30 Days of Josephine, Merinita

[raccoonmask]

Josephine has arrived at her second Tribunal, and is now eagerly seeking allies and compatriots from the other Magi.
Her primary goal at Tribunal will be to acquire lab texts and Tractati, unless in your Saga the Covenant she's from has an exceptional library. Of particular interest (Either way) is books tied to the Arthurian mythos.
By the time she's reached this Tribunal, she's actually losing a lot of her flirtatious ways, and is getting more and more frustrated by how all the men (and more than a few women) view her - her beauty combined with her mostly free-spirited ways frequently make pretty much anyone without magic resistance interested in her as a romantic partner. She is starting to get... very frustated at being viewed as an object to be pursued.
Unless the magi have already established relationships with her, she tends to view every approach by a male as an unwanted attraction. This might make Josie, the Other Doll, come after the player magi if they approach her too eagerly.

Josephine the Starlight, of Merinita
House: Merinita

Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0
Age 35 (42)
Warping 3 (5)
Confidence 1 (3)

Virtues: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Faerie Magic; Affinity for Muto, Faerie Raised Magic, Faerie Sympathy (Beautiful), Lesser Benediction(Enchanting Beauty), Minor Magical Focus (Clothing), Puissant Finesse
Flaws: Ambitious(minor), Curse of Venus, Deleterious Circumstances(being ugly), Faerie Upbringing, Poor Student, Weird Magic

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Hedonistic +3, Wild +4
Reputation: Mysterious Beauty 3 (nobles), Flirtatious troublemaker 1 (Magi)
Faerie Sympathy: Beautiful +2

Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (Ceremonial Casting), Bargain 2 (Faeries), Brawl 1 (dodge), Charm 4(seduction), Code of Hermes 1 (faeries), Concentration 1 (spells), Etiquette 4 (nobles), Faerie Lore 2 (court faeries), Finesse 2+2 (fine control), French 5 (flirting), Folk Ken 2 (males), Guile 2 (playing innocent), Intrigue 2 (starting rumors), Latin 4 (Hermetic slang), Legerdemain 1 (hiding objects), Magic Theory 5 (Animal), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (Merinita), Parma Magica 2 (Corpus), Penetration 1 (Animal), Stealth 3 (hiding in crowds), Survival 1 (forests)

Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 4, Intellego 5, Muto 15, Perdo 5, Rego 8,
Animal 9, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 5,
Ignem 0, Imaginem 8, Mentem 5, Terram 4, Vim 7

Spells:

• Glimpse of the Seamstress's Knowledge (InAn 10)
• Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15)
• The Queen Clad in Diamonds and Silk (MuAn [Te] 15)
• Transformation of the Ravenous beast to the Torpid Toad (MuAn 25)
• Decay of Fur and Hide (PeAn 10)
• Circle of Beast Warding (ReAn 5)
• Phantom Maids and Attendants for a Perfect Lady (ReAn 5)
• Sooth the Ferocious Bear(ReAn 10)
• Betrayed by the Price of Fashion (ReAn 15)
• Phantom Dancers (ReAn 25)
• Eyes of the Cat (MuCo 5)
• Disguise of the New Visage(MuCo 15)
• Rise of the Feathery Body(ReCo 10)
• Pass the Unyielding Portal (MuHe 5)
• Piercing Shaft of Wood(Mu[Re]He 10)
• Rope of Bronze (MuHe[Te] 15)
• Strike of the Angered Branch(ReHe 15)
• Veil of Invisibility (PeIm20)
• Aura of Ennobled Presence(MuIm 10)
• Notes of a Delightful Sound(MuIm 10)
• Shine Like the Stars Above (MuIm 10)
• A New Dress From Old Fabric (MuIm 15)
• Clad as an Empress (PeIm 15)
• Wizard's Sidestep(ReIm 10)
• Dance With Me (CrMe 15)
• A Forgotten Invitation (MuMe 5)
• Loss of But a Moment's Memory (PeMe 15)
• Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15)
• Supple Iron and Rigid Rope(MuTe 10)
• Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20)
• Wizards Communion(MuVi 15)
• Sorcerer's Fork (MuVi25)
• Faerie's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 20)

Summary

Advancement (5 years, 150 xp): [Assumed LR of 35+]

• 10xp Terram 0-4
• 15xp Perdo 0-5
• 21xp Imaginem 6-8
• 25xp Magic Theory 5
• 15xp Mentem 0-5
• 10xp Faerie Sympathy beautiful +2
• 20xp Charm 4
• 9xp Animal 9
• 8xp(12xp) Muto 15
• 10xp Creo 0-4
• 7xp Dance with Me from Faerie Raised Magic

Study (2 years, 8 seasons)

1. Veil of Invisibility from lab text(PeIm 20, Lab total 22)
2. Sorcerors Fork from lab text (MuVi 25, LT 29)
3. A Forgotten Invitation (MuMe 5, LT 29) [ She has a lot of leftover here ]
4. Queen Clad in Diamonds and Silk (MuAn[Te] 15, LT28+4 focus)
5. Clad as an Empress (PeIm 15, LT 22 +4 focus +4 simiar spell)
6. Loss of But a Moment's Memory from lab text(PeMe 15, LT 19)
7. Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20, LT 21)
8. Faerie Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 20, LT 21)

[raccoonmask]

Josephine has stopped seeking out her own entertainment and fun, and over the next few years is going to burn out of her hedonistic habits. She views her advancement as a maga to be weak, and is going to focus on learning more about her power and her potential. She's stopped viewing her Curse of Venus / Enchanting Beauty as an exciting part of her life, and now decided it is absolutely frustrating to get anything done around men.
Josie, the faerie mimic, is taking this opportunity to thrive on the rumors and stories of Josephine.

Plot Seeds and Adventures

1. Josephine has been plagued by more and more "romantic" problems. Sometimes people want to marry her. Sometimes people want to woo her despite the fact they're married. At this point, Josephine is just... Done with these stupid, lustful, obnoxious men, and is seeking help from former allies to get rid of some of them in a way that won't cause even MORE trouble.
2. Josie, the Other Doll, is becoming more and more powerful by feeding off of the romantic chaos left in the wake of Josephine's partygoing. Josie may even begin targetting Companions, tamed noblemen, or other people who have 'fallen' for Josephine, and the players might end up very mad if they think it's actually the Merinita maga.
3. Josephine wants asssitance investigating the Faerie Regio that she was once kidnapped in long ago, but the last two times she tried to investigate herself, she had to have one of her more militant allies come rescue her. Maybe one of the more martially-minded magi of the saga are asked to go rescue her. Perhaps, instead, she approaches the players to investigate themselves.
4. It turns out that Josephine was originally kidnapped by Faeries because they believe she's the descendent of Queen Guinevere. Josephine is now looking for books on Arthurian mythos and she wants her friends' help in getting it - either from their library, from the library of a rival covenant that currently doesn't like her, or possibly from a nobleman's collections in the saga's region.
5. If the players are able to cast spells to increase stats, Josephine would love to pay the players so she can have a higher Intelligence, Perception, or Communication. Do they want vis? Something else in trade?

[raccoonmask]

The Hedgehog's Armor (MuAn 15)

R: Voice, D: Mom,
A defensive measure, and an offensive measure, The Hedgehog's Armor causes a targeted piece of clothing to spring short, sharp spikes of bone and horn from it's surfaces. Anyone grappling with the target takes up +5 damage from the sharp spikes. The caster can choose instead to have the spikes stabbing inwards, doing up to +5 damage. If the article of clothing has a smaller contact surface, such as a girdle or a pair of riding boots, the damage will likely be reduced to +3 or less. As an added bonus, if the spikes are facing outwards, the wearer of the spikey clothing can deal an additional +2 damage with appropriate brawling attacks.
(Base 5, +2 Voice)

[raccoonmask]

Conjury of Glorious Attire (CrIm 10)

Despite one of the other magi in her covenant referring to this spell as 'Emergency Trousers', Josephine detests that nickname. This spell summons up the illusion of glamorous robes or other clothing to cover the form of the wearer - or theoretically someone else. The spell's mimicry covers the sight of the robes, the swish of the fabric, and the touch of it. The complexity of the spell allows the illusion to move in a fashion that the caster expects -brushing around corners or past objects, for instance - though because it reacts to the caster's expectations, if they do not notice a footstool or an invisible object, the illusory robes will pass right through them.
(Base 3, +1 Touch, +2 complex moving image, +1 Diameter)

[raccoonmask]

Conjure the Complex Attire (Creo Herbam [Animal] 20)

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Group
Josephine would call it a cruel trick of fate how often she needs to spontaneously change clothes or get dressed in a hurry - whether a giant tearing at her robes while trying to kidnap her, or an unwanted suitor getting angry, a botched spellcasting, or transformation spell that didn't quite work. An illusion of clothing is good in a pinch, but when it's colder out, only a real outfit would do. Conjure the Complex Attire creates a complete outfit, from wool-lined boots and velvet robes, to soft linen undergarments and a warm hood. Though Josephine didn't know it when she created this spell, a surprising amount of her unfortunate situations are the Doll Josie's fault. Josephine's version of the spell has the outfit summoned out of swirling starlights, and the quality of the outfit is based on an Intelligence + Finesse roll (ease factor 6 for just simple garb, up to ease factor 15 for something suitable for a grand ball).
(Base 1, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +2 treated and processed, +2 group)

Design Notes

This spell is one I like, but am also cautious about. I used an Herbam base, because I also had an idea for a fine linen underdress spell (Not posted here, but it was Conjure Delicate Garments). I'm considering a +1 magnitude for Animal requisite, or possibly making the spell only able to add accoutrements of animal products. Not sure yet. Opinions?

[raccoonmask]

To Be Dragged Away By The Collar (Rego Animal 15)

R: Voice, D: Conc, T: Ind
This spell grabs a a target by an article of clothing and drags them away. The round the spell is cast, the targeted clothing tightens and wraps itself around the target, and in subsequent rounds it will drag the target in a direction chosen by the caster. The unlucky person wearing the outfit must make a Strength roll to resist, though shoddily made attire will rip if too much force is used. Josephine's sigil causes a fist of ghostly stars to wrap around the target article.
(Base 3, +2 voice, +1 concentration, +1 force of pull)

Design Notes

"Seriously," Josephine says, staring dangerous daggers through the fourth marriage proposal of the hour. With a gesture, the man's overly expensive tunic tightens, hoists itself up like it was held by an angry innkeeper, and drags the man down the stairs and out of the building. "I think I might be cursed," she grumbles to her shield grog, who is madly in love with her, and trying to hide that fact so he can stay near her even longer.
I decided not to call this spell 'Trouser Telekinesis', but I did think of the joke. This is just Josephine trying to solve her problems by using her magical focus, as usual. It probably should have been made last tribunal, but here it is.

[raccoonmask]

EXTRA BONUS SPELL!

A Weak Defense (Muto Animal 5)
R: Voice, D: Mom, T: Ind<
Josephine used spells similar to this one spontaneously quite frequently when her grogs and allies found themselves in combat, and when she had a bit of extra time one season, she took the time to design this as a formulaic spell. With an arcane utterance and a complex gesture, this spell transforms a suit of leather or hide armor into a loose, comfortable woolen bathrobe. The transformation only lasts for a few breaths, but it's enough to cause panic and possible death. It has the bonus of embaressing most highwaymen, in addition to turning the armor's protection to nothing for a round - and in most combat situations, the comfortable robe will become quite disarrayed, which when the spell wears off a round later, gives the bearer a -2 penalty to his combat totals until the appropriate straps and buckles are fixed.
(Base 3, +2 Voice)

Design Notes

This is in honor of my saga-mate's 'Mass Leather to Lard' spell, which he cast on invading pirates to trip up their assault, and completely disassemble their armor in an embarrassing fashion.

[raccoonmask]

Stealing Josie's Dress (ReTe[req] 20)

R: Voice, D: Mom, T: Ind
A spell that Josephine learned during a conflict with the empowered Other, Josie. Teleports an article of clothing from someone in range, directly onto the caster's body. The caster's outerwear gets teleported in return somewhere random nearby to make room for the new outfit. Perception + Finesse ease factor 9 to put the dress on properly (6 if there's no laces or things to tie, 12 if its an incredibly complex outfit). Usually, this has an Animal requisite, since fine dresses tend to be silk, but if the target article is a linen or cotton outfit, it would be Herbam. Theoretically, if you were aware of what underthings a debutante was wearing, you could steal those instead, but with a +3 Ease Factor and two extra botch dice - not that Josephine would EVER steal a a rival's underthings while the other was dancing.
(base 4, +2 voice, +1 50 pace range, +1 to remove caster's clothing)

Design Notes

I am definitely abusing Faerie-Raised magic to get spells at higher level without having to spend multiple seasons, but I'm also trying to get five new spells per tribunal - that is a LOT of lab time, which means Josephine is getting less xp per tribunal than normal.
On to this spell! Josie the faerie needs to steal clothing, and keeps stealing Josephine's clothing to mimic her - naturally, Josephine wants the ability to do it in retaliation. Plus, other useful spells (And the first step in teleporting trousers.)
Because the Rego Animal guidelines for teleportation work with living animals, Transforming Mythic Europe uses Rego Terram for teleporting all inanimate objects, and here we are.

[raccoonmask]

Posting this early for tomorrow since I had time to advance it today, and I do not know what tomorrow will look like.

Originally an Other Doll, Josie's obsession with Josephine has caused her to learn and grow, and the men and women who interacted with the pair of them have flooded Josie with vitality and allowed her to change to a more powerful faerie creature.

No longer an Other Doll, Josie is now the Other Woman. Though she still loves stealing Josie's guise and playing as her to get closer to her obsession, Josie has found that it is... invigorating to steal the appearance of other people near Josephine's presence. No longer seeks attention from partygoers to give her life, instead the romantically predatory faerie seeks out suitors and paramours who have been rejected and rebuffed, offering them solace for the evening. Since Josephine's Benediction (and Curse of Venus) give her no end of unwanted, rejected, and rebuffed paramours, Josie has learned to harvest an incredible amount of vitality by being the beautiful woman who the men turn to when they need to find themselves some soothing peace. Usually, this means a drunken noble thinking he spent an evening with a noblewoman or servant who has no memory of him and alibis to her chastity.

The Other Woman - Josie
Faerie Might 10+10 (Animal)
Characteristics: Int 0, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +2, Str -2, Sta -2, Dex +2, Qik +1
Size -1

Virtues and Flaws: Faerie Sight, Faerie Speech, Gossip, Humanoid Faerie, Increased Faerie Might, Lesser Power(Allure, Steal the Perfect Disguise), Personal Power(Stolen Guise), Perfect Balance, Place of Power (Parties), Pretentious; Narrowly Cognizant, Passes for Human; Fear of Fire, Lecherous(minor), Noncombatant, Obsession(Josephine), Slow Power (Stolen Guise), Small Frame, Traditional Ward (Candles), Vulnerable to Fire (15 mastery)

Personality Traits: Afraid of Fire +3, Brave -2, Sultry +3

Combat:
Dodge: init +1, Atk - , Dfn +1, Dmg -
Soak -2

Pretenses: Area Lore: Local 3 (parties), Athletics 3 (grace), Awareness 2 (Josephine), Bargain 1 (faerie bargains), Carouse 2 (fitting in), Charm 5 (seduction), Etiquette 4 (nobility), Faerie Speech 5(entendres), Folk Ken 2(people desiring Josephine), Guile 4 (playing her guise), Intrigue 3 (gossip), Organization Lore: Nobility 2 (Personalities), Penetration 2(Allure), Profession: Servant 4 (staying unobtrusive), Profession: Noble 3 (small talk), Stealth 4 (staying unobtrusive)

Powers:

• Stolen Guise (1 points, init 0 [slow power, extra round], Corpus)
  This power allows the faerie to steal the appearance and look of another person. Josie usually will sneak into a manor home or castle and steal the guise of a servant before a party, and then during the party try and steal the image of someone who leaves the main party area. While arguably able to do this at will, Josie traditionally tries to steal an article of clothing from the person they imitate. Due to Faerie glamour, their clothing usually changes to match.
  (Base 3, +2 Sun, +1 Specific Person) [10 power levels]
• Allure (1 point, Init -3, Mentem [ROP:F p57])
• Steal the Perfect Disguise (2 points, init -3, Terram/Animal/Herbam)
  Josie needs to get her hands on the right outfit to mimic the right person, and oftentimes its hard to sneak in and steal an article of clothing. So, Josie's magic has developed and evolved to help her perform her task - her powers now allow her to steal clothing or jewelry so she can mimic the target of her choice - usually, this is Josephine or one of her attendants.
  (Base 4, +2 Voice, +1 teleport 50 feet) [15 power levels, 1 intricacy from Personal Power]

Traditional Ward: Candles - Josie cannot harm anyone who carries a candle or is near them. In addition to being rather flammable - her true form made of cloth and fabric - a sacred candle can show their true appearance with their shadow. Her fear of fire only matters if the fire is either uncontrolled or brandished - she won't avoid lit lanterns, but will not want to stand near a fireplace.
Vis: 2 pawn of Animal vis, an elegant doll's dress

Design Notes

Advancement (140 pretense):

5 - Transform Lecherous major to Vulnerable to Fire
10 - Gain Personal Power and Lecherous minor. (I then rearranged Josie's powers, and spent 1 intricacy on lowering the cost of pants-thievery)
15 - gain Increased Faerie Might
Penetration 1-2, Charm 4-5, Profession Servant 3-4, Folk Ken 1-2, Stealth 3-4, Area Lore 2-3

[raccoonmask]

Josephine is so very, very done with this Beauteous Curse. By the time she's coming to this Tribunal, she has planned to avoid most of the social engagements she used to thrive on. Despite her more reclusive attitude, she continues to have a building reputation as an ... affectionate companion. She has discovered Josie's existence, and has begun to study her stalking doppelganger and learned at least one new spell - as a Merinita, she is curious how much she can learn.

At Tribunal, she is looking for knowledge! She's hoping to arrange some book trades or sales, looking for specifically Tractati on Arthurian legends (and Faerie Lore), Magic Theory(spell design), and Finesse. She unfortunately is going to be rather harassed by any of the young redcaps who don't have many children yet, and the magi in your saga may want to assist her with that problem. She is also looking to curry favors from any promising magi by utilizing her talents or offering to make lab texts for her spells.

If anyone is trying to curry favor with her for political reasons, she will react well to anyone complimenting her cleverness (she's not that clever) and will react quite badly to anyone complimenting how beautiful she is.

Josephine the Beautiful, of Merinita
House: Merinita

Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0
Age 37 (49)
Warping 3 (19)
Confidence 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Faerie Magic; Affinity for Muto, Faerie Raised Magic, Faerie Sympathy (Beautiful), Lesser Benediction(Enchanting Beauty), Minor Magical Focus (Clothing), Puissant Finesse
Flaws: Ambitious(minor), Curse of Venus, Deleterious Circumstances(being ugly), Faerie Upbringing, Poor Student, Weird Magic
Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Hedonistic +3, Wild +4
Reputation: Mysterious Beauty 3 (nobles), Beautiful Seductress 2 (Magi)
Faerie Sympathy: Beautiful +3

Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (Ceremonial Casting), Bargain 2 (Faeries), Brawl 1 (dodge), Charm 4(seduction), Code of Hermes 1 (faeries), Concentration 1 (spells), Etiquette 4 (nobles), Faerie Lore 2 (court faeries), Finesse 2+2 (fine control), French 5 (flirting), Folk Ken 2 (males), Guile 2 (playing innocent), Intrigue 2 (starting rumors), Latin 4 (Hermetic slang), Legerdemain 1 (hiding objects), Magic Lore 1 (regios), Magic Theory 6 (Spell Design), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (Merinita), Parma Magica 3 (Corpus), Penetration 1 (Animal), Stealth 3 (hiding in crowds), Survival 1 (forests)

Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 7, Intellego 5, Muto 15(+3xp), Perdo 5, Rego 9,
Animal 10, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 7,
Ignem 5, Imaginem 8, Mentem 5, Terram 5, Vim 7

Spells:

• Conjure the Complex Attire (CrH [An] 20)
• Glimpse of the Seamstress's Knowledge (InAn 10)
• A Weak Defense (MuAn 5)
• Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15)
• The Hedgehog's Armor (MuAn 15)
• The Queen Clad in Diamonds and Silk (MuAn [Te] 15)
• Transformation of the Ravenous beast to the Torpid Toad (MuAn 25)
• Decay of Fur and Hide (PeAn 10)
• Circle of Beast Warding (ReAn 5)
• Phantom Maids and Attendants for a Perfect Lady (ReAn 5)
• Sooth the Ferocious Bear(ReAn 10)
• Betrayed by the Price of Fashion (ReAn 15)
• To Be Dragged Away By The Collar (ReAn 15)
• Phantom Dancers (ReAn 25)
• Eyes of the Cat (MuCo 5)
• Disguise of the New Visage(MuCo 15)
• Rise of the Feathery Body(ReCo 10)
• Pass the Unyielding Portal (MuHe 5)
• Piercing Shaft of Wood(Mu[Re]He 10)
• Rope of Bronze (MuHe[Te] 15)
• Strike of the Angered Branch(ReHe 15)
• Loss of But a Moment's Memory (PeMe 15)
• Pilum of Fire (CrIg 20)
• Trapping the Fire (MuIg[Te])
• Conjury of Glorious Attire (CrIm 10)
• Aura of Ennobled Presence(MuIm 10)
• Notes of a Delightful Sound(MuIm 10)
• Shine Like the Stars Above (MuIm 10)
• A New Dress From Old Fabric (MuIm 15)
• Clad as an Empress (PeIm 15)
• Veil of Invisibility (PeIm 20)
• Wizard's Sidestep(ReIm 10)
• Dance With Me (CrMe 15)
• A Forgotten Invitation (MuMe 5)
• Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15)
• Supple Iron and Rigid Rope(MuTe 10)
• Stealing Josie's Dress (ReTe[req] 20)
• Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20)
• Wizards Communion(MuVi 15)
• Sorcerer's Fork (MuVi 25)
• Faerie's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 20)

Summary

Advancement (5 years, 150 xp): [Assumed LR of 35+]

• 18xp - Creo 5-7
• 13xp - Herbam 6-7
• 5xp - Terram 5
• 15xp - Ignem 5
• 5xp - Spell Mastery (A Weak Defense - fast casting)
• 8xp - Stealing Josie's Dress
• 15xp - Beautiful Sympathy 3
• 30xp - Magic Theory 6
• 15xp - Parma Magica 3
• 10xp - Animal 10
• 9xp - Rego 9
• 5xp - Magic Lore 1
• 2xp - Muto (3xp)

Lab Work (2 years, 8 seasons)

1. The Hedgehog's Armor + A Weak Defense(MuAn 15+5, Lab Total 43)
2. Conjury of Glorious Attire (CrIm 10, Lab Total 25)
3. Conjure the Complex Attire (CrHe[An] 20, LT 30) - 1 season
4. Conjure the Complex Attire (CrHe[An] 20, LT 30) - 2 seasons
5. To Be Dragged Away By The Collar (ReAn 15, LT 35)
6. Pilum of Fire from lab text (CrIg 20, LT 22)
7. Trapping the Fire lab text (MuIgTe 25, LT 27)
8. Stir the Slumbering Tree from lab text (MuHeMe 25+5, LT 30)

[raccoonmask]

Josephine has a few goals here, but sagas always go directions unexpected. Josephine wants to break the mystic ties she has with the faeries who kidnapped her as a child - perhaps stealing an arcane connection back; She wants to expand and study more of her magic, and study the Arthurian mythos which has captured her attention; She also wants to capture Josie and see if she can use the Faerie clone to her advantage.

Plot Seeds and Adventures:

1. Josephine is looking for someone with a knowledge of Wards, and faeries, to help her catch a stalking faerie - she doesn't want it harned, she wants to study it. Can you help her catch it and bring it to her extra lab for study? And DO NOT hurt it. Unfortunately, Josie has found an apprentice (as Magi are wont to do) and there is a new Other Doll running around social circles keeping things complicated.
2. The players are approached while travelling - Josephine needs assistance dealing with some unwanted suitors! She knows that these magi are the best people to assist her because of how well she's viewed them in the past. There's four who all seem to believe that they have promises for her hand in marriage. Of course, Josephine is at home doing research and avoiding people, so the person actually looking for help is her Faerie stalker, who's trying to emulate her past problems in an attempt to get closer to her chosen beau.
3. Josephine has finally discovered - in her studies of Arthurian legends - that a faerie court has become convinced she is descended of the blood of Queen Guinevere, and that is why they long ago kidnapped her as a child. Josephine needs some assistance with a King Arthur and a Mordred to go on a Faerie Adventure with her to re-write a story and help her get free of this accursed beauty.
4. A magus or companion who frequently attends the galas of the nobility runs into Josie-as-Josephine, and the faerie is promising the player great favors if they can help the stalker Faerie get into Josephine's sanctum - Josie is confident that if she can find the right piece of jewelry from Josephine's collection, she can win her beloved's heart.
5. A faerie knight is approaching the characters to gain assistance in their quest: It seems his lord is betrothed to Josephine, and the beauteous maga has failed to attend her wedding ceremony for year after year, despite having elegant invitations delivered. So, the faerie knight seeks aid in 'rescuing the princess' from whatever dark fate is keeping her from her betrothed. Josephine, if asked politely, will give them a wedding dress and tell them to go get married themselves. Or to go kidnap Josie instead.

[raccoonmask]

Ivory Comb of Glitter and Glamour (Muto Animal 25)

R: Touch, D: Conc, T: Ind
This is an enchanted ivory hair-comb inlaid with silver and magnetite gemstones, and enchanted to create beautiful outfits. When the gemstones are touched and the secret words whispered, the enchantment on the jewelry transforms a touched article of clothing into something different - similar to The Queen Clad as Diamond and Silk, often weaving the fabric out of precious metals and inset with glimmering gems. With a few moments, an entire outfit could be transformed into something new and glamorous.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +1 Concentration; +5 levels item maintains, +10 levels unlimited uses)

Design Notes

This is something I wanted her to make for a while. Originally, I wanted it done earlier but I decided to wait and get a broader variety of spells and skills before focusing more.
I at first wanted to make a spell or item that would transform an entire outfit into something sleek and magical and sexy, but I realized that targeting an entire outfit (group) is the same total as unlimited uses.

[raccoonmask]

Be Rid of the Unwanted Suitor (Rego Animal 30)

R: Voice, D: Conc, T: Group
Another spell that's designed to deal with overzealous romantics, it also is quite useful for traversing pits and levitation. Be Rid of the Unwanted Suitor grips an entire set of garments - for example, that rich slobbering merchant's clothing - and forcibly drags the clothing in a direction of the caster's choosing, even if that direction is straight up or another direction. Because of the convenient location of her sanctum, Josephine is prone to just launch unwanted individuals out the large windows and into the nearby lake.
(Base 3, +2 voice, +1 concentration, +2 group, +1 unsupported)

Design Notes

This spell is actually the signature spell of my home saga's Jospehine/Jonequil, and literally the entire reason this character exists.
The spell takes two seasons for her to research, but its a fun one. In addition to being highly useful for mobility (forced or willing), it has some combat options as well, just levitating the enemies into positions where they can't harm you. If you're trying to quickly send people to a safe landing, it probably requires a Finesse roll.

[raccoonmask]

Perfect and Comfortable Fit (Muto Animal 20)

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Ind
This spell was actually designed for her covenfolk, rather than herself, as Josephine has found more and more that she just wants to wear simple and confortable robes. Perfect and Comfortable Fit transforms an article of clothing to gently hug the body, stretch in places where necessary for comfort, soften against the flesh to avoid chafing, and drift more lightly as the wearer moves. As an added bonus, it makes the fabric a single perfect piece, seamless, and resistant to tears and rips. This removes any penalties to physical actions that stem from ill-fitting, uncomfortable, or constricting attire. If cast on linen or cotton, it requires an herbam requisite.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +3 Moon)

Design Notes

Josephine has been an incredibly selfish person for a long time, and is trying to make amends - not just to earn the covenfolk's good will, but because she doesn't want to act like the worst of the faeries she grew up with. Growth and change, maga.
This spell had a number of iterations in my notes, but I ended up going with this one, because its long term duration makes it manageable. Josephine has told all the women in her covenant that they can come to her for this spell twice a month, and they're allowed to bring their families. She isn't allowing men to come speak with her for the spell, because men are jerks.

[raccoonmask]

Originally an Other Doll, Josie's obsession with Josephine has caused her to learn and grow, and the men and women who interacted with the pair of them have flooded Josie with vitality and allowed her to change to a more powerful faerie creature, the Other Woman.

Josie spent years chasing after Josephine, trying to prove her love, to prove her worth by emulating all she had thought Josephine to be. However, the Josephine that the faerie was chasing was her rumor and her memory, and oftentimes Josie was creating those rumors herself before following them trying to find her obsession. Eventually, Josephine took matters into her own hands (with aid from another magus) and captured the faerie. Josephine spoke with the faerie and made her a bargain, a deal - to be Josephine's shadow and her echo.

Renamed Jacqueline, the Other Woman bound herself to Josephine as her familiar. In addition to helping her often in her studies, the socially-skilled faerie keeps abreast of stories and rumors, and occasionally even masquerades as Josephine for a time (Jacky's favorite hobby). Josephine used her understanding of faeries to guide her through changes set to make the new allies more powerful. Jacqueline usually plays the role of a maidservant for Jacqueline, borrowing the guises of other servants in the covenant.

The Other Woman - Jacqueline
Faerie Might 15 (Animal)
Characteristics: Int +2, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +2, Str -2, Sta -2, Dex +2, Qik +1
Size -1

Virtues and Flaws: Faerie Sight, Faerie Speech, Gossip, Humanoid Faerie, Improved Characteristics, Increased Faerie Might x2, Lesser Power x2(Allure, Steal the Perfect Disguise, Steal Judgement), Personal Power(Stolen Guise), Perfect Balance, Pretentious, True Friend (Josephine); Cognizant, Passes for Human; Fear of Fire, Lecherous(minor), Noncombatant, Obsession(Josephine), Slow Power (Stolen Guise), Small Frame, Traditional Ward (Candles), Vulnerable to Fire (15 mastery)
Personality Traits: Afraid of Fire +3, Loyal to Josephine +3, Sultry +3

Combat:
Dodge: init +1, Atk - , Dfn +1, Dmg -
Soak -2

Pretenses: Area Lore: Local 2 (parties), Athletics 3 (grace), Awareness 3 (Threats to Josephine), Bargain 2 (faerie bargains), Carouse 2 (fitting in), Charm 5 (seduction), Etiquette 4 (nobility), Faerie Lore 1(Faerie Nobles), Faerie Speech 5(entendres), Folk Ken 3(people desiring Josephine), Guile 4 (playing her guise), Intrigue 3 (gossip), Magic Theory 3 (Spell design), Organization Lore: Nobility 3 (Personalities),Organization Lore: Order of Hermes (Merinita) 1, Penetration 3 (Allure), Profession: Servant 4 (staying unobtrusive), Profession: Noble 2 (small talk), Stealth 4 (staying unobtrusive)

Powers:

• Stolen Guise (1 points, init 0 [slow power, extra round], Corpus)
  This power allows the faerie to steal the appearance and look of another person. Josie usually will sneak into a manor home or castle and steal the guise of a servant before a party, and then during the party try and steal the image of someone who leaves the main party area. While arguably able to do this at will, Josie traditionally tries to steal an article of clothing from the person they imitate. Due to Faerie glamour, their clothing usually changes to match.
  (Base 3, +2 Sun, +1 Specific Person) [10 power levels]
• Allure (1 point, Init -3, Mentem [ROP:F p57])
• Steal Judgement (2 point, Init -1, Mentem [ROP:F p59])
• Steal the Perfect Disguise (2 points, init -3, Terram/Animal/Herbam)
  Josie needs to get her hands on the right outfit to mimic the right person, and oftentimes its hard to sneak in and steal an article of clothing. So, Josie's magic has developed and evolved to help her perform her task - her powers now allow her to steal clothing or jewelry so she can mimic the target of her choice - usually, this is Josephine or one of her attendants.
  (Base 4, +2 Voice, +1 teleport 50 feet) [15 power levels, 1 intricacy from Personal Power]

Traditional Ward: Candles - Josie cannot harm anyone who carries a candle or is near them. In addition to being rather flammable - her true form made of cloth and fabric - a sacred candle can show their true appearance with their shadow. Her fear of fire only matters if the fire is either uncontrolled or brandished - she won't avoid lit lanterns, but will not want to stand near a fireplace.
Vis: 2 pawn of Animal vis, an elegant doll's dress

Design Notes

At last, this plan comes together: Josephine finally has a familiar, and it's her own doppelganger doll.

Advancement (140 pretense):
30 - Magic Theory 1-3
15 - Folk Ken 2
10 - Bargain 2
5 - Faerie Lore 1
5 - Order of Hermes Lore 1
20 - Gain Cognizant, losing Narrowly Cognizant
20 - Gain Improved Characteristics
20 - Gain Lesser Power: Steal Judgement [10 intricacy in Penetration]
5 - Penetration 3
10 -Trade Place of Power for Improved Faerie Might

[raccoonmask]

Bind the Servants of Silk and Wool (Rego Animal[Herbam] 40)

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Group
Advanced magic for those who play with cloth and fabric, Josephine stole this spell from a pixie princess who was fond of stealing and animating clothing. This spell grabs a pile of clothes and animates it into a bipedal semblance of a human. The psuedo-creature spawned by this spell tends to be well-disposed to its animator, but tends to run off and explore its own desires. It has no ability to communicate, but tends to have a mentality similar to a clever dog or cat as far as following commands. The longer the pile of clothing is animated, the more it tends to misunderstand and misbehave. Josephine's version of the spell has twin sparking stars as eyes for the animated creature. Though this spell technically can animate a large pile of clothing, it tends to end up with a fabric creature between size -2 and size 0 - larger ones fall apart very rapidly for some reason.
(base 10, +1 touch, +3 moon, +2 group)

Summary

Sometimes, Josephine can be a little ambitious.... This is another spell Josephine got from Faerie Raised Magic. This time, its a spell Josephine decided she wanted and was out of her research capabilities (Her lab total for this was a little under 50 I think), so she specifically created a situation where she could trick a faerie into using this power so she could steal it. I actually decided to cost her a season for this despite learning it from Faerie Raised Magic, because of how specific the spell is - not a brief faerie thing, but Josephine had to research the faerie stories around, find the one she wanted, and manipulate the situation (With her new familiar's help) to witness the Faerie powers she wanted to learn.
Jacqueline calls this spell 'Animate the Pants Goblin'. I used Re He 10 as a base (similar to Julia's spell in Magi of Hermes, p 57)

[raccoonmask]

Josephine is so very, very done with spending hours before any notable gathering to get herself dressed up, carrying pounds upon pounds of uncomfortable cloth.

The Dress for Every Occasion (Creo Imaginem 19)

This 'dress' is actually a short, knee-length comfortable robe, of silk and linen. The short robe has been further enchanted for comfort and style. With an effort of concentration, the enchanted garment creates the illusion of any garb the wearer desires, including visual, audible, and touch senses. Josephine usually uses spells to keep herself warm, dry, and comfortable while wearing this catch-all no-effort outfit, along with silken slippers ensorcelled with Doublet of Impenetrable Silk to keep her feet safe.
(Base 3, +1 Touch, +1 Concentration; +5 levels for item maintains concentration, +1 lvl uses/day, +3 lvl environmental trigger)

[raccoonmask]

@raccoonmask

Bind the Servants of Silk and Wool (Rego Animal[Herbam] 40)

I did some math errors and she can't get that one, so here's a simpler option.

Crafting the Servants of Silk and Wool (Rego Animal[Herbam] 30)

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Ind
Advanced magic for those who play with cloth and fabric, Josephine stole this spell from a pixie princess who was fond of stealing and animating clothing. This spell takes a crafted cloth doll and animates it into a bipedal semblance of a human. The psuedo-creature spawned by this spell tends to be well-disposed to its animator, but tends to run off and explore its own desires. It has no ability to communicate, but tends to have a mentality similar to a clever dog or cat as far as following commands. The longer the doll is animated, the more it tends to misunderstand and misbehave. Josephine's version of the spell has twin sparking stars as eyes for the animated creature. Though this spell technically can animate a large doll, it tends to end up with a fabric creature between size -2 and size 0 - larger ones fall apart very rapidly for some reason.
(base 10, +1 touch, +3 moon)

[raccoonmask]

Here is our final Josephine, a number of tribunals later, and she has learned and evolved. She began as a wild, flirty mage who viewed her curse of beauty as a delight, manipulating and teasing mortal men.

Now she's found an interest in knowledge and exploration, seeking out lore on Arthurian legends to find her own mystical history. She seeks to break free of her Faerie curse, and is seeking allies with knowledge or power - and she has no interest in just destroying the faeries she is in conflict with. She wants to defeat them properly, as a Merinita.

Josephine at Tribunal is also seeking anyone who can cast the rituals to enhance her intelligence and communication (and perception). Depending on Tribunal and location, she may bring Jacqueline with her, or send her to Gossip and play with the nearby mortals. If you're playing with Correspondence rules, she seeks someone to write to regarding Faerie Lore or Finesse (Or Magic Theory). She's also quite interested in speaking with any highly skilled woodcrafters for a project she has planned involving a full set of furniture for her sanctum - and anyone who has lab texts that will aid her covenfolk in their lives.

Or maybe, just maybe, she wants a friend - someone who can interact with her on a level that doesn't involve seducing her, breeding her into their family line, stealing her magic, or using her skills for their gain. She has lived half her life as a shallow, fickle creature, and only realized it in the last seven years.

Josephine the Starlight, of Merinita
House: Merinita
Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0
Age 39 (56)
Warping 4 (13)
Confidence 1 (6)

Virtues: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Faerie Magic; Affinity for Muto, Faerie Raised Magic, Faerie Sympathy (Beautiful), Lesser Benediction(Enchanting Beauty), Minor Magical Focus (Clothing), Puissant Finesse
Flaws: Ambitious(minor), Curse of Venus, Deleterious Circumstances(being ugly), Faerie Upbringing, Poor Student, Weird Magic

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Hedonistic +2, Lustful -1, Wild +3
Reputation: Mysterious Beauty 3 (nobles), Flirtatious troublemaker 1 (Magi)
Faerie Sympathy: Beautiful +3

Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (Ceremonial Casting), Bargain 2 (Faeries), Brawl 1 (dodge), Charm 4(seduction), Code of Hermes 1 (faeries), Concentration 1 (spells), Etiquette 4 (nobles), Faerie Lore 3 (court faeries), Finesse 2+2 (fine control), French 5 (flirting), Folk Ken 2 (males), Guile 2 (playing innocent), Intrigue 2 (starting rumors), Latin 4 (Hermetic slang), Legerdemain 1 (hiding objects), Magic Lore 1 (regios), Magic Theory 6 (Spell Design), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (Merinita), Parma Magica 4 (Corpus), Penetration 1 (Animal), Stealth 3 (hiding in crowds), Survival 1 (forests)

Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 7, Intellego 6, Muto 17, Perdo 5, Rego 13,
Animal 10, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 7,
Ignem 5, Imaginem 8, Mentem 6, Terram 10, Vim 7

Spells:

• Conjure the Complex Attire (CrH [An] 20)
• Glimpse of the Seamstress's Knowledge (InAn 10)
• A Weak Defense (MuAn 5)
• Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15)
• The Hedgehog's Armor (MuAn 15)
• The Queen Clad in Diamonds and Silk (MuAn [Te] 15)
• Perfect and Comfortable Fit (MuAn 20)
• Transformation of the Ravenous beast to the Torpid Toad (MuAn 25)
• Decay of Fur and Hide (PeAn 10)
• Circle of Beast Warding (ReAn 5)
• Phantom Maids and Attendants for a Perfect Lady (ReAn 5)
• Sooth the Ferocious Bear(ReAn 10)
• Betrayed by the Price of Fashion (ReAn 15)
• To Be Dragged Away By The Collar (ReAn 15)
• Phantom Dancers (ReAn 25)
• Be Rid of the Unwanted Suitor (ReAn 30)
• Crafting the Servants of Silk and Wool (ReAn[He] 30)
• Eyes of the Cat (MuCo 5)
• Disguise of the New Visage(MuCo 15)
• Shape of the Woodland Prowler(MuCo[An] 25)
• Rise of the Feathery Body(ReCo 10)
• Pass the Unyielding Portal (MuHe 5)
• Piercing Shaft of Wood(Mu[Re]He 10)
• Rope of Bronze (MuHe[Te] 15)
• Strike of the Angered Branch(ReHe 15)
• Free the Striding Tree (ReHe 30)
• Loss of But a Moment's Memory (PeMe 15)
• Pilum of Fire (CrIg 20)
• Trapping the Fire (MuIg[Te])
• Conjury of Glorious Attire (CrIm 10)
• Aura of Ennobled Presence(MuIm 10)
• Notes of a Delightful Sound(MuIm 10)
• Shine Like the Stars Above (MuIm 10)
• A New Dress From Old Fabric (MuIm 15)
• Clad as an Empress (PeIm 15)
• Veil of Invisibility (PeIm 20)
• Wizard's Sidestep(ReIm 10)
• Dance With Me (CrMe 15)
• A Forgotten Invitation (MuMe 5)
• Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15)
• Supple Iron and Rigid Rope(MuTe 10)
• Stealing Josie's Dress (ReTe[req] 20)
• Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20)
• Wizards Communion(MuVi 15)
• Sorcerer's Fork (MuVi 25)
• Faerie's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 20)

Equipment: The Dress For Every Occaision, Ivory Comb of Glitter and Glamour

Advancement

Advancement (5 years, 150 xp):

• 20xp (30xp) for Muto 16-17
• 40xp for Terram 6-10
• 33xp for Rego 10-13
• 10xp for Crafting the Servants of Silk and Wool
• 15xp for Faerie Lore 3
• 20xp for Parma Magica 4
• 6xp for Intellego 6
• 6xp for Mentm 5

Lab Work (2 years, 8 seasons)

1. Ivory Comb of Glitter and Glamour (MuAn 25, LT +3 magnetite, +3 Smilar)
2. Be Rid of the Unwanted Suitor (ReAn 30, LT 43 +3 Similar) 16/30
3. Be Rid of the Unwanted Suitor (ReAn 30, LT 43 +3 Similar) 30/30
4. Perfect and Comfortable Fit (MuAn 20)
5. Binding a Familiar (LT MuAn 35?)
6. Adventure in learning Binding the Servants of Silk and Wool
7. Shape of the Woodland Prowler from Lab Text(MuCoAn 25, LT 27)
8. Free the Striding Tree from Lab Text (ReHe 30, LT 30)

[raccoonmask]

Here's some fun ideas for continuing to develop Josephine, though I will not be posting nearly as frequently now that I can be lazier about it.

Plot Seeds and Adventures:

1. Josephine is seeking to master her faerie power. Her first path of power is that of her familiar: Jacqueline. Jacky is a symbol of her youth, and her wildness, and while she has grown out of it, it is still a part of her. Thus, Josephine seeks to continue to help her Faerie doll gain strength, power, and magic. She seeks assistance from other magi or nobles she knows to get her faerie invited to more parties and build her story. There will likely be some fallout, and Jospehine will find way to recompense any magi who are caused trouble.
2. Josephine's second path to power is that of her bonds to the faerie realm and the legacy that it bears. She is not looking to break this story and free herself of it, but study it. Josephine is seeking out places tied to Arthurian mythos and looking to investigate them. She wants to be able to harness those legends to use as power.
3. Josephine has escaped the faerie prince who first bound stole her. Naturally he will need a replacement bride, and the prime choice is a young Gifted apprentice - or the beautiful noble-born daughter of a local lord, or the young and pretty thing living near a covenant. Do the magi know Josephine's history and see the similarity? Do they go looking for aid in dealing with the faerie prince? Or does Jaqueline hear about it in the gossip mill and tell her Mistress?
4. Although Josephine really just wants to stay away from trouble and dive into her studies, sometimes she needs to get things done. This year, she needs access to some tractati that the Saga's covenant library has on topics of [...Arthurian / Faeries / Area Lore to learn about the Fae in that area]. She has to negotiate with the covenant for permission to buy their books - or to be in their Library for three seasons. Even if she is granted access, the covenant will likely have a slew of Covenfolk who are falling in love with her and causing trouble for the Magi she is visiting.
5. Although Josephine did not explicitly deal with any of the Covenant's resources or holdings, she did have business nearby in studying Faerie regios. A pair of young noblemen sons caught sight of her and fell in love, both swearing to marry the lovely enchantress. Unfortunately, due to misinformation, they assume she is living with the other mystics at the covenant - are they hiding her? Is the beauty a captive to rescue? Do the noble sons believe they can demand her presence?