Vardian Log #52: Tribunal, 1214 -- "I want something done about the alleged members of the Order!" --Tolas on the issue of Varanor's Tomb __ Season: Summer, 1214 Dramatis Personae: Aldico of Mercere Harco Arliandus of Guernicus Magvillus Astuth of Verditius Verdi Benvolio of Jerbiton Independant Certonisaguson of Ex. Misc. Varanor's Tomb Certus of Bonisagus Vardian's Tomb Danio of Verditius Independant Magister of Jerbiton Literatus Maria of Jerbiton Independant Mercatora of Tytalus Venales Narisan of Ex. Misc. Carmenia Nigel of Ex. Misc. Carmenia Mario of Ex. Misc Independant Paulo of Jerbiton Independant Primus of Flamma and Tolas Apprentice Tolas of Tremere Postestas Tremeror of Ex. Misc. Varanor's Tomb Valoren of Flambeau Mercury's Fire Vincere Scribe ** ** From the Journals of Certus Before I left for the Tribunal, several problems were satisfactorily resolved. First, the wizard war between Demoror and Rupes was ended. As I had predicted, it resulted in no deaths. Apparently, Rupes hid in Flamma's Little Box of Tranquil Dwelling the whole time, teaching Flamma's apprentice. Then, after the war was over, Tolas, Rupes and Demoror all finally figured out why the books they wanted to study were never there. When they found that it was due to my anger, for giving away a piece of Vardian's Skull to a Black Dragon, they each reacted in their own way. Rupes, the cowering simp that he is, immediately came to me pleading for forgiveness and expostulating on my greatness. I, of course, have removed his restrictions. Demoror, on the other hand, has too much pride and ego to be a proper underling. He has packed up and headed to Magvillus. We will remove him officially at the next elder's meeting. It is a pity he thinks Luigi is a Demon or I might have convinced Demoror to take the fool along as well. The last fool, Tolas, always must play the negotiator. He also has too much pride in himself to make a good follower. I have known for some time that he and Flamma were preparing some split with the covenant, to form their own little Tremere power structure. He has therefore made an agreement with me wherein he and those who choose to follow him will get use of our books to copy, and some magical or financial support as well. In return, he and Flamma leave, reducing my opponents here, and they agree to aid the Tomb in the future, in case of future problems like renewed attacks by Vardian. I hope some of the young Bonisagus can be convinced to go with them. They add little to my power here, but at Dragon's Rise they will actually be allowed votes. This should keep that covenant well within my influence. I think Tolas' covenant may finally rid me of that fool Luigi, as well, for Flamma is quite fond of him. ** ** From the Notes of Vincere, Personal Scribe of Arliandus, Primus of ** House Quaesitor The Roman Tribunal of 1214 opened at Harco with many good omens, despite our recent troubles with the church. Arliandus had convinced both Magister and Aldico that a coalition, to support all of their issues, would be good, and so the Covenants of Harco, Literatus and Magvillus were united. In addition to the working coalition, all other signs seemed auspicious. No magi were trying to take over their houses, and even the attending faeries, who had come from Varanor's Tomb with their sacks of potions, seemed well behaved. Arliandus began the voting period by first giving an inspired speech on the problems with mundanes and the church, as well as the possible threat of Diedne resurfacing. During the early discussions, the Quaesitors had checked all the participants briefly on these issues. They were especially diligent with the independant Magi of Rome, who the Mercere had been instructed to round up and bring to the Tribunal. The only problem that surfaced was that of one Nigel of Ex Miscellanea, from Carmenia. Some Mercere recalled that he looked like a Magus who had been involved in the destruction of a Flambeau covenant by the church in Germany. In response, Arliandus decided the issue of Nigel would be the first brought up after his opening speech. Upon been asked by Arliandus to accept magical scrying, Nigel refused, to the dismay of all the Magi present. Nigel was immediately silenced by Arliandus and sent away under magical guardianship. Arliandus then asked for suggestions from the Tribunal as to possible punishments. Tolas of Tremere immediately suggested a Wizard's March, which was quickly seconded by several others. A vote followed and Nigel narrowly avoided that ultimate punishment. It was finally resolved that unless Nigel submitted to further investigation he would be required to pay the Tribunal the blood price of the two slain Magi, in vis, as well as a further 50 pawns for punative action. In addition, he would be forced to stay in the covenant of Carmenia, except during his yearly visits to Magvillus, for checking over. It was assumed that this would be enough to prompt him into a confession of any lesser crimes he might be hiding, if in fact he was not guilty of the high crime with which he had been charged. We shall see. ** ** From the Tribunal Notes of Valoren Having no votes due to some silly Roman Tribunal ruling made in 1207, the only things I had to convince other Magi of our claim for covenant status were my vis and my wits. Both proved useful. I tried early to convince some of the independant Magi to side with us, but they seemed wary and promised us their vote only if we made amends with those fools at The Tomb. I intended no such action. Fortunately, I figured I could gain enough votes despite their abstention and the opposition of the Tomb. Some of the other independants proved to be far easier to bribe, as did Venales. Verdi and Carmenia put forth claims on the area that Mercury's Fire is in, and Carmenia's was the most valid. Therefore, I chose to deal with Verdi. After a long series of negotiations Verdi proved amenable to my position. We will have to provide them some vis each year, but in return we will receive benefits as well as their votes. Another long series of discussions convinced Harco and Literatus of our value. They even managed to convince the majority of the abstaining independants to go along as well. The vote was not close and we were able to leave early and happy. ** ** From the Notes of Vincere, Personal Scribe to Arliandus, Primus of ** House Quaesitor. After the vote confirming covenant status upon Mercury's Fire, Arliandus brought up the problems of the church again. It seems to be an area of displeasure to him since the destruction of our covenant. He mentioned that the main reason we had temporarily relocated to Harco was the heavy presence of the church in the major cities. Arliandus therefore proposed that future Tribunals be held at the new location of Magvillus, where a special area would be built for them, rather than in the city of Venice. He had no trouble passing this resolution due to his coalition with Harco and Literatus. Most of the other covenants had no problem with this change either. ** ** From the Covenant Records of Harco. Entered by Aldico, Primus. This year's tribunal was a great success for us. All the hard work that we have done, in gathering independant Magi and forming a coalition has proven more fruitful than I thought possible. Under our direction, the tribunal ran more smoothly than any in recent memory. It is a pity they will not be here in the future, but I felt it more important to get the issue of the Hermes gates passed, and passed cheaply. Thanks to the support of the major covenants, it did pass, and we only have to pay the vis to put up the ones on our side. I had thought covenants such as Vardian's Tomb and Venales would have demanded more vis for protections on their side of the portal. Postestus suprised me even more by agreeing. I must be more persuasive than I had thought. The vote was 98 to 9. ** ** From the Teaching Notes on Tribunals by Magister The proposition suggested by Narisian was not unexpected. The imbecile has the tenacity of Hannibal, but the intelligence of Nero. Fortunately, my preparations left me certain that the requirement of regular visitation to my covenant was indisputable. The agreement I produced with Arliandus and Aldico was comparable to the Treaty of Verdun, wherein the three grandsons of Charlemagne terminated their altercations and resolved to apportion their domain uniformly. Harco, Magvillus and I decided to do the same, so that each of us would obtain what we desired from the tribunal. Having the coalition and portions of advantageously placed vis, the requirement was retained. Then, that incompetent Tolas attempted to modify the measure. He stipulated that the magi be allowed to freely choose their topics of study during both of their available seasons. Greed overcame several magi and this issue passed. After tedious negotiations, I managed to convince several Covenants to permit me to append some restrictions on studies, because of scheduling and the actuality of mundane relationships. This barely passed, but presently circumstances are unquestionably returned to the condition that they existed in previously. I commiserate with those who are displeased by this edict, but those who do are customarily those who benefit the most from it. I am able to compel them to learn something serviceable, to fashion them into improved people. Some Magi just don't understand what is best for them. ** ** From the Notes of Vincere, Personal Scribe to Arliandus, Primus of ** House Quaesitor Shortly after the week we spent on the Literatus issue, Nigel returned to the meeting. He unhappily submitted to magical scrying, but it revealed no crimes. There were some strange gaps in his memory though. These make us suspicious, and so we will keep a close watch on him from now on. This issue resolved, there was still the matter of his refusal to submit to questioning to deal with. The first punative action suggested was passed. Nigel must pay the tribunal twenty pawns of vis before the next meeting, or be subjected to further punative action. He agreed, but Arliandus did not unsilence him. Most felt he was lucky to get off so lightly. ** ** From the Secret Diary of Tolas For the most part, this has been a dismal tribunal. My only victories were in getting those cursed Faeries removed from the tribunal and getting Arliandus to agree to vote for my coming Covenant, Dragon's Rise, at the next tribunal. Verdi was particularly irritating. They went about telling all the independants that we were out to force them all into covenants. They also noted how we voted and then voted opposite every time. At least I made them squirm when I voted for Harco's measure. I had no chance of defeating it, so I voted for it to see if Verdi would keep their promise to Harco to support it. They did, but glared angrily at me the entire time. I am sure they are the ones behind Arliandus forcing me to vote first on every issue. The coalition of Harco, Magvillus and Literatus was most devious and worthy. I truly wonder which leader has enough Tremere in him to have thought of it. It could be a problem for Postestas and us later though. Fortunately, I believe that I can manipulate Certus enough so that with his votes, those of Postestas and of Dragon's Rise, we shall be a potent political force as well. Primus quite enjoyed the general chaos of the political scene. I was tremendously amused when he defeated an Ex Miscellanea at Certamen during this, his first year as my apprentice. His knack with the talent seems possibly even greater than mine. I am sure close study of his talented parents has helped as well. It was Primus who pointed out the opening in the debate wherein I brought up the issue of those stupid Dwarfs of Varanor's Tomb. He often fights with his sister over her constant Faerie talk. The vote itself went well. I had bribed the independants, and the coalition decided to abstain on the issue. This left us a margin that all the potions in the world could not overcome. When they were voted out, they quickly left, correctly thinking I might try to get them marched. Now if only I can convince Flamma to stop being so friendly to any damned Faerie she sees. ** ** From The Journals of Certonisaguson Ah, what fun. Except of course for being driven out of the tribunal, but that isn't much of a bother. Danio and Mario took many of my potions and promised to support us, but Mario didn't like my tea. So, I gave him an extra potion free. Maria and Paulo have agreed to be married far from any church so that they can invite us. I love making people happy. When Tolas was trying to get us kicked out, Tremoror started Certamening other magi. The confusion on their faces alone was worth the trip. I believe that technically he won them all, but we couldn't get a Quaesitor to agree. Some silly rule that that boring fellow Arliandus made up meant we couldn't play any more. So, we went home to check up on that new nearby covenant, Varanor's Stand. ** ** From Mario's Notebook This is the best season my brother and I have had in years. At first, I was disturbed, when the Mercere told us we were required to attend the Tribunal, due to a special order by Magvillus, but after we discussed it a bit, several options became apparent. The one we chose was simply to get whatever we could out of it. Several of the covenants did indeed pay us vis for our two votes, and the Dwarfs gave us lots of potions. Arliandus was kind enough to let us vote last on ever issue, to ensure we could get a higher price for our votes. This worked quite well when the Literatus issue was being voted on for the last time. The yays and nays were even when the vote came to us. Before we could even ask for a bribe, Verdi gave us an additional ten pawns to vote for Literatus. They must really be mad at Postestas! ** ** From Benvolio's Notes I am glad this Tribunal we have been forced to attend has turned out so well, not that I plan to return soon. Literatus remains open to us and the possibility of Faeries as members of the Order has been called into question. My good friends Paulo and Maria were also married at the Tribunal. I am happy for them, for they had never noticed each other until Paulo drank that strange potion the Dwarf gave him. ** ** From the Notes of Vincere, Personal Scribe to Arliandus, Primus of ** House Quaesitor After silencing those silly Dwarfs, the meeting ended well. It was as I have mentioned before, a good meeting. I hope all future tribunals are this easy. It even took only one vote to confirm the whole tribunal. ** ** From Flamma's Tea Notes I have been so lonely without Tolas and Primus around. I also never realised how much I would miss Demoror, though at first I planned these teas only to gain power. Now, I have just the grogs and a few dull magi (not counting the ever funny Dubius) to chat with. Even watching Segunda play with her little pet mongoose doesn't make me happy. I hope Tolas will agree to leave and found a new covenant soon, because for once I am starting to see these caverns for what they are; cold, damp and dark. No wonder all the magi who have been here for so long are all bitter and lonely. Except Luke, of course. I wonder if he will come to Dragon's Rise with us?