Anatole Avonova was born in 1197 at Utena, Lithuania. He was a peculiar child, preferring the company of animals from a young age, and he would occasionally disappear for days when the geese were migrating. Dispite his demeanour his parents did not suspect their child had The Gift until a maga arrived shortly after his tenth birthday requesting Anatole become her apprentice.
Militza Strix of House Bjornaer belonged to a poor and reclusive winter covenant in the Novgorod Tribunal, Osveya Ostrov, some miles southeast of Utena. She had earned a stipend from her clan, Arelie, but the clan was not pleased with the insular attitude of Osveya Ostrov. Militza was required to train an apprentice before the stipend would be paid and Anatole was her nearest candidate.
Anatole’s parens was a poor teacher. Her only concern was he should pass the Gauntlet and fulfil her obligation. Largely self-directed his interest ran to the Animal Form but without adequate supervision his training was flawed. Nevertheless under Militza’s guidance at the Gathering of Twelve Years in 1215 he successfully brought forth his heartbeast, the barnacle goose, and was initiated as Anatole Branta of Bjornaer. With her obligation to Clan Arelie satisfied Militza’s attention to Anatole waned.
Felix La Cornielle, a Bjornaer magus who travelled widely, came to Osveya Ostrov. He was an old friend from Militza’s sept who knew her reputation with Clan Arelie and House Bjornaer was suffering. Felix took over Anatole's apprenticeship for his Awakened Years, rounding out his skewed hermetic training and preparing him to leave the declining covenant. Anatole learned subtle and quiet casting methods and some French.
When his apprenticeship was completed Anatole left Felix and Militza in Osveya Ostrov and journeyed swiftly to France to seek a new beginning. His upbringing has not granted him many social graces, however he knows he is an untalented magus and this has made him a humble young man.
Anatole is solidly built, five feet and nine inches tall, with a pale complexion. Blue eyes and blond hair reveal a Scandinavian heritage. Anatole wears his woolen travelling robe at all occasions.
Anatole is keen to develop his abilities however he knows he is untalented and it will be a challenge given his poor training. He avoids conflict and seeks peaceful resolutions but he lacks the grace or insight to be political. He hopes the covenant will grant many opportunities to make his way forward and leave his dismal past behind.
A leather strap fastening his robe has a flight feather from his Heartbeast form and a stick from the Aegis of the Hearth ritual at the Fontis Niger covenant.
Characteristics: INT 2; PER 0; STR -1; STA 2; PRE 0; COM 1; DEX 1; QIK 0
Virtues: Anatole's connexion with animals (Inoffensive to Animals, Animal Ken) naturally tansferred to his Hermetic Arts (Affinity with Art - Animal) and was further facilitated by his parens Felix's training (Quiet Magic x 2, Subtle Magic, Unbound Tongue).
Flaws: The dismal environment of Osveya Ostrov limited Anatole's training (Ability Block - Martial); left gaps in his apprenticeship (Flawed Parma Magica, Weak Parens); and the declining covenant was not conducive to his social development (Humble, Indiscreet).
The laboratory space abandoned by Sertorius has been given over to Anatole.
Before he left Osveya Ostrov, Anatole created a spell to retain his clothes while travelling as his Heartbeast.
The Goose's Robes (MuAn 20)
R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Individual
Shrinks one piece of clothing made of animal products into a collar so a goose can wear it around its neck, or restores the clothing to its original form.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun)
In Winter 1224 Anatole created a spell to ward off wolves and, in the following Spring, he instilled the same effect into a pendant as his contribution to the covenant.
Turn Aside the Savage Wolf (ReAn 10)
R: Personal, D: Sun, T: Group
Wards against attacks from mundane wolves.
(Base 2, 0 Personal, +2 Sun, +2 Group)
1224 Summer
Arrived at Infractus Sumnus Revivus
1224 Autumn
Read Gather the Vis from Anywhere ReVi15 lab text.
1224 Winter
Inducted into Infractus Sumnus Revivus at the Aegis of the Hearth ritual.
Created Turn Aside the Savage Wolf to ward off mundane wolves.
1224 Spring
Instilled the effect of Turn Aside the Savage Wolf into a lead pendant.