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Desperate Measures Scene 4
http://forums.paradigmconcepts.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1987		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  wilcoxon [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Desperate Measures Scene 4
Playing through Desperate Measures again, in Scene 4, in order to enter the Tent is Sighs, you must pay 25 silver. This has always bugged me (as player or GM). The group is conducting an official investigation for the Knight Commander but they have to pay quite a bit of money in order to talk to a person of interest. Does anyone think this makes sense? If so, please explain to me why it makes sense (and why the enforcer and high "priestess" aren't simply arrested for interfering).
Author:  Nierite [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Are you officially Knights of Milandir, or are you usually a rabble? I could go somewhere and say "Hey, I work for the Prime Minister of England, let me in!" and they'll go "Sure thing, bud. . . ::call the police::" Without looking at the adventure, I do not recall if you get a writ saying who you are, which could go around that.

I do agree though that 'locking off part of the adventure' isn't a great idea, though.
Author:  Haakon_val'Ishi [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Is that 25 SC for the group or per person? As I recall the Tent of Sighs is the Larissan brothel right? Is this supposed to be a "cover charge" or "entrance fee?" Could the fee be reduced by haggling or through Persuasion or Intimidation? I'm at work so have no access to mods.
Author:  wilcoxon [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
25 sc per person. Yes, it's an entrance/cover charge. No, I don't think there is any way to get it waived/reduced (it's been a while since I read it and I'm replaying it right now on Myth Weavers so don't want to reread it until we're done with the scene). The whole thing particularly baffles me because it's not a temple and (I'm pretty sure) the "priestesses" aren't (which also confuses me as I would think that the Larissans would be a might upset about prostitutes claiming to be priestesses of Larissa).
Author:  PCIHenry [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Hello,

wilcoxon wrote:
Does anyone think this makes sense? If so, please explain to me why it makes sense (and why the enforcer and high "priestess" aren't simply arrested for interfering).


Yes, it does make sense to me.

You must understand the dynamics of the situation. The Milandisians are an occupying force and the Knight Commander is trying to keep the peace and encourage others to come and settle here. Having a bunch of soldiers run roughshod over the populace/merchants and in particular the brothel, which caters to the soldiers, will do little to endear the Milandisians to the populace.

As for prostitutes passing themselves as Larissans, this was covered way back in the Year One adventure, "Seeds of Our Destruction".
Author:  wilcoxon [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Thanks for the official view of the situation Henry.

I think I understand the dynamics. I guess I'm just interpreting them differently. To me, there must be some semblance of order kept and I would think everyone would want a murderer caught (even if it was "just" a Yhing hir murdered). Given that Mil Takara is a military staging area, I'd expect (based on what I know of historic and current military) the Knight Commander to insist on cooperation in the investigation. If justice in Mil Takara doesn't fall under the military then I'd expect a city guard and commander (but I don't remember any reference to them).

I only started playing under the new system so I'm unfamiliar with any of the old adventures (except the one year 1 mod that was updated). To make sure I'm understanding your comment, the Larissans are okay with prostitutes claiming to be "priestesses"?
Author:  Nierite [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
You must also remember: Nobody really wanted the Milandisians there. The Yhing Hir were fine with the Milandisians dying to protect them, but they didn't want to lose their own soverignty to do that. When they simply took over Mil Takara, the city was once a Yhing Hir city which the Milandisians razed. This occupation of 'their' territory was enough to cause them to lash out against Milandir even though the Milandisians are doing something they want. The loss of independence is enough to make people act out.

In terms of the Tent of Sighs, they are basically the tent followers and aren't very concerned with machinations of either side. They don't care about a single murder, all they care about is profit. The fact that the Knight Commander COMMANDS them to do this will eventually make them accede, but they'll due their best to make money.

Never assume people will react rationally and in pursuit of the greater good. People are venal and corrupt, and will always look after themselves and their own first. Also, all of these people view the Milandisians as imperialists who are trying to impose their own wills upon them, so they will do their best to resist.
Author:  wilcoxon [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Hmm. It was pretty clear that the Yhing hir didn't want the Milandisians there. It was my impression that the Yhing hir were mostly limited to the Yhing hir area around their marketplace and that both sides were happy to keep separate. I thought everyone in Mil Takara was Yhing hir, Milandisian, or Crusaders (from wherever). I would have expected the latter two groups to accept the Knight Commanders authority. I was assuming the "priestesses" were Milandisian (though I don't remember it ever saying what nationality they are).
Author:  Nierite [ Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
Could have been from Sicaris or Censure too. Military camps attract lots of followers.
Author:  val Holryn [ Tue Sep 08, 2015 4:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Desperate Measures Scene 4
To answer your question, yes prostitutes call themselves "lay priestesses" of Larissa. And yes, the Temple of Larissa (in the Mother Church) is essentially okay with it. I am not an expert on ancient Rome, but the period mystery writers like Maddox, Saylor and Davis all depict at least some prostitutes of Ancient Rome as calling themselves Priestesses of Venus. Certainly in the shadowy colonnade by the Temple of Venus one would have found women plying the trade.

From mods I believe true priestesses of Larissa look down on their lay brethren.

I would also note that the Sensate side of Larissa is NOT as openly displayed in most of Milandir. I don't believe the Tent of Sighs would be tolerated in a proper/established Milandesian town. (But if you think there are problems with testy Ying Hir, just try closing the Red Lights district down near the last base before going off to the frontlines...)
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