The descending passage opens onto the ritual chamber. Three vessels surround the dais, each feeding a chain toward the iron clasp beneath it, while Veyr watches from behind the arranged reservoirs. Arven and Silas remain at the threshold.
Blue-white lines pulse through the chains. The rear tooth of the clasp remains unmarked and close enough to reach, but every reservoir trembles whenever the ward draws power toward the dais.
Arven Sile
The reservoirs are decoys, but disturb one and the chains will answer. Reach beneath the dais only when you can keep your hand clear of the marked links.
Beyond the vessels, Veyr shifts his stance without revealing his face. The movement tightens the chains for a breath, and fresh iron scent rises from the clasp.
Silas Quill
He knows the weak point is visible. That means he either expects you to take it, or has prepared something for the moment you do.
Arven braces one hand against the passage wall, ready to steady anyone retreating. Silas watches the vessel nearest the dais, while the clasp ticks softly beneath the gathering blue light.
The Unseen Employer
Come farther, bell-bearer. Let us see whether your cleverness survives contact with the crown.
✓ Quest Accepted
Sever the unmarked tooth of the iron clasp
“I wait for the pulse to slacken, then reach beneath the dais.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Oju waits through the bright pulse, listening for the instant its rhythm slackens. His long ears catch the change before the chains visibly loosen, and his nose finds the freshest iron scent beneath the dais.
He slips beneath the dais during that narrow lull. Reads Enchanted Signals separates the unmarked tooth from the warded links, while his cutlass slides free and hooks the exposed metal.
The tooth tears loose under the cutlass’s leverage. A chain snaps against Oju’s forearm, scraping skin and bruising the muscle, but the converging blue force collapses away from the dais.
The three reservoirs fall silent. Their chains sag harmlessly, and the clasp hangs open beneath the stone lip, its binding broken by the removed tooth.
The Unseen Employer
You chose workmanship over obedience. An expensive lesson, and one I will remember.
Arven Sile
The rite is broken. Oju, withdraw before the chamber finds another way to answer.
Silas Quill
He did it. The dais is clear, and whatever Veyr prepared can no longer draw through those chains.
Quest Complete
Sever the unmarked tooth of the iron clasp