Late light lies across Nabbitt Farms as Dagg rides through the gate. His border collie bounds from the porch to greet him, tail sweeping dust from the road.
Merrin Holt approaches from the yard, a lean young drover in a weathered brown coat, with wind-tossed hair and a folded report held carefully in both hands.
Merrin Holt
Welcome home. The first placements went well. Meals arrived, wages were paid, and the guards brought the children back safely.
Merrin opens the copied report beneath the gate lantern. Most lines are marked complete, but one household’s promised return time was changed without notice.
Merrin Holt
This family waited past the written hour before their child came home. The guard says the task ran long, but nobody recorded the change or warned them.
Dagg Nabbitt
The first report is encouraging, but the written return time was not followed.
The dog settles against Dagg’s leg while the farm sounds resume around him. Merrin keeps the report open, waiting for instructions before the evening meal and rest begin.
“We will see if there are any more hiccups. Thank you Merrin for the report. I am going to hit the hay, I am sure tomorrow will bring more issues.”
Dagg Nabbitt
Thank you, Merrin. We will see if there are any more hiccups. I am going to hit the hay; tomorrow will bring more issues, I am sure.
Merrin Holt
Rest easy. I will keep the report safe and make sure the changed return time is corrected in the morning.
Merrin folds the report along its marked lines and tucks it beneath his coat. Your border collie rises from Dagg’s leg, watches him cross the yard, then follows at an easy distance.
The farmhouse windows cast warm squares across the darkening yard. Stable sounds settle one by one as Dagg leaves the evening’s civic work behind.
Dagg Nabbitt
The return-time error is recorded and can be corrected tomorrow.
Inside, Dagg sets aside his hat and closes the door against the night air. Your border collie curls near the threshold, and the ranch grows quiet as Dagg goes to sleep.
“{The sun rises the next morning and King Gandien knocks on Dagg's Farmhouse doors.} Good morning Gandien! What brings you here? {Dagg asks, learning that Gandien is there to congratulate him and offer any assistance to his new Magistrate for Devia}”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Sunrise washes Nabbitt Farms in pale gold. A firm knock sounds at the farmhouse door, and your border collie lifts his head from the threshold to listen.
Dagg Nabbitt
Good morning, Gandien. What brings you here?
Dagg opens the door without reaching for his hat or turning toward the waiting quiet of the ranch. His relaxed wish for an easy morning yields to the duty at his doorstep.
King Gandien
Good morning, Dagg. I came to congratulate you on becoming Devia’s Magistrate and Alderman. Your reform has already begun, and the city has noticed.
King Gandien
I also came to offer assistance. You have authority now, but authority needs sound records, honest officers, and people willing to carry out lawful orders.
Dagg questions the offer directly, asking what aid the crown can provide and what limits will protect Devia’s families. Gandien answers each point plainly, offering clerks, legal guidance, and trained guards for the reform measures.
King Gandien
You will not govern alone. Send your requests through the crown office, and I will help you build Devia into a fairer, safer city without taking its authority from you.
The offer is clear, practical, and placed fully before Dagg. Behind him, your border collie settles again as the morning ranch waits for his next decision.