The Vigiles Amicae is a roleplaying guild in Everquest 2, on the Freeport and Antonia Bayle Servers.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Personal note, from the Ephemera of the Praetor

Archivist's Note:
The Praetor has been characterized in uncharitable accounts as hoarding paper as dragons hoard gold, but any historian will affirm that it would be easier to draft a coherent chronicle if in fact, that were true. The Ephemera collection attempts to assemble some semblance of chronological order to the wild and fragmented array of letters that have come down to us.
These letters are offered here, in translation if necessary, and bound in one set of volumes for the convenience of the student of history, and in respect for the fragility of many of the originals. Scholars with proper clearance from the High Council may apply to view up to 200 items from the originals: only twenty such requests will be considered in any Quatrain, irrespective of the date attributed to the items requested. Any excess applications on grounds of suspicion of censorship will result in an automatic and binding hold on the scholar's access credentials for one full year.




From: Equites Amrunrosse
To: Ariahdnia

Security: N/A

I will be honoring the life of Xilinar not long after Cheva returns, unless she is in the brig.

Your presence would please me, when I have it.

Your friend, Folodu

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Roster: Sonantius Strigidae

~ Vigiles Amicae Service Record ~
~ Available to all sworn Amicae ~

Name: Sonantius Strigidae
Status: Active
Rank, specialty, auxiliary: Aspirant; Safety & Security, Crusader - Paladin; Tinkerer & Armorsmith
Gender: Male
Age: around 50 (in human development, roughly mid-twenties), specific birth date unknown
Race: Gnome
Birthplace: Thundering Steppes, specific location unknown
Residence/Citizenship: New Halas, stationed in Gorowyn for training

Description and/or portrait:
With his fair skin, blonde hair, grey-blue eyes, long face, and chiseled chin, Sonantius’s face strongly fits the archetype popular among human noble houses of Qeynos. As he is a gnome and not a human, however, these features are almost comically out of proportion. Stance and build bespeak a life of military service. Armor is immaculately fitted and polished heavy plate, of a brass hue. Favors a gnomish naginata, but more usually armed with a longspear or lance best suited for mounted combat. May be wielding a sword and shield instead where long weapons are impractical or unwelcome. Shield blazon: Party per pale Or and Murrey, a cogwheel counterchanged.

Specialties:
Tinkering, with a special interest in precision, standardization, and reliability of parts; maintenance of armor, arms, and other equipment; spears & polearms; cavalry and mounted melee combat; percussion instrument performance

Proficient:
sword & shield; two-handed blades; peacekeeping & police work; heraldry & history of noble houses; arcane theory (but not practice); alchemical theory (but not practice)

Weaknesses: ranged weapons; magical practice; alchemical practice; wilderness survival & tracking; singing; diplomatic contact with “uncivilized” races

Service Record & Events of Note:
Previous known Aliases: Ondegar Farspark (birth name)
Former squire of an unrecorded Paladin of the Tribunal. Currently devoted “Quality Control Inspector” of the Tribunal. Known to have attempted to organize a clockwork-mounted gnome cavalry from Gnomeland Security HQ to raid Klak-Anon, but efforts failed due to prevailing gnomish tendency of ill-timed tinkering of their mounts. Admitted as an Aspirant by Vigiles Amicae to bolster ranks of cavalry and security units.

Awards:
-


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Roster: Chevanima Amrunrosse

~ Vigiles Amicae Service Record ~
~ Available to all sworn Amicae ~

Name: Chevanima Amrunrosse
Status: Active
Rank, specialty, auxiliary: Civites, berserk-fighter, woodworker and tinkerer
Gender: Female
Age: 75 - in truth a very young elf.
Race: Ayr'dal - mixed teir' and koada' heritage
Birthplace: Freeport
Residence/Citizenship: Gorowyn, Freeport, and Maj'Dul

Description and/or portrait:
A slender, and very youthful elf of uncertain heritage, shorter than average.
Her skin is too smooth and her movements too cat-like to be part human. Her skin is an ashy middle tone, neither light nor dark. Her long ears would suggest teir'ish heritage, but the tone of her hair is more gold than white.
One eye is gray, the other, blue.
Frequently wears green. When in armor, it tends to be battered, poorly fitted, and stained with grease, glitter, paint, or glue rather than blood.



Specialties:
Tinkering. Woodcarving. Evading sentries. Baton fighting.

Proficient:
Pickpocketing. Unarmed combat. Edged weapon and shield. Blunt weapon and shield.

Weaknesses:
Easily distracted. Can frequently be bribed with jam or other sweets. Curious well beyond the limits of even human etiquette.

Service Record & Events of Note:
Although the younger Amrunrosse has no official military capacity, Vigiles records indicate her tutors have largely been drawn from its ranks. She has studied with every blade specialist in the ranks, with or without official sanction, and the list of search and recovery missions which have been deployed in connection with her are by this point too numerous to count.
Records indicate that the frequent refectory and crafthall fires through the Age of the New Combine, the Age of the Dead, and well into the Age of Dragons are attributed to her continuing studies in gnomeric mechamagical tinkering.
Shortly after the elder Amrunrosse was placed in supervised exile in Velious, Schuemakkar was detailed to oversee the martial education of the younger Amrunrosse, for which he draws an additional stipend of 25 gold ducats per season.
Late in the Age of the New Combine, the younger Amrunrosse was given an honorary commendation for her success in designing a stable, reproducible flight kajigger harness with a closed manabattery motor capable of 12 hours continuous flight. In the intervening years, further refinements have increased the range to 72 hours and the weight limit to nearly 22 stone.

Previous known Aliases: Cheva. Imp. That elf that just blew up my office. Littlest. 
Chevanima has lived among the Amicae for most of her life: her full acceptance and protection as Amicae was a condition of the elder Amrunrosse taking oath in the Age of Shadow.

Awards:
- Knight of D'Lere
- The Deliverator
- The Explodinator
- Festive Spirit
- Ghost Hunter
- Candy Grabber
- Timorous Deep Detective
- Darklight Defender
- Hero of Halas

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Brangwin, Fafnier

~ Vigiles Amicae Service Record ~
~ Available to all sworn Amicae ~

Name: - Fafnier Brangwin
Status: - Active
Rank, specialty, auxiliary: - Legate, Military Division
Gender: - Male
Age: - 291
Race: - Tier’Dal
Birthplace: - Freeport
Residence/Citizenship: - None

Description and/or portrait:
- 6’1, athletic build with signs of decay around the ears, nose, and eyes. Appears to be in a dramatically retarded stage of decomposition.



Specialties:
- Guerilla Warfare, Population control
Proficient:
- Claw and decay.
Weaknesses:
- Light exceeding 4400 Lumens and heat exceeding 70 celsius.

Service Record & Events of Note:
Previous known Aliases: - General
- Former founder and commander of Longshadow Alliance, a largely underground group dedicated to the safe migration of the inhabitants of Longshadow alley. Legate Brangwin lost his life to the Freeport militia and the Alliance was disbanded with many refugees fleeing to Vigles Amicae.

Awards:
-

Pejic, Andrejja

~ Vigiles Amicae Service Record ~
~ Available to all sworn Amicae ~

Name: - Andrejja Pejic
Status: - Active
Rank, specialty, auxiliary: - Mercenary
Gender: - Male
Age: - 210
Race: - Koada’Dal
Birthplace: - Qeynos
Residence/Citizenship: - Gorowyn

Description and/or portrait:
- 5’9, tall slender build with androgynous features often associated with Koada’Dal. Straw-blonde hair falling to his shoulder and piercing hazel eyes.



Specialties:
- Restoration, Counterintelligence
Proficient:
- None
Weaknesses:
- Temperatures below 40 Celsius, Decay

Service Record & Events of Note:
Previous known Aliases: - Progenitor
-

Awards:
-

Operations Ledger: central working copy


In the operations of war:

where there are in the field a thousand
swift chariots, as many heavy chariots,
and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers
with provisions enough to carry them
a thousand miles,
the expenditure at home and at the front
including entertainment of guests,
small items such as glue and paint,
and sums spent on chariots and armor
will reach the total of
a thousand ounces of silver
per day.

Such is the cost of raising an army
of a hundred thousand men.



Current campaigns:

- New:
Research, mapping, and documentation of Sectors 0-7, 0-8, and 0-9, AKA Ethernere. All subsections awaiting mapping and report. Advise veteran status and extreme caution. Assume all contacts sentient, and potentially hostile.

-Objectives:
- Establish diplomatic relations with indigenous races
- Catalog unique species of flora, fauna, and wildlings in each region, along with observable habitat, diet, aggression, and utility.
- Establish trading relationship with any sentient civilizations
- Offer basic hunting any guardian services to sentients against wildlings. Avoid taking contracts against sentients without formal warrant and bounty for arrest confirmed by at least two other sovereign entities, and/or the High Council and/or the Praetor.

Deployments to the Ethernere region restricted, and not to exceed three Norrathian days. All exploration is to be signed off by the High council, and each explorer to be issued one locked mechamagical chronometer, with fail-safe scape-stone set to engage six hours after Nadir on the third day-cycle.

- - -

- New:
Reconaissance and destabilization of the immortal known as Archbishop Marconis Finn of Erollisi.

-Objectives:
- Establish secure knowledge of the movements and resources of the enemy
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence on the enemy
- Disrupt political influence where possible without entangling VA


Assume all contacts hostile, potential diplomatic significance. Marconis is not to be approached directly, nor alone, nor by any suceptible to or untrained in the psionic arts of coersion.

- - -

- New: 
Pursuit and capture of the vampire Valacor Valinos for summery courts-martial

- Objectives:

- Officers and experienced soldiers with Priority clearance only. No civilian or youth to be permitted to engage at any time.
- Discover and record any current aliases for addition to the sealed file.
- Proceed with caution: target is politically adept and may have formed alliances of convenience as a personal shield against discipline.
- Since abandoning VA, target may have acquired one or more slaves. Such are to be treated as hostages, and are NOT to be harmed.
- Target likely to have placed hostages under mental compulsions to defend him unto death, and may affirm they chose to enter bondage freely. Their claims are not to be believed.
- Open combat is to be avoided. Prime objective is to neutralize and apprehend target for discipline, not to create casualties.

Assume all contacts hostile, potential diplomatic significance. Valacor is not to be approached directly, nor alone, nor by any suceptible to or untrained in the psionic arts of coersion.

- - -

- Continuing: 

Reconaissance in New Halas, Qeynos and Kelethin regarding the status and organization of the Erolissian cults

- Objectives:
- Establish secure knowledge of the succession and hierarchy
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence within, and test the same

- - -

- Continuing: 

Research, containment and cleansing of unknown plague spread from Qeynos.

- Objectives:

- Establish secure knowledge of the epicenter, patient zero, and causal mechanisms whether physical, alchemical, or magical.
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence on the pestilence
- Maintain communication with the Chief Medical Officer of Order of Solace, Captain Ravvenstar, regarding the nature and progression of the cure and/or origin.

- - -

- Continuing: 

Research, mapping, and documentation of SE Sector 9. Subsections awaiting full reports as follows: Withered Lands, Cobalt Scar, Hold of Rime, Forgotten Pools, Iceshard Keep, Kraytoc Fortress, Krael, Fortress of Drunder, Throne of Storms

-Objectives:

- Establish diplomatic relations with indigenous races
- Catalogu unique species of flora,  fauna, and wildlings in each region, along with observable habitat, diet, aggression, and utility.
- Establish trading relationship with any sentient civilizations
- Offer basic hunting any guardian services to sentientss against wildlings. Avoid taking contracts against sentients without formal warrant and bounty for arrest confirmed by at least two other sovereign entities, and/or the High Council and/or the Praetor.



Completed Actions / Finished Campaigns:

- Reconaissance in Neriak and on the approach to the Storm Island off the coast.

Objectives:
- trail one Veldrath Cel'Voda
- map approaches to the Isle owned by Veldrath Cel'Voda without engaging hostilities
-- Campaign progress: clean-up

- - -

- Reconaissance and recovery mission in Faedwer, possibly into D'Vinnian territory

Objectives:

- map approaches to the territory in greater detail, correcting old maps
- investigate recent D'Vinnian activity
- note any traces of draconic activity
- look for sign of the girl known as Chryso, or any other Erollissian activity
- ask after signs of one necromancer, Teir'dal, gray of complexion and colorless hair, dour of disposition.

Assume all contacts hostile, potential diplomatic significance



Current Deployments:

- Scutari-aspirant Tyoril D'Vrynn
- Assigned to rescue mission: choice of Greenhood unit in Zek, or Halas pioneers.

- Equites-adjunct Folodu Amrunrosse
- Field support for Jarseth training excercise, Friday.

- Legate Fafnier Brangwin
- Reconaissance in the Loping Plains in Faydwer regarding the movements and intrigues among the local vampiric clans and their connection to the Renda'Dal and the D'Vinnian court.

- Scutari Eolande Darkwhisper
- Acquisition of relics from the Age of Turmoil, especially in the jaggedpine, Misty Isle, and Karana plains.

- Scutari Jerral V'Therralos
- Begin vampire timelines leading either to the estate of Unrest or the Mistmoore Catacombs



Completed assignments:

- Aspirant Rencey Val'Shade
- complete Faction timelines for all three Courts in Maj Dul
- complete at least one writ in Thurdgadin
- ((ICly complete))
- Scutari Bramus Harrowglade Malifact
- Complete quests in the T'Haen and Bloodline Chronicles timeline at least as far as earning the faction armor.
- ((ICly complete))
- Scutari Randorh marrgavel Malifact
- Same as Bramus, but for the opposing faction at Soul Eater Falls In Nektulos
- ((ICly complete))



Current penance issued:

- Pending:
Scutari Vauldr D'Saren to research and defeat lesser draconic chaos-born in Jarsath wastes for fleeing battle before completion.

- Pending:
Aspirant Kelonu for refusal to obey a direct order from a superior officer for removal to quarentine upon contraction of plague

- Pending:
Chief Battle Medic Mifaesh Kal'Daka for unapproved absence from duty.



Complete:

- Former Vigiles Captain Folodu Amrunrosse assigned exile until further notice to Velious for insubordination, mutiny, and endangerment of the Amicae.
Recalled during the Year of Xegony, on probation.

- Complete:
Aspirant Malicce Stormharrow
- 70 gold to the Gorowyn Steward
- A full set of platemaile appropriate to the use of Civitas Chevanima Amrunrosse (( 32 mc gear, rares supplied by VA ))
Wards records from Summer Solstice:

- Akhutai Ssarathi, first warning
- Valacor Valinos, first warning
- Valacor Valinos, major strike
- Randie Krieger, first warning

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Roster: Folodu Amrunrosse

~ Vigiles Amicae Service Record ~
~ Available to all sworn Amicae ~

Name: Folodu Amrunrosse
Status: Active
Rank, specialty, auxiliary: Equites - counterintelligence division, Bard – Dirge, Woodworker
Gender: Female
Age: About 300 years, appears mid-thirties to human eyes.
Race: Koada’dal / high-elf
Birthplace: Qeynos
Residence/Citizenship: Officially Freeport, but currently stationed out of Maj'Dul

Description and/or portrait:
Fair skinned and blonde, appears lithe and toned. Usually has an amused smirk. Alternates between fine gowns and armor regardless of being in the field or in the city; always has a dagger visible, if not two. Keeps her hair in an efficient braid. She is four foot eleven and weighs 120 pounds, almost entirely lean muscle mass.



Specialties:
Bardic knowledge, soldiering, knives, small to medium swords, daggers, tracking, agility.

Proficient:
Bardic magic, offensive and defensive. Offensive and defensive small to medium arms, unarmed combat. Lightfingers. Wilderness survival. Mindshield.

Weaknesses:
No other magical aptitudes. Does not take being indoors over a length of time well. Heavy armor or weaponry.

Service Record & Events of Note:
Amrunrosse swore full oath late in the Age of Shadow, and swiftly advanced through the ranks to the post of Vigiles Captain, which position she held until well into the Age of the New Combine. In the aftermath of the Cel'Voda and D'Vinnian campaigns for the Recovery of the Legate, she intervened in an altercation between the Praetor and Vigiles Captain Valacor Valinos.
In the course of that confrontation, she had the Praetor declared medically unfit for duty, and claimed the position of Acting-Praetor herself.
Among her first actions in power:
     - directed the restraint of the Praetor
     - Ordered the court-martial of Valinos, and the automatic verdict of high treason, punishable by execution, in the event that he should escape before trial
     - Stripped Chief Medical Officer Yorrik Thrayson of his rank
     - declared the medical corps fully under the authority of the Praetorship, without recourse to the Council
     - deployed a full cohort to the D'Vinnian territory with orders to slay all hostile units
     - ordered the Legate Bellum to permanently neutralize the former Praetor as soon as the Legate Pax or the remains thereof were located
Amrunrosse brief tenure as Acting Praetor was rife with conflict, although ultimately she did lead a successful raid to recover the remains of the Legate Pax. Near the end of her reign, she issued a warrant for her own arrest for treason, which was submitted to the Acting Legate Pax in such a manner that it could not be unmade.
She was arraigned first on assault on a Vigiles officer, for striking Equites Kanaemar without just cause, and the final list of charges when she was brought before the High Council were rumored to fill five pages, although those records have been since classified.
Amrunrosse was assigned to serve out her Exile in Velious in perpetuity, and this sentence remained in effect  well into the Age of Dragons, when the Praetor applied to the Council to modify the terms of the exile to permit her transfer to Maj'Dul and limited privileges of Equites rank.

Previous known Aliases: Folodu, Flo, Fol, General Folodu Amrunrosse, Exile, Bright One.
Former soldier and general of the Argentium Circuli, known for speed, agility, wilderness survival, and a chaotic civilian life. Well trained in group or solo missions, she is a career woman who enjoys causing others embarrassment and training new soldiers. Honorable separation from Argentium Circuli: head of Argentium Circuili was declared oath-breaker in the season preceding the fall of the Overlord’s Citadel. Intervening years spent incognito.

Awards:
- Velious Victor
- Champion of Ro
- Lady of Freeport

Notable kills:
- Overking
- Imzok
- Tairiza
- Byzolabane
- Leviathan
- Trakanon
- Tserrina
- Aiden
- Wuoshi
- Mayong Mistmoore
- Clockwork Menace
- Viluciadae
- Bonesnapper
- Talendore
- Gorenaire
- Lord Vyemm
- Pantrilla
- Godking Anuk
- Lathena
- The Black Queen
- King Zalak
- Archlich Udalan
- K'Dal the Deciever
- Overlord Oxulius
- Darathar

Notable victories:
- Ward of Elements
- Shard of Hate
- Temple of Kor'Sha
- Veeshan's Peak

[edited to add: Orginally posted December 2011. Last Update: February 2014.]

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nearly Midnight News: February 16th

Greetings my fellow Norrathians. I am Archbishop Marconis Fiac, and I welcome you to the Nearly Midnight News.
Please excuse my presumption, however your normal host has succumbed to the festivities of Erollisi. We are hoping for a full recovery.

In our first story, Qeynos for Qeynosians held their annual meeting in New Halas again. On the agenda, considering permitting Windstalker into the list of cities not to grumble about.
Attendees of previous meetings will note every established settlement is on the "to grumble" list except for New Halas and Qeynos, which is the only city the group can afford rent prices in to host their meetings.

In other news, Maj'Dul reports no murders this week. In an effort to make up for the oversight of the citizens, the sultanate is hosting a meeting.
Food that is expected to be served includes blowfish and unusually vivid fruit punch.

Anashti Sul would like you to take a moment to recall all She has done for you. Let your mind be at ease, and let it open to new thoughts. Remember, Anashti cares.


There is usually a report on sports, but they are pointless drivel, and I know all Norrathians join me in detesting them as a rule, save for those which honor Erollisi's purviews.

The Erollisi sect in Qeynos is helping citizens plant trees this winter. While it promotes good works, the main thrust of this arboreal mission seems to be the acquisition of coarse jokes and bawdy humor.
Contact your local temple today. Help erect more trees.


On this day in history, a barkeep in Kelethin was stiffed, which lead to a series of events that culminated in the War of the Fay.
It would go on to be the bloodiest war since the one right before it, which had been the bloodiest at the time it happened.
While the establishment's name is lost to history, the barkeeper was reported to have said, "Oh Tunare. I'm so sorry. I should have let the five silver go."

The D'Morte family would like to thank everyone who participated in this year's Amateur Axe Juggling Competition.
This year saw a third more blood spilled. The AAJC is the only competition to measure blood loss.

This Nearly Midnight News is brought to you by the Temple of Erollisi. Come as you are.

Thank you for joining me for another refined casting of the Nearly Midnight News.


Archivists' note:
This bill of lading is a somewhat rare survival from this period, as the City of Freeport was then under siege by dragons, and little trade went in or out therefore. Record shows that the weather around the Horn of D'lere was unpredictable in that season, and the surviving bill shows every evidence of foul weather.
Interestingly, the bill of receipt shows no corresponding notice of damage or loss, the Windriders receiving full freight. A copy of the completed receipt was noted as sent by post to Vlosllye, with no mention there of loss or damage, but all merchandise accounted for in good condition.


~~SHIPPED~~

in apparent good order and condition, by

___L'rs. V. lihiya'Vallon_____________________

on board of the
___~Windrider Free Trade Company~_________
___4-gun_Merchantman_"Zhennu'quess"_________

or any of the Company's other Merchantmen, Sloops, or rigs, now laying in
___the Port of Thex________________________
and bound for
___Timorous_Deep_by_way_of_Freeport_______


That Is To Say:


- 50(fifty) cases of Nerian Royal Select bloodwine, Vintage 3895
- 50(fifty) cases of Malted Hidden Vale barley stout, warded under a sign of claws
- 10(ten) cases, in 5(five) chambers, of Warded Vlosllye Private Reserve under full stasis
- 20(twenty) barrels of cured and smoked Darklight venison, warded 3922 by the hand of K'Lorn
- 10(ten) barrels of Ashland preserves, waxed and sealed by the hand of K'Naae
- 5(five) bales of cured early seagrass, wrapped with warded and waxed canvas bearing the sign of the Order of Nektulos
- 40(forty) barrels of ocean bloodberry packed in brine, warded with the sign of the Order of Nektulos
- 4(four) crates of Shadow Grove apples, preserved in honey, warded by K'Vizin

(Interior contents and quantities unknown) and being marked as above, to be carried upon said vessel (with leave to tow and assist vessels in distress; to sail with or without pilots; to tranship to any other of said Company's ships, and to touch at port or ports) unto the ~~Final Anchorage~~ at the port of
___Timorous_____________________________,
under the authority of the
___Gorwish Logistica_____________________.
(The restraints of various governments, acts of gods (major or minor), enemies of all trade, vermin, piracy, fire at sea or in port, lighterage in the bay disasters or danger of the seas, or of sail or steam navigation, of what nature or kind whatsoever, excepted); unto the Port of ___Timorous___, and there, in the apparent good order and condition, to be delivered at the vessel's tackles unto:

__Zer Vansidhe do'Xiphos_________________

or their assigns, freight for the same to be paid in

__~_~NCTS~ certified platinum marks ~__

Said freight considered to be as earned, lost or not lost; and on the happening of any of the above excepted contingencies, the said Company is to have the right forward the above-mentioned packages to the ports of destination of its own route, and shall receive extra compensation for such service, whether performed by their own vessels, of the said Company, or those of strangers, and in the case of salvage services rendered to aforesaid merchandise or treasure, during the voyage, by a vessel or vessels of said Company, such salvage services shall be paid as fully as if such salving vessel or vessels belonged to strangers.

It is expressly understood that the Company shall not be accountable for loss or damage from effects of decay, explosion of the cargo, or from the predation of dragons.

~~In witness whereof,~~


The Agent of said ship hath signed ___4____ bills of lading, all of this tenor and date, one whereof to be accomplished, the others to stand void.

Dated at
___Port Naythex___________________________
the ___13___ day of ___Greyeven____________ in the year of ___Xegony_______, in the 300th Quatrain of the Age of Veeshan

___Captain Jaine Clemitis Eilayassdottir____



**handwritten in an angular script at the foot of the page**

Deer Zers,

As on ore aboute the ides of Deepice, twas that Zhennu'quess was set upon by a greate storme, as t'were to be passing around the horne of D'Lere.

At firste, piracy was suspect, bute no Nerian raider did appeare. Still, the ship She was tossede about violentlie, and twasn't till we made faste at the olde smuggler's docks in the fair clear that the crew were at liberty to check over the holde, for the storm was mighty.

Moste wards of thy interest helde, but the holde was tossed aboute as if it had in fact been raided. Three cases of bloodwine and all of the Vlosylle were sadly crushed, but as they were not leaking, we made for Freeport, and took the liberties of securing further warding for the final leg.

Prithee not to be making too much matter of it, as the salvage was seeming faire. Still there are three of the firste and one of the seconde which do seeme to be done miss, or perhaps the sailors are terrible at packing.

Requesting further voyages 'round the horn to be furnished with blood-worked ward or leased eihldana to prevent future trouble and possible damage to our Zhennu'quess.

Remaining your obdt.svt &c,

Cap. Jaine Eilayassdottir


Monday, February 17, 2014

Black market

Roughly once a month, or whenever we can get away with it, we send some of our hands to scout and participate in the Black Market, hosted by House Shaw'dal.

This month's market will take place from 8pm to 10pm EST, in Roiku's Vale of Halfpint Delight on the 24th.

Known attractions:

- Kezzath's battle arena
- Metarrah's notorious cards
- Honest Miesha's New Used Bed Emporium
- Djinn fortunes
- Custom Monochrome Portraits by A Skilled Limner (Ariahdnia)
- Bardic music
- Pie
- Gambling!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Selections from: Notes on Diverse Magicka - Necromancy

Notes on Diverse Magicka

by

Legatus Pax Sytan Fiac



Author's note:

This is a series dedicated to informing those with limited or non-extant abilities in arcana on the various forms of magic and their uses. This is not intended as an in depth study, nor does it go into all details. For many, the usage of leylines or nodes will never manifest, nor will the finesse to guide the blood magicka explicitly.

This discourse will cover the concepts of similarities and differences among the branches, and peel back some of the mysteries.

The first section will cover my specialties of hematurgy and necromancy.
The second will cover natural magicka.
The third will touch on the psionic talents.
The fourth will delve into the divine controversy.
The fifth will touch upon the delicate and complex question of void.

It is to be hoped that the interested student will find the more technical treatises on the above topics more readily accessible for this humble offering. Any errors or elisions in this work must be attributed to the difficulty of enumerating in plain language what becomes a nearly reflexive, intuitive impulse for the grand adept.




In part one, we compared and contrasted hematurgy and necromancy. Part two focused on hematurgy. Part three, therefore, is on the necromantic arts.

Necromancy relies on subjugation and animation for its workings, which is precisely what conjuring an elemental requires. The difference lies in the power source. The necromancer relies on the power of pain and blood, as they are calling dead flesh to move again, and like calls to like - blood responds to blood.

As contrast, an elemental conjurer calls on their own power, or the power of lay lines and nodes. Nearly all other elements are shared.

Dead flesh has no motivator force to give it direction. Subjugation, or the forcing of will upon a thing, is the key first step. With no will to maintain movement, all energies fed to an undead thrall soon dissipate.

There is always some challenge at this, as the original inhabitant of the body can still influence how the flesh responds - or in most cases doesn't - especially if the inhabitant is a ghost. If the working is vital, going out of the proximity of the ghost can assist matters, as can banishing or appeasing it.

In certain rare cases, ghost and body can be brought back together and instill life once again, though this is so rare as to have no known causal factors.

What is known, however, is that ghosts do not hold well to flesh that was not their own very easily, and any stresses can break a binding.

Animation, or kineticism, is the other end of the necromantic working. Many mages are capable of such, and again the difference is power source.

Even with a will, undead flesh still does not wish to move. It will need direction at every point. Some necromancers will link this to their thought, and others will 'teach' certain movements and convey special instructions from there.

Which ever way direction is given, animation is thus bestowed, completing the familiar.

In parts one and two, ritual was mentioned. Because the natural order of magic and motion is broken in working with the dead, a full ritual is not just necessary, but required. The power needs explicit direction and shape that intention cannot bestow.

The symbols and representations guide the shaping even as much as a Druid or shaman's magic might. Without, the least you get is wasted time, and the worst is a thrall that tries to kill you. Rare cases exist where the unattached thrall is docile and accepts no commands, though one can guess the majority of these are unreported.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Penance records

Current penance issued:


- Pending:
Scutari Vauldr D'Saren to research and defeat lesser draconic chaos-born in Jarsath wastes for fleeing battle before completion.

- Pending:
Aspirant Kelonu for refusal to obey a direct order from a superior officer for removal to quarentine upon contraction of plague

- Pending:
Chief Battle Medic Mifaesh Kal'Daka for unapproved absence from duty.



Complete:


- Former Vigiles Captain Folodu Amrunrosse assigned exile until further notice to Velious for insubordination, mutiny, and endangerment of the Amicae.
Recalled during the Year of Xegony, on probation.

- Complete:
Aspirant Malicce Stormharrow
- 70 gold to the Gorowyn Steward
- A full set of platemaile appropriate to the use of Civitas Chevanima Amrunrosse (( 32 mc gear, rares supplied by VA ))
Wards records from Summer Solstice:

- Akhutai Ssarathi, first warning
- Valacor Valinos, first warning
- Valacor Valinos, major strike
- Randie Krieger, first warning

Deployments: Current and past

Current Deployments:


- Scutari-aspirant Tyoril D'Vrynn
- Assigned to rescue mission: choice of Greenhood unit in Zek, or Halas pioneers.

- Scutari Vauldr D'Saren
- Assigned to Jarsath training exercise (( Friday ))

- Equites-adjunct Folodu Amrunrosse
- Field support for Jarseth training exercise (( Friday. ))

- Legate Fafnier Brangwin
- Reconaissance in the Loping Plains in Faydwer regarding the movements and intrigues among the local vampiric clans and their connection to the Renda'Dal and the D'Vinnian court.

- Scutari Eolande Darkwhisper
- Acquisition of relics from the Age of Turmoil, especially in the jaggedpine, Misty Isle, and Karana plains.

- Scutari Jerral V'Therralos
- Begin vampire timelines leading either to the estate of Unrest or the Mistmoore Catacombs



Campaigns: Current and historical

Current campaigns:


- New:
Research, mapping, and documentation of Sectors 0-7, 0-8, and 0-9, AKA Ethernere. All subsections awaiting mapping and report. Advise veteran status and extreme caution. Assume all contacts sentient, and potentially hostile.

-Objectives:
- Establish diplomatic relations with indigenous races
- Catalog unique species of flora, fauna, and wildlings in each region, along with observable habitat, diet, aggression, and utility.
- Establish trading relationship with any sentient civilizations
- Offer basic hunting any guardian services to sentients against wildlings. Avoid taking contracts against sentients without formal warrant and bounty for arrest confirmed by at least two other sovereign entities, and/or the High Council and/or the Praetor.

Deployments to the Ethernere region restricted, and not to exceed three Norrathian days. All exploration is to be signed off by the High council, and each explorer to be issued one locked mechamagical chronometer, with fail-safe scape-stone set to engage six hours after Nadir on the third day-cycle.

- - -

- New:
Reconaissance and destabilization of the immortal known as Archbishop Marconis Finn of Erollisi.

-Objectives:
- Establish secure knowledge of the movements and resources of the enemy
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence on the enemy
- Disrupt political influence where possible without entangling VA


Assume all contacts hostile, potential diplomatic significance. Marconis is not to be approached directly, nor alone, nor by any suceptible to or untrained in the psionic arts of coersion.

- - -

- New: 
Pursuit and capture of the vampire Valacor Valinos for summery courts-martial

- Objectives:

- Officers and experienced soldiers with Priority clearance only. No civilian or youth to be permitted to engage at any time.
- Discover and record any current aliases for addition to the sealed file.
- Proceed with caution: target is politically adept and may have formed alliances of convenience as a personal shield against discipline.
- Since abandoning VA, target may have acquired one or more slaves. Such are to be treated as hostages, and are NOT to be harmed.
- Target likely to have placed hostages under mental compulsions to defend him unto death, and may affirm they chose to enter bondage freely. Their claims are not to be believed.
- Open combat is to be avoided. Prime objective is to neutralize and apprehend target for discipline, not to create casualties.

Assume all contacts hostile, potential diplomatic significance. Valacor is not to be approached directly, nor alone, nor by any suceptible to or untrained in the psionic arts of coersion.

- - -

- Continuing: 

Reconaissance in New Halas, Qeynos and Kelethin regarding the status and organization of the Erolissian cults

- Objectives:
- Establish secure knowledge of the succession and hierarchy
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence within, and test the same

- - -

- Continuing: 

Research, containment and cleansing of unknown plague spread from Qeynos.

- Objectives:

- Establish secure knowledge of the epicenter, patient zero, and causal mechanisms whether physical, alchemical, or magical.
- Identify weaknesses and points of influence on the pestilence
- Maintain communication with the Chief Medical Officer of Order of Solace, Captain Ravvenstar, regarding the nature and progression of the cure and/or origin.

- - -

- Continuing: 

Research, mapping, and documentation of SE Sector 7.
Subsections awaiting full reports as follows: Withered Lands, Cobalt Scar, Hold of Rime, Forgotten Pools, Iceshard Keep, Kraytoc Fortress, Krael, Fortress of Drunder, Throne of Storms

-Objectives:

- Establish diplomatic relations with indigenous races
- Catalogu unique species of flora,  fauna, and wildlings in each region, along with observable habitat, diet, aggression, and utility.
- Establish trading relationship with any sentient civilizations
- Offer basic hunting any guardian services to sentientss against wildlings. Avoid taking contracts against sentients without formal warrant and bounty for arrest confirmed by at least two other sovereign entities, and/or the High Council and/or the Praetor.