Theopania



Born to travelling performers Theopania grew to be quite the acrobat and performer but never gained popularity or prestige. She simple did not seem to fit in, even amoung the unusual fellows in her troupe. When young she took to stealing in an attempt to get noticed but soon grew too good and by the time she came of age she had resigned to the fact that others would forever see her as a nobody. She left the troupe before realising this however, believing at the time that her fellows were collaborating to keep her name from becoming known. Using her skills she wandered and tried different roles outside of performances, growing more confident the more she got away with. To maintain this lifestyle she fenced goods.

She came to the attention of the Order while pretending to be a Nun at a monastery. Lumen, a Jerbiton maga of Schola Pythagoranis, attempted to use her magic to persuade the monks to lend her one of their books while herself disguised as a scholar. When Theopania continued to suspiciously watch her the maga grew curious and investigated further. Discovering the watchful nun to not be a nun at all she revealed herself and threatened to reveal Theopania as well if she didn't leave with her (and the book). Theopania spent a little time in Cambridge doing favours for the magi of Schola Pythagoranis. While she could not bring herself to trust the mages she felt that keeping an eye on them and making herself useful was the best approach. Despite not believing that others would do so, she was a woman of her word during what tasks they assigned her, keeping what she knew of the Order and its mages secret. Her skills were of little scholarly use however which is why she was transferred to the newly founded Sagehollow Covenant.

Details
When she is noticed Theopania tends to be hanging out with Cass and occasionally Silk, when trying to find her it is generally easier to look for one of them. She does her part around the covenant helping move things about. While not strong she tends to be willing to help. Occasionally she might obtain some item from someone but she'll always give it back with a grin. At times she can be persuaded to do impressions.

Fun fact: Has thought up ideas and plans for stealing from various well known places that she will likely never try to steal from or in some cases, visit.

Born: 1168 Height: 5'2" Weight: 110lbs

Characteristics
Intelligence +0, Perception +1, Strength -1, Stamina +0, Presence +0, Communication +2, Dexterity +2, Quickness +1

Virtues
Forgettable Face, Troupe Upbringing (Acrobatics & Acting), Well Travelled

Flaws
Overconfident, Slow Reflexes, Tainted with Evil

Personality Traits
Attentive +2, Confident +3, Loyal +2

Typical Gear
Non-descript reversible clothes and cloak with hidden 'pockets', dagger, satchel containing disguise kit in secret compartment. Various stolen items not yet sold....

Languages
English 5 (Accents), Latin 1.

Abilities
Athletics (Acrobatics) 4, Awareness (In Darkness) 3, Bargain (Fencing) 2, Brawl (Knives) 2, Charm (Her 'Mark/s') 2, Folk Ken (Her 'Mark/s') 2, Guile (Disguise) 4, Intrigue (Plotting) 1, Legerdemain (Filching) 4, Stealth (Sneaking) 5, Survival (Urban) 1, Faerie Lore (Festivals) 0.

Area Lores: Southern England (Criminal Elements) 1, Midlands (Criminal Elements) 1, London (People) 1, Nottingham (People) 1, Schola Pythagoranis (Lumen of Jerbiton) 1.

Opinions on Others
Cass - You know what they say about all work and no play. She is at least as good a thief as me, in fact she seems to do great at whatever she sets her mind to.. We've worked well over the years which is why I invited her to lay low at Sagehollow. She may not take the job too serious but it does make it fun. It'll be good having her around. Having her around has proven to be good on several levels though I'm unsure where exactly she and Silk stand at any one time, which admittedly just makes things all the more fun.. Maybe with the 'No Mages Club' she and I will get some added privacy at times?

Essel - Thankfully her 'gift' is more like those from Schola Pythagoranis than some of the other mages at Sagehollow making her quite friendly if a little distant. That is until she gives you that look.. Yikes. Fortunately she seems to trust me which is good.

Silk - Quite a laugh and great to travel with. He gets that living rich would be boring without the fun of theft, but I do think he goes a bit far with his disguises. Is he trustworthy? Sure. Is he dangerous? Almost certainly, but not to me I'd say. Extra plus, he isn't so easily swayed by a low cut dress like some others at Sagehollow. Come to realise hs is pretty lucky too, but also married now! *laughs* He is happy with that despite barely knowing her? Pah. Founding member of the 'No Mages Club' and still one of my favourite people to banter with!

Little John - I don't get the 'little', unless he has a brother like the Redcap William. That aside he seems decent as long as I keep away during a fight and lets face it, when won't I? Not as scary as I thought he'd be at first look but still a bit gruff. Gone now of course..

Old Giles - Not a man to underestimate which is great. He seems to keep to himself mostly but I suppose he sees everyone else at Sagehollow as 'youngsters'. I've not managed to relate to him yet. He is one of founding members of the 'No Mage Club' which I have to like, the actual idea was his I think. Looking forward to getting to know him more through that which I take as proof that the whole idea is of benefit to the Covenant. His bad memory for names does make thing awkward though..

Lady Tessora of Artois - She speaks some english and doesn't ask questions. Beyond that I don't know her well.

Islwyn - Sure he can use a bow but why do we keep him around? Beside the fact that we live in a forest so getting him to leave would be impossible.

Tancred - I got to observe him up close after climbing that beanstalk since my skills weren't too needed besides generally organising people. He is a fiercely skilled warrior, quite understandably our champion. At the time I didn't think much more of him, but having seen the bodies beneath Sagehollow and the part he apparently played in them.. I have to wonder what those people and families of old did and how I can avoid him seeing me that way!!

Adelaide - I couldn't live my life following after someone doing what they want. She seems happy though. Wonder how much she really knows about Tancred however...

Erik - A powerful combatant who seemed to accept my seniority during the beanstalk expedition. I'm not sure what interests he has besides looking for a fight but he doesn't seem a bad sort at all.

Haeddi - Knowledgeable as you would expect from a mage. Yet to see any magic from her but the same could be said of most back in Cambridge. She is probably the mage here closest to their sort and my expectations of one if I am honest.

Percival - He can drink, he can fight, he'll give stuff a go.. Not much else to him as yet. Founding member of the No Mages Club though I think he just went along with the idea more than anything. If he asks me "Who are you again?" too many more times I might stab him though, or at least get someone to.

~ Others ~

Edric - Maybe its his 'gift' but he really seems a creep and kinda stuck up too. Rumour at Sagehollow is that he knows magic for prying at people.. that doesn't help. Fortunately he doesn't seem to have too much of an interest in those who aren't 'gifted' so far.

Evelyn - They say she is a metalworker of some kind but its hard to imagine her even holding a hammer, let alone swinging it with force. I guess she uses magic but that seems like cheating, not that I'll say that aloud. No idea what she is saying but it is fun to hang around with the walking distraction. The hard part is sorting out where she is walking to.

Lohse - Impressive performer. Cass and I played dancers for her during the shut in.

Osanna - First inductee to the 'No Mages Club'. I think she is playing it a little too safe with things but that is her choice.

~ Elsewhere ~

Lumen of Jerbiton, Schola Pythagoranis - The woman who introduced me to the Order. Maybe even a friend, certainly someone I'd trust even if I don't get her obsession with books.

Fredegisa of Guernicus, Schola Pythagoranis - Astute enough to recognise me after some months which is fair as she isn't someone I could forget. I respect her honesty and she seems to respect my new loyalties.

Story
1190 Her first job for Sagehollow was to accompany the maga Essel to the Mercere House, somewhere she had been before, though it seemed like Silk was perhaps more in charge or at least that was their cover. Her first real interaction with the man was to help him disguise the lumbering oaf 'Little' John and for the maga she helped uncover information on local bookbinders. The others let their cart get stolen however. When the group found the theives she snuck off only to jump up and put a knife to the last guys throat after the 'fight'. The rest of the journey involved testing her skill as a pickpocket against Silk while also staging a fight Old Giles and Little John. She was the one to notice the runaway nuns Ari and Caitlyn who they decided to take along and keep safe. She arrived at the Mercere House ahead of the rest to announce the others were coming and was questioned by Fredegisa who she had met before when working for Schola Pythagoranis who unbeknowst to the others questioned her, though she proved loyal to her new covenant.
 * Spring ~ 5 Adventure Xp: Bargain 5xp


 * Summer ~ Exposure: Athletics 2xp

Her next important task involved the Trials at Normanston. She resisted the temptation to steal from the noted nobles involved in the trials even after locating the buildings they were staying in. Much of her time was spent sneaking into the scene of Tancred's apparent crime and observing the guards and other individuals to report to the magi.
 * Autumn ~ 9 Adventure Xp: Athletics 5xp, Folk Ken 4xp

Not long later an old friend, colleague and playmate of hers, Cass, sought her out needing somewhere to lay low after an incident. After enjoying a laugh over the event she invited Cass to Sagehollow where the woman wouldn't be judged and could get regular enjoyable work and even the chance for some profit on the side. After hearing about the fun times Cass and Silk had during a trip to Cambridge for the covenant the three formed a trio, each longing for the chance to head out as a group.
 * Winter: Exposure: Athletics 2xp

1191 In the spring she volunteered to joined Evelyn in delivering some goods to the Templars and was actually allowed to go. Despite being unable to communicate with the maga the two spent a bit of time together, gesturing happily together while Theopania pocketed various items laying around on their tour. Whenever the residents and visitors were calling to attend service she slipped off trusting nobody would notice her missing. On one such disappearance she investigated some of the locals odd behavior, stealing a few things that the owner could easily assume got dropped and discovering the Templars likely had access to Vis. Not knowing this at the time she left it however.
 * Spring ~ 7 Adventure Xp: Legerdemain 5xp, Charm 2xp


 * Summer ~ Exposure: Athletics 2xp

Theopania has a busy Autumn season. She volunteered to be one of the ones to befriend the local travellers tavern in some festivity which ended up involving various Fey and strange events which she and Cas had good fun falling over each other while attempting. Agreeing to accompany Evelyn once more, this time with Cass and Silk, went quite differently as the leaders of the nunnery forced the maga to learn humility and hard work (Theopania was the only one to decline the chance to have Evelyn wash their feet). Evelyn's 'lessons' left little opportunity for wealth and Theopania was even forced to attend prayers this time while in the guise of Marian, one of the nuns who the others helped to sneak out and pass word regarding her noble son to her allies.
 * Autumn ~ 7 Adventure Xp: Charm 5xp, Faerie Lore 2xp
 * Autumn ~ 8 Adventure Xp: Guile 3xp, Latin 5xp


 * Winter ~ Exposure: Athletics 2xp

1192 Climbing the beanstalk did not require Theopania's skills in theivery in the end but the adventure was still interesting. The beanstalk itself proved little challenge but it was still something new that allowed her to prove her skill.
 * Spring ~ Exposure: Athletics 2xp
 * ''Summer ~ 7 Adventure Xp: Athletics 4xp, Faerie Lore 3xp.

During the winter months Theopania opted to stay indoors to join Lady Tessora and Millie in learning Latin from Richard. New skills are never wasted after all in her mind.
 * Autumn ~ Exposure: Athletics 2xp
 * Winter ~ Lessons Taken: Latin 13xp

1193 Not all her time was spent inside however, Theopania eagerly joined in games to keep herself in shape. One such game led to the accidental discovery of vast ruins beneath Sagehollow seemingly belonging to past magi. Seeing evidence of a pass massacre showed her a new side to magical workings...
 * Spring ~ 7 Adventure Xp: Awareness 5xp, Folk Ken 2xp