Session VI: Like Drinking Ice Water After Brushing Your Teeth But On Your Skin Report
General Summary
The Custodes arrive at Colonia Agrippina and are surprised to see that Aetius Marcellus Pertinax, whom they were supposed to meet, has been spending his time dressed as and living among the Germans outside of the borders of the empire.
Pertinax has discovered that a cult to the German gods has formed and - once their numbers have grown enough - are planning to retake the land on the Roman side of the Rhine. He has asked for the Custodes to travel with him to assist in the more magical aspects of nipping the cult in the bud.
After weeks of travel outside the Limes, the soldiers are growing antsy and beginning to doubt that they're as safe as they had believed, but are reassured by the presence of the Custodes.
About a week before the winter solstice, at which time the cult is meeting to perform a ritual, Pertinax returns to the camp with news that he has been given directions to the location of the ritual, albeit vague ones.
Saorise is able to recall (and Aeneas to confirm) that this is one of many ancient ritual sites known as a Glade of Chains, where followers of the old gods would present themselves in chains to demonstrate their devotion.
Aeneas attempted to divine the location of the Glade and save time searching, but was unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Saorise was checking up on Pertinax to determine if he was really as unprepared for the solstice as he appeared. She was able to see that Pertinax was on the level, but caught a glimpse of some suspicious figures just before the ritual ended.
Combined with a foreboding dream granted by the Penates at an inn the Custodes had stayed at during their travels, this vision leaves them on guard for what might be waiting as the solstice approaches.
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