Roberto Rodriguez of Flambeau:
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +0, Com +0, Pre +1, Str +2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Quik +1
Size: 0
Age: 36; appears 36
Chronology: born in 1190, apprenticed in 1205 at age 15, battlefield gauntlet in 1214 at age 24, finished training under mentor and joined Novus Mane in 1220 at age 30, current year 1226
Decrepitude: 0
Warping: 0 (1)
Confidence: 2 (10)
Virtues: +0 Gifted Hermetic Magus, +F Puissant Ignem, +1 Puissant Creo, +1 Life Boost, +1 Improved Characteristics, +1 Mastered Spells, +1 Self Confident, +1 Skilled Parens, +1 Warrior, +3 Flawless Magic
Flaws: -1 Infamous Master, -1 Reckless, -1 Mentor, -1 Unimaginative Learner, -3 Overconfident, -3 Weak Magic Resistance (when not in possession of a symbol of his Catholic faith, such as a rosary or a crucifix (he carries one of each))
Personality Traits: Reckless +3, Brave +3, Self Assured +3, Introspective +1
Reputations: Infamous Master 3 (Hermetic), House Flambeau Acclaim 2 (Hermetic)
Combat:
Dodge: In +1, Atk n/a, Def +5*, Dmg n/a
Grapple: In +1, Atk +5, Def +5*, Dmg +2
Fistfight: In +1, Atk +6, Def +6*, Dmg +2
Dagger: In +1, Atk +7, Def +5*, Dmg +5
Long sword: In +3, Atk +11, Def* +8, Dmg +8 **
Long sword & Round Shield: In +3, Atk +11, Def* +10, Dmg +8 **
*(add an additional +9 to defense if using Howl of the Steel Weapons or Shriek of the Wooden Shafts, versus the appropriate forms of attack)
**(Dmg +14 if using Sword of the Avenger)
Soak: +1, +3 in studded leather hauberk (add an additional +15 versus heat & flames if using Ward against Heat and Flames)
Fatigue: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, ko
Wound Penalties: -1 Light (1-5), -3 Medium (6-10), -5 Heavy (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Lethal (21+)
Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (literacy), Athletics 2 (fitness), Awareness 1 (alert), Brawl 4 (fistfight), Charm 1 (1xp) (wit), Code of Hermes 1 (procedure), Concentration 2 (spells), Finesse 2 (precision), French, Langue D'Oc 3 (tough talk), Folk Ken 2 (1xp) (warriors), Guile 1 (smarminess), Iberian Area Lore 2 (Reconquista), Latin 4 (dramatic speech), Leadership 2 (3xps) (in combat), Magic Lore 1 (mythic beasts), Magic Theory 4 (10xp) (inventing spells), Normandy Tribunal Lore 1 (Flambeau magi), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (4xp) (Flambeau), Parma Magica 4 (Ignem), Penetration 2 (Creo), Philosophiae 1 (ceremonial casting), Profession-Scribe 0 (2xps) (copying), Profession-Seaman 0 (2xp) (marine), Profession-Soldier 2 (shock troops), Ride 1 (in battle), Single Weapon 5 (8xp) (long sword), Spanish, Castellan 5 (banter), Stealth 1 (ambush), Strategy 1 (2xp) (tactics), Teaching 1 (martial training)
Arts:
Creo 5+3, Intéllego 3, Muto 0, Perdo 4 (1xp), Rego 8
Animal 0, Aquam 0, Auram 3 (3xp), Corpus 4, Herbam 3
Ignem 9+3 (2xp), Imaginem 0, Mentem 0, Terram 3, Vim 2
Twilight Scars & Effects: none
Magic Sigil: style and grace
Symbolic Sigil: a wide seven pointed star
Equipment: hauberk of studded leather armour (partial suit, metal reinforced leather), long sword, round shield with insignia of Novus Mane, dagger, knife, rosary, crucifix, leather boots & gloves, cloak, gold ring with a small ruby, sigil, other clothing, magical rein
Vis Stock: 2 Ignem & 5 Vim in ring
Encumbrance: 0 (Load 5, Burden 2, Str +2)
Laboratory: Magic Aura 6, Int +2, Magic Theory 4 (spells)
Characteristics: Size +0, Refinement +1, General Quality +0, Upkeep +2, Safety +1, Warping +0, Health -2, Aesthetics +3 (Reputation-Spell Master +2 (Hermetic))
Virtues: +0 Defenses, +0 Guard, +0 Superior Construction, +0 Superior Equipment, +1 Living Quarters, +3 Greater Feature-Spell Circle (inscribed with sigil)
Flaws: -3 Greater Focus-Spell Circle
Specializations: +7 Spells, +1 Vis Extraction
Spells Known:
CrCo20 Purification of the Festering Wound: CT +14, Mastery 1 (Ceremonial Casting)
ReCo15 Wizard's Leap: CT +14, Mastery 2 (Fast Cast, Stalwart)
ReCo20 Incantation of Paralyzation: CT +13, Mastered 1 (Imperturbable)
InHe15 Shriek of the Wooden Shafts: CT +8, Mastery 1 (Stalwart Casting)
CrIg10 Heat of the Searing Forge: CT 22, Mastery 1 (Penetration)
CrIg10 Lamp without Flame: CT 22, Mastery 1 (Imperturbable)
CrIg15 Test of the Flames: CT +22, Mastery 1 (Resistance)
CrIg20 Flash of Dazzling Light: CT +22, Mastery 1 (Fast Cast)
CrIg20 Pilium of Fire: CT +25, Mastery 4 (8xp) (Penetration, Fast Cast, Multicast, Quick Cast)
Cr(Re)Ig20 Sword of the Avenger: CT +24, Mastery 4 (Imperturbable Casting, Penetration, Fast Cast, Subtle)
PeIg5 Chill of Winter: CT +18, Mastery 1 (Subtle)
PeIg20 Wizard's Touch of Cold: CT +18, Mastery 1 (Penetration)
ReIg25 Ward against Heat & Flames: CT +21, Mastery 1 (Stalwart Casting)
InTe15 Howl of the Steel Weapons: CT +8, Mastery 1 (Stalwart Casting)
PeVi5 Demon's Eternal Oblivion: CT +8, Mastery 1 (Penetration)
PeVi15 Thwarting the Thaumaturgical Threat: CT +9, Mastery 2 (Fast Cast, Stalwart)
Enchanted Items:
Rein of the Equestrian Magus: Lesser Enchanted Device, 4 pawns
.....When Roberto first came to Novus Mane, he rode on a horse using a magical reign, given to him by Santiago. His instructions were to turn the rein over to Aelianus. In turn, Santiago commissioned and paid Aelianus to make another magical rein. Aelianus was given the original to keep, along with the Lab Text to construct it (these notes also teach the Form & Effect bonus of +5 to tame/ride horses. Roberto has never seen this lab text and thinks the original rein had an expiry. It doesn't. These are gifts for Aelianus.
ReAn40 Command the Mounted Beast:
R: Touch, D: Concentration, T: Ind
.....The rein is worn by the horse and activates automatically, as this is the triggering condition. This effect allows the one who holds the rein to control the horse and ride it, even in battle; despite any defects in the mount or the effects of the Gift. The riders scores in Animal Handling and Riding are used as normal, as you need to know when and what to command the horse to do.
(Base 15, +1M Touch, +1M Conc, +5L Item Maintains Concentration, 10 L Unlimited Use)
Description of New Spells:
ReCo20 Incantation of Paralyzation
R: Voice, D: Conc, T: Ind
.....This spell hold the target’s body completely immobile for the duration.
(Base 5, +2 Voice, +1 Conc)
CrIg20 Flash of Dazzling Light
R: Eye, D: Mom, T: Ind
.....This spell flashes a brief dazzle of light in the target's eyes. This isn't strong enough to blind them, but it can disadvantage them. The target must make a Stamina Stress roll of 9+ or suffer a -3 penalty to all rolls and actions. The next round the penalty is only -1, and it wears off after that. If the roll is botched, the effects are twice as long lasting. This spell is designed to be cast without words or gestures, so that it may be mastered and fast cast in combat to gain an edge on an opponent.
(Base 4, +1 Eye, +3 no Words or Gestures)
CrIg20 Sword of the Avenger:
R: Touch, D: Conc, T: Ind, Reqs: Rego
.....This ignites a flame along the edge of a sword blade, doubling its damage value. More than a simple variant, this spell is intended for use with the Mastery Ability of Imperturbable Casting, because of the difficulty maintaining concentration on a spell during combat. Concentration does not need to be checked every round, as wielding a flaming sword in combat is what the spell is designed to do. But the caster does need to check when he exerts himself in combat or is struck a blow (even if it does no injury). The Rego requisite protects the sword from the flames, allowing the spell to be used repetitively on a weapon with out harming it. This also protects the wielder.
(Base 5, +1 Touch, +1 Concentration, +1 Requisite)
PeIg5 Chill of Winter:
R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Ind
.....The target to feel a sudden chill as they loose body heat, causing them to loose a Fatigue Level.
(Base 4, +1 Touch)
PeIg20 Wizard's Touch of Cold:
R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Ind
.....Inflicts +15 damage from cold.
(Base 15, +1 Touch)
InTe15 Howl of the Steel Weapons:
R: Per, D: Sun, T: Hearing
.....This spell warns you of the danger of metallic weapons with a howling sound signaling motion. This grants a +9 Defense bonus versus metallic weapons, provided you are able to parry or evade the attack, and you can dodge any metallic or metal tipped projectile originating from more than ten paces distance. The howl is only audible to you and cannot be mimicked by voices.
(Base 2, +2 Sun, +3 Hearing)
PeVi15 Thwarting the Thaumaturgical Threat: (CT +4, Mastery 1: Fast Cast)
R: Voice, D: Mom, T: Ind
.....Similar to Winds of Mundane Silence, but scaled down to affect a single spell (even if it is of momentary duration). This will counter or cancel a spell if your roll of a SD + (Level + 10) equals or exceeds twice the level of the opposing spell. For this version (Level 15), the roll is a SD +25 versus an ease factor of twice the level of the opposing spell. Countering another spell as it is being cast requires a successful Fast Cast roll, and thus requires Mastery of the spell and choosing the Fast Cast ability. Canceling an existing spell uses normal Initiative, and no Mastery is required.
(Base 5, +2 Voice)
Books
Grimoire of Roberto of Flambeau , by Roberto of Flambeau (Latin 4)
CrIg15 Test of the Flames:
CrIg20 Pilium of Fire:
InHe15 Shriek of the Wooden Shafts:
InTe15 Howl of the Steel Weapons:
PeVi15 Thwarting the Thaumaturgical Threat:
Development
Winter 1220: With Wirth's assistance, manage labor team to repair wharf and breakwater (2xp Leadership). End of winter/start of spring, had a minor sea adventure (1xp Profession-Seaman).
Spring 1220: Refine and Customize Lab (2xp Magic Theory)
Summer 1220: Study Shield of Magic (11xps Parma Magica)
Autumn 1220: With the assistance of Havlard and Iolar, invent a new spell; PeVi15 Thwarting the Thaumaturgical Threat, (1xp Perdo, 1xp Vim)
Winter 1221: Adventure "Sangria in Toledo" (5xps in Spell Mastery, 2xps Perdo)
Spring 1221: Write out a Grimoire of his spells (80 levels, 2xps Scribe)
Summer 1221: Normandy Regional Tribunal meeting of 1221 (5xps Normandy Tribunal Lore)
Autumn 1221: Study "Prominence and Demise" (10xps Rego)
Winter 1222: Practice mastery of PeVi15 Thwarting the Thaumaturgical Threat (10xp)
Spring 1222: Engage in diplomacy on the behalf of Novus Mane, achieving status as an independent commune with reasonable dues and taxes to be paid to the local noble. (1xp each for Charm, Folk Ken, Leadership, Single Weapon, & Strategy.
Summer 1222: Extract Vis from the Aura (2xps and 2 Vim traded for 2 Ignem)
Autumn 1222: Study "Wintry Grey" (10xp Ignem)
Winter 1223: Adventure with Wirth (1xp Parma Magica, 2xp Single Weapon, 3xp PoF Mastery, 3xp Order of Hermes Lore, 5 Vim vis from the Magic Realm)
Spring 1223: Invent Spell from scratch; CrIg20 Flash of Dazzling Light.
Summer 1223: Practice mastery of ReCo15 Wizard's Leap (10xp)
Autumn 1223: Study "Shield of Magic" (11xps)
Winter 1224: Study "Shield of Magic" (11xps)
Spring 1224: Invent two Spells from scratch; CrIg10 Heat of the Searing Forge and CrIg10 Lamp without Flame.
Summer 1224: Invent two spells, one from text and the other from scratch; PeIg20 Wizard's Touch of Cold and PeIg5 Chill of Winter.
Autumn 1224: Study "Soaring Like The Birds" (9xps)
Winter 1225: Study "Be Not No More" (8xps)
Spring 1225: Participate in joint training exercises with Maxamillan Bernard, with the grogs of Novus Mane and the village guard he recruited.
Summer 1225: Adventure: “The Bone Merchant”, 6xp
Autumn 1225:Study “Prominence and Demise”, (10xp Rego)
Winter 1226: Make an aging roll: (invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2424954/)
stress die 6, +4 for current age, -2 for magi living conditions, +1 for Lab Health, equals 9: Apparent age increases by one year.
Begin inventing spell, “Incantation of Paralyzation”; ReCo20 (Base 5, +2 Voice, +1 Conc). My Lab Total will be 30 (Int +2, Aura 6, Magic Theory 4 (spells), Lab Specialization in Spells +7, Rego 7, Corpus 3). (2xp Corpus)
Spring 1226: Finish inventing the spell (2xp Corpus)
Summer 1226: Study “Shield of Magic” (11xp Parma Magica)
Background:
.....Born on the borderlands of New Castile, Roberto was the son of a prosperous freeman. His father was a retired caballero villano turned farmer, raising Roberto to be strong and fierce to follow after his own example. His mother was a Christian Mozarab from Andalusia, and is the one who instilled Roberto with his deeply rooted belief in Christianity and his introspective sense of honor. However, he was orphaned at age 10 when his home was razed by raiders from a nearby Tafia. No one wanted to take him in because his emerging Gift disturbed them, so he fell in with gangs of thugs that accepted him because of his courage and sheer tenacity. He was eventually recruited by a band of Almogavars as a lackey and shield bearer, and though he still suffered social difficulties, his personality and knowledge of warrior culture helped him overcome this and gain acceptance. Roberto had seen his first battle by age 14 and had already learned how to kill a man with a sword. His Parens discovered him and made him an apprentice at age 15, but instead of employing him as a lab assistant, Roberto served his master as a shield grog on many exploits and expeditions. He was trained rigorously in the field, taught how to use his magic to his best tactical advantage, and more importantly, to master each and every spell he knew. His parens pursued a relentless grudge against the Almohades, which Roberto enthusiastically participated in. Roberto earned his Gauntlet on the field of battle, attested to by the magus who became his mentor. This mentor is a fellow Flambeau magus and was an amicus of his parens, more subtle and restrained in his methods, and steers him towards a more enlightened mindset. Indeed, Roberto had satiated his vengeance in his apprenticeship and does not hunger for war. Rather, he seeks adventure. However, because of the infamy of his pater, other magi look at him with scorn, expecting him to be nothing more than a blood-thirsty hot head. The fact that he is overconfident and reckless does not help to assuage this reputation, but his confidence and skill help him accomplish some pretty daring deeds. His mentor tries to use this to steer Roberto towards activities that will reverse the negative reputation that is the legacy of Roberto's parens. To that effect, Roberto has left Iberia and, with the recommendation of his mentor, he has come to participate in the revitalization of Novus Mane.
Saga of Joel Muniz, Knight of Seneca
.....Joel Muniz of Flambeau was Roberto's parens, the one that left him with the legacy of the Infamous Master Flaw. Some call him hero, some call him dastardly villain. Santiago called him brother. Roberto respects his memory, but he personally thinks that there was something seriously wrong with the man. Joel is an often misunderstood character, by both his friends and his enemies, and both his supporters and detractors admit that his actions and death are a complicated debate to say the least.
.....Joel possessed a rare trait amongst Flambeau magi. He had the Gentle Gift. He was also quite the skilled magus, but his social skill amongst fighting men gave him an edge his fellows lacked. It also allowed many of his actions to passed unnoticed by his fellows, for no one knew that it was a magus who was captain of the mercenary company called the Caballeros los Reculed de Segovia.
A driven and passionate magus, his hatred for his enemies can easily be misconstrued as intolerant bigotry, for he loathed the Almohades with every fiber of his being. Joel was a member of a prestigious societas known as the Knights of Seneca, known for their love of adventure and excitement; they also have a history of conflict with wizards outside the Order. At one time this included the Sahirs, but they formed an alliance with them against the Almorovide Marabouts (the Sahirs are mostly Umayyad, and the fundamentalist Almororvides and later Almohades hate Sahir magic).
.....So, in truth, Joel's anger was not against Islam at all. His wife, Jasmine, was an Andalusian princess and a sahira. His wrath was directed solely at the Berber Almohades, who murdered her. He blamed himself, for it all happened while he was away on one of his many adventures, a vainglorious quest, and he pursued his vengeance unto his dying day. He carried out his wrath upon mundanes though, and the extent of his law-breaking will probably never be fully known.
.....It was while carrying out his secret mission that Joel met Santiago. In those days, Santiago was a reckless young hothead who was eager for nothing but battle. It was Joel who mellowed him out and taught him to be more focused and orderly, like a professional soldier. Ironically, it is Santiago who took the more enlightened path in the long run, for he eventually matured into a pious and faithful Christian, and as one of the Hoplites of the Order, he seeks to further the cause of righteousness and justice.
.....Roberto joined the band of mercenaries when he was only 14 years old (1204). At first he was just a hanger-on, earning his food by carrying gear and fetching drink. Though the warriors found him odd and disturbing, they admired his tenacity and aggression. When the camp was attacked in a raid, Roberto proved his worth in battle when he picked up a sword and killed one of the intruders in a quick but fierce fight. Joel took notice when his men began speaking of this strange boy who earned their begrudging respect. He placed the lad on special duty, testing his prowess and ferocity. Pleased with his find, he eventually pulled him aside for special training.
.....Though an apprentice (1205, age 15), Roberto received no special treatment. He was still a soldier and obeyed all of his superior officers. The reason Roberto holds Joel in such high regard, despite his infamy, is because of the valuable lessons he taught him. Not just magic, but more importantly, lessons about respect and honor. It was Joel that gave him confidence, made him a leader of men, and taught him to overcome the handicap of his gift and to persevere against adversity.
.....Joel and his mercenary band, including Roberto, participated in the great battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. He was not the only magus guilty that day, for it was a very chaotic conflict full of subterfuge and intrigue on all sides; mundane and arcane. Many Dark Secrets, Infamous Reputations, and bitter Enemies were made that day. Magi don't speak of it, No charges ever brought forth. Nothing but a code of silence and a few longstanding grudges. Santiago was there too. His participation is a Dark Secret, whereas Joel became infamous. Joel got carried away. The battle was so fierce and violent that slanderous rumors became attached to the event. For example; the Shadow Flambeau had nothing to do with the battle, yet it has become a fixed part of legend that they were the secret leaders of both armies, playing a game of diabolic chess with the blood and souls of mortals.
.....Joel's infamy is not the taint of diabolism though. But the revelation that he was the secret leader of this mercenary company was a shock to many and caused the Knights of Seneca to have to face accusations that they were participating in the Reconquista yet again (which is perhaps why they where so vehement in their war to eradicate the Shadow Flambeau). If Joel had faced Tribunal for his actions, he probably would not have been renounced, but he surly would have been severely punished.
.....But Joel never faced tribunal, for he himself was slain in that very battle. He was decapitated by an axe wielding Ghul conjured against him by an unknown enemy wizard. Roberto avenged his master and destroyed the fiend, earning his battlefield gauntlet. The tribunal would have probably taken away his familiar and destroyed his talisman. His familiar was also killed, and his talisman broken. Roberto was innocent because he was only an apprentice at the time. Santiago's participation in the battle and the activities of the mercenaries before that was (and still is) unknown. He claimed that he was just as shocked by his friend’s actions as anyone else, and of course neither he nor any of the other Knights of Seneca knew anything about the Caballeros. They all stood up for Roberto though, and claimed that since he survived and was on the triumphant side of a battle that his master was slain in, this qualified as his Gauntlet.
.....Roberto was thus officially a sworn magus at the age of 24 (1214), though his training was far from complete. Santiago took him under his wing and taught him what he could. As his protégé, Roberto fought alongside Santiago in the Shadow Wars, the struggle to eliminate a cult of Infernalists that infiltrated the Order. This was a cathartic part of Santiago’s career, which is the reason he has become more faithful and pious in his maturity. Roberto himself is not infamous, only his dead former parens. Roberto’s heroism alongside Santiago exonerates him in the eyes of fellow Flambeau magi. However, none of the acclaim is his because he was just a sidekick. It is believed that the Shadow Flambeau have been eliminated, but the Iberian magi are ever vigilant. Having reached the proper age of a young journeyman magus, Santiago decided it was time for Roberto to go and make his mark in the Order.
.....Now a mature magus, Santiago has recently joined the Cult of Mercury, where he had met (the former master of Aelianus Robur Ex Verditius). He was saddened to hear that his new friend had passed on, and was also disappointed to hear what a shamble the old mans covenant had become. He hopes that Roberto will help make it great again, and make something of himself in the process. Santiago sent Marcello along with him, his only (and failed) attempt at training an apprentice of his own.
.....In the past six years, Roberto has done quite a bit to make a name for himself. He has exposed Leolinus of Jerbiton as an Infernalist, he secured the sovereignty of Novus Mane by triumphing in single combat, he helped to defeat the Witches of Thessaly and their demons in Greece, he has flown a ship across the English Channel, invented several new and useful spells, and much more.