Petalichus of Verditus

Concept: Spinning webs of intrigue through the use of secret Mysteries, this crafter of seemingly humble devices is as secretive, manipulative, and vindictive as his arachnid familiar implies.

Petalichus the Weaver of Veriditus is the latest in the line of Arachne's Children, a diminished cult of weavers within House Verditius. He learned to weave magic into the most humble of devices, while others in his House wrought great weapons and exquisite rings. But beyond his House, his learning in philosophy and the artes liberales brought him to the attention of others, and he was soon adopted into the Cononites, a secretive mystical cult within the Order of Hermes that seeks out, reveres, and safeguards the more esoteric works of Conon of Samos and other Greek scholars such as Euclid, Apollonius, and Archimedes. The cult taught Petalichus its secret magic, and in return Petalichus crafted tools and devices to help its members use that learning more effectively. Petalichus the Weaver is as secretive, manipulative, and vindictive as his arachnid familiar leads others to suspect. Though his crafts may be humble, his ambitions are lofty and he often brings the full power of his knowledge and craft to bear on his enemies. He is a dangerous man, operating out of sight and through agents and proxies, concealed behind a web of deceit and confusion.

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

Size: 0

Age: 25 (25) Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence Score: 2 (5)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Major Magical Focus (cloth); Inventive Genius, Puissant Artes Liberales, Planetary Magic, Puissant Finesse, Puissant Magic Theory, Self-Confident, Verditius Magic; Enemies (Solar Magnus), Weak Spontaneous Magic; Slow Caster, Driven (find the lost works), Infamous

Personality Traits: Acquisitive +1, Decisive +1, Hungry for Knowledge +2

Reputations: Ill-tempered 4 (Magi of Thebes) Combat:

Dodge: Init –1, Attack N/A, Defense +0, Damage N/A

Fist: Init –1, Attack +3, Defense +0, Damage –1

Knife: Init –1, Attack +5, Defense +1, Damage +1

Soak: +0

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+2 (astronomy), Awareness 1 (searching), Bargain 1 (enchantments), Brawl 1 (Knife), Clothiery 1 (shirts), Code of Hermes 1 (political intrigue), Constantinople Lore 3 (geography), Finesse 1+2 (precision), Greek 5 (magical terms), Guile 1 (lying to authority), Intrigue 1 (alliances), Latin 3 (Hermetic usage), Leadership 1 (magi), Magic Lore 2 (magical traditions), Magic Theory 4+2 (enchanting items), Verditius Cult Lore 1 (initiations), Parma Magica 1 (Ignem), Penetration 1 (Ignem), Philosophiae 2 (ceremonial magic), Weaver 3 (linen)

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

Twilight Scars: None

Equipment: Good-quality clothes, wizardly robes, workman's clothes, loom

Encumbrance: 0 (0) Spells Known:

Unmake This Cloth (PeAn 10/+3*)

A Day's Worth of Spinning (ReAn 10/+13*)

A Day's Worth of Weaving (ReAn 10/+13*) The Even Hand of The Determined Weaver

(Re(Cr)An 5/+3*)

The Weaver's Subtle Art (ReAn 5/+13*) Arachne's Tuition (ReCo 20/+13)

Spasms of the Uncontrolled Hand (ReCo 5/+13)

Lamp without Flame (CrIg 10/+5)

Tales of the Ashes (InIg 5/+10)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+5)

Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+8)

Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20/+10)

Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5/+7)

* includes Magical Focus

Vis: Petalichus rarely carries vis himself unless he is sure of needing it.

Appearance: Petalichus is a good-looking young man, though somewhat pale and intense behind his slick dark hair. His bearing has suffered from long years spent learning his crafts, but he dresses himself in elegant finery. He is precise and the decoration on his clothes matches this, tending toward geometric, clean, and even shapes.

Sigil: Petalichus's magic manifests as threads that weave an effect, and traces of magic feel like frayed edges. He votes with a silver wand in the shape of a large needle.

Casting Tools: Petalichus uses a number of oversized needles pinned into his cuffs, each corresponding to a different spell. Each needle carries a different thread, and as the spell is cast the needle is pulled from his cuff and pierced through a cloth held in the other hand.

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

Size: 0

Age: 40 (36)

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 3 (0)

Confidence Score: 2 (5)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Major Magical Focus (Cloth); Inventive Genius, Items of Quality, Planetary Magic, Puissant Artes Liberales, Puissant Magic Theory, Puissant Finesse, Self-Confident, Verditius Magic; Weak Spontaneous Magic, Enemies (Solar Magnus); Driven (Find the lost works), Hubris, Infamous, Slow Caster

Personality Traits: Acquisitive +1, Decisive +1, Hubris (Arrogant) +2, Hungry for Knowledge +2

Reputations: Ill-tempered 4 (Magi of Thebes) Combat:

Dodge: Init –1, Attack N/A, Defense +0, Damage N/A

Fist: Init –1, Attack +3, Defense +0, Damage –1

Knife: Init –1, Attack +5, Defense +1, Damage +1

Soak: +0

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 4+2 (astronomy), Awareness 1 (searching), Bargain 1 (enchantments), Brawl 1 (knife), Clothiery 2 (shirts), Code of Hermes 1 (political intrigue), Constantinople Lore 3 (geography), Finesse 3+2 (precision), Greek 5 (magical terms), Guile 1 (lying to authority), Intrigue 1 (alliances), Latin 4 (Hermetic usage), Leadership 1 (magi), Magic Lore 2 (magical traditions), Magic Theory 4+2 (enchanting items) , Verditius Cult Lore 3 (Initiations), Parma Magica 2 (Ignem), Penetration 2 (Ignem), Philosophiae 4 (ceremonial magic), Weaver 4 (linen)

Arts: Cr 15, In 9, Mu 1, Pe 7, Re 7, An 3, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 9, He 3, Ig 5, Im 0, Me 9, Te 2, Vi 2

Twilight Scars: None

Equipment: Good-quality clothes, wizardly robes, workman's clothes, loom, cloth shears (invested with The Perfect Fit as described later), tapestry doorhanging (as described later).

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells Known:

Unmake This Cloth (PeAn 10/+13*)

Bind Fast (ReAn(He) 5/+13*)

A Day's Worth of Spinning (ReAn 10/+13*)

A Day's Worth of Weaving (ReAn 10/+13*)

The Even Hand of The Determined Weaver (Re(Cr)An 5/+13*)

The Treacherous Cloak (ReAn(He) 5/+13*)

The Weaver's Subtle Art (ReAn 5/+13*)

Arachne's Tuition (ReCo 20/+16) Spasms of the Uncontrolled Hand (ReCo 5/+16) Lamp without Flame (CrIg 10/+20) Tales of the Ashes (InIg 5/+14) Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+9) Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+18) Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20/+16) Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5/+11)

* includes Magical Focus Vis: Petalichus has started to display the fruits of his labors openly, and often wears amulets and rings carrying several pawns of vis, usually Rego.

Appearance: In the 15 years since his gauntle,t Petalichus has grown a long black beard, which, like his hair, he binds into cords with threads and strips of cloth. His natural ill-temper has combined with the hubris of his craft to give him a stern, disagreeable countenance.

Activities in the last 15 years: Over the course of the last 15 years, Petalichus began his journey through the Verditius mysteries taking his first initiation. He also began to stretch his mundane knowledge, seeking out books and correspondences concerning mathematics, geometry, and astrology. While he has not yet encountered the Cononites, they know of him and have been watching his progress. Petalichus invented his (level 8) longevity ritual during this period, and it takes the form of a ritual unbinding and binding of his beard with specially prepared cords.

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

Size: 0 Age: 55 (43) Decrepitude: 0 Warping Score: 4 (17) Confidence Score: 2 (15)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Celestial Magic, Major Magical Focus (Cloth); Hermetic Numerology, Hermetic Geometry, Inventive Genius, Items of Quality, Puissant Artes Liberales, Puissant Magic Theory, Puissant Finesse, Self-Confident, Verditius Magic; Weak Spontaneous Magic, Enemies (Solar Magnus); Difficult Spontaneous Magic, Driven (Find the lost works), Hubris, Infamous, Slow Caster

Personality Traits: Acquisitive +2, Decisive +1, Hubris (Arrogant) +3, Hungry for Knowledge +2

Reputations: Ill-tempered 4 (Magi of Thebes) Combat:

Dodge: Init –1, Attack N/A, Defense +0, Damage N/A

Fist: Init –1, Attack +3, Defense +0, Damage –1

Knife: Init –1, Attack +5, Defense +1, Damage +1

Soak: +0

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 4+2 (astronomy), Awareness 1 (searching), Brawl 1 (knife), Clothiery 2 (shirts), Code of Hermes 1 (political intrigue), Cononites Cult Lore 4 (Initiating others), Constantinople Lore 3 (geography), Finesse 3+2 (precision), Greek 5 (magical terms), Guile 1 (lying to authority), Intrigue 1 (alliances), Latin 4 (Hermetic usage), Leadership 1 (magi), Magic Lore 2 (magical traditions), Magic Theory 5 +2 (enchanting items), Verditius Cult Lore 3 (Initiations), Parma Magica 3 (Ignem), Penetration 3 (Ignem), Philosophiae 4 (ceremonial magic), Weaver 4 (linen)

Arts: Cr 15, In 13, Mu 1, Pe 10, Re 13, An 3, Aq 0, Au 1, Co 11, He 3, Ig 5, Im 13, Me 9, Te 9, Vi 9

Twilight Scars: His fingers are longer than is natural.

Equipment: Good-quality clothes, wizardly robes, workman's clothes, loom, cloth shears (invested with The Perfect Fit as described later), tapestry doorhanging (as described later), selection of casting tablets, Distaff of Petalichus talisman (as described later).

Encumbrance: 0 (0) Spells Known:

Unmake This Cloth (PeAn 10/+16*)

Bind Fast (ReAn(He) 5/+19*)

A Day's Worth of Spinning (ReAn 10/+19*)

A Day's Worth of Weaving (ReAn 10/+19*)

The Even Hand of The Determined Weaver (Re(Cr)An 5/+19*)

The Treacherous Cloak (ReAn(He) 5/+19*)

The Weaver's Subtle Art (ReAn 5/+19*)

Arachne's Tuition (ReCo 20/+24)

Remain Within Those Walls (ReCo 20/+24)

Spasms of the Uncontrolled Hand (ReCo 5/+24)

Lamp without Flame (CrIg 10/+20)

Tales of the Ashes (InIg 5/+18)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+26)

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

Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20/+22)

(Rote) Unseen Arm (ReTe 5/+26) Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5/+22)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Divine Power (InVi 3/+28)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Faerie Power (InVi 3/+28)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Infernal Power (InVi 3/+28)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Magical Power (InVi 3/+28)

* includes Magical Focus

Vis: Petalichus carries a number of pawns as a display of Hermetic wealth.

Appearance: While his longevity ritual has helped him retain some youth, Petalichus carries himself with the bearing of an aging man. He is heavier and his clothing reflects this; he wears heavy elaborate robes edged with embossed leather, and covered with ornate mystical and mathematical symbols.

Activities in the last 15 years: During this period of Petalichus' life, he was approached by the Cononites and initiated into its secret society. He gained their trust quickly. He has all but turned his back on his traditional Verditius Mysteries. It is worth noting that the Initiations Petalichus has endured up to this point have left him unable to work Spontaneous magic, as he now suffers from both the Weak and Difficult Spontaneous Magic flaws. He is reliant on a number of casting tablets supplied by his brother Cononites (see Covenants, page 89) for many simple spells. Assume that Petalichus has any reasonable Intellego spell up to fourth magnitude. He also began to experiment with creating ligatures (Art & Academe, page 68) at this time, another influence from the Cononites.

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

Size: 0

Age: 70 (54)

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 6 (7)

Confidence Score: 2 (15)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Celestial Magic, Major Magical

Personality Traits: Acquisitive +2, Decisive +1, Hubris (Arrogant) +4, Hungry for Knowledge +2, Loyal (Idmon) +3

Reputations: Ill-tempered 4 (Magi of Thebes) Combat:

Dodge: Init: –1, Attack N/A, Defense +0, Damage N/A

Fist: Init: –1, Attack +3, Defense +0, Damage –1

Knife: Init: –1, Attack +5, Defense +1, Damage +1

Soak: +0

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 4+2 (astronomy), Awareness 1 (searching), Bargain 1 (enchantments), Brawl 1 (knife), Clothiery 2 (shirts), Code of Hermes 1 (political intrigue), Cononites Cult Lore 4 (Initiating others), Constantinople Lore 3 (geography), Finesse 3+2 (precision), Greek 5 (magical terms), Guile 3 (lying to authority), Intrigue 2 (alliances), Latin 4 (Hermetic usage), Leadership 2 (magi), Magic Lore 2 (magical traditions), Magic Theory 7+2 (enchanting items), Verditius Cult Lore 3 (Initiations), Parma Magica 4 (Ignem), Penetration 4 (Ignem), Philosophiae 4 (ceremonial magic), Weaver 4 (linen)

Arts: Cr 15, In 13, Mu 3, Pe 10, Re 13, An 11, Aq 1, Au 2, Co 11, He 13, Ig 5, Im 13, Me 12, Te 11, Vi 8

Twilight Scars: His fingers are longer than is natural.

Equipment: Good-quality clothes, wizardly robes, workman's clothes, loom, cloth shears (invested with The Perfect Fit as described later), tapestry doorhanging (as described later), selection of casting tablets, Greater Numerologist's Book (Book Bonus +8 and enchanted with Sense the Hour and the "Halysis" effects as described later), The Map of Many Places (as described later), three candles invested with The Light of Fell Disease, one Sheet of Flame, and The Convenient Door (as

described later), Distaff of Petalichus talisman (as described later).

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells Known:

Unmake This Cloth (PeAn 10/+30*)

Bind Fast (ReAn(He) 5/+34*) Mastery 1 (Fast-Cast)

A Day's Worth of Spinning (ReAn 10/+33*)

A Day's Worth of Weaving (ReAn 10/+33*)

The Even Hand of The Determined Weaver (Re(Cr)An 5/+33*)

The Treacherous Cloak (ReAn(He) 5/+34*) Mastery 1 (Penetration)

The Weaver's Subtle Art (ReAn 5/+33*)

Arachne's Tuition (ReCo 20/+24)

Remain Within Those Walls (ReCo 20/+24)

Spasms of the Uncontrolled Hand (ReCo 5/+24)

Lamp without Flame (CrIg 10/+20)

Tales of the Ashes (InIg 5/+18)

Prying Eyes (InIm 5/+26)

To See As Though a Plethron Distant (InIm 25/+26)

The Unwelcoming Room (CrMe 30/+27)

Sight of the Transparent Motive (InMe 10/+26) Mastery 1 (Still casting)

(Rote) Recollection of Memories Never Quite Lived (MuMe 4/+29)

Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20/+25)

(Rote) Scribe the Perfect Circle (Re(Cr)Te 4/+38)

(Rote) Unseen Arm (ReTe 5/+38)

Scales of the Magical Weight (InVi 5/+21)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Divine Power (InVi 3/+35)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Faerie Power (InVi 3/+35)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Infernal Power (InVi 3/+35)

(Rote) Sense the Weight of Magical Power (InVi 3/+35)

A Day's Grace (ReVi 30/+21)

* includes Magic Focus

Vis: Aware of his limitations with Spontaneous magic, Petalichus retains a personal supply of Rego vis in order to boost the penetration of the few offensive spells he knows.

Appearance: Now looking like a man in his mid-fifties, with his twisted and bound beard turning grey, his hair receding, and his brows thick and protruding, Petalichus has the presence of authority that only maturity can bring. He is adorned with devices (both of his own making, and others the provenance of which may never be certain), rings, his talisman, a large book slung in a satchel, his heavy robes, and Idmon his sinister arachnid familiar.

Activities in the last 15 years: Much of Petalichus' time during this period was spent crafting his numerologist's book, copies of which he supplied to the Cononites cult. His ambitious nature also asserted itself and he created a number of items with overtly offensive aims. As Petalichus approached his seventieth year, he finally bested his age-old enemy Solar Magnus while both were scouring Canterbury for an ancient text. His future is uncertain from this point onward, though his friends within the Cononites may exploit their connections and influence in his defense.