Post date: Jul 01, 2014 9:8:28 PM
(Summer 1223-Summer 1224)
The Spring Equinox of 1224 brought with it renewed trade from other lands, exotic goods and magical tales.
And two shifty Magi drawn by "Visions"
Orlaith ex Criamon and Gunther Gutermuth, arrived and landed at Þingvellir, just in time to miss the Spring Thing. They met a kindly local who introduced herself as Helga Grimsdottir, who was pleased to tell them all about the fire mountains, and other attractions. Communication was tricky as they seemed to share ony rudiments of a common language. When the two Magi indicated that they were intested in finding Learned people, she asked if they meant the Northern or Southern Church Magicians, which startled them somewhat
Before they became too bewildered, Vincent inveigled himself into the conversation, and discovering that they spoke Latin, gave them the Lie of the Land. Orlaith had brought a gift of Honey, as was traditional in the Hibernian Tribunal, and Vincent encourages the locals to taste the delicacy whilst being sure to keep the bulk for Aoide. He informed them of the existance of an Hermetic Covenant on Iceland (just the one) and invited them to pay a visit.
The journey took a couple of days by boat, and upon arrival the new Magi were greeted by Pumillius, Martin and Valeri. Pumillius at least made the attempt to be civil, but soon got into a not-at-all competative coversation with Gunther about the finer points of Magic Theory. No-one really won, but the rest of the company were at least entertained, Valeri meanwhile was very enthusiastic on the subject of goats (or was it ghosts? we couldn't be sure), and the look of relief when Tethys managed to stagger down was palpable.
With an expert in etiquette on hand the ceremonies of welcome were properly executed, and everyone adored her impromptu opera of hospitality. Tethys in turn was enraptured by the gift of honey, declaring their comming as a sign, and she had just the recipe for it
Orlaith and Gunther gave a little precis of what drew them to Iceland, for Orlaith, she had a vision of treeking north to find the elements in their purest form, and that she would need a companion on her travels. When Gunther arrived at her covenant last Autumn, she saw that he was the Magus in her vision, and they agreed to travle the next spring.
Seeing as how a Criamon Maga is a blessing to any Covenant, their application to join was quickly acclaimed, and to celebrate a feast was held. However there was no feasting hall (nor room for the new Magi to have laboratories)
Exerting herself tremdously, Tethys cast Conjouring the Mystic Tower, and with a Final Finesse score of 14, was bitterly disappointed with the reslut, although the decorative arch linking it to the previous casting was agreed to be quite pretty.
Tethys was quite subdued for the rest of the season, which people put down to the stress of the casting.
Just before the Solstice, when the Thing was due to be held, Tethys asked the young Magi to take to the thing a brew for the Poetry contest. For the last season she had combined the honey with milk from Auðhumla, and created with it a gift to inspire the competitors. Having tasted a small amount Karl declares it to be wonderfully efficacious.
At the thing they persuade the assembled competitors to partake, and the results were extraordinary, Vincent started the festival and gave a stirring pean to the defenders of Iceland mentioning -in passing - how Pan Caudrax is so tender in his care that he occasionally sinks entire ships that bear the island ill-will. Gunther gives a very powerful rendition of the story of Odin and Yggdrassil, while Karl gives a beautiful rendition of saga of Kvasir's Blood . Sadly Valeri's Bulgarian drinking song and Orlaith's reprise of a song to sing giants to sleep were met only with polite applause.
As the ceremony drew to a close a strange feeling crept over the crowd, and gazing to the north they all saw the clouds boil, and throw forth a rainbow that fell down to their feet. Adeptly recognizing this as Bifrost they hurried accross, to find a vast field dominated by an imposing feasting hall. Something is wrong however as there are no people anywhere
Entering the hall they find many tressle tables and benches, all dusty with cobwebs, and a high table where sits a robed figure, weeping.
Upon shouting the word "Odin" he stirrs, but seems not to understand why. With a flash Gunther transforms into a raven and flies to the figure's left shoulder, and cast a spell to implant in he old God's memory all that had passed in the poetry contest. This roused Odin and looking round the halls were suddenly full of carousing warriors. Odin then commanded the ohter guests to entertain the crowd. Karl gives a stirring rendition of the legend of the meeting of the legend of Kvasir and the meeting of the Vanir and the Aesir.....
In through the great gates of Valhalla now stride three beautiful women dressed in classical greek robes. They make their obesiances to Odin, but seem only to be able to communicate through the medium of interpretive dance (or body language as Valeri puts it). Odin, casting a laviscious eye over the new commers bids them to be seated next to him.
With the Vanir now integrated a great (live)boar is brought in, and Odin commands the Magi take up the challenge. Valeri immediately proposes a drinking contest, with which Odin is Mightily pleased. Alas the Boar fails on the first round. Valeri Nobly drinks to the health of the Loser, and the gods, and everyone else....
In the morning they all wake up on the plain with massive hangovers and a feeling of beautiful songs just out of reach....