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.
There are so many ways I could respond to the last post but I don't wish to get into a protracted morality debate here. So I will simply direct you back to your previous post. To sum it up I would be codifying what you stated earlier about what happens after they leave our service except without ambiguity or capriciousness.
Moral debates can be fun but are usually pointless in that rarely does anyone change thier opinion.
I am not objecting to providing them with something to help them begin again, I am objecting to codifying it. By codifying it we obligate ourselves to do it even if the reward is undeserved. And puting it in a contract with the offender undermines the process we are hoping will take place. We can agree among ourselves to reward them when they complete their service if they have given good service and been an asset to the group but I don't but I don't think it is a good idea to offer them one now to motivate them to fulfil their oath.
I would like to here what the others think about it.
If the majority of the party believe that paroling and equipping the men is fine, I see no reason as to why not to do it. But remember, these folks may be amenable, but not all things out in the wilds are.
I don't believe we're actually releasing them at present ... They will have to make amends to Oleg and Svetlana via us and when enough time has lapsed and they have proven true to their word, then they may be allowed to move on as "free" men. Within the trading post, they do not need to be armed, unless we expect a fight/trouble. But if they travel out with us, on our explorations, giving them a dagger and some gear seems okay to me. We don't have to be naive about it -- but showing some good faith isn't a bad thing.
I like the idea of the contract put forward by Alex. By putting it in writing doesn't mean we have to reward them for any kind of behaviour. We can also be clever in the contract wording ... so they understand what we intend and do no intend to provide (and what is expected of them). They're probably used to just accepting the word/verbal promise of a leader or even a handshake ... But if they see we stand by our word, maybe they will too ...
I have fallen in with a band of Asmodeans that is why they are all so keen in making contracts.
I figured you would like the contract idea and I'd bet my britches that Tassira would like it too.
Meanwhile, Asmodeus is sneezing in Hell.
But yeah, contracts back by a god carry a bit more heft than most other contracts. There are literal gods in Golarion who seem to be almost specifically meant for contracts and stuff.
@Cadell: Well, I did previously mention (when Alex first brought it up) that I liked the idea -- so it wasn't that much of a hard guess. ;)
Just curious, is Cadell, purposefully ignoring what others say? He seems to be jumping ahead when other characters are pointed to.
As for the contract/agreement and payment situations, this is my view:
The "former" prisoners are given payment, but that payment for a time will go to paying of their previous debts, ie the items they've stolen. So until they payed that back, they're basically working for free. After that, they'll be given a fare wage that they can spend however they like.
I agree with Rowena that they should stick around untill they've worked of their "sentence".
If the majority of the party believe that paroling and equipping the men is fine, I see no reason as to why not to do it. But remember, these folks may be amenable, but not all things out in the wilds are.
I Understand, I figure on playing things by ear. I am sure everyone else has a similar attitude.
The military loves its paper work so do courts and governments. The Eberron campaign setting changed how I viewed a lot of things pertaining to running and playing governments and groups like that in a setting.
To get an idea of that Sheoll we would have to find out how much the Levetons had stolen from them. Which was an idea I had been kicking around in my head. To quantify the potential length of the compulsory indenture ship. in fairness we should divide it by 12 for each bandit that took part.
No worries Sheoll, Cadell is playing his character. His abrasiveness is part of the charm :)
Sorry I haven't posted yet--I've got school work to finish.
Good luck with the school stuff, Tass.
Completely understandable. Hope the school work goes well.
My apologies for posting out of turn, but unfortunately I will be away from the boards from my Friday through to Sunday (your Thursday through to Saturday). I have relatives from Sweden arriving tomorrow and staying at my house and there will be festivities and sightseeing over the next three days.
GM, if need be, please bot Rowena accordingly. Thanks. :)
I am not ignoring what others say. I was in the process of writing my post when Rowena posted hers. I didn't see her post until after I posted mine, and I didn't feel like redoing my entire post, nor did I have time to do it.
Have fun Ro
Gyah, I wish I was still in school. Good times were had.
Best of luck Tassira.
And Rowena, hope you and your family have a nice time together. Precis, mycket roligt.
Thanks guys.
My school work in this case is putting together an honours thesis for Psychology.
I'm just about done with the proposal and ethics portion of it.
And have fun with your family, Rowena! :)
Precis, mycket roligt
have a lot of fun right
I enjoyed my introductory Psychology class, I found it fascinating and informative. Though honestly not certain I would want to perform some of the experimental aspect of the more advanced courses. Again hope everything goes well.
I assume that we are on a kind of hiatus for the next day or so than with two people out?
I don't see why not. As soon as they are back, we can continue in game. The discussion board, however, is all up and ready for you all to chat and discuss things on, such as what jobs you'll have the three men work on, for instance. Or how they'll break it to Oleg and Svetlana.
I don't think Oleg and Svetlana will be a problem if we make good their losses to the bandits. Well Oleg might take our being merciful to the bandits poorly but he seems like a practical sort and will let it go as long as he is recompensed.
As for the lads We need to find out if they have any specific skills that we lack. Like handle animals. I would have them doing most of the scut work. Setting up camp. gathering firewood, preparing food, cleaning up after meals, digging graves, moving dead bodies. I don't think they will need to do a lot of the last two.
One of the first things they will need to do is lead us to their old camp.
An idea I had that blossomed out of the blue today from this Picture. thought I'd pass it on since it was appropriate considering the area we are exploring.
Appearance
leprechaun
The short humanoid has pointed ears, green eyes, and a wicked grin flanked by flared orange mutton chops giving his features a fox like quality. He carries a long stemmed smoking pipe in his hand and occasionally takes a puff from the sturdy looking pipe. He is dressed in a brown and orange open jacket and pants that bring to mind the color of autumn leaves that contrast with his off white button up shirt and black buckle shoes. Atop his head rest what appears to be a crown made of wood.
Pipefox
The foot-long, furry, snake like animal has a coloring that range from brown to orange along its top and face with an off white streak that runs down its belly the creature carries a fox like face with an odd black area of fur centered on its forehead that appears like crown pattern. It holds a long stemmed pipe in its canine teeth and occasionally puffs out smoke from between its teeth. Taken all together the creature appears like an odd looking stole wrap.
Personality/ Background
Dain is the head of a clan of leprechauns named the foxes in honor of their king. They dress in a similar fashion as their Dain but unlike him are of the normal variety. Dain allows his clan free rein most of the time preferring them to deal with their issues and worries for themselves however if the clan is threatened by something. He is not adverse to acting himself or calling in others of the clan to help. The whole clan meets regularly once a month to laugh, sing, drink, and smoke. They even occasionally bring up important issues during such meeting and act on them however that is not typical.
Dain the self proclaimed Fox king is a learned but playful fey. He enjoys posing questions to those he finds in the forests and roads though the questions may be inane or silly they sometimes have a deeper underlining truths or clues to unknown knowledge. Though the insights he adresses may be lost on those he is sharing them with. Unlike the typical leprechaun Dain doesn’t usually steal items from characters he finds the practice too simple a trick to enjoy. He instead prefers games that require a more intellectual bent such as riddles or scavenger hunts.
Dain’s Scavanger hunts usually involve clues written on various pieces of nature such as trees stones or on the ground using prestidigitation. Though he sometimes give them verbally or through illusion magic. Such messages are marked with a crown symbol to prove it was he that left the message. His clan knows not to disturb such writing or fake the symbol but that doesn’t stop them from leaving their own messages to misdirect would be hunters sometimes. Such hunts are not without potential dangers as Dain will often direct a hunt to dangerous locations or fearsome monsters or animals especially ones that are troublesome to the clan but he leaves warnings in the clues concerning the nature of the danger though they are usually as cryptic as the rest of the message.
During such hunts Dain usually stays close by to observe and enjoy the goings on and sometimes even help if a person gets in too deep but by the same token if things appear to be going too easy and not providing enough entertainment he will sometimes add complications. Such as using Faerie Fire on a member of the party if they try to sneak past a dangerous creature.
Dain’s hunts are epic jests to the clan and occasionally a good run by a group will be watched by several other leprechauns as they make bets on outcomes and occasionally hedge said bets for or against. However at the end of a scavenger hunt there is always what could be considered a prize of some sort. Often it is something lost or left behind by others passing through the clan’s domain that doesn’t hold their interest.
Leprechaun / Pipefox fey CR 7
XP
CN Small fey
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +17
Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 27 (6d6+6)
Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +7
DR 5/cold iron; SR 16
Offense
Speed 40 ft, Fly 20 ft.(good)
Melee +1 +2 Flaming club (Ember Pipe of Smoking named Puck) +7 (1d8 +1d6 fire)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th/10th; concentration +9 (+13 leprechaun magic SQ))
Constant— Shillelagh, Comprehend Languages
At will—Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound (DC 13), Invisibility (self only), Mage Hand, Major Image (visual and auditory elements only, DC 16), Prestidigitation, Ventriloquism (DC 14)
6/day—Quickened Vanish (1rd)
3/day—Augury, Color Spray (DC 14), Fabricate (1 cubic foot of material only)
1/day—Detect Thoughts (DC 15), Divination, Greater Invisibility (self only), Major Creation, Faerie Fire, Entangle (DC 14), Glitterdust (DC 15), Deep slumber (DC 16),
Statistics
Str 7, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 13
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Throw Anything
Skills (4r)Bluff +10, (1r)Climb +7(15), (4r)Escape Artist +10, (4r)Fly +12(16) (3r)Knowledge (arcana) +5, (4r)Knowledge (local) +9 (3r)Knowledge (nature) +9, (3r)Knowledge (religion) +5, (4r)Perception +17, (2r)Perform (comedy) +8, (2r)Perform (dance) +8, (4r)Sense Motive +9, (4r)Sleight of Hand +14,(4r)Stealth +14(22) (2r)Survival +4 ; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception, +4 Sleight of Hand
Languages Common, Draconic; Elven, Halfling, Sylvan, comprehend languages
SQ: leprechaun magic, Compression(In Pipefox Form)
Ecology
Environment temperate forests
Organization solitary, pair, band (3–6), or family (7–10)
Treasure standard (club plus other treasure)
Special Abilities
Leprechaun Magic (Sp) When a leprechaun uses any of its spell-like abilities to deceive, trick, or humiliate a creature (at the GM's discretion), the spell-like ability resolves at caster level 8th rather than 4th. If a leprechaun uses its spell-like abilities in this manner, it has a bonus of +11 on concentration checks.
Change Shape (Su) Can Change into a Pipefox at will.
Changes in Pipefox form
Size Diminutive
Melee bite +10 (1d2–5)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
AC 17, touch 17, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +4 size)
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft, Fly 40 ft(good)
Items carried
Embered Pipe of Smoking (Named Puck), wooden crown, purse of cold coins.
Embered Pipe of Smoking
This deceptively simple looking wooden smoking pipe is a sturdy specimen of its kind. The Pipe is seems to always have a plug of lit smoking tobacco in its bowl and the user may take a puff off the pipe any time he wishes even in unusual circumstances such as under water. The pipe also resizes itself to the smoker when handled. These minor powers while interesting pales in comparison to its true power. A wielder that knows the name of the pipe may call on the full power of the smoking pipe. The wielder may change the size of the pipe and use it as a club of the appropriate size as a swift action. When used in this manor the pipe is treated as a +2 flaming club. The pipe is also able to create a obscuring mist 3 times a day and a stinking cloud once a day booth abilities are at a 10th level of ability. In combat when the pipe scores a hit on a target the wielder may use one of the Obscuring mist abilities as a free action in a similar fashion as a spell storing weapon. Except the Obscuring mist spell appears as if cast normally using wielder as the point of origin.
I'm back!
Welcome back Tass
I was about to say I think I saw a tumbleweed, but I guess I won't. :)
Welcome back, Tass.
@Alex: Nice! That is definitely interesting. I will try my level best to figure out if they can fit in and where best to put them.
Will we be starting back up within the next day or so?
Sorry, guys. I'll be back on the board tomorrow. :)
No problem. Hope you enjoyed your families visit. I imagine that you don't get to see them often considering the distance.
Sorry I couldn't reply yesterday, but I was in the car, posting quickly from my phone. Thanks, Alex. :)
This was their first visit to Oz. Now they've moved onto to the next relation for a few days ... But they did say they are going to make a consistent effort in the future to come and visit and they invited us to stay with them in Sweden. I'm looking forward to that.
@Tass: Best of luck with your Psychology thesis!
@Alex: I do like Dain the Fox King!
Looking forward to jumping back into this game, today.
Sorry I couldn't reply yesterday, but I was in the car, posting quickly from my phone. Thanks, Alex. :)
This was their first visit to Oz. Now they've moved onto to the next relation for a few days ... But they did say they are going to make a consistent effort in the future to come and visit and they invited us to stay with them in Sweden. I'm looking forward to that.
No problem. Been to several countries in Europe but never made it to Sweden. As I understand it has many beautiful areas to visit. When you get the opportunity to visit your relatives maybe you can let me know how it was :)
@Alex: I do like Dain the Fox King!
Thank you, I was feeling especially inspired that day. Stayed up way to late (4 or 5 AM my time) and I think it shows in some parts :)
Everyone is back and ready right?
Yes, ready here.
Ready here.
I'm here too.
Considering the flow of conversation in game I believe GM Aneirin is up but I think he was waiting for everyone to get back. That only leaves Cadell but I believe he usually responds later in the night my time.
I have been waiting for you all to decide your ready to move forward.
The snow is falling fast and hard over here just want to let everyone know since times like these are when we start to see power outages.
Good luck with the abundant snowfall, Alex. Keep safe.
Thanks Ro Should be good we have a kerosine heater just in case and plenty of flash lights 3 large oxygen canisters for my mom plenty of food and no where we have to be :)
Sorry, life and then a really crappy internet connection... We can pick up right away, actually.
Sorry to hear about your internet. Looking forward to continuing.
Likewise, it's always frustrating when internet is spotty.
I think we're just waoting on a response from Hans.
Yeah, I think the local internet company was doing maintenance. Alright, let's move on!
GM Aneirin, not sure if your internet went down again, but can you tell us if Hans was willing to take the oath and renounce banditry?
Thanks. :)
GM Aneirin, not sure if your internet went down again, but can you tell us if Hans was willing to take the oath and renounce banditry?
Thanks. :)
Actually, went to bed because I was about to pass out. On it now.
Being so tired doesn't help. Hope you managed to rest/sleep well, however.
I wonder if GM Aneirin is having connection issues again. It has been really bad weather in the U.S..
Quite possible. I heard 6ft of snow in Buffalo, and expecting more, so I can only guess what the areas around are like...