"Hear ye, hear ye!" the town crier can be heard announcing, "A sorcerer child of 10 years old joined a group of adventurers claiming to know the location of treasure guarded by monsters.  During the dungeon delve, the child was badly maimed by monsters.  The parents demanded that the adventurers be held responsible and punished.  The judge threw out the case without a hearing, citing the following law of Unity:
'All persons, livestock, familiars, pets, etc. shall be held responsible for their own actions or lack thereof regardless of their race, age, religion, allegiance, intelligence or lack thereof, etc.  All agreements are binding regardless of who makes them.  All laws apply equally to all within Unity.'

"The judge says that this means that children that put themselves in danger are to bear the consequences of the danger themselves.  Adults are under no obligation to give them special treatment due to their age."

The crier then takes the scroll he just read and posts it on the bulletin board under the "news" section.

Lucky listen and watches the scroll get posted.

"What kind of evil does it take to allow a child to go into a dangerous dungeon?" he asks no one in particular, "I don't care how much treasure there was at the bottom.  That's just wrong.  So very very wrong."

  As the also Sorcerer listens to the exposition man (important yet underpaid job, that) and considers the scroll, he says "The more jaded aspects of my expectations assume the Child who made claims of treasure knowledge refused to divulge this information, demanding to go.  Of course, not that this makes it any less dangerous."

  He sighs, "Though, while this cause for a reminder of these laws is indeed unfortunate, in the long run it is a good thing for those that would attempt to protect any in danger in less selfish circumstances, but are unable to do so.  We met Shina when she was already within a dangerous ruin, after all.  And continued onwards instead of turning back instantly."  Superbird comments "Knowing Unity, they will make vicious exception to people trying to claim 'it's not my fault the kid I force to come with me got eaten', tweet."

  OOC:  I can't help but feel there is a footnote to the judge's decision that reads 'Stupid Newb should have let the Tank pull instead of shooting first anyways.'

Even as Lucky and Terdisas are talking about this, a blond-haired girl wearing a red cloak (Cover-all style) walks up next to them to examine the law. She considers it for a moment. Then glances up at the two. "Who's to say the adventurers LET this kid go? Maybe it really wasn't their fault the kid got maimed."

Lucky eyes the red-hooded newcommer, trying to judge her age.  He glances over at Terdisas.

"Yeah our own experience with such was probably not newsworthy because the girl wound up outside safely," Lucky answers, "And upon reflection I regret that we didn't take her out right away.  Even with the goal right there in the same room.  There could have been some kind of trap around that chest.  And as we found out, the contents were dangerous themselves in their own way.  Not to mention the poor girl had to put up with all those racist insults.  But if Unity tells kidnapping victims that it's their own fault for getting eaten, I'll be shifting my career toward reforming such a rule."

To Liberty he answers, "The adults weren't forced to go into the dungeon.  Presumably.  They went in for treasure."

  Terdisas turns to Liberty and says "Well, if we want to go to extremes with this we could also assume the child threatened people with sorcerous flames if they did not bring them along... But if that were the case I would expect the more sensationalist news outlets would have informed us by now."

  He shrugs, "But, unless we demand answers from a hospitalized child, I do not think we are finding out the exact details soon.  Anyway, I am Terdisas, this is Lucky.  You would be?"    "Chirp, I'm *insert needlessly long primordial part of name here*"

Liberty appears to be possibly younger than even Shina. Probably 10 or thereabouts. "My name is Liberty." she answers. "Another thing to consider is that sometimes, a kid will go off on their own against your wishes. If they do, it's best you are with them rather than the kid going off into a dangerous situation alone."

She looks at Lucky. "And I agree. If Unity starts punishing people for being victimized, something would need to be done about that."

She looks at Superbird. She doesn't know Primordial, but she does know a long name when she hears one. It's possibly for the best Eli has yet to meet Superbird since Eli actually has photographic memory and might say the bird's name in full out of respect.

"That's a long name, chirp." She then blushes in embarrassment as if she didn't mean to add the chirp.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Thu 31 Mar 2011.

Lucky heavy sighs.

"Sadly, there's adults who... you have a point, Liberty..."

He skews his lips.

"Or Superbird for short."

  Terdisas has finally met a new named character without there being some form of misfortune directly preceding or dur...  Oh come on!  That kid getting mauled doesn't count, we weren't anywhere near that. Aw Maaaaan.

    "A pleasure to meet you Liberty.  What brings you here today?  Though I have a certain feeling your interest in this establishment is closer to ours than others."  A cloaked child enters an Adventurers guild rright as they are talking about adventuring children.  Right.   "Tweet, see! I told you my speech pattern wasn't crazy. Other people have it too!"  Awww, isn't that cute? (or something)  He thinks Liberty does that normally.

Liberty asks Lucky, "Adults who what?"

Then glances at Superbird with that blush coming right back. She looks at Terdisas and answers, "I'm here to stay informed on the latest news..."

(OOC: Oddly reminded that I once tried to RP as a child (Eli or Mav I think) being adopted by Kalinka's tarutaru. Kalinka said something like "So long as the kid doesn't talk like a taru." or something. I wasn't sure I understood why. XD )

Lucky sighs again.  Entirely unaware that he's doing so.

"Several days back this gnome comes in here saying 'that girl's crazy,'" he begins, "'That quest would take at least 5 adventurers.'  Come to find out a cleric had gone off on her own after some item because she couldn't wait for backup.  And had gotten kidnapped by goblins.  Terdisas and I with the help of another we met on the way managed to free the cleric.  Pretty much the only reason she was alive was because the goblins thought her gold hair was valuable.  So sadly... There's adults who'll rush into danger too.  And about the only thing you can do is either try and kidnap them yourself, making them all the more determined to go get killed, or to go with them to protect them."

  Terdisas nods,  "Age alone is not a cause, or prevention of foolish acts.  Unfortunately I doubt I will completely avoid such actions myself despite being aware of this."  What, you mean things like rushing off to help glow in the dark amphibious bears?  "I suppose this would be one of the best places to get news about problem solving for hire, which tends to cover a surprisingly broad spectrum."  Even monotonous item fetching notices never collect dust for long.

Liberty asks, "So what is it you two do? I mean... like when you go help people or do quests, how do you do it?"

"I'm a weapon cleric of Avandra," Lucky answers, "I heal and empower my allies while bashing and enfeebling my foes."

He turns to Terdisas.

"The difference between children and adults is that adults should know better.  Thus it's their responsibility to protect children who don't."

  Terdisas says, as he points at Lucky "I hide behind him and shoot lighting at problems our talking does not make go away."  My, how... Honest? It's too odd to be considered humble.

Liberty nods to the two and says, "Well it's nice to meet heroes. For what it's worth, that same kid is physically OK. He'll just be too scared to go with adventurers. Maybe for life, but at least you know he's OK and will stay out of trouble."

"Thanks," Lucky answers, "So how about yourself?  What is it you spend your time doing, Liberty?"

  "Their survival is fortunate, this whole situation would have been much worse if anyone had died in the process..  "Tweet, I don't think injury to near the point or, or even past death has stopped a lot of people in that buisness."  "I am fairly certain Kitau is somewhat more desensitized to violence already compared to the average child.

  ...Wait, was that part of this heroes guild stoff or one of the other Incidental DnD RP bits?

Liberty looks at Lucky and says, "I spend my time scrutinizing laws, making sure evil isn't trying to eat this city from the inside out. I also like to help people once in a while..." she gives Lucky a slightly "i dunno..." look and says, "Thankfully, the number of adventurers is growing."

Lucky huhs.

"I can think of one little girl who could sure use a friend," Lucky says with a smile, "Her name's Shina, and she's stuck here a long way from home.  Would you be willing to be a friend to her?"

Lucky smirks at Terdisas.

"Even Kitau has a soft side, I'm sure.  I think she's got a crush on Timothius.  Not that I can much blame her."

  "No, a shining paladin helping bring a girl back from the brink of death and forgiving her attitude might leave an impression on them?"   "Chirp, your sarcasm is showing."  "Of course it is."   He turns to Liberty and says "I wish you luck with that goal, as I have met academics in passing that have attempted such.  Nursing their soul crushing failure at it in a tavern."   "That's not sarcasm, he really did meet guys like that, tweet."

Liberty says, "Ah yes. Shina... tiefling. Already befriended her. But thanks." Liberty looks at Terdisas. "I won't give up so easy." Liberty finds a place to sit. "So who's Kitau?"

"Heh, yeah," Lucky answers Terdisas, "I don't pretend to know the finer points of justice, but I know an obvious evil law when I see one.  Problem with Unity is it seems to enforce good laws only when it's convenient for them.  Which is what lead to that unfortunate business with Kitau.

"She's a gnome fighter.  Doesn't talk much, but is apparently the type to kill fleeing criminals when other options are available.  Even at the risk of getting on the wrong side of the law.  Willing even to cut herself so she could turn invisible and push past Timothius who was trying to prevent such.  No idea why.  Like I said.  She doesn't talk much.  Except to scream 'get out!' when she comes rushing back because there was a big explosion about to happen.  She took the worst of it.  Killed her instantly.  But Timothius and I were able to bring her back the old fashioned way.  With first aid."

Lucky is looking proud of himself.  Training in healing takes a lot of effort.

  "Chirp, pretty sure if they were dying as opposed to Dead Dead, because then you'd have needed more than first aid there." If somehow Lucky and Tim managed to bypass this, Eletor would like to take notes.  Because he's got crazy Heal skill but Avenger isn't exactly full of healing powers.

  "I believe the 'when it is convenient' standard of Law seems to be the main usage of them in most places regardless.  I will be both surprised, and impressed if Unity is the first place this is gotten around."  Looking back to Liberty he says "Well, it is good to hear she has gotten another friend then.  How was she? It has been some time since I last saw her myself."

  Blake may or may not be related to them.  Or even exist in this setting.  We're still hazy there.