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Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest

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@BoneyM

What does our new bff look like? Hair color? Dress? Physique?

I want to find a picture for her on my off time.
 
I don't think that Mindhole work's with what Veekie has planned.

BoneyM said:
K / Mindhole: A target at short range will forget everything they know of you.
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Mathilde wouldn't just be able to erase certain parts of Julia's memory. It's either we don't use it at all, or we erase everything she knows of us. Also, if we don't trust Julia, why hire her in the first place. Right now she would be our second-in-command of our spy network. If we can't trust her to deal with our reports of our watchmen and spies, which right now is all we're doing, what exactly are we entrusting her with? And even if we were worried she's some kind of double agent, she could just accept the conditions anyway. It just means she'll trust Mathilde less and be far more cautious in betraying us.
 
DocMatoi said:
Nah, commisars are more in the line of warrior priests. The witch hunters are the inquisition.
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I was making reference to actual commisars, you know- the Soviet Union's political officers, but I'd say, mechanically, commisars were generally more about rooting out cowards than they were about inspiring people, thereby making them more like Witch Hunters than war priests.

On your comparison to the inquisition, yes that would be a closer approximation, but that doesn't have as funny real world references.
 
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veekie said:
Word of GM is that he's currently receptive with Ranald's ideals, since thats how he does things to begin with. If you disagree, I believe there's one no-Ranald vote floating around to use.

The issue here is that nobody around him is helping with his faith, the Sigmarite is driving him away from it at full speed, while theres a lack of any other faiths to actually talk about it. So why not see if he's receptive to the idea? I don't really want to chance him continuing to slide down the crisis of faith slope as an Elector. That way lies Chaos.
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So he should just appear going Chaotic to everybody else? It is better, but the Elector is in the public eye and Van Hal has very little Intrigue. He won't be able to hide his religious crisis for long, and Ranald worship is by its nature secret. Him not being religious will raise a lot of red flags with everybody.
 
[x] Veekie.

I'd write my own plan but Veekie's is good. I just wish we can somehow interview Schultz and gain an understanding the Talbacland.
 
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Saotome Nakazawa said:
Why not just, let the infiltrator go, its not like it makes a difference, other infiltrators have escaped. They were mostly defused as a threat, the castle secured, there was no reason to execute or imprison her.

She died for nothing.
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Well technically, I'd say she died to keep her family safe and tax-free, and we killed her because even as pro-peasant as we are going soft on enemy sleeper agents is a bad precedent in a crapsack world like Warhammer.
veekie said:
[X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
-[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
-[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
-[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
--[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.


[X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia

[X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
-[X] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
--[X] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
--[X] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
--[X] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
--[X] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
--[X] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
-[X] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.

[X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
-[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
-[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
-[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
--[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
--[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
-[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
-[X] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!

[X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
-[X] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
--[X] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
-[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
--[X] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
-[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
--[X] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
-[X] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
--[X] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.

For the private report. Anyone who objects can just cut the last line and make a new plan! The entire Ranald thing is there only.
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I would have the Greatswords tailing everyone two by two where convenient, not just Julia.
 
Zedman7054 said:
I don't think that Mindhole work's with what Veekie has planned.

Mathilde wouldn't just be able to erase certain parts of Julia's memory. It's either we don't use it at all, or we erase everything she knows of us. Also, if we don't trust Julia, why hire her in the first place. Right now she would be our second-in-command of our spy network. If we can't trust her to deal with our reports of our watchmen and spies, which right now is all we're doing, what exactly are we entrusting her with? And even if we were worried she's some kind of double agent, she could just accept the conditions anyway. It just means she'll trust Mathilde less and be far more cautious in betraying us.
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As I understand it, veekie's plan is to potentially erase everything she knows of us if the conversation goes wrong, then have Anton re-introduce her to us if necessary. Which might raise some odd questions if Julia states to anyone else her new opinion of when she met Mathilde.
 
Mindhole has too many permanent effects and using it on allies is stupid.

She has high enough intrigue to not be bothered by us doing shady stuff on the side anyway.

[X] Veekie
-[X] Not mindhole.
 
Ian Drash said:
- Ranald frowns on unnecessary violence
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Violence against heretics and Sylvanians are entirely necessary, though.
BoneyM said:
Traits are a narrative thing. While Mathilde had her nose to the grindstone this turn it didn't feel to me like she was acting in a way that would have permanent effects on her personality.
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So the Interrogator trait is more about Weber learning a new skill and Van Hal not needing to hold her hand (boo) during interrogations and torture.
 
@veekie , @Exmorri

It's fine to ask Van Hal for help with the Asp/Thorned One. From a report:

'He smiles and shakes his head again. "If there's a solution to the snake I can help with, let me know."'

He might even be able ask his Order how to deal with it.

I'd even suggest that training could be a *suggested action* this turn. We have gaps in our experience, as this castle episode highlighted, so we'd like to reflect on the lessons- especially as we'll be taking on a second.
 
DarkLight140 said:
My understanding is that due to GM policy, an order to "give him all the information" will bounce. @BoneyM, please confirm if this is so; if it is, then this plan needs to track down exactly what additional information Van Hal is getting here. I can't think of anything other than the Jade Wizard bit, to be honest.
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Correct. The Jade Wizard aunt is one sticking point. Do you tell him about the midnight snacks? About WIlhelmina's anti-Sigmarite bent? Every single interaction you've ever had with any of them? The only reason not to specify what you are telling him is that you're hoping the QM will remember something you don't, which is cheeky.

DarkLight140 said:
It sounds like constructing the mirrors is going to require either hiring a specialist to do it, assigning Julia to the job, or asking Van Hal to manage it.
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You can probably do it yourself.

Lord Hater said:
@BoneyM

What does our new bff look like? Hair color? Dress? Physique?

I want to find a picture for her on my off time.
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Lithe, brunette burgher.


Regarding memory wipe: it cannot be emphasized enough how much just mentioning your ability to do this is likely to freak out your prospective new hire, and indeed literally anyone you tell it to. Casually talking about reaching into someone's living psyche and tearing out chunks of their life experiences is not a normal thing to do.
Adhoc vote count started by BoneyM on Feb 3, 2018 at 2:59 PM, finished with 138 posts and 26 votes.
  • [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
    -[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
    -[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
    --[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
    [X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
    -[X] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
    --[X] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
    --[X] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
    --[X] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
    --[X] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
    --[X] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
    -[X] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
    -[X] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!
    [X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
    -[X] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
    --[X] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
    -[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
    --[X] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
    -[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
    --[X] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
    -[X] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
    --[X] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.
    [X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia
    [X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
    [X] No Mindhole. No mentioning Mindhole. Just, no.
    [X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.
    [X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
    [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
    -[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
    -[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
    --[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
    [X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia
    [X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
    -[X] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
    --[X] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
    --[X] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
    --[X] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
    --[X] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
    --[X] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
    -[X] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
    -[X] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!
    [X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
    -[X] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
    --[X] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
    -[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
    --[X] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
    -[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
    --[X] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
    -[X] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
    --[X] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.
    -[X] No Mindhole. No mentioning Mindhole. Just, no.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only. No Ranald Edition
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
    [X] [Orders] Plan Doublehof
    -[X] You could focus on looking into the present state of Drakenhof. Send informers to villages in the vicinity, and look for people who fled or defected from there recently. This would tell us what's going on now.
    -[X] Or you could look for records about it. Vampires 'live' long enough that bards and loremasters would probably know something about the current inhabitants of Drakenhof. This would tell us what sort of people we're facing.
    -[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
    -[X] You've got a whole bunch of friends now, but you could always use more!
    -[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
    -[X] The spell used by the informants is like nothing you've heard of before. You want to investigate it, and see if you can detect or replicate it.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan Spilling Some Beans
    -[X] Tell Van Hal everything you learned from and about the infiltrators
    -[X] Introduce Van Hal to Julia, and otherwise keep him updated on the general state of your network of contacts and informants
    -[X] Tell Van Hal about the innkeeper as a contact to message you when you're out of the castle being inconspicuous
    -[X] Tell Van Hal about the other councilors: Anton has a Jade Wizard relative, Kasmir isn't just a zealot but was picked to favor the Theogonist over the Elector Count.
    --[X] You're sorry you didn't say this earlier. You, too, expected Kasmir would have the sense to keep his zeal directed towards Sylvania. Apparently not. But since it's happened, let's bring up things of this sort.
    -[X] You have a lead on getting rid of the Thorned One, but it involves baiting it out and trapping it with mirrors. Van Hal should know about and be allowed to veto any such plans.
    -[X] Confess your belief in Ranald to Van Hal, how Ranald is patron of the Grey Order in general and watches over Mathilde in particular in the Incident of Cat and Sword, and suggest that Ranald is the sort to give a free hand rather than loading one down with obstructionists.
    [X] [Greatswords] Keep some Greatswords in shouting distance whenever you're not doing something undercover. They can't accompany when you're sneaking in as washerwomen or visiting the Palace-Shrine, but you've learned the scary way that it's very nice to have Greatswords somewhere close, even if not right next to you. Keep some near Julia as well, if Julia will accept this.
    [X] [Julia] Plan Until Further Notice
    -[X] Provisionally hire her. Politely state that you're going to have to do a little more vetting before she can be employed in the more sensitive bits.
    -[X] Start paying her and rent a place for her near the Palace-Shrine. Do not tell her about the Palace-Shrine or the thief-priests at this time.
    -[X] For the moment, set her to sorting through the reports and gossip that you're receiving.
    -[X] Raise the subject of what gods she and her family revere. Mention that Ranald is the patron of the Grey Order. See how she feels about Ranald, but try not to be too blatant about your own degree of devotion yet.
    [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
    -[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
    -[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
    --[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
    [X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia
    [X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
    -[X] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
    --[X] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
    --[X] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
    --[X] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
    --[X] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
    --[X] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
    -[X] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
    -[X] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!
    [X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
    -[X] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
    --[X] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
    -[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
    --[X] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
    -[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
    --[X] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
    -[X] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
    --[X] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.
    -[X] No Mindhole. No mentioning Mindhole. Just, no. ​
    [X] You have a squad of Greatswords assigned to you as bodyguards. Do you keep them somewhere nearby while you're at home, or do you leave them in the Castle?
    -[x] some of them are to guard Julia and help her with her tasks, if possible have them in disguise when going out in public.
    -[x] The rest can just stay at the castle, and be ready on your call.
    [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
    -[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
    [X] [Greatswords] They are stationed at the castle.
    [X] [Hire] Yes. She will work with the hired retired soldiers to setup a tavern in Wurtbad; where she will work from and where reports will flow to.
    [X] Do you hire Julia Antoinette Massif? If so, describe her duties, as well as where she'll be living and working.
    -[x] At the inn at first, until Mathilda can secure her loyalty, give her advance payment, with slight increase, as you have a important task for her.
    -[x] Her duties are to first, familiarize herself with the surroundings and events that have happened, the current council members, their agendas, the elector count of Stirland Val Halen, Mathilda will give her a summarize version. the agendas of each council members, the agenda of Val Halen, his beliefs, and personality.
    -[x] Her other duties, are mostly to act as your liason, secretary, accountant for handling finances going towards the people in your information network, and any other nondangerous but time consuming jobs you can think of that she can perform easily and substitute for you in council meetings in case you are absent. You will help her brush up on how to run a information network and hire more informants.
    -[x] For now, you have 2 tasks for her to complete, first is to contact a widow of the man that died, and offer the widow a steady job, at the castle or rather if the widow accepts have her report to you to be vetted, and checked, before she can work on her job. Julia is to tell the widow that a friend of her husband, heard about what happened and recommended her as potential servant for hire.
    -[x] The second is more complicated - Everyone has their own agendas and ideas of how the world works and what the best solution to problems are. Take councilor Kashmir, and the grand theogonist, they wanted to spread the worship of Sigma, and you believe that they genuinely believed that by making the people of Stirland worship Sigma, their souls would be saved, and in the process protect Stirland. and since Sigma is both a emperor and a God, that would make the other gods subservient to Sigma, You do not begrudge their goals, and even respect them for wanting to do good, Val Halen in the meantime wants to protect Stirland, normally that would be a mutually beneficial goal, however Kashmir failed to take some matters into account.
    -[x] she is to gather some representatives from the greatswords and army, the representatives are composed of Ulricans, Morrites, Shallyans, local Sigmarites and the various other gods, the army has. She can get Markus and some greatswords to help, and prepare them for a meeting with you and Kashmir.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only. No Ranald Edition
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly some assistance with construction since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.​
    [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a good quality inn room in town near your residence, with the intent of moving her to your underground place once you have fully secured her loyalties.​
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff.​
    -[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
    --[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
    [X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
    -[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
    -[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
    -[X] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
    --[X] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
    [X] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia
    [X] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
    -[X] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
    --[X] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
    --[X] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
    --[X] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
    --[X] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
    --[X] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
    -[X] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.
    [X] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
    -[X] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
    -[X] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
    -[X] You have acquired some subordinates.
    --[X] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
    --[X] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
    -[X] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
    -[X] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!
    [X] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
    -[X] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
    --[X] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
    -[X] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
    --[X] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
    -[X] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
    --[X] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
    -[X] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
    --[X] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.
    -[X] Not mindhole.
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BoneyM said:
Regarding memory wipe: it cannot be emphasized enough how much just mentioning your ability to do this is likely to freak out your prospective new hire, and indeed literally anyone you tell it to. Casually talking about reaching into someone's living psyche and tearing out chunks of their life experiences is not a normal thing to do
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@veekie please remove the mindhole from the plan? I want to keep Julia
 
Alliterate said:
It's fine to ask Van Hal for help with the Asp/Thorned One. From a report:

'He smiles and shakes his head again. "If there's a solution to the snake I can help with, let me know."'

He might even be able ask his Order how to deal with it.
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I'm sure he'll be helpful. I intend to ask for his help if I write up an action plan where Mathilde is taking an action to deal with the Asp.
But any plans involving potentially manifesting demons are plans that the Elector Count needs to be informed about well in advance. Hell, the fact that we are even considering a plan that might involve a Box'O'Demon is the sort of thing the Elector Count should hear so he can keep an eye on it. Demons are bad news you think about very carefully, even with all Van Hal's gratitude.

Alliterate said:
I'd even suggest that training could be a *suggested action* this turn. We have gaps in our experience, as this castle episode highlighted, so we'd like to reflect on the lessons- especially as we'll be taking on a second.
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Good point, stuff seems to be much less urgent these days and our Count might appreciate an advisor taking some time to reflect on how to do things better in the long term. I'll add it.
 
BoneyM said:
Regarding memory wipe: it cannot be emphasized enough how much just mentioning your ability to do this is likely to freak out your prospective new hire, and indeed literally anyone you tell it to. Casually talking about reaching into someone's living psyche and tearing out chunks of their life experiences is not a normal thing to do.
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A good test of motivation then (level of motivation required to pass is suspicious by itself, though)! Also, I have an evil-fun idea: mindhole possible hires on interview and only retain the ones who can sort the situation out real quick.
 
[X] Veekie
-[X] But no mindhole. Cool idea, but it sounds kind of risky to tell people we can edit their memories at will.
-[X] And ask Van Hal for some extra income to build the box. He has asked if there's anything he can do to help with that asp.
-[X] Greatsword bodyguards for everyone! (That are councillors)
 
BoneyM said:
Regarding memory wipe: it cannot be emphasized enough how much just mentioning your ability to do this is likely to freak out your prospective new hire, and indeed literally anyone you tell it to. Casually talking about reaching into someone's living psyche and tearing out chunks of their life experiences is not a normal thing to do.
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:oops::lol:rofl:

I find it so funny that our social etiquette in this site is like maybe a 4 in CK2 standards.
 
vsh said:
A good test of motivation then (level of motivation required to pass is suspicious by itself, though)! Also, I have an evil-fun idea: mindhole possible hires on interview and only retain the ones who can sort the situation out real quick.
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If you want absolute fanatics, sure, it's a test of motivation for new hires.
Look at the most recent update. Veteran soldiers who have no doubt Seen Some Shit were still a little creeped out by the fact that they'd be merely working for a wizard.
And you propose to escalate from working for a wizard,
to working for a wizard actively using magic in the presence of the new hire,
and using that magic on the new hire,
and in a manner that is harmful to the new hire,
and that harmful manner is creepily subtle and hard to detect,
and its nature suggests that this magic might have been used on the new hire already and they wouldn't know because oh god is she just going to keep erasing my memories and ask me again every time I say no??
 
[X] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
-[X] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
-[X] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
-[X] Sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly haveher work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea.

There, Julia vote without mindhole.
 
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Honestly, next time I'll just take the orders as written and let you say to your new hire "oh hey I'd like your permission to reach into your living brain and tear chunks out if you bomb the interview, that cool? Just write a note to yourself, it'll be fine". It would be a super good idea to start putting yourself in the shoes of regular people and see if they'd react badly to the things you're saying.

I'm also kinda confused by the whole
[*]veekie [*]except for this [*]and this [*]and the other thing
phenomenon, because unless I'm missing something the autotally just doesn't parse it as anything but a vote for veekie as written.
 
BoneyM said:
I'm also kinda confused by the whole
[*]veekie [*]except for this [*]and this [*]and the other thing
phenomenon, because unless I'm missing something the autotally just doesn't parse it as anything but a vote for veekie as written.
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The autotally parses it as a vote for veekie and then adds the exceptions to the bottom of veekie's block, as far as I can tell. Resulting in some contradictions. Example from current tally:



[o] [Julia] Hire her, buy her a home in town near your residence. Somewhere where people coming and going at odd times won't draw a fuss.
-[o] Her job would be to manage your informant networks in general, particularly sorting through the reports and picking out what's significant versus chaff. It'd also involve independently expanding the networks as funds and opportunities allow after she has settled in.
-[o] The only ones who are supposed to know her position should be Van Hal, yourself and anyone you specifically cleared for this. For anyone below her, she's to present herself as a messenger or other relay.
-[o] For your initial meeting, first, ask her if she's willing to accept being memory wiped in the event that she disagrees with certain confidential suggestions, and write a note to herself to the effect of giving consent. If not she'd only handle the more aboveboard networks.
--[o] If she agrees to a potential Mindhole sound her out on her religious beliefs, particularly relating to Ranald. You cannot feasibly have her work in your base or with your Ranaldite agents if she's not at least open to the idea. If it goes poorly, simply Mindhole her, have Anton reintroduce you, and ensure that she's isolated from the Ranaldite/Thief elements.
[o] [Greatswords] Greatswords will stay in the castle, except when we're going somewhere publicly, or interrogating potentially hostile persons.Assign two of them as security for Julia
[o] [Public Report] Plan Points for public consumption.
-[o] The castle infiltrators were sleeper agents.
--[o] They have not been conducting any significant sabotage.
--[o] Their loyalty was secured by a necromantic spell that would kill them if they even thought of betraying their master, or if their master did not meet them for more than a few days.
--[o] Said master had fled the area the very night an infiltrator got caught.
--[o] The monsters in the castle walls were previous victims of the spell. Refer to Van Hal's paper on details if anyone is interested.
--[o] They were lying about having any religious beliefs, but got away with it because nobody could probe them further on Morrite or Shallyan practices.
-[o] All other castle servants have been examined, their backstories hold up and all future servants would be rigorously examined to prevent more of this.
[o] [Private Report] Plan For Van Hals Eyes Only.
-[o] Tell him about everything you learned in the interview. Especially how they produce infiltrators.
-[o] Give him all information you have gathered on your fellow council members.
-[o] You have acquired some subordinates.
--[o] Introduce him to your prospective Number 2 in Julia. In case any unfortunate 'accidents' happens to you(like say, the pseudo-demonic snake), he can pick up some of your networks through her so he wouldn't need to start from scratch.
--[o] The veterans have been assigned to gather gossip in the cities and the army to get a barometer of events
-[o] You have a lead on permanently sealing the snake away. Give him as much information on the process as you have, if he's interested. Noting the cost in mirrors and possibly request some assistance with construction(not necessarily his personal assistance, but a recommendation to a skilled and trusted artisan could be valuable) since the damned snake can pop out of mirrors if you're building it yourself.
-[o] Confess your religious belief in Ranald to him. Mention how the god of Luck had been looking out for and helping you along with your work so far(particularly avoiding being killed by the Shyish-kebabs, and finding leads at crucial moments), and the belief that Ranald as Protector has a vested interest in Stirland's people not being eaten by vampires and turned into abominations by necromancers. The revolutionary thing happens only in places where their lords are actively abusing the people, which Van Hal of course, is doing the opposite of!
[o] [Orders] Plan Obvious Items
-[o] There's definitely evil afoot in Drakenhof. Perhaps there's a way to survive investigating this.
--[o] That said, the castle itself is off limits. You're certain you aren't up to the task. But you can try to send feelers into their periphery villages if Van Hal feels the risks is worth it.
-[o] The disappearance of your predecessor is very concerning, especially since he's actively trying to sabotage the hunt for him. He must be found, and you've got a lead: Julbach.
--[o] He's likely involved in the matter of the servant infiltrators and the Stirland League, considering you find it extremely unlikely that all these servants, with a necromancer within a short walk from the castle, were placed without his knowledge. Rolling him up is the next step now that your castle is secured. If you can catch him alive, an interrogation could be extremely fruitful.
-[o] The Stirlandian League is a cancer eating at Stirland's economy, and it must be destroyed.
--[o] This would likely be difficult while the previous spymaster is still at large to run counterintelligence, but it can be done.
-[o] This religion business has gone far enough. It's not really your place, but maybe you should step in and deal with it yourself... somehow.
--[o] There's alternative ways to verifying faith and beliefs than having a priest interrogate them. You could task your city and rural informants to focus on their local practices to identify if theres anything untowards happening religiously.
-[o] No Mindhole. No mentioning Mindhole. Just, no.
Number of voters: 3
Tolack, Zedman7054, No7sHere
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