Microscope RPG--Rise and Fall of an Empire: Scene: Final defeat of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace
Scene: Final defeat of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace.
Tone: (to be determined)
Focus: Saint Xavata, revered by the Followers of Lu the Fatherless
(Glyptodont)
Question: How did the Pure Thought Crusade defeat the last and most powerful handful of monks and nuns of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace who once ruled the Invisible Empire?
Required characters:
- An officer in the military Order of Saint Xavata representing the Pure Thought Crusade. Chosen by Yadal: Vestos, nominally an officer in the Pure Thought Crusade but actually a mind-controlled spy. Vestos has been apparently cleared of mind control shortly before the meeting, but that was all part of the plan- the Pure Thought Crusade subsequently rebrainwashed him, just as planned.
Banned characters:
None
Other characters:
- Chosen by Glyptodont: Exo-Sapient Analytical Unit Raiykowra, a member of the Jeweled Children who serves unofficially as a sort of mind-control detector during situations as these. If he deduces that Vestos actually is under the control of the Temple of Great Harmony, he is to send a signal and, if possible, kill the High Abbess. In fact, his orders give him free reign to kill, abduct, or hinder the High Abbess if (and only if) he concludes it will be strategically advantageous to the Pure Thought Crusade. Officially, Raiykowra does not exist as it would be against principles to allow a non-human such a high position. So officially he appears as a gold and silver jewel-encrusted chair that is carried by human porters to the meeting. With the return of their forge-lands, many of the Jeweled Children have repaired and upgraded their forms, so Analytical Unit Raiykowra can unfold transformer-style from the "chair" into his default arrangement.
- Chosen by Muskrat: Sister Serene Mind, High Abbess of the Temple of Great Harmony and leader of the remnant of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace.
Setting the Scene:
On the volcanic island of Oysyryq, lies the Grand Temple of Harmony. Though "temple" is a euphemism. It is in fact a vast and heavily defended fortress where the former rulers-behind-the-throne of the Invisible Empire are hold up. Powerful defenses, both magical and mundane, protect this fortress and inside its vast walls are lakes, gardens and orchards. It is completely self-sufficient and can withstand a seige for years--perhaps decades. The forces of the Pure Thought Crusade are worried that the longer they wait, the easier it will be for the monks and nuns to corrupt their armies with their mind control. Such setbacks have happened before resulting in devastating defeats for the Followers of Lu. Now a herald has come forth with an offer of parley from the fortress. Is it trick? Or can the Pure Thought Crusade outwit the most powerful surviving members of the Invisible Empire?
Reveal thoughts:
Sister Serene Thought arises from her state of meditative absorption and prepares to ring the bell to end the meditation session that the remaining leaders of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace have been engaging in before they discuss their course of action as the Pure Thought Crusade comes to lay siege to their last refuge. Her heart is heavy with sorrow. All that they had worked for has come unraveled and war without end has returned to the land. The question now is if the Order will even be able to survive. With one hand, covered with bright green and red scales, she reaches out for the stick and then rings the great bell sitting before her, signaling the end to the meditation.
Note: I'm imagining Sister Serene Mind as a member of a saurian race and the leadership of the Order being made up of many different races. (Muskrat)
Vestos has decided to have 'mercy' on the leaders of the Movement and accept their terms with some minor negotiation. He figures that this way they can bounce back and suceed later. He is wondering how he can get the others to accept merciful terms given that they are so afraid of mind control. (Yadal)
Exo-Sapient Analytical Unit Raiykowra knows that his people's survival has depended on their usefulness to the Followers of Lu the Fatherless. But when the last of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace are gone, the Pure Thought Crusade may not see any reason to protect the Jeweled Children. The dispensation granted them by Saint Xavata always had the unspoken condition, "as long as you are needed". So despite his orders from the Pure Thought Crusade, Raiykowra is here to determine if it would be in the best interests of the Jeweled Children to assist the Order in defeating the armies surrounding them or perhaps helping the members of the Order to escape and continue their battle against the Crusade. All will depend on what the negotiators have to say.... (Glyptodont)
Playing the Scene:
TBA
Question: How did the Pure Thought Crusade defeat the last and most powerful handful of monks and nuns of the Order of the Great Harmonious Peace who once ruled the Invisible Empire?
Answer: (TBA)
