Novgorod Log #1: A Stormy Arrival +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Of the founding of a new covenant and an odd tradition that is begun. | | The greeting of an island long untouched by man. How conciseness in | | charter writing should be much respected. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Dramatis Personae: Adriana of Ex Miscellanea Maga (Matt Seidl) Aethmunder of Bjornaer Magus (Don Perkovich) Auditor of Mercere Magus (Kevin Wong) Ballisto of Tytalus Magus (Bill Filios) Carmen of Bjornaer Maga (Donald Kubasak) Felix of Flambeau Magus (Dave Pickering) Pacifer of Tytalus Magus (Shannon Appel) Uniso German Grog Captain (Chris Van Horn) Ado German Grog Adrean German Grog Adrian German Grog Apiumi German Grog Astalonzo German Grog Big Claus Nordic Grog Jarl Nordic Grog Lars Nordic Grog Little Claus Nordic Grog Skald Nordic Grog +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | "I was thinking of taking Gentle Gift, so I can sneak up on people." | | -Dave Pickering | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ The waves beat upon the rocks unceasingly, each strike a cacophony of sound and motion. Upon the island, there was no vitality, no spirit, no life. There was just the crashing of the waves, the whistling of the winds, the howling of the dead. For millenia, the island had been free of the heavy weight of the creature named man. Around warm hearths, far from the fury of the storm, the locals told stories of the island. They were frightening tales, warnings for mariners, admonitions for children. None dared approach the island, and thus she remained free. But now, times were changing. Man was once more coming to the island. He was not coming by accident, dragged in by the rage of the storms, he was not coming to explore, brought by a short-lived curiosity. Man was coming to the island to stay. The winds were strong that day that Man came. The waves were high. The cry of the spirits seemed louder than ever before. Was the island warmly welcoming its new denizens or shouting its rage to the gods themselves? None could say. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus February 6, 1201 AD Tonight, we are anchored several miles from the island. The great winds surrounding Nature's Teeth are particularly strong this day, and we dare go no further, lest we be dashed to pieces upon the rocks of our new home. It seems that the stories we have heard of the harshness of the island are true. Indeed, it is everything that I dreamed it would be. Now, with the island unaccessible to us until at least the morrow, I find myself looking back at what has brought us here. It has been a long road. The nine of us were so excited to be graduating, to finally be welcomed into the world of full magi. Our entire lives were ahead, and they were lives full of renown and glory. And then, came the Tribunal, the beginning of the war. The covenant of Matighan had no apprentices ready to graduate. And so, their leader, that bastard Enervo, did what he could to destroy our own chances. Others say that he did it out of political necessity, but as far as I have been able to tell, the man was simply a fool, jealous of our accomplishments, ashamed of his own. The opening engagements of the war were quiet, but steadily they gained in volume, until they were all of the Tribunal, all of life. My master, Resitus, was one of the loudest voices defending us. Regretably, he paid the price for his views. As any good Tytalus would. The one who murdered Resitus was a magus named Coslen. He was newly come to the Tribunal. Even today, none admit to knowing him. Through treachery and deceit, he struck my master down. And thus was the greatest voice against Enervo silenced. To me, the rest of the Tribunal, even if I gained my true status as a magus, it was all irrelevent. I wished to find Coslen and slay him, or die trying. As always, it was Ballisto who acted as my anchor. He restrained me, telling me to bide my time, to wait until I gained my full status. When the Tribunal was ended, and I learned that Coslen had fled to the faraway Order of Odin, Ballisto again curbed my anger. I would have plowed a path straight into the Order, searching for Coslen. Ballisto convinced me that I could be more effective, and perhaps truly avenge my master, if first I built a foundation of power. And thus, I have come to the shores of the island. Ballisto was correct when he said that founding Nature's Teeth would be a challenge worthy of a Tytalus. Still, I must never lose track of my true goal. Lately, I have felt somewhat melancholy, a most inappropriate emotion. I would never admit it to another, but I miss Interritus, my home for fifteen years. I miss Nova, so always full of the enigma. It is unfortunate that she she choose to explore the Order rather than joining us. And, more than any of them, I miss Agrippanilla. I tried so hard to convince her to join us, but she was too comfortable in her pleasant home. I dearly hope that my continuing letters will ultimately overcome her resistance, and that she will join me, us, here. Now, I must harden my heart. Resitus would be ashamed of me, pouring my emotions onto the page like this. A Tytalus should have no emotions but anger and hate. I am still too weak. And that is why I have come to Nature's Teeth, to gain power, to gain strength, so that I may finally do what must be done. - * - As the new dawn broke, a new era was brought to the island. The winds relented and the waves subsided. For a time, even the spirits were silent. Drawn by the storm, they had dispersed along with the rage and the fury of the winds. It was in this moment of peace that man once again came to the island. The cliff's surrounding the bay were a daunting sight. Rising jaggedly from the waters, they seemed to be a final challenge, a last obstacle to hurdle before the island could be taken. But, long ago, the island had been conquered. For a millenia, man had not stood upon the island, and she had thought she was free. Still, the marks of some ancient master scarred her face. Long, winding stairs ascended the cliffs, weaving this way and that like a pitiful drunkard. Carved in the same manner as the fortress so far above, they represented a claim of ownership. Man ascended the cliffs arrogantly, examing the island like a merchant viewing his new wares. Then, in an act of humility, one showed his respect for the island. He challenged all who had come to face the island, to revel in her beauty, to shiver in her glory. And, the seven who were Man agreed. They set out in their seven directions, each learning of the island, and showing their respect for her. - * - From the Diary of Carmen of Bjornaer 7 February, 1201 At last we have reached our journey's end, and with it our new beginning. What kind of beginning, though, I am not sure. Spending a week alone on this barren, storm shrouded island would not ordinarily seem an auspiciousn opening to our stay here. Yet, my heart is light. We needed something to buoy our spirits after our journey through the harsh winter seas, and Ballisto's resolution to pit himself against the island oddly seemed just the thing. I convinced the rest to do the same, and I think it may become a sort of rite of passage for new members. It will, at the very least, give us each time to come to our own terms with our new environment. It seems an unforgiving land, and a great sense of mystery permeates the very stone. Nonetheless, it is home. As a final note, It seems that Pacifer is sincere in his declaration to remain unprotected from the elements. I really do wonder what Agrippanilla sees in him. Perhaps I shall drop her a letter, if a travelling redcap ever visits this place. Or maybe I should do better to ask Auditor... - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus February 8, 1201 What a miserable week this has been thus far. What possessed me to stomp off naked into the freezing wilderness, I shall never know. It is terribly cold and wet and windy. If I had not found shelter and been able to make use of my meager Ignem skills, I would surely have frozen to death already. Perhaps next time, I shall think more carefully before wildly striking off. - * - From the Diary of Carmen of Bjornaer 10 February, 1201 I can fly! The weather has made me reluctant to spread my wings, but after so many days, I had to try. To my delight, I have discovered that if I fly low enough, the contours of the land provide more than adequate protection from the elements. I have spent the day winging from one part of the island to another, and I have discovered, to my surprise, that there is great beauty to be seen in this new home of ours. There are many caves, some of great majesty, and the crash of the storm-blown waves on the great reefs about the island is awe inspiring. I shall revere the sea, but I do not think that I shall love it. - * - From the Runes of Little Claus 13 February, 1201 It has been six days that we have been at this island, among these magi who call themself Hermetics. Our days here have been busy, as we have had to prepare the fortress for the magi. Our tasks have been boring, but Big Claus has shown joy in the many new things of this place. That alone has helped to overcome the boredom of our jobs. The magi brought a total of eleven warriors to Nature's Teeth. Besides Big Claus and myself, there are three other Norsemen. They are named Jarl, Lars and Skald. They all seem like good men, although I am somewhat suspicious of Skald and the wolf that silently follows him about. The other six, however, I am truly worried about. They were brought by the magi from far away Germany, and they all seem truly odd, stranger than the magi themselves. The ones named Adrean and Adrian are the worst. Their pale white skin, the color of the snow itself, seems almost to glow. At first when I saw them, I wondered if they were the ice giants of myth. The others are all just as odd, in their own ways. It is quite uncomfortable to be around most of them. The other men of the Norse seem quite intolerant of the Germans as well. I have done my best to curb their fears, but I still sense much animosity. I hope that I can keep it in check. - * - From the Personal Memoirs of Adriana of Ex. Misc. February 14, 1201 It's good to have gotten this blasted covenant finally started. I'm glad to be away from all those politicians down in Germany, and up here in my rightful kingdom. The Island is great. Storms everywhere. I took off as soon as we landed and went for a nice swim and romp around the place. I later found out that the rest of the Magi decided that we should all spend a week out on the island, alone against the storm. How odd! Like they would need to make anyone want to come out here and play. - * - Each of the men faced the island in his own way. The naked warrior and the plant mage both cowered in caves, unwilling to truly join with the island, thoroughly miserable because of it. The red capped traveller did not go even that far. Remaining on the boat, away from the island's grip, he coordinated the actions of the warriors who had come. It was only the flitting bird, the elementalist fay and the warrior of flame who truly saw the beauty in the island. Still, it was a start, better than some, worse than others. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus February 14, 1201 St. Valentine's Day Looking back upon my notes of the last week, I do not know what came over me. In speaking with the other magi, I have realized how much I truly enjoyed the my days alone upon the island. One man against the elements, an epic story in the making. Now, we face another battle. In front of us stands a great opponent, the very fortress that we have named our home. We are huddled in the walls like churls, unable to enter the main fortress. A great stone door impedes us. In frustration, I called upon all the grogs. Even our combined strength was not enough to open that door. Clearly, some great magic holds it shut. Resarcia spoke of a tome which might open the mysteries to the door. Others seem to believe that the seven gemstones missing from the door might be the key. We are now waiting for Carmen, the only magus who has not yet returned. Some of the others are worried, but I am sure she fine. All of those who have come to the island are true warriors. - * - From the Diary of Carmen of Bjornaer 14 February, 1201 The Feast of St. Valentine Our week of solitude is at an end, but I do not think I shall yet go to the Covenant. After fifteen years of apprenticeship, I had forgotten what it had been like to be alone. There is much to be done at the Covenant, and much that I am eager to undertake, but I am not ready to return. I shall keep my own company for one more day, for I shall have enough of my companions soon enough. Still, there is one I would have with me if I could. Nova, my sister, join me soon! Truly this island may yet be a blessing in disguise. A bitter thing I thought it at first, to be driven in disgrace from our Order. I know now that our Parens would not have sent us here without hope. We may still prove our worth to those who mistrusted us. Take notice Order of Hermes! Carmen of Bjornaer is come! - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus February 15, 1201 It has become obvious in the last day, as we have busied ourselves about various tasks while waiting for Carmen to return, that establishing Nature's Teeth shall be precisely the challenge that Ballisto had hoped. We have had no major conflicts, but a host of minor things have all arisen. The grogs that we brought from the Winter Covenant of Tositus seem to be hated and feared by our native Nordic grogs. There is clearly a conflict brewing, but I believe that it will strengthen them all. We also had to deal with the allocation of labs this morn. Space is cramped, and we are forced to share quarters. It is good that we are all old friends. When Carmen finally returned, wildly excited about the beauty of our island, we were at last able to sit down and hold what I suppose was our first council meeting. Our charter was written. It is quite elegant in its simplicity, and we were all pleased with it. In addition, it was decided that all magi who wished to join our covenant would first spend a week upon the island, just as we had. We shall respect them more if they spend that week naked against the elements. Over a wonderful dinner, cooked by Carmen, we decided what our next move would be. We all agreed that it was very important to quickly build a base of power. Thus, beginning tomorrow, we will scour the local area for vis. All of us shall journey out except Ballisto and Aethmunder, who shall remain at Nature's Teeth to coordinate the continuing establishment of our Covenant. - * - The Charter of Nature's Teeth February 15, 1201 At the Covenant of Nature's Teeth, all things shall be decided by majority vote of full members. All magi who are members of Nature's Teeth shall have that vote. Ballisto of Tytalus Pacifer of Tytalus Felix of Flambeau Adriana of Ex Miscellanea Carmen of Bjornaer Authmunder of Bjornaer Auditor of Mercere - * - The sunset that day was a beautiful one, perhaps greater than any before seen upon the island. It seemed a hesitant welcome, the island finally acknowledging the Man who had come again and his place upon the land. Perhaps some compromise had been reached between the masters of men and the masterless land. Tomorrow, the winds and waves and the spirits would be back, as strong as every. Today, there was a short moment of peace.