Library

The Covenant's Library is detailed here. The Library is maintained by the Senior Librarian, a magus of the Council. The current Senior Librarian is Nuala. She is assisted by Profundus, and works closely with Marion (a young Irish maiden with beautiful handwriting and Profession: Scribe 4+2), Tomlin (a middle aged Londoner with Profession: Bookbinder 6) and Bron (a monk from Kells with Profession: Illuminator 6 and Affinity).

The Library Proper

The covenant library is housed in the council chamber, inside a single Excellent (+1) armarius protected by numerous circle wards. The circle is inscribed in the stone floor (Alfeva used Muto Terram magic to make the stone soft, carving the circle with her fingernail). The wards are:Ward Against Mundane Insects (ReAn 5)
Ward Against Mundane Beasts (ReAn 5)
Ward Against Beasts of Legend (ReAn 30); this was cast by Cernunnos, and has Penetration +15.
Ring of Spring Breezes (CrAu 5: Base 1, +1 Touch, +2 Ring, +1 unnatural)
Ward Against Mold (ReHe 5)
And a Ward Against Heat and Flame that keeps out fire with a damage bonus of up to +10. This is the best Alfeva can reasonably accomplish without inventing a spell. It was cast with spontaneous ceremonial casting: Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Ring, +1 magnitude for up to +10 damage. Cast with 13 Ig + 6 Re + 2 Sta + 5 Aura + 4 Artes + 4 Phil = 34 + die roll of 6 = 40/2 = 20.

The armarius has a steel lock and there are two keys; Sander and Profundus (the assistant librarian) both have one. Only magi and custos are permitted access to the library.

The library has a Catalog; this is a fixed arcane connection to the entire collection. It is kept by the Head Librarian, currently Sander.

The library also houses a Bookstand of Hespera (see Covenants) which belongs to Polumeta, but which she has left here for communal use.

Each book contains within it a record of everyone who has borrowed it, by season and year.

Books on the Arts

Laboratory Texts

Romer's Book, or the Book of Roaming

This is a well known grimoire containing spells useful to every covenant. It is commonly gifted to newly Gauntleted magi who are setting out to create a spring covenant. When gifted in this way, the book has an unusual property; within a year of the covenant's founding, Romer's Book becomes an arcane connection to the entire covenant. For this reason, it is kept in secure conditions within the library or in a magi's sanctum.

With only a few exceptions, the spells in Romer's Book are so common that scriptoriums probably already have copies of them in stock and can assemble the book on demand. None are greater than fifth magnitude. The most unusual spell in the Book is an improved version of Chirurgeon's Healing Touch. A bound copy of the book is valued at about 12 pawns of vis. Because recipients of the Book immediately set out on a journey to a distant Tribunal, this grimoire has also earned the name The Book of Roaming.

Record: August 1220 - Polumeta; Winter 1220 - Innocentius; Autumn 1221 - Samson; Spring 1225 - Alfeva, 1226 Spring Cernunnos, Autumn Alfeva, 1227 Summer Sander

The Grimoire of Victor Autolycus, Volume 1

This collection of spells was added in Spring 1226 by Victor Autolycus, former Princeps of Cor Draconis. 1226 - Spring (Cernunnos), Autumn (Alfeva)

The First Book of Winds: A Hibernian Grimoire by Sander Ua Bonaosagas

This collection of spells was added in 1221 as part of Sander's service obligation to the covenant.

Spells of Cor Draconis, Volume 1

This grimoire of common spells was purchased at the Hibernian Tribunal of 1221 and delivered at the end of that spring. 1226 - Spring (Cernunnos), 1227 - Fall (Samson)

Spells of Cor Draconis, Volume 2

This grimoire of common spells was purchased at the Tailten Faire of 1225 and delivered at the end of that Winter.

The Vale of No Return by Morgan Pendule ex Merinita

This grimoire of spells includes wards designed to protect a covenant, above and beyond the Aegis of the Hearth. This copy, copied by Myrna when she was an apprentice in the Alps, is incomplete; the original contains many more spells, some of which require the Merinita Mysteries of Glamour and Spell Timing.

The Invisible Covenant (PeIm 35)

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Boundary

Renders everything within a covenant's Aegis invisible to those outside of it. Natural geography like mountains, rivers, and trees will not be affected, nor will roads, but all buildings vanish. People and animals moving around outside are still visible, but invisible buildings make anyone inside them also invisible.

Base: 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +4 Boundary

The Curse of Minos (MuIm 35)

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Structure

This spell modifies the interior of a building, using powerful illusions to turn it into a confusing labyrinth. A building as large as a castle keep can be affected. Passages appear to circle back on themselves or are filled with mist, raging flames, or other dangers; doors open to nowhere, are in impossible positions, or change their destinations; staircases lead in the wrong directions and defy gravity. Voices are distorted and groups are split up. The effect is obviously magical. With the addition of a Rego casting requisite, the caster can ignore these illusions and steer others through them.

Base: 5, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +3 Structure

Hungry, Hungry, Hallway (ReTe 25)

R: Voice, D: Diameter, T: Room

When cast on a stone hallway, room, or staircase, this spell turns that location into a pair of enormous stone jaws which slam shut repeatedly. At the end of the spell's duration, the ceiling, walls and floor return to their original shape, usually leaving behind mangled and shattered corpses.

Base: 4, +2 Voice, +1 Diameter, +2 Room

The Tell-Tale Hearth (Mu[In]Ig[Me] 20, Faerie)

R: Touch, D: Fire, T: Individual

This spell is cast on a covenant's hearth fire and lasts as long as the fire is not extinguished. When the fire's light lands on someone who has harmful intent towards the covenant as a whole, the fire turns green and shows the individual's face in its flames, distorted with envy and rage. Individuals who have harmful intent towards specific inhabitants of the covenant do not trigger the effect, nor do they have to desire the covenant's utter destruction, but they do have to wish it harm.

Base: 4, +1 Touch, +1 Fire, +1 Intellego, +1 Mentem

Catalog Magic

This grimoire of spells was purchased for the library by Alfeva, and uses the library catalog as an arcane connection. 1221 Autumn -- Alfeva; 1224 Spring -- Alfeva;

Miscellaneous Spells

Enchanted Items

Casting Tablets

Books on Arcane Abilities

Books on Mundane Abilities

Coleman's Dramatic Repertoire

Accipitris. Summer 1227. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 20. A tragic epic about the March on Brian of Lambaird and the confrontation of Samson and Sir Edwin. As a result of his experimentation, it is incredibly good (Aesthetic Quality 20, equal to the works of Aristotle!). The epic is an anti-war piece, emphasizing the tragic parallels between Brian and Samson, plus highlighting the nobility of Samson's mercy. Titled "Accipitris" (The Hawk), the epic uses Redwing as a metaphor for man's noble nature brought low by the horrors of violence and war. Composed with Profession: Storytelling (quality 10 tractatus in Latin).

Bravery and Tragedy at Mournemont. Spring 1227. Gaelic. Aesthetic Quality 15. An epic recounting the events of the siege of Mournemont, the Samson-Cernunnos Certamen, and the accursed table-cathach of the covenant. The propaganda piece paints all of the Irish in a positive light and the English in a negative light. The magi of Cor Draconis and Qui Sonant cooperating with the English are portrayed as peacemakers trying to reason with the English (Lucien) or stand on principle until the English cause becomes so poisoned that they leave in disgust (Samson). Polumeta is presented as if reasoning with Samson to abandon the conflict. Coleman did not publicize it further at Cor Draconis for fear of opening wounds within the covenant, but will be making copies of the epic for distribution among the Irish magi. Composed with Craft: Poetry (Quality 8 tractatus in Gaelic).

Epic of Cu Chulainn, part 1. Winter 1220. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 20. The ballad details the life and deeds of the mythic Cu Chulainn, a man of Fomorach descent. Coleman wrote the epic to explain the riastradh ("contortion") afflicting the covenant's cowherd, Maedoc. Part 1 includes Cu Chulainn's childhood, his development into a great warrior, the tragedy of his accidental killing of his son, and his single-handed victory over the forces of Connacht in defense of Ulster. Composed with Profession: Storyteller (Quality 10 tractatus).

Epic of Cu Chulainn, part 2. Winter 1220. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 17. The second part of the ballad involves Cu Chulainn's victory a Herculean test of champions, plus an extended recount of his struggle against Queen Medb of Connacht and princes of kings that Cu Chulainn had slain. The tale ends with the death of Cu Chulainn, but also indicates that his battle rage destroyed his enemies even as the mythic hero fell was beheaded. Composed with Profession: Storyteller (Quality 9 tractatus).

Miracle Play of St. Secundinus, Summer 1220. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 15. The play is about Saint Secundinus, a bishop from the continent who came to Ireland in the 5th century. He developed a reputation for wisdom and scholarship, eventually heading a bishopric in Ireland and becoming the patron saint of a county just to the east of Uisneach. St. Secundinus was allegedly the son of St. Patrick's sister. The purpose of Coleman's miracle play is probably transparent to the magi; it is a legitimizing story for the covenant. Composed with Profession: Storyteller (Quality 8 tractatus).

Poem on Love, Winter 1222. Latin and Gaelic. Aesthetic Quality 14. Originally intended to showcase the love of Sir Blane for Nuala, the dedication page read "Inspired by the true contests of Sir Blane Somerled's forever faithful heart." When Sir Blane publicly rebuffed the poem, Coleman removed the dedication page and handed it to Willem. It has since circulated with the acting troupe. Composed with Profession: Poet (Quality 7 tractatus).

Puella Decora ("The Girl"), Summer 1225. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 11. Influenced by the Infernal aura of the Black Sheep Inn and inspired by Caterina, the poem is uncharacteristically vulgar and overtly sexual. Not fully happy with the poem, he considered burning it but instead gave it to the library rather than his muse. Composed with Craft: Poetry (Quality 6 tractatus).

The Villainy of the Tytalus Magus, Act 1, Spring 1226. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 13. Recounting the attempted rape of Caterina, the play depicts Sabastian (the titular character) in a wholly negative light. Composed with Craft: Poetry (Quality 7 tractatus).

Other Notes on the Library

The library has some resonant materials which could be used to improve books. These include:

Nemesis's scales (+2 to Ignem, 1 use)
Ashes from the Eye of Balor

Requests

- None at present

In Progress

None at present

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