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Edmund, torn away from his latest love, Weronika, a striking Polish
warrior maiden (well... not quite a maiden), is directed to the
library by Perchnosius, to begin the process of cataloguing the
material gathere together by the Magi, as well as those mouldering
tomes, scrolls and folios abandoned by the previous inhabitants.

He discovers that there are a number of the works abandoned by the
clerics that he is unable to read, for the latin in which they are
inscribed appears to be a cipher of some sort. Perplexed, he
approaches Perchnosius to inform him of this, before returning to his
duty of creating the catalog for the beginnings of The Great Library
of Paparotno.

--
Cheers
Ivan

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Cautellus to the other Magi

I recall now my Master Stanislaw refusing to allow me to copy any text
beyond the 5th magnitude. He did imply that the trading of texts was
actively encouraged by House Bonisagus, assisted by the Redcaps.

On 10/11/05, mukulpatel215 <mukul1965@...> wrote:
> > I have 270 levels of lab texts to allocate.
> > Do we want a great many very low level spells across as many arts
> as possible, or do we want fewer really chunky higher level spells
> that are currently beyond our reach?
> >
> > Cautellus would prefer the latter, but is not opposed to the
> former.
>
> Ludmilla prefers the former,
>
> Or lets go with 40% at level 20 or lower
>
> 30% at level 21 to 30
>
> 30% at higher level,
>
> can you trade and swap texts? with other covenants
>
> Ludmilla
>
>
>
>
>
>
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--
Cheers
Ivan

> I have 270 levels of lab texts to allocate.
> Do we want a great many very low level spells across as many arts
as possible, or do we want fewer really chunky higher level spells
that are currently beyond our reach?
>
> Cautellus would prefer the latter, but is not opposed to the
former.

Ludmilla prefers the former,

Or lets go with 40% at level 20 or lower

30% at level 21 to 30

30% at higher level,

can you trade and swap texts? with other covenants

Ludmilla

----- Original Message -----

From: hartley_ivan

To: trialsofnovgorod@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 11:56 AM

Subject: [trialsofnovgorod] [Perchnosius Skammelsson] Learned Discussion on the Habits of the Lynx

Lynx are not commonly found in swamps and marshes in this region, so
it is not necessarily abnormal to see one around the covenant. They
very rarely attack humans, so we have no need to fear it.

It is still a matter of contention amongst the learned, whether the
lynx is a species of wolf, or is somehow related to the pard. Neither
of which portend any good to the christian soul.

Given the large number of infernally inspired creatures swarming
around our home, I expect that, if it is not an infernal portent
itself, or sent by heaven to show us some error of our ways, it will
remove itself from the area, and trouble us no more.

I have 270 levels of lab texts to allocate.

Do we want a great many very low level spells across as many arts as
possible, or do we want fewer really chunky higher level spells that
are currently beyond our reach?

Cautellus would prefer the latter, but is not opposed to the former.

It is possible to learn several low level spells in a single season if
they all use the same lab total, and you are learning from lab texts.
They are also pretty quick to create if you already have a lab total
of about 25-30 - one (or more?) spells per season up to half your lab
total. This is roughly half the speed of learning from a text.

However, creating from scratch some high level effect can take a very
long time if your lab total is not significantly higher than the spell
level.

The advantage of a lot of low level stuff, as I see it, is the removal
of reliance on spontaneous casting - which I've been doing a bit of
lately. The downside on this trade is that developing higher level
effects will take much longer, once we achieve the ability to cast
them.

Thoughts on a post card, please.

--
Cheers
Ivan

To Abbot Simeon of the Most Holy Monastery of St. Demetrios the
Areopagite Konstantin Bugarov, Ordained Brother, sends greeting.

Most Reverend Father,

I have now spent a season amongst these people, as you instructed.
The reservations you expressed to me about their theology and manner
of life have been proved all too true. One of them in particular, an
ugly fellow called Karill, has shown himself to be a most ungodly
man, delighting in violence and all manner of vice.

Nevertheless, Most Reverend Father, in obedience to your
instructions I will continue my sojourn here. There are, after all,
many souls to be tended, even if some are unwilling. The news of
Brother Boris is not good. There is, as yet, no incontrovertible
evidence that the sorcerer that bears his form is in fact him - it
could be, as you suggested, a demon sent from the pits of Hell to
undermine our monastery in the eyes of the world and of the
Archbishop. But the testimony of the villagers of Alexandreyev leads
me to believe that the truth is even less palatable. Far from being
the devout ascetic we all thought, I fear that he was a follower of
the Evil One all along, tricking us with his infernal wiles. There
is even evidence that he has a foul familiar that takes the form of
a snake. I will continue to pursue him and do my best to ensure that
the reputation of our beloved monastery is not sullied in any way.

Several matters of pastoral concern have also been brought to my
attention. A baker's apprentice called Cean, a most uncouth and
lecherous fellow, has got his master's daughter with trial. I have
agreed to marry them in order to put a stop to the sinning and to
preserve the immortal soul of the unborn infant. Yet, I do not think
that Holy Mother Church can be seen to condone fornication.
Accordingly, I am minded to set the couple a severe penance in order
to show the rest of the community their repentance of their former,
sinful ways. I have instructed both to abstain from carnal knowledge
of each other for the period of one year and to wear a hair shirt
next to their skins constantly. Mortification of the flesh seems the
only solution.

The Church at Alexandreyev had been desecrated and I authorised its
destruction in order to refuse its use to the one formerly
considered one of our brethren. The Church at Paparotno also does
not seem to participate in the Dominion and will need to be
reconsecrated. I hereby request that you send someone of the
necessary authority here as soon as possible to see to this so that
I can conduct my services inside and see to the souls under my care.

I am still your most obedient servant.

Konstantin Bulgarov
Paparotno
II a.d. Kal Feb, anno Domini MCCXXI

During the autumn of 1220, the scholar Perchnosius held discussions on
the Theory of Magic with the Magus Cautellus, greatly increasing  that
Magus' understanding.

Also in this season, sightings of the Lynx abate.

Cautellus immediately put his newly acquired knowledge to good purpose
in the winter of 1220/21, spending the entire season in his
laboratory, for the purpose of creating Vim Vis for use in the ritual
of the Aegis of the Hearth - necessary for the protection of the
covenant and its members.

Just as winter firmly grips the covenant, Perchnosius and  his grogs
leave to spend the season in Krakow, thus fulfilling the scholar's
requirement to maintain his teaching duties. Edmund and Florentius
were both looking forward to passing the winter in more comfort than
they had thus far experienced at Paparotno - Yngve was heard to
grumble that Sweden would have been a much better destination.

In the early spring of 1221, the Magus Cautellus, assisted by all the
magical members of Paparotno, performed the ritual of the Aegis of the
Hearth, thus ensuring the protection of the covenant for the new year.
During the ritual, a number of tokens were created, which may be
granted to any visiting Magi to enable them to use their magics freely
in the boundaries of Paparotno.

The ritual consumed all of the Vim Vis created in the winter by
Cautellus, along with 2 pawns of the same from the covenants reserves.

As the small party, lead by Cautellus, is leaving in search of
resources, Perchnosius and his retinue return to their home, bringing
with them 2 prefabricated houses that he plans to have built to
accommodate himself and his increased staff.

--
Cheers
Ivan

Well if even Seb can do it ...
I am getting too distracted by Warmachine (no guesses as to which faction I
have been playing)

Companion to the covenant is Vabka Chapinoga ("hook foot") a wise old woman
who lives in the swamp  & has allegedly done so for a very long time. She is
aloof & the peasants have mixed opinions of her - some credited her with
healing powers & the ability to keep the fey away, others blame her for all
misfortunes befalling them & their families. Some say she is able to is able
to tell the future & has prophsied great things for....

.....the Magus Tamislav, scion of the deposed/previous  ruling house of
Vladimir. He is an adept at manipulating elements particulary the chill
winter frosts & gales. He is driven by a sense of destiny (reinforced by the
whisperings of the hook foot). He is rumoured to be trying to awaken an
ancient blood line that he can supposedly trace back to the mythic rulers of
the Novgorod.

Anyhoo I will take AM5 to Gencon & flesh these guys out - 8 hours travel &
only 2 novels..

The witch may be better as a mentor / ally thinking about it - so I will try
to think of a grog that can be promoted if need be, hmm bards are good.
The details of the mundane enemies/rivals can be changed to the most
suitable. An family name for them would be good if there is one around.
Tamislav = "idea of glory" (huh? I guess it means Glorious)
Anything else that grossly offends cna be changed too...

Pickles

Friends, the Autumn term of this our centre of learning is upon us,
and I propose to hold lectures, symposia, and other learned
discussions, with the purpose of furthering our understanding of those
topics that fall within my current compass.

Those desirous of taking part, for the entire term, should apprise me
of their intention, so that we may decide which topic to pursue.
Amongst the possible subjects for discourse are Artes LIberales,
Philosophiae, Medicine & Magic Theory.

Yours in learning
Perchnosius of Malmo

Due to pressures of work and extremely long and harassing email from
pickles on another topic, I have been unable to do detailed
descriptions for this week. I will strain evey sinew to do it by next
week (probably). In the meantime, my companion, Brother Konstantin, is
an orthodox monk from the monastery of st. demetrios the areopagite,
devout, ascetic and ambitious who does not believe any of the foul
calumnies about his diabolist brethren; my mage, Yakov of Chernigov,
is a pleasure loving member of House Guernicus who is refusing to
relocate to Paparotno until some decent accomodation is sorted out.
Mukul's mage, Ludmilla, is a bjornaer.

More next week.

Seb

If you are unable to write up the covenant details as you, me, Mukul and Seb discussed, then let one of us know and I'm sure we can get someone else to sort it out. If you have the notes from that discussion then it would be good to include them, along with any of your ideas, so please send me a copy at the shop and I will get them typed up. If you could send my covenants book to the shop then that too would be helpful.

The address is Playin'Games, 33 Museum Street, London WC1A 1LH

In terms of mapping the covenant out, I believe Mukul has a prototype based on discussions at last weeks face to face session, which he has been trying to post to the group so it may be best to work with that.

Otherwise I think the priority is to get the Covenant and Background (Now Done) fleshed out so that we can include Matt, Pickles and Mark in the email side of the campaign. At the moment we are just teasing them with emails about the face to face campaign. Hopefuly by getting our characters and npc's details up on the Yahoo group, it will give them the information to build their own characters. Then we can get a few email plotlines running.

The consensus was that everyone involved should aim to get an email out at least once a week. I reckon this would mean committing an hour a week to the game. So even if you can't make the face to face sessions then hopefuly you could find the time to enjoy the email side of the campaign.

If not then let us know what your commitments are likely to be between now and Christmas so that we can plan the development of the Covenant and campaign accordingly.

Richard

Richard,

if you can come and do my job for me for a couple of days, I will have some spare time to enjoy some leisure activities. Then I will have enough energy and time to actually achieve what I've long wished to do for this campaign - to whit - sort out the covenant (which I've already mapped) expand on the writ-ups for my 5 characters -Cautellus, Perchnosius, Yngve, Edmund Noak and Florentius, as well as doing something about the warrior grogs, and Russian Faeries.

If you are unable to give me a hand with my very heavy, fatiguing workload, then give me a break.

In late October, as the Winter is beginning to complete its grip on
the landscape, Susan Wiclow of House Mercere and the Three Lakes
Covenant, chief Redcap of the Novgorod Tribunal, arrives at
Paparotno with her apprentice Dankya Yostavna, bearing the following
letter from the Covenant of Sapientia Aetatum (Wisdom of the Ages)
in Pskov:


	 The 7th day before the Kalends of November, anno domini
1220, according to the Julian Calendar

To our esteemed sodales of Paparotno, Sapientia Aetatum sends
greetings.

Through the kind assistance of our brother in Hermes Susan of Wiclow
we have been apprised of the establishment among us of your
covenant, one of undoubted use youth and enterprise. As this is our
first intelligence of your convention, we trust that you will not
hold it remiss of us that we, your seniors, have not heretofore
proffered the customary salutations and benevolent wishes
appropriate to such an occasion. We press you therefore to grace, at
your convenience, our humble table with the welcome company of duly
authorised members of your community, that we may amend for our past
and unwitting neglect, exchange the kiss of brotherhood and peace,
and discuss such matters as may prove to be of mutual interest and
benefit.

Dictated to our brother in Hermes, Susan of Wicklow, in this, the
454th year since the founding of our order, and signed with our seal:

[seal showing two cockatrices fighting]

his arcane serenity, Anan, son of David, pontifex, on behalf of the
senate and council of Sapientia Aetatum

Lynx are not commonly found in swamps and marshes in this region, so
it is not necessarily abnormal to see one around the covenant. They
very rarely attack humans, so we have no need to fear it.

It is still a matter of contention amongst the learned, whether the
lynx is a species of wolf, or is somehow related to the pard. Neither
of which portend any good to the christian soul.

Given the large number of infernally inspired creatures swarming
around our home, I expect that, if it is not an infernal portent
itself, or sent by heaven to show us some error of our ways, it will
remove itself from the area, and trouble us no more.

Oops did not notice the Ivan reference first time I read it so I had no idea
any one else was looking at this. Any how heres the stuff - I think I may
upload it too.

Pickles

Covenant at Paparotno

This is more thorough than the earlier version which just grabbed the very
few rule points. Still its mostly brainstorming- picking out things that can
be developed further.

The extra stuff is really only pointing out bits that need fleshing out so
peeps could grab bits the want to do - unless there is more story that I am
unaware of - hmm same deal really but someone tell me if any background is
missing please.

Covenant is a new spring covenant so it has a low power level 0-300 build
points say 150. 0 or well 30 or so would not be unreasonable as we have
masses of hidden resources that are not yet accessible.

The new system has build points for assets - mostly for library & vis stuff
this makes sense as these are really the only things that are dealt with
crunchily in the rules & have real value. Most of the rest of the stuff is
really story line things & so it is all good, bad or good (!)

There are also hooks & boons that describe more unusual circumstances -
these are, like the character ones, more story based than rule based.

As some story benefits are now hooks & there is a balance of hooks & boons
(as opposed to being very many more penalties) there is a shortfall of
bonuses to a covenant with as many downsides as this one has. Of course as
the downsides are mostly story based this does not really matter but
suggestions for appropriate upsides would be cool. The hidden asset one does
a good job for a while & it is a bit boring.

Hooks

Contested resource - some vis supply is contested (is this one that has been
fleshed out or just one that might exist?)

Regio Major Infernal - the covenant has a substantial infernal aura & is
plagued by demons. The level of the aura should be determined - 2 or 3 & the
nature of the demons owned by someone.

Monster - there are demonic infestations (not sure why this is needed as
well as the above but it is in the eg on p70 - presumably its more demons.
plus it lets someone else own part of the story)

Rival minor - the grudges mentioned by Richard

Road - the covenant is on a river & so is exposed to more mundane traffic
than ideal - again stories involving travellers are indicated

That's 5 minors & a major = 8 points of hook

Could also have suspect reputation with the order related to demons & some
(vis) obligations to the demons - fold into the regio. There are no
penalties regarding the ropey living conditions. This should be a Hook too
probably a -1 to the the living rolls cancelling the +1 for wealthy.

Boons

Wealth - the covenant is wealthy somehow - rights to river tolls & "swamp
exploitation rights" perhaps this implies a link to a mundane power so
should probably involve a hook too but dunno what & we do not really need
more

Prestige - minor the covenant seems to have broadly good relations with
mundanes outside the political elite - merchant ally, contacts & tolerance
of mundanes. Need to decide what the reputation is (or lose this as a hook &
just go with the glossed ones)

Hidden resources - this is the only other lurking boon we get 250 points per
point (currently 6), this is 10 times the opening assets of the covenant.
New sources of vis & old mages libraries will go so far but not that far.
(300 pawns a year or books l20 q15 in each art plus l5 q15 in 15 abilities
plus a q 10 tractatus in each art...) Some of this is presumably soggy
books. What's the story there - where do the soggy books come from are they
hard to translate/need transcribing or something or what? Who brought them?

To sum up we are entitled to some bennies if anyone can think of interesting
ones.

I also think the aura should be increased. Possibly by the same amount as
the infernal aura is -ve so the net is 3. I like 3 infernal & 6 total
magical giving net 3 magical for most purposes (& warping.) doh don't work
like this, only the strongest survives. So I guess a cyclic bad aura would
be good & have the effect of making labwork very difficult one or more
seasons a year. Propose it is 2 in 2 seasons 0 in another & 4 in the
opposite so the 4 swamps the 3. (or if its bumped up a bit raise these
infernal auras. Or it could be more cyclical. Or more patchy

I don't know what the penalty for a Regio is what it all really means -
guess its story again.

Resources

The covenant has no Enchanted items or stored vis - though the mages may.
Vis bought as a store is very cheap 1/5 & given the glacial rate of
predicted play this is too cheap. It may have a handful of specialists that
are not grogs so no more than 10 points worth.

There seems to be a source of 2 snake scales of vis (animal per annum?) this
is 10 points worth

There is an unknown (?) contested vis source which must be 4 pawns (per
annum?) 20 points.

This leaves 120 points for books.

The example covenant has 3 summa & 4 tractatus with reasonable levels. This
only covers ½ the arts of course.

I was thinking about having about 10 books which would actually be rubbish
ones & the system is such that books are rarely going to be worse than level
5 quality 10 or level 10 or higher quality 6 or so - 15 is the lowest
plausible cost of a book. (eg perfect basic book is level 5 quality 15 -
takes you from 0 to 5 in one season requires com+2 scribe with >= 12 in the
art so specialist authors who are solid not excellent in the subject.)

A 12 level 12 quality book requires a com 0 scribe with 18 in the art ie a
very capable mage or with +3 com only 15 in the art - not too bad. It is
more cost effective to get books that are higher level & I assume these are
written more often so say levels around 10 & quality the same. Hmm that
aside over now.

Anyhoo the useable library is likely going to be very patchy & on balance
the example from the book sounds fine.

There may be a few specialists in the covenant like the eel pie lady (not
very useful that one except for making eel pies) & they are free if grogs
anyway (WTF) so lets not bother.

General thoughts

The Covenant seems to be in a strangely bad location. It has very poor
living conditions & demons & only average aura (or in fact minimum aura). I
think these things should be better at least potentially or some of the
time. The wealth is compensatory & presumably someone has granted the
location (or at least the source of wealth to the covenant) so there should
be an obligation of some sort there & maybe the explanation of why we chose
to go to this hell hole (maybe any aura is rare).

Going forward

These bits would be useful written in a way that is not so full of queries,
though keeping things open. Sort of formalising the issues we are facing.

A piece of paper formalising the covenant in terms of the boons & resources
(er an electric bit of paper)

Glosses on the bare facts raised by the above plus anyone grabbing stories
they what to develop

The library books that are currently available (if any)

The other library books we know we have if any & why they cant be used yet.

Bibble well that's is I guess mostly



> yes, I do need some help with the covenant, and your lost document
> would probably be the thing I need. Apart from needing a hand with the
> conversion, I also need to find some time to do the write up - I'm
> still at work, and don't look like leaving any time soon.

--- In trialsofnovgorod@yahoogroups.com, "hartley_ivan"
<ivanhartley@g...> wrote:
>
> It comes to the ears of the mages and companions that the fishermen
of
> Alexandrovskoe have, over the last few months seen a large lynx
> prowling about the marshes. This animal has yet to threaten any of
the
> men, but concerns are beginning to arise, with Autumn well advanced.
>
> Should the covenant seek to drive the animal away before winter sets
> in?

Kyril the "soft" says drive it away, you got to be creul to be kind
and i'm always kind



Kryil the pious

It comes to the ears of the mages and companions that the fishermen of
Alexandrovskoe have, over the last few months seen a large lynx
prowling about the marshes. This animal has yet to threaten any of the
men, but concerns are beginning to arise, with Autumn well advanced.

Should the covenant seek to drive the animal away before winter sets
in?

LIKE PERCHNOSIUS' DESCRIPTION, THIS IS ROUGH, AND WILL BE SUPERCEDED
LATER.

Cautellus appears to be an unkempt slavic fur trader.

Magically, he intends to master Animal, Corpus, Mentem & Vim, with
some emphasis on Rego and Creo.

He has strong Faerie blood, allowing him to see in the dark, and
giving him Golden Goatlike eyes.

He has a fear of common farmyard poultry, and if he feels threatened
by these dangerous creatures he has been known to "hold" the
offending beasts until he has time to move out of there way.

He has a tiny magical animal companion - Gorrikh - a redstart (a
type of bird from the same or similar family as the robin, just a
bit smaller).

I'll try to put a jpg of Gorrikh on the site.

THIS IS A VERY ROUGH OUTLINE - I WILL POST PROPER DOCUMENTS FOR EACH
LATER.

Perchnosius (aged 40) is a Swedish scholar who has studied at Oxford.
He is still keeping up his teaching duties in Warsaw, and is entitled
to be called "Magister".

He is distantly related to the families who were invited by the slavs
to rule them.

He has 3 personal grogs:

Yngve (aged 54) - his guardian/forester, who has been with hime since
he was a child.

Florentius - his Italian valet, who has been with him for some years.

Edmund Noak - scribe to Perchnosius. He's english, and has been with P
since he left Oxford (about 15 years from memory0.

Voronov a fisherman from the now abandoned village of Alexsandroskoe
(A village a short distance from the monastery of Paporotno he spots
a bunch of men are chucking stuff at a multitude of snakes in a pit.
He rushes over.


"Oii you lot get away from there or by the Prophets Beards I'll
bring down the curse of Krasils poxy pustules on you all."

Vornonov sits down and starts talking

Reckon I can't blame them mercenaries too much who'd believe that
these snakes are lost loved ones? Maria I feel daft but Kyril
reckons talking to you might help until the wizards arrive and
perform their holy rites to help you turn back into the villagers
you once where. Hell maybe he's right you know Maria, he's always
talking to himself, maybe he's a bit touched up here but it don't
seem to do him know harm. So here I am talking to you Maria, are you
listening I hope you are because the only prospect of a cure for you
is holding me here and not leaving for another village or to become
QA bandit a pirate or somesuch.

I wish we'd never set our eyes of that Brother Boris Grovonov. Karil
and Kyril they reckon all of you turning to snakes were his doing.
Not a curse from the blessed Lord for me and the men going fishing
on the holy day. I don't know, but Kyril's a pretty pious one always
saying his prayers and such. I wish I'd never left the village to go
fishing, what a horror the village became whilst left. All the
villagers turned to snakes, the church desecrated we had to abandon
the village all the houses were swarming with snakes. Me and the
others had to move up river to the monastery that's where are you
now. Karil says he's going to put you up in a nice safe warm room. I
wish that Gorovonov had never arrived at the village may his hide
burn in hell for eternity, but how were we simple fisherfolk to know
any better. Karil says now that they rescued you Maria and the rest
of the snakes that he's going set off after Goronov. Sounds a mite
dangerous a beast who can turn into a snake well that's pretty bad,
but Karil he's a tough one but boy is he ugly even Old Ma Anna would
like a Fairy tale Princess standing next to him, no kidding.

I hope we hurt didn't you Maria and the others when we captured you,
you should have heard it, heck you probably did, Kyril and Karil
arguing all the way to hell and back about how to capture you and 39
others snakes. Kyril the soft one reckoned he could talk to you and
coax into the barrel told he was strange. Karil said the best way
was rush in quick and garb you whilst you lot were distracted, in
the end we told them to do it both ways and that seemed to work well
we got 35 snakes. I hope one them s you Maria because like I said
it'd break my heart if you not there. I hope you come back proper
and whole I ain't the courage to ask but I don't want you coming
back with a hiss in your voice and a wiggle in your hips, hmm
actually I do hope you come back with a wiggle. Anyways Maria I
gotta go the Kyril says the Masters are coming soon and if things
ain't ship shape they'll leave without curing you. Bye.