Myth: A New Age CYOA

[Fangshi]

Fangshi, do we pay the arrows 100 wp or 300 wp since they got into a fight, but not with Mazzarin?

"However before we go any further I think it would be wise to clarify our position. We, my men and I, are currently operating under contract for the man you are about to meet. As soon as I deliver you to him and receive payment from him we will act as a deterrent to any attacks from my current employer or third parties for the duration of the meeting. My men and I will then escort your group back to Myrgard where we will receive the remainder of our payment for services rendered. Should our service not be required, we will waive the rest of our fee and settle for the deposit you gave us in Myrgard. Are we in agreement?"

Ceannard is quite good at this. He will argue that you owe the full three hundred as a third party attacked during the meeting.

Now he will argue that 'during the meeting' could either be taken to mean the time it took them to escort the children back or the time it took you to return to the city. Either way he will maintain that the meeting was still under way and as such he was still under contact.

If you want to try and get out of it feel free to but he is expecting another 200.

 

[Smashing Axe]

Technically they weren't fighting during the meeting, since Mazzarin hadn't turned up at the time of the fight. If Mazzarin wasn't there it wasn't a meeting.

 

[Fangshi]

He argues that the meeting began when you first encountered either 1. the illusion or 2. Lyssa.

Lyssa was present at all times and remained an employee of Mazzarin's and his representative in all things until your final meeting with Mazzarin where he realised her from his employ (though Ceannard does not know that last bit yet). As a result the meeting was in session from 'Hope and Hatred' until your final encounter with Mazzarin in 'The Arrows in Flight'.

 

[Zero Credibility]

1)
Ci - in case we need to remove the damn things it would be nice to be able to.
Di - find out just what is wrong with our future inventor. I want my guns.
F - find a power source capable of holding our gate spell open (maybe in the academy). If we can open a permanent gate between two capitals given the situation on the roads we would make a fortune. Fuck banking, we will be the Spacing Guild.

Shame that doesn't leave us with time to rest, but plenty of time to do that in the grave (hopefully not). Anyway, if we spend all of our time in the Academy, in how much trouble can we get? Don't answer that.
2)
A - take it easy. We already know some stuff - she did things she regrets, now she is with us and hopefully she won't repeat them. I also don't like the idea of things getting out of hand, we already burned a part of the city.

3)
B - hell if I know what is the better answer to this one. But I don't know how effective (or healthy) would it be to suppress part of our memories permanently. Maybe working things out would be better.

Also, if we are voting about this as well, give the mercs their expected share. We are rich (though it is a significant payout) and we could need him in the future while we definitely don't need more enemies. And he did protect the kids, so there's that.

 

[Nevill]

Rest is for the weak. We don't want Derryth getting lazy. So I'm not voting A

Let me remind you that exhaustion is a very real and a very crippling game mechanics, especially if we are going to butt heads with The Faceless Man again.

I think our personal safety comes first. Right now we are useless as a mage.

 

[Smashing Axe]

Rest is for the weak. We don't want Derryth getting lazy. So I'm not voting A

Let me remind you that exhaustion is a very real and a very crippling game mechanics, especially if we are going to butt heads with The Faceless Man again.

I think our personal safety comes first. Right now we are useless as a mage.

Hogwash, all Derryth needs is to sleep seven hours and she'd be right as rain. If we indulge her here and now, she'll be sleeping when there's work that needs doing.

Continuing to be active during this period will drive into Derryth a strong work ethic that allows her to continue longer and harder next time. She'll never be an archmage if she spends all her time shopping.

 

[Azira]

1A, Ci, Dii
2A
3B

 

[asxetos]

1. B + Dii + F
2. A
3. B

I think B + F are a pretty great combo for the first choice. The rest are all nice options, except the visit to Trakk's family. There is nothing we can say to them. I also vote for Dii to kick some violet mage ass.
2A and 3B seem to be the "Derryth" way.

 

[Nevill]

Fangshi, would we still get enough rest to get back into shape (e.g. rid of the exhausted condition) if we don't go with 1A?

I'd still want to restock our supplies - something tells me that we are going to delve even deeper into Myrgard's trouble, and there might not be enough time to spend our cash.

Much as it pains me to say so, we need to recover a bit of our sanity as well. The experiences of the last week couldn't have been good for us. Twice or thrice already Derryth volunteered to end her life if things didn't go her way. This is not a healthy sign.

 

[Kz3r0]

1.
A) Rest and Recover

C) The Magical Academy
i. Enchantment Spells

D) Look into Meletē's condition
ii. The Violet Mages

2. Lyssa:
A) Yes

3. The Impressions
B) Integrate them
Lesbomancy unlocked.


4. Split the party
B) No - Do not split up

 

[Kz3r0]

Technically they weren't fighting during the meeting, since Mazzarin hadn't turned up at the time of the fight. If Mazzarin wasn't there it wasn't a meeting.

Stop being a Jew.
Pay them and add a bonus too.

 

[Nevill]

Pay them and add a bonus too.

Pay them. They have protected our girls, after all.

But no bonus. That was a shameful display during the business with the illusion. They should prove themselves if they want to work with us further.

 

[Jester]

Hmm must learn how to get user link thingie.

Can we tell Thais to search for power source while we are visiting track family for example?

 

[Jester]

1) If we can split
Thais:F,A,B
Deryt:E,DII,CI

if we cant:
DI,CI,A

2)C
3)B

 

[GreyViper]

1C i D i F we really could use the gate.
B tequila drinks for everyone.
B more is better.

 

[Baltika9]

AAB

 

[Smashing Axe]

Technically they weren't fighting during the meeting, since Mazzarin hadn't turned up at the time of the fight. If Mazzarin wasn't there it wasn't a meeting.

Stop being a Jew.
Pay them and add a bonus too.

You do realise the fee they're charging us is worth like 2 fortresses, right? For a day's work, fighting off some ghols without any losses, that's insanely good. We're getting ripped off, we're not ripping anyone off.

But those were the terms we agreed to, and they have us on technicality. So there's not much to do in that regard.

 

[Nevill]

Yes, we do realize that. We just gave Ceannard 30% of what we've earned in 3 month of non-stop raids to the undercity and back for a few days of work.

Do you realize that we came from that expedition alive and unharmed, something that we have no rights to considering all the risks we took? And if it weren't for them, some of us could have been dead, or slaves to 'Mazzarin'?

Wealth can only be useful if you are alive. The mission we hired them for was suicidal, and the cost reflects that well.

Actually, I came to respect the guys, and would work with them again. Just take them on missions that are actually doable in the future.

 

[Smashing Axe]

Yes, we do realize that. We just gave Ceannard 30% of what we've earned in 3 month of non-stop raids of the undercity for a few days of work.

Do you realize that we came from that expedition alive and unharmed, something that we have no rights to considering all the risks we took? And if it weren't for them, some of us could have been dead, or slaves to 'Mazzarin'?

Wealth can only be useful if you are alive. The mission we hired them for was suicidal, and the cost reflects that well.

Actually, I came to respect the guys, and would work with them again. Just take them on missions that are actually doable in the future.

Of course, but it's idiotic to not fight for what is ours. I'm fine with paying them since those were the terms, and we've no room left to wiggle with that, but to say "let's give them a bonus!" is folly of the highest caliber.

 

[Fangshi]

Fangshi, would we still get enough rest to get back into shape (e.g. rid of the exhausted condition) if we don't go with 1A?

Of course not. That would kind of invalidate having A as an option at all. If you want Derryth to recover she needs to take some time to, well, recover. Otherwise you will cast at half strength until you do take the time to recover. You will have the option to really push yourself if you have to though so it is not like you are forced to cast at half strength all the time. There will be consequences though, you will run an increased risk of suffering more serious status effects and if you really go all out you might even be looking at permanent stat loss.

Similarly if you do not go shopping you can not resupply your mandrake roots and energon cubes (both of which you are out of). It will take you a little time to source those items (the dwarves do not use them so you will need to find the proper sources) if you want them for any future challenges.

Can we tell Thais to search for power source while we are visiting track family for example?

Sure if you want to split the party you can do that. I promise nothing horrible will happen to either of you, scout's honour.

Added as an option:

4. Split the party or not? You will send Thaïs off to perform three separate tasks while you work.

A) Yes - Split up, you can get twice as much done. List the three tasks you want her to work on. The options are the same as in question 1.

B) No - Do not split up, you work better together and are less exposed as a team.



Current Tally:

Nevill 1.A,Ci,Dii 2.A 3.B 4.B>A (A,Ci,Dii)
Smashing Axe 1.B,Ci,Di 2.A 3.B 4.A (A,B,Cii)
Zero Credibility 1.Ci,Di,F 2.A 3.B 4.x
Azira 1.A,Ci,Dii 2.A 3.B 4.x
asxetos 1.B,Dii,F 2.A 3.B 4.x
Kz3r0 1.A,Ci,Dii 2.A 3.B 4.B
Jester 1.(Ci,Dii,E)>(A,Ci,Di) 2.C 3.B 4.A (A,B,F)
GreyViper 1.Ci,Di,F 2.B 3.B 4.x
Baltika9 1.Axx 2.A 3.B 4.x
Grimgravy 1.A,Ci,F 2.D (1.F, 4.Di) 3.B 4.A (A,Cii,Di)

1. Activities:
A) 5 votes
B) 2 votes
C)
i. 8 votes
ii.
D)
i. 3 votes
ii. 5 votes
E) 1 vote
F) 4 votes

2. Lyssa:
A) 8 votes
B) 1 vote
C)
D) 1 vote (preferred: Derryth: F, Thaïs Di)

3. Impressions:
A)
B) 10 votes

4. Split Party/Thaïs' Activities:
A) 3 votes:
a. 3 votes
b. 2 votes
c.
i.
ii. 2 votes
d.
i. 1 vote
ii.
e.
f. 1 vote
B) 2 votes

 

[Smashing Axe]

I'll support splitting with Thais, but if we end up doing the shopping thing, she should come along.

So...

A B Cii for Thais.

I just don't see the Gate working well long-term. It might work for a little while, but sooner or later a lovecraftian horror is going to use it as its way through.

 

[Jester]

Sure if you want to split the party you can do that. I promise nothing horrible will happen to either of you, scout's honour.

Splitting the party should be doable here and i really regret that in rpg campaigns there is no room for that because challenges are scaled to max people, wonder if there is a system actually helping separate narration.

 

[Fangshi]

i really regret that in rpg campaigns there is no room for that because challenges are scaled to max people, wonder if there is a system actually helping separate narration.

I think it comes down to logistical problems more than anything really.

I mean let's say you have six players and they decide to split into teams of two. Well if two of them get into a fight then the other four guys/gals are stuck just watching while you run them through the encounter. It is not fun to just sit there on your hands while someone else plays. It is similar to trying to run a decker in Shadowrun, the decker is essentially going through a mini adventure while the rest of the players sit on their hands (though in that case I usually let the other players play as the decker's 'programs'. It allows them to do something and help their friend while also letting the guy that chose that role really shine as the most powerful character).

The way I have found around that boredom is to actually split up the players if they split their party. Though it requires scheduling extra sessions if the party is split. Each sub party gets to run a small session of one to three people by themselves until the whole group joins back up and it tends to work fairly well but that is a lot more work on my part (or requires a second or third GM) so it does not happen often.


About the new choices:

The way I will work choices 1 and 4 is as follows (since there could be some confusion there). The top three picks from choice 1 will determine where Derryth goes. If 4B wins then Thaïs will come with you on each of the three activities. If 4A wins then the top three choices from that list will also be chosen.

If any of the entries match then both women will work together on that task. Otherwise they will go about their business independently.

So for example if 1.ACiiF wins and 4.A ADiE wins then Derryth will do Cii and F while Thaïs does Di and E and they will both go together on A.

 

[Kz3r0]

B) No - Do not split up, you work better together and are less exposed as a team.

Guys, remeber what happened with Melete, this is not a safe haven.

 

[Smashing Axe]

Why not vote for choices then where Thais and Derryth would be in the same approximate location? We can research enchantment spells, and she can research illusion at the magic academy for instance.