Don't Feed the Eldritch LanternChapter Archive

A Pull at the Seam

A single morning

Orris discovered and drew a barbed Rift-born hook from Harrow’s neck armor, then repaired the strained seam and collar before the hook could work its way through. The hook is sealed in the lead workshop below, but it has begun scraping toward the door while Harrow is still in the shop.

A Quiet Place for the Hook

That same morning

Orris tested the hook against Harrow’s collar and proved it was drawn to the armor at close range, with no tether reaching beyond the shop. He settled its restless pull in a warmed wool-and-salt cradle, and Harrow left with his repaired collar; Malket’s damaged shield then spoke his name as he lifted it.

A Quiet Grip

That same afternoon

Orris traced the voice in Malket’s shield to a split grip and loose rivet that carried the shield’s protective warning through the handle. He replaced the grip and cushioned the rivets without weakening the ward; Malket lifted the repaired shield safely, then asked Orris to inspect three more damaged shields from the same patrol.

The Shield That Pointed Down

The next morning

Malket brought the first of the three damaged patrol shields. Orris found its grip intact but traced its repeated warning and downward pull to a single loose rivet; he cushioned and reseated it, preserving the ward, and Malket took it back for the evening patrol. Two shields remain to inspect, and the next reportedly turns sideways when raised.

The Shield That Drew Close

The next morning

Orris traced the second patrol shield’s sideways pull to a tendon sliver hidden beneath its arm harness; it tightened when raised and dragged the ward toward the bearer’s wrist. He removed and cushioned it in a new position, and Malket tested the shield without weakening its ward. The last shield remains uninspected, with its bearer reporting that it grows cold enough to numb his fingers.