Post date: Jul 10, 2014 11:41:18 AM
(Summer 1225-Autmun 1225)
Picking up directly from last time, Vincent decides to try and go round the new merchant guild and smarm his way in/ try and find out who the man with the gold medallion is.
After a few tries he eventually hits on the house of Magnus Ludvigsson a goldsmith. He is invited in and has a chat with Magnus about the local guild, metioning that he (Vincent) has a grain surplus, Walrus Ivory and possibly a few metal and glass trinkets for consideration.
Upon the mention of fine metalwork the Gold Cat Maahes Tyreos rouses himself from his position on Magnuss's lap, and asks if Vincent's jewellers would consider comissions, as he and his wife Ailuros (the silver cat lounging in teh sunlight) need repairs from time to time. Vincent muses for a moment and declares that he's sure that something could be arranged. After this small talk he comes to the main point and inquires of Magnus if he visited the young boy Valdimir. Maahes states that they had, as they were looking for evidence of Hermetic Magi in the area, and, his interest piqued asks Vincent if he knows anything about them. Vincent, reveals that he is a master for a Verditius, and the source of income he was descibing earlier was the (possible) surplus of the Covenant of Aoide on the Snaelfess peninsular. On inquiring why the cats were interested in Hermetic Magi they inform him that they have only recently escaped from one covenant, and knew that hermetic magi tend to take a liberal view of other people's property. Having arrived here with the help of their friend Pelorus, they had hoped to escape the clutches of their captor, and were making enquiries to see what other dangers lurked here. Vincent assures them that Aoide was founded on the principles of beauty an cooperation, and had made quite reasonable accomodations with the local magical traditions rather than being distastfully beligerent. The Cats ask if they can be introduced to the magi, and Vincent states that by a happy coincidence a few are in town, and goes of to find them.
Gunter Orlaith and Valeri arrive (although Valeri is slightly defocussed for a while). This time the cats do not use their "Tranquility of the purriing Cat" power, and the Magi do react to the fact there are talking mechanical cats with due astonishment (athough being magi that astonishment is subdued in all but Valeri). Polite chit chat ensues (Orlaith detects a slight hint of an accent in their otherwise falwless Latin) and a mutual understanding is acheived. Neither side will cast spells on the other and a meeting with Tethys and Pumillius is arranged (postponed to next session). The cats main desire seems to be beauty and a civilized existance, and not to be "poked and prodded". Orlaith points out that the Hibernian Tribunal gives much more courtesy and consideration to non-hermetic traditions than is normal, but that the position of Iceland in the lanscape of the order is a "bit of a grey area"
(the Trial of Valdimir is postponed to next session, what is at stake is the weregild that must be paid, but Valdimir is secured by the covenant)
Gunter's second season of hunting Vis finds an eagle's nest where he strongly suspects lie eggs of Terram Vis (known to Pliny as Aetites), the collection is left to next session, but a small application of Rego Terram is susupected to be enough to acquire them without disturbing the source.
In Summer Valeri and Martin prepare themselves to hunt the walruses and the end of that season, and, fired with manly vigour go into battle.
Martin survives with a light wound, while Valeri's heavy wound is enough to (eventually) convince him to retreat. They didn not manage to harm a single walrus A hovering Gunter, warded from animals discovers that the pre-existing corpses of the walruses lying in the water do indeed contain Animal Vis, but without a spell such as "Gather the essence of Vis" it would be impractical to obtain.
Meanwhile Orlaith and Vincent take the boy Valdimir to Ulster and the Covenant of Qui Sonant Pro Quieot (the Covenant of Orlaith's Parens) to see if they can sell the boy to a mage wanting an apprentice. The next Tribunal is in 5 years (where the non hermetic traditions must render 7 gifted people to the Hermetic magi as a whole for apprentices.
At Qui Sonant there is a Verditius (Lewis:away at the moment) , and as Vincent is chatting with his Venditor (Sean) he discovers that he is very keen on a new apprentice, as long as he has an approproate craft skill. Valdimir hearded goats. heigh ho, they decide to leave him with with Lewis and see if he is appropriate, Sean and Vincent agree a price that is considerd fair by both sides.
Vincent enquires about cooperation between Lewis and Pumillius, and Sean declares that Lewis is always ready to help the junior members of his house, especially those who so obviously need it (they both sigh upon recollection of Pumillius's belt...)
Orlaith also delivers letters to be distributed to various covenants in Ireland procaliaming the existance of Aoide, and their willingness to engage in trade for books and Lab Texts (and giving deatils of what books they have to trade) Her Parens (Thurlogh) will make sure they get to the appropriate people.
Having secured a hive, Vincent and Orlaith set sail back to Iceland before the winter storms really set in.