A page in Elterra green leads Damakos from the arena through a curtained passage, where the tournament’s roar fades beneath muffled drums and distant bells.
The royal pavilion waits beneath layered banners of Elterra and Jursial. Elieren Gulres stands within, composed and unaccompanied, while Paladin Sola remains near the entrance, silent and watchful.
Elieren Gulres
You placed dangerous words before every kingdom’s court today. The infernal trail is no private concern once declared beneath those banners.
Elieren steps nearer, her voice lowered for the pavilion alone. Beyond the hanging cloth, guards and petitioners pass without entering, leaving the small chamber tense and still.
Elieren Gulres
Tell me plainly, Damakos. Does this trail threaten the tournament itself, or is the danger aimed at something beyond these contests?
Paladin Sola
Thrasi grant me patience. Every answer may draw the enemy’s gaze nearer to her.
Sola’s gauntleted hand rests near his greatsword, though he does not interrupt. Elieren holds Damakos’s gaze, waiting for his answer beneath the crossed royal colors.
“"You have little to worry about Princess, The infernal Trail was cut short back in the kingdom of Jursial. If their remnants remain they must attend to their wounds before they can mount and attack."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
“"You have little to worry about Princess, The infernal Trail was cut short back in the kingdom of Jursial. If their remnants remain they must attend to their wounds before they can mount and attack."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Damakos Honourbound
You have little to worry about, Princess. The infernal trail was cut short in Jursial. If remnants remain, they must tend their wounds before they can mount an attack.
Elieren studies him in the quiet pavilion. The tension in her shoulders eases by a measured degree, though her gaze remains sharp beneath the royal banners.
Elieren Gulres
Then the tournament is not their immediate battlefield. That distinction matters, and I accept your judgment for the moment.
Paladin Sola
A wounded enemy is still an enemy. Yet if they require time, we have time to prepare and to learn where the trail leads next.
Elieren turns toward the curtained entrance, where the muffled drums continue their measured call. Her composure returns, now sharpened into deliberate purpose.
Elieren Gulres
I will see the tournament guarded without alarming the kingdoms. You will tell me what you know of Jursial, and what signs would reveal their return.
Paladin Sola
Thrasi guide this alliance. For now, the danger is delayed, not denied.
✓ Quest Accepted
Give Elieren the known signs of an infernal return
“"If this city has any who boast the blood of the hells in their veins then look to them. The infernal cults love to tempt my kin with false acceptance, but do not judge them harshly, for it is such that pushes my kindred to the arms of the cults."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Damakos Honourbound
If this city has any who boast the blood of the hells, look to them. Infernal cults tempt my kin with false acceptance, but do not judge them harshly, lest judgment drive them into the cults' arms.
The pavilion falls silent. Beyond the curtains, the tournament drums continue, but even their measured cadence seems distant beneath the weight of Damakos's warning.
Elieren Gulres
Then we shall watch for the recruiters, not merely the recruited. I will instruct my guards to observe discreetly and to offer protection before suspicion.
Paladin Sola
A hard mercy, but a necessary one. Thrasi condemns wickedness, not blood inherited without choice.
Elieren takes up a narrow slate from the table and writes several names of guard captains, her expression composed as the warning becomes royal policy.
Elieren Gulres
Your counsel is accepted, Damakos. If the cult seeks infernal-blooded citizens, it will find Elterra's eyes upon the attempt, and its victims will not stand alone.
Paladin Sola
He speaks for those others would fear. That may reveal more courage than any contest in the arena.
Identify the infernal cult recruiters threatening Elterra
Quest Complete
Give Elieren the known signs of an infernal return