Mind polygraph test

Lorant is following Ernst to keep up appearances with the Seer Task Force

Ernst shoves Lorant out of the way and goes back to his office. Jan the zombie keeps watch as Matthieu sleeps at the Star Palace. Salih goes back to Benatky to sleep and tap the Hallow in an Oblation.

Lorant goes to meet the Task Force: Brux, Petras and Holoch. All four of them have Mind (to one extent or the other). This committee is self-organizing, and this is their first formal meeting. Of course the Mages are surprised Lorant is awake during the day.

Brux is surprised to see Lorant here. Brux asks what he can do in this form, and Lorant says it’s his maiden voyage. Brux says it’s good to have him “back.” Brux asks how we should begin. Lorant says we should bring the war to them. Holoch recognizes that the Peregrini have been successful in doing just this. How do we do this? Lorant does not yet know about the circle of Seers, but he does know Thurn signed the arrest warrant for Zayed at Benatky. He tells the rest of the Task Force. Brux says Thurn is quite powerful, one of the most prominent young names. He’s not untouchable, but he is a major player. Brux states if he’s a pawn… Lorant says he will work on the mundane politics, while the Mages work on the investigation on the magical side. And by the mundane side, Lorant means, of course, the Emperor.

Salih returns to the Star Palace and sets up a secondary ward with Fate/Prime/Space. Magic directed at the ward will respond with a curse (-5 dice for 17 rolls) In the meantime, Matthieu sculpts a mask for use with the Pygmalion’s Caress effect. Indefinite effect, Potency 5. He makes a death mask of “Diana,” whose body was put into the lands of the dead and whose ghost he has spoken to and manipulated in the past.

Lorant and the Emperor. Lorant enters the grand council chamber, to the eyebrows of the courtiers, and the immediate attention of the Emperor. The Emperor asks him to retreat into the antechamber, and the courtiers erupt with whispers, comparing him to Rumpf and other rumored lovers the Emperor had taken. Rudolf tells Lorant he has not seen him under the sun, such is the life of an astronomer, Lorant says in return. Have you been working with Herr Brahe? I’ve tried to, but the school keeps me very busy. I am happy the school is going well. I have more vigor lately, so I will need to visit some evening and, as the Emperor trails off, Lorant notices his forehead covered in a thin sheen of sweat. He is not physically dependent on vitae, but he is psychologically so. He’s keeping his distance, subconsciously, and Lorant thinks it’s because he knows he’s not there. If you were to return to my chambers sometime this week, your medical ministrations would be desired. Lorant says that could be arranged, if you could favor me. What boon do you require? Count Thurn’s power at court needs to be blunted. Really, I’m disappointed to hear this, he’s been… He’s grown too big for his britches. If I may, Herr Kelemen, I don’t feel his power is that great? It may not be him himself, but people in his household and retinue are abusing his authority, and your authority. Lorant explains about the guard, using an illegally or forged writ. This is bordering on or reaching into treason. Again, I don’t wish this to blow up. I’d like to give the man the benefit of the doubt. The Emperor says he will have his agents investigate this surreptitiously. Everything should be done sotto voce, including our interactions. We should return to the main chamber, yes. Lorant lingers in court to find out where the orders are sent.

Matthieu seals the oubliette for good: who haunts the Star Palace?

Salih integrating the four Seers into the chess board. The same thing happens, but this time Thurn moves them out the window and the four Seers help them. He leads the nobles who defenestrate Catholics and they are backed by the Seers. Salih now wants to identify the Catholics who are going to be violently thrown out. Not able to identify all four, but Vilem Slavata, recently converted in the last two years, and works as burgrave in waiting at Thurn's castle. Salih wants to see and consult with Jiri and so goes to the coffeehouse.

Matthieu summons a ghost to haunt and manifest in the middle of the star palace bottom floor so the ghost can use the acoustics. Matthieu considers the architect, Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol. He summons this ghost into the center of the Seal of Solomon. Ferdinand looks around with a mix of pride and despair. He says to Matthieu, you are the first mortal to see me. I'm not merely mortal just living. I've brought you here to help this place fulfill its duty. What do you mean? You were right, this place is a seat of sacred power. You are a true magi? We are the magi of Prague and we wish to hide the wealth of our magical knowledge here because of the spectacular design. What treasures do you seek to hide here? Only the most advanced magical artifacts. This is to be the treasury of Prague. And I am here? Because I need a sentry.

Ernst puts the candle in his window, and in 15 minutes, a serving woman of the castle arrives. My lord, you summoned me? Please, have a seat. She is fairly certain she can confirm a separate Pylon, from elsewhere in the Empire, is here in Prague and trying to foment discord on a grander scale than Protestant vs. Catholic. Bringing the Christians of the court together to purge Jews and Muslims. I must ask this, but what is the position of the Seers on this? My Pylon has a specific mission in Prague, these individuals have come from outside of Prague to work on the seat of empire. Do they have to announce themselves as your Consilium demands? No. If they have commands from a certain Ministry or a certain Tetrarch… well. This does cause some in-fighting, but I have no reason to react against them. If this Pylon is going to have an effect on you, if I were to help you, it would blow my cover. You surely know enough of my cabal that they will… That they will take action against them. And I would have NO PROBLEM with that. But understand I can’t give you any help on this. I don’t like having my city taken out from under me. We don’t rule cities, like you do. We simply operate where we need to. I would prefer to not have my operations intruded upon. How deep does this go? Is Thurn part of it? I can neither confirm nor deny that is the case. Confirm or deny this: what would be the best-case scenario for your Pylon. I don’t want, she stammers, I don’t want any of my number killed, captured, or imprisoned. But if they were to have to leave town. Perhaps if this other Pylon and this group were preoccupied. I don’t want to see them harmed. I see. If they were endagered, I might be called upon to help them, and I don’t want that. This has been very enlightening. I appreciate your candor, she says. I sent you away on a contingency and you came back. There is no reason we cannot still work together in situations where we both have needs.

Ferdinand seems lukewarm to this title. Young mage I am no palace guard. You know who you’re speaking to? Do you know who you’re speaking to, young ghost? Matthieu’s nimbus flares, and the Archduke’s shade backs down slightly. He is shaken. He remains silent. I know who you were and I called you here because of how important you were to it. If you were a lesser ghost I would shackle you on the spot. Instead I am offering you this opportunity to take on this mantle. I simply wish to be called something different than a sentry. I could be a steward, curator, seneschal. I was the architect; if I am to remain here past my days on this earth, I would prefer to be here. I know every inch of this edifice. I can sense already some things have been changed. I am gifted in not only Death but Matter. I will remain here for as long as you need me to, as long as this building stands.

Salih uses a Fate effect to bring Jiri and Lorant to the coffeehouse. Lorant is back in his body. Salih says to Lorant, since we’ve learned who one of the Seers’ key pieces is, we have also learned who one of the Catholic targets will be. I want to speak with the two of you to put the pieces together to figure out the rest of this event. Who are the rest of the Catholics, who are the Protestants helping Thurn. And before this analysis of human terrain, Salih wants to put up an Exceptional Luck in the coffee. First, Vilem. If Thurn’s going to lash out, he’s going to lash out at the Catholic noble he knows best: i.e. the one seconded to him by the emperor. Vilem’s been there for less than a year. Salih asks about Count Thurn and his allies. Jiri says he’s a very important man, moral leader among the Protestant Estates. He is happy with the acts of tolerance and he feels even if the Papacy is filling the court with Catholics, he can still make a name for himself. You said he's the moral leader, who regards him most highly, who would he turn to for assistance. Any of the younger courtiers, but also into Germany proper and he married into a Croatian family. Do we know anyone at court who we could go to? A go-between? Jiri offers a recent convert to Catholicism that he knows, the Count's second, named Vilem. Salih tells Jiri that Thurn is being used. How could we observe how he is being used? Jiri outright recommends Vilem. Salih is also internally concerned that with this action, he might be setting up the eventual falling-out between Thurn and Vilem. Over telepathy, Salih and Lorant: we should use Vilem not as a spy but as a monitor. He would not be an agent, he would be an observer, and Salih and Lorant would work him through Jiri as a cut-out. The moment he becomes a target, we know that the events of Salih’s prediction are imminent. We send Vilem in completely naked; no effects, no protection, no knowledge of the Peregrini. Jiri accepts this role, and takes 4 rolls of Exceptional Luck from Salih.

Matthieu wants to set up a geas rather than a binding to get Ferdinand to serve. With his Anchor solidified, he can appear and sense everywhere in the building. Send a message to Matthieu if he detects any intruders. Matthieu also lets Ferdinand know that they are the heirs to Atlantis and there are other mages.

Jiri departs. Matthieu arrives at the coffeeshop. Lorant says someone will need to do damage control with Ernst. On the good hand, it was a tiff in public, so it helps sell the lie. Matthieu talks about Ferdinand’s ghost. Lorant asks if he can speak with him at some point, Matthieu says yes. Lorant reiterates the scrying was looking for the Llull-Bruno Machine. Salih confirms our suspicion that there are two Pylons working possibly at cross-purposes. Matthieu confirms this from Diana. Lorant says the ones Ernst is working with are pretty amenable, although they did disrupt the opera. Matthieu asks why they did again? Lorant says it was too much about harmony and learning and openness (and Lorant remembers how the Seers are using the Rosicrucian teachings). Salih’s issue is that they struck out at us directly at our home. It is unacceptable. Lorant says I absolutely agree. Matthieu says their thesis is wrong! I was driven from home and learning in Paris. Lorant says but you were fired in the crucible, you became hierarchy. Matthieu says they censor books! They will prevent me from sharing that knowledge, the knowledge of the Arabs from the blood machines. It is not conflict but our secular nature as men that draws us together and allows us to progress. Their thesis is fatally flawed. And it makes sense they are cynical about humanity and by extension creation. They are essentially Gnostic. Salih says ultimately their philosophy is against our own. What I am concerned about is out of the blue… Matthieu interrupts. I am more concerned about how reasonable the men I trust think they sound. Lorant says compared to the ones who invaded Benatky, who rang the bells to torment the emperor… Salih says yes, this was a direct affront to us. While there is a larger contest going on, any assault upon our persons or holdings need to be addressed directly. Now the discussion is how.

Salih explains Thurn, Jiri and Vilem to Matthieu. How will we strike back at these Seers. Matthieu asks aren’t we using Ernst as our connection? Salih says no one has talked to him yet. We can attack them directly since I have Correspondence. Matthieu asks could we use the Profane Urim to strike back at them at their own game? Salih says we don’t know who’s close to the Count. Matthieu asks if we should just outright kill them? Salih prefers a cold war. Lorant says the Task Force are working on the magical side. Does Salih want to give them the aura fingerprint? Lorant asks if we want them working actively for us. Salih says this has to do with our cabal, not the Consilium. Lorant wonders: would the Emperor have cause the visit personally? Court could come to Karlstejn. For a hunt? Lorant will go to the Emperor, and Salih, as Hearthmaster, will talk to Ernst. Matthieu asks if he should come? Matthieu will send him a note to meet at the Star Palace. 

Lorant and the Emperor. Here’s what we need you to do. We want you to go hunting at Karlstejn Castle, take a fairly large retinue (including me, Salih, Matthieu, Ernst). The Emperor asks why Karlstejn. Lorant says we need to rattle the cage of those embedded in that household? To what end are they embedded. That’s what we need to find out. We wish to reciprocate. Are they agents of a foreign power? That is what we need to find out. The paranoia of the emperor has been activated. He’s very anxious now to get out to Thurn’s castle, but if he’s not watched carefully, he’s going to commit a lot of faux pas. Lorant wonders how to use his Vitae to quell him/keep him manic. Before we arrive, we will share a drink. From my flask. Why do you share with me this bounty? Because I believe the medicine is doing you good. It is breaking your bouts of melancholy. You do not wish me to be melancholy. We need you to be the active regent. We can be that emperor, we can be that active man. I look forward to the evening we arrive with great relish and bated breath. That will be all.

Star Palace, midnight. As they wait, Matthieu and Salih discuss moving the Consilium here. Ernst arrives. So the great spymasters of Prague have requested my presence. Don’t be an ass, Matthieu says back. You do realize we as the Consilium set up a Seer Task Force which is why Lorant is on you. If not him, it would be someone else from the Consilium. Ernst paces. What do you know? About what? I have spoken to Christian, again, since the previous night, since Lorant showed himself in the daylight. Salih acts very surprised. I thought it would take longer. I will be blunt, we run a significant risk of playing into their hands right now. Salih says they have more experience. Matthieu says no one is better than us right now. Ernst says if we are working on a task force? They are better than us at this right now. Here’s what I know. There are two competing Seer groups. Salih is relieved. Matthieu is not surprised. Whether Thurn is involved, I’m not sure. Salih says it’s crucial, Ernst dismisses this. Ernst is more concerned they are acting in an overt manner and it’s the tip of the iceberg. They are trying to goad us. Salih says that’s an interesting theory. They have bigger goals, I am concerned about Salih in particular because they are targeting Muslims and Jews. If we take the battle to them, that might be what they want. We might have them re-align with the other Pylon or stretch ourselves too thin. It feels lose/lose. We can’t fight both Pylons. Matthieu disagrees. While we have lost some members of the Consilium, but we are always better facing them face-to-face. Ernst then we lose. That’s what they want, we cause damage to their infrastructure, and we cause the other Pylon to activate. Matthieu says I think they have your ear too much. Ernst says I don’t think you’re seeing the full picture. Have decisions been made on the Seers yet? Salih says we have a preliminary plan. Matthieu says which we will not disclose, for our mutual safety. Ernst says I fear as a cabal, our tactics are playing into their hands much more than they could ever hope. Matthieu says they are covering for their own mistakes, scrambling to come up with solutions by working with you. Matthieu says they will never align, but Ernst says they will. Ernst says we should not treat them the same. Salih and Matthieu actually agree. Matthieu says if there is anything to fear, it’s for you (Ernst). You’re not wrong. M: From our prior data, a Seer Pylon is 3 to 4, maybe 5. We have more manpower. Ernst says we’re playing defense. Matthieu says we seek to change that. Ernst says we’re making the first move, not the third of fourth. Matthieu says we had this discussion six months ago. Ernst says when we did not want to accept what was coming. Salih says we know now it’s inevitable. We cannot escape the fate coming, we can only affect how and when it does what it does. Or even just watch it. That does not mean we should wait. We should dissuade their attempts. Not doing anything will be a bad idea. We cannot let them come up with a new plan. We shouldn’t just wait until they strike again. Ernst says we should focus on mitigating the inevitable. Salih: It’s not wrong for us to work on multiple fronts. Ernst asks if our attempt to take them on will divert us from saving the academy. Salih says not at his pace. Ernst says maybe the pace is quickening. Salih says a few days here and there will not disrupt us. In the meantime, this can be dealt with now. We can’t do nothing. Ernst says I trust you are right and you have a plan in place. Matthieu says we need just that. We felt you were doing well to restore your powers and we should continue to trust you to do this. Ernst asks what you need from me? Salih: continue to act as a contact to Christian’s Pylon. That is all unchanged. Ernst states he is heading back to Benatky.

Salih has two possibilities: one, Ernst could say they are planning to retaliated against the Karstejn Pylon, two, that we say Ernst convinced us not to. We could use this to find out whether they are in contact or not. Matthieu says we could threaten them that should stay out of it. Salih: Ernst is not a messenger, he’s a spy giving them intel. Matthieu says we could keep it ambiguous. Ernst thinks they don’t think he’s passing along enough of information to them, or that we are getting more. Neither is true. Salih says you should pass it along.

Ernst is actually going to his office. To summon Christian.

(Bill: THEY’RE GOING TO KNOW, AND SALIH CAN STILL DO SOMETHING DIRECTLY AS A FEINT, AND LEAVE THE RUDOLF COURT THING AS COVERED BY THIS FEINT)

(Mandy: WE COULD USE MAKOVSKY’S GOLD TO OUTBUY THE SEERS) Matthieu says Ernst is right about one thing, they are playing on multiple levels, and we are playing on one.