[Burning THAC0] B2: The Keep on the Borderlands

[engrishonly]

"Now we have come, and we have survived the road, because the gods are with us and have blessed our enterprise. In the coming days we'll be preparing to mount an expedition to the caves. All of us will be travelling, and if you're lucky, we'll take you along.

"Now who's buying my friends a drink?"

The plain-faced Friar seated with the Chevaliers stands up, and gestures over to one of the serving wenches. Speaking directly to Constance, the Friar asks, "Some red wine, my young lady? For you and your friends? In the temple where I serve, we have quite the vineyard, and I've not the taste for beers..."

The plain face of the Friar seems harder and sterner than one would imagine from the kind tone of his voice. Along with the leanness to his hawk-like face, a strange glimmer of intelligence and cunning can be seen in his eyes... completely unlike the fearful quiet sort of look on the faces of the locals. "I was just telling the good Chevaliers about the need to confront Evil, no matter where it exists. You see, I am from an ancient order of militant priests. I would consider it an honor if I could join you in your quest to these caves!"

OOC: okay -- don't quite know how we want to do this. I scrambled to get resources 1 (hence all the clothes!); is that sufficient for buying the first round, or does everything need to be rolled? Constance delivers the above speech. It's meant to make people fear the wild (cf. belief), but only the ref knows whether it's true or not. If so, then Intimidation? If not, then Falsehood? Either way I want to lay the foundation for volunteers and uncertainty about the roads, hopefully (if it was a Falsehood) so that things will seem safer than everyone expects when we do start travelling. I'm happy to add details about wild animals mauling the first Paladin if that will help. Also, Engrishonly, do you want OOC discussions here like this? Colour okay for speech? Add rolls to these posts? It's obviously easier to keep up to date on everything if everything's i the one thread. Will you call for rolls? Do you want us to suggest them?

OOC: At this point, you can ask if I need a roll... but I always reserve the right to Say Yes. You can always roll something, including mods & such, but I can always Say Yes.

Now, if you really WANT a roll, then this is telling me that something needs to happen... but then you have to bear the consequences & complications of having things not go your way.

Typically, the skill for talking to an audience would be Oratory... whereas Intimidation & Falsehood tend to be skills used to directly influence individuals.

Anyway, I am going to Say Yes & not ask for a roll at this point... recruits on their way!

And I'm happy to have OOC discussions about play "in real-time" inside the body of the IC threads. The OOC thread is important, but probably better for larger, more meta-issues

Oh, and for character speech... I prefer it to be separated out somehow. Colors work. I've just been bolding NPC speak, but it doesn't matter. Do whatever comes natural & works. Colors get kind of wonky on my mobile, so I try to stick to Italics & Bold.

 

[engrishonly]

The Chevaliers lift their mugs to toast the spirited Friar. Though the brash young knights seem to have little interest in exploring any caves, the declaration of bravery from the Friar makes a grand impression on the red-clothed Chevaliers.

Auromos thumps Ferrantos heartily on the back, saying, "You see, brother? When you ask, the immortals will provide! And a priestly sort, no less! While I'm sure he's not your sort of traveling companion, I like the looks of this Friar!

"Now, if you were to help out the Chevaliers in fighting the bandits... well, I'd have to talk it over with our Captain. Perhaps you'd like to meet him, Ferrantos?!"

ooc: Okay, if you want any sort of assistance from the Chevaliers, it's going to need a roll. Auromos can throw in a helper dice as a Relationship, but he's not in charge of the unit.

...

ooc - Let me know if this is playable.

Task: loosen the tongues of the Chevaliers by drinking them under the table.

Intent: learn where my cousin Gloi was last seen and any clues that might lead me to him.

...

OOC: Now this seems like a fun thing to roll for. Might be a stretch for Drunking, but what the heck...

I've got complications in mind in case it doesn't work.

 

[mistrlittlejeans]

At the Friar's mention of wine and vineyards Aurvang blanches. Eh... hehe... no thanks good sir. I'd prefer a stouter beverage, ya know, something more like meself (Instinct at play here, never turn down a drink unless it's wine.

OOC: Now this seems like a fun thing to roll for. Might be a stretch for Drunking, but what the heck...

I've got complications in mind in case it doesn't work.

Assuming Aurvang does get his beer one way or another, I'll go ahead and make the Drunking test. Next time would you mind throwing the Ob out there first? If I remember correctly, the GM is supposed to set the Ob before the test is made, right? That way we (the players) can immediately see if we succeed or fail. If I'm incorrect just ignore me

 

[Mathalus]

Ferrantos coughs from being pounded on the back by Auromos, “I’d love to meet with your captain. But I am pretty worried about my friend, Vellekhyr. He’s still locked up.”

 

[engrishonly]

While Auromos talks with Ferrantos, the other Chevaliers take up the Dwarf's challenge. The beer & ales come one after another as Aurvang and the Chevaliers match drinks with stories of adventure.

Soon, the Chevaliers are the ones with the wagging tongues, while Aurvang (while staggered somewhat) remains on his feet.

"S-s-s-so, s-sir Dw-warf! You... you are after s-s-ome Dw-w-warf n-named Gloi? I remememmmber a Dwarf on-nn one of our r-r-r-aids on the bandits! Jusss-ss-st s-s-south of the road, and to the eas-s-st! Why, you aren't a bandit, are you?!"

The Chevalier staggers around somewhat, pointing a finger somewhere in Aurvang's general direction.

OOC:
Assuming Aurvang does get his beer one way or another, I'll go ahead and make the Drunking test. Next time would you mind throwing the Ob out there first? If I remember correctly, the GM is supposed to set the Ob before the test is made, right? That way we (the players) can immediately see if we succeed or fail. If I'm incorrect just ignore me

GM: This one would be a versus situation, so I'd have to roll it... but I will throw an Ob out there from now on. Assume 3 if I don't say so. Beginner's Luck using Forte. FAIL! (Plus, it was Beginner's Luck...) Alright, since we seem to be headed to the bandit camps first...

 

[engrishonly]

Sir Auromos escorts his brother and Constance to the quarters of the Captain of the Chevaliers, away from the noisy fountain square where the Slippery Rock tavern is.

Knocking politely, Auromos enters & introduces the new visitors to the Keep to his Captain. The Captain is not much older than Auromos, with a decidedly serious demeanor.

"Your brother, Sir Auromos? Doesn't look very handy in a fight. Looks like a veritable scholar! What are you up to, Auromos? I don't like the idea of bringing civilians along to fight the Bandits.

"And who might you be, Pardoner? Your face is somewhat familiar..."

 

[Kobold Stew]

"I am the Pardoner Constance, and I have come to the keep to claim the rites and property of the last holder of my office. Pardoner Carstairs holds the office no longer, through his own failures, and it has come to me rightly.

"The roads here are not safe, and the brigands must be dealt with. If your soldiers will not dare the roads on their own, then I, an unarmed woman whom you may see as little more than a child, must take up the cause. And I can leave you here in the keep with your shame."

Constance pauses. She has heard boasting before, and she thinks she is doing it right, but it is not like her usual self to make herself stand out in this way. Her instincts kick in, and while everyone is distracted, she looks around, to see if the Captain has some object about his person, or left on the table that catches her eye. Hold that thought...

"Walls offer protection, but they lock away the world. We ask for men to help in our errand. But the evil out there grows, and it grows constantly. Our challenge needs be done, and needs be done soon. You have heard the good Friar. The church is in favour of this mission --" (she hesitates inwardly as she wonders why that might be) "--and I tell you that any favours granted now will be remembered. By me." That last is added almost as an afterthought, but it sounds good, she hopes.

 

[mistrlittlejeans]

While Auromos talks with Ferrantos, the other Chevaliers take up the Dwarf's challenge. The beer & ales come one after another as Aurvang and the Chevaliers match drinks with stories of adventure.

Soon, the Chevaliers are the ones with the wagging tongues, while Aurvang (while staggered somewhat) remains on his feet.

"S-s-s-so, s-sir Dw-warf! You... you are after s-s-ome Dw-w-warf n-named Gloi? I remememmmber a Dwarf on-nn one of our r-r-r-aids on the bandits! Jusss-ss-st s-s-south of the road, and to the eas-s-st! Why, you aren't a bandit, are you?!"

The Chevalier staggers around somewhat, pointing a finger somewhere in Aurvang's general direction.

Aurvang slams another tankard of ale, and roars with laughter. MEEeeeeeEEE a bandit? Come nowwww. I....I...I.. am a proud member of the Hooooouuust. Ya know what, I could take offense to that commmmentt, but another ale will siiimmer me downnn.... Aurvang smiles proudly and strokes his beard as he looks at the the array of empty tankards before him, twice that of the thirstiest Chevalier. So was Gloiii with your or the bandits? Either way, that's where I'm headdded. Eaassssst. That callz for anuther drinkkk With that Aurvang slammed a meaty hand on the back of the Chevalier, sloshing some of his ale on the hardwood floor. Aurvang roared again with laughter.

GM: This one would be a versus situation, so I'd have to roll it... but I will throw an Ob out there from now on. Assume 3 if I don't say so. Beginner's Luck using Forte. FAIL! (Plus, it was Beginner's Luck...) Alright, since we seem to be headed to the bandit camps first...

ooc - Since it's beginner's luck, it was double ob for them. My 2 successes gave them an Ob 4, correct? (I'm just wondering for mechanics purposes, trying to learn the game, you now?)

Also, should we keep track of all of our own tests? I'll probably will anyways, since i want to learn the advancement rules as well.

 

[Mathalus]

Ferrantos’ one eye opens wide at Constance's audacity, “Right, mylord Captain. As Constance is suggesting, we would like to help out with your bandit problem. To be effective, we only require some light armor, crossbows, and basic traveling kit. Also, we can convince a number of our companions to join us if we can offer the proper motivation. If we could earn a share of the spoils, or if the spoils turn out to be nothing, a promise of a few coins each, we could bring a number of extra warriors. We have a well equipped Dwarf downstairs. The more we bring, the more likely we are to succeed and incur fewer casualties. Isn’t that right, Auromos?”

 

[Mathalus]

I'll go ahead and make the roll for Persuasion, just to keep things moving. If I'm over-stepping or using the wrong numbers, we can ignore the roll.

Constance: Persuasion 3 + 1 FoRK Initimidation +1D Reputation with Laymen

Ferrantos' Help: +1

Auromos Help: +1

Total: 7 black dice.