Orion ex Merinita

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: The Prestige of Thebes
41

[size=150]Orion ex Merinita[/size]

After second Tribunal post-gauntlet.

Characteristics: Int +3, Per -2, Pre 0, Com 0, Str +1, Sta +3, Dex 0, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 40 (35)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 182 lbs
Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 1 (0)
Confidence: 1 (3)

[size=150]Virtues[/size]
The Gift (free)
Affinity with Creo (minor)
Affinity with Rego (minor)
Book Learner (minor)
Faerie Blood [Cyclops blood] (minor) (the closest I could find was Ettin blood)
Faerie Magic (free)
Harnessed Magic (minor)
Hermetic Magus (free)
Mythic Blood [Poseidon] (major)
Personal Vis Source [Creo] (minor)
Skilled Parens (minor)

[size=150]Flaws[/size]
Deficient Technique [Intelligo] (major)
Faerie Upbringing (minor)
Flawed Parma Magica [Aurum] (minor)
Magical Animal Companion [otter of virtue] (minor)
Missing Eye [blind in one eye since birth] (minor)
Pagan (major)

[size=150]Abilities[/size]
Area Lore: Islands of Thebes 2 (5)
Artes Liberales 2
Athletics 2
Awareness 2
Bargain 1
Brawl 2
Charm 1
Code of Hermes 1
Concentration 2 (6)
Craft: Jewelry 2
Romaic Greek 5
Faerie Lore 3 (11)
Finesse 3 (17)
Guile 1
Intrigue 2
Latin 4
Magic Lore 2 (11)
Magic Theory 7 (12)
Order of Hermes Lore 1
Parma Magica 2 (11)
Philosophiae 1
Swim 3

[size=150]Arts[/size]
Cr 15 (12)
In 8 (6)
Mu 10 (0)
Pe 10 (0)
Re 15 (12)
An 8 (6)
Aq 10 (5)
Au 6 (0)
Co 10 (8)
He 8 (6)
Ig 8 (7)
Im 8 (6)
Me 6 (0)
Te 10 (5)
Vi 8 (6)

Innate Invocation: Lungs of the Fish (MuAq 20) (Gestures)

[size=150]Spells Known[/size]
Mighty Torrent of Water (CrAq 20) +28
Extended Sight of the Naiad (InAq 15) +11
Comfort of the Drenched Traveler (PeAq 5) +23
Curse of the Desert (PeAq 25) +23
Break the Oncoming Wave (ReAq 10) +28
Push the Gentle Wave (ReAq 15) +28
Poseidon’s Gift of Movement (ReAq 25) +28
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) +28
Purification of the Festering Wound (CrCo 20) +28
Eyes of the Cat (MuCo(An) 5) +23
Wizard's Leap (ReCo(An,He,Te)15) +28, Mastery 2, Quick Casting, Church Casting
Seven-League Stride (ReCo 30) +28
Leap of Homecoming (ReCo 35) +28
Extended Lamp Without Flame (CrIg 15) +26
Touch of Warmth (CrIg 5) +26
Ward Against Heat and Flames (ReIg 25) +26
Taste of Spices and Herbs (MuIm 5) +21
Wizard’s Sidestep (MuIm10) +21
Conjuring the Mystic Tower (CrTe 35) +28
The Crystal Dart (Mu(Re)Te 10) +23
Hands of the Grasping Earth (ReTe 15) +28
Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5) +10
Sense the Nature of Vis (InVi 5) +10

42

Their main use is to neutralize shards that you receive. And you cannot use your own tokens to neutralize shards that you've received. You need to seek out another magus who has tokens, and perform a service to him in exchange for his agreeing to use his token to neutralize your shard.

In the same way, if you have tokens, another magus can seek you out and perform a service for you in exchange for your token.

Generally, those personal services imply a season of service, or something equivalent. Certainly not anything as simple as a payment of raw vis.

43

I was figuring on having him prepare at least one LR for a token, if that's okay. What other opportunities would he have to earn them?

44

[size=150]Zoros[/size]
Otter of Virtue

Zoros has been a servant of Poseidon since the days of ancient Greece. He wasn’t a powerful or well-known servant, of course. Few told tales about him. But he served nonetheless, being a representative of the rivers and seas of Greece. Often, Zoros would befriend a human and serve as companion to that person throughout their life. Sometimes that human would even have the Gift of magic. But regardless of whether he or she had magical talent, Zoros would serve as a guide, mentor, and friend to his chosen mortal.

Even though the glory days of the Greek pantheon is gone, Zoros has continued to serve Poseidon as best he can. He looks after the rivers and seas that he lives in, and continues to befriend those who he thinks further the interests of the god of the sea.

When Orien was just a small boy, Zoros met him and befriended him. Perhaps it was just coincidence; perhaps Poseidon sensed that the boy was of his own blood and pushed Zoros in his direction. The otter isn’t talking, so the matter remains a mystery. But one thing is clear, he has settled on Orien as his companion for this lifetime and will stand by him through thick and thin.

Form: Aq
Size: -3
Might: 10

[size=150]Characteristics[/size]
Int +2
Per +2
Pre -2
Com +2
Str -7
Sta +1
Dex +3
Quick +6

[size=150]Qualities[/size]
Gift of Speech (minor)
Improved Powers (minor, x2)
Improved Abilities (minor)
Keen Sense of Smell (minor)
Minor Virtue: Vis source: Creo (minor, x2)
Minor Virtue: Improved Characteristics (minor)
Minor Virtue: Puissant Awareness (minor)
Minor Virtue: Puissant Swimming (minor)
Minor Virtue: Second Sight (minor)
Personal Power: Hands of the Magical Animal (minor)
Personal Power: Human Shape (minor)
Personal Power: Lungs of the Fish (minor)
Personal Power: Wizard’s Leap (minor)

Keen Sense of Smell: Add 1 to Perception, +3 to all rolls using the sense of smell, and +2 to all Hunt rolls.

[size=150]Inferiorities[/size]
Reduced Attack (claws) (minor)
Reduced Damage (claws) (minor)
Reduced Might (minor, x3)

[size=150]Virtues[/size]
Arcane Lore (minor)
Educated (minor)
Good Teacher (minor)
Sharp Ears (minor)
Unaffected by the Gift (minor)

[size=150]Flaws[/size]
Magical Friend (minor)
Carefree (minor)
Greedy (major)

[size=150]Abilities[/size]
Area Lore –Islands of Thebes 3
Artes Liberales 2
Athletics (Acrobatics) 3
Awareness 4+2
Brawl 4
Classical Greek 6
Concentration 3
Faerie Lore 3
Finesse 4
Guile 3
Hunt 4
Intrigue 2
Latin 4
Leadership 3
Magic Lore 4
Magic Theory 6
Order of Hermes Lore 3
Otter speak 5
Philosophiae 3
Romaic Greek 6
Second Sight 6
Stealth 4
Survival (rivers) 3
Swim 4+2
Teaching 4

[size=150]Personality[/size]
Fun-loving +5
Curious +3
Voracious +2

[size=150]Powers[/size]

[size=150]Hands of the Magical Animal[/size]
Might Cost: 0 points
Init: (Qik – 2) = 4
Form: Terram
R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Ind
This allows an animal to manipulate and carry an item as if it had human hands and a Strength of +5. The character must concentrate to do anything other than carry the object, including dropping it or taking something else.
ReTe 15 (base 3, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 constant)
Improvements: 1, to allow a level 15 power
Personal Power (15 levels, –2 Might cost)

[size=150]Human Shape[/size]
Might Cost: 0 points
Init: (Qik – 2) = 4
Form: Corpus
R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind
The character transforms itself into the shape of a normal human being, allowing
it to move through mundane society relatively unnoticed.
MuAq 20 (base 10, +2 Sun)
Improvements: 3 – 2 to allow a level 20 power; and 1 to reduce Might cost by 1
Personal Power (20 levels, –1 Might cost)

[size=150]Lungs of the Fish[/size]
Might Cost: 0 points
Init: (Qik – 2) = 4
Form: Aquam
R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Part
Turns water into air as it enters your lungs, allowing you to breathe water as you do air.
MuAq 20 (Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 Part)
Improvements: 3 – 2 to allow a level 20 power; and 1 to reduce Might cost by 1
Personal Power (20 levels, –1 Might cost)

[size=150]Wizard’s Leap[/size]
Might Cost: 0 points
Init: (Qik – 2) = 4
Form: Corpus
R: Per., D: Mom, T: Ind
The caster instantly transports himself up to 50 paces in any direction, provided he can see his destination or has an Arcane Connection to it. This spell is effective as a fast-cast defense to escape attacks or other mishaps, and can also be used for bypassing obstacles or launching surprise attacks.
ReCo 15 (base 15)
Improvements: 2 – 1 to allow a level 15 power; 1 to allow Fast Casting
Personal Power (15 levels, –2 Might cost)

I think I have this done right. But I've no doubt goofed up something major. Feel free to point out where I went astray. :slight_smile:

45

In addition to being handed down from on high, tokens are traded as a form of currency within the tribunal, so you might provide a season of service to a magus with many tokens in exchange for one. You would also get exposure experience in that season. This is where the covenant you have joined works against you- isolation means little in the way of token currency.

For 10 Cr plus the cost of the Longevity Ritual and 1 token you can get a level 45 ritual- or you can do it yourself. (17 Cr vis plus 1 token total)
FWIW I come up with a lab total of 38 for you (your covenant has a level 8 region), which would count as a +7 bonus instead of a +9 if you want to save the token. Your covenant is an autumn covenant with a +2 quality of living bonus instead of a +1 as well...

It looks like you made an entry error for spring of age 36.

46

How do you become an arche, and what does that entail? Is that a tree worth barking up?

47

It decided at random at the Tribunal meeting. Arches have various responsibilities that they need to fulfill, depending on the exact board they on (treasury, legislative or judiciary). One of them is also elected by the others to act as the Praeco, and another one is in charge of Wizard Marches.

48

Oh well, you take the bad with the good.

FWIW I come up with a lab total of 38 for you (your covenant has a level 8 region), which would count as a +7 bonus instead of a +9 if you want to save the token.

My lab total is: 15 (Cr) + 9 (Co) + 3 (Int) + 6 (MT) + 8 (Aura) = 41, as I calculate it. I can just afford to up the LT to 46 with vis, given my maximum vis expenditure (6*2=12) right now. And since 46 is a -10 LR, I'll go with that.

So I'll do the LR myself. As I see, it should cost 12 Cr (7 for age 35, and 5 to up my LT by 5) for the LR. If I'm in error, please let me know and I'll adjust my Vis totals accordingly. Does it take a token if I do it myself?

Nice to know.

Good catch. I'll correct that.

49

Your otter would be might 13, not 10.

as for becoming an archae- for citizens without shards not serving as archae currently within the agean phyle 20 seems like a nice round estimate, so on a 1 or 2 on a simple die you will be chosen- rolled a 6 for the first tribunal, 9 for the second.

Realistically what you want is a friend who is an archae who can give you easy assignments...

Are you using the numbers from the time you would do the LR for your calculation? I believe some of them have improved between then and the end of the tribunal cycle.

50

I took the Inferiority "Reduced Might" three times, bringing his MIght back down to 10.

Oh well, again the remoteness of the covenant comes into play. That's the way the cookie crumbles.

I double checked the numbers. As of the LR, the totals are as follows:

Cr 15 (12)
Co 9 (0)
Int 3
MT 6 (17)
Aura 8

Co goes up to 10, and MT goes up to 7 by the end of the Tribunal. But the numbers I used are for Winter, age 35.

51

Okay, I apparently was reading your aurum score, which is next to your corpus score on my spreadsheet.

With Regards to Zaros, did you use the non-magical otter qualities from HOH:mystery cults: Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (against water creatures), Puissant Swim; Carefree. Qualities: Amphibious, Pursuit Predator. (phlegmaticwith melancholic aspect)?

52

I used some, but not all. Are those required? I based him (somewhat) on the otter from the 4th Ed Bestiary.

53

I don't have any of the 4th ed books... I did notice you balanced virtues and flaws where mystery cults suggest that animals should have a 3:1 virtue to flaw ratio... though with the otter being NPC adherence to rules is less essential than it would be otherwise...
at this point the only thing that really bugs me is that being a magical servant of Poseidon who is faerie... or both...
go ahead and post the character, just keep in mind that the Poseidon it serves is probably actually a different being than the Poseidon you are descended from... but not unrelated...
3rd tribunal, or do you want to bid on an apprentice at the second? I'm assuming you had 2 tokens after apprenticeship, and since you didn't spend one on your Longevity ritual you have gained 3 more since (assuming your quest for vis was on behalf of the council)

54

I realize there's a bit of a cognitive disconnect there. But it seemed like a magical otter from the days of old Greece would serve Poseidon in some way. I'm happy saying that it's not quite the Poseidon I'm descended from. Those things got very mixed up back then. :slight_smile:

I'd like to go for a third tribunal (or even a fourth if that's not pushing things too much). I've done a bunch of the newbie stuff in other games, and like the idea of getting involved in Tribunal politics (and other stuff) at a slightly higher level. Besides, as you said, it makes no sense to have a covenant made up of all young magi. I figure there ought to be someone of a decent age at the new covenant to give it some respectability.

55

Okay then, you might want to put a bit more time into earning tokens in these stretches... remember that making a magnitude 10 LR for certain magi will earn you 2 tokens from the council, which also provides the vis. Given that you managed to make a magnitude 10 LR for yourself at 35 you will probably be able to get a number of those assignments- no more than one per year though.

56

Here is a third tribunal worth of advancement for Orien:

Again, I tried to go for what I thought were common spells, almost all from the core book. The only one that wasn't core was Voice of the Bjornaer Magus, which has seemed pretty common in games I've been in.

Vis Gifts Received: 1d10=2, 1d10=1, 1d10=4, 1d10=4, 1d10=6, 1d10=10, 1d10=6 = 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 10 + 6 = 33 Aquam vis

Accumulated Personal Vis: 1 Cr/season = 56 Creo

Counting on giving away half of what he accumulates as gifts, Orien would have: 72 Cr and 53 Aq at the end of this period, less his costs below.

[size=150]Teaching Qualities[/size]

[tableborder][tr][th][left]Skill[/left][/th] [th][left]Invisible Castle Link[/left][/th] [th]Roll[/th] [th]Quality[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Romaic Greek[/td] [td]1d10=7[/td] [td]7[/td] [td]17[/td][/tr][/tableborder]

[size=150]Aging Rolls[/size]

Simple Die + 5 (age) -2 (living conditions) -1 (faerie blood) -10 (assuming a magnitude 10 ritual) = SD - 8.

[tableborder][tr][th]Age[/th][th][left]Aging Roll[/left][/th] [th]Result[/th][/tr]
[tr][td][center]41[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=-6[/td] [td][center]-6[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]42[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=-4[/td] [td][center]-4[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]43[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=-1[/td] [td][center]-1[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]44[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=-4[/td] [td][center]-4[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]45[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=-5[/td] [td][center]-5[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]46[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=1[/td] [td][center]1[/center][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][center]47[/center][/td] [td]1d10-8=0[/td] [td][center]0[/center][/td][/tr][/tableborder]

[size=150]Talisman[/size]

Ring of The Cyclopes [4/8 vis]
Brass ring with a drop of mercury encapsulated in a sphere of amber such that it looks like an eye.

Bonuses
+5 Muto (Mercury)
+3 Aquam (Mercury)
+3 Terram (Mercury)
+3 Corpus (Amber)

Instilled Power: Wall of Protecting Stone, Unlimited Uses +10 (CrTe 35)

Trade 10 Aq vis for 8 Vi vis to empower talisman.

[size=150]Familiar[/size]

LT: 46

Spend 10 Aq vis to bond with Familiar

Cords
Gold: +2
Silver: +2
Bronze: +2

[size=150]Vis[/size]

Total Ending Vis: 72 Cr, 33 Aq

57

[size=150]Orion ex Merinita[/size]

After third Tribunal post-gauntlet.

Characteristics: Int +3, Per -2, Pre 0, Com 0, Str +1, Sta +3, Dex 0, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 47 (35)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 182 lbs
Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 2 (4)
Confidence: 1 (3)

[size=150]Virtues[/size]
The Gift (free)
Affinity with Creo (minor)
Affinity with Rego (minor)
Book Learner (minor)
Faerie Blood [Cyclops blood] (minor) (the closest I could find was Ettin blood)
Faerie Magic (free)
Harnessed Magic (minor)
Hermetic Magus (free)
Mythic Blood [Poseidon] (major)
Personal Vis Source [Creo] (minor)
Skilled Parens (minor)

[size=150]Flaws[/size]
Deficient Technique [Intelligo] (major)
Faerie Upbringing (minor)
Flawed Parma Magica [Aurum] (minor)
Magical Animal Companion [otter of virtue] (minor)
Missing Eye [blind in one eye since birth] (minor)
Pagan (major)

[size=150]Abilities[/size]
Area Lore: Duchy of Athens 1
Area Lore: Islands of Thebes 2 (5)
Artes Liberales 2
Athletics 2
Awareness 2
Bargain 1
Brawl 2
Charm 1
Code of Hermes 1
Concentration 3 (12)
Craft: Jewelry 2
Romaic Greek 6 (4)
Faerie Lore 3 (11)
Finesse 5 (14)
Guile 1
Intrigue 2
Latin 4
Magic Lore 2 (11)
Magic Theory 8 (15)
Order of Hermes Lore 1
Parma Magica 4 (18)
Penetration 2 (6)
Philosophiae 1
Swim 3
Teach 3

[size=150]Arts[/size]
Cr 17 (2)
In 8 (6)
Mu 13 (0)
Pe 10 (0)
Re 17 (2)
An 10 (5)
Aq 12 (0)
Au 6 (0)
Co 10 (8)
He 10 (5)
Ig 8 (7)
Im 8 (6)
Me 6 (0)
Te 12 (0)
Vi 8 (3)

Innate Invocation: Lungs of the Fish (MuAq 20) (Gestures)

[size=150]Spells Known[/size]
Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn15) +26/+31
Voice of the Bjornaer Magus (MuAn15) +26/+31
Mighty Torrent of Water (CrAq 20) +32/+35
Extended Sight of the Naiad (InAq 15) +12/+13
Comfort of the Drenched Traveler (PeAq 5) +25/+28
Curse of the Desert (PeAq 25) +25/+28
Break the Oncoming Wave (ReAq 10) +32/+35
Push the Gentle Wave (ReAq 15) +32/+35
Poseidon’s Gift of Movement (ReAq 25) +32/+35
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) +30/+33
Purification of the Festering Wound (CrCo 20) +30/+33
Eyes of the Cat (MuCo(An) 5) +26/+31
Wizard's Leap (ReCo(An,He,Te)15) +30/+33, Mastery 2, Quick Casting, Church Casting
Seven-League Stride (ReCo 30) +30/+33
Leap of Homecoming (ReCo 35) +30/+33
Extended Lamp Without Flame (CrIg 15) +28
Touch of Warmth (CrIg 5) +28
Ward Against Heat and Flames (ReIg 25) +28
Taste of Spices and Herbs (MuIm 5) +24/+29
Wizard’s Sidestep (MuIm10) +24/+29
Conjuring the Mystic Tower (CrTe 35) +32/+35
The Crystal Dart (Mu(Re)Te 10) +28/+33
Fist of Shattering (PeTe10) +25/+28
Rusted Decay of the Ten-Score-Years (PeTe 10) +25/+28
Pit of the Gaping Earth (PeTe15) +25/+28
Hands of the Grasping Earth (ReTe 15) +32/+35
Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5) +10
Sense the Nature of Vis (InVi 5) +10

[size=150]Familiar[/size]

Zoros - otter of virtue

Cords
Golden: +2
Silver: +2
Bronze: +2

[size=150]Talisman[/size]

Ring of The Cyclopes
Brass ring with a drop of mercury encapsulated in a sphere of amber such that it looks like an eye.

Bonuses
+5 Muto (Mercury)
+3 Aquam (Mercury)
+3 Terram (Mercury)
+3 Corpus (Amber)

Instilled Power: Wall of Protecting Stone, Unlimited Uses +10 (CrTe 35)

Also, I added a few extra Warping points because it seemed like the right thing to do.

58

how do quality 12 summae give you 23 points?

going back, it looks like you did the same thing in the second tribunal period.

59

These are the Arts that I have an affinity with, so their totals get multiplied by 1.5. Plus, the 12 becomes a 15 with Book Learner.

(12+3)1.5 = 151.5 = 22.5

The display rounds them up to the nearest whole number (23). But the spreadsheet counts the half point.

60

Okay, that's right- been a bit stressfull today- I'll review this tomorrow.