1238, Summer
It is time for the Tribunal of 1238 in our Ars Magica campaign. The Tribunal is due in Summer. Before that, my own character, Pisciculus, had the next path of her Mystery Cult to follow. He had agreed that this would happen in the previous session, but the details weren’t fleshed out until the start of this one.
As part of the second part of the path, I gain the special skills of Magic Sensitivity and Second Sight. I also need to take a vow, for which I choose Don’t abandon those in need.
During the Tribunal, our GM awards extra XP based on the events we take part in each day. I select Enigmatic Wisdom for the first two days.
Pisciculus ex Criamon – Spring, 1238
I wake up to find myself talking to the walls of the covenant. I can see where the magic is set down, and the aura makes patterns in the walls. The patterns form eyes and mouths. I begin to make sense of the patterns, start to realise that there is a question buried within them. The question is my own self, and I get lost in a twisting spiral as I seek answers only inside my own mind as I descend towards Final Twilight.
Maedbh intervenes and distracts me with conversations about the cyclic nature of time, keeping me focused on what is real rather than the visions in my head. I realise that answers are to be found outside of my self, and I am again able to root myself in this world.
I hear voices from outside the covenant, calling my name. They are jeering and laughing goblins, wearing the masks of those who I have failed to help in my previous lives. I follow them to try and explain my reasons and why I couldn’t help them. I wander up into the Highlands, alone except for my hallucinations.
Some days later I am found by Jack, who has been sent to try and find me after people realised I’d gone missing. By then I can’t tell what is real and what isn’t. Some of the hallucinations turn out to be bandits who were attracted by a raving woman dancing on a hill. Jack arrives in time to fight them off.
I run, into a forest path that turns into a maze. The walls shift and turn, and I follow the ghosts of those that I have witnessed die. They try to lead me astray, guilting me in trying to rectify that wrongs that lead to their deaths. I can’t change the past, not without waiting for the wheel to finish its cycle and begin again. Another voice begins to give advice, and I begin to see the edges of the regio that I am trapped in.
I find my way out, find the voice is that of Radislav am Polanach ex Criamon, who guides me out of my madness.
Pisciculus ex Criamon, Summer, 1238
It is Summer, 1238, and I return to the covenant having spent the previous season trying to understand myself.
It is time for a Tribunal, which is being held at the village of Loch Leglean. There is a magical pathway to the Covenant itself, which is opened up so we can find the way to it.
Our Gruagach is missing, and Alexandria has decided not to go despite being the head of our covenant. She hands her sigil to Greysen however. The only issue she has strong feelings about, is that we should try to mend our relationship with Stonehenge.
Other than that, she doesn’t want to expand the scope of the rules against Scrying, and thinks that the faeries are usually asking for it, so isn’t too bothered about magi interfering with them.
On the way there, we stay at the same cottage we stayed at 7 years ago. It is the same couple, though they are older. They look puzzled, since they vaguely remember us, but we don’t look older.
We arrive at Loch Leglean without incident. Some of the buildings look like they have suffered earthquake damage, and the pathway to the covenant is open. Some people are hanging around in the village whilst they wait for the Tribunal to begin. Some local merchants seem to have realised that something happens here every seven years, and there is something of a market selling inks, paper, glassware and other things of use to scribes and ‘academics’.
Our grogs and companions spend time mingling with the grogs and companions of the other covenants, seeing what they can find out about the Twins, and also what the others know about the Earthquakes. Greyson uses his musical aptitude to do the rounds as well, guiding the conversations towards certain topics and listening in on what people are discussing. His song about scrying upon a maiden by the river bank causes conversation about the topic of scrying, and people seem to bend their thoughts against Mage Domhnall ex Miscellania, who has been accused of scrying.
Other rumours include that Finlay ex Miscellanea visited the two Twins earlier. Our grog Malcom asks around about Earthquakes. It seems people have just come to expect them. They have become a fact of life, not something to worry about. Just a few people want someone else to do something. Some magi might be doing investigation of their own, but not many.
A few times Maedbh’s name comes up, but other than that, there aren’t any consistent theories.
The following day, we head up to the covenant and are assigned rooms. They are somewhat better quality than we got given the previous time, so somebody must be approving of us at this point.
The main topics of the Tribunal seem to be the following:
- Introductions and welcomes
- What happened at Horsignas.
- Relations with Stonehenge
- Scrying by
- Interference with mundances
- AOB
Day 0
There are some magi willing to pay for Latin lessons for apprentices.
Some rumours do the rounds, and then there is a feast in the evening. Greyson does a few rounds of his music, and there is a punch up between two magi.
Day 1
There is a general welcome, especially for the Quaesitor Whitburh Frithowebba who people seem to be glad to see has recovered from her ordeal when Horsingas was destroyed.
An award is given to Allistor ex Miscellenea for his help in rescuing two of the magi of Horsingas. He gets a standing ovation from the magi present, and the Praeco invites him down to the front to receive his award, which is a signed scroll which has been signed by the head of every head in the Tribunal.
Looking at the notice board, I see a note that has a hidden meaning. It is an invite to a particular place tonight to discuss the Enigma.
When I turn up, the only other their is Radislav am Polanach ex Criamon. He was expecting more of us to solve the puzzle, but it means I get extra time to discuss the Enigma with him.
Day 2
There is a discussion about what to do with the remains of Horsingas.
There are a few who would like to just plunder it, but most seem to what to give them a chance to get back on their feet. I point out that there is no minimum size for a covenant, so just because their are only two magi left, doesn’t invalidate them.
Maedbh raises the point that there are no limits to the number of buildings. I do bring up the option to bring the two surviving members of Horsingas into our covenant to my sodalis. It may or may not be a good idea, but it would give us influence to have a Quaesitor with us. It may also give us access to their previous resources.
Ultimately, the vote is to continue to recognise the Covenant.
For the rest of the day, I meet up with other members of my House. There are only about four of us, but it gives us a chance to discuss the Enigma.
