Dagg reaches the old stone bridge beneath a gray winter sky. Four poorly armed riders surround a stalled grain cart, their horses stamping in the snow.
Bridge Bandit 1
The debt is overdue. Half the tally proves it, and we take the grain now.
The Grain Driver
That tally was settled last month. You have the wrong half, and you know it!
The driver, with weathered light skin, a narrow face, and short graying hair, a thin middle-aged man in a patched brown coat, grips the reins with both hands. His cart stands heavy with covered sacks, one wheel sunk against the bridge stones.
The tally-holder, a lean young adult man with weathered skin, a narrow face, cropped dark hair, and a patched gray-brown coat, snaps the notched wood against his palm. Around him, three remaining riders shift in their saddles and reach toward cudgels, a short sword, and a hunting bow.
Bridge Bandit 1
Keep walking, traveler. This is lawful collection, and none of your concern.
The grain driver looks from the armed riders to Dagg, silently pleading. The bandits tighten their grips, leaving the bridge, the cart, and the disputed tally between them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Break the bandits’ control of the old stone bridge
“Ah, so we are starting off with a lie. Understood. Now we both know this is in no way a lawful collection. I have been paid by the law, to come here, and find exactly your group, because you are doing unlawful things. So i will only ask this once. get down off your horses, tie yourselves up, and come with me to get a fair hearing in town. Or option two, you all make a nice meal for any wolves, bears, hawks, or even deer, that find your lifeless bodies laying in the snow. your choice.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Dagg Nabbitt
Ah, so we are starting with a lie. Get down, tie yourselves up, and come for a fair hearing, or feed the wolves and bears. Your choice.
Dagg raises his bow, its ancient limbs steady in the gray light, and keeps one arrow trained across the riders. He has read the mayor’s contract and the tally closely, while Questions Witnesses fixes each bandit with the same demand. Superstitious caution makes him watch the snowy treeline as carefully as the men before him.
Bridge Bandit 1
Lower the bow. We will do as you say. Nobody needs to die over a cart of grain.
The tally-holder climbs down first and drops his cudgel into the snow. The three other riders follow, their weapons placed on the bridge stones, then bind their own wrists and ankles under Dagg’s watch.
The Grain Driver
I will testify in town. They stopped me, threatened me, and tried to take my settled grain.
Bridge Bandit 1
We surrender to the hearing. The tally was false, and we knew it.
The bridge falls quiet except for stamping horses and wind through the stones. The grain driver steadies his cart while the surrendered bandits wait bound in the snow, ready to be escorted toward Devia.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the surrendered bandits to a fair hearing
Quest Complete
Break the bandits’ control of the old stone bridge
“{Dagg takes all of the bandits weapons and leads them into to town to the mayor}”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled +2)
Dagg collects the cudgel, short sword, hunting bow, and spare weapons from the bridge stones. He checks each piece, then loops ranch rope through the surrendered bandits’ bindings.
He gives the grain driver one rope lead for the horses and assigns the man to guide the cart, while Dagg takes the prisoners’ line. The arrangement keeps everyone moving without slack.
Bridge Bandit 1
We will walk. The weapons are yours, and the false tally goes with us as evidence.
Dagg leads the bound tally-holder and the three remaining Bridge Bandits along the north road. Their horses follow the grain cart, and no one tests the rope or reaches for the confiscated weapons.
By afternoon, Devia’s walls rise through the snowfall. Dagg brings the prisoners, cart, horses, weapons, and disputed tally through the gate, presenting the entire matter in proper order.
The Mayor
You brought them safely, their weapons, and the evidence. I will hear the grain driver first, then record each surrender and confession.
The mayor’s clerks take custody of the weapons while the bound bandits are led inside for questioning. The grain driver keeps his settled tally close, ready to testify before the town’s authority.