Round 1

[Narrator | Narrator]
The Narrator lets the room settle and lays out the immediate proposition in concrete terms, making clear that the cast must answer what is being asked of them before anything can move forward.

[Jeane | Sorcerer]
Jeane Cromwell's eyes flicker across the map on the table as she taps one claw against the parchment. A Time-Splitting Sword? Her voice carries a low, dangerous edge. If such an artifact truly exists within that cursed pile of stone, then whoever controls it wields power beyond mortal understanding. She meets each party member's gaze in turn, her expression unreadable. Before we commit to this folly, let us be absolutely certain the reward justifies the risk. What precisely is being offered for this... she curls her lip "retrieval"? And more importantly, what safeguards are in place to ensure our backs aren't left exposed while we dance with whatever horrors dwell within those walls?

[Halie | Cleric]
I'll speak my piece plainly. Halie's voice is steady despite the dread pooling in her stomach. This tower has soaked up misery for centuries. The thought of stepping inside it makes the hair on my neck stand straight up. But that's exactly why we're here—someone needs to face what's lurking there before more folks vanish.

[Merrin | Rogue]
My fingers drum a nervous rhythm on the table as I listen to the sorcerer and cleric exchange their concerns. The weight of what we're about to undertake presses down like a physical force. A Time-Splitting Sword? That's no mere trinket to be snatched from a dusty shelf. And if the legends are true, whoever wields it could alter the very threads of fate itself. I swallow hard, trying to moisten my suddenly dry mouth.

[Seraphine | Wizard]
Seraphine's fingers trace the intricate patterns on her own holy symbol, a silent invocation of focus and protection against the unknown horrors ahead. The thought of such power, a sword capable of splitting time itself... it sends a shiver down my spine. Her voice is low, almost a whisper, yet it cuts through the heavy silence of the room.
To wield such an artifact would be to hold the universe in your hands. To fail would be... incomprehensible.
She looks up, her eyes meeting those of her companions one by one, a flicker of both fear and intense curiosity burning within them. But what good is power without knowledge? We must know exactly what we are facing before we dare to enter that accursed place. What do the legends say of its origins? Of those who now guard it? And most importantly... she hesitates for a moment, her expression turning grim ...what price will be demanded for our success?

[Varrika | Fighter]
I've seen my share of battlefields and walked through more than a few cursed ruins. But this tower... She shakes her head, the torchlight casting harsh shadows across her scarred face. There's something different about this one. The air itself feels heavy with wrongness.
She leans forward, her calloused hands gripping the table's edge. Before we go charging in there, I want to know what we're up against. What exactly is this Time-Splitting Sword, and why does it matter so much that we risk our necks for it?
Her eyes narrow as she looks at each party member in turn. And don't give me any of that 'power beyond mortal understanding' nonsense. What I need to know is this - what's the plan if things go sideways in there? Because trust me, they will. She pauses, her voice dropping to a grim whisper. In my experience, the only thing that comes easy in places like that is death.