Vardian Log #32: Tribunal, 1207 -- "Even the Quaesitors are of limited power." --Demoror "I'm not trying to manipulate you. I'm just trying to achieve what I want." --Demoror -- Season: Summer, 1207 Dramatis Personae: Arliandus of House Quaesitor Magvillus Arridere of House Jerbiton Vardian's Tomb (Dave) Astuth of House Verditius Verdi Calios of House Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb (Scott) Certus of House Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb Demoror of House Quaesitor Vardian's Tomb (Billy) Frederick of House Mercere Harco Inimicus of House Tremere Postestas Karantia of House Tremere Postestas Magister of House Jerbiton Literatus Mercatora of House Tytalus Venales Narisian of House Ex. Misc. Carmenia Nigel of House Ex. Misc. Carmenia Taron of House Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb ** ** From the Notes of Vincere, Personal Scribe to Arliandus, Primus of ** House Quaesitor The Roman Tribunal of 1207 was delayed for one week, as we waited for the Carthagian Covenant of Sansaron to arrive. Arliandus did not truly expect them to attend, since there has been no word from them since before 1200, but he did obey the leter of the Code, and gave them an opportunity to arrive. During that time, he called a small meeting to deal with certain magi of Vardian's Tomb. Three of them, namely Flamma of Flambeau, Rupes of Bjornaer and Tolas of Tremere, had participated in an elaborate deception against the elders of their houses. The deception was revealed, and Flamma and Rupes were both challenged to Wizard's War. One week late, the Tribunal of 1207 was begun, despite the continued absence of the Covenant of Sansaron. After a considerable period of negotiations, threats and Certamens, the first matter was brought to the table by Arliandus himself. He spoke of the many changes to Certamen that had been made in 1200, and stated that the majority of them had failed. Thus, he proposed that a vote be made to discard all of the changes to Certamen that had been made at the last Tribunal. Some discussion was heard on the benefits of some of the rules made in 1200, and Arliandus declared that it would be entirely proper to reinstate such rules after all of the bad ones had been discarded. Throughout the discussion, Narisian of Carmenia suggested that Certamen be utterly abolished. A vote was finally held on discarding the Certamen changes of 1200, and it passed fifty eight to ten. After that vote was taken, discussion began on a new ruling on how quickly a Certamen must occur. This matter was first brought forth by Demoror of Quaesitor in 1200, due to the death of a member of Vardian's Tomb. Inimicus of Postestas first suggested that all Certamens must be fought within one minute of the declaration. When a vote was taken on this suggestion, it failed twenty to fourty. The next suggestion made was that magi should not be allowed to leave a place after a Certamen was declared. After much strenuous opposition, a vote was taken, and the matter passed, fourty to twenty. Arliandus of Quaesitor at once interpretted this to mean that magi could not leave a circle five paces in radius after a Certamen was declared. After the success of this proposition, a third one was brought forth, suggesting that all Certamens declared before sunrise must be fought by sunset, and all Certamens declared before sunset must be fought before sunrise. This suggestion too passed, with a vote of fourty- four to seventeen. Finally, a vote was taken concerning the abolishment of Certamen in the Roman Tribunal. It failed four to fifty-seven. After the discussion of Certamen was concluded, Mercatora of Venales began to make accusations against Postestas. She said that they were breaking various fiscal agreements that the Tribunal of 1200 had made, and demanded that they be punished. Despite the fact that House Quaesitor has already looked into Postestas, Arliandus agreed to inspect them once again. He has asked that the records of Postestas be turned over to him, so that he can come to a final decison on the matter. The discussion of Postestas was completed when Inimicus of Postestas challenged Mercatora to a Certamen. Mercatora was knocked out for nearly a day. Certus of Vardian's Tomb was the next to speak. He named numerous troubles that the Tomb was having, and blamed them all upon Taron of Vardian's Tomb, whom the Tribunal of 1200 had named the leader of the Tomb. Certus asked that he be made the new leader, so that he could undo some of the damage. Arliandus asked if it would be acceptable if the old decision simply be thrown out, and Certus agreed. This discussion led to the first important decision of the Tribunal of 1207. Mercatora of Venales suggested that a resolution be made that said that a Tribunal could not interfere with the internal affairs of a Covenant. There was much agreement with this sentiment, and when it was finally voted on, it passed fourty-six to six. Several members of Vardian's Tomb, and an Ex. Misc. were the only ones to vote against the resolution. Frederick of Harco spoke next. He talked of the fair of Champagne of several years ago, and suggested that the Roman Tribunal host a fair of their own. He also suggested that the fair be held in the caverns below Rome. After much discussion, it was agreed that Demoror of Vardian's Tomb would be responsible for the entire fair, and a vote was taken. It passed fifty-three to sixteen. The fair is to be held Winter of 1210, halfway between the Tribunals of 1207 and 1214. Inimicus of Postestas brought forward the next issue. He expressed concerns over the huge flux of magi at Vardian's Tomb, especially pointing out the scores of Tremere who had recently joined. He hinted that such changes might be due to political manipulations, and suggested that a cap of twenty members be put on each and every Covenant. The resolution failed nineteen to fifty. Arliandus of Magvillus proposed a new resolution to deal with the same problem. He suggested that if a magus had ever voted in a different Tribunal, that magus must live in the Roman Tribunal for seven years before he could vote at one of it's Tribunals. The vote passed thirty-two to twenty-eight. All of Postestas voted against it, despite the fact that it had been put forth to aid the problem that they had presented. The next matter was brought forward by Astuth of Verdi. He wished to increase the knowledge and power of the entire Tribunal by seeking out certain old, legendary artifacts of magic. Thus, he presented a plan where Verdi would coordinate the retrieval of these magic items. They would do this by gaining the authority to call upon each Covenant once per seven year period. The called upon Covenant would then seek out the artifact that Verdi asked them to. If they found it, it would remain in that Covenant's hands, but Verdi would have the right to investigate it as they wished. The proposal passed sixty-three to six. Only the Ex. Misc. of Sicily voted against it. After this success, Verdi brought a second matter forward concerning the libraries of the Tribunal. At first, they wished to open all libraries to all magi of the Tribunal. After much argument, the proposition was changed to one that would make Literatus the main library of the Tribunal. They would have the authority to copy the books of all of the Covenants in the Tribunal. In turn, the magi of the Tribunal could access these books by going to Literatus and fulfilling the usual requirements. Despite much debate, the vote failed, twenty-eight to thirty-three. While the Tribunal was speaking of Literatus, Narisian of Carmania brought forward the suggestion that the Literatus requirement made in 1200 be abolished. A vote was taken, and this resolution passed thirty-six to thirty-three. However, three times after the initial vote, magi changed sides, and three times, revotes were taken. The final vote was thirty-four to thirty-five, against the resolution. Narisian was the final magus to change sides, when he decided to vote against his own resolution. Thus, by decision of the Tribunal, the Literatus requirement of 1200 still stands. Next, Literatus brought a new issue forward. They wished to create a network of Hermes' portals, which spanned the Roman Tribunal. A nexus of these portals was to be created at Literatus. Much debate was made on the issue, concerning matters of Covenant security. Finally, a vote was taken, and the matter passed thirty-four to twenty-six. However, several members of Vardian's Tomb changed their votes, and a revote was taken. This time, the vote failed twenty-seven to thirty-three. A second suggestion was brought forth, proposing that the nexus be created at Harco, but the vote was the same. When all votes had been completed, Arliandus brought forth the matter of Carthage, and the three Quaesitors who had disappeared while investigating that Covenant. A large reward has been offered to any who can find information on the Covenant of Sansaron, or who can bring the Quaesitors back from Africa. Finally, the Roman Tribunal of 1207 was brought to an end.