, buildings, everything. That is why this fragment cannot leave our hands.
Saadia
Then we keep silent, investigate without banners, and decide together what this resistance must become. No kingdom receives our trust for free.
The wayhouse grows still. Lydia closes the shutters, Oskar watches the door, and Lioran draws the fragment nearer while Veil begins sorting the cipher marks into a private map.
“A resistance? But Veil, that would cost money, how could we proceed? We would need lands, ressources, men and women to fight with us, how would that work? Veil thinks for a second and thinks of one man in particular that could Aid them: A noble in Aurythia: Amar. I’m surprised. Amar? The painter, sculptor and Cartograph? Veil answers that yes, last he’s heard, he resented the nobles, even though he was himself a noble. That alone tells a lot about his character. Maybe he will help us? But Veil, i ask, Isn’t he among the least rich of the nobles in Aurythia? Veil thinks and Lydia answers for him and says that yes, he in fact is. Lioran adds that it wouldn’t hurt to try. I nod. Then i turn and Lock eyes with Saadia: “And you my love? What do you think?””
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Elion Draemnor
A resistance would need money, land, resources, and people willing to fight. How could we possibly build one? You mentioned Amar, the noble painter, sculptor, and cartographer. Is he not among Aurythia’s least wealthy nobles? And you, my love, what do you think?
Veil
Amar is precisely why he may help. He resented the nobles despite being one himself. His wealth is limited, yes, but his knowledge, contacts, and principles may be worth more than a treasury.
Lydia
He is among Aurythia’s poorest nobles. That is certain. But poverty does not make him powerless, especially if he knows the land and the people who map it.
Lioran
It would not hurt to try. We need an honest starting point, and Amar may offer one without demanding that we kneel to a throne.
Veil studies the fragment, then folds it beneath his coat. Around the table, the question becomes less an impossible dream and more a destination: Aurythia, and Amar, a young adult human man with a slender build, warm brown skin, wavy dark hair, and paint-stained fingers, dressed in a russet artist’s coat over a cream shirt and dark trousers.
Saadia
I think we should seek him. A noble who distrusts nobles may understand why we cannot place our future in any kingdom’s hands. If Amar can give us a beginning, we should hear him.
Saadia meets Elion’s gaze without hesitation. Veil nods once, Lydia gathers the fragment’s copies, and the company accepts Aurythia as their next destination.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Amar in Aurythia
“Okay, we will need to separate for this, as it would be important to gain Veyra’s Duplicate Ledger. What do you all suggest? The only idea i had in mind is that Veil you go after Veyra’s duplicate Ledger Along with Oskar and Lydia. Saadia and Lioran would come with me. What do you all think?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Elion Draemnor
We need to separate to recover Veyra’s duplicate ledger. Veil, take Oskar and Lydia. Saadia and Lioran, come with me. What do you all suggest?
The proposal divides the table into two clear paths: one toward Veyra’s ledger, the other toward Aurythia and Amar. The missing route remains the cost of their reasoning, still requiring verification.
Veil
The division is sound. Lydia can protect the search, and Oskar’s strength will make forcing open old storehouses unnecessary. I will keep them focused on the ledger.
Lydia
I agree, provided we leave a clear meeting place and time. We should not let two successful searches become two isolated companies.
Oskar
I am ready. Veil knows the hidden signs, Lydia keeps us safe, and I can help secure the ledger without damaging it.
Saadia
Then I will travel with Elion and Lioran toward Aurythia. We should question Amar carefully, while the others confirm whether Veyra’s ledger still exists.
Lioran
That gives us a practical division. We should record the meeting place before leaving, because the fragment’s missing approach still leaves our timing uncertain.
“Let’s meet at the Village of Rockchof. Lydia do you remember that Priest, Prilius? The one who Had Healing fire magic? He studied at the Mana Academy in his Younger days. He trained us despite being a Healer. Lydia remembers. Then Veil adds that he knows Priest Prilius, since they studied together at the Mana Academy. I was in shock. But before i could ask anything and the others could ask Anytjing, Veil said that it was a story for another time. So he said, The village of Rockchof? and I nodded, waiting for the others responses”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Elion Draemnor
Let us meet at the Village of Rockchof. Lydia, do you remember Priest Prilius, the healer who used restorative fire? He studied at the Mana Academy when he was younger.
Lydia pauses over the travel map, then recognition settles across her face. The name returns with the memory of a patient priest, Priest Prilius, a middle-aged human man with a sturdy build, warm brown skin, close-cropped gray hair, and a cream priest’s robe with a red sash whose healing fire once shaped their training.
Lydia
I remember him. Priest Prilius taught us despite being a healer. His restorative fire was precise, gentle, and far stronger than I expected.
Veil
I know Priest Prilius. We studied together at the Mana Academy.
Shock stills the table. The connection gives Rockchof a credible guide, but the sudden revelation leaves the Academy years and Prilius’s present circumstances unverified.
Veil
That is a story for another time. The Village of Rockchof, then?
Elion nods, waiting for the others. The meeting place is chosen, though Veil’s withheld history leaves one important thread for later investigation.
Director's note
Akels are Akav’Ren’s currency
“Let us acquire more gear before we go. How much did we gain from the bounty we claimed from defeating these Haldvar Agents? It was a decent amount. 6000 Akels i think?. Lydia confirms the number. Then we should split the total amount into our two groups, and go buy the necessary items for our missions. Me, Saadia and Lioran to Aurythia to find Amar, and Veil, Lydia and Oskar to recover Veyra’s duplicate Ledger.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Elion Draemnor
Let us acquire more gear before we go. How much did we gain from defeating the Haldvar agents? Six thousand Akels, I think. We should split it between our two groups and buy what each mission requires.
Veil opens the company’s locked purse and counts the bounty against the written receipt from the Akav’ren authorities. The total is six thousand Akels, enough for deliberate preparations without exhausting their resources.
Lydia
Your memory is correct. Six thousand Akels. Three thousand for the party traveling to Aurythia, and three thousand for the search for Veyra’s duplicate ledger is a fair division.
Lydia divides the coins into two sealed purses. Saadia and Lioran gather beside Elion, while Veil, Lydia, and Oskar review the supplies needed for their separate roads.
Veil
Our share should cover weatherproof packs, lantern oil, rope, seal-breaking tools, and provisions. We need to recover the ledger intact, not purchase anything that risks damaging it.
Saadia
For Aurythia, we need travel provisions, respectable clothing, writing materials, and a secure case for documents. If Amar agrees to help, we must be ready to preserve whatever he entrusts to us.
By late afternoon, both groups have purchased their gear and packed the supplies into separate burdens. The purse of Veil’s group is empty, but the missions are funded, equipped, and ready to begin from Rockchof.
+ New Item Acquired
Weatherproof Pack
+ New Item Acquired
Lantern Oil
+ New Item Acquired
Rope
+ New Item Acquired
Seal-Breaking Tools
+ New Item Acquired
Travel Provisions
+ New Item Acquired
Respectable Clothing
+ New Item Acquired
Writing Materials
+ New Item Acquired
Document Case
“Saadia my love, Lioran my friend, we should also go and buy healing potions shouldn’t we?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Elion Draemnor
Saadia, my love, Lioran, my friend, we should also buy healing potions, shouldn’t we?
Lioran
Yes. Potions give us a reserve when restorative mana is unavailable, and our remaining funds can cover a sensible supply.
Saadia
Agreed, my love. We should buy enough for both groups, then keep them sealed until someone truly needs one.
The three return to the wayhouse’s supply quarter and spend part of Aurythia’s purse on carefully stoppered healing potions. Lioran checks each bottle for clarity and intact seals.
Lioran
We have six common healing potions, divided evenly between the two parties. They restore the body, but they do not replace proper care.
Saadia secures three potions in Elion’s travel case, while Lioran places the other three with the supplies bound for Veil, Lydia, and Oskar. The Aurythia group is now equipped to leave.
+ New Item Acquired
Healing Potions
“Excellent, let’s get going. The two groups say bye to each other and they go each to their respective missions. As Elion is walking in the street of Zahareen alongside Saadia and Lioran, he can’t help but feel good. Some citizen recognize him, as Elion was a Guardian in the past. He was locally known as the Living Flame. He wasn’t a celebrity, but he made some head turn. Saadia, confused asked why are some people cheering when seeing him and asking how he is. Lioran explains to Saadia that Elion was locally known Guardian in Zahareen as the Living Flame. Elion nods and adds that his Father whose name was Thalor, was a revered Healer and His mother Valeria was a scholar. Veil was their butler and they lived a peaceful life the four of them together.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
At the wayhouse gate, the two groups exchange farewells. Veil clasps Elion’s shoulder, Lydia embraces Saadia, and Oskar promises to return with the ledger while Lioran checks their packs one final time.
Veil
Rockchof is our meeting point. Keep your documents secure, and trust no official inquiry until we understand who serves whom.
Elion, Saadia, and Lioran leave the wayhouse and enter Zahareen’s busy street. Dusty sunlight warms the stones, and several citizens recognize Elion, turning to cheer and ask after his health.
Saadia
Why are they cheering for you, my love? They look at you as if you are someone important here.
Lioran
Elion was a Guardian in Zahareen. People here knew him as the Living Flame. He was never a celebrity, but his service made an impression.
Elion Draemnor
My father was Thalor, a revered healer, and my mother was Valeria, a scholar. Veil was our butler. The four of us lived peacefully together before everything changed.
Saadia’s expression softens, and Lioran walks quietly beside them. More citizens offer respectful greetings as Zahareen’s streets carry Elion toward the road leading out of his old home.
“I hope the trainings we’ve been doing after the fight against that entity will pay off… what have you two learned during that time we’ve trained under Veil?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -3)
Elion Draemnor
I hope the training we have done since that entity will pay off. What have you two learned while training under Veil?
Saadia
I learned to read intent before movement, especially when an enemy hides their attack behind magic or transformation. Veil also taught me to preserve an opening instead of chasing every one.
Lioran
I learned to divide my attention without weakening my healing. I can now assess several allies, choose the most urgent injury, and preserve mana for the next treatment.
The answer settles into Elion’s memory: Saadia learned predictive restraint, while Lioran learned triage and mana conservation. The lessons are practical, repeatable, and ready for the road.
Saadia
Veil also taught us that surviving a stronger enemy depends on refusing the exchange they want. That lesson matters more than any single technique.
Lioran
The cost was time. We spent so long repeating the exercises that I still cannot recall every sequence in order, but I know what each exercise was meant to teach.
The company continues toward Zahareen’s outer road. Citizens still call greetings behind them, but the exact order of Veil’s drills remains blurred, leaving their principles clearer than their choreography.
“Interesting.. on my part, Veil explained to me that i knocked out, but i fought with him while uncouscious. It was exactly as Kheros explained it the first form of the Draconic Heritage: My eyes were glowing gold with streaks of silver, and Veil is not sure, but he thinks that i was using Sun magic, which is surprising because i’ve only known fire magic. Sun is far superior in all aspects, i don’t understand how i did that. Kheros also told me that each dragonborn possesses an “extra power” if i can call it like this, because of the Draconic Mana. I didn’t quite understand but if what he said is true, maybe i can use sun magic AND fire magic. I’ve also made no progress towards my draconic Instincts, i can’t seem to master that ability. I am a bit worried if i must be honest with the two of you.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +1)
Elion Draemnor
Veil told me I fought beside him while unconscious. My eyes were gold with silver streaks, just as Kheros described the first form of Draconic Heritage.
Elion Draemnor
He thinks I used Sun magic. I have only known fire magic, yet Sun is superior in every aspect. Kheros also spoke of an extra power within every dragonborn’s Draconic Mana. Perhaps I can wield both.
Elion Draemnor
But I have made no progress with Draconic Instincts. I cannot master it, and I am worried, if I am honest.
Saadia slows beside him as Zahareen’s outer road opens ahead. Her expression turns attentive, and Lioran closes the distance, listening without interrupting.
Saadia
You survived that battle while your body moved without you. That is frightening, but it also proves the power is real. We will not confuse uncertainty with failure.
Lioran
And we can study the difference carefully. Sun magic may be beyond ordinary fire, but your mana still has rules. We should learn what triggers it before you attempt to force it.
Their words do not solve the mystery, but they give it shape: Sun magic, Draconic Mana, and the instinct that awakened only when danger overwhelmed conscious thought.
Saadia
You do not have to master every part of your heritage today, my love. We will understand it together, one answer at a time.
“Thank you my love, thank you to you too Lioran, it means a lot.”
Elion Draemnor
Thank you, my love. Thank you too, Lioran. It means a lot.
Saadia’s expression softens as they continue along the outer road. Lioran offers Elion a quiet, approving smile, and the three keep pace beneath the widening sky.
Saadia
You never need to thank us for standing beside you, my love. We choose this road with you.
Lioran
She is right. Whatever answers wait ahead, you will not face them without companions.
The road leaves Zahareen’s last houses behind. Dust moves across the fields, and the familiar sounds of the city fade into a steady rhythm of footsteps.
Saadia walks close at Elion’s side while Lioran keeps the packs balanced. Their destination remains distant, but the company travels together, carrying uncertainty without carrying it alone.
“Let’s continue along the road toward Aurythia. We will soon arrive at the Traveling Docks. There we can take a Vumpreh (Equivalent of Airplanes) to go to Aurythia”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -2)