Isen, grumpily
Well, I didn't. But if Alexei doesn't do it, someone should, and I'm probably the best candidate.
Come to think of it... I don't like it, but, given the situation, it might be better if all those who have a fighting chance did attend. If only to watch our respective backs when it is possible.
Raises his cup back, drinks calmly, and poses it.
So be it, then. And if Fiona goes, too, we might actually bother some people there.
About three or four months before Tribunal (when Fiona feels she has a good headcount on how many are going to attend her summit), Fiona tracks down Alexei in the training yard, where he is learning Leadership from Gunnar. She waits politely at the edge of the yard, watching with a smile until they come to a stop and Alexei either comes over or calls her over.
[color=blue]"You're looking in fine form today, Alexei. If you have a couple of minutes, may I speak with you in the princeps' office?"
Once their, Fiona asks him to take a seat and settles herself behind the desk, complaining (as usual) about how it's too small for her scrawny self.
[color=blue]"We're going to have company a few weeks after Tribunal. Specifically, starting..." she checks a piece of parchment, [color=blue]"July 15, there will be about half a dozen Giant-blood magi here for a summit that I'm putting together. They are all members of the Order, but I expect them each to come with a small entourage. Personal servants, shield grogs, etcetera. I don't expect there to be any trouble, but since you're our defensor, I thought you would appreciate a little advance notice."
((The date was chosen on purpose. The first new moon after the summer solstice is Sunday, July 14, 1227. The summer solstice itself is June 15. Since Tribunal is about three days, that gives about a month after for...whatever. And, yes, the new moon thing is important to her.))
[hr][/hr]
Shortly after her meeting with Alexei, Fiona tracks down Viscaria at her cave. [color=blue]"Viscaria, may I have a few minutes of your time, to discuss a matter regarding housing?"
Assuming that Viscaria agrees, Fiona will try to make herself as comfortable as possible, which may well involve sitting tailor-style on the floor so she doesn't tower so much over the dwarf. [color=blue]"I was hoping that I could impose on your generous spirit to help me with a little project I have going on after the Tribunal. About a month after Tribunal, on the 15th of July to be exact, I will be having about half a dozen Giant-blood magi, with their retainers, here to attend a summit that I'm hosting. I was hoping that I could convince you to craft some of your Baroque Peasant Huts to house them, keeping in mind their...special needs. I know that this is rather short notice, but I know that if anyone could pull it off, it would be you."
By this point, Viscaria's laboratory/sanctum probably has a studio that includes a chair sized specifically for Fiona.
"Baroque....that is going to be quite a sum in Vis, if you wish me to use the rituals. If you're talking about the other spells that we've concocted for the Tribunal, I'd be more than happy to. In exchange, I'd like to meet this Blacksmith of Brandywine that you've talked about. Perhaps you could arrange for us to have dinner?"
(Does casting these spells count for Hubris points? By the book, they shouldn't, but Viscaria is hoping to h)ave picked up a Reputation as an Hermetic Architect by the time the Tribunal is over, in which case I feel like the rules get a bit murky.
[color=blue]"You're right. I meant the moon-duration structures that you invented for the tribunal. Trying to put the finishing touches on the Tribunal and summit preparations has me a little frazzled. But yes, after the summit, I'll be happy to take you there."
Fiona explains that she needs about six structures for Giant-blood magi ([color=blue]"And I'm talking about decent-sized people, not scrawny little runts like me."), and about half again that many for their entourage.
((At least, I'm assuming that she's expecting six to show up...haven't heard for sure how many but that feels about right.))
I still need to do the math on all of those spell designs. At first glance, it looks like you have to use the same Creo Terram rules as for the ritual, PLUS the +4 moon duration, not to mention the complexity of making them appear to be a Roman villa.
Alexei is helping himself to some thin ale to help cool down from the heat as the conversation is going on. "A small group of large magi you say? After a Tribunal meeting I don't think it shall be much of an issue. Would you mainly want some privacy I take it? We can locate the their retinues on some of the grounds vacated from the Tribunal then I'm sure. I'm sure you'll be able to vouchsafe their behavior and all, yes. Will Sinmara be there? She's a fiery red headed young Flambeau, her pater said he found her in some regio where the fire giants live. But he was always a bit of a braggart."
[color=blue]"I'm speaking with Viscaria on the logistics of the housing, but I think it would be best if they were contained in a relatively small area. Perhaps over two or three blocks. I suspect some people may be more uncomfortable than normal when they see people that size roaming around, especially when you factor in the social effects of the gift."
[color=blue]"I've been in correspondence with them for years, and I have no reason to suspect any of them of being any more diabolical than I am. However...Apollodorus's murderers are still at large, and before their heinous act, we had no reason to suspect them, either."
As far as Sinmara goes, I think JL said that was up to you. If I remember aright, he was going to either have characters for people, or let people create characters for the summit. I know of Atlas of Tremere, from Thebes, and I was thinking there was someone that had a crush on Fiona, but a quick check shows that it was Great William, from Arya's Albion saga, and I'm not sure we want to co-opt him for this. I'd be surprised if we get to it until after we play Tribunal, I'm just getting ducks in a row.
Fiona then yawns and stretches. [color=blue]"Sorry, I'm a little tired from everything going on. By the way...if I may change the subject briefly. How do you feel about the way we handle princeps duties?"
"Good point regarding the Gift and other interactions, sequestering...tactfully, will be a good idea. I'll leave that to your judgment." he sighs. "I feel I have to say this, and I'm sure it's part of the reason you came to me, but if things should get out of hand...I will handle it. But as these are your guests, I shall wait for your leave unless prudence and circumstance say otherwise."
"As for the Princeps duties, I feel we are well served. A light hand, firm commitment to the improvement of the Covenant and the safety of its inhabitants should be the policy, and that is what I have observed thus far. I should endeavor to mimic these good examples when it is my turn."
Fiona smiles. [color=blue]"I would expect no less, my friend. I would be surprised if there were any trouble at the summit, but I have confidence in your ability to handle anything that comes up. Now, if you will excuse me, I think it's time for a little nap."
((This appears to be about a year, year and a half after Reynault died. Did he leave good ledgers for Henri to go over and work off of? If so, does the thousand marks a year sound right? And if so, can I safely assume that the covenant can easily afford it? And what kind of "exchanges in kind" had we done before?))
Korvin is checking on that now. I must assume that some payment happened and is called Tithes or some such. I'm sure I and perhaps some grog are going to be involved in a Crusade soon :-/
By and large, any excessive surplus was diverted to either the bishopric or the duchy, and a back of the napkin estimate of 1000 marks (500 lbs) seems about right. Henri would have sent the sums along last year without giving it much of a thought. We'll say that this year he kind of forgot about it... 
What do you mean you forgot about 500 lbs of silver?!?!
My napkin and yours are in the same ballpark. I do plan on floating by everyone a draft of a summary of covenant finances - hopefully within a week. I'll remember these tithes when I do.
(By the way, Tranquillina suddenly feels less bad about wanting a high-upkeep laboratory.... :mrgreen: )
In early winter of 1226, as Alexei is reviewing the turb, a young woman walks up to the edge of the field...although it takes him a moment to realize that it is a young woman. Her hair is snow white, but she has the face and body of a young woman, dressed in a short white dress with a plunging neckline and gathers at the waist, and she looks vaguely familiar to Alexei (but can't quite put a name to the face).
After gracing Alexei with a smile, she stands there watching the men intently.
Gaston Lainnier is near the turb, half-heartedly working on some hatchet swings, when the white-clad woman approaches. With an eyebrow raised, he straightens up, brushes some dirt off his tunic, and looks around for a way to impress her. Settling on a thin training post near that edge of the field, he casually walks around closer to her, then suddenly twists and flings his axe at the post. ((He has chosen a Hard shot: even Average would probably be impressive to a non-warrior, but Gaston knows he can make a Hard shot, no problem!))
Attack total (throwing axe) +5 + stress die 8 = 13, beating an Ease Factor of 12.
The axe thuds solidly into the lower half of the post, just as Gaston knew it would. Smiling winsomely, he turns to face the woman.
The woman watches Gaston as he moves closer, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. The smile broadens as he shows off for her, her eyes studying his body as he moves.
[color=blue]"Very nice," she says in French (with an accent that he likely can't place). [color=blue]"I do so enjoy a man who knows how to handle his weapons."
((Gaston has traveled reasonably extensively in Auvergne and Champagne as well as Bourgogne. I'd make a roll to identify the accent, but I don't really know what ability to use with Perception, other than French itself...?))
"Well, then," he replies, strutting closer to her, "it seems we are destined for an enjoyable day. What stars have aligned to bring you here this afternoon for the first time? - for I am quite confident I would remember you had you visited ere now."
((There are about three or four people in the covenant with the same accent. This is, I think, about three years after Gaston arrived, since his born and current age on his sheet adds up to 1223, so he might have heard it. I would think, maybe Per + Folk Ken?))
[color=blue]"Why limit ourselves to just the afternoon?," she says with a playful smile. [color=blue]"I've found that the things you enjoy, you can do for a very long time. As to what brings me around? I thought I would see what Mons Electi has to offer, see if it could bring me comfort, if not satisfaction." She gives him a quick, almost surreptitious once-over, then casually looks over the covenant. [color=blue]"And it's quite possible that I've found what I need," she continues with a sidelong glance at Gaston.
((The Folk Ken description starts with "Understanding the background....", so I can go with that. Gaston's roll is Per 0 + Folk Ken (available women) 4 + stress die 3 = 7, not great.))
((Also, my thinking was that Gaston and the other woolworker characters I've made had been at the covenant already, rather than arriving en masse in 1223. I just chose that year for the character build to match Tranquillina, and since most RP threads were already past 1222. Not crucial though.))
"It would trouble me unspeakably should your visit not result in your complete satisfaction, m'lady," Gaston gushes. With a flourish and a bow, he says "Gaston Lainnier, at your service. Whom do I have the pleasure of escorting 'round our grounds?" and offers her his arm.
((The French woman would know that Lainnier referred to his occupation, so now has some idea of his station in the covenant.))
((By the way, the White Woman is Gifted, so there may be the Social effects to take into account.))
She slides her arm through his and leans against him. [color=blue]"You may call me Blanche...at least for now. So, you're a wool-worker?" she says as she strokes his arm. [color=blue]"You must have very good hands. Can't wait to see what they can do."