Issue 20, December 2017

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Scenario
Bestiary

Dies Irae
Authors: Mark Lawford, Ben McFarland, Matt Ryan, Mark Shirley
Cover Artist: Christian St. Pierre
Stock Number: AG0314 | ISBN: 978-1-58978-162-7 | MSRP: $29.95 US
Format: 144 pages, hardcover
Release Date: Available Now
Fiction
Setting

Lands of the Nile

Authors: Timothy Ferguson, Ben McFarland, Mark Shirley
Cover Artist: Christian St. Pierre
Stock Number: AG0313 | ISBN: 978-1-58978-160-3 | MSRP: $29.95 US
Format: 144 pages, hardcover
Release Date: Available Now
Rules

Thrice-Told Tales
Authors: Christian Roesenkjaer Andersen, David MacGregor, Christian Jensen Romer,
Matt Ryan, Mark Shirley
Character

Cover Artist: Christian St. Pierre

Stock Number: AG0312 | ISBN: 1-58978-161-9 | MSRP: $27.95 US
Format: 144 pages, softcover
Release Date: Available Now
Editorial

Sub Rosa

Through the Aegis: Developed Covenants

Authors: Christian Rosenkjaer Andersen, Mark Lawford, Richard Love, Christian Jen-
sen Romer
Cover Artist: Christian St. Pierre
Stock Number: AG0311 | ISBN: 1-58978-154-6 | MSRP: $32.95 US
Format: 160 pages, hardcover
Release Date: Available Now

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 Contributors

Scenario
Publisher: Distant Lands Publishing
Contributors: Gerald Wylie, Robin Bland, Berengar
Drexel, Benoît Léoutre, Pelle Kofod, Christian R
Andersen
Cover Art: Jeff Menges
Interior Artists: Jeff Menges, Elizabeth Porter, Angela
Taylor, Jason Tseng, Patrick Demo, Troy Taylor
Issue 20 December 2017 Art Coordinator: Ben McFarland

Bestiary
Editors: Ben McFarland, Mark Lawford
Design/Layout: Mark Lawford
Contents
Contact Sub Rosa
Email: [email protected]
Under the Rose .......................................................................... Page 4 Facebook: www.facebook.com/subrosamagazine/
Tales from GenCon .................................................................... Page 5 Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/
Wizards and their Everyday Magics...................................... Page 6 communities/110703677278654478962

Fiction
Twitter: @subrosamagazine
By Gerald Wylie
Hidden Powers: The Midsummer Cult ................................ Page 17 Legal Disclaimer
By Robin Bland Sub Rosa is an independent publication not affiliated with Atlas
Games or White Wolf Gaming Studios. Distant Lands Publishing
The Beast that is Not a Beast ................................................ Page 24 is not affiliated with Atlas Games or White Wolf.
By Pelle Kofod
Ars Magica is © Trident Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. Ars Magica,
The Cult of Shape-Stealers .................................................... Page 28

Setting
Mythic Europe, Covenants and Charting new Realms of the
By Christian R Andersen Imagination are trademarks of Trident Inc.

Set Piece: An Urban Merchant Company............................ Page 41 Order of Hermes, Tremere and Doissetep are trademarks of
By Christian R Andersen White Wolf Gaming Studios. Ars Magica was created by
Jonathan Tweet and Mark Rein-Hagen.
Franciscan Doubts ...................................................................... Page 49
By Berengar Drexel The intellectual content of Sub Rosa is © and held by the
authors. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any issue of Sub
Legio Lupii .................................................................................... Page 76 Rosa for commercial use by any means without written

Rules
By Benoît Léoutre permission from the Publisher, except short excerpts for the
purpose of reviews, is expressly prohibited.
Codes and Ciphers in Mundane Manuscripts ..................... Page 90
By Guy Leopold References to any Trademarks, Registered Trademarks or
Copyrights held by any company or individual in Sub Rosa is for
Mappa Mundi................................................................................. Page 93 promotional and recreational use. Use of these terms should not
be construed a challenge to their ownership.

Character
Editorial
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There is a core of deceit that runs through every issue of Sub Rosa since issue 6. Multiple, nominal lies hiding secrets known to just a few. There’s even a clue in this by line.

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Scenario
Bestiary

Secrets and Lies. They go hand in Another secret cult, a cult of Roman learnings? We have just the thing, an
hand. For every secret there are a -inspired lycanthropes written by article describing the creation, use, and
multitude of lies designed to conceal it, Christian R Andersen, rounds out our cracking of codes and ciphers and their
keep it safe. We conceal secrets to list of themed articles for this issue. The application to mundane written texts.
preserve someone or something; a cult provides a perfect background for Never again send messages to your
reputation, a goal, ambitions, a way of those with the Dark Secret Story Flaw. agents without first reading this article.
Fiction

life, or a life itself. But in the world of They also make for dangerous Enemies,
Mythic Europe, how can secrets be kept for those with that Flaw. They could be And it’s worth a special mention to
when any number of supernatural spells, coaxed into allegiance, or identified as the artists working on this issue. From
potions, devices, and effects might threats by covenant, Tribunal, House, the fantastic cover by the ever-gracious
reveal the truth at any given moment. or Order, and thereby provide Jeff Menges, to the characterful work by
opportunities for research, investigation, Angela Taylor, via Elizabeth Porter, the
So with that in mind, we have a and possibly hunting. detailed map of Palermo by Troy
Setting

number of articles this time out that Talylor, and more pieces by Jason
play with the notion of secrets and lies, Mixed in with those, we have a Tseng, and Patrick Demo.
giving you secret societies, cults, and review of the rules available for
plots and a view on how you might Spontaneous Magic by Gerald Wylie. This issue has been a long time in
embrace secrecy. He looks at how to make best use of it, the making and we’d like to thank our
both from a practical perspective and noble contributors for their patience
Think secrecy is reserved for great also to enhance the storytelling around and, as ever, for the fantastic energy
magical powers? Think again. Robin your magus. There’s even a handy they continue to bring to Ars Magica
Rules

Bland introduces us to the first of our Spontaneous Magic casting total and Sub Rosa. We could tell you why
Hidden Powers series with the calculator included with this issue to try it’s taken us so long to produce issue 20,
Midsummer Cult. This rural faerie cult to make working out your effect totals a but, well, that’s possibly a secret. The
is low on power but high on story little easier. And a sample character answer might be disclosed somewhere
potential. It demonstrates that to the optimized for ceremonial magic should within this issue*. Ten Mythic Pounds
ordinary folk of Mythic Europe any provide inspiration if that’s something to the first one to write in with the
Character

magic is awesome and to be revered. you fancy having a go at. answer.

And that their secret magical way of life,
their culture, is something that they Christian R Andersen’s second Next issues, we’re tackling another
must protect. article this issue provides another theme; Heaven & Hell. If you’d like to
installment in the Set Piece series in share any beasts, characters, places,
The Beast that is not a Beast, by which we break down a particular settings, rules, adventures, etc. that
Pelle Kofod describes what might take setting to explore how you might use it might fit that theme, as always we’re
Editorial

place in a hidden Divine regio if the in your stories. In this article we explore always open for submissions.
animals listen carefully to the words of an urban merchant company, their chief
Saint Francis of Assisi. Proof that the location, the characters behind the
Sub Rosa
word of God in Mythic Europe extends company, and the opportunities for
to all of creation, whether we might see staging encounters and action there.
it or not.
Finally, have your characters ever
And we have an adventure from needed to send coded messages to each
Berengar Dexel; Franciscan Doubts. other? Have they ever intercepted
The characters potentially uncover the letters that appear to be written in
truth behind a web of lies; a truth that strange languages or entirely new
may change the way the entire Empire alphabets? Have they ever needed to
is viewed. conceal the true nature of their infernal * Unless of course that’s a lie...

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 Scenario
Bestiary
Gencon was an exciting time this inside cover of my copy of Ars By Ben McFarland
year, for many reasons. It was Gen Magica 5th Edition, and this handiwork gracing these pages in the
Con 50, it was the 35th anniversary convention seemed like a prime coming months. We had an excellent
of Ars Magica, and I came bearing opportunity. I caught a few in the meetup afterwards with several
a secret plan buried in my pack. Dealer Hall, seeing Mark members of the forums, including
Rein*Hagen and Lisa Stevens, but I Eric Vesbit. Peter’s agreed to let us

Fiction
Gencon sold out, for the first thought my best shot would be at share that adventure here in Sub
time ever, and I worried I wouldn’t the Ars Magica panel, and that’s Rosa next issue. Hopefully, those
get into the games I wanted, or the where I managed to find Jonathan discussions from the meetup will
Dealer Hall might be insanely Tweet. The panelists discussed the bear fruit in some side projects next
packed. Artist alley was full of early aspects of the games design; year, but I get ahead of myself...
familiar faces, and I dropped in to some of the details familiar after my
see the gracious and talented Jeff interview with Lisa Stevens and Sub Finally, I went with a secret

Setting
Menges (whose art graces our cover Rosa #8, but others were new. mission. I carried with me a pitch for
this issue!) We talked a bit over a crowd funded book which just
coffee, I wished him a happy Tantalizing new elements might interest the readers of this
birthday and then plunged back into included the existence of ghosts fanzine. I won’t lie. I wanted this
the chaos of the show. Surprisingly, houses, lost to the mists of time and meeting more than anything else at
the hall was quite navigable and I including one founded by Pendule, Gencon, even the Ennie award I was
had no trouble making my way from or that Twilight’s inspiration came nominated for (and managed to
booth to booth to booth, managing from the madness mechanics of Call win)! We met at a bar before the

Rules
to pick up my souvenirs, work on a of Cthulhu, or that the Code of ceremony, and I walked through the
personal quest of acquiring Hermes was created and the wizards elements, the mockup, the author
signatures, and still check out were kept secret to ensure Mythic list, and the schedule. I’m pleased to
Blades in the Dark, Tales From Europe remained authentically say it seemed to go well, but we’ll
The Loop, and even Invisible Sun. Mythic Europe, and not see, and hopefully soon. I don’t want
overwhelmed by spell-slinging to jinx the project before it’s

Character
Invisible Sun might be a game wizards, or the spontaneous casting underway...
of particular interest to fans of Ars mechanics were Jonathan Tweet’s
Magica. In it, you play a group of favorite original element. The crowd So when you wonder, “Why has
wizards in a surreal, dreamlike city was a good 20 or 30 strong, which is Sub Rosa taken so long?” Well,
and realm, cooperatively building the most I’ve seen at an Ars Magica there’s the reason. We’ve been
and neighborhood and pursuing panel in the last 3 or 4 years. Overall, quietly nesting a phoenix egg here in
magics based on traditions which it was an illuminating hour well the sanctum, and it’s about to hatch.

Editorial
felt very familiar to this sodale. I spent, and it makes me want to find
don’t want to spoil it, but I’ll leave it out more about those lost houses.
for the seekers among you to check We’ll have to see if I can’t squirrel it
out. The actual system hasn’t been out of him in an interview next year
Sub Rosa

released yet but the themes, the or perhaps sooner, over email.
style, and the art all looked like
something worth further I got to play an outstanding Ars
investigation. Magica adventure from veteran
storyguide Peter DeCraene. His
As the 35th anniversary of Ars adventure took five wizards across
Magica, my personal quest involved Eire, into Faerie, and back again. We
me attempting to acquire the had newbies and veterans alike, and
signatures of all the founders on the with any luck you’ll see his

5
Scenario
Bestiary

By Gerald Wylie
The joy of Ars Magica is that we
play magi who possess the Gift of
magic and an almost boundless ability
to use that Gift to interrogate and
Fiction

manipulate the world around them.

Powerful rituals allow for lasting
changes to the world while formulaic
spells allow for strong but often
transient effects.

The need to invest time and resource

Setting

into learning and practicing both these

types of spells means that any given
magus will naturally have a limited
number of these spells to draw upon –
spells with specific uses and specific
contexts in which they might be used.

But the greater power of the

Rules

Hermetic magus, and the greatest gift to

the Ars Magica player, is the ability to
use magic spontaneously; to draw upon
their Gift and their knowledge of the
Hermetic Arts to imagine a change to
the world or a means of influencing it
Character

and then to bring that influence about

without the need to study for months
upon a set formula to effect the world.
The limitation of this is that such
magics are generally weak, far weaker
than a formulaic spell invented and
learned to achieve the same aim.
Editorial

But beyond the grand set piece spells

and rituals, it is spontaneous magic that
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arguably defines the wizard. It is
probably the most visible magic used
throughout a covenant, the magic that
covenfolk most often come into contact
with, and the magic that magi use most
throughout their daily lives.

This article explores spontaneous

magic and how it might more easily be
incorporated into your sagas, firstly to

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 underline the mythic in Mythic Europe,

Scenario
and secondly to make the lives of your
magi that much easier and more
comfortable.

A RECAP ON

Bestiary
SPONTANEOUS
MAGIC
As with other types of Hermetic
spells, spontaneous magic draws upon a
Casting Score and a Casting Total.

Fiction
Barring Virtues, Flaws, or other
adaptations found in the rules this is:

BASE CASTING SCORE:

Technique + Form + Stamina +

Aura Modifier (+ other bonuses)

Setting
We’ve included the “other bonuses”
in there as there a number of other
assorted modifiers that have been added
through the ArM5 canon – such as
props, prepared casting spaces,
ceremonial bonuses, assistance from
familiars, and talismans, etc.

Rules
There are two types of spontaneous
magic, fatiguing and non-fatiguing,
representing the difference between
simple effects and those requiring more
consideration and effort:

Character
FATIGUING SPONTANEOUS
MAGIC
We must also consider, as listed on Fatiguing spontaneous magic is that
CASTING TOTAL: ArM5, page 83, that there are specific most suited to “magics of
modifiers to the Casting Score for inconvenience”, that is those moments
(Casting Score + Stress Die)/2 casting spells with voice and gestures where the magus has a requirement to

Editorial
other than in the default firm voice and use some magical effect and yet does
NON-FATIGUING bold gestures. As these are applied to not know a prepared, learned formulaic
SPONTANEOUS MAGIC the Casting Score, these are applied to spell or have an appropriate magical
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Spontaneous Magic before any division item to hand.

CASTING TOTAL: by two or by five.

Casting Score/5 Non-fatiguing spontaneous magic is MAGICS OF

that most suited to “magics of
We can see that non-fatiguing effects convenience”, those simple (and likely CONVENIENCE
are likely to be very minor indeed – not very powerful) acts of magic that
there is no die roll added to the Casting the magus surrounds themselves with Magics of convenience are those that
Score and we’re simply dividing that every day. the magus uses day in and day out to
Casting Score by five. smooth the wrinkles of each day and

7
 make their passing easier. We can Stamina of 3. Much simpler to expend
Scenario

further describe these trivial acts of the fatigue, which then adds the bonus
magic in two ways; gestures and intents. of a die roll for additional surety. A NOTE ON
Gestures
There are also some conceptually ROTES
simple effects, the likes of which we
Gestures are those acts of magic that might expect magi to call upon, that are The Mysteries Revised Edition (page 92)
flow naturally and almost unbidden by simply too difficult to be realistically introduces the concept of Rotes.
Bestiary

the magus. A light breeze accompanying achieved through non -fatiguing These are minor formulaic spells
the sweep of a hand as the magus cleans spontaneous magic. Look at the invented by Hermetic Numerologists
dust from the cover of a book, a example of calling a servant to the and cast typically with the aid of the
brightening of the candle as he peers magus. Assume the servant could be Numerologist’s book. They are
down the corridor, a light pull upon the anywhere in the covenant but that the limited to similar levels as non-
door to close it as the magus moves magus has an arcane connection to fatiguing spontaneous spells but are
through. These small effects surround them. easier to cast.
Fiction

the magus all the time, given the power

to do so. They are extensions of his will This would be a Creo Mentem effect We do not consider them too
and are unconsciously brought about. of base level 3. To operate at Arcane greatly here as, despite their low level
Connection range adds four and apparent utility, they have more
And there’s the rub. Gestures are by magnitudes. So that goes up to level 15. in common with formulaic magic
their nature non-fatiguing as the magus If we’re trying to do this spontaneously than with spontaneous.
is making little conscious effort to call and without fatigue, then we multiply
Setting

the magic to him. They are silent and that by five. That’s a required Casting Still, for the maga following the
there are no magical gestures associated Score of 75. If we’re doing it without Numerologist’s path, Rotes are an
(we call these “gestures” as they are voice or gesture, the requirement is for efficient way to broaden her magical
small, simple accompaniments to the a Casting Score of 90. capabilities.
magus’ actions, but they bear no
relation to the complex and precise In practice, such an effect is likely to
magical gestures used to channel magic) be done consciously and expending Magics of Intent
and so they are naturally very weak – fatigue (and likely using standard voice)
Rules

subtract 15 from the Casting Score – which makes the required Casting Magics of Intent are effects that the
(Silent and No Gestures) before Score 35. That’s starting to become magus consciously employs to achieve
dividing by 5 in order to get the Casting much more achievable. So we can see some aim; opening the door from
Total and the potential level of effect. that very minor magic can be called to across the room, lighting a candle,
bear but unless the magus wants to calling out to a servant, etc.
The aim of discussing these gestures expend fatigue, every effect level
Character

here is to give the troupe a view on the requires a further five points of Arts, These are again non-fatiguing – they
kinds of simple magical effects that they Aura, Stamina, or other bonus. are being used to save on effort rather
can simply accept as de-facto within the than replace one effort with another –
covenant given the power level of the As a player, it is worth noting what and tend to use quiet voice and subtle
magi involved. As the magus grows kinds of gestures their magus can gestures (for a -5 and -2 respectively, for
older, their reliance on such magical achieve so that these can be woven into a -7 combined penalty). Again, the
ticks grows. And it does require a the narrative. Once identified as effects magus is not fatiguing himself and so
Editorial

degree of experience or power to make the magus can achieve, the player can we divide the casting total by 5 to
use of them, as the appendix to this simply describe their magus using them, achieve the casting score, which must
article shows. surrounding the character with a be equal to or greater than the desired
Sub Rosa
magical air appropriate for their effect level.
Unfortunately, even the simplest of growing power. The player will find that
effects require a relatively high Casting the number of gestures achievable will
Score to achieve silently and without increase over time, and this is one way Location
magical gestures and without fatiguing in which the increasing potency of the Gestures and Magics of Intent are
the magus. This restricts them to the magus can be displayed within the both most likely to be used in familiar
likes of experienced magi or specialists; narrative. surroundings, such as a covenant, where
to get a Casting Score of 30 in a magical the covenant’s aura is magical and
aura of 5, the magus might typically beneficial to the magus. Using gestures
need a Form + Technique of 22 and a or magics of intent within the

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 Scenario
SUGGESTED MODIFIERS
Modifier Bonus Book Reference Type of Magic

Confidence +3 ArM5, page 20 All

Loud Voice +1 ArM5, page 83 All

Bestiary
Exaggerated Gestures +1 ArM5, page 83 All
+1-5 (plus bonus
Casting Props Houses of Hermes: Societates, page 59 Ceremonial
for quality)
An Appropriate Ligature +1-3 Art & Academe, page 68 All

Fiction
Vis +2 per pawn used ArM5, page 82 All
Talisman Attunement Variable ArM5, page 98 All
Artes Liberales +Ability score ArM5, page 83 Ceremonial
Philosophiae +Ability score ArM5, page 83 Ceremonial

Setting
Dominion is typically not viable for is always tiring and carries no guarantee along. A couple of options are available
most magi. of success. with this issue but it should be easy
enough to work something out –
potent ia ll y wor kin g out bas i c
Inventing Spells to Magic in the Moment spontaneous casting scores for the ten
Make Life Easier Magic in the moment might forms and a basic set of assumptions.

Rules
represent a need to force open a door,
It is entirely probable that at least leap across a chasm, pull down a wall,
one magus across the history of the pull a memory from an unwilling Magic with Time to
Order has invented such minor magics
as formulaic spells and made them
contact, or to act defensively against an
incoming spell. That last example is
Prepare
available as laboratory texts. Given their already well-described in ArM5, page 83 This essentially means ceremonial

Character
low level, inventing such spells is trivial under Fast Casting so we won’t dwell magic. Ceremonial magic is potentially
especially when guided by a text. on it here. But these effects are all quite powerful as the maga has the
However, few magi might want to typically fatiguing – the maga intends to opportunity to prepare and to draw
spend their time learning such minor exert herself in order to maximize the upon knowledge from outside the
effects, perhaps seeing them as being effect – and voice and gestures are of purely magical Arts in order to generate
beneath their dignity. little concern, so bold and loud wins the more power.
day.

Editorial
Although limited to non-ritual
MAGICS OF This is the straight Spontaneous effects, the time taken to prepare allows
Magic casting formula and when the the maga to apply her knowledge of
INCONVENIENCE
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troupe faces an obstacle befitting a little Artes Liberales and Philosophiae directly to
spontaneous magic this is likely what the casting score and to create a ligature
These are moments where the they’re considering. They’ll work out the that applies a further bonus. We’ll cover
magus faces a particular challenge or Casting Score on the fly while also these in further detail below.
obstacle and would like to rely upon his determining the required level of effect
magic but has learned no formulaic or to overcome the presented obstacle. As this is a ceremony, there is little
ritual spells that suit his requirements. benefit in using soft voice and gestures,
In such cases, the magus must call upon Given the number of parameters and so loud voice and exaggerated
his raw understanding of the Arts to that might be involved, using some kind gestures can be employed to full effect.
produce the desired effect. Such magic of tool or chart might help speed things

9
 Preparing a casting space makes spell to 12-minutes per target effect
Scenario

ceremonial magic quicker, while props magnitude.

aid in channeling and building magical EXAMPLE OF
power. Casting in a strong aura is a Even so, that gives us 36 before the
bonus and the application of vis to the CEREMONIAL die roll, which was 8, for a Casting
casting quickly builds the casting score – Score of 44. Divide by 2 and we get a
the maga may employ a number of MAGIC Casting Total of 22.
pawns of vis equal to the sum of the
Bestiary

Arts used and gain +2 for each pawn To find one of the covenfolk who has 22 is enough to beat the spell level
used. become lost in the woods, Juliet (see and the ceremony is successful. She did
below) decides to use ceremonial magic not need to burn any vis or resort to her
And of course you get to a Stress to mimic the effects of The Inexorable Life-Linked Spontaneous Magic Virtue.
Die into the casting score, which is then Search (InCo20).
divided by two in order to get the Luck was on her side with the die roll,
potential level of effect. She starts with In 8, Co 5, Stamina 3, but even with a roll of four, the
Fiction

effective Artes Liberales and Philosophiae required level would still have been met
of 7 and 4, expends a Confidence Point and the spell cast. What is clear is that,
Casting Spaces and for +3, and plans to use loud and even discounting the use of vis, Juliet
Casting Props exaggerated voice and gestures for +2. could potentially use her Life-Linked
She also spends some time before the Spontaneous Magic Virtue to cast
Ceremonial magic may be prepared ceremony creating a Ligature (assisted ceremonial magic of level 30 for the
for well in advance through the by resources from the apothecary’s cost of two additional Fatigue Levels –
Setting

preparation of casting spaces and the stores), which gives her a further +1 this might allow her to cast Eyes of the
carrying and use of prepared casting bonus to Intellego magic in this case. Sage to see what is around the missing
props. Casting spaces reduce the time covenfolk and thereby see what danger
required taken to cast ceremonial magic We’ll assume a covenant magical aura they might be in.
while props add bonuses to the maga’s of +3 but as this is a starting character
Casting Score. we’ll also assume she doesn’t yet have a A further ten pawns of vis (less than
prepared casting space or any props to the maximum Juliet could use) sees a
Ordinarily, regardless of the Casting help during her ceremony. Mindful that further ten levels-worth of effects,
Rules

Score, the final spell level is limited by a hastily-prepared space is better than which might be used to increase the
the time spent by the maga to one none, she inscribes a circle, which duration from Concentration to Sun,
magnitude per fifteen minutes of reduces the time needed to cast the for instance.
preparation and ceremony. This means,
a maga spending one hour in
preparation and ceremony is limited to might prefer to prepare a dedicated into a space provide +5. So the maga
Character

generating spell effects no higher than casting space in another place of might have several sets of these
level 20. magical significance as this reduces the ceremonial props for different
time required for each magnitude to just situations.
A hastily-prepared casting space, a minute.
consisting of chalk circles inscribed on The maga may also wish to look at
the floor, reduces the time per A space within the covenant may be the craftsmanship of the ceremonial
magnitude to 12 minutes (allowing a used, especially where the aura is props she uses. As per the rules in City
Editorial

level 25 effect for one hour’s strongest or within a region. Such a & Guild craftsman may make superior
preparation and ceremony). A place space is also then available for all magi and excellent quality items, which
designed and outfitted solely for the to use and all might be invested in provide bonuses to the use the items are
Sub Rosa
casting of ceremonial magic reduces the preparing and maintaining such a space. put to. This applies equally to props
time requirement to one minute per made to be used in a ceremony. To
magnitude of effect. Magical props might be more benefit from such a bonus, all props
personal to the maga. These directly add being used must be of superior or
The maga’s sanctum always counts bonuses to the casting score, the size of excellent quality and the lowest bonus
as a prepared casting space for them the bonus being based on the size of the from among the items applies. So a
(allowing three minutes per magnitude), props themselves. As per Houses of maga who uses a small bag of
given their familiarity with their Hermes: Societates, page 59, small props gemstones as props when out travelling
surroundings. For the most part, that might be carried in a belt pouch must ensure that all are of superior or
however, the ceremonial specialist provide a +1 bonus, while props built

10
 excellent cut in order to benefit from Applying Philosphical Under the rules presented in Art &

Scenario
the additional bonus for quality. Understanding Academe, page 68, the maga can also use
those Abilities to craft Ligatures, small
This provides a reason for magi to Learning both Artes Liberales and charms that use natural components to
seek out and patronize talented Philosophiae is particularly important for enhance specific activities of the wearer.
craftsmen; a master stonemason or ceremonial magic specialists as these They are easy to make (assuming the
sculptor might outfit a casting space Ability scores add directly to the required components are to hand) and
with columns or statues in the classical ceremonial magic Casting Score. The easy to get a simple +1 bonus. Larger

Bestiary
mold providing +5 for being large and magus can also take a specialty in bonuses are possible, but high
immobile props and a further bonus of ceremonial magic for both of these and Intelligence and/or Ability Scores are
between +1 and +5 for the quality of take Virtues that also enhance these required in addition to favorable die
the work. That could potentially add a Abilities (Puissance or Affinity), which rolls. Given that there is little cost to the
further five levels to the achievable left provide for valuable bonuses straight magus (and limited cost to the
of effect. out of character creation. apothecary), there is little reason not to
make the Ligature.

Fiction
Reducing the Risk
Binding a familiar is the most
immediate thing the maga can do to
mitigate some of the risk involved in
using magic. The rituals most common

Setting
across the Order for binding familiars
create three mystical cords between
maga and familiar. The strength of the
Gold Cord is subtracted from number
of botch dice to be rolled by the magus
(to a minimum of one). This reduces
the risk of catastrophic results, twilight,
and excessive warping. A ceremonial

Rules
magic specialist would do well to bind a
familiar and develop the Gold Cord.

The Cautious Sorcerer Virtue may

be taken at character creation or by later
initiation or other character

Character
development path and this reduces the
number of botch dice rolled during spell
casting by three (to a minimum of one).

For those looking to use ceremonial

magic especially, then a familiar and the
Cautious Sorcerer Virtue would make

Editorial
good investments.

VIRTUES OF
Sub Rosa

NOTE
There are a few important Virtues to
consider when building a magus
intended to focus on spontaneous
magic; Life-Linked Spontaneous Magic
and Diedne Magic and the Subtle and
Quiet Magic Virtues.

11
Scenario
Bestiary
Fiction
Setting
Rules

Life-Linked number of botch die that are rolled in obliged to follow them up with
spell-casting. challenges and stories through the
Spontaneous Magic course of the saga.
The Life-Linked Spontaneous Magic
Virtue augments the magus’ casting of Diedne Magic
Subtle and Quiet Magic
Character

fatiguing spontaneous magic. The level Ignoring the story elements inherent
of effect is declared (including any levels in this Virtue for the moment, Diedne The Virtues discussed above each
given over to Penetration) and then the Magic allows for two uses: provide ways to increase Casting Scores,
Casting Total is generated. If the level is but the Subtle Magic and Quiet Magic
met or exceeded, then the usual fatigue You have the option to add a die roll offer significant benefits of their own.
level is spent. If the level is not met to your casting score and divide by 2 Casting silently and with no gestures
then additional fatigue levels are spent when casting non-fatiguing magic. normally subtracts a total of 15 from
Editorial

at a rate of one for every five levels (or the Casting Score. It is this Casting
part) that the magus missed the target. I f s p e n di n g f a t i g u e d u r i n g Score that is divided by 5 or by 2
spontaneous magic, the lowest depending on whether the magus
Sub Rosa
So this Virtue is potent for applicable Art score is doubled before spends fatigue or not.
ceremonial magic – it allows the magus being added to the casting score.
to determine a target effect level and Given Arts of 5, a Stamina of 2, and
then make an informed decision as to This allows for more effective non- a Magical Aura of 3, we have a base
whether he can withstand the potential fatiguing spontaneous magic AND Casting Score of 15. If we try to cast
fatigue loss. There is still the risk of more effective fatiguing spontaneous silently and with no gestures, we
botching, of course, so this is magic. subtract 15 – resulting in a Casting
particularly useful when paired with Score of 0. With the Subtle and Quiet
Cautious Sorcerer, which reduces the Of course, those story elements are Magic Virtues, we experience no penalty
difficult to ignore and the storyguide is and we instead keep a Casting Score of

12
 15, which is enough for a level 3 effect ADVICE FOR THE and superior quality items. Excellent

Scenario
or even level 8 if expending fatigue – quality items might realistically provide
limited but still indicative of minor PLAYER +2 or +3 to the bonus, which makes
magics and easily within reach of even smaller mobile props highly valuable.
those just out of apprenticeship. Players wanting to design a magus
specializing in spontaneous magic Ligatures are useful, but there is an
should consider the Virtues discussed investment in time needed for each
Cautious Sorcerer above along with a magical focus – the casting and a potential drain on

Bestiary
The Cautious Sorcerer Virtue focus being of particular value in apothecary resources. The bonus gained
reduces the number of Botch Dice that strengthening spontaneous efforts in is also dependent on a die roll with an
the maga rolls when spellcasting. While their field of specialty. Int + Ability + Roll of 24 or more
this Virtue on its own cannot reduce the needed for the maximum +3 bonus. In
number of Botch Dice below one (so it Subtle and Quiet Magic are reality, a +1 or +2 is more likely.
can’t reduce it to zero), it is applied first invaluable if you want your magus to
and other Virtues or factors may further cast spontaneous magic without
APPENDIX

Fiction
reduce that number of zero. drawing attention to themselves. Those
relying on formulaic magic can often get
away without voice or gestures as the The table below shows the kinds of
ADVICE FOR THE spells are almost guaranteed to succeed, effects that a magus might employ day-
but trying to act silently and without to-day. The required casting totals have
MAGUS movement is usually the death-knell to been calculated, allowing the player to
spontaneous attempts. determine which effects the magus is

Setting
A magus intending to use many likely to achieve and to then build them
minor magics to make his life easier Jerbiton (and possibly other Houses) into their description of their magus’
should acquire a grimoire of laboratory magi have access to the Mystical actions.
texts for many useful minor spells and Choreography Virtue (Houses of Hermes:
put dignity to one side. These are easy Societates, page 56) which reduces the Consider the use of these effects
to learn and a reasonable magus should time taken to cast ceremonial magic. within the covenant aura; the magus is
be able to learn at least a couple every And while we’re on ceremonial magic, most likely to use these effects while
season. Preparing in advance means less take a Puissance with Artes Liberales resident in the covenant where the

Rules
reliance on difficult Spontaneous Magic and/or Philosophiae. That allows the magical aura provides assistance.
and more reliance on predictable magus not only to boost their Casting
Formulaic Magic. Score, but to also create useful ligatures
(Art & Academe, page 68), which again
Magi anticipating casting add a further bonus to the Casting
Spontaneous spells should go prepared. Score for appropriate spells.

Character
Vis is an invaluable resource, as are
ceremonial props – take with you what
you intend to use. Not only that, but Where Should I Invest
spend the time preparing a ligature to
aid you – the bonus may be small, but it
My Maga’s Time and
might make a difference. Resources?

Editorial
Always try to work within beneficial The ceremonial specialist can get
auras. Even a moderate Dominion aura bonuses from a range of places, but
is enough to curtail the Spontaneous beyond learning Artes Liberales and
Sub Rosa

efforts of all but the most powerful Philosophiae, the single biggest bonus is
magi. going to come from casting props. The
largest of these are essentially immobile,
Invest in a prepared casting space so they are normally fixed to a prepared
and magical props to assist with casting space and provide a +5 bonus.
ceremonial casting. The bonuses are
valuable But invest in the very best quality
that the magus can afford - benefit from
the additional bonus that master
craftsmen can provide through excellent

13
 Sub Rosa
Form/ Casting Totals
Example Spontaneous Effect Notes
Technique/Level Non-Fatiguing Fatiguing
Turn a page (vellum/parchment Turns a page in a book that the magus is touching, silently and with no
ReAn2 10 4
book) gestures.
Fetch a coin purse from the magus’ The coin purse is considered to be touching the magus at the point of
ReAn2 10 4
belt casting if it is upon his belt.
Uses the principle of Rego Craft Magic to improve a thing made of animal
substance. It is a trivial matter to sharpen a quill, and there is a notional
Sharpen a quill ReAn2 10 4
Finesse roll of 3 or more for the sharpening to be effective – you can
probably omit that…
Creates a loud and resonant knocking sound as though a gavel striking
Knock upon a table, call a room to
CrIm2 10 4 upon a table. The sound almost certainly cuts through all but the rowdiest
order
of rooms.
Wipe a spillage from a writing desk ReAq2 10 4 Base 1 plus 1 magnitude for touching the spilled liquid.
Creates a fine sand upon the page the magus is working upon to help blot
Create fine sand upon a page to blot
CrTe2 10 4 and dry the ink. The sand lasts but a moment and then completely
the ink as it dries
disappears, its work done.
Blows all free dust from the open pages of a book that the magus is
Blow dust from a page ReTe2 10 4
touching.
Blow dust and cobwebs away from
Generates a breeze that surrounds the magus and lasts for as long as the
the magus as he walks down a CrAu3 15 6
magus concentrates.
corridor
Fetches a seen book from voice range, thus requiring some degree of
Fetch a book from a shelf ReAn3 15 6
magical utterance in order to target and affect the book.
Light a candle by touch CrIg3 15 6 Simply touch the candle and the wick bursts into flame.
Creates a momentary flow of water from the magus’ hands, enough for a
Wash with magical water CrAq4 20 8 brief wash of the hands, face, and whatever else the magus may need to
wash.
Protect the caster against rain while
ReAq4 20 8 Controls water in a slightly unnatural way and for concentration duration.
crossing a courtyard
Designed with Voice range so this requires at least quiet voice. Assuming
Open/close a distant door ReHe4 20 8
no gestures, this is a penalty of -10 to the Casting Score.
Designed with Voice range so this requires at least quiet voice. Assuming
Light a distant candle CrIg4 20 8
no gestures, this is a penalty of -10 to the Casting Score.
Ascend/descend stairs without the Silent and no gestures, concentration, propels the magus up or down stairs
ReCo5 25 10
effort of walking at a walking pace.

14
Makes the air in a room smell fresh while the caster is present and
The disruption of unpleasant smells MuIm5 25 10
concentrating.
Scenario Bestiary Fiction Setting Rules Character Editorial
 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Scenario
SAMPLE MAGA: JULIET OF Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
HOUSE JERBITON
Abilities: Artes Liberales 4+2 (ceremonial magic), Awareness
Juliet has just passed her Gauntlet and is seeking a covenant 2 (determining effect), Charm 2 (first impressions), Code of
in which to begin her studies as a fully-fledged maga in her Hermes 1 (mundane relations), Concentration 1 (spell
own right. She has a particular specialism in quiet and subtle concentration), Finesse 1 (casting speed), Folk Ken 2 (magi),

Bestiary
magic and excels at ceremonial magic, in which she often Italian 5 (poetry), Latin 3 (hermetic usage), Magic Lore 1
expends her own bodily energies to assist with the casting. She (regiones), Magic Theory 3 (inventing spells), Music 2 (sing),
has been well schooled by her parens and is notably cautious Parma Magica 1 (Mentem), Penetration 2 (Mentem),
with her magic. Philosophiae 3 (ceremonial magic)

Optimistic by nature, Juliet is energetic but level-headed. A Arts: Cr 0, In 8, Mu 0, Pe 0, Re 6, An 0, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 5, He

perfectionist, she can often become frustrated when things are 0, Ig 2, Im 5, Me 5, Te 0, Vi 5

Fiction
out of order, damaged, incomplete, or otherwise mismatched.
Equipment: Books of past ceremonial magic calculations
She enjoys the continued patronage of her parens and her and diagrams of how to set up casting spaces. Backpack
covenant, having left them on good terms and in good containing spell-casting props.
standing.
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
As presented here, she has used only six Virtues and six

Setting
Flaws, leaving space for players to further customize and Appearance: A slightly plain woman in her mid-twenties
optimize her. with short dark hair and a round face, Juliet wears practical
robes with form-fitting sleeves. Around her waist she wears a
Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre 0, Com 0, Str 0, Sta +3, number of belts, from which various spell ingredients and
Dex 0, Qik 0 bottles containing vis hang. Her ever-present backpack is large
enough to contain several weighty tomes and a number of spell
Size: 0 -casting props.

Rules
Age: 25 (25) Spells Known:

Decrepitude: 0 Despair of the Quivering Manacles (ReCo 15) +14

Warping Score: 0 (0) Wizard’s Sidestep (ReIm 10) +14

Character
Confidence: 1 (3) Perceive Motives (InMe 10) +16

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Life-Linked Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie (InMe 20) +16
Spontaneous Magic, Cautious Sorcerer, Puissant Artes
Liberales, Quiet Magic, Subtle Magic; Twilight Prone; Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20) +16
Hermetic Patron, Optimistic, Weird Magic
Words of the Unbroken Silence (CrMe 10) +8

Editorial
Personality Traits: Optimistic +3, Perfectionist +2,
Energetic +1 Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15) +14
Sub Rosa

Combat: Piercing the Magical Veil (InVi 20) +16

Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense +0, Damage n/a

Fist: Init +0, Attack +0, Defense +0, Damage +0

Kick: Init -1, Attack +0, Defense -1, Damage +3

Soak: +3

15
 even modest improvements to her Arts then her utility rises
STORY ELEMENTS AND steeply.
Scenario

PERSONAL AIMS FOR Find books and tutors in Artes Liberales, Philosophiae,
and Medicine:
JULIET:
Juliet knows the power inherent in mundane study and is well
As a maga who can be expected to live a long life with time aware that the crafting of ligatures (see Art & Academe) can
enough to study and develop her capabilities, there are a increase the effectiveness of her ceremonial magic. So
Bestiary

number of avenues that could be taken to achieve those aims. increasing her understanding of these three subjects means she
is better able to cast magic. And Artes Liberales and Philosophiae
Not all of these might be explored, but they are all likely to have a direct bearing on ceremonial magic too, so these are
be considered and many will reach fruition. doubly important to her.

Find and equip her prepared casting space: Secure a supply of vis:
Fiction

As a ceremonial magic specialist, she wants a prepared For Juliet, vis is a potent means of increasing the power she
casting space as much as she wants a sanctum, a talisman, and might draw upon in spell casting. This is particularly important
a familiar. This is something she will argue for when joining or during ceremonial magic, where the benefits are more obvious.
founding a covenant.
Find advice on the best familiar and talisman for her:
Find master craftsmen to build casting props:
Juliet is humble enough to admit that others might be better
Setting

She wants to equip her casting space with Excellent quality versed in the nature of familiars and talismans than she is. So
props and supplies (see City & Guild, page 69 for details on she will look for someone who can advise her on the best of
Excellent quality items), which she knows will further increase each that will be of most benefit to her ceremonial and
the effectiveness of her ceremonial magic. spontaneous spell casting.

Develop spells to create casting props: Explore the Limits of Hermetic Spontaneous Magic:

Spells or devices that reliably create casting props, or Juliet may experiment in the laboratory, perhaps to create
Rules

transport them from some remote location, negate the need new devices and spell effects to assist her spontaneous magic.
for carrying them in the first place. This means having constant Or she may experiment with the aim of discovering entirely
access to props, with which to bolster spontaneous ceremonial new capabilities in the form of new Virtues. She may also look
magic. across to other magical traditions to discover how they achieve
spontaneous magic and to see if there is anything that might be
Develop affinities between certain props and certain learned from them and brought into Magic Theory.
Character

effects:
She might also research Muto Vim magic with the aim of
Juliet might seek to develop a variation on shape and material enabling it to affect spontaneous effects; extending the range
bonuses applied to casting props. Houses of Hermes: Societates, or duration of ceremonial effects through Muto Vim provides
page 59 already suggests that casting props should be another route to creating ever greater effects spontaneously.
appropriate for the Arts at hand but provide no mechanical
guidance. In the absence of that guidance, there is currently no Learn Diedne Magic:
Editorial

mechanical need to associate a given prop with a given Art. So

a minor breakthrough could provide further bonus to the As a specialist in spontaneous magic, it may occur to Juliet to
ceremonial casting by leveraging certain props in the casting of follow information that might lead her to learning the lost art
Sub Rosa
certain effects. See Houses of Hermes: True Lineages for details on of Diedne Magic. As capable as she already is, or has the
magical research. potential to be, there is always more to learn. Her interest is
likely academic, but her quest to learn more no doubt puts her
Improve her knowledge of the Arts: in opposition to a number of forces; the Quaesitores, House
Tremere, and traditionalists within House Bonisagus. But she
Juliet is well aware of her limitations, just as she is her may find allies, those who see the lost art in the same way as
strengths. She understands her proficiency with spontaneous she does and those who seek to rehabilitate the memory of a
magic but recognizes her lack of broader knowledge of the long-defunct House.
Hermetic Arts limits what she can achieve. If she can make

16
 Scenario
Bestiary
Magic and mystery abounds in By Robin Bland
Mythic Europe. Even those who do not
possess The Gift find ways to draw Newcomer families, rare as they might
upon the powers around them. Many be, are likely not brought into the secret
do so openly by consulting witches, of the cult until a generation or two has
wise women, learned philosophers, or passed.

Fiction
holy men. Others do so secretly;
bargaining with demons or finding The village priest has also been
power within cults that prefer to remain subverted into the cult – initially
hidden. This is the first in what will be resistant, he now accepts the benefits of
an occasional series looking at those the cult to the health and well-being of
cults and their cultists who band the villagers. He recognizes the power
together to draw upon hidden powers. of the faeries has been turned to the

Setting
Some will be benign, others altogether village’s benefit and he recognizes the
otherwise. sense of unity that the cult instills in the
village elders. This means that he
This article describes at a rural Faerie protects the cult and by extension he
-based cult that could be located in protects the faeries that the cult
pretty much any village near woodlands venerates.
and far enough away from direct
religious oversight. The village’s landlord, who likely

Rules
owns several villages and estates, does
not necessarily know of the cult. It is
WHAT IS THE likely that at some point in the many
generations of nobles who owned the
MIDSUMMER land that one of them knew and kept
the secret, but this is a traditional

Character
CULT? peasant cult with little to interest the
landed nobility.
The Midsummer Cult is a legacy of
ancient faerie-worshipping that survived The cult’s rituals are all focused on a
the coming of Christianity. Based far nearby barrow mound deep in the
from town and city and kept hidden woods. It may be found easily enough,
from religious authorities, it is a cult but locals are warned away from the

Editorial
based in tradition; it has survived for paths and those out hunting rabbits or
generations and villagers are brought up pigeons or the like and those gathering
to one day enter and maintain the cult. herbs and firewood know not to visit
Sub Rosa

It is a cult of poor and simple folk; its those places.

members seek only to preserve their
traditions, protect their faerie friends, While many in the village benefit
and to maybe to make their lives a little from the cult’s activities, there are only
easier in the process. ever a dozen or so active cultists.
Certainly more than that number know
All the cultists know each other – all that something is going on. The nearby
members come from the same village table gives an indication of what people
and most are elders within families in the village may know as their
having a long heritage in the village. knowledge of village life grows.

17
 MYSTERY CULT the two sides may talk awhile to discuss
Scenario

village matters. The faeries might

LORE provide advice or information, most CULTS AND THE
often in the form of memories of
As with other cults, knowledge of villagers past and how they successfully MYSTERIES
the means, methods, and makeup of the dealt with similar situations.
cult is represented by the Midsummer REVISED
Cult Lore Ability. In addition to being Once business has concluded,
Bestiary

useful for mystagogues when initiating usually denoted by the moonlight EDITION
Virtues, it provides knowledge in line disappearing behind thick clouds, the
with the nearby table. faeries return to the underworld The Midsummer Cult as presented
through the entrance to the barrow, in this article shares some similarities
An individual may learn about the which closes behind them. with the kinds of cults you might
cult, and thereby gain the Cult Lore, not discover in The Mysteries Revised
only by induction and teaching, but also Edition and cults depicted in other
Ritual Trappings
Fiction

by observing. supplements that share the same

Masks are the most overt of the mechanics. However, this cult is
Teachers include current and former ritual trappings or props. The village, simple, rural, rustic, and essentially
members of the cult and the faeries for all the benefit afforded by the faeries non-magical. It has limited knowledge
themselves, who are prepared to teach in return for veneration, is essentially of the supernatural, except through
the villagers the history and importance poor, or at least not wealthy. There is the faeries at the center of their
of the cult. no money for robes or expensive venerations, and so it has limited
Setting

costume and the simple villagers see capacity to initiate members into ever
nothing wrong in simply wearing masks more powerful Virtues.
RITUALS for ritual effect. There is little significant
or powerful about the masks themselves Indeed, attempts to use the cult to
Rituals are held at the turning of the and anyone with a Cult Lore of 1 or initiate or self-initiate faerie, magical,
seasons, but the cultists gather at the more can create something out of reeds or infernal virtues beyond those
barrow at times of need – for instance, and corn stalks (in which case, treat the offered by the venerated faeries would
when illness arises in the village, when Cult Lore as a “Craft Cultist Mask” be viewed as a source of corruption
Rules

someone is lost or hurt, or when Ability if you want to track proficiency within the cult. Doing so would likely
someone dies. In the case of someone with this). cause the offender to be excluded
dying, the cult meets to commit their from the cult or possibly even cause a
soul onward – it is like another funeral. schism that could ultimately lead to its
Offerings undoing.
Cultists wear their normal clothes to Offerings made to the faeries are
Character

each meeting, but they also wear a half- representations of those things the That said, the faeries do grant
mask. It is not enough to disguise their forest provides, such as food, medicinal some limited Virtues to members who
identities to each other but it is enough herbs, shelter etc. Examples might be a undergo certain initiation rites. These
to provide a mystical altering of their posy of dried herbs, a lit torch, a initiations are never arduous and any
appearance sufficient to please the chicken or two, and some household ordeals (See The Mysteries Revised
faeries. Although a breach of protocol object carved from wood. These things Edition, page 15) are certainly minor in
to remove the mask, there is no ritual are accepted graciously by the faeries, nature. Travel, quest, and time
Editorial

detriment to it. who for their part appear to treat them sacrificed by initiate and mystagogue
as venerated objects – it is said that are the most likely factors during
The cultists join hands in a circle every offering ever given to the faeries initiation although the sacrifice of
Sub Rosa
around the barrow and chant for the might still be found in their domain something valuable or symbolic may
faeries to come forth. An opening is beyond the barrow. be reserved for the most powerful
then created in the circle and at that initiations known by the cult.
spot the barrow opens and the faeries
leave the underworld. At this point, the Initiations Example initiations are provided in
cultists break their circle and join the Initiations into Virtues known to the this article, but troupes should feel
faeries. cult often involve time sacrificed by the free to invent others in keeping with
faeries themselves, as much as time their own version of the Midsummer
There is a warmth, if not familiarity, might be any kind of sacrifice to these Cult.
between the cultists and the faeries and immortal forest-dwellers. In all but the

18
 Area Lore: Village Scores and Likely Knowledge of the Cult

Scenario
Knows not to speak ill of the fair folk of the woods and know not
Area Lore: Village 1
stay away from certain paths and clearings in the woods
Suspects that the village benefits from good relations with the fair
Area Lore: Village 3
folk of the woods
Knows who the likely members of the cult are, knows that the cult
Area Lore: Village 5
meets in the woods

Bestiary
Likely to be a cultist if they know quite so much about the village
itself.
Area Lore: Village 7+
Knows the cultists by name, knows what benefit the village receives
in return for venerating the faeries

Midsummer Cult Lore Score and Likely Knowledge

Fiction
Knowledge that the cult exists
Knowledge of how to create a mask for use in rituals
Knowledge of the initiation ritual
Midsummer Cult Lore 1 Knowledge of the barrow in the woods
Names of the major faeries encountered at the turning of the seasons

Setting
Knowledge of the main cult members
Knowledge of all cult members
Midsummer Cult Lore 3 Knowledge of the rituals of offering
Knowledge of the funeral rituals
History of the cult
Names of all the faeries that might be called upon
Midsummer Cult Lore 5
The authority to lead initiations

Rules
The authority to lead the rituals of offering
Midsummer Cult Lore 7+ The authority to lead funerals

rarest cases, where initiates seek Maintaining the secrecy of the cult is
knowledge and power beyond the AIMS OF THE a key aim. There is power in keeping the

Character
innocuous Virtues offered by the cult, arrangement with the faeries secret –
initiations are safe and the faeries ensure CULT lose their trust and the cult loses access
that no real harm comes to any initiate. to their power, lose access to that
The Midsummer Cult’s aims are benevolent power and the need for the
simple; they want what’s best of the cult starts to disappear.
Funerals village. That’s a broad statement, so let’s
For funerals, the body of the break that down.
OBLIGATIONS OF
Editorial
deceased is taken by the faeries with
them into the barrow. This usually The cult sees itself as protectors of
follows a false service at the church the village’s way of life and of those THE CULT
Sub Rosa

where instead of the deceased a who live there. Membership of the cult
weighted box is buried in the church is symbolic first and foremost; it is a The central obligations of the cult
yard. The body is actually taken away common bond that reinforces the are in service to the village and to the
that night and taken to the barrow common aim. faeries that they venerate. The cult
where it is offered to the faeries. exists to serve the greater good and few
On top of that common aim of individual concerns are serviced. There
Grave goods are also taken, course is the benefit that the village, is also an obligation that any service
reflecting the ancient ways. through the actions of the cult, derives asked for must be for the good of the
from the powers that the faeries village and its populace and not for any
exercise. outsiders.

19
 There is an obligation of secrecy;
Scenario

outsiders must not learn of the cult

unless they are to be brought into the
cult or in exceptional circumstances are
considered allies to the cult or the
faeries.

The rituals to bring forth the faeries

Bestiary

and the offerings involved are also

considered obligations; they are central
to the bargain between the villagers and
the faeries and failing to conduct those
rituals risks breaking the bargain and
ending the support of the faeries
beyond the barrow.
Fiction

Lastly, the faeries expect the cult to

offer up the dead when they pass, which
is why the cult holds clandestine
funerals. It is not known what becomes
of the dead once they enter the barrow
or what purpose the faeries have for
Setting

them, but the cult ensures that this

obligation is upheld.

MAGIC OF THE
CULT
Rules

The faeries at the heart of the cult

should be unique to your version of the
cult and there are really no bounds to
the powers that they might employ. But
for the scale and simplicity of this cult,
we are not dealing with warrior princes,
Character

great quests, or individual achievement

or glory. The faeries support the village
and through the village the villagers
themselves.

Healing of illness or injury to

villagers or to livestock are common
Editorial

services. These are most often called

upon specifically and the cult gathers in
order to request such service.
Sub Rosa
Weather favorable for sowing,
growing, and harvesting is a core service
that the faeries provide in return for
their veneration. You can treat this as a
+1 Living Condition modifier (for use
with the aging rules in ArM5, page 168
onwards).

20
 Other specific services might be

Scenario
negotiated with the faeries; someone
might be lost within the woods, the
villagers may need their lord’s heart
softened towards them, a childless
couple may call upon the faeries for
fertility magic, or the villagers may need
to speak with the spirits of their

Bestiary
ancestors.

The faeries who dwell within the

barrow are individually of moderate
power, but they present as individuals
with different powers. They also gain
the skills and knowledge of any

Fiction
individual committed to the barrow
during the funeral rites.

Initiations and Virtues

Known by the Cult

Setting
The cult may initiate the following
Vir tues . Your vers ion of the
Midsummer Cult may offer additional
or different Virtues, of course, but they
should be similar in scope and power to
those presented here.

Initiation of Mild Aging

Rules
Initiates the Virtue of Mild Aging as
described in Grogs, page 75. All
members of the cult benefit from this
Virtue as it is granted during initiation
to the cult.

Character
Ease Factor: 15

Script Bonus: +10

Script Details: The initiate spends a

season preparing their mask, the

Editorial
covering that they will use to present
their mystical persona during cult rituals
(+3). The mystagogue spends a season
Sub Rosa

teaching the initiate Midsummer Cult

Lore (+3) and then presents the initiate
at the next ritual. During the ritual, the
initiate hands over items that they have
crafted, food that they have grown, or
livestock that they have reared (+1) as a
token of their contribution to the village
and the cult. In front of the faeries that
have been summoned from the barrow,
the initiate then swears an oath, gaining

21
 the Dutybound Flaw (+3) as per ArM5, searching for the aura and the regiones. giving veneration to powers other than
Scenario

page 53. Once the oath has been sworn, Once found, he must discover the ritual his. Peasants are supposed to be content
the initiate gains the benefit of the Mild means of stepping through each level, with their lot, not truck with spirits and
Aging Virtue. They enjoy these benefits one to the next, all the way to faerie faeries. The lord of the manor might
all the while they keep to their oath. land, and then out again (+3). The make an example of any cultists he
faeries act as guide throughout the discovers, and ask few questions about
season, protecting the initiate, providing the nature of the cult, just as quick as
Initiation of Wilderness for them, and teaching the how to see any zealous bishop might. Indeed, the
Bestiary

Sense the hidden paths (+3). At the end of the lord of the manor may well recruit a
Initiates the Virtue of Wilderness season and the successful return from bishop or abbot to give his purge
Sense as described in ArM5, page 50. the underworld, the initiate gains additional legitimacy.
Second Sight.
Ease Factor: 15
The Order of Hermes
Script Bonus: +10 ENEMIES OF THE The Order might not molest the fae,
Fiction

but they do like vis and some magi have

Script Details: One week before the CULT a flexible attitude when it comes to
winter solstice, the initiate must enter ownership. A cult of villagers who do
the woods naked except for that As a benign force, the Midsummer faerie bidding and protect vis sources
required to cover their dignity. They Cult has few overt or aggressive from molestation might become an
must find food, shelter, water, and enemies. Few know of the cult’s irritation. Peasants stand little chance
warmth from only that which the existence and few would likely care. against magi, and so they might have to
Setting

woodlands provides (+3). At the end of However, there are those who would find other means to protect their land,
the week, they must present themselves take a dim view and so maintaining its such as seeking out sympathetic magi to
at the barrow (+1) and give the faeries secrecy is common responsibility and an protect them and their faerie friends.
of the barrow three items from the ever-present concern.
woods that each contain vis (+3).
During the following season, the
The Local Bishop or
STORY SEEDS FOR
mystagogue spends time with the
initiate teaching them the mysterious Abbot THE CULT
Rules

ways of the woodlands (+3). At the

culmination of this season, the initiate The existence of a cult venerating There are a number of ways to bring
gains the Wilderness Sense Virtue. faeries would make interesting news to this hidden cult to light in your own
the local bishop or abbot, whoever he saga.
might be and whatever the strength of
Initiation of Second Sight his religious conviction. Some bishops
Bad Information
Character

Reserved for the leader of the cult, might seek to investigate out of interest,
this initiation bestows the Supernatural and in so doing expose the cult and in Someone, perhaps an itinerant artist
Ability of Second Sight upon the the process diminish its power. or scholar, learns of the cult and
initiate, as per ArM5, page 48. misunderstands its nature, thinking it an
Others might see the cult as an infernal plot. Lacking the knowledge or
The faeries under the barrow affront to Christ and would take swift power to deal with such a threat
themselves usually act as the action to bring an end to it. Such a themselves, they reach out to the
Editorial

mystagogue for this initiation. bishop might scour the nearby villages covenant in order to destroy the
looking for evidence before moving on ungodly thing.
Ease Factor: 15 to destroy the barrow and then hold the
Sub Rosa
cultists to account.
Script Bonus: +9 The Right Kind of
Script Details: There is a place
The worst of all cases might see the
cultists hanged or worse for their
Magic
within the woods, secret from all but crimes. An illness takes grip of a village
the most knowledgeable of the cultists. known to the covenant, blighting their
It is covered in a faerie aura, but within people, their crops, or their livestock.
that aura there is a series of regiones. The Land Owner One of the covenfolk or consortis
The initiate spends a season away from The secular lord of the manor might knows of the cult and knows that their
his normal work in the village (+3) certainly object to his serfs and peasants village is protected by some power

22
 against such illness. If they could be However you decide to use it, the

Scenario
bargained with then the illness might be Midsummer Cult demonstrates that
stopped. there are many supernatural powers at
work across Mythic Europe, out of
sight and often unnoticed.
Protected Lands
Old records found in the covenant,
or sold by another magus, indicate a

Bestiary
source of vis not far from the covenant.
Only, as the magi quickly discover, the
vis is on lands near to the cultist’s
village and the vis belongs to the faeries.

Schism

Fiction
Cast out of the cult and the village, a
young brash man looks for work at the
covenant. His intention is to learn a
little magic so he can go back to the cult
and assume what he believes to be his
rightful place as its leader. A plot to
weave around a potential troupe

Setting
character, how much magic can he
acquire and how much support can he
raise in looking to take control of the
cult?

OTHER WAYS TO
USE THE CULT

Rules
The cult could be used as character
background for any kind of troupe
character. A magus may have obtained
his Gift due to the benevolence of the

Character
faeries, one of the covenfolk may come
from a family with a long history in the
cult, or a faerie-blooded character might
feel the pull of the barrow and a sense
of responsibility to the village it
protects.

Editorial
Or the cult may be found in a village
near to a newly-founded covenant. Magi
seeking resources and allies might
Sub Rosa

approach the villagers offering

protection in return for friendship and
service. This immediately sets up a
conflict between the villages, the magi,
and the faeries. The magi are in a
position to potentially offer much
greater benefit, but can the cultists
seriously consider turning their backs
upon generations of tradition?

23
Scenario
Bestiary

This is the second instalment in a A fox listened to Francis and was By Pelle Kofod
series of regiones to plug into your fascinated. At first it was pure chance,
game. The first was The Glamorous as it was trying to catch a bird already But after a time, the gentle man who
Swamp, in Sub Rosa issue 16. listening to the sermon. But the fox would become Saint Francis had to
came back. It listened. It felt itself move on, wander on toward Rome.
drawn in; felt the truth of the words. And most of the animals went back to
THE HISTORY OF
Fiction

The fox felt repentant for its sins. It had being just animals. But this fox did not.
killed and it had stolen. It had not Instead it went into the wild and prayed.
THE FOX understood its action but it had still This was not easy for the fox. It is not
sinned. The fox went back to listen to in the nature of the fox to pray and
Francis of Assisi famously preached the sermons again and again. It was not contemplate the Truths of the Divine,
even for the animals of the wild, alone in this. Many animals came again or of sins and salvation; to meditate on
insisting that they too were God’s and again to sit transfixed as the man what is right and what is wrong. And so
Setting

Creations and so deserved to hear His was preaching the Good Word for the fox changed its Nature - or perhaps
words. And his words took root. them. the Divine changed the Nature of the
Rules
Character
Editorial

Sub Rosa

24
 fox. Either way, the fox became a Fox settled down in the area and started

Scenario
of Virtue, and it chose a name for itself. preaching the Good Word. The Holy
The Fox picks a name for itself, but And this is where the Fox enters the
that name should be one that makes saga. Warrior
The identity of the holy warrior
may not become immediately relevant

Bestiary
to your saga. He was saintly enough
that his soul went straight to Heaven,
and so Hermetic necromancy can
provide no answers as to his identity.

Should anyone dig up his remains

and examine them, he was clearly a

Fiction
military man serving a great lord.

If this does pique the covenant’s

curiosity, pick a noble appropriate to
the area you’re playing in. For most of
western Europe, and excellent pick
would be Karl der Grösse, known to

Setting
the Fr e nch and En glis h as
Charlemagne and start the
investigation with that clue.

Of course, the Fox and his

guardian may have something to say
about exhuming such an exalted
warrior.

Rules
Francis of Assisi is a Christian holy

Character
man, spreading the Word of God,
famously preaching even to the
animals of the fields and forests. His
life and acts are reasonably well
documented. Francis of Assisi is
discussed in context of Ars Magica in
The Church, page 131, and a timeline

Editorial
of his life can be found easily enough
on the internet.
Sub Rosa

sense to you and your troupe. The name Around the new lair of the Fox, a
the Fox will use is really up to you, but Divine aura has sprung up, for it is a
obvious choices include (depending on place of contemplation and sermons; a LEVELS OF THE
troupe background) Reynard, Michael church in all but name. But the Divine
or Rufus. has chosen to pull the lair of the Fox a REGIO
little closer, perhaps to protect the Fox
After wandering for a while, the Fox from hunters and ravagers, from The regio has three levels of strength
found a place that felt right, decided mankind. 1, 3, and 5.
that this was it’s new territory. And so it

25
 Level One the help of brother Bruno, use the exclusively) be smaller herbivores,
Scenario

Entered automatically. This is really normal rules for crossing regio beings that would otherwise be prey to
little more than a nice patch of forest, boundaries (ArM5, pages 189-190), or a fox, not companions for prayer. At
not exactly a clearing, but a fairly open Piercing the Divine Veil (As Piercing this level of the regio, the whole area is
area with grass and flowers, bounded on the Faerie Veil, InVi 20, ArM5, page filled with a tranquil beauty that no
2 sides by a rapid, shallow stream. This 158). As noted below, weapons cannot animal can interrupt.
area simply feels nice and peaceful but enter the top level of the regio.
nothing out of the ordinary. Several of Weapons cannot be brought into
Bestiary

the nearby trees are rowans but there’s this level of the regio, if a character
nothing particularly special or unusual Level Five refuses to leave his or her weapons
about this. The True heart of the regio is an behind, he or she will find it impossible
open area where the Fox lives and to enter this level of the regio. This does
preaches the Word of God. The rowan not affect magical items with destructive
Level Three trees at this level always have sweet effects though, unless said effects are
This level is in essence the porch of berries, regardless of the season. enchanted into weapons (like a magical
Fiction

the church. It is also the lair of Brother staff).

Bruno, a bear sworn to the protection The Fox can be found here at all
of the Fox. Brother Bruno moves freely times. Often, other animals will be here This tranquil place did not spring
between the regio levels, and with his as well, have come to hear the Good into being just for the sake of the Fox
assistance, so may anyone else. Without Word. These animals will often (but not though, it is rather older. The original
Setting

Brother Bruno - the Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5,Unconscious

Wound Penalties: –1 (1–8), –3 (9–16), –5 (17–24),

Guardian Bear Incapacitated (25–32), Dead (33+)

Abilities: Athletics 3 (sprinting), Awareness 3 (prey), Brawl

Divine Magic Resistance from Guardian Angel: 15 5 (claws), Hunt 4 (deer), Survival 5 (foraging), Swim 3 (against
Rules

the current), Dominion Lore 2 (miracles), Latin 2 (church

Characteristics: Int -1, Per +1, Pre +1, Com -2, Str +8, usage)
Sta +4, Dex +2, Qui -1
Natural Weapons: Large Claws: Init 0, Atk +5, Def +3,
Size: +3 Dam +4; Teeth: Init 0, Atk +3, Def +1, Dam +1. The bear’s
tough hide and thick fur combine to give it a Protection of +3.
Character

Confidence: 2 (5)
Brother Bruno is an exceptionally large bear (size +3, rather
Virtue & Flaws: Tough, Guardian Angel than +2) who was touched by the Divine and have sworn itself
to be the protector of the Fox.
Qualities: Aggressive, Extra Natural Weapons (claws), Fast
Runner, Grapple, Hardy, Imposing Appearance, Large Claws, In the process, it has gained a Guardian Angel. Brother
Pursuit Predator, Tough Hide Bruno is sentient, but not the smartest sentient around and he
Editorial

knows it. Sadly, brother Bruno is also very distinctive, and

Personality Traits: Brave +3, Loyal +3, Contemplative some local noblemen have rather taken to the idea of hunting
+1, Pious +2 the “Great Bear” for sport. It is up to the individual SG if this
Sub Rosa
is perfectly natural, or infernally inspired, in order to strike at
Combat: the Fox.

Claws: Init -1, Attack +13, Defence +8, Damage +12

Teeth: Init -1, Attack +11, Defence +6, Damage +9

Grapple: Init -1, Attack +7, Defence +4, Damage N/A

Soak: +15

26
 The Fox Wound Penalties: –1 (1–3), –3 (4–6), –5 (7–9),

Scenario
Incapacitated (10–12), Dead (13+)
Divine Might: 20 (Mentem)
Abilities: Animal Ken 5, Area Lore: Local 2 (geography),
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +2, Pre +2, Com +3, Str -3, Dominion Lore 2 (angels), Charm 3 (preaching), Concentration
Sta +3, Dex +2, Qui +3 1 (prayer), Intervention 1, Latin 2 (church usage), Meditation 3,
Purity 1, Teaching 1 (religious), Theology 1 (forgiveness)
Size: -2

Bestiary
Vis: 4 pawns of Divine Mentem Vis in his tongue.
True Faith: 2
Appearance: The Fox looks like a perfectly ordinary red
Virtue & Flaws: Sharp Ears, True Faith, Animal Ken, fox, if perhaps a bit less smug and more solemn. Animals will
Compassionate, Need Not Eat. instantly be able to tell the difference though, even if only to
recognize that this is not a predator to fear.
Personality Traits: Compassionate +3, Humble +3, Pious

Fiction
+3 The Fox no longer needs to eat, and so no longer needs to
hunt other animals, but hasn’t really noticed this, being to busy
Combat: to contemplate the nature of God to realize that it hadn’t felt
hunger for a while. The Symbolism of this Fox is of course
Dodge: Init +3, Attack N/A, Defence +10, Damage N/A that of the redeemed sinner, preaching his now-found Truth to
all who would listen.
Soak: +4

Setting
Fatigue Levels: Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –
5,Unconscious

focus of this holy place was the body of even though they always reappear later
a holy warrior, a soldier serving both a STORIES ARISING in the day. Well, almost always, because

Rules
secular and the divine. He fell here there are still natural predators in the
many years ago, driving off a great FROM THE REGIO area, even if not near bother Bruno.
mystical beast. His name is lost to Eventually even cats and dogs disappear
history and so he will never be for hours. Obviously it is because
canonized, but he was a truly pious The Great Bear they’ve gone to listen to the Fox and its
man. sermons, but this will probably not be

Character
Brother Bruno is hardly invisible, obvious to the magi. Perhaps it is not
When the Fox arrived here first, it and has been spotted while foraging in noticed until the cook fails to provide
found his remains and buried them and the surrounding area. While most of the meat at meals, because the chickens are
thought nothing more of it, for it was a common folk fear him (and might beg all gone. And if the magi do not notice,
man and not an animal. But these the magi to deal with a clearly odd or react, perhaps a Divine Aura will
buried remains still bless the place, gigantic bear), local noblemen have spring up and grow in the stables of a
strengthening the Divine aura of the decided to hunt him for sport, to show similar place, weakening the magical

Editorial
place. Perhaps his bones would be their prowess and to harvest an aura of the covenant.
useful as relics, but the Fox has not impressive trophy. Wouldn’t there be
even considered this, being unaware of Vis in such an unusual creature? And is
Sub Rosa

the church’s tradition of relics, and not there perhaps more?

finding properties, or even any items,
very meaningful in the first place.
Missing Livestock…
Sort Of
Recently, the livestock of the
covenant (cows, sheep, chickens or
whatever have you) have started going
missing. Enough to worry the herders,

27
Scenario
Bestiary

“Deep in the dark, forbidding forests of native to the place. One has dark hair and eyes By Christian R Andersen
Pomerania, at midnight on autumn equinox, easily distinguishing her from the ash blonde
the ancient standing stones reflect the orange hair and ice-blue eyes of the other. They stand Simultaneously they plunge their knives into
glow of a dying fire in a great pit. The cracked in contrast to the magus standing at the head of the wolf and remove the eyes, the heart and the
and weathered surfaces of the stones show faint the altar. He is clad as they are in only a wolf hind legs respectively. The wolf, now deceased,
symbols originally of great importance to the skin, his classic face and body like a hewn change into the form of a horribly mangled
Fiction

people using the site but of no consequence to marble statue, with fair skin and red-blonde man, bearing ritual scars similar to the symbols
the three people currently performing rites. Two hair, strangely out of place in these dark woods. painted on the three magi. In turn they deposit
magae, clad in only wolf skins over their heads conquered trophies in the fire: a splintered pole-
and backs approached the central stone altar, The magae deposit their burden on the axe, a clay tablet smashed against the embers,
dragging a man-sized shape wrapped in burlap. stone and slit the sack open with bronze a finely crafted leather belt. Brandishing the
Their shapely, fit bodies marked with mystic knives, revealing the beaten and bloody form of dismembered wolf-parts to the moon, before
symbols drawn in blood, soot and ochre. Sweaty a giant wolf, barely alive. Each of the three throwing them in the fire the magi symbolically
Setting

skin carrying old scars and newer wounds like start chanting in a strange tongue, using rough, consume the vitality, gaining various strengths
trophies. Alike in appearance with their strong, snarling voices, words intermingled in of the wolf, stolen from the powers of the
slavic features and bronzed skin they seem disharmony with those of the others. Pomeranian Witch Clans.
Rules
Character
Editorial

Sub Rosa

28
 The corpse is unceremoniously tossed into a author. Main House Bjornaer concerns

Scenario
crack in the bedrock, joining the fate of his
previous clansmen and in the future perhaps
during this plotline is the Danish King’s
presence on Rügen as well as the age-
The
most of his clan. The three magi change into old feud with the Pomeranian Witches.
their stolen shapes, utilizing the new powers of
heightened senses, constitution and speed Prima Falke and the Harmonist
Pomeranian
respectively, for as long as they keep the horrible faction make peaceful contact with the
hybrid man-wolf forms. The time has now come Pomeranian Witches and accept the Witches

Bestiary
for much needed rest, before the hunt continues - peaceful individuals into the House,
fueled by newly stolen powers - for more enemies even those without the Gift. Former The Pomeranian tradition is
to vanquish and sacrifice for further power.” Primus Urgen and the Wilderists as well vaguely described in Guardians of the
as the hostile factions of the Forests, page 99. In this author’s view
Pomeranians resent and resist these they are a loosely coherent tradition
CULT BASIS actions. organized in clans with little
cooperation with other clans and only

Fiction
The basis for this secret Hermetic Due to House Bjornaer’s unique periodically meet each other.
cult reaches back to House Bjornaer’s views on when an apprentice is
founder Birna and her origin among the considered a full-fledged magus all Gifted individuals are few and far
Pomeranian Witches, especially known Pomeranian newcomers who find their apart and usually form the leading
for their shapeshifting powers. Since Heartbeast at the 1227 Gathering of the members of the clans, feeding the
Birna cut her ties with her original 12 years find they have a voice in the animosity towards the other clan
tradition and joined the Order of House’s internal politics, as well as a say leaders and members. The Witches

Setting
Hermes animosity and enmity arose in the 1227 Tribunal held in preparation excel at cursing, shapeshifting, mind
between the two. The current House for Grand Tribunal the following year. control and potion brewing.
Bjornaer barely remember more details
due to a lack of written tradition before At the Tribunal in 1227 the Rhine Curses of lycanthropy are used to
the Order was founded, but the rest of magi avoid making a stand on the punish or - combined with mind
the Order of Hermes is largely ignorant matter, since it effectively means control - dominate mundane society
of the depths of the enmity. Knowledge interfering with how a Prima may rule or the lowest ranks of clan associates.
of even the existence of the matter is her House, and instead lets the matter Potions specialize in granting animal

Rules
rare outside the Rhine and Novgorod go to Grand Tribunal. Furthermore strengths and power to the foot
Tribunals. acceptance of unGifted members is a soldiers.
delicate issue what with House
As Bjornaer magi have the unique Mercere’s situation - and nobody wants Shapeshifting (major, supernatural
powers to take the form of their to offend them and risk disruptions in virtue) is common among higher
Heartbeast they consider other forms of communication, administration and vis ranks of unGifted clan members, as

Character
shapeshifting wrong, ranging from trade. The Grand Tribunal leaves the well as other abilities like Hexing and
“unfortunate” all the way to “an matter for House Bjornaer to deal with Entrancement.
abomination”. The different factions as well.
have varying attitudes towards other
shapeshifters from the more diplomatic-
minded Harmonists to the more A Feud among Bjornaer ranks of supporters and deny their rivals
militant Wilderists. Houses of Hermes: Magi the advantage. With Pomerania being in

Editorial
Mystery Cults elaborates more on all the borderlands between the Rhine and
these subjects. Many of the new Pomeranian Novgorod Tribunals the Wilderists
recruits find sympathy with Urgen’s don’t bother with the Rhine’s rules for
Sub Rosa

Wilderists and the House finds itself forming new covenants and instead
even further split than before. The claim to secede in favour of Novgorod.
Wilderists leave the more or less With Grand Tribunal just passed there
RHINE POLITICS besieged Crintera on the island of is quite some time before the matter will
Rügen and heads for the Pomeranian be tested. A new Schism War threatens
The catalyst for the Cult of Shape- forests, where they settle down and to erupt.
Stealers is the Crintera Schism theme cmail to be the true Domus Magnus of
from Guardians of the Forests, page 111 House Bjornaer. Both factions ante up
for a possible Rhine Tribunal saga the stakes and start more aggressive
theme, further elaborated upon by this recruitment strategies to swell their own

29
 Enter the Gilds may send representatives. And magi of Cult Organization
Scenario

The magi of the Rhine respond in Novgorod may feel they have a say in The current leaders are the senior
different ways depending on Gild things. These will be the example magi members and original founders Steliana,
affiliation and personal agendas to this used in the Cult of Shape-Stealers. Armand and Lydvia. However this
new situation, which is clearly a Rhine Secrets and lies marks the agenda of hierarchy is mostly due to the
matter, not just internal bickering within these magi, as they delve deeper into convenience of following in the
a House. sinister cult rituals sucking the vitality footsteps of the experienced members
from the region’s local magic traditions. who have already developed the
Bestiary

Oak Gild support the Harmonists; Perhaps in turn losing their humanity, Initiations. Otherwise it is the rule of
resistant to change they don’t want a gaining abominable powers in exchange the strongest. Attracting mostly strong
split House Bjornaer but use the for added weaknesses. minded Alpha magi members are often
situation to lay claim on Pomerania in at odds with another, but are bound
the lands nominally claimed by together by a common enemy.
Novgorod. The Rhine’s peripheral code CULT DETAILS
is not clear on whether the veto rights
Cult Goals
Fiction

apply to covenants joining Rhine due to The Cult of Shape-Stealers is a

border changes. Appel Gild may join relatively young and small cult, very The outspoken goal among the
this front using the opportunities for secretive due to the controversial nature members is the conflict against the
commercial expansion of the trade of their rites and practices. Many of the Pomeranian Witches. However the
towns along the rivers and the Baltic Initiations which follow grant powers quest for personal power is a driving
Coast. For this they need stability, and it and bonuses invented off the bat. These force for most. Power to be used for
may require an swift and decisive things are the product of the author’s whatever end each individual desires.
Setting

offensive to secure this. deranged mind and may very well be Were this cult less secret it could and
both impossible, unbalanced or should be considered a problem if not
Ash Gild support the Wilderists, contradictory. Apologies for this this in an outright enemy of the Order of
riding the tide of aggression from the advance, the Cult has not been Hermes’ more sensible members.
Hawthorne Gild in order to dominate playtested, but remember this is a
the mundanes. By driving the mundanes fanzine article to be used, inspired by,
away from the wild and containing them or quickly disregarded. Cult Initiations
to cities the wild areas remain The starting Initiation of the cult is
Rules

untouched magi make themselves always Shape-Stealing, which forms the

indispensable to the security of the Cult History basis of most other powers initiated.
region. Starting in the early 1220s a series of Apart from that there is no set
magi (see Appendix) venture into the sequence, cult members initiate
Linden Gild strives to prevent all out wild lands of Pomerania in an organised whichever power they desire.
schism, but may settle for merely effort to explode the unknown. As
Character

keeping a balance between the factions. some of the first and only magi - except The founders of the cult have had to
The Elder Gild may gain advantage for the secretive magi Bjornaer - these experiment in order to self-initiate
from either situation while cries of: “But magi didn’t flee when crossing paths virtues not known to the Mystagogue
what about the faeries? Will somebody with the Pomeranian Witches. And they (themselves). The Initiation Scripts
think of the faeries?” are heard. actually survived continuous conflict presented below are those developed by
with one of the clans. Seeing much these Mystagogues to initiate others,
power here as well as a potential to thus needing far lower Target Levels.
A Third Front
Editorial

exploit this the enterprising magi started

Such a volatile situation does not go a Mystery Cult, cannibalising and
unnoticed by the neighbouring and twisting the local tradition’s rites to their Sacrifice Rite Sub Rosa
nearby tribunals, especially since the own use. Gradually the cult’s founders The basis for most cult activities, as
matter was discussed at Grand Tribunal. grew in power -while sacrificing their well as a component in all Initiations, is
A third front of ambitious and humanity for great powers in their the Sacrifice Rite. The various parts of
opportunistic magi enter the stage, free monstrous shapes - and slowly in size. the Rite contribute bonus to reaching
from Rhine’s politics; Magi from In 1227 the cult encompasses less than the Ease Factor of the Initiation. To
Normandy may travel the great distance a dozen magi, many of them with cadres perform this you must hunt, fight and
for the opportunity to loot vis, and their of grogs for use as supporting warriors. conquer a suitable enemy. A wild animal
combative nature fits the situation well. will suffice for some of the initiations, a
Magi Tremere have an overall interest in warrior or hedge wizard from a
monitoring such situations, and thus Pomeranian Witch clan for others

30
 (quest: +3) - however the victim must

Scenario
not die before the rite is concluded. You
must also take a significant trophy from
the defeated foe or his home to sacrifice
(material goods: +1).

At midnight on a Solstice or
Equinox night, in a magical aura, on or

Bestiary
near stones marked with the symbols of
ancient magic (specific time and place:
+3) the victim must be ritually killed
and a symbolic body part severed
(sympathetic bonus: +3).

The total component bonus for the

Fiction
Rite is +10. That is quite a lot, but it
does involve a dangerous conflict as
well as bloody, symbolic sacrifices.
Several people may work together to
defeat and sacrifice the foe, but only
those present during the fight can join
the sacrifice. Also note that there are

Setting
physical limits to the number of specific
body parts or organs, limiting the
number of specific Vitality Stealing
powers (see below).

The leader of the Rite needs a stress

roll of Int + Organization Lore: Shape-
Stealers versus an Ease factor of 9 to

Rules
succeed. The number of participants
does not modify the roll.

Initiation of the Pack

Leader

Character
Shape-Stealing (Major, Supernatural
virtue), Target Level 21/30. Script
bonus +16

This is always the first Initiation to

undergo in the Cult of the Shape-
Stealers. The enemy defeated needs to

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be a Clan elder or champion warrior,
both with Shapeshift ability, or a Gifted
witch.
Sub Rosa

The Initiate participates in the

Sacrifice Rite (+10) and suffers Sinister
Cult Member (new Minor, Story Flaw -
see below) as Minor Ordeal (+3), and
afterwards must be taught the Shape
Stealing Ability by the Mystagogue
(Mystagogue’s time: +3). This requires a
Mystagogue (possessing the virtue) to
have a Pre + Cult Lore of 5.

31
 Soak: +5
Large wolf
Scenario

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, -1/-1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Characteristics: Cun +2 (Int 0), Per +1, Pre -2, Com +1, Str
+2 , Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik +2 Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Size: 0
Abilities: Athletic 5 (distance running), Awareness 2 (smell),
Confidence Score: 1 (3) Brawl 5+2 (teeth), Hunt 4 (track by smell), Leadership 5
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(wolves), Survival 5 (winter)

Virtues and Flaws: Large, Puissant Brawl, Improved
Characteristics x3, Ferocity (when leading a pack), Long Appearance: Much like a normal wolf, but up to twice the
Winded; Compulsion (killing), Infamous weight; and appearing even larger due to its thick fur. Wolves
of this size are usually the leading male; using its superior size
Qualities: Aggressive, Hardy, Keen Sense of Smell, Pack to gain the top spot.
Leader, Pursuit Predator, Sharp Ears, Thick Fur, Tough Hide,
Fiction

Vocal

Personality Traits: Brave +3, Cowardly +3

Reputations: Bloodthirsty 4 (Local)

Combat:
Setting

Teeth: Init +1, Attack +13, Defense +10, Damage +3

Trip: Init +1, Attack +9, Defense +8, Damage N/A*

*Atk advantage 3+ => targets falls = Dfn is only Qik+stress,

no Ability added)
Rules

The initial Mystagogue needing to Level by 3, 2, or 1 if this Initiation is the the respect of and has lead in battle and,
self-Initiate this without knowing the first, second or third after the Ordeal of for at least one major fight or a season-
Virtue needs to use a variant script Sinister Cult Member. The Mystagogue long series of minor conflicts or hunts.
which imparts an additional Major (possessing the virtue) needs a Pre + They need to have been present during,
Character

Ordeal. Cult Lore between 2 and 5 to succeed. but not necessarily participated in, both
the Quest to capture the sacrifice victim
Following the Initiation the Initiate as well as the sacrifice itself.
gains Shape-Stealing with a score of 0, Initiation of the Pack
but for the remainder of the season she Followers The pack may see changes in
receives Teaching in the ability by the Shape Sharing (Minor, Supernatural participants later on, with newcomers
Mystagogue, following the normal rules virtue), Target Level 15/18. needing training time to function as a
Editorial

of ArM5. Trained Group. Requirements for the

This is not a common power so Mystagogue’s Pre + Cult Lore varies
Mystagogue is unlikely to know the depending on whether it is a self-
Initiation of Sating the
Sub Rosa
virtue, making it optimal as the first Initiation and the sequence after
Hunger Initiation after the ordeal, in order to Ordeals.
Vitality Stealing (Minor, Supernatural lower the Target level.
virtue), Target Level 15/18. Script
Bonus +10 The Initiate participates in the Initiation of Usurping the
Sacrifice Rite (+10). The enemy [Witch], [Shapeshifter],
The initiate participates in the defeated need only be an animal. The
Sacrifice Rite (+10). The enemy Initiate needs to have a ‘pack’ of
[Warrior] Powers
defeated need only be an animal. fighters (symbolic: +2). This ‘pack’ is a Various (Minor, Hermetic), Target
Remember to reduce effective Target group of warriors the Initiate has earned Level 15/18

32
 Scenario
Bestiary
Fiction
Setting
Rules
This represents 3 broad categories of specific Virtue, Hedge Arts or power Vitality Stealing (Minor,
Initiations to ‘steal’ the lesser powers of appropriate to the Virtue being Supernatural)
Witches, Shapeshifters and Clan Initiated. Requirements for the
warriors respectively. Each Initiation is Mystagogue’s Pre + Cult Lore varies Requires Shape-Stealing to be of any
specific to a specific Virtue. The known depending on whether it is a self- use. This virtue allows you to perform a

Character
Virtues available for stealing are: Initiation and the sequence after ritual sacrifice of an animal specific to
Ordeals. the Shape-Stealing ability, stealing its
 From Witches: Puissance in power in order to increase one specific
Penetration, Concentration, Characteristic symbolized by the body
Perdo, Rego, Corpus, Vim. NEW VIRTUES part removed. Each sacrifice performed
may substitute your score in one of Str,
 From Shapeshifters: Puissance Shape-Stealing (Major, Stm, Dex, Qik, Com and Per with your

Editorial
in Muto, Animal, Corpus. Supernatural) score in the Shape-Stealer ability (but
with a maximum of +6) while you are in
 From Clan warriors: Puissance You may steal physical features from hybrid form.
Sub Rosa

in weapon skills, Leadership an animal, resulting in a hybrid form.

This virtue grants the ability Shape- Shape Sharing (Minor,
Puissant Arts are adaptations to Stealing. Requires the Sacrifice Rite to Supernatural)
Hermetic magic of similarities with the be performed with a Clan elder,
Hedge Arts (primarily cursing) or champion or Gifted witch in order to Requires Shape-Stealing to be of any
Abilities. learn. See the Shape-Stealing Ability use. This virtue allows you to change a
later for more detail. group of followers into the same hybrid
The Initiate participates in the shape as yourself. The size of this group
Sacrifice Rite (+10) and needs to have of followers is limited by your
found a human victim possessing the Leadership score. Once you possess this

33
 virtue you can perform the Sacrifice play. Also, numbers-wise a Major Flaw Virtues or Qualities from among:
Scenario

Rite with your followers in order to counts too much as ordeal making the Puissant Brawl, Ferocity*, Long
effectively grant them the Shape Initiations too easy. Winded, Tough, Keen Sense of Smell,
Following virtue for Duration: Year. Sharp Ears. Note that further Cult-
powers also depend on the score in this
To invoke the change to hybrid NEW ABILITIES ability.
shape your followers need to be
positioned as a defined group, and you Organization Lore: Shape- For the Cult of Shape-Stealers in this
Bestiary

need a symbolic link to them touching Stealers (General) article this animal is the large
your own skin. Usually this is a stone or Pomeranian wolf - a shape taken by
piece of leather soaked in the follower’s This is the Cult Lore ability of the local lycanthropes and shapeshifters as
blood during the Sacrifice Rite, once Shape-Stealers, covering the history, well.
linked this way the item will suffice even members and rituals of the cult. Being a
if the blood is washed or worn off. new cult there is not much history, but This power counts as powerful,
it also superficially covers base mystical effect designed for the magi,
Fiction

S h a p e F o l l o w in g (Minor, knowledge of the Pomeranian Witch and hence only causes Warping for
Supernatural) Clans - because they are both origin and continuous effect. If half the time
raw materials for the cult’s activities. during a year is spent in hybrid form 1
Your pack leader grants you this Warping point is gained.
virtue through participation in a Shape-Stealing (Supernatural)
Sacrifice Rite, after which he can change (*) Ferocity only works in combat
your shape at his leisure - see Shape You may take the hybrid shape and for aggressive actions. It grants +1
Setting

Sharing and Shape Stealing. between a human and the animal which Confidence Score and +2 temporary
you steal the shape from, defined as part Confidence Points.
While in the hybrid shape you gain of the ritual performed to gain this
the same boons as your leader - ability.
characteristic increases (however 1 point APPENDIX:
lower than the leader), virtues/qualities, This requires one round of
use of the wolf’s General Abilities - as concentrated effort as if casting a spell, SAMPLE
well as any flaws and weaknesses he has and a roll of Stamina + Shape-Stealing
Rules

received from Ordeals. versus an Ease Factor of 9. Changing CHARACTERS

back to human form requires the same
concentration, and the same roll. This appendix outlines the three
NEW FLAWS magi who create the Cult of the Shape-
The overall human size and shape Stealers. They are all designed as normal
Sinister Cult Member (Minor, (bipedal, opposable thumbs, human 25 year old magi straight out of
Character

Story) voice) is retained but with animal Gauntlet. Following this they are
features. These features relate to the advanced a few years using standard
You are associated with a dark and Characteristics, Qualities/Virtues and rules. It is assumed that Steliana from
secret cult, you need to keep a low Abilities gained (e.g. wolf’s ears for scraps of old material self-Initiates the
profile or risk social ostracism or Sharp Ears). cult’s cornerstone Initiation of Shape-
outright hostility from members of the Stealing and acts as Mystagogue for the
Order of Hermes. The cult’s necessary While in this shape you gain rest. Hence, stat stats block presented
Editorial

conflict with the Pomeranian Witches is following boons: You may utilize any features Cult Lore, plus Characteristics
also a risk factor due to their automatic the Characteristics (except Cun/Int and and Abilities for wolf-hybrid shape.
enmity from mere association with your Pre) of the Large Wolf (found in the
Sub Rosa
cult. Appendix) if those are higher. You may Each of the magi have a short
also use any of the wolf’s general description of what they are likely to
Because of the physical changes abilities instead of your own if they are focus their time and effort upon, should
occurring alongside cult powers this higher, however you still retain all your one need to develop them over time. All
secret becomes increasingly difficult to own Abilities. This is instead of using magi are assumed a flat 2 Warping
keep. It can be viewed as a cross the normal rules for Characteristic points per year.
between Dark Secret and Enemies. For changes and Abilities when in animal
purposes of balance this Flaw is rated as form from Houses of Hermes: Mystery
only Minor, as it is likely to occur as a Cults. For every point you have in this
second Story Flaw developed during ability you may choose one of the wolf’s

34
 Steliana, Maga of

Scenario
Tremere
Steliana was born and raised in a
Transylvanian covenant, where she was
destined a role as leader of auxillaries
due to her talents. Her master used
shapeshifting magic on her from an

Bestiary
early age so her body and mind could
get used to this. Following a few years
of fosterage in Rhine Tribunal at the
strong Tremere factions at Fengheld
and Roznov she was assigned to make
the best of the conflict in Pomerania
which Crintera was stirring up.

Fiction
Design notes
Steliana’s Brawl ability was solely
trained in wolf form, The 30 assigned
experience points, which with Affinity
counts as 45, were added to the wolf’s

Setting
natural Brawl score of 5 (worth 75 exp)
taking it to a score of 6 (20). As
Inoffensive to Magic Aligned Beings
Steliana can lead mundanes in battle
with no ill effects from her Gift, if they
have but a single (magically aligned-)
Supernatural Virtue or Flaw. House
Tremere carefully selected a few suitable

Rules
fighters, but as her cult activities
progress she can impart Shape-
Following on her pack herself. Fighters
in Steliana’s pack are selected for their
Int and Per solely and merely average
physical stats, since the effects of the

Character
hybrid-wolf shape substitute the giant
wolf’s characteristics is superior.

For the first year after Gauntlet

Steliana practices Cult Lore from
materials of similar cults (Legends of
Hermes, page 49), aided by her

Editorial
Independent Study. Steliana becomes
the cult’s main Mystagogue out of
necessity and because she is the most
Sub Rosa

skilled maga at the endeavour. She

suffers an additional Major virtue to
start the cult off with self-Initiating
Shape-Stealing. It is only possible using
a script forcing her to accept the Major
Essential Flaw. Initiating a known virtue
to others is fairly easy, and previous
Ordeals makes it possible to pave the
way for the other cult members.

35
 The Future Initiations upon. His magic relies on Pre + Intrigue to lure the spirit into an
Scenario

To best strengthen her pack liberal use of spell mastery. alliance with her.
Steliana’s first priorities are Shape-
Sharing, to transform her grogs into
feral warriors, and Vitality Stealing to The Future The Future
further boost their Characteristics. Her Armand relies on both mundane Lydvia prefers to avoid direct
magical repertoire of mainly Muto spell fighting abilities as well as his spells. combat, using spells to control spirits
could theoretically benefit from Although he only needs high instead. Taking the Hybrid shape
Bestiary

Usurping the Shapeshifter Powers, Penetration if he fights someone with increases her effective Stamina and so is
although by using non-offensive magic resistance he needs to be directly beneficial for her spellcasting.
support magi Penetration is less vital. prepared for this, be it magus-on-magus Usurping the Powers of the Witch will
She also needs to spend time training fight or powerful supernatural creatures. be her first priority, for Puissance in
with new recruits in the pack, to ensure Increasing his score in Shape-Stealing in Penetration, Perdo, Rego and Vim. A
they can fight as a Trained Group. order to gain more Qualities, and good Talisman to increase her
When in hybrid shape the pack uses the Vitality Stealing for better spellcasting scores is also a priority.
Fiction

Brawl score of the wolf, however Characteristics will increase his combat Spell-wise she will expand her repertoire
training in this form can further increase stats a good deal. Increased Stamina is with even more powerful spells of spirit
this. good for Soak as well as spellcasting. -warding and destruction. Of the three
Where the real force lies is by Initiation magi she is the one spending the least
of Usurping the Witch Powers for amount of time in hybrid form,
Armand, Magus of Puissance in Penetration, Perdo and however her liberal use of powerful
Flambeau Corpus. Coupled with a good Talisman spells are likely to cause warping due to
Setting

Armand can gather up a fair bit of Botches.

Armand was apprentices to a Penetration. One could argue his scores
formidable Flambeau magus at are already overkill, but consider that he
Montverde covenant in Normandy wants to invent even more powerful APPENDIX: NEW
Tribunal. Initially he showed promise spells, and would prefer it if it
following in his pater’s footsteps as a Penetration followed suit. New spells SPELLS
Shcool of Apromor magus, however can increase the Wounds inflicted as
this was ruined after a lab accident left well as the Size of creatures affected. A New spell designs, or variations of
Rules

him with Short-Ranged Magic. His multi-cast spell to inflict a handful of existing one, are presented here:
resourceful parens however initiated Heavy Wounds, cast with sufficient
cross-training with an amicus of his Penetration, is a fine opening move on
following the School of Ramius, in even a huge and touch creature.
order to utilize the best synergy of the
two fighting methods. Armand’s martial Perdo Animal Spells
Lydvia, Maga of Tytalus
Character

skills could have been put to good use

in Normandy’s combative atmosphere, Lydvia hails from Novgorod Level 5
however the melting pot of conflicts in Tribunal and views the conflict in
the Rhine-Novgorod borderlands Pomerania as an opportunity to better Decaying Touch of Fur and Hide
seemed like a promising place to win herself. While the actual legwork of
respect for himself. He has fairly free being Mystagogue in the cult is done by Touch/Mom/Ind
reins to do so, but much is expected of someone else, Lydvia is the architect
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him. behind the whole idea. A Touch ranged version of Decay of

Fur and Hide.
Design notes Design notes
Sub Rosa
Armand is designed with an awful By using Vim magic specific for Level 15
combination of both Focus and Potent spirits of the magic realm Lydvia can Blunt the Wolf’s Fangs
Magic to maximize his Penetration. He affect both ghosts as well as airy spirits.
prefers a direct, personal fight and has Her social graces relies on Intrigue and Touch/Mom/Ind
spells to wound and maim his solely on short term procedures, since
opponents rather than directly kill them. her Presence is way better than her A Touch ranged version of Blunt the
Highly useful with regards to the Communication. As a special feature Viper’s Fangs.
Sacrifice Rite which the Cult bases all Lydvia’s version of the spell may use

36
 Essentially a Touch ranged version Perdo Vim Spells

Scenario
of The Wound that Weeps.
Rend the Wyrm’s Scales Level 5
Touch/Mom/Ind Level 15 Sap the Griffin’s Strength &
Touch of the Sword Scourge of the Magical Spirit
A variation of Blunt the Wolf’s
Fangs, but which tears and rends the Touch/Mom/Ind Voice/Mom/Ind

Bestiary
skin, scales or hide of the targeted
animal instead. This halves the Soak A higher level version of Touch of Both spells have same effect of
Total (including die roll for non-combat the Dagger, which causes a Medium stripping 5 Might off a magical creature
damage!), and the damage heals like a Wound instead.
Light Wound. Affects beasts up to Size (Base effect, +2 Voice)
+4.

Fiction
(Base 5, +1 Touch, +1 Size)
Perdo Herbam Spells
Rego Vim Spells
Level 20
Gen
Creo Corpus Spells Touch of the Great Rot
Circle of Magic Spirit Warding
Level 5

Setting
Touch/Mom/Group
Touch/Ring/Circle
Healing for the Journey Home A Touch ranged version of The
Great Rot A Vim-based circular warding spell,
Touch/Moon/Ind it will affect all creatures of the magic
realm.
Target’s total wound penalties are Perdo Terram Spells
treated as one category, regarding (Base spell)

Rules
activities. This enables the transport of Level 5
wounded people otherwise too hurt to
travel. Wounds do not naturally heal Rusting Touch of Ten-Score Level 20
while this spell is active. (Base 1 (Art & Years Coerce the Magical Spirit
Academe, page 60). +1 Touch, +3
Moon) Touch/Mom/Ind Touch/Conc/Ind

Character
A Touch ranged version of Rusty A Vim-based version of Coerce the
Level 15 Decay of Ten-Score Years. Spirits of the Night, however with a
Moon of the Bound Wound broader scope affecting all spirits of the
magic realm.
Touch/Moon/Ind
(Base 5, +2 Voice, +1 Conc)
Intellego Vim Spells
Editorial
A variation of Bind Wound lasting
an entire month.
Level 20
Sub Rosa

Scent of Magic Spirits

Perdo Corpus Spells Per/Conc/Smell

Level 10 This is a magical sense spell,

enabling the caster to sense any magical
Touch of the Dagger creature by scent, regardless of Might.

Touch/Mom/Ind (Base 5, +1 Conc, +2 Smell)

37
 *Atk advantage 3+ => targets falls = Dfn is only
Steliana, Maga of Qik+stress, no Ability added)
Scenario

Soak: +3 (+6 in Hybrid form)

Tremere Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +3, Pre +3, Com +2, Str 0,
Sta 0, Dex 0, Qik 0 Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Bestiary

Characteristics, Hybrid form: Int +1, Per +3, Pre +2,

Com +2, Str +2 , Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik +2 Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (logic), Code of Hermes 1
(wizards’ marches), Cult of Shape-Stealers Lore 3 (initiations),
Size: 0 Finesse 2 (precision), Folk Ken 3 (the opposite sex), Latin 4
(hermetic usage), Magic Theory 3 (inventing spells), Order of
Age: 27 (27) Hermes Lore 2 (personalities), Parma Magica 2 (Ignem),
Penetration 2 (certamen), Shape-Stealing 1 (qualities), South
Fiction

Decrepitude: 0 Slavonic 5 (Bulgar), Teaching 2 (cult members)

Warping Score: 0 (4) Abilities, Hybrid form: Athletic 5 (distance running),

Awareness 2 (smell), Brawl 6+2 (teeth (20), Hunt 4 (track by
Confidence: 1 (3) smell), Leadership 5 (wolves), Survival 5 (winter)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Affinity Arts: Cr 5, In 0, Mu 10, Pe 0, Re 0, An 8, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 8,
Setting

with Parma Magica, Affinity with Brawl, Affinity with Muto, He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 1, Te 5, Vi 0

Cautious with Brawl, Good Teacher, Improved Characteristics
(×2), Independent Study, Inoffensive to Magical Beings, Minor Casting Sigil: Well-ordered
Magical Focus (Certamen)*, Rapid Convalescence, Shape-
Stealing**, Chaotic Magic, Deficient Technique (Perdo), Major Spells Known:
Essential Flaw: Pre (face of a criminal)**, Ambitious,
Oversensitive (Disrespect), Mentor (Rhine Exarch), Weak Beast of Outlandish Size (MuAn 15) +18
Magic, Sinister Cult member**
Rules

Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15) +18

* House Virtue
Healing for the Journey Home (CrCo 5) +13
**Cult Virtue or Flaw
Moon of the Bound Wound (CrCo 15) +13
Qualities and Virtues, Hybrid form: Puissant Brawl,
Character

Tough Eyes of the Cat (MuCo(An) 5) +18

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Leader +3, Preternatural Growth and Shrinking (MuCo 15) +18
Oversensitive (Insults) +3
Shape of the Woodland Prowler (MuCo(An) 25) +18
Combat:
Supple Iron and Rigid Rope (MuTe 10) +15
Editorial

Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +3, Damage N/A

Rock of Viscid Clay (MuTe 15) +15
Fist: Init +0, Attack +3, Defense +3, Damage +0
Sub Rosa
Kick: Init -1, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +3

Combat, Hybrid form:

Teeth: Init +1, Attack +14, Defense +11, Damage +3

Trip: Init +1, Attack +10, Defense +9, Damage N/A*

38
 Trip: Init +1, Attack +9, Defense +8, Damage N/A*
Armand, Magus of

Scenario
*Atk advantage 3+ => targets falls = Dfn is only Qik+stress, no

Flambeau
Ability added)

Soak: +2
Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +1, Com -2, Str +1, Sta +2, Dex
+2, Qik +1 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Bestiary
Characteristics, Hybrid form: Int +1, Per +1, Pre +1, Com +1, Str Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-
+2, Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik +2 20), Dead (21+)

Size: 0 Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (music), Athletics 3 (running), Awareness

3 (determining effect), Brawl 1 (dodge), Concentration 3 (spell
Age: 27 (27) concentration), Cult of Shape-Stealing Lore 1(initiations), Great Weapon
5 (Pole Axe), Hunt 3 (tracking), Latin 4 (hermetic usage), Magic Theory 3

Fiction
Decrepitude: 0 (potency), Norman French 5 (poetry), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (history),
Parma Magica 1 (corpus), Penetration 2 (perdo), Shape-Stealing 2
Warping Score: 0 (4) (qualities) (2)

Confidence: 1 (3) Abilities, Hybrid form: Athletic 5 (distance running), Awareness 2

(smell), Brawl 5+2 (teeth), Hunt 4 (track by smell), Leadership 5
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Major Potent Magic (damage), Shape- (wolves), Survival 5 (winter)

Setting
Stealing**, Mastered Spells, Minor Magical Focus (wound & maim
humans), Affinity with Perdo, Affinity with Corpus, Special Arts: Cr 0, In 0, Mu 0, Pe 14+3, Re 0, An 5, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 10+3,
Circumstances (When touching target: +3), Puissant Corpus, Warrior, He 1, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 0, Te 1, Vi 1
Hermetic Magus, Puissant Perdo*, Deficient Technique (Creo), Short-
Ranged Magic, Carefree, Legacy, Reckless, Susceptibility to Divine Casting Sigil: Natural patterns
Power, Sinister Cult member*
Spells Known:
*House Virtue

Rules
Decaying Touch of Fur and Hide (PeAn 5) +24
** Cult Virtue
Blunt the Wolf’s Fangs (PeAn 15) +39
Qualities, in Hybrid form: Ferocity*, Long Winded, Tough
Rend the Wyrm’s Scales (PeAn 15) +40, Mastery 1 (multiple casting)
(*) Ferocity only works in combat and for aggressive actions. It

Character
grants +1 Confidence Score and +2 temporary Confidence Points. Touch of the Dagger (PeCo 10) +58, Mastery 4 (magic resistance,
multiple casting, penetration, imperturbable casting)
Personality Traits: Reckless +3, Carefree +3
Touch of the Sword (PeCo 15) +57, Mastery 3 (multiple casting,
Combat: penetration, imperturbable casting)

Dodge: Init +1, Attack N/A, Defense +3, Damage N/A Curse of the Rotted Wood (PeHe5) +20

Pole Axe: Init +2, Attack +12, Defense +6, Damage +12 Touch of the Great Rot (PeHe 20) +20
Editorial
Sub Rosa

Fist: Init +1, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +1 Rusting Touch of Ten-Score Years (PeTe 5) +20

Kick: Init +0, Attack +3, Defense +1, Damage +4 Fist of Shattering (PeTe10) +10

Combat, Hybrid form: Pit of the Gaping Earth (PeTe 15) +10

Pole Axe: Init: +3, Attack +12, Defense +7, Damage +13 Sap the Griffin’s Strength (PeVi 5) +10

Teeth: Init +1, Attack +13, Defense +10, Damage +3

39
 Soak: 0
Lydvia, Maga of
Scenario

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Tytalus Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),

Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Characteristics: Int +3, Per -2, Pre +3, Com -1, Str -1, Sta
0, Dex 0, Qik 0 Abilities: Area Lore: Pomerania 3 (witch clans), Artes
Liberales 1 (rhetoric), Charm 2 (magi), Code of Hermes 1
Bestiary

Characteristics, Hybrid form: Int +3, Per +1, Pre +3, (wizards’ marches), Concentration 2 (spell concentration), Folk
Com +1, Str +2 , Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik +2 Ken 2 (magi), Guile 3 (fast talk), Intrigue 3+2 (alliances), Latin
4 (hermetic usage), Magic Lore 1 (magical traditions), Magic
Size: 0 Theory 3 (Vim), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (politics), Parma
Magica 1 (Mentem), Penetration 1 (Vim), Russian 5 (slang),
Age: 27 (27) Shape-Stealing 2 (qualities) (2)
Fiction

Decrepitude: 0 Abilities, Hybrid form: Athletic 5 (distance running),

Awareness 2 (smell), Brawl 5+2 (teeth), Hunt 4 (track by
Warping Score: 0 (4) smell), Leadership 5 (wolves), Survival 5 (winter)

Confidence: 2 (5) Arts: Cr 0, In 8, Mu 0, Pe 5, Re 12, An 0, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 0,

He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 5, Te 0, Vi 10
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Chthonic Magic, Shape-
Setting

Stealing**, Affinity with Vim, Affinity with Rego, Minor Casting Sigil: Distant, howling sound
Magical Focus (magic spirits), Special Circumstances
(Displaying pagan symbols), Affinity with Intrigue, Puissant Spells Known:
Intrigue, Venus’ Blessing, Hermetic Magus, Self-Confident*,
Necessary Condition (Display pagan symbols), Weak Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15) +17
Spontaneous Magic, Clumsy Magic, Cruel, Difficult
Spontaneous Magic, Dispassionate, Sinister Cult member** Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20) +17
Rules

*House Virtue Scent of Peaceful Slumber (ReMe 20) +17

** Cult Virtue Scourge of the Magical Spirit (PeVi 5) +21, Mastery 1 (multiple
casting)
Qualities, in Hybrid form: Keen Sense of Smell, Sharp
Ears Scent of Magic Spirits (InVi 20) +26
Character

Personality Traits: Cruel +1, Pious -1, Practical +1 Circle of Magic Spirit Warding (ReVi 20) +32

Combat: Coerce the Magical Spirit (ReVi 20) +32

Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +0, Damage N/A Maintaining the Demanding Spell (ReVi 20) +22
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Fist: Init +0, Attack +0, Defense +0, Damage -1

Kick: Init -1, Attack +0, Defense -1, Damage +2

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Combat, Hybrid form:

Teeth: Init +1, Attack +13, Defense +10, Damage +3

Trip: Init +1, Attack +9, Defense +8, Damage N/A*

*Atk advantage 3+ => targets falls = Dfn is only

Qik+stress, no Ability added)

40
 Scenario
Bestiary
Each article in the Set Piece series By Christian R Andersen
takes in a single archetypal location typical SETTING
of many sessions across many, many sagas. Wherever goods need to be bought,
It explores the potential in the setting, As Mythic Europe of the 1220s sees a sold, or moved you may find a merchant
providing the storyguide with ready-to- lot of growth of towns and cities due to company as described in this article. This
play details, characters, and side-plots to urbanization, charters, and more is most likely in a moderately-sized

Fiction
ensure that the same old lodging house centralized and specialized production the chartered town with a market and located
isn’t just the same old lodging house. merchant class is prospering. Situated near in a strategic location for transportation.
the natural resources needed for the Guilds for various crafts, service
Other locations described in the Set production of goods to be sold or along professions, and merchants are still few
Piece series may deal with towns, cities, transport routes trading companies are and generalized, but at the end of the 13th
and large villages in general. This article teeming with activity. Examples are the century the number of guilds explodes and
instead deals with a single aspect of such coastal settlements of the Flanders region tends to be highly specialized. See City &

Setting
settlements: The business of a busy as well as towns along the lower Rhine and Guild for more.
merchant. its tributaries.

Rules
Character
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Sub Rosa

41
 Combat:
Johan the Capo
Scenario

Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense +0, Damage n/a

Johan is the son of a local merchant - a local carrier who
prospered along with the growth of Dortmund. Educated as a Fist: Init +0, Attack +0, Defense +0, Damage +0
young boy at cathedral school and as an adolescent at his
father’s side. When Johan inherited the business he was far Kick: Init -1, Attack +0, Defense -1, Damage +3
more ambitious than his father and took great risks in investing
in an expansion. His marriage was more or less forced upon Soak: 0
Bestiary

him by a lesser nobleman with an unpayable debt and an

unmarried daughter. Both families saved face and Johan used Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
the new connections to move up in society and form new
business contracts. Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +1, Pre+1, Com+1, Str 0, Sta 0,
Dex+1, Qik 0 Abilities: Area Lore: Westphalia 4 (trade), Area Lore:
Fiction

Flanders 3 (trade), Artes Liberales 3 (arithmetic), Bargain 5

Size: 0 (buy low), Carouse 3 (bawdy tales), Church Lore 2
(personalities), Etiquette 3 (lower nobility), Folk Ken 4 (trade),
Age: 42 (42) High German 4 (trade lingo), Latin 3 (church usage),
Leadership 4 (trade), Low German 5 (Dortmund), Merchant 6
Decrepitude: 0 (form trade routes) (5), Norman French 3 (trade lingo),
Organization Lore: Dortmund merchant’s guild 4 (rules),
Setting

Warping Score: 0 (0) Survival 2 (forest), Theology 1 (biblical knowledge)

Confidence: 1 (3) Equipment: Fine clothing

Virtues and Flaws: Capo, Educated, Unhappily married, Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Proud
Appearance: Johan is a little on the tall side but otherwise a
Personality Traits: Proud +3, Pious +1, Generous -2 very average-looking man. His medium brown hair and full
Rules

beard is starting to show signs of grey.

The merchant company of the size route like a river, natural harbor or road large business it can supply not only
described in this article is the main site of system. Other than that a rural merchant mundane provisions in the volume
Character

the company set in Dortmund, it has company most likely has most other traits necessary for a covenant, it can also
business holdings in two other locations in from this article in common. procure exotic and valuable supplies
Flanders. The head of the company is the needed for laboratory work. If located in a
capo, the other interests are run by factors Other variations to the urban merchant more distant place, visiting the merchant
who are blood relatives of the capo; in this may be by being a lesser holding to a larger could be part of a story unrelated to the
case his son and his son-in-law company. In this case the resident covenant’s supply situation. However,
respectively. The company’s main business merchant is an employee and perhaps a industrious characters may see future
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is exporting locally produced iron and relative of the capo. Again, this has little business opportunities. Finally the
silverware to Flanders and importing wool bearing on how the location looks, works company may be visited for the sole
and salted fish. The company keeps a and how player characters interact with it. purpose of finding transportation. For
Sub Rosa
good number of people on permanent those wishing to hide within a crowd,
payroll and employs additional day travel with a caravan of wagons may be
laborers during peak business periods. Reasons for visiting just the thing. For longer journeys the
A traveling party of magi, companions, characters may book passage on a ship
and grogs have any number of reasons to embarking on a fixed route or even charter
Variations pass by a merchant’s place of business. If a whole vessel themselves. The larger the
A rural merchant company needs situated close to the covenant this may be settlement and merchant company is, the
reasons to be located outside a settlement; a ‘first contact’ story where the magi and less conspicuous this is.
either proximity to natural resources, their consorts initiate relations and
farmland worked etc. or to a transport dealings for trade. By being a moderate to

42
 Appearance Variations Warehouse and Office

Scenario
Whether placed in a town, a Regional variations exist regarding The most important place of the
prosperous village, or a full fledged city both architecture and materials, buildings merchant company is where the business
this merchant company is situated where a in brick and mortar or cut stone are also takes place. The office where bookkeeping
widely used road crosses a river or passes a known, as are slate or tile roofs. In a more and administrative matters take place is
seaport. Located in a recently booming closely packed urban environment the likely to be just a space with a desk in a
village or town the relatively new buildings premium area is for business only. The corner of the warehouse, alternatively a
lie at the port. At the front a two-story building would occupy a narrower space small adjoining room. Multi story

Bestiary
building in wooden framework rises, with towards the road but be deeper and with warehouses has the office on the ground
a prominent gate leading to the enclosed more floors. Only office and storage floor for easy access. During business
courtyard. This building houses the offices would be here, horses would be stabled hours the capo, or any deputy on duty,
of the company on the ground floor, the elsewhere and the merchant lives off site. splits his time between sitting at the office
merchant and his family live on the top desk and overseeing work in the storage
floor. At the rear of the courtyard lie the The rural variation has more open areas or yard..
stables and wagon sheds, to one side the space around and looks like a prosperous

Fiction
neighboring building or a wall encloses the farmer’s house, with sprawling Cellars, particularly deep ones, are
yard, to the other side lies the large outbuildings around. With few people useful for merchants dealing in foodstuffs
warehouse. All buildings have thatched around security measure are more aimed at and other wares prone to spoiling. This is
roofs and sturdy doors and shuttered keeping predatory animals away from the also a prime location for a vault or strong
windows. geese than keeping the warehouse locked room for storing valuables, secured with
to discourage theft. an iron reinforced door and a proper lock.

Setting
Rules
Character
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43
 Stable and Wagon Shed broad street or at the harbor the front BUSINESS
Scenario

Adjacent to the warehouse, or in the building, with the gate to the courtyard, is
courtyard behind it, are found the stables a preferable living space several stories OPPORTUNITIES
for horses and sheds for wagons. high compared to rear buildings lying in
Enterprising merchants owning horses shadow and stale air. Ground floor holds A merchant company of the size
and wagons of their own saves money by main reception area and parlor, basement described here is not a place where you
not having to hire them from outside or side building holds the kitchen and walk in to buy supplies for a small
providers, and may even hire their own servant’s quarters. The upper floor contain household, the market and local carriers
Bestiary

transport services out when not in use. the bedrooms and chambers for the cover this kind of business. Instead the
Stablehands, teamsters, and laborers are merchant’s wife. merchant moves wares from the place of
found here at work during business hours. production to a place where they can be
Particularly large businesses may employ On the other hand, if the business is sold for a profit, and carries other wares
farriers and wagon-makers of their own, located on a narrow and cramped street, back — in bulk preferably. Landing a
otherwise these craftsmen are called for with buildings on the opposite side of the contract to supply large households,
when needed. street leaning over, the front building is castles, abbeys, or covenants, is more
Fiction

better used for storage. In this case the interesting to such a merchant; he can
courtyard can be a peaceful oasis, isolated cover both the volume, quality, and variety
Merchant’s Residence from the noise and stench of the street. desired by the wealthy classes as well as
The example merchant lives in one of exotic, rare, or luxurious goods.
the wings of the buildings enclosing the
courtyard of his business. Located on a
Setting

Hamacher the Personality Traits: Disrespectful +3, Reliable -1, Brave +1

Combat:

Teamster Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense +7, Damage n/a
Rules

Hamacher is a beast of a man. Born and raised in a small Dagger: Init +0, Attack +10, Defense +7, Damage +6
village near Dortmund he and his brother started their adult
life as minor highwaymen. After a brush with trained Bludgeon: Init +0, Attack +11, Defense +8, Damage +5
mercenary guards the two of them found more gainful
employment working with transportation, and to a lesser Fist: Init +0, Attack +8, Defense +7, Damage +3
degree security, for Johan the Merchant. Somewhat skilled with
Character

both boats, horses and wagons Hamacher excels by his Kick: Init -1, Attack +8, Defense +6, Damage +6
strength and bulk.
Soak: +4
Characteristics: Int 0, Per 0, Pre -2, Com -2, Str +3, Sta +3,
Dex +1, Qik 0 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Size: +1 Wound Penalties: -1 (1-6), -3 (7-12), -5 (13-18),

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Incapacitated (19-24), Dead (25+)

Age: 22 (22)
Abilities: Animal Handling 2 (horses), Area Lore: Lower
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Decrepitude: 0 Rhine roads 2 (ambush sites), Area Lore: Dortmund 2
(brothels), Athletics 3 (running), Awareness 2 (keep watch),
Warping Score: 0 (0) Boating 3 (barges), Brawl 5+2 (Bludgeon), Carouse 4 (power
drinking), Low German 5 (common), Hunt 1 (rabbits),
Virtues and Flaws: Craftsman, Large, Puissant Brawl, Organization Lore: Dortmund Merchant’s Guild 1
Compulsion (Drinking and womanizing), Uncontrollable (businesses), Survival 2 (woodlands), Teamster 3 (horses)
Strength (When care and delicacy is needed roll Stress roll of
6+, failing adds a secretly rolled simple die to effective Str. Equipment: Quilted Armor, Bludgeon
Also 1 extra Botch die on Str rolls.)
Encumbrance: 0 (2)

44
 Schlemmer the Combat:

Scenario
Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense +4, Damage n/a
Loadmaster Dagger: Init +0, Attack +7, Defense +4, Damage +5
Schlemmer is both big and strong, but dwarfs next to his
little brother Hamacher. Born and raised in a small village near Bludgeon: Init +0, Attack +8, Defense +5, Damage +4
Dortmund he and his brother started their adult life as minor

Bestiary
highwaymen. After a brush with trained mercenary guards the Fist: Init +0, Attack +5, Defense +4, Damage +2
two of them found more gainful employment working with
transportation, and to a lesser degree security, for Johan the Kick: Init -1, Attack +5, Defense +3, Damage +5
Merchant. Schlemmer lifts crates himself when he has to, but
his main skills are as a foreman for teamsters, drovers and Soak: +6
boatmen.
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Fiction
Characteristics: Int 0, Per 0, Pre +2, Com -2, Str +2, Sta
+2, Dex +1, Qik 0 Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Size: 0
Abilities: Animal Handling 2 (horses), Area Lore: Lower
Age: 25 (25) Rhine roads 2 (ambush sites), Area Lore: Dortmund 2
(gambling dens), Athletics 3 (running), Awareness 2 (alertness),

Setting
Decrepitude: 0 Boating 3 (barges), Brawl 4 (Bludgeon), Carouse 4 (games of
chance), Low German 5 (common), Leadership 5+2
Warping Score: 0 (0) (intimidation), Organization Lore: Dortmund Merchant’s
Guild 1 (businesses), Survival 2 (woodlands), Teamster 3
Virtues and Flaws: Covenfolk, Puissant Leadership, Tough, (horses)
Compulsion (Drinking and gambling), Sleep Disorder (Often
unable to sleep, may nod off during dull and quiet periods. Roll Equipment: Quilted Armor (Soak: 6) (Soak: 6; Protection:
Stress roll of 6+ to avoid, modified by Personality Traits) 1), Bludgeon

Rules
Personality Traits: Brave +1, Sly +3, Reliable -1 Encumbrance: 0 (2)

Covenants with a production of their Clandestine Work merchant does not live on site the place is

Character
own (modelled as a source of income) may As with legitimate business there can not completely deserted, one or more
need an agent to transport and sell their be any number of reasons to visit the watchmen are likely employed. Unless
goods, and merchant companies with merchant in secrecy or at night. Instead of there is a specific risk or criminal activity
businesses in several towns are ideal for being an ally or business associate the this is rarely intense guarding by armed
this. A traveling expedition of magi with merchant may instead be an antagonist, a men, but safeguarding against fires is
followers may also employ the services of challenge to be overcome. He could be a recommended. People sneaking in need to
the merchant for land or water rival to a player character or allied not only use Athletics to scale the fence,

Editorial
transportation. They can travel along with merchant. He could be a villain or a cheat walls or roof but also Stealth to do it
the cargo along common trade routes, to needing justice or revenge served. Or the quietly. The storyguide should determine
connect to other significant settlements via player characters could be dirty, rotten how disciplined and professional any
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major roads or rivers. Or they may charter scoundrels! Activities could include guards are and assign odds that they doze
an entire ship with crew or wagons with espionage, theft, sabotage, abduction, off and have hard Awareness rolls to
teamsters for the more remote and forgery, plots to find or plant evidence or make. However with the abundance of
desolate destinations. And if they suddenly even assassination. dogs, or even worse: geese, in settlements
need to haul a magical stone idol 15 paces the Awareness rolls of the animals may be
high back to the covenant only the most the critical element. Barking dogs or
hidebound merchant will refuse their At Night honking geese have an easier time stirring
money. During the dark hours things quiet a sleepy guard than the scraping sound of
down at the merchant company and much a soft shoe on a slate roof.
of the personnel go home. Even if the

45
 AURAS money sins of avarice and corruption is taint, so even if the merchant is not
Scenario

indeed a possibility, so local instances of corrupt and greedy the infernal may hold
By being connected to mundane Infernal aura exist, indeed entire sway at times. However pagan beliefs may
settlements a Dominion is naturally found neighborhoods may be covered. Infernal also have been centered on the crossroads,
covering the merchant company and auras of more than 2 should be rare, they giving rise to a faerie aura instead. Finally
indeed the entire business district. are usually Tarnished (see Realms of Power: ancient, primordial powers may be in play
Typically an aura of 3 for a city, 2 for a The Infernal, pages 13-15) with greed or instead, so a magical aura may exist
town, or 1 for a village. That being said, avarice. Locations with brothels, gambling instead.
Bestiary

towns in rapid expansion phases often dens, and taverns full of drinking and
erect new neighborhoods outside the fighting the aura may even be Debauched. As the different auras wax and wane
settlement’s established boundaries, or (infernal is 1 higher at night, as is faerie
even wholly separate from the old town A rural merchant company may even auras often, certain pagan holidays or
due to better access to a harbor or river be located outside the village where two significant dates also change auras) only
bank. This results in a lower Dominion old roads intersect, and crossroads hold the highest aura is dominant. The
aura than the town proper, although at significance for several Realms. Most exception here is that the Dominion is
Fiction

least 1. By being so deeply involved with obviously the crossroads have an infernal

Virtues and Flaws: Capo’s wife, Improved Characteristics,

Ermengarde, Johan’s Privileged Upbringing, Self-Confident, Social Contacts, Strong-
Willed; Avaricious, Ability Block: Martial, Close Family Ties,

wife
Generous
Setting

Personality Traits: Avaricious +6, Generous +3, Loyal to

Ermengarde is the younger daughter of a lesser nobleman, Family -2
her independence and strong will gave her father problems
regarding marrying her off. When Johan the Merchant failed to Combat:
keep up his end of a contract Ermengarde’s father saw fit to
foist his troublesome daughter off his hands as well as gain a Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense +0, Damage n/a
permanent hold over a merchant who would potentially gain
Rules

wealth and power in time. Ermengarde’s main concern is Fist: Init +0, Attack +0, Defense +0, Damage +0
wealth, and her considerable social skills is helpful to Johan’s
contracts and transactions, however she both spends much Kick: Init -1, Attack +0, Defense -1, Damage +3
money as well as hoards money away to the cellar vault. She
maintains ties to her family and other minor nobe lines, but she Soak: 0
feels no particular loyalty towards them.
Character

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Design note: Her Social Virtue ‘Capo’s Wife’ is rated as only
Minor, since she is merely the wife of a capo. Should Johan die Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
she could continue the business in his name as a Capo, and in Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
this case the virtue should be major.
Abilities: Area Lore: Dortmund 3 (wealthy people), Artes
Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre +2, Com +20, Str -1, Liberales 2 (rhetoric), Awareness 3 (alertness), Charm 4 (being
Editorial

Sta 0, Dex -1, Qik-1 witty), Church Lore 1 (personalities), Etiquette 5 (wealthy
townspeople), Folk Ken 4 (the opposite sex), Guile 4
Size: 0 (elaborate lies), Intrigue 5 (plotting), Latin 3 (academic usage),
Sub Rosa
Leadership 3 (household), Low German 5 (Dortmund),
Age: 35 (35) Merchant 2 (accounting), Music 2 (sing), Organization Lore:
Dortmund Merchant’s Guild 3 (rules), Organization Lore:
Decrepitude: 0 Westphalian Nobility 3 (family history), Ride 1 (long distance),
Teaching 1 (social skills), Theology 1 (history)
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Equipment: Fine dress, fine jewelry
Confidence: 2 (5)
Encumbrance: 0 (0)

46
 Karl the Spying Combat:

Scenario
Dodge: Init +1, Attack n/a, Defense +3, Damage n/a
Scribe Fist: Init +1, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +0
Karl is a young man educated at cathedral school in
Dortmund. During this time his gambling habits led to Kick: Init +0, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +3
troubles graciously fixed by the clergy. But now he owes favors

Bestiary
big time to the Archdeacon, and hence works as a spy. His Soak: -2
work as scribe and administrator for a merchant, and his
frequent visits to taverns frequented by sinners and criminals. Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Leads him across information somehow useful to the
Archdeacon. Karl has no idea how the bits of gossip and Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15),
information about who buys what luxury goods is used. As it Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
turns out the Archdeacon is very interested in prosecuting

Fiction
cases as canon court, and Karl’s information is often useful. Abilities: Area Lore: Dortmund -- (criminal activities), Artes
Liberales 3 (grammar), Athletics 1 (running), Awareness 3
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +1, Pre 0, Com +3, Str 0, Sta - (searching), Brawl 2 (Fist), Civil and Canon Law 2 (Dortmund),
2, Dex +1, Qik +1 Concentration 3 (reading), Folk Ken 1 (merchants), Guile 3
(long term plot), Latin 5 (academic usage), Low German 5
Size: 0 (poetry), Merchant 1 (evaluate goods), Organization Lore:
Dortmund Scribe’s Guild 3 (rules), Scribe 4 (letters), Stealth 3

Setting
Age: 22 (22) (lurking)

Decrepitude: 0 Equipment:

Warping Score: 0 (0) Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Virtues and Flaws: Clerk, Educated, Luck, Dark Secret: Spy Appearance: Karl is a bit rotund, easily exhausted but jittery
for the Archdeacon and with steady hands. He exhibits little charisma but has

Rules
shrewd and watchful eyes.
Personality Traits: Loyal -3, Reliable +2, Brave -1

dominant unless it is actually lower than facts and rumors. A prime target for both
other auras. spies and thieves. STAGING ACTION

Character
Most activities the player characters are
CHARACTERS Overheard expected to have at a merchant company
Laborers on site often see or hear involve social interactions
Typical characters encountered would things which might be worth a few coins
be the capo, perhaps a deputy for a large down at the tavern at night. Information
company, the capo’s wife, a scribe or about who visits, where the outgoing ship Using Cover

Editorial
teamsters and laborers. Sample characters or caravan is going or what wares pass The abundance of wares in barrels or
can be found throughout this article. through ca interest business rivals, tax crates restrict both movement - making a
collectors, highwaymen, clergymen charging attack difficult - and can provide
Sub Rosa

looking for sinners, noblemen feeling cover and concealment. If a room is

SECRETS threatened by arms build-up et multiple defined as ‘mostly full’ then no charges can
cetera. be made, so attackers must first spend a
A merchant company thrives on round to move into contact with a foe and
contacts and knowledge; with many Spies sneaking in have a multitude of may not attack until their next turn. If the
employees travelling back and forth, hiding places below wagons, behind crates, defender in this situation does not attack
visiting strangers as well as both interesting on the stable’s loft or outside the mostly but spends his entire turn moving away
and valuable goods such a place can be a open warehouse doors. and keeping the object between himself
veritable goldmine of information, both and the attacker he may add +3 to

47
Scenario
Bestiary
Fiction
Setting

Defense next round for waist-high wagon or delivering a kick (at +3 Attack) may damage or ruin the wares inside, of
obstacles or +6 for larger cover. to a foe. 10+ ruins the entire thing.
Rules

Up, Down, and Across Boxes, Barrels, and Bales Horses and Wagons
Multi-story merchant compounds have Moving up onto stored wares rarely The draft horses and oxen are more
ample opportunity for moving up or down require any rolls for stable surfaces like known for being docile and heavy rather
levels, using stairs, ladders or winch-ropes crates or barrels, but soft bales or sacks than in any way fast. However if spooked
hanging from the classic wooden beam may take a Dexterity + Athletics versus an their considerable size and bulk can cause
Character

jutting out from above the second floor Ease factor of 6 or more. This gives a huge problems inside a crowded and
window. height advantage against people still on the cluttered courtyard. Wagons are built to
floor, giving either the Defense bonus handle huge loads and weights and are
As explained in Lords of Men, action on outlined under ‘Using cover’ earlier if one more suited for cover, stepping-stones or
stairs is both Difficult Terrain (half does not attack, or it is good for a +3 height advantage (see above) in a battle or
movement rate) as well as a Hazard Attack bonus. chase scene. Any hope of using the
(additional Botch die). Ladders are even wagons and draft animals for a quick
Editorial

worse, and a person standing at the top However this is not a uniform or stable escape requires great skill and great luck as
can flip the ladder away even as another is surface to movement is halved and an well as a good distraction.
climbing it, requiring a Strength roll versus extra Botch die is added to most physical
Sub Rosa
an Ease Factor of 6 or more, depending feats. Movement Botches may overturn
on the circumstances. Creative use of the crates or barrels, Combat Botches may
winch-rope can let a character rapidly get result in weapons hitting the items. In
down to the yard, or swing a fair distance either case make a Damage roll for the
and perhaps land on a wagon bed. This weapon used or falling damage for the
requires a Dexterity + Athletics roll versus appropriate height, using Soak of +0 for
an Ease factor of 6 for a simple down- sacks or bales and +5 for barrels of
rope, 9 for up-rope or a swinging move, or wooden crates. Excess damage of 1 causes
12 for swinging to land on a horseback, a crack or tear, of 5 ruins packaging and

48
 Scenario
Bestiary
After 1220 AD – the typical The Antichrist from the Johannine By Berengar Drexel
beginning of an Ars Magica saga – epistles is an heretical teacher
historical Europe changes rapidly: the overpowering the Christian with the construction of the basilica at
population increases, as do trade and communities with words and false Assisi. Another general chapter is called
literacy. People of different religions miracles before the final apocalypse, to Assisi for Pentecost 1230.
mingle regularly, haltingly transforming thereby testing each individual’s faith

Fiction
faith from an aspect of communities and worthiness. So 13th century
and traditions to one of individuals and Christians feeling their traditions The Emperor around
convictions. threatened, especially those following
Joachim, scrutinize challenging figures
1230
Shouldn’t Mythic Europe’s and wonder whether they just might I n Summer 1 22 7, E mper or
Dominion follow this transformation? behold the Antichrist. Frederick II prepared the crusade, to
And shouldn’t there be an Ars Magica which he was obliged by the treaty of

Setting
saga in that? San Germano from 1225 with Pope
The Franciscans around Honorius III. The heat of Summer and
The following adventure makes this
change its central theme, allowing
1230 cramped quarters in Brindisi caused an
epidemic among the crusaders, though,
characters to experience and examine it In 1226 Francis, gravely ill and and also Frederick fell seriously ill. The
first-hand. nearly blind, dictated his testament, crusaders still embarked to leave
confirming the ideal of evangelical Brindisi, but soon scattered.
You are best starting this saga thread poverty and explicitly forbidding his

Rules
between spring equinox 1229 and spring brethren to add to the rule and the
equinox 1230, end it latest two weeks testament, or to explain them. He died
before Pentecost 1230, and with magi October 3rd of this year at the
some 10 years out of apprenticeship. portiuncola outside Assisi. PLAYTESTERS
The cardinal-protector of the  Chris Bommersheim:

Character
THE ANTICHRIST? Franciscans, Ugolino dei Conti di Segni, Susanna the shapeshifting
is elected Pope Gregory IX in March runaway
Where Christian communities saw 19th 1227, canonizes Francis in July
the bases of their world views and 16th 1228, and in response to questions  Michael Roberts: Teodorus
traditions challenged, they often from the Franciscans will declare in his the Bonisagus researcher
resorted to the Book of Revelation. bull, ‘Quo elongati’ from September
Around the very end of the 12th 28th 1230 the testament of Francis not  Wolfgang Reich: Artifex the

Editorial
century, the monk and exegete Joachim legally binding for them. Against his Mercere magus
of Fiore interpreted it anew in his intentions, this only fires up the
Expositio in Apocalypsim, expecting the conflicts among Franciscans over the
Sub Rosa

beginning of the third and last era in the right way to follow the poverello.
relation of Man and God, the Age of Ars Magica characters are a
the Holy Spirit and reign of freedom, Frate Elia of Cortona had run the diverse lot, with many different
for around 1260 AD. For this, he Franciscan order in the last years of abilities, spells, convictions and
evolved the centuries old methods of Francis’ life, and calls a general chapter approaches to problems. All of these
interpreting scripture into elaborate, of the order for Pentecost 1227 to will influence the encounters in this
complex exegetics, authorized by a Assisi. There Giovanni Parenti, adventure, so storyguides are
vision he had on Mount Tabor. advocate of strict obedience to Francis’ encouraged to improvise and adjust
rule and testament, is elected as general where necessary.
minister, and Elia of Cortona charged

49
 The newly elected Pope Gregory IX
Scenario

in October 29th 1227 uses a provision

of the treaty of San Germano to declare BOOK STATISTICS
the excommunication of the Emperor,
without setting conditions for his This adventure makes a number of books available to the player characters.
release from it. Still excommunicated,
June 28th of 1228 the Emperor Joachim of Fiore: Enchiridion super Apocalypsim (around 1185)
embarks for the Holy Land with the
Bestiary

army, and February 2nd 1229 concludes Tractatus on Theology, Quality 9, Latin, introduction to Joachim’s
an agreement with Sultan al-Kamil interpretation of history
about the restitution of Jerusalem,
Bethlehem and some other places to the Joachim of Fiore: Concordia novi ac veteris Testamenti (completed in
Christians, and about a truce of 10 1200, 5 volumes)
years. In early summer 1229 he has to
return to southern Italy, as the rumor of Tractatus on Theology, Quality 9, Latin, part of encyclopedia below
Fiction

his death spreads there and papal

soldiers have begun a successful Joachim of Fiore: Expositio in Apocalypsim (completed within 1200
invasion. and 1202, introduction and 8 volumes)

Two Tractatus on Theology, each Quality 9, Latin, part of encyclopedia

Broeder Klaas de below
Spinnen – Doctor
Setting

The latter two form an encyclopedia (see Art & Academe, page 26, box
Nicolaus Araneus Encyclopedias), which gives a +3 bonus to Theology (exegetics) rolls
following Joachim’s method.
A weak, but determined offspring of
the Spinnen of Ghent (see The Lion and Adso of Montier-en-Der: Epistola Adsonis ad Gerbergam reginam de
the Lily, page 97), Klaas shows only very ortu et tempore antichristi (around 950)
weak traces of his faerie heritage. His
talent for learning made his family send Tractatus on Theology, Quality 8, Latin, on the antichrist
Rules

him to Salerno’s old and famous school

to study medicine. On his way back to Averroës: The great commentaries on Aristotle (before 1198)
Flanders after intense and successful
studies, he encountered Petrus Cattani They are ArM5 Tractatus, not commentaries, in the sense of Covenants, page
and other Franciscans in Naples tending 90. The copies of Jahir al-Ahd are worn out and unbound: treat them as
to the lepers, and – fascinated by their flap-bound exemplars (Covenants, page 88), unless Jahir consults them
Character

dedication – instead followed them back himself.

to Assisi to join that order. Klaas
returned home only 1219, with papal 6 Tractatus on Philosophy, Quality 8 (12 for Jahir), Arabic, on Aristotle’s
approbation to preach and found works, usable as an encyclopedia for +2 bonus (+6 for Jahir) to Philosophy
convents there, and was especially (Aristotelian) rolls
successful in gathering money and
volunteer staff for hospitals in Flemish The translations Michael Scot can offer are 6 Tractatus on Philosophy,
Editorial

and Lorraine towns. He knows of the Quality 11, Latin, on Aristotle’s works, usable as an encyclopedia for +6
Order of Hermes from Florum (see The bonus to Philosophy (Aristotelian) rolls
Lion and the Lily, pages 96-98).
Sub Rosa
Cardinal Ugolino called Klaas back order, to prevent pride and jealousy. demand for help in complex situations.
to central Italy in 1225, as medic for Since then he closely follows the He overcomes this by preaching (see
Francis’ rapidly worsening eyes. There disputations of his brethren, but is Arts & Academe, pages 13-14 Preaching,
Klaas got inspired by the poverello, himself more concerned with practical The Church, page 130 box Preaching)
stayed with him until his death, and solidarity than with their speculations. compassion, not penitence, and over
afterwards comforted his fellows. Like His position among them is typical for time has become a good leader of men.
the other deathbed companions of the scholars joining after their studies,
Francis, he agreed to have his time with like Alexander of Hales; suspected of When substantiated suspicion
the saint struck from the history of the intellectualism and worldliness, but in appears among his brethren, that the

50
 Emperor, Frederick II, might be the organizing hospitals and disaster relief. The Emperor Suspect

Scenario
Antichrist, this forces Klaas to act. If But Klaas could also be announced by a Klaas is not a theologian, but can
false, Klaas needs to keep them from letter via Redcap from Florum. In any explain why many Franciscans suspect
slandering a fellow Christian. If true, case, he will show up at the doorstep of Frederick II: the Emperor went
they mean that the end of the world, as the player characters’ covenant one day, excommunicated to the Holy Land, to
known, is at hand, and that the faithful accompanied by his burly travel obtain Jerusalem from al-Kamil, the
need to gather and resist the last companion Fra Diotisalvi: Franciscans head of the infidels, crowned himself
onslaught: Klaas, as a medic and priest, are required to never travel alone. You king of Jerusalem in the Church of the

Bestiary
has few illusions about the chaos and find their character statistics at Klaas de Holy Sepulchre without any Christian
terror involved with it, and wishes the Spinnen and Fra Diotisalvi. blessing, and thereby brought the
faithful to be prepared as well as at all interdict upon the Christians of
possible. To first ascertain the fact in Klaas approaches magi as fellow Jerusalem. These are deeds to be
time, however, he sees no way but to scholars about an issue of common expected of the Antichrist.
ask the most competent scholars of interest. Success with an Average
otherworldly topics he knows for help: Perception + Folk Ken stress roll turns Klaas can quote here 1 John 2 18-19:

Fiction
and these are from the Order of up, that he has no hidden agenda. An
Hermes. They are concerned by it like Easy Intelligence + Church Lore or “Dear children, this is the last hour; and
everybody else, so they certainly will Hard Intelligence + Folk Ken stress roll as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
listen to him – or won’t they? tells, that Klaas is the leader of the even now many antichrists have come. This is
Franciscans – their custos - in Flanders how we know it is the last hour. They went out
It is best if the storyguide finds time and Lorraine. from us, but they did not really belong to us.
to make the player characters meet For if they had belonged to us, they would have

Setting
Klaas on business around their remained with us; but their going showed that
covenant before, preaching, healing, or none of them belonged to us.”

Rules
Character
Editorial
Sub Rosa

51
 And Cyril of Jerusalem Catechetical for library research from Covenants, the Age of the Holy Spirit and
Scenario

Lectures 12: pages 98 and 99, and for encyclopedias the Fullness of Grace, with men
from Art & Academe, page 26. understanding God. The
“There shall rise up together ten kings of Kingdom of the Holy Spirit will
the Romans, reigning in different parts perhaps, Klaas is very eager to hear well proceed from the Gospel, but
but all about the same time; and after these an founded proposals for further transcend the letter of it. In this
eleventh, the Antichrist, who by his magical verification or – far better – falsification new Age the ecclesiastical
craft shall seize upon the Roman power; and of of his suspicions. Friars and patients are organization is replaced and the
Bestiary

the kings who reigned before him, three he shall more than enough to keep him busy: he Order of the Just rules the
humble , and the remaining seven he shall keep does not need any wild goose chase on Church.
in subjection to himself. At first indeed he will top.
put on a show of mildness (as though he were a An Average Intelligence + Theology
learned and discreet person), and of soberness or Hard Intelligence + Church Lore
and benevolence: and by the lying signs and Learning from Scholars stress roll with possible support from
wonders of his magical deceit having beguiled and Libraries libraries and encyclopedias yields, that,
Fiction

the Jews, as though he were the expected Christ, while Joachim’s accusations against
he shall afterwards be characterized by all Many aspects of Klaas’ query can Peter the Lombard’s Sententiae were
kinds of crimes of inhumanity and lawlessness, lead magi to library research: be it in pronounced heretic by the Fourth
so as to outdo all unrighteous and ungodly men their own covenant, in the famous Lateran Council in 1215, his other
who have gone before him; displaying against libraries of the Order, in monasteries, tenets are considered quite catholic,
all men, but especially against us Christians, a cathedral schools, or universities. though by no means mandatory. This
spirit murderous and most cruel, merciless and makes Klaas think a lot.
Setting

crafty.”
Joachim of Fiore
This is extremely serious – but A Simple Intelligence + Theology or Philosophy and Theology
brothers wiser than him have pointed Easy Intelligence + Church Lore stress Magi may wish to apply Platonic or
him to Irenaeus of Lyons Against roll brings up Joachim of Fiore as the Aristotelian philosophy to the issue.
Heresies V.30 current authority on the apocalypse. If
asked, Klaas can find Joachim’s exegetic In this case, Klaas will tell them that
“Moreover, another danger, by no means books Concordia novi ac veteris Francis himself has confronted him
Rules

trifling, shall overtake those who falsely Testamenti, Expositio in Apocalypsim with Peter Damian on this method, who
presume that they know the name of and Enchiridion super Apocalypsim stated in On the Perfection of Monks:
Antichrist. For if these men assume one, when with his brethren in a week. He is
this shall come having another, they will be himself surprised by their popularity. “Moreover (if I may speak angrily) those
easily led away by him, as supposing him not to who follow the rabble of grammarians, who,
be the expected one, who must be guarded With these books at hand, anybody forsaking spiritual studies, desire to learn all
Character

against.” with the Ability Latin 4 or higher finds the follies of worldly skill, who, despising the
in a few days the following tenets in rule of Benedict, love to apply themselves to the
So there must be absolutely no them: rules of Donatus; … They argue, then, that
mistakes here. since Holy Scripture allows a wife to give her
 The apocalypse is to be expected handmaiden to her husband so that he may
The recent political facts given by soon, roughly around 1260, after have children, monks may spend their time in
Klaas can be verified with Average 42 generations of 30 years each the pursuit of worldly knowledge. But if
Editorial

Intelligence + Area Lore: Holy Roman since the birth of Christ. This is, Gregory, Jerome and other holy doctors deny
Empire or Intelligence + Area Lore: because by Joachim’s analysis of this, then they must know that they have been
Holy Land simple rolls, by socializing the old testament there lived 42 led astray by the unlawful love of loose women;
Sub Rosa
with nobles in the know of Frederick’s generations from the creation of and that their behavior is equivalent to a
crusade, or by checking with magi of man to Abraham, by Matthew treacherous fight against the marriage-contract.
House Jerbiton and Redcaps interested 1:17 there passed 42 generations For we are not only forbidden to strive for such
in mundane politics. from Abraham to Jesus, and by worthless learning after we have made our holy
Revelations 12:6 God shelters the profession; we are also commanded to reject all
His quotes from bible and church apocalyptic woman for 42 that is unnecessary of what we had previously
fathers can be verified either by Average months. learned.”
Intelligence + Theology simple rolls or
Hard Intelligence + Church Lore stress  This apocalypse after three years Klaas does not prevent them from
rolls. With both you can use the rules and a half will lead to a new era, using philosophical methods, of course.

52
 But he insists that these will not help have copies, which they may lend if the Holy Roman Empire stress rolls, by

Scenario
him address his brethren. covenant or one character there has a socializing with nobles knowing of
good reputation with the monks in the Frederick’s life, or by asking Redcaps
His quote can be verified with an monastery. and magi of House Jerbiton tracking
Average Intelligence + Church Lore or mundane history and rumors. Klaas
Intelligence + Theology stress roll with Anybody with the Ability Latin 4 or after this sees, that there may be more
possible support from libraries and higher can read the letter in an hour and than speculation to the suspicion of his
encyclopedias. will find, that: brethren, and earnestly pushes for an in

Bestiary
depth investigation of Frederick’s past.
 The Antichrist will be born from
Nerius’ Travels a Jewish woman of the tribe of
Nerius’ autobiographical account of Dan and an incubus, How to Proceed
his travels is kept in Durenmar (see Klaas assumes, that Frederick’s
Realms of Power: The Divine, page 91). To  Will be raised by wizards and biological parents and his possible
find and consult it there, an Hermetic false prophets in Galilee, among secret activities in Jerusalem will be very

Fiction
magus presenting his sigil needs to demons, hard to find out. There should be still
succeed with an Average Presence or witnesses to Frederick’s youth in Sicily,
Communication + Etiquette (Order of  Will reconstruct the temple in though.
Hermes) stress roll. Nerius’ account is Jerusalem,
not about magic: neither Vis nor work is Should he accompany player
demanded from a reputable magus  And then will subject the world characters to Palermo and check?
interested in the history of the Order, to his rule through terror, bribery

Setting
but Andrus (see Guardians of the Forests, and false miracles. If the player magi agree, organizing
page 58) will record his name. the voyage is mainly left to them. There
While this may console the magi, are many ways to reach Palermo and
A magus with the Ability Latin 4 or they will see Klaas go pale. After start asking questions: this adventure
higher sees in a day, that Nerius does regaining his composure, he will explain does not presume to choose the one
not mention apocalypse or Antichrist in this to them. fitting for them. By the rules of their
his account, but expects the effect of order (see Franciscans) Klaas and
the Dominion on magic to change in  The legitimacy of Frederick II is Diotisalvi must not travel on horseback,

Rules
the future. questionable: he may well have but they do not care about maintaining
been a changeling, as his 40 years the tonsure.
old mother Constance of
Adso’s Compendium Hauteville at his birth in 1194 With Hard Intelligence + Area Lore:
A Hard Intelligence + Theology or urgently needed to provide an Holy Roman Empire stress rolls,
Intelligence + Church Lore stress roll heir to cruel Henry VI, but never Average Intelligence + Area Lore: Sicily

Character
with possible library and encyclopedia had born a child before. simple rolls, by talking to people that
support finds a short, renowned have recently been to Sicily, or by just
tractatus just to the point of Klaas’  Many years of his youth in asking the Redcaps, they can find out
problem: Epistola Adsonis ad Palermo and surroundings are that Palermo is well guarded: the
Gerbergam reginam de ortu et tempore unaccounted for: from 1202 to Emperor anticipates agents of Pope
antichristi of the 10th century AC, 1206 no information exists of his Gregory IX, especially Franciscan friars,
which expounds the ways to recognize life, but when they resume, they trying to infiltrate Sicily ahead of papal

Editorial
the Antichrist. Adso was a scholarly tell of a head-strong boy matured soldiers. Still, Klaas insists he must go
monk in Toul, in charge of its before his time, unapproachable there in person, accompanied by
monastery school. by teachers and taking liberties at Diotisalvi: findings of magi alone would
Sub Rosa

will. not convince his brethren.

Getting a copy depends on the
quality of the libraries available to the  Also Frederick was recently in
magi: Triamore is known to have one, Jerusalem outside of any control THE CITY OF
and the magi there might have a copy of of the Church: so one cannot
this book made for some three pounds really know what he prepared and PALERMO
silver, if the player spokesperson did there.
succeeds at an Average Communication Palermo is the capital of the Sicilian
+ Bargain stress roll. Old monasteries These doubts can be corroborated kingdom of Emperor Frederick II. It
near the player’s covenant might also with Average Intelligence + Area Lore: grew in ancient times directly around a

53
 natural harbor, the Cala, formed by the dozen household knights plus the foreigners entering Palermo. His
Scenario

junction of two water courses, Papireto longbowmen to pursue and capture Saracen ring of office unbeknownst to
and Kemonia. It is protected from them. If they also were noticed using him bestows Magic Resistance 10 upon
winds on all sides, and surmounted by magic, he might attach Michael Scot the wearer. See Walter of Carini.
the Cássaro, the fortified high town on (see Michael Scot) to these troops.
a hill between the water courses. South The watchmen Walter got to
of the harbor lies the Kalsa, the old command are light foot soldiers left
quarter of sailors, laborers and Suspicion in the City from the Sicilian internal war of the last
Bestiary

warehouses. With the Emperor excommunicated, years. They can take care of themselves
strangers are generally distrusted in in the city, but are not respected there.
Palermo is a huge city of perhaps Sicily: especially foreign clergy, whose
50,000 inhabitants. The Cala is busy day loyalties are unlikely to be with They carry cheap arms and
and night with merchant and war ships Frederick. Palermo is the gateway to equipment, are hard to control, and take
from Sicily and Naples, but also from Sicily, so is closely guarded, and even whatever liberties they can get away
Genova and Pisa allied with the lowly watchmen know, that oversights with. See Watchman of Palermo
Fiction

Emperor. In the Kalsa one finds inns permitting foreign agents into the island below for statistics.
and taverns of all kind, and those will be punished.
Saracens left in Palermo after Frederick The baiulo’s agents, in charge of
vanquished and resettled their brethren. Sicilian Saracens, especially in the investigations and preemptive control
The Cássaro houses Palermo’s cathedral Mazara valley, are still forming brigand of city and harbor, are clerks and failed
and royal palace, both from the time of groups. So those in Palermo are students dropped out of administrative
Norman rule of the island, and the watched for connections outside. careers, but street-smart and hungry.
Setting

mansions of those close to the Emperor They excel at gathering information in

and his administrators. Outside the city The noble Sicilian families of the city, and know, that failure will land
one still finds the hardly ever used Norman descent all have sworn loyalty them in the gutter for good.
Norman country houses, built after to Frederick many times. Still, especially
Saracen examples, and Saracen irrigation the most influential ones may have They are neither trained nor
works. relatives or friends in France or Italy, equipped to fight, and cannot operate
and may switch sides in case of a papal outside of the city. Within it, their heavy
See the map of Palermo on page invasion. So Henry de Morra keeps a leather armor tends to give them away
Rules

64 and in the attached handouts. close eye on them. to alert characters. See Agent of the
Baiulo for their statistics.
With the Emperor absent, the severe
chief justiciar of the kingdom of Sicily, Walter of Carini - the
Arriving in Palermo
Henry de Morra, commands in
Palermo. But from 1228 to 1230 he is
Baiulo There are many ways the player
Character

barely ever in the city; the last Saracen Walter of Carini is the Baiulo of characters can arrive in Palermo with
uprisings, and incursions of papal Palermo at the time of arrival of the Klaas and Diotisalvi. Hopefully they
soldiers in southern Latium and player characters, appointed for one found out in time (see How to
Campania, keep him and his troops year by the king’s court. He is an Proceed above), that the Franciscans
busy and away. In his absence, the ambitious German knight from a place should be hidden or disguised.
responsibility for Palermo lies with its near Palermo, and sees his position as a
archbishop; since 1213 Berardo di chance to better his standing. He is in
At the Cala
Editorial

Castagna, a loyal friend, familiaris and charge of public order in Palermo,

diplomat of the Emperor. In times of commands the city watchmen and The Cala, the busy harbor of
need he could still call upon the guards agents, administers civil and minor Palermo, is the gate to Sicily for foreign
Sub Rosa
of the royal palace (who include a dozen penal justice (so can have people fined, ships, goods and people. At any time, it
mounted longbowmen), the city flogged and imprisoned, but not holds at least a dozen seaworthy vessels.
watchmen, the resident nobles and their mutilated or executed), and oversees the The captains know to expect a boat
households, and an untested militia of collection of taxes. with an agent of the baiulo (use the stats
Christian townsfolk. for Agent of the Baiulo below) when
He is determined not to slip up, and they enter the harbor. He will board
If player characters repeatedly attract not to embarrass himself while in office. with a few men, inspect the cargo, and
attention in Palermo and then move This makes him slightly paranoid about question passengers and crew in Italian
inland, he might assess them as papal agents fomenting uprisings, and or – if necessary – Latin.
dangerous papal agents and dispatch a he has established protocols to check all

54
 Player characters interrogated need

Scenario
to reach his Perception + Folk Ken
stress roll with their Communication + FREDERICK’S YOUTH
Guile stress roll to pass without raising
suspicion. If they cause suspicion, they  Frederick was born 26/12/1194 at Iesi, as his mother Constance of
are arrested and brought before the Hauteville traveled to Sicily, the same day that his father Henry VI in
baiulo within a day. So they better are Palermo started his reign of terror over the Norman nobles of Sicily.
glib and Gentle-Gifted, or prepare some

Bestiary
magic before. The agent is used to  Sicilian money bought the crown of Roman king for Frederick in Germany.
submitting to authority so (ArM5, pages
151 to 152) Aura of Rightful Authority  28/9/1197 his father, Henry VI at 32, died of fever in Messina. This led to
works well on him, but he might recall civil war in Germany and ubiquitous revolts in Italy and Sicily.
his strange obedience later and react.
 Constance moved with her son to Sicily, recognized as a fief from the Pope,
and ejected most Germans there.
From the Countryside

Fiction
While the Cássaro of Palermo is  Sunday of Pentecost 1198 Frederick was crowned king of Sicily.
enclosed within walls, its other quarters,
and especially the Kalsa, are not. The  In November 1198 Constance of Hauteville died in Palermo, leaving Sicily
Saracens did not care, the Normans and Frederick in custody of Pope Innocent III.
preferred to control the huge city from
two castles they built anew, and the  Sicily fell into anarchy, as German and Norman barons and mercenaries

Setting
Hohenstaufen spent neither time nor fought it out.
money for it.
 As the Germans under Markward of Annweiler gained the upper hand, they
If player characters manage to arrive did not show much interest in the little ward of the Pope that had fallen
in the countryside of Palermo into their hands 1/11/1201 in Palermo.
undetected – by disembarking secretly
at a deserted coast at night, Rego  So he might have often had his will, and did study with Muslim teachers.
Corpus transport magic, or other such

Rules
means – they need only fit in with the  Only November 1206 Innocent III could reassert his authority in Sicily, and
steady stream of people and goods reinstall Walther of Pagliara as chancellor there.
entering and leaving Palermo by land
under the eyes of the city watchmen  At that time Frederick had matured before the time, took liberties where he
(use the stats for Palermo Watchman could, and followed his own will and interests.
below). Have one watchman make a

Character
Perception + Area Lore: Palermo stress  26/12/1208, at his 14th birthday, Frederick took over the regency of Sicily.
roll, the Ease Factor of which depends
on the characters’ preparations, to find
that they are in fact not from Sicily. In Openly asking about details of
that case, they might be arrested and Asking around Frederick’s youth will be noticed, and
brought before the baiulo within a day. sooner or later the men of the baiulo
Once in Palermo, the characters will will appear with their own questions.

Editorial
wish to find a place to stay, and start
Directly by Magic looking for information. Rooms for Looking for people who might know
Covertly transporting by magic into foreigners, with varying comfort and about his youth, without attracting the
Sub Rosa

the city is an issue of finding the right few questions asked, can be found in agents’ attention to themselves, requires
spot to enter, of not catching the eye the Kalsa. The hosts there will also help Hard Intelligence + Intrigue stress rolls
while doing so, and of immediately them orient in the city – and most are and some ready small cash, one roll per
fitting in. Good, early advice by people known to and routinely checked by the day. Unless the total is 15 at least,
with Area Lore: Palermo, and the right baiulo’s agents: so buying their good Cunebarda (see Cunebarda de la Cala
Arcane Connection, can be crucial. will is important, as an Average - Frederick’s Wet Nurse below) will
Palermo is a big city with many eyes, Intelligence + Bargain or Intelligence + notice them before they know of her.
but most inhabitants have their own Folk Ken stress roll will tell.
business to attend to. Magic like (ArM5, page 149) Posing
the Silent Question can be a big help, if

55
 cast surreptitiously. If the characters
Scenario

check the Aura of Palermo, they will

find a surprisingly low Dominion 1 in
most places, and even no aura at all in
some.

While they explore Palermo, the

characters encounter Walter of Carini,
Bestiary

who with a few dozen watchmen just

has rounded up saracen families hidden
in the city and leads them to the Cala. If
they ask around about this – hopefully
without attracting attention – they are
told, that the prisoners will soon be
deported to Apulia, to serve the
Fiction

Emperor there." I put it there to give

SGs a chance to strengthen the mood
of Palermo without requiring immediate
action by the player characters. It is not
essential to the adventure, and if you
were short of space you are welcome to
remove it.
Setting

The Abandoned Convent

Latest at their second day in
Palermo, in the middle of the Kalsa the
characters will stumble upon the empty,
open shell of a small, unadorned
convent, whose chapel’s wooden roof
Rules

has been thrown in. Asking the natural

question from people around (no roll
needed), they will be told that this was
for a few years the convent of the
Franciscans, who were chased out by
the clergy of Palermo two or three years
Character

ago. sinopia and lips moving, speaking in a plain path, because of mine
inaudible words. After a few minutes he enemies (from Realms of Power: The
Diotisalvi and Klaas will insist on will come to his senses again. If a Divine, page 54) and succeeds after an
visiting it latest in the evening, to check character asks him, Klaas will be very hour, but it costs him one Faith Point
what is left of it. Whoever accompanies reticent about what he experienced, and one Fatigue level. When he comes
them can magically detect a Dominion 1 unless she is either already close to out of his meditation, he sees, how
aura there, and see a recent sinopia Klaas, or succeeds with a Hard Presence Diotisalvi has propped up a fallen board
Editorial

sketch on coarse plaster in a new style, + Charm or Presence + Leadership to shelter him from the night wind.
for a fresco painting never undertaken, simple roll. In that case, Klaas will Then he smiles to Diotisalvi and just
at the wall above the simple altar of the explain reluctantly, that he just saw says: “Let’s continue with this, and
Sub Rosa
chapel: a rough but very expressive Francis in the dilapidated church of San make this place a worthy place of
Christ on the Cross, under which the Damiano near Assisi, deciding to worship again!”
artist has scrawled “Credo, quia reconstruct it as his first deed after he
absurdum” – that is “I believe, because left his life of a cloth merchant behind. He insists that the chapel be roofed
it makes no sense.” An Easy Perception anew, and Diotisalvi volunteers his
+ Church Lore stress roll finds, that the Klaas insists to pray in the chapel. work. But magi offering Craft magic
altar is still consecrated. Diotisalvi volunteers to guard him (Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 60 and
there, and does not impede others to 61) to speed up the work are most
Then they see Klaas collapse on the stay there, too. Klaas’ prayer is Teach welcome. That way the roof of the
dirt floor, with open eyes directed at the me thy way, O LORD, and lead me chapel could indeed be repaired silently

56
 in the same night, as the material – the Cunebarda is actually living as causes her in the presence of infernal

Scenario
beams, boards and tiles for the roof – is companion to an old, sickly, blind influence, and to leave in time and for
already on site. Norman noble-woman in a small palace good whenever it manifests: and she
in the Kalsa, near the abandoned never felt this around Frederick. If the
Once this is done, those praying at Franciscan convent. She will quickly player characters trust her, Frederick is
the altar and contemplating the drawing notice any changes there, as she an unlikely Antichrist.
of Christ enter an overlaid Dominion 3 sometimes uses its chapel for a quick
regio, where the chapel is fully prayer. See Cunebarda de la Cala Likely the player characters will also

Bestiary
reconstructed. This regio has the holy below for her statistics. have tricky or scholarly questions about
temper (Realms of Power: The Divine, page Frederick. When this happens,
39) Kind +2, and bestows (Realms of That the player characters get and Cunebarda will beg to excuse her
Power: The Divine, page 88) Mass Healing verify a hint towards Cunebarda is less ignorance and refer them to one of his
on those imploring Christ’s mercy in it. likely than that Cunebarda finds the courtiers who is currently in Palermo,
inquiring foreigners. As soon as she interested in magic, and might indulge
hears about people looking for them: Michael Scot. She knows, that
CUNEBARDA DE

Fiction
witnesses of Frederick’s youth, she Jahir al-Ahd (see The Teacher of
starts observing and tracking them, and Young Frederick) was once teacher of
LA CALA - will quickly make up her mind whether Frederick, but has no idea what
to approach them on her terms or have happened to him later.
FREDERICK’S them ratted to the baiulo.
She warns, that Michael Scot might
WET NURSE No matter who approaches whom have his own hard to fathom purposes.

Setting
and how, Cunebarda will make clear She does not believe that he harbors
Cunebarda, a minor Sicilian from the start, that she knows and suspicions against magi in general, but
noblewoman of Norman descent, handles the Kalsa far better than the will not accompany the player
studied with a famous Sicilian healer characters, and that these will likely characters to him. Instead, she directs
very much in demand in the last days of depend on her for their further them to his quarters at the cathedral
Norman rule over Sicily. Her parents investigation. So they better earn her square on the Cássaro, and recommends
planned to make her an eligible wife of confidence than try to force it with a time at noon when square and
a warrior husband that way. But when magic or authority. This is a role-playing cathedral are not in use for public

Rules
Henry VI descended upon Sicily, wives issue, for which I do not propose a die- functions.
knowing some – albeit beneficent – rolling sequence. If needed, Cunebarda
witchcraft became a serious liability for and Klaas may find mutual respect in
nobles, and lusty Cunebarda looked their shared vocation for healing. MICHAEL SCOT
els ewher e for par tner s . When
Constance of Hauteville needed a lady Only then she might set up a Michael Scot is a learned cleric, has

Character
in waiting able to help an aging would- meeting in an inn’s backroom, a church seen the world, translated Aristotle and
be-mother, Cunebarda’s worried parents or even the Franciscan chapel, and there Averroës’ commentaries of the
eagerly put her forward. tell lots of stories about young philosopher from Arabic to Latin in
Frederick’s birth in Iesi, his strong will, Toledo, and is the archetype of a
Cunebarda joined Constance’s court, sense of station and spiritual powerful Gifted Mathematicus (see
helped deliver Frederick, and – as independence: especially as he appears Hedge Magic Revised Edition, pages 79 to
nobody objected, that her breast milk completely unimpressionable by auras 102).

Editorial
now went elsewhere – became his wet and the Gift. Success with a Hard
nurse, and one of the very few persons Perception + Folk Ken stress roll turns He was in the service of cardinal
young Frederick learned to trust in his up, that she has no hidden agenda and Ugolino dei Conti di Segni: a position
Sub Rosa

childhood. She never failed this trust, usually tells the truth. he left soon after the cardinal became
but withdrew when, at his 14th Pope. Since autumn 1227 he lives at the
birthday, Frederick took over the Cunebarda did not lose daily sight of court in Palermo, working for Frederick
regency of Sicily. Then she became Frederick until he took over the regency as translator and astrologer. He has
Cunebarda de la Cala, healer in the in 1208, and until then she held his dedicated his yet unfinished Liber
Kalsa, trying to make her family and the trust. She has the Flaw Susceptibility to Introductorius – an ever growing
Emperor’s court forget that she ever Infernal Power, but will be loath to collection of worldly knowledge - to
existed, and to leave her out of their admit to it, or to the Intervention (Hedge him.
manifold business. Magic Revised Edition, page 96) that led to
it. She learned early to trust the illness it

57
 Klaas might have met Michael Scot it, and so on. This might be Michael THE REGIO
Scenario

at the court of the cardinal in 1225, Scot – and perhaps Klaas recognizes
before he joined Francis as medic. him. AROUND THE
See Michael Scot for his statistics. If they are dressed well and ALTAR
approach him politely, part of which
can be represented by Average Presence They can see and step into the regio
The Cássaro + Etiquette simple rolls of the with an Average Perception + Second
Bestiary

There are processions, parades and spokespersons, he just gestures for Sight or Perception + Sense Holiness
judicial court functions at the Cássaro, them to come to the altar, where he and Unholiness stress roll, or with
and there are many services in the debonairly greets them according to Intellego Vim spells like Piercing the
cathedral. To reach Michael Scot’s their station. After exchanging names Divine Veil that penetrate a Magic
quarters, one must pass through the and courtesies, he has a question for Resistance of 10. If they don’t succeed
gates of the Cássaro, which by day are them: “Did you see around here the or don’t have the means, Michael Scot
open. gospel book of the cathedral?” “No? leads them into the regio to have them
Fiction

Oh, too bad: it is missing since explain it to him.

If they follow Cunebarda’s advice yesterday evening from the sacristy.”
and choose a quiet time, characters And he resumes his weird movements In the regio the characters see the
making an Easy Perception + around the altar. Actually, he has Charm same main altar, and five persons
Awareness stress roll notice, that the of Second Sight and Charm for Puissant huddled around it: a veiled girl, a young
watchmen in charge of the gate pass Sight up, and tries to understand what noble holding his wounded left arm, a
their time chasing a few veiled girls he sees with them: he has found a regio branded man in work clothes, and two
Setting

around, who in vain try to enter the around the main altar. Franciscan friars. Once someone enters
Cássaro. An Average Perception + Folk the regio, he sees its cloudy boundaries
Ken stress roll shows that the Let the players decide what to do. with the cathedral.
watchmen consider this innocent fun, Michael Scot is used to strange scholars,
but the girls don’t. Anyway, nobody and is in a strange enough situation Unless all those entering anew are in
bothers the characters, unless they try already, so might react to added minor or major orders (see ArM5, page
hard to look suspicious. strangeness – like interested looks, 40 Clerk) and immediately busy
discussions of magic, spellcasting or themselves with holding a service at the
Rules

When the characters ask for Michael such – just with an interested question altar, an angel in all glory and with a
Scot at his quarters at the nearly empty like: “What do you make of this?” fiery sword appears on it and addresses
cathedral square, an elderly caretaker them: “You are not here to implore
tells them to look for him in the The cathedral has a Dominion level protection. What is your purpose?”
cathedral. As they advance towards its 1 in most parts, but some of the tombs Seeing the angel, the five persons found
next open portal, have them all make in the side aisles – like that of Henry VI in the regio embrace the altar and beg
Character

Hard Perception + Alertness stress - actually have no aura at all. So magi do for mercy in a multitude of languages.
rolls. Who succeeds best spots a not really need to fear the Dominion
bloodied, nude sword on a rubbish pile affecting their magic here. Note down the player characters’
nearby. An Average Intelligence + answers in some ten seconds; do they
Medicine or Intelligence + Chirurgy Finally, as the characters have come even think of finding out, whether
stress roll yields that the blood is to some decision, Michael Scot walks Frederick is the Antichrist? If Klaas or
roughly a day old. Any traces of blood towards the altar and disappears five Diotisalvi are present, they just fall
Editorial

on the square around the rubbish pile paces away from it. Yes, he has found silent and throw themselves down and
are already obliterated. the way to enter the regio – and on their faces – but yes, they both think
reappears quite flustered after three of their quest.
Sub Rosa
seconds. He gestures to the altar, saying
At the Cathedral “Have you ever seen something like
Entering the cathedral, they find it as this?” Latest now the characters should Seferiel’s Task
empty as the square. A priest enters the take over investigating. Whatever player and non-player
sacristy and closes the door behind him. characters stutter, ask or request, the
At the main altar they see a man in angel gestures to the five people
scholarly clothes, with a shiny skullcap embracing the altar and crying for
on and walking in strange patterns mercy, and continues: “Assure their
around it: towards it, stopping, circling safety first!”
it, moving away while keeping an eye on

58
 The angel is Seferiel (ArM5, page Michael Scot takes some time to The Branded Sailor – Perrin

Scenario
198, but read also Realms of Power: The recognize her, but then asks the magi to Perrin – or Perrino, as he is used to
Divine, page 19 Envisioning and page 27 bring her to her father, and the girl to be called now – is a repentant Cathar
Portraying Angels). He lets Michael lead them. from Agde, who for punishment was
Scot, the Franciscans and the characters branded on the forehead with a lurid
talk with those five at the altar and He tells them, that Jahir al-Ahd devil’s head. He had to leave his town
deliberate what to do for some thirty taught Frederick Aristotelian logic, and for this, and found work on a Genovese
minutes. If they have not come to a is an eminent authority on Averroës’ merchant nef, the Bolla d’Oro.

Bestiary
conclusion then, he repeats once more: commentaries on the philosopher’s
“Assure their safety first!” Then he work. So he urgently advises scholars On leave in the Kalsa one evening,
vanishes, the cloudy boundaries limiting among the player characters to seize the he lost his cap in a harmless scuffle. As
the regio dissolve, and all people from opportunity and meet her father. If they his brand got thus exposed, a hue and
the regio find themselves in the same should wish to read his – Michael Scot’s cry was raised to apprehend the ‘devil
positions around the main altar in the - Latin translations of Averroës’ worshiper’. As he ran from his pursuers,
empty cathedral again. commentaries afterwards, he can and soon from watchmen too, he found

Fiction
provide them for a price. Qamar is still himself on the Cássaro and in front of
If characters watch Michael Scot quite scared, but could actually leave the the cathedral.
while the angel speaks, they can make cathedral on her own, provided some
Average Perception + Folk Ken rolls to men accompany her past the watchmen See Perrin for his statistics.
find, that he is very uncomfortable with at the gates of the Cássaro.
that task and the overall situation. Perrin does not know whether his
Perhaps players then start to think ship is still at the Cala, and what officers
The Young Noble –

Setting
about Michael’s reason for investigating and crew think of him going missing.
the altar in the first place. Will they find Tancredi Maccabeo di He expects to be still hunted as a “devil
out, that the debonair scholar was worshiper” in Palermo. Actually, and
looking for the vanished people all the
Montescaglioso unbeknownst to Perrin and the
time? Tancredi is a young Norman noble characters, the Bolla d’Oro’s crew has
from Palermo, over his head in partisan formed a search party for him, which is
struggles, who just survived a forbidden still combing the Kalsa.
The Refugees duel with a badly cut left arm and an

Rules
All of the people the characters empty scabbard. He wounded his
found in the regio have attempted to opponent, too, and does not know of The Franciscan Friars from
take refuge in the cathedral, and found his fate. Palermo – Fra Gotifredo
themselves here when pursuers burst in
and there was no way but to embrace He fled into the cathedral –
and Fra Lorenzo
the main altar and prepare to call for throwing his bloody sword away before The lay brothers Gotifredo and

Character
mercy. They have no idea, how long entering - from an enraged group of his Lorenzo, both cooks by profession and
they stayed in the regio, but know the opponent’s friends. close friends, returned from Enna to
sequence in which they arrived. Starting Palermo on foot in summer 1228, only
with the newest arrival and proceeding See Tancredi Maccabeo di to find their simple convent shut down
towards the first, they are the following: Montescaglioso below for his and themselves soon wanted by the
statistics. baiulo.
The Veiled Girl – Qamar
Editorial
His opponent survived the duel as So they headed for the cathedral to
bint Jahir al-Ahd well. Similarly worried whether he is a understand what was going on. Only
The Saracen girl Qamar is the murderer or not, he already has left when the canons of the cathedral
Sub Rosa

daughter of Jahir al-Ahd, a Palermitan Sicily. But neither the chief justiciar nor pointed fingers at them they
philosopher. his baiulo will have duels go understood, and dove for the altar.
unpunished: so Tancredi is wanted right
She fled from watchmen who tried now, and needs to leave Palermo Both friars wear still their very basic
to have “some fun” with her, and did quickly or face imprisonment, and a Franciscan habit, which gives them
not expect her to bolt for the cathedral. court for a capital offense once the away at once. Fra Lorenzo is the more
chief justiciar finds the time. extrovert of the two, and likes to sing.
See Qamar bint Jahir al-Ahd for Compassionate Fra Gotifredo is a
her statistics. reasonable chirurgeon, and has cared
for Tancredi’s wound in the regio. See

59
 Fra Gotifredo and Fra Lorenzo for PLANS FOR THE wine trade around 1188. He
Scenario

their statistics. accompanied his master into exile and

REFUGEES lived with him until his death. On his
But for Klaas and Diotisalvi, the two return to Sicily, he saw it being subdued
are the last Franciscans of Palermo. The player characters now decide, by the German knights Henry VI had
They correctly expect to be imprisoned how to move the refugees off the brought to the country. Settling down
by Church authorities once Cássaro and where to bring them. and marrying in Palermo to help his
apprehended. family, he managed to become the
Bestiary

teacher of Frederick from 1202 on, as

Jahir al-Ahd - Pupil of he did not pose a threat to Markward of
Leaving the Cathedral
The characters, Klaas, Diotisalvi and
Averroës Annweiler’s faction then in power. He
has retired from public life now and
Michael Scot quickly need to find a way Qamar wishes to rejoin her father, quietly works on his own projects, but
to get the refugees with them off the Jahir al-Ahd. Scholarly player characters still maintains friendly relations with the
Cássaro, and to a safe place. might accompany her to him, and seize Emperor, who values him and is
Fiction

the opportunity Michael Scot pointed accompanied by a pupil of Jahir on the

They should bring Qamar to her out at the cathedral. crusade. See Jahir al-Ahd below for his
father. But Michael Scot doubts, that statistics.
Jahir should be burdened with the other Following Qamar’s directions, they
refugees. If nobody else comes forward find the Saracen scholar in a small, run
with a proposal, Klaas might in a veiled down house with an even smaller Logic and Happiness
way mention the chapel at the garden, where the Kalsa borders on Let the player character
Setting

abandoned convent: it is close to the open country. A housekeeper opens. spokespersons phrase their felicitations
Cala and quite safe – if reached Unless Qamar is with them or they are and purpose, and try to get them into a
inconspicuously. announced by Michael Scot, let their dialogue with Jahir.
spokespersons make Hard Presence +
It falls to the player characters to Etiquette simple rolls to convince her to Jahir is thankful for the return of his
devise a method for this: transport let them meet the scholar, who sits daughter, and very worried about the
spells, mind control, illusions, and reading in the garden. others from the regio. He can tell of
transformations or any mix of them will Frederick’s respect for learned Muslims.
Rules

come in handy, making the Order of As soon as Qamar sees her father, He can also tell of the problems
Hermes shine and impress Michael she runs towards him and embraces him Saracens - as a vanquished and
Scot. If they excel here, they can call from behind. Jahir appears to have suspected people – encounter in their
upon an effective courtier of the expected this, and only after a minute of day-to-day life in Palermo.
Emperor in the future. And maybe he greeting his daughter and hearing her
will then also answer some of their matter-of-fact report frees himself from But if player characters mention
Character

questions about the Emperor’s secrets. her arms to greet and muster who Frederick’s youth, and how Jahir taught
brought her back. He is grateful, but him, they might strike a resounding
The Mathematicus will have the reserved. chord. Let them make Average
refugees off his hands as soon as he Perception + Folk Ken stress rolls to
can. But it would take some serious recognize, that Jahir is genuinely
presentations – by Klaas if absolutely The Teacher of Young interested in that subject, and a Simple
necessary – to make him help in moving Frederick Intelligence + Church Lore or
Editorial

them. If pressured hard enough, he Jahir al-Ahd is a Saracen ‘Alim from Intelligence + appropriate Area Lore
would produce and distribute a handful Palermo, whom his family sent with 16 roll, if needed to understand that this is
of mouse skins, gift the refugees by to study under Averroës at Cordoba. He a touchy subject to ask of a Saracen. If
Sub Rosa
Charm of Mice with Skinchanger accompanied the master on his travels they credibly assure him of their
Virtues until sunset (his roll barely through Morocco and Andalusia, when discretion and reticence, he will tell
succeeds and costs him a Fatigue level), his function as personal physician of the them of his life’s work: what every man,
instruct them quickly how to become Almohad Caliph required them. independent of his religion, needs to
mice, oversee their transformations and Averroës allowed him to help with his understand to have a chance to be
then drop them in the laps of the player great commentaries on Aristotle, which happy.
characters. After that, he would excuse Jahir still knows nearly by heart. Jahir
himself hurriedly – “Other urgent also recalls his master’s debates with There is only one safe way for men
business, sorry!” - and head for his theologians, while the Caliph outlawed to derive truth from the manifold input
quarters. philosophy, worldly studies, music and of their senses, instincts and the

60
 opinions of others: logic. Aristotle has move with daughter and housekeeper to surprises at the chapel, until Frederick

Scenario
sharpened this tool, and applied it in an their covenant, to finally do some real, and Gregory finally come to terms and
exemplary fashion to the world. Jahir appreciated research again. If the player Franciscans can enter Palermo freely
pities those poor wretches unable to use characters are sufficiently candid, it again. Perhaps the player characters can
it properly. But Frederick’s mind takes Jahir a successful Average convince Cunebarda to help them in
grasped logic immediately and well, so Intelligence + Folk Ken (Scholars) to secret.
Jahir knows that Frederick now realize this possibility. Obtaining Jahir’s
participates in the global Intellect. trust is then left to role playing. If In any case, Klaas, praying again

Bestiary
convinced, Jahir might become a Teach me thy way, O LORD, and
If asked about that global Intellect at driving force of bringing logic into lead me in a plain path, because of
this time, or about the soul which holds Magic Theory (see Study with Jahir al- mine enemies (from Realms of Power:
intellect and reason (see Art & Academe, Ahd below): he knows, that he only has The Divine, page 54) in the regio,
page 31), he explains, that since reason a few years left for research, and will succeeds after an hour, at the cost of
and intellect are involved with not tolerate unfocused magi one Fatigue level: he feels called back
generalities, moral, mathematical and squandering them. from the chapel to his duties as a

Fiction
natural laws, they always come to the custos.
same conclusions and hence necessarily
must all be identical. So thinking men The Abandoned Convent
do not despair of their mortality: they Again RETURNING TO
know their intellect, and thereby their
soul, to be eternal and unchanging. Tancredi, Perrin and the two THE CATHEDRAL
Once they understand this, the incidents Franciscans are in peril in Palermo, and

Setting
and happenstances of the world cannot desire to leave Sicily quickly and quietly. Once the player characters have
trouble them anymore. The regio in the abandoned convent in taken care of all the refugees and still
the Kalsa is close to the Cala and could have doubts about the Emperor, they
Yes, Frederick understands this, too, hide them all, until their departure is can feel entitled to return to the regio in
and is a happy man despite all the organized: the baiulo’s men will notice the cathedral. Didn’t the angel respond
manifold quarrels and incidents the soon that the chapel is restored, but to their queries with “Assure their safety
world reserves to those in power. with their bureaucratic mindset are first”?
unlikely to find the regio overlaying it.

Rules
The Antichrist – or Al-Masīḥ ad- The characters should know enough
Dajjāl of the Muslims - is a concept that So have them appear and search the now to approach the cathedral when
in the light of logic is revealed as convent at an appropriate moment, empty. If the players don’t, just tell
personification of the fears of simple, while there is still at least one them.
unfortunate people. And yes, John the Franciscan in prayer at the altar to enter
Evangelist certainly knew lots of these the regio: it requires an Easy Stamina +
The Regio and the

Character
wretches. Concentration (Prayer) stress for a

Klaas doesn’t like to hear this, but

praying man to reach the regio, while
the watchmen and agents approach.
Gospel Book
will keep silent if present. The regio is still around the altar and
Frightened Tancredi and Perrin, open to them. When the characters
Jahir is out to impress learned men already in the regio, implore Christ’s enter it again, they find on the altar a
with the teachings of his master, and mercy at the altar in front of the gospel book (the very book Michael

Editorial
could go on well into the night. But his sinopia, as they did in the regio in the Scot told to be missing in the cathedral)
house keeper and daughter will break cathedral. So the Mass Healing in the that wasn’t there before, opened at
the discussion up two hours after dusk, regio will remove the brand from Matthew 22:20-21, with a bronze hand-
Sub Rosa

worried about the old scholar’s health. Perrin’s forehead and heal the cut from shaped bookmark pointing to:
Tancredi’s arm: a fitting miracle of
Magi truly interested in (Art & forgiveness. It will have Gotifredo and “Why are you putting me to the test, you
Academe, page 11) philosophical Lorenzo volunteer to stay in Palermo hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.”
breakthroughs in Magic Theory find in and tend the chapel, despite the danger And they brought him a denarius. Then he
him a living library and source of this poses for them. Both earn at least said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose
advice. If they make him a good offer – one Faith Point per season for this risky title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then
and his current living conditions require Good Work (The Church, pages 27 and he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor
some philosophical resignation to 28) – and they can use them for each the things that are the emperor’s, and to God
support – they might compel him to other: so they can stand a lot of bad the things that are God’s.”

61
 On seeing this, Klaas will swallow still moored there. They can ask for the “invisibilia Dei per ea quae facta sunt,
Scenario

and fall silent. Henceforth he will be captain or an officer, and tell them intellecta, conspiciuntur”
cured from looking for the Antichrist about Perrin. The captain is happy to
among the worldly rulers of Christianity. take him back, as he has never had such That is:
a good ship’s carpenter before. If asked
Once they take the gospel book out quietly, the captain would also take “The invisible things of Him are clearly
of the regio, likely to hand it over to Tancredi to Genova for five pounds of seen, being understood by the things that are
priests of the cathedral chapter, they do silver. Success with a Hard made”
Bestiary

not find the regio anymore. Communication + Bargain stress roll

reduces that to three pounds – but the As soon as they stop, the fresco
captain does not take risks to smuggle disappears again, leaving the sinopia.
Michael Scot Again commoners out of Palermo, and nobles
If the player characters did not will pay appropriate prices. At least Klaas can explain the
overstrain Michael Scot’s goodwill so meaning of it, and how it answers the
far, they might now bring their Returning from the Cala, they need artist’s previous “Credo quia absurdum”:
Fiction

questions about Frederick’s life and to shake off another agent tailing them, knowing God is obtained by
faith to him again. as above. And once they reach the understanding his creation. But he is
abandoned convent again, there is the most surprised – and secretly excited -
This isn’t straightforward, as he is in baiulo in person (see Walter of Carini - by its correlation to Francis’ Canticle
the Emperor’s service. At least success the Baiulo) with two more agents and celebrating God’s creations (see
with a Hard Presence + Etiquette stress many watchmen. Franciscans). Is there a hidden truth in
roll is in order. Then Michael Scot tells the rantings of that infidel scholar with
Setting

them, that he knows for truth from the wayward daughter?

personal experience and conversation The Abandoned Convent
with the Emperor, that Frederick –
while being very tolerant of Muslims
Once More Out for Good
and Jews - considers any deviation from The player characters will probably Now the player characters can devise
Christian orthodoxy as a threat to his need magic to buy the time they need a good plan in the chapel regio. They
rule in the Holy Roman Empire, and for a prayer in the reconstructed chapel, should get Perrin back to the Bolla
wherever he can has heresy in his which lets them enter the regio. And d’Oro. They either need to take
Rules

domains persecuted as a matter of they will need to protect the Sicilian Tancredi with them, or pay his passage
principle. Success with a Hard friars remaining there from continuous on the Bolla d’Oro alongside Perrin.
Perception + Folk Ken stress roll turns interest of the baiulo’s men. They might wish to take Jahir al-Ahd
up, that he has no hidden agenda here and his household with them. They
and should tell the truth. need to remain inconspicuous all the
The Canticle, the time and guard the secret of the chapel
Character

LEAVING Fresco and the regio, to protect Gotifredo and

Lorenzo. And finally they need to leave
Inscription Palermo themselves.
PALERMO
When the player characters enter the All this won’t work without magic;
The agents of the baiulo do still chapel regio, they find the two transport spells, transformations, subtle
watch the chapel, and will also have Franciscans there softly singing Francis’ mind control and illusions, or any mix
Editorial

called upon the inn where the player Canticle of the Sun - especially stressing: of them will come in handy, just as
characters are staying, and got their host when the player characters returned
to talk. “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore, per quelli ke from the cathedral. The chapel regio
Sub Rosa
perdonano per lo tuo amore, et sostengono allows to transport people and their
Have player characters make infirmitate et tribulatione.” stuff in and out by Rego magic (just the
Perception + Awareness stress rolls general case of Against the Dark, page 59
against the Dexterity + Stealth + 3 (for While they hum it, in the regio the box Leap of Homecoming and
Ways of the Town) stress rolls of the agent sinopia sketch of tortured Christ Regiones).
tailing them. If they at least meet the becomes a dramatic, colorful fresco.
agent’s roll, they shake the tail for now. And the eyes of the player characters But that’s why it is Ars Magica.
fall on a text appearing in the fresco
If they walk along the quay of the under the crucifix, in the place of the
Cala, they will see the nef Bolla d’Oro “Credo, quia absurdum”:

62
 partner already subscribes to his Higher kassel univ. press, 2002. (Kasseler

Scenario
REWARDS Purpose. Jahir wouldn’t mind a Philosophische Schriften : 35) p.s 11-44 -
Longevity Ritual, once he learned ISBN 3-933146-92-5 ):
Adventure Experience enough of it.
http://www.uni-kassel.de/upress/
Depending on the path taken, the online/frei/978-3-933146-92-
scenario is worth up to 10 experience FURTHER 2.volltext.frei.pdf
points.

Bestiary
(To help understanding Joachim’s
READING position in the philosophy of history.)
Contacts
Both Cunebarda de la Cala and Biography of Frederick
Michael Scot might remain friendly to Averroës
the player characters, and become Encyclopedia Britannica: Frederick Robert Pasnau: The Islamic Scholar
contacts useful to them in Palermo and II Holy Roman emperor (2013): Who Gave Us Modern Philosophy

Fiction
at the Imperial court. (HUMANITIES, November/
https://www.britannica.com/ December 2011 | Volume 32, Number
Study with Jahir al-Ahd biography/Frederick-II-Holy- 6):
Working and discussing with Roman-emperor
enthusiastic Jahir al-Ahd on logic in https://www.neh.gov/
Magic Theory requires some Salimbene de Adam’s Chronicle on humanities/2011/
organization. Magi need either to stay in Frederick II: novemberdecember/feature/the-

Setting
Palermo for many months, or to get the islamic-scholar-who-gave-us-
scholar and his household to their http:// modern-philosophy
covenant. sourcebooks.fordham.edu/halsall/
source/salimbene1.html (An introductory article on
In any case, discussing with him for Averroës.)
a season to put logic into Magic Theory (If you should need some lurid – and
is tiring, but rewarding: it bestows 3 wrong - stories about Frederick, take John S. Hendrix: Philosophy of
Breakthrough points for (Art & them from here.) Intellect in the Long Commentary on

Rules
Academe, page 11) Aristotelian or the De anima of Averroes (Roger
Platonic Magic Theory . An excellent, brief, but Italian Williams University DOCS@RWU,
biography in Treccani – Dizionario 2012):
But Jahir al-Ahd also has his Higher Biografico degli Italiani - Volume 45
Purpose to pass on. For each such (1995): http://docs.rwu.edu/cgi/
season of work, Jahir makes a viewcontent.cgi?

Character
Communication + Teaching (Artes http://www.treccani.it/ article=1025&context=saahp_fp
Liberales)+5 (Good Teacher) stress roll enciclopedia/federico-ii-di-svevia-
against his partner’s Intelligence + imperatore-re-di-sicilia-e-di-
Magic Theory stress roll. He is willing to gerusalemme-re-dei-romani_ Franciscans
use Confidence Points for this, and no (Dizionario-Biografico)/ Solet Annuere - the Regula Bullata
adjustments for the Gift need to be of the Franciscan Friars:
made. If Jahir’s total is higher, his
Joachim of Fiore
Editorial
discussion partner loses confidence in http://www.ewtn.com/library/
her traditional Magic Theory: she gets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ PAPALDOC/REGULA-E.HTM
the Flaw Higher Purpose (Show Logic Joachim_of_Fiore
Sub Rosa

as the Way to Happiness) herself, and Testament of Francis:

loses one point of her Magic Theory http://
score: re-reading known books or www.centrostudigioachimiti.it/ https://
studying under known teachers of Benvenuti/benvenutieng.asp sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/
traditional Magic Theory doesn’t restore stfran-test.html
it. Anne Eusterschulte: Die Trinität der
Geschichte. Zur Geschichtstheologie des Francis’ Canticle of the Sun:
While the storyguide feels that this is Joachim von Fiore (Die Zukunft der
a challenge for Jahir, the scholar is Geschichte / Hrsg. Heinz Eidam ; Frank https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
willing to continue even if his discussion Hermenau ; Dirk Stederoth. – Kassel : Canticle_of_the_Sun

63
 Editorial Character Rules Setting Fiction Bestiary Scenario

64
Sub Rosa
Scenario Bestiary Fiction Setting Rules Character Editorial

65
Sub Rosa
 Liberales 5 (Rhetoric), Dominion Lore 3 (Auras), Faerie Lore 3
Klaas de Spinnen (de Spinnen), Chirurgy 3 (Binding Wounds), Concentration 3
Scenario

(Prayer), Franciscan Lore 2 (Initiating Others) (13), Music 1

Klaas is a slight, rail-thin bundle of energy and eloquence, (Singing), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Survival 1 (On the Road)
held together by his firm convictions. His skin is weather- (3), Athletics 1 (Hiking), Brawl 1 (Dodge), French 3 (Walloon),
beaten and his goatee unkempt, but he keeps meticulously Italian 3 (Urban Slang), Low German 5 (Flemish), Apothecary
clean. 2 (Poultices) (4), Preacher 3 (New Listeners), Scribe 1
(Copying), Etiquette 1 (Scholars), Leadership 4 (Preacher) (21),
Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +1, Com +5, Str ‑4, Sta Teaching 3 (Medicine) (8), Charm 1 (First Impressions), Folk
Bestiary

+2, Dex 0, Qik 0 Ken 1 (Clergy), Guile 3 (Fast Talk), Area Lore: Salerno 1
(Medical School), Area Lore: Lorraine 1 (Clergy) (4), Area
Size: 0 Lore: Flanders 1 (Clergy), Order of Hermes Lore 2
(Personalities), Church Lore 3 (Franciscans), Meditation 1
Age: 34 (27) (Silent Prayer), Understanding 1 (when Kneeling)

Decrepitude: 0 Equipment: Document of Papal Approval as Envoy of the

Fiction

Franciscan Order to Lorraine and Flanders; Missale, simple

Warping Score: 0 (0) chalice and paten

Confidence: 1 (3) Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Virtues and Flaws: Doctor in Medicina, Meditation, Devotions: St. John the Baptist 2 (1) (Birth June 24th,
Understanding, Improved Characteristics, Inspirational, Great Decapitation August 29th); The Virgin Mary 3 (11) (Birth
Setting

Communication × 2, Good Teacher, Mendicant Friar, September 8th, Annunciation March 25th, Ascension August
Unaging, Initiations [to Meditation by Francis, to 15th, many others); St. Francis 4 (Stigmatization September
Understanding by Francis], Compassionate, Driven (Apostolic 17th, Death October 3rd)
Poverty and Simplicity), Monastic Vows, Ability Block
(Martial), Poor Strength × 1, Higher Purpose (Spread Practical Faith Points: 22
Faith), Faerie Friend: Spider, Visions
Faerie Friend: Spider (Str: ‑1, Sta: +1, Dex: +1, Qik: +11,
Personality Traits: Brave +2, Compassionate +3, Driven Int: +2, Per: +2, Pre: ‑2, Com: +1, Init: +11, Size: ‑10, Faerie
Rules

+3, Loyal (his provincial minister) +1, Pious +2, Serene +2 Might: 5 Virtues/Flaws: Faerie Beast (small Spider), Faerie
Sight, Faerie Speech, Highly Cognizant, Pretentious, Lesser
Reputations: de Spinnen (Norman Tribunal) 1, Franciscan Power; Intangible Flesh, Traditional Ward: Iron, 2xLittle
Envoy to Lorraine and Flanders (Franciscans) 3, Physician of Pretenses: Awareness (Keeping Watch) 5, Artes Liberales
Francis (Church Hierarchy) 1, Preacher (Artist) 2 (10), (Geometry) 5, Bargain (Stories) 3, Climb (Walls) 5, Etiquette
Custodian of the People (where he has worked) 3, Dedicated (de Spinnen) 3, Folk Ken (de Spinnen) 3, Franciscan Lore
Character

Physician from Salerno (Academic) 3, Pious (Christians) 1 (Initiation) 2 (6 xp), Hunt (Track) 3, Latin (Academic Usage) 3,
Leadership (Preaching) 2 (11 xp), Medicine (Physician) 5 (12
Combat: xp), Preacher (New Listeners) 1 (5 xp), Stealth (Hide) 5, Order
of Hermes Lore (Personalities) 1 (4 xp) Personality: Curious
Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +2, Damage N/A +2, Shy +2 Power: Eidolon (1 Might Point, Init: +9,
Imaginem))
Fist: Init +0, Attack +1, Defense +1, Damage ‑4
Editorial

Notes: His Flaw Visions and his Supernatural Ability

Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +1, Defense +0, Damage ‑1 Understanding (Realms of Power: Divine, pages 37 and 54-55)
allow the storyguide to make otherwise practical Klaas
Sub Rosa
Soak: +2 unmanageable and headstrong, where his faith is concerned.
See The Abandoned Convent below as an example. The
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious nameless spider shyly aping the eloquent Franciscan can be
used as comic relief, but actually is watching Klaas on behalf of
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15), the Spinnen: it hides in his rags and hibernates in the
Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+) Dominion. Klaas’ deserved, excellent reputations are his best
protection from abuse by player characters. He has no True
Abilities: Art of Memory 1 (Sermons), Civil and Canon Faith: his Faith Points are the result of many continuous years
Law 3 (Papal), Medicine 7 (Physician) (5), Theology 1 (Bible), of a busy, rigorous and devout life.
Classical Greek 4 (Attic), Latin 5 (Academic Usage), Artes

66
 Area Lore: Lorraine 2 (Roads) (5), Order of Hermes Lore 1
Fra Diotisalvi (Customs), Church Lore 1 (Franciscans), Great Weapon 5

Scenario
(Staff), Thrown Weapon 1 (Stone)
Down-to-earth, forceful Diotisalvi has seen many rough
spots, but now is grounded in Franciscan devotion. His full Encumbrance: 0 (2)
black beard, strong build and poise tend to impress even
hardened ruffians, keeping them out of mischief. Devotions: The Virgin Mary 4 (16) (Birth September 8th,
Annunciation March 25th, Ascension August 15th, many
Characteristics: Int ‑1, Per 0, Pre 0, Com 0, Str +2, Sta others); St. Francis 4 (Stigmatization September 17th, Death

Bestiary
+2, Dex +1, Qik +1 October 3rd);

Size: 0 Faith Points: 24

Age: 28 (28) Notes: Diotisalvi has no True Faith: his Faith Points are
the result of many continuous years of a rigorous, devout and
Decrepitude: 0 humble life atoning for his rambunctious youth as a Neapolitan

Fiction
stonemason. While he could wield staff and stone for decent
Warping Score: 0 (0) damage, he does not carry any. Only in utterly extreme
situations would he violate his order’s rules and attack with
Virtues and Flaws: Mendicant Friar, Tough, Warrior, found ones.
Monastic Vows

Personality Traits: Brave +2, Compassionate +1,

Setting
Dependable +2, Loyal (Franciscans) +3, Pious +2

Reputations: Attendant of Francis (Church Hierarchy) 1

Combat:

Dodge: Init +1, Attack N/A, Defense +7, Damage N/A

Rules
Fist: Init +1, Attack +6, Defense +6, Damage +2

Kick: Init +0, Attack +6, Defense +5, Damage +5

Cloak: Init +1, Attack +6, Defense +7, Damage +1

Character
Staff: Init +3, Attack +10, Defense +10, Damage +4

Stone: Init +1, Attack +4, Defense +3, Damage +4

Soak: +5

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),

Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+) Editorial
Sub Rosa

Abilities: Chirurgy 1 (Bind Wounds), Concentration 1

(Prayer), Franciscan Lore 3 (Initiating Others), Stealth 1 (Hide),
Awareness 1 (Keeping Watch), Survival 3 (On the Road),
Athletics 3 (Hiking), Brawl 5 (Dodge), Swim 1 (Rough Water),
Stonemason 4 (Churches) [Category: Buildings], Animal
Handling 3 (Pack Animals), French 3 (Walloon), Italian 5
(Neapolitan), Low German 3 (Flemish) (2), Etiquette 1
(Townsfolk), Leadership 3 (Inspirational) (1), Folk Ken 1
(Townsfolk), Guile 1 (Fast Talk), Area Lore: Naples 1 (Inns),

67
 (Customs), Craft: Charm 5 (Salutem), Mythic Herbalism 6
Cunebarda de la Cala (Healing Wounds)
Scenario

Cunebarda has long graying hair worn in a single braid, and Arts: Succurro (Su) 7, Fortunam (Fa) 17, Salutem (Sa) 17
dresses as a simple townswoman. But her intense, bright blue
eyes and beautiful alto voice can still captivate the attention of Equipment: Amulet of Longevity (made herself, +5 to
those she meets. Living Conditions for one year), Amulet of Good Luck (made
herself, +2 to rolls involving more luck than skill for one year)
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +1, Pre +1, Com +2, Str ‑2
Bestiary

(1), Sta +2 (1), Dex 0, Qik ‑1 (1) Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Size: 0 Charms Known:

Age: 53 (53) Fortune Favors the Bold (Touch, Sun, Group) (SuFa 10/+13)

Decrepitude: 0 Gift of Fortuna (Luck, Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+13)

Fiction

Warping Score: 2 (10) Gift of Hera (Strong-Willed, Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+13)

Confidence: 1 (8) Gift of Minerva (Common Sense, Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/
+13)
Virtues and Flaws: Mythic Herbalism, Entreat the Divine
Powers, Fortunam, Salutem, Succurro, Privileged Upbringing, Charm of Intelligence (+1, Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+13)
Setting

Black Sheep, Dependent: blind, sickly and aging noblewoman,

Ability Block (Martial), Outcast, Compassionate, Susceptibility Charm of Communication (+1, Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+13)
to Infernal Power
Charm for Fortuitous Child Birth (+24, Touch, Sun) (SuSa 20/
Personality Traits: Brave +1, Careful +2, Compassionate +13) - base for devices
+3, Confident +1
Charm for Healing a Broken Limb (+24, Touch, Sun) (SuSa
Reputations: Noblewoman turned witch (Norman 20/+13) - base for devices
Rules

Nobility) 2
Charm for Resolving a Minor Aging Crisis (Touch, Sun) (SuSa
Combat: 25/+13) - base for devices

Dodge: Init ‑1, Attack N/A, Defense +1, Damage N/A Charm for Longevity (+5, Touch, Sun) (SuSa 20/+13) – base
for Amulets
Character

Fist: Init ‑1, Attack +1, Defense +0, Damage ‑2

Notes: Cunebarda is a cunning-woman according to Hedge
Kick: Init: ‑2, Attack +1, Defense ‑1, Damage +1 Magic Revised Edition pages 101 and 102, but has no close
relationship to faeries. Instead, she learned how to practice her
Soak: +2 magic in the Dominion. It takes her two seasons each year to
make her amulets, and the other two to keep her blind charge
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious and some townsfolk alive and healthy.
Editorial

Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),

Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)
Sub Rosa
Abilities: Latin 3 (Medical Usage), Artes Liberales 1
(Grammar), Medicine 3 (Physician), Dominion Lore 3
(Entreating), Chirurgy 5 (Binding Wounds), Concentration 1
(Amulets), Stealth 1 (Urban Areas), Awareness 1 (Alertness),
Brawl 1 (Dodge), Italian 5 (Sicilian), Ride 1 (Mules),
Apothecary 1 (Ingredients for Mythic Herbalism), Bargain 1
(Cures), Etiquette 1 (Courtly), Leadership 1 (Inspiration),
Charm 1 (Being Witty), Folk Ken 1 (Townsfolk), Guile 1 (Fast
Talk), Area Lore: Palermo 5 (Personalities), Church Lore 1

68
 (People), Bargain 3 (Favors), Carouse 1 (Staying Sober),
Walter of Carini Etiquette 3 (Nobility), Intrigue 4 (Alliances), Leadership 4 (in

Scenario
Combat), Folk Ken 4 (Nobles), Guile 3 (Fast Talk), Area Lore:
Walter of Carini puts his knightly training on display, but Palermo 3 (Politics), Area Lore: Sicily 1 (Geography), Church
his cold, blue eyes betray a merciless careerist knowing all too Lore 3 (Politics), Organization Lore: Holy Roman Empire 1
well what is expected of him. He is blond and clean shaven, (Politics), Organization Lore: Kingdom of Sicily 3 (Politics),
and ostentatiously wears partial chain mail and long sword like Single Weapon 5 (Sword, Long)
the robe of his office.
Equipment: Partial Chain Mail, Ring of Office (Magic

Bestiary
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +1, Pre +1 (1), Com +1, Str Resistance 10)
+2 (1), Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik +1 (1)
Encumbrance: 0 (2)
Size: 0

Age: 43 (43)

Fiction
Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Knight, Privileged Upbringing,

Setting
Temporal Influence, Improved Characteristics, Oath of Fealty,
Ambitious

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Authoritarian +2, Brave

+1, Merciless +2

Reputations: Suspicious 3

Rules
Combat:

Dodge: Init +1, Attack N/A, Defense +4, Damage N/A

Fist: Init +1, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +2

Character
Kick: Init +0, Attack +4, Defense +3, Damage +5

Cloak: Init +1, Attack +4, Defense +5, Damage +1

Dagger: Init +1, Attack +7, Defense +5, Damage +5

Long sword: Init +3, Attack +11, Defense +8, Damage +8

Soak: +9
Editorial
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious
Sub Rosa

Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),

Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Abilities: Civil and Canon Law 3 (Kingdom of Sicily), Latin

4 (Juridical Usage), Artes Liberales 1 (Grammar), Stealth 1
(Urban Areas), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Athletics 1 (Grace),
Brawl 3 (Dagger), Animal Handling 1 (Horses), High German
5 (Nobility), Italian 5 (Sicilian), Ride 3 (in Battle), Hunt 1

69
 Lore 5 (Entreating), Magic Lore 3 (Regios), Faerie Lore 1
Michael Scot (Church Faeries), Infernal Lore 2 (Entreating), Chirurgy 1
Scenario

(Bind Wounds), Concentration 1 (Reading), Stealth 1 (Urban

Michael Scot is brainy, thin and weak. He craves Areas), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Brawl 1 (Dodge), Arabic 5
recognition for his knowledge by those in power while (Scholarly Usage), English 5 (Urban), Italian 4 (Courtly), Order
revealing as little as possible of it, dresses the wealthy scholar, of Hermes Lore 1 (Customs), Ride 1 (Traveling), Scribe 3
and shows off as a cosmopolitan well before the time. His (Copying), Bargain 1 (Books), Etiquette 3 (Courtly), Intrigue 1
trademark is his Cerebrerium: a solid metal skullcap he very (Alliances), Leadership 1 (Inspiration), Teaching 3
rarely takes off. (One‑on‑one), Charm 1 (First Impressions), Folk Ken 3
Bestiary

(Scholars), Guile 3 (Fast Talk), Church Lore 3 (History)

Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre +1, Com +3, Str ‑2,
Sta 0, Dex 0, Qik ‑1 Arts: Tueor (Tu) 6, Succurro (Su) 8, Vulnero (Vu) 6,
Fortunam (Fa) 13, Magicam (Ma) 22, Salutem (Sa) 13
Size: 0
Equipment: Wax Tablet; Amulet of Longevity (Made
Age: 55 (55) himself, +6 to Living Conditions for one year); Cerebrerium
Fiction

(Made himself, Soak +5, +24 Defense against things thrown

Decrepitude: 0 by magic at his head for a year); handful of mouseskins

Warping Score: 3 (5) Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (7) Charms Known:

Setting

Virtues and Flaws: Death Prophecy: Killed by a Small Stay the Fickle Hand of Fate (TuFa 5/+11)
Stone in the Head, Entreat the Powers, Gentle Gift, Magister
in Artibus, Improved Characteristics, Linguist, Natural Fortune Favors the Bold (SuFa 5/+12)
Magician, Inventive Genius, Mathematicus, The Gift,
Ambitious, Oath of Fealty: Frederick II, Ability Block Gift of Prometheus (Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+12)
(Martial), Susceptibility to Divine Power, Weird Magic,
Secretive Charm of Intelligence (SuFa 20/+12)
Rules

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Analytical +1, Brave ‑1, Charm for Puissant Artes Liberales (+3 to Artes Liberales,
Hungry for Knowledge +2, Scholarly +1, Secretive +3 Personal, Sun) (SuFa 20/+12)

Reputations: Scholar (Courts and Universities) 3, Charm of Alacritous Fortune Ag. Throws (+24 Defense, Touch,
Translator from Arabic (Scholars) 3 Sun) (TuMa 25 /+15) – base for Cerebrerium
Character

Combat: Revive the Fading Amulet (SuMa 25/+16)

Dodge: Init ‑1, Attack N/A, Defense +1, Damage N/A Magician’s Second Wind (Range) (SuMa 25/+16)

Fist: Init ‑1, Attack +1, Defense +0, Damage ‑2 Charm of Second Sight (Personal, Sun) (SuMa 20/+16)

Kick: Init ‑2, Attack +1, Defense ‑1, Damage +1 Charm for Puissant Sight (+3 to Second Sight, Personal, Sun)
Editorial

(SuMa 20/+16)
Dagger: Init ‑1, Attack +3, Defense +0, Damage +1
Charm of Disguise (Persona as per Houses of Hermes: Societates,
Sub Rosa
Soak: 0 page 94, Personal, Sun) (SuMa 20/+16)

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious Charm for Puissant Disguise (+3 to Persona, Personal, Sun)
(SuMa 20/+16)
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),
Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+) Charm of Mice (Skinchanger Mouse, Touch, Sun, Group)
(SuMa 30/+16)
Abilities: Medicine 3 (Anatomy), Philosophiae 3 (Natural
Philosophy), Theology 3 (History), Hebrew 4 (Biblical), Latin 5 (Continued on page 71)
(Scholarly Usage), Artes Liberales 5 (Astronomy), Dominion

70
 (Continued from page 70)
Charm for Longevity (+6, Touch, Sun) (SuSa 25/+12) – base

Scenario
for Amulets

Curse of Coughing Fits (VuSa 10/+11)

Curse of the Aged Swordsman (VuSa 15/+11)

Notes: Michael Scot has a Death Prophecy: he will die

Bestiary
from being hit by a small stone in the head. To prevent this, he
constructed his Cerebrerium: a solid metal skullcap with a
defense against magic throwing stuff at his head.

The storyguide is free to give Michael Scot additional

charms as required.

Fiction
Perrin
Dagger: Init +0, Attack +8, Defense +5, Damage +5

Setting
Soak: +5
Perrin is a middle-aged, burly but otherwise non-descript
man with weather-beaten complexion. But all eyes laid on him Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious
are drawn towards the devil’s head mark burnt into the center
of his forehead - and as he lost his cap, he has really no means Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),
to conceal it right now. Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Characteristics: Int ‑1, Per 0, Pre 0, Com +1, Str +2, Sta Abilities: Chirurgy 3 (Setting Bones), Stealth 1 (Urban

Rules
+2, Dex +1, Qik 0 Areas), Awareness 1 (Keeping Watch), Athletics 3 (Climbing),
Brawl 5 (Fist), Swim 3 (Diving), Carpentry 7 (Ships) [Category:
Size: 0 Buildings], French 4 (Norman), Italian 4 (Genovese), Occitan 5
(Provençal), Sailor 3 (Ship’s Carpenter), Bargain 3 (Wood),
Age: 37 (37) Carouse 1 (Power Drinking), Etiquette 3 (Townsfolk),
Leadership 1 (Inspiration), Area Lore: Agde 2 (Personalities),

Character
Decrepitude: 0 Organization Lore: Cathar Church in Languedoc 2 (Customs)

Warping Score: 0 (0) Notes: Perrin’s brand might even disconcert player
characters.
Virtues and Flaws: Linguist, Tough, Unaffected by The
Gift, Apostate, Disfigured (Devil’s Head on Forehead),
Branded Criminal

Personality Traits: Brave

Quick‑Tempered +1, Selfish +2
+1, Practical +3,
Editorial
Sub Rosa

Reputations: Apostate (Cathars) 4

Combat:

Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +5, Damage N/A

Fist: Init +0, Attack +7, Defense +6, Damage +2

Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +5

71
 Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +4, Defense +2, Damage +5
Tancredi Maccabeo di
Scenario

Cloak: Init +0, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +1

Montescaglioso Dagger: Init +0, Attack +7, Defense +4, Damage +5

A healthy young man trained for war and court, with blue eyes and Soak: +10
brown hair, Tancredi tries hard to present a confident mien, but actually
is quite desperate. Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious
Bestiary

Characteristics: Int 0, Per ‑1, Pre +1, Com 0, Str +2, Sta +2, Dex Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15), Incapacitated
+1, Qik 0 (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Size: 0 Abilities: Civil and Canon Law 2 (Sicilian), Latin 3 (Church Usage),
Artes Liberales 1 (Grammar), Stealth 1 (Urban Areas), Awareness 1
Age: 18 (18) (Alertness), Athletics 3 (Grace), Brawl 3 (Dagger), Swim 1 (Long
Fiction

Distances), Italian 5 (Sicilian), Ride 3 (Battle), Carouse 1 (Power

Decrepitude: 0 Drinking), Etiquette 3 (Nobility), Intrigue 1 (Alliances), Leadership 3 (In
Combat), Guile 1 (Elaborate Lies), Area Lore: Palermo 3 (Nobility),
Warping Score: 0 (0) Church Lore 1 (Customs), Single Weapon 5 (Sword, Long)

Virtues and Flaws: Privileged Upbringing, Gentleman, Warrior, Equipment: Partial Chain Mail (Soak: 10) (Soak: 10; Protection: 8;
Enemies (German Noble Family) Quality Armor: +2)
Setting

Personality Traits: Brave +2, Chivalrous +1, Proud +2 Encumbrance: 0 (2)

Combat: Notes: Tancredi has taken a Medium wound from a blow to the
left arm through his armor, resulting in a Wound Penalty of -3 to all rolls
Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +3, Damage N/A and totals. Fra Gotifredo has tried to bind it.

Fist: Init +0, Attack +4, Defense +3, Damage +2

Rules

Qamar bint Jahir al-Ahd Combat:

Dodge: Init +2, Attack N/A, Defense +4, Damage N/A

Character

Qamar wears a simple djellaba and a scarf wrapped tightly around

her head, showing only her black eyes. Fist: Init +2, Attack +2, Defense +3, Damage ‑2

Characteristics: Int +2, Per +1, Pre +1, Com +1, Str ‑2, Sta +2, Kick: Init +1, Attack +2, Defense +2, Damage +1
Dex +1, Qik +2
Soak: +2
Size: 0
Editorial

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Age: 14 (14)
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15), Incapacitated
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Decrepitude: 0 (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Warping Score: 0 (0) Abilities: Islamic Law 1 (Women), Theology: Islam 1 (Debates),
Artes Liberales 3 (Logic), Chirurgy 1 (Bind Wounds), Stealth 3 (Urban
Virtues and Flaws: Improved Characteristics, Lightning Reflexes, Areas), Awareness 3 (Alertness), Athletics 3 (Running), Brawl 1
Privileged Upbringing, Ability Block (Outdoor), Outcast: Saracen, Close (Dodge), Arabic 5 (Scholarly), Italian 3 (Sicilian), Scribe 3 (Copying),
Family Ties Etiquette 1 (Townsfolk), Teaching 1 (One‑on‑one), Charm 1 (First
Impressions), Folk Ken 1 (Townsfolk), Guile 1 (Fast Talk), Area Lore:
Personality Traits: Brave +1, Curious +2, Energetic +2 Palermo 1 (Saracens)

72
 Fra Gotifredo Soak: +2

Scenario
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +1, Pre +1, Com 0, Str 0, Sta Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious
+2, Dex +1, Qik 0
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),
Size: 0 Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Age: 26 (26) Abilities: Theology 1 (Biblical Knowledge), Latin 4

Bestiary
(Church Usage), Artes Liberales 1 (Grammar), Chirurgy 3
Decrepitude: 0 (Bind Wounds), Concentration 2 (Prayer), Stealth 1 (Natural
Areas), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Survival 3 (On the Road),
Warping Score: 0 (0) Athletics 3 (Hiking), Brawl 1 (Dodge), Cook 5 (Stew), Animal
Handling 1 (Donkeys), Italian 5 (Sicilian), Etiquette 1
Virtues and Flaws: True Friend: Lorenzo, Mendicant (Peasants), Charm 1 (First Impressions), Folk Ken 1
Friar, Sense Holiness and Unholiness, Monastic Vows (Peasants), Area Lore: Palermo 1 (Churches), Area Lore: Enna

Fiction
1 (Peasants), Church Lore 3 (Franciscans), Sense Holiness and
Personality Traits: Brave ‑1, Compassionate +1, Loyal: Unholiness 4 (Good)
Lorenzo +3, Pious +2
Devotions: The Virgin Mary 3 (Birth September 8th,
Combat: Annunciation March 25th, Ascension August 15th, many
others); St. Francis 3 (Stigmatization September 17th, Death
Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +2, Damage N/A October 3rd);

Setting
Fist: Init +0, Attack +2, Defense +1, Damage +0 Faith Points: 14

Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +2, Defense +0, Damage +3

Fra Lorenzo
Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +2, Defense +0, Damage +3

Rules
Soak: +1
Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +1, Com +2, Str 0, Sta
+1, Dex +1, Qik 0 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Size: 0 Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),

Character
Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)
Age: 25 (25)
Abilities: Art of Memory 1 (Hymns), Latin 4 (Church
Decrepitude: 0 Usage), Artes Liberales 1 (Grammar), Chirurgy 1 (Diagnosis),
Concentration 2 (Prayer), Music 3 (Singing), Stealth 1 (Natural
Warping Score: 0 (0) Areas), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Survival 3 (On the Road),
Athletics 3 (Hiking), Brawl 1 (Dodge), Cook 5 (Soups), Animal

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Virtues and Flaws: Intuition, True Friend: Gotifredo Handling 3 (Donkeys), Italian 5, Etiquette 3 (Peasants), Area
(Bonus: +3 to appropriate Personality Traits), Mendicant Friar, Lore: Palermo 1 (Churches), Area Lore: Enna 1 (Peasants),
Monastic Vows Church Lore 2 (Franciscans)
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Personality Traits: Brave ‑2, Friendly +2, Loyal: Gotifredo Devotions: The Virgin Mary 3 (Birth September 8th,
+3, Pious +1 Annunciation March 25th, Ascension August 15th, many
others); St. Francis 3 (Stigmatization September 17th, Death
Combat: October 3rd);

Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +2, Damage N/A Faith Points: 16

Fist: Init +0, Attack +2, Defense +1, Damage +0

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 Agent of the Baiulo Fist: Init ‑2, Attack +3, Defense +3, Damage ‑1
Scenario

Characteristics: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str ‑1, Kick: Init ‑3, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +2
Sta +1, Dex 0, Qik 0
Dagger: Init ‑2, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +2
Size: 0
Soak: +3
Decrepitude: 0
Bestiary

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Warping Score: 0 (0)
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),
Confidence: 1 (3) Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Virtues and Flaws: Ways of the Town, Improved Abilities: Civil and Canon Law 1 (Sicilian), Latin 3
Characteristics, Gossip, Social Contacts (Townsfolk), Clerk, (Juridical Usage), Artes Liberales 1 (Grammar), Stealth 3
Fiction

Poor, Ability Block (Outdoor), Infamous, Dutybound, (Urban Areas), Awareness 3 (Searching), Athletics 1 (Running),
Temperate Brawl 3 (Dagger), Italian 5 (Sicilian), Bargain 1 (Information),
Etiquette 1 (Townsfolk), Intrigue 3 (Gossip), Leadership 3
Personality Traits: Brave +1, Cool‑tempered +2, (Intimidation), Charm 1 (First Impressions), Folk Ken 3
Duty‑Bound +3, Manipulative +2 (Townsfolk), Guile 3 (Fast Talk), Area Lore: Palermo 3
(Personalities), Church Lore 1 (Religious Orders)
Reputations: Snitch 4
Setting

Equipment: Heavy Leather Armor (Soak: 3) (Soak: 3;

Combat: Protection: 2); Wax Tablet

Dodge: Init ‑2, Attack N/A, Defense +3, Damage N/A Encumbrance: 2 (2)

Palermo Watchman
Short spear & round shield: Init: +1, Attack +11, Defense
Rules

+10, Damage +7

Characteristics: Int ‑1, Per 0, Pre ‑1, Com ‑1, Str +2, Sta Dagger: Init +0, Attack +9, Defense +6, Damage +5
+2, Dex +1, Qik 0
Soak: +8
Size: 0
Character

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Decrepitude: 0
Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),
Warping Score: 0 (0) Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+)

Virtues and Flaws: Mercenary, Tough, Puissant Single Abilities: Stealth 5 (Urban Areas), Awareness 3 (Keeping
Weapon, Warrior, Dutybound, Weak Characteristics, Ability Watch), Athletics 5 (Running), Brawl 5 (Dagger), Swim 1
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Block (Logic) (Diving), Animal Handling 1 (Mules), Italian 5, Bargain 1

(Leave), Carouse 3 (Power Drinking), Folk Ken 3 (Townsfolk),
Personality Traits: Aggressive +2, Brave +2, Duty‑Bound Area Lore: Palermo 3 (Topography), Church Lore 1
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+2 (Customs), Single Weapon 5+2 (Spear, Short)

Combat: Equipment: Round Shield; Partial Leather Scale Armor

Dodge: Init +0, Attack N/A, Defense +5, Damage N/A Encumbrance: 1 (3)

Fist: Init +0, Attack +6, Defense +5, Damage +2

Kick: Init ‑1, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +5

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 Italian 3 (Sicilian), Leadership 3 (Inspiration), Ride 1 (Travel),
Jahir al-Ahd Teaching 6 (Artes Liberales)

Scenario
Jahir shows the signs of his age: his hair is nearly white and Equipment: Wax Tablet
his eyes are watery. He moves slowly, and likes best to sit and
read or talk. Qamar and his house-keeper keep him Encumbrance: 0 (0)
comfortably seated, so he can avoid any sudden moves.
Notes: Jahir, besides being an enthusiastic scholar, is also a
Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre ‑1 (1), Com +3 (2), Str living library. While he has worn out copies of most of

Bestiary
‑2 (2), Sta ‑1 (1), Dex 0, Qik ‑3 Averroës’ commentaries of Aristotle, he assisted in their
writing and knows most of them by heart.
Size: 0

Age: 60 (60)

Decrepitude: 0

Fiction
Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 2 (10)

Virtues and Flaws: Clear Thinker, Self‑Confident, Well

Educated (Islamic), Well‑Traveled, Apt Student, Good

Setting
Teacher, ‘Alim, Outsider, Ability Block (Martial), Arthritis,
Higher Purpose (Show Logic as the Way to Happiness),
Temperate

Personality Traits: Analytical +3, Brave ‑1, Confident +3,

Deep Thinker +3

Reputations: Saracen (Christians) 3, Studied under

Rules
Averroës (Scholars) 3

Combat:

Dodge: Init ‑3, Attack N/A, Defense ‑1, Damage N/A

Character
Fist: Init ‑3, Attack +1, Defense ‑2, Damage ‑2

Kick: Init ‑4, Attack +1, Defense ‑3, Damage +1

Soak: ‑1

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, ‑1, ‑3, ‑5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: ‑1 (1‑5), ‑3 (6‑10), ‑5 (11‑15),

Incapacitated (16‑20), Dead (21+) Editorial
Sub Rosa

Abilities: Arabic 6 (Scholarly Usage), Artes Liberales 8

(Logic), Medicine 5 (Psychology), Islamic Law 5 (Blasphemy),
Philosophiae 8 (Metaphysics), Theology: Islam 5 (Debates),
Latin 5 (Scholarly Usage), Art of Memory 3 (Averroës),
Dominion Lore 5 (Angels), Area Lore: Palermo 3 (Saracens),
Athletics 1 (Hiking), Awareness 1 (Alertness), Bargain 3
(Books), Brawl 1 (Dodge), Charm 3 (Being Witty), Church
Lore 3 (Customs), Concentration 3 (Reading), Etiquette 3
(Scholars), Folk Ken 3 (Scholars), Guile 3 (Religious Topics),

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Scenario
Bestiary

You can still find, in 1220, as you wolf who had nursed Romulus and By Benoît Léoutre
wander through the countryside of Remus, the legendary founders of
Campania or the hills of the Apennine Rome. A party was dedicated to him eager to resurrect an empire dead for
Mounains, an almost unknown cult. Its each year, called the Lupercalia. The more than seven centuries. Legio lupii
followers leave their homes on nights of great pontiff of Rome participated in tried to swell the ranks, composed
the full moon, change themselves into person; he was stripped and his body largely of werewolves, dreaming to be
Fiction

half-wolf monsters, and perpetrate simply covered with a wolf skin thrown able to restore the glory of the sons of
blood sacrifices on behalf of pagan over his shoulders. All the young Mars.
gods. The Legio Lupii, Roman citizens took part in the ceremony with
Brotherhood of ancient times, survives pride, in the same device. It was a
and dreams of Rome’s long ago lost bloody spring festival celebrating fertility LEGIO LUPII
glory, the time when it ruled the known and youth.
world. These authentic Romans carry on DURING THE 13TH
Setting

the war against the enemies of an

empire, which disappeared for ages. From Original Cult to CENTURY
Those fanatics prepare, with a barely
contained patience, the return of the Pax
Legio XXXI Originally, the priests of the cult did
Romana. During the collapse of the Roman not accept the partition of the Roman
empire, the cult of Mars-Wolfman empire into two states of East and West,
disappeared from the great cities, but it a split they disapproved and denied. Yet,
LEGIO HISTORY survived in the countryside and the hills for centuries they saw a gap widening
Rules

of Italy, in remote places and in hamlets between the Byzantine empire and the
Legio Lupii is a secret society, heires hard to reach, like the passes of the Alps Papacy, between the Latins and the
of the early traditions of Lazio. Primitive or the marshes of Ravenna. Maybe it Greeks. That division is felt even in the
beliefs of Italy’s peoples persist in was a coincidence, but the barbarian Legio. These dissensions broke out in
gestures, customs and practices, that not invasions brought an upsurge of cases of heated debates at the end of the 12th
the Republic nor the Roman empire, nor lycanthropy throughout the empire. century, therefore the crusade against
Character

the triumphant Christianity could erase. Those monsters especially were Constantinople in 1204 crystallized the
common in rural areas, those places differences in point of view.
The rise of Christianity to the status precisely frequented by the last homes
of State religion under emperor of paganism. Oriental cult followers give no more
Constantine the Great, at the beginning signs of life today, and it is unlikely that
of the fourth century, did not mark the Then the surviving pagan priests they were all killed. Rumors circulate on
disappearance of the old Roman cults. interpreted werewolves as envoys of the fact that the Byzantine members of
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Of these, one in particular was dedicated Mars to help the Roman Empire to Legio XXXI would have lent oath to the
to the god Mars, Lord of combat, Father resurrect. They declared that these various Byzantine pretenders to the
of the Roman race and particularly loved lycanthropes would be the last Imperial throne of Constantinople, some
Sub Rosa
by the legionaries. Mars, as many other legion, the Legio XXXI, so-called ‘legion supporting the dynasty of the Angelos,
Roman gods, borrows attributes and of wolves’, Legio Lupii. others the Komnenian family.
elements common to many folklores
and traditions, in the syncretism of the Through the centuries, the clergy of The official position, in the West, is
Greco-Roman pantheon. Mars and the last faithful to the religion to ask any encountered Greek werewolf
of ancestors built an amalgam of their to swear allegiance to the Western cult’s
In one of these aspects, he is beliefs, their regrets and their hopes. leaders. In case of refusal, any true cult
represented as a bloody father, a god- Little by little they became an member has to kill those who are
wolf with wild might: Lupercus. In this underground network of vindictive traitors to the cause of the Pax Romana.
sense, he was associated with the she- activists, opposed to the Church and

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 the sacred woods, the fountain ladies,
Area of Influence the wild and beautiful Amazons (told to

Scenario
The heart of the Legio is, of course, MUNDANES & be bellicose daughters of Mars) walking
always Italy. This is where the cult finds in the ranks of the legionaries... and who
most of its supports and followers. In FAERIE knows, the host of the other gods of the
Lombardy, in the summits of the Roman pantheon, too.
Apennines or in campaigns of Calabria, DIVINITIES
the Lupii patiently recruit new faces, Keep in mind that a Legio full of
which makes Italy the strongest region Is the Legio Lupii infiltrated by Faerie wonders would most of all

Bestiary
by their influence. But the efforts of the magical creatures? And to what extent? encounter difficulties in its opposition
Legio to infiltrate the Italian city-States The decision is yours. For most of its to the Divine realm. The fairies do not
enmeshed it in the woes of local politics. faithful believers, it is a purely human support divine auras and habitually flee
In the rest of the Mediterranean basin, organization, a community of nostalgics the priests or sacred places as if they
the last homes of paganism scrape a and fanatics of the Roman imperial rule, were a plague. Should you choose to
living, depending on the mercy of the maintained through the centuries by consider the Legio as a supernatural
local rulers. custom and law. It is possible the truth organization, it would have to be

Fiction
stops there: citizens trying to maintain confined to wild and isolated places,
the traditions of a fallen nation. Maybe trying to infiltrate cities for temporary
ORGANISATION there is more, perhaps a number of its assignments only, and hardly keeping
senior officials are strongly influenced counting converted lords as members.
by the creatures they worship. The
Cohortes lecher fauns, the gorgeous nymphs of

Setting
The cult intends to maintain and
extend its influence in the rest of the The father is a respected Mars-follower,
Mediterranean basin, starting from the A LITTLE TOO but Legio Lupii local leaders denied
few homes of supporters it possesses. entrance to his children: his son is a
Each of these small scattered groups is WILD were-fox, and his daughter become a
called a cohors and responds to the she-bear at full moon nights. None of
orders of a centurio, who is often the The fact that Legio Lupii had sunk them could become a true worshiper.
most experienced member. All the into the lycanthropy does not mean it

Rules
cohortes form the Legio Lupii itself. accepts all types of shape-shifters. Now, his offspring should run,
The cult, although theoretically unified Although they have a deep respect for because legionaries come to kill them:
in the person of the revered pontifex, is the werewolves, they treat other forms the cult fear the rejected children may
divided in fact. The Roman Empire is of lycanthropy with the same disdain reveal the secret society some day. But
vast, and the network of Legio Lupii is and distrust a priest or a magus would. the father does not agree with that hunt,
too weak to ensure cohesion. as he still love his offspring. He fled

Character
A poor family living in a remote with his family and the chase is likely to
The sons of Mars claim to extend hamlet is decked out with a degenerate be turbulent.
their power over the whole of the curse that does not transmit the same
former Roman empire, from the time of “animal doubles” at every generation.
its peak. In fact, the provinces of East
and Africa are devoid of legionnaires. In
several other provinces, the centurio remain indifferent to the few mortals

Editorial
proclaimed himself imperator or, in who still turn to him?
Byzantine provinces, autokrator. These HOMELAND’S
titles prove that at least in these regions, Introducing Mars in 1220’s Europe
FATHER
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the cult supporters are self-sufficient. will have consequences. Remember he

can inspire battles and wars. In reality,
Those cohortes are more or less Maybe Mars himself, down from the most of the middle-ages Italian conflicts
independent branches: the Gaul cohors Elysee, secretly reigns on Earth. In a may be his endeavor. If their god is at
(whose soldiers haunt the forests of the particularly powerful regio, he calls to their side, wolves of the Legio will be
Massif central), Spain (the centurio is a fixed dates all the heads of his Legio to more powerful. They may be well able
master-of-arms of Cartagena and a fierce give them his orders. He observes the to take over entire kingdoms.
opponent to the r econquista), women of the cult, and chooses those
Alexandria (since the overthrow of the that will create heroes of his blood.
indolent Fatimid power, the iron hand How could the god with the Red Hand

77
 of the viziers of Cairo makes precarious Each cohors can have a variable that are formed most of the future
Scenario

survival of the cohors) and number of decuriae, and they can group legionaries.
Constantinople (those are loyal to the themself into centuriae. The biggest
Byzantine basileus and therefore cohors (Rome) possess two centuriae of When members of a decuria are
considered traitors by the pontifex). ten decuriae each, for a total of less of numerous enough, their camp can take
two hundred followers, while the cohors respectable dimensions, including fields,
of Britain count a single decuria of a several villas, a votive temple and a
Current State dozen individuals, hidden in the hills of convent of vestals. But more often than
Bestiary

When a group of supporters or true Mercia. not, a given decuria cannot embark on
members of the cult live together, they ambitious construction projects.
are called a decuria; most of the cult A decuria must be autonomous; it
members or sympathizers are assumed has built a camp where it can take refuge Several hideaways have breathtaking
to live in their decuria in order to avoid in case of danger. This shelter is labelled architecture: inside wild caves dug into
indiscretion. Through misuse of a castrum. Most of the castra are actually the granite, one suddenly discovers
language, a decuria encompass relatives simple urban houses, villas or marble arches, hot baths circled by
Fiction

to cult members and their friends. The countryside farms. Some are real haunts polished ground, covered with
number of members in a decuria is at the bottom of the wood, with multicolored mosaics... The luxury of
variable and can go from 2 to 20, not enclosure of stakes and ditch, in the these hiding places sharply contrasts
counting the uninitiated children, purest tradition of the ancient legion. It’s with the hostile environment that
external contacts, and possible slaves. here, between the walls of the fortress, conceals them. It is the case of the
hideout of the Illyricum cohors, which
Setting
Rules
Character
Editorial

Sub Rosa

78
 suspects are not lacking. The town is
houses the finest collection of Roman now in political turmoil.

Scenario
statues one can contemplate. HATCHET MEN
In the months that follow, it is
The persecution against the pagans FROM TOLEDO rumored that the deceased hidalgo came
and werewolves is a permanent threat to back from the dead in the form of a
Legio Lupii, which must continually The grand master Inigo de hungry werewolf. He is said to have
ensure its own security by hiding its Villacabrone, hidalgo of Spain and hero killed several lettered persons and stolen
activities, practices and beliefs. of the Moorish coast, was slain in a scrolls of the scriptoria and libraries. Is

Bestiary
However, every year, many legionaries poorly lit street in Toledo. The urban he looking for a path to regain the rest
are hunted and killed like beasts, or militia speaks of great terrifying wolves, of his soul?
burned as witches or heretics. The armed with sharp steel claws and
Church is a powerful and ubiquitous babbling Arab words. The players’ characters may be
enemy. Cult supporters or relatives are traveling in the area, looking for new
both valuable allies and high risks of The city is booming, while looking Vis sources, old tractatus or mythical
betrayal. for a culprit. Between the Jewish and worldwide-known steel from

Fiction
community, to whom the Lord had the Toledo.
financing of its ships, the neighboring
CULT Almoravids enemies and local rivals, the

HIERARCHY
village to settle several too talkative
supporters, who might talk about the
Cursus Honorum MARS’

Setting
Legion.

The structure of the cult is a mix of MOLOSSERS As if a series of bloody murders were
the Roman legion’s ranking with those not enough, a parent, a friend or a lover
of the traditional Roman religion. Members of a decuria who are of one of the covenant’s grogs figure
Within Legio Lupii, one see the middle- unable to control themselves can still among the victims. Facing the savagery
age society as barbarians. But should a serve the cause. The wild werewolves of the aggressors, the local priest
barbarian or a barbarian child join the are chained and kept in a kennel outside currently is thinking to exorcise the

Rules
cult, he becomes a full member. It is the camp. This is what happened to village. Prepare for divine auras and
required for all members to keep secret several members of the nearest castrum bigoted mood. Maybe even Luigi
the existence of the cabal, up to the time of the players’ covenant. The legionaries Filliamus, a feared Dominican
of the Pax Romana has returned. use their unfortunate degenerate Inquisitor, will look at the case.
brethren as assassins or watchdogs.
The cursus honorum for women is They just accompanied them near the

Character
slightly different from that for men.
Legio Lupii got rid of many prejudices divides his time between exercise, study desire to enter the ranks of the Vestal
against women, who wer e so of ancient texts, defense of the hideout, Virgins, the priestesses of the cult,
characteristic of public life in Roman preparation of other members’ missions. guardians of knowledge and its rites.
antiquity. There are still differences of A cives may also choose to become a
statutes and practices that prohibit priest of Mars, but few do.
women military honors; on the other Roman Clergy

Editorial
hand, the senior positions of the clergy For their part, young girls, at the age There is a number of vestals in each
are reserved to them, due to centuries- of 12 years, are considered to be major cohors. Sometimes, it is only a novice or
old customs. (it should be noted that the age of a priestess, who takes care to maintain a
Sub Rosa

majority is substantially the same among discreet altar in an alcove. In the most
As soon as he reaches the age of 14, the so-called barbarians). Each woman prestigious cohortes, the nuns are
the young boy becomes a legitimate has the right to divorce or inherit, but dozens, living in real convent composed
cives: he can participate in the life of the cannot participate in political debates. of several buildings, temples, atriums
cohors. He takes part in the vote, elects They quickly are married to a cives, in and gardens. Each of these shrines,
the praetor and fulfills all missions order to optimize the chances of whether they be large or small, is
assigned to him. The cives may continue increase of their decuria. A widow is supposed to hold a flame born from the
to live in the barbarian world, acting as a encouraged to marry again, so a single original Rome’s temple.
spy, a murderer or a recruiter. He can woman is pretty rare, even more a young
also be assigned to the camp, where he single woman, unless she expresses the

79
 The vestals are devoted virgins who years, but in some cohortes, tradition Gaul and at Constantinople, the title
Scenario

keep an eternal fire. They are also the has it that the title remains in same became hereditary a few decades ago.
guardians of knowledge, the far-seers hands until the death of the praetor. in
and the guarantors of the sacred union
between citizens. They obey a matriarch,
but do not always live in their convent,
in contrast to Christian nuns. They can
travel, study and participate in the
Bestiary

meetings of the cult, where their advice

are always listened to with respect. One
easily can recognize them with their long
Roman dresses, their opaque veils
covering their hair, their gait with
serious and borrowed majesty. They are
held in great honor and any attack
Fiction

against them is considered a sacrilege.

The priests are responsible for the

sacrifices during ceremonies. They are
studying the ancient texts, the great
classical authors, the secret books of
pagan religion. They spend a lot of time
Setting

to philosophy and morality. They make

education of young recruits, teach them
how to become perfect Roman citizens,
aka models in piety, courage, virtue and
stoicism. Their authoritarian lessons are
a great way to help young werewolves
taming their inner beast.
Rules

When they move, members of the

clergy (priest and vestal just like),
although they are required to know how
to defend themselves, usually are
accompanied by at least one or two
legionaries, who then have the title of
Character

lictor. Being chosen as a lictor (even if it

is only for a short travel) is perceived as
a great privilege for a member of the
cult, and being deposed is considered a
great disfavour.

Cult’s Main Dignitaries

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Praetores
Sub Rosa
Each cohors is headed by an elected
leader, the praetor. Most of the time, he
is chosen among the Roman male
nobility (which is a mixture of the
descendants of the ancient senatorial
families, and noble offspring converted
among the barbarians). However, in
theory, any cives may become praetor.
The election lasts for a period of five

80
 serious breach of the hermetic code.
The Tremere House worrying on Tribuni

Scenario
ALLEGIANCE everything about the rules, and the The pontifex appoints officers, called
civilized Bonisagus House, may not take tribuni, to inspect each cohors and thus
CASE such a matter lightly. exercise a minimum of control over its
vast network. However, the
Of course some Houses of the order On the other hand, if one maga has appointment of a tribunus must be
of Hermes, even the Latin branches been contacted by the Mars’ cult and if ratified by a vote of the Senate; this is
such as Bonisagus’, Guernicus’ and she declined such an offer, Legio Lupii why the influence of the pontifex

Bestiary
Tytalus’, may have in their ranks a few will want to eliminate her to ensure its depends very much on its ability to to
werewolves. Probably these (because of own security. The pontifex will surely gain support in its own cult.
their Roman origins, their culture and send Martius Fortitius Panductor, a
their magical potential) have been particularly cruel and deceitful decurio, The numerous tribuni have to
approached by the Legio Lupii. Maybe a who made himself a reputation as a monitor the praetores’ activities. They
magus from Bjornaer whose heart butcher. Martius is anything but stupid, are the guarantors of the Roman law,
animal is the Wolf could be integrated and he will surely take adequate any cives or cult’s woman can appeal to

Fiction
into the secret society, but he would precautions to eliminate its powerful them in case of legal conflict. They do
probably be despised for its shamanic prey. not reside in a determined province, but
beliefs (too Germanic for the taste of they constantly travel from one castrum
Latine people). Now the steadfast maga may be a to another.
friend of one of the player’s characters,
It goes without saying that a magus and she may ask help in that thorny
isn’t supposed to take an oath to business. A redcap bearing bad news Senatores

Setting
another brotherhood than the order of arrives at the covenant and the maga’s Legio Lupii owns a counterweight,
Hermes, and if some have done, it is a letter is quite desperate. the Senate of the Wolves, which is in
session in a regio hidden in Rome. In
In the less controlled areas, the Legio the depths of a cave of the Aventine, the
doesn’t have enough divisions to justify When he feels his own death ruins of an overgrown nymphaeum hide
the appointment of a praetor. In these coming, the pontifex may designate his a backdoor. It’s a withdrawn and
provinces, the oldest decurio assumes successor. If he fails to take this secretive place, its entrance is guarded
the role of coordinator. Sometimes, this precaution, the next pontifex is by handpicked werewolves. There, in an

Rules
feature is validated by the pontifex who designated following the revelations of underground amphitheatre, old ones
then award him the rank of procurator. the vestal virgins. The next pontifex will discuss guidance to be given to the cult.
generally be a priest of the cult, but it The senatores will sometimes come into
has happened to the maidens of Mars to conflict with the views of the pontifex.
Pontifex designate a praetor, or even a stranger to
The praetor of Rome is called Legio Lupii, since it is true that gods are Any praetor, tribunus or procurator

Character
pontifex. It is one of the most influential fickle. who has exercised its function for at
and the most powerful leaders. He is
considered to be the head of Legio A gorgeous water-nymph offer her
Lupii, his spiritual guide and his most to lead her vessel. Unfortunately, the
dangerous member. He is formed in the LOOKING FOR journey to the far island may be
mysteries by the more erudite vestals. tormented, as she may fall at the hands
He become the highest religious SAMOTHRACE’S of the Venetians. Through a Byzantine

Editorial
authority for the cult, as well as a Empire in disorder and chaos, escorted
military leader. He has power to SECRECTS by two particularly brutal lictors who
announce the return of the divine attract more trouble than they spread,
Sub Rosa

Emperor (should, one day, the Roman Carmina Lucillia Lapides, 25-year- she may need reinforcements if she wish
empire be restored). old, is a young vestal of great wisdom. to return to Rome alive.
She goes to Samothrace, where the
The role of the pontifex is to keep Greek ruins should contain valuable But Carmina is a stubborn woman.
the flame of the Roman religion alive. rollers. She hopes to be able to grow in She may recruit the players’ characters
Versed in the occult arts of the rites of his gift of clairvoyance, with those instead, thanks to a fallacious promise.
Mars, the pontifex is a werewolf writings. She have strange dreams When you talk about ancient Greek
monster, bigger than any other, with a concerning eagles and fire since months, ruins, most of the dignified magi lose
supernatural intelligence and a great and she want to interpret them their minds.
mastery of his magical knowledge. correctly.

81
 The senatores will sometimes come into these promising individuals are not When the test successfully is
Scenario

conflict with the views of the pontifex. pushed into the practice of the completed, the candidate returns to see
diabolism. Nobody want to deal with the tribunus, who judges if she is worthy
Any praetor, tribunus or procurator demons or possessed arrogant jackass. to go further. If necessary, the
who has exercised its function for at When the recruiter believes that one of legionaries from the area meet and
least ten years may claim to be member its candidates is ready, she begins to talk everybody proceed with the induction of
of the Senate of the Wolves. The to her about the actual cult. She never a new believer.
entrance to the Senate is co-opted and it pronounce its true name. She vaguely
Bestiary

is necessary to renounce its judiciary to evokes a free community, released from If the recruit is already a wolf-
become a member. Reigning Senators the tyranny of the nobles and the shapeshifter, this is perfect. It will be
may oppose a nomination. The arrival of Church. If these arguments hit the nail sufficient to teach her the traditional
a new senator is marked properly by on the head, she brings her apprentice Roman virtues: taste of effort, respect
ritualized duels, bloody sacrifices and to the nearest tribunus (most often the for elders, temperance, piety. If she is
orgies. The current Senate has twenty- tribunus came in the area for the not a lycanthrope, the training will be
seven members, of whom ten are occasion). The candidate must swear only more demanding. Some
Fiction

former tribuni. Sessions rarely include allegiance “to the Wolf and the god sympathizers or slaves never go through
the whole of the headcount.

LIVING IN LEGIO
LUPII
Setting

Recruitment
Active cult members attend all kinds
of people in the barbarian world. The
rural environment – poor and uneven of
Christendom – is a fertile ground for
Rules

new followers. Recruitment is between 5

and 10 years. Current members of the
cult often recruit their own children, but
they may also abduct children when they
show signs of being resourceful, strong
or smart. Sometimes, they may recruit
Character

older individuals, should they be

exceptionally strong, talented, dedicated,
or influential.

Approach Mars” in front of him. the stage of initiation and serve simply
The recruiters of the cult monitor in the cult’s network as workers, house
Editorial

several potential candidates at the same The last step to get into the cult is a maids or spies.
time, and visit them from time to time. test of courage and virtue, supposed to
They distill them patiently ideas of prove that the applicant is worthy of
Welcome Ceremony
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greatness, of respect for knowledge and becoming a Roman citizen. Most often,
ancient customs, highlight the they are asked to kill a barbarian who is All decuria’s members make a round
contradictions of monotheism and the particularly embarrassing for the in a place from any settlement away, at
renunciation of feudal life; they seek to activities of the cult - if the mission fails, the bottom of a wood or in a cave.
make them (more than anything) turn no one can suspect the cult since the There must be at least one vestal virgin
away from Christian religion. rookie doesn’t know anything yet. and one dignitary (praetor or tribunus)
Sometimes it is requested to kill a to proceed with the ceremony. The
Over the years, the seeds they have member of her own family, but the test recruiter present the candidate to the
planted in their minds will germinate. varies from one cohors to another. cult’s assembly. The praetor (or the
However, they must also ensure that tribunus) questions the rookie several

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 times on her motivations, her will and This valuable knowledge is distilled curse of the Wolf - but in those cases, it

Scenario
her beliefs (answers may have been to the young recruits as soon as possible, waives the opportunity to become a
prepared). If the answers don’t please because the survival of Roman vestal.
one of the witnesses, she can declare her civilization prevails over anything else.
opposition. The disagreement will be Within their castrum, insiders can follow
settled in a duel to the death if the the teachings of magisters, or consult Activities
applicant is a man. But if it’s a woman, the few Latin archives, which contain Most often, Legio lupii doesn’t
there can be no fight: she immediately is rolls of parchment on various topics. bother with feelings with the rest of the

Bestiary
sacrificed to Mars instead (most of the world; those who are not its allies do not
female cult’s members criticize that For Legio Lupii, lycanthropes are deserve his respect and are widely
special treatment). blessed by the god Mars. Originally, they considered as enemies of “Rome”.
represented only a small fraction of the
Then, the future disciple of the cult movement. But for several centuries, All those who embrace its cause but
gets on her knees in front of the vestal, being a werewolf has become a don’t have the strength, piety or the
standing near a cauldron of oil where prerequisite to become a full-fledged favor of almighty Mars, are nevertheless

Fiction
the sacred fire burns. The priestess asks member. If the new recruit is not already of some interest for the cult: they spread
her to take an oath to the God Mars and struck by the curse of Lycanthropy, he is among the barbarians discord, sedition
the goddess Vesta, passing the hand bitten by one of the officiants during the and vice. Courtesans and prostitutes
over the flames. welcome ceremony. This rule applies to turn away the peasants, craftsmen and
both men and women. Women without bishops from their duties. Philosophers
The recruiter hands the new male the curse are often rejected if they mix the pagan and Aristotelian doctrines
member a red toga, representing both cannot give birth to cursed children. In with Christian teaching in young

Setting
his entry into Roman citizenship, but some cohortes, women can become universities, sparking new heresies. The
also a personal adoption. The vestal members without being struck with the
kisses the female new member instead.
The tribunus (or the praetor, or another
legionary by default) offers the new perhaps asked it from his worshipers; a
member (whatever is her gender) a historic event, something supernatural
sword that was soaked in animal’s TO BE A WOLF, OR happened; a mystical revelation from a
blood. vestal led to this uncompromising rule.

Rules
NOT TO BE Finally, it is possible that it is an act
dictated by necessity: werewolves are
Everyday Life Since when does one have to be a more violent, they recover quickly and
After the entrance ceremony, the werewolf to be initiated in the cult? represent one way to ensure the survival
new practitioner is a full participant of What motivated this change? Mars itself of the Roman cult.
Legio Lupii. Now she needs to devote

Character
her life to the advent of a new unified
Roman empire. To do this, she will have Ludwinus, a dire member of the cult,
to spend time to the preparation of that lost his Quirinus’ dagger during a
happy day. A character that does not QUIRINUS’ mission in the nearest city (he tried to
pass at least one complete season per assassinate the devious bishop
year at training in her castrum will be DAGGER Adalbert). Now he will do anything to
probably seen with disfavor by her recover it - even though the thief, a

Editorial
peers. This type of knife is used by priests reckless robber named James, has
in their various worship activities. For already sold it to a Knight, Sir Conrad.
In the company of her brothers-in- other cultists, the knife is kept in their
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arms, the new member learns all kinds belt as a purely decorative object. It The noble man plans to offer the
of skills, which will prove useful to fight often bears a Latin inscription (“cave dagger to the prince Berthold on the
the enemies of pagan religion or to lupem”, “interficio”, “vulnerant occasion of his marriage with Conrad’s
perpetuate ancient traditions. The omnes”…). It grants the carrier a +5 daughter, Belissa (a secret lover of one
legionaries are not all devoid-of- bonus in Magic Resistance, but that of the covenant’s companion).
reflection bullies. They count among bonus doesn’t add up to any other form
them many strategists or plotters, keen of Magic resistance. The weapon is dealt Of course his holiness Adalbert will
manipulators, scholars versed in the with (in any other case) as a mundane be present at the marriage ceremony.
classics or priestesses initiated in the dagger. Adventure (and, probably, drama)
supernatural secrets. ensues.

83
 Cathars and the Free Spirit communities pontifex so put the hand on the Lancia
Scenario

are just tools to weaken Christianity. LIGHT OF THE Italian noble family; he raise their last
daughter, Beatrice, in the idea of making
Hatred of divine monotheism, and WORLD her the future wife of the young
thus the papacy, is still tenacious among Emperor, while cult followers influence
the legionaries. After all, these are the Frederick of Hohenstaufen (the the enterprising Frederick. The
Christians who destroyed the old pagan recently crowned Holy Roman restoration of a pagan Rome is no
religion. On the other hand, although Emperor) is a lukewarm Christian, more longer an impossible dream.
Bestiary

they cordially hate the Germans, cult interested in exotic science, philosophy
worshipers cannot ignore the fact that and the arts. Many priests and vestal But can Frederick of Hohenstaufen
the Emperor of the Holy Roman virgins of Germania devote their energy accept to become a werewolf? And if he
Empire arises as a continuation of the to influence the new sovereign. The consents, could his metamorphosis stay
Roman emperors. That’s why Legio views of the young ruler on the Italy and long unknown to his entourage?
Lupii resolutely turned to the Sicily are public knowledge. The
Ghibellines, and supports all its deals.
Fiction

to speak in the assembly, whether to which case, it is likely that the cult is
divorce or to choose their husband, as trying to infiltrate and convert its grogs,
Life cycle well as the right to fight for the cause. companions and leaders).
Children of Mars try to replicate the But these local provisions had not yet
lifestyle of the ancient Romans, that’s been endorsed by the Senate of the
why they still follow the Julian calendar, Wolves, because many senators are Dealing with Mundane
with all its holidays, ceremonies and fiercely opposed. Politics
Setting

religious celebrations. The ides of March

are commemorated as a day of great You are free to give as much
importance, they are an opportunity of LEGIO LUPII IN influence or power to the wolf-cult as
libation in honor of Jules Caesar. At that you want for your saga, but avoid to
occasion is planned the murder of an YOUR SAGA create a too ubiquitous organization.
acknowledged enemy of the cult. Even if it is intended to restore a vast
empire, the cult is far from having the
Members of Legio Lupii continue to Dealing with Playable resources for its ambitions. It is far from
Rules

attend vulgar holidays, following the being able to compete openly with the
offices of mass or participating in all Characters order of Hermes in particular.
public events, but these are for them During your saga, the characters in
masquerades. Marriages performed in Legio Lupii will never present In addition, the legionaries are
the Church have no value to them: only themselves as such for ordinary humans. obsessed with secrecy and discretion,
civil marriages celebrated within a On the other hand, they may try to which explains that the order of Hermes
Character

castrum of the cult are recognized as contact a character with “Lycanthropy” has probably not heard of them (or at
valid. Between members of the vice. However, they will become its least, magi knows nothing about their
fraternity, the Roman code is applied for mortal enemies if she refuses to join exact nature).
each detail of public or private life. their cult. Legio Lupii seeks to eliminate
any risk of disclosure (and promises are
In recent years, lettered women of not enough to reassure fanatics). Cult Follower
the cult have claimed the right to an Character
Editorial

equal status, against the ancient Roman Another possibility to become a

customs. This movement is based on member of the Legion, is to be the Legion characters should have good
role the women have always had during biological child of a person who already values in the following skills as they
Sub Rosa
Roman history: the vestals of Rome in is a member of the organization. represent the groundings of the cult’s
general, the motherhood of Rhea Silvia Children of the cult of Mars are almost teaching:
in particular; or the aid that many always brought into the secret of the
nymphs brought, from the ancient sect, so that they can participate as soon  Guile: A talent when one wants
Roman kings to recent pontiffs of the as possible. to hide his monstrous nature. It is
cult. likely that werewolf-born children
It is one of the few ways for a player have learned it well before they
The demands of the female cultists character to become a member of the had become formalized cult
found some echo in the codes of several cult of Mars, unless her covenant members.
cohortes, where they now have the right become very influential in the region (in

84
  Brawl: The fight is part of the Perception the Places of the Old worshipers of the first gods of Latium

Scenario
values instilled in the young Gods: this character instinctively feels Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus. The so-
disciples, as a major Roman the regiones inhabited by Greco-Roman called Lupercus liturgies. Priests and
quality, but it is also required for a mythology fairies. She also feels the vestals of the cult teach them, but any
fighting sect. borders of any regio tinted by the Faerie true member can practice these rites.
magic of these legends.
 Survival: The connection to the An adept of the cult enters the clergy
wilds and the ability to use what following an official ceremony which
Inner Circle: Praetor

Bestiary
those wilds provide to sustain may be undertaken only after several
one’s self. (Level 3 reputation years within Legio Lupii, except
dispensation from the pontifex’ hand.
 Folk Ken: Figuring friend from required) The ceremony takes place in Mars,
foe—detecting the danger others obviously. During this ceremony, a
might pose. The praetor’s duties are many and priest cuts the throat of a goat, then
varied. He participates in every meeting sprinkles its blood on the applicant

Fiction
The officers and leaders of the cult of his cohors. He must account for the using wolf leather straps. The novice
are offered further education, in the activity of its bands to the pontifex, to must then read a passage from the
hands of the scholars of their castrum. whom he writes at least once a year. He Roman law as evidence of his mastery of
This opens the possibility of acquiring must ensure that no one hears about its classical Latin. In terms of game, a level
good levels of experience in the people, while increasing the number of 5 in Latin (dead language) is required:
following skills: his supporters. He restrains attempts at the new priest (or vestal) then receive
sedition and directs most of the the Priest virtue and Vow(Chastity) vice.

Setting
 Artes liberales ceremonies. Finally, he is leading the
charge in case of short battles, and give
 Roman law (Academic skill) orders his faithful followers. LUPERCUS
 Legio Lupii Cult Lore For the game’s point of view, a LITURGIES
character can become praetor of a
 Old Roman Empire Lore cohors if the position is vacant, and if he The origin of the Lupercus
passes a test of: knowledge comes from rugged Faerie

Rules
In addition to the Virtues and Flaws creatures, who were revered as gods by
inherent in her training in worship, any Communication + Intrigue + primitive Latin peoples. Some were
Legio Lupii character can receive Virtues Reputation Legio Lupii + stress die known as Faunus, Rumina, Quirinus,
and Flaws adapted to her allegiance, Janus, Diane, Castalie or even Mars
here are some examples: Ease Factor: 12 himself. Due to their Faerie nature, most
unique supernatural skills acquired by

Character
Vow (monotheisms): this character the old Lupercus’ priests are still
can’t stand the representatives of Inner Circle: Priest or associated with sacrifice, counter-parties
monotheistic cults. Perhaps this is due
to a bad experience, or else it is the fruit
Vestal (Level 3 or transformations, which are freely
made by practitioners, but might seem
of the propaganda of the cult of Mars. reputation required) prohibitive to an outside observer.
Anyway, she has vowed to destroy the
monotheistic religions. The admission into the secret order
Acquisition
Editorial
of the priests and priestesses of Mars,
Supernatural Friend: some Roman even at the rank of novitiate, provides The Lupercus liturgies are all new
mythological Faerie creature takes this access to certain texts. Among these virtues that can be acquired in a solemn
Sub Rosa

character under its wing; although the valuable manuscripts kept in Legio ceremony. Each level in Reputation
sometimes-fickle nature of such Lupii’s temples are ancient spells, dating Legio Lupii gives the right to learn an
creatures means that it is not at the beck back to Etruscan times sometimes. A additional Lupercus liturgy. Some rare
-and-call of the character. Sometimes maga of the Hermetic order would call and exceptional circumstances may
the friend visits when it is not them hedge magic. allow a character to gain more liturgies.
appropriate, or provides unwelcome (You may have to wait some narrative
support. She also entrusts missions to In reality, it consists of knowledge, years at the cult’s service to justify such
the character which she cannot shirk. practices, rituals and spells, discovered a favor).
and developed by companies of
primitive werewolves of the Apennines,

85
 Using Lupercus Stamina + Faerie Lore + stress 6 + Local Faerie Aura + Warp
Scenario

die Level
Liturgies
Whenever a character appeals to one This score is compared to an Ease If her Lupercus practice score is not
of these Luperques liturgies, she must Factor called Warp Brink: greater than or equal to her Warp Brink,
calculate her Lupercus practice score: she gains as many warp points as the
difference between these scores.
Bestiary

Whenever her warp level is at least

double of her Lupercus practice score,
she invokes hideous harpies (1, plus as
many as her warp level). They hound her
relentlessly until she dies or they are
themselves banned or destroyed.
Fiction

The harpy is an eagle-like being, with

the chest and head of a woman, bronze
talons and everlasting hunger. She
chases her prey without getting tired or
to stop, she does not seek to kill, but to
inflict maximum of pain. She strives to
appear when his victim least expect, and
Setting

manages to be unpredictable. Over time,

the persecutions are getting worse. The
only way to protect itself is to find
refuge in the shrine of a pagan god,
because these harpies cannot enter the
sacred enclosure of a Roman or Greek
temple.
Rules

CULT BOOKS
A worthy of the name castrum will
offer tractati and summae on topics
such as knowledge of Legio Lupii,
Character

Surgery, Latin (dead language), Greek

(dead language), Ride. Any of those
books would be of acceptable quality.

Any castrum serving as stronghold

for a praetor or bringing together a full
centuria will also offer documents on
Editorial

more advanced topics such as

Leadership, Roman law, Medicine,
Philosophy, Artes Liberales, Faerie Lore.
Sub Rosa
All these texts are of copies of rolls
often dating back to antiquity. They are
generally of very high quality and of high
historical interest.

It is likely that some chests in the

possession of the cult contain old
grimoires that hide the secrets of the
ancient soothsayers, priests, and oracles
of Rome. These works would be

86
 Abilities: Athletics 3 (flying), Awareness 3 (prey), Brawl 3 (talons),
Concentration 2 (Veil of Love Long Lost), Finesse 1 (Veil of Love Long

Scenario
HARPY Lost), Guile 1 (seeming innocuous), Hunt 2 (small game), Penetration 3
(Veil of Love Long Lost), Survival 3 (nest building)
Might: 15 (Animal, Imaginem, Mentum)
Powers:
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +4, Pre -3, Com +1, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex
+2, Qik +2 Raptor’s Hunting Dive, 3 points, -3 Init, Animal: The harpy dives with
great speed at its chosen target. When it activates this power, the harpy’s

Bestiary
Size: +0 Strength becomes +5 for a period of diameter. (MuAn, Base 15, +1
Diameter, +1 increase of Strength)
Season: Spring
Torturer’s Caress, 1 points, -2 Init, Mentum: Wounds inflicted by a
Confidence Score: 1 (3) harpy feel as if they burn, itch, and throb to the very bone—causing an
additional penalty of –1 per wound that lasts until the harpy dies, the sun
Virtues and Flaws: Ferocity (attacking), Great Perception, Improved sets, or an appropriate Mentum spell affects the injured person. (CrMe

Fiction
Characteristics, Clumsy (on the ground), Greedy (minor), Reclusive Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, 2pt mastery reducing cost)

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Improved Abilities, Improved Veil of Love Long Lost, 1 points, +0 Init, Imaginem, Mentum: This
Might x5, Lesser Powers (Torturer's Caress), Personal Power (Raptor's power changes a harpy’s species to something far more attractive to the
Hunting Dive, Veil of Love Long Lost) viewer. Characters with the ‘Lost Love’ flaw always see, hear, and smell
their missing loved one. (MuIm 3, +1 Conc, +1 Me requisite; 3pt mastery
Personality Traits: Cruel +3, Deceptive +2, Ravenous +3 in Concentration, 1pt in Finesse)

Setting
Reputations: Ravenous (local) 2 Equipment: None.

Combat: Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Fangs: Init +2, Attack +8, Defense +4, Damage +2 Vis: 1 pawn of Animal in the wings, 1 pawn of Imaginem in the heart,
1 pawn of Mentum in the head.
Talons: Init +1, Attack +8, Defense +9, Damage +3

Rules
Appearance: Ugly, pox-ridden faces contorted with fury and
Soak: +3 sporting bulging yellow eyes of a raptor, these creatures stand about five
feet tall with the head and bare chest of a woman. Their skin and
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, -1/-1, -3, -5, Unconscious feathers are often blood-spattered and filthy, and they reek of rotten
meat and malice. Their wingspan is close to 12 feet across and they bare
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20) needle-sharp fangs and wicked talons often stained black with dried gore.

Character
valuable for scholars and magi, because All of these objects are invaluable. amazing robustness and longevity. The
they contain some inkling of the long- Most are remarkably-well preserved, but castrum of Jerusalem is hiding the pen
lost Hermetic tradition origins. some are witnesses of a bygone era, of Julian the Apostate, who reportedly
treasures that cannot be moved without would draw in the soil provisional

Editorial
being damaged. This is the case with a passages to Arcadia. A remote Romania
ARTIFACTS tapestry representing Augustulus, or a castrum boasts to be the sole place
handkerchief stained with the blood of where one can create balms and potions
Sub Rosa

Each castrum has a secret, securely Romulus, both revered as a priceless able to mend most infected wounds.
guarded room, in which cultists store relics. Other treasures are worn or used
their most valuable assets. It goes from by the priests of the cult, for special
archives of the province to ancient relics occasions. There are enchanted swords,
dating back to the time of the Roman impenetrable armors, linens able to cure
empire, or items offered by Faerie the worst diseases.
creatures. Sometimes, there are also
tools, armor, and weapons developed by A castrum of Gaul boasts, in his
the most talented blacksmiths of the stable, equine descendants of the true
cult. mount of Julius Caesar, animals with

87
 Editorial Character Rules Setting Fiction Bestiary Scenario

88
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Scenario Bestiary Fiction Setting Rules Character Editorial

89
Sub Rosa
Scenario
Bestiary

A man is crazy who writes a secret in the bounds of cryptography, the words By Guy Leopold
any other way than one which will conceal may be obscured through transposing
it from the vulgar. characters, substituting characters with
one or more different characters, or DESIGNING A
Roger Bacon even using a code in which certain
recognisable words secretly stand in for CIPHER
Fiction

Hermetic Magi treasure their secrets others.

and the protection of their laboratory Any character with the ability to read
texts through the use of individual Complex encryption might make use and write at least one language (through
codes and ciphers is an important skill of multiple techniques; encode the knowing the Artes Liberales) may
each magus learns during message with indirect references to the develop a cipher to obscure their texts.
apprenticeship. But concerns around truth and then substitute characters with The writer spends a season of effort to
other communications require other groups of characters. Each layer used design the cipher, during which its
Setting

means. provides an additional measure of strength is determined.

security and difficulty for those trying to
Scholars keen to protect the nature break the code and read the source. Cipher Strength: Intelligence +
of their research, diabolists hiding their Artes Liberales + Bonuses
true nature, diplomats carrying For simplicity, we use the term
confidential instructions, and mystery cipher to cover all means of obscuring a A scribe, notary, or similar, may
cults wrapping their knowledge in ritual text regardless of the techniques used, apply any workshop bonus or help from
misdirection… They all have a need to whether that is through cryptography, assistants, as defined in City & Guild, to
Rules

employ codes and ciphers to obscure substation, code, or homophonic this total. The Inventive Genius Virtue
their writings. cipher. All of these techniques are also applies here. A character might also
available in the thirteenth century and have an Artes Liberales specialty in
The rules described in this article all are considered used by characters Codes & Ciphers, which provides the
provide a means for such characters and obscuring the truth behind their texts. usual +1 bonus.
organisations to protect their knowledge
Character

and communications in much the same A magus versed in Hermetic

way as Hermetic magi protect their CIPHER Numerology, as described in The
laboratory notes. Mysteries Revised Edition, may also apply
OVERVIEW their book bonus (lesser or greater)
when creating a new cipher.
WHAT IS A CIPHER A code or cipher is defined by two
parameters - the written language it is
APPLYING A
Editorial

A cipher is a means of encrypting designed to obscure and the cipher

and decrypting the written word. strength. You will also need a means of
Specifically, a cipher is a substitution identifying the cipher. This is typically CIPHER TO THE
Sub Rosa
code that replaces each character within the author’s name and an ordinal
the original source with another denoting which of their ciphers it is; WRITTEN WORD
different character in order to obscure Leonardo’s Third Cipher, for instance.
the encrypted words. Once learned or invented, a Cipher
The cipher strength is determined can be used as if it were another written
A cipher is one of many techniques when the author creates it and language. New books can be written
used to obscure texts. Steganography represents the complexity of the cipher without impediment in the cipher.
hides the existence of the message, and the difficulty of breaking it before
while cryptography makes the message being able to understand the obscured Copyists set to copy a work encoded
difficult to read and interpret. Within text. with a cipher they do not themselves

90
 Entire New This newly-created language may or This is compared to the Ease Factor:

Scenario
may not also include a new alphabetical
system, which requires ability with Artes Ease Factor: Cipher Strength
Languages Liberales in order to use.
This then generates a time taken to
It is possible to create an entirely Texts written in such a new language break the cipher—see the nearby table.
new language through which to record could also be protected through a
secret knowledge and communications. cipher, but the language itself is Time Taken to Break a Cipher

Bestiary
potentially strong enough protection
To do so requires the creation of an that the cipher is not needed. 3 X Ease Factor Day
entirely new Major Virtue associated
with a new Ability, which once gained Those looking to communicate using 2 X Ease Factor Week
by the character may be passed on to a new language must teach it to others.
others through initiation or teaching. This includes scribes and copyists, who Ease Factor + 1 Month
cannot effectively copy texts unless they

Fiction
The gaining of a new Virtue is know the language at hand. Equals Ease Factor Season
discussed in the The Mysteries Revised
Edition, as is the dissemination and If the reader’s total does not at least
teaching of the associated Ability. equal the Ease Factor, the cipher cannot
be broken.

know may only copy the text carefully, total number of tractatii the author may The size or quantity of the written

Setting
as described in ArM5, page 166. write against Artes Liberales. text or texts make a difference to the
Copyists who know the cipher at hand difficulty of breaking the cipher. The
can make copies without additional more content that the reader has to
difficulty and may choose to copy the BREAKING A work from, the more the reader can
text quickly. identify patterns within the text. Apply
CIPHER the following penalties:

TEACHING AND Characters in Ars Magica may come Letter or other note -5

Rules
across ciphers when dealing with
LEARNING magical texts from traditions outside of Treat 12 letters or notes in the same cipher
the Order, books on Realm Lore that as a Tractatus
CIPHERS some might consider dangerous, and in
private correspondence containing Tractatus -3
One who knows a given Cipher may sensitive material. In all of these cases,

Character
teach it to another. This is done either the characters may seek to break those Treat two tractati in the same cipher as a
as a season of tuition in Artes Liberales ciphers. Summa
to one or more students, or in the
writing of a Tractatus. There is a single pre-requisite for the Summa -0
breaking of a cipher; the reader must at
In the case of the season of teaching, least understand the base underlying A magus versed in Hermetic
the student must gain at least five language(s) that the text has been Numerology, as described in The

Editorial
experience points during that season. If written in. Without understanding the Mysteries Revised Edition, may apply their
that is the case, the student learns the main language used in the text, the book bonus (lesser or greater) when
Cipher. Any experience points beyond reader lacks the reference points used to attempting to break a cipher as it allows
Sub Rosa

the required five are not counted and decode the cipher. them to perform swift calculations and
are not applied to Artes Liberales. maintain numerous correspondences
The length of time it takes to break a with ease.
In the case of a Tractatus describing cipher is determined by it difficulty and
a cipher, it must have a Quality of at the ability of the reader. Once the cipher has been broken,
least five. As with teaching, the the student understands and may use
Tractatus is on the subject of the Cipher The reader generates a total: the cipher without impediment, which
alone and no experience points carry includes applying it their own texts and
over. This also means that the writing of Intelligence + Artes Liberales + teaching the cipher to others.
the Tractatus does not contribute to the Bonuses + Penalties

91
 Hidden in statements, if the observer understands Intellgo (Form)
Scenario

how to read the angle of the hands, the

direction of the gaze, the importance of Level 1 Provides a +1 bonus to
Plain Sight the arrow, and the significance of the
gown.
attempts to break the target cipher by
identifying commonly-appearing
Hiding messages and written works characters.
is also one of the oldest means of And magi, of course, might magically
k e e p i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d compel their servants and messengers to Level 2 Provides a +2 bonus to
Bestiary

knowledge. unwittingly carry messages and release attempts to break the target cipher by
them only when the conditions are right, ranking commonly-appearing
This might take the form of hiding or when compelled by the correct characters.
books, scrolls, or letters in secret reciprocal spell.
compartments within chests or boxes, Level 3 Provides a +3 bonus to
or behind particular stones in the wall. Similarly, magic might also be used attempts to break the target cipher by
to rearrange the writing on a page, a identifying commonly-appearing
Fiction

Communications might be written in spell that might be broken when the character sequences.
the margins of texts, letters might be correct command is spoken over it.
slipped between the pages of certain Level 4 Provides a +4 bonus to
tired old volumes that nobody reads any In a world in which everyone wants attempts to break the target cipher by
more, allowing correspondents secrecy. to know your secrets and many have the ranking commonly-appearing character
wit and power to break your ciphers, sequences.
Paintings or other artworks make for being able to hide your messages in the
Setting

persistent stores of knowledge or first place is an invaluable skill. Level 5 Provides a +5 bonus to
attempts to break the target cipher.

EXAMPLE BOOKS
BOOKS ABOUT MAGIC AND THE
ON CIPHERS
CIPHERS DECODING OF
Rules

Al- Kindi wr ote a book on

Books detailing the history of, CIPHERS cryptography entitled Risalah fi Istikhraj
techniques employed by, and the al-Mu’amma (Manuscript for the
application of ciphers are written as Magic, at least as used by Hermetic Deciphering Cryptographic Messages).
books on Artes Liberales. Studying Magi, cannot in and of itself break or This is trated as a Summa on Artes
them earns experience points towards translate a cipher; it cannot draw Liberales. A Latin translation does not
Character

Artes Liberales. knowledge from the written word. It yet exist for this volume.
can however aid in breaking a cipher by
speeding the calculations that the reader Ibrahim ibn Mohammad ibn
OBSCURING might make themselves. This might Dunainir describes a number of ciphers
include looking for patterns within the and techniques in Maqasid al-Fusul al-
HERMETIC written text. This is done through Mutarjamah an Hall at-Tarjamah
Intellego magic to inspect the writing. (Comprehensive Instructions for
LABORATORY
Editorial

The Form used depends on the nature Solving Cryptograms). This may be read
of the written text. A volume written in as a Summa on Artes Liberales and then
TEXTS blood uses Corpus, a text carved into as teaching of a cipher that uses
Sub Rosa
wood uses Herbam, and traditional algebraic notation as part of the code. A
Ciphers designed through this volumes depend on the nature of the Latin translation does not yet exist for
process are incompatible with the secret ink used. this volume.
codes normally used to obscure
Hermetic laboratory texts. Hermetic No particular virtues are required in A little while after the official Ars
authors may choose to obscure their order to use the following spell Magica start date, Roger Bacon wrote
laboratory texts through either means, guidelines. Epistola de Secretis Operibus Artis et
and the rules for breaking through the Naturae, et de Nullitate Magiae, in which
obfuscation are used as appropriate. he describes a number of ciphers.

92
 Scenario
Bestiary
Infamy, infamy, they’ve all got in infamy! the letter written by Henry in which the For Your Saga
murder of his brother was ordered. The characters might be asked to
Julius Caesar make the ring delivered to Andrew, or
to guarantee his mother's safety as she
All sorts of conspiracies and secrets For Your Saga traveled. Or ensure Andrew could be
lend themselves to Ars Magica What if the Covenant possesses this easily overpowered. These events,

Fiction
storytelling and the Virtues and Flaws letter? Or an old member of the turb clothed in different details, have
that define our characters. Here are a was present? Perhaps one of the magi happened many times over in history.
couple of inspirational options... were watching as an apprentice, and It's easy to include a character, when
thought to be peasantry when they fled? they take the appropriate Duty or
Obligation.
DARK SECRET Similar tales could be placed in other
regions or at other times; a noble's
ENEMIES

Setting
The true circumstances of the Death relative or child dies under questionable
of William II of England are shrouded circumstances, and the magi hold the
in mystery. What is known, is that the key. In 1405, some years after the official
king went hunting in the New Forest in Ars Magica start date of 1220, two
the August of 1100. While there, he was prisoners secured in the dungeons of
killed, struck by an arrow that pierced DUTY AND Huntingdon Castle confessed to their
his chest. Apparently in fear, his retinue part in the Welsh rebellion under Owain
and hunting party all fled the scene, OBLIGATION Glyndwr. John Veyse and John Oke

Rules
leaving their king dead in the woods. It claimed to have proof of the conspiracy
was left to local peasants to find the The story of Joanna of Naples and between Glyndwr and a number of
body. A tragic accident, to be sure. her husband Andrew of Hungary is one powerful and wealthy bishops, abbots,
of power politics and domestic unrest. and noblemen.
However, his younger brother Henry Betrothed to Andrew at a young age as
moved quickly to secure the royal a matter of political expedience, neither Can the testimonies of Veyse and

Character
treasury at Winchester before going to Joanna nor her father relished the Oke be taken at face value? That their
London to be crowned king. The speed prospect of giving him any power. executions swiftly followed their
of Henry's actions themselves might confessions might be evidence of a
look suspicious, but the rumored With her father dead, Joanna was cover-up designed be enemies of the
involvement of Walter Tirel, a noted promptly crowned upon reaching her churchmen named to bring them down.
archer, in the death starts to suggest majority. Andrew realized his days were
wilful actors and intent. That William numbered and hearing he was to flee
For Your Saga
Editorial
was hated by both his subjects and the Naples, his mother even travelled to the
Church is a matter of record. Could the city to give her son a ring able to Is it difficult for magically-capable
Church also have been complicit in his protect him from both poison and enemies to inspire mischief in members
Sub Rosa

death? blade. It did not save him. of the Turb while they are hunting,
patrolling, or completing tasks in
Were proof to be found that Henry He left his chamber one night, only settlements? When the misbehaving
was involved, the current King could to be set upon by conspirators loyal to individuals suffer at the hands of local
have his right to rule challenged and the the queen. Quickly overpowered, he authority, the Enemies of the Magi keep
saga's characters might be in possession was strangled and hung from a window their hands clean – especially when the
of such proof - eye-witness testimony with a cord tied around his genitals. The bodies are inconveniently posted as a
from the peasants who saw the killing; queen remained unharmed. warning to others, and beyond the reach
those present at Walter Tirel's deathbed of simple investigation.
confession; or the messenger who kept

93
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