Vizier alpha

Description

Stats: + Vitality, + Intelligence, + Reflex

A Vizier is not a ruler, nor a mere advisor, but the arbiter of authority; deciding who stands and who falls under scrutiny. They speak with the weight of law, faith, or tradition – bending institutions to their will.

Calm under pressure and devastating in a public setting, Viziers destroy credibility, redirect command, and break down power structures.

Viziers thrive in missions involving: hierarchies, institutions, and assemblies; especially with conflicting claims of authority. They make use of laws, customs, or traditions that can be creatively interpreted or contested. Public scrutiny, witnesses, or formal proceedings are common tools. When designing for a Vizier, give them structure to exploit, not secrets to steal.
Drawing from figures defined by courtly intrigue, institutional control, and destructive legitimacy.

  • Jafar (Aladdin)
  • Varys, Master of Whisperers (Game of Thrones)
  • Vice President Morgan Clark (Babylon 5)
  • Ibara (Dr. Stone)
  • Iago (Othello)
  • Moses (Mythological figure)
  • Sir Hiss (Robin Hood)
  • Imhotep (The Mummy, historical figure)
  • Hotep and Huy (Prince of Egypt)
  • Seymour Cheese (Samurai Pizza Cats)
  • Thomas Cromwell (Historical figure)
  • Klemens von Metternich (Historical figure)
  • Denethor (Lord of the Rings)
  • Magatha Grimtotem (World of Warcraft)
  • Ancano (Elder Scrolls: Skyrim)

Edition: Advent v1

Public: Yes

Owner: detour

Gear

Base Gear

Hooded Silks

Base

regal robes, suitable for a royal court. Nobles, clergy, and officials are more likely to defer to you in public, so long as you remain calm and articulate.

Mitre

Base

ornate ceremonial headdress. Commands issued to uniformed personnel (guards, attendants) within their purview are treated as if coming from a superior rank, provided they align with procedure and decorum.

Staff of Counsel

Base

a golden tipped rod. Activate by throwing it on the ground mid-monologue to cause it to transform into a serpentine creature with a Pitched attribute (Low duration), compelling anyone within Mid range to pay rapt attention.

Elective Gear

Ceremonial Teapot

Elective

delicate, decorated teapot. Will magically fill with tea when you perform a short, simple ceremony. While pouring, may infuse a single cup with a Pitched substance (poison, soporific, truth serum, etc). (3x uses per mission)

Ledger of Whispers

Elective

a small, coded book of names and dates. Pitch a damaging but deniable indiscretion about an NPC of influence. (Mid cooldown)

Signet Ring

Elective

a baroque signet ring. Activate to summon a functionary and deliver them a clearly-worded, lawful command. The functionary will attempt to fulfill the command; interpreting letter over spirit, precedent over intent, and applying bureaucratic logic. (3x uses per mission)

Abilities

Cast The First Stone

Publicly attack the legitimacy of another’s claim to authority.

(Low essence, Mid duration, Low cooldown)

  • Choose a specific target and claim to authority you're contesting.
  • While active, witnesses hesitate to obey, trust, or defend the target in matters related to their authority.
  • Orders from the target are treated as questionable or illegitimate unless backed by force or leverage.
  • Effectiveness scales with number of witnesses.

Paired Action: Calmly deliver a formal denunciation of a target before witnesses, explicitly naming the authority you are challenging.

Ex Cathedra

Speak with the highest authority of an institution.

(High essence, Low-Mid duration, Mid cooldown)

  • You must name an institution that is known and respected/feared within the mission setting. For the duration you are treated as an authorized mouthpiece for this organization.
  • May Pitch specific procedures and customs related to current circumstances.

Paired Action: Dramatically reveal that you are a representative of an institution, then establish a "seat of office" (a brief ritual performed upon a seat before sitting) from which you issue a decree.

Throw Under The Bus

Make a damning accusation backed by evidence that inspires action in others.

(Mid essence, Mid cooldown)

  • You must make a formal accusation/petition against your target, presenting concrete evidence.
  • Evidence will not be deeply scrutinized in the moment, but will be considered sufficient to trigger process.
  • Your action forces a reckoning appropriate to the setting: an investigation begins, a hearing convened, allies demand answers, etc.

Paired Action: Publicly or semi-publicly commit to an accusation, inquiry, or denunciation by presenting relevant evidence and demanding action.