Greetings all,
     Since some of you seemed to enjoy "Of Mice and Men", I thought
I'd also make available the latest adventure I just finished running.
I call this one "Trouble at Gloria Senecta" (yeah, I know, the title
sucks, but it was the best I could come up with on short notice).  Again,
a few words of explanation are in order.
     It should be rather easy to lift this adventure out of its current
setting and place it wherever you want to.  In our saga, Gloria Senecta
is an ally covenant to the covenant of the players.  We have a leader, 
(a Jerbiton, mentioned somewhere in the text briefly) and
so introducing this adventure was a snap.  The leader called a council
meeting and simply stated that a representative from the other covenant
had appeared to call in one of their favors, and three of the covenant
magi were ordered to go and see if they could solve the problem.
     If your magi don't owe tons of favors to various people or don't
have a leader, then introducing this could pose a bit of a problem, and
I pity you, because leaders and favors are really useful for dragging
unwilling magi out of their labs to trapse across the countryside for
practically no benefit of their own.
     In our sage, Gloria Senecta is located in the Greater Alps Tribunal
(but this is not really important).  The covenant is a large, partial
ruin that stands atop a huge rocky promontory, surrounded by an ocean of
trees.  It is, of course, in the middle of a fairy forest, with a
fairy aura of +8.  Note: I don't remember if I emphasise this in the text
at all, but the gnome king, Zwerg lives in the same location as the
covenant, but in regio.  Gloria Senecta is Fairie plagued, haunted, the
magi are divided, and their covenfolk and grogs are all (mentally) warped.
The grogs are actively lazy.
     At the end of the adventure, I have added some of the
relevant stats I used for the magi at Gloria Senecta.  
     In my run of the adventure, three magi were present, a Verditius
named Magica ad Infinitum, a flambeau named Fulmen Pulsare, and an Ex
Misc. whose name I can't remember.  The Ex Misc. had giant blood and
could actually use a weapon.  The Flambeau was a bit atypical, as he
was a nice guy.  During his apprentice's gauntlet he stopped to help a
farmer fix his wagon, and thus obtained a ride most of the way to the
flambeau meeting.  He didn't cause any destruction.  He therefore has
a bad reputation within his house for being a wimp.  A couple of
interesting asides from this run are added within the adventure in
brackets [].

Disclaimers:
     1.  The creature statistics were fine for the people I chose to go
on the adventure.  Be careful with those wolves, though.
     2.  Feel free to use it, redistribute it, but please don't try to
sell it or otherwise make any money off of it (other then player-SG bribes,
of course).
     3.  Above all else, have fun...

						Henry G. Thomas
						henry@critical.mit.edu


                   Trouble at Gloria Senecta

Synopsis:
     The magi are called to help with a problem that their ally
covenant is having.  Fairies have stolen their magical fountain,
their protected source of 20 pawns/year of Vim vis, and
incidentally, their only source of drinking water (there's
another stream nearby, but it's about a mile away). To complicate
things further, the Vim vis is needed in an annual ritual
performed by the resident Quaesitor to keep a major demon bound
into a magical tree on the covenant grounds (their source of
Herbam vis) so that it cannot wreak havoc in the world.  A
temporary solution may be reached by convincing the divided magi
at the covenant that it is in their best interests to provide the
vis for the ritual for a year at least, but the only real
solution seems to be recovering the fountain from the fairies.
     The fairies have stolen the fountain at the urging of
Praeses of house Merinita, who has been championing their cause
for about 5 years now.  Unfortunately, Praeses does not know
about the demon and the tree.

Major Characters:

The Magi of Gloria Senecta

Vigor Invictus of house Bonisagus
     Vigor Invictus is obsessed with the creation of, in his
words, "The perfect longevity potion."  That is, he is seeking
immortality.  Over the years he has gotten better and better at
longevity potions, and he feels that he is on the brink of a
major breakthrough (he has felt this way for several years).  One
of his most current lines of research involves fairies.  It is
rumored that fairy creatures do not age or die of old age.  Vigor
Invictus interprets this to mean that there must be some
substance to be found in fairies that is responsible for this
agelessness.  If he can discover what it is, and distill its
essence, he can be famous in the order forever (and live to keep
reminding everyone).  The gnomes that live nearby live in
constant fear and hatred of him.
     He is also a busybody.  When he is not immersed in his
research, he is moving about the covenant, finding people to
bother and distract.  For some reason he is very interested in
knowing what everyone else in the covenant is doing.  If, for
some reason, he perceives that the players are keeping a secret
from him, he will try everything to get it out.  Failing in that,
he will suddenly become unfriendly, and work to hinder their
progress.  The other magi here put up with him because he
designed all of their longevity potions.  Without him, most of
them would probably have been dead a long time ago.  He has also
made several longevity potions for the covenfolk and the grogs,
with experimentation, of course.

Futurus Caecus of house Criamon
     Nobody at the covenant remembers seeing Futurus Caecus at
all in the last 25 years.  He was last seen by the magi at the
council meeting before last, held 25 years ago. The grogs say that
they leave food by the door to his sanctum and they sometimes
find it gone, but none of them report having seen Futurus or
anyone else take the food.  The magi don't really care that he is
apparently missing.  The flambeau find his absence refreshing. 
The Quaesitor is too involved with the tree to have even noticed. 
The Jerbiton thought he was annoying.  Dominus Mundus felt that
Futurus was too unpredictable to be included in his plans, and so
is glad to not have to deal with his random influences.  Vigor
Invictus doesn't even remember the name, although if somebody
mentions the Criamon, he'll remember.  "He was OK, I guess, but
his riddles were pointless.  It's too bad he could never dedicate
himself to any useful research."

Ictus Igneus of house Flambeau
     He and Vox Mentis are the youngest magi here.  30 years ago,
when both were flambeau, they had a falling out over whether to
try to reason with unruly mundanes first or just burn them.  Vox
then joined Jerbiton. They haven't spoken to each other since. 
Ictus Igneus is the prototypical flambeau: excitable, impulsive,
and violent.  You don't want to insult him or his house, because
he's likely to forget himself for a moment and incinerate you
before remembering the code.  Fortunately everybody else knows
this, and they'll tell the visiting magi, unless they incite
Ictus first.  When Ictus learns what covenant the players come
from, he will seem to like them less.  Remember where the
covenant's vis resources came from.

Incendium Spissus of house Flambeau
Obitus per Ignis of house Flambeau
     Incendium and Obitus are twin brothers and pretty much
interchangeable.  In fact, they even share the same character
sheet.  Both are obsessed with fire in its many forms, and love
to watch things burn, especially fairies.  They are not as
overtly violent as Ictus, although they sometimes seem to share a
similar philosophy.  Incendium and Obitus retired here from
southern Italy, because, in their opinion there were just too
many churchmen in Italy.
     Vigor Invictus thinks that they were exiled here by their
local tribunal over an incident that occurred about 40 years ago
when a bishop and  his entourage kicked them out of a village inn
in which they were staying, and offered them reconciliation when
they started swearing at him.  According to the story, they
burned down the inn and killed the bishop.  If confronted with
this story, Incendium and Obitus will maintain that they showed
great restraint by not burning down the entire village for that
terrible insult.  They will also maintain that they were not
exiled, but chose to come here to get away from such clerical
annoyances.

Saevitia of house Jerbiton
     As her name implies, Saevitia has a cruel streak. 
Undoubtedly she owes this streak to the many years she spent as a
member of house Flambeau prior to her "retirement."  She has
mellowed considerably in her old age, but can still be pushed
over the edge.  She dislikes to use her magic unless it is
necessary, because her magical addiction has proven to be a
problem for her before.  If Vigor Invictus is asked by the
visiting magi about Saevitia, he will tell them the story behind
the ruined northern watchtower.  It seems that about 35 years ago
when Saevetia was new to the covenant, having just arrived from
Iberia, that one of the grogs made rude advances toward her, and
she decided to teach him a little lesson.  A judicious use of
Perdo Corporem made sure that the grog wouldn't be making
advances to anyone for about a month.  Unfortunately, she lost
control, and in a fit of spell casting she levelled the
watchtower, and would have continued to destroy the entire
covenant if the other magi hadn't taken action.
     Saevetia is originally from the Iberian tribunal, where she
took part in roasting and otherwise killing as many moors as
possible.  She mellowed slightly with age and finally decided to
retire to house Jerbiton.  Of course she couldn't stay in Iberia. 
She had made too many enemies to relax, and it was getting so
that every up and coming Flambeau would challenge her in order to
try to increase his reputation.  Thus she came to Gloria Senecta
to try to live out the remainder of her life in a slightly more
peaceful fashion.
     She sees everything that she disliked about her former life
in the lives of the other Flambeau here, and so she does not
associate with them.  If she could, she would like to convince
them to become less actively violent, or get them to leave.  

Vox Mentis of house Jerbiton
     Vox Mentis also used to be a Flambeau, but he changed to
house Jerbiton after he became resigned to the fact that all
Flambeau were simply mindless engines of destruction.  He and
Ictus Igneus had a heated argument over this, and the two of them
haven't spoken to each other since.
     Since coming to the covenant, Vox has learned of the demon
bound in the tree that Vigilax is guarding.  He is convinced that
it is his doom to be destroyed by that demon.  When the players
arrive, Vox will be moping about the covenant with a long
sorrowful expression.  If asked about it, he will explain that he
knows for a fact that the characters will fail and the demon will
get out and kill him.  If they don't know about the demon yet,
and they start asking him about it, he will tell them that they
ought not to bother with trying to help, since they are already
doomed to fail.  If they had any sense, they would pack up
immediately and return to their covenant.  At least then, they
would not be killed or corrupted when the demon gets out.
     If Vigor Invictus is asked about this, he will respond by
telling the players that Vox is just in one of his "moods." 
Eventually, he'll get over it.  He will also tell the characters
that if they see Vox and Ictus heading for the same area of the
covenant, that the wise thing to do is go somewhere else,
immediately.

Vigilax Arbiter of house Quaesitor
     These days, Vigilax spends most of his time next to the tree
that it is his responsibility to guard.  In fact, the entire time
that the players are at the covenant, they are unlikely to see
him move more than 20 paces from the tree.  Vigilax likes to lie
under the tree and sleep leaning against it.  Undoubtedly this is
how they will first see him.  He will probably not be sleeping
though, just pretending.  If the characters attempt to pick any
fruit from the tree, they will be surprised as Vigilax quickly
grabs the offender's arm and orders them never to touch the fruit
of the tree.  If they ask him enough questions, he will tell them
that there is a demon bound in the tree and that he is worried
that it may corrupt them, or that they may in some way weaken the
enchantment that binds it there.  He of course sent for them to
come and deal with the problem of the missing fountain, but he
will not approach the characters and speak to them.  They must
find him and ask him about things to learn anything.  This is not
efficient, of course, but Gloria Senecta is a rather strange
place, and stranger things than this are due to happen.
     Vigilax has been guarding this tree for about half a century
now.  It is his grand obsession.  If he is asked what will happen
when he dies, he will say that somebody else will take over the
job.  He will then look at that character as if to imply that it
will be him.  This may stop the questions from that character.
     Vigilax has become quite warped from his many years guarding
this tree.  Probably his most disturbing trait, however, has to
be his "imaginary friend" Astan.  Vigilax acts as if Astan is a
real person that he met 20 years ago or so, who is kind enough at
times to keep him company at the tree.  He will think that the
players are playing a joke on him if they claim that they cannot
see or hear Astan.  The other magi at the covenant have given up
trying to convince him that Astan is not real.  The real question
is, however, is Astan really a manifestation of Vigilax's mind,
or a manifestation of the demon trapped within the tree (Astan,
Satan, who knows...)?

Dominus Mundus of house Tremere
     Dominus Mundus is always plotting and planning.  One of his
favorite activities is playing the Jerbiton off the Flambeau and
watching the ensuing arguments.  He is currently the de-facto
leader of the covenant, not really because of his political
shenanigans, but rather simply because he is the only one who
really cares.  The Bonisagus is too busy with his research, the
Criamon hasn't been seen in decades, the Quaesitor won't (or
can't) leave the vicinity of the tree, and the Jerbiton and
Flambeau are too busy arguing with each other to care about much
else.  He is the only one of the magi to still go to tribunals,
so he is also their major source of information.
     Dominus can often be found talking to Vigor Invictus when
Vigor is not doing his research, because he knows that Vigor is
always current on the latest gossip.  Vigor thinks that it's just
that Dominus likes him, and isn't at all aware that he's really
interested in his stories about everyone else.  After he gets
over being offended at the player's presence (see below), he will
probably try to get them involved in a long conversation with
Vigor Invictus, so that he can hopefully learn all about them.
     Dominus loves certamen, and is itching for an opportunity to
establish his superiority to the visiting magi.

                        Covenfolk of Gloria Senecta

     The covenfolk of Gloria Senecta have given up trying to use
their real names.  The magi at the covenant are constantly
referring to them by a latin title, and have never used their
real names.  Hence, the players will probably never learn their
real names, simply because they will introduce themselves by
their titles.  Also note that the covenfolk will be perhaps
stranger than the magi, as they have been fed Vigor Invictus'
experimental longevity potions and their usual source of drinking
water is the Vim vis fountain.

Librariolus - Scribe/Archivist
     Librariolus spends most of his time in the covenant library,
trying desperately to copy faster than the books can decay.  It's
not easy, since the library is so big, and he doesn't have any
help, not even to make the ink.  The magi have chewed him out
repeatedly over the condition of the arcane books, but they seem
to not care a whit about the mundane knowledges.  Thus,
Librariolus spends most of his time with the arcane books.  The
once great mundane library is in truly sorry shape indeed.  Only
a few books remain that are legible.
     Librariolus is harried and somewhat reclusive.  He will take
anything the players say to him as a useless interruption to his
work.  If they persist, he will eventually talk to them.  At
first, he might call for guards, not having heard about their
arrival, or mistaking them for fairies come to steal or ruin the
covenant books.  Librariolus is so involved with his scribing,
and perhaps getting so blind as a result, that late at night,
when the skeleton of a long dead archivist comes to converse with
him, he treats it exactly as he treats the players, with disdain
for the interruption of his time.

Dux - Autocrat
     Dux is always depressed.  It is his job to maintain the
covenant, and it's an impossible task with only 40 grogs to man
the place.  There aren't enough people to keep the place clean,
let alone keep the walls in good repair.  Couple that with an
extreme sense of doom.  He will find some way to be depressed
about anything that the players can say to him.  He also walks in
his sleep.

Venator - Hunter
     Venator is perhaps the most normal of the covenfolk of
Gloria Senecta, probably because he spends the least time there. 
He spends most of his time hunting for game to feed the covenant
members.  Of course, he also spends a good deal of his time
evading the fairies, and hopefully avoiding their jokes.  He will
be assigned to them if they ask for a guide to find the fairies
nearby the covenant.  They may be rather distrustful of him after
the initial scene, where they are led to the covenant by a fairy
impersonating him.

                                  Others
Praeses of house Merinita
     Praeses considers himself the champion of the gnomes in the
region near Gloria Senecta.  He is not from the covenant, but was
travelling through the area about 5 years ago.  Some of Zwerg's
gnomes played a joke on him as he was passing through, so he went
to meet their king.  He learned of the fairies' plight and
decided to champion their cause.  It was he who suggested that
the fairies steal something that the magi value from their
covenant to barter with.
     Praeses feels that the covenant land belongs to the gnomes,
and should be given back to them.  If the players find him and
make him talk to them, he will try his best to convert them to
his cause.  Assuming that they will not be converted, he will act
as intercessor between them and Zwerg.  He will try at all times
to derail any plans the players might have that would be
disadvantageous to the gnomes.  Basically, he is annoying.

Zwerg, King of the Gnomes
     Zwerg is the king of the gnomes of the lands near Gloria
Senecta.  In fact he actually lives in a regio in the same
location as the covenant.  He is playful at heart, but he has
become wary of magi and other humans due to the treatment of his
people by the magi of Gloria Senecta.  He too wants to see the
covenant gone, since he and his people were there first.  His
attempts to communicate were in his opinion repeatedly ignored by
the magi of Gloria Senecta, and usually resulted in vis
extractions for the Flambeau.  Over the last decade, he has
developed an intense hatred for Vigor Invictus especially.
     Zwerg will be extremely distrustful of the players, since he
has no idea who they are, and also because Praeses has told him
that they are not to be trusted.  Praeses is the only magus who
he trusts.  He will not want to return "his fountain" to the
covenant.  After all, they stole it from him, he has a right to
steal it back.  Zwerg, however, is a lover of contests.  It might
be possible to "win back" the fountain.

The Plot: Act I, Discovering the Problem

Scene One: A funny thing happened on the way to the covenant.
     It is assumed that the characters have been assigned the
task of providing help to the covenant of Gloria Senecta by their
leader.  The characters will not have been informed as to the
nature of the problem, only that a request for aid was delivered
by Gloria Senecta's hunter, Venator.
     Venator will lead the party from the players' covenant to
Gloria Senecta.  The voyage is to take about 5 days.  On the
evening before their arrival at the covenant, they will have to
camp in the fairy forest surrounding the covenant (the aura here,
at night is a fairy aura of 6).  That night, the camp will be
overrun with gnomes.  About two dozen of them will attempt to
sneak up on the campsite, an alertness (ambushes) roll of 12+
will detect them while they are still about 20 paces off.  If
they are detected, they will immediately swarm the place,
attempting to create as much confusion as possible.  If they
manage to sneak up on the campsite, they will steal things from
the camp until they are detected.  Once they are detected, they
will swarm about, again creating as much confusion as possible.
     The gnomes will continue to swarm over the camp for about
five rounds, and then they will attempt to melt back into the
woods.  Anything they stole, they will try to take with them. 
This swarming tactic is merely a diversion.  The gnomes actual
goal is to kidnap Venator and replace him with a shapechanged
gnome, who will travel with them in his place.  Unless the
characters state that they are actually keeping close watch on
Venator during this attack, the fairies will succeed.  Once
Venator has been captured (put to sleep using elfshot and carried
off), the remainder of the gnomes will leave (this is the five
rounds of swarming).  The bodies of any gnomes killed in this
altercation will be worth 2 pawns of Corporem vis (extracted into
their big, round noses).
     [Everybody was too busy chasing the fairies getting away with
thier packs to notice that Venator was kidnapped.]

Scene Two: A grand welcome.
     The characters will arrive at Gloria Senecta about
midmorning on the day following the gnome incursion (assuming
that they continue to travel).  Describe the covenant as they see
it from a short distance.  It is a large structure covering a
hilltop, walled and surrounded with watchtowers.  It is also
partially ruined.  Sections of the wall are crumbled, and several
of the towers are in ruins.  The central keep is in better
repair, but there are sections that are obviously uninhabitable. 
When the players are led through the main gateway, they will see
and hear nobody.
     If Venator has not been replaced by a fairy, he will turn to
the apparent leader and say "Well, I brought you here, I suggest
you find somebody and ask them which problem they need your help
with."  He will then turn and start to leave.  If they stop him
and ask him who sent him, he will reply "I don't know.  One of
the magi.  Dux told me to go and bring you here.  I did.  I'm
sure you'll be wanting dinner this evening.  I've got to go catch
it now.  Why don't you go look for Dux."  With that he'll leave. 
If they wander about the covenant grounds, they are likely to
meet several of the grogs working on repairing the smithy.  These
grogs will know nothing of the characters' invitation, and will
be surprised to see them.  If they are not threatening, they will
not do anything to hinder them, though.  They are resigned enough
to believe just about anything they are told.  They will suggest
that the characters go and find Dux.  They have no idea where he
is.  Continuing to wander, the characters will meet a man who
will introduce himself as Dux.  He is, of course, not Dux, and
looks nothing at all like Dux, but they haven't met him yet, and
so they don't know what he looks like.  Anyway, this "Dux" who is
actually a fairy will tell the players that a magus named Dominus
Mundus sent for them.  He will tell them that he will go find
him, but first he will see them settled into "guest rooms."  He
will lead them to the second floor of the covenant, to the third
door on the right, and tell them "Your rooms are right through
this door.  If you need anything, let me know, and I'll try to
help.  I'll go now and try to find Dominus for you.  I'll bring
him back here once I've located him."  There is, of course a
glamour on this door, see below.  This is really the door to
Dominus Mundus' sanctum, and he did not really send for them.
     If Venator has been replaced, the fairy will enter the
covenant with the magi and say "I'm not sure which of the magi
sent for you, but Dux knows, because he told me to go to your
covenant and lead you back here.  He told me to tell you that he
would meet you in the records room.  It's on the second floor. 
Just go in the main keep and up the stairs to the left.  It's the
third door on the right.  You can't miss it, just go right in and
wait for him there.  I've got to go catch dinner now.  Good
luck."  With this, he will apparently leave.  In actuality, his
image has left the covenant and disappeared behind a tree.  The
gnome is actually still with the magi, but invisible.  If they
follow his directions, they will end up outside the sanctum of
Dominus Mundus.  The gnome will have gone ahead and put a glamour
on the door so that Dominus' mark cannot be seen.  Of course,
Dominus is in the room studying from Rego vis, and will not be at
all pleased when the characters intrude.  If one of the magi is
first to open the door, an Perception+ Alertness roll of 15+ will
allow him to notice that something is wrong before entering the
room.  Tell the character "something's wrong" and give the player
about two seconds to act.  If the player does nothing, the
character enters the room.  A grog or companion will have to roll
an 18+ to notice.
     If your players are extremely cautious and knock on every door
they come to, you can let them off the hook, or, if you want to
be particularly cruel, the fairy's illusion is such that Dominus
Mundus cannot hear them knocking...
     [In my run of this, Venator was captured, and the players were
sent off to Dominus' sanctum.  They were most astounded, upon entering
the covenant, that there was not even a watch on the gate.  My group
was extremely careful (to the point of absurdity) with the door they
had to go through, so I let them have it anyway 8^).]

Scene Three: Certamen or Die!
     If a companion or magus enters the room first, Dominus will
be extremely angry and multicast Thief of the Stolen Breath five
times on the offending character (actually quite a tame
response).  Hopefully he will make his concentration roll for his
magic addiction.  If the offending character is a grog, it will
be four Pila of Flame.  At this point, perceptive characters
might notice laughter, and fleeing footsteps heading down the
stairs.  These are from the gnome that was Venator, making his
invisible escape.  Assuming that Dominus eventually comes to his
senses he will continue by chewing out one or both magi.  He will
be sure to point out the mark of his sanctum, now clearly visible
on the door.  If it was a magus who opened the door, he will
challenge that magus to Certamen, choosing Rego as the technique,
with the conditions that the magus never open a door without
knocking first again.  He will also try to make sure to make it
clear that he expects the magus to be grateful for the gift of
his life (Dominus didn't just kill him).  This can be repaid with
a favor later.  If it was a companion or grog who opened the
door, Dominus will pick whichever magus appears to be in charge
and challenge him to Certamen, again with Rego as the technique,
with the condition that the magus never again knowingly allow any
of his companions to open a door without having him knock first.
     After the Certamens are over, Dominus will inquire "Just who
the hell are you anyway?"  If they want to know who sent for them
he'll reply "How should I know?  I was trying to study this Rego
vis.  Find somebody else to bother," and he'll slam his door in
their faces.  Later on, they might meet Dominus again.  Assuming
that it is on better terms, he will be much more pleasant to
them, although he will remember the conditions of the Certamen,
so the players had better as well.  He will also be sure later on
to make sure that the other magi know of the conditions,
especially Vigor Invictus.

Scene Four: Vigor Invictus, covenant busybody.
     When the shouting started outside Dominus Mundus's sanctum,
Vigor Invictus heard and came out from his rooms (two doors down)
to investigate.  He will not become involved in the argument, but
once Dominus slams his door, if he hasn't yet been noticed, he
will clear his throat and ask them "Can I help you?"
     Vigor Invictus is willing to help the characters figure out
what is going on, and when he hears why they have come he will
nod and suggest that perhaps it was Vigilax Arbiter who sent for
them.  He will tell them how to find him, and then follow after
them, eager to see if they will get themselves into any more
trouble.  He will be quite happy to talk to them, and will try to
learn as much about them as is possible.  Of course he will tell
any magi they meet while he is with them (and later) of the
Certamen and what the magi think about it.  If the players tell
him that Dux sent them there, he will have them describe Dux, and
then tell them that the person they talked to wasn't Dux.

Scene Five: Vox Mentis, the voice of reason.
     On the way to the covenant gardens where Vigilax Arbiter can
be found sitting under his tree, the players will meet Vox
Mentis, who is standing near the ring of one of the ruined
towers.  In front of him he has erected an easel and canvas.  He
is working on a half completed painting of the ruins of the
tower.  Something about the painting does not quite sit right. 
It appears to be an accurate rendering of the scene, but somehow
it captures an extremely eerie atmosphere.  There is a blank spot
in the left center of the painting.  If he is asked about it, he
will reply, "That is for the demon.  I'm going to paint it last."
     Vigor Invictus will be sure to introduce the visiting magi
to Vox Mentis, and explain that they have come at Vigilax's
request.  Vox will reply "Come to help Vigilax, eh?  If you were
smart, you'd turn right now, leave this forsaken place and never
come back, but I doubt you will.  Your mission is already doomed. 
Trust me, I know."  He will refuse to comment on this further.

Scene Six: Vigilax Arbiter and Astan, learning the nature of the
problem.
     Vigor Invictus will lead the characters to the gardens.  At
the center of the gardens stands a large apple tree (with apples
even out of season), under which an old man is sleeping.  A snowy
owl can be seen in the branches of the tree, also asleep.  A few
paces away from the tree there is a cylindrical hole in the
ground, about two paces in diameter and six feet deep.  The hole
has walls of earth.  Around the hole is a dry pool bed ringed
with stones with an opening where a stream must have once flowed. 
The old man is Vigilax Arbiter, and the owl is his familiar,
Prudentus.  If someone reaches for any fruit, Vigilax will grab
his arm as is stated in his description.  If they wake him, he
will sit up and then exclaim "See Astan, I told you they would
come.  You didn't believe me, but I knew they would."  There will
be a brief pause, and then he will say "Astan greets you and
apologizes for doubting that you would come."  If anyone looks,
they will notice that the owl is awake and has moved to a lower
branch.  If anyone says anything to the bird at this point, it
will speak, saying "My name's not Astan, I'm Prudentus.  Astan is
his friend (pointing a wing in the general direction of Vigilax)
but he doesn't really exist."  At this, Vigilax will turn to his
familiar and say "Don't tell me he doesn't exist you sorry excuse
for a feather duster.  He's right there (pointing at empty
space), as clear as day."  Turning to the magi he'll ask, "Surely
you can see him, can't you?"  If they reply no, he'll say "Well
who asked you, anyway?  I can see it now, you're all in this
together.  Well I'll tell you it won't work.  I'm not crazy, and
you won't convince me that I am by lying about Astan."  If they
say yes, he'll turn to Vigor Invictus and say "Hah!  I knew it. 
He's been there all along.  How much are they paying you to tell
me that he isn't?"
     After this flurry of activity he will turn to the characters
once again and ask them "So why exactly are you here now,
anyway?"  If they say nothing right away, Vigor will speak up
"You sent for them, perhaps?"  If they suggest that maybe he sent
for them, he will respond, "Of course.  You're with that
Jerbiton.  You've come to help.  I can't thank you enough.  You
see, we've got a bit of a problem..."
     [Vigilax turned out great.  He annoyed the Verditius to no end,
as he wanted to examine the tree.  The others weren't sure whetner
the Quaesitor was senile or posessed.]

Interlude: The problem at Gloria Senecta
     Vigilax will explain what he knows of the situation to the
characters.  The presentation should be a bit disjointed, in the
way that the conversation above is.  Occasionally, he will pause
in mid-sentence and say something like "Yes, yes Astan, I was
coming to that part next," or something like that.  The players
should definitely be wondering if this Quaesitor is playing with
a full deck.  The details of the situation as far as Vigilax
knows them are as follows.
     There is a major demon bound within the tree.  Vigilax is
guarding the tree to make sure that nothing happens to it.  Once
a year, a ritual must be performed to renew the enchantment on
the tree, or the demon will be able to escape.  This ritual
requires 20 pawns of Vim vis.  The hole in the ground used to be
the fountain that was the covenant's water source.  It was also
the covenant's source of 20 pawns of protected Vim vis a year
(maybe that's why these people are all so warped, or it could
just be the fairy aura of 8).  A couple of weeks ago, Saevitia
convinced Vigilax to go get something to eat in the covenant. 
Astan told him it would be OK to go, he would keep an eye on the
tree (Astan has told him this in the past, and everything was
OK).  When he returned to the tree, the fountain was gone.  Astan
told him that some fairies came and took it away.  It's not
really Astan's fault, because I (Vigilax) didn't tell him that
the fountain was important as well.  Vigilax doesn't have 20
pawns of vim vis, or enough time before the ritual needs to be
performed to extract it.
     If the players ask Vigilax if the other magi at the covenant
might have the Vim vis, Vigilax will reply "Could you ask them? 
Maybe they do.  It would mean a lot to me if they did.  Why don't
you go and talk to them.  If they ask him why he doesn't go
himself, he'll say "I have to stay here and guard the tree.  Look
what happened last time I left it for a few minutes.  (pause)  No
Astan, it's not that I don't trust you, but what if the fairies
came back.  I wouldn't want them to hurt you."
     If they ask about going after the fairies, Vigilax will tell
them that in anyone could track them, Venator could.  He's sure
to be back after sunset with whatever he managed to bring down
today.  If they mention that Venator sent them to Dominus'
sanctum, Vigilax will say "Oh dear.  That's not like him at all. 
I'll have to have a word with him about that whenever I see him
next."  If the players haven't figured it out yet, Vigor Invictus
will ask them if they are sure that it was Venator who gave them
the directions.  If they describe him, etc.  Vigor will say "Yes,
that sounds like him.  Did anything unusual happen on the way to
the covenant?"  This should spur them to figure out that Venator
got captured by the fairies.  Thus, he will not be able to lead
them, and they will have to find another way.  If, of course,
they stopped the fairies from getting Venator, and it was the Dux
impostor that told them to go to Dominus' sanctum, then they will
already know the fairies have it in for them, and Venator will be
back at nightfall to lead them out into the wilderness whenever
they care to go.

The Plot: Act II, Dealing with Matters.

IIA. Getting a Council Together:

Scene One: Approaching the Magi.
     One of the things that the magi might consider doing is
trying to convince the other magi of Gloria Senecta to contribute
enough Vim vis for the ritual to be performed.  The magi will not
individually want to do this.  If, however, there were a council
decision, they would abide by it, and contribute the vis. 
Therefore, in order to pursue this path, the players will have to
manage to get a council meeting called.
     Vigilax Arbiter will think that a council meeting would be a
good idea.  Unfortunately, he will be unable to gather the magi
together for the meeting, as he must guard the tree.  He will
suggest that the players approach the other magi and explain the
situation to them.
     Vigor Invictus, who will probably be present when they come
up with the idea will seem reluctant for a moment, but then
concede that a council meeting would probably be a good idea.  He
will attend, but he has a few things he needs to take care of in
his lab first (he will then scurry off in the direction of his
lab).
     Vox Mentis will eventually agree to attend the council
meeting, although he will state that he is sure that nothing good
will come of it.
     Saevitia, Incendium Spissus, and Obitus per Ignis will all
give in begrudgingly.  Before they agree, however, they will want
to know how many of the other magi have agreed to go.  They
don't, after all, want to waste their valuable time if none of
the other magi have agreed to go.
     Dominus Mundus will not agree to attend the council meeting,
and he will definitely make the point that they cannot have a
valid council meeting without him.  In order to get him to come
to the meeting, they will have to challenge him to Certamen.  It
doesn't matter whether the players win or lose this contest,
Dominus will agree to go to the meeting once the players have
shown the courage of challenging him.
     When Ictus Igneus is first asked to join the council
meeting, he will ask in return if Vox Mentis will be attending. 
If the players say yes, then Ictus will refuse to attend.  They
won't be able to get him to go without challenging him to
Certamen. They can get Saevitia to challenge him for them, but
they might not think of this.
     [For some reason our Flambeau Fulmem Pulsare decided to enter
Futurus Caecus' sanctum even before the meeting.  Nothing really
bad happened to him, and he managed to rescue about 25 years worth
of covenant silverware (although he was kind of puzzled as to where
all the food went).]

Scene Two: An Abortive Start.
     The council meeting is about to begin, and there are two
empty seats (assuming that the players have by some means gotten
all of the magi of the covenant to agree to come).  Vigilax
Arbiter is not bodily present.  Standing on the table in front of
the chair, is his familiar.  Prudentus will indicate
(distastefully) that his master felt that he could not leave the
tree in light of the recent theft of the fountain, and so he is
here in his place.  Of course, Prudentus will be in communication
with his master, so there should be no problem.  There will be
some grumbling about this, but nobody really cares enough to want
to go and drag the Quaesitor here.
     The other magi will be settling down, and then Vigor
Invictus will pound the table and call the meeting to order.  At
this point, Dominus Mundus will clear his throat and say "Aren't
we forgetting someone?"  After a somewhat long pause, Vigor will
blink twice and then say, "of course, the Criamon.  I guess it
wouldn't be polite to start without him."  He will then turn to
the players and say "Why don't you go look for him.  His name is
Futurus Caecus.  We'll wait here."
     Saevitia will then speak up "Don't take too long about it
though.  If you can't find him, I wouldn't worry about it too
much.  I haven't seen him in over 25 years."

Scene Three: After the Search.
     The search for Futurus Caecus will be in vain.  His sanctum
is closed and locked.  If any of the magi decide to enter, see
the end of the adventure for possible things to find.  One thing
is for sure though, they will not find Futurus Caecus.
     As they are returning to the council chambers, they will
hear the sounds of shouting and heated argument coming from that
direction.  Entering the council chamber, they will see Ictus and
Vox shouting insults at each other, Vox calling the Flambeau a
mindless killer, and Ictus looking like he's about ready to start
acting the part.  The Flambeau twins and Saevitia are just
beginning to get warmed up.  Vigor Invictus is trying to calm
everyone down, and his efforts are failing miserably.  Prudentus
is hiding in the rafters.  Dominus Mundus is still sitting
quietly in his chair, smiling.
     If the players stay out of the arguing, the shouting and
insults will work their way into a frenzy, and then the three
Flambeau will storm out of the council chambers, followed by the
two Jerbiton.  Vigor Invictus will follow them, still pleasing
with them to calm down and come back to the meeting.  Prudentus
will fly like an arrow for the nearest window, and escape to
return to the tree.  Dominus Mundus will turn to the players with
a bemused expression on his face (still seated) and say "I guess
this means that there will not be a council meeting after all." 
If nothing further comes of this statement, he will get up and
walk calmly out of the room, leaving the characters there alone.
     The players can try again, but it will take at least a week
before the Flambeau and the Jerbiton can bear the sight of each
other.  If they collect them again into the same room and leave
them alone with Dominus Mundus, the same thing will happen all
over again.
     [In my run of this, Dominus Mundus got the arguments started,
because he managed to get some of them to go look for the Criamon
(again).  However, Fulmen managed to calm things down when he rather
suddenly cast the Incantation of Lighning into the Criamon's empty
chair.  I guess he had just about had enough.  The council meeting
that followed turned out to be pretty useless for them anyway.]

IIB.  Going After the Gnomes.

Scene One: A Hunting We Will Go.
     As the players are preparing to leave the covenant to go
after the fairies, Vigor Invictus will ask them if they want to
take any of the covenant grogs with them.  These will be a sorry
bunch.  Physically, they are all fine, but years of living at
this covenant deep within the fairy forest and drinking from the
Vis fountain have made them a bit unstable.  Common among the
grogs are visions, delusions, and strange behavior.  Still, some
of them might be handy to have along, in case of a fight.
     If they still have Venator with them, he will frown when the
prospect of taking the covenant grogs is brought up.  If asked to
explain, he will whisper to the person who asked "It's not that
I'd say they couldn't be useful, it's just that some of them are
a bit, well... strange."  If they have to rescue Venator, then
they're on their own in making this judgement.
     Just before they leave, Vigor Invictus will ask them if they
want any covenant vis to take with them.  If they say yes, he
will ask them what kinds they think they will need.  He will be
able to give them up to 4 pawns of any technique or form, but
will only give them a maximum of 16 pawns of vis.  In addition to
this, they can take as much Herbam vis as they want.  This vis
comes from the tree (the one that Vigilax Arbiter guards), and it
is in the form of small, dried apples.  Unfortunately, this vis
is demon-tainted (double the number of botch dice), but he will
not tell the players this unless they think to ask.  They are
expected to return the vis that they do not use when they return. 
If they took any Herbam vis, when they return, they will be told
that they can keep whatever remains of that.

Scene Two: Be Very, Very Quiet, We are Hunting Fairies.
     Whether or not the characters have Venator with them, it is
definitely true that the Fairies know their way around the fairy
forest much better than the characters.  When the characters are
out of sight of the covenant, the fairies will be all around,
keeping an eye on the characters, and trying to figure out what
they are doing.  If this does not become obvious from their
conversation after a while, a small band of gnomes will let
themselves be seen by the characters to see what the reaction
will be.  If the characters show interest, the gnomes will run
away through the woods, trying to get the characters to chase
them.  If the chase is on, they will tantalize the characters
with the possibility of catching them, while leading them deeper
and deeper into the forest.  Once the gnomes are certain that the
characters will be completely lost, they will try and fade into
the forest.  Perhaps, if you are feeling kind, they can catch up
to the gnomes and question a few, who will be most unhelpful
(they have been ordered not to tell the characters anything
useful).  By now, night should be falling, and the characters
should be completely lost.  The hunters have become the hunted.

Scene Three: A Knight of Terror.
     During the evening, the unseelie fairies come out to play. 
The characters will be attacked by a group of fairy silver
wolves.  The size of the group will depend on how many grogs
there are with the magi.  Basically, it should be a bit
challenging, but not too much trouble.  Once about half of the
wolves have been wounded or killed, they will all try to get
away.  About ten minutes after the wolves have left, the watch
will be alerted by the sounds of an approaching being.  Into the
camp will stumble a bleeding gnome, who will beg the party for
help.  If he is heard out, he will say that he was spying on the
characters and got stuck out after dusk, and now he is being
hunted.  If the players mention the wolves, the gnome will recoil
in fear and look about as if surrounded.  He will state that the
wolves are after him, and if the magi have a heart at all, they
will protect him from them.  If they agree to this, and he
survives the night, they will have a helpful ally in the days to
come.  It will also turn out to be very useful when the finally
meet Zwerg and Praeses.  If they send the gnome away, or kill him
for his vis, it's their loss.  If they try to get him to promise
anything in return, he will try to make the wording such that
they have as little hold over him as possible, but in exchange
for protecting him, he will eventually promise to anything
reasonable that the characters ask.  If asked, the gnome will
tell the characters that they can call him Lakai.  While they are
talking to the gnome (or collecting his vis), they will hear the
baying of the wolves in the background.
     About an hour later that evening, the wolves will silently
return.  They will encircle the camp, and the watch might notice
the reflections of the firelight in their eyes as they turn to
regard the campsite.  If they are attacked, they will fade back
into the woods, and tear anyone who ventures out of the firelight
to bits.  After a few minutes (allowing the watch to wake up the
magi, if they want to), a dark form will enter the circle of the
firelight.  It is a dark knight in dark full chain armor,
wielding a huge greatsword made of silver and bone.  He is
wearing a huge helm with a stag's horns protruding from the top. 
It is unclear as to whether the horns are part of the helmet, or
part of the creature wearing it.  In a deep voice, the dark
knight will say:
     "I am looking for a creature of the day.  What have you done
with it.  I and my servants have tracked it to your campsite. 
Know that it is a crime to harbor a fugitive in the lands of my
lord.  Speak up.  Where is that creature."  If they say that it
is dead, the knight will want the body.  If they provide the body
(i.e., they have killed the poor little bugger), he will take it
and say "My thanks.  I give you leave to spend the remainder of
the knight in my lord's lands unmolested, but come tomorrow eve,
you had best be gone, for my lord is not fond of visitors."  If
they say that the gnome left, the knight will say that that is
impossible.  The wolves would have seen the trail.  If they say
that they have no idea what he is talking about, then the knight
will begin to search their campsite, rather messily.
     They can defend the gnome if they challenge the knight to a
fight in a one on one test of arms, with no magical assistance. 
The winner gets to keep the gnome.  The challenge ends when one
of the contestants yields or is unable to fight further.  If the
characters manage to win fairly, the knight will bow and leave
them.  They will not be disturbed for the remainder of the night.
     If they cheat, and the knight finds out, he will storm off
into the woods, exclaiming "You have cheated in a contest of
honor.  My lord shall not suffer you mortals long to stay in his
woods."  When he leave the circle of the firelight, he will blow
a great horn.  Several other answering horns will be heard in the
distance.  The players had better make tracks as fast as they
can, because they are to be hunted until dawn.  When the last
echoes of the horn blast has ended, the wolves will charge.
     [The magi (being the nice guys that they are) decided to protect
the poor, helpless Lakai.  For the first encounter with the wolves,
I used about 8 or so.  One of the grogs on watch was killed, some
minimal wounds were inflicted on some of the others, and then
the wolved fled.  The Ex Misc. magus with giant blood accepted the
challenge of the black knight.  He lost (as magic was not to be used).
At this point Fulmen Pulsare invested a rook of creo vis and a rook
of auram vis into an Incantation of Lightning and incinerated the
black knight (maximim overkill anyone?).  The battle which followed
involved about 2 dozen wolves.  Three or Four grogs died rather suddenly,
and then the Flambeau got around to toasting all of the wolves.  The
Verditius cast Leap of Homecoming the moment the lightning bolts started
to fly.  It was rather amusing.  Some kind of reputation is in order I
believe.]

Scene Four: Praeses.
     The next day, they will be followed as before, although
nobody will show themselves until midday.  If they talked to the
gnome last night, they will know that the gnomes took the
fountain.  If they managed to extract a promise to do so, the
gnome will begin leading the characters to Zwerg, the gnome king. 
While they are moving, the gnome might mention the fact that
everything they are doing is being watched by the servants of
Zwerg.  If they try to see the watchers, the characters will be
unable to do so without magical assistance, even if they convince
Lakai to point them out.
     At about midday, Praeses will step forth from the underbrush
with a half-dozen gnomes.  He will inquire as to the characters'
business.  If they do not have Lakai with them, Praeses will tell
them that he is helping these gnomes find a friend of theirs who
was caught out after dark last night.  He will ask them if they
have seen him.  If Praeses finds out that they killed him, he
will become enraged.  "You're just like those clods at Gloria
Senecta.  You have no appreciation for the fair folk.  Begone
from this place before I forget that you are Hermetic Wizards and
do something rash.  Go back to your friends at Gloria Senecta and
tell them that they will never see their fountain again.  This
land belongs to the gnomes, not to any bunch of murderous
invaders.  We will not rest until they are all gone from this
land."
     If they have Lakai with them, the six gnomes will rush up to
him and begin chiding him for getting caught out after dark. 
Praeses will thank them for protecting Lakai, and will agree to
take them to see Zwerg if that is what they want.  He will
inquire on the way why they are helping Gloria Senecta.  He will
say this name as if it is an insult.  In conversation with
Praeses they will learn of the fact that many fairies have
vanished near the covenant, and that the fairies speak of
tortures that go on there.  They pleaded that they only wanted to
play a few innocent jokes at first, but after their treatment, it
was necessary to do something to get them back.  Praeses will
tell the characters that he has agreed to help Zwerg chase off
the magi of Gloria Senecta, as he cannot tolerate their
treatment.  He will try to convince the characters that they
should help him.  He will lead the characters to Zwerg, but will
insist that they leave their iron behind.

Interlude: What to do if the Characters have Seriously Offended
Praeses.
     If the characters have killed Lakai or otherwise seriously
offended Praeses, he will not lead them to see Zwerg immediately
and the fairies will not help them.  The players will be left to
wander around in the fairy regio that they are now in.  After a
while, the gnomes will try to capture them (by using enchanted
arrows of sleep).  Should this work, they will be taken in front
of Zwerg to explain themselves and pay for the sins of Gloria
Senecta (after all, they are magi, and they came from Gloria
Senecta, so they must be responsible).  This will be their last
chance to try to come to some peaceful agreement between the
fairies and the covenant.

Scene Five: Zwerg.
     One way or the other, the characters will end up in front of
Zwerg, king of the gnomes.  He is a short, ugly chap, who wears a
crown of gold that is several sizes too big for him.  He will be
at first extremely distrustful of them, since they came from
Gloria Senecta.  If Praeses vouches for them, it will help, but
they still must mollify him if they are to get anything
accomplished.  Zwerg will accuse them of helping the magi at
Gloria Senecta commit heinous acts of torture on his people.  He
will ask them why he shouldn't do the same to them.
       Basically, they need to seem sincere and to say that they
will try to find out what has been happening to the fairies at
the covenant and put a stop to it.  If they seem to honestly not
know anything about the torture of the fairies, Zwerg will be
surprised.  One of his advisers will try to convince him that the
magi are lying "Surely these creatures are lying, lord.  Your
spies clearly saw them coming from the house of torture.  How
could they have entered there and not know."  If they killed any
fairies on the way here, this adviser will make note of it,
calling it damning evidence that cannot be overlooked.  If they
managed to rescue Lakai, he will meekly step forward and tell the
king that they saved him.  This will help the characters
immensely.
     If they promise to return to the covenant ant put a stop to
the "tortures", the king will let them go, as long as Praeses
agrees with it.  If they have offended him, they will have to do
a lot of groveling before he will agree.  No matter which way the
characters get to see Zwerg, the matter of the covenant and the
tortures will have to be cleared up before Zwerg will even think
about returning the fountain.  He will not agree to return the
fountain in exchange for the tortures to stop.  He will mention
that according to the magi's own code, they should stop it, so he
doesn't owe them anything for it (Praeses told him about this). 
Zwerg will agree to return Venator to them if they manage to
obtain a promise to stop the torture.

Scene Six: Torture of the Fairies.
     Returning to the covenant, the players will have to talk to
the magi about torturing the fairies.  Most of the magi there
have been guilty at one time or another of toasting some fairies
that came too close to the covenant, but the tortures that the
king is referring to are those conducted by Vigor Invictus as
part of his "research."  They will have to convince him to find
an alternate path of research for his longevity studies. 
Probably nothing short of a threat to call in the Quaesitors will
be able to convince him.  If they call Vigilax Arbiter, he will
have a little talk with Vigor about his research.  Once he is
convinced, he will complain repeatedly about what a shame this
all is, and how it is so terrible that the other magi would
hinder his great research, which will mean so much to the order
when it is complete.  He will probably make an appeal at the next
tribunal (the first time he has gone to one in many decades).
     After extracting a promise from the other magi not to molest
the fairies, they can return to see Zwerg.  Praeses will be
waiting in the woods when the characters decide to go back again. 
He will take them back to Zwerg, where they can now begin
negotiations for the fountain.

The Plot: Act III, The Fountain.

Scene One: Arguing over Possession.
     Zwerg will be an a much happier mood once he has learned
that the magi of Gloria Senecta have agreed to stop the tortures. 
On the other hand, he would really still like to get his hands on
the one responsible.  If the characters begin to ask for the
fountain back, Zwerg will refuse, saying that he stole it fair
and square.  If they are willing to buy it back, however, he is
willing to listen to their offers.  Basically he will refuse any
offer they make for the fountain.  If they finally get fed up and
ask him what he wants for it, he'll say "Bring me the one you
call Vigor Invictus.  I will take him in exchange for the
fountain."  This will obviously be intolerable and/or impractical
for the magi, but Zwerg will not accept anything less.
     Zwerg will wait patiently while the characters think it
over.  If they ask Praeses, he'll respond, "Well, it's only
fair."  If they saved Lakai, he will be there while all of this
is going on.  While they are thinking about it, Zwerg will begin
the day's entertainment, challenges among the fairies.
     If they ask Lakai about what they should do, Lakai will
respond that his king is rather fond of challenges and contests. 
Maybe they could win the fountain back.  If Lakai is dead, and
the players are obviously not getting anywhere, then perhaps
Praeses could volunteer this information.  If the characters
advocate a contest, then Zwerg will smile and laugh.  "A contest. 
Indeed, a contest would be most grand."

Scene Two: The Contests.
     Zwerg begins, "Yes, a contest would be most grand, but I
know what would be even grander, three contests.  We shall have
three contests, and whoever shall win the majority shall take
their prize.  The loser of each contest shall select the next
contest.  As the challengers, I shall magnanimously allow you the
choice of the first contest.  What do you claim as the prize
should you win?"  If they claim the fountain, then he will
respond, "Aye, and I choose Vigor Invictus.  If we win the
contests, you shall bring him here to me."  The other fairies
will gather around to witness the spectacle that is sure to
follow.
     The characters are allowed to choose the first contest. 
Hopefully they will win.  If they lose, Zwerg will ask them if
they want to up the stakes and increase the number of challenges
to five.  He will tell them of his magical caverns and offer them
some of the treasures from within.  He will ask them what they
will wager in return.  They can agree or disagree as they like. 
The treasures he is offering are some gemstones worth 10  pawns
of Terram vis, and a curiously shaped emerald worth four pawns of
Creo vis.  He will expect the magi to wager something he
considers of equal value.  Regardless, they will be allowed to
choose the second contest, having lost the first.  Should they
lose this one too, they have lost, unless they have agrees to
extend the number of challenges to five.
     Zwerg's first challenge will be a drinking contest.  He will
have a table brought forth, and one of the players must drink
Zwerg's finest brew against one of the fairies chosen by Zwerg. 
Zwerg will choose a small gnome, with a large red nose, who will
eagerly take his seat at the table.  If the characters have lost
the first challenge, and not extended the number of challenges to
five, then they might be allowed to choose Lakai as a champion if
they think of it.  Otherwise they will not.  The brew they are
drinking is extremely strong.  After each glass the character
drinking must make a stamina roll of 15+ or fall asleep.  Each
glass drunk gives the character a -2 to his roll.  The fairy who
is challenging merely needs to avoid botching to stay awake.  The
fairies are probably going to win this one unless Lakai is
drinking for the magi (he too must only avoid botching to stay
awake).
     If Zwerg gets to choose again, he will suggest a hunt.  The
characters will be allowed to select a hunting party from amongst
themselves of whatever size they wish.  Zwerg will choose a party
of equal size from his people.  Both parties are to go forth, and
the first to return with a boar wins.  The two boars will serve
as the evening meal (assuming that the characters are competent
enough to get one).  If they have Venator with them, it will help
them get a boar faster.  Basically, the fairy party will
originally leave in a different direction from the characters. 
When the characters finally get a boar, and are returning to the
king, the first fairy party will try to steal the boar from them. 
They had better not kill any of the fairies.  If the fairies
manage to steal the boar and return to the king, they will be
declared the winners.
     If Zwerg must choose a third time, he will suggest a contest
of dicing.  The rules are simple, each player gets to throw five
dice against one of the fairies.  Highest total wins.  Whichever
side has the most number of winners wins the contest.  If there
is a tie, Zwerg will dice against the champion of the players.
     If the players choose sensible contests, they should win,
since they were given choice of the first contest.  If they lose,
they will have to attempt to abide by the contest.  If they
somehow manage to bring them Vigor Invictus, Zwerg will give them
the fountain anyway (he's a good sport, and he doesn't really
need the fountain for anything).  Chances are, they'll have to
convince the other magi at the covenant to extract vis for a
while.  Vigor Invictus will not go to the fairies willingly.  If
they somehow manage to Certamen him, he will go, and use his
spells to leave, once he is there (thus fulfilling the terms of
the Certamen).  Zwerg will not be happy if he is cheated out of
his prize.
     The players should be able to win in a contest of arms (as
long as it is not archery).  Also, if they think of it, they can
choose Certamen as a contest.  In this case, Praeses will act as
the king's champion.  If they must choose a third contest, they
are on their own to think of it.  If the players mention upping
the stakes at any time, Zwerg will offer them the same deal that
he would offer them if they lose their first contest.  Try to
arrange things so that the challenge lasts until the last
contest.  If the players win, Zwerg will thank them for a good
contest, and tell them that the fountain is theirs.  Of course,
they are now going to have to figure out a way to return it to
the covenant.
     Zwerg might be willing to return it to the covenant if they
are willing to pay him something reasonable in return.  He will
not return it for free unless it was made explicitly a term of
the contest.
     [The magi chose a brawling contest at their first challenge.
One of their large grogs squared off against a really fat gnome and
won.  They obvously lost the drinking contest.  The second contest that
they chose was a contest of certamen with Praeses.  Fulmen Pulsare
fought the certamen with Praeses in Muto Auram.  He was winning nicely,
and then Praeses triple botched (gotta love those faerie auras).
Praeses went into immediate twilight.  Fortuately fulmen managed to avoid
the same fate, and was declared the winner.  They had to bargain
a visit from their troubadour and a poem from the leader of their
covenant in return for actually transporting the fountain back
to Gloria Senecta.  Vigor Invictus was not at all happy when they
told him he had to find another avenue for his research.  I think
he'll probably appeal at the next tribunal (should be interesting).]

Appendix: The Sanctum of Futurus Caecus.

     If the characters decide to enter the sanctum of Futurus
Caecus in their search for him, they will not find him there. 
They will find a large pile of the covenant silverware, which the
grogs would appreciate being returned (but they're not about to
enter the sanctum to get it).  There is no trap on the door, and
no waiting spells present to torch the characters.  However, in
Futurus' lab there is a large, standing mirror.  The mirror does
not reflect the surroundings as it ought.  Instead, it reflects a
dark cave in which a stream flows.  Light comes from somewhere
out of view and is reflected from the water onto the walls of the
caves.  The effects are mesmerizing, and characters who study the
scene should make Int + Concentration rolls of 9+ to turn away. 
If a character touches the surface of the mirror, his hand will
pass right through it, into the scene.  Any character entering
the mirror, will enter the cavern, where the full effects of the
mesmerizing light will come into play.  A magus will definitely
experience a twilight.  The character should roll for control. 
Once the experience is over, the character may return through the
mirror, given that he can make a concentration + Int roll of 15+. 
He may try this once every minute, but should he botch, he must
roll for twilight again.  Non-magus characters can enter the
mirror to fetch the magus without the trouble of twilight, but
they must roll too or be mesmerized.

Appendix: Fairy Creature Stats:

Gnome Raiding Party Members
     Faerie Might: 20
     Size -1   Int +1
     Playful +2 vs. Angry +2 (problems with Gloria Senecta not yet solved)
     Sword:    First +5, Attack +8, Damage +12
     Fatigue +5, Defense +8, Soak +6 (+50% damage from iron/steel)
     Body Levels: Ok, 0, -3, -5, Incapacitated

     Powers:
          Invisibility (3 points)
          Elfshot (cause enchanted sleep, Stm roll of 12+ to
            resist, 2 points)

     These are the fairies that the characters will encounter on
their way to the covenant.  There are two dozen of these, who
will try to confuse the characters while they capture Venator. 
Then they will attempt to slip away.  Their bodies are worth two
pawns of Corporem vis each, extracted into their noses.  One of
these fairies will take the place of Venator (or Dux if
necessary).

Gnome Bait
     Faerie Might: 15
     Size -1   Int +1
     Playful +2
     Sling:    First/Rate +11, Attack +10, Damage +4 (annoying)
     Fatigue +2, Defense +6 (Dodge), Soak +6 (+50% damage from iron/steel)
     Body Levels: Ok, 0, -3, -5, Incapacitated

     Powers:
          Invisibility (3 points)
          Stones of Enchantment (cause visions when touched, 3
               points, Stm roll of 12+ to resist, Per roll of 12+
               to act each round, actions at -5, missiles at -9) 
               The gnomes use these sometimes in their slings.

     These gnomes are worth two pawns of Terram vis each.

Lakai
     Faerie Might: 15
     Size -1   Int +2
     Playful +2, Helpful +1 vs. Direct -3
     Lakai has no weapon
     Fatigue +3, Defense +8 (Dodge), Soak +6 (+50% damage from iron/steel)
     Body Levels: Ok, 0, -3. -5, Incapacitated

     Powers:
          Communicate with Stones
          Shapechange to Rock (1 point)
          Invisibility (3 points)

     Lakai's body is worth 2 pawns of Terram vis.

Fairy Wolves
     Faerie Might: 20
     Size 0    Cun 0
     Bite:          First +10, Attack +6, Damage +18
     Fatigue +4, Defense +7, Soak +10
     Body Levels: Ok, 0, -1, -3, -5, Incapacitated

     These wolves are larger than normal wolves, and much, much
fiercer.  They have midnight black fur with silver eyes.  They will
run away (initially) when half of the attacking force is killed or
wounded.  Figure out the size of the attacking force in relation to
the number of grogs and/or combat magi present.  When killed, their
wounds flow with water.  Should the magi look, they will find that the
hearts of these beasts are worth 3 pawns of Animal vis.  They are,
however, made of ice, and must be kept from melting.

The Black Knight
     Faerie Might: 25
     Size 0    Int +3    Strength +7
     Brave +3, Honorable +1, Devoted +2 vs. Cruel +2
     Silver Greatsword:  First +11, Attack +14, Damage +23
     Fatigue +1, Defense +10, Soak +25 (+4 damage from iron/steel)
     Body Levels: Ok, 0/0, -1, -3, -5, Incapacitated

     The Black Knight is very strong and brave.  He will not
yield the contest until he is reduced to his -5 body level.  He
is dressed in full chain made of bronze painted black, and a long
black cape.  He carries a silver greatsword and a large horn. 
His helmet completely obscures his face, save for two red points
of light which are his eyes.  Immense stag horns protrude from
the top of his helmet.  It is unclear whether these are part of
the helmet or not (they are not).  Should they kill him and
collect vis, his heart is a rook of Creo vis, but if he is
killed, the wolves will attack immediately.  If the horn is
blown, hunting parties from the unseelie court will respond by
hunting for the characters (whether the knight blows it or the
characters do).  These hunting parties consist of more wolves and
more dark fairies like this one.

Zwerg, King of the Gnomes
     Faerie Might: 35
     Size -1   Int +5
     Cunning +2, Distrustful +3, Gambler +2, Playful +2
     Sword:    First +8, Attack +10, Damage +16
     Fatigue +3, Defense +8, Soak +8(+22 with armor) (+4 damage from iron)
     Body Levels: Ok, 0, -1, -3, -5, Incapacitated

     Powers:
          Elfshot (cause enchanted sleep, Stm roll 12+ to resist, 2 points)
          Enchant Objects
          Invisibility (3 points)

     Zwerg is described with the major characters at the
beginning of the adventure.  Hopefully the storyguide will not
need to use these stats for anything.  Zwerg's body is worth four
pawns of Muto vis.


Additional Stuff:
     If you hadn't realized by now, the magi at Gloria Senecta are supposed
to all be exceptionally old.  It's sort of like a retirement home for old
Flambeau.  Here are some of the stats for the magi that I used (although
most of the stats weren't that important)

Vigor Invictus: Bonisagus, Cr 21, In 30, Co 35, Vi 32, others around 15.
   Age: 112
   Personality Traits: Brave +1, Practical -2, Devoted +2, Meddlesome +1.
   Virtues: Affinity w/ Corporem, Affinity w/ death and aging, hermetic
     prestige, inventive genius, strong writer, busybody, alchemy.
   Flaws: Driving goal (invent perfect longevity potion), Gangling,
     faerie emnity, susceptible to infernal power, sensitive to poor manners.

Dominus Mundus: Tremere, In 21, Mu 21, Re 31, Co 25, Me 24, others around 14.
   Age: 92
   Personality Traits: Overbearing +2, Brave +3, Timid -2.
   Virtues: Affinity w/ Rego (skill at 7), Personal vis source, +2 knack
     with certamen (certamen skill 10 without including the knack), gentle
     gift, fast caster.
   Flaws: No familiar, magic addiction, incomprehensible, over confident,
     compusion to settle arguments with certamen.
   He's the only one at the covenant who bothers to go to tribunals anymore.

Vigilax Arbiter: Quaesitor, In 34, Pe 27, Co 30, Me 21, Im 20, Vi 28, others
     around 15.
   Age: 105
   Personality Traits: Devoted +3, Brave +0, Owl +3, Nocturnal +2
   Virtues: Affinity w/ Intellego, personal vis source, intellego, Quaesitor,
     Quiet magic, versatile sleeper, knack with certamen.
   Flaws: susceptible to divine power, obsessed with guarding tree, sensitive
     to poor manners, fragile constitution, wild magic, delusion: imaginary
     friend Astan.

Vox Mentis: Jerbiton (Ex Flambeau), Cr 14, Pe 29, Co 25, Ig 14, Me 16, others
     from 8-12.
   Age: 73
   Personality Traits: Brave +2, Violent +1, Calm +2
   Important V&F: Sense of Doom.

Saevitia: Jerbiton (Ex Flambeau), Cr 19, Pe 31, Co 25, Ig 17, Me 24, others
     from 14-19.
   Age: 98
   Personality Traits: Brave +2, Calm +2, Violent +1, Cruel +1
   Important V&F: Gentle gift, sensitive to remarks about females, magic
     addiction.

Ictus Igneus: Flambeau, Cr 27, Pe 24, Ig 25, others from 8-15.
   Age: 73
   Personality Traits: Brave +2, Violent +1, Impulsive +1
   Important V&F: Fast caster, fury (when injured), minor deficiency: Rego,
     blatant gift, sensitive to disrespect to house Flambeau.

Incendium Spissus/Obitus per Ignis: Flambeau, Cr 30, Pe 24, Ig 31, others
     from 8-19.
   Age: 85
   Personality Traits: Brave +2, Reclusive +1
   Important V&F: Quiet magic, obsessed with fire, over confident, blatant
     gift.

Praeses: Merinita, Cr 6, In 6, Mu 16, Pe 6, Re 10, An 8, Aq 3, Au 6, Co 8,
     He 9, Ig 3, Im 10, Me 8, Te 5, Vi 6.
   Age: 34
   Personality Traits: Stubborn +1, Brave +2
   Virtues: Sidhe blood, student of faerie, faerie magic, faerie eyes,
     personal vis source, Muto, free expression, clear thinker.
   Flaws: susceptible to divine power (-2 faerie flaw), vulnerability to
     iron, strong faerie nature, compulsion to champion the faeries,
     fear of clergy, hedge wizard.


						Henry
						henry@critical.mit.edu