Veyra and Betram emerge within arm’s reach of the command table. Lord Maelor Vey, a human man with a weathered face and close-cropped iron-gray hair,, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man in dark Veldemarke mail, stands over the routes, his iron-gray beard trimmed close and a red command cloak clasped at his throat.
The roster lies open beside several sealed orders, each bearing Maelor’s hidden marks. Beyond the chamber doors, armored footsteps gather as veterans answer the changing watch.
Veyra Dask
The roster is exposed, but he has not seen us. If he reaches the command bell, every soldier below will hear his order to march.
Lord Maelor Vey
Seal the western route and wake the camp. At first light, the column crosses the pass. Sanbreque will believe its own lies before noon.
Maelor reaches toward a bronze command bell beside the roster. The chamber doors open a handspan, revealing armed Veldemarke veterans waiting for the signal, their faces turned toward him.
Veyra Dask
One command, and the proof becomes a war before anyone can read it.
✓ Quest Accepted
Halt Maelor's attack
“Betram realizes they have only seconds. He leaps into the room and grabs Maelor's wrist before he can touch the bell. His spear at the man's throat. "One sound and you die."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
“Betram realizes they have only seconds. He leaps into the room and grabs Maelor's wrist before he can touch the bell. His spear at the man's throat. "One sound and you die."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Betram launches over the concealed entrance and catches Maelor’s wrist before it reaches the bronze bell. His spear rises beneath the commander’s throat, stopping the order in a single decisive motion.
Betram Steelstream
One sound and you die.
Maelor freezes with his hand locked in Betram’s grip. The command bell hangs inches away, while Veyra steps from behind the stone screen and gathers the open roster against her chest.
Lord Maelor Vey
You mistake restraint for victory, boy. Kill me, and the veterans outside will tear this chamber apart before your ally escapes.
The veterans beyond the doors shift at Maelor’s halted command, armor scraping softly. None enters; every face remains fixed on the spear at his throat.
Veyra Dask
The roster is in my hands, and his bell is silent. Keep him alive, Betram, and the proof can speak before anyone draws blood.
Maelor’s wrist remains pinned, the spear steady beneath his beard. The command chamber has become still enough for every sealed order and every waiting breath to matter.
Quest Complete
Confront Lord Maelor Vey
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Superb→Legendary
“Betram lets the light encircle him. "You face a Dominant, Maelor. You would do well to make your men stand down. Odin isn't here to save you. And you know I could prime and crush them all under my physical weight, before they could stop me."”
FAILURE (Great Willpower, rolled -3)
“Betram lets the light encircle him. "You face a Dominant, Maelor. You would do well to make your men stand down. Odin isn't here to save you. And you know I could prime and crush them all under my physical weight, before they could stop me."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Betram Steelstream
You face a Dominant, Maelor. Stand your men down. Odin is not here to save you, and I could prime and crush them before they could stop me.
Light coils around Betram in silent rings, brightening the command chamber without scorching stone. Its radiance outlines the spear, Maelor’s throat, and the sealed proof in Veyra’s grasp.
The veterans recoil from the sudden brilliance. Their disciplined line falters at the doors as the presence of Bahamut presses through Betram’s human form.
Lord Maelor Vey
Stand down. Lower your weapons and close the doors. No one moves against the Dominant.
The Veldemarke veterans obey at once, sheathing blades and withdrawing from the threshold. The doors shut, sealing the chamber with Maelor, Veyra, Betram, and the captured orders.
Veyra Dask
They heard you, Betram. The command is ours now, and the proof remains intact.
Lord Maelor Vey
Take the orders, then. You have won the chamber, but my surrender will name this force rogue before dawn.
Bring Maelor's orders to Oriflamme
Quest Complete
Halt Maelor's attack
Skill Upgrade: Melee Weapons Superb→Legendary