"Who I iss not importants. But whats its I wants. Long ago, a warmonger comes and drives me's kind from this land. Fredrickson's its his name was. Kills us kinds, he does and he wass named King. Assassins and Foxes and Dragons comes then. Fredrickson's falls and Branches comes. Pushes us back theys did. We claims but one corners of the Devil's Kitchens now, but Marsilio's to claim that now too, and set up a new ruler there too, he thinks. But no mores! There's a ways to go back. Tis lossst though. We needs its."

Feeling overwhelmed with an unnatural compassion for the creature, you simply nod in agreement.

"Thankees then. Be readies when I calls for ye. Your rewards shall bes grand, for I's the power to cheats deaths. I's might shares with ye who's to finds it"

Your head clears just as the creature melts away into the night. You feel compassion for the creature, but living amongst the cheerful people of Pan-Tree for so long, you feel almost akin to them too. How foul of a creature to make you feel so disconnected. Despite his wretched speech, you had understood all of his references. For past few years, Pan-Tree has been ever the more prosperous and neither its dragon nor its unicorn have surfaced in months. It seems everything has been well for the small piece of the Branch Empire. Could you dare help the foul-feeling creature? But with the power to cheat death, you could be immortal. How could you refuse such power? You reach into your breast pocket and pull out your festival invitation:

"Perhaps this would secure me a spot at the front of the line," the sorceress said. As she reached into her pockets, Puck felt a moment of terror, fearing a threat and knowing that some mages kept. many unnatural things in possession, but felt relief when she presented a small precious gem. The crimson woman was quickly escorted to the front as the gnome pocketed the gem. Many locals, guests, and travelers were announced and they, sometimes begrudgingly, spoke words of good faith. After everyone had been introduced, Roland and his subjects made their way to the newly built bridge to hear the decision of the Order of the Walrus on who was to rule the newly settled Dooland.

"In this new era, many more problems can occur. With new lands we need new rulers. Alas! But to whom should the scepter fall? To one of the order? No, for to show favoritism would breed mistrust would breed corruption. To one of the land? No, for that would be of folly; to have one to rule without strength; without intellect? As you see my good people, I have quite a bind."

"Henceforth, by royal decree and by endorsement by the Order of the Walrus, it has been decided that the games of old shall decide the ruler of the new Dooland. These games shall be open to all, without exception and a champion will be raised. These games shall prove both the strength and intellect needed to rule our new division of land. The first shall be a tournament style armed combat. First person to draw a mortal wound to the opponent will advance to the second game. But fear not, for our local alchemist will cure all injury. The second of the games will be the Grand Inquisition, a riddle competition that will baffle the keenest of minds. All whom advanced from the armed combat are potential winners of the entire competition. But during the riddling, each contestant may select an assistant to help with the questions. The winner of the games of old will be named a baron and will, in wisdom, rule the providence of Dooland and be inducted into the Order of the Walrus."

The dragon you've bound is in flight, the power of the Unicorn wanes in you. You'll not have its protection for long now. Your reign shall end, by either my hand or by another's. Your Order is too splintered, and already the tusks split and Doolan is too far. But as dreadful they are, your screams will yet reach him. Your list of allies wears thin as its Vellum burns. By dawn's break, Pan-Tree's One Ruler will see to your demise.

As tales are told
Mine is not very old
Marsilio will be gone and gruel
Now is Pan-Tree's true Sovereign's day to rule
Neither here nor there
Lost in body and mind
Lue of flesh and hair
In stone and Ęther you find.

How dare you tread into my realm? When the demon cries tomorrow, you will be challenged!"

The second of the Games of Old was the Grand Inquisition, a riddling competition to test the mental capabilities that would decide the new ruler. Half the original number of contestants remained and riddled till there were but two left. Weary, of the competition, Duke Marsilio excused himself from the arena for a short break. Knowing the only way to solve the endgame, Norion read the last riddle for both challengers and gave each of them a guess at the answer:

The next morning, eager villagers ate breakfast while news of the winner of the Riddling Competition still needed announcing.

"When is the duke ever going to wake up?" asked an impatient local.

Puck, the Royal Interpreter, left to rouse the duke and suddenly the Dragon Shrine spewed flame and smoke, attracting the attention of all. Although Branch was now in charge of Pan-Tree, the Dragon still had a presence in the land. A crowd gathered as the two attendants of the shrine expressed their wishes:

Attendant 1: "So you, who may be called worthy of service to the Dragon, listen now for we have quests for you and with them, grand rewards."

Attendant 2: "Find our beloved Dragon's eggs. A great reward will be given for each egg safely returned to this shrine."

Attendant 1: "And retrieve riches in the name of the Dragon. Bring each piece of gold, silver, and gem to this shrine by noon. For after that, the one with who donates the most treasure to the dragon will be named most favored and awarded the dragon sword. A blade with an awesome power; for it will pierce any armor be it magic or mundane."

Attendant 2: "Go now, and forever appease the Dragon with your acts!"

Many of the rhymes had been heard before the previous day and it was clear who was responsible as a Ghastly Presence began to wander freely through the land. Adventures spent the afternoon wandering the lands searching for dragon eggs, treasures, and clues to Duke Marsilio's disappearance. Many headed straight over the bridge, but were stopped by a magical wall with a skull and a note at its base. The note read: "A priest must make a sacrifice.". Not knowing of any other, the villagers summoned Norion Tigersoul, the Priest of the Walrus. Norion took inventory of the crowd, asking for volunteers to be sacrificed. Apparently none thought they'd make a suitable offering to the forces sealing the bridge. But after many incantations and prayer, the magical wall fizzled and adventures could now pass. Of course, there were still foes on the other side and the adventurers were quickly accosted by Sach and his gang of ninjas. A brief scrimmage occurred and the Lord of the Dead arrived to collect the souls of the recently departed.

Another such chest was found and because of its smaller size, was easily carried into town. The second chest had a strangely familiar riddle on the box:

"What force and strength can not get through,
I with a gentle touch can do.
And Many in the street would stand,
were I not a friend at hand.
What am I?"

The Demon of the Crimson Sorceress was cunning enough to finally figure out the riddle and opened the chest with the words "A Key". Inside the chest, he discovered an immensely powerful item, but his binding to the sorceress kept him from using the Sands of Time for his own desires. Instead, he was forced to relock the box and magically secure it to himself.

As the battlefield was cleared of the dead and wounded, a ghostly figure of a former duke floated across the bridge, jingling the keys that he normally wore at his belt. The ghost of Roland Marsilio of Branch came to a rest inside the speaking ring, being free of his prison in the orb.

"What happened, my duke?" asked one of the villagers. The duke shook his head, not sure himself where he had been.

"Have you found it?" Marsilio asked. "Have you found what Aramis sought?"

Roland Marsilio responded:
"In a conference of either heroes or thieves,
A turn of The Glass,
And in a flash,
Bring a kingdom to rise, or fall to its knees

I leave this power to you, but how will you use it? Do nothing and preserve our current timeline? Turn it forward and bridge to the future? Or will you turn it back to Uncharted Lands before Branch or even before Pan-Tree?"