The Sundered Contents

The Middle Classes...... 37 I. Introduction 6 III. The Order of 20 The Lower Classes...... 37 Byzantine Landscape...... 6 Hermetic History...... 20 Slavery...... 37 Byzantine Realms...... 6 Before the Order of Hermes...... 20 Eunuchs...... 37 Byzantine Peoples...... 6 Shaping the Theban Tribunal...... 20 Women...... 38 Byzantine Legends...... 6 The Collapse of an ...... 22 The Eastern Church...... 38 How to Use this Book...... 7 The Leagues of Thebes...... 22 The Two Patriarchs The League of Constantine...... 22 of ...... 38 The Children of Olympos...... 23 Buildings...... 39 II. History of the Empire 8 The League of the Vigilant...... 24 Clergy...... 39 League Against Idolatry...... 24 The Origin of Mankind...... 8 Monastics...... 40 The Age of Heroes...... 8 Theban Tribunal Politics...... 24 ...... 40 The ...... 8 The Hermetic Polity...... 24 Inhabitants...... 40 The Persian Wars...... 10 Citizenship...... 25 Ethnic Groups...... 40 and Sparta...... 10 The Phylai...... 25 Vlachs...... 40 King Philip II of ...... 11 The Council of Magistrates...... 25 Slavs...... 40 ...... 11 The Archon...... 26 Jews...... 40 Hellenistic ...... 12 The Polemarch...... 26 Other Peoples...... 41 The Leagues...... 12 The ...... 26 Languages...... 41 Roman Governance...... 12 The Boards of Magistrates...... 27 Names...... 42 The Treasury Council...... 28 ustoms Constantine...... 12 C ...... 42 The Gothic Yoke...... 12 Tokens and Shards...... 28 Family Customs...... 42 The ...... 13 Customs of the Tribunal...... 29 Food and Drink...... 43 Justinian...... 13 The Language of Magi...... 29 Clothing and Appearance...... 43 ...... 14 Common Vis Sources...... 29 Law...... 43 War with Persia...... 14 Acts of Altruism...... 30 Education...... 43 The Arab Threat...... 14 Provision of Longevity Rituals...... 30 Literature...... 43 Iconoclasm...... 14 Provision of Healing...... 30 Trade...... 44 The Rise of ...... 15 Donation of Apprentices...... 30 Taxation...... 44 The Macedonian ...... 15 The Covenant Patrons...... 30 Coinage...... 44 Basil the Bulgar-Slayer...... 15 The Ceremony of Propitiation...... 31 Trade Goods...... 45 Zoe and Theodora...... 15 The Founding of Covenants...... 31 Mediterranean Ships...... 45 Tragedy at Manzikert (1071)...... 15 The Tribunal Meeting...... 32 The Military...... 46 Alexius (1081–1118)...... 15 Pre-Tribunal Procedure...... 32 Organization...... 46 The Sicilian Invasion (1081–1084)...... 16 Selection of Archai Candidates...... 32 Greek ...... 46 The Pecheneg Threat (1091)...... 16 Interviews with Apprentices...... 32 Superstition and Folklore...... 47 The First Crusade (1091–1108)...... 16 The Hermetic Assembly...... 32 The Alaphroiskiotoi...... 47 Genoa & (1111)...... 16 Announcement of Decrees...... 32 The Evil Eye...... 48 Ioannes II Komnenos (1118–1143)...... 16 Decrees of Citizenship...... 32 The Power of Oaths...... 48 (1143–1180)...... 16 Decrees of Defamation...... 32 War with ...... 16 Decrees of Contrition...... 32 The Sicilian Conflict...... 16 News from the Order...... 33 V. Greece 49 Andronikos the Tyrant (1183–1185)...... 17 The Apprentice Presentation...... 33 Ostrakismos...... 34 Epiros...... 49 Isaac II (1185–1195)...... 17 Arta...... 49 Alexius III Angelos (1195–1203)...... 17 The Law Council...... 34 The People’s Court...... 34 The Bridge of Arta...... 51 The (1202–1204)...... 17 ...... 51 Prince Alexius...... 17 The Council of Archai...... 35 Execution of Sentences...... 35 The Stone Ship of Corfu...... 51 Constantinople Besieged, Summer 1203.... 17 Durazzo...... 51 Isaac II Angelos Conduct of Archai...... 35 Sortition of Archai...... 35 Lakes Ohrid and Prespa...... 51 & Alexius IV Angelos...... 18 Mount Pelister...... 52 Murzuphlos, January 1204...... 18 Election of the Archon and Polemarch...... 35 Rite of Dismissal...... 35 The Pindos Mountains...... 52 The Second , April 1204...... 18 ...... 52 The ...... 19 Macedoniaand ...... 52 The Empire...... 19 ...... 53 The Thessaloniki Crisis...... 19 IV. Culture & Customs 6 Saint Demetrios...... 53 The Death of Baldwin...... 19 Social Structure...... 36 The Gorgona...... 53 Emperor Henry, 1205–1216...... 19 The Emperor...... 36 ...... 54 Emperor Peter, 1216–1217...... 19 The ...... 36 Olympos...... 54 Empress Yolanda, 1217–1219...... 19 Latin Lords...... 37

 The Sundered Eagle

The Forge of Hephaistos...... 55 Inside Constantinople...... 93 Larissa...... 55 VI. The Islands 71 The Forums...... 94 ...... 55 ...... 71 Waterworks...... 94 Mount Pelion...... 56 ...... 72 The Venetian Quarter...... 94 The Cave of ...... 56 Orphykia...... 72 Hippodrome...... 95 Attica and ...... 56 The Petrified Forest...... 73 The ...... 95 Thebes...... 57 The Cyclades...... 73 The Egyptian Obelisk...... 96 ...... 57 ...... 74 The ...... 96 The Castalian Spring...... 58 The Legendary Origins of Delos...... 74 The Churches...... 97 The Palace of the Lamia...... 58 The Hyperborean ...... 75 Haghia Sophia...... 97 Athens...... 58 Delos Today...... 76 Haghia ...... 97 The Tumulus of Marathon...... 59 The Hermetic Agora...... 76 Church of the Blessed Virgin Euboea...... 59 The Tribunal Treasury...... 77 of the Pharos...... 97 Chalkis...... 60 Thera...... 78 Church of the Holy Apostles...... 97 The Euripus Strait...... 60 The Bay of Thera...... 78 The Church of St. John the Baptist The Mountains of Euboea...... 60 The Dodecanese...... 78 of Studius and The Studion...... 98 Aetos...... 60 ...... 78 The Imperial Palaces...... 98 The Baths of Herakles...... 60 The Cave of the Apocalypse...... 78 The Great Palace...... 98 Morea...... 60 Kos...... 78 The Palace of Bucoleon...... 98 Corinth...... 61 The Tree of Hippocrates...... 78 The Palace of ...... 98 The Isthmus of Corinth...... 61 Rodos...... 79 The Palace of ...... 99 Angistri...... 61 Candia...... 79 The Porphyry Chamber...... 99 Lake Stymphalia...... 61 Chandax...... 79 Michael’s Tabula...... 99 Arcadia...... 62 Mounts and Ida...... 80 History...... 99 Vizie...... 62 The Labyrinth of Knossos...... 80 Setting and Physical Description...... 99 ...... 62 The Gorge of Apollon...... 81 Michael’s Tabula’s Patron: Fylakas...... 100 The Queen of the ...... 62 Aegaea...... 81 Culture and Traditions...... 100 Epidauros...... 63 History...... 81 Magi...... 100 History...... 63 Setting and Physical Description...... 82 Petros of House Jerbiton...... 100 Setting and Physical Description...... 63 Aegaea’s Patron: ...... 82 Wilrich of House Flambeau...... 100 Epidauros’ Patron: Asklepios...... 63 Culture and Traditions...... 82 Covenfolk...... 100 Culture and Traditions...... 63 Magi...... 83 Xylinites...... 101 Magi...... 63 Lucian the Scholar of House Merinita...... 83 History...... 101 Xenias the Leperof House Tytalus...... 63 Leukothea of House Merinita...... 83 Setting and Physical Description...... 102 Galla of House Ex Miscellanea...... 64 Delfini of House Bjornaer...... 83 Culture and Traditions...... 102 Covenfolk...... 64 Krum the Swift of House Bjornaer...... 83 Magi...... 102 Erebos...... 64 Covenfolk...... 83 Artoud of House Criamon...... 102 History...... 64 Favonius...... 83 Theoderet of House Criamon...... 102 Setting and Physical Description...... 64 History...... 83 Trasaricus of House Criamon...... 102 Erebos’ Patron: Cyra...... 64 Setting and Physical Description...... 84 Covenfolk...... 102 Culture and Traditions...... 64 Culture and Traditions...... 84 Magi...... 65 Magi...... 85 Destasia of House Ex Miscellanea...... 65 Memnos of House Verditius...... 85 VIII. 103 Covenfolk...... 65 Verecunda of House Verditius...... 85 Bithynia...... 103 Gigas...... 65 Aeliophanes of House Flambeau...... 85 The Empire of ...... 103 History...... 65 Covenfolk...... 86 Nicaea...... 103 Setting and Physical Description...... 65 Basil of Andros...... 86 The Seven Demons of Nicaea...... 105 Culture and Traditions...... 65 Peter Monocheiros...... 86 ...... 105 Gigas’ Patron: Čovek...... 65 Ingasia...... 86 The Troad (Troas)...... 106 Magi...... 65 History...... 86 Hellespont...... 106 Boustaphan of House Tremere...... 65 Setting and Physical Description...... 86 The Vantage Point of Xerxes...... 106 Monorchis of House Tremere...... 66 Stated Purpose...... 86 Pergamos...... 106 Allectores of House Tremere...... 66 Patron Spirit...... 86 The Great Altar...... 107 Hedyosmos...... 66 Culture and Traditions...... 87 Ilion...... 107 Magi...... 87 History...... 66 Lydia...... 108 Setting and Physical Description...... 66 Stouritus of House Verditius...... 87 Smyrna...... 108 Hedyosmos’ Patron: ...... 67 Euxodia of House Verditius...... 87 Hagios Theologos (Ephesus)...... 108 Culture and Traditions...... 67 Gemma and Bobila of House Verditius...... 87 The Temple of ...... 108 Magi...... 68 Covenfolk...... 87 The Cave of the Seven Sleepers...... 109 olyaigos Ausculator of House Guernicus...... 68 P ...... 88 Thrakesion...... 109 Aiakia of House Guernicus...... 68 History...... 88 Maeander River...... 109 Tisiphon of House Tytalus...... 68 Setting and Physical Description...... 88 Philadelphia...... 109 Celaenea of House Bonisagus...... 68 Polyaigos’ Patron: Varazes...... 89 Mt Sipylus...... 110 Covenfolk...... 68 Culture and Traditions...... 89 Paphlagoniaand ...... 110 Vrakos...... 69 Magi...... 89 The ...... 111 Oikos tou Eleous: Maria Laskarina of House Guernicus...... 89 Trebizond...... 111 Gerasimos the Simple The Ladies of Thessaloniki...... 69 The Covenant of ...... 112 History...... 69 of House Flambeau...... 89 History...... 112 Setting and Physical Description...... 70 Ioannes of House Bonisagus...... 90 Setting and Physical Description...... 113 Culture and Traditions...... 70 Caterina da Vigonovo of House Jerbiton....90 Covenfolk...... 90 Stated Purpose...... 113 Magi...... 70 Patron Spirit: Fides...... 113 Anna Psellus of House Jerbiton...... 70 Culture and Traditions...... 113 Theocharista Psellus of House Jerbiton...... 70 Magi...... 114 Nereida Ex Miscellanea...... 70 VII. Constantinople 91 Leontius of House Mercere...... 114 Nonna Ex Miscellanea...... 70 Approaching the City...... 92 Proximios of House Mercere...... 114 Covenfolk...... 70 The Walls...... 93

 The Sundered Eagle Catella of House Bonisagus...... 114 Covenfolk...... 114 Enchanted Devices...... 114 List of Inserts The Flying Device...... 114 The Tales of Knossos...... 80 The Glass Submarine...... 115 I. Introduction Medieval Perceptions of Antiquity...... 7 Talos, the Protector of Candia...... 81 Moero’s Garden...... 115 Favonius’ Patron: Dryops...... 84 History...... 115 II. History of the Empire The Enchanted Ships...... 84 Setting and Physical Description...... 116 Nation of Historians...... 8 Stated Purpose...... 116 The Pulchritude of Princesses...... 9 VII. Constantinople Patron Spirit: Hipparchus...... 116 Persian Magical Warfare...... 10 Constantinople’s Auras...... 91 Culture and Traditions...... 116 Amphipolos...... 11 Belisarius and Porphyrio...... 93 Magi...... 116 Constantine’s Visions...... 13 The Medusas’ Tears...... 94 Ionnia of House Jerbiton...... 117 The Mob in Constantinople...... 13 The Ghosts of the Hippodrome...... 95 Syagricus of House Jerbiton...... 117 The Automata of the Hippodrome...... 96 Ziper of House Tytalus...... 117 III. The Order of Hermes The Architects of Haghia Sophia...... 97 Covenfolk...... 117 The Descendents of Prokopios...... 20 Story Seed: Seeking the Library...... 97 Former Covenants of the Theban Tribunal...... 24 Story Seed: The Return of ...... 98 The Origins of the Polity...... 24 Story Seed: The Curse of Pride...... 98 IX. The Magical Landscape 118 Theban Quaesitores...... 25 Porphyrogenitos...... 99 A Selection of Redcaps...... 27 Xylinites’ False : St. Loukia...... 101 The ...... 118 Other Tasks for the Common Good...... 29 The Titans as Governors Gifts of Vis...... 30 VIII. Anatolia of the Universe...... 118 Story Seeds...... Demon of Nicaea...... 105 Seekers of the Fallen...... 118 33 The Prison of Klymene...... 106 The Titans as Enemies of the Gods...... 119 The Nature of the Law...... 34 Story Seed: In Search of Wilusa...... 107 Legion of ...... 119 Story Seed: The Mysterious Savior...... 109 The Titans as Government in Exile...... 119 IV. Culture & Customs The Christians of Serapis...... 111 Kampe’s Lovers...... 119 The Dynatoi as Player Characters...... 37 The Pearl of Peroz...... 111 The ...... 120 Virtues and Flaws for Eunuchs...... 38 Anima: The Glass Submarine...... 115 The Erythraean ...... 120 ...... 39 The ...... 120 Example Names...... 42 IX. The Magical Landscape The Samian Sibyl...... 120 Hermetic Correspondence...... 44 The Titans, in Brief...... 119 The Hellespontine Sibyl...... 120 Digenes Akrites...... 45 Mythic Blood – Gigantes...... 120 The Color Purple...... 45 The Other Sibyls...... 120 The Phrygian Sibyl...... 120 Character Guide: A Sibyl...... 121 The Sibyllides...... 120 The Imperial Guard...... 47 Baskanos...... 47 Modifiers to Diabolai...... 122 Magical Bindings...... 121 Adelphopoiesis...... 48 Stygian Magi...... 122 Epanankoi...... 121 Punishments for Oath-Breaking...... 48 New Virtue: Folk Magic...... 123 Diabolai...... 121 The Makhai...... 123 Goetia...... 122 V. Greece Spirit Magic and Theurgy...... 122 The ...... 51 X. The Faerie Landscape Katadesmos Magic...... 122 Count Oberto...... 52 The Olympian Houses of Hermes...... 125 Hedge Magic and Magicians...... 122 Bad Boars...... 54 The Problem of Hermes...... 125 Magical Traditions...... 123 Story Seed: Twilight of the Gods...... 55 New Minor Supernatural Virtue: Elementalists...... 123 Magnesian Stones...... 56 Elysian Ecstasy...... 126 Folk Witches...... 123 The Temptations of Christ...... 56 Sympathy Traits of the Olympians...... 127 Gruagachan...... 123 Story Seed: The Absent ...... 57 Character Guide: Stoicheion...... 129 Learned Magicians...... 123 The Cult of ...... 58 Story Seeds...... 130 Nightwalkers...... 123 The Nature of Herakles...... 60 Peasant Magic...... 123 The Peloponnesian Labors of Herakles...... 61 XI. The Divine Landscape The Blood of ...... 62 Story Seed: The Procession...... 131 Story Seed: Healing the Realm...... 63 The Filoque Clause...... 132 X. The Faerie Landscape 124 The Cult of the Earth...... 67 Holy Tradition: Hesychasts...... 133 Rumors...... 67 Story Seed: Death of an Artificer...... 133 The Greek Gods...... 124 Story Seed: The Estate of ...... 68 Society of and Justina...... 133 The ...... 124 The of Constantinople...... 134 Other Gods...... 124 VI. The Islands The Hagka, Protector Heroes...... 124 Piracy in the Aegean...... 71 of Constantinople...... 137 The Children of Olympos...... 125 Islands of Exile...... 72 Greek Saints...... 137 Faeries of Greece...... 127 Other North Aegean Islands...... 73 Lamiae...... 127 The Nymphs Arge, Opis, and Loxo...... 75 XII. The Infernal Landscape Childhood Terrors...... 127 Hyperborean Magic...... 76 Akgah, the Demon of the Fourth Crusade... 139 ...... 127 Delian Stories...... 76 Vrykolakas...... 141 Other Cycladic Islands...... 77 Smerdaki...... 142 Kallikantzaroi...... 127 Bibliography...... 142 Fauns and Satyroi...... 127 Story Seed: The ’s Advisor...... 79 Tritones and Sea Nymphs...... 127 Drakoi...... 128 Creating and Venerating XII. The Infernal Landscape 138 Nereides...... 128 Divine Icons...... 133 Stoicheia...... 128 Corruption of the Byzantine Empire...138 Acheiropoieta...... 134 Corruption of the Fourth Crusade.... 138 Non-Divine Icons...... 135 The ...... 138 XI. The Divine Landscape 131 Three Symbols of Divine Authority...... 135 The Destruction of Thermakopolis....139 The Battle Standard...... 135 The Fate of the Crusaders...... 139 Church History...... 131 The Byzantine Imperial Crown...... 135 An Enemy Within...... 140 Iconoclasts and Iconodulists...... 131 The Holy Icon: The Hagka...... 135 Theban Demons...... 140 Schism...... 131 Byzantine Saints...... 135 The Vrykolakas...... 140 Mysticism...... 132 A Mother’s Curse...... 136 The Smerdaki...... 141 ...... 132 Hermetic Leagues...... 137 Infernal Tradition: Stringla...... 141 Magic & The Church...... 132 The League of Constantine...... 137 Infernal Tradition: The Paulicians.... 142