Re: Spare Lunar armour

From: ALISON PLACE <alison_place_at_...>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 11:16:23 -0700 (PDT)

        OK, let's assume you're running anti-lunar guys, probably Heortling.

        The main problem with spare Lunar armour (from various units - good point) for sale is obviously the risk of being accused of having rendered it spare by killing the previous wearer. If that's indeed how you got it, then getting full value out of that loot is damned difficult, and very dangerous.

        Almost inevitably, you're playing reasonably prominent, combatively competent characters. People notice when you're around, and generally don't keep their mouths shut about it. After all, if your lot comes into the village and visits the tavern, it's an occasion! The locals want to chat with you, gossip, stand you to drinks, and bask in reflected glory. You, in turn, are enjoying the acclaim, and bragging of your exploits. If you get drunk enough, maybe even the ones you shouldn't...

        So, you really don't want to draw any possible connections to the fact that Lunar troops have gone missing, you were in the region, and now you have armour to sell. Even years later, there would probably be enough personal ID marks on some of this stuff (built-in foci, decorations, distinctive damage) that it might be traced back to a particular trooper. The fence (or, worse, honest merchant) found with this stuff in his or her possession, if suspected, will be put to the question, and *will* talk.

        At this point, being outlawed for the good of the clan is the best you can hope for. The Lunar authorities will be entitled to kill your families as retribution, whether or not they actually get their hands on you. They won't accept the local legal fiction that now you're outlawed, the clan is condemning you and disavowing all responsibility.

        However, suppose you had actually caught the bastards trying to assault your women, or some other heinous action. Just quietly burying the bodies; that's murder. No, go ahead and have some fun: claim justifiable homicide. Take the authorities to court! Find and use their own laws against them! Have your elders impress on the Lunars the poor light this puts them in, and the increase in their local reputation if they're willing to give honest judgement against themselves. (This would actually be the downside, as far as you're concerned, but most of the locals will probably just chortle over how you put one over on the invaders.)

        Given the litigious nature of Heortlings in general, this shouldn't be an unlikely notion. The very fact that you felt sufficiently justified to declare the killings lawful, and made them public, may discourage the Lunars from taking any precipitous steps against you or your kin. Our lot has done this at least three times (I'll grant not for killings). Summon up the spirits, force them to testify! If any of them got away, watch the Lunars have to accuse their own. If all goes well, you can attend *their* crucifixions. Not only might you be able to claim the armour as a just penalty, but possibly other concessions as well.

        Suppose the Lunar judge comes down with some wishy-washy justification that troop's actions were misinterpreted. And the survivors (if any) were mysteriously transferred back to the Heartlands before they could be arrested for trial. No problem - another grievance to lay on the pile; yet more tinder for the revolution!

        This has wandered somewhat from 'what do I do with spare armour'. However, it's so much more fun to get the Lunars to kill their own, that I heartily recommend it!                 




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