Towers over mugs

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Vengeance Rides a Slow Hor
61

Julia purses her lips at the barrage of questions. "My, that's quite a list. Well...perhaps I can simply tell you the story of how he came to us and that would satisfy you. I shall lower my Parma if you want to cast your 'Frosty Breath' spell." she stares into space for a moment. "There." she waits for you to cast your spell (or not) and then continues on.

[color=blue]Do you cast a spell?

"The monk Kristoff Hamilton came to us last Fall. Voluntas does have a reputation of having an excellent library, it aids us in our acquisition of mundane texts. The monk has never so much as seen nor spoken with me or any of the other magi of Voluntas. The most correspondence he's had with me are letters I have dictated to my Custo Richard Thatcher." she waves over to a young bearded man who was near the bar. He steps over to you.

"He has been the one who has spoken with Kristoff. He has told him my words, and even written down my dictated questions and answers to him. Kristoff has been given no evidence that I or the others exist in this way, and always presents the facade that he is in charge of a vast library for a master that is on Crusade. I can't do much about rumor however. Some mundanes believe that wizards live in the manor house that is the basis of the Covenant of Voluntas."

"Regarding Nerius, I know quite a great deal about him, all obtained from these books." she reaches into the leather satchel and pulls out a list. "This is one of the most complete collection of books regarding Nerius." she hands to you a list of book titles. "This includes the book of memoirs written by one of his amici in House Verditius, the official letters that some quaesitor have written about him, a copy of the notes from every Tribunal he attended, including his last one. There are also letters between he and various magi of the time. These are copies of course, with only one original..." she points to a copy of the Travels of Fedosa "Which is the actual gift book he gave to a Merinita Amicus named Yessela, and it contains a poem he wrote to her. The Covenants that have similar libraries would be Fudarus, the Domas Magna of Tytalus where he met his end at Tribunal, Magvillus, and Durenmar. We suspect that the Cave of Twisting Shadows might have some information as well, but who can tell?"

"As for the steps, I mainly discussed the Feast idea with my covenmates and the Redcap Jocelin, knowing that rumor would spread from there. Never was any word of our intentions spread to any mundanes nor anyone outside of the Covenant or the Order, and that especially includes Kristoff. As for my intentions, I knew that the Feast of St. Nerius would not be accepted, but it would make it possibly easier for my second request, which was my actual goal. The Fair. That didn't go as intended though either..." she favors a brief glare at the lot of you.

"As for Kristoff Hamilton, we have not seen him since Spring. We believe he is on a spiritual journey, perhaps a pilgrimage. We have not received any word from him since a letter we received in Spring." she pulls out a document. "This is an exact copy of the letter, the original is back in Voluntas with the remaining Nerius documents."

"Do you have other questions?"

[color=blue]
Let me know if you cast Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie, or if you are trying to figure the truthfulness out on your own.

62

Siobhan is holding off on the frosty breath of the spoken lie when the offer is made and instead says softly. [color=blue]"At the end of this discussion, if I feel the need I will cast two spells. The first will dispel all magics that you might have cast and the second will be frosty breath of the spoken lie.

After Julia gives the information as she does, Siobhan considers the matter carefully. [color=blue] I think I would like to peruse all these documents and books and speak of your sodali, custos and consortes that interacted with this monk at Voluntas. I would like to review in detail the correspondances and books and also see if I can learn where he traveled to. I will question you under spell at a later time to verify that all you have told me is true if I find that the information here does not jibe with my investigaton results." She was hoping for an easy season studying the law but life of a queasitor is not easy. [color=blue]"This young monk is very much a danger if he potentaily is rousing the mundanes against the order for the sake of his precious Nerius and your actions even inadvertantly contributed to it." She requests parchment and ink from one of the blackthorne grogs. [color=blue]"To this end, I think my season will be best served if I journeyed back to Voluntas with you to perform my investigation. The more thorough I am now the less trouble for each of us in the future and the better prepared the order is for what trouble this monk might cause.

She pauses a moment and then says [color=blue]"All of my investigations will be documented and copies will be made for you, my own personal records and sent to the Presiding Queasitor Fredegisa." She does wait to see reaction to this information about change of presiding queasitor.

63

Julia's jaw drops in surprise. "Wait...staying with me? I..." her eyebrows furrow. "This was supposed to be more of a simple interview." she levels her gaze on Elysia. "Very well then, I suppose that will make things simple for you when you return to this Covenant with any provisions that the Tribunal is taking care of. You can assist me in the arrangements and make sure everything is legal while you study. I'll send messengers ahead to prepare a guest lab." she nods to Richard who bows to you both.

"As for speaking with my covenmates, feel free, but they had no contact with Kristoff and they don't share my enthusiasm. The only mundane at our covenant that had meaningful interactions would be Richard. Kristoff may have spoken with some of the servants, but it was only ordinary conversations I assure you. And he is not...a danger. Kristoff that is."

64

Björn drums his fingers on the table, considering their options. "I think we should go with the idea of using magic to conjure up the covenant and labs. I am not familiar with any cities or merchants here in Stonehenge, so I have no idea how long it would take us to buy and build mundanely, but my guess would be that it would put off the fair for at least a year, maybe more. Creating things with magic will definately speed things up, and we might even be ready for the first fair in a year, but that could still be pushing it."

"Hmmm... if we conjure up labs, I guess we really don't need to go to London for supplies right away." Björn glances around. "Do we know where the rest of us can stay for the season while Acacius goes and looks around? Would Blackthorn or another covenant be willing to extend hospitality and labs to us all?"

65

Agitatus looks around at the assembled young magi and seems to read their intent. Having the Tribunal literally conjuring the Covenant and all its labs into existence certainly seemed cost effective and would save quite a lot of time.

"Alright Julia, I think I speak for all, we'll take that kind offer to build the Covenant and the labs. Aye, that would save quite a lot of effort, and would be much appreciated."

Julia smiles and nods. "Very well then, I shall make arrangements, we will prepare for Spring to create this Covenant. I can get this done. I will have to contact the Redcaps, House Mercere is known to be a lender of Vis, they can supply the quantities you'd need, and the Tribunal will pay it off.

"You will need to scout the proper site. Rhodri, you need to convince your Pater to create the spell and probably to cast it if you want it done in the Spring. You'll also need to get the casting tablet for the Laboratory spell, or hire someone to cast it. In Spring a delivery of the silver will be made, and it shall repeat each Spring afterwards. I wouldn't suggest asking for anything for awhile after that, not at least until the Fair is held. For the rest of you...I suggest you gather any personal items as well as anything that will be used in the Covenant. I can't vouch for any hospitality here at Blackthorn, but you certainly can ask one of their servants who will likely contact Golliard." she sighs and gathers up her papers and returns them to her leather satchel.

"If you have any other questions of me please ask, it's been a long night and we have to be off come the morning. I wish you the best of luck and success in this endeavor."

66

Siobhan speaks softly, [color=blue]"and I get to review all these documents you have about our young monk and Nerius. I will also need to speak to every everyone of your covenant that spoke to him directly and then try to see where he went to determine what risk he poses to us. It might have seemed to be a ploy for another purpose to you, there is a true risk to the order from it that you toyed with and risked."

67

Julia looks bored and a touch impatient at this. "Yes yes." she sighs. "Ask all your questions, review the documents. I and my covenmates and the servants shall comply. Please gather your things for our journey tomorrow." She rises and shakes out her long hair. "If I may leave? I'd like to retire for the evening."

68

[color=blue]"Yes, you can retire. I will start reviewing these documents." Siobhan pulls the first document towards her to start to read. Sometimes people are so short sighted in their actions in that they come up with a pretext for something not realizeing that the pretex is the crime.

69

The servants begin collecting mugs and crockery, tired magi and custos trudge back to their tents and pavillions. The long night is winding to a close and the remaining servants seem to be waiting on you so that they too might call it a night and retire. Agitatus lets out a protracted and infectious yawn and stands to stretch. His old bones and joints make a cacophony of groans and pops as he does so.

"Well...youngsters, I think I'll be off to bed. I got a camp around here somewhere with a bunch of bored Highlanders, which isn't a good thing. Ye're welcome to come and join me, they'll be part of the covenant soon enough." He nods and turns to walk away. After a few steps the small dog yips and scurries from its hiding spot and catches up to start gnawing on his boot leather again as he walks. "I was wonderin' where ye'd gotten off to..."

For those that are not here with a Covenant there is a humble camp set up under an over hanging ledge, courtesy of Blackthorn. It's not luxurious but should keep you dry for the night.

70

Jaen looks sad that there is no more ale, but shrugs his shoulders. "I suppose it's time to retire. Good night all." He trudges towards Blackthorn's camp, mumbling to himself and rubbing his eyes.

71

Rhodri finishes his mug of ale and gets up also.

"My Covenant...former Covenant, is here, so I shall stay there for tonight and then make arrangements to return. If someone will join me, and I urge someone to, otherwise we might not finish the spell on time. You're welcome to come with me now so arrangements can be made."

He stands up and waits to see if anyone takes him up on his offer.

72

Jaen overhears Rhodri and stops in his tracks. "Uhm. Roti...wait...Rhodri? I'll go with you. Find me in the morning over there," and he points to the camp. He smiles wanely. "Just plan on throwing water on me. I probably won't wake for less.

"Good night all. If I don't see you before you depart, I will see you at our new home come spring."

73

Björn nods absently to Agitatus as he walks off to highlanders, his gaze and attention seeminly elsewhere. When Rhodri asks again for help in the lab, he goes still and holds his breath as if trying to will someone else to volunteer. Luckily, Jaen makes an offer, and Björn lets out his held breath in a quiet sigh. Animated and grinning again, he finishes off the last of his ale and sets it down on the table with a soft thump.

"Well, it looks like we are done here." Björn looks around at the waiting grogs and stands. "May we all have pleasant dreams and safe journeys." With that he departs from the tent, following Jaen to the camp provided by Blacktorn to coventless magi.

74

Under the over hanging ledge there are several braziers scattered throughout, they produce a small glow, but an inordinate amount of heat comes from them...perhaps magic? There are a only a few magi here, but plenty of their more favored servants perhaps. It is dry up here, and some of the less deformed of the servants of Blackthorn attend here, you can still however see their yellow eyes which reflect the moonlight like glowing gems.

One of them shambles towards the young wizards who are looking for rest. "This way master, there is a warm place near the brazier..."

75

Siobhan makes her way over to the place she was given to rest by the host knowing that her season is going to be filled with reading about Nerius, reading all the correspondences to and from the custos that spoke to the monk, speaking with villagers and others that had met this monk and finding out where the monk had gone and what he is speaking about. She wonders about custos to guad her for these tasks since she doesn't belong to a covenant. Her Paren has been nice enough to arrange escort here but they returned to Hibernia the moment she entered the areas patrolled by Blackthorne and Blackthorne's protection.

76

Björn sleepily blinks at the grog who offers him a spot of grass near one of the warm braziers. Quietly shaking his head, he moves past the brazier to the edge of the camp where it is cooler and yet still under the overhang and out of the rain. He stops suddenly, turning to look back at the grog who seems to be organizing the campsite. "Do you know who I could talk to about staying here at Blackthorn for a season? Perhaps use one of the labs to do mage stuff." His request is punctuated by a large and vocal yawn.

77

"Why that would be me." says a pleasant voice from off to the side, nearer to the overhanging wall. Coming almost as if she was summoned by your querry, from the shadows steps the heavily robed and elegant figure of Goliard. "How fortuitous. I was coming up here to check on any guests and I over heard your request." the snivelling servant flinches away from Goliard. "We do keep guest labs at Blackthorn, that we allow for others to use, even on a short term basis. You are one of the newcomers, yes? How long would you stay? We could make arrangements for a price to use the lab. It is fully equipped, and well protected within our Aegis. Would this be to your liking?"

78

Björn jumps at the voice coming from his side, for he did not see Goliard there. When her questions are finished, Björn clears his throats and nods. "An equiped lab under your Aegis would be ideal. I should only need it for a season. But, being a new magus and all, I don't have much to trade at the moment. Could we work something out where I could repay the covenant at a later time?" Björn watches Goliard closely as he speaks to see if there is any reaction to his request for a loan of sorts.

79

Goliard smiles. "A season? Yes, perhaps a trade could be worked out. And even a beginning magus always has something of value to trade. As I recall...you are of House Verditius correct? I'm sure something could be made at a later date for someone of your talents. Or perhaps something even simpler. This would require little effort on your part, and probably would not come into play for at least...another six years. Your voting Sigil at the Tribunal could be ample compensation for your time here. Or perhaps you have an alternate offer?" she peers at you closely, as if reading your intentions.

80

Björn nods when Goliard asks if he is from house Verditius, and is ready when he hears the first offer of payment; a season of his time as a Verditius magi, it is expected. But when Goliard suggests instead gaining the use of his personal sigil, he blinks in surprise and tries to hold his expression nuetral in the flickering torchlight. "The lab you offer for a season must be something truely extraordinary if you would have my voting sigil for a whole Tribunal." Björn shakes his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to part with it for such a small thing. But I am willing to offer a future season of my time as a Verditius to create or enchant an item Blackthorn would like."

He pauses for a moment, thinking. "I would also like some seasoned wood. Not much, maybe a thicker branch about a pace in length. It doesn't have to be exotic, almost any type of wood will do. I wouldn't think that would be too much of a strain on any stores your grogs might have here."