Winter 533 Update

In the winter of 533 AD, our heroes return to House Valerius in Rome.

BROTHER AQUILA writes up his experiences fighting the werewolves and is commended for Fresh Insights.

POUNCEQUICK joins the Legitimate Businessman's Social Club and is welcomed by Gordus Antonius, the club's president. He mingles his blood with Antonius' and hosts a memorable, nay, an exceptional, dinner for the club! Over the next few days, nervous men come and buy all the most expensive rugs in Pouncequick's shop.

ROSA acquires the superpower of perceiving the thoughts of the dead, otherwise known as literacy.
She also discovers, while checking on a fellow druid who's in trouble with the law, that CRASSUS, the richest man in Rome, has sponsored a team of dungeoneers to bust into tombs and temples and steal gold and jewels. They have a barbarian, a gladiator, a wizard, an archer, a thief and a druid, just like we do! Plus a mysterious seventh member, but no cleric, as we have. So we've got that going for us, which is nice.

The Crassus Team is:
BLACKBRIAR THORN, crotchety old druid
BOWENN IVORYBOW, wizard, elf, and hunted criminal
ARTEMISIA, archer and Bowenn's beloved
TITANICUS, the mighty gladiator
RINGORIX, King of the Belgae
THE BLACK MOUSER, a famous thief
and a mysterious Seventh Member!

RETARIUS teaches Thalga about gladiating and supervises her first bout in the arena, against a girl dressed as Roma Mater. Thalga wins, and somewhat theatrically.

Also, Retaria finds out where the Crassus team is raiding: Calamus' country villa, located in the foothills of the Alps. Rosa interprets a map left behind by Blackbriar Thorn as part of Calamus' villa.

SYLVIA goes hunting, sees another hunter cheating, and fights a duel. As the challenged party, she chooses the bow. Andronicus, her opponent, is an overdressed fop who comes dressed in plate armor with gilded inlays. She shoots him in the thigh, causing him great, even theatrical, distress, and he forgives her. She, on the other hand, catches his arrow out of the air, which is awesome.

BJERN fights in the arena vs. Ringorix, King of the Belgae, and TITANICUS, the Man Mountain. It's a very violent fight, not least because Bjern goes berserk and forgets all about making this a good show. DECINQUE bets on him and wins a bundle.

DECINQUE then buys up chapels around the city to start a thieves' guild. BJERN buys an elephant.

JUNIUS is released from his obligation to marry ARTEMISIA, and is free to marry SIGRID. This will bring another province into the Empire, which will please the Emperor, who will in turn favor House Valerius with unspecified favors. Messages of marriage are sent! No word if she accepts yet.

Also, Junius is elected Tribune of the People, another step along the Path of Honor. Next, he'll have to be appointed a Praetor, then a Pontifex, then he can run for Senator, and then, perhaps, a Consul of Rome!  Unless Retaria thinks HER husband should get those honors FIRST. Then, Junius better hire a taster.