To Brinno: I know where to find you. Do not tarry on my account. I do not know how long this shall take. Titus takes care to pat his shoulder as he leaves.
In the tabernae: Domina, that would depend on several things... he says pausing coyly, What do you mean by many, and what do you mean by men.
Now dear lady, let us assemble the facts as they appear to be... You are not who you appear to be. In fact there is a matter of your relationship to Valerius to be determined. You have had a man killed, perhaps in an effort to conceal this deception, and all in an effort to get close to the Domina. We have revealed neither allegiance or enmity with the same. We are in a position to deal though I think we could make deals with her as well, especially if we tell her what we know about you. Interestingly, we have not had a chance to work the sorceries yet, but we can call that dead man's spirit back, and ask him what your game is. I trust that with his life forfeit he may find it easy to turn on you.
Turning to Bjarturius, he asks, How much more time before those magics will not work?
Considering Bjarturius' answer for a minute Titus considers and then continues, On the other hand, this world is quite hard enough without us taking turns to make it harder for each other. Instead of us working at cross purposes, please consider the bond that your Father and I share, and so by proxy you and I. We are familia of the Ursa legion. Let us act in this manner and see how we can help each other. Consider for a moment if your visit is more than a mere social call. While it is true that you can take care of yourself for certain, think how much easier it would be if there were others to help with that burden. So for a minute, let us suppose that your visit is not a social one, and let us tell a story of why you might actually we be here, and with that tale, I shall fill in what pieces I can for you, and at the end, let su see what sort of story we have made? I ask this not only for the logic of it, but for the blood of the Ursa legion that has been spilled by both our families.
"So Milite, your suggestion is that I have some secret that I would not wish my friend Severina Berenia to discover, but that I would tell you, whose name I do not yet know, rather than have you tell the Domina that there might be such a secret? Believe me, there is nothing you can threaten me with any more."
Just for a moment the mask slips and a haunted, angry girl stares out, then she is calm again. Valeriana Pia covers her sudden emotion with a sip of wine.
"If you could bring back the spirits of the dead, then I'm certain that the Domina would be greatly interested, to the point perhaps of having people killed so they could be interrogated. But if you could bring back the spirits of the dead, I do not think you would be wasting your time using such a power to influence me. Servus is better dead, but while I may have wished it, it was his own stupidity not an act of mine that brought him to that; your dwarf who you trust so much was there."
Valeriana looks from one to the other of the mismatched group.
"Yet as you say, there is enough strife and danger in this world without creating more of it for each other, especially where we share a distant bond. Accept that I am who I am, a guest and friend of Severina Berenia, and yet I am willing to aid you. If my aid is of value, then you will perhaps feel that you owe me some aid in return, not all enemies of the Empire lie outside its borders."
Lady, your beauty caused my manners to slip. I am Titus Albanus, and this I will say, and here, he lowers his voice conspiratorially, I do know that not all the enemies of the Empire lie outside its borders. Whether you need a favor from us first, or we you I do hope our next meeting is with more trust.
Rising, Titus turns to the others, I have someone I would like you to meet.
Assuming no resistance, Titus leads the group to Brinno, makes introductions and then sets of with him to find Ferto.
As they walk, Titus asks Valka, How did you come to own that one? with a gesture to Gravus.
Valka looks a bit impatient after all that talk that went nowhere. She answers Titus as they start to walk:
“Gravus belonged to a warrior called Valerius Morulus. He tried to have me turned into a slave gladiator, so I killed him and took what was his: that’s how I got Gravus. The Emperor’s brother, Strychanius of Pulvis Pontum, vouched for me, a peregrina, to own this slave because I did well at the banquet bloodbath and the people cheered for me.”
She says all this in a very factual kinda way, without any exaggerating or trying to make it sound better (she isn't really a good talker anyway!).
Valka suddenly stops, looks at Titus, looks at Valeriana and back to Titus, still looking impatient in her movements and her eyes:
“Valerius was a good talker, and handsome. Kinda like YOU. Look Titus, I kinda trust Bjarturius cuz we are both Peregrini from the North, we come from the same village and have been through some stuff together. But you, you are a legionnaire, and I don’t know you at all: I am taking a chance in trusting you. I say we take a chance and trust HER!!”
Valka makes a head gesture at Valeriana.
“Even if I don’t like her.”
Valka walks back fast to Valeriana with a warrior’s determination and says:
“Look. You told Titus: you are willing to aid if we can give aid in return. Did I get that right? Now here is the thing: we are trying to solve this curse problem here in Eburacum. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe not. It involves Severina, Nikanor the Innkeeper and other people from this village. Helps us and there can be something in it for you: maybe coin, maybe us helping you back, maybe both. We are going on a lead Titus found. Maybe with what you know about Severina you can help. So now you know what WE want! What do YOU want?”
To Titus and the others: as you start to get to know Valka, she looks obviously not like the patient kind of person! You can say THAT part of her is really far from “wise”!!! But she makes up for it by being more wise in the way she tries to be attentive to what people say and observing what goes on around her and trying to make smart decisions. Just FYI stuff :-)
Valeriana Pia smiles with uncharacteristic candour.
"Your friend the Legionnaire has already adopted the shockingly bad manners of the barbarian, how unfortunate that he hasn't also adopted your directness in action."
She pauses to digest what Valka has said to her.
"I was aware of the possibility of a curse on Timoneus Nikanor , that there are other curses is new to me. Severina Berinia has a fascination with the arcane, and could she inflict vengeance on others in that way I am sure that she would. How much risk are you willing to run to find out what she is capable of? She has suggested that she might wish to...inherit...your dwarf were you unwilling to sell him."
She looks around the forum briefly.
"As for what I want, there's a task that's probably better suited to you than convincing patrician ladies to reveal their deepest secrets. Ask Timoneus Nikanor how he would feel about being beholden to one Domenius Viusenius."
When Valka tells Tius that he is good looking, he smiles broadly. He wonders at how much he has already said to her that she seems to have missed. Maybe he trusts to quickly... He hopes his instincts are not wrong.
As Valka turns, his smile turns to a grimace. Chagrinned he strides up behind her and hears her words. He thinks to himself, I wonder if she knows you cannot unkick in a door.
Trying to take this turn of events in stride, Titus smiles again and asks with mirth, Your suggestion is to stop asking patricians thier secrets, but instead to ask innkeepers thiers?
Valeriana returns Titus' smile, though it does not reach her eyes. Assuming there are no slaves (other than Gravus) or other patrons in earshot she responds.
"No. But seeking MY secrets won't bring you closer to the Domina's. Although she asked that I approach the heroine here, it probably would be unwise for me to while away the whole afternoon talking with you and I should return to the villa soon. Perhaps your Coruskian with his great height could find Ballio to escort me back when our conversation is done? Although I am Severina Berenia's guest and have the freedom of her home I do not know what to search for, though I have discovered that she has a private room warded with magic. Would you perhaps wish for me to encourage her to invite you to her villa? Or, using Valka Spartaca's example, maybe I should say that strangers are asking questions about curses and simply ask her what is the truth of the matter, one patrician to another." She swirls the remainder of her wine in the cup. "More risky still would be to tell such a tale of insolence on your part that she is moved to lay a curse upon YOU." She looks sideways at Titus. "Sometimes a sharp sword and fair warning are proof against the darkest of magics. Sometimes."
Valka is now REALLY upset!!!
"Severina wants to have MY Dwarf? How DARE she wanna try and take what's MINE! And to INHERIT I guess I would have to be DEAD right? "
Valka tries to calm down and think.
"You say Severina asked to approach me? Well it makes sense you spend time with me to get to know me right? So before we do something too crazy like having her try and put a curse on me, why don't we first all follow that lead Titus found and see if that gets us anywhere! Gravus can tell Ballio we'll bring you back to him or to Severina before it gets too late!"
Valka starts to go see that guy Titus was with!
"Titus can you tell us about this lead of yours as we go?"
Assuming the Heroes follow up on the Brinno/Ferto investigation (with or without Valeriana) :
Brinno guides the Heroes to Ferto's domus, a large home and adjoining granary located close-by on a street leading west out of the forum. Cubulius Ferto is a local grain merchant in his late prime. The man looks withered by stress, work and obvious lack of sleep. His domus's overall state is a good mirror of the man. The Ferto household has fallen on hard times indeed.
After brief introductions made easy by Brinno whom Ferto seems to trust, the grain merchant quickly opens up and explains his wife, Tamilia, once insulted Severina Berenia in the Forum. Ever since, she became slowly plagued by bleedings, sickness and finally mad fits. Ferto relates those details learned just earlier by Titus in his talks with Brinno.
Ferto is desperate for any help that could rid this dread curse/affliction.
I will join them. When Ballio shows up I'll tell him that the Milite will take responsibility for my safety and for returning me to the villa later and to convey my thanks for his service to Severina Berenia.
Valeriana doesn't 'chatter' but she does listen and she seeks to gain knowledge of the other curses and of Timoneus Nikanor (i.e. unless anyone objects I'll assume knowledge of what has gone before further up the thread).
"The creature dissolving into blood. Legend has it that Erythnul's blood, when shed, comes to life in the form of monstrous servitors. On the other hand, I have my doubts that T Nikanor's affliction is caused by a curse. Such misfortunes happen to many men."
To Valeriana: Ballio is soon enough found and complies, returning to his Domina.
To Gravus: before leaving Ballio inquires quickly if the offer for drinks later tonight still stands. If yes Ballio will try to make himself and Mithridates available.
Gravus remains silent as the conversation transpires, taking in the details and considering them. He nods a grudging confirmation at Valeriana Pia's assertion, and later lowers his eyes to hide the sardonic humor that appears in them when Severina's interest in him is revealed; at least, it seems, he is temporarily safe from the woman's wrath.
Following the group across the forum he eyes the newest addition with poorly masked wariness, but remains quiet on the issue.
"Aye, of course," Gravus replies to Ballio's query, "I do feel somewhat responsible for the lad's punishment, so it'd be the least I can do."
Titus, is surprised to hear that he is offered in surety for Valeriana's safety.
As they approach Ferto's, Titus asks Brinno to show him where he struck the hobgoblin. He takes a few minutes to see if he discovers anything there.
Yes, to many men... but this man has put up a large amount of money to fix it and he believes it to be a curse. Valariana, what do you think will happen if we ask Nikanor about Domenius Viusenius? Who is Domenius Viusenius in the first place?
On arrival at Ferto's Titus holds back to see if the madcap leaps that Valka seems to be making work here.
Brinno and Ferto guides you all to where the fight took place: a narrow confine located between the granary and the domus towards the back end of the house.
Looking around Titus thinks to himself this would have been one of the most secluded spots outside, as away from prying eyes as one can get in a village. Perfect for someone to hide.
Ferto explains the area has been extensively checked by himself and by Nikanor's thugs after: nothing was found. Titus's search yields no new discoveries.
Bjarturius was silent during the whole joust with Valeriana, eyeing her without his usual smile and a puzzled frown instead... Several times he seems ready to retort something to the haughty Patrician, but each time seemingly loses his thought looking at the grey-eyed beauty, a smile slowly starting to form back. He seems startled by this more than once, scowling and taking more wine... ending up taking 3 cups himself, until he decides not to look at the Patrician anymore.
When Titus asks him his question about magic, he stares blankly as if coming out of a dream, and belches out an incomprehensible answer in a few foreign words, out of which the name "Korrrud" can be fished out, along with the word "Nerrul", at which point a vigorous spat and strong negative body language may yield information as to what he believes the relationship between the two is.
When the group stands up he seems relieved, as if action is his salvation. Starting to walk fast, and a smile returning to his face, he turns back hearing what Valka says about trusting Valeriana, the smile fading... Alternatively he looks at Valeriana, then Valka, then back at the Patrician. The frown returns, emotions seem to battle in him, encouraged by the wine...
After a long moment, it seems that Valka's stand, as the warrior-maiden, is taken as a sign that the Patrician will be endured for now, albeit reluctantly...
Oddly, the frown softens a bit as he looks, a bit bemused and for a longer than necessary moment, at the Patrician's bare neck, and at the start of her braided, piled up hair... Blood coursing loudly through his veins, he doesn't hear the next exchange and scowls again as he follows the group to Ferto's Domus, muttering what seems like orisons to the Lord of Might...
Welcoming the excuse of checking the place of the battle as well for any signs, he says finally, as if letting his thoughts come to a conclusion: "Yes, vrestling te bloot of Erytnul... Tat is te real Trial!!"
And as he states that, the frown disappears and the jovial energy of his smile fully returns back to his strong face...
To Titus Albanus.
"That depends very much on what kind of man Timoneus Nikanor is. Domineus, he is a very bad man." She uses the name as a curse.
Ignoring, perhaps even oblivious to, Bjarturius' scrutiny, Valeriana Pia watches the search of the area, her eyes focussed, staring hard at the ground and buildings. Just as Titus Albanus appears convinced that nothing was missed by 'Nikanor's thugs' she walks to the back of the domus and brushes her fingertips against the plaster.
"Your pugio, please, Valka Spartaca." She holds out her hand for the tool and, assuming it is presented to her, scrapes at the recent plaster. "There's a shadow here."
(If Valka is loathe to part with her weapon, Valeriana taps the wall and requests that she scrape away the plaster just there).
Valeriana scrapes the recent plaster off a precise point of the back domus wall. The brittle material peels off slowly to reveal an old crack in the facade. Jammed tightly in the fissure, Valeriana uncovers a thin 6 inch square sheet of lead metal. On the sheet, rough scratches have been etched to form words and simple symbols. The name "Tamilia Ferta", inscribed 3 times at the center, is clearly recognizable by all who can read Suel.
This... This...Titus stammers, We should spread out and see if there are others!
What is Ferto's reaction to all this?
The meaning of this discovery hasn't hit Ferto full on yet: he looks genuinely surprised by the find and his face shows a mix of hope and worry.
Brinno watches Valeriana in awe, his mouth open. Fear of dark magic and curses creep in the warrior's eyes when he begins to realize what this could imply: "What, what is this? What does this mean?"
Gravus widens his eyes as Valeriana quickly finds the lead disk, not sure whether to be impressed by her keen senses, or suspicious that this is merely a result of her knowing where to look.
"If I may," the dwarven slave interjects, "if there are others to be found, I would suggest that they are most likely going to be at the residences of the other victims of these curses... the late apothecary, certainly, and perhaps at the taverna of Nikanor if he is indeed subject to one of these afflictions."
"I do not believe there are others nearby. Such things give off a...kind of smell. Somewhere, there is a twin to this which allows the curse on Tamila Ferta to be maintained."
Valeriana Pia looks at the lead sheet with some dis-ease.
"Whoever made this is very skilled. Destroying it might free the victim of the curse, but would almost certainly reveal to its owner that it had been tampered with. Moving it away from the house, far away, might also free her without showing that it had been discovered."
She notices the anxiety of Ferto and Brinno.
"My grandmother was a sybil and I can sometimes see things that others cannot."
Valeriana (who has presumably had to pick the thing up in the first place), proffers the object to Ferto.
"Do with this as you will."
When Valeriana asks Valka for my Pugio, she looks at her with big eyes and says:
"Gravus, give her your pugio!" (does he have one Rico? if he doesn't I make sure he does, mine for now and I will buy a new one)
Valka is fascinated by all this but doesn't look scared. She also doesn't freak out to learn about Valeriana having strange powers: for her its all part of the natural order of things!
When Gravus talks about the other victims, she says:
"Let's go check the houses of the apothecary and Nikanor, see if we find the same thing there!"
Ferto's face is now welling with hope at Valeriana's mention of freeing the curse: "Domina I beg you to rid this curse I will be forever in your debt, I swear by the Gods!"
Ferto eyes the lead sheet, unsure whether to take it or not. "Do I take it Domina? Do I melt it? Or carry it far away and bury it? Or throw it in a deep well?"
"Take or send your wife away for a time, if she and this thing are far apart then she may indeed recover over the course of a few weeks. If so, simply have it taken far from here and buried or thrown into the sea. If not, then have it destroyed. Advise your wife, if she recovers, to be more civil and hope that whoever is responsible is satisfied and will not seek to afflict you again."
Valeriana holds the lead tablet out for a few more seconds, if Ferto doesn't take it, she drops it.
"Do not talk of this, do not think of it." She stares fiercely at Ferto and Brinno. "Such things are dangerous."
There may be more conversation here, but once out of earshot of Ferto and Brinno.
"A tour of Eburacum visiting each place where this blight has struck will undoubtedly reach Severina Berinia's ears, and having seen the prayer to Erythnul carved on that thing it is likely she is at least in part responsible. Besides, I understand Vilmia is dead, there will probably no longer be a sign of such a sorcery and until I know what Timoneus Nicanor's relationship with Dominius Viusenius is I am reluctant to enter his lair. Instead, what would you do about the Domina Berinia, and her offer to buy or otherwise obtain the dwarf?"
“I agree about Vilmia! But Nikanor we need to know: he’s the one who’s paying us and we have to find out if he has a curse tablet like that at his place too!”
“So you need to know what the relationship is between Timoneus Nikanor and this Dominius Viusenius? I can ask Nikanor but it would help if I knew more about who this Viusenius is!”
“And for Severina she isn’t getting my Dwarf! He’s MINE! Let her get her own Dwarf!” Valka is VERY upset about all THAT part!!!
Unless there is like MAJOR objection Valka goes directly to ask Nikanor about Viusenius, because Valka wants to
- Get Paid!
- Rid this curse to GET BACK at Severina who wants to take whats MINE!
With Nikanor Valka will be super direct: asking him to his face who that guy is and what is their relation. If he ask why I'm asking I say its very important for me to know to help rid the curse. If Nikanor need more convincing I tell him we already made great progress in very little time and got already rid of Ferto's curse but I don't give him details how yet, just that we have with us a priest and a sybil who know how to rid curses.
Titus smiles at Valeriana Pia, I do not suppose we could put Severina Berinia's name on this and then secret it at her domus, could we? It would seem somehow fitting for her to curse herself.
More seriously he adds, All you can tell us about Dominius Viusenius will only help here. Though I suspect that you will need to be getting back before long.
Brinno, there is wisdom in her words, for your safety speak of this to no one, not even each other.
Valeriana Pia, shall I escort you back to the good Domina's domus?
"I think that would probably be as well, though I may be stepping into the dragon's maw."
Valeriana Pia smiles at the suggestion of altering the tablet.
"If only it were so easy. But she may not be at fault, it might even be an enemy of hers. Is there anyone new to the village whose arrival shortly pre-dates the first curse, not including Timoneus Nikanor's problem? Or did Severina Berinia purchase a new slave about that time? Knowledge of these sorceries is hard to come by."
At the further mention of Dominius Viusenius, she makes a dismissive gesture.
"He has nothing to do with this puzzle and we would do well to try to solve one problem at a time. I will tell you more when I am sure this will not put us at odds."
Ferto takes the lead sheet from Valeriana, his hands cupped together far as if receiving unholy communion, holding the item like it is about to explode into the Flames of Hades. Valeriana's warning has not gone unheard: "I will not talk of it. By the Gods I swear. And I will go far and bury it. Thank you. Thank you. Pelor grant you health and long life Domina."
Brinno nods gravely at her fierce look and at Titus's words: "To no one." He echoes.
Bjarturius looks at the sheet with the symbols, and says in an assured voice:
"if tat is truly a prayer to Erytnul, te strengfh of te Lort of Might vill cleanse it! At sunrise I vill pray for it. You can come if you vant!"
He takes the sheet from the hands of Ferto, assuming no resistance, and stashes it carelessly in his backpack.
Then he turns to Valka, and smiling, says to her:
"I vill go vit you, varrior-maiten. I haf questions for Nikanor..." He turns to leave...
GM
Titus and Valeriana at Severina Berenia's villa:
Ballio greets Titus and Valeriana at the villa's entrance and guides them past the villa’s main outer gates to the garden inside where Severina awaits.
"Ha, dearest distant cousin you have returned." Severina's voice is soft and lazy.
Ballio introduces Titus: "Domina this is Titus Albanus, Legionnaire Equite of the 5th Legion"
"I have eyes Ballio. I can recognize a Legionnaire when I see one." She replies dismissively. Titus suddenly feels he might as well be a fountain statue to this patrician lady.
CASSIA
"My dear Severina, this soldier has helped me while away the morning. Though somewhat uncouth he is not unamusing." Valeriana resumes her previous place on the opposite lectus with the correct amount of hesitation. "Sadly I could find little else of interest in Eburacum. Baerix sends his respect to you. The so-called heroine is an unusual specimen, lacking in manners but full of vitality."
Valeriana's manner conveys respect and a level of deference to Severina Berinia, and the gulf between them and the rest of the world.
GM
Severina motions for her Sunndian slave to serve Valeriana, she ignores Titus altogether, as if the legionnaire didn't exist. The slave complies hastily, offering her sweets and wine.
"Baerix. Yes. Of course." She takes another long drag from her pipe, the effect making her eyes roll in abandon. "And the dwarven slave. Will she sell it?"
CASSIA
"No. She will not." Valeriana takes wine and a fig from the slave "She seems to regard it as a spoil of war. I doubt any amount of coin would sway her but she's a Coruskian, perhaps some shiny beads or recognition would change her mind."
GM
Valeriana finds her wine to be watered down with sweetened, spiced water. (Aerdian wine is almost always watered and it is considered a sign of barbarism to drink it otherwise. Valeriana could ask to further water it down: it isn't improper to do so.)
Severina chuckles oh so softly at the mention of shiny beads.
"Barbarians. From how you describe her she sounds dreadfully boring, someone that would only amuse me chained and perhaps transformed by her own slave dwarf's potions, if he was able to alter them to more dramatic bestial effects that is." Severina closes her eyes, losing herself in a drugged reverie of imagined desired results. When she opens them, she catches sight of Titus and gives him a look of genuine surprise: "You are still there? Well off with you, shoo" she waves her hand lazily at Titus, as if dismissing a dog.
TITUS
While in the courtyard, Titus tries to think like a thief and a tactician. Where is the place weakly defended. Where is it easily accessed? Where is there cover? Where are guards stationed? He tries to be discrete, which may not be hard with her in the condition that she is.
"If you have need of me again, please do not hesitate to ask." he says to Valeriana Pia. He bows slightly, and formally to each of the women and then when his back is turned to Severina, he gives Valeriana a wicked impish grin and a wink. and begins to leave.
CASSIA
Valeriana acknowledges the wink with a slight incline of her chin and mentally crosses her fingers.
GM
Titus’s warrior’s eye appraises his surroundings. He spots only one guard, the unarmored heavy set man wielding a club and keeping an eye on things from a distance. The single obvious entrance leading inside, the dogs and the many slaves pose the biggest problem to entering undetected.
Severina doesn’t acknowledge Titus’s departure. Ballio, on the other hand, makes sure he is escorted outside. Titus sees in Ballio’s face there is so surprise in how his Domina treated him.
(About polite greetings to patricians: it falls under the category of ‘Knowledge: nobility’ which Titus doesn’t have, so he will have to take his best guess. In the Legion Titus has learned it is always best to stay quiet in the presence of superiors and wait to be spoken to when in doubt.)
TITUS
Titus heads back to the village on departure. If he does not see the others, he will wait in a prominent spot for them to return.
GM
Valka, Bjarturius and Gravus at Nikanor's Taverna:
VALKA
Valka remembers what Valeriana said and asks:
“Is there anyone new to the village? Did Severina purchase a new slave recently you know? Is there anyone in the village that worships Erythnul or would know about that God? Or would anyone in the village know about magic or sorcery?”
GM
To the barrage of questions, Nikanor’s brow furrows in thought: “No one new recently no; and no slaves of importance. Some of the old timers told Nikanor stories about a vicious vagabond Priest of Erythnul but that was ages ago they say! He used to drop by the village demanding coins and goods, spouting crazy dreadful curses that never came to be to those who would not give him what he asked. Old Rupilius the grain merchant could tell you. If anyone knows about Gods, Magic or Sorcery: maybe that horny goat of a philosopher Condarius would. He used to fu@k my best whore until she got WeeJa’s Rash, another curse of that b!tch Severina to spite Nikanor I am sure!”
VALKA
Valka proposes we go see the old Rupilius and the philosopher Condarius after Bjarturius and Gravus are done asking Nikanor questions.
GRAVUS
Gravus inhales deeply as he looks about the taverna, and quickly adopts an expression that reveals how quickly he regrets the act. "I don't suppose ye have a nose for sorcery, do ye?" the dwarf asks quietly of Bjarturius, his head inclined, "apparently it gives off a certain odor, but I fear I wouldn't recognise it, even were it wafted in me face."
BJARTURIUS
Bjarturius smiles at the warrior-maiden's impetuosity, nodding in agreement.
After having listened carefully to what Nikanor revealed on who he thinks revers Erytnul,
he turns to answers the Dwarf:
"If te Lort of Might chutges me worty of it, ten He vill grant it! I vill pray at sunrise!"
Turning back to Nikanor, he asks:
"Te priests of Hextor, you sait tey hafe pover, but Seferina commands tem, so ve should
not talk to tem... Nov if ve fint Seferina is te one vho curset you ant vorships te Got of
Enfy, you tink te priest vould continue to protect her?"
GM
Nikanor throws his arm up in a dramatic gesture: “Baerix, the Priest of Hextor, don’t care who Severina gives sacrifices to, as long as her brother is Governor he will protect her.”
Leaving Nikanor's, the trio proceeds to find Old Rupilius the grain merchant. Rupilius comes off at first as a miserable spiteful prole who cares little for foreigners. Bjarturius's friendly demeanor and helpful manners turn him around eventually: the old coot puts Bjarturius to work, testing his mighty strength by hefting to upper shelves some bags of seed too heavy for the old man to carry alone at his age. Bjarturius tosses the bags with an ease that impresses both Gravus and Valka: the priest of Kord is indeed immensely strong.
Rupilius, now in a better mood, says there was a wandering Priest of Erythnul called Diagoras that came to Eburacum when he was a young man. He did demand coins and goods as Nikanor explained. For a time he took refuge somewhere in the rocky hills east of the Bereni vineyards. He eventually left when he realized no-one took his threats seriously. Rupilius recalls nothing more.
TITUS Rejoins Them:
On their way to the philosopher and lawyer Decius Condarius they run into Titus who returned from escorting Valeriana Pia at the Bereni villa.
Decius Condarius is by now available to talk. A rather dull man who fancies himself the intellectual elite of the village, Condarius offers his services and opinions for a price.
When the subject of Erythnul, curses and magic is broached, he becomes quite defensive, clearly knowing where this is going before details are actually given.
He makes no secret about not wishing to involve himself in Bereni affairs.
TITUS
Rejoining the main group Titus tells them what he observed, the Domina seemed intoxicated, was reading scrolls in the sun and sent me away. She did ask about buying Gravus, and did not seem pleased that she would likely be refused. “What did your visit reveal?”
VALKA
Valka tries to tell Titus all the important parts:
“About the God Erythnul we learned some of the old timers told Nikanor stories about a vicious vagabond Priest of Erythnul but that was ages ago they say. He used to drop by the village demanding coins and goods, spouting crazy dreadful curses that never came to be to those who would not give him what he asked. The Old Rupilius, a grain merchant, that we went to see told us he was called Diagoras. He did demand coins and goods as Nikanor explained. For a time he took refuge somewhere in the rocky hills east of the Bereni vineyards. He eventually left when he realized no-one took his threats seriously.
That’s pretty much it except Bjarturius wants to do a ceremony at sunrise to see if Nikanor’s place is also cursed and to destroy that lead tablet that cursed Ferto’s wife. So unless anyone has other ideas for tonight I’ll wait to see how that turns out!”
BJARTURIUS
Bjarturius has a last action before the next morning: going back to Nikanor he asks him if he would know of someone not too conspicuous (a slave, a young man?) and who would be willing to keep an eye on unusual things happening in the square, for a denarus every two days... Either strangers in Eburacum, or unusual big movement from Hextor's temple, or people with weapons... Somebody who would not be conspicuous staying near the square...
If those events were spotted, he would have to report them immediately...
GM
Later that night at Saulius’s domus.
VALKA
It’s really late that night. Valka rushes out of the cubiculum she was sleeping in (she is sharing it with Veleda and Domitilla), wearing only my simple tunic and with my gladius in hand. Valka doesn’t look too good!
“GRAVUS!!!! Can you make something to make me vomit!! FAST!!!!!”
GRAVUS
Gravus jolts awake at Valka's shout, sitting up from his pallet to look groggily around. His eyes finding his supplies easily despite the darkness of the domus, he fishes through his ingredients for a suitably repugnant, yet relatively harmless sample to mix a solution of.
His hasty work complete, he hurries to proffer the noxious liquid with a final swirl. "This ought te do the trick Domina," he nods, before adding urgently, "but what is wrong? If ye've been poisoned I may be better able to mix an antidote if there is some of the toxin left to examine."
GM
Nikanor accepted Bjarturius’s request for a young boy slave to keep an eye on the forum square. He found a candidate right away (late in the day).
That night the brothers Saulius and Meneus Anacreon insisted the Heroes (Bjarturius, Valka, Titus and Gravus) stay at Saulius’s domus. The butcher’s domus isn’t big so to make due the few cubiculi (rooms) had to be shared:
- Valka and Veleda (Bjarturius’s sister) in Domitilla’s (Saulius’s oldest daughter) cubiculum, with baby Veronius there as well
- Bjarturius and Titus sleeping with Saulius and Meneus (their wives and younger children sleeping in the last 2 cubiculi)
- Gravus sleeping on the floor in the small ala (wing-corridor) right next to Domitilla’s cubiculum.
The commotion happens sometime around Laudes (just before sunrise).
Everyone was asleep except for Bjarturius. The Priest of Kord wakes up early by habit to pray and be ready to greet the God of Strength at the sacred time of sunrise (Bjarturius didn’t hear or notice anything unusual before Valka’s outburst).
When Gravus mentions poison, he sees in Valka’s eyes he guessed correctly. Her eyes, combined with a shift of her body in the cubiculum’s direction allows Gravus’s analytical mind to focus on a potential culprit: an amphora of water next to the beds. More alarming still, Veleda is squirming with fits of nausea.
Gravus busies himself analyzing the few liquid remains within the amphora. His fears are indeed well founded: the water is contaminated.
GRAVUS
Mixing a second dose of the makeshift purgative to give to Veleda, intending to provide what immediate aid he can before engaging in the more time consuming process of determining the nature of the poison involved, Gravus looks at his patient gravely. "Did the babe drink any of this?" he asks locking his eyes with her gaze to pierce through the nausea, and holding up the amphorra to her.
BJARTURIUS
As Valka bursts out asking for the vomiting preparation, Bjarturius goes to assist her. In contrast to the situation, Gravus frantically starting to prepare his brew while the warrior-maiden repeatedly feels nauseated, his strong, calm, steadfastly enduring manners seem a pillar of strength in the maelstrom. After looking at Veleda to check if she is alright, he says in a stalwart, low voice, clutching the eight-pointed star Holy Symbol adorning his powerful chest:
"Tis is not te vay for a varrior to die! Nor for te Bloot of Thorsten, whose many varriors hafe longer battle-songs tan te longest spear!"
More loudly, he intones in a resonant and steady voice:
"Rejoice! For tis trial princs you closser to te Lort of Might!...
He villing... ve vill ofercome te trial of te treacherous bloot of Erytnul! A Mighty Fortress is Korud!"
As Gravus starts to examine the amphora and the vomit, Bjarturius approaches him and says gravely, one hand on his Holy Symbol and the other one held in front of the Dwarf:
"Are you vorty, Grafus, to receife the Blessinc he may grant you to guite your hant, to make a healing brew for te warrior-maiten ant te bloot of Thorsten?"
GM
Veleda shakes her head to indicate a negative to Gravus’s question. Gravus looks at Domitilla and Veronius: they both indeed look fine.
Gravus’s mind works fast and with impressive precision. He quickly relocates to the culina (kitchen) where he clears enough space to work with ease. The fact he is doing it all in the darkness is all the more impressive (well to humans at least). Gravus incorporates common kitchen ingredients to finish his purgative in haste. Both Valka and Veleda take it and vomit instantly in a large cooking pottery bowl held by Gravus who seems intent on having them puke in it.
Gravus then begins to work on determining the nature of the poison involved, both by examining the amphora’s remains and the vomit.
GRAVUS
"I'm not the one to judge me worthiness in the eyes of the Gods," Gravus responds levelly to the priest, only briefly glancing away from his work, "but if the Lord of Might is willing to lend his aid in this, I'd gladly accept it."
Barely pausing to receive the blessing, the dwarf hastily pours the water from the amphora between various glass vessels, sometimes boiling the liquid to reveal any residual matter, other times adding assorted minerals to the samples which result in a range of colours emerging across the table at which he works. During the process, the slave begins to mutter under his breath in the tongue of his own people, and as time progresses even the occasional gnomish curse finds its way from his lips, until finally he shakes his head with a low growl.
"I've never encountered a toxin like this before," he states grimly, "it bears striking resemblance to Grenvidr rukhsitaz, but that is the stuff legends, it's an ancient goblinoid poison and I know of no-one who has successfully obtained the stuff in the modern era..."
After a brief silence, he lets out a sigh before continuing quietly, "If it is indeed Grenvidr rukhsitaz, then we are in a dire situation indeed; the texts on the substance I've read hold no mention of a cure, and it's effects are typically fatal... there is one ray of hope though; there is mention of hardy folks fighting through on their own, we won't know either way until tomorrow night, but should things still look bleak, we shall have six days in which to find an antidote before the toxin achieves its purpose."
TITUS
Waking to the commotion, Titus watches to see where he can help. "Son of Kord, pray tell, do you have that piece of the devils work with you, here in this good house?" As he answers (or if he does not,) Titus takes walk around the building to see if he can see the another of the cursed plates, or any other recent disturbance that may help explain the current troubles.
GM
As Bjarturius recites in the tongue of his people (Feruz) the ancient prayers of the trials of Korud (pronounced ko-RUD in Feruz, as in the word ‘rude”, as opposed to its Suel version Kord pronounced ‘KO-red’), Gravus is taken back to the ancestral halls of the Dwarves for a moment, where the chants of the Skald-Priests resounded in rhythmic pace with the workers and labourers. Bjarturius’s strong, calm, steadfastly enduring manners and his ‘pillar of strength’ demeanor please Gravus: there is, strangely enough, in this big man something that reminds him of home. It calms Gravus. The Dwarf finds himself more focused in his work.
The young boy slave Bjarturius hired through Nikanor suddenly comes running towards the domus as Titus begins to make his search.
“The Domina Severina arrived at the Temple of Hextor. From the noise inside Baerix and his men are getting weapons and armor. Something is going on Dominus!” The boy spits the sentences out without catching his breath. He extends a hand, probably hoping to get paid right away for the information.
Ballio and Valeriana suddenly appear in the pre-dawn light, approaching at a steady but good pace. They see Titus and the boy standing close to the entrance.
In the distance to the East, the sun begins to show its first lights, heralding the 4th day of the Ides of Cobius.
- 4th Day of the Ides of Cobius
TITUS
Seeing Valeriana, Titus moves quickly toward them.
Drawing his sword he shouts roughly at Ballio, "Slave, sit and wait or I shall sever your head from your neck!"
"You" he says to Valeriana Pia, “come with me and with haste. As he says it he lowers his sword. Turning his back on her he hurries back toward the domus. If she follows him and out of the ears of Ballio he whispers, "A shadow walked here last night wilst we slept! Now the barbarian woman is stricken. Please use the powers of scent that you used yesterday and see if this building is so cursed!"
GM
Ballio drops to the floor immediately and obeys without uttering a peep, his face showing real terror.
The slave boy, ignored by Titus, follows Titus and Valeriana inside: “Can I get paid in case you get killed or enslaved?” He says with candor, extending his hand out again.
By the time Gravus finishes his analysis and Titus enters with Valeriana, it has become clear that Veleda is strongly affected by the poison. She admits having drunk a lot of the water. Valka, on the other hand, though nauseated, seems to feel its effects much less. She does remember not having drunk too much water that night. Domitilla says she didn't drink any.
Titus making the rounds (inside and outside) didn't uncover any clues or signs. There is a single small 1 foot square outer window looking into Domitilla's cubiculum, but it is high up, has an iron bar cross in it and wood shutters (closed)
The Anacreon domus is busy with life now as everyone is awake.
"Be careful how you speak to me, Titus Albanus," Valeriana says icily. "I have a message for the giant Coruskian from Severina Berinia."
She allows herself to be led into the (crowded?) domus. Once out of earshot of Ballio her demeanor softens (slightly). In a low voice so that the boy can't hear (or after he's been shoved out of the way).
"I do not know what evil has befallen, but Severina Berinia spoke of going to the priest of Hextor so that it did not harm the people of Eburacum. I anticipate that the milites of Hextor will be attending this place shortly and it may be wise to ensure that they find it empty."
Assuming Bjartorius isn't too hard to spot Valeriana turns to him.
"My dear cousin," some irony is evident in her voice, "wishes to know that you will still serve her, and promises you further rewards as you have received from her before." Was that a genteel leer? Surely not.
"I feared that this errand of the Domina's might be to bring her ire to you but neither myself nor the slave have any such thing about us. She and some of her household worked from sundown in private and I was woken before dawn and sent here. I wonder..." Her voice trails off, concerned.
"I will search for another curse, but we must leave. Now."
Before Valeriana Pia speaks Titus presses a few coins into the hand of the boy. Little one, it will go poorly from me if you tell what you did tonight... and little one, it will go even worse for you from others if they know. I suggest you forget everything you have seen, and heard and done this night.
As Valeriana Pia vouches for Ballio, Titus walks out to him and extends a hand to help him up, Apologies for the haste of my words, they were untoward, and the result of a bad waking.
Walking back to the domus, Valeriana Pia, do you intend to come with us, or to report that you found us fled?
And to Gravus: How much more time do you need, I fear that any you take is borrowed with interest paid in our blood.
Valka is FAR from been at her fashion best, doing her best to get rid of puke breath by gurgling my mouth with wine or water and spitting after!
Valka puts on her chain shirt and other stuff she owns FAST!!!
She looks at Veleda VERY worried, at Bjarturius with sadness imagining how even more worried he must be even if he tries to hide it! She also gives Gravus a look that's hard to say what's in it. When Titus returns, Valka agrees and says:
"You're right: let's get all our stuff and move fast!"
Valka will help Veleda unless Bjarturius prefers to take care of her alone. Thinking of the baby she tells Domitilla:
"Get the baby some clean cloths (did they have diapers back then?)and milk and food and anything else you think he may need!!"
"There is no scent of sorcery here that I can determine. What has befallen in the night?" She looks around her. "I would come with you, though you could perhaps do me the courtesy of making it look like I am coerced."
Valka and Veleda have been poisoned. The dwarf seeks to find the cause.
Indeed, lady I can take you at the point of a sword, but what of Ballio? And where is Severina Berinia when last you saw her?
Turning to Bjarturius, Titus says only half in jest, Please tell that god of yours that we have enough trials for now. If we need more later we shall be sure to ask!
The slave boy, if adequately paid, nods an unsaid "I Understand" to Titus and takes off in a hurry.
Domitilla helps with baby Veronius, getting him all bundled up and prepared for a quick trip.
The Anacreon household has just become very loud as Meneus and Saulius begin to bicker about the wisdom of having sheltered you all here. Meneus wishes to lend as much assistance as possible while Saulius seems, well, to put it mildly, much less willing to do so at this point. Meneus stuffs some food in a sack and hands it off to Bjarturius: "Take this my friend. I will pray for your sister: to Kord and to Pelor"
Feeling suddenly brave in the face of Saulius's less than noble attitude towards the Priest that saved his own brother's life, Meneus stands tall and tells Titus: "Go Legionnaire. I'll make sure this Ballio doesn't follow you! On Kord I promise!"
Meneus walks up to Ballio and plants himself in front of him. It is clear in his attitude the stone-mason has made himself a wall that won't allow the slave of quality to pass by him.
A sick Valka leave the house with all her stuff and says with some difficulty:
"I say we go into in the rocky hills east of the Bereni vineyards, where that Priest of Erythnul Diagoras took refuge somewhere once! In rocky hills the Priest of Hextor and his men won't be able to get us easily! When we are sort of safe we can see how bad me and Veleda are and decide what to do!!"
If nobody object and we go, Valka will do her best even if she's sick to use her skills in nature to find a safe way to go in the hills and hide there (its survival skill right?)
Valeriana takes in the information about poison without comment.
"I last saw Severina Berinia just before dawn. She spoke of going to the priest of Hextor to ensure the disease afflicting Valka Spartica would not harm her 'fair Eboracum'. I do not imagine her concern would stretch to individuals tied to those she has chosen to harm."
She looks over to Bjarturius.
"What service did you previously perform for the Domina Berenia?"
The group makes its way to the hills North-East of the village in the morning’s first lights (the Bereni villa being North the rough hills mentioned are NE). The rocky grounds and less than arable lands of these hills have kept them pristine and overlooked by locals.
Valka, impaired by the poison, has difficulty guiding the group in those hills. Titus takes over that task, being a somewhat able outdoors man himself. He leads them to a high point that commands the countryside, from where both Eburacum and the Bereni villa can be seen (no unusual movements in either). A beam of morning sunlight reflects off the hillside and makes him notice something a bit unusual at a hundred paces (100 yards/300 feet) away: on a large rock someone has carved a simple drawing in the stone. Investigating it a bit closer, the carving is of three ladies in discourse: similar to the statues in the fountain of the Bereni villa’s garden.
Valeriana focuses on it, her mind obviously at work...
Taking as much food he can and with all of Veleda's stuff in his bag, or another he asks from Meneus if needed, Bjarturius gently helps Veleda and says resolutely to the others:
"Let us mofe nov, ve must fint some vay to cure my sister! To te Pereni fineyards ten!"
He thanks Meneus and says with a gentle smile:
"Te blessinks of te Lort of Might upon you, Meneus"
He leaves two denarii in Saulius' palm, and walks away with Veleda, away from the center with the intention of going towards the vineyards.
As he walks, and when the others are around, he adds:
"Maype te house Perenia holts an ansver! Ve shoult search it vhile the Tomina is gone!"
Looking sideways at Valeriana, he adds after a while:
"I vill tell you vhat my companions and I fetcht for her..."
"Even with Severina Berinia away, the villa is most likely well guarded," Gravus comments, before taking a long glance at the stone carving, "during me visit, there was at least one guard hidden out of plain view, along with another more obvious one... while Domina Pia may be able to escort us inside, it may depend upon how much the guards have been informed of their Domina's intentions."
The dwarf falls silent then, looking closely at the large rock, and then to other rocks in the area with similar interest before moving to speak quietly to Valka, "Domina, I may be able to brew something which would alter your features to more closely match those of Severina Berinia, though as good Deltugo informed us, she imports her dresses from the city..."
While Valeriana studies the carving and the group rests a bit, Bjarturius takes out the lead plaque and puts it on a rock. Taking his large club in his massive right hand, he clutches his Holy Symbol with his left hand and, looking upwards, intones in his bass voice:
"O Mighty Korud, Lort of Strengfh, Courage and Figor, Provess in Body and Spirit... In the small island near Karellum, vhere ve recofered te Eye of Eryfhius, I told you tat te Fates can serfe me a choice betveen a pleassant and eassy life, or a sefere but glorious one, alvays I vill take your pafh... Ant here I affirm it again! Your trials all strengfhen my resolfe to go on serfing you..."
He holds his weapon high, looking once gently at Veleda, then back at the sky...
"I vill destroy te work of te Bloot of Erytnul, I vill kill te serfants of your enemies..."
"Grant me, O Korud, te strengfh to crush te work of your ennemy!"
In a mighty blow, he then strikes the lead plaque against the rock.
Using his giant club, Bjarturius pounds the lead plaque with great strength: the thin piece of pliable metal distorts instantly upon impact, taking on the imprint of the stone it was placed upon.
Before Titus leaves, he says to Meneus, Nay, though you be true, your brother is right, you have risked much for us already and this one, he gestures to Ballio, this one will come with me. You could not hold him against the milites that are coming your way, and you should not have to.
To Ballio, as they walk:I have no animosity toward you, but I do have some loyalty toward these others and of course to myself. You have been given a bitter draught and I do not envy you it, but as I see it, you may come with us peacably, and will be treated well and on my word, if it is possible, I will make you a freeman. Or you can play the rabbit and run her way, but little rabbit, I am a lion and I believe I can run faster. These are your choices and I want no word now, simple keep with the group.
A red cloak seems imprudent in the hills. Titus removes it and puts it in his bag.