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The Wager in the Trial Garden

The best shield-caster of his year never came out of the maze. Everyone says “a duel.” The gate says otherwise.

25–35 min
Medium
8 locations
3 suspects
5 endings
free, no sign-up

The premise

The Night Run

A first-year found in the maze

Every autumn the first years run the Trial Garden maze at night: in through the north gate, out through the south within the hour, holding a shield. The tradition is older than the Dean. So is the betting on it.

Tonight Yon Merl, the best shield-caster in his year, did not come out. Pim the gardener found him at the south gate — unconscious, palms burned, a blue glow still trembling on the bars.

“Everyone will say: a duel on a dare, boys, shields collided,” says Dean Olv. “I want to know why the best shield-caster of his year couldn’t open a simple gate. By the council of magisters.”

Cast

Yon Merl

first year, best shield-caster

Tidy, stubborn, one of those who believe order will save them. He took money to lose — and decided to come out of the maze honestly.

Ansel Krog

kitchen boy · suspect

Owes everyone and is needed by everyone. Runs a betting book “for fun,” carries herbs from the garden every night and insists he isn’t allowed in the maze.

Teo Lann

third year, after the Vault · suspect

His hands healed badly and his Rite has been postponed. Wears gloves, piles up debts and hates everyone who still has everything ahead. Makes no secret of his bet against Yon.

Pim the gardener

keeper of the Trial Garden · suspect

The only key to the south gate, the first to find the boy, and a muddled account of the night. Drinks with Ors and is more ashamed of it than he needs to be.

Healer Od

Infirmary

Tells a shield burn from a seal burn at a glance. Treats Teo and knows exactly what his fingers can do.

Ors Cade

boatman

Since the business with the canisters he pays his fine and sells only honest fish. Reluctantly, but honestly, confirms other people’s alibis.

Dean Olv

head of the Collegium

Doesn’t believe in “boys, a duel, shields collided.” Wants to know why the best shield-caster of his year couldn’t open a simple gate.

How the investigation works

01Follow the trailCrossing the campus costs time. You can’t see everyone before dawn.

02Gather threadsSome questions only open up after other discoveries.

03Prove your theoryAt the end you need a culprit, a motive and evidence.