We shall have to stay in touch via correspondence. I shall be very interested to hear about the goings on within your new Oppidum.
((Cunobarrus will talk about mundane things until you reach Zargreb and then he will take the north road whereas you will take the east road. Anything else you want to ask him?))
Certainly, I'll make sure to write to you if I find out anything. Or even if I don't, if only so you know I'm still alive and looking.
(No more questions)
Diotima travels on reaching Hèviz not long after dark. She does have the feeling of being watched. Not all the time but it does become persistent as she approaches Hèviz. The Inn is outside of the village proper. Near the hot spring lake. There is a low wall surrounding it but the gate is open and the lamps by the doorway into the Inn are lit. She is not long in the courtyard when a boy will come and help with the horses.
(I asked the question in OOC but it got lost in the chatter: is that inn significant (is it the oppidum ? somewhere she was told to report to ?) or is it just a place where Diotima can spend the night before going on ? )
((The inn is part of the Oppidum grounds. She would not know that until she got there. It is on the edge of where the Roman fort stood. The Oppidum proper is build on the foundations of the Roman Fort.
Diotima looks at the starry sky, then at the lit inn. Well, time to inquire about the cov... no, oppidum, she must remember that, later, for now an inn is just the thing. She lets Philippos help her dismount, makes sure to tip boy a small coin, and strides toward the inn.
As she enters the Inn she feels the crossing of the Aegis as a pressure and prickling on her skin. Her shield grog follows her in and looks around the room with a professional eye. Once he sees the four men sitting on a back wall he waves and one of them waves back. Diotima catches a hand signal by her shield grog to the ones from the back and a possible response.
By the prickling of her skin and the reaction of the borrowed grog, Diotima knows she has arrived. She decides to introduce herself in Latin, hoping that someone here speaks the language.
(Latin)"My name is Diotima filia Hypatios ex Jerbiton. I believe I am expected ?"
Your shield grog ( named Goran) turns to Diotima. Most of these men have only heard Latin in church.
As he is talking a stout older man with a large mustache comes up slowly. Diotima? He looks from Diotima to Goran.
Goran says something in the native language to the man. The man nods vigorously and holds out a scroll to Diotima.
((I shall assume she takes it))
[i]Sodalis,
Welcome to Hèviz. Have a magus who is a scholar of Rome is a boon to some of our studies. Your reputation or should I say, that of your pater proceeds you. It caused quite a discussion among my peers when I selected you for this oppidum.
There is a door on the east wall towards the north end. There four men sitting near it. Go to them and tell them your name and that you wish to see the Crooked One and they should open the door for you. I swear on my House and my Oath that no harm will become you unless you bring it with you.
Through the room and down the corridor ahead of you and you will find Aleksandar, our Steward. He will guide you to me.
Laterala ex Tremere
Aediles, Oppidum of Hèviz[/i]
Diotima reads the letter, and makes a face at the mention of her pater. Will that reputation follow her her whole life ? Still, apparently it was not enough to close this particular door, and that is progress.
She walks to the indicated door and the four sitting men, and repeats her greeting:
(Latin)"I am Diotima filia Hypatios ex Jerbiton." This times she adds. "I wish to see the Crooked One"
Then she waits expectantly.
Diotima moves through the first room and into an hallway. She sees light at the end of the hall and can feel warm air coming from that direction. As she gets to the doorway she notices the room ahead is round and there is a ring, carved into the floor, on it's boundaries.
In the room, which is lit not by any fire, sits a balding man behind a large desk. He looks at Diotima as she approaches the doorway into the room.
For the third time in as many minutes, Diotima introduces herself.
(Latin)"I am Diotima filia Hypatios ex Jerbiton." She pauses, then adds: "Are you Aleksandar ? Can you guide me to Laterala ex Tremere ?"
((As always i must ask if Diotima will enter the ring?))
((Yes, she enters))
The older balding man stands and steps around his large desk to greet Diotima. My name is Aleksandar. I am the steward for the Oppidum. I welcome you Diotima ex Jerbiton. I hope your journey was not hard.
As Diotima reaches the center of the room, a voice calls down from above. I invite you into my aegis Diotima of Jerbiton. And she tosses her a purple amethyst about the size of her thumbnail. Laterala stands on a balcony that was nearly invisible from the doorway. Dressed in charcoal grey robes of the elder Tremere and eye-patch with some patterns embroidered into it.
As she turns to leave. Show her to my office Aleksandar.
Diotima picks up the amethyst, then turns expectantly toward the old man.
Aleksandar escorts Diotima up stairs to Laterala's office. Once she is seated she is offered beer. A short while later, Laterala comes in with a young girl in tow.
Laterala sits down behind the desk and pours herself a beer. The girl stands next to Laterala's chair and stares at Diotima. After a sip of beer, Laterala speaks. I hope your trip was uneventful Sodalis. This is my appentice, Violeta.
Diotima nods at Violetta.
"The trip was quite uneventful. Being able to travel among mundanes without attracting the wrong kind of attention does have its advantages.
So, is this the oppidum then ? I am a bit surprised to see an Aegis in what is, after all, an inn. Won't that cause problems ? Magi and mundanes don't mix all that well usually."
The Inn is part of the wealth of the Oppidum as it relies on the beer that is brewed in the Oppidum proper. I wanted the Inn covered becasue it has an entrance to the main compound. We can close that off. All of this will be discussed with at our council meeting as we decide on the size of the Aegis.
All right then. What about accommodations ? I understand this oppidum is new ? Are there quarters available, labs, and so forth ? Or do we have to sleep in the inn until they can be readied ?