Round 6 Transcript

Jeane’s light‑casting spell flares over the cobblestones, and a faint, pulsing glow appears beneath the third stone from the left—an old pressure plate hidden in the ash. The plate’s surface shimmers with a thin silver sheen, indicating it is still functional.

Hale's voice cuts through the tension like cold steel. Hold. She steps forward, her worn boots finding purchase on the ash-choked stones. The glow beneath the third stone pulses with dangerous invitation. To Silra: Which stones are safe? Show me the path. Her gaze shifts to Jeane: Maintain light, wide radius. The guard formation pauses, spears lowering fractionally as they reassess this woman who speaks with the authority of someone used to command.

I trace the perimeter with my gaze, searching for gaps in the ash that might reveal alternative paths. I point to the guard formation: Their commander is watching us, not the corridor—he expects us to trigger it. The pressure plate itself might be avoidable if we clear a path along the stone edges. "Silra." My voice carries the weight of expectation and impatience. "Can you disarm the plate or create an opening? Quickly."