Tophet's Gate

Many volcanoes are reputed to be gates to Hell. One well-known incident that demonstrates this occurred when the heretical Ostrogothic king Theodoric died in 526. A jet-black stallion arrived at Theodoric's palace in Ravenna, gathered the dead king's body, and then galloped away to Mt. Etna, straight into the crater and down into Hell.

If there is a hell portal in the volcano, it is likely accessed via an Infernal regio.

For ease, the story seeds that follow refer to a single devil interacting with the covenant. In your saga, a series of demons could interact with the covenant, or one or two powerful demons could take on the role of the devil.

Deals with the Devil

Even if they are not infernalists, the devil may offer the magi power. Of course, dealing with the devil imperils the immortal souls of the magi, but if his help is really needed, then what choice do the magi have?

Some aid that the devil can offer is listed here. The devil may merely wait for opportunities to offer his aid, or he may actively arrange circumstances where his aid is needed. Corrupter demons (see Realms of Power: The Infernal, page 48) are the most likely to be involved in stories concerning deals.

The Portal: The magi need to rapidly travel. The devil offers the hell portal, explaining that by traveling through it they can arrive at any crossroads in Mythic Europe.

Vis: If the magi run short of vis, then the devil is able to offer some from Hell's stocks. Of course, this will be infernally tainted.

Illusions: A foolish magus has committed a crime under the Code of Hermes: perhaps he has endangered other magi by interfering in the mundane, he has scryed upon the secrets of another magus, or he has killed another magus. The devil offers to cover this indiscretion; his illusions cannot be broken by Hermetic magic.

Ward Against Age: If the magi are very elderly, they may find it difficult to create an effective Longevity Ritual. The devil offers a ward against age which will prolong the magi's lives far beyond the capability of Hermetic magic.

Sacrifices

A portal to Hell is unlikely to remain open without frequent sacrifice. Even if it would, the devil would hardly inform the magi of this fact, as making sacrifices to the devil is a good way to damn your soul. Some stories that might arise from sacrifices include:

Revolt in the Inferno: The magi sacrifice the children of the grogs to the devil by casting them into the volcano. Rego Mentem effects can easily keep the grogs under control in even the most despicable circumstances, but one botched spell by the magi could unravel all their careful plans and throw the covenant into revolt against their infernal masters. The devil might even manufacture circumstances to make this happen — after all, a bloody revolt is sure to lead to more dammed souls, regardless of how it ends.

The Hidden Coven: Although the magi do not make sacrifices to the devil, a coven of infernalists hidden nearby does. The coven infiltrated the ranks of the covenant grogs and secretly cast sacrifices into the volcano heart. Will the infernalists be found out?

The Devil's Henchmen: The magi seek out and assassinate infernalists and devil worshipers throughout Mythic Europe. Where possible they throw the bodies of these executed heretics into the maw of the volcano. The magi argue that they are performing god's work, but on the other hand by executing an infernalist the magi have prevented him from repenting and saving his soul, thus ensuring another damned soul for hell. Are the magi the servants of heaven or hell?

Guardians

The covenant magi might neither worship nor deal with the devil; instead they might guard the hell portal and try to prevent demons from escaping into the world. Destroyer demons (see Realms of Power: The Infernal, page 48) are the most likely to be involved in stories where Hell directly attacks the covenant. Some stories that might arise from this are:

Ward Masters: It is well-known in the Order that the covenant guards a portal to Hell. This is considered a worthy duty and many other covenants in the Tribunal send gifts of vis to help maintain a powerful Aegis around the covenant and to assist in the regular

things buried to a depth of about 1 pace. (Base 2, +2 Sun, +2 Smell, +1 smell

through intervening material; +4 constant effect)

Required Lab Total to invest effect: One Season (38), Two Seasons (29), Three Seasons (26), Four Seasons (24).

Stone Crawler Effect

ReTe 14

Pen: +0, constant effect

R: Personal, D: Sun, T: Individual

This effect manipulates the legs of the Stone Harvester, enabling it to move around the crater rim. The Stone Harvester moves constantly, at the pace of a walking man, in a clockwise direction around the crater rim.

(Base 3, +2 Sun, +1 affect stone; +4 constant effect)

Required Lab Total to invest effect: One Season (28), Two Seasons (21), Three Seasons (19), Four Seasons (18).