Before Delfarius crosses the threshold, the veiled herald steps away from the seven masked courtiers. She removes the silver clasp securing her veil, and the fabric loosens around her face.
Ysavel
The warning was altered before it reached the Court. I discovered the changes, but concealed them because the Court would punish me before hearing the truth.
The courtiers remain motionless, silver masks reflecting the open doorway and the cold darkness below. None moves to challenge her confession, though the bells beneath the stone fall silent.
Ysavel
The evidence chamber may still contain what was hidden, but if we descend now, the altered account becomes the first voice you hear. I will not repeat that mistake.
The veiled herald places the silver clasp in her palm and takes one step from the open door. The white raven on her wrist, a small adult raven with white plumage, a sharp black beak, and bright beadlike eyes, tilts its head toward the descending darkness, alert but silent.
Ysavel
Speak with me first, Architect. Ask what you wish, and I will answer before you decide whether this Court deserves your judgment.
The door remains unlocked at Delfarius’s feet. Behind the veiled herald, the masked courtiers wait in disciplined silence, while she stands exposed between their judgment and the path below.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hear Ysavel’s candid account of the altered warning
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify the power claiming the hidden road
“I gesture with my hand and tilt my head to the side. I say this loud enough for everyone to hear me. "I found it odd that a cabal of mortals would call me in to witness their little meeting under the moonless sky. What is the reason for this. I am an oath upon myself and you all stated clearly that none was required to attend." I narrow my eyes as I scan the mortals in silver masks and then let my growing suspicion on my face rest on this Ysavel's face. "What was the true reason for my invite?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +1)
Delfarius
I find it odd that a cabal of mortals called me to witness their meeting beneath a moonless sky. I am an oath upon myself, and you said none was required to attend. What was the true reason for my invitation?
Delfarius gestures and tilts his head, his narrowed eyes passing over the silver masks before settling on Ysavel. The open door remains at his feet, but the Court’s silence now feels compelled rather than disciplined.
The seven masked courtiers shift together, silver faces turning toward Ysavel. The white raven stiffens on her wrist, its black beak angled toward the silent bells below.
Ysavel
The true reason was not merely to request your judgment. The Court summoned you because the hidden road has begun answering to your name, and someone within this Court hoped your arrival would force it to reveal itself.
Ysavel’s confession leaves the courtiers motionless, but two masks turn sharply toward the dark stair. She does not look back at them; her exposed face remains fixed on Delfarius.
Ysavel
They concealed that purpose from you because they wanted your power present without asking for your allegiance. I altered the account to stop them, then invited you here so the truth could be spoken before the road was opened.
The open door gives a low, resonant note, as though acknowledging the answer. Ysavel lowers the silver clasp but does not fasten her veil, standing plainly before the Court and its judgment.
Quest Complete
Hear Ysavel’s candid account of the altered warning
“"I fucking hate masks." I say as I gesture lazily at the two that looked sharply at the stairs when she reveled why she invited me here. Who was hiding under those silver masks that wanted a road that followed my will to bend to their own means.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Investigation, rolled +2)
Delfarius
I fucking hate masks.
Delfarius gestures lazily toward the two masks that turned toward the stair. His investigation slips beneath silver, oath, posture, and borrowed silence, finding the identities hidden there.
The left figure is Othren Vale, a broad-shouldered adult man in a dark wool robe and silver mask marked with a split-road sigil, the Court’s former roadwright, who tried to make the hidden road answer only to a command he could wield. The right is Mereth Sorn, a slender adult woman in a charcoal mantle and silver mask etched with a narrow gate design, an expelled gatekeeper who wanted that command transferred to a private circle beneath the Court’s authority.
Ysavel
You have found them. Othren Vale designed the coercive clauses, and Mereth Sorn concealed the access rites. They meant to bend the road through your name, then claim its obedience as their own.
The two exposed courtiers stiffen beneath their silver masks. The open door answers with a low note, rejecting the shape of their intended command and revealing their plan as theft disguised as petition.
Othren Vale
The road needed a will strong enough to survive its crossing. Your name was the only key we could not counterfeit.
Mereth Sorn
We would have used your authority to open every branch, then made the Court its keeper. You were meant to be the door, Architect, not the master of what lay beyond it.
Quest Complete
Identify the power claiming the hidden road
Skill Upgrade: Abyssal Navigation Mediocre→Fair
“My grin grows dark as I reach my hand out and draw this Mereth and Othren to me making their silver masks fall off of their stupid faces. "So I was called here for judgement then, how delightful. You do find me in an accommodating mood to rip two reaching mortals to shreds for daring to reach towards my means and rightful path I created." I let my eyes grow inky black as I grasp them both by the collars of their robes as I darkly laugh at their growing fear. I hold them there waiting for the voice for their little cabal here to answer whether or not I am going to enact any judgement.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +0)
Delfarius’s dark grin deepens. His outstretched hand closes, and Othren Vale and Mereth Sorn are dragged across the flagstones; their silver masks tear free and clatter aside.
Shadow gathers around Delfarius’s fingers as he seizes both robe collars. His eyes turn wholly inky, and the two courtiers hang before him, their fear stark beneath the cold bells’ silence.
Delfarius
So I was called here for judgment then, how delightful. You find me in an accommodating mood to rip two reaching mortals to shreds for daring to reach toward my means and rightful path I created.
Othren’s hands claw uselessly at Delfarius’s grip, while Mereth’s boots scrape the stone. Around them, the masked courtiers recoil together, their disciplined crescent finally broken by terror.
Ysavel
You were called to judge, Architect, and judgment is yours to enact. But hear my answer plainly: they are guilty of theft, conspiracy, and attempted coercion. The Court does not claim the right to restrain your hand.
Ysavel faces Delfarius without veil or shield. Behind her, the masked courtiers lower their heads together, surrendering the chamber’s authority while Othren and Mereth remain suspended in his grasp.
✓ Quest Accepted
Enact judgment on Othren Vale and Mereth Sorn
“I pull the two mortals faces closer to mine and repeat the words of the voice of the Starless Court. "The Court does not claim the right to restrain my hand." I say with my grin growing wider the more they are stricken with fear under my grasp. "Are you both delighted by that decision. I know I am." I laugh loudly as my black eyes glint from a distant light and the shadow and void swirl more around me in anticipation of what I will do to them.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +0)
Delfarius
The Court does not claim the right to restrain my hand. Are you both delighted by that decision? I know I am.
Delfarius pulls their faces closer until his black eyes fill their vision. Shadow and void coil around his grasp, swelling with the promise of his choice.
Delfarius
I am delighted.
His laughter crashes beneath the starless gate. Othren’s bravado vanishes, while Mereth’s breath catches; both understand that the Court has placed their fate entirely within his grasp.
Othren Vale
No. I am not delighted. I withdraw every claim I made upon your name, your road, and your power. Release me, and I will name every hand behind this scheme.
Mereth Sorn
Nor I. I accept your judgment, Architect. I will surrender the access rites and tell you what the Court concealed, if you permit me to speak.
Ysavel watches without intervening as the two prisoners submit. The masked courtiers remain bowed, their silence no longer authority but witness to Delfarius’s victory over the chamber.
“i throw my head back laughing more darkly as I draw Othren into my widening menace as I tilt my head to him. "I love how the food bargains." I grin darkly at him as I draw him closer to my face with dark old laughter. "So you are telling me here, Orthen that you know more that would dare try to play at being a god to to me." I draw him close enough to my face so he can feel my icy breath against his face as I laugh in it. "Here I was just going to teach you a lesion, now you bring me reason to devour your soul so I know everything without needing your careful maneuvers around the truth of it." I wrap a coil of shadows and void around Mereth while I deal with Othren first.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +1)
Delfarius
I love how the food bargains. So you know who else would dare play god to me? I was going to teach you a lesson. Now I have reason to devour your soul and learn everything.
Delfarius draws Othren Vale close enough for icy breath to touch his face, while a coil of shadow and void wraps around Mereth Sorn and locks her arms to her sides.
His dark laughter fills the gate. Othren Vale’s fear breaks into naked panic, and the shadows tighten around Mereth Sorn until neither prisoner can mistake restraint for negotiation.
Othren Vale
The hands behind it are Archon Veyr, Lady Sareth, and the nameless sovereign beneath the road. They promised us divinity if we made your name open every branch.
Othren Vale
The sovereign is no mortal king. It calls itself the Crown Below, and it has been feeding on abandoned oaths for centuries. It chose you because your power could make it manifest.
Mereth Sorn
He is telling the truth. The Court concealed the names, but the rites are written in the evidence chamber. The Crown Below already knows the road will answer you.
The open door beneath the flagstones rings once. Its darkness bends toward Delfarius, and somewhere below, an ancient presence answers the newly spoken name without yet crossing the threshold.