How would these town guardsmen react?

[Thornir Alekeg]

The way I see it, there would likely be some of the guard that need direction, and look to the PCs to provide it. There would be others who would dislike the fact that the PCs are not part of the guard, and would be opposed to the PCs appearing to usurp the command structure no matter what the Captain asked of the PCs. As a result, I would expect that some of the guardsmen would be wanting to join the PCs to help take on the goblin threat, while others would be glad to see them go.

Depending upon how you play Corporal Carl, he would either make his case for why the PCs should stay in town to help defend it, as per the captain's request, or he would be fine with the PCs leaving, but and would quickly try to assert his authority to make sure all the remaining guards stay and don't follow the PCs on some damn fool mission.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The way I see it, there would likely be some of the guard that need direction, and look to the PCs to provide it. There would be others who would dislike the fact that the PCs are not part of the guard, and would be opposed to the PCs appearing to usurp the command structure no matter what the Captain asked of the PCs. As a result, I would expect that some of the guardsmen would be wanting to join the PCs to help take on the goblin threat, while others would be glad to see them go.

Depending upon how you play Corporal Carl, he would either make his case for why the PCs should stay in town to help defend it, as per the captain's request, or he would be fine with the PCs leaving, but and would quickly try to assert his authority to make sure all the remaining guards stay and don't follow the PCs on some damn fool mission.

I was thinking that Corporal Carl (not his real name, just forgot the #2 guy's name and I'm at work...) was a bit resentful, as the captain being away was his opportunity to shine. However, this was not a resentment where he would leave the town in danger or anything, so he'll take the PCs leaving as his opportunity, but will express some reservations to them directly, but not in front of his men. He will be professional about it, though, as he is a professional soldier and next in line to be captain of the guard should the captain be waylaid on his journey.

Of course, he may be more susceptible to magical persuasion because of the resentment.

 

[amerigoV]

If you were on the town guard and the well liked PCs came up to you and said they were leaving town to stop the goblin raid and that Corporal Carl is in charge, how would you react? Suck it up? Panic? Demand the PCs stay in town? Something else? Mobilize all 50 part-timers?

Let me know if you need more info – thanks.

One more piece of info is required. Am I wearing a red shirt?

 

[Verdande]

I don't think they'd be sad to see him go. So some overconfident wanderers are getting out of here, so what? We at the Random City Militia have been defending our fine city for the last seven thousand years and we didn't need some self-righteous, nosy, bossy adventurers to do it! Three cheers for the Town Guardsmen!

 

[NewJeffCT]

One more piece of info is required. Am I wearing a red shirt?

Only the militia that gets called up are wearing red shirts.

 

[LostSoul]

Thanks - since I'm still learning 4E after DMing a long-running 3.5 campaign, is there a scroll or ritual or device that would do the aforementioned SENDING? I'm at work, so can't check my books.

Animal Messenger is the easiest one - it's 1st level and has a decent range.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Animal Messenger is the easiest one - it's 1st level and has a decent range.

Thanks - since the party is only second level and it's a small town, they used Animal Messenger as Sending was level 6.

 

[Saeviomagy]

If the PCs say why they're leaving, I'd expect the militia to take some sort of action.

Exactly what action depends on the character of the man that you've left in charge. If combat carl is inexperienced, he'll ask for the advice of the adventurers, and execute that in a panicky way. Most likely he'll try to execute multiple plans at once, to the detriment of all. He may also send militiamen with the PCs.

If he's grizzled, he'll probably prepare the town for invasion, whistling up not only the militia, but every able bodied man in a calm and reasonable manner, and no way in hell are the PCs getting men: militiamen are not spec-ops, and the best way to defend a town isn't to go running off into the wilderness in the hope of single-handedly killing a goblin horde.

 

[LostSoul]

Since I'm running a sandbox, I'd probably roll on my Reaction Table to determine how they feel - if I didn't already know. It sounds like you don't.

One of the features of rolling on random tables is that you can run the game impartially.

 

[NewJeffCT]

If he's grizzled, he'll probably prepare the town for invasion, whistling up not only the militia, but every able bodied man in a calm and reasonable manner, and no way in hell are the PCs getting men: militiamen are not spec-ops, and the best way to defend a town isn't to go running off into the wilderness in the hope of single-handedly killing a goblin horde.

He's more of a veteran type, but I'm not sure he would 100% trust the information he got from the players. However, he will likely go along that path.