Here And There Part I

Here… and There Winter 798 Cast: Albus Filius Adrian Des Francois Synopsis Following the revelations in “Lost.. and Found” several things have happened: 1)The Dormus Ortus Magi (in spite of the death of their “heavy”) have been very busy on two fronts, firstly they’ve been running down leads and developing contacts and informants to learn all that can be learned of the Moorish Magi. Secondly they have been working on getting additional help (they are after all not particularly violent and are the most exposed of all Hermetic Magi). They have also been working on determining exactly what the “staff” (from Kevin’s game) does. 2)The Moorish Magi have come to the conclusion that they need to do something about these particularly violent Magi, they understand that Calor Novus is the primary physical threat to them (and they curse the fools that had Filius in their grasp and let him escape) and have come up with the following plan: a.First assemble the Pirate Fleet and all it’s soldiers and support in Winter at the Baelaric Islands to be ready to swoop down on Calor Novus. b.Second assemble a Jihadish army to advance through the mountains and strike at the western parts of the Spanish Marches depriving the Hermetics of further support. c.Magical stealth teams are dispatched to attack from behind while the major combatants are off facing down the Pirate Fleet. d.Mundane assassins are to eliminate the local powers that be (political, religious, etc) to further weaken resistance. 3)The Calor Novans have pretty much gone on doing what they do while the world spins by with out them 4)Flambeau has heard all of this (mostly from others at Durenmar it would seem) and has decided that Filius and Albus will resolve his situation regardless of the cost. If they cannot he will have no choice but to intervene and he thinks that this is not the ideal resolution as it makes his House look weak, his favorite aprentence seem incompetent, and the head of the covenant that he placed in this position a failure. From these seeds the forest of the game will grow and be resolved in a vignette fashion. Vignette One: The Meeting of Magi Background: The Dormus Ortus Magi have learned the following by mid-Fall and have communicated it primarily to their leaders in Durenmar. 1)The Moors know rather too much about the Order for anyones comfort (like locations of Covenants, names of Magi and their areas of expertise, the existence and nature of Parma Magica, etc). 2)The Moors have come to the conclusion that the Order is a potentially powerful threat to them, though they think that they have several advantages over the Order (such as being utterly aligned with the politics and religion of their society). 3)The Pirate Fleet has been ordered to assemble in the Baelaric Islands no later than the end of Winter (this is earlier than usual). 4)There is a new call for Jihad going out with the army to assemble in late winter, the objective is unknown but the army is assembling in the west of Iberia. 5)Agents amongst the Basques have said that there has been an unseasonable increase in cross boarder traffic from south to north (e.g. into the Langeudoc) along the more remote and difficult passes. One agent reported that villagers got too close to one group and were struck down by a black cloud that burned them beyond recognition. Setting: The meeting occurs in Perpignan at the very start of winter. The meeting is hosted by Iago of Bonusagus Head of Dormus Ortus, the location is a walled manor outside the city but very close to it. It is owned by a petty noble named Lord Luc of Ormond (a area lore roll of 9+ will tell that it’s an area near to modern day Switzerland), the Lord is not home. Attending are: Iago of Bonusagus (Dormus Ortus) Pedro of Jerbiton (Dormus Ortus) Magus James of Jerbiton (Coven in the Mist) Magus Sven of Tremere (sent from Durenmar) Outcome: The intention here is two fold, one to pass out the dreaded plot information and the other to come up with a plan of action against the Moors. Given the information above Iago is of the opinion that a strike on the Baeleric Islands to destroy the fleet and put off what ever is going on should be undertaken as quickly as possible. He will be opposed by X of the Mist as it’s too dangerous. The players have to decide what to do. Vignette One (a) Companions in Trouble While the magi are verbally arm wrestling with each other the companions (Francois, Dez, Adrian) are a short distance away in town keeping an eye out for marauding Moors. Instead they come across Bernardo, his bit of information to put into the mix is that he’s been offered a job and he’s not sure if he should take it. His target is “this guy, let’s pretend he’s a Baron” who lives “lets say south of town”, he thinks that he’s heard something about Filius being mad at him (something to do with wood carvings or something) but he’s pretty sure that the guy that is recruiting him is working for Moors and he’s concerned. This should lead the players to track down a nest of vipers, err a guy working for the Moors. It’s easy to do he’s mundane with mundane guards. If he’s captured he’ll spill the beans, he’s hiring hit men to whack local nobles and notables at the end of Winter. He has a horn that he talks into on the full moon to tell his boss how things are going. Vignette Two: Covenant Capers Time passes while the troops etc are pulled together and the players will probably return to the covenant to spend the time safely. They are interrupted one day at near dusk with cheering from a particular segment of the Turb, Claudio’s eldest daughter has returned! She’s walking up the path from the village now along with that strapping young German lad! Huzzah! Or is it… “Little Flames” Might 15 Init +8 Atk +8 Def +25 Soak +5 Powers: Combustion Cost 1, light any flammable material on fire (+5 damage if clothes, etc) The only player at the covenant when it is attacked is Adrian, the majority of the covenant and covenfolk are destroyed before Adrian, the grogs, and the magi summoned from their labs can kill off the little buggers. Vignette Three: Pre-Landing The boat is attacked by ill tempered seas (like water elementals but they’re making the sea’s rough) STA 9+ to avoid sea sickness (-6 to all rolls if you fail). Then the boat is attacked by a giant shark (biting the bottom of the boat, slapping the boat about to get people to fall into the water). You can’t see it when it’s under water… Size +5 (1-10 Light, 11-20 Medium, 21-30 Heavy, 31-40 Incapacitating, 41+ Dead) Might 25 Init +10 Atk +15 Def +15 Soak +15 Vignette Four: The Citadel There are two forts, one on each end of the island at each of the major harbors. The Mages and most of the best troops are at the north end of the island, the bulk of the fleet and the mundane soldiers are at the fort at the southern end of the island, with Filius and Albus they should be easy to defeat. The team splits into two groups with Albus, Adrian, and the soldiers heading to the southern end and Filius, Des, and Francois heading to the north. Albus begins destroying the fort and the fleet when they are attacked by demonic giant scorpions. Rather than lifting the mundane to safety Albus kills the soldiers, cripples Adrian, and destroys the scorpions. All in a days work! They then head north to join up with Filius, Adrian being deposited for recovery in the goatherds hut that the sailors were staying in, his place being taken by a brave sailor who knows chiurgy. At the north end of the island Filius and his companions are having a hard slog of it as they’re fighting all the hedgewizards, their elite guards, and the Imams. Eventually a sort of stalemate is worked out where Filius and the companions hide in a circle of protecting stone and the Moors leave them alone for the night. The game ends hear due to the late hour. (This message arrives around the end of Summer 798) Filius, Albus, Orella, et al, I must first apologize for my extended absence, it was unintentional and I hope that I have not caused any difficulties by it. Having recovered from my wounds (happily they were not fatal!) I am now at the manor of the chap that we gave the Sword of Roland to safely ensconced in his library working with that odd woman that we found in the mountains. It’s odd, I’m here and still cannot remember their names. In any event I am researching the Great Wrym here and I encourage you all not to seek it out until we know more about it and it’s ways. It is huge, ancient, can cast magics, and very very hard to hurt. Also there is a possible hedge wizard that lives perhaps one peak to the south of the Wyrms lair, he has done well by me (though I have not spoken to him face to face) and he deserves every chance to join the Order. If you run into him, for the friendship you feel for me, do all that the Order allows in recruiting him. Yours, Inrisor (This document arrives at the end of Fall 798) Filius, Albus, Orella, et al, Friends! I am on my way to Rome! My time with Linda in the library here has done more than add to my bulk (they have been very kind with their wine and their meats), it has also given me three names and possibilities that need researching futther. Garathanor the Flameheart, Rutilus Fervens, and Kitanetos. Garathanor the Flameheart is associated with some old Greek tales, Rutilus Fervens is mentioned in the area of Rome, and Kitanetos is mentioned as being associated with Crete. As Rome is closer, and as I’ve always wanted to go on pilgrimage and to see the Holy City I have decided to go there first. I will try and keep in contact with you though I am sure that any communications will be infrequent. Remember to stay away from the beast! Inrisor (This message arrives in the last weeks of Fall 798) To Albus Pernacie and Filius Ignes do I Flambeau Founder of the House that bears my Name Send Greetings and Instructions. I have heard from Bonusagus himself as well as Jerbiton and some others that the pagan blasphemous Moors have redoubled their efforts to destroy the outposts of the Order nearest to them. I have heard that these hedgewizards, in league with the infernal no doubt, have learned even more about us than we suspected. And I have heard from you that, other than allowing yourself to be kidnapped, you have done nothing to stop this threat but I have heard that you are beset by a dragon of some sort. I care not for dragons. I care that my House, the hand picked leader of Calor Novus, and my protégé are being made to look like fools. This is intolerable to me and should be intolerable to all members of my House. Bonusagus tells me also that a Iago of his House has taken the lead in arranging countermeasures to prop up his small Dormus Ortus and ensure that what ever befalls the Order will be not unprepared. Again this is intolerable. The two of you will exert yourselves. You will take over and be responsible for the defense of your Covenant and the Covenants of those who rightly look to this House for protection. You will leave no stone unturned, you will spare no effort, you will heed no other call, this is your duty and you will focus on this to the exclusion of all else. I expect that you will take the lead and bring all the other Magi in line. Inform me when you succeed. If this proves to be too much for you I will have to intervene personally and do not wish for this to occur. Flambeau Albus Pernacie and the Magi of Calor Novus, Iago of House Bonusagus sends you Greetings, Sodalis, We of Dorums Ortus humbly request the honor of your presence at a meeting of Hermetic Magi near to the city of Perpignan on or about the first full moon the Winter Season. We have arranged a suitable location, the manor house of the Lord of Ormonde, for this meeting, and will handle the mundane affairs of feeding and housing all Hermetic attendee’s. We also humbly ask that you provide such protection for the meeting as only members of your House are able, being as we are, devoted to other areas of magical research. This meeting is of vital importance to all Hermetic Magi living along the Spanish Marches and along the coast and we hope to have attendants from multiple Covenants as all are threatened by our enemies. We have much to report but letters can be intercepted and so we will have to speak in person. Yours in service, Iago of House Bonusagus Magi of Dormus Ortus

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