Prospectus Logs #36: Pirate Pogram +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | A short interlude for pirating, as magi set forth on the high seas | | for adventure and excitement. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Dramatis Personae: Berengarius Magus of Criamon (Eric Rowe) Catorse Magus of Quaesitor (Bill Filios) Fraxima Magus of Flambeau (Donald Kubasak) Viator Magus of Jerbiton (Dave Pickering) Amador Ship Captain Andre Grog Hufar Grog Jean-Claude Grog Jean-Patrice Grog Michelle Grog Rodrigo Grog Roger-Tien Grog Vincent Grog Angus Selkie Pirate Conan Selkie Pirate Istaff Other Ship Captain Jophiel Albus' Angel Story Guide: Chris Van Horn - * - Albus' Dialogues April 13, 1219 Early Evening Home again. I have written little in the last two weeks, but the boat ride from Ostia was very eventful. Jophiel--that is Her name--and I have come to a new understanding. I do not think we will be at oods in the future. Back at home, the magi speak of many new oddities. Problems of all sorts. That is why it is a joy to be Tytalus. A new maga is here at the covenant, named Isabella. A Jerbiton. Oddly, I remember Catorse speaking of her years ago. She was one of many young magi who he met during his apprenticeship. And now, they have all joined us here at Prospectus Locus. How much longer will Catorse stay with us, now that this strange task is complete? Lab awaits. Aubrin has three pawns of Animal for me, so that I may increase my skills. One day I will write us a better Animal book. - * - Albus' Dialogues May 6, 1219 Evening Fraxima is making preparations for her pirate expedition. I had hoped to accompany her. It will be a challenge. However, she is unwilling to promise that her attacks will be limited to the ships of the unbelievers. So, I will remain and study my Animal while she terrorizes the Mediterranean. Currently, Fraxima is off to Hamus Acerbus. She needs to make agreements with them. I believe she hopes to borrow a boat as well. - * - The Memoirs of Aubrin the Evil May 14, 1219 It seems that my newest love, the lady Fraxima, is off. I had tried to convince her otherwise, particularly considering her most delicate condition, but she was stubborn. With only a few months till the birth, she claims this will be her only chance to pirate for a while. So be it. Other matters keep me here, at home, but I am sure she will be safe, for I have faith in her fiery determination. She brings three fellows with her, Berengarius, Catorse, and Viator, and I must say that they are an odd grouping. Catorse and Viator seem to be going simply to keep an eye on Fraxima and make sure that she doesn't burst in flames, while Berengarius is going solely because he wants to know what is going on. A number of grogs accompany my lady, led by Michelle, and our loyal captain Amador shall pilot the boat. The boat itself is named The Duke's Pride and is a loan from Hamus Acerbus. They also have provided a crew of ruffiants and cut-throats, all for a sizeable portion of the loot. A few of Fraxima's old Selkie friends are joining them as well. She introduced them to me as Angus and Conan. Fraxima seems at home with all this and very happy, so I am happy as well. - * - From The Book of Exile As Dictated by Michelle du Provencal May the Twenty-Fifth, Fifth Year of Exile (1219 AD) "Stay away from the sea, and you won't have to worry about pirates." Those were the words of Leo, a companion who once fought alongside me. Like all of Leo's sayings, it was a piece of simple wisdom that was true but not very useful. Today, we were the pirates. Strange, but true. And I was faced with a revelation, which was that pirating is a pretty boring business. We came across a merchant boat today and decided to assault it; not too surprisingly the vessel fled. I used the powers that Viator laid upon me to convince our rowers to all work very hard, and we were able to slowly gain on the vessel we pursued. When we neared it, Fraxima began to create fires upon our target's sails while her selkie friends tried to destroy its rudder. The whole thing was very inefficient, and I really don't know how Fraxima used to carry off her pirating. The whole time, archers on the enemy boat were firing back at us. Jean-Patrice was hit by an arrow and would likely have died if Fraxima had not applied her powers of healing. Catorse was hurt as well, as he insisted on staying on deck to protect Fraxima in her condition. Finally, their sails went up, their rudder went down, and we were able to close in on our target. Our exhausted crew came up on deck and looked menacing and the merchant vessel gave up. We were a bit surprised to find that the ship's cargo was slaves, but we've decide to take them anyways. We're heading up to Venice to sell off the haul. - * - From The Book of Exile As Dictated by Michelle du Provencal May the Twenty-Seventh, Fifth Year of Exile (1219 AD) "Like all things in this world, money is evil, but it's a very useful evil." Those are the words of my old prefecti Bernardo. Today we arrived in Venice and sold off the slaves of our captured vessel, as well as the crew and the ship itself. It seemed only appropriate, since they were carrying slaves themselves. Istaff, the captain of the captured ship, did the negotiating, but then tried to betray us. Viator was most peeved and flew him off somewhere Our total haul was in excess of 1600 pounds of silver, but much of that goes to Hamus Acerbus. I will be taking as my half-share 35 pounds of silver. Several of my men will be getting smaller amounts. When all is said and done we will have nearly 50 pounds of silver to put toward the Cathari cause. At last, our time in exile has been rewarded. - * - Other Records as recorded by Lucindia the Seneschal June 9, 1219 Fraxima and her crew returned today. Their mission was successful. Rodrigo has decided to take his share of the loot and retire. He plans to start another tavern in Bercula. Just what we need. Why do they make me write this? My memory is perfect.