The honours lesson leaves the classroom for a guarded road gate beyond the academy grounds. Othmar Venn leads Nilsar and Lord Edric Marrow past the walls, while the remaining students stay behind with their rulebooks.
A loaded wagon waits beneath the gatehouse. The toll clerk, a narrow middle-aged man in a brown clerk’s coat, holds the reins while two broad-shouldered adult men argue beside the wheels, one in a green cloak, a broad-shouldered young adult man with a square face, dark hair, and a weathered brown tunic beneath the cloak and one in a patched gray jerkin, a broad-shouldered young adult man with a narrow face, sandy hair, and a dark wool shirt beneath the jerkin.
Othmar Venn
No one seizes control unless the law requires it. Examine the claims, the toll record, and the danger to the people here. Apply the Code before you reach for authority.
The Toll Clerk
I stopped the wagon because both men presented orders bearing rival seals. Neither would identify which office had issued the stronger authority, and the driver could not safely choose between them.
The Green-Cloaked Claimant
The wagon is bound for the eastern garrison under my warrant. The gray-cloaked fellow is obstructing lawful military supply.
The Gray-Jerkined Claimant
His warrant bears a copied seal and no issuing clerk’s mark. My order directs the cargo to the academy storehouse, where the toll register confirms the destination.
Lord Edric studies the wagon’s seals without touching them. Othmar watches Nilsar, leaving the disputed authority, the driver’s safety, and the next lawful question for the students to determine.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish which order lawfully governs the wagon
“The priority of the wagon heading for the garrison is of the utmost importance though without the proper legal documentation they should wait by law. Ask the Clerk to take the military shioments papers and make sure theu get their mark while the trader bound for the academy passes though with the proper authority.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Nilsar Yarb
The garrison shipment has priority, but without proper documentation it must wait. Clerk, take its papers, verify the issuing mark, and let the academy-bound trader pass under the valid authority.
Nilsar presents the Signed Commendation and Sealed Academy Order as proof of the academy’s standing, then points to the rival warrants without touching either seal. Interprets Legal Records separates destination, issuing office, and required clerk’s mark.
The Toll Clerk
Understood, Captain. I will hold the garrison shipment here, inspect its military papers, and apply the proper toll mark if the issuing authority is confirmed.
The toll clerk takes the military papers and compares the green claimant’s warrant against the register. Identifies Authority finds no issuing clerk’s mark, while Keeps Reliable Accounts records the discrepancy beside the shipment entry.
The Toll Clerk
This warrant cannot pass as presented. The academy order has the proper authority and supporting mark, so the trader may proceed while the garrison papers remain here for correction.
The gray-jerkined claimant’s driver guides the academy-bound wagon through the gate. Lord Edric watches the decision stand, and Othmar’s stern expression eases as the Code is applied without favoritism.
Othmar Venn
That is lawful command, Captain. You preserved the urgent shipment’s priority without granting it passage beyond its proof, and you released the properly documented trader.
Quest Complete
Establish which order lawfully governs the wagon