RepThe21st
21st of his Name
- Location
- Greece
[X] Use Confidence on #SaveCecily
Stolen Destiny: Of Storms and Magi (HP/Ars Magica)
- Thread starter Nauro
- Start date
Scify
It always starts with a lighthouse.
Oh hey, a new quest. I'll just read through everything and slap a vote tog--
[X] Don't burn confidence.
Nearly impossible DC, so it doesn't seem like it's worth using up the confidence point.
... Or not.
[X] Don't burn confidence.
Nearly impossible DC, so it doesn't seem like it's worth using up the confidence point.
Dark Abstraction
Infrequent Participant
- Location
- United States
Even burning the CP won't pass the check, it just gives a slightly better failure result.
- Location
- Lithuania
Calling the mini vote to a close.
3:2, the confidence point stays.
The fun part is this - a 25+ on that roll might have been enough to earn you a confidence point back.
(To take revenge on me, you succeeded the littlesnake roll and I had to write another scene with dialogue instead of a short paragraph. Granted, it was 70% success chance, but the success roll was made half a second before it could fail, so it counts as revenge.)
I wrote out everything for the new update but the Cecily scene - for obvious reasons.
This update has escaped my prognosis for the size - I have nearly reached 3k words, and the Cecily scene might beat that. Give me a few hours to play with the last scene and I'll be posting the whole thing.
For now, have a short preview, but I will be posting this bit together with the full update to keep everything on the same threadmark. And to have a chance to edit a few things. The next scene after this one breaks the pattern for dialogue-less scenes.
At the Chertsey Abbey
The Pilgrim's Way led you and your father to the abbey - roughly a three hour trip on foot from your home village - and there you were, being greeted by abbott Robert in person.
A reserved man, thin as a stick, he spoke in a very formal tone. His clothes were akin to that of a bishop, but for the lack of the distinct hat, and even though his voice was soft, there were hints of a harshed man underneath. All in all - an intimidating presence for your eight year old self.
As your mother drilled you on the proper behaviour, you stuck to her lessons, nodding and agreeing at the right places, and responding to the questions asked in an orderly fashion.
After that short - and decidedly one sided - conversation, you were shown to your new sleeping quarters by a much more laid back monk, and given a general tour of the place, with your new responsibilities and schedule explained - and that was that.
Before leaving, your father arranged to visit every couple of months, taking you back to the family for a short while. Then, after saying the blessings for the road, you were left to cope with the life in a new place alone.
The abbey wasn't too cosy of a place to live, built with cold stone, yet you found yourself fascinated with the orderly faction that things worked there. Sure, most monks got up slightly earlier than you were accustomed to, and prayers were very formal, with special time dedicated for it twice a day, which was a bother to get used to, but you got even less work looking after the animals. Instead of having to clean up after the livestock - like you did at home - you only had to help with feeding.
You did not have much free time afterwards, since most of your afternoons would be spent in one of the Abbey's larger rooms, the scriptorium. There, abbot Robert himself would oversee and instruct you and four other children - two hailing from other nearby villages, and two monks, permanently living in the abbey.
On the first days there you have received a personal waxen tablet - made from two lumps of wood and covered in wax - and a metal stylus for a writing tool, and told to keep good care of them. With Robert's guidance, you slowly familiarised yourself with Latin alphabet, and the tricks of writing on such a tablet.
Then, the lessons moved to a much more difficult subject - the language of the clergy and the academics - Latin. Latin studies were complex and taxing, taking nearly a whole full first year at the abbey.
During that time, you learned by slowly reading and struggling to copy passages of recounts on local saints into your tablet, the process made grueling by the different way the letters spun on parchment and in a waxen tablet.
You learned that while hidden deep in-land, the abbey had been a target of the bloodthirsty Danes, in the past, with lots of good, faithful men of the church. You even managed to find the grave of St. Beocca - one of the martyrs perished in the old war.
It was astounding that there even existed accounts of events that had no living witnesses - but there it was, proof that memories of men survived on parchment for the ages to come.
Your world had grown.
Abilities - Latin Language and Artes Liberales gained.
Latin in the main language of all western culture academia, and Artes Liberales covers general education - from philosophy to mathematics. Having a score in Artes Liberales also means you can read.
3:2, the confidence point stays.
The fun part is this - a 25+ on that roll might have been enough to earn you a confidence point back.
(To take revenge on me, you succeeded the littlesnake roll and I had to write another scene with dialogue instead of a short paragraph. Granted, it was 70% success chance, but the success roll was made half a second before it could fail, so it counts as revenge.)
I wrote out everything for the new update but the Cecily scene - for obvious reasons.
This update has escaped my prognosis for the size - I have nearly reached 3k words, and the Cecily scene might beat that. Give me a few hours to play with the last scene and I'll be posting the whole thing.
For now, have a short preview, but I will be posting this bit together with the full update to keep everything on the same threadmark. And to have a chance to edit a few things. The next scene after this one breaks the pattern for dialogue-less scenes.
At the Chertsey Abbey
The Pilgrim's Way led you and your father to the abbey - roughly a three hour trip on foot from your home village - and there you were, being greeted by abbott Robert in person.
A reserved man, thin as a stick, he spoke in a very formal tone. His clothes were akin to that of a bishop, but for the lack of the distinct hat, and even though his voice was soft, there were hints of a harshed man underneath. All in all - an intimidating presence for your eight year old self.
As your mother drilled you on the proper behaviour, you stuck to her lessons, nodding and agreeing at the right places, and responding to the questions asked in an orderly fashion.
After that short - and decidedly one sided - conversation, you were shown to your new sleeping quarters by a much more laid back monk, and given a general tour of the place, with your new responsibilities and schedule explained - and that was that.
Before leaving, your father arranged to visit every couple of months, taking you back to the family for a short while. Then, after saying the blessings for the road, you were left to cope with the life in a new place alone.
The abbey wasn't too cosy of a place to live, built with cold stone, yet you found yourself fascinated with the orderly faction that things worked there. Sure, most monks got up slightly earlier than you were accustomed to, and prayers were very formal, with special time dedicated for it twice a day, which was a bother to get used to, but you got even less work looking after the animals. Instead of having to clean up after the livestock - like you did at home - you only had to help with feeding.
You did not have much free time afterwards, since most of your afternoons would be spent in one of the Abbey's larger rooms, the scriptorium. There, abbot Robert himself would oversee and instruct you and four other children - two hailing from other nearby villages, and two monks, permanently living in the abbey.
On the first days there you have received a personal waxen tablet - made from two lumps of wood and covered in wax - and a metal stylus for a writing tool, and told to keep good care of them. With Robert's guidance, you slowly familiarised yourself with Latin alphabet, and the tricks of writing on such a tablet.
Then, the lessons moved to a much more difficult subject - the language of the clergy and the academics - Latin. Latin studies were complex and taxing, taking nearly a whole full first year at the abbey.
During that time, you learned by slowly reading and struggling to copy passages of recounts on local saints into your tablet, the process made grueling by the different way the letters spun on parchment and in a waxen tablet.
You learned that while hidden deep in-land, the abbey had been a target of the bloodthirsty Danes, in the past, with lots of good, faithful men of the church. You even managed to find the grave of St. Beocca - one of the martyrs perished in the old war.
It was astounding that there even existed accounts of events that had no living witnesses - but there it was, proof that memories of men survived on parchment for the ages to come.
Your world had grown.
Abilities - Latin Language and Artes Liberales gained.
Latin in the main language of all western culture academia, and Artes Liberales covers general education - from philosophy to mathematics. Having a score in Artes Liberales also means you can read.
Last edited:
Update I - Of Bargains and Magic
- Location
- Lithuania
Update I
Of Bargains and Magic
Of Bargains and Magic
At the Chertsey Abbey
The Pilgrim's Way led you and your father to the abbey - roughly a three hour trip on foot from your home village - and there you were, being greeted by abbott Robert in person.
A reserved man, thin as a stick, he spoke in a very formal tone. His clothes were akin to that of a bishop, but for the lack of the distinct hat, and even though his voice was soft, there were hints of a harshed man underneath. All in all - an intimidating presence for your eight year old self.
As your mother drilled you on the proper behaviour, you stuck to her lessons, nodding and agreeing at the right places, and responding to the questions asked in an orderly fashion.
After that short - and decidedly one sided - conversation, you were shown to your new sleeping quarters by a much more laid back monk, and given a general tour of the place, with your new responsibilities and schedule explained - and that was that.
Before leaving, your father arranged to visit every couple of months, taking you back to the family for a short while. Then, after saying the blessings for the road, you were left to cope with the life in a new place alone.
The abbey wasn't too cosy of a place to live, built with cold stone, yet you found yourself fascinated with the orderly faction that things worked there. Sure, most monks got up slightly earlier than you were accustomed to, and prayers were very formal, with special time dedicated for it twice a day, which was a bother to get used to, but you got even less work looking after the animals. Instead of having to clean up after the livestock - like you did at home - you only had to help with feeding.
You did not have much free time afterwards, since most of your afternoons would be spent in one of the Abbey's larger rooms, the scriptorium. There, abbot Robert himself would oversee and instruct you and four other children - two hailing from other nearby villages, and two monks, permanently living in the abbey.
On the first days there you have received a personal waxen tablet - made from two lumps of wood and covered in wax - and a metal stylus for a writing tool, and told to keep good care of them. With Robert's guidance, you slowly familiarised yourself with Latin alphabet, and the tricks of writing on such a tablet.
Then, the lessons moved to a much more difficult subject - the language of the clergy and the academics - Latin. Latin studies were complex and taxing, taking nearly a whole full first year at the abbey.
During that time, you learned by slowly reading and struggling to copy passages of recounts on local saints into your tablet, the process made grueling by the different way the letters spun on parchment and in a waxen tablet.
You learned that while hidden deep in-land, the abbey had been a target of the bloodthirsty Danes, in the past, with lots of good, faithful men of the church. You even managed to find the grave of St. Beocca - one of the martyrs perished in the old war.
It was astounding that there even existed accounts of events that had no living witnesses - but there it was, proof that memories of men survived on parchment for the ages to come.
Your world had grown.
Abilities - Latin Language and Artes Liberales gained.
Latin is the main language of nearly all western academia, and Artes Liberales covers general education - from philosophy to mathematics. Having a score in Artes Liberales also means you can read and write.
Reading into your past
There is one subject you are interested in, but the abbot never showed any inclination to talk about it unprompted. Namely - you have heard from your mother about a letter the abbot took for safekeeping. Since learning your first written word, the possibility of getting to read that letter was on the forefront of your mind - what secrets could it reveal? Being this close - even though you had no idea where exactly it was kept - has brought back memories of her stories about how you came to live with the family.
You didn't even know if it would be of any use to you, but how could a simple question hurt?
Once, but a few weeks of staying in the abbey under your belt, you gathered your courage and raised a question as your lessons for the day finished.
"Father Robert, could you show me the letter that was found with me? My mother told you were keeping it safe - and I already know most of the letters for the wax tablet."
The man grunted in thought.
You waited anxiously.
"And you think that you have learned enough to know about it?" The abbot shook his head. "I do not believe you would find any use of it, nor would it help with your studies. No, I think not - you'll have to wait until you're older." He sighed. "Child, I can only tell you what you already know in your hear - the letter holds no answers to your past. My advice would be to ask the Almighty for guidance in your prayers this evening."
"But..." you protested weakly.
"I could agree to show it to you." the abbot smiled thinly. "If you write me a question asking about it. In Latin."
"Oh," you said. "I will, I promise."
Robert nodded his head. "Now, could you run to Brother Ralph and tell him I would be eating dinner in my workroom?"
That was it for the topic, but for a long year spent in study. Perhaps, you could have tried to approach the man earlier, as you learned the words needed quickly enough, but since that conversation it became clear that learning a language was not the same as learning most of the alphabet.
You waited until such a time that you were certain that your sentence looked as good as you could make it look, and when you knew Father Robert didn't have too many duties to perform.
You chose the day carefully, approaching him on his time of respite, resting next to the channel and the watermill.
"Could I speak to you, Father Robert?" you asked carefully, and got a firm nod of his head in return.
Then, you pushed the waxen tablet towards him.
"Ostendisti mihi potuit litterae?" he muttered under his breath.
You held yours.
"You need to learn to break away from thinking in English," the Abbot noted, and smiled. "A good attempt for a beginner, though, and other things will come in time."
You breathed out a sigh of relief. "Would you?"
"Come, sit with me," the Abbot motioned at the side of the channel. "I was hoping to keep this to when you would be older, but I have seen you at work. You are diligent in your studies, polite to every member of the monastery - soon, you will grow into a good, honest man. I did not wish you chasing rumors and nonsense - but I believe you are grown enough to understand what I'm to tell you."
You sat down, and continued to listen.
"The words in the letter are written in some strange language. Neither Latin nor an English script, it has baffled most who have laid their eyes on it. Knowing some basic Latin will not change your ability to read it, I'm sure you understand."
"I still wish to see it," you announced. "To know more."
"It still cannot be done," the Abbot said calmly. "I do not have the original with me - it's been sent to an interested scholar. Do not worry, child, there is a copy I can show you - and I will."
"When?" You breathe out, anxious.
"This is what we're going do," the abbot began, thoughtful. "I have been consulting with William from Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey, and on his request have lended the original letter to them. In turn, they agreed to lend us the full correspondence and the notes he made on the copy they got a few years ago."
"I do not understand," you admitted, catching a moment for your question. "Why would he need to see the original if you already sent him a copy?"
"How often do you make a copying mistake during the lessons, Harry?"
You glanced at the water in the channel, slightly embarrassed. "Too often."
"Do not worry - we learn by making mistakes." He paused for a longer breath. "Now imagine, if you had to copy the texts you do now before I've taught you the basis in Latin? Do you think you would make more mistakes, or less?"
"I think I understand now." you noded your head. "Where do I come in?"
"I want a copy of William's writings on the subject, including all the letters and his notes - to keep in our abbey as a study worthy of knowing. He's -" There, Robert glanced at the moving water mill and licked his lips, before carrying on and you felt like he hadn't exactly let you in on everything, but it's not like you had the authority to call him out on this, nor it would have been a polite thing to do. " -found a few interesting insights into the grammar studies of English language - and a few possible meanings of the letter, which might be of use to those studying the languages. William is also planning a trip to Paris, and he would take all of the notes with himself - I do not know when he could return nor if he will. That's why we agreed on the exchange."
"You would like me to do the copying?" you asked.
"It would be good for your skills," Robert pointed out. "And you'd be working with a copy of the letter you wanted to see."
"It would-"
He raised a hand, stopping you. "If we agree to proceed in this matter, know that you'd be working on this project in addition to your lessons, not instead of them. If you do not wish to do so, I will get the letter back as another scribe finished with the copying, and we make an exchange back."
"How long would that take?"
Robert shrugged. "Until some time time next year, I'd hope."
Choose One: Whichever you choose, you still get to read the mysterious letter - difference here is accumulating general fatigue, overworking and drop of difference in the skills gained, and the date of actually getting to read the letter.
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[ ] "I'll do it." (+10 xp to Profession(Scribe), specialization - copying, Artes Liberales specialization - writing systems; worsening health)
Of Storms and Forgotten Gods
"Hurry, Harry, hurry!" Cecily shouts out, excited. It is not often that you're back from the work in the scriptorium, and the little girl seems to like you more than Thomas, but that's probably because Thomas is an annoying git half of the time.
Recently, having you around is the only thing that brings her happy self out - your mother has been sick and bedridden for weeks at a time, and the health issues had been carrying on for the last half a year.
Cecily is the only one who still hopes for a miracle that will heal Lily in a flash - everyone else would be content with the illness creasing to worsen by the month.
It's a windy day, and the sunlight's sparse, hiding between the clouds, but you don't need to see the sun to enjoy the feeling of being outside. It was a wonderful contrast from your time in the Abbey - and one of the reasons a sliver of doubt grew in your mind. The sky is as grey as your mood.
Writing out old, dusty papers, while cooped up in the uncomfortable position - it was draining both body and soul. Still, you no longer feel like a complete novice - and while you caligraphy still needs a lot more work, you know the two most important things - Latin language and have figured out how to read and write. Being literate in Latin, at least theoretically, means that you have the whole world of books open for you to read.
"Wait up, Cecily," you say, having to run to keep up after getting lost in your thoughts. "Where exactly are we going?"
"I'm going to show you my to my friend!" She shouts back while slowing down. "She's real smart, smarter than you - and you're the smartest person I know! You'll see!"
"I thought you wanted to make a bouquet from leaves, for mother?" You ask, as you finally catch up. "I'm not the smartest, you know. Your logic is wrong - I can't be smartest if there's someone smarter than me, could I?"
"See," Cecily smiles. "You're smart. I don't even know what logic is."
"Is that so? I remember a certain someone asking me about what I learned when I was away, and listening about the latest lesson in logic I had for a good half an hour, remember? You laughed at the word fallacy so hard, you woke up Thomas." You shrug your shoulders. "He's doing the bigger half of the chores these days - we shouldn't have woken him up."
Cecily taps at her chin. "I don't remember that."
"You little liar," you poke her gently in the shoulder. "How about those colorful leaves we promised? Don't you think mother would be happier with all the colors of the autumn by her bedside? What do you think about that Oak? We could take a few acorns to-"
"We'll do it after, silly," Cecily interrupts you before laughing, and then she leans closer to you, conspiratorially. "My friend promised she could help our mother. That would be so much better better than any leaves we find, don't you think?"
"Is that so?" You sound sceptical. "Did you speak with Granny about finding a remedy, again? You know she's growing senile with her age, talking about whatever strikes your fancy. Of course she told you there's a magical tree with fruits to heal all sicknesses or some-such." Your eyes narrow. "Is your friend selling some sort of shirt made with fool's parsley? I'll be having a talk if she is."
"No, she's real nice - it's nothing of a sort." Cecily pouts. "She'll really help."
"There's nothing that could help mother more than a honest prayer." You continue. "Remember - when Brother Ralph was here there last time, he said so himself, and Brother Ralph knows his medicines. He said that the worst should have passed, too. Can't you happy with that?"
"You're growing mean," your sister huffs angrily. "Like Thomas. Did you know that he tried praying for two weeks straight, every day - and it did nothing? When I said so, he didn't speak to me for a two days straight! And Avice! She didn't even visit last month - and she promised!"
"You worry too much, little Cecily." You bite down the comment about prayer - ever since your mother's disease started, you've been mentioning Lily in your prayers nearly three times a day - after all, that's how many times you have to pray in the abbey - and the abbot said that it wouldn't hurt to try. "Mother is getting better. Remember, yesterday, she was walking outside, just fine?"
"And today she's sleeping in?" Cecily shakes her head, her auburn hair shaking in the rising wind. "For all your studies, you're still pretty stupid."
You don't dignify her with a response.
"Granny said that they're teaching you about all the wrong things," Cecily says. "She tells me all kind of stories - and they're all true. I'm going to show you."
You can only sigh - there's no use trying to prove anything to Cecily when she sets her mind on it. The Granny she talked about, though, isn't a relative - as far as you know, the old woman had no living grandsons nor any granddaughters, but she had been living in the village for such a long time, that no one called her anything else.
All Granny ever did was make mixtures for various ailments, and watching over the little children. Even though old, Granny was quite a good storyteller, calling all manner of child public to her. You remember only a few of Granny's stories, from when you were little, but she's the reason you have heard about long forgotten gods, of the lions running in the dark forests of the holy roman empire, know the names for chimeras and pegasi.
In the days before even meeting the monks (had it been a year already spent in the abbey?) you belied she never lied, but now you know better.
"We're here," Cecily sing-songs, pointing at an empty pond before you. You were expecting anything from another village to some new family having a more separate household, but it's not any of the sane options. That's just an abandoned place with a dark pond in the middle.
What's more, you can't remember it being there when you were running around the local places as a child. Something's wrong - and you can't just put your finger on exactly what.
"Here?" You blink a few times - there's still nothing here to speak off. A few trees with brown leaves, wind making them dance in tune with the tiny waves on the pond's surface. The pond's water is strangely dark, though, pitch black, even. "I thought we'd be meeting your friend?"
"You are." It's a weird, wildly echoing voice that comes together with the smell of the carrion leaves and the bubbling of a lake. You can only blink before there's a young woman, sitting on the top of the nearest rock - with incredibly long seaweeds in place of normal hair, covering most of her up.
Barely her face is peeking through, with the seaweed closely sticking to her body. She smiles, and even with vision as bad as yours, you know there's something wrong with her smile. You shudder, leaning forward and squinting to make sure that the seaweeds are truly what they seem.
The woman only laughs with the sound of crashing waves.
What if it's a demon? You know it could be - you heard a brother at the monastery mention something about it. A woman from the dark water - she only wants to trick you and take your soul! You need not listen to it's lies!
But... What if your sister wasn't wrong, and this truly is someone she had befriended? It's a lot more likely to be one of the fae. Cruel and tricky, fae featured in most of the stories Granny told. In fact, as far as you know, anyone from a story could be a fae. Wasn't there a story about women living in ponds, trying drown any men that would come for a drink, and touched the lake's water?
Whichever it is, you need to leave. Now.
"Cecily," you croake, your voice cracking nervously. "We need to go."
"Why?" the woman asks, and something in her voice almost makes you jump towards the pond - you still push at it with your will, resisting. Your hand finds the little cross you carry on your neck, but it has no effect. "We had a deal, your sister and I."
You open your mouth, then close it - words failing you.
Your sister, though, doesn't seem to understand just what is wrong, and only nods at you. "It's true."
Bargains - that's it.
Both demons and fae make bargains - and while a bargain with fae might leave you tricked, injured and humiliated, a deal with the Devil is exactly that. Yet, both must keep true to the letter of the agreement.
"What did you promise?" you ask, afraid to hear the answer.
"I-" Cecily stutters, hearing the fear in your voice. "I-"
"She promised to show me her brother, the one who has power over lightning." The woman responds in your sister's place. "My brother was born in a storm, too," she mimics your sister's voice perfectly, yet there's a wetness to them that sticks to your ears, etching into your memory as easily as a stylus grates on a waxen tablet. "I'm sure he's just as great as your brother. So, boy, do you think yourself as great as your sister believes you are?"
You swallow a heavy breath of air. You'd run, but your legs feel like stuck in a swamp. "What-"
"Can you withstand a storm?" She asks. "Were you truly born in one?"
"Hey!" It's your sister - she has found her voice, and is shouting against the ever rising winds. "You promised to make a cure for my mother, if I show you my brother!"
"I did not." The woman clicks her teeth - sharp as knives, and showed of a vicious smile. "I promised to make a cure that heals any injury - any ailment - if your brother proves exactly like you told he was on our meeting. You told me he had power over lightning! I only see a mockery of a symbol on his forehead! You were lying to me!"
You try to move, but some power is pushing at you, keeping you in place.
"Run, Cecily!" you shout, but instead of obeying, your sister grabs onto your side, trying to drag you away. Surprisingly, she gets you move a few feet - while anything you have try is worthless.
A storm starts then - huge, covering the whole sky, shining with crackling lightning on its edged. Everything is seeping in with the smells of sea.
"Taranis, brother mine," the woman shouts at the sky. "Show him we are not yet forgotten!"
As her words complete their echo, a bolt of lightning comes right at you.
Cecily is holding onto your side, pushing at you with all her strength, but she's nowhere as strong, nowhere as fast to escape - and you're painfully aware of every second of it.
Something inside you breaks.
Something get's set loose, after years of being suppressed.
The lightning bolt cracks in half, as you scream out something incomprehensible. Even before it reaches you two, you spin around, grabbing Cecily into you grip, coiling around her, pushing her towards the ground, exposing only your back to the elements - trying to keep her safe, in spite of any danger to you.
You feel the power pulsing in your veins, as it lashes out at the incoming lightning bolt, to finish what it started.
The lightning strike shatters, falling with rain around you both, not a sliver of burning light coming close. Then, suddenly, silence falls.
The winds are still blowing strong and the lightning still flashes in the distance, but where you stand at, there's complete calm.
An eye of the storm.
"You did not lie." The woman hissed, angry. "You've made my brother into a fool."
She pushes her hand past the seaweed, grasping on some sort of amulet, worn on her neck, and throws it towards your sister. It's a small seashell, white and crooked.
"Here!" She spits over her shoulder three times. "Make someone you want to live drink a drop from this shell, and they will be cured!"
The shell clatters on the grass, out of place in the middle of the Isle, taunting you.
Cecily moves to pick it up, even as you take a step to stop her.
"Boy," the woman calls, and her voice sounds like the most beautiful thing you have ever heard. This time, pure effort isn't enough to stop her influence. "I've rewarded your sister, but there was no reward for your feat. Come."
You take a step forward, as Cecily gets up with the seashell in hand.
You take another step - were you always standing this close to the pond?
Your eyes glaze over as your toes touch the edge of the black pond, and the very next second, the woman lunges at you.
"Harry!" You do not understand how, but there's Cecily jumping in front of you - alike you had done for her moments before, she is trying to in the way of certain doom.
A set of sharp teeth tear at the girl's neck - and your sister falls together with the veil placed onto your eyes. You catch her, before she falls down and jump a few feet back.
The woman grins at you with a bloody smile. "Come," she calls, but this time you do not give her an inch. "Come back." Again, you stay completely still, unmoving, even as sweat breaks out on your neck.
"You're one interesting boy," she says, as you take another step back. "You have insulted my brother - and I have taken revenge on your sister. We're even. Do not go looking for me - it will bring you only more ruin."
Then, she disappears back into the pond, hiding beneath its dark waters, as if she never were there.
You fall onto your knees, clutching at your sister. There has to be something you could do - something to save her. Anything!
You reach out to the power you felt at the lightning strike, and try to force the unknown miracle back - to heal Cecily the same way you stopped your death the last time..
It doesn't work. You push harder, but all you manage is a weak spark on your fingertips that shakes Cecily awake, nothing more. Losing hope, you notice that your sister's lips are moving, and you lean closer - every move feeling fake and impossible.
This cannot be happening.
The fae are not real.
The daemons are not real.
Magic cannot be real.
"Take the shell," your sister whispers, and pushes the tiny white seashell into your hand. "...for mother."
You take it, feeling the strange, alien texture of it, and let the drops of the falling rain pool inside it.
"If this works," you mutter. "I would be a fool to use it for anyone else."
You pour whatever little has gathered to Cecily's open mouth, and lean back to watch - expecting the worst.
For a second, nothing happens, but then Cecily starts coughing, and her heavy wound is washed away in the rain, like it had never been - no - there's a faint scar - you trace your finger on it - it is more pronounced that you'd have expected from the first glance, but it's a thousand times better than what could have been.
There's a piece missing from her clothes, torn out - and her red life's blood staining you both. But for that, and it would look like nothing had happened at all.
Afterwards, you decide to try and found out more - you need to be prepared in case something like that happens again. Choose one:
[ ] research Infernal lore. You will try to find something about Daemons in the Abbey's library - these days you're given almost free reign there, if there's little time to make use of that permission.
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[ ] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
[ ] research Divine lore. Maybe you're looking at this wrong - as far as you can remember, nothing bad can happen to true believers - and your shield could be the church itself? Maybe there are ways to counter the hidden evils of the world?
[ ] no research. You will do no additional research - you have enough on your hands already, and whatever happens you're sure that the answers will come by themselves in time. After all, any research done at such a young age wouldn't be worth much, would it? Learning wrong is worse than learning nothing at all, and you'll have time for it later.
Aftermath and the Fallout
You return home, desperately trying to think of an excuse, carrying an exhausted, but very much alive Cecile on your back, unsure how and what you are going to tell your family.
It never comes to that. While the storm was raging, your mother's condition worsened. While you were fighting the lightning, she was tearing at her sheets and screaming, requiring both Thomas and James to hold her down.
They managed to call for Granny, who had brewed her best herbal brew - but you knew it couldn't have been enough. Not from the way your father retold you of the events.
Three long hours your mother suffered, and when the episode ended, she was no longer able to move her right arm - it was now forever frozen by her side. Oh, you tried to call up a the strange power - and to get Lily take a drink from the magical seashell, but it proved nothing more than a misplaced, non-magical seashell.
Next week - you dreamt nightmares - and soon thereafter, you returned to the peaceful routine of the Abbey, with a lot more appreciation for the silent scriptorium, than before.
Only months later did you dare to retell the events that transpired to you and Cecily that fateful night, and no one in the family truly believed either one of you, but for Lily.
Lily, in turn was walking by the next year - even if she never regained the use of her arm.
Cicily promised to never again deal with the fae, but has she kept her word?
Snakes or Serpents?
You hide most of the green stones behind one of the loose bricks of the abbey water mill. It is close enough so that you could take them if needed, but also hidden from prying eyes. It's also at a place where you can be expected to go for some chore, so it doesn't raise as much questions as hiding it further away would. The moving sounds of the mill also hide any noise you make by placing and replacing the brick.
One early summer evening, after a painfully long session of copying, you go to stretch out your back for a walk. Soon, you would get a short rest from the grueling work, and return to the home village for a couple of weeks, to celebrate your eleventh birthday. Thinking about the near future, you find yourself walking by the channel, and it is right at the mill when you hear a strange voice, close enough to beat through the constant rowing of the water wheel.
"Where is it? Is its place here?"
With your last meeting with the supernatural in your mind, you stop, and start looking for the source of the incoming danger - but the strange voice seems to have no one speaking it, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Instead of relying on your useless sight, you continue to listen in, afraid to move
Oh, if you could do more than call out a harmless spark into your hand with the gift you were given...
"Why are the boy's steps stopping, so soon?"
"What are you?" You ask, and the voice stops.
"The boy's something else, isn't he?" You finally pinpoint the direction - and note a small, wiggling form of a snake, trying, and failing to move the brick you had chosen for the hiding place. "No one's spoken like this before this day, isn't that so? What does the child's speech means, in a place like this?"
"You speak english?" You take a step back, trying to figure out if the tiny snake could be dangerous.
"Does the boy's speech seek to say it to me, or is he speaking to himself?"
"What are you doing here, serpent?" You ask indignantly. "You're trying to steal my things."
"The boy says the treats are to be stolen? This is not to be, is it? I am not a serpent still - serpents are poisonous, and my fangs are simply sharp, isn't that a mystery?" The snake shakes its head, as if to deny such a relation. "Suppose the boy's treats are his as he says - what if I suggest a bargain for the boy's selfishness?"
"A Bargain?" you echo. Demons and fae? No, this is the ground of the abbey - only a fae could wander this close as simply as this. Still - anything involving a bargain sounds suspicious, since Cicily's adventure. "What do you want?"
"The snack is what has called myself close to this place, isn't it so?" The snake lies down it's head on the ground. "The boy's so interesting - I would wish to seek an answer to this - how will his life slither on? Will his strength weather storms? Would I not wish to help his needs in this? Would I not wish to aid in his aims?"
You lean lower, leaning with your hands on the ground, to inch closer to the nearest stick, just in case.
"You want to help me?"
"Isn't that what I have just hissed?" There is a short pause. "Does not the boy know that bargains are always kept, yes? Does the boy think me too weak? I could help his aims, could I not? Want to strike a deal for us?"
"Are you one of the fae?" You ask, but the snake does not respond. "All you ever speak are riddles - if you want the chance at any bargain, I want to hear the terms."
"Is it so?" The snake coils back into itself, as if tying into a small knot. "This is the terms I hiss, so listen well - this boy gives me the snacks he hides under the stone, and this snake will seek to have him safe and sound, serving until bound no more. Seven stones for seven moons, and we would speak of bargains again."
Choose one: (A mythical term of moon takes until a young and a full moon hide behind the horizon once each):
[ ] Accept - seven stones for seven moons of service.
[ ] Bargain I - seven stones for seven seasons of service.
[ ] Bargain II - seven stones for seven years of service.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[ ] Attack - try to kill the snake.
[ ] Write in -
The Redcap - Today II
The large man in the red cap - the one looking for you - he only gave you a single look, eyes founding the scar on your forehead, never lingering. Then, without a word, he moved to greet your father, and sooner than you knew it, both adults were going inside to speak of some business or other, and leave you to wait outside with Thomas.
You're sure they are speaking about you. Do you give in to your wish to try and listen in?
Choose one:
[ ] Try to convince Thomas to listen in together.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[ ] Patiently wait outside.
[ ] Write in.
Short Afterword:
I'll be filling in the Dramatis Personae fields, they will mention this instead of the main story, but Avice hasn't taken the news of Cecily and Lily too well, and started to evade meeting with the family since the storm on the 31st of October, 1211.
I'll add a section on Lore, drop a few lines on Fae, Daemons and bargains, too. Eventually.
Jump in on https://rolz.org/dr?room=StolenDestiny if there are quick questions about anything.
Go ahead and vote. Each choice is worse than the other.
Voting in plans would be easier to keep track off, but whatever.
p.s. Remember me talking about a ~3k word update? This chunk is 6k. I need to somehow retain control over the word counts if I want to survive future updates ;D.
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[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
It's a world with active fae. If you don't know this shit you die.
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
It's a world with active fae. If you don't know this shit you die.
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
- Location
- Brazil
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Bargain II - seven stones for seven years of service.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Bargain II - seven stones for seven years of service.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
Happerry
Bat out of Hell
- Location
- Kanto
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
- Location
- Lithuania
To be fair, I was a expecting a slightly different trend, as I was told SV always goes for shiny things and experience.
I just popped in to say two things - One - I have updated the character sheet, added a small note on fae and demon inability to go back on a bargains, and filled the Dramatis Personae with all the people mentioned in the quest so far. If you see something or someone missing, please call me out on it.
Two - I'll be returning in a few hours to call the vote and ask for a couple of rolls. The next update shouldn't take as much effort to write up, too as there are no more vital set up to write in the past. I hope.
Still ample time to change your votes to something crazy.
I just popped in to say two things - One - I have updated the character sheet, added a small note on fae and demon inability to go back on a bargains, and filled the Dramatis Personae with all the people mentioned in the quest so far. If you see something or someone missing, please call me out on it.
Two - I'll be returning in a few hours to call the vote and ask for a couple of rolls. The next update shouldn't take as much effort to write up, too as there are no more vital set up to write in the past. I hope.
Still ample time to change your votes to something crazy.
- Location
- Lithuania
You're gonna love the Hermetic Oath, then.
With its nice "Join or Die" subheading.
Vote Tally : Stolen Destiny: Of Storms and Magi (HP/Ars Magica) | Page 2 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.0.5
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
No. of Votes: 6
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
Zaratustra
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
No. of Votes: 6
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
Zaratustra
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
No. of Votes: 5
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
No. of Votes: 4
Ridiculously Average Guy
Happerry
nairit
Zaratustra
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
No. of Votes: 2
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
[X] Bargain II - seven stones for seven years of service.
No. of Votes: 1
Zaratustra
##### NetTally 1.0.5
[X] "I can wait until the original is returned." (Profession(scribe) specialization - calligraphy; less strain)
No. of Votes: 6
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
Zaratustra
[X] Try to listen in alone, leaving Thomas waiting by himself.
No. of Votes: 6
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
Zaratustra
[X] Decline - allowing the snake to leave.
No. of Votes: 5
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
Happerry
nairit
Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] research Faerie lore. You will try to remember the tales and stories about Fae, asking the people you know, and perhaps even visiting Granny in the village, however senile she could be.
No. of Votes: 4
Ridiculously Average Guy
Happerry
nairit
Zaratustra
[X] research Magic lore. Perhaps, your answer lies in magic - for what else could be the things that you can do? You have little to no clue where to start looking, though - but there has to be something someone knows, or some book that mentions it, right? Perhaps it's as simple as looking for the limits of what you can do?
No. of Votes: 2
veekie
DieAnotherDayne
[X] Bargain II - seven stones for seven years of service.
No. of Votes: 1
Zaratustra
Stop Voting.
Instead, jump on https://rolz.org/dr?room=StolenDestiny room to roll these:
William rolls, no confidence allowed - DC 7
#1A3+4 #FullLeterReturned Success
Intelligence+Stealth DC4
#1A1+2 #NewHidingPlace Success
This will determine the xp gained into Faerie lore, confidence can still give +3 or reroll, no DC to beat, except you have to not botch to gain anything:
#1A2+3 #ResearchFae Success
Dexterity + Stealth DC 5
#1A2+3 #SneakingAround Success
For this roll the DC is the amount rolled in #SneakingAround, you want this to fail. No confidence allowed.
#1A0+5 #RubeusNotices Fail
Finally, Presence + Charm DC 5
#1A2+3 #FirstImpression Success
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No one else seemed to want to roll so...
apoc rolls 1A3+4 = 13 ℹ #FullLeterReturned
apoc rolls 1A1+2 = 6 ℹ #NewHidingPlace
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 11 ℹ #ResearchFae
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 10 ℹ #SneakingAround
apoc rolls 1A0+5 = 10 ℹ #RubeusNotices
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 8 ℹ #FirstImpression
I am immune to failure.
apoc rolls 1A3+4 = 13 ℹ #FullLeterReturned
apoc rolls 1A1+2 = 6 ℹ #NewHidingPlace
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 11 ℹ #ResearchFae
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 10 ℹ #SneakingAround
apoc rolls 1A0+5 = 10 ℹ #RubeusNotices
apoc rolls 1A2+3 = 8 ℹ #FirstImpressionI am immune to failure.
Update II - You’re a Magus, Harry
- Location
- Lithuania
This could have used a few more edits, but I've already pressured for time, so there you go (I might edit some phrasings later):
The Letter
On the day your letter arrives back, carried over together with the usual correspondence and a few new books, abbot Robert, calls you to his work room, and gives you a small, carefully wrapped package.
"You may take this," he says, as you realize just what has been given to you. "I see no need to keep it anywhere else but with you, as you've proven to know how to properly treat the written word. William writes he made himself a duplicate, and promised to write about his final thoughts, consequences of his stay in Paris permitting."
"Thank you, Father Robert-" you begin, but he waves you off.
"I'm sure you want to look at it before the evening prayers - I won't hold you up." He coughs. "I hope it doesn't prove too underwhelming."
You rush to your living quarters to open it up. There, in the cramped space next to your bed, you unwrap the rough piece of leather that's been wrapped around the letter.
It looks to be wrapped in yet another layer, this time in high quality parchment, with strange writing on top.
It's written in neat cursive handwriting, that of a professional scribe. The letters themselves are vaguely familiar - if a lot more curved than usually, with many of them spun so their tails reach out under others, or the upper spiral cover the preceding ones.
The letters are also fairly loose, meaning that a book written in such a script would have much unused space. Are these a feature of the language, of this particular scribe, or simply the way the script's letters must be written?
You're not yet sure.
The wrapping parchment contains four lines of text.
First line has four short words (one of which is a single letter "V." - alike a Latin abbreviation for versus?) and a longer one, making this the longest line of them all. The second line carries a number 4 followed by two medium length words. The third line contains two words, the longer of the two especially elaborate. Fourth line carries a simple word, but it's the most recognisable out of them all. It takes you a few moments to realize, but it says simply that - Surrey.
That's where you live, and where the Abbey is - including Guildford and all manner of villages and bishoprics. Interesting.
Perhaps - since nearly all words start with a capital letter, but one, it declares the owner of the letter? Might one of these words be your birth family's name? No, if that were this simple, the Abbot would have found out about it years ago.
You turn the envelope over, and see the remains of a small waxen seal. Now, it's nearly impossible to tell what might have been on it - except perhaps half of some bird and - is that- a latin word?
You pull the letter closer to your face, leaning towards the sole window of the small room. Incredibly tiny, the word is hard to read even with it distance.
"Titillandus?" You mutter under your breath. What kind of motto can end with tickle?
Then you open the wrapping parchment up, and find five perfectly evenly cut pages. One of these is the very same high quality parchment and the other four are - paper?
Your scriptorium has some paper, which is used sparingly, since it's been sent over from some faraway paper mill that is not even in the Isles - but abbot Robert has made his opinion known about the short-lived benefits of paper, when a parchment tractatus could last for a long time.
You've heard there have been talks about using the windmill to make a paper mill, but the idea never garnered enough popularity - the Abbey is rich enough to have enough parchment for it's needs.
This paper looks to be even more fragile, thinner - and unusually white. Already, there are a few stains from being read and reread by various people, and one of the edges has a small tear - and you can tell they will not last.
The first page - the parchment - is filled with handwritten text on one side, done by the very same scribe that had written the text on the outside.
The first three paper pages, on the other hand - have an near impossible detail for a scribe to cope with - someone must have slaved for who knows how many months to produce the text of of this quality - including the impossibly straight lines and other, unknown pictograms.
If that wasn't enough, the paper pages are written in a different writing system entirely.
The fourth page is empty.
At first glance, the meat of the letter - the text on the parchment - seems to be written in the form of an usual letter, consisting of two parts, seemingly directed at two different persons. The final signature and name is of Albus Dumbledore, followed by a long few lines that might be titles or honorifics. You have no idea how to even begin pronouncing such a word.
You sigh, as you realise that deciphering anything from the letter like this would take time. As far as abbot Robert has inferred, William believed the language held common principles with English - which, if true, would mean you already have a leg to stand on for comprehension - but also has one glaring flaw. You have little to no experience to written English, and the Latin rules of transcribing words do not apply.
There's little time before your eleventh birthday, but afterwards, you'll have to ask for help from the abbot - to deal with yet another written language.
The Faerie Lore
You have only begun to understand the fae - and it seems that while most Fae are dangerous, the underlying wish of their existence is to feed on human emotion. You still do not fully understand it, but there seem to be rules that govern their behaviour - and even the truly vicious fae like to leave their victims alive, so the story about them would travel out.
You spend a few evenings with Granny, and question her about what happened to you and Cecily, slightly obscuring the circumstances - still, the woman finds your story interesting, offering some insights - in particular that some of the fae are the gods long forgotten and are jealous for their loss of prestige.
You learn that it is never a good idea to consume food offered by fae in general - as it makes it difficult to leave whatever situation it was.
It turns out there were a few stories of men getting lost in the local area, and coming upon a black pond only to never come back, but since no one disappeared that way for the longest of time - even when Granny was young, such things never happened - she had nearly forgotten about it.
It might not have been the best thing, going to Granny for advice - since you've heard people retelling your story afterwards. Whatever tales you told to your family at the night of the storm, however improbable - had reached her - perhaps via Cecily herself, and have escaped into the village rumors.
Rubeus Mercere
You find a moment when Thomas isn't paying attention to you - which is easy enough, since he's heading to the workshop, to double check none of the pottery work was left hanging without James temporarily unavailable.
He might have asked you to join him, but you were already gone, circling the house to get closer to one the small windows. The wooden shutters are open, and you lean towards them, listening in. The house should be empty but for father and the visitor, as Lily and Cecily are spending time outside - its one of the fewer times when your mother has feels better than usually.
"...an apprenticeship, under you?" You hear your father's voice.
"Not exactly." Rubeus mutters something under his breath. "I represent and order of wise people, who would like to extend your son the invitation to learn, to realize his full potential."
"Harry's already learning at the abbey."
"He's given no vows - and the abbey will never offer the right lessons, even if he does." There's a short pause. "I had a few questions, about Harry's upbringing, if you do not mind?"
James doesn't reply instantly, and you hear a short rustling of movement. "I'm not sure I don't," he says. "I don't understand why I should even be considering your offer - I already agreed for Harry to be educated at the abbey with abbot Robert."
"Money." Rubeus takes a heavy step forward and you hear the sound of coin pouch being placed on the table. "You might deny it all you wish - but I asked around before arriving here. Your wares are good, but if you get called to serve in the coming war - and make no mistake, the war is going to break out - it's not going to be enough to secure your family's well being."
"Are you suggesting-"
"Thirty shillings, isn't it?" There's clattering of coins. "A 'fine' to buy out of service, for a commoner? You wouldn't have to worry about it any more. Enough to pay for you and your son both... It's all yours if you answer the questions - regardless of the outcome of my proposal."
There are more footsteps, as Rubeus comes closer, perhaps to look outside - and you shuffle closer to the wooden shutters, to keep away from the view. A panicked second passes when you think he's seen you, but then, your father speaks up, drawing back the visitor's attention.
"What are the questions you have?"
"Was Harry really found in a storm?"
"Aye," James says. "We found him during a storm. I'd like to believe that it was waning by the time we heard a child's voice crying out."
"You raised him just as your own?" Rubeus asks. "You do care about him as much as for your true son?"
James splutters indignantly. "He is my son. Is there a point to this type of questioning?"
"There is." You hear Rubeus scratching at his beard - as he's still standing real close to the window. "Have you seen anything strange - anything unexplainable that has happened with Harry around?"
James seems to be genuinely thinking about the question. He snorts. "I don't know anything that would fit strange. He's always been just another boy - with everyone."
"What about the story about splitting the lightning? I admit - it was what drew my attention in the first place."
James coughs. "I'm almost sure Cecily made that one up. She's young-"
"Out of the mouths of babes," Rubeus laughs. "I believe the story is true."
"You-"
"We'll want him as part of our Order," he says. "I'm sure of it. Let us go outside to speak with the boy and-"
You scuffle away, scrambling to stand back at the place you were before. It is only moments until you're joined by the large man, towering at least at twice your height.
"Harry, is is it?" He asks, as he gives you an evaluating look. "My name is Rubeus of Mercere, and I am here to extend and invitation for an apprenticeship at the Order of Hermes."
"Yes, sir," you say politely. "I'm Harry, an apprentice scribe of the Chertsey Abbey."
"An apprentice scribe," he raises his hand to touch at his lush beard. "Impressive." Then, after a short pause, he switches languages, instead asking in Latin. "Have the monks taught you the spoken language, or only what was needed for your work?"
"Some," you answer in the very same language. "What is the Order of Hermes an order of?"
The man chuckles merrily. "This has to be one of the most incredible meetings with a potential Gifted child I've been in."
"Gifted?" You haven't heard that word used in such a context.
"With magic," he replies, as if that's the most ordinary thing in the world. "The Order of Hermes is the order of magi. You're a potential Magus, Harry. In fact, I'd say you have an unfair advantage over other apprentices. With your knowledge of Latin, I'm sure that you'll be casting spells in no time."
You freeze as if struck by lightning - can it be true? Or, has your knowledge in latin failed you, making you hope for more than was actually said?
"So, what do you think about it?" The man returns to speaking English, perhaps for the benefit of your father. "I'm sure that if you agree to come with me, we'll figure out a settlement with the abbey easily - we wouldn't want them disappointed in losing one of their apprentices, and potential member?"
You hesitate.
"You'd be living in comfort, learning from the best minds of the whole world, all the while learning magic, what's not to like about that?"
Choose one: (This sets your initial stance for the following conversation)
[ ] Accept - finally, an explanation for everything - your true calling.
[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
[ ] No. The work at the abbey is grueling, but at least you found a good place to live - and a style of life that suits you.
For the following conversation, choose any combination of the following, in addition to your first choice, and lump it under a plan to make it possible for me to see which things should be mentioned and which not:
[ ] Bargain for more money - you've heard how Rubeus talked with your father and the way he carelessly threw money around. Perhaps you could get more for your family out of this deal?
[ ] Ask for proof of magic. - maybe he could show off a spell or two, as proof?
[X] Ask to heal your mother - if he's truly one of the Magi - perhaps he can help her?
[ ] Bargain to have your mother healed - the difference from above choice here is that you're saying that you won't go with him unless he finds a way to heal your mother, or promises to.
[ ] Ask to take revenge on the fae - your sister was hurt - and nearly died - but isn't this a perfect opportunity?
[ ] Ask about the stones - they are hidden at the abbey, but perhaps description alone would be enough?
[X] Ask about the letter - you have it with you, packed in the piece of leather.
[ ] Ask about Albus Dumbledore - this option is without showing the letter, rather writing or spelling out the word in nearest latin alphabet equivalents.
[ ] Show him the magic you can do. - You can conjure a small spark to your fingertips pretty consistently - perhaps showing if off is worth it?
[ ] Ask him to tell more about Fae - you've been looking for information about them and there's barely enough for you - perhaps asking him about the most pressing questions would help?
[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes - you need to know what you are signing up for.
[ ] Write in.
Things you won't mention are as important as things you do talk about. Also, the less topics you choose, the more likely the success or the quality of given information will be.
Use plans for this vote to make sense, thanks.
Update II
You're a Magus, Harry
You're a Magus, Harry
The Letter
On the day your letter arrives back, carried over together with the usual correspondence and a few new books, abbot Robert, calls you to his work room, and gives you a small, carefully wrapped package.
"You may take this," he says, as you realize just what has been given to you. "I see no need to keep it anywhere else but with you, as you've proven to know how to properly treat the written word. William writes he made himself a duplicate, and promised to write about his final thoughts, consequences of his stay in Paris permitting."
"Thank you, Father Robert-" you begin, but he waves you off.
"I'm sure you want to look at it before the evening prayers - I won't hold you up." He coughs. "I hope it doesn't prove too underwhelming."
You rush to your living quarters to open it up. There, in the cramped space next to your bed, you unwrap the rough piece of leather that's been wrapped around the letter.
It looks to be wrapped in yet another layer, this time in high quality parchment, with strange writing on top.
It's written in neat cursive handwriting, that of a professional scribe. The letters themselves are vaguely familiar - if a lot more curved than usually, with many of them spun so their tails reach out under others, or the upper spiral cover the preceding ones.
The letters are also fairly loose, meaning that a book written in such a script would have much unused space. Are these a feature of the language, of this particular scribe, or simply the way the script's letters must be written?
You're not yet sure.
The wrapping parchment contains four lines of text.
First line has four short words (one of which is a single letter "V." - alike a Latin abbreviation for versus?) and a longer one, making this the longest line of them all. The second line carries a number 4 followed by two medium length words. The third line contains two words, the longer of the two especially elaborate. Fourth line carries a simple word, but it's the most recognisable out of them all. It takes you a few moments to realize, but it says simply that - Surrey.
That's where you live, and where the Abbey is - including Guildford and all manner of villages and bishoprics. Interesting.
Perhaps - since nearly all words start with a capital letter, but one, it declares the owner of the letter? Might one of these words be your birth family's name? No, if that were this simple, the Abbot would have found out about it years ago.
You turn the envelope over, and see the remains of a small waxen seal. Now, it's nearly impossible to tell what might have been on it - except perhaps half of some bird and - is that- a latin word?
You pull the letter closer to your face, leaning towards the sole window of the small room. Incredibly tiny, the word is hard to read even with it distance.
"Titillandus?" You mutter under your breath. What kind of motto can end with tickle?
Then you open the wrapping parchment up, and find five perfectly evenly cut pages. One of these is the very same high quality parchment and the other four are - paper?
Your scriptorium has some paper, which is used sparingly, since it's been sent over from some faraway paper mill that is not even in the Isles - but abbot Robert has made his opinion known about the short-lived benefits of paper, when a parchment tractatus could last for a long time.
You've heard there have been talks about using the windmill to make a paper mill, but the idea never garnered enough popularity - the Abbey is rich enough to have enough parchment for it's needs.
This paper looks to be even more fragile, thinner - and unusually white. Already, there are a few stains from being read and reread by various people, and one of the edges has a small tear - and you can tell they will not last.
The first page - the parchment - is filled with handwritten text on one side, done by the very same scribe that had written the text on the outside.
The first three paper pages, on the other hand - have an near impossible detail for a scribe to cope with - someone must have slaved for who knows how many months to produce the text of of this quality - including the impossibly straight lines and other, unknown pictograms.
If that wasn't enough, the paper pages are written in a different writing system entirely.
The fourth page is empty.
At first glance, the meat of the letter - the text on the parchment - seems to be written in the form of an usual letter, consisting of two parts, seemingly directed at two different persons. The final signature and name is of Albus Dumbledore, followed by a long few lines that might be titles or honorifics. You have no idea how to even begin pronouncing such a word.
You sigh, as you realise that deciphering anything from the letter like this would take time. As far as abbot Robert has inferred, William believed the language held common principles with English - which, if true, would mean you already have a leg to stand on for comprehension - but also has one glaring flaw. You have little to no experience to written English, and the Latin rules of transcribing words do not apply.
There's little time before your eleventh birthday, but afterwards, you'll have to ask for help from the abbot - to deal with yet another written language.
The Faerie Lore
You have only begun to understand the fae - and it seems that while most Fae are dangerous, the underlying wish of their existence is to feed on human emotion. You still do not fully understand it, but there seem to be rules that govern their behaviour - and even the truly vicious fae like to leave their victims alive, so the story about them would travel out.
You spend a few evenings with Granny, and question her about what happened to you and Cecily, slightly obscuring the circumstances - still, the woman finds your story interesting, offering some insights - in particular that some of the fae are the gods long forgotten and are jealous for their loss of prestige.
You learn that it is never a good idea to consume food offered by fae in general - as it makes it difficult to leave whatever situation it was.
It turns out there were a few stories of men getting lost in the local area, and coming upon a black pond only to never come back, but since no one disappeared that way for the longest of time - even when Granny was young, such things never happened - she had nearly forgotten about it.
It might not have been the best thing, going to Granny for advice - since you've heard people retelling your story afterwards. Whatever tales you told to your family at the night of the storm, however improbable - had reached her - perhaps via Cecily herself, and have escaped into the village rumors.
Rubeus Mercere
You find a moment when Thomas isn't paying attention to you - which is easy enough, since he's heading to the workshop, to double check none of the pottery work was left hanging without James temporarily unavailable.
He might have asked you to join him, but you were already gone, circling the house to get closer to one the small windows. The wooden shutters are open, and you lean towards them, listening in. The house should be empty but for father and the visitor, as Lily and Cecily are spending time outside - its one of the fewer times when your mother has feels better than usually.
"...an apprenticeship, under you?" You hear your father's voice.
"Not exactly." Rubeus mutters something under his breath. "I represent and order of wise people, who would like to extend your son the invitation to learn, to realize his full potential."
"Harry's already learning at the abbey."
"He's given no vows - and the abbey will never offer the right lessons, even if he does." There's a short pause. "I had a few questions, about Harry's upbringing, if you do not mind?"
James doesn't reply instantly, and you hear a short rustling of movement. "I'm not sure I don't," he says. "I don't understand why I should even be considering your offer - I already agreed for Harry to be educated at the abbey with abbot Robert."
"Money." Rubeus takes a heavy step forward and you hear the sound of coin pouch being placed on the table. "You might deny it all you wish - but I asked around before arriving here. Your wares are good, but if you get called to serve in the coming war - and make no mistake, the war is going to break out - it's not going to be enough to secure your family's well being."
"Are you suggesting-"
"Thirty shillings, isn't it?" There's clattering of coins. "A 'fine' to buy out of service, for a commoner? You wouldn't have to worry about it any more. Enough to pay for you and your son both... It's all yours if you answer the questions - regardless of the outcome of my proposal."
There are more footsteps, as Rubeus comes closer, perhaps to look outside - and you shuffle closer to the wooden shutters, to keep away from the view. A panicked second passes when you think he's seen you, but then, your father speaks up, drawing back the visitor's attention.
"What are the questions you have?"
"Was Harry really found in a storm?"
"Aye," James says. "We found him during a storm. I'd like to believe that it was waning by the time we heard a child's voice crying out."
"You raised him just as your own?" Rubeus asks. "You do care about him as much as for your true son?"
James splutters indignantly. "He is my son. Is there a point to this type of questioning?"
"There is." You hear Rubeus scratching at his beard - as he's still standing real close to the window. "Have you seen anything strange - anything unexplainable that has happened with Harry around?"
James seems to be genuinely thinking about the question. He snorts. "I don't know anything that would fit strange. He's always been just another boy - with everyone."
"What about the story about splitting the lightning? I admit - it was what drew my attention in the first place."
James coughs. "I'm almost sure Cecily made that one up. She's young-"
"Out of the mouths of babes," Rubeus laughs. "I believe the story is true."
"You-"
"We'll want him as part of our Order," he says. "I'm sure of it. Let us go outside to speak with the boy and-"
You scuffle away, scrambling to stand back at the place you were before. It is only moments until you're joined by the large man, towering at least at twice your height.
"Harry, is is it?" He asks, as he gives you an evaluating look. "My name is Rubeus of Mercere, and I am here to extend and invitation for an apprenticeship at the Order of Hermes."
"Yes, sir," you say politely. "I'm Harry, an apprentice scribe of the Chertsey Abbey."
"An apprentice scribe," he raises his hand to touch at his lush beard. "Impressive." Then, after a short pause, he switches languages, instead asking in Latin. "Have the monks taught you the spoken language, or only what was needed for your work?"
"Some," you answer in the very same language. "What is the Order of Hermes an order of?"
The man chuckles merrily. "This has to be one of the most incredible meetings with a potential Gifted child I've been in."
"Gifted?" You haven't heard that word used in such a context.
"With magic," he replies, as if that's the most ordinary thing in the world. "The Order of Hermes is the order of magi. You're a potential Magus, Harry. In fact, I'd say you have an unfair advantage over other apprentices. With your knowledge of Latin, I'm sure that you'll be casting spells in no time."
You freeze as if struck by lightning - can it be true? Or, has your knowledge in latin failed you, making you hope for more than was actually said?
"So, what do you think about it?" The man returns to speaking English, perhaps for the benefit of your father. "I'm sure that if you agree to come with me, we'll figure out a settlement with the abbey easily - we wouldn't want them disappointed in losing one of their apprentices, and potential member?"
You hesitate.
"You'd be living in comfort, learning from the best minds of the whole world, all the while learning magic, what's not to like about that?"
Choose one: (This sets your initial stance for the following conversation)
[ ] Accept - finally, an explanation for everything - your true calling.
[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
[ ] No. The work at the abbey is grueling, but at least you found a good place to live - and a style of life that suits you.
For the following conversation, choose any combination of the following, in addition to your first choice, and lump it under a plan to make it possible for me to see which things should be mentioned and which not:
[ ] Bargain for more money - you've heard how Rubeus talked with your father and the way he carelessly threw money around. Perhaps you could get more for your family out of this deal?
[ ] Ask for proof of magic. - maybe he could show off a spell or two, as proof?
[X] Ask to heal your mother - if he's truly one of the Magi - perhaps he can help her?
[ ] Bargain to have your mother healed - the difference from above choice here is that you're saying that you won't go with him unless he finds a way to heal your mother, or promises to.
[ ] Ask to take revenge on the fae - your sister was hurt - and nearly died - but isn't this a perfect opportunity?
[ ] Ask about the stones - they are hidden at the abbey, but perhaps description alone would be enough?
[X] Ask about the letter - you have it with you, packed in the piece of leather.
[ ] Ask about Albus Dumbledore - this option is without showing the letter, rather writing or spelling out the word in nearest latin alphabet equivalents.
[ ] Show him the magic you can do. - You can conjure a small spark to your fingertips pretty consistently - perhaps showing if off is worth it?
[ ] Ask him to tell more about Fae - you've been looking for information about them and there's barely enough for you - perhaps asking him about the most pressing questions would help?
[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes - you need to know what you are signing up for.
[ ] Write in.
Things you won't mention are as important as things you do talk about. Also, the less topics you choose, the more likely the success or the quality of given information will be.
Use plans for this vote to make sense, thanks.
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Pensive Rumination
Praise me more?
- Location
- Australia
[X] Plan Mom
-[X] Evade an immediate answer
--[X] Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X] Show him the magic you can do.
So the basic idea is play hard to get a little, a little fence sitting and a small show of our sparks to make us a more desirable prospect. SO higher chance of the Bargin for mother pulling through. Extremely minimalist plan aimed at getting Lily healed and pretty much nothing else.
-[X] Evade an immediate answer
--[X] Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X] Show him the magic you can do.
So the basic idea is play hard to get a little, a little fence sitting and a small show of our sparks to make us a more desirable prospect. SO higher chance of the Bargin for mother pulling through. Extremely minimalist plan aimed at getting Lily healed and pretty much nothing else.
-[X]Plan Mom+
--[X]Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X]Show him the magic you can do
--[X] Ask about the stones
--[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes
Don't have any problem with Plan Mom, just want to add those two onto it if possible.
--[X]Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X]Show him the magic you can do
--[X] Ask about the stones
--[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes
Don't have any problem with Plan Mom, just want to add those two onto it if possible.
[X] Plan Know What You're Getting Into
-[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
-[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes - you need to know what you are signing up for.
--[X] Ask about the letter - you have it with you, packed in the piece of leather.
---[X] Ask to heal your mother - if he's truly one of the Magi - perhaps he can help her?
If this guy s anything like Hagrid he can't really fix her own his own. We'd need to learn how to or get someone more competent.
I sure as hell don't want Hagrid trying any experimental magic to get us to go along, but he'd be very informative about the letter
The stones aren't urgent, since we can find out after we get inducted, and we don't need to show off our magic, he's already here because he knows our magic.
And of course, the most important part is knowing what we sign up for.
-[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
-[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes - you need to know what you are signing up for.
--[X] Ask about the letter - you have it with you, packed in the piece of leather.
---[X] Ask to heal your mother - if he's truly one of the Magi - perhaps he can help her?
If this guy s anything like Hagrid he can't really fix her own his own. We'd need to learn how to or get someone more competent.
I sure as hell don't want Hagrid trying any experimental magic to get us to go along, but he'd be very informative about the letter
The stones aren't urgent, since we can find out after we get inducted, and we don't need to show off our magic, he's already here because he knows our magic.
And of course, the most important part is knowing what we sign up for.
DarkLight140
Credit to Team
- Location
- Lost in my thoughts
[X] Plan Know What You're Getting Into
That's generally what we need, although personally I would lean toward bargaining to have our mother healed instead of just asking about it- based upon the description of the bargaining option, it likely won't prompt him to do it himself but rather will make him promise to find someone who can. Just asking will probably have him say "some people can, but not me, sorry" and moving on. Still, if it comes down to it we'll probably be able to track down a magical healer ourself.
Concealing our magic and the stones seems like common sense to me until we know more, more money seems pointlessly greedy after we're already getting enough to keep our family safe, proof of magic is largely pointless as we already know magic is real and proof of supernatural power is in no way proof of good intentions so it gains us nothing. Vengeance on the fae is equally pointless as, in the end, nothing came of that episode- our sister was not permanently hurt, nor were we, and while we didn't gain anything let's just be bad we got away clean and not poke the wasp's nest there. More information about the fae is something we'll get later as well if we go off to study, and it's not urgent since our sister is safe and the bargain was resolved.
Adding a write-in like "where are we actually going" and "will I be able to visit/write my parents" might be good, though. As we rather like our family keeping in touch seems like a priority.
That's generally what we need, although personally I would lean toward bargaining to have our mother healed instead of just asking about it- based upon the description of the bargaining option, it likely won't prompt him to do it himself but rather will make him promise to find someone who can. Just asking will probably have him say "some people can, but not me, sorry" and moving on. Still, if it comes down to it we'll probably be able to track down a magical healer ourself.
Concealing our magic and the stones seems like common sense to me until we know more, more money seems pointlessly greedy after we're already getting enough to keep our family safe, proof of magic is largely pointless as we already know magic is real and proof of supernatural power is in no way proof of good intentions so it gains us nothing. Vengeance on the fae is equally pointless as, in the end, nothing came of that episode- our sister was not permanently hurt, nor were we, and while we didn't gain anything let's just be bad we got away clean and not poke the wasp's nest there. More information about the fae is something we'll get later as well if we go off to study, and it's not urgent since our sister is safe and the bargain was resolved.
Adding a write-in like "where are we actually going" and "will I be able to visit/write my parents" might be good, though. As we rather like our family keeping in touch seems like a priority.
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Plan Know What You're Getting Into
Huh, Latin was useful.
Huh, Latin was useful.
[X] Mother and Magic
-[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
--[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes
--[X]Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X]Show him the magic you can do
I prefer this combination the best as it doesn't reveal anything that we can lose especially given the snakes interest in the stones. Asking about the Order gets us more information to make a decision, and then bargaining to have our mother healed and showing him our magic seem like great synergy as it shows our potential with our already learned latin. I prefer bargain as it ensures something would be done about it, if not by him then another, while asking is just that. I fear this occuring, "Can you heal my mother?" - "Nope", and bargaining ensures that if this occurs he'll find someone who will and as part of our acceptance instead of it costing us at a later date.
-[X] Evade an immediate answer - you need to hear more, but you're considering the offer.
--[X] Ask about the main rules of the Order of Hermes
--[X]Bargain to have your mother healed
--[X]Show him the magic you can do
I prefer this combination the best as it doesn't reveal anything that we can lose especially given the snakes interest in the stones. Asking about the Order gets us more information to make a decision, and then bargaining to have our mother healed and showing him our magic seem like great synergy as it shows our potential with our already learned latin. I prefer bargain as it ensures something would be done about it, if not by him then another, while asking is just that. I fear this occuring, "Can you heal my mother?" - "Nope", and bargaining ensures that if this occurs he'll find someone who will and as part of our acceptance instead of it costing us at a later date.
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[X] Plan Know What You're Getting Into