Skeptic Tank
New Member
So, an unexpected event happened in my last game, and I'm wondering precisely what to do with it.
First, the short version:
Lookshyan kazei insults a superior officer, who happens to be Karal Linwei. He admits that he has been actively sabotaging peace in the hundred kingdoms around the kingdom that his dragon of troops were sent to protect, and has been undermining the stability of the government there. Linwei attacks him in a fit of rage, and after the dust settles, he has also tried to rally his troops to fight against her with him, but he cannot out-perform the other dragonblooded with Linwei, and they side against him. He then gives in, and agrees to be taken to trial.
Now, the long version (skip if impatient):
The PC in question is a solar who has kept his exaltation a secret - for more than a year, he has been demonstrating his prowess without letting it be known he is anything more than a remarkably heroic mortal.
Now, he is an amazing combatant and brilliant military strategist. Growing up in Lookshy, one would think he would have it made. However, he is something of an idiot-savant - while he can fight, he cannot ride. While he is a brilliant tactician, he cannot read. And while he can lead troops, he is nearly the most infuriatingly arrogant human being that anyone has ever met.
Those who knew him and had control over his destiny decided to promote him to Kazei - the only mortal ever to be given the title! - but to station him in Nassaru Redoubt, considered a dead-end post since the Realm began dismantling its troops in Greyfalls.
Our 'hero' (term used loosely) has a dragon of troops under his command, and has been rented out to one of the hundred kingdoms on a peacekeeping mission. During this time, he has done quite a bit to actually try to -start- war, by selling/giving arms to neighbouring threatening nations, and sowing unrest in the city-state he defends. Eventually, there were enough complaints about his behaviour that Taimyo Karal Linwei came to investigate (she was in the area anyway, or she likely would have left the task to someone else).
Not that the player was ever really saying 'let the good times roll', but it's safe to say this is where the trouble started.
After refusing to defer authority to her, refusing to pay her respect as a superior officer, insulting her ability to judge and command, and admitting (under duress, but angry duress) that he had actively stoked the fires of war on a peacekeeping mission, Linwei lost her calm.
A few moments later, swords had been drawn, and bolts of flame had been thrown.
A few more moments later, our warmonger was making a performance roll to rally his men to his side. The dragonblooded with Linwei made a better one. After taking damage, succeeding on many unwanted valour checks, and loosing the faith of his army, he finally managed to give in (with one point of limit left until foolhardy contempt), and allow himself to be taken and tried.
</long version>
So, I am left in a situation where I'm really not sure what happens from here. I know that Lookshy allows an accused in the military to choose either a civilian trial or a military tribunal, but what is the difference between them? I know that the Warmonger's actions were actively breaking the contract that was signed with the purchasing nation, as well as breaking the faith and ideals of Lookshy, but how easily proved are they? And most importantly - What will happen with the charges of insubordination, if 'words are as so much air' in Lookshy, and the first aggressive actions were taken by an enraged superior?
He is currently being taken back to Nassaru Redoubt, and it will be decided from there what happens? What do you guys think? Is the trial fair, does he hang automatically? And would the fact that Linwei's 1st Age powered armour detected his use of essence change the situation?
First, the short version:
Lookshyan kazei insults a superior officer, who happens to be Karal Linwei. He admits that he has been actively sabotaging peace in the hundred kingdoms around the kingdom that his dragon of troops were sent to protect, and has been undermining the stability of the government there. Linwei attacks him in a fit of rage, and after the dust settles, he has also tried to rally his troops to fight against her with him, but he cannot out-perform the other dragonblooded with Linwei, and they side against him. He then gives in, and agrees to be taken to trial.
Now, the long version (skip if impatient):
The PC in question is a solar who has kept his exaltation a secret - for more than a year, he has been demonstrating his prowess without letting it be known he is anything more than a remarkably heroic mortal.
Now, he is an amazing combatant and brilliant military strategist. Growing up in Lookshy, one would think he would have it made. However, he is something of an idiot-savant - while he can fight, he cannot ride. While he is a brilliant tactician, he cannot read. And while he can lead troops, he is nearly the most infuriatingly arrogant human being that anyone has ever met.
Those who knew him and had control over his destiny decided to promote him to Kazei - the only mortal ever to be given the title! - but to station him in Nassaru Redoubt, considered a dead-end post since the Realm began dismantling its troops in Greyfalls.
Our 'hero' (term used loosely) has a dragon of troops under his command, and has been rented out to one of the hundred kingdoms on a peacekeeping mission. During this time, he has done quite a bit to actually try to -start- war, by selling/giving arms to neighbouring threatening nations, and sowing unrest in the city-state he defends. Eventually, there were enough complaints about his behaviour that Taimyo Karal Linwei came to investigate (she was in the area anyway, or she likely would have left the task to someone else).
Not that the player was ever really saying 'let the good times roll', but it's safe to say this is where the trouble started.
After refusing to defer authority to her, refusing to pay her respect as a superior officer, insulting her ability to judge and command, and admitting (under duress, but angry duress) that he had actively stoked the fires of war on a peacekeeping mission, Linwei lost her calm.
A few moments later, swords had been drawn, and bolts of flame had been thrown.
A few more moments later, our warmonger was making a performance roll to rally his men to his side. The dragonblooded with Linwei made a better one. After taking damage, succeeding on many unwanted valour checks, and loosing the faith of his army, he finally managed to give in (with one point of limit left until foolhardy contempt), and allow himself to be taken and tried.
</long version>
So, I am left in a situation where I'm really not sure what happens from here. I know that Lookshy allows an accused in the military to choose either a civilian trial or a military tribunal, but what is the difference between them? I know that the Warmonger's actions were actively breaking the contract that was signed with the purchasing nation, as well as breaking the faith and ideals of Lookshy, but how easily proved are they? And most importantly - What will happen with the charges of insubordination, if 'words are as so much air' in Lookshy, and the first aggressive actions were taken by an enraged superior?
He is currently being taken back to Nassaru Redoubt, and it will be decided from there what happens? What do you guys think? Is the trial fair, does he hang automatically? And would the fact that Linwei's 1st Age powered armour detected his use of essence change the situation?