Advice from an Arrow

[Chambers]

That was not what he had expected, then again what had he expected? "Well we all talk in coded language, granted there is no formality to it so things can get lost in translation a bit, but I don't fully understand the question here either." a slight furrow of his brow as he seeks clarification. "Are you asking if you should tell people you can, to are you asking if you should teach people how to do it themselves?" Either way these seemed more like decisions the arrow would need to make for himself, he knew his own mind and what he was comfortable with best.

On that he disagrees with a shake of his head, but it does nail home the thing he finds disquieting about Asclepius, this talk of innovation is what does it. He speaks like a member of the free council. Innovation was not of course theirs alone to wield but it was a fundamental principle and the one of the key reasons why the other far more tradition focused orders looked down on the council of free assemblies. "The model of consilium has been passed down to from Atlantean times it is tried and tested and kept us safe against the horrors since the fall, it is the best method when the model of a consilium can be followed, the reason we must deviate is because that model can't be followed here." The mysterium supported traditional practices of course, yet they also held room for not using practices that did not work in specific circumstances, maybe that was why he had managed were others had failed. Yet the man himself is traditional no escaping that. "I meant in terms of our laws and process, I doubt I have covered every possibility or eventually and when something I have missed arises we will likely see internal conflict spark." But with any luck cooler heads would prevail.

Here however they seemed to see more eye to eye. "Plenty like authority just fine, until it comes knocking on their door. When they are held to account for their actions is when the most resistance is found. Far to much ego." So many seemed to think themselves above the law or somehow unique in their ability to break it without fear of consequence if caught. Both in Sleeper and mage society really. "It is the world we live in, and consider this a sentinel is the most likely to see combat, to be captured, tortured targeted ... you get the idea." A grim consideration. "And if the more information they are in position of the greater the risk when those things happen." With so many ways to rip information right out of a person well they lived in secrecy for many reasons but safety was up there as one of the highest.

It was bizarre really watching the arrows expression change, and in truth he had no idea what had caused it. "Yes someone has made it known they are willing to step into the position." Willingness being a requirement in he charter for appointment. "If they will face the test is still being determined." The conclusion was more or less forgone but not stamped and sealed. "I will not beat around the bush on this. But do ask you try to be as objective as possible. Do you think Skye could fulfill the duties of a sentinel?" He as both path and order member with the applicant would clearly be the best choice to seek advice from, surely he had more insight into her hen most others could.

[Asclepius]

As Chambers had communicated, the Arrow had not been clear with what he wanted out of this discussion. This of course was easily addressed. “Apologies, I will try to be clearer. I am asking if you think it is worth mentioning that I know ASL to any other mages? I can make arguments for and against just telling everyone, however I know that with every piece of information spread around puts myself and others at risk.” Hopefully this made the question clearer, if it did not then he would have to try and find better words for the question.

A disagreement seemed to be apparent but nonetheless he continued in the conversation, there would always be disagreements between them and that was fine. “I am curious of the position that you present? Do you believe that if we could operate in accordance with a traditional Consilium formula that, as you have stated, has been passed down from the Atlantean times... that we would have better standing against the threats and foes we currently face? I always felt that it was because of our needed deviation, was what made us successful in our current standing. We are unpredictable because we lean slightly astray and I personally think that is what keeps our enemies hesitant. Make no mistake. I think that, when we are able and ready to conform back into the guidelines of what a Consilium should be, we should one hundred percent do that.” There was still a calm speaking volume, the Arrow speaking in earnest as to how he felt about the Consilium. The Arrow had no further comment for the words given on laws and potential conflicts, he simply nodded to the words as he thought them over.

The Arrow recognised that he himself would certainly be a little disgruntled to justify his actions to a sentinel but then again most might. “A mixture of ego and I also think it depends on a persons inner desire for power. I see it as being shown something completely priceless but being told you can not hold it because you will break it. Many would understand and simply gaze at it from a far, but there will always be some that throw caution to the wind and pick it up.” The grim truth presented to the Arrow as to what awaited the sentinel in their role. “I imagine the chances are increased for the sentinel but I have always seen it as no different to the risks we as members of the Consilium also face.” Everyone could be tortured and everyone held information.

Still slightly disheartened at the revelation that this meeting was not to offer him the position, the Arrow still engaged with the conversation on the matter. After all he was seemingly important enough to offer his thoughts on the potential new sentinel. “This test has my curiosity but I will spare you the question for now.” The Arrows eyebrows raised slightly at the name drop, not completely surprising but also he had a few others in mind that might have fit the bill. The looks dropped and the Arrow sat up with intention and purpose, he may have not got the role but at least it was someone that deserved the role. “I will do all I can to be objective. Given what we have discussed as to the role of the Sentinel, Skye leaves me with little doubt that she can and will perform the role with flying colours. In my time in this Consilium it has been abundantly clear that beyond the quirky presentation that Skye holds in casual company is only a small portion as to what she is like. I have been out on missions with her and she had demonstrated a great deal of professionalism and clear, objective focus on the task at hand. She gives me no reason to think that she would not fight tooth and nail to defend this Consilium and its members. Without passing any details, I also believe that she is capable of handling the troubles of the stigma that follows a Sentinel. I hope this has aided your decision and if there is more you need to know, please ask away.” If there was one mage the Arrow felt deserving of a position, that was not him of course, then it was Skye. He had offered her the position of First Talon without conflict because he knew that she had the ability to fulfill the role to its best.

[Chambers]

Hand parts in a very simple shrug. "My view on the matter is secrecy is best, our society is based on the principle of secrecy and for good reason. And unless the person your trying to communicate with also understands it, well like all language it has an inherent flaw." Beyond that the skill seemed fairly well pointless to him. "I do not imagine ASL can communicate the complexities of the truth anyway, and there are no secrets coded into the language from bygone years." Settling his hands once again. "So what is it you would hope to do with the skill? What benefit is there to people knowing you can do that you would wish to make it known?" The questions were largely rhetorical, trying to get the arrow to think through the situation for himself and reach a conclusion.

Whoever was responsible for mentoring mages these days apparently needed to go back to the books or stand aside and let more competent individuals handle education because well this was rather silly by the Moros' reckoning. "If and it is a fairly pointless if we could operate by more traditional consilium structures it would mean we would have multiple successful cabals operating in the city, which in turn would say that in that situation our greatest issue of low numbers would not be a concern." Between a hierarch, five Councillors, five provosts lets say four to five sentinels and three heralds the official positions of a consilium take up nearly twenty mages as it is which he have less then half of. "If we could operate under those circumstances yes we would be in a better position." That was not even a question. "Innovation from that module is not something that should always be done, and I did not do so lightly. Our circumstances however are near enough unique as consili go by my understanding. Ad it is only because of that unique situation that deviation was considered a necessary step." The idea that there was always room for innovation was well simply inaccurate. It was a rare exception. "If I had to guess what keeps our enemy hesitant is that we by some great fortune are based out of a place the worst of them can not find or access." And that did give them an advantage. "But equally we have no monitoring on their actions beyond the moves we have been present to witness, yet that tells us they are making moves." And an for advancing their plans was not a foe he would say is hesitating.

And now, now they were truly off the rails it would seem. "Have you ever met a mage that is not seeking to advance their own understanding and power? That is not trying to grasp more of the truth? Trying to reach that net step?" When you knew reality was a lie and the truth was there to found and understood by you, when you have grasp the power of the supernal, your very soul shaped by it, a bridge that called down such powers who wouldn't push the boundaries? "The role of sentinel is not to stifle mages in their quests, it is however a necessary enforcement for the safety of all." Because mages over reached they took steps they were not ready for or tried to short cut to power rather then understand it and when hubris came calling they needed to reminded they were not above everything. "Yes." Here could agree. "Yes we all face that risk, but sentinels more then most and often as not with very little warning." Given the reactionary nature of the position they often had to get stuck into the real messes other mages created.

As the kettle begins to heat to a boil Chambers stands once again heading back over to the galley. "Ask away, the worst that comes of it is I don't answer." How many mages even knew that the position of sentinel was meant to be tested for rather the just appointed he wondered? "Quirky is one way to put it, and I think maybe under selling just how ... attached ... she seems to get to people." The arrows dedication was not in question, her judgement however. "Recall Corn a man who knowingly and repeatedly broke the lex and it lead to his family ruin." A terrible fate but he had be warned so often. "And she offered him comfort, forgiveness and succor in his dark time. Time it would have been better if he could have reflected on his choices." Softening the blow of punishment was not a good thing. "That is more then simple presentation in casual company, she went very far out of her way from what I understand." It made no good to say what might have changed if things had been different they had played out as they did. "I am no arrow, but it is my orders she would have to heed above all, no matter what I might ask. Even if it was to say kill you her path mate and order member. Do you think she could?" Gripping the kettle his back is turned for the arrows answer, it was a hard question and he waned to give nothing away as he poured the boiling water.

[Asclepius]

The Arrow agrees with the Hierarch's views of secrecy, you are as safe as the information you let out. “This was what caused me to seek an outside council. I understand the need for safety but I wondered if this was something that needed sharing with others enough to risk spreading it around. Given your comments however, and I trust in your wisdom, I will withhold in distributing this knowledge as your words have helped tip the balance into making a decision. I, of course, have no qualms about you knowing about this. As situational and borderline unnecessary as it is, I see it is another tool for you to wield for our successes.” You never know, someone deaf may turn up or involve themselves at some point.

The nodding Arrow could see his point, a firmer standing Consilium would certainly mean a better grip on the town and on their problems. “I do suppose the more hands would make it incredibly easer to bear the load of troubles we face. I suppose a small silver lining to our small numbers is that we have willing and able mages to at least make a stand in defending this town and Consilium.” The Arrow now interested with the explanation of the need for Innovation and Chambers suggested reluctance to want to do so. “I see, so you innovated from the traditional not because you wanted to make it better to fit our needs but because you had to.” That certainly changes perspective on things about him. There was some agreement but also there was something also to be pointed out. “I agree with you certainly, our protection that helps ward away our foes is our great strength against them. I just can't help but wonder if there is another factor in play. The encounter in the hospital seemed to suggest to me something more was in the works. Sure, he stated that he was bound by his orders to not engage us and see if a truce was still in effect but if they hate us as much as we know they do. Why would they seek to continue it? Surely it would have been a favourable green light to take us out and move on with their plans.” The day still slightly haunts the Arrows mind, he can never truly feel fully safe at that building again. Perhaps he never should have in the first place.

A look of reflection from the Arrow as he comes to realise what the Hierarch was telling him. “I suppose I have been so deeply lost in focus of our collective goals that I briefly forgot we all have our own personal goals to pursue as well. Giving it more thought, yes, I suppose we all do push the limits in our own way to achieve more understanding and power.” The Arrow slowly trying to get an understanding of the role of the sentinel. “So to put it in a simpler turn of phrase, it is not to punish a mage for doing what they are doing, but more of a firm slap for going too far?” That at least is what it sounds like to me. A question burns in the Arrows mind as the mention of risk is continued. “Is the expectation that the Sentinel is left to their fate if such a situation occurs?” He hoped the answer was no but he did have the feeling he was incorrect in his answer.

After being told to fire his questions at the Hierarch, the arrow did so not expecting an answer. “Is this a test based on a set of moral judgements to test the loyalty of the mage and test their commitment to following orders?” The Hierarch had a point here, if there was one thing that Skye did have that mildly concerned him, it was her attachment to things and people. “See, I understand why you question it. However, despite the suggestion that she is attached too closely to things, I do think she can be objective when she has to be. I once had a similar thought as you but as time went on and I come into more contact with her, I heard some of her stories and where her path has lead her. It lead me to two understandings about her. One, she is an encouraging person that is making the most of the time that she has available knowing any day she could wake up one day to a horrible fate.” The Arrow pauses for a drink before continuing. “The other conclusion is that she has the capacity to sacrifice her own desires and wants because it is the right thing to do in the long run.” He would expect that any mage that had told him anything was exercising a deep level of trust in opening up to him. “In regards to the Corn situation, my personal opinion on the matter is that, I can't say I know why she comforted him. Only Skye can tell you why she did it as she made no comment to me about it, or if she did then I did not commit it to memory because of my own anger at the man. However I can offer an alternative that, she at least shows commitment to orders. You recall the holiday hut that me and Skye went into to clean? I know that her behaviour on this mission was objective focused. We by all ability and rights could have fumbled around and done some digging, possibly even try to scourer all over that site looking for something to gain for our own selfish needs. She did not do this. She went in, did the job as we were outlined to do and got straight out there. No deviation and she followed instruction to the letter. As did I but that is not the point I am trying to make.” It wasn't perfect but it showed that she could commit to orders. “If she would hunt me down and kill me under orders from you? Yes I do think so. I believe that she would hate every minute of it and be upset when the task is done because of how much of a team we are but I do believe she would do it.” Can she kill me is another question, not needed for this conversation though.