Round 9 Transcript

Silra’s deft fingers uncover a hidden compartment behind the altar’s stone slab, revealing a rusted key and a faded parchment marked with the church’s sigil. The discovery grants partial access to the nave’s inner sanctum, but the clang of the bell has already drawn the city guard’s attention to the entrance.

Jeane feels the familiar pressure build behind her eyes as she begins to weave Suggestion’s spell-threads, her focus sharp despite the lingering fatigue from the journey. The lead guard at the entrance—a gaunt man with a face lined by ash and grief—becomes her target. Her voice takes on that subtle, commanding tone as she intones clearly: "You will lower your weapons now. We mean no harm to you or this place." She holds his gaze, willing the spell’s effect into being. "Lower your weapons. You are safe," she says again, more firmly this time.

Silra steps forward from behind the altar, her hand still resting casually near her dagger hilt. Gentlemen—and lady—of the watch. I assume you've heard enough bells to lash the poor wretch who rigged it up—amateurs always want too much attention for their little tricks. Her eyes flick rapidly between each guard's face, cataloging reactions: the gaunt leader's squint of suspicion, the second man's shift of weight toward his shield-bossed mace, and the hooded figure in the back who hasn't moved an inch. So tell me—who do I need to bri... She stops herself mid-sentence as she notices Jeane's subtle focus shifting, and her own mouth forms a faint moue of acknowledgment—good, the sorceress is working her particular magic on the leader. But now they're playing against the clock. ...or who do I need to convince that we're here on genuine church business, and those bells are a security hazard that needs immediate attention before someone gets their head bashed in by falling debris?

Sister Hale steps forward, her voice measured and calm despite the tension in her shoulders. \"We are here on official church business.\" The words sound hollow in the dusty air as she sees two guardsmen in tarnished armor emerge from the ash at the entrance, their weapons lowered but ready. A third figure, hooded and stooped, lingers behind them. She continues, her tone respectful despite the obvious hostility: \"The young man who rang the bell is a frightened citizen seeking help; he meant no harm.\" Her eyes meet the lead guard's—an older man with a face lined by ash and grief—and she holds his gaze steadily. \"We have found something important inside and need to discuss it with our superiors back at the church. We ask only for safe passage out, and the opportunity to speak with you about what we've discovered.\"