suggestion:prisoners

[Gunrunner]

So this is basically an idea i threw together while playing M&B. Whenever you capture prisoners which are not Lords, you have an option to kill them for a random xp value. This can be done by either you or anyone in your party. The "execute" option will be below the "talk" button on the party screen. But to stop useless slaughter to farm exp, i suggest a maximum of 10 "executions" per week. You can choose whether to do this on the battlefield after the battle finishes, or at any random time while travelling.

Opinions wanted.

 

[Kurai Dragon]

Hmmm....I huess it would be rather intersting.... I mean ....getting 50 gold for each prisoner isnt much, and it doesnt matter what kind of soldier he is.

I agree with this idea....but the experience gained should wary on the type of the soldier.

 

[Gunrunner]

yea i guess, but then if you think about it, if your getting exp depending on the tier that the troop is, then people will just go around capturing knights and top ranks getting xp quickly for nothing so it balances it out a little.

 

[DamienZharkoff]

No. This isn't D&D where you gain experience just by slaughtering a badly injured dragon who is completely chained down. In this game Experience is just that, Knowledge you gain through experiencing something. Next thing we know rats will carry sacks of gold coins, as will every other wild beast in existence

 

[Night Ninja]

Which bloody stupid DM awarded you gp for killing rats?

 

[Constantinus]

So this is basically an idea i threw together while playing M&B. Whenever you capture prisoners which are not Lords, you have an option to kill them for a random xp value. This can be done by either you or anyone in your party. The "execute" option will be below the "talk" button on the party screen. But to stop useless slaughter to farm exp, i suggest a maximum of 10 "executions" per week. You can choose whether to do this on the battlefield after the battle finishes, or at any random time while travelling.

Opinions wanted.

I vote for it. Though I would suggest no XP but rather Morale bonus for simple execution - when you simply hang your prisoners on those trees near the road, so others can see how bad you are.

And the option to kill captured enemies in just combat in front of your troops. Much like during training, but with equipment on. This will give some XP indeed (should be considered sparring in all respects, though with a little bonus for the real equipment and blood).  Also loosing in such a death sparring will lead to significant morale loss (and possibly renown loss as well). I would suggest allowing this anywhere, but if there is concern for the game balance - make it available only at the training grounds. No limit for number of executions is necessary, though I would suggest worsening of relationships with the faction which men you do kill out of sport (at least if you hang them near the road - no one is likely to notice those nameless graves near the training ground anyway).

 

[G36E]

I prefer Constantinus's way of doing it, though somehow it gives me the cheesy feeling related to Gladiator.

 

[MeestYk]

I agree with this suggestion.  Killing in whatever fashion should gain experience, whether they are killed on the battlefield or off of it as prisoners.  The option of killing prisoners would open up more avenues to immersion.

However, I would like to contribute another idea to this one.
When you'll be able to kill prisoners in that fashion, there should be an introduction to traits and ancillaries.
Killing instead of having mercy for the enemy should affect your reputation in a negative way; dread.
Therefore, The more you do this, the more dread you gain.  So it can work for you since dread is more like a fearsome attribute to have in battle.
Who would want to fight you with the knowledge that you'd kill them outright upon being taken prisoners? 
As a result, either you gain more respect from your peers or enemies.  Thus, more dialogues and lines ahead for this purpose which should be rather easy to implement.

 

[Night Ninja]

Who would want to fight you with the knowledge that you'd kill them outright upon being taken prisoners? 

They'd fight all the harder since they know that their lives would be forfeit if they lost.

Killing ordinary soldiers should not make major repercussions, but executing lords should give you a major hit to your honour. Chivalry isn't just about curtseying to ladies, it is also a codified system of conduct.

 

[Constantinus]

I agree with this suggestion.  Killing in whatever fashion should gain experience, whether they are killed on the battlefield or off of it as prisoners.  The option of killing prisoners would open up more avenues to immersion.

However, I would like to contribute another idea to this one.
When you'll be able to kill prisoners in that fashion, there should be an introduction to traits and ancillaries.
Killing instead of having mercy for the enemy should affect your reputation in a negative way; dread.
Therefore, The more you do this, the more dread you gain.  So it can work for you since dread is more like a fearsome attribute to have in battle.
Who would want to fight you with the knowledge that you'd kill them outright upon being taken prisoners? 
As a result, either you gain more respect from your peers or enemies.  Thus, more dialogues and lines ahead for this purpose which should be rather easy to implement.

I would like to see "Chivalrious (do-gooder)" vs "Dread" as well as "Justice" vs "Chaos" personality in the game. Just like old good AD&D 2nd edition aligments. And maybe even some cool "Traits" like those from Total War Medieval (e.g. "Pillager" (gained for pillaging many villages, ads to the effectiveness of pillaging villages) or "Bloodlust" (gained for affinity to killing others ,ads more party morale when majority of enemies are slain during battle and increases morale gain for executing prisoners) ect ). Though it would require major game restructuring (like adding rules for aligments, adding aligments to existing NPCs, lords ect.). I guess Personality, Aligmnets and Traits should be a separate topic - since those are likely to cause a lot of discussion. Why won't you start a separate thread for this? 

 

[Cloud Breaker]

Why do you gain experience for killing the defenseless?

 

[G36E]

Which would be why Constantinus's way would be better, kill them at a training ground in a kind of death match, though I doubt it would happen in real life.

 

[yanivno]

how about instead of executing the prisoner you'll have an option to challenge him to a duel where both of you will fight to the death...
if you kill him then you'll get the xp, if not then you'll be hurt badly and he'll escape or something like this.

 

[The Mercenary]

How about you execute him for kicks and giggles? No bonus whatsoever. You just get to hit him with the sword.

 

[G36E]

Don't we already do that in battle?

 

[Untitled.]

Whenever you capture prisoners which are not Lords, you have an option to kill them for a random xp value.

You should bee able to make meat out of them and sell it as pork

 

[G36E]

Not the first one to think of that UNM, Winter made a python script for that.

 

[The Mercenary]

Not the first one to think of that UNM, Winter made a python script for that.

It was in TLD too.

Don't we already do that in battle?

Yes, but this time, he's defenseless, which is much more satisfying. He's just kneeling there, gagged and tied, and you have a bloody executioner's axe or a sword. Yes, pun intended.