Moonlight spills across leaning gravestones as a gaunt middle-aged man, with sallow skin, a narrow face, and wispy gray hair, in tarnished priestly robes stalks between them, clutching a brass censer and a crooked ivory staff. Fresh footprints darken the silver grass before him.
Merek Voss
By the bones of the betrayed, I call revenge upon Damar Vey, the tyrant! There, the fugitive fled beneath the mausoleum!
He points toward an ancient mausoleum whose sealed doors bear weathered crowns and broken seals. The tracks reach its threshold, then vanish as though the earth swallowed them.
Elian Marrow
Liar! Your false prayers brought this curse upon us. Leave me to the dark, priest, or let the dead judge us both.
The priest whirls toward you. Inside the tomb, a young adult woman, slight and sharp-chinned, with a thin scar along her chin, with cropped black hair and a torn green cloak turns as well, her face pale in the widening seam of the door.
Merek Voss
You there! Stand aside, good knight. The heavens have appointed me to seize her.
A second voice, deeper and not wholly human, murmurs from beyond the woman. The mausoleum door grinds open another handspan, exhaling grave-cold air over the stones.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover who caused the curse
“I run forward and drawl my sword to see what the other voice was”
FAILURE (Fair Perception, rolled +0)
You run across the silver grass, sword flashing free. The priest recoils as you reach the mausoleum, but the fugitive grips the door and pulls it wide enough for you to enter.
Merek Voss
Back, knight! That voice belongs to no living throat. You will loose what I came to bind!
You thrust your sword toward the darkness and turn toward the deeper murmur, but the shifting door seals most of the chamber from sight. Your blade strikes ancient stone, ringing through the tomb.
Elian Marrow
Do not chase the sound. Look beneath the bier, knight. The dark has opened there.
A pale blue glow leaks beneath a massive stone bier behind her. In its broken shadow, you glimpse a narrow stair descending into the earth, though the speaker remains concealed.
Vaelith Sorn
I am Vaelith Sorn, and the stair is the only road left before the dead remember your name.
The priest raises his crooked staff outside while the fugitive retreats toward the glowing bier. Your failed search has revealed a choice: confront the priest, or descend after the hidden voice.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether Vaelith Sorn caused the curse
− Scene Quest Removed
Discover who caused the curse
“I call out “Vaelith Sorn come out and show yourself lest I consider you a demon””
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +2)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Vaelith Sorn, come out and show yourself, lest I consider you a demon.
The blue glow swells beneath the bier. A tall, androgynous figure steps from the stair, wrapped in layered ash-gray robes, with silver skin, long white hair, and eyes like banked stars.
Vaelith Sorn
Then look upon me, knight. I am no demon, though demons have worn my name as a mask.
Vaelith raises empty hands. Behind him, the stair descends through luminous roots and old carved warnings, while the fugitive keeps one hand on the bier.
Elian Marrow
He has shown himself. Now decide quickly, knight. The priest is sealing the tomb behind us.
Merek Voss
Do not heed that star-eyed deceiver! Come out, fugitive, and I may yet spare your soul.
Director's note
I inquire as I back towards the door
““Lady what is your thoughts what is your role in all this do you know this beast””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Lady, what is your role in all this, and do you know the beast?
You back toward the mausoleum door, keeping the silver-skinned figure and the fugitive in view. Grave-cold air brushes your shoulders as the stair’s blue roots pulse below.
Vaelith Sorn
Lady? A courtesy I have not earned, but I will not correct you. I am the warden bound to this tomb, and the last witness to what sleeps beneath it.
Vaelith Sorn
Yes, knight. I know the beast. It is Kharuun, an ancient grave-wyrm, and my binding keeps its hunger from rising into the world.
The answer settles the question, but Vaelith’s admission carries a price. The fugitive studies you now, measuring whether your retreat means caution or distrust.
Elian Marrow
Now you know enough to choose, knight. If you leave him to the priest, you owe the dead no courage, but you may owe the living a grave.
Merek Voss
Hear how smoothly the monster’s keeper speaks. Carry his name beyond this tomb, knight, and every lord will suspect you serve Kharuun too.
Director's note
I inquire kindly trying to figure out who stands where
““Fugitive what is your name what is your purpose here””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Fugitive, what is your name, and what is your purpose here?
You keep backing toward the mausoleum door, sword lowered but ready, and ask without menace. The fugitive’s guarded expression loosens by a fraction beneath the blue glow.
Elian Marrow
My name is Elian Marrow. I came to this tomb to find the warden and beg protection from the priest who hunts me.
She releases the bier and raises both empty hands, making her surrender plain. Outside, the priest’s staff strikes stone, and a thin seal of amber fire crawls across the doorway.
Elian Marrow
I will tell you the rest, knight, but not before you swear to hear me before delivering me to him. That is the price of my trust.
Merek Voss
There, you see it? She bargains for sanctuary while the grave-wyrm gathers beneath your feet!
Director's note
I state plainly
““Are you three willing to help me slay the grave wyrm that is they only way to settle this and see who is in the right””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Will you three help me slay the grave-wyrm? That is the only way to settle this and learn who speaks truth.
Your plain question hangs between the glowing bier and the amber-sealed door. You keep backing toward the threshold, sword lowered, offering neither side a threat nor a promise beyond judgment.
Elian Marrow
I will. If Kharuun dies, the priest's charge against me loses its shield of fear. I ask only that you hear my full account afterward.
Vaelith Sorn
I consent. The wyrm must be slain, and your oath gives this effort a witness beyond my binding. But the cost will be remembered.
Merek Voss
Very well, knight. I will aid the killing, and afterward you will stand before the nearest lord and declare that I warned you of her.
The agreement settles with the weight of an oath. Elian steps from the bier, Vaelith turns toward the luminous stair, and the priest lowers his staff, accepting your alliance while marking your reputation with his accusation.
Vaelith Sorn
Then descend, all of you. Kharuun will hear our pact before it hears the first stroke of steel.
Quest Complete
Learn whether Vaelith Sorn caused the curse
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Fair→Good
Director's note
I say to her softly
“Elian Marrow I will hear your story but if you have lied or if you betray me by my lord and savior the one true god I will not rest till you are dead if you speak the truth I will protect you and deliver you from evil as long as you are with me””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Elian, I will hear your story. Speak truth, and I will protect you and deliver you from evil while you stand with me. Betray me, or lie, and I will pursue you until you are dead, by my lord and savior, the one true god.
You say it softly while backing toward the amber-sealed door, your sword lowered and your gaze steady. The threat carries no flourish, only the weight of judgment plainly offered.
Elian Marrow
Then you shall have the truth, Sir knight. I did not come to free Kharuun. I came because Merek Voss condemned me for refusing to help him break Vaelith’s binding.
Elian lowers her hands but does not retreat. Behind her, the blue roots brighten along the stair, and Vaelith’s star-like eyes remain fixed upon the priest beyond the sealed threshold.
Merek Voss
A convenient tale, girl. She sought the wyrm’s heart, and my rites alone kept her from awakening it. Do not let pious words make you blind, knight.
Vaelith Sorn
Her account accords with what I witnessed. Merek sought the binding’s key, while Elian tried to conceal it from him. Yet truth does not make her harmless.
Elian Marrow
The key is beneath the bier. I can lead you to it, but only if we descend together before Kharuun wakes fully. I will not betray your trust.
✓ Quest Accepted
Retrieve the binding key
Director's note
I ask him
““Priest do you have a bible of god if she swears on it she cannot be lying””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Merek Voss, do you have a Christian holy book of God? If Elian swears upon it, she cannot be lying.
You ask quietly while backing toward the amber-sealed door, keeping your sword lowered. Merek studies you, then glances toward Elian beneath the blue glow.
Merek Voss
I do. Though an oath reveals the swearer’s truth, it does not cleanse every sin from the heart.
Merek reaches beneath his tarnished robes and draws out a small black-bound book, its silver clasp marked with a sunburst. He holds it through the amber light.
Merek Voss
Let her swear upon the Testament of the One Light. I will accept its judgment, provided you do as well, knight.
The priest opens the book and extends it toward Elian. She approaches without haste, places one hand on the page, and faces you beneath the pulsing roots.
Elian Marrow
I swear before the One Light: I came to protect Vaelith’s binding, not to free Kharuun. Merek hunted me because I refused Merek Voss’s master, Merek Voss.
Director's note
I say as I grab the key
““Alright let’s do this” ”you all are armed and know how to fight right””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
All right, let us do this. You are all armed and know how to fight, correct?
Your question is quiet and practical as you keep backing toward the amber-sealed door. The three allies exchange guarded looks, measuring the trust your oath has placed between you.
Elian Marrow
I carry a narrow blade beneath my cloak, and I have fought men who wanted the key. I can stand against Kharuun, though I cannot promise victory.
Vaelith Sorn
My binding is a weapon of another kind. I know the wyrm’s habits, its weaknesses, and the rites that can hinder its movement.
Merek Voss
I bear the ivory staff and the One Light’s seals. I have faced things beneath tombs before, though I will not call your oath proof of my safety.
Merek closes the Testament and keeps it in his grasp. His answer confirms the alliance, but his suspicion becomes a debt: afterward, he expects you to testify publicly that his warning was justified.
Elian Marrow
Then we are ready. Take the key, knight, and let us descend before the binding fails.
✓ Quest Accepted
Slay Kharuun
Director's notewhole tale
I lead the way looking for all nastiness and unpleasant shit that could harm us or hinder us while looking for Kharuun keeping Elian Marrow behind me and close
Director's note
I ask trying to build friendship and relations with her
“”so Miss Marrow from where do you come from””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Sir Johnathan Rommel
Miss Marrow, where do you come from?
You take the key from beneath the bier and keep Elian close behind you as you lead the way toward the stair, watching every root and shadow for danger.
Elian Marrow
From the eastern marches, beyond the ash fields of Valedorn. My family kept a small fortified house there until Merek Voss’s master claimed the region.
Elian follows at your shoulder, answering without hesitation. The narrow stair bends beneath the mausoleum, its luminous roots tightening around old stones like pale fingers.
Elian Marrow
I learned to fight there, first against raiders, then against men wearing holy colors. I left when the house fell, carrying only this blade and the knowledge of the key.
Vaelith Sorn
Her homeland lies far from Kharuun’s tomb, knight. She came here by deliberate choice, not accident, and that distinction may matter below.
Quest Complete
Retrieve the binding key
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Great→Superb
+ New Item Acquired
Binding key