Her First Adventure (spring 1197, 8th season after apprenticeship)
At the beginning of the spring Mariana received word from a Redcap about a sighting of an Owl of Virtue, one of several things she'd mentioned interest in a couple years prior. She traded a pawn of vis for silver so she could tip the Redcap the customary pound. After celebrating her 29th birthday with her family and enjoying a little time outdoors with her children again after long days chased the winter's cold away, Mariana was ready to set out to search for the owl.
She went through a number of preparations for her journey, mostly setting up what should be reasonable spell effects to manage the journey and help her scouting. While her travel to the forest was quick, she was able to observe a little non-covenant life on the way. She was disheartened to see how poorly several women were treated, but she had a goal and put this to the back of her mind for now. She spent many weeks searching through the forest. She came across a little bit of Herbam and Vim vis, which she happily collected, but the target of her hunt was elusive.
She probably never would have found it without the guidance the Redcaps had given, but armed with it she had much better odds and finally did come across the raptor. While it became aware of her quickly, its speed was no match for the speed at which she could use sleep spells, and it would have had difficulty penetrating her Parma Magica if it had tried to oppose her magically. Cleverly, it set upon her with its talons instead. While it didn't last long, it did manage to hurt her. Slitting the bird's throat as it slept was easy, though messy, leaving Mariana with her wounds and her prize. To her surprise, a Weasel of Virtue brought her some herbs to help her recover.
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Mechanical bits:
Adventure: Area Lore: Europe +2 β Area Lore: Europe 0 (2), Awareness +2 β Awareness 1 (2), Parma Magica +3 β Parma Magica 1+2 (5), Mentem +2 β Mentem 9 (5)
Vis: Adventure +1 He +1 Vi +4 dedicated InVi (in skull), Exchange -1 Me, Personal +2 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 1 He, 7 Me, 3 Vi
Money: Exchange +10 lb, tip -1 lb β 9 lb
Warping: +1 Warping Point β Warping Score 0 (1)
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Her Adventure Continues (summer 1197, 9th season after apprenticeship)
The weasel seemed to want something from Mariana, sticking around with some sort of intent. After she recovered through a combination of CrCo magic and the weasel's medicine, she followed the weasel. Eventually it led her to find the intelligent snakes that were causing problems for it. With the weasel's help she scouted for a while, making sure she knew how many enemy snakes there were. Then, between her magic and the weasel's combat prowess, they were able to slay the snakes. Over those many weeks Mariana and the weasel started to form a friendship of sorts, and the weasel joined her as she headed home.
Mariana spent unfortunately little time with her family, as her return at the end of the season was only just in time to celebrate Elena's ninth birthday with her family, what might turn out to be their final birthday celebration together the five of them. That would depend on when a Redcap came calling to collect Elena. Mariana simultaneously looked forward to and dreaded that day. And she didn't really have that much longer with Rolando.
Upon returning home Mariana also spoke to Ophilio about making a Longevity Ritual for her. It would be expensive, she knew. But it would take her ages of study to manage anything vaguely close to what he could do. She also knew his schedule could be busy, so she would have to make arrangements well in advance. Fortunately, as the head of the Cult of Heroes, he looked favorably on her and made sure he fit her in; not favorably enough for a discount off the 20 p.v.f., though - too bad.
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Mechanical bits:
Adventure: Area Lore: Europe +1 β Area Lore: Europe 0 (3), Awareness +2 β Awareness 1 (4), Parma Magica +3 β Parma Magica 1+2 (8), Creo +2 β Creo 9 (5)
Vis: Adventure +3 Pe, +2 An, +1 Vi Personal +1 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 He, 8 Me, 4 Vi
Money: 9 lb
Warping: +1 Warping Point β Warping Score 0 (2)
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Binding Her Familiar (autumn 1197, 10th season after apprenticeship)
After returning home Mariana spent more time with the Weasel of Virtue, working in the laboratory to cement their bond. With its significant medical talent she found it took to Creo well, and its natural intelligence meant it meshed with Mentem, too.
Mariana was pleased to see the remaining lab texts she had requested had arrived while she was away. The significantly added to her collection.
A big part of why Mariana chose not to adventure this season was to be near her children before she would have to head out on other business. It also wouldn't be that long until Elena was taken as an apprentice, and even Rolando was getting there; so Mariana cherished the time they could spend together this season perhaps more than any other. And her children doted on their new companion animal, which pleased the weasel as well.
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Mechanical bits:
Lab Total: Int 3 + Creo 9 + Mentem 9 + MT 6 + Lab/Aura 3 = 30 β₯ 30
Familiar Bond: Gold Cord 2, Silver Cord 0, Bronze Cord 2
Exposure: Creo +1 β Creo 9 (6), Magic Theory +1 β Magic Theory 4+2 (3)
Vis: Familiar Bond -6 Me, Personal +2 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 He, 4 Me, 4 Vi
Money: 9 lb
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A Quiet Season in the Cold (winter 1197, 11th season after apprenticeship)
Mariana continued to study from the Creo text, as instructed. While it was still very informative, the excitement of the book was starting to wane through lack of novelty. Nonetheless, Mariana could see where she was headed and was making notable improvements in that direction, providing her plenty of energy.
In the meantime she paid for one of the covenant's scribes to instruct her Familiar in Magic Theory. He wasn't a trained instructor, but Mariana was happy to have anyone who could teach her new friend.
Again, this kept her near her children so she could enjoy these last seasons they would have the five of them. They celebrated Rolando's eighth birthday together. Mariana continued to try to cherish these remaining seasons.
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Mechanical bits:
Books: Creo +15+3 β Creo 11 (3)
Vis: Dues +1 Co, Personal +1 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 Co, 1 He, 5 Me, 4 Vi
Money: MT instruction -2 lb β 7 lb
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More Reading for Family Time (spring 1198, 12th season after apprenticeship)
For her birthday Mariana had two big celebrations, one with her family as this might be the last the six - now counting her Familiar, who became known as Vita - of them had together, and one with a bunch of Redcaps in a Roman orgy. It was her 30th birthday, after all. Mariana also celebrated Mercuralia, as she typically did.
The spring gave Vita a chance to explore the area and its herbs. She was happy to have the opportunity, and it was nice to get out into the spring weather.
For her own work, Mariana kept her head buried in Minds Easily Manipulated by Invictus of Tremere (Mentem Summa L14 Q 15). She was progressing quickly through it. The more she read, though, the more she was convinced she could eventually do better. But soon she would have to return to Creo to manage what the cult wanted.
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Mechanical bits:
Books: Mentem (+15+3)x1.5 β Mentem 11 (11)
Vis: Personal +2 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 Co, 1 He, 7 Me, 4 Vi
Money: 7 lb
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Another Season of Service (summer 1198, 13th season after apprenticeship)
Mariana was still low in the pecking order, but fundamentally she didn't mind earning her keep. She spent the season collecting vis and taking care of other covenant business. It was easier than it had been a few years ago, with her improved skills and added spells.
Vita continued to learn about the local herbs in the generally nice weather. And she spent time with the family, enjoying some love from the little ones, especially from Rolando when we felt lonely after Elena's departure. For this summer the Redcaps came for Elena. The family celebrated quite a bit, as they had for Elena's two older brothers. But Elena's departure saddened Mariana more than even Bernardo's, her first, departure. With her Parma Magica Mariana had been able to spend more quality time with her youngest two children. And Elena was her only daughter, so that bond was special in another way. But becoming a Redcap would put Elena in a great place for the rest of her life, so Mariana accepted in wholeheartedly, even while weeping.
Mechanical bits:
Exposure: Awareness +1 β Awareness 1 (5), Parma Magica +1 β Parma Magica 1+2 (9)
Vis: Personal +1 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 Co, 1 He, 8 Me, 4 Vi
Money: 7 lb
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A Final Season on Mentem (autumn 1198, 14th season after apprenticeship)
Mariana decided to finish studying Minds Easily Manipulated by Invictus of Tremere (Mentem Summa L14 Q 15) before her season with Ophilio arrived. This would keep her around Rolando that much more.
Family life was subdued this season. The dynamic of the past several years had been shaken up by Elena's departure. Mariana still spent a lot of time with Rolando and Vita. There just wasn't the same energy that there had been. Still, getting out and about before the full cold of the winter set in was a good thing. And Vita could continue studying the local herbs in the nice weather.
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Mechanical bits:
Books: Mentem (+15+3)x1.5 β Mentem 13 (13)
Vis: Personal +2 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull), 3 Pe, 2 An, 1 Co, 1 He, 10 Me, 4 Vi
Money: 7 lb
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Her Longevity Ritual with Ophilio (winter 1198, 15th season after apprenticeship)
The season she had arranged with Ophilio was upon her. She had only just barely saved up enough vis to pay him. She would get to see the master at work; he was known for being the longevity expert of House Mercere, after all. And as Mariana and Vita were able to assist him well, her ritual would be quite strong.
Most of the season went well, with everyone cooped up for the winter. But things really fell apart at the end of the season for Mariana. First her father died defending Pila of Flambeau as she pursued her hoplite activities. While it was an honorable death, that did little to console Mariana. Meanwhile she tried to do her best with Rolando as his ninth birthday arrived and he mourned the loss of his grandfather. But then the Redcaps came for Rolando to begin his apprenticeship. With only Mariana, her mother, Rolando, and Vita there and grieving, his send-off wasn't as celebratory as the other children's had been.
Mechanical bits:
Longevity Ritual: 23nd magnitude
Exposure: Magic Theory +2 β Magic Theory 4+2 (5)
Vis: Dues +1 Co, Longevity Ritual -2 Co -4 Vi, Payment -3 Pe -2 An -1 He -11 Me, Personal +1 Me β 4 InVi (dedicated, in skull)
Money: 7 lb