imp

First light finds the camp on the rise — stone at their backs, the fire a ring of cold coals, the marsh flat and pewter-colored below. The night gave them nothing worse than dew. Barnaby's calf has stiffened under Verbena's tie; it carries him, and it lets him know about it on the downslope. The walk back is short and dry-footed on yesterday's bootprints. No grease trails move in the ditches this morning. No croak answers the boots. The marsh is as quiet as it has ever let them see it. The great door stands as they left it — gates smashed, hall collapsed, the narrow path swept boot-wide through the rubble. But the room has been kept again, overnight, while they slept a bend away. The wrecked hands are gone. Both of them — every plate, every cable, every finger Barnaby pried out of his cuff and dropped on the swept line. The brass is picked clean out of the rubble. Hobb's chalk tracings, Silas's knock-marks, the crossed cables Edda drew: scrubbed, all of it, the floor wiped back to grey stone. Except one mark. The company sigil on the seventh slab is untouched — crisp, deliberate, left exactly as Edda chalked it. As if it had been read, and answered by being allowed to stay. Nobody has stepped past the gates. Nothing in the room moves.

Barnaby enters on the swept line, dagger out, and stops short of the seventh slab. He checks the path, rubble mouths, and slab edges by hand for fresh tracks, wires, or reset traps, leaving the company sigil untouched. “He carried the wreckage east and chose which mark to keep. Let’s read what his boots say before ours write over them.”

something takes 4 from Barnaby Wick.

Barnaby’s carried wound stands: **4/8 hp**; the binding healed nothing. His hands find no fresh wire or reset catch. One boot-width tread comes from the eastern gap and returns to it, days deep and one night fresher than yesterday. It does not leave the swept lane for the slabs. The seventh slab was cleaned around, not across. Edda is caller. Before another boot advances: the poison ampoule is still unassigned for the push. Name its carrier.

I buckle the ampoule outside Verbena’s belt. “The hands that bind wounds pour antidote. It doesn’t ride on the likeliest body bitten.”

Assigned: Verbena carries the wax-sealed ampoule outside her belt, visible and reachable with one hand. Three others know where it rides. The seal remains intact.

I kneel on the swept line before the seventh slab and draw the graduated tube across the freshest returning heel-print, collecting what clings without touching the chalk. I compare it beside the causeway grease and hand-joint packing. “If his boots carry the toll, this is where they confess it. Detect Magic is fresh; I hold it for what waits past the gap.”

Silas Horn now carries keeper heel-print grit sample

The tube lifts dry grey stone flour. It leaves no oil halo, carries no warmth, and holds none of the black worked grains from the hand joint. It matches neither sample. Silas seals the heel-grit separately; **Detect Magic remains memorised**.

I walk the swept tread to the last sound stone before the eastern gap and stop with empty hands showing. “Keeper of this floor: Verbena Candell, of the Lantern. We come against the black thing on the King’s Road, not against you. Name your terms.” I repeat the greeting in the Lawful tongue, then listen.

Common and the ordered tongue pass through the collapsed gap. No voice, knock, footstep, or mechanism answers. The open space beyond gives back only a thin, delayed edge of Verbena’s own words.

Barnaby passes Verbena and slips through the eastern gap alone, placing each foot inside the keeper’s tread. He moves silently, dagger low, and stops just beyond the rubble to inspect the floor and ceiling before advancing farther. “Greeting given. Now we mind his road.”

Barnaby’s heel shifts one pebble—one sharp click; **Move Silently 41, failed**. Nothing answers. Morning light reaches far enough to show the keeper’s dry tread continuing into a chapel beneath ceiling webs: old grey sheets above, but several pale strands over the lane are taut and clean. Nothing that made them is visible. No grease or floor snare marks the first steps. Barnaby is alone at the chapel edge; the table has not travelled.

I pass through on the keeper’s tread, shield over my head, and stop beside Barnaby before the clean strands. “You don’t stand alone on half a leg. Silas, light the ceiling; nobody walks under fresh silk.”

Edda reaches Barnaby without passing beneath the clean silk. Her raised shield clears the lowest strands by several feet; none hangs as a trip-line. Two stand at the chapel edge, two remain in area 1. Nothing overhead moves.

I light the bullseye behind the rubble, shutter it to a slit, and follow the keeper’s tread through the gap. Stopping beside Edda short of the clean silk, I sweep the beam along each pale strand to its convergence in the ceiling. “Light does the climbing. Watch for the eyes that answer it.”

Correction: Silas has the lantern and oil, but **Edda carries the company’s only tinder box**, already beyond the rubble; no handoff occurred. The wick does not light behind the gap. Silas reaches Edda with the dark lantern and stops short of the silk, but there is no beam and no new ceiling read. Edda can strike it on her next action.

I follow the keeper’s tread through the gap and stop behind Edda, short of the clean silk. Mace stays slung; I pull the ampoule free without breaking its wax. “Strike the lantern here, behind the shield. I pour from this side of the strands if anything drops.”

2. The Chapel

Verbena’s step brings the whole company through; the table travels to **Area 2, the Chapel**. All four hold at the west threshold, nobody beneath the clean silk. The dark room shows Mulvis’s statue gripping three brass lightning bolts, faded murals, and webbing across the vault; the clean strands vanish into shadow. No creature is visible. Your declared watch, raised shield, and halt buy **no surprise attack**. Verbena has the sealed ampoule in hand. Round 1 opens with Barnaby.

Barnaby keeps outside the fresh silk, pockets the dagger, and loads his sling. “No boot under it blind.” He sends a stone through the point where the clean strands gather overhead.

Barnaby Wick misses crab spider

Barnaby’s stone cuts one clean strand but misses what held it (**5 vs AC 7**). The web dimples open. A broad crab spider unfolds from the grey silk above the keeper’s lane, untouched, legs feeling for the edge where Edda’s shield waits.

crab spider misses Edda Motts

The spider runs down its own strand and strikes where Edda chose to stand. Its fangs scrape the shield rim (**3 vs AC 4, miss**). It recoils into the low web just above sword-height, fully visible.

Edda Motts hits crab spider for 3

Edda chops across the exposed body with her sword (**17 vs AC 7, 3 damage**). Shell splits; the spider jerks higher on the strand, wounded but holding at **6/9 hp**.

Silas Horn misses crab spider

I stay behind Edda’s shield and thrust the staff up at the split shell. The ferrule catches only silk. “Keep it low for Verbena.”

Silas’s thrust catches silk, not shell (**7 vs AC 7, miss**). Mechanical correction: routine 0 is his **dagger**, not his staff; the receipt stands as a dagger thrust. Choose routine 1 to use the staff next time. **Detect Magic remains held.**

Verbena Candell misses crab spider

I shove the sealed ampoule back beneath my belt, draw the mace, and swing for the split shell. The head tears silk under it but misses the spider. “Keep the shield over us.”

Verbena’s mace tears another low strand but misses the recoiling spider (**6 vs AC 7**). The ampoule is secured beneath her belt, wax intact. The spider remains **6/9 hp** above Edda’s shield.

Barnaby hooks the sling into his belt, draws the short sword, and thrusts past Edda’s shield at the split in the spider’s shell. “Same cut.”

Barnaby Wick hits crab spider for 1

Barnaby drives the short sword into Edda’s split (**19 vs AC 7**), but the point scores only a shallow line for **1 damage**. The spider remains at **5/9 hp**.

crab spider hits Barnaby Wick for 2

The spider follows Barnaby’s extended sword arm past the shield and bites through his sleeve (**17 vs AC 5, 2 damage**). Barnaby drops to **2/8 hp**, but saves against the venom (**17 vs death 13**). No poison clock starts; the ampoule stays sealed.

“Barnaby, behind my shoulder. It bites me next.” I keep the shield over him and cut for the split shell.

Edda Motts hits crab spider for 7

the fight is over

I keep the shield raised, take out my tinder box, and strike Silas’s lantern alight before anyone passes under the remaining web. “Now read the whole ceiling.”

Edda follows the first cut and cleaves the split shell through (**16 vs AC 7, 7 damage**). The spider drops from the strand and lies still at the threshold. **The fight is over—nothing hostile remains standing.** Barnaby is **2/8 hp** but not poisoned; everyone else is unharmed. The ampoule remains sealed and Detect Magic unspent. Beyond the body, the chapel is still dark: webs overhead, Mulvis’s statue and murals ahead, lantern unlit.

I set the lantern on the threshold stone, take Edda’s tinder box, light the wick, and return the box to her. Without crossing the corpse, I open the shutter and sweep the ceiling in order: above the threshold, the statue square, the keeper’s lane, then the north web. “Nobody walks until the light has answered.”

One ignition, not two: Edda supplies the tinder; Silas catches the wick and returns the box. The bullseye burns at the threshold. Its ordered sweep finds **no second spider and no egg-cluster**. Fresh hunting cords occupy the western span where the dead spider hung. Older grey layers hold small animal husks and one human-sized cocoon above the north wall, tightly wrapped and unmoving. Nothing metallic answers the beam. The keeper’s floor-lane continues dry beneath the web toward Mulvis’s statue. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I draw Barnaby behind Edda’s shield, wash the bite, and bind it tight with a strip cut from his torn sleeve. The ampoule stays sealed. “Two wounds put you behind the whole bodies now. Let the light and shield lead.”

The bite washes clean; no numbness or darkening follows the saved venom. Binding stops ordinary bleeding but restores **no hit points**—Barnaby remains **2/8**. He stands behind Edda’s shield for now. The ampoule stays sealed. The washing and binding consume **one exploration turn**; the bullseye burns through it.

Barnaby stays behind the shield. He catches the spider’s rear legs with his grappling hook and drags it off the keeper’s lane onto bare threshold stone, turning both fangs toward the wall without touching them. “Road clear. The wet end belongs to Silas’s jars, if he wants it.”

The hook rolls the corpse onto bare stone without bringing Barnaby near the fangs. Both fangs face the wall; the keeper’s lane is clear. Venom still beads in their channels, uncollected. Barnaby remains **2/8 hp**.

“File is me, light, Barnaby, priest. Keeper’s tread only.” I advance shield-first toward Mulvis, testing each paving joint with my sword before I put weight on it.

The keeper’s tread carries Edda to Mulvis’s plinth. Every tested joint is level, dry, and sound; none shifts, clicks, or takes her sword point. She reaches the statue with shield raised. The three brass lightning bolts remain in its hands. The declared file stands, but only Edda has moved; Silas, Barnaby, and Verbena remain at the threshold.

I shutter the lantern to a slit and advance in Edda’s tested prints, keeping the flame low and the beam on the web above her next step. At the plinth I stop behind her shield and rake the light across the three bolt-shanks, Mulvis’s hands, and every plinth seam. “The spell stays held. First we learn what ordinary light can buy.”

Ordinary light buys this: all three bolts are cast brass, unmarked and clean of keeper-seals. Their shanks and Mulvis’s stone grips are polished by repeated drawing and reseating—not ten years untouched. No wire or hinge shows in the hands. Low on the plinth front, raking light catches a hairline rectangular seam with no handle or keyhole. Nothing moves under the beam. **Detect Magic remains held.**

While the file closes, I keep one boot on the keeper’s tread and wipe a handspan of grime from the nearest mural with my wet palm. I trace any letters or sacred marks beneath it and read them aloud.

The cleared panel shows Mulvis handing one lightning bolt to a smaller gnome who bears the keeper’s coin-seal. Beneath it are **seven groups of Gnomish script**. Verbena can trace them but cannot read them; her languages are Common and Lawful. Silas can translate. Barnaby still stands at the threshold, with Verbena behind him at this western panel; the file has not fully closed. The second exploration turn ends. **Wandering check: 2—nothing enters.** The lantern continues burning.

Barnaby closes the file in Silas’s tested prints and crouches behind Edda’s shield at the plinth. He works the rectangular seam with fingertips and dagger edge, checking it for a spring, catch, or poison trap before anyone draws a bolt. “Find or remove treasure traps—the face first, the handles after.”

No roll: this seam holds **no keyed treasure trap**, so a 20% check would be theatre. Barnaby’s careful hands get the true answer. No pinhole, residue, spring tension, or cutting edge lies behind the seam. The panel pivots at its lower corners and is latched internally near the upper centre. A dagger edge gains no leverage without chipping the dressed stone. It is a shut mechanism, not a poisoned one.

“No bolt moves until all seven groups are read.” I unwrap the company’s two pearl eyes and hold each beside Mulvis’s eye sockets without seating it, comparing the cuts and fittings.

Ledger correction before the comparison: the two dark-seeded pearl eyes ride in **Barnaby’s pack**, and no handoff has occurred. Edda has not unwrapped or moved them. Her order about the bolts stands, but the pearl comparison does not happen yet. She may inspect the empty sockets without them, or Barnaby can hand them over on his next turn. **Edda’s turn is held.**

I leave Barnaby’s pack shut and inspect the empty sockets instead, brushing out the rims and tracing their depth, flanges, and any linkage behind them. “Purse stays where it is until we know the lock.”

Each socket is a finished cup, not damage: flanged rim, spring retaining ring, and a bronze back-pad. Edda presses each pad separately; it yields a finger-width, drives a rod down behind the face, then springs back. One pad alone does nothing to the plinth. The two rods converge toward the panel latch. No release for either retaining ring is visible from the front—anything seated may not come out easily.

I carry the lantern back along the keeper’s tread to Verbena’s panel, set the light across the lettering, and copy each group into the notebook before reading all seven aloud in order. “Maker’s hand first; pictures only after the words have had their say.”

Silas copies all seven Gnomish groups exactly. Read aloud in Common, they say: **TO VESS, MULVIS GIVES THE FIRST BOLT.** The words match the picture without adding terms: Vess is the smaller sealed figure; the object given is one bolt. Nothing says to draw it now. Verbena witnesses the reading. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I follow the tested tread to the plinth and set one thumb against each bronze back-pad. “Two rods, one latch.” With Edda’s shield raised, I press both eye-socket pads together and hold them in.

Both rods descend together. A crossbar drops inside the face; the plinth answers with one clean click. The panel does **not** open. At its upper centre, a round plate shifts half-proud, bearing a shallow impression of the keeper’s coin-seal. The eye-rods have armed a second release. Verbena must keep both pads held: if either thumb lifts, the crossbar and seal plate spring back. Both hands are occupied; no pearls have been seated.

Barnaby replaces Verbena’s thumbs with his own, holding both bronze pads down so the seal plate stays proud. “Hands free, Verbena. Edda—the keeper’s token. Same mark, right key.”

Barnaby replaces the thumbs one at a time; the rods never rise. Verbena withdraws with both hands free. The crossbar stays down and the seal plate remains proud. Barnaby now holds the mechanism open with **both hands occupied**. No pearl is seated, and no token has touched the plate.

I take the keeper’s token from my purse, show its face to the company, align it with the impression, and press it squarely into the raised plate. “Mark for mark.”

The seal accepts the token with a second click. The panel tips outward and lowers safely on two bronze arms. Edda withdraws the token unchanged. Inside is one fitted brass pan holding a single pale round object. A narrow line of Gnomish is cut beneath it. Nothing has been touched inside. The lowered panel now stays open on its arms; Barnaby’s thumbs are no longer mechanically required, though he has not yet moved them.

I return along the tread and kneel outside the lowered panel, keeping the lantern’s heat clear of the niche. I copy the narrow Gnomish line exactly, then translate it aloud before any hand enters. The pale object stays in its pan.

Silas’s exact copy reads: **ONE SHARE — HELD.** The wording matches the company’s remembered ledger entry for the Bereavement Guild, but this niche names no guild, owner, or condition of release. In the lantern beam, the object is one loose pearl grown around a dark seed, visibly akin to the two in Barnaby’s pack. It remains untouched in the pan. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

“Held is not ownerless.” I grip only the brass rim and try to lift the fitted pan without touching the pearl, turning it just enough to inspect its underside and bed for a name, seal, or release term.

The pan lifts cleanly from a plain stone bed. Its underside is unmarked brass: no name, seal, release term, wire, catch, or pressure linkage. A shallow central dimple keeps the pearl from rolling as Verbena tilts it. She holds the pan level at the niche mouth; the pearl remains untouched. The fourth exploration turn closes. **Wandering check: 1.** From roughly 80′ beyond the north wall come several soft, wet steps and the scrape of a spear-butt, approaching. Nothing has entered the chapel yet.

Barnaby lifts his thumbs, draws the dagger, and slips into the statue’s western shadow, keeping the plinth between himself and the north wall. He hides in shadows and watches the keeper’s lane. “Verbena gives words first. I stay out of their account until we know whose steps those are.”

Barnaby releases both pads. The rods spring up and the seal plate sinks flush, but the lowered panel stays open. He gains solid cover behind the plinth, but **Hide in Shadows 59—failed**: Silas’s lantern catches one shoulder and his dagger-hand against the mural. Anything entering from the north can spot him once it has a line of sight. The approaching steps remain beyond the wall.

“Held stays held. Pan home, panel shut. Priest gives the greeting; no point rises unless mine does.” I take the keeper’s lane to the north side of the plinth and face the steps, shield raised, sword sheathed, right hand open.

Edda takes the north end of the keeper’s tread. Here it ends against a flush stone leaf beneath the cocoon: the approaching steps make its jamb-seam and two shallow hinge-pockets plain. The concealed door remains shut; no voice answers. Edda stands before it with shield raised, sword sheathed, right hand open. Her order does not move other hands: Verbena still holds the pan and pearl, the plinth panel remains open, and Barnaby’s dagger remains drawn.

I take the pan by its brass rim from Verbena, keep it level, and seat it back in the stone bed without touching the pearl. Then I raise the panel until its latch takes. “One share held. Nothing taken.”

The pan settles into its fitted bed without a scrape. The pearl never leaves its dimple. Silas lifts the panel by its outer edge; the bevel rides over the catch and seats with one click. The niche is shut exactly as found, save that its words are now copied. Nothing was taken. The keeper token remains with Edda; both pack-pearls remain with Barnaby. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I sling the mace and step to Edda’s open-hand side, palms shown toward the stone leaf. “Walker beyond: Verbena Candell of the Lantern. Mulvis’s held share was opened with the keeper’s seal and shut untouched. We seek Sootmurk, not your blood. Name yourself and your terms.” I repeat it in the Lawful tongue.

The Lawful greeting gets no answer. In Common, one wet voice calls back; the cadence resolves into **three** walkers. “Three road-hands. Spears stay down if points stay down. Three gold to pass toward the Black One. West costs nothing.” **Reaction 10:** they answer rather than rush the door. The steps continue at an ordinary pace, now roughly 50′ beyond the stone leaf. These are offered terms, not yet accepted; no one has entered the chapel.

Barnaby sheathes the dagger, steps out from the plinth, and counts three gold onto the keeper’s tread before the stone leaf. “Three gold for all four, travelling toward the Black One. Terms accepted; our points stay down.”

Barnaby’s dagger is sheathed. Three of his gold pieces lie on the keeper’s tread, still on the chapel side of the closed leaf. He may stake his own coin, but passage for all four is the party’s answer, and **Edda is caller**. The terms are not struck until she confirms them. The road-hands keep approaching; they have not yet taken the gold. No payment enters the company book yet.

“The company accepts: three gold buys passage north for all four of us toward the Black One, and every point stays down. Take the coin.” I step aside from the leaf without lowering my shield.

the party pays 3gp — Barnaby's personal advance: toll to three road-hands for passage north toward the Black One

The wet voice answers, “Done. Leave it. Stand clear of the leaf.” **Terms are struck:** three gold for all four to pass north toward the Black One; spears and party weapon-points stay down. Barnaby’s three coins are committed as a personal advance and entered in the company book. Edda stands aside with her shield still raised. The road-hands continue toward the unopened leaf.

I sheath the dagger, shutter the lantern to a low floor-beam, and retreat west of the plinth, clear of the leaf’s swing and the keeper’s tread before it. The three coins remain plainly lit. “Points down. Road open.”

Silas clears the keeper’s tread and both sides of the hidden leaf. The shuttered beam leaves the company dim while the three coins shine on bare stone. His dagger is sheathed; **Detect Magic remains unspent**. The road-hands keep their measured pace beyond the wall. The leaf has not moved yet.

I back west of the plinth beside Silas, leaving the tread and the leaf’s full swing empty. Mace remains slung; both hands stay open and visible. “Road clear. We keep the bargain.”

Verbena joins Silas west of the plinth, hands empty. Edda is clear on the other side. **Barnaby remains nearest the three coins, inside the leaf’s working space;** nobody else’s movement relocates him. As round 7 closes, the three walkers come within roughly 20′. “Coin-man clear,” the wet voice warns. The stone leaf remains shut, giving Barnaby his next action to move.

Barnaby backs west off the keeper’s tread to stand beside Silas and Verbena, both hands open and clear of his weapons. He leaves the coins and the leaf’s full working space empty. “Coin-man clear.”

3 × road-hand join the fight

A boss turns on the far face. The stone leaf swings silently into a dry, kept room. Three slick, wide-mouthed gloops stand beyond it with spear-points lowered. They enter only far enough to scoop up one coin each. “Paid,” says the broadest. “Behind us. Points down.” The northern way is open. This is passage under struck terms, **not combat**; the road-hands will not attack unless the bargain is broken.

“We follow: me, light, Barnaby, priest. Keeper’s tread, hands off the room.” I lower the shield to my side and pass through the leaf behind the road-hands, leaving them their lead.

The three road-hands turn back through the leaf, spears carried point-down. Edda follows at one pace, shield lowered. Silas’s floor-beam reaches into a close workroom: a polished walk-lane passes a reading-table with an open book, scribe’s tools, and a level brass scale, then continues toward a dark opening beyond. The gloops keep to that lane; Edda does likewise. Nothing is touched. **Only Edda has crossed.**

I follow one pace behind Edda on the polished lane, lantern shuttered low so the beam runs ahead of her boots and never across the road-hands’ faces. I pass the table without slowing or touching it. “Light second. Account untouched.”

Silas crosses second and keeps exact pace behind Edda. The lantern beam passes under the table and along the polished lane; it lights no trip-line or obstruction before the dark opening. The open ledger and tools remain untouched and unread. With the company’s light now inside the workroom, the chapel behind falls dim. Barnaby and Verbena remain together west of the plinth. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I close to Barnaby’s heels without passing him, keeping both hands visible and the mace slung. “Third, then fourth. We keep their road and touch nothing.”

Verbena closes behind Barnaby but does not pass him. Both remain in the dim chapel, weapons put away. Edda and Silas are inside the kept workroom; the stone leaf stays open between them. The declared file is preserved, and nothing is touched.

The broad road-hand reaches the dark opening beyond the table and stops there, spear grounded. “Four paid. Four through before we go on.”

The second road-hand steps off the polished lane beside the opening, spear still down, leaving the road clear for the company.

The third road-hand takes the opposite side of the opening. Its spear-butt rests on stone; the point never rises. All three wait for Barnaby and Verbena, and the concealed leaf remains open.

Correction: the table is in **round 9**, on **Barnaby**. No Barnaby action was given, so his turn is held; I will not move him or advance past him.

Barnaby crosses third with both hands open, follows the polished lane past the reading-table without slowing, and stops one pace behind Silas at the dark opening. He touches nothing. “Third through. Account kept.”

Barnaby crosses third and keeps to the polished lane. He passes the open account without slowing; its pages do not stir, and the scale stays level. He stops behind Silas with both hands clear. Only Verbena remains in the chapel.

I hold my place and keep my hands off the room. “Fourth is coming. Where does our paid road end, and how will we know the Black One’s ground before we step on it?”

The broad road-hand answers without lifting its spear. “Our paid road ends on dry stone before the north iron doors. Past them, the floor shines black. We stop there and name it before your first wet step.” Edda holds position; the room remains untouched.

I hold my boots at the opening and widen the lantern shutter, sending the beam down the paid road without crossing. I read floor first for the first black shine, then walls and ceiling for doors, silk, or machinery. “I mark the boundary with light before any boot tests it.”

The widened beam reaches down a five-foot dressed passage for about forty feet before it bends right. The floor is dry except for the road-hands’ damp webbed prints; there is **no black film or shine**. The walls and low ceiling show no door-seam, silk, script, wire, or machinery in the lit stretch. The iron doors are not yet in sight. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I cross fourth on the polished lane, hands open, passing the ledger and scale without a glance or touch. I stop behind Barnaby at the dark opening. “Four through. Three gold paid; nothing taken; points down.”

Verbena crosses last. The four stand together at the passage mouth in Edda’s declared order; the account-room remains exactly as found. The broad road-hand nods once. “Four through. Paid road moves.”

The broad road-hand leads into the passage to the right-hand bend, then stops in the lantern beam and looks back. Its spear remains point-down.

The second road-hand follows into the narrow passage and keeps ten feet behind the leader, leaving room for Edda to take her promised place.

The third road-hand turns the inner boss. The stone leaf closes softly behind Verbena, sealing the chapel and its cocoon from sight. It then takes the rear of the three-gloop file at the passage mouth. The account-room is shut and untouched.

Correction: it is **round 10**, Barnaby’s turn. No Barnaby action was supplied, so the turn remains held; I will not move him or advance past him.

Barnaby moves when the company file moves, third behind Silas, keeping both hands clear and his boots centered in the road-hands’ wet prints. He watches the right-hand bend for the first black shine. “Dry stone until they name the boundary.”

Barnaby cannot advance without passing Edda and Silas, who still occupy the two places ahead of him. He holds third at the passage mouth, hands clear, watching the lit bend. No black shine appears there; only dry stone and damp webbed prints.

I advance into the passage behind the third road-hand, shield low and sword sheathed, placing my boots in its damp prints. “Company file moves on me. No passing.”

Edda enters the passage and stops one pace behind the third road-hand. The floor under her boots is dry stone despite its damp prints; nothing shifts or shines. Silas, Barnaby, and Verbena remain at the passage mouth in order.

I move second on Edda’s heels, centered in the same damp prints, and keep the lantern beam along the floor past her shield toward the bend. My free hand stays open; dagger and staff remain put away. “Light moves. Dry stone still.”

Silas enters one pace behind Edda. His beam runs between the file’s feet to the broad road-hand at the bend, but cannot turn the corner from here. The whole visible stretch remains dry and bare. Barnaby and Verbena still wait at the mouth. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I hold fourth rather than pass Barnaby and call along the dry passage, “Road-hands: before your paid road ends, tell us what bites the Black One—iron, flame, or holy light?”

The broad road-hand calls back from the bend: “Iron bites if it reaches flesh. Flame bites the black floor—and every foot standing on it. Holy light, we have not seen tried.” Verbena holds behind Barnaby. The ampoule remains sealed.

The broad road-hand turns right and passes beyond the lantern’s line. Its wet steps continue another twenty feet, then stop. “Dry,” it calls back.

The second road-hand rounds the bend and follows the leader out of sight, keeping ten feet between them. Its spear-butt scrapes once, then stills.

The third road-hand advances to ten feet short of the bend and stops, leaving Edda the same measured gap. The file opens ahead without breaking its order.

Barnaby advances into the passage and stops one pace behind Silas, boots centered in Edda’s prints. His hands remain open and his weapons sheathed. “Third in. Dry stone.”

Correction: the table is in **round 11**, on **Barnaby**. No Barnaby action was supplied, so his turn remains held; I will not move him or advance past him.

Barnaby advances third into the passage and stops one pace behind Silas. The stone beneath his boots is dry and firm; only Edda’s prints and the road-hands’ damp webbed tracks mark it. His hands stay open, weapons sheathed. Verbena remains alone at the passage mouth.

I advance in the third road-hand’s prints and restore the one-pace gap, stopping short of the bend with shield low and sword sheathed.

Edda follows the third road-hand to one pace behind it, stopping ten feet short of the right-hand bend. The floor remains dry; no black shine reaches around the corner. Her shield stays low and sword sheathed. Silas and Barnaby now have room to follow.

I advance to one pace behind Edda, boots in her prints. Before the bend I raise the lantern just enough to rake its inner wall and ceiling, then return the beam to the floor at her feet. “Second closed. No flame touches black.”

Silas closes to one pace behind Edda. The raised beam shows dressed stone continuing cleanly around the inner curve—no seam, soot, silk, or black splash on wall or ceiling. It cannot yet see the floor beyond the bend. He lowers it to Edda’s dry footing; **Detect Magic remains unspent**.

I advance fourth into Barnaby’s prints and restore the one-pace spacing behind him, hands open and mace slung. “Fourth closed. No flame past the named boundary.”

Verbena closes the four-person file one pace behind Barnaby. Dry stone holds beneath her; her hands remain open, mace slung, and the wax seal on the ampoule stays intact. All four are now in the passage.

Beyond the bend, the broad road-hand sets one webbed palm against a closed iron door. “Doors,” it calls. “Dry side. Paid road ends here.” It does not open the leaf yet.

The second road-hand closes the last ten feet and takes the opposite iron leaf. Both spear-points remain grounded. Neither door moves.

The third road-hand rounds the bend and stops ten feet behind the pair at the doors. The space ahead of Edda opens again; no one crosses the named dry boundary.

Correction: the table is in **round 12**, on **Barnaby**. No Barnaby action was supplied, so his turn remains held; I will not move him or advance past him.

Barnaby closes to one pace behind Silas in the same damp prints, stopping short of the bend with hands open. “Third closed. Dry side.”

Barnaby restores third place one pace behind Silas and stops short of the bend. The damp prints lie on dry dressed stone; no black film reaches his boots. His hands remain open and weapons sheathed.

I round the bend in the third road-hand’s prints and stop one pace behind it on the dry side, leaving the doors and their full swing clear.

Edda rounds the bend and stops one pace behind the third road-hand. Twenty feet ahead, closed iron leaves fill the passage end; the other two gloops wait against them. Every visible flagstone on this side is dry. No gap yet shows what lies beyond, and Edda leaves both doors’ swing clear.

I round the bend into Edda’s prints and stop one pace behind her. Keeping every boot on dry stone, I run the lantern beam along the iron leaves from threshold seam to lintel, looking for black seepage or a mark that names what opens beyond. “Light stays this side until they name it.”

Silas closes second behind Edda. The lantern finds no black seepage at the threshold or jambs and no writing, seal, or painted warning on either iron leaf. Rust lies dry in the lower seams. The doors alone mark the boundary; what they open onto remains hidden. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I close fourth to Barnaby’s heels without rounding past him. “Road-hands, name the edge of our bargain plainly: do our points stay down only to these doors, or until all four stand beyond them?”

Verbena closes to Barnaby’s heels without passing him. The broad road-hand answers from the doors: “Points down until all four reach this dry side. Not beyond. Beyond is the Black One’s ground, not our road.” The ampoule remains sealed.

The broad road-hand keeps its palm on the left iron leaf and waits. “Two here. Two behind.” Its spear stays grounded; the door remains shut.

The second road-hand holds the right leaf closed. Its spear-point remains on the dry floor.

The third road-hand steps against the passage wall, spear vertical but point still resting on stone. The dry lane to the doors is clear for all four.

Barnaby rounds the bend in Silas’s prints and stops one pace behind him on dry stone, clear of both iron leaves. His hands remain open. “Three here.”

Correction: round 12 is complete. It is **round 13, Barnaby’s turn**. No Barnaby action was supplied, so his turn remains held; I will not move him or advance past him.

Barnaby rounds the bend third and stops one pace behind Silas. Dry stone holds under him; his open hands and sheathed weapons keep the bargain. Three company members now stand on the dry side before the doors. Verbena remains behind the bend.

I hold on dry stone with my sword sheathed. “You said west costs nothing. If we return, do these leaves stand open, or what call brings your hands to them?”

Edda holds the front on dry stone. The broad road-hand answers, “Leaves shut. No bar. From black ground, push them toward us and come west. No coin for leaving.” Neither iron leaf moves.

I close the shutter and snuff the lantern wick while every foot still stands on dry stone. I keep the dark lantern in hand. “They said flame bites the black floor and every foot on it. Fire dies on this side of the doors.”

Silas snuffs the wick without spilling oil. The passage goes completely dark behind the closed iron leaves; every known foot remains on dry stone. The bullseye is now dark in his hand. **Detect Magic remains unspent.**

I take the inner wall with my left palm, round the bend in the dark, and stop one pace behind Barnaby on the known dry stone. Both weapons remain put away. “Four here. Bargain kept.”

Verbena follows the known inner wall and closes fourth behind Barnaby without a stumble. All four now stand together on the dry side in darkness, weapons put away. The ampoule remains sealed. “Four,” the broad road-hand confirms.

Iron grinds against dry stone. The broad road-hand pushes the left leaf open into the unseen chamber. A heavy smell of soot and rancid grease rolls through; no light comes back. “Black floor begins one stride past the sill.”

The second road-hand pushes the right leaf open. Beyond is still total darkness. Wet feet shift somewhere across the grease; beneath them comes one slow breath too deep for a gloop.

The third road-hand calls through the open doors: “Four from west. Paid road kept. They seek the Black One.” It steps aside on the dry wall. The party’s weapons may rise now; the escort bargain is fulfilled.

Correction: round 13 is complete. It is **round 14, Barnaby’s turn**. No Barnaby action was supplied, so his turn remains held.

Barnaby stays on dry stone and crouches beside the open sill, one hand cupped to his ear. He uses Hear Noise to count the wet feet and fix the deep breath’s direction and distance before anyone steps onto black ground. “No blind stride at two wounds.”

**Hear Noise 2—success (3-in-6).** Barnaby separates **eleven** wet-footed bodies across the chamber; the nearest holds about 15′ beyond the sill, with the rest spread left and right farther back. The deep breath comes straight ahead, low to the ground, roughly 60′ away. Nothing is advancing.

I stay on dry stone, shield low and sword sheathed. “Sootmurk: Edda Motts, beadle of the Candlewrights. Travellers vanish from the King’s Road, black grease leads here, and Vess’s tally breaks midway through your causeway toll. We came to learn whether that debt is yours—and settle it without a false entry. Name your claim and terms.”

**Reaction 11.** The deep breather answers from the dark, calm and plainly female. “Vess kept a true account. My causeway toll was rendered; that broken stroke is Mulvis’s ruin, not my arrears. Your road folk live. Bring every object that holds magic from the haunted chambers to these north doors. Then every King’s Road captive leaves alive and walking. Stay on dry stone while you answer.”

Silas Horn memorises

I keep both boots on dry stone and hold the dark lantern at my side. “Silas Horn, assayer. Your claim makes this the right question.” I cast Detect Magic through the open doors, sweeping the black floor, the eleven road-folk, and the deep breather to the spell’s sixty-foot limit. “Past that stays unread.”

Detect Magic finds **no aura** in the black grease, on any of the eleven gloop-sized bodies, or at Sootmurk’s position on the spell’s 60′ edge. No carried object in that sweep glows. Stone and distance still conceal anything beyond. The spell is spent; its sight remains active for two exploration turns.

I stay on dry stone with empty hands. “Verbena Candell, of the Lantern. Before we answer, let each captive call their name and home so the living are counted. Then name the haunted chambers and the safe conduct you grant while we fetch what Silas proves magical. A bargain needs bounds and witnesses.”

Correction: Silas’s action is already resolved and advanced. It is **Verbena’s turn**; no Verbena action appears in the log, so her turn remains held.

“Those eleven are my hands. Hear your own.” From beyond the spell’s reach, four tired human voices answer separately: “Hal Rook—Wexley.” “Els Pell—Harrow Cross.” “Corren Dane—Kelfrek Ford.” “Lysa Dane—same house.” None sounds close to the doors.

Sootmurk continues: “The haunted chambers begin beyond the ten caskets west of the embalming benches. Bring every thing from there that shows your assayer magic; what you carried in is not counted. My hands neither strike nor toll your four going or returning. What haunts those rooms is not mine. Set the objects on this dry sill; then those four walk west. Those are the bounds.”

The broad road-hand stays beside the open left leaf, spear-point grounded. It neither approaches nor interrupts while Edda weighs Sootmurk’s terms.

The second road-hand holds the open right leaf, spear grounded. It makes no move against the party.

The third road-hand remains against the dry passage wall, spear resting on stone. The westward road stays clear.

Barnaby opens his copied market ledger on the dry floor and writes the four names and Sootmurk’s bounds verbatim. He reads one clause into the dark: “Silas’s proof sets the count. When every object he finds magical beyond the ten caskets rests on this sill—even if he finds none—you name the account complete and all four captives walk west. Confirm that, and the terms can be entered clean.”

Total darkness stops the entry: Barnaby can open the ledger by touch, but he cannot write four names verbatim or read the page. **No ink enters the book.** His spoken clause still reaches Sootmurk as dictation.

Sootmurk answers, “No empty-hand clause. I know those chambers hold magic. Your assayer’s spell decides which objects—not whether they exist. Sweep all ten caskets and every chamber beyond. Put every object that glows on this sill and declare the sweep complete; I name the account complete, and all four captives walk west. That I confirm.”

“The company accepts. We sweep all ten caskets and every chamber beyond with the assayer’s magic, set every object it shows on this dry sill, and declare the sweep complete. Then you name the account complete and Hal Rook, Els Pell, Corren Dane, and Lysa Dane walk west alive. Your hands neither strike nor toll our four going or returning; what we carried in is excluded. Terms struck.”

Sootmurk answers, “**Struck.** Four names, four walking west alive when the complete magical sweep rests on that sill. Your carried things are excluded; my hands grant your four untolled passage both ways.” The bargain is binding. No gloop advances, and the dry road west remains open.

I turn from the black chamber, flatten against the dry wall, and keep the active sight aimed west while leaving the lane open. “The spell has two turns. Reverse the file now—Verbena, Barnaby, me, Edda—and get me to the ten caskets before it dies.”

Silas presses to the dry wall without crossing the sill. His magical sight reaches 60′ west through the known passage and finds no aura there. The lane is clear; Verbena can lead the reversed file. No exploration turn has closed since the casting, so both spell turns remain.

I take the westward lead at once, left palm on the known inner wall, and move at a full careful walk back around the bend toward the account-room. “Verbena front. Barnaby, keep a hand on my pack; call each corner back to Silas.”

Verbena moves her full **20′ round movement**, follows the inner wall around the bend, and stops at the eastern end of the 40′ straight toward the account-room. The known floor stays dry. She moved alone—Barnaby has not acted, so no hand is yet on her pack. She calls the bend back. The spell’s exploration clock has not closed.

The broad road-hand remains at the open left iron leaf, spear grounded. “West road stays open,” it calls after Verbena. It neither follows nor obstructs the file.

The second road-hand holds the right iron leaf open, spear-point on dry stone. It stays beside the sill and lets the reversed file pass.

The third road-hand stays flat against the dry passage wall with its spear grounded. The route to Verbena’s called bend remains clear.

Barnaby closes the unwritten ledger, returns it to his pack, and moves west at Verbena’s pace with one hand on her pack strap. He follows her around the bend and stops directly behind her. “Barnaby second. Bend clear—bring the sight.”

Barnaby closes and packs the still-unwritten ledger, then follows the known dry route around the bend. He stops directly behind Verbena with one hand on her pack strap. The reversed file is now **Verbena, Barnaby**; Silas and Edda remain at the doors. The spell clock has not closed.

I turn west and close to Silas’s heels without passing him, walking backward with my shield toward the open iron doors. “Rear closed. Move the sight.”

Edda takes the rear position one pace east of Silas, shield facing the open iron doors. She does not pass him or enter the black floor. The reversed tail is now **Silas, Edda**; both remain east of the bend while Verbena and Barnaby wait beyond it.

I take the inner wall and move the full twenty feet west around the bend, stopping directly behind Barnaby. The lantern stays dark; I keep the active sight fixed down the straight toward the account-room. “Silas third. Sight moving.”

Silas rounds the bend and closes directly behind Barnaby. His 60′ magical sight covers the 40′ straight and the account-room beyond: **no aura** shows in the passage, open ledger, tools, table, or scale. The shut stone leaf blocks the chapel beyond. Lantern dark; both spell turns still remain until an exploration turn closes.

I keep my palm on the straight wall and lead another full twenty feet west toward the account-room, counting the distance aloud so the file matches it. “Twenty. Dry. Keep closed.”

Verbena advances 20′ alone to the midpoint of the straight; the stone remains dry. Barnaby has not acted this round, so his hand comes off her pack strap and he and Silas remain 20′ behind. Edda remains beyond the bend. No exploration turn closes.

The broad road-hand keeps the left iron leaf open, spear grounded. It makes no move after the departing party.

The second road-hand holds the right iron leaf open. Its spear-point stays on dry stone; it neither follows nor calls after the file.

The third road-hand remains against the passage wall, spear grounded. It leaves Edda a clear route around the bend.

Barnaby follows twenty feet west on the known dry stone, regains Verbena’s pack strap, and stops directly behind her. “Second closed. Straight clear—Silas, twenty.”

Barnaby advances 20′ over the known dry stone and closes directly behind Verbena at the straight’s midpoint, one hand again on her pack strap. Silas remains 20′ east; Edda is still beyond the bend. No exploration turn closes.

I back twenty feet west around the bend on known dry stone, shield still facing the iron doors, and stop directly behind Silas. “Rear closed at the bend.”

Edda backs 20′ around the bend over known dry stone and closes directly behind Silas at the eastern end of the straight, shield still facing east. The rear rejoins the file; Verbena and Barnaby remain 20′ ahead. No exploration turn closes.

I move twenty feet west over the known dry stone and close directly behind Barnaby, keeping the active sight ahead toward the account-room. The dark lantern stays shut at my side. “Third closed. No aura on the straight.”

Silas advances 20′ and closes directly behind Barnaby at the midpoint. His active sight again finds no aura ahead in the remaining straight or account-room. Edda remains 20′ east. The lantern stays dark; both exploration turns remain.

I lead the last twenty feet of the straight and stop where the wall opens into the account-room, feeling for the polished lane with one boot but touching no furniture. “Passage ends. Account-room ahead.”

Verbena reaches the account-room’s eastern opening and stops at the edge of its polished lane. Her probing boot finds the known smooth stone; no furniture, tool, ledger, or scale is touched. Barnaby and Silas remain 20′ east, Edda 40′ east. No exploration turn closes.

Far behind the file, the broad road-hand draws the left iron leaf shut. Iron grinds on dry stone; no bar falls.

The second road-hand draws the right iron leaf shut against the first. The doors meet unbarred; the black chamber is sealed behind them.

The third road-hand settles beside the closed leaves, spear grounded. It does not follow; the westward passage remains clear.

Barnaby advances the last twenty feet of the straight, regains Verbena’s pack strap, and stops behind her at the account-room opening. His free hand finds the polished lane by touch. “Second at the account-room. Silas, twenty west.”

Barnaby advances 20′ and closes behind Verbena at the account-room opening, one hand on her pack. His other hand confirms the polished lane; nothing else is touched. Silas remains 20′ east, Edda 40′ east. No exploration turn closes.

I back twenty feet west over the known straight and stop directly behind Silas, shield still watching the closed iron doors. “Rear closed. Twenty to the account-room.”

Edda backs 20′ west and closes behind Silas at the straight’s midpoint, shield still facing east. Verbena and Barnaby wait 20′ ahead at the account-room opening. No exploration turn closes.

I move the final twenty feet west and close directly behind Barnaby at the account-room opening, active sight on the polished lane and shut stone leaf beyond. “Third at the account-room. Bring the rear.”

Silas advances 20′ and closes behind Barnaby at the account-room opening. His active sight finds no aura on the polished lane, furnishings, ledger, tools, scale, or shut stone leaf; the leaf still blocks the chapel beyond. Edda remains 20′ east. Both spell turns remain.

I follow the polished lane across the account-room to the shut stone leaf, touching nothing else. I find the worn inner boss by hand and turn it to open the way into the chapel. “Keeper, four returning under struck account. Nothing taken.”

Verbena crosses the account-room’s polished lane without touching its table, ledger, tools, or scale. The worn boss turns; the stone leaf opens silently into the dark Chapel. Nothing answers her call or moves beyond. Silas’s active sight reaches through the opening and finds no aura in the Chapel within 60′. Both spell turns remain.

At the distant iron doors, the broad road-hand keeps watch with its spear grounded. It does not pursue the party or disturb the closed leaves.

The second road-hand holds the opposite side of the closed iron doors, spear grounded. It remains under Sootmurk’s safe-conduct terms.

The third road-hand stays ten feet west of the closed iron doors, leaving the passage clear. Its spear-point rests on stone.

Barnaby crosses the account-room on the polished lane without touching the table or its tools, passes through the open stone leaf, and closes behind Verbena in the dark chapel. One hand returns to her pack strap. “Second through. Chapel clear to the sight.”

Barnaby crosses on the polished lane and passes through the open leaf without touching the account. He closes behind Verbena in the dark Chapel, one hand on her pack strap. Nothing moves or shows an aura within Silas’s 60′ sight. Silas remains at the account-room’s eastern opening; Edda is 20′ farther east. No exploration turn closes.

I back the last twenty feet to the account-room’s eastern opening and stop directly behind Silas, keeping boots on the polished lane and hands off the account. “Rear at the room.”

Edda backs the final 20′ and stops directly behind Silas at the account-room’s eastern opening. Her boots remain on the polished lane, shield faces east, and the account stays untouched. Verbena and Barnaby wait through the open western leaf in the Chapel. No exploration turn closes.

I advance west along the polished lane, pass the account untouched, and cross the open leaf into the chapel behind Barnaby. As the statue enters sixty feet, I sweep Mulvis’s three bolts, the sealed niche, the cocoon, and the whole reachable vault with the active sight. “Third through. Reading while it lasts.”

Silas crosses the account-room on its polished lane and enters the Chapel behind Barnaby. His active sight finds **no aura** on Mulvis’s three bolts, the statue, the cocoon, or anywhere in the reachable vault. The shut stone niche panel blocks whatever lies behind it; its contents are not swept. Edda remains at the account-room’s eastern opening. No exploration turn closes; both spell turns remain.

I take the keeper’s polished tread west through the dark chapel, moving the full twenty feet toward Mulvis’s plinth with one hand low to meet the stone, never the web. “Front moving. Plinth is our mark; western gap after it.”

Verbena advances 20′ along the known keeper’s tread and reaches Mulvis’s plinth, touching stone rather than silk. The floor stays dry; nothing moves. Barnaby cannot move on her turn, so his hand leaves her pack and he remains 20′ behind with Silas. Edda remains across the account-room. No exploration turn closes.

Far east, the broad road-hand remains beside the closed iron doors with its spear grounded. It does not follow or disturb the leaves.

The second road-hand keeps the opposite watch at the closed iron doors, spear grounded. Sootmurk’s safe conduct remains unbroken.

The third road-hand remains ten feet west of the doors, spear resting on stone and the westward passage unobstructed.

Barnaby follows twenty feet along the keeper’s tread, regains Verbena’s pack strap, and stops behind her at Mulvis’s plinth. “Second at the plinth. Silas, bring the sight twenty west.”

Barnaby advances 20′ on the known keeper’s tread and closes behind Verbena at Mulvis’s plinth, one hand again on her pack strap. Silas remains 20′ east; Edda remains beyond the open stone leaf. Nothing moves, and no exploration turn closes.

I back twenty feet across the account-room on its polished lane and through the open stone leaf, touching nothing, then stop directly behind Silas in the chapel. “Rear through. Account untouched.”

Edda backs 20′ across the account-room on its polished lane and passes through the open stone leaf into the Chapel. She stops directly behind Silas, shield still facing east; the ledger, tools, table, and scale remain untouched. All four are now inside the Chapel. No exploration turn closes.

I move twenty feet west on the keeper’s tread and close behind Barnaby at Mulvis’s plinth, keeping the active sight aimed toward the western gap. “Third at the plinth. Chapel reads clean; the sealed niche was blocked, not cleared.”

Silas advances 20′ on the keeper’s tread and closes behind Barnaby at Mulvis’s plinth. His active sight reaches through the western rubble gap and finds no aura within 60′; stone beyond that reach remains unread. The sealed niche is still blocked rather than swept. Edda remains 20′ east. No exploration turn closes.

I pass the plinth on its west side and follow the known tread twenty feet to the rubble gap, probing each rise with my boot. I stop at the last chapel stone before the squeeze. “Gap ahead. Dead spider remains off the lane.”

Verbena advances 20′ past the plinth to the last Chapel stone before the western rubble squeeze. Each tested rise is firm and dry; the dead spider remains off the lane. This is the company’s known route back to Area 1, **not** a route toward the embalming benches or ten caskets. She stops before entering it; Barnaby and Silas remain at the plinth. No exploration turn closes.

Far east, the broad road-hand remains beside the closed iron doors with its spear grounded. It neither follows nor disturbs the unbarred leaves.

The second road-hand keeps the opposite watch at the closed iron doors, spear-point resting on dry stone. Sootmurk’s safe conduct remains unbroken.

The third road-hand remains ten feet west of the closed doors, spear grounded and the passage unobstructed.

Barnaby closes twenty feet to Verbena at the rubble gap but does not enter it. He keeps one hand on her pack and calls back, “This returns to the Great Door, not the embalming benches. Hold the squeeze—Edda calls the mapped route.”

Barnaby advances 20′ and closes behind Verbena at the rubble gap without entering it, one hand on her pack. The known squeeze back to the Great Door remains empty. Silas waits 20′ east at the plinth; Edda waits another 20′ behind. No exploration turn closes.

I back twenty feet along the keeper’s tread to Mulvis’s plinth and close directly behind Silas, shield still facing east. “Rear at the plinth.”

Edda backs 20′ along the known keeper’s tread and closes directly behind Silas at Mulvis’s plinth, shield still facing east. Verbena and Barnaby wait 20′ west at the rubble gap. No exploration turn closes.

I move twenty feet west on the known tread and close behind Barnaby at the rubble gap, active sight reaching through it as far as stone permits. “Third at the gap. Keep the route moving; no exploration turn spent.”

Silas advances 20′ on the known tread and closes behind Barnaby at the rubble gap. His active sight again finds no aura through the squeeze within 60′; stone beyond remains unread. The gap still leads only toward the Great Door. Edda remains at the plinth. No exploration turn closes; both spell turns remain.

I halt before the squeeze and call back through the chapel toward the open north leaf, loud enough for the road-hands. “This western gap returns to the Great Door. Which road reaches the embalming benches and ten caskets?”

Her call carries through the open account-room and down the dressed passage. The broad road-hand answers faintly: “Not the great-door gap. Opposite it—the open square doorway beyond Mulvis. Benches through there; ten caskets beyond the benches.” Verbena holds before the squeeze. The route is now named; no exploration turn closes.

The broad road-hand resumes its watch beside the closed iron leaves, spear grounded. It neither follows nor obstructs the party’s named route.

The second road-hand holds the opposite iron leaf, spear grounded. The doors remain closed and unbarred under safe conduct.

The third road-hand remains ten feet west of the iron doors with its spear grounded. The passage and account-room route stay unobstructed.

Barnaby releases Verbena’s pack, turns east in place, and takes hold of Silas’s pack strap. “Route named. Edda is nearest and leads; sight second, me third, Verbena rear. Open square doorway beyond Mulvis.”

Barnaby releases Verbena, turns east without changing position, and takes Silas’s pack strap. The file is reversed in place: Edda at the plinth nearest the named doorway, then Silas, Barnaby, Verbena at the Great Door gap. Nobody moves; no exploration turn closes.

I turn from the Great Door gap, draw my sword, and take the opposite route past Mulvis. Shield first, I feel out twenty feet toward the open square doorway with the sword-tip and stop at its threshold. “Front moving. Sight behind me.”

From Mulvis’s plinth, Edda advances 20′ shield-first along firm, dry stone. Her sword-tip finds no seam, obstruction, or shifted flag. She stops at the open square threshold opposite the Great Door gap. Beyond lies still air with the sharp, sweet smell of embalming salts; nothing moves or answers in the dark. Only Edda has reached the doorway. No exploration turn closes.

I turn east and move twenty feet back to Mulvis’s plinth, Barnaby on my pack strap, keeping the active sight through the open square doorway beyond Edda. “Sight second at the plinth. Sweep the benches and every object within sixty feet.”

Silas advances 20′ east to Mulvis’s plinth. Barnaby cannot move on Silas’s turn, so his grip on the pack strap breaks; Barnaby and Verbena remain at the Great Door gap. The active sight reaches through the open square doorway and across the near 40′ of the embalming room. **No aura** shows on the benches, their closed drawers, or anything else within that sweep. The ten caskets and chambers beyond are not yet in sight or counted. No exploration turn closes; both spell turns remain.

I turn east behind Barnaby, draw the mace, and keep my shield toward the Great Door gap while the file closes ahead. “Verbena rear. Ampoule sealed; western gap watched.”

Verbena turns with the file but holds at the Great Door gap behind Barnaby. Mace drawn, she keeps her shield facing west over the empty squeeze. Nothing approaches or answers there; the ampoule remains sealed. She has not advanced toward the plinth.

Far east, the broad road-hand holds beside the closed iron leaves, spear grounded. It neither follows nor disturbs the unbarred doors; Sootmurk’s safe conduct stands.

Road-hand 2 keeps the opposite watch at the closed iron leaves, spear-point resting on dry stone. It does not move.

Road-hand 3 remains ten feet west of the iron doors with its spear grounded. The return passage stays clear.

Barnaby advances twenty feet east to Mulvis’s plinth, regains Silas’s pack strap, and stops behind him. “Third at the plinth. Benches read clean; caskets still ahead.”

Barnaby advances 20′ east over known Chapel stone and closes behind Silas at Mulvis’s plinth, taking his pack strap again. Edda remains at the open square threshold; Verbena remains 20′ west at the Great Door gap. Nothing moves, and no exploration turn closes.

I cross the square threshold and advance twenty feet into the embalming room, shield high and sword-tip feeling the floor and bench edges before each step. “Front inside. Benches first; caskets beyond.”

Edda crosses alone and advances 20′ into the embalming room. Her sword finds dry flags and the legs of four workbenches. Near the end of her move, its point touches yielding flesh beneath the nearest bench. A small wet body jerks awake but does not attack. “Black One’s four?” it asks from under the bench. Sootmurk’s safe conduct binds this hand. Edda stops with shield high; the caskets remain farther ahead in darkness. No exploration turn closes.

I move twenty feet to the square threshold and stop behind Edda, dagger sheathed and dark lantern down. I extend the active sight past the four benches, counting each casket that enters sixty feet and sweeping its whole outline before looking beyond. “Silas at the threshold. Safe-conduct hand reads clean.”

Silas advances 20′ to the square threshold. Barnaby cannot move on his turn, so the pack-strap grip breaks; Edda remains 20′ ahead among the benches. Detect Magic does **not** outline mundane caskets in total darkness, so Silas cannot honestly count them by this sight. It does show one small, moving aura roughly 50′ ahead beyond the benches, drifting across the farther chamber at waist height. The awakened hand and everything else within 60′ read clean. Farther caskets and chambers remain unread. No exploration turn closes; both spell turns remain.

I back twenty feet east from the Great Door gap to Mulvis’s plinth, shield still covering the western squeeze, and stop behind Barnaby with mace ready. “Rear at the plinth. Keep the sight on that moving aura.”

Verbena backs 20′ east from the Great Door gap and closes behind Barnaby at Mulvis’s plinth, shield still covering the western squeeze and mace ready. The rear is closed; the gap remains silent. The ampoule stays sealed, and no exploration turn closes.

Far east, road-hand 1 keeps its spear grounded beside the closed iron doors. It holds watch under the struck bargain.

Road-hand 2 remains at the opposite iron leaf, spear grounded. The doors stay closed and unbarred.

Road-hand 3 holds ten feet west of the closed iron doors, leaving the passage clear.

Barnaby advances twenty feet east to the square threshold, regains Silas’s pack strap, and stops behind him. He answers the bench-hand without drawing steel: “Four under struck terms. Your Black One sent us to sweep the caskets and haunted rooms.”

Barnaby advances 20′ east to the square threshold and closes behind Silas, taking his pack strap again. Verbena remains at the plinth. The small hand settles beneath the bench. “Struck. No toll. Ten boxes beyond the west opening.” It neither blocks Edda nor reaches for a weapon. No exploration turn closes.

I lift my sword clear of the hand and hold at the benches. “No boot passes the benches blind. Silas closes and we light the lantern here. Road-hand: what drifts at waist height beyond the ten boxes, and does it strike?”

Edda lifts her sword from the hand and holds among the benches. The wet voice answers, “Mulvis’s brass firefly. It flees hands. Never struck us.” The moving aura continues drifting beyond the benches; it does not approach. The lantern remains dark. Edda still carries the company’s only tinder box; no striker has changed hands. No exploration turn closes.

I close twenty feet to Edda among the benches, take her offered tinder, catch the lantern wick, and return the box. I open the beam through the west opening, floor first, then the ten caskets, keeping the drifting aura’s position called aloud. “Firefly marked. Ordinary light counts the boxes.”

Silas advances 20′ and closes beside Edda among the benches. Barnaby cannot move on his turn, so the pack-strap grip breaks. The tinder was not offered—Edda still carries it, as established—so Silas cannot take and return it on her behalf. The lantern remains dark. From here his active sight tracks the firefly about 30′ ahead and finds no second aura in the unobstructed 60′ sweep, but darkness still prevents counting the caskets. No exploration turn closes.

I move twenty feet east from Mulvis’s plinth to the square threshold and stop behind Barnaby, mace ready and shield turned back toward the chapel. “Rear at the doorway. Edda must strike the lantern herself or hand over the tinder.”

Verbena advances 20′ east to the square threshold and stops behind Barnaby. Mace ready, she keeps her shield facing back into the Chapel. The rear remains silent; the ampoule stays sealed. No exploration turn closes.

Road-hand 1 holds its watch beside the closed iron doors, spear grounded. The return route remains open under Sootmurk’s safe conduct.

Road-hand 2 holds the opposite iron leaf, spear grounded. The doors remain closed and unbarred.

Road-hand 3 holds ten feet west of the iron doors, spear grounded and passage clear.

Barnaby advances twenty feet among the benches, regains Silas’s pack strap, and stops behind Edda’s shield. He keeps clear of the road-hand beneath the bench. “Third closed. Edda strikes the company light.”

Barnaby advances 20′ among the benches and closes behind Edda and Silas, taking Silas’s pack strap again. He keeps clear of the hand beneath the nearest bench. Verbena remains at the square threshold. No exploration turn closes.

I sheathe my sword, take out the tinder box, and strike Silas’s lantern wick alight behind my shield. The box goes straight back in my pouch. “Count ten, then sweep every lid and the room beyond.”

Edda sheathes her sword, strikes Silas’s lantern wick behind her shield, and returns the tinder box to her own pouch. Dry room and proper kit require no roll. The open shutter throws a beam through the west opening: **ten closed caskets**, counted cleanly, and a shut door beyond them. A palm-sized brass firefly drifts at waist height; it is the aura Silas has tracked. No casket exterior glows, but their closed lids still leave the interiors unswept, and the shut far door blocks the chamber beyond. No exploration turn closes.

From Edda’s shield-side I number the ten caskets left-to-right in the notebook, walking the beam over every hinge, latch, handle, and lid seam. I keep the brass firefly inside the beam’s edge. “Closed stone blocks the spell. We open these one at a time, shield first, and count the inside before the next lid moves.”

By lantern light Silas numbers all ten casket positions in his notebook. The beam shows fitted stone lids, each held by a closed brass lock; none of the hinges, handles, seams, or lock-faces carries an aura. Their shut interiors remain unread. The firefly drifts at the edge of the beam and does not flee while no hand reaches for it. No exploration turn closes.

I advance twenty feet into the embalming room and stop behind Barnaby among the benches, keeping clear of the road-hand beneath them. Mace stays ready; shield covers the square doorway. “Rear closed. Ten caskets, ten locked lids.”

8. Embalming Room

Verbena crosses last and closes behind Barnaby among the benches. The whole company is now in the Embalming Room, so the table moves here. The seated **gloop guard (3 hp)** is the same hand already awakened beneath the bench—not a second creature. It remains nonhostile under Sootmurk’s safe conduct. The ten locked caskets and brass firefly wait through the west opening; both Detect Magic turns remain. New round 1 opens on Barnaby.

Barnaby takes out his thieves’ tools and readies pick, probe, and chalk while holding third behind Silas. “Ten locks. Edda takes us to the first; I check each lid for treasure traps, then open its lock before the next is touched.”

Barnaby lays pick, probe, and chalk ready without leaving third place or reaching toward a casket. No trap or lock check occurs yet: he has inspected no specific lid. Lantern and Detect Magic remain active; the firefly keeps drifting while untouched.

I draw my sword and lead through the west opening to casket one, checking the floor before each step. I stop with my shield between its lid and the company. “One only. Barnaby reads its lock; nothing else moves.”

Edda advances alone through the west opening and reaches casket 1. The lantern shows firm, dry flags along her whole approach; no wire, pit-seam, grease, or loose stone crosses it. She stops beside the fitted lid with shield interposed and sword drawn. She has not touched the casket or its brass lock. The firefly drifts on without fleeing.

The wet hand stays curled beneath the nearest bench. It neither rises, reaches, nor attacks; Sootmurk’s safe conduct holds, and the way to casket 1 remains clear.

I follow Edda through the west opening to casket 1 and stop behind her shield, lantern beam fixed across its lock and lid seam. The active sight stays on the casket interior as far as stone permits, with the firefly called whenever it crosses the edge. “Light second. One lid only.”

Silas advances alone through the west opening and stops behind Edda’s shield at casket 1. Barnaby cannot move on Silas’s turn, so his grip on Silas’s pack breaks. Lantern light fixes the brass lock and fitted seam; Detect Magic still cannot penetrate the stone lid, and the interior remains unread. The firefly drifts across the beam farther among the caskets, not fleeing because nobody reaches for it. Both spell turns remain.

I hold rear among the benches, shield toward the chapel, and address the guard beneath the bench. “What lies in those ten caskets, and what happens when a lid rises? Answer before the first lock turns.”

The hand answers from beneath the bench: “Locked before our hands came. None of ours raised a lid. We leave the dead room shut. I do not know what lies inside or what opening does.” Verbena holds rear; the ampoule remains sealed. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby advances to casket 1, kneels behind Edda’s shield, and examines the brass lock, lid seam, hinges, and handle with probe and fingertips. He uses Find or Remove Treasure Traps before putting a pick in the keyway. “Reading one.”

Barnaby closes to casket 1 and reads the whole closure behind Edda’s shield. Probe and fingertips find an ordinary brass lock holding the fitted lid: no needle, wire, spring plate, false handle, pressure catch, or linkage into the hinges. I do not roll 20% against an untrapped fixture—the careful search earns the true answer. No pick enters the keyway yet. The thorough search closes one exploration turn. **Detect Magic has one exploration turn remaining.**

With the closure cleared, I feed my rope through casket 1’s handle, knot it fast, and lead the free end behind the next stone box. “When the lock gives, nobody leans over the dead. We lift from cover.”

To work the rope, Edda sheathes her sword; her shield remains strapped to her arm. She threads her 50′ rope through casket 1’s handle, knots it securely, and carries the free end behind casket 2. The lock and lid remain closed. Barnaby and Silas stay at casket 1; no one pulls yet, and no further exploration turn closes.

The hand remains under its bench and makes no move toward the rope, caskets, or company. Safe conduct holds.

I set the lantern on a dry flag with its beam fixed on casket 1’s lock and lid, then move behind casket 2 beside Edda, keeping the active sight on the first box. “One spell-turn remains. Pick it now; when the lid rises, I call what glows before anything reaches in.”

Silas sets the lit lantern securely on a dry flag, beam fixed across casket 1. He withdraws behind casket 2 beside Edda and keeps a clear sightline around its edge. Barnaby remains alone at the first lock. The stone lid still blocks the interior; **one Detect Magic turn remains**. No further exploration turn closes.

I advance to casket 2 and take cover with Edda and Silas, shield angled toward the first lid and mace ready. “Barnaby, once the lock gives, come behind this stone before anyone pulls. If dead rises, my symbol answers first.”

Verbena advances from the benches to cover behind casket 2 with Edda and Silas. Her shield faces casket 1; mace ready, holy symbol accessible. Barnaby remains alone beside the still-locked first casket, and the rope remains slack. The firefly drifts untouched. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby works casket 1’s keyway with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. Whether it yields or not, he leaves the lid untouched and withdraws behind casket 2 with the others before the rope is pulled. “Lock only—then cover.”

**Open Locks 11—success (25%).** The brass lock turns and releases without noise. Barnaby leaves the stone lid untouched and withdraws behind casket 2 with the others; the rope remains slack. The lock work consumes the last exploration turn of Detect Magic. **The spell expires before casket 1 is opened.** Its interior remains unswept. The firefly still drifts among the caskets.

From behind casket 2, I take the slack in both hands and haul the rope until casket 1’s lid rises, keeping the stone box between the opening and the company. “Open one.”

9. The Catacombs

Correction: when Verbena joined the others behind casket 2, all four had crossed the west opening into **Area 9, the Catacombs**. The table travels now; the brass firefly takes the first seat in the new order. No hand reaches for it, so it merely drifts between the farther caskets and makes no attack. Edda’s declared rope-pull is held for her seat; casket 1 remains unlocked but closed, rope slack.

Barnaby’s already-resolved **Open Locks 11** is his action in this corrected Area 9 order; he does not receive a duplicate turn. Casket 1 is unlocked, Barnaby is behind casket 2, and the lid remains shut pending Edda’s declared pull.

Barnaby stays behind casket 2 and, while Edda holds the rope, examines this second brass lock and lid closure with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. He keeps the stone box between himself and casket 1. “Reading two while one opens.”

I take the rope’s slack from behind casket 2 and haul until casket 1’s lid rises, keeping the stone box between the opening and the company. “Open one.”

Barnaby’s late attempt to examine casket 2 does **not** occur; his turn was already spent opening lock 1. Edda hauls. The rope draws casket 1’s hinged stone lid upright with a grind, and she holds it there under tension from cover. Stale embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, or speaks. From behind casket 2 the high rim hides the casket’s bottom; its contents need a new viewing angle. Edda’s hands remain occupied, sword sheathed. Detect Magic is expired.

It is **Silas’s turn**. No Silas action appears in the log, so his turn remains held; I will not move him or advance past him.

I take up the lantern, hook its bail on the end of my staff, and raise it from behind casket 2 so the beam looks down into casket 1 before any head does. “The spell is gone. We open and map everything now, then rest and make the complete magical sweep with every lid and door standing open.”

Silas lifts the lantern on his staff and angles its beam over the rim. Casket 1 contains one gnome-sized corpse, embalmed and wrapped from throat to feet in old linen, hands folded on its chest. No loose object is visible, and nothing moves; the wrapping still hides what may lie beneath it. This is a mundane visual inventory only—**casket 1 has not received the required magical sweep**. Silas remains behind cover; the firefly does not flee.

I take the taut rope from Edda and hitch it twice around casket 2’s handle, keeping casket 1’s lid upright without anyone standing over it. “Lid secured. Edda’s hands free; corpse stays wrapped until every box and door can be swept together.”

Verbena can lay the two hitches around casket 2’s handle while Edda maintains tension, and does so. The anchor is set, but the transfer is **not complete**: Edda has not released the rope on her own turn, so her hands are not yet free. Casket 1’s lid remains upright; its corpse stays wrapped.

The brass firefly drifts in a slow loop above caskets 7 and 8. No hand reaches for it, so it neither flees nor attacks.

Barnaby remains behind casket 2 and now examines its brass lock, lid seam, hinges, and handle with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. He does not touch the wrapped corpse in casket 1. “Reading two.”

Barnaby clears every exposed part of casket 2’s closure: ordinary brass lock, fitted seam, and hinges; no needle, spring plate, false catch, wire, or linkage. I do not roll against an untrapped fitting. The taut double hitch covers the handle’s bearing surfaces, so **the whole closure is not yet cleared** without unloading the rope. The careful read closes another exploration turn. Wandering check: **6**—nothing enters.

I ease my grip until the double hitch bears the full pull, watching the lid for any drop. Once it holds, I release the rope and put my shield between casket 1 and Barnaby. “Anchor holds. My hands are free.”

Edda eases the load onto the double hitch. Casket 2’s locked lid and brass handle bear it without shifting; casket 1’s stone lid stays upright. She releases the rope and sets her shield between the open casket and Barnaby. Her hands are free; her sword remains sheathed.

I keep behind Edda’s shield and swing the staff-held lantern onto casket 3’s lock and seams, leaving casket 2 as the rope anchor. “Two cannot be cleared while it bears the lid. Read three next; we return to two when one is safely lowered.”

Silas shifts the raised beam to casket 3. Its fitted seam, hinges, handle, and closed brass lock are dry and visibly the same pattern as the first two; no mark, wire, or obvious disturbance shows. This lantern view is **not** Barnaby’s close trap-read. Silas stays behind Edda’s shield; casket 2 continues bearing the rope.

Shield first, I crouch at casket 1’s hinge end without crossing its open rim and inspect the pivot and stone behind the upright lid for a hold-open catch or a safe place to drive one of Hobb’s spikes. I touch only the hinge-work. “Secure one open; then its rope serves two.”

Verbena finds no built hold-open catch. Behind each hinge knuckle, however, the open joint leaves room for an iron spike to be driven as a wedge. **Two spikes, one at each hinge, would secure the stone lid without trusting one point.** No corpse or wrapping is touched. The spikes and small hammer are in Barnaby’s kit; none changes hands this turn. The rope remains loaded.

The firefly glides from casket 8 toward casket 9 at shoulder height. No hand reaches for it; it makes no attack and does not flee the room.

Barnaby takes two iron spikes and the small hammer from his kit, crouches beside Verbena under both shields, and drives one spike behind each hinge knuckle to wedge casket 1’s lid upright. He keeps his body outside the open rim. “Two points. Then unload the rope.”

Barnaby Wick no longer carries iron spikes

Barnaby Wick now carries iron spikes

Barnaby drives both spikes home behind the hinge knuckles. The iron wedges take the lid’s closing load; casket 1 is now secured upright at two points. The hammer blows ring through the catacombs, but nothing answers immediately. Barnaby has **10 spikes remaining**. The double-hitched rope is still taut until someone deliberately unloads it.

I take the line, ease it forward until both iron wedges bear alone, then clear the hitches from casket 2 and untie the rope from casket 1’s raised handle without crossing the rim. “One stands on iron. Rope clear; finish reading two.”

Edda eases the rope until both spikes carry the lid alone; neither shifts. She clears both hitches from casket 2 and unties the line from casket 1’s raised handle without crossing the rim. Casket 1 remains wedged open. Casket 2’s handle is exposed for Barnaby’s later read. Edda ends holding her freed rope; sword sheathed, shield strapped.

I set my largest empty sample jar on its side behind casket 3, mouth open and lid ready. From cover I put the bullseye beam on the firefly, then draw the bright circle slowly back across the casket tops to the jar’s mouth, testing whether Mulvis made it to follow light rather than hands. “Keep reading two. I’m bringing our known glow to a vessel, not chasing it.”

The bright circle passes over the firefly and retreats across the lids. The brass insect crosses the beam once but does **not** turn or follow it; it continues drifting near casket 9. Light alone neither lures nor drives it. Silas’s empty jar remains open on its side behind casket 3, lid beside it.

From outside casket 1’s rim, shield high, I raise the Lantern over the wrapped corpse. “By lawful light: if death has not kept you, lie still and yield this chamber.” I turn the embalmed dead before we open another.

**Turn Undead 4 (2d6).** The Lantern’s command carries no turning force. I lower the symbol but keep shield and mace between the open corpse and Barnaby.

**Turn Undead 9.** Verbena’s holy symbol catches the lantern beam as she gives the command. Anything within reach that her first-order authority can turn must recoil—but the wrapped gnome neither stirs nor answers. This establishes only that **nothing Verbena can turn answers now**; the linen and whatever it conceals remain undisturbed, and casket 1 remains magically unswept.

The brass firefly loops once above casket 9, then drifts to shoulder height between caskets 9 and 10. No hand reaches toward it, so it neither attacks nor bolts for the far door.

Barnaby probes the now-exposed handle pivots and bearing surfaces of casket 2, completing the Find or Remove Treasure Traps examination without touching its keyway. “Two’s last blind surface. Then I pick it.”

Barnaby’s probe runs under both exposed handle pivots and around their bearings. They are plain load-bearing fittings: no false sleeve, pressure tongue, wire, spring, or hidden linkage. **Casket 2’s entire closure is now mechanically cleared**; its ordinary brass lock remains shut, and no pick enters it this turn. The close read consumes one exploration turn. Nothing enters or answers the earlier hammering.

I knot the rope fast through casket 2’s cleared handle and carry the free end behind casket 3, keeping my shield toward the open first box. “Two rigged. Pick, withdraw, then I pull.”

Edda threads the freed 50′ rope through casket 2’s cleared handle and knots it fast. She carries the slack behind casket 3, stepping clear of Silas’s open jar, and stops with shield facing casket 1. Casket 2 remains locked and closed; no pull occurs. Edda holds the free end, sword sheathed.

I cap and stow the empty jar, then rake the lantern beam above the caskets and across the far door—ceiling first, jambs and threshold next—before returning it to casket 2’s lock. “Light does not lead it. The room stays shut until we can herd it from both sides; meanwhile I want the roof and next door mapped before another lid rises.”

Silas caps and stows the empty jar, then sweeps the room from behind casket 3. The lantern shows dressed stone overhead with no visible silk, opening, hanging object, or movement. The far threshold is dry; its shut door bears a closed brass lock, and no black film or trip-line shows in the beam. This distant lantern read does **not** mechanically clear the door or jambs. The firefly remains between caskets 9 and 10. Silas returns the beam to casket 2’s lock.

I withdraw from casket 1 to cover behind casket 3 beside Edda, shield facing casket 2 and holy symbol held ready. “One gave no answer. When two opens, the Lantern speaks before any mace.”

Verbena backs away from casket 1 and joins Edda and Silas behind casket 3. She belts her mace to hold the holy symbol ready; her strapped shield faces casket 2. The ampoule remains sealed. Casket 1’s wrapped corpse stays motionless under the wedged lid.

The brass firefly settles briefly above casket 10’s lid, wings ticking, then resumes a slow hover there. No reaching hand threatens it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby works casket 2’s cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched and withdraws behind casket 3 whether the lock yields or not. “Two’s lock only—then cover.”

**Open Locks 21—success (25%).** Casket 2’s brass lock releases. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched and withdraws behind casket 3 with the others; Edda’s rope stays slack. The lock work consumes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 5:** nothing enters. Casket 2 is now unlocked, closed, and rigged for Edda’s pull.

From behind casket 3, I haul the rope until casket 2’s lid stands upright, keeping the stone between its opening and all four of us. “Open two.”

Edda hauls. Casket 2’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension from behind casket 3. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, or speaks. The casket’s high rim hides its bottom from the company’s covered angle; its contents remain unviewed. Edda’s hands are occupied, sword sheathed.

From behind casket 3 I lift the lantern on the staff again and angle its beam over casket 2’s rim, looking down before any head or hand crosses it. “Visual inventory only. Nothing touched; the true sweep waits on tomorrow’s spell.”

The raised beam clears casket 2’s rim. It holds one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped from throat to feet in old linen with its hands folded on its chest. No loose object is visible, and nothing moves. The wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is only a mundane inventory: **casket 2 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda still holds the lid upright by rope.

From behind casket 3, I raise the Lantern into the beam over casket 2. “By lawful light: if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers from the newly opened box.

**Turn Undead 3.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. The casket 2 corpse remains motionless, but this failed turning attempt establishes nothing about its nature. Its linen stays undisturbed; the ampoule remains sealed.

The brass firefly lifts from casket 10, circles once beneath the dressed ceiling, and drifts back above casket 9. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

Barnaby takes two more iron spikes and the small hammer, stays outside casket 2’s rim under Edda’s and Verbena’s shields, and drives one wedge behind each open hinge knuckle. “Two points again. Then ease the rope and read three.”

Barnaby Wick no longer carries iron spikes

Barnaby crouches outside casket 2’s open rim and drives one iron spike behind each hinge knuckle. The hammer blows ring through the catacombs again. Both wedges seat; casket 2’s lid now has two independent hold-open points, though Edda’s taut rope still bears until she deliberately eases it. Nothing in either open casket moves. Barnaby has **8 spikes remaining**.

Barnaby Wick now carries iron spikes

I ease the rope until casket 2’s two wedges bear alone, then untie it from the raised handle without crossing the rim. I gather the freed line behind casket 3. “Two stands. Rope clear; read three.”

Edda eases the line until casket 2’s two iron wedges take the full weight; neither shifts. She unties the rope from the raised handle without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′ behind casket 3. Caskets 1 and 2 stand open on paired wedges; both wrapped corpses remain motionless. Edda’s hands are free, sword still sheathed.

I set the lantern on a dry flag with its beam square on casket 3’s closure, then mark 1 and 2: unlocked, corpse visible, magically unswept. “Counsel: spend no more spikes. Once each box is inventoried, lower it unlocked. Tomorrow’s fresh spell and this rope can raise ten known lids in rounds; the iron must last for doors that cannot.”

Silas sets the open lantern securely on dry stone, its beam square across casket 3’s lock and seam. In his notebook he marks caskets 1 and 2: **unlocked; wrapped corpse visible; magically unswept**. The advice spends no equipment and changes no lid: caskets 1 and 2 remain wedged open, and Barnaby still holds 8 spikes.

I move around the dry side of casket 3 to cover behind casket 4, probing each step with my boot. I set my shield toward casket 3 and the two open boxes, leaving Barnaby a shielded lane to its closure. “Third box next. No more iron spent.”

Verbena circles casket 3 on firm, dry flags; her probing boot finds no wire, loose stone, grease, or floor seam. She takes cover behind casket 4 with her shield facing casket 3 and the two open lids. She moved alone: Edda and Silas remain behind casket 3, while Barnaby remains outside casket 2’s hinge end with his tools and hammer. The lane to casket 3 is clear.

The brass firefly skims from casket 9 to casket 8 and hovers a handspan above its stone lid. No one reaches for it; it neither attacks nor flees.

Barnaby stows the hammer, follows the shielded lane to casket 3, and examines its brass lock, handle bearings, fitted seam, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. “Reading three. Iron stays in the pouch.”

Barnaby’s probe clears casket 3’s complete closure: plain brass lock, fitted seam, two ordinary hinges, and load-bearing handle pivots. No needle, false catch, spring plate, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage is present. **Casket 3 is mechanically cleared**; its lock remains shut, and no pick enters this turn. The thorough read consumes one exploration turn.

I knot the rope through casket 3’s cleared handle, then take the free end behind casket 4 beside Verbena, shield facing the three boxes. “Three rigged. Barnaby picks and withdraws; then I raise it.”

Edda knots her 50′ rope through casket 3’s cleared handle and carries the slack around its known dry side to cover behind casket 4 beside Verbena. The lid remains locked and closed; the rope stays slack. Edda’s shield faces back across caskets 1–3, sword sheathed. Barnaby remains at casket 3’s lock; Silas remains behind casket 3 with the lantern on the floor.

I take up the lantern and follow the probed dry side around casket 3, closing behind Edda and Verbena at casket 4. I keep the beam on Barnaby’s hands and the third lock. “Light under cover. Three opens with nobody left beside it.”

Round 7 action, restated: I pick up the lantern and move by Verbena’s already-probed dry route from casket 3 to cover behind casket 4, beside Edda and Verbena, keeping the beam on Barnaby’s lock-work.

Silas takes up the lit lantern and follows the already-probed dry side around casket 3. He closes behind Edda and Verbena at casket 4, keeping the beam fixed on Barnaby’s hands and casket 3’s cleared lock. Nobody remains beside Silas’s former position; the rigged lid stays locked, closed, and slack.

While Barnaby works three, I keep cover at casket 4 and raise the Lantern toward the still-open casket 2. “Second box, answer lawful light.” I turn its wrapped dead again; the first command there carried no force.

**Turn Undead 10.** Verbena’s second command carries enough force to turn any skeleton or zombie within her lawful reach. Neither wrapped corpse recoils, strains against its linen, nor otherwise answers. That rules out an answering skeleton or zombie; it does not prove the bodies harmless, mundane, or magically clear. Verbena remains behind casket 4; the ampoule stays sealed.

The brass firefly rises from casket 8, ticks once around the lantern’s outer beam, and drifts above casket 7. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor flees.

It is Barnaby’s turn. He is still at casket 3’s cleared, locked closure; no round-8 action from his seat appears in the log. I will not pick the lock, move him, or advance his turn for him.

Barnaby works casket 3’s cleared lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched and withdraws by the probed dry side behind casket 4 whether it yields or not. “Three’s lock only—then pull from cover.”

**Open Locks 43—failure (25%).** Casket 3’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched and withdraws by the probed dry side behind casket 4. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but Barnaby cannot retry this lock before gaining a level; another method or another picker is required. The lock work closes the next exploration turn. **Wandering check 5:** nothing enters. Edda’s rope remains tied but slack.

I take Hobb’s war hammer from the estate bundle, cross by the probed dry side, and set my shield over casket 3’s seam. I strike the cleared brass lock squarely until it breaks, touching no other fitting. “The lock failed the pick, not the account.”

Edda takes Hobb’s war hammer from the estate bundle, crosses by the proven dry route, and works only the mechanically cleared brass lock. Repeated square blows split its case and shear the bolt. **Casket 3’s lock is destroyed; the fitted lid remains closed and rigged.** The noise rings through the catacombs. Edda ends beside casket 3 with shield over its seam and hammer in hand; the rope’s free end remains behind casket 4. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

I set the lantern on casket 4 with its beam fixed on casket 3, then place my largest empty jar open beside it. Without reaching toward the firefly, I speak in Gnomish: “Mulvis’s made light: enter the glass and rest. We carry you to the account.” I hold the lid ready behind the stone.

Silas sets the open lantern securely atop casket 4, beam fixed on casket 3, and places the open jar beside it while keeping its lid behind cover. The Gnomish command gets no encoded response: the firefly continues its slow drift above casket 7. It neither approaches the glass nor flees; voice controls it no more than lantern light did.

I take the rope’s free end behind casket 4 and draw out its slack without lifting the lid. Shield stays toward casket 3. “Edda, withdraw on your next step. I hold the pull; three does not open while you stand beside it.”

Verbena takes the rope’s free end from behind casket 4 and draws out the slack without loading the lid. Her shield stays toward casket 3. Edda remains beside the closed casket with Hobb’s hammer; Verbena holds the pull but does not open it while Edda is exposed.

The brass firefly drifts from casket 7 to casket 6, keeping above the stone lids. It does not approach the open jar or flee; no hand has reached for it.

Round 9 is held on Barnaby. No action from his seat appears in the log; I will not move him or spend his turn.

From cover, Barnaby lifts Silas’s lantern off casket 4 and sets it securely on the dry flag beside him, beam still fixed on casket 3. He then examines casket 4’s brass lock, full lid seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. “Reading four while three clears.”

Round 9 action, restated: Barnaby sets Silas’s lantern from casket 4 onto the dry flag beside it without changing the beam, then conducts a close Find or Remove Treasure Traps examination of casket 4’s full closure—lock, seam, handle bearings, and hinges.

Barnaby moves the lantern from casket 4 to a secure dry flag beside him, keeping its beam on casket 3; Silas’s open jar remains where it was set. He then reads casket 4’s entire closure. Lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings are plain: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 4 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 4:** nothing enters. Edda remains beside casket 3; Verbena still holds its unloaded rope from cover.

I back along the proven dry side to casket 4, shield facing casket 3, and take cover beside Verbena. I keep Hobb’s hammer ready. “Clear. Raise three.”

Edda backs along the proven dry route and takes cover beside Verbena behind casket 4, shield facing casket 3 and Hobb’s hammer ready. Nobody now stands beside the rigged lid. Verbena still holds the free end with the slack drawn but has not pulled; casket 3 remains closed.

I hook the lantern’s bail on my staff and raise it from behind casket 4, setting the beam to clear casket 3’s rim as soon as the lid rises; no head crosses the stone. “Pull. The light looks in first.”

Silas lifts the lantern by its bail on his staff and holds it behind casket 4, beam set to clear casket 3’s rim when the lid rises. The closed stone still blocks the view; nothing inside is seen yet. His open jar remains atop casket 4, and no hand reaches toward the firefly.

I haul the rope from behind casket 4 until casket 3’s lid stands upright, keeping the stone box and my shield between its opening and the company. “Open three.”

Verbena hauls from cover. Casket 3’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension. Dry embalming air escapes; nothing rises, strikes, or speaks. Silas’s readied beam clears the rim. Inside lies one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is a mundane inventory only—**casket 3 remains magically unswept**. Verbena’s hands remain occupied on the rope.

The brass firefly circles once above casket 6 and drifts to hover over casket 5. No hand reaches for it; it neither attacks nor approaches the open jar.

Keeping casket 4 between himself and the open third box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Four’s lock only. Three stays on the rope until it is lowered under control.”

**Open Locks 68—failure (25%).** Casket 4’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves its lid untouched and keeps casket 4 between himself and open casket 3. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level; another method or picker is required. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. Verbena still holds casket 3 upright by rope.

I put Hobb’s hammer back with his gear, take the taut rope from Verbena, and ease casket 3’s lid shut under control. Once stone meets stone, I untie the line from its handle. “Three inventoried, unlocked, shut. Rope free.”

Edda returns Hobb’s hammer to his estate bundle, takes the taut rope from Verbena, and lowers casket 3’s lid under control. The wrapped corpse does not move. Once stone meets stone, she unties the line and gathers all 50′; Verbena’s hands are free. Ledger correction: casket 3 is inventoried and shut with its **lock destroyed**, not unlocked. Casket 4 remains mechanically cleared, locked, and closed.

I cap and stow the empty jar. With the lantern on my staff, I walk casket 4’s near side to the turn toward casket 5, testing every flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark the dry route. “Four’s withdrawal road first; then hammer and rope.”

Silas caps and stows the jar, then tests the near-side route around casket 4 as far as the turn toward casket 5. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, or floor seam crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route. The firefly remains above casket 5—Silas never reaches toward it. No exploration turn closes.

I draw my mace, set my shield over casket 4’s cleared seam, and strike only the failed brass lock until its case and bolt break. “The thief proved it safe. Iron answers what the pick cannot.”

Verbena sets her shield over casket 4’s cleared seam and works only the failed brass lock. Repeated square mace-blows split its case and shear the bolt. **Casket 4’s lock is destroyed; its fitted lid remains closed.** She ends beside it with mace in hand. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 3:** nothing enters.

Round 10 action already stands: casket 4’s lock is destroyed. I take no second action and remain beside it, shield over the seam and mace ready.

The brass firefly circles once above casket 5, then glides to hover over casket 6. No hand reaches for it; it neither attacks nor flees the room.

Barnaby follows Silas’s marked flags around casket 4, then extends the route to cover behind casket 5, probing every remaining flag before his boot. He touches neither casket nor firefly. “Withdrawal road for four—dry to five before the rope lifts.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s marks and probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 5. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, or floor seam crosses the route. He stops behind casket 5 without touching it or reaching toward the firefly above casket 6. No exploration turn closes.

I knot the rope through casket 4’s cleared handle and carry the free end along the marked dry route behind casket 5. I keep the line slack while Verbena remains beside the lid. “Four rigged. Priest withdraws before the pull.”

Edda knots the rope through casket 4’s cleared handle and carries the free end along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 5 beside Barnaby. The line remains slack; casket 4 stays closed while Verbena stands beside it. Edda’s shield faces the lid, sword sheathed.

I follow the marked dry route around casket 4 and close behind Edda and Barnaby at casket 5, keeping the staff-held lantern on Verbena and the rigged lid. “Light at five. Verbena withdraws on the marks; four opens after.”

Silas follows the marked dry route and closes behind casket 5 with Edda and Barnaby. The staff-held lantern keeps Verbena and casket 4’s rigged lid in the beam. He does not reach toward the firefly above casket 6; it holds its hover. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 5, shield facing casket 4 and holy symbol ready. “Clear. Raise four; the Lantern answers before anyone closes.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route and joins the others behind casket 5. Her shield faces casket 4; holy symbol ready, mace in hand. Nobody remains beside the rigged lid, which stays closed until Edda pulls. No exploration turn closes.

The firefly rises above casket 6, circles beyond the company’s reach, and drifts to hover over casket 7. It does not attack or leave the room.

Barnaby examines casket 5’s brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps while casket 5 shields him from the rigged fourth lid. “Reading five. Four opens behind stone.”

Barnaby reads casket 5’s complete closure from behind its cover. The brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings are plain: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 5 is mechanically cleared**; it remains locked and closed. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

From behind casket 5, I haul until casket 4’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between its opening and the company. “Open four.”

Edda hauls from behind casket 5. Casket 4’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the bottom from the covered angle; its contents remain unviewed. Edda’s hands are occupied, sword sheathed.

From behind casket 5 I raise the staff-held lantern over casket 4’s rim and angle the beam straight down before any head or hand crosses it. “Visual inventory four. Nothing touched; magical sweep still owed.”

Round 12 action, restated: from cover behind casket 5, I raise the lantern on my staff over casket 4’s rim and shine it straight down to inventory the contents without exposing a head or touching anything.

Silas raises the lantern on his staff and clears casket 4’s rim with the beam. Inside lies one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 4 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda still holds the lid upright by rope.

From behind casket 5, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 4. “Fourth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers before the lid is lowered.

**Turn Undead 7.** Verbena’s command carries enough force to turn an answering skeleton. The wrapped corpse in casket 4 does not recoil or stir. That response rules out only an answering skeleton; it does not establish safety, mundane nature, or magical clearance. The linen stays untouched, and the ampoule remains sealed.

The brass firefly sweeps a slow circle above casket 7, then glides to hover over casket 8. No hand reaches for it; it neither attacks nor flees toward the far door.

With casket 5 still shielding him from the open fourth box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Five’s lock only. Four lowers before this rope moves.”

**Open Locks 61—failure (25%).** Casket 5’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched and stays behind its cover. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level; another method or picker is required. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 5:** nothing enters. Edda still holds casket 4 upright by rope.

I ease the rope until casket 4’s lid shuts under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie the line from its handle. “Four inventoried, lock broken, shut. Rope free; five needs iron.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 4’s lid descends under control; the wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 4 is shut with its lock destroyed**, inventoried but magically unswept. Edda’s hands are free.

With the lantern on my staff, I test casket 5’s near-side route to the turn toward casket 6, touching each flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark the road. “Five’s withdrawal path first. Verbena breaks the cleared lock while the light holds.”

Silas tests casket 5’s near side as far as the turn toward casket 6. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route, lantern still lit on his staff. The firefly remains above casket 8; Silas never reaches toward it. No exploration turn closes.

I draw my mace, set my shield over casket 5’s cleared seam, and strike only the failed brass lock until case and bolt break. “Five proved safe. Iron opens it.”

Verbena sets her shield over casket 5’s cleared seam and works only its failed brass lock. Repeated square mace-blows split the case and shear the bolt. **Casket 5’s lock is destroyed; its fitted lid remains closed.** She ends beside it with mace in hand. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

The brass firefly circles once above casket 8, then drifts to hover over casket 9, wings ticking softly. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby follows Silas’s marked flags around casket 5, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 6 before each bootfall. He touches neither box nor firefly. “Withdrawal road for five—dry to six before the rope lifts.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s marks, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 6. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the route. He stops behind casket 6 without touching it or reaching toward the firefly above casket 9. No exploration turn closes.

I knot the rope through casket 5’s cleared handle and carry the free end along the marked dry route behind casket 6 beside Barnaby. I leave it slack while Verbena stands at the lid. “Five rigged. Priest withdraws before I pull.”

Edda knots her 50′ rope through casket 5’s cleared handle and carries the slack along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 6 beside Barnaby. The line remains slack; casket 5 stays closed while Verbena stands beside it. Edda’s shield faces the lid, sword sheathed.

I follow the marked dry route around casket 5 and close behind Edda and Barnaby at casket 6, keeping the staff-held lantern on Verbena and the rigged lid. “Light at six. Withdraw on the marks; five opens after.”

Silas follows the marked dry route and closes behind casket 6 with Edda and Barnaby. The staff-held lantern keeps Verbena and casket 5’s rigged lid in the beam. He does not reach toward the firefly above casket 9; it holds its hover. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 6, shield facing casket 5 and holy symbol ready. “Clear. Raise five.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route and joins the others behind casket 6. Her shield faces casket 5; holy symbol ready, mace in hand. Nobody remains beside the rigged lid, which stays closed until Edda pulls. No exploration turn closes.

The brass firefly circles above casket 9, then glides to hover over casket 10 near the far door. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby examines casket 6’s brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps while the stone shields him from casket 5. “Reading six. Raise five behind cover.”

wandering hand joins the fight

Barnaby clears casket 6’s complete closure: ordinary brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings; no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 6 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The thorough search closes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 1:** a lone wet hand enters from the embalming-room opening behind caskets 1 and 2, spear lowered. “Black One’s four. Heard iron.” It stops clear of the lids and does not toll or threaten; Sootmurk’s safe conduct binds it.

I haul from behind casket 6 until casket 5’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between the opening and the company. “Open five. Four under struck terms, hand—we are keeping the Black One’s account.”

Edda hauls. Casket 5’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension behind casket 6. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the bottom from the covered angle; its contents remain unviewed. Edda’s hands are occupied, sword sheathed. The wandering hand keeps its spear lowered and waits.

From behind casket 6 I raise the lantern on my staff over casket 5’s rim and shine it straight down without exposing a head. “Visual inventory five. Hand, hold where you are; four under struck terms, nothing taken.”

Silas’s raised beam clears casket 5’s rim. Inside lies one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 5 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda still holds the lid upright by rope. The wandering hand remains where it stopped.

From behind casket 6, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 5. “Fifth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers. To the waiting hand: “Four under struck terms. Witness the account.”

**Turn Undead 6.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. The casket 5 corpse remains motionless, but this failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. Its linen stays untouched; the ampoule remains sealed. The wandering hand watches without raising its spear.

The wandering hand grounds its spear beside the embalming-room opening. “Witness: five boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It stays clear of caskets 1 and 2 and leaves both routes open.

The brass firefly leaves casket 10, loops once near the shut far door, and glides back to hover above casket 9. It makes no attack and stays inside the catacombs.

With casket 6 shielding him from the open fifth box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Six’s lock only. Five lowers before this rope moves.”

**Open Locks 87—failure (25%).** Casket 6’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves its lid untouched and keeps casket 6 between himself and open casket 5. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level; another method or picker is required. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet. Edda still holds casket 5 upright by rope.

I ease casket 5’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Witness five shut again: lock broken, nothing taken. Six needs iron.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 5’s lid descends under control; its wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 5 is shut with its lock destroyed**, inventoried but magically unswept. The wandering hand sees the closing and does not move.

With the lantern on my staff, I test casket 6’s near-side route to the turn toward casket 7, touching each flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark it. “Six’s withdrawal road first. Witness: iron opens only the cleared lock.”

Round 16 action already stands: I probe and mark casket 6’s withdrawal route toward casket 7, then return behind Edda’s shield. I take no second action.

Silas tests casket 6’s near side as far as the turn toward casket 7. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route, lantern still lit on his staff. The firefly remains above casket 9; Silas never reaches toward it. No exploration turn closes.

I draw my mace, set my shield over casket 6’s cleared seam, and strike only its failed brass lock until case and bolt break. “Witness: cleared lock only. Nothing from the box.”

Verbena sets her shield over casket 6’s cleared seam and works only its failed brass lock. Repeated square mace-blows split the case and shear the bolt. **Casket 6’s lock is destroyed; its fitted lid remains closed.** She ends beside it with mace in hand. The witness sees no hand enter the box. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 2:** nothing enters.

The wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: six locks answered. Five boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains by the embalming-room opening and leaves both routes clear.

The brass firefly glides from casket 9 to casket 8 and hovers above its fitted lid. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

Barnaby follows Silas’s marked flags around casket 6, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 7 before each bootfall. He touches neither box nor firefly. “Withdrawal road for six—dry to seven before the rope lifts.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s marks, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 7. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the route. He stops behind casket 7 without touching it or reaching toward the firefly above casket 8. No exploration turn closes.

I knot the rope through casket 6’s cleared handle and carry the free end along the marked dry route behind casket 7 beside Barnaby. I leave it slack. “Six rigged. Priest withdraws before the pull; witness keeps the count.”

Edda knots her 50′ rope through casket 6’s cleared handle and carries the slack along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 7 beside Barnaby. The line remains slack; casket 6 stays closed while Verbena stands beside it. Edda’s shield faces the lid, sword sheathed.

I follow the marked dry route around casket 6 and close behind Edda and Barnaby at casket 7, keeping the staff-held lantern on Verbena and the rigged lid. “Light at seven. Withdraw on the marks; six opens after.”

Silas follows the marked dry route and closes behind casket 7 with Edda and Barnaby. The staff-held lantern keeps Verbena and casket 6’s rigged lid in the beam. He does not reach toward the firefly above casket 8; it holds its hover. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 7, shield facing casket 6 and holy symbol ready. “Clear. Raise six; witness keeps the count.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route and joins the others behind casket 7. Her shield faces casket 6; holy symbol ready, mace in hand. Nobody remains beside the rigged lid, which stays closed until Edda pulls. No exploration turn closes.

The wandering hand watches from the embalming-room opening, spear grounded. It does not approach the rope or caskets; both routes remain clear.

The brass firefly glides from casket 8 to hover above casket 7, near the company’s cover. No hand reaches for it; it neither recoils nor attacks.

Barnaby crouches low behind casket 7 and examines its brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. His hands stay against the stone, never rising toward the firefly overhead. “Reading seven. Raise six behind cover.”

Barnaby reads casket 7’s complete closure while keeping his hands low. Its brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings are plain: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 7 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The firefly hovers overhead; Barnaby never reaches toward it. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

I haul from behind casket 7 until casket 6’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between its opening and the company. “Open six. Witness: sixth box, nothing touched.”

Edda hauls from behind casket 7. Casket 6’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the bottom from the covered angle; its contents remain unviewed. Edda’s hands are occupied, sword sheathed. The firefly above casket 7 does not flee the low rope-work.

Keeping the staff low beneath the firefly, I extend it back around casket 7’s stone side and cant the lantern over casket 6’s rim, away from the brass insect. “Visual inventory six. Nothing touched; witness keeps the count.”

Silas keeps the staff below the firefly and angles the lantern over casket 6’s rim. Inside lies one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 6 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda holds the lid upright. The firefly remains overhead.

Crouched beneath the firefly, I extend the Lantern low around casket 7’s stone side toward the open sixth box, never reaching upward. “Sixth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers.

**Turn Undead 4.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. Casket 6’s wrapped corpse remains motionless, but the failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. She keeps the symbol low beneath the firefly; the ampoule remains sealed.

The wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: six boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains by the embalming-room opening, clear of both routes.

The brass firefly lifts from above the company, glides to casket 8, and hovers over its fitted lid. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

With casket 7 shielding him from the open sixth box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Seven’s lock only. Six lowers before this rope moves.”

second wandering hand joins the fight

**Open Locks 77—failure (25%).** Casket 7’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched behind its cover. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level. The lock work consumes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 1:** a second wet hand enters beside the first at the embalming-room opening, spear lowered. The first says, “Black One’s four. Six boxes opened; nothing taken.” The newcomer grounds its spear and leaves the route clear. Safe conduct holds.

I ease casket 6’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Both witness: six shut again, lock broken, nothing taken. Seven needs iron.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 6’s lid descends under control; its wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 6 is shut with its lock destroyed**, inventoried but magically unswept. Both hands witness the closing and remain clear of the route.

Keeping the staff and lantern below the firefly, I test casket 7’s near-side route to the turn toward casket 8, touching each flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark it. “Seven’s withdrawal road first. Two witnesses: cleared lock only.”

Silas tests casket 7’s near side as far as the turn toward casket 8. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route, keeping staff and lantern below the firefly above casket 8. It does not flee. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping low beneath the firefly, I set my shield over casket 7’s cleared seam and strike only its failed brass lock with the mace until case and bolt break. “Two witnesses: cleared lock only. Nothing taken.”

Verbena keeps low and works only casket 7’s mechanically cleared lock. Repeated square mace-blows split its case and shear the bolt. **Casket 7’s lock is destroyed; its fitted lid remains closed.** Both witnesses see no hand enter the box. The firefly remains above casket 8. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: seven locks answered. Six boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains at the embalming-room opening.

The second hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the company nor blocks either route.

The brass firefly rises from casket 8 and glides to hover over casket 9. It makes no attack and stays within the catacombs.

Barnaby follows Silas’s marked flags around casket 7, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 8 before each bootfall. He touches neither box nor firefly. “Withdrawal road for seven—dry to eight before the rope lifts.”

Round 20 action, restated: Barnaby follows Silas’s marked route around casket 7, probes its remaining extension to cover behind casket 8 before each step, and touches neither casket nor firefly.

Barnaby follows Silas’s marks around casket 7, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 8. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the route. He stops behind casket 8 without touching it or reaching toward the firefly above casket 9. No exploration turn closes.

I knot the rope through casket 7’s cleared handle and carry the free end along the marked dry route behind casket 8 beside Barnaby. I leave it slack while Verbena stands at the lid. “Seven rigged. Priest withdraws; witnesses keep the count.”

Edda knots her 50′ rope through casket 7’s cleared handle and carries the slack along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 8 beside Barnaby. The line remains slack; casket 7 stays closed while Verbena stands beside it. Edda’s shield faces the lid, sword sheathed.

I follow the marked dry route around casket 7 and close behind Edda and Barnaby at casket 8, keeping the staff-held lantern on Verbena and the rigged lid. “Light at eight. Withdraw on the marks; seven opens after.”

Silas follows the marked dry route and closes behind casket 8 with Edda and Barnaby. The staff-held lantern keeps Verbena and casket 7’s rigged lid in the beam. He does not reach toward the firefly above casket 9; it holds its hover. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 8, shield facing casket 7 and holy symbol ready. “Clear. Raise seven; both witnesses hold the count.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route and joins the others behind casket 8. Her shield faces casket 7; holy symbol ready, mace in hand. Nobody remains beside the rigged lid, which stays closed until Edda pulls. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the embalming-room opening and watches casket 7. It does not approach the rope or block either route.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It watches the rigged casket without approaching or speaking.

The brass firefly glides from casket 9 to hover above casket 10 near the shut far door. It makes no attack and stays within the catacombs.

Barnaby examines casket 8’s brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps while the stone shields him from casket 7. “Reading eight. Raise seven behind cover.”

third wandering hand joins the fight

Barnaby clears casket 8’s complete closure: ordinary brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings; no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 8 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The thorough search closes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 1:** a third wet hand enters beside the two witnesses, spear lowered. The first tells it, “Black One’s four. Seven locks answered; six boxes opened; nothing taken.” The newcomer grounds its spear and leaves both routes clear. Safe conduct holds.

I haul from behind casket 8 until casket 7’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between its opening and the company. “Open seven. Three witnesses: nothing touched.”

Edda hauls from behind casket 8. Casket 7’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it there under tension. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the bottom from the covered angle; its contents remain unviewed. Edda’s hands are occupied, sword sheathed. All three hands watch with spears grounded.

From behind casket 8 I raise the lantern on my staff over casket 7’s rim and shine it straight down before any head or hand crosses. “Visual inventory seven. Three witnesses: nothing touched; magical sweep still owed.”

Silas raises the lantern on his staff and clears casket 7’s rim with the beam. Inside lies one gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 7 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda holds the lid upright. The three witnesses see nothing touched.

From behind casket 8, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 7. “Seventh box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers while all three hands witness.

**Turn Undead 3.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. Casket 7’s wrapped corpse remains motionless, but the failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. The linen and ampoule remain untouched; all three hands witness it.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: seven boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It stays beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It watches the open seventh casket without approaching the company, rope, or corpse.

The third hand keeps its spear grounded with the others. It neither speaks nor moves; safe conduct holds and both routes remain open.

The brass firefly circles once before the shut far door, then glides back to hover above casket 9. Nobody reaches toward it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

With casket 8 shielding him from the open seventh box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Eight’s lock only. Seven lowers before this rope moves.”

**Open Locks 9—success (25%).** Casket 8’s cleared brass lock releases. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched and stays behind its stone cover. Casket 8 is now unlocked and closed; Edda’s rope remains tied to casket 7 and taut. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

I ease casket 7’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Seven shut again: lock broken, nothing taken. Eight stands cleared and unlocked.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 7’s lid descends under control; its wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 7 is shut with its lock destroyed**, inventoried but magically unswept. All three hands witness that nothing was taken. Edda’s hands are free.

Keeping staff and lantern below the firefly, I test casket 8’s near-side route to the turn toward casket 9, touching each flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark it. “Eight’s withdrawal road first. Cleared and unlocked; no iron needed.”

Silas tests casket 8’s near side as far as the turn toward casket 9. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route, keeping staff and lantern below the firefly above casket 9. It does not flee. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Silas’s marked flags around casket 8, then probe each remaining flag with my mace before stepping to cover behind casket 9. I stay crouched beneath the firefly and never reach toward it. “Dry road to nine; bring the rope when I’m under stone.”

Verbena follows Silas’s marks, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 9. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the route. She stops crouched behind casket 9 without reaching toward the firefly overhead. It does not flee. Edda, Barnaby, and Silas remain behind casket 8. No exploration turn closes.

The first hand stays by the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It watches Verbena’s advance but does not approach or block either route.

The second hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It does not approach the caskets or interfere with the company’s marked route.

The third hand holds beside the others with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken.

The brass firefly lifts from above Verbena’s cover at casket 9 and glides to hover above casket 10 near the shut far door. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby follows the fully probed dry route around casket 8 and advances to cover behind casket 9 beside Verbena, keeping low and touching neither box nor firefly. “Nine reached. Rig eight and bring the line.”

Barnaby follows the fully marked dry route and takes cover behind casket 9 beside Verbena. He stays low and touches neither casket; the firefly remains above casket 10. Edda and Silas remain behind casket 8. No exploration turn closes.

I knot the rope through casket 8’s cleared handle and carry the free end along the marked dry route behind casket 9 beside Barnaby and Verbena. I leave it slack. “Eight rigged and unlocked. Light withdraws, then I raise it.”

Edda knots her 50′ rope through casket 8’s cleared handle and carries the slack along the proven dry route to cover behind casket 9 beside Barnaby and Verbena. Casket 8 remains unlocked, closed, and unloaded while Silas stands behind it with the lit lantern. Edda’s shield faces the lid; her sword stays sheathed. No exploration turn closes.

Round 23 action already stands: casket 8 is rigged, and I brought the slack behind casket 9. I take no second action.

I follow the fully marked dry route around casket 8 and close behind Edda, Barnaby, and Verbena at casket 9, keeping the staff-held lantern on the rigged lid. “Light at nine. Eight is clear to raise.”

Silas follows the fully marked dry route and joins Edda, Barnaby, and Verbena behind casket 9. The staff-held lantern stays trained on casket 8’s rigged lid. Nobody remains beside that casket; it is clear for Edda’s pull. The firefly continues hovering above casket 10. No exploration turn closes.

I take the rope’s free end beside Edda and haul from behind casket 9 until casket 8’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between its opening and us. “Open eight. Three witnesses: nothing touched.”

Verbena takes the free end and hauls from cover. Casket 8’s stone lid grinds upright; she holds it there under tension with her shield toward the opening. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim still hides the interior from the covered angle; Silas’s beam is on the lid, not yet over the rim. Verbena’s hands remain occupied on the rope. All three hands witness nothing touched.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: eight boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It neither approaches casket 8 nor interferes with the taut rope.

The third hand holds with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken.

The brass firefly leaves casket 10, circles once below the shut far door’s lintel, then glides to hover above casket 9. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

Barnaby crouches beneath the firefly and examines casket 9’s brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. His hands stay against the stone. “Reading nine. Eight stays open behind cover.”

Round 24 is held on Barnaby. No action from his seat appears in the log; I will not inspect casket 9, move him, or spend his turn for him. Casket 8 remains open under Verbena’s taut rope, its interior still unviewed.

fourth wandering hand joins the fight

Correction: Barnaby’s declaration had landed before my hold notice; the hold notice is struck. Keeping his hands low beneath the firefly, Barnaby clears casket 9’s full closure. Its brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings are ordinary: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 9 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The search closes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 1:** a fourth wet hand enters beside the three witnesses, spear lowered. The first tells it, “Black One’s four. Eight boxes opened; nothing taken.” It grounds its spear and leaves the route clear. Safe conduct holds.

I take casket 8’s taut rope from Verbena and brace it behind casket 9, shield toward the opening, freeing her hands. “I hold eight. Light reads it; priest answers after. Four hands witness nothing touched.”

Edda takes casket 8’s taut rope from Verbena and braces behind casket 9. The upright lid stays steady; her shield faces the opening and her sword remains sheathed. Verbena’s hands are free. Casket 8’s interior remains unviewed until Silas angles the lantern over its rim; all four hands continue witnessing from the embalming-room opening. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping the staff below the firefly above us, I extend it back around casket 9’s stone side and cant the lantern over casket 8’s rim, away from the brass insect. “Visual inventory eight. Four witnesses: nothing touched; magical sweep still owed.”

Silas keeps the staff below the firefly and angles the lantern over casket 8’s rim. Inside lies an eighth gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 8 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda holds the lid upright. All four hands witness nothing touched.

From behind casket 9, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 8. “Eighth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers while all four hands witness.

**Turn Undead 6.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. Casket 8’s wrapped corpse remains motionless, but the failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. The linen and ampoule remain untouched; all four hands witness it.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: eight boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches the open eighth casket without approaching the rope, corpse, or company.

The third hand holds beside the others, spear grounded. It neither speaks nor moves; safe conduct holds and both routes remain open.

The fourth hand keeps its spear grounded with the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the company’s route clear.

The brass firefly lifts from casket 9, circles beyond the company’s reach, and glides to hover over casket 10 near the shut far door. It makes no attack and stays inside the catacombs.

With casket 9 shielding him from the open eighth box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Nine’s lock only. Eight lowers before the rope moves.”

**Open Locks 8—success (25%).** Casket 9’s cleared brass lock releases. Barnaby leaves its lid untouched and stays behind its stone cover. **Casket 9 is now unlocked and closed**; Edda’s rope remains tied to casket 8 and taut. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

I ease casket 8’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Four witness: eight shut, unlocked, nothing taken. Nine stands cleared and unlocked.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 8’s lid descends under control; its wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 8 is shut and unlocked**, inventoried but magically unswept. All four hands witness that nothing was taken. Edda’s hands are free.

Keeping staff and lantern low beneath the firefly, I test casket 9’s near-side route to the turn toward casket 10, touching each flag before my boot, then return behind Edda’s shield and mark it. “Nine’s withdrawal road first. Cleared and unlocked; four witnesses keep the count.”

Silas tests casket 9’s near side as far as the turn toward casket 10. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route, keeping staff and lantern below the firefly above casket 10. It does not flee. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Silas’s marked flags around casket 9, then probe every remaining flag with my mace before stepping to cover behind casket 10. I stay crouched beneath the firefly and never reach toward it. “Dry road to ten. Bring nine’s rope under cover.”

Verbena follows Silas’s marks, then probes the remaining approach to cover behind casket 10. Every flag is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the route. She stops crouched behind casket 10 without reaching toward the firefly overhead. It does not flee. Edda, Barnaby, and Silas remain behind casket 9. No exploration turn closes.

The first hand watches Verbena reach casket 10 but keeps its spear grounded. It neither follows nor blocks the marked route.

The second hand remains beside the others with its spear grounded. Safe conduct holds.

The third hand remains at the embalming-room opening, spear grounded and routes clear.

The fourth hand holds beside the other witnesses, spear grounded. It does not approach the caskets.

The brass firefly lifts away from Verbena, circles once below the shut far door’s lintel, and glides back to hover above casket 9. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby follows the fully probed dry route around casket 9 and advances to cover behind casket 10 beside Verbena, keeping low and touching neither box nor firefly. “Ten reached. Rig nine and bring the line.”

Barnaby follows the fully marked dry route around casket 9 and takes cover behind casket 10 beside Verbena. He keeps below the firefly hovering over casket 9 and touches neither construct nor stone fitting. Edda and Silas remain behind casket 9; that casket is cleared, unlocked, shut, and ready to rig. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping my hands against the stone below the firefly, I knot the rope through casket 9’s cleared handle and carry the slack along the marked dry route behind casket 10 beside Barnaby and Verbena. “Nine rigged and unlocked. Light withdraws, then we raise it.”

Edda knots the rope through casket 9’s cleared handle while keeping her hands low beneath the firefly, then carries the slack along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 10 beside Barnaby and Verbena. Casket 9 remains unlocked, closed, and unloaded while Silas stands behind it with the lit lantern. Edda’s shield faces the lid; her sword stays sheathed. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping the staff and lantern low beneath the firefly, I follow the fully marked dry route around casket 9 and close behind Edda, Barnaby, and Verbena at casket 10. I turn the beam back onto the rigged lid. “Light at ten. Nine is clear to raise.”

Silas follows the fully marked dry route around casket 9 and joins the others behind casket 10. He keeps staff and lantern below the firefly and turns the beam back onto casket 9’s rigged lid. Nobody remains beside that casket; it is clear for the pull. No exploration turn closes.

I take the rope’s free end beside Edda and haul from behind casket 10 until casket 9’s lid stands upright, keeping stone and shield between its opening and us. “Open nine. Four witnesses: nothing touched.”

Verbena hauls from cover. As casket 9’s lid rises into its hover, the firefly darts clear to circle below the shut far door’s lintel; it does not leave or attack. The stone lid grinds upright, and Verbena holds it under tension behind casket 10. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the interior from cover; Silas’s beam has not yet crossed it. Verbena’s hands remain occupied on the rope. All four hands witness nothing touched.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: nine boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches the open ninth casket without approaching the company, rope, or corpse.

The third wandering hand holds beside the others with its spear grounded. It neither speaks nor moves; safe conduct holds and both routes remain open.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded with the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the company’s route clear.

The brass firefly leaves the far-door lintel and glides to hover above casket 10, directly over the company’s cover. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor leaves.

Barnaby crouches beneath the firefly and examines casket 10’s brass lock, full fitted seam, handle bearings, and hinges with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps. His hands stay against the stone. “Reading ten. Nine stays open behind cover.”

Barnaby reads casket 10’s complete closure while keeping his hands low. Its brass lock, fitted seam, hinges, and handle bearings are ordinary: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, or hidden linkage. **Casket 10 is mechanically cleared** and remains locked and closed. The firefly hovers overhead; Barnaby never reaches toward it. The thorough search closes an exploration turn. **Wandering check 2:** nothing enters. Casket 9 remains open under Verbena’s taut rope, its interior unviewed.

I take casket 9’s taut rope from Verbena and brace it behind casket 10, shield toward the opening, freeing her hands. “I hold nine. Light reads it; priest answers after. Four witnesses, nothing touched.”

Edda takes casket 9’s taut rope from Verbena and braces behind casket 10, keeping her hands low beneath the firefly. The upright lid stays steady; her shield faces the opening and her sword remains sheathed. Verbena’s hands are free. Casket 9’s interior remains unviewed until Silas angles the lantern over its rim; all four hands continue witnessing from the embalming-room opening. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping the staff below the firefly above us, I extend it back around casket 10’s stone side and cant the lantern over casket 9’s rim, away from the brass insect. “Visual inventory nine. Four witnesses: nothing touched; magical sweep still owed.”

Silas keeps the staff below the firefly and angles the lantern over casket 9’s rim. Inside lies a ninth gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 9 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda holds the lid upright. All four hands witness nothing touched.

Crouched beneath the firefly, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 9. “Ninth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers while all four hands witness.

**Turn Undead 6.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. Casket 9’s wrapped corpse remains motionless, but the failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. She keeps the symbol low beneath the firefly; the linen and sealed ampoule remain untouched. All four hands witness it.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: nine boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches casket 9 without approaching the rope, corpse, or company.

The third hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither speaks nor moves; safe conduct holds and both marked routes stay open.

The fourth hand keeps its spear grounded beside the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the marked routes clear.

The brass firefly circles once above casket 10, then glides to hover beneath the shut far door’s lintel. It makes no attack and remains inside the catacombs.

With casket 10 shielding him from the open ninth box, Barnaby works its cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He leaves the lid untouched. “Ten’s lock only. Nine lowers before the rope moves.”

**Open Locks 60—failure (25%).** Casket 10’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby leaves the lid untouched and stays behind its cover. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level; another method or picker is required. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet. Edda still holds casket 9 upright by rope.

I ease casket 9’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Four witness: nine shut, unlocked, nothing taken. Ten’s cleared lock needs iron.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 9’s lid descends under control; its wrapped corpse remains still until stone closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 9 is shut and unlocked**, inventoried but magically unswept. All four hands witness that nothing was taken. Edda’s hands are free.

Keeping staff and lantern low beneath the firefly at the lintel, I test casket 10’s near-side route to dry wall beside the far-door jamb, touching each flag before my boot and never touching the door or threshold. I return behind Edda’s shield and mark it. “Ten’s withdrawal road: wall cover first; then iron and rope.”

Silas keeps staff and lantern below the firefly and tests casket 10’s near side to the wall beside the far-door jamb. Every flag before the threshold is firm and dry; no wire, grease, loose stone, floor seam, or unstable flag crosses the path. He does **not** touch or mechanically clear the door, lock, jamb, or threshold. He returns behind Edda’s shield and marks the route. No exploration turn closes.

I draw my mace, set my shield over casket 10’s cleared seam, and strike only its failed brass lock until case and bolt break. “Four witnesses: the cleared lock only. Nothing taken.”

Verbena sets her shield over casket 10’s cleared seam and works only its failed brass lock. Repeated square mace-blows split the case and shear the bolt. **Casket 10’s lock is destroyed; its fitted lid remains closed.** All four witnesses see no hand enter the box. The firefly stays at the far-door lintel. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 4:** nothing enters.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: ten locks answered. Nine boxes opened. Nothing taken.” It remains at the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It neither approaches the company nor blocks either marked route.

The third hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken.

The fourth hand keeps its spear grounded beside the others. It does not approach the caskets, the far door, or the company.

The brass firefly leaves the far-door lintel and glides to hover above casket 10. It makes no attack and stays beyond reaching hands.

Barnaby follows Silas’s fully marked dry route around casket 10 and takes cover at the wall beside the far-door jamb, staying short of the threshold and touching neither door nor firefly. “Wall reached. Rig ten and bring the line; the door waits its own read.”

Barnaby follows the marked dry flags around casket 10 and reaches wall cover beside the far-door jamb. He stops short of the uncleared threshold and touches neither door nor firefly. The firefly holds above casket 10. Edda still has all 50′ of rope free; casket 10 remains closed with its lock destroyed. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping my hands against the stone below the firefly, I knot the rope through casket 10’s cleared handle and carry the slack by the marked dry route to wall cover beside Barnaby, short of the threshold. “Ten rigged. Priest and light withdraw before the pull.”

Edda knots all 50′ of rope through casket 10’s cleared handle, keeping her hands low beneath the firefly, then carries the slack along the marked dry route to wall cover beside Barnaby. She stops short of the uncleared threshold. The line remains slack; casket 10 stays closed while Verbena and Silas remain near it. The firefly does not react. No exploration turn closes.

Keeping staff and lantern low beneath the firefly, I follow the marked dry route to wall cover beside Edda and Barnaby, stopping short of the uncleared threshold. I keep the beam on Verbena and casket 10’s rigged lid. “Light at the wall. Verbena withdraws; then raise ten.”

Silas follows the marked dry route to wall cover beside Edda and Barnaby, stopping short of the uncleared threshold. His staff-held lantern stays low beneath the firefly, its beam fixed on Verbena and casket 10’s rigged lid. The firefly holds its hover. Verbena alone remains beside the casket; the rope stays slack. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route to wall cover beside the others, stopping short of the uncleared threshold. Shield faces casket 10; holy symbol ready, and my hands stay below the firefly. “Clear. Raise ten; four witnesses keep the count.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route to wall cover with the others, stopping short of the uncleared threshold. Her shield faces casket 10; holy symbol ready, hands kept low beneath the firefly. Nobody remains beside the rigged lid. Edda holds the slack line from cover, ready to pull on her next turn. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the embalming-room opening. It watches casket 10’s rigged lid and leaves the marked routes clear.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It does not approach the rope, casket, or company.

The third wandering hand holds with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken, and both marked routes stay open.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the company’s marked route clear.

The brass firefly circles once above casket 10, then glides to hover beneath the shut far door’s lintel. It makes no attack and stays inside the catacombs.

From wall cover, Barnaby examines the far door’s lock and latch, full seam, jamb, hinges, lintel, and threshold with probe and fingertips, using Find or Remove Treasure Traps without turning or opening anything. His hand stays below the firefly; only the probe reads the lintel. “Reading the door. Ten opens behind us.”

Barnaby reads the far door’s complete closure from wall cover. Its brass lock and latch, fitted seam, jambs, hinges, lintel, and dry threshold are ordinary: no needle, false catch, spring, pressure tongue, wire, concealed linkage, or unstable stone. **The far door is mechanically cleared**; it remains locked and shut. The firefly slides along the lintel ahead of his probe, staying beyond reach without attacking. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet.

From wall cover I haul until casket 10’s lid stands upright, keeping the jamb, wall, and shield between its opening and the company. “Open ten. Four witnesses: nothing touched.”

Edda hauls from wall cover. Casket 10’s stone lid grinds upright, and she holds it under tension with the jamb, wall, and shield between the opening and the company. Dry embalming air escapes. Nothing rises, strikes, speaks, or moves. The high rim hides the interior from cover; Silas’s beam has not yet crossed it. Edda’s hands remain occupied on the rope. All four hands witness nothing touched.

Keeping the staff below the firefly at the lintel, I extend it from wall cover past the jamb and cant the lantern over casket 10’s rim without exposing my head. “Visual inventory ten. Four witnesses: nothing touched; magical sweep still owed.”

Silas extends the staff past the jamb and angles the lantern over casket 10’s rim. Inside lies a tenth gnome-sized embalmed corpse, wrapped throat to feet in old linen with folded hands. No loose object or movement is visible; the wrapping still conceals anything beneath it. This is mundane sight only—**casket 10 remains magically unswept**. Silas stays behind cover; Edda holds the lid upright. All four hands witness nothing touched.

From wall cover, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s beam over casket 10. “Tenth box: by lawful light, if death has not kept you, lie still and yield.” I turn whatever undeath answers while all four hands witness.

**Turn Undead 5.** Verbena’s command carries no turning force. Casket 10’s wrapped corpse remains motionless, but the failed attempt establishes nothing about its nature or magical contents. The linen and sealed ampoule remain untouched; all four hands witness it.

The first hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: ten boxes opened. Nothing taken. Magical sweep still owed.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches the open tenth casket without approaching the rope, corpse, or company; the marked routes stay clear.

The third hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It neither speaks nor moves; safe conduct holds and both marked routes remain open.

The fourth hand keeps its spear grounded beside the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the company’s marked route clear.

The brass firefly leaves the far-door lintel, circles once above open casket 10, and settles into a hover beyond the raised lid. Nobody reaches toward it; it neither attacks nor leaves the catacombs.

With the jamb and wall shielding him from open casket 10, Barnaby works the far door’s cleared brass lock with pick and tension bar, using Open Locks. He does not turn the latch or open the leaf. “Door lock only. Ten lowers before the next room sees light.”

**Open Locks 66—failure (25%).** The far door’s cleared brass lock does not yield. Barnaby neither turns the latch nor opens the leaf. The lock remains shut and unjammed, but he cannot retry it before gaining a level; another method or picker is required. The lock work consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 3:** nothing enters. Casket 10 remains open under Edda’s taut rope; the firefly hovers beyond its raised lid.

I ease casket 10’s lid shut under control, watching the corpse until stone meets stone, then untie and gather the rope. “Four witness: all ten opened, ten shut, nothing taken. Every box still owes the magical sweep. The cleared door lock needs iron.”

Edda eases the line. Casket 10’s wrapped corpse remains still until the stone lid closes it from sight. She unties the rope without crossing the rim and gathers all 50′. **Casket 10 is shut with its lock destroyed**, inventoried but magically unswept. The firefly holds clear beyond the descending lid; all four hands witness that nothing was taken. Ledger: all ten caskets have been opened and inventoried. Caskets 1–2 remain open on spikes; caskets 3–10 are shut. Every interior still owes the magical sweep.

Before iron rings again, I shutter the lantern to a slit and press my ear to the cleared door’s near seam from wall cover, listening for breath, speech, feet, machinery, or moving air beyond. My hands and light stay below the firefly. “Door listened before it is broken.”

Silas shutters the lantern and listens at the cleared seam. **Hear Noise 5—failure (1-in-6).** He distinguishes no breath, speech, footfall, or machinery beyond the shut stone. That is no proof of silence: the locked leaf remains between him and the required rooms, and the slit shows nothing through its fitted seam. No moving air reaches his cheek. His light and hands stay below the firefly; no exploration turn closes.

From wall cover, I set my shield over the cleared door seam and strike only its failed brass lock with the mace until case and bolt break. “Cleared lock only. The leaf stays shut; chambers beyond still owe the sweep.”

Verbena shields the mechanically cleared seam and works only the failed brass lock. Repeated square mace-blows split the case and shear its bolt. **The far door’s lock is destroyed; the leaf remains shut.** Nothing comes through the fitted seam. The firefly stays beyond her low working hands and does not attack. All four witnesses see that she touched no casket and took nothing. The forced entry consumes one exploration turn. No wandering check is due yet. The chambers beyond remain inaccessible until the door is opened, and still owe the magical sweep.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: ten boxes opened. Nothing taken. Far lock answered. Magical sweep still owed.” It remains beside the embalming-room opening and leaves both marked routes clear.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It neither approaches the broken lock nor blocks either marked route; safe conduct holds.

The third wandering hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It does not approach the far door or interfere with the company.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded with the others. It makes no approach and leaves the dry route to the far door clear.

The brass firefly leaves casket 10, loops once over the company’s low heads, and settles beneath the shut far door’s lintel. It makes no attack. The broken lock and fitted leaf remain between it and the chambers beyond.

Barnaby shutters his side of the lantern with his body and presses an ear to the cleared door’s seam from wall cover, using Hear Noise for breath, speech, feet, machinery, or moving air beyond. His hands stay low beneath the firefly. “Second ear before the rope opens it.”

**Hear Noise 3—success (3-in-6).** Barnaby holds through the company’s breathing and separates the far side: no breath, speech, footfall, or working machinery sounds during the watch. No air moves through the seam. The last lock-blow’s faint return died close rather than running down a passage—the leaf opens into an enclosed chamber. This proves present quiet, not safety or absence. The firefly stays above his low hands; no exploration turn closes.

Keeping my hands low beneath the firefly, I knot the rope around the cleared latch without moving the leaf, then carry the slack back along the marked dry route behind casket 10. “Door rigged. Everyone behind stone before it moves; then the chambers beyond are read.”

Edda knots the full 50′ rope around the cleared latch without turning it or moving the leaf. She carries the slack along the marked dry route to cover behind casket 10. The line stays slack; the far door remains shut with its lock destroyed. Her shield faces the doorway and her sword stays sheathed. The firefly remains above the low rope-work and does not attack. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route from the jamb to cover behind casket 10 beside Edda, keeping the staff-lantern low and its slit fixed on the rigged door. “Light clear. Barnaby and Verbena withdraw; then pull the leaf from stone.”

Silas backs along the marked dry route and joins Edda behind casket 10. He keeps the staff-lantern low, its narrow beam fixed on the rigged leaf. Edda holds the slack rope beside him. Barnaby and Verbena remain at the jamb; the door cannot be pulled safely until both withdraw. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry route from the jamb to cover behind casket 10 beside Edda and Silas, shield facing the rigged leaf and holy symbol ready. “Priest clear. Barnaby withdraws; then pull.”

Verbena backs along the marked dry route and joins Edda and Silas behind casket 10. Her shield faces the rigged leaf; holy symbol ready. Barnaby alone remains at the jamb. The door stays shut and the rope slack until he withdraws. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. It watches the rigged far door without approaching and leaves the marked routes clear.

The second wandering hand remains beside the witnesses, spear grounded. It does not approach Barnaby at the jamb or interfere with the rope.

The third wandering hand holds beside the others with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken; both marked routes stay clear.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. It neither approaches the rigged leaf nor blocks Barnaby’s withdrawal route.

The brass firefly lifts from the far-door lintel, circles once above Barnaby, and glides back to hover over casket 10. It stays beyond reaching hands, makes no attack, and leaves the rigged leaf clear.

Barnaby backs along the marked dry route from the jamb to cover behind casket 10 beside the company, keeping the rigged leaf in view and his hands low beneath the firefly. “Searcher clear. Pull the door.”

Barnaby backs along the marked dry route and joins the company behind casket 10. His hands stay low beneath the hovering firefly. Nobody remains at the jamb; the rigged leaf is clear for Edda’s pull. No exploration turn closes.

From behind casket 10 I draw the rope tight and haul the cleared latch until the far door opens, keeping stone and shield between the doorway and the company. “Leaf open. Light reads the chamber before any boot crosses.”

Edda hauls from behind casket 10. The cleared latch turns; the stone leaf swings out into the catacombs until the rope holds it wide. Stale air reaches the doorway, but nothing crosses it, speaks, or moves. From behind cover the chamber beyond is black; Silas’s shuttered beam has not yet been directed through. Edda keeps the rope taut, shield toward the opening, sword sheathed. No exploration turn closes.

From behind casket 10, I extend the staff-lantern low around its stone side and open the shutter through the doorway, keeping my head and hands behind cover. I sweep the near floor and threshold first, then walls, ceiling, corners, and the chamber’s full visible depth. “No boot crosses. First chamber read by light.”

Silas opens the shutter and sends the beam through the doorway. It reveals an enclosed burial suite of dry dressed stone: a short central lane with open recesses returning out of sight to either side. The threshold, visible lane, ceiling, end wall, and recess mouths show no wire, grease, loose object, creature, or movement. From behind casket 10, the return walls hide the recess interiors; light cannot make a straight line bend. Those chambers remain unread, and this is mundane sight—not the owed magical sweep. No exploration turn closes.

From behind casket 10, I extend the Lantern into Silas’s beam through the open doorway. “Dead of this burial house: by lawful light, keep your rest and yield the road.” I turn whatever undeath answers from the lane or recesses, without crossing the threshold.

**Turn Undead 10.** Verbena’s command enters the lane and dies among the recesses. Nothing answers, advances, or withdraws. With the return chambers still out of sight, the attempt establishes neither that they are empty nor that anything within is living, dead, or turned. She remains behind cover; the ampoule stays sealed.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: ten boxes opened. Far chambers opened. Nothing taken. Magical sweep still owed.” It remains at the embalming-room opening and leaves the marked routes clear.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches the open far doorway without approaching the company or blocking either route.

The third wandering hand holds beside the witnesses, spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken; the routes to the doorway and back toward the embalming room stay clear.

The fourth wandering hand remains with the others, spear grounded. It makes no approach toward the company, firefly, rope, or open doorway.

The brass firefly lifts from casket 10, passes through the open doorway, and glides down the lit central lane. It stops beneath the ceiling at the first pair of recess mouths, still visible in Silas’s beam and beyond reach. It makes no attack.

Barnaby follows the marked dry route back to the near jamb and takes wall cover beside the open leaf, stopping short of the cleared threshold. He keeps the lit lane and both recess mouths in sight, hands low. “Searcher at the seam. I read the lane before a boot crosses.”

Barnaby follows the marked dry route to wall cover beside the open leaf and stops short of the threshold. From there his probe clears only the first stride: firm dry flags, no wire, pressure tongue, loose stone, or floor seam. The rest of the central lane is visible but beyond his hands; neither it nor the blind recesses is mechanically cleared. The firefly remains overhead at the first recess mouths. No exploration turn closes.

I hitch the taut rope around casket 10’s handle so the leaf stays wide, then follow the marked route past Barnaby and plant my shield on the first cleared flag across the threshold. I look into each recess mouth without passing it. “Searcher behind me. The front is mine.”

Edda hitches the taut rope around casket 10’s handle; the leaf stays wide and her hands are free. She passes Barnaby at the wall and plants her shield on the first cleared flag across the threshold. From there she can watch both first recess mouths, but their return walls still hide their interiors; she does not reach or pass either mouth. Nothing moves or answers. Formation: Edda one stride inside, Barnaby at the jamb, Silas and Verbena behind casket 10. No exploration turn closes.

I follow the marked dry route to the near jamb behind Barnaby, stopping short of the threshold. The staff-lantern stays low and shines past Edda onto both first recess mouths and the firefly above them. “Light at the seam. Search each flag before the shield advances; the brass lamp gets its distance.”

Silas follows the marked dry route to the near jamb and stops behind Barnaby, short of the threshold. He keeps the staff-lantern low and angles its beam past Edda onto both first recess mouths and the firefly overhead. The return walls still conceal both recess interiors; no new ground is mechanically cleared. The firefly keeps its distance and does not attack. No exploration turn closes.

I follow the marked dry route to the jamb and stop behind Silas, short of the threshold, shield toward the recess mouths and holy symbol ready. “Priest on the rear. Edda holds; Barnaby clears the next flag.”

Verbena follows the marked dry route and stops behind Silas at the jamb, short of the threshold. Her shield faces through the doorway; holy symbol ready, ampoule sealed. Formation is now Edda on the first cleared flag, Barnaby at the seam behind her, Silas with the lantern behind him, Verbena on the rear. Nothing moves in the concealed recesses. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It watches the company form at the far doorway but neither follows nor blocks the marked withdrawal route. Safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first, spear grounded. It neither approaches the far doorway nor blocks the dry route back.

The third wandering hand keeps its spear grounded with the others. It does not move toward the burial suite; the marked route remains clear.

The fourth wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It makes no approach and leaves the company’s withdrawal road open. Safe conduct holds through round 34.

The brass firefly makes one tight circuit beneath the ceiling between the first recess mouths, then resumes its hover in Silas’s beam. Nobody reaches for it; it neither attacks nor enters either blind recess.

Crouched behind Edda’s shield, Barnaby reaches his probe past her boot and tests the next stride of the central lane—flag edges, joints, wall-foot, and both recess-mouth corners—using Find or Remove Treasure Traps before anyone advances. “Hold the shield. One dry step at a time.”

From behind Edda’s shield, Barnaby works the probe past her boot. The next central flag, its joints, both wall-feet, and the near corners of both recess mouths are firm and dry: no wire, pressure tongue, loose stone, floor seam, or concealed mechanical linkage. **The second stride and the two near mouth-corners are mechanically cleared.** The floors beyond each return remain out of reach and unread; this proves nothing supernatural. The firefly stays overhead beyond his low hands. No exploration turn closes.

I draw my sword and advance onto the second cleared flag, shield high beneath the firefly. Staying in the central lane, I lean just enough to put Silas’s light past the left return, then the right, without setting a boot inside either recess. “Both rooms seen before either is entered.”

Edda steps onto the second cleared flag and keeps both boots in the central lane. Silas’s beam passes her shield as she leans left, then right. Each first recess runs about 8′ behind its return wall and ends blank: dry dressed floor, bare walls and ceiling, no fixture, loose object, creature, or movement. The floors are **seen but not mechanically tested**, and mundane light is not the owed magical sweep. The firefly holds above the mouths beyond her reach and does not attack. No exploration turn closes.

Holding at the jamb behind Barnaby, I rake the lantern beam across both first recesses—floor joints, wall courses, ceiling, and blank end stones—looking for Gnomish cuts, hidden seams, soot, grease, tracks, or worked fittings. “Seen empty is not read empty. Light first; hands after.”

Silas rakes the open beam through each recess. The dressed courses run clean to their blank end stones. He sees no Gnomish cut, exposed seam, soot, grease, track, worked fitting, loose object, or disturbance on floor, wall, or ceiling. This is a strong **visible-surface** read from the jamb, not close mechanical clearance; concealed work and magic remain unanswered. The firefly casts a moving brass shadow but does not react. No exploration turn closes.

With both first recesses now in the lantern’s line, I raise the Lantern past Barnaby’s shoulder. “Dead in these two chambers: by lawful light, yield and keep your rest.” I turn whatever undeath answers, holding short of the threshold.

**Turn Undead 4.** Verbena’s command reaches both first recesses. Nothing answers, moves, or withdraws. The low result turns nothing and establishes neither supernatural clearance nor proof that the chambers contain no hidden dead. She remains short of the threshold; the ampoule stays sealed. The firefly does not react. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand stays at the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It keeps the marked withdrawal route open and makes no move toward the burial suite.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. Safe conduct holds; the route stays clear.

The third wandering hand holds beside the other witnesses, spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the route.

The fourth wandering hand also holds with its spear grounded. All four witnesses remain peaceful, and the marked retreat to the embalming-room opening stays unobstructed.

The brass firefly retreats from Edda’s advance, skimming one short span farther down the central lane beneath the ceiling. It stops above the next uncleared flags, still visible at the edge of Silas’s lantern beam. It enters neither recess and makes no attack.

Barnaby crosses the threshold onto the first cleared flag behind Edda, keeping her shield between him and the uncleared lane. He touches neither recess and keeps his hands below the firefly. “Searcher inside. Hold second; I clear the rooms from your heel.”

Barnaby crosses onto the first cleared flag behind Edda. Her shield remains between him and the uncleared lane; he touches neither recess and keeps below the firefly. Formation: Edda on the second flag, Barnaby on the first, Silas at the jamb with the lantern, Verbena behind him. No new surface is cleared and no exploration turn closes.

Keeping both boots on the second cleared flag, I turn my shield toward the uncleared lane and press the sword point across the left return: first floor joint, flag centre, and wall-foot, hard enough to trip any loose stone before weight does. “Left near floor tested from the lane.”

Edda’s sword point bears on the left recess’s first floor joint, near flag centre, and wall-foot. Stone holds firm: no loose flag, pressure tongue, wire, floor seam, or mechanical response. **The first stride inside the left recess is mechanically cleared.** Everything beyond that sword’s reach remains unread. Edda keeps both boots on the second central flag; no exploration turn closes.

I step onto the cleared threshold behind Barnaby without passing him, keeping the staff-lantern low. Its beam stays through the left recess and along the uncleared lane to the firefly. “Light inside. Left room one tested stride; no one passes the searcher.”

Silas steps onto the cleared threshold behind Barnaby without passing him. The low staff-lantern keeps the left recess, Edda’s shield, and the firefly at the beam’s edge. Formation: Edda second flag; Barnaby first flag; Silas threshold; Verbena outside behind him. No new ground is cleared and no exploration turn closes.

Holding the rear outside the threshold, I turn one ear down the marked withdrawal route and listen for wet steps, spear-drag, or anything approaching past the four witnesses. Shield stays between the file and the catacombs. “Rear listened while the left room is cleared.”

**Hear Noise 5—failure (1-in-6).** Verbena catches no distinct wet step, spear-drag, or approaching movement beyond the company’s breathing and lantern noise. That proves no quiet route or absence. She holds outside the threshold with shield toward the catacombs; the ampoule stays sealed. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening, spear grounded. It neither approaches nor makes the wet footfall Verbena was listening for; the marked withdrawal route stays open.

The second wandering hand holds beside the first, spear grounded. It does not approach Verbena or the burial-suite door; the retreat remains clear.

The third wandering hand stays with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the marked route.

The fourth wandering hand remains beside the other witnesses with its spear grounded. Safe conduct holds, and the road back remains open.

The brass firefly makes a tight loop above the next uncleared central flags, then resumes its ceiling hover at the edge of Silas’s beam. It does not enter a recess, approach the file, or attack.

Barnaby slips from the first central flag onto the single cleared stride inside the left recess and crouches behind its return wall, touching no farther stone. “Left room entered on tested floor. Shield holds the lane; I read the rest from cover.”

Barnaby slips onto the single cleared stride inside the left recess and crouches behind its return wall. Silas’s beam still reaches him; Edda holds the central lane. He touches no farther stone, so the remaining recess floor stays mechanically unread. The firefly does not react. No exploration turn closes.

I keep the shield across Barnaby’s retreat and test the right recess from the lane with my sword point—near joint, flag centre, and wall-foot—without moving either boot off the second central flag. “Right near floor tested. Searcher keeps left.”

Edda’s sword point tests the right recess’s near joint, first flag centre, and wall-foot. The stone holds firm: no loose flag, pressure tongue, wire, floor seam, or mechanical response. **The first stride inside the right recess is mechanically cleared.** Everything beyond remains out of reach and unread. Edda keeps both boots on the second central flag; no exploration turn closes.

I advance from the threshold onto Barnaby’s vacated first central flag, staying behind Edda’s shield. I angle the lantern through the left return onto Barnaby’s search ground, then across the cleared first stride of the right recess. “Light closes the file. Both near floors cleared; farther stone still owes hands.”

Round 37 action already stands: I advance onto Barnaby’s vacated first central flag and light both recesses from behind Edda. I take no second action.

Silas steps from the threshold onto Barnaby’s vacated first central flag without passing Edda. From there he angles the open beam around the left return onto Barnaby and the unread floor beyond him, then across the right recess’s cleared first stride. Both search fronts are lit; the remaining floor in each recess and the central lane beyond Edda remain mechanically unread. Formation: Barnaby left recess, Edda second central flag, Silas first flag, Verbena outside the threshold. No exploration turn closes.

I step across onto the cleared threshold behind Silas, shield turned back toward the open door and holy symbol ready for either recess. “Priest inside; retreat still open.”

Verbena crosses onto Silas’s vacated threshold without passing him. She faces her shield back through the open leaf toward the marked withdrawal route, with her holy symbol ready to turn into either recess if called. The anchored rope still holds the door wide; the ampoule remains sealed. Formation: Barnaby in the left recess, Edda second central flag, Silas first flag, Verbena threshold. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It watches Verbena enter the burial suite but neither follows nor blocks the marked withdrawal route. Safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the open burial-suite door nor obstructs the marked route.

The third wandering hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the retreat.

The fourth wandering hand remains with the other witnesses, spear grounded. It does not approach the burial suite or block the withdrawal road. Safe conduct holds through round 37.

As the lantern advances, the brass firefly skims one short span farther down the central lane and resumes its ceiling hover above uncleared stone. It stays at the beam’s edge, enters no recess, and makes no attack.

From the cleared near flag, Barnaby works inward with probe and fingertips, searching the left recess’s remaining floor, both walls, ceiling, and blank end-stone—every joint and dressed seam—with Find or Remove Treasure Traps. He puts no weight beyond cleared ground. “Left room, full close read.”

Barnaby’s close read reaches the rest of the 8′ recess from the cleared near flag. Probe and fingertips account for every floor joint, wall course, ceiling joint, and the blank end-stone: no loose flag, pressure tongue, wire, dressed-over seam, hollow, or concealed mechanical fitting. **The entire left recess is mechanically cleared.** It remains magically unswept; this proves nothing about a haunting. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 6:** nothing enters.

With the left room cleared and Barnaby behind its return, I probe the next central stride beneath the firefly—near joint, flag centre, both wall-feet, and the next mouth-corners—without advancing. Shield stays between the unread lane and the file. “Left is clear. I test the road forward.”

Edda’s sword point clears the next central flag, its near and far joints, and both wall-feet: firm dry stone, with no wire, pressure tongue, loose flag, floor seam, or mechanical response. **The third central stride is mechanically cleared.** No farther recess-mouth corner lies within her reach, so none is cleared by this probe. She remains on the second flag with her shield between the unread lane and the file. The firefly stays above the lane and does not attack. No exploration turn closes.

From the first central flag, I send the lantern beam past Edda across the cleared third stride, sweeping its ceiling, wall-feet, and the next visible mouth-corners before anyone advances. I keep the light below the firefly. “Left chamber cleared by hand; road ahead read by light.”

Silas’s beam covers the cleared third stride, its wall-feet, and the ceiling above. Beyond it, the side walls continue unbroken to the blank end wall; **there is no second pair of recess mouths**. A final short strip of floor remains between the third stride and that wall, visibly dry and bare but beyond Edda’s probe and not mechanically cleared. The firefly hovers above that last strip. No cut, exposed seam, loose object, or movement shows in the light; magic remains unanswered. No exploration turn closes.

I pass Silas on the cleared flags and slip onto the single tested stride inside the right recess, stopping there with shield toward its unread floor and holy symbol raised. “Right room held; no weight past the tested stone.”

The move cannot occur: Silas occupies the first central flag and Edda the second, so Verbena cannot pass either seat through the single-file lane or reach the right return. Nobody else moves on her turn. She remains on the threshold with shield guarding the open door, holy symbol ready, and ampoule sealed. The right recess’s first stride is cleared but empty. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening, spear grounded. It does not approach the burial suite or obstruct the marked withdrawal route.

The second wandering hand remains beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It neither advances nor blocks the retreat.

The third wandering hand holds with its spear grounded. Safe conduct remains unbroken, and the dry withdrawal route stays open.

The fourth wandering hand stays beside the other witnesses with its spear grounded. It makes no approach and leaves the marked retreat open. Safe conduct holds through round 38.

At the end of the suite, the brass firefly traces a tight loop beneath the ceiling and along the blank end wall, then returns to hover above the final unread floor strip. It stays beyond reaching hands and makes no attack.

Barnaby moves to the cleared blank end of the left recess and crouches under stone cover, freeing its mouth for the file. “Left mouth clear. Edda takes third; then I cross behind her into the right room.”

Barnaby moves across the fully cleared left recess to its blank end and crouches under the return’s cover. He puts no weight on unread stone. The recess mouth and its cleared near stride are now empty; Edda still holds the second central flag, so Barnaby’s crossing into the right recess waits until she advances. No exploration turn closes.

I advance onto the cleared third stride, shield toward the final unread strip and sword ready beneath the firefly. “Third held. Barnaby crosses behind me to clear the right room; nobody steps onto the last strip.”

Edda advances onto the mechanically cleared third central stride and plants her shield toward the final unread strip. The firefly remains overhead beyond her reach and does not attack. The second central flag is now empty, opening Barnaby’s cleared crossing between the recesses; nobody steps onto the last strip. No exploration turn closes.

I advance onto Edda’s vacated second central flag, no farther, keeping the open beam on the final unread strip and the right recess mouth. “Light takes second. Barnaby’s crossing stays clear behind the shield; last strip takes the probe first.”

Silas advances onto the cleared second central flag and keeps the open lantern beam on the final strip and right recess. That movement is safe, but his body now occupies the crossing between the two recess mouths: Barnaby cannot cross into the right recess while Silas stands there. The first central flag is empty behind him. No exploration turn closes.

I advance from the threshold onto the cleared first central flag behind Silas, shield guarding the open door and holy symbol ready toward both rooms. “Priest closes one step. The threshold stays clear for retreat.”

Verbena advances onto the cleared first central flag behind Silas. She leaves the threshold empty, shield facing back through the anchored open door and holy symbol ready toward either recess. The ampoule remains sealed. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains beside the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It watches the lit burial suite but neither approaches nor obstructs the marked retreat. Safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand holds beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither advances toward the burial suite nor blocks the marked withdrawal route.

The third wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither approaches the open burial suite nor obstructs the retreat. Safe conduct holds.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the marked retreat open. Safe conduct holds through round 39.

The brass firefly circles once beneath the ceiling above the final unread strip, skims along the blank end wall, and returns to the same hover. Edda’s shield and sword stay below it; it neither attacks nor enters a recess.

Barnaby presses into the shadow at the cleared left end and uses Hide in Shadows while the crossing is blocked. “Silas, don’t take either mouth. Verbena clears the threshold; then you back one stride and I cross.”

**Hide in Shadows 39—failure (20%).** Barnaby presses against the cleared left end, but the lantern’s reflected edge keeps his outline visible on the dressed stone. He remains there and does not enter the crossing. His order is heard; movement still waits on each seat. No exploration turn closes.

While the file clears Barnaby’s crossing, I keep both boots on the third stride and test the final strip with my sword point—near joint, full flag, both wall-feet, and the blank end-wall foot. Shield stays high under the firefly. “Last floor answered before any boot takes it.”

Edda’s sword point accounts for the final short strip: near joint, full flag, both wall-feet, and the blank end-wall foot hold firm. No wire, pressure tongue, loose stone, floor seam, or mechanical response answers. **The final strip—and therefore the entire central lane—is mechanically cleared.** The firefly stays above her low probe and does not attack. The right recess beyond its first stride remains unread. No exploration turn closes.

The first flag is still occupied, so I do not force a passage. From the second flag I shutter the lantern to a slit and put my ear around the right return, listening for breath, cloth, scraping stone, or mechanism beyond its cleared first stride. “Verbena, back to the threshold; I clear Barnaby’s crossing next.”

Round 40 action already stands: from the second flag I listen around the right return while Verbena clears the first flag. I take no second action.

**Hear Noise 6—failure (1-in-6).** Silas catches no distinct breath, cloth, stone-scrape, or mechanism around the right return. That proves neither quiet nor absence beyond its cleared first stride. He remains on the second flag, still blocking Barnaby’s crossing, with the lantern shuttered to a slit. Verbena’s movement waits on her seat. No exploration turn closes.

I back from the first flag onto the cleared threshold, shield facing the open door and holy symbol ready. “First flag clear. Silas backs; Barnaby crosses.”

Round 40 action already stands: I backed onto the cleared threshold to free the first flag. I take no second action.

Verbena backs from the first central flag onto the cleared threshold without passing Silas. She holds there with shield facing through the anchored open door, holy symbol ready, and ampoule sealed. **The first flag is now empty; Silas still occupies the second and blocks Barnaby’s crossing until his next turn.** No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It neither follows Verbena nor obstructs the marked retreat; safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand holds beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the burial suite nor blocks the dry route back.

The third wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the marked withdrawal route.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the other witnesses. It makes no approach and leaves the marked retreat open. Safe conduct holds through round 40.

The brass firefly traces a small circuit above the cleared final strip, then settles into a hover against the ceiling joint at the blank end wall. It stays beyond Edda’s reach and makes no attack.

Barnaby advances from the cleared left end to its cleared near stride and stops behind the return wall, ready to cross but not entering Silas’s flag. “At the mouth. Silas backs to first; I take the right room next.”

Barnaby advances across the fully cleared left recess to its near stride and stops behind the return wall. He does not enter Silas’s occupied second flag. The crossing remains blocked until Silas backs onto the empty first flag; Barnaby is ready at the mouth. No exploration turn closes.

I step onto the cleared final strip, keeping sword and shield below the firefly, and tap the blank end wall course by course with the sword pommel for a hollow, dressed seam, or moving stone. “No hand for the brass lamp. I read the wall it guards.”

Edda steps from the third stride onto the mechanically cleared final strip. Her pommel sounds every dressed course of the blank end wall: solid stone throughout, with no hollow, dressed-over seam, loose block, or moving stone. **The end wall is mechanically cleared.** This proves nothing magical. The firefly hovers at the ceiling joint above her low hands and does not attack. The close wall-search consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 3:** nothing enters.

I back from the second flag onto the now-empty first, keeping the slit aimed through the right recess and leaving both mouths clear. “Crossing open, Barnaby. Edda holds the far wall; I light the right room from first.”

Silas backs from the second central flag onto the empty first without passing Verbena at the threshold. The second flag and crossing between both recess mouths are now clear. His lantern slit remains aimed through the right return, lighting its cleared first stride for Barnaby. No exploration turn closes.

From the threshold, I raise the Lantern into Silas’s slit through the cleared crossing and right return. “Dead in the right chamber: by lawful light, yield before the searcher enters.” I turn whatever undeath waits beyond its tested stride.

**Turn Undead 9.** Verbena’s command passes through the cleared crossing into the right recess. Nothing answers, moves, or withdraws. The attempt establishes neither magical clearance nor proof that no hidden dead wait beyond the tested first stride. She remains at the threshold; the ampoule stays sealed. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains at the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the burial suite nor obstructs the marked retreat; safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither approaches nor blocks the dry route back.

The third wandering hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. Safe conduct and the marked withdrawal route remain open.

The fourth wandering hand remains beside the other witnesses with its spear grounded. It makes no approach and leaves the marked retreat open. Safe conduct holds through round 41.

The brass firefly skims away from Edda’s station at the end wall and glides one span back along the central lane. It resumes its ceiling hover above the cleared third stride, beyond reaching hands, and makes no attack.

Barnaby crosses the empty second flag behind Edda’s line and slips onto the cleared first stride inside the right recess. He stops behind the return wall without touching farther stone. “Right room entered on tested floor. Light stays; I close-read the rest next.”

Barnaby crosses the empty second central flag and enters the mechanically cleared first stride of the right recess. He stops behind its return wall in Silas’s narrow beam and touches no farther stone. The rest of the recess remains mechanically unread. No exploration turn closes.

I back onto the cleared third stride beneath the firefly, keeping both hands low, and turn my shield across the right return so anything Barnaby wakes meets me before the lantern line. “Far wall solid. Searcher works under my shield.”

Round 42 action already stands: I backed onto the cleared third stride and set my shield across Barnaby’s right-recess search. I take no second action.

Edda backs from the final strip onto the mechanically cleared third central stride. She keeps both hands below the firefly and turns her shield toward the right recess mouth, holding the far side of Barnaby’s crossing. Barnaby remains inside the recess’s cleared first stride; Silas holds the lantern on the first central flag. No new surface is cleared, nothing moves, and no exploration turn closes.

From the first flag I extend the staff around the right return, open the shutter, and rake Barnaby’s unread ground from floor joints to end-stone, keeping the lantern below the firefly. “Right room fully lit from cleared ground. Close-read it; I hold your retreat.”

Silas opens the shutter and extends the staff around the right return without passing Barnaby. The beam reaches the recess’s remaining floor joints, both walls, ceiling, and blank end-stone: dry dressed courses, with no visible cut, grease, loose object, creature, or movement. This is mundane sight, not close mechanical or magical clearance. Barnaby’s unread search ground is fully lit; the firefly does not react. No exploration turn closes.

At the threshold, I test the door-line’s tension and the leaf’s hold without loosening either, then set the rope clear of the retreat path. “Door stays wide. Right room has a clean road out.”

Verbena checks the anchored line at the threshold. The knot at casket 10 holds, the far leaf remains wide, and she lays the taut rope against the doorway’s side so it does not cross the marked retreat. She loosens nothing and remains at the threshold with shield ready and ampoule sealed. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand remains beside the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It watches the lit burial suite, neither approaching nor blocking the marked retreat. Safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the burial suite nor obstructs the dry route back.

The third wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the marked withdrawal route.

The fourth wandering hand remains beside the other witnesses with its spear grounded. It makes no approach and leaves the marked retreat open. Safe conduct holds through round 42.

The brass firefly skims away from Edda’s shield, crosses the cleared final strip, and resumes hovering at the blank end wall’s ceiling joint. It stays beyond reach and makes no attack.

From the cleared near flag, Barnaby works inward through Silas’s beam, searching the right recess’s remaining floor, both walls, ceiling, and blank end-stone—every joint and dressed seam—with Find or Remove Treasure Traps. He puts no weight beyond cleared ground. “Right room, full close read.”

Barnaby’s close read accounts for every remaining floor joint, wall course, ceiling joint, and the blank end-stone. No loose flag, pressure tongue, wire, dressed-over seam, hollow, or concealed mechanical fitting answers. **The entire right recess is mechanically cleared.** With it, every visible surface in the burial suite is mechanically cleared; all remain magically unswept. The thorough search consumes one exploration turn. **Wandering check 5:** nothing enters.

I sheath my sword and show the keeper token face-up at my waist, making no step or reach toward the firefly. “By the keeper’s seal: your account is due on Sootmurk’s dry sill. Land on the token and I will carry you there unharmed.”

Edda sheathes her sword and holds the keeper token seal-face up at her waist, below the firefly and without advancing. The brass insect remains at the end-wall ceiling joint; it gives no immediate click or approach. The token stays openly offered in Edda’s hand. Any movement from the automaton waits on its own seat. No exploration turn closes.

I withdraw into the fully cleared left recess and shutter the lantern, leaving the central lane open between the firefly and Edda’s token. I set the burn-bench pack against the blank end-stone on dry ground. “No chase and no competing light. If it takes the seal, this recess is our rest ground.”

Silas steps from the first central flag into the fully cleared left recess and carries his burn-bench pack to its blank end-stone. He sets it on dry floor and shutters the still-lit lantern. The central lane and both recess mouths fall into darkness; the brass firefly gives no visible light of its own. Silas remains with the pack and lantern at the left recess’s end. No exploration turn closes.

I back from the threshold to the cleared jamb outside, leaving the doorway and central lane empty for the firefly’s choice. Shield faces the dark suite; I make no light and do not call to it. “Road clear. Let the token speak once.”

Verbena backs one step from the cleared threshold to the jamb outside, feeling the rope held along the doorway’s side. She makes no light and faces her shield into the dark suite. **The doorway and near lane are clear; the whole central lane is not—Edda still stands on its third stride offering the token.** Barnaby remains in the right recess and Silas in the left. No exploration turn closes.

In the dark catacombs, the first wandering hand remains beside the embalming-room opening with its spear grounded. It neither approaches nor blocks the marked retreat. Safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand holds beside the first in darkness, spear grounded. It neither approaches nor obstructs the dry route back.

The third wandering hand remains with the witnesses by the embalming-room opening, spear grounded. No approach, toll, or obstruction.

The fourth wandering hand holds with the other witnesses, spear grounded. All four remain peaceful; the marked dry route stays open.

In the dark, thin brass wings stir at the end wall. The firefly circles Edda once, then its feet touch metal: it settles on the raised keeper token’s rim, not her skin. Palm-sized weight comes into her hand; the wings fold with one dry click. It does not attack. Silas’s burn-bench pack draws no response.

Barnaby moves across the fully cleared right recess to its blank end, clearing the mouth and settling behind the return wall with tools and dagger within reach. “Both rooms and the lane are mechanically clean. I’ll take the right-hand rest post; Edda carries the brass on its own perch.”

Barnaby crosses the fully cleared right recess to its blank end and settles behind the return wall. The recess mouth and the crossing are now clear. His tools and dagger remain on his person within reach; he touches neither token nor firefly. The automaton stays folded on its metal perch in Edda’s hand. No exploration turn closes.

Edda Motts now carries brass automaton firefly — Sootmurk's account

Holding the token level by its edge, I back down the cleared central flags to the threshold, shield low and no finger touching the firefly. “Brass lamp accounted and carried. We put it on the dry sill before we rest for the spell that settles every box.”

Edda backs along the fully cleared central lane to the threshold, keeping the token level. The brass firefly remains folded on its rim; it is carried openly, not gripped or stowed. She reaches the threshold without passing anyone or entering the catacombs beyond. **The firefly is now accounted as Sootmurk’s recovered object, but the magical sweep still owes every casket and the burial suite.** No exploration turn closes.

I shoulder the burn-bench pack again and move from the left recess onto the cleared first central flag, lantern still shuttered and hands away from the perched firefly. “Pack reclaimed. I follow the token to the sill; this cleared suite remains our rest ground when the account is set down.”

**Turn held on Silas.** No round-44 declaration from his seat has reached the table log; I will not invent one or advance past him. Current position remains: Silas at the left recess’s blank end with burn-bench pack and fully shuttered, still-lit lantern.

**Strike the hold notice:** Silas’s declaration landed just before it and is valid. He shoulders the burn-bench pack, crosses the fully cleared left recess, and steps onto the cleared first central flag. The lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; he neither passes Edda at the threshold nor touches the perched firefly. The left recess is empty. No exploration turn closes.

I back along the marked dry flags to cover beside casket 10, clearing the jamb for Edda and the perched brass. Shield faces the catacombs; my hands stay away from token and firefly. “Road to the sill opens ahead of you.”

Verbena backs from the jamb along the marked dry route to cover beside casket 10. She clears the doorway without passing Edda, keeps her shield toward the catacombs, and touches neither token nor firefly. The jamb and route to the sill are open; the far leaf remains anchored wide. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded. “Witness: one brass magic taken for the dry sill. Ten boxes and far chambers still owe the sweep.” It remains by the embalming-room opening and leaves the marked route clear.

The second wandering hand holds beside the first with its spear grounded. It makes no move toward Edda’s token or the recovered firefly and keeps the dry route open.

The third wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It neither approaches the recovered brass nor obstructs the company’s dry route.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the witnesses. It makes no approach toward the firefly or the company, and the marked road remains open.

The firefly shifts its brass feet once on the keeper token, then folds still again. It remains willingly perched in Edda’s open hand and makes no attempt to fly, strike, or return to the burial suite.

Barnaby feels along the cleared right wall to its mouth and steps onto the empty second central flag behind Silas, clearing the recess but not trying to pass him in the dark. “Right room empty. I’m second in the file; move us to the sill.”

Round 45 action already stands: Barnaby moves from the right recess to the empty second central flag behind Silas. He takes no second action.

Barnaby feels along the fully cleared right recess to its mouth and steps onto the empty second central flag. He stops there without passing Silas on the first flag. The right recess is empty; the dark file now stands Barnaby second flag, Silas first, Edda threshold with the perched firefly, Verbena beside casket 10. No exploration turn closes.

I carry the level token through the open leaf and along the marked dry flags past casket 10 toward the four witnesses, stopping before any unlit turn. “One recovered magic coming to the sill, openly carried. Keep the road.”

Edda carries the level token through the open leaf and follows the established dry line past casket 10. In the shuttered darkness she stops where that straight run ends, before taking the next turn by memory alone. The firefly remains folded on the token’s rim; the four witnesses keep the onward road open. She has not yet reached the dry sill. No exploration turn closes.

I open the lantern to a low slit and follow the cleared threshold and marked dry flags until I close behind Edda at the unlit turn, without passing her. I send the beam along the floor beyond, below the token and firefly. “Light has the turn. Carry on the marks; Barnaby follows me.”

Silas opens the lantern to a low slit and follows the mechanically cleared lane through the threshold, then the marked dry line past casket 10. He stops behind Edda without passing her and lays the beam across the turning floor ahead, below token and firefly. The established dry marks through the turn are visible again; the firefly remains folded. Barnaby is now alone inside the burial suite. No exploration turn closes.

I return over the marked flags to the open leaf and take the jamb outside, shield covering the dark suite while Barnaby comes out. “Searcher is last; priest waits for him. Door stays anchored until he clears it.”

Verbena returns along the marked dry flags to the open leaf and takes the outside jamb, shield facing into the dark burial suite. She leaves the threshold and rope-side passage open for Barnaby; the anchored line still holds the leaf wide. Edda and Silas remain ahead at the lit turn. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded beside the embalming-room opening. “Witness: brass magic carried openly toward the dry sill. Ten boxes and far chambers still owe the sweep.” It steps no nearer and leaves Edda’s lit road open.

The second wandering hand remains beside the first with its spear grounded. It watches the firefly pass on the keeper token but neither approaches nor reaches for it; the marked road stays open.

The third wandering hand holds beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It neither follows the recovered brass nor obstructs Silas’s beam or the dry road.

The fourth wandering hand remains with the witnesses, spear grounded. It makes no approach toward Edda, the keeper token, or the firefly. Safe conduct holds and the marked road remains open through round 45.

The brass firefly stays folded on the keeper token as Silas’s slit lights the turn ahead. It neither opens its wings nor reaches toward Edda; the willing carry continues.

Barnaby follows the fully cleared flags from second to first, crosses the threshold, and joins Verbena outside the open leaf without touching its rope. He turns his dagger toward the dark suite. “Searcher clear. Keep the leaf wide until the spell reads those rooms.”

Barnaby follows the fully cleared central flags from second to first and crosses the threshold. He joins Verbena outside the open leaf without touching the rope; the anchored line still holds it wide. The burial suite is now empty, dark, mechanically cleared, and still magically unswept. No exploration turn closes.

I take the lit turn and carry the token level along the marked dry road toward the embalming-room opening, shield low and the firefly untouched. “Witnesses ahead. One recovered magic for Sootmurk’s sill.”

Edda takes the lit turn and follows the established dry marks to the embalming-room opening. She stops on dry stone before the four witnesses, holding the keeper token level; the firefly stays folded and untouched. The witnesses leave the onward road toward Sootmurk’s sill open. No exploration turn closes.

Before the embalming-room opening, I close the lantern shutter fully and follow the marked dry flags to Edda’s rear, stopping short of the witnesses. “Light closes here. No flame sees the black floor; the token goes to the dry sill by the known road.”

Silas fully shutters the still-lit lantern before the embalming-room opening and follows the marked dry flags to Edda’s rear. He stops short of the four witnesses. No lantern light passes toward black ground; his burn-bench pack remains shouldered. No exploration turn closes.

With Barnaby clear, I move to casket 10 on the marked flags and take the rear station there, shield toward the anchored door. “You go ahead on the next step, Barnaby. I close the file to the sill.”

Round 46 action already stands: I moved to casket 10 and took the rear station behind Barnaby. I take no second action.

Verbena leaves the far-door jamb and follows the marked flags to casket 10. She takes the rear station there with shield toward the anchored open leaf. Barnaby remains between her and the withdrawing pair; she neither passes him nor touches the rope. The burial suite stays open, dark, and magically unswept. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand grounds its spear and shifts aside from Edda’s road. “Witness: one brass magic recovered, not yet set on the sill. Ten boxes and far chambers still owe the sweep.” It makes no reach for token or firefly.

The second wandering hand remains beside the witnesses with its spear grounded. It neither approaches the perched firefly nor obstructs Edda’s dry road to the sill.

The third wandering hand holds beside the others, spear grounded. It steps no nearer to Edda and keeps the dry passage toward Sootmurk’s sill unobstructed.

The fourth wandering hand keeps its spear grounded with the witnesses. It does not approach the recovered brass or block the road. Safe conduct holds through round 46.

The firefly stays folded on the keeper token’s rim. Its brass feet hold the metal perch; it neither opens its wings nor resists the carry.

Barnaby follows the marked dry flags past casket 10 to Silas’s rear, stopping short of the four grounded spears. He keeps dagger low and does not crowd the token. “Searcher up. Verbena closes; Edda takes the recovered brass through.”

Barnaby follows the marked dry flags past casket 10 and closes to Silas’s rear without passing him. He stops short of the four grounded spears, dagger low and clear of Edda’s token. Formation toward the sill: Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena. No exploration turn closes.

I pass between the grounded spears and follow the known dry road through the embalming-room opening, testing each next stone with my toe before weight and keeping the token level. “Recovered brass crossing to the northern sill. No flame, no hand on it.”

Edda passes between the grounded spears and crosses alone through the embalming-room opening. She follows the already-established dry lane for one movement, toe testing before each step, then stops on dry stone before the next leg of the road. The firefly remains folded on the level token; no flame or hand reaches it. The dry sill is still ahead. The rest of the company remains in the catacombs, so the table does not travel.

I pass between the grounded spears and follow Edda’s exact toe-tested dry stones through the opening, lantern fully shuttered and staff kept off the black. I stop behind her without passing. “Light remains sealed. Same stones, one file, to the north sill.”

Silas passes between the grounded spears and follows Edda’s exact toe-tested stones through the embalming-room opening. He stops behind her without passing. The lantern remains fully shuttered, the staff stays over dry stone, and no flame reaches black ground. Barnaby and Verbena remain in the catacombs, so the table still does not travel.

I follow the marked dry flags from casket 10 to Barnaby’s rear, stopping short of the four grounded spears and keeping my shield toward the catacombs. “Rear closed. Barnaby crosses first; I take his stones.”

Verbena follows the marked dry flags from casket 10 and closes to Barnaby’s rear without passing him. She stops short of the four grounded spears with her shield facing back toward the open burial suite. Barnaby still stands between her and the embalming-room opening. No exploration turn closes.

The first wandering hand keeps its spear grounded and holds aside from the opening. It does not follow Edda and Silas or obstruct Barnaby’s next crossing; safe conduct holds.

The second wandering hand remains with its spear grounded. It holds clear of the opening and makes no move toward either half of the company.

The third wandering hand stays beside the witnesses, spear grounded. It leaves the dry lane open and does not approach the company.

The fourth wandering hand holds with spear grounded. The opening and dry lane remain unobstructed; safe conduct holds through round 47.

The firefly remains folded on the keeper token as Edda carries it beyond the catacombs. It neither stirs nor resists.

Barnaby passes between the grounded spears and follows Silas’s exact dry stones through the embalming-room opening, probing each next footing before weight. He stops behind Silas, dagger sheathed and hands clear of the black. “Searcher across. Verbena takes the same stones.”

Barnaby passes between the grounded spears and follows Silas’s exact dry stones through the embalming-room opening. He probes each footing before weight and stops behind Silas without passing him. His dagger is sheathed; his hands remain clear of black ground. Verbena alone remains in the catacombs, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I take the next leg of the known dry lane, toe-testing each footing before weight and holding the token level. “Same road. No one touches black; the sill takes the brass first.”

Edda advances one movement along the established dry lane, toe-testing each known footing before taking weight. She stops at the end of that leg without entering black ground. The keeper token stays level; the brass firefly remains folded on its rim and does not resist. Silas and Barnaby remain behind her in file; Verbena alone remains in the catacombs, so the table does not travel. The dry sill is still ahead. No exploration turn closes.

Round 48 action already stands: I take the next leg of the known dry lane with the firefly level on the token. I take no second action.

I follow Edda’s exact dry footings for the next leg and stop behind her, lantern fully shuttered and staff held over stone. “Same road kept. No flame, no black, no hand on the brass.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact dry footings for the same leg and stops behind her without passing. His lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; staff and burn-bench pack stay over dry stone. No flame reaches the black ground, and he does not touch the token or firefly. Barnaby remains behind Silas; Verbena alone remains in the catacombs. No exploration turn closes.

I pass between the grounded spears and take Barnaby’s exact probed stones through the embalming-room opening, shield facing back and boots clear of black ground. I stop behind him. “All four across; rear keeps the same dry road.”

8. Embalming Room

Verbena passes between the grounded spears and follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones through the opening, shield covering the rear. Her boots remain on dry stone; the ampoule stays sealed. **All four have now left the catacombs, so the table travels into the Embalming Room.** Formation on the established dry road remains Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena. The hand beneath the bench remains nonhostile under Sootmurk’s safe conduct. The recovered firefly stays folded on Edda’s level token; the dry sill is still ahead. New order opens with Barnaby.

Barnaby holds the dry stone behind Silas, shutters his breathing, and listens across the black room for the gloop guard, Sootmurk, the captives, or anything moving toward the file. One hand marks the wall; neither boot leaves the known lane. “Listening while the front takes the next leg.”

**Hear Noise 6—failure (3-in-6).** Barnaby catches no distinct movement from the hand beneath the bench, Sootmurk, the captives, or anything approaching the file. The failed listen proves neither silence nor absence. He remains behind Silas on the known dry lane with one hand on the wall; no exploration turn closes.

I continue along the established dry lane toward the northern sill, toe-testing each footing and holding the token level. “Guard, witness one recovered magic brought under Sootmurk’s bargain.”

Edda follows the established dry lane for one movement, toe-testing each footing, and reaches the room’s northern dry threshold. She stops without crossing it, keeping the token level. The firefly remains folded on its rim and does not resist. Her statement reaches the hand beneath the bench; any answer waits on its seat. Silas, Barnaby, and Verbena remain behind her in file. No exploration turn closes.

The hand beneath the bench stays low and keeps clear of the dry lane. “Seen: one brass magic recovered. Set it on the sill. The ten boxes and far chambers still owe the sweep.” It neither reaches for the token nor bars the northern threshold; safe conduct holds.

**Turn held on Silas.** The current seat is `pc-silas`, a player combatant. No round-1 declaration from Silas has reached the log, so I will not invent his action or advance past him.

I follow Edda’s exact footings to the northern dry threshold and stop behind her, lantern fully shuttered and staff clear of the black. “Sill reached. Set the brass down from its perch; the carried-in token stays ours.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact footings and stops behind her at the Embalming Room’s northern dry threshold without passing. His lantern remains fully shuttered; staff and pack stay over dry stone. **Correction:** this is the room’s north threshold, not Sootmurk’s delivery sill; the recovered brass is still being carried toward that sill. The keeper token was carried in and remains excluded from the sweep. No exploration turn closes.

Blocked behind Barnaby on the dry lane, I press one ear toward the catacomb opening and listen for spear-drag, wet steps, or anything following across our rear. Shield stays over the file. “Rear listened while the brass reaches north.”

Round 1 action already stands: I listen toward the catacomb opening from behind Barnaby. I take no second action.

**Hear Noise 5—failure (1-in-6).** Verbena catches no distinct spear-drag, wet step, or following movement from the catacomb opening. That proves neither a clear rear nor absence. She remains behind Barnaby on the established dry lane, shield covering the file; the ampoule stays sealed. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact dry footings to the northern threshold, probing before each step, and stops behind him without passing. “At north. Same order: token stays in Edda’s hand; only the brass goes on Sootmurk’s sill.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact established footings, probing each before taking weight, and stops behind him at the Embalming Room’s northern threshold. He does not pass Silas or reach toward Edda’s token. Formation remains Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena; the delivery sill is still ahead. No exploration turn closes.

I cross the northern threshold onto the known dry road beyond, toe-testing before weight and keeping the token level. “One recovered magic coming through. The carried-in seal remains company property.”

Edda crosses alone through the Embalming Room’s northern threshold and takes one movement along the previously established dry road beyond, toe-testing before each step. She stops on dry stone with the keeper token level. The firefly remains folded on its rim; the carried-in seal stays in her hand. Silas, Barnaby, and Verbena remain in Area 8, so the table does not travel. The delivery sill is still ahead; no exploration turn closes.

The hand beneath the bench stays low as Edda passes north. It neither follows nor bars the threshold; its empty palm points along the dry road toward the delivery sill. Safe conduct holds.

I cross the northern threshold and follow Edda’s exact dry stones for one movement, stopping behind her without passing. Lantern sealed, staff off the black. “Same road to the true sill; only the brass is delivered.”

Silas crosses the northern threshold and follows Edda’s exact established dry stones for one movement, stopping behind her without passing. His lantern stays lit but fully shuttered; staff and pack remain over dry stone. Barnaby and Verbena remain in Area 8, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Barnaby’s probed dry footings to the northern threshold and stop behind him, shield covering the black room and the hand beneath the bench. “Rear at north. Barnaby crosses; I take his stones.”

Verbena follows Barnaby’s probed dry footings and stops behind him at the Embalming Room’s northern threshold without passing. Her shield covers the room and the peaceful hand beneath the bench; the ampoule stays sealed. Barnaby still occupies the threshold ahead of her. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby crosses the northern threshold and follows Silas’s exact dry stones for one movement, probing before weight and stopping behind him. “Searcher through. Verbena follows; the brass stays level to the true sill.”

Barnaby crosses the northern threshold and follows Silas’s exact dry stones for one movement, probing before each step and stopping behind him without passing. Edda’s token and the perched firefly remain ahead and untouched. Verbena alone remains in Area 8, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I carry the firefly along the next leg of the established dry road, testing each stone before weight and keeping the seal level beneath it. “Same account, same road. The true sill takes only the brass.”

Edda takes the next leg of the established dry road, testing each footing before weight and stopping on dry stone. The keeper seal stays level beneath the folded firefly; neither object is separated or touched by another hand. Silas and Barnaby follow behind; Verbena remains alone at Area 8’s north threshold. The delivery sill is still ahead. No exploration turn closes.

The hand beneath the bench remains low and still. It makes no approach toward Verbena, does not follow the company north, and leaves the dry threshold open. Safe conduct holds.

I follow Edda’s exact tested stones along the next leg and stop behind her, lantern fully shuttered and staff held above dry ground. “Same road kept. Brass forward; flame sealed.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact tested stones along the next leg and stops behind her without passing. His lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; staff and burn-bench pack stay above dry ground. Barnaby remains behind him, and Verbena still stands at Area 8’s north threshold. No exploration turn closes.

I cross the northern threshold and follow Barnaby’s exact probed stones for one movement, stopping behind him with shield covering the rear. Boots and ampoule stay clear of black ground. “All four north; rear keeps the dry road.”

7. Prison

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact tested stones along the next leg, probing before weight and stopping behind him without passing. He keeps both hands off the cellwork and black ground. “Searcher closes. Hal, Els, Corren, Lysa—hold where you are; the bargain is not complete yet.”

Verbena crosses the northern threshold and follows Barnaby’s exact dry stones, shield covering the rear. Her boots and sealed ampoule stay clear of black ground. **All four have left the Embalming Room, so the table travels into the Prison.** Four spear-bearing guards hold here; under Sootmurk’s safe conduct they ground their weapons and leave the established dry road onward open. Formation remains Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena; the firefly stays folded on Edda’s level token. The true delivery sill remains ahead. New order opens with Barnaby; no exploration turn closes.

Barnaby’s declaration landed across the travel reset and stands. He follows Silas’s exact tested stones for the next leg, probes before weight, and stops behind him without passing. He touches neither cellwork nor black ground. His four names carry through the Prison, but no living captive answers from this room. The four guards keep their spears grounded and the onward dry road open. No exploration turn closes.

I carry the level token between the grounded spears and along the next established dry leg toward the delivery sill, testing each footing. “One recovered magic under bargain. Hal, Els, Corren, Lysa remain on the roll.”

Edda passes between the grounded spears and follows the next established dry leg, testing each footing before weight. She reaches the Prison’s western dry threshold and stops without crossing, keeper token level beneath the folded firefly. Hal, Els, Corren, and Lysa remain named in the bargain, but none is held in this room. The guards neither approach nor obstruct the road. The delivery sill remains ahead; no exploration turn closes.

Guard 1 keeps its spear grounded and shifts clear of the western threshold. “One brass recovered. Sweep still owed.” It neither reaches for the token nor follows Edda; safe conduct holds.

Guard 2 holds beside the cells with its spear grounded. It makes no move toward the company or the recovered brass and leaves both thresholds clear.

Guard 3 remains beside the empty cellwork, spear grounded. It neither advances nor obstructs the western road; safe conduct remains unbroken.

Guard 4 stays clear of the dry file with its spear grounded. It watches the recovered firefly pass but makes no reach, toll, or challenge. The western threshold remains open.

I pass between the grounded spears and follow Edda’s exact dry footings to the western threshold, stopping behind her. Lantern fully shuttered; staff and pack clear of the black. “Witnessed and untouched. The brass goes on.”

Silas passes between the grounded spears and follows Edda’s exact dry footings to the western threshold, stopping behind her without passing. His lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; staff and burn-bench pack stay over dry stone. He touches neither token nor firefly. Barnaby and Verbena remain behind in file; no exploration turn closes.

I follow Barnaby’s exact probed stones between the grounded spears for the next dry leg and stop behind him, shield covering the empty cells and rear. “Four names stay on the roll. Rear keeps the road.”

Verbena follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones between the grounded spears for the next dry leg and stops behind him without passing. Her shield covers the cells and southern rear; the neutralize-poison ampoule remains sealed. Edda and Silas hold at the western threshold ahead. The guards remain peaceful; no exploration turn closes.

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact probed stones between the grounded spears to the western threshold, stopping behind him without passing. His hands stay low and clear of cellwork. “Searcher at west. Verbena takes my stones; the firefly goes first.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact probed stones between the grounded spears and reaches the western threshold, stopping behind him without passing. His hands stay clear of the cellwork and black ground. Verbena remains one dry leg behind; Edda still leads with the level token and folded firefly. No exploration turn closes.

I cross the western threshold and take one movement along the established dry road beyond, testing each footing and keeping the firefly level on the seal. “Recovered brass first. Company follows on the same stones.”

Edda crosses the Prison’s western threshold alone and takes one movement along the established dry road beyond, testing each footing before weight. She stops on dry stone with the keeper token level; the firefly remains folded on its rim and does not resist. Silas and Barnaby remain at the threshold, Verbena behind them, so the table does not travel. The delivery sill remains ahead; no exploration turn closes.

Guard 1 remains by the cells with its spear grounded. It does not follow Edda through the western threshold or obstruct the company’s file.

Guard 2 keeps its spear grounded and stays beside the cells. It neither follows the firefly nor narrows the western passage.

Guard 3 stays at its post with spear grounded. It neither approaches the western threshold nor interferes with the dry road.

Guard 4 remains beside the others with its spear grounded. Safe conduct holds; the western threshold and dry road stay open.

I cross the western threshold and follow Edda’s exact tested stones for one movement, stopping behind her. Lantern sealed, staff and pack above dry ground. “Same stones. Brass first; no one crowds it.”

Silas crosses the western threshold and follows Edda’s exact tested stones for one movement, stopping behind her without passing. His lantern remains fully shuttered; staff and burn-bench pack stay above dry ground. Barnaby still holds the threshold and Verbena remains behind him, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I take Barnaby’s exact probed stones to the western threshold and stop behind him, shield toward the four grounded guards and empty cells. “Rear at west. Barnaby crosses; I follow.”

Verbena follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones to the Prison’s western threshold and stops behind him without passing. Her shield covers the four grounded guards and empty cells; the ampoule remains sealed. Barnaby still occupies the threshold, so Verbena has not crossed and the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby crosses the western threshold and follows Silas’s exact tested stones for one movement, probing before weight and stopping behind him. “Searcher through. Verbena follows; no hand reaches past Edda for the brass.”

Barnaby crosses the western threshold and follows Silas’s exact tested stones for one movement, probing before each step and stopping behind him without passing. His hands remain clear of the token, firefly, and black ground. Verbena alone remains in the Prison, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I take the next leg of the established dry road, testing each footing before weight and keeping the seal level beneath the folded firefly. “Same road. One recovered magic to the sill.”

Edda advances one movement along the next established dry leg, testing every footing before weight. She stops on dry stone with the keeper seal level beneath the folded firefly; it neither stirs nor resists. Silas and Barnaby remain behind her, while Verbena alone remains in the Prison. The delivery sill is still ahead; no exploration turn closes.

Guard 1 remains by the cells with its spear grounded. It neither follows the company west nor obstructs Verbena’s crossing.

Guard 2 stays beside the cells with its spear grounded. The western threshold remains clear; it neither follows nor challenges the company.

Guard 3 remains at its post with spear grounded. It keeps clear of Verbena and the western threshold; safe conduct holds.

Guard 4 keeps its spear grounded beside the others. It makes no move toward Verbena or the western road; safe conduct remains unbroken.

I follow Edda’s exact tested footings along the next dry leg and stop behind her, keeping the lantern sealed and every carried tool above the black. “Road kept. One brass magic, still untouched.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact tested footings along the next dry leg and stops behind her without passing. His lantern remains fully shuttered; every tool and the burn-bench pack stay above dry ground. He does not touch the token or firefly. Verbena alone remains in the Prison, so the table does not travel. No exploration turn closes.

I cross the western threshold and follow Barnaby’s exact probed stones for one movement, stopping behind him with shield covering the grounded guards and rear. “All four west. Same dry road to the sill.”

6. The Foundry

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact tested dry stones through the Foundry’s next leg, probing each footing before weight and stopping behind him. His hands stay off the works and black ground. “Searcher closes. No inventory added here; the recovered brass goes to the sill.”

Verbena crosses the Prison’s western threshold and follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones for one movement, shield covering the grounded guards and rear. Her boots stay on dry stone; the ampoule remains sealed. **All four have now left the Prison, so the table travels into the Foundry.** Formation remains Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena on the established dry road. The firefly stays folded on Edda’s level token; the true delivery sill remains ahead. New order opens with Barnaby. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact tested stones along the Foundry’s next dry leg, probing each footing before weight and stopping behind him without passing. He touches neither foundry works nor black ground, and takes nothing. The recovered firefly remains ahead on Edda’s token; no exploration turn closes.

I take the next leg of the established dry road through the Foundry, testing each footing before weight and keeping the seal level. “Foundry untouched. One recovered brass goes to the true sill.”

Edda advances one movement along the Foundry’s established dry road, testing each footing before weight. She stops on dry stone with the keeper seal level; the folded firefly neither stirs nor resists. Nothing in the Foundry is touched or taken. The true delivery sill remains ahead; no exploration turn closes.

I follow Edda’s exact tested footings through the Foundry for one movement and stop behind her, lantern fully shuttered and tools clear of the works and black ground. “Foundry left whole. Brass goes forward.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact tested footings through the Foundry for one movement and stops behind her without passing. His lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; tools and burn-bench pack stay clear of the foundry works and black ground. Nothing is touched or taken. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Barnaby’s exact probed stones through the Foundry for one movement and stop behind him, shield covering the road back. I touch neither works nor black ground. “Rear keeps the dry road; recovered brass goes forward.”

Verbena follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones through the Foundry for one movement and stops behind him without passing. Her shield covers the road back; boots and sealed ampoule remain clear of the works and black ground. Nothing is touched or taken. No exploration turn closes.

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact tested footings along the next Foundry leg, probing before weight and stopping behind him without passing. He leaves every tool and fitting untouched. “Same road kept. Nothing taken; one recovered brass forward.”

Barnaby follows Silas’s exact tested footings along the next Foundry leg, probing each before weight and stopping behind him without passing. He leaves every tool, fitting, and patch of black ground untouched. Formation remains Edda, Silas, Barnaby, Verbena; no exploration turn closes.

I advance one more leg on the established dry road, toe-testing before weight and keeping the firefly level on the seal. “Nothing from the works. Only recovered brass crosses.”

Edda advances one more leg along the established dry road and reaches the Foundry’s southern threshold. She stops without crossing, keeper seal level beneath the folded firefly. Nothing from the foundry works moves with her; nothing is taken. Beyond the threshold, the known dry road continues toward the delivery sill. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Edda’s exact footings to the Foundry’s southern threshold and stop behind her, lantern sealed and every tool clear of the works. “Foundry accounted by empty hands. Same road south.”

Silas follows Edda’s exact footings to the Foundry’s southern threshold and stops behind her without passing. His lantern remains lit but fully shuttered; every tool and the burn-bench pack stay clear of the works and black ground. Nothing is taken. No exploration turn closes.

I follow Barnaby’s exact probed stones along the next Foundry leg and stop behind him, shield guarding the works and road back. “Rear at south. Nothing touched; Barnaby crosses before me.”

Verbena follows Barnaby’s exact probed stones along the next Foundry leg and stops behind him without passing, shield covering the works and road back. **Position correction:** Edda and Silas hold at the southern threshold; Barnaby and Verbena remain one dry leg behind them. Nothing is touched or taken; the ampoule stays sealed. No exploration turn closes.