This is the character sheet for Alba of House Merinita, played by Gaxxian.
This topic should only contain the character's stats, background, spells, enchantments, etc. Any development discussions and notes will be posted in the topic Character Creation for Gaxxian (OOC).
Age: 29 (19), 4'5 years after Gauntlet
Warping: 0+4
Confidence: 1(3)
Size: -1
Personality Traits
Sympathy Traits
Characteristics
Virtues
The Gift (0), Faerie Magic (0), Hermetic Magus (0), Faerie Background (0), Skilled Parens (1), Affinity with Herbam (1), Puissant Herbam (1), Unaging (1), Cautious Sorcerer (1), Good Teacher (1), Minor Magical Focus: Animating Plant Matter (1), Strong Faerie Blood: Nymph (3)
Flaws
Faerie Upbringing (1), Gullible (1), Social Handicap: Expressionless (1), Small Frame (1), Weak Spontaneous Magic (3), Faerie Heritage (3)
Abilities
Hermetic Arts
Spells
Appearance
At 4' 8" (142cm) tall and unnatural young appearance, Alba is a small woman that can perfectly pass as an adolescent from far away.
Her fair skin is dotted with freckles like stars in the night, and she has a pretty oval face with a button nose and big green almond eyes outlined with soot kohl.
On the other hand, her expressiveness is so subtle that it goes unnoticed by everyone, which is why people take her for someone very serious or emotionless.
Her wavy, thick medium-length hair is in a perennially tousled state, and its color seems to be linked to the passing of the seasons, being a light green during spring, becoming darker and more intense in summer, passing through differents hues of red and auburn in autumn until slowly turns completely white for winter.
But her faeric features doesn't end there. With the spring arrival she also grows small leaves that peek through her hair until they fall in late-autumn. At late-spring and early-summer, those leaves are also accompanied by small fragrant white flowers that turn into small red haws at autumn.
Both the leaves, as well as the flowers and their fruits, are the same as those of the common hawthorn.
Wizard's Sigil
All her magic is somehow reminiscent of spring and its themes. When appropiate, like with aromas or images, will prevail the spring common hawthorn representation.
Voting Sigil
A silver coin sized medallion with the image of a flowered hawthorn circled with a cord at the perimeter.
In a way, it reminds the image of House Merinita.
Equipment and Goods
Might: 8 (Animal)
Season: Summer
Age: 5
Confidence: 1(3)
Size: -2
Personality Traits
Characteristics
Virtues
Forest Regio Network (1), Increased Characteristics x 2 (Q), Large (Q), Magic Animal (0), Perfect Balance (1), Puissant Awareness (1), Second Sight (Q), Sharp Ears (1), Unaffected by the Gift (1), Voice of the Forest (Q), Ways of the Forest (Q)
Flaws
Anchored to the Forest (Q), Busybody (1), Covenant Upbringing (1), Magical Friend (1), Nocturnal (1), Social Handicap: Gruff (1), Visions (Q)
Natural Qualities
Ambush Predator, Crafty, Good Jumper, Skilled Climber, Thick Fur
Magical Qualities
Focus Power: Crafter of Herbam (3), Gift of Speech (1), Major Virtue: Ways of the Forest (3), Lesser Power: Master of the Undergrowth (1), Lesser Power: Pass the Unyielding Portal (1), Minor Virtue: Large (1), Minor Virtue: Second Sight (1), Minor Virtue: Increased Characteristics x 2 (2), Minor Virtue: Voice of the Forest (1), Personal Power: Cat Like a Shadow (1)
Magical Inferiorities
Minor Flaw: Anchored to the Forest (1), Minor Flaw: Visions (1), Susceptible to Deprivation (1), Reduced Might x 3 (3)
Abilities
Powers
In Fengheld
Study from Herbam summae L15Q14
Herbam 12 + (14 x 1.5) exp → 13+8exp
In Fengheld
Study new spells:
Total Lab: 3 Int + 5 MT + 8 Rego + 13+3 Herbam (+ 8 Foci) + 3 Aura = 43
Magic Theory 4 +2 exp → 4+2exp
In Fengheld
Extracting vis from lab
Magic Theory 4+2exp +1 exp → 4+3exp
Vim 0 + 1 exp → 1
In Fengheld
Study from Herbam summae L15Q14
Herbam 13 + (14 x 1.5) exp → 15
In Fengheld
Teaching Latin
Teaching 0 +2 exp → 0+2exp
Reward: +3 pawns of Vim
In Fengheld
Study from Rego summae L12Q15
Rego 8 + 15 exp → 9+6exp
In Fengheld
Study from Rego summae L12Q15
Rego 9+6exp + 15 exp → 11
In Travel
Adventuring into the unknown and the wilderness (10 exp source)
+2 Warping
Sympathy (Living trees) 0 + 5 exp → 1
Area Lore: Bohemia (Wild areas) 0 + 5 exp → 1
Rewards:
- 3 pawns of Herbam
- Bag with coins
- White linen kerchief
- Laboratory texts:
In Irencillia
Teaching spells
Teaching 0+2exp + 2 exp → 0+4exp
In Irencillia
Learn spells
- The Succubus's Trick (MuCo 5): HoH:S, pg.97
- Step Sideways (ReCo 15): TtA, pg.79
- Lay to Rest the Haunting Spirit (PeMe 5): ArM5, pg.150
- Unseen Hand (ReTe 5): ArM5, pg.155
Magic Theory 4+3exp + 2 exp → 4+5exp
In Irencillia
Doing errands and rescuing some lost covenfolks
Intellego 4 + 2 exp → 4+2exp
Reward: 2 pawns of Herbam
In Irencillia
Study from House Merinita Lore summae L5Q14
House Merinita Lore 1 + 14 exp → 2+4exp
In Irencillia
Adventure
+1 Warping
Perdo 2 + 3 exp → 3
Mentem 0 + 3 exp → 2
Penetration 1 + 4 exp → 1+4exp
Reward: 2 pawns of Vim
In Irencillia
Study from House Merinita Lore summae L5Q14
House Merinita Lore 2+4exp + 14 exp → 3+3exp
In Irencillia
Study from House Merinita Lore summae L5Q14
House Merinita Lore 3+3exp + 14 exp → 3+17exp
In Irencillia
Study from House Merinita Lore summae L5Q14
House Merinita Lore 3+17exp + 14 exp → 4+11exp
In travel
Adventure (8 exp source)
+1 Warping
Herbam 15 + (3 x 1.5) exp → 15+4.5exp
Music 2 + 5 exp → 2+5exp
Reward: 3 pawns of Herbam
In Durenmar
Learn spell
- Disguise of the Transformed Image (MuIm 15): ArM5, pg.146
Magic Theory 4+5exp + 2 exp → 4+7exp
Object:
- Hawthorn ring with a lead rope
In Tugurium
Exposure to Athletics after so much walking
Athletics (Walking long distances) 0 + 2 exp → 0+2exp
Age: 25 (17)
Warping: 0
Confidence: 1(3)
Size: -1
Personality Traits
Sympathy Traits
Characteristics
Virtues
The Gift (0), Faerie Magic (0), Hermetic Magus (0), Faerie Background (0), Skilled Parens (1), Affinity with Herbam (1), Puissant Herbam (1), Unaging (1), Cautious Sorcerer (1), Good Teacher (1), Minor Magical Focus: Animating Plant Matter (1), Strong Faerie Blood: Nymph (3)
Flaws
Faerie Upbringing (1), Gullible (1), Social Handicap: Expressionless (1), Small Frame (1), Weak Spontaneous Magic (3), Faerie Heritage (3)
Abilities
Hermetic Arts
Spells
Appearance
At 4' 8" (142cm) tall and unnatural young appearance, Alba is a small woman that can perfectly pass as an adolescent from far away.
Her fair skin is dotted with freckles like stars in the night, and she has a pretty oval face with a button nose and big green almond eyes outlined with soot kohl.
On the other hand, her expressiveness is so subtle that it goes unnoticed by everyone, which is why people take her for someone very serious or emotionless.
Her wavy, thick medium-length hair is in a perennially tousled state, and its color seems to be linked to the passing of the seasons, being a light green during spring, becoming darker and more intense in summer, passing through differents hues of red and auburn in autumn until slowly turns completely white for winter.
But her faeric features doesn't end there. With the spring arrival she also grows small leaves that peek through her hair until they fall in late-autumn. At late-spring and early-summer, those leaves are also accompanied by small fragrant white flowers that turn into small red haws at autumn.
Both the leaves, as well as the flowers and their fruits, are the same as those of the common hawthorn.
Wizard's Sigil
All her magic is somehow reminiscent of spring and its themes. When appropiate, like with aromas or images, will prevail the spring common hawthorn representation.
Voting Sigil
A silver coin sized medallion with the image of a flowered hawthorn circled with a cord at the perimeter.
In a way, it reminds the image of House Merinita.
Equipment and Goods
Age: 30 (18), 4'5 years after Gauntlet
Warping: 0+4
Confidence: 1(3)
Size: -1
Personality Traits
Sympathy Traits
Characteristics
Virtues
The Gift (0), Faerie Magic (0), Hermetic Magus (0), Faerie Background (0), Skilled Parens (1), Affinity with Herbam (1), Puissant Herbam (1), Unaging (1), Cautious Sorcerer (1), Good Teacher (1), Minor Magical Focus: Animating Plant Matter (1), Strong Faerie Blood: Nymph (3)
Flaws
Faerie Upbringing (1), Gullible (1), Social Handicap: Expressionless (1), Small Frame (1), Weak Spontaneous Magic (3), Faerie Heritage (3)
Abilities
Hermetic Arts
Spells
Appearance
At 4' 8" (142cm) tall and unnatural young appearance, Alba is a small woman that can perfectly pass as an adolescent from far away.
Her fair skin is dotted with freckles like stars in the night, and she has a pretty oval face with a button nose and big green almond eyes outlined with soot kohl.
On the other hand, her expressiveness is so subtle that it goes unnoticed by everyone, which is why people take her for someone very serious or emotionless.
Her wavy, thick medium-length hair is in a perennially tousled state, and its color seems to be linked to the passing of the seasons, being a light green during spring, becoming darker and more intense in summer, passing through differents hues of red and auburn in autumn until slowly turns completely white for winter.
But her faeric features doesn't end there. With the spring arrival she also grows small leaves that peek through her hair until they fall in late-autumn. At late-spring and early-summer, those leaves are also accompanied by small fragrant white flowers that turn into small red haws at autumn.
Both the leaves, as well as the flowers and their fruits, are the same as those of the common hawthorn.
Wizard's Sigil
All her magic is somehow reminiscent of spring and its themes. When appropiate, like with aromas or images, will prevail the spring common hawthorn representation.
Voting Sigil
A silver coin sized medallion with the image of a flowered hawthorn circled with a cord at the perimeter.
In a way, it reminds the image of House Merinita.
Equipment and Goods
Call of the walking furniture (ReHe 10)
The spell animates a piece of furniture, which will bend, move, and walk as best it can under the caster's guidance. When the spell ends, the furniture stops in its current position and shape, which can cause it to topple over if it wasn't firmly placed on the floor. A Concentration botch or trying to stretch too much the item shape may cause permanent damage to the joints of the furniture.
(Base 3, +2 Voice, +1 Concentration)
In Fengheld
I'm a maga now. Thats good, I suppose, even when I don't feel any different.
I mean, I felt very happy when I was ordered and my parens gave me my sigil, but now I feel like i'm very lost about what to do... so at the end I asked opinion to my parens.
After sighing, he told me to take things easy and learn a little more here at Fengheld before I go to the world (not like I wanted to go away so fast, to be honest). He also recommended me as first goals to find a familiar and learn more about our Inner Mysteries.
I suppose that the best way to do that will be by going to Irencillia, since there I will be able to learn more about our Mysteries for sure. And the familiar... well, I will think about it later.
Anyways, for now I will finish that Herbam book that I used to pick while I was in Apprenticeship. So I went to the covenant's library and started to read from where I leaved it.
In Fengheld
After a few days in winter, I went to the library to continue reading that Herbam summae, but I was unable to find it... after searching for a while I was told that Adelman had took it.
I've never liked Adelman... that Tytalus apprentice has always treated me badly...but I want to keep reading the book, so I have no choice but to ask him.
When I find him and ask him about the book, he simply tells me that he needs it. I insist, but he only responds with a laugh and makes me intimate proposals if I want the book so much.
I still don't understand him... I'm a maga now, and he's still an apprentice, but it seems that doesn't mean anything to him and he continues to treat me as usual.
Since I don't know how to deal with him and it doesn't seem like he's going to give in, I leave while I feel how my face burns when he starts laughing behind my back. I wasn't expecting anything better from him, but I still feel humilliated.
For now i will use this station to learn some usefull spells from the library. Hopefully in the spring I'll be able to finish the book...
In Fengheld
I was expecting to be able to finish the Herbam book this season. But as I was searching for the book I was asked by a senior magus to extract some vis, since after renewing the Hearth we have a shortage of Vim.
It was really discouraging to have to invest the season in this way... but there is no other option since I must collaborate.
On the bright side, after a few weeks working in the lab I discovered that Adelman was still using the book. So I still wouldn't have been able to use my time for what I wanted.
In Fengheld
At least I was able to finish that Herbam book!
Also, since reading leaves me a lot of free time, I was able to enjoy the summer and visit my parens a few times. Its weird, but I miss my time with him in his small sanctum.
Yes, now I have my own room (its a guest room, but its just for me) but it feels too empty. My day to day is so different too... I live more closer to people than ever and I feel more alone than ever. If nobody needs me, nobody talks to me...
Do ghosts feel like this?
In Fengheld
This season has been short for me... I would have liked it to be longer.
There was one book about Rego that I had already looked at in the past, and I wanted to give it a new reading this season, but again I was required.
It seems that a nearby magus has found a gifted girl and he entered Twilight. Since a week had already passed since the event, presumably there will be at least one season... if not more.
The girl has not yet been opened in the Arts, so technically she isn't her apprentice. But the magi want to honor his master, so I was asked if I could continue to teach her Latin meanwhile, so that there would be no wasted time.
Looking at her I couldn't bring myself to refuse, and I'm grateful for it. Since it was a very funny and pleasant experience. Audeline is very cute, and once she got past the starting shyness it was very friendly.
I tried to apply my parens methods to teach her well. His master had already taught her the basics in the language before, so I spend the entire season with her speaking only Latin.
This slowed her down at first, but using games, songs and walks in the woods to encourage her to use the language more and more willingly, and being with her at all times, and at the end of the season she was already able to read even simple books.
After his master's reappearance, he was so pleased with Audeline's progress that he gave me a few vis pawns for my service. I must confess that I had not thought that I was going to receive a payment... but at least I knew how to keep my mouth shut and accept what he offered me.
In Fengheld
I still need to learn a lot, and I don't want to stay and abuse hospitality forever, so now that I have free time I've spent the season in the library, reading the Rego book that I couldn't read last season.
The rest of the time I spend in the nearby forest, just walking around and enjoying the weather. Life among humans is much more comfortable, but sometimes I miss being able to feel the passing of the seasons.
The last thing that I knew about Audeline was that she already had her Arts opened. So she is formally a maga apprentice now. I miss that kid...
In Fengheld
I didn't expect to have company this spring, but it looks like I will have Audeline as a reading partner.
Her parens seem to have commissioned her to read a book on Magical Theory (the same one that I myself had to read at the time), so the first day I met her with a surprise and she received me with a big smile.
Between her company and helping her solve some doubts that arise, the days go by very quickly, and before I know it, summer is coming... and also my decision.
If I stay this summer in Fengheld, I should wait until next year to travel to Irencillia to take advantage of the good weather. In addition, its in summer when my parens will send the money to Merseburg, so I could be accompanied during the first days by people from the covenant before we part ways. They also could lead me into the good road.
The thing is that I really don't want to leave... I know I would miss Bonsimon a lot... also Audeline, even though I've only known her recently. Besides, here I am safe, and comfortable.
But as a magician, and as a person, I must take the step. If I keep putting it off it will cost me more and more... it already does now. And I'm sure that in Irencillia I will learn a lot about being a Merinita.
Writing this down has helped me decide. I'll say goodbye to everyone and get ready.
In Travel
I first bid farewell to all of the Fengheld magi. Even from Adelman, who I think took it as a kind of provocation that I said goodbye to him... I don't understand that man. And yes, he is a magus already, he made the Gauntlet of him during the spring... maybe that's why I was able to be so calm with Audeline.
I also said goodbye to her, by the way. It surprised me that she began to cry when she found out that I was leaving. I hugged her and promised that I would write to her when I could.
My parens weren't quite as effusive, but an hour of advices and warnings from him made it clear that he appreciated me, too. I don't think I understood half of the things he explained to me, but I agreed on the key points while I was listening so he wouldn't worry.
As I foresaw, he advised me to accompany the covenant servants who were going to Merseburg before continue on my own. I took the opportunity to ask him for the first time who the money was intended for, but he just told me that I would see if I wanted, and added with a serious look that if someone asked, he was only sending twenty coins, not one more. He even made me swear that this would be my version, although I know that many times there were more than twenty coins in those bags... but I'm sure there is a good reason not to say it, so I accepted.
He also gave me another bag of money for my travels and a couple of laboratory texts.
It wasn't an easy goodbye… not as hard as the one I remember when I was taken from my mother, but sad in a different way.
The journey to Merseburg was an easy three days, with some breaks in villages. It all seemed so interesting... There are so many humans everywhere!
As I hadn't been farsighted enough, I had to wear a kerchief to cover my hair and hide my flowers (if my parens hadn't reminded me, I confess I would have completely forgotten about it). It wasn't a perfect disguise, but if I managed to didn't attract attention, the Gift would work in my favor so that people would ignore me (as I write this from Irencillia, I must say that it did).
My two grog companions were quiet to me, but having the Gift didn't seem strange to me either, so I tried to bother them as little as possible.
The city of Merseburg was quite an experience in itself. I made it clear to me that I don't like cities. Too many people. And the smell... ugh. But even so, to the despair of my companions, I wanted to see everything and constantly slowed them down. And, by the way, the cathedral is impressive... I still remember how it felt to look up into that open interior. Unfortunately my companions could not answer my questions about how such a place could be built.
Continuing with our journey in the city, we passed through some doors that seemed to lead to another area of the city. I imagined that more important people should live, to keep them separated with their own wall. And there I also discovered something that surprised me a lot. I had never asked Bonsimon, but I always assumed that the metal wheel he carried with him was his sigil... but the place we went to, everyone had a similar one.
The grogs explained to me that it was a symbol of the Jews, and that my parens sent them money to help them, since apparently they were not very loved. I did not understand the details, but in broad strokes it is what I remember.
I stayed away during the exchange, but at least so I could know who the people were in case I had to come with the letter from my parens in the future. And after that the grogs guided me to the south of the city, where they gave me directions to continue on my own.
It's strange, because those grogs were practically strangers, but when they left I felt like a huge stone in my stomach. I think it was at that moment that my journey felt real, until then it had been like one long hike, not unlike going to the woods to find herbs for Bonsimon.
When I was doing night close to Naumburg, I was attacked by a furious ghost. It was invisible and I only saw him though my fairy eyes.
I felt my parma blocking a whole bunch of interferences, and the ghost was clearly mad and unable to think and answer my questions. Since my spontaneous magic is so weak and I don't know any Mentem spells I was unable to affect him, and he started to follow me. It was a very upsetting situation.
But I was lucky, a man and a big creature-animal (that it seemed from the Faerie reign) came and with a simple hand-wave the ghost got hit and disappeared. He introduced himself as Celeste of Merinita.
Feeling my face getting red, and somewhat flustered, I thank him and I introduced myself. I also asked about him and his companion and I told a little about my own travel, hoping that he would give me some directions towards Irencillia, or he could give me some advice against ghosts for the future...
To my surprise, he offered to guide me to Irencillia. He was also a she, I've listened about that type of spells, but now that I see it for myself I cannot stop to think how weird must feel to change your body so much. She seems used to it anyways, so she is good.
Anyway, surely because of her feeric blood, but she is looks good both as a male or as female. It more than purely physical looks, but her personal aura. Must be so easy to make new friends for her... and thats me makes feel even more lucky (she is very patient with me too.. she is too perfect, that must be the destiny).
Lencor, the giant faerie-creature, it seems like a great companion too. He is scary-looking, but it's a very intelligent and brave.. dog? Celeste says that he is a dog, I'm not so sure to e honest. But he is great once you ignore his looks.
We followed the roads south towards the Ore Mountains. If her presence weren't enough, it seems like she is gentled gifted, so if I don't attract attention, we are welcomed everywhere. I can see too how useful is to seem like a man, since people take her even more seriously.
So, thanks to Celeste and Lencor we didn't encounter any problems on our way to the mountains. With both I felt so much safer and I've saved myselft from casting my defensive spells everyday.
When we reached the top of the mountain range and saw the forested valley spread out before ourselves, I stopped worrying so much about getting to Irencillia and thought I'd focus more on the journey itself. To my surprise, Celeste agreed, and offered to explore the area with me.
Maybe that could be my chance to find a compatible familiar, or vis, or just enjoy the experience in good company while I practiced my mother's faerie sympathy, since that was always something that I wanted to try.
Thats was my chance to prove myself useful too, and put my years living in a forest and my magic into some use.
Celeste told me many stories from Irencillia, and I shared my own from the Black Forest. We also had several troubles with some creatures and fairies, I found various possible familiars... that sadly weren't compatible with me, and I still remember our travel to the Boii springs and the celtic ruins nearby.
When we reached Irencillia, the summer was nearly over, and I found surprised about how fast the time flew. Even the worse moments felt good when I think about it.
I also learnt about Celeste's quest to find her mother killer, so I couldn't help but offer my help if she wanted.
In Irencillia
Irencillia is great. Not because the looks, I know that those change from person to person, and in fact was very fun to compare the differences with Celeste.
I mean with the culture. The way how humans and faeries coexists peacefully. It's lovely (albeit there are too many people for what I'm used to) and in a way I feel like at home. If it just were closer to the Black Forest...
During our previous travel, Celeste offered to teach me some of her spells. Maybe because I asked her a lot. In return, I offered her to teach some of mine. Since she was interested too, I asked to teach her first and I wouldn't take no for an answer.
So, I have spent this season teaching Celeste some spells and getting used to Irencillia and its inhabitants.
In Irencillia
The winter has come and Celeste learnt all the spells quickly. I'm starting to find fun and rewarding to teach others.
But this season was my turn, so she taught me a lot. Each day I feel more grateful for having crossed paths with her.
Oh, and it seems like I already have my own caricature! Now I have my own nymph following me all the time. I still don't understand why they do this caricature thing, but it's kinda cute seeing that faerie trying to imitate me.
I try to talk with her, but for now she seems more concentrated into learning about me than talking with me.
But I still ask myself, does she really need to follow me even when I go to pee or I'm sleeping? What she expect to discover there? I asked to Lencor but he just answers without really explaining nothing, so...
If I remember well, next season she will stop following me as much. Maybe she will be more talkative?
In Irencillia
With the reach of the spring, and since messengers started their works again, I wrote a letter to Audeline explaining her about my travel, Celeste and Irencillia. I also wished her that everything was going well and added that since she is still an apprentice, it's understandable if she doesn't have access to writing materials to answer and that she should not worry about it.
I also had the opportunity to know more about my caricature, named Inka and already more talkative. Funnily enough she copied my winter white hair, while now I already have a green one. She is also pretty smug and talkative, and true to her nymph nature, she seems very interested into me trying the spell that Celeste taugh me the two seasons ago, The Succubus's Trick, so we can, as she says, "give your male body a good debut".
I know that I'm naive, but I also know pretty well nymph to know what she is talking about. So it seems like it will be better to wait until I'm far away from Irencillia if I want to try that spell.
Also, Inka gave me a new insight about myself. I've always been told that I'm not very expressive, even if I don't realize it myself, but when I saw Inka speak and express herself as my caricature, at first I thought she was exaggerating. It wasn't until Celeste and Lencor confirmed it to me that I understood that, indeed, I was like that.
Now I understand a lot of things about my past interactions of other people... and I'm a lot less talkative than her... I must be so boring...
But changing the subject, this spring I have spent carrying out various orders for the covenant.
The most important of these was when I was asked to look for some covenfolk who had gone into the forest but had not returned. Given my spells and Herbam specialization, I could find them faster, so I was tasked with doing the quest, along with some grogs.
I started asking the trees near the path they take, and so we followed their steps with the hope of finding them. Unfortunately, our steps took us to the end of the Bohemian Forest. I and the grogs tried to find tracks and traces, but the flexible new growth and the spring rains had washed away all traces. We were about to throw in the towel when we came across a colony of wild cats that lived in the area. Several of them could speak, and offered to help, since they lived in the area and saw what happened.
As the animals explained, they it was a group of cats from an ancient lineage of the tortoiseshells from the Rhine Tribunal, and that their family had been accused of the theft of an ancient relic of the King of Cats, so they where now exiled and living there while they managed to clear their name. They offered to help us if in exchange Irencillia agreed to host them while their problem was resolved.
I promise that while I was listening to her story, for a moment I thought it was about a group of fairies. However, although they were touched by the fairy world, those animals were from the magical realm. I remember learning about tortoiseshells, but I've never expected that kind of complex society from cats.
I was unable to talk in name of the covenant, but the grogs assured that if the magi did not accept the cats, they themselves would run to their care, since among the missing were friends and acquaintances of theirs. This was satisfactory for the animals, who guided us back into the forest while they told us what had happened.
Apparently, the missing group of covenfolk had been captured by some nymphs who had later taken them to a secluded place. Thus, we took precautions in case they tried to attack us, but luckily was innecesary, since when we reached the place there was no resistance from the fairies. They had already had their fun and didn't want trouble with a maga, so they just leaved the place dancing and running away while laughing, leaving behind the group of poor men who, even while in good health, were exhausted and still tied hand and foot.
We attended to them and we borrowed some clothes to them (well, the grogs borrowed them, since I don't have a lot of clothes with me), and when they felt better we all started the way back, followed by the cats.
In the end everything sorted itself out more or less. And the felines were well received, both their powers and their affinity with magis are in great demand, so it seemed like a good addition to the covenant, even if temporary.
In Irencillia
This season Celeste let me took a very good book about the House Merinita Lore. She wanted to learn a little more about Rego, so she could bind Lencor. It was very fun to see him jumping and running from happiness just thinking about becoming her familiar. Feeric familiars were cool but sadly just temporary... Well, there are the faeric binds too, but those are just too selfish and cruel to even think about them. I imagine that Celeste will have it easier to find another one when the ties with Lencor dissolve, since she is so likeable and charismatic. But to me is already hard enough to find one, so I prefer a regular one to live with it forever.
The firsts days went with us reordering the library. It seemed like somebody made some chaos with the books and Lencor went very angry. To be honest, I think that to be a covenant full of faeries, it was very fortunate to not have to repeat that work every week or so.
Overall it was a very quiet season, just reading and talking with Celeste and Lencor. From time to time we also had a visit from Inka, and also the new feline inhabitants of Irencillia were a regular visitors while in search of mouses or just want to rest on the table or chairs. I've started to recognize and name the most regular ones.
Whenever a feline comes, Lencor watches them suspiciously with his great sense of duty when it comes to protecting the library, he is so cute... its weird to think about him as that with his appearance, but the more time passes, the less I see him as scary. I understand now why Celeste just talk about him as a dog.
In Irencillia
My initial idea was to continue reading the book, but I found out that Celeste wanted to go to a Regio and that she wasn't allowed to go because it was so dangerous. So I volunteered to help hoping that would give her access... and to my surprise, it worked.
Celeste gave me a brief update on what we could find in the place and we entered it. There seemed to be numerous ghosts, which we easily put to rest thanks to the spell Celeste had taught me (well, I think she actually sent them all away by herself... I'm not sure that my spell managed to affect many of them).
She also got information from some of them. It was a sad and terrible story. Maybe had some links to her mother? She though that was worth it to know for sure.
That small but intense adventure left me in low spirits for several days. But I remembered something about tortoiseshell cats, and while Celeste tried to gather information, I went to ask Stella (that's how I call one of the cats that appears the most in the library... and the one that always tries to climb to my lap when I'm reading) to ask her if her family had ways to deal with ghosts, since I understood that their breed was good with that and in divination. Stella replied that her group was divided into two, apparently, she and others were more oriented towards powers related to the natural world, but the others did have powers with which they could talk with the dead or even eliminate ghosts.
I thanked her for the information and told Celeste about it. I though that perhaps those animals could help keep that Regio peaceful and free of ghosts, but as later Celeste told me, that place has an Infernal aura, so it would be too dangerous for them.
At the end, it seems like they will guard the entrance to the regio. After talking with the cats, Inka said that she had the feeling that those animals were adapting very well to Irencillia and she suspected that they were going to live in the place for a long time.
In Irencillia
This season Celeste was away helping her parens with a spell, so I took again the same book that I started in summer to follow the reading.
At least I wasn't alone. Inka came a lot of times to talk and try to convince me to use the gendershaping spell. And since Lencor isn't here, Stella and other cats come more often too. Since they don't touch the books and they share a lot of heat when you have them on your lap, I'm not complaining at all.
It's also the first time that animals have let me touch them, so that made it fun too.
In Irencillia
I have taken advantage of this spring to continue with the same book. I find it extremely interesting to know more about the mysteries of our house... it's fascinating to know that the transformation into a fairy seems to be a reality, although the possible connotations are somewhat scary. For now, I'm more interested in The Binding Gift as it might help me relate to others better... but I will need a familiar first.
I have also written another letter to Audeline. As expected, I have not received a response from the first. I just hope they are reaching her, I wouldn't want to lose contact with her.
Celeste for her part seems to have had some problems with her mother's ghost, but I think she has it under control again.
A few weeks ago she approached me to tell me that she had received a letter from a new covenant. I initially resisted, since I was convinced to look for a place in Dankmar to be close to my mother, but when Stella explained to me what I would find there... I understood that my best option would be going to that place.
Now that I've decided I feel a strange feeling... the possibility of having my own home... I feel both scared and happy with that though. Right now I have so many ideas about how it could be!
In Irencillia
I wrote a letter with the help of Celeste and we sent it in response to Quintus Clusius. Hopefully there won't be any problem... I for my part already have an idea of what I want for my sanctum, based on the home of the neighbors and gnome friends of my childhood and following the advice of some masons that live here in Irencillia. It's very exciting! But I must not forget that this is going to take me a long time... Thank that I am patient. I'm sure it will be worth it.
I continued reading the same book, I calculate that for the next season I will be able to finish it and carry out tasks for Irencillia for winter, before we leave... or at least those were my plans... Autumn was barely a few weeks away when Celeste told me that she wanted to go to Durenmar. She told me that she would come back to perform the task in Irencillia in the future.
It's not what I planned since I wouldn't finish the book, but I wanted to continue with her, so I reached a similar deal with the covenant to be able to do some task in the future... maybe when I come back here I will finish reading this book too.
In travel
We received our answer from Quintus Clusius, they expected us for the spring of next year, but and it seems that the laboratory that Celeste wanted would not be exactly what she wanted, but she did not seem to care too much since it was close enough for her. I don't really understand that... I mean, its your sanctum, it must be perfect. I can understand that you can add things with time, but the base at least should be exactly what you need. For me the sanctum will be like the only place where I will be able to be me. Thats my wish at least... I've never found completely in home with fairies nor humans. So maybe its just me and for others isn't so important...
A few weeks later we left Irencillia in the direction of Durenmar. To my surprise, Stella wishes to join us. She told me that since I've named her, she can't let me get lost in the woods... when I insisted that she'd be fine, she seemed annoyed, so I decided to let her come with us, after all I felt sympathy for that foul-mouthed cat and I didn't want to part with her.
Inka, on the other hand, had to stay so I said goodbye to her with a hug and a small pain in my chest... I'm not good at goodbyes I'm afraid... I don't know what to say or how to act. I just feel... bad. I hope to see her again when she returns to Irencillia in the future.
The trip to Durenmar was quite calm. Stella proved her worth, warning us of any danger long before we encountered it. The only time we were out of our element was sought by me, really.
I couldn't help it, when I saw the edges of a fairy regio densely populated by plants I felt great curiosity. I'm sure Celeste didn't really wanted to go in but she accepted for me... at least it wasn't dangerous so I didn't have to regret anything.
It was like a very big vegetable maze. At first we got lost a couple of times, but Stella and I understood that the problem was that the plants were changing places to trap us in the same places. Once this was understood, it was much easier for us to move towards the center from which the aura arose.
There we found a huge fairy oak. It seemed lonely and eager for company, so we camped under its branches for three days and nights. We were talking, telling stories and singing (it had been a long time since I sang... I missed it), and when we left, the oak gave each of us some gifts.
After that, we continued our journey without problems... although since then, at some nights I think I saw a faun watching us from the trees. No one else saw it, not even Stella, so maybe it was my imagination, but the feeling of being watched didn't go away until we got closer to Durenmar.
In Durenmar
I had been to the famous Durenmar covenant before when I formally became a mage, but it was a short visit and I barely got to see anything. Unfortunately, after a season here, it's not like I've been able to see much more.
First, that there isn't much to see outside, and second, that what you really want to see, which is the library, has restricted access. So I was pretty disappointed overall...
Moreover, seems like Celeste it's altered. I'm worried that I may have inadvertently said or done something inappropriate to her... Stella insists that sooner or lateri she will be okay again and not to worry, but I can't help but feel guilty. I wish that when we depart she will feel better again.
At least I was able to order a ring from a local craftsman using as a base a small half-scorched hawthorn branch, I suspect by lightning, that I found on my journey here. Now that I'm going to settle in an alliance, I have to start thinking further ahead and have an object to enchant as my talisman, so I asked for a ring with that wood that included a rope of three braided lead wires and with the tiny Ovum Anguinum set on the inside so that it is well protected.
Celeste told me later that maybe that man had overcharged me a little... but I don't really care, and at the end the work was very good and I felt happy, so that's what's important to me.
Meanwhile, I have taken advantage of the season to learn one of the spells my teacher gave me, since at least access to public laboratories is free.
Stella still doesn't leave my side, and especially in winter it's nice to share some warmth with her during the long days of work in the laboratory. Others thought that she was my familiar, which led me to think about it... we certainly got along well, and it seemed like she was more aligned with Herbam than I expected. When I asked her, Stella just snorted that it was about time I realized it...so even though I didn't quite know what to say to that, I took her answer as a yes.
