30 Days of Even More Mythic Sites of the Roman Tribunal

Aeolia

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.

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