Why didn't Merlin kill Zhaspyr Clyntahn?

I was rereading By Schism Rent Asunder and something occurred to me:
Why didn't Merlin kill Zhaspyr Clyntahn when Clyntahn was presiding of the execution of Erayk Dynnys with something that will look like a smaller version of the Rakurai? If he had it would have likely been seen as God disapproving of what Clyntahn had been doing.

Donnachaidh wrote:I was rereading By Schism Rent Asunder and something occurred to me:
Why didn't Merlin kill Zhaspyr Clyntahn when Clyntahn was presiding of the execution of Erayk Dynnys with something that will look like a smaller version of the Rakurai? If he had it would have likely been seen as God disapproving of what Clyntahn had been doing.

Merlin doesn’t dare operate his SNARCs closer than 5 miles from the temple. In “A Mighty Fortress” Merlin formed the intent to shorten Clyntahn’s life if he ever strays far enough from the temple. He also acknowledged that it was unlikely to happen. Clyntahn almost never leaves the temple at all, even in the summer, when the weather is ever so briefly nice outside.

At the time of Erayk Dynnys’ death, I don’t think Merlin was even aware of it. News of Erayk’s death was a surprise to Archbishop Maikel Staynair.

He wouldn't have to operate them closer than 5 miles, since they or a recon skimmer or assault shuttle will likely have an energy weapon with more than a 5 mile range. Also just because it was a surprise for Archbishop Stynair doesn't mean it was a surprise for Merlin. There was a large crowd gathered to see them execute Dynnys so it must have been widely known around Zion.

Edit: Fixed spelling error.

John Driver wrote:Merlin doesn’t dare operate his SNARCs closer than 5 miles from the temple. In “A Mighty Fortress” Merlin formed the intent to shorten Clyntahn’s life if he ever strays far enough from the temple. He also acknowledged that it was unlikely to happen. Clyntahn almost never leaves the temple at all, even in the summer, when the weather is ever so briefly nice outside.

At the time of Erayk Dynnys’ death, I don’t think Merlin was even aware of it. News of Erayk’s death was a surprise to Archbishop Maikel Staynair.

Donnachaidh wrote:I was rereading By Schism Rent Asunder and something occurred to me:
Why didn't Merlin kill Zhaspyr Clyntahn when Clyntahn was presiding of the execution of Erayk Dynnys with something that will look like a smaller version of the Rakurai? If he had it would have likely been seen as God disapproving of what Clyntahn had been doing.

That's why he didn't. How different would Merlin be from the G4, if he also abuses the ignorance of the devoutly faithful? Besides, Merlin would simply reinforce the Safehold view that God or his representative will do all the hard work. The common man need only watch in reverant awe when actions are taken.

Where is the individual responsibility in all that?

Merlin doesn’t get real time transmissions from his SNARKs in Zion. They save the data and zip transmit it later. By the time Merlin learns that Clyntahn has left the temple, it will probably be too late to act.

Donnachaidh wrote:He wouldn't have to operate them closer than 5 miles, since they or a recon skimmer or assault shuttle will likely have an energy weapon with more than a 5 mile range. Also just because it was a surprise for Archbishop Stynair doesn't mean it was a surprise for Merlin. There was a large crowd gathered to see them execute Dynnys so it must have been widely known around Zion.

Edit: Fixed spelling error.

John Driver wrote:Merlin doesn’t dare operate his SNARCs closer than 5 miles from the temple. In “A Mighty Fortress” Merlin formed the intent to shorten Clyntahn’s life if he ever strays far enough from the temple. He also acknowledged that it was unlikely to happen. Clyntahn almost never leaves the temple at all, even in the summer, when the weather is ever so briefly nice outside.

At the time of Erayk Dynnys’ death, I don’t think Merlin was even aware of it. News of Erayk’s death was a surprise to Archbishop Maikel Staynair.

You’re right that just because Archbishop Maikel Staynair doesn’t know, doesn’t mean that Merlin doesn’t know. Having said that, I don’t think it likely that if Merlin did know, that he would withhold that information. PeterZ’s comments are well taken. Merlin has tried not to abuse his powers. The scenario you described is nice to fantasize about, but the contrarian in me can’t help but wonder if Merlin did know about the scheduled execution ahead of time and could do what you describe and dared to do it, if it would have had the effect for which we’re wishing. I’m thinking that those with a strong vested interest in the status quo, would probably cry “Shan Wei!”. After all, her pitiful imitation of God’s Rakuri, can’t begin to compare with the real thing. Of course, if Merlin knew about the execution, could interfere as you describe, dared to do it, and it had the desired effect, then the whole series would be much shorter.

On a related side note, I got to wondering how feasible the whole idea was in a technical sense. First, the 5 mile no fly zone was for the SNARCs. The recon skimmer is much less stealthy. It wouldn’t be able to get nearly as close. Also, the firing of a hypersonic projectile is a high signature event. Disguising that would probably require the recon skimmer to back even further off. Even if the stealth systems disguised the firing of the projectile, the hypersonic travel of the projectile would leave a highly visible infrared trail as it passed through the air. This trail would extend from the target back to the edge of the stealth system of the recon skimmer. Merlin might as well hang out a big flashing neon sign saying “Here I Am, Shoot Me Out of the Sky”. Merlin might be able to get away from that to a certain limited extent if he were to fire from outer space, but then hitting a man sized target from such distances takes the story from science fiction to purest fantasy. (Hyperbole here)(barely)

Also, hypersonic travel tends to vaporize the projectile. To be sure that the projectile lasted long enough to hit the target, you would need to start with a bigger projectile. I’m not sure how easy it would be to size the projectile to make it big enough to take out Clyntahn, but not so big as to take out the whole square. I think we’re wanting a controlled effect here.

PeterZ's point is well taken and I think that's an important thing. But there's a difference between abusing his power and taking an action that would not only prevent a man from being tortured to death but also give them some breathing room in Charis. As far as the orbital weapons and the hypersonic projectile go, OWL can pilot and control the recon skimmer and Merlin has two skimmers plus a fabrication plant and energy weapons would be visually indistinguishable from the Rakurai.

John Driver wrote:You’re right that just because Archbishop Maikel Staynair doesn’t know, doesn’t mean that Merlin doesn’t know. Having said that, I don’t think it likely that if Merlin did know, that he would withhold that information. PeterZ’s comments are well taken. Merlin has tried not to abuse his powers. The scenario you described is nice to fantasize about, but the contrarian in me can’t help but wonder if Merlin did know about the scheduled execution ahead of time and could do what you describe and dared to do it, if it would have had the effect for which we’re wishing. I’m thinking that those with a strong vested interest in the status quo, would probably cry “Shan Wei!”. After all, her pitiful imitation of God’s Rakuri, can’t begin to compare with the real thing. Of course, if Merlin knew about the execution, could interfere as you describe, dared to do it, and it had the desired effect, then the whole series would be much shorter.

On a related side note, I got to wondering how feasible the whole idea was in a technical sense. First, the 5 mile no fly zone was for the SNARCs. The recon skimmer is much less stealthy. It wouldn’t be able to get nearly as close. Also, the firing of a hypersonic projectile is a high signature event. Disguising that would probably require the recon skimmer to back even further off. Even if the stealth systems disguised the firing of the projectile, the hypersonic travel of the projectile would leave a highly visible infrared trail as it passed through the air. This trail would extend from the target back to the edge of the stealth system of the recon skimmer. Merlin might as well hang out a big flashing neon sign saying “Here I Am, Shoot Me Out of the Sky”. Merlin might be able to get away from that to a certain limited extent if he were to fire from outer space, but then hitting a man sized target from such distances takes the story from science fiction to purest fantasy. (Hyperbole here)(barely)

Also, hypersonic travel tends to vaporize the projectile. To be sure that the projectile lasted long enough to hit the target, you would need to start with a bigger projectile. I’m not sure how easy it would be to size the projectile to make it big enough to take out Clyntahn, but not so big as to take out the whole square. I think we’re wanting a controlled effect here.

Donnachaidh wrote:PeterZ's point is well taken and I think that's an important thing. But there's a difference between abusing his power and taking an action that would not only prevent a man from being tortured to death but also give them some breathing room in Charis. As far as the orbital weapons and the hypersonic projectile go, OWL can pilot and control the recon skimmer and Merlin has two skimmers plus a fabrication plant and energy weapons would be visually indistinguishable from the Rakurai.

I could see Merlin sniping Clyntahn with a rifle. He hit a target at 400 yards or so. Heck, we know he could move around Zion pretty well unnoticed.

The primary reason has got to be plot consideration. All the other excuses are more rationalization than anything else.

The problem with using a rifle is that then Charis would be blamed for assassinating a Vicar of the Church of God Awaiting.

PeterZ wrote:I could see Merlin sniping Clyntahn with a rifle. He hit a target at 400 yards or so. Heck, we know he could move around Zion pretty well unnoticed.

The primary reason has got to be plot consideration. All the other excuses are more rationalization than anything else.

Clyntahn is useful exactly where he is...

Driving the COGA over a cliff at warp 9, setting the place for a much more reasonable, flexible and less doctrinaire reformation.

The trick is to make sure he drives as hard as he can and does as much damage as he can, but fails in the end.