The clerk lowers his quill to the page, and the study seems to hold its breath. The witnesses stand shoulder to shoulder in the cramped light, while the Inquisitor watches Frieda and the packet in her hand.
The Witness
My lord, let me speak plain. Bishop Eisenfaust's men took the chest.
A stir runs through the room. One of the newcomers at the door shifts his weight too fast, his hood shadowing his face. Sir Eleutherius notices at once, his hand tightening on his sword hilt.
Frieda
These papers, this seal, and this witness all point to the same crime. Record it.
The Inquisitor
I will record nothing on a whisper. Bring the packet here, and let every man in this room be named.
The clerk hesitates, quill hovering. Frieda stands at the desk with the evidence between her and the Inquisitor, while the witnesses glance toward the doorway, fearing who might be sent for next.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the witnesses’ testimony under oath
“Frieda spreads out the evidence, saying, "Let the witnesses be sworn. None who speak the truth need fear the consequences."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Frieda lays the packet flat on the desk and opens it wide, turning the seal toward the candlelight. The clerk swallows and lowers his quill a finger’s breadth, as if the room itself has given him permission to breathe.
Frieda
Let the witnesses be sworn. None who speak the truth need fear the consequences.
The Inquisitor studies her hands, then the papers, then the faces by the door. Sir Eleutherius gives a single, hard nod, while the cloaked monk keeps his eyes fixed on the floor.
The Inquisitor
So be it. Swear them properly, and let each man answer for his own tongue.
The clerk dips his quill again and begins to mark the names as the witnesses step closer together. The packet stays open under Frieda’s hand, no longer hidden, no longer doubted.
The Witness
I swear it before God and these good men. I saw Bishop Eisenfaust’s riders take the chest.
The younger monk lifts his lantern a little higher in the doorway, and the cloaked witness beside him flinches at the light. Sir Eleutherius watches the room like a shield set upright, while the Inquisitor waits for the next oath.
“Frieda nods encouragingly to the next witness.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Frieda gives the next man a small, steady nod, the kind that asks nothing and makes room for courage anyway.
The Witness
He takes a breath he has been holding too long, then steps closer to the desk.
The clerk’s quill scratches again, careful now, as if Frieda’s approval has made the words safer to write.
The Inquisitor
Speak plainly. What did you see, and where?
The Cloaked Monk
He keeps his head lowered, but his shoulders loosen a fraction at the witness’s resolve.
Sir Eleutherius stays at the threshold, still as iron, while the lantern light steadies on the witness’s face.
The Witness
I saw the chest dragged from the graveyard wall, and I saw the riders carry it away under Bishop Eisenfaust’s seal.
The words settle over the study. The clerk does not look up, but he writes every line this time.
“Having sworn, Frieda says, "I found the notes you see before you. Father Gersten had discovered evidence of crimes which he placed in the chest. He wrote that he feared for his life. I found his body in a back alley where it had been dragged to conceal the murder. A scrap of cloth near the corpse matches a scarf worn by the leader of the Bishop's men and is spattered with the victim's blood."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Frieda
I found the notes before you. Father Gerwin had gathered proof of crimes and hid it in the chest. He feared for his life.
The Inquisitor’s eyes narrow, but he does not interrupt. Frieda’s words carry cleanly into the hush of the study, and the clerk keeps writing.
Frieda
I found his body in a back alley, dragged there to hide the murder. A scrap of cloth near him matches a scarf worn by the leader of the Bishop’s men, and it is stained with the victim’s blood.
The Inquisitor
Then the dead priest speaks through you. Continue, and name the man who wore that scarf.
The clerk’s quill stops for a heartbeat, then scratches harder. Sir Eleutherius shifts at the doorway, while the cloaked monk lifts his head a fraction in the lantern glow.
The Cloaked Monk
Too much has been said already.
The Inquisitor leans closer over the open packet, turning Frieda’s testimony into record at once, as if the room itself has begun to rule in her favor.
“"He did not give me his name, but he must have given it to the guard at the village gate in order to enter Waldenhof. The guard's name is Ulrich, and I expect he would know. I can also identify him by sight."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Frieda
He gives no name to me, but he must tell it at the village gate. Ulrich would know him. I can also identify him by sight.
The Inquisitor stills over the open packet, then writes the name into the margin as Frieda speaks. The room quiets around the certainty of her answer.
The Inquisitor
Then we have a witness at Waldenhof. If your sight holds, it will serve the record.
Sir Eleutherius tightens his grip at the doorway. The cloaked monk looks away from the lantern and says nothing more.
The clerk dips his quill again, faster now. The evidence packet lies open, and the trail of names is beginning to close around one man.
The Inquisitor
Bring Ulrich to oath, and bring the man you mean before this desk.
“Frieda waits patiently while this is done.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
The Inquisitor lowers his gaze to the ledger and writes in a slow, deliberate hand. Frieda stands still, letting the scrape of quill on parchment do the work.
The Inquisitor
Ulrich is entered. Now the record waits for the rest.
Sir Eleutherius keeps the doorway covered, but his shoulders ease a fraction. The cloaked monk remains half in shadow, listening without looking up.
The clerk turns another page and smooths it flat with two fingers. The evidence packet lies open between seal, script, and candlewax.
The Inquisitor
Tell me, did the witnesses speak plainly, and under oath?
The room holds in a quiet, formal pause, as if the study itself is waiting for the answer to settle it.
“"They did."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Frieda
They did.
The words land cleanly in the study. The Inquisitor dips his chin and marks the answer beside the sworn names.
The Inquisitor
Then the record stands. Plain speech, under oath.
Sir Eleutherius eases one hand from his sword hilt, though his eyes stay on the door. The cloaked monk flinches at the scratch of the pen.
The Inquisitor
And did any witness falter, hedge, or withdraw?
Frieda keeps her place by the desk. The packet remains open, but the wax seal near her sleeve shows a fresh crack where the latch caught it.
The Inquisitor
Speak plainly, chaplain. I am weighing their words against the seal.
Quest Complete
Secure the witnesses’ testimony under oath
New Gift: Oath-Sworn Witness