Ash settles over the temple grounds as the surviving worshippers gather among fallen stone. Meren directs them toward the cracked outer wall, while Vaurakh coils beside the damaged ridge and watches.
Meren
Lift together. Brace the eastern course first, then clear the broken threshold. The temple must stand as our goddess left it.
Worshippers raise slabs, wedge timbers beneath leaning masonry, and drag the adventurers’ remains from the rubble. Their voices rise in praise as each piece settles into place.
Vaurakh
The stones carry every hammer strike, Neferteri. I feel their shifting through the ridge, but the work is sound.
The silver mark across Neferteri’s palm continues to burn, its pale glow reflected in the dust. Around it, crimson-lit blocks shift slightly whenever the worshippers shout her name.
the loyal worshippers
Glory to Neferteri! Raise her walls, clear her halls, and let every stone proclaim her dominion!
Meren
Great One, the outer wall can be made secure before nightfall. Shall we restore the entrance first, or rebuild the altar court?
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the temple grounds
✓ Quest Accepted
End the silver mark's threat to the temple
“"Focus on securing the temple first, then repair the rest."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Neferteri turns from the altar court toward the shattered entrance. Under her watch, Meren redirects every worshipper to the outer wall, reinforcing the threshold before touching any other ruin.
Timbers become braces, dressed stones lock across the breach, and crimson mortar seals the lowest cracks. The temple gains a defensible entrance before the sun slips behind the smoke.
Meren
The threshold is secured, Great One. No common raider will pass it without breaking the wall down around themselves.
The final capstone drops into place with a thunderous report. Dust bursts from the foundations, and a fresh fracture races across the eastern course beneath the workers' feet.
Vaurakh
Your temple stands guarded, goddess, but the stone paid for its certainty. I feel the new wound reaching toward the sealed depths.
The silver sigil in Neferteri's palm flares white-hot. Its pain draws a thin line of blood, while the reinforced entrance settles firmly and the worshippers bow in triumph.
the loyal worshippers
Glory to Neferteri! Her sanctuary is secured. Now let every lesser repair serve the walls she has claimed!
“Neferteri overpowers the silver sigil with her magic to get rid of it.”
SUCCESS (Great Arcana, rolled +2)
Neferteri raises her burned palm beneath the temple’s crimson light. Gold magic gathers around the silver sigil, pressing inward until its pale radiance trembles.
The silver mark fights across her flesh, but Neferteri’s power overwhelms it. Gold threads pierce the sigil and wrench its covenant free from her hand.
With a sharp flash, the silver sigil tears loose as a strand of luminous ash. It coils once above her palm, then collapses into harmless sparks.
The silver mark is gone, leaving only a cooling scar.
Meren
Great One, the false covenant has been stripped away. Your hand bears no silver claim, only the scar of your victory.
Vaurakh
The foreign light no longer touches you, Neferteri. Nothing from the invaders remains bound to your flesh.
the loyal worshippers
Glory to Neferteri! She has conquered the enemy’s last mark, and her dominion stands pure beneath the temple stones!
Quest Complete
Secure the temple grounds
Skill Upgrade: Arcana Great→Superb
Quest Complete
End the silver mark's threat to the temple
Skill Upgrade: Arcana Superb→Legendary