[You have reached Level 9. For every crest you ascend, a newer, larger mountain awaits on the horizon.]
The words stirred Justin from sleep, pulling him into wakefulness with a familiar rush of anticipation.
[As a Level 9 Socialite, you have unlocked a new Boon Path. Choose wisely! There is no turning back.]
Justin lay still for a moment, glancing around. Bohemond and Kargan were still fast asleep, their deep breathing the only sound in the quiet room. With the stillness surrounding him, Justin turned inward, ready to explore the boons that awaited him.
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Insightful Gaze: You can better read facial expressions and micro-expressions of sapient races with uncanny precision, allowing you to better discern their true emotions and hidden motives. The effectiveness of this ability scales with your Charisma Attribute.
Grace Under Pressure: Gain a 50% resistance to Mind Control, Intimidation, and Fear Effects.
Disarming Words (Rare): When someone becomes hostile toward you, you know the exact words or approach to completely pacify them for a short time. This boon triggers automatically when violence is imminent, giving you a chance to salvage the situation or exit gracefully.
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Justin weighed the options carefully. Each came with distinct advantages—and limitations.
Insightful Gaze seemed the most practical. The ability to read someone’s emotions or spot deception with pinpoint accuracy would be incredibly useful. Deception often hid behind polite smiles, and this boon would allow him to cut through the façade.
But as powerful as it sounded, the description made it sound like no guarantee. It would enhance his own natural abilities rather than making him an outright mind-reader. And of course, it still required him to act on the information. Would he be quick enough to use the knowledge it gave him?
Grace Under Pressure offered protection from mental manipulation, but with his Top Hat of Mental Clarity, he already enjoyed immunity to such effects. He suspected that if this boon upgraded at Level 18, it might even offer full immunity. It was redundant, given his current gear. It would be better to fill this boon slot with something more versatile.
Then there was Disarming Words, a Rare Boon. At first glance, Justin didn’t quite see why it was marked “rare.” But as he considered it more deeply, its value became clear. This boon would give him the precise words he needed to pacify a foe when things went south. There was no guesswork involved, and it wasn’t tied to a cooldown. It triggered automatically, and would allow him to take greater social risks, knowing this boon could be his saving grace.
However, it was reactive, not proactive, meaning it would only help once things had already gone wrong. Ideally, he wouldn’t let himself get into such situations—but having a safety net was always nice.
Justin quickly dismissed Grace Under Pressure, leaving him with two choices: the ability to read others like a book, or a guaranteed way out “when words failed, and fists flew.” Insightful Gaze would let him get ahead of situations, spotting hidden emotions before they spiraled into bigger problems. Disarming Words could salvage dangerous situations, but only after they’d already escalated.
After some thought, Justin decided not to let the “Rare” label sway his judgment. His high Charisma Attribute would scale well with Insightful Gaze, making it the ideal match for his current build. It was the smart choice.
He locked in his selection.
[You have chosen: Insightful Gaze.]
A surge of knowledge flowed into Justin’s mind. This was definitely going to be useful.
[As a Level 9 Socialite, you have one Attribute Point to distribute.]
Without hesitation, Justin placed it into Charisma.
[Your Charisma is now: 20. With every word you speak, hearts sway, and doors open…]
The others soon woke. As they ate breakfast, Justin wondered if Kargan had leveled up to 5, since he’d used his magic quite a bit since coming into Drakendir.
"Did you level up, Kargan?" Justin asked.
“I did,” he said.
Justin was almost going to ask what it was, but Justin detected a hint of discomfort in his features, so faint is to almost be imperceptible. His new boon at work, perhaps? Whatever the case, it was obvious Kargan didn’t want to talk about it. Probably some Blood Magic skill he didn’t want Bohemond learning about. He'd have to ask about it later.
Justin changed the subject. “Well, my new boon will come in handy. Especially for this investigation.”
“How so?” Bohemond asked, tearing into his boar meat.
“It lets me read facial expressions better. It’ll help spot lies.”
“Good,” Bohemond grunted. “The sooner we’re done with these goblins, the better.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Justin answered, finding Borgruk waiting.
“All ready? I’ve arranged an interview with Zildur. She’s waiting for you in her chambers.”
“Sounds good,” Justin replied.
They followed Borgruk past the empty throne room. The Queen wasn’t present. The goblin led them down the same hallway where Nyrissa’s room was. A few doors down was Zildur’s chamber—quite close to the Princess’s. Certainly, the Shaman was well-placed if she was the culprit.
Borgruk knocked softly before opening the door. Inside, Zildur sat by a hearth, wrapped in a shawl, her sharp features and gray hair framing intense amber eyes. Despite her outer expression of defiance, Justin could sense unease beneath the surface.
Zildur lifted a kettle from the fire and poured herself a cup of light green liquid. “Grimroot Tea? Can’t start my mornings without it.”
“We’d better not, given the circumstances,” Justin said.
This elicited a dry chuckle from her. “Well, I’m sure you have your questions, so out with it.”
“You’re married to Grashuk, then?” Justin asked, watching for any subtle reaction.
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly before settling back into place. The movement felt drawn out, as if he was perceiving every nuance in slow motion.
Interesting, Justin thought. That’s new.
One thing was for sure, there was animosity there.
“Yes, Grashuk is my mate. Going on twenty years now,” she replied, her voice steady.
“He seems to really love you,” Justin added, testing the waters.
This time, her reaction of distaste was a bit more obvious. “And how would you know that?”
Justin shrugged. “Caught him in prayer at the Shrine of Nyriss last night.”
Zildur pretended not to care, but Justin could feel the weight of her attention lingering on his words. She was interested in her husband’s exploits.
“Oh? He’s not much of a praying goblin, so that’s…rather strange.”
Justin mentally filed that away for later. “He said something interesting.”
“And what’s that? Out with it, young human. I’m too old for riddles.”
Justin recalled Grashuk’s words with perfect clarity. “She didn’t mean to go this far. Heal the girl. That’s all we ask. What I wouldn’t give to go back! I told her it was a bad idea, but she just won’t let go.”
Zildur fell silent, her gaze distant. The pause stretched on long enough to be uncomfortable. She was clearly thinking deeply.
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“I’ll just come out and say it,” Kargan said, breaking the silence. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
Zildur was quiet for a long time, the accusation laying heavily. Then, she let out a breath.
“It’s…my failure. This is probably what I deserve.”
“You poisoned her,” Bohemond said bluntly, his tone accusatory. “We know about your daughter. Your resentment. Your desire for revenge. You have easy access to the kitchens, and you know enough about poisons, even if Glamshara’s skills surpass yours. You’re clearly the culprit. You wanted to kill the Queen but ended up poisoning Nyrissa instead. It was always your plan to frame Glamshara, and perhaps eliminate her later. Grashuk is just trying to cover for you. You’re saying it's what you deserve, because you never intended to poison Nyrissa. Your guilt and shame must be unbearable.”
Zildur chuckled darkly. “Oh, you think you have it all figured out, don’t you?”
“You said the Hand of Fate was finding the Queen,” Kargan said, his voice low. “We have a witness that attests to that.”
“Grashuk?”
“Does it matter?”
Her expression was cold and defiant. “Oh, all this was cleverly done. You won’t hear me argue against that.”
Despite her defiant words, Justin could read her with clarity. There was something about the way her eyes crinkled, the pain of being accused injustly, that didn’t match her outwardly cold disposition.
The certainty of it settled in his chest like a stone.
“It’s not her.”
Both Kargan and Bohemond looked at him in confusion. Even Zildur seemed surprised by his sudden shift in demeanor.
“What do you mean?” Bohemond asked.
“You blame yourself for failing the Princess,” Justin said calmly, his words more like a revelation than an accusation. “That’s why you’re not fighting back. As for what you said about the Hand of Fate, it implies the poisoning was outside your control. Ergo, you didn't do it. Yes, you blame the Queen for what happened to Ryn, but you love Nyriss like she’s your own. And now, for failing to protect her, you’re willing to die rather than help us find the real culprit.”
“Justin,” Kargan interjected, his brows furrowing. “What are you saying? Who else could it be?”
“Is it Glamshara?” Bohemond asked, his eyes narrowing.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Justin admitted, shaking his head. “But I know it’s not Zildur.”
“The Head of the Kitchens, maybe,” Kargan suggested. “Halkra, right?”
“We can question her if needed,” Justin said, glancing back at Zildur. “But for now, we need to find Zogmar. Something’s been nagging at me. We’re still missing the most important piece of the puzzle.”
Zildur’s voice was quiet, almost resigned. “You are missing something.”
“Like what?” Bohemond demanded. “If you know something, tell us!”
“I know nothing,” Zildur replied, her gaze steady. “I refuse to point the finger at anyone. I only have…suspicions.”
“What suspicions?” Kargan pressed.
“Ask Zogmar if he knows about it,” Zildur said simply. “Tell him that exactly. That’s all I can say.”
Justin gave her a nod. “Thank you. We’ll do that.”
“Come on,” Borgruk said.
The group left Zildur in her chambers and headed toward the potions master’s workshop.
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When they entered the workship, they found Zogmar scrutinizing a mixture under the light of a glowing crystal. The old goblin jumped slightly at their sudden entrance.
“By Nyriss, announce yourselves next time!” Zogmar snapped, nearly spilling the contents of a vial. “I almost ruined this healing potion.”
“We have more questions,” Justin said, not bothering with pleasantries. “Zildur mentioned you might know something. She said ‘Ask Zogmar if he knows about it.’”
Zogmar looked at each of them, letting out a long, suffering sigh. “I’m too old for this.”
“Nyriss’s life is at stake, Zogmar,” Kargan added, his voice urgent. “If you know something, now is the time to speak. There won’t be another chance. What’s more, we’ll have to assume you’re a part of this conspiracy.”
“Truly, I know nothing about it. As for whether I’m a part of this, witnesses can account for every minute I’ve spent between when we discovered the excavation, all the way to the poisoning. You’ve got nothing on me.”
Justin knew for a fact Zogmar was lying about not knowing anything. It wasn’t just what Zildur said—he could see it in the potions master’s eyes, clear as day. His new boon was working, and Zogmar’s lack of ease practically screamed through his expression.
Justin stepped forward, his voice low and steady. “Zogmar, I can see right through you. You’re a smart goblin—too smart to think we’d fall your lie. But if you keep hiding the truth, the Princess’s death will be on your hands. And when it all falls apart, you won’t just be known as a liar—you’ll be known as the goblin who could’ve saved her but chose to stay silent. Do you really want that on your conscience?”
Zogmar’s face tightened, his eyes darting nervously between them. He opened his mouth to protest, but Justin wasn’t finished.
“We’re not here to take you down, Zogmar. We’re here to stop a would-be murderer and save Nyrissa. But if you don’t talk, she dies. And what’s more, your potions won’t save you from what comes next.”
The potions master studied Justin’s face for a long moment, weighing his options. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he shut the door to his workshop, sealing them inside.
“All right,” he muttered. “I didn’t want to say anything before. I still don’t, honestly. If this goes wrong, everything will point back at me.”
“We can’t finish the job without all the facts,” Justin said firmly. “It’s a risk you’ll have to take.”
Zogmar sighed deeply, his expression growing more resigned. “Fine. It’s not direct proof, but…it’s about Grashuk and Glamshara.”
“What about them?” Justin asked, leaning in slightly.
“They’re having an affair,” Zogmar said flatly.
Justin raised an eyebrow. “Grashuk hates Glamshara. Are you saying his hatred was just a misdirection?”
“Well, maybe hate is too strong a word,” Zogmar corrected, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “It’s more like indifference that’s turned into hostility since this poison business came up.”
“So how is it they’re having an affair?” Justin pressed.
“I can’t prove it,” Zogmar admitted, “but ever since that expedition uncovered the lab, I’ve caught them together once. This was before the poisoning, but after the expedition. They were…clearly involved.”
“Involved?” Justin repeated, narrowing his eyes. “Where and when did this happen?”
“The day after the expedition,” Zogmar replied. “I wasn’t even supposed to be there. I had gone to check on some herbs growing in the underground storage chambers. It’s a secluded spot, used for keeping volatile ingredients.”
“That’s where you saw them?” Justin asked.
Zogmar nodded. “I wasn’t expecting anyone else to be there. I turned a corner and there they were—Grashuk and Glamshara. They didn’t see me. They were…preoccupied.”
Justin frowned. “Preoccupied how?”
Zogmar shifted uncomfortably. “They were…in an embrace. Clearly more than just talking.”
“And you’re sure it was them?”
“As sure as I can be. I didn’t stick around, but it was unmistakable. I…tried to tell Zildur, of course. We work together a lot. But before I could say anything, she stopped me. I guess she already knew.”
“Yesterday, Grashuk offered us a reward to apprehend Glamshara,” Bohemond said, his brow furrowing deeper. “That doesn’t sound like they’re having an affair.”
“Either that, or he’s stabbing her in the back,” Kargan said.
“I’m only telling you what I’ve seen,” Zogmar said. “As for why the sudden turnaround, I have a theory about that.”
“What theory?”
“Glamshara has bewitched him. The excavation site definitely had all the right ingredients to create a powerful love potion.”
“A love potion?” Justin asked incredulously. “Is that even possible?”
“Minor ones can be made from common ingredients found right here in Drakendir Cavern,” Zogmar replied. “Enough to induce a slight infatuation, though with some adverse side effects. But if I’m right, the potion affecting Grashuk would be extraordinarily potent. It would last much longer. It would make him completely beholden to her.”
Justin could finish the rest himself. Maybe Glamshara didn’t have ready access to the palace, but Grashuk certainly did.
“Can’t we test his blood?” Justin suggested.
Zogmar smiled bitterly. “Do you really think Glamshara would allow that? He would never do so willingly. Besides, if you tried, it would tip her off that we’re onto her. We need to be more subtle.”
Bohemond’s frustration boiled over. “Then why didn’t you tell us this from the beginning? You could’ve saved us so much trouble!”
“I just got this idea about the love potion last night, after all of you went into the Underdeep. The idea still needs testing. If it can be proven, then Glamshara is clearly behind it.”
“How would we go about proving it?” Justin asked.
“There is a way,” Zogmar said. He rummaged through a chest, pulling out a small blowgun.
“What’s that?” Justin asked.
“What do you think? A blowgun. I can prepare you a basic antidote that works on all love potions. You’ll need to find a suitable spot for an ambush, then hit him with this. If I’m right, the potion’s effects will wear off immediately.”
“How do we know you’re not lying to us right now?” Bohemond asked sharply. “Maybe this is poison, and you’re the real poisoner.”
Zogmar bristled at the accusation. “What would I gain from killing Grashuk? It’s Glamshara who’s behind all this! She’s created all these distractions to cover her tracks.”
Justin watched Zogmar carefully but couldn’t detect any obvious signs of deceit. He got the feeling that Zogmar was pretty smart, as goblins went. He truly believed in this love potion theory and thought he was clever for coming up with it.
“We’re not using that weapon just yet,” Justin said. “But we still need to prove that Grashuk is under a spell. Something that’ll bypass any orders Glamshara might’ve given him.”
“There’s one way,” Zogmar said after a moment. “If Grashuk believes Glamshara is in danger—truly in danger—he’ll act irrationally, whatever orders he might have.”
Justin noticed Kargan’s eyes widen slightly, as though an idea had struck him. Justin quickly held up a hand, signaling him to stay quiet. He didn’t want to reveal everything just yet.
“Anything else?” Zogmar asked, clearly nervous. “Are you sure you don’t want to try the blowgun?”
“We’ll keep it as a backup plan,” Justin said. “But I have one last question.”
“What’s that?” Zogmar asked, his voice tense.
“What color is Heart of the Moonflower?”
Zogmar blinked, then answered slowly. “It’s a vibrant silver, like the surface of the moon. When ground up, it glows. It’s simple to turn it into a potion. Dissolve it in water, heat it, and administer.”
Justin nodded. “Thanks for the information.”
He motioned to the others, and they left Zogmar’s workshop.
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Name: Justin Talemaker
Class: Socialite
Level: 9
Experience to Level 10: 659/1590
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Attributes:
Power: 14 (10 + 4)
Coordination: 14 (10 + 4)
Endurance: 15 (10 + 5)
Intellect: 13 (10 + 3)
Perception: 14 (10 + 4)
Charisma: 22 (20 + 2)
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Equipment:
(Weapon) The Cane of Valoria: +1 to Charisma and Perception. Confers hidden skill “Gentleman’s Rebuff.”
(Chest Piece) The Coat of Highcliff’s Elegance: +1 to Endurance and Coordination. Enchantment of Featherweight.
(Headpiece) The Top Hat of Mental Clarity: Immunity to Fear, Intimidation, and Mind Control effects.
(Arm Piece) Squire’s Armlet: +1 to Power.
(Leg Piece) Common Traveler’s Pants.
(Foot Piece) Invari Ambassador Boots: +1 to Endurance. Enchantment of Dry Stride.
(Accessory 1) The Ring of Hygiene: Once per day, become perfectly clean and groomed to your exact specifications.
(Accessory 2) The Amulet of Equilibrium: Divides your highest Attribute by six, then applies the result to all other Attributes. Attribute cap lifted.