DM Bloodgargler's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master BinkyBo

"So, for now, let us proceed.
Does anyone else have any business they wish to address to this council?
Come now, don't be shy."

"Well, if nobody else has something to say, I'll speak!" says Norton "I know this is a topic that will land rough on manyears, but we have to adress it nontheless."
He pauses a moment before resuming.
"We affirm ourself as the ones that are bringing order to these savage lands, but sometimes we fell short of that predicament. We are helding two people in the dungeons, with no trial, no sentence, and not even a clear charge."

"This is far from a civilized behaviour, I know" he adds to prevent the obvious objections "That they are guilty of deplorable acts, but this could also be said of many in this room."

"We don't have law, yet, but most of the people here come from Rostov, let's assume those rules apply here as well, until we change them. Let's ask master Senix to set up a trial and address this matter. It doesn't have to be elegant, nor polished, only fair."

The Green Man drums his fingers against the tabletop for a few moments, thinking.
"Do we need a trail for our lady bandit? No, hear me out here. When we captured her what seems very long ago, we did so under orders from Restov, to wipe out the bandits plaguing this land.
She is certainly unrepentant and thus really under sentence of death.
As I recall, the only reason we did not summarily execute her there and then was Ser Valertis instance that we should see her as a woman first and a bandit second."

"So she is an outlaw, she is unrepentant and she certainly has not changed her mind during her incarceration.
So I ask, because I truly don't know, do we NEED a trail for her?
Under Restov law, she is most assuredly an outlaw, no legal rights and subject to summary execution by anyone, without repercussions."

"As for Kinsilvi...yes, he should have a trail...but I am worried we might not be able to provide a fair one.
when we brought him in, he was a broken man.
Then suddenly he challenges us to trial by combat, I can't help but wonder if he has some trick he is waiting to play.
Maybe...he is just broken, hopes to die in combat and get it all over with, but maybe not..."

"Is there precedent here for an execution with no trial? If those are the laws of this land, then that's fine. If there are no laws codified, then that needs to be an order of business to determine what protections the accused should possess. Laws have to be well established to have an expectation they would be followed."

Kesten speaks up "If we are delving into this topic, shall I bring in master Iandiro Senis? Assuming there is nothing from those who've not spoken up...?"

Treasurer Tornatore shakes his head "All is well from where I sit.", and pats the accounting ledgers.

Councilor Ashmoor nods... "Anticipation for the festival has been good. The people are becoming invested... sowing the seeds of national pride." he delivers this last bit with paladin-like earnestness, then looks to his right.

High Priest Jhod Kavken shrugs "Nothing to discuss... I do plan to travel into the Narlmarches in search of my lost colleague in the morning. My dreams have returned. There must be a connection."

"Very well, we'll need some clarifications it seems, so a scholars view will be helpful no doubt.
Please send in master Senis so that we can proceed."

"As for you master Kavken, seeing as we are planing on travelling that area, we may travel together perhaps.
We'll talk about that in private after the end of the council.."

"Well, we have someone caught in banditry and unrepentant. Shall we make a law against banditry and conclude this matter. Many bandits have been repentant and were spared. As for Kinsilvi, we can just have him face his accusers and discover the facts. Once the facts are established, we should pass judgement. Both prisoners are a danger to any established government, so we should decide quickly. If we want to show our kobold allies they matter, Kinsilvi can be handed over to them if you don't want to make a tough choice."

Furiel considers a thought, and gives it voice:
"Shall we have all bandits on this festival day have the opportunity to renounce their banditry and swear allegiance to the kingdom? We can give out pardons and encourage those under arms to have a chance at amnesty at the festival."

Sonechka nods at Kesten. "We should hear from our expert before making any decisions. Having laws at odds with our neighbors will lead to unnecessary conflict." She also nods at Green. "And I agree, Kinsilvi has a trick in mind or he would not have made his challenge."

Sonya's got pretty much all the knowledges; does she have any insight into the laws of neighboring countries? I'd especially like to see if her knowledge conflicts with anything Iandiro Senis tells us, because that could indicate bias or possible sabotage on Senis's part.

The Green Man slaps a hand against the tabletop and then gives Furiel a big grin.
"An inspired suggestion! We can make the festival a true chance for not just the people but the very land to make a break with it's troubled past."

"Official pardons, a call to amnesty.
AND a warning that this only applies to those truly seeking redemption.
What we have here, if we play our cards right is a chance to establish ourselves as firm but fair.
Capable of mercy and justice, but also of enforcing our laws and showing that good does not mean soft!"

The Green Man begins to rub his hands together in anticipation.
This may just turn out well after all...

Iandiro Senis sidles into the room with papers tucked under an arm... finishing up a chat with whomever in the antechamber "... well it was nice speaking with you... good day." He turns to see many of the council have their attention already focused on him.. he smiles big.
"Hello." He then remembers to bow... "M'Lords... m'Lady. How are we today?", and smooths his bushy lampchops.

Kesten gestures to the open area at the council table. While Iandiro takes in the decor. "Place is looking nice."

Iandiro divides his papers into three piles.. "Alright... we have crime and punishment, slim pile is citizen rights..., and.. defining legal authority. Nail these down and rest goes pretty quick."

"What would you like me to start with?"

Kn:Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 With a +8 in Kn:Local, DC 18 is an auto-success for her with a Take 10, anyway.

Sonechka nods at the scholar. "Begin at the beginning, Master Senis, the basis of legal authority. All laws grow from there, and we should understand the root before we examine the branches."

The Green Man grins at Sonechka.
"And once we get to the branches, we pick the ripe fruit."

"From what I understand, you have been acting under a leadership heirarchy somewhat similar to Absalom... with intent of primogeniture?"

"Simplest way to cover a lot of ground... is grant all members of the Council both right and duty to carry out their roles... uh.. unimpeded by anyone other than other members of Council?"

"Anyway... Look this over and... recommend to amend at will. Little stuff.. big stuff... title change for a position...."

He then rifles through the first stack, and begins passing sections around... "Basically... what I have here are powers of authority you have already initiated.. a couple things from your charter....
Here we have.. semi-standard depth and width of the authority for a city watch, militias, and military... a few variations on a theme for a tiered judicial system."
"I have a little something on conscription as well if you've interest."
"Uh... absolute ownership... Terms in which the Throne has right to seize land from possessors.. overruling deeds."

"If you have any thoughts or concerns regarding any of that, we can hash that out right now..." He nods to Green.. "..M'lord."

anything to say about...
leadership role tweaking
Ousting Council members
militias +
low and high courts
Throne's right to conscript citizens, eminent domain and other seizure of property.

The Green Man looks over the documents handed to him.
He cannot quite keep a scowl of his face, which naturally exposes his tusks further.
Ugh...this wouldn't be an easy thing to learn now would it?

This was just the sort of thing that grated on the nerves of someone like him, more given to action and with no great store of patience for things that seemed excessive.

"Hrm...perhaps we should hear all there is before making any decisions.
What would be next? Criminal laws?"

"I will go through some crimes, and we can attach punishments.... Hows that sound?"

"Treason and Sedition
Murder
Arson
Kidnapping
Assault
Theft
Fraud
Neglect
... and if you wish...
Necromancy and Demonology?
Slavery?"

Master Senis wets his quill.. prepared to take notes.
"Expanding from that, we have attempted crimes, aiding in crimes, repeat offenders, and failure to comply with sentence... which is more for fines and exile rather than beheading and such. Heh ahem...."

"Hmmm, treason and sedition...
No, actually, I'm interested to hear the definition of slavery, as well as neglect.
What is involved for it to be considered slavery, is there a loophole one can use to enslave different races?
And neglect, what does that entail?"

I have to know what kind of loophole Kinsilvi might try to invoke if this goes to trail properly...

"Slavery is not common around here obviously, but it might be a good idea to cover it now. Most simply put it is ownership of a person, as well as a person or persons being treated as a commodity to be bought and sold. Some include in the verbiage.. persons being forced or coerced into work. Some outlaw indentured servitude."

"Neglect - often coupled with abuse - is basically mistreatment or abandonment of those for which one is responsible.. be it one's children, or other immediate family who cannot care for themselves. It could also include unsafe places of business leading to a work injury.. often due to disrepair, unsafe treatment of clientele.. most often careless or misguided healers, doctors, surgeons...."

"I'm thinking that by that definition, there is no law against neglect when applied to slaves, as slaves themselves are illegal to own?
What about knowingly infecting people with a virulent disease with the intent of spreading it on and more or less commit genocide?"

His curiosity looks piqued for a moment, but he merely answers the question... "That would be for courts to decide, but I would assume attempted murder of the highest degree."

"Speaking of letting the courts decide... there are those who leave the punishment solely to the judge. Some have minimum sentences written into the law."

"Bah, I'm not good at legalese...we just need something fair that we can publicize. The townsfolk need to know the rules, so that they can be fairly judged for their trespass."

Sonechka takes her time reviewing the documents, quickly becoming a logjam as the papers were passed around the council. She looks up as Senis mentions courts. "We seem to have glossed over the authority of these courts you mention. There are no judges or judicial officials listed here," she holds up the list of Council positions, "so where do these courts come from and what is their authority?"

"Hmmm, this is true.
If we need a judicial official, then it would make sense to appoint someone who already knows the laws, and has been included in their formation."

The Green Man looks meaningfully at master Senis.

To Sonechka he responds.. "Eh... I thought it might be presumptuous to propose appointments."

"so where do these courts come from and what is their authority?"

"If you are looking for my suggestion... Local courts in each settlement, and a high court in the capital to which anyone legally unsatisfied may appeal. The high courts can review lower court cases and rulings as part of a judicial review. I further suggest an apprentice program until we are able to offer higher education within the kingdom."

As he receives the meaning behind Green intimation,
"I am the one with all the books."

"Unless someone has a reason to take issue with it, I believe we have found our judicial official then.
Surely a big step on the way to establishing universal law in our domain.
At the moment we only have one settlement, so we only need to form a high court at the moment."

The Green Man strokes his bear for a moment, thinking.
"We'll need to establish laws that gives equal rights to non-human settlers and inhabitants as well.
And I do not just mean elves, gnomes and dwarves, or half breeds like myself.
We already have kobold allies, and if all goes well, lizardmen as well.
They will need their own representatives, and their own judges."

Sonechka nods. "This is something of an area of interest of mine. If there is no objection, I would like to work with Master Senis in an oversight and consultative role as we develop our judicial structure and legal framework."

"One thing before we finish, though- do we approve of the practice of trial by combat, as Kinsilvi has requested. Both Restov and Mivon, some of our closest neighbors, accept the practice. Though both of those are Aldori cities- dueling is a way of life there. I would suggest we not allow combat to take the place of structured judicial review."

We can probably skip ahead once we decide how to try Kinsilvi. I think I'm the only person really interested in this stuff, and that includes the DM. ;)

Furiel nods: "All judicial power is granted by the council. So it is no problem to appoint someone to serve its interests. As for trial by combat, with fey and kobolds, races with little physical prowess, it would be highly unfair. Kinsilvi and our black-hearted sorceress can be judged fairly at the festival. Dispensing justice and conferring amnesty should send a good message: crimes are punished, but redemption is possible. Green can have our two evil conspirators face their accusers and judge them both. Hopefully taking advice before doing so."

Having sat on military tribunals, the process is less complicated than you would think.

"Good points, the people of the lands may be sturdy, but few are likely to have any formal training with weapons, so it wouldn't be feasible to form some sort of coherent form for duelling.
In a few hundred years maybe, we might have our own traditions..."

"And indeed, since our lands will contain creatures of varied stature, it wouldn't be a fair thing either.
And that is really what it is all about, no? Fairness."

"We are trying to create a system where things like status and wealth will not allow you to cheat the system, but we can't allow there to be another flaw that allows the strong or fast to cheat it either."

"So no, so far I have heard no reasonable arguments for allowing Kinsilvi a trail by combat and several points against it.
At this point, it is really all about finalizing exactly what we will accuse them prisoners off."

Turning to Sonechka and Senis, The Green Man frowns a little.
"Between the two of you, can you have that drawn up in time for the festival?"

Iandiro Senis shakes his head when Sonechka asks if he'd mind her getting involved... and nods in agreement when she suggests not allowing trial by combat. "Though the given reason is that the gods will guide the blade of those in the right... the true reason for its use is that it's quick, easy, and inherently decisive."

"Dispensing justice and conferring amnesty should send a good message: crimes are punished, but redemption is possible."

He gives Furiel a thumbs up. "Firm but fair... like a good parent."

"Between the two of you, can you have that drawn up in time for the festival?"

Master Senis looks to Sonechka before nodding yes. "I will take on another scribe to be certain, M'Lord."

"Good!" The Green Man thumps a meaty palm onto the table.

"So, since this was what was going to take the longest, and we've settle it as far as we can now, I think that this brings our meeting to an end.
Unless someone else has some pressing business, I declare this council meeting over."

Green wrote:

"Between the two of you, can you have that drawn up in time for the festival?"

Master Senis looks to Sonechka before nodding yes. "I will take on another scribe to be certain, M'Lord."

Sonechka nods at Senis. "We will confer, but I am sure we can come up with acceptable charges and a defense of their authority that will satisfy any observers."

"Oh, one final thing. We should think of an official name for the festival, something we can put into the calender.
In addition, we should probably come up with a name for our fledgling realm.
That however is less important at the moment, we are very small and have not yet survived our first winter."

After a quiet moment Errol exhales loudly... "S'pose we'll hafta think on that one. Don't know how one even might go about naming a realm."

"Norton's got a name for the festival, no? Rose out of his yearning, by my mem'ry."

last wrap up of meeting, and wrap up anything you'd care to do before festival, please. I'd like to start the festival this week.

Dolgrym is ready to proceed with the festivities!!

Rather than slow down the game further, let's just state that The Green Man wants to procure a pair of mwk handaxes as well as a stagheaded badge to present to Kressle at the festival. I imagine there must be a good enough smith amongst the Broadhammers.

The Green Man spends the rest of the week just overseeing various parts of the city, looking on as new arrivals begins to clear land, as longer staying residents puts the final touches to their new homes, and the Broadhammers draws up new plans.

"The people knows that hard times are ahead, but it has not harmed their spirits..." He muses to himself.

The day of the festival comes. Budgie had arrived late during the night, and comes by to greet those who'd known him... before the day's activities get too hectic.
"Ho there Lord M'lord... looking nobler and well. Lords and ladies." He bows several times. "Reddens my cheeks just thinking 'bout how thoughty it were to send for me. Good fellas those fightin men you sent... enjoyed some stories.. laughed and gasped at points when they should."
"And they let me have a go at the longbow.. to scare off a well-muscled stag I'd meant to hit." He shrugs. "The road.. it's nice when done in short bits as such. Any more'n that I'll kindly decline."
"So this festival kicks off official in an hour or so.. but I spotted some carousing on my way here."

The Green Man chuckles a little at Budige. He always did enjoy the way he expressed himself.
"Well, hardy folk has a tendency to take their pleasure where it comes, as one never knows when one can enjoy it again."

The Broadhammers and other local builders have set up bleachers for the main events in between to rows of stalls for food and festival games. (Forming an "H" overall.. just west of the castle.)
The Broadhammers themselves are gathered in a pavilion tent set up just north of the bleachers... it is already well-packed with dwarves and casks of ale.

You see the children you recently rescued among other Stagfall youth playing around the temporary arena. Miss Nickelworth has taken it upon herself to shoo kids away from the rack of padded staves - meant for the competition suggested and arranged by Akiros. Local workers have begun carrying long feast tables and benches into the space. A few others are sprucing up decorations which had been hung and strung last night.

Before the festivities begins in earnest, The Green Man makes sure to walk around and mingle a little with the people there.
Having a tankard with the Broadhammers, playing with the children, talking with the people setting up the tables and with the competitors getting ready.

Dolgrym finds a comfy spot in the tent by the bleachers to knock back a couple of tankards himself. The festival had come a long way in a really short time. The dwarves had done fine work, as he knew they would.

Sonechka drifts through the growing crowds, listening to snatches of conversation as she meanders past.

Furiel arranges for a display of the military training the troops have learned. A target shooting contest for bows and crossbows earns a platinum piece for the top shooter.

If things came to a defensive war, accuracy with missile weapons may prove useful.

After having had some fun, The Green Man heads for the podium, taking his seat while he waits for the time to "officially" open the festivities.

By the time the herald cries, all of Stagfall (and even more in attendance by the looks) are milling about the feast day area. Light fare has been laid upon the feast tables in the center of the main grounds. Targets have been staged at one end for the top twelve archery contenders... the first event after Lord Green's announcement to commence official merrymaking. Everyone gathers facing the royal box in the stands to hear their ruler speak.

After giving the people a few moments to quiet down, The Green Man takes the stage, smiling and giving a little bow.

"Greetings all, it pleases me to see so many smiling faces here.
Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and after all the hard work that has been going on lately, I'd say that it is well deserved.
we should give a moment of thanks to the Broadhammers for their stellar construction work, of these stands as well as in general over the last few months."

The Green Man indicates Brarim and gives the crowd a few moments to applaud before continuing.

"Seeing so many people coming together in good cheer, healthy competition and relaxation lifts my own spirits, and makes me proud of our community."

A small frown creases his brow and and he speaks with a more serious tone momentarily.
"We still have many challenges to overcome, but we are strong and stand together.
In fact, during the demonstration later, we will see how far we have come, and how ready we are to defend these lands."

Then the frown disappears and the gentle smiling giant is back again.
"However, this is not the focus of today, today we celebrate, today we thank the spirits for our bountiful land, rich harvest, plentiful game and lakes teeming with fish."

"We have land to grow on, the resources with, the wisdom to not overextend ourselves and a standing force to protect ourselves.
Tell me, do we not have all we need right here?
Are we not working hard to get it?
Is this not a place worth living in, working in, defending if need be?"

Each question is punctuated by a shake of The Green Man's massive fist.

"With this, I declare this festival officially open, enjoy yourself.
Tomorrow is a new day of work, but today, we will celebrate!"

The crowd cheers enthusiastically.
The Broadhammers lead a mule pulling a cask wagon along the feast tables.. dropping off kegs as they go. A stoneworker you've seen, but never met yells out. "First round's on us!"
Akiros - with a well-dressed woman in arm - raises a mug to the royal box in the stands, and bows his head to Green once he catches his eye.

The twelve archery contenders salute the General and Ruler before preparing for their contest.

Furiel nods at the archers.

"Peace through vigilance and strength!! Take your marks."

The Green Man makes sure to snag a tankard from the Broadhammers, partially so he can return offered toasts, but also because the speech made him quite thirsty.

This has the hallmarks of a great day.
In the future, we should have at least two more festivals, one to commemorate the founding of Stagfall and the realm itself, and a harvest festival where we can enjoy the bounty of the year...

They move thirty paces from the target.
The first archer nails center target with all three arrows, and set the bar too high for those who follow. Though some do quite well, the crier announces "Auvedek takes the first round! Six are eliminated!"

For the second round, the remaining six are given three arrows each.. each with fletching of a different color.
"Moving target... go!"
A target is pulled across on end of the arena within a wagon... all archers fire at once. The crowd groans.. as the results are less than spectacular. Although one soldier hit absolute center once (which did bring a quick cheer from the crowd), it was only one of three that hit the target at all.

The contestants are given another three arrows each, and the target is pulled across the opposite direction. Things go much better this round as they adjust to their aim... and better tune out the distractions of firing en masse.

"We have a tie! Jence and Guerin share the round!"