Overview Summer 1220
A Visitor
The Wolf Hunt
Fire!
The Magus and the Heretic
A new Arrival and a Ghost
Mercenaries and Brigands
How to lose two silver mines and find two vis sources in one day
Carcassonne revisited
Meetings
A Visitor
3rd and 4th July 1220
After over two quiet month of rebuilding and recovering from previous adventures the peace at the covenant was interrupted when the magi learned that Brother Ablehardt? was still in a very bad condition (A strange wolf in a dark wood). Dominic and Rafi set out to see if they could help. At Bugarach they found most of the villagers and the friars praying for Abelhardt in front of the almost finished church. His condition indeed turned out to be bad and Rafi tried his best to help. Meanwhile Dominic met a traveller who just arrived in the village. This traveller cautiously asked for directions to the covenant and eventually identified himself as Cornelius Lucretius scholae Tremendi, member of the covenant at Mistridge (see Màili's Tale for the first encounter with the magi at Mistridge). At the covenant Cornelius was first met with suspicions and Sertorius tried to question him about the events at Mistridge during the visit of Màili and André? but Cornelius claimed to have been absent during these events as he has just returned from his travels. The atmosphere got more friendly when he offered to heal everybody if they could provide the Vis. They shared lunch and information about the mysterious black stone, the wounds were healed and the magi showed Cornelius around the covenant. Shortly before sunset he left by magical means.
In the evening Sertorius noticed that Cruz? was missing, and thinking of it he realised that he had not seen him for several days. Using his magic he summoned a picture of Cruz lying in a wood together with several other wolves. He looked healthy but no other information could be retrieved. On the next morning Cruz returned, seemingly disturbed. During the day reports of a wolf pack slaughtering many sheep at the village reached the covenant.
The Wolf Hunt
5th and 6th July 1220
Sertorius and Etienne, the mercenary captain, sat out to track down the wolves that attacked Bugarach (see A Visitor). They talked to the farmer Pascal who suffered the most from the attack, losing most of his sheep. With the help of a shepherd boy they were able to follow the wolf tracks. They soon realised that the pack had arrived together to slaughter the sheep but went off into different directions afterwards.
They decided to follow the tracks to the place the wolves originated from. This finally led them to a small forest. Their guide refused to proceed and Sertorius an Etienne entered the forest alone. Their attempts to hunt down wolves were unsuccessful and they made camp on a clearing. During the night they were disturbed by a boar which they killed. Later in the night two wolves were attracted by the remains of the boar but were chased away easily. The next day Sertorius and Etienne set up traps, using boar meat as bait, to catch at least some wolves. Realising that it would take some time they made their way back to the covenant.
Fire!
7th July 1220
Dominic had spent the day with the Friars and stayed over night in a guest room of the Priory. During the night he woke up with the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Looking around he noticed a fire in the newly build church. Raising the alarm and organising the efforts to extinguish the fire he did his best to help. Despite the efforts the fire grew and was soon noticed at the covenant. Sertorius flew down to the village carrying Zeebebah. Sertorius managed to get a short look inside the burning church and discovered that the fire had been lit in two places inside the church. Zeebebah tried her best to extinguish the fire with her magic and finally succeeded by dropping a large amount of earth on the roof. The roof collapsed and the fire was stopped. While the Friars and villagers wondered where all this earth came from they started to clear up the remains of the church. Father Francis? asked Dominic to assist in the investigation of this incident. When he began to question the villagers it became clear that many were suspecting Cathars to be behind it. Zeebebah, unwilling to assist in this kind of investigation withdrew to the covenant.
The Magus and the Heretic
7th and 8th July 1220
While continuing his investigation on the church burning Dominic noticed a traveller approaching the village. The traveller introduced himself as Titus, a scholarly clerk looking for likeminded individuals. Dominic concluded that he may be looking for the covenant and gave him directions. While Titus was walking up the hill Father Francis? discovered that a holy relic was stolen from his room. Dominic promised to recover the relic with the help of the people from the covenant. Dominic discovered that Jean, the woodcutter, was not only suspected to be a Cathar, he was also missing. Apparently he had left somewhat hastily only a few hours ago. At the covenant the traveller introduced himself as Titus Hillarius of House Tytalus and expressed his interest in joining the covenant. He was welcomed and accepted the old scriptorium as his new lab and living quarters. When Dominic arrived at the covenant the magi agreed to help him in his investigations and he was accompanied by Zeebebah and Etienne for a closer inspection of Jean's cottage. In the village they encountered a mob in front of the cottage. Some subtle magic from Zeebebah helped to convince the mob leader to go home and the other villagers followed his example. Investigating the cottage yielded only very few clues but the party managed to recover one of Jean's hairs. Zeebebah assured them that this would be enough to discover Jean's whereabouts. Using her magic she discovered that he had just entered a tavern. After borrowing a map of the area from the Friars the party returned to the covenant. Here they learned from one of the grogs that there are three taverns in the area that Jean could have reached in the time since the church burned down, one on the road west towards the Pyrenees, one to the north on the road to Rennes-le-Chateau, and one in Montferrand. Zeebebah and Titus combined their magic to determine that the hair recovered from Jean's house was an arcane connection to someone west of the covenant. Sertorius jumped of the roof and started to fly towards the tavern on the western road. Just to be sure not to miss Jean search parties were dispatched to the other two taverns. Sertorius caught u with Jean shortly after nightfall and carried him back to the covenant. There he was questioned and it was discovered that he is indeed a Cathar but had nothing to do with the burning church. During Jean's interrogation Sertorius revealed that he is a Cathar. Everybody agreed that Jean should be free to go.
Titus suspected the existence of a regio around the covenant. Investigating the ground floor of the main building he discovered that the magical aura is stronger inside the building. After a careful search he also noticed what seemed to be the boundary of a very small regio inside the black stone.
A new Arrival and a Ghost
9th July 1220
While Dominic continued his investigation into the missing relic a new maga arrived at Bugarach asking for the covenant. Travelling disguised as a man Zola travelling from Milan to answer the request for new members. Shortly after introducing herself to the other magi she found herself in the middle of an argument about how much and in which way the covenant could and should help the Cathars against the crusade. The meeting continued with summoning Bertrand, the leader of the covenfolk who was appointed autocrat.
After showing Zola her rooms the magi decided that it would be a good time to try and retrieve the books that were suspected to be hidden in the haunted mine (A visit to the Mines). Zola offered to help clearing the cave ins with her earth magic and all four magi left for the mines together with three guards. Inside the mine they soon encountered the first signs of the ghost but Zola still managed to clear a passage through the first of the blocked tunnels. In a cave at the end of the tunnel Sertorius discovered the bones of a human. He payed for this discovery with being hit by one of the stones the ghost dropped from the ceiling. This prompted the party to leave the cave for some time. Upon their return they found the ghostly figure of a miner walking around the cave that contained the bones. He seemed confused and often unable to remember details of his past but at least he was less hostile than before. A conversation revealed that he worked as a miner in roman times and was trapped in a collapsing tunnel. Angry that nobody helped him he now is determined to make others share his fate. Titus convinced him that he and the other magi are priests of Mercury and that they will help him. The ghost couldn't tell them his name or where he lived but said that he would like to see his children again. They promised to help him and continued their exploration of the mine. One of the collapsed tunnels led them to two crates filled with books on various hermetic subjects. Following the third tunnel they came first to an underground creek and after crossing it to an exit leading to the surface. Leaving the tunnel they fund themselves at the rear wall of castle Montferrand. The party took one of the crates back with them and organised the retrieval of the remaining one upon their arrival at the covenant. Going through the books they recovered they discovered a loose page with notes relating to the mystery of the black fountain and another page containing a strange poem.
Mercenaries and Brigands
10th and 11th July 1220
Bertrand de Gevaudan, veteran of the Albigensian Crusade had heard reports about an unoccupied fortification on Pech de Bugarach. He and his men set out to take possession of this small fortress. On route to Bugarach they met Clement, a Dominican Friar travelling in the same direction. Arriving at Bugarach they met Dominic and Father Francis?. Clement was offered a room at the priory that he accepted. Bertrand and his men were let to the covenant by Dominic. The approach of 20 soldiers motivated the guards at the covenant to raise an alarm. After all inhabitants had been brought to the relative safety of the main building Zeebebah and Sertorius met the soldiers at the gate. After some negotiations Bertrand was invited inside where negotiations continued. During the negotiations at the gate Dominic noticed a ghostly soldier speaking to Bertrand. Eventually Bertrand and the magi agreed that Bertrand and his men could stay at the covenant. Bertrand promised in return to help to improve the defences of the covenant. As Dominic was about to return to Bugarach to continue his investigation into the church burning and the stolen relic he was approached by the autocrat. He asked Dominic if there had been any news of his son Raymond. Raymond and one of his friends had been sent out to investigate a tavern on the road to Rennes-le-Chateaux to see if Jean came through there (The Magus and the Heretic). As Dominic had not heard anything he decided to go and investigate this tavern himself. He was joined by Zeebebah, Bertrand with a group of his men, and Father Clement. When they approached the tavern Dominic sensed a holy presence. On arrival they found the tavern keeper repairing the front door. Questioning him revealed that two young men, one of them fitting Raymond's description, had visited his tavern and had been attacked and abducted by a group of brigands after enquiring about a man from their village. This man could have been the one that met the brigands the day before and left with them after handing over a metal box and asking about sheep. Further investigation in the area established that they would have to dealt with about a dozen brigands and Bertrand sent for his remaining men. While waiting for the reinforcements Dominic searched the tavern and discovered an empty metal box. Following his supernatural senses he was led to the backyard of the tavern where he found a well and a toilet. Certain that one of them contained the missing relic but unable to say which one he started an attempt to search the well. Zeebebah offered her help and used her magic to examine the bottom of well and the toilet. To her dismay she discovered a finger sticking out of all the excrements that had accumulated below the toilet. Using another spell Zeebebah raised the whole lump of stinking dirt to the surface to allow Dominic to recover the hand of Saint Marcellus from it. This caused some trembling in the earth and attracted Bertrands attention who was talking to tavern keeper. He stepped out into the backyard just in time to watch (and smell) the spectacle. After the hand was retrieved and cleaned it was returned to its metal box and handed over to Father Clement. Sertorius arrived with the reinforcements and the party continued to a nearby wood where the brigands were suspected. Only Father Clement remained at the tavern. Entering the wood Bertrand's men spread out and they soon reached a recently deserted camp on a clearing. Sertorius flew up above the trees and a few men on horseback fleeing from the small forest. Shortly afterwards he also noticed men on foot running out of the wood. While Bertrand ordered a general advance Sertorius shrunk four of the five horses he had spotted, causing the riders to fall down. The brigands were rounded up by Bertrand's men. Only one got away. The brigands were questioned by Bertrand. He identified the leader and under the influence of Zeebebah's magic the brigand leader finally admitted killing Raymond and his friend together with three others. He also said that a Templar Knight had paid them to meet the man who had stolen the relic and to kill everyone who followed him. After confessing their sins to Father Clement the four murderers of Raymond were hanged. On the next day the remaining eight brigands were brought to Bugarach where they are expected to help out with manual labour.
How to lose two silver mines and find two vis sources in one day
20th July 1220
Father Clement, Zeebebah, Màili, and one of Bertrand's lieutenants travelled to Montferrand to find out who owns the land the covenant is located on and to enquire where they could get coins minted from the silver the covenant mines at the Pech Cardou.
Arriving at the castle they noted that only few guards were present. They were told that the Lord of Montferrand took most of his men to aid Amaury de Montfort in his attempt to retake Castlenaudary. The party was admitted into the castle and greeted by the steward Albert?. Father Clement asked to see the castles records to search for information on some silver mines. Albert was very interested these mines and allowed them to view the records. Father Clement and Zeebebah were unable to find any reference to an owner of the land around the Pech de Bugarach. They established that it is not part of the land owned by Montferrand but could not find out more. But they found some indication that at least one silver mine was previously used by the lords of Montferrand. From the documents it was clear that both silver mines are the property of Montferrand. They agreed that the control over the mines should be handed over to Montferrand and Father Clement informed Albert about the location of the mines and warned him that one of them may not be safe. During their visit to Montferrand they also heard stories about strange creatures living on and under Pech de Bugarach.
Meanwhile Titus and Sertorius set out to find vis sources. They were guided in their efforts by the types of vis they had found in the covenant. Sertorius found some colourful pebbles in the haunted mine that Titus identified as Terram vis. Titus noticed that the healing salve that Rafi had prepared from the plants they had collected during spring (A strange wolf in a dark wood) contains Creo vis. Unable to locate other vis sources at the moment they turned their attention to a strange stone formation that Sertorius had noticed while flying over the area. Arriving at the foot of the hill they met the others returning from Montferrand. Father Clement told them that the rock formation was called the devil's seat by the locals. They flew up the formation that looked like a giant throne. Sitting on it they noticed two or possibly three large standing stones forming a straight line with the devil's seat. Titus identified a weak faerie aura surrounding the seat.
Carcassonne revisited
20th - 29th July 1220
Bertrand de Gevaudan and Dominic travelled to Carcassonne to find out what had happened to the two grogs that had been sent to Carcassonne to buy lab equipment. They were accompanied by Frédéric?, one of Etienne's men, Olivier (cf A visit to the mines), and 6 of Bertrand's men. They intended to begin their investigation at the 'Rose and Thorns' which had been used as contact address previously (cf Finding a new home).
As they approached Carcassonne they noticed that several people had been burned at the stake in front of the gate. There was a noble searching the remains and picking up small things from the ashes. Ha was accompanied by a knight. Dominic and Bertrand talked with the knight and later with the noble. He introduced himself as Julius. Questioned about his activities he said that he has a scholarly interest in the effects caused by these burnings but was reluctant to reveal any details. Julius agreed to meet them at the 'Rose and Thorns' later that day to continue their conversation. Olivier kept talking about a third person walking around the ashes. Dominic eventually noticed a ghost.
Entering Carcassonne they were informed that the crusader army had left a few days ago to retake Castlnaudary which had been captured by Raymond VII and the Count of Foix. Proceeding to the 'Rose and Thorns' they found the tavern boarded up. Dominic and Olivier noticed a ghost walking into the tavern through the closed door. The door was forced open. While Dominic was talking to the ghost of the tavern keeper Bertrand and his men were searching the guest rooms. It turned out that the tavern keeper was unaware of his condition. He said that the two missing grogs had been in his tavern but he had not seen them for some time. But he suggested that they may have moved to a 'save house' in St. Vincent.
In St. Vincent they found a small shop selling glass wares. Bertrand asked about the missing glassblower Eilard and the two grogs. The shop owner offered to sell them glassware himself and was not very helpful otherwise. But his behaviour seemed suspicious and Bertrand ordered Olivier to stay behind and shadow the shop owner. Olivier was instructed to meet them back at their inn at night.
Bertrand and his men continued their search in Glassblower street while Dominic visited the cathedral. In Glassblower street they found a large glassblower workshop. This one seemed more capable of meeting the needs of the magi, but there was still no sign of Eilard or the grogs. When Bertrand was about to leave the shop Julius entered. After a short conversation Bertrand left without telling Julius that they were not staying in the 'Rose and Thorns'.
Heading on to investigate Eilard's house they found it boarded up. Bertrand ordered his men to break the door open. Inside everything indicated that the house was left in an orderly fashion. The glassware and personal belonging had been removed, but there was no sign of looting. Bertrand returned with his men to the inn where they waited for Olivier to return.
Meanwhile Dominic visited the cathedral to consult with the local bishop. To his surprise he also met Maximillian Aurelius Quintus?. Maximillian is a bishop in the order of Sanctus Pessum Diabolus and the former mentor of Dominic. Maximillian told Dominic that he followed a vision warning him of a demonic plot. He is unsure what this plot is or where it will take place but he thinks it involves an attack on a church. He heard about an attack on a priest at Carcassonne's cathedral. Dominic told him about the burning of the church in Bugarach and they decided that Maximillian should return with them to Bugarach. Dominic also told him about Olivier and his ability to see ghosts. Maximillian was very interested in this and they agreed that Olivier should be trained as a member of their order. The local bishop asked Dominic for help in their attempts to track down the cathars that were responsible for the attack.
Olivier was able to follow the shop owner to a tavern and was able to overhear a conversation that indicated the he knew something about the missing grogs but was unsure what the consequences of revealing this information to Bertrand would be.
The next day Bertrand and his men returned to St. Vincent to confront the shop owner. He agreed to send a guide to their in at night. Dominic took Olivier to his bishop. Maximillian tried to talk with Olivier to convince him to enter training to join their order but Olivier apeared to be frightened and reluctant. When Bertrand heard about this he said he would be interested in training Olivier for his own purposes. It was concluded that the magi would have to settle this. During the day Bertrand hired 6 new mercenaries, promising them land close to the covenant.
Dominic asked to see the priest who had been attacked by cathars. He was very frightened and seemed to be barely sane. Dominic managed to calm him with a prayer and was able to speak with him. The priest claimed that he had been attacked by giant cathars, a saracen witch, and a giant wolf. Dominic suggested that the poor priest should be send to quieter place.
At night the promised guide took Bertrand to a house in St. Vincent that was used as hiding place for a group of cathars. There he found the missing grogs. He had to find out that they had been unable to get in contact with Eilar. They had heard that he went to Castelnaudary to live with his uncle. They had spent some of the money but most of it remained. It was decided to return to Bugarach as soon as possible. Some of the cathars were allowed to join them.
Finally they returned to Bugarach and the covenant without the lab equipment but with new mercenaries, covenfolk, and a bishop.
Meetings
30th - 31st July 1220
After his return from Carcassonne Dominic visited the covenant to ask the magi for permission to train Olivier. He met Titus and Zola. They listened to his request and decided to call a council meeting after Dominic had left. At this meeting the magi decided that Olivier should not be turned over to the bishop for training. Instead they preferred to take Olivier's education into their own hands. They also discussed the covenant charta, the restructuring of the main building, and vis sources. A new expedition to Carcassonne was organised to finally get the required lab equipment. They also decided to clear some land around the Pech de Bugarach to create a new settlement.
The next morning they sent for the bishop to discuss Olivier's future. Maximillian? explained his desire to train Olivier for his order but was refused. After exchanging arguments it they agreed that the magi should be responsible for Olivier's education and that the bishop can talk to Olivier in regular intervals. The magi were unable to learn much about the bishop's mysterious order but had to realise that Dominic had told him a lot about their activities.
The remaining weeks of summer were spent clearing forest, studying the black stone, searching for vis sources, and waiting for lab equipment. The latter arrived during the last days of summer.