A Templar enters the hall; a grey-whiskered veteran whose limp does not slow him. Where has he been? He bows before the Divine, low enough to expose his bald plate. "Most Holy, I have investigated the seals on Serault's Chantry. They have been tampered with. The Chantry has been opened!"
The Divine is furious.
Available actions[]
1.
Protest your innocence What would be the most believable? Thieves? A rival's trick intended to discredit you? The truth, prettily dressed?
Difficulty: Cunning*1
Success: Impenetrable Your story is as impregnable as chevalier's armor. The Divine's interrogation slides off it like a peasant's ploughshare. Satisfied, she bids the feast continue. The air fills again with merriment. Over goblets of wine the two of you mourn the world's perfidy. What fiend would try to turn the shepherd against the lamb? Is nothing sacred?
You broke into the Sealed Chantry and lied to the Divine when confronted, Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!
Failure: Exposed The Divine dismisses your marshalled excuses with a chop of her hand. "Is this how Serault keeps her trust, Huntress/Scholar?" she demands. With difficulty (and a great many considerations, gifts and concessions) your counselor convinces the Divine's party to stay. But the Most Holy is not pleased. She is not pleased at all.
-1 The Divine's Favor, +1 Trophy, +1 Viands, +1 Secrets, You broke into the Sealed Chantry and lied to the Divine when confronted, Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!
2.
Admit It You tire of this.
This will ruin your chance to restore Serault's honor, but at least it'll be something people will remember...
Result: Serault! A glass goblet dangling nonchalantly from your fingers, you admit your crime. The Divine's cheeks flush red. "You don't even deny it?" she demands. You dash your glass on the mosaic floor. Sharp fragments dance across the tiles. Red wine soaks the hem of the Divine's robe. You deny nothing! The chantry is Serault's chantry. You are Serault! No lock will bar you, nor censure turn you from your path! And if the Maker is offended, let him lift his holy buttocks from his golden throne and strike you down. You throw your arms wide. There is no bolt of lightning. The moonlight is still soft at the windows. The hall-fires dance as warmly as ever. "Perhaps he's busy," you sneer, and turn your back. Templars reach for their swords. Your chevaliers draw their own, forming a bristle wall before you. The Divine reins her warriors in. "You are twice as proud as your great-grandfather, Huntress/Scholar!" She points a damning finger at you. "And it is Serault that will bear your burden! Her stain will stand for another three generations!" You call for more wine. Serault needs passion, courage and inspiration. Honor is a game that others play. The Divine's party leave in an uproar, riding out into the night rather than share your roof. In the corner of your amazed hall, the Wayward Bard picks out the tune of the Seat of the Stag
You broke into the Sealed Chantry and defied the Divine when confronted, Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!
3.
Repent Throw yourself on the Divine's mercy. Invoke a scriptural case for forgiveness.
Difficulty: Scholarship*6/5
Success: Trials 1:16 You prostate yourself before the Divine, confess your crime and beg her forgiveness. She rises to her feet. Her red and gold robes blaze like a pyre. Her voice whip-sharp, she recites a pointed verse from the Threnodies:
'O Creator, see me kneel:
For I walk only where You would bid me
Stand only in places You have blessed!' You vow to accept whatever punishment she metes, and recite a meek verse from the Trials:
'Draw your last breath, my friends,
Cross the Veil and the Fade and all the stars in the sky.
Rest at the Maker's right hand,
And be Forgiven.' The Divine considers. She lifts you to your feet. "At least there's enough good in you to know you've done wrong. That's more than your ancestor ever admitted. Pride is the mother of folly. Humility is its murderer. And forgiveness - much as I hate to admit it - is pious. I will withhold my judgement. For now." The Divine is displeased, and it will be harder to win her favor. But at least you have a chance...
- 5-7 Secret, -2 Trophies, -2 Viands, -1 The Divine's Favor, You broke into the Sealed Chantry and begged the Divine's forgiveness, Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!
Failure: Condemned You recite a poignant verse from the Canticle of Maferath, in which he repents his betrayal of Andraste. The Divine is not impressed. Perhaps choosing one of the Dissonant Verses was a mistake.
+ Secrets, You broke into the Sealed Chantry and begged the Divine's forgiveness, Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!
4.
Hand over the imprisoned Anchoress You explain you had to enter the Chantry in pursuit of a dangerous apostate. No less than the Shame's own daughter...
[Requires: The Anchoress must be imprisoned.]
Result: Tying up loose ends One of your chevaliers drags her from the dungeon. Her eyes - Serault eyes - flash hatred at you over her gag. The Templars take her into custody. "For the general safety - and, no doubt, her own peace of mind - she will be taken and made Tranquil," the Divine decrees. "You should not have broken the seals, Huntress/Scholar, but perhaps in this instance you had no choice." The Anchoress is removed from the hall, ragged and weak. You have averted disaster. For the rest of the evening you feel the Divine's eyes on you, trying to take your measure.
Your 'the Chantry Unsealed' Quality has gone!, You broke into the Sealed Chantry and gave the Anchoress to the Divine.
