☠ Season of Ghosts w/ DM rainzax ☠

Game Master rainzax

Auntie Wu implores earnestly: "Imbalance is weakness. Pulling all those resources to either side of the river will strengthen one side while weakening the other. Would you rather Willowshore be like a steady soldier, with both legs equally strong; or like a lame person, with one very strong leg and one weak and withered leg? Which do you think is more capable of withstanding repeated assaults? We must not cripple our ability to protect all of our people and resources!"

Diplomacy, DC 17+?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Granny Hu smiles at Lan "Good! Then it is done"

"Mixing armies need not be 1:1. You can have a few predominantly Northridge units and a few predominantly Southbank units, with enough crossover so that people learn to work together."

She challenges what seems to be his - and the other PCs' - fundamental assumptions about "Southbank people are not soldiers. Have you even asked them if they want to fight? They are farmers who know the land, and little else. They know not military discipline. And yet, imagining you know better, you presume to speak for them? And negotiating on their supposed behalf before you even know whether or not they are up to what you propose?" she laughs condescendingly "You may be Little Celebrities, and capable of defending yourselves. But Strategists you are Not!"

Auntie Wu implores earnestly: "Imbalance is weakness. Pulling all those resources to either side of the river will strengthen one side while weakening the other. Would you rather Willowshore be like a steady soldier, with both legs equally strong; or like a lame person, with one very strong leg and one weak and withered leg? Which do you think is more capable of withstanding repeated assaults? We must not cripple our ability to protect all of our people and resources!"

In the other room, Kim Gu-won considers the metaphor, and counters "One sharp sword is better than two dull knives. Willowshore needn't just stand: She must fight!"

The negotiation seems on track to fail so far... 4/9 successes so far when 6/9 keeps progress towards 15/25... ...and no mention yet of what Northridge's "Additional (Reasonable) Provision" might be!

Looks like Sigurd got a success in Round 2 that wasn't given a star or counted in your total.

Round 2:

Kazuki refuses to feel embarrassed. He reiterates what he said earlier about training townsfolk to fight, trying to get his point across.

Survival (E), +1 Forest: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23

"One sharp sword is better than two dull knives. Willowshore needn't just stand: She must fight!"

"All the sharp swords in the world won't matter if the soldiers who wield them starve in the spring because they couldn't defend the source of their food!"

Survival, moderate DC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Round 3

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

You are too fixated on rigid division of roles. You have no idea who amongst the farmers may make great soldiers.

Vekka is getting frustrated and unfortunately less convincing.

"We must be careful about food shortages." Sigurd thinks. "A standing army will need more to stay healthy, fit, and strong. The farmers may grow to resent rationing their food and sending their crops to the armed forces. Give them the opportunity to join the army, and they will see with their own eyes why your suggestion is sound."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Sigurd tries to invoke Granny Hu's weakness, but he's also being earnest: he didn't understand why combat was so necessary amongst the clergy until he saw the horrors with his own eyes.

Lan emerges from the backroom, smiling. "We worked out our differences," he nods to Granny Hu.

"People from Southbank need not need to be melee combatants in order to be a useful part of a fighting unit. They know the terrain, they can help set ambushes, and they can scout."

Round 3:
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Hero Point Reroll
Diplomacy, Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Well, at least not a CF.

EDIT: Uh, not sure what's going on, but when I previewed, the dice roller showed a nat 1 on the first roll, so I rerolled, and I think it was a nat 4 that rerolled. The total was 14-15.

Kim Gu-won takes on everyone's points one by one!

Kim Gu-won wrote:

"One sharp sword is better than two dull knives. Willowshore needn't just stand: She must fight!"

"All the sharp swords in the world won't matter if the soldiers who wield them starve in the spring because they couldn't defend the source of their food!"

"With the Wall of Ghosts looming, blocking our trade paths, we all stand to starve. Maximizing our military might now is our best chance"

You are too fixated on rigid division of roles. You have no idea who amongst the farmers may make great soldiers.

"Training in the field is what matters - Something I know these farmers do not possess"

"We must be careful about food shortages." Sigurd thinks. "A standing army will need more to stay healthy, fit, and strong. The farmers may grow to resent rationing their food and sending their crops to the armed forces. Give them the opportunity to join the army, and they will see with their own eyes why your suggestion is sound."

"In the short term, yes. But when our village is protected, and the Wall of Ghosts is dealt with, they will understand why tough decisions had to be made. And if not - if they wallow in their resentment - so be it. One cannot force another man to open his eyes. He must do so himself."

Lan emerges from the backroom, smiling. "We worked out our differences," he nods to Granny Hu.

"People from Southbank need not need to be melee combatants in order to be a useful part of a fighting unit. They know the terrain, they can help set ambushes, and they can scout."

Granny Hu emerges too, but lets everyone else continue to discuss. Her lieutenant seems to be holding his ground, and she nods to him in praise.

Luda Bama emerges suddenly, and stands next to Lan.

Kim Gu-won continues.

"They can be given simple tasks, yes. But not expected to fight. And will be in need of some management. Yes."

The room seems firm in their belief for division - leaving an opening for Granny Hu to force a concession at the last moment with her cunning!

8/14 puts on track for Failure so far... most of you have two rounds to go!

Didn't realize I missed round 3!

"People from Southbank need not need to be melee combatants in order to be a useful part of a fighting unit. They know the terrain, they can help set ambushes, and they can scout."

Kazuki points at Lan, visibly excited and upset as he glares at Kim Gu-won...

Survival (E), +1 Forest: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 = 14

Kazuki droops his shoulders in defeat.
"But you all just think I'm an idiot." he remarks, then goes to sit down and sulk.

Kim Gu-won has held firm. Pragmatic, but Sigurd worries.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"We must be very careful. Each and everyone one of us must make a sacrifice." He realizes the team's words are falling on deaf ears. Darius reminded him that there are two sides to a wall.

"Would you be amenable as us doing a favor for you in exchange? I hate to be so blunt. But it is very important to us to have both sides participate."

Sigurd decides to talk business.

All the measured breathing in the world can't keep Auntie Wu's blood from boiling. How can they be so pig-headed?! Can't they see we're trying to help?! But she knows that losing her temper will play right into Granny Hu's grasping, greedy hands.

"With the Wall of Ghosts looming, blocking our trade paths, we all stand to starve. Maximizing our military might now is our best chance"

She cocks her head. Ah! Ignorant folly! "You'll burn through our resources at double speed, reducing the time we have to solve this problem. How do you propose we destroy that Wall? We need time to figure out how to do that. Our plan will give us the most time!"

Round 4
Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Lan wrote:

"People from Southbank need not need to be melee combatants in order to be a useful part of a fighting unit. They know the terrain, they can help set ambushes, and they can scout."

Kazuki points at Lan, visibly excited and upset as he glares at Kim Gu-won...

"See!?! What he said! That's what I've been trying to say this entire time!"

Kazuki droops his shoulders in defeat.
"But you all just think I'm an idiot." he remarks, then goes to sit down and sulk.

"No, not an idiot. You are very competent in your profession. As I am in mine"

She cocks her head. Ah! Ignorant folly! "You'll burn through our resources at double speed, reducing the time we have to solve this problem. How do you propose we destroy that Wall? We need time to figure out how to do that. Our plan will give us the most time!"

"Applying resources with strategic allocation" Kim Gu-won is quick to correct "Nobody, as of right now, knows the Wall's weakness. But as there have been already at least one wave of enemies flooding into our town borders, another is sure to arrive. To pretend as if dealing only with the coming winter would be the task at hand is folly."

"Would you be amenable as us doing a favor for you in exchange? I hate to be so blunt. But it is very important to us to have both sides participate."

At this, Granny Hu perks right up, glaring right at Sigurd. Kim Gu-won gives a nervous glance as well...

"There is one small thing that needs tending, yes. Of course, that won't affect our negotiation here. If you are amenable." Of course it will affect the negotiation.

Anyone who willingly volunteers a Favor for Granny Hu gains ☆, ☆☆, or ☆☆☆, depending on the size of the Favor. Please declare your intent (and number of ☆'s) in-character or in Discussion!

Urrrgh! That hag! Despite her distaste for Granny Hu, Auntie Wu is willing to do a lot to ensure that this deal goes through for the sake of all of Willowshore's people. She squares her shoulders and announces: "I am amenable."

Auntie Wu is willing to do a ☆☆ favor for Granny Hu. Does this count as an action for one of the rounds, or is it a bonus?

While Darius reminded Sigurd of balances, he's always quick to remind him not to expose the trade. "It's like friends owing money. You're not supposed to keep a balance sheet." Sigurd wondered how the young boy knew about balance sheets already. Sometimes he wondered what children Darius stayed with.

Granny Hu catches Sigurd's daydreaming and responds with a direct glare. Yes, he did violate protocol. But all of this time wasted... he was getting exhausted.

"I will volunteer for some effort. I know we are putting your army at risk, and I will do what I need to."

Sigurd decides to perform a small ☆ favor for Granny Hu. The sooner he clears this debt the better.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Vekka refocuses and tries to push down the emotion from flinging pine cones at this brick wall. He looks down and scratches his chin, frowning a bit.

Hmm, I think we have different ideas about "strategic" allocation. You see, no matter how much you feed yourselves first the farmers will be forced to defend themselves from attacks when you can cover all of the ground with your forces alone.

Lan will volunteer to do a small-sized ☆ favor for Granny Hu.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"You have some strange entitlement about what 'fighting' entails. People marshalling troops, scouting, and even healing are as integral to a fighting unit as those who wield a sword. I think you would be a fool to consider Auntie Wu or myself unarmed, though we carry unsullied blades."

Being not very good with the social interactions, Kazuki is willing to do a 3 Star favor.

Granny Hu smiles with great pride as nearly everyone in the party volunteers to perform favors for her in the very-near future!

She spies Kazuki, the ever-obedient ranger, snaps her fingers, and suddenly he is whisked into another room!

⭐⭐⭐

Vekka will probably do a favor, but I was thinking on how to work it into the RP, because he's currently frustrated with bouncing off of their brick wall of "irrefutable" arguments (aka, player bad rolls). He sort of has to come down from that a bit for it to make sense.

Awaiting a response from Kazuki

Sorry. 2 day drive to Denver. Got a lot of work to do around the old house these next few days.