Episode 1 Scene 1a : The Arrival

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Jan 11, 2020 6:42 pm
The magic dampening bracelet has soured Kendra's otherwise cheery disposition. The bard looks at Brindel. Do we have our assignment? I can't wait to get this off. I can understand that they are careful, even respect it, but I am cut off from inspiration, life, joy... Kendra trails off as she spots Kustaa
Fortive us this intrusion we got separated earlier
[ +- ] Att: Brindel
Jan 11, 2020 7:49 pm
Kroog feels naked as ever without his weapons. He looks at his companions, "Sorry we're late...we overslept." Kroog tries to asses the situation's threat level.
Jan 11, 2020 7:57 pm
Kroog eyes the group currently within the room, they almost out number their opponents 2 to 1 but Kroog also gets a feeling by the rather relaxed nature of their potential opponents that even out numbered they might not be beatable by their group.

Kustaa acknowledges Kendra's apology with a semi-wave of his hand.
Jan 11, 2020 9:16 pm
Egret, having accepted the book offered by Katsmon and perusing through it with interest, is only half-listening to the conversation about the axe, figuring that if Brindel thought his companions needed to know anything, he'll repeat the story later. The druid does react to the door opening, however, looking up to see Kendra and Kroog entering the room. The tiefling smiles and nods, acknowledging the duo, then promptly goes back to reading.
Last edited January 11, 2020 9:16 pm
Jan 11, 2020 10:26 pm
The book Egret finds himself reading is a Druidic dissertation on The Wilderness within Civilization written in Druidic no less.
Jan 12, 2020 6:15 am
Brindel turns toward the door. "Welcome, Kendra. Welcome, Kroog. I'm sorry you had to go looking for us. We didn't mean to leave you behind like that but our entrance into the village took some unexpected turns. We'll catch you up when we get a chance."
Jan 12, 2020 10:18 am
Feliani also noted Kendra's and Kroog's arrival, but didn't turn her attention away from Kustaa as it was important to her to hear his explanation about the oath when he was ready to get to it.
Jan 12, 2020 10:08 pm
"Well this is fortuitous as I will only need to explain this once to this group," he looks at Feliani, "No the Oath is not to any particular deity, nor is offering your services a measure of assurance since those services were not even optional if you wished to stay in the village for a prolonged period of time." He then directs the rest of his speech to the group in general, "Now to help explain. We get a lot of individuals coming and offering their services but some of those are here on behalf of others that have eyes on making this place their own. So in order to create a measure of safety for all we established the Oath so that everyone felt more at ease with one another. We currently even have hereditary enemies living side by side with each other peacefully within this village and without this assurance we would be sitting on a proverbial fireball of chaos that would be ready to explode at the slightest provocation. The Oath itself is very simple, and disappears on its own, after a week after one has left the village without any intent of returning. Now with that explained this is what the oath states," Kustaa takes a breath and then recites from memory, "I hereby enter into this oath willingly and without outside influence in doing so. I promise for as long as I carry the mark of the Garrison of Bridgefort I will do my best to protect Bridgefort, Southbridge Village and its law-abiding citizens, from harm of any sort. So be it thus forth." He then sits up a bit and holds up his left fist with back of it facing the group, "Whereupon you become a law-abiding citizen," a bluish sigil appears on the back of his hand, "this assures everyone that you hold the best interest of the village and its people to heart and nothing more. Something I would hope you would do anyway if you were truly here to help. But be forewarned if you here with ulterior motives having been sent by an outside entity the Oath will not take as you must be entering into it without any outside influence. Also we here," he waves his right indicating the other paladins present, "are not forcing you to take this Oath. We are simply saying, for the reasons I stated, if you plan to stay and help then this is part of helping, if you do not wish to stay and help that is fine by us as well. However, if you wish to stay and adventurer this is a requirement of that as well, since ever anyone staying for more than a month is considered a citizen with all of its responsibilities and benefits. So will all of you be taking the Oath or leaving within a months time or sooner from now."
Jan 13, 2020 12:21 am
I am happy to swear the oath Lex churps happily. Perhaps too happily...
Jan 13, 2020 7:37 am
So this is a magical oath, that manifests in a blue sigil... The wording have some, intentional, wiggle room. Kendra is stating facts but "intentional" is ask as a question. For the sake of transparency, what are the consequences of breaking the oath?

Honored dwarf Kustaa, I mean no disrespect, but as a Bard, I work the power of words. Aside from this oath, are there any other local laws, that "law-abiding citizens" must follow?

She eyes Lex.
Lex, you will be caught in a nasty contract someday, if you jump at oaths that easily.
Last edited January 13, 2020 7:39 am
Jan 13, 2020 8:26 am
Kustaa looks at Kendra, "Well the wording is not as important as a person's intent, and the magic is geared toward an individuals intent not necessarily their action. Further it is meant mostly as a preventative measure as we are not a tyranny here. As to breaking the Oath well first prior to actually breaking the Oath their is some discomfort letting one know they are nearing the edge. Actually breaking the Oath is accompanied with pain and the mark changing to that of an Oath breaker basically it starts glowing a bright red. Further the pain is meant to be sufficient enough to hopefully cause one to turn themselves in rather than flee the city and live with the pain for a week. However, it is not crippling, just very unpleasant. Other than the Oath there are the normal laws of a civilized area but those are kind of covered under the harm. Stealing from someone is harmful, slandering someone is harmful, but again it goes back to the intent of what is being done and the fact that for most citizens there are options. We currently do not have any vagrants as we can generally find employment for anyone seeking it and if you are employed and have a place to live and food chances are you will not feel a need to harm another. Finally everyone always has the option of leaving as caravans come and go from here on a somewhat regular basis so leaving is rarely an issue. Our concern is mainly the malcontents that wish to cause harm for self gain which there are plenty of in this world and again considering what this place represents many who would love to get their greedy hands on its control." The way he covers things makes it almost sound rehearsed but probably just means he has had to say many many times over which might also explain why he appears to be a bit weary.
Jan 13, 2020 9:32 am
Thank you, good sir. That is an oath I am willing to take. As long as it is time-limited as you say. I have stories about making deals with creatures outside our world, that can, and should, make anyone hesitant to go blindly into such a compact. In those the wording is key. The first one tonight, I'll dedicate to Lex

Kendra then steps back, as she has said what she needed about oathes. She does smile at Lex, reassuring him that the jibes she send at him, were friendly in nature.
Last edited January 13, 2020 9:32 am
Jan 13, 2020 12:12 pm
Kroog thinks, this self-righteous stumpie seems sincere enough, and a few of my new companions seem to be willing to go along with this...hmmm, I hope this doesn't kick me later.

He then steps forward and follows suit with Kendra and Lex, "Well, I see no harm in this temporary oath. You can count me in for now."
Last edited January 13, 2020 12:13 pm
Jan 13, 2020 2:28 pm
"No disrespect intended," Feliani began, her independent spirit chafing uncomfortably at what she was hearing, "but this ensorcellment, purportedly harmless as it is, is still an imposition on the free will of all folk. I am cautious enough to worry that there could be situations where it could be twisted for ill. But I thank you for explaining its intent clearly, and your repeated assurances; I respect it and understand its import. Nonetheless, I'd prefer to prove my loyalty or service through both word and deed both, but I cannot subject myself to your magicks. I understand this means I'll have to stay in the village, and forego entering this garrison, so be it. If good, helpful folk aren't welcome here, then I shall not stay long. But while I am here, you can still count on my aid, whether or not you think you can trust me." Feliani hoped that she conveyed her genuine intentions to the powers-that-be. Whether or not she was going to be turned away remained to be seen. She made eye contact with Shahadur, guessing that the dragonborn had already seen this aspect of her personality.
OOC:
Hope this doesn't throw a spanner in the works, I was just RPing a CG in an LG environment. If this doesn't work, I'll take it down a notch.
Last edited January 14, 2020 5:38 am
Jan 13, 2020 2:55 pm
OOC:
think it's perfect CG behaviour
Jan 13, 2020 3:55 pm
Brindel breaks the silence. "Feliani, I understand your reluctance and respect your decision. We know you are trustworthy and they shall soon see that as well."

"That said, I believe the intention of this oath and my fellow paladins is to protect the garrison, so I shall be taking the oath."
Jan 13, 2020 5:14 pm
OOC:
I concur this is good CG behavior and worthy of a Setback --- you have successfully gained 1 Inspiration -- you now have a total of 2

And now I give you a chance -- over time to earn another as I am going to invoke a combination of Feliani's aspects to hopefully remove this spanner from the works ;)
Quote:
I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace.
Everything I do is for the common people.
Or in other words please allow your character time to wrestle with this because taking the Oath is for the common people which she will hopefully see as things progress and it helps keep the peace which is to say not taking the Oath works against keeping the peace as again I am hoping she will see as things progress -- but no rush on this she will have 30 game days to work this all out ;) so take your time and enjoy the angst -- basically you earn this second Inspiration point only if you portray this issue working itself out within your character -- if one day she is on one side of the fence and the next day on the other that is not worth the point -- again keep in mind that purpose of Inspiration is to promote quality role playing whether it helps or hinders makes no difference the key is -- is this something your character (not you) would do
Jan 13, 2020 5:30 pm
OOC:
Ghosting Egret per the player's request
Egret is only half listening to the proceedings and hearing the majority of the group agree to the Oath when asked, with head still buried in the book, replies, "Yeah I'll do it."

With that the Elf walks over to his desk and pivots out a lectern that sits beside the desk then each person who has agreed to the Oath is called forward to take the Oath. The elf places a small emerald green orb covered in sigils in the users left hand and instructs them to place their hand on the bottom of lectern below the words and then recite the words. If someone is not literate the Elf will simply say repeat after me and then will recite the Oath for them to repeat.

The Elf calls Kendra forward first and upon completing the Oath she finds the bracelet she'd been wearing opens and she was released from its restriction, the sudden unexpected flood of re-connection was exhilarating to say the least. She profoundly felt the presence of her deity and the world once more took an its natural beauty even in a rather drab room.

After Kendra the Elf called Brindel, Lex, Kroog, and finally Egret. When called Egret asks Katsmon to hold his place and hands him the book before moving to the lectern. These four actually noticed a slight tingling sensation in their left hand when they took the Oath but that seemed to be the extent of it.
Jan 13, 2020 5:34 pm
"Okay with that formality out of the way are you wanting to get an assignment now or would you rather take a couple of days to get settled in?"
Jan 13, 2020 5:36 pm
Feliani feels a hand rest upon her shoulder and then Katsmon leans in and softly says, "Please come with me." He then moves to the door and opens it and indicates that she should step into the hallway.
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