Makawmano will choose option 3. But if he can't attempt this on his own turn, what can he do at this point?

In reply to Makawmano (msg # 55):

Sorry, I guess my wording was unclear - your action is an interrupt that happens on Juventia's turn, and then you still get your own turn like normal after that where you can continue to pursue her, or turn toward the other guards, or whatever else you might want to do.  Option 3 does mean that she will be out of "engagement" range with you after you've made that attack, but since she's only moving toward 'Sandra she'll be close enough that you can re-engage with with on your own turn if that's what you want to do.

Still in shock, Barnutan backs away from all of the combatants. There was still time for people to come to their senses and avoid a bloodbath.

In reply to GM (msg # 56):

OOC: Very good. Makawmano will attack now and then reengage later.
Makawmano rolls 25 on 1d100 (below skill of 35): hits Juventia.
Maawmano rolls 2 on 1d6 = 1 on 1d2 = 3 hits on Juventia. (If I remember this system correctly.)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Sun 18 Dec 2022.

My turn? Do I have any fancy options or do I just try to kill the one charging me?

GM, for the NPC Juventia, rolled 32 using 1d100.  Evade 40.

If both rolls are the same level (ie basic success) then the winner is whoever got a higher number on the dice - in this case Juventia's 32 beats Makawmano's 25, and she gets away unscathed.

'Sandra - besides a straightforward attack, other options right now would include backing away so she can't reach you, grabbing Nastasia while she's still down, or... well that's all I've got at the moment, but if you're feeling more creative than me then you're welcome to throw out any other ideas.

I think I'll try to finish or incapacitate Nastasia while she's down, before she can join the fray

Nastasia counts as helpless at the moment, so any attack against her succeeds automatically.  If you're going for the kill you'll still need to roll damage, though you also get a special effect for the successful attack.  Taking a special effect without bothering to roll damage could also be an option, depending on what you are trying to do (I'm thinking here of Compel Surrender, though you might have other ideas - note that if you do take that one it applies only to Nastasia, not the rest of her party).

If there's something else you want to do that doesn't involve an attack, let me know and we'll work out the mechanics of it.

In reply to GM (msg # 62):

Makawmano says urgently to Sandra "Don't kill her yet -- see if she will surrender. A prisoner will be much more useful for bargaining than a corpse!"

I don't know the system enough to have better ideas, so Compel Surrender sounds good. Drop your swords or your friend is toast, etc. We just want your money and we'll be gone (lie).

By the book, Compel Surrender is used against "a helpless or disadvantaged opponent" to force that individual opponent out of the fight.  They must be able to understand that you are demanding their surrender, and they are allowed to resist with a Willpower roll opposed by your original attack roll.  Given Nastasia's circumstances, I don't think she's resisting.  But that only applies to her.

If you want to intimidate the entire group into surrendering, it's going to work a little differently.  There's no Intimidate skill in Mythras (which I find a little surprising but that's besides the point), so for this situation I'm thinking that it will be 'Sandra's choice of Influence or Willpower, opposed by the other NPCs' Willpower.  Situational modifiers are that on one hand they know they slightly outnumber you (since Barnutan has already declared himself out of the fight), and on the other hand 'Sandra is clearly in a superior position, so let's call that a +10 bonus for 'Sandra.

If this makes sense to you then go ahead and roll; if not then let's work that out.

This sounds fair to me, but the choice is Sandra's since she is the one in the dominant position.

Alessandra's falchion sings as it leaves the sheathe and cuts the air, stopping just short of decapitating the fallen woman. The edge rests against her throat.

"Now everyone stay calm, or the bitch dies. Drop your steel and keep your hands in the air. We just want your gold and then we'll leave you alone."

Her voice sounds cold and unmerciful. The voice of a pirate, back to her old business.

Salty 'Sandra rolled 59 using 1d100.  Influence 55 + 10 = 65.

Makawmano holds his club ready, just in case Sandra's threat does not work. He has a feeling she is not bluffing, but perhaps the strangers don't know her as well as he does.

One of the guards growls and tries to advance, but Juventia holds up a hand and cries "Halt!"  The guard stops, and Juventia lowers her sword but does not drop it.  With forced steadiness, and with her eyes locked onto 'Sandra, she then says "Leonora, please go get the cash box and bring it here.  The rest of us are all just going to stand where we are and wait patiently."

GM rolled 55,34,13 using d100,d100,d100.  WP 30, 25, 25.

Makawmano carefully watches the guard who growled, but also tries to stay aware of the rest of the rival party.

Barnutan beseeches 'Sandra again, "Stand down! You had a drop and lost your head!"

With his hands above his head, he tries to explain to Lady Juventia that the (former?) pirate becomes possessed when she drinks, that "it's as if a very devil commandeers her soul."

"God only knows what all those years on the seas has done to her. They drink and gamble beyond the point of madness."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

Barnutan, feel free to make an Influence roll while you're talking.

16:02, Today: Barnutan rolled 4 using 1d100.  Influence check (20).

The tension in the air does seem to decrease a bit at Barnutan's words, though it's not entirely gone.  Juventia responds "From sailor to madwoman to bandit?  Must have been some distant seas to break her like that."  She pauses a moment longer while she considers the situation, then carefully places her sword on the ground.  She continues to watch 'Sandra carefully.  As Leonora returns with a small wooden chest she says "Go on, take it.  That's what you want, take it and be on your way."

Barnutan gives a 'Sandra a stern warning look. It means only one thing.

Makawmano, realizing there is a crisis here, reluctantly asserts such authority as he has and tells Juventia, "Our companion here cannot seriously claim any right to take your money. However, we do represent certain ...conflicting interests. If you are able to give us certain assurances that you will not interfere with our own commission, we may be able to permit you to retain your funds and eventually regain your associate's liberty."

Alessandra watches her companions compound their tactical mistakes: after wasting the element of surprise of her sneak attack, now they are waffling and further losing initiative with talk. Barnutan she had already discounted as a flaky coward, but now she's disappointed to see the Ginto captain ready to give away their secret mission.

"Right has nothing to do with nothing, you islander fool. I am taking that chest and bringing this bitch with me. You try to follow me, she dies first, and then I'll do my damnedest to take a few of you with me to hell. Make haste now!"

The islander coolly replies, "You've chosen your path; I'll take mine."

Makawmano, seeing his party disintegrate before his eyes, says in his best effort at a voice of firm authority, "This is NOT what we are here to do, comrades. If we are ever to fulfil our mission, we must work together. Wandering alone will benefit none of us."

OOC: Makawmano rolls 79 on 1d100 influence check.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Sat 07 Jan 2023.