One Out of Many

Game Master Mowque

Yeah I fear the day I have my own kids...

I was also tired yesterday, harvested 150 lbs of potatoes with a shovel.

Big garden or is wheat fungus study fallen on hard times?

Haha no we have a community garden here at work that oppoerates on a volunteer basis. We plant stuff and give all the produce to a local food kitchen. I manage about half the garden and a co-worker manages the other half. We usually grow and donate over 2000 lbs of vegetables a year. It's fun because I love to garden, and it's nice because we're helping people/it makes the lab look good.

Do you want/have a physical action in mind for Turning the Mask? It seemed you wanted to make it a big deal and Irovetti would love to play 'benevolent but forgiving patriarch'. This is the kind of ritual he'd memorize even if he isn't a big Alseta kind of guy.

Oh yeah, I figured he'd like doing this.

Hmm that's a good idea, making it a real ritual. I believe that at its simplest it would merely involve the forgiver, starting with their eyes open, passing their hand over their face, closing their eyes as they do so, and saying "I, (name) accept your apology and will bear no grudge against you for these past actions."

A more complicated and formal version for public apologies, forgiveness for severe offenses, or to offically solidfy some kind of peace between people would be performed at a church/holy place of Alesta by a priest or equivalent, and involve some real props and choreography. Masks, doorways, and movements that must be properly timed, with the goal being to show that if the two people can properly work together and execute the ritual, they have the real capacity to forgive one another.

The least complicated version would be most applicable in this case, though Rudabeh is using words and movements from the more formalized version because, well, it's her job to be in her goddess' good graces.

Sorry, been busy lately.

I realized I worded that poorly- Irovetti should have been the one to sweep his hand over his face, closing his eyes, as if he was "turning a mask to the other side".

It doesn't really matter though, but just for future reference.

Sorry about that.

Still enjoying things? This in-game day should be exciting! I have lots of things planned and a few twists you probably don't expect.

Yeah! I love this game, and I try to get in at least two posts a day, but work and life have been a bit busy. I wish I was a faster/better writer, but it takes me a while to think about things.

Oooh I'm really looking forward to it! You've been hinting that something is going to give with the Pitax citizenry, at least.

No, you post plenty. I was just asking because I always ask. I felt you might have been a bit lost there for a bit.

Ah yes, the citizenry.

Ever see Les Mis?

I've just felt behind lately, gotta keep up!

Didn't feel lost, I think making the flow of the game pretty clear. Hopefully as Rudabeh gathers more information she can actually do something useful instead of simply differing to people.

Yes I love Les Mis! My high school would put on a Les Mis play every year and Ialways went to see it because many of my friends were thespians.

If the rebels are going to try and stir up the citizens like in Les Mis... oof, well, there's going to be a paladin with a greatsword doing some smiting.

Hopefully Rudabeh doesn't end up like Javert! Her goal is to try and prevent this from happening at all, but like that old undine said... sometimes you just can't stop things from happening.

This turned out a little more emotional then I expected.

Rudabeh is caught between her oaths, what she considers the greater good, and following Veleda's instructions. Realizing that Irovetti has been lying to her, and is probably hiding something that she should probably investigate, has only driven the wedge deeper.

It's my fault, really. If I had just made a fighter she wouldn't be in such ethical and moral stress all the time!

Kill them all and let the Gods sort them out later?

There is an in-universe solution you know. Fallen paladin. If that is a story you want to explore. Rudabeh still seems committed though.

Yeah! It's Pharsma's job to sort them out, not Rudabeh's.

I don't have any intention of Rudabeh Falling, unless it's caused by stupidity on my part. I think she's going to figure out a way to make things work, she might just be a bit more emotionally damaged or jaded by the end.

You've crafted a wonderful, grey narrative that I believe can be justified no matter what side she picks. She can side with Irovetti, upholding the status quo and the sovereignty of a king by saying that the plights of the few outweigh the benefits of the many (as she is doing now), or she could support the rebels and say that she is enforcing the law and doing what's right for the well-being the community because Irovetti was violating the River Freedoms.

Veleda would probably get pissed if she did the latter, and it would give Rudabeh a double-edged sword of a reputation as a very serious enforcer of the River Freedoms over the sanctity of the Pact, but I really don't know what Veleda wants or expects out of Rudabeh so that's kind of up in the air.

Who knows what Veleda wants? Maybe she only wants to see what you decide? But she is only human after all, Veleda is not Alseta herself....as far as you know anyway.

I hope the gray-ness isn't frustrating to work with. I know that grappling with morals dilemmas isn't always as fun as hacking apart some goblins and taking their shiny coins.

I have the feeling she's just seeing what Rudabeh will do, as you said, and that Irovetti was right: his kingdom is a safe playground to test her mettle, and if she happens to burn the place to the ground it won't have far-reaching consquences for the rest of the River Kingdoms.

The gray-ness isn't frustating at all, I like it! The choices are difficult, but that just means it's good. Plus, Rudabeh can hack apart stuff if she wants to... she just hasn't had a reason to exact some good ol fashioned paladin "justice". Yet.

With all the anger in the land
How long before the judgement day?
Before we cut the fat ones down to size?
Before the barricades arise?

Something's gotta happen now or something's gonna give...

It'll come, it'll come, it'll come

Man, Rudabeh is going to be a fat one if she keeps eating all this awesome food...

Now I want a cinnamon roll...

I have been over doing it a bit on the food, but hey Irovetti likes a big spread. I am really enjoying his character.

I will be in NYC from tomorrow night until Monday morning. No posts!

Nice, enjoy your trip!

I will be visiting my home town for a baby shower this weekend anyway, so probably no posts from me either!

Thanks for the compliment! Makes my day.

Back, post soon!

Welcome back! Any cool highlights?

Have you ever been there?

I saw...*counts on fingers*

Grand Central Station
New York Public Library
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Central Park
Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge
Intrepid Space, Air and Sea Museum
The Stand Bookstore
Times Square
Union Square

any details you want?

It is time Rudabeh hardened herself to all this. She was hoping Irovetti could be a friend (as she hopes with all sentient creatures), but it doesn't look like that's going to work out, even though she's going to support him. It's not going to be easy.

Also I just realized I forgot to ask the jailer if Toski was going to be executed right after Rudabeh talked to her, because if so she would have attempted to furhter delay it. I have a nebulous plan for how to handle the Toski situation, but it hinges on her being alive. My fault, so we'll see what happens.

Also as an FYI I stole the "Paladins don't die in their own beds" thing from The Witcher, so don't think I've suddenly become some kind of incredible writer.

Wow you visted a lot of places! I've never been to anywhere on the east coast, unless you count Florida. Anything mind-bowing in the Museum of Art?

Seeing the original Washington Cross the Delaware was pretty cool. Lots of ancient Roman and Greek stuff. An entire area filled with armor and weapons. An original Rembrandt.

Cool stuff.

Whooooa that is amazing. I really enjoy looking at old arms and armor, I'd be all over that. I can't imagine the effort it takes to maintain all those works.

Started a new game. One Out of Many is no longer the baby child.

Sorry. Just thought you'd like to know.

I got hit with inspiration for a flashback and had to take it!

The game is 4 months old and you've already replaced it?! I will now, in a fit of jealousy, harass your new player....

Really though, good concept for a game, I might peak in on it now and then, cause I like reading your writing.

(Seriously. The line "unusually energetic exercise of governance" in the recruitment thread had be in stitches. Absolute poetry!)

I didn't know you were such a big armor buff before. I really missed a trick with that blacksmith scene. Next time, you'll be up to your neck in pauldrons and sabtons.

Thank you for the kind words in the other game. I rarely use the same monster twice though (except oozes, love me some ooze). So I doubt he'll get any manitcores.

I was really into it as a teenager, fell out of learning stuff when I went to college. I've been learning more about armors and swords lately, thanks to this game! But yeah, lay it on me! I talk enough about the different pieces of The Sixth Peak that you're probably sick of all the blade terminology. If that doesn't get you, my romanticizing about the absolute drudgery of equipment upkeep certainly will.

Oozes are pretty sweet, I'm looking forward to running into one! (not literally, that's bad)

No, you do an excellent job of working in character and monologue during those scenes. I enjoy them.

Would it be too much of a retcon to say Kilarra was an ooze the entire time?

LOL. That would be so funny I wouldn't even be mad... Disguised oozes... who can you trust?!

Okay I unleashed my/Rudabeh's hare-brained idea on Kilarra...Perhaps through the power of dice rolls, roleplaying, and friendship, maybe it could buy some time to stabilize the situation.

The power of friendship is not to be underestimated.

So excited for this joust!!! I think I expressed that before... but I wanted to re-iterate, because jousts are sweet.

Now if I could just stop writing paragraphs of speeches and justifications we could actually get to it.

That puts a lot of pressure on me to do it justice.

You can probably do anything, as long as someone gets blasted off a horse, and I'll like it. I'm looking forward to whatever spin Irovetti puts on the competition. Hopefully Rudabeh gets to judge! But if not she'll just enjoy the show.

Educational videos if you want:

Full Metal Jousting, good breakdown of rules, I think the penalties are their specific addition. Never heard of penalties before.

Knights of Valour: Full Contact Jousting Some sweet footage. That guy getting his helmet knocked off?! Brutal. Love it. Also a bonus tidbit that it takes a master armorsmith 600 hours to make a set of tournament plate. Nuts.

I may have to re-watch A Knight's Tale again while I'm at it.

I often go back to the first few posts of the game to remind myself of Veleda's wisdom. I keep forgetting this most excellent bit:

"Any tyrant or bully can coerce others to do what they want, or even to work together through force. But only a true master of negotiation can get those to do this through their own will. Diplomacy must bind together those whoa re not bound, and build bridges over raging rivers through guiding others, to reveal to them the wisdom of cooperation. It is not authority or power, it is the application of wisdom."

Trying to do that now, Veleda... Trying really hard..

Thanks for the videos! They were very inspiring. I think I came up with a few twists that both you and Rudabeh will enjoy. So you want some brutality, eh?

Have you ever read the Belgariad by Eddings?

As for the Veleda quote....those are some big shoes to step into.

I will note one thing about her, recall she sometimes sided against the rulers in charge.

It's like NASCAR. You don't watch for the race.. you watch for the crashes!

Honestly I've never really understood why I like it so much. Idislike american football because it's too violent and people get brain injuries all the time, but jousting is okay? Maybe it's the associated culture I don't like, and I'm giving jousting a pass because I romantize it. Not really sure but it's rather hypocritical of me.

I have not read The Belgariad, is there jousting?

Ifeel Rudabeh will also be siding against some rulers, especially if she seeks to unite the River Kingdoms way down the road... In Irovetti's case her choices are: rebels attempting to incite a revolution which violate her oaths against chaos and her negative predisposition towards revolution even though they're doing it for the good of the people of PItax (as far as she knows, most seem to be from old noble families Irovetti supplanted), or a kind of okay king with an anger problem and shady past that is kind of skirting the edges of the River Freedoms and attempting to subvert the culture of his country. There were ways to justify everything, but supporting the latter made the most sense.

If Rudabeh were a "normal" paladin she probably would have helped the rebels, but she's not.

There is a scene where the main character (a sorcerer) just magically makes his lance unbreakable and otherwise cheats outrageously. It is a fun little scene since all the knights are too honorable (and the character too honored a guest) to suggest anything untoward.

I am really enjoying this game, just having fun describing the scenes and people. Fun times, hope it is the same for you!

As for sports....I plan tennis. That sort of tells the tale.

Hahaha that's hilarious! I won't be surprised if there's some sort of cheating going on at this joust...

I love this game! Nothing else has managed to match its depth and responsiveness... How am I supposed to enjoy video games or books when I have this?

I don't do sports, even though I run and lift weights for my own health. Tennis is fun, I'm just bad at it.

This should be fun.

Let's do this!!!

Also, haven't heard from the co-gm in a while... what's he think of all this?

Please tell me all these lances have the Merciful enchantments...

Also, myself and the SO have started seriously looking at purchasing a house, so I may not be posting much on the weekends/after work for a while. (Not that I really did before...)

Also also, I was looking at my equipment and realized I'm an idiot... why did I give Rudabeh 3 potions of cure light wounds when she can cast cure light wounds from scrolls?. Really dumb and inefficient. On top of that, I totally missed a ton of very useful utility spells that she should also be on-hand scrolls. This is the kind of campaign that would benefit from some thinking-outside-of-the-box spell usage, methinks.

Well, guess she now has a reason to stop by the local church of Alseta and make some fat donations.

Ah, buying a house. I did that a few years ago, it is quite the stressful experience. I hope you find a good real estate agent.

I thought you'd enjoy the parade armor thing. You said you wanted some armor stuff, well here we go!

I had a feeling he already took precautions, but if he didn't she wasn't going to have those men's blood on her hands.

You are such an incredible writer. I am loving this scene and its little twists already. THe parade armor thing actually made my jaw drop in real life!

Also, poor Kilarra. She probably deserves everything she's getting, but who's to say?

Thank you for the kind words. Mean a great deal.

Actually as far as the co-GM goes, he's been dealing with some personal life issues so I've been flying alone for the last few weeks (don't worry, he is back now).

But as far as the joust goes, this is solid ground. This was actually the first thing we had planned before Pitax was chosen or the Kingdom of the Free thought up, indeed even before Irovetti himself. Granted, it has changed alot, in both context and importance, but in many ways this was the first scene I came up with.

Glad you are enjoying it. I figured a fun twist would them being very enthusiastic but totally untrained. Nothing is more dangerous then ignorance.

Oh so that's why she hasn't almost died recently. (I kid). Welcome back co-gm! I'm going to pretend like it's a coincidence that the moment he's back Rudabeh is making reflex saving throws...

That's really cool this was the first scene planned! That makes it even more exciting. I will make sure to bungle it up in the most player-character fashion possible.

Just curious: Are you making rolls for the joust, or is this all scripted?