Medius' previous views

Medius' previous views on the other Magi

1173 AD

Pontifex Aelfwin

As the years pass my respect for my sodalis only grows stronger. Initially reluctant to take the mantle of Pontifex I believe that he has surprised himself with how well he has fulfilled the demands of the position. He remains a fair man, who takes care to maintain a cordial relationship with all within the covenant, but he has shown himself on more than one occasion to be capable of excercising his authority where he believes it necessary. It is not his failure that our covenant is now so split, but I sense that he takes much of it upon himself and he is more grave than once he was. I fear that there will be further stern tests ahead and I hope that the burden of leadership never leads him so far from his own true nature as it has others in the past.

Imperator Astrius

I have no higher praise than to state that I would trust my life in the hands of this man. He has proved again and again his courage and his loyalty to his companions and he grows ever more impressive with the range of magic that he can bring to bear in all situations. Where he has taken the role of hoplite he has never performed with anything less than the utmost dedication and he is willing to set aside his pride to take instruction. He can still be hot tempered and it is clear that he is one of the most polarising of characters on our council. I am concerned that the bitterness he feels towards those of his sodales he feels have breached oaths of trust does not overwhelm him; I do not believe that he is a good enemy to make.

Magus Cormoran

The Giant has fulfilled nearly all my fears about him. His former cannibalism (and I wonder whether I am alone in my suspicions as to how genuine his reform is) is proof enough that he bears no regard to any ethical standard save the gratification of his own desires. He continues to isolate himself within council; a selfish, greedy, sullen man keen to lay blame on others where things do not go as he wishes. He has been lucky on a number of occasions to avoid a vote of exilium. I believe that should such a motion be passed again he will not be so fortunate and as long as such a motion does not breach the charter in any way I shall be adding my sigil in weight against him.

Magus Theodosius

If the measure of a man be in part how far he can resist the corrupting influence of power then our sodalis has fallen far below even the levels that I might have imagined of him. The revelation of his treatment of Maga Dialectica is just the final hammer blow that destroys my former belief that he was a threat to the order but a decent man despite it. It is clear that he holds himself above all the things that might tie himself to the covenant or the wider order. He has lost Magus Astrius' friendship, sorely tests that of the Pontifex and it is perhaps now only Magus Tiarnan who holds fast with him, and I sense that a large part of that is connected to the mysteries of the faerie realm. There is no doubt that his ruin would bring comfort to those of Holy Isle who have become corrupted, but his actions have become so corrupt themselves that I am no longer certain I do the right thing by failing to press my suspicions of him. Like Cormoran, I believe it would serve this covenant best if he were no longer a member.

Magus Tiarnan

I find it difficult to quantify my feelings for the Merinitan. He remains one of the voices at council that it is wise to give full attention to for there is frequently great insight in his words, and passion for those causes that he holds important. I believe that he served well as Ministrator and it is clear that he holds the covenant important, although he remains frustrated by anything that seems overly dogmatic or beauracratic. Yet I am concerned that the mysteries that he has become involved in are changing him. It is clear that he was aware of something of the situation involving Theodosius and Maga Dialectica and I can not know what he may have said in private, but I am surprised and disappointed that he has so publicly positioned himself as a defender of that Magus' actions. Magus Tiarnan always seemed to have a passion for freedom; I am concerned that he is another who is becoming embroiled in games of power and will let this lead him down a dangerous path.

1163 AD

Pontifex Dialectica

Our Pontifex has continued to lead this covenant with a firm and just hand and my recent experiences in her role have made me understand just how skilled she is in this task and how fortunate we have been that she accepted the position. I now sense that her earlier attempts at democracy were not part of some hidden agenda but an idealistic attempt to establish a new paradigm of rule. As the years pass however she is ever more willing to use the powers that have been granted her under the charter to ensure that Severn temple prospers and I believe we are the better for it. She is still willing to listen to advice and seeks the opinions of all on the council but is more confident of making the final decision. She seems to have a genuine desire to work for the benefit not only of her sodales within the covenant but for the betterment of the tribunal and wider order and I admire her for that. She is perhaps the magus I have the closest affinity with in this covenant although our relationship remains entirely formal.

Imperator Astrius

I believe that Astrius recently accepted the role of Imperator with reluctance given the freedom that he had found without it, but his acceptance shows much of his strengths. He is familiar with the concept of duty and responsibility to both his sodales and the wider order. He also holds a strong regard for loyalty although it seems from his demeanour recently that his closest friend Magus Theodosius has been sorely testing it. Perhaps it is the obvious difficulties in this relationship that have brought forward a slightly more considered approach from him over the last few years. He is still sensitive to being criticised but his control of his temper seems to have improved and his counsel has been increasingly valuable. He is also slightly more cautious in approach although I will watch to see what changes his recent familiar brings. His arts remain well attuned to combat and with my recent experiences I shall call upon his assistance much more in future. Indeed it seems that he has caught the eye of Praefecta Orlania and I believe that he will become a fine and notable Hoplite in the tribunal, and possibly further afield, in years to come.

Magus Aelfwin

It is clear to me that my first judgement upon this magus was greatly awry, an error that confirms the importance of maintaining an open mind when dealing with others. Whilst Aelfwin continues to be concerned about the effect that our actions have on those without the gift, I now see this not as a weakness but a strength. In many ways Aelfwin acts as the conscience of this covenant and he ensures that in our efforts to strengthen Severn Temple and ourselves we are reminded of the consequences. I do not always agree with his concerns but it is right that they are made and he is prepared to speak them even when he is a lone voice on the council. Aelfwin has also shown no little personal bravery, being willing to put himself at some risk in order to aid the rescue of my consors Giovanni. It is clear that he holds the wellbeing of this covenant highly, unsurprising given that he is the longest remaining member. His hermetic skills have also proven invaluable on several occasions and, with his taking of an apprentice, it is apparent that he has a broad spread of arts to supplement his clear strength in Creo and Corporem. For all these reasons, and his popularity throughout the council of our covenant, if ever I should inherit the mantle of Pontifex it is to Aelfwin that I would grant the title of Ministrator.

Magus Cormoran

I would greatly prefer it were I not forced to consider this wizard for his presence at this covenant sullies it. When I first met him he seemed to me to be a fool but I wonder now if he is not more malevolent than that. Despite having sought my advice regarding his activities in the faerie regio, his refusal to follow it has clearly resulted in Tiarnan facing greater threats within that environment and it appears to me that Cormoran has taken pleasure in his difficulties. He is often abusive and disruptive at council although at least he has sufficient dignity to move to Certamen on the majority of such occasions. His prodigious skill with spontaneous magic and his strength of form continue to camouflage his lack of wit and imagination. It is true that he has brought this covenant additional vis sources but I wonder at what cost. Most bizarrely he seems determined to isolate himself from all of his sodales and it is difficult to see what friends he has in the council. It may well fall upon me to ensure that he is treated fairly under the charter despite my dislike for him. I will watch him closely though for I fear that he will bring harm to us all if he is unable to rein in his greed for power.

Magus Theodosius

Despite the danger that Cormoran brings the greatest risk to this covenant continues to be Theodosius. Whilst he may not have consorted with members of the Un-named house (and I believe that it is only his Primus that protects him from that charge) he is clearly willing to if it meets his needs. I would not be surprised if he were prepared to breach any aspect of the code if he felt it to the benefit of his goals. I believe that he holds his pagan faith far above his oath of allegiance to the Order of Hermes and it is clear that he has gained some power from the spirits that he worships. I opposed the motion of House Tremere for all such followers to be investigated for fear of what the corruption at Holy Isle might do and concern that it breaches the rights of Magi but with Senior Quaesitor Serenia leading such enquiries perhaps it is best that it passed. There is no doubt that Theodosius is a charismatic man and he is well liked by his sodales, but if he has betrayed his oath he must be dealt with accordingly.

Magus Tiarnan

It remains to be seen what changes there will be in Tiarnan now that he has effectively been forced to accept the role of Legationis to the fae. It is clear that he dislikes any being in a position of authority over him but I shall be interested to see whether he treats fairly with Cormoran. Perhaps to ask him to do so is too much given how provoked he has been but I will think lesser of him if he is unable to. I respect Tiarnan for his integrity although I disagree with many of his beliefs. He seems to have served us well in his dealings with the fae and it is only recently with Cormoran's actions that issues from within that realm have troubled the council. Tiarnan still has a streak of mischief but I also sense that there has been a lightening of his attitudes and he has provoked Astrius less often in the years since he has taken his familiar. Tiarnan remains a valuable member of this covenant whose counsel is always worth hearing even if sometimes it is interestingly delivered.

1152 AD

Dialectica

There are many things to respect about our Pontifex. She has shown courage, strength of will and no small amount of wit in her time with this covenant. The tradition of Trianoma is obviously one that runs strongly in her veins for she seeks to maintain consensus within a concilium that seems to hold little collective purpose and where some are openly derisive of the Latin tradition of our order. Yet she is also prepared to take firm decisions where she deems them necessary, and it seems is not afraid to risk causing offence to any who reside here, myself included. However, I do have concerns about her, and they lie in the political game that she is surely playing. Her decision to come to this covenant despite the enemies made, to appoint Theodosius as Ministrator (for with the electorate in this ballot there could be no other outcome) and some of the opinions that she has expressed all point to hidden motives. I hope that she has a care that her plots do not bring down harm upon this covenant.

Theodosius

I harbour the gravest doubts about this Magus. In truth I recognise that part of my fear is merely that of the unknown, as his non-hermetic talents are more pronounced than any other I have known (particularly for one still young by our reckoning). Far greater however is my worry for the path that he walks. I think of some of the tales scribed in the journal at this covenant, of the renegade Idris being drawn into the wiles of the un-named house, the storyteller Steven and the shapeshifter Meredith. I have no evidence of wrongdoing; indeed I am not certain that he has strayed so far yet. But even though as Quaesitor I am used to all magi being cautious around me I sense a great unease from him when I ask questions. Perhaps my greatest challenge is that he stands one heartbeat from being Pontifex of this place. I have been tasked with guiding this covenant through the seasons after its difficult history, but I do not see how this could be possible if ever he should ascend to its summit.

Astrius

Our Imperator causes me exceeding frustration. On the one hand he resorts to violence and overt magic with barely a consideration for the alternatives, while on the other he seems drawn to the apparent Ex Miscellanean orthodoxy within this covenant that holds the most base peasant as of equal value to a Magus. His close bond to Theodosius, to whom he often seems almost deferential, has surely influenced his views. I worry as to his reaction if ever that Magus should fulfil my worst fears and prove false. Yet he still holds many of the virtues (and indeed other personality traits) common to the Flambeau. He is certainly proud; a simple reminder that he should have a little care when choosing to do battle within the mundane sphere and I was glad that he holds the traditional respect of his House for mine, although I sense little friendliness. Despite his unflattering demeanour he seems a good commander of our grogs and there can be no criticising his courage. Perhaps only time will tell whether I will be able to form a bond with him.

Tiarnan

I have had little experience of those from House Merinita, although they have provided many precedents within the canon of Hermetic Law. Magus Tiarnan seems to fit with many of the descriptions that I have heard however. He is fiercely individualistic; he alone provided real resistance to the rewritten charter and it is already apparent that he will seek to stake his claim upon unhindered activity within the nearby Fae Regio. I also sense some mischief in his character and he is often given to smirking to himself when he loses interest in a conversation. But he is also in many ways the most traditional of my sodales. He recognises the status in being gifted that lifts us above the mundanes and when he disagreed with a position I held he turned to Certamen to resolve our dispute. I am certain that we will cross swords in the future but I am glad that he sits on our council.

Aelfwin

I respect the art of this Magus but I find it less easy to respect him. It is clear that he is a man with strong moral certainties but I cannot believe that he has the capacity to make the difficult decisions that are necessary if we are to prosper. Instead he criticises those of us who disagree with his views as callous, his attacks directed at an increasingly personal level. I am aware that he dislikes me and indeed I wonder whether he holds any fondness for the wider order. It is clear that he regards most Magi of a Latin tradition as somehow desirous only of imposing unjust strictures upon him and his House. He is unable, or unwilling, to recognise that without strong and occasionally harsh leadership both this Covenant and this Order would falter and perish.

Cormoran

This man is proof that those who told me there were many within the Stonehenge Tribunal who would barely be recognised as magi were not overstating themselves. Whilst he has the right to be treated equally under the law, and I shall always endeavour to do so, his ignorance of the traditions of his sodales is shocking. He has openly advocated courses of action that would breach not only the Peripheral but also the Primary Code; fortunately always when there have been those wiser to correct him. He shares many of the views of Aelfwin, although I cannot in truth claim with certainty that they are his own for he seems all too easily led. As for his magic I confess that he has a prodigious ability to cast a single spontaneous spell in a day but I sense little wider understanding of his art.