As part of the character creation process of House of Cards the other players were allowed to ask a question of Vere. Here are the questions and answers:
(Note: Many of these questions refer back to Vere's Vision Cards.)
Daeon asks Vere:
"Why are you in such fear of your mother?
"I do not actually fear her, nor do I think she would slay me in such a fashion. At least, not without a compelling reason, such as the safety of her people. As the Priestess-Queen of the Dannan Mother conducts many rituals, but sacrifices such as this are a thing of the past. I do not know why I have such a dream; I have always assumed it is due to my nurse having filled my head with frightening tales of the Old Days, when such sacrifices were performed. And there was always a hint that the Old Ways might be brought back for bad little boys who disobeyed their nurse." Vere smiles slightly.
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Reid asks the following...
"What fields of knowledge interest you most?:
"What an interesting question. When I was a child it was the history of my world and the study of magic - I think the latter primarily because it was forbidden for boys to learn such things. Now that I am finally in Amber there are whole new vistas of knowledge opened up to me, so many that I cannot say that I have yet focused on any as more interesting than others. What I am most aware of now is how much I do not know. However, this does not answer your question. If forced to make a choice at this early stage, I would say that the history and nature of Reality and Shadow and their complex relationship are what are truly fascinating to me."
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"Vere," Brita begins as she leans in to peer at details of the painting, "what are you parents' plans for you?"
"They wish me to be a warrior and a leader of warriors. It is the proper path for a man, and certainly befitting the son of Gerard."
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Lilly Asks, "Vere, Did you have a father figure in your life as you were growing up?"
"Of course I did; it was my Father. While he could not be with us often he did come when he could, and that was enough. No one else could possibly have taken his place. Even when he was not physically present his memory, and his expectations, were with my always. He was not merely my Father, he was the Consort of the Priestess-Queen, and thus an avatar of the Great God. No offense to Daeon."
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Aisling asks, "What do you think about Gerard?"
"He is the perfect man. Noble, honest, trustworthy, strong, straightforward. He will do what needs to be done, without spending too much time agonizing over possibilities, or thinking everything to death. If I can be one tenth the man he is I shall be satisfied."
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Paige looks on compassionately, "Then what might be symbolized by the water? What force could deter that desire, those plans and keep you from being lost?"
Vere smiles. "I can list any number of things that it *might* be. My unconscious mind, struggling against an imposition that is against my true nature. My soul, which nurtures my will and thus limits the effects of the smothering expectations of my parents. Perhaps even the power of the Blood of Amber, allowing Reality to overcome Shadow - in this case that would be the True Vere as opposed to the Shadow Vere that my parents see. The secret of symbols is that they can mean anything; reading them is simply coming to realize a truth you already knew, but did not know you knew. In this case, alas, I do not yet know what it is that I do not know that I know."
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Jerod asks, "Then in that case...who are *you* and what do you *want*?"
Vere sighs, then shrugs. "I wish it were that simple. The truth is, what I want most is to please Father and Mother. I wish I could be the man they want me to be. I am their son, and that should be enough. That it is not, well, that sometimes seems to me to be a failing on my part. And that I do not know what I would be, other than that, simply makes it worse. I sometimes think I am simply perverse, refusing to follow the path they have laid out for me, but without any clear alternate that I would rather follow. Like a spoiled two-year-old, saying 'No' for no reason other than that I can."
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Ossian asks, "There must have been other ways of pleasing your mother. Why did you choose this one?"
"A warrior's path is the true path for a man. There are other arts a man must know, of course; riding, dancing, music, poetry and so forth, but it is the practice of warfare that marks a true man. And Mother is very much a traditionalist."
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Folly asks, "What is your favorite thing to read when you are reading for pleasure rather than knowledge?"
Vere looks very slightly embarrassed. "I enjoy almost any sort of reading material, but I must confess a special fondness for works dealing with, um, the intricate interrelations of the conflicting duties and obligations imposed upon an otherwise excellent romantic match by circumstance, family, duty, and misapprehensions."
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Jovian asks, "Who were the enemies of the Dannan, and did you ever face them in battle?"
"Our principle enemies throughout most of our history have been the forest people we call the Easterners. They still offer human sacrifice under the rulership of their witch queens, and they raid our settlements upon the Eastern continent. As well, they are a constant threat to the hunters and fur trappers who depend upon the forests for their livelihood, as well as providing us with some of our most important trade items. Around the coast of the Eastern continent, to the south and far East, one comes to many strange nations. We occasionally fight with them, but our ships are superior to theirs and they have never been a true threat.
As I reached manhood I was called upon to join, and eventually lead, several small punitive raids against the Easterners, after they had attacked some of our people. During these we began to encounter occasional monstrous creatures. Such beasts are not unknown in the forests, but these seemed fiercer and somehow less wholesome than those that had been known before. Slowly their numbers and might increased, and even the Easterners began to beg us for aid against these creatures, which they said came from 'The Black Forest.' I have since learned that this was a manifestation of the 'Black Road' that so many of us have reason to know of. It seems not to have been nearly as severe in my home as it has been in many other places, but even the small taste of it I had was quite sufficient."
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Marius asks, "You claim the pleasure of scholarship and decry a joy of arms. Tell me what you believe knowledge and wisdom will gain you when strength of arms fails."
"I think knowledge and wisdom, properly applied, can often prevent the need for strength of arms. Of course, it is sometimes necessary to use force to settle a matter, but when possible I would prefer to avoid it. Death is so final, after all."
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Solange asks, "You've talked much of what your mother wanted of you. What of Dad? Will he not grant you the time and travel you might need to discover your own path, whatever that might be?"
"Truthfully? I have never spoken to him of these matters. How can I? Can you see Father understanding a man's desire not to be a warrior, to prefer books to swords? To reason with an opponent instead of fighting with him? I have seen Father look at men with disdain and disregard before, I could not bear to see that expression turned upon me."
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Brennan asks Vere, "You been asked several times, in several ways, and with varying degrees of subtlety, what path you would choose for yourself other than the warrior's path which Gerard and your mother have chosen for you. But you haven't really given an answer. I ask, are you more afraid of your father's disapproval, or of the implicit freedom in being a scion of Amber and a walker of worlds?"
Vere pauses before answering, then says, "First, I must register an objection to your use of the word 'fear' in this question. I am still learning how things are done outside the Isles of the Dannan; in my homeland asking such a question is tantamount to a request for a duel. I make the assumption that such was not your intention, and that you intended to inquire as to which of these two options, facing Father's disapproval or the unusual freedom of becoming a Shadow-walker, would be most disturbing to my peace of mind. In that case I can assure you that disappointing Father is the thing I am concerned about. The freedom of being able to go anywhere and do anything is most attractive, although I hope I have the strength of character not to allow such freedom to blind me to my duties."
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Cambina asks Vere, "You speak eloquently of your home land, yet I sense that some aspects of it are troubling to you. If you could change one thing about the Isles of the Dannan, what would it be?"
Vere pauses a moment before answering. "I find that a strangely troubling question. Upon consideration, I realize that what actually troubles me is the fact that, as I understand it, we of the Blood of Amber actually do have the power to do such things. Such power changes an abstract philosophical query into something far more serious, and something which I have not yet come to grips with." There is another pause. "However, let me answer in the abstract, as I would have prior to my understanding of the potentialities inherent in the shaping of Shadow. I would not actually have any aspect of the nature or society of the Isles change, for I feel it must be up to the people to change their society. The one thing I do think would be an improvement, the one change I would wish to see, would be for the people to become more accepting of differences, more willing to see that tradition need not be law. A small increase in personal liberty, that is all I would ask. I do not think it so great a thing."
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Lucas, in his inimitable fashion, asks, "You've discovered that your father, Gerard, has killed Random in order to continue shtupping Vialle and usurp the throne. How do you react?"
"An interesting, though somewhat rude, question. First, I would obviously question the accuracy of this 'discovery.' I would endeavour to double and triple check all the conclusions that led me to this conclusion, since such behaviour would be completely out of character for Father. Assuming, simply for the sake of your question, you understand, that the evidence was conclusive that Father had in fact done this, I would go to him, present him with the evidence, and request an explanation of his behaviour. I am certain that he would have a satisfactory explanation."
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"What is your style of leadership Vere?" Conner asks.
"Ah," says Vere. "You have a diplomat's ability to sense weakness and strike directly towards it." He smiles slightly, showing there is no animosity in his words. "In very sooth, I have a distaste for leadership. Understand, in The Isles, where I was raised, the only true leadership a man may have is among a war band, carrying out the commands of the women who decide where he should strike, whom he should kill. I carried out my duties while I still dwelt there, and I will carry them out again when I return. I have led men to their deaths, I have slain men and caused many more to be slain, when their only crime was that they obeyed the orders of the women who commanded them, women who were opposed to those I served." He shrugs, slightly, his face showing no emotion. "If the choice were mine, I would never again lead men in such a fashion. But if I must lead, and it seems I must, then I shall lead as I have in the past, through example. If my men must slay, then we shall slay together, and the blood will be on my hands literally as well as metaphorically. If my men must die, then they will die with me beside them, striking down our foes together. I shall lead so that I can look my ghosts in the eye, and say 'I did what I had to do, and I do not regret.'"
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"Scholar. Sailor. I think I hear a man who is thrilled to discover." Robin smiles fondly. "But other than reports, how do you apply your discoveries, Vere?"
Vere is silent for a few moments, before he answers, "Most commonly, I have used what I learn to better carry out my duties to whomever I currently serve. My mother, Avis, my father..." He falls silent again, considering. When he resumes he is speaking carefully, clearly feeling his way to the truth, "You must understand, I was never raised to make decisions on matters of policy. I was trained that a man's place is to carry out orders, and I still find myself ... uncomfortable ... when I have to decide how to handle a situation. I have a tendency to continue gathering data as long as possible, until I am convinced that I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what the correct action is." He shrugs, "I have no doubt that this hesitancy to act can be a great failing, in a situation where immediate action is called for. I am aware of it, and I strive to master it where I can."