The magistrate raises one hand, and the hearing falls silent. The court usher opens a guarded side passage toward the royal family’s private receiving chamber, while the witnesses and guild representatives remain beneath watch.
the Crown's magistrate
Artania Thornson, remain with me. Your testimony established the chain of evidence, and the Crown will decide your standing before this hearing concludes.
Brunna stays at Artania’s side, carrying the sealed register beneath her arm. Tavian, Seren, Callan, and Edran wait nearby with Maelin and Odelia, while Al watches the corridor’s guarded turns.
Brunna Coppervein
You have earned the right to hear this directly, lad. Speak plainly if the magistrate asks, and let the record carry what you have done.
The Court Usher
The private chamber is prepared. Only the magistrate, the guild representative, the investigator, and his companion may proceed beyond this arch.
the Crown's magistrate
The Crown recognizes your courage, restraint, and service to the treaties. Before the royal family, I will recommend that your bronze standing be reviewed in light of this investigation.
The carved archway opens onto a quieter corridor washed in gold. Al remains at the delegation’s edge, ears forward, while Brunna waits for Artania to choose whether to enter.
✓ Quest Accepted
Attend the Crown's audience
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain Crown recognition for advancement beyond bronze rank
“I pause momentary before I enter and ask Brunna what she thinks the Royal family will say? Also what were adventure rank levels again?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Artania Nero Thornson
Brunna, what do you think the royal family will say? Also, what were the adventurer rank levels again?
Artania pauses beneath the golden arch. His bound hand suddenly prickles with numbness, and two fingers tremble against his palm as the private chamber waits beyond.
Brunna Coppervein
They will ask what you saw, lad, and whether your evidence can withstand pressure. I expect caution first, then recognition once they understand how many lives you protected.
Brunna Coppervein
The guild ranks are bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Bronze is the beginning, silver proves dependable skill, gold marks seasoned leadership, and platinum belongs to the rarest adventurers.
Brunna Coppervein
Do not let the highest rank distract you today. The Crown is meeting the bronze adventurer who found the truth, not some title you may earn years from now.
Brunna shifts the sealed register to her other arm and gestures through the arch. The cost of the journey shows in Artania’s hand, but the way into the royal chamber stands open.
the Crown's magistrate
Artania Thornson, the Crown awaits. Enter with your guild representative and companion, and answer plainly.
“I walk forward slowly and carefully, sweating profusely. I pull at my collar with my good hand, and mutter a soft “shit” under my breath. I put my hand on Al to steady myself. To say I am nervous to meet the highest authority of the entire know lands, has me very nervous. I apologize to Brunna because she probably heard me curse.”
FAILURE (Good Agility, rolled -3)
Artania walks slowly beneath the golden arch, sweat gathering at his brow. He pulls at his collar with his good hand and places the other against Al’s steadying fur.
Artania Nero Thornson
Shit. Sorry, Brunna. You probably heard me curse.
Brunna Coppervein
I heard, lad. No apology needed. Nerves are honest, and you are still moving forward.
The royal receiving chamber opens around them, vast beneath vaulted stone and gold-threaded banners. Artania’s legs weaken before the raised dais, and he catches himself against Al rather than reaching the waiting place.
the Crown's magistrate
Stop there, Artania Thornson. You need not approach another step while your hand and legs are failing you. Let the wolf support you, and let us bring the chamber to order.
Brunna Coppervein
Easy, lad. We will not force the last distance. Stand with Al, breathe, and answer only when you are ready.
The failure leaves Artania at the chamber’s threshold instead of before the royal family. Al braces against his side, while Brunna remains close and the magistrate waits without pressing him onward.
“I take a deep steadying breath, trying something new again. I thought about this for a while, but am not sure it is possible. I reach out with my magic, not expending it just feeling. I try to see if I can absorb any ambient, lingering magic in the air to empower and steady myself, maybe add to my reserves and bolster me.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Magic, rolled +2)
Artania draws a deep, steadying breath and reaches outward with magic without forcing it. The chamber’s lingering enchantments answer like faint currents beneath still water.
Gold-threaded banners, warded stone, and old ceremonial seals release wisps of ambient power. They gather around his senses, then flow gently through his body without strain.
The magic settles into his reserves, bolstering them with quiet warmth. His trembling fingers grow steady, his legs regain strength, and the sweat at his brow cools.
Al
The air gives freely, small one. You did not seize its power. You let it recognize you.
Brunna Coppervein
That is a useful discovery, lad. Do not overreach, but stand when you can. The chamber is waiting, not judging.
the Crown's magistrate
Your control is remarkable, Artania Thornson. The Crown felt the change, and your strength appears restored. Enter when you are ready.
Al remains pressed against Artania’s side, but no longer bears his full weight. Beyond the arch, the royal receiving chamber waits in attentive silence.
“I sigh, wow, I did not think that would work. I think to myself that that will help greatly for future endeavors, then begin to move forward again.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -1)
Artania Nero Thornson
That will help greatly in future endeavors.
Artania sighs, then moves forward beneath the golden arch. Al remains beside him, offering balance without bearing his weight, and Brunna follows with the sealed register.
He reaches the receiving chamber’s raised dais and stands before the royal family. The effort costs him a sharp throb through his bound hand, and the fresh numbness leaves his fingertips cold.
the Crown's magistrate
You have entered under your own strength, Artania Thornson. Note the strain, but do not mistake it for failure.
The royal family sits beneath the Kingdom of Arch’s crest, attended by silent advisers in blue and gold, a row of middle-aged human men and women in layered blue-and-gold robes. Their attention settles on Artania, Al, and the guild seal at Brunna’s arm.
Brunna Coppervein
He has reached you, Your Majesties. Let him stand where he is comfortable, and let the evidence speak before his exhaustion does.
the Crown's magistrate
Agreed. Artania Thornson, the Crown will hear your account and weigh your service without demanding another display of power.
Quest Complete
Attend the Crown's audience
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Good→Great
“I walk forward one more pace, kneel to one knee, place my good hand to my heart while hiding the hurt one behind me. I bow my head and ask Al to lay beside me with his head bowed as well. Both of us showing great deference to royal power.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)
Artania walks forward one pace, then kneels on one knee before the raised dais. He places his good hand over his heart and keeps his injured hand hidden behind him.
Artania Nero Thornson
Al, lie beside me with your head bowed.
Al lowers himself at Artania’s side, folding his great body beside the kneeling adventurer. He bows his head, mirroring Artania’s deliberate deference beneath the royal crest.
Al
As you ask, small one. We honor the Crown together.
the Crown's magistrate
Your courtesy is received, Artania Thornson. Rise when you are ready, or remain kneeling if that better preserves your strength.
The royal family, a seated group of middle-aged human men and women in layered blue-and-gold robes watches in solemn silence. Several blue-and-gold advisers incline their heads, while Brunna holds the sealed register close and keeps her proud attention fixed on Artania.
the Crown's magistrate
You have shown respect without surrendering your dignity. Now speak plainly, bronze adventurer, and let the Crown understand what service has brought you here.
“I do not stand as I am quite tired, but I begin my account to the crown, raising my head to speak, going into great detail, from the caravan ambush all the way to this very moment. Not sparring any details. But maybe leaving out my bad jokes.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Artania Nero Thornson
Your Majesties, I will remain kneeling and give a complete account, from the caravan ambush at the Burning Pass through the evidence, witnesses, guild investigation, and this hearing, omitting nothing important.
Artania raises his head without standing. His voice carries across the receiving chamber as he recounts the bandits, the protected diplomatic cargo, Veyra Holt’s surrender, and the forged route that first revealed the conspiracy.
Artania Nero Thornson
I describe finding Tavian Rusk beneath the collapsed watch tunnel, recovering the royal seal, and bringing him safely back to Callan Vey, Seren Vale, and Al. I explain how the seal connected the ambush to the Quiet Ledger.
The royal family listens in silence while Brunna keeps the register against her arm. Artania continues through the marked well, hidden shrine, Brass Farm Token, mountain archive, sign-register, and authenticated copies.
Artania Nero Thornson
I recount Edran Vey’s confession, the evidence carried to the guild, the attempted suppression inside the court, and the torn warning that exposed Corvin Ash’s active plan to seize the records and silence witnesses.
the Crown's magistrate
Continue, Artania Thornson. Your account is detailed, ordered, and consistent with the testimony already entered. The Crown will hear the final events through this moment.
Still kneeling beside Al, Artania explains his arrival before the Crown and the ambient magic that steadied him, leaving the full chain of service and danger plainly before the royal family.
“I bow my head again. Showing formality again, still very nervous. Not sure how to ask this next part, not wanting to come across as to humble. I Artania Nero Thornson did not do this out of a sense of heroism, or for glory. I am a guild adventurer. My village sent me out to live a grander life than a farmer, I love meeting people, and helping them. Having quests, and adventures. Making friends and forming bonds. So your Majesties. If you plan to give me something as compensation know that I did it to help not for reward.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Artania bows his head again, remaining on one knee beside Al. The receiving chamber stays silent, and his nervousness shows only in the careful tension of his shoulders.
Artania Nero Thornson
Your Majesties, I did not do this for heroism or glory. I am a guild adventurer, sent from my village to live a grander life than a farmer’s.
Artania Nero Thornson
I love meeting people, helping them, taking quests, having adventures, and forming friendships and bonds. If you intend to compensate me, please know I acted to help, not for reward.
The words settle without ornament. Brunna’s expression softens, while the royal family regards Artania with an attention less ceremonial and more personal.
the Crown's magistrate
Your humility does not diminish your service, Artania Thornson. It clarifies it. The Crown believes you acted from duty, fellowship, and the life you chose.
the Crown's magistrate
Any compensation offered will not purchase your loyalty or rewrite your motives. It will acknowledge the danger you faced and help you continue the work you value.
Brunna Coppervein
That is well said, lad. You helped because people needed help, and because the road matters to you. Let the Crown honor that without claiming it.
“I raise my head once more, trying not to smile. Looking the royals in the eyes, now having gained courage. In that case. I wish to have a next rank within the guild. I realize I am a novice and probably have not done enough requests for advancement yet, but if I cannot gain rank, I would like some money. Either would be greatly welcome, both might floor me. I smile then.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Artania Nero Thornson
In that case, Your Majesties, I would ask for advancement to the next guild rank. I know I am still a novice and may not have completed enough requests, so if rank is not possible, money would be greatly welcome. Both would floor me.
Artania raises his head and meets the royal family’s eyes. A restrained smile touches his face, while Al remains bowed beside him and Brunna watches with quiet pride.
the Crown's magistrate
Your candor deserves a candid answer. The Crown recognizes exceptional service, and the guild’s bronze standing will be advanced to silver effective today.
A blue-robed royal attendant steps forward carrying a small ironbound coffer and a parchment bearing the Crown’s seal. Brunna accepts neither, waiting for Artania’s acknowledgment.
the Crown's magistrate
You will also receive two hundred silver crowns from the royal treasury, not as payment for loyalty, but as support for the adventurer whose actions protected our treaties and witnesses.
Brunna Coppervein
Silver rank and a royal purse, lad. You asked plainly, and the Crown has answered generously. I will see the guild records changed before anyone can dispute it.
Al
Your road rises, small one. The reward is heavy, but your courage remains yours to carry.
Quest Complete
Gain Crown recognition for advancement beyond bronze rank
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Great→Superb