Reeve Anja Vey has the party brought into a cramped gatehouse office. Octavius remains beneath the cart’s rear canvas until the last moment, with Patter close and his bow within reach.
Inside, Guard Guard Tessa supervises Pell Ordan’s arrival. The older official places the arrival ledger and diversion notes on a scarred table, while Mara Venn stands beside Edrin Vale, her hands empty.
Reeve Anja Vey
I have read Mara’s letter. Its urgency is genuine, and its warnings concern more than this gatehouse. Now I need the road’s truth.
Reeve Anja Vey
Octavius, Edrin, identify which entries match the watchers’ movements, and which details were fabricated to divert you.
Pell Ordan
Reeve, the diversion notes record only a customary precaution. Any irregularity may be an error, not proof of conspiracy.
The Older Official
The side passage was used as written. I received the instruction from Pell and had no reason to question it.
Guard Tessa remains by the door, blocking any quiet departure. Reeve Anja Vey leaves the papers open before Octavius and Edrin Vale, waiting for their account while Pell Ordan watches every face.
“Edrin..?" I offer, letting him speak first, as this story began before my involvement, about which he is the only one here with first hand experience. "I found you already set upon. Why don't you begin?”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +0)
Octavius
Edrin? I offer, letting him speak first. This story began before my involvement, and you are the only one here with firsthand experience. I found you already set upon. Why don't you begin?
Octavius's invitation settles the room. Edrin studies the open ledger, then places one weathered hand beside the first diversion entry, while Anja waits without interruption.
Edrin Vale
I was traveling east with my cart when armed men overturned it and searched the road around me. They wanted information about Mara, though I had not yet met her.
Edrin Vale
They kept me frightened and visible, using my distress as a signal. Octavius found me before they could turn that trap toward anyone else.
Pell's expression tightens at the word signal. The older official shifts his ledger closer, but Guard Tessa's steady presence at the door prevents him from removing anything.
Reeve Anja Vey
Continue, Edrin. Tell me what happened after Mara joined you, and identify every moment when the road seemed guided rather than merely dangerous.
Edrin Vale
Octavius has given me the room to tell this plainly. I will not waste his trust.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether Pell’s records aided the watchers
Director's note
I remain silent, though if Edrin seems to skip over a supporting detail i had noticed, I lift a hand and wait for acknowledgement and permission to interject
Edrin Vale
After Mara joined us, the danger became deliberate. Unmarked men shadowed the road, and someone tested our camp before dawn, always probing for her and the letter.
Edrin traces the eastern route with one finger, pausing at the ridge fork and the compromised crossing. Anja leans over the ledger, comparing his path to the diversion marks.
Edrin Vale
We were guided away from the old crossing by Greenwardens. That warning was genuine. The false guidance came later, when this gatehouse tried to turn us aside.
Reeve Anja Vey
And the watcher at your camp? Did you see a face, a badge, or only signs?
Edrin Vale
Only signs, Reeve. A torn gray cloth, red stitching, and blue wax. Octavius found them. Mara’s pursuers knew enough to search for her, but not enough to act openly.
Pell’s mouth tightens. Guard Tessa notices and shifts closer to the table, while the older official keeps both hands visible beside the ledger.
Reeve Anja Vey
Then the road account supports the letter. Tessa, seal this room and summon my marshal. No record leaves until every entry is examined.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prevent the marshal from seizing the party’s evidence
“Does the Reeve seem to have a positive reaction to the mention of the Greenwardens?”
NO, AND WORSE (Unlikely, rolled 90)
At the word Greenwardens, Reeve Reeve Anja Vey’s expression hardens. The warmth leaves the cramped office, and her hand closes over the edge of Mara’s letter.
Reeve Anja Vey
Do not call that warning genuine. The Greenwardens were outlawed in Dunmere after the border rising. Their signs have preceded raids, disappearances, and false appeals for aid.
Edrin Vale
Reeve, the warning saved us from an ambush. Whoever gave it did not ask for payment or allegiance. They directed us away and vanished.
Reeve Anja Vey turns sharply toward Edrin. Outside the office, boots hurry across the gatehouse floor, and a mailed figure, an adult human man in a closed steel helm and dark plate armor orders the inner doors barred.
Reeve Anja Vey
That is precisely how they earn trust. Tessa, no one leaves. Send word that a Greenwarden contact may be operating inside my jurisdiction.
Guard Tessa
Reeve, the marshal is already at the outer door. He brought four men and instructions to seize any rebel correspondence.
Pell’s fear becomes unmistakable, while the older official quietly steps away from the table. The room has changed: Reeve Anja Vey now suspects the party’s warning came from a forbidden ally, and armed authority is closing in.
− Scene Quest Removed
Determine whether Pell’s records aided the watchers
“My lady-" I do speak up, hands raised and visible, with an obvious lack of weapon or attempt to move from my seat. My voice does not demand anything, and is certainly not loud or emphatic enough to seem like a threat to the Reeve's decision or authority. "I apologize if we have offended you, it was ignorance- not malice. We were not aware of the severity of the Greenwardens trespass to you, and only took what seemed to be genuine advise that did help us avoid those who wanted that letter before you received it. They asked no aid of us, and none was given by us, and we parted ways as quickly as our path allowed.”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Octavius
My lady, I apologize if we have offended you. It was ignorance, not malice. We did not know the severity of the Greenwardens’ trespass.
Octavius
Their advice seemed genuine and helped us avoid those seeking Mara’s letter. They asked no aid, we gave none, and we parted as quickly as the road allowed.
Octavius keeps his hands raised and visible, making no move from his seat. His quiet explanation settles beneath the boots and drawn authority outside the office.
Reeve Anja Vey
Lower your hands, Octavius. You have offended no law by accepting advice you believed genuine, and you have described no aid to rebels.
The reeve’s grip loosens on Mara’s letter. She turns toward the barred door, then faces the party again with measured authority rather than accusation.
Reeve Anja Vey
Guard Tessa, no seizure. Keep the marshal outside until I have separated the Greenwardens’ warning from any actual assistance. These travelers remain witnesses.
Guard Tessa
Understood, Reeve. I will hold the door and tell the marshal that no rebel correspondence has been surrendered or carried by this party.
Quest Complete
Prevent the marshal from seizing the party’s evidence