A Neo-Mercurian Society: The College of Quindecimvirs
Just as in Rome there were specific colleges of augurs, so are there among the Neo-Mercurians. The reason is simple: a Neo-Mercurian priest has to master so many mysteries and learn so many things that the deepest mastery of an ability like divination is not usually possible. No magus, even the most dedicated priest, can devote themselves fully to one supernatural ability at the cost of all others.
For this reason the Neo-Mercurians have revived one of the roman priestly colleges, the Quindecimviri sacris faciundis. In ancient Rome this college guarded the sibylline books and oversaw the worship of foreign gods. The Neo-Mercurian version are tasked with maintaining the cult’s knowledge of divination and with the recreation of the sibylline books through the collection of “true prophecies” from various sources. The most significant source are the immortal syblis themselves, who the Quindecimviri regularly consult on behalf of the Neo-Mercurians (and, indeed, the order as a whole).
The college is led by two gifted members, the Duumvirs. The senior of this duo is a permanent post held by a priest of the cult, while the junior position is generally filled by a magus hoping to initiate the mystery of Divination (see above).
Below these “patrician members” are fifteen “plebians” - ungifted members initiated into Divination & Augury. The actual number may vary, but only fifteen are formally members of the college at any time. These members are typically coven-born grogs due to the inherently pagan nature of the college (recruitment of a pagan mundane from elsewhere would be accepted, but few such people exist any more). The fifteen actively recruit suitable candidates from within the grogs of the order and their skill at divination makes them quite skilled in this task. This is also how many of the messengers, the ungifted servants of the cult, are recruited. Once again, the divinatory skills of the fifteen make them supernaturally good at connecting grogs with like minded magi among the Neo-Mercurians.
The members of the college do not live in one place but are scattered across Europe in the service of individual Neo-Mercurian magi, friendly covenants, and mercurian temples. They maintain correspondence with one another, facilitated by friendly Neo-Mercurian magi. They meet in person once every five years in Rome to exchange knowledge.
It is rumoured that the college maintains a secret library hidden somewhere in Rome where they store any true prophecy they encounter in tomes available only to the most senior priests. The truth of this is only known to the leadership of the cult.
Adrianu of Verdi is a member of the Quindecimviri. Born in the Verditius domus magna of Verdi he has never known a life outside a hermetic covenant. He is a blood descendant of Balento, the famously pagan magus who founded the confraternity bearing his name. Most of his family are forge companions, venditores, and servants to Verditius magi. Presently, Adrianu serves Ruberus of Verditius, the priest of Vulcan at the provencal covenant of Aedes Mercurii. With ruberus’ permission he sought initiation into the mysteries of divination, which took three years to complete. He has only been a member of the Quindecimviri for a little over 5 years and still has much to learn.
Raised as a pagan in the worship of Vulcan, he is fairly earnest in this belief. Moreso than many Verditius magi. Since his introduction to the Neo-Mercurians he has expanded his devotion, but still considers Vulcan to be his personal patron. After all, if his line’s traditions are to be believed, the blood of Vulcan flows in his veins!
NB: If you want to use Adrianu elsewhere he can be attached to any Verditius magus, Ruberus is just a suggestion for where he might be serving in 1220. Magi who deal with fire or forges are especially appropriate due to his immunity to fire.
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +3, Pre +2, Com +1, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex -3, Qik +0
Size: +0
Age: 30 (30)
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 2 (3)
Virtues and Flaws: Magical Blood (Line of Balento)*, Greater Immunity (Fire), Clumsy, Covenant Upbringing, Sensitive to Cold, Weakness (Magi)**
*Grants +1 Presence and eyes which burn with a flickering inner light
**Adrianu’s upbringing in an ancient covenant has conditioned him towards obedience to magi. This might seem like a boon in a grog, but he finds it almost impossible to say no to a magus even if already carrying out a vital duty. This sometimes leads to awkward situations and a lot of stress for the poor grog.
Mysteries Known: Divination (Apantomancy)
Mystery Ordeal Flaws: The Falling Evil
Personality Traits: Tactful +2, Pious (Pagan) +1, Loyal +3, Brave +0
Reputations: Religious Cousin +3 (Line of Balento), Quindecimvir +1 (Neo-Mercurians)
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–5), –3 (6–10), –5 (11–15), Incapacitated (16–20)
Abilities: Animal Handling 1, Area Lore (Greece) 1, Area Lore (Italy) 1, Artes Liberales 2, Athletics 1, Awareness 2, Bargain 3, Brawl 1, Charm 2, Craft: Woodcarver 2, Divination 5, Etiquette (Magi) 2, Guile 1, Intrigue 1, Latin 5, Linga Verda 5***, Magic Lore 2, Order of Hermes Lore 2, Profession: Scribe 4, Ride 1, Single Weapon 2, Survival 1, Theology (Pagan) 3, Thrown Weapon 2, Verdi Lore 2
***The language of Verdi, influenced by Sardinian and the coded language of the Verditius mysteries. It is mutually intelligible with Latin at a -2 penalty. Speakers of Sardinian and Verditius magi may treat this as a -1 instead.
Ideas for Using the Quindecimviri
- As a character concept for a Neo-Mercurian companion or grog. If there are likely to be adventures focusing mainly on a single Neo-Mercurian magus, it can be useful to keep a stock of grogs for other players to use in these.
- As a plot device. An unexpected visit from a Quindecimvir with a Sibylline prophecy can be used to lead into almost any story. Or a resident Quindecimivir character can provide a consistent method to introduce stories.
- As an advisor character. A Quindecimvir can be used as a means for the storyguide to introduce hints or information to player characters naturally in the story, thanks to their divinatory powers.
- As a dependent. Hosting a Quindecimvir is an honour for a Neo-mercurian magus, and can lead to interesting stories - escorting them to meetings in Rome, helping them search out people with divinatory potential, sponsoring their efforts to collect "true" prophecies (and the stories that might arise from those prophecies). On the other hand they are just a grog, and there may be friction between the "honoured host" and their guest if the demands on the magus' time are too great.