Corren closes the forge shutters, muting Bellwater’s street beyond, then clears a shallow stone basin beside the hearth. Rowan and Iven take positions where they can watch the eastern gate.
Corren Vale
Set the fragment in the basin. Heat it slowly, Gaston, but do not strike it. If something is folded inside, force will teach us nothing except how to break it.
Corren adjusts the coals and guides the flame beneath the jagged metal. Rowan watches the gate through a narrow shutter gap, while Iven keeps the copied index tucked beneath his robe.
Iven Tarrow
The gate is quiet, but two figures have paused near the eastern road. They are not approaching the forge.
Corren Vale
There. Look along the inner grain. Those lines are not damage. They are teeth, channels, and a concealed turn.
As the fragment warms, dark lines rise through its dull metal, forming a miniature locking assembly. Its angles match the mechanism buried beneath the eastern gate, down to a missing central tooth.
Corren Vale
This is a key pattern, not a piece of a key. Whoever made it meant someone to rebuild the lock, or finish what the gate began.
Rowan
Then Odran’s stolen pages may tell him what belongs in that missing place. We should learn whether those watchers came for the fragment, the gate, or us.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the jagged metal under control
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine what the two watchers want
“"But how would this have ended up in an enchanted bog? Maybe the metal changes according to something you need." I go to cool it down in the water basin, slowly. "Lets go see what they want. Corren thank you for your help. Do you have any weapons we could trade or use? We have no money but it would be appreciated and very helpful?"”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Crafting, rolled +1)
Davis of Carmathen
But how would this have ended up in an enchanted bog? Maybe the metal changes according to whatever someone needs. I am going to cool it slowly. Then let us see what those watchers want. Corren, thank you. Do you have weapons we could trade for or use? We have no money, but they would help greatly.
Davis lifts the warmed fragment with tongs and lowers it gradually into the water basin. Steam veils the hearth as the metal contracts without cracking, its concealed channels settling into a new pattern.
Corren Vale
A fair question, Gaston. The bog may have shaped its purpose, or merely preserved what was already waiting to change. Either way, you cooled it correctly.
Corren lifts the fragment from the basin and wraps it in oiled cloth. He opens a side rack beneath the forge, revealing a serviceable short sword, two sturdy daggers, and a hunting bow with a small bundle of arrows.
Corren Vale
Take the short sword and daggers for the road. The bow is sound too, though the arrows are few. Call it payment for the work, and bring them back if Bellwater gives you reason to return.
Davis secures the weapons, then steps through the opened shutters with Rowan and Iven. The two cloaked watchers remain by the eastern road, plainly visible now beneath the pale gate stones.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
We came to speak about the fragment, not start a fight. If you carry it toward the eastern gate, we need to know whether you understand what the lock is meant to open.
Corren Vale
Stay where I can see you, both of you. They asked about the gate before Odran did, and they have not yet offered a name.
Quest Complete
Determine what the two watchers want
Quest Complete
Keep the jagged metal under control
+ New Item Acquired
Short Sword
+ New Item Acquired
Hunting Bow
+ New Item Acquired
Arrows
“"What do you mean? How do you know about the fragment? I thought it was just a piece of metal when I found it. And are you talking about the curse?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Davis of Carmathen
What do you mean? How do you know about the fragment? I thought it was only a piece of metal when I found it. Are you talking about the curse?
The two cloaked watchers, one a young adult woman with a slim build and a visible dark braid beneath her gray hood, the other a middle-aged man with a broad build, weathered brown skin, and a dark wool cloak exchange a guarded glance. Corren keeps one hand near the forge, while Rowan shifts nearer to Davis and Iven watches the eastern road.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
We know it from the missing shrine pages. Odran Pell was not the first to seek them. The fragment was described in an older account, recovered from the bog after a gate-bearer vanished.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
Yes, we mean the curse, but not every part of it. The account calls the eastern gate a lock for something beneath the old places. The fragment is a pattern for its missing tooth.
The wrapped metal gives a faint click on Corren’s bench, answering the watchers’ words. Rowan’s attention fixes on it, while dust slips from the gate stones outside.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
You found it because the bog preserved the old road’s dead end. We came to learn whether you carried a key, a warning, or bait. Now we know it is a key pattern, and the curse is tied to what that lock contains.
Corren Vale
Then ask the useful question next, Gaston. What does the eastern gate contain, and who intends to turn that pattern into a working key?
“"Why do you care? You and your female companion? And what does the eastern gate contain? And do you know who intends to turn that pattern into a working key? Is it different from Odran?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +1)
Davis of Carmathen
Why do you care, you and your female companion? What does the eastern gate contain, and who intends to turn that pattern into a working key? Is it different from Odran?
The broad-shouldered watcher lowers his hood, revealing a weathered middle-aged face, while his companion’s dark braid slips forward as she studies Davis. Neither reaches for a weapon.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
We care because our order has guarded the eastern gate’s secret for three generations. It contains no treasure. It contains a sealed descent into the buried places, where the heir was bound before the first shrine was raised.
The Two Cloaked Watchers
The pattern can complete a key, but not safely. Odran wants to use it to open the gate and command what lies below. We intend to prevent that, not serve him.
Seris
He is different from us. Odran seeks the missing pages and the fragment for himself. We followed his search to stop him, and we came because your discovery changed the danger.
Corren Vale
Then the choice is plain, Gaston. Keep the fragment hidden, or learn whether these watchers truly know how to destroy its pattern before Odran reaches the gate.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether the watchers can destroy the fragment’s key pattern
+ New Item Acquired
Oiled Cloth
“"What is your name, young woman?" I think she looks very attractive, so I wonder her name. But I also try not to get too distracted. I also ask the man, "Do you know how to destroy the key? Or, do we try and destroy the heir once and for all?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Davis of Carmathen
What is your name, young woman? And do you know how to destroy the key, or should we try to destroy the heir once and for all?
The young woman’s guarded expression softens at the direct question. She lowers her hood fully, revealing a sharp-featured face, gray-green eyes, and a dark braid threaded with copper cord.
Seris
My name is Seris Vale. You may call me Seris. As for the key, we can destroy the pattern, but only before it is fitted into the gate.
Tavren
The heir is not a creature waiting beneath the stones. It is a bound intelligence, fed by old blood and names. Destroying it may be possible, but not by striking at its prison.
Seris glances toward the wrapped fragment on Corren’s bench, then toward the eastern gate. Her companion steps nearer, his attention fixed on Davis rather than the road.
Tavren
We destroy the key pattern first, then reach the sealed descent with the right knowledge. If the heir can be unmade, that is where the attempt must begin. Odran would only give it a door.
Quest Complete
Learn whether the watchers can destroy the fragment’s key pattern
“"Seris, what a lovely name. And what beautiful eyes you have." I turn towards the man. "What is your name? I want to help you. I also respect your knowledge on this. Lets do everything we can to destroy the fragment." I grab the fragment and hold it.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Davis of Carmathen
Seris, what a lovely name. And you have beautiful eyes. What is your name? I want to help you, and I respect your knowledge. Let us destroy the fragment.
Davis turns toward the middle-aged man, then reaches to Corren’s bench and closes his hand around the wrapped fragment. The metal settles heavily in his palm, its concealed channels faintly warm.
Seris
Careful, Gaston. But thank you. Most people see the fragment and think first of what it might grant them.
Tavren
My name is Tavren. I have guarded this secret longer than I have guarded my own reputation, and I will help destroy the pattern.
The wrapped fragment clicks once beneath Davis’s fingers. Its channels shift into a tight spiral, then hold still, as if the metal has recognized a decision without accepting a command.
Tavren
Do not break it against stone or flame. The pattern can scatter into lesser pieces. Corren knows a safer method, and I know where the fragments must be taken afterward.
Corren Vale
Then we have a purpose. I can unmake the folded channels here, but Tavren must tell us what waits beyond the eastern gate before we choose the final stroke.
“"All I know is I want to destroy the heir. Let's do what needs to be done. Lead the way." I put the fragment away. As we follow I try to talk to Seris.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Davis of Carmathen
All I know is that I want to destroy the heir. Let us do what needs doing. Lead the way.
Davis tucks the wrapped fragment securely away and follows Tavren and Seris from the forge. Corren remains behind the shutters, preparing the tools needed to unmake its folded channels.
Tavren
Then keep pace. The place where the pattern must be broken lies beneath the eastern gate, and we will reach it by a warded service stair.
The gate’s pale stones rise ahead as Tavren leads them along its outer wall. Seris walks beside Davis, her copper-threaded braid brushing her gray cloak with each measured step.
Davis of Carmathen
Seris, what made your order guard the gate for three generations? And what do you believe lies beneath it?
Seris
My order inherited the duty after the first shrine keepers failed. Beneath the gate lies a descent sealed around the heir’s prison, and every generation has been taught that opening it carelessly would give the heir a road into the world.
Seris
I do not know whether the heir can truly be destroyed. But I know the prison must be reached, and I would rather face that truth with someone determined to end it than someone hoping to command it.
Tavren stops beside a narrow ironbound door hidden between the gate stones. He produces an old key, and the lock turns beneath his hand, revealing steps descending into cool darkness.
“"I would like to help you guys. We may not know much about the curse but we want to stop the heir." I am starting to like Seris. Hoping that through all this, I can get to know her. Weird that I'm starting to develop feelings for her. "Now what Tavren?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Davis of Carmathen
I want to help you. We may not know much about the curse yet, but we want to stop the heir. What do we do now, Tavren?
The ironbound door opens onto a stair spiraling beneath the gate. Cold air rises from below, carrying the dry scent of old stone as Tavren lifts a hooded lantern.
Tavren
First, we reach the ward chamber. You will study the pattern there and identify which channels belong to the prison and which belong only to the key. Then Corren can break the right ones.
Seris
The chamber also holds the instructions my order preserved. If your understanding is as sharp as your certainty, you may recognize what generations of keepers overlooked.
Davis descends with the wrapped fragment secured beneath his cloak. Along the walls, pale symbols emerge in the lanternlight, arranged in repeating arcs around a sealed central passage.
Tavren
There is the ward chamber. Once inside, no one speaks a true name. Set the fragment on the black stone, and tell us what the pattern is trying to become.
At the stair’s foot, a circular chamber waits beyond an open arch. A black stone dais stands at its center, and silver lines across the floor point inward without touching it.