Thursday, April 7, 2016

Dark Continent Redux: Favored

Dark Continent Redux
A Fantasy Core Adventure
© Jerry Harris 2016
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Playtest Rules.)




Favored
1 XP just for enduring this encounter.

Back at the hotel bar, the Baron will find their adventure amusing and wished he’d been along.  It would have been better entertainment than the meeting he’s just had.  The Baron’s managed to secure an audience for them with an Interior Minister’s Sub-deputy, Mrs. Babbin.  In spite of his and Mrs. Kurtz’s influence, the bureaucracy is proving impenetrable.  They must meet with this official themselves.  She seems amenable to expediting the request, but doesn’t seem to be fishing for a bribe.  In which case, the Characters’ services may be required for a favor to the state.  “At least I hope so.  If it’s a personal favor and she wants sex, you’ll really have to earn it.”

The Governor’s Palace Complex is reached via a highly unnecessary and very expensive magic-driven tramway going up to the plateau.  [The tram was mentioned in a deleted section of the Heat of Darkness manuscript.  Too cool to leave out.]  With the Baron vouchsafing for them, the Characters are issued Commonwealth seals at the heavily guarded front gate (which will be recovered from them when they leave).  All visitors, servants, and officials must wear a seal on the outside of their clothes at all times, or be subject to immediate arrest.       

The Baron escorts them to the Interior Ministry building and tells them that they’re on their own.  After navigating a confusing maze of offices, they find Sub-deputy Babbin’s office.  Mrs. Babbin is fat toad and quite full of herself.  “Well, the Baron’s friends are here and they want something only I can give them,” she looks them over, like she looks over a savory meal, which she apparently rarely skips, “He didn’t tell me how attractive you all are though.  Mmm.  Mmmm.”  Make everyone sweat here for a moment.

“Ah, well.  No time for group fantasies.  You need an Interior travel permit, as a ‘mercenary company,’ because otherwise traveling around the Interior, heavily armed, and without papers, would mark the group as a bunch of highwaymen and get you hanged.  You won’t be able to get in with a caravan, a ship, or into Central Station or Inner Station without a permit.  If you all really wish to fight, you should all join the military and get out and fight the uprising,” looks around the group, “No?  Well then, these requests usually take a couple of months.  Good day.”  And she goes back to paper shuffling.

I hope the Players can take the initiative at this point (no, do not roll for Sense Motive).  They should be asking, what can they do to move the request along quicker.  (Unless they have some mind control ability, maybe a Charm Person spell.  Of course when it wears off, their permit will be revoked and they’ll have to do this over again and provide sexual favors for Mrs. Babbin.  She’s been very lonely since Mr. Babbin passed away.)  “Well, with a substantial ‘contribution’ to the Commonwealth employees’ retirement fund, say 5000gp, perhaps your request will be processed quicker and you’ll only have to wait a month for your permit.” 

With an exasperated gasp from the Players, they should ask if there’s anything they could do to get it even quicker.  “Ah, now we’re down to brass tacks.  Your reputation proceeds you here.  There is a task, for which you may be qualified, that would be a service to the Commonwealth,” she fills out and signs a document and hands it to them, “It’s a bit dangerous though.  Take this to the diamond quarry outside town and present it and yourselves to commander there.  He’ll tell you what needs to be done.  Afterward, your request will be given a special status and maybe we can all go for drinks this evening.”  Mrs. Babbin winks.

[If the Players are angered by this encounter, you’ve done it correctly.  It’s a corrupt government bureaucracy.  Be grateful it wasn’t worse.  At least they’ll appreciate the combat segments more.] 

The Baron meets them outside.  He offers his carriage to take them to the quarry.  “I’ve heard about some sort of native trouble there.  It may be difficult business.  Good luck.”

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