The town hall holds Hearthhollow’s council beneath warm lanterns and ward-carved beams. Raedwulf remains with the preserved parchment, while Sava, Alyndra, and Matrin Marra, a middle-aged beastfolk man with a sturdy build, russet fur, a square muzzle, and a dark green council cloak, confer with assembled beastkin elders.
Sava
The escort was intercepted before reaching the healer’s home. Our next training phase should practice custody, relay movement, and protection of the center without scattering the household.
Alyndra
The counter-charm has fixed the directive’s Trisyran origin. Its final clause is still concealed, but the parchment is no longer vulnerable to alteration.
Nearby guards keep Seris Vael separated from Kerric Vane, who waits for testimony. Beyond the hall windows, Anewyn’s voice carries from the orchard, followed by an unfamiliar scrape.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, discuss your training openly if you wish. The relay guard must protect evidence as carefully as it protects people.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking the Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Marra
Seris Vael, answer formally. Your silence is protected, but Hearthhollow will record the question, the unlawful entry, and whatever truth you choose to provide.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reveal the concealed destination of the Trisyran directive
“As Alyndra counter charm spell finishes. The parchment begin to burn a violent Blue Flame. That parchment has a hidden booty trap hex spell to destroy itself”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -2)
As Alyndra’s counter-charm reaches its final knot, the parchment erupts in violent blue flame. The fire spreads across the ink without consuming the table beneath it.
Raedwulf
The hex is destroying the parchment, not revealing its final clause.
Alyndra
A hidden booty-trap hex. It was meant to burn the order when its concealment failed.
Raedwulf watches the parchment burn and catches the last visible mark: Trisyran intelligence origin, eastern ravine routing, destination erased. The cost is immediate: the physical directive is lost.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking the Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Seris Vael
Because her origin reveals a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations. You are not entitled to that knowledge.
Marra
Her silence is protected, Seris Vael, but your unlawful entry is not. Hearthhollow will record the question, the answer, and this deliberate destruction of evidence.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover where Trisyran first recorded the Lycanrian Minor’s origin
“Does the party here anything about the Lycanrian condition, in the midst of this discussion?”
NO, BUT (Unlikely, rolled 46)
Alyndra’s counter-charm circles the dead parchment, finding no surviving phrase about the Lycanrian condition. The destroyed clause leaves only a cold imprint of the eastern ravine route.
Alyndra
No. The order names no condition, bloodline, or cure. But the ravine route remains traceable, and its ward-mark points toward an older boundary passage.
Anewyn’s unfamiliar noise sounds again beyond the orchard windows. Before the guards move, the hidden watcher answers from the dark, his voice carrying through the hall.
Neris
The ravine is not the destination. It is a crossing point. Follow the old boundary passage, and you may find where Trisyran first recorded the Lycanrian’s origin.
Sava
Then the relay guard continues. I will intercept any remaining escort before they reach the healer’s home, while the center preserves Seris and the witnesses.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking the Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Seris Vael
You learned nothing about her condition. Only that House Trisyran guards an old route connected to her origin, and you have no right to open it.
Marra
Her silence is protected, Seris Vael, but Hearthhollow now has a lawful lead. The eastern ravine will be investigated under our compact, and your intrusion remains on record.
Director's notewhole tale
The Healer and Anewyn come the city and find Raedwulf and company.
Director's note
Can come with troubling news. The Lycanian has a curse hex on her body. And that it is slowly killing her
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, the ravine crossing is only the beginning. The old boundary passage may reveal where Trisyran first recorded the Lycanrian’s origin.
Alyndra lays the dead parchment beneath the wardlight and invokes a counter-charm. Silver threads circle the cold imprint, drawing out a faint map of the eastern ravine.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking the Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Raedwulf looks at Seris Vael with open contempt for her intrusion. Beyond the hall, Sava intercepts the remaining escorts before they reach the healer’s home, and ward bells answer.
Seris Vael
Her origin connects to a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations. You have no right to uncover what your blood was never meant to know.
Marra
Her silence is protected, Seris Vael, but not your unlawful entry. Hearthhollow will investigate the passage and preserve every word spoken here.
The healer enters with Anewyn close beside her. The child’s face is solemn; the healer carries a sealed vial and kneels before the council.
the Hearthhollow healer
The Lycanrian bears a curse hex beneath her wounds. It is slowly draining her life. I can delay it, but breaking the curse requires the source of its binding.
Director's note
Seris speaks openly: "Ss you can see muttborn. I came prepare with contingencies"
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, the curse is likely tied to the old boundary passage. Do not follow Trisyran’s trail without witnesses and warded protection.
Alyndra presses two fingers above the dead parchment and speaks a counter-charm. Silver threads rise from the cold imprint, revealing a faint knot shaped like a thorned crown.
Raedwulf
Seris Vael, why is House Trisyran seeking the Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Beyond the hall, ward bells strike twice. Sava returns with the remaining escorts bound and under guard, having intercepted them before they reach the healer’s home.
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Her origin threatens a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations, and the curse ensures she cannot speak freely.
Marra
Your contingencies do not outrank Hearthhollow’s compact. The Lycanrian is under our protection, and every unlawful act will be judged before witnesses.
The healer enters with Anewyn close beside her, carrying a sealed vial. Her grave expression stills the chamber as she approaches the council table.
the Hearthhollow healer
The curse hex lies beneath the Lycanrian’s wounds and is slowly draining her life. I can delay it, but only finding its source will break the binding.
“Is there a strong enough spell caster in Hearthhollow, that can remove the curse hex on the Lycanian?”
YES, BUT (Unlikely, rolled 29)
the Hearthhollow healer
There is a caster strong enough. Alyndra’s counter-charm can reach the curse’s binding, but the source must be exposed while the spell is broken.
Alyndra
I can attempt it. The thorned crown in the imprint is a binding anchor, not merely a mark. I will need the Lycanrian within Hearthhollow’s ward-circle.
Alyndra presses her fingers to the dead parchment. Silver threads rise again, tracing the thorned crown toward the Hearthhollow healer’s sealed vial. The nearest ward-stone dims as the spell draws upon its stored strength.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, that is the cost. The ward will weaken while Alyndra works, and Trisyran’s people may sense the opening. Protect the circle, or the cure becomes an invitation.
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Remove the curse, and you may open the route House Trisyran guarded for generations.
Marra
Then Hearthhollow will decide the danger, not Trisyran. Alyndra will attempt the healing under witness, and our guards will hold the ward while its strength is spent.
the Hearthhollow healer
Bring the Lycanrian to the circle now. I can keep her alive through the attempt, but the curse will tighten once the binding feels threatened.
“I bring the Lycanrian into the ward-circle, holding her carefully in my arms. As I kneel in the ard circle”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +3)
Raedwulf gathers the injured Lycanrian Minor carefully into his arms and carries her into the ward-circle. He kneels within its carved boundary, keeping her supported against his chest as blue light gathers beneath them.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, hold the circle and watch the eastern path. The ward is weakening, and Trisyran’s people may already sense the opening.
Alyndra
Stay still. I will draw the binding into the parchment before I break its hold.
Alyndra casts the counter-charm over the dead parchment. Silver threads rise from the thorned crown and settle across the Lycanrian’s wounds without touching them, revealing a black route-mark beneath the curse.
Raedwulf looks toward Seris Vael with open contempt for her intrusion. Outside the hall, Sava intercepts the remaining escorts before they reach the healer’s home, and ward bells confirm their capture.
Raedwulf
Seris Vael, why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact and sending escorts into our ward?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. The curse is slowly killing her, and removing it may open the route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
“Is Alyndra's counter spell working?”
NO, AND WORSE (VeryLikely, rolled 99)
Alyndra’s silver threads recoil from the black route-mark. Instead of entering the parchment, they sink into the curse, and the ward-circle gutters from blue to sickly violet.
Alyndra
No. The counter-spell is not taking hold. Worse, the binding has recognized the attempt and is tightening around her life.
The Lycanrian’s breathing falters as dark lines spread beneath her fur. Across the hall, the nearest ward-stone cracks, and a thin shadow opens along the eastern boundary.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, hold the circle. The failed spell has opened the route instead of sealing it, and something is answering from beyond the ravine.
the Hearthhollow healer
The curse is feeding on the ward’s strength. If that shadow reaches her, it may carry the binding through the circle and into Hearthhollow.
Anewyn
Cousin, the stone is breaking. Is she going to die?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. The failed counter-spell has opened what House Trisyran guarded, and now your refuge stands in its path.
“I yell at Alyndra to sever the counter spell immediately. In order to save the Lycanian's life”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Raedwulf
Alyndra, sever the counter-spell immediately! Save her life before the binding takes her.
Raedwulf’s command cuts through the hall. Alyndra snaps the silver threads apart, and the violet ward-circle flares once before settling back into blue.
Alyndra
Severed. The curse has released its grip on the ward, and her breathing is steady. The Lycanrian lives.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, hold the circle. The route remains open, but the binding no longer feeds through Hearthhollow.
Sava vanishes through the eastern passage. Ward bells answer beyond the hall as she intercepts the escorts before they can reach the healer’s home.
Raedwulf
Seris Vael, why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Her curse and origin conceal a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
Marra
Your contingencies do not outrank our compact. The Lycanrian is under Hearthhollow’s protection, and your unlawful intrusion will answer before witnesses.
“Is there another way to break the curse hex, without relying on the original source?”
YES, AND MORE (VeryUnlikely, rolled 1)
The blue ward-circle steadies around the living Lycanrian. Beyond its edge, the eastern shadow withdraws from Hearthhollow, leaving a black thorn-shaped imprint in the frost.
Neris
Raedwulf, Sava, the curse has a second weakness. It was anchored to the route, but not born there. Break the anchor’s name, and the hex can be drawn into prepared earth.
Alyndra
I can use the paper’s surviving imprint. The counter-charm will not touch her body. It will expose the anchor’s name, then divert the curse into a warded vessel.
Alyndra lays the scorched parchment beneath the wardlight and begins the counter-charm. Silver threads gather over the cold imprint, while the nearest stone brightens instead of weakening.
the Hearthhollow healer
There is another advantage. The curse has revealed its first binding mark. With that, I can keep her alive while Alyndra severs the remaining link.
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. You may save her life, but the opened route has already marked Hearthhollow.
Marra
Then we save her under witness and seal the route afterward. Seris Vael, your contingencies have exposed a danger, not granted House Trisyran authority.
Director's notewhole tale
I tell Alyndra and the Healer to do it
Alyndra presses both hands above the scorched parchment. Silver threads rise from its cold imprint, tracing the thorned crown while the ward-circle holds steady around the Lycanrian.
Alyndra
The anchor has a name, buried beneath the route-mark. I can expose it without touching her body, but the healer must be ready to draw the curse away.
The Hearthhollow healer enters with Anewyn close beside her, carrying a clay vessel sealed in blue wax. Anewyn hurries to the circle, then stops at its warded edge.
the Hearthhollow healer
The hex is on her body and slowly killing her. I can preserve her life while Alyndra severs the anchor, but the vessel must receive the curse.
Raedwulf
Alyndra, healer, do it. Save her life and break the binding.
Raedwulf looks at Seris with open contempt for her intrusion. Beyond the hall, Sava’s ward-bells ring twice as she intercepts the remaining escorts before they reach the healer’s home.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Her curse and origin conceal a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
Marra
Your contingencies expose danger, Seris Vael, not authority. Hearthhollow protects the Lycanrian, and this unlawful intrusion will answer before witnesses.
“Did the counter spell work this time?”
YES (Likely, rolled 50)
Alyndra’s silver threads tighten over the scorched parchment. This time, the counter-charm takes hold, drawing the thorned crown’s black route-mark out of the Lycanrian’s binding without touching her body.
Alyndra
It worked. The anchor is severed from her flesh. Healer, draw the remaining curse into the vessel now.
The Hearthhollow healer breaks the blue wax. Dark vapor rises from the Lycanrian’s wounds and coils into the clay vessel, where it hardens into a thorn-shaped knot. The Lycanrian’s breathing steadies.
the Hearthhollow healer
Her life is no longer being drained. The curse remains contained, but its source is bound to the old eastern route.
Anewyn peers from beyond the warded circle as the vessel seals itself. Outside, Sava’s bells cease, and she returns with the intercepted escorts secured under Hearthhollow custody.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Her curse and origin conceal a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
Director's note
Is the Lycanian out of danger?
Alyndra’s counter-charm settles over the scorched parchment, preserving the thorned crown’s outline as the clay vessel seals. The Lycanrian’s breathing steadies, though she remains weak and unconscious.
Raedwulf
Alyndra, healer, do it. Save her life and break the binding.
Raedwulf looks at Seris Vael Vael with open contempt for her intrusion. Beyond the hall, Sava’s bells cease as she returns with the intercepted escorts under guard.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact?
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. Her curse and origin conceal a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
the Hearthhollow healer
She is out of immediate danger. The curse no longer drains her life, but its source remains bound to the old eastern route.
Marra
Then Hearthhollow will protect her and investigate that route. Your contingencies expose danger, Seris Vael, not authority.
Director's note
I examine the thorn-shaped curse vessel
Director's note
I use lore skill
Sava enters with the detained escorts as the Hearthhollow healer guides Anewyn into the hall. The child stays beside the Hearthhollow healer, while blue wardlight gathers around the sealed vessel.
Raedwulf
Is the Lycanrian out of danger? Alyndra, healer, do it. Save her life and break the binding.
the Hearthhollow healer
She is out of immediate danger, but not safe. The curse is contained, and its source still clings to the old eastern route.
Raedwulf examines the thorn-shaped knot inside the clay vessel. Its ridges follow a route-mark rather than a killing spell, and a faint Trisyran resonance clings to the sealed clay.
Raedwulf
The curse was made to bind a passage, not merely a body.
Seris Vael
As you can see, muttborn, I came prepared with contingencies. The Lycanrian’s curse and origin conceal a route House Trisyran has guarded for generations.
Raedwulf
Why is House Trisyran seeking this Lycanrian Minor? What makes her worth violating Hearthhollow’s compact?
Marra
Answer under witness, Seris Vael. Hearthhollow protects the Lycanrian, and your contingencies grant House Trisyran no authority here.