Below, the tournament herald keeps his staff raised. The crowd remains suspended in silence, banners stirring above the restored circle and sanctified wards glowing around the sealed stair.
Elieren Gulres
There is one matter I should disclose before you enter. A clause has appeared in the tournament ledger, requiring the victor to answer questions before the alliance council.
Elieren’s voice stays quiet, meant for the gallery alone. She does not touch the silver griffon clasp left on the table, nor offer any new token or pledge.
Paladin Sola
That clause is not written in the tournament writ you received. I examined the document myself. Your recognized terms concern the contest, not obedience to a council.
Elieren Gulres
I suspect it was added after your return, perhaps by officials seeking certainty after Theron’s fall. I can challenge its validity before the herald announces the bout.
Paladin Sola
And I will stand beside that challenge if you request it. But neither Elieren nor I will decide whether you answer the council, or whether you enter under protest.
The herald waits below, staff unwavering, while the gathered kingdoms watch the gallery for movement. Elieren turns fully toward Damakos, leaving the choice open between them.
“"The alliance is already tenuous, a challenge from a royal representative risks dissolving what last vestiges of civility remain. If they wish for questions to be answered so be it."”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +4)
Damakos Honourbound
The alliance is already tenuous. I will not challenge the clause and risk dissolving what civility remains. If questions are required, let them be answered.
The choice leaves the gallery quiet. Below, the herald lowers his staff only when Elieren gives a measured signal, and the crowd’s held breath releases into wary applause.
Elieren Gulres
Then I will record your acceptance precisely: answering questions is permitted, but it creates no oath, office, payment, or allegiance. Your independence remains intact.
Paladin Sola
That distinction matters. You offer answers as a witness and competitor, not as property of the council. I will see that the record preserves it.
Elieren descends to the herald’s platform and reads the amended entry aloud before the gathered kingdoms. The clause remains, but its limits are entered into the official ledger.
the tournament herald
Let it be witnessed: the victor may answer the alliance council’s questions without surrendering freedom, title, allegiance, or counsel beyond what he freely gives.
The herald raises his staff again. As the crowd settles, several royal witnesses nod toward Damakos, and the clarified record grants him a public safeguard against later claims of obligation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Answer the alliance council's questions
“I enter the restored circle and face the next contender. Sensing Kindred power, that remains yet more malicious.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled +0)
Damakos enters the restored circle beneath the watching banners. Sanctified wards glimmer around the sealed stair as he faces the next contender across the marked stone.
The contender wears layered bronze armor and carries a dark, hooked spear. Beneath the arena’s lawful magic, Damakos senses Kindred power coiled around the warrior’s presence.
Damakos Honourbound
The Kindred power remains, and it is more malicious than the corruption Theron carried.
the next contender
So the half-devil returns, bearing a sanctified blade and the favor of frightened kings. Let us see whether either protects you.
The words carry a faint second resonance, as though something unseen repeats them beneath the contender’s voice. The wards flicker once, recognizing danger without breaking.
the tournament herald
By the ancient compact, the circle is restored, the terms are witnessed, and the contest proceeds. Begin when ready.
The herald withdraws beyond the boundary. Across from Damakos, the contender lowers the hooked spear into guard, while the malicious Kindred presence tightens like a shadow behind the eyes.
“Keeping the purified blade sheathe, I incant a spell to dissolve his hooked spear into rust”
SUCCESS (Legendary Hellfire magic, rolled +0)
Damakos leaves the purified blade sheathed. He raises one hand, and a low spell gathers around the hooked spear, threading the metal with dry, earthen magic.
The bronze-armored contender jerks the weapon upward, but the spell has already taken hold. Dark orange corrosion blooms along the hook, races down the shaft, and consumes every polished edge.
the next contender
No. This weapon was forged beneath vows older than your bloodline.
The spear collapses into rust beneath his gauntleted grip. Flakes scatter across the marked stone, leaving only a brittle remnant that crumbles when he releases it.
The unseen resonance behind the contender’s voice twists into a displeased murmur. Sanctified wards flare around the sealed stair, then settle, recognizing the contest’s lawful boundary.
the next contender
You strip away steel and call it victory? Then face me without the shield of distance.
The contender advances unarmed, bronze plates ringing against one another. The ruined spear lies harmlessly at his feet, while the crowd answers with startled applause and uneasy silence.
“Incanting another spell I enchant his mind to lull him to sleep.”
FAILURE (Great Magic, rolled -1)
“Incanting another spell I enchant his mind to lull him to sleep.”
SUCCESS (Great Magic, rolled +1)
Damakos keeps his blade sheathed and shapes a second incantation, quieter than the first. The spell leaves his hand as a warm, weightless hush.
It settles across the contender’s bronze helm and slips inward, carrying the gentle rhythm of deep sleep. His raised fists falter, and the malicious resonance behind his voice fades.
the next contender
Your... sorcery... will not...
The sentence dissolves into a yawn. The contender’s knees bend, and he lowers himself carefully onto the marked stone before sleep claims him without struggle.
The shadow behind his eyes goes quiet with him. Sanctified wards remain steady around the sealed stair, while the ruined spear lies untouched beside the sleeping warrior.
the tournament herald
The contender is rendered harmless by lawful magic. The exchange is concluded, and victory is awarded to Damakos Honourbound.
Startled applause rises through the arena, mingled with wary whispers. Attendants approach to guard the sleeping contender, while the herald records the victory beneath the ancient compact.
✓ Quest Accepted
Receive the tournament's honor declarations without accepting an allegiance
“Bowing to the gathered council I await their questions”
Damakos bows toward the gathered council, his blade still sheathed and his posture steady beneath the arena’s watching banners. The gesture offers courtesy without submission.
The sleeping contender remains under the attendants’ guard beyond the circle. Above the sealed stair, sanctified wards hold their pale light as the council’s representatives confer.
the tournament herald
Let the record show that Damakos Honourbound has claimed victory under the ancient compact and stands ready to answer the council’s questions.
Elieren watches from the royal gallery, making no sign that could speak for him. Paladin Sola remains nearby, silent and attentive, while scribes prepare fresh parchment.
the Arch-Cleric of Thrasi
You may answer as witness and victor, Damakos. No question grants the council an oath, allegiance, title, or authority over your path.
The gathered council settles into expectant silence. Quills hover above the ledger, and every kingdom’s representative turns toward Damakos, waiting for the first question.
Quest Complete
Receive the tournament's honor declarations without accepting an allegiance