I perhaps predictably voted to not swear, in part because binding yourself to an oath is a heavy burden in this setting, but also because Vahid seems to have a bit of an understanding of metaplot. Inevitably, if he swears not to do it, then binding the Thousand Year Storm to him will be the only way to save lives and keep a much greater horror from happening. In the absence of that oath, ironically, he is freer to act in the final moment. The universe is necessarily perverse.
Indeed! His understanding of metaplot I think can fit comfortably into an in-character notion of fate or destiny — if his fate is to take up the mantle of Stormcatcher, then he should not swear.
I still hold hope that he won’t be the new storm lord, somehow! Perhaps he can, like, Prospero, break his staff and give up the magic, and with it, the last grasp of the makers on humanity…
Prospero would be a good model for Vahid, though Prospero was at the end of his life, and Vahid reckons himself a young man still. We'll see if he's ready to break his staff when the time comes.
It's probably just as important to recognize that he doesn't necessarily know his fate, but he knows that fate exists. If he tries to preempt fate, fate has a funny way of making mockery of such promises.
I was actually rather impressed with the way that you wrote his avoidance of making that promise or even addressing it. "I don't want to" is a far more interesting thing to say. Of course, it also almost begs fate to laugh in your face and say, "Well, I don't care what you want," but I'm sure he knows that too.
i have been a keeper and feeder of the fires of metaplot in many a campaign; I would not willingly bind myself or others with such provisions, but I might share the warmth with friends who asked for it.
I voted to swear, but I don’t really believe that’s what he would do! I think he’s toed the line for a while now and this demand from someone who wishes him ill will provoke his storm catcher wrath, and any vahid thoughts of parlay will be overcome by hubris? Righteous indignation? Either way it’s the spirit that will choose here, not Vahid I fear!
I perhaps predictably voted to not swear, in part because binding yourself to an oath is a heavy burden in this setting, but also because Vahid seems to have a bit of an understanding of metaplot. Inevitably, if he swears not to do it, then binding the Thousand Year Storm to him will be the only way to save lives and keep a much greater horror from happening. In the absence of that oath, ironically, he is freer to act in the final moment. The universe is necessarily perverse.
Indeed! His understanding of metaplot I think can fit comfortably into an in-character notion of fate or destiny — if his fate is to take up the mantle of Stormcatcher, then he should not swear.
I still hold hope that he won’t be the new storm lord, somehow! Perhaps he can, like, Prospero, break his staff and give up the magic, and with it, the last grasp of the makers on humanity…
Prospero would be a good model for Vahid, though Prospero was at the end of his life, and Vahid reckons himself a young man still. We'll see if he's ready to break his staff when the time comes.
It's probably just as important to recognize that he doesn't necessarily know his fate, but he knows that fate exists. If he tries to preempt fate, fate has a funny way of making mockery of such promises.
I was actually rather impressed with the way that you wrote his avoidance of making that promise or even addressing it. "I don't want to" is a far more interesting thing to say. Of course, it also almost begs fate to laugh in your face and say, "Well, I don't care what you want," but I'm sure he knows that too.
I was a little bit proud of "I do not wish it" when it hit the page. :-)
I'm reminded of a moment waaaay back in 7.5 when a younger, more naive Vahid rejected the notion of fate entirely:
---
“He believes your fates are intertwined,” she says. She meets him in the center of the tent, circling him with slow steps. “Do you think it is so?”
Vahid turns to face her again. “I do not believe in fate. Each of us carries the freedom and burden of will.”
She smiles wryly. “The rabbit and the drake are as free as any man, but when they meet on the grasslands, are their fates not intertwined?”
---
Obviously, Vahid has a bit more data to work with re: Fate these days. :) He seems to be a believer now.
I believe in Vahid the man, even after all his trials and the possession by the storm spirit. He will not take up the Thousand Year Storm.
(Unless of course, that's where the most dramatic fun lies.)
i have been a keeper and feeder of the fires of metaplot in many a campaign; I would not willingly bind myself or others with such provisions, but I might share the warmth with friends who asked for it.
I voted to swear, but I don’t really believe that’s what he would do! I think he’s toed the line for a while now and this demand from someone who wishes him ill will provoke his storm catcher wrath, and any vahid thoughts of parlay will be overcome by hubris? Righteous indignation? Either way it’s the spirit that will choose here, not Vahid I fear!