Beating Irovetti and Letting Him Continue His Rule

[W E Ray]

Here's what I'm facing.

Irovetti is losing this war (middle of Vol. 5) -- he knows it, I (PC) know it.

But I really don't want to rule Pitax. My plan is to defeat him in his palace (subdual-damage if he plans suicide or fighting-to-the-death) and force him to sign a treaty granting that he stays in power but....

He keeps two of my guys on as Councilmen or Advisers or whatever;

He pays restitution equal to 100 BP;

He disarms the rest of his eastern-front military and I inspect his holdings for armaments etc.

. . . .

That's the plan I told my DM so he could prepare for the end of vol 5 & finishing with vol 6. (I'm getting ready to lay siege to his palace next session.)

This game is a one-on-one Campaign where I'm running the sole PC with a gamer who has extremely limited gaming experience and no DMing experience. I'm helping him learn the basics of D&D while he's running the campaign.

Without giving spoilers to whatever is thrown in vol 6, can you give my DM (through me) advice on how to handle what the PC (I) is trying?

Thanks.

[Turin the Mad]

Urm ... tough one. APRAW, you're going to have to go in to his palace and dig him out like a tick on a hound.

[Herbatnik]

It's hard to hint some advice without spoilers.If you will send your GM here and you won't read this topic , we could provide some kind of solution.

[Othniel Edden]

Devs have acknowledged that it is a possibility. There are also other possibilities at hand. As a DM I would probably go with a Knowledge (Local) or Knowledge (Royalty and Nobility) to let you know some of your other actions available.

[W E Ray]

Yeah, he came to the Boards once or twice a couple months ago to lurk -- that was about all he had time for and, despite my encouragement, well, it's hard enough for him to plan for our one-on-one sessions.

He's enjoying gaming quite well but he's not likely to ever be a serious gamer (I'm just planting the seeds, you know.)

When I told him of my plans I think the inside of his head exploded -- but, without knowing much about vol 6 I can't say if his reaction was because of Irovetti's design and how vol 5 plays out in print (my assumption) or if vol 6 is so radically different and assumes I'm ruling Pitax completely and Irovetti is looong gone.

How 'bout this question instead:

Knowing what you know about Irovetti's personality from the text, combined with you personal preference, what do you think some possible reactions would be of Irovetti after he's rooted out from his palace, defeated, and then given the chance to live and keep his rule -- just through signing a treaty and paying restitution?

How may he handle it? He'd want to live and continue his reign, yes? Even with restitution?

I'd love some suggestions that I could pass to my DM so he can make his decision and feel more comfortable with it.

PS:
A few years ago I read big chunks of the AP and know that there's some powerful evil Fey pulling strings or planning something horrible -- since it hasn't happened yet I assume it has to happen in vol 6.

Also, on 3 occassions during vols 2 & 4 I encountered what made me think (possibly metagame-wise) that there was an evil Fey somewhere in the woods planning stuff.

So it's not as if I'm clueless on spoilers. (Though discretion is appreciated so I can enjoy the surprises as much as possible.)

THANKS!

[Diego Rossi]

I think it is possible but hard. Irovetti don't seem to be an unreasonable person but he is proud.
If you go and humiliate him my opinion is that he would remember that forever and try to get his revenge. So you would need to try a softer approach and offer some carrot together with the stick.
Maybe offering him support against Numeria could do the trick.

[redcelt32]

Have your GM read the intro pages of Book 5. It describes the history of Irovetti and how he responded to a lot of events. IMHO, this should give him all the tools he needs to figure out what sort of character he is and how he might react.

[Othniel Edden]

What the inner sea world guide says on Irovetti,

"Megalomanical. Massively bloated ego. Those that oppose him in the most trivial details soon learn that he sees himself as an all conquering god. Pitax stuggles under his mania. Leaves the fighting to others preferring to use bards and insults."

What guide to the river kingdoms says,

"charming fellow with a gift memory. Has a gift for studying people, learning their wants and fears. Pits his enemies against each other. Has a complex and ambitious plan that will take years if not decades to complete."

So he is clever, vindictive, prideful, hungers for power and is manipulative. If you have had interactions with him you might have seen flashes of each. What your DM will mainly have to decide is how these factors balance as well as what outside sources do like Mivon and the Trade Houses within the city. Keep in mind he has plenty of enemies, so if you spare him others might not. What happens with Pitax truly depends both on your DM and you as players. There are many possibilities and you are scratching the surface of one.

[Hassy]

Not much of a spoiler to say that Irovetti keeping control of Pitax won't interfere with book 6.

His personality may not be easily bent, but it's not like he would throw his life away for the sake of pride as long as he has a chance to rebel later. He might ask for some sort of concessions, though, honorary titles or whatever would save face.

[W E Ray]

I'll get him to read this Thread and check out the text y'all point out and let him go from there.

THANKS!