The Listener's Riddle

major Active Sessions 1–3

Truth versus deception, prophecy and fate, divine judgment, the weight of secrets, chosen ones marked by powers beyond understanding

story arc

Description

The Prime Inquisitor—a towering creature of white bone and gold metal called 'the Listener'—emerged from Lady Aurelia's chambers radiating blinding divine light and delivered a cryptic prophecy: 'Five lies and one truth. Strong truth brings war and revolution. A truth forgiven will bring the death and transformation of truth.' Its single massive eye fixed on each party member in turn, and it reached toward Thalara before being dismissed. The prophecy hangs over the party like a blade, and discovering which of their many deceptions is the 'one truth' may cost more than they can bear. Session 2 update: The Listener's cryptic prophecy—'Five lies and one truth, six of you'—begins to unravel in dangerous ways. Thalara trades part of the riddle to Aurelia, who burns it after confirming six were present at Applegate's death. But the true revelation comes when a different Inquisitor appears to Thalara in a moment of frozen time, its eyes meeting hers with unmistakable recognition. Their souls know each other. The riddle isn't just about present deceptions—it's about connections that span lifetimes, and truths the Inquisition has been hunting across ages.

Key Figures (3)

The Prophet catalyst

The Church of the Velir supporting

The Chosen Testament of Valia plot_device

Timeline

Session 1 "Lies, Fire, and the Listener's Gaze"

The Listener's Prophecy

The Listener emerges in all its terrible glory, delivers the prophecy that will haunt the party, and shows particular interest in Thalara before being dismissed by Lady Aurelia.

Session 2 "Entangled in webs of shadow, flame, and ancient hunts"

The Price of Ravens

Thalara trades the first part of the riddle to Aurelia for a raven scroll, revealing 'five lies and one truth' and confirming six were present—but the full meaning remains elusive, and Aurelia burns the evidence after reading it.

The Watcher in Frozen Time

A second Inquisitor appears to Thalara in frozen time, and they recognize each other's souls—suggesting the riddle's significance goes deeper than prophecy into matters of reincarnation, divine recognition, and ancient connections.

Session 3 "Silver flames and darker secrets emerge as the Heroes navigate courtly intrigue, forbidden knowledge, and a brothel brawl."

Morning Anxieties

Thalara confides in Daria about the Inquisitor's visit, revealing that when their eyes met, she felt a profound soul-deep recognition spanning lifetimes. The Listener's prophecy about 'six of you' becomes more ominous as it becomes clear the Inquisitors are actively hunting for something—and they've marked Thalara as connected to whatever truth they seek.