30 Days of Josephine, Merinita

[raccoonmask]

Josephine has arrived at her fifth Tribunal.
Her goals: Make friends, avoid lechers. She is also looking for lab texts for useful enchantments for Invested Items, and any good charged item texts. If she can find any Merinita with deeper knowledge of Faerie Magic, she is looking for their information on how their House virtue works... Also, she wants a pen-pal to correspond with for Arthurian Mythos. And she has a Faerie Kitten she is looking for someone to adopt, since her covenant ordered her to get rid of it.

Josephine the Starlight, of Merinita
House: Merinita

Characteristics: Int +1, Pera 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0
Age 41 (63)
Warping 5 (2)
Confidence 1 (8)

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 2 (spells), Etiquette 4 (nobles), Faerie Lore 3 (court faeries), Faerie Magic 3 (charms), 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), Philosophiae 1 (Ceremonial Casting), Stealth 3 (hiding in crowds), Survival 1 (forests)

Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 8, Intellego 6, Muto 18, Perdo 5, Rego 14,
Animal 12, Aquam 5, Auram 5, Corpus 5, Herbam 7,
Ignem 5, Imaginem 8, Mentem 6, Terram 10, Vim 8

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)
• The Shadow Queen's Masquerade (ReAn 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)
• Walk the Path of Story and Legend (InVi 15)
• 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 Occasion, Ivory Comb of Glitter and Clamour, Ring of Perfect Comfort and Utility, spare vis

Advancement

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

• 10 xp for Concentration 2
• 12 xp (18xp) for Muto 18
• 25 xp for Faerie Magic 2-3
• 14 xp for Rego 14
• 23 xp for Animal 11-12
• 15 xp for Corpus 5
• 15 xp for Aquam 5
• 15 xp for Auram 5
• 8 xp for Creo 8
• 8 xp for Vim 8
• 5 xp for Philosophae 1

Lab Work (2 years, 8 seasons)

1. Walk the Path of Story and Legend (InVi 15, Lab total 30)
2. Open Ring of Perfect Comfort
3. Imbue Perfect Ambiance
4. Imbue Safe and Dry
5. Imbue Gift of Feline Queen
6. Invent Shadow Queen's Masquerade (ReAn 25, Lab Total 55 + similar)
7. Re-bind Familiar cords due to decay <3 Jacky
8. Open Talisman for Enchantment (Surprise!)

[raccoonmask]

It's been a while, but I have had some random floating ideas. Josephine has been wanting to get more done in her time, so I finally spent a couple days throwing around ideas and have a few more.

"You say I should have just used my social capital to get a laboratory text for Cloak of Black Feathers, since so many know it. But, if I want to advace my own story, I will need to act and behave appropriately, and I am not a carrion bird."
Also, crows are ugly creatures, and she has no desire to risk losing her magical power due to her restrictions on casting.

Guise of the Princess in White MuCo[An] 35

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Ind
The target is transformed into the form of a beautiful swan. This spell uses a swan-feather pin as a focus, and the spell can be ended early, like many similar transformation spells. In Josephine's version of the spell, the transformation begins and ends with a twinkling of starlight.
(Base 20, +1 Touch, +2 Sun)

[raccoonmask]

This next one is way more experimental.

Robes of Silk and Steel
Made as a gift for an ally of hers, in return for intellect-enhancing rituals, Josephine crafted these robes to protect her Jerbiton friend. The robes seem to be a simple rippling sheet of polished metal, decorated with semi-precious stones and etched with astrological designs and strange nonsensical symbols. The lining inside the robe is made of softest silk and the fur from a Mighty giant ermine. The outer layer of the robes were actually made from mirror-polished steel, as Josephine used magic to turn long, thin sheets of metal into soft leather before having the robes sewn, including the soft inner lining for comfort. Once the robes reverted to their solid metal form, she opened the one of the semi-precious gems inset in it for enchantment and imbued her magic. All together, they offer Protection of 9 and load of 4. The robes have been opened for 12 pawns of vis, and used 8.

Fabric of Steel (MuTe 10)

This enchantment makes the polished metal steel of the robes flow like sleek silk, without losing any of its metallic protectiveness. The robes, thus enchanted, provide 6 soak and 4 load, similar to partial chain mail. Based on Supple Iron and Rigid Rope, this spell makes all the stiff parts of the robes flexible, without changing their toughness or composition.
(Base 3, +2 Sun; +3 Environmental Trigger, +2 for 3 uses/day)

Fabric of Silken Fibre (MuAn 15)

Cast upon the soft silk and fur lining of the robes, this spell mimics Doublet of Impenetrable Silk, raising the soak of the robes by an additioal +3.
(Base 4, +2 Sun; +3 Environmental Trigger, +2 for 3 uses/day)

Hem of Blades (MuTe 13)

The wearer of the robe can, with the correct gesture, cause the sleeves and hem of the robe to suddenly sharpen to a razorlike edge. Using this in combat is awkward, but possible, counting as a knife once the wearer has learned the intricacies. It also adds a sharp edge whenver the user needs one.
(Base 5[Change metal to be slightly unnatural], +1 Diam; +3 for 6 uses/day)

Garb of Stylish Variety (MuAn 25)

Brushing the fingers along the fur-lined collar, the wearer of the robe can change the type of fur sewn into the robes at will.
(Base 3, +1 Conc, +1 Part; +5 Item Maintains, +10 Unlimited use)

Design Notes

This is spawned from an idea I was talking with a player of mine about ways you can enhance crafting skills without just using Rego Craft Magic. We talked about cooking, painting, and sewing.
You can make non-standard cloth easily with some muto, but keeping it flowing requires a constant enchantment. Turning the cloth into fabric and making an outfit was the natural decision, and it only takes a bit of vis, leaving room for other enchantments.
The biggest issue I ran into was actually how much vis opening a steel robe would take: Josephine did not have enough Magic Theory.

[raccoonmask]

I've been looking a lot at transformations of people. For Grimoire reasons.

Josephine found in one of her adventures it was beneficial to call upon the knowledge gained from the Queen of Cats. She made this spell in preparation for a vis-gathering raid. Josephine found it useful to have the ability to grant a number of people the ability to stealth at the same time.

Stalking Storm of Silent Paws MuCo[An] 35

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Group
The caster dons a mantle of panther fur as they cast this spell. The caster and their companions touching the mantle transform to a pack of black-furred wildcats. The caster can end the transformation early, but it will end for the entire group.
(Base 10, +1 Touch, +2 Group, +2 Sun)

Summary

I decided I wanted to play with a group shapeshifting spell. I went with the interpretation that the caster of the spell is the one controlling how long everyone is transformed, since it didn't make sense for each person to control their own.

[raccoonmask]

Plot Seeds and Adventures:

1. Strangely, a magical Regio disappered this year - known by a few covenants - and a large collection of vis was dumped into the area where the regio was. A swarm of cats raided the area and ran off with much of the prize. Some people blame Josephine, and others are looking to the Faerie Queen of Cats. While the magi of the area squabble over vis, people seem to be ignoring the fact that a regio just disappeared...
2. A duke's beautiful daughter, set to be wed to a powerful nobleman, has disappeared along with her handmaids. Josephine was asked to help the poor woman escape the marriage, as the nobleman is a boorish brute. Josephine has a particular dislike of forced marriages, and thus she snuck into the duke's castle, and the woman and her maids fled across the English channel as swans. The missing bride's father and betrothed have begun asking magi to find the missing woman, for their own reasons.
3. Josephine is going to different covenants and seeking in their libraries information on the forging of Arthurian myths. Josephine has been particularly insular the last few years, and has somewhat forgotten the chaos her presence in an unprepared covenant can cause. Every marriage in the covenant suddenly becomes very, very strained.

[raccoonmask]

Josephine the Starlight, of Merinita
House: Merinita

Characteristics: Int +2, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0

Age 42 (80)
Warping 5 (16)
Confidence 1 (7)

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 +4, Hedonistic +1, Lustful -2, Wild +`
Reputation: Mysterious Beauty 4 (nobles), Maga of Fabric 2 (Magi)
Faerie Sympathy: Beautiful +3

Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (Ceremonial Casting), Athletics 1 (dancing), Bargain 2 (Faeries), Brawl 1 (dodge), Charm 4(seduction), Code of Hermes 1 (faeries), Concentration 2 (spells), Etiquette 4 (nobles), Faerie Lore 3 (court faeries), Faerie Magic 3 (charms), 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 7 (Spell Design), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (Merinita), Parma Magica 4 (Corpus), Penetration 1 (Animal), Philosophiae 2 (Ceremonial Casting), Stealth 3 (hiding in crowds), Survival 1 (forests), Teaching 2 (Children)

Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 8, Intellego 6, Muto 20, Perdo 5, Rego 14,
Animal 14, Aquam 5, Auram 5, Corpus 9, Herbam 9,
Ignem 5, Imaginem 8, Mentem 6, Terram 10, Vim 8

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)
  The Shadow Queen's Masquerade (ReAn 30)
  Eyes of the Cat (MuCo 5)
  Disguise of the New Visage(MuCo 15)
  Shape of the Woodland Prowler(MuCo[An] 25)
  Guise of the Princess in White (MuCo[An] 35)
  Stalking Storm of Silent Paws (MuCo[An] 35)
  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)
  Walk the Path of Story and Legend (InVi 15)
  Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20)
  Wizards Communion(MuVi 15)
  Sorcerer's Fork (MuVi 25)
  Faerie's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 20)

Advancement

Advancement (5 years, 150 xp):

10 xp for Philosophae 2
30 xp for Corpus 6-9
35 xp for Magic Theory 7
26/39 xp for Muto 19-20(Affinity)
17 xp for Herbam 8-9
27 xp for Animal 13-14
5 xp for Athletics 1 (She should have had this a long time ago.)

Lab Work (2 years, 8 seasons)

1. Re-bind Familiar cords due to decay <3 Jacky | Get bonus to Int from allies
2. Invent Guise of the Princess in White (MuCo 35, Lab Total 50+ similar Spell) [2 seasons]
3. Invent Stalking Storm of Silent Paws (MuCo 35, Lab Total 50 + similar Spell) [2 seasons]
4. Open Robes of Silk and Steel for enchantment, assisting in crafting them with her spells
5. Enchant Robes of Silk and Steel with Fabric of Steel, and Hem of Blades
6. Enchant Robes of Silk and Steel with Fabric of Silken Fibre and Garb of Stylish Variety