The steep stair opens into Bellwether's council hall. Oil lamps burn over a map table, where anxious elders cluster around the postern warden.
Ragnar still carries the priest's wrapped warning. Beyond the standing stones, Ser Joren remains hidden in his hollow, awaiting aid from the wardens.
the postern warden
Elders, this is Ragnar Stormclaw. He bears Ser Joren's pennant and whistle, and he crossed the watchpath while the eastern force watched.
the elder speaker
Proof is not enough. Set the pennant there, and tell us precisely what you saw beneath the ridge.
The warden lays the broken pennant beside the map. Several elders lean closer, their fingers hovering over the eastern hills and the marked rear postern.
the elder speaker
How many move against us? What armor, what banners, what signals? If the hooked crown is real, we must know where to place Bellwether's defenders.
the postern warden
Ser Joren is wounded and concealed beyond the stones. I can send aid, but the council must decide whether his warning commands the gates.
✓ Quest Accepted
Convince Bellwether's council to act on the warning
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring aid to Ser Joren
“Can the wardens send aid to Ser Joren immediately?”
YES (VeryLikely, rolled 60)
the elder speaker
Send four wardens now. Two bring Ser Joren across the stones, and two remain on the ridge to watch the eastern force.
The postern warden turns toward the stair. At his signal, two guards seize a stretcher from the hall passage, while another takes a lantern and a coil of rope.
the postern warden
The aid party leaves immediately. We will bring him inside before the enemy can mark his hollow.
The warden gathers the broken pennant and passes it to an elder, then points to the eastern ridge on the map. Boots hurry upward toward the postern.
the elder speaker
The warning stands. Close the rear lanes, wake the watch captains, and send runners to every gate. Bellwether will prepare before the hooked crown moves.
Above, the postern door opens onto whitening mist. The rescue party climbs toward Ser Joren, while the council bends over the map and begins placing defenders.
“I help organize the ridge watch”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled -1)
Ragnar joins the wardens on the ridge, setting the lanterns beneath the standing stones and directing sightlines toward the eastern gullies. The watch settles into order around him.
the postern warden
Two watchers on the high stones, two below the cut. Keep the signal clear, and mark every movement before it reaches the mist.
Ragnar places the strongest warden above the shepherd's cut and assigns the other three to overlapping positions. The broken pennant hangs where all can see it.
the postern warden
That arrangement gives us warning from ridge to postern. Bellwether's defenders can now answer an attack before the crown reaches the walls.
As Ragnar shifts a wardstone for a clearer view, its edge scrapes his palm and draws a shallow line of blood. He wraps it quickly with a torn strip of cloth.
the elder speaker
Good. The ridge watch is organized, and the rescue party has a guarded return. Keep those eyes east while we wake the remaining captains.
Below, the first stretcher team disappears into the mist with Ser Joren. Above, the wardens hold their stations, and the eastern ridge remains under watch.
Quest Complete
Convince Bellwether's council to act on the warning