20001021 Politics

<H1> Politics is Dirty Work </H1>
<BR><P>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
</P>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 10th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 10th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kieran </TD>
 <TD> 7th/5th Half-Elf Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/7rd Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/7th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 13th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/9th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR><P>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
</P>
<P>
Grackle has been interviewing orog prisoners. One of them
offers to give the passwords if we provide troll meat as
food. Donner sends orders for the troops to bring troll
meat.
</P>
TODO: Description of guard duty along the river
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> Who in charge?
<P>
<B>Gug:</B> Well, we don't have any weapons, so we don't know who's
 in charge.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Grackle looks for an older orog.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> Where do you come from?
<P>
<B>Dolog:</B> <History and orogs>
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> No no. I mean...
</P>
<P>
<B>Dolog:</B> Grummsh preferes to rule from above. Gorath prefers
 to be in the trenches.
</P>
<P>
<B>Dolog:</B> The bodies are the reincarnations of the warriors fallen
 on the field.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> How many orogs are still in the keep?
</P>
<P>
<B>Dolog:</B> You could expect to see 5 or 6 squads waiting for you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> How many per squad?
</P>
<P>
<B>Dolog:</B> A dozen. If I were you, I'd wait them out. We've been
 ambushing people for years--we've gotten really good
 at it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> How many per squad?
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The troops bring most of a carcass. As the troops see the
carcass, the orogs all notice and become excited. The orcs
don't appear to be paying attention. Grackle goes to
Dolog. Dolog gives the three passphrases
</P>
<OL>
<LI> Get you into the tunnels "Heart of Iron"
<LI> Get into the temple complex "Eye All Seeing"
<LI> Enter priests' chambers supposedly "Red Earth"
</OL>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Mercenaries are scattered throughout the troops. Orogs are
usually around to "vouch" for the human groups. The mercenaries
are usually used for seasoning other troops. The group of 
Zill probably found the high priest and simple travelled with
All humans are viewed with suspicion at all times. They are
usually only brought in right before a fight.
him.
</P>
<P>
Fingle stays to observe the orogs and orcs for a while.
The orogs seem to have taken notice of Dolog. They seem
mystified why the party has given them troll meat.
</P>
<P>
Korla shows up.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Korla:</B> I hear you were looking for me? 
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Yes
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> It looks like things went all right for you guys.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Yeah, I'm sorry about the looting.
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> Lost opportunities and all...
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> His Highness is looking to speak to what's left of
 the city council.
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> There's probably only two left. The original council
 mostly disappeared after the change in guard. Those
 two
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> The first guy I can think of is the leader of the
 farmers' league.
</P>
 
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B>
</P>
 
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> His name is Torrin Undertree. You can find his place
 out (blah blah). He's got a lot of pull with the
 farmers.
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> The other person whose got some pull is some you've
 really got to talk to. That's Meriac. I would expect
 that he'd want to come and talk to you anyway.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> You work for him?
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> He notices me.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> 
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> There might be some other from the merchants council
 around, but I wouldn't know who they are.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
As it turns out. Grackle has heard of him.
</P>
<P>
The city is pretty close to under control at this point.
There are fire crews out in the city. The troops have made
a single pass through the city and the buildings are secure.
</P>
<P>
Donner orders the troops to spread throughout the city in
order to restore order to the city. The group agrees to
capture any looters and to institute indentured servitude
as punishment for those caught. The thought is to take
the people captured the first day and turn them loose with
word of the new law.
</P>
<P>
Fingle and Kieran fly on the carpet out towards Torrin's
lands. He has a big sprawling ranch with farmhands working
the fields. They land on the road outside the farm.
As the group walks up, they pass two workers in an orchard.
They stop working as they see the group.
</P>
<P>
The three guys on the home wears studded leather
One of the others knocks on the door, leans in and says
something.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Fingle:</B> We seek an audience with Torin Undertree.
<P>
<B>Guard:</B> Would it be too much to ask for you gentlemen to turn over
your weapons?
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
A man in a well made tunic comes out of the house. Behind
him is a serving boy carrying a tray, three glasses, and
buns.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Torin:</B> You're?
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> Fingle Shimmerstone.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> You're from up north.
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> Yes. 
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> I've heard they're short up there.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> Are we being annexed?
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> We're here to remove the orcish influence.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> Well I guess I lose that bet.
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> We're here to remove the orcish influence.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> I've heard about that fish.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> I was not around for it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> Well, I'm head of the farmers' league, that's true.
 We're kind of independent minded folk out here. There
 aren't laws out here.
</P>
<P>
 It's good land.
</P>
<P>
 I've had to hire men to guard the farm out here.
 We have to admit that we enjoy not being taxed.
 We sell them mutton, fruit, etc.
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> That isn't his purpose so far.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> I'll do you a favor. It'll be a tough crowd.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> There's a reason we're talking on the porch out here
 instead of inside the house. We do everything out
 in the open.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> When should we check back with you?
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> It's best if we meet in the league hall.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> When should we check back with you?
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> Two days for now.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Do you know anything about the orcs taking over the
 city?
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> That was a buyout. One problem with our setup is
 that we didn't figure that there would be enough
 money to buy out the city council. They said that
 they would buy our goods instead of taking them.
</P>
<P>
 I'll tell you, what they do in the city--we could
 care less. About the city folk--they've gone soft.
 At the founding, they had a certain set of morals,
 standards, and that's now all gone.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> You guys have means of travelling quickly.
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> Yes, we have magical means of transport.
</P>
<P>
<B>Torin:</B> Well, could you do me a favor and drop off some
 messages to various farms?
</P>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> Certainly.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
He spends 15 minutes to write 6 letters. Fingle and Kieran
drop off the letters to various farms.
</P>
<P>
Korla takes Grackle to a particular inn. It appears to be
an inn from the outside, but there is no business going on
on the inside. Grackle spots several people carrying
concealed weapons.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Korla:</B> This is Grackle Spigot. Meriac is expecting him.
<P>
<B>Guard:</B> Hang on.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
A few moments later, a halfing enters the room.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Halfling:</B> (Gestures for Grackle to follow)
<P>
<B>Both:</B> (Follow)
</P>
<P>
<B>Halfling:</B> (Looks at Korla) Not you
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The halfling leads Grackle through some hallways and points
out traps to him. They eventually get to a secret door.
They enter the room. The man is shaved bald, except for a
top knot. He has a tatoo that runs from his head to the
side of his neck.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Meriac:</B> (Nods) Grackle.
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Sir.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> It's your visit. What's your need?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> We're going to be in control of town for a while.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> How long a while?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, until the orcish threat is gone.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Until their a red paste?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I'm not sure. 10000 orcs could come in tomorrow
 and kick us out.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> You've got the Black Lions. 10000 orcs won't unseat
 the Black Lions.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> We need to establish some mechanism to maintain
 control of the city without garrisoning our
		forces here.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> I'll tell you. There has been no real force for
 law in this town for some time. Those with their
	 wits about them and a certain level of subtlety
	 have done very well recently.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> You don't seem to be hurting.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Of course not. It doesn't hurt when you point
 out to your theoretical overlord that you could
	 kill them at any time. I would posit that anyone
	 you leave in charge would be any more difficult
	 to kill. I dislike killing any legal, moral
	 authority.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> We in Aquitaine understand such things.
 Accomodations can often bene made.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Let me explain some things about the history of
 this place. Before the orcs, there was a thriving
	 business class and merchant class. After the orcs,
	 many of them have left and at this point there is
	 none.
</P>
<P>
	 I can tell you without fear of being inaccurate,
	 there is no merchant class left in this city. You
	 should consider this more of a farming community or
	 village. This is not a city-state any longer.
</P>
<P>
	 There is no longer a militia. The orcs no longer
	 exert any influence. You will have a difficult time
	 exerting any control unless you leave troops behind.
	 If concessions are made, I can guarantee that crime
	 will only reach a certain level. I am very used to
	 keeping people within certain boundaries.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I can tell you that Donner or his father will not
 tolerate a tyrrany.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> You will need to reconvene the milita. I can give
 you a list of dependable commanders.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I'll go one step better, send those individuals to
 the headquarters and I'll recommend them.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> If you do not hamper our activities in any way,
 then we will limit our activities to...
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I will present your suggestions to Donner. Beyond
 that, I cannot say.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Let me put it another way, if a distasteful
 authority figure is left in place, then he will
	 not last long.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I'm looking for any information about the Creeper,
 Zillan, the high priest, etc.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> The Creeper paid his dues while he was here. He
 is a members of the Travellers' Guild. Zillan,
	 however, can be taken out for a price. 
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Is he in the vicinity?
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Not in the immediate vicinity, but he can be
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Do you understand the meaning of these tatoos?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Uh, no.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> I am originally from Bab-El. I was originally a
 witch hunter. That is how I came to this city in
	 the first place. It is here I discovered that
	 my beliefs were not entirely correct. So, I
	 carved out a new niche for myself here.
</P>
<P>
	 When I tell you that Zillan can be killed, I can
	 guarantee it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> What fee?
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> I could deliver information about his location
 for 1000 crowns. I could deliver you his head
	 for five times that amount.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I don't carry that money on me, but I'll get
 back to you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Meriac:</B> Of course not. The offer isn't going to go away.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Grackle is guided by the halfing out.
</P>
<P>
Later than night at dinner...
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> The reason I have advisors is that not every decision doesn't need to be made by me.
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I'm basically your tool.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> But I don't want to have to bang you every time.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B>
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> I think I have a clever idea. This politicking
 is something I haven't had much experience with.
	 I know someone who might have some free time and
	 might enjoy this: Blaine.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Your younger brother?
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Yes.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Aren't you worried about their safety?
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Donner, Kill'Dar and, Grackle teleport to Aquataine. Once there,
Donner begins providing orders. After a while, he is served by
servants taking a bath, food, etc. The servant comes back and Moda
is apparently off on a field mission.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Father Corwyn:</B> I heard you were injured sire?
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Yes. Yesterday was a long day. You know
 about our mission?
</P>
<P>
<B>Father Corwyn:</B> I heard that you were sent down the river.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> We managed to drive the orcs and assorted
 armies from Og-Kund. But only after much fighting
	 with infernal creatures, giants, ettins, trolls,
	 and other assorted riff-raff.
</P>
<P>
<B>Father Corwyn:</B> Well, I'll see what I can do. (Begins
 healing Donner)
</P>
(Some time later)
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Do know something about such an infernal creature?
</P>
<P>
<B>Father Corwyn:</B> They are fiends. Very dangerous.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> (Description of Powers)
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Grackle meets with Father Pylos. His nickname is "One Strike".
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> Father, I come seeking a boon.
<P>
<B>Pylos:</B> Have you slain?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Yes.
</P>
<P>
<B>Pylos:</B> How many?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Uh. (Begins counting in his head--some time
 passes) I have to admit that in serving my
		prince, I forewent an opportunity to slay a
		Priest of Gorath.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I wish to have some healing done and to get
 this identified. (Drops magic axe)
</P>
<P>
<B>Pylos:</B> There is a soul trapped within it. It is
 definitely an evil and powerful device. I will
	 see what I can do to discover its nature.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Seledan arrives in the bath with the money and the parchment
for Donner to sign.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Seledan:</B> I have the components for you.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> In our current situation, we're quite cash-poor.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> I'll put this down as "largess".
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> We've taken the city, but we're also involved in
 some politicking, the "Travellers' Guild", the
	 militia, etc.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> You can establish a dummy government, or establish
 a real government, or simply institute martial law.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B>
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> I think you should handle this. The day will come
 when you will have to make these kinds of decisions.
	 Frankly, handling a small city-state is a low-risk
	 situation.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> (Eyes glaze over)
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> I would advise. I suggest that you immediately
 co-opt the militia--even if there is some corruption.
	 Let them reward themselves, but there will be
	 immediate order. When you're finished with your
	 campaign, say in a month, you can go back and settle
	 the situation.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> 
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> You know that your father spends a lot of time away
 from Aquarna. You should follow his example.
</P>
<P>
	 Your brother doesn't have a strong image with the
	 people. He isn't seen as a do-er.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> 
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> You can have lieutenants that do 
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> I'm rather enjoying this idea.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> You can have lieutenants that do 
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Does Aquataine have any plans for this area?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> I have advised your father that we should annex
 the entire lakeshore. It has a great economic and
	 security benefit. The lands south of the lake
	 are fertile. Plus we would have a southern port
	 which would allow for independence from Boralar.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> If you can arrange things so that the people of
 that region view you favorably, you can annex their
	 lands say 20 years from now.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> I would suggest that you do what we do here, and come
 to an accomodation. If properly dealt with, they can
	 serve as an extension to your eyes and ears.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> How goes the battle?
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> (Recounts most of the battle)
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
During the day, about 100 volunteer militia show up. Colin
and Travian look them over.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Divination (Party in Inner Keep w/o Black Lions):
 Impression of light risk
 Impression of rapid motion
</P>
<P>
The Black Lions are assigned to clearing the outer city.
Army forms work details with orcs and orogs.
</P>
<P>
Colin, Grackle, Fingle, and Donner fly on the carpet over
the inner keep and scout it out. Fingle ferries the rest
of the party.
</P>
<P>
Travian detects a moderate evil aura on the doors and a
strong evil aura on the rest of the building. Kill'Dar
detects a strong magical aura. Kill'Dar walks up to the
door and dispels the magic on the door. Kill'Dar dispels
the second spell and there is a huge flash of light.
Grackle checks the door and then opens it. Inside is
a crude temple setup with benches and altars. Where there
was once a bas-relief of Zeus, the status is desecrated
and given a roughly cut wooden head with one eye.
</P>
<P>
Grackle turns gaseous and heads down the stairwell by
one of the altars. The stairs lead to the level the party
had been in previously. There is one room that has not
been seen by the party, which appears to be a barracks.
It appears to be ransacked. As they continue to check out
the area, the party heads towards the storage room and
Grackle is hit by four crossbow bolts--there are six
orogs.
</P>
<P>
Grackle, Colin, and Travian enter the room and begin
attacking orogs. After a few rounds, the orogs are almost
all dead. Travian chases the last orog into the tunnel.
As he enters the tunnel, the orog pulls a rope and
collapses the tunnel. Fortunately, Travian jumps past
the falling rocks.
</P>
<P>
Back in the other room, Grackle gives the Ring of Gaseous
Form to Fingle, who then turns gaseous, hands the ring
to Travian and casts Gaseous Form to pass back.
</P>
<P>
The rest of the cleansing of the inner keep goes equally
well.
</P>
<P>
The pacification of the outer city goes well. Hagal reports
that the docks, major roads, and farmlands are secured. The
rest of the lands will require one more day to be sure
that everything is secure.
</P>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
</P>
<P>
Base Experience: 
</P>