The awakening

[silveroak]

The Aegis of the hearth appears to be a copy, with no indication who invented it.

The Ibis has no memories of the covenant, or you.

Al Zahut responds with "What is Arabic? I assume a language, but I have never heard of it. I'm also unsure what Calander you are using for everyone's dates of their last memory, by my recollection Cleopatra died 17 years ago if that helps."

The butterfly introduces itself as Rainbow within a Dewdrop, and he is aware that this is not a good place for Butterflys, but otherwise has no recollections.

Aetherius can see his sanctum marker on the door he just left- in fact there was a lab opposite the dining area.

The earliest correspondence s from his son in 1228, where he speaks of taking a position in a tub in Lotharginia, and when Tastheus was apparently asked by the Guernicus Praeco to act as quaeistor for the African tribunal. He finds letters from more children as the years pass- his oldest daughter's nuptials to a noble in a newly conquered city in Iberia, his eventual elevation to baron of Beniparrell, her disappointment that he could not procure a longevity ritual as she had due to his political associations, his death as her son your grandson, ascended to rule as baron, and notification years later of her death. Your other two daughters have married magi, one a Bonisagus in the Rhine, the other a Jerbiton in the French tribunal who had taken his longevity ritual before they met, who was investigated by the Inquisition on allegations he had made a deal with the devil to prolong his life in exchange for, amongst other things, his own sterility, and how she had gotten him out of this predicament by getting pregnant and proclaiming the child his, along with the ups and downs this caused in their relationship afterwards. Her daughter is not Gifted but has become quite the academic, so far as she is allowed by property of her gender.

From his less personal correspondence- those he can read in any case, it would seem that Tastheus developed a network of informants using his persona ability, which he did initiate at some point, to keep tabs on potential criminal activity within the order in Africa, treating any such criminals as his rivals in true Tytalus tradition, but avoiding focusing on individuals until he was certain of their guilt.

He also has letters from a couple of decades ago offering condolences for his wife's death, apparently from old age as the longevity rituals were less effective for her than they were for him.

[Seon (Seon Tile)]

@Whaler

“High level you say? That’s a bit foreboding…”

@silveroak

The Aegis of the hearth appears to be a copy, with no indication who invented it.

Lares turns to Silas (what does he see – I’ve gotten a bit mixed up as to whether he has the amulet ”on” or not).

”Foreboding, or not. This covenant’s magi seem to have been quite advanced – just look at the library – so it might be that a strong parma was trivial for them. We should still make it a high priority to find out about any supernatural threats in the area.”

As Silas starts looking for the librarian, Lares intervenes.

”I am presently getting a tour of the covenant from these friendly fellows,” he indicates the young scribelings, ”and you are welcome to join us if you would like.”

As they proceed, he resumes his questioning, this time starting from the theme of threats

”Do you know of any dangers or problems the covenant has faced in recent times?”

[temprobe]

@silveroak

The Ibis has no memories of the covenant, or you.

Aetherius can see his sanctum marker on the door he just left- in fact there was a lab opposite the dining area.

"I thought so. Sorry if I rubbed you tye wrong way earlier. It's been a very weird awakening thus far. I'd like to know more about you. I don't see myself binding just any magical animal. We must have been quite close if you became my familiar."

He heads for the lab area he missed earlier on.

"Let's see here. This must have been my lab. Normally, familiars work with their magi. Perhaps there's a space for you too."

He opens the door.

[Red-Shadow-Claws (Itzhak Even)]

Okeannetis walks to her lab, not before encouraging the Monocerous to accompany her. "May I have your name, oh noble creature?: If we are to be bound, then let me at least call you by your proper name."

[Panopticon]

@silveroak

Zarkut sees a well lit lab apparently designed around a desk, with maps upon one wall and a mirror opposite the map. A balcony protrudes from one side, despite not being far off the ground, and a collection of bits of masonry and pieces of ancient structures sit together, organized and labeled, including two pieces which stand out that look to be pieces of a triumphal arch.

Giving up on the letters, Zarkut examines the maps, the mirror, and the pieces of masonry, looking both for clues as to the location and time, and for any traces of magic.

[silveroak]

The students shurg "most of our food is grown outside what you call the proper covenant, or the aura.I know you have been greatly worried about the Red, or the spirit of the desert, but it hasn't done anything to us so far, unless it is responsible for the warping, different magi have different names for it, of the aura. There is a lot of debate about the red I do not understand."

Aetherius finds a spacious lab with a mirror reflecting and magnifying the heavens and astronomical equipment arranged to utilize it, with a map close at hand. A collection of Roman and Egyptian artifacts is arranged on a shelf, and a secondary chamber is attached, apparently to separate more experimental procedures from the rest of the lab.

The monocerous answers Okeannetis with a deep sound that rises, something between a mown and a howl, which is not transcribable in any known alphabet.

The map marks the location of three covenants- Cairo, Morrocco, and Al Kufra, which appears to be located in a mountain range in the middle of a desert south of the center of the African coast. It also marks a set of numbered locations which your reports indicate as possible sites for the temple of Mercury, and the same notes indicate that the pieces of masonry are part of the entrance, possibly into a regio.

[Whaler]

@Seon

Lares turns to Silas (what does he see – I’ve gotten a bit mixed up as to whether he has the amulet ”on” or not).

Thank to the effect of the amulet Silas looks like a healthy person. Except for a few pink marks – a result of his Sigil. He is dressed in rather loose white robes. He is a relatively short bald man in his 20s with dark eyes that darts around the room from time to time. Focusing on various things but only for a moment.

@Seon

”Foreboding, or not. This covenant’s magi seem to have been quite advanced – just look at the library – so it might be that a strong parma was trivial for them. We should still make it a high priority to find out about any supernatural threats in the area.”

“Agree… I haven’t seen much in mundane defence, but we should probably investigate that as well. Assumingly we have something resembling a trub. They would probably have a good idea of what sort of dangers are around us.”

@Seon

As Silas starts looking for the librarian, Lares intervenes.

”I am presently getting a tour of the covenant from these friendly fellows,” he indicates the young scribelings, ”and you are welcome to join us if you would like.”

As he gets interrupted before his search begin, he listens to Lares and then looks a bit sceptically at the small group around Lares.

“Well it beats stumbling around on our own. Let’s have them guide us then and offer whatever insight they can provide. I assume you have explained the circumstances…”

@silveroak

The students shurg "most of our food is grown outside what you call the proper covenant, or the aura.I know you have been greatly worried about the Red, or the spirit of the desert, but it hasn't done anything to us so far, unless it is responsible for the warping, different magi have different names for it, of the aura. There is a lot of debate about the red I do not understand."

“Red? I don’t follow… Hmm… Is the aura so strong our servants have to worry about warping? Actually, that does bring an interesting question to mind. We appear to have de-aged but have we also de-warped? Have you noticed any new twilight scars on yourself?”

[silveroak]

OOC: Everyone's warping is where it was when they finished their gauntlet.

[Seon (Seon Tile)]

@Whaler

I assume you have explained the circumstances…”

Lares chuckles cheerfully.

”Our young friends are of significant talent – I am sure they have pieced things together.”

@Whaler

“Agree… I haven’t seen much in mundane defence, but we should probably investigate that as well. Assumingly we have something resembling a trub. They would probably have a good idea of what sort of dangers are around us.”

”Yes, though others might be more knowledgeable on the magical threats.”

@silveroak

The students shurg "most of our food is grown outside what you call the proper covenant, or the aura.I know you have been greatly worried about the Red, or the spirit of the desert, but it hasn't done anything to us so far, unless it is responsible for the warping, different magi have different names for it, of the aura. There is a lot of debate about the red I do not understand."

@Whaler

“Red? I don’t follow… Hmm… Is the aura so strong our servants have to worry about warping? Actually, that does bring an interesting question to mind. We appear to have de-aged but have we also de-warped? Have you noticed any new twilight scars on yourself?”

@silveroak

OOC: Everyone's warping is where it was when they finished their gauntlet.

Lares listens to the discussion with a deepening frown.

”The Red, hmm? That would explain the high-level Aegis – there is a spirit wandering the surrounding wastes. Who of the mundanes in the covenant is most knowledgeable on this subject? Can you please take us to them next.”

He hesitates for a moment.

”Wait, warping of the aura, or of the inhabitants? How does this warping manifest itself? I haven’t noticed anything, but I also haven’t looked much.”

[Bartomeus]

Argentius steps out of his lab into the open air of the covenant after a number of the magi have either headed off to explore labs or the central building.

Uncommonly handsome and attractive, Argentius appears to have a lean, willowy build beneath robes cut for a more robust figure. Though long in limb and narrow in frame, he would not be considered frail or particularly large. His silvery blond hair is tied back into a ponytail that hangs down his neck. He has unusual, dark violet eyes that some might consider beautiful or intense.

The young man looks about the buildings, the geyser, the distant mountains, and then he focuses on the larger, central building. He heads toward the building, moving with purpose but also a hint of caution in the way his eyes rove over the unfamiliar surroundings.

When he gets to the large building, he enters and walks into the large library room.

"Well damn…"

[Panopticon]

@silveroak

The map marks the location of three covenants- Cairo, Morrocco, and Al Kufra, which appears to be located in a mountain range in the middle of a desert south of the center of the African coast. It also marks a set of numbered locations which your reports indicate as possible sites for the temple of Mercury, and the same notes indicate that the pieces of masonry are part of the entrance, possibly into a regio.

Zarkut is fascinated, but ultimately this doesn't answer the big questions. So he leaves the lab again, and heads to the central building, to explore it.

[silveroak]

One of the scribes explains "someone, I don't remember who, said the aura is hungry, or aspected for hunger. Food doesn't grow well here, and the water, it is gone instantly. People eat more but they grow thin instead of fat. As for mundane threats." He laughs "They would have to make it across the desert and through the mountains, which are so complex my father still has to... lead me... but now my father is my age too." his face falls.

[raccoonmask]

@raccoonmask

Plasmatoris will finish up his sketches for later memories, and then move them into the studio for safekeeping while he discusses the situation with the butterfly - how much the butterfly knows, how much the butterfly has looked around... The buttefly's name, and his memory of time, years, and of the paintings. Only then will he go look into his lab while other people investigate the Library.

@silveroak

The butterfly introduces itself as Rainbow within a Dewdrop, and he is aware that this is not a good place for Butterflys, but otherwise has no recollections.

"A beautiful name," he observers. He was already fond of the creature. That makes sense, if it was his familiar.

The butterfly clearly wasn't a creature of exacting memory and notification - which makes sense, for many reasons. For one, Plasmatoris wasn't one to keep track of exacting numbers and dates, and all that. With this in mind, Plasmatoris decides to ask the butterfly about the paintings and sculptures he had collected into his gallery, to see if he could gather more from his potential familiar than he could from his possible muse. "Do you know anything about these paintings, or sculptures?" he asks in his mind. "They seem to all have been done in the last eighty years, but I have no memory of them - My body and mind have returned to their youth, if the situation is to be believed."

To further his study of the situation, he finally decides to go looking through his studio - and if he can find it, his lab - for notes on what was happening. What was going on with this strange world, and strange situation. Not that I expect much, he thinks. I'm terrible at keeping notes. My Parens would be quite mad.

[Whaler]

@silveroak

One of the scribes explains "someone, I don't remember who, said the aura is hungry, or aspected for hunger. Food doesn't grow well here, and the water, it is gone instantly. People eat more but they grow thin instead of fat. As for mundane threats." He laughs "They would have to make it across the desert and through the mountains, which are so complex my father still has to... lead me... but now my father is my age too." his face falls.

Silas scowls as the scribes speaks.

“A rather unpleasant site by your account. But something must have drawn us here... More than just the isolation I assume”

Silas focuses entirely on the student. Trying to get a read on his face.

“Your father and you are the same age? This sort of thing has happened to others here? Who’s your father lad?”

Silas looks up and down the scribe trying to determine if he resembles anyone of the magi he has already encountered.

It must be one of them surely. Would a magi really be concerned with some mundanes crossing the desert? I suppose someone needs to be able to do it but still… it’s a bit below a magi surely

[silveroak]

The butterfly responds "they are pretty" when asked about the artwork.

Plsmatoris' laboratory is attached to your gallary- or perhaps it is the other way around? In any case it has a large blank wall on one end and a massive window on the other, being well appointed with luxuries and artwork (palatial virtue & superior decoration), with a summoning circle just off of the middle, it is refined, spacious and disorganized, with faeries everywhere.

The boy answers Silas "My Father is Rashid al'Katubi, he is also a scribe, but unfortunately he was less motivated in his studies when he was young, so even though he taught me Latin, he now does not know Latin. He always told me 'you do not want to be like me Ibrahim, and not learn Latin until you are 23, it is easier to learn when you are young.' "

[raccoonmask]

@silveroak

The butterfly responds "they are pretty" when asked about the artwork.

Plsmatoris' laboratory is attached to your gallary- or perhaps it is the other way around? In any case it has a large blank wall on one end and a massive window on the other, being well appointed with luxuries and artwork (palatial virtue & superior decoration), with a summoning circle just off of the middle, it is refined, spacious and disorganized, with faeries everywhere.

Plasmatoris gives the butterfly a bright smile, though he isn't sure the creature - his familiar? - can understand. Still, even the small compliment is a delight.
Then he moves finds himself staring at a swarm of faeries milling about his supposed laboratory. Ugh.. terrifying. He shakes his head. He is in a new situation, and apparently his Master's abject dislike of faeries was overcome during the last fourscore years. He pushes his hair back from his face, finally scrounging up a paint-spattered tie to hold his hair back from his face, and begins looking around the spacious lab for any notes that would include information on the missing years.

[Red-Shadow-Claws (Itzhak Even)]

@silveroak

The monocerous answers Okeannetis with a deep sound that rises, something between a mown and a howl, which is not transcribable in any known alphabet.

She bows her head to it "That is a wonderful name, but I will not be able to reproduce it when I need to talk to you. What does it mean?"

As they are talking, she enters her lab, and starts her search.

[Seon (Seon Tile)]

@Whaler

“Your father and you are the same age? This sort of thing has happened to others here? Who’s your father lad?”

@silveroak

The boy answers Silas "My Father is Rashid al'Katubi, he is also a scribe, but unfortunately he was less motivated in his studies when he was young, so even though he taught me Latin, he now does not know Latin. He always told me 'you do not want to be like me Ibrahim, and not learn Latin until you are 23, it is easier to learn when you are young.' "

”So all of the mundanes have been returned to their youth, as well?”

Then the only people who know anything about how this covenant works are people who have always lived here, such as these boys, Lares thinks.

”Tell me, friends: what year were you born, and how old are you now?”

@silveroak

One of the scribes explains "someone, I don't remember who, said the aura is hungry, or aspected for hunger. Food doesn't grow well here, and the water, it is gone instantly. People eat more but they grow thin instead of fat. As for mundane threats." He laughs "They would have to make it across the desert and through the mountains, which are so complex my father still has to... lead me... but now my father is my age too." his face falls.

”At least we won’t have to deal with mundane foes on top of all this!” He suddenly seems startled. ”But… what about Barshako? Does she have any chance out there? I thought she would know her way in the desert, but she will have forgotten all about it… We’ll have to go get her!”

[Bartomeus]

As the handsome young man steps into the library, he sees the gathering and heads in their direction.

"At least I'm not alone," says Argentius to himself.

Walking toward them, the young man looks over the group, pausing for a moment longer at Silas before looking on the next person. He clears his throat politely.

"I am Argentius ex Verditius, and I have no idea how I came to be here at Covenant de Liberte. Are you confused as I am?" He smiles faintly, almost hopefully.

[Whaler]

@Seon

”At least we won’t have to deal with mundane foes on top of all this!” He suddenly seems startled. ”But… what about Barshako? Does she have any chance out there? I thought she would know her way in the desert, but she will have forgotten all about it… We’ll have to go get her!”

Silas moves his gaze from the student to Lares as he begins to sound alarmed. Silas looks rather confused by this new name and concern.

“Barshako? Have you already made friends here?”

@Bartomeus

"I am Argentius ex Verditius, and I have no idea how I came to be here at Covenant de Liberte. Are you confused as I am?" He smiles faintly, almost hopefully.

Before Silas can continue with more questions Argentius approaches them. Silas looks suspiciously upon the new arrival but as he introduces himself suddenly a spark of recognition fades away the doubt.

“Oh finally something I do remember in this place. The Contest of 1180… What was it now again? a ring? Yes you made that ring which won didn’t you?”

Silas smile at fellow House member. However, in the back of his head a small ting of familiar feeling once again emerges. Envy and injured pride. His own creation did lose to this man, which is not something which is easy to forgive. Silas tries to control his face as he continues.

“You might not remember me, but I also took part in that Contest. My name is Silas de Verditius of Himmis’ honoured confraternity. Liberte you say? First time I heard that name. But yes, we are just as confused as you. Somehow, we have woken up with no memories and in our young bodies. We believe the current year should be something like 1284.”