Campaign: “A New Development”
Episode 14: Flipping a Coin
April 10, 2025
Taking a moment to assign all of the cards to their respective kingdoms, Korrin Vale waited patiently as the room continued to slowly turn. Half-expecting something bad to happen—but nothing erupted. No traps. No surprises. Just the slow-shifting sound of stone beneath his boots.
After a few moments, the room began to transform, evolving quickly, reshaping into something new.
He stepped forward, every movement still stiff with pain. The last of the machinery had gone still. In front of him, a low platform held a single puppet stage—its red curtains drawn shut, the wooden frame polished and unmoving. The chamber was silent.
Below the stage, centered in front, was a brass coin box with four gleaming slots—each etched with a symbol: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Just as he had seen in the first room.
In front of the box, four playing cards lay in a neat row. All Kings—Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Clubs. A single, narrow card slot positioned just above, waiting for a final choice.
Korrin stared at the setup. It was clear enough. Choose a king. Choose an element. Insert the coin to confirm your decision.
He reached for the coin tucked beneath his belt. Szelden’s voice echoed—quiet, deliberate. Spend it wisely
He tormented himself for not searching for more clues. He hadn’t. Not really. He’d rushed. Trusted instincts. Assumed too much. The mural room might’ve held the answers—if only he’d taken the time. Now it’s too late.
His eyes settled on the King of Clubs. The farmland kingdom. The only one he recognized. The others… long forgotten.
If one kingdom had survived the war… it had to be the farmlands. Right?
The rationalization felt hollow. Unsteady.
Korrin glanced toward the King of Spades. A war-monger. Maybe he used fire to burn down the others. Maybe… this farmland isn’t even the same kingdom I’m thinking of. I could be way off
He wasn’t certain. Not even close. But time was gone, and so was certainty. All that remained was a coin… and a choice.
He stepped toward the box—coin in hand, four cards in a row, heart pounding. Without hesitation, he slid the coin into the slot marked with the symbol of fire.
Saying a quiet prayer to the Goddess of Fortune, Korrin steadied himself. Now he just had to choose the right King.