Saluto,
For Post a Day November I have decided to continue my last project. So in this threat I will post an additional 30 sites of the Roman Tribunal. The thread will be quite similar to the other list, with a description and one or two story seeds for the site. This year I will also try to include some additional mechanical additions, just to make things a bit more interesting. That is my ambition anyway.
Feel free to share any questions, comments, or feedback!
In 509 BC the seventh king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius, was overthrown and exiled due to his tyranny, warmongering, and over-ambitious building projects. The straw that broke the camel’s back being the last king’s son, Sextus’ rape of Lucretia and her following suicide. Thus, Tarquinius was forced to flee, and the Republic began. though Lucius would not give up on Rome as easy as that.
With Etruscan ancestry, Tarquinius escaped to Etruria and sought support for his causes there. Initially he tried through plotting to regain control of Rome. In the so-called Tarquinian conspiracy. Though Brutus, one of the first two consuls of Rome, would thwart the plot. Then Tarquinius turned from cloak and dagger to open warfare. The cities of Tarquinii and Veii joined him and clashed with the Roman army in the Battle of Silva Arsia. An extremely blood and even battle, in the now chopped down forest north of Rome. It was impossible for either side to determine which side had won the battle until the god Silvanus' voice could be heard from the heart of the forest. Silvanus exclaimed that one more Etrurians had fallen in battle, and as soon as these words were uttered the remaining Etrurians routed and fled.
Tarquinius was not amongst the dead however, and he needed a new ally and army if he ever wanted to place himself upon the throne again. He turned to the king of Clusium, Lars Porsena—the single most mighty and wealthy king in Italy. Porsena sent a messenger demanding Rome welcomed Tarquinius back, though this was refused. So Porsena rallied his army and marched on Rome in 506 BC.
From here on two accounts remain of what takes place next: Tacticus and a few others say Porsena subdued and besieged Rome. The city surrendered and a peace treaty was signed, though Porsena failed to install Tarquinius. Porsena left impressed by the Romans' honour and bravery, he thus chose to be their ally in the future. Livy and Plutarch instead speak of an honourable defence of the first bridge over the Tiber, the Pons Sublicius. Barely able to drive Porsena back, the Romans decided to send Gaius Mucius to assassinate Porsena in his camp. Though Mucius failed, his bravery deeply impressed Porsena—exemplified by his calm to the threat of being burned as a sacrifice to the Gods. Murcius placed his own right hand in the fire to show how little such a fate scared him. Porsena would rather have such a people as friends than enemies, so he decided to hear their peace negotiations against Tarquinius’ wishes. Porsena left Rome with hostages, though when some of these hostages—young noble ladies—attempted to escaped they were ambushed by Tarquinius’ forces. The women defended themselves and a few even managed to escape the slaughter. Porsena saw this as further evidence of the greatness of the Roman people and gave the survivors fine and well-breed horses and sent them home.
For the rest of his life Porsena would honour Rome with gifts and peace would remain between the two cities. He gave the city many proofs of his magnanimity, including territorial ones. He was the finest king Clusium ever had, and the city constructed a great tomb for him after his passing.
The tomb is a huge square monument, built with grey stones and terracotta. Each side was three hundred feet in length and fifty in height. On top of the building there stand five pyramids, one at each corner and one in the centre. These pyramids are tapered and shaped so that each is the leg of a massive brazen globe, engraved with constellations. Further, each pyramid is crowned with a a petasus—the hat worn by Mercury. From the petasus bells are suspended by chains. These make a tinkling sound when blown about by strong winds. From the globe protrudes four more pyramids, which support a platform with five additional pyramids. The construction is truly awe-inspiring. One of the tallest buildings in all of Mythic Europe. And it stretches under the earth too. Beneath the base there was an inextricable labyrinth, protecting Porsena's final resting place from would-be thieves; a mirror of Daedalus’ own.
Yet Sulla would destroy Clusium and the tomb in his civil war. Slowly the city would rebuild, though the region would never prosper again. With the fall of the Roman Empire the Ostrogothic forces briefly held the city. Though the Clanis Valley flooding has created a very unhealthy environment. Sickness and plague are common here, despite the good and fertile ground. Thunderstorms are also exceedingly common. In 1220 the region has been left all but abandoned.
Though the great tomb remains hidden in a regio. It’s not clear how this happened. Perhaps a great ritual, or the tomb was simply constructed in it from the beginning. The towering structure can actually be observed from the outside, during particularly forceful storms. Lightning will strike the top of the tomb, briefly illuminating all of it. Which can be seen from quite a distance. The bells can also be heard outside the regio. Often before the arrival of a storm. The regio has two levels, though many suspect there might be more hidden away. The first surrounds the monument, it has a level of 5 and is Magical. The regio can only be entered during a storm but is easily done if so. The subterranean labyrinth is the second level, which has a strength of 6. The labyrinth layout shifts and morphs making it so anyone who enters likely never could discover his way out again.
House Criamon has since long used the site as a location for initiation. Particularly the extinct Path of Roads. Criamon magi appreciates the symbolism of the location. The world-globe, barely held up by pillars with Mercury’s trappings. Just above a vast subterranean labyrinth. Other magi occasionally visit the site, though none have been able to find the remains of Porsena as of yet.
Story Seed: Di Superiores et Involuti
No matter how great a king Porsena was, the tomb clearly had other mystical purposes as well. The ancient sources on Etrustian religion speak about the nine Novensiles, thunder and lightning gods. Both chthonic and celestial. These made up a higher sphere of divine beings, whom Tinia (Jupiter) required the approval of before unleashing the dreaded “burning” lightning. These veiled and hidden gods were not the object of direct worship and were never depicted in art. Though perhaps this massive temple is the holiest of places where these Secret Gods of Favour could be contacted. Be that as it may, the tomb likely offers insight into the disciplina Etrusca—particularly the divination method of libri fulgurales: taking auspice by the striking of lightning and roaring of thunder. Are these different aspects of the same Kosmokrators ruling thunder? Could a Theurgists contact said Daimon here?
I’m considering running a saga in Mythic Sicily and finding your last list was a gold mine!
Saint Blaise of Sebaste was a bishop in Lesser Armenia during the fourth century. In his youth he had studied philosophy, though started working as a healer. Treating bodily ailments, Blaise soon became an expert on the soul. When the bishop of Sebaste died, Blaise was elected to replace him. He performed many miracles, healing the sick and poor. Though the Emperor Licinius ordered his execution in 316. Blaise was captured and martyred. Immediately after his followers regained his remains and buried him. Though the saint’s bones would by necessity be moved, as emperor Leo III forbade the veneration of icons. Thus, the faithful conspired to have the relics translated. Blaise's body was exhumed and divided. His ribcage was to be moved to Rome.
In 732 the ship transporting the relic reached the coast of Maratea. Though miraculously the ship stopped, nothing could move the boat until the crew took the crate with the relic off board. They tried to take back the crate again, but when they did so the ship was again motionless. Knowing therefore the will of the Saint, they placed it on the small island where they were moored. delivering it to the citizens of Maratea.
Maratea was a former roman trading centre, as well as a fishing port. Following conflict between the Saracens of Sicily, Goths and Byzantine the town had migrated to the top of Mont San Biagio—who used to be called Mont Minerva. A chapel was built upon a former pagan temple of the Goddess. And it was to this chapel Blaise’s bones were placed, in accordance with the saint's will. Soon he became the city’s patron saint, and pilgrims started to travel to it.
The Monte San Biagio has a divine aura of 3, as does Maratea. The mountain offers a wide view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is covered with patches of wild fennel. The chapel has a higher aura of 5. Blaise’s ribcage is a relic with 2 Faith Points. In the mountain there is also another location with a stronger aura. The Grotta dell' Angelo is a small cave, where the first christian community in the Basilicata hid from persecution. The cave has since been decorated with frescoes depicting the Crucifixion, the Father, at the top, of the Sun and the Moon, on the upper sides, of St. John and Michael the Archangel. The cave has a divine aura of 6.
The citizens of Maratea are very active with the promotion and spread of the cult of the Armenian saint. Blaise is popular in a large part of Mythic Europe, and if your saga follows real history, this will only increase—as he becomes part of the fourteen helpers. Blaise is the patron of wool workers, physicians and can be invoked against throat illnesses and choking.
In Maratea his feast day is naturally observed, so too is a special feast and fair in May each year. It marks the miraculous translation of the relic. The reliquary of wood, carved in Saint Blaise likeness, is taken on a tour throughout the city.
Story Seed: Procession of Flames
The city of Maratea is suddenly attacked by a large band of brigands. The battle is fought in the streets of the town and despite the citizens lack of experience, the bandits are overwhelmed and forced to flee. When the citizens gather to assess their losses, they find out one man died while four are missing. Kidnapped by the brigands. The player characters could by pure accident be there when the raid takes place or be contacted by a sceptic in the town who isn’t content in leaving the matter in St. Blaise hands.The bandits are trying to lay low, with the plan to eventually ransom the kidnapped men back to the city. Though the same dream keeps haunting them. In it a venerable old man stands as tall as a mountain. In his hand a wooden baton, which he points toward them. Behind him is the Monte San Biagio, surrounded by burning fires, like the thousands of campfires of a huge army. What does the dream mean, and how will the brigade react to it?
At the bottom of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in this dark and cold place of extreme pressure a metropolis thrives—and has done so for hundreds of years. The city is called Colapolis after it’s ruler. It’s inhabited by the Magical Kin the Order refers to as Atlanteans.
The city is constructed with the same layout as many of the ruins of the Magna Graecia. The city is walled and surrounds an underwater cliff, where a large palace and temples has been constructed—separating the acropolis from the rest of the city by hight and a smaller inner wall. There is a straight road from the acropolis to the city gates, which widens into an open square—the agora—where markets and assemblies are held. Most striking to outsider is the complete lack of any light source or warmth in the city.
Outside the city are fields of kelp, though different domesticated shellfish and fish is the main diet of Colapolis’ inhabitants. The oyster farms along the city’s walls are also the source of the pearls its inhabitants use as currency with outsiders and among themselves. The shells are used as decorations for the various buildings and artifacts of the Atlanteans.
The city has a few temples, most are dedicated to Oceanus, though there are shrines to the Siren Parthenope and one to the hero Orion. There used to be temples dedicated to Neptune as well, though these has been destroyed and used as building materials in recent years.
The society of Colapolis is straight forward. Most of its citizens simply live there, practicing no trade nor craft. Each solstice or equinox they gather in the agora for a drawing of lots. The twenty chosen will work the farms and fields until the next lot drawing. This is not seen as an honour nor great burden. There are but a specialist class, the priest. These care for a shire and does so for life. They lead others in prayer and sometimes interpret omens, though form no magical tradition or mystery cult. There is but one ruler and decision maker in Colapolis, that is its ancient monarch Colapesce.
Colapesce makes no claim of being from Atlantis. He rejects such an origin for him and his people utterly. He was banished from the surface by a curse from his own sorcerer-mother. Though he’s not certain of the transection he committed—other than perhaps loving the ocean more than her. In her wrath, she turned him into the aquatic creature he is today. With white scales and fins. Eyes red from the biting salt. His skin has turned ghostly pale, from living at these sunless depths.
Colapesce was for many years alone. But he would meet the Parthenope. Her too cursed into a monstrous form. The pair had many children together, whom resembled their father more than mother. Though Parthenope suicide and transformation put an end to this relation. Colapesce led his children away from the island of the Sirens. Dove deeper and deeper. Until he found the spot of Colapolis. Constructing it took many years. But eventually he finally had a new home.
Colapesce slowly grew resentful of humans and their perceived impurity—especially magicians like Orpheus and his mother. Thus, he has formed Colapolis law to limit as much contact with the surface as possible. Even spreading doctrine about the taint of the surface and banishing anyone who receives it. Sadly, for Colapesce he's not a great politician. He has not understood that the extreme leisure and free time he enforced upon his children is the cause of their desire for an adventure which breaks the monotony of life in the polis. This drive has seen many
Atlanteans sneak away to the ports of Palermo, Messina, Naples and even Mallorca.
Colapolis has a magical aura of 3. Its inhabitants’ numbers somewhere around 50. Many are very old, though there is no real way to count days or even years in the polis—its inhabitants just must trust the priests’ count. The inhabitants speak a form of classic Greek, which has developed into its own dialect.
Currently Colapolis has another concern, not far from the city another underwater settlement has begun encroaching on their resources. Faerie Hippocamps claiming decent centaur named Vesuvius. Vesuvius too was smitten by Parthenope, though it was unrequited. Rejected, Vesuvius tried to turn to violence, but Jupiter intervened and sealed him under the volcano that now bears his name. Colapesce knows his people aren’t equipped to handle war. He would rather just avoid any conflict, though the kelp farms have already suffered raids. Some of Colapolis’ citizen are worried.
Story Seed: From the Deep
Character seeking out Atlantis might very well stumble upon the false lead of Colapolis. Other than that, an Atlantean might be encountered in virtually any harbour. Obviously, a visit would likely need seasons of preparation, so a Story Guide should endeavour to make it worthwhile. The Hippocamps offer a slight mystery, where are they getting their vitality from? Is someone orchestrating the war, and if so, to what end?
In southern Sicily, south of the town Agrigento lies a dale of flat land. Here more than anywhere in southern Italy are the signs of that classical Greek occupation still visible. Agrigento became one of the wealthiest polis in Magna Graecia, though it came with the price of conflict with the native Sican people. Sicily was marked by its history of tyrant and oppressors—Agrigento is no exception. The cruelty of Phalaris and his Brazen Bull is still by the modern inhabitants of the city, which might explain why the city remains sceptical to their Hohenstaufen King returning from north.
Beginning in the 6th century BC the Greco-Punic Wars ignited Sicily, and many bitter battles were fought over the following centuries. One of these was the Battle of Himera where the Tyrant of Agrigento, Theron joined forces with Tyrant of Syracuse, Gelon to oppose the Carthaginians forces. Through Theron intervention the Greeks won the day, and many slaves and bounty was gained. Theron had a mind to put these resources to use and thus ordered the construction of many new in 480 B.C.
Thus, the first stones of what is today called the Valley of the Temple were laid by Carthaginians slaves. Agrigentines were already famous for their huge building project, which Plato praised them for. Theron thus made plans for numerous temples, one which would be among the biggest in the world. Yet Theron would not live to see any of the temples’ completion. Worse yet, his son and successor who had been made tyrant of Himera feel into a bloody conflict with the tyrant of Syracuse— the Agrigentines succeeded in breaking out of his yolk and expelled him, first after this could the temples be completed. Though the massive temple of Zeus would prove too costly and be abandoned half-way through.
In 1220, seven of these temples remain. Though each bare many scars from the passage of time and untold conflicts—including a Carthaginians siege and plundering. Most intact of them is the Temple of Harmonia. The reason for this is that the temple was converted into a Christian Basilica in the 6th century and dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul. So, it has been upkept and altered to accommodate the needs of the clergy. It has a divine aura of 4 and still used to this day. Where in ancient day Harmonia joined two into one in marriage, the Lord now does the same.
Next to the temple lies it twin, though only a few pillars remain of her. It was dedicated to Hera, and bare resemblance to that in Crotone. The oldest temple is that of Heracles, it was the most patronized by the Romans—though as the Empire turned Christian it was abandoned too. Another temple was dedicated to other Heroes— Dioscuri, the divine twins Castor and Pollux. Here they were beseeched for as chthonic protectors of sailors, unlike the cavalry gods whose cult was so popular in Rome. Likewise, there was a temple of Hephaestus, perhaps connected to his forge powered by Mount Etna. It remains unexplored if the founder Verditius visited the temple as part of his apprenticeship. A Temple of Asclepius marks the entrance to the valley, here sick where once mircalously cured in their dreams. Yet now none flock to the lonely pillars that dot the valley.
The largest and most imposing temple was to dedicate to Olympeion Zeus. Much of it was completed, but never its roof. Statues, walls and pillars are all that remains in 1220. They mark a square vast field, an impressive testament of the size of construction. On the walls depictions of the Gigantomachy as well as the fall of Troy are still visible. Besides the temples there is also the mausoleum of Theron. Built after his son’s exile by the Agrigentines. It’s a square sealed-up tower.
The valley has a magical aura of 3, which increases to 4 in the Olympeion field. The valley might make for a good covenant site, though its openness and the small church might require dealing with first.
Story Seed: Torments of the Tyrant
Inside his tomb the ghost of Theron remains, sealed away from the world. He quickly came to the conclusion that since he promised the Gods temples after his great victory, he was punished by them to remain on earth until their completion. Yet the temples (with a sole exception) were completed, and he remained, just as bound. Now a millennium has passed and his desire to final see Elysium has driven him half mad. Day from day he pivots between two theories on he may pass on. The first being that the temple of Olympeion Zeus must be built. Second that the ghost of his son Thrasydaeus also remain and must be punished by him. Thrasydaeus was eventually executed in Megara, Greece, though Theron is unaware of this. Theron is desperate and likely to make bargain with anyone who encounters him.
The Valley of Temples is stunning, great write up. FWIW Empedocles of Criamon fame lived there.
The Reno River flows through northern Italy, originating from the Apennine Mountains and slithering through Bologna before reaching the Adriatic Sea. Like most rivers of Italy its size and course varies drastically with the change of the seasons. In Summer it is prone to flooding. Clouds of miasma and mosquitoes haunts its surface during the same period.
Recent development has allowed the river to be largely tamed, especially in the region surrounding Bologna. Cistercians monasteries and wealthy citizens have constructed safety measures: canals and dams. The water is diverted to support the fields of the region. Still sometimes the rains of the Apennine prove to powerful and destroys the carefully constructed infrastructure. Wasting more and more coin and toil.
While the river is as most treacherous, it sometimes collects the sediment it has broken free into small islets in its middle of its body. To mundane inspection, these are nothing more than random patches of dirt and sand—though the truth is that Infernal forces continuously recreate the L’Isola Maledetta.
In 43 B.C, the fate of Rome and the Republic was up in the air. Caesar was just murdered a year ago, his murder not yet avenged. Cicero was riling the population of Rome against Antony, while defending Octavian before the Senate. Antony, and his loyal men, was forced to flee Rome; he travelled to the Lepidus who had taken control of Cisalpine Gaul. The two friends joined together their army and once again marched southwards. Octavian was ordered by the Senate to meet their forces in battle, but he chose another option.
So it came to be, that two armies stood on either side of the Reno, while their leaders set meet on a small islet in its midst. For three days they remained on the island, discussing and arguing. Often resorting to insults and threats. Eventually though these three ambitious and powerful men, would return to the bank as one. On this small ephemeral islet, the Second Triumvirate was thus born.
Unlike the First Triumvirate, which was an open secret the Second was law and carefully dictated. Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus had split Rome among themselves. It was a compromise written in blood. the same parchment that declared it also signified the death of over 200 men. Each member of the Triumvirate betrayed not only Rome, their duties and vows, but also personal friends and family members. As Plutarch describes it: For by this barter of murder for murder they put to death those whom they surrendered just as truly as those whom they seized; but their injustice was greater towards their friends, whom they slew without so much as hating them. And: So far did anger and fury lead them to renounce their human sentiments, or rather, they showed that no wild beast is more savage than man when his passion is supplemented by power.
Its unknown if the L’Isola Maledetta had its Infernal Aura of 6 before these events, or as a consequence. The aura is tarnished with both betrayal and ambition. The islet is small and devoid of life, other than buzzing mosquitoes. It only forms for three days before being torn apart anew. It usually forms close to Bologna, though can do so at any part of the Reno.
Story Seed: The Mathematici Triumvirate
Three old and powerful Learned Magicians of Bologna has banded together. They are unity in their wish to control their scatter tradition, whom they believe to be on the verge of collapse. Furthermore, one of the members is convicted that the Order is to blame for this—the covenant of Literatus in particular. What’s worse is that one of them is a diabolist, it was him that suggested this new Triumvirate form on L’Isola Maledetta. He used the tarnished aura to the site to excite the other even more and too egg on their discontent. Now the Triumvirate is ready to take control of Bologna, which includes a necessary culling of masters and agents. PC might get involved by investigating one of these murders, leading to a final confrontation with the Diabolist Mathematici on the islet.
South of Rome, upon the Via Latina rises Monte Cassino. A rocky hill crowned by a world-famous abbey—it was here the Benedictine Order, and it’s Rules was born; its thus the womb of Western Monasticism.
During Roman times the hill and its surrounding lands was a minor town called Casinum, founded by the Latin tribes before the Romans appearance. Ancient olive trees and the amphitheatre is all that remains of this era. During the barbary, it would be largely abandoned like so many other smaller towns.
In 529 A.D, St. Benedict of Nursia travelled to the hill. He was distraught to find that the locals still venerated Apollo in a temple on the hill’s top. Though even this was not an affront enough, through their ignorance the farmers had turned to demon worship, where even at that time a wild crowd still devoted themselves to unholy sacrifices. Benedict smashed the pagans’ altars, cut down their sacred grove and converted the temple into a chapel. He dedicated it to St. Martin and St. John. Here next Benedict began to preach to the mislead populous and though his own Faith he won over many to God.
Benedict decided to remain at Monte Cassino and constructed a grand abbey. Yet the demon who he had deprived of its worshipper was not done with him yet. At numerous times during the construction the demon would intervene—yet Benedict could not be dissuaded, and the abbey was completed.
Man achieved what the demon could not himself though, and in 580 the monastery was burned to the ground by Lombards. The site was abandoned, and the remains of St Benedict was transferred. Yet the Benedict did not give up on their founder’s vision and in the 8th century the rebuilding and expansion was complete, the monastery was given their own territory with independent sovereignty. A golden age had begun for Monte Cassino.
The Library of Monte Cassino quickly began to specialize in Medicine. Arabic text from Naples flooded the monastery which was soon translated and copied. Even in 1220, the scribes and illuminators of Monte Cassino are some of the most skilled in the world. Even developing a unique script called Beneventan, a distinct calling card of the abbey and her daughters. Monte Cassino was for long the foremost place of learning in Italy, it was due to its library and resources Salerno could open its school.
The golden age would be stopped by another sacking, this one by the Saracens. As the Cluniac Reforms was spreading and attempting to reform monasticism, Monte Cassino was once more abandoned.
The abbey has remained on good terms with the Eastern Roman Empire and its mosaicists. Hiring artist and architect from Constantinople. It also remains a popular site for pilgrims. Naturally the Benedict Order also has a great interest in the site and many meeting are held here.
Monte Cassino has a divine aura of 6 and many relics are housed in it—mostly related to the life of St. Benedict. It possible that among the artworks and books of the monastery a few Hyperborean Relics have been left from the original temple. Although the demon playing the role of Apollo might also have left its treasures. Its vast library is another draw which might inspire players to visit.
Hidden away amongst the Lipari Islands, north of Sicily proper is another island obscured from the world in a magical regio, of a single level of 7. Unlike the others islands its not tied to the seabed, but floats on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Aeolia is the domain of Aeolus, the keeper of the Winds. Which was often visited by the Heroes of yore. Now sojourns in its halls are extremely rare. By no coincidence, as being guided by one of its inhabitants is the only way to reach the regio. Aeolus is quite content with being forgotten and keeping to himself and his children. Of course, a determined mortal with Second Sight or similar magic may force their way through the regio’s boundary.
Aeolus was born a mortal to the king Hippotes and the nymph Melanippe. Aeolus was never interested in rulership, instead he was a skilled theurgist. He left behind his father’s domains to seek out powerful magical spirits, starting a long voyage which would eventually land him on Lipari. There his royal blood allowed him ask for king Liparus’ daughter, Cyane’s hand. Shortly thereafter Aeolus created an island for the two of them: Aeolia.
Aeolus would dwell even deeper into the arcane secrets and achieved apotheosis—ascending into the hall of heroes and becoming a Daimon. It was impossible for Cyane to follow her beloved, but she remained with him for her natural life. Together they would have six sons and six daughters. Each born as Magical Kin. Something uncommon and interests to students of the Magical realms. Aeolus could find no suitors for his children, so he had them marry one another: Astyokhos to Kalyke, Xuthos to Klymene, Androkles to Eurydike, Pheraimon to Pherusa, Iokastos to Dione, and Agathyrnos to Alkippe. The children’s marriages have not been blessed with further children—though some have adopted Beast of Virtues and airy spirits.
Aeolia does not much resemble an island, the first thing which is visible is its high bronze walls. The walls are marked with engravings of leaping horses, where patina is visible in the relief. Barnacles and mussels also grow upon its lower portion. There is a gate, though its door is also of bronze. Nobody tends the walls, and uninvited visitors must find some way to cross them. The walls are floating in the water, but not disturbed by their waves. It impossible to dive under them as it simply brings who ever attempts it out of the regio.
Inside the walls the water there is another stretch of water until the island proper can be reached. The is conical like the other Lipari Islands but much smaller. It has a port as well as a citadel on its highest peak. The white and blue of this citadel contrast with the bronze and green from the massive walls which surrounds the island.
The citadel isn't especially big, compared to a modern castle—though it has grand hall and is richly decorated. Here the twelve children of Aeolus live, as well as the airy spirit they command over. Occasionally other magical creatures visit too. Aeolus only manifest an aspect when beseech or something is happening to his island.
Aeolus has grown powerful in the magical realm, his role most resembles that of the Kosmokrators. He directly controls nine other powerful magical spirits of the Mediterranean’s winds. (Tramontane, Gregale, Levante, Sirocco, Ostro, Libeccio, Ponente, and Mistral.)
Story Seed: An Auram Cult?
The four elements are supposed to be in balance, so why should the Order play favourite with earth? If friendly relations with Aeolia could be established it would make for an excellent base to construct a new mystery cult—the natural rival of Terrae Cult of House Guernicus and the Theban Tribunal. Aeolus could grant similar variant of the Summoning Virtue, or share the True Names of other spirits—though this would of course need to be bargain for. This may cause conflict with House Guernicus, and inspire similar movments for water and fire.
In southern Apulia, there is a small town and manor called Castellana. The town is mostly unremarkable except for the deep pit in its outskirt. The locals simply call it “The Grave”, its typically avoided—and for good reason too. As the deep cave is an entrance to Hell.
In the town people have guessed at the truth. Too many accidents and strange occurrences have made the inhabitants vary. The elder generation is dutiful in warning their children of the bats and fumes escaping into the light from the subterranean chambers—yet this has also given the place a certain alure, and its not uncommon for test of courage to be attempted on its edges.
The opening is surrounded by twisted holly oaks—the trees are unusual in that their acorns are black as sot. The edge of the pit has an infernal aura of 1. Getting down into the cave is no easy task, the opening doesn’t have any walls and certainly require tools and an experienced spelunker. The fall would be steep, and an unwholesome fumes and bat are likely to harass anyone attempting the descent. Explorers are unwise to try to rely on the oaks for securing ropes, many would-be explores have lost their life in such trust.
The cave system is enormous. It’s a place of clear supernatural wonder, strange stalagmites and other rock formation claw at the skin of someone attempting to move through them. There is a sort of eerie beauty in the crystals, but also a frequent resemblance of wailing faces. Bats and piles of guano is everywhere. These are largely Corrupted Beasts, seeking to attack and swarm anyone who disturbs their home. The aura of the cave is magical 3 during the day, but as night sets its overpowered by an infernal aura of 4.
The grandest of the chthonic chambers is at its deepest part. Here the walls and ceiling are covered by white and translucent stalagmites and a sickly pale coral. The room has a basin of water, which a drip from the ceiling constantly feeds. Deceptively, the water in the basin is close to boiling, though it appears perfectly tranquil. Anyone determined enough to walk into the waters’ centre passes into a Tartaran regio of strength 8.
The regio resemblance the outer cave but with even more foul smoke. Like in all Tartaran regiones there is fire and heat everywhere—quite the change from the darkness of the caves further up. Its very steep and leads downwards in a spiral path. The end of the regio delivers an explorer to one of the antechambers of Hell itself. The regio is inhabited by demons of the order: Avengers of Evil. They are tasked with preventing the sinners from escaping Hell through the cave. They claim due to some undefined weakness or flaw, this portion of the Internal Realm has many escape attempts. These sinners are almost always those who committed suicide. Sometimes these spirits can be encountered outside the regio, taking the form of subterranean fumes or a distant wailing. Naturally, there is some reason to doubt the demon's account of the site and its purpose, both theological and practical.
Story Seed: Buried Evil
The true horror of the location is it's complete and unexplainable existence. No great battles or especially grim tales are tied to this region, so why should a wound leading to Hell itself be located here?Does the infernal forces plan something to warrant this policy of anonymity? Player character exploring some entirely mundane and domestic mystery migh accidentally end up in the caves and get caught up in an escape attempt.
Close to Terni in the green heartland of Italy, two tributaries of the Tiber, Velino and Nera come together into a large waterfall. Its beauty and height makes it hard to believe it's artificial, yet they are nothing but a by-product of the Roman mastery over the republic's hydrology.
The nymph Nera, was the only and beloved daughter of Appennino, the spirit of the Apennine mountains. She lived in the region of Terni hidden away for her beauty—yet one day the mortal shepherd Velino encountered her. The two fell in love and for a while remained with another in idyllic bliss. Alas, it was forbidden for Nera to live with and love a mere human. It was a crime against the natural laws of marriages, and thus offended and angered Juno.
Juno sought a swift and decisive punishment. While Velino was away she transformed Nera into a river. Horrified though powerless, Nera sought out her lover and the spot they first met, leading her course there. Meanwhile Velino returned to find himself abandoned and alone. He searched and searched for his beloved but could find nothing. Ultimately he fought himself truly lost and decided to leap into the river and drown. Here Jupiter intervened to right his wife’s wrong; he transformed Velino too into a river. Thus the waters of the two rivers come together in a loving embrace at the spot where the lovers first met.
Yet the embrace of two rivers is no trifle, a wetland was created which made the surrounding land unusable and filled with faeries. In 271 B.C, The Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus began the construction of a series of canals which begins from the spot Velino leaped and stops the build up of stagnant water. The wetland was culled and the waterfalls created. Nera and Velino were nearly torn apart anew; their former fecund embrace reduced to a faint hand holding. Though made all the more beautiful.
The canal with its waterfalls has a faerie aura of 3. The region is haunted by the Gnefro, brownie-like creatures, resembling children with wrinkly and crepey skin. They delight in sharing the story of Nera and Velino, calling themselves their servants or adopted children. They are usually only encountered during the night, and may not dwell too far away from the waters of the rivers. It's a popular spot for lovers to meet, mostly due to traditions and superstition. The Gnefro sometimes offer their services for visiting lovers.
Players might be drawn to location seeking to learn more about the arcane secrets of the Curator Aquarum. The aqueduct and other hydrological marvels of this ancient fraternity are rumoured to be able to create vis and have provided the Cult of Mercury with a significant portion of the pawns needed for their rituals. The conflict between Venus and Juno the site is a microcosm of might also be used for stories, particularly once to foreshadow Juno as the main antagonist. A romantic magi might seek to reunite Nera and Velino, though this would surely have wide ecological consequences.
Among the Ladin people of the Dolomites, a vast and complex cycle of oral legends regarding the Fanes are still shared.
The Fanes were a people whom had made a secret alliance with the marmorts of the mountains. Together they lived in harmony, ruled by their queen and worshipping the sun. The anguana, a kind of water nymph gifted with prophecy and salvani, a kind of dwarfs, lived closely with these people.
The Fane Queen Moltina marries a human from beneath the mountain, he is made king and secretly enters another alliance with the Eagles, a people whom only have one arm. Moltina and the king give birth to twin daughters, Lujanta and Dolasilla. Though as part of the king’s deal with the eagle-king he sends Lujanta to the eagle's realm and receives a son of the eagle-king. The Fane king also breaches a taboo and begins to replace the marmot insignia with that of the borrowed eagle.
The king is inspired by the eagle's way of life and begins a series of conquests at the price of warfare. Dolasilla, now fully grown, becomes a leader of these military campaigns. The Fane begin making enemies, and eventually a collocations army is gathered to stop them.
Dolasilla is the only one holding back the Fane’s enemies, with her enchanted armour and bow. Made of silver reed from the holy lakes of the Dolomites. Dolasilla falls in love with Ey-de-Net, a soldier of the enemies. Ey-de-Net switches sides and the two of them swear to never fight without the other’s presence henceforth. Though Ey-de-Net has an enemy in the evil sorcerer, Spina de Mul.
The war drags out and the king of the Fanes starts to distress. His greed and cowardice makes him strike a deal with the enemies. He makes a plan with them to hand over Dolasilla in exchange for his life and treasure. The king exiles Ey-de-Net and allows Spina de Mul to steal Dolasilla unfailing-arrows. Dolasilla goes to battle without Ey-de-Net, despite her vow but is felled by her own arrows. All looks like its lost for the Fane, if not for the wicked king being turned to stone and the return of Lujanta.
Lujanta and her mother lead the Fanes, first they attempt to make peace with their enemies—but the eagles have angered the others against the Fanes, and no compromise can be struck. The Fanes are nearly extinguished, merely twenty of them manage to seek refuge under Lake Braies—along with the marmorts.
In a faerie regio the Fanes and their marmort allies remain to this day. Waiting for the promised day when the Fanes are to regain their strength and once again rule over the Dolomites. Each full moon Queen Moltina and Lujanta leave the regio on a little boat to listen if the silver trumpet signalling the fateful day has finally arrived.
The Fanes left behind many powerful artefacts, and their epic battles still echoes and is repeated by the inhabitants of Arcadia. Players following the Path of Destiny might get the chance to interact or reinvent them.
