The blue passage carries Alexios and Penelope from the bathing chambers into a moonlit harbor beneath immense cliffs. Behind them, its arch narrows, leaving Ithaca and Alexios’s father safely beyond.
Black water laps against stone docks beneath rippling draconic banners. Beside a sealed reception pavilion, three armored attendants, each broad-shouldered with angular faces and plated crests rising from their charcoal-scaled heads wait: adult dragonkin women and men in dark scale-mail, their crested silhouettes rigid and watchful.
The council tablet glows between Alexios and Penelope, projecting their names, lawful purpose, declared weapons, and open right of return. The attendants’ harbor sigil answers with a restrained silver pulse.
The Pavilion Herald
Alexios of Ithaca and Penelope, marked witnesses under council protection, your passage is recognized. Present yourselves for reception and inspection.
The herald, an adult dragonkin woman with charcoal scales, swept horns, and a blue mantle over black armor, gestures toward the pavilion without bowing. No weapon is raised, but none of the attendants relax.
Penelope
We present ourselves lawfully, and we will answer what is required. But understand that we arrive as guests, not prisoners awaiting judgment.
The sealed pavilion doors remain shut beneath a crown-shaped lock. Beyond them, something vast shifts behind the stone, and the formal welcome settles over the harbor like a drawn veil.
“I snap my fingers and everburn appears in my unbound hand, then I submit to the reception and inspection”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -3)
Alexios snaps his fingers. Everburn answers from the council-marked passage, appearing in his unbound hand with its eternal flames banked to a controlled golden glow.
The sudden weight steadies his stance, but the effort draws a visible pause from him. For one breath, the strain of surrendering control shows beneath his disciplined composure.
The Pavilion Herald
The weapon is acknowledged. Keep its heads lowered, and no hand will mistake your lawful declaration for defiance.
Alexios lowers Everburn and presents himself openly. The attendants approach, inspecting the spear, his declared sling, and the council tablet without touching his wounds.
The Pavilion Herald
Everburn is recorded as a declared Ithacan weapon. Your injury is noted, and your restraint is witnessed.
Silver harbor light passes over Alexios and Penelope, reading the lawful marks they carry. The crown-shaped lock on the pavilion doors brightens, then releases with a deep stone click.
The Pavilion Herald
Inspection is complete. Enter as guests of the harbor, marked witnesses under council protection.
✓ Quest Accepted
Enter the reception pavilion
“I enter the reception pavilion beside Penelope.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Alexios enters the reception pavilion beside Penelope, keeping Everburn’s lowered heads clear of the threshold. His sling stays secure as the doors close behind them.
Within, blue fire burns in shallow braziers without smoke. A broad circular table occupies the chamber, surrounded by carved seats beneath banners depicting many draconic forms.
The Pavilion Herald
Welcome, marked witnesses. Your lawful passage is honored within this pavilion, and your declared weapons remain under your own authority.
Penelope walks at Alexios’s side, Twin Flames openly fastened at her belt. The dragonkin attendants take positions near the walls, watchful but no longer barring the way.
Penelope
We accept your welcome. We will speak plainly, answer your questions, and keep Ithaca’s record open before your harbor.
The council tablet settles onto the pavilion table by its own light. Its silver script joins the harbor sigil, forming a shared record of their arrival beneath the waiting banners.
The Pavilion Herald
Then be seated when ready. The harbor’s keeper will receive your testimony, and the first questions will concern the road that brought you here.
Quest Complete
Enter the reception pavilion