The Project masters spellsilver, and Keltham does think then to run a stricter test.

But by then the Conspiracy has had longer to prepare, with a larger budget once it became clear the whole incredible concept was going to work; and the Conspiracy has recorded far more of Keltham's thoughts, and understood what sort of tests he might run; they spot his resolve the night before it all happens.  Keltham's wariness is not roused as it was by the eroLARP tropes, by the supposed Zon-Kuthon godwar, by the strangeness of Snack Service.  There are magic items already forged, books already edited.

They pass his test.

And Keltham goes on to reinvent more technologies.

The Project masters spellsilver, and Keltham does think then to run a stricter test.

But by then the Conspiracy has had longer to prepare, with a larger budget once it became clear the whole incredible concept was going to work; and the Conspiracy has recorded far more of Keltham's thoughts, and understood what sort of tests he might run; they spot his resolve the night before it all happens.  Keltham's wariness is not roused as it was by the eroLARP tropes, by the supposed Zon-Kuthon godwar, by the strangeness of Snack Service.  There are magic items already forged, books already edited.  He is weaker to illusions, without any Glimpse of Truth or even Dispel about himself.

They pass his test.

And Keltham goes on to reinvent more technologies.