Verus

Ryle Orlovsky's page

58 posts. Alias of Matthias W.


RSS

1 to 50 of 58 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>

M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

I don't know that I can continue, given IRL obligations that I keep falling behind on anyway. I'm sorry to disappoint so early. You are all lovely people and I hope your game continues to be lovely as well!


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle will show up when you do - retroactively justifying my Posting Absence as his being banned from bars by Raven.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Heal: 1d20 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + (6) + 2 = 14

"[b]I have to wonder if this is connected with that blood situation earlier." Ryle shudders.

I'm fine with moving ahead.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Glad you are doing better!

On a completely coincidental note, I may have to take five for a few days. Anyone who wishes to is free to describe Ryle doing things in whatever manner they consider most accurate/dramatically interesting etc.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle is scribbling away at some sort of chart, lines being drawn between words in an incomprehensible shorthand. "How intelligent is the creature in its bestial form? Perhaps we can lure it? Vorsirion, you appear to make use of some kind of sympathy with objects, do you not? Do we have remains of any of the victims from which you could use your, ah, distinct methodologies to gather pertinent information?"


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"That is a hard thing to admit, Jhod" says Ryle, "We need leaders like you. Not just ones willing to help, as you are, but ones who are aware their judgment can be deeply flawed. Power has a way of occluding that. And..." he says, thinking, "you bring up another point as well. Panic could do as much damage as the lycanthrope itself."

Addressing everyone, he asks "What's the talk about town as far as what's going on? My, ah, own unwise judgments have kept me from the better sources of gossip."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 12 + (1) = 31

"Thank you very kindly - your cooperation, and care for your flock, is greatly appreciated.


  • What do you know of lycanthropy in general?
  • Would you be willing to attend us in our investigations tonight?
  • Are you willing to be put under oath by Thurl?
  • Who do you know that would be in a good position to attest as to the recent goings-on of people in your retinue?


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Assuming we move forward to the interrogation

Ryle has his eyes trained on Jhod as they approach. At what point does he become aware that they, and a retinue of picked men, are walking towards him? How does he react when he does? And the reaction of the company surrounding them - are they loyal to him?

"Jhod!," he calls, before launching a small query that could be interpreted as directed towards a suspect or a fellow councilor of the realm, depending on how wary one was: "We have some things we'd like to discuss with you!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (10) + (3) + 12 = 25


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"My preliminary census has already identified such artisans, or at least a number of them, General, and I will certainly speak with them, and look into a proper response from my own craft" says Ryle, nodding in agreement; turning to acknowledge Vorsirion, "but you are surely right, Magister, that we must speak with Jhod in all haste. Warden Thurl, do you know what we need - I am speaking both legally and, if the worst is true, physically - in order to preventatively detain him? Of course he is politically important and we must avoid the appearance of offense, but...


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle cocks an eyebrow. "I thought those were a myth? A way for peasants to excuse..." His voice trails off as he realizes Thurl knows what he's talking about, whether or not he's right in this instance.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle is busy conducting a simultaneous survey, audit, and census. Do we have reliable maps of the area, and where can we get them? What are the known, and most likely, mineral deposits within our domain? What kind of immigrant inflow are we experiencing, what is the trendline, and how many people would come in the event of a civil war? How long would it take to put the most readily available croplands into cultivation? And if this information can be disseminated, too - to better inform farmers, merchants, and local leadership of community needs and the likely market situation - then even better. He's also perpetually on the lookout for potentially reliable civil servants.

He also approaches Vorsirion about setting up some kind of educational system. Doesn't need to be elaborate - but a slightly more sizable literate minority could be excellent for expanding the sphere of trade and governance.

Unfortunately the best way to do half of this is at the public house - where he's too ashamed to show his face. Didn't he escape the civilized world to be free of one shame - must he find himself in another? He's working increasingly through subordinates; angry at himself and at Raven - all the angrier at her because he knows he lacks the right to be.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle glares at her with as much dignity as he can muster (that is to say, exactly as little as it sounds like) before she walks out, and sips his water. "I would never, ever pilfer from the treasury!," he spits out after her, while leaving the other half of the accusation unspoken - he already mostly brews his own.

He can kick the door back with his foot without moving much, and so does so. Nursing water and headache for a bit, he gathers himself enough to stand up and rest on a workbench. What an idiot he is. He deserves this exile and this humiliation both, and all the others, too. He has just enough faculty of concentration to brew another potion to cure his hangover - and after that, he'll have enough to look through his notes. He can only hope they'll redeem him. That, or the work of the day ahead.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle looks forlornly at his last opportunity for relief, poured upon the floor. Despite pain ringing in his head (and cheek,) he decides best to focus on the task at hand.

"Depends on the rest of your sentensh," he explains. "For aesthetic purposes? It's, uh, easy. Harder depending on how convincing you want to be - the, uh, ah, stage loves the cheap stuff. Ugh. For ritual purposes? Imposh- impossible. Medical purposes? Not cheap, and never as good as the real thing, but enug, uh, enough to tide a patient over, it can be done. Enough to fool another alchemist? That's a, uh, race between technichshs.

"On my desk there should be some notes on that. Don't remember much but might have, ah, made some progress. Grab notes. And water. That would help. It's a..." he heaves over a fortunately not-too-fancy lab outfit. "Common solution. Ha ha."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

After taking notes on the content of the messages, Ryle takes his notes and samples back to the lab.

(Assuming nothing dramatic happens in the present scene...)

Surrounded by alembic, fluids, notes, and quickly depleting polypurpose panacea - for clarity - Ryle is doing his best to solve this. But the data isn't cohering. And what led to all that blood? A lot of people would have had to die, but no scenario he can think of makes sense, and any scenario he can think of is nauseating. Time for something better, to take his mind off the sickening parts - just so he can focus on the more important bits.

If he prepares a sobriety potion for the morning - the motions to do so are almost automatic now that his full lab has been set up in his Hopefield office - it won't even get in the way of being productive then. It would be irresponsible not to, really, if a little buzz would help him attack this problem more successfully.

(If we move to the morning...)

Ryle is found passed out, next to a pool of vomit. The sobriety panacea is in reach for when he wants to get to work, but it won't spare him the embarassment in front of whoever finds him. And on his desk are notes... successful ones?

Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 10 + (5) = 17
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 13 + (5) = 31


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

That sucks - but glad you're still able to pun! Deal with things at whatever pace you have to.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle chips some of the blood into a vial for analysis later. Between this and the vegetable matter it will be busy nights at the lab.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

The boards were acting weird for me too, so I assume that applied to everyone.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"Political pamphleteering?" Ryle ventures.

Knowledge (whatever's most appropriate): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 10 + (4) = 31


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle, who has already crouched low and started examining the bizarre entity, frowns at the emerging consensus to keep moving - not so much because it's wrong as because it's so obviously correct. He takes a very quick sketch of it, stares intently, closes his eyes to have the scene fully reconstructed in his mind, puts some still-writhing vegetable tissue in a stopped jar, and moves on.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryland launches himself at the fell shrubbery like a gardener out of hell.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage if it lands: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 5) + 5 = 12


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle unhesitatingly hacks at the vine reaching towards Raven.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

I would but I assume it doesn't stack with my studied combat bonus - both are insight-based, right?


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle sallies forth and builds momentum on his greatsword, ending in a crouch-spin placing him below the anticipated more impressive swing of Raven. From his study of the creature, he expects this to hit right where the trunk is most tender.

Attack!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
damage if it lands: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle rushes to Vorsirion and hacks at the vine strangling him as if had been lawfully sentenced to death.

Aid Another for Vorsirion to escape the grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

On phone so apologies for not moving Ryle. Technically you can't charge on difficult terrain either (though I think she had the space to attack anyway.) I should perhaps clarify that I'm only being this pedantic because I have to look up everything myself anyway!


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (9) + (5) + 10 = 24

Ryle follows Raven's advice and studies the creature further, mentally comparing its body plan to some of the prints in his wife's manuals...

If it weren't eating poor settlers, it would be beautiful - every plant is some kind of machine for absorbing minerals beneath and sunlight above, all spreading forth in fractals and protected by integuments or poison or something else. This figured out how to move and to extract power from animals - an inversion of the natural order, to be sure, but that just makes it more impressive. He observes the way its various appendages move, trying to ascertain which are for moving and which for attack. Can it even sense them? How would it?

So also a Study and 5FS. I don't think I've defined what alchemy I have on hand in situations like these, so let's assume 2xCLW, 1xCMW, 1x polypurpose panacea. I assume Vanguard's Bond is an Insight bonus and so doesn't stack with my own Study.

Also I think Raven can't 5FS as we're in difficult terrain, right? Unless she has some kind of exception-based power for that or I'm just being stupid.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle turns down to examine the sap more closely - sniffing it, dabbing to test its viscosity... "You know, my wife was - is - a botanist," he says, to no one in particular, and puts a little of it in a stopped vial. "Taught me everything I know about alchemy, so I still think of vegetable matter as the most basic in some senses... Wish I could consult her about this now - she'd either be fascinated or, better yet for us, bored - guess I'll have to settle for a letter when we track it down. Hope it's not too interesting!"

Knowledge(Nature), with inspiration: 1d20 + 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + (4) + 10 = 17


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle sees the look of concern on Raven's face. "Split up? Me, Thurl, and you to track down the creature, and Alamina and Vorsirion to accompany these settlers? Or depending on how far we are, we could come back - Thurl, I've given you enough lip, but I'd trust you to track an ant through a snowstorm."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle looks at the tracks and smiles to himself. Still tracking down bodies after all these days...

So yes; let's go!


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Seconding Raven's plans.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

I believe Kingdom alignment is Lawful Good. By the spreadsheet I'm looking at, if we go LG, Alamina is our ruler, and we're allowed to use Elvara as an NPC Counsilor, then our pre-edict, pre-building bonuses are:

E: 15 = 2 lawful + 4 Vorsirion + 4 Thurl + 5 Ryle
L: 13 = 2 good + 6 Elvara + 2 Akiros + 3 Kesten (-2 if we can't use Elvara and want to sub in say Grigori or Jhod, though in that case I would suggest letting Jhod be high priest and Latricia be counsilor for IC reasons)
S: 10 = 4 Raven + 2 Svetlana + 4 Latricia
?: +2 Alamina, +2 Lloyd

IDK how that affects all the other decisions. From a roleplay perspective, I'd interpret Ryle's comments thus far as arguing for light (rather than none or normal) taxation - though "none" would make sense if he loses the argument on commercial river traffic with Elvara - and "token" being a pretty good interpretation of our discussion of military policy.

Oh, and I like the name Hopefeld! Free Duchy of Hopefeld, maybe?


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

As for the 'hypothetical' danger of a civil war - it could strike at any time. A pigeon could be carrying the news of it as we speak. In a best case scenario, we 'merely' have to deal with an influx of refugees - who could well make fine settlers in any case. In the worst case - well, even if nobody explicitly declares war on us, brigandry and warlordism fall in the wake of civil war like crows on a corpse. Ideally our first line of defense would be political, but it seems we're relying on amateurs rather than professionals for our diplomatic and espionage corps - which is perhaps what we have to work with, and no insult to the amateurs in question - but it is inevitably concerning."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"I'm glad for the vote of confidence - I see you haven't seen all that my humble incompetence has to offer yet! - but to be clear - 'one to two years' is a perfectly reasonable timescale to hope to have a military chain of command and training program in roughly the shape we'd like, although we'll of course want to have something roughly operational as soon as possible and keep tinkering as we go along. Our land being rich and settled enough for direct individual taxation is the work of decades at the earliest. The widespread availability of open land and our open borders with various quasi-states means that the small farmer who starts getting shaken down for living in some particular place - whether by prince or landlord - can simply move somewhere else. Soil, timber, and game are out there for anyone with the motivation to get them - assuming the winter is not especially harsh, in which case everyone is in a sorry state. Probably most people will not feel any great reason to interact with the cash economy at all, being able to get everything they need themselves, or from people known personally to them.

"There are advantages to this - unless great efforts are made to place people under the thumb of tyranny, efforts I believe no one under this table would support, it will be a land of social equality and freedom. Its people will have to work hard, but they'll own their own land, and if properly motivated to protect this order they'll make fine militia, not malnourished and mutinous conscripts. But it also means we'll never have the kind of leisure class that makes the best poets or warriors - and it means we'll have to be more creative about how to extract revenue. And it certainly means we won't be able to offer most citizens tax rebates.

"Of course tax rebates vs. monetary or in-kind incentives to join the training corps is not the central issue you were concerned about," he says, smiling, "so I admit my stressing this rather small detail is rather pedantic. But the reasons behind the detail are profound, and, I believe, need to be appreciated properly - even by those with little interest in taxes and councils and those things." He smiles. "Or to put it another way, this country will take less after my spirit than yours."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"I like these ideas - in theory and, at least, in broad strokes. There are situations where they would work. The militia system in distant Bachuan appears to have saved the revolution there; and there are places where tax rebates are reasonable to provide.

"But I worry that, with our as-yet weak national identity and war looming across as open border, providing widespread training without other inducements would simply train the mercenaries for a bloodbath to the north. And tax credits for training make little sense for us. They imply that most individuals will be paying taxes - the overhead to collect and monitor everyone for that purpose would be difficult to build and costly to maintain. Worth it, to be sure, when this is a richer and more settled nation, but that's some time away. For now taxes will have to come from immobile, easily-monitored capital like rents or large estates, if any form, or commercial river traffic, if we can somehow render that acceptable.

"So I would suggest that, first, military training focus on tactics and procedures that are more use in defending us than anyone else's war - training for the forest, not open field; for defending villages, not attacking them; and combined with a good dose of patriotic indoctrination - there'll be a need to concoct some kind of national mythology that the young people can find compelling. Second, put the pay in something they can use - bread, or a roof, or a bit of coin."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Greetings continue happily (or not, if that's the way things go.)

Festivities Later that Night

Ryle is clearly sloshed, and everyone sees him and Thurl yelling at each other before angrily departing.

With Raven (and possibly others)

"I'm curious about what kind of military policy we'd like to have. Conscription? A permanent army? Mercenary troops hired as needed? We'll both need a relatively constant force level to keep order as well as the ability to elevate if the civil war breaks out and decides to involve us - even if the first line of defense is persuading it not to."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"Not at all - patrons frequently act through others, for fear of causing offense, often rightly aroused, from their projects. Explicit anonymity just tells us that that's the kind of thing we're getting into - like black flags risen over a mast!" He laughs. "And yet we appear to have the royal imprimatur as an at least de jure sovereign state. As such, I believe you can style yourself however you like - though I'd advise against 'Queen of Issia and Rostland.'

"But assuming we're not about to cross that river, and granting your dislike of titles, by what non-Title do you prefer to be addressed, Ms. ____?"


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Bickering with Thurl

"You're mistaking a claim about structure for a claim about motives. That's a very common mistake to make, so I certainly don't bl- ah, people!"

Meeting

Ryle removes a foppish hat and bows. "Too often we forget ourselves, and religion puts us right again - thank you, good Thurl! Ryland ibn-Watr Medyved d'Avechy Orlovsky, entirely at your disposal."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Ryle looks at the happy family reunion, then promptly gets himself involved in unloading materials.

Sense Motive 15:
Seeing the reunion is clearly painful for him, and not because it seems he bears anyone in it ill will.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Licit to just say that the caravan scene I posted earlier is my intro? I don't see anything that would contradict it.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

"Does that custom apply just to individual travelers, granting them free passage, or to commercial cargo as well?" He turns to a clean page, and starts writing something. "And what is our composition of settlers to longstanding locals? We should only expect the former to increase, of course, if we succeed. Settlers may of course come from the South, too, but they'll be self-selected. What do the Riverlanders accept as valid revenue, by the way? Randomly shaking down anyone they can find without arms, to judge by the state of most of the region? You know, it's like that old adage, if taxation is criminal, only criminals will collect..."

Ryle realizes he's gotten a little overheated and allowed genuine questions to become rhetorical ones, and pauses before returning to his original composure.

"I'm sorry, for that but - I mean it genuinely now: what is and isn't going to get people up in arms? Can we charge for commercial cargo? Mining rights?" He divides the page into two columns. "Norms change in response to different environments, and they'll have to if these lands are to become civilized, but I'm willing to start with current realities."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Taking the initiative to roleplay out some of the debates we've been having in the OOC thread. Feel free to respond to these as if they were <Posts>, or Wolf, as always, if you think I'm overstepping my bounds because you had a more specific thing planned we can retcon away - I just prefer to seek forgiveness than ask persmission.

First Impressions

"And you're wrong about a seventh thing," says Ryle, addressing Thurl as he disembarks the caravan, "the liquidity of Thrunic reserve currencies is vastly overstated. Too many overlapping devils' deals make it all tied up, and probably impossible to determine the true owners until the firms are willing to pay to bring it to court."

The man stepping out alongside the half-orc has bronze, smooth (for his age) skin that betrays both a noble and a Keleshite origin, though his beard is scraggly. He wears fine noble's clothes, with a high thread count, but they look like they could use a wash.

DC Knowledge (nobility) 15:
A recently disgraced servant of the crown - first he lost a post as commercial censor, then (far worse for the talk around town) his children were declared illegitimate. Rumors fail to agree on whether he prefers the company of men or is simply a clueless cuckold.

DC Knowledge (nobility) 20:
He does prefer the company of men, but renouncing his children was most likely his move, to protect them - he lost his post due to acquiring powerful enemies at court.

He unloads chests of books, and, then, with considerably more delicacy, boxes of glassware. "I have acquired something of an amateur interest in alchemy," he seems eager to explain.

Kingdom Alignment

"I am glad we are all in agreement concerning that this shall not be a predator kingdom, and that we reject the abominable practice of slavery," he says, "though I should note that we must also accept what that means in a place like this, with much open land. Nobles from settled countries naturally like to think that personal freedom, and their ability to collect rent from tenants, are compatible. Not so here. Here a free peasantry means a free peasantry, and good for it - but it also means the state will have to think more explicitly and creatively about how to generate revenue. Mining rights and river passage are the most obvious place.

"Now, on the other thing. We all have the temptation to allow ourselves a certain degree of latitude in deciding matters of state on a case-by-case basis - a temptation that morality and reason counsel for as well, to an extent. But we must remember the importance of calculable law for commercial activity to succeed. If we were dealing with a more literate population I would suggest importing major parts of the pre-Thrunic lex Cheliactis, but given the nationality and illiteracy of most of our settlers it would be better to take the Rostland Book of Precedents as a base - closest to what most people will expect - and ensure that any deviations are formally written up and available - both in print and clearly communicated to village elders." He thuds a book for emphasis. Additionally, the ability to create these exceptions needs to be clearly delineated itself."

High Priest

"I get the impression that both the codger and the kid want us to pronounce the others heretics," he says, rolling his eyes, "which I'm less than eager to get in the business of. It seems we all prefer Leticia's approach - more respectful to the material composition of our leadership..." he pauses to look at the ladies of their small council... "and more appropriate to a young nation, eager to adopt new, modern, effective ideas. But I don't want her to imagine that we're granting her much greater authority than to religiously officiate at state functions - and thereby signal to the mass of people that their god approves of both us and a bit of theological liberalism. Other than that they can both have their flocks and, in accordance with divine will," he smiles, "let the market decide. Other than that, the religious policy of the state can be limited to hanging priests of Gyronna, or at least assuring angry farmers that it will hang any priests of Gyronna when it finds ones more serious than a few brokenhearted girls letting off steam at night chanting imprecations at churls."


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

I like that a lot.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

From PMs with Thurl, our common background is that in his early adolescence, Thurl somewhat briefly met Ryle and adopted him in his mind as a role model and hero: fighting in a more civilized sphere than Thurl intended to, but nevertheless fighting the good fight for order. On those grounds, the adult Thurl recruited Ryle to go down to the Stolen Lands with him. He's now dealing with disillusionment and disgust at seeing a childhood hero be such an alcoholic mess, and Ryle is torn between a need to humble himself and seek spiritual guidance from a representative of his faith and a distinct desire to not humble himself before this very zealous kid. It's going to be a long caravan ride.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2
Raven Sirkas wrote:
Yeah, Elvara and I actually talked about Rav en being the second-best rulership candidate at least from a roleplay perspective via PM. Maybe if Elvara has to drop, Raven can take her position, using Intelligence instead of Charisma for the bonus?

Not that it's my call to make, but based on your Trait I'd say you should probably be able to turn that mathematical frown upside down as long as you flavor your leadership as bullying, which would really be a funny case of incentives, and also totally not the exact kind of thing Wolf just said could backfire on us.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

From a non min-maxing position, Raven has the most "leadership leadership" experience, no? Ryle's familiar with the nuts and bolts of governance, and his noble background would likely be good for optics - if he we're disgraced and flush with enemies. I hope Vorsirion wouldn't take offense to hearing he's make a terrible choice for ruler - compromised by the voices in his head and just all-around creepy. (Vorsirion's player certainly shouldn't take offense to this because it's all played with marvelous gusto.)

Thurl Ravenscroft wrote:
You don't necessarily have to fill all the leadership roles, either; not to a one. I would think that Consort is one of those that, while providing some perks, is not one that must be filled in the same way that something like High Priest needs to be.

Oh, totally, it just struck me as a fun case of min-maxing leading to potentially quite entertaining storytelling.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2
Kingmaker Wolfspirit4W wrote:
I *will* caution that meta-gaming for pure stats can have disastrous evil-GM chuckling consequences.

Operating off an abstract idea of meritocracy while ignoring contextual and harder-to-quantify factors is exactly the sort of move Ryland would make, soooooo


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

That's uncontestable majorities for Latricia as High Priest and Lloyd for Spymaster, and, if Lloyd is thus no longer for other posts, Svetlana for Diplomat (whom Thurl could put at a tie with Lloyd if he desired.) Thurl could also in principle put the positions for Warden and Enforcer in a tie, if desired; if there was a runoff election without any changes to preference order Akiros would become Enforcer and Kesten the Warden.

I've updated the Kingdom sheet to reflect the above: Svetlana as Diplomat, Latricia as High Priest, Akiros as Enforcer, Lloyd as Spymaster, Kesten as Warden. That includes some leaps about how hypothetical ties would be settled and hasn't even allowed Thurl the dignity of voting, and should not at all be taken as a final word - just a Push to keep things moving if it works for people, and also a chance to see how the statistics work out - by default we have something of a prosperous, but mutinous, little kingdom, like a pirate ship that can't figure out how to divide the booty.

(Also: an obvious min-maxing move given all the above would be to try to get Elvara and Grigori into each others' pants so the latter can be her Consort, lmao. If Elvara's still playing then that's presumably hers to resolve by fiat or character arc - but if she gets NPCed then us all having to play matchmaker in order to make the settlement not revolt or w/e is just hilarious - and, I guess, an at least somewhat accurate representation of medieval politics.)


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

I also updated the alignment sheet, with current totals at:

LG: 4
NG: 5
CG: 2
N: 1

Assuming Thurl prefers LG, it's appropriately enough (assuming no strategic vote-switching) up to our Ruler, Elvara, to determine the Kingdom's ultimate alignment, and if she goes with her own it presumably lands up in NG.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Makes sense to me!

Ryle could then have brought Thurl on as his spiritual advisor, or, since Thurl is interested in conquering the wilderness anyway, Thurl could have dragged Ryle away from his liquor cabinet to answer the summons. (Or of course they could have arrived independently.)

Ryle's default agenda going in, although of course this is likely to be adjusted for the specifics he encounters (and also I should just jump ahead and read the part where y'all discuss the actual thing you've got going):

1) Survey the land and identify points of optimal taxation where rent can be collected - chokepoints on waterways, mines, especially fertile land (though since the land is sparsely settled collecting rent on ordinary land should not be possible without slavery or other abbhorent practices.) The principles governing taxes/rent/fees is that they shouldn't be large enough to change behavior (except where that's specifically desired), they should be fixed and known, and ascertaining the amount to be collected from any one party should be easy.
2) Identify opportunities to disperse these funds into public works, of which law and order is presumably the first. After that waterworks, lines of communication, &c. can be worked on.
3) Recruit a bunch of young men and women, as well as a few established experts, to form the start of a professional civil service to administer all of the above. Minimum requirements: literacy, numeracy, LG/NG/LN alignment and willingness to submit to regular magical checks of alignment and truthfulness. They will receive fixed salaries rising with seniority, and depending on the fiscal outlook at least some will have guarantees of long-term employment depending on their not doing anything wrong.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Wow, Wolf, I just looked at the full spreadsheet, and thank you! It looks like it took a lot of work to put together - but will save me, at least, a ton of work over the course of things, and presumably everyone else as well - so I don't want it to pass by unpraised. Major high five. :D

I made a more humble spreadsheet for determining who should be best at what job on paper, and consulted it for my own votes. I also took the liberty of adding the PCs' ability scores to the Kingdom spreadsheet, assigning the PC roles already agreed upon, and fancifully styling myself the "Coinkeeper General," but if that futzes with anything it should all be undoable.


M Human Investigator (empiricist) 4 | Perc +12 | Init +0 | AC 14 (10 tch, 14 ff) | hp 31/31 | Insp 7/7 | Fort +2 Ref + 4 (+5 vs traps) Will +2 (+4 or +11 vs illusion) | 30 ft | Greatsword +5 2d6+5 (+7, +2d6+5 studied) 19-20/x2

Metagaming perspective: do we know the candidates' Ability Scores?

Diegetic perspective: after being accepted by the group, Ryle would want to extensively vet any prospective high-level staff - it is, after all, his whole bailiwick. Grilling people long enough to take 20, maybe in conjunction with Thurl using Abadar's truthtelling and other inquisitorial hijinx, should surely be enough to thoroughly suss out people's abilities, ideologies, and external obligations.

"Keep it moving" perspective: I guess based purely on this description

Alamina the Traveler wrote:

Newcomers we now have available to select from:

  • Kesten Garess - professional soldier and leader

  • Jhod Kavken - stodgy "misogynist" cleric of Erastil

  • Latricia Evanore - progressive cleric of Erastil

  • Akiros Ismort - former paladin, "bandit" leader and mercenary

  • Oleg & Svetlana Leveton - included for completion's sake - not really suggesting we bring them on as kingdom leaders

  • Lloyd Rezbin - aristocrat & outdoorsman
  • I would say:

    Diplomat - Lloyd (secondary Latricia)
    High Priest - Latricia (secondary Jhod)
    Enforcer - Akiros (secondary Kesten)
    Spymaster - Jhod (secondary Akiros or Kesten?)
    Warden - Kesten (secondary Akiros)

    If I were really interested in keeping things moving I'd cast the above votes, but that's prior to knowing more than a sentence about any of them.

    1 to 50 of 58 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>