Round 10 Transcript

I move between Seraphine and the guardian, my holy symbol held out, its silver surface beginning to glow with a warm white light that feels solid against the encroaching cold. No. My voice is measured but firm. We do not engage this creature directly—not here at the threshold where every spell echoes through the tower. We came for knowledge, not a fight we cannot win quietly. To Merrin and Jeane: The gate has traps—clever ones. We need to find the release, the bypass, not just brute force it open. My eyes flick to Seraphine behind me. You felt that magic. It’s ancient and deep-rooted. The more we agitate it, the stronger its response becomes. I glance back at the skeletal guardian, my fingers tightening around my symbol. We need Merrin’s lockcraft now more than ever. Jeane, shield us if needed, but do not strike first. Turning to Varrika, I lower my voice: Sister in arms, if this goes sideways, focus on protecting Seraphine and Merrin. Their skills are our advantage here—we cannot afford to lose them to a single stray spell or bone splinter. My gaze returns to the gate. Merrin, what do you see? What does the lock suggest about its purpose beyond just keeping us out? I position myself defensively, ready to cast a spell if needed, but my hands remain clasped around the holy symbol—an open threat and a promise of help, not a demand for battle.

I step closer to the skeletal guardian, my wings extended fully now in a display of dominance rather than defense. This isn't some mindless undead you swat with a holy symbol or pick apart with your thief's tools. My eyes narrow as I study the runes pulsing along its bone structure and the gate behind it. Those inscriptions? They're older than the tower itself—demonic sigils for binding and surveillance. To the cleric, Halie, I speak without turning away from the guardian. Your caution is wise, but your light only blinds us to what we need to see. Then to our rogue, Merrin: You triggered a passive detection ward, not a trap proper. Good work identifying it—now let me analyze it properly before you do something... predictable. My voice carries irritation beneath its smooth surface. We're not leaving. That's the point of this cursed quest. So either I dispel this guardian construct without alerting the entire tower—or we brawl in a bottleneck while our supplies sit outside like offerings to whatever else lives here. I extend my right hand, palm toward the skeletal guardian. Stand aside, creature of compulsion and bone. This gate was sealed for me—to be opened by my will, not forced by yours. Red energy gathers at my fingertips, crackling with dark power that I carefully control into a focused telekinetic push—an attempt to shove the skeletal guardian backward without damaging it or the gate, buying us moments to assess and respond.