The bronze tube remains sealed beneath the royal pennant. The queen grants a brief interval for interpretation, unwilling to risk an unknown rite before its signs are understood.
Seressa stands beside Titano at the guarded table, her silver collar bright against the court’s pale stone. The royal courier waits nearby, hands folded after delivering the message.
Seressa
Tell me about the Valley of Titans. Who leads it, and what does a brother’s seal mean among your people?
The blue script warms faintly beneath the wax, tracing its narrow ring around the queen’s mark. No flame appears, but the sealed tube answers the question with a quiet pulse.
The Stegosaur Queen
Does your brother speak with the authority of the valley, or only for himself? That distinction will decide whether Ithaca answers or asks him to speak first.
The Royal Courier
The tube remained untouched from the moment I received it. Whatever lies within, Commander, it was sealed before it reached your gate.
The Stegosaur Queen
We will hear your interpretation before breaking the wax. Then we will choose whether royal authority opens this message, or invites its sender to reveal himself.
“a few weeks ago my brother reached out to me to tell me that he is now chief of the valley, but he may either speak for the valley or for himself”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
volcanon
A few weeks ago, my brother reached out to me. He had become chief of the Valley of Titans, but he may speak either for the valley or only for himself.
The blue script brightens around the wax, and the bronze tube gives one measured pulse. Seressa watches Titano, while the queen weighs the distinction in silence.
Seressa
Then his seal carries importance, but not certainty. A chief may offer his own warning, or bear the voice of every giant beneath his rule.
The Stegosaur Queen
You have answered the question plainly, Commander. We will not treat this message as the valley’s decree until its sender declares which authority he invokes.
The Royal Courier
That explains the second ring of script. It does not challenge the royal seal, but stands beside it, awaiting recognition.
The queen places one claw above the tube without touching it. The unfamiliar writing settles into a steady glow, and the court’s attention turns toward Titano.
The Stegosaur Queen
Stand with me, Commander. We will open it under royal witness, then ask your brother whether he speaks as chief, or as your brother alone.
“as we unroll the scroll i read it, and it says the my brother summons me back to the valley to celebrate its new chief, and his marriage. after reading it i say "well then, I suppose he speaks as both and individual, and for the valley”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Titano breaks the royal wax under the queen’s witness and unrolls the enclosed scroll. Blue script unfolds across the parchment beside his brother’s unmistakable seal.
volcanon
The message says my brother summons me back to the Valley of Titans to celebrate its new chief and his marriage.
The final lines are written in an older ceremonial hand. Titano understands their meaning, though the exact date is obscured by a faded fold and will require confirmation.
volcanon
Well then, I suppose he speaks both as an individual and for the valley.
The Stegosaur Queen
Then the message carries both a family invitation and a political summons. Ithaca cannot ignore either meaning.
Seressa
A wedding, a new chief, and a valley of giants calling you home. That is a great deal to place upon one scroll.
The Royal Courier
Commander, shall I record the summons as an invitation from your brother and an official declaration from the valley?
+ New Item Acquired
Brother’s Summons
“of course my brother whould send it as royal decree and not as my brother, its the only way he'd know i received it" i say in frustrated tone”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
volcanon
Of course my brother would send it as a royal decree and not as my brother. It is the only way he would know I received it.
Titano’s frustrated voice rolls across the court. The blue script answers with a steady glow, and the scroll’s ceremonial seal reflects the queen’s authority beside his brother’s mark.
The Stegosaur Queen
Then he chose certainty over familiarity. As chief, he knew a royal decree would pass through Ithaca’s hands and reach you under proper witness.
Seressa
He wanted his brother there, but he made certain the commander of Ithaca could not mistake the summons for a private whisper.
The queen gestures to the royal courier, who lowers her head and begins recording. The distinction settles plainly: the decree guarantees delivery, while the marriage invitation remains personal.
The Royal Courier
I will record it exactly, Commander: your brother issued the message as a royal decree so you would receive it, while summoning you in both family and civic authority.
The Stegosaur Queen
Ithaca acknowledges the valley’s declaration. You may answer as its commander, as his brother, or as both. Either way, the summons has reached you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Receive Ithaca's formal response to the Valley summons
“i will go as both, despite how i know my brother will rub the fact that im still not married in my face”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +0)