Twisted Web

Twisted Web is the story where James and Sandre with their grogs John the Pedlar and Ugly Bill hunted for the sanctum of Jonas of Wells.

Date: Winter 1196

The Encounter at Wells

In a letter to Fredegisa, James recalls the events in Wells, which he will also recount to his peers.

I have no love for the scum with whom Jonas made his bed. Arriving in Wells cold and wet, we headed straight for the tavern where the Redcap delivered his letters. The quality of men there are more dog than man, huddled around the bone, barking and biting, fighting for a piece to earn a bitch's favor. The innkeeper was no better a rude and evasive brute, so I bribed a whore and learned that Jonas did live near-by. Our grogs spied a boy eavesdropping on our conversation and they tried to nab him but he was too quick and only by luck did we run into him again. This greasy boy was talking familiarly with a Norman knight and his squire as they walked down the market way. I demanded that the knight answer for his servant's behavior. He smugly dismissed the boy as not his own and allowed him to escape. I challenged his honor and fought him on the spot. To his good grace he beat me as I had to resort to magic to defend myself, and lowly I admit I ended the fight by again resorting to magic to scare him off. Defeated, I retired to the local monastery with my companions to take my evening rest.

Sandre had arranged a meeting with the Bishop of Wells so we broke fast with his Eminence. The man is curiously enthusiastic about wizards and magic. We discussed various niceties until Sandre sent me off with a fat, pallid priest to look at the unfinished cathedral. It did amaze me what faith and hard work can accomplish and from the tour I gained a greater respect for the work of masons. I digress. As agreed, Sandre made his Eminence aware of our mission and the bishop rushed us off to be blessed. It was well after noon when we finally returned to our hunt.

Sandre's grog Billy displayed excellent sense when he suggested we ask the butcher where to find Jonas. The butcher had heard of 'Jonas the Magician' and had his boy bring us to where he abode. It was, of course, in the building across the street from the tavern we first visited. There we found a crude lab, scrawled notes, Vis, and a chest. It was obvious that the place was searched and an empty folder indicated that someone had taken some of the notes. From a quick glance of the notes, it seems Jonas had made a very poor living selling magic items to nobility. Sandre, using his magic, detected an evil presence in the chest and warned me not to open it. Satisfied that we have the evidence of the Infernal dealings of Jonas locked up in the chest, we took the valuables and made haste for Bath.

Again our grogs noticed the greasy boy watching from the tavern window, safe among his fellow dogs. We decided to ignore him and head out of town. This is when things got intriguing. Down the street walked Hubert de Barbes arm in arm with the Norman knight who had bested me the day before. As you know, Hubert is an enthusiastic demon hunter and meeting him while carrying a chest full of evil is not something one wants to do, so I quickly ducked down the alley and hid. Sandre bravely walked on and engaged his senior within earshot. Hubert offered to aid Sandre find Jonas' sanctum which was politely refused as it was already found. Discussion then turned to the greasy boy who was spying on them. The knight discretely pointed out in French to Hubert that the 'greasy boy' in question was Hubert's grog Finch, at which point Hubert deliberately tried to mislead Sandre by impling that the boy is likely an infernal spy. Fearing discovery, I escaped down the alley with my grog to meet up at the north gate. There we compared notes and decided it was best to avoid Hubert and head straight for Bath.

We arrived tired but unhurt and summoned Iudicium who, with proper precautions, opened the chest and discovered a black robe tainted with evil. I burned the robe and then retired to discuss things further with Iudicium. He listened attentively and offered us his council. First off, he advised us not to challenge Hubert. Lying is not a crime and neither is mundane spying. He did point out that stealing from another magus is a low crime and that if it can be proven he took the notes, he would have to return them and pay a modest fine. Short of magically interrogating his grogs, which I would not do, it is not likely that we will find proof of his misdeeds if any.

More on my mind is my failed challenge with the knight Gilbert de Lacy. I wish to seek this knight out at the next tourney and best him without resorting to my Arts. This is a challenge I deem necessary to restore my honor.

A Message from the Bishop

Later the same season, a letter arrived from his Eminence the Bishop of Wells, Walter DuMont.

Esteemed magicians of the Wizards' Council of Stranggore,

I was much alarmed by the news you brought me, that devil-worshipers had been working black magic in our fair city, in the very shadow of the house of God no less! I have been vigilant, and I have news.

First, based on your witness to his crimes, I posthumously excommunicated Jonas of Wells. Be assured, he will burn in Hell for all eternity as his blasphemies deserve.

Second, as we discussed, I had the lair of that witch Jonas of Wells exorcised by a good and a godly man, Philip Burton, whose name is well known in the diocese.

Finally, also pursuant to our councils, I inquired among the priests of the city for news of further evildoers. The common folk of the parish knew Jonas to be a wizard. He made his living by selling charms and potions to wealthy burghers, local knights, and similar well-to-do folk. I've asked all of Jonas's customers to come forward so I can send Philip Burton to exorcise the enchanted trinkets he sold them.

It may interest you to know that the lowly folk who dwell in Jonas's former neighborhood allege he was not the only wizard in the city, and that several unsavory strangers had been seen going out with Jonas in the dark streets after curfew. My priests and knights so far have been unable to obtain any names but if any of them return I will see them arrested for questioning.

I hope this unfortunate matter will pass by quickly. I would regret to see one evil wizard besmirch the reputation of such fine, upstanding wizards as yourself.

May the blessings of the Lord be upon you,

(signed) Bishop Walter DuMont