Theandric Saga OOC

[Yair]

[None of this is set in stone, if anyone has a better idea, go ahead and post it.]

Is the cliff also covered by trees, with a clearing for the standing stones and the covenant proper, or does it rise above the forest treeline entirely?

The latter. In my mind, the clifftop is kinda like a deforested "tongue" protruding from the forest.

I am curious as to how extensive the view is from the site, and if there are any notable features that can be seen from it (villages in the distance, etc.).

The cliff is not high, and the forest hides everything in one direction, so the view isn't something to write home about. It is high enough that, with the lay of the land, the stone circle itself is hidden from sight from the main road that passes below it. If you build low building there and lower (towards the forest), you won't see and won't be seen from the road.
If you go to the cliff's edge and take a peak, you'll have a good view of the road in either direction for a few miles, left and right. On a good day, you can make out some of the outlying farms of a village to the north. To your east are rolling hills and, in the distance, a river and lake.

Also, you mention that it takes a little bit of a climb to reach the clifftop... how extensive is this climb?

Fairly extensive. Nothing insormountable, but it is somehow tall. Consider that you were able to mount it with wagons, but only barely, and one got stuck.

Is it a gentle climb, whereby someone might happen to climb it while strolling through the forest, or is a steeper climb, where one would pretty much have to have an intentional desire to reach the clifftop before tackling it?

It is mostly gentle, with a few rough spotches, but as it is evident that you are climbing towards the cliff and getting away from the road you would have to be intentionally be going there.
You wouldn't climb it if you are strolling along the road, unless you intentionally go into a path that you know will wind up taking you up towards the cliff, into the forest, and away from the road.
But yes, you COULD have visitors that just followed their curiosity and reached you.

As for the stone circle itself, are these just individual monoliths arranged in a ring, or are they stacked in a henge or something similar?

Individual stones, no "doorway" or anything like that.

How wide is the entire layout?

Wide enough for about 8 magi to stand side by side in a circle, on the inside of the stones.

How many stones are there?

Four huge boulders, sinking deep into the earth. There is also a "crest" or "crown" of a few smaller stones and a small upsurge in the ground, completing the circle. Stones, even pebbles, tend to attract to the crest, and there are some stones there that, though not as huge as the boulders, are fairly large (about a chair's size) and seemingly well anchored to the earth.

Is the ring complete, or are there missing/broken stones?

It is complete, but the stones are rough and worn.

Does the Order have any knowledge on what purpose this ring served?

Not really. It is believed the old magi of Rethra has it all figured out, but they weren't sharing.

 

[Nzld]

If you build low building there and lower (towards the forest), you won't see and won't be seen from the road.

How low is low? Could a three-story stone and wood house nearer the forest edge, with two-story smaller structures nearer the stones, remain hidden?

If you go to the cliff's edge and take a peak, you'll have a good view of the road in either direction for a few miles, left and right.

What direction does the cliff "tongue" stick out? Towards the north, east, west, or south? I assume the road runs perpendicular to that, correct?

How developed is the road?


Also, is there sufficient mass that the magi could conceivably build subterranean rooms and passages, up to and including beneath the ring of stones itself?

 

[Yair]

This does, however, assume that MummyKitty doesn't already have something in mind for Titus to propose.

I believe he had plans with a Roman bent; MummyKitty?

 

[Yair]

How low is low? Could a three-story stone and wood house nearer the forest edge, with two-story smaller structures nearer the stones, remain hidden?

I'd say yes, but assuming the stories are "as-is" and not tall as in modern buildings. Realistically, adding the need for a tilted roof, chimney, and some leeway, I'd cut it down to two stories at the back and one story (plus attic) near the stones.
Come to think of it, chimeny smoke would be a giveaway.

What direction does the cliff "tongue" stick out? Towards the north, east, west, or south? I assume the road runs perpendicular to that, correct?

It sticks towards the east. And correct.

How developed is the road?

It is a fairly wide and well-traveled road, but it isn't well maintained. The result is a good road in the right seasons, but you better be alert for potholes and problems as they are fixed rather laisurly (by local villagers, the duke, or other parties).
There is traffic for Rostock (North-West), Stettin (East), and Brandenburg (South), as well as more local traffic.

Also, is there sufficient mass that the magi could conceivably build subterranean rooms and passages, up to and including beneath the ring of stones itself?

Yes, the cliff is rather wide, although not extremely tall.

 

[Yair]

Winter and Solstice

The winter solstice has already come. We are at the season of Winter, which begun at the winter solstice (December 14th). In fact, it is almost the middle of the season, half way to the vernal equinox (March 13th). The exact middle of the season will be in 8 days.

The winter solstice is the shortest day in the year, and marks the beginning of winter. An equinox is when the days are equal; the vernal equinox marks the first day of the season of spring.

 

[Nzld]

Thanks for the added description. I have a much better idea of the visual layout, now.

I have some good mapping tools. I'll work up some elementary maps over the next week or so.

 

[Nzld]

Scribe Specialist

I still haven't come to terms with a scribe character.

We have the specialist Bookmaker/Scribe with a very decent Scribe skill (7). However, unless he has a score in Magic Theory, he will be unable to copy texts on Arts, Magic Theory, or Parma Magica, etc.

I had thought to create a scribe grog with Magic Theory, who could fulfill this function, but my main desire was to have someone who could translate magical texts (i.e. the magi's lab notes, or those found elsewhere) so the magi wouldn't have to do that themselves. However, the 5th Ed. rules indicate that translating requires a Lab Total and, thus, a laboratory, so it cannot really be done by a simple mundane, even if he has a score in Magic Theory.

Yair, is it feasible to allow the Specialist a Magic Theory score of 1, so he can at least fulfill the first role of copying magical texts?

Alternately, if you don't want the scribe to start with such a skill, would the magi be able to train him in it in-game?

 

[Nzld]

Covenant Ideas

Perhaps we should begin discussing some OOC ideas for the covenant itself.

My main idea is to have the standing stones integrated into the layout of the covenant, such that the buildings are arranged around it, with a main house for the library and meeting hall (along with the mundane areas such as a kitchen and dorms), then allow each magus a seperate sanctum/lab building. All the buildings would be symetrically aligned around the stones.

Another idea I had was to have the above ground buildings be mostly superficial, but the important stuff would be underground. The main council chamber/library could be positioned directly beneath the stone circle, with passageways and tunnels leading to the various sanctums and secret entrances, etc.

Do your magi prefer "simpler" construction, or something more elaborate and grandiose? Perhaps the above-ground facilities could be constructed like a temple? That could incorporate both Titus's like for all things Roman, as well as Gorgamesh's interest in things Divine (albeit, such a temple would likely be more along pagan lines than Dominion).

I also think secret passages to and from various lookout points both on the cliff and at road level would be viable for grogs to come and go discreetly.

 

[MummyKitty]

Within the next day or two I will try to attach some illustrations for a possible layout we may consider for our covenant. This is completely OOC, as Valeria has no knowledge of architecture or such, but would provide a good starting point from which to expand later.

Anyway, it is a covenant I used in a previous game I played, and I have some good illustrations of its layout that can be used with very little editing to accomodate Teneo's location.

This does, however, assume that MummyKitty doesn't already have something in mind for Titus to propose.

Titus definitely has some ideas, but I wouldn't expect them to be realistic at this time. Maybe sometime down the road... For now we just have to get the site and the basic wooden buildings laid out, so if you have a sketch for that I'd be interested in seeing it. Thanks!

 

[MummyKitty]

Perhaps we should begin discussing some OOC ideas for the covenant itself.

My main idea is to have the standing stones integrated into the layout of the covenant, such that the buildings are arranged around it, with a main house for the library and meeting hall (along with the mundane areas such as a kitchen and dorms), then allow each magus a seperate sanctum/lab building. All the buildings would be symetrically aligned around the stones.

Another idea I had was to have the above ground buildings be mostly superficial, but the important stuff would be underground. The main council chamber/library could be positioned directly beneath the stone circle, with passageways and tunnels leading to the various sanctums and secret entrances, etc.

Do your magi prefer "simpler" construction, or something more elaborate and grandiose? Perhaps the above-ground facilities could be constructed like a temple? That could incorporate both Titus's like for all things Roman, as well as Gorgamesh's interest in things Divine (albeit, such a temple would likely be more along pagan lines than Dominion).

I also think secret passages to and from various lookout points both on the cliff and at road level would be viable for grogs to come and go discreetly.

Nzld, I like your ideas, especially the secret passages to the road and lookout points.

Titus is going to prefer a more elaborate building, although getting the materials needed may be problematic. Generally, the buildings would surround the standing stone circle which would become the centerpiece of a garden with small trees and statuary. A large reflecting pool could also be incorporated into this garden if possible. Perhaps the buildings could form a "U" shaped villa around the stones, with the opening of the U pointed toward the cliff. That way, the buildings would not be as visible from the road, and you'd have a nice view of the sky towards the opening. Ideally the courtyard would have collonades supporting a covered path around the garden for walking and contemplation even in inclement weather.

The buildings should be sturdy and well constructed, preferably of stone but hauling that to the top will be difficult (but then, so would wood). The roofing could be of tile (perhaps we need to establish a kiln for our laboratory ware anyway.... We'll need some fancy materials for the flooring, mosaics and such, maybe even some nice Greek marble.

I like the idea of having underground chambers and we'll need some plumbing for the baths. We'll also need a cistern to collect rainwater so we don't have to cart that up the hill.

As you mentioned, for safety the magus labs should probably be in separate outbuildings from the villa.

Titus is going to be tolerant of divine-related features such as a chapel, but he'll probably avoid them. Divine imagery, epsecially statuary, tends to make him nervous...

Once we're established we could potentially magically raise some stone towers in strategic locations for increased security, unless we think the location will provide us enough privacy.

Just some thoughts. Obviously reality will probably present challenges to Titus's ideas, as will any conflicting thoughts by the other magus. In the end I'm guessing we'll have a bit of a hodge-podge that will never live up to Titus's gradiose expectations.