The Pigs

Summary

The Pigs are a group of pigs that the party acquired during Session 2 of the campaign, ostensibly on a "test drive" from which they clearly do not intend to return the animals. The exact number varies in party discussion between five, seven, and eight animals. Each member of the party has bonded with their own individual pig: Vasso with Paisley, Sucks with Fajirald, Safia with Lutro, Katniss with Carl, and Monster with Mayor. The pigs function as both companions and the party's primary means of transportation, pulling their cart throughout the campaign.

The pigs live under the belief that they are free beings who have chosen to serve the party. They express gratitude for being "made free," given work, and provided sustenance, though the party acknowledges among themselves—with air quotes and knowing looks—that the animals remain in servitude and are living a lie. The acquisition and treatment of these pigs represents the party's tendency toward impulsive decisions and their willingness to maintain convenient fictions, viewing the animals as individuals while simultaneously perpetuating their false understanding of freedom.

Details

The Pigs consist of five individual animals, each paired with a specific party member:

• Paisley - bonded with Vasso
• Fajirald - bonded with Sucks
• Lutro - bonded with Safia
• Carl - bonded with Katniss
• Mayor - bonded with Monster

Safia has taken particular interest in the pigs beyond simple companionship, attempting to learn more from them using her conversational abilities. This suggests that Safia possesses some form of ability to communicate with animals or creatures, though the exact nature and success of these communications during Session 2 is not detailed in the provided information.

The party's claim that the pigs are on a "test drive" appears to be a thin justification for what amounts to permanent acquisition, as the campaign materials note they "clearly intend to keep" the animals.

History

Session 2

During Session 2, the pigs remained outside the Pinecone Restaurant while the party investigated the situation in Dunko's apartment. Safia stayed behind with the pigs rather than joining the rest of the party in dealing with the geese that had invaded the apartment. This arrangement allowed Safia to continue attempting to communicate with the pigs while Vasso, Sucks, Katniss, and Monster handled the investigation and the goose problem inside.

The decision to leave the pigs outside the restaurant, rather than bring them along or leave them elsewhere, indicates the party's concern for the animals' welfare and their desire to keep them close, even when splitting up to handle other matters.

Session 6

In Session 6, the pigs continue their work pulling the party's cart, which has been completely filled with pumpkins to the point where no driver's seat remains available. When Safia and Vasso check on them, the pigs report that they are "perfectly fine" and have eaten some of the smashed pumpkin. They express gratitude for being made free, given work, and provided sustenance.

The party's discussion reveals confusion about the exact number of pigs they possess, with counts ranging from seven to eight animals. Since only two are needed to pull the cart at any given time, questions arise about what to do with the surplus. Someone suggests creating decoy pigs from pumpkins, though this plan does not appear to be implemented. When Nick Silver proposes leaving the pigs behind for the smuggling operation, Vasso protests, and the party maintains their stance that the pigs can decide for themselves whether to come along—with Cat emphasizing this point while making air quotes around the word "free."

One pig demonstrates concern about delays in the party's travel, questioning whether the party has stopped because they are "japing in the fields"—engaging in what the pig calls "japery memory foolishness." This suggests the pigs have developed expectations about the party's behavior and schedule. After the discussion about leaving them behind, Cat returns to the cart to sulk with the pigs, with someone noting that "pigs are great sulking companions."

Session 9

During Session 9, the players engage in out-of-character conversation about pigs, including discussion of swimming pigs in the Bahamas and the discovery of sea pigs (deep-sea creatures scientifically known as Scotoplanes). This conversation takes place before the gameplay portion of the session begins.