[D4 MN] No Lords, No Masters - Panic in the Night

[Reader]

The decision to send hand picked units in to the caverns, alongside Lord Drakeson's negotiations with Ser Hugh Rivers, had allowed a steady trickle of non-combatants to escape from the potentially doomed caverns.

There was opportunity here - for clemency, for the royal investigators to ease the shattered population's justifiable grievances.

But there were threats too - extremists escaping in to the night to cause further trouble, or ill treatment rubbing salt in the wounds that Ser Hugh's rabble-rousing against the nobility had opened.

[OOC:

TN 12 checks:

8 DoS = difficult of a subsequent event unchanged.

Every 1 DoS below this = subsequent event difficult increased by 1
Every 2 DoS above this = subsequent event difficult decreased by 1]

[Septon Arlyn]

[What are we testing?]

[Reader]

[What are we testing?]

[OOC: as noted in the other thread, default assumption is a simple intrigue but I'm open to most abilities if appropriately roleplayed and it may be wise to test a variety of abilities.

viewtopic.php?f=191&
t=2153

3) Non combatant PCs = trying to manage the non-combatants pouring out of the caves once combat starts. Standard assumption is a simple intrigue to represent calming people, but I'm open to the use of Awareness (empathy) [to avoid fighters sneaking out] cunning (logic) [logistics effort] and so on. You don't need to spend destiny for substitution, just appropriate roleplay.]

[Nathaniel Mason]

[url=Panic in the Night - Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 7d6k5 14

[1 DoS. The Orokos Gods seem to know Nathan is not himself at the moment.]

They moved slowly through the trees. It was difficult with the terrain, the darkness, and woman and children in tow. They had just reached a clearing when a voice rang out in the silence. All heads turned to see a dark figure standing on a rock. Aedon along with the other boys drew their swords.

“Well, more stupidity. There seems to be a lot of that going on tonight. What do you think you are doing? How far do you think you will get in the dark? Do you even know where you are going? Even if you escape, how will you feed yourselves? Where will you shelter? When morning comes, where will you hide? What will you do when stragglers start to slow you down even more? Will you leave the sick, the injured and the weak behind to their fate?”

The young man jumped down from the rock and walked casually towards them. The boys lifted their rusty swords towards the young man in black armor. He ignored them. He seemed very blasé about the entire situation.

“Are you alone?” said Aedan, rather bewildered.

“Yes.” said Nathan. “You’ve made me break a promise to someone I care about very deeply. I am not at all happy about that.” he sighed. “The question remains. Where do you all think you are going?”

They boys looked at each other, looked to Aedan to see if they should try to kill the man. Aedan shook his head. Not yet. His drunk of a Father had never been very much of a role model, but one piece of wisdom he had imparted was ‘Never fuck with someone crazier than you are.’

“We won’t let you take them.” said Aedon. “The nobles will kill them or worse.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Nathan sighed. “Some are going to die for the mess that has been made. Not all, and not as many as you might think. Both the Blackwoods and the Brackens can’t afford to lose many more of you. You are all too valuable a resource to allow many more to be squandered. You can flee if you like, but it’s probably a lot of wasted effort for the same result.”

“You won’t have them.” said Aedon. “Better to run and take a chance than trust nobles for justice.”

“Oh, I am not here for them.” says Nathan. He turns slowly to look at Aedon. His voice is soft and disturbing. “I am here for you. I am here very specifically for you.”

Aedon’s mouth falls open, his eyes widen. “What-” was the only word he got out.

Nathan moved like lightning. Within the span of three heartbeats Aedon was slammed against a tree, the point of a stiletto under his chin. “You are the boy who opened the gate. Do you have any idea what you have done? What a monster you have unleashed? How much of my work you have undone?”

The group of boys looked stricken, not sure what to do. Aedon gulped hard, took a deep breath to steady himself. The sapphire blue eyes he stared into looked crazy. “Kill me then.” he said stubbornly. Those nobles are wicked. They deserved to die. I have no regrets.”

“Then you are a fool.” snarled Nathan. “Would it interest you to know not a single noble died in the attack? Oh, it killed lots of people, sure enough, but it was farmers, guards, and serving maids that were burned alive. The nobles managed to survive, some completely unscathed. All you succeeded in doing was killing your own, and many more to follow.”

“You lie!” shouted a boy.

But it was true. Aedon looked into those terrible blue eyes and could see it was true. “Then kill me.” he said softly. “I deserve it.”

“Yes. You do.” replied Nathan, then to everyone’s surprise, he sheathed his stiletto. “You can’t stay with these people.” he said softly. “You will only put them in danger. Go to Blackbucke. Hide yourself there amongst the refugees. Talk to a man named Syd. He will get you out of the area. Perhaps you can start making up for the terrible things you helped create.”

Aedon looked bewildered. “I don’t understand. Why are you helping me?”

Nathan practically pounced on the boy. Grabbing him by the throat, he pressed Aedon against the tree and whispered fiercely in his ear. “You think I do this for you, you conceited little shit! I am doing this for them, so they won’t pay a price for being found with you.

I am doing this for ME! I have seen hundreds of dead women and children this week. Dead boys reach out to me in my sleep every night for help I cannot give them. You think I want to see one more boy burned at the stake or fed to a dragon! I am being selfish. For all the compromises I am making, for the concessions I will have to make, this is a gift to myself. A single act of desire. I’ve earned it. If I thought you had more to do with the attack than simply opening a gate, I would leave you here with your head pinned to this tree. Do we understand each other?

They stared into each other’s eye for a moment, then Aedon nodded. This was not a crazy man. This was a good man…

… and completely, utterly ruthless.

Nathan stepped back and collected himself, running dirty fingers through sooty hair. “If you decide not to run, I suggest you make camp here. Start a small fire. There are shadowcats in the area.”

With that, and without another word, the boy in black armor strode off into the darkness.

[Yoren longshore]

Mostly a silent man watching Yoren at times approaches the most panicked individuals, trying to soothe them. Escorting them to safety. However his calm voice does not carry and his serene nature is ignored, as people rush past this nidwit whispering meaningless words to them. After a long night Yoren does not have the energy to do much good, and it ends with him simply walking into a quiet corner, simply looking for anybody being trampled.

[url=No lords no master calm people down][/url]: 4d6 11 [Fail]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine rode up to within earshot of the outpouring of people, and called out to them.

"
All who wish to live, come to me! You shall be treated with dignity and given a fair chance to plead your case. Do not waste your lives needlessly by throwing yourselves upon dubious fate, as those who fight us would have you do. I swear upon my honour that those who submit to my custody will be protected, and your grievances heard!"


[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 6d6k5 27 (4DoS)

[Marq Mooton]

His father always scorned him for his loose and glib tongue. His mother encouraged him, like only a mother would. Lord Dunstan liked his tall tales and japes, laughing heartily. Ser Ulbert would have slain him if looks could kill. And then it was Ser Theomore stating that if you were skilled at something and enjoyed doing it, you were a fool not to put it to good use whenever you could.

That sounded quite like approval to indulge in sugar, spice and all things nice. And irritate Ser Ulbert to no end while being such enjoyable company to Dunstan that he could get away with skimping chores.

Well, the old fox had a point, Marq can see, there was a need for a quick tongue and a winning smile to go along with it. That his doublet with the red salmon, along with his cape had burned along with what remained of the shed, probably helped. He was just a boy, perhaps dressed better than most, but fire and ash had taken it's toll on his apparel. And he had braved the fire, no need to be afraid of those more afraid than he.

Now, if everyone would be so kind as to gather over there. Food and shelter will be arranged for those that require it.

Your mother? How about we wait here? Mothers always comes looking for their children you see, good lad, have you ever heard the tale of Florian the Fool? No? I learned to swim in the pool that he came upon the six maids, you know...

[url=No Lord's, no master's convince][/url]: 5d6+2 [url=attractive][/url]: 1d6 [url=and again][/url]: 1d6 20 2 DoS

[Reader]

[OOC: 7 of the 8 DoS required to avoid penalties so far, event open until Saturday morning.

As noted above, DoS above 8 unlocks some bonuses and helps calm the region. Keep it up guys! ]

[Ereth Redwain]

Ereth takes on side of the exit from the caverns waiting for the people to start pouring out, and not before long the first of them start pouring out, first a trickle then a flood.

This people have been used and misguided, you must protect at least the children they are innocent they have suffered enough. Yet remain vigilant for those that try to sneak about using the others as cover

With his best smile and as convincing as the situation can allow him to be "
I'm lord Ereth of House Redwain, I can give you some protection for now if you are willing to follow my words and sit peacefully, I am sure we can find a way to save the children and as many other innocent"
a sad smile as the wretched state of the smallfolk comes into view more clear as some do approach him, but others choose to take their chances with the others or by themselves. Mostly mothers and children, and few young boys are the ones to approach Ereth. They can all notice the smell of wine from him as they pass him close by.

[url=Panic in the Night - Awareness (Notice)][/url]: 3d6k3 13 - Looking for armed men/woman coming out
[url=Panic in the Night - Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 5d6k4 16-2 = 14 - 1 DoS (Convince children to come to safety)

[url=Bound vs. TN 9][/url]: 3d6-2 9

[ooc]+1 Nathan, -1 Yoren, +4 Corrine, +2 Marq, +1 Ereth = 7 DoS, we are still missing 1 unless I'm counting wrong[/ooc]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: That's 8! Gwyn can still chime in to get us more bonus goodness.]

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(RP to follow, just posting rolls to help with tallying. From what I understand, what we test with doesn't have an impact beyond the roll, the narrative result solely depends on the DoS. So, going with my highest.)

[url=No Lords No Masters - Convince (TN12) -1 from injury][/url]: 4d6+1 15 1 DoS

[Loreia]

[ooc]+1 Nathan, -1 Yoren, +4 Corrine, +2 Marq, +1 Ereth = 7 DoS, we are still missing 1 unless I'm counting wrong[/ooc]

OOC: Yoren's roll was 11, off by a hair. It's not a critical failure, so I would rule that his roll has no effect, which gives this event 9/8 DoS after Daveth's. Well done and thank you to everyone involved! Subsequent event difficulty(whatever it is) will be lowered by 1, unless someone else decides to roll for this event.

[Septon Arlyn]

(I think that the next event difficulty will remain the same unless we get one more DOS )

[Ereth Redwain]

Every 2 DoS above this = subsequent event difficult decreased by 1]

[ooc]Yes, we need 1 more DoS to lower subsequent event difficulty by one, of course I won't complain if we get 3 DoS between Gwyn and Sam[/ooc]

[Reader]

[ooc]+1 Nathan, -1 Yoren, +4 Corrine, +2 Marq, +1 Ereth = 7 DoS, we are still missing 1 unless I'm counting wrong[/ooc]

OOC: Yoren's roll was 11, off by a hair. It's not a critical failure, so I would rule that his roll has no effect, which gives this event 9/8 DoS after Daveth's. Well done and thank you to everyone involved! Subsequent event difficulty(whatever it is) will be lowered by 1, unless someone else decides to roll for this event.

Just to confirm that Yoren's roll doesn't deduct from the DoS. Agree with Loreia that this would be appropriate for a critical failure.

[Samurel Manderly]

[RP to come]

[url=Persuasian (Convince)][/url]: 5d6k4 14 [url=Attractive Reroll][/url]: 1d6 1
[url=Attractive Rereroll][/url]: 1d6 2

Total: 14 [Reroll! Why have you forsaken me!] 1DoS

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

The scene was chaos. Men and women and children, fleeing desperately through the wilderness around the caves, while the sounds of battle rang from the crevices and stones. Gywneth rode off the paths, to the hunting trail that snaked through the sparse trees, and there lifted her voice to try to first calm, then rally the disparate, desperate people.

Her voice was calm and clear, carefully cultured and benefiting from her experience in addressing crowds of noisy smallfolk since becoming Lady Drakeson. In a world gone mad, she somehow managed to project the impression of someone who was in control, who could provide a path out of the madness.

There was shelter, she promised. Food and water. Treatment for wounds.

She didn't mention that there would also be scrutiny...that she and others would be assessing them to make sure combatants weren't sneaking out posing as refugees. In the end, that was a small price to pay for a little stability, she believed.

[url=Persuade (Charm) in No Lords, No Masters - Panic in the Night][/url]: 6d6k4 22

(For TN 12, that's 3 DOS)

[Baelon Drakeson]

[OOC: a (very) lucky attractive reroll could turn that 1 into a 6 for a 4th DoS]

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

(OOC - Hah! True. I just rerolled it, and it was another 1 though. )

[Baelon Drakeson]

[OOC: you get two rerolls for your 4 Persuasion, can't hurt give it another shot. :;
): ]

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

(OOC - You can use more than one reroll for the same dice? Huh! Got a 3 this time. I'll have to remember that in the future though!)

[Baelon Drakeson]

[OOC: it's a 1 you rolled as part of the test - so long as you haven't already used all your rerolls, it fits the criteria of the benefit. ]

[Tristayne Tullison]

Tristayne approached the caverns and slipped into the people, as he was accustomed to, seeking out the panicking and confused and telling them what to do with themselves in his stern tone. He did not know if it would work, but by traversing the crowd he became able to see them more openly, to notice those of them who seemed to be too nervous or confused. He could hardly fight himself, but to the panicked and confused masses, none of whom could see under his robes or into his boots to know of his maimed stature, but all of whom could see the broadsword on his belt, and could understand what it would mean to oppose him. Or, at least, they could make up their own conclusions in their panicked minds. With that confusion sewn in them, he could tell those able to fight of those who tried to leave with malice in them.

[url=Finding the Violent Escapees and alerting others of them.][/url]: 4d6 10

He could not keep track of the many violent figures, and much to his shame his own attempts to stay them were thwarted by the winds, whipping his cloak into his lattice-leg and onto the stump, driving him full of pain and alerting the fighters of his crippled state. As soon as this had passed, he made haste to leave, for fear of being set upon.

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