Well, here’s everything I have so far. I’ve tried to clean it up and make it as clear as possible, but I’m afraid it’s still very detailed - probably much more than necessary. My goal was to simulate the breadth, depth, and emotional investment of a character generated through play, and I had fun doing it, so I’m content.
Inigo uses several new spells of his own invention, which I will post to the spell wiki shortly. Some of them had no previous guidelines, and sometimes size modifiers and descriptions were somewhat unclear. He also dabbled in the Mysteries a bit. I chose to use the Legion of Mithras because thematically it fit what I was going for, but I changed the initiations somewhat, and justified by saying his parens (whose idea it was all along) is a bit of a free thinker within the cult. If anyone objects stridently to my using the Legion this way, I’ll make up something else for him to join. In any case, I welcome comments in both these areas.
For his lab, I did my best to describe the place I imagined him living, working, and being happy, and I think I stayed within our bounds. As regards actual labwork, he did rather a lot of experimentation. I did my own rolling, and got insanely lucky with two (!) discoveries in a row. Sheer, dumb, blind luck: eat your heart out, Bonisagi. I left them in because 1) I rolled ‘em, damn it! How often do you get that lucky? and 2) The bonus even for the both of them was less than a productive season at Andorra anyway, and appears to balance out in the bean counting.
His daughter is nearly of marriageable age, so she may not be a Dependent for all that much longer. What happens to the story flaw after that, well, surprise me. Perhaps its something to do with her husband? Or does his relationship with her change to True Friendship? Some crazy twist? My only request is that she not die, at least not for a while. Preferably not until she’s had children.
I have a version of his history as I conceive of it posted with his character sheet. It was muddled, unclear, and very detailed when entwined into development, so I extracted it. I’ve posted a somewhat condensed version (ha!) before his advancement and I may whip up something more narrative and in the next little while. Hopefully, that will round him out and give insight to his character for those interested. For those who aren’t, I imagine what’s below is more than enough.
I welcome comments, suggestions, constructive criticism, auditing, and the like. I’ve done my level best to proofread, but I’ve probably still overlooked something. I'm sorry in advance for the massive block of text that follows, and I look forward to playing with you all!
At Gauntlet:
Inigo Elazar, of Flambeau
Male, Size 0
Age: 24
Inigo has a light tan, and his long blonde hair is tied neatly back. His face is carefully clean shaven and his eyes are intense.
Born the son of a Basque fisherman and sometime whaler, Inigo knew he was not destined for the sea. Apprenticed to Isabeau the Spirited of Flambeau at Sarnia, a small covenant between the Provencal and Normandy Tribunals, he was trained in fighting, honor, and the School of the Founder.
Wizard's Sigil: Inigo's spells are subtle and stylized, often incorporating a motif of flowers.
Personality Traits: Lighthearted +3, Optimistic +2, Brave +3
Reputations: None
Characteristics:
Int: +2, Per +1, Str 0, Sta +2, Pre +1, Com -1, Dex -1, Qik +1
Virtues and Flaws
Virtues: +0 Gifted Hermetic Magus, +F Puissant Ignem, +1 Inventive Genius, +1 Affinity with Creo, +1 Affinity with Ignem, +1 Deft Ignem, +1 Book Learner, +1 Puissant Parma Magica, +1 Life Boost, +3 Major Magical Focus: Heat,
Flaws: -1 Incomprehensible, -1 Ambitious,-1 Deleterious Circumstances (when embarrassed, flustered, or extremely surprised), -1 Incompatible Arts (Intellego Mentem and Intellego Auram), -3 Optimistic, -3 Story Flaw that becomes “Dependentâ€
Abilities: Iberian Area Lore (legends) 1, Artes Liberales (Ceremonial magic) 2, Athletics (running) 1, Awareness (alertness) 1, Brawl (dodging) 3, Charm (first impessions) 1, Concentration (spell concentration) 1, Euskara/Basque (storytelling) 5, Finesse (precision) 1, Folk Ken (warriors) 2, Guile (fast talk) 1, Latin (Hermetic usage) 4, Leadership (inspiration) 1, Magic Lore (regiones) 1, Magic Theory (inventing spells) 3, Parma Magica (Ignem) 1+2, Penetration (Ignem) 1, Philosophiae (natural philosophy) 1, Single Weapon (longsword) 1, Stealth (sneak) 2, Survival (foothills) 2
Magical Arts XP / score
Cr (24x1.5)/8
In 3/2
Pe 15/5
Re 15/5
Corpus 6/3
Ig (44x1.5)/11+3
Vim 3/2
Spellbook
Wizard’s Leap, ReCo15
Wizard’s Sidestep, ReIm10
Vision of Heat’s Light, InIg 20
Wizard’s Icy Touch, PeIg 10
Ward Against Heat and Flames, ReIg25
New Spells:
The Sun’s Embrace, CrIg 20
Conjure incredible heat around the target, causing him to take +15 damage. If this is enough to kill, the target is incinerated to mere ash. Metal near the target is heated red-hot, and flammable materials on or near his person are likely to ignite.
Base 10 +2 Voice
Radiant Aegis of the Righteous, Cr(Re)Ig20
To others, you glow brightly enough to rival the sun, but when you look at yourself you see only a faint gold glow under your skin. Anyone trying to engage you in combat must succeed on a Stamina roll of 8+. If they fail, they cannot engage you and are blinded for a few seconds (-3 to all rolls requiring sight).
Base 10 +1 Diam +1 Requisite
Equipment
Weapons and armor of reasonable quality
A recently forged longsword
A simple grey robe.
History: 1202-1220
Born the son of a Basque fisherman and sometime whaler, Inigo knew he was not destined for the sea. He was apprenticed to Isabeau the Spirited of Flambeau and trained in duty, justice, honor, and magical combat. After leaving the covenant of his apprenticeship with an admonishment to use his strength for good, Inigo happened upon the peaceful covenant of Morgan’s Rise, which was being molested by a large troll. After defeating the troll, Inigo was invited to join the covenant as a sort of mercenary-protector by the covenant’s elder maga, Luene of Merinita.
During his time at Morgan’s Rise, Inigo met and fell in love with Zoé, a fiery, raven-haired smith who took an immediate dislike to him. Their courtship was long and fraught with peril, especially for Inigo. He ventured into a faerie regio and was grievously wounded while retrieving a never-wilting rose for her, planning to give it as a wedding present. His bastion of advice, safety, and warm cooking during this whole period is the grandmotherly Luene, who often lectures him on the magic of love and life.
As he courted Zoé, Inigo himself was being courted by the Legion of Mithras, unbeknownst to him. A series of riddles relating to Integrity, Justice, and the Law were posed to him by a talking raven, and solving them lead him to the top of an ancient, abandoned tower, where it was revealed that Isabeau was the instigator and future Mystagogue.
Their closeness did not prevent her from doing what is necessary. She initiated Inigo with an uncharacteristically brutal rite. He was sealed in a deep cavern, in total darkness. Though he continually tried to make magical light, it was always extinguished. He remained in the dark there, living on what rats and vermin he can kill, his despair growing each time his light was extinguished. Finally, thinking of Zoé’s love and terrified by the thought of losing her, he reached within himself, finding his inner light and gaining the strength to escape. From this Ordeal, he acquired unshakeable self-confidence, but forever tied his magical power is to the inner strength he gained.
After she forgave him for being away for so long, Zoé finally consented to marry him. Little is known about ceremony, other than that it was private. Luene of Merinita was no doubt involved in the preparations. Zoé gave Inigo an exquisitely crafted brass pendant in the shape of a rose as a wedding gift, while he gave her the faerie rose he’d worked so hard for when he’d first met her. She was noticeably pregnant by the end of the season.
Less than six months later, the covenant fell under attack by a mysterious hedge wizard known as the Blind Man, who seemed to take a perverse delight in killing children. Inigo’s objections to leaving his wife were extreme, but as the only magus truly trained for combat, he accepted his duty and left his wife in Luene’s hands. With the help of the senior magi, Inigo found and battled the hedge wizard in his stronghold. The battle created a swath of destruction in the dark forest where the evil mage made his home, but the mage escapes, disappearing at the last minute.
Returning to Morgan’s Rise, Inigo learned that Zoé had given birth to their daughter, Kesara. One life was traded for another – despite Luene’s ministrations, Zoé died in Inigo’s arms. Unable to bear the pain of the loss, Inigo abandons his post, runs away from Morgan’s Rise and takes up serious drinking, abusing himself for several months before Luene found him throwing up in a ditch. For Kesara, Inigo pulls himself out of grief. He returns to her and cannot help but love her, though the pain of losing Zoé is still fresh. Luene and his mater, Isabeau, agree to be Kesara’s godparents.
After Kesara’s baptism, Inigo’s jaw was set and his grief was clearly hidden, not gone. He approached Isabeau, all but demanding that she grant him the next rank in the Legion. His mater gently reminded him that all the power, confidence and justice in the world will not bring Zoé back. She tells him that the evil hedge wizard is still at large. Inigo immediately sought the man out, hunting carefully and long for traces of the Blind Man. Their final confrontation was a bloody battle deep in the forest which, in the end, Inigo emerged alive and the hedge wizard did not. The battle left a deep scar on Inigo’s left cheek, forever a reminder of all he has fought for and all he has lost.
Impressed with his success, Isabeau brought him deeper into the Mysteries, admonishing him all the while not to seek power for power’s sake. She promised to initiate him soon, and found a place for him at Andorra through her amicus, Sancho of Flambeau.
While at Andorra, Inigo learned of the Knights, their devotion to Order, and their commitment to righteousness. Seeking a work to forget his grief, a cause to stir his heart, and a safe refuge for his baby girl, he humbly but deliberately asked the Knights for membership. After some consideration and debate, the Knights agreed – if he could pass their ordeal. Inigo fasted in contemplation for three days, instructed in the Illuminations by a council of upstanding Knights. He remained awake for the entire final night and was relieved of his vigil by Grandmaster Perez himself. Perez admonished him to show Courage, Loyalty, Temperance, and Wisdom, giving him a new name, “Xalbadorâ€, to represent his rebirth as a Knight of Seneca.
Following his acceptance as a Knight, Inigo was initiated into a deeper Mystery and embarked on a flurry of magical creativity, trying desperately to forget his grief. Eventually, his daughter, his adventures with the Knights, and a visit from Luene bring him out of his funk. He participates in a small magical tournament and has a minor altercation with the soldiers of a mundane lord in France. He does his best to smooth things over, and the lord appears mollified – for now.
For her seventh birthday, Inigo took Kesara to see her godmother at Morgan’s Rise. Luene was expecting them, somehow. She even baked extra dessert for the both of them. While there, Inigo cannot help but feel that something is amiss, that Luene was hiding something from him. Further investigation revealed that the covenant, now slipping into Winter, was being bullied for its resources by Jarod of Flambeau, known in several tribunals to be an unsavory outlaw and bully.
Filled with protective rage, Inigo prepares a challenge to Wizard’s War before Luene can stop him. A moon before the war was to begin, Inigo stabbed his challenge deeply into the door of the braggart’s sactumn. It purportedly ended “Thou art a braggart, a coward, a bully, and a disgrace to thy house. I eagerly await the day we will meet on the field of battle, that I may relieve thee of thy life, and thereby relieve the world of thy stench and thy existence alike. Your cowardice is matched only by your idiocy. Prepare, then, fool, and let us meet on in combat.â€
Inigo barely survived the subsequent war. Jarod was older and more powerful, though not as crafty. Inigo fled from Morgan’s Rise in the night so as not to bring his wrath down upon them, and tricked Jarod into an ambush. His Parma is just barely strong enough to ward against Jarod’s attacks, and Inigo finally slew him by tricking Jarod into standing in a pond and then boiling the water under him into scalding steam. He used the distraction run up and to stab him with his sword. Inigo’s victory was hardly glorious, but it did buy Morgan’s Rise some peace. Though Luene was angry at him for risking himself, she was secretly proud of him as well. They are not formally amici, but are very close to this day.
Inigo returned with Kesara to Andorra, then, and spent the last few years in contemplation and study. More recently, he has attuned Zoé’s Rose as his Talisman, removing it from his neck for the first time since her death. He wears it close to his heart now, forever a reminder of what he loved, gained, and lost.
He is tempered by the fires of time, but ready to face what lies ahead. His Courage and Loyalty are steeled for the test, supported by his Temperance and Wisdom. He stands at a crossroad, prepared to step into his full mantle as a warrior, a Legionnaire, an Andorran, and a Knight.
Advancement:
1202
Winter: Study Order of Hermes Lore Tractatus Q7 + 3. +10=10(1).
The Order Divided, the Order United, by Julius of Tremere.
Spring: Study Imaginem Summa L5 Q10+3. +13=13 (4). Time Among the Gentry by Aurielle “the Blind†of Merinita.
Summer: Adventure: Welcome to Morgan’s Rise. Q10. Concentration+5=10 (2), Creo +2x1.5=26x1.5 (8), Finesse+2 =7 (1), Ride +2= 2 (0).
Autumn: Study Creo Tractatus Q11+3. +14x1.5=40x1.5 (10). The Realm of Forms, by Reginald of Bonisagus,
1203
Winter: Study Parma Summa L3 Q10+3 +13=18 (2). Meditations on the Parma by Eavarestus of Criamon.
Spring: Adventure: An Unlikely Match. Q7. Muto+5=5(2). Langue D’Oc +2=2(0).
Summer: Study Parma Summa L3 Q10+3 +13=31 (3). Meditations on the Parma by Eavarestus of Criamon.
Autumn: Taught Finesse +11=18 (2).
1204
Winter: Taught Langue D’Oc +13=15 (2).
Spring: Adventure: A Gift for Zoé Q9. Penetration +4=9(1). Single Weapon +5=10 (1).
Summer: Exposure to Langue D’Oc +2=17 (2). Spent recovering from wounds.
Autumn: Corpus +2=8 (3). Learns CrCo20 “Purification of the Festering Wounds†from a lab text.
1205
Winter: Adventure: Riddles of the Legion. Q10 Code of Hermes +5=5(1). Legion of Mithras Lore +5=5(1).
Spring: Taught Single Weapon +7=17 (2).
Summer: Study Penetration Tractatus Q11+3. +14=23 (2). Piercing the Magical Shield by Tomas le Maladroit of Flambeau.
Autumn: Study Corpus Tractatus Q11+3. +14=22 (6). Whispers from Beyond by Eavarestus of Criamon.
1206
Winter: Taught Finesse +11=29 (2).
Spring: Adventure: Nest of Vipers. Q12. Finesse+1=30(3) Auram+3=3(2), Penetration+3=26(2), Rego +3=18(5) Ride+2 =4(0).
Summer: Studies Vim Summa L5 Q10+3. +13=16 (5). On Power by Hortense of Tremere.
Autumn: Taught Langue D’Oc +13=30 (3).
1207
Winter: Initiation: Self Confident and Restriction gained.
Spring: Adventure: Cleaning Out Bandits. Q5. Charm +5=10(1).
Summer: Study Perdo Tractatus Q13+3. +16=31 (7). Understand the Strife by Eavarestus of Criamon.
Autumn: Study Corpus Summa: Q12+3. +15=37(8). The Body and the Divine by Amadeus of Jerbiton.
1208
Winter: Adventure: An Eye for an Eye Q15. Parma +5=36(3), Finesse +5=35(3), Penetration +5=31(3).
Spring: Exposure: Carouse +2
Summer: Adventure and Quest: Vengeance. Q10 Parma Magica +5=41(3). Creo +(2x1.5)=42x1.5(10), Corpus +3=40(8).
Autumn: Adventure: The Knights of Seneca. Q15 Leadership +5=10(1), Creo +5x1.5=47x1.5(11), Order of Hermes Lore +5=15 (2).
1209
Winter: Study Magic Theory Summa Q20+3. +23=53(4) Keys of Bonisagus by Bonisagus the Founder.
Spring: Initiation: Acquires Flawless Magic.
Summer: Invent Lance of Archimedes, CrIg30 (Mastery: Multicasting), by working overtime and experimentation with +1 risk.
Discovery: Ignem +(8x1.5)=52x1.5 (12)
Autumn: Invent Wrath of the Afreet, Cr(Re)Ig25 (Mastery: Flex Casting to Voice) by working overtime and experimentation with +1 risk.
Discovery: Creo +3x1.5=52x1.5 (12). Rego +6=24 (6).
1210
Winter: Perdo +2=33(7). Invent Wizard’s Theft of Warmth, Pe(Re)Ig25 by working overtime and experimentation with +1 risk.
Spring: Adventure: Seeking Illumination. Q7. Multicasting Mastery of Sun’s Scorching Caress +5x2=5x2 (1). Imaginem +2 =15(5)
Summer: Study Corpus Summa L15 Q12+3 +15=55 (10). Corporeum by Julius filius Arturis of Bonisagus.
Autumn: Taught Finesse +12=47(3).
1211
Winter: Adventure: Journey and Tournament. Q12. Creo+(2x1.5)=52x1.5(12). Penetration Mastery of Sun’s Scorching Caress +(5x2)=10x2 (2), Fast Casting Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +(5x2)=5x2 (1).
Spring: Study Creo Summa L20 Q15+3. +18x1.5=70x1.5 (14) Liberi de Creationé by Bonisagus the Founder. Kesara is fully mobile and curious as ever, but most covenant members seem willing to watch out for her. She is quite the headache for her nurse, however.
Summer: Perdo +2=35(7). Learns Demon’s Eternal Oblivion, Sap the Griffon’s Strength, and Dreadful Bane of the Fae from lab texts all at level 5 (all with Multicasting masteries). Kesara is an unholy terror, and absolutely tenacious when there’s something she wants to know about. At one point, she is found sleeping in an empty guest laboratory, heedless of the intricate glassware and eldritch symbols. Inigo tries to impose discipline, but indulges her more than he should.
Autumn: Magic Theory +2=55(4). Prepare longevity ritual, expending 5p Co, 4pVi. Ritual power:-8.
1212
Winter: Age 35 (34). Adventure: Time Waits for No Man. Q8. Concentration+5=15(2), Rego +3=27(6).
Spring: Magic Theory +2=57 (4). Opened Zoé’s Rose for enchantment, using 5 pawns of Vim vis. This is the first time since her death that he has taken it off his neck.
Summer: Study Magic Lore Summa L4 Q11+3. +14=19(2). The Travels of Fedoso Verderis of Criamon. He often reads to Kesara from Fedoso at night, saving the most ridiculous or exciting parts he finds for her.
Autumn: Study Muto Summa L12 Q14+3 +17=22(6).On Transmutation by Junola of Bonisagus.
1213
Winter: Age 36 (34). Study Perdo Summa: L20, Q6+3. +9=44(8) Liberi de Perditu (exemplar edition), by Bonisagus the Founder.
Spring: Magic Theory +2=59(4). Attunes Zoé’s Rose as his talisman. It is the first time since her death that he has removed it from his neck.
Summer: Study Perdo Commentary: Q12+3. +15=59(10). Commentary on the Liberi de Perditu, by Florenzo of Jerbiton.
Autumn: Study Parma Magica Tractatus Q12+3. +15=56(4). Aegis of the Magus by Joseph of Flambeau.
1214
Winter: Age 37 (34). Study Perdo Tractatus Q10+3. +13=72 (11) Questions of Death by Arioch of Tremere.
Spring: Adventure: Making Amends. Q10. Etiquette +5=5(1) Charm +5=15(2).
Summer: Study Imaginem Summa L14 Q10+3. +13=28(7) Apparitions and Phantasms, by Illeator of Bonisagus.
Autumn: Study Aquam Summa L18 Q8+3. +11=11(4). Atlanticus by Namoricus of Jerbiton.
1215
Winter: Age 38 (34). Adventure: An Unexpected Visit. Q5. Quick Casting Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +(5x2)=10x2 (2).
Spring: Magic Theory +2=61(4) Inigo opens Zoé’s Rose for more enchantments, using seven pawns of vis and attuning it to “Protect Self +4†at the same time
Summer: Adventure: A Personal Matter Q10. Simulcasting Mastery of Sun’s Scorching Caress +(5x2)= 15x2 (3). Simulcasting Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +5x2=15x2 (3).
Autumn: Study Aquam Commentary Q11+3. +14=25(6). He ensures that Kesara is safe at Andorra, and asks Isabeau to come stay with her.
1216
Winter: Age 39 (35). Adventure: On the Brink of War, Q15. Penetration Mastery of Lance of Archimedes+(5x2)=5+(5x2) (2). Mastery of Sun’s Scorching Caress +(5x2)=20x2 (3). Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +(5x2)=20x2 (3).
Spring: Adventure: At War Q10 Fast Casting Mastery of Sun’s Scorching Caress +(5x2)=25x2(4). Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +(2x2)=22x2 (3). Ignem (+3x1.5)=55x1.5 (11).
Summer: Study Aquam Tractatus Q8+3. +11=36 (8). Hydrologia by Alvinius of Verditius.
Autumn: Study Rego Tractatus Q12+3. +15=42(8). Proper Command and Control, Aaron of Jerbiton.
1217
Winter: Age 40 (35). Taught spells by Luene of Merinita. Her lab total in highest art (Muto and Corpus) is 47 within Andorra’s Aura. She teaches PeIm20 Veil of Invisibility, and ReCo25From Ural’s Height.
Spring: . Magic Theory +2=63(4). Invent CrAq(Ig)25 “Grasp of Freezing Ice†by experimentation and working overtime. He gains no benefit from the experimentation, but succeeds without mishap anyway. Mastery: Flex Casting (D:Sun).
Summer: Study Perdo Tractatus Q11+3. +14=86(12). The Legacy of Apromor by Joseph of Flambeau.
Autumn: Imaginem +2=30(7). Invest “See Only My Shadow†into Talisman, attuning it to Ignem at the same time (+3).
1218
Winter: Age 41 (35). Study Ignem Summa L14 Q12+3. +(15x1.5)=70x1.5 (14). Ars Flambonis by Elaine of Flambeau
Spring: > Rego+2=44(8). Invest Flight Without Wings into Talisman, simultaneously attuning it to “Demons, Devils, and Angels†(+4). He rises early each day in order to get extra time to accomplish this task.
Summer: Rego+2=46(9). Finish investing Flight Without Wings. He continues to rise early each morning.
Autumn: Adventure: Eternal Oblivion. Q11. Finesse +3=50(4). Multicasting Mastery of Wizard’s Icy Touch +(3x2)=3x2 (1). Penetration Mastery of Demon’s Eternal Oblivion +(5x2)=5+(5x2) (2).
1219
Winter: Age 42 (35). Magic Theory +2=65(4). Learns PeIg30 Wizard’s Icy Grip (M:Penetration) and PeIg20 Quench the Raging Conflagration (M:Simulcasting) from lab texts.
Spring: Trained in spells by his mater. Her highest lab total is 45 (Creo Ignem). She teaches InTe15 Howl of Steel Weapons (M:Stalwart Casting), InHe15 Shriek of Impending Shafts (M:Stalwart Casting), and ReCo15 Endurance of the Berserkers (M:Flex Casting to D:Sun)
Summer: Invest A Thousand Faces into Zoé’s Rose, attuning it to “Move Self†(+2) at the same time. Expsoure Muto +2=24(6)
Autumn: Adventure: Just Like Old Times. Q13. Multicasting Mastery of Wizard’s Icy Grip +5x2=5+(5x2). (2). Simulcasting Mastery of Wizard’s Icy Touch +(5x2)=8x2 (2). Multicasting Mastery of Wizard’s Leap +(3x2)=25x2(4).