Owen Wulf
Posts: 715
5/27/2013
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For the longest time I never considered acquiring a gang of hoodlums despite the benefits because i would be forced to do terribly unorthodox things to acquire them (beating up beggars and giving poor sods to the devils). And as one aligned with the Constables, this seemed a tad unworthy of me. But I recently did the Souls Trade Fate Content and the long story short and spoiler free I find myself in need of souls and infernal contracts.
For those reading who consider acquiring this storylet, do remember to stock up on the stuff.
Anyways, a good and gratifying source of souls and inferanl contracts is robbing the Brass Embassy as part of a Score in the Flit. The best option instantly available seemed to be to spend 5 action points to get a large amount of cp, thus getting me to the straightforward Casing of 18 that I need for the job. But, if I get the Gang of Hoodlums I can spend 5 points on an even better option that gives me more for each point towards Casing. I can therefore expediently rob the Brass Embassy and free the souls, but only if I do terrible things to get my own gang of hoodlums. ]
So, what do you guys think - would my character be immoral if he acquired the gang of hoodlums with the intention of using them to rob the Brass Embassy to free captive souls?
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edited by Owen Wulf on 5/27/2013
edited by Owen Wulf on 5/27/2013
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Nigel Overstreet
Posts: 1220
5/27/2013
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"Ethics" is a word the lower classes use to justify their sloth!
What do your supposed crimes truly amount to? Doling out a few bumps and bruises to the mad criminals of The Flit. What do you think your precious Constables do on their daily rounds? If you're afraid to get into a proper scrape, lad, then you've no place being associated with any copper worth his salt. Besides, these aren't choir boys you're knocking about. These are Raggedy Men; 'ard nosed bastards who spend most of their days taking all the can from the poor saps below. The rest of the day is spent keeping other 'ard nosed bastards away from their rightfully stolen loot. You're probably not even the fifth fella they've had a go with today.
Besides, they're madder than hatters. Probably won't remember it anyway.
As for the poor soul you're tossing to the devils, don't pity that poor wretch. He is an informer! A betrayer. The lowest of the low. Dante told of how he shall be devoured in the lowest levels of Hell and you think a little running in the Quarter is the worst you can do to him? This Brutus has no qualms, no scruples, no remorse for his inexcusable actions and you are worried about meting out a little well deserved justice? If you're aligned with the coppers, then I pity the victims of the criminals you would let back out onto the streets because you feel sorry for the "poor sods."
This poor sod choose a life of crime and then choose to betray his fellow criminals, his friends and his family just to save himself a little bit of time in New Newgate? He is a man without honor who choose the path of Judas before submitting to justice. He cannot be trusted to live the life of the law abiding, nor can he live by the code of honor amoungst thieves. The good book tells us how the betrayers are the devils themselves, so I say let them have the back stabbing wretch!
None of that matters a dram, though. If you intend to be a person of influence amoungst the great and powerful, then you need to eschew these plebeian notions of right and wrong. If you wish to truly liberate the people of London from the Soul trade, then you need to be willing to do what is necessary. The enemy will stop at nothing to continue their vile practice and if you are too busy hanging your head in guilt at the troubles of the world, then they shall emerge victorious.
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The Romantic Egotist: Most Hedonistic Man in All of Fallen London
Are you or someone you know Overgoated? Please, let me know!
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Jacob Elliott
Posts: 48
5/30/2013
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When a man goes forth to exterminate an evil through any means necessary, he becomes indistinguishable from the evil he set forth to extinguish.
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Zeedee
Posts: 276
5/27/2013
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*grin* Why, Owen, if I didn't know you any better, I'd say you only came here to get us to espouse your justifications.
Your character's motivations are well-intentioned, though the methods are highly immoral. Let's not kid ourselves. Even if we lie to the world, shouldn't we at least remain truthful to ourselves? (Of course, denial does aid some people in getting a restful night's sleep. Can't sneeze at a good night's sleep.)
Why even bandy words like "immoral" and "ethics"? It boils down to this scenario: when the devils torture the informant in front of his family, do you have the nerve to stare back into their eyes? Can you live with the possibility that they hate you? Blame you? View you as someone more vile than the worst of devils? They'll spread the word, too. Or maybe they'll be so traumatized that they won't be able to feel anything other than horror and shock; then you won't have to worry about the earlier stuff I said. Of course, that's my spin on things. For all we know, the informant was a terror to his family, and they're relieved that he's no longer fit to remain in the household. If there are any living pieces of him left, they'll probably be taken to the Tomb Colonies. You might have saved the family from a horrible despot. *shrug*
If and when you attain a Gang of Hoodlums, it'll be most noteworthy. An entire paragraph might even be required to recount it in "Slowcake's Exceptionals". Fatten up your soul nice and proper... *wink*
Sara's math stands. If you really want to be efficient, you'd attend to some Unfinished Business in Watchmaker's Hill and Spite. The 44 actions are for a 90% chance at robbing the Embassy. If you want a 100% chance (to avoid the 10% chance of being jailed, loss of half a level of Shadowy, and losing a great deal of Hell connections), you'll have to spend 5 more actions.
Something to ponder: I've learned that not everyone wishes to be reunited with their soul; many gave theirs away willingly. I hesitate to say this, but are we certain the C.V.R. does what the head committee says it does? A secret society doesn't quite lend itself to technological transparency. If it turns out they're a third player in the big game of mining soul fuel, I'm gonna be mighty annoyed and impressed. Like, hot damn, nice coverup, fellas.
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Please do not send me monstrous invitations tinged with the inks of the undernight or Boxed Cats. (I rotate my Starveling list, so it might take me a while to reach your name. I haven't forgotten anyone!)
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