1. Councilor Marell – High Strategy Seat (Brailenthorne Kingdom Affairs)
"Ysarre Veln: Yes. Her record speaks. So does her restraint."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: No. We need swords, not siege fire."
"Halrin Dorr: No. Stable, but not transformative."
"Liera Thorne: Yes. Few know what she's undone to protect us."
"Varric Domane: Yes. The wilds speak his name louder than we ever will."
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2. Councilor Rhem – Iron Faith Order (Moral Doctrine & Enforcement)
"Ysarre Veln: No. The blade without banner serves no one. And no one should serve her."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: Yes. Destruction, when righteous, is not a crime."
"Halrin Dorr: Yes. A man who avoids blood is rare among us."
"Liera Thorne: No. We have enough ghosts in our ranks."
"Varric Domane: No. A wild dog may defend a home, but it doesn't belong inside it."
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3. Guildmaster Leonhard (Guild Seat – Adventurer HQ Chairman)
"Ysarre Veln: Yes. No clearer soul has bled for our borders."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: No. He seeks spectacle, not legacy."
"Halrin Dorr: No. Skilled, but not yet tested."
"Liera Thorne: Yes. The shadows move differently since she began."
"Varric Domane: Yes. Half this continent stands because he said nothing and did it anyway."
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4. High Marshal Elric Davarre (Knight Command)
"Ysarre Veln: Yes. She led when no command remained."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: Yes. We need power ready for war."
"Halrin Dorr: No. Cannot lead warriors."
"Liera Thorne: No. Her blade strikes without consent."
"Varric Domane: Yes. Wild or not, he holds."
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5. Chancellor Ilien Rae (Estrella Kingdom)
"Ysarre Veln: Abstain. Power alone is not enough."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: No. Destructive. Too unstable."
"Halrin Dorr: Yes. His mind is a fortress."
"Liera Thorne: Yes. She balances the scale from beneath."
"Varric Domane: No. Too unpredictable."
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6. Crown Prince Caelen (Sovereign Seat)
He stood without show, eyes steady as his voice carried.
"Ysarre Veln: Yes. The realm already follows her. Let the title catch up."
"Serrick of Glassmarch: No. Too reckless."
"Halrin Dorr: No. Reliable, not exceptional."
"Liera Thorne: Yes. One of few who chooses to fight only when no one sees."
"Varric Domane: Yes. The land speaks with him. I trust the land."
[Results]
Name Yes No Abstain
Ysarre Veln 4 1 1
Serrick 2 4 0
Halrin 2 3 1
Liera Thorne 4 2 0
Varric Domane 4 2 0
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The council chamber quieted as the magical seal dimmed.
"Three rise to Level 8,"
"By weight of deed, vote, and domain…"
"Let their legacy begin anew."
—Councilor Marell
And as the glyphs behind Ysarre, Liera, and Varric flared into golden brilliance—signifying their elevation—Ysarre turned only once.
Her eyes found Prince Caelen.
She nodded. Slight. Earnest.
______________________________________
A Week Later – Capital Watchtower Report, Inner Wall Districts
The parchment was still warm when it hit the Guildmaster's desk.
Wax-sealed, tagged in red string—Urgent. Verified. Royal Wall Perimeter.
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Monsters sighted. Not strays. Organized.
Estimated pack size: 40–60. Identified types: Redjaw hounds, armored carrion eels, a possible bonehorn alpha.
Unnatural movement pattern. Holding formation. Watching patrols.
—Report signed: Captain Eres Marn, Wallwatch Commander
(Filed 3rd hour, dawnwatch)
---
Guildmaster Hale read it once.
He didn't like the timing.
He didn't like the location.
And he especially didn't like the word: "Organized."
____________________________
The Adventurer Association dispatch board flared with an orange pulse as the quest was registered. Level 4 emergency notice, with a borderline level 5 classification under review.
Quest Title: Capital Perimeter — Monster Encroachment
Objective: Scout and suppress active monster pack outside northern wall sector.
Primary Danger: Pack behavior indicates alpha-tier leadership.
Status: Ongoing. Knights Order responding. Guild adventurers requested.
Reward Pool: 32 gold marks, danger bonus pending.
Notable Restrictions: Level 4+ only. Groups preferred.
Already, runners were shouting names. Lanterns above the board flashed red.