Rise Log #16: Food of the Gods

Seasons: Spring, 1224 to Winter, 1224

Full Members:

Adric of Jerbiton			Chancellor		(Kevin)
Ahmed of Flambeau			Hunter			(Scott)
Arturo de Bernardi of Mercere		Protector		(John)
Fabricatio of Verditius			Lab Worker		
Flamma Incendere of Tremere		Head Protector		(Eric)
Malcolm of Jerbiton			Teacher			(Matt)
Marlon of Tremere			Head Hunter		(Philip)
Meles of Criamon			Protector
Muris Infestus of Verditius		Head Lab Worker		(Donald)
Musculus of Quaesitor			Protector		(Chris F.)
Nicholi of Jerbiton			Teacher
Tolas of Tremere			Leader
Verdan of Bonisagus			Lab Worker		(Shannon)

Mundanes:

Andre					Covenant Guardian	(Matt)
Paulo					Covenant Guardian	(Shannon)
Samson					Guardian of Ahmed
Tiano					Guardian of Adric
Turelli					Guardian of Marlon

Others:

Tara					Golden Dragon

				* * *

[Dramatis Personae]:

Cats					Cats
Dogs					Dogs
Mice					Mice

Abruzzo					Village Elder
Dominiquo				Slain Villager
Father Joseph				Vienchiza Priest
Fransesca				Old Woman
Katarina				Little Girl
Nicholetta				Slain Villager

				* * *

[A Timeline of MICE]:

Summer, 1199	Singing & dancing mechanical mice destroyed at the Verdi
		competition.
			-Vardian Log #3, "The Verdi Competition"

Spring, 1200	Flamma blames field mice when the lake of Vardian's Tomb
		is drained.
			-Vardian Log #8, "The Lost Lake"

Spring, 1207	Vardian's Tomb is overrun by field mice.
			-Vardian Log #31, "Pawn of Prophecy"

Summer, 1210	Mice leave Vardian's Tomb, but later appear near lake,
		where they help Varanor to build a wall to protect him
		from Flambeau.
			-Vardian Log #39, "Another Brick in the Wall"

Spring, 1214	Bolo meets Sir Robbing Hood and his Merry Mice.
			-Vardian Log #50, "Shining Steel"

Spring, 1218	Dubius brings many mice to Dragon's Rise.
			-Rise Log #1, "Living in Harmony"

				* * * 

[From THE DIARY OF MURIS INFESTUS : Spring, 1224]:

Mice!  May I never see another!  At least I can feel sure that I won't
see another in here, after putting up that warding.  Best vis I ever
spent.  But, I digress ...

I arrived in my lab a few nights ago to find a swarm of mice busily
piling various lab supplies in the middle of my floor.  I tried
putting them away, but, the mice continued to rebuild their pile.
After a few failed attempts at cleaning up, my curiosity got the
better of me, and I sat down to watch.  It was with a start that I
realized they were mixing some very volatile chemicals!  I quickly
destroyed a few of the necessary ingredients and ran off in search of
Verdan.

However, when we returned to my lab, both the pile of components and
the mice themselves, were no longer in evidence.  We coaxed a few out
of hiding, and Verdan announced that they demanded more cheese, and
that they wanted to be members of the Covenant.  Verdan was concerned,
and sent me off to find Tolas, who did nothing but laugh and tell me
to feed them.  If only it had been so simple.

I let Verdan go back to his lab, and began creating cheese for the
mice, but they refused to eat it.  At last, I set out for the pantry
to get some real cheese.  My trip was interrupted, however, by the
howling of a pack of dogs outside of Verdan's lab.  Flamma was yelling
at Verdan to shut them up.  I was wandering over to investigate, when
we were all startled by a large explosion.  When I looked up, I saw a
horrifying sight.  Huge plumes of smoke were billowing out of my lab!

We were running up the stairs to put out the fire, when we heard
screaming from Musculus' lab above.  The mice had invaded her lab, and
she was standing on a chair, screaming her lungs out.  A sea of mice
surrounded her.  I thought I didn't like mice ... but she seemed
absolutely terrified of them.

				* * *

[From THE DICTATIONS OF ARKUM : Spring, 1223]:

A most odd Council Meeting was held this afternoon.  It was called by
Muris after his lab was destroyed.  Apparently, a very grave problem
faces our Covenant.

Some of the less civilized creatures of Dragon's Rise have begun to
express their discontent with their position in life.  The cats have
gone on strike, refusing to be cute.  The dogs have announced that
they shall continue to howl until their demands are met.  The mice
have promised to continue their acts of terrorism until we meet them
at the bargaining table.

The demands of the pets are simple.  They want the finest foods, their
own sleeping quarters and full membership in the covenant.  Only then
do they plan to allow covenant life to return to normal.

The magi are all somewhat bemused by these demands.  Never before have
the animals of Dragon's Rise seemed so unhappy.  Finally, though,
after much discussion, a consenus was reached.  From this point on,
every magus shall be responsible for keeping their own pets happy.
Hopefully, that shall bring this particular matter to a close.

				* * *

[From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE : Spring, 1224]:

I have made a very, very bad error.  It is probably the worst mistake
that I have ever made, one that might set my great master plan back
five years or more.  We buried four magi this afternoon, and I can
blame no one but myself.

Several weeks ago, when our animals all spontaneously gained
sentience, I was quite happy.  It was very clear that the magical
power of our covenant was increasing, and that that was what had
warped our pets.  I begin to test the power of our aura every day
after that, and soon, it was obvious that the magical aura was
increasing.

When Tara first saw our third tower, she gave us a grave warning,
saying that our hill was a magical place, where lines of power met,
and that our towers were gathering the power, just like the circles of
stone in France and England did.  She cautioned that the effects of
this gathering of power could be unpredictable.  She had said that it
could either result in greater power for us or result in great
disaster.

I was not worried about Tara's admonitions, for I was sure that my
prophetic apples would warn me if anything went terribly wrong.  Thus,
I went on with life.  And then, when the aura began to increase, I
thought only of the good that it could bring.

Today, in the dark hours of morning, I was awoken by the most
horrifying dream.  A vision had come of the third tower exploding in
flames.  

At once, I ran to the window, but it was already too late.  As my eyes
darted out into the darkness, for a moment, I saw what seemed to be a
nimbus of power, filling the area marked by our three towers.  The
nimbus grew brighter and then suddenly, the third tower exploded
outwards, just as I had seen in my dream.  Several villagers were
killed when speeding bits of stone smashed into their huts.

Within moments, the entire covenant was at the tower, digging through
the ruins.  Nicholi, Fabricatio, Meles and Arturo were all dead,
killed by the awesome blast.  Dubius stumbled through the rubble,
somehow unscathed.  Looking up at us, seemingly unaware of the death
and destruction about him, he smiled and said "My name is Dubius."

That idiot Muris began to rant about how the explosion had clearly
been the doing of the mice.  I knew that he was wrong, but I did not
wish to accept the blame for my own stupidity.  Thus, I smiled and
agreed, blaming the mice for the problems.
 
I do not know how badly this disaster will set back the plans.  The
Mercere was clearly the greatest loss, but all four of them were
useful in their own ways.  Even worse, we have gained nothing out of
this awful event.  The magic of our land is again as it once was.  Our
aura has returned to its original level, and our animals no longer
complain.

				* * *

[From THE DICTATIONS OF ARKUM : Summer, 1224]:

For the magi of Dragon's Rise, the last season has been a sorrowful
one.  Every one of them has had to adjust to the loss of their four
comrades.  Even now, when we wish a message to be delivered, or need a
translation of some obscure text, we realize how much we depended upon
our lost compatriots.  But, life must go on.  Though Rise's loss has
been great, we must still look towards the future.  The magi have
begun to accept that fact.

Thus, today's Council Meeting, the first Council Meeting of Summer,
1224, was nearly a normal one.  Perhaps there was some animation
missing from the magi, but beyond that, everything was as it had been
before.  The normal matters of vis allocation and covenant duties were
both discussed and everything seems to be progressing well once more.

As the council meeting was coming to an end, and the magi were
preparing to move to the rooftop for their daily tea, there was a
brief interuption.  A member of our village was allowed into the
meeting to tell an odd story of nearby Vienchiza.

He said that in Vienchiza, there had been strange happenings of late.
Townspeople had told of great beasts, and giant flying monsters which
were terrifying the country.  At once, the magi became interested.  No
doubt, they wished to aid their neighbors against the terrors that
faced them.  So, an expedition was put together to investigate the
matter.  Marlon will lead it, accompanied by Ahmed and Adric.  They
will be leaving for Vienchiza as soon as this afternoon's tea is done.

				* * *

[From Paulo's Personal Report to Tolas of Tremere : Summer, 1224]:

Although the mission was a relatively minor one, it was good to get
out.  Too often of late, Marlon has locked himself in his lab, leaving
me to do little more than guard the door, and I must admit that that
is somewhat boring.  If it were not for Marlon's frequent trips to the
faerie forest, I think I would go mad.  But, I am sorry sir, I am sure
that I bore you with this personal matters.  Let me move on to the
report that you have requested.

The trip to Vienchiza was uneventful enough.  When we arrived in the
village, our first goal was to collect information.  So, Adric went
off to speak with the village priest, Father Joseph.  Soon, he
returned with a story which we would eventually discover was a pack of
lies and misunderstandings.

Father Joseph told Adric that the devil was at work in Vienchiza.  He
said that they had killed the diabolists several days before, but
still the demons they had summoned menaced the village, emerging every
evening from the graveyard, to wreak an awful vengeance.  With this
information in hand, Marlon directed us towards Vienchiza's graveyard.

In the graveyard, we found that there was at least a kernel of truth
in the Father's story.  Searching about the graves, we discovered
tracks of a most odd shape and size.  Turelli examined them closely,
and soon announced that a quadruped of unusual size had made them.  

We were ready for danger when we entered the forest, Turelli following
our prey.  Still, for a moment we were surprised when the huge rat
charged us.

Samson and I were prepared to slay the creature, for it seemed to be a
dangerous beast.  Marlon, however, showed his usual foresight, and
demanded that the rodent be taken alive.  Unfortunately, Samson was as
dull-witted as ever.  Despite Marlon's orders, he struck at the rat
with lethal force.  Only by yelling at the buffoon was I able to
finally able to make him understand what Marlon had commanded.
Thankfully, the rat was not yet dead, and we were able to instead
subdue it, as had been requested.

As I stood at the edge of the clearing, warily guarding for danger,
the magi loomed over the large rat, performing various magic rituals.
After they had gained all they could from the creature's mind, we
moved on.

Past the clearing where we had met the first rat, Turelli discovered
that the tracks continued.  Looking carefully in the dirt, he
commented that there were at least two more of the large beasts.
Then, he moved to lead us once more after them.  We walked for quite
some time before coming to the object of our search.  The tracks ended
at a cave.  In front of it stood an old woman, cooking a pot of
delicious smelling rabbit soup.  At Marlon's instruction, Adric and I
went to speak with her.


I am sorry to admit that we engaged in subterfuge when speaking with
the old woman.  We should not have, I know, but that path seemed too
simple for it to be ignored.  Rather than questioning Fransesca, that
is the old woman, we slyly asked if we might share her soup.  Thus, we
hoped to learn what we could from her, while she was unaware.

After she had agreed, and I had set off with several grogs to catch
additional game, Adric stayed behind to speak with Francesca.
Apparently, his questioning was quite artful, for Adric later revealed
to us that he had learned much from her.

He said that Fransesca, and her grand-daughter, Katarina, had been
bainished from the village due to their heretical beliefs.  Even more
importantly, Adric learned that the giant rats were Fransesca's pets.

Meanwhile, the grogs and I were quite successful in our hunt.  In less
than an hour, we returned with a fine boar.  The meal was quite
delicious.  I think that Fransesca was pleased with our catch.

Unfortunately, during the meal, something set poor Fransesca off.  As
we ate, she suddenly turned and ran, fleeing into the cave that had
become her home.

We stood around for a bit, bemused, truly not sure what to do.
Fortunately, Marlon quickly provided us with a new direction.  He
proclaimed that we must fathom the mysteries of Fransesca's cave in
order to find the solution to the strange visitations that plagued
Vienchiza.  Then, before I could protest, he turned into a large rat,
and quickly scurried into the cave.  I would have protested most
strongly if I could have, for it was not proper for Marlon to place
himself in such danger, but he was gone before I could say a word.

Fortunately, Marlon was absent no more than a few moments.  And, when
he returned, he brought valuable information.  He said that the cavern
had contained Fransesca, Katarina, two giant rats and two huge wasps.
In addition, there had been a large pool of water, filled ever so
slowly, by water dripping slowly from the ceiling.  With him, Marlon
had brought a sample of the water, which the magi quickly set to
examining.  Soon, they announced to us that the water was magical and
clearly the source of animal's tremendous growth.

By then, it was clear to us that Fransesca's rats and wasps were the
source of the odd tales that had led us to Vienchiza.  However, we did
not wish to make a frontal assault on the cavern, for such would have
been much too traumatic for the old woman and her poor grand-daughter.
Instead, we decided to make camp.  Thus, we could wait, and foil the
unruly beasts when they truly did assault the village.

And, we were not disappointed, sir.  It was perhaps one hour after
sunset when Tiano awoke us all.  He did not say a word, but simply
pointed.  Two flying shapes were rapidly flitting towards Vienchiza.

This is where Marlon's superb planning paid off.  Thanks to him, we
had been prepared for this eventuality.  Quickly, Ahmed slipped on the
boots which we had borrowed from Flamma.  Then, he was gone,
transported back to the village, to wait for our flying foes.  Mere
moments later, Ahmed returned, a happy smile upon his face.  He said
that both of the giant wasps were dead.  The rest of the night was
uneventful.

When morning came, we were not quite sure what we should do next.  We
had dealt with the beasts which had terrorized the village, but still
there was the question of Fransesca and Katarina.  We were not certain
what to do with these outcasts.  Finally, we sent Adric into to the
village, to speak once more with Father Joseph.  Thus, we hoped to
learn the truth of Fransesca and Katarina.

The story that Adric returned with was a disturbing one.  Father
Joseph had told him that Katarina's parents had been just a week ago
due to acts of diabolism.  Apparently, they had killed small animals
and engaged in forbidden rituals.  And that was why Fransesca and
Katarina had been driven from Vienchiza.

I must admit that we were all quite suspicious of Father Joseph's
tale, for Fransesca had seemed like such a nice person when we had
spoken with her.  Thus, we were in a considerable quandry over what to
do.  Finally, though, we came up with a good plan.  Returning to
Fransesca's cave, we offered to provide both her and Katarina with a
hut in our own covenant.  Thus, we could watch over them, and be sure
that they did not engage in diabolic rituals.  If the two were
innocent, we could thus free them from the unfair persecution of their
village.

I am happy to say that Fransesca was quite amenable to our suggestion.
In but a few hours, she and Katarina were ready to move.  So, we
returned to Dragon's Rise, dozens of rats trailing behind us.

But, Marlon was still not pleased with the explanations that we had
gleaned from the villagers.  Ever an excellent judge of character, he
had become sure of the innocence of the girl and her grand-mother.
Thus, he and Ahmed stayed behind, to continue their investigations.  I
was instructed to return to Vienchiza as quickly as I could, with
Dubius and Flamma, for Marlon was quite sure that they would be very
helpful, so skilled are they in the art of Intellego.

And, again, Marlon was correct.  Flamma was quickly able to discern
that both Fransesca and Katarina were telling the truth when they said
that they knew nothing of diabolism.  Thus, we again turned our
investigation to Vienchiza.  In the hut where the two had once lived,
there were indeed the marks of diabolism.  However, they seemed
somehow artificial to our eyes.  So, we turned to Dubius.  Soon, he
was calling upon his scrying enchantments, to look far into the past.

Shortly, a scene of dull familial tranquility opened before us.
Katarina and Fransesca were there, along with Katarina's parents,
Dominiquo and Nicholetta.  The four of them moved quietly about their
normal lives, doing nothing out of the ordinary.  There were no signs
of diabolism.  And so, we sat and watched as the family went about its
daily business.  In Dubius' vision, night fell, and still nothing
unusual had happened.

Then, suddenly, Nicholetta burst back into the hut, her clothes
ripped, tears running down her cheeks.  Her husband, Dominiquo spoke
with her for a time, growing angrier the whole time.  Then, he rushed
out, carrying a pitchfork.  For nearly half an hour afterwards, the
scene before us was a quiet one.  Nicholetta lay upon the ground,
sobbing, while her mother and daughter tried to comfort her.  And
then, the door burst open once more, this time allowing several
villagers into the room.  They grabbed the three women, and dragged
them, screaming, from their home.

And still, we continued to watch Dubius' vision.  Shortly, our
patience was rewarded.  Perhaps an hour later, Abruzzo, the village
elder, entered the room.  The origin of the diabolic symbols quickly
became obvious.  They had been created by Abruzzo, to falsely condemn
the family.

And so, I ran back to the covenant one last time, this time to collect
Demoror and Malcolm.  With their help, the final revelations would be
made.

Last night, Malcolm came upon Abruzzo in his hut, and quietly knocked
him out.  After we had bound him, he was awoken, and Demoror looked
deep into his mind.

And thus, the whole hideous truth was revealed to us.  Abruzzo had
always hated Nicholetta, and on that awful night, he had tried to rape
her.  Her husband had attempted to have his vengeance upon Abruzzo,
but he had failed.  Afterwards, Abruzzo had been forced to quickly
cover his tracks.  So, he planted the diabolic evidence, killed
Nicholetta and her husband, and then drove Fransesca and Katarina from
the village.

Marlon was quite infuriated by the revelations.  As soon as all had
been revealed, Marlon began encanting a spell.  Suddenly, Abruzzo
doubled over, clearly in mortal pain.  I fear that Marlon emasculated
the fellow.

Anyways, that's all there is to tell.  We had discovered the truth
behind the tales of giant animals attacking Vienchiza and dealt with
them.  I dearly wish that we had not been so quick in killing the rat
and wasps, but then we did not know that they were simply the pets of
a scared little girl, trying to avenge themselves upon a beast who had
raped and killed.  At the least, we were able to find the truth, and
ultimately punish the guilty.  The trip was a good one.  I am glad
that we could help.

				* * *

[From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE : Summer, 1224]:

After Paulo told me the results of Marlon's little expedition, I
considered the matter over.  I mentally noted that, on occasion,
Marlon could lead competently, and then moved on with my life.

Unfortunately, Flamma was not quite as willing to do so.  When she
heard of the crimes of Abruzzo, she became furious.  At once, she set
off for Vienchiza, returning just hours later with Abruzzo's
unconscious form.  Afterwards, Pumilio helped Flamma to make a deep
pit, and shortly, Abruzzo was imprisoned in that pit, joined by
hundreds of starving mice.  It is a fate too horrible to contemplate.

				* * *

[From THE DIARY OF VERDAN OF BONISAGUS : Summer, 1224]:

It seems that Marlon's recent expedition has brought me a new boon.
This morning, I met Katarina, who is to be my apprentice.  It seems,
as always, that death brings new life.

				* * *

[From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE : Winter, 1224]:

Again, another set back.  I am beginning to wonder if it is even worth
it to try.  This day, I lost another member of my covenant.  After the
disaster of Spring, it was a loss that I could barely stand.

When the archmage Olmar returned this afternoon, it was initially with
a story of his own incompetence.  He spoke of how he and the Auram
Flambeau had tracked the two corrupted magi, Jonathon and Stephios,
for nearly half a year, travelling further and further East all the
time.  Eventually, they had caught Jonathon, and slain him, but still
Stephios had escaped.  And so, Olmar had finally given up, returning
to us.

After Olmar had finished his story of incompetence, I was forced to
tell him sad news.  I revealed how his granddaughter had been killed
by Ahmed, under the influence of the vampire which had been at the
heart of all of our problems.  And then, Olmar flew into a rage.
Within seconds, he had certamened Ahmed, demanding that he never set
foot upon my island again.  Surely, it was the worst condition that
Olmar could think of, for it meant that Ahmed would be forced to leave
the entire covenant behind.  And, Olmar won, of course.

When Ahmed awoke, I volunteered to try and make things right.  It
would have taken a lot of work, and cost me many favors and much
power, but still I would have done it, for Ahmed is one of my covenant
Members.  But then, Ahmed showed the only sign of intelligence that he
ever has.  He understood what it would have cost me to get his
certamen condition lifted, and told me that it was not necessary.
Quietly, he walked back to his room, to begin packing his items.

But still, I have lost another member from my covenant.  Ultimately,
this has been another defeat.