The Ring of Ghost-Zero¶

The Ring of Ghost-Zero


Kind	A ring of office
Marks	Ghost-Zero, the Jade Lotus's supreme field commander
Worn by	Vesper, as acting Zero
Where	A cellar under ruined Solis
Given by	Tristen, at Blackwater, summer 902 AP

Locked The ring that marks Ghost-Zero, the seat above the twelve Numbers. The Lotus's highest field seat now sits on the hand of an Aldorian river spymaster, serving the man the Lotus burned.

What it means¶

In the Jade Lotus, Ghost-Zero is the supreme field commander, and the ring is how you know who holds the seat. A Number can be raised to it, and then the Number passes to someone new.

The Lotus's oldest choice is him or you. In spring 900 AP Kira was offered it, and she chose the ring.

Who has held it¶

When	Holder
Before spring 900 AP	Open Earlier holders aren't recorded. In the Lotus's own reckoning the seat was Tristen's by right, the reward that should have followed the Trade Prince's death
Spring 900 AP to summer 902 AP	Kira, raised from Ghost-12 for leading the hunt for Ghost-9 and lighting the fire. Tristen's people call her "the usurper"
Summer 902 AP	Tristen kills Kira at Blackwater. The seat falls empty, and the ring is his to give
Since summer 902 AP	Vesper. Tristen gave it to her at Blackwater, making her his right hand in the underground: the head of his own Syndicate

Why it matters¶

Locked The ring is a symbol, and an insult to the Kaelen Empire. In Campaign One Vesper held it alongside the gold and the evidence vault of Vesper's network.

A real-world comparison

Think of a captured enemy standard hung in your own hall. It is worth nothing as cloth, and everything as a message.

DM only

Now that the Imperial Council knows the King-Consort is the Ninth, the ring on Vesper's hand points straight at her. Whoever wants the King-Consort, or wants the Lotus's honour back, has a reason to come for that cellar under Solis.

Draft A dark jade ring, as Vesper's portrait shows it.

Sources¶

The Rise of Ghost-9, Chapter One
Campaign handoff (Campaign Two), §5–§6
Campaign Three handoff, §2 and §5
Rulings R-006