Inside the Golden Hare, Veldrin remains sheltered behind the common room’s timber partition. Loric guards the threshold with his sword still sheathed, while Elford faces the crown party beneath the hearth’s smoky glow.
the dark-armoured knight
Surrender the fae, innkeeper. The warrant is sealed by the crown, and defiance will make this village complicit in his crimes.
The robed spellwright dismounts outside and enters beneath the dark-armoured knight’s shoulder, a slender silver charm hanging from his gloved hand. He unfolds a parchment bearing red wax and an elaborate royal seal.
the robed spellwright
Let every witness inspect it. Veldrin is wanted for unlawful arcane violence, flight from custody, and offenses against the peace of Valedorn.
The parchment passes toward Elford. Its lettering is precise and official, but a dark binding sigil crawls across one crucial line, obscuring the alleged crime beneath shifting ink.
Elford
That mark is not an ordinary seal. If the crown wishes honest judgment, why hide the heart of its accusation?
Veldrin
Because the truth would name those who mutilated me and stole what was mine. Do not trust words bound against the light.
✓ Quest Accepted
Expose the warrant as materially compromised
“"Thats an illusion seal." *Aelwyn said peering over the partition from beside Veldrin.* "I've seen those many times on shipment boxes of herbs that I recieve, they're usually poisonus herbs inside, thats a false seal." *Aelwyn said gesturing to the seal to get the paper herself.* "Let me see it."”
SUCCESS (Fair Magic, rolled +2)
Aelwyn
That is an illusion seal. I have seen them many times on shipment boxes of herbs I receive. Poisonous herbs are usually inside. That makes this a false seal.
Aelwyn peers over the partition from beside Veldrin, then steps forward and gestures toward the parchment. The robed spellwright hesitates before placing it in her hands.
Aelwyn
Let me see it.
The parchment settles against Aelwyn’s fingers. Up close, the royal seal shimmers like lacquer over damp ink, its red wax concealing a second pattern that shifts beneath the surface.
the robed spellwright
You presume much from a glance, herbalist. That document bears the crown’s authority, whether you understand its sigils or not.
Elford
Let her examine it. You brought the warrant before witnesses, and she has given us a reason to question what we see.
When Aelwyn tilts the parchment toward the hearth, the crawling sigil briefly fades. Beneath it lies a blank line where the alleged crime should be, while the royal seal remains visibly layered and false.
Quest Complete
Expose the warrant as materially compromised