Persephone of Tytalus

Concept: Driven by vengeance against her pater, she and her disfigured sister use magic to enhance their network of agents, giving them a great deal of mundane influence.

Marie-Philipe and Marie-Helene were sisters from a village near a covenant. When a magus of House Tytalus chose the younger — Marie-Helene — to become his apprentice, she begged for her sister to join them as well but the magus refused; he had no interest in wasting his time on a non-Gifted girl, even if she did exhibit some latent magical ability. A short while later a catastrophic fire ravaged the family home. Marie-Philipe survived although she was horribly scarred. Marie-Helene was convinced that her master was responsible for the fire, intending to rid his apprentice of a distraction to her magical development. Marie-Helene hid her sister away and cared for her, escaping at night to bring her food and share her lessons in Hermetic magic. Unfortunately, without either The Gift or having been opened to the Arts, Marie-Philipe was unable to replicate the simplest spells.

When Marie-Helene passed her Gauntlet, she took the name "Persephone of Tytalus," and her sister adopted the moniker "Kore." The pair swore to get vengeance on Persephone's master, and that he would have a spectacular, fiery end. This has nothing to do with the House tradition of beloved rivals; this is revenge, pure and simple. Persephone is rarely found without Kore nearby, although the elder sister tends to keep to the shadows to hide her scarred face.

Persephone maintains a network of agents (see sidebar) although most are not aware that they work for her; she contacts them either through an intermediary or in disguise. Her agents are principally spies, gathering information that Kore sorts through for useful intelligence about their targets. Many of her spells and enchantments revolve around ways in which she can use her agents more efficiently in her plans, which have tended to drift from revenge to general meddling in the politics of her tribunal.

Characteristics: Int +2, Per –1, Pre +3, Com +2, Str –1, Sta +1, Dex –1, Qik 0

Size: 0 Age: 21 (21) Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 0 Confidence Score: 2 (6)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Secondary Insight; Affinity with Muto, Improved Characteristics, Puissant Mentem, Quiet Magic, Self Confident*, Social Contacts, Special Circumstances (when sister is near), Subtle Magic; Deficient Technique (Creo), Driven (defeat master), True Love (sister); Fear (fire)

* House Virtue

Personality Traits: Devoted to Sister +3, Vengeful +3, Flirt +1

Reputations: none

Combat:

Dodge: Init 0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Damage n/a

Soak: +1

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5,

Unconscious

Persphone's network of agents is in a stage of flux; she rarely maintains an agent for long out of a sense of paranoia that he may be a double agent. However, a typical agency at any given time may contain some of the following individuals. The listed Personality Trait is the bond through which the agent is manipulated. For more information, see Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 140–144.

Clerk, Fear of Discovery +1, Resources: As a novice scribe in a rival covenant, he has access to the correspondence of the magi, and is aware of major events.

Sir Stephène

Knight, Hopeful of a Cure +3, Resources: He has substantial wealth, but is secretly a Lycanthrope and has been promised a cure.

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

Abilities: Artes Liberales 2 (logic), Charm 1 (elders), Concentration 1 (jostled), Finesse 1 (Imaginem), French 5 (Norman), Guile 2 (disguise), Latin 4 (arguing), Magic Theory 4 (enchanting jewelry), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (House Tytalus), Parma Magica 1 (Corpus), Penetration 1 (Mentem), Philosophiae 1 (Tytalan philosophy)

Arts: Cr 0**, In** 6**, Mu** 8**, Pe** 2**, Re** 4**; An** 2**, Aq** 1**, Au** 2**, Co** 3**, He** 2**, Ig** 2**, Im** 4**, Me** 7+3**, Te** 5**, Vi** 3

Twilight Scars: none Equipment: none Encumbrance: 0 (0) Spells Known:

Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15/+12)

Dance of the Staves (ReHe 5/+7)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+11) Recollection of Memories Never Quite Lived (MuMe

4/+19) Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+17) Tip of the Tongue (PeMe 5/+13)

Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10/+13)

The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10/+15)

Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15/+15)

Object of Increased Size (MuTe 15/+14)

Pierre

Journeyman, Ambitious +1, Resources: A member of a distant shoemakers' guild, he has a mentor in his guildmaster.

Wanderer, Avaricious +1, Resources: A peddler of penny cures and snake oil, he is well traveled and apprised of local gossip.

Claude

Warrior, Loyal to Sisters +3, Resources: The cousin of the two sisters, now a trusted man-at-arms to a nobleman. He can lend the strength of his men if asked.

Sister Maurisse

Mendicant Friar, Pity +2, Resources: A nun who believes the two sisters to be in need of protection.

Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10/+10) Shroud Magic (MuVi 15/+12)

Appearance: A pretty young girl with a beguiling smile. She has long russet hair, which she keeps unbound and uncovered in the manner of unmarried women. She prefers to dress in simple clothes: a woolen dress and kirtle with a leather bodice.

Casting Sigil: Doubling. Targets sometimes have a ghostly after-effect, shadow, or echo.

Voting Sigil: A silver bracelet bearing an onyx.

Characteristics: Int +2, Per –1, Pre +3, Com +2, Str –1, Sta +1, Dex –1, Qik 0

Size: 0 Age: 36 (36) Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 2 (13) Confidence Score: 2 (6)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Secondary Insight; Affinity with Muto, Improved Characteristics, Puissant Mentem, Quiet Magic, Self Confident*, Social Contacts, Special Circumstances (when sister is near), Subtle Magic; Deficient Technique (Creo), Driven (best master), True Love (sister); Fear (fire)

* House Virtue

Personality Traits: Devoted to Sister +3, Vengeful +3, Flirt +1

Reputations: none

Combat:

Dodge: Init 0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Damage n/a

Soak: +1

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: Artes Liberales 2 (logic), Charm 2 (elders), Concentration 1 (jostled), Finesse 2 (Imaginem), Folk Ken 1 (nobles), French 5 (Norman), Guile 2 (disguise), Intrigue 2 (Hermetic), Latin 4 (arguing), Magic Theory 5 (10) (enchanting jewelry), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (House Tytalus), Parma Magica 2 (4) (Corpus), Penetration 3 (Mentem), Philosophiae 3 (Tytalan philosophy), Stealth 1 (towns), Teaching 1 (Arts)

Arts: Cr 4**, In** 8**, Mu** 12**, Pe** 7**, Re** 8**; An** 6**, Aq** 3**, Au** 5 (3), Co 5**, He** 5**, Ig** 4**, Im** 7**, Me** 10+3**, Te** 8**, Vi** 7

Twilight Scars: Her eyes shine faintly green in the dark.

Equipment: Coins of Mirth (0 – 13, depending on how many she has distributed), Bracelet of Clandestine Insignificance.

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells Known:

Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15/+18)

Dance of the Staves (ReHe 5/+14)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+16)

Voice of the Leucrota (MuIm 4/+20)

Aura of Childlike Innocence (MuIm 10/+20)

Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+22)

Recollection of Memories Never Quite Lived (MuMe 4/+26)

My Old and Dear Friend (MuMe 20/+26): Mastery 1 (Quiet)

I Was Never Here (PeMe 5/+21)

Tip of the Tongue (PeMe 5/+21)

Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10/+21)

The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10/+22)

Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15/+23):

Mastery 1 (Fast Cast)

Object of Increased Size (MuTe 15/+21)

Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10/+17)

Shroud Magic (MuVi 15/+20)

Opening the Intangible Tunnel (ReVi 20/+16)

Appearance: A beautiful mature woman with a beguiling smile. She has long russet hair, which she keeps unbound and

uncovered in the manner of unmarried women. She prefers to dress in simple clothes: a woolen dress and kirtle with a leather bodice.

Activities in last 15 years: Persephone's first enchantment was the Coins of Mirth, Charged Items of which she initially made six. She made a second batch using the Lab Text and gained another seven. She spent another season in the lab creating the Bracelet of Clandestine Insignificance. Finally, Persephone started work on the Signet of Hallam, preparing the item for enchantment and instilling the first effect (in exchange for this item, her covenant has made both Persephone and Kore a longevity ritual). In the last 15 years Persephone, has also gained 159 experience points on Abilities, learned or invented 59 levels of spells, and earned 192 experience points in Arts. Due to her Secondary Insight Virtue, it was assumed that the average source quality for studying the Arts was 8. Consequently, she gained an extra 40 experience points in Forms and an extra 26 experience points in Techniques.

Characteristics: Int +2, Per –1, Pre +3 (1), Com +2, Str –1 (1), Sta +1, Dex –1 (1),

Qik –1 Size: 0 Age: 51 (40)

Decrepitude: 0 (4) Warping Score: 3 (45)

Confidence Score: 2 (6 points)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Secondary Insight; Affinity with Muto, Improved Characteristics, Puissant Mentem, Quiet Magic, Self Confident*, Social Contacts, Special Circumstances (when sister is near), Subtle Magic; Deficient Technique (Creo), Driven (best master), True Love (sister); Fear (fire)

* House Virtue

Personality Traits: Devoted to Sister +3, Vengeful +3, Flirt +1

Reputations: none

Combat:

Dodge: Init 0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Damage n/a

Soak: +1

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: Artes Liberales 3 (logic), Charm 2 (elders), Concentration 1 (jostled), Finesse 2 (Imaginem), Folk Ken 1 (nobles), French 5 (Norman), Guile 3 (disguise), Intrigue 2 (Hermetic), Latin 4 (arguing), Magic Theory 6 (enchanting jewelry), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (House Tytalus), Parma Magica 3 (Corpus), Penetration 3 (Mentem), Philosophiae 3 (Tytalan philosophy), Stealth 1 (towns), Teaching 2 (Arts)

Arts: Cr 5**, In** 10**, Mu** 14 (5), Pe 10**, Re** 10**; An** 7**, Aq** 5**, Au** 8**, Co** 6**, He** 6**, Ig** 5**, Im** 9 (5), Me 12+3**, Te** 10**, Vi** 8

Twilight Scars: Her eyes shine faintly green in the dark, clothes become of darker hue as the day progresses and lighten again during the night, all ale within 3 paces becomes water.

Equipment: Coins of Mirth (0 – 13, depending on how many she has distributed), Bracelet of Clandestine Insignificance, Pigeon Amulets (0 – 2, depending on how many she has distributed).

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells Known:

Remake the Tailor's Craft (MuAn 15/+22) Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15/+21)

Dance of the Staves (ReHe 5/+17)

Trigger the Distant Power (CrIm 5/+7*)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+20)

Summoning the Distant Image (InIm 25/+20)

Voice of the Leucrota (MuIm 4/+24)

Aura of Childlike Innocence (MuIm 10/+24)

Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+26)

The Factor's Roll Call (InMe 20/+26)

Funding the Blackmailer's Purse (InMe 30/+26)

Recollection of Memories Never Quite Lived (MuMe 4/+30)

My Old and Dear Friend (MuMe 20/+31): Mastery 1 (Quiet)

I Was Never Here (PeMe 5/+26)

Tip of the Tongue (PeMe 5/+26)

The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10/+26)

Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10/+26)

Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15/+27):

Mastery 1 (Fast Cast)

Object of Increased Size (MuTe 15/+25)

Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10/+21)

Shroud Magic (MuVi 15/+23)

Opening the Intangible Tunnel (ReVi 20/+19)

* includes Deficient Creo

Appearance: A beautiful mature woman with a beguiling smile. She has long russet hair, which she keeps confined in a crespine (a hair net) attached to the back of her coif. She prefers to dress in simple clothes: a woolen dress and kirtle with a leather bodice.

Activities in last 15 years: Persephone has

spent three seasons instilling three more effects into the Signet of Hallam. She has created two copies of the Charged Item she calls Pigeon Amulets. She has begun to train an apprentice, and has spent four seasons so far on her education. In the last 15 years, Persephone has also gained 71 experience points in Abilities, learned or invented 95 levels of spells, and earned 224 experience points in Arts. Due to her Secondary Insight Virtue it was assumed that the average source quality for studying the Arts was 8. Consequently, she gained an extra 32 experience points in Forms and an extra 26 experience points in Techniques.

Characteristics: Int +2, Per –1, Pre +3 (1), Com +2 (1), Str –1 (1), Sta +1, Dex –1 (1), Qik –1

Size: 0

Age: 66 (52)

Decrepitude: 1 (0)

Warping Score: 4 (70)

Confidence Score: 3 (9 points)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Secondary Insight; Affinity with Muto, Improved Characteristics, Puissant Mentem, Quiet Magic, Self Confident*, Social Contacts, Special Circumstances (when sister is near), Subtle Magic; Deficient Technique (Creo), Driven (best master), True Love (sister); Fear (fire)

* House Virtue

Personality Traits: Devoted to Sister +3, Vengeful +3, Flirt +1

Reputations: none

Combat:

Dodge: Init 0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Damage n/a

Soak: +1

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: Artes Liberales 3 (logic), Charm 2 (elders), Concentration 2 (jostled), Finesse 3 (Imaginem), Folk Ken 2 (nobles), French 5 (Norman), Guile 3 (disguise), Intrigue 2 (Hermetic), Latin 4 (arguing), Magic Theory 6 (enchanting jewelry), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (House Tytalus), Parma Magica 4 (Corpus), Penetration 4 (Mentem), Philosophiae 3 (Tytalan philosophy), Stealth 2 (towns), Teaching 2 (Arts)

Arts: Cr 5**, In** 10**, Mu** 16**, Pe** 11 (2), Re 12**; An** 8**, Aq** 6**, Au** 9**, Co** 9**, He** 7**, Ig** 5**, Im** 11**, Me** 13+3**, Te** 11**, Vi** 9

Twilight Scars: Her eyes shine faintly green

in the dark, clothes become of darker hue as the day progresses and lighten again during the night, all ale within 3 paces becomes water, her hair ripples

casts a spell.

Equipment: Coins of Mirth (0 – 13, depending on how many she has distributed),

Kore harbors a hatred for her sister's pater that outmatches Persephone's. She is capable of much greater passion — whereas Persephone's resentment is academic and considered, Kore's is visceral. She feels that Persephone has become distracted with being a maga, so has taken the burden of the vendetta onto herself. Unknown to her sister, her pater is observed at all times by mundane agents, who are occasionally assisted with purloined magical devices. She has launched several clandestine attacks

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Appearance: A scant inch taller than her

Kore

knowledge of her sister's actions.

against him using her Hex Ability, and has even managed to secure one of his lesser enchantments, knowing it to be an Arcane Connection. Kore knows full well that her actions could land her sister in serious trouble with the Hermetic authorities, and has been exceptionally careful to cover her tracks. Persephone can answer truthfully in front of the Quaesitores that she had no

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +3, Com –3, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex –1, Qik 0

Size: 0 Age: 24 (24) Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 0

Confidence Score: 1 (3 points)

Virtues and Flaws: Wise One; Entrancement, Hex (see Realms of Power: The Infernal, page 85); Arcane Lore, Strong Willed, True Love (sister); Enemy, Hatred; Disfigured, Offensive to Animals, Palsied Hands, Reclusive

Personality Traits: Wrathful +3, Ruthless +3, Devoted to Sister +2, Secretive +1

Reputations: none

Combat:

Knife: Init 0, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +3

Soak: +1

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: Artes Liberales 2 (grammar), Brawl 3 (knife), Chirurgy 2 (on sister), Entrancement 4 (men), Folk Ken 2 (magi), French 5 (Norman), Guile 2 (to magi), Hex 4 (sudden fires), Infernal Lore 3 (curses), Latin 3 (Hermetic), Leadership 2 (agents), Magic Lore 3 (fire spirits), Magic Theory 3 (spells), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (local tribunal), Penetration 2 (Hex), Profession: Apothecary 3 (poisons), Stealth 1 (avoiding attention)

Equipment: none

sister and with the same luxurious russet hair, it would be easy to mistake Kore for her sister were it not for the hideous burn scar on the left side of her body. The puckered flesh distorts her face into a permanent sneer. Her hands constantly shake — another symptom of her wounds — and she usually steadies them by crossing them tightly across her chest. She habitually wears a hooded cloak of dark-colored wool so as to hide her face as best she can.

Kore +15 Years

Age: 39 (38)

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +3, Com –3, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex –1, Qik 0

Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 1 (4)

Virtues and Flaws: Add Compulsion

– hand washing (from Warping)

Abilities: Artes Liberales 2 (grammar), Awareness 2 (people hiding), Brawl 4 (knife), Chirurgy 2 (on sister), Entrancement 5 (men), Folk Ken 2 (magi), French 5 (Norman), Guile 3 (to magi), Hex 5 (sudden fires), Infernal Lore 4 (curses), Intrigue 2 (magi), Latin 3 (10) (Hermetic), Leadership 3 (agents), Magic Lore 4 (fire spirits), Magic Theory 3 (spells), Order of Hermes Lore 2 (local tribunal), Penetration 3 (Hex), Profession: Apothecary 4 (poisons), Stealth 3 (avoiding attention)

Kore +30 Years

Age: 54 (51)

Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Pre +3

(2), Com –3, Str +1 (1), Sta +1, Dex –1

(1), Qik 0

Decrepitude: 0 (4) Warping Score: 2 (6)

Virtues and Flaws: Add Compulsion

– hand washing (from Warping)

Abilities: Area Lore 1 (around covenant), Artes Liberales 2 (grammar), Awareness 2 (people hiding), Brawl 4 (knife), Chirurgy 3 (on sister), Church Lore 1 (corrupt priests), Entrancement 5 (5) (men), Folk Ken 3 (magi), French 5 (Norman), Guile 4 (to magi), Hex 7 (sudden fires), Infernal Lore 4 (curses), Intrigue 3 (magi), Latin 4 (Hermetic), Leadership 4 (agents), Magic Lore 4 (fire spirits), Magic Theory 3 (spells), Order of Hermes Lore 3 (local tribunal), Penetration 4 (Hex), Profession: Apothecary 4 (poisons), Stealth 3 (avoiding attention)

Kore +45 Years

Age: 69 (62)

Characteristics: Int +3 (2), Per –1 (1), Pre +3 (2), Com –3, Str +1 (1), Sta +1, Dex –2, Qik 0

Decrepitude: 1 (4) Warping Score: 3 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Add Compulsion – hand washing, Lesser Malediction — plants wither in her vicinity (from Warping)

Abilities: Area Lore 2 (around covenant), Artes Liberales 3 (grammar), Awareness 2 (people hiding), Brawl 4 (knife), Chirurgy 3 (on sister), Church Lore 2 (corrupt priests), Entrancement 7 (men), Folk Ken 3 (magi), French 5 (Norman), Guile 4 (to magi), Hex 8 (sudden fires), Infernal Lore 5 (curses), Intrigue 4 (magi), Latin 4 (Hermetic), Leadership 4 (agents), Magic Lore 5 (fire spirits), Magic Theory 4 (spells), Order of Hermes Lore 3 (local tribunal), Penetration 4 (Hex), Profession: Apothecary 4 (poisons), Stealth 3 (avoiding attention)

Bracelet of Clandestine Insignificance, Pigeon Amulets (0 – 10, depending on how many she has distributed), Amor Sororis talisman

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells Known:

Remake the Tailor's Craft (MuAn 15/+25)

Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15/+30 T)

Dance of the Staves (ReHe 5/+20)

Trigger the Distant Power (CrIm 5/+9*)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+22)

Summoning the Distant Image (InIm 25/+22)

Voice of the Leucrota (MuIm 4/+28)

Aura of Childlike Innocence (MuIm 10/+28)

Catching the Eye (CrMe 15/+11*)

Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+27)

The Factor's Roll Call (InMe 20/+27)

Music of the Unwanted Attention (InMe 25/+27)

Funding the Blackmailer's Purse (InMe 30/+27) Recollection of Memories Never Quite Lived (MuMe

4/+33) My Old and Dear Friend (MuMe 20/+34): Mastery 1 (Quiet)

I Was Never Here (PeMe 5/+28)

Tip of the Tongue (PeMe 5/+28)

Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10/+28)

The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10/+29)

Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15/+30):

Mastery 1 (Fast Cast)

Object of Increased Size (MuTe 15/+28)

Short Step of the Ghost (MuTe(Au) 25/+26)

Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10/+24)

Invisible Hand of the Thief (ReTe 20/+24)

Opening the Intangible Tunnel (ReVi 20/+18)

Shroud Magic (MuVi 15/+26)

* includes Deficient Creo

T includes Talisman attunement bonus

Appearance: A beautiful older woman with a beguiling smile. She has long russet hair, which she keeps confined in a crespine (a hair net) attached to the back of her coif. She prefers to dress in simple clothes: a woolen dress and kirtle with a leather bodice.

Activities in last 15 years: Persephone has spent 11 seasons completing her apprentice's training. She has instilled the last effect into the Signet of Hallam, and created eight more Pigeon Amulets using her laboratory text. Persephone has spent five seasons on her talisman: preparing it for enchantment, attuning it as a talisman, and instilling two effects in it. She has also spent three seasons preparing and enchanting a twinned item for her sister Kore. She has invented 85 levels of spells, but

these are counted as four seasons in the laboratory due to her advanced Arts. She also spent a season inventing the Invisible Hand of the Thief spell from a laboratory text that she had to buy from a colleague. In the last 15 years, Persephone has also gained 85 experience points in Abilities and earned 165 experience points in Arts. Due to her Secondary Insight Virtue, it was assumed that the average source quality for studying the Arts was 8. Consequently, she gained an extra 24 experience points in Forms and an extra 22 experience points in Techniques.