Novgorod Log #14: War with the Wyrm +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Of the final battle with the Great Wyrm of Ice and how the Covenant of | | Nature's Teeth lost its second member. Also, the tale of a corrupt | | Quaesitor, a storm faerie, and the continued search for oranges. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Aethmunder of Bjornaer Magus (Don Perkovich) Agrippanilla of Jerbiton Maga (Chris van Horn) Andron of Bonisagus Magus (Eric Rowe) Auditor of Mercere Magus (Kevin Wong) Ballisto of Tytalus Magus (Bill Filios) Carmen of Bjornaer Maga (Donald Kubasak) Felix of Flambeau Magus (Dave Pickering) Gorm the Hedge Wizard Magus (Matt Seidl) Ivarr of Tremere Magus (Sean Matheis) Nihil of Criamon Magus (Chad) Nova of Criamon Maga (Dave Woo) Pacifer of Tytalus Magus (Shannon Appel) Una of Tytalus Maga (Clayton Springer) Boris Mink (Donald Kubasak) Franz Ship Captain (Shannon Appel) Hobble Blacksmith (Bill Filios) Ingmar Ship Captain (Clayton Springer) Jenna Autocrat (Kevin Wong) Little Claus Nordic Grog Captain Uniso German Grog Captain (Chris van Horn) Adrean German Grog Ado German Grog Apiumi German Grog Astalonzo German Grog Big Claus Nordic Grog Eric Nordic Grog (Matt Seidl) Jarl Nordic Grog (Kevin Wong) Lars Nordic Grog Skald Nordic Grog Big Polar Bears Bears Dumb Shark Shark Frozen Wolves Wolves Great Wyrm of Ice Wyrm Taxus of Quaesitor Magus +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | "Shut up, Chicken Boy. At least I'm not throwing poultry at it!" | | -Nihil | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus May 17, 1202 The last weeks have not been good for us. In our journeys through the far North, we have met powerful foes, sufficiently great that not even I was willing to face them. Returning home today, I sought both comfort and aid. Thus, I was quite disturbed when I learned that Nature's Teeth had been facing troubles of its own. Two weeks ago, a Quaesitor named Taxus came to Nature's Teeth. Ballisto was not worried at first, for the Quaesitors had always been meeting with the magi back in Interritus. He assumed that the visit was quite routine. Then, Taxus began to ask Nihil very probing questions, querying him about the destruction of Flambeau Marinus. It was clear that Taxus' visit was not to be a pleasant one. Apparently, Taxus had gathered considerable information before coming to Nature's Teeth. Speaking with Weris, he had learned certain information about magic items and destroyed towns. Clearly, the Quaesitor knew much too much about our involvement with the destruction of Flambeau Marinus. For a time, Felix and Ballisto were considering ways that Taxus might be silenced forever. Then, the Quaesitor approached Ballisto with a proposition. He suggested that all of his notes about the Flambeau Marinus matter could become lost if Ballisto paid him but a small amount of vis. If I had been there, I would have killed Taxus for the mere suggestion. Ballisto, however, was much more rational, as ever. Though it cost us half our store of vis, he paid the damned Quaesitor off. Although Ballisto may have been right in what he did, I am still annoyed that he capitulated. If I ever find that Quaesitor, I shall kill him with my own hand. But, it was not only vis that our covenant lost two weeks ago; there was an even greater injury. With him, the Quaesitor Taxus had brought letters, Mercere being so rare in these parts. The majority of them were the expected missives: long delayed letters from Agripannilla and Nova, notes from our home covenants and various memorandums from other magi of the Order. There also came a letter for Ivarr. I do not know what that letter said. However, the next morning, Ivarr went to Felix. He told Felix that the letter had hinted at a chance for vengeance, a vengeance which had to be sought alone. He asked Felix's permission to borrow one of our small boats and the sword that we won from the cave of Runes over a year ago. And then, he was gone, swept into the North on his personal quest. I dearly wish that he would have stayed with us, for we would have helped him if he had but asked. Now, though, it is too late. And thus was the situation upon our return to Nature's Teeth. Half of our vis is gone and one of our greatest warriors has left. We returned to Nature's Teeth seeking help, and now I worry that the help may not be enough. - * - From the Writings of Jenna Autocrat of Nature's Teeth 19th of May, 1202 Today, a Council Meeting was held, the first proper Meeting since the return of the magi from the North. Three great matters were laid before the magi, all matters requiring quick action. There was the great wyrm of the North, frozen in his cave of ice; the magical diamond of warmth, held in the valley of the oranges; and finally, the Polish hill of runes, which Nova learned of in faraway Germany. Every matter seemed pressing, and so the magi long debated what action should be taken. Finally, it was decided that the forces of Nature's Teeth would be split. Pacifer fought long against the necessity, but ultimately, even he agreed. Ballisto, Felix, Pacifer, Nihil, Una and Gorm shall travel North, to face the two foes that shall meet them there. Meanwhile, Nova and Andron shall lead the group going South, which will include Agripannilla and Carmen. Only Aethmunder and Auditor shall remain behind, to protect the covenant. - * - From the Runes of Little Claus 26 May, 1202 I will admit that I was somewhat afraid as we again approached that frozen cave just North of Esbo. I remembered the fear that I had felt as we fled that cave, just a month ago, and I could not banish it from my soul. The magi, of course, marched forward with their usual fortitude. Pacifer constantly belittled the wyrm we were to face, while Felix seemed not even to notice the danger that lay ahead. Sometimes, I think that we grogs are the magi's anchor to reality. This time, we excavated the ice all too fast. As Felix heated the ice, it melted quicker and quicker. Soon, that awful shadow faced us again. It took all of my bravery to not again flee from the apparation. Twice more, flames erupted across the ice face before us, and then, there was a great shattering. Suddenly, a huge, black monstrosity was upon us. It was the Great Wyrm of Ice, freed from his sleep of centuries. Again and again, the magi cast their greatest magic at the wyrm, throwing flames, lightning and chickens at the beast. But, they were ineffective. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of the wyrm. It breathed upon us many times, each time freezing us nearly to our souls. I think we would have died there in that cavern, facing that great wyrm, if it had not been for my warriors. Jarl, Lars and Big Claus all faced the beast, striking it with their greatest blows. At first, they seemed as ineffective as the magic of the magi, but then, I began to coordinate their attacks. By constantly meleeing the beast when he was the weakest, my grogs began to turn the battle. When the blood began to flow from the wyrm's putrid body, I knew at last that we would win. It was Lars that struck the final blow. However, a great disappointment met us when we investigated the body of our foe. Deep in his stomach, there was indeed a gem, just as we had heard. However, once more, it was not one of the gems for our door. The gem is an odd one. The colors of blue and red mix freely in it, though the blue is clearly dominant. I have never seen the colors in the gem move, but I am sure they must, whenever I turn my head, for each time I look at the gem, it is different. A coldness emanates from the gem, marking it truly as the item which kept the entire cave of the dragon frozen in time. At first, we were somewhat discouraged, afraid that our battle had been in vain. However, I think we shall find uses for the treasure that we have gained, uses which will make our battle worthwhile. Now, we must go on, seeking once more the valley of the oranges. Surely, another great battle awaits us there. I will admit that I weary of these constant fights. If only we could speak with our foes, just once, rather than killing them. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus June 1, 1202 Sailing North, we were faced with a minor obstacle today. Out of nowhere, a storm came upon us this afternoon. Even Ingmar, who usually is quite attuned with the weather was surprised, so much so that he was knocked into the sea, and nearly eaten by a shark. I was barely able to save him. Unfortunately, I must admit that Gorm aided me in that rescue. But then, everyone is accidently useful once in awhile. Clearly, this storm was the work of our enemies. I am not sure if we are being opposed by the mage Trollwise or the storm faerie that is his foe, but in any case, we will not be deterred. - * - The Book of Nature's Teeth as Chronicled by Pacifer of Tytalus June 4, 1202 Again, troubles have met us on our journey to the valley of the oranges. A quite disturbing pattern has begun to form. Yesterday, we came to town of the crossroads, a place that we have named Pomarium. We spoke for a time of burning the place, but finally decided against it, and thus the night passed uneventfully. This morning, we awoke early, and began our hike towards our actual goal, the valley of Trollwise. For a time, things seemed uneventful. But then, as we were eating a fine lunch of chicken jerkey, a storm began to gather above us. We thought little of it until the hale began to pelt down upon us. When a bolt of lightning nearly struck Felix, it was clear that we were under attack. As the storm lashed out against us, we were attacked from another front. Three great polar bears burst from the woods and began to lumber towards us. Still tired and wounded from our battle with the wyrm, the battle was a hard one for us. After injury and the near death of several of our grogs, we did eventually perservere, defeating both the bears and the storm. Again, I have been forced to rethink my assessment of the chicken mage, Gorm. He and Nihil were both extremely useful in the fight. Gorm stunned the bears, and Nihil dropped them into pits. It looks like we might have to offer the young brat entrance to the Order after all. Now, though, I am worried about the success of our mission. Twice, we have been attacked by the storms, and twice those attacks have cost us dearly. Now, we are all tired and hurt. We will not turn back. We will not. I hope that we are strong enough for the battles that still lie ahead.