From Ars Magica

A map of the Three Lions Inn

1		1	1			1	1			1	1
1	<m>Innkeeper's</m> <m>Room</m>			1	<m>Store</m> <m>Room</m>			1	<m>Kitchen</m>						1
1		1	1			1	1			1	1
1	<m>Corridor</m>											1	<m>Stairs</m>		1
1		1	1			1	1			1	1			1	1
1	<m>West</m> <m>Room</m>							1	<m>Main</m> <m>Room</m>						1
1								1							1
1								1							1
1										1	1

A map of the ground floor of the main building. None of the parts are to scale. Brown squares are doors, and the stairs begin at the right, and go up to the left.

The Company of Strangers, or the Convivium Sodalum?

The wooden shutters had been closed and latched as dusk fell, and like the patrons in the main room, the magi had almost unconsciously rearranged themselves according to the availability of light in the room. A large fireplace occupied the center of one wall, and a number of logs were well ablaze within creating a tempting semi-circle of warmth and light.

Shortly before the main course was to be served, Roan entered the room with a bowl of freshly chopped herbs, which she began to strew up and down the long table. The flickering flames of two candlesticks illuminated the table, but little else.

Not long after the scent of cooking food began wafting through the whole building, a large, silent man entered and placed a hand protectively on Eirlys' shoulder. "Ah, sodales, I'd like for you to meet Sandor. He can't speak, but I'm sure he's very pleased to meet your acquaintances." Eirlys smiled warmly, though Sandor maintained a facial expression which was as brooding as his companion's was inviting.

When Roan next disturbed the assembled strangers a few minutes later, she was carrying a large, heavy looking pot. Behind her stood Lucia, who bore a tray stacked with bowls and a large ladle. "If you could all kindly be seated, I'd like to serve this while it's good'n'hot." As she waited for them all to take places, or not, at the table, Lucia timidly emerged from the relative safety of Roan's shadow, and began to place finger bowls along the table.

Longinus rose, moved to the table and claimed the place reserved for him by his knife. Carefuly staying clear of the serving girls bustling work, he nonetheless smiled his thanks.

A moment later, Alicia rejoined the party, stopping short at the door when she saw that several more magi had arrived, then moving quickly over to Ambrosius.

After supper in the West Room

Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill of the rather tasty food the innkeeper had provided there was a general feeling of relaxation which usually went with a good meal after a long journey. It was well after sundown now and the lights were beginning to burn down low giving the room a more intimate feeling.

Mnemosyne suggested that those who not members of the Order should be free to retire to the common room, bed or whatever took their fancy. Her tone made it clear it was more of a directive than a suggestion. It was time for the magi to discuss their plans for the all important days ahead which could in turn affect all of their futures for many years to come.

[Presuming here that all non-magi leave at this point - if any grogs or companions do not leave, please make this clear here and if it is at their own choice, or if they are asked to stay by a member of the Order]

"So sodales," Mneomsyne began. "I imagine that we are all keen to determine if this venture will proceed quickly. It is spring now, but if we are to join together and bring our goals to fruitition before the claws of winter find us unprotected, we should act with alacrity. I think the first thing we should do is determine if indeed there is a suitable location for our proposed covenant in the area. Marcus has already turned up some interesting information regarding the Long Mynd, a region of hills adjascent to this vale." Mnemosyne summed up the rumours he had told her earier regarding the Long Mynd for those who had not already heard them and asked Marcus to elaborate.

[Place for Marcus to add any info or opinions or what not]

Next Mnemosyne called on Longinus to speak. "Longinus, leaving aside the issue of gaining acceptance in the Stonehenge Tribunal for the present, you intimated to me in your first letter that a place which is both secure and safe to live and study were of paramount concern to you. You also mentioned that your parens, Mercantus ex Mercere suggested to you that the area of west Shropshire, which we are now in might prove to be likely spot. Would you care to elaborate at all?"

[Place for Longinus to jump in with any background info he wants to share, comments or the like]

Mnemosyne then went on to ask the rest of the assembled magi if they had anything to add, any local knowledge of the area or tidbits of information they thought would be relevent to the discussion.

[Place for Ambrosius, Bedo, Eirlys and Phaedrus to chip in]

"So, that is all rather interesting," Mnemosyne said once everyone who wanted to had had their say. "It seems that the best thing for us to do is investigate some possible locations in the area and judge their suitability. I think that we can all agree that the most important factor for us all is the presence of reasonably strong magical aura to place the covenant itself in order to aid our research and contribute to our own powers. Other than that... well, everywhere has its advtantages and disadvantages. We shall have to assess each location based on its own merits. In the interest of maximising our time and effort, what do you think about dividing into two or three groups to survey some likely locations, starting on the morrow?"