A Well Misspent Youth

Volume 1 of the Memoirs of Havelock Varanus, (a character in Steve Mills Ars Magica campaign, A Murder of Crows)

Steve Mills ran a fun Ars Magica game set in a fantasy world of his own design. Astute readers may notice a slight resemblance between my character, Havelock Varanus, and a young Lord Vetinari of Terry Pratchett fame. This similarity was entirely intentional and I blame Steve for lending an impressionable role-player his hardback copy of Night Watch.

The action takes place in the Spring of 578 in the mercantile city of Penharrow.

Part 1: in which financial embarrassment forces us to take up an offer of employment

Part 2: in which our plans regarding Mr Higgs go astray and it transpires several items of an occult nature have disappeared; my relationship with Gareth, a church inquisitor, becomes of relevance

Part 3: in which we investigate the recent crime wave of occult theft

Part 4: in which we continue our investigations and Domenica takes an interest in Gareth's obsessions

Part 5: in which Domenica makes the acquaintance of a warlock and Gareth pays a visit to our lodgings

Part 6: in which the ladies are invited to a romantic candlelit dinner for three and I obtain a commission

Part 7: in which we attend a ball, during which a guest suffers an unfortunate demise (with a little help) and Estelle starts some unfortunate rumours regarding romantic links between us ne'er-do-well nobles

Part 8: in which we investigate the unfortunate death of Dr Cornelius Freen and ascertain that it was the rats who did it; we also thwart a sneak thief from stealing an important tome on the subject of demonology

Part 9: in which we examine the legend of the 'Grey Lady'

Part 10: in which Horatio and I explore the sewers while Domenica continues her association with Gareth and Estelle meets some interesting men down the docks; our employer, calling himself 'Mr Raven' finally deigns to visit us in person – under cover of night

Part 11: in which we delve deeper in to the politics of Penharrow and all becomes clear(ish)