Matias the Librarian
Characteristics: Int +2 (2), Per 0, Pre 0, Com 0, Str 0, Sta +1, Dex +2 (2), Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 45 (45)
Decrepitude: 0 (4) Warping Score: 0 (4)
Confidence Score: 0 (0)
Virtues and Flaws: Custos (granting Academic Abilities), Clear Thinker, Puissant Librarian; Ability Block (Martial), Covenant Upbringing, Lame
Personality Traits: Brave +2, Dependable +1, Humble +1
Reputations: Dependable 3 (Castello del Selvaggio)
Combat:
Dodge: Init –1, Attack N/A, Defense –3, Damage N/A
Fist: Init –1, Attack +1, Defense –1, Damage +0
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: Area Lore: Lombardy 3 (history), Artes Liberales 4 (grammar), Charm 2 (first impressions), Civil and Canon Law 3 (laws and customs of a specific area), Concentration 3 (reading), Etiquette 3 (Hermetic), Folk Ken 3 (magi), Greek 3 (academic usage), Illumination 4 (academic), Intrigue 3 (rumormongering), Italian 5 (expansive vocabulary), Latin 5 (Hermetic usage), Leadership 3 (junior librarians), Organization Lore: Castello del Selvaggio 3 (resources), Organization Lore: Order of Hermes 3 (covenants), Philosophiae 3 (natural philosophy), Profession: Librarian 5+2 (ensuring order), Scribe 4 (copying)
Equipment: Nothing but the clothes he stands up in
Encumbrance: 0
Appearance: Tired and defeated. Gray hair, lined features, and a very pronounced limp.
Though good with his mind and his hands, Matias is lame and has considerable difficulty in walking any distance unaided. It is a condition that Hermetic magic is apparently unable to cure. Despite his advancing years, he has so far maintained good health, but the upheaval of being forced from his home and the rigors of his recent march means that his age may start to take its toll. Add +1 to Matias' next aging roll, should you make one.
of Castello del Selvaggio who escaped before the defenses and Maximus fell. The band is headed by Matias the librarian, and consists mainly of women, children, and men too old to fight. They have been walking for days and are hungry, exhausted, and frightened.
Trying to maintain dignity despite his condition, Matias speaks for the band and asks for sanctuary. He pleads for the protection of the Aegis and offers to throw himself upon the mercy of the magi if only they protect his charges. He does not give up his entreaty lightly and continues pleading, if only for the sake of the children. If the refugees are still refused help he asks only that they be allowed to buy bread and water before traveling to the next covenant.
If given the chance to tell his story, Matias describes the fall of Castello del Selvaggio, or at least the events that he witnessed, and his flight from the covenant. He describes how a Redcap delivered a letter on the night of the full moon; a declaration of Wizard War from three aggressors: Patronus, Al-'Aqrab, and Avedutus.
With little time to prepare a magical defense, and needing to protect his covenfolk, Maximus spent the next two weeks collecting vis from his sources and assembling such devices and casting tablets as he could. He called for help from his former apprentices and friends, but help never came. And then word reached Selvaggio that a small army of mercenaries, marching under the banner of Casalmaggiore, was headed towards Lake Garda.
A dispute had broken out between Casalmaggiore and Verona concerning Veronese taxes imposed upon Casalmaggiore merchants, and this was apparently part of the response. Faced with a fight on two fronts, the old man chose to defend his ground, close up the castle, and take his covenfolk securely inside.
The mercenaries arrived the day before the full moon and immediately set up for an assault on the small castle. The captain called for Maximus to surrender or be responsible for the coming bloodshed. The old Tytalus gave a robust response and incinerated the captain with a glance.