The Aerie Clan

For generations, the Aerie have dwelled at Val-Negra. Their peaceful isolation was disrupted by outsiders seeking to plunder the magic of the mountain. Their tales speak of repelling foes ranging from Roman wizards to Carthaginian sorcerers. They were eventually subjugated by a cabal of Sahirs. The wizard Delendar liberated the Aerie and seized Val-Negra. Ever since, they've served him and his heirs with dedication. This included the Primi of House Flambeau until the relocation of the domus magna. Now they await the day when a (living) magus will return to claim that inheritance, a day that may never come.

Aerie culture is centered around serving as covenfolk. They have forgotten any other way of life, and carry on as if Val-Negra were thriving and active. Aerie folk have names derived from classical Latin, and use that language for any writing if they are literate.

The Aerie are mostly indistinguishable from each other; the only measurable differences being age, gender, and rank. The lifecycle of the Aerie serves as a guideline for character creation. Youths (appearing to be 21 or less) are Spring Characters, Adults (22 to 44) are Summer Characters, the Mature (45 to 66) are Autumn, and the Elders (67 to 99) are Winter Characters. The only exceptions are Romulus and Remus, who are always Winter characters no matter what physical age they are. The Aerie also believe in reincarnation, that each generation is reborn from the spirits of their elders. There is no apparent proof of these claims, and the naming rituals of infants held at the shrine have no detectable supernatural effect. The fact that there is no memory of past lives, only tales handed down through the ages, would seem to indicate that this is just superstition. But then there are Romulus and Remus, who seem to remember everything.

command, +1 intricacy): Greater Power (15 levels); Improved Power (–2 Might cost)

Curse of Ash; 5 points, (Ignem), Init –10. Imposes the Minor Flaw of Deficient Form (Ignem). If permanent, the cost is removed from the Adulteration's Might score as well as Might pool. If temporary, Might points spent are recovered when the Flaw is withdrawn. R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Ind, Ritual. Ritual Power (non-Hermetic)

Curse of Cinders; 5 points, (Ignem), Init –10. Imposes the Minor Flaw of Incompatible Arts (CrIg, ReIg) upon the victim. If permanent, the cost is removed from the Adulteration's Might score as well as Might pool. If temporary, Might points spent are recovered when the Flaw is withdrawn. R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Ind, Ritual. Ritual Power (non-Hermetic)

Donning the Corporeal Veil, 0 point, Init –3, Corpus. Allows the spirit to physically manifest until the next sunrise or sunset, as a darkly tanned older man, dressed in a rough, brown woolen robe. The penalties imposed by The Gift still apply though; the spirit is somehow disturbing and stands out, despite appearing very average in every way. Cr(Re)Co 25 R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Ind. (Base 5, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 requisite): Greater Power (25 levels); Improved Power (–3 Might cost)

Ghost Touch, variable cost, (Te), Init 0 (– Might points spent). Moves objects not held by another or fastened down. For 1 Might point, a maximum of 5 pounds can be moved; every additional Might point doubles this weight limit. If the item is hurled with force, use the Thrown Weapons ability and it inflicts +5 damage per Might point spent. The spirit can enter combat with an object when using this power. All physical attacks with this power must penetrate Magic Resistance. The power last until the object is released by the spirit. The Adulteration cannot affect items beyond the Iron Door unless the door ceases to function. ReTe25 R: varies, D: varies, T: varies. Focus Power

Pilum of Fire, 0 points, (Ignem), Init 0. The Founder's signature spell, creating a jet of flame that inflicts +15 damage. CrIg20 R: Voice, D: Mom, T: Group. (Base 10, +2 Voice): Greater Power (20 levels); Improved Power (+2 Init, –3 Might cost, Spell Mastery 3 (Fast Casting, Multiple Casting, Penetration))

Presence, 0 points, Init –4, Imaginem. Grants awareness of everything that happens within the innermost regio of Val-Negra, but cannot affect anything beyond the Iron Door unless the Ward ceases to function. InIm35 R: Arc, D: Sun, T: Ind. (Base 2 +4 Arc, +2 Sun, +1 constant effect. +1 non-Hermetic effects): Greater Powers (35 levels); Improved Power (–3 Might cost)

Smoke on the Wind, 0 points, Init 0, Ignem. The Adulteration can fly through the air in any direction simply by concentrating. If distracted, control is lost but the power holds the Adulteration aloft indefinitely. ReIg15 R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind (Base 4, +2 Sun, +1 Constant): Greater Power (15 levels); Improved Power (-2 Might cost, +2 Init)

Appearance: If perceived or manifested the Adulteration appears as a deeply tanned, bald man in his late 50's. If angry, it begins to smolder and smoke and releases bits of ash, bursting into an immolated form when furious and ready to attack. It truly believes it is the Founder Flambeau, trapped within the regio. It usually manifests in human form, but may conceal itself and interact via its Eidolon. It loathes Moors and sahirs, and immediately attacks if confronted by such individuals. Imprisonment confuses it and it strives to escape, though it doesn't understand how the door prevents it from leaving.

Magic Might: 10 (Mentem)

Characteristics: Int 0, Per +1, Pre 0, Com 0, Str +1, Sta +2, Dex +1, Qik +1

Size: 0

Age: unknown (33)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Human; Affinity with Single Weapon, Custos, Warrior; Covenant Upbringing, Dutybound, Vow (service to Val-Negra)

Qualities and Inferiorities: Natural Appearance; Essential Virtue: Unnoticeable (Minor), Gift of Tongues, Improved Powers (x2), Lesser Powers (x2), Mentem Resistance, Minor Virtue: Arcane Lore, Second Sight, Unaffected by the Gift; Restricted Power, Slow Power, Susceptible to Depravation

Personality Traits: Unnoticeable (Dexterity) +3, Loyal +2, Brave –2, Inconspicuous (Presence) –3

Combat:

Long Sword & Round Shield: Init +3, Attack +12, Defense +11, Damage +8

Soak: +7

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: –1 (1–5), –3 (6–10), –5 (11–15), Incapacitated (16–20), Dead (21+)

Abilities: Aerie Language 5 (gossip), Athletics 3 (climb), Awareness 2 (alert), Brawl 4 (grapple), Carouse 1 (drinking songs), Concentration 1 (silent speech), Folk Ken 1 (Aerie Clan), Latin 3 (Hermetic), Magic Lore 1 (effects of magic), Mentem Resistance 1 (Hermetic), Organization Lore: Aerie 1 (ancestors), Organization Lore: Order of Hermes 1 (House Flambeau), Penetration 4 (other Aerie), Profession: Soldier 4 (guard duty), Second Sight 4 (spirits), Single Weapon 6 (long sword), Stealth 3 (quiet), Thrown Weapon 4 (spear), Val-Negra Lore 1 (glory days)

Powers:

Silent Speech of the Aerie Clan, 0 points, Init +1, Mentem. Aerie can mentally communicate with each other using a form of "silent speech." That is, if they communicate their thoughts "aloud," they can be heard by any other Aerie within range of their "voice"; that is, how much effort they put into the "volume" of their words, which for them is no different that the effort a man puts into whispering or shouting. This power is Restricted in that communication is only possible with other Aerie, and concerning one another, Penetration is multiplied by 6; +2 Sympathetic Connection for being blood related and knowing each other's names, +4 for the Arcane Connection they share (this connection is personal and cannot be used by others). The typical Aerie will thus have a Penetration of 40, allowing them to speak with Romulus and Remus. CrMe20 R: Special, D: Conc, T: Ind. (Base 3, +2 Voice, +1 Conc, +2 Group): Lesser Power (20 levels, –1 cost); Restricted Power: 25xp Penetration

Invisibility of Silent Standing, 0 points, Init one round then +0, Imaginem. If standing quietly for more than a few moments, an Aerie totally blends in with her surroundings to the point that she is invisible. The effect is brought upon automatically if the conditions are met, but is broken if she moves or speaks aloud or mentally (remaining mentally silent can be challenging, thus the Duration of Concentration). Aerie elders are able to remain invisible longer and even while moving (optional Variable Power). PeIm5 R: Per, D: Conc, T: Ind. (Base 4, +1 Conc); Lesser Power (5 levels, –1 cost, Slow Power)

Equipment: long sword, round shield, partial suit chain mail

Encumbrance: 1

Vis: 2 Mentem in brains

Appearance: The people of the Aerie Clan appear drab, dull, and unnoticeable. Physically they are nearly identical, with variations due to gender and age.

Variations: These statistics represent a typical adult clan member, in this case a soldier of the Black Guard. These statistics can be changed represent any clan member by applying a few quick adjustments. The Minor Flaw of Covenant Upbringing is required, and they each have an Affinity pertaining to their role (a primary Ability). Make adjustments to Characteristics and other Abilities as needed. Grog Level Characters have a Might Score of 10, and Companions have a score of 20 (and additional Qualities). Children and Youth have 240 fewer experience points, and Elders have an additional 360 experience points.

Aerie Weaver Woman: (Mature Grog) Virtues & Flaws: Covenfolk; Magic Human; Affinity with Craft: Weaving,

Gossip; Covenant Upbringing, Fear: of Outside World (Minor)

Characteristics: Per +2, Str –1, Dex +2 Abilities: Aerie Language 5 (gossip), Awareness 1 (details), Brawl 1 (knife), Carouse 1 (drinking songs), Craft: Weaving 5 (tapestries), Concentration 2 (silent speech), Folk Ken 3 (Aerie Clan), Intrigue 3 (gossip), Latin 3 (Hermetic), Magic Lore 2 (effects of magic), Mentem Resistance 1 (Hermetic), Organization Lore: Aerie 2 (ancestors), Organization Lore: Order of Hermes 1 (House Flambeau), Penetration 4 (other Aerie), Second Sight 3 (spirits), Stealth 2 (quiet), Val-Negra Lore 2 (interesting sites)

Romulus & Remus: The Aerie are always led by a pair of twins named Romulus and Remus. Romulus is Autocrat of the Interior and the dominant of the pair. Remus, Autocrat of the Exterior, is slightly weaker but possesses secret knowledge. Twins are rare amongst the Aerie, and signify a time to transfer knowledge to the next generation. The elder and younger twins conduct a secret ceremony before the Shrine. When it is finished, the young twins emerge with the minds and memories of the elder pair, who have disappeared. Romulus is obsessed with keeping Val-Negra closed off, and Remus wants to reach out to the outside world. They have Might scores of 33 & 32 (respectively), and are more advanced than other Aerie in various other ways. Each has the following additional power:

Aura of Rightful Authority, 0 points, Init –2, Mentem. ReMe20 R: Voice, D: Concentration, T: Ind. (Base 5, +2 Voice, +1 Concentration); Lesser Power (20 levels, –4 cost +1 Init; Improved Power: +5 Init)