The lamplit gallery narrows toward a stone stair. Beyond its first steps, a wounded quarry laborer sits awake beside a small iron door, one hand pressed to his bandaged side.
Slaan
These watchers carry matching black cords, but no house insignia. One has a quarry tally scratched inside his boot.
Nhal
The other two bear fresh dust from below. They were guarding movement, not merely escorting the satchel.
Behind them, Bren keeps Odran bound beside the gallery wall, while the clerk watches the slate and succession record with exhausted attention. The unconscious watchers remain secured nearby.
the wounded quarry laborer
Stay where you are. I cannot fight all of you, but that door is not mine to open, and I will not let anyone pass without answers.
Bren
He is frightened, not eager for trouble. Kynes, the route is yours to lead, but we should hear what happened here before choosing the stair.
The laborer shifts against the wall, leaving a dark stain on his sleeve. The iron door remains closed, and the stair descends into quiet beneath the quarry.
“I look at the wounded man, " did we do that?" I shrug, to the wounded man " what happen? No bull shit."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Kynes
Did we do that? What happened? No bullshit.
Kynes looks over the laborer’s bandaged side, then shrugs. The man studies the party, weighing their weapons, the unconscious watchers, and the open satchel.
the wounded quarry laborer
You did not cut me. Those three did, when I refused to help them move the case through the lower works.
He shifts carefully against the wall, keeping pressure on the bandage. His voice remains guarded, but the accusation in it is directed toward the bound watchers.
the wounded quarry laborer
They came before dawn with the satchel. They wanted the iron door opened, but I told them the foreman kept the key and would not surrender it.
the wounded quarry laborer
The one carrying the tally struck me when I refused. Then they left me here to watch the door while they searched below. I have been awake since.
The laborer nods toward the iron door and the stair beyond it. Nothing moves below, and the quarry returns to its dry, echoing quiet.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain the quarry laborer’s permission to pass the iron door
“I chuckle " keys. That's adorable." I look at nhal " mind healing him"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Health, rolled +1)
Kynes
Keys. That’s adorable.
Kynes chuckles and looks toward Nhal, keeping his attention on the wounded laborer rather than the iron door or the bound watchers.
Kynes
Mind healing him?
Nhal
Of course. Hold still, friend. This will hurt less than the first treatment did.
Nhal kneels beside the laborer and presses two fingers around the bandage. A soft warmth closes the injury beneath the cloth, easing his breathing and restoring the strength in his posture.
the wounded quarry laborer
That is considerably better. I can stand, and I can tell you what lies below, if you truly mean to open that door.
Nhal
He is stable now. Let him speak before anyone reaches for those keys.
“Nhal asks the wounded quarry laborer if we have permission to pass the door”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +1)
Nhal
Do we have your permission to pass through the iron door? We will not disturb the quarry or take anything that is not ours.
The laborer studies Nhal, then looks to Kynes and the others. With his wound healed and his breathing steady, he reaches beneath his vest and removes a plain iron key.
the wounded quarry laborer
Yes. You have my permission. Open it, but leave the lower works as you find them. The foreman’s key is gone, and I have no authority beyond this door.
He places the key in Nhal’s palm and points toward a rusted lock beneath the stair. The iron door bears no sigil, only old scratches from tools and carts.
Bren
Then we have clear consent and a quiet route. We will look, learn what those watchers were after, and leave your quarry undisturbed.
Slaan
A permission slip without a clerk’s stamp. How refreshingly civilized. I will keep watch while Nhal opens it.
Nhal unlocks the iron door. It opens onto a descending work passage, dry and unoccupied, while the laborer settles back against the wall, relieved to have been heard.
Quest Complete
Gain the quarry laborer’s permission to pass the iron door
New Gift: Quarryfolk's Trust
+ New Item Acquired
Iron door key