At Brightburn’s outer gate, Calisto stands ready beneath iron-bound towers, silver armor bright against his shredded red cape. Beyond the road, dust boils beneath a darkening sky.
A young adult man in a torn brown courier’s coat stumbles from the road. His face is pale beneath blood and dust, and one hand thrusts forward a sealed black letter.
the courier
Take it... before it reaches the walls.
The courier collapses against the gatehouse stones, still extending the letter. Behind him, hoofbeats or something heavier strike the road in a relentless rhythm.
the gate captain
Guards, bar the passage! Knight, choose now. Bring him inside, take the letter, or ride out and face whatever follows.
the watchman
There! In the dust! It is coming fast!
The watchmen raise spears and glance toward Calisto. Beyond the gate, the pursuing shape remains hidden, but its shadow briefly crawls across the road through the dust.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prevent the pursuing threat from entering Brightburn
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the sealed black letter
“I face the approaching threat”
Calisto turns from the fallen courier and faces the road. His silver armor catches the dim light, while the red helmet’s green pupils burn through the thickening dust.
The approaching shadow swells between the gateposts, its outline rising and falling with each heavy stride. Hoofbeats become a deep, measured thunder beneath the wind.
the gate captain
Hold steady! Let the knight see what comes.
The guards brace their spears, but none advances. Dust streams around Calisto’s shredded cape as the unseen pursuer reaches the last bend in the road.
Calisto
The road is clear enough to see its shadow.
For one breath, the dust thins. A broad, dark shape stands beyond it, crowned by two pale points that catch the failing daylight.
the watchman
It has seen us.
“"Beast! State your intentions."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled -1)
Calisto
Beast! State your intentions.
The dust peels away, revealing a towering black hound with a broad, furred body and antler-like horns. Pale eyes burn above a silver chain collar, and old scars cross its muzzle.
the beast
I intend no assault upon Brightburn. I seek the black letter and the one who bears it.
The beast lowers its head, not in submission, but to bring its gaze level with Calisto’s helmet. Its breath rolls cold across the stones.
the beast
The courier carries a summons from the buried throne. If the letter enters your walls, the old dead will hear its seal break.
Behind Calisto, the fallen courier’s fingers tighten around the black letter. The gate captain, a broad-shouldered middle-aged woman with dark skin, close-cropped black hair, and a blue-gray cloak over chainmail, signals the guards to hold their spears, listening despite himself.
the gate captain
Knight, it has answered. Now decide whether its warning is worth more than the courier’s life.
“"i see no reason our people should be in possesion of this artifact, it is not ours. very well, you may have the letter."”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +0)
Calisto
I see no reason our people should possess this artifact. It is not ours. Very well, you may have the letter.
Calisto takes the black letter from the courier’s weakening grasp and extends it beyond the gate. The seal chills his gauntlet, numbing his fingers.
the beast
Wisely surrendered, knight. The buried throne remembers those who keep what was never theirs.
The horned hound steps forward and closes its jaws around the letter without breaking the seal. Frost briefly whitens the black wax.
the gate captain
You give away a summons that might concern Brightburn, and leave us to trust a monster’s warning?
The courier’s hand falls slack against the stones. The beast turns toward the dark road, carrying the sealed letter, while every spear remains trained upon its scarred back.
the beast
Tell your dead king’s servants the seal remains unbroken. For tonight, Brightburn is spared.
Quest Complete
Prevent the pursuing threat from entering Brightburn
Skill Upgrade: Melee Weapons Superb→Legendary