Ideal of Justice

“Though an author might think they can dictate right and wrong, they are but one, flawed perspective.”

Jo.

The Ideal of Justice consists of the aspects of Mercy and Ruthlessness. It deals with questions of morality, fairness and ideas of right and wrong - what is, what should be and what must be done. Such Muses will make the punishment fit the crime, and will be the first to grant a hero (or villain) an apt reward for their service - though not without a new lesson to be learnt.

Muses of Justice have power over themes of righting wrongs, just desserts, poetic justice and the manipulation of rules. They believe that the course of the Narrative is governed by characters' positions within moral codes. Hence, when a Muse of Justice wants to use their Skills to manipulate the Narrative of a Vignette, they must act to change those positions.

The Strife Skill governs uses of powers to attack others. With Justice, a Muse could turn a foe's own weapon against them, or strike fear into their heart.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might humiliate an arrogant bully by beating them at their own game.
• Moderate: A Muse might rile up the victims of a scam to take back what's been taken from them.
• Strong: A Muse might condemn a highwayman to death by their own pistol.
• Exceptional: A Muse might use a corrupt ruler's laws against them to topple them from power to where they truly belong.

The Subvert Skill governs stealth, duplicity, and forgery. With Justice, a Muse might blind an opponent with a web of lies, or gain a reprieve at the last possible second.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might trick an opponent into bribing an official to get them in trouble.
• Moderate: A Muse might forge coins or a contract to bankrupt a robber baron.
• Strong: A Muse might outbid tyrant on some mercenaries, turning them against their former master.
• Exceptional: A Muse might prevent the destruction of a whole city through a heartfelt appeal to a supervillain poised to destroy it.

The Seek Skill governs uses of powers to gather information. With History, a Muse is an investigator - in prime position to suss out who someone is and what they stand for, or to feel where a great wrong has been committed.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might intuitively notice someone's vices.
• Moderate: A Muse might detect where a murder has been committed through small clues.
• Strong: A Muse might piece together the complex web of a criminal syndicate.
• Exceptional: A Muse might portent the darkest secrets of the Empire, and who committed its greatest crimes.

The Sculpt Skill governs uses of powers to modify objects. With Justice, a Muse can shape them to something more befitting of their owner.

Some examples of applications at different power levels are:

• Weak: A Muse might forge an adventuror's sword to look more heroic.
• Moderate: A Muse might subtly modify someone's outfit to show what they really stand for.
• Strong: A Muse might cast a spell to turn a statue into a witch's familiar.
• Exceptional: A Muse might fortify a castle to defend its stoic owner.