A side shaft breaks open above the reservoir. Guildmaster Thorne steps through with his hands raised, a Council enforcer close behind, one fist gripping Marr’s sealed report.
Guildmaster Thorne
Marr stayed in the forge court to signal your departure. Not from terror, and not from loyalty. He chose the risk, and his report brought us here.
The enforcer thrusts the sealed report toward the pale reservoir. Its channels answer with a deep pulse, and worked stone begins folding across the shaft behind Thorne.
Council Enforcer
Give us the sword. The Council wants its binding studied, not destroyed. Resist, and this chamber will become your tomb.
Guildmaster Thorne
The reservoir is closing the route. If you intend to leave, Arion, decide before the stone seals us all below.
Benashi’s restored colors flicker beneath her skin as the reservoir draws on her signature. Jerashi shifts between her sister and the intruders, while the last gap narrows overhead.
The chamber offers no clear retreat. Thorne watches the closing shaft, the enforcer watches the ancient blade, and the reservoir pulses once more beneath the party’s feet.
Arion Touvengard's turn“"Who on the council is hunting us down out here? I am out here on Archons orders"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Arion Touvengard
Who on the Council is hunting us down out here? I am here on Archon Elendesil’s orders.
Arion’s aura of dread fills the chamber. Teal energy crawls along the ancient sword’s runes, and its long blade rises with startling speed despite the host’s numb shoulder. Thorne’s confidence fractures.
Guildmaster Thorne
The Conservators ordered the hunt. They fear the sword’s memory, and they mean to bury it before the Archon can use what it knows.
The enforcer tries to hold his ground beneath the blade’s cold glow. Echo of Truth catches no complete falsehood in Thorne’s voice. The answer is genuine, though the man still withholds names.
Council Enforcer
Draelik coordinates the field agents. Council Enforcer Three carries the warrant, but the Conservators provide the orders and the gold.
The reservoir’s pulse falters under the sword’s resonance, and a narrow stone passage opens behind its pale core. Beyond it, fresh boot marks lead north, giving Arion’s party a route and the hunters’ direction.
Guildmaster Thorne
The passage leads to their field camp. If you leave now, you can reach it before the Conservators receive word that we failed.
Reach the Conservators' field camp