1223.2a Interludes in Surreal Time

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: In the Ruins of Bibracte
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((Just to make sure I'm on the same page: Tranquillina, and visitors in general, are greeted on the mundane side, possibly within the magic aura but outside the Aegis and certainly far from the regio - is that right?))

((The letter was composed by Tranquillina - Alexei's signature was only as a stamp of approval or some such. On the other hand, Isen's interpretation is reasonable enough given what Tranquillina said out loud - although he'll find out when he reads the letter.))

((Looking over at the Road to Bibracte thread - Tranquillina's journey was comparatively smooth! :laughing: But still: ))

"In troth, I had planned to remain at Le Maison d'Levrier until I received a response to this letter," Tranquillina admitted. "But a traveling party of Tremere were headed in this direction by chance, and so I decided to arrive unannounced." Her hazel eyes become distant for a moment. "It was ... a smooth journey, in some ways. Not without its surprises." She wonders how she will bring up the matter of the Field Aegis to this council's members, most of whom she has never met. In time, in time....

It is at this point that the name "Isen Flambonis" registers with her. ((Isen's Reputation (cold-blooded killer) 3 + stress die 9 = 12, defeats an Ease Factor of 9 (ArM5 page 19).)) Dear God, she flinches, taking what she hopes is a casual step or two away from Isen. Oh, Lord - I gave him that letter. How long ago did I write it? Is it still an Arcane Connection to me?!

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If isen notices tranquillina's reaction, he says nothing (funny thing, this reputation comes from his tutelage under Axion :laughing: ).

So. This sure looks like Alexei's words. I guess you are who we were expecting. Come, I'll lead you to the covenant proper
He won't propose her a token, in part because he's a little defiant, in part because he just doesn't think about it.
So. What are you good at? We are in sore need of a Perdo of Intellego specialist, but any new specialty is welcome. I also heard you were selected by Xenophon, is that right?
The first question is to factor tranquillina into his defense plans.
THe second is actually a little test. Unless I'm wrong, Tranquillina shouldn't know that xenophon = appolodorus, and should correct him, unless she's a guernicus spy and is so used to think of the one as the other that she doesn't notice.

This would make sense, but is it possible? I'm not even sure we have much people on the mundane side. And given that everyone seems to have access to our regio, it never occured to me that tranquillina would arrive elsewhere :laughing:
In this case, though, she'd have announced herself, and someone would have been sent through the regio to fetch a magus. End result similar :smiley:

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((There are a number of people on the mundane side. All the mundane workers who tend to the sheep operation live there. The manor house staff, and Reynault's replacement, I'm forgetting his name at the moment. The interior (to the covenant) ruined wall is the Boundary line for the Aegis, the gatehouse is on the exterior side.))

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Still extremely wary, Tranquillina follows Isen towards the covenant. At least the guards seem to have relaxed, she observes, that's something positive.

((Unclear whether Xenophon has/had a Reputation within the Order ... my understanding is that Xenophon was last seen half a century ago, so I'll assume no special modifier to Tranquillina's Reputation roll, which is a stress die 6.)) "Selected by ... I'm sorry, Xenophon, did you say?" Tranquillina says, appearing honestly confused.

As they pass over the boundary of the covenant, Tranquillina gulps at the expected tingle and wills herself to maintain her pace forward. "As for magical strengths ... well, none in particular, inside a powerful Aegis," she tries to quip.

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I had assumed that people would be met on the mundane side, probably at or just outside the Aegis boundary, and escorted in.

Henri

166

Isen relaxes somewhat (Per 1 + Folk Ken 2 + 1 magi + 1d10=5 = 9).
Tranquillina is probably who she is, although she could still be a master of deception. All this makes his head hurt. You can't live in a constant state of suspicion, yet this is how you get fooled and backstabbed. He remembers well Axion pulling this kind of things once or twice. Where is Adeline when one needs her? She is good at these things.
An old magus from around this parts, just recently deceased. I thought he was the one who invited you to join Mons Electi?

Isen stops, turns towards Tranquillina, and eyes her strangely.

Of course, although I would be surprised if our current Aegis impeded anything else than junior magi. (It's currently lvl 20, at least until the tribunal, assuming Isen can get reforged through the blacksmith)
I'll give you a token soon, though, so you won't have to worry about this.
But understand me. As I told you, our friends and allies have had problems coming here. We had some, too, and you should know we may have more in the future. So I need to know what you're good at, and if I can count on you should this covenant be attacked again.

(At any point in the future, Isen will warn another magus of Tranquillina's arrival, take a token and then formally invite her into the aegis. They're just heading towards a token storage space, since one can't assume we go on we token on us)

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"Ah, no, it was Apollodorus who invited me here. I truly hope some of my correspondence with him can be found ... indeed, I have his letters to me, but they are ... not on my person," she ends vaguely, not remembering whether they are at Nigrasaxa or Le Maison. I should read those letters again - see if he mentioned this Xenophon at all - I don't recall reading, or hearing, that name.

Tranquillina bristles at this perceived insult. Without a word or a gesture, she performs a Wizard's Leap to end up behind Isen, but about five paces away. ((Sta -3 + Re 9 + Co 27 + aura 6 + Talisman attunement (travel) 4 + Mastery 2 - silent 10 (mastered for Still Casting) - half Aegis level 10 + stress die 1/exploder 5 = 35)) "Far be it from me to surprise you," she says caustically from her new location.

Huh, that was even a bit easier than I thought it would be, she muses. She reaches out with her magical senses to investigate the aura, but the effort of punching her spell through the Aegis has temporarily disoriented her. ((Magic Sensitivity roll: Int 3 + MS 3 + simple die 1 = 7 fails to detect an aura of strength 3, much less its Rego alignment))

"I can claim to have some facility with manipulating the human form," she deadpans without humor. "I am well suited for stealth, being able to change my form or conceal my image; and also for reconnaissance, being able to extend my senses over vast distances. And aye, I am familiar with the Art of Perdo. I can write you a primer if you'd like."

Taking a deep breath after her monologue, Tranquillina smiles grimly. "You are not the first Flambeau of Mons Electi to warn me of the dangers associated with membership here. I have been frank with you; kindly return the favor. Are you expecting an attack imminently, and by what agent?"

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(For the record: It wasn't an insult, he really things their aegis is crap. And aren't you supposed to use words and gestures when sponting? I always hated that bit anyway, so fuck :laughing: )
Surprised at seeing her disappear from his side, Isen turns at hearing her voice behind him, and she can see his hands amorcing the preliminary gestures of a spell, but relax once he understands that no, this ain't a tentative to backstab him.

He is disgusted when he understand what she's done.
I see you get my meaning... We need to cover so much size, the effective strength of our aegis is barely worthy of a spring covenant. I just hate this.

Isen doesn't answer at first, pondering what asset tranquillina might be to the covenant. Her abilities are quite useful, but there's the scrying prohibition, so, so long as a semblance of peace holds, that's out of the question. Perdo... Perdo is good, but she isn't a specialist. He'll have to think about it.

He then realizes he's left the question dangling
Excuse me. I was pondering options.
An attack? Maybe, maybe not. Appolodorus was killed, in this very covenant. [strike]And a friend of ours, Tria, was assaulted last season.[/strike]
So yes, just by living here, you probably are at a risk. I can't say when or how our enemies will strike, but I expect they will. The same... man was involved both times, or, at best, someone posing for him. Valerian Guernici. The tribunal's chief hoplite.
By the way, would you happen to know Wizard's Communion?

Edit by SG: struck the text about Tria and being attacked, because it hasn't happened, yet.

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((Tria was not assaulted last season. That story happens in 1227, after even the Tribunal. There's been no word nor sightings of Tria since she took Ulrich from Mons Electi.))

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((Tranquillina is really oversensitive to comments that she perceives to be a slight on her abilities, so it's all her, not Isen. (and, just to be clear, I-the-player am having a great time :smiley: and I didn't think it was intended as an insult) Also she knows the Wizard's Leap as a formulaic spell, mastered for Still Casting, which is a big part of the reason why she could swallow the no-words-no-gestures penalty to spellcasting. Showing off, as a defense mechanism.))

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Tranquillina's fists ball up at her side. "This ... profanity, is exactly what Alexei told me. I cannot fathom how such a crime can be tolerated by the Order. You have my sympathies, sir."

She grimaces somewhat. "Aye, that chancy remnant of Mercurian lore. I am no great admirer of this spell; yet Maximianus convinced me once to make myself familiar with it, for the sake of my sodales at Nigrasaxa." Although my contribution to such a communion would be token at best, Tranquillina thinks but does not say aloud.

172

Sorry, I was confused by the topic title :blush:
So that was... 4 years ago.

I guess one can assume there were other incidents over these years, too?

Isen is secretely pleased to see tranquillina's reaction. At least, her heart is in the right place!
That's the difficult part. The order must know, to condemn him. And this proves difficult.
But let this serves you as a warning. We have ennemies, and they won't spare you just because you're a newcomer.

Good.

And then, Nerd-Isen show up :wink: It is an entirely different man, a lot less grim, a lot more taken by his ideas.
You see, I have plans for us to have a better Aegis. It will require some effort on my part, as well as some help from an ally, but I believe it can be done. We should soon be able to cast a better Aegis, even without your help.
But you won’t be useless. Every magus that contributes to a Communion adds his part, and helps in making it more effective.
Now, there are some problems, as I am not a mercurian, and, given the magnitude of the spells involved, there’s a good chance that things could go wrong. Best thing would be for Korvin to become our caster, but, sadly, he ain’t up to the task. So, for now, it is I who must take upon the the risks associated with this.
Yet, this is not enough. Given the power of our enemies, I plan to increase my arts yet again, to the point where I may cast an even more powerful Aegis. This will take some years, though, and be quite dangerous, as we’re talking of a thirteen magnitude ritual here. Sooner or later, this will lead to a magical catastrophe of epic proportions. At this point, it would probably be better if Korvin could just induct me into his mysteries, but, even if he is willing to share his knowledge with me, it is so alien to my experience, I don’t know if I’ll be able to reconcile it with my own magical practices.

Now, this ain’t the only things I have in mind, and your help is welcome, once I get a better grasp of your abilities. I am trying to come up with ways for each of us to prepare for another attack on our covenant. And this proves difficult, both due to the Code, and to the high magnitude of the enchantments required.

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No. Look at the thread titles. This story happens in 1223.2 (summer) Tria's return happens in 1227.4, 4.5 years after this story. I put the years in so it is clear to,everyone when a story happens.

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"But how is it that the Order does not know?" Tranquillina insists. "There were witnesses to the murder, whose testimony can be proved authentic, were there not?" It sets her somewhat more at ease that Isen is referring to her as if she is one of them already.

Tranquillina is always happy to have a Hermetic nerd-conversation :mrgreen:
"Aye, the instability of vis," she shudders at this notion, "is an excellent reason to avoid elaborate rituals. I know the Aegis is an important exception to this policy. If only the use of vis were not - ." Tranquillina stops, concealing the abrupt interruption with a cough. She glances over at the killer she is walking beside, and decides not to share any more at the moment.

At the word "Mercurian", Tranquillina almost interrupts Isen, but then allows him to finish. "I too have yet to encounter so much of what our sodales claim to be able to accomplish," she agrees, running a finger idly across one of the lush tapestries hanging in the hallway. "Of course I have not met our friend Korvin ... how is he better qualified to cast the Aegis? These mysteries to which you refer are quite foreign to me." ((General Guile roll for playing dumb/coy, in both the last remarks: Prs 2 + Guile 3 + stress die 3 = 8.)

"Of course I have a firm grounding in the, ah, theoretical application of Hermetic magic to enchanted items," Tranquillina offers vaguely. "It is fair to say, I suppose, that I am rather better suited to inventing spells - I have much more experience in that capacity."

The two have mounted several flights of stairs by this point, and Tranquillina deduces that they must be climbing towards the top floor of the (clearly opulent) mansion.

175

Oh, my fault. I understand the topic titles, it's just that, when checking for the date of Tria's return, I slipped a line and took the wrong date :blush: .

Isen sighs...
Let's say that Valerian Guernici, chief hoplite of the tribunal, was not alone when appolodorus was killed. But hold. The council will tell you all in due time.
He doesn't want to talk much about this. This infuriates him, he thinks he should be able to kill Valerian on the spot. This whole story, this is an aberration, a grotesque perversion of the beacon of justice the quaesitores should be! Better for Fiona to explain it all to the new maga.

This is why he lets Adeline handle social graces...
Isen, Folk Ken (Magi) 3 + Per 1 + 1d10=9 :open_mouth: = 13
He doesn't understand what it is that tranquillina wants exactly, but he doesn't like being taken for a fool (which is, yes, a little hypocritical on his part :wink:)
He stops, and eyes her
Surely, you must have heard of those among us who's magic is structured among mercurian teachings. Or is there another question you're not asking me?

It could be better, but one must do with what one's got. And if you're willing to lay your life in defense of this covenant, whatever your strength, you're an asset. Are you?

And yes, I think this draws close. Isen should warn at least another magus of tranquillina's arrival (he won't give her a token!) and try to get a council convened as soon as possible, to welcome her formally (and subtly have her identity be further confirmed by those she corresponded with) and officially welcome her to ME, with a token being given by the princeps. Makes the even much more formal and noteworthy (as well as more secure)

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((Tranquillina and Isen feel extremely similar about this - one day they'll get around to communicating it between them....))

((Nicely done Fixer :smiley: ))

Tranquillina ends up changing the direction of the conversation, not really answering either of the last two questions.

((In another thread, we decided that Tranquillina was given Jormungand's old chambers and laboratory - but that must be after the official welcome I suppose.))

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Ok, Isen will say nothing, but will mark her as not trustworthy in battle. Nothing wrong with that, he just needed to know, although he's a little disappointed.
Now, the question he asks himself, but won't ask, is "can she be counted to provide help in the defense plans? Or is she just a parasite intend on using ME's ressources?"

(And yes, I guess this closes it. Thanks for the fun! :smiley:)

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hehe :slight_smile: This will make for a good time in the Marcus rescue mission thread....

As the next couple of years unfold, Isen will notice that Tranquillina hasn't used all that much of Mons Electi's resources: a couple of pawns of vis, use of one of the summae for a season, and some silver for extra lab equipment. In the spring of 1225, Tranquillina does devote a few months to inventing the spell Ward Against the Curious Scullion, as part of the plans for the Tribunal. So she's not a total waste, after all ... and at least she is willing to deal with the mundane covenfolk, which makes it less likely Isen will have to.

Unless people want to roleplay the council meeting, or anyone else wants to meet and chat with Tranquillina, I guess that is it! Thank you too, Fixer (and qcipher and JL of course. and Ra'am for botching) 8)

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And his opinion will improve accordingly (The ward will go right to his heart) :smiley:
Especially when she proves willing to handle all that diplomatic and mundane relations headache :laughing:

(BTW, getting a lot of error 500 here)

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((Are the magi really watching what the others are reading carefully... I understand as players everyone knows, but as far as I can see, the only way that would be known is if a magus is using a book that another magus wants. And even then, the librarian will probably initially intercede to see if access to the book can be given/traded.))