Menoetius ex Tytalus, was formerly known Hypetus ex Tytalus filius of Seleria of Fudarus. For reasons of his own,he selected a new name in 1203, Menoetius, meaning "ruined strength". One of feuding Primi of the House agreed to the name change. No one at his home covenant seems to mind, as the other magi have more peculiar and disturbing quirks.
Repeated for continuity:
[Menoetius] has been involved in a cabal that sought to pry away Brittany from the English, going so far as obtaining the services of a witch (maybe hermetic, maybe not) to see that a son was posthumously born son of Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, back in 1187. There could be something magical or fey in the fact that he was a child named Arthur born posthumously in Brittany and who was heir to the English Throne. Richard Lion heart designated the cabal's creation heir to the throne of England; the intent being that Arthur would succeed Richard over John. My mage thought this was a great triumph, especially for a Tytalus in his 20's after gauntlet. However, King John invaded France, captured the boy duke along with several Cabal members. King John murdered the boy gruesomely and did worse to the cabal members. As a junior member of the cabal, my mage was not around fortunately.
However, he has a deep desire to rectify the loss of the young duke. He has been involved with conspiracies in England, France, and Ireland to undermine John and maybe agents scattered there. Since King John's death, he has had to revise his focus. He has no love for Philippe of France and less for his heir Louis. However, politics makes strange bedfellows.
He also has a Persona: Father Callas, an elderly retired priest who has contacts by either blood or association to various lords, many of who he has provided sage counsel in the past. Whether these associations are real or planted by mentum magic is not always clear. The blood relationships are planted memories.
He finds the conflict in Fudarus too insular and narrow. His generation of Soldales has been helpful in his ventures. The underworld contacts of one allow for frequent information and smuggled agents, which he pays for in information on various nobles and wealthy merchants. The strange maga has her uses as well. In addition to making the covenant safer, maybe she provided a contact to the fertility witch many years ago. The holy member of our group has their uses as well; fortunately, piety can blind even the intelligent sometimes.
Finally the Diedne who once walked this land have left behind many secrets that date back to the time of Merlin> This was the last time Kingship and Magic were comfortably aligned, the return of which was the goal of the cabal, only no one had assumed the position of Merlin before it was discovered.
I am playing a very dangerous game, but then what other kind would be worth playing.
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I appreciate any comments and suggestions. We don't want too much overlap among the PCs, so let me know what you think. However, based on my review of everyone else, it looks like we cover about every social group in ME (Nobility, rougues, clergy, and the wilds.
Menoetius ex Tytalus: formerly known Hypetus ex Tytalus filius of Seleria of Fudarus
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +1 Com +1, Pre +2, Str 0, Sta +0, Dex +0, Quik -1
Size: 0
Age: 29? (5 Years past Gauntlet?)
Decrepitude: ?
Warping: ? (?)
Confidence: 2 (5)
Virtues: Gifted Hermetic Magus, Self Confident, Entrancement +3, Quiet Caster (x2), +2, Puissant Art (Rego) +1, Persona +1, 1, Social Contacts (nobility) +1, Well-Travelled +1, Gossip +1.
Flaws: Painful Magic +3, Enemies +3, Driven + 1, Deficient Form (Terram) +1, Limited Magical Resistance (Terram) +1, Obese +1.
Arts: (150xp)
Creo: 4, Intéllego: 3, Muto: 6, Perdo: 1, Rego: 10, Animal: 0, Aquam: 2, Auram:0, Corpus: 4, Herbam:0, Ignem: 2, Imáginem: 3, Mentem: 8,
Terram: 0, Vim: 1.
Abilities: (45+140+ 50*=240)
Area Lore:
Artes Liberales :
Awareness (searching):
Brawl (knives):
Charm (first impressions):
Civil Law (English Succession):
Code of Hermes:
Concentration (spells):
Entrancement (Servants):
Etiquette (court):
Folk Ken (nobles):
Guile (elaborate lies):
Intrigue (plots):
Language (French):
Language (English):
Language (Breton):
Language (Irish):
Latin (Academic Usage):
Magic Theory (enchanting):
Parma Magica (Mentum):
Philosophiae (moral):
Penetration (Mentum):
Theology (history):
Thrown Weapon (knives):
Personas: FATHER CALLAS - Like many Tytali in the Normandy Tribunal, Menoetis uses a Persona when he travels and participates in his plots. His Persona is Father Callas, a retired French Priest, who travels between noble houses offering sage advice, gossip, and unseen direction. Currently, Father Callas appears to be in his early 60’s and of good health. He clearly enjoys the finer things in life, but has a kindly and gentle reputation. He avoids condemning the excesses of his hosts in public, and many see him as more accessible than the usual sycophant court clergy or the agents for Rome.
Personality:
Reputations:
I think you have one too many characteristic points. but otherwise the character is off to a good beginning. I like the political tie ins.
I like the back story for the cabal muddling in mortal politics. You magus must always wonder, is he the lone survivor? Is he quite sure Arthur is dead? Who broke the cabal- and if it was a Hermetic, why have charges not been brought.
And why does the Count of Nantes always looks so slyly at Father Callas when he speaks to him?
There's our Rego specialist - and fat! Living as a noble does have a price eh? 
There seems to be indeed an extra point in Characteristics, and I'm curious as to what is the _______ Virtue. Secret Virtue or just undecided?
Also, painful magic? Ouchie...
Thanks for the catch on the characteristic. Faulty math, nothing more nefarious than that. The blank virtue is undecided, maybe "Gossip"? Furthermore, many of the abilities I list are "to be acquired eventually."
On thing I was thinking was taking some more militant abilities to be used early on in my career, before I the indulgences of court caught up to me. I think magi like most of us live many different lives during the different stages of our life. However, like many nobility, their youth often slips away with too much indulgence. For my later years, I picture a Sidney Greenstreet, at least in size and appearance. In youth, he was more dashing maybe.
Unlike most Tytali, he had fairly benevolent master. She embroiled him in various conspiracies early on and used him as a tool against many of her rivals. From his teaching, he learned that people made the best weapons. Therefore, he suffers from contradictory feelings of loyalty and a manipulative ruthlessness. Protective of the covenant, he has not qualms about expending its resources and people, but cautiously like a chess player. In this he is like the serpent, waiting patiently to strike.
Your maximum Hermetic age is 46, but can be as low as 40.
Menoetius ex Tytalus: formerly known Hypetus ex Tytalus filius of Seleria of Fudarus
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +1 Com +1, Pre +2, Str +0, Sta 0, Dex +0, Quik -1
Size: 0
Age: 29? (5 Years past Gauntlet in 1154), Born: 23 August 1154 Anno Domini
Decrepitude: ?
Warping: 2
Confidence: 2 (5)
Virtues: Gifted Hermetic Magus, Self Confident, Entrancement +3, Quiet Caster (x2), +2, Puissant Art (Rego) +1, Persona +1, 1, Social Contacts (nobility) +1, Well-Travelled +1, Gossip +1.
Flaws: Painful Magic +3, Enemies +3, Driven + 1, Deficient Form (Terram) +1, Limited Magical Resistance (Terram) +1, Overconfident +1 (to eventually be replaced by Obese +1).
Arts (150 xp):
Creo: 4, Intéllego: 1, Muto: 8, Perdo: 4, Rego: 9 (+3), Animal: 1, Aquam: 0, Auram: 4, Corpus: 3, Herbam: 0, Ignem: 1, Imáginem: 3, Mentem: 7,
Terram: 0, Vim: 1.
Abilities (45+140+ 50*=240):
Artes Liberales (Latin): 1(5)
Brawl (knives): 1(5)
Certamen (Muto): 1 (5)
Charm (first impressions): 2 (15*)
Civil Law (English Succession): 1(5)
Code of Hermes (political intrigue): 1(5)
Concentration (spells): 2 (15)
Entrancement (Servants): 2(10)
Etiquette (court): 1 (5*)
Finesse (targeting): 1 (5)
Folk Ken (nobles): 2 (15*)
Guile (elaborate lies): 1(5*)
Intrigue (plots): 2 (15)
Language (French/native): 5 (0)
Language (English): 1 (5*)
Latin (Academic Usage): 5 (75)
London Lore (personalities): 1 (5*)
Magic Theory (enchanting): 3 (30)
Parma Magica (Mentum): 1(5)
Penetration (Mentum): 1(5)
Stealth (sneak):1(5)
Thrown Knives: 1 (5)
Grimoire (120)
Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe20)
Wizards Sidestep (ReIm10)
Perception of the Conflicting Emotions (InMe15)
Talons of the Winds (MuAu20)
Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn15)
Ring of Wading Against Spirits (ReMe25)
Disguise the New Visage (MuCo15)
Wizards Sigil: Feeling of Ennui
Personality: Careful +2, Charming +2, Loyal +1, Slothful +2
Reputations: Charming Dilettante
Personas: FATHER CALLAS - Like many Tytali in the Normandy Tribunal, Menoetis uses a Persona when he travels and participates in his plots. His Persona is Father Callas, a retired French Priest, who travels between noble houses offering sage advice, gossip, and unseen direction. Currently, Father Callas appears to be in his early 60’s and of good health. He clearly enjoys the finer things in life, but has a kindly and gentle reputation. He avoids condemning the excesses of his hosts in public, and many see him as more accessible than the usual sycophant court clergy or the agents for Rome.
Spring 1178
In the Spring of 1178, Hypetus ex Tytalus filius of Seleria of Fudarus arrived upon invitation of the ruling council of Hodopoion, but which was already generally known as Carnacis. Although this was not his first visit to the imposing covenant, it was the first time as a full magus. Despite its location in the marshes near the sea with the ever present salt and fetid smell, Hypetus was relieved that the booming waves he endured at Fudarus could not be heard. After being acquainted with most of the magi, Hypetus settled into his journey magus tower nearer the covenant's village and begin outfititng his lab. (Seasonal Activity: Establish Lab, Gain 1 Exposure xp in Magic Theory, 1 Exposure xp in Breton).
Summer 1178
Early on, Hypetus discovered that the other younger magi at the the covenant were much less refined than to what he had been cultured. Using his charm and ability to read people, Hypetus quickly ingratiated himself with the various classes about Carnacis. The servants, warped as they were, were often pleased that a magus asked personal questions about family and duties. The local knights, incuding the older Corentin, enjoyed Hypetus tales of tourneys seen and court gossip. Even some, but not all, of the older magi were charmed. Among the younger magi he was chocked at the youthfullness of Aurelia, to whom Corentin's was consort. He was also very suprised that the young girl, Argantael, he took for Aurelia's sister was in fact her daughter. He was also saddned that she had already been betrothed. Such a face would rival the fey tainted heirs to Anjou. Durring this time, he also focused on improving his knoweldge of the beasts of the world because of the plague of pests and vermin that seemed to crescendo during the summer heat. (Study On Animals
Animal L5 Q15 for 15 XP or 4 additional levels) (Is there a seasonal level limit, I canot remember?).
Fall 1178
Travel to Paris for important meeting at the request of the Carnacis council concerning Conan of Brittany's dispute over Nantes with Henry II. Under Conan, the Covenant had remained unmolested. England had demanded erradiaction of pirates along the Brittany coasts who harried ships to Acquitane. Through intrique and subtle sugegstions, Hypetus put the thought of Conan's daughter Constance into the head of Henry's agent. (10 ex, 5 into intrigue, 5 into entrancement.)
Winter 1178
Court favor with the Council to be in delegation to next year's Tribunal. More study, few outside endevors. (On Divination Intellego L7 Q 15 for 15 XP for 4 additional levels).
No. There was a 3 level gain limit back in 4th edition, but as far as I can tell it was not carried over to 5th.
Year 1 looks good.
Thanks Caelarch. I do not think the next 41 years are going to be quite as detailed, but the major stuff will be.
What qualifies as covenant work?
Writing a book is popular, as long as it is useful (generally a tractatus) or summa where the covenant doesn't already have a better one. Creating a magical item for the covenant. Adventures if they directly support the covenant.
Below are additional years of advancement:
Spring 1179
Read Peripheral Code L3 Q9, gain L1 Order Lore (Peripheral Code)
Summer 1179
Attend Tribunal. This is the first Tribunal Hypetus has attended as a fully gauntleted magi. The difference he receives from the non-magi and even his peers is a pleasant surprise. However, he really enjoys the politicking and solicitation he receives for his votes. In one instance, a Merinta maga approaches him to support her against a charge of interfering with mundanes. It helps that he has gained some additional information about her accuser that would assist him in discrediting the wizard. Keeping this inside info to himself, he offers to help defend her in disputatio in addition to his vote in exchange for a later favor and some remuneration of value (Storyteller’s choice) On the nest to the last day of the Tribunal he speaks to the assembly. Using his charm to win over the audience, a folksy manner, and subtle hints at the accuser’s dark past he is able to rebut the charges.
Not all of the Tribunal was a success. His overconfidence leads him into a certamen duel against a Bjornear in which he faired poorly. He learned more about the Art Rego, but the cost was returning home with green hair that lasted a month. 10 xp (6 Order Lore Peripheral Code, 4 Rego) = Level 2 Order Lore.
Fall 1179
Hypetus attends coronation and anointment of Phillipe Augustus in Reims as King Heir to France. He has the opportunity to prevent a magical assassination attempt on Conan of Brittany by agents of Henry II. This is the second time he has become involved in plots involving the Plantagenets. Hypetus soon finds himself approached to join a cabal focused on the lineage of kings. This catches his fancy. He confidently believes he was approached based on his performance at Tribunal. However, the truth is his mater is a member and his familiarity with England among the Norman magi is helpful as is the location of his current covenant to faerie and possibly Diedne sites. 10 xp = 1 Rego, 2 Auram, 5 Parma, 2 Folk Ken, 1 Intrigue
Winter 1179
Study Magical Control Rego L11, Q17, 17 xp = Level 11 Rego
Spring 1180
Write Tractatus on Rego titled “Legis Negis” Q8 using political metaphors.
Summer 1180
Return to On Divination, 15 xp = Level 7 Intellego
Fall 1180
Study Ars Magica L6 Q21. The low level suggest that this is the Fourth Edition of Ars Magica. As such, he gains 21 xp = level 6 Vim. He has heard that there is a “one- True” edition out there that is of unlimited levels known as Second Edition and he will seek that one out at a later date.
Winter 1180
Create a new Spell “The Ratters Palace” ReAn 15 (Base 2, Touch 1, Moon 2, Room 2) Wards a room against all mundane beasts. This should stop those rats and pesky mosquitos from infesting his lab like the have done all summer.
Spring 1181 - Winter 1181
Study Ruminations of Pure Magic L12 Q11. Gains 44 xp, and raises Vim to Level 11.
Spring 1182
Study Foundation of Creation the Poor Copy L6 Q18. Gains 18 xp but only raises Creo to Level 6.
Summer 1182
Study Conjuration of Flames CreoQ9/IgnemQ9. Gains 9 Exp in Creo an 9 xp in Igmem, raises Creo to Level 7 and Ignem to Level 4.
Fall 1182
Distill Vim Vis for Covenant (7+11+2+3+4 = 27) or 3 pawns of Vim Vis. Gains 2Xp in Magic Theory.
Winter 1182
Distill Vim Vis for Self (7+11+2+3+4 = 27) or 3 pawns of Vim Vis. Gains 2Xp in Magic Theory.
Spring 1183
Study MAgical Prorperies of Silk Worms MuQ10, Animal Q10. Gains 10 xp Muto and 10 Xp Animal, raises Muto to 9 (+1 xp) and Animal to Level 6 (+4 xp).
Summer 1183
Invent Shrowd Magic MuVi 15 (9+11+2+3+4+1(lab) = 30).