Ideal of Control

“What more control is there than the narrative?”

Jo.

The Ideal of Control consists of the aspects of Authority and Liberty. It deals with themes of power, hierarchy, and the ties that bind people and groups together. Such Muses enjoy meticulous dominion over their own lives, though many delight in those who break law and order to achieve their own authentic selves, while others still seek to assert themselves whatever the resistance.

Muses of Control have power over themes of leadership, charisma, 'chosen ones', revolt, rebellion, and (metaphorical and literal) disintegration. They believe that the course of the Narrative is governed by characters' perceptions of power. Hence, when a Muse of Control wants to use their Skills to manipulate the Narrative of a Vignette, they must act to change those perceptions.

The Strife Skill governs uses of powers to attack others. With Control, a Muse could aggressively sap a foe's will to fight by demanding their surrender or submission, or - when packing particular metaphysical might - literally 'liberate' an enemy's head from their body.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might mock someone to undermine their authority through embarrassment.
• Moderate: A Muse might shout imperatively, causing others to second-guess themselves.
• Strong: A Muse might rile up a crowd to overthrow a local tyrant, pitchforks at the ready.
• Exceptional: A Muse might crush a revolution under their iron fist - making examples of the perpetrators.

The Subvert Skill governs stealth, duplicity, and forgery. With Control, a Muse could create insinuate themselves into political hierarchies, or exert political power while keeping their own role unknown.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might be more persuasive that forged document is from a genuine authority.
• Moderate: A Muse might be more capable of “acting like they belong”, so that they blend in when entering a restricted area.
• Strong: A Muse might project confidence, causing no-one to question them when they relay a false order.
• Exceptional: A Muse might exude such authority that they take control of a situation with very little resistance.

The Seek Skill governs uses of powers to gather information. With Control, a Muse could learn about where power lies in a given group of people, and how to topple it.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might make themselves amenable enough to encourage another to be truthful about something they're not against sharing.
• Moderate: A Muse might be charismatic enough to control a conversation, steering it directly onto topics they wish to know more about.
• Strong: A Muse might observe a group for a short time, quickly working out the hierarchy and who its weak links are.
• Exceptional: A Muse might become the hub of information in the kingdom, manipulating matters however they wish.

The Sculpt Skill governs uses of powers to modify objects. With Control, a Muse could create trappings of authority - crowns, sceptres, badges - that resonate with supernatural authority, or shatter bindings, restraints and barriers with ease.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might engrave a badge which will allow them to claim authority.
• Moderate: A Muse might forge a master key for an outpost.
• Strong: A Muse might cast a spell so that a pen can only sign release documents.
• Exceptional: A Muse might copy the trappings of an evil villain, drawing their followers from the remnants of their kingdom under one banner.