At Elbee’s Inn, the owner greets Dagg and the mayor at the secured entrance. Elbee is a sturdy middle-aged man with ruddy cheeks, a gray-brown beard, and a dark wool vest.
Elbee
Inside, both of you. I barred the door as promised, and no one will interrupt this meeting without my permission.
Elbee locks the entrance, slides the bolt home, and leads them to a private table. Reform papers, blank sheets, and the mayor’s seal wait beneath the lamplight.
The Mayor
As Magistrate, you may sign official documents under the King’s or my authority, provided each order names its legal basis and purpose.
The Mayor
As Alderman, you may judge Devia’s criminals and assign lawful sentences. That power carries duties: hear testimony, record reasons, and keep punishment proportionate.
He turns the papers toward Dagg, marking proposals for food relief, schooling, apprenticeships, and supervised service. Elbee quietly adds a column for costs, kitchens, tutors, and guarded placements.
The Mayor
Which measure should reach the council first, Magistrate? Food keeps children alive today, but schooling and honest apprenticeships may keep them from being bought tomorrow.
The question rests between the three men while snow whispers against the shuttered windows. The reform papers remain open, awaiting Dagg’s direction.
“I do not see why we can't do both. Devia has the gold reserves. I say we start a program where children go out with our guards to do tasks for the city, whether it be cleaning, delivering food, or simply helping at shops. Then we pay these children some silver that they can take home to their families, show them how to earn a living. Next we can start construction of a school. hire some teachers and staff, this also helps to find jobs for more people of Devia. Are there any objections to these ideas?”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Dagg Nabbitt
I do not see why we cannot do both. Use Devia’s reserves for guarded work paid in silver, then build a school and hire teachers and staff. Are there objections?
Dagg lays the proposal across the table, assigning guards, shop tasks, food deliveries, wages, construction, and oversight in clear stages. His magistrate and alderman appointments give the plan lawful footing, while his careful reading of the accounts keeps every cost visible.
The Mayor
No objection in principle. The reserves can support the first wages, and your delegated supervisors can prevent exploitation. I will present both measures together, with written limits and public accounting.
The mayor marks separate columns for guarded tasks, silver payments, family relief, school construction, and staff wages. Dagg’s practical delegation turns a broad hope into offices with named duties, though his relaxed wish to avoid endless civic labor briefly tugs at him.
Elbee
I object only if the children are sent anywhere unwatched. With guards, fair hours, and food before work, I will offer this inn as a place to post notices and hear complaints.
The Mayor
Then it is agreed. I will carry the work relief and school measure to the council today, under your authority as Magistrate and Alderman.
The mayor seals the draft beside Dagg’s appointments. The dual program is accepted for council action, with guarded work, silver wages, and school planning proceeding together.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish guarded paid work and schooling for Devia’s children
“Then let us put this into action. Elby, as owner of the Tavern, we do not want to take up any more of your time and business. But I must ask, are there any other issues in Devia I should be privy too?”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Dagg Nabbitt
Then let us put this into action. Elby, are there other issues in Devia I should know about before we leave?
Dagg keeps the question narrow, asking Elby to supply facts rather than turning the meeting into another broad promise. His relaxed wish to return to ranch work remains visible in the brevity of the request, while Questions Witnesses leaves room for specifics.
Elbee
A few matters, Magistrate. The south quarter has families behind on rent, two streets lack working lanterns, and children are sleeping in crowded rooms. Some shopkeepers also use false weights, though frightened customers rarely complain.
The Mayor
Those reports are consistent with complaints we have not yet organized. I will have the clerks separate them by urgency, evidence, and responsible office.
Elby adds each concern to the blank sheet, naming streets and households from memory without exposing private details. Delegates Responsibly turns the scattered complaints into assignments for relief, inspection, and later council review.
Elbee
There is one more thing. Travelers avoid the south quarter after dusk because quarrels spill from the alehouses. I can hear complaints here, but I need a safe way to pass them on.
The Mayor
Then we will establish a written complaint book here, with guards checking urgent reports and clerks preserving the rest for lawful review.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a safe complaint system for Devia
“{Dagg throws a pouch of gold on the table} Here, this is for those behind on rent, but let it be known this is the only time this happens. There is new change in Devia and we are starting fresh. That should cover anyone behind and then some, store the rest here Elby. For when we need it to help others. Lets start with a complaint order here and see how that works. I think with Elby in charge of it, we will have no issues.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Dagg Nabbitt
Here is gold for those behind on rent. This is the only time I cover it, but Devia is starting fresh. Elby, store the rest here for others. Let us begin the complaint order, with you in charge.
Dagg throws the heavy leather purse onto the table. Gold presses against the seams, enough to clear the recorded rent arrears and leave a substantial reserve beneath Elby’s care.
Elbee
I will keep the reserve sealed in the inn’s strong chest, Magistrate, and record every payment. No family will receive more than the rent owed without your written order.
Dagg’s relaxed reluctance to take on another civic task yields to his delegated plan: Elby receives custody, while the mayor retains oversight and the accounts remain visible.
The Mayor
That will cover the arrears and establish a lawful relief reserve. I will enter the gift, its limits, and Elby’s custody in the city record.
Elby opens a fresh complaint book and writes its purpose across the first page. He adds columns for the complainant, street, issue, witnesses, urgency, and action taken, then places it beside the sealed reserve.
Elbee
The book is open today. I will hear each complaint, protect private details, and pass urgent matters to the guards while preserving the rest for lawful review.
The Mayor
Agreed. This order begins under your authority, Magistrate, with Elby listening and the clerks checking each report. Devia now has a clear first measure.
Quest Complete
Establish a safe complaint system for Devia