Marcus Rhen and Siegfried Taloss carry Issac beneath each arm toward the mountain pass. His head lolls, and his twisted ankle drags until they reach Lillia Rhen and Mikka Rosethorn.
Lillia Rhen kneels at the entrance and rapidly inscribes a wide Healing Circle in the earth. At her instruction, Marcus Rhen and Siegfried Taloss remove Issac’s shirt and lower him carefully into its center.
Lillia Rhen
Keep his shoulder still. Siegfried, support the ankle. Marcus, tell me if his breathing changes.
Lillia Rhen places both hands over the runes and begins the healing incantation. Soothing gold-white light gathers around Issac’s bruised body, settling across his shoulder and ankle.
Mikka Rosethorn
What happened to him? He was standing when you left. Why is he unconscious?
Marcus Rhen
Three Diomede Mares charged us. Issac held one back, endured its rush, and dodged when it came again. The beast fled, but he was badly shaken.
Siegfried Taloss
The other mares withdrew with it. We carried him here as soon as he lost consciousness. The pass and the garden clue can wait until he wakes.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stabilize Issac's injuries
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify who left the mountain footprints
Director's note
My chest is left bare for the remainder of the scene
“Mikka exclaims that Diomede Mares are aggressive by nature, but tend to be isolationists, never ever leaving their lands for anything. Marcus suggests something forced them to move, but Lillia retorts, saying Diomede Mares are even more stubborn than humans, nothing will ever make them move”
Mikka Rosethorn
Diomede Mares are aggressive by nature, yes, but they are isolationists. They never leave their lands for anything.
Mikka remains beside the Healing Circle, watching the gold-white light pass over Issac’s bare chest while Lillia maintains the spell.
Marcus Rhen
Then something forced them to move. Creatures that guarded their territory suddenly crossed the plains for a reason.
Lillia Rhen
Diomede Mares are even more stubborn than humans. Nothing forces them to leave their lands. They choose their ground, and they keep it.
The runes brighten beneath Issac as Lillia’s incantation settles into a steady rhythm. His breathing remains slow, but no longer falters.
Siegfried Taloss
Whatever the reason, they crossed our path and nearly carried him beyond it. We should remember that before entering the mountains.
Mikka Rosethorn
And we should let him wake before deciding anything. The trail can wait while Lillia finishes her work.
Director's note
A strange tattoo apears on my right bicep: an eagle's head surrounded by seven stars, all encased in a thick circle rim
“Mikka points out the discovery. Marcus, Siegfried, and Lilla also take notice after Mikka points it out. Lillia immediately recognizes it as a Aesir Crest, not like an ordinary crest which are only vague shapes of animals.”
SUCCESS (Fair Perception, rolled +2)
The healing light thins across Issac’s bare chest. On his right bicep, beneath dust and sweat, a strange tattoo shows an eagle’s head encircled by seven stars.
Mikka Rosethorn
Wait. Look at his arm. That is not an ordinary crest.
Marcus leans closer without touching Issac. Siegfried shifts beside the circle, while Lillia’s gaze fixes on the inked eagle and its seven surrounding stars.
Marcus Rhen
I have seen family crests and military marks, but never one shaped like that. The circle is too deliberate.
Siegfried Taloss
It appeared after the mares attacked him, did it not? I do not remember seeing it before.
Lillia Rhen
That is an Aesir Crest. Ordinary crests are only vague shapes of animals. This one bears a defined eagle, seven stars, and a sealed circle rim.
Lillia resumes the incantation, but her attention keeps returning to the mark. Gold-white radiance gathers around Issac’s arm, leaving the newly revealed crest untouched and unmistakable.
“Marcus asks his siter if I'm actually an Aesir-blessed, to which she doesn't have an answer to. Mikka looks at me with sorrow, knowing the fates of those who bear an Aesir Crest, but refrains from speaking”
FAILURE (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled +0)
Marcus Rhen
Lillia, is Issac truly Aesir-blessed? That crest cannot be coincidence.
Lillia Rhen
I do not know. The mark is genuine, but a crest alone cannot prove that its bearer has received an Aesir’s blessing.
Marcus’s certainty falters. Lillia keeps the healing incantation steady, studying the eagle and seven stars without touching the untouched ink.
Mikka Rosethorn
Those who bear an Aesir Crest rarely keep an ordinary life.
Mikka looks toward Issac with quiet sorrow, then lowers her gaze. Whatever she knows, she keeps behind closed lips while the golden light continues to mend him.
Lillia Rhen
I cannot answer Marcus yet. But the Hall’s records may hold a way to distinguish a true blessing from an inherited or forged mark. We should search them when we return.
Marcus Rhen
Then we will not name him blessed until we know. For now, we protect him and let him wake.
Director's note
The mark fades away in glistening starlight, leaving the party stunned
“I let Lillia finish healing me, my unconscious form leaving me with no choice "That definately proves he is Aesir-blessed," Lillia states, "most marks are permanent, but only Aesir Crests appear when needed then fade away." "If that's the case, which god gave him his blessing?" Siegfried asked”
Lillia’s incantation reaches its final cadence. Gold-white radiance passes over Issac’s bare chest, easing the damage in his shoulder and ankle while his breathing steadies.
Lillia Rhen
That definitely proves he is Aesir-blessed. Most marks are permanent, but only Aesir Crests appear when needed, then fade away.
The eagle and seven stars glisten against Issac’s right bicep. Starlike motes rise from the ink, and the crest dissolves until only unmarked skin remains.
Siegfried Taloss
If that is the case, which god gave him his blessing?
Lillia Rhen
I cannot say. The crest identifies Aesir favor, not the Aesir who granted it. Its pattern may hold meaning, but I need records to read it.
The Healing Circle dims to dull lines in the earth. Issac’s eyes open beneath the quieting glow, and the party remains gathered around him, stunned by what they witnessed.
Mikka Rosethorn
Then we protect that secret until we understand it. Whatever blessing he carries, it has already made him a target.
Quest Complete
Stabilize Issac's injuries
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Fair→Good