Magistrate Hauer spreads the ledger flat and taps the page with his quill. The chamber goes still, every scrape of bench and mail sounded in the stone.
Magistrate Hauer
Name the riders, or describe them plainly. I need men, marks, and proof enough to stand against a bishop's house.
Ulrich tightens at the door, one hand on his sword hilt. Outside, a muffled tread passes by, then fades.
The Clerk
If she names them cleanly, the record holds. If she stumbles, the Bishop's men will seize the gap.
The magistrate leans forward, holding Frieda in place with a cold, patient stare. His quill hovers above the ledger, ready to bind her words into law.
Magistrate Hauer
Red scarf, spear, seal, horse, anything you saw. Give the court a chain it can pull.
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify the riders to the magistrate
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a formal warrant against Bishop Eisenfaust's men
“They were six, all dressed in brown, with cloaks, gambesons and helmets of the Norman kind. They rode fine horses. One wore a red scarf. Another carried a spear like a guard's. All were armed with swords. They bore a banner with the arms of Bishop Eisenfaust. They threatened the life of this witness, and when I rescued him, chased us all the way to Castle Hammerstein, where I was obliged to sound the alarm and call out the garrison. I didn't ask their names, but perhaps the witnesses can tell you more. Oh, and I found this torn piece of scarf at the murder scene. I bears traces of the victim's blood.”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +4)
Frieda
Six riders. Brown cloaks, brown gambesons, Norman helms. One has a red scarf, one a guard's spear. Fine horses. All armed with swords.
Frieda
They bear Bishop Eisenfaust's banner, and they threaten the witness's life. When I take him from them, they chase us all the way to Hammerstein, where I sound the alarm and call out the garrison.
Frieda
I do not know their names. The witness may know more.
Frieda
This torn scarf comes from the murder scene, and it bears traces of the victim's blood.
Magistrate Hauer
Cloth, arms, horses, banner, threat, pursuit. Enough to pin the shape of the men.
The Clerk
That is plain enough for record, my lord. The chain is set.
Magistrate Hauer
Then the court takes this as sworn description. Clerk, enter the riders as Bishop Eisenfaust's armed men, and prepare summons against the Bishop's household and any of his retinue named by this witness or others.
Quest Complete
Identify the riders to the magistrate
Quest Complete
Secure a formal warrant against Bishop Eisenfaust's men