1 From Johannes, Summer 1222
3 > To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings and good wishes:
5 > My friend Alexios has spoken much of your wisdom and understanding, and thus, being
6 > unsure where else I might turn, I am venturing to contact you in this matter, and hope
7 > that you will not take it amiss that I have done so, whether you are able or willing
10 > I have reached that age wherein a man begins to consider marriage and the continuation
11 > of his line. Sadly, owing to the strain in my relationship with my father, Baron Roth,
12 > the origin of which lies in the irregularity of my conception, I find myself unable,
13 > to seek his advice - or at least unwilling to do so and reopen old wounds.
15 > I know you have many claims on your time, but I am hoping nonetheless that you might
16 > be able to offer me some advice on how I might proceed; I would be most grateful no
17 > matter how much or how little.
21 > Johannes ex Guernicus
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25 From Mathieus, Summer 1222
27 > To Johannes Roth, Quaesitor of Stonehenge,
29 > I am, of course, willing to offer my advice. This question is one
30 >that I have been asked about on many an occasion, although few of
31 >those who ask seem to go on to fulfil their course of action.
33 > The problem is complicated, of course, because there's no commonly
34 >accepted status for an Hermetic Magus. Many of my charges are in
35 >fact full members of the nobility; and for them I recommend that they
36 >proceed in exactly the way they would if they were any other younger
39 > In your case as one outside of the supporting structure of the
40 >nobility I suspect you're going to have to make some kind of
43 > Potential options might be, firstly a Maga of the Order; secondly
44 >the younger daughter of an impoverished nobleman; thirdly the
45 >daughter of a prosperous merchant or craftsman hoping to rise in the
46 >world; fourthly the daughter of one of your Academic compatriots at
47 >Cambridge or Oxford; or fifthly abandon any concept of your correct
48 >place in the world and court anyone you please and submit yourselfs
49 >to the arrows of public opinion.
51 > In the first or second case I might be able to arrange
52 >introductions. Or indeed in the fourth case in respect of Paris.
54 > I hope that this overview has been helpful; do please feel free to
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61 From Johannes, Autumn 1222
63 > To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings
66 > I have received your kind reply, and much appreciate the helpful overview.
69 > I am surprised to hear that few Mages fulfil their aim in this regard;
70 > perhaps it bodes ill for my own prospects?
72 > Were you aware of a Maga of the Order or a noble daughter who might find
73 > my suit welcome, I would be glad indeed of an introduction, if such could
78 > Johannes ex Guernicus
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82 From Mathieus, Winter 1222
84 > To Johannes Roth, Quaesitor of Stonehenge,
86 > I think the primary reason that many young Mages do not succeed in
87 > marrying is that they get distracted by their Arcane and Academic
88 > studies to the extent that they ignore this other goal.
90 > If you are wishing to court a daughter of the French court then I
91 > would suggest that you visit here for a season whilst the King is in
92 > residence in the Louvre and I can arrange for you to be invited to
93 > major court functions. Alternatively the Duchy of Burgundy hosts
94 > the most cultured court in Europe.
96 > Alternatively were you to wish to meet eligible Magae then I could
97 > be persuaded to organise, say, a week of social events here in
98 > Paris; culminating in a Ball of course. There are a number of
99 > recently gauntleted Magi and older apprentices whom I would invite.
105 > *[Attached is a short summary of some eligible Magae]*
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109 From Johannes, Winter 1222
111 > To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings
114 > I can certainly understand that the pressures of time are an obstacle; between
115 > mundane and magical studies it often feels like there will never be enough time
118 > I would be very interested in meeting several of the young Magae you mention,
119 > and a week of social events in Paris would be a most welcome break from my
120 > usual regime of study. If it were not too much trouble for you to arrange it,
121 > I would be delighted to attend such an event, and I pray you tell me what I
122 > might do to facilitate it.
125 > Yours in gratitude,
127 > Johannes ex Guernicus