Investigate the Snetterton Collection

Back home, your mind is a whirr. You try watching YouTube but can’t concentrate. You need to do something else. Maybe investigate the Snetterton Collection again? Yes, that sounds like a good idea.

You dig into the box and pull out a bronze sceptre. It’s around 50cm long, fat enough to fit snuggly in your grip, two bulbous globes at either end, one the size of a pomegranate that appears loose on the rod, it rattles when you shake it, the other smaller, only the size of an apple. The bronze is faded. The shaft is dented. What could this possibly do?

You dig out the antiquarian’s notebook and leaf through it until you find the picture. Then carefully you work your way through his writing.

He called it the sceptre of truth. Supposedly whoever holds it will find themselves incapable of lying, in fact they will revel in telling the truth however unpleasant or self-damaging it is. This effect will last for several minutes; the antiquarian states the duration appears variable but is uncertain what influences that. Then the wielder will put the sceptre down. They might not even realise they’re doing it. Once they’ve stopped holding the sceptre they’re immune to its effects for the remainder of the day. They can pick it up and handle it as much they like, but they’ll no longer feel the compulsion to tell the truth.

Interesting. You don’t know how you could use it, but you’re certain it can come in handy.