Blezzy remains at the open back door, visibly perplexed. Behind her, the green mark smolders across the floorboards; her repaired pack contains no traded ore.
Blezzy
I had ore, yes. The mining company bought it all yesterday, so I cannot surrender what I no longer carry. Tell me about this green-lit watcher, so I avoid its territory.
the gaunt laborer
That is what we came to learn, miner. The watcher serves the dragon whose claim begins at the sealed lower cut and follows the pale-gold workings beneath the slums.
The gaunt laborer raises the jagged shard. Green light pours across the alley, shaping an immense scaled visage above his hand, its eyes bright and ancient.
the intelligent dragon
The watcher marks my boundaries, not every stone beneath your feet. The sealed cut, the buried storehouse, and the veins beyond its iron door are mine. Ore taken from them now rests with your mining company, intended for my transformation ritual.
the broad laborer
She is telling you plainly, Blezzy. Ask which workings are safe before you swing again. The shard will show the boundary, if you agree to listen.
The projected visage holds above the quiet alley while tavern shutters open below. Its green light slowly traces a thin route across the stones, ending at an unmarked fork.
“I carelessly make an offer, my reasoning not high enough to take note of the obvious trap in the long run of this situation. "You want rare ores? Would you be willing to buy them off me, instead, then? I normally sell them to the mining firm here in the slums, but if you'll offer me a better deal, I'll gladly sell to you instead. All I care about is enough coin to keep my liquor bottle from ever emptying and a few coins on the side for buying information from brokers." I admit bluntly, making an obvious offer to switch to the highest bidder on the market regardless of how well I know a firm dealer or how long I've been with them.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mercantile, rolled -2)
Blezzy
You want rare ores? Buy them from me instead. If you offer more than the mining firm, I will sell to you. I only need enough coin to keep my liquor bottle full, with some left for information.
The offer hangs in the alley beneath the dragon’s projected visage. The green route remains traced across the stones, its end pointing toward the unmarked fork.
the intelligent dragon
Accepted. Bring me rare ore from workings beyond my boundary, and I will pay above the slum firm’s rate. Adamantite, orichalcum, and comparable treasures will purchase your drink and your questions.
the broad laborer
You have a buyer, Blezzy. The shard will show you safe workings, and the dragon’s scales will judge the ore when you return.
The jagged green shard flares hot in the gaunt laborer’s hand. A thin green mark circles Blezzy’s repaired pack, branding her as the dragon’s contracted ore-dealer.
the intelligent dragon
That mark is the cost of my guarantee. It announces your contract to my watcher and to anyone guarding my veins. Betray it, and your future buyers will know whom you cheated.
the gaunt laborer
The bargain is witnessed, miner. Follow the marked fork for untouched workings, then return with whatever rare ore you can carry.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the green boundary shard
“I approach the gaunt laborer. "Could I have that green stone so that I can always find my way to the buyer?" I ask bluntly. "I could show you a couple different routes into the mine-shaft for your troubles, if you want to expand your mining routes." I offer as payment in place of coin, since that is my precious resource for alcohol.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mercantile, rolled +0)
Blezzy
Could I have that green stone so I can always find my way to the buyer? I could show you a couple routes into the mine shaft for your troubles, if you want to expand your mining routes.
Blezzy approaches the gaunt laborer, keeping her empty hand extended. The green shard hums between them, casting sickly light over the alley stones and the dragon’s hovering visage.
the gaunt laborer
A fair exchange, miner. The routes are worth more to us than coin, and the dragon wants your work to continue. Take it.
The gaunt laborer places the jagged green shard in Blezzy’s palm. Its warmth settles against her skin, and a thin line of light points through the alley toward the marked fork.
the intelligent dragon
Keep the stone visible when you travel. It will guide you to my buyer and reveal the boundaries of my claim. In return, your routes will broaden my reach.
the broad laborer
Show us the entrances you know, Blezzy. We will mark them for future miners, and no coin need leave your hands.
The shard’s glow strengthens, tracing two faint branches across the ground toward separate passages beneath the slums. The contract mark around Blezzy’s pack answers with a quiet pulse.
✓ Quest Accepted
Show the laborers the mine routes
Quest Complete
Secure the green boundary shard
+ New Item Acquired
Green Boundary Shard
“I place the green shard against my skin directly below my bellybutton, held fastened by my loincloth. "Come with me." I say bluntly, in a way that sounds more like an order than a request. I lead the man first to the entrance via the drainage path that I used to enter. After that, I head back in the opposite direction. As we walk, I speak more, "I don't ever hide my haul; but you should know that my pack has an enchantment on it that increases the internal space of the pack itself. I'm pretty well known around here as a 'belligerent drunk,' so people don't try picking fights with me, even when I have a sack full of valuable ores." I tell them all plainly, a proud look on my face despite the information that should be enough to make me feel guilty. As I finish my explanation, we arrive at the mountain where the cave-in happened a couple days earlier. "This is the other entrance. There was a cave-in a few days ago, but clear that rubble out, and there's an entrance beyond it."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mercantile, rolled +3)
Blezzy presses the green shard directly below her bellybutton and fastens it beneath her loincloth. Its glow shines through the fabric, pointing steadily toward the drainage path.
Blezzy
Come with me.
The gaunt laborer leads at her direction while the broad laborer follows. Blezzy guides them through the old drainage passage, past the broken boards, and into the crawlway entrance.
Blezzy
I do not hide my haul. My pack is enchanted, with more space inside than outside. Around here I am known as a belligerent drunk, so people do not pick fights with me, even when I carry valuable ore.
They retrace the route beneath the slums, then emerge into mountain air. Blezzy turns back along the slope toward the older entrance, the shard marking both passages with green light.
Blezzy
This is the other entrance. There was a cave-in a few days ago, but clear the rubble and there is an entrance beyond it.
the gaunt laborer
You have given us two routes and a warning worth remembering. We can clear this safely, and the dragon will gain a broader path without touching your claim.
The shard flares, revealing a third faint mark beneath the rubble: an old ventilation cut leading toward untouched stone. The laborers stare, impressed, as the hidden route becomes visible.
Quest Complete
Show the laborers the mine routes