Quest 028: The Hollow Throne

Classification: S-Class
Type: Gather Intelligence
Status: Restricted

Contract Summary

Benefactor: Sealed (Noble Senator, Tyrian Council)
Compensation: "Why is this so much?" (2,000 ceramic pieces + political favor)
Stated Danger: Near-suicidal (8)
Location: Kalidnay, Palace of the Amber Sun

Mission Briefing

The Job

A sealed benefactor—identity known only to the Guildmaster—seeks intelligence of the highest sensitivity. They want to know the true nature of Ka-Tet's power.

Rumors have circulated for years that Ka-Tet is not a true sorcerer-queen—that she lacks the defiling mastery of her mother Kalid-ma, and that Kalidnay's apparent strength is a carefully constructed illusion. If true, this would reshape Tablelands politics entirely.

The benefactor wants proof, one way or another.

Intelligence Objectives

1. Primary: Determine whether Ka-Tet possesses true sorcerer-king level power
2. Secondary: Identify the source of any deception (body double, artifact, external alliance)
3. Tertiary: Assess Kalidnay's actual military and magical capabilities

Operational Parameters

• This mission requires penetrating the Palace of the Amber Sun itself
• Direct observation of Ka-Tet or her inner sanctum is necessary
• The team must operate without any Tyrian support and assume total disavowal
• Capture is not an option—the team must have extraction or termination contingencies

Client Terms

• Intelligence must be verifiable, not rumor
• Partial intelligence is worthless—do not return without definitive evidence
• Payment only upon successful delivery
• This conversation never happened

Known Complications

• Ka-Tet's palace is warded against teleportation, scrying, and unauthorized psionic contact
• Her personal guard includes templars with decades of service
• If Ka-Tet IS genuinely powerful, this mission is suicide
• If she ISN'T, her deception will be guarded by the most dangerous people in Kalidnay

Guild Assessment

Recommended Team Size: 2-4 members (specialists only)
Required Skills: Master-level infiltration, psionic manipulation, contingent extraction plans
Estimated Duration: 30-60 days deep cover
Special Requirement: S-Class rank mandatory; Guildmaster direct oversight; individual member approval required

DM Notes (Hidden)

Benefactor True Nature: Proxy for an S-class power (Borys of Ebe has taken interest in Kalidnay's ambiguous status)
Trustworthiness: Overly forthcoming (suspiciously so)—they revealed too much about what they suspect
Moral Axis: Exploitative but legal / Excessive pay
Actual Danger: As stated—this is genuinely near-suicidal

The Truth: Ka-Tet IS a sorcerer-queen, but a young one. She hasn't achieved the transformation her mother completed. She's vulnerable—but she's also growing in power rapidly. The benefactor wants to know if assassination is still possible before it isn't.