inky says, "Here is Sebastien:"
inky | Sebastien Delecambre, fils de feu Antonio
inky |
inky | Great (+2): Weapons (Fencing), Socializing (Court)
inky | Good (+1): Athletics, Alertness
inky | Fair (+0): Stealth, Resolve
inky | Average (-1): Academics, Fingersmithery
inky |
inky | Foppish Diplomat by Day ..
inky | .. Heroic Gallegos Swordsman by Night
inky |
inky | Quick Moves and Quicker Wit
inky | Natural Linguist
inky | "It's my last handkerchief!"
inky says, "I note in passing that everyone I've made thus far has great weapons and good athletics"
inky says, "but hopefully that doesn't conceal any basic weaknesses in the system"
inky says, "(it might be good to see how fights go with a +1 weapons dude, though)"
inky says, "anyway"
inky says, "let us say the scene opens as Sebastien is shimmying up some vines growing on the side of an old manor"
inky says, "he holds a note in his hand that appears to be signed 'Isabella'"
inky says, "the GM emulator says that he arrives at the room, and sees it's empty!"
inky says, "he has little time to look surprised, because then there is the rattle of the knob of the door across the chamber, and it starts to swing open"
inky says, "Sebastian drops down below the level of the window, attempting to conceal himself"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 3 | 7 + 0 = 7
inky says, "hmm, partial success -- Sebastien hears two people come in and start talking, but then the wind picks up slightly, and the rustle of the ivy next to him makes it impossible to hear what they're saying"
inky says, "he has to choose between future concealment and finding out what they're saying, and he goes for the latter"
inky says, "he pulls himself up and leans in, ears flapping as he espies an elegant but sinister looking man (with green eyes and goatee, I think; I don't remember if Sebastien canonically has facial hair but let us say not) talking to someone else, saying "...to interrogate anyone who arrives, while you ensure that she never reaches her destination, or if she does, see to it that ..""
inky says, "and then Sebastien sneezes!"
inky says, "the man breaks off and spins around"
inky says, "but Sebastien is already dropping out of sight"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 1 2 | 3 + 1 = 4
inky says, "only to tangle his foot in the ivy, curses!"
inky says, "the man gets a good look at Sebastien's face as he hangs there a moment, and shouts for the guards"
inky says, "Sebastien takes one stress box as he lands badly, and looks up to see two guards rounding the corner of the manor, and who knows when the man will arrive at ground level"
inky says, ""Apologies," says Sebastien, "but there's really no time to explain. You can trust that my motives are entirely pure as the driven snow here, though.""
inky says, ""Not convinced? Oh well." He draws his sword as the guards charge at him."
inky says, "under the new rules, his defense roll has a +2-1 = +1 bonus"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 3 | 7 + 3 = 10
inky says, "the guards clearly are unclear on the skill level of the man they are dealing with here, and he expertly deflects each blade"
inky says, ""My turn now?""
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 3 | 5 + 2 = 7
inky says, "his sword flicks out and catches one in the side"
inky says, "at little warily now, they close in again, trying to surround him"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 1 | 7 + 3 = 10
inky says, ""You won't catch me that easily!" Sebastien twists out of the way once more."
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 2 | 4 + 3 = 7
inky says, "a matching cut on the other side, and that guard is down. one left"
inky says, ""But it's only a matter of time before Lord Goatee gets here," Sebastien says, "So it's time for a quick exit""
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 2 | 6 + 1 = 7
inky says, "He starts to flee in one direction, only to see the aforementioned lord showing up, leading a group of four more guards, and reverses direction (painfully twisting his ankle) to flee again"
inky says, "he plunges into the shrubbery of the estate, attempting to find a concealing place to swing himself into"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 2 | 8 + 1 = 9
inky says, "not a swing up, but a swing under, unfortunately -- he could crawl under the roots of a large tree, but it'll mean getting all muddy. sigh."
inky says, "but he does so, and just in time, as the party of guards arrives"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 5 4 | 9 + 0 = 9
inky says, "using the just-created aspect to aid his stealth roll, he stays concealed, and they head past"
inky says, "Sebastien emerges, gives the tree root a thankful pat, repairs his appearance as best he can with a handkerchief, and then heads off the estate to where he's left his horse"
inky says, "then back home and sleep"
inky says, "the next afternoon he is to be seen in elegant attire and a false moustache at Lord Dingle's party, the nominal reason for his visit to this town"
inky says, "he is grateful for having put on the false moustache, because who should be the guest of honor at Lord Dingle's party but Lord Goatee (who turns out to actually be named Lord Clarkson)"
inky says, "Sebastien is supposed to be at this party to get Lord Dingle to agree to hand over some chunk of his woods to some industrial concern"
inky says, "so he spends time talking to people at the party trying to get the lay of the land (Lord Dingle could use the money and doesn't really use the woods) and a vibe of Lord Dingle (young wastrel)"
inky says, "but mostly he is trying to figure out who Isabella is and what Lord Goatee's interest in her is and where she's gone to"
inky says, "let us, hmm, have a generic socialization roll and see how that goes"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 6 | 12 + 2 = 14
inky says, "hey good looking"
inky says, "well, let's spend a fate point to unlock advanced successes here and crack this adventure like a macaron"
inky says, "or something"
inky says, "ok so"
inky says, "Sebastien is the life of the party while trading old court gossip for local  up-to-the-minute info"
inky says, "he determines that 1) Lord Goatee is trying to get Lord Dingle to sell the woods to him instead of Sebastien's backers  2) Isabella is Lord Dingle's cousin and has been arguing against selling the woods at all, although nobody is really sure what her interest is"
inky says, "if she was in trouble and didn't receive any response to her message to Sebastien, she might conceivably have fled to another relative, General Wotwot, a day's ride south of here (two days by carriage)"
inky says, "Sebastien decides the next step is to visit General Wotwot"
inky says, "he gets a note of introduction from Lord Dingle and heads out (noting in passing that this will give him a good glimpse of the area of forest in question as he rides through it)"
inky says, "riding through the forest, he is surprised to see a large tree-trunk lying across the path. "I do hope this isn't a brigand ambush," he murmurs to himself. "I would hate to think they have become so unoriginal.""
inky says, "ok, so where were we"
% pingmud_forever: no such command or macro
inky says, "sebastian had wandered into a tree trunk across the path, the classic sign of a brigand ambush"
inky says, "he hops down off his horse and wanders over to inspect the tree trunk"
inky says, "then an arrow whistles out of the underbrush, and thunks into the tree trunk"
inky says, "Sebastian turns around to see four men emerging from the forest, three with swords and one with a bow"
inky says, ""That's him all right," one of them says. "Eyeglass and everything. Get him, boys.""
inky says, "Sebastien is, however, expecting more or less this, and leaps onto the tree trunk (a maneuver, to lower the number who can attack him)"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 1 4 | 5 + 2 = 7
inky says, "hmm, partial success -- he cuts it down to 2 attackers, but it's only temporary"
inky says, "those two attack him (a swordsman and the archer), while the other two scramble for positions on the trunk"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 2 | 5 + 3 = 8
inky says, "he ducks the arrow but only barely parries the blade, twisting his spine painfully to do it (and taking one stress box)"
inky says, "he attacks the one on the log"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 1 | 4 + 2 = 6
inky says, "(and I guess spends a fate point to make that not a failure)"
inky says, "at the last moment he feints downwards, stabbing the man in the leg"
inky says, "another attack from the man, but the archer can't attack now that they've closed"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 4 | 6 + 4 = 10
inky says, "ping, deflected"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 3 | 9 + 2 = 11
inky says, "Sebastien runs the man through, sending him toppling to the ground"
inky says, "the other two men finish scrambling onto the trunk"
inky says, "Sebastien attempts to leap back to the ground"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 5 | 11 + 2 = 13
inky says, "(and spend a fate point to make that an advanced success)"
inky says, "he neatly leaps down as the two men finish climbing up, then fakes them out so they tumble off again on one side, while he leaps down on the other"
inky says, "the upshot is he's all alone on this side of the trunk with the archer, and gets a +1 to the attack he is about to make"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 2 | 6 + 3 = 9
inky says, "his blade cuts the man's bowstring. "Naughty, naughty.""
inky says, "the man throws a punch"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 1 | 5 + 4 = 9
inky says, "Sebastien stumbles back over a tree root (another stress box gone), but keeps it from connecting"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 1 5 | 6 + 2 = 8
inky says, "and this time the man has no bow to block, and Sebastien cuts him down"
inky says, "the two men run around the trunk"
inky says, ""this hardly seems like the way to treat a man of the court," says sebastien. "especially now that my advance guards have returned." (a crude bluff, but perhaps it will help)"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 1 | 4 + 3 = 7
inky says, ""haw, not likely," sneer the brigands. "Lord Go-- that is, Lord C-- that is, the boss man said you were taking this trip all alone.""
inky says, "but at least they're temporarily overconfident"
inky says, "they advance"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 1 | 4 + 3 = 7
inky says, "a wrenched shoulder, but he blocks both blows in time, and then he attacks himself"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 3 | 7 + 2 = 9
inky says, "they're overconfident, and it hurts -- Sebastien's strike cuts one down"
inky says, "the other turns to run"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 6 | 9 + 1 = 10
inky says, "Sebastien hooks an ankle and sends the man crashing to the ground, then sits on him"
inky says, ""Now then," Sebastien says, "let's get a few answers""
inky says, "luckily for Sebastien, he recognizes the man's voice as the one Lord Goatee was talking to"
inky says, "anyway, long story short, Lord Goatee had this guy run down Isabella's coach and carry her off to an old hunting lodge in the woods here"
inky says, "Sebastien provides some medical attention to the other bandits, ties up this guy so he can't escape for a couple hours, and then rides for the lodge"
inky says, "there are two guards outside -- let's see how smoothly Sebastien gets past"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 3 3 | 6 + 2 = 8
inky says, "I guess he's down a stress box (bruised arm, thumped by a pommel), but makes it in"
inky says, "where Isabella is pleased to see him, things are explained, etc"
inky says, "he unties her, and as they're stepping outside, says "well, I think things are just about resolved now""
inky says, "but then of course someone says "yes, but not in a way you'll like," and it's Lord Goatee"
inky says, ""I don't know who you are, whelp, but I'm going to teach you a lesson about meddling""
inky says, ""I'm always eager to learn," Sebastien says, and draws his own blade"
inky says, "Lord Goatee is, at least for now, eager to finish things, and charges in aggressively"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 3 | 5 + 2 = 7
inky says, "Sebastien parries, but is winded, losing another stress box"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 3 | 7 + 2 = 9
inky says, "he does a stress box in return; Lord Goatee now has two stress boxes and one -4 consequence"
inky says, "Lord Goatee attacks again"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 1 1 | 2 + 2 = 4
inky says, "things are looking bad for Sebastien, but he spends a fate point to make that a partial success, and takes the consequence bleeding arm to absorb it"
inky says, "as he talks, he rotates the fight gradually without Lord Goatee knowing it, or at least that's the theory"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 6 5 | 11 + 3 = 14
inky says, "well done! Lord Goatee does indeed not notice (but this is a regular success, not an advanced one)"
inky says, "he does attack again, though -- look out, Sebastien!"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 3 | 7 + 2 = 9
inky says, "Sebastien takes the strike to the leg, this time; he winces painfully as blood spoils the crease in his pants"
inky says, "finally, Sebastien attacks, forcing Lord Goatee back"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 5 3 | 8 + 2 = 10
inky says, "Lord Goatee is forced back -- and Sebastien's moved him so he trips over a tree root!"
inky says, "Sebastien does I guess 4 damage (1.5 * 3) for an advanced success, and Lord Goatee spends his consequence, taking a large chest wound"
inky says, "Sebastien has one consequence left (the -6), and Lord Goatee has 2 stress boxes and that's it"
inky says, "Sebastien decides to follow up his last attack"
inky rolls 2 6-sided dice: 4 2 | 6 + 2 = 8
inky says, "...which, as a Gallegos swordsman, he boosts to a success, doing 3 damage; Lord Goatee is spitted"
inky says, "then Sebastien sits down rather heavily as his leg continues to bleed, and it requires a lot of careful attention by Isabella before he can move again"
inky says, "but that isn't such a bad thing, all things considered"
inky says, "eventually they ride back to Lord Dingle, where Isabella tells all, Lord Goatee is condemned since it's a little late now"
inky says, "bad news for Sebastien as Lord Dingle is so glad to see Isabella that he promises never to sell the forest to anyone, not even Sebastien's employers, but that's how it goes in the diplomacy biz"
inky says, "anyway, post-game recap"
inky says, "sebastien and this dude were pretty evenly matched, which is interesting"
inky says, "I guess stress boxes are a big deal, is basically what it comes down to -- Sebastien was hurt by being one down, and anyway, he had less than the other guy"
inky says, "but he did win due to maneuvers so that was good"
inky says, "he didn't get banged up by any other fight, really, so apparently a guy with +2 weapons can still take like four guys, with enough time and a certain amount of luck"
inky says, "but it must take a while, since he's sort of averaging half a guy per round (or a quarter of a guy if you count all the rounds, not just the ones where he attacks)"
inky says, "I'm still ok with +2 weapons not being awesome since it encourages maneuvers, but someone with +1 weapons might have to do a maneuver every round"
inky says, "which is probably fine! but who knows"
inky asks, "if maneuvers are going to get a bonus, though, they probably need to be a little more clearly defined -- maybe maneuvers are things you do that don't accomplish a goal directly?"
inky says, "there still could be a situation where climbing a wall is a maneuver if you do it to then leap down on somebody, but not if you're just climbing it to climb it"
inky says, "which is weird but oh well"
inky says, "I feel like the numbers are working out fine, though"