Mack

Mack (full name Machiavelli) is an ermine Chimera who serves as the Alter Ego of Waru Toowoom through the Musubi ceremony. The ermine is bonded to the Ordis Exalt and serves as an intelligence gatherer and spy for Waru’s network.

Gift and Naming

Mack was a gift from Waru’s father when Waru enrolled in his political curriculum at Arkaster University. Waru aptly named the Chimera “Machiavelli” in honor of a distinguished diplomat and pre-Confluence thinker. The name was shortened to “Mack” in daily use.

Physical Characteristics

Mack is an ermine with white fur tinged with Tumult. The creature is small enough to stand on a person’s shoulders, hide in robes, or perch on someone’s arm. The ermine’s diminutive size and coloration make it easy for the creature to move unnoticed through various environments.

Personality

Mack is devilishly intelligent, as discreet as the creature is mischievous. The ermine demonstrates a love for money and gossip, traits that serve well in intelligence gathering. Mack’s greedy gaze follows the flow of coins, and the creature becomes wholly consumed by tokens tumbling and jingling.

The ermine is also playful and affectionate with Waru, slinking up to nibble on his ear and accepting being tousled in return. Despite the creature’s love of money, Mack understands that money is just a means to an end, though the lesson requires reminding.

University Days

Even during Waru’s time at Arkaster University, Mack stood on his shoulders. Over time, the ermine came to accompany Waru everywhere:

• Hiding in his robes during lectures
• Dozing on his table when Waru needed to study
• Come evening, rummaging around and returning with one or two Florets in his mouth
• The coins were enough to pay for the next rounds for grateful and merry students

Intelligence Gathering and Spy Network

Mack plays a crucial role in Waru’s network of spies and informants. The Chimera conveys messages to Waru, whispers secrets, and gives him advice. Once Waru and Mack were linked through the Musubi ceremony, Mack’s capabilities expanded significantly.

Through the Musubi bond, Mack can share with Waru what the ermine sees and what he hears, and conversely Mack can observe through Waru’s eyes to assess situations and provide warnings. This allows Waru to communicate sensitive pieces of information to other plotters in his political network. The ermine’s small size and inconspicuous nature make it ideal for gathering intelligence without drawing attention.

If anything could rival Mack’s love for money, it is gossip. The ermine keeps his ears open in any situation, gathering information that might prove valuable. Waru counts on Mack to maintain surveillance even when they are separated.

Activities on the Ouroboros

Aboard the Ouroboros, Mack accompanies Waru to various locations including the Sahanka’s casino. In the gambling house, Mack’s attention is wholly consumed by the flow of money. The ermine watches tokens tumbling and jingling before his hungry eyes.

When Waru gives Mack a small coin purse, the ermine snatches it with a gleeful grin and dashes off to the nearest empty slot machine. The creature leaps off his stool, grabs the slot machine lever, and pulls it with all his might, performing a backflip as the numbers and symbols blur across the screen. Waru knows he will likely never see that money again.

While Waru attends important meetings, he counts on Mack to keep his ears open and gather information from the casino patrons. The ermine’s position in the gambling den allows him to observe and overhear conversations that might prove valuable.

392 AC - Intelligence Gathering Operations

During Rediscovery Endeavor operations, Mack conducted surveillance in the Ouroboros casino gathering intelligence for Waru’s spy network. The ermine observed General Vong lounging at a table with his close officers, monitoring their activities given Vong’s strong political ties. Mack also watched Subhash Kadis ruffling his hair in frustration after another lost bet, noting his unusual presence in this location rather than the makeshift gambling den the Axiom crew had set up in the small hangar. These observations provided Waru with valuable intelligence about officer movements and political alignments.

Relationship with Avkan

Mack maintains a comfortable relationship with Basileus Avkan ruun-Heshkari, Waru’s secret ally. During their meetings at the Peregrine Museum, Mack perches on the sovereign’s arm, showing trust and affection. This relationship mirrors the deep friendship between Waru and Avkan despite their public antagonism.

Role in the Secret Pact

Mack is an essential component of the convoluted plan between Waru and Avkan. The ermine’s ability to convey Waru’s machinations and schemes through the Musubi bond makes the deception possible. Using Mack, Waru can clandestinely communicate information about the opposition’s plots to Avkan, allowing the Basileus to thwart all obstacles hatched against him.

The plan has worked wonders thanks to Mack’s intelligence gathering and communication capabilities. The ermine operates beyond suspicion, positioned to help Waru appear as Avkan’s chief detractor while actually serving as his most loyal ally.

Card Lore Timeline

364 AC - Robin Hood Tavern Meeting

Mack sat in breivikensveg tavern keeping watch while Waru met Robin Hood. Mack cleaned claws, sipped beer. Bar jam-packed with people clinking glasses, speaking loudly, reveling, singing. Mack listened through Waru’s ears to discussion about Rediscovery Endeavor delaying city development. Mack noticed pair of eyes watching from counter - spy on Avkan’s payroll. Warned Waru of spy’s presence.

367 AC - Secret Sanctum Search

When Waru entered Sanctum’s restricted area, Mack quietly dropped from tunic hiding out of sight. Mack slipped in and out of rows of books. When Waru gave instructions, Mack cursed saying “I know what I’m doing” before cutting off communication. Much later at Anthill bench, Mack found Waru and placed heavy grimoire beside him.

367 AC - Quetzalcóatl Meeting

Waru asked Mack to keep watch and warn of intruders trying to spy during meeting with Quetzalcóatl. Mack squeaked understanding and settled on desk pulling sunflower seeds from pouch to nibble while waiting. Waru asked him to clean up after himself but Mack showed his rear end.

386 AC - Becoming Official Exalt

Frog Prince signed notarial confirmation making it official: Mack and Waru were Exalt. Now Waru’s turn to bear burden of shared ambition. Journey wouldn’t be easy.

392 AC - Caer Oorun Boredom

Mack on low wall casually cleaning claws at Caer Oorun ruins. He obviously couldn’t wait to return to Ouroboros intrigues - opponents of Endeavor and officers behaving like sycophants in power struggle. Mack shook head openly expressing boredom. Despite Waru’s attempts to introduce him to history, archaeology, study of past, none captured his attention long. Mack fell backward into thick grass squirming like impatient little kid.

~393 AC - Ice Rescue Assessment at Storvhit

Mack observed through Waru’s eyes during glacier cave rescue at Storvhit and warned that trapped Yzmir warlock no longer had enough Mana to do anything more than protect himself from cold.

Musubi Bond

The Musubi ceremony bound Mack and Waru’s souls together, making them Alter Egos. This connection allows them to share sensory information and thoughts, transforming Mack from a clever companion into an extension of Waru’s will and perception. The bond enables real-time intelligence sharing and makes their spy network far more effective.

Nature and Abilities

As a Chimera tinged with Tumult, Mack possesses intelligence beyond that of a normal ermine. The creature can understand complex situations, follow instructions, gather specific information, and make judgments about what intelligence might be valuable.

Mack’s small size allows the ermine to access spaces and overhear conversations that would be impossible for a human. The creature’s mischievous nature and love of rummaging makes it natural for Mack to explore and investigate without drawing suspicion.

Relationships

• Waru Toowoom: Bonded Alter Ego through Musubi ceremony
• Vong: General observed in Ouroboros casino for intelligence gathering (392 AC)
• Subhash Kadis: Politician observed gambling in Ouroboros casino (392 AC)
• Robin Hood: Observed during tavern negotiation meeting (364 AC)
• Quetzalcóatl: Observed during university consultation (367 AC)
• Frog Prince: Notary Eidolon who confirmed Exalt status with Waru (386 AC)
• Avkan ruun-Heshkari: Basileus who Mack secretly aids by gathering intelligence