Still here, but if you want to end the game Corsario, then do what you need to do.
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Janus will take the second watch.
Just a heads up. I'm going to be away on a family vacation from 12/27/2014 to 1/4/2015 with no computer access.
"I think I can handle another fight," says Janus as he and Destroyerman exchange their weapons back. "Afterward, we should consider locating a safe spot to rest. Even if we don't need it then, I doubt that we'll be able to fight all these guys in one day."
I'm going to be busy until Thursday, so NPC me as necessary.
I'm going to be really busy until Saturday, so please NPC my characters as necessary.
With Neji at his heels, Janus advances on Vordekai and hurls another wave of positive energy at the zombie cyclops.
Destroyerman continues to slash away at the enemy. Even with Arv distracting the undead cyclops, he fails to land a single hit. The Eidolon grunts with frustration and begins to think over his next approach. Too tired to join the melee, Janus instead throws a Channel at Vordakai and moves over to just behind Destroyerman. Neji follows Janus and stops right behind Destroyerman. _________________________________________________
"Here you go, buddy," says Janus as he throws another cure spell Arv's way. Never has he been more happy to have such extensive healing powers. "Get him!" Neji orders Destroyerman as she points a tiny finger toward the undead cyclops. The Eidolon lets out a fierce battle cry and carefully maneuvers his way closer to Vordakai. Even with a bit of his strength sapped, Destroyerman still makes a solid swing. ____________________________________________
"On it!" Janus calls out as he quickly casts a healing spell on Arv.
Fair enough. We can just say it was an AoO.
I don't recall using Mythic Power for either Jay or Neji. Janus' Faith's Reach doesn't require mythic power, and he used the part of Mythic Selective Channel that doesn't use mythic power.
Whoops. You would be correct on the damage total. I just saw that Battleaxes are x3, and based on the math, you did not calculate that slam as a crit. However, D-Man still isn't gone yet. Eidolons are treated as summoned creatures, except that they are not sent back to their home plane until reduced to a number of negative hit points equal to or greater than their Constitution score. Destroyerman has 72 HP and a Con of 14, so he is still there. He would be down 7 HP, but Janus revives him with another 26. So he is currently at 21.
Weird. I thought I posed a "Sounds like a plan." in our thread. It seems the forum ate my post.
"I agree with Arv. We should look into Femophul first. If his army of undead is more of the weaker variety, he sounds like the most practical to deal with right now. Lictor sounds like he would more... straightforward than the others. In a sense, it would be a mostly martial battle. I'd like to learn more about Sweetchant before we make any moves against her; that voice never actually said anything bad about her as an individual. Again, that's... interesting."
Janus watches Neji wave over her Eidolon, who escorts Seraph back to the group. He is rather happy that she has a mental link with him; at least with Destroyerman, the worst thing about the golem getting separated from the group was that he would leave his expensive sword behind; that was infinitely better than being lost forever in a forsaken land. "I agree; I'm just saying that we should tread carefully and pick our battles wisely. For all we know, that was a rouse to scare us off. Anyway, it was interesting how little detail there was about Sarebella Sweetchant. The others had some concrete evil facts said about them."
"...I was under the impression that we just needed to hammer a few zombies and maybe the occasion ghoul. Some of these individuals might be defeatable, but others like the ancient green dragon might be... problematic."
Janus feels something land on his head. "About time you showed up," the Oracle says to the Faerie Dragon curling up on his noggin. "Sorry, Jay," Noelle yawns. "I was hibernating." "I don't think Faerie Dragons hibernate," Janus replies with a sigh. "I don't think it's even winter." "I do," Noelle counters lazily as she pats her friend on the head.
Janus has a question for the halflings. "Other than ghosts, would you happen to know what types of undead lurk around here? Any old stories about the root cause of all this undeath?"
Janus and Neji are ready to rock and roll. Sorry for the delays; real life was begin difficult.
Sorry for the silence. I have been a bit busy. I will have Janus and Neji updated soon.
Janus glances up at the sky. ...I hope you're listening to this exchange. Community, Law, Goodness, Family. This has to do everything with what you stand for it. Our community needs some guidance. Please, Lord Erastil, I need your help.
"General Seraph speaks the truth. I understand that there will be points of contention amongst ourselves, but we need to show unity in these tough times. Otherwise, all the work laid out by those who died for our cause will be for nothing."
"I will assist with the undead problem, but for now, I will be spending the rest of the night drafting our constitution. If anyone wishes to join me, I will certainly welcome the company and the input. We can revise it over the next few days; I imagine everyone will need some time to prepare for their missions."
For the record, Janus and Neji will be joining the crusade against the undead before reclaiming the temple. As a holy man, Janus despises them, and several years ago, Neji was nearly killed when she accidentally walked into a crypt of walking corpses. Janus' timely intervention was the only thing that saved her. Also, both of them be very useful against them.
Janus nods on the wisdom in the other Baron's words. He realizes that building up a candidate and then voting them as Queen Tatiana's successor would be a better plan than his original idea. Perhaps this is one thing they can take a bit slower. "Very well. I can see now that I was acting a little hasty. I agree about taking out the neighboring undead first. My channels would be useful against the undead, and Neji tells me that the flying Destroyerman is most devastating against them. Once we neutralize them, there is also a temple to Lord Erastil that I was sent to reclaim. I think that should be a priority. I know that we all worship different deities, but Old Deadeye is worshipped by majority in this region. It would do well to rally them around us."
If you all want to secure the borders and/or push to river, then Indiana Janus and the Last Erastilian Temple can wait. Destroyerman, Neji's expendable summons, and Janus O. Healbot would be invaluable to any military campaigns.
"As much as I agree that she would be a fine sovereign, General Seraph renounced her claim to the throne for the time being," Janus respectfully reminds Maria. He turns back to Tatiana. "As for the transition period, I was thinking the rest of the year at least. However, it might be a bit longer."
Janus nods at Venetia and Ti'Itza's remarks before turning his head to Tatiana. Her word will be among the most important for the transition period plan. "What do you say, Your Majesty?"
Janus looks around the room. "It seems to me that there is one thing we need to establish right now. Who is going to be our next Monarch? As she said to us all, Her Majesty took the throne under the assumption that she would be serving as Regent for someone. If she does not want to be Queen, then we should not force her. However, I now see Neji's point. No one seems to be offering to take her place." Janus taps his writing stick against his chin. "However, we should also consider that she has been regarded as the undisputed Queen of the Kingdom for as long as it has existed. While it has only been six months, Queen Tatiana has done more for these previously Stolen Lands than anyone else in recent memory. To the people, she orchestrated the events that killed the Stag Lord and freed them from his tyranny. It happened so quickly that it is almost surreal. Replacing this great heroine right now with someone who is essentially a total stranger to them would be highly problematic." Janus sighs and messages his temples. "It would ruin everything that King Rupert put in place for us." Janus closes his eyes and begins thinking. "I propose a period of transition. Queen Tatiana reigns for a while longer while Sloboda gets used to the Survivors. After some time has passed and the people get to know Her Majesty's successor, the first transition can happen. This will serve as the example for our future leadership rotations. When people look back on changes in power, this will be what serves as the defining moment. If it happens peacefully, if it happens with finesse, then I can see people accepting it." Janus opens his eyes and scans the room. "We just need to agree to a candidate for successor, and one keeps coming to my mind at least. Venetia, in the event that Her Majesty were to step down and a major were to vote for you as per our agreements, would you accept the Monarchy?"
Alexandria's Retrieval is probably going to take a while to accomplish. Would the sisters mind splitting up? Destroyerman and Neji's summons provide some good muscle as is, so bringing them both might be excessive. For Xi, I say Champion. It fits her. Maybe Champion-Trickster.
What Tatiana said. Granted, Number 1 seems to have already happened via direct comment or lack of objection. Indiana Janus and Neji plan to reclaim the Lost
"Good to see you, Baron Veresisi. Here is what we have worked out so far." Janus promptly explains everything to Anando. "Most of us seem to be in agreement with this plan, but we figure that you should have a say as well. You have been a keystone of the Kingdom's success after all, and there might be something important that we missed."
Once all comments on qualifications for the Monarchy's age (or other qualifications) have been taken, Janus moves on to the next couple of points. "We can probably keep the military situation as is; they answer to the Monarch. Granted, maybe Parliament is the one with the power to formally declare war on other nations. Bandits like the Stag Lord would be fair game for immediate military force, though. Also, Daliedhur and Seraph seem to provide the bulk of the current army. Perhaps we should create a unified force if we already haven't? We are going to need a strong military in the future. What is to stop the victor of the Brevoyan civil war from just marching on us after we've pacified the stolen lands for them?" Janus pauses. "I am not entirely sure what to do about land distribution for fiefdoms. What has been done for that thus far? Based on our current provinces, we seem to have some precedent for this process already."
"As our Harrower friend pointed out, I do not think age will be too much of an issue in our system, Venetia. Since the Barons select our Monarch, we do not have to worry about a child inheriting the throne during a time of crisis. While the process might change in the future, we currently have it so that the Monarch will be one of the Barons, selected by his or her peers. The system seems skewed toward being run by capable adults by default." Janus pauses and then turns to the rest of the group. "However, that is my opinion. Does anyone else have anything to say on the subject of age?"
"I was under the impression that he was formally retiring, once he got everything in order anyway," Janus replies. However, unless anyone objects, he adds Anando to list, "However, it would be a disservice not to include him after all the good work he has done. Unless he says otherwise, we will include him for now."
Janus revises Point Seven. Seven: There shall be a two house Parliament: the upper house for the Barons and the lower house for the People. With the advice and approval of a Majority of the representatives of the Barons and the representatives of the People, the Monarch shall propose and enforce the sovereign laws of the land not already established in the constitution. Parliament will also have the power to make and enact laws, which are to be enforced by the Monarchy; ultimately, all laws will go through Parliament. "Ultimately, all laws will go through Parliament, but I just want it to be clear that the Monarch can also make proposals. His or Her Majesty will also need some leeway to interpret and enforce the current laws." Janus turns to the Tir sisters. "We can establish a set of laws to do that, and you can further fine-tune them in your own fiefdom. In our Fey-populated world, protecting nature is important. As a gesture of goodwill, I shall have similar rules to yours in my own lands."
"We can work that in, Maria. I think that would be where we amend Point Seven. As I said, that one aspect was not the... clearest to me. It needs to be revised." Janus tips his head to a certain Harrower. "On our way back here, Kiritta floated an idea of a two house Parliament. One "upper" house would contain our representatives, and one "lower" house that holds the people's elected representatives. At the moment, given the... newness of our state, I imagine that the upper house would be heavier in terms of power and final say. However, once things stabilize, we can change that later to balance the power more evenly. Such a provision could even be in the constitution. 'After X amount of years, this document shall be revised to equalize the power of the two houses.' or something like that."
Based on the ideas proposed, it seems to me that we're aiming for some sort of US-UK hybrid style of government. Anyway, the Eight Points are based off of what Janus has heard and what he thinks could be used to fill any holes. It is by no means final. Janus' Eight Points 1) We shall have a Monarchy. 2) We shall have a noble class of Barons, who elect the Monarchy. 3) After a set number of years, the Barons elect a New Monarch via a majority. The Old Monarch can certainly keep reigning if the majority vote for them. If necessary, the Monarch can be voted out early if a majority of the Barons agree. 4) The Monarch shall appoint qualified people to cover certain positions of power within the central government. 5) Each Baron on the list of founders may own an individual Barony, a province or fiefdom of the Kingdom so to speak. These are established ala semi-autonomous states. A Baron does not have to have their own fiefdom. 6) Baronies shall be run as semi-autonomous states. They have to obey the sovereign laws of the land, but they can otherwise create their own rules and regulations within reason. 7) With the advice and approval of a Majority of the Barons (or their representatives), the Monarch shall make and enforce the sovereign laws of the land not already established in our constitution. 8) We shall have a Bill of Rights to protect the citizens of Sloboda.
Janus stands once Topper Red finishes. "It has become evident to me that we can accomplish a lot together. The majority of you already have; Neji tells me that you toppled the Stag Lord in less than an hour. That's unprecedented. Things have not always gone as planned, but we have all done a good job in making lemonade out of life's lemons. Let us continue to do so. We are surrounded by enemies on all side; unity right now is more important than ever. "Seraph Whitemoor is correct in that Sloboda has operated under system of law thus far. However, it seems that we need to now clarify some details and get the entire system of governance established. We should write a formal constitution and go from there. Based on what I have heard, I have written a list of Eight Points that everyone seems to agree with in some fashion. Again, this is merely a rough draft, but most of these ideas have been said more than once." Janus begins to read his list. One: We shall have a Monarchy. Janus looks up at the others. "The buck has to stop with someone, who needs to make hard decisions for our nation. At the moment, our first Queen is Her Majesty Tatiana. For good or ill, all forms of government seem to ultimate hand one person power over the nation. Even the Andorans have a central leader of their Congress." He continues reading. Two: We shall have a noble class of Barons, who elect the Monarchy. "Everyone on our list will be one of the Founding Barons. They have all earned that position in some shape or fashion. I imagine that the exact number will increase or fall over the years, but for now, we know everyone who votes." Three: After a set number of years, the Barons elect a New Monarch via a majority. The Old Monarch can certainly keep reigning if the majority vote for them. If necessary, the Monarch can be voted out early if a majority of the Barons agree. "We will need to establish the number of years for each term. Some have suggested two years, but I think that larger number might be necessary. We will also have to decide what constitutes the majority. Half plus one? Two-thirds?" Four: The Monarch shall appoint qualified people to cover certain positions of power within the central government. "It is hard to run every aspect of government by oneself. Her Majesty has already done appointed people to help her. For example, my friend Neji is the Magister of Magic. Seraph is our Head General. Halcorg is our Warden. And so on. This will also include courts." Five: Each Baron on the list of founders may own an individual Barony, a province or fiefdom of the Kingdom so to speak. These are established ala semi-autonomous states. A Baron does not has to have their own fiefdom. "Again, there is precedence for this point. Some of you already run a fiefdom. My idea is that we simply adopt the system en masse for those on the list. However, at the same time, I know that some of you do not wish to rule land. That is fine too." Six: Baronies shall be run as semi-autonomous states. They have to obey the sovereign laws of the land, but they can otherwise create their own rules and regulations within reason. "I will get to the 'within reason' clause shortly. However, this is just to clarify what we have been doing thus far." Seven: With the advice and approval of a Majority of the Barons (or their representatives), the Monarch shall make and enforce the sovereign laws of the land not already established in our constitution. "Point Seven is the one we have talked about the least. We agree that there should be ultimate laws of the land, but how are they created? We all seem to agree that the Monarchy's power should not be absolute. Anyway, my idea is that the Barons establish some sort of Parliament. They can send a representative to the capital city to vote for their interests in how Sloboda should be run. Meanwhile, the Monarch enforces the laws, and they can certainly propose new ones. A sort of constitutional Monarchy so to speak." Eight: We shall have a Bill of Rights to protect the citizens of Sloboda. "I believe this one speaks for itself. The people are ultimately what give us power. Brevoy has no such thing, and we have seen where it can go. This will also help prevent a dictatorship. These rights will also apply at the fiefdom level."
Right, but Janus would have explained it as, "My friend Neji tells me that you four noble warriors dedicated yourselves to protect and serve our Monarchy. However, as his heirs, you also are entitled to your Lord's Barony. What do you want to do?" Janus made a list and then passed it around for revisions. He just got back, so he might have missed someone; hence why he made sure to double and triple check with the others. Topper Red was given the final version. I kept it brief for the sack of time. I just wanted for there to be a perfectly crafted list of Barons so that everyone knew who would be leading/founding the Kingdom in some shape or form.
On the subject of Baronies, none of them sans the NPC Barons have really been established. I imagine the main focus of the PCs was taking out the Stag Lord. With him gone, we can now establish who wants a Barony and who doesn't want one. For the record, Janus and Neji want their own joint one. It is totally going to be called Sevenstarland. The buck would stop with Janus, but Neji would be his "prime minister" so to speak. Vodyanoy would have a position of leadership as well, though what exactly that would be shall be decided at a later date (after Janus talks to him, Neji gets his input, etc.).
Since Tatiana doesn't want to be Monarch, I suppose we just need to figure out a replacement. Venetia (assuming that she hasn't already torpedoed the option) seems to be the best of all the options. I suppose Janus could be King at some point, but he has a few things he needs to sort out. I say we have "transition period" of sorts. Tatiana is remains on the throne for the rest of the year, while Venetia drums a lot of good will. Basically, we just need somewhat recreate the peaceful change of power that happened between George Washington and John Adams. Powers and duties are slowly transferred from one person to another. Massive PR campaign goes on all the while to get the populace ready for the new head of state.
I see no problem in a Baron not having a Barony. Nothing in the rules says they have to own it. So... 1) We have a Monarch. The buck has to stop with someone.
The general things that everyone (the PCs I mean) seems to agree on in some fashion: 1) We have a Monarch. The buck has to stop with someone.
I suppose we just need to define how the founding laws of the land are made.
I knew I was forgetting somebody. The Four Swords seem to have decided to be "Protectors of the Monarch" role, but given their dedicated commitment to the cause, they have definitely more than earned a Barony. I imagine that they would run it together. So 23 people/groups as Barons if you count absolutely everyone, 21-22 if you count the Lizards as guests and if Edeldhur and/or Daliedhur drop their claims. Edit: I agree with Kiritta about how we might just need to apply a little Handwavium at some point.
I agree with both points.
That is true I suppose, though has it ever been formally declared that the Lizardfolk are officially part of the Kingdom of Sloboda? For the time being, they have chosen to simply watch the meeting unfold. So 22 Barons then if you count the Lizardfolk and the Daliedhur and Edeldhur.
That's basically it. The eight survivors, the eight cohorts, and the four elected barons. As far as I know, the Lizardfolk are technically just guests.
Janus has someone bring him over some paper, ink, and a writing stick. He quickly writes out all the current Barons of the Kingdom and double checks it with Neji and anyone else who wants to help. When finished, Destroyerman flies the list over to Topper Red. "That should be everyone who is currently a Baron. Remember, some of the original signers of the charter unfortunately perished in the First World. Or betrayed the cause. By the way, how big a bounty are we going to place on the head of Marius du'Caat?" |