Before Zey can break Ferric’s seal, hoofbeats approach through the Mythic Forest. A lone rider emerges, a middle-aged woman, lean and narrow-shouldered with a weathered angular face and a small scar on her chin, in a rain-dark green cloak, silver-streaked hair braided close, and an empty scabbard at her hip.
She dismounts several paces from the gathered clans and raises both hands. Zey remains beside Tavian, while Emerald guards hold the memorial’s approaches and the rest of the clans stay ready behind Nadia.
Maelin Voss
I carry a writ under Imperial authority. I have not come to fight, and I will not draw steel unless attacked.
The rider removes a leather tube from beneath her cloak and places it on the ground, then nudges it forward with one boot. Red wax bears Ferric’s captain’s seal, unbroken and unmistakable.
Maelin Voss
The Imperial companies will spare the Emerald village if its elders submit and surrender Tavian Rusk before dawn. Refusal means the order proceeds unchanged.
Zey Yeni
You know his name, yet claim this is a general offer. Tell us how Ferric learned where he fled.
Maelin Voss
Because the order was written for this ground, Elder. It names the memorial, the wounded deserter, and the one who brought him here. Ferric expected you to shelter him.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish whether Ferric’s writ is genuine
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn how Ferric located the memorial
“does the messenger carry any imperial markings”
YES (VeryLikely, rolled 32)
As the tube rolls to a stop, the rider’s cloak parts enough to reveal a silver Imperial sun clasp at her throat and a red-edged dispatch cord at her shoulder. The markings are official, not scavenged.
Zey Yeni
So you bear the Empire’s authority openly. Then you are no wandering herald. State your name and station before you demand anything of this clan.
Maelin Voss
Maelin Voss, sworn courier of the Imperial Royal Guard. The writ is genuine, and my authority comes directly through Captain Ferric’s command.
The silver clasp answers the broken insignia on Tavian’s shoulder. Around the memorial, Emerald warriors tighten their grips, while spell-light trembles above drawn blades but does not strike.
Tavian Rusk
That clasp belongs to Ferric’s couriers. He is making the threat official so surrender can be called lawful.
Maelin Voss
Call it what you wish. I was ordered to deliver the writ, not defend its terms. The companies march whether I remain here or not.
Zey bends at last and lifts the sealed tube, studying the Imperial device without breaking the wax. The memorial falls quiet except for distant hoofbeats fading among the trees.
Director's note
Nadia stares right at the messenger. Her eyes are fixed, a feeling the messenger cannot ignore, not from this Wolsurian, not from this girl. The girl who stands out among the others, the only one dressed in armor
Director's note
Her voice was eerily calm, but unsteady, something not heard from her in a long time.... those who know her personally, would know she was becoming mad.
“"you come in here... demanding a soldier... who was injured by your own people... your people, who have no claim over this land and its people.... The Mystic Forest is a protected land... the Western Highland Territory is not yours or the Captains' claim; not even your precious Emperor can claim this land.....not to mention this Memorial...is hidden. Tell me, did you follow Rusk....or does the Royal Guard keep tabs on the village they massacred...?”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled -2)
Nadia Veyas
You come here demanding a soldier injured by your own people, on land neither you nor your captain nor your Emperor can claim. This forest is protected, and this memorial is hidden. Tell me plainly: did you follow Tavian Rusk, or does the Royal Guard keep watch on the village it massacred?
Nadia's stare does not leave Maelin. Her voice remains eerily calm, though an unsteady edge trembles beneath it; the strain shows, and those who know her recognize how close her composure has come to breaking.
Maelin Voss
I did not follow Rusk. I was sent to this ground before he deserted, because Ferric's order already named the memorial and the Emerald village.
Maelin Voss
The Royal Guard keeps no village watch in the manner you mean. Ferric learned of this place through Imperial records and informants. I do not know which one gave him the details.
For the first time, Maelin's certainty falters. Zey's fingers tighten around the sealed tube, while the clans hold their line and listen to the admission settle over the names of the dead.
Zey Yeni
Then the writ is not proof of pursuit. It is proof that someone inside the Empire has been feeding Ferric our hidden paths.
The answer gives Nadia the distinction she demanded, but the effort leaves her breath briefly uneven. Maelin has admitted the Guard's information came from within the Empire, not from Tavian's trail.
Quest Complete
Learn how Ferric located the memorial
Quest Complete
Establish whether Ferric’s writ is genuine
Director's note
she points into the distance for the messenger to see... the silhouette of the decaying wall at the rear of what was once the Amethyst Clan.
Director's note
Nadia stares at the messenger while she states this... pure emotion and rage in her voice, almost like it was personal.
“*Nadia's ears flick violently* Aunt Yeni.... you're implying one of our own.... is a turncoat.... *she looks among the crowd of warriors, healers, archers, farmers, and tradesmen from the three remaining clans. She then looks back at the messenger* and you.... you haven't a clue how ruthless your empire is.... Do you.... they are willing to massacre an entire civilization... for what...? A nameless, shadow person, who calls themself "emperor", do you know what happened there...? What you have stumbled upon is the remains of what your own leader, what your own Royal Guard, has caused.... the extinction of an entire population of bystansters....”
FAILURE (Fair Reasoning, rolled -3)
Director's note
she points into the distance for the messenger to see... the silhouette of the decaying wall at the rear of what was once the Amethyst Clan.
Director's note
Nadia stares at the messenger while she states this... pure emotion and rage in her voice, almost like it was personal.
“*Nadia's ears flick violently* Aunt Yeni.... you're implying one of our own.... is a turncoat.... *she looks among the crowd of warriors, healers, archers, farmers, and tradesmen from the three remaining clans. She then looks back at the messenger* and you.... you haven't a clue how ruthless your empire is.... Do you.... they are willing to massacre an entire civilization... for what...? A nameless, shadow person, who calls themself "emperor", do you know what happened there...? What you have stumbled upon is the remains of what your own leader, what your own Royal Guard, has caused.... the extinction of an entire population of bystansters....”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Nadia’s ears flick violently. Her fixed stare holds Maelin in place, and the armor-clad Wolsurian points beyond the trees toward the decaying wall of the ruined Amethyst village.
Nadia Veyas
Aunt Yeni... you are implying one of our own is a turncoat. And you, you have no idea how ruthless your Empire is. They will massacre an entire civilization for what? For a nameless shadow hiding behind the title of Emperor? Look there. That is what your leader and Royal Guard caused. The extinction of the Bystansters.
Her voice stays eerily calm, yet an unsteady edge runs through it. Rage makes each word precise, and the gathered clans fall silent beneath the distant silhouette of broken walls.
Maelin Voss
I have passed ruined settlements under Imperial banners. I was never told the Bystansters were an entire people, only that the operation was lawful and necessary.
Maelin Voss
But I can see what stands behind you. If Ferric called this lawful, then the word has been stripped of every meaning it once had.
Maelin’s gaze shifts toward the ruined wall, then returns to Nadia. The writ remains in Zey’s hand, its red seal bright against the memorial stone and the names of the dead.
Zey Yeni
Nadia, this admission matters. Someone within the Empire fed Ferric our hidden paths, but Maelin’s words confirm the threat came with deliberate knowledge, not chance.
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify the Imperial informant who fed Ferric the hidden paths.
“*she growls* That is because your captain is a man of no reasoning or remorse... he doesn't care what he does, nor does he care for his own... have you any thought of what he may do to your swordsman...? *she gestures to the still-injured man standing in the middle.* They already tried... and nearly succeeded...he came to us for aid, even if he knew the risks... must you feed you the warning signs of what your empire is doing. Must I show you what remains of the village he massacred? Must I show you the graves? Must I show you the destruction? * She then turns to her own kinsmen; she calls aloud for all to hear* Brothers! Sisters! Fellow Wolsurian Clansmen of the Mystic Forest! I hate to do this, but I must; one or more of you are turncoats. Realize now what you have done: you have put your fellow clansmen in danger from a ruthless state that cares naught for our people. Come forward now, and admit your sins!”
FAILURE (Good Willpower, rolled -2)
“*she growls* That is because your captain is a man of no reasoning or remorse... he doesn't care what he does, nor does he care for his own... have you any thought of what he may do to your swordsman...? *she gestures to the still-injured man standing in the middle.* They already tried... and nearly succeeded...he came to us for aid, even if he knew the risks... must you feed you the warning signs of what your empire is doing. Must I show you what remains of the village he massacred? Must I show you the graves? Must I show you the destruction? * She then turns to her own kinsmen; she calls aloud for all to hear* Brothers! Sisters! Fellow Wolsurian Clansmen of the Mystic Forest! I hate to do this, but I must; one or more of you are turncoats. Realize now what you have done: you have put your fellow clansmen in danger from a ruthless state that cares naught for our people. Come forward now, and admit your sins!”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +2)
Nadia Veyas
Your captain has no remorse or reason. He nearly killed Tavian, who came here seeking aid despite the danger. Must I show you the ruins, the graves, and what remains of my village before you understand?
Nadia turns from Maelin toward the gathered Wolsurians, armor catching the gray light. Her growl carries across the memorial, aimed at every ear beneath the forest canopy.
Nadia Veyas
Brothers, sisters, fellow Wolsurian clansmen of the Mythic Forest, one or more of you are turncoats. You have placed our people in danger. Come forward now and admit what you have done.
Silence grips the clearing. Then an Emerald clansman, a young adult Wolsurian man with a broad build, gray hair, and a green wool vest over a linen tunic, breaks from the line, lowering his spear and stepping into the open with his ears flattened and his face tight with shame.
Emerald clansman 1
Stop asking them. I gave the Empire the eastern paths. I told their informant where the memorial stood, but I did not know Ferric would send companies against the village.
Maelin Voss
You know who received that information? Tell me. If Ferric has been using clan traitors, I need the name before the companies arrive.
Zey Yeni
You will answer Nadia first. You have confessed to endangering our people, and now you will tell us exactly whom you contacted and when.
Director's note
She is pissed. And everyone can see it. her crimson eye glows a hue.
“*Nadia's katana is once again drawn; she holds it at her side, at the ready. Facing the kinsmen,* Your Name*. And your reasoning. you have no right to put us all in danger. you know well the Empire will reward you. They may well just kill you. So why put your fellow kinsmen in danger? *she then faces Voss and speaks* "do with what information you gain as you will; your captain will not care; he is not a man of reason, or compassion.... i should know... if anything. he knows about this traitor as your Emperor does. * She turns back to the clansmen who had stepped forward.*”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Nadia draws the Violet Katana and holds it low at her side, ready. Her crimson eye glows as she faces the clansman, then turns her fixed stare upon Maelin and the ruined Amethyst wall beyond.
Nadia Veyas
Your name and your reasoning. You had no right to put us all in danger. You know the Empire won't reward you. They may simply kill you and cast you aside. Why endanger your fellow kinsmen?
Emerald clansman 1
My name is Corren Vale. I thought the Empire would spare my family if I cooperated. Ferric promised protection, but I believed a lie and gave them paths I should have guarded.
Nadia Veyas
Do with what information you gain as you will. Your captain will not care. He is not a man of reason or compassion. I should know. If anything, he already knows about this traitor as your Emperor does.
Maelin Voss
Then I will record Corren's confession, and the fact that Ferric knew enough to exploit him. Whether the Emperor sees that record is no longer in my hands.
Corren lowers his spear completely. Around him, the Emerald warriors remain rigid, while the gathered clans turn their attention toward Nadia and the courier, their silence now sharpened into accusation.
Corren Vale
I will show you every trail and name every Imperial contact I know. But Nadia is right about one thing: Ferric does not need my confession to condemn this village.
Quest Complete
Identify the Imperial informant who fed Ferric the hidden paths.
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great