Session 17
« Session 16 | Nova Semitae Saga Journal | Session 18 »
Spring 1225
In early spring, Angharad announced that she wanted to construct a hospital in her lands, open to all. She offered the covenant the opportunity to build, staff, and administrate the hospital along with approximately 30 acres of land from her demesne. Additionally, Angharad offered a seed fund of some £50 to get it started. The Council took a vote to accept the offer, and a second vote to use vis to establish the hospital with Conjuring the Nobleman's Manor once the team was assembled.
Afterwards, they dispatched a small team to the University of Montpelier in the south of France to seek out staff with formal medical training as well as some books to bring back to the covenant. This team was lead by Jeanne de Dreux accompanied by Sir Daniele and Louis. The trip was expected to take two seasons to complete.
Summer 1225
The following issues were discussed and approved:
- Purchase the Foundation series of Arts (Obscurus Ignis objected)
- Acquire a latin version of the Cyfraith Hywel (Welsh laws) for reference at the covenant
- Approve funds for the construction of a granary
- Approve funds for the hosting a dinner and gifts for the new Bishop of St. Asaph
- Approve funds from the reserve silver of £2/yr per magus for the next 3 years for the personal expenses
- Approve the settlement of Gwendolyn of Shrewsbury's father to live at the village on a pensioner's salary in exchange for training services
The magi gathered the Aquam vis from Maribus' lab to bring to the King of the Lake. Geoffrey, Magni, Obscurus Ignis, Aesa, Gwendolyn, Ed, and Martin left to deliver the vis, but the King told them that Maribus had moved away from the water source where he was expected to be retrieved from. The King instead offered to send them to the location to retrieve Maribus, implying that Maribus was still alive. The magi agreed after some debate about payment, where upon the King conjured up a whirlpool and sucked down Aesa's boat into it. A few moments later, the boat appeared in the middle of a large fountain in the middle of abandoned Roman town on top of a large hill.
Evidence remained of someone being nearby the fountain (footprints, rinds from food, etc.) that they assumed was Maribus. Gwendolyn found footprints in the stone and dust leading away from the fountain of someone barefoot. They followed the footprints to a large villa and were surprised when a middle-aged man in ratty clothing and a long beard came out of one of the doors. He asked who they were but had no memory of who he was. Geoffrey asked Gwendolyn if this person gave off the "vibes" of a magus; Gwendolyn affirmed. They had found Maribus.
Maribus seemed to have lost much of his memories, only remembering fragments here and there. He did remember something about a large snake in the vicinity. As they took Maribus "back home", they ran into a large, black snake about 6 feet long waiting for them in the road before they reached the fountain. It seemed to hiss at Geoffrey, but followed Martin much like a dog seeking attention. It freaked Martin out. Gwendolyn braved the snake and extended her arm out towards it, and it climbed up her arm and hung around her neck. At this point, she was able to communicate with it to some degree.
The snake asked them what they were doing there, to which they responded that they were recovering Maribus. The snake referred to Maribus (and Geoffrey) as 'impure' and suggested that they not return here. It also admitted to being the one that consumed the Maribus' memories. The party departed and the snake moved off elsewhere in the town. Once in the boat, the King reached out and returned them to Lake Vyrnwy in the same process (whirlpool), after which they handed over the Aquam vis.
They first stopped at Morgana's tower, and she was overjoyed to see Maribus again, but it was clear Maribus didn't really remember her. She accompanied the party back to the Mercer House, where the Redcaps were similarly both overjoyed to see Maribus, but dismayed about his lost memories. They vowed to exercise the House's considerable resources to restore his memories and that they would care for him. It became clear that while many memories were gone (including all his abilities to use magic and Parma Magica), that his ability to learn, nor his native Intelligence, was harmed.
Back at the covenant, Obscurus Ignis called a Council meeting and proposed the following, all of which were approved:
- That any season spent personally re-training Maribus of Mercere be approved as a season of services for Charter purposes
- That any customary fees charged to guests be waived for Maribus of Mercere
- That Maribus of Mercere be formally re-admitted to the covenant, but that he first demonstrate a minimum level (approximately Gauntleted-apprentice level) of skill. This is also to help potential charges at Tribunal that he was no longer a magus of the Order, as well as curry favor with House Mercere.
Autumn 1225
The party led by Jeanne de Dreux returned from Montpelier at the beginning of Autumn 1225. They were in touch with a number of students studying medicine at the University. By the end of 1226, two new doctors as well two apothecaries were lured with the promise of running their own hospital, if all the way in the northern half of the continent. They also procured a number of books on medicine.
Experience Points
Characters participating in the recovery of Maribus each earned +3 Adventure XP. Magic Lore is an appropriate skill for this adventure. (Geoffrey, Magni, Obscurus Ignis, Aesa, Gwendolyn, Ed, Martin)
Jeanne de Dreux, Sir Daniele, and Louis receive 5 Adventure XP. Appropriate skills include social skills, Area Lore in France, Organization Lore (University of Montpelier), or speaking either of the main french tongues.