Events: TRIBUNAL
Actions:
Elaine:
Hygwald:
Lucas:
Orsinio:
Vis: 1 Aq (Inner Farne), 1 Vi (Giant's Heart), 1 Au (Eildon Hills)
Events:
The Abyssal Bearers: Hygwald set off from the tribunal, with Orsinio who had decided to accompany him. They went straight back to Vidua Vasta, picked up the Golden Boat and its sailors, and headed for the Normandy Tribunal. Orsinio informed Hygwald that the only way to find the covenant of Confluensis was to get a guide from its vassal covenant (and Mercer House) Dragon's Rest, in the mouth of the Seine. Dragon's Rest proved to be a very unconventional covenant set beneath the marsh; they have a 24hr a day feast available to its many visitors and members. Robert of Mercere agreed to pilot them to Confluensis.
The quaesitorial covenant is also set in a marsh, on giant stone platforms in the shape of a sundew. The aegis also enforces silence, until Hygwald and Orsinio are given a token. The covenant is expecting a "Hogweed Vagitus" rather than a "Hygwald Veritas" thanks to the information given them by Prelum. Hygwald and Orsinio are peremptorily interviewed by the magi of Confluensis before meeting up with Adrianus who has been praefica from Iberia to Normandy. Adrianus reports that he has lost five of the six pallbearers provided by House Tremere; although he has arranged for six more to be sent, and they have already arrived. He reports some unusual occurrences on the journey, and as Hygwald looks at the body of Dionysius in the open casket, the lines on his face rearrange into the words: ibi umbras intercutis sunt (there are shadows beneath the skin).
Hygwald sets off for Portsmouth, but notices that he is being followed. In the Andreadswald the group have an encounter with a monstrous beast who will not make itself seen, but from the shadows bellows that it is hungry, and wants the body they carry. Two nights later the characters meet an elderly Criamon called Erro who is apparently following them; he knew Dionysius in life (and claims to have been his teacher) and wishes to see him for one last time "in this body." Hygwald has a very frustrating conversation with the Criamon, learning very little.
On the next day they encounter Erro again. This time he pleads with them not to consign Dionysius to the Gate of Eurydice, and illustrates his objection with a complex illusion which seems to illustrate part of Criamon doctrine; by interring Dionysius they are condemning him to another turn of the wheel. The shadow creature they met previously tears its way through the illusion to attack; it is frustratingly immune to mundane attacks, but Hygwald manages to use elements of Erro's illusion to harm it, and Orsinio employs fire to great effect. The creature is defeated, and Erro explains — it was an adulteration made from Erro's rage over House Tremere's refusal to accede to his requests over the disposal of his pupil's body. He does not block the road further, but admits defeat. Hygwald and Orsinio proceed to Blackthorn.
Exoneration of Ealwynn:
Claiming the Sigil: At Blackthorn, Hygwald discovers that he has been assigned a room by Prelum next to the stables and kitchen. He will not be able to get sufficient rest tonight to recover from his travel-weariness for his claiming on the morrow. He visits Bricis, who agrees to swap rooms for the night in return for an unspecified debt. In the morning Hygwald visits Goliard to negotiate with her. He offers ten pawns of vis and to train her next apprentice for 3 seasons in return for an agreement over which Form she will use. She accepts, and the agreed Form is Imaginem.
The Decennial opens with appropriate ceremony. Two magi are claiming their sigils this year, Prelum and Hygwald. As the elder, Prelum is given her test first. The two Tremere fight with Muto Imaginem, and Prelum attempts several tricks which all fail, since she has insufficient Penetration to defeat her mater's Parma. Prelum is defeated. Hygwald is next, and they also fight using Muto Imaginem. In the second round of the duel Furcula activates Hygwald's "secret weapon", it has sufficient Penetration and Goliard sways as if drunk. On the following round she is clearly suffering, and fails to maintain her concentration. Hygwald immediately claims victory; for which he earns a reputation as a parvenu (since this is an ignoble way to win a certamen). There is a big feast in celebration of his victory. The rest of the Decennial sets the agenda for this Exarchate for the next ten years.
Elaine negotiates over the garden with Sir Aline, promises to make her a magic item
The 6' serpent from Waimie Carr
was let free (Size 0, Might 5)
Actions:
Elaine: Set up basic Lab
Hygwald: Adventure xp
Lucas: Adventure xp in Parma
Orsinio: Adventure xp in English
Vis: 1 Cr or An (Oak or Waimie) , 1 He (Llawen's Heart)
Events: The covenant voted for each member to perform four seasons of work on the covenant's behalf in the next tribunal period.
Actions:
Elaine: Improve lab from basic to standard
Hygwald: Study Cr
Lucas: Study Ig
Orsinio: Improve lab from basic to standard
Vis: 1 Mentem (Coquet Island), 1 Vi (Giant's Heart), 1–3 Pe (Basilisk Tree)
Aegis
Ageing
Events: Sphere of Prophecy — Lucas promised Lise that he would obtain a quartz sphere from the possessions of Hannelore Hay before the Spring. He first makes a brief and uncomfortable visit to Lord Giffard, who tells him that her effects were given into the protection of the Church. He suggests that Lucas visits his son in Berwick. However, Lucas first visits Hannelore in her confinement (offering her a promise of escape), then Badda. He persuades Badda — for a hefty (but unspecified) magical price, she is persuaded to root around in de Giffard's office for signs of the ball. She comes up with nothing, so Lucas makes a visit to the inquisitor. Nicholas de Giffard makes the connection between Lucas and his sister Hannelore, and is convinced by Lucas's story (that he is trying to bluff the demons of Paddesham, but to do so he must gain their confidence by offering them a trinket). In return for an assurance that the Church will be involved when Lucas makes his move, Giffard reveals that her belongings were given to St Marcellus's, who are gaining a reputation for their knowledge of the occult.
Lucas sets off to break into the priory (again). His first attempt is aborted when it is clear that the doorward can see his invisible form. On the next night he tries again and remains unspotted; levitating himself over the wall he heads straight for the prior's office, but finds nothing. On a brainwave he goes to the sacristy, and sure enough finds a box containing two quartz spheres. Magical investigation reveals that they are faintly magical. Lucas later hands one over to Lise, but does not let on he has another.
Richard is given 5 pawns of He to trade with Esau for a sword
Actions:
Elaine: Increasing Lab Refinement
Hygwald: Extracting vis (CW)
Lucas: Studying Ig
Orsinio: Studying In
Vis: