A Call to Court

 is a task in.

Synopsis
Following the Watcher's reclamation of Caed Nua after a century of abandonment, the nobility across Dyrwood stirs. A Lord Gathbin is a particularly loathsome scavenger, seeking to take the stronghold for himself, citing long-irrelevant ties of blood. This creates a legal problem, requiring a ruling by Erl Bademar, the current ruler of the Grasp.

Walkthrough
Upon returning to Caed Nua for the first time after visiting Defiance Bay, you will receive notification that a messenger from the ducal palace wishes to speak to you. Meet him in the Great Hall of the stronghold. He informs you that you are being summoned to defend your claim on Caed Nua.

Travel to First Fires, enter the Ducal Palace, and go up the stairs and into the records room straight ahead. There awaits you Chancellor Warrin who will hold the proceedings, and Marshal Forwyn who will witness them. Speak to Chancellor Warrin, and a cut-scene commences in which:


 * 1) Lord Gathbin arrives to reaffirm his claim that Caed Nua is rightfully his, and to hurl insults at you.
 * 2) Chancellor Warrin unseals and reads the ruling from the Erl on the matter. Although Erl Bademar recognizes that the Gathbin claim on Caed Nua was never relinquished, and thus the keep remains the rightful property of the family, he also recognizes the Watcher's role in reclaiming a site that lay abandoned for over a century. In the interest of justice and fairness, the erl decrees that Lord Gathbin must provide compensation to the Watcher, in recognition of their feat of valor.
 * 3) Lord Gathbin refuses to accept the ruling and makes as if to strike the chancellor. You can intervene or let him do so. Gathbin angrily storms out of the meeting vowing to get Caed Nua back one way or the other.
 * 4) Chancellor Warrin tells you that this means that Caed Nua is officially yours now. However, you are also warned that Gathbin will not let this go so easily. You should be on your guard!

After Gathbin has left, you can choose to have a message sent to him (though these have no long term consequences).
 * Send him as a token of friendship. (Benevolent)
 * Invite him to a dinner (Clever)
 * Threaten him to not enter your land (Cruel)

You also receive Gyrd Háewanes Sténes, a soulbound scepter, as a gift from the chancellor.

Behind the scenes

 * This quest was added to the base game by the 3.0 patch, which was released simultaneously with the White March Part II expansion.
 * This quest is referred to in in the sea shanty "Haul Away And Go".
 * If the Whispers of Yenwood is equipped and you ask Chancellor Warrin about Roadwarden, He will tell some history about the sword.