Vardian Log #38: Rome By Night

--
"But we've already eaten...a most horrid tripe!"
	--Vates

"It was a trifle.  I do not like doves."
	--Vates [after trying to ignite one]
--
Season: Spring, 1210

Certus of Bonisagus				Magus
Demoror of Quaesitor				Magus		(Billy)
Flamma of Flambeau				Maga		(Eric)
Gustari of Clan Ventrue				Vampire
Iago						Grog
Lord Mario					Noble
Luigi						Grog
Marcelo						Grog
Marco Paulo					Noble		(Shannon)
Tentare of Mercere				Redcap
Terra Natus					Magus
Vates of Criamon				Magus		(Chris)
Velox of Mercere				Redcap
Verdan of Bonisagus				Magus		(Shannon)

**
** From the Diary of Verdan of Bonisagus

The Council Meeting of Spring, 1210 proved to be as distracting as the
season that preceeded it.  It quickly became obvious that something was
wrong when Tentare of Mercere brought Certus a note, and then left the
Covenant as quickly as he could.  When Certus' face became distraught as
he read the letter, it became even more clear that things were badly
amiss.

After he had finished reading the letter, Certus began to ask if a Mercere
had been to the Covenant in the last few weeks.  When no one answered yes,
Certus went on to explain that the letter that Tentare had delivered was
from Harco.  Apparently, Harco had earlier sent a letter promising to do
all types of evil things to our Covenant, because of the way that we had
earlier treated a letter and package that one of their Mercere had been
carrying.  This most recent letter, which Tentare had just delivered,
apologized for the previous one, and said that our Covenant would not be
punished, as long as something like that incident did not happen again.

However, there was a slight problem.  The original letter had never been
delivered to our Covenant.  Thus, it seemed that the redcap was missing.
Certus was quite worried about how the disappearance of a Mercere with
such a message would look, and so he began to plan an expedition.

As soon as we had determined that Velox was the Mercere who had
disappeared, Certus began to assign every magus in the Covenant to go up
and begin searching Rome.  It was clear that he wanted to make sure that
we did all that we could to retrieve the missing redcap.  So, I set off
with Angus and Calios to search the city.  Many other groups of magi went
to the city as well, and we each conducted our own investigation.

Ultimately, Angus, Calios and I were not succesful.  Fortunately, however,
Demoror and Vates were.  When they returned to the Covenant, they had a
tale to tell that was most bizarre.

**
** From the Personal Journals of Marco Paulo

It was in early Spring of the year 1210 that Fortunatus once more saw fit
to call upon me for aid.  It seemed that a magus of his Order had gone
missing, and the entire Tomb was quite worried about him.  I was to help
Demoror and Vates in their search for this wizard.

After Demoror created a sketch of the man that we were looking for, we
began to move about Rome in search of him.  After a bit, we learned that
he had stayed in The Wandering Monk, one of the upper class inns in Rome.
We asked about at the inn for a while, and finally I insisted that we sit
down and eat, for the task had already been quite strenuous.  The magi
agreed, and this turned out to be quite a fortunate occurrence.

As we ate the excellent fare of the Monk, I noticed a man-servant watching
our table.  After observing him for a bit, I finally bid him to join us.
When he came to our table, he asked if any of us was either Certus or
Fortunatus.  We all replied negatively, and then I began to question him
relentlessly, for it seemed clear that this man must have something to do
with the magus we were searching for.  Soon, the man revealed that he had
been sent by Lord Mario, a man who wished to speak with the Tomb.  We
agreed to talk with that man, and soon left the inn.

I was quite pleased to visit Lord Mario, for I already knew of the man.
He is a wealthy merchant, and lately, I had heard, his business is doing
quite better than it ever had before.  At the time, I hoped to pick up
some hints of how Mario had come to do so well.  Now, of course, that I
have learned how he paid for this good fortune, I have decided that the
price is much too high.

However, there was no question that Mario was indeed having great fortune
indeed, for when we were brough to his house, even I was impressed.  The
place was huge, and covered with valuable ornamentation.  Even the simple
stairs, leading to his dining room, were made of the most beautiful ivory.
It was a wonderful sight.

The man-servant bid us enter the dinining room, and as we seated ourself,
we were introduced to the three that already were there.  At the head of
the table was Lord Mario, every bit the noble.  To his right sat one who
was introduced to us as Gustare of Clan Ventrue.  By his clothing and
bearing, he too seemed to be of noble blood.  To Mario's left was Velox,
the magi who were searching for.  We were soon to learn that he was there
by his own choice.  When Mario asked if we wished to eat with him, I could
not resist, although I had already eaten well at the Monk.  The meal,
consisting of delicately cooked doves, smelled heavenly.

The two magi joined me, and as we ate, we talked.  For a time, Gustare and
Mario spoke of how it might be profitable to invest in the growing coffee
trade, and I found that quite interesting.  I may just take that advice,
even though Vates suggested against it, proclaiming that wine would be a
much better investment.  Meanwhile, Demoror tried constantly to speak with
Velox.  It became obvious to me as I turned to watch that conversation
that Velox was entranced in some manner.  He simply spoke of how good the
company and the food were here, and how he would eventually move on to the
Tomb.  For a moment, I worried that Mario might have drugged the food, and
that we would soon find ourselves in the same state as Velox.  However, I
quickly realised that Mario was too cultured of a man to engage in such
foolishness, and so I returned to my meal with gusto.

Afterwards, the six of us moved up to the roof.  While, Gustare did an
interesting trick with an egg and a dove, Mario spoke of why he had asked
us there.  He said that Gustare wished two magical items made.  The first
would make an area unnaturally dark, even during the brightest day, while
the second would sense those who had beligerant intent, and provide a
warning.  Demoror immediately asked what was in it for him (perhaps
forgetting that Mario held the magus who we had been searching for).
Mario, however, seemed good natured about the query, and offered to share
his success with us all.

Turning at once, we descended to the ground floor, and then through an
iron door, and down even further.  Finally, after climbing down steps for
some time, we came upon a most horrendous sight.  We were in what seemed
to be some obscene sacrificial chamber.  Near the front was an ugly statue
of a huge bug, that seemed to walk as a man.  Just in front of it was an
immense dais, stained black with blood.  As we all stood, shocked, Mario
offered to provide us with gifts from here, mentioning casually that the
magus we were seeking was to be the payment for whatever gifts we asked.

Thinking quickly, I suggested that perhaps we could cut out the middle
man, and simply provide the magic items that Mario had asked for in
exchange for the magus who we wanted.  Mario seemed to find this
acceptable, and Gustare was so kind as to say that the magi could have a
full year to complete the items.  So, it seemed that our task was nearly
at an end.  However, things were not quite as they seemed, for when I
spoke with the corrupted noble, I had no desire to actually deal with him.
Rather, I had been carefully considering the fact that many of the other
magi of the Tomb were in Rome, searching for this same Velox.  I hoped
that we could quickly make our escape from this place, and then return
with forces great enough to destroy Mario, and his obviously supernatural
friend.

**
** From the Epic of Luigi

Shortly after our arrival in Rome, I was able to convince Terra Natus that
it would really be quite hopeless to search for the redcap, and so we
quickly adjourned to the quiet peace of a nearby bar.  There, I and the
other grogs, Iago and Marcelo, were enjoying a drink, hoping that this
search might go on for many days more, when suddenly Demoror showed up.
As usual, he spoiled our fun.  He began to yell of how they had located
the redcap, held by a local noble named Mario, and how they needed our
help to free the magus.  So, we followed him to Mario's house, to try and
deal with the situation.

Of course, with Demoror around, there had been no subtlety.  Thus, by the
time we had arrived,  the redcap's captor, a man named Gustare, had
already fled, with the redcap in tow.  However, we still got to have a bit
of fun.  The noble had this huge room dedicated to a bug demon, and Terra
Natus smashed it all up; I don't know why Terra Natus objected so much,
but it was a bit of fun to brighten an otherwise dreary night.

Afterwards, Terra Natus and Demoror went upstairs, and terrified the noble
for a while (clearly, he didn't know Demoror very well).  Demoror finally
decided to read his mind, and loudly proclaimed that this Lord Mario was
doing well in business because he was getting tips from demon.  Once
again, the intelligence of magi was shown.

Before we left, Terra Natus made sure that the deal that the magi had
earlier made with Mario was still on.  When the noble answered
affirmatively, Terra Natus became quite impatient to return to the
Covenant and discuss matters; we didn't even get to go back to the
Ravaging Boar and finish our drinks.

**
** From the Diary of Verdan of Bonisagus

After Demoror and Vates completed their tale, all of the magi began to
speak about the issue.  Demoror and Vates both suggested sabotaging the
items, although their suggested tactics were quite different.  Demoror
wants to blow up several blocks of the city, to ensure that Gustare is
killed, while Vates wishes to slowly turn all of Mario's wine into
vinegar.  I really do not understand what drives either magus.  Finally,
we decided that traps could be put into the magic items after the real
effects were enchanted.  I feel very good about this decision, for I very
much doubt that any of those who suggested trapping the items will find
the time to go through with it.  Thus, the mass destruction that Demoror
suggested will not come about.  I wonder a bit about the ethics of making
magic items for this Gustare, who, from Demoror's description, seems to be
associated with diabolic forces.  However, I understand that it is the
only way to rescue Velox, and thus I believe it is the right thing to do.

**
** From the Lab Notes of Verdan of Bonisagus
** Late Spring, 1210

The Well of Darkness item that Gustare requested has been completed, with
just one season of work.  At first, the task seemed daunting, but with
both Vates and myself helping Certus in the task, it was quickly
completed.  The other item is proceeding more slowly, but then that is to
be expected, for it is to contain several lesser effects, rather than one
greater one.  It should be done in three seasons of time, but only one
magus will be needed to work each season.

I have gained a bit of respect for the Criamon.  I never would have before
believed take he would the time to actually work in lab.  It seems that
his House is not so lost as I have heard others say.

**
** From the Journal of Certus
** Summer, 1210

Flamma returned from the lake today with a glowing globe, one of the many
that was brought back from the Middle Marches several years ago.  At the
Council Meeting, she explained that the young globes had matured, and are
ready to leave home.  Demoror has since taken a globe as well.  I am quite
pleased, for these creatures are said to ward off demons, and that is
something which is quite needed at our Covenant, considering the problems
of the last decade.  I shall have to soon collect a globe for myself.