The treasure dais collapses beneath Hagrtich. Coins pour into a concealed stone-lined shaft, dragging him and his armful of loot into darkness as the guardian’s hand crashes above.
He lands hard in a cramped drainage vault, scattering coins across wet flagstones. The relics remain clutched against his chest, while dust and broken masonry rain through the opening overhead.
The guardian’s massive fingers punch through the shaft mouth, scraping for purchase. Stone groans around them, and the vault’s black mineral channels begin carrying warm water toward a low passage.
Hagrtich Ssazar
The water is rising, and the deeper passage is the only clear way out.
Warm water trickles around Hagrtich’s bare feet, darkening the dust and carrying metallic flecks toward the passage. His wounded flank burns beneath the cloak, but the vault offers no shelter.
guardian
Thief. Crawl deeper, and the old stones will bury you.
Above, another blow fractures the shaft rim. Rubble tumbles around Hagrtich as the guardian forces its arm farther through, while the drainage vault steadily fills and the loot weighs heavily in his grasp.
“I quickly stuffed my loot, and any other coins or treasure that fell with me when the dais collapsed into my layered leather backpack. I move efficiently, weaving between the masonry pour, before breaking into a full sprint gallop on all fours down the passage.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)
Hagrtich tears open the layered leather backpack and stuffs in the relics, coins, chains, and loose treasure scattered across the drainage vault floor.
He sweeps the last reachable coins inward with one claw, compressing the bulging pack against his back while warm water swirls around his feet.
guardian
Run, thief. The dark keeps what it catches.
Masonry crashes behind him as the guardian’s fingers rake the shaft mouth. Hagrtich slips between falling fragments, his wounded flank brushing wet stone.
Then he drops fully onto all fours and surges into the low passage, claws striking sparks from buried grit as his tail streams behind him.
He gallops deeper through the drainage tunnel, swift and low, while the rising water follows and the packed treasure thumps heavily against his shoulders.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the flooding drainage tunnel
“Whilst galloping, I scan the tunnel ahead for an opening before the flood catches me. I'm not terribly concerned if it does. But if there's an exit within reach, I need to know where and if I can reach it now.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +2)
Hagrtich gallops through the flooded tunnel, lowering his head as water surges around his legs. His tongue flicks rapidly, reading stone, heat, and the stale air ahead.
Hagrtich Ssazar
The water is rising behind me, but the air ahead is colder and moving freely.
His iron-grey eyes adjust to the dimness. The passage narrows briefly, then bends around a collapsed support where pale daylight glimmers through a jagged opening.
The opening lies within the tunnel's reach, only a short sprint beyond the bend. Its edges are broken masonry, but the gap is broad enough for his shoulders and pack.
Hagrtich Ssazar
The breach leads outside, and I can reach it before the flood overtakes me.
Behind him, buried stone booms under the guardian's assault, sending ripples racing through the water. Ahead, wind carries the scent of rain, open earth, and the wider Waking World.
Hagrtich has a clear escape route now. The passage rises toward the breach, and his low, swift gait can carry him there before the water fills the tunnel.
“With my escape assured to be perfectly within reach, I allow myself to slow down into a canter instead of a full gallop. Partially to conserve stamina. Not because I'm tired yet, but because I know I'll need to swim if I need to.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +3)
Hagrtich eases from a gallop into a controlled canter, keeping his body low as the flooded passage rises beneath him. Each stride remains swift, but measured.
The change steadies the treasure-laden pack against his shoulders and leaves his breathing disciplined. Water swirls around his legs without stealing his balance.
Hagrtich Ssazar
The breach is close; I have strength reserved for deeper water.
His tongue tastes colder air ahead, mixed with rain and open earth. The collapsed support passes at his side, and daylight widens through the jagged opening.
Beyond it lies a shallow ravine choked with wet reeds, offering immediate concealment below the broken masonry. Rain has filled its channel, but the current runs away from the shrine.
A deep boom rolls through the tunnel behind him. The guardian's assault is muffled by stone and water, while Hagrtich reaches the breach with his stamina preserved.
He emerges into the rain-dark ravine, pack secure and escape route open. The flood pours after him into the channel, masking his tracks beneath the rushing water.
Quest Complete
Escape the flooding drainage tunnel
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Good→Great