After the long road from Briarhollow, Coco enters the Adventurers’ Guild common hall with his journals secured beneath his cloak and Vael’s horned-helm mark visible on his arm. The six rescued travelers remain in Briarhollow under Ordan Merrow’s care.
Tessa Vale
There you are. I received Ordan’s messenger at dawn, but I wanted your account directly. You look like the road argued with you.
Tessa takes the sealed copy of the posting and compares its Guild mark with the names recorded in her ledger. Vael’s mark gives one quiet green pulse as she reads.
Tessa Vale
Six travelers recovered alive, the shrine investigated, and the village elder’s testimony attached. By Guild standards, this is a complete assignment.
She unlocks a small iron box beneath the counter and counts out the promised payment, setting the coins beside a stamped completion token. Her professional calm tightens as she reaches the report’s final pages.
Tessa Vale
An Eidolon reliquary prepared for you, a memory vessel, and a record naming the Ashen Knight. Coco, this is no longer merely a missing-travelers report.
Tessa Vale
Your payment is here. Before I close the file, tell me whether Vael learned anything about that chest or the Knight that your written account leaves out.
“I tell Tessa everything Vael revealed”
SUCCESS (Fair Persuasion, rolled +2)
Coco
Vael told me the chest was prepared for my arrival. The black journal records memories I lost, and the silver vial holds one deliberately removed.
Coco
The broken insignia identifies whoever prepared the reliquary. The parchment specifically says to ask about the Ashen Knight when I forget why I came.
Tessa listens without interrupting, her fingers resting beside the stamped completion token. Around the hall, ordinary Guild noise continues, but her attention never leaves Coco.
Vael
The reliquary preserved more than relics. It was designed for Coco, and the guardian’s records connect its purpose to the Ashen Knight.
Coco
Vael also said the six travelers’ memories were used to awaken the vault, but the Eidolon seal returned them. The guardian had been bound there since the Empire vanished.
Tessa writes rapidly in the ledger, then closes it with deliberate care. Her expression shifts from professional concern to measured alarm as the account settles into a larger pattern.
Tessa Vale
Then I am recording the reliquary as an intentional contact, not a random discovery. Your payment stands, Coco, but this report goes directly to Maelis and the Citadel.
✓ Quest Accepted
Receive the Guild's payment
“I accept the payment and completion token.”
Coco accepts the payment and stamped completion token. The coins settle into his palm, while the token bears the Guild seal and Briarhollow’s assignment mark.
Tessa waits until the exchange is complete, then records the payment beside the closed report. Vael’s horned-helm mark gives another quiet pulse.
Tessa Vale
Assignment completed and payment issued. Keep the token with your journals; it confirms the Guild’s account of what happened at Briarhollow.
Vael
The token carries no binding enchantment, Coco. Its mark is administrative, though the record now points toward matters of greater consequence.
Tessa slides the sealed report into the Citadel dispatch tray, keeping a second copy beneath her ledger. Around the hall, routine conversation resumes.
Tessa Vale
You have earned rest, supplies, and the right to choose your next step. When Maelis responds, I will bring you the message directly.
Quest Complete
Receive the Guild's payment
+ New Item Acquired
Guild Coins
+ New Item Acquired
Completion Token