Mari Blacke, the Torch

[Mari]

Akouai! Akouai!

It is, once more, over-





Mari Blacke, High Priestess of Gellema was created after a week or two on the server and figuring out I wanted to do something with religion, taking the paragraph from the Wiki seeing the "glistening temples in Baz'eel" and thinking, well, why not here? How do you go about making an unpalatable and esoteric religion mainstream enough to give it some space to work?



She is responsible for her share of things, even if she was never in an accord and somewhat marginalized at times as a result. It was by her (and Lojir and the current Gellemedes then's) hand that Gellema was placed on the Stele for a time. She styled herself Gellema's high priestess at that point and noone ever challenged her on that.

Mari was truly devoted of the Wheel as a whole, believing each spoke its due and virulently spiteful of heretics and spent some effort on rooting out Pra'raji and even got one or two. Being of the Wheel, of the Well and of the Sabotage, she did enjoy a mess but, largely, wished to seize the heart of Well and inspire it into the Gellemedea. To turn the Well into the eye in the storm of misfortune that swirled around the disc. To make it a shining jewel in Its image. This does perhaps make the circumstances of her death a bit more of a farce for those paying attention to such things.

She was a prolific and dogged conversion hound, probably getting nearly 20 people give or take I would have to count, more if you include some 'soft' conversions. She loved all of them, even when they stabbed her in the back or tried to kill her. Some conversions were five months in the making. Reaching out to the neglected and marginalized PCs gave her rather a lot to work with.


I hope religion grows to be a bigger part of the setting on the player side with these recent changes. I did sort of feel like I was playing a glorified priest npc at times I admit, set off to the side. But we made our own fun and Mari presided over several ritual sacrifices which wherein I had to get creative in dynamically restringing furniture for SFX. This is the effort the Gellemedea brings to the table.






Mari was of course silver tongued and charming as befitting her station. When she was famously kidnapped from her temple by some Banda Rossa during her first run at Legate, she woke up in a closet set to be murdered. Her groundwork for weeks with Kragg gave her the opening though to talk, and by the grace of Gellema was able to dissemble to save her life, leaving a Janissary to later fume, for whatever reason "Why did they let you go?? They kill babies!"

There was also that period of time after Lojir where they wouldn't let Nadiri talk to Mari without an escort.

She was, known to almost noone, one of the most published authors of the Bardic College...


She maintained a temple, inspired by Ianthe, for ages and appointed it rather nicely...


Mari was vain of course. There was ample environmental storytelling for this. And was, I think, the only PC to flat out pay ten thousand gold for a pretty toga rather than have one handed to them by background or circumstance.




While Mari was malign in her way, it was never really in the way people liked to imagine her to be, creating a dissonance she was quick to pounce upon. And she did have a sense of timing and know how to twist the knife.





As for the end, she was always hungry for the Legate seat which led to the sort of Rasputin-esque end I was ultimately expecting, though via blatant judicial murder. She went out with as much dignity as the circumstances allowed, faithful to her Deity, preaching to the last.






I interacted with a lot of folks so I couldn't cover them all, but as ever there are some that stand out.

Khalid- Khalid and Mari were quiet companions since the beginning, as cohorts in the Wheel and the Wheel House to friend to, eventually, the thought of him going to perish on Red Hill left her thoroughly rattled, bringing her to divulge her feelings. Khalid's dedication and incorruptibility was fascinating, even if she did manage eventually to cajole him into politics. Sometimes it did feel like we were bearing the entire religious weight of the Well on our shoulders to rep. A fantastic and in my opinion underrated cleric.

Ianthe- The reason Mari had a temple, blowing into her life at level 4 probably, and started doing the Greek swerve. Proof to me that if someone runs up to me crazy enough and Greek enough you can honestly get me to do anything. Incredible work.

Soliana- After months of working on it getting you into the Gellemedea was real worth it. I loved our dynamic and it was amazing to see her grow. See you between the stars~

Zickery- Lojir and Selsi were both a joy, and man did we get some stuff with Lojir. I appreciate how willing you are to just go for it and 'ball'.

Alejandro- I don't need to tell you that you are incredible at what you do. Your journals and works are top notch. Characterization and feels are all all timer every time with you, Don.

Gers Geiger- Mad wizard and Gellemede who, of course, backstabbed me a few times. Mari did get him cleared of some charges regarding shooting some cops. Mari inspiring him to create the alchemist guild had some wild knock-on affects down the line.

Galen- I appreciated you could never tell if Galen was going to strangle you or kiss you. Unbeatable lurching sociopath energy. Definitely one of Mari's favorites. I thought it was 50/50 you were going to murder me one day as an act of devotion. I'd've let you.

Bernadette- I love your guys Merrychase, even when they are being jerks to me and trying to undermine my cult with competition. Brandy and Meadow are also delights.

Bashir- Bashir is a treasure and I will miss just wandering about or hanging out, gossiping.

Karpie- please stop breaking my heart. At least I saved Lucas Moody with that spider helm so he and Edha got to retire to the burbs. Sorry Gianluca.

Syclya- Though you are new I do love your energy and willingness to engage, unbowed by expectations as only a fresh player can be.

EFU is always I think most rewarding for me when I look at those overlooked or secondary bit characters and prise and engage and get in their heads and this goes even moreso for Clerics. There is someone behind every keyboard and putting yourself out there, being available, making the gesture is almost worth it in the end. I would encourage everyone to always be looking to make that new friend, convert, or enemy. Don't let yourself get silo'd.

If you do miss Mari, though, just look up at the night sky.

she's waiting

Euoi Gellemos!

Chairómaste!

[Astra]

it's honestly wild how widespread the gellemedes were. interacting with mari was always fun and i loved the mystery cult vibe she had going on

good luck on your next!!

[Anthee]

Dream well, High Priestess...

Much <3

[baronguyperson]

Damn you and your kind words. Mari was certainly one of the reasons that got me hooked on this server. Coming in as a new cleric, we got to bounce off of each other and seemingly became the Yin and Yang of the Wheel in town. We fleshed out this interesting religion of ours, yours in a most unexpected yet still awesome way, I don't quite think anyone expected Fate and Prophecy Sabotage, but yet it fit so well.

Their conversations in Elossi's were always engaging, it's a tragedy they'll never have another. Real good show Ramc, you're a fine roleplayer and Mari a great character.

[Don Nadie]

Such an excellent evil lady. I loved her trying to worm her way into every single little weakness of an increasingly troubled man with all the mommy issues in the world. It was just excellent. The Well will be less without you.

[merrychase]

Mari was charismatic for real and you did an excellent job elaborating on the Gellema faith with this ambitious, cunning character.

~The Center of Attention~

[Pandip]

Playing a consistent cleric is really hard, especially for this length of time. And Mari was great to see around Ephia's Well.

Dream well, friend.

[-UnholyWon-]

Well played character! Mari Blacke was certainly a force to be reckoned with, and very long lived. Congrats on such a well developed character!

Cheers,

UnholyWon

[Zickery]

Mari's shadow will be long and dark for years to come. Thank you for all the fun and for playing such an excellent character!

[Erudiche]

Mari was a fantastic PC, played very well, with big impact on the setting which I suspect will last long past her. I was very sad to see her go.

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing your next PC.

[Fabulous Secret Powers]

Mari was a fantastic character, and easily one of the best introductions to the server that I had as a new player. One of the reasons why I stayed, as a perpetual server hopper! Digging through screenshots for something that doesn't reveal too much intrigue was really difficult, since she was tied to so much of it!

[Thaldrac]

RIP to the best Gellemede

[CoffeeBean]

I generally avoid doing clerics because I am always worried about how best to represent the God of worship- It is something I've always found to be the most difficult aspect of Clerics.

You absolutely nailed it.

[1dboy]

a very good pc that had a great ride that i interacted with over several different pcs of mine, and always portrayed consistently

i wish you the best and cant wait to see what you do next

[Xenoboskion]

In my opinion, Mari Blacke set the benchmark for clerics this chapter. An amazingly cool PC in her own right, yes, but also a huge community service to provide that source of great RP at the intersection of religion, philosophy, politics and intrigue. That it happened to involve (and seemingly develop and characterize) the Gellemede faith is even better, as without Mari Blacke it might have been represented in a far less interesting fashion. Well done! Be proud of Mari -- playing "a glorified priest NPC" is an achievement in its own right and what all cleric PCs should ideally strive for. I look forward to seeing what you do next.