Summer 1258. (reminder Grand Tribunal is in 1260!)
After a Real world break The GM is a bit confused, so this will be a bit disjointed.
The Crusade from Novgorod is Launched. The Magi use the newly invented ship-borne Aegis to lure out Pan Caudrax safe behind their Aegis. Vindsfall and the Landvettir harry them, and a Kraken is seen. The Kraken is an illusion, and hides a launching platform for a Ballista. The Ballista launches and manages to draw Blood. The Attacking Magi recover the blood and withdraw.
Pan Caudrax's situation now becomes acute. He is persuaded to withdraw across the Meridian, as then the Arcane connection would not work against him. The Girls pass their Gauntlets and are persuaded to set up a covenant of their own. This is initially thought to be in Iceland, but they may decide to strike out further west.
Orlaith has visions of "a cycle being stuck, and water not flowing.", whilst Pumilius has a vision of "a fish trying desperately not to dissolve in water, while all around nets are ravelling and unravelling. A magical ring floats in his vision: it is flawed by persisting?"
Orlaith has been doing some serious reading on the Leptis Magna scrolls, and part of this reminds her of the changing of the astrolgical seasons. There is marginalia relating to the Preists of Mercury trying to adapt their rituals to the Age of Pisces corresponding with various memebers of the Mithras cult and the Tauroctomy. (whatever the Tauroctomy is)
The Vacuum left by Pan caudrax attracts pretenders to the throne. A band of Giants from Svarbald and strongly supported by Bard arrives. The Dwarves from the city of Sundabar, freed from their compact with Pan Caudrax, have started polluting the air again, firing up volcanoes (casting 13 magnitude spells so to do!) and lightning storms. They are also persuing vendettas against the trolls, pushing the trolls further into conatct with humans. Finally Nephelococcygia takes up residence in the skies, and starts immediately sniping at the dwarves for contril of the pure Air.
The munadanes are caught in the cross-fire in this. Vifil tries to call a council, and the hand of Loki is seen in lots of places. The birds have been afflicted by something that has weakened them, and occasionally they start talking in verse until they can stop themselves (the Magi try to respond in verse, but it is clear that the birds do not like it). The three Bird delegates are
Alexander the Magnificent (a Peacock), wants to be released from the "shackles" that bind him to the ground
Nyctomene (an Owl), wants domain over the unspolied Air.
The Pheonix (a Pheonix) wants to soar in the unconstrained air
The Dwarven Delegates are
Brokkr: (Head of the Smiths), wants unfettered access to the fires of the Earth, without hindrance to the amount of venting it requires.
Yngvi: (Chief Warrior), wants to be able to raid the trolls in revenge for ancient slights and current infractions, both want domain over the high mountains and places of fire. They want to unshackle the ancient forges.
The Birds let slipt that they are roosting occasionally at the upper reaches of the tree. This concerns the Covenant.
The birds were recommended to come here by a red crested falcoln called "skywalker", the Dwarves incited to go fulll throttle by a fair-haired man called Loftur (translation=skywalker). Both had weird piercings in their mouth/bill.
This is clearly Loki trying things on. Very obviously trying things on.
The Magi come up with a solution. Pumilius will Create some vents to purify the air so as not to pollute the skies. A transistion is agreed so that The newcomers all agree to defend iceland. It is checked again and again for subtle legal traps but even Vincent cannot find any.
At the signing of the pact a scroll appears signed by loki saying "thank you", and it seems that the meridain has shifted! The antimagic band now curves through the Tree as if pinned by it, but seems to be curved rather than truly north-south. To the West previously mundane areas now have a magic Aura of +1, and no dominion Auras exist at all. The Landvettir are fine, and even are invigorated!
Actions for Next time:
Arnold of the Viktir will try to see if anyone in his tradition can craft an "Algiz Peth" charm to give to Pan Caudrax to ward against hostile Magic.
Pumilius needs to start creating the Vents, but has also a Commission for House Tremere for a "Diadem of Regal Countenance". Said device must contain an Aura of Rightful Authority, but otherwise the house respects the choice of the craftsman. Payment to be 1.5 times the normal Verditius rate.
The "Scroll of Loki's thanks" is to be fixed as an arcane connection to .... whatever it is an arcane connection to, then what?
Investigate the Tree to see what the birds find attractive about it, Are there any meridian effects?
At the start of the next session Autumn (1258) a delegate from the lineage of Pralix will arrive to start teaching Gunther some Comprehend Magic. Gunther will cast Improve Communication and Improve Perception on this visitor, in exchange for three seasons teaching in total (Two to be now, as they overwinter here, the other to be negotiated at both parties' convenience). The Teaching ability will be +4(apprentices), I can't remember if we have a teaching lab, so the SQ will be whatever that comes out to.