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Scribed by Idris

Spring 1101 AD


Petrus claims to have made some magical breakthrough with his research into creating a magical barrier against supernatural auras and he says that he is going to try and develop a spell using it.

On checking the Dell I believe that the moon will wax full very soon, by next summer at the latest. Petrus decided to go into the dell and try the Perdo Vim ritual to destroy or weaken the regio there. I counselled against it, believing that it was too dangerous to do without loss of life. Ruaridh, Varsavia, Petrus and Myrvyn went in though. I waited just outside the Dell in wolf form lest things go badly wrong. The wolves attacked but the ritual was completed in time. However poor Mtrvyn was unable to get out and was torn apart as the other Magi fled. I saw him though later at the pool as he passed on to the next life and the Morrigan bore his spirit safely on. Happily he still had spring in his step and a smile on his face as he did so.

Later in the season we had a messenger from High King Cadoc of Wales informing us that King Hugh of England had taken Gloucester and killed the Earl. The treaty has, as I feared, been broken, and Wales invaded. Monmouth has been evacuated. Pierre, when he returned with the women and children, said that Cynddylan thought he was being followed so he headed west into Wales as he was concerned. Through use of corporem scrying magicks I made a horrific discovery. It seems, if my magicks are to be believed, that Blodwyn and Cynddylan lie dead in the Maesteg forest, but Ieuan’s whereabouts I cannot determine. Ruaridh was able to further determine that Blodwyn had had her throat cut and Cynddylan had been shot but somehow Ieuan lives still. Who would have cut the throat of a four year-old girl? Have Holy Isle stooped to new depths? If so then I will have bloody vengeance against them.

Summer

In the weeks before the Tribunal at Midsummer I journeyed into Wales to seek out the bodies of my friend and daughter and perhaps a little more of the truth surrounding their deaths. Eventually I came across their bodies. I discovered that Cynddylan had fought before he died, shot in the back of the head by a crossbow. His staff had struck an armed man who it seemed had a tattoo of sorts on his neck, much like that the spy from Holy Isle. Of Blodwyn’s spirit there was no trace, blameless innocent that she was she will surely have passed swiftly on to her mother’s arms in the Otherworld.

However I did espy Cynddylan’s spirit, it seems he feels still bound to this place. He was able to lead me to the body of a Holy Isle grog who he had fought and slain. There was the spirit of the murderous grog whom Cynddylan had bested. It seems that Cynddylan had been pursued for many leagues across Wales before being ambushed in his sleep. Against three well-armed men there was little that he could do and whilst he was able to best one he was shot from behind when he went to aid Blodwyn. As they had fought in the life they had just departed so they fought on in the next. However I was able to free Cynddylan’s spirit and enable it to move on by absolving him of the guilt he felt for the loss of my children; the responsibility for their safety was after all mine. The spirit of the Holy Isle grog though I condemned to roam the woods there for the long years to come and I hope it rots there. So it was with a heavy heart that I moved on to the Tribunal.

Scribed by Varsavia

Autumn


This journal, which is a history of this covenant since it was refounded in 1080, is a credit to all who have written in it. As a relatively young maga, and having only recently joined this covenant, this is the resource which proved most useful to me in the early months of my membership. Within these pages there is the history of all the important events which the covenant has weathered and enjoyed, but also I feel something of the writers' personalities written here for all to witness. It is with pleasure that I shall undertake the task of recording this covenant's progress. I hope that any who read this tome take pleasure from it also; for here is written the story of our lives.

Autumn began with the surprise return of Turold, back from his House meeting at Verdi Covenant in the Rome Tribunal some five months earlier than we had expected. Perhaps the journey to Verdi, which involved an encounter with some infernal minions, attacks by bandits, and contact with plague infested towns, has helped Turold overcome something of his fear of sea travel. We were all relieved and pleased to see our sodalis returned safely to our covenant, not least Petrus who I feel sure had missed Turold greatly. It appears that our sodalis, despite being the youngest in his house, accounted well for himself in the competition. I am sure that Turold's lyre brought no little interest and amusement to his House. The ulimate prize, however, was won by Norticus from the Transylvanian Tribunal; with a horn which when blown would summon a dragon, no less.

Our council met in full for our Autumn meeting. Petrus already eager to begin teaching his experimental spell to Ruaridh. Though I am certain that Ruaridh is a keen and able student, ready to learn the complex theories involved in the spell, he does appear susceptible to sudden headaches and more than once I have seen him resting in deserted corners of the covenant whilst Petrus is looking for him. I cannot help but feel a little sympathy for Ruaridh. None of us have quite the mind that Petrus has for magic theory, and this season must have seemed overly long for our Ruaridh.

Idris and myself decided to study from vis, whilst Turold was happy to undertake a covenant service. He shall create a Perdo Ignem item to extinguish any fires which might break out around the covenant.

Two events of note occurred this season, which I shall relate. The first was the unexpected visit by Holy Isle. Archimagus Casitus and Quaesitor Dionysus arrived, accompanied by Orlania of House Flambeau (who I feel sure desires to obtain the title of Hoplite). Idris was cautious, which given that Holy Isle spied upon us, murdered his daughter and kidnapped his son, appeared a most rational response. Casitus requested that Dionysus be allowed to perform a ritual to locate Idris' son, the bond of blood acting as an Arcane connection. They expressed the hope that the location of some of the magi of the unnamed house might be determined by this spell. At first Idris was reluctant, given the crimes committed against him and the events surrounding the death of his pater. However, eventually he saw the wisdom of allowing the spell to be performed and with three small stipulations he consented to act as an Arcane connection. The stipulations were that Dionysus cast only the spell to find Idris' son, that Idris and a small number of sodales be allowed to accompany any expedition mounted to track members of the unnamed house, and last that the agreement made with Petrus at the last Tribunal be honoured. Dionysus accepted all three requests and performed the rite using a large set of maps copied from the great atlas held in the library of Harco covenant.

The discovery which the Quaesitor made shocked us all. The pendant which Dionysus used to track Idris' son pointed to the ruined covenant of Ashenrise. The fact that the unnamed house have made base in a covenant brought down by demons brought us small hope of recovering Idris' son. Even the Archimagus seemed pale and drawn by the discovery. The magi of Holy Isle left quickly to request that Urien call an emergency meeting of the Grand Tribunal. If any attack was to be attempted it would require the cooperation of many houses to have any hope of success.

The second event was of a much lighter vein. A magus of Bjornaer named Lothar visted us to request that we might consider him for membership to our covenant. We met in council to discuss the merits and problems an additional magus might bring. Lothar appears relaxed and amiable, and his forest skills might allow us to discover more sources of vis within the Dean. We decided it was only fair to request that he live with us for the remainder of the season; so we might better get a measure of him and he of us. My concern was for the attitude displayed by many of his House towards my cousins, but he shows little sign of such prejudice and indeed appears interested to learn something of the fae and their ways.

Winter

With the cold and snows already manifest, we met for our first meeting of winter. Our first matter of discussion was the application of Lothar to join our number. We discussed the matter for a while; Turold and Petrus appeared unconvinced at first, but Idris seemed better disposed to the idea. After some time we reached a conclusion; that we would invite Lothar to join if he agreed to a small number of conditions; first, that he would learn to speak enough English to be able to communicate with the grogs, and second that he undertake two seasons of covenant service. Lothar had brought with him some gold, of which half would be donated to the covenant, and a rook of Animal vis which would also be given over.

I had thought that Lothar would have readily accepted, but to all our surprise he appeared quite reserved at the invitation. He had brought with him the copy of the charter from the library and began to question us about several of the rules and amendments. The discussion became something of an argument, with Turold, surprisingly, becoming the most agitated. Eventually Lothar relented and agreed to join, but I fear that the argument soured the atmosphere for the rest of the meeting.

After Lothar had formally sworn to the charter he joined us at council and we moved on to the activities we would endeavour that season. Lothar would undertake a seaon of covenant service and search the forest for sources of vis, Ruaridh would construct a second wand which could be used to destroy demons; a task I would assist as covenant service also. Petrus agreed to extract Vim vis, although too late for the casting of the aegis and not for the first time. Once again we would be forced to use Rego vis. As usual Petrus exchanged the Rego vis which would have been used for some of his personal source of Vim. Our sodalis now boasts three rooks of Rego vis obtained in this manner. Idris and Turold would return to their studies for the season.

Winter appeared to pass peacefully enough until Idris reported to us that some of the men had seen strange shadows around the covenant. Then also some of the men had a vision of a black, ragged cloaked figure riding a pale horse through the covenant. Shortly after we were informed that Osric and three of the men had been detained in Chepstow whilst attempting to purchase food. Idris investigated and discovered that the English, who now hold Chepstow and Monmouth, have placed an edict upon the covenant so that any merchant who deals with us will be hanged. With midwinter approaching we held a council meeting to discuss how we might avert starvation when our stores run out. Lothar insisted again and again that we must make contacts within the mundane society, tho' he had no council as to how this could be done with the edict in place. Once again our council descended into argument and it was some time before more practical solutions could be raised.

We invited Thurstan, our noble Castellan, to sit at our meeting. Thurstan, as ever, had some plans in mind which he could bring to aid. As well as rationing the remainder of the food he suggested that an ambush be laid for food supplies passing between Gloucester and Monmouth. With much of the army camped in the towns, extra food would need to be brought in throughout the winter months. Lothar claimed that he could prepare such an ambush, having experience of such things from his time in the Rhine, but it was felt that Thurstan was more qualified by virtue of his experience with the men and local knowledge. The ambush was laid, but unfortunately intercepted a wagon of scrap iron sent to make arms and armour in Monmouth. Rather than risk alerting Gloucester to our activities it was decided that we must tighten our belts and wait until spring when we could try to buy food from Bristol.

I feel that Thurstan, despite our instructions, tried to afford more food to the magi than the rest of the men. Some of the men became quite sick for want of food, and we lost one of them to the famine. Eanfled became quite thin and I feared for his health. Working with Ruaridh I saw his face become hollow with hunger as we worked upon the enchantment. That four weeks of cold and hunger bore a toll upon the morale of the men, but Thurstan, as ever, roused them. I saw him many times amongst the grogs, joking with them and keeping their resolve firm. I suspect that without his guiding hand some of our men would have deserted to find food. Those long, dark weeks will remain long in my memory.

With the first thaw, Thurstan began to organise shipments of food from Bristol and, with the better hunting from the forest, at last we felt our bellies full again. We now see the grip that these mundanes have over us. Perhaps, with our walls and our arts, they cannot hope to storm our covenant with anything less than an army. But, it is certain they have other means of bringing ruin upon those who defy them. It is humbling for magi to realise how much they depend upon their mundane neighbours. It is all the more disturbing then that the influence of the infernal has reached the upper echelons of their nobility. It was with little cheer that we ended the year of 1101.
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