Interlude 1/5
REPORT OF OCTOBER 23, 1876
LOSS OF RESOURCE
Deployed Resources:
Initial investments were of [REDACTED], our agent in this matter and the unlocking of the seals on the Beast of Atlas, a Category 3 self-creation. Measures taken included Geas and destruction against the Beast to prevent a Category Escalation (see Appendix I for the capabilities and assessments regarding the Beast of Atlas). All reasonable precautions were taken to ensure that both agents were well-prepared and capable of introducing a conclusion to the Chain.
Materiel Invested:
Investments included political and military capital deploying agents to Bhutan as well as significant logistical support. The failure of the efforts to secure a superior catalyst have been analysed and found to be due to the actions of [REDACTED]. Furthermore, a total of 17283 cycles of the Demon were used to gain information on the nature of this Category 2 hazard. Efforts were also diverted from the analysis of [REDACTED]’s proposals, including her actions in the Mediterranean theatre (see Appendix II for a researcher’s discussion and recommendations for future engagement).
Probability Assessments:
The Predicted failure rate for this operation was 73.18%.
The Predicted failure rate for the escalation was 42.01%.
The Predicted failure rate for the escalation is now 40.91%.
See Appendix III for the detailed analysis of these numbers.
Procedural Report:
The Grail War proceeded as anticipated with the elimination of the Demon at an early stage. The retrieval of this was reported and considered a success. Initial assessments were that an error had occurred during the Demon’s considerations. Ruler was eliminated and the Grail passed to a Master with a 82% chance of a favourable outcome.
Outcome Report:
Regrettably [REDACTED]
and this significantly altered the previously favourable probability assessment. With the conflict concluded and all relevant agents disabled or [REDACTED], a Geas was used to ensure an unfavourable result. The Grail expressed this through the attempted destruction of the Hyperborean Tower and binding of its creative magics. This process is not believed to be reversible at this time.
This has been declared as being a Category 2 Event, with irreversible effects in multiple theatres. The anticipated timespan for the Category 2 Event is 3 years without interference. There is potential for a Category 1 Event to occur if a cascade causing a reversion takes place. The anticipated timespan for the Category 1 Event is 2 months, with extinction occurring within 3 weeks.
The participating Magus, with one exclusion (see Appendix IV for a copy of a report on the Diatama and related concerns) have gained access to the Divine Words. It is also concluded that they will actively work against any attempt to remove this once again from the world. The success of any attempts to repair the damage is Predicted initially at 12.87%, though this is the conclusion of only 10 Cycles of the Demon. Further Cycles are requested as events reveal the causes for this.
Recommendations:
[REDACTED]
These actions are already in process.
The requested expeditions to report on the status of the Hyperborean Tower have reported back unusual events, fauna and flora at the location. Additionally it appears that the Towers are not, as recorded, unoccupied. Initial contact has not been peaceful and the capabilities of the residents have yet to be assessed. The surviving members of the expeditions report a hostility to Magus and an apparent ritualistic approach to Magics. The nature of the beliefs held by the residents are unknown and are not in recorded history. Current working hypothesis of the research team is that their beliefs and records were deliberately erased from history to prevent interference with the Towers and the risk that communication would occur. Additional conclusions are that this is highly similar to Category 1 Protocols of the Giant’s Pit and that this may be the theorised precursor organisation. Please see Appendix VII, a copy of my thesis which explains the research behind precursor historical analysis and the attached requests for Cycles.
An enhanced expedition will be necessary to explore potential for reconstruction and repair. Initial Cycles of the Demon state that this will not be possible with the current state of Magus and our inferior modern capabilities. Upgrading our capacity to do work will be the priority for the first two years of the event, with the final year Predicted to contain solutions that may be deployed without other catastrophic action.
Finally there remains the Category 3 events relating to the Church and new leadership. There is insufficient information at hand to assess [REDACTED]’s reports on the nature and aims of the leadership (see Appendix VIII for the full submitted report and recommendations). Predictions made do not support her conclusions. Instead the dangers of an escalation to Category 1 must be central to Atlas strategies and this report concludes that all war efforts should go towards negation of that possibility. To this end, we recommend the immediate pursuit of appeasement of the leadership of the Church and cutting ties with any organisations failing to focus on relevant aims. [REDACTED] and the controlling hostile elements may require additional active action to prevent interference if they are not neutralised in good time.
Report End
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Interlude 2/5
[Extract from Lloyds Weekly London Newspaper, October 22nd 1878]
LOAN COLLECTION OF SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS, SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM.
THE above Collection is still open Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, Free; Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, admission 6d, closing every day at 6 p.m.
Arrangements are being made for a further course of Free Evening Lectures on the Apparatus in the Collection, of which due notice will be given.
These Lectures will be delivered in the Lecture Theatre of the Museum.
Science and Art Department.
Committee of Council on Education.
WILTON’S MUSIC-HALL
Wellclose-square, Whitechapel.
CONTINUED success of the following talented company;--Pavilio and Roussillion (the wondrous gymnasts), the charming Odo Ballet Troupe, Whitehead and Elvin (American duettists), Patrick Finn (Ireland’s gem), Fred Marlow (comic), Julia Sutherland (serio-comic), Mortin and Martin (negro delineators), I. Martin (tenor), Russell Grover (exponent of Dibdin’s songs), &c, &c.—Leader, Mr Asher. Doors open 7.30. Commence 8 o’clock.
Manager, Mr Russell Grover
LLOYD’S WEEKLY
LONDON NEWSPAPER.
THE LAST ASPECT OF THE CRISIS.
Further commentary on the trade crisis would seem to be so much space and trouble wasted. Diplomatists and religious commentators have been moving so long in a circle – a vicious circle – that they have become dazed. They are worn out with unacceptable suggestions, apocalyptic theories and rejected solutions. The rumour-mongers are at length at their wits’ end, and can no longer stimulate the curiosity of newspaper readers. The attitude of France, the line of conduct of Russia, the policy of India – if she have a policy – and the aspiration of England, are no longer or any moment. The great quarrel has been narrowed at last to two great questions – what was the origin of the interference with trade and what will this interference mean for future relations? In the hands of some mysterious Power lies the prosperity of Europe. And all Powers, down to the present time, have kept their own counsel.
India will not express the truth of what happened; but, given the reports from the ports, will she continue in some sort of rebellion or honestly decide for peace? It is impossible to say. She has had many mysterious communications with Bhutan and other agents of the Vatican; and she may be only playing with the other Powers until the treasonous elements are ready to strike – having long ago made up her mind to rebel, no matter what terms it would be possible for England to make.
On which side will the new Pope, Pope Pius X, throw the weight of the influence of the Church? We have not the faintest hint, or rumour, or word, to help us to an answer. The Vatican has been dumb, and continues dumb. He holds the destinies of Europe in his hands; for even England must consider carefully if it is to act as it is agreeable to him that she should act. He is the oracle for whose word we must be content to wait.
Simple people believe that if India agrees to a peace and, in exchange for significant guarantees of increased self-government for the provinces who may be behind this latest insurrection, it would be impossible for the Church to affect the outcome. But this is not the case. It has become plain that the Vatican is acting on purely selfish motives; and they will hold, or go forward, as they may agree with other enemies of England. We are nowhere.
This cannot last. The Queen has made the pride of the Empire contingent on the continued prosperity and loyalty of the colonies. For clerics, especially those hanging under a cloud of illegitimacy and, from the reports and rumours in Italian society, a most unusual circumstances of crowning, they must learn that the sovereign policies of England are not theirs to comment on. Action has been taken before in this country against the persons of Papists and their supporters and, we had hoped, those times were past. It seems as though this may no longer be the case and, as ever; - we shall not be found wanting.
THE QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY
Her Majesty will hold a Council at Balmoral castle on Monday next.
Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice, and attended by the ladies and gentlemen of the suite as well as the various Lords and Director, will, it is understood, leave Balmoral for the south about the 20th of November, and return to Windsor castle.
On Tuesday the old colours of the 1st Royal Scots were conveyed under escort of Colour servant Mackin, of the 79th Highlanders, from Ballster to Balmoral. Her Majesty received the colours in person from the sergeant, and summoned various members of the royal family to be present. Her Majesty entered into conversation with the sergeant, and on learning that he had been present when new colours were presented by her to the 79th in the Isle of Wight gave instructions that he should be shown the old colours of his regiment now at Balmoral.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanies by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales, and Prince John of Glucksburg, arrived at Marlborough house on Wednesday morning from Blytheswood, Renfrew.
A Reuter’s telegram from India on Monday says: -- “The Duchess of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Duke, landed at Bombay pier this afternoon under the same honours as were paid on her arrival on Sunday from Mombasa. Their imperial and royal highnesses were received by the governor, the naval, military, and civil authorities, and a guard of honour, and proceeded, followed by 35 carriages, through the port gates, where the garrison saluted them, and through the Lion gates, where a second salute was fired, to the Mani Bhavan palace, where another guard of honour was stationed. They lunched with the governor and the Countess of Rosebery, covers being laid for 50, and afterwards proceeded to the Taj Mahal palace, their future residence.”
THE PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.—At the Privy council appointed for Monday next at Balmoral, Parliament will be further prorogued, it having been, at the close of the session on the 15th of August, prorogued to Monday, the 31st inst.
THE VACANCY IN SOUTH SHROPSHIRE.—The Speaker’s notice of his intention at the end of six days to issue a writ to fill the vacancy in the representation of South Shropshire appeared in the Friday night’s Gazette
Scene End
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Interlude 3/5
Many had been called to Rome, with favours handed out freely to the chosen. So many new cardinals, it was not a surprise that some of them were not used to the politics of the Curia. Still less a surprise that some felt overlooked - and that they turned to other places, that their efforts would be properly recognised. And they knew, in their heart of hearts, what was waiting for them when they had turned. Still, they had to pretend that they were still godly men. That feigned innocence, the idea that they were overturning corruption had led them down a long path to here, the heart of the resistance to Pope Pius X - Avignon.
The decrees of Rome did not reach as far as they once had. Certainly now there were enough cardinals to command the faithful, they had travelled to Rome and taken their new orders. That had been months ago. In the confusion and horror there had not been objections at the time. Still others had assumed that they were overlooked only temporarily, that their orders would be coming soon, once the Vatican had the time to settle. It was coming up to a year from then, everyone had returned, started to preach and worse yet sought to root out the demonic corruption in their ranks.
Nobody objected, who could do it openly? Searching for the demons which sought to turn humanity against themselves, that was one of the highest purposes of the Church. Still, the search found more than just the demons, there were a great many arrangements which did not need to be looked into. The previous leaders of the Church had understood that, let these slide and given them the leeway that they needed locally. The people appointed now were chosen to be awkward, to poke into places that they were not wanted and, in many cases, settle some scores with the groups they had justly been excluded from.
It always sounds like a fine plan, to take on the twisted and ungodly. The only problem is this - if you do it secretly, you will not be able to gather all the allies that you need to do the job. If you do it openly, as they had... the ungodly see you coming. They see the writing on the wall. And a very great many of them know each other. Far more of them than your investigators. The consequences for them if you succeed, well, they are truly terrible. And surrender was never an option.
So Avignon.
There was history there and the Church had nothing but respect for history, there were traditions at stake and if they were going to do this, they would do it right. Perhaps it wasn't the best location tactically, especially since warfare had moved on from the fortifications which had previously made the location excellent. But the old reasons still held their force. It was close to Italy, close enough that they could get support from inside Rome. The old seals were there, useless against modern armies but they would halt the advance of any Magus or Executors that chose to take them on. For the same reasons, most Magus didn't like the area, the Ley Lines were closed to them and the Church had always kept a keen eye on the place as a backup to Rome. Too much trouble for anyone to bother with them here. That, and demons still couldn't set foot in the place.
The Palais des Papes had been renovated in the last few months. Most of the military gear was stripped from the walls, though the frescoes were still covered. There was a long table, in far too good a state to have been left here unattended for the last four centuries. Someone had managed to acquire it along with enough seats - comfortable and with finery sufficient for the occasion - though it would have been better if they all matched. There must have been seventy of them, old hands, they had never been elevated to the heights of the cardinals but they all knew how this was done. Everyone knew how it was done. They met. The doors closed. The chimneys were cleaned. The voting began.
It wasn't a quick process. Over the next few weeks there were many candidates put forward, many quiet meetings between those who should-have-been cardinals, much trading of favours and even blackmail, where the crimes had been particularly offensive. Slowly the votes grew closer and closer, with the hold-outs turning one by one. Eventually it was finely balanced close to the two thirds needed. It was then that Luigi Jacobini found himself in a room with a lot of people that he didn't know anymore, talking to him about the support needed by Vincenzo Pecci. He had never been one for conflict so of course, he nodded. They seemed surprised at that at first then nodded too, laughing at their mistake, they had always known that they would have his vote. They started joking, he said that he was looking forward to the feast afterwards and well, then they all laughed with him. In unison, in fact. It was creepy. Luigi started laughing with them.
The next ballot, well, let nobody say that Luigi was not as good as his word. The ballot passed and Vincenzo Pecci, he was duly elected. The news would go out soon, to the dioceses which they thought were still receptive. Many of them were ready to declare. The chaos that would ensue when they recognised the election of Leo XIII, the true Pope in Avignon of the Church.
Even a rat, if cornered, will strike out. And this was a rodent of unusual size. Luigi ended up invited to the feast to celebrate the election of Leo XIII - it was impossible to beg illness though he tried. Technically so were all those who had voted against the new pope, he guessed. From them he sensed some kind of intense blasphemy, an aura of a kind which settled on the whole area. It poured in through his skin, giving him a power and hunger that he had never felt before, not even when young and his congregation was his plaything. Those around him gave in and gorged themselves, their true faces showing through their abomination.
Luigi settled for the salad course and reasoned that it could be worse.
Scene End
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Interlude 4/5
The meeting at Balmoral had been tense. The Empress was generally pleased with the way that things had turned out, even extending that to the unforeseen consequences of the Grail itself. None of the Lords had objected when she raised the possibility of adding domains beyond this tower to the Empire, considering that many of them had already started to investigate expanding their holding in this way already. The most important thing was the funds that she was willing to commit - the coming war would be expensive and the neutrality of Church holdings in England and through as much of the Empire as she controlled would be valuable. Those Magus who had significant lodgings in more catholic countries would have to fend for themselves on the front lines.
Attending this meeting of the council were all of the currently active Lords. Not all of them - the Director never attended meetings and many people who could claim a seat were otherwise occupied. Nonetheless, the major players for the war to come were all there.
First, at the head of the table sat Lord Barthomeloi, with the Lady Primrose on his left and Lord El-Melloi on his right. Between them they made up the Barthomeloi faction of the Lords, holding onto great traditions of aristocracy and duty. Of the three, Barthomeloi held the power and position of Vice-Director. There had never been a Vice-Director who was not a Barthomeloi and probably never would be. There also was the El-Melloi scion, a family known for political power throughout the magical and material worlds. No others could control the fates of nations and their influence at court was behind the Empress’ unflinching backing for Clocktower in the face of many recent failures. As for the third, there had been efforts in recent years to weaken the grip on power of the Primrose dynasty. With the rise of the school and her ascendancy as Headmistress unchallenged, her status was cemented to guide future generations.
Beneath them were the pair of Lords, the Lady Eulyphis and Lord Escardos. The first, the Lady Eulyphis, had stepped up to be on the council due to the war. She was garbed in relics stolen from the Church, a dangerous thing to use at a time when they could be turned against Magus. As with all of their heirs she was adopted, coming from distant lands to be trained in the use of stolen Sacraments. Her hate for the Church was well known, second only to her advocacy for an immediate attack on Avignon.
Lord Escardos could not be more different. He, if it was a he, concealed every part of his body behind veils, a ward which permitted movement in society. There were rumours about what lay beneath, whether there was any flesh left or whether all of their fragile circuits were consumed in animating and maintaining the life of a skeleton or even just dust in the shape of a person. Nobody had heard of Lord Escardos performing any form of magic in centuries and nobody still survived who had seen them duel. That is, nobody other than Lord Escardos. When asked he said that his family, of which he was the only remnant, wanted to gather all of the knowledge of the history of the world. Perhaps he had mastered immortality only as an aside.
Finally there was the Lady Valueleta. The less said about her and her experiments in participation of Magus in Clocktower’s workings, the better. The summits which she had orchestrated were, fortunately, placed beyond her control. Still, if it were not for her family’s powers her position would not be at the table or, possibly, even in Clocktower at all.
As it was, the bulk of the meeting dealt with the disposition of forces for the war to come. The Church had declared a Crusade, as times of old. It only remained to see who they would seek to crush after they had dealt with the antipope in Avignon. Alliances would be sought and Clocktower would seek unity. Otherwise, well, there had been a treaty with the Church before. Not all of the previous Magus organisations had survived that process and it was not clear that they would this time. Clocktower was determined to be on the right side of history.
The remainder of the time spent was over an insignificant matter - had the summits produced any families with the potential to ascend the ranks? The discussions were led by the Lady Valueleta, noting the accomplishments that had come forth and the ways in which several of them had distinguished themselves. After a while, she ran out of steam in the face of the silence from the rest of the table. There would be no appointments to the Lords this year, it seemed.
While leaving, Lord El-Melloi mused on Valueleta’s naivety. She had been appointed, yes, but only due to the crisis in Ireland. It would have been impossible if not for his own estates being threatened and his own maneuvering. No, the only way anyone was going to ascend to be one of the Lords was by bringing themselves to the table. By force if they lacked his own connections.
Scene End
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Interlude 5/5
The Wandering Tomb was still. The halls underneath the mountain no longer buzzed with the sounds of Magus working at all hours. The place had literally become a tomb for those who fought against the curse that had consumed so much of Estray. Magus rotted in their chambers as they had gathered. Now nobody left was bothering to work on it. Much of the old council was gone, either dead or now in hiding from the Church’s forces.
The mountain was moving while the forces that controlled it exploited its power. It occasioned some reports of a new island in the Baltic sea, one which some intrepid explorers took the time to climb and claim for several countries. There was the possibility of some future wars over this strategic location until the Church stepped in and took its remains.
Estray rotted from the outside in, hunks of flesh being carved from it as the Church took its due. Yet it was a vast body, still mostly hidden from sight if unfamiliar with the exertions that would be demanded of it. The Church was delighted, the inroads made were astounding. The stench in atelier throughout the continent only masked one truth - from death and decay comes new life. Old seeds grow from fresh soil. Old, hardy seeds.
There were no meetings needed. The original strike the Church had planned on the Templar’s market was anticipated by several different sources. The slaughter that ensued was, strictly speaking, against the code of conduct of the Market. Seneschal Harwey made that clear to the participants afterwards, outside the gates.
“You understand that the Market must take a neutral stance on the current conflict in Europe and beyond. We do not normally condone some of these acts,” he said, gesturing to the bodies scattered through the stalls. “There are limits to civilised behaviour.”
A slight cough came from one of the bloodier vampires. “Perhaps next time you would prefer to deal with the Church alone? They brought relics capable of destroying the whole city. It is possible that they still could.”
The eyes of the attendees turned to the relics lying there and then back to the Seneschal. Nobody had acted to claim anything yet. “Thank you for your attention to that matter. And as I have said, we do not normally condone these acts. The Templars have a noble history of opposing many of you gathered here today. Some of you have been subject to a permanent ban from this Market going back centuries.”
Fabro Rowan picked up an arm and tucked it under his coat, nodding as he did so. The Templars had made several attempts to kill him in the past and would probably do so again. Many here had the same kind of history. The others here, the coats of the Antipope already blood-red, had never earned the right to gain admission and were being eyed by the Clocktower Magus, itching for a fight to break out. None could afford for the Market to close for business.
Seneschal Harwey smiled broadly, “Unfortunately we are not in normal times. There has been agreed a... flexibility of principles. The Market has been declared open to all who can come, be they new visitors or old enemies. No magics are forbidden. No attendees prohibited. We will, of course, send familiars to the Institute to inform them of this change of policy. They may engage with us on equal terms when they wish.” He looked out over the field of bodies. Black robes were scattered like a jar of liquorice had been broken over a model town. “As for the Church, we no longer feel bound by the old stipulations of the treaty. I believe that they sent quite enough emissaries to get word.”
The Market was opened. Word began to spread in the Sea of Estray of the changes. There would be a new order emerging. One which did not involve adherence to the old treaties.
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