Anyone feel these are too long, because I super, super don't and enjoy every bit of it. I would enjoy, I think, up to 150% of this length as an episode.
“Quiet your wagging tongue, or I will take your reins from you and lead you like a child.” oof, I felt that disrespect all the way in Brooklyn. He gonna take that from a dude with a hipster side shave/big beard combo in 2022?
Pads situation is an interesting hard choice. There are convincing arguments to be made to act either way and it has quite impact on story and relationships (Between Pad and Anwen). But also (might) greatly shapes his own path quite significantly.
It's also interesting that it's targeting Pads Instinct, and it's cool that he can act either way and (I assume?) get's an XP?
So its rewarding to have situations that target the instinct and are a hard choice and not an easy one. Choices shape the characters...
The 'End of Session' Move says: "When a session ends, point out how you demonstrated or struggled with your instinct. If you can, mark XP."
The Instinct - Caution - says: "To keep everyone safe, to agonize over decisions."
I would say, this choice demonstrates the two options: (a) Pad can "Take the Shot" and demonstrate his instinct of (b) he can "offer parole" and demonstrate the struggle as it is NOT cautious.
Maybe the choice itself could be justified as to "struggle with his instinct"?
Not taking the shot:
* will strengthen the bond to Anwen
* show Anwen he has changed, which might help his standing in Stonetop
* increase tension with Ozbeg (and the Companions) as it is putting them in danger from attacks of the hilfolks
Yeah, I think making the choice at all counts as struggling with his instinct -- especially if, at the table, the players themselves discussed it in those terms, i.e. "Should we play it safe or should we try to spare this guy's life?"
Good point re: standing with Stonetop -- he could well be thinking about what Anwen will say when they return from Marshedge, since she has openly said she can't keep his past a secret from the village.
I had one additional thought. Pad has only a split second to go for his instinct or have a few seconds of doubt and not take the shot. He must decide from his gut and can't make long pro/con lists.
With his previous encounter and with Anwens plea in his ears, he might not take the shot but regret it later.
Again, taking the shot feels more in line but he also wants to change (or does he?). We are not always rational overall.
I mean, I agree. For Pad the obvious choice would be to take the shot. It's the easy way and he only has to argue with Anwen and convincer her. But Anwen has especially asked to spare the life and if Pad wishes to not risk alienating her, he might do so.
I think Pad takes the shot. He's a cautious, responsible guy, a killer when he needs to be, and he's been told _directly_ by this band that they have a heavy hitting mage as reinforcements. He knows they'll come back in force if they can. Zealous bravo already said “Why do we not return to the ride and bring the meistr here? Then we can drive them from the road and take what is ours.” Not to _mention_ they know Vahir's in Stonetop, that's _dangerous, Dangerous_ knowledge to just hand folks willing to kill you to get what they want.
On the "let him live" side, we have what - the thin innocence of a youth who wants to be a hero? I say he gives her the learnin' she'll need to decide if this path is really for her or not. Earlier the better. Pad's not a monster - she tried to reason with him, to force a surrender, and didn't submit. That's death 🤷🏿♂️.
I struggle to see an in-fiction reason why he _wouldn't_ take the shot. Nothing the Nosgolau said would cause him to falter about this in particular, would it? Lemme re-read.
“I never should have split the crew. I never should have let you stay behind.”
“Shades cling to you like corpse-flies. How many more will you lead to their deaths?”
Pad was being shamed about making choices that lead to deaths. I don't think that would make him _less_ conservative with his Hawkeye impression. Let fly!
I agree with your line of reasoning, largely -- Padrig's instinct is Caution, and taking the shot is the cautious thing. His old friend Ionas chided about that a bit -- 'you always do the prudent thing.' That might've hinted at a longer history of encouraging Padrig to be bolder, and sparing this Hillfolk, convincing him to accept parole, could be seen as a bolder move.
But we also know he wants to be less of a cutthroat, and try a new path in life. Maybe that leads him to make a different choice!
I think it could be interesting for him not to take the shot, there would certainly be fallout, but it's not interesting enough considering the fictional positioning established, and extra not when weighed against potential drama between him and Anwen.
Anyone feel these are too long, because I super, super don't and enjoy every bit of it. I would enjoy, I think, up to 150% of this length as an episode.
Just sayin', we're past a bathroom read at this point.
Work from home changed the game on that kinda business, for many.
Like, the average length of bathroom occupation? °L°
I love the length of these, it makes my day every time one lands in my inbox!
Thanks John! It makes my day to hear that. :-D
“Quiet your wagging tongue, or I will take your reins from you and lead you like a child.” oof, I felt that disrespect all the way in Brooklyn. He gonna take that from a dude with a hipster side shave/big beard combo in 2022?
Pads situation is an interesting hard choice. There are convincing arguments to be made to act either way and it has quite impact on story and relationships (Between Pad and Anwen). But also (might) greatly shapes his own path quite significantly.
It's also interesting that it's targeting Pads Instinct, and it's cool that he can act either way and (I assume?) get's an XP?
So its rewarding to have situations that target the instinct and are a hard choice and not an easy one. Choices shape the characters...
100% you get XP either way -- all you need to do to trigger the XP at the end-of-session is to grapple with your instinct, not necessarily follow it.
Interesting! I think it would risk feeling "unearned" for him not to shoot, could you go more in depth into the argrments you see for that choice?
The 'End of Session' Move says: "When a session ends, point out how you demonstrated or struggled with your instinct. If you can, mark XP."
The Instinct - Caution - says: "To keep everyone safe, to agonize over decisions."
I would say, this choice demonstrates the two options: (a) Pad can "Take the Shot" and demonstrate his instinct of (b) he can "offer parole" and demonstrate the struggle as it is NOT cautious.
Maybe the choice itself could be justified as to "struggle with his instinct"?
Not taking the shot:
* will strengthen the bond to Anwen
* show Anwen he has changed, which might help his standing in Stonetop
* increase tension with Ozbeg (and the Companions) as it is putting them in danger from attacks of the hilfolks
Yeah, I think making the choice at all counts as struggling with his instinct -- especially if, at the table, the players themselves discussed it in those terms, i.e. "Should we play it safe or should we try to spare this guy's life?"
Good point re: standing with Stonetop -- he could well be thinking about what Anwen will say when they return from Marshedge, since she has openly said she can't keep his past a secret from the village.
I had one additional thought. Pad has only a split second to go for his instinct or have a few seconds of doubt and not take the shot. He must decide from his gut and can't make long pro/con lists.
With his previous encounter and with Anwens plea in his ears, he might not take the shot but regret it later.
Again, taking the shot feels more in line but he also wants to change (or does he?). We are not always rational overall.
I mean, I agree. For Pad the obvious choice would be to take the shot. It's the easy way and he only has to argue with Anwen and convincer her. But Anwen has especially asked to spare the life and if Pad wishes to not risk alienating her, he might do so.
I think Pad takes the shot. He's a cautious, responsible guy, a killer when he needs to be, and he's been told _directly_ by this band that they have a heavy hitting mage as reinforcements. He knows they'll come back in force if they can. Zealous bravo already said “Why do we not return to the ride and bring the meistr here? Then we can drive them from the road and take what is ours.” Not to _mention_ they know Vahir's in Stonetop, that's _dangerous, Dangerous_ knowledge to just hand folks willing to kill you to get what they want.
On the "let him live" side, we have what - the thin innocence of a youth who wants to be a hero? I say he gives her the learnin' she'll need to decide if this path is really for her or not. Earlier the better. Pad's not a monster - she tried to reason with him, to force a surrender, and didn't submit. That's death 🤷🏿♂️.
I struggle to see an in-fiction reason why he _wouldn't_ take the shot. Nothing the Nosgolau said would cause him to falter about this in particular, would it? Lemme re-read.
“I never should have split the crew. I never should have let you stay behind.”
“Shades cling to you like corpse-flies. How many more will you lead to their deaths?”
Pad was being shamed about making choices that lead to deaths. I don't think that would make him _less_ conservative with his Hawkeye impression. Let fly!
I agree with your line of reasoning, largely -- Padrig's instinct is Caution, and taking the shot is the cautious thing. His old friend Ionas chided about that a bit -- 'you always do the prudent thing.' That might've hinted at a longer history of encouraging Padrig to be bolder, and sparing this Hillfolk, convincing him to accept parole, could be seen as a bolder move.
But we also know he wants to be less of a cutthroat, and try a new path in life. Maybe that leads him to make a different choice!
I think it could be interesting for him not to take the shot, there would certainly be fallout, but it's not interesting enough considering the fictional positioning established, and extra not when weighed against potential drama between him and Anwen.