[Perception] Diminishing Returns (-1) affects your roll. You roll a 4 -1 (required 10). Failure.

You lead the group further southeast into the valley, where hot springs flow seaward, warming up the ambient air with low-lying fog. The cold wind whistles overhead, blowing against the sharp edges of rugged stone cliffs.

As you walk along the river, the unicorns catch a glimpse of lustre, and decide to prospect the area. One of them pulls out a strange lantern-like device, and turns it on with a click. It begins to emit a dim blue light, which seems to highlight colourful specks on nearby stones.

White unicorn: "So we're looking for something... dark green, was it?"

Brown unicorn: "I think this is it. Let's start digging here... and here. And over here."

The unicorns each prop their saddlebags up on the ground using attached metal rods, turning them into makeshift baskets. Then, they grab their mining supplies, and waste no time getting to work.

Irregular thunks and clinks begin to echo through the valley while you keep your eyes peeled for anything that may be drawn to the noise. However, with the faint moonlight eclipsed by tall ridges, and the rising steam moving like ghostly tendrils, you have a hard time keeping yourself from jumping at shadows.

Smoke stands guard on the western side of the group, hungrily watching as the miners slowly fill up their bags with shiny ore. Behind her, the silhouettes of distant trees distractingly merge to form a black smudge, fading in for a moment, then back out. Over time, the swaying shadows seem to blend into an even larger mass, as though silently creeping closer.

You realize almost too late that your eyes aren't playing tricks on you.

You cry for Smoke to watch out. At the last second, the dragon turns around to find a leaping nightcrawler mere hooves from her face.

Then, in an instant, the shadowy creature is engulfed in the blast of a point-blank fireball. Sizzling bits and pieces fly all over, and what little remains soon disintegrates into red sparkles.

Yellow unicorn: "Whoa, that was close! Everyone alright?"

Smoke: "All good! Heheh..."

You make your way over to Smoke, and apologize for not warning her sooner. She shrugs it off, an amused smirk plastered on her face.

Smoke: "Don't sweat it. Dragons are made of tougher stuff, remember? I would've been fine. Although, if you do wanna make up for it, I could go for a little something to refuel right about now."

You agree that that is fair, and offer her some of your remaining gemstones as thanks for keeping you and the group safe. She appears satisfied with that, and begins to snack on them at once.

You give 3 Gemstones to Smoke.

Thankfully, the rest of your time in the valley is uneventful. As soon as the last of the saddlebags is full to the brim, the unicorns pack up, and make ready to return to the Undercity.

Your pocket watch indicates three o'clock. While the newly acquired load may slow the group down, you believe that if all goes well, then you should be able to make it back to the tunnel before sunrise.

• To the west is the main road, along which you can see a few flickering lights from here, likely from patrols.
• To the northwest are the plains from whence you came, slowly brightening by the hour.
• To the north are the woodlands, even thicker on this side, and spanning across the coastal mountain range.