The wounded keeper claws at the gallery stones, his face pale beneath a grime-streaked brow. He whispers toward the covered lantern, barely audible over the prisoners’ frightened breathing.
The Wounded Keeper
Not the lantern. Do not fear the lantern. The danger is beneath us.
A hidden mechanism clicks beneath the floor. Iron shutters drop over the gallery exits with brutal weight, sealing the passage behind Dale and the Greywatch veteran.
A stone grate splits open near the prisoners, releasing black water that spreads across the floor. The lantern’s covered glow shivers across its oily surface.
The Cloaked Figure
No. They were not meant to find this chamber yet.
The cloaked figure abandons the keys and rushes toward the nearest shutter, striking its iron bars. The unmistakable alarm in their voice confirms someone below anticipated this confrontation.
the Greywatch veteran
Stand clear of the drain. Whoever built this trap expected rescuers, prisoners, and witnesses together.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the prisoners together and safe
“I gather the prisoners together and move them clear of the opening drain. I ask the veteran to help the wounded keeper.”
SUCCESS (Great Strength, rolled +1)
Dale wades through the spreading black water, gathers the three prisoners by their shoulders, and guides them toward the gallery wall, clear of the split grate.
Dale Trackfinder
Help the wounded keeper. Keep him clear of the drain.
The prisoners cling together beneath the veteran’s covering arm. Their faces are strained, but all three reach firm stone beyond the water’s slick edge.
the Greywatch veteran
I have him. Keep watch on that opening.
The Greywatch veteran kneels beside the wounded keeper and hauls him away from the grate, bracing the man against the gallery wall.
The Wounded Keeper
Thank you. The drain feeds the old halls. Something below opened it from the other side.
The cloaked figure remains by the shutter, keys abandoned at their feet. Black water ripples around the stones, but the prisoners and keeper now stand clear of its opening.
“Is someone below controlling the drain?”
YES (Likely, rolled 36)
The black water surges against the grate, then draws backward in a sudden spiral. Beneath it, a second iron mechanism clanks into motion.
The Wounded Keeper
There is a control chamber below the drain. I heard levers moving before the grate opened.
The cloaked figure turns from the shutter, staring at the spreading water. Their gloved hand closes over nothing where the keys had been.
The Cloaked Figure
The lower warden has taken the controls. If they flood this gallery, the prisoners will be swept into the old halls.
the Greywatch veteran
You knew this place had a warden. Tell us who commands it, and why the cells were opened.
A deep chain rattles below. The water level rises another finger along the stones, while a barred sluice briefly glimmers beneath the black surface.
The Cloaked Figure
Not a person. A keeper bound to the old works, awakened by the captors. It obeys whoever holds the lower seal.
“I make the cloaked figure operate the lower seal”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +3)
Dale catches the cloaked figure’s gloved wrist before they can retreat. He turns their hand toward the lower seal, holding it steady above the black water.
The Cloaked Figure
You cannot command that seal. The lower warden answers only to its mark.
Dale forces the marked glove against the submerged iron plate. The seal flares with a dull blue light, and the figure’s resistance breaks beneath the rising water.
The Cloaked Figure
No. Wait. The left lever, then the brass catch. If I turn them together, the sluice will close.
The cloaked figure reaches into the water and works the hidden controls. Iron grinds below, the spiral reverses, and the rising flood drains through the barred sluice.
The Wounded Keeper
The gallery is safe for now. You opened the maintenance way too. It leads directly into the control chamber.
A stone panel unlocks beside the grate, revealing dry steps descending beneath the gallery. The lower seal remains glowing under the cloaked figure’s hand.
Reach the control chamber
Quest Complete
Keep the prisoners together and safe
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Great→Superb