Gaius Avidius Sanguineus ex Bonisagus - Ars-Archange/ars-pbp GitHub Wiki

Gaius the Crimson (Gaius Avidius Sanguineus) ex Bonisagus

Gaius S ex Bonisagus Painting

Concept: Knightly Bonisagus, Semi-Secret Alchemist

Description: A knightly, emerald eyed, raven haired, Romanesque warrior - fashionable in fine clothing worn over full chain with longsword, short sword, dagger, and buckler. Depending on where he is, symbols of the order are openly displayed - but usually he could be taken for a knight or rich young noble.

Characteristics : Int +3, Per +0, Com +0, Pre +1, Sta +0, Str +0, Dex +0, Qik +0

Personality Traits : Brave +3, Organized +3, Loyal +3, Scamp -1, Vain -1

Age : 28 (Apparent Age 25)

Born : 1179

Gauntlet : - Spring 1200, Jan. 7.

Last Updated : Current Date - Spring 1207, Jan. 7.

Confidence : 1 (3)

Warping : 1 (3) of the 8 pts in 1206, 3 are Faerie warping

Faerie Rank : 0

Bonisagus House Acclaim : 0

Wizard's Sigil : The sensation of a cool breeze relieving summer heat.

Voting Sigil : A bronze and brass dagger sheath, engraved with a pattern of oak leaves. His scribal knife and dagger both fit the sheath, and Gaius uses to hold his scribal knife out of sight.

Build Sheet : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17KYccm-fmjn6DilyWj1ARO5tUzLtrIa9vG-sKlXDefg/edit?usp=sharing

Virtues

Hermetic Magus (0)
Independent Knight (0) Much as the Knights of the Green Stone are "Knights" so too does Gaius have this social status. There is also a claim through his Pater's Queen, though this is essentially an empty title she is a Queen and it is a knighthood.
the Gift (0)
Diedne Magic (+1)
Affinity Corpus (+1)
Affinity Magic Theory (+1)
Affinity Rego (+1)
Faerie Background (+0) Faerie & Magical Warping 5 of 8 pts pre-gauntlet, Sympathies: Blades (Tools & Weapons) +2, Ice & Snow -2
Inoffensive to Faeries (+1) HoH: MC Page 86, Includes those associated with faerie via virtues or flaws... his Pater knew Gaius had the silver gift.
Mythic Blood (+3) Gaius Avidius Cassius, Mystic General of Ancient Rome
Mythic Blood Feat (+0) PeTe 30 Hauberk of Sublime Lightness
Mythic Blood Minor Magical Focus (+0) Self Transformation
Puissant Magic Theory (0) House Bonisagus
Puissant Rego (+1)
Second Sight (+1)
True Friend (+0) Theodoros, a maritime Redcap Captain with faerie blood, well traveled from the coasts of Hibernia all the way to Provencal Tribunals. They are like brothers. Adelphopoiesis rite, Sundered Eagle Pg 48.

Flaws

Cabal Legacy (-1) Order of the Green Cockerel - OotGC (Minor, Story, Page 20 TMRE
Dark Secret (0) free major flaw
Pagan (0) polytheist with the dominion having an edge due to magic theory limits, saga, able to conceal belief
Greater Malediction (-3) Kmowimgly Bound by Bargains (Cradle & Cres. Page 35, 63, Major Supernatural, Note that he can unkmowingly break a bargain, as any other form of this is beyond his control and would be a logically flawed oath - Trifold Sacred Oaths - Honor
Greater Malediction (-3) A toad appears in the mouth every time he knowingly speaks a lie. Sundered Eagle, Page 48, Major Supernatural Trifold Sacred Oaths - Honesty
Faerie Upbringing (-1) Dragged from faerie court to faerie court across Hibernia, Normandy, and Provencal - and even minded by faerie nursemaids in his Pater's quarters as a lad.
Busybody (-1) Minor Personality
Incompatible Arts (-1) PeAu - Trifold Sacred Oaths - Peace of Storms - Minor Hermetic
Temperate (0) Mythic Blood Personality, the General always said "Enjoy but do not dull your faculties."

Abilities

Ability	Speciality	Start XP	Game XP	Score	XP	Comment
Area Lore: Hibernia Tribunal	Covenants	5	-	1	-	-
Area Lore: Iberia Tribunal	Population Centers	5	-	1	-	-
Area Lore: Normandy Tribunal	Covenants	5	-	1	-	-
Area Lore: Provencal Tribunal	Covenants	5	-	1	-	-
Area Lore: Rhine Tribunal	Covenants	5	-	1	-	-
Artes Liberales	Rituals	5	-	1	-	-
Athletics	Running	5	-	1	-	-
Awareness	Searching	5	-	1	-	-
Brawl	Dagger	5	-	1	-	-
Charm	The Opposite Sex	5	-	1	-	-
Concentration	Spells	5	-	1	-	-
Dead Language: Latin	Hermetic	50	-	4	-	-
Faerie Lore	Faerie Courts	5	-	1	-	-
Finesse	Terram	5	-	1	-	-
Folk Ken	The Opposite Sex	5	-	1	-	-
Leadership	Intimidation	5	-	1	-	-
Living Language: Irish Gaelic	Poetry	Native		5	-	-
Magic Lore	Hedge Magic	5	-	1	-	-
Magic Theory	Inventing Spells	20	-	3+2	-	-
Org Lore: Diedne Cult	Members	5	-	1	-	-
Org Lore: OoH	Magi	5	-	1	-	-
Org Lore: OotGC Cult	Members	5	-	1	-	-
Parma Magica	Mentem	15	-	2	-	-
Single Weapon	Swords	5	-	1	-	-
Second Sight	Regios	0	-	1	-	-
Spell Mastery: MuCo(An) 30 - Cloak of Black Feathers	Still	5	-	1	-	-
Spell Mastery: ReCo 35 - Leap of Homecoming	Still	5	-	1	-	-
Spell Mastery: Lunar Aura of Rightful Authority	Still	5	-	1	-	-
Spell Mastery: CrMe 15 - The Welcome Stranger	Still	5	-	1	-	-
Spell Mastery: MuAn 15 - Voice of the Bjorner Magus	Still	5	-	1	-	-
Survival	Forests	5	-	1	-	-

Arts

Ability	Start XP	Score	XP	Comment
Creo	15	5	-	-
Intelego	6	3	-	-
Muto	28	7	-	-
Perdo	0	0	-	-
Rego	70	14+3	-	XP before affinity, 14 + Puissant
Animal	21	6	-	-
Aquam	10	4	-	-
Auram	0	0	-	-
Corpus	52	12	-	XP before affinity
Herbam	0	0	-	-
Ignem	0	0	-	-
Imagonem	21	6	-	-
Mentem	3	2	-	-
Terram	21	6	-	-
Vim	6	3	-	-

Spells

MuCo(An) 30 - Cloak of Black Feathers (*1 still, Base 20, Sun +2)
ReMe 25 - Lunar Aura of Rightful Authority (*1 still, Base 5, Eye +1, Moon +3)
ReCo 35 - Leap of Homecoming (*1 still, Base 35)
MuAn 15 - Voice of the Bjorner Magus (*1 still, Base 5, +2 Sun)
CrMe 15 - The Welcome Stranger (*1 still, Base 10 , Eye +1, See ArM5 Page 76 for Gift Reactions)
ReCo 5 - Wizard's Diameter of the Feathery Body (Base 4, Dia. +1)
ReCo 15 - Diameter of the Dangling Puppet (Base 4, Voice +2, Dia. +1)
MuCo 15 - Touch of Physical Transformation (Base 3, Utterly change appearance, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 Extra effect also utterly change size within human range)

An asterisk * above denotes spell mastery, with level and specialties listed.

Standard Equipment

Quality Woolen Tabard, high quality knit & pattern makes him look Handsome / Dashing - Available +? Charm
Appropriate Attire Spell +1 Charm
Persona Aura of Romantic Presence +3 Charm
"Knightly" Woolen & Leather Clothing in dark green and dark browns
Leather belt & Pouches
Full suit Chainmail
Metal Buckler Shield (worn on arm or hip, not usually carried in hand)
Corvus Cloak - Soft-Leather cloak with deep cowl, lined with raven feathers (academic style, for carrying things when it's not raining - reversible raven feather black / forest green)
Woolen 3/4 under-cloak (worn in cool or cold seasons)
Woolen leggings (doubled up in cold seasons)
Hidden change purse (under tunic at a high belt level)
Good Boots, extra woolen socks
"Knightly" hat over a small pate-cap helmet, hat has a nice feather and ties on over the helmet chin strap if desired (he will instinctively do this in high wind or the like
Obvious (exterior) change purse (only a bit of small coin kept there)
Long sword, short sword, "eating" dagger (actually useful as a standard dagger), scribal knife
Small copper cooking pot (hooked on belt, this is like a large camping cup)
Leather wine skin (slung, usually full of honey in G+6 since casting requisites for aquam are on the edge)
Animal Form Rations of dried / smoked meat, blood sausage, honey, hard boiled eggs, hard cheese, and fine salt - wrapped in bees-waxed rough vellum
Medium leather sack, slung under his cloak to the back (usually empty, this is in case he needs a sack or a pillow)
Pebble Pouch "Necklace" worn under tunic (see prized possessions below)
Folding Beeswax Writing Tablet w/ Bone Stylus (Made of Hard Boiled Leather, Clamshell closing)
Skein of Woolen Cordage (longer than the rope, not as strong)
Hard Boiled Leather Arrow Quiver with a cap, worn tightly slung (This is actually a little back pack, he sometimes keeps the copper pot in the bottom then fills it with rations, writing materials, rolled clothes, and other small sundries.

Casting Requisites Note: All equipment and supplies are currently Animal and Terram, as Gaius at G+6 does not have the casting requisites for Herbam and is on the edge for Aquam (needs minor dice luck and or a positive aura to shift with liquids). Note that for hydration, the best place for Gaius to currently store water is in his body... so he can leap and drink.

Prized Possessions

Leather "Necklace" : Rotating Pebble Collection - Like a belt with belt pouches, this sturdy woolen cord has tiny pouches strung on it, each big enough for a single pebble and having a leather tag on the cord with each. The pebbles are from various locations and they are tagged with the location and date the pebbles were collected. Pebbles are arcane connections that decay in years, so rotating them every month keeps them fresh. The necklace spaces these small pouches out by more than the width of a hand so that they are not too close to each other and do not begin to associate with each other. Each pouch also contains only one pebble, again taking care to store that pebble so it doesn't develop connection to something similar in the same pouch. (Arcane Connection Decay Arm5 Page 84)

Lab Notes : of the spells he knows (given his Pater was always short on time, he was not taught most spells one to one but given spell texts and told to ""go figure it out"". He retains his personal notes from inventing with those texts, carefully stored for later transcription. "

Pebble Necklace Arcane Connections : (see above) for the following locations, refreshed monthly:

Dublin (Secluded Fresh Spring, half-day walk from the city)
Belfast (In a copse of trees five minutfrom the Giant's Ring henge)
Vigil (A small well in the forest outside the covenant Ageis)
Paris (A quiet orchard a few hours walk from the city proper0
Oxford (A secluded, fresh forest stream a half day's travel from the covenant)
Cologne (A copse of woods near a small fresh brook, a few hours travel from the city proper) Gaius has two sets of pebbles, one worn and one stored.

Dublin Wardrobe : What survives of his sartorial splendor was moved via many leaps of homecoming to the "Attic Tenement" in Dublin well before the fall of the old covenant because he often likes to go for a tour around Dublin town in his best attire. The small, one room attic accommodation he rents there is above the home of an apothecary, which is above the apothecaries shop at ground level. He knows Conlae the Apothecary quite well and usually accesses the room via the small dormer window. Conlae is aware that Gaius is a powerful wizard or "druid", but not specifically knowledgeable about the order. Gaius and the family get along fairly well due to time spent and many applications of CrMe 15 - The Welcome Stranger. Beyond sturdy yet comfortable furniture, a stock of dry rations, and the clothing, there is little in the small room.

Armor : Chainmail - full suit, Buckler Weapons : Longsword, Short sword, Dagger, Scribal Knife

Advancement log

Gauntlet + 6 years history includes 1206, Advancement in game starts 1207

History

Gaius Avidius Sanguineous, filius Gaius Avidius Tempestus ex Bonisagus, is a researcher deeply interested in secret knowledge - specifically three things: the nature of the fae, the cult of Diedne, and magical Alchemy. His Pater, just recently passed into twilight, was an ancient and high ranked in both cults - though he was more of an Alchemist than a Druid. Tempestus, and by extension Sanguineous, was long know to be somehow involved with the Order of the Green Cockerel. Alchemy has been well integrated into Hermetic practice for centuries and the OotGC is something of an open secret. Where do the fae fit into it?

Gaius Tempestus was the longtime lover and advisor to Queen Aine of the Verdant Crown - a Hibernian Queen of Sun, Forest, Wind, Wave and Summer Storms. Though born in the old covenant of Praesis, Sanguinus was almost never there until mid-apprenticeship. As a boy he was either with his Pater and the Queen on epic travels or left in the care of the Queen's Blade-Maidens (who doted on the little man as if he were a treasured nephew). Both the elder and younger Gaius, along with his older filius (who were not Gaius as their fae blood ran strong rather than the mythic), all share an obvious affectation. They are all Knightley courtiers.

Mythic Blood of the Ancestor : Gaius Avidius Cassius, once a general of Rome and architect of legions, did not die as the Senate proclaimed. Foreseeing treachery in the stars and whispers of his doom in the mouths of seers, he wove a powerful glamour to conjure his own death—a perfect simulacrum left to rot beneath the blades of assassins. While Rome celebrated the end of a usurper, Cassius slipped into shadow, shedding his name and command. From the mist-veiled highlands of Hibernia to the sun-scorched cataracts of Nubia, from the ancient river-temples of Babylon to the silk-clad courts of distant Serica, he journeyed in secret, crossing the length and breadth of the known world. He sought not conquest, but knowledge—rites written in forgotten scripts, stars unknown to Roman skies, truths whispered in the ruins of vanished empires. In the minds of those who walk the paths of hidden wisdom, his name endures—not as a general, but as a ghost of empire who traded glory for the infinite, and became a legend not even death could claim.

The Cassius Family : Gaius T., the great grandfather and Pater of Gaius S. had many children, as did his grandfather, father, and his nephews / nieces. Gaius S. was not interested in marriage, but he has at least five illegitimate offspring, all with Faerie women. He is a bit vain and was unsure he would have such easy access to the means after Gaius senior was gone, so he took his longevity ritual a handful of years before most do - so he can still enjoy the act but will not have more offspring. This is far short of how prolific Gaius the Elder and some of his other apprentices have been - but it does hold with the family tradition of growing the bloodline. He also reasons that he knows enough of the sprawling genealogy that he will be able to help in other ways once established. It is not strictly necessary to for an apprentice in the Cassian Hermetic Line to have true mythic blood of their ancestor, but a high quality magical or faerie heredity is greatly preferred, so Sanguineous will encourage his apprentices strongly to make up for him.

A Traveling Childhood : From Faerie Court to Faerie Court, with some respite on trips with his Pater and the the Verdant faerie Queen Aine.... or her maidens. Time at the covenant was brief until mid-apprenticeship when his Pater began to have twilight issues more frequently.

As a Bonisagus : The entire line of the Cassian Hermetic Lineage has been proudly Bonisagus. They encourage a love for research, for knowledge, for the traditions of literate Magi. Gaius Sanguineous, though not allowed to study there as an apprentice, has been to the Great Library nine times and marvels at the great accumulation of knowledge possible. However, the Cassians also cultivate an attitude of innovation that does not fix on orthodoxy. They quietly support efforts to expand Bonisagu's theory in any way. For four Hermetic generations they have been members of the OotGC, and for seven they have protected the secret knowledge of the Diedne.

The Stark Contrast : Thus far, six years post gauntlet, has noticed something important. Gaius travelled extensively during his childhood and apprenticeship but usually to Faerie Courts, or to large cities where there are crowds to blend into and most people are strangers to each other. In the last couple of years Gaius Sanguinis has visited villages and towns - even what passes for a city in Hibernia. He has found it strange and bewildering. The ways of people are not his ways, but like some mirror image. He looks the part, but often he has had to use his Rego Mentem to solve tricky social situations. Also, the food and the fashion are both bland. He is not sure what this contrast means - except that he apparently doesn't know how to interact well with mundane people. He suspects that before, amongst the Fae, he was just swept up in the ebb and flow of the courts. It was the Fae incentivizing him, directing him and he knew how to go along with that. He will need to find those to teach him the bizarre ways of mundane society. Given he hasn't been contacted regularly by the Queen or her courtiers, he reasons his Pater's status supported his own status... now with his Pater gone things will not be the same there either. Still, he likes to go for walks in larger towns and cities where he can be a stranger and not be out of place. After the fall of the old covenant he takes comfort in his walks around Dublin.

Áine of the Verdant Crown, Queen of the Hibernian Court of Summer Forests : In the wild, green heart of Hibernia, where ancient trees rise like columns of memory and summer storms weave through the canopy, reigns Áine of the Verdant Crown, Faerie Queen of the Hibernian Court of Summer Forests. She is the golden blaze of growth, the sharp wind that clears rot, the power that restores balance when nature is disrupted. Her realm is not of soft petals and idle warmth, but of living root and cracking thunder—where glades bloom from rain-drenched soil and the old ways are remembered in birdsong and mist. Though her presence is seldom named by mortals, she is honored through instinct and ritual: in the turning of the seasons, in the offerings left at ancient trees, in the reverence shown by those who live with the land rather than upon it. She grants favor to farmers who sow with care, to weather-wise druids, and to magi who seek harmony rather than dominion. But to those who defile stream and soil, or twist storm for selfish ends, Áine sends no warning—only wind, rain, and justice.

In both her harsh and her motherly aspects, Queen Aine has taken oaths from Gaius Sanguineous. These trifold oaths helped to shape the youngster, and brought his pater, the queen, and the boy closer together. There was also some magical reason for the Oaths, somehow the oaths aided the causes of his pater Gaius Tempestus - which why the young lad swore them. The First toad in his mouth and the strange sensation of not being able to willingly break a sworn bargain quickly shaped his behavior - whether he liked it or not.

The Fianna na Gréine, Warriors of the Sun : At Áine’s command ride the Fianna na Gréine—her warrior-handmaidens, storm-cloaked and sun-bound, drawn from the oldest stories and fiercest dreams of the Hibernian woods. They are the burning heart of her court, not servants but champions, radiant and terrible in equal measure. Cloaked in storm-dyed leathers and crowned in gold leaf and rowan, each bears a blade that gleams with the heat of high summer and strikes like sudden thunder. They are accompanied by faerie beasts: red-eyed stags that vanish into mist, wolves with sunfire fur, or crows that speak riddles in forgotten tongues. Like Áine herself, they honor wisdom, magic, and balance—appearing at the edge of mortal sight to test magi, hunters, and wanderers who tread too near sacred groves or forgotten ways. Among the learned of the Order of Hermes, they are spoken of in hushed tones—respected emissaries of Faerie law. When the Fianna na Gréine appear, it is not as guests. It is as reckoning—summer’s sword raised in defense of the land, its lore, and its living breath.

Gaius Alator and Gaius Pallondo : Though there was not enough time for Gaius the Crimson to meet let alone know all of his Cassius relatives, he knows the other two Bonisagus (Diedne) magi in his extended family. They are decades older than him and live in the Levant, travelling even farther east than that, so he has not seen them since his gauntlet feast. They are both inclined to secrecy, but have corresponded with Gaius the Crimson via Redcap mail. Gaius Alator and Gaius Pallondo are, however, kind if quite aloof. They support each other in damgerous foreign lands. Though it is rarer for women in the Cassius lines to be gifted, it is not unheard of - in fact Astaria Cassius, the Mater of Gaius Tempestus was also his mother. Thus Astaria Cassius ex Bonisagua is the bloodline great grandmother of Gaius the Crimson. Faerie blood of various kinds tends to run stronger in Cassius women, possibly expressing as the silver gift typical for magi of the family.

Childhood Friends : The few survivors of the old Praesis are...

Combat

Soak: 9 (Full Chainmail Suit)

Buckler: Def +1

Longsword:

Short Sword:

Dagger:

Knife:

ReIm 10 - Wizard's Sidestep

ReIm 15 - Color Explosion

W.I.P.

Raven Form

Characteristics : Int +3, Per +3, Com +1, Pre +0, Sta +0, Str -6, Dex +2, Qik +5

Size : -4

Virtues & Flaws :

Intuition (6+ on simple to be "right"... ArM5 Page 44)
Keen Vision (See farther and more clearly than most, +3 to all rolls involving sight, not including missile attacks - total bonus +6)
Compulsion (Steal Shiny items)

Qualities :

Crafty
Vocal
Mimicry
Keen Eyesight (+3 to all rolls involving eyesight - total bonus +6)
Accomplished Flyer

Abilities :

Awareness 4 (Food)
Athletics 5 (Flying)
Music 3 (Human Whistles)
Brawl 2 (Dodge)
Survival 3 (Countryside)

Combat :

Peck: Initiative +5, Attack +4, Defense +7, Damage -6
Stamina: +0
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Injury Penalties: -1 (1), -3 (2), -5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

MuAn ?? Beast of Outlandish Size applied to the Corvus form...

W.I.P.

Lab Design - Speculum of the Primeval Forest

Gaius is comfortable in forests, with faeries of the forest, and with the balance of magics often found in magical woods. His objective with this laboratory design is to make the place a magical mirror of these forces, subtle conditions, the uncaring and natural magics of creation. The forest is not a jungle, it is a place with room for life to flourish - in this case he will explore the forest for Rego, Muto, Corpus, and Mentem advantages among others.

W.I.P.

Familiar

Though he has not yet searched for a familiar extensively, Gaius knows that this being must be intelligent and aligned with his goals of discovery. Gaius loves flying, so it should be a bird. Gaius is a Rego Corpus specialist so there must be resonance there - perhaps associated with nobles as the nobility regulates people.

W.I.P.

Talisman (Sacrificial)

Gaius was almost initiated into the "Inscription on the Soul" method of turning mind and body into a talisman before the great work of immortality, but his Pater went into twilight before that. One certain thing Gaius does know is he needs to make a sacrificial talisman in preparation for that initiation and others.

W.I.P.

Vis Economy

Gaius is decidedly non-Hibernian when it comes to stockpiling vis: he maintains secret stores. This is not being wasteful, or greedy, in his opinion it is simply a matter that his future research will likely be vis intensive.

W.I.P.