The eastern road climbs past a small abandoned shrine beneath a leaning stone arch. Rain softens against the Kerachole dome, and its green light glimmers on moss-dark stones.
Its roof offers shelter from the weather. A cracked statue watches over a dry alcove, where the party can pause without leaving the road entirely.
The Wandering Swordsman
We shelter briefly. Check the provisions, then compare the captain's mark with the road ahead. I would rather find an error here than in the fen.
The wandering swordsman rests one hand near his blade while he studies the tree line. The young spearman circles the shrine, scanning mud, weeds, and broken stones.
The Young Spearman
No tracks I recognize. Nothing fresh around the arch, either. If the predator crossed this road, the rain has hidden its trail.
Sonoda
The route mark is blurred where the road bends beyond the shrine.
The Wandering Swordsman
The provisions are sound, and the road remains passable. Healer, decide when we move, but do not mistake a quiet shrine for a safe one.
✓ Quest Accepted
Verify the road route beyond the shrine
“*My voice softened as I approached the shrine, bereft of its pompous arrogance.* "People often pray at these shrines for safety. While I am not a devout follower of any religion, should you two wish to pray for safe returns or success, I will not judge. Even though my records are near spotless, any encounter could be your last. I will do my utmost to maintain our safety mind you, I will not leave that to luck or blind faith."”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Sonoda’s voice loses its usual edge as she approaches the cracked statue. The Kerachole dome hums softly overhead, while rain threads down the shrine’s broken stones.
Sonoda
People often pray at shrines like this for safety. I am not devout, but if either of you wishes to pray for a safe return or success, I will not judge.
Sonoda
Any encounter could be your last. My records are nearly spotless, and I will do my utmost to maintain our safety. I will not leave that to luck or blind faith.
The Young Spearman
Then I will take the offer. My mother taught me never to pass a guardian stone without asking its blessing.
The young spearman kneels in the dry alcove and bows his head before the weathered statue. His prayer is brief, swallowed beneath the steady patter of rain.
The Wandering Swordsman
I have no quarrel with prayer, though my sword usually answers first. I will offer one for our return, and trust your vigilance to handle the rest.
The wandering swordsman touches two fingers to the shrine’s cracked base, then rises. The pause leaves the party steadier, and the road beyond the arch waits without further delay.
“*I let out a soft nonjudgmental sigh. My tone still soft, I nodded after they finished.* "Well then, let us delay no further, yes?"”
FAILURE (Poor Party coordination, rolled -1)
Sonoda
Well then, let us delay no further, yes?
Sonoda gives a soft, nonjudgmental sigh and nods after the prayers conclude. The party leaves the alcove, Kerachole still humming above them.
The Wandering Swordsman
Agreed. We take the bend beyond the shrine and keep the eastern road beneath our feet.
He steps through the arch and follows the rain-darkened track. At the bend, two muddy branches divide around a collapsed drainage ditch, and the captain's blurred mark favors neither.
The Young Spearman
Wait. That is not one road. The left branch climbs, while the right sinks toward the lowland. We cannot march quickly by guessing.
The Wandering Swordsman
Then the pause has become necessary. We must compare the ground, not the ink, before choosing. A wrong turn now costs more than a careful minute.
The wandering swordsman kneels beside the fork, weighing wheel ruts and washed stones. The party's departure has become a field reading, with the shrine already behind them and no clear route forward.