She's definitely a servant. Some skills are a little less clear, but give RP hints based on the choices we have made so far. For example, we seem to have a cook servant. In another campaign, they might be paying for their cook as a specialist, and the covenant notices what they eat a lot more.
I'm not really sure if it counts as abuse, if the assumption is that all human beings are stat'd based on this age-based experience system.
What Salutor means is that statted characters don't count for build points (though still for expenditures), meaning in effect you get a "discount" for any characters that are statted out.
Scott
Right, and I commented that under my house rules, some stat'd characters require points spent for specialist, in order to fill that hole. Frankly, though, I think that the mental effort spent in creating an entire character sheet is a decent trade-off for the benefits gained. With specialist points, you have a resource that gets tapped into. With a character sheet, you have a personality that must be interacted with in order to gain its benefits.
I very nearly killed Sophia aging her another two years (An aging roll is not a good time to roll 1,1,9, and rolling high on the subsequent crisis roll isn't a good plan either. Fortunately she just barely made the stamina roll, and thus suffered no noticeable ill effects whatsover). On the plus side, she didn't have a longevity ritual to break...
Tweaked her stats a bit to make her fit in with the typical background of covenfolk from Epidauros.
Whilst she has never received any sort of formal education, over the years Sophia has built up a considerable collection of knowledge on a wide variety of subjects, especially those relating to the myths, legends and creatures of her homeland. Her age is difficult to estimate, but looks to be in her mid thirties; anyone who had known her for a long time, however, would have been able to tell you that she has to be considerably older than that. Several years ago, she received a nasty wound to her leg, which festered. She made her way to the covenant of Epidauros, a place famous for its healing. The magi saved her from the infection, although her leg never fully recovered, and she remained in gratitude (and due to difficulty travelling).
Characteristics: Int 3, Per -1, Pre 1, Com 1, Str +2, Sta +3, Dex -2, Qik -4
Size: 0
Age: 55 (apprent age mid 30's)
Decreptitude: 3 (0) (apparent decreptitude 0).
Warping Score: 0 (4)
Confidence: 0 (0)
Virtues:
Skinchanger (mSu)
Unaging (mSu)
Custos (arcane abilities) (mSS)
Flaws:
Poor eyesight (mG)
Poor quickness (mG)
Lame (mG)
Personality Traits: Brave -2, Loyal +0, Curious +3, Tortoise +3
Combat:
Dodging: Init -7, Attack n/a, Defense -5, Damage n/a
Punch: Init -1, Attack +0, Defense -2, Damage +2
Soak (unarmoured): 3
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconcious.
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities:
Brawl (punch): 2 15
Living Language: Greek (long words): 5 0
Folk Ken (recognising threats): 4 50
Charm (elicting stories): 2 15
Carouse (telling stories): 5 75
Music (sing): 1 5
Profession: Steward (housekeeping): 5 75
Stealth (camouflage): 1 5
Awareness (hearing): 2 15
Survival (building fires): 2 15
Craft: Clothier (mending): 3 30
Concentration (extended period of time): 5 75
Order of Hermes lore (Epidauros): 3 30
Area Lore: Epidauros (history): 2 15
Area Lore: Greece (history and legends): 4 50
Greek Orthodox Church Lore: 2 (15)
Magic Lore (Greece): 6 105
Faerie Lore (Greece): 6 105
Dominion Lore (Greece): 4 50
Infernal Lore (Greece): 2 15
Latin (covenant usage): 4 50
Intrigue (covenfolk): 2 15
Equipment: Small tortoise shell.
Encumbrance: 0
Tortoise form
Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
Basic Characteristics (mental characteristics prescribed, physical characteristics based on 7 points (minimum characteristic size (=-3) -5 =-8), then -6 strength + 3 quickness for -3 size adjustment):
Cu 0 Per 0 Pre -2 Com -5 Str -5 Sta +9 Dex -2 Qik -5
Modified Characteristics (by qualities)
Cu 0 Per 0 Pre -3 Com -5 Str -5 Sta +9 Dex -2 Qik -5
Sophia's characteristics in tortoise form: Int: +3 Per -1 Pre -2 Com -4 Str -3 Sta +9 Dex -2 Qik -6
Virtues and flaws: Enduring constitution, Long winded, Tough, Poor Eyesight, Noncombatant, Reclusive.
Inherited from Sophia: Lame, Poor Quickness.
Qualities: Camouflage, Hardy, Shell, Timid.
Personality Traits: Curious +3, Brave -3
Soak: +16 (or +13 if the bonus from Tough doesn't stack with Shell.)
Fatigue: Ok, 0, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-2), -3 (3-4), -5 (5-6), Incapacitated (7-8), Dead (9+)
Abilities: Brawl (dodge) 3, Survival (mountains) 5, Awareness (predators) 4, Athletics (running) 3, Stealth 4 (hiding)
Special: +3 to all rolls to hide when not moving. -3 to all rolls involving fast or nimble movement. No natural weapons.
So why did she get unloaded onto us? I thought the idea was that magi used us as an excuse to clean house.
Not exactly. There was some of that going on (particularly in the case of Portia), but the Council does want this project to succeed.
Scott
Different covenants are going to have taken different approaches to what they provide and how generous they are about it. Epidauros has a reputation as being one of the more altruistic covenants. My interpretation was that it's not a general thing that the Theban tribunal are using us to clean house - it's just that there are covenants that are doing so.
Ah. Thanks for clarifying that. I had misunderstood.
Would this be the place to propose a new character for the Saga? Please let me know if there is another procedure. I would love to play a relatively young Criamon magus following the Path of Strife who specializes in tracking down and resolving adulterations, and this would seem to be a very interesting Saga for such a thing.
Yes, this would absolutely be the place, and welcome!
Scott
Glad to hear it. I've started having a look around at character creation.
I find Criamon's Path of Strife to be very interesting. I'd actually love to play a magus who was originally part of another house, but ended up killing the previous primus as part of the ritual, and thus being inducted into the path of strife. Have you set in your Saga when the most recent Criamon primus took over? How about the one before? I also wouldn't mind making an older magus if that's appropriate. Actually, I'll likely take the Unaging virtue either way; I think it would be very cool for him to look like a late teenager.
Any of the above would be fine. As for the Criamon, no, I haven't had reason to come up with when the last Primus took over.
Scott
That's fine, I'll see what ends up working out. I've been making a few notes, and I think I will start him a bit older, but with the appearance of a 22 year old 
I'm also working on a Death Prophecy for him. Between that an the unaging virtue, I won't actually need a longevity ritual. Couple that with the path of strife and a minor lecherous personality flaw, I think this guy's going to have a few children scattered across Mythic Europe. Now if I can only find a way around the Blatant Gift ...
One thing I couldn't find in the Character creation info was the possibility of accessing labtexts for spells. Would I need to invent everything myself, or could I just assume to have access to whatever spells I'd like?
I've been reading through the background, library and covenant creation, etc, and it looks like you guys have a great thing going. Looking forward to being part of it.
These are the stats I have for him as he finishes his gauntlet. At this point, he is a member of House Flambeau, but will be converting to Criamon after a few years.
Virtues:
Death prophecy +3
Unaging +1
Affinity with Perdo +1
Puissant Perdo +1
Improved Characteristics +1
Mythic Blood +3
Mythic Blood of Apromor (I think this is in MoH?)
Focus: Dispelling
Power: Sniff out the witch (smell version of Sense the Lingering Magics)
Flaw: Ambitious
Flaws:
Low Self-Esteem -3 (Not 100% sure on this one, but I think it will synergize well with his death prophecy)
Painful Magic -3 (His strong link to Perdo magic causes his body to decay or wounds to break open as he casts spells)
Lecherous -1
Missing Eye -1 (An accident that won't seem to heal)
Visions -1
Reckless -1 (Also a result of his prophecy)
Int +3
Per -1
Str +2
Sta +1
Pre +1
Com -2
Dex 0
Qik +2
Age 0-5:
Native Language 5
Athletics 2
Awareness 2
Stealth 2
6-8
Concentration 2
Folk Ken 2
Charm 2
9-23 Apprenticeship
Artes Liberales 1 (5)
Latin 4 (50)
Magic Theory (Perdo) 3 (30)
Parma Magica 1 (5)
Finesse 2 (15)
Penetration 2 (15)
Code of Hermes 1 (5)
Order of Hermes Lore 1 (5)
Infernal Lore 1 (5)
Carouse 1 (5)
Perdo 9 (+3) (30*1.5=45)
Rego 4 (10)
Corpus 5 (15)
Ignem 5 (15)
Imaginem 5 (15)
Vim 5 (15)
Starting Spells
The Wound that Weeps PeCo 15
Grip of the Choking Hand PeCo 15
Soothe the Raging Flames PeIg 15
Veil of Invisibility PeIm 20
Demon's Eternal Oblivion PeVi 10
Wind of Mundane Silence PeVi 20
It depends on the spell--as in, how common it would be, with low-level spells being more common. Anything learned during apprenticeship should be fair game, it being assumed that his parens had access to a decent library.
Scott
How does the following look? I do use a couple of high-level lab texts towards the end of my development. I'll be happy to revise whatever you suggest.
Age 24
Spring:
Studies Corpus +10 exp: (25)
Summer:
Studies Corpus +10 exp: (35)
Autumn:
Studies Corpus +10 exp: (45)
Winter:
Studies Corpus +10 exp: 10 (55)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Ignem (16)
Age 25
Spring:
Study Labtext for Incantation of the Milky Eyes PeCo 30
Summer:
Study Labtext for Twist of the Tongue PeCo 30
Autumn:
Participates in Wizard's March
Story: 10 exp to Parma Magica 2 (15)
Winter:
Study Magic Theory +10 exp 3 (40)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Ignem (20)
Age 26
Spring:
Study Magic Theory +10 exp 4 (50)
Summer:
Study Perdo +101.5 exp (60)
Autumn:
Study Perdo +101.5 exp (75)
Winter:
Study Perdo +10*1.5 exp 12 (90)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Ignem 24
Age 27
Spring:
Travels to the Cave of Twisting Shadows
Kills the Primus of House Criamon
Initiated into The Avenue of Faith in Strife
Leaves House Flambeau to join House Criamon (Gains Enigmatic Wisdom, still had Affinity for Perdo)
Story: 10 exp to House Criamon Lore 1 (10)
Summer:
Studies House Criamon Lore 2 (24)
Autumn:
Studies House Criamon Lore 3 (38)
Winter:
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 2 (19)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Ignem 7 (28)
Age 28
Spring:
Study Labtext for Wizard's Icy Grip PeIg 30
Summer:
Study Labtext for Conjuration of the Indubitable Cold PeIg 25
Autumn:
Study Labtext for The Falcon's Hood PeAn 25
Winter:
Study Labtext for Cripple the Howling Wolf PeAn 25
Correspondence:
4*1.5 exp to Perdo 13 (96)
Age 29
Spring:
Study Spell Mastery: Demon's Eternal Oblivion PeVi 10 1 (14 exp)
Summer:
Study Spell Mastery: Demon's Eternal Oblivion PeVi 10 2 (28 exp)
Autumn:
Study Spell Mastery: Demon's Eternal Oblivion PeVi 10 3 (42 exp)
(Penetration, Multiple Castings, Quick Casting +1)
Winter:
Fight a Demon!
Story: 10 exp to Internal Lore 2 (15)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Vim 5 (19)
Age 30
Spring:
Travels to Herculaneum
Initiated into The Avenue that Splinters
Gains Blatant Gift and Higher Purpose: Eat Sin
Story: 10 exp to Enigmatic Wisdom 2 (29)
Summer:
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 3 (43)
Autumn:
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 3 (53)
Winter:
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 4 (63)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Vim 6 (23)
Age 31:
Visit University of Bologna
Spring:
Study Artes Liberales 2 (19)
Summer:
Study Artes Liberales 3 (33)
Fall:
Study Philosophiae 1 (14)
Winter:
Study Philosophiae 2 (28)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Vim 6 (27)
Age 32
Spring:
Study Philosophiae 3 (42)
Summer:
Study Philosophiae 4 (52)
Autumn:
Study Theology 1 (14)
Winter:
Study Theology 2 (28)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Vim 7 (31)
Age 33
Spring
Study Theology 3 (42)
Summer:
Study Theology 4 (52)
Autumn:
Study Artes Liberales 3 (43)
Winter:
Study Artes Liberales 4 (53)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Vim 7 (35)
Age 34
Spring
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 4 (73)
Summer
Studies Enigmatic Wisdom 5 (83)
Autumn
Studies House Criamon Lore 3 (48)
Winter
Studies House Criamon Lore 4 (58)
Correspondence:
1 exp to Vim 8 (36)
3 exp *1.5 to Perdo 13 (101)
Age 35
Spring:
Quests for Lover (Merinita Maga)
Story: 10 exp to Carouse 2 (15)
Initiated into The Avenue of Charm and Scorn
Summer:
Studies Hunt 1 (10)
Autumn:
Studies Hunt 2 (20)
Winter:
Studies Hunt 3 (30)
Correspondence:
4 exp *1.5=6 to Perdo 14 (107)
Age 36
Spring:
Study Magic Theory 5 (60)
Summer:
Study Magic Theory 5 (70)
Autumn:
Study Magic Theory 5 (80)
Winter:
Study Labtext for Clenching Grasp of the Crushed Heart PeCo 40
Correspondence:
4 exp to Intellego 2 (4)
Age 37
Spring:
Study Muto 4 (10)
Summer:
Study Labtext for Doublet of Impenetrable Silk MuAn 15
Autumn:
Study Labtext for Gift of Bear's Fortitude MuCo 25
Winter:
Study Labtext for Endurance of the Berserkers ReCo 15
Correspondence:
4 exp to Intellego 3 (8)
Age 38
Spring:
Study Vim 9 (46)
Summer:
Study Vim 10 (56)
Autumn:
Study Labtext for Disenchant PeVi 40
Winter:
Study Labtext for Wind of Mundane Silence PeVi 40
Correspondence:
4 exp to Intellego 4 (12)
Age 39
Spring:
Study Enigmatic Wisdom 5 (93)
Summer:
Study Enigmatic Wisdom 5 (103)
Autumn:
Study Enigmatic Wisdom 6 (113)
Winter:
Study House Criamon Lore 4 (68)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Intellego 5 (16)
Age 40
Spring:
Study House Criamon Lore 5 (78)
Summer:
Initiated into the Avenue of Befriending the Silent
Story: Gains 10 exp to Enigmatic Wisdom 6 (123)
Major Flaw Pious Replaces Higher Purpose
Gains Disfigured and Supernatural Nuisance
Autumn:
Study Enigmatic Wisdom 6 (133)
Winter:
Study Enigmatic Wisdom 7 (140
Correspondence:
4 exp to Intellego 6 (20)
Age 41
Spring:
Study Charm 2 (29)
Summer:
Study Charm 3 (31)
Autumn:
Study Charm 3 (49)
Winter:
Study Charm 3 (59)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Mentem 2 (4)
Age 42
Spring:
Study Labtext for Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie InMe 20
Summer:
Study Labtext for Posing the Silent Question InMe 20
Autumn:
Study Mentem 5 (18)
Winter:
Study Mentem 6 (28)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Mentem 7 (32)
Age 43
Spring:
Study Mentem 8 (42)
Summer:
Study Mentem 9 (52)
Autumn:
Study Athletics 2 (29)
Winter:
Study Athletics 3 (39)
Correspondence:
4 Exp to Mentem 10 (56)
Age 44
Spring:
Study Labtext for Black Whisper PeMe 40
Summer:
Study Labtext for Thoughts Within Babble InMe 25
Autumn:
Study Athletics 3 (49)
Winter:
Study Athletics 4 (59)
Correspondence:
4 exp to Animal 2 (4)
Age 45: Begin journey to the East
I've also started working on a 'Plan B' character that is rapidly becomming 'Plan A'. In fact, since this new one works better as a more experienced magus, I may alter my Criamon to be no more than a year or two out of Post Gauntlet. Actually, looking over my above build, I'd have him just finished his 30th year.
The specifics of my new fellow haven't yet worked out, but I love the idea of a Gifted Mercere who has traveled to the fringes of civilization to seek out and attempt to control new Vis sources. Is there a well established Mercere house in the Novgorod Tribunal? If not, as a secondary goal, he could, with the others' permission of course, attempt to make Castra Nova at least an unofficial base for Redcaps. Any thoughts?
I've been traveling for three weeks with a newborn, and now with my mother-in-law. When I start having thoughts again, I'll consider your question.
Scott
Actually, on second (first, really) though, I like the latter idea about the unofficial Mercere base. Note that this mission is sponsored by Thebes Tribunal, though.
Scott
No worries at all, I've been very busy myself. Among other things, I've been getting my real life saga off the ground.
I'll put some more thought into the Mercere character. Incidentally, would you be open to the idea of a Holy Magus? I'm not sure I would want to go that way, but it's a thought ...
Alternatively, I really enjoy the idea of Hermetic Alchemy for the extraction of different kinds of Vis. This character could easily fall into the 'vis monkey' archetype. I'm not too familiar with how The Mysteries work, but would I need to be part of a secret society to access the Hermetic Alchemy line of Virtues? If so, I'm open to suggestion in this regard.