The Book of Knots - Jags
The Book of Knots - Jags
The Book of Knots - Jags
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Reflections on Chessboard Zero: <strong>The</strong> Exquisitors are sometimes seen<br />
as shadowy auditors who may leave an impression <strong>of</strong> having been<br />
seen—but were not “actually there” (“Who was that talking to you in<br />
your <strong>of</strong>fice?” “I was here alone.” “I could’ve sworn I saw someone<br />
through the glass.”)<br />
However, they do have places they work—the torture chambers. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
are places where strange sculptures are welcomed (and will start to<br />
“collect” if left to their own devices). On Chessboard Zero, one might<br />
find an <strong>of</strong>fice with disturbing leather straps on <strong>of</strong>fice chairs. One might<br />
find an abandoned basement with dentist drills scattered about the<br />
floors, etc.<br />
A person who has been or is being tortured there will feel a horrific<br />
aversion to the room. A normal person may have walked his Shadow<br />
into the chamber with Exquisitors—they may become sick and<br />
horrified very quickly!<br />
Toy Soldiers (Wind-up)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Multitudes are poor troops but they are cheap (4 for a dime).<br />
Somewhat more expensive are the Toy Soldiers. <strong>The</strong>se are wind-up<br />
robotic troops which look a bit blocky (their chests open up to reveal two<br />
flashing Stun Cannons).<br />
Praying Mantis (Chaplains)<br />
Six-foot tall Praying Mantises are the religious support for the Army<br />
<strong>of</strong> No. <strong>The</strong>y are the beings that can sort <strong>of</strong> “get a message” to the<br />
Caretakers that created the Army (other than going directly through<br />
General Ledger—but that’s crazy-talk for most field commanders). <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are also powerful battle machines—although they are a bit rare and high<br />
in the chain <strong>of</strong> command to be front-line troops.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are also counselors. <strong>The</strong>y, perversely, play the good cop to those<br />
caught in the Army <strong>of</strong> No’s torture chambers and prisons. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten the ones who will talk to the Shadow <strong>of</strong> an authority figure they<br />
are trying to convert to their cause. <strong>The</strong>y have resonant voices and are<br />
masters <strong>of</strong> psychological manipulation.<br />
Reflections on Chessboard Zero: <strong>The</strong> chaplains love motivational<br />
posters. <strong>The</strong>y like mugs with slogans like “<strong>The</strong>re’s no I in Team”—<br />
they like all that stuff with the most condescending smarmy<br />
atmosphere that can be mustered to go with it. <strong>The</strong>ir disposition is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> false morale and manufactured cheerfulness.<br />
It’s the irony <strong>of</strong> the guy with the “Vision” Poster telling you that your<br />
idea just “isn’t mature enough.”<br />
Pundits (Talking heads)<br />
Pundits are the Psy-War radio stations <strong>of</strong> the Army <strong>of</strong> No. <strong>The</strong>y are about<br />
six feet tall, blue, and immobile (they are usually moved around by the<br />
85<br />
<strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Knots</strong> - <strong>The</strong> Symposium