Scribed by Naevius
Spring
Our council met on the first day of the season to discuss plans for the coming year. Whilst we yet lack a method of avoiding or surviving the terrible plague, foretold in visions and prophesied by Taliesin, there have been a number of avenues of research which appear to have promise.
Theoclea appears to be making progress with the study of the fragment of crystal housing Myddyn’s memories. Having now improved her knowledge of that ancient Cymric tongue, she is beginning to make more sense of the events she witnesses. Beyond this, a growing familiarity with the way the crystal appears to select memories appears to allow her to retrieve specific memories more reliably. Last season, she witnessed Myddyn create a portal at a standing stone and – as has happened before – an echo of that magic appeared here in the covenant. Jari’s slightly rash decision to explore where this portal might have ended in misadventure as the portal closed behind him and Races the Wind. However, Theoclea was able to reproduce the phenomenon and, with the portal recreated, Terentius was fortunately able to find them before the cruel winter and lack of supplies caused them to freeze to death.
The portal led to a large and powerful standing stone, somewhere in Cumbria perhaps or the North East of Lock Leglean. Jari suspects this may be one of the ‘great henges’ and is keen to investigate further. His impressive ability to read and even direct some of the power emanating from standing stones represents a second innovative breakthrough which holds promise for our survival. He volunteered to make more extended study of the stone this season, provided Theoclea was able to conjure the portal from Myddyn’s memories once again. This time though, he and his familiar will not travel alone – Branwen agreeing to travel with them to support the investigation.
Branwen’s research has led her to theorise that a powerful woodland grove could provide a sanctuary against the coming plague. Though the grove at Halls of the Forest appears too small for such purposes, there is yet hope that the protective power of such places could be invoked should a more suitable site be discovered. This represents yet another line of research which seems promising to pursue.
For all that he often speaks about the mundanes in dismissive terms, Pyrrhus appears to believe that some secret within the lore of medicine may yet provide some cure or prophylactic against the plague. For all that this seems unlikely to me, there seems little harm in pursuing this avenue where he has time. To that end, Pyrrhus intends to return to Gloucester College to continue his study and research.
Last year, Terentius wrote regarding his feeling of making little contribution to these endeavours. If he thinks his efforts ‘hollow’, then he must judge mine even more poorly! Aside from saving Theoclea and affording a survey of the caves beneath Mynydd Myddyn which led to the retrieval of the crystal shard, his magical and physical capabilities mean that he his probably the most capable of all of us when it comes to investigating these sites and secrets. Whilst he may see his role as ‘merely’ supporting one or more of the other magi, his contributions to this survival project far exceeds my own.
What I can do is try to ensure that the time of my sodales is not wasted with petty matters like vis extraction or minor enchantments, nor tied up with regular meetings with the Captain, Steward or the Spy master in order to ensure the smooth running of the covenant. With our financial and political position still precarious, I suspect here will be many mundane matters which could cause a distraction – some of which I can try to help resolve before they draw time from my sodales.
Following the re-casting of the Aegis of the Hearth, Branwen and Jari departed through a recreation of the portal and Pyrrhus returned to Gloucester. Terentius and I remained in the covenant, engaged in our laboratories.
Summer
The council met and shared news from last season. Jari related the investigation of the standing stone in Cumbria that he had undertaken with Branwen.
About a day’s travel to the settlement of Cockermouth, it stands about 12 feet high within a fourth magnitude aura. The closest settlements are Cockermouth to the west and Carlise to the north-west. Jari believes that, in return for the proper offerings, the site has the power to bestow gifts to those going into battle. For example, it might enhance a warrior’s physical strength and endurance prior to going to war. He thinks it is a site of some considerable power, connected as it is to thirteen other sites. He also noted that at least one of the ley lines appears to travel across the Firth, suggesting that they can cross even large bodies of water.
He thinks it might represent one of the ‘great henges’ described by Arcanus. Whilst the powers it bestows do not appear immediately defence against the terrible plague, he speculated that in combination with the powers of other henges, the site – or another of similar power – might play some part in our survival. We briefly explored this conjecture in council. It seems that the magic of Avebury is related to healing – which seems a promising avenue save for the fact that its raw power almost killed Jari’s familiar when he first visited. There was also discussion, once again, regarding Myddyn’s Stone nearby – which can be used to transform into a range of animals – and a question of whether this site was something that Myddyn created or whether that ancient mage somehow enhanced a pre-existing site. Theoclea once again suggested that it may be possible to draw upon the connections between these places of power to extend or transmit something of the magic that she is seeking to learn from Myddyn’s memories.
Branwen then briefly related her journey south to the lands once claimed by the covenant Lear Valley. Her mater, Deana, resides fairly close to this region, but there was no sign of her when Branwen called at her cottage. Becoming concerned, she investigated to discover evidence that Deana had been murdered.
She appeared initially reluctant to discuss more, though Terentius pressed a little for more detail. Eventually, she revealed that the matter was under Hermetic investigation by the Quaesitori – as Deana had been killed by a member of the Order. If true, this is shocking news. Thus far the Tribunal has been mostly spared from the lawless infighting which has destroyed all sense of unity in Loch Leglean and Hibernia. I do not doubt there will be more discussion at the Tribunal later this season and perhaps we shall learn more about these terrible events.
Finally, Pyrrhus briefly related his exploration of the libraries at King’s College in Gloucester. He had hoped perhaps for some clues with the studies of medicine and alchemy for anything which might guide research towards prophylactic or cure for the coming plague. He admitted that he had, thus far, not found anything which appeared to promise that hope and wondered whether there was an argument for travelling to the east to seek out more sophisticated Ancient Greek and Arabic texts upon the subjects. We reminded him of the recent news that Turkic forces had seized the east side of the Bosphorus and were launching attacks against Constantinople – suggesting that such a scholarly venture might be quite difficult. Though Jari did suggest that he might travel there and volunteer his services – as Primus Flambeau is accompanying Primus Bonisagus in the region as the latter seeks to bring a diplomatic end to the schism within the Order.
With news discussed, Jari indicated that he intended to transport some equipment and make an investigation of the Myddyn’s stone, whilst Theoclea will continue to delve into the memories contained in the crystal. I shall extract vim vis for the covenant as service. All others on the council were engaged in personal study.
Later in the season all members of the council attended the emergency meeting of the Tribunal at Blackthorn.
The first matter of discussion was the election of a new Praeco following Voressio’s departure into final twilight. Three candidates presented themselves, Sufficius, Lluddwyn and Argentius.
Sufficius’ gave a logically coherent but perhaps uninspiring speech – acknowledging the coming shadow of plague and committing Tribunal resources to researching potential ways to mitigate that threat. He revealed that Tribunal records suggest that Voressio embezzled vis from that stock to reproduce his longevity potion – and emphasised that he would provide account for how the Tribunal reserves and any future tithes of vis would be spent.
Lluddwyn also spoke of the coming shadow, committing herself to supporting work to find a way to avoid the death and destruction signaled by omen and prophecy. She suggested that the solution to this threat lies in the old magics of these isles – the ancient power of the land and its groves and henges where such magic is concentrated. This accorded well with the priorities of our council, though she gave no details regarding what support or avenues of research this might involve.
Finally, Argentius gave a somewhat rousing speech where he spoke also of the coming shadow. He revealed that House Tremere has pursued research into a new variant of the Aegis of the Hearth – a ritual of such magnitude it would require collective effort in its casting – which he believes will shelter a large area against the plague. He believes that this shadow and the associated plague might take many years to pass, so that area must contain farmland and resources to provide for an extended time. The time and resources involved in such a ritual prevent it being something that covenants could easily cast for themselves. However, he committed to Tribunal resources being used to create Hermes Portals, so that magi would be able to evacuate swiftly to this protected area when sign of the shadow descends.
Of the three, I felt Argentius presented the most plausible and concrete plans for how the Tribunal might survive. Some of my sodales expressed doubt as to whether this new Aegis ritual could protect against the plague, yet to me it seemed to have no less potential than vague and unprecedented plans to ‘draw on the power of the land’.
It was extremely close. It seems the Tribunal was quite evenly persuaded by each candidate. However, in the end, Lluddwyn was elected by the margin of a single vote.
Following a recess, Lluddwyn declared that the Tribunal would hear case against the Quaesitor Pravia for the crime of murdering Deana. This announcement was almost immediately debated – as Argentius argued that the traditions of the Order stipulated that accusations against Quaesitori should be investigated by an Inquisitor of House Guernicus rather than the Tribunal. Senior Quaesitor Romanus laid out the precedents involved, though Lluddwyn argued that the traditions of a House could not supplant the Primary Code. It appears that currently there is no Inquisitor of House Guernicus appointed to investigate such charges – and in the end, the Praeca successfully claimed authority for the Tribunal to hear and prosecute the case.
I shall say, there was no attempt by the Praeca to appear impartial or non-partisan in this debate. She was both grieving and furious for the death of Deana – and convinced that Pravia was guilty of the crime.
The case was laid out before the assembled magi. It seems that Pravia and Deana had a history of argument. Years before, the Ex-Miscellanean had taken vis from a site belonging to Erus Aquilae – not recognising the signs which marked it as a covenant hold. When confronted by Pravia, Deana refused to engage in certamen regarding the matter – and the Tremere was so infuriated by this she sought permission to declare Wizard’s War against her. Fortunately, it seems Romanus refused this request and the Primi reached an agreement regarding compensation for the vis that was taken. However, this episode did provide some insight into Pravia’s vengeful instincts and her prior relationship with the victim.
Romanus related his investigation earlier in the season. He discovered that Pravia had been in the area over winter, engaged in covenant service and collecting vis from various sites. It appears that this specific source of vis, pale berries of mistletoe which appear in the darkest days of the year, were once again missing. Romanus claimed that Pravia was outraged by this and sought out Deana. Using the spell ‘Eyes of the Past’, he was able to observe an argument between them before Deana appeared to turn away with a dismissive gesture. In that moment, he claimed, Pravia struck her down with a spell – then used further magic to cover up her crime. Her sigil was discovered on a spell intended to destroy all traces of body at the location where Romanus observed the attack.
Acting as Patronus, Argentius related a different version of events. He claimed Pravia was indeed abroad on covenant service but had not sought out Deana; at the time of the attack she was within a local regio many miles away. He argued that the presence of Pravia’s sigil and her likeness within the Eyes of the Past were infernal deception intended to frame her guilt. Unfortunately for Pravia, there were no witnesses to support her version of events, and no evidence was presented to support the claim that Romanus’ intellego spells had been corrupted by diabolic influence. In addition, it appears that Pravia had refused the invitation to open her mind to scrying spells which might read her memory of events. Whilst this is her right under the Primary Code – and certainly it was typical to decline such request in the Rome Tribunal – I wonder whether here in Stonehenge this refusal was interpreted as her having something to hide.
After a long session, with questions and arguments going back and forth between Accusator and Patronus, the trial concluded with each party offering penalty for the case. Romanus offered the penalty of death; Argentius offered Pravia to be bound to her covenant under his guarantee until the matter had been fully investigated by an Inquisitor of House Guernicus.
I voted for the latter option – whilst it seemed possible that Pravia committed a crime of passion and took revenge against Deana, it seemed an implausibly hot-headed reaction to a few missing pawns of herbam and there was fresh news that the Unnamed House were continuing to actively interfere with henges and standing stones within this Tribunal. However, my sodales – indeed the majority of the Tribunal – were unconvinced by Argentius’ insistence that infernal deception had interfered with the evidence presented. To me, Lluddwyn appeared triumphant with the outcome, sharing something of a vengeful character with the accused to my eye.
Pravia gave, I thought, a very dignified response to the outcome of the case. Having lived her life in accordance with the Code, she accepted our judgement and the penalty of death. However, she insisted that one day we would recognise the injustice of the decision and warned that the true culprit, capable of infernal magic sufficient to disguise murder, was still abroad and a grave threat to the Tribunal.
The penalty was carried out by Tiberius acting as permanent Hoplite to the Tribunal. Pravia’s execution was witnessed by Romanus, Lluddwun and Argentius. The broken pieces of her talisman, an onyx wand, were presented to the Tribunal.
Following some brief news provided by Senior Redcap, Gaines. Lluddwyn brought the meeting to a close with advanced notice that the full meeting of the Tribunal would be held in the Summer of 1335.
Autumn
We met to discuss news and plans at the lawful council at the beginning of the season.
Jari related something of his investigation of the Myddyn Stone within the forest. Lying in a third magnitude aura, it appears that this was a pre-existing site which Myddyn cultivated or focused through the crafting of magical runes. It seems that the place was already imbued with the magic of shapeshifting. Jari speculated that prior to Myddyn’s enchantments, individuals who unwittingly slept at the site might have found themselves transformed into animals by the morning. In Jari’s view, the runes help to constrain or shape this magic, making it more predictable or reliable to use – once you know the trick for activating the forms. He wondered whether this was an experiment by Myddyn, testing the limits of his abilities, as legend suggests he was a skilled shapeshifter in his own right. Regardless of the motive, Jari thinks that such runic magic may be replicable – suggesting that perhaps other sites could be altered to provide reliable access to magical effects.
There was also brief discussion regarding a piece of news from the Tribunal last season – indicating further interference by the Unnamed House in two sites of standing stones. Jari mentioned that he’d questioned Gaines for more detail after the Tribunal. It appears that a site called ‘Gunners Keld’ owned by Blackthorn and a second site closer to Borri-Tor covenant showed evidence of green flames – a sigil associated with the necromancer amongst their number – and attempts to scry past events revealed only an impenetrable darkness. He sent letters to the Domus Magnus and Borri-Tor and hoped there would be no objections to further investigation, though confessed it seemed unlikely that Erus Aquilae would grant permission.
Branwen announced that she would be in seclusion for a year binding her familiar. This prompted something of a reaction from Terentius – who felt that such time could not be spared given the warnings of impending shadow and death. Branwen appeared unmoved by this argument but committed herself to locating powerful grove sites where the power might offer shelter once she had completed the year-long ritual.
There was also an issue with Theoclea’s magical experimentation over the course of the year. On several occasions now, unpredictable magical effects have been manifested during this research and something similar happening during the delicate process of binding a familiar could have potentially disastrous effects. Terentius strongly objected to Theoclea offering to abstain from such research for a year. Alternative plans to set up a temporary laboratory in the forest did not appear practical or safe. Terentius asked Branwen whether she might conduct the binding ritual outside the covenant – something that sounded even more risky to me. Branwen eventually agreed to travel to Cad Gadu and speak to her Prima in the hope that a laboratory space might be made available for a year. This is an enormous compromise on her part, though I sense perhaps she appreciated Theoclea’s sensitivity when raising this issue and willingness to suspend her research rather than create any risk for her sodalis.
Lastly, Pyrrhus said he would be travelling to Carrion Moor to speak with Berenger regarding possible commissions for his consortis, Marcellus. At the Tribunal, the Jerbiton appeared extremely keen for a range of fittings and devices for the covenant ship. One issue was that Branwen also had need of the ship – which created a problem as she will not share the vessel with Pyrrhus. I wondered for a moment whether it would come to certamen, but Terentius interceded, suggesting he would be happy to show Pyrrhus the route by air to avoid the problem.
Terentius will attempt to harvest sources within Mynydd Myddyn as covenant service. Jari will also be abroad as he seeks to investigate some of the standing stones and henges in South Wales.
Over the course of the season, it appears that Branwen was wise to avoid opening the familiar enchantment whilst Theoclea engaged in investigating Myddyn’s memories. It seems that the Captain and a number of covenfolk found themselves drawn into some scrying vision – superficially similar to the spell ‘Wandering Eye of the Sage’. This was confirmed to be related to events Theoclea was reviewing within the crystal shard – and thankfully it appears no problems arose from the echo of these magics leaking into our covenant.
Winter
The council met at the beginning of the season. Branwen was absent having secured agreement with Cad Gadu for the loan of a laboratory space for the year.
Jari reported his investigation of ancient stones in South Wales. He was able to identify a site which appeared to have healing properties and was able to direct something of this magic towards a natural spring serving the town of Swansea. He believes that this will imbue the waters of that spring with a curative magic – which may preserve the townsfolk from the ravages of common diseases which tend to spread across the winter months. His approach to this experiment seemed highly rigorous and thoughtful to me – at odds with the magus’ usually relaxed and spontaneous approach to events. It will be interesting to see whether this does mitigate illness within the town over the coming months. This season, he plans to continue his research into the tempers and influence of these standing stones, to see whether he can essentially augment their effects rather than simply redirect their influence.
Theoclea reported that she had used Myddyn’s ritual scrying to identify three sites which may contain greater stones or henges worthy of further investigation. She described three sites – two coastal and one inland – though only one of the sites was recognised: A site known as Boscawen Un close to the very tip of the Cornish peninsula. Jari appeared keen to potentially investigate the site in the new year.
Terentius had returned from Mynydd Myddyn with a significant harvest of vis from several sites within the extensive cave network. He reported that the veiled hills appeared unchanged in their character, though the tower conjured by Myddyn appeared in a more dilapidated state since his last visit.
Lastly, Pyrrhus reported that he had agreed to a list of works with Berenger which will take around six years to complete and had returned with a sum of 5500d. We estimate that approximately half of this sum will represent profit for the covenant – a helpful contribution of 2750d.
Pyrrhus agreed to extract vim vis as service to the covenant.
The season passed peacefully with no further event of note to record here.
Spring
Our council met on the first day of the season to discuss plans for the coming year. Whilst we yet lack a method of avoiding or surviving the terrible plague, foretold in visions and prophesied by Taliesin, there have been a number of avenues of research which appear to have promise.
Theoclea appears to be making progress with the study of the fragment of crystal housing Myddyn’s memories. Having now improved her knowledge of that ancient Cymric tongue, she is beginning to make more sense of the events she witnesses. Beyond this, a growing familiarity with the way the crystal appears to select memories appears to allow her to retrieve specific memories more reliably. Last season, she witnessed Myddyn create a portal at a standing stone and – as has happened before – an echo of that magic appeared here in the covenant. Jari’s slightly rash decision to explore where this portal might have ended in misadventure as the portal closed behind him and Races the Wind. However, Theoclea was able to reproduce the phenomenon and, with the portal recreated, Terentius was fortunately able to find them before the cruel winter and lack of supplies caused them to freeze to death.
The portal led to a large and powerful standing stone, somewhere in Cumbria perhaps or the North East of Lock Leglean. Jari suspects this may be one of the ‘great henges’ and is keen to investigate further. His impressive ability to read and even direct some of the power emanating from standing stones represents a second innovative breakthrough which holds promise for our survival. He volunteered to make more extended study of the stone this season, provided Theoclea was able to conjure the portal from Myddyn’s memories once again. This time though, he and his familiar will not travel alone – Branwen agreeing to travel with them to support the investigation.
Branwen’s research has led her to theorise that a powerful woodland grove could provide a sanctuary against the coming plague. Though the grove at Halls of the Forest appears too small for such purposes, there is yet hope that the protective power of such places could be invoked should a more suitable site be discovered. This represents yet another line of research which seems promising to pursue.
For all that he often speaks about the mundanes in dismissive terms, Pyrrhus appears to believe that some secret within the lore of medicine may yet provide some cure or prophylactic against the plague. For all that this seems unlikely to me, there seems little harm in pursuing this avenue where he has time. To that end, Pyrrhus intends to return to Gloucester College to continue his study and research.
Last year, Terentius wrote regarding his feeling of making little contribution to these endeavours. If he thinks his efforts ‘hollow’, then he must judge mine even more poorly! Aside from saving Theoclea and affording a survey of the caves beneath Mynydd Myddyn which led to the retrieval of the crystal shard, his magical and physical capabilities mean that he his probably the most capable of all of us when it comes to investigating these sites and secrets. Whilst he may see his role as ‘merely’ supporting one or more of the other magi, his contributions to this survival project far exceeds my own.
What I can do is try to ensure that the time of my sodales is not wasted with petty matters like vis extraction or minor enchantments, nor tied up with regular meetings with the Captain, Steward or the Spy master in order to ensure the smooth running of the covenant. With our financial and political position still precarious, I suspect here will be many mundane matters which could cause a distraction – some of which I can try to help resolve before they draw time from my sodales.
Following the re-casting of the Aegis of the Hearth, Branwen and Jari departed through a recreation of the portal and Pyrrhus returned to Gloucester. Terentius and I remained in the covenant, engaged in our laboratories.
Summer
The council met and shared news from last season. Jari related the investigation of the standing stone in Cumbria that he had undertaken with Branwen.
About a day’s travel to the settlement of Cockermouth, it stands about 12 feet high within a fourth magnitude aura. The closest settlements are Cockermouth to the west and Carlise to the north-west. Jari believes that, in return for the proper offerings, the site has the power to bestow gifts to those going into battle. For example, it might enhance a warrior’s physical strength and endurance prior to going to war. He thinks it is a site of some considerable power, connected as it is to thirteen other sites. He also noted that at least one of the ley lines appears to travel across the Firth, suggesting that they can cross even large bodies of water.
He thinks it might represent one of the ‘great henges’ described by Arcanus. Whilst the powers it bestows do not appear immediately defence against the terrible plague, he speculated that in combination with the powers of other henges, the site – or another of similar power – might play some part in our survival. We briefly explored this conjecture in council. It seems that the magic of Avebury is related to healing – which seems a promising avenue save for the fact that its raw power almost killed Jari’s familiar when he first visited. There was also discussion, once again, regarding Myddyn’s Stone nearby – which can be used to transform into a range of animals – and a question of whether this site was something that Myddyn created or whether that ancient mage somehow enhanced a pre-existing site. Theoclea once again suggested that it may be possible to draw upon the connections between these places of power to extend or transmit something of the magic that she is seeking to learn from Myddyn’s memories.
Branwen then briefly related her journey south to the lands once claimed by the covenant Lear Valley. Her mater, Deana, resides fairly close to this region, but there was no sign of her when Branwen called at her cottage. Becoming concerned, she investigated to discover evidence that Deana had been murdered.
She appeared initially reluctant to discuss more, though Terentius pressed a little for more detail. Eventually, she revealed that the matter was under Hermetic investigation by the Quaesitori – as Deana had been killed by a member of the Order. If true, this is shocking news. Thus far the Tribunal has been mostly spared from the lawless infighting which has destroyed all sense of unity in Loch Leglean and Hibernia. I do not doubt there will be more discussion at the Tribunal later this season and perhaps we shall learn more about these terrible events.
Finally, Pyrrhus briefly related his exploration of the libraries at King’s College in Gloucester. He had hoped perhaps for some clues with the studies of medicine and alchemy for anything which might guide research towards prophylactic or cure for the coming plague. He admitted that he had, thus far, not found anything which appeared to promise that hope and wondered whether there was an argument for travelling to the east to seek out more sophisticated Ancient Greek and Arabic texts upon the subjects. We reminded him of the recent news that Turkic forces had seized the east side of the Bosphorus and were launching attacks against Constantinople – suggesting that such a scholarly venture might be quite difficult. Though Jari did suggest that he might travel there and volunteer his services – as Primus Flambeau is accompanying Primus Bonisagus in the region as the latter seeks to bring a diplomatic end to the schism within the Order.
With news discussed, Jari indicated that he intended to transport some equipment and make an investigation of the Myddyn’s stone, whilst Theoclea will continue to delve into the memories contained in the crystal. I shall extract vim vis for the covenant as service. All others on the council were engaged in personal study.
Later in the season all members of the council attended the emergency meeting of the Tribunal at Blackthorn.
The first matter of discussion was the election of a new Praeco following Voressio’s departure into final twilight. Three candidates presented themselves, Sufficius, Lluddwyn and Argentius.
Sufficius’ gave a logically coherent but perhaps uninspiring speech – acknowledging the coming shadow of plague and committing Tribunal resources to researching potential ways to mitigate that threat. He revealed that Tribunal records suggest that Voressio embezzled vis from that stock to reproduce his longevity potion – and emphasised that he would provide account for how the Tribunal reserves and any future tithes of vis would be spent.
Lluddwyn also spoke of the coming shadow, committing herself to supporting work to find a way to avoid the death and destruction signaled by omen and prophecy. She suggested that the solution to this threat lies in the old magics of these isles – the ancient power of the land and its groves and henges where such magic is concentrated. This accorded well with the priorities of our council, though she gave no details regarding what support or avenues of research this might involve.
Finally, Argentius gave a somewhat rousing speech where he spoke also of the coming shadow. He revealed that House Tremere has pursued research into a new variant of the Aegis of the Hearth – a ritual of such magnitude it would require collective effort in its casting – which he believes will shelter a large area against the plague. He believes that this shadow and the associated plague might take many years to pass, so that area must contain farmland and resources to provide for an extended time. The time and resources involved in such a ritual prevent it being something that covenants could easily cast for themselves. However, he committed to Tribunal resources being used to create Hermes Portals, so that magi would be able to evacuate swiftly to this protected area when sign of the shadow descends.
Of the three, I felt Argentius presented the most plausible and concrete plans for how the Tribunal might survive. Some of my sodales expressed doubt as to whether this new Aegis ritual could protect against the plague, yet to me it seemed to have no less potential than vague and unprecedented plans to ‘draw on the power of the land’.
It was extremely close. It seems the Tribunal was quite evenly persuaded by each candidate. However, in the end, Lluddwyn was elected by the margin of a single vote.
Following a recess, Lluddwyn declared that the Tribunal would hear case against the Quaesitor Pravia for the crime of murdering Deana. This announcement was almost immediately debated – as Argentius argued that the traditions of the Order stipulated that accusations against Quaesitori should be investigated by an Inquisitor of House Guernicus rather than the Tribunal. Senior Quaesitor Romanus laid out the precedents involved, though Lluddwyn argued that the traditions of a House could not supplant the Primary Code. It appears that currently there is no Inquisitor of House Guernicus appointed to investigate such charges – and in the end, the Praeca successfully claimed authority for the Tribunal to hear and prosecute the case.
I shall say, there was no attempt by the Praeca to appear impartial or non-partisan in this debate. She was both grieving and furious for the death of Deana – and convinced that Pravia was guilty of the crime.
The case was laid out before the assembled magi. It seems that Pravia and Deana had a history of argument. Years before, the Ex-Miscellanean had taken vis from a site belonging to Erus Aquilae – not recognising the signs which marked it as a covenant hold. When confronted by Pravia, Deana refused to engage in certamen regarding the matter – and the Tremere was so infuriated by this she sought permission to declare Wizard’s War against her. Fortunately, it seems Romanus refused this request and the Primi reached an agreement regarding compensation for the vis that was taken. However, this episode did provide some insight into Pravia’s vengeful instincts and her prior relationship with the victim.
Romanus related his investigation earlier in the season. He discovered that Pravia had been in the area over winter, engaged in covenant service and collecting vis from various sites. It appears that this specific source of vis, pale berries of mistletoe which appear in the darkest days of the year, were once again missing. Romanus claimed that Pravia was outraged by this and sought out Deana. Using the spell ‘Eyes of the Past’, he was able to observe an argument between them before Deana appeared to turn away with a dismissive gesture. In that moment, he claimed, Pravia struck her down with a spell – then used further magic to cover up her crime. Her sigil was discovered on a spell intended to destroy all traces of body at the location where Romanus observed the attack.
Acting as Patronus, Argentius related a different version of events. He claimed Pravia was indeed abroad on covenant service but had not sought out Deana; at the time of the attack she was within a local regio many miles away. He argued that the presence of Pravia’s sigil and her likeness within the Eyes of the Past were infernal deception intended to frame her guilt. Unfortunately for Pravia, there were no witnesses to support her version of events, and no evidence was presented to support the claim that Romanus’ intellego spells had been corrupted by diabolic influence. In addition, it appears that Pravia had refused the invitation to open her mind to scrying spells which might read her memory of events. Whilst this is her right under the Primary Code – and certainly it was typical to decline such request in the Rome Tribunal – I wonder whether here in Stonehenge this refusal was interpreted as her having something to hide.
After a long session, with questions and arguments going back and forth between Accusator and Patronus, the trial concluded with each party offering penalty for the case. Romanus offered the penalty of death; Argentius offered Pravia to be bound to her covenant under his guarantee until the matter had been fully investigated by an Inquisitor of House Guernicus.
I voted for the latter option – whilst it seemed possible that Pravia committed a crime of passion and took revenge against Deana, it seemed an implausibly hot-headed reaction to a few missing pawns of herbam and there was fresh news that the Unnamed House were continuing to actively interfere with henges and standing stones within this Tribunal. However, my sodales – indeed the majority of the Tribunal – were unconvinced by Argentius’ insistence that infernal deception had interfered with the evidence presented. To me, Lluddwyn appeared triumphant with the outcome, sharing something of a vengeful character with the accused to my eye.
Pravia gave, I thought, a very dignified response to the outcome of the case. Having lived her life in accordance with the Code, she accepted our judgement and the penalty of death. However, she insisted that one day we would recognise the injustice of the decision and warned that the true culprit, capable of infernal magic sufficient to disguise murder, was still abroad and a grave threat to the Tribunal.
The penalty was carried out by Tiberius acting as permanent Hoplite to the Tribunal. Pravia’s execution was witnessed by Romanus, Lluddwun and Argentius. The broken pieces of her talisman, an onyx wand, were presented to the Tribunal.
Following some brief news provided by Senior Redcap, Gaines. Lluddwyn brought the meeting to a close with advanced notice that the full meeting of the Tribunal would be held in the Summer of 1335.
Autumn
We met to discuss news and plans at the lawful council at the beginning of the season.
Jari related something of his investigation of the Myddyn Stone within the forest. Lying in a third magnitude aura, it appears that this was a pre-existing site which Myddyn cultivated or focused through the crafting of magical runes. It seems that the place was already imbued with the magic of shapeshifting. Jari speculated that prior to Myddyn’s enchantments, individuals who unwittingly slept at the site might have found themselves transformed into animals by the morning. In Jari’s view, the runes help to constrain or shape this magic, making it more predictable or reliable to use – once you know the trick for activating the forms. He wondered whether this was an experiment by Myddyn, testing the limits of his abilities, as legend suggests he was a skilled shapeshifter in his own right. Regardless of the motive, Jari thinks that such runic magic may be replicable – suggesting that perhaps other sites could be altered to provide reliable access to magical effects.
There was also brief discussion regarding a piece of news from the Tribunal last season – indicating further interference by the Unnamed House in two sites of standing stones. Jari mentioned that he’d questioned Gaines for more detail after the Tribunal. It appears that a site called ‘Gunners Keld’ owned by Blackthorn and a second site closer to Borri-Tor covenant showed evidence of green flames – a sigil associated with the necromancer amongst their number – and attempts to scry past events revealed only an impenetrable darkness. He sent letters to the Domus Magnus and Borri-Tor and hoped there would be no objections to further investigation, though confessed it seemed unlikely that Erus Aquilae would grant permission.
Branwen announced that she would be in seclusion for a year binding her familiar. This prompted something of a reaction from Terentius – who felt that such time could not be spared given the warnings of impending shadow and death. Branwen appeared unmoved by this argument but committed herself to locating powerful grove sites where the power might offer shelter once she had completed the year-long ritual.
There was also an issue with Theoclea’s magical experimentation over the course of the year. On several occasions now, unpredictable magical effects have been manifested during this research and something similar happening during the delicate process of binding a familiar could have potentially disastrous effects. Terentius strongly objected to Theoclea offering to abstain from such research for a year. Alternative plans to set up a temporary laboratory in the forest did not appear practical or safe. Terentius asked Branwen whether she might conduct the binding ritual outside the covenant – something that sounded even more risky to me. Branwen eventually agreed to travel to Cad Gadu and speak to her Prima in the hope that a laboratory space might be made available for a year. This is an enormous compromise on her part, though I sense perhaps she appreciated Theoclea’s sensitivity when raising this issue and willingness to suspend her research rather than create any risk for her sodalis.
Lastly, Pyrrhus said he would be travelling to Carrion Moor to speak with Berenger regarding possible commissions for his consortis, Marcellus. At the Tribunal, the Jerbiton appeared extremely keen for a range of fittings and devices for the covenant ship. One issue was that Branwen also had need of the ship – which created a problem as she will not share the vessel with Pyrrhus. I wondered for a moment whether it would come to certamen, but Terentius interceded, suggesting he would be happy to show Pyrrhus the route by air to avoid the problem.
Terentius will attempt to harvest sources within Mynydd Myddyn as covenant service. Jari will also be abroad as he seeks to investigate some of the standing stones and henges in South Wales.
Over the course of the season, it appears that Branwen was wise to avoid opening the familiar enchantment whilst Theoclea engaged in investigating Myddyn’s memories. It seems that the Captain and a number of covenfolk found themselves drawn into some scrying vision – superficially similar to the spell ‘Wandering Eye of the Sage’. This was confirmed to be related to events Theoclea was reviewing within the crystal shard – and thankfully it appears no problems arose from the echo of these magics leaking into our covenant.
Winter
The council met at the beginning of the season. Branwen was absent having secured agreement with Cad Gadu for the loan of a laboratory space for the year.
Jari reported his investigation of ancient stones in South Wales. He was able to identify a site which appeared to have healing properties and was able to direct something of this magic towards a natural spring serving the town of Swansea. He believes that this will imbue the waters of that spring with a curative magic – which may preserve the townsfolk from the ravages of common diseases which tend to spread across the winter months. His approach to this experiment seemed highly rigorous and thoughtful to me – at odds with the magus’ usually relaxed and spontaneous approach to events. It will be interesting to see whether this does mitigate illness within the town over the coming months. This season, he plans to continue his research into the tempers and influence of these standing stones, to see whether he can essentially augment their effects rather than simply redirect their influence.
Theoclea reported that she had used Myddyn’s ritual scrying to identify three sites which may contain greater stones or henges worthy of further investigation. She described three sites – two coastal and one inland – though only one of the sites was recognised: A site known as Boscawen Un close to the very tip of the Cornish peninsula. Jari appeared keen to potentially investigate the site in the new year.
Terentius had returned from Mynydd Myddyn with a significant harvest of vis from several sites within the extensive cave network. He reported that the veiled hills appeared unchanged in their character, though the tower conjured by Myddyn appeared in a more dilapidated state since his last visit.
Lastly, Pyrrhus reported that he had agreed to a list of works with Berenger which will take around six years to complete and had returned with a sum of 5500d. We estimate that approximately half of this sum will represent profit for the covenant – a helpful contribution of 2750d.
Pyrrhus agreed to extract vim vis as service to the covenant.
The season passed peacefully with no further event of note to record here.