Chuq’s Training Week, Session 121
Rahm Benisaeko, my understanding is that Chuq will be making his way to the Ark Cathedral in the morning to consult with Adhemar, the Master of the Spring, about training and some other things. Let me know what else you want to discuss with him and any other activities during your training week in the comments here.
Answering on phone, excuse the grammar and such.
1. Buy some clean clothes for the party. Definitely Islander casual fashion since Chuq suffers from ethnic ID confusion. Doesn’t care if they are ill fitting. (Never imagined the order has formal vestments since the Lonely Isle is our old home).
2. Ask Thorfus to cash in his share of PP.
3. Report Humphrey fate to the temple. Ask for new henchmen.
5. Ask to speak with Canon or above about Inquisitors. If met, will report on Huque, jardin asking about Intel about Inquisitors and response by temple. Suggest missionaries to New Town to quell unrest and recruit acolytes.
Next list is for Adhemar:
1. Report Inquisitor activity (Jardin, hugue, Vargen/Thorrell, Grell, undersea domes) – enquirer about other Monks Intel/activity and what overall plan.
2. Suggest co-op with Grey Cloaks and Thorton.
3. Report DK undying infiltration and high sky spying of Midmark. Same queries and suggestion as above, especially response to Islander ethnic cleansing.
4. Enquire about GM o Flowers and plan to retrieve/replace.
5. Probe about new monastery, suggest Grell’s estate/ offer services in exchange for Boys billet and Chuq teaching wing.
6. Suggest recruitment in New Town to encourage Islander franchisement. Entice Islanders with defending Curmidden from DK with monk skills.
7. Keeping Xeni Tel threat to self at this time
8. Explain boys might influence Merman succession, ask for opinion/order policy.
9. Ask if the higher masters know origins of wingless dragons. If it’s close to the night court’s account, ask whether our connection to Ancient Dwarves is purely coincidental.
10. Do we have a response to Inquisitor masks? If not, Chuq wants an personal audience with all the masters in Midmark because he does. BTW, Adhemar gets probed and the night court’s is asked to vet him as well. Better yet, ask the night court to probe everyone in range while in the temple.
11. If they are willing, I’ll wear the night cap full time so that they can probe at all times. Looking for undying and Inquisitors.
Sometime during the week want to visit Runnelbrook without the cap and explain what happened in the domes. Ask if he wants to investigate the cap himself. Will leave the Kalgunn details for Edan to explain if he wants.
If it ever happens we are asked to use the sword of Dagon against Mermen homes or civilians, Chuq’s price is the Dragon Orb. An ambush in the open water is another thing altogether
1. While not ‘official’ vestments, Clerica and Oswell Lallement could put something together for Chuq to wear at Thornton’s banquet for the same 150GP the other party members are paying. Regular clothes can be bought many places, including the Wright’s general store a few doors down from the Cock & Bull. These would only cost 10SP for something quite serviceable.
2. Unless Larry objects, I’m sure Thorfus could handle the conversion of the platinum with the other coins when he visits Thornton’s.
3. Chuq’s morning trek to the Ark Cathedral (after handling the clothing situation) is uneventful and after getting the attention of a senior acolyte, he is brought to Father Habreham Gildynballokes. This senior cleric claims to know Thorfus and the party through a connection with Lord Thornton (something about a Speak with Dead spell). He is saddened to hear of Humphrey Griner’s disappearance and presumed death, assuring Chuq that inquiries will be made as to whether Griner had any kin. In addition, Habreham would be happy to spread word among the junior clerics that a position has opened up with the distinguished Baldric’s Boys.
4. Habreham Gildynballokes happens to be a canon, reporting directly to Patriarch Darvo. He listens intently to Chuq’s tale about Hugue, the Inquisitors, and how the unrest in New Town furthers the imperial cause. During this talk, he asks about Chuq’s feelings regarding something called the “Nativist Union” and the resentment of colonials by islanders living in New Town. He will also offer that the Ark is already working with Chief Magistrate Thornton to diffuse tensions in New Town. He almost seems insulted by Chuq’s suggestion of missionaries, pointing out that Ark Sanctuaries are common throughout New Town and, in fact, provide what little education is available for those living there at no cost (something that does yield on a yearly basis a number of promising acolytes).
5. Habreham will conclude his talk with Chuq by walking him to Adhemar meditation cell in the cloister surrounding the Patriarch’s private garden. He knocks and announces Chuq to the Master of Spring and then takes his leave.
[More to Follow]
Adhemar greets Chuq warmly and suggests a walk around the cloister, assuring Chuq that the area is a private retreat and, excepting the Patriarch, they are unlikely to run into anyone else.
1. The Master of Spring prompts Chuq for a report on his recent travels, especially in terms of how it may relate to the Order’s mission and current difficulties. Talk of undersea domes and Vargen are merely humored, but Adhemar perks up considerably during talk about Inquistors, Hugue, and Grell’s possible connection to imperial agents. For his part, he assures Chuq that more senior brethren will be apprised of the possible return of Inquisitors in force to Curabel — although Chuq has permission to continue his own investigations into that matter with the proviso that any new contact or information about these imperial spies be passed along to senior monks immediately.
2. Adhemar cannot completely hide his distaste at the suggestion that the Order collaborate with the Grey Cloaks, although he quickly mouths some platitude about cooperating fully with the Chief Magistrate. He actually presses Chuq a bit regarding his opinion of the secret police and their role in suppressing native islander dissent in the name of creating a united front against imperial interference.
3. It takes quite a bit of explaining and repetition to explain exactly what Chuq means regarding the Dark King and possible surveillance via magical sky orbs. Adhemar asks Chuq for his best guess regarding where exactly this enemy has been operating since none of the Order recently returned from Balinwode or anywhere along the civilized southern coast of Midland have heard anything of this being. He also points out that the interior of Midland is mostly uncharted and it may be that Midmark’s militia is a better force to deal with this issue. Overall, he seems much less interested in this issue since it seems to have only a tenuous connection to imperial infiltration.
4. The Master of Spring is thoughtful when asked about the Grand Master, but finally admits that the issue is unprecedented. He has meditated on the issue for weeks now since it would be his place to challenge for Brune Langston’s place, but does not feel the time is right yet to pursue that course of action.
5. Adhemar admits that the Grell estate, if cleansed, could be large enough to serve as the Order’s headquarters. However, he would not personally select a site located centrally in an area known for its foppery and worldly concerns. The Ark Cathedral itself, while itself less than ideal, strikes him as a better location to direct the Order’s activities until something more suitable can be found away from the hubbub of the city.
6. His face is troubled by the idea of ‘recruitment’ — his answer to that is that the example of the Order’s members has always been sufficient to attract those of the right mindset for training as a monk. Adhemar feels this is proper and that those called to the Celestial Dragon will continue to find their way without adopting the mannerisms of a merchant hawking his wares.
7. Insofar as the civil war among mermen furthers the goals of the empire to divide the free people of Curabel, Adhemar encourages Chuq to do whatever lies in his power to heal the schism. Of course, he admits that King Nasurth would be preferable to his brother if no compromise is possible since the former will at least deal fairly with surface dwellers.
8. Adhemar will listen to the story of the wingless dragon’s creation with interest. Afterwards, though, he will point out that the Order’s name was adopted to symbolize the humiliation and redemption of Lonely Isle’s dervishes at the hands of Baldric Evenkeel. In effect, he ripped off our wings of pride and taught us humility.
9. Chuq comes up empty on Adhemar, although Serithaz will later inform him that the monk seemed sincere in his words and not under any outside influences. Regarding precautions against Inquisitors, the Master of Spring admits that they were collaborating with Thornton and a dwarven tinkerer on a solution, but that work was lost. If asked, Adhemar will introduce Chuq to the other masters staying in the Ark cloisters — all of whom are opaque to Chuq but check out according to Serithaz.
10. At the end of the interview with Adhemar, Chuq brings up the issue of training and is brought to see Archembaud, Master of Dragons. Archembaud seems happy to train Chuq, having heard some about his exploits (standard cost of 9000GP minus offsets for summaries and the like).
Chuq will apologize about not knowing of the Nativist Union and their message/agenda explaining that he has spent little time in Midmark or New Town. Chuq would suppose such an organization would likely be interested in the welfare of Islanders. Has the temple sent an embassy to the Union? If Father Habreham Gildynballokes is receptive, Chuq will argue that being in the community is not exactly the same as GOING into the community. To clarify, his suggestions is less about being there to help the Islanders but engendering a greater sense that the Ark Temple is in IT with the Islanders. The message could be more “Islander problems are the Temple’s problems” and less the Temple is here if you want it. But what does Chuq know? He’s new here!
Chuq will press Adhemar on the secret police suppression admitting he might have foreknowledge of those activities but failed to view them in that light. It’s been Chuq’s opinion that the secret police have been more concerned with keeping order (albeit somewhat ruthlessly) since disarray and chaos feeds into the efforts of the slavers, imperials and ST – those that need to distract the authorities from their real endeavors. Take for example the riot of New Town Gate, it was just a cover op to mask the Lord Mayor’s assassination. Besides, if you want to mitigate Secret Police Islander oppression, what better way than to be part of their planning and execution? Chuq knows of no other group besides our own targeting and tracking inquisitor activity.
[more]
Father Habreham will make a funny face when Chuq suggests reaching out to the Nativist Union; he says that Lord Thornton or Commander Perette could speak with more authority on this issue, but that it is well-known that the Union is a disruptive force advocating work stoppages and violence against colonials. On the other hand, he gives more consideration to Chuq’s suggestion about how to reach out to the disaffected in New Town. He pulls out some parchment and says he is making some notes for those serving in Sanctuaries in that neighborhood.
[More to Follow]
Adhemar is willing to listen to Chuq on the subject of the Grey Cloaks, but ultimately remains firm in his opinion that the Order should keep such an organization at arm’s length. He says that, while both the Order and Grey Cloaks share an interest in strengthening public order and the authority of Midmark’s government, the latter have demonstrated a very narrow view of who needs to obey that order and who can have authority. That view taints their application of the law in a way the Order cannot condone.
Chuq understands Adhemar’s reticence concerning the Grey Cloaks (buy insists that a dissenting opinion can not be heard without speaking that opinion). To that end, what directives does he have for Chuq concerning his informal partnership with the Grey Cloaks?
I take it the Night Court agrees to probe for Inquisitors full time? Is their range any better than the cap wearer’s? Can’t they sense undying or Devilfish?
1. Officially, Adhemar leaves the issue of personal cooperation with the Grey Cloaks up to Chuq (that is, the Order will not explicitly command one its adherents to not work with official representatives of Midmark’s government); personally, though, he will caution Chuq about trusting what is ultimately a political organization to always do what is in the best interests of the free islands of Curabel — the law is not synonymous with its enforcers and he believes, given his rather meteoric rise in rank, that Chuq will do more good if he stays independent in both action and judgment.
2. The Night Court (Serithaz is still speaking for all of them) can probe whenever you are wearing the cap — if you always have it on, they can always probe. Their range, however, is limited to that of the cap since they are working through it rather than independently (that’s why they can’t speak to anyone when the cap is not worn). They can sense Undying (though not pure machine automata) and Devilfish — although the latter, much like monks, can block their thoughts rather effectively.
Chuq assures Adhemar his first duty is to the free Islands and will heed his advice concerning the Grey Cloaks and the Mermen.
Getting back to New Town: on the Lonely Isle, everyone knew of our Order, our mission and the location of our Monastery. Our order was a permanent fixture in all the inhabitants minds. We are now in a great cosmopolis and most likely a mystery to most. My suggestion and it’s just a suggestion not a totally fleshed out plan, is more about improving our renown with the population most at risk from Inquisitor interference like it was on the Lonely Isle and less about behaving like a profit motivated merchant.
There are those of our Order more suited to administration, counselling and nurturing whereas those like myself are best at helping the Free People stay Free. The Grey Cloaks and my band of adventurers are ferreting out the Empire’s machinations, following every lead and hint but think of what it would mean if sympathetic New Towners were coming to our Brother’s here in Midmark or their own volition. Their help could make a real difference to how Brother’s like me work out there.
Wait, I sound like police don’t I? Let me think this through….
Also, Chuq will go back to wearing the Night Cap all day long. He also want’s to determine if the Night Cap can wake him up. So he will ask the Night Court to do so one night.
Adhemar assures Chuq he is sympathetic to his motivations and will consider the suggestions offered — even the possibility that the Grell Estate could serve as an embassy of sorts in Midmark if it were to be freed of its curse. The Master of Spring also wants to make it clear that he is not suggesting Chuq change his course of action of choice of allies … just that he continue to keep his own counsel since that has served him so well to date.
I will make note of Chuq’s decision to always wear the Night Cap — experimentation will show that Serithaz has no problem waking Chuq through the medium of the helm.
John Carlson, your opinion please. Though Chuq is receptive to Adhemar’s admonitions about the Grey Cloaks, his LN alignment should lean his tendencies closer with the Grey Cloaks. Do you agree or is there a tenant to the Order that I am overlooking?
This isn’t an alignment issue as much as political (or, perhaps, philosophical): Adhemar is arguing that the law exists as a Platonic ideal regardless of how its enforcers behave. One could just as easily, and within the LN alignment, argue that the law is what its enforcers say it is. Of course, there is no conflict at all if Chuq believes the Grey Cloaks are enforcing the Platonic ideal of the law.