OOC
Okay, Roberto is going to find Havlard’s argument convincing. We made our decision when we repelled Commander Guy Smiley (the one Robert defeated in single combat and honored his word). We told him to go, we can’t go sucking up to him now because of this other force. As a plaer, I Markoko studied the article Jebrick posted the link to (about medieval communes), and I personally feel it is the most rational course of action. It is historically what did happen, so we would be following a historical trend for the time and region. As a point of personal philosophy, I sincerely and truly believe that Freedom is of greater value than Safety, and he who trades Liberty for Security deserves and receives neither. In Roberto, I created a reflection of my own values (as well as vices), a character I could identify with (though I cannot cast spells and my fencing is weak ).
So, Operation Hedgehog is still the main plan. The Secondary Plan of Operation Kiss-Up is scrapped, and I propose a new Secondary Plan. Operation Hide-and-Seek. The other force is at least a day away, right? What are their numbers again? Anyway, we organize the pirates into a subterfuge and ambush force. Select the sneakiest and the most dlever of them. Infiltrate the occupied town by the ford, stir insurrection. Cut them off from using the town for safe rest and supplies, or at least make it difficult. Weaken them a little bit. As they march on us, find a good location along the trail to stage an ambush. Hit them and run away. Weaken them a little bit more. When (if) they finally arrive, they shall face the Hedgehog of Havlard . Build up defensive dirt, pick the ten toughest looking guys and dress them in scale armour, get ten other tough looking guys nd give them spear and shield. Get ten other guys and give them just a helmet, tell them to stand behind the dirt wall and just show their heads. Make our force look bigger than it actually is. We have people like Kilica and a pair of Giants that make for imposing looking officers.
As for the Long Term solution, we will just have to encourage the commune to grow. We won’t rule it, we will just be a part of it and it a part of us. All for one and one for all. Have the stonemasons build a wall, the townsfolk will have to form their own government, and we all have to agree to protect and avenge each other. To Iolar, Roberto would say that this is the way other towns are doing it, it seems to work fine for them so far. This town can form an alliance with those other towns, such as the one nearby. To Aelianus, Roberto would say that we still need to maintain a layer of separation as far as the outside world can see. Novus Mane would have to form it’s own town council, a charter and laws to rule themselves by. Our Covenant is just one of the Institutions of Novus Mane, and we govern our own affairs as any other private organization. Sell your magic items to the people here, so that the town can grow stronger and more profitable. Think of your House mates in Rome, how they have helped their communes grow into profitable trading centers.
((Halvard is not done with his argument. He just likes to make you think through this.))
[color=red]But if we are going to control someone it would be easier to control a single noble rather than a town or village council.
What if we approach the other town with an offer to form a commune and see what happens. We also could negotiate with the noble lady. The outrageous tax she wants seems to say that she is looking for a fight or and example but we will have to see.
[color=red]In good time. Let us deal with the current crisis frst. Yes, it is easier to control a single noble than a whole town, but i chose by words poorly. Influence as opposed to outright Control. We need to maintain a layer of separation, lest we be accused of interfeing with mundanes. We can influence this council for this town by placing certain key members as aldermen. Marcello for example.
At this point in the conversation Iolar turned even whiter than normal , reamining speechless for a few minutes before saying a few sentences in what is probably the home language of her covenant unrecognisbale to most of you (although some of the words seem simialr to welsh curses to Havlard) except for the name Roberto . Before turning to the window of the council chamber and taking her eagle form as she departs .
Roberto fumes to himself in silence[color=blue]: She panicks at the slightest hint of danger. Getting her to do recon duty was like pulling teeth. Now, hearing the slightest bit of criticism, she abandons us. No defending her point of view, no offer of compromise. Just abandonment. I am very disappointed in that woman...
OOC - Andrew, this is just IC character conflict, not between players. I am sure you understand. I am in this one other game where one of the other players and I are just prone to ooc conflict over the silliest things. Just want to mention that you are a gamer of quality caliber
[color=red]Our village is not strong enough to become independent. We could in the future build more walls to guard our town, a mundane construction would make people flock to our village. But for now we need to make peace and if so roll over and pretend to be their allies. Aelianus disappointment is clear in his voice.[color=red] We need peace now. So shall we send out someone to speak with this mundane that you bested in combat Roberto? As I have a little bit noticeable gift than you my soldaes I shall perhaps to go.
[color=red]Then it is control of a noble. We need to send Marcello and Dragor to negotiate. I would also send Wirth as well. He has quite magic and seems to have more spells suitable to...influence someone.
Since Marcello and Dragor will do much is not all of the negotiating, we need to give them good guidelines to negotiate from.
I have some suggestions we can discuss. First, the matter of money. We do not have the amount they request. I suggest a small payment. Perhaps we can suggest that the nobleman that Roberto bested be sent as a representative of the Lady to our town to see to her interests. Or she could send someone else she trusts for the moment. Or suggest that Marcello could be trusted?
One other thing. If we are going to guard the ford we should collect tolls for people crossing it. Excluding our own folk of course.
[color=red]Carlos and Clara. They are both quite personabble with good social skills, and they each have a way with their opposite gender (They both have Venus' Blessing)
Then the party sets of and walks towards where commander that Roberto bested and his men await. There is little problem with finding the manor house and if the party wish they can just approach and be let in to speak with the commander. However there is still the opportunity to approach the sneaky way. So if you wish just start the next post with whatever is said and done to the commander. Now where the pirates sent away to the other force to commit some heinous grim deed in the cover of darkness?
[color=green]Roberto: (thinking to self)[color=darkblue]I like the way Wirth thinks. Not all solutions are viable, but they should be considered before being discarded.
Spoiling food, hmmm...
Logistics is often the deciding factor in war
All I need is to see a commander eye in the eye to spont a sun-duration version of "Seed of Betrayal".
Added to our guerilla tactics, this should help things a lot. I would be surprised if he stayed and fought
[color=blue]SEED OF BETRAYAL
MuMe 15
R:Eye, D:Moon, T:Ind
Changes the target’s emotions towards their master(s) to contempt, such that they will readily betray them. Subtract 5 points from the target’s relevant Loyal Personality Trait, for the duration of the spell.
(Base 3, +1Eye, +3 Moon)
I don't know. Wirth has few social skills to speak of. He has Guile and a few social spells, but without a score in Charm or Etiquette, he is at an additional -3 penalty (in addition to the gift), plus would roll three extra botch dice if he rolls a 0.
He, like you, do not know the language. so charm and guile are useless. Marcello and or Clara would do all of the talking. His quite magic is useful IF a spell is needed.
He, like I, speaks French and should be able to communicate with nobles using that language
Clara and Marcello are the ones that are the most important for this though. And Carlos
Roberto will stay here with Havlard so that he feels safe
He just needs to cast the spell. Someone can do the talking. Better yet, with the spell's power, the leader may decide by himself to betray his mistress.
And terror tactics and commando strikes are well within his grasp. What do you do when the guy next to you suddenly dies screaming? And then, the other guy? And then, darkness engulfs everyone, and night-seeing soldiers start killing you and your companions?
).
. Build up defensive dirt, pick the ten toughest looking guys and dress them in scale armour, get ten other tough looking guys nd give them spear and shield. Get ten other guys and give them just a helmet, tell them to stand behind the dirt wall and just show their heads. Make our force look bigger than it actually is. We have people like Kilica and a pair of Giants that make for imposing looking officers.
