[X] Invite the Minister of Education to a private audience delivered in the more discrete fashion.
-[X] Half Truth: Secular education isn't structured to guide children toward any doctrinal preference simply because, for a combination of factors, it is the best of bad options. You have supported various Faith-based mechanisms for communicating religious truths which the realm can afford to discuss out in the open, even opened up ground for doctrinal issues and inter-faith discourse to be heard and ruminated over, ensuring that there is greater interest in the Gods now more than ever, at least without risking religious conflict breaking out over disagreements. And still the fracture points are there and yet to be resolved, much as you are trying to.
--[X] "There's more to this that I'm not saying. But to put that knowledge into your hands now, on how I seek to fix this problem, would place you and the realm at more risk, simply because of how many interests there are that the Imperium not succeed in its goals."
---[X] It's not just that she would have to be Mindblanked, there would be many wanting to call that dispensation into account in light of the timing, and simply avoiding the issue by claiming it is due to state secrets would create yet more friction in the Curia rather than the unity of purpose that you seek. What you point out here is simply something an observant person can infer from your past actions and regular policy.
----[X] "I'm not going to deny the irony of the situation, Minister. I need you to have faith in me. Just as I have faith you will do your duty to the best of your abilities, knowing that neither of us has any interest in dooming the next generation in death, when we have resolved to fight for our lives."
So do you guys think we'll get any new loyalists out of it this?
Even if it's not the actual reason a lot of Viserys' crazier and more totalitarian behaviors make a lot of sense as a reaction to how hilariously wrecked everything is.
I wonder what people will think if they knew R'llor himself prefer to NOT have a fire messiah, since it means that things are getting better than expected, and that the fire messiah is a backup plan in case things go absolutely pear shaped.
I wonder what people will think if they knew R'llor himself prefer to NOT have a fire messiah, since it means that things are getting better than expected, and that the fire messiah is a backup plan in case things go absolutely pear shaped.
You guys met the Lord of Light remember? He thinks your empire is doomed and is keeping his own idea in the back pocket, though he does with you well and hopes to be proven wrong.
Say, did anything ever happen with Patchface? The poor man absolutely has some sort of magic/psionic fuckery going on, and someone should probably handle that before he explodes into tentacles or something.
Say, did anything ever happen with Patchface? The poor man absolutely has some sort of magic/psionic fuckery going on, and someone should probably handle that before he explodes into tentacles or something.
Patchface is one of those characters I never knew what do do with, he sort of exists to do weirdly symbolic stuff in the background and as a minor point in Stannis' characterization. I guess if you had gone to Dragonstone early you might have interacted with him but this late and as we are zooming out... well he is unlikely to make the cut to the ensemble cast. Maybe he will show up in a Shireen interlude one day is all I can say.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Apr 30, 2021 at 3:28 AM, finished with 27 posts and 14 votes.
[X] Invite the Minister of Education to a private audience delivered in the more discrete fashion.
-[X] Half Truth: Secular education isn't structured to guide children toward any doctrinal preference simply because, for a combination of factors, it is the best of bad options. You have supported various Faith-based mechanisms for communicating religious truths which the realm can afford to discuss out in the open, even opened up ground for doctrinal issues and inter-faith discourse to be heard and ruminated over, ensuring that there is greater interest in the Gods now more than ever, at least without risking religious conflict breaking out over disagreements. And still the fracture points are there and yet to be resolved, much as you are trying to.
--[X] "There's more to this that I'm not saying. But to put that knowledge into your hands now, on how I seek to fix this problem, would place you and the realm at more risk, simply because of how many interests there are that the Imperium not succeed in its goals."
---[X] It's not just that she would have to be Mindblanked, there would be many wanting to call that dispensation into account in light of the timing, and simply avoiding the issue by claiming it is due to state secrets would create yet more friction in the Curia rather than the unity of purpose that you seek. What you point out here is simply something an observant person can infer from your past actions and regular policy.
----[X] "I'm not going to deny the irony of the situation, Minister. I need you to have faith in me. Just as I have faith you will do your duty to the best of your abilities, knowing that neither of us has any interest in dooming the next generation in death, when we have resolved to fight for our lives."
There is a strange air upon the Deep the next day, or rather the palace and the townhouses and abodes of its most wealthy and influential folk. Like a strange miasma, the secrets spoken in the closed session spreads throughout the halls and then the streets. Not openly, not overtly, but one would have to be blind and deaf not to notice that something had happened behind the doors of the throne room, something grand and grim.
According to Garin, rumor is already beginning to spread of war in the future or of some secret arcane threat, though no one seems to be in agreement of what kind and he cannot say for certain if it will even descend into the city at large, much less into the wider Imperium as the Princeps and Vox find their feet again.
It is heartening to see that for many of them, that footing is anchored in a greater trust in the throne and its policies, though others had found solace in faith, be it of the Seven like Raymun Darry, of the Old Gods like Slippery Sal, or of the Red God like many of the Vox who hail from Essos. One of the latter had even drifted from a more pro-imperial position to one that is focused on your supposed role as Azor Ahai, making her vote that much less reliable.
But all things told, you have a tighter grip on the Curia than you had before yesterday's revelations and only one withdrawn voice, a Volantene merchant who had tried to flee in the middle of the session only to be barred by the Preatori. She goes now from the Deep with the eye of the Inquisition firmly on her and a warning not to reveal what she had heard in the chamber. How closely she might follow that only time will tell.
You have hope at least that the mind healers, many of them celestials, and all cleared to know about the Sundering, can provide some solace to those who have been most wounded in spirit by the truth of the world, but there is one to whom you speak personally.
You cannot have your Minister of Education in shock, or even beset by doubt, when her task is so essential and urgent. So you make time in your day for a meeting face to face. Nothing overly formal, one of the lesser sitting rooms of the palace that are meant for as much of a comforting atmosphere as can be managed with 'your crown still on your head', as Dany puts it.
The fire is built high in the hearth, but the room is still comfortable because it is facing north into a sheltered courtyard and there is even a minor enchantment to make sure the place stays comfortable no matter how bright the fire it. Ironically enough, there are some plans in which it is called the 'Red Room'. Not because of the color scheme, but because it was chosen as a place adherents of the Red God might be most comfortable, though of course there are no overt symbols of the faith anywhere.
The knock on the door, when it comes, is faint and the minister is as wan as one might expect, though she does her best to hide it. You offer a sympathetic smile and a cup of tea. "I know you must be wondering why I summoned you here today. The truth is, I feel I owe you an explanation for why I chose you for the post given what was discussed in the session yesterday. The truth is that in addition to all the other matters we have already discussed on the subject, even in light of the Sundering, a secular education is the best option, the best of a bad lot of options in that context perhaps, but such is the world. Interfaith discourse is good and useful as long as it is in the spirit of agreeing on common good, but if state sponsored faith-based education was on the table, I fear it would quickly turn sour as the cleavages would seem much more important than the common ground. Collaboration is still a fragile thing. For an example, five years ago most of the priests of the Lord of Light had not even heard of the Old Gods, and if they had the comments would not have been flattering to say the least."
"I do not envy you the task of juggling knives," Veda replies automatically, her gaze is still cloudy and her manner troubled.
There is more you cannot say, not without adding yet more layers of secrets, and a weak link in what is perhaps the deepest secret of the Imperium, a thing that's hardly ever put to ink and always hand delivered when it is. Thus, you add delicately as you are able, "There's more to this that I'm not saying. But to put that knowledge into your hands now, on how I seek to fix this problem, would place you and the realm at more risk, simply because of how many interests there are that want to see the Imperium not succeed in its goals."
A faint smile like the face of the winter sun crosses her features. "Burn before reading is it?" That expression about inquisition secrets had been gaining ground in the central bureaucracy of late.
"Burn and then compost a Heart Tree with the remains," you confirm with a laugh ruefully. "I'm not going to deny the irony of the situation, Minister. I need you to have faith in me. Just as I have faith you will do your duty to the best of your abilities, knowing that neither of us has any interest in dooming the next generation in death when we have resolved to fight for our lives."
"Faith is, I fear, hard to come by for me, unless it is faith in the forges of Wisdom Anu or the deathly magics of the flesh-smiths. For myself, I find that I am too old to murmur prayers to the gods that have kept so much from us for so long and with less cause than you now have. Six thousand years would be a long time to reveal the secret in such a way as would not harm those who put their souls in their care."
"It is," you agree, as far as it goes, though you know that gods are limited in ways greater than mortals who walk under the sun. Most of them could not have unveiled such a thing to all and sundry. You wonder if that is why gods of truth are so uncommon...
"I shall keep... trust in you, Your Majesty, do not fear," the minister says at last. As she rises from her seat, she seems a touch less bent and burdened, though perhaps that is naught but wistful thinking. Still, you do not doubt she will do her duty.
What next?
[] Speak to someone
-[] Write in who
[] Move on to infrastructure day
[] Write in
OOC: I decided to go against the political aggregates for now because organically a lot of people are in counseling, others are getting drunk or scouring the library for information depending on temperament so realistically they would not yet be making factions, well other than folk like Roose who made their play early and he is of course really looking into building on that as well. I will say Mace is kind of screwed as a leader because he did not come out as very stable in public.
But all things told you have a tighter grip on the Curia than you had before yesterday's revelations and only one withdrawn voice, a Volantene merchant who had tried to flee in the middle of the session only to be barred by the Preatori. She goes now from the Deep with the eye of the Inquisition firmly on her and a warning not to reveal what she had heard in the chamber. How closely she might follow that only time will tell.
Please stop writing serious updates and then dropping funny comments in author's notes. The struggle not to rate this stuff "funny" every time is too much for me to bear
Well, if she refuses the Memory Moss (maybe because she thinks knowing this will make her more faithful and will save her soul?) we can always ask her not to make herself Divination-proof. That way any big problems would be caught by the House of Mirrors.
There is a strange air upon the Deep the next day, or rather the palace and the townhouses and abodes of its most wealthy and influential folk. Like a strange miasma, the secrets spoken in the closed session spreads throughout the halls and then the streets. Not openly, not overtly, but one would have to be blind and deaf not to notice that something had happened behind the doors of the throne room, something grand and grim.
According to Garin, rumor is already beginning to spread of war in the future or of some secret arcane threat, though no one seems to be in agreement of what kind and he cannot say for certain if it will even descend into the city at large, much less into the wider Imperium as the Princeps and Vox find their feet again.
It is heartening to see that for many of them, that footing is anchored in a greater trust in the throne and its policies, though others had found solace in faith, be it of the Seven like Raymun Darry, of the Old Gods like Slippery Sal, or of the Red God like many of the Vox who hail from Essos. One of the latter had even drifted from a more pro-imperial position to one that is focused on your supposed role as Azor Ahai, making her vote that much less reliable.
But all things told, you have a tighter grip on the Curia than you had before yesterday's revelations and only one withdrawn voice, a Volantene merchant who had tried to flee in the middle of the session only to be barred by the Preatori. She goes now from the Deep with the eye of the Inquisition firmly on her and a warning not to reveal what she had heard in the chamber. How closely she might follow that only time will tell.
You have hope at least that the mind healers, many of them celestials, and all cleared to know about the Sundering, can provide some solace to those who have been most wounded in spirit by the truth of the world, but there is one to whom you speak personally.
You cannot have your Minister of Education in shock, or even beset by doubt, when her task is so essential and urgent. So you make time in your day for a meeting face to face. Nothing overly formal, one of the lesser sitting rooms of the palace that are meant for as much of a comforting atmosphere as can be managed with 'your crown still on your head', as Dany puts it.
The fire is built high in the hearth, but the room is still comfortable because it is facing north into a sheltered courtyard and there is even a minor enchantment to make sure the place stays comfortable no matter how bright the fire it. Ironically enough, there are some plans in which it is called the 'Red Room'. Not because of the color scheme, but because it was chosen as a place adherents of the Red God might be most comfortable, though of course there are no overt symbols of the faith anywhere.
The knock on the door, when it comes, is faint and the minister is as wan as one might expect, though she does her best to hide it. You offer a sympathetic smile cup of tea. "I know you must be wondering why I summoned you here today. The truth is, I feel I owe you an explanation for why I chose you for the post given what was discussed in the session yesterday. The truth is that in addition to all the other matters we have already discussed on the subject, even in light of the Sundering, a secular education is the best option, the best of a bad lot of options in that context perhaps, but such is the world. Interfaith discourse is good and useful as long as it is in the spirit of agreeing on common good, but if state sponsored faith-based education was on the table, I fear it would quickly turn sour as the cleavages would seem much more important than the common ground. Collaboration is still a fragile thing. For an example, five years ago most of the priests of the Lord of Light had not even heard of the Old Gods, and if they had the comments would not have been flattering to say the least."
"I do not envy you the task of juggling knives," Veda replies automatically, her gaze is still cloudy and her manner troubled.
There is more you cannot say, not without adding yet more layers of secrets, and a weak link in what is perhaps the deepest secret of the Imperium, a thing that's hardly ever put to ink and always hand delivered when it is. Thus, you add delicately as you are able, "There's more to this that I'm not saying. But to put that knowledge into your hands now, on how I seek to fix this problem, would place you and the realm at more risk, simply because of how many interests there are that want to see the Imperium not succeed in its goals."
A faint smile like the face of the winter sun crosses her features. "Burn before reading is it?" That expression about inquisition secrets had been gaining ground in the central bureaucracy of late.
"Burn and then compost a Heart Tree with the remains," you confirm with a laugh ruefully. "I'm not going to deny the irony of the situation, Minister. I need you to have faith in me. Just as I have faith you will do your duty to the best of your abilities, knowing that neither of us has any interest in dooming the next generation in death when we have resolved to fight for our lives."
"Faith is, I fear, hard to come by for me, unless it is faith in the forges of Wisdom Anu or the deathly magics of the flesh-smiths. For myself, I find that I am too old to murmur prayers to the gods that have kept so much from us for so long and with less cause than you now have. Six thousand years would be a long time to reveal the secret in such a way as would not harm those who put their souls in their care."
"It is," you agree, as far as it goes, though you know that gods are limited in ways greater than mortals who walk under the sun. Most of them could not have unveiled such a thing to all and sundry. You wonder if that is why gods of truth are so uncommon...
"I shall keep... trust in you, Your Majesty, do not fear," the minister says at last. As she rises from her seat, she seems a touch less bent and burdened, though perhaps that is naught but wistful thinking. Still, you do not doubt she will do her duty.
What next?
[] Speak to someone
-[] Write in who
[] Move on to infrastructure day
[] Write in
OOC: I decided to go against the political aggregates for now because organically a lot of people are in counseling, others are getting drunk or scouring the library for information depending on temperament so realistically they would not yet be making factions, well other than folk like Roose who made their play early and he is of course really looking into building on that as well. I will say Mace is kind of screwed as a leader because he did not come out as very stable in public.
Made a few additional edits to the chapter, @DragonParadox.
Before we move on from this officially, @DragonParadox, I wouldn't mind a day or interlude updates from various Curia POVs so we can better see how the revelations are being handled.
Before we move on from this officially, @DragonParadox, I wouldn't mind a day or interlude updates from various Curia POVs so we can better see how the revelations are being handled.
I could do this, even in short snippets if you guys want, but I am not sure how much focus I should give to it. Any other thoughts on the matter are welcome.
