The P
As you enter, the Palace's Throne Room is buzzing with conversation and speculation. Every noble, knight and lord in the city has been summoned, including three or four additional Free Companies. With only a few dozen still serving throughout the realm, the presence of more than one Free Company is a rare sight.
Settling into a quiet viewing place, you mark the other Oathsworn. The Brothers of the Wolf, The Ebon Company, The Ironclad and even the infamous Red Watch huddled together in a group. All have an impressive tally, worthy of respect. You return a nod to the leader of the Ironclad and move your gaze to the King.
Flanked by a small cadre of Watchers as usual, the boy King sits resplendent upon his throne in full battle gear. This will be no ordinary council meeting. The young King silences the crowd with a simple gesture of his gold-trimmed gauntlet.
"Lords and ladies. The crown thanks you for coming at such short notice. I wish to dispense with formalities and get to the heart of the matter. Verum is in peril. Our efforts to stay the plague ravaging our city have failed and the quarantine lines are on the verge of collapse. I'm afraid if we do not find a solution quickly, the city will descend into chaos and ruin. We stand at the precipice."
The crowd murmurs with anxious exchanges, eliciting another raised hand from the King.
"I have ordered all Free Companies to return to Verum immediately as we make plans for what may be our last stand. Our last hope." The King rises from his throne, stretching his armored hand toward your group. "Thanks to our Oathsworn, we have discovered the origin of humanity's greatest nightmare. The Heart of the Deepwood."
All eyes turn toward you, stunned gasps and chatter fill the Great Hall.
"It is believed that by cutting the heart from these cursed woods we can stop the plague and rid our world of the choking hands the Deepwood has had around our throats for generations. But it will not come without pain. And death. This Heart of Darkness is surrounded by monstrosities and creatures beyond counting. We will have to fight our way through them if we hope to succeed."