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Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest

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We had a great turn this time and I think veekie's plan is a good one. I will say this about the coat of arms it should not be overly complicated because we have just been raised to the nobility's lowest tire and there for do not have the history or pedigree that brings about or results in a more complicated coat of arms. Therefore we should keep it relatively simple while still touching on Mathilde's accomplishments and the organization she is a part of.
[X][Action] In The Darkness We Watch
[X] Surname: keep Weber
[X] Coat: Exmorri
[X] Motto: Unseen, but not Unfelt
 
HanEmpire said:
The cheap way out is to mutilate all corpses so that if the dead rise again they're all cripples. Undead hordes aren't that scary when they're just torsos with stumps.
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And bury them upside down. Just to make sure they can't dig out normally.

Alectai said:
Fairly sure this drives Morrites wild though, because it's desecrating the dead.
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Eh, depends on the circumstances. Done in the field with no proper Garden or clergy around, well, they wouldn't LIKE it, but they understand why.

So long as later you give the location so they can go do the rites and such, I think they'd be fine. As for descreation, it's like this:

Weekend at Bernies? Bad, very bad.

Mutilating them to ensure that a filthy necromancer doesn't use them against you? Good.
 
That's not necromancy, that's Vampire Immunity.

Which is to say, Vampires are the only legitimately immortal material entities in the setting. As long as you have some fragment of their body, they can be revived.
 
Am I the only one who *doesn't* want Mathilde to invest in the trading company?

Of course it's the rationally selfish thing to do. But characterization-wise, it feels like borrowing 1,000 crowns to invest in this trading company is a giant change for her personality-wise. Overall, Mathilde did not seem to be that much the profit-seeking/flashy type, and relatively loyal to the strictures of her order [even if not obeying them to the letter.] Suddenly we're going to toss that aside, borrowing more than our student loans to become a wealthy investor/merchant/trader? This isn't quite something that could be justified to the Gray Order as anything necessary for our position or her status as nobility. [Besides don't we have to give up all our worldly possessions when we go and become a magister?]

There are a ridiculous number of warhammer quests about nobles who are rich and own a lot of property; I kind of liked that this quest was unique in that our character was rather more down-to-earth.
 
[X] [Surname] Keep Weber
[X] [Coat] A cat clinging to a great sword.
[X] [Motto] Hang in there.

Good enough for me.
 
Seleucus said:
Am I the only one who *doesn't* want Mathilde to invest in the trading company?

Of course it's the rationally selfish thing to do. But characterization-wise, it feels like borrowing 1,000 crowns to invest in this trading company is a giant change for her personality-wise. Overall, Mathilde did not seem to be that much the profit-seeking/flashy type, and relatively loyal to the strictures of her order [even if not obeying them to the letter.] Suddenly we're going to toss that aside, borrowing more than our student loans to become a wealthy investor/merchant/trader? This isn't quite something that could be justified to the Gray Order as anything necessary for our position or her status as nobility. [Besides don't we have to give up all our worldly possessions when we go and become a magister?]

There are a ridiculous number of warhammer quests about nobles who are rich and own a lot of property; I kind of liked that this quest was unique in that our character was rather more down-to-earth.
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Its justified as long as , she uses the wealth to protect Stirland.
 
Seleucus said:
Am I the only one who *doesn't* want Mathilde to invest in the trading company?

Of course it's the rationally selfish thing to do. But characterization-wise, it feels like borrowing 1,000 crowns to invest in this trading company is a giant change for her personality-wise. Overall, Mathilde did not seem to be that much the profit-seeking/flashy type, and relatively loyal to the strictures of her order [even if not obeying them to the letter.] Suddenly we're going to toss that aside, borrowing more than our student loans to become a wealthy investor/merchant/trader? This isn't quite something that could be justified to the Gray Order as anything necessary for our position or her status as nobility. [Besides don't we have to give up all our worldly possessions when we go and become a magister?]

There are a ridiculous number of warhammer quests about nobles who are rich and own a lot of property; I kind of liked that this quest was unique in that our character was rather more down-to-earth.
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It's not like we're going to blow the money on blackjack and hookers. The stuff we need to do costs money, and this is a constant supply we don't have to manage personally.
 
The plan of action has a solid consensus but the motto and coat of arms less so - 'Unseen, but not Unfelt' and 'Unseen, but not Undone' are in the lead for motto but still need to be decided between.

Then there are three coats in contention:

A grey flamberge thrust into the ground on a field of black. Grey clouds across the top and a grey band across the bottom, with two cats on the bottom band flanking and menacing a snake under the swordpoint.
A greatsword cuts apart a serpent on a gray field. The sword and serpent cast a black shadow.
(demonstrative only, not final version)

I'll leave the voting open for another two hours from now because I've only just gotten home and need to unwind a bit before I can get to writing, so if you haven't already weighed in now's the time.
Adhoc vote count started by BoneyM on Feb 8, 2018 at 3:21 AM, finished with 170 posts and 42 votes.
  • [X] [Surname] Keep Weber
    [X][Action] In The Darkness We Watch
    [X] [Motto] Unseen, but not Unfelt.
    [X] [Motto] Unseen, but not Undone.
    [X] [Coat] A grey flamberge thrust into the ground on a field of black. Grey clouds across the top and a grey band across the bottom, with two cats on the bottom band flanking and menacing a snake under the swordpoint.
    [X] [Coat] A greatsword cuts apart a serpent on a gray field. The sword and serpent cast a black shadow.
    [X] [Coat] [Exmorri]
    [X][Action] In The Darkness We Watch
    -[X] Rewrite the relevant part of the legal code of Stirland so that the Watch reports to you, personally. (will face pushback from existing Watchmen; will take two turns; the Watch will come permanently under your control)
    -[X] Spread some coin around so that a cross-section of the Watch passes on information to you as well as their superiors.
    -[X] Delegation - Ground Floor: Start putting people on your payroll into the EIC before it even begins, so you'll have information flowing right from the start. (NEW)
    -[X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    -[X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    -[X] Enchantment: So far you've failed to find suitable equipment (damn Wizard Chic) but you could always try again with local goods. (-discretionary gold, action required to set up and learn to use equipment)
    --[X] If unable to buy the stuff(again) do this instead of setting it up:
    ---[X] Final Round-up: You're so close to mastering all the lesser magics. Just one final push and you'll have them all. (NEW)
    -[X] Weber's Box: It has a nice ring to it, but you've got no idea what 'Weber's Box' actually is, or what's going on in there. Have a very, very careful look at it. (NEW)
    --[X] Ranald's Blessing on Weber's Box
    -[X] Free Time: Now well-established in Wurtbad, you can spend some time in your scant off hours getting to know someone better. Pick one character. (no action required) (NEW)
    --[X] Kasmir
    ---[X] Apologize for your previous sharpness, which was partly due to finding out just how badly the castle was infiltrated and having spent nearly the whole year on rooting them out.
    [X] Coat: Exmorri
    [X] [Motto] Beware Chance
    [X] [Coat] Bright shadow
    [X] [Motto] Hang in there.
    [X] [Coat] A cat clinging to a great sword.
    [X] Motto: Unseen, but not Unfelt
    [X] Unseen, but not Undone
    [X]
    [X] Surname: keep Weber
    [X] [Motto] Eyes in the Shadows (Augen im die Schatten)
    [X] [Motto] Justice, Loyalty, Service
    [X] The Watch and the EIC
    [X] [Coat] A silver and black party per saltire emblazoned with a greatswordthrough an ouroboros.
    [X] [Motto] From the shadows we serve the light
    [X] Coat of Arms: 'Hang in there, kitty!'
    [x] the picture
    [X] The Watch and the EIC
    -[X] Rewrite the relevant part of the legal code of Stirland so that the Watch reports to you, personally. (will face pushback from existing Watchmen; will take two turns; the Watch will come permanently under your control)
    -[X] Expand the ranks of the Watch, so that they're able to start covering even the poorer parts of Wurtbad.
    -[X] Expand the Watch to cover the rest of the County of Wurtbad
    -[X] Down Below: Your time in the sewers made you realize just how much of a maze there is down there, and you wonder what could be lurking down in the dark (apart from your fellow devotees of Ranald). Get in touch with the various groups of rat catchers, sewer jacks and gong farmers that deal with it.
    --[X]Ranald's Blessing
    -[X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    -[X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    -[X] Ground Floor: Start putting people on your payroll into the EIC before it even begins, so you'll have information flowing right from the start. (NEW)
    [X] Final Round-up: You're so close to mastering all the lesser magics. Just one final push and you'll have them all. (NEW)
    [X] [Coat] DocMatoi's Picture
    [X] Free Time: Now well-established in Wurtbad, you can spend some time in your scant off hours getting to know someone better. Pick one character. (no action required) (NEW) Talk with your liege more.
    [X] Consolidation: You currently have a patchwork of useful contacts. Backfill so that you can rightfully claim to cover entire towns. (NEW)
    [X] Tutoring: One of your fellow councillors may be willing to teach you in their chosen field (choose who) - Anton to teach you about behaving like a noble.
    [X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    [X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    [X] [Coat] Over a field of black upon which two thin bands of grey form an X there's a grey flamberge, point down, trespassing a coiled snake with subtle horns. The snake is coiled as to resembled an infinity symbol.
    [X] [Motto] Don't Tread On Me
    [X] [Coat] A Black Snake, writhing and cut into fifths, on a field of light grey. Above it a pair of black cats, sitting down with their paws touching, forming an arch or a door over the snake.
    [X] [Coat] A white flamberge thrust into the ground on a field of black,with a grey shawl wrapped around it, hilt and blade, fluttering in the wind. Grey clouds across the top and a grey band across the bottom, with two cats on the bottom band flanking and menacing a snake under the swordpoint.
    [X] Plan Incorporate the Watch
    -[X] Rewrite the relevant part of the legal code of Stirland so that the Watch reports to you, personally. (will face pushback from existing Watchmen; will take two turns; the Watch will come permanently under your control)
    -[X] Integrate the Roadwarden network into the Watch.
    -[X] Integrate the rat catchers, sewer-jacks and gong farmers into the Watch.
    -[X] Ground Floor: Start putting people on your payroll into the EIC before it even begins, so you'll have information flowing right from the start. (NEW)
    -[X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    -[X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    -[X] Free Time: Now well-established in Wurtbad, you can spend some time in your scant off hours getting to know someone better. Kasmir. (no action required) (NEW)
    -[X] Expand the ranks of the Watch, so that they're able to start covering even the poorer parts of Wurtbad.
    -[X] Renald's Blessing.
    -[X] Expand the Watch to cover the rest of the County of Wurtbad
    -[X] (optional) Suggest a coat of arms, either by description or linking an image. A Grey Shield. Upper left: a snake being crushed in a woman's hand. Upper right: A black cat. Lower Right: A sword. Lower Left: An ornate leaking box.
    -[X] (optional) Family motto. Always Watching
    [X] Plan Have I got a deal for you
    -[X] Rewrite the relevant part of the legal code of Stirland so that the Watch reports to you, personally. (will face pushback from existing Watchmen; will take two turns; the Watch will come permanently under your control)
    -[X] Expand the ranks of the Watch, so that they're able to start covering even the poorer parts of Wurtbad.
    -[X] Ground Floor: Start putting people on your payroll into the EIC before it even begins, so you'll have information flowing right from the start. (NEW)
    -[X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    -[X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    -[X] Enchantment: You're naturally talented at enchantment; so far, this just amounts to being able to make your desk meow for about an hour. See if you can improve on that, or at least figure out a way to make that useful.
    -[X] Enchantment: So far you've failed to find suitable equipment (damn Wizard Chic) but you could always try again with local goods. (-discretionary gold, action required to set up and learn to use equipment)
    -[X] Undead Research: This is Stirland. Time to bone up on your knowledge of the Undead.
    -[X] Free Time: Now well-established in Wurtbad, you can spend some time in your scant off hours getting to know someone better. Pick one character. (no action required) (NEW)
    --[X] Kasmir
    --[X]Ranald's Blessing
    [X] (Surname) Temere, Latin for "to beware" and "by chance, by accident, at random"
    [X] (Motto) "Pounce onto the interesting"
    [X] (Coat of Arms) Snake scaled box punctured by a sword. The box is firmly closed.
    [X][Action] Watch from on High
    -[X] Rewrite the relevant part of the legal code of Stirland so that the Watch reports to you, personally. (will face pushback from existing Watchmen; will take two turns; the Watch will come permanently under your control)
    -[X] Expand the ranks of the Watch, so that they're able to start covering even the poorer parts of Wurtbad.
    -[X] Delegation - Ground Floor: Start putting people on your payroll into the EIC before it even begins, so you'll have information flowing right from the start. (NEW)
    -[X] Investment: Wilhelmina has offered you the limited-time chance to become a founding shareholder in the EIC; the buy-in will be a cool 1000 crowns, but with Van Hal's permission, Wilhelmina has offered you an interest-free loan from the Stirlandian Treasury to cover it, and promises that unless something goes terribly wrong, the dividends will more than pay for it. (NEW)
    -[X] Knighthood: There's a ceremony, of course. And a number of oaths to make. And you'll have to visit your 'estate'. But gosh. Dame Mathilde. (NEW)
    -[X] Final Round-up: You're so close to mastering all the lesser magics. Just one final push and you'll have them all.
    -[X] Weber's Box: It has a nice ring to it, but you've got no idea what 'Weber's Box' actually is, or what's going on in there. Have a very, very careful look at it.
    -[X] Free Time: Now well-established in Wurtbad, you can spend some time in your scant off hours getting to know someone better. Pick one character. (no action required) (NEW)
    --[X] Van Hal
    [X] Unseen, but not Unfelt'
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Seleucus said:
Am I the only one who *doesn't* want Mathilde to invest in the trading company?

Of course it's the rationally selfish thing to do. But characterization-wise, it feels like borrowing 1,000 crowns to invest in this trading company is a giant change for her personality-wise. Overall, Mathilde did not seem to be that much the profit-seeking/flashy type, and relatively loyal to the strictures of her order [even if not obeying them to the letter.] Suddenly we're going to toss that aside, borrowing more than our student loans to become a wealthy investor/merchant/trader? This isn't quite something that could be justified to the Gray Order as anything necessary for our position or her status as nobility. [Besides don't we have to give up all our worldly possessions when we go and become a magister?]

There are a ridiculous number of warhammer quests about nobles who are rich and own a lot of property; I kind of liked that this quest was unique in that our character was rather more down-to-earth.
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90% sure that the vast majority of the returns, after paying off the debts, are going to be funding the spy networks and/or improving the estates we now own as part of our religious obligations.

Remember, we're a landowner now, and by Ranald that means our tenants must be protected!
 
Seleucus said:
Of course it's the rationally selfish thing to do. But characterization-wise, it feels like borrowing 1,000 crowns to invest in this trading company is a giant change for her personality-wise.
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Are we even talking about the same character? The one who brought a noble friend to the best carpenter in town so he would drop everything and make expensive furniture for her? The girl who sleeps in a place called the Buried Palace and spends money she shouldn't have to renovate it? Who has been embezzling money since the game started? Who when asked for a boon, instantly answered that she wanted to be a noble, and came from a peasant background. That's the character you want to argue isn't materialistic or profit seeking.

I find her materialism in the face of forced poverty a very humanizing characteristic. That she still wants things is good writing. However, it undercuts your position that she's always been this ascetic witch, keeping to the magister code and this sudden spike of greed comes from nowhere. She still has had multiple IC actions to make money on the side, sometimes to the detriment of Stirland.

I've absolutely no idea how you came to the conclusion that she hasn't used the loophole in the magister code to acquire personal things.
 
And by writing I apparently mean 'messing around in paint'.

As you're all about to learn, I'm no artist, but I've taken a shot at a simple, stylized version of Mathilde's shield. If there's anyone out there willing and able to do better I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to welcome it.

 
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