Coleman Cahir mac Aland

Companion, Irish bard

Characteristics: Int +1, Per +1, Str -1, Sta 0, Pre +1, Com +4, Dex +1, Qik +1

Age: 34 (in 1227)

Size: 0

Decrepitude: 0

Warping: 0 (2, 2 Infernal)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Reputation: Bard 4 (3) (Irish), Gossip 1 (Local) [Local reputations doubled due to Gossip Virtue], Pro-Irish 1 (Order of Hermes)

Personality Traits: Proud +3, Curious +2, Ascetic +1, Conflicted Relationship with Alfeva +4, Loyal to Blane +4, Loyal to Standing Elk +3, Loyal to Covenant +2

Virtues (+10): Bard (+0); Bardic Education (+1), Free Expression (+1), Good Teacher (+1), Gossip (+1), Great Communication (+1), Improved Characteristics (+1), Linguist (+1), Puissant Storyteller (+1), Senior Bard (+1), Well-Traveled (+1)

Flaws (-10): Continence (-1), Curse of Venus (-3), Fragile Constitution (-1), Independent Craftsman (-1), Jinxed (-1), Proud (-3)

Abilities: Algonquin (Storytelling) 6, Art of Memory (Stories) 3, Artes Liberales (Music) 2, Athletics (Grace) 1, Awareness (Eavesdropping) 2, Bargain (Patrons) 1, Brawl (Knives) 1, Carouse (Drinking Songs) 2, Charm (First Impressions) 3, Climb (Walls) 1, Concentration (Storytelling) 1, Cor Draconis Lore (Current Events) 1, Craft - Poetry (Love Poems) 2 (4), English (Wessex) 4, England Lore (Legends) 3, Etiquette (Court) 2, Faerie Lore (Irish) 2, Folk Ken (Villagers) 2, French (Anglo-Norman) 3, Gaelic (Storytelling) 6, Guile (Lying to Authorities) 3, Intrigue (Hermetic) 1, Ireland Lore (Legends) 4, Latin (Writing) 6, Leadership (Performers) 0 (2), Legerdemain (Pilfering) 1, Magic Lore (Creatures) 1 (5), Music (Ballads) 2 (4), Order of Hermes Lore (The Spider War) 2, Profession: Poet (Love Poems) 3, Profession: Sailor 0 (2), Profession: Scribe (Poems) 1 (4), Profession: Storyteller (Traditional Epics) 5+2 (9), Ride (Speed) 1 (4), Single Weapon (Swords) 2, Scotland Lore (Legends) 2, Stealth (Urban) 2, Swim (Rivers) 1, Teaching (Bardic Arts) 2, Western Norse (Norwegian) 3

Combat:

Knife: Init +1, Atk +5, Dfn +3, Dam +2

Sword: Init +3, Atk +8, Dfn +5, Dam +5

Caterina's Sword of Quality: Init +3, Atk +14, Dfn +8, Dam +5 (plus poison)

Soak: +1 (+1 from quilted clothes)

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Incapacitated

Wound Levels: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)

Bonuses, Penalties, and Modifiers:

  • Continence: Coleman does not engage in sexual activity (as a conscious choice to suffer as an artist).

  • Curse of Venus: Coleman attracts and falls for inappropriate people.

  • Fragile Constitution: -3 penalty to all rolls to recover from wounds and diseases.

  • Free Expression: +3 bonus to all rolls to create new works of art, +3 to Aesthetic Quality of created art.

  • Good Teacher: +5 to Teaching Quality and +3 to quality of all books he writes.

  • Gossip: Coleman may roll a simple die vs. Ease Factor 6 to hear interesting information before everyone else. He treats local reputations as double.

  • Identify Artist: Coleman may identify the creator of art with a simple die roll + Perception 1 vs. Ease Factor 15 minus the artist's Reputation.

  • Independent Craftsman: -3 Craft, Leadership, and Profession when working with or as an assistant.

  • Jinxed: When chance determines who will suffer a misfortune, it will be Coleman (no extra botch dice added).

  • Linguist: +25% XP in living or dead languages.

  • Teaching quality: 14 plus number of students bonus (Base 3 + Communication 4 + Good Teacher 5 + Teaching 2), +1 for bardic arts.

Equipment: Irish harp, dagger, colorful clothes (+1 soak), longsword, Caterina's Sword of Quality

Advancement:

1220 -- Spring: 4 practice XP in Etiquette from 2 to 2 (4); Summer: 2 exposure XP in Teaching from 0 to 0 (2); Autumn: 2 exposure XP in Teaching from 0 (2) to 0 (4); Winter: 5 XP in Profession: Storytelling from 5 to 5 (5), 1 XP in Teaching from 0 (4) to 1.

1221 -- Spring: 9 adventure XP, 5 XP in Intrigue, 2 XP in Music, 2 XP in Profession: Storyteller; Summer: 11 XP in Single Weapon for 1 (6), Autumn: 5 XP in Teaching for 1 (5), 1 XP in Ride for 0 (1), Winter: 11 XP in Order of Hermes Lore.

1222 -- Spring: 2 exposure XP in Teaching from 1 (5) to 1 (7); Summer: 3 XP in Teaching from 1 (7) to 2, 3 XP in Ride from 0 (1) to 0 (4), 2 XP in Leadership for 0 (2); Autumn: 2 exposure XP in Leadership from 0 to 0 (2); Winter: 2 exposure XP in Profession: Scribe from 1 to 1 (2).

1223 -- Spring: 2 exposure XP in Profession: Scribe from 1 (2) to 1 (4); Summer: 2 exposure XP in Profession: Storyteller from 5 (7) to 5 (9); Autumn: 5 XP in Magic Lore from 1 to 1 (5), 1 XP in Profession: Sailor from 0 (1) to 0 (2); Winter: 5 XP in Algonquin from 0 to 1, 1 XP in Profession: Sailor from 0 (1) to 0 (2).

1224 -- Spring: 25 XP in Algonquin from 1 to 3; Summer: 25 XP in Algonquin from 3 to 4 (5); Autumn: 25 XP in Algonquin from 4 (5) to 5 (5) [with Linguist: 5 (25); Winter: 4 XP in Algonquin from 5 (25) to 6, 2 XP in Gaelic from 5 to 5 (2.5).

1225 -- Spring: 2.5 (2*1.25) XP in Latin from 4 to 4 (2.5); Summer: 4 XP (5 with Linguist) in Latin from 4 (2.5) to 4 (7.5), 2 XP in Music from 2 (2) to 2 (4); Autumn: 24 XP (30 with Linguist) in Latin from 4 (7.5) to 5 (12.5); Winter: 10 XP (12.5 with Linguist) in Latin from 5 (12.5) to 5 (25).

1226 -- Spring: 1 XP in Ride from 0 (4) to 1, 4 XP in Single Weapon from 1 (6) to 2, 3 XP (3.75 with Linguist) in Latin from 5 (25) to 5 (28.75); Summer: 1.25 XP in Latin from 5 (28.75) to 6, 6.25 XP in Gaelic from 5 (2.5) to 5 (8.75), 2 XP in Order of Hermes Lore from 1 (8) to 2, 2 XP in Craft: Poetry from 2 to 2 (2); Autumn: 2 sessions of adventure, 8 XP. 3 XP in Gaelic (3.75 w/ Linguist) for 5 (12.5). 5 XP in Cor Draconis Lore (Current Events) for 1; Winter: 2 exposure XP (2.5 w/ Linguist) in Gaelic from 5 (12.5) to 5 (15).

1227 -- Spring: 6 adventure XP: 4 XP in Gaelic (5 w/ Linguist) from 5 (15) to 5 (20), 2 XP in Craft: Poetry from 2 (2) to 2 (4); Summer: 4 XP in Gaelic (5 w/ Linguist) from 5 (20) to 5 (25), 2 XP in Ride from 1 to 1 (2); Autumn: 6 adventure XP: 4 XP in Gaelic (5 w/ Linguist) from 5 (25) to 6, 2 XP from 1 (2) to 1 (4).

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). Reputation from 4 (1) to 4 (2).

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). Reputation from 4 to 4 (1).

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). Reputation from 3 to 3 (1).

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). Reputation from 3 (1) to 3 (2).

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). Reputation from 3 (2) to 3 (3).

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). Reputation from 3 (3) to 4.

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). Reputation 4 to 3 (19).

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). Reputation 3 (19) to 4.

The Villainy of the Tytalus Magus, Act 2, Autumn 1227. Latin. Aesthetic Quality 13. The play recounts the events of Innocentius's betrayal of the magi of Cor Draconis (but depicts Mircella's assault on Alfeva as an act of physical rather than sexual violence) and the subsequent hunt of Innocentius by the magi of Cor Draconis. Composed with Craft: Poetry Quality 7 tractatus). Reputation from 4 (2) to 4 (3).

Minor Works:

    • Coleman wrote numerous short romantic poems dedicated to his "muse," Alfeva. He left them scattered across the covenant, tucking some into books so that people would eventually stumble across them. Spring 1220.

    • Coleman wrote a satirical song about Igneous of Flambeau, calling him - among other things - a half-wit. Summer 1221.

    • His repertoire includes a ballad about a man with sad eyes and a blue hat. In the tale, the man acts carelessly with the hearts of others and ends up alone and regretful many years later. The character is supposed to be sympathetic but the song clearly praises obedience and devotion to a single person - even if the relationship is doomed or can never be consummated. Autumn 1221.

    • Coleman attempted to write an epic about Mournemont in Summer 1226 but his experimentation ruined the art.

Development Notes:

    • Needs to improve Artes Liberales, Craft: Poetry, Faerie Lore, Magic Lore, Music, Philosophiae, Ride, Single Weapon, and Teaching.

    • For Artes Liberales, the library has:

      • Cicero, De Inventione (I-III), quality 14 each.

      • Aristotle, New Aristotle (I-V), quality 10 each.

      • Those 92 points would get him from 2 to 6 (2).

    • Tractati read:

      • Latin for Simpletons, Latin, q 10, Winter 1225

      • The Spider War, Order of Hermes Lore, q 11, Winter 1221

Writing Rules:

    • Artistic Creation

      • Coleman generates an Aesthetic Quality (AQ) equal to Communication + Profession/Craft + Bonuses.

      • He can work overtime (and take an extra Aging roll) to get +1 AQ.

      • He can work for twice as long for +1 AQ.

      • If he incorporates the liberal arts (arithmetic, astronomy, geometry, grammar, logic, music, or rhetoric), he can add 1/3 (rounded up) of his Artes Liberales to the AQ.

      • If Coleman has a supernatural muse, he adds +1 AQ per 5 points of Might lent by the muse to Coleman.

      • His current base AQ is 14 (Com 4 + Profession: Storyteller 7 + Free Expression 3) or 15 with his specialty, without Artes Liberales.

        • The art also serves as a tractatus with a quality of half the AQ, rounded up.

        • Anyone reading can take XP in the Profession or Craft skill used in its creation or Exposure XP in any topic covered in its contents.

  • Academic Writing

      • Copying

        • Coleman can copy 1 tractatus per season or 7 (Base 6 + Profession: Scribe 1) points toward a summa's level per season.

      • Summae

        • Coleman can write books in Gaelic (score 5) and Latin (score 6, 7 with specialty). Algonquin (score 6) does not have a written language yet. His English (score 4), French (score 3), and Norse (score 3) are not yet high enough.

        • His maximum level of the summa may be half of his score in the appropriate Ability.

        • His base quality is 7 (Com 4 + Good Teacher 3) plus 3 (Binder/Scribe/Illuminator 3).

        • Each season of writing, he makes 9 (Com 4 + Gaelic 5 or + Latin 7) points of progress toward completion, which requires 5 points per level of the summa.

      • Tractati

        • Coleman can write 1 tractatus per 2 points of his score in each Ability, rounded up.

        • He has written:

          • Artes Liberales 0 of 1 (Score 2), Gaelic 1 of 3 (Score 5), Ireland Lore 0 of 2 (Score 2), Latin 0 of 4 (Score 7)

          • Linguam Hibernicam, vol. 1, Gaelic tractatus, Latin, q 7 (10 with expert scribes), Summer 1223.

        • The quality of his tractati is 7 (Com 4 + Good Teacher 3) plus 3 (Binder/Scribe/Illuminator 3).

        • Each tractatus takes one season of writing.