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I have some questions (deeper) about the Ustalavic based Esotaric Order of the Palentine Eye for F. Wesley Schneider, James Jacobs and the group. From running Rule of Fear and Carrion Crown, I want to flesh this order out more for my players. Here are my questions:
1. The Nine who run the organization after Aldus Cantor's disappearance, are Judge Daramid and Count Galdana part of these nine?
2. You mention first station titles. Are there examples of the next eight upper stations?
3. Are there members that are agents in hiding for Count Neska, Count Senir and Count Lowls IV?
4. Is the Headquarters in Sothis, Caliphas or Lepistadt?
5. How does the Pharasmin church throughout Golarion view the Order and its members?
Thanks.
I'll start this all out with the general answer: Whatever works for you.
There's some more on his group in Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Occult Mysteries, so that might help some if you haven't seen that. I don't have that handy, so if I say anything that contradicts that, by all means, go with what's published.
That said, here's what I'd say off the cusp.
1. The Nine who run the organization after Aldus Cantor's disappearance, are Judge Daramid and Count Galdana part of these nine?
Daramid: maybe to probably. Galdana: likely not (too boring for him). Most of the others are likely members of old Ustalavic families(... might be ties to the Archduchy of Melcat in here too... hum...)
2. You mention first station titles. Are there examples of the next eight upper stations?
Not that I can think of. If/when we expand on this group down the road, that'd be ripe ground for expansion.
3. Are there members that are agents in hiding for Count Neska, Count Senir and Count Lowls IV?
Probably for the Anaphexia, maybe for the others. I suspect a determined interrogator could coax out quite a few Order secrets, regardless of her employer. I think the Whispering Way, Royal Accusers, Old Cults, and Countess Caliphvaso's agents might be among the most likely to have moles in the order.
4. Is the Headquarters in Sothis, Caliphas or Lepistadt?
Certainly not Sothis. Probably Caliphas, as much as they have a headquarters (I think Ashes at Dawn probably backs that up). I don't expect the Order's structure is particularly effective, though. I think many have good intentions and want to do the right thing, but their methods are stodgy and steeped in traditions most members only half understand. This makes them a GREAT group for PCs to emerge from the ashes of or to go against for the greater good.
5. How does the Pharasmin church throughout Golarion view the Order and its members?
Most probably aren't even aware of it. Those who are likely frown on anything that seems like tomb robbing and desecration (meaning, they're probably considered a backward Northern nuisance in Osirion).
Again, all this is with 0 research, so please excuse any contradictions.
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Wesley, thanks for taking time on each of these. I am already forming ideas from the answers. I can do a lot with this Order I think. This is a nice Birthday present since it's my 47th.
Also, I wanted to thank you for being so accessible and thoughtful to take timeout of a busy schedule with RPG work to answer these and not feel put out. It is people like you that keeps all of Pathfinders loyal to the products.
Wesley, thanks for taking time on each of these. I am already forming ideas from the answers. I can do a lot with this Order I think. This is a nice Birthday present since it's my 47th.
Also, I wanted to thank you for being so accessible and thoughtful to take timeout of a busy schedule with RPG work to answer these and not feel put out. It is people like you that keeps all of Pathfinders loyal to the products.
No prob, man! Hope it helps. Happy birthday!
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In the predawn of my Mummy's Mask campaign, I thought up some ranks for the Palantine Eye using the Faction rules. I've since deleted that document, but I named each station after the traditional choirs of angels, so you had Seraphim, Cherubim, etc. above the Most Worthy Angelic Princes. Occult Mysteries divides it further into 3 Thrones (First, Second and Third) of three Stations, without really expounding upon them. Just found a line on page 24:
The Order’s
hierarchy includes markers of divine stations both
celestial and diabolical,
So maybe ADA DAD ADA for each throne's stations.
Reading through the entry for the Lost Gospels of Tabris on p61, another thought came to me, specifically when I got to the portion about the Gospel of Maelissikek:
The gate spell described is unique in that each casting
opens a gate to an Outer Plane location containing a ruined
sepulcher that matches Aldus’s description of Tabris’s
tomb in Osirion.
Maybe each station is named after the iconic entities from each Great Beyond plane. Angelic (Nirvana), Archon (Heaven), Azata (Elysium), Protean (Maelstrom), Aeon (Boneyard), Axiomite (Axis), Devil (Hell), Daemon (Abaddon), Demon (Abyss). That could tie into even more the acceptance of the entirety of creation that some of their lore implies. Instead of the AD above, maybe there is an ADN ADN ADN configuration for the stations allowing those who have achieved a perfect view of the universe a title befitting the outsiders who look out for the multiverse above all (Most Telepathic Aeon).