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Alea Iacta Story Hour: A Mythic Rome Campaign (Baby Announcement: 8/17)
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<blockquote data-quote="Orichalcum" data-source="post: 1992057" data-attributes="member: 3722"><p><strong>Alea Iacta VIII: Hidden Secrets</strong></p><p></p><p>My apologies for such a long absence; I've been hard at work on my dissertation and job applications, which are still ongoing, but this is, I've decided, a much healthier form of procrastination than many others, as at least it gets me writing.</p><p></p><p>Shast:</p><p>When last I wrote, the good news was that we had just saved Roma from sacrilege, fire, and Druids, and that we had all lived to tell the tale. The bad news was that Metellus' parents were rather angry at him for throwing an unauthorized open orgy in their house (even though he didn't show up till it was half over), we still didn't know who the Black Chain Philosopher was, the 9th's Eagle was still corrupted and tainted by the BCP, and, oh, yes, some of us had killed 11 young Celtic girls.</p><p></p><p>The Caesar and Emperor's son Cimbrus, in his imperial mercy, sentenced the 8 girls whom Cornelia, Llyr, Heilyn, and Meloch had rendered unconscious to be sent immediately to the salt mines in northern Italy, rather than executing them. Of course, the average lifespan in the salt mines is about two years. Meloch and Llyr glanced at each other, and decided to put a possible rescue at the bottom of the Amphora of Bad Ideas for now. We'll see how long that lasts.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Roma was hot and muggy, and those of the group living in Metellus' villa found it a rather uncomfortable atmosphere. A few days after the ludi Romanes had ended, the nobilissima Hadriana, wife of Cimbrus, summoned Cornelia, Wena, Meloch, and me to the imperial summer Villa Hadriana at Tivoli, which, as she reminded us, had belonged to her great-grandfather the Emperor. We were shown into her private study, which was a small house on a tiny artificial island, surrounded entirely by a moat, which in turn was surrounded by 15-foot walls; it was clear that this was to be a very private conversation.</p><p></p><p>After dismissing all but her most trusted guards, Hadriana, looking a little weary from the heat even up here in the Italian mountains, leaned forward. </p><p>"My beloved, Cimbrus Caesar, has been very distressed of late. He has been communicating with the Emperor his father about the progress of the Parthian War, through a means reserved to the members of the imperial family, and the news he has received has disturbed him greatly. Legions lost, rebellions - the war seems to be going very badly. "</p><p></p><p>Wena thinks to herself, "Huh, I wonder if this means of communication has anything to do with that spherical dark crystal, full of philosophical power, that I saw in the Governor's palace back in Londinium. I wonder if they'll let me use one or two to speak to the Iceni if we make Hadriana happy, or maybe even give me one for myself! Still, doesn't seem like she wants to talk about it for now. Still, worth passing along on the mindlink to Cornelia."</p><p></p><p>Hadriana continues, "The odd aspect to this is that I have my own agents in the east, and the reports that they have been sending me suggest a much more positive story - no major victories as of yet, but some crucial positions fortified and allies gained, and no significant loss of troops. Of course, my reports are always several months out of date, but this has been true for some time now. I am not certain as to whether my network of agents has been hopelessly compromised, or whether, and this is in some ways an even worse possibility, the means of communication between the imperial family has become...faulty, in some way."</p><p></p><p>Meloch suggests, "Well, couldn't you send more agents?"</p><p></p><p>Hadriana responds, "It both takes more time, and I don't know who has been compromised and who hasn't been - the rot could be at the very top. This is why I have developed the following path of enquiry. Cornelia Crispa, I believe your mother is now at her coastal villa down at Misenum, near Cumae?"</p><p> </p><p>"Indeed, nobilissima, she is. She's been asking me and my friends to visit for a few weeks now. But how does this help you find out information in the East?"</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps," Hadriana murmurs, "when you and your friends are visiting your mother, you could happen to drop by the cave of the Sibyl of Cumae, the most respected prophetess in Italia, enquiring about your futures. And if one of you were to ask about the question I've been pondering, rather than about your own destiny, and were to happen to report that answer to me, well...I remember my friends."</p><p></p><p>Cornelia reflects to Wena over the mindlink that this comes awfully close to asking for prophecy about the fate of the Imperial family or Empire, but also decides that, if they've got this powerful a patron, they should be all right.</p><p></p><p>Speaking slightly more loudly, Hadriana comments, "Besides, there is another matter in that region which might interest you and your friends. A report has recently come to my attention that there are signs of digging, and mysterious strangers, around the former site of the villa of L. Calpurnius Piso. Piso was an important senator from about 60 years ago, known for collecting obscure and strange philosophical manuscripts. His villa was buried in volcanic mud during the eruption of Vesuvius. It certainly seems...curious that someone should be investigating it right now, and I thought you might want to take a look at it."</p><p></p><p>She gestures to them to leave, and Meloch, who has been kneeling until now quietly to one side, looks up at her, and his eyes widen briefly for a second, although he tries to conceal it.</p><p></p><p>"What is it, good pygmy," Hadriana asks sharply.</p><p></p><p>"Mmmost beautiful nobilissima, it is...I believe that you will give birth to an Imperial heir in some seven months or so," Meloch stammers, having used his innate racial powers to detect her early pregnancy.</p><p></p><p>Hadriana smiles with joy, beginning to pluck a small emerald bracelet from her arm, then looks at him again. "There's something else, though, isn't there?"</p><p></p><p>Meloch tries to dodge, but she stares at him penetratingly. Finally, he whispers, "The baby...it is not in the best of health, nobilissima. You must be very careful."</p><p></p><p>Hadriana bites her lip and nods sharply, once again dismissing them. They cross the quickly lowered bridge across the moat and leave Tivoli quickly, soon rejoining their friends and announcing the Imperially mandated summer vacation.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Orichalcum, post: 1992057, member: 3722"] [b]Alea Iacta VIII: Hidden Secrets[/b] My apologies for such a long absence; I've been hard at work on my dissertation and job applications, which are still ongoing, but this is, I've decided, a much healthier form of procrastination than many others, as at least it gets me writing. Shast: When last I wrote, the good news was that we had just saved Roma from sacrilege, fire, and Druids, and that we had all lived to tell the tale. The bad news was that Metellus' parents were rather angry at him for throwing an unauthorized open orgy in their house (even though he didn't show up till it was half over), we still didn't know who the Black Chain Philosopher was, the 9th's Eagle was still corrupted and tainted by the BCP, and, oh, yes, some of us had killed 11 young Celtic girls. The Caesar and Emperor's son Cimbrus, in his imperial mercy, sentenced the 8 girls whom Cornelia, Llyr, Heilyn, and Meloch had rendered unconscious to be sent immediately to the salt mines in northern Italy, rather than executing them. Of course, the average lifespan in the salt mines is about two years. Meloch and Llyr glanced at each other, and decided to put a possible rescue at the bottom of the Amphora of Bad Ideas for now. We'll see how long that lasts. Meanwhile, Roma was hot and muggy, and those of the group living in Metellus' villa found it a rather uncomfortable atmosphere. A few days after the ludi Romanes had ended, the nobilissima Hadriana, wife of Cimbrus, summoned Cornelia, Wena, Meloch, and me to the imperial summer Villa Hadriana at Tivoli, which, as she reminded us, had belonged to her great-grandfather the Emperor. We were shown into her private study, which was a small house on a tiny artificial island, surrounded entirely by a moat, which in turn was surrounded by 15-foot walls; it was clear that this was to be a very private conversation. After dismissing all but her most trusted guards, Hadriana, looking a little weary from the heat even up here in the Italian mountains, leaned forward. "My beloved, Cimbrus Caesar, has been very distressed of late. He has been communicating with the Emperor his father about the progress of the Parthian War, through a means reserved to the members of the imperial family, and the news he has received has disturbed him greatly. Legions lost, rebellions - the war seems to be going very badly. " Wena thinks to herself, "Huh, I wonder if this means of communication has anything to do with that spherical dark crystal, full of philosophical power, that I saw in the Governor's palace back in Londinium. I wonder if they'll let me use one or two to speak to the Iceni if we make Hadriana happy, or maybe even give me one for myself! Still, doesn't seem like she wants to talk about it for now. Still, worth passing along on the mindlink to Cornelia." Hadriana continues, "The odd aspect to this is that I have my own agents in the east, and the reports that they have been sending me suggest a much more positive story - no major victories as of yet, but some crucial positions fortified and allies gained, and no significant loss of troops. Of course, my reports are always several months out of date, but this has been true for some time now. I am not certain as to whether my network of agents has been hopelessly compromised, or whether, and this is in some ways an even worse possibility, the means of communication between the imperial family has become...faulty, in some way." Meloch suggests, "Well, couldn't you send more agents?" Hadriana responds, "It both takes more time, and I don't know who has been compromised and who hasn't been - the rot could be at the very top. This is why I have developed the following path of enquiry. Cornelia Crispa, I believe your mother is now at her coastal villa down at Misenum, near Cumae?" "Indeed, nobilissima, she is. She's been asking me and my friends to visit for a few weeks now. But how does this help you find out information in the East?" "Perhaps," Hadriana murmurs, "when you and your friends are visiting your mother, you could happen to drop by the cave of the Sibyl of Cumae, the most respected prophetess in Italia, enquiring about your futures. And if one of you were to ask about the question I've been pondering, rather than about your own destiny, and were to happen to report that answer to me, well...I remember my friends." Cornelia reflects to Wena over the mindlink that this comes awfully close to asking for prophecy about the fate of the Imperial family or Empire, but also decides that, if they've got this powerful a patron, they should be all right. Speaking slightly more loudly, Hadriana comments, "Besides, there is another matter in that region which might interest you and your friends. A report has recently come to my attention that there are signs of digging, and mysterious strangers, around the former site of the villa of L. Calpurnius Piso. Piso was an important senator from about 60 years ago, known for collecting obscure and strange philosophical manuscripts. His villa was buried in volcanic mud during the eruption of Vesuvius. It certainly seems...curious that someone should be investigating it right now, and I thought you might want to take a look at it." She gestures to them to leave, and Meloch, who has been kneeling until now quietly to one side, looks up at her, and his eyes widen briefly for a second, although he tries to conceal it. "What is it, good pygmy," Hadriana asks sharply. "Mmmost beautiful nobilissima, it is...I believe that you will give birth to an Imperial heir in some seven months or so," Meloch stammers, having used his innate racial powers to detect her early pregnancy. Hadriana smiles with joy, beginning to pluck a small emerald bracelet from her arm, then looks at him again. "There's something else, though, isn't there?" Meloch tries to dodge, but she stares at him penetratingly. Finally, he whispers, "The baby...it is not in the best of health, nobilissima. You must be very careful." Hadriana bites her lip and nods sharply, once again dismissing them. They cross the quickly lowered bridge across the moat and leave Tivoli quickly, soon rejoining their friends and announcing the Imperially mandated summer vacation. [/QUOTE]
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