[GP] A Game of Politics

[Rhialto]

"How does our position grow weaker, Mr. Quinn?" asks Deacon Fevre. "We have the upper hand. If they don't give away the hostages immediately, will the entire city somehow switch to their side? You fail to see-we are the ones with wiggle room, they are the ones with a tenuous position. If we allow them to think this situation is reversed, they will do so, and tragedy will occur. If the hostages are not released, we gain nothing concrete, but we lose nothing. If the hostages are released in full or in part, we gain something, and again, lose nothing. In both cases, we will be granted a greater understanding of our opponents."

 

[Twinswords]

Maybe then we can give them some food for the children in return. I wouldn`t want innocent children to become part of this.

O well I am off. See you tommorrow.

DM
[sblock]

I sent my raven to spy on the army outside and if he can hear the conversation between the other members and the army.

I`m going to my agent to see to get the report. At night i`m going to try and infiltrate.

[/sblock]

 

[Ranger Rick]

Deacon, we are weaker because we ask for something, it does not get done, and now as punishment we need to send in the troops. That is what we do if we can not negotiate.

We have the stronger hand but we have nothing in between. To ask and not receive and not punish, is a sign of weakness. We can not punish yet. Let us not ask them to release the hostages yet.

What do we do as a sign of good faith?

 

[Rhialto]

"We are not demanding anything, Quinn, we are making a request that we feel would make talks go easier," says Fevre quietly. "Must we explain this again? If they refuse to release any, we talk with them, while warning that such a refusal makes it difficult to deal with them. If they release some of them, we see what will get them to release the rest. This is what is known as negotiation." Fevre frowns. "And our only option is to let the troops in? Ridiculous. Our options, sirrah, are numerous. We may send in troops--we may do nothing, and merely cut them off--we may give them what they desire--we may give them things similar to what they desire. They can only resist us or give in to us, or some mixture of the two--and the more they resist us, the more difficult they make things for themselves. We hold the upper hand, and we must not allow ourselves to forget that. If they see us as weak, they will fight us, and the bloodshed you tell me you view as so horrible will become inevitable." He shuts his eyes. "Still, I doubt I can convince you, so let's decide this in a way that your beloved Power Below would consider appropriate--let's vote." He glances at the group. "Who feels Madame Alessa's approach is correct? And who backs Mr. Quinn's views? I think you know where I stand."

 

[Ringmereth]

The wizard speaks up. "I am forced to agree with your stance, Deacon," replies Seguith. "While we must be careful not to back the dwarves into a corner in which they feel violence is their only option, neither can we give them the upper hand. There is a fine line to walk between showing strength and intimidation, and our letter shows that we are in control without threatening the revolutionaries. Should they choose to retain their hostages, there is little we will lose. If they give up even a single prisoner as a show of good faith, then one fewer life is in danger."

 

[Ranger Rick]

"A vote is an excellent compromise. I will fully support the majority's decision."

 

[Timothy]

OOC: I wanted to move the gam along, but sending the letter to the dwarves and the things you ask for in that letter are quite important, so I'll wait until you have decided what will be in the letter.

I will spent my time on fleshing out some personal affairs of the players instead.

 

[Nephtys]

ooc: I think the vote is three to one in favour of Alessa's letter, with the other characters abstaining...

 

[Timothy]

"Well it seems that everything is well inhand, I have an errand to run to the army garrison. I'll be back ready for the negotiations tomorrow."

DM
[sblock]
I'm going to deliver the army dispatches to the Captain Harfung and see what his reaction is 'the document', then I'll go visit Jonathan Swift (Military Intelligence Operative) to see if he can give me any more intell on what has been happening, I'll also mention to Jonathan that the army has recently discovered that these riots were incited by Kalur Operatives to test how the new political structure would act to such events.[/sblock]

For Julius

[sblock]
Captain Harfung is being held captive by the dwarves. I assume you mean the commander of the army outside of the city. That is Major Orlaf.

You go to the army site outside of the city. Once you show your signet ring and identify yourself, you are taken to Orlaf's Tent. You are asked to wait until Major Orlaf is ready for you.

You are called in, but even before you take a step in the direction of the tent, you see Liem walking out of the tent. He looks at you and stands still.

Then you see, from the corner of your eye, a raven sitting on the Orlaf's tent. It looks familiar

OOC: I'll email you and Rino, and you can reply to that to talk to each other.[/sblock]

 

[Timothy]

OOC: Okay, I'll move the game along, here is the answers the dwarves have for you.

IC:

The courier you sent to the dwarves returns a while later

"
Chairwoman,

You offer a conference in the interest of peace. We encourage peace and wish that it will be available for all. Therefor we feel that a conference can only begin once the army contignent has left the vicinity of Tarsur. When that is done, we will allow you and your committee to come inside of the barricades for the conference that you spoke of. We will show you how the hostages are treated an we will show you that no harm will come to them.

The Dwarven Commitee for equal rights.
"