The Praetorian Captain leads Valeria and Marcus from the practice yard toward the Palatine. The amended witness tablet travels openly in his hand, while Valeria’s family remains at home and Murmilla stays behind to recover her shoulder.
Marcus Flavius
Keep the tablet visible. If the palace changes a word, the witnesses must see whose hand made the change.
At the Domus Tiberiana, guards admit them into a guarded chamber. Two palace officials wait beside a long table: an elderly, narrow-faced man in a white-edged toga and a middle-aged woman with severe dark hair, purple-bordered robes, and a bronze stylus.
Praetorian Captain
The briefing proceeds under the sealed agreement. Nothing discussed here enlarges Valeria’s obedience or alters payment without her consent.
The officials arrange a blunted sword, a light shield, and a ceremonial staff beside painted panels showing the imperial audience. A fresh wax tablet lies ready, its lower half conspicuously blank.
the elderly palace official
The household proposes these weapons, this entrance, and a salute before the Emperor. We expect a prompt answer to each detail so preparations may begin.
Marcus Flavius
Prompt answers are not consent. Let her inspect every proposal, and let the blank space remain blank until she chooses what belongs there.
“"I must have a thorough knowledge of the procedure if I am to complete it."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Valeria Asiaticus
I must know the entire procedure before I complete it. State each step, each required word, and every point at which my consent is needed.
The bronze-stylused official pauses over the blank tablet. The elderly official gestures to the painted panels, while the Captain keeps the amended agreement visible beside the proposed weapons.
the elderly palace official
First, you enter beneath the household’s ceremonial standard. You salute the Emperor, receive the staff, and stand before the marked audience space.
the bronze-stylused palace official
Second, you perform the prescribed demonstration with the blunted sword and light shield. You may refuse any movement that exceeds the written safety terms.
Praetorian Captain
Third, payment is counted and witnessed immediately afterward. Your declaration is repeated only as written: loyalty to Claudius and lawful duty toward his official household representation.
the bronze-stylused palace official
You may inspect the weapons, the entrance route, the audience arrangement, and the final tablet. Nothing becomes binding until you approve the wording and add your mark.
The officials set the sequence onto the fresh wax: entrance, salute, demonstration, declaration, payment, and sealing. The Captain records that Valeria’s consent remains required at every alteration.
✓ Quest Accepted
Approve and seal the witnessed, bounded demonstration plan
“She studies the tablet.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +3)
Valeria bends over the fresh wax tablet and studies every line, comparing its sequence with the sealed agreement and the Captain’s witness record. The softened wax preserves each correction clearly.
Valeria Asiaticus
The tablet repeats my limits, but the blank lower half leaves room for terms they have not yet dared to write.
Her trained eye catches a faint impression beneath the final line: an erased draft once proposed a second declaration, broader than loyalty to Claudius and lawful household representation.
the bronze-stylused palace official
You have found the superseded wording. It was withdrawn before presentation and has no force, but your examination confirms why the tablet must remain open to your inspection.
the elderly palace official
The sequence stands as stated. No second declaration, private rehearsal, or alteration may be inserted without your mark and the Captain’s witnesses.
The bronze-stylused official adds a marginal notation recording Valeria’s discovery and the discarded language. The notation gives her a dated safeguard against its later resurrection.
Praetorian Captain
Your study has exposed an omitted proposal before it became an obligation. I will attach this notation to the sealed agreement and preserve the rejected wording separately.
“"Very well. I am to complete the prescribed demonstration, but I have not yet heard exactly what that is."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Politics, rolled +2)
Valeria Asiaticus
Very well. I am to complete the prescribed demonstration, but I have not yet heard exactly what that is.
the elderly palace official
You will enter beneath the standard, salute Claudius, and accept the staff in your right hand. Then you will cross the marked space with sword and shield.
the bronze-stylused palace official
You will perform three measured sequences: advance and guard, turn against a shield-bearing partner, then disarm without a cutting stroke. You may halt at any unsafe command.
Praetorian Captain
The final movement is a lowered weapon and formal salute to the Emperor. No kneeling, private pledge, unscripted address, or second declaration is included.
The bronze-stylused official inscribes each movement on the blank wax: entrance, salute, staff, three sequences, lowered weapon, and payment witness. The Captain checks every line against the sealed agreement.
the elderly palace official
That is the complete demonstration. The partner will use blunted equipment, and the officials will stop the exercise if either participant leaves the marked boundary.
The tablet now contains no hidden interval. The officials place the blunted sword and light shield before Valeria, while the Captain records that she has heard and understood the complete procedure.
Director's note
I like this, she thinks. Caligula would simply have given orders and killed anyone who objected.
“"I have heard what is expected of me, and I agree to it."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Valeria Asiaticus
I have heard the complete procedure, and I agree to perform it under these stated limits.
Valeria places her hand beside the tablet without touching the wax. Her acceptance is clear, while the amended agreement and every safeguard remain visible to the witnesses.
Praetorian Captain
Recorded: Valeria Asiaticus accepts the prescribed demonstration only as written, with no kneeling, private pledge, unscripted address, or second declaration.
the bronze-stylused palace official
The entrance, salute, staff, three measured sequences, lowered weapon, and witnessed payment are now confirmed. No further movement is required.
the elderly palace official
The household accepts your participation under those terms. Preparations may proceed without enlarging your duty or claiming your future service.
Marcus Flavius
Good. You agreed to a performance, not submission. Let the record show that the distinction survived the palace doors.
The bronze-stylused official adds Valeria’s acceptance to the wax. The Captain and both palace officials witness the entry, leaving the demonstration lawful, bounded, and ready to begin.
Quest Complete
Approve and seal the witnessed, bounded demonstration plan
Skill Upgrade: Lore Good→Great