The thick smoke drifts away. Inside the scorched hollow of the central stone column, a small, ancient stone key pulses with a faint, rhythmic light.
The Dark Arcana Caster
That resonance... it matches the control orb perfectly, Kalazan. We must be careful.
Kalazan
The key is vibrating in sympathy with the fort's own foundation.
A Shadow-Stalker
You fools have spent so much effort digging up the past, you did not notice the ceiling watching you.
A gaunt figure drops from the shadows of the rafters, landing with unnatural grace. They clutch a jagged obsidian blade, their eyes locked on the key within the column.
Unit Captain Brann
Drop the weapon, intruder. My bolt is already set for your throat.
+ Scene Quest Added
Defeat the Shadow-Stalker
“I cast slow on the intruder”
SUCCESS (Superb Arcana, rolled -2)
Kalazan
The magic of the Archive is mine to command, and this intruder moves far too quickly for my liking.
Kalazan thrusts his palm toward the air, chanting a syllable of ancient binding. A shimmering veil of temporal distortion ripples outward from his staff.
A Shadow-Stalker
What... why does the very air grow thick as treacle? My arm feels like lead.
The Shadow-Stalker freezes mid-stride, their obsidian blade slowing to a sluggish crawl as the chronomancy takes hold of their limbs.
Unit Captain Brann
They are wide open. Shall I take the shot, my lord?
The Dark Arcana Caster
Wait. If we strike now, the shockwave might shatter the key inside that stone. We have the upper hand, Kalazan. What is your will?
Quest Complete
Defeat the Shadow-Stalker