[Dragaera] Vlad's passivity

[Philip Hart]

On Thu, 16 Oct 2008, Alexx Kay wrote:

> emblematic of Vlad's entire life.  He is almost completely *reactive*, and
> practically never initiates anything.

To the extent that this is true, it's the natural consequence of 
Sethra or Verra or the Cycle pushing him in a direction.  He's young
in much of the Vladiad, and he does put himself in a position to
profit from what Fate etc. throw at him.

But someone does note to Vlad that he's been actively pursuing something -
power (maybe the term was "influence").  The spy network starts in 
reaction to something, but it's Vlad's decision to focus resources on
it; it's his decision to focus resources on building the quality of his 
agency even in quiet times; it's his decision to master the skills
that are available to him (sorcery aside).  He doesn't cause Mellar
to steal the council funds, but he does run the show once hired.

Philip Marlowe doesn't wake up and say, I should go poking around in
Bay City - a dame walks in his door and gets him entangled in something.
He's not an entrepeneur, but that doesn't make him passive.