GURPS DF Session 45 - Hunt for Sir Sacnoth, part 7 - In which Miao muses on the nature of nobility.

Half the players couldn't make the session, so we were a bit light. The party mopped up after the fight, and took their prisoner to face the Baron's justice. 

We have another summary from Miao Miao, which nets her player a bonus CP.

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Session Date: Thursday 1 August 2019
 
Party roster:
Miao Miao, cat-folk swashbuckler, 342 points (PC)
- "Jenkins", human servant, 146 points (NPC Ally)
- Brother Warian, human monk (initiate), 171 points (NPC Ally)
Davin Emberwood, human wizard, 304 points (NPC*)
Llandor the Gray, wood-elf scout, 247 points (PC)

Sir Yvor Gryffyn, human knight, 309 points (NPC*) 
Sister Miriam Suntemple, human cleric, 260 points (PC)
Harrison "Happy" Badapple, halfling thief, 249 points (NPC*) 

*The players of Davin, Yvor, and Happy, were all absent.  

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In which Miao muses on the nature of nobility....

Miao find there is often confusion what means to be 'noble one'. Many times, it mean being born to noble family. Other times, it means acting in way that noble, so that not-noble become noble, either really or in way of acting. Miao Miao was fortunate to be first kind, and taught to work hard at becoming other kind too. Mother used to say, Noblesse Oblige. Miao not certain what that meant, but in last few years, Miao found out.

It mean acting in way that is noble, because people expect noble-one to act noble, even if acting noble is not what noble-one want do at time.

Many time, it means not allowed to do what noble-one want to do. Miao never really struggle with this anymore, but Miao Miao admit that seeing Sacnoth helpless on ground, with Jenkins very very hurt, Miao struggled.

Mister Stabby, still stained with blood of enemies, still in Miao's sword hand. Honourless Black-Claw, on ground, with throat exposed. It seemed, at time, those two could have good meeting, bring bad end to bad person, and good end to now not-so-good day. For moment, Miao tempted. Very tempted. More tempted than smelling plump rat roasting. But Holy One, Noble One, Pointy One and Small One all watching, Brother Warian looking not approving. Tip of sword against Sacnoth's throat. Miao asks of Brother Warian, or Holy One, is Jenkins still alive?

Miao Miao admits that next action depended entirely on answer.

Alive, say Holy One, and Miao feels shame burning her ears. Miao nearly acted like black claw herself. Not Noble. So it time to make look like Miao not struggled for moment. Mister Stabby did duty, goes back in scabbard after cleaning on Sacnoth's cloak. Then Miao takes mark of Honourless Black-Claw's honour, the sword, and give it to Noble One. Real Noble One. Sacnoth cannot be relied to keep word, so now Sir Sacnoth simply Mister Sacnoth, prisoner. Miao admit to guilty pleasure and asking Small One to find everything of value to Sacnoth and then take all away from him. Perhaps Miao not allowed to act in way not Noble, but Miao can ask those not-so-noble to do what Miao cannot.

Much tying of rope (Miao never knew Pointy One so good with knots, turned Sacnoth into eel), and healing and grabbing of things and arranging of things. Of course Miao carry backpack of Jenkins. It hers in first place, and Miao will not allow servant to do heavy lifting after serious injury. Then more arranging, and talking, talking, always more words. Then, after words, after Miao inform Sacnoth that she will inform Sheriff of Sacnoth's banditry and assault on Jenkins, there is suddenly need for resting.

Always Miao's companions are resting. It okay, Miao needed nap as well. Then onward to city.

Suddenly excitement! Pointy One see dragon fly overhead. Real dragon! Miao excited, it rare to see real dragon, and Miao have many many tricks up sleeves for dragons! Then Young One call out, say it only Wyvern. Aww. Not real dragon! Perhaps other time Miao would have enjoyed fighting near-dragon, but not with prisoner, and injured friends. It noble thing again... So Miao followed lead of Pointy One and hid in bushes by side of road. Wyvern ignored well hidden group and instead landed to snack on round-ears and pointy-tusks left after fight.

Wyvern cleaning up mess Miao's friends made. Once, Miao heard it called 'circle of life'. Miao not so certain about that, but Miao Miao still very happy to have seen near-dragon with civic spirit. No littering on path, only noms!

Rest of trip not so exciting. Guard at gates of town very concerned, told us to keep weapons away and go straight to Hall. It understandable, Miao and friends look like bad sketch of trouble.

Sheriff happy to see us, Sacnoth not terribly happy to see Sheriff. Miao informed Sheriff she brings more charges, banditry and assault. Miao happy to note that charges were added. Then Miao disappointed that Sheriff told Miao and Sacnoth, no trial by combat! Miao not certain what other trial appropriate, but never questions word of Sheriff.

While Miao, Brother Warian and Holy One took Jenkins to temple to have arm restored, many swords were sold. Miao very, very happy to hear that everyone agree to share cost of arm of Jenkins, she more used to arguments over silly things like money.

Then it time to hear result of trial. Sacnoth guilty, hurray! Miao very pleased to be given invitation to execution, even more pleased to see that Black-Claw had head chopped off with common axe rather than sword.

It great privilege to be noble one. But it mean acting like noble one, it mean being noble one to others. When privilege abused to harm, it only fair justice is harsh. Otherwise, there no justice at all. Being noble one is great privilege, but also great responsibility.

And that, Miao thinks, is important lesson.

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