Marcus Flavius leads Valeria and Murmilla toward the Forum of Augustus, beneath the long shadows of the Temple of Mars Ultor. Aurelia, Nestor, Castor, and Pollux remain at home.
Near the temple steps, a public clerk waits beside a wax tablet sealed with imperial cord. Two witnesses stand ready, while a guard keeps curious passersby at a respectful distance.
The Clerk
Valeria Asiaticus, this notice offers a ceremonial appearance and public demonstration connected to the imperial games. The payment and conditions are written here.
Marcus Flavius
Read every line before anyone expects an answer. A generous purse can conceal a leash, and the palace has used both before.
The clerk breaks the outer seal and turns the tablet so all may see. It promises witnessed payment, no patronage, and future consideration for arena appearances, but requires a public declaration of loyalty.
Murmilla
A ceremony may be safer than a bout, yet every crowd will remember the woman placed before the imperial standards. Choose what the record will say.
The Clerk
You may accept, refuse, or propose amendments before the witnesses. Nothing binds you until your mark and the official seal stand together.
“She reads it carefully.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled -1)
Valeria bends over the wax tablet and reads every clause twice, tracing the formal hand with her eyes while the witnesses wait in disciplined silence.
Valeria Asiaticus
The payment is witnessed, but the declaration is permanent once entered into the record.
She finds the exact terms: one ceremonial appearance, one public demonstration, payment at the steps, no patronage, no exclusive service, and no claim upon future purses. The loyalty declaration names Claudius and the imperial household, but grants no obedience beyond lawful duty.
Marcus Flavius
There is the leash, plainly written. It does not own you, but Rome will repeat your words long after this purse is spent.
The Clerk
You have read the whole notice. The witnesses heard no alteration, and the conditions remain open for amendment before acceptance.
A gust lifts grit against the tablet, forcing the clerk to steady it with his forearm. Wax scrapes beneath his thumb, leaving a fresh mark beside the imperial cord, which he records as damage.
Murmilla
At least now you know what they purchase: your appearance, your words for one day, and nothing beyond them, unless you freely add it.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the ceremonial appearance on lawful terms
✓ Quest Accepted
Publicly establish that the Asiaticus family supports the imperial household
“"One moment. I have already pledge loyalty to the Emperor publicly, and would gladly do so again, but the imperial household is a different question. There are a lot of people in the imperial household."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Politics, rolled -2)
Valeria Asiaticus
One moment. I have already pledged loyalty to the Emperor publicly, and I would gladly do so again. But the imperial household is a different question. It contains many people.
The distinction settles over the temple steps. The clerk’s stylus pauses, while one witness glances toward the guarded road and the other studies the imperial cord.
The Clerk
Then the declaration must name Claudius and the household only as the offices and attendants lawfully representing him, not every person sheltered beneath the palace roof.
Marcus Flavius
That is the language of a free citizen. Loyalty to the Emperor is clear; loyalty to every courtier, flatterer, and enemy is not.
Murmilla
A useful distinction. Crowds remember simple words, but officials live by exceptions. Make them write yours plainly.
The clerk amends the wax, striking the broader phrase and recording the narrower one. The fresh scraping costs a line of prepared space, and the tablet must be recopied before sealing.
The Clerk
Accepted for amendment: loyalty reaffirmed to Emperor Claudius, with lawful duty toward his household’s official representation, and no obedience to unnamed persons. The witnesses will attest it.
“"With this reservation, I sign."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Politics, rolled -2)
Valeria Asiaticus
With this reservation, I sign.
Valeria presses her signet into the amended wax, affirming loyalty to Claudius and lawful duty toward his official household, while excluding unnamed courtiers and attendants.
The fresh tablet bears the cost of correction: two asses for the rewritten copy, paid from Valeria’s purse before the witnesses.
The Clerk
The reservation stands. Your mark binds only the words recorded here, and the witnesses attest that no broader obedience was accepted.
Marcus Flavius
Good. You have given the Emperor respect without handing his household your neck.
Murmilla
She spends coin to keep a boundary visible. That is a fighter’s kind of courage.
The clerk adds his seal beside Valeria’s mark, and both witnesses sign beneath it. The imperial cord is replaced, leaving the declaration public, narrow, and binding.
Quest Complete
Secure the ceremonial appearance on lawful terms
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Superb→Legendary
Quest Complete
Publicly establish that the Asiaticus family supports the imperial household
Skill Upgrade: Lore Fair→Good