Session 10
« Session 9 | Nova Semitae Saga Journal | Session 11 »
Summer 1222
The covenant party closed in on the diabolist stalking and hunting the villagers of Woolston. After rescuing Maria, they passed the night at camp. When they went to the cave system that the remaining leader, Michael, was hiding but found the cave system empty but with plenty of evidence (sheep, goat, and one human corpse) there along with a profane altar. Michael had fled, so the party gave pursuit, though they ordered Geoffrey's sister, Maria, and the servants home with a couple of grogs to guard them.
The chase took most of the day as Michael fled through a forest, then past another village into another cave system. Upon confronting him, they immediately attacked. Obscurus Ignis threw a Pilum of Fire, but Michael was protected by Infernal gifts. Gwendolyn of Shrewsbury slew Michael with her blade, however. The party recovered a journal of Michael's descent into devil worship. Exiting the cave, Geoffrey destroyed the cave (and surrounding region) with an application of Crest of the Earth's Wave, which devastated the area, including the cave system.
Upon returning from their mission, they decided to send a party in full knightly regalia to recover the relic from Woolston. This time, Sir Daniele, Geoffrey, and Squire Louis went on mounts and managed to persuade Father Herbert that they were able to fix the reliquary. While discussing it, they noticed that a gem was missing, which Father Herbert eventually confided that it broke after he dropped it.
Sir Daniele carried the relic out, but once out of the village church, something whispered to Daniele causing him to panic. He rode back to the covenant at full tilt and immediately deposited the reliquary at the altar of the chapel and fell down to pray. Geoffrey removed the reliquary and brought it to the council chambers to discuss the matter at full council.
During the council meeting, the magi consulted with Joshua of Verditius who confirmed he could fix the physical damage. The magical nature would require a Vim specialist to properly investigate.
While waiting for Sir Daniele, Aulus brings up an issue: after Tribunal, three Quaesitores travelled from the Magvillus, the home of House Guernicus and headquarters of the Quaesitores in the Roman Tribunal. Aulus explains that he has been asked to serve as the Proctor of Hermes at the Roman Curia. The Quaesitores explain that the Order maintains a representative at the Papal Court to intercept and deal with any magus who petitions the Pope. A proctor is the representative for a powerful nobleman or organization with the authority to represent that party's interests. The Pope is aware of the Order and allows a magus to speak for the Order.
Because of his Gentle Gift, command of Hermetic Law, and his demonstrated attempts to bring peace in the Stonehenge Tribunal, the Quaesitores have asked him to serve as the Order's proctor. The benefits would be that Aulus would be raised to the position of Quaesitor and serve for two years (the maximum amount of time one can serve as a proctor). The covenant would then have local Quaesitor which is a measure of prestige for Nova Semitae. Unfortunately, he would be busy for the next seven years -- three years to train in Hermetic Law and Canon Law, followed by two years as the proctor to the court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, then transferred to the Roman Curia. In exchange, Magvillus would send supplemental law books which would be donated to the covenant's library.
Aulus asks for a dispensation for his training and service at the various ecclesiastic courts to count as covenant service. The motion is put before the council and is passed.
This results in Neanne resuming the position of Princeps as the sole Senior Member of the Council. Because of this, Geoffrey proposes an amendment that in the absence of a Senior Member, that a Junior Member execute the position of Princeps until such a time as a Senior Member can fill the position, or until the next Tribunal, whichever comes first. A vote on the necessity of such an amendment is passed by the required 2/3rds of the council, and the amendment itself is passed with the required ¾s of the council.
Additional motions voted on by council:
- (General) That Neanne dedicate a season to investigating the reliquary. She deferred the work until 1223 due to personal projects. This would count as her season of service. Approved by council.
- (Magni) That the covenant commit five grogs to the expected fighting against Loch Leglean magi. Passed by the council.
- (General) That the reliquary be secured in the room containing the Parma Magica books, which is normally locked. Passed by general acclamation.
Autumn 1222
At the Autumn Solstice council meeting, the reason for Neanne's delay was obvious when she announced that she had claimed her niece, Aline, as her apprentice.
Experience Points
Woolston excursion members each earn +5 Adventure XP. Magni, Geoffrey, Obscurus Ignis, Veloxia, Marrok, Squire Louis, Sir Jusef, Gwendolyn of Shrewsbury
Note that some magi have earned 1 xp in Mastery for certain spells that they cast during the adventure.