Currently playing RotRL and in need of some advice. I have some thoughts of my own, but would love insight from others on how they would play this. I am playing a Stonelord with a backstory that has me as basically an officer in my society that left my city to apprehend a criminal. Upon capturing him, I find out that much more nasty stuff is in store for Sandpoint, so I head back to protect the town with my adventuring party. The more I deal with Hemlock, the more my character is getting the impression that he may be incompetent.
How would you all play a LG character dealing with this situation (being essentially a "cop" and dealing with incompetent "cops")?
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!
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In general, you should try and teach them how to do the job better. Possibly leading by example.
Though in this specific case...
Or to not spoiler, your priorities and his may not mesh in regards to the nature of law enforcement, which is why he might seem incompetent. An Old West Sheriff and a modern FBI Agent may have very different priorities and methods of law enforcement. Doesn't necessarily mean either is incompetent...though either might come across that way in the other's milieu.
Or he's incompetent, in which case go back to the general case.
Out of curiosity...what's he done to demonstrate incompetence? In a general, non-spoilery sense. Ie: Let prisoners escape, not done things about major crimes, not jumped when the adventurers told him about X, etc.
You could always try and teach them to do better or lead by example. Or recruit your own dwarven special task force to assist with law in the city during your downtime! That sounds like fun.
More seriously there probably isn't a right answer I'd know more than you since its your character and you know what your own dwarf would do. I'd presume that during the adventure path you have some priorities.
Is LG all that there is to this character?
I would think whatever OTHER aspects of this character you have would come into play in the decision making.
Out of curiosity...what's he done to demonstrate incompetence? In a general, non-spoilery sense. Ie: Let prisoners escape, not done things about major crimes, not jumped when the adventurers told him about X, etc.
It's been little things up to this point that basically fall into one of two categories:
- When asked about old cases, he has told us a few times something along the lines of "that wasn't important" or that a person wasn't involved only for us to find out that it was important or that a person was involved (but he did not know it at the time)
- When faced with negligence on his part essentially responding with "Well, what did you expect me to do!"
This is somewhat compounded by the fact that I am a Duergar (so I am a little more black and white in my interpretation of law enforcement) and my god is Kols (which is all about duty and he seems to be slacking in his in my eyes).
More seriously there probably isn't a right answer I'd know more than you since its your character and you know what your own dwarf would do. I'd presume that during the adventure path you have some priorities.
My main priority at this point is to protect Sandpoint and it's people due to my backstory. I essentially came there to apprehend my brother who was crazy and on the run. After catching him at the end of the first part of RotRL, he essentially said "You haven't seen the half of what we have in store for Sandpoint," so I came back to help protect the city and citizens, but Hemlock seems less than helpful at this point (in the eyes of my character).
Is LG all that there is to this character?
I would think whatever OTHER aspects of this character you have would come into play in the decision making.
100% get that and I have a few ideas on how I would handle it...I was just looking to others to get their input as well. Law, duty, and honor are a few of the biggest themes with my character.
If he is incompetent and derelict of duty you could ask him to resign and appoint you the new power, or ask him to let you share his duty or ask him to imbue you with a large portion of his authority. But do so away from anyone else, you're not trying to embarrass the chap. Doing it in front of everyone you're not likely to get a good result.
If however, you go to him and talk to him alone and say, "Hey, I notice you've been having trouble with __________. I've noticed you're having a hard time getting the job done, and done correctly. Let me help you with this." You might get what you want this way, which is the security of the town and the authority to act on your own.