Calatin would have by now had a chance to observe much of the Academy in action (and even more, in inaction.) He sees them from a Druid perspective.

He's seen Gilamur and the often questionable alchemical projects, he's seen the aggressive. Sometimes grueling training of the “warrior wizards”, and the scholarly pursuits of many wizards focused on their particular areas of interest.  One thing they don't seem to have is the connection to the natural world that Druids regard as essential to living a proper, balanced existence.  Most of them seem averse to nature.  Even one who is clearly a Lycanthrope- no, not Raz, the other one... she seems allergic.  They work, they study, they talk to each other about bizarre theories of arcane energy...


Lady Dromessa introduces Calatin to the Theleas.  This family of musicians made a long and dangerous journey here, with the understanding that Rory would teach them a form of magic that revolves around music.  There is Caprio, his two sons, his two nieces, and Maura the governess. With their immediate future being sorted out they've been dumped on Caprio for solstice duty.

The Academy is also a litte cash strapped these days,  but Dromessa informs Calatin that  budget of 150 gold pieces is available for this.  And whatever assistance he can cajole from wizards.

He makes  a quick survey of the number of participants he's expecting:  Wizards, students, staff, some family... all told about two hundred.  It's something to start planning with.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Sat 26 Jan 2013.

While awaiting the return message Rory offers to help plan or execute others plans for the celebration. Although this sort of thing is not his speciality -  he is more of a funeral bard. He does not complain even when his ideas are deemed inappropriate. He is courteous but in a stiff polite way. It is clear he is doing this to keep his mind and hands occupied.

Kyriel keeps tabs ont he Theleas, just to make sure that they're fitting in. She also offers to help.

I'll try to get a post up before Monday. Sorry for the wait, kids.

edit-
Will post Monday. I had most of the post written up today but then left to go to my RL nerd-night. The power blinked when I was gone, and I lost it all.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Mon 28 Jan 2013.

From Calatin's point of view, the wizards needed Solstice badly.  And they had no idea how much.

From the wizard point of view... wizards  - the thing was, they saw him as another wizard.  A wizard of a different kind, perhaps, but still, a wizard.  Calatin has been here a while, an outsider yet with free access, and he has observed a pattern to the careers of wizards.   Most of them started off going where their curiosity took them- a spell here, a spell there, no real rhyme or reason.  Sooner or later, though, they found some specialty.  Was it something they were drawn to?  A particular gift?  Or was it… perhaps it was simply the effect of academic rivalry.

 By focusing on a very narrow aspect of the Arcane world, a wizard could become “the best” at something, and achieve a status that a generalist wizard could not.  Telios’s demonoly, Gilamur’s alchemy, Tharus’s battle magic… Marcus Ulpius's Dwarf inspired industriousness.. there was a wizardess named Ildika, who was supposedly an expert on possession and animation and the issues of “ensoulment” and dangerous sounding magics like that, but she had apparently gotten her consciousness trapped in her own spellbook, or something like that, and wasn’t physically there anymore.  But still, she was a specialist.

Lady Dromessa seemed outside the pattern.  What was her story?  She seemed to use magic less than the other wizards of her status.  She knew things, she just didn’t do things.

But this intense... focus... of theirs only seemed to blind them to many things.

* * * * * *

Caprio didn't see it that way.  He had only just arrived, he didn't know anything other than the fact that the famous wizards were all preoccupied with things he didn't know about, and wanted him to help organize a solstice festival.

It would, of course, involve music, and lots of it.

Food, drink... and the wizards seemed to be looking forward to that very much.

He has his family for help, and Kyriel as well, and where there is Kyriel there is Terrance, who tells her about things since.

He knows more than the others about what has happened, because his brother is Telios.  The Demonologist.

"A demon got in Aurelianorum,"  he quietly explains to her.  "Telios says it evaded the wards because it was brought in voluntarily. It tricked someone, he says, he won't tell me who.  Not even me.  But I think it was a wizard.  It's destoyed, now, but the wizards are looking everywhere for signs of things it might have done while it was here.  Telios says that Demons can lay the most subtle of seeds, which can give rise to great evils later on."

Kyriel helps out where she can with getting the solstice preparations ready.

As they're helping out, Terrance tells her what he knows. Thinking about things, she nods. "We, or I at least, need to talk to your brother. This is part of why the Academy has me here. To think outside the box.

Do we have any idea where it spent most of its time? Do we have any idea how long it was here? We know that Zerova was one of the more subtle demons. She cast spells on people to change their attitudes. Maybe this demon did something similar? Has anything changed since it arrived?"

Being part of the set up crew for the festivities will give her an excuse to go lots of places and do things without being noticed. Just the way she likes it. She'll try to ferret out anything that the wizards might have missed.

Calatin, nearly a stranger to the concept of hurrying for days on end, takes his time with the preparations.

A great many dead standing trees are felled and brought to the academy. They are then Wood Shaped into a form that should burn consistently through the night, instead of days on end, or instead of a blazing pyre in under an hour.

The ivy growing on some of the buildings is the target of Plant Growth. The overly-lush surfaces are then decorated with a myriad of pine cones and wreaths. Calatin badgers every wizard capable of manifesting Continual Flame to begin setting alight a few decorations per day in preparation for the festival. All of the junior wizards are encouraged to prepare nothing but spells that produce light of any kind. After seeing a few demonstrations of Dancing Lights, Calatin lets them know that it's perfect.

Music, the kind bipedal creatures tend to enjoy at least, is something that usually isn't a centerpiece of the event, but Calatin is open-minded about the entire process. He describes the solstice to the group as a time of rebirth, celebration of the waxing days to come, and the beginning of the return of warmth and light. Whatever they feel best represents that should be appropriate. Having their instruments or clothing lit up is a major plus.

Catering is left to whoever takes the time to handle it. If nobody steps forward after a few days, Calatin will hire someone in town to make all of the arrangements for him. After all, even if the meal is subpar, there are enough wizards and apprentices walking around to Prestidigitation the food into something palatable. Serving the ale, wine, and swill first always helps as well.


The druid's gift to the academy will be a new oak sapling of a few feet tall planted wherever Lady Dromessa deems proper. To give her an idea of how it will look in a few years, and for some comedic effect, Calatin will cast Tree Shape on himself while standing in the proposed spot.


The wizards' preoccupation with specializing in their own field is both fascinating and, after a while, boring to the druid. There is unique power to their arcane machinations--there's no denying that. Druids, on the other hand, tend to change their magical focus in a matter of weeks, if not days, depending on the situation at hand. Calatin himself oftentimes doesn't know with which magic he's going to start the day until well after providence has done a good bit of the decision-making for him. Some of them seem content to pursue their craft for no other reason than unto itself. What purpose does magic have if not to be used as a practical tool for some other endeavor?

It is interesting, however, and spending different afternoons with different specialists is a sort of highlight of the druid's day. Maybe that's a part of why he was the one selected to come here in the first place.


The days go by quickly, and although Calatin is not the most effective administrator, the plans converge into something that seems to have a high likelihood of coming out very well.


If asked about the demon, Calatin would be happy to tell all he knows. Chances are the wizards would have told you that he was there during its demise (or rather, he was the one squeezing it to death while others stabbed and shot it). Demonology is not his forte, nor really an interest of any kind, so the event will likely slip into vague memory by the same time next year for him.

There are some practical requirements the “festival committee” is informed of.  The Academy generally has a range of different parties and receptions, for different purposes, every holiday season.  The first is always the feast for the youngest apprentices.  This is held no later than a week before the actual Solstice.  This is because many of these apprentices will be going back to their family homes for the Solstice.

A few days later, the party is geared to the older Apprentices.  Then there is the Academy Solstice Ceremony, the main event of the season.  After that, there is a faculty and staff ball- held while many of the younger students are still away from the Academy.  During this time, the Contessa Chatelet often has a private party or two, sometimes invited wealthy backers of the academy.

While Calatin and company are working in the Academy’s central plaza, several of the senior wizards, Dromessa, Syanthus, and Gilamur, wander by to inspect.

”I don’t like the idea of being away for the solstice,” the white bearded Syanthus says.  The professor emeritus of the Academy, he is the one that looks every inch the classical wizard.  “Our Druid is turning our academy grounds into a Fey forest, from the look of it.  It’s a thing of beauty.  I’d hate to miss it.”

”Clovis’s son does not get married every day,” Lady Dromessa says.  “And there is no other way to be present in Lucimburic.”

”And who have you volunteered to go with me?”  Syanthus asks.

”Rory, for one.  No sooner did the plan come about than he started packing for the trip.”

”I worry about that young man,” Syanthus says.  “He is a bard, his emotions are his strength.  But they can also be very painful for him.  And he is capable of great power.  Power and pain are a difficult combination.”

”And Kyriel, the Elf girl," the wizardess continues, derailing Syanthus's train of thought.  "I would like to send others.  I am thinking on this.”

”When do we go?”

”I have been told the ceremony isn’t until after the Solstice, but it may not be easy to hold Rory back until then.  He’ll be likely to run off on his own.”

”It would take him a month or two to get there," Syanthus says.  "And it would be brutal travel, in winter.  He'd miss the Solstice by weeks, at least.  It would be an insane act… yes, I agree, there is a danger he would try.”

”And you, Syanthus, are you up to the teleports?”  Lady Dromessa asks.

The old wizard smiles.  ”The herbs from Treverorum were good for me.  I am better this year than in quite a few years past.  I can do it.”

Kyriel and Terrance help out where they can with the preparations. As they bustle along, she does some subtle questioning of Calatin. "I heard that something strange happened near the north gate recently."

By the time things are getting into full swing at the academy, Kyriel knows that she's not going to be able to attend at least part of the Academy festivities. When she hears that she's going, she knows that she should be able to give Aelasuria the warning about the bounty then. However, she really wants to make sure that she knows before hand.

She goes to Lady Dromessa. "Are you going to send Terrance?" She's tonr; she doesn't want to miss another solstice, but she's also concerned that he might distract her.

Rory tands his chrages. He instructs them on proper musical accompanyment for the festival. He suggests pieces like Halls of the Mountain King, Harvest Dance, and Harvest Moon. Using these pieces as a guide the troop is able to construct quickly a set of pieces they will perform twice daily. The first performance will be at mid-day, in a large banquet hall and the second will be just after sunset. If possible he teaches them to summon dancing lights as well. He knows well the effects the druid wishs, he has seen many such festivals in his homeland.

As to the journey ahead...he waits a bit impatiently for it to begin. As Dromessa intimated he will start out on his own in tw days if they have not set out with him by then.

Lady Dromessa is against sending Terrance.  She has a harder time articulating why.  She could easily say, “He’s young!” but then, is Kyriel older?

Would it be proper to speak the truth?  That Kyriel is a child of the streets, and Terrance, though he’s seen more hard times than anyone should, with the loss of his city to the Huns, has mostly been a child of the Academy, safe within its walls, at home in the jungle of books and scrolls.

”It’s not easy getting volunteers,” Dromessa admits.  “It’s also..  the kind of volunteers.  I don’t think we need warriors.  One perhaps, just in case.  But Lucimburic will be as safe a place as there can be, safer than here, I’d bet, because the Huns seem to have less interest in it.  You, dear Kyriel, are the best kind of attendee- highly observant.  If I had another like that…”

In the mean time, the first celebration of the Solstice approaches, the Young Apprentices Festival.

Terrance seeks out Kyriel.

”I was wondering,” he asks cautiously, “since you may not be here for the actual solstice… attending the Young Apprentices Festival would be silly, I haven’t done that in six years.. but they always have good punch… we could be chaperones together.  Watch over the kids.  They’re always looking for volunteers.”

* * * * *

”But what is he going to say to the children, Dromessa,” the wizard Oberos asks.   The quietest one of the senior wizards, Oberos is a master of magical script; the casting of runes, the scribing of glyphs and  scrolls.  Some say he knows several modes of writing in which the letters are actually three dimensional… except that the letters bend through a third dimension which is nothing like the three people ordinarily experience.

”What do you mean?”  Dromessa asks simply.

”Calatin is a Druid, after all.  Druids believe things.  What thoughts will he put into the heads of our young students?”

“I don’t expect secret Druidly rites, if that’s what you fear.  I have no doubt Calatin will speak to the children appropriately.”

”Yes, yes, but what will he say?”

Hearing Lady Dromessa's words, Kyriel nods sadly. It makes sense, as much as she might hate to admit it. "I know. We both have jobs to do. Mine sometimes requires a lot of travel, which makes it hard to be in one place."

She's feeling rather down that she'll miss another solstice celebration when Terrance brings up an alternative. She flashes him a grateful smile; he seems to have come up with an excellent idea. Giving him a hug, she says "That would be great! I'll at least get to spend part of the celebration with you."

After everyone is gathered for the apprentices' feast, Calatin becomes aware a good many eyes are focused on him expectedly. Rather unprepared, he stands up slowly, trying to fit some words together in his head before simply blurting them out.

"First of all, I want to say thank you for having me here. Your cooperation with preparing for the festivities and your interest in our old ways has made me feel very welcomed."

He takes a long drink, piecing more words together.

"The solstice is about the rebirth of the sun, the giver of life and light. The days begin to grow longer, not shorter. If you are not here for the solstice, it is a night to remain awake to greet the new year's worth of dawns. Stoke a fire throughout the night; think of the sun's return.

For men here in the years now long by, it was a time of celebration before a time of hardship. Livestock were slaughtered to avoid having to feed them throughout the winter, and the fermenting of mead and beer was well finished. This feast harkens back to this tradition.

Here, now, with larger civilization, more widespread use of the arcane, and a network of communication not seen before, it is easier to forget how it would have been for our grandfathers decades or centuries ago. Their lives depended on the return of the light.

Those of my order are very intertwined with this coming day. I, personally, find myself much more able to grasp the connections between the creatures in our world."

Calatin pauses, thinking over what he's said

"Enjoy yourselves, and be mindful of the divine influences that shape our seasons, birth, and death. If you have any questions, I'll be around."

He then sits, visibly hoping that satisfied this obligation to the scholars. After all, the solstice was a time of action and ceremony, not formal addresses.

Woohoo 8 Charisma public speaking.

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Spelling
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Sun 03 Feb 2013.

The Young Apprentice Festival...,

Where Calatin hails from, Druids are often much more than “people with nature magic”.  They are the bearers of wisdom.  Guides, councilors, teachers.. mentors to heroes.

Calatin is not that kind of Druid.  Never much of a public speakers, he's always left the guide and mentor stuff to other Druids.  He's aware that in the long run, it is they who are the truly powerful ones, but... he's just not confident, empathic toucher of souls that others can be.

The Academy has about a hundred young students now.  Only half of them are actually on the “future wizard” path.  The rest are here because the Academy is also a very good place to learn all kinds of ordinary knowledge, and the Academy makes money teaching these ordinary subjects.  Most of these children are now gathered in the square in the middle of the Academy, which has been prepared and decorated more or less in accordance with Calatin's directions.

Calatin has already realized what he is to these children.

He is the boring guy between the music and the food.

On the other hand, the food is good and the music, handled by Caprio Thelea and his family, is the best its ever been.

One of the wizards here, Marcus Ulpius, consoles Calatin, seeing that he's really out of his element, trying to reach scores of children.

“I have a son I have not seen in months,” the wizard says.  “And a daughter who is not really mine, though I wish she was.   I remember when they were this young, I didn't have that.. way.. with children some do.  Some of these children will be home tomorrow with their families and some, just like us, have left a lot behind.  Tomorrow.. you'll see which ones are left.  If it was up to me, we'd a festival for them.  It's hardest on them.”

It's the faculty who lead the applause after Calatin delivers the invocation.


* * * * * * *

Terrance and Kyriel have volunteered to help chaperone the herd of young students.  It's not that hard a job, and mostly involves monitoring the food tables, and intervening in a variety of child related disasters.

But it is their first chance in a long time to be together and as Terrance notes:

“This is our first time really working together, isn't it?”

Kyriel feels for Calatin; even though she's barely met the man, it's obvious that dealing with people isn't his strong suit. She gives him a smile and a nod before turning back to help with one of the more unruly apprentices. When he's done speaking, she starts clapping and encourages the apprentices to do the same. Not because he was done, but for the effort he put into this.

* * * * * * *

She's glad to be able to spend time with Terrance, even if it is acting as a chaperone at the youngest apprentice festival. It doesn't seem to be too hard, riding herd on a bunch of kids. She figures that the festival for the kids will be over fairly early, and that will give them some time later to be together alone.

Terrance's comment startles her a bit. Technically they have worked together on other things, like investigating some of the properties of the shape change cloak that Eadoin had given her, but this is different. She grins and shrugs. "I guess." She wraps her fingers around his briefly.

She uses her keen eyes and ears to pick up where trouble is starting and points it out to Terrance before it can spread too far. If he's out of position, she takes care of the problem. Between the two of them, she's pretty sure that they can deal with a lot of the potential problems before they get too bad.

Terrance and Kyriel do as fine a job of child-minding as anyone could be hoped for, especially considering half the children are apprentice wizards, which, as anyone who knows wizards knows, can be exceptionally devious.

The biggest problem of the evening seems to center around a doll.  It’s not actually here… but among the children, it seems to be a common topic of conversation.  It talks.

That’s not all that unexpected, considering this is a school of magic.  Some of the children have magical toys, some of the children are children of wizards, and some come from generations of wizards.  But this doll seems to be different.  At least, from what Terrance and Kyriel pick up on, it’s been saying Very Mean Things, and getting impressionable young children to repeat those things, which has resulted in some inter-child issues here.

What’s stranger is that the owner of the doll claims it never did that, it’s not magical anyway, it never was, if it was it wouldn’t say such things, and no, she can’t prove it because she lost it anyway.

One of the children does not believe this, claiming he saw it today.  But the doll’s owner claims not to have seen it in a week.

Upon hearing about the doll, Calatin will be sure to keep an eye out for it.

If the administrators of the school don't seem to know anything about it, he'll direct them to the same children from which he overheard the talking.

Wizards be crazy...

Kyriel's sharp ears pick up the trouble about the doll. The encounter with Arabella still rests in the back of her mind. The bickering and sharp words the kids are saying to each other remind her of the type of demon Raz had brought into the city. A demon that gains strength from biting and caustic words. The Academy is the perfect place for such a creature.

Children are the hope of the future, but they can be twisted if something happens at the right moment in their lives. The best place for it to hide and gain strength would be somewhere around here, with the children. Right now they have to do something to offset whatever damage it has done and then hunt it down. "I think that the Chucky doll may have been hit by a bad spell. If it talks to you, don't listen to it."

Now to try to undo some of the damage. She calls the children over. "Let's play a game! Calatin told us that this is a happy time. The sun is going to be staying up longer, and it will get warmer soon. Doesn't that sound good? Well, let's try to help the sun come up sooner by saying nice things to people and really, really, really mean it."

She nods at the Theleas to play a happy tune. "Terrance, is a wonderful wizard and the nicest guy I've ever met." She whispers to him "I love you."

Giving a nod to one of the girls, "Now can you say something nice?"

3. There is a moment of stunned silence after drops the “L Word on Terrance.”  After that, there are some more moments in which the silence is no longer stunned, but is awkwardly trying regain its train of thought.

Kyriel can see that she’s set Terrance’s head whirling.  He is not the sort to blurt out something stupid in a moment like this but at the same time, he’s not ready for the moment, and he doesn’t have anything smart to say either- and definitely, nothing romantic, which requires a deft balancing of the two in precise proportions.

And she chose such a public moment… the festival.

The Thelea girls stare in wonder.  Terrance isn’t anything like who they envisioned Kyriel would be with.  Nothing at all.  How could… why?   And does he know about the knife clutching shadow creeping Kyriel they’ve seen out there?  It’s like there are two different Kyriels, and with Terrance around, the Kyriel they knew… simply evaporated and left this one behind.

The fact that several other teenage girls are watching him.. with intense interest and evident glee… makes Terrance even more nervous.  He recalls how he used to be so… just so distracted by Kyriel that he once walked into a column.

The other girls are not making it any easier to focus.

There is another voice, from yet another little girl, a young apprentice wizard just  ten years old, who managed her very first cantrip with Terrance’s help only last week.

”You should just kiss her.”

Terrance takes her advice.

* * * * *

With Kyriel distracted for a while, Calatin observes the wizards reacting quickly to the description of the doll.

And quietly.  They don’t want to upset anyone.  They don’t want fear to spread.  But it is their academy, and they’ve prepared themselves for this possibility.

Gilamur, who had been attending the festival with his own children, notes to Calatin and a few other adults in earshot:

”She’s smart.  She’s doing what Telios said was strongest against Demons.  Positive emotions, especially when they are the exact opposite of the orientation of the Demon… more powerful than swords or spells, Telios said.  If this was a Demon of cruel words… a since “I love you” must have hurt it deeply.”

He looks at Terrance and adds, "The poor kid's going to be dizzy for a week, though."

"Hmph. That's more like a solstice celebration."

Calatin can't help but smirk at the situation for a moment before responding to Gilamur. "Well, if... whatever it is... I'll offer my services in constricting, stamping, or shocking it like the last little demon you had running around."

Calatin whistles for his hawk.

"If you like, tell me what's useful to know, and you have my simple means of finding it at your disposal. Terrorizing children is especially foul."

His current spell list is for overland travel and heavy synergy with his pet bear (with a few festive spells thrown in for the solstice). If there's demon hunting to be done the following day, please allow me to update the list before it's set in stone for the ordeal.

Kyriel is a little surprised at her and Terrance suddenly becoming the center of attention. Her whispered admission of love hadn't been that loud, had it? The last thing she wants to do is to embarrass him.

She sees that some of the older girls are watching to see what will happen. As much as she may want to, she can't tell him what to do. Then one of the younger apprentices says five simple words. He kisses her, and she avidly returns the kiss.

She and Terrance are rather distracted for an extended period of time. When she stops being distracted, her fingers are still intertwined with his. Her face is flushed with happiness and she has a large grin on her face. Terrence isn't the only one that will be dizzy for a while . . . .

Once she has a chance to organize her thoughts, she says quietly to the senior wizards "I can go in search of the doll if you want me to."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Sun 10 Feb 2013.

1. Dromessa, who usually puts herself in charge of “special missions”  (it’s so much more rewarding for her than preparing class schedules for Apprentices) gathers Calatin and Kyriel together after the Young Apprentice Festival.

Kyriel’s offer to help with the doll is appreciated, but unnecessary.

”Telios will manage it,” she says.  “Demonology is his expertise.  Believe or not, Kyriel, we can handle some things here, we are wizards.  No, this is about the upcoming trip to Lucimburic.  You two, and Rory, have volunteered.  But there needs to be a wizard… we are a wizard academy, we need to be represented by a wizard…”

She dismisses the idea that Syanthus, who will be handling the teleport spell, is in fact a wizard of the Academy, one of high rank.

”Teleporting takes a lot out of him.  He’s a dear, and brilliant, but I worry that he’ll spend the time recovering.  He needs some support.  It has to be one of us, who can help with spells and scrolls and such, if necessary.”

”And I do not have to remind you that this is a political event of great importance.  When kings marry, it is political.  There is no avoiding it.  Theoderic is fighting the Huns, and from this point.. he will be linked to the Elves in more ways than one… we… we should find a suitable present.  What magic can we come up with, suitable for a king… a king fighting Huns… and Demons?”

Kyriel nods when Lady Dromessa chastises her. It dawns on her that she considers this place to be home even though she's only lived here a short time. It has the majority of the people she cares about associated with it. Perhaps in time she'll return to the Ardennes to acquaint herself with her family and put down roots there, but for now this place holds her heart. She wants to do what she can to protect this place. "Of course, Lady Dromessa."

The question of who else to send is one that she's not too surprised that Lady Dromessa brings up. "You'll want someone with political savvy, who is senior enough to be taken seriously but can be away from the daily bustle of the Academy and isn't integral in its defense. Who does that sound like to you? Is the Contessa up for the trip?"

The next item that she brings up is the subject of the wedding gift. "I believe that King Theoderic already has a crown that's been blessed by the gods and a sword of some magical prowess. I think that would leave one of several things. Either something that allows rapid communication or travel, some kind of defense, or . . . " she pauses thinking for a moment. "I would think something that would help him rule and rebuild after the fighting is done would be best. It would show him and everyone that the academy has confidence in his ability to wage the war against the hun and their demon masters and that we look to the future. As for Aelasuria? I would think something subtle that can get her out of a scrape if she's in trouble." She's very much aware that things could turn out badly for her friend, even if she is forewarned. Being taken to Lutetia Parisiorum isn't anything she wants to see happen to anybody let alone her!

“The Contessa is in poor health,” Dromessa explains.  “Though… yes, it’s only proper if we have a high level representation there.  I wonder… Tharus… if you can stand him.”

Tharus is the wizard who runs the “warrior mage” program at the Academy- a small number of students, all male, who are trained mostly as soldiers, but learn a few spells.  They have a reputation as somewhat thick in the head, for wizards, although they are in very good physical shape.  Tharus is constantly defending them, because the other wizard instructors complain about how poorly they do in various classes.

Dromessa thinks it through.  “If we send him, Kyriel, you will be largely on your own, as far as ‘intelligence gathering’ goes.  He would want to take charge of it, but he wouldn’t be of much help.  Still, he’s a good choice to show the flag, as it were.  And it would say something to Theoderic, sending a battle wizard, since Theoderic is at war with the Huns.  It could be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity.

And something Kyriel says opens up another train of thought:  Theoderic’s sword.

”You’ve seen it, then?  He still has it?  Good.  Each of Clovis’s sons has… or had… an enchanted sword, you know.  Clovis insisted.”

Kyriel suddenly recalls who she is talking to.  Dromessa was Clovis’s “court wizard” for years.

Dromessa continues:  “The irony was, Theoderic received one that the others didn’t want, because of how it looked, but it is a powerful weapon.  It was consecrated by priests Saturn, and when it strikes armor, it causes time itself to attack the armor.  It can make stout metal crack and rust.  Yes, quite a weapon.”

She reminisces for a while, and then realizes something.  “Clovis’s sword.. the Emperor has that, now.  But Clodomir’s sword… empowered with Elemental Earth… I don’t know where that is.  It would be a fine weapon to acquire.”

Kyriel grins when Lady Dromessa asks if she can deal with Tharus. "I think we came to and understanding on the way back from Lutetia Parisiorum. He may still think of me as undisciplined and rash, but he can't find fault with my bravery. He was the one that suggested that I get tested for wizard's training." A touch wistfully she adds "I think I would have continued my studies if I hadn't learned things about my family and myself on this last trip."

After thinking of things for a couple of moments her grin broadens. "As long as Rory doesn't object, I think he'll be very good. He and Theoderic should be able to see eye to eye. I'll just continue what I do best while I'm there, and he'll be the perfect foil. People will see him, but not the small servant girl nearby."

When the conversation turns to the sword, she shakes her head. OOC: Kyriel has been traveling with Titus, Ali'Cor, and Jaquen. All of whom (I believe) have seen the sword in action. I'm certain that it would have come up in conversation. "No, I actually haven't seen it, but I've heard about it from people who have been with King Theoderic and seen it in action."

Her interest is piqued when Lady Dromessa continues talking about different swords. "Clodomir was killed when his father was, right? Is it possible that the sword is still on the battlefield?"

The talk of consecrated swords and whatnot reminds her of something. "At some point I would like to arrange for some help for some temples near Aulercorum. They seem to be having a pest problem."

Rory finds his way or is lead to Lady Dromessa. He looks awful even for him. His color is off, more grey than green and his eyes look as though he has a hangover. He can barely stand on his own.

"Lady Dromessa, I appologize for intruding. Cassandra and I decided that it was important to consume the memory moss so that Zerova's evil would be laid bare and put to rest..." He clearly struggles but will have none of help, batting away any hands (except Kyriel, for he is is more gentle) who try. "She used it to steal memories and the memories of her stealing the memory...and on so that the person did not even know it had happened. The woman...the pristess of Pluto whom I did not meet, Leonadra? Her father was assassinated and she inadvertantly gave them how. She refused to tell but her mind thought of the things Zerova wanted and she stole the memories..."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Thu 14 Feb 2013.

The druid is outside during all of this drama.

And I think you meant "awful".

The Wizards of Aurelianorum have mastered arcane rituals and knowledge barely comprehensible to much of the world, but they are Academics, and they share the common traits of Academics.  One of those is that they accumulate “Things to Do” at a much faster rate than they can actually do them, and as a result, there ratio of “Things We Do” to “Things We Talk About Doing” constantly drops over time.

On top of the absolutely essential issues of the Solstice festivities, there are these new problems:


Clodomir’s sword.. is it recoverable?  Where would it be?  How would we find it?  And yet, that is a minor issue at the moment.

And Dromessa takes Rory’s information about the stolen memories.  It’s serious, and potentially devastating news.  How much has the enemy learned this way?  And… have the Huns targeted Aurelianorum this way as well?

Would there be any way to tell?

She shares the news with the other senior wizards.  Understandably, they are of mixed opinion- some see rising paranoia and others see reasonable precautions, but they decide- let’s not send two senior wizards away.  Syanthus is enough.

They add a junior wizard to the delegation, instead; Galbertus.

Syanthus gets things ready, and assembles the group at the usual Teleportation “launch pad” in the garden.

Galbertus explains: “Teleportation is an extremely dangerous magic, so over the centuries, defenses against it were developed.  Many cities now have layers of wards against Teleporting, so much so that only specific spots within the city are open to it.  This is ours.”

”And I’ve never been to Lucimburic itself, and I have no aid to guide us there,” Syanthus says.  “We will have to go to the nearest place I know, which is Treverorum.  Excellent place.  Finest healing in the world.  A day or two from Lucimburic, I think.  Fresh winter mountain air!”

Rory feels less like going now, mentally and physically drained from the ordeal he has endured and the fact that he knows, despite what his heart tells him, that Julia will not be receptive. He is weighed upon, and the weight grows. He puts on a stiff upper lip, though, and presses on. Sythanus explaination about teleporting is intrigueing, especially since now he has a lesser version of this same ability.

"Is this true for Dimension Door spells as well?"

Kyriel is shocked by Rory's appearance; his normal skin tone is gone, replaced by a sickly grey. When he staggers, she helps him into a chair. "Don't fight me, Rory. You need to sit down."

Grimly she takes in the news that he brings. Not only did Zerova steal memories, but she stole the memory of the theft. What better way to make such a theft than to remove all traces of it! Dabbling in the stolen memories is problematical at best, given what Cassandra has mentioned. "The book we brought back records who the memories were stolen from. It might also give hints as to what they are."

Much like the Academy, her mental list of things to do is getting longer. However, she plans to get as many of them done as possible.

All in all, she has to agree with the council. Sending multiple members of the council away now is probably not prudent. Seeing that Syanthus is going to be the only senior wizard in attendance, she considers the prospects. "If Master Syanthus is feeling well enough, could we rent a carriage like last time? That way he could travel the rest of the way from the temple to Lucimuric."

Before going to the teleportation pad, she visits Master Ulpius to get the trade goods for the wereowls. Gratefully she flashes him a smile as she carefully puts the items into her bag. "Master Ulpius, how difficult would it be to find a particular magic sword?"

Once arriving at the pad, she can see that Rory is looking a little hesitant. She whispers to him, "No matter what, you'll get some closure and who knows, maybe things will work out better than you think?"

She listens carefully to the explanation about the teleporting. You never know when something like that could be useful. "What happens if you try to arrive at a place that's warded like this?"

Terrance is present as well, but not to go along- he's here to see Kyriel off, and hopes that it will be a short diversion this time.  Last time... months... far too long.

“Frequently it is,” Syanthus says, replying to Rory.  “Though it's a much shorter range spell and therefore it is not so easy to ward a large area.  One can hardly fault centuries of wizards for erecting these barriers.  Neither can one fault generations of leaders, demanding that these wards be emplaced, and now, no one is in a great hurry to see them removed."

He pauses an moment and adds:  "Heaven knows I wouldn't."

Then the old wizard pontificates.  "“You recall, Rory, that when we when to the Orrery, we had to appear at a stone terrace outside it.  That is the reason.
Do not worry, I have friends in Treverorum.  They have ready cures, in case anyone is sick from the teleport."

“Sick?” Galbertus asks.

“Displacement over many miles can have disruptive effects on the body.” Terrance says helpfully.   Syanthus nods.

They didn't tell me,” Galbertus complains.

“That is the wondrous thing about wizardry," Syanthus says.  "You are never finished learning."

During the impromptu class on teleportation Calatin arrives, packed, ready, and accompanied by... a bear.

"Goodness," Terrance says.  "Is that your familiar?"

"I believe the Druids call them companions," Syanthus says.

The druid walks up, laden with various leather pouches and sacks, most of which seem empty, or are possibly full of other pouches and sacks. One seems to be dripping a decent amount of blood.

Calatin introduces himself, despite having already met everyone at some point. He then introduces his 'familiar'.

"This is Prum. Don't mind his temperament. He's still a little ornery about being woken up in the middle of his nap. Don't try to pet him, otherwise, he's just a big harmless, grumpy thing."

850 pounds and average size for his species. If any of you have Know (nature) of a decent amount, you'd guess he's probably in his fifth winter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_brown_bear

"At any rate, I believe we're ready to go. I've been looking forward to this."

Are we leaving before the Solstice? If so, he'd definitely address this fact.

Kyriel is glad that Terrance has accompanied her here. They arrive holding hands and she's loathe to let go. Like Terrance she feels that although the last trip was necessary it was far too long. Master Syanthus should be able to get them back relatively quickly, so this shouldn't take too long. She tries to console Terrance and herself. "I'll be back before too long; before the end of the year, I'm sure. Master Syanthus will be able to return us here once everything is done." Flashing him a grin, she tells him "Don't go looking for trouble. That's my job."

Before she lets go of his hand, she gives him a kiss. Then she hurries ver to where everyone else is waiting. She's dressed in her practical and warm traveling clothes since she's not sure what the weather is like where they're going.

Once Calatin shows up with the bear, she gets a little nervous. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I've heard that sometimes it can be a little, um, rough on the transportees."

Calatin whistles loudly. "I hope so, at least, because there's three of us." A moment later a hawk lands on his arm. It is rather nondescript, apart from a small, empty leather pouched tied to one of its legs.

Calatin casts a spell, then turns and lets out a garble of incomprehensible noises toward Prum, then the hawk.
Speak with Animals.

He affectionately rubs the bear behind one of its ears and pulls a rather large mass of flesh out of the sack that was previously dripping blood. The bear sits down on its haunches and begins to devour it happily. The hawk, in turn, hops off of Calatin's arm and picks up any scraps that Prum drops.

Wiping the blood off of his hands onto his clothing, he turns to the others, "Goat entrails are one of his favorites. He'll be content enough until the afternoon. Sadly the honey crop won't be ready until mid-spring. For a few drips of that he'd be willing to let all of the apprentices pull on his fur for an hour."

Calatin, having previously asked how arcane teleportation worked in relation to the druid's method (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spel...ansportViaPlants.htm) will make it easier on the aging wizard. He'll transform into an eagle as well, and both birds will sit atop Prum.

Large, Small, and Tiny, we're equivalent to three medium-sized creatures.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Mon 18 Feb 2013.

“I know what the Druids do,” Syanthus says.  “It is a form of teleportation, based on Sympathetic Magic, and it is focused through plants.  Their version tends not to be, well, precise, and is by its focus limited to realms that share similar flora.. which would not be a hindrance here, as the Ardennes does have Oak trees, and so do we here.  Despite what some Druids might say it is just as limited by the wards placed over the years… but then… where you Druids go, there tend not to be wards, so there is that, I suppose.”

Syanthus looks around.  A hawk has joined their number.

”Mind the animals, Calatin,” he says.  “Teleportation can be disorienting, and your friends might not know what to expect.

Kyriel clutches a bag given to her by Marcus Ulpius.  It’s a leather case containing a variety of unusual components of interest to magic users.  Powders, odd liquids, bits of rare plants and animals.  The odd stuff that goes into potions.  Wizards like getting their hands on that sort of thing.

Syanthus assumes everyone is ready, and begins the ritual of the teleport.

Rory is anxious to get this done with. Once he has his closure he will be able to concentrate on other things...

Kyriel puts the bag of trade goods into her magic bag. Calatin and his animals get another look and she settles on the far side of the circle. Finally Rory shows up, and she gives him a quick smile.

Now that Master Syanthus is starting the spell, she steels herself for the change in location.

Syanthus, having never been to Lucimburic, aims for the closest place he knows well- the city of Treverorum.


The spell is complete, and the world changes around them.

There is a sudden gust of cold, bracing air.  The quickness of the temperature change is unnerving, and the bear's fur bristles.

The group is in a garden, of old Roman classical design, with properly pruned rose bushes, perfectly straight paths, and marble statues on pedestals.

Kyriel has been here before!  She remembers the place, the garden of Temple of Asclepius, in Trevorum.

But now, it is covered in snow, and no one is about.

"In older times, after teleportation was warded into so few sites, no teleport site was left unwatched," Syanthus says. "We should at least go to the main building, let them know we are here.  Common courtesy demands it.  Is everyone feeling well?"

This was one of Syanthus's better teleports.  He had been extra careful, as there animals he was suspicious of.  No need to have them getting upset."

As the wizard sets out for the temple of Aesclepius, he adds:  "Calatin, you might want to have a leash.  For show, at least.  Wandering bears can upset some people."

Kyriel gives a quick glance to the animals just to make sure that they don't go berserk before turning her attention to Master Syanthus. She stands next to him, ready to give him support if he needs it. The last trip out here, he'd almost collapsed after arrival.

Her quick eyes take in the familiar setting. Master Syanthus had teleported her and Rivia here earlier when they went in search of Arabella. Snow dusts everything and gives the garden a peaceful appearance. Appearances can be deceiving, as she is quite well aware.

She's feeling quite well, evidently she's been very lucky with the teleports. None of them have given her much trouble. Still, she nods when Master Syanthus asks if everyone is alright. She allows the old wizard to lean on her if he needs it, otherwise she'll move out ahead of the group to go to the main building.

Rory having used his own Dimension Door ability on occassion now is much more used to the effects. He lets Kyriel attend to Sythanus, but he looks about himself. He had not been here before and wishes to partake as this is like the last journey he will make outside the Academy for a long time.

"I can take us to a specific place with Dimension Door, if you wish Sythanus."

Calatin remains in eagle form, cooing and chirping at the other two animals for a moment. The hawk flies off.

He then hops down off of the bear and assumes his human form. "Ermmm, thank you for that, Syanthus. Very interesting.

And I'm afraid I don't carry rope, if someone else doesn't mind lending me some. I could...", the druid snickers, then frowns, "ride atop him if that would make the situation less troubling." The druid glances at the bear, then back at Syanthus, still frowning.

"I could also simply wait outside, and let you continue on for a moment."

Syanthus turns to Kyriel, who has a reputation for being useful in ways that spell casting types so frequently overlook.

”Perhaps you could arrange something, just for show?”  He asks.  “I mean, for the bear.   It is a bear, after all, and a large one.  It does not do us well to alarm people unnecessarily.  There’s quite enough necessary alarm in the world, and for that reason… it’s best, I think that we simply walk up to the temple of Aesclepius and say hello.  The  Master Physician and I go way back.”

It is a short walk through snow covered gardens.  Calatin notices that some old Druid lore is still evident- there are sacred plants on display, which makes sense, as it is so close to the Solstice.  Holly and Mistletoe… But there are also old symbols left by someone, rune-marks on rocks.  Calatin knows well that the Ardennes is one of the major magical forests of Europa, possibly the most important, and there have been rumors that something of the Druid tradition has survived in the area.

The Temple of Aesclepius is the only major temple devoted to the Roman god of Healing.   It is much more than a simple temple-   it is a complex, part hospital, part cathedral, part school.

It has the look of better times, when Treverorum was a jewel of the Empire in the west.  Glass discs are set in white stucco, catching the afternoon sun.  The main entrance leads up stairs into a plaza where a fountain still flows.

Syanthus goes forward to introduce himself by the orderly at the door.  A number of people are just inside, staring out intently.  Much as Syanthus predicted, there some who are startled by the sight of the bear, but others recognize Syanthus, and they quickly realize, if he is here with the bear it must be safe.

Probably.

A few leave the safety of the temple, and approach and greet the group.  They are eyeing the bear with curiosity and caution.

Rory stepped forward and introduced them in the true fashion of a herald. He then took his leave and stepped into the background, leaving the others to handle the rest.

When Master Syanthus asks if she has something that they can use to make it look like the bear is under control, Kyriel reaches into her pack and pulls out a rope. She takes a moment to give one end to Calatin. She turns to Calatin "Tell the bear that it won't be tight and she'll be able to get it off easily."

She waits until he gives her the ok before tying it loosely around the bear's neck.

While helping Master Syanthus as they walk along, she keeps tabs on things. The bear is going to take some dealing with. "I don't think we'll be able to rent a carriage like last time. Do we have any magic that might help us go faster?"

As Rory introduces them, she looks for anyone that she might have seen here before. She waves at them.

The druid simply nods warily when Kyriel brandishes the rope. "Luckily Prum doesn't speak much Common, because she's a he."

The bear remains disturbingly motionless as she approaches. It widens its eyes a little after the rope is around its neck, then snorts as if offended. He stands up from his sitting position and licks the goat blood off of his front paws one at a time while hopping along to follow everyone. The paw he cleans second leaves a nice bloody trail in the shape of large bear prints.

"I can... though he rather hates it... change his form into that of a wolf for an hour at a time. Let me know if we'll remain in a populous area, and I'll begin preparing to do so. If subtlety is required, and one of you would like to appear as if you were a wolf trainer, I can also assume that form with him.

As far as traveling, The three of us can most likely keep up without issue, barring flight for Prum."

After the considerations of the bear are taken care of, Calatin is all but oblivious to anything but the runes on some of the stones. "This is fantastic." He doesn't even realize there's a welcome party to greet until introductions are nearly over.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Fri 22 Feb 2013.

"No flight then," Syanthus notes.  "Upsets the bear."

Syanthus tells the group that he does have a useful spell… it makes lots of short little teleports, over a period of time, accelerating travel.

Syanthus has “high level” connections here.  In short order, he greets an old friend, who happens to be the “Master Physician” at the Temple of Aesclepius.  The wizard does not intend to make this a long stop, but he doesn't want to be polite.  He introduces the group, including the bear.

The Master Physician greets Calatin and says; "Oh, you must be a colleague of Tugdual."

There is a bit of confusiuon:  the Master Physician is surprised the two Druids have never met, having always thought the Druids were just one small circle.

"The world is a large place, and Calatin comes to us from a long distance, as does Rory.  But perhaps they can meet," Syanthus says.

"Tugdual has gone to war," the Master Physician says.  "He's gone to the aid of the Elves, our neighbors, who were attacked by the Huns."

Calatin's hopes are raised and then dashed nearly simultaneously.

"Mmm. Unfortunate... very unfortunate. It would have been good to talk with him--and about this place. How far would have Tugdual gone, and for how long?"

Kyriel blushes when Calatin corrects her on the gender of the bear. It's obvious now that she spares the time to glance at the bear.

She mutters more to herself than to anyone. "It's only until we're out of the town. Then I can get this off him."

Hearing Master Syanthus talk about flight makes her wonder just what it would be like to be able to soar like the birds. After a moment her practical side chimes in. Too damned obvious. Mark us as targets from a mile off and we wouldn't see any danger until the first arrow hit. She shakes her head and tells Master Syanthus "I don't think I'd like to fly either."

She remembers the master physician here. He and Master Syanthus have been good friends for a long time. He's very skilled at healing and got Master Syanthus up and about after the last teleport here. . . . Like lightning, and idea strikes her. It's hard to wait until the introductions are done, but she contains herself. Finally once all the social niceties have been satisfied she smiles at the master physician and pulls him aside. Quietly she whispers to him "Sir. I know that your healing abilities are beyond compare. When we were here last, you helped Master Syanthus recover from a strenuous exercise of his mystical abilities.

We have heard that the hun emperor himself has offered a bounty on the King's intended. We fear that she may be slain by poison. Do you have anything that might counteract any subtle and insidious attempt at her life?"

OOC: Oops. Thought you said that the bear was female in an earlier post.

Rory watches the comedy of errors with the bear passively. This to him is all barriers, he is of a single mind with a single goal. His last goal outside the academy, he keeps telling himself, and once completed he can rest.

The Master Physician tries to answer Calatin's questions...

"From all we have heard, there is war, and it is close, but there is no telling how long Tugdual will be gone.  Had he rode out with a company of troops it would be different.  It is December, and the snow has already fallen, and men cannot live off the land and fight wars in this season. For most of the troops it will be quick.  They cannot sustain a long campaign.  But for those like Tugual… I cannot say.  The men of the forest find their ways to survive, they always have.

"I also cannot say he will return here.  The Druids do not prefer Treverorum. This place is lost within their forest but still, it is too much of a city for them.  They prefer the small villages, of which there are a number in these hills."

Syanthus looks worried.  "I hadn’t realized the war would be so close," he says.

The Master Physician nods.  "If you follow the Moselle River you will be in it within a day’s time.  If you take the trail north to Beda, you will also find it within a day’s time.  It is that close."

"Have you prepared?" Syanthus asks.

"As much as is sensible.  King Theoderic bid us not to send out our troops, but to hold this place, as best we can, if the Huns come.  Thank the gods, they have not come.  They might have, they were headed up the Moselle, but they turned aside into the Elven country, and that is where they fight now."

"We are not here to join their war… " as Syanthus speaks, he eyes Kyriel suspiciously.  "Though we have no love for the Huns.  We are here, really, for a wedding, at which point I believe the next phase of things will be decided."

They don’t have time to stay in Treverorum and look around.  They acquire some supplies from the Master Physician, and with Syanthus’s great staff thumping on the ground, they set out for Lucimburic.

It is a strange magic that Syanthus uses.   They don’t feel like they are walking any faster.  It’s not like running… they just seem to be covering far more land with each step than they ought to, and the effect is like traveling at several times the speed that they might otherwise make… but without feeling it.  Kyriel has seen this spell once before.  Dromessa once used it to speed their journey to Lutetia Parisiorum.  But Syanthus puts much more power into it.  The journey to Lucimburic City, instead of taking a day and a half to two days (more likely the latter, with the road snow covered) will take only hours- they will be in Lucimburic for a late supper.

Kyriel listens to the answers that the Master Physician provides Calatin. She's very interested in picking up any information on important people. This Tugdual seems like someone to keep note of, especially if they need to travel the wilds again.

She's shocked and outraged that Beda is the site of another battle. It's monstrous that the huns would choose to go there again. It's a fresh wound in the side of the Ardennes elves and for them to go there is obviously a callous and calculated act. For a moment she wants to head in that direction and do what ever she can to help. Only when Master Syanthus says that they're not looking for the war does she regain her composure. "I went there last time we were here. It's a dreadful place filled with death and unhappy spirits. I knew there was a reason for their suicidal attack there before. It was to pave the wave for this . . . attack."

She coughs and straightens up. "You're right, of course. We aren't here to fight a war. The battle has most likely been decided one way or another by now."

She goes with the others without a word, but she gives the path to Beda many long backward glances.

The prospect of arriving in Lucimburic so quickly is exciting. Hopefully she'll be able to see King Theoderic and Aelasuria quickly. The sooner they get word of the bounty, the better!

I'd like to Spellcraft the spell Syanthus is using, please. If he had any verbal/somatics, awesome, if it didn't somehow, and all I can see the are the effects, then it's a bit harder.

Rory remembers Sythanus used this spell before. He is still amazed by its power even now. He watches and takes in all the sights, but his mind is on his goal.

3. Calatin tries to figure out the spell Syanthus is using.  It seems to him to be a very advanced version of Expeditious Retreat.  He’s never seen it before and it may in fact be unique to the Academy of Aurelianorum- from what he’s heard, back in the days when there were multiple academies of magic, they competed for the best students, and one way they competed was by developing unique spells and teaching them only to students.  The schools kept their “signature spells” secret as best they could.  Even though Aurelianorum has no competition these days (and in fact may well be the last school of wizardry in the Gaul) it makes sense that there would still be spells unique to the school and its faculty and student bodies.

When the group finally arrives in Lucimburic,  Lucimburic looks especially busy, even accepting the fact that the Solstice is around the corner and people are doing last minute shopping, visiting, and heavy drinking.  The road in from the east passes through the “lower town”, the Grunde, a noisy, poor looking district, and although there is a substantial tavern there- “The Foundry” it does not appeal at all to Syanthus.  They cross the bridge and go up the hill into the town proper.

There, they try to perform the first, very important task- finding a place to stay.  The city seems to be… well.. stuffed, at the moment.  The locals are excited- not only is the Winter Solstice coming, but there is the upcoming Royal Wedding, and the arrival of quite a few troops.   The group tries a few of the local taverns.  No room.

“Winter solstice coming, and no room at the inn, whoever heard of such a thing,” Syanthus grumbles.  “We need some place in which to unpack ourselves.  Magic is for when the normal way of doing things simply won’t work.  I could provide shelter for us… with a spell..   but it’s a little unseemly, I would prefer real lodgings, if we can.”

He takes another look at the bear... and then looks around.  Every now and then, even Syanthus is surprised by what he sees.  Or in this case, what he doesn't see.

They are in the one place in all the world where the sight of a bear walking down a street draws nothing but polite greetings.

Kyriel has been exposed to this spell several other times. She's always impressed at how quickly the distance melts away when one of the wizards uses this spell. They certainly could have used it to get back earlier!

Lucimburic looks like it's getting overloaded with visitors of all kinds. Most of the inns look to be filled up already. When Master Syanthus frets about the lack of space, she pipes up. "We could try the Duke. We are official representatives. Or perhaps we could talk to the wereowls. They might give us some room since we represent the Academy. I might be able to swing some rooms at the elven enclave." She gives the others a lopsided grin. "What's your pleasure?"

"Wereowls!"

Calatin's face is as honest as a child's when exclaiming excitement for their favorite type of fun.

Rory suggests, "I can preform. We may have to share one large room, but I am sure everyone can be mature adults about it."

Thinking about it, "I bet the duke would like a performer at the wedding. If so I might can work out a trade..."

He leaves the ultimate decision to the others. He has slept outdoors before he can do so again.

Well there are the Wereowls… They are the well known mages of Lucimburic society.  Not that they are all wizards… but most, if not all, of the best mages in the Duchy are Wereowls.  Their “social center”… and school, and laboratory, and library…

Syanthus makes an inquiry, hoping that their mutual interest – and maybe they’ve heard of him?- will lead to a good tip for lodging.  But he comes up empty, here.  They would possible rent Syanthus a room… him alone.  Definitely not the bear.

Sleeping outside is not the most pleasant option.  Not in the city, in the winter.

In the end, Syanthus is forced to fall back on his spell.  All he needs is a good section of solid masonry wall, and this, the Wereowls can provide for him, leading him to a wall alongside the home of one of them, Cabey Flornit, who lives in an city townhouse near the tower.  The building’s east wall faces a suitable narrow alley and is of sturdy brick construction.

This spell, too, is an advanced version of something Calatin has heard of.  It is a relative of the “Secure Shelter” spell, but in this case creates a usable cabin of extradimensional space which intersects “real” space in a single wall, which acquires a door and a window.  Syanthus conjures interior partitions to create a space for Kyriel and one he will share with the others.  The bear will sleep in the “main” room.

Rory thanks Sythanus for using such a wonderful spell. He finds a bed uses it promptly to find a restless sleep.

Kyriel is happy for the warm place to sleep, and even happier that she gets a room to herself. In the morning she's eager to try to talk to the Duke and Duchess.  "We should probably try to talk to the Duke and Duchess first, then do other things."

They do have reason to seek out the Duke and Duchess… and so the following morning they try the castle.

It turns out, there are procedures here, and those procedures are overseen by a very particular Weremink, the Majordomo Mergyon, who seems to think that his very exacting standards are all that exists to keep the city of Lucimburic from descending into anarchy.  This time of year, the Duke has a very busy social schedule, and there are quite a few people in the atrium of the Ducal Palace, hoping to impress Mergyon enough to be granted an audience.

Among these people, though, Rory sees a familiar face… two!  Phileas and Hylensia Argentos, the middle aged proprietors of a large, skilled, and very famous group of traveling entertainers based in Basilea.  Everyone in the “entertainment business” knows who they are- everyone who is a traveling entertainer wants to be as successful as they are… or at least work for them.  It’s like Kyriel has seen them too, as they’ve played Lutetia Parisiorum and Aurelianorum in the past.  But Rory traveled with them, and knows them well, as they helped escort him and Julia from Basilea to Aurelianorum.

Seeing Phileas and Hylensia brings an instant smile to Rory's face as well as a rush of wonderful memories. He addresses them with a much more cheery tone than even he remembered comeing from his body. "Phileas! Hylensia! So good to see you both. How have you been? What brings you here? Do you plan to winter with the Duke?"

He waites politely, hoping they have ready answers for him...

From here on out, I'll prepare Aspect of the Wolf twice in place of Goodberry and Entangle, since we're in the city.

If bringing the bear is thought to be a problem, it will instead become a much more manageable wolf. In order to attempt to make it feel better, Calatin will assume the same form using Wild Shape, not Share Spells.

Never having been in the Ducal court before, Kyriel lets the others take the lead. Once again, she assumes the role of servant. She takes the time to put on the hair extensions to cover her ears. In her experience, most people assume that like this she's a human girl of maybe 12 years and nothing to be concerned with.

Together with her talent for being unseen, this will give her a chance to observe the Duke's court and see if anything looks out of place.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Fri 01 Mar 2013.

Calatin's bear raises no eyebrows here.  Some people look at it... some try to talk to it.  But no one seems afraid of it.  After all, the Duke and Duchess are Werebears- being discourteous to a bear in Lucimburic simply isn't polite.

This is the most bear-friendly place he's ever seen.  The diametric opposite of every other city he's ever seen.  (Which is a short list).

The only moments of confusion occur when several people attempt to converse with the bear and discover it is a "unchanged" bear.  Then, the attention focuses on Calatin, and they ask questions and seem to assume he must be from the Saravus region (not far away), a place where they know there have always been people with the ability to tame and speak to animals, and even to be animals.

And the ask, "Have you come to pay homage to Arduinna?"


Meanwhile, Rory speaks with the Argentos's as they await their appointment.
Philieas and Hylensia cut off each other's sentences, being happy to see him:

"We are here without our performers.."

"Normally we don't travel in the winter at all, and we can't move a caravan."

"And although we manage a performing troupe our own skills are nothing extraordinary."

"We're quite ordinary, in fact."

"But we do manage and present well, and we thought to discuss with the Duke our services as hosts and masters of ceremony.  I'm sure there is local talent available. "

They are here, they explain, on behalf of the Dragon of Basilea, who wished to have a delegation present at a wedding which many believe will change the history of the region, if not the continent.  Too important a thing to ignore.

And yet, as Phileas explains, "Nor did the Dragon of Basilea wish to see the event overshadowed by the majestic presence of Dragon.  Too much, it would not be gracious to those who are more central to this gathering.  So, we are here."

"Basilea's resident authorities on Human-kind, so it seems," Hylensia adds.

And meanwhile...

Kyriel pokes around a little.  One thing she sees quickly is that security here is different from what she's seen elsewhere.  For one, they are Lycanthropes.  They have a host of special abilities to rely on, including very acute senses of smell.  And the Duke himself is regarded as a mighty fighter, so there is very little concern about guarding him directly.  The guards here seem more concerned with theft than the personal safety of the Duke.

They do appear very busy, though, checking people, asking questions.  Kyriel learns that the upcoming wedding, while not a secret, wasn't expected to be so widely known. But rumor spread fast and there are far more people in Lucimburic, including Official Visitors who have no Official Invitation, than were expected.  There is some worry that certain unwelcome types may have slipped in with the delegates, envoys, well wishers, curious gawkers, and of course many, many merchants.
* * * * * * *

Finally, Mergyon the Weremink gets to the point of interviewing the Argentoses, even as Rory is talking with them.

Phileas and Hylensia introduce Rory as "with us... a performer, and a good one, on my own word."

Just as Mergyon is giving his approval for the group to talk to the Duke and Duchess, a very slimly built pale skinned girl arrives- she looks to be still in her teens, and looks almost too slightly built to be Human- and she is dressed as if it was summer, not winter, but shows no distress at all.  She has a lute lung across her narrow back.

Mergyon recognizes her instantly and greets her. She is Cirrus, and she is a courier for Theoderic.

"They are coming back," Cirrus says.  She quickly explains that Theoderic turned around when news of the victory over the Huns was confirmed, and is on his way here.

As Kyriel noses around, she notes the number of people and how it exceeds the number expected expected by the security detachment. One thing that she's learned is that rumors fly faster than anything, and the fact that the wedding isn't a secret means that anyone and everyone with any means and reason to attend will do their best to do so.

That makes it the perfect time for someone to act. What better way for the emperor to show his strength than to strike at Aelasuria and King Theoderic now at the moment of perceived triumph? If the attack (and she's sure at least one will occur) succeeds, it will demoralize everyone and show that even in defeat the Huns are not to be discounted.

Rory seems to have found a way in. The others probably not. She's about to make her way back to Rory and Master Syanthus, when she spies Cirrus, the girl who sang at the Summer solstice. Maybe she'll remember her as well? It might give her a way to get in and get the needed word to King Theoderic and Aelasuria. She waves to the sylph. "Cirrus! Cirrus!"

Rory smiles as his fellow performers begin to introduce him, "Actually, I'm retired. I've been offered a teaching position with the Academy at Aurelianorum. I am starting a college for Bards, which was one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you. However to you, sir," indicating Mergyon, "I have been sent here with the Academy's delegation," indicating Sythanus, Calatin, and Kyriel, "and I have special invitation to speak with Lady Julia of Basilea."

Rory continues, explaining his plan to create an adjuct college for bards at the Academy. He tells them about his first students and offers them places for any of their own performers.

Calatin replies plainly to their questions, that he is from Britannia. He lets Prum speak for himself, which amuses the druid to no small amount. When asked about paying homage to Arduinna, "I wouldn't mind, actually."

After a few such encounters, Calatin stops Syanthus and the others for a moment before they disperse.

"I don't care much for politics or dinners in grand halls. I've no experience in stopping assassinations or how to act at royal weddings. What I'm asking... is how long are we here, exactly? What would you say if I were to travel to Saravus, given I have the time to get there and back."

Cirrus remembers Kyriel.  Even though her aquaintanceship with Kyriel was brief, it stands out.  The two reunite- Cirrus is a very enthusiastic greeter and embraces Kyriel.  It seems a strangely light, delicate touch despite the apparent effort Cirrus puts into it.

"They're all on their way!" Cirrus says excitedly.

The news spreads quickly, and Mergyon takes his leave to go greet the returning king.  But not before granting the Argentos's the job of taking charge of entertainment over the next few days.

"You have the best of reputations," Mergyon says, "and I simply do not have the time.  But you will want to include Cirrus.  She is remarkable, and she is a favorite of the Queen-to-be."

Hylensia and Phileas graciously agree.  Then they return their attention to Rory.

"Your... ah.. invitation to speak to the Lady Julia," Phileas says as his wife listens with evident interest.  "She is quite peculiar, at times.  But from all she has told us, I think there is a time for honesty, and things she withheld from you."

"But understand, with the best of intentions," Hylensia says.  "Julia is not dishonest.  Never."

"We should sit down somewhere," Phileas says.

Meanwhile, Calatin finds Syanthus and asks about one of his favorite subjects: Geography.

Calatin learns that the Saravus river is a tributary of the Moselle river.  It is an isolated area of deep forest, winding river, and rolling hills.  Far from the main arteries of Roman commerce, development bypassed the Saravus river area, and it's considered a sort of hillbilly country.  Things out there can seem a little behind in time.  There are settlements along the river, even a major town (Sarabruca) and some vinyards, but mostly, it's a very wild region.

It's the sort of place that... well, if the old ways of the Celts survived anywhere, it would be there.  And a mere day's walk away, certainly no one would mind if Calatin looked up his spiritual brethren.

Various discussions are interrupted by the sounding of herald trumpets, and everyone around seems to know:  this means an official announcement.

People gather in the plaza outside, the Clear Fountain Plaza, to hear:  the Duke delivers a brief address, announcing the victorious return, in mere hours, of Theoderic and troops.

Rory finds something interesting to look at on the tops of his boots. "I have prepared myself for any outcome. I simply want closure. It would be to much to bare not knowing."

"You act if we had tragic news," Hylensia says.  "It may not be what you hope to hear, and it will not be what you expect, but it will not be tragic.  It is, however, deeply personal, and a matter of deepest confidence.  There are things that must be kept secret, for Julia's sake."

"And we must know if you are willing to keep these secrets.  She has, we know, shared much with you, but there are things that you ought to know.  But only if you are willing to shoulder the burden of secrecy."

They guide Rory away from other people, carefully checking the surroundings to make sure there are none nearby who might overhear, and await Rory's agreement.

Rory was puzzled by this. Did Julia send an emmissary? He is not cross but confused, "I meant to speak with Julia alone. My matter is with her."

He sighed. Whatever they were going to tell him he obviously needed to hear it. "I know she is a dragon," he says when they are outside of other's earshot, "so if this is your big secret you should fear not, I have already kept it. If there is more you should know that I would die before I did anything that would cause her harm in any way. Tell me, but understand that I know she must be with her goddess. I mean only to hear the words from her own lips so that I may have closure...peace. I would never have peace otherwise."

He holds his breath as he sits. Whatever they have to say he will be a man about this. He has already shed his tears, so they will not have to see him cry. He noddes, indicating he is prepared.

Kyriel is glad that Cirrus remembers her; with all of the hustle and bustle from the summer solstice celebration, she isn't sure that she would. The news that Cirrus brings is very good news indeed. The huns have lost a major battle and the armies are returning soon. Gratefully she returns the hug. As much as she hates to be a downer for this kind of news, she has to get the word out to someone that she knows will be able to talk to Theoderic and Aelasuria. While in the hug she breathes just loud enough for Cirrus to hear "Huns have a bounty on Aelasuria and Theoderic. They must be warned."

While they need the assistance of the Duke, she remembers the last time they were here. The werewolves were far too obvious about their observation of the blackguards. There must be others here in Lucimburic that are more subtle, right? Once again she gives Cirrus a hug. Happily she says. "That's great news!" Much more quietly she whispers "Ask the duke for his sneakiest people to help. We want to entrap as many hun agents as possible."

While the news of their impending arrival is being spread, Kyriel looks at the direction from which Cirrus came with a keen eye to where likely places for ambushes would be. There won't be much time. High points from which to snipe are going to get some careful attention. As she does so, she considers just how many are likely to make an attempt and when. Maybe they could get someone to play the roles of Theoderic and Aelasuria to draw the agents out?

Phineas and Hylensia seem surprised that Rory was aware of Julia's heritage.

"Well then," Hylensia says after an awkward moment, "after such a build up, it would be impolite of us not to share some secret with you.  I didn't know she told you... but did she tell you she is our daughter?"

"We don't make a habit of escorting just anyone," Phineas remarks.

"But that being said," Hylensia continues," I'm not certain of this whole thing you call 'closure'.  You know what she is.  So you also know what truly can and cannot be.  Now, some of our kind, the great ones of Basilea, they... well..."

Phileas picks up the flow of it:  "They would consider you honored above mortals that a Dragon even calls you a friend, and they would be deeply insulted that you would even think to want something called... closure... with a Dragon.  But if speaking to her is what you wish, she will be returning here soon... within days, I imagine.  She learned of the battle at Beda, and she feared that many there would need the help of a healer..."

"Always looking to do the greatest good, our Julia," Phileas says.

"But I assume she will be back.  For the wedding, for the festivities.  If she wishes, I suppose you would speak then," Hylensia says."

* * * * * * * *

Cirrus is at a bit of a loss, with Kyriel so certain of imminent danger, and seeing nothing to worry about, herself.  Cirrus isn't so comfortable with "sneaky".  It's not her way.

And the Duke isn't someone she can simply walk in on, can she?

But if Kyriel is so certain, is it worth a try?

She takes hold of Kyriel's wrist- a light touch, but an insistent one.  "Come with me," she says.  "I might not know what to say."

She takes Kyriel back to the anteroom where they Mergyon had been meeting with visitors, and finds the room has been largely cleared out, since both Mergyon and the Duke suddenly had other things to do.

She asks one of the door guards about the Duke, telling him it is important that she and Kyriel speak to him.

Apparently being known as Theoderic's courier carries some weight.

"The Clear Fountain Plaza Balcony, miss," the guard says.  "You can get there from the stairs at the Ardennes Tower."

The Ardennes Tower is the core of the palace.  It is the tallest structure in Lucimburic.  It would be the highest, but the Wereowl's Tower of Higher Arts is built on higher ground and so manages to rise higher.  It is a big, square vaulted arch at the base, joining the three main wings of the palace in a great T intersection.  Stairs rise at the corners of the tower.  One stair at each corner.

Cirrus hurries up one stair.  It seems like she knows where she's going.

Rory is moved, but only a bit. "She kissed me. She taught me to love. I simply want to speak with her, I mean neither her nor you any insult. I am aware of what she is. I know it probably isn't something normally done. Before her I felt nothing for anyone but myself. She changed me, you see. I know what her answer will be, I simply want to hear it. If she does not wish to speak with me, that will be asnwer enough."

Kyriel knows that many people don't think the way she does. It must be part of her family traits, and it's only been honed by years of hiding in Lutetia Parisiorum. Since the huns have put out a bounty, the most effective way to eliminate any threat to them  is to deal with Theoderic and Aelasuria now at the most public and special time in their lives. Not only will security be strained by all the newcomers, but it will send a powerful message. The huns, even in defeat on one battlefield, will fight on others just as effectively and deadly.

Since Cirrus has gotten them past the initial gauntlet of hangers on and the courtiers, she follows along. Hopefully the duke will remember her as well.

They go up several flights of stairs just to reach a landing.  It’s a long climb to get past the high vaulted arch ceiling of the first floor.

Cirrus does not slow… but she looks a little puzzled, not certain of exactly how high up the stairwell she has to go to get to a “south balcony”.  But it seems.. it would be high up, right?  A little more tentative than before, she hurries up the stairs.  And then, there are hasty footsteps overhead, the same stairway, coming down.

It’s a girl.  Maybe a little younger than Kyriel, and dressed as a maid.  A dusty, dirty one- she’s been hard at work, it seems.  She’s clearly a local, because she’s in that part-animal, part-human hybrid form the Lycanthropes prefer.  Big ears, big teeth, whiskers… this would be a Were-rabbit?

Werehare, actually.  They are first to explain, there are no such things as Wererabbits.

“A monster on the roof!” the girl says excitedly, pointing up.  “Up in the tower!  You can’t get there from inside, you have to go out on the roof…”

She pauses, suddenly realizing that she is reporting the monster to two other girls, who, like her, will probably not wish to do anything about it.

* * * * * * *

There is little more the Argentos’s can do for Rory at this time.  Julia is out on one of her “Good Deed” errands, trying to help people, and that means there’s really no telling exactly when she will be back.  Or what she would want to do.  What they have to say, he seems to already know, and that in itself is a puzzle- the man fell in love with a Dragon.. and knew it?

“The easiest way to find her when she returns, if it is not obvious, is to check with us,” Phileas says.  “We are staying at the home of the Ghostails, the Werefox family that runs the theater.  And we shall be working here for a few days, arranging entertainment for the festivities since the palace staff has no one with any time on their hands.  Quite a lot happening here, it seems.  Everyone’s much too busy.”

They walk up to a little used chamber on the third floor, in the area called the Bartholomew Wing; the palace’s Musician’s Conservatory.  It was built as a practice lounge for musicians hired to entertain the Duke and his family, and also as a studio for the Ducal family to study music, but there hasn’t been much of a musical inclination here in years.  The room has a very unused look, although there are some old instruments on display.

“I suppose this is where we shall work from,” Hylensia says with a sigh.  “Let’s draw up a program, then.  What have we to work with?”

Rory shakes his head. "I did not know she was a dragon when...I suspected there was something unusual about her but..." His pauses are obviously an attempt to gather thoughts so as not to offend. "It was not my purpose to fall in love with her. It happened quit without my approval. I fought it, not her but the way I felt. It honestly matters little now. A human's life is measured in decades. I feel I have given to the world and now I wish to retire. The Academy has offered me the chance and I mean to take it but," There is no ned to rehash what has already been said.

Reaching the musician's room Rory is moved by the disrepair of the place. He dusts off a few of the instruments but finds nothing which is beyond repair. When Hylensia asks about a subject Rory stands stiffly. He carries a copy of Cado play and his own history of the battle of Mos Trajectum. "Perhaps I can offer something." He shows them the play first. "It is based on my historcal account, but a playwrite named Cado changed some of it to make it more acceptable to an audiance at large. I performed it several times, I usually played both myself and Zerova. It is not difficult to learn, and it might make an acceptable centerpiece performance for the Solstice here."

He withdraws the historical account. "This is the original document." It is actually the copy he intends to give Julia. There is a short dedication which does not appear in any of the other copies, For Julia - the deeds recoded here were done in her name.

Kyriel follows Cirrus up the stairs; even though she was in Lucimburic before, she was never in the Ducal palace. The slower pace Cirrus takes means that she isn't exactly sure where to go. As they slow down, she hears the hurried steps coming down and soon enough the werehare comes into view. She's clearly frightened of something by her hurried breathing and then she tells them about the monster on the roof.

Kyriel glances at Cirrus. "High ground. Good for sniping."

Turning to the girl she asks "Which way to the roof? Take me there and then go get help!"

What ever this monster is, she's going to at least delay it until someone more martial can take it out. For the moment she doesn't get anything out of her bag. She might need both hands.

Kyriel asks the way to the roof, and the girl looks perplexed for a moment.  Would it be in any other direction but up?  Realization dawns and she says "Oh, you mean the way to the roof."


This is a little more complicated, and she leads them on a hurried trip up another flight of stairs, down a hall flanked by paintings and carved stone busts, into a room that looks like an old art studio, and up a twisty iron spiral stair to a roof hatch.

"The roof is up there," the girl says.  "It's a walkway and the boys are at one end of it, with the tower and the monster."

"The boys?"  Cirrus asks.

"Nitcher and Tembli and an Elf boy we met," the girl says.

** * * * *

Meanwhile...

The Argentos's are touched that Rory dedicated these... deeds... to Julia.  Musicians dedicate music all the time.  And why not?  They're performing it anyway, and expect to be paid.  Calling it a dedication is really no more special than an orchard keeper dedicating some fruit to someone- and then selling it anyway.  But deeds.. deeds such as the battle described on the pages... that's something.

They ask, after a while:  "You know many things.  Did you know who Zerova was?  The extent of her evil?"

Kyriel sees the trapdoor to the roof and nimbly clambers up the ladder. At the top she turns back to Cirrus and the warehare "Go find the Duke and tell him what I told you. I doubt that this is coincidence. Hurry!"

Once she's done that, she reaches into her pack and pulls out her rapier. As she does so, she wishes that Master Ulpius had been able to give her some kind of enchanted weapon. Who knows what kind of creature is up here? She'd rather face anything with an overwhelming advantage; just another holdover from her time in Lutetia Parisiorum.

She doesn't want to surprise "the boys" and maybe get attacked by mistake. Quietly she calls out. "What's going on?"

Rory noddes, and in his heart he hopes Julia sees the same thing they see. It is a sudden realization that he was not and never has been trying to make Julia love him, only to make her proud of him. "I never set out to make Julia love me, but I have always hoped that in some way I might make her proud. If I had that, knowing she was proud of me, it would make all of this have meaning." He reaches into his pack and removes the other two gifts, the representation of the Fountain of Isis (mentioned in his history related to the priestess of Isis who could teleport) and the Elven cloak. "I know Isis is not Julia's goddess, but it is a memento of the journey this book describes. I thought it appropriate in that regard, not as an instrument of worship. The cloak was made by elves. It protects one form the harshest of cold weather and provides camoflage in the snow. They are gifts for her. I know that she may not wish to speak with me, I would ask that you see she gets them."

He pauses at the question about Zerova. "Intuitively I knew. Mechanically I had to learn. Even now I am still learning the full extent of her evil. She had a moss she used to steal memories..." here he relates the story of the memory moss he consumed. "So you see, I still bear the responcibility of ridding this world of her evil."

Kyriel is headed into another thread:  The Return of Alicor.  She would see him and one other boy go into the tower at the other end of the roof- she has to run along the catwalk to catch up.  The third boy there waits back.  He’s a strange looking whatever.  He has a thicket of spines all over his head and back.