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Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Dramatis Personae
Magi - 2.5 vis/year salary
Ealdwine, an Ex Miscellanea and a Rusticani - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Luc Morneau, Tremonius, a Bonisagus and a Researcher - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Gerda, a Tremere and a Leader - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Alraune, a Merinita and a Prankster - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Chloe, a Bonisagus and a Plotter - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Soňa, an Ex Miscellanea and a Witch - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Leona, a Bjornaer and a Heroine - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Torvald, a Verditius and a Sculptor - Vis: 2.5 pawns
Jacques, a Tytalus and a Traveller - Vis: 2.5 pawns

Companions
Flagstone Pavimentum, a Spirit and a Collector
Rashad al-Najafi, a Sahir and a Foreigner
Ghorma, a Cat and a Seeker
Mariel, a Thief and a Lycanthrope
Rhys de Vaux, a Scholar and a Solicitor
Mehdi, a Mazdean and a Leader

Grogs
Lucas the Scarred, a Turb Leader
Eliezer, a Veteran Warrior
Babet, a Veteran Warrior
Artemisia, a Veteran Warrior
Alain, a Veteran Warrior
26 Veteran Warriors
Johann, a Steward
Jeanne, a Chamberlain
3 Scribes
A Brewer
A Carpenter
2 Apprentice Carpenters
A Stonemason
A Toolmaker
A Leatherworker
A Teacher
A Fencing Instructor
7 Divers Unworking Spouses
8 Divers Children
Odo, a Hunter
29 Divers Laborers
62 Divers Servants
33 Divers Teamsters

Others
Raymond Roger I, a Count
Raymond II Trencavel, a former Viscount and a Ward

Mors Rattus fucked around with this message at 04:22 on Dec 5, 2014

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Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018



Near the town of Foix, along the River Leze, Chateau des Pavons lies. It is built on the lands of Raymond Roger I, the Count of Foix. Raymond Roger spends most of his time at his castle, the Chateau de Foix, but thanks to the Albigensian Crusade, he has come to rely on the covenant for many things. Indeed, it could fairly be said that he's willing to listen to them on pretty much every matter. He has even given his ward, Raymond II Trencavel, formerly Viscount of Beziers, Carcassonne, Albi and Razes, to the covenant to raise. The boy is thirteen, headstrong and rather upset that his mother surrendered his lands to Simon de Montfort. Still, these politics are of little concern to the magi most of the time - at least, until they're forced to deal with them. If the Trencavel boy has his way, they may eventually be forced to. Fortunately, Raymond Roger's network of spies and informants are at the covenant's disposal.

The covenant is housed in one of the manor houses of Raymond Roger - quite a nice one, all told, with a truly extensive cellar complex that has, over the years, been carved out into a tunnel system that covers most of the manor. It is possible to cross the entire place without ever seeing the sky, though the tunnels are twisting and numerous, such that only the locals can hope to find their way around them. Even they have preferred paths - there are said to be entire cellars lost to time, cobwebs and poor mapping. The local forest belongs to the covenant as well - well, it belongs to Raymond Roger, but the forest and its beasts are entirely under the covenant's rule. The chase has many paths leading through it, but most are dead ends. Once again, only the locals can truly traverse it safely.

The part most people see is the inn, which stands out before the manor house and welcomes travelers. These travelers are frequent, for the inn (and covenant) are built along a wide road, right at the ford where it crosses the River Leze. It's a beautiful site, and the inn is quite pleasant, but it is always busy. Especially in festival season, when the merchants and locals gather by the ford for the mercantile fair every summer. With them come the Romany...and where merchants and nomads congregate, trouble always follows. Rare is the summer (or, rarely, the fall) where one or the other doesn't end up causing a problem, either by accident or deliberately.

Would that they were the only problem the covenant has! No, there is more. The locals suffer under a curse laid on them long ago by the Basque witches. No one quite remembers why - the story has been muddled and lost - but it apparently involves some kind of deal that the locals didn't follow through on. The eldest child born in the area to any given family is human for only moments - long enough to be born, and to turn into a bird. The birds retain their human intellect, though most cannot speak. These intelligent birds and the rare talking dog and fox caused by the local magical aura have given the place something of a fearful reputation among outsiders...though many still come to the inn despite it.

In part this is because of the safety Raymond Roger has always offered to the Cathars, who have flocked the area, along with a settled group of Zoroastrians from the far-off land of Persia. This is trouble, in these Crusading times - especially for the covenant, who lack proper defenses, yet have agreed to defend the odd Zoroastrian/Cathar settlement that has sprung up near the inn. Raymond Roger's finest soldiers and archers are at their command, but they lack any real fortifications and are open on several sides to attack. At least invaders might be kept away by the local faerie court, which makes its home in the forest, just outside the covenant's Aegis. They model themselves after the French nobility, and are known to cause trouble when they get bored. Like any nobles, they get bored rather easily.

They aren't the only supernatural forces in the area. The ancient ruins of a Roman fort can be found in the forest as well, guarded by strange creatures that are ill understood. Some say dragons, others beasts of stone, but all know that the ruins are dangerous. Fortunately, the creatures seem to prefer not to leave it. A holy hermit is also known to frequent the area. Some belive him to be one of the Cathar Perfecti, while others claim he's a Church agent. No one is sure, but having a holy man so close would make any magus uncomfortable.

Even the covenant's foremost magus, Leona of Bjornaer. She is the nominal chancellor of the covenant, though she tends to make rulings only when the covenant's council is deadlocked. She is famous in the Tribunal for her defeat of a river dragon alone, and her very presence has made the covenant command respect. However, few have forgotten its legacy - the mess caused by its founder, Morgan of Tytalus, who unleashed a plague that tore through the area about a century ago - a plague so terrible that several magi died of it. As a result, the covenant still owes ancestral debts to the covenants of Aedes Mercurii, Castra Solis and Stella Durus. However, thanks to the work of Leona and some of the other magi of the covenant, it can claim debts on Ara Maxima Nova, the Coenobium and the Ostal des Exiles. The covenant has earned its place in hte Tribunal...but it's always going to be hard work in a Tribunal as argumentative as Provencal.

Boons:
Manor House
Aura x2
Minority
Felicitous Tribunal
Chase
Useful Curse
Tame Nobleman
Vast and Labyrinthine
Hidden Ways
Informants
Vivid Environment
Famous Resident
Veteran Fighters
Missile Weapons
Secondary Income

Hooks:
Road (Minor)
Festivals
Faerie Court
Itinerants
Ford
Regional Produce
Ancestral Error
Heretics
Hermit
Fosterage
Roman Ruins
Rival
Poorly Defensible
Hermetic Politics
Guardians
Protector
Inhuman Covenfolk

Aura: 5

Library
ART SUMMAE
An Introduction to Earth (Terram, L6, Q19)
Conflagrations, Fires and Flames (Ignem, L7, Q22)
Birth of Master (Rego, L6, Q21)
Magics of Creation - The First Steps (Creo, L6, Q18)
Gwidion's Lessons for the Young (Herbam, L6, Q20)
Power Over Power (Vim, L6, Q18)
The Theatre of the Mind (Mentem, L6, Q20)
On the Form of the Man (Corpus, L6, Q19)
The First Word On Finality (Perdo, L6, Q20)
Ars Neptunis (Aquam, L14, Q12)
To Understand the Beast (Animal, L14, Q10)
Metamorphosis (Muto, L15, Q8)
Boreas (Auram, L16, Q8)
The Book of Ten Thousand Leaves (Herbam, L16, Q10)

ABILITY SUMMAE
Ars Bonisagi (Magic Theory, L5, Q10)
Leona's Guide to the Magical Realm (Magic Lore, L3, Q10)

TRACTATUS
The Application of Vim to the Supernatural Humors (Magic Theory, Q7) x2
The Necromancer's Tool (Corpus, Q10)u
The Wizard As Warrior (Penetration, Q8)
Recreating the Crafts of the Hand (Finesse, Q9)
The Beauty of Creation (Creo, Q10)
On the Nature of Auras (Vim, Q11)
De Potestate et Obligatione (Philosophiae, Q11)
Liber de Lumine (Ignem, Q11)
The Arabian Nights, Translated by Leofric of Merinita (Faerie Lore, Q11)
The Arabian Nights, Translated by Leofric of Merinita (Area Lore: Middle East, Q5)
Alraune's Digressions (Imaginem, Q2)
Jacques' The Ducking Pool: A Poem of Humorous Education (Aquam, Q7)

Lab Texts: Broom of the Winds (CrAu 15), The Transformation of the Ravenous Beast to the Sessile Shrub (MuAn 30, Tremonius' shorthand), 185 levels as yet unresolved

Magic Items
Ferramenta Glacies (ReAq 14, freezes water into ice when used.)
Granary Chest (MuHe 24, shrinks plant material in the chest to the size of a grain of wheat until removed. MuHe(Te) 10, turns the wood of the chest into brass once a day, ReAq 9, slowly moves liquids out of the chest over a period of minutes and keeps them from seeping or dripping in)
Freshness of the Harvest Evening (CrHe 14, keeps all plant material in the room from rotting but may warp it if left in the room for a long time)
Mjolnir's Equal (PeTe(He) 25 - when activated by a warrior's call, destroys a metal or wooden item touching the hammer)
The Enchanted Porter (ReTe 15 - 24 times a day, allows the wearer to lift and push most heavy objects easily until the glove is taken off)
The Magical Oven (CrIg 20 - 24 times a day, will become red-hot on command until sunset or ordered to stop)
Apollo's Lyre (CrIm 10 x4, can play 4 different songs 3 times per day each, which play once a string is plucked until a different one is plucked)
The Soothing Pipes (PeMe 33 - 6 times a day, will calm anger or fear in a group of up to 100 people in hearing range of its playing)
The Rod of Night's Embrace (ReMe 28 - 6 times a day, will cause a group of up to 100 people in range of your voice to fall asleep over the course of a few seconds)
The Unfired Lamp (CrIg 20 - Glows as bright as a cloudy day on command, until commanded to stop.)
2 Healing Potions (Cure up to an Incapacitating Wound)
7 Amulets of Protection from Rain (ReAu 10, 2 charges, protects the wearer from the touch of rain until sunrise or sunset)
5 Amulets of Protection from Rain (ReAu 10, 3 charges, protects the wearer from the touch of rain until sunrise or sunset)
1 Amulet of Protection from Rain (ReAu 10, 4 charges, protects the wearer from the touch of rain until sunrise or sunset)
1 Amulet of Protection from Rain (ReAu 10, 5 charges, protects the wearer from the touch of rain until sunrise or sunset)


Vis
Vis Sources: 30 pawns/year (2 Creo, 0 Intellego, 1 Muto, 2 Perdo, 4 Rego, 4 Animal, 0 Auram, 1 Aquam, 2 Corpus, 2 Ignem, 3 Imaginem, 1 Mentem, 2 Terram, 4 Vim)
Vis Stocks: 2 Creo, 0 Intellego, 1 Muto, 2 Perdo, 4 Rego, 2 Animal, 0 Auram, 1 Aquam, 2 Corpus, 2 Ignem, 1 Imaginem, 1 Mentem, 2 Terram, 4 Vim, 47 pawns as yet unresolved

Silver
Income: 490 Mythic Pounds of silver per year
Expenses: 476 Mythic Pounds of silver per year
Cash Reserve: 14 pounds of silver

Mors Rattus fucked around with this message at 02:52 on Jan 14, 2015

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Spring, 1220

Things are going well at the Chateau des Pavons. The covenfolk are industrious and the library has recently been filled by the entire collection of the Roots of the Art. The Aegis of the Hearth has been placed for the year, pacing out the boundary of the covenant, and it is time to settle in. The first council meeting of 1220 - and the first of several of your careers - will begin soon.

The inn is doing well, and the local county is being taxed efficiently by Raymond Roger I, but the sheer expense of supporting so many people is still wearing on the finances. At least vis is plentiful, and there is time before the next Tribunal meeting, so politics are not quite so terrible as they could be yet. Spring is warm and so far no one has seen any Papal envoys or Crusaders coming to attack the area, so everyone's rather cheerful for the new year.

Leona has returned from her winter trip south, to meet with one of her former apprentices, whole Torvald is a newcomer like many of you - a Verditius who came to the covenant from the north, to practice his craft. (Statuary.) Jacques, the resident Tytalus, has settled in his travels for the season and is even going to be attending the Council meeting. Truly, this is a grand start.

So! First things first: the Council. Everyone has a vote - but you can also decide to give one or more non-magi a vote, if you want, perhaps as a voice for the covenfolk. You can propose things, like how to divide up vis when people want it, or if there's any duties everyone must take part in. Feel free to propose and vote on whatever you want; should there be a tie due to abstentions, Leona holds the tiebreaking vote, as eldest and most prestigious.

I would also love if you would describe your personal labs for me and list a few valuable items you keep in there.

And then it's time for you to decide on what you're doing this spring.

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

Tremonius sinks down into one of the chairs in the Council Chamber, glad to get off his feet. He had spent the morning beginning to set up his laboratory. The laboratory itself had potential. A vacant room near the top of the manor, while the room had a mouse infestation, it was large enough for a functioning laboratory, and while it was dusty, it wasn't too dirty. He had spent the morning trying to clean the room and unpacking his equipment, but nothing was organized yet and he still had no idea where everything was.

Oh, he had unpacked some things. His most valuable possession, a dwarf apple tree, grew near a window. While it appeared to be nothing other than a simple tree, Tremonius knew that inside its fruits, it seeds were raw vis. Most of his other possessions were not so remarkable, of course. They were largely mundane items that still gave him inspiration or helped his research. On one table, he had a bull's horn. On another, a jar of honey (which, in addition to being useful for research, made for a nice snack.) In a bag, he had a single whale's tooth, and a small aquamarine. Next to the bag, he had a small scrap of linen, stained slightly. Standing on top of the linen was a small wooden statue of St. Nerius, and in front of that, a devotional candle. All that was unpacked, but he still had more to pack, and he wasn't entirely sure where one of his boxes even was.

That was the sad truth of moving; nothing is ever in the box you put it in, boxes are never where you put them, and nothing is ever in the same condition as when you packed it. That could be a good start off point for research, actually, Tremonius wonders, as he thinks for a minute about the nature of space and physical dimensions. Muto, obviously, but Muto what? Herbam to shrink or manipulate the box, but what about the items in the box? And what do you do with individual objects that are made up of more than one element? Plants, animals, and people are made up of more than one element, but Herbam, Animal, and Creo magic affects them. So, how did those forms develop? Did they develop out of elemental forms? Could you develop another form for nonliving elemental combinations? Its something to think about. So, he sits, thinking, while he waits for the rest of the magi to assemble.

As for voting procedure, how about every mage has a vote, with whoever is Chancellor having an extra vote. My suggestion regarding vis is that we set aside vis every year to add to our stores, and then, after we've done that, what's left over gets divided up among all mages in good standing who aren't otherwise restricted for disciplinary purposes. If a mage should need more vis than he or she has for some special purpose (a major enchantment, some expensive ritual, whatever), he or she can bring it to vote at a council meeting to get a gift of vis from the Covenant stores. In terms of obligations, I think that's something we need to discuss.

Epicurius fucked around with this message at 22:05 on Oct 5, 2014

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

Ealdwine arrives in the council chamber soon after Tremonius, and gives his fellow magi a genial nod. While he waits for the chancellor to arrive and begin the proceedings, he idly sketches new designs on a scrap of parchment. These are not designs for some great instrument of magic, or complicated laboratory equipment, but rather details for small wooden figurines - figurines which were his joy to create in his idle time as a method of relaxation. A tusk for the boar, a sword for the soldier. Ealdwine appreciated the skilled but simple tasks that this work entailed. He thinks to himself that he should take a trip to the nearby forest to see what interesting samples of wood could be found, either for use in crafting magical implements, or for more mundane frivolities. And while he was there, perhaps he could find a suitable beast to become his familiar. It was perhaps somewhat lonely in his lab, with only the wooden eyes of his carvings to watch with him.

I'll also be detailing the lab later. I need to wrap my head around the rules for that. Ealdwine is certainly fine with equal representation in voting, and is willing to offer an extra vote to the chancellor. I might press for more representation for the covenfolk, or some other concession towards what grievances they may have. That will come out in the upcoming posts/rp, I imagine.

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

Gerda had already been waiting in the council chamber, studiously examining an old letter from her parens- advice on operating in a mixed covenant with non-Tremere. She had already read it a half-dozen times before, but the letter suggested the virtues of looking busy and productive at every opportunity. She didn't return Ealdwine's friendly gesture except to acknowledge that she saw him.

Another suggestion from the letter was to subtly challenge existing traditions in a spirit of forward-thinking practicality. That, along with her general preference for solitude, led her to request to establish her laboratory in a suitable, but long unused structure- connected by the tunnels but outside of the main building. Even she had to admit the view was quite striking, overlooking a babbling stream of the Leze with the boundaries of the chase beyond it. It would be perfect frozen over.

As it turned out, the reason it was unused is that the building had originally been constructed by the regrettable Morgan of Tytalus himself as a laboratory, and though it had been mostly cleared out of his works and materials, some things supposedly were hard to purge. That was acceptable. House Tremere was built on rising above a legacy of dishonor. Having been disused for so long, the equipment was not entirely intact and had to be supplemented by what the House was willing to provide to a maga of her rank (there was a woeful shortage of jasper and cinnamon), but she was quite proud of one particular feature: the beginnings of a menagerie. A set of ornate birdcages were hanging from the second story, half-filled with respectable fowl she had brought from Transylvania. A pair of Greek lizards underneath a window, a pack of obedient marmots, an adjacent paddock occupied by a chamois which she hoped to one day replace with a wolf. It would only become grander as she found more interesting specimens, but they aided her studies already, and she found it satisfying to be responsible for them.

Of course, the day-to-day responsibility was more taken care of by Bernard, a strikingly clever servant whom she had tapped as her personal attendant for the laboratory. He was nowhere close to the help an apprentice could provide of course, but he was an extra pair of hands to feed the animals and generally keep the space from surprising her. As far as she could tell, he appreciated the philosophy of Tremere as she had briefly explained it: everyone has a place, and even servants should take pride in their contribution to the greater whole.

Apart from the ornate cages of the menagerie, she had hung vexilla depicting checkerboard patterns on the walls, like a good member of the pack. There was a House-standardized but fine quality board and pieces suitable for prima chess, featuring a queen rather than a vizier- a parting gift from her parens. She didn't host visitors often as opponents, though. And one of her few luxury items, recently put away with the spring thaw: a warm hooded cape suitable for leading an expedition in winter. The outside was unassuming utilitarian wool, dyed blue-black for her House uniform, but the inside was soft and bright white- the contrast made a striking impression when the cape was opened. It was bound with a clasp in the shape of a death's head moth, because of course it was.

My lab has the free virtues Dedicated Building, Idyllic Surroundings (Aquam), Servant (3 int = +2 safety). Free flaws: Predecessor, Missing Ingredients (halve Imaginem/Terram). Also the minor virtue Menagerie balanced by the minor flaw Missing Equipment (no vis extraction or longevity ritual).

Plans for this council meeting: formally establish that matters not requiring the assent of all magi in the covenant can be resolved by certamen, fought only to "first blood". Basically, if not everyone is around or they can't be bothered to come to council over it, certamen between two parties can settle the matter. Probably going to have some not-entirely-serious hierarchy plan as well.

Roland Jones
Aug 18, 2011

by Nyc_Tattoo
Soňa

Finishing up some sorting, Soňa prepares to leave her kitchen, its own small structure a little way away from the manor proper. It is a somewhat odd place, even by magi standards, beginning with the impression it gives of simultaneously being unnecessarily spacious and rather cramped on the inside. Rather than a magic effect, however, this is simply due to how it's been arranged; as folk witches normally get by with very little space for their kitchens, having what would be a normal lab space for a magus left Soňa with a fair amount of room for her belongings and tools. However, she arranged these things with her own size (somewhat smaller than the average magus) in mind, leading to areas that she can walk through easily but others would likely bump into things in, shelves that a person of average height would need to look down or even stoop a little to reach, and other such things.

Besides the layout of the kitchen, it has some other notable features and qualities. There's the large cauldron in the middle, the centerpiece of a witch's kitchen, of course. There's also a bed, wardrobe, and other things indicating that a person not only works but actually lives here; while Soňa has her own quarters in the manor proper, as the other mages do, she frequently finds herself absorbed in her work and thus set up her kitchen so that she could work there without interruption when needed. Which, judging by her manor quarters being almost completely unused, seems to be "all the time". It is also very organized and clean; while many magi let their labs fall into a poor state and use the "Well I know where it is" method of keeping track of things, Soňa's kitchen is effectively spotless and rigidly organized to her standards, though it might be a bit confusing to outsiders.

Other items of note include the chiurgeon's tools among her other instruments, a variety of plants animal parts, magical and mundane, she brought with her from her homeland, and, gleaming from its position on her desk, a firebird feather. The last item she acquired in her apprenticeship; during a task assigned by her teacher, she set her sights rather high and sought out the legendary bird. She failed to obtain the creature itself, but one of its feathers is a worthy trophy (and potentially useful magical item).

Soňa arrives at the Council on time, though after some others. Clad all in white, she stands out considerably indoors. As she sees the others, she smiles and greets them, similarly acknowledging those who arrive after her as she waits for the session to begin.

Mechanically, Soňa's kitchen is Size 3 technically (it's still Size 0 by magus standards, but since folk witch kitchens require less space and in fact are normally built in Size -3 areas, they have a +3 bonus to Size), and hence has the Virtue Living Quarters without a corresponding flaw. Almost took Diminutive, since it doesn't penalize Soňa (she's Size -1 due to her own Flaw), but I remembered that unfilled Size provides its own penalties, so for now that's just flavor. It'll go from "mildly annoying to outsiders" to "notably obstructive to non-small people" as she adds more to the lab and actually needs that Flaw. Also has the Free Virtue Idyllic Surroundings and the Free Flaw Empty to reflect the two unused points of Size. If Mors allows it I'd like to pick up Spotless too but while that's free it normally comes in other ways so I dunno if it's acceptable. Also it should arguably have Dedicated Building but I actually don't care about the benefits that gives (none of her magic would benefit from Rego) so until we have more money I'm fine with not having the benefits of it to avoid the Upkeep increase that would come with it.

As for Council stuff, she's going to sit back and listen for the moment rather than propose her own things, though she'll likely comment on other people's proposals. If no one else addresses it, though, she's going to bring up the issue of funding.

Roland Jones fucked around with this message at 06:17 on Oct 5, 2014

neongrey
Feb 28, 2007

Plaguing your posts with incidental music.
Chloe

Chloe finishes looking in on her sister, who is as awkward about visiting with her as ever, but settling in nicely. She toys a little with teaching her

She arrives a bit late, hobbling her way in on a cane. She murmurs apologies all around, vaguely indicating the cane and her obviously slow pace in getting much of anywhere.

She seats herself carefully, resting the cane on the arm of her seat, making herself comfortable.

Still going over those laboratory rules, too; I'll have that settled for next post. Sorry, I've been busy lately.

MollyMetroid
Jan 20, 2004

Trout Clan Daimyo
Alraune

Alraune, flighty as ever, arrives late for the Council, and almost seems surprised to see others in attendance. Can it be that she forgot that it was happening at all? Certainly she often seemed to be seeing or hearing things that weren't actually there, and her laboratory was a haphazard nest of sparkly objects, brightly colored bits of glass, and the occasional possibly hallucinogenic mushroom...to say nothing of the toads.

Her wide eyed gaze regards the others for several moments, before she merrily skips over to a seat and nearly throws herself into it with a happy sigh.

Plans? Hahahahaha hahahhahahaa.

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

The Council

The council chamber is a well-appointed hall in the main manor, decorated with tapestries and fine furnishings and with a view overlooking the entire estate from its wide window. The other council members are already there. Jacques is a small, weathered man who has clearly seen better days - perhaps better years. He has several scars on his face, which wasn't pretty to begin with. The scars make a patchwork of his red hair and beard. Still, he carries himself as confidently as any Tytalus. Torvald is a pale man, but well-muscled. He clearly hasn't the sun often, and his black hair is starting to go bald already, despite looking to be in his mid-20s. Leona has sandy brown skin, speaking to a long time spent under the sun and probably some African or Arabian ancestry. Her hair, like her namesake's, is a mane of dirty blonde. (It is no surprise to anyone that her heartbeast is a lioness.)

Leona stands. "I declare this council to be in session. Let it be known as the first council of our new members, and long may they sit on it!" She claps her hands together. "That's all the formalities taken care of. We've always been rather casual. Now, on to business. I'd like to reopen the topic of vis division and what is to be done about it, if anything."

Torvald speaks up. "I say give anyone access to as much as they want!"

"Says the Verditius. Naturally." Jacques laughs. It's a rattling laugh, somewhat grating. "Give him all he wants and we'll run dry in five years!"

Leona looks the rest of you. "Obviously, you'll have your own desires. Other than that, I would also like to mention our financial state. I am informed that while we are still making a small profit, if taxes were to go badly one year, we might begin to run a small debt. So, any ideas about potential fixes there should be mentioned, either here or to the chamberlain. I'm sure you all read the histories I sent you and know what sort of problems we may have in the future, so I won't go over all that again."

She nods.

"Are there any other issues any of you want to bring to the floor for debate before we vote on things?"

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

Tremonious looks up. "Ah, yes, thank you, Domina. Regarding vis distribution, might I suggest that, first, each year, we set aside a certain amount of vis each year for stores, and then what's left is divided among all mages of the covenant in good standing. If any of us need extra vis from stores, for ritual, or research, or enchantment, or such, we make a request with the council for a grant of vis, and if it seems good to the Council, it is granted. I'd also suggest, given our financial situation, a special grant of vis is given each year to Master Torvald, for the enchantment of charged items for sale outside the covenant. If Master Torvald does not object to both the vis grant and the obligation of enchantment, of course.

Additionally, I wonder if it might be wise, since we all have unique skills, for each of us, either through direct instruction or the writing of learned works, to train our fellows in those arts that they we are skilled in and they are deficient in. A mage with an apprentice, of course, should be exempt this duty, as he shall have an obligation to teach his apprentice."

Epicurius fucked around with this message at 02:04 on Oct 9, 2014

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

Ealdwine clears his throat and then speaks. Latin, rather than French; He was still unused to the language of this land.

"Good morning and thank you to each member of this council. I agree in principle that a division of vis by need is an acceptable solution, barring extraordinary expenditure or obviously miserly behavior. Likewise I think that freely-traded assistance in study and craft could create profitable working relationships, although more discussion will need to take place if some party or another is engaged in time-consuming study or dangerous experiments." At that last comment, he chuckles. Danger and magic went hand in hand, of course.

Ealdwine strokes his chin, the sandy bristles of his beard scratching quietly in the council chamber.

"I would also request that the council consider the issue of how we relate to the covenfolk and surrounding mundane peoples. While we currently see good relations with our peers in the community, we should not grow complacent with our own matters while problems arise outside of our doorsteps. Suffering and ill fortune among those who live around us and serve us either directly or indirectly should not go unrecognized or addressed. Thus I propose that the council accept the complaints and grievances of the covenfolk on a periodic basis, both for review and redress, so that we may maintain a healthy and congenial atmosphere in our fair coven. I propose that such airings of grievances take place at least once a season, with emergency sessions to be called as necessary."

He sits, satisfied, then looks up again, smiling.

"Oh, I had almost forgotten. I will be going to the Oaken Cask following this council meeting for an early lunch and to plan further personal business. You are all welcome to join me."

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

Gerda speaks up next, practically reading off of the letter from her parens.

"A brief addition of my own: I propose that certamen to the first blow be our preferred way of resolving disputes among magi, as it is quicker and more respectful of our time than calling the Council unnecessarily."

She does a quick scan of everyone's faces before setting the letter down. So far, so good.

"Agreed on the matter of teaching one another. Each of us has an obligation to strengthen the covenant by sharing our specialized knowledge when books are not available."

"As for the covenfolk," she says, looking down her nose at an invisible peasant, "it is good that lords should care for their servants. That being said, the proper distinction between us would be blurred if one of the scullery maids had an equal voice in this council to a maga! They serve the covenant with their hands, we serve with our mind and will. Furthermore, I cannot imagine what crisis among the grogs could possibly be grave enough to warrant calling us in for an emergency session that we, in our greater wisdom, would not already be aware of. If the council wishes to appoint a trusted agent from among our companions to survey the covenfolk and report back to us periodically, I would accept the ruling, but our respected Ealdwine can always go to the Cask if he wishes to hear an 'airing of grievances' from the horse's mouth."

"Regarding vis: to promote self-restraint it is not good to have our stocks open freely, but the assent of our full Council is not realistic each time a grant above the allotment is desired. It was only the whims of our stars that brought all we nine together today. But there is a solution: I will explain."

Gerda's Proposal (DO NOT STEAL) posted:

  • Each magi of Chateau des Pavons has the right to two pawns of vis per year.
  • Vis use must be made known to the covenant and not done in secret.
  • If another magi wishes to contest the intended use of vis, for instance if there is a shortage of a particular Art, the matter may be resolved with certamen.
  • If a magi wishes to withdraw more than their annual allotment of vis, the public approval of one Censor is sufficient.
  • Censors are senior magi whose wise judgment is to be respected in the covenant, particularly on matters of resources. There will be three Censors at any time.
  • The office of Censor may be claimed by certamen, or freely transferred by a current Censor.

"As our most senior magi, I would humbly nominate Leona, Jacques, and Tremonius as our three Censors," she adds diplomatically. What do you mean we haven't voted on it yet?

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

"While I appreciate the suggestion of Mistress Gerda that I should serve as a Censor of vis, should it come that we decide such a vis distribution is wise, I do have certain concerns about her suggestion that Certamen be used to settle disputes. While I certainly appreciate and agree with her that the Council as a whole should not be bothered with every single dispute, not all of us are as skilled in Certamen or specialize in it to the extent of Mistress Gerda's house. Indeed, we have mages here who come from traditions outside of the Hermetic mainstream. . .", he stops here and his eyes pass over Soňa and Ealdwine for a moment, "who have no particular talent in Certamen at all, and it would not be practical for them to have to find a champion for every disagreement. Therefore, I would make my own suggestion. First, that all mages here endeavor to settle their differences themselves, in a spirit of charity and of the fraternal love that we share for each other as brothers and sisters in this order. But, in the event that the mages at dispute can not come to an agreement, that we name one of more Justicars who would arbitrate between us, exempting themselves when they are a party, and that the Justicar's decision should be taken as final. Obviously, any two with a dispute could settle their disagreement with Certamen if they both desire it, or by any other method that is suitable to them both, in lieu of going to the Justicar. But this way no one is forced into Certamen if they do not so desire it."

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

Ealdwine inclines his head congenially.

"To be accurate, I am trained in the method of certamen, although I appreciate your deference."

Roland Jones
Aug 18, 2011

by Nyc_Tattoo
Soňa

Soňa listens to the others speak at first, not saying anything, though her eyes darken when Gerda suggests certamen as the go-to means of resolving disputes. Before she can speak, though, Tremonius does. After he and Ealdwine finish talking, she finally speaks up. "Thank you for your concern, Tremonius." There is no trace of the irritation that briefly flashed across her face earlier; she is all charm as she looks to the rest of the magi and continues talking, louder and directed at everyone now. "What he says is true, unfortunately. Certamen is based upon the Hermetic Arts, which I am incapable of using. While I am aware of certamen's place in the Code and accepted it when I joined the Order, I must admit that I would prefer it not being the go-to method of conflict resolution here." She pauses, looking at Gerda. "Though, if you are willing to champion for me, provided the conflict is not between us, I would certainly be more open to the suggestion."

Soňa is choosing her words and approach carefully as she goes; her being a new member of the covenant and not a Hermetic magus, her status is somewhat weak. With how many magi look down on non-Hermetic wizards, she wouldn't be surprised if some supported the motion solely to further their position over her. (Tremonius's support is a pleasant surprise, though.) Hence her statement about the Code; not only does it hint at respect for the Order one might assume she lacks, but it also implies knowledge of the rest of the Code and other laws of the Order, such as those against using certamen as a means of bullying and controlling magi. If the motion is supported, it will hopefully at least discourage people from using it excessively against her.

Roland Jones fucked around with this message at 04:28 on Oct 11, 2014

MollyMetroid
Jan 20, 2004

Trout Clan Daimyo
Alraune

Alraune yawns. "Oh, sorry, this just got really boring all of a sudden. It seems pretty obvious that a reliance on the art of certamen would result in the distribution of vis being at the discretion of but a few of our number, and the thought of having to seek a champion - and obviously having to perform some form of recompense for their services in this regard - is no better. There is no way I'd ever support such a proposal, and talking about it is pretty boring, so let's just say no to that and move on."

neongrey
Feb 28, 2007

Plaguing your posts with incidental music.
Chloe

"I agree," says Chloe. "While there is nothing wrong with certamen in and of itself, it largely only shows one's skill at certamen. Victory under such circumstances, however laudable, does not in any way demonstrate need for the vis. And in truth it is only liable to form bad blood between the participants. It is only natural for the loser of such a contest to resent the winner. I think we have enough to deal with before we go out of our way to create rivalries."

She idly thumbs the handle of her cane, shrugging. Not that competition was bad, not at all. But she tried to keep a realistic awareness of her own training, and as such had precious little confidence she could guarantee a win. And if she couldn't guarantee it, what was the point?

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

Gerda holds up her hands. Pick your battles.

"Very well. Perhaps we can return to the issue if free use of vis fails us."

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Jacques laughs. "Oh now, love, they'd have taken it better if you'd suggested chess! Now, your proposal's interesting, and I think elements of it can be adapted. But I say peg the rate at 5 vis per two years. Two and a half per year, though obviously half a pawn is just bookkeeping nonsense. More vis will appease our enchanters, but the rate will keep us from running low for, say, the Aegis."

Torvald shrugs. "I can't teach for a season and spend a season each year making statues to sell. I have work to do too, you know."

Leona considers. "I think I have a solution there...let me present the ideas for voting." She waves a scribe over. "On each issue, I think we can declare them the following..."

On The Issue of Vis posted:

  • Vis is to be used freely as needed.
  • Vis is to be handed out at a rate of 2.5 vis each year to each magus, with the rest held in common for emergencies and covenant rituals such as the Aegis. If a magus wishes to use more vis than their salary has saved, it is to be approved by the council or, if the Censor position is approved, by one Censor that is not themselves. Vis use is to be tracked by the covenant.

On the Issue of Covenfolk posted:

  • Relationships with the covenfolk are fine as they are.
  • The Chamberlain is to have a non-voting position on the Council to air grievances and advise the Council on issues.
  • The Chamberlain is to have an equal voting position on the Council to air grievances and represent the covenfolk on all issues.

On the Issue of Censors posted:

  • The covenant needs no gradations of rank and position beyond what already exists.
  • The covenant is to have three Censors to make emergency decisions and approve of unsalaried vis usage. These Censors are to be Leona, Tremonius and Jacques, as determined by this vote, until a motion is made to replace one or all of them.

On the Issue of Service posted:

  • Each magus is to do as they will every season.
  • Each magus is to devote one season each year to the common good of the covenant, by writing books, teaching or producing materials to be sold for the covenant's common profit rather than personal use or sale. This service is waived for all magi who have a responsibility to teach an apprentice, for as long as they bear that responsibility.

Leona nods. "Excellent. Now, if everyone agrees that this sums up the issues, I will have your votes. As a note - if the vis salary passes, I feel the best way to handle it is to treat it as a right to whatever vis you want, in the amount owed, rather than a necessity to collect it each year. Easier on bookkeeping."

Torvald steps forth first. "On the issue of Vis, I vote for free usage. On the issue of covenfolk, I vote to leave things as they are. On the issue of Censors, I vote they should exist for emergency decisions - the vis clause is pointless if free usage occurs. On the issue of service, I vote for the season of service, though I will want to revisit that once our finances are better in order."

Jacques shrugs. "I vote, on the issue of vis, for the salary. On the issue of covenfolk...oh, I say let them have a vote! It'll be good for us to have to argue with them occasionally. On the issue of Censors...I'm flattered, of course, and I'll accept if it carries. But I vote no, on the basis that I like seeing you all struggle. On the issue of service, I abstain."

Mors Rattus fucked around with this message at 03:09 on Oct 13, 2014

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

Apart from twitching at being called love, and hastily scribbling the word "chess??" on a scrap, Gerda is satisfied enough with this turn of events for now. At least the idea is out there. If the structure exists, it can be improved.

Gerda's Votes posted:

  • Vis is to be handed out at a rate of 2.5 vis each year to each magus, with the rest held in common for emergencies and covenant rituals such as the Aegis. If a magus wishes to use more vis than their salary has saved, it is to be approved by the council or, if the Censor position is approved, by one Censor that is not themselves. Vis use is to be tracked by the covenant.
  • Relationships with the covenfolk are fine as they are.
  • The covenant is to have three Censors to make emergency decisions and approve of unsalaried vis usage. These Censors are to be Leona, Tremonius and Jacques, as determined by this vote, until a motion is made to replace one or all of them.
  • Each magus is to devote one season each year to the common good of the covenant, by writing books, teaching or producing materials to be sold for the covenant's common profit rather than personal use or sale. This service is waived for all magi who have a responsibility to teach an apprentice, for as long as they bear that responsibility.

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

"Ah, very good, let us proceed then! I feel that the following is prudent for the time being. I'm sure we can all agree to change things if need warrants!" Ealdwine stands to declare his votes.

"Ealdwine's Votes posted:

  • Vis is to be handed out at a rate of 2.5 vis each year to each magus, etc.
  • The Chamberlain is to have an equal voting position on the Council to air grievances and represent the covenfolk on all issues.
  • The covenant is to have three Censors to make emergency decisions and approve of unsalaried vis usage. These Censors are to be Leona, Tremonius and Jacques, as determined by this vote, until a motion is made to replace one or all of them.
  • Each magus is to devote one season each year to the common good of the covenant, etc.

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

Tremonius nods. The revised proposals were better than his, and he respected Leona's abilities to drill down to the matter of things. He knows how he's going to vote.

Tremonius's Votes: posted:


  • Vis is to be handed out at a rate of 2.5 vis each year to each magus, with the rest held in common for emergencies and covenant rituals such as the Aegis. If a magus wishes to use more vis than their salary has saved, it is to be approved by the council or, if the Censor position is approved, by one Censor that is not themselves. Vis use is to be tracked by the covenant.
  • Relationships with the covenfolk are fine as they are.
  • The covenant is to have three Censors to make emergency decisions and approve of unsalaried vis usage. These Censors are to be Leona, Tremonius and Jacques, as determined by this vote, until a motion is made to replace one or all of them.
  • Each magus is to devote one season each year to the common good of the covenant, by writing books, teaching or producing materials to be sold for the covenant's common profit rather than personal use or sale. This service is waived for all magi who have a responsibility to teach an apprentice, for as long as they bear that responsibility.

MollyMetroid
Jan 20, 2004

Trout Clan Daimyo
Alraune

Alraune conceals another yawn and abstains. All of this stuff bores her.

Roland Jones
Aug 18, 2011

by Nyc_Tattoo
Soňa

Well, Leona seems skilled at diving straight to the heart of a matter. Soňa kind of likes that; while it would make it hard to pull one over on her in the future, it was generally preferably to the politicking she expected from most of the Order. She seemed generally fair, too, and given the stories was likely rather powerful. She'd be a useful ally.

"For matters of vis, I vote for rationing. Of the covenfolk, they should have a representative to bring issues to us, as well as to vote, provided their voting is restricted to issues that affect the covenfolk; they don't need to help decide how we use vis or who gets this or that. That would simply make them a target of bribes or even threats, a pawn to give someone here a second vote." She pauses, thinking. "I vote for the establishment of the office of censor, with the initial holders being those named." Tremonius seems fair, and as she has been thinking Leona is a person she wants on her side if possible. Jaques... The Tytalus worried her, and given his attitude towards the office he might not be the person to run to should she need one's assistance, but worst case scenario a motion could replace him later. With how he talks he might find that turn of events hilarious.

"As for matters of service, I support the notion of everyone dedicating their efforts to the common good, but the specificity of a season and the tasks described limit my ability to be of use. Writings about my magic would be little more than curiosities to the rest of you, and while healing potions and such would be rather useful, brewing some would take well more than my year's allotment of vis. The result would be well worth it, but it is obviously not something I can do regularly.

"However, I do have a personal supply of such potions that I would be willing to donate to the covenant; besides each one being able to heal a wound that would cripple even the strongest of men, they were created with roughly two pawns of vis each. Nearly a year's worth of vis in magic instead of a season of labor seems reasonable to me.

"Additionally, I can assist in other ways; for example, I am capable of speaking to the cursed residents of our covenant. While I myself have no particular plans for this, I assume some of you could find use in intelligent, loyal beings capable of going nearly anywhere while little to no attention, and who report only to us. Additionally, it will likely ingratiate us with the covenfolk; events such as a mother, for the first, time, speaking with her child and knowing what they are saying back, even through an interpreter, would be meaningful to them, I imagine." She says this matter-of-factly, almost no differently from how she described potion-brewing or her opinion on the distribution of vis.

After a few moments' pause, she shrugs. "If none of this is acceptable, then I must vote against it; I support its spirit, but take issue with the letter, and I would have to be a fool to help pass a requirement that I cannot meet. It seems likely to pass without my vote, anyway."

Roland Jones fucked around with this message at 09:54 on Oct 14, 2014

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

"I think 'the common good of the covenant' is the more important clause than the suggestions given," Gerda interjects, eager to set a precedent. "Especially given your limitations. And, of course, your peculiar talents!"

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

"I don't think anyone is going to be so exacting as to measure the period of service in discrete Seasons. As long as each of us provides services in good faith and in good time, we should all be satisfied. I myself will gladly offer carpentry and repairs for those members of the coven - present company included - who require it. This is not the only work I can offer, however."

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

"I can't speak for the rest, Mistress Sonia, but I for one would be overjoyed to learn the theory and practice of your magical traditions. Beyond that, of course, I would imaine that any vis you might need to.make potions for the good of the covenant would come from covenant stores. No one would expect you rouse your own vis on such matters."

neongrey
Feb 28, 2007

Plaguing your posts with incidental music.
Chloe

Chloe stretches out, and says, "In this I see no issue with being less specific. We can revisit the matter in the unlikely event someone abuses it."

quote:

Chloe's votes
  • Vis is to be handed out at a rate of 2.5 vis each year to each magus, with the rest held in common for emergencies and covenant rituals such as the Aegis. If a magus wishes to use more vis than their salary has saved, it is to be approved by the council or, if the Censor position is approved, by one Censor that is not themselves. Vis use is to be tracked by the covenant.
  • The Chamberlain is to have a non-voting position on the Council to air grievances and advise the Council on issues.
  • The covenant is to have three Censors to make emergency decisions and approve of unsalaried vis usage. These Censors are to be Leona, Tremonius and Jacques, as determined by this vote, until a motion is made to replace one or all of them.
  • Each magus is to devote one season each year to the common good of the covenant, by writing books, teaching or producing materials to be sold for the covenant's common profit rather than personal use or sale. This service is waived for all magi who have a responsibility to teach an apprentice, for as long as they bear that responsibility.

sorry, I've had some, uh, e/n issues lately. should be mostly cleared up now.

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Leona nods.

"Very well. On the matter of vis, the salary passes. On the matter of censors, the motion passes, and on service, with the caveat that we won't be legalistic about the term 'a season of service' but rather the spirit of it. We seem to have a tie - three votes for no change in the covenfolk's status, one for a nonvoting position, three for a voting one. My vote would change nothing on the first three issues, and in any case would be for what is passing. In this issue, I would like to vote for a nonvoting position, but this would not break our tie. As such, I lay my vote for a voting position, with the caveat that I, too, expect the chamberlain to vote only on issues which affect the covenfolk and to abstain in other circumstances."

She claps her hands.

"So settled! If there's no further business, we will adjourn. Welcome to the covenant, my friends, and I hope your work will be productive. I have some experiments to get to, so I shall leave you all to your own work."

Jacques nods. "I'll see you all come summer, I think - I've a tournament to crash in the north." He laughs. "If I'm lucky, I'll even bring home a prize from those Normans."

Torvald shrugs. "Good luck, then."

And now, seasonal work! There are many things a person can do each season. Both of your characters get to do something. Things that you can do:

1. Try to invent a new spell, either from scratch or from a lab text.
2. Try to create a magic item, either from scratch or a lab text.
3. Read a book, train with a teacher, study from vis or otherwise attempt to improve yourself by study.
4. Extract vis from the local aura.
5. Maintain your lifestyle, if you are a non-magus with a job to maintain a few times a year.
6. Go out on an adventure to achieve some end (find a potential familiar, deal with a local problem, attend to Hermetic politics, find information or aid related to a personal goal, find new vis sources and/or monsters to kill for vis, whatever)

So, what are your plans for Spring of 1220?

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

Ealdwine

Ealdwine stands, satisfied with the quick and congenial voting process.

"Very well then, I expect we shall all meet again when the time is right. As I mentioned before, I will be passing through the Cask for a brief refreshment. Then, I believe I will be spending much of my time for the foreseeable future in the forest. I am in need of a familiar, and I expect that my time might be well spent searching it for sources of vis and other more mundane materials at the same time. Feel free to come along, if your business should coincide with mine."

Ealdwine is going to the forest to search for a familiar, and to see if he can find new sources of vis and mundane crafting or alchemical materials.
Flagstone will maintain his lifestyle by looking for 'misplaced' books and other such things to collect. If there is trouble among the covenfolk that might warrant his attention (especially if it would damage the inn in some way), he'll be there to stop it.

Green Intern fucked around with this message at 20:58 on Oct 16, 2014

Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
Gerda

Gerda is going to spend the season reading "To Understand the Beast". Ghorma will probably be joining Ealdwine to look for a familiar!

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Tremonius

Hooray, Tremonius has a lab. He's going to be researching a spell, which he's calling "The Transformation of the Ravenous Beast to the Sessile Shrub", which will, if cast on an animal transform it into a bush of the same size and shape....good for escaping a wild beast attack, and also for temporary topiaries. MuAm with a He requisite, R. Voice, D. Sun, T. Individual, looking like a level 30 spell. I'm doing this as experimental research, because I hope to work towards a major breakthrough...My goal is to integrate Herbam, Animal and Corpus magic the way that the elemental magics are integrated.

My Muto Animal Lab total is 46 + Simple die. (Muto 7 +Animal 10 + Intelligence 4 + Magical Theory (inventing spells) 6 + Puissant Magical theory 2 + bonus to Animal from Infested 1 + Inventive Genius 6 + Similar spell 5+ Magic Aura 5)



Rashad, having just come into the area, I'd imagine, is going to spend this season looking around, trying to get to know it. If he encounters adventure, so be it. If not, at least he'll be able to learn the area better, and maybe find some way to support himself in the future.

Epicurius fucked around with this message at 03:52 on Oct 22, 2014

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

You can assume, for convenience, that your lab is fully set up.

Roland Jones
Aug 18, 2011

by Nyc_Tattoo
Soňa

After the others respond to her request, Soňa smiles and bows. "Thank you for your understanding." After the votes are tallied and people begin to file out, she takes her leave as well, beginning to follow Ealdwine; she had been interested in seeing the local area as well. To her understanding, there was a fairy court nearby, in addition to some other things. It was worth seeing for herself exactly what the territory contained.

Soňa's probably going to join Ealdwine's adventure, or if she can't do that for some reason she'll be working on her lab (spending a season increasing its Refinement to balance out the horrendous Safety penalties it has and to make room for more Virtues eventually), while Mehdi's maintaining his lifestyle doing priestly things and whatnot. Unless something big or weird happens in the village or surrounding area, in which case he'll probably end up getting involved I suppose.

MollyMetroid
Jan 20, 2004

Trout Clan Daimyo
Alraune

Alraune has decided to fulfill her obligation to the covenant this year by writing a tractatus on Imaginem. It will be the most of best and nonincoherentable of tractatusesis and Alraune will not have any problems staying on topic and not going round about and into digressions or tangents or any of that kind of thing. It's perfectly coherent!

Mariel

Mariel on the other hand is looking for any help or information she can get that will help her break the curse she labors under and get her vengeance on the damned nobleman who placed it on her. So she'll up and join whatever expedition, to get allies at the very least.

neongrey
Feb 28, 2007

Plaguing your posts with incidental music.
Chloe

Chloe will pretty much spend spend the time with her nose in books, since she certainly needs the work. Let's go with, oh, The Magics of Creation.

Rhys

Rhys, on the other hand, will maintain his lifstyle keeping a little law office in town open, performing such tasks as people need done.

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Staying At Home

Gerda

Gerda reads To Understand the Beast, broadening her understand of Animal magic. By the end of the season, she is more confident and powerful. The book details the nature of animals as a concept, exploring the metaphor of the animal kingdom and its relation to magical theories popularized in the Order in the early 1000s. It's a decent read, but the metaphor is not as clear as it could be. Still, when reading books of this level, that's only to be expected.

Gerda gains 10 Animal XP.

Tremonius

Tremonius heads into his lab, beginning his experiment! He works steadily and progresses on the spell, experimenting on rats and weeds. In his experiments, he makes some good progress. However, a number of the experimental rats get out - and once they escape, no one can find them again. A few days later, a particularly hardy strain of ivy begins growing on the inn. Some investigations actually find that it is moving through small holes in the structure, tunneling and filling in small mouse and rat holes that were already there. It grows quickly, but each individual vine is small and rather weak. There's a lot of vines, though, and the infestation is hard to root out - there always seems to be more ivy getting in there. It even starts poking out inside the inn occasionally, generally near the pantry or kitchens. The cook takes to calling it the Green Rat after it wraps itself around a bag of grain tightly enough that he has to actually fight the vines that get through to the kitchen for a while, and the name sticks.

Odd, that.

Spell is base 10, +0 Target, +10 Duration, +10 Range, so yeah, that's level 30. No boost from requisite because without it the spell would do literally nothing. This season's lab total is...

[20:07] <Krysmbot> MorsRattus, 3 = 3

49. The spell receives 19 of 30 necessary points and will be done next season, barring disaster. Experimental roll is...

[20:08] <Krysmbot> MorsRattus, 8 = 8

Modified upward by +1, the research risk modifier, which must now be applied next season as well. So 9: A special/story event - the infestation.

[20:11] <Krysmbot> MorsRattus, 7 = 7 - not a 1, so no accidents.


Alraune

Alraune sets to work writing, with a scribe working with her to keep her on task and to transcribe her work into a more legible format. It takes all season and the result is still difficult to read because of Alraune's inability to say anything particularly clearly and without three layers of digression and obfuscating metaphor, but she sees nothing wrong with the work. Her prose is tedious, but by the end of the season, the text is at least complete. All that is left is to name it.

Alraune gets 2 XP to spend on Imaginem and/or Magic Theory and/or Latin and/or Artes Liberales. Her text ends up Quality 2 due to her poor Communication score combined with Incomprehensible. It may still be useful to some members of the covenant who possess Book Learner, at least.

Chloe

Chloe dedicates her season to The Magics of Creation, one of the storied Roots of the Art. Designed for beginners, it is an exceptionally well-written and clear explanation of the use of Creo magic. Its examples are well thought out and by the end of spring Chloe has mastered all of the theories it presents. She also understands fully why the book has been the gold standard for Creo primers for nearly a century - its clarity and easy, flowing prose are both extremely helpful to understanding.

Chloe gains 21 Creo XP after Book Learner.

Flagstone

Flagstone works on his collection of books; he doesn't add many to it, as most of the covenant's books are safely in the library, but he does get several new versions of the Holy Bible and a copy of the Parzival, which he tucks away in his collection. The covenfolk are largely calm and at ease this season. They are not entirely comfortable with the new magi, but it always takes time to warm up to new magi and learn that they are, if not to be liked, at least to be respected. The Gift, after all, is a constant.

Flagstone gains no XP, due to its Might score.

Rashad

Rashad spends the season exploring the area and getting better acquainted with it. Few know quite what to make of a Muslim scholar, but his talent as a falconer and his skill with the liberal arts allow him to find a position as an astrologer and assistant falconer in nearby Foix. It is not an easy job, but it will do to maintain his funds at an acceptable level - Raymond Roger, it seems, is willing to pay quite well for astrological readings.

Rashad earns 7 Foix Lore XP and has found himself a trade that he can use to support himself.

Mehdi

Mehdi sees to his flock and works to establish the proper holy places and rituals that his faith requires. He will have more time to do other things later, but for now, he must ensure that the holy flame is secure.

Mehdi gets 2 XP to spend on anything reasonably associated with his work.

Rhys

Rhys settles in, handling those legal tasks which come up so often in the lives of townsfolk. Foix is a lovely town, though bearing the scars of recent combat, and Raymond Roger's castle overlooks the city. Between the nobleman's needs and those of the townsfolk, Rhys finds his business buzzing and profitable.

Rhys gets 2 XP to spend on anything reasonably associated with his work.

Those Going Out

Ealdwine, Ghorma, Sona and Mariel head out into the forests with some grogs, hunting for magical beasts.

What day and times work best for you guys? I am going to be favoring GI's days because it's his core adventure, of course. Anyone, remember, can pilot one or more grog, so everyone who's available at the agreed on time can take part, even if both their characters are busy.

Green Intern
Dec 29, 2008

Loon, Crazy and Laughable

In the upcoming week, my best days would be Thursday (tomorrow), Sunday, and Monday. I could also do Wed/Thurs/Fri next week, but those aren't quite as preferable, as Halloween is coming up and I will probably need to do some decoration and costume stuff. On those weekdays, I am available after about 5:30 or 6pm EST.

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Kellsterik
Mar 30, 2012
I can be available on Thursday or Monday after 6:30 EST! Sunday I can pretty much do whatever time.

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