AZ's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Azure_Zero

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Current Game Date: Pharast 28th

Updated: 04/29/2014

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Male Human Wizard 2

Justice and mercy are fine concepts and I don't object to them in principle, but practicality must play a role too. We've been charged to explore and map the surrounding countryside and we can't do that and guard prisoners to. For that matter Oleg himself might object to us housing prisoners in his home, particularly if we're not going to be here to watch over them. Also I believe earlier that Oleg said their were about a dozen bandits in the gang as well as a female leader, that means at least 8 other bandits to come looking for their companions when they don't show up and since the fort was the last place they were supposed to be they'll probably come looking here.

Pausing to survey the bandits in question Halloran turns back to his companions Let's not make any final decisions now, we can imprison them for tonight and decide their fate in the morning, that will give our tempers a chance to cool he says with a glance at Rory, and we can question Oleg as to the full extent of their crimes. Having a night to think about their situations might also convince them to be forthcoming about where their base camp is located. He says this last with a look at any conscious bandits with a look that could only be called suggestive.


Male Human Paladin 1

"I did not mean to suggest that we become full-time jailors," says Eamon. "Indeed, we have not the time for such a thing. But sooner or later we will require a jail, so why not put these men to work building one not far from the trading post? Our commission clearly announces the punishment for 'unrecalcitrant' banditry. I suggest we give these men a chance to demonstrate recalcitrance." Here, Sir Eamon also turns a stern look upon the prisoners.

"I read this as those who will not or cannot turn aside from their path. It would certainly include anyone caught committing banditry a second time after we warned them. And I agree: if Oleg or Svetlana or any other person of known good character will give credible evidence against them of crimes more serious than banditry, then the punishment must surely be death."

Out of earshot from the bandits, he adds "We can spare a week before we get started. We build a stockade, keep these men in them and then let them go with a warning. Do not think me soft-hearted. I shall not shrink from hard justice where it is required. I will myself hang the first 'unrecalcitrant' bandit we lay hands on from the first tree I find."


Male Human Wizard 2

Halloran purses his lips, A week? he muses aloud. Then with a shrug and a nod he agrees, Alright, Eamon will try it your way, but he continues with a raised finger and a cautioning look we should be careful about such practices, this could be seen as infringing on the the Fifth River Freedom, "Slavery is an Abomination".

We're in the River Kingdoms now, he says with a serious look on his face, they take the Freedoms seriously, there's a reason the Hellknights and other slave-takers don't operate here.

Fortunately, he says with a significant look at the bandits I believe the Sixth River Freedom "You Have What You Hold" applies here, as well as the Second River Freedom "Oathbreakers Die", if they swear an oath they'll keep it, though we might wait until we're ready to let them go, before making them swear.


Oleg:
reply to Eamon
Your right in right on many levels, but that does not factor in justice for their victims.
I would only forgive them, if they undid the damage they did."

The BoED has some great stuff on mercy, prisoners, and redemption. (you can redeem these bandits)


Male Human Wizard 2

What damage is that? Halloran asks Oleg with an inquiring look.

What's the BoED?


Male Human Paladin 1

"We are agreed then. Thank you."

Sir Eamon rounds up the bandits and with Oleg's permission places them in an empty storeroom or tower, making sure that they are fed a humble but sufficient meal at his own expense.

As the other Expedition members go about their business, Eamon makes it his duty to oversee the prisoners they have take.

"By order of the Sword Lords of Restov, your lives are forfeit," he tells them, unless you should forswear banditry. No! Do not swear now. You will have an opportunity to do it in front of many witnesses. For now, your sentence of death has been commuted to an opportunity to repay your debt to these people. You will begin tomorrow morning by helping to build the stockade where you will be imprisoned. Do well and you will be released. Do not, and your sentence will be swiftly carried out. I hope you seize the chance you are being given. We have mercy, but only enough for those who fully repent of their crimes."

"You begin demonstrating your cooperation right now, gentlemen. I want to know how many bandits are in your group, who is their leader and where are their dwellings. Who will tell me?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 (plus any situational modifiers)


Oleg:
reply to Halloran
"They return what they stole from us, the other hunters, my wife's *Wedding ring, and paying compensation to ones who lost family at their hands."

BoED = Book of Exalted Deeds

*Quest item


1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Happs
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 S:2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 S:2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20 S:2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

I'll come up with names for the bandits

Names:
Lina, Brock, and Dick


The bandit leader of this troop talks

Happs:
"So you want us to f***ing betray our comrades, and Kressle."


3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) = 14

a androgynous looking person with short hair approaches the door

Lina:
"So you'll let us go if we full fill these conditions"


Male Human Paladin 1

To Happs: "Yes," says Sir Eamon, evenly. "In fact I pray you do. I do not relish hanging any of you, yet that is what the law demands for those bandits who do not repent of their crimes. Anyone who does not wish to be hung within the hour, step over to me and tell me what I wish to know."

To Lina: "Eventually. This is not a negotiation. This is a chance at survival and redemption. Do not presume to contract with the one who seeks to save your lives and your souls."


I thought you were giving them til tomorrow to decide.


Male Human Paladin 1

Changed my mind. No way to keep them from getting their stories straight over night. They decide now. Mercy is in their hands now.


Watch it, this is close to a sword-point conversion, which is considered Evil in the BoED.


Re-enforcements will arrive in the morning,
And why not give the prisoners the night to think it over, prepare themselves, and you might be able to redeem one of them,
you started on 2, but because you changed your mind you currently have none, (going back on your word, from their POV)


Male Human Paladin 1

Do I really have to worry about what the writers of a book I haven't read consider moral? They're talking about forcing someone to convert religions at swordpoint, which is certainly evil (in modern morality, anyway). I'm talking about applying the law. Law is as important to a paladin as goodness. The law (not our law, the law laid down by the Sword Lords) says hang them. Goodness says give them a chance. Eamon is giving them a chance. It can't -be- a chance unless he points out the alternative. He's not running a modern halfway house. He's giving known bandits a chance to save their lives. What's evil about that?

Also, Eamon never said he'd give them the night, did he?

Anyway, if Eamon thinks that giving them the night to consider is advisable, he'll do that. But he's locking himself in with them, then. He can't separate them and he's not going to give them the chance to collude on a story.


Yes, the law handed down by the sword lords does say hang'em.
And you are giving them a way out, which is good.
but put your self in their shoes for a moment, and you'd see that giving them the night to think it over would cause them to accept their fate (death) or choose to change for the better, (true a some may think of escaping in the night)
Giving them the night to decide has more free will in it, then decide in ten seconds or no second chances.
And historically hangings were done in the morning or before noon

Why_the_hanging_till_death_time_is_fixed_in_early_in_morning

The tower has 1d3 ⇒ 3 manacle sets in the tower, that are bolted to the wall, but are showing some age.


Male Human Wizard 2

Halloran is prepared to let Eamon handle this his way, but he doesn't see the harm in letting the bandits have a night to think over there situation. What's that old saying "When your about to be hanged it can provide wonderful clarity of the mind", or something like that.

He won't speak up now however, as he doesn't want to appear divided in front of the bandits.


Male Human Cleric 1

I'm OK with an overnight period to think about it too. Even if they lie about a location, we have to explore the whole region. So there is no loss there.


So do they get the night to decide or just a few hours as you look for a tree to hang'em?


Male Human Cleric 1

Royston says give them the night to think it over. He'll also help with guarding them if that is needed.


Male Human Wizard 2

Halloran is for giving them a night and will help with the guard shift, especially if they're manacled in the tower. I think the only other vote that counts is Eamon's, as Rory hasn't stated an opinion and Silistaren isn't there yet.


Silistaren is coming in the morning with the reinforcements.


Male Human Paladin 1

We wait 'til morning.


I'll take it, that Rory waits til morning as well.

The night is uneventful with the prisoners,
And after about an hour of dawn a group of people approach from the Northwest, from Restov, and it looks like a small troop.

They enter the trading post.

GM Notes:
Kesten Garess (CN male human fighter 3) + 3 warriors 1,
2 male, 1 female,* 2 human, 1 fey-touched,* name them later
Jhod Kavken (NG male human cleric 4) arrives a day later.

The group looks comprised of humans with one elf in the group, and a very beautiful buxom and curvy woman.


Male Elf Ranger

The elf rides a lean bay roan. His cloak is of tight-knit tawny wool with a mantle of deerskin that covers his head and shoulders. The hilt of a sword rises over his right shoulder; the bladetip extends past his left hip. Mud spatters his horse's legs and reaches up his own boots and breeches. A bow hangs from his saddlehorn. A quiver rides behind his right hip.

About 50 yards out, he draws up and lets the others approach while he scans Oleg's walls and then the road behind him. Seemingly satisfied, he walks his horse to the front gate.


Oleg:
in a gruff, yet happy voice
"Good morning Gentleman, I'm Oleg.
So your the Guards, I requested, Are there more coming?"


A man wearing breast plate answers
Kesten Garess:
"Sorry Oleg, but we're all of it.
My name is Kesten, Captain of this squad."


Male Human Cleric 1

Toyston comes out to take a look at the new guards, wondering how things would have been different if they had arrived a few days earlier.

He waves at the new men and the captain.

"Did you have any troubles along the road with bandits and whatnot? I can help patch up anyone sick or hurt."


Kesten Garess:
"We didn't have any problems getting here, and no one even has a cold.
This fine young woman did heal Ash after his encounter with a pissed off badger, though."


Male Elf Ranger

The elf dismounts and walks his horse forward to insinuate himself into the conversation.

"I did have more than trouble. Bandits attacked the merchants that a friend and I were guarding. Twelve or fifteen of them I think against four men. I tracked them until they split up. Three or four were riding this way. I lost their tracks when I caught up to the good captain and his band."


I'll assume then Silstaren you came from the east and just had perfect timing, in getting here.
As Kesten Garess said his troop had no problems getting here.


Male Human Wizard 2

Halloran comes out of the guesthouse and surveys the new arrivals, Whole lot of company today he thinks, turning to Garess he says Captain I believe there is room in the stables for your horses, you'll have to discuss any stable fees with our host here. the last part is said with a gesture indicating Oleg.

In case we haven't said it before, we put the bandits horses in the stables last night and fed and watered them as well.


Kesten Garess:
"Why, thank you. My good fellow."


Oleg:
in his normal gruff voice, though it does sound a bit happier.
"If you help keep the bandits in check, I'll give a discount."


Male Human Cleric 1

The cleric turns to the elf.

"Did anyone else make it out alive? Do we need to ride out to help someone?


Male Elf Ranger
Royston Hawkes wrote:

The cleric turns to the elf.

"Did anyone else make it out alive? Do we need to ride out to help someone?

"Pharasma's judged them all. I buried them before I took up the bandit's trail. " The elf pauses. "Have you seen any strangers? This is the first settlement since I've been riding with the captain."

DM_AZ --

Spoiler:
Silstaren caught up to the captain's party late yesterday. The captain & Co. had over-ridden the bandits' tracks and Silstaren had more or less given up on finding them again.


Rory is out at the gates too, appraising the new arrivals.
"We've got some bandits locked up in here since last night, I'd say you're free to check them out, unless Oleg minds, of course."


Male Elf Ranger

"They could be the ones I seek, but I can not identify them by sight. I was away from camp when they attacked. I was only following their tracks.

"What fate awaits these prisoners of yours?"


Male Human Wizard 2

We're in the process of deciding that now.


the beautiful, and buxom lady speaks and has her hands in a praying pose.
"I pray, you were planing on redeeming them, or if your not I am willing to redeem them, for as long as it takes."

you do spot a holy symbol on her, it looks like a strong arm with a golden chain.

Know(Religion) DC: 15:
It's the holy symbol of Kurgess, a minor good deity, of athletics.


Male Human Paladin 1

"Redemption has been offered them, my lady," says Eamon. "It is their choice to accept or reject."

"Come, let us find you some space to rest after your journey."


"Have they made their choice yet?"


Oleg:
"They were given the night to think about their options and these brave men were about to hear their decision."


Male Elf Ranger

To Oleg: "Are these men magistrates? Judges are far between in these lands."


Oleg:
"They are in a way, given that they hold authority from the Swordlords in their Charter."

I may be assume the party talked about it or told Oleg or Oleg's wife.


Male Elf Ranger

"Interesting. What are the terms of this charter?"


Oleg:
"I don't know the exact terms of the Charter so, you'll have to ask them."


Male Human Cleric 1

Royston nods to the newcomer.

"I don't mind showing the charter from the regent. It empowers us to deal with what we encounter. We are no replacement for for a judicial system, but we hope our efforts will pave the way for the trappings of civilization to spread."

The cleric reaches into his pack and pulls out a charter that has been wrapped multiple times to keep it safe from harm. The charter reads:

Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, has granted the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than 36 miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg's Trading Post. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior that is encountered. Punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope. So Witnessed on this 24th day of Talistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and authority granted by Lord Aoleski Surtova, current regent of the Dragonscale Throne.


Male Human Paladin 1

"If we were wise, says Eamon, "one of our first acts would be to have that printed up in several handbills. I think it may become useful. Given that no judicial system exists in the Stolen Lands beyond the rule of the sword, we are starting one here and now. Like it or not, these men are our test case."

"We are given the explicit charge to explore and 'to strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior'. The nature of that strife will probably be violent much of the time. When it can be more civilized, it will be."

"What is your interest in our charter, stranger?" the knight asks Silestaren.

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