Lantern light warms the ward office, but the room still feels like a machine made of paper, ink, and law. Clerks hurry between towers of parchment while Magistrate Wei sits behind his dark wood desk, watching Kareem with measured patience. The Gate Scribe stands ready, ledger open.
Magistrate Wei
Chief Warrant Officer Kareem Bishop, your residence may now be finalized. But Shou Lung prefers order. If you wish a quiet life, you must have a place in it.
He slides a narrow sealed form across the desk. One line is already marked for a ward, another for lawful work. A red cinnabar stamp waits beside them, unpressed.
The Gate Scribe
A registered visitor may remain, if he accepts ward duty or a patron’s oversight. Otherwise the seal expires at dawn.
Kareem Bishop
Kareem asks what work is needed, and what it costs him.
Wei’s eyes flick to the ledger, then to the bag at Kareem’s side. The answer is not hostile, but it is final. In Shou Lung, peace is purchased with service, and the empire is offering Kareem his first real price.
Magistrate Wei
A foreign medic and builder is useful. Sign, and you may keep your room, your meal, and your freedom within this ward. Refuse, and you remain a guest only until morning.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure official residency in Shou Lung
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain lawful ward work
“I pick up the brush and sign the form to accept the ward duty.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Kareem reaches for the brush, and the office seems to hold its breath. The magistrate nudges the form closer, giving him the line to claim.
Kareem Bishop
Kareem takes the brush and signs the form to accept the ward duty.
The ink bites cleanly into the paper. The Gate Scribe’s brush snaps down at once, copying the entry before the stroke can fade.
The Gate Scribe
Recorded. Ward duty is now lawful, pending seal and witness.
Magistrate Wei presses the cinnabar stamp hard over the signature. The wax puddles red, but the edge of Kareem’s thumb catches the wet seal and leaves a dark smudge beside it.
Magistrate Wei
Then it is settled. Keep your room, your meal, and your place in this ward. Report when summoned, and do not lose that token.
The Gate Scribe
And the ribbon remains blotted. A small mark, but the ledger will remember it.
Quest Complete
Secure official residency in Shou Lung
Quest Complete
Obtain lawful ward work