[LP] The Way of the Tiger. (Complete)

[Ancient History]

Our door is always open. And guarded by ninjas.

[Corsair114]

If we invite her in and give her carte blanche to come and go as she pleases while we're in our study at the palace it's going to look like we're carrying on an affair.

However, we just *royally* pissed off the followers of Nemesis, so it's likely we're going to need her information sooner rather than later.

One vote for having our bodyguard show her in.

[angelfromanotherpin]

To your surprise, Foxglove is today wearing white – a short jacket and breeches – but with black boots. Her hair is piled up on her head and the face-paint she wears, though alluring, is no more than might be worn by a young acolyte serving in the chapel to the All-mother. She bows low and you ask her to sit.

She begins: 'I have learned from my Secret Informers things which may be of interest to you, Majesty.' You nod and she goes on, 'We have found out that the price of half a king's ransom lies on your head, that one Mandrake, Guildmaster of Assassins in the far-off city of Wargrave Abbas, attempted to assassinate you.' She mispronounces the city's name, but what she says is true enough. You nod again.

'He has left Wargrave; the Guildmaster who conducts the services in honour of Torremalku the Slayer is an imposter. Mandrake is searching for you, Overlord.'

'Is there anything more?' you ask.

'Yes, we have identified certain agitators stirring up feeling against you; they won't be giving any more trouble.'

'I hope they have been dealt with fairly?' you ask.

'Of course,' says Foxglove, but her smile suggests otherwise. The evidence she brings, however, shows that she has got the right men. She takes her leave and you ponder the news about Mandrake, and the worth of the Order of the Yellow Lotus.



The third session of Star Chamber takes place on a dreary and grey afternoon. Messages threatening that your days on the throne are numbered are thrown into the Palace gardens and brought to you by a servant dripping with rain. The culprits escape the Palace-guard and no-one can describe them.

• Order the random arrest of fifty people every day until the culprits are found or handed over to you?
• Ignore the incident?

[Ancient History]

Random arrests bad.

[MisterDee]

As much as I'd love to see the result of Avenger's descent into mad despotism, it's pretty obvious that the non-insane response is to let it go.

So we do. Ignore the bitching.

[Corsair114]

Ignore the incident. If we give in to mad despotism now we probably won't live long enough to have a really awesome ninja-assassin duel with Mandrake the Magnificent Bastard later.

[angelfromanotherpin]

The third session of Star Chamber has been called to discuss a pressing matter – the setting of taxes.

(There's some text here about how Golspiel-related shenanigans may have gotten you a pile of money already.)

In any other case, the treasury is empty. You must now add up the costs facing the Crown:

(I'm going to skip stuff on the list that's irrelevant for the sake of clarity.)

– Cost of maintaining the shieldmaidens of Dama, if in the army: 2 talents.
– Cost of maintaining the Order of the Yellow Lotus: 1 talent.
– Cost of paying Palace servants and messengers: 1 talent.
– Cost of living in state in the Palace itself: 1 talent.
– Cost of returning property confiscated by the Usurper to rightful owners: 1 Talent.

(This section's a bit annoying, because it's never made clear what exactly is optional and what isn't. The army is clearly required spending, as is the Palace stuff. I'm not sure if it's possible to have disbanded the Order yet, but as we haven't, it still has to be paid for. So the only wiggle room would be in whether or not to give people their stuff back. So, depending on how good a guy we're going to be, our expenses are either 5 or 6 talents.)

The issue of taxation is one which touches everybody and you are assailed with requests for audience by all and sundry. The templars to Dama and Avatar demand that the Temple to Nemesis give money back to them, since the Usurper leeched them of their temple funds, while the dark pinnacles of the Temple to the Lord of the Cleansing Flame were gilded with gold leaf. Others clamour for the return of their houses and possessions which were wrongfully seized by the Usurper. Your Privy Councillors are ready to suggest systems which will produce the necessary gold.

(Contrary to his implications, Avenger did not make a deal with Golspiel of the Silver Tongue in return for his support.)

It is customary in most of the cities of the Manmarch to raise money through temple taxes. In this way, some of the contributions of the people are channeled to the treasury. Later that day, the Privy Council are in session and once more to decide upon this issue of taxation.

Force-Lady Gwyneth:

The High Grandmaster – Parsifal – and Force-Lady Gwyneth have obviously come to an agreement about the correct course for you to take. They stand side-by-side on the platfrom below the oval table, he a shade shorter than she and wearing his monk's habit; she as martial as ever, wearing a surcoat with the diamond shield blazon of Dama on top of worn chain-mail. It is Parsifal who addresses the council:

'Majesty, tradition says that each of the five major Temples be taxed equally, but for many years we have had to pay crippling taxes, whilst the Temple to Time paid none, and priests of Nemesis grew fat on the proceeds. We suggest, Your Majesty, that you fine the Temple to Nemesis five talents and levey a tax of one talent from the Temple to Time. When next you need taxes, we may then return to the old system of equal tithing. In this way, Overlord, you may win the hearts of the people by undoing some of the wrongs done by the Usurper.'

Gwyneth adds, 'The people feel that the priests of Nemesis have escaped lightly under your rule. Punish them, Overlord.'

The Demagogue:

The Demagogue is sporting a new purple tunic and breeches, which make him look more like a badly-dressed court fop than the hero of the common people, but his ideas on taxation give the lie to this. To your surprise, he begins his speech by saying that the expenses of the Crown should be no more than three talents, and he would raise this money, and some to spare, in the following way: a window tax, that is a tax on all those people who owned buildings with more than ten windows in them, he has calculated would raise a talent of gold from the rich. He also suggests a tax on all merchants with stalls or shops in the city, according to their size, which could raise a second talent. He then proposes a double tax on the Temple to Nemesis. In all, his measures would raise four talents and 'it would endear you to the people, Your Majesty.'

Greystaff:

Greystaff's look as he rises to address the Privy Council is both cold and determined. He draws himself up and then launches into a fierce harangue, listing the evils of the priests of Nemesis and the injustices heaped upon the Temples to Avatar and Kwon. He calls for a punitive tax of six talents to be levied against them, and a further two talents of tax to be levied from the Temple to Time to be paid as reparations to his own temple and the Temple to Kwon the Redeemer. 'Only this can the wrongs ofthe Usurper be turned to right,' he says, and is quite breathless and red in the face through righteous anger by the time he has finished.

The Privy Councilors wait in silence as you mull over the propositions that you have heard. Remember, you may not follow any advice that advocates the taxing of the Temple to Dama, if you have already exempted that temple from tax.

Whose advice will you heed:
• Parsifal and Force-Lady Gwyneth?
• The Demagogue?
• Greystaff?

(It is possible to run a deficit, and the amount of that deficit will be subtracted from Avenger's Popularity Rating.)

Charter of Rulership
The four Privy Councillors appointed to Star Chamber are:
1. Force-Lady Gwyneth
2. The Demagogue
3. Greystaff
4. Foxglove

The Watch is kept by: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Your chosen bodyguards are: The monks of Kwon.

The army is composed of: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Popularity Rating: 2

[rampaging-poet]

I'm late to the party on this series, but I read through the whole thread. So far the first book was by far the most ninja, but it's all been a fun read.

With the Shieldmaidens as our city watch and Foxglove on council, I think we can afford to piss off the followers of Nemesis and Time by following Greystaff's advice. It may cause some trouble down the line, but it pays for all our expenses and lets us return the stolen property to the people. It should also give us a larger Popularity buffer for when we need to make unpopular decisions later. That, and it punishes the temple of Time for ignoring the revolution entirely.

My second choice in case of a tie is to follow the Demagogue because this is the most sane thing he has said yet. Tax the rich, apply a minor tax on Nemesis, and don't give the stolen property back to the people. We'd take -1 to Popularity from the deficit, but we'll probably still have positive popularity and less enemies (the rich seem far less threatening than Nemesis and Time combined).

[Darth Rabbitt]

Given that we have already stirred up a lot of unrest with Nemesis worshipers I think that we should follow Demagogue's advice.

They might actually be able to raise an army against us, since they are much of the old army, and I doubt a counterrevolution would endear us to the people.

[Corsair114]

Yet another vote for the Demagogue's plan.

Greystaff's (Take 6 Talents out of Nemesis, put a 2 Talent levy on the Timelords which will then go straight back into Avatar and Kwon's coffers) seems like it would end up doing more harm than good in the long run. I'm not sure how much influence the Order of the Yellow lotus has over the followers of Nemesis, but if need to leverage that front to soothe them (after they've been repeatedly kicked in the teeth) the cost when it comes time to pay the piper is likely to be obscene.

[Omegonthesane]

Damnit, we should've picked the less frothing-in-the-mouth Good zealot.

Nonetheless I think Gwyneth's suggestion is best, albeit partly because it's a significantly more sane and justified version of Greystaff's. Furthermore it will result in the Temple of Nemesis having five fewer talents to spend killing us.

[angelfromanotherpin]

In following the advice of the Demagogue, you have captured the public imagination as a fair and just ruler. You tax the rich to give to the poor, or so the word goes in the taverns and cockpits. Add 1 to your Popularity Rating.

By not taxing the temples, you are making the lives of the people cosier, for they are not called on to make donations at their temples. You have only raised four talents for the treasury, however. If this is enough to meet the cost facing the crown, you have succeeded in raising enough taxes. If it is not enough, you cannot afford to meet all of the Crown's debts and people mistrust you or think you are a weak Overlord. Subtract 1 from your Popularity Rating for each talent that you cannot afford to pay.

(Assuming Avenger doesn't restore people's property, it's a wash thanks to populism. However, even giving the property back keeps his head above zero, which is the next check, so I'm going to assume he does it out of principle.)

You announce in Star Chamber that you have sufficient money in the treasury to meet the Crown costs as far as you see fit, and that the council will now discuss who is to be made Strategos in overall command of the Irsmuncast army. At the same time, you abolish the Usurper's unpopular system of marriage licenses and restore other minor laws which your father had used when governing. Add 1 to your Popularity Rating.


It is another tenday before the next meeting of Star Chamber and during this period the mood of the city seems fairly calm. You leave the city for the first time on a day's hunting expedition and watch, wryly amused, as your subjects gallop hither and thither, pursuing almost anything that moves. You yourself slay a hare with a single Shuriken and a great sycophantic roar of approval greets the poor beast's death.

You have behaved as an Overlord should and the hunters are happy, but though your bodyguard insists on keeping close to you at all times, a stray arrow passes dangerously close to your head when you are chasing a stag in the woods above the River of Beasts. You return safely to a small hunt banquet.

(Parsifal is not on the Privy Council.)



On the day after the hunt banquet, Star Chamber is due to meet again. A young boy brings a message, while you are being dressed, from Foxglove, head of the Order of the Yellow Lotus, the Secret Informers. It consists of two words, written in puffs of rouge on the back of a silver hairbrush, 'Ware Parsifal.' Puzzled as to why you should be wary of the High Grandmaster at the temple to your own god, you ask the servant to fetch Foxglove, but there is not time to speak to her before the session in Star Chamber begins.

The Master of the Chamber, wearing scarlet and green today, announces that the first item on the agenda is the fate of the Order of the Yellow Lotus, the Secret Informers, led by Foxglove.

Force-Lady Gwyneth:

Force-Lady Gwyneth stands and says, 'The Order of the Yellow Lotus are a pestilential crew of gutter-snipes given dangerous powers under the rule of the Usurper. Their effect is to prejudice your people against your rule, for they breed hatred, mistrust, and fear. Above all, Foxglove is not to be trusted. Abolish the Order, Your Majesty; she is too dangerous to allow near your person.' Gwyneth nods as she finishes.

Foxglove:

Today Foxglove is wearing a dark blue woollen cloak and a small, round, dyed straw hat to match. Her face looks pale, like a corpse, the hollows of her cheeks enhanced with purple Murex dust. Her voice is calm and grave, 'Your Majesty is in great danger. I cannot speak about it now, but if you will give me private audience later, I shall reveal how useful the Order of the Yellow Lotus is to you. To do so now, here, would be to put Your Majesty at grave risk. So I beg you not to disband the Order of the Yellow Lotus.' She looks imploringly at you as she finishes her speech.

Greystaff and the Demagogue:

Greystaff, High Priest of Avatar, and the Demagogue have discussed this matter and now they both stand on the platform below the oval table from which those who are not members of the Star Chamber may address the council. The Demagogue tells you that the Order of the Yellow Lotus are hated by the people of Irsmuncast almost as much as was the Usurper. Greystaff delivers a homily on the subject of trust and the people's response to being trusted. He implies that having Secret Informers encourages people to plot treason by suggesting that you expect it; both call for the abolition of the Order.

Whose advice will you take:

• Gwyneth?
• The Demagogue and Greystaff?
• Or, by summoning her to your study, that of Foxglove?

Charter of Rulership
The four Privy Councillors appointed to Star Chamber are:
1. Force-Lady Gwyneth
2. The Demagogue
3. Greystaff
4. Foxglove

The Watch is kept by: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Your chosen bodyguards are: The monks of Kwon.

The army is composed of: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Popularity Rating: 2

[Ancient History]

As much as I dislike secret police, they are pretty handy to have around. I say we keep the Order, even if our popularity takes a hit.

[Starmaker]

I don't get this book. First we successfully use ShinRen to determine Greystaff is actually good, then he gives stupid racist advice, and right as I was getting ready to rage, the book does a 180 turn and condemns this advice as stupid and racist via an object lesson. Make up your mind, book.

So it's a toss-up, really, but I hope the book is coherent enough not to hate intel gathering on principle when it features an order of good ninjas with a license to kill.

Let's go with Foxglove.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Even the Demagogue has given us some useful advice, so now it's Foxglove's turn.

Go with Foxglove.

[angelfromanotherpin]

You declare that, for the time being at least, the Order of the Yellow Lotus will continue to serve you, and you call your bodyguards to the door. Flanked by them and followed by Foxglove, you return to your study where you ask her what news she has for you. To begin with, you can scarcely comprehend her words:

'High Grand Master Parsifal is dead, Majesty.'

'But I saw him yesterday at evensong – he was in good health for a man of his years.'

'The man you saw leading evensong in the Temple to Kwon the Redeemer was not Parsifal but an imposter.'

'Then who was it?' you demand.

'I have reason to believe that it was none other than Mandrake, Guildmaster of Assassins from the northern city of Wargrave Abbas. A man who reveres Torremalku the Slayer, swift-sure bringer of death to beggar and...' she hesitates, '...king!'

'Where is he now?' you ask.

'Are you not expected for private confessional at the Temple to Kwon this very evening?'

You nod, wondering how she came to know this secret.

'He awaits you. Half a king's ransom, Avenger – I mean Overlord – hangs above your head. Shall I have him dealt with?'

But you reply that you will take the pleasure of killing him yourself.


You order Foxglove to do nothing. You will act just as you would normally. Parsifal leads his congregation at Evensong just as he always has, but he does not say all of the responses during the Catechism of the Redeemer, instead allowing one of the younger monks this privilege. After the service, he walks alone into the Inner Sanctum where you are to join him. It is a bare room which reminds you of the Temple of the Rock, with rush matting and with the Song of Kwon inlaid in silver on the walls.

Parsifal beckons for you to kneel before him; his rheumy old eyes do not see as well as they did. 'Overlord?' he asks, just to make sure it is you.

(Avenger has the skill of ShinRen.)

As you walk towards Parsifal, your suspicions are aroused. Something is not quire right; he looks different in a way you can't place. His behaviour at the temple seemed normal enough, but there is a tension, well-disguised, welling up within him. This may be an imposter.

• Kneel before him as usual? X
• Knock him to the matting using a Leaping Tiger kick? √

(Normally I'd still hold the vote, but with two sources and the opportunity for a face-kick, I don't think there's any doubt.)

Without warning you explode into action, sailing across the room with both legs cocked as Parsifal whips a wetly glistening swordstick from its place of concealment beneath his habit, revealing a surprisingly muscular chest as he does so. He moves with incredible speed in reaction to your attack but, caught almost unawares, his Defence against your kick is only 6.

(7+1 is a success.)

You were right to attack; your foe is a young man – certainly not Parsifal. By chopping the heel of one foot downwards and extending the other leg you succeed in hitting his arm and head simultaneously. The swordstick clatters away to the end of the room. You look grimly down at the man you have disarmed and realise with a shock that it is Mandrake, Guildmaster of Assassins, from far-off Wargrave Abbas, who worships Torremalku the Slayer, swift-sure bringer of death to beggar and king.

It is the assassin's death which is swiftly executed in the confessional room. Before he can recover from your stunning attack, you finish him off with a chop to the neck. Your reactions have not suffered even though you have been relying more on your wits than your body of late. Mandrake's disguise was perfect. Without Foxglove's help you might well be dead and you send her a message of thanks. Tomorrow there will be a banquet to celebrate your survival.


Mandrak had killed Parsifal two days before, having already spent some days watching him in secret. He got to know the routine of the temple, and even those closest to the High Grandmaster had been unable to spot him for an imposter. He had even met and talked with Force-Lady Gwyneth about the Order of the Yellow Lotus without arousing her suspicions. He was a formidable foe, but you have triumphed again, the first ever to survive the attentions of the Guildmaster of Assassins. You order the monks to select a new High Grandmaster and lead the prayer of thanksgiving for the life and works of Parsifal yourself.


During the next tenday, reports begin to come in concerning an ominous build-up of troops at the edge of the Rift. It seems that an army of sorcerous Dark Elves and terrible Cave Trolls is preparing to attack Irsmuncast.

(Force-Lady Gwyneth heads the Watch and is a Privy Councillor and leads the shieldmaidens of Dama in the army.)

You have put much faith in Force-Lady Gwyneth, and this is certainly not misplaced, but the people of the city now idolise her. She is seen to be as powerful as you are yourself, and she is more popular as well. When the rumour of attack by the Spawn of the Rift ignites the city, the streets become thronged with people crying aloud to the Force-Lady to deliver them from danger. The priests of Nemesis, quick to exploit the mob's hysteria, call upon her formally to lead the army out to battle. The mood of the mob brooks no hesitation.

• Order Gwyneth to march towards the Rift in the hope of victory?
• Refuse to bow to mob hysteria and order her to defend the walls of the city?

Charter of Rulership
The four Privy Councillors appointed to Star Chamber are:
1. Force-Lady Gwyneth
2. The Demagogue
3. Greystaff
4. Foxglove

The Watch is kept by: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Your chosen bodyguards are: The monks of Kwon.

The army is composed of: Force-Lady Gwyneth and the shieldmaidens of Dama.

Popularity Rating: 2

[Ancient History]

Troops on the wall. We send her out, she's outnumbered /and/ we have no city watch.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Also, we need to let the mob know who calls the shots here.

Have her defend the walls!

[Korgan0]

HOLD THE WALL

[rampaging-poet]

I agree, the wall is a much better option even if it costs us a point of popularity.

[hogarth]

I agree with everyone else, of course.

(As an aside, how do the Star Chamber council meetings work in the book? Do they say "turn to page 35 to read Greystaff's advice" or do they just list all of the advice on the same page and tell you to ignore the irrelevant stuff?)

[angelfromanotherpin]

(As an aside, how do the Star Chamber council meetings work in the book? Do they say "turn to page 35 to read Greystaff's advice" or do they just list all of the advice on the same page and tell you to ignore the irrelevant stuff?)

The actual procedure is that councillors who want to speak put their fists on the table and wait to be called on, and you call on them by turning to their individual advice entries. It's also mentioned that you can choose not to call on people, which I think is weird, because it can't hurt just to hear from people.

The mob are outraged and panic when you issue the edict which forbids Gwyneth to march out to battle. Your popularity slumps; the people's confidence in your rule is shaken badly as they wait helplessly for the Spawn of the Rift to lay siege to their city. Subtract 2 from your Popularity Rating.

(Avenger's Popularity Rating is now ≤0.)

Public support for your rule is at a low ebb and the priests of Nemesis choose this time to whip up feeling against you. The dark tide of counter-revolution sweeps the city and no-one lifts a finger to help you. The Palace is surrounded and broken into, your bodyguards slain and, after a fierce struggle, you are taken and broken on the wheel in sight of the Temple to Kwon the Redeemer. Evil rules in the city once again.



(Oops, I guess I made a mistake re: our principles. Let's assume Avenger didn't return the seized property and thus strain the budget earlier.)

(Avenger's Popularity Rating is >0.)

When the black tide crosses the River of Beasts in view of the turrets of Irsmuncast, your army is not yet ready to begin a major campaign against the Spawn of the Rift, and so you order them to look to the defence of the walls. The fighting is bloody, but the Dark Elves are repulsed before the Cave Trolls, under cover of huge siege machines covered with damp hides, can undermine the foundations of the city wall. The attacking forces withdraw to regroup, but it is only the calm before the storm.


Fed up with being cooped up in the Palace, out of touch with the common people, you decide to don the disguise of a journeyman and walk the streets. Fear hangs over everybody like a black pall. The city wall on the Edgeside has been all but breached and men toil to repair the damage before the next onslaught. You are watching the labour when a small child walks up to you and greets you by name in a dreamy far-away voice: 'Listen to your dreams Avenger; the way will be shown.' The message given, she shakes her head and the glazed look leaves her eyes. Seeing you, a complete stranger as she thinks, she shrieks and flees.

You go to sleep that night pondering over your strange meeting. The voice of Kwon the Redeemer enters your dreams bringing guidance at last: 'Since the glorious days of Telmain I, the rulers of Irsmuncast have wielded two powerful artefacts – the Sceptre and Orb. These were reft from your father and carried away to the Mountains of Undying Solitude. Without these artefacts, Avenger, your rulership is doomed. Within these mountains lies the Valley of Scorpions where the evil Ninjas of the Way of the Scorpion live and train. You must there defeat their Grandmaster of Shadows, for it is he who knows the whereabouts of the Sceptre and Orb.'

You awake the next morning firm in your resolve to seek the Orb and Sceptre.



The subsequent proclamation is heard all over the city. Overlord Avenger I is to bring back the Luck of Irsmuncast, the Orb and Sceptre of Telmain. The heroic nature of your quest to the Mountains of Undying Solitude appeals to the people who seem to forget that you are abandoning them in their darkest hour. It is not too late to change your mind.

• Do as bidden by your god?
• Stand beside your people in their hour of need?

[Darth Rabbitt]

Let's take a break from playing Sim City and go back to kicking ass and taking names in the name of Kwon the Redeemer.

Force-Lady Gwyneth is super popular and good at keeping order, so she can run the defense of our city while we're away.

[Starmaker]

The subsequent proclamation is heard all over the city. Overlord Avenger I is to bring back the Luck of Irsmuncast, the Orb and Sceptre of Telmain.

WHYYYYYY

Now OF FUCKING COURSE the scorps know where we are going and can prepare accordingly.

And yes, we're going.

[Ancient History]

"Yea though I go into the valley of scorpions I shall fear no evil, for I have released a comprehensive press packet outlining my itinerary and purpose, so evil should damn well be able to organize and give me a good fight, for I am the baddest motherfucker in the valley."