In a shadowed corner of Heartbound’s capital tavern, parchment, ink, and half-finished letters rest before Brian. His crow waits nearby, feathers shifting whenever the crowded room grows loud.
A cloaked patron approaches and places a sealed summons on the table. Black wax bears the unmistakable mark of Larsburg, its edges faintly damp from the road.
the cloaked patron
Paid work, traveler. The summons explains enough, and the reward is worth your time.
The patron does not sit. Beneath the hood, their attention flicks from the letters to Brian’s katana, then toward the tavern door.
Near that doorway, a second cloaked figure shifts into the easiest path outside. Conversation continues around them, but the air in this corner tightens.
the cloaked patron
You should read it before deciding. Larsburg pays well for capable hands, and this matter prefers discretion.
The crow gives a low, questioning croak. The sealed summons remains between Brian and the stranger, untouched, while the blocked exit waits beyond the tables.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the tavern safely
“Can I reach the tavern door without passing between the cloaked figures?”
NO (Unlikely, rolled 86)
The tavern’s crowded tables leave no clear route to the door. Every gap narrows toward the two cloaked figures, forcing their positions into Brian’s path.
the cloaked patron
There is no need for haste. Read the summons, and you may learn why Larsburg sent me.
The second figure shifts half a step, quietly closing the only tempting passage beside a serving bench. No blade is drawn, but the exit is plainly controlled.
the second cloaked figure
The door is not your route, traveler.
The crow ruffles its feathers and watches the blocked doorway. Around Brian, mugs pause halfway to lips before the tavern’s noise slowly resumes.
the cloaked patron
You asked for discretion. We offer it still. Take the letter, and decide with all the facts before you.
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
FAILURE (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Brian Johnson
You are in Heartbound’s capital. Larsburg is still hated here, war or no war. Keep blocking me, and I will make this entire tavern notice you.
The warning carries only as far as the nearest tables, but several patrons glance over. The tavern’s hum thins, turning the corner’s secrecy into a visible disturbance.
the cloaked patron
A scene would expose you with us, not merely us. Heartbound’s watch will question everyone involved, and you still will not know what Larsburg seeks.
The patron keeps the summons on the table and does not yield the main doorway. Instead, one gloved hand indicates the serving bench beside the second figure.
the second cloaked figure
There is a staff passage behind the bench. It leads away from the crowded room, if you prefer discretion to spectacle.
the cloaked patron
Read the summons there, or read it here before witnesses. Either way, Larsburg’s purpose is written in its seal.
The narrow passage is now a usable alternative, while the sealed letter remains untouched between Brian and the patron.
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +0)
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
FAILURE (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
The warning draws more eyes than intended. Nearby patrons turn in their seats, and the tavern’s fragile quiet fractures into murmurs about Larsburg and trouble.
the cloaked patron
Then you have made your scene already, traveler. One more raised voice, and every witness will remember only that you threatened strangers bearing a sealed summons.
The patron lifts both hands, making the gesture appear conciliatory while subtly placing Brian between the table and the watching room. The summons remains within easy reach.
the second cloaked figure
The passage is open. Walk through it, and the tavern forgets this corner. Stay, and Heartbound’s watch may decide what happened before you read why we came.
The threat of witnesses turns the promised spectacle against Brian. The staff passage becomes the only route that avoids immediate scrutiny, though it leads away from the crowded room and deeper into uncertainty.
the cloaked patron
No chains, no drawn steel, no insult to Heartbound. Take the letter with you, if you wish, and learn Larsburg’s purpose beyond these listening ears.
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +1)
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
The warning settles over the tavern like a struck bell. More patrons turn toward the corner, and the room’s murmurs sharpen around the hated name of Larsburg.
the cloaked patron
Then you have made your scene already, traveler. Keep your voice steady, and no one need remember more than necessary.
The patron raises both hands and steps aside from the table, yielding the narrow passage. In doing so, the sealed summons remains within Brian’s reach.
the second cloaked figure
The way is open. Take the letter or leave it, but choose quickly before the watch decides this corner concerns them.
A serving girl hurries past, jostling the table. Ink spills across the edge of Brian’s unfinished letters, staining one with a dark blue smear.
the cloaked patron
No chains, no steel, and no further blocking. Larsburg seeks discretion, not a quarrel with Heartbound’s capital.
The staff passage now stands unobstructed beside the bench. Behind Brian, uneasy witnesses continue watching; ahead, the cloaked figures wait without touching him or the summons.
Director's note
even now tension from the war between the Kingdoms of heartbound and Larsburg are strained
“I remind the cloaked patron that we are in the capital city of heartbound and that people here don't like Larsburg even if the war ended and if they don't let me leave I will make a scene.”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Brian Johnson
We are in Heartbound’s capital. People here still despise Larsburg, war or no war. Keep blocking me, and I will make this entire tavern notice.
The warning carries across the nearest tables. Mugs pause, chairs scrape, and murmurs gather around the hated name of Larsburg as uneasy eyes turn toward the corner.
the cloaked patron
A public scene exposes you alongside us. Still, you have made your position clear, and we will not hold you here.
The patron steps fully away from the table and gestures toward the staff passage. The second figure follows, leaving the narrow route unobstructed.
the second cloaked figure
The way is open, traveler. Leave with the summons or leave it behind, but no one will bar your exit.
The sealed summons remains on the table within Brian’s reach, while the crowded tavern watches the cloaked pair retreat from the doorway and waits for the corner to settle.
“Is the staff passage truly free of guards?”
YES (Unlikely, rolled 13)
Beyond the bench, the staff passage lies empty. No guard waits in its shadow, and no armored silhouette watches the tavern from the rear corridor.
the cloaked patron
You see? The way is clear. Larsburg has not placed soldiers inside Heartbound’s capital.
The second figure pauses just beyond the bench, keeping distance rather than blocking the route. Their hood turns toward the watching patrons, wary of every hostile whisper.
the second cloaked figure
No guards. No ambush. Only a passage out of public view, if you still mean to learn what the seal contains.
Across the tavern, the murmurs remain sharp whenever Larsburg is named. The empty corridor offers privacy, but not trust, and the summons waits untouched on the table.
the cloaked patron
Read it here or carry it beyond these witnesses. The choice remains yours, traveler.
“I leave the tavern and summons behind”
Brian leaves the sealed summons on the table and turns toward the open staff passage. The crow follows, wings beating once before settling into the corridor’s dimness.
Behind him, the tavern’s murmurs sharpen around Larsburg, but no hand reaches after him. The cloaked figures remain where they are, allowing the departure.
the cloaked patron
Then leave it. Larsburg’s purpose can wait for someone willing to hear it.
The staff passage carries Brian away from the crowded tables and into cooler air. A rear door stands ajar, opening onto a quiet stone lane behind the tavern.
the second cloaked figure
No pursuit. No further claim upon you, traveler.
Brian steps through the rear doorway, leaving Heartbound’s tavern, the summons, and Larsburg’s unanswered request behind. The door swings shut, muting the uneasy voices within.
Quest Complete
Escape the tavern safely
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Great→Superb