Ars Magica Chronicles: 1151 A.D.

From the diary of Cuthbert, Magus of Bonisagus

A Council Meeting
An Expedition
An Unexpected Visitor
The Bandits (Part 1)
The Quaesitor

Nearly 12 months have passed since we arrived at Llyn Brenig, 12 industrious months. The ruined tower has been restored so that we now have a roof, floors and most importantly basic laboratories. We have appeased the local lord, found a source of Terram and Aquam Vis and found a cave that shows great potential as a mine. Despite my concerns there has been no overt threat from Blackthorn. All in all the covenant seems to be getting off to a better start than I could have ever expected. I can't help thinking though who had originally built the tower and what had happened to them?

At the due time I again cast the Aegis of the Hearth to protect us, wondering what the year ahead may bring.

A Council Meeting [ Top Of Page ]

LleweLlyn, a magus of Bjornaer arrives at the covenant and petitions for membership. After much debate in the council chambers the petition is accepted. LleweLlyn is accompanied by Ithel, a merchant. Some trading is done with the members of the covenant expressing interest in books on myths and legends, glassware, vellum and writing materials. Ithel recounts a tale of a strange pool in Chester and a strange local stream (see Rumours).

• Cian chooses to copy some spells for trade (his seasons work for the covenant)
• Roderick decides to invent some spells
• Domaura decides to study Intellego
• Allain decides to study the spells in the covenants library

An Expedition [ Top Of Page ]

Myself, LleweLlyn and Rhyss decide to investigate the stream and the pool in Chester. We are accompanied by Liam, Luke and Ithel and a group of grogs. We stop over in Ruthin. In Ruthin I am offered 2 books by a local merchant, a bestiary and a history of South Wales, both in Latin. I buy both for a total of 15 1/2 shillings. That night there is some debate over what magical protection if any is appropriate and Rhyss finally puts something in place. Ithel entices one of the local serving wenches into his caravan!

Early the following morning, just as we are beginning to stir, the inn is approached by a group of Militia and Hywel, local lord. Hywel invites us to attend mass and then to meet with him to discuss a certain matter. LlwelLlyn makes his excuses but everyone else attends. After the mass Hywel explains that he has been having some problems with bandits in the hills led by a Delling Ros. Delling Ros seems to lead a charmed life and the lord asks our aid in dealing with him. In return he offers us the services of Ruthin's craftsmen. After some discussion we agree.

We leave Ruthin in Ithel's wagon, accompanied by a guide provided by the local lord. I cast Wizards sidestep in anticipation of a hostile encounter, as does LleweLlyn. After a short journey we have to leave the cart and continue afoot. Near a waterfall we find some tracks and the guide leaves us. We follow the tracks. Along the way we find a wooden spoon which I unsuccessfully try to use as an arcane connection to locate the bandits. The tracks soon merge into others so we climb a large hill to get a better view of the surrounding terrain but this doesn't help much. We decide to backtrack and searching along the trail we find some hair. We also see an old crone in the distance and send Rodri after her. Rodri loses her and becomes lost but is eventually found. Later we found the stream with icicles floating in it. This proves to contain 2 points of Aquam viz. We return to Ruthin.

In Ruthin we hear more rumours of the bandits. Apparently their leader, Delling Ross, was recently shot in the chest with an arrow. He collapsed and was carried off by the other bandits & a week later he was seen acting normally. He seems to have the 'Devils Own' luck. The locals still seem suspicious of us and tend to avoid me, which suits me. Rhyss later tells me that he encountered 2 minor demons outside, one of whom he destroyed while the other ran away.

The next day we return to the Covenant so that I can consult with my fellow magi. I convene a council session and explain recent events. I ask if anyone can divine the location of the bandits from the either the spoon or hair we found earlier. Cian says he does so I hand the items over. Cian casts the spell.

An Unexpected Visitor [ Top Of Page ]

While the magi are in council signs of someone approaching are seen. Simon sends Bronwyn and Daffyd to investigate. They see a scrawny monk and a tall, thin tattooed man approaching. The tall man introduces himself as Guilliam of Criamon from Voluntas, here to be betrayed. He is escorted to the magi who meet him in the council chamber. He asks for food & shelter. He was sent by a Quaesitor, Isabel who accused him of dealing with demons. He says he had summoned and trapped an entity from beyond the lunar sphere in a body and had been torturing it to obtain information. The quaesitor sent him to Llyn Brenig for the matter to be investigated by a council of 3 magi. We also find out that the monk holds some heretical views. We decide to give him accommodation while we wait for the Quaesitor to arrive.

The Bandits (Part 1) [ Top Of Page ]

The next morning Domaura takes to the air and scouts out the area that Cian had indicated the bandits might be. On her return she tells us that she saw a small hut. She dropped a stone on the roof and a man came out. I lead Rhyss, Liam, Luke and a group of grogs to the hut. Bronwyn and Liam approach the hut while the rest of us surround it. On the way they realise that neither of them can speak Welsh but this doesn't deter Bronwyn who knocks and speaks in English. The men inside respond in Welsh. The door opens and two men wielding spears appear. After a breif 'conversation' they withdraw inside. Bronwyn knocks again and mentions the name Delling Ross. The door opens and three men with spears emerge and attack. In the ensuing combat one is killed and two are captured. Inside the hut we find 84 pennies, 2 rings and a necklace. When questioned they admit to stealing the items but don't know the exact whereabouts of Delling Ross - they were to lay low for a month. He is in the area somewhere. They tell us that Delling has a deal with someone or something so that if he or any of his men are injured they automatically recover in a day or so.

The Quaesitor [ Top Of Page ]

Meanwhile, back at the covenant, a woman arrives on a horse. She announces herself as Isobel of Guernicus. She's come to the covenant to question Guilliam of Criaman. She questions the magi present to decide who is most suitable to sit on the tribunal to judge Guilliam and chooses Roderick (after he exclaims thay Guilliem is obviously guilty!).

The next day a Flambeau mage arrives, Astrin Malia to sit in judgement over Guilliam along with Isobel and Roderick. She brings with her a cart with the body that contains the entity summoned by Guilliam. She is accompanied by 6 grogs. Cuthbert asks that the body be left outside the Aegis, concerned that it might contain a demon. Isobel agrees to this and also allows the magi to view the body

Inside the cart the is a table to which is chained and nailed a naked man. Runes are carved in his skin and he is uncommunicative though does not appear to be in pain. Also in the wagon are a number of scrolls and other bits and pieces.

The trial is held behind closed doors with only Roderick, Isobel and Astrin present plus Guilliam the accused. The outcome is undecided. Isobel asks the magi if they can try to dispel any demon that might be in the body. Rhyss tries and then Cuthbert but to no effect. Rhyss and Cuthbert both notice that the bosy seems to understand Latin. Strange things start to happen around the Covenant - women weep, food starts to taste bitter and the wind blowing more strongly. Isobel decides that the body should be sent to Ashenrise is Hibernia for further investigation whule Guilliam stays in Lyn Brenig. Isobel asks us to escort the body there.