Aziz of House Guernicus

A ramshackle structure has been pointed out to you as the sanctum of the Quaesitor Aziz. Little more than two and three-quarters walls, a carpet hangs where the missing corner to the building should be. As you ponder the proper etiquette for knocking on a carpet door, it is quickly brushed aside and a well-groomed man ducks his head under it, his wide mouth flashing a winning smile, brilliant blue eyes sparkling in welcome.

"As-salaam alaikum. Greetings! Please come in and sit! Would you care for some water to wash away the bitter taste of sand?" The voice sounds warm and embraces you as a long lost friend. "Have you had a pleasant journey?"

In spite of the dreadful heat, you now almost feel as if you did have a pleasant journey. Moments before you were cursing the blisters on your feet and the swollen tongue in your parched throat, but this man's disarming manner has made this...truth be known, it is a hovel...this hovel is cozy and comfortable as you sit and talk with Aziz Abd al-Fattah.

Laboratory

You must be kidding. No one at Sabratha has anything vaguely resembling a laboratory at this point.

Hermetic Grimoire (TechForm Level/Bonus)

Lungs of the Fish (MuAq 10/+9), Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15/+10), Rise of the Feathery Body (ReCo 5/+10), Snaking Symbol of Stupefaction (ReCo 20/+10), Eyes of the Past (InIm 20/+9), Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20/+14), Thoughts Within Babble (InMe 25/+14), Loss of But a Moment's Memory (PeMe 10/+7), The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10/+11), Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20/+11).

*Mastered spells

Vis Supply

Forthcoming.

 

'Aziz 'Abd al-Fattah, al-Qadi al-Munsif, House Guernicus, Quaesitor of the Order of Hermes
Strength (sinuous)				+1	Dexterity (uncoordinated)				-2
Stamina				0	Quickness (slow reaction)				-2
Intelligence (intuitive)				+3	Presence (striking face)				+1
Perception (attention to detail)				+2	Communication (convincing)				+2
Virtues & Flaws: Visions +2, Quaestior +1, The Gentle Gift +1, Alchemy +1, Outsider -2, Lack of Control -2, Flawed Parma (half Herbam resistance) -1
Abilities: Speak Arabic (fake accents) 4, Scribe Arabic (mathematics) 3, Speak Latin (pronunciation) 4, Scribe Latin (spells) 3, Speak Greek (nautical terms) 2, Scribe Greek (philosophy) 2, Speak Spanish (debate), Scribe Hieroglyphics (gods) 2, Hermes Lore (Quaesitoris) 2, Hermetic Law (loopholes) 3, Intrigue (alliances) 2, Swim (ocean) 2, Charm (nobles) 2, Visions (evil) 1, Celestial Magic (constellations) 2, Occult Lore (Egyptian myths) 1, Artes Liberales (astronomy) 3, Alchemy (healing draughts) 1, Etiquette (hospitality) 2, Maghrib Lore (Tripoli) 1, Certámen 2, Magic Theory (potions) 4, Parma Magica (Mentem) 3
					Year Born			1191
					Age (in 1214 A.D.)			28
					Decrepitude			0
					Gender			Male
					Size			0
					Height			5'10"
					Weight			172 lbs.
					Hair			Black
					Eyes			Blue
					Handedness			Right
					Twilight Points			1
Physical Description: Aziz possesses a tall, lithe build and although he is not overly strong his body is sinuous and well-defined. He makes every attempt to keep himself immaculately groomed, and his face is framed by wavy black hair and a short, neat beard, though he wears no mustache. His nose is aquiline, being perched above Aziz's wide lips. His unusual blue eyes seem out of place on his somewhat dark skin.
Personality Traits: Even-handed (innocent mistakes) +2, Curious (truth) +2, Sympathetic (underdogs) +1, Dutiful (Order) +1, Friendly (strangers) +1
Reputations: Quaesitor (Order) 3
Magical Arts
Creo		5		Animál		0	Ignem		0
Intéllego		8		Aquam		4	Imáginem		1
Muto		5		Auram		0	Mentem		6
Perdo		1		Corpus		5	Terram		3
Rego		5		Herbam		0	Vim		5
Soak: +2				Armor Worn: heavy leather hauberk
Skill		Weapon		Scr	Init	Atk	Dfn	Dam	Fat
Single weapon		scimitar		2	+4	+2	+5	+6	+3
Brawling		fist/kick		2	+2	+1	+1	+1	+3

Background: Aziz was born to a fisherman and his wife in the Egyptian city of Damietta. Mahmud, his father, took little notice of the boy and thus the task of raising the boy was entrusted to his mother, Fatima. Aziz made friends at an early age with the son of a book merchant, and spent long hours pouring over books. When he was 9 years old, a stranger appeared in the shop of Talwib ibn Akim: a young magus of House Guernicus, the Transitionalist Durenatus of Duresca Covenant. He spoke briefly of wondrous things lying within the desert, and when he set out on an expedition to the south, Aziz stole after him.

Aziz was fortunately discovered some days later by Durenatus and his men within the desert, and although in poor shape, the magus nursed Aziz back to health and was surprised to find the boy had the Gift. Questioning the boy about his desire to learn magic, Aziz was at first hesitant, having been raised as a devout Muslim, but then confessed he wanted to follow Durenatus and share his adventures. Durenatus thus brought the boy back with him to Galicia and a year later Aziz became his apprentice.

Durenatus abhorred the violence raging within the Tribunal; though a Christian himself, he harbored no particular ill will toward the Muslims and very much disapproved of House Flambeau's participation in the Reconquista. Seeking to position Aziz so as to counterbalance the Traditionalists, Flambeaus, and Christians, his liberal teachings were not lost upon the Egyptian boy.

Aziz and other members of Sabratha: forthcoming

Aziz's Outlook:

• Bjornaer: Typical of most Quaesitoris, Aziz only looks to ensure that these shapechangers do not let their desire for privacy and dependence on tradition to lead them astray and/or abuse the Code.
• Bonisagus: Aziz respects the magi of this house both for their magical aptitude as well as their focus on magic at the expense of mundane contact. Though Aziz is a Transitionalist and favors increased peaceful contact between the Order and mundanes, he also feels magi should butt out of mundane affairs and focus on their Art as much as possible.
• Criamon: Although a little overboard for Aziz's liking, he appreciates the devotion to mystery and discovery that this House represents. They may attempt foolish things in the search for answers, however, and need to be reminded of the framework within which they must act.
• Ex Miscellanea: A disparate group that is difficult to make sweeping generalizations about, Aziz has mixed feelings about this House as well. As his own magic is the product of such traditions, and the House harbors many fellow Muslims, Aziz sympathizes with its members' plight much as he sympathizes with most underdogs or those who are judged unfairly. Yet there are many other traditions he understands less well, and at any rate, the Code must be enforced for their own protection as well as that of the Order.
• Flambeau: While many Quaesitoris see this House as both ally and nuisance, Aziz sees them mostly as dangerous malcontents. A good deal of this sentiment doubtless comes from the Iberian situation and their attacks upon the Moors and Islam. Still, Aziz attempts to deal with everyone even-handedly, and those outside of the Iberian Tribunal are likely to make a better impression upon this Quaesitor.
• Jerbiton: Although Traditionalists often look unfavorably upon this House, Aziz thinks the time may be drawing near when some sort of official interaction with the mundanes is necessary. To that end, these magi would be invaluable, and as long as they are not attempting to control these mundanes, the Order should not be expected to penalize them for interacting with them.
• Mercere: It is doubtful many magi have an unfavorable opinion of these diligent workers who so dutifully serve the Order, and certainly Aziz holds them in high esteem. Their duties are all the more important in backwater areas of the Order.
• Merinita: While Aziz appreciates the need for magi who can better understand the fae, just as those of Jerbiton fill a needed role, these magi toe the line. As long as they do not put their faerie friends above the Order and their fellow magi, their goals are acceptable.
• Tremere: Never as fascinated with discipline as those of the Traditionalist camp, Aziz's view of this House is one of suspicion. Their past transgression speaks to the fact that what Traditionalists point to as a virtue is actually a flaw: evidence that this discipline is fostered by a loyalty to their own House and its goals first and foremost may lead them again outside the boundaries of the Code.
• Tytalus: Another House which Aziz distrusts. Their focus on struggle and conflict is, to Aziz's mind, a useless and dangerous fascination. There is more than enough strife in the world without them causing more of it. Their goals almost by definition go against those of Guernicus.
• Verditius: Perhaps the only other House which Aziz looks upon with almost complete adoration (the other being Mercere), the Quaesitor favors these magi for their attention to their craft above political intrigue.
• The Fae: Dangerous because of their fickle nature, their hold on House Merinita, and ambivalence towards the Order and mundanes alike. Aziz's personal feelings are that it might not be a bad idea to March against the lot of them and purge them from the world. But this is strictly prohibited by the Code, and he respects the law that keeps the Order away from these dangerous opponents.
• Demons: Foe to Christian, Muslim, Jew and pagan alike, all should rally to the destruction of these malicious creatures. Magi who deal with them should of course face the harshest of punishments.
• Mundanes: The Order must coexist peacefully with those without the Gift. The Order cannot perhaps remain isolated and separate from them forever. Though the Order's independence from mundane authority must be preserved, mundane and magus should be able to interact in a way beneficial to both parties. Those magi who suggest we should enslave or command the mundanes are dangerous for their callous nature and should be carefully observed by the Quaesitoris.
• Nobles: Given Aziz's feelings about mundanes, his feelings toward the nobility is similar, though many of them are deluded, power-hungry snobs. Still, they are the rulers of the mundane world, and it is through them that the Order must interact with the mundane world and it is their armies which the Order must avoid. To this end, they should be dealt with fairly and cordially.
• Jews: Since they are mistreated in most Christian lands, Aziz's natural feelings for those wronged often cause him to favor the Jews.
• Christians: The Christians are lost brethren who we have feuded with. Deluded in their beliefs, they are nonetheless powerful enemies. The Christian Church(es) should be dealt with in much the same fashion as nobles, since it is their power that the Order must avoid.
• Muslims: Though at least those followers of Islam have turned to the right path, many of them have an unhealthy fear of magic and would not have a favorable response to the Order. Interaction with the Islamic clergy should be approached much as nobles and the Christian Church should be approached: distance should be maintained, but when dealings are necessary, the Order must strive to find common ground with them to promote goodwill between both parties.

Illustration by Patrick Murphy.

This page last modified 7/23/98.

Comments to murphy@email.unc.edu

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