("The Elk")
filius Strabo, of House Savacion
apprenticed 271; declared mage 287; died 354
A mage of the Macrian-Straban Line of Savacions descended from Vir Macer and trained in the Touccian arts, Alces was raised at Covenant Trans Paludem in the late third century. He is primarily known for his close friendship with the Touccian Tectus, with whom in 287 he embarked on an epic -- if ultimately futile -- quest for Scaurus' Last Retreat. The account of their voyage, "Travels in the West," was written by Tectus; in it, Alces is portrayed affectionately as a loyal, fearless and enthusiastic (if perhaps not always overly bright) travelling companion and as the upholder of the pair's morale as they are forced to deal with hostile tribes, unpalatable food, avalanches, blizzards, mountain lions, magical beasts, digestive disorders, and other such difficulties.
In 295, the two finally conceded defeat and settled down at Covenant Ad Vim Per Veritatem. Word of their friendship and of their shared endeavor travelled as far as Lapidis, where it reached the ears of the founders of Amicitianism, Spingelli and Cos, who in 303 travelled all the way to Covenant Ad Vim in person to extend to the two magi an invitation to join them in the founding of their new Amicitian covenant, Calvus Grigori. Tectus and Alces, however, were content at Ad Vim: they politely refused the offer. Their students, on the other hand, were excited by the idea of Amicitianism; together with a fellow student of House Cristofer, they vowed to petition Calvus Grigori for membership themselves once they became magi. The three of them were later to become Amicitianism's best-known adherents: the so-called "Power Trio."
Fated to spend the latter part of his life as "Alcedo's parens," if Alces was troubled by the extent to which his far more talented filius overshadowed his own achievements, he gave no sign. He never taught a second student, spent the rest of his life at Covenant Ad Vim Per Veritatem, and died in 354, followed only one hour later by his old friend Tectus.
Students:
- Alcedo, 299 to 314
Genealogy:
