"Vida, a powerful samodiva, a female nymph, of the Pirin mountains, accidentally shot and killed the beautiful male singer, Ivë. When she saw what she had done, she cried a single tear, which formed an enchanted lake." - Myth of Vida's Tear Lake

Magus Gelidus

Description

Gelidus' albino blood renders his skin pale and his short cropped hair a brilliant white. He is a slender man but there is strength about him and his movements are quick and precise. He is somewhat intense, though not unhandsome, and his pale pink eyes are ever watchful. He favours rough travelling garb with little indication of his status as a magus save for the vis that he wears as jewellery on open display.

Personality

A quiet man who favours his own company, Gelidus has joined Vida's Tear to test himself far from the strictures and politics found at the heart of the Order of Hermes. He favours a simple, ascetic life and has little interest in social niceties although he will work with others where it is necessary to achieve those things that he deems necessary. He is cautious of other Magi, concerned that they will seek to manipulate him, and he keeps his secrets close to his heart. There is a coldness about him and he is prepared to bide his time if crossed but he respects those who deal fairly with him and who stay true to their own principles.

Magic

Gelidus' primary art is Perdo and he sees his magic as a tool to be used for his own purposes. His spells tend towards those of destruction although he will also develop those others that make him more able to protect himself against those that might wish him ill. His magic can be wielded with greater speed than most of his peers and he has mastery over all spells that he creates. His natural gift of second sight has survived through his apprenticeship. Gelidus does not age, his gift in some way protecting himself from the decrepitude of the body that affects others although he still faces the same mortality and this blessing interferes with his ability to create a strong longevity ritual for himself. He is also close to the realm of twilight and more likely than most to pass beyond that veil. Those unprotected from the effects of his gift feel the cold touch of winter upon them and there are often signs of that season in the enchantments that he weaves.

Current views on the other magi

  • Maga Mestitia
  • I know that it is unwise to judge any by their visage but it is difficult to ignore how alien this Merinitan appears. She has driven much of the vis collection for the council and it is clear that she is more practical than I had expected of her house but I am uncomfortable around the fae and there is something about her that disconcerts me.
  • Magus Laertes
  • My pater spoke admiringly of House Tremere and Laertes is perhaps an example of why. He is organised and ambitious with a natural flair for leadership and I have no doubt as to his bravery. Unlike my pater however I do not seek political strength within the order and I am concerned that this magus may seek to use his sodales to achieve his own ends. There is some underlying issue between him and the elder magi and I wonder whether he is entirely welcome here.
  • Magus Lucca
  • He seems a practical man although perhaps a little pampered. Ioanna clearly favours him and I sense that he has the ambition to make use of this advantage. His gift of time in the preparation of equipment for my laboratory was unexpected however and there are other signs that he will seek to help this covenant grow in the coming years.
  • Magus Loquellamedes
  • I have had no cause to speak to this Criamon and I find it difficult to imagine why he has taken residence here at Vida's Tear. I will be careful not to rush to judgement however and shall see if he shares more of himself in the future.
  • Maga Ioanna
  • She it was who invited me to this place and so far the words that convinced me to come have not proven false. She has not sought to dominate the council despite her significant age and obvious power though it is clear that the grogs and other villagers consider her the de facto leader of the covenant. Yet I know the reputation of House Tytalus and I wonder what she seeks to gain from the new magi that she has recruited to this place.
  • Magus Hristo
  • The Bjornaer prefers his own company to that of others, a trait that I most certainly understand. Yet despite his shows of aggression he is clearly concerned with the wellbeing of his sodales, as his actions concerning the possibility of an infernal coven have shown. I believe that we may have something in common although I will be cautious in my dealings with him as his house is known to have aims and secrets of its own.

Items and Books for trade

  • An Insight into the Frailty of Man: TBC.
  • Perdo Tractatus. Quality 9.

Thoughts on Vida's Tear

There is much about this covenant that I find suits my nature. It is far away from the rest of the world and here the only people I must talk with are my sodales and the sturdy champions of the village. The latter are a loyal group of men, ably led by the captain, and I believe that my actions have led to their respect. We receive little news of the wider order and long may it remain so, for I have no interest in the bickering and politics that so many magi seem to fill their days with.

The covenant walls are growing stronger now but they cannot protect entirely against the fierce winds and the snows that come every winter. I find myself smiling on occasion during that season, for was I not named for such inclement weather and does it not routinely bring the battles for which I yearn. Here I can test my skills against those entities that would seek to do us harm, without concern for those aspects of the code that seek to limit how we may display our powers, and in time grow strong.

I sense also that this is a place where secrets may be kept. Our isolation helps with this but I also believe that the elder magi have tales that they have not told and will not pry too greatly into those things that I might keep to myself. This is a good place and I am pleased to have come here.