[5E] The Defense of Wood Creek Village (Inactive)

Game Master Jiggy

Gameplay thread created.

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It is only as you arrive in Elder Yana's receiving room that you realize you weren't the only one she summoned. It seems she has business with a small handful of persons who, like yourself, are known citizens who have helped Wood Creek during difficult times in the past. This leads you to guess that the Elder wants to ask something of you; she values competence and experience, which is no surprise when you consider her own background as a soldier, adventurer, and founder of the village. Though you've accomplished nothing like the stories you've heard of her youth, you've come to believe she respects your capabilities and sees you as something of an asset to the town.

In keeping with her usual tendency toward punctuality, you've been waiting not more than a minute or two when Elder Yana steps into the room, flanked by two attendants. Her stature is like a soldier, and her eyes show the discernment and wisdom that you would expect to accompany the growing dominance of silver over blonde in her hair.

After giving a smile that's somehow simultaneously formal and earnest, she addresses you. "Good morning. I hope you are all faring well, and I thank you for coming to meet me on such short notice."

Where others might begin to pace the room or make idle gestures as they speak, the Elder only stands in place, and continues, "As I'm sure you all know, I have made an arrangement to receive the patronage of a noble by the name of Elegal Sonnuratas. To make a long story short, he is going to finance some infrastructural endeavors, beginning with strengthening Wood Creek's defense against outside threats, such as bandits or roaming barbarians. As I'm sure you also know, there's been a good deal of controversy among the people as to whether this project should take the form of harvesting trees from the northern forest for a wall, or securing the ruined keep to the east of here."

She pauses a moment to see that you're following, then says, "Unfortunately, the town is divided. There are merits to both plans; either would be better than the disharmony of the citizenry. As such, I would like to present the town with a decision that is backed by several well-respected persons, such as yourselves. Whichever project is initiated, those who opposed it would be very much put at ease by seeing not only their Elder, but also the lot of you, unified in support of the project."

"However," she continues, "I would not ask you to publicly endorse a decision I had made all on my own. Instead, I want to ask for the group of you to come to a decision, which I will then present to the people. What say you?"

Narnel stands, and bows at the waist towards the Elder. He then gestures throughout the room at those in attendance.

Elder Yana, we have had discussions on the topic, and we are of the opinion that forming a wall around the village is the best path forward at this point in time. However, some of us have concerns over the raping of the woodlands to accomplish this task. I am sure that we can land solidly behind the plan for a wall, but we will need to be clever in how we harvest the wood for the task.

He sits and calmly awaits further discussion.

Cedany nods her assent at Narnel's words "The community has always lived in harmony with the woodland here, it provides for us and protects us, while we don't want the wall to be a project years in the making, neither do we wish to do lasting damage to the woodlands or disrupt the creatures there."
She casts her eyes around the group.
"Also with respect Elder, a wall stands for the community, while the keep could be controlled by the good lord Sonnuratas - I bear him no ill will, but it feels like an open invitation for him to take a position as ruler over patronage"

Narnel nods in agreement with Cedany's words.

Folding his massive arms, looking around at the others that have been gathered, smoke billowing from his mouth ever slightly, "I agree, a wall will better defend the village," Bowing his head, "I am not sure what I can do to help though," With a fire in his eyes though, determined to do something, "But I'll do whatever you ask of me, Elder Yana"

"As Narnel says, we have agreed that a Wall is best. A wall made with as little damage to the woods as possible. Including using at least some stone in its construction.

I'm not sure that we have the influence with the town that you describe but we're all willing to speak in support of a wall and give our reasons"

"We can use rocks that have been cleared from the farmers' fields", a small female voice pipes up from the back of the room. "They have piles and piles of them not doin' no good! I don't know much about walls, but rocks seem like a good idea."

Corson shifts his weight, the leathers under armor creaking, ever so slightly, "While, we do not know the intent of Lord Sonurratas, with the noble comes security. We will need to clear out that keep eventually, then will need someone to man the keep to avoid others from using that advantage against the village."

He looks sheepish at suddenly speaking up, "I mean, that's my thought."

Security or rule, Corson? Be careful that you do not give up your freedom for the security you feel a noble patronage brings.

"I admit that I am not a smart man, Narnel, but does anyone even know Lord Sonurratas? What is his reputation? I have been out in the wilds for a score seasons at least, so my memory of that family is hazy at best." Corson looks a little flustered, "Be wary that we are not giving up an opportunity for the village to prosper out of fear. That is all that I am saying."

"In truth 'tis not a ruler I object to, I'd happily bend my knee to those in charge, provided they're fulfilling their end of the bargain. But given the choice, I'd vote to get us independantly protected 'fore granting anyone more power over us."

Offering a throaty growl to accompany his words, "We don't need anyone else's help, we'll build our walls and remain independent,"

Huffing, "that's my vote, after a while you learn, you only need yourself," Looking around at the others, eyeing Corson, "Maybe after we build the wall we can try and take the keep,"

Corson looks at the dragonborn, and seems draw strength from the conflict, "Everyone needs help sometimes, Craghorn. If I learned one thing in the wild, there is strength in numbers. A wolf pack is stronger than the lone wolf, as our village together is stronger than any one of us. But a pack without an alpha is weaker than a pack itself. Do you see what I am saying? Do you think you will be our alpha? I understand my own limitations, do you?"

Corson looks serious and full of intent, but cannot hold it, breaking into a wide smile.

"I would welcome the chance to explore the keep." The halfling's smile is warm and genuine, her voice calm. "It already has stone walls defending it. That is certainly to be a better long-term solution to the problem. And I agree with Corson—we wouldn't want anyone to get to the keep before us. They could launch attacks against the village, and there would be little we could do in return. Maybe we should make the keep a priority, just to make sure that no one is already there!" Her excitement is evident.

Corson smiles warmly at the halfling, seeing a kindred spirit in her.

"While we are off capturing the keep, bandits could be pillaging the town! We must protect the town first, build a wall then take the keep." He looks at Corson and the Halfling, awaiting their reply.

How far is the keep? Isn't it just up the hill?

"When was the last time bandits have attacked the town?" Holly pats Crax's arm reassuringly. "There's no reason to suspect they are going to raid the town today. A greater worry is that some monsters—orcs perhaps, or maybe even a dragon—might move into the keep while we are building our wall. And what good is a wooden palisade going to do us against a dragon?"

If we fight the dragons over there, we won't have to fight them over here.

"Dragons?" Corson raises an eyebrow, "You certainly don't think small!"

Clearly, everyone realizes that whether we build the wall or fortify the keep, the noble benefits because he is funding either enterprise. One involves the abandonment of our current village to build another close to the protection of the keep and rule of the noble. The wall, on the other hand, allows us to keep our homes where they are and protect them from future threats. If there is an impact upon our fair village from Noble influence, I suggest we do it on our terms, not the nobleman's.

Cedany rolls her eyes at the male posturing and talk of 'Alphas'. She has said her piece, she stands back and listens for a while.

@Cedany, it may be interesting to note that when Corson speaks of the alpha, it is strictly in a leadership sense. I only mention it because you have a decent Insight. You get the sense that he would be willing to follow Holly (a halfling and a female) just as readily as he would follow the dragonborn. He seems to sincerely asking Craghorn if he would take up the leadership. Corson also seems to believe that he is not an ideal candidate, himself, for some reason or another. ^_^

As long as we are talking out of character about motivations, Holly wants to investigate the keep, but I—as a player—don't care one way or the other. The keep sounds like a greater potential for adventure, but other than that, I have no reason to oppose a wall.

Cedany was more rolling her eyes as it was a conflict (rivalry?) between Corson & Crax, who probably fit the bill for machismo more than anyone else present.
It was intended more with amusement than annoyance, though that may not have come across.
Cedany would probably keep tabs on the power-players in the village, so she will have a fair idea of the other characters attitudes

I think the DM needs a final vote to move things along. So far, I have Narnel, Cedany, Pavel and Crax for the wall (4 votes), Corson for the Keep (1 vote), and and Holly has waffled in both directions (1 undecided).

Well I'm starting to believe we should go with the keep now..but that puts us still 3 for the wall, 2 for the keep and 1 for the waffle.

It also depends on how close the keep is to the village. If we do day trips, we can still come back to the village's defense if needs be.

@Cedany, that makes sense. ^_^

Holly is in favor of exploring the keep.

Let's clarify - exploring the keep and fortifying it with the money given to us by the noble are two different things. I think we need a clear choice, and then we are free to dabble in the other with whatever time and resources we have. If we choose the keep (a mile or two outside of town), the DM has indicated in recruitment that we are essentially abandoning the village and moving all essential functions to the keep. I have copied this paragraph from the initial recruitment.

Right now, the town is split. Although everyone agrees that the growth of Wood Creek will eventually result in the need for more defense (whether due to catching the attention of opportunistic pillagers or simply crowding against some of the more dangerous local fauna), nobody can agree on how to go about it. Some want to secure and renovate an abandoned keep a mile or two outside of town, into which people could retreat in times of trouble (and eventually transplant essential functions permanently into said keep). Others want to harvest large, sturdy logs from the nearby forest and build a town wall to protect people where they are, and simply keep expanding the wall every time the village outgrows it.

Ok, I thought I was remembering correctly. What Corson is proposing is that we secure the keep of dangers, then we can move the village closer. It is more work in the beginning, but I think a better pay-off.

Wow. Don't check in for a day and see what happens :-)

"Don't forget that it doesn't really matter that much how nice and good Lord Sonurratas is. Our grandchildren will be dealing wiht his grandchildren, or with his cousins children. And we know nothing about them.

And we can't move the village. That would be far too disruptive. We've all got farms here"

The solution is obvious. SPLIT THE PARTY!

Crax steps forward, ’We’ve been called together in order to work together, I’m hesitant to agree that the Keep may be better for us in the long run than a wall.” turning to the two druids, ”I can’t say that the keep’ll use less wood as we’ll have to rebuild outbuildings and houses for the villagers. “ Lastly turning to Elder Yana, ”This would mean uprooting the village, your village to be around the keep,”

Corson looks thoughtful, "Either way, whether we go to clear out the keep or beef up the village where it stands, it will take time. We will need to do it in stages. A mile off, is not that far. Perhaps, the lands need not be moved to be protected by the keep."

The former squire smiles widely, hoping he doesn't look the complete simpleton.

Elder Yana listens patiently to your discussion, then raises a hand for silence.

"It would appear," she begins, "That a few points of fact require clarification. First, there seems to be an impression among some of you that restoring the ruined keep is somehow more strongly aligned with the wishes or power of the noble Sonnuratas than the building of a town wall would be. However, this is incorrect. The arrangement for his patronage has already been made, and exists independently of which method of city defense we choose to enact. I did not allow Master Sonnuratas any say in that decision, and in truth I don't think he even cares. As long as Wood Creek can defend itself—as long as his investment is protected, as he sees it—he does not care much for the method."

She pauses a moment to let you all process her words, then speaks again. "Furthermore, the nature of his patronage still leaves me in charge of this city. His interest is entirely commercial: he sees potential for this town to grow and thrive, and he believes that investing in our protection and longevity as a city will eventually come back around to line his pockets when we have a 'booming economy', as he put it. He will finance city development projects on the front end, with the belief that we will eventually become prosperous enough to be worth taxing. However, rulership of Wood Creek quite explicitly remains with me."

"As for the... environmental concerns some of you have voiced in regards to logging, do not worry; such a project would not be undertaken carelessly. Should we settle on that option, a mapping and planning expedition would be sent into the forest to establish the safest and least shortsighted targets for harvesting. I know better than to risk needlessly angering monstrous woodland predators, or worse."

Elder Yana takes a deep breath. "Well," she says, "How does all that influence your positions?"

Elder Yana, your words are consistent with my summary to the others, and my position remains the same. I am in favor of building fortifications around the Village itself. I do not wish to move the Village's location due to fortifying the Keep.

Folding his arms, Crax lowers his head, "I agree even more now that the Keep is our best option, having a fortified position to fall back on will better protect the villagers from disaster, natural or otherwise," Turning to Narnel and Pavel, "I know this would be a grand undertaking, but we must think of protecting the children's children, a wall won't cut it,"

Corson seems to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking, as if he is having trouble coming to a conclusion. Finally, he says, "Methinks, that if we have designs on becoming a city, we will eventually absorb the keep in our borders. 'Tis still the most defensible place around here, and I think that though it'll be a tough transition, it'll be best in the long run. 'Specially if Miss Yana keeps governance."

Then you realize he was actually assembling his comment in his head! ^_^

The Keep is over a mile from here. The size of this Village will likely never encompass the Keep, even in my elongated lifespan. If you feel that uprooting the fields and buildings of this Village for a location around the Keep is simply a "tough transition", then you have sorely underestimated the task. I hold to my vote, and may the majority hold sway.

Holly giggles and raises her hand, "Keep!"

Corson shrugs, "Miss Yana keeps referring to us as a city, and methinks that's a sign that we intend to grow, don't it?"

"If we're going to grow then the Keep will eventually not be enough anyway. Better to build the walls now and expand them as needed than to clean out a keep that will eventually not be large enough.

I am still voting for the walls"

So, 2 Walls, 3 Keep - Cedany, who did vote Walls earlier will likely make it a deadlock...now what?

I turn into a bear and beat people up until they agree? :-). Or the GM rolls a dice?

>.< Damnitol, Pavel! Down, bear, down! XD

Yeah, it'll be odd, we've done a fair bit of arguing and it seems we are pretty gridlocked, all depends on how Cedany feels. Seems like no one is really willing to budge, I even started as Pro-Wall but Corson and Holly convinced me to see the light of being Pro-Keep