Note that I forgot to write up an important event at the end of teh previosu session. You had all gone though the portal at Vindolanda to the Egyptian temple in Iceland, and touched the monlith. you had visions of the Order in danger, and were mentally implored for help. All except Pumillius agreed to help, and were offered a boon. Pumilius was stricken with Visions instead. I can't remember what the other were. Gunther and Orlaith managed to get the standed Giants of Clan Mcgann through the portals and so their Geas was lifted. The Giants have now returned to Connaught.
Spring 1247:
After a five year break the Magi have certainly been productive. The Stat raising circles have been created and used, Martin has been touring Icland giving lectures on Order of Hermes Lore (With an emphasis on the Diedne), and Vincent has been expanding his empire (although he might have been over-exerting a bit as he is noticeably frailer. The researched of Gunther have just be compiled and he should now be at the top ofg the tree for House acclaim amongst those who keep track of such things, but we begin with sad news. Tord Thurlsson, the local Storbondi has died, and his estates have passed on to his nephew, Snorri (himself son of the famous chronicler and Lawgiver Snorri Sturlusson)
At the1247 Spring thing they learn that the new bishop of Vinland is passing through, and staying with the southern Bishop. The Cats have put on a mystery play (the hot new thing from Germany) in honour of his arrival, and are lobbying furiously for permission to establish a university. They also remind Vincent that they are looking for books about the mechanica of Heron if he shoudl seen any...
A the the thing they also learn of Museppelli sightings in North Iceland. Arnoldsson the Viktir is charged with examinign the rumours and seeing if they have any truth in them.
A couple of days after they return home a disturbing event occurs. Two boys from Snorri's holdings run up the ice-tube to the covenant, each bearing a clay pot. One trips just as they get to the covenant and the pot breaks releasing a mass of small spiders that immediately attack the boy. Terrified the other boy drops his pot and suffers the same fate.
The magi are summoned and they discover that the pots and the spiders are mundane. The spiders are quickly despatched by a combinarion of a stern command by Olga, followed by cleaning fire. Examining the Whispers through the Black Gate they discover that the local farmers had discovered the pots whilst preparing to plough the field, and had sent the boys with them to ask the wise men up the tunnel what they were.
They decide to go and investigate the field, and discover a scene of death. many villagers are covered in swarms of tiny spiders. Again Olga keps them at bay while fire is deployed. Orlaith discovers more pots within the earth that have not beeen disturbed. They are completely seemless, but made of a very thin clay with only an asterisk sigil imprinted. Valeri identifies the caly as comming from a stream a way inland. Gunther examins the local village. On first glance it is deserted but a closer inspection reveals an elderly woman (Old nonna) who was looking after a baby. The father came in, grabbed the baby and ran. After many seven league strides Gunther manager to corral the remaining villagers and persuade them to take refuge in Aoide, where the survivors are given food and medical care.
Investigating the valley whence came the clay they discover a fumerole vent that had been hidden by an illusion. the vent slopped gently down and was covered in webs. Small spiders started to swam out of the tube followed by an enormous one, which Martin despatched with mighty blows from his Hammer. Probing the incapacitated spider's mind they discovered that it haad been altered, but that the last instrutction was not to eat the delicious boy.
Hurrying down the tube they discover a drugged emaciated youth who looks vaguely familiar. This is Simon the son of Galera, and his mind has also been tampered with. He vaguely remembers being told to create the pots magically with the spiders inside, and also something ofhis mother. He seems confused at some points as to whether the big spider *was* mother.
Recognizing a gifted descendant of House Mercere, Gunther arranges for the House to recover its offspring. The Resident Gifted memeber of Durenmar (Xavier) comes and collects the child himself, and offers profuse thanks.
Next Session will be 1247 Summer.