The party leaves the old tollhouse beneath a pale, rain-washed sky. Brother Konrad carries the sealed evidence packet, while Frieda keeps the summons and certified copies secured beneath her cloak.
Sir Eleutherius rides ahead with Elias and two armed guards. The Witness travels in the covered cart, protected by the remaining escort as the road bends toward Bamberg.
Before the next wooded rise, an armed checkpoint bars the road. A painted board claims Imperial authority, while six men stand behind a timber barrier with spears ready.
Brother Konrad
Stand aside and present your written orders. Clerk, enter their names, seals, and stated authority into the record before anyone examines Imperial documents.
The checkpoint captain produces a parchment bearing an unfamiliar magistrate’s mark. He keeps it rolled in one hand and gestures toward Konrad’s sealed packet with the other.
Sir Eleutherius
Their weapons are serviceable, but their discipline is borrowed. The captain watches the packet more closely than the road.
Brother Konrad’s clerk dismounts and opens the inventory book. The guards hold position, the cart stops behind Frieda, and every eye turns toward the checkpoint’s disputed authority.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the armed checkpoint
“"Excuse me, good sir." With that, she takes the rolled parchment from the officer's hand, counting on distraction, an angelic smile and the element of surprise to disarm his resistance.”
FAILURE (Legendary Agility, rolled -4)
Frieda
Excuse me, good sir.
Frieda steps close and reaches for the officer’s rolled parchment, offering an angelic smile and trusting surprise to loosen his grip.
Captain Albrecht
No, Chaplain.
His fingers clamp down before the parchment leaves his hand. The roll twists between them, and the checkpoint guards lower their spearpoints toward the halted cart.
Captain Albrecht
You will not seize an officer’s orders beneath a false courtesy. Step back, and state your authority plainly.
The attempted theft leaves the captain’s parchment exposed between them, but not surrendered. The clerk’s inventory book remains open, its blank line waiting for the captain’s name and mark.
Brother Konrad
The chaplain’s attempt is entered as an unsuccessful examination. Captain, keep your hand upon the document and read its authority aloud.
“"We have shown you our authority. Now let us see yours."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Frieda
We have shown you our authority. Now let us see yours.
Frieda holds her ground beside the open inventory book. The guards keep their spears lowered, while the captain’s rolled parchment remains visible between them.
Captain Albrecht
Very well. I am Captain Albrecht, charged with this road by the magistrate of Hallstadt. These orders require inspection of sealed packets bound for Bamberg.
He unrolls the parchment across the barrier. The unfamiliar mark, the magistrate’s name, and the stated duty are exposed for the clerk and witnesses to examine.
Brother Konrad
Clerk, enter Captain Albrecht’s name, Hallstadt’s commission, and the precise limits of this order. No authority exceeds its written terms.
The clerk copies each detail into the inventory book. The captain’s commission is now available to the party, though it claims inspection rather than seizure.
Captain Albrecht
There. You have seen my authority. If your papers are lawful, they will withstand examination before witnesses.
“"And the magistrate of Hallstadt's authority cannot exceed that of the imperial court in Bamberg. The one is subordinate to the other."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Frieda
The magistrate of Hallstadt cannot exceed the authority of the Imperial court in Bamberg. His commission is subordinate to that summons.
Frieda indicates the Bamberg seal and the captain’s commission in turn. The clerk records the comparison beneath the inventory, leaving the hierarchy plain before every witness.
Captain Albrecht
That is correct. Hallstadt may inspect a local road, but it cannot overrule an Imperial summons or command what Bamberg has sealed.
Brother Konrad
Enter his admission exactly. The court’s authority governs this packet, and the captain’s orders must be read beneath it.
The clerk adds the captain’s acknowledgment to the record and marks the Bamberg summons as superior authority. The sealed packet remains protected from inspection or seizure.
Captain Albrecht
Then pass under the Imperial summons. I will record that Hallstadt’s men yielded to Bamberg’s authority and will not obstruct your road.
Quest Complete
Get past the armed checkpoint
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Mediocre→Fair