Healer Odelia Marr
You may leave the side room, Artania, but only for light work. No spellcasting, no heavy weapons, and return if the hand trembles.
Brunna leads Artania into the guild’s enclosed practice yard. Training weapons, balance posts, and worn footwork circles rest beneath the high stone walls, washed in afternoon light.
Brunna Coppervein
We start with what costs you nothing, lad. Balance, stance, and breath. The moment Odelia’s binding complains, we stop.
Maelin settles near the wall with a fresh ledger, recording the condition of Artania’s hand and the exercises Brunna permits. She watches without interrupting.
Maelin Voss
I will note your limits as carefully as your progress. A training record may reveal weaknesses that battlefield confidence hides.
Al waits at the yard’s edge, broad head lifted and ears alert. The great wolf tracks every movement, while the practice posts cast long bars of shadow across the circles.
Brunna Coppervein
Choose your starting point, lad. The yard is yours for this lesson, provided you remember that restraint is part of mastery.
✓ Quest Accepted
Develop a repeatable nonmagical technique
“I begin with footwork. Asking Brunna which stances are good for sword and shield work. As well as which are good for bow work.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +1)
Artania begins across the worn footwork circles, stepping lightly between the painted marks. He keeps his bound hand relaxed and lets his legs carry the exercise.
Artania Nero Thornson
Brunna, which stances serve sword and shield work, and which suit bow work?
Brunna Coppervein
For sword and shield, keep your feet offset, lad. Lead with the shield side, knees loose, and never let both heels settle together.
Brunna demonstrates with a measured pivot, her boots tracing a shallow angle across the circle. Artania mirrors the pattern, shifting weight without drawing on magic.
Brunna Coppervein
For the bow, widen your base and turn your body slightly aside. Your forward foot points toward the mark, your rear foot anchors the draw.
She changes smoothly between the two forms, showing how the sword stance invites a guarded advance while the bow stance creates room for a steady release.
Maelin Voss
I have recorded both patterns. The distinction is clear: shield work protects space, while bow work preserves balance through the shot.
Quest Complete
Develop a repeatable nonmagical technique
“I am really feeling the fatigue now. Damnit. I think I have overdone it. I sit down hard on the ground. I look at Brunna and ask if there is such a thing as becoming tired from too much magic use.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
The next transition falters as fatigue settles heavily through Artania’s legs. He sits down hard on the packed earth, keeping his bound hand clear of the ground.
Artania Nero Thornson
Damn it. I am really feeling the fatigue now. I think I have overdone it. Brunna, can using too much magic make someone this tired?
Brunna Coppervein
It can, lad. Magic draws on the body as well as whatever power answers your will. Spend too deeply, and strength, breath, and judgment all suffer.
Brunna lowers herself into a crouch nearby without touching him, studying his posture and breathing while Maelin marks the interruption in her ledger.
Maelin Voss
Your earlier workings were substantial, and today’s practice exposed the remaining cost. The record supports fatigue from magical overuse, not merely weakness in your stance.
Brunna Coppervein
Stay where you are until the dizziness passes. No more drills today. Odelia will want to hear how suddenly the fatigue arrived, and I will not argue with her.
Al
The ground holds you, small one. Breathe slowly, and let your strength return before you ask it for anything more.
✓ Quest Accepted
Rest and recount the day to Maelin
“I realize I am quite done for the day. I slump backwards on to my back. I recount all of today’s events for Maelin to record. Making sure to not miss an details, while it’s fresh in my mind.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Artania slumps backward onto the packed earth, keeping his bound hand clear. His legs refuse further drills, and the afternoon sky fills his narrowed view.
Artania Nero Thornson
Maelin, record everything from today while it is fresh. We began with stance and balance, comparing sword-and-shield footwork to bow work, then fatigue overtook me.
Maelin Voss
I am listening, Artania. Start with the first exercise, then tell me exactly when the fatigue changed your movement.
Artania Nero Thornson
Brunna taught me to offset my feet for shield work, keep my knees loose, and widen my base for bow work. I mirrored both without magic until my legs weakened.
Artania Nero Thornson
Before that, Odelia permitted only light work because of my injured hand. I used no spells or heavy weapons. The exhaustion arrived after the practice, not during any new casting.
Maelin writes rapidly, preserving the sequence alongside the earlier magical exertions, the healing lesson, and Odelia’s restrictions. Brunna remains crouched nearby, watching Artania breathe.
Maelin Voss
Recorded in full. The pattern supports accumulated magical overuse followed by physical fatigue, while your hand remained protected. I will add Brunna’s observations and send Odelia the account.
Quest Complete
Rest and recount the day to Maelin
“Thanks very much. I believe it is time to go to bed. I hate to impose but could you please feed Al. He never complains but I know he is hungry, and I really need to go to bed or I will sleep right here.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Artania Nero Thornson
Thanks very much. I think it is time for bed. Could you please feed Al? He never complains, but I know he is hungry, and I may sleep right here.
Brunna rises at once and offers Artania her arm without pulling him upright. Al steps close, his broad head brushing Artania’s free hand as the yard settles into evening quiet.
Brunna Coppervein
Of course, lad. Al gets a proper meal, and you get a bed before the ground claims you.
Al
Food would be welcome, small one. Rest would be welcome for you.
Brunna guides Artania through the guild corridors while Maelin closes her ledger. Odelia meets them at the infirmary door, already preparing a quiet bed and fresh water.
Healer Odelia Marr
Straight to bed, Artania. I will see that Al is fed, and Brunna can bring him his meal while I make certain you are settled.
Al follows Brunna toward the kitchens, glancing back once before disappearing beneath the warm lanterns. Odelia helps Artania lie down, and sleep takes him before the guild’s evening bell.
“I feel embarrassed saying this since I never had any true blood family, and Al as my only companion till now. But I imagine that, family and friendship feel almost exactly the same after long enough time. Thank you Odelia.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Artania Nero Thornson
I feel embarrassed saying this, since I never had any true blood family, and Al was my only companion until now. But I imagine family and friendship feel almost exactly the same after long enough. Thank you, Odelia.
Odelia pauses beside the bed, one hand resting on the fresh binding. The infirmary lantern throws warm gold across her patient expression as Al’s distant footsteps approach from the corridor.
Healer Odelia Marr
There is nothing embarrassing in that, Artania. Blood may begin a family, but time, trust, and the choice to remain can make one just as real.
Healer Odelia Marr
And you need not decide tonight what names belong to us. Let the bond prove itself through ordinary days, shared burdens, and the care we give each other.
Al enters with Brunna behind him, carrying the scent of broth and roasted meat. He settles beside the bed, placing his broad head near Artania’s free hand.
Al
You were not alone before them, small one. But more companions may still become part of the den.
Brunna Coppervein
Odelia speaks true, lad. You have a place here, and places grow stronger when people keep showing up for one another.
“I sniffle a little showing of how much of a young kid I still am. Darn it, why is it raining inside I joke aloud.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
A small sniffle escapes Artania before he can hide it. Warm lanternlight blurs briefly through his eyes while the infirmary remains quiet around the bed.
Artania Nero Thornson
Darn it, why is it raining inside?
Healer Odelia Marr
A mysterious infirmary shower, perhaps. Fortunately, this one requires no bucket, only a little patience.
Odelia gently dabs beneath his eyes with a clean cloth, her expression fond but carefully composed. Brunna sets Al’s meal beside the bed.
Brunna Coppervein
There now, lad. Even the bravest adventurers are allowed weather indoors once in a while.
Al
The rain has no scent, small one, but it leaves your face warmer.
Healer Odelia Marr
Rest, Artania. You may joke, sniffle, and grow into your strength at your own pace. None of those things lessen your place here.
“I quietly thank them and shut my eyes for a nights rest. Holding onto Al before I head to sleep.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Artania Nero Thornson
Thank you, Odelia. Thank you, Brunna. And thank you, Al.
Artania reaches for Al and holds the great wolf’s head against his free hand. Al settles close, warm and steady, while Brunna dims the lantern.
Al
Sleep, small one. I will remain here.
Artania’s eyes close. The effort of the day catches up with him at once, and his breathing grows heavy as exhaustion claims the strength he had hoped to preserve.
Healer Odelia Marr
Rest now. The guild will still be here when you wake.
Al’s fur presses beneath Artania’s fingers until his grip slackens into sleep. His injured arm throbs beneath the fresh binding, a lingering cost of the magic he spent, but the hand remains warm and mobile.
Brunna Coppervein
Let the lad sleep. Tomorrow can ask its questions when he has the strength to answer them.
“I rest deeply for the rest of the night. Preparing my body for the trials tomorrow. Those trials being, escorting one witness, gathering my three other cooperators, and proving to a royal court that a conspiracy is afoot. All to prevent a war. I sigh as deep sleep takes hold of me.”
Deep sleep settles over Artania, unbroken by dreams or disturbance. His breathing steadies, and the guild’s quiet rhythms carry him through the remaining hours of night.
The throbbing in his bound hand gradually eases. Muscles loosen, breath deepens, and the fatigue gathered from magic and training begins to yield to restorative rest.
Al
Sleep deeply, small one. The guild is safe, your companions are near, and tomorrow will find you stronger.
Al remains beside the bed until the lantern burns low. Brunna checks the infirmary once, while Odelia quietly replaces the water and confirms that Artania’s hand stays warm and mobile.
By dawn, pale light reaches through the infirmary shutters. Artania wakes with steadier limbs, clearer breath, and the strength to face the work awaiting him.
Healer Odelia Marr
Good morning, Artania. Before you begin gathering witnesses and facing the court, let me see how your hand endured the night.
Brunna Coppervein
And after Odelia clears you, lad, we will set the day in order. One witness, three cooperators, and a conspiracy that must be proven carefully.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gather the cooperation of Tavian Rusk, Callan Vey, and Seren Vale
“Alright, I will grab some bread for the road, as well as Edran. Then we need to head off to find my three contacts. Hopefully that are all together.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +1)
Odelia examines the binding, finds Artania’s hand warm and mobile, and permits light travel. Brunna gathers Edran from guarded custody while Maelin secures the authenticated copies.
Healer Odelia Marr
The hand held through the night. Keep the binding dry, avoid spellwork, and return if the numbness returns.
At the kitchens, Artania takes fresh bread wrapped in cloth for the road. Brunna brings Edran under guild protection, and Al waits beside the rear doors.
Brunna Coppervein
Edran travels with you, lad, but no court today. Find your witnesses first, and keep the register’s trail in trusted hands.
Edran accepts the bread offered to him and falls into step beneath Brunna’s watch. Artania leads them from the guild into the brightening streets.
Edran Vey
Tavian, Callan, and Seren may still be together if they followed the safe contacts’ route. I know where their last messages converged.
With Al ranging ahead, the group turns toward the first meeting place beyond the market. Bread, evidence, and Edran’s testimony travel safely with them as the search begins.
“Alright, hopefully those three are where they said I could find them when I first arrived in the city. I do not wish to battle today oddly enough. I have had my fill for now, now I wish to test my tongue in conversation.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Edran leads them through the market’s eastern lanes to a modest travelers’ house near the old city gate. Al checks the street while Artania enters with Brunna’s permission.
Edran Vey
Their messages converged here three nights ago. Tavian used the name of a retired courier, and Callan paid for a room under his own.
The keeper, a middle-aged human woman with a broad build, warm brown skin, gray-streaked dark hair, and a plain ochre dress beneath a dark wool apron recognizes the names and directs them upstairs. Behind a half-open door, Tavian Rusk rises from a chair, one hand resting near his sword, while Seren Vale turns from the window and Callan Vey stands beside the table.
Tavian Rusk
Artania Thornson. I wondered whether the guild would send you, or whether you would come yourself.
Seren Vale
You found us before the Quiet Ledger did. That matters. Come in, and speak freely.
Callan Vey
If you have brought Edran, then the danger has widened. Tell us what the register revealed, and what you need from us.
The room settles into guarded attention rather than battle readiness. Bread remains wrapped beneath Artania’s arm, and for once the next weapon at hand is conversation.
“Alright, Ed here says he will help with testimony to the court. We have found, secured and copied evidence of the conspiracy that has plagued us all since that pass. He needs protection to get there though. I also need the testimony from you three as well. And any evidence you may have gathered along the way.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Artania Nero Thornson
Edran will help testify, but he needs protection on the road to court. We have secured and copied the conspiracy’s evidence, and I need your testimony and any evidence you gathered.
The three witnesses exchange guarded looks. Edran remains near the door beneath Brunna’s watch, while Al listens from the stairwell and the travelers’ house settles around them.
Tavian Rusk
I will testify. I have the royal seal recovered from my capture, and I can identify the forged route, the shackles, and the dispatch office mark.
Seren Vale
I will give my account as well. My warning came from the courier trail, and I kept the fragment bearing the redirected route’s residue.
Callan Vey
You will have my testimony, though it condemns my own orders. I kept the diplomatic packet’s witness notation and the instructions that sent us toward the ambush.
Edran Vey
With their accounts and the copied register, Corvin cannot dismiss this as one clerk’s confession. I will travel under protection and name the Quiet Ledger before the court.
Tavian gathers the seal, Seren produces her marked fragment, and Callan unwraps the witness notation. Their evidence joins Edran’s testimony, forming a complete case for the protected journey.
Quest Complete
Gather the cooperation of Tavian Rusk, Callan Vey, and Seren Vale
Fault Removed: Chronically indecisive.
Artania Nero Thornson leaves Travelers' house near the old city gate behind and arrives at Adventurers’ Guild.
“Alright Brunna please lead us all back to the guild so we may grab all the copied evidence. This large group may attract attention along the way, so I want everyone to be prepared.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +0)
The group arrives at the Adventurers’ Guild beneath bright morning bells. Brunna leads through the rear entrance, keeping Tavian, Seren, Callan, and Edran together while Al watches the street.
Brunna Coppervein
Stay close, everyone. We move quietly, but we do not skulk. The guild stands behind its witnesses and its evidence.
Maelin opens the barred records chamber as they enter. Layered guild seals gleam over copied pages, and Odelia immediately checks Artania’s bound hand without delaying the group.
Maelin Voss
The copies are intact, and the witness accounts can be attached now. Tavian’s seal, Seren’s residue fragment, and Callan’s notation complete the comparison.
Healer Odelia Marr
Your hand remains warm and mobile, Artania. Carry nothing heavy. Let the others handle the evidence while you oversee the work.
Tavian places the royal seal beside its authenticated copy, Seren sets down her marked fragment, and Callan unwraps the witness notation beneath Maelin’s careful supervision.
Al
Many eyes may seek this room, small one, but every trusted witness stands within it. The proof is gathered, guarded, and ready.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the gathered witnesses safe from Quiet Ledger interference
Artania Nero Thornson leaves Adventurers’ Guild records chamber behind and arrives at royal court.
“Alright now that we have all of the evidence let us head out to the royal court. Brunna do you think you have enough sway to get us in to see the court?”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -1)
The royal court rises beyond gilded oak doors, its vaulted hall bright with stained-glass dawn and guarded by ceremonial spears. Brunna, Edran, Tavian, Seren, Callan, and Al stand with Artania beneath the Crown’s banners.
Artania Nero Thornson
Brunna, do you think you have enough sway to get us in to see the court?
Brunna Coppervein
Enough to get us heard, lad. The guild’s seal, five witnesses, and authenticated evidence make refusal difficult. I will ask plainly, and I will not leave you standing outside.
A young adult woman in a crimson court coat approaches, her dark hair braided with silver thread and a pale crescent scar crossing her chin. She carries a brass tablet beneath one arm.
The Court Usher
Brunna Coppervein, the guild’s request has been received. The Crown’s magistrate will hear the witnesses and inspect the evidence immediately.
The doors open onto a marble audience chamber where a stern elderly elf woman sits beneath the royal crest, flanked by robed advisers. Attendants clear a path for the group.
Brunna Coppervein
There, lad. We are in. Keep the evidence together, let each witness speak to what they know, and let the court see why Corvin Ash must answer.
Quest Complete
Keep the gathered witnesses safe from Quiet Ledger interference