Novgorod Log #7: Visitors +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Of a rogue boatsman, a reasonable Flambeau, a friendly merchant and a | | doomed ship (all visitors to the island of Nature's Teeth). Also, the | | tale of how an island may protect itself. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 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) Ivarr of Tremere Magus (Sean Matheis) Pacifer of Tytalus Magus (Shannon Appel) Una of Tytalus Maga (Clayton Springer) Franz Fisherman (Shannon Appel) Hobble Blacksmith (Bill Filios) Boris His Furry Friend (Donald Kubasak) Ingmar Outlaw Boatsman (Clayton Springer) Jenna Autocrat (Kevin Wong) Turpis Merchant (Dave Pickering) Uniso German Grog Captain (Chris Van Horn) Ado German Grog Adrian German Grog Apiumi German Grog Astalonzo German Grog Big Claus Nordic Grog Erik Nordic Grog (Matt Seidl) Jarl Nordic Grog (Kevin Wong) Lars Nordic Grog Little Claus Nordic Grog Skald Nordic Grog Old Marcus Ancient Roman Weris of Flambeau Magus of Flambeau Marinus Surt of Bjorneborg Odin Priest +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | "I'm not a love interest! I'm a shrub!" | | -Aethmunder | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ The main tower rose above the the fortress, casting a deep shadow over the entire courtyard. Bare of windows, possessing but one door, the tower was an enigma. It had withstood all attempts at entry. At the center of the tower's mystery was the single door. A simple archway framed it, unmarred except for the seven hollows, evenly spaced along its length. Once, they had held gems, now long lost, scattered across the lands of the North. Only when the gems were reunited would the doors of the tower open once more. For now, the enigma remained, its mysteries still shrouded. The shadow it cast over the magi was almost unnoticed, so complacent had they become in their new home. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus May 5, 1201 This evening, at dinner, Ballisto was oddly melancholy. As he spoke of needing more help in the kitchen, he had an odd glint in his eye. When Petronius next returns, I think a letter shall be going out to a certain kitchen girl back in Interritus. - * - From the Writings of Jenna Autocrat of Nature's Teeth 10th of May, 1201 A new coven member appeared on our very shores today. His name is Ingmar, and he is a boatsman. The fact that he was able to land upon our island, despite the storms that surround us, says something about his skill. I was hesitant when Aethmunder first brought him to me, for he admitted that he had fled Germany due to certain crimes of passion. I was soon won over, however, mostly because we do not have enough sailors for all our boats. Several of the magi have run off, hoping to find the boat that Ingmar was fleeing. When they return, I am sure that Ingmar shall be welcomed into our covenant. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus May 11, 1201 When word came that a desperate young man had arrived upon our island, chased by a boatload of bandits, I was quick to abandon my studies. Already, others were planning to hunt down the German boat that he had fled from. It was the four of us from Interritus who boarded the Ultio, along with Ivarr. Just like old times. The trip, unfortunately, was an uneventful one. We spent half a day looking for the boat that Ingmar had escaped from. When Felix and I finally spotted it, it was still perhaps a day away. Bored by that time, we kept quiet about our discovery, and set sails once more for home. We are back at the covenant again, and I feel revitalised thanks to our day of freedom upon the open seas. I think I can face my books again. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus May 20, 1201 Excitement once more today. I am beginning to love this place. I was sitting in lab, working on Vim when Ado burst into the room. He was shouting of a ship heading towards our island, a ship bearing an orange flag. Dreaming of wars with flaming Flambeau, I jumped to my feet and ran for the shore. The others from Interritus were there already, awaiting the boat's arrival. I stood by their side, ready for battle. I am afraid that Weris disappointed me. When he leapt from his ship with a magical bound, I was sure that combat lay ahead. Then, he started ascending the stairs with a silly grin upon his face. It was clear that this visit was not to be one of conflict. When Weris joined us in our council room, he said that the elders of his covenant had placed two demands upon us. First, they demanded that we not raid in the lands of the Western Baltic. Second, they insisted that we not anger the Order of Odin. Apparently, Weris' covenant of Flambeau Marinus is much weaker than I would have imagined. They are deathly afraid of the Order of Odin because they were dumb enough to fall into a trap a decade ago. We, agreed to Weris' demands, although none of us expect to keep our promises. We think that we have given enough to mollify the old fogeys at Marinus, however. Weris himself does seem a most pleasant fellow. Several of us chatted with him for many hours, and he is now staying the night. When he returns to Marinus, he shall search their books for word of magical gems as a favor to us. Despite his weakness, I believe he is a good friend to have. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus May 27, 1201 When I first laid eyes upon the barren shores of Nature's Teeth, I never would have believed that it would see so much activity. Today, we saw our third visitor in as many weeks. I can not help but wonder how many more must have been wrecked by the storms before they arrived. This visitor was known to us. It was Turpis, and he carried word from the old Sage Marcus. I was astounded to discover that Marcus had actually learned something of value concerning magical gems. Last time I saw him, he was so useless that I was ready to kill him. Before Turpis left, he collected the loot we had won in the cave of runes. There was a short discussion over certain valuables that Adriana and I wanted to keep. She had grown fond of certain jewelry that she had won, while I was enamored of a beautiful jeweled dagger that had been taken from that cave. Ballisto was somewhat upset, saying that the money we were keeping could be used for valuable lab equipment. Finally, though, he agreed to let us keep our new adornments. I have named my dagger 'Decanter'. - * - From Marcus' Letter to the Magi of Nature's Teeth My fellows, I have spent the last weeks scouring my books for any word of magical gems. In all, I have found five references that I believe are of note. I have enclosed them here, and although I ask for nothing in return now, in the future, please remember that I have done you a favor. The first gem I found reference too was said to be a beautiful emerald, the size of a hen's egg. Though it is flawless, deep shadows within are said to occasionally form shapes. I fear that my information on the exact location of this gem is something scanty. All I know is that it is rumoured to be held by the fay. A magical piece of amber was what I next learned of, and I am sorry to say that my knowledge of this gem is the least of all. I know nothing of its magic, or its location, beyond the fact that it was last held somewhere in the North, by the priests of Odin. I can give you much more precise information concerning a magical sapphire that I have found annotation to. I believe it to be in Baxholm, held as a holy artifact by the worshippers of the old gods. It must be well hidden, for it is said to have escaped the recent destruction of that fair villa. A man named Teirdre is said to hold a magic amethyst. I can tell you little about this Teirdre. I have heard that he a lone wizard of the North, affiliated with no Order, and nothing more. The final gem that I found reference to was also the most interesting. It is said to be colored mottled blue and red. Some sources even suggest that the colors are constantly moving within the gem. The gem is said to reside in a cave of ice in Southern Finland. I believe the map that I have included is an accurate depiction of its location. I wish you luck on your journeys, my fellows. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus June 1, 1201 Another distraction today, though a somewhat amusing one. While I was studying today, I felt the smallest tremor go through the floor. Somewhat curious, I wandered out to see what was happening, as did many others. I soon learned that Adriana had been trying to dig caves on the island, to provide new quarters for our grogs. We all chatted with Adriana for a while, and Ballisto event tried a bit of digging of his own. Every time, though, the results were the same. A spell of Terram was cast, and the earth would shake. It seems that the island protects itself. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus June 10, 1201 Yet another visitor to our island today. I am happy to say, however, that this visit was not intentional in the least. The several people who had so casually stopped by our island in the last month had begun to worry me. This day, we saw the raw power of island. We experienced the destructive forces that nature was capable of. I now respect this place more than ever. We were first alerted of the boat by Lars, who ran through the covenant, shouting of a merchant ship about to crash upon our rocks. Soon, the entire covenant was upon the coast of our island. We all watched the ship floundering off our coast in the winds. Still undecided on whether we would we save the ship or help it along to destruction, we all threw ourselves into action. While Ballisto and Aethmunder began to make ropes, hoping to throw them to the ship, and thus save some of the crew, Adriana began to walk out into the water. Worried about her safety, I set out after her. Soon, the boat was just a bit ahead of us, still flailing in the storms, and so Adriana and I began to float up through the water. I am not sure exactly what our goals were. Vaguelly, I was considering boarding the ship and save it from the storm. I think that Adriana was planning to blow a hole in the bottom of the boat, so that it would sink quietly to the bottom and we could loot it more easily. However, we had not realized how badly the hurricane was upsetting the water. I was smashed into a rock by the violent currents, and I dropped quickly back to the bottom of the sea. Adriana managed to make it to the surface, but was quickly caught and whisked away by the winds. As I waited at the bottom of the sea, I decided to let nature take its course. On the surface, I understand that the magi had become frantic in their actions. Ballisto finally managed to magic a rope out to the boat, but by that time it was too late. A sailor upon the boat had panicked, and tried to raise the sails. The mast snapped as the winds grabbed the fabric of the sails. The ship was flung into the rocks. Ballisto, Aethmunder and the grogs managed to save three sailors, including the captain. Then, we spent the day collecting the ship's rich cargo from the bottom of the sea. I found a beautiful shawl which I think Agrippanilla will like. The most valuable find was a pair of heavy boxes full of weapons, armor and valuable nicknacks. They were all engraved with signs of the Order of Odin. We have discovered that a goblet, a dagger and a sword are all magical. They shall have to be investigated by people better at Intellego than I. When the captain awoke, he told us that he had been carrying the items from Lisbann to Bjorneborg. There, he was to deliver them to a man named Surt. He quickly confirmed that the commerce had been at the behest of the Order of Odin. I do not like in the least the fact that the captain knows where we live, and, at the same time, trades with the Order of Odin. We discussed this and have decided that we will learn all we can from him, and then execute him. Now, it is time to return to my books. I must admit, my studies have been very tolerable of late thanks to our many visitors.