The furnace burns low, painting the workshop in muted violet and amber. Avaris sets a newly shaped piece of violet glass on the cooling stone, its edges still faintly luminous.
Nhal watches from the workbench, her purple shadow gathered close and still. The glasswright studies the piece, then looks toward Avaris rather than reaching for it.
Avaris
What happens if I leave before I master the craft? Does the lesson become unfinished, or does leaving mean I failed it?
Kynes and Bren arrive at the open threshold in time to hear the question. Bren stops beside him, while the glasswright rests both hands on the workbench.
Glasswright's Workshop Owner
The lesson remains what you learned from it. If you leave, I may wish you had stayed, but wishing is not a chain. You may return, or choose another craft.
Nhal
They asked whether leaving changes the meaning of the work. It may change what comes next, but it cannot rewrite why they began.
The cooling glass gives a soft crystalline tick. Kynes and Bren remain at the threshold without entering, leaving the workbench, the answer, and the next choice to Avaris and the craftsperson.
“I speak plainly to Avaris as I summon forth a ball of shadow and jiggle it freely over my hand. " Learning a skill and mastering are two different things." I change the ball into a crow. " It comes down to what you want to do " I look at Bren. " I want to spoil my wife, that's how I am going to exercise my free will." I smile at Bren. " Unless you have objections dear."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled +0)
Kynes
Learning a skill and mastering it are two different things.
Shadow gathers over Kynes’s hand, rolling like dark silk beneath his fingers. He jigs the harmless sphere freely, then folds it into the shape of a crow with a silent flutter.
Kynes
It comes down to what you want to do.
The shadow crow balances on Kynes’s palm, its edges feathered in violet darkness. Avaris watches the changing form, while the glasswright remains respectfully silent beside the cooling stone.
Kynes
I want to spoil my wife. That is how I am going to exercise my free will.
Kynes looks to Bren with a smile. The shadow crow dissolves into a loose ribbon of darkness and vanishes above his hand, leaving only the furnace’s muted glow.
Kynes
Unless you have objections, dear.
“We head Phandelver. " Where to first love, what do you want." I ask holding hands walking the short distance”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +1)
Kynes and Bren leave the workshop together, their hands joined as they walk the short distance beneath Morningstar’s lanterns. Behind them, Avaris remains with the glasswright and Nhal.
Kynes
Where to first, love? What do you want?
Bren’s fingers tighten gently around Kynes’s. She looks along the lantern-lit street, then toward the quieter paths beyond the town’s central houses.
Bren
First, I want to walk without watching every roofline, love. Then I want a private room, a warm meal, and time with you.
Her pace settles beside his, unhurried and certain. Morningstar’s evening sounds drift around them: distant laughter, workshop bells, and the soft murmur of people going home.
Bren
After that, perhaps we find somewhere beautiful outside town. No mission, no performance, and no need to decide the whole future tonight.
Bren turns her hand beneath Kynes’s, palm to palm, and guides him toward the quieter road. For this evening, her wants are simple, freely chosen, and within reach.
“" if you like, I might remind the beautiful woman in charge, that we did indeed, just eat, so we can for go that and straight to the bedroom, Savvy?" I say playfully”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -3)