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Hmmm.


Hmmmmm.

High Priestess Future AU - At the Grand Conclave

The Grand Theogionist was having a wonderful time at the Grand Conclave this year. The wine was quite good, he'd had an easily won but engaging theological argument with a young priest with some entertainingly wrong views on the more obscure aspects of the twin tailed comet as an omen. But most importantly, Ranald's blasted priests hadn't turned up yet.

He'd put a lot of preparation into this year's attempt to keep them out. No less than 5 parties of various size and secrecy had set forth containing the "Grand Theogonist". Three false locations, complete with provisions and fully kitchen and service staff, had been set up across the breadth of the empire. Only the most trusted messengers, highly dedicated priests in their own right, had been used to disseminate the location, which he'd picked at the last second. The location was only shared verbally, when very loud practices with sacred musical instruments was happening nearby. He was quite proud of that, even if the poor messenger to the Al-Ulric had been extremely discomforted by being surrounded by a chorus of howling wolves during his conversation with the Wolf God's chosen.

It had proven quite effective already, three dozen or so cults to minor gods had failed to find the conclave, which was a win all on it's own. So he was quite hopeful that this year Ranald's priests might be delayed by as much as an entire day. They would turn up eventually of course. No matter what the conclave did, Ranald's priests always found it again. But hope sprung eternal, and the major cult heads unofficially awarded a small prize every time someone broke the record for how long they could be kept away. The Grand Thegonist liked his chances.

Yes, so far it had been a very good evening and promised to get better, if the uncomfortable look that the High Priestess of Verena wore whenever someone mentioned Marieburg offhand was any indication. The only blackspot was that the Al-Ulric had been beaming at him all evening. That boded ill, but he was resolved to enjoy himself and let whatever minor victory the Ulrican thought he had secured be tomorrow's problem. Now, to bask in praise for keeping the Ranaldites away for a little longer than usual, or to join in the needling of the Verenaians?

He turned, preparing to go hold the Verenaians' feet to the fire for a spell, and almost fell over a short woman in grey. She was wearing a hat in the style favoured by Sigmar templars, and holding a wineglass which was still rocking from the impact of the collision.
"Harumph" he gave the slightly apologetic grumble indicating that although he had been at fault, an actual apology would not be forthcoming as he was the obvious social superior. He followed it up with a slight sniff aimed in the direction of her hat, as he took in that she had failed to remove it despite being indoors. Still, as he straightened up he was struck by the feeling that something was wrong. Casting a glance around the room, he realised that there were suddenly a number of figures milling about bearing robes decorated with crosses, dice or black cats.

Ranaldites, Sigmar curse it! Another half an hour would have beaten the current record.*

"Ahem." A polite cough drew his attention downward again. This time he properly took in her robes. A wizard! How dare a wizard invade the holy conclave!

"Greetings your Eminence, I am.."
"Dame and Lady Magister Weber." The Al-Uric booms, rapidly approaching from the side and grinning broadly.
"... Mathilde Weber, High Priestess of Ranald."

-----

*Surprisingly, currently held by the Shallyans. Rumor had it that her high priestess had personally delivered several invitations to prominent followers of Ranald, explaining enthusiastically how much they looked forward to speaking to them about the relationship between their respective gods. Fewer of Ranald's faithful than normal had turned up.

================

AN: I struggled mightily to work out how to address the Grand Theogonist. Your Holiness is probably more correct, but it feels wrong because this is a polytheistic society and also because Mathilde might have trouble addressing them that way due to her feelings on Sigmar. So I went with your Eminence, which is apparently what you'd use for a Cardinal. Also I keep wanting to call the Grand Theogonist the Grand Theologianist.

How did Mathilde find out, why was the Al-Ulric grinning? Because Wolf was among the wolves providing the choir when he was learning the location. Mathilde had come to talk about the Eonir situation.

I love it. Hopefully it won't be that much of an AU.
 
I dont rhink it's unreasonable to say that the part of the border princes that shares the peninsula with Tilea might have been conquered by Myrmadia.
It's all ancient history either way.

We don't even have a solid idea of when it might have happened, apart from "after the War of Vengeance and the fall of Tylos, before right now".

Border Princes could have been wall-to-wall greenskins, it could have been Nehekharan holdouts, it could have been the Imperial province of Lichtenburg.
 
I dont rhink it's unreasonable to say that the part of the border princes that shares the peninsula with Tilea might have been conquered by Myrmadia.
The part of it that rests at the foot of the Apuccini mountains, the Lagoon of Tears and possibly Black Peninsula, sure. But not all of it. Though I can imagine a minor Myrmidian heresy that claims she was born among one of the human tribes inhabiting the Border Princes instead, if only so the Estalian and Tilean sects would stop fighting over it.
 
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Yes. That's why we vassalize a couple greenskin tribes first abd make them fight the other greenskins
I mean, that's how OTL pacifying of steppe-adjacent lands worked, yes - make peace/trade with nomads. You cannot, as as settled nation, control the steppes, so bribing enough locals into being on your side is the only real way to be semi-stable.

Orcs are way more warlike than OTL nomads, so I am not sure how this could even work, really.

edit: well, that, and constant unceasing mutual raiding, which may become war if you look weak even for a moment.
 
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I demand the ability to scry into alternate timelines, so I may see all of these options play out!
Celestial wizard was not offered in character creation. Possibly for this reason.
Also, for the people saying that being the high priest is cheapening our relationship... no. Assuming there is such a thing as need for High Priest in a religion, it should definitely be the person who is closest to that god, whatever form that closeness takes, to best secure that god's interest and represent his teachings, not a politician with a fancy hat.

I would take an argument that there are people better qualified for that job, but I think denying such a job on grounds of being overqualified is fundamentally misunderstanding what High Priest should be on account to what high priests usually are.
You just want to make Mathilde your boss.
 
A Tragedy in Three Parts
You put down the last of the letters, reeling from the barrage. To restore your sense of normalcy, you turn to a letter you hope to be much more prosaic: an official announcement of some sort from Karaz-a-Karak...
...Alright, this merits some memery. A story in three parts:





 
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Lustria is the option I'm least interested in. I like all of the characters and plots that currently exist, I want to be able to continue interacting with them. Gain new stuff, sure, but keep the old stuff as well.
 
I mean, that's how OTL pacifying of steppe-adjacent lands worked, yes - make peace/trade with nomads. You cannot, as as settled nation, control the steppes, so bribing enough locals into being on your side is the only real way to be semi-stable.

Orcs are way more warlike than OTL nomads, so I am not sure how this could even work, really.

edit: well, that, and constant unceasing mutual raiding, which may become war if you look weak even for a moment.

I already suggested using the We to supplant their spiders with our own brand of very loyal giant spiders, thus conquering them through religion.

And yes, it sounds stupid, but gobbos also already worship giant spiders, and we have very convincing ways to decieve.
 
How Many Alternate Futures Did You See?
I demand the ability to scry into alternate timelines, so I may see all of these options play out!
On the next episode of Raising Mandred Project:
Female classmates have begun flirting with the imperial heir. It's up to you to find out who is a chaos cultist, a vampire spy, a well disguised rat, or worst of all, a status climbing noble that would break his heart.

Mathilde: Border Princess:
WAAAGH! Go the orcs.
BOOM! Answer your cannons.
It's only the third orc invasion this year. The attack rate has actually slowed down, which means either your efforts at suppressing the orc population have been successful, or there's a much larger WAAGH building in the distance.

Edgelord:Markgraf
Mist billows around you as you ride into battle upon your shadowsteed. There is no time to waste, this enemy is slipperier than the shadows at first dawn.
She is a pale beauty in the moonlight. Finally caught in your machinations the vampire is forced to reveal herself.
Will she fight? Will she attempt to flee?
No, instead she does the unexpected.
"You have unraveled my plots, seized my assets, revealed my spies and forced me into an untenable situation. You have bested me in all ways Countess of Nachthafen."
Bowing low she stretches her fine neck towards you in supplication. "I am yours."

Yes! Chamberlain
"Ambassador, I'm so glad you're here. All other attempts at diplomacy have failed to achieve any approval from the dwarves, just grumbling."
"Ambassador Mathilde is on the case"
Walking into the planning office you see one of the oldest longbeards you have ever seen.
"Greetings Elder"
'Grumble' (mild dissatisfied greeting)
"Which proposal disappoints you the least?"
'Grumble' followed by an eyebrow twitch
"Ah, plan C with the outer layer of plan G"
'Grumble' (mild satisfaction)
"My job here is done."

The Adventures of Meowthilde
The Grand Theologist was having a terrible week. First, some high priest of Ranald had come out of the woodwork claiming the right to vote at the electors meet. Well, he showed her, no chair no vote, those were the rules he made up on the spot.
Then a cat threw up all over his chair. The nice fancy plush one he used for all the important events. It was at the dry cleaners on a rush order to be ready for the vote. And it better be, whosoever sits upon it will get to shape the future of the empire.

Stay out of Swamptown!
The raid was supposed to be easy. A tiny human settlement just south of dark elf lands. A little pick me up before the big event. Now half the fleet was sunk and the rest was in full retreat.
When did the humans get a crazy witch riding a Shadow Carnasaur?

Mathilde: Agent of Wissenland
"Count Konstantin, we finally caught the mad scientist responsible for the atrocities."
"How could a fellow human do such terrible things to another?"
"Well that's simple my lord." You say as you rip the human skin mask off the scientist revealing a horrible rat creature.
"It was never a human to begin with."
 
Don't you dare temp me with such promises of power!

Indeed, because such promises are a gaurentied monkeys paw, and always have been in the setting. If you really want to go necromancer, be ready to abandon everything you love, because everyone, Human and dwarf, will be out to kill Mathilde, and be right to do so.

This has been your local Knight of Morr, now standing by Abelheims gravesite for that eventuality. Because necromancy will only bring an unthinking corpe, which some blindely refuse to ever accept.
 
I am in favor of the Ranaldian priesthood on the following grounds: Ranald has always been there for us when we asked. Now he's asking us to be there for him.
 
I am in favor of the Ranaldian priesthood on the following grounds: Ranald has always been there for us when we asked. Now he's asking us to be there for him.
Maybe we should ask him first what he wants us to do and if he wants us to take the job and why. But also wait to see the other options.
 
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