The Party Plans to Deal with the Guards

Summary

In Session 9 of the campaign, after Vasso recounts the earlier confrontation at the food stall, the party engages in strategic planning to deal with The Guards who control New Smoke. Greta warns them of the danger and reveals that the guards violently seized power three weeks ago through "a great scuffling in the mayor's house," establishing control over all scavenging operations. The guards number 30-50 people in a town of 100-120 residents and are described as willing to do violence. The party proposes increasingly absurd tactical approaches, including Chat's concept of exploiting a "button in their necks" and Brad's alternative plan to cause infighting by revealing that some guards are in an a cappella band. The strategic discussion is interrupted when Sucks makes an inappropriate sexual innuendo, forcing him to apologize and causing Greta to put him "on thin ice."

Details

The planning session begins after Vasso recounts the confrontation at the food stall. The party immediately begins considering how to circumvent the situation, with one member stating, "So I feel like we could probably find a way around this situation, if you know what I mean."

Greta provides crucial intelligence about the guards' takeover, explaining that "They into town three weeks ago. They. There was a great scuffling in the Mayor's House." She warns that antagonizing the guards is dangerous, as they have established complete control over all scavenging operations in New Smoke. The guards' numbers are significant—30-50 armed individuals in a town of only 100-120 residents—and Greta emphasizes their willingness to use violence.

Chat introduces an unconventional tactical concept, asserting that "each of these guards has what is commonly referred to as a button in their necks" that can be exploited. Building on this idea, Chat suggests mass-producing fashionable devices to activate this vulnerability simultaneously across all guards. Safia proposes designing jewelry or armor for this purpose. The party also considers utilizing their Dust Hats and Chat's archery skills in the operation.

Brad offers an alternative approach focused on psychological warfare rather than direct confrontation. Brad suggests they "could maybe let the other guards know that these guards are in a band and then wait for them to fight among themselves," noting that the guards in question are currently performing Disney songs in the food court as an a cappella group.

Greta responds skeptically to the party's proposals, challenging them directly: "In what way do the four of you and the cat hope to overcome any armed men?" Her question underscores the significant numerical and tactical disadvantage the party faces.

The strategic discussion takes an unexpected turn when Sucks makes an inappropriate sexual innuendo. This forces Sucks to apologize and explain that he speaks without thinking when he has strong feelings. Greta puts Sucks "on thin ice" but allows the conversation to continue, though the interruption highlights the tension and stakes of the planning session.

Participants

Vasso — recounts the earlier food stall confrontation that prompted the planning session
Chat — proposes the "button in their necks" exploitation strategy and suggests mass-producing devices
Safia — suggests designing jewelry or armor as delivery mechanisms for the tactical plan
Brad — proposes the alternative psychological warfare plan involving the a cappella band
Sucks — participates in planning but disrupts the discussion with an inappropriate comment
Greta — provides intelligence about the guards' takeover and questions the party's ability to succeed

Consequences

The party gains detailed intelligence about The Guards' violent takeover three weeks prior and their control over scavenging operations
The party learns the guards' numbers (30-50 armed individuals) relative to the town's population (100-120 residents)
Multiple tactical approaches are proposed, though none are finalized or implemented during this session
Sucks is placed "on thin ice" with Greta due to the inappropriate comment, potentially affecting future interactions
The party's relationship with Greta becomes more tenuous as she questions their capability to overcome the armed guards
The strategic planning establishes the scope of the challenge facing the party in liberating New Smoke