Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
[X] Recruit Panoramia
[X] Recruit Maximilian

No complaints with these two. I like having Panoramia around, and Maxmilian is a dab hand at scribing. Johan can go get bent, of course.

[X] Take an active hand in the EIC

So long as we're using our profits for the benefit of Stirland and the Empire as a whole, I don't see any reason to not be involved with the EIC, or heaven-forbid sabotage it.
It takes up an action.

You need to put your wizard choices in a plan.

Also, don't underestimate the value (and amusement potential) of Johann.
See below:
Let's remember what all Secretly-Magister Johann brings to the table, okay guys?

Breach the Unknown and Tale of Metal: Know everything about objects. See the creation of items like you were there.
Law of Gold: No-sell enemy magical items like, yanno, Warpstone stuff. Excellent defense against many enemy heroes.
Trial and Error: Know everything. Give Mathilde rerolls whenever they roll up to identify unexplained magical phenomena, which is now Mathilde's job.

And these are just the spells he admits to knowing!

He is objectively the single strongest subordinate we can acquire here, and he costs the same as any of the journeymanlings. Johann is now our deputy, and we're going to drag him all over Karak Eight Peaks with us until he either admits he's a magister or snaps and tries to murder us. And good luck with that, nerd, we don't even die when we are killed!
 
I am not sure I understand the allure of gifting the magic item to magically suspicious priest-knights who don't need half it's benefits by the virtue of riding very scary monsterwolves.
 
[x] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.
[x] Wolf Familiar > Winter Wolf Familiar: Turns out Wolf is a late bloomer. Wolf will grow large enough to ride upon.
 
I am not sure I understand the allure of gifting the magic item to magically suspicious priest-knights who don't need half it's benefits by the virtue of riding very scary monsterwolves.
agreed, we should give it to the undumgi, whos whole thing is Not Breaking. Reinforce that narrative, and it will become self sustaining.
 
Revoting for the purpose of keeping Golden Boy.

[X] Plan 2 wizards
-[x] Recruit Panoramia
-[x] Recruit Maximilian

I'd perfer just Maxy, but since it takes an action to manage even 1 Wizard, might as well have a second so we aren't wasting half an action.


[X] Avatar: You're growing worryingly familiar with being used as a conduit by deities. ???

[X] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.
 
Also, yes, I'm baffled why people don't want a highly skilled Gold Magister as an underling.

The impression I'm getting is that people think he'll just kinda go away and we won't have to worry about him if we don't recruit him, which.... Nah. He's a wizard opporating in K8P where we are chief wizard: if we don't get authority over him, he's still going to be our headache and we'll still likely take hits to dwarf rep if he fcks up on our watch.
 
So, the traits.

[ ] Infiltrator:
[ ] Scout:
[ ] Assassin:
All three of these make Mathilde vastly better at espionage, which basically won one of the battle we just fought and made another much easier.
Good but not essential.

[ ] Avatar:
Mystery box. Even if it wasn't a mystery box I have little interest in divine power.
No.

[ ] Polyglot:
Some situational advantages, but mostly for either research or going deep cover somewhere they don't speak our currently known languages. The first is suboptimal because our research is going and poking weird stuff rather than reading ancient tombs. The second is of little use to an Advisor.
No.

[ ] Marksman:
A massive bonus to combat, a situational bonus to assassination. Good but not essential.

[ ] Collegiate:
Want a chapter house? Want to delegate? Then this trait is golden. However it doesn't do much for Mathilde's personal capability.
Great but not critical.

[ ] Magical Duellist:
Extremely good trait… for open battle. When doing espionage counter spelling means the enemy caster lived long enough to cast and things have already gone pear shaped.
Good but not essential.

[ ] Wolf Familiar > Winter Wolf Familiar:
A straight downgrade of a mount. Only useful in combat and I really don't want to risk our familiar in combat.
No.

[ ] Brave > Daredevil:
Useful for fighting big scary things with teeth. But a bit of a personality flaw. That said it might boost her TT leadership which would make Mindrazor more powerful.
Nice but meh.

[ ] Blooded > Campaigner:
Great when it is active. Shame it will almost never be active.
No.

[ ] Bureaucrat + Practical:
[ ] Practical > Collaborator:
[ ] Practical > Hands On:
Paper writing stuff. Solid utility but very non-essential.

[ ] Windreader > Windsage:
This flat out makes Mathilde a better Wizard, as well as having tons on utility.
Absolute must.

[ ] Disdain for Sigmar > Polytheist:
While it sounds good to negate the flaw… it has never really been a problem. And almost certainly won't be a significant problem given where we live.
No.


[X] Plan 2 wizards
-[X] Recruit Panoramia
-[X] Recruit Maximilian
[X] Take an active hand in the EIC
[X] Donate it to whoever ends up leading the Undumgi.
[X] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.
[X] Collegiate: They say managing Wizards is like herding cats. Herding cats isn't actually that difficult. Can manage three other wizards per action spent.


[X] Infiltrator: Nobody seems to guard anything well enough to keep you out. +2 Intrigue, +10 bonus to infiltration.
[X] Scout: Sometimes the best weapon is knowing where everything is. +2 Intrigue, +20 to infiltrating all but the highest-security areas.
[X] Assassin: Combat is easiest when the other person doesn't realize they're in it. +2 Intrigue, +40 bonus against unaware targets.
[X] Marksman: Blackpowder is a wonderful thing. +2 Martial, +10 to attacks with blackpowder weapons.
[X] Magical Duellist: Anyone unwise enough to try to cast spells you don't want them to will quickly regret it. +2 Learning, +10 bonus to dispelling and inducing miscasts.
 
[X] Plan 2 wizards
[X] Leave the EIC alone
[X] Practical > Collaborator: Though you still prefer fieldwork to paperwork, you've found that as long as someone else is doing the actual writing, you're capable of producing some amazing papers. +2 Learning, +20 bonus to dictating papers.
[X] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.
[X] Return it with your thanks to the Bright College. +2 College Favour.
 
Let's remember what all Secretly-Magister Johann brings to the table, okay guys?

Breach the Unknown and Tale of Metal: Know everything about objects. See the creation of items like you were there.
Law of Gold: No-sell enemy magical items like, yanno, Warpstone stuff. Excellent defense against many enemy heroes.
Trial and Error: Know everything. Give Mathilde rerolls whenever they roll up to identify unexplained magical phenomena, which is now Mathilde's job.

And these are just the spells he admits to knowing!

He is objectively the single strongest subordinate we can acquire here, and he costs the same as any of the journeymanlings. Johann is now our deputy, and we're going to drag him all over Karak Eight Peaks with us until he either admits he's a magister or snaps and tries to murder us. And good luck with that, nerd, we don't even die when we are killed!
This is an excellent point.

But might I remind you of another excellent point?:
I am in favor of ramping up the Belligerent Sexual Tension between Mathilde and Johann and then wiping the charming, self-assured smirk off his face by grabbing him by the collar and shoving our tongue down his throat. :V
 
Just because Johann pulled one on us because we didn't care enough over other things to check doesn't mean he's not supremely useful. That he is a Magister only makes him moreso. Look at his skillset, its perfect for our job.


Breach the Unknown: Unlocks all secrets of an object, from material composition to its properties, including that of magical items.
Fault of Form: A single weapon temporarily becomes less suited to combat; any inherent flaws, unreliability or dangers are greatly increased.
Law of Gold: Temporarily suppresses the abilities of a magical item.
Tale of Metal: By touching a metal object, you can see the circumstances of its creation as if you were there.
Trial and Error: Magically guide the actions of allies near you, giving them a reroll.

And of course, Guile's own words on the topic.

Just because Johann pulled one on us because we didn't care enough over other things to check doesn't mean he's not supremely useful. That he is a Maigstg
Let's remember what all Secretly-Magister Johann brings to the table, okay guys?

Breach the Unknown and Tale of Metal: Know everything about objects. See the creation of items like you were there.
Law of Gold: No-sell enemy magical items like, yanno, Warpstone stuff. Excellent defense against many enemy heroes.
Trial and Error: Know everything. Give Mathilde rerolls whenever they roll up to identify unexplained magical phenomena, which is now Mathilde's job.

And these are just the spells he admits to knowing!

He is objectively the single strongest subordinate we can acquire here, and he costs the same as any of the journeymanlings. Johann is now our deputy, and we're going to drag him all over Karak Eight Peaks with us until he either admits he's a magister or snaps and tries to murder us. And good luck with that, nerd, we don't even die when we are killed!
 
Let's remember what all Secretly-Magister Johann brings to the table, okay guys?

Breach the Unknown and Tale of Metal: Know everything about objects. See the creation of items like you were there.
Law of Gold: No-sell enemy magical items like, yanno, Warpstone stuff. Excellent defense against many enemy heroes.
Trial and Error: Know everything. Give Mathilde rerolls whenever they roll up to identify unexplained magical phenomena, which is now Mathilde's job.

And these are just the spells he admits to knowing!

He is objectively the single strongest subordinate we can acquire here, and he costs the same as any of the journeymanlings. Johann is now our deputy, and we're going to drag him all over Karak Eight Peaks with us until he either admits he's a magister or snaps and tries to murder us. And good luck with that, nerd, we don't even die when we are killed!
What is the plan for that one?
 
heh. imagine, Avatar + Winter Wolf familiar- we become a conduit... for Ulric.
Ulric: "I have no idea how this happened either."
 
Guys, given the huge clue-by-four we got hit with when we visited Wilhemina, a single action to not only keep tabs, but also to direct it to K8P and potentially use it as a spy ring is more than worth it.

It's best if we don't don't give it a whisper of a chance to blow up, as it's not going to be pretty if it does.
I agree; suborning the EIC to be an intelligence asset for us, and through us our College does seem like a good way to get Wilhelmina further leeway for how much economic dominance she'll be allowed, excuse the fact that we have a majority share in a money and power hungry trade company despite our vow of poverty. We can maybe even reap rewards from our EIC shares in a more useful form than cash and economic power in a place we have no interest in-namely, getting information out of anyone who stops at an EIC trading post going either direction on what's now the main trade route to the East (which is going to be nearly everyone travelling it, going by how Wilhelmina does things) and possibly more college rep for turning a potential problem into a direct asset.

Protecting our friend, heading off uncomfortable questions from the College, and building a massive information network? Yes please.
 
[X] Assassin: Combat is easiest when the other person doesn't realize they're in it. +2 Intrigue, +40 bonus against unaware targets.
[X] Magical Duellist: Anyone unwise enough to try to cast spells you don't want them to will quickly regret it. +2 Learning, +10 bonus to dispelling and inducing miscasts.
[X] Donate it to whoever ends up leading the Undumgi.
[X] Donate it to the Winter Wolves of Ulrikadrin.

Edit:
[X] Plan Fields of Gold

Bling bling baby
(Seriously though, Johann is too useful to let go and Maximillian is the perfect paper slave that I wish I had for myself)
 
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I agree; suborning the EIC to be an intelligence asset for us, and through us our College does seem like a good way to get Wilhelmina further leeway for how much economic dominance she'll be allowed, excuse the fact that we have a majority share in a money and power hungry trade company despite our vow of poverty. We can maybe even reap rewards from our EIC shares in a more useful form than cash and economic power in a place we have no interest in-namely, getting information out of anyone who stops at an EIC trading post going either direction on what's now the main trade route to the East (which is going to be nearly everyone travelling it, going by how Wilhelmina does things) and possibly more college rep for turning a potential problem into a direct asset.

Protecting our friend, heading off uncomfortable questions from the College, and building a massive information network? Yes please.
[Stirlandian League intensifies]
remember when we first learned about it? it was literally allowed to exist under the HA's because he claimed he was using it for informants
 
[X] Plan Fields of Gold
[X] Plan recruit everyone!
[X] Plan all but the ambers
[X] Take an active hand in the EIC
[X] Infiltrator: Nobody seems to guard anything well enough to keep you out. +2 Intrigue, +10 bonus to infiltration.
[X] Collegiate: They say managing Wizards is like herding cats. Herding cats isn't actually that difficult. Can manage three other wizards per action spent.
[X ] Donate it to whoever ends up leading the Undumgi.
 
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[X] Plan all but the ambers

[X] Take an active hand in the EIC

[X] Donate it to whoever ends up leading the Undumgi.
[X] Return it with your thanks to the Bright College. +2 College Favour.

[X] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.
[X] Collegiate: They say managing Wizards is like herding cats. Herding cats isn't actually that difficult. Can manage three other wizards per action spent.

[X] Infiltrator: Nobody seems to guard anything well enough to keep you out. +2 Intrigue, +10 bonus to infiltration.
[X] Scout: Sometimes the best weapon is knowing where everything is. +2 Intrigue, +20 to infiltrating all but the highest-security areas.
[X] Assassin: Combat is easiest when the other person doesn't realize they're in it. +2 Intrigue, +40 bonus against unaware targets.
[X] Marksman: Blackpowder is a wonderful thing. +2 Martial, +10 to attacks with blackpowder weapons.
[X] Magical Duellist: Anyone unwise enough to try to cast spells you don't want them to will quickly regret it. +2 Learning, +10 bonus to dispelling and inducing miscasts.
 
Updating my votes:

[X] Take an active hand in the EIC

This hasn't changed.

[X] Avatar: You're growing worryingly familiar with being used as a conduit by deities. ???

[X] Windreader > Windsage: Your magical senses see more than your normal ones. +2 Learning, even more able to see and understand emotion and magical effects in others.

These are my favourites, so I'll switch to shoring up their lead.

[X] Plan Fields of Gold

Panoramia is the Wizard here least likely to get into shenanigans, and in a lot of ways what she does falls more under Stewardship than Learning.

And messing with Johann promises to be hilarious.

[X] Donate it to whoever ends up leading the Undumgi.

I've been convinced that this will have a greater impact than 2 College favors.
 
[Stirlandian League intensifies]
remember when we first learned about it? it was literally allowed to exist under the HA's because he claimed he was using it for informants
Funny, but there are some serious differences. We'd know that the Greys are likely to poke around every so often to make sure nothing untoward is going on, we'd actually be primarily using it for information, and we'd be ensuring we aren't breaking laws or actively hurting the Empire beyond what taking advantage of Roswita's mono-focus on staking vamps allows for.

Besides, Mathilde needs a new morally questionable pastime involving money gained under questionable circumstances, and since she's not going to be dumb enough to embezzle from dwarves, this is a good candidate.
 
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