Torchbearer - Revision history

Twiggy at 15:37, 19 March 2026

2026-03-19T15:37:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:37, 19 March 2026
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	If you are creating a character who is part of a group then it's a good idea to discuss playing a torchbearer with your friends. If you are committed to spreading truths widely then it might lead to conflict with other characters if they are interested in political power or controlling information. If everyone is happy to play with that conflict then this will make the game even more enjoyable for everyone, but some groups prefer to avoid this kind of intra-group friction.		If you are creating a character who is part of a group then it's a good idea to discuss playing a torchbearer with your friends. If you are committed to spreading truths widely then it might lead to conflict with other characters if they are interested in political power or controlling information. If everyone is happy to play with that conflict then this will make the game even more enjoyable for everyone, but some groups prefer to avoid this kind of intra-group friction.

	If you're creating a group of torchbearers, then this can help define the nature of your spire. A spire that serves as a public library where people can come and study your collected documents, or one that publishes a newspaper, would both make a great basis for a group of torchbearers. Obviously the group can also include characters with aren't torchbearers, who can play a variety of roles based on the core concept. This could include other archetypes such as a [[mage]] whose idealism synchs well with the torchbearer philosophy, or a [[stargazer]] interested in exploring the magical implications of Truth..		If you're creating a group of torchbearers, then this can help define the nature of your spire. A spire that serves as a public library where people can come and study your collected documents, or one that publishes a newspaper, would both make a great basis for a group of torchbearers. Obviously the group can also include characters with aren't torchbearers, who can play a variety of roles based on the core concept. This could include other archetypes such as a [[mage]] whose idealism synchs well with the torchbearer philosophy, or a [[stargazer]] interested in exploring the magical implications of Truth.

	==Playing a Torchbearer==		==Playing a Torchbearer==

Twiggy at 21:25, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T21:25:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 4 March 2026
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	Torchbearers regularly struggle with the question of what the truth actually is, but at the end of the day it often comes down to personal judgement. Even primary sources such as letters or journals may be biased or misleading. The torchbearer calling is one of constantly evaluating information, weighing it based on its provenance, and how it related to other information. Speculation and hypothesis can be interesting, but they must always be presented as such never as proven facts. One of the first questions a torchbearer is likely to ask when encountering a new piece of information for the first time is "''How can we determine the truth of this?''"		Torchbearers regularly struggle with the question of what the truth actually is, but at the end of the day it often comes down to personal judgement. Even primary sources such as letters or journals may be biased or misleading. The torchbearer calling is one of constantly evaluating information, weighing it based on its provenance, and how it related to other information. Speculation and hypothesis can be interesting, but they must always be presented as such never as proven facts. One of the first questions a torchbearer is likely to ask when encountering a new piece of information for the first time is "''How can we determine the truth of this?''"

	Didactlyan Torchbearers usually focus on current events, and on ensuring that their fellow citizens are well informed about what is going on around them. Where they can't witness events themselves, they try to speak directly to people who did. They are much less concerned about the past, arguing that what matters is to communicate what is happening now to other citizens. While other torchbearers worry about the veracity of a piece of information, Didactlyans prefer to tell everyone and then let people make their own judgements about what is true or false. Because of their desire to engage and inform their fellow citizens, Didactlyans often ~~summarize~~ the basic facts and present them in a dramatic fashion, rather than focusing on creating formal records.		Didactlyan Torchbearers usually focus on current events, and on ensuring that their fellow citizens are well informed about what is going on around them. Where they can't witness events themselves, they try to speak directly to people who did. They are much less concerned about the past, arguing that what matters is to communicate what is happening now to other citizens. While other torchbearers worry about the veracity of a piece of information, Didactlyans prefer to tell everyone and then let people make their own judgements about what is true or false. Because of their desire to engage and inform their fellow citizens, Didactlyans often summarise the basic facts and present them in a dramatic fashion, rather than focusing on creating formal records.

	The Sacharissan Torchbearers by contrast focus their efforts on the past, seeking to illuminate and record what actually happened. Finding the truth is always difficult, so they search for primary sources - historical records that provide details of decisions taken as well as journals, letters, accounts and the like - that give insight into what people at the time thought was happening. They are often fascinated by past life visions - as evidenced by the recent excitement around the collected visions of the [[Seer of the Gateway]] - but they advise caution because any testimony is prone to assumptions and bias by the observer. Many torchbearers argue that the role of the guide priest is actually more important than the visionary because the guide can be a dispassionate observer of what takes place, while the visionary is inevitably swept up in what is happening.		The Sacharissan Torchbearers by contrast focus their efforts on the past, seeking to illuminate and record what actually happened. Finding the truth is always difficult, so they search for primary sources - historical records that provide details of decisions taken as well as journals, letters, accounts and the like - that give insight into what people at the time thought was happening. They are often fascinated by past life visions - as evidenced by the recent excitement around the collected visions of the [[Seer of the Gateway]] - but they advise caution because any testimony is prone to assumptions and bias by the observer. Many torchbearers argue that the role of the guide priest is actually more important than the visionary because the guide can be a dispassionate observer of what takes place, while the visionary is inevitably swept up in what is happening.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T22:15:34Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 15 January 2026
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	==History==		==History==
	While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational location\|memorial]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.		While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational location\|memorial]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.

	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

Hailmur: /* History */

2025-09-25T00:49:49Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 25 September 2025
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	==History==		==History==
	While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[~~imperial~~ Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational location\|memorial]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.		While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[Imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational location\|memorial]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.

	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

Dre at 17:54, 29 December 2023

2023-12-29T17:54:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 29 December 2023
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	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

	[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This ~~lead~~ to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].		[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This led to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].

	In 210YE, after the death of [[Emperor Nicovar]], [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]] Hesther of Cesa's Watch called every prominent torchbearer to [[inquisition]] over their alleged involvement in the excesses of the late [[the Throne\|Throne]]. The most active supporters of Nicovar were [[Excommunication\|excommunicated]] and several, including Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, were ultimately executed by the [[magistrates]] for their crimes. The reputation of the torchbearers was tarnished for generations as a result, with many assuming the whole movement was "infected" with Nicovar's madness, ready to burn any books that did not live up to their unachievable high standards of scholarship.		In 210YE, after the death of [[Emperor Nicovar]], [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]] Hesther of Cesa's Watch called every prominent torchbearer to [[inquisition]] over their alleged involvement in the excesses of the late [[the Throne\|Throne]]. The most active supporters of Nicovar were [[Excommunication\|excommunicated]] and several, including Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, were ultimately executed by the [[magistrates]] for their crimes. The reputation of the torchbearers was tarnished for generations as a result, with many assuming the whole movement was "infected" with Nicovar's madness, ready to burn any books that did not live up to their unachievable high standards of scholarship.

Matt at 16:17, 2 July 2023

2023-07-02T16:17:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:17, 2 July 2023
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	==History==		==History==
	While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational ~~tomb~~]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.		While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational location\|memorial]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.

	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

Matt: /* Creating a Torchbearer */

2023-04-05T09:53:09Z

Creating a Torchbearer

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:53, 5 April 2023
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	Torchbearer can work with any combination of skills. Didactylos, one of the founders of the movement, was an artisan rather than a magician, while Sacharissa was a publisher first and foremost. The best advice is to think about what area of the game you want to investigate. It's perfectly fine to be a generalist, or an outsider, but if you're interested in exploring the activities of the Synod and the things priests are doing then some [[religious skills]], and knowledge of the Way, makes sense. Likewise, if you're interested in the Conclave then being a [[Magical_skills#Magician\|magician]] will allow you access.		Torchbearer can work with any combination of skills. Didactylos, one of the founders of the movement, was an artisan rather than a magician, while Sacharissa was a publisher first and foremost. The best advice is to think about what area of the game you want to investigate. It's perfectly fine to be a generalist, or an outsider, but if you're interested in exploring the activities of the Synod and the things priests are doing then some [[religious skills]], and knowledge of the Way, makes sense. Likewise, if you're interested in the Conclave then being a [[Magical_skills#Magician\|magician]] will allow you access.

	The same goes for [[resource\|personal resource]] - if you have a [[congregation]] that will grant you membership of the Imperial Synod, which will give you a role in the debates of the day. Conversely if you are interested in the Conclave, then a mana site will provide the [[Game_items#Mana_Crystals\|crystal mana]] that you need to make announcements and declarations in front of the Conclave. A personal resource that allows you to pay people for information such as a [[business]], or a set of skills that gives you something to reward your confidants with such as [[apothecary]] or [[Crafting_skills#Artisan\|artisan]], can encourage people to keep coming to you with things they find out.		The same goes for [[resource\|personal resource]] - if you have a [[congregation]] that will grant you membership of the Imperial Synod, which will give you a role in the debates of the day. A personal resource that allows you to pay people for information such as a [[business]], or a set of skills that gives you something to reward your confidants with such as [[apothecary]] or [[Crafting_skills#Artisan\|artisan]], can encourage people to keep coming to you with things they find out.

	If you are creating a character who is part of a group then it's a good idea to discuss playing a torchbearer with your friends. If you are committed to spreading truths widely then it might lead to conflict with other characters if they are interested in political power or controlling information. If everyone is happy to play with that conflict then this will make the game even more enjoyable for everyone, but some groups prefer to avoid this kind of intra-group friction.		If you are creating a character who is part of a group then it's a good idea to discuss playing a torchbearer with your friends. If you are committed to spreading truths widely then it might lead to conflict with other characters if they are interested in political power or controlling information. If everyone is happy to play with that conflict then this will make the game even more enjoyable for everyone, but some groups prefer to avoid this kind of intra-group friction.

Emmanovi: /* History */ sp

2023-03-25T14:47:58Z

History: sp

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 25 March 2023
Line 12:		Line 12:
	While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational tomb]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.		While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational tomb]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.

	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued ~~thait t~~ the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

	[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This lead to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].		[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This lead to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].

Rafferty at 21:25, 11 February 2023

2023-02-11T21:25:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 11 February 2023
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	It's relatively easy for an Urizen to find out what is going on in Urizen, but the torchbearer's remit extends to the entire Empire. It can be challenging to find out what is going on in other nations - or to get access to the people who need to hear the truths you've uncovered. it's a good idea to try and develop a network of contacts you can go to for information, or who can help you get access to the witnesses or documents you need to do your work. Finding other characters who share your interest in uncovering the truth can be an important early character goal.		It's relatively easy for an Urizen to find out what is going on in Urizen, but the torchbearer's remit extends to the entire Empire. It can be challenging to find out what is going on in other nations - or to get access to the people who need to hear the truths you've uncovered. it's a good idea to try and develop a network of contacts you can go to for information, or who can help you get access to the witnesses or documents you need to do your work. Finding other characters who share your interest in uncovering the truth can be an important early character goal.

	Torchbearers who are members of the Synod and Conclave have additional tools at their disposal. An [[Inquisition]] can help uncover corruption, while a [[Statement of Principle]] can be used to announce important information. If the statement receives a [[greater majority]] in the [[General Assembly]] then we will assume that it has been heard right across the Empire which may create an [[opportunity]] for a [[mandate]]. Likewise, an [[~~Conclave_address\|address~~]] or [[~~declaration~~]] ~~before the Conclave~~ can be used to spread information to magicians across the Empire.		Torchbearers who are members of the Synod and Conclave have additional tools at their disposal. An [[Inquisition]] can help uncover corruption, while a [[Statement of Principle]] can be used to announce important information. If the statement receives a [[greater majority]] in the [[General Assembly]] then we will assume that it has been heard right across the Empire which may create an [[opportunity]] for a [[mandate]]. Likewise, a suitable [[declaration]] before the Conclave - perhaps secured with the aid of a [[Grandmaster]] - can be used to spread information to magicians across the Empire.

	You don't have to pick one of the three common philosophies (Didactylan, Sacharissa, Antonaian). Each one is intended to focus on one element of the torchbearar philosophy, but as long as you're finding out facts and sharing them with others there's no need to limit yourself to a single approach. There's nothing to stop you changing philosophy even if you do pick one. Whatever you choose, it's worth considering your attitude to these three philosophies however, as your views on them may affect your relations with other torchbearers.		You don't have to pick one of the three common philosophies (Didactylan, Sacharissa, Antonaian). Each one is intended to focus on one element of the torchbearar philosophy, but as long as you're finding out facts and sharing them with others there's no need to limit yourself to a single approach. There's nothing to stop you changing philosophy even if you do pick one. Whatever you choose, it's worth considering your attitude to these three philosophies however, as your views on them may affect your relations with other torchbearers.

Hastur: /* Playing a Torchbearer */

2021-09-28T15:44:36Z

Playing a Torchbearer

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 28 September 2021
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	It's relatively easy for an Urizen to find out what is going on in Urizen, but the torchbearer's remit extends to the entire Empire. It can be challenging to find out what is going on in other nations - or to get access to the people who need to hear the truths you've uncovered. it's a good idea to try and develop a network of contacts you can go to for information, or who can help you get access to the witnesses or documents you need to do your work. Finding other characters who share your interest in uncovering the truth can be an important early character goal.		It's relatively easy for an Urizen to find out what is going on in Urizen, but the torchbearer's remit extends to the entire Empire. It can be challenging to find out what is going on in other nations - or to get access to the people who need to hear the truths you've uncovered. it's a good idea to try and develop a network of contacts you can go to for information, or who can help you get access to the witnesses or documents you need to do your work. Finding other characters who share your interest in uncovering the truth can be an important early character goal.

	Torchbearers who are members of the Synod and Conclave have additional tools at their disposal. An [[Inquisition]] can help uncover corruption, while a [[Statement of Principle]] can be used to announce important information. If the statement receives a [[greater majority]] in the [[General Assembly]] then we will assume that it has been heard right across the Empire which may create an [[opportunity]] for a [[mandate]]. Likewise, an [[address]] or [[declaration]] before the Conclave can be used to spread information to magicians across the Empire.		Torchbearers who are members of the Synod and Conclave have additional tools at their disposal. An [[Inquisition]] can help uncover corruption, while a [[Statement of Principle]] can be used to announce important information. If the statement receives a [[greater majority]] in the [[General Assembly]] then we will assume that it has been heard right across the Empire which may create an [[opportunity]] for a [[mandate]]. Likewise, an [[Conclave_address\|address]] or [[declaration]] before the Conclave can be used to spread information to magicians across the Empire.

	You don't have to pick one of the three common philosophies (Didactylan, Sacharissa, Antonaian). Each one is intended to focus on one element of the torchbearar philosophy, but as long as you're finding out facts and sharing them with others there's no need to limit yourself to a single approach. There's nothing to stop you changing philosophy even if you do pick one. Whatever you choose, it's worth considering your attitude to these three philosophies however, as your views on them may affect your relations with other torchbearers.		You don't have to pick one of the three common philosophies (Didactylan, Sacharissa, Antonaian). Each one is intended to focus on one element of the torchbearar philosophy, but as long as you're finding out facts and sharing them with others there's no need to limit yourself to a single approach. There's nothing to stop you changing philosophy even if you do pick one. Whatever you choose, it's worth considering your attitude to these three philosophies however, as your views on them may affect your relations with other torchbearers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 29 December 2023
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	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

	[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This ~~lead~~ to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].		[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This led to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].

	In 210YE, after the death of [[Emperor Nicovar]], [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]] Hesther of Cesa's Watch called every prominent torchbearer to [[inquisition]] over their alleged involvement in the excesses of the late [[the Throne\|Throne]]. The most active supporters of Nicovar were [[Excommunication\|excommunicated]] and several, including Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, were ultimately executed by the [[magistrates]] for their crimes. The reputation of the torchbearers was tarnished for generations as a result, with many assuming the whole movement was "infected" with Nicovar's madness, ready to burn any books that did not live up to their unachievable high standards of scholarship.		In 210YE, after the death of [[Emperor Nicovar]], [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]] Hesther of Cesa's Watch called every prominent torchbearer to [[inquisition]] over their alleged involvement in the excesses of the late [[the Throne\|Throne]]. The most active supporters of Nicovar were [[Excommunication\|excommunicated]] and several, including Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, were ultimately executed by the [[magistrates]] for their crimes. The reputation of the torchbearers was tarnished for generations as a result, with many assuming the whole movement was "infected" with Nicovar's madness, ready to burn any books that did not live up to their unachievable high standards of scholarship.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 25 March 2023
Line 12:		Line 12:
	While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational tomb]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.		While the pursuit of the truth has always been a calling in Urizen, the modern torchbearer movement began with the brilliant if eccentric artisan Didactylos of Delving. He was a fixture of the seasonal summits at [[Anvil]] throughout the reigns of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and [[Empress Richilde]]. Every evening during the first hour of full dark, he would declaim important facts about the day's happening on the steps of the Senate building, while holding aloft a heavy orichalcum torch set with a fist-sized [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]]. A popular anecdote recounts how, on discovering how heavy this torch was, a friend offered to make him a much lighter instrument using a mithril alloy. Didactylos scoffed and countered that he could easily do that himself, but then it would be too easy to fall into temptation and waste words embellishing his accounts, boring his audience, and obfuscating the truth. After his death in 72YE his name was placed before the [[imperial Synod]] with a [[judgement]] of [[recognition]] as an exemplar of Wisdom, but while that judgement was successful no [[inspirational tomb]] was created to immortalise his deeds and he largely faded from memory.

	Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued ~~thait t~~ the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.		Didactylos influenced not only his fellow Urizen but also truthseekers across the Empire. The woman who became Sacharissa of Spider's Vantage began her life in [[Tassato]] as a member of a pioneering [[Technology#Printing press\|printing]] guild. Inspired by Didactylos, she left [[the League]] for Urizen, first as a member of Arlspire in Morrow and then as a founder of Spider's Vantage in Redoubt. Where Didactylos believed in word of mouth as the best way to spread the truth, Sacharissa argued that the truth should be written down. Written words would be more readily available to Imperial citizens across the Empire, and harder to misconstrue. Sacharissa is recognised in scholarly circles as a pioneer of the view of history as a record of what happened. Sadly, much of the work done by the Sacharissan school of historians to preserve the truth about the early Empire was lost during the destruction wrought by [[Emperor Nicovar]], but the tradition - the importance of writing down facts about events with as little editorialising as possible - continues to inspire torchbearers to this day.

	[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This lead to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].		[[Emperor Nicovar]]'s destruction of the libraries remains the greatest challenge faced by the torchbearers, one that nearly saw the end of their movement. In the early part of his reign, he was a staunch supporter of the torchbearers, using [[The Throne#Hand of the Chancellor\|Imperial funds]] to finance their work. When he began to burn the libraries the torchbearers were fundamentally divided in their response. Some denounced Nicovar, and tried to rescue as many respected works of scholarship as possible. This lead to several prominent torchbearers - especially Senecassa of Truth's Arrow and Cassius of Thought's River - being effectively martyred, killed by Imperial troops responsible for burning the libraries. An equally vocal faction supported the Emperor however. Atonaius of Truth's Arrow, a confidante of the Emperor, reportedly threw the first torch that ignited the archives at [[Sarvos#Diora University\|Diora University]].