Inquisition the Torturing

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend in most of the games I’ve played.

Here’s the drill; the PCs are in a pitched battle, killing off baddies like Han Solo at a storm trooper convention, when a mook gets KOed or maimed rather than murdalized. One PC shouts “Keep him alive, we’ll need to question him!” and the party acquiesces.

After combat the miscreant is bound, awake and ready to be interrogated. At this stage, in practically every group I’ve ever played with, the PCs break out the knives. It doesn’t matter the system, the setting or the characters, the first tool the party uses to get information from every enemy combatant is torture. That’s right, even in Care Bears the Caring Tender Heart will heat up the branding iron in order to make Beasly squeal.

Kill the wabbit indeed.

I don’t want to blame the players for these shenanigans. I want to believe we do this because the rules encourage us to do so.

Nope.

Well at least not in a quick D20 search.There are bonueses for being bigger than your enemy and that’s about it.

Also, intimidation is based off charisma so even with the Muppet dog this man is damn terrifying.

It does not appear then that Big RPG is trying to vindicate the Bush/Cheney years.

Still it’s odd. I’ve played games with Paladins in the group and they don’t bat an eye when their fellow PCs start competing to see who can be the best ‘Dr. Pain’.

What’s really weird is that even players who are strongly against such tactics in real life will let their characters become ‘Jack Bauer’ when these situations pop up.

Why?

I believe the answer is popular fiction. The GURPS crowd will hate me for this but RPGs simulate fiction; nearly every piece of fiction depicts torture as a valid way to get information. Whenever someone is on the rack they will tell the truth, always, at least in popular media.

In some cases this isn’t so horrifying. After all if you’re playing 24, 007 or Jason Bounre the RPG then this convention is expected. Also, I suppose if your group believes that sometimes ‘enhanced interrogation’ is necessary then this can work.

In some realities this man is mentally stable.

However, if you’re as horrified about this as I am I’d recommend taking a more complex approach to interrogation. While torture may work on the cowardly and stupid (in which case just the threat of it will get results) on everyone else will make it harder to get to the truth. The NPC (gawd I hope you’re not doing this to a PC) will get a bonus because he’s very motivated to tell you a story he believes you want to hear, this will, more than likely, not be the truth.

Thanks for listening to my diatribe.

Carry on.

Note: First picture in this blog was by nome63 at Worth1000.com

Knights of the Hidden Sun Souls of Our Ancestors Episode 11

Here it is.

In this 2nd Knights’ Mission Rix discovers how a mission can go horribly horribly wrong.

Hope you enjoy.

Also, the next Tao of Chall post (which I’ll be writing right after this) discusses a gruesome tradition in gaming, at least in the gaming I’ve done.

Knights of the Hidden Sun Souls of Our Ancestors Episode #10

Here it is.

There was a delay in this post because my significant other needed me. I’m not going into details.

In this episode the newly formed band of Knights go on their first mission. It’s an action story with starship combat, urban renewal and a clash of strange powers.

It’s how I run a KoTHS con game; fast paced and intense.

Hope you enjoy.

Knights of the Hidden Sun Souls of Our Ancestors Episode 9

Here it is.

First of all Trent Radio is saved so thank you to everyone who donated. KotHS Souls of our Ancestors will be back next Sunday with Trent Radio being at full power.

This podcast covers Rix visiting Trove’s home base. Here Trove’s superiors have to decide what exactly they’re going to do with their visitor.

Hope you enjoy.

The Alignment Game — Lawful Good: Wong Fie Hung as Seen In Once Upon a Time In China

The “Once Upon a Time In China” part is important. According to Wikipedia: “Wong Fei-hung (July 9, 1847-May 24, 1924)[2] was a Chinese martial artist, a traditional Chinese medicine physician, acupuncturist and revolutionary . . . ” a revolutionary does not a lawful person make. However, Jet Li’s rendition of him in Once Upon a Time In China paints Wong Fie Hung as a man who is a righteous defender of order; in my opinion he’s ‘the Chinese answer to Captain America.’

We need to go back in time and freeze this man in ice so he can battle Dr. Doom

The Lawful Part

In Once Upon a Time In China Wong Fie Hung, a doctor of both medicine and the exquisite art of kicking your ass, is entrusted to train the young men of his city how to fight off the greedy foreign devils. Being a glowing beacon of everything that is good Wong Fie Hung agrees. However, the evil Shaho gang and the foreigners are up to shenanigans. They cause shit, Wong Fie Hung has to put it down. In the process there is a slight altercation with the guards. When the Governor has Wong Fie Hung arrested his followers ask him not to go. He glances at them like their idiots and declares something along the lines of “China is a land of laws!” and lets himself get arrested.

Later, while he’s in jail, he’s told the woman loves is about to be sold as a sex slave to the Americans.

Now at this point even Superman would be like:

Fuck this shit.

Not Wong Fie Hung. He stayed put; it sucked but it’s the law and there is no “Wong Fie Hung” in the word hypocrite. At this stage the guards decided to let him go because the vileness of the sex slave trade outweighed the slim benefits of keeping a paragon of justice in jail.

The Good Part

Wong Fie Hung’s primary motivation is the people. His fellow countrymen first but anyone else who’s not a douche a close second. If hungry Wong Fie Hung will feed you, if wounded Wong Fie Hung will heal you, if being chased by Cobra he’ll open up some old school kung fu on the terrorists. He won’t charge either. Well maybe his usual doctor’s fee but if you can’t afford it something can be worked out.

In Closing

IMO Wong Fie Hung, as played by Jet Li in Once Upon a Time in China, is a Lawful Good avatar. He’s bound by a strict code of justice and he’ll lend a hand to anyone in trouble. Furthermore he’s humble about it. He’s no arrogant paladin. He’s great due to virtue and skill and this needs no promotion. He doesn’t need to say he’s THE Good Guy, people just figure it out thanks to his manner and actions.

That and he has a totally awesome theme song.

Knights of the Hidden Sun Souls of Our Ancestors Episode 8

Here it is.

In this episode Trove takes a detour from Rix’s quest to help out a friend. Rix is a little ticked but soon learns that there are greater evils in the Galaxy than director Smythe.

Also quick note: the radio show’s taking a short break until January 10th due to the Fall Season being over. However, it’ll swing back into full gear during the Winter Season. Never fear I have one more show to post between now and then.

Also, also Trent Radio is still looking for donations to fully repair a broken trancever. If you’re interested in helping out go here.

Also, also, also I’ll make my first post in the Alignment Game soon. Been busy with writing projects that may generate revenue.

Laters,
Chall

Knights of the Hidden Sun Souls of Our Ancestors Episode #7

Here it is.

Sorry for the long delay. I’ve been super busy with the holiday season. I’ll try to get the next episode up sometime this week to make up for my lack of posting.

In this Episode: Trove’s story.

Also a quick note: Trent Radio’s transceiver is on the firtz, they’re up but only at half-mast. If anyone has any spare charity dollars please, please, please donate to Trent Radio. They need the money for repairs. Without them running this podcast wouldn’t be half as fun.

Learn about Trent Radio here and please donate.