The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
"Job placement" microfiction
Avernite:
--- Quote from: Mira on May 22, 2020, 11:16:11 AM --- It wasn't just Eb who underestimated Peabody, the whole damn Council did, witness the damage he did at his trial. It was the ink, without the ink Peabody couldn't of pulled off the mind influence. The ink acted as a mind numbing drug for lack of a better word, then Peabody was able to suggest all kinds of things and because of the ink, the victim no matter how experienced or powerful wasn't aware that he or she was being manipulated. Luccio was merely the most overt, most of the influence was much more subtle, effecting Senior Council decisions for years and no one noticed. That is why I think it was Eb, said the Council would have to go back at least ten years to revisit all
the decisions it made.
Most young wizards weren't effected simply because most of them weren't in positions where they'd come in contact with the secretary for the Senior Council demanding that they sign this paper or that paper that often or at all. That is what saved Harry's butt, even though he had moved up the Warden command chain, he hardly if ever went to headquarters. Interesting that one of the first things when he did show up he was harassed by Peabody wanting him to "sign" this paper or that, which being Harry, he didn't do.
--- End quote ---
Most young Wardens WERE affected, hence why Peabody could put them all on pause as he made a run for it.
And your first paragraph is purely speculative, especially "without the ink Peabody couldn't of pulled off the mind influence"; we know mindbending without inks is possible (see Molly and Corpsetaker), so the question is, did Peabody use the inks on everyone and then something else on top for the youngsters, or did he use the inks on people whose minds he couldn't really remodel (and so he needed a more subtle way in) while using direct mind magic on more susceptible targets.
Based on exposure (how much ink was a run-of-the-mill warden exposed to? He admittedly tried for a bit with Harry) and estimated effect (what Eb thought Peabody could've achieved after investigating the inks), I believe the inks were not his major weapon on younger wizards, but only on the Senior Council.
Arjan:
--- Quote ---A test of the inks he used to attain the signatures of the Senior Council for various authorizations revealed the presence of a number of chemical and alchemical substances that are known to have been used to assist psychic manipulation of their subjects
--- End quote ---
The ink was just there to make mind manipulation easier for Peabody. He used it on Listen to Wind, he tried to use it on Harry. He probably used it on Luccio to. No reason not to use it when it makes everything easier.
Except that it makes also handy evidence if found.
morriswalters:
Circumstances alter cases. Nobody ever detected it until they looked. So he did whatever he needed to do. If the ink was easy to make, then he would use it as a matter of course. On the other hand, if it was difficult to produce he would use it on targets which provided the most bang for the buck. But there is no indication that he used it everywhere on everybody. And in any case he was skilled at mind magic since he operated for years and was never directly detected doing it.
Arjan:
The first time Peabody is shown in Summer Knight he already uses his ink to influence things:
From Summer Knight:
--- Quote ---He looked to one side, where a slim-faced, prim-looking wizard sat with a quill, a bottle of ink, and pages and pages of parchment. "Wizard Peabody , will you consult the registry?"
--- End quote ---
A few moments later:
--- Quote ---Peabody reached under his table and came out with a bulging satchel. He muttered something to himself and rubbed some ink onto his nose with one finger, then he opened the satchel, which held what looked like a couple of reams of parchment.
--- Quote ---His eyes glazed over slightly
--- End quote ---
, and he reached into the papers seemingly at random. He drew out a single page, put it on the desk before him, nodded in satisfaction, then read in a reedy voice, "Wizard Montjoy."
--- End quote ---
I did not check it but I think he is always mentioned together with his ink as seemingly inseperable. Me I would never use that even before the computer they invented ball points and those are far more convenient.
Mira:
--- Quote from: Arjan on May 22, 2020, 04:06:18 PM ---The first time Peabody is shown in Summer Knight he already uses his ink to influence things:
From Summer Knight:
A few moments later:, and he reached into the papers seemingly at random. He drew out a single page, put it on the desk before him, nodded in satisfaction, then read in a reedy voice, "Wizard Montjoy."
I did not check it but I think he is always mentioned together with his ink as seemingly inseperable. Me I would never use that even before the computer they invented ball points and those are far more convenient.
--- End quote ---
Exactly, and I believe I wrote a post connecting the passages to what happened in Turn Coat shortly after it came out.
--- Quote ---
And your first paragraph is purely speculative, especially "without the ink Peabody couldn't of pulled off the mind influence"; we know mindbending without inks is possible (see Molly and Corpsetaker), so the question is, did Peabody use the inks on everyone and then something else on top for the youngsters, or did he use the inks on people whose minds he couldn't really remodel (and so he needed a more subtle way in) while using direct mind magic on more susceptible targets.
--- End quote ---
No one said it wasn't possible without the ink, but usually the victim, especially an experienced wizard knows when someone is messing with his/her mind directly. They had no clue and all were exposed to Peabody's ink at one time or another.
--- Quote ---The ink was just there to make mind manipulation easier for Peabody. He used it on Listen to Wind, he tried to use it on Harry. He probably used it on Luccio to. No reason not to use it when it makes everything easier.
Except that it makes also handy evidence if found.
--- End quote ---
Indeed, but the catch was because all were under the influence they didn't suspect it. Only Harry who wasn't exposed began to put two and two together.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version