Wayward kings reboot 2

Game Master HarbinNick

Durnak Zweiblatt wrote:

I love beaut'ful horses, just like I loves pretty gals, but when dey being ridden 'til dey dead, dat really ticks me off.[/b]

This may be the least classy thing I've ever head anyone every say ever in my life. I spit my coffee out when I read it.

I may overreact as I am traveling at an Embassy Suites and imbibed complimentary drinks for two hours AFTER a long day of business meetings. Now I finally get to jump on a computer at the business center. Given the setting we are in and Durnak's character, his statement is 100% consistent statement with the environment that has been established and the pressure that we are under. Durnak's statement is not Politically Correct, but it is from a woodsman's heart and I think you sell it way short. This adventure immediately has me enthralled as I have taken mandatory Human Trafficking Training and realize that the moral dilemmas posed already have me uncomfortable.

My human trafficking training I take every year clearly states that if I just passively participate in any form of human trafficking I am subject to punishment. If these guard were US soldiers, these guards are guilty under the Universal Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and would be subject to punishment by the standards imposed on them by the US military. The Nuremburg defense, the fact that they were just following orders, was invalidated on the international stage.

Link to Nuremburg Defense

I now yield the floor to DM Nick after this adult beverage aided post.

I spit out the coffee laughing...I love the character. It just was SO not PC it had me in stiches. It was like the chorus from a Rammstein Song...riding 'horses' ahem.
-One thing I'm trying for in this game is to show the PC's are heroes. They are BETTER than other people. They suffer to preserve moral rights, like liberty and the pursuit of hapiness, and most people are happy to be neutral. The motto of this campaign is "first they came for the communists". I'm glad you've been able to understand so much of the subtext.

In the words of the drunken Emily Latella-- Nevermind. Here I am overreacting to your quite natural reaction. What have we come to?

I submit a link to what political correctness will lead to.

For you young folks.

The college I went to was voted most PC in the nation 3 out of 4 years I was there. Trust me, I know all about it. I hope that I don't offend anyone, but I am having a great time with Durnak when I remember to use his rough city-prison-turned woodsman/hick background and accent. Durnak was just trying for an example, unfortunately with his average intelligence it did not come out as expected.

Luther will be Lawful Good; but he won't be PC. Sorry for the unnecessary rant.

Lol - I hated it. Most of the time PC is another term for socially challenged BS.

Ok - since nobody else has responded.

Durnak steps up behind Krol.
Ya bett'r have a good reason fer guardin' dis here slave jail. Yer men was outsides 'n inside were evil Underdark dwarfs holdin' dees nice gals in cells dat I woundn't even keep diseased rats in. Iffn ya wants ta be walk'n from 'ere wit all yer teeth, ya bett'r start talk'n real fast like.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"I am an agent of the Inheritor. At this time, I find myself focused on helping these women rather than meting out some much needed justice at the end of my sword. You guards help us clean up this abomination that happened under your nose. Your mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives will end up here sometime if you allow this to continue."

Justin adds, "As a priest I am told I am wise. It is said the pack of lions a single leap away takes precedence over a fat bear in a cave. We are the lions by the way."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"In case you boys aren't standing down, I will say a prayer for your souls."

Luther sings in a beautiful tenor chant and raises his longsword.
"And shepherds we shall be,
For Thee, my Lady, for Thee.
Power hath descended forth from Thy hand,
That our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command.
So we shall flow a river forth to Thee
And teeming with souls shall it ever be.
In nominee Iomedae"

Having yet to even draw a weapon, or give an order Julius is at wit's end. His men are pissing themselves from fear, and he is outnumbered 7 to 1, at least...
For the gods' sake, will someone tell me WHAT IS GOING ON!

"I am an agent of the Inheritor. At this time, I find myself focused on helping these women rather than meting out some much needed justice at the end of my sword. You guards help us clean up this abomination that happened under your nose. Your mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives will end up here sometime if you allow this to continue."

Justin adds, "As a priest I am told I am wise. It is said the pack of lions a single leap away takes precedence over a fat bear in a cave. We are the lions by the way."

Diplomacy 1d20+10

"In case you boys aren't standing down, I will say a prayer for your souls."

Luther sings in a beautiful tenor chant and raises his longsword.
"And shepherds we shall be,
For Thee, my Lady, for Thee.
Power hath descended forth from Thy hand,
That our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command.
So we shall flow a river forth to Thee
And teeming with souls shall it ever be.
In nominee Iomedae"

Did you do your knowledge religion roll? I'm sure Luther's attitude would be different if he knew what the symbol was.

"Yeah what he said!" Pointing to Luther

Genisen tries to look all sorts of menacing, at least as much as he can dressed as a fop.

Luther isn't one of them fancy booklearning clerics. He doesn't even study religion, he kind of plays it by instinct. It seems much more fun this way.

I wonder what the leader's holy symbol means. I am sure it is from a reasonable diety. Maybe I shouldn't have skipped all those religion classes to study magic devices.

Since nobody with charisma seems to want to talk, Durnak starts:

Yer guards done be guardin' a slave compound. 'n dey been doin' it under yer c'mand. Whats goin' on here be dat wees freein' dees nice gals 'n iffn you or anyone else done try ta stop us, you gonna be drinkin' yer food fer a long time 'cause ya ain't gonna have no teeth.

Now, where in dis hellhole of a town be a place where we kin take dees gals fer some rest 'n care. When dey be healthy, dey gonna go home. But 'til den, dey gonna need a safe place ta sleep. 'n by safe I don't mean none a yer houses a ill-repute.

So, ya gots a safe place, er ya wanna get personal wit ma axe? Da nappin' Underdark dwarfs 'll tell ya dat ma axe 'n teeth be a bad combo.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Serendipity has remained standing on her box, the one with a green label stating it contains something called Zest. She has somewhat enjoyed watching the conversation and antics of her rescuers, but time enough for that later, the women need caring for.

"There comes a time when one must deal with the devil you know, rather than devils unknown. While slavery may be one of the less pleasant characteristics of your patron, even He requires adherence to the laws of the land, twisting them to His own ends as opportunity presents. I wonder, would He consider such offerings as these worthy of Him?"

Stepping down from the box, Serendipity walks through the crowd of women to stand before the guard captain. She reaches out one hand and traces the symbol hanging from his neck. "Today may be the day where you reconsider your position on this issue. Tomorrow is another day."

diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Hey foks, we had a major thunderstorm last night and my house is now out of power until tomorrow evening at the absolute earliest. I'm posting from my in-laws, so am unable to otherwise participate with the current (off?) topic discussion. I just wanted to touch base, since I'm normally active during business hours from work - but of course i scheduled my GMAT for Thursday afternoon and took a few days off to study... which hasn't really happened yet. Anyway, things should be back to normal for me by the beginning of next week... not sure about until then.

The Off-Topic discussion was so last night. Today we are seeing how many time we can make the guard captain soil his pants. Which is something that Durnak would find very amusing.

I've been trying to get the game going, as we had two people in prison. Now that they are out, we can slow it down a bit...Sadly the only pbp i play in seems to have died. That's the way the cookie crumbles.

Feel free to keep it going, I know that Fearghus, Luther, Krol, Genisen, Anna and I are all very frequent posters. Not sure about Serendipity, but I am sure she will keep up. Also, we all know that you are in eastern China, so we can expect a lull in the postings during the middle of the day USA time.

I can generally post a couple times a day, except the next week when I am traveling. If there is combat, I try to check in more often, or post if/thens to allow the dm to know my inclinations so the game doesn't need to be held up on my account.

flying for much of the day. Luther is high strung and ready for action.

Genisen is ready for action. He'd like to clunk some knuckleheads. His skills are all aligned in specific ways though. Bluffing the captain for a noble purpose may be beyond him, but bluffing to make the captain soil his pants is right up his alley!

I reply daily, though I'm in the UK so I'm GMT...I believe...

We're outnumbered, and not really sure what is going on. We surrender.But I'm not at liberty, nor really do I know, the whole story of the warehouse. At times, we are paid extra overtime to guard certain buildings, including the homes of powerful patrons. I can assure you, that slavery is not openly tolerated in the city.
--Captain Julius throws his two swords at Fearghusfeet. He continues Now that you have threatened the city guard, I hope you know you are taking a big step...
Sorry but these are not fanatics,and they have little interest in fighting a party of 7 adventurer types.

"And who would know the story? Who gives you the assignments to guard these buildings? Aren't you outraged that you were helping these slavers break the law, not only besmirching your city, but you and your fellow guardsman? Don't you want to get to the bottom of all of this? Who guards the innocent when those entrusted with the duty turns a blind eye?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

We just follow the orders from guard commander Stanislas. He's the man to ask. But he'd back at the Lord's Keep.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Durnak steps forward and looks down at the captain:

'less y'all be real stupid, how d'ya guard a build'n like dis witout see'n fifty gals being dragged inta 'ere. Ya kin'not tell me dat ya guard a place dats got but one door 'n ya don't see dem bring'n in all dees elf gals. Now den, I think ya bett'r rethink what ya gots ta tell me. How long ya been doin' dis guardin'. Who comes in, 'n who goes outta 'ere? I wants to know who be makin' money from dis infernal slavin' 'n who be da buyers. I hates dem dat be doin' da slave takin' 'n dem dat be doin' da sellin', but iffn I kin 'liminate da buyers, den dere 'll be no reason ta kidnap dees gals.

Durnak continues to stare at the captain while casually rotating his axe in his hand with an evil grin on his face.

--How about you keep a civil tongue in your head, you inbred hick, and stop insulting a guard captain of Redwall. I've seen the superiority of your forces, and see you are no mere gang of toughs, but do you honestly think you are the first to 'try' to bring 'salvation' to this place? The weak are ruled by the strong in saecula saculorum all over the world... Julius is not a fool, and knows he can't win a fair fight, or any fight at all. That said, one for one, he'd take most of you down...

Linguistics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Durnak pauses for a moment, and then changes his tone: I too can use fine words, but have found that all a forked tongue brings is a date with snakes.

He then reverts back to his normal speech: But iffn you wants ta guard dees c'rupt peoples, den ya kin 'spect more trouble den ya kin handle.

I think his holy symbol must be one of those evil ones. I definitely spent less time studying those. You don't insult the salt of the earth woodsman standing up for the women.

A lightbulb goes off in Luther's less than brilliant mind.
Speaking that language he must be really good or really bad, so he is really bad.

"Acknowledge your betters and you may live this day."

Grabbing his holy symbol, Luther casts Command:Fall at the captain (Will DC 15).
"Drop to the ground before me.

--How about you keep a civil tongue in your head, you inbred hick, and stop insulting a guard captain of Redwall. I've seen the superiority of your forces, and see you are no mere gang of toughs, but do you honestly think you are the first to 'try' to bring 'salvation' to this place? The weak are ruled by the strong in saecula saculorum all over the world... Julius is not a fool, and knows he can't win a fair fight, or any fight at all. That said, one for one, he'd take most of you down...

** spoiler omitted **
--Julius in words and manners, is no simple man of violence. No, he is the cultured,educated, and deadly, man of honor, who sees those below him as nothing more than playthings, which as a ** spoiler omitted **

Ava laughs at the sentiment and steps out of the crowd.

1d20 ⇒ 10

I only know one thing, Redwall has stood against the likes of you for many,many years. What will you do? Kill me? An unarmed man, begging for his life? Or to slay a monster will you become one..?
--To Luther he adds, what, you want me to kneel. Fine. I kneel. (he does). You will all die, soon enough.

Ah shuddup ya worthless infernal tongued crettin.

I hit him with the side of my axe - non-lethal.

Coup de Grace: 3d12 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (1, 11, 12) + 12 + 3 = 39 <-- non-lethal, hope I did not hit him too hard.

Now den, anyone else wanna question dat wees hates scum?

Looking down at the hopefully unconscious captain.

'n kin someone make sure he don't die 'n keep 'im quiet fer a while.

He's out like a light...

I assume he had more than 20 hp so he is not actually bleeding out and dying.

That is a hit even Genisen can appreciate!

Sighing at the, direct, approach of these rescuers, she quickly checks that the captain lives before turning to the other two gaurds. "He'll live, I suggest that you two find someplace else to be, for a long time. I doubt he will be happy with the two of you for letting him get mugged by a couple of street hoods."

That said, she quickly removes his holy symbol and tosses it on the ground, "Someone break that please?"

Removing his coin purse she pats the unconscious captain on the cheeck, "your donation to the slavery prevention fund is appreciated."

Standing she turns to the others, "we really do need to get a move on, these women still need healers and food, not to mention a bit more covering up."

Durnak looks at the unholy symbol. What god be dis?

Once he is told it is Asmodeus.

I dun'not like 'im.

Durnak then raises his axe and smashes the symbol into little pieces.

"Asmodeus, are you serious? Isn't he like a devil, a really big devil?"
Luther knows a disappointing amount about religion for a cleric.
"Let's take him with us. I like our odds with him in our power, not outside of it. He did surrender to us, can't leave a helpless man behind that is in our care."
Luther is struggling to carry the gear he has.
"Durnak, can you carry him? I have a bad back from all the bowing I did while cloistered."

Durnak shrugs and then grabs the captain's collar and begins to roughly drag him behind. But, first, Durnak makes sure that the captain has no weapons, daggers, knives, swords, etc.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Having watched the exchange from the back with much interest, Anna finally comes forward, "I just wanted to say thank you for the rescue. My name is Anna. I, I'm not sure what I can do to help, but I would at least like to offer whatever help I can. Beyond mending a few clothes, that is."

"Asmodeus, are you serious? Isn't he like a devil, a really big devil?"

Luther knows a disappointing amount about religion for a cleric.
"Let's take him with us. I like our odds with him in our power, not outside of it. He did surrender to us, can't leave a helpless man behind that is in our care."
Luther is struggling to carry the gear he has.
"Durnak, can you carry him? I have a bad back from all the bowing I did while cloistered."

the knowledge arcana and planes can be rolled by the new people of the party as you are close enough to see this so your character knows what he and Ava are and can approch them how your character would approch them. Summoners are strange and so far you've just seen what you thought was a woman reveal herself to be some kind of humanoid creature.

Both Ava and Krol exclaim "Asmodus?" at the same time as they hear about it. Ava grits her teeth, bareing her fangs. "My mother's people's blood has been spilt because of that lord of evil. If only I were stronger I'd...I'd burn this place to the ground, but first..." she takes a few steps towards the guard captain who is now unconcious and for a moment it looks like she's about to gut him right there and Krol moves up, only to stop as she instead spits on his body. "You're not worth getting my claws dirty." with that she turns and returns to the group.

Durnak turns to the newcomer.

Whelp, 'less ya kin make dis scum smaller 'r find dees gals a safe place ta sleep, I'za not sure what ya kin do. But, wit all da evil 'n c'ruption in dis town, any help 'll be 'pretiated.

Genisen bows very low taking off his hat and flourishing it about, "Genisen Larkova. Swashbuckler to the extreme and man of many talents."

He shifts the eye patch to the other eye, then puts his hat back on

Having watched the exchange from the back with much interest, Anna finally comes forward, "I just wanted to say thank you for the rescue. My name is Anna. I, I'm not sure what I can do to help, but I would at least like to offer whatever help I can. Beyond mending a few clothes, that is."

Ava smiles and then shrugs at the clothing commend.

What to do with the other 2 guards

"Ava, welcome to the prime material plane."
Luther bows and smiles.
I think we had classes about planes. I am glad I learned the name of the one I live on just for occasions such as this.
As they move the ladies to sanctuary. "This devil worshipper is probably not the only one. After the ladies are taken care of, we better stick together for the duration."

What to do with the other 2 guards

Lightly saute them with some tabasco. Oh, wait, sorry, that is another campaign where I have a canibal.

Ava smiles and then shrugs at the clothing commend.

"I care not for clothing, I only wear this on the material plane because you believe in covering your nakedness so you can have my robe if you wish." she says as she starts to untie her robe.

"No, no, not what I meant. Please, keep your robe, it will be fine." She looks at the gathered assemblage. "So, what are your plans from here, with so many? I'm afraid I'm not from this town."

Having spent several years living off the land, would I know of any elven communities nearby which might be able to help the girls get back home and get them some treatment for their maladies?

Saturday and Sunday are my big work days actually, should have something up soon.

--The women who have homes, friends, or family near by will go there. That leaves only 15, who you can turn over to the temple if you pay a donation of 20 gold coins. The social worker aspect of the game is getting strange
--Now you have three captured guards men, a are in clear violation of the law. What to do now...