“In matters like this, I look to Genitivi's writings first. Not that he is any bloody use, but he's reliably an indicator of the worst possible thing to do.”
The Well-Read Pig-Farmer is from Tevinter and has apparently married well for a pig-farmer. She implies that she was formerly part of the Magisterium. She may be called upon to offer advice to the Marquis of Serault.
Card Description[]
"Na via lerno victoria, as they say in Tevinter. Of course there haven't been many victories lately, but if you read Issiker's account of the Valarian Engagements, there are some really intricate strategies - sorry, did you want to buy a pig?"
She married well for a pig-farmer. She gets around. Her accent is Tevinter. What an interesting woman.
Available actions[]
1.
Send a messenger to ask her opinion on the matters before you Someone discreet.
Difficulty: Cunning*6/5
Success: The voice of experience Her scribbled analysis arrives on the back of a page of Genetivi's In Pursuit of Knowledge. It smells faintly of pig, but the dedications are incisive, bold and devoid of mercy.
+8 Clues
Failure: Uncovered Your messenger returns swiftly. The Pig-Farmer's analysis is incisive. but your messenger was not as discreet as he should have been. You can hear the whispers: "The Marquis looks for wisdom among swine."
+8 Clues, -10 Dignity
2.
Engage in a vigorous debate of letters Nothing hones the muscles like swordplay. Nothing sharpens the mind like argument.
Result: Cut and thrust Her latest tract (complete with muddy fingerprints) reaches you late in the evening. Its research is, as always, exemplary, but her conclusions regarding the ethical underpinnings of Tevinter's economy are outrageous. You've a busy day tomorrow. You should rest. But you can't leave error like this unchallenged. To the library!
-(Scholarship) in Clues, +3 Scholarship
Result (alternate): An old tome Dense, inseparable uncials cram the book. The ink fades. Mould speckles the flimsy pages. Your grandfather's untidy, scathing annotations intrude on the text. But buried somewhere beneath it all is a fact that will refute the Pig Farmer's latest speculation. You move the candle as close as you dare, and read on.
-(Scholarship) in Clues, +3 Scholarship
3.
Play a game of Archon with the Well-Read Pig-Farmer She admires wit even more than erudition, especially in a ruler. But a marquis, visiting a pig-farmer? It'll do your reputation no good at court.
Difficulty: Cunning*2
Success: Standstill After two hours, neither of your magisters can reach the throne at the centre of the board. A stalemate. Not an uncommon result between two experienced players. The Pig-Farmer congratulates you on an invigorating game. "Gerrault says, 'A ruler can employ scholars to teach them, soldiers to fight for them and bards to intrigue for them. But no one can think for them.' He's right. Some have tried, but it never ends well." Is she speaking from experience?
-20 Dignity, -2 Authority, +1 Favor
Failure: Found wanting She smiles apologetically, destroys your defence and sets her Magister on the throne in the centre of the board. Once your opponent has an Archon, the game is all but lost. You resign. Where did a pig-farmer learn that fiendish gambit - using the slave-sacrifice to open the way for her Black Divine? She's polite, of course. Deferent. But clearly she was hoping for sterner opposition.
-20 Dignity, -2 Authority, +1 Favor
4.
Employ the Pig-Farmer as your secret advisor No one can know.
Result: Back in black
Result: She listens to your offer. "I won't lie: I've missed politics. The knife-edge of it. The sharp play of power, like the sun shining on the wave-caps..." She wipes mud from her hand onto her skirts. "Very well. Let me tell you how we did things in the Magisterium," Her grin is tight as a gallows-noose.
-2 Favor, Pig-farmer becomes Accomplice with +20 Scholarship, The Pig Farmer looks forward to advising you
5.
Listen to her tales of Tevinter
(Requires The Well-Read Pig-Farmer as Accomplice) She speaks of the grim facades of Minrathous' palaces, and the sorcerous intrigues that worm behind them...
Result: The Imperium She describes the cruel, twisting paths of Tevinter rule. She recounts nightmarish tales of forbidden magics, and the scant techniques that can counter them. Her knowledge is unquestionably first-hand. Is that yearning in her voice, or dread?
-1 Favor, +(6 to 14) Dignity, +(1 to 2) Authority, +(1 to 10) Clue, +1 Rulership, -(18 to 27) Twilight
Bugs[]
There is no difference between success or failure when trying to gain a favor.
If the Well-Read Pig-Farmer becomes the Marquis' accomplice and is then replaced by the Purveyor of Teas, her icon will remain in the accomplice list but the game will normally consider only the Purveyor of Teas as the current accomplice.
