Three weeks pass in Phandelver. Within the Hall of Welcome, Mara’s warded journal rests on a quiet stone table beneath the open silver lattice.
A new ink-like mark appears beneath her notes about the unseen caller. It spreads without wetness, forming a narrow route beyond the town’s familiar boundaries.
Slaan
The mark is not erasing your account. It is unfolding beneath it, as though the route waited for the record to become still.
Slaan, a young elven mage-assassin in dark travel clothes, leans over the journal without touching it. Violet light traces the route’s edges and reveals no summons.
Nhal
It leads beyond Phandelver, but the Hall cannot tell us where until the path chooses a clearer shape. We can witness without following.
Nhal gathers beside them in a mist-thin humanoid form, her features shifting gently. The Hall preserves the emerging map in an empty lattice space, claiming neither route nor destination.
Slaan
Mara, the mark has answered your earlier witness. Nothing has been taken from you, and nothing requires an answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish where the newly revealed route leads
“I collect my journal, sliding it into my travel pack. " I'll figure this out." Walk over and take Soulcatcher. " I'll return soon." I tell both nhal and Slaan.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +3)
Mara lifts her warded journal from the stone table and slides it into her travel pack. The unfolding mark remains preserved in the Hall’s empty lattice, untouched.
She crosses to the resting place of Soulcatcher and takes the defensive necromantic blade. Its edge answers with a quiet silver gleam, recognizing her lawful purpose.
Mara
I’ll figure this out. I’ll return soon.
The route beneath Mara’s notes sharpens as she speaks, revealing a second mark: a safe return sign keyed to her own witness, not a summons or tether.
Slaan
Then go with the path witnessed, not obeyed. I’ll preserve its shape while you’re away.
Nhal
And I’ll keep the Hall from treating your departure as an unfinished answer. Return remains your choice.
The silver lattice records Mara’s departure without claiming her journal, blade, or route. Behind her, the safe return sign waits openly, and the Hall remains still.
+ New Item Acquired
Warded journal
+ New Item Acquired
Soulcatcher
“I follow the route beyond Phandelver, to a swamp called the borrowland. I travel until I come to a spot I frequent for spell craft and research.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)