Orien reaches the dry watchpost mud-spattered and still mounted. One stirrup hangs loose against his boot, while the cracked token cools beneath his cloak.
A paladin in weathered silver stands beneath the settlement’s carved watch-beam. Behind Orien, House Veyr and Mara Pell remain at Low Fen Crossing, guarding the record and its warning.
the paladin
Orien Thanebroken, bearer of the succession tablet. My order’s prophecy names you the Fenwarden awaited by the drowned boundaries.
The paladin lowers a gauntleted hand, offering no weapon and making no move to seize the tablet. The watchpost’s dry stones bear old crown-and-reed carvings.
the paladin
I have followed the prophecy to bring you before the nearest court. There, under witness, the office may be formally instated in your custody.
the paladin
But the southern shaping troubles the signs. Someone bends a failing boundary toward your trail, so we must travel carefully and reveal nothing needlessly.
the paladin
Will you enter the settlement for fresh water and counsel, or ride with me directly to the court?
“I ask who is directing the drowned roads”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Orien Thanebroken
Who is directing the drowned roads?
the paladin
The hand calls itself the Reed Advocate. It serves a southern claimant who fears the succession record reaching court, and it has seized the failing boundary’s old signs.
The paladin touches one carved reed on the watch-beam. Its pale grain darkens, and a faint line points east, away from the settlement’s well.
the paladin
I cannot name the claimant yet, but the Reed Advocate leaves the same broken crown wherever the road is bent. The shaping is deliberate, not the spirit’s own will.
The cracked token beneath Orien’s cloak gives a sharp click. Its black thread withdraws completely, leaving the metal split and useless for guidance.
the paladin
That token has spent its last warning. If we ride for court, we must trust witnesses and the old road marks, not its direction.
Quest Complete
Learn who is using the drowned roads
Skill Upgrade: Lore Good→Great
“Agree and ride to court with the paladin”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -3)