Lucrezia Thorne
The Joyful Lucrezia Thorne (a.k.a. Luci)
Overview
Nothing is commonly known about this person.
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Physical Description
Identifying Characteristics
Ægishjálmr tattoo over her left breast
Special abilities
Disciplines
• Dominate• Obfuscate
• Auspex
Apparel & Accessories
Wears a Masterwork wooden pendant engraved with the runes Laguz: flow, Othala: heritage, Kenaz: understanding, and Isa: patience (Loki).
Caries a lucet and a set of wooden divination runes.
Carries a sickle (knife, strength +1)
Padded jacket (no penalty, defense 1)
Mental characteristics
Gender Identity
Female
Sexuality
Bisexual
Education
Educated in a monastery until age 7. No schooling from 7-12. Trained to be a Völva at 12 years old.
Mental Trauma
Mania. She is typically friendly and energetic, but becomes manic under stress. During a manic episode, she becomes extremely friendly, confident, and active. This can be fun to be around, but also exhausting to less energetic personalities. She also becomes obsessive with gaining knowledge and skills. With her inability to concentrate, she doesn't often make any real progress, though.
Morality & Philosophy
Believer in the Norse Gods.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Seeks knowledge fervently and admires others that do the same.
Likes & Dislikes
Loves animals, music, books, and reading. Adores the moon and misses the sun desperately. Hates snow, but enjoys having dominion over it in the form of snowglobes.
Virtues & Personality perks
Makes friends easily, helpful and kind.
Vices & Personality flaws
Impatient, hates not knowing things.
Personality Quirks
Stims when manic. Taps surfaces, rubs exceptionally rough or soft objects obsessively,
Social
Family Ties
Younger sister who may or may not have survived the Viking raid that brought Lucrezia to Ireland. Parents are deceased.
Religious Views
Strong believer in magic and the Norse Gods.
Social Aptitude
Friendly and flirtatious. Protective of those she considers weaker than herself, especially children and slaves.
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Birthplace
England
Children
Current Residence
Dublin, Ireland
Gender
Female
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Red
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale white
Session 4 Downtime
Night 1: After the conversation with Borga, I cloak myself in shadows and retreat from the castle. I walk into the forest. A walk turns into a run. A run turns into a full sprint. My mind races with questions. Voices, pictures, memories, and noise compete for dominance in the forefront of my mind. Every sound dissolves into the cacophony and all that remains is her laugh. The pictures fade, and all that remains is her face. Her beautiful eyes are gone and only darkness fills the space where her soul once resided. In my blind emotion, I don't see the stones that begin to litter the ground. Crumbling walls replace the tall trees, and weed-specked cobblestones replace the forest floor. A rock catches my foot and I fall to the ground in grief and despair. My hands touch smooth stone, and I go to my knees and look around. Benches, broken stained glass, and an altar stand around me. I recognize the architecture as one of the human churches and my thoughts turn to the gods to whom I have dedicated y life. Why would they let this happen? Why would they take her from me? Why would they return her just to corrupt her perfect innocence and break my heart? My vision clears and I start to work. Mushrooms, small animal bones, birds, feathers, moss, leaves, shells, stones, herbs, flowers, and whatever else I can find are gathered to decorate my new altar. I pray and sing and scream at the stars until the first rays threaten the horizon and I feel my limbs grow heavy with sleep. I crawl under a crumbling wall and force my eyes to stay open as long as possible, watching my altar from my hiding place.
Night 2: The sun disappears over the horizon, and I wake to see my altar toppled by the wind. My offerings are strewn upon the ground, and everything is in disarray.
Rage burns my skin and I scream at the heavens. "WHAT IS THE POINT OF YOU?"
"Heimdall, hear my words and witness my grief. Have I not served the gods? You who sees all, has surely seen my deeds."
"Tyr, where is the justice in this? Have I not, in your name, only fed upon those who deserved it? How many wives remain unmolested when their husbands return home too weak to raise a hand at them? Would you prefer for such injustice to go unchecked?"
"Frigga, how many of your children have I saved from the hands of others? Do I not show wisdom and grace enough for you to take some notice?"
"Thor, have I not proven myself in battle? Have I not slain my foes and brought the fiercest warriors to their knees? What cowardice, what disloyalty have I shown to warrant such damnation?"
"Loki, have I not perfected my craft? I can reach into the minds of others and bend them to my will. Am I not cunning, quick-witted, and charming in your name? How can you desert me now?"
"And Father Odin, you above all. God of magic, of wisdom, of runes, and of poetry. Am I not your daughter? Do I not walk in your footsteps and follow your guide? This eternal life, I chose to pursue wisdom and knowledge just as you have done. Tell me then, why you forsake me now."
Sobs strangle my voice and I fall to my knees. The truth was that I'm simply not good enough. The shame of my hubris in thinking the gods would know me crushed my heart like a vice. I couldn't save the boy, I endangered the party by being fooled by a phantom, and I spent about half of our last adventure slung over someone's shoulder. My feeble attempts at enlightenment are nothing compared to the eons that the gods have already lived.
Thinking upon these things, I begin to walk. I leave my clearing and eventually come across a remote farm. I silently approach the house and peer in the window. A dog sleeps on the floor and the family is in their bed. I think of how they care for the animal. Perhaps it serves a function. Herding the sheep or assisting in a hunt. Perhaps it is too old or too young yet to be of any use. Looking at the family, I feel about them the same way. The potential that they have is boundless, but their lives are so short. They cannot know what the next day will bring them, but still they rise to greet it. I feel sorry for them. Most will never know what lies beyond their own tiny world.
Am I content being the same? Shall I forever be a pet to the gods? A curiosity that they pick up and put down again once they tire with me? Someone they pitty or ignore? I return to my alcove to await the sun, pondering these things as I go.
Night 3: I wake as the sun falls and stay motionless for a while. I imagine my sister's face, and I imagine the soulless gaze of the demon who tried to take me. I compare the faces and try to come to some conclusion about the nature of the demon. Were they in fact the same? Was it all a trick?
Assuming it was truly my sister. What sinister path had she taken to become thus? How does one go from a mortal girl to the enemy of both werewolf and vampire alike? Would such a path still allow her to remember her mortality while having lost all reverence for it? She put me in danger. She put my companions at risk. The entitlement of a child is well known, but this utter indifference to life itself was something else. Something darker. If this was truly my Synne, then there was none of her left. This magic is far beyond my understanding, and there is nothing that can be done. I weep for my pitiful ignorance.
Night 4: I rise as soon as darkness falls and set about my work. I begin by gathering Juniper wood and branches and clearing an area for my ritual. I surround a makeshift fire pit with rocks and clear away the brush. I forage for flowers, wild herbs, and eye-catching stones. A stag becomes my first meal in days, and his antlers are added to my collection. An unlucky fox is too slow to escape, and I carry its limp form back to my camp.
Around midnight, I light the fire. Before long, flames dance in the pitch black, and I am reminded of the sun, so long forgotten. My remaining predawn hours are spent in dance and song, connecting with the Earth, the animals of the forest, and my Fylgja Feel-ya (a Norse version of the spirit in animal form).
Just before the sun rises, the fire is extinguished and I retreat to my makeshift bed for one final night. I will return to the castle after I awake, and whatever visions do or do not visit me will be my answer.
Session 4
I saw her... in that damned place, I saw her. It was dark as the ocean, but her figure was clear and brighter than should have been possible. Could have been possible...
In the midst of the battle, she called to me. I saw her frolicking in the distance. Her braids bounced as she walked. Was that... yes... that was the same dress she was wearing when I last saw her. My sister... my beloved Synne! I knew it. I knew she was alive! When I snapped back to reality, the battle was over. An enormous white wolf was bathed in blood and panting. This beautiful, powerful creature had to be her! "Synne!" I ran to her with my arms wide, but she glared at me and let out a low growl.
I stopped short, confused. "Synne? Where's Synne?" The dullards that I keep as companions pretended to be confused! As if they could not hear her voice plain as day. I looked around and saw her again. What a foolish thing I was to think my sister would debase herself into such a lowly form. There she was, bright as the sun, frolicking still.
I ran to her. "It is my sister! Look with your eyes! Can't you see her?" The party followed but did not comprehend. Shouts followed me into the bog, but they would see soon enough. (Most clans are slower at these things than Malkavians.) Proud Godric was the only one to physically impede my progress. He ordered me to turn back. He ORDERED me to abandon my sister! "You do not understand, she is THERE can't you see her?! My sister is there within my grasp and YOU WILL NOT MAKE ME LEAVE HER AGAIN!" I reached out and cried for her. Synne beckoned me again, and I knew what must be done.
I did not have time for a test of wills.
My beloved Synne was RIGHT THERE and he was IN. MY. WAY. Exasperated and a little desperate, my patience was waning (we must be patient with those less gifted than we are, but there are limits to all things). I put a hand on Godric's face and gently attempted to enter his mind. "Let me show you."
Entering his mind was like wading through water. That little bastard was trying to resist! I heard Synne's voice louder as I kept my eyes on Godric and this time I insisted, "Let. Me. IN!" His will finally broke, and we suddenly shared one perspective together. He heard her. He could see. He could feel my heart breaking and surely now he would understand.
I felt pressure around my waist, and distracted as I was I could not react in time. My feet lifted off the ground and I was atop Zacharaii's shoulder. I instantly snapped back to my own body and it too was airborne . Yakub had absconded with my empty form and was carrying me too! I could not meet his eyes, so I could only cry out and beat against my captor. Close by, I heard a howl and a wolf with kind eyes looked up at me. The top of his head met my hands, and a calm came over me. He seemed to understand my pain but needed me to temper my grief. I looked up, expecting to see my sister vanish, but instead, she followed. Her voice was still clear as day as I continued to listen for her and we drew closer to our portal home.
Yakub could not be reasoned with and his strength seemed endless. He continued to carry me until we were in sight of the portal, never sagging under his burden. Our pace quickened and quickened, but I could not see much from my vantage point.
Our progress halted abruptly and before I could ask why, white-hot hands were around my waist and impossible strength ripped me from Yakub's grasp. Terror rose in my chest as the fire on my skin threatened to consume me. With the panic came the kind of clarity that only death can bring. I was surrounded by flames, but I found I did not burn. The child that held me had no regard for me or my companions. She was consumed by the selfish desire to "play play play!" I attempted to reason, threaten, bargain, and beg. She spoke as if I was not even there. I was a fly in her web, and it was clear this was no sister of mine.
Another tussle ensued and I was thrown to the side, out of the beast's grasp. Yakub retrieved me from the ground for the second time that day and bolted with me through the portal. Standing on the outside and looking in, I saw wolves and demons for the first time, fighting amongst themselves. Everyone else began to conjure words of power and incantations to aid the wolves who had fought by our side. I targeted three of the largest beasts, and forced them to retreat, trampling others in their rapid escape. It was the first useful thing I had done since entering that realm, and the victory felt barren.
Session 3 Downtime
After the sun had risen and all of the Coterie of the Damned had slipped into sleep, Lucrezia sits in her underground chamber writing out invitations to The First Meeting of the High Council. She delivers the letters to each of the Coterie and settles herself into a fitful sleep. Dreams dance in her mind almost every night now. She struggles to remember them and decipher what they mean. An alter to Frigg is carefully maintained next to her bed. Feathers, wool, and occasional thimbles of wine decorate the sacred space. Upon waking, Luci lights a candle and meditates on her dreams. Writing them down in detail and praying for guidance to find meaning. On the opposite side of the room sits an alter to Loki. Charred meat, a comedic poem, and a bitter fruit surround his sacred rune. Luci loves to sit and tell this alter of her adventures. She speaks to him as a partner in crime, imagining fun games to play to pass the endless years stretching before her. It was here that she received the revelation to bestow upon herself an honorific. "How did the nobles become noble in the first place?" she asked with a laugh. "They took it at the tip of a sword!"
The evening of the meeting, Lucrezia travels to the Great Hall early to prepare. It goes about as she expected. She is young and in many ways quite naive. Still a girl to most who see her. Even as a vampire she is still considered little more than a fledgling. It's considered perfectly acceptable to speak over her, and even though he had called the meeting it was a struggle to maintain control over it. Struggling to maintain her composure with Godric and Zacharaii, Luci finds a familiar, younger-sibling feeling in Damien. He's uncomfortable. Out of place. Her affection for him grows and helps her keep her peace in the face of frustration. When the meeting adjourns, Luci takes Damien to the side and consults with him about some of her dreams.
Luci spends most nights singing in the tavern, telling fortunes using her handcrafted runes, bones, or fire, and tending to minor wounds. While she occasionally receives a coin for her services, it's just as often gambled away on games of chance. Unwilling (or unable) to cheat at dice, Luci approaches the game as a way to make friends, not money.
Some nights, when the miners have gone to sleep and the town in silent. In the quiet under the stars, Luci can be found digging out a firepit and surrounding it with stones from the mountain. When finally built, the fire pit sits just outside the tavern with stones and logs to sit upon. Although Borgia is still thrown out of the tavern, Luci will occasionally invite him to performances around the fire.
The First Meeting of the High Council
Upon waking, each member of the Coterie finds a neatly folded paper at their door that reads, "Völva Lucrezia Thorne The Joyful invites you to The First meeting of The High Council. Please meet in the Great Hall tomorrow at midnight to discuss plans for the village." At the bottom of the note is a rose drawn in red ink.
At 11:30 on the night indicated, Luci sits at the head of the table in the great hall, carving a toy boat out of wood. Zacharaii enters and seats himself at the opposite end of the table, setting his goblet filled with red liquid on the tabletop. After a moment he says, "What is this Lucrezia? What plans?"
"Actually," Luci replies, "I'm glad you're here first. I'd like to wait for the others, but I've had some dreams that you may be able to shed some light on if you're willing? I know you've been spending time in the woods, and I'm not sure if you're a player in any of this, or if you know who is."
"Ask away," The Russian replied simply. Luci explains in detail, with much animation and performance, about her recent adventures in the world of dream. The Russian listens patiently before he replies. "You've an imagination to be sure, Lucrezia. None of that makes sense to me. However, I really think if you want to figure out what these particular dreams mean, you'd be better off talking to Damien. He's the one who can connect with beasts. However, I get the distinct impression the rabbit with the watch was telling you were late for an important date... although I'm not sure why."
"I'll mention it to him. I haven't had much of an opportunity as of yet. He was certainly the first to come to mind when I possessed the bird. Flying above the trees... I can see why he spends so much time in animal forms." Luci resumes her carving and makes an attempt at small talk while they wait for the others to arrive. "So, have you had anything interesting happen lately? Met anyone of note or encountered any strange beasts in your travels?"
"Nothing worth noting. The strangest bests have been right here in Elmham. I did find out that those twisted werewolves call themselves Black Spiral Dancers... it is apparently a clan that has been corrupted."
Lucrezia giggles, "Black Spiral Dancers. They sound exotic and beautiful. The twisted werewolves... do you meant the ones working with the vampires?"
"No, the ones who were fighting the Norse contingent in Einherjar."
Luci nods, and her usually cheerful demeanor turns stern, "Where are they now? Do you know what they're doing? Who their leaders are? What they want?"
"There is precious little information about them. They were shunned and hunted by other werewolves. They are corrupted by the Wyrm. They are extremely dangerous. I do not relish the thought of facing one in person." Zacharaii replies solemnly."
"The enemy of my enemy..." Luci muses. "Perhaps we don't have to fight them if they're shunned from our natural foe. Do you know any more about the corruption? Are they victims of it, or are they the creators?"
"I am unsure about their status in regards to the Wyrm, but certainly now they are willing participants. As for the Einherjar, it is a thought. As you say, the enemy of my enemy..."
The conversation turns to the Blacksmith and his son. Both vampires express a certain amount of attachment to the two, as they discuss their status in the castle.
Damien enters and sits at the table, splitting the difference between Luci and Zacharaii. "Good to know I'm not the only one concerned about those two," he interjects.
Luci smiles warmly, "I'm glad you could make it! Welcome."
"Thanks Luci. So what's this..." Damien reviews the invitation in his hand, "'First meeting of the High Council'?"
"Well, I hope at least Phaedra will join us before we get started, but we're here to discuss the village and how to run it. At the moment, there's a power vacuum and we must present a unified front if we wish to keep someone else from filling it."
"Oh..." Damien says quietly.
"Do such matters... not concern you?" Luci asks, trying to decipher her enigmatic companion.
"No, I mean, yeah well... um..." Damien appears to be uncomfortable about the question. His shoulders slump slightly and his head hangs a bit. "I don't do... people very well. Interaction with other... humanoids... not really my comfort zone. I much more enjoy the company of animals.... if you haven't noticed."
"You do not have to be involved if you do not wish," says the Russian matter-0f-factly. "We want to be clear that you are welcome, and also that decisions will be made with you or without you being here."
"I'm certain there's something you can do, even if you don't wish to mingle with the likes of us." Luci winks playfully at Damien before smiling gently. "Please stay. we value your input."
"Nope, it's ok. I'm here. I'll help any way I can." Damien's discomfort is more obvious now that his words have upset someone. Attempting to reassure the girl he says, "It's not you, Luci," before realizing he just singled out Zacharaii, "Or you Zacharaii... I'd say I'm most comfortable around you guys. It's everyone else..." He trails off a little, registering the wink Luci had given him too late and realizing that she was being playful. "I'm just gonna shut up now..."
Luci giggles at Damien's discomfort and lets him stammer a little before changing the subject, "Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you about."
Damien looks at Zacharaii expectantly before realizing that it's not him Luci is talking to. He looks back to her in surprise. Abruptly, a short man wearing a heavy silk robe enters the room.
"I'm sorry. I noticed your invitation a little late, but I am here now. It would appear we are going to be taking control of this area in a more official capacity? This is interesting news." Turning to Zach, Godric continues, "It would seem that you waste no time getting back to your old tricks my friend. How can I help?"
Lucrezia leans over and whispers to Damien, "We'll talk about it later."
Damien, using the unexpected distraction, hurridly answers Godric, "Yeah, it would seem Luci looks to have a meeting about running the village."
Godric, realizing he may have barged in on an existing conversation, apologizes, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? Please continue." He bows his head slightly and sits across from Damien.
"Lucrezia wants to make sure the local peasants are well cared for. Since I don't have any objection to having a happy and docile populace, it seems a good idea. Besides that, cultivating a herd seems a good idea on top of everything else." Zacharaii adds with a smile, "As for my old tricks, this is quite a new one, I assure you."
Godric smiles back, "Well, I am sure we will see about that. So, what have I missed so far?"
Damien shrugs, "I'm not sure. I got here barely before you did."
The group looks to Luci for an answer, as she stands and smiles. "You're not interrupting at all, and the meeting has yet to begin in earnest. I would hope for Phaedra and Grace to join us, but that may be too much to ask at the moment. I'll bring them up to speed later. I know that Phaedra is in the process of establishing a hospital in London, and I believe that keeps her very busy.
"What do you have in mind, Lucrezia?" Zacharaii asks.
Before she can answer, Godric takes charge. "Ok, so perhaps I can propose a place to start? What is happening below the town? There are more than just mines down there and that is most concerning. Also, do you notice that the locals aren't sleeping as much as they should? How can they work all day in the town and then spend the night time in the mines? Or would it seem that some never leave?"
Luci ignores his questions and raises her voice slightly to interrupt the barrage, "In an effort to establish healthy feeding grounds, better investigate the mystery of the blight, and keep a docile population that can help increase our personal comfort, we must form a system of government that fills the place of the old church."
"But, the old church isn't fully dealt with, or am I misunderstanding?" Godric asks, apparently oblivious to the interruption.
"Zacharaii has begun to establish himself as the lord of this place, but the populace has yet to recognize us as anything other than the lords that have taken up residence in the castle," Lucrezia answers with only the slightest hint of malice.
"The old church is dealt with, save one corrupt priest, and I have already requested new priests be sent from the Bishop in London," Zacharaii answers his friend's ignored question.
"Oh, well, it would seem that the problem of the church will solve itself. Have you met this new Bishop? Do you know of his disposition?" Godric asks.
"I recognize it is important to the populace to have a spiritual center. What we do not want is for the church to once again be the center of government in town. That should be us, or someone of our choosing. I have not met the bishop, but if he's in London, he should be one of Mithras' creatures (or tied to one). I'm unconcerned about whom they send at the moment. As for being recognized as the Lord in the Castle, that is the first step. And you have already surmised the second Lucrezia: setting up a friendly local government structure."
"We know so little about this village," Lucrezia muses, "There are farms to the south and mines under the mountain, but what was the church doing with all of that stone and ore?"
Looking mildly concerned, Godric asks, "Do you not fear inviting one of Mithras' loyalists into your ranks? You must know that whoever they send will also be an informant. Would it not be better to take someone loyal to you and give them this position?"
Luci fixes a glare onto Godric in a steely gaze uncharacteristic of her usual childish smile.
Zacharaii replies cooly, "Not at this moment, no."
"What do you have to say against Mithras?" Lucrezia demands. "Do you quarrel with him in some way? Do you not know it is he who sent us?"
Godric is taken aback. He sees the fire in Lucrezia's eyes and hears ice in her voice. He is momentarily at a loss for words, and it occurs to him: is this how it feels to be the subject of a vampire's domination? Surely not...
"There is no quarrel with Mithras," Zacharaii interjects through the tension. "That being said, Mithras is not here, and I won't be sending to London for his permission on how to run things here."
Godric, regaining himself, replies to the red-headed woman, "No, I have nothing against Mithras. I am not insane." Lucrezia bristles at the mention of derangement and picks up her carving to busy her hands as her own "insanity" creeps like an itch in her palms, making it impossible to sit still. "I don't know if you want Mithras taking too much of an interest in you," He continues. "He tends to be bad for business when he is in the immediate vicinity."
Zacharaii tries to put his friend's mind at ease, "He is busy with building his new Rome. Don't draw his attention, and all will be well."
Luci is still a little offended at the implication that Mithras is anything other than their generous patron. He had treated her well, and she hated hearing a word against him. She knows, however, that all in this world have a dark side and it is naive to believe Mithras' affection is unconditional. Damien seemed unconcerned one way or the other, but begins pondering Zacharaii's mention of "New Rome." He has thus far believed himself to be in Greece and isn't sure how Rome would play into the geography of his location. He remembers no mention in his history books of New Rome... His attention trails off as he contemplates his (literal) place in the world.
"Moving on then," Godric prompts, "What do we do with the peasants?"
"Yes," Zacharaii agrees, "the governance of the village. I suggest we lay down some laws and then choose someone to be the Mayor and run things day-to-day. Set up a day to hear grievances as Lord of the area and then set a couple of spies to watch the Mayor."
"You should probably make a whole city council and have some of your retainers in it." Godric suggests.
"A council is a good idea. My main concern, however, is food. A hungry populace is the most likely to rebel. We should..." Lucrezia says, attempting to refocus.
"Humans are useful for the day to day stuff. I will get some of my contacts to ship us some supplies from Londonunium." Godric interjects.
"We should make sure the farms are producing what they ought to and aren't sending their supplies to the church." Lucrezia finishes.
"But how do you plan to afford all this?" Godric asks. Without waiting for an answer, "Also, to that end. The church has to have some massive stockpiles of supplies hidden somewhere."
Luci tries to remain calm, but is quickly losing her patience. "This town ran just fine before we arrived as far as I can tell. I don't want to pull from outside help unless absolutely necessary."
"Luci?" Damien asks in a quiet voice.
"Well, define 'fine'," Godric continues. "They seem to be slaves under some sort of compulsion that is deeper than any I have..."
Lucrezia holds her hand out to Godric, requesting silence. "Yes, Damien?"
"Where is that map you showed me earlier? Do you mind if I use it?" Damien asks.
"It's... in Phaedra's room," Luci answers, puzzled at the request. "Zacharaii, would you please ask Ivan to retrieve it?" Zacharaii summons his retainer, Ivan, and Luci provides directions and thanks him with a sweet smile. The map is laid out on the table in front of Damien.
Reaching the end of his capacity for silence, Godric asks, "So, can we get back to how to stop the peasants from mining the rock and getting back to farming?"
"Peasants haven't stopped farming." Damien replies almost absent-mindedly as he studies the map.
Godric, apparently unaware that anyone was speaking, gets a thoughtful expression and begins to muse, "Although, that ore is likely very valuable. Perhaps I can send samples to one of my jewelers and see if they can do anything with it... bet it would fetch a nice price on the market..." He trails off, appearing to forget there are others in the room.
"We want them mining AND farming, as well as woodcutting and trading," Zacharaii says. "As far as I can tell, the farmers are farming and the miners are mining, and the woodcutters are cutting wood. What we want to make sure of is that they keep doing that." Zacharaii stares down his friend for a moment and finally reclaims his attention, "Don't add issues that aren't yet issues, and don't send that ore anywhere yet Godric."
"The peasants haven't stopped farming," Damien repeats, his eyes never leaving the map in front of him. "I mean... the humans haven't stopped farming. This has been a mining town for a while now. The farming was established to feed the miners. To say that the humans should stop mining and go back to farming, is to tell you to stop sailing and go back to cooking."
Luci stifles a giggle, but Godric is focused on Zacharaii and doesn't appear to hear either of them. "Why would you care where one rock goes? There is a mountain of them!"
"I have my reasons. Sometimes a secret held is better than money. Something YOU have yet to learn." The two men rise slightly from their chairs and begin to raise their voices.
"Gentlemen, please!" Lucrezia tries to interject, "Quarreling is unnecessary... although amusing..."
Godric, feigning shock and injury, "You know I can keep secrets! Why mistrust me now, friend?"
"AND unhelpful to the matter at hand!" Luci continues, trying to refocus the two men.
"If I mistrusted you, Godric, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"Fine," Godric replies, possibly finally hearing Luci, but showing no evidence of it. "We can talk about this later."
As silence falls again, everyone relaxes back into their seats. "Who will go to survey the farms?" Luci asks. Her quiet, measured voice is now in stark contrast to the heat of the conversation immediately before. Damien looks up from his map and surveys the room, knowing full well he is likely the best candidate, but feeling awkward about volunteering for anything.
Matching Luci's quiet tone, Zacharaii re-states, "Damien has said there is nothing wrong with the farms. They are producing."
"So, everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. We will establish a council. Simple. Do you have anyone in mind?" Godric, again trying to take control of the conversation.
"I think one from the mining community, one from the farming community, and Ceric (the blacksmith) to be Mayor," Zacharaii replies.
"We need," Luci begins, raising her voice a little in frustration, "to make sure that the food is being sent to the correct place. Either directly to the community, or to ourselves. Not the church."
Damien stands with purpose and addresses Luci directly, "Is there anything specific we are looking for from the farms? Or just anything weird...?"
Luci smiles at Damien. His sweet, polite, awkward nature endearing him to her like a younger brother. His question allows her to regain her composure, and her irritation dissipates, "I need to know where their supplies are going and who their leader is that can serve on a council. However, if you would stay a little longer, please? There may be more that is needed."
Damien sits down, and Godric continues, his words flying like startled birds, "You probably want to add in a representative from the lumber and merchant communities as well. Also, is there any form of law in this town? I noticed guards. Who do they report to?"
Luci addresses Godric with renewed patience, "One question at a time, please."
Godric laughs and tells Zach, "You're in for a lot of paperwork my friend!" He turns towards Luci and quiets slightly, "I'm sorry. I have long thought about running my own town. I am getting ahead of myself."
"Godric brings up a good point, " Luci nods in acceptance of his apology and continues. "A system of law needs to be a priority. Do we know if there is any formal militia?"
"I don't want to add anyone to the council beyond the two I mentioned." Zacharaii patiently repeats. "They are the prominent factions in town. If any other faction grows to need it, they can be added. As for laws, use God's law and add taxes. 10% should be sufficient. And no, there is no militia. The peasantry depends on their Lord for defense. For which I'll depend on all of us.... and when we have taxes, provide a more traditional defense force."
Godric rolls his eyes, "We're gonna need a militia just to implement the taxes..."
Luci cocks her head to the side in confusion, "The Gods have no formal... oh... you mean the Christian laws. Of course." She laughs, thinking how small a religion must be to have only one deity. "Godric makes a good point, though. If they haven't been paying taxes, they won't want to start. Let the council... come to the correct conclusion about taxes... and the populace may take it better. They may take their own leaders' mandates better than ours."
"No. Taxes are non-negotiable." Zacharaii sternly retorts as Godric nods in agreement.
"Yea, 'cause that worked out well..." Damien mutters under his breath.
Luci raises an eyebrow at Damien, but lets the comment pass. "Of course taxes are non-negotiable. It's a matter of how they're presented."
"Zacharaii! Don't forget the tea! The tea is important!" Damien laughs. The out of character outburst is met with confusion by the party. Each falls silent and looks at Damien with confusion. Damien shrinks back in his chair, realizing that tea may not be invented yet and realizing his joke fell entirely flat. "Oh, uhh... it's a hot drink I had once. I believe they called it tea..."
"We know what tea is..." Godric starts, slightly concerned. "Have you been living outside of civilization so long?"
"Why would tea be important to the peasantry?"
"Tea... is a terrible thing to waste... is all I'm saying..." Damien hesitates.
Lucrezia reaches over and pats his hand. "We'll be sure to have plenty of tea, love."
"Lucrezia, any ideas on whom to ask from the mining or farming communities to represent the council?" Zacharaii asks, again trying to re-focus the meeting.
"I'll contact the miners. I have several..." Luci feels their eyes on her and hesitates, fearing the judgment of her close association with the people of the town. ".. people... from the town who know me and work in the mines. They should be able to point me in the right direction. As for the farmers, Damien, would you be willing to go talk to them for us?"
"Yeah, if you need me to TALK to people... I'll do my best." Damien smiles a little as he playfully rolls his eyes and starts to rise from his chair.
"Thank you, Damien." Luci winks in his direction and he blushes slightly.
"I want someone they respect," Zacharaii instructs Damien. "And someone who is fair and just."
Luci turns towards Zacharaii, "Cenric may need a... gentle hand." She remembers back to their last interaction. The blacksmith had been drunk and clearly distressed. She didn't want to see him that way again but also felt that Zacharaii was too belligerent to be sent alone. "Do you think you could speak with him, or would you prefer for someone else...?" She trails off, not wanting to volunteer, but not seeing an alternative.
"I think we should speak to him together," Zacharaii suggests unexpectedly.
Luci visibly relaxes and nods in agreement, "Is there any chance of setting up a trade route with the river?"
"Yes, we are already building a dock and plan to integrate it into the trade routes as soon as possible. I do not want to have to rely on Londinium for anything if we can help it."
"That's wonderful. Growth will be reliant on our connections to the world outside this little village."
"Precisely."
"Alright, Zacharaii and I will speak with Cenric, Damien will consult with the farmers, and I will speak with the miners. It appears Zacharaii will be very busy. Godric, would you please assist him with setting up the docks? I'm not sure what is required, but I'm certain your experience would be helpful. As for the rest of us, we have our objectives. If there is nothing else...?" The gathered nod in silent agreement and Luci closes the meeting. "Then may the road rise up to meet you. We are adjourned."
Session 2 Downtime
When I died... well... when my host died... I traveled to a different world. I was utterly alone in a decaying wasteland. It was our world, but wrong. Everything was dying. The buildings were crumbling and the sun was bleeding. I reached out with my mind for someone… anyone. I called out for my sister. My father. Gudrun. Heimdall. Frigg…. No answer. My madness... my mania... puts me out of synch with the rest of the world. I'm too impatient, too loud, too careless. I thought of all those who had left me… all those who would leave me.
Panic rose in my chest and a laugh ripped from my throat. Even my body left me behind. Jerking, tapping, and flailing, I couldn’t stay still for another moment. I began to run. I ran as if Fenrir himself were at my heels. I have no idea where I ran, how far, or for how long. I believe passed a river, trees, hills, but saw none of it in my blind mania. I was still running when I felt a sensation as if I had reached the end of a leash. My mind was unceremoniously ripped from that plane and the red world was gone.
Immediately after my encounter with the Russian... Zacharaii... I took the girl home. She easily led me to her dwelling, and I ensured her safety, comfort, and health [Medicine] before taking my leave. The others wouldn’t understand why I saved her, but the girl hadn't done anything wrong. We are all the children of the Gods, and it's not our place to take their lives. There were given to use for sustenance, not mindless killing. The sheep need not die for my woolen dress.
After depositing the girl at her home, I walked for a time under the moonlight and by the river. I saw two snakes among the reeds, and it occurred to me. The loneliness... the feelings of being out of place and of no consequence... there was one who understood. The God Loki, who was often taught as a cautionary tale. Loki the trickster, Loki the betrayer, Wildfire, the scheming coward who cares only for shallow pleasures and self-preservation, irreverent, and nihilistic. Perhaps this is the effect of loneliness, of being the only of your kind. Perhaps this is a result of the story being told from only one perspective. Chained in the darkness with poison dripping upon you, would I not have the same fate in a different time and place? Loki, how I now understand your plight.
But He was not alone. His faithful wife Sigyn was by his side despite his trickster nature. She teaches the value of companionship and how we must lean on others. My heart cried out for my sister, my only family. Lost, but still alive. I'm sure of it. I can feel it. I don't know how, but I would know if she were dead. If I were truly alone.
Gathering up some wood and stones, I go in search of some animal bones from Phaedra. The next four weeks are spent in my room toiling over my new projects. Staying up late into the day and venturing out only when in need of blood or additional tools. In my search for engraving tools, I make friends with the blacksmith's son, Borga. He likes music, and I sing as payment for the use of his wood carving set. I also gift him one high-quality flute made of bone. In total, I make the following:
9 flutes made of bone (1 Masterwork for Zacharaii, 1 high for Borga, 1 great, and 6 good)
2 wood pendants inscribed with the runes L-O-K-I (1 ok and 1 Masterwork, which I wear)
12 wooden pendants with Mjölnir carved on one side, and the protection rune Algiz on the other (4 high quality, 1 great, 5 good, and 2 ok) Airal receives one of the high-quality ones.
4 bone pendants in the shape of Horn Triskelion (wisdom and inspiration) (2 ok, 2 high) One of the high ones goes to Phaedra
1 set of great divination runes made of wood for myself.
Session 1 Downtime
I spend my downtime assisting Phaedra [Morgan] with ooze research, but I also like to look in more to what auras look like when I'm possessing someone. In the three weeks, one day I go to Rejn's character and have him run experiments with me. We take turns possessing animals and humans and watching the auras enter and exit the bodies.
Most days, I suffer from terrible nightmares. I write them down and try to recreate the objects that I see with drawings and clay. When the party reconvenes, I show the objects and drawings for analysis.
Food is hunted in my usual way. Preying on those who would prey on others.