Cath'rinne notices one of the swallows, one and a half time larger than the others, often flying with a flock of other birds on its tail. It looks beautiful.
Edwin finds, under the oldest oaktree, a pin or brooch. It is the kind you can use pin a simple cloak together at the shoulder, but the design is unusual. Could be the kind of Celtic design that some Diedne used to favour, but Edwin is no expert. It is made of bronze, and the craftsmanship is best described as crude. Yet, after cleaning away the soil, you can make out what looks like the depiction of a duck. When found, it stuck out of the ground under a root which had made a hollow space. Searching the hole, you also find fragments of leather clothing. This has rotted, and there is just enough left to make out the shape of a show and a sleeve.
Where does Sionagh make the camp? Within the circle, or in the woods?
Searching the area, you do realise that the open patches in the woods are marshes, and thus ill-suited for living and for agriculture alike. Edwin will know that sheep and goats could graze both in the woods and in the rocky hills, but there is no land suitable for crops within almost a mile.
The style, including the ornamentation, is typical for Turold's pagan tradition. The duck looks a bit off though, in the otherwise non-figurative design. Except for the duck, it would just be the typical cloak pin worn by Tom, Dick, and Harry.
"This is a typical druidic brooch in design. It's possible that it was worn by a druid from a local clan but I can't say for sure."
"Perhaps a magical animal of some kind." she remarks to Thom as they fly by. She will mention seeing that to Sionag and Turold as they return to camp. Turold will try and talk to that bird, should it get close to the camp at all.
"Peace and quiet. I like it." she doesn't change back to human form at this point. She notes the hole in the ground, where the brooch was pulled from, and looks to see whether there are any bones or skulls left behind.
The swallows, both the large one and the rank and file, keep polite distance and focus on the mosquitoes.
There are no remains as such in the hole. there is a buckle made of bone, but that's as close as you get.
Thom can study the pool under the waterfall for hours with no sign of otters or other faeries. I don't suppose he risks swimming or fishing yet. There is a medium sized trout swimming past, but it quickly disappears between the rocks.
I reckon you take a couple of days just to get acquainted. You have the place for yourself, and can make plans for settling if you so wish.
On the trek Betula was mostly quiet. Whispering with her daughter who is strangely rapt as Betula whispers Criamonic riddles to her.
The morning after they arrive she settles in to cast Converse with Plant and Trees upon the great oak, hoping she will have more luck than last time. [InHe25 casting total 43 Penetration 18]
"I kind of like it here. Ungulus is nice and all, but I like the feel of this place. It feels safe and away from the Troubles. I just wonder if we can make it a viable... what did you call it, Cath'rinne? A chapter house?"
"Yes, a chapter house. We will be an extension of Ungulus in other words. And we will need to discuss with them to fix how the alliance will work. Chapters could have less or more freedom. I'm not sure, but that could be something between being just a watchtower who take its orders from the main place and a second covenants with a strong alliance and same leaders. I'm not sure if the Code has really defined the limit."
"I definitely don't want to break away from Ungulus. The War has reduced the magi so much in this Tribunal. We need to stay connected to each other but ... A chapter house could be very helpful here. A quieter place, out of the way to do our work."
"The last time we spoke with Lise here, she wanted us to be here, to grow the aura even larger. It would be nice to talk to her again, but I think we should start making our plans."
"And we will need to do something about a marsh or two," says Thom as he continues to think. "The Roman soldiers in the Wall regio talked about building dykes and draining swamps. I suppose we could do the same."
He looks over at Edwin.
"What's your thoughts on building a chapter house here?"
"You can build a wonderful site for your work in the oak circle, but where would you house your staff? They'll need to go somewhere, and the magic feels too strong for the likes of me in the circle. Also, how do you want to be fed? We can graze a few animals in the woods, but you won't be able to grow crops within a mile of this place. Would you want to drain some swamp or clear some trees to make croplands? It will be much work and you will need to bring food in from outside for a year or two unless you have several spells already created to speed up the process."
Edwin pauses to look over the site. "Certainly, everything is possible but bringing in supplies from outside until you have farms established will be expensive and slightly risky, given the number of bandits desperate for food or livestock that we've seen."