"In the name of Erastil, I hereby swear to willingly renounce banditry and to seek and walk an honourable path from this day forward.
I shall atone for the wrongdoings I have perpetrated through honest labour with the [sanctioned Explorers and Levetons]. In true penitence, I shall follow orders and use my talents and skills to advance their honourable cause and goals and to protect these people until such time I have extinguished my debt and proven my contrition and can live as a free and honourable man.
If I break this oath, may the gods' rain their full and mighty retribution down upon me and mine."
The brackets [] are just for the group we insert in there ... as per Cadell's feedback as to one or the other being referenced, but not both. As to the word 'hard', I threw that in at the end - it was originally 'honest labour' and I have no issue with reverting back to it.
Thanks for all the feedback! :)
@Alex: And great job on the two ideas you came up with. Nice flavour on the Book of Oath Swearing. It will only enhance our purpose and make it more formal/official and ordered as we explore. :)
I like the oath, well thought out. Ro.
Very fitting with the oath swearing of the River Kingdoms...
second draft I am not crazy about the last bit. Need to think on it some more. I am not sure its even needed so i might drop it completely.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that the book would be useful for more then just court. A religious order might use one to swear in their acolytes, a swearing in to public office etc. Wanted to reflect that in the description.
I can imagine a stone podium in a court room with the Book of Oath Swearing bound in metal sheets chained to the podium. The laws of the country written in the book. A judge directing a witness to turn to such and such page and read the passage aloud. Then asking do you understand the laws as they are set down on that page.
They say yes your honor.
Then please touch the book and swear to answer truthfully the questions posed to you by myself and the barristers.
I had pictured Sheoll making use of magical tattoos in the future, perhaps he could make something...not to discount the Book o' Oathing, it's pretty darn cool.
Thanks I am glad it is well received. Trying to get it down so that the text explains everything smoothly. Is there anything that anyone thinks could be polished up.
The Book of Oathkeeping sounds good to me!
@Alex: I like the detail you've already included in the text for the Book of Oath Swearing.
Tried to make the Book of Oath Swearing document look a little fancier. Again happy that everyone liked the idea.
I am glad to see all the deep RP connections between the characters so far. It is making the game very interesting. Any way will be heading to bed soon. Goodnight all
Alex, I like the decorative flair you've added to the document. And, I am enjoying the RP between the characters, too.
It's very late here, so headed to bed. Goodnight. :)
@Tass: Let me know when you want to wrap up the rp banter during our watch. I'm enjoying it -- but I'm wondering if the others are impatient/keen to get to the morning and finish things with the bandits. :)
Alex, I like the decorative flair you've added to the document. And, I am enjoying the RP between the characters, too.
It's very late here, so headed to bed. Goodnight. :)
Thanks Ro downloading it into a Microsoft Office Word Document takes out the lines and displays it how I intended. I guess Google docs doesn't like to play nice with office word. Still it looks ok, good enough for our purposes. Sleep well.
GM Aneirin let me know if your ok with the final draft or Ineed to make any changes.
@Tass: Let me know when you want to wrap up the rp banter during our watch. I'm enjoying it -- but I'm wondering if the others are impatient/keen to get to the morning and finish things with the bandits. :)
I'm ready to move things along if you are. :)
Thanks, Tass. Okay, with Ro's recent post I have just had her undertake her prayers and prepare her spells at dawn. She's ready to go at it with the 3 bandits, if everyone is okay with that? :)
Who's joining her? Everyone?
Ro mentioned the stable as it was established we didn't want the other two seeing and/or hearing the compulsion spell etc.
Honestly, the way Cadell speaks to Ro and the others, one day she's going to whack him between the eyes as Cadell does his horse. :p She doesn't blame his horse for always wanting to take a bite out of him.
Honestly I don't know what Cadell said in the last post that would be offensive. You all are talking about having men make life changing oaths in a stable that is currently inhabited by 7 horses and a mule. Which reminds me is there some reason we have been keeping the poor guys in the midden? You spend a bunch of time making sure the dead guys are buried right and respectfully, and you keep the live ones in the midden where the horse poop, and other household trash is thrown to compost.
If Cadell didn't want them in the midden then he could have easily suggested an alternative or moved them via rp.
Cadell doesn't have a problem with them being kept in the midden I was just wondering if there was a reason for it thats all.
Lack of options most likely. Besides the fact that the middens looking like Oubliettes which can give an air of perceived security. I can agree that doing the testing outside lends a more official quality then the stable.
A few points we don't need to just coup de grace them as soon as they fail the test. Svetlana would likely have kittens if we executed them in the post. Giving the ones that failed the test a last hour to make peace with their god before taking them out of the post to do the deed shouldn't be to bad despite our time crunch.
Rowena could offer what could amount to last rites for Erastil if they wished them and we could ask if they have any kin that we can try to notify.
Cadell I think it is more tone then specific words. the first two opening sentences are aggressive and definitive and sets the tone for the rest of your post. I believe you are trying to come through as being adamant. I might be wrong though. Cadell's previous actions are likely also influencing the perception as well.
Man it's hard being the group bastard! everybody judges you.
I wasn't think of cutting thier throats right there and then. We would definately have to take them outside the post first and I figure they deserve a choice between a blade or a noose. Cadell was simply volunteering to take on a unpleasent job, but if Rowena and Tassira want to do it he will bow to thier wishes.
Man it's hard being the group bastard! everybody judges you.
lol I guess that's true.
I'm at a con right now and I only have my phone. I'll post when I get home.
Rowena is simply performing the truthtelling spell upon each bandit, as she stated, and is not going to undertake the actual putting to death of the unrepentant bandits. She will perform last rites, as Alexander has suggested before the death/s and say prayers after the burial (depending on how this all plays out).
Enjoy the con, Tassira. :)
I did, thanks. :)
Today was the last day.
As long as I have gamed I have only been to one con and that was a small one in Germany. One of these days I need to take in one of the big conventions.
Just need some clarification before I post some rp: Was it decided that an explanation would be made to each bandit before Ro cast her spell on them?
And if so, who is going to make the explanation as to what we intend to do?
Yeah, I was unclear on that too.
Just need some clarification before I post some rp: Was it decided that an explanation would be made to each bandit before Ro cast her spell on them?
And if so, who is going to make the explanation as to what we intend to do?
I thought that the explanation could be performed by one of us for what is going to happen and that you would cast the spell and give the oath they are swearing. Since you put the work into the oath it seems fitting. That and the fewer moving parts the less likely we are going to look like a tap dancing caterpillar. we only have a minute to give the oath and have them respond so a meeting of the minds isn't optimal at that point.
Since Tass stepped up first I don't see why she shouldn't be the one to explain the situation to the bandits. It also gives good RP value for Tass to grow as a character. Besides that leaves the three blades of the group standing ready should we be needed.
Does that sound ok to everyone?
I have no issue with Tassira giving the explanation and Ro voted for that in her prior rp. I can then have Ro cast the spell and speak the words of the oath for the bandits to recite.
There were multiple suggestions (after the fact, last night) on who would do the explaining -- and thus my confusion and waiting to see who would actually undertake it.
Addendum:
One minor issue: Cadell wanted the oath to be made to one party only: us or Oleg. We haven't asked Oleg is he's happy with possibly having three bandits working for him ... Because in the beginning he said he'd only take one. We will need to sort this out before we get the bandits to make their oaths.
Sorry Ro I misunderstood. At this point I would leave it to Tass. The two of you have had the longest time with them and really are the Faces of the group.
For right now I would just tie them to us. We can always ask them to swear another oath later if necessary. We would be saddling Oleg and Svetlana with someone they probably hate.
One thing to do would pay the bandits as normal hirelings with the understanding that a good portion of the pay is going to Leveton's to pay them for their lost goods and coin. If we are actually treating these guys half fair and actually paying them its less likely for shenanigans as well.
An untrained hireling makes about 3 gold a month. They will be eating free and not being hanged. Sounds like a fair deal to me.
No worries, Alex. :) I just want to make sure I get Ro's part right at this juncture.
Okay, I will insert our group into the oath. I believe in the prior conversation Tass and Ro had with the three, it seemed they were amiable to making some coin in another way ... especially Hans (the tall one).
And you're right -- it does sound like a fair deal to me, as well.
So at the moment in game, Tass brought out Gernon. I will wait for her to explain the situation to him and then will rp Ro's part re the spell and oath. It will be interesting to see which of the bandits puts up resistance in any form ...
Here's hoping this goes well!
I just want to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to play a bastard like Cadell. The character is really growing on me. I promise to try not to cause any real conflict in the group but he is probably going to stay a bastard. =D
lol certainly keeps it interesting.
Do I wait for GM Aneirin to reply as Gernon? Or should I just go ahead and post the spell and oath?
I don't see any harm in posting now. GM Aneirin will be able to roll with it I'm sure. The real question is if you feel reacting to the bandits initial actions is important.
Sorry, Paizo was down for a while.
Well, my thinking is that if the bandit is against saying an oath or turning his life around, I'd rather not waste a 1st level spell on him ...
So, it would be good to see how well Tass' diplomacy roll and words went over on Gernon (how receptive he is), first. Does that make sense?
Yeah, Paizo was down for maintenance.
And I think that despite the... oddly worded reassurances of our resident sorceress, the dice roll speaks for itself. :)
Well, I made the post with the stipulation that Gernon was willing to make the oath and allow the enchantment to take hold ...
understandable. why waste a spell that could be used for emergency healing. I don't think it will be a problem but who knows.
Right now I am waiting for anything of significance to respond to. I am happy to watch silently until the oath taking is complete or something significant requires Alex to respond.
We'll see how Gernon responds once the GM is on the board. Then we have two more after that. ;)
I'm wondering if we'll have to roll Diplomacy for each of them...
I mean, we did do well for Diplomacy with them the last time we spoke.
@Tass. Nods. They were all pretty forthcoming and receptive on our last "interview". I rolled Diplomacy again, as too much isn't a problem. Haha.
The suspense ... of waiting.
The suspense is the hard part. I end up resorting to creating stuff that my my character could use in the future. At least potentially :)
Right now I am trying to put together a weapon that has something like the weaponwand ability on all the time. I enjoy playing with the stuff like that.
Looking forward to seeing that weapon at some point in game, Alex.
That will be up to GM Aneirin but I would be happy to throw it up once I am done fiddling. I am thinking Alexander will be taking up magical weapon and armor crafting at some point since it fits with his traits so it might not be too far fetched. Hearing the call of the forge to find the perfection he can only obtain fleetingly when he imbues his blade that kind of thing. On the plus side it will help out the group as a whole as well.
Speaking of the group we just picked up at least one possibly more "hirelings" since they all had their stuff taken by us we need to provide them with at least some basic gear. I was thinking something like this for now. it would come to 2g 5s and 2c. I have several daggers so I would offer one up for each of them so we wouldn't need to pay for that.
Sack 1sp
•Bedroll 1sp
•Mess kit 2sp
•Torch 10 1sp
•2 Soap 2cp
•flint and steel 1gp
Water Skin 1gp
Dagger
Sling
I was also thinking of writing up a contract of sorts that would lay out how much the men would be payed minus the restitution to Oleg. Their responsibilities such as keeping gear clean serviceable. What would happen if they die on the trail etc. Something like offering up an amount of gold to go to a person of their choosing if they are killed maybe 3 months for example. If we are really trying to reform(or more importantly trust) them treating the ex bandits fair would go along way to encourage them to keep their oath.
The list looks fine, Alex. Maybe we can also give them back the trail rations we took off them when we captured them ...? (From the current loot list we took 2 days of trail rations off the dead leader and 10 days of trail rations off the others.)
And a contract for the hirelings that also acts like a last will & testament is a very good idea. They mentioned that Kressel wasn't really paying them properly ... so yes, if we treat them fairly, it is the better way to keep them on the right track.
At this point I am not really interested in treating them fairly. they are alive when they could easily be dead. They aren't hirelings they are paroled criminals. The oath they are taking doesn't absolve them of thier guilt is just gives them a chance to make things right. I don't think they should be paid anything. Maybe after they have served long enough and well enough that they deserve to be released from their oath to go their own way they could be given something to help them build a new life but that is after and only if they deserve it.
I think returning their bows would be alright, and a dagger because that is a tool more than a weapon. They would of course be fed and clothed decently, and we might find out if they have any family and do what we can to secure the safety and well being of that family. Now after they have completed their oath to our satisfaction, if they want to stay on with us then they deserve fair pay and what ever benefits we can provide.
I understand what your saying Cadell. Here is why I want to pay them. As long as we simply keep them around with only their oath holding them and what ever fear of the consequences of breaking that oath we have what amounts to slave labor. A slave owes no true allegiance to its owner. Without a clear goal or reward to work towards its more likely for the men to break their oath especially if their lives are endangered which is a real possibility.
Now they do need to make restitution but not to us. This way we are gaining the benefit of their labor and the Levetons gain back at least some of the coin they lost from the men. At this point I have no intention on paying them.That is what the contract would be for. They would know that if they stick it out they will be payed say, when we are done with our exploration. That kind of deal wasn't unusual back in the day. Promise of money after a job like this was completed. I imagine it wouldn't be unusual on Golarion either.
I would agree on the bows except we already kinda sold them. Of coarse we can provide them with better equipment later. Heck we can resource a club for them which is arguably as good if not better mechanically then a short sword. I wouldn't mind providing one of them the bow I grabbed earlier when needed. Such as on watch.
really the consequences for breaking the oath (depending on their actions) may or may not be that bad. If they betray us and fight against us then they will be killed having used up thier get out of jail free card. If they just run we can't hunt them down following them would be a waste of time and the only way we would kill them is if we caught them again engaged in banditry in the territory we controlled. So if they want to run away they can do so without being afraid of what we might do.
From my point of view the oath is a test. At the point they swear the oath they have to mean to complete it or the spell won't let them make the oath, but the spell can't make them follow through the next day or the next week. The spell won't keep them from running away, and neither will we. The only thing that makes them follow through with thier oath and continue to serve is thier desire to be redeemed and show that they can be honorable men. If we pay them we undermine the process. They need to be showing that they can make the right decision simply because it is the right thing to do, not for an expected reward. They need to stick it out because it is the right thing to do, not because it is what they are paid to do. Paying them will not enable them to prove to us and themselves that they can be honorable men. All it will prove is that they can do the job they are paid to do.
As for the Levetons they can be recompensed with a share from what is found at the bandit camp. I think you are right we can manage to arm adequetly when we need to. Though technically we could get the bows back from Oleg he was just giving us trading post credit for them.