The clean current lifts Sil’Thalis and Bren through the original return route. Behind them, the deeper Void-born remains beside the restored mechanism, while the freed presence keeps to the basin’s open current.
They emerge at Vael Turog’s surface gate beneath a pale morning sky. Open air replaces the vault’s silence, carrying distant voices, footsteps, and the muted clang of Domini work.
Sil’Thalis still holds the rebuilt witness-staff. Its blue vents have dimmed to a warm glow, and the dark mark on his wrist remains quiet.
Bren
The passage remains open below, but only for voluntary return. Nothing followed us, and nothing below accepted our authority.
Behind them, the concealed route settles into stillness without sealing. A thin blue shimmer remains visible between the stones, marking the way back without calling anyone through.
Bren
We should tell Vael Turog what the mechanism was, and what we changed. Separately, plainly, without letting the stronghold turn it into ownership.
At the gate, a Domini bell sounds once in the distance. The Young Warden notices the warm staff and approaches with a questioning look, waiting for them to speak.
✓ Quest Accepted
Give Vael Turog an honest account of the restored crossing
“" you know they'll try to weaponize it right" I say to Bren”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Sil'Thalis
You know they'll try to weaponize it, right?
Bren
Yes. They will call it protection, study, or custody first. Then they will place guards around the passage and decide whose consent counts.
The Young Warden approaches across the gate court, a slender adult drow woman in dark blue armor, silver hair braided close, one pale scar crossing her cheek.
Bren
That does not prove every Domini official intends it. It proves the mechanism must be reported with its limits, and never surrendered as a tool.
The warden stops several paces away, eyes fixed on the staff’s warm vent and the blue shimmer between the stones. Her hand remains well clear of her sword.
The Young Warden
I heard the bell and saw the route answer. Tell me what lies below, and tell me whether Vael Turog can secure it.
Bren
If they hear only that it can move people, they will ignore everything we learned about refusal.
“" how about you run along and get the commander or the head inquisitor will ya" I say with a flipent tone.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -2)
Sil'Thalis
How about you run along and get the commander or the head inquisitor, will you?
The Young Warden’s scarred cheek tightens at the flippant dismissal. She studies Sil’Thalis, then gives a restrained, wary nod.
The Young Warden
The head inquisitor will hear this. Do not mistake my courtesy for surrender of Vael Turog’s authority.
She turns and strides into the fortress. The gate bell sounds twice behind her, drawing several guards’ attention toward the warm staff and blue shimmer.
Bren
That earned us an audience, and a roomful of suspicion. Try not to make the suspicion responsible for the passage.
The cost settles visibly: the guards tighten their perimeter, and the departure seal on Sil’Thalis’s burned palm flares with fresh pain. No one touches the route.
the head inquisitor
You asked for me. I am here. Tell me what lies below, what you changed, and why Vael Turog should not place it under custody.
““Ah, custody. There it is.” I glance at Bren with a faint smile before looking back to the Head Inquisitor. “We were wondering how long that word would take. I owe you something you want." I give smirk and a wink at Bren “Anyway, What lies below is an ancient crossing mechanism originally designed to move willing travelers between sanctuaries. Someone eventually decided that wasn't useful enough and modified it to move prisoners, memories, and commands by force. Then someone else taught the system to imitate consent so the coercion looked voluntary.” I gesture toward the route. “I removed those modifications and restored the original mechanism. So before we place guards around it, classify it as a strategic asset, and recreate the exact sequence of decisions that corrupted the damned thing the first time—perhaps we could try something novel.” “Leave it the fuck alone.””
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Sil'Thalis
Ah, custody. There it is. We were wondering how long that word would take. I owe you something you want.
Sil’Thalis glances at Bren with a faint smile, then gives her a smirk and wink before turning back toward the Head Inquisitor and the blue-marked route.
Sil'Thalis
Below is an ancient crossing mechanism built to move willing travelers between sanctuaries. It was altered to move prisoners, memories, and commands by force, then taught to imitate consent.
Sil'Thalis
I removed those modifications and restored the original mechanism. So before Vael Turog guards it, claims it, and repeats the corruption, try something novel.
Sil'Thalis
Leave it the fuck alone.
Bren
He has given you the mechanism’s history, the damage, and the correction. None of that grants custody. The lower route remains voluntary and open.
the head inquisitor
Then Vael Turog will leave it alone. No guard, claim, or study order will cross that threshold without freely given consent from those below. Your account is accepted, and the route remains outside our custody.
Quest Complete
Give Vael Turog an honest account of the restored crossing
New Gift: Unbroken Testimony Ascendant