Extortion or my Just Desserts?

[Kaios]

Recently I asked a question in IRC regarding whether or not you can steal from a barter stand on unclaimed land and not leave scents. The answer I received to this question was, yes. You can steal and not leave a scent. Apparently the answer I was told was in fact incorrect.

The barter stand I stole from was apparently owned by the player TAMPAX, from A.D. I was visited by him today, and the conversation went something to the effect of:

TAMPAX: Hi, I am Russian and you stole from us.
Me: Yes, I'm very sorry this happened, and I am willing to return the items if it can clear this matter up.
TAMPAX: No, I don't want the items, they were trash anyways. In A.D. we have rules that even if you stole a branch, we have to kill you.
TAMPAX: However, I don't want to destroy your claim or kill you and your friends, so if you give me 100 mussels, I will forgive this mistake.
Me: I accept that offer, and will get you your mussels.

Basically that's the gist of the conversation. However, I don't know this person and can't exactly trust his word. If I collect the mussels, will they still come after me? I know for a fact the scents will have expired very soon, so I am not sure what I should do. Is this extortion or am I getting exactly what I deserve for stealing. Yes it was a mistake, but usually it's always a mistake that leads to this kind of predicament. In any case, for now I am working on collecting the mussels, and will deliver them as promised.

Suggestions or advice?

[Reimad]

Well, it's a bit heavy seeing as you just took from a barter stand.. But unless you're willing to leave the place I'd just do it.

[barra]

Everyone on irc is a troll. I wouldn't listen to them if I was you.

Pretty much as long as he has a scent he can kill you at any time, even offline. It's possible he'll collect the mussels and kill you there, or he'll kill you later via HF summon. At this point its up to him whether he screws you or not.

Do you have a palisade? Do you have a house inside your palisade? Get your hearthfire inside the house and he can't summon you unless he breaks your wall down first. Palisades are fantastic protection against strong-arming.

Maybe bribe someone you trust for protection?

[Kaios]

Yes of course I have a palisade, and my hearthfire is inside a house. He was pretty blunt about what would happen. Basically 4-6 guys will come and destroy my place and kill me. Like I said the scents will expire soon, and probably would have already expired if it weren't for the huge downtime we had.

I live right next to a town and as far as I know have good relations with them. The only thing I am worried about is them coming along when my self or my friend are working in our home, or having someone who can punch down palisades. I'm not worried about a ram as I do play enough to keep an eye out for one before it's dried.

[sonicfish]

Menthol.

Can't imagine he wont hold a grudge if you agree and then don't deliver.

Marius

[Headshot]

This topic made my day. Lold irl. Tnx op!

[bitza]

Is it extortion? Yes, that's exactly what it is. Do you deserve it? Hard to say, the majority of people would have just killed you. Is your life worth a couple hours of mussel hunting?

If they plan on sending in 4-6 guys after you, chances are they are prepared to deal with a palisade. A technique that has worked well for me in the past is to go ahead and build a ram in plain sight, somewhat far away from the gate, then hide underneath a nearby rock. When the player goes out to destroy the ram, he gets taken out. And 9 times out of 10 he'll be carrying his keys as well.

And having been made aware of what can happen to someone who "play enough to keep an eye out for one before it's dried", keep in mind that your alternative is for the ram to dry. So now once they get inside, not only are you summoned and killed, but chances are they will steal whatever they want, and destroy whatever they don't.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. so my advice would be to go ahead and make your restitution - they have offered a (hopefully) peaceful solution.

ps. remember when you meet them face to face that alts are your friend

[barra]

ps. remember when you meet them face to face that alts are your friend

I think this helps a lot. If you see a ram, spot it with an alt first. If the scent is gone, trade the mussels with an alt etc.

[DatOneGuy]

1)Great job posting it on the forums, now he's probably forced to kill you if those are indeed A.D.'s rules, (I'm not sure on that)
2)If he offered you such a good deal, why not go for it? 100 mussels is piss-easy
3)Meet him on an alt.
4)Move, doesn't matter anymore how safe your area is, move from it, now someone knows where you live and they have a reason to kill you or extort from you
5)Build a brickwall, ASAP
6)Don't leave anymore scents, and when testing scents, keep Ranging on and test within your own place, never on someone else's stuff.

[Kaios]

I was collecting mussels when I posted this and still am. I do plan to make the payment. I am just wary of exactly what you said in number 4.