Nerius Log #9: The Revenge of the Rose Dramatis Personae Acer Magus (Ian) Anchises Magus (John) Atratus Magus (Dave) Cleo Magus (Henry) Daisy Giant Lizard Dedecus Magus (Chris) Gerard Grog Guillime Grog Henry Autocrat (Shannon) Insolitus Georgius Magus (Eric) Jean-Luk Grog Captain (John) Jean-Luke Grog Jean-Pierre Knight (Jason) Jerard Companion (Henry) Lorin Ranger (Dave) Louis Grog Luis Companion (Eric) Marbaid Magus (Billy) Brother Marc Monk -mumble- Companion (Billy) Nihilidum Magus (Doug) Otto Grog Brother Phillippe Monk Roberto Maria Jiminez-Pena Magus Rose Torrante Demon Rusticus Magus (Rod) Silva Ambages Magus (Shannon) Stagnum Os Magus (Scott) Stephan Grog Brother Thierry Monk ** ** From the Logs of the Council of Saint Nerius ** Fall, 1199 Having forced the beautiful magus Rose to wait a week before admittance, we turned to her companion, Roberto. From what we have learned, while they were both still with Tytalus (they now claim membership in Ex Misc.), he was appointed to be Rose's companion, and he seeks admittance only because Rose does. (He states he will stay even if she does not). More importantly, Roberto seems to have served the same master as Dedecus. He states that he was promised by his master to a demon, and that both he and Rose are corrupted. After discussion, the unanimous decision was made to accept him, for his problems seem much like those of Dedecus, a member of the Covenant of Saint Nerius in good standing. ** From the Logs of the Council of Saint Nerius ** Fall, 1199 (one week later) Fall has been quite an eventful season, with one Council meeting punctuating every week, and the number of Wizard's Duels held during the meetings has been truly delightful. We had gathered together this week to finish our discussion on that beautiful magus Rose, but, once again, two new Magi had come seeking admittance, and we chose to interview them first. The first Magus we spoke with was Rusticus of House Tytalus. Quite surprisingly, he was accepted unanimously to Associate status. However, it seemed that his affect upon the Covenant was immediate, for during his questioning a Certamen was called. Silva had taken offense at Georgius' thoughts of her (represented visually though an Imagonem spell, for Georgius had been forbidden to speak at this Council), and demanded that Georgius never create pictures of her again. Georgius was trounced at this Wizard's Duel, in scarcely the time it took me to draw a breath, and that restriction is hereby noted. The second Magus we questioned was Nihilidum, of House Criamon. His entrance too was a unanimous one. However, once again a Certamen was called; the fourth one in the life of our Covenant, and the second one in the hours since Rusticus had joined. Silva had asked Nihilidum the question the Marbaid asked all prospective members ("How are you at Certamen?"), and Marbaid demanded that this never be done again. He easily bested Silva at Certamen, and left her with a parting spell, which caused all of the hair to fall from her body (although it is regrowing). Silva is hereby restricted against asking the question "How are you at Certamen?" to prospective members. With Nihilidum and Rusticus officially members of the Covenant, we turned to the disturbing question of Rose. After much discussion, it was unanimously decided that Rose should not be admitted. Several believe her a demon, but I can not believe that this could be true of such a beautiful woman. Something is definitely wrong, however, for neither Rose nor the three Grogs (Jean-Luck, Gerard and Guillime) that we sent with her, have returned from Nort Sur Erdre. Jean-Luk, our Grog Captain has also been sent to Nort Sur Erdre, and he has not returned either. We have decided to send some queries out to the order, to determine if Rose is truly a magus or not. Just as the meeting was drawing to an end, yet *another* Certamen was called. Georgius had insulted Roberto this time, and Roberto demanded that this never occur again. That restriction is hereby noted, for Georgius lost at the Magician's Battle, as seems to be the norm. I can only think that the influence of Rusticus of Tytalus, and Roberto, formerly of Tytalus, must be causing this huge number of Certamens, for our Covenant is normally so quiet. ** From the Autocrat's Logs, Covenant of Saint Nerius ** Scribed by Henry of Louten, Autocrat ** Fall, 1199 As of Fall 1199, the following members are officially a part of the Covenant of Saint Nerius: Senior Members: Acer Anchises Atratus Cleopatra Pleides Dedecus Marbaid Stagnum Os Associate Members: Insolitus Georgius Nihildum Roberto Rusticus Silva Ambages All five Associate Members must wait at least four seasons before seeking full admittance. Roberto, however, only owes two seasons of service due to his donation of vis. If any more magi seek admittance, we shall need to make plans for more labs, as our current twelve are full. As well, in the last week, two more companions have come to our Covenant. The first was Jean-Pierre, a Crusader, who, no doubt, came to us because of the Monastery we live in. The second was Lorin, a woodsman who arrived with an eagle on his shoulder. ** From the Notes of Silva Ambages, a random collection of books, notepads ** and papers Truly, it seems, that the Covenant of Saint Nerius is a place that I could, if I wished put together the tales necessary for a thousand songs and plays. It truly astonishes me that a troubador has not yet come to our Covenant, to write of our tales. Once again, I find myself writing down what has passed, for I am sure that I can construct a wonderful song of it. A comedy, I think. We had learned from others Covenants in the order that Rose was not a member of the Order of Hermes. That fact, coupled with the seeming inability of our Grogs to return from Nort Sur Erdre, caused us to go to that town, with the intention of dealing with Rose in what ever way was appropriate. Truly, we were an army when we set off, ready to deal with a batallion of demons if need be, or so the other magi thought. Six of the magi went, namely myself, Acer, Cleo, Rusticus, Nihilidum and Anchises (nominally a Magus - he had erased his gift in Ignigena), and we were joined by a handful of companions, including one warrior who always seems to mumble his name, Jerard, Lorin and Jean-Pierre (Anchises had tried to find his lizard, but he was no where to be found). As if our small army was not enough, we brought along a triad of Grogs, consisting of Louis, Otto and Stephan, in order to ensure our safety. And, just as we were stepping out the gates of the Monastery, we were joined by three monks, the Brothers Phillippe, Marc, and Thierry, who were going into town to buy supplies for the kitchen. With our party now numbering fifteen, we decided that we were ready to face anything that one lone magus could throw at us. Once in Nort Sur Erdre, we began searching the taverns, knowing that that was where we could expect to find the missing grogs. We found them in neither the Dancing Rabbit, or the Peasant's Hoe, but finally, in the common room of Erdre's Rest, we spotted Jean-Luke and Guillime. Rose, it seemed, was upstairs in a room with Jean-Luk, our missing Grog Captain. Upon hearing this, Jean-Pierre and Anchises charged to the room at once. Soon, it was obvious what had distracted our four warriors for so long, for Jean-Luk and Jerard lay in bed with Rose. It had become quite obvious to Anchises and Jean-Pierre that Rose was indeed a Demon, as we had all suspected, and so they moved in to attack her, and, that should have been the end of the story, an epic rather than a comedy, for soon they were joined by Stephan, and they truly had God behind them, and this demon should have been easily banished. As the warriors battled the demon, and I cast several spells on Jean- Luk, to keep him from hurting himself, the innkeeper began to shout that there was a demon in his inn. Jean-Pierre knocked the demon's head off, and was soon knocked down himself, and it seemed that the battle was almost over, for the demoness was weaking. And then, Acer and Cleo entered the fray. In the most spectacular display of magic that I have ever seen, Cleo and Acer managed to botch an impressive series of Perdo Vim spells, and, when they were done, Rose was restored to full strength. Lest I forget to mention it, thirty-four pawns of Vim Vis were expended in order to heal this demon in this way. It was absolutely amazing. Rose, seemingly even more powerful than she had been upon our meeting, but realizing that she could not combat the forces arrayed against her, unless their level of success remained the same, took the opportunity to flee, as a cloud, of mist, and there was little more that we could do. Gathering together our band, we left Nort Sur Erdre, although I had to charm several guards who wanted us to remain (an easy task), and we returned to the Covenant. Our beguiled companions were soon returned to themselves, and our Covenant became peaceful, for a few weeks, although out there still, somewhere, is the demon Rose, and she has been empowered by the magic of Hermes, and truly, she wishes revenge against Dedecus, and perhaps Acer and Cleo as well.