Chapter VII

**Chapter VII** is the seventh chapter of *The Case of the Golden Idol*. The date of the occurrence for this chapter is March 14, 1790. The preceding chapter is Chapter VI and the succeeding chapter is Chapter VIII.

## Main Plot

• Darkhand Steward Walter Keene, reports back to Brotherhood of Masks, sending two letters. The first, dated January 5, 1789, mentions that he entered Edmund Cloudsley’s hideout, his friends died to Edmund’s explosion trap (though Walter is vague as to what it is), and claims he defeated David Gorran and his “bloodthirsty hounds.” He also claims that Edmund died from the explosion trap as well. He is currently in hiding due to the government trying to find him due to his notoriety as the “Gentleman Robber.”

• The second, dated October 20, 1789. He claims that the government chased him tirelessly and was forced to seek refuge in Aquitania (not confirmed if this is true in any regards). He claims Lazarus Herst (later revealed to be Edmund’s new identity) helped Walter shake off his pursuers. He claims that Lazarus is well versed in the arcane arts and recommend him as a member of the Brotherhood of Masks. Lazarus must pass a trial to become a member.

• On January 6, 1790, Watersnake Steward, Sir Jeffrey Sinclair, objects to Lazarus joining the Brotherhood because he claims that Walter is a liar and thief. Jeffrey believes that Walter stole the idol for himself.

• Jeffrey challenged Walter to a ritual, which is tradition in the Brotherhood whenever arguments arise between members. In the rituals, both drinkers must be barefoot. There are two wine cups; one is spiked and one isn’t. Depending on the severity of the accusation, the spiked drink may include deadly poison. Since both of them are Stewards, and are arguing, Walter is challenged to a ritual of dispute.

• A Watersnake Master holds the sceptre, and the hall is decorated with the Keeper of Treasures, the Nevertiring Teacher, and the Grim Reaper. One of the cups is laced with deadly poison.

• The defender, Walter, gets to choose the wine cup first, and Jeffrey has the remaining cup. Jeffrey drinks the poisoned wine cup and dies.

• It turns out that this death wasn’t simply luck. Lazarus tasked David with helping Walter out. On the day of the ritual, at 10pm, David was hiding in the bushes outside the Brotherhood lair to ambush a Darkhand Initiate, who could be Chester Davy. Stripping him and tying him up, David posed as a Darkhand Initiate using the mask, robes, and ring.

• During the ritual of dispute, David poured the wine, and signalled to Walter which wine cup was safe with a tankard.

• Meanwhile, a Proudbeast Steward administered the ritual of inception. Lazarus passed and becomes a Proudbeast (later revealed in the next chapter that he’s an initiate) and is given a red ruby ring.

## Clothing

* MASKS: Red = Proudbeast, Blue = Watersnake, Green = Darkhand
* TATTOOS: One eye = Initiate, Two eyes = Steward, Three eyes = Master. Hand = Darkhands, Lion = Proudbeasts, Snake = Watersnakes.
* ROBES: Purple = Initiate, Green = Steward, White = Master

## Extras

• Walter’s and David’s belongings are found next to the tied up Darkhand Initiate, implying that they’re now working together.

• There is a major clue that everyone who has a red ruby ring is a member of the Brotherhood of Masks. And that anyone who may have had the same robes or masks was a member.

• Here’s a list of the other people who are likely present in Chapter VII. Angus McBain, James Turner, Alistair Koch, Nicolas Maker, and Chester. The devs however, have said that “the game provides information who is under the masks for masters”, so Nicolas and Chester present in Chapter 7 may be a stretch.