17 // Zero // Trial & Terror

Chappy // Colosseum , Fey Haven

The colosseum roars with noise as Chappy scans the crowd for order. Where is the magistrate? Where is this Lord of Antlers? Then, in an instant, a force of overwhelming power surges and the crowd vanishes. Cold blue light floods the space. The seats are empty. Only Elijah Gimble remains, muttering in disbelief.

Chappy takes the cue and steps forward, filling the silence with his opening remarks. His opening statement is followed by a magical transition back to reality, where the he finds the colosseum quiet and attentive. Expectant. Waiting.

Gimble recovers quickly. A veteran politician and skilled deceiver, he casts himself as the prosecutor and Chappy representing the Adventure District as the true villain. As if guided by an invisible judiciary, the trial is underway.

Chappy calls his first witness: Agdon Longscarf. Under pressure, Longscarf dodges, hesitates, and then finally stumbles into sharing enough truths. His testimony reveals a chilling conspiracy: the Mercantile District, in league with the Onyx Order and Zhentarim, has been plotting a coup. The Onyx Order bankrolls the operation as a shadowy cult. The Zhentarim act as mercenary consultants and deal-brokers.

Gimble cross examines Longscarf in a way countering the Chappy’s narrative, spinning the takeover as a necessary intervention. He paints the Adventure District as reckless and destabilizing, claiming this trial is nothing more than a political attack. Fey Ember’s wealth, he argues, flows through the Mercantile District -- and when the wealthy thrive, everyone does.

As arguments climax, reality bends again. The colosseum grows cold and empty. This time a massive stone dais stands before Chappy, Gimble, and Longscarf. Towering behind it is the silhouette of an antlered figure. Above, the sky shimmers like a looking glass upon them, and on the other side, enormous shadowy forms observe, quietly enjoying the spectacle.

Fert // Lower Kept, Mercantile District

Fert braces behind the metal door as a surge of unnatural strength pulses from the Onyx Order soldier on the other side. But rather than meeting force with force, Fert uses it against them --> timing the soldier’s push to slam the door once more, buying precious seconds. He drenches himself in blood from a nearby ritual vat, then signals Neb to run. As the door bursts open, the blood-covered Fert and Neb slip past and lock it behind them. Now walled off from their pursuers, they discover a vast holding chamber filled with 1,000 prisoners—among them, Nana Boosh, who steps forward as a matriarchal leader. The scene ends as Fert begins organizing the prisoners to locate the hidden escape route.

Scraat // The Kept, Mercantile District Scraat and Captain Lionel Lightfoot infiltrate the Kept together before splitting up. Scraat slips deeper into the facility under the cover of invisibility, heading toward the central terminal that controls the portcullises. Lionel descends to find Fert. While navigating the dark corridors, Scraat overhears Onyx Order soldiers voicing concern that the assault may prevent the mass sacrifice. But then, the spell drops. His body becomes visible. Smurk has lost concentration.

Smurk // Kept Airspace, Mercantile District

Smurk, aloft on a flying broom with two summoned skeletons, continues his aerial assault on the Kept. He weaves between ballista fire and falling defenders, disabling a Gatling Ballista on the southern wall. His spells prove especially effective against Onyx Order forces, but he senses the magicaly stamia fading (running out of spellslots). Reinforcements pour in, including Fert’s father, the Arch Bishop of Flesh. He commands the guards to eliminate “the exception.” Smurk ends the scene by activating his Cube of Force, trapping a group of incoming reinforcements in a shimmering barrier.

Templeton // North Wall, Adventure District

Templeton arrives at the North Wall just in time to reinforce the defense. There, he finds a formidable host of seasoned warriors. Among them is Rayna Hopper, the legendary former Right Paw and longtime commander of the Inner Guard. The scene closes as Rayna turns to Templeton and says, “Rally them. It’s your turn now.”