[IC] Death & Taxes (Session 2)

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Mar 26, 2020 3:26 am
Nera will let someone else do the talking, evidently had her fill of acting as the person in charge.
Mar 26, 2020 8:33 am
"Hello again Peppin! Did you get to play with the cat lady?" Nekurr continues to nurture the kid's inner interest for cats. "Oh! And who would this sweet lady be? Enchanté" the cleric bows before turning to the man that should be the mayor. "Thank you for receiving us under these most strange circumstances, my good sir. We're here representing the Barony. It seems some records got a bit confused and we were hoping you could helps us set them straight"
OOC:
This one looks like a liar and I haven't seen him yet! *Grabs Vigilance Dice*

Truth was the planned strategy right?
Last edited March 26, 2020 8:35 am
Mar 26, 2020 2:08 pm
Peppin gives Nekurr a sidelong glance, apparently not too sure what to think about the other newcomers. However, he gives Nera a big grin as she returns, approaching her for what he hopes will be a hug. "Cat Lady! You're back!"
Mar 26, 2020 2:24 pm
Standing behind the boy is a thin, middle-aged man with a well-trimmed beard and clothing that, while not exactly fine, is a step above that worn by most of the others. Behind him is a much larger man with a dour expression in homespun clothing. A half dozen other men, farmers by the look of them, stand by with various farm implements in hand—scythes, sickles, and pitchforks.

The thinner man grins at the young boy. "Well, now, are the stories true? Looks like the baron's sent us a big bunch of heroes! Peppin here tells me you helped him get his pet razorwing back. Goddess knows what he might've done if you hadn't stepped in." He gives the boy a stern look. "I'm Castor Wayland, mayor of Buzzards' Ford." He gives Nekurr a slight bow. "You say the baron sent you? To what do we owe the pleasure?"
OOC:
So, this scene could turn into a social "combat" -- Depends on how y'all proceed. For now, someone should make a social check on this guy. Nekurr's already set the stage for a Leadership check, but it might make sense to have Tronus step in since he has points in that skill. In that case, Nekurr's wind up is worth a boost die. Helping the kid is worth another. If you show him the writ, that's worth two more boosts. 2 setbacks for stranger danger, a third for your unorthodox entrance into the village, a fourth because Nekurr's spell to repel the mosquitos won't take effect until after this scene.

Difficulty for Leadership is RRP. But let me know if you'd rather go Coercion, Deception, or Charm & we can reconfigure.

If Leadership, final roll will get +BBB (with the writ) + 4K.
Mar 26, 2020 4:37 pm
"Hello kid." Nera will give Peppin a hug. A small one, but a hug nonetheless.
Mar 26, 2020 6:57 pm
"I'm Tronus of Clan Granitebreaker, here with my associates as proxy for the Baron. The explanation of the writ of what our authority entails may have been not mentioned. Lady Nera if you could. We've been tasked with checking on some taxes plus back taxes and hoping you'd enlighten us on what has happened to the taxes accrued."
OOC:
If I need more success I can flip a story point for three more.
Last edited March 26, 2020 6:57 pm

Rolls

Leadership check w/ Knack for it.

5 Success, 3 Advantage, 4 Failure, 3 Threat

Total: 1 Success

Mar 26, 2020 7:52 pm
You all sensed that the mayor was a bit suspicious at first, but his expression changes at the sign of the baron's seal on the writ. "Ah, yes... This does look authentic," he says as he takes the paper and unrolls it. He reads the document aloud in an authoritative tone, perhaps with a bit of sarcasm in it. "Be it hereby declared that the bearer or bearers of this writ is/are the rightfully appointed representative(s) of the Royal Treasury of the Barony of Cailn, duly appointed to act on behalf of said Treasury and, by extension, to be recognized as agents of the Baron Gilliam Xarles of Cailn, with all rights and responsibilities forthwith granted by said declaration. Be it further known that they shall not be impeded in their official duties pertaining to said Treasury under penalty of Baronial Law, in the jurisdiction of the village of Buzzards' Ford, until such time as their business is concluded in said township/city/village." Wayland rolls the document back up and smiles to the farmers behind him. "They forgot to underline which one it was there, but I'm afraid we're not more than a village, right?" He hands the document back over. "Looks like they're the real deal. I'll ask the rest of you to extend them every courtesy as they go about their business. Now," He turns back to you. "What is your business exactly? We should be up to date on taxes."
Mar 26, 2020 8:14 pm
"Can we staht wit you recounting to os, da last toime you received a Tax Collector, 'ere in Buzza'd's Ford? Just what you remember of when da visit was, an' 'ow da events of da visit transpoired?"
Mar 26, 2020 8:16 pm
"I'd agree your last decade of development has probably expanded rapidly as of late. But yes the taxes if handed off did you get a receipt from someone, man or woman. And for how much." Tronus adds
Last edited March 26, 2020 8:16 pm
Mar 26, 2020 9:58 pm
Whilst the others are talking with the Mayor Hildar hangs back and pays more attention to what he can see of the rest of the village
OOC:
Keeping an eye out for anything untoward/unusual about the village. Especially if there are any other odd symbology that doesn't strictly speaking tie in with an aspect of Aris.

It's Natural I've taken twice not Knack for It - have just removed it and refunded the XP for the moment.
Mar 27, 2020 1:32 am
[ +- ] Village road
As the Galbernost farmhouse lies on what seems to be a main road, Hildar is able to get a sense of the village from the present location. For the most part, it seems like a sleepy little settlement. Other farmhouses lie near or a short distance away from the road, with their own fields behind them in various stages of being harvested. He tries to pick out anything that seems to refer to the goddess Aris from his current position.
OOC:
Hildar can try a Hard (PPP) Perception check with a setback for the movement of people and so on. Plus a second setback for the mosquitos.
"Well, I figure you already know the answers to those questions, don't you?" the mayor says with a chuckle. But a frown overtakes his face. "Your man came here 'bout a month back, I reckon. Red-haired fella. Wasted no time before making a fool of himself—ordering folks around like he ran the place. When he finally came to talk to me, he said we'd been owing back taxes for quite a piece." The mayor shrugs. "Well, I told him we'd pay, of course. But it would take a little time to cobble it all together. Not to mention, your man showed up right in the middle of our monthly Founder's Festival, just like you have. I invited him to the festival, but he refused. Said he didn't have time for—what'd he call it?—'backwoods hootenannies.' I put the fella up in my manor, paid him the next morning, and he left before dawn." The mayor looks over each of you, squints, and tilts his heads. "I... take it he never showed up back at the castle."
OOC:
OK, so there's no good way to do this. If someone's using Deception, I'll just have to ask everyone to be mature role-players and separate player knowledge from character knowledge. I used a combined difficulty of Nekurr's Willpower (4) with Tronus's Vigilance (1), adding a further setback for the rest of the group. You get the impression that he's telling the truth. What would you like to use the 3 threat for?

Rolls

Deception

4 Success, 2 Advantage, 2 Failure, 5 Threat

Total: 2 Success, 3 Threat

Mar 27, 2020 8:44 am
CESN says:
This one looks like a liar and I haven't seen him yet! *Grabs Vigilance Dice*
OOC:
Drops dice and sighs... bad mayor!

He fooled us now, but maybe 3 threats can create a hole in his story that we'll come across latter? Or someone in the crowd is uncomfortable with this story?
Mar 27, 2020 9:36 am
Hildar keeps scanning the area.
OOC:
This should be good......that went as well as to be expected.

For rolls like that I'd say your best bet moving forwards would be to just hide the roll completely or leave the onus on the players to make a check if they think they are lying but even that can telegraph things if the 'bad' side of dice pool is too high
Last edited March 27, 2020 9:41 am

Rolls

Perception

2 Advantage, 2 Failure, 4 Threat

Total: 2 Failure, 2 Threat

Mar 27, 2020 1:52 pm
OOC:
Lest it derail the game here, I'll note that the mayor rolling Deception doesn't necessarily mean he's the big bad or that he's lying about everything. It may just indicate that he's hiding some details from you for some reason.

Also, even if you suspect him (or anyone else), you'll need to find tangible proof of wrongdoing if you're to satisfy your client and employer (and the law). You'd all know that. :)

I like the "someone seems uncomfortable" idea.
Nekurr notices Bressel Galbernost almost say something, perhaps intending to correct the mayor's account, but he stops himself and looks down at his feet.

Meanwhile, Hildar doesn't notice any structures that look remotely religious. Glancing down at his hands, he notices several welts where mosquitos have made a meal of him as he searched.
OOC:
Let's say the mosquito bites may impose setbacks down the road here or there unless Hildar can find relief somehow.
Mar 27, 2020 4:38 pm
Took the money and ran? Probably a good score, but he'd need to lay low for a while to beat the heat. But where? Hopefully not the swamp, probably get eaten.
OOC:
Not to further slow the pace down, but does Hildar get any boost die from Heightened Awareness?
Mar 27, 2020 4:49 pm
somebox says:
Took the money and ran? Probably a good score, but he'd need to lay low for a while to beat the heat. But where? Hopefully not the swamp, probably get eaten.
OOC:
Not to further slow the pace down, but does Hildar get any boost die from Heightened Awareness?
OOC:
He should, you're right! But... no change.

Rolls

Heightened Awareness talent

Mar 28, 2020 9:09 pm
Tronus listens and watches the villagers and looks to the party before speaking, "Although he does not work for me directly I'd like to apologize. His actions were rude, unprofessional, and showed signs of someone that does not give respect or earn it. Again you haven't mentioned their name or proof of a receipt and for how much. Also this festival is that the harvest? I'm unfamiliar with your local culture and verbiage so you have my apologies in that."
Mar 29, 2020 5:11 pm
"Ah yes, we have been told he was a bit... unpredictable..." Nekurr assures the mayor. "Any idea where we may find him? What you describe is a serious crime and he'll have to get him, and hopefully that tax money, back with us." The cleric asks, hoping to get some leads on where the tax money may be. "Though I agree with my friend Tronus here, surely a man of your standards would have the tax collector's receipts in order. I apologise for the insistence but, as I am sure you can understand, we will need to compare them to the records just to have a clear track for the tax offices... Boring bureaucracy, if you ask me." the cleric eyes Bressel and takes notice of his apparent... opposition to the mayor.
OOC:
Not sure if we're still in a conflict. If so, I can roll more of my feline charms ;)
Last edited March 29, 2020 5:13 pm
Mar 29, 2020 6:47 pm
He seems to consider the combination of carrots and sticks on the table...
OOC:
So, I read Tronus and Nekurr are working together to roll both a Charm check (apologizing for the previous tax collector, saying you're not like that), then a Leadership check (but we need to see receipts right away). That lets you roll YYG+boost for both.

Difficulty for Charm is RPP+3K for the fact that you came through the swamps, so he's still wary of you, and for motivational reasons you haven't sussed out yet.

Difficulty for Leadership is RRP+3K for same reasons.
Mar 29, 2020 8:36 pm
OOC:
I can’t add another’s bonus to these rolls... anyone ask ideas? They look pretty tough

I suppose I can roll these and then we can add Bs to it if anyone has any idea :)

His motivation?
Last edited March 29, 2020 8:40 pm

Rolls

Charm

3 Success, 5 Advantage, 3 Failure, 3 Threat

Total: 2 Advantage

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