>>5675018The quest you’ve been sent to complete is cryptic, and its origin lies in the near past, two months prior. The Goldhorn, a city in the center north of Wymund, the birthplace of the Crystal Crusaders. Neutral ground between all the kingdoms, and a shining beacon for the class of knights. Two months ago, a man simply calling himself Raoul The Avenger began gathering a massive force of barbarians, lowlifes, blackened knights, exiled princes, and other sadistic sorts. Raoul managed to beat the crusaders and successfully laid siege to Goldhorn. What everyone thought would follow was a declaration of war, a threat to the remaining kingdoms, but instead what followed seemed worse: nothing. Not a word. Three failed counter-sieges were made, and two things became clear. Raoul coveted the mana crystal deep beneath Goldhorn, and his armor was impenetrable. He alone could have taken Goldhorn, or so the rumormongers say.
In the midst of the chaos, and the kings scrambling to build an army capable of retaking the city and reforging that fallen first order, your grandmaster would receive a message from an unknown source. All the message would state is that a blacksmith exists who can forge a blade capable of felling Raoul, as well as a cryptic map to the location of this blacksmith. Furthermore, the letter contained within a pure black crystal shard of unknown origin.
All of this seems too good to be true, and thus, they’ve only sent you and Haytham to investigate. A full cadre of Shrikes would draw too much attention from rivals. One thing is for certain. Wymund’s false peace seems ready to fall apart…
“Fath- …Sir?” Haytham’s voice rouses you from your recollection.
“Mm, yes, Haytham?” You collect your reins, bringing your steed to a stop as you face left toward your son.
“We’re off course about a mile, now.” He awkwardly shifts himself to sit up in his saddle, and you can’t help but chuckle.
“I’m well aware of that, we’re nearby our destination, figure it would do us both well to do some scouting.” You state calmly.
“I trust your sense of direction, but if we don’t approach from the dotted path, won’t this mystery blacksmith find us… suspicious?”
“Only around as suspicious as I find him, and the one who wrote the letter…” You jest, hoping to lift Haytham’s spirit.
It doesn’t seem to work, as he continues to stare, perhaps feeling shut out.
>”If you ride a little harder, we should make it there at the same time. We could cover more ground.” (Split up with Haytham, have him travel the road while you scout ahead silently.)>”Stay close and we’ll have any danger routed with twice the force.” (Haytham stays near, but your presence is more pronounced.) 