The Hall of Welcome rests in warm lamplight, the square beyond it gone quiet at last. Sella keeps one careful hand near the ledger, now settled and still in its new vessel.
Nezznar slows his pacing by the wall, then stops, listening to the muted town outside. The room feels held together by soft breaths, old stone, and the low crackle of the hearth.
Bren
For once, no one is shouting at us.
She leans against the table beside Kynes, shoulders easing as the last edge leaves her stance.
Sella
It is calm. The ledger prefers this shape.
Nezznar
Horizon is clear. For now, Phandelver lets us breathe.
Bren glances toward Kynes, then to the ledger, then back again, as if measuring how much peace this room can truly hold.
Bren
What do we build next, Kynes? A stronger home, or a quieter one?
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the ledger from further House Xar interference
“Does the ledger feel any lingering tremors from the House Xar envoy?”
YES (Likely, rolled 38)
A sudden, sharp vibration ripples through the table, causing the clay cradle to rattle against the stone surface. The ledger's pages flutter once, as if catching a phantom draft from the square outside.
Kynes
The envoy's presence left a mark. The book is still listening to the echo of their summons.
Sella
It is not just the air, Kynes. The ledger is shivering in sympathy with the envoy's trail.
“I ask Sella if the square still echoes”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +1)
Kynes
Does the square still echo with him?
Sella
A little. Not his boots, just the shape of his intent. The ledger catches that shape and shivers.
Sella eases one hand off the cradle and nudges it back into line, careful not to jar the book. The trembling softens, but does not vanish.
Bren
So he leaves a trace even after he backs down. That is useful, and irritating.
Nezznar
Interesting. The ledger is not only protected, it is remembering the pressure that touched it.
Outside, the town stays quiet. Inside, the Hall of Welcome holds its breath around the table, the ledger settling into a wary, watchful stillness.
Sella
If the square answers him again, I will feel the change first. For now, it only echoes.
Quest Complete
Protect the ledger from further House Xar interference