Tonto Silerheels wrote:Actually, I'm overstating the case in order be provocative, but it's occurred to me that Merlin can't assassinate Clyntahn; he doesn't know what Clyntahn looks like. There's no photography on Safehold, and Merlin has never had a SNARC on him because he always stays within the Temple confines where SNARCs mustn't go. If Clyntahn pulls a Prince and the Pauper then there's little risk Merlin can shoot him. Similarly, if Clyntahn uses a double who leaves the Temple, then Merlin would be completely deceived.
The only way out I can see is if Clyntahn has had really good portraits made by painters, or perhaps a sculpture by a sculptor. Other than that, Clyntahn's safe.
~Tonto
Clyntahn does make public appearances, and She of Many Names has an eidetic memory. She can offer a sketch artist (reminds me - I wonder if the Book of Langhorne offered police forensic techniques?) very good help composing a portrait, and she's certainly not alone that way.
Furthermore, he's been among the most influential public figures on Safehold for decades, and very few people - maybe just one - are entitled to wear the specific combination of regalia he is. He's not the sort to walk about in anything more humble, either.
A double may be something to use in high risk situations, but I doubt he'd want anyone able to pass for himself well enough to pass on any orders in his name. So any such double wouldn't be meant to pass close inspection, and a PICA can provide far, far closer inspection at ludicrous range than he'd be counting on.
I do wonder, in that regard, how well directional microphones and long-range SNARC observation may be able to observe the Temple exterior, from a range sufficient to evade Terran Federation systems in it. Obviously, even that wouldn't help monitor all the discussions in offices and meeting rooms inside, but there are plenty of interesting discussions that go on (e.g.) in the Plaza of Martyrs, such as Clyntahn's dismissal of Duchairn's threat value for Rayno and laying out, very clearly, how nothing but fear and pain keep people on God's path in this fallen world.
I also wonder about very long range sniper fire on such occasions.
