The inhabitants of the mountain seem to fit one standard form. Physically, they lack all body hair and have a crest running lengthwise in the center of their head; their eyes are like pools of fire. Their skin resembles the very basalt-rock that the mountain is made from.
Inhabitants should be built on up to four points of virtues and five points of flaws. All need one more point of flaw than virtues, reflecting their strangeness. This flaw should be mystical in nature. All local born have the following virtues and flaws: Disfigured (-1); Tainted By Magic (-1); Unusual Perceptions (-1) (see house rules); Withstand magic (+2). In addition, many have the exceptional talents of Second Sight (+1), Direction Sense (+1) or Magic Sensitivity (+1). Withstand magic does not preclude other mystical virtues/flaws for the inhabitants. Companions are certainly possible, but need to be approved by Jeremiah. |
The inhabitants have average to long lifespans. The oldest known to the magi is just over eighty years old.
Their language, while Greek, is archaic and filled with strange words from no known language. Their culture is primarily Hellenistic. Everything feels familiar, than you are caught in some distortion or interpretation that takes you by surprise. They worship a syncrestic pantheon of gods, though they often get the names slightly different or call a god by no name at all. Their religion is intensely personal, avoiding the state cult aspects of antiquity. They do not like to discuss it much, even among themselves. They are dedicated vegetarians by nature and belief.
Time seems to hold no real importance to these people. They have no method of time keeping and do not seem concerned by it. They think in terms of the far past, a long-indeterminate now and an indeterminate future defined by prophecy. Most inhabitants have no idea how many years they have been alive.
It is difficult to say exactly how many of these people live within the mountain. What is known to the magi is that they have a group of approximately three-hundred who are loyal to them. A group of over one hundred split off under Issil when the magi came to the mountain. This group moved itself off beyond the firegate. While Issil is now dead, that group is still there. Other communities most certainly exist throughout the mountain. These groups, however, should rarely number more than one hundred or so.
A large group of the inhabitants has pledged themselves in service to the Magi. They view the Magi as Children of Hermes, returned to fulfill ancient prophecies. Just what these prophecies are they are not forthright in saying. A taciturn bunch, they serve the magi willingly enough, often chuckling about their strange ways.
These people live in a communitarian framework. While they form many ties, formal recognitions, such as marriage, are rare.
The only person in authority in the community is the Bibliothecarius. This person goes by no other name. The position combines caring for the remnants of the library and religious duties. He is the best person to deal with if the Magi need anything done fast.
The Bibliothecarius rarely talks about the history of the covenant. A great deal of this is ignorance and matters which should remain "unspoken." Perhaps he is still hesitant about these 'Children of Hermes.' However, in a few instances there seems to have been some magical prohibition preventing him from divulging information. He is usually very willing to answer questions of the magi if he can.
The Bibliothecarius is grooming a son, Nikolas, to be his heir. It is also unfortunate that one of the covenant's greatest opponents among the inhabitants, Issil, is his eldest son.
The magi have recruited a sizable group of starry-eyed youths to be trained as grogs. These new grogs are unused to violence and usually deal badly when they are first confronted by it. They should always start with a zero or less Bravery personality Trait.
A group of the inhabitants has declared the Magi to be beguilers and demons seeking to lead the true people astray. They give dreams and fragments of prophecy as reasons. They have moved to other parts of the mountain, beyond the firegate. Formerly, the leader of this group was Issil, who had declared himself the "True" Bibliothecarius. Issil has since been slain by the magus Constantine. His group of loyal followers, armed with a theurgical magic have disappeared.
Those that remain refuse to deal with the magi, feeling that they are an evil best not dealt with to avoid temptation. Their beliefs, even more so than those who serve the covenant, prevent them from taking violent action however. They have so far prevented the magi from taking physical action against them. They will continue to protect their new home beyond the fire gate.
There are many other communities of inhabitants scattered throughout the mountain. The magi have had dealings with few of these. They represent many different cultures. None of these communities are large, few having more than one hundred people.
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Last modified: Tues Nov 17, 1998 / Jeremiah Genest