Rise Log #17: Time Enough for Love Seasons: Winter, 1224 to Summer, 1225 [From THE ROLLS OF DRAGONS RISE]: Full Members: Demoror of Quaesitor Teacher (Billy) Flamma of Tremere Head Protector (Eric) Malcolm of Jerbiton Lab Worker (Matt) Muris of Verditius Head Lab Worker (Donald) Musculus of Quaesitor Protector (ChrisF) Tolas of Tremere Leader Verdan the Seeker Lab Worker (Shannon) Mundane Leaders: Arkum the Fox Autocrat (Shannon) Luigi Grog Captain Guardian of Flamma Mundanes: Beneletto Guardian of Malcolm Bolo Covenant Guardian (DaveP) Jocopo Guardian of Demoror Karelos Guardian of Musculus Palatzo Guardian of Muris Women: Becky Luigi's True Love Dominica Malcolm's Love Paolina Demoror's Love * * * [Dramatis Personae]: Barisia of Bonisagus Greek Magus Cicco Venitian Father Christophono Priest Kamea Prophetess Pope Honorius III Holy Father Sofila Greek Peasant * * * [A Timeline of ROMANCE]: Winter, 1201 Luigi meets Becki, his first true love, but she is soon lost to him, seemingly forever -Vardian Log #15, "The Epic of Luigi" Winter, 1201 After a trip to the Middle Marches, Luigi's fondest wish is realized. His beautiful wife is returned to him. -Vardian Log #16, "Vardian's Revenge" Summer, 1212 Becki is eaten by the black dragon, Drake, who realizes that she is a demon. Luigi, plunged into the deepest despair, swears to revenge himself upon her killer. -Vardian Log #48, "A Trip to Literatus Spring, 1213 Luigi finds his second and greatest love, the Literatus girl, Becky. -Vardian Log #48, "A Trip to Literatus * * * [From THE DICTATIONS OF ARKUM : Winter, 1224]: For a second time this season, an interesting visitor has come to Dragon's Rise. When Bolo announced Father Christophono, I began to collect the magi together at once. Soon, a full Council Meeting was in session. Father Christophono had much to speak of with the magi, for once he had been one of their loyal grogs. For a time, he spoke of the years after he left Vardian's Tomb, when he had been held captive by the Christian church. It was then that he had finally come to see the truth of God. Eventually, Christophono moved on to the true purpose of his visit. He brought a message from the holy father, Pope Honorius III. Christophono said that Honorius had been examining the Papal Bulls against Magi, and had decided that his predecessor had been misguided in issuing them. Pope Honorius III was willing to welcome magi back into the family of God, but only if they swore their allegiance to the church. Father Christophono hoped to carry that oath back the the holy city of Rome. After his speech, Christophono was dismissed for a time, so that the magi could decide how best to respond to the requests of the church. Demoror and Musculus were most offended by the demands that the Pope had made, and for a time, the three Quaesitors argued over the legality of such an oath. Finally, though, a decision was reached. The magi agreed to promise their allegience to the church, since it seemed a small enough thing to simply make such a statement. It was understood by all that they would not be bound by the statement, if it was an inconvenience. Afterwards, Father Christophono was called back into the Council Room, and his mind was briefly probed by Demoror, who wished to be sure that his motives were pure. And now, Christophono has left us, journeying once more to Rome. He carries with him a promise of friendship which can only do Dragon's Rise good. * * * [From THE DIARY OF VERDAN OF BONISAGUS : Spring, 1225]: I had never before realized how much work it is to teach an apprentice. This season however, as I have given Katarina her first lessons, I have been amazed by all of my inadequacies. It is made all the worse by Katarina's affinity to shape-changing. I believe she has found what the Bjornaer call a heart-beast, and I am at a loss as to how to teach her more of it. For a time, I thought to ask Rupes of Vardian's Tomb for aid, but Demoror, Musculus, Flamma and Tolas all suggested against it. At first, I was quite discouraged. Now, though, I recognise that admonition for what it truly was: the concern of my fellows for the safety of myself and Katarina. I may have much work ahead, in the training of my apprentice, but I have an entire covenant to help me in that task. * * * [From THE PERSONAL NOTES OF LUIGI OF ROME : Summer, 1225]: It was nearly a quarter century ago, that I first set my eyes upon my first love, Becki. For a time, she was everything to me, the bread and wine of my life. Our love brought no issue, but still, we had each other, and we were sure we would forever. I knew the consequences of the longevity potion that Meles offered to me, but they were meaningless. All that was important was that I would have that many more years with my beloved wife. Then, came that awful day, when the black dragon came to Vardian's Tomb. He foully slew my first love, declaring her a demon, and I was nearly destroyed. For months, I searched for Drake, and when I finally came upon him, I threw myself at the fiend. I did not care if I lived or died; vengeance was all that mattered. But, that day, I failed my Becki for a second time. Drake defeated me in battle, and he did not ever deign to slay me. Near death, I was brought back to Vardian's Tomb, my loss and my failure weighing heavily upon me. And then, I found life again, as I lay upon the edge of death. It was Becky, beautiful Becky, recently arrived from Literatus, who tended me as I lay dying, and I realized that I had been blessed twice. Becky and I fell deeply in love, a love as great as the one that I had lost. The next year, we were married. I will never forget Becki, but it is Becky who is my greatest joy. For over ten years now, we have been wonderfully happy, more happy than I could have ever though possible, but there has still been a single dreadful emptiness in our lives. Decades ago, I drank Meles' longevity potion, and thus, Becky and I have been denied children. Today, though, I have been given new hope. This afternoon, Arkum came to my cottage. I assumed that he was visiting Becky, who adores him greatly, and thus I was tremendously surprised when he approached me instead. In his studies, Arkum has learned of a holy place in Greece, blessed by Aphrodite. It is rumored to be a place of fertility and love. Arkum has told me that if Becky and I drink from Aphrodite's spring, and then express our love for each other, our union will be blessed with child. Becky and I are thrilled. It is something that we have long dreamed of. Finally, our lives will be complete. * * * [From THE EPIC OF LUIGI : Summer, 1225]: In the Summer of 1225, when I set out upon one of the most important quests of my entire life, I did not expect much help from the magi. I knew that Flamma would aid me, for she has always been my true ally among the mages, and I expected that she might force some others to help as well, shouting of friendship as she did, but I expected little beyond that. Thus, I was amazed when the magi became quite excited when I spoke of Aphrodite's Spring, in faraway Greece. Demoror and Malcolm both leapt at the opportunity to accompany me upon my quest, bemoaning their own lack of children as they did so. It was quite pitiful. Even more pitiful was the fact that the magi had no women to carry their children for them. For a moment, I thought I would have to explain to them where precisely children came from. Fortunately, I was spared that dreadful task. Malcolm showed his realization of the truth of the situation when he began to speak of ways to find women for Demoror and himself. I sat back with a smile upon my face as the magi planned their subtle machinations. Finally, it was decided. Demoror and Malcolm had picked two women from the village who would drink with them from Aphrodite's spring. So, we set off, myself, Flamma, Demoror, Malcolm, Muris, their grogs, and Karelos. I had been worried about the strength of our party, and that was why I took Karelos along when Musculus offered his services. When all was said and done, I was quite pleased that I had, for it was so enjoyable to see him humiliate Malcolm as he did. * * * [From Karelos' Personal Report to Tolas of Tremere : Summer, 1225]: I knew from the start that our trip to Greece would be a good one, for never before had I gone upon a mission when I was surrounded by so many beauties. There was Luigi's wife, Becky, and Demoror's woman, Paolina, and Malcolm's woman, Dominica, and Flamma of course. It was heaven. Even as we were walking to Cagliari, Dominica and I began to closest friends. She was quite beautiful, and when I began to charm her, there was little that she could do to resist. I remember quite distinctly, Malcolm looking on, envy upon his face, but what could he do against me? The majority of the trip to Greece, around the boot of Italy, and up through the Adriatic Sea was uneventful. I will not bore you with the details; I assure you, they would have bored me if I had not had beautiful Dominica present. Finally, we docked in Nikopolis, on the western coast of Greece. Nikopolis was the most inhospitable place. It was a burnt out rubble, the result of some attack by idiotic Christians. As we walked through the ruins, we stumbled across a dead seagull. We would have passed it by if it were not for the blue speckles that covered it. Dominica seemed a bit unnerved by the sight, and so I held her hand to reassure her, and we continued on. * * * [From THE EPIC OF LUIGI : Summer, 1225]: It was in the burnt out town of Nikopolis that we met our first obstacle. As we marched through the ruins, heading east, we were approached by a group of armed Venitians. When they saw us, they tried to insist that we join them, upon some quest to faraway Modon. Fortunately, I was much more clever than the entire group of them put together. Exclaiming that we were merceneries for Lord Rupes of the Rupes Valley, I pushed past them. They stood in the ashes of Nikopolis, truly not sure what to do. We journeyed for a time, past Nikopolis, before finally coming to the village of Permeti. The wooden church at the center of the village spoke of the villager's innane faith, and Flamma suggested that we avoid the place entirely. The other magi, however, were quite stubborn, and unsupporting of their elders. Finally, it was decided that Karelos and Malcolm would slip into the village together, and learn what they could of the magical spring which we sought. * * * [From Karelos' Personal Report to Tolas of Tremere : Summer, 1225]: Our first hours in the village of Permeti were extremely unproductive. The fool, Malcolm, had been sent with me, and the villagers took an immediate disliking to him, and thus information was very hard to come by. Unfortunately, Malcolm is an arrogant bastard, and thus I was unable to simply request that he leave. Thus, I was forced to use a more clever stratagem. Speaking cunningly, I was able to convince a beautiful villager named Sofila to invite Malcolm and myself to dinner. Though she served me only her finest food, to Malcolm she gave diseased meat, the taint disguised only by expensive seasonings. Within an hour, Malcolm was feeling very ill, and I was able to continue my research. With the burden of Malcolm removed, I made very good progress. Soon, I learned of a prophetess named Kamea. The villagers all assured me that she could provide information on the nearby shrine to Aphrodite. Kamea was indeed all that the villagers had promised. After a few silver coins had exchanged hands, she began very ready to tell me all that she knew. Unfortunately, the story that she told was somewhat discouraging. She said that once Aphrodite's valley had been all that the fox had said. Happy animals had frolicked in pleasant lands, under the soothing light of the bright sun. At the center, there had been a beautiful fountain, which burbled happily up from the ground. Any who drank from it were blessed with both love and children. But then, a dark creature came to the valley. It had poisoned the land, and demanded sacrifices. The trees were blighted and the waters corrupted and the animals became evil charactitures of the happy beasts that they had once been. When Kamea completed her sad recitation, she begged me to save the befouled valley. She said that an awful creature of the dark, a demon from the deepest hells, still dwelled within the valley, and only throught its death could the purity of the valley be once more returned. Then, she gave me a bag make of black velvet, and said that when the beast was dead, the bag had to be lowered into the poisoned pool, and that it would suck the foul humors from the water. She warned most sternly that afterwards the bag must be sealed with lead, lest the pollution escape, and destroy another land. Retrieving the silver that I had earlier bribed the prophet with, I agreed to help. * * * [From THE EPIC OF LUIGI : Summer, 1225]: As we first entered the vale of Aphrodite, I was disturbed to see that everything that Karelos had said was true. The valley was a filthy place. Where trees had once grown, there were now twisted monstrosities. Where there had once been clean air, now, there was now a foul smell, reeking terribly. I turned to Becky, despair upon my face, sure that our entire trip had been for nothing. But, despite the corruption all about us, she still smiled radiantly upon me, and thus my will to continue did not ebb. As we moved into the valley, it soon became clear that the corruption had been complete. Creatures of the forest, darkening by the force that dwelled somewhere within, began to stalk us, a murderous intent obvious upon their faces. I had to cover Becky's eyes, lest she break out crying over the depths that the cute creatures had fallen to. Soon, the attacks began. Rabbits, marmits, deer, birds and a bear all tried to end our expedition into the valley. Through pits and walls, we managed to deter them, without killing a single one of the poor beasts. Finally, we came to the fountain that we sought, and once more I felt a twinge of despair. The water within was a black sludge; it seemed that the crystal clear spring that Arkum had spoken of was long gone. For hours, we sat around the befouled fountain, waiting. When dusk began to come, and the dark demon of the valley still had not attacked us, the magi became quite confused. Finally, though, Demoror showed one of his rare moments of intelligence. He exclaimed that perhaps the demon had not attacked us because of the glowing balls which Flamma and Muris both owned. The other magi all nodded sagely, for indeed the balls were said to repel demons, and thus Muris and Malcolm were sent off, two glowing balls in tow. Leaving the others in a protective dome of stone, Flamma, Demoror and I set off. I swear that it was no more than a few moments later that the creature of darkness fell upon us. No longer warded by creatures of God, he attacked us madly. And then, for once, Demoror choose the correct time to cast Demon's Eternal Oblivion. A few seconds later, the creature was gone. * * * [From Karelos' Personal Report to Tolas of Tremere : Summer, 1225]: When the magi returned, they reported the beast dead, and thus we were able to bring things to a conclusion. I dipped the velvet bag into the pool, and repeated the ritual that Kamea had taught me. Almost instantly, the pool began to clear; all about us, the valley seemed restored as well. I smirked at Malcolm as Dominica and I drank from the pool. Afterwards, we made love loudly off in the woods; I am sure that Malcolm heard every second of it. As we travelled back home, we stopped briefly in Permeti. There, I was named a hero, and given a full barrel of wine as a reward. * * * [From THE EPIC OF LUIGI : Summer, 1225]: Travelling west, we were sure that our return would be uneventful. Unfortunately, we met one final obstacle. When we were nearly to our boat, we were aproached by a magus named Barisia of Bonisagus; he brought most unwelcome news. For a time, Barisia whined about how the magic in Greece was fading. After complaining for quite some time, he finally came to his point. According to ruling of the Tribunal of Greece, no raw vis may be removed from its boundaries. We travelled well out of our way to one of the Thebes Covenants in Order to confirm this ruling, but finally we learned that it was true. We turned the demon's vis over to the Greeks, but as we did, Flamma promised the harshest retribution. I am quite sure that the Bonisagus was not pleased by his later Certamen with Tolas. Soon afterwards, we were home, and thus was begun one of the happiest periods of my life. As Arkum had promised, nine months later, Becky and I were blessed with a child.