Politics, as usual (Tribunal, 1221) Season: Summer, 1221 [From THE ROLLS OF DRAGONS RISE]: Full Members: Arturo of Mercere Protector (John) Demoror of Quaesitor Teacher (Billy) Dubius of Criamon Faerie Envoy (Woo) Flamma of Tremere Head Protector (Eric) Fabricatio of Verditius Head Lab Worker Lysander of Jerbiton Chancellor (Chris) Marlon of Tremere Head Hunter (Philip) Meles of Criamon Protector Tolas of Tremere Leader Verdan of Bonisagus Lab Worker (Shannon) Head Mundanes: Arkum Autocrat (Shannon) Mundanes: Andre, Silver Grog Covenant Guardian (Matt) Marcel, Mercury Grog Guardian of Meles Others: Tara Golden Dragon * * * [From THE OFFICIAL ROLLS OF THE TRIBUNAL OF 1221]: Adric of Jerbiton New Magus Arliandus of Quaesitor Magvillus Calios of Bonisagus Trames Certus of Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb Elegans of Mercere Harco Karantia of Tremere Postestas Lysander of Jerbiton Dragon's Rise Magister of Jerbiton Literatus Maria of Jerbiton Independent Mario of Jerbiton Independent Mercatora of Tytalus Venales Narisian of Ex Miscellanea Carmania Paulo of Jerbiton Independent Selwyne of Merinita New Magus Stagnum Os of Bonisagus Trames Steris of Verditius Verdi Taron of Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb Tolas of Tremere Dragon's Rise Valoren of Flambeau Mercury's Fire * * * [A Timeline of the Tribunals of Rome]: Summer, 1200 The Tribunal of 1200. Literatus requirement and vis trading deals first instated. Changes to Certamen abound. -Vardian Log #10, "Tribunal" Summer, 1207 The Tribunal of 1207. Verdi gains several minor concessions. Much ado over nothing. -Vardian Log #32, "Tribunal, 1207" Summer, 1214 The Tribunal of 1214. Literatus-Harco-Magvillus coallition first conceived. Many issues are rammed through. The covenant of Mercury's Fire is founded. -Vardian Log #52, "Tribunal, 1214" * * * [From THE DIARY OF VERDAN OF BONISAGUS]: As Winter deepened, late in 1220, death again visited our covenant. The brave grog, Marcel, formerly of the Covenant of Saint Nerius, passed away in his sleep this night. He has finally lost the long battle with age, which all Mundanes are fated to lose. I helped Meles dig the grave, to the north of the village. * * * [From THE CHARTER OF DRAGON'S RISE]: At the Spring Council Meeting, before each Tribunal, the magi of the covenant shall come together to decide upon votes at the coming Tribunal. All magi shall put their sigils into a central pool of sigils, to be used by the Covenant at Tribunal, unless their sigil is pledged to some person outside of the covenant. Magi who do not put their sigil in this pool, due to it being loaned out, may not vote on how the sigils shall be used. Important issues that are expected to be discussed at the Tribunal shall be brought up at the Council Meeting, and each member of Dragon's Rise shall vote how he would like the sigils used. A simple majority shall win the vote, and the sigils shall all be used in that manner at the Tribunal. Any magus may ask that his sigil be abstained from any specific vote, but this should only be done in the most extraordinary of cases. Magi should try to support their covenant, even if the final decision goes against what they originally voted for. If new issues are brought up at the Tribunal, a vote among all members of Dragon's Rise who are present shall be taken, and all of the sigils shall be used in the manner that the majority decided, except those for which abstentions have been requested. Vis may be allocated for use at Tribunals as per the usual vote of Council necessary for allocation of arcane resources. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: As Spring of 1221 neared, I made my preparations to return to Dragon's Rise. My time at Literatus was not yet done, but I had to attend the Spring council meeting, so that we could discuss the upcoming Tribunal. Fortunately, I was able to find a friendly Mercere at Literatus, and he lent me his magical brooch, which allowed one to travel seven leagues with but one stride. Lysander insisted upon coming with me, so the two of us set out, for a quick journey to Sardinia. I had plans for that council meeting, so, as soon as it started, I began raising issues. Casually at first, I mentioned that over the last year, we had begun making several magical items, and that I was having troubles keeping track of the skills of all the individual lab workers. So, I suggested a change to the charter, to allow for a Head Lab Worker, to oversee the others. My arguments were convincing, and the change was voted. The ultimate Tremere hierarchy is now one step closer. The change to the Charter reads as follows: "If there are multiple lab workers, a Head Lab Worker shall be chosen by Vote of Council. He shall be responsible for knowing the strengths and weakness of each Lab Worker, that the Council may better assign each one appropriate jobs." Fabricatio was chosen to be the Head Lab Worker, as I believe he is the most malleable of them all. When Muris becomes a Full Member, I plan to shift the position to him, for he is more malleable still. After a few brief discussions, in which Lysander was lent five pawns of Corporem vis to help with a nasty disease he had picked up, Verdan was assigned the task of constructing Fabricatio's longevity potion, and Fabricatio was assigned the task of beginning work upon a magical table, which will allow us to track the movements of our members, we proceeded on to the main topic of discussion, the upcoming Tribunal. After I gathered the sigils of the covenant, I sat quietly, not wishing to bring up any issues. I knew that I would be the only one attending the entire Tribunal, thus anything not voted upon at our council would be decided by me alone. The other magi did bring up a few issues, but, for the most part, I managed to escape free of burden. By an inspiring speech, Flamma convinced the covenant to vote for Literatus, when the topic came up again. The issues of vis selling and Hermes Gates were also brought up, and it was decided that I would vote for both issues, although in those, I was given some room for bargaining. After we had finished speaking of the Tribunal, the fox Arkum came forward, to speak of our finances. He announced that our covenant had become stable, and no longer depended upon an influx of wealth from Postestas and Vardian's Tomb. I was quite happy, for he spoke highly of our mine, our boats, our farming and our logging, explaining that together they easily raised the capital that we needed. I knew that the other magi were all thinking of what a grand job I had done, managing our early finances. Very pleased with the results of the meeting, I finally asked for forty pawns of vim vis, for possible bribes at the Tribunal. I was alloted that, and the next morning, Lysander and I returned to Literatus. * * * [From THE DICTATIONS OF ARKUM THE AUTOCRAT]: It has been reported that the covenant guardian Andre was today attacked by two ruffiants. They were both Frenchmen who declared they were the cousins of Jaques, a horse merchant that the covenant interacted with some years ago. Andre easily fought off his attackers, causing them to flee in terror. I have sent inquiries via Arturo to ascertain that there are no other relatives of Jaques upon the island. * * * [From THE DIARY OF VERDAN OF BONISAGUS]: I am most humored by a recent event at our covenant. Fabricatio and I were in my lab, working on his longevity potion when we heard a great ruckus outside. Exiting the tower, curious about what was going on, we saw a great sight. Curled atop the hill at the center of our covenant was a large dragon, reddish-gold in color. Demoror was next to the dragon, going through all manner of actions in an attempt to wake it. He looked quite ridiculous. Nearby, Flamma was watching, ready to intervene if the beast proved to be unfriendly. After many unsucessful spells, Demoror finally went and got the aid of several of the greatest of our warriors. Through brute force, Andre was finally able to awaken the dragon. She introduced herself as Tara, and said that she had come to sleep atop our hill because it was warm. After making vague promises of kindness and friendship, Tara lapsed back into sleep. A short council meeting was called after this incident. It was unanimously decided that Tara would be allowed to stay. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: Today, I am on the road, half way between Ancona and Magvillus, where the upcoming Tribunal is to be held. I write this entry now, for another vision has come to me, inspired by the apples gifted to us three years ago. In my vision, I stood in Cagliari, and near me were Dubius, Marlon and Lysander. As I looked around, taking in my surroundings, Dubius began to head towards the Viscious Ballerina, docked nearby, while Lysander and Marlon marched back towards Dragon's Rise. All three magi gestured, asking that I go with them. I followed Marlon, of course. When we arrived at the covenant, it was clear that some great attack had come, for the entire place was in ruins. Not one stone stood atop another. And then, I awoke, my vision ended. * * * [From THE NOTES OF VINCERE, PERSONAL SCRIBE OF ARLIANDUS]: The commencement of the Roman Tribunal of 1221 was marked by a most unfortunate event. When Certus of Bonisagus, the representative of Vardian's Tomb, failed to appear in the Tribunal room, Arliandus sent one of his personal guards to Certus' room to discover the reason for the delay. Certus was found in his room, dead and drained of blood. After delaying the Tribunal for a week, so a new representative from Vardian's Tomb could arrive, Arliandus began an investigation into the matter. Casting the ritual, Eyes of the Past, revealed that a vampiric creature of the night had stolen into Certus' room and sucked his body dry of blood. After this initial information was gathered, Arliandus returned to the Council Room. There, he revealed the crime, watching the gathered magi carefully for reaction. The following magi all appeared somewhat suspicious when the announcement was made, and so they were questioned: Calios of Bonisagus, Lysander of Jerbiton, Magister of Jerbiton, Mario of Jerbiton, Steris of Verditius, Tolas of Tremere. Calios, Magister and Mario were guilty of nothing more than a general dislike for the deceased, and so they were dismissed almost at once. Tolas and Lysander both knew of the vampire who had killed Certus, but nothing more. By their accounts, the fiend is named Gustare, and he had both blackmailed Vardian's Tomb and antagonized Dragon's Rise in the past. Of the six, the most problematic suspect was Steris. He was a young Verditius, with no reason to hate any magi within the Tribunal. Yet, there was a strange gap in his memory, which extended over the entire night that Certus had been killed. When Taron of Bonisagus, the new representative for Vardian's Tomb, arrived, he was questioned too, but no new information was forthcoming. Reluctantly, Arliandus called the investigation to an end, sure that no further mysteries would be answered. Steris is to be watched for a time to come, but, unless any suspicious activities are seen, no further actions shall be taken against him. * * * [From THE ACCOUNTS OF TRACTARE]: It seems that our plan has succeeded. Chavin, with the help of his allies, was able to accomplish exactly what he promised. He seemed quite satisfied in his task. Through the befuddlements of Chavin's allies, carefully placed Mentem magics and the normal politics of the Tribunal, all suspicions of guilt have been laid elsewhere. None suspect that the motive was truly internal power, that the prize was ascendancy within this covenant. Taron has travelled to the Tribunal, thinking that leadership of the Tomb is now his. He forgets that we still hold three seats, and does not comprehend the subtle game that has now begun. By 1227, the Tomb will be ours, for other plans are already afoot. We have been strong against the powermongers of Postestas, and soon we will rise against them, the True Tremere of the Tribunal. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: After the entire sordid issue of Certus' death was dealt with, we were finally able to move on to the actual Tribunal. It was begun, as usual, by Arliandus speaking of boring Quaesitor affairs. First, he spoke of Sagino, an Arch Mage I knew years ago, from the Tomb. Arliandus briefly mentioned how he had gone utterly insane near ten years, and that Magvillus was still too incompetent to capture him. I was quite bored. Next, though, Arliandus finally managed to capture my attention. He began to talk of a Hedge Wizard named Rumbaru, who had been causing trouble for the Flambeau in Spain. I was quite surprised when Arliandus mentioned that Rumbaru had caused these troubles through magical constructs. He was looking straight at me when he announced that Nigel, once a magus of Carmania, and Father Peter, leader of the Magian crusaders, were both constructs of Rumbaru. Arliandus then proceeded to tell of the two encounters that my covenant had had with the constructs of Rumbaru. He suggested that perhaps we should be the ones to succesfully conclude the matter. With the eyes of the entire Tribunal upon me, there was little that I could do but agree. I was furious at being so manipulated. Arliandus has promised to send one of the Spanish Flambeau with us, to help us deal with the problem. Clearly, he wants to be able to carefully watch our investigation into the problem. * * * [From THE RECORDS OF POSTESTAS. Entered by Karantia of Tremere] As planned, I began the Tribunal by smoothing over old animosities. It was Mercatora who I spoke with first. I explained to her that there were no hard feelings over events of the past, and that through her aid, we could destroy the unfortunate coallition that had been created in 1214. Mercatora seemed wary but willing to accept my words. Next, I spoke with Stagnum for a time. I was able to gain his partial support as well, in exchange for some meaningless votes on his new covenant, Trames. He has also vowed to change his charter to allow dual membership. We may thus expect Turbator of Tremere to be joining us the next months. Finally, shortly before the Tribunal began, I sought out Tolas. After briefly mentioning the upcoming Tremere meeting that we will be hosting, I told him that we expected him to vote against Literatus with the sigils of Dragon's Rise. Appropriate threats were made. As we desired, this should show where Tolas' true loyalties lie, for his covenant has already asked that he vote in the opposite manner on the Literatus issue. When I left Tolas, I am quite sure that I saw sweat beading his brow. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: After Karantia spoke with me, I realized I was in a bit of trouble. She, and all of Postestas, demanded that I vote against Literatus, while I knew that Flamma very much wanted the Literatus requirement to remain. I was afraid of what would happen if I failed either party. So, I began upon a series of manipulations. I began actively politicking for Literatus, nearly begging people to vote for it, while, at the same time, I knew that I would be forced to vote against it. I am sure that Karantia knew what I was doing, because she looked at me once with an odd, predatory smile. She said nothing though, and so I continued my work. After an extended period of discussions and secret meetings, the matter of Literatus finally came to a vote, as it has at every Tribunal. Thanks to the Harco-Literatus-Magvillus coallition, it was winning for a time. Then, I was forced to put my votes down. Literatus failed, 47-52. My votes were the deciding ones. I almost fainted, so sure was that Flamma would kill me when I got home. Somehow, I stayed conscious, which was fortunate, for the formation of my covenant was the next issue to be voted on. Several times, the numbers changed, but the final vote was 90-20, in our favor. Verdi tried to gain control over half of our island, but failed, badly. During a brief break, I went and spoke to the Steris, the Verdi representative. I was extremely insulting to him. He took great offense, and asked the Literatus issue to be brought to a new vote, for he had earlier abstained. Sneering at me, he placed ten votes opposite mine, making the new vote 57-52, with the result being that the Literatus requirement would remain. I tried not to laught out loud. Through the skills taught to me by Tremere, I had adhered to Karantia's demands, but still, managed to fulfill Flamma's desires. The next votes were all a blur to me. Trames was accepted as a covenant by a vote of 110-0. Then, two issues that I had suggested were brought forth. First, vampires were declared diabolic, by a vote of 101-0. Werewolves next joined the official ranks of the tainted, by a vote of 67-8. Briefly, it seemed that everything was going my way. I knew that when I arrived home, bearing this last news, Flamma would take up arms at once, ready to go out and destroy those hated wolves, now that they had been declared infernal. Visions of vis danced before my eyes. * * * [From THE RECORDS OF POSTESTAS. Entered by Karantia of Tremere] I was most displeased when, despite my work, the Literatus requirement passed again, so I at once threw myself even deeper into the fray. Examining the members of the coallition of three, I decided that Harco was the weakest, so I began to work upon them. I knew that Harco had three issues that they wished passed. They are enumerated here. First, they wished a tax to be placed upon all vis traded at the Tribunal. For every ten pawns thus spent, for bribery or other matters, they wished one pawn to be paid in tax, to later be sold with other vis, as per the agreement of 1200. Second, they wished a number of beacons to be made, so that redcaps in trouble could call for aid. The magi of Verdi had already agreed to do the work, so Harco was simply asking for an allocation of vis, equal to no more than two pawns per covenant per year, to be paid only if there were still Mercere of the Roman Tribunal who did not yet have beacons. Third, Harco wished to be notified of all magi within the Tribunal, where they were, and how many mundanes they were responsible for. Effectively, this would allow them to keep better track of the many independent magi. After I determined that none of these issues would hurt Postestas, I decided to use them as the wedge, to destroy the Harco-Literatus-Magvillus coallition. When I spoke with Harco, and asked them to vote against Literatus, they refused. So, I went to my allies, one by one, and asked them to vote against all of Harco's issues, so that Harco would be forced to thus vote against Literatus. The covenants that I gathered to my side were: Carmania, Vardian's Tomb, Venales and Dragon's Rise. The Harco representative was smug. He was sure that since the Literatus issue had passed, his issues would too. When his first issue, the question of taxes, failed 39-47, he was astounded. The independents and Magvillus, who had both supported Literatus had abstained. Soon, he realised that the fourty-seven votes under my control would mean the demise of all his plans. Thus, was the great coallition broken. A new revote on Literatus was called at once, and this time, finally, it failed. The last vote was 47-62. No more shall we be forced to attend that place, and, even better, we have exerted our power within the Tribunal. Out of spite, a new vote was called on Trames too. Several votes changed places, although it was still instituted, with a vote of 85-25. I probably should have insured the failure of Trames, since they had voted against us in many issues, but I was too elated in my victory. I am afraid that I must count that as a mistake. When it was clear that no more votes would move on the Literatus issue, Magister came forth and announced that foreign magi would still be welcome, as long as they taught one season for every season that they learned at Literatus. Some of the losers seemed slightly cheered by this announcement. Finally, the votes on Harco's three issues were taken. They all passed unanimously, thanks to the movement of the fourty-seven votes that I had so carefully united. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: When Literatus once more failed, thanks to the work of Karantia, I became desperate, for, again, my votes could make the difference. I sent two notes back to Dragon's Rise, the second more frenzied than the first. I made vague promises to begin movement towards a school of our soon. I was extremely relieved when Flamma sent a letter back, saying that the majority of our covenant, including her, had decided that it would be all right to vote against Literatus, given that Postestas, one of our founders, wished us to do so. It reality, that is the result that I wanted, for I have always considered time spent at Literatus to be wasted. * * * [From THE NOTES OF VINCERE, PERSONAL SCRIBE OF ARLIANDUS]: After the weeks spent on the Literatus issue, the remaining problems were all beautiful in their simplicity. Literatus briefly attempted to get all new apprentices made magi at Literatus, but the issue was quickly dropped. Carmania tried to get all magi involvement in mercantile activity banned in Italy, but the issue failed, 4-97. An attempt by Carmania to ban certamen at tribunals was likewise quashed. Magister brought forth the last issue of the Tribunal of 1221. At first, he asked for severe fines to be placed upon any covenant who harmed the covenfolk of another covenant, but the idea was watered down several times. Finally, by vote of 97-4 it was agreed that: "Magi should try and show proper respect to magi and covenfolk of other Covenants, and they should also try and have their covenfolk do the same." A near meaningless decision. And thus, was the Tribunal of Rome of 1221 brought to an end. * * * [From THE DIARY OF MAGISTER]: After twenty-one glorious years, it has come to pass that attendance at my covenant of Literatus is no longer required. When I first requested that it be mandated, three Tribunals ago, I hoped that it would bring peace to the Tribunal, and cure sunderings. I fear it has done exactly the opposite. Since attendance at Literatus was first discussed, two factions have developed within the Tribunal, the one wishing to continue attendance, and the other wishing to abolish that requirement. This year, they were like two goliaths, each desiring to annihilate the other. I am sure that the murder at the start of this Tribunal was related to Literatus, for, in the past, Certus was very vehement in his opposition to my covenant. The time has come to again examine my goals. Requiring magi to attend Literatus did not bring peace to the Tribunal, and so I have filed that ruling away as a failed experiment. By 1227, I hope to have a new plan. If peace ever may come to this troubled Tribunal, I wil find the way. * * * [From THE RISE LOGS OF TOLAS OF TREMERE]: When apprentices were made full magi, at the end of the Tribunal, I found two promising youngsters, who I will bring back to the Covenant. The first is named Adric, and he is a Jerbiton. He is not a merchant, like Lysander, however, and he is not a librarian, like Nicholi. Instead, he is a perfect Jerbiton in all ways, nice to the bone. Although his attitude is almost putrid, I believe he is exactly what our covenant needs. The second magus who I selected is a Merinita named Selwyne. He is a handsome youth, exactly the type of fellow that Flamma asked me to look for. I think that he will make a perfect husband for Segunda. Since our covenant is still short grogs, I plan to return to Sardinia by a long route. On the way, I shall collect a handful of new grogs, to protect our covenant. It is good to now be solvent enough to afford more warriors. For that matter, it is good to be officially recognised as a covenant in the Tribunal. Dragon's Rise has overcome its first obstacles, conquering them all. It will not be long, I think, before we are a true power, both in the Roman Tribunal, and in all of Europe.