[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":112},["ShallowReactive",2],{"essay-\u002Fessays\u002Fpets-atmosphere-and-the-iron-fist":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"classification":95,"date":96,"description":90,"editor":97,"extension":98,"keywords":99,"meta":103,"navigation":104,"path":105,"related":106,"seo":107,"status":108,"stem":109,"summary":110,"__hash__":111},"essays\u002Fessays\u002Fpets-atmosphere-and-the-iron-fist.md","Pets, Atmosphere and the Iron Fist","Lord Nine",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":89},"minimark",[10,15,22,25,30,33,39,42,47,51,54,72,75,81,84],[11,12,14],"h2",{"id":13},"pets-and-the-lord","Pets and the Lord",[16,17,18],"editor-note",{},[19,20,21],"p",{},"Love amongst a leader and their people, a leader and their pets is a fundamental aspect of rulership that is rarely discussed. More love would make the world easier to rule.",[19,23,24],{},"From the humble canines summoned out of the depths of the planes of Fire, or demon imps enslaved with contracts of rulership, companions are to the Iron Fist as butter is to soft, warm, bread.\nBoth are essential.\nBread keeps your minions fed, pets keep them in line.\nA Lord must arrange for a pet of appropriate stature. This does not mean one should search for the greatest of beings. The humble feline with its razor sharp claws is as effective in tearing a minion to shreds as the greatest of Dragons. There have been detractors of mine, who claim my disregard of wages, my 'cutthroat mercantilism'; keeps the Dragons far from my domain.\nI will not attend to this slander, for I am Lord Nine.\nDragons require a great deal of impetus to act. They do not accompany a Lord through her lands, they do not curl around her throne as she gazes at prisoners and passes judgement for failures.\nThey do not lovingly curl around a successful attendant, a brave minion, or an honourable steward and provide the warmth of fur and approval of their Lord.\nA pet may be magically inclined; and it is best that it is. Mundane pets are excellent companions, but the spells required to connect telepathically are of the fifth tier and many a Lord may not have the wherewithal to maintain the Persistence Lock's for continuity.",[16,26,27],{},[19,28,29],{},"It is possible to engage a spellcaster of sufficient means to craft an appropriate artifact, but one only needs to recall Muerkin the eight-fingered as sufficient warning in not crafting one's own artifacts. I quite like cats. They carry a great deal of 'Love'.\nAspikia's Addendum- Lord Nine's love of felines must be accorded due consideration when reflecting on this essay. Aspikia's association with the Dragon Hiring Federation is disclosed as per the Goddess of Night's rules.",[19,31,32],{},"Magical pets with inherent telepathy, while rare, are obtainable for a certain price. Consider",[34,35,36],"redacted",{},[19,37,38],{},"Lord Nine's Kitty Kastle",[19,40,41],{},"for acquiring the latest and fiercest companions smaller than an elf child.",[16,43,44],{},[19,45,46],{},"Redacted as the advertising fees were not paid. Elf children are not a standard unit of measurement. On discussion with the author, a lovely, lovely woman by the way; her lips tasted of oranges, it was determined that the pets are all smaller than three feet.",[11,48,50],{"id":49},"imposition-of-your-will","Imposition of your will",[19,52,53],{},"From the moment a foreign diplomat cowers under the eaves of your vaulted chamber and shivers at the sight of your terrifying throne, even from the moment they step through the castle gate pulled open by muscled guardsmen displaying their might, every moment as they approach you builds the atmosphere. Garrolax famously lounged amongst his courtiers as dignitaries bowed to the mithril statue that served as his simulacrum before sliding behind them to whisper threats in their terrified ears. Ormania filled her court with the infamous hundred laughs, captives tickled to laugh in an eerie chorus.\nThey understood atmosphere. Until it came to themselves.\nArmour and magical power can only take you so far.",[55,56,57,61,64],"ol",{},[58,59,60],"li",{},"A pet at your side shows the willingness of others to bow before you. Do not belittle the service of the least. One may despise the weak their servitude, but servitude freely offered is alluring. It is Protection. It is the Aegis of the Lord.",[58,62,63],{},"A pet's nonchalant ease can put courtiers on edge. It fears none because you fear none. A fearless ruler is a terrifying ruler.",[58,65,66,67],{},"It's a distraction before combat begins, dividing attention, though only fools or the incompetent would allow their companions to be harmed.\n",[16,68,69],{},[19,70,71],{},"Yes! Not one cat has fallen at Lord Nine's side. A marvelous display of affection. It's been said the three scars on her cheek come from the hero Somnasius's triple blade as he sought to strike her companion before her teleportation scroll sent it to safety.",[19,73,74],{},"A pet of suitable size remains by your side, or on your lap. An accompaniment that must be watched, that operates independently of court and dignitaries and enemies. A being who can be used to deflect because it arched its back, or threaten because it eyed a courtier into submission.\nAspikia himself said:",[76,77,78],"pull-quote",{},[19,79,80],{},"Gaze into my allies eyes to face your fear. Gaze into my pet's eyes and know you Face ME.\n-Court Proceedings of the Teleran High Council 555 AD",[19,82,83],{},"Why not a Dragon? Many ask me this question.\nA Dragon could watch from the rafters, but only its bulk would be noticed. Even the Dragon's own grand halls are laced with magnification spells when dealing with the 'small folk' as we are humourously dubbed. It's presence of course would inundate the room.\nITS presence.\nNot yours.\nImpose YOUR will.\nLord Nine awaits your response.",[16,85,86],{},[19,87,88],{},"The Scripture of the Goddess of the Night has an excellent passage on Will for Rulers. I suggest you accompany it with a visit to Lord Nine's castle to observe her thesis in action.",{"title":90,"searchDepth":91,"depth":91,"links":92},"",2,[93,94],{"id":13,"depth":91,"text":14},{"id":49,"depth":91,"text":50},"Public Copy","2026-07-23","Sunkiss","md",[100,101,102],"pets","will","leadership",{},true,"\u002Fessays\u002Fpets-atmosphere-and-the-iron-fist",null,{"title":5,"description":90},"Editorially Annotated","essays\u002Fpets-atmosphere-and-the-iron-fist","Lord Nine discusses the role of pets in imposing your will on the world.","wGoZnTEb3MIHTXKDi6XfYJY36CxInYyx9n6EXWItPes",1784842515727]