A deep horn call rolls through the royal chapel despite its sealed doors. The violet lamps tremble, and the king’s signet answers with a single pulse.
A blood-marked strip of hide slides beneath the threshold and stops before Ulkesh. Serath Vael’s sign from Elaris Ford is burned into its surface.
Ulkesh’s brother remains beside the altar, while the royal physician attends the king. The administrator, Odran Pell, and the named witnesses hold their places within the covenant circle.
the king
The eastern host has halted. No attack follows the horn, yet Vaelor’s old law has carried another summons into this chapel.
The hide unrolls by itself. Violet script forms across its blood-dark fibers, preserving Serath’s report beneath the covenant’s watchful light.
Serath Vael
The orc host has halted at the ford and offers parley under ancient terms. The human war-captain has already rejected their offer and refuses to carry your banner among them.
Elyr Tann
The message names a choice, keeper. The orcs wait beyond the sealed crossing, while the human envoy has withdrawn from the terms. The covenant now watches what answer follows.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure an alliance with the orc host
“I send Serath’s terms to the orcs and offer parley beneath my banner.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Ulkesh lifts Serath’s blood-marked hide from the chapel floor. Violet script loosens from its fibers and winds around his covenant-marked hand.
The eastern covenant carries the message through the sealed crossing, bearing Serath’s terms and Ulkesh’s offer of parley beneath his banner.
Elyr Tann
The covenant has accepted your authority as its messenger. The orcs will receive the terms without the human envoy’s consent.
Beyond the chapel walls, the restored ford answers with a distant violet flare. The orc host lowers its weapons, and Ulkesh’s banner rises above the crossing.
Serath Vael
Your terms have reached them. The orcs accept parley beneath your banner and request that their gate be approached without hostile wardcraft.
Ulkesh’s brother
Then the human refusal has lost its force. The orcs will speak to the keeper directly, before the covenant and the watching kingdoms.
The blood-marked hide folds itself once and settles before Ulkesh. Across its surface, a final violet line records the orc host’s acceptance.
+ New Item Acquired
Blood-marked hide
“I promise safe passage without hostile wardcraft”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Ulkesh Valen
I promise the orc host safe passage beneath my banner. No hostile wardcraft will touch them as they approach the gate.
The promise enters the covenant-marked hand and crosses the sealed ford in violet script. The restored wards dim, withdrawing their edges from the ancient road.
Elyr Tann
The covenant records your promise as binding law. The crossing will remain open, and its wards will not strike the approaching host.
Far beyond the chapel, the orc host advances beneath lowered weapons. Violet lights along the ford fade into harmless stones, leaving the gate unchallenged.
Serath Vael
They have received your assurance. Their standard moves toward the gate, and their ward-speakers have ceased every defensive invocation.
Ulkesh’s brother
You have granted them passage without surrendering command. The orcs will meet you beneath terms they cannot mistake.
The blood-marked hide seals itself with a final violet line. Across the chapel, the king’s signet answers, confirming safe passage before the watching covenant.
Quest Complete
Secure the ford against the orc host
New Gift: Fordmaster Tactics
“I meet the orc host at the gate”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +0)