The altered wax remains beneath the crane officer’s talons when a dust-covered military courier, a young adult sparrow man in a battered brown cloak, rushes into the pavilion. His feathers are gray with road dust, and a red dispatch cord hangs at his throat.
the military courier
Officer, the frontier scouts report a barbarian legion advancing along the eastern road toward the neighboring city. Their banners are already visible from the outer watchtower.
The report escapes the pavilion on the hot wind. Petitioners turn from the tablet, soldiers reach for helmets and spears, and anxious faces gather around Gideon instead of the imperial informer.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
Centurion, the camp knows your judgment is not for sale. Give the order. Do we march, fortify, or send warning to the city?
the available orator
Their loyalty now rests on this moment. Rally them without abandoning the weak, and without letting fear make lawful judgment another casualty.
The informer stands silent beside the disputed tablet, while the unconscious raven remains by the rail. The courier waits, chest heaving, as the crowd’s expectant hush settles on Gideon.
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the neighboring city from the advancing barbarian legion
“Devise an initial strategy with the city's most capable soldiers to counter the incoming legion”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +0)
Gideon draws the eastern road in dust with his gladius, marking the watchtower, the camp gate, and the neighboring city. The broad-shouldered crane officer summons the camp’s veteran standard-bearers and scouts.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
We hold the tower and gate, send a fast column to warn the city, and deny the eastern road with caltrops and trenches. Their banners cannot reach either wall unobserved.
The military courier kneels over the rough map, adding distances and ravines from memory. Gideon assigns the strongest soldiers to the roadblock, while the swiftest riders carry warning and request the city’s cooperation.
the military courier
I know the ravine beyond the olive groves. A small force can watch it unseen and signal the tower before the legion reaches open ground.
the available orator
That is a defense, not a panic. The assembly need not be rallied as soldiers. Let the veterans act, and let the city hear the warning plainly.
The capable soldiers accept the arrangement, dividing into a watch, a roadblock, and a warning column. Gideon’s forearm begins bleeding through the bracer, and the broad-shouldered crane officer binds it tightly before issuing the orders.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
The plan stands, centurion. The eastern road will be watched, the city warned, and this camp will not be caught sleeping.
✓ Quest Accepted
Lead a personal unit against the barbarian legion
“go over tactics with an assembled unit of the most capable soldiers and most eager conscripts”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +0)
Gideon gathers the most capable soldiers and eager conscripts beside the dust map. Veterans tighten shields and spear straps while nervous recruits crowd close, listening beneath the snapping standards.
He reviews the plan by gesture and marked ground: scouts hold the ravine, veterans secure the caltrop line, and conscripts reinforce the gate and carry signals to the tower.
the military courier
The ravine bends behind the olive grove. Two watchers there can signal the tower before any force reaches the roadblock.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
Veterans, take the eastern road. Conscripts, stay by the gate until the tower confirms the warning. No one abandons position without a signal.
Gideon walks the assembled line, correcting shield overlaps, assigning spear ranks, and pairing eager conscripts with seasoned soldiers. The scattered force becomes a defensible formation.
the available orator
They understand the work now. The city is warned, the camp is covered, and every soldier knows where duty places him.
The unit answers with a hard clash of spear shafts against shields. Beyond them, runners depart toward the tower and city while the first roadblock detail moves east.
“March with the veterans while holding my radiant gladius aloft as a show of force”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Gideon marches east with the veterans, his radiant gladius raised above the standards. Fire-bright light spills across shields, spearheads, and the dust-choked road.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
Keep the line closed. Let those banners see Rome advancing in order, not fleeing before them.
The veterans answer with measured steps, their shields locking into a bronze-edged wall. Caltrops and trench crews move ahead while scouts vanish toward the ravine.
the military courier
The watchtower has seen us, officer. Our signal is answered, and the city’s road remains open for the warning column.
Sunlight catches the gladius and magnifies its strange radiance across the eastern fields. Far beyond the olive grove, unfamiliar banners shift against the horizon.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
Hold your courage, veterans. The centurion gives them a choice: halt before Rome’s wall, or meet Rome prepared.
The march reaches the prepared roadblock without breaking formation. Veterans take their positions behind the caltrop line, while Gideon’s raised blade remains visible to the approaching force.
“"For Rome, Men!"”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Gideon Gaius
For Rome, men!
Gideon’s cry rolls across the roadblock and olive groves. Veterans answer by striking spear shafts against shields, while the conscripts lift their voices behind them.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
You heard the centurion! Hold the line, guard the city, and let no banner pass these caltrops.
The approaching banners halt beyond bowshot. Their distant ranks shift and gather, but the prepared road, locked shields, and radiant gladius deny them an easy advance.
the military courier
The tower repeats our signal. The city has received warning, and its gate is closing behind the messengers.
The cry costs Gideon his remaining breath and strains his wounded forearm; blood darkens the binding beneath his bracer as he keeps the blade raised.
the broad-shouldered crane officer
Rome stands ready. Scouts, watch their flanks. Veterans, wait for my signal, and make this road remember our discipline.
Quest Complete
Lead a personal unit against the barbarian legion
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great