Twisted Baatezu Contracts - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Twisted Baatezu Contracts

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Cyriss
Apr 19, 2004 16:37:34 I posted this on another site before but havn't gotten many replies.

My party is visiting Baator for the first time and have started encountering the Baatezu.

I've been thinking up different kinds of deals that devils might make with the party if the party ever needs a devils service. As everyone knows, the lawful evil devils love making deals that they can twist the words around in their favor.

I thought maybe people might like to toss in some ideas for deals a devil might make with a party and how he'd twist it's meaning around so a party is forced into a contract they weren't expecting.

Any good ideas?

Tricking them into fighting in the Bloodwar would be an obvious good one. I havn't really thought much about the wording in the deal so they wouldn't realize he'd make them fight in the Bloodwar.

Another idea I had was to trick them into fighting a lawful good upper planar blood, but again I havn't thought of any wording in the deal.
#2
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Apr 19, 2004 18:15:11 I'd say you could have some fun with Furcas and the Baatorian Ministry of Mortal Relations. They're eager to work with mortals, either to use them, gain something from them, or recruit them into the side of the Baatezu in the Blood War.

You might have them offer contracts for assistance in travelling across the plane, meeting persons, getting into certain places, gaining certain types of knowledge the Baatezu have that mortals might benefit from. The one constant in all of this however is the labyrinthine legalistic language (Yugoloths can rhyme!) that compose them. They don't lie so much as they make it damned impossible to understand the clauses, caveats, and conditional conditions they place into whatever you sign. It makes the 1040 tax forms here this past April 15th look like a children's book. ;)

And just because this is what I do... Yugoloth mediators are always wonderful additions to signing any sort of contract with Baatezu or Tanar'ri.

Imagine it, the Baatezu across the table from your PCs pushes a 600 page contract over to them to filled out in triplicate. One of your PCs says, 'Let us consult with our lawyer.' and a snappily dressed and appropriately surly and ingratiating (at the same time no less!) Arcanaloth gates in. Twenty minutes later the Baatezu is signing a contract himself. ;)

But I diverge from your original question *grins*
#3
zombiegleemax
Apr 19, 2004 22:29:17 Have the Baatezu berate the party with legalese, then have one just come up and say "You fight in the blood war for 4 weeks and we'll pay you the you can leave, one week that's all." Then hands a contract with just those words on it. If the PC's fall for it he has to inform them that they are going on the Baatorian classical calendar, where 4 weeks last about 400 years.

..... can't believe my Taker character fell for that......
#4
zombiegleemax
Apr 19, 2004 23:31:14 If you really want to play with words, here's twist on Dustboy's one:

The present contract is to enroll *insert names* in the blood war to ensure that the Baatezu will prevail.
After you've fought for 3 weeks in the blood war, we'll pay you *whatever the party wants*. After 3 weeks you can go, 3 weeks.

Now what the little devil really means, is that the PCs are enrolled for life or until the baatezu wins. But, after 3 weeks pf labor, the PCs will get paid and be entitled for 3 weeks of vacation. Then, if the PCs are not back, you can send in hunting parties after them...
#5
zombiegleemax
Apr 20, 2004 13:50:19 The baatezu are hiring people to help build a tower, or some other large structure. They are hiring independant contractors to do alot of the "work." The problem is that the contracts only say that they will help in the erection of the building. The problem is, the baatezu are building the structure out of mortals. Your PC's must put a stop to this.
#6
zombiegleemax
Apr 20, 2004 19:10:26 If you want to have the baatezu trick the PCs into fighting celestials, you can always have a contract that states: "The baatezu will pay for the following services rendered: Agents are selling weapons to the hated enemies of the baatezu and therefore allowing evil to flourish. Find agents and kill them. Failure to render services results in immediate confiscation of most valuable possessions." Of course, ANYONE can be selling weapons to the tanar'ri (celestials, who want the Blood War to rage for enternity, the 'loths, same reason, etc.) Also notice the contract didn't specify WHO the enimies are. You could conceivably force the PCs to hunt down agents on both sides. And when they CAN'T, well....nothing is more precious to a mortal than his soul.....
#7
zombiegleemax
Apr 21, 2004 14:13:42
Originally posted by Nordom the Rogue Modron
If you want to have the baatezu trick the PCs into fighting celestials...

Ooooh, that is wonderfully devious. I may have to steal that!
#8
zombiegleemax
Apr 21, 2004 14:20:42
Originally posted by Fimmtiu
Ooooh, that is wonderfully devious. I may have to steal that!

Go right ahead. I'm here to help. ;)
#9
zombiegleemax
Apr 28, 2004 22:40:24
Originally posted by Shemeska the Marauder
Imagine it, the Baatezu across the table from your PCs pushes a 600 page contract over to them to filled out in triplicate. One of your PCs says, 'Let us consult with our lawyer.' and a snappily dressed and appropriately surly and ingratiating (at the same time no less!) Arcanaloth gates in. Twenty minutes later the Baatezu is signing a contract himself.

If I were in that group I'd be more worried about why the fiend was helping us, how it was planning to manipulate us, etc. Although I will admit that its aid vs tanari and baatezu would be quite useful. I just wonder about the eventual cost for said aid.
#10
Agonar
Apr 29, 2004 21:15:51 The Rules of Bargaining with Devils.

First, never agree to one of their contracts - Always have one of your own ready, or be ready to draft one of your own on the spot. Just be careful in how you refuse their contract or in how you present your own, as the wrong method may result in death.

Second, make them think they need you more than you need them - this can be accomplished in many ways, of which failure to do so may result in death.

Third, Sell yourself. They won't agree to any contracts if they don't believe that your services can benefit them - again, failure to do so most likely will result in death.

Fourth, Bring Trophys. Even if you have to shell out all our Jink for the wing of a Vrock, it is well worth it to show up with proof of your prowess. Just be careful, some may wish to test you on the spot, and failure to prove yourself in a live demonstration will most likely result in death.

And Fifth, Avoid all opportunities to bargain with Devils. They are devious beings, and any interactions with such will most likely result in death.
#11
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 9:44:54 The use of punctuation in contracts could also fool PC's, ie
1. We'll ensure your loved ones care.

2. We'll ensure your loved one's care.

In the first case, they are saying that they will make sure your loved ones care about whatever it is you want them to (saftey of city etc.)

In the second they are taking the responsibility for them.

This is not particularly good if your PC's are trying to get someones attention and end up handing them over to Baatezu Protection.
#12
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 12:41:53 "Another thing that'll rattle your brain box, is the LANGUAGE the Baatezu writes the contracts in. Different lingo's can have a translation for a word, and a totally different meaning. Take this example for instance cutter.

Bringer of Death.

Could be, bringer of death as in destruction of a sod's body.
Could be, bringer of death as in a necromancer
Could be, bringer of death as in, that which brings hell to the world.

Notice the rules of three, anyways, this was taken from Common and translated into roughly Lower Planar Trade. I'm not gonna spell out how you say said words in LPT, it'll take too long."

-Fringe Fartale, Tiefling Planewalker-
#13
sildatorak
May 04, 2004 18:36:29
Originally posted by lylaria
2. We'll ensure your loved one's care.

In the second they are taking the responsibility for them.

Also notice that "one's" is singular and makes no reference to the quality of care. Care is also a nasty word since that implies that they are providing for him or her, but it doesn't explicitly say so. If you use care to mean a "burdened state of mind" you might just be giving fiends the legal right to kill you and torment your fiance by using your body as a marionette at your funeral.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Cyriss Apr 19, 2004 16:37:34	I posted this on another site before but havn't gotten many replies. My party is visiting Baator for the first time and have started encountering the Baatezu. I've been thinking up different kinds of deals that devils might make with the party if the party ever needs a devils service. As everyone knows, the lawful evil devils love making deals that they can twist the words around in their favor. I thought maybe people might like to toss in some ideas for deals a devil might make with a party and how he'd twist it's meaning around so a party is forced into a contract they weren't expecting. Any good ideas? Tricking them into fighting in the Bloodwar would be an obvious good one. I havn't really thought much about the wording in the deal so they wouldn't realize he'd make them fight in the Bloodwar. Another idea I had was to trick them into fighting a lawful good upper planar blood, but again I havn't thought of any wording in the deal.
#2 Shemeska_the_Marauder Apr 19, 2004 18:15:11	I'd say you could have some fun with Furcas and the Baatorian Ministry of Mortal Relations. They're eager to work with mortals, either to use them, gain something from them, or recruit them into the side of the Baatezu in the Blood War. You might have them offer contracts for assistance in travelling across the plane, meeting persons, getting into certain places, gaining certain types of knowledge the Baatezu have that mortals might benefit from. The one constant in all of this however is the labyrinthine legalistic language (Yugoloths can rhyme!) that compose them. They don't lie so much as they make it damned impossible to understand the clauses, caveats, and conditional conditions they place into whatever you sign. It makes the 1040 tax forms here this past April 15th look like a children's book. ;) And just because this is what I do... Yugoloth mediators are always wonderful additions to signing any sort of contract with Baatezu or Tanar'ri. Imagine it, the Baatezu across the table from your PCs pushes a 600 page contract over to them to filled out in triplicate. One of your PCs says, 'Let us consult with our lawyer.' and a snappily dressed and appropriately surly and ingratiating (at the same time no less!) Arcanaloth gates in. Twenty minutes later the Baatezu is signing a contract himself. ;) But I diverge from your original question grins
#3 zombiegleemax Apr 19, 2004 22:29:17	Have the Baatezu berate the party with legalese, then have one just come up and say "You fight in the blood war for 4 weeks and we'll pay you the you can leave, one week that's all." Then hands a contract with just those words on it. If the PC's fall for it he has to inform them that they are going on the Baatorian classical calendar, where 4 weeks last about 400 years. ..... can't believe my Taker character fell for that......
#4 zombiegleemax Apr 19, 2004 23:31:14	If you really want to play with words, here's twist on Dustboy's one: The present contract is to enroll insert names in the blood war to ensure that the Baatezu will prevail. After you've fought for 3 weeks in the blood war, we'll pay you whatever the party wants. After 3 weeks you can go, 3 weeks. Now what the little devil really means, is that the PCs are enrolled for life or until the baatezu wins. But, after 3 weeks pf labor, the PCs will get paid and be entitled for 3 weeks of vacation. Then, if the PCs are not back, you can send in hunting parties after them...
#5 zombiegleemax Apr 20, 2004 13:50:19	The baatezu are hiring people to help build a tower, or some other large structure. They are hiring independant contractors to do alot of the "work." The problem is that the contracts only say that they will help in the erection of the building. The problem is, the baatezu are building the structure out of mortals. Your PC's must put a stop to this.
#6 zombiegleemax Apr 20, 2004 19:10:26	If you want to have the baatezu trick the PCs into fighting celestials, you can always have a contract that states: "The baatezu will pay for the following services rendered: Agents are selling weapons to the hated enemies of the baatezu and therefore allowing evil to flourish. Find agents and kill them. Failure to render services results in immediate confiscation of most valuable possessions." Of course, ANYONE can be selling weapons to the tanar'ri (celestials, who want the Blood War to rage for enternity, the 'loths, same reason, etc.) Also notice the contract didn't specify WHO the enimies are. You could conceivably force the PCs to hunt down agents on both sides. And when they CAN'T, well....nothing is more precious to a mortal than his soul.....
#7 zombiegleemax Apr 21, 2004 14:13:42	Originally posted by Nordom the Rogue Modron If you want to have the baatezu trick the PCs into fighting celestials... Ooooh, that is wonderfully devious. I may have to steal that!
#8 zombiegleemax Apr 21, 2004 14:20:42	Originally posted by Fimmtiu Ooooh, that is wonderfully devious. I may have to steal that! Go right ahead. I'm here to help. ;)
#9 zombiegleemax Apr 28, 2004 22:40:24	Originally posted by Shemeska the Marauder Imagine it, the Baatezu across the table from your PCs pushes a 600 page contract over to them to filled out in triplicate. One of your PCs says, 'Let us consult with our lawyer.' and a snappily dressed and appropriately surly and ingratiating (at the same time no less!) Arcanaloth gates in. Twenty minutes later the Baatezu is signing a contract himself. If I were in that group I'd be more worried about why the fiend was helping us, how it was planning to manipulate us, etc. Although I will admit that its aid vs tanari and baatezu would be quite useful. I just wonder about the eventual cost for said aid.
#10 Agonar Apr 29, 2004 21:15:51	The Rules of Bargaining with Devils. First, never agree to one of their contracts - Always have one of your own ready, or be ready to draft one of your own on the spot. Just be careful in how you refuse their contract or in how you present your own, as the wrong method may result in death. Second, make them think they need you more than you need them - this can be accomplished in many ways, of which failure to do so may result in death. Third, Sell yourself. They won't agree to any contracts if they don't believe that your services can benefit them - again, failure to do so most likely will result in death. Fourth, Bring Trophys. Even if you have to shell out all our Jink for the wing of a Vrock, it is well worth it to show up with proof of your prowess. Just be careful, some may wish to test you on the spot, and failure to prove yourself in a live demonstration will most likely result in death. And Fifth, Avoid all opportunities to bargain with Devils. They are devious beings, and any interactions with such will most likely result in death.
#11 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 9:44:54	The use of punctuation in contracts could also fool PC's, ie 1. We'll ensure your loved ones care. 2. We'll ensure your loved one's care. In the first case, they are saying that they will make sure your loved ones care about whatever it is you want them to (saftey of city etc.) In the second they are taking the responsibility for them. This is not particularly good if your PC's are trying to get someones attention and end up handing them over to Baatezu Protection.
#12 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 12:41:53	"Another thing that'll rattle your brain box, is the LANGUAGE the Baatezu writes the contracts in. Different lingo's can have a translation for a word, and a totally different meaning. Take this example for instance cutter. Bringer of Death. Could be, bringer of death as in destruction of a sod's body. Could be, bringer of death as in a necromancer Could be, bringer of death as in, that which brings hell to the world. Notice the rules of three, anyways, this was taken from Common and translated into roughly Lower Planar Trade. I'm not gonna spell out how you say said words in LPT, it'll take too long." -Fringe Fartale, Tiefling Planewalker-
#13 sildatorak May 04, 2004 18:36:29	Originally posted by lylaria 2. We'll ensure your loved one's care. In the second they are taking the responsibility for them. Also notice that "one's" is singular and makes no reference to the quality of care. Care is also a nasty word since that implies that they are providing for him or her, but it doesn't explicitly say so. If you use care to mean a "burdened state of mind" you might just be giving fiends the legal right to kill you and torment your fiance by using your body as a marionette at your funeral.