"In short: anyone considering joining Mons Electi should know," Tranquillina intones, "that he is taking sides in a conflict of which he might not have previously been aware. At least, they will be seen to be taking sides by a powerful enemy, who will thus become their own enemy. I can assure you that Guernicus is worth opposing as well - although I realize you would need more than my simple statement to be sure of that." Quite redundantly given their privacy, she looks around the room and lowers her voice slightly. "Mons Electi has documentation proving this conspiracy - made by Apollodorus's hand, and eventually paid for in his blood. We are, understandably, cautious about whom we show this evidence to."
"As for what you are to do with this information ... well, I expect you to weigh it sincerely. How does knowing of this hostility affect your opinion of joining Mons Electi?"
((I would have left everyone in the same room but...))
Korvin seems almost bored with doing this. Since everyone else is not asking some questions...
So tell me Stultus, why do you want to join Mons Electi?
"There weren't very many choices when I was looking for a new covenant." The dwarf steeples his fingers. "I wanted a strong, established covenant, so I could both contribute and pursue my own studies in equal measure. That took all but a handful out of consideration. Out of that handful, I was able to discard several purely because of the prevailing atmosphere. Montverte's banditry didn't sit well with me, for example, and Exspectatio..." He makes a face. "As I put it to Tranquillina, having to bend over and grab your ankles for Fudarus on a regular basis didn't appeal."
"The other issue is that my Longevity Ritual failed pretty badly last winter, and it wasn't very good to begin with. So when I asked the Redcaps about covenants which are known for Corpus magi, the response 'Mons Electi is what you want' was pretty much unanimous." He grins at Korvin. "You are very well thought of among members of your House, but I bet you knew that." The grin switches to Fiona. "They waxed positively poetic about you, too, but that's beside the point."
With the Redcaps perhaps...Korvin lets that comment trail off.
Those descriptions of Covenants could fit quite a few had you looked outside of Normandy. So why did you limit yourself to Normandy?
Stultus looks mildly confused at the question. "Because I was in Normandy, and I was travelling to the Tribunal anyway?" He shrugs. "If you folks show me the door, I'll try my luck in Rhine or Stonehenge, or go down to Lotharingia. I hear Andorra's recruiting."
Why do you want a strong and established Covenant? Those type typically are not looking for new members because they are...established. What would you add to Mons Electi to make us stronger?
(( This is a bit of a problem, because while Tytali are supposed to be very good at tooting their own horn, the player isn't. I'll do my best. ))
Stultus shrugs. "I've done the spring covenant thing. Don't want to do it again. I can and will contribute when the covenant requires it, but I don't want to be thrown at every problem merely because I'm the most skilled magus in the covenant. Not the one most skilled at a particular task, but most skilled, period. I can run around and piss on fires with the best of them, but not when the fires happen three days a week, and twice on Sundays, year in and year out. I want to be able to read a book once in a while."
Behind him, Rahere also shrugs, looks disgusted, gestures exaggeratedly, mimes talking -- mimicking his master's every gesture with merciless, mocking precision. Stultus looks suspicious and suddenly snaps his head around -- only to find the ape innocently chewing on a pear, looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
Stultus turns back. "As to what I can contribute... why, I'm just here for comic relief!" He looks around at the faces of the magi, chuckling. "That's not going to work, huh? All right, let's see. I'm a reasonably skilled magus, particularly with Mentem and Imaginem. I have the Gentle Gift -- give me time to establish an appropriate persona, and I can deal with mundane society quite well. In some cases I wouldn't even need a persona. You can learn a lot when people dismiss you as 'just part of the entertainment'. And lastly, I possess quite a lot of political acumen, in both mundane society and among magi. That's something you might find quite useful, I'd expect."
Alexei was happily watching the monkey's antics as he finished up what should be his last cup of wine. At the mention of the monkey's master(?)'s skills he perked up.
"Gently Gifted you say? That is a nice gift. I posses it as well...I believe we can put that to some use." Alexei says a touch blearily. "Between you and I, we could possibly accomplish objectives. I'm sorry, I'm not making much sense."
"I can understand such caution. Perhaps if I am granted membership, I may then view the evidence, with appropriate supervision of course," he says, nodding to Tranquillina.
"I am an academic, a scholar. Where the evidence clearly points, I am bound to follow, and I do find the incidents which came to pass during the Tribunal to be deplorable. And, quite frankly, my opinion of joining Mons Electi is not-so-gently nudged by my mater, whom I hold in significant regard as you might expect." Gerulf removes his gloves, setting them next to the goblet. His hands bear shiny scars across their backs, all perfectly horizontal. He interlaces his fingers and sits back. "Knowing what you've told me suggests that I should expect Mons Electi to possess greater power than might first be apparent. While the same could be said of many covenants, it is telling that this single group should still stand: a small cabal of magi against an entire house. If Guernicus is enemy to Mons Electi, then perhaps magi should fear such a mighty covenant. Under the wings of such strength, I would be happy to reside, working for the betterment of Bonisagus' great work and providing for the freedom of all practitioners."
"I believe you've only enhanced my interest in your covenant."
Fiona raises a brow at his confidence but says nothing.
Fiona laughs at the ape's display, and is secretly glad that Paul shows her quite a bit of respect...for a cat, anyway.
Fiona nods thoughtfully.
Fiona looks at Alexei carefully, trying to determine if he's exhausted from his wounds or if he's drunk. ((Int 1 + Chirurgy (Diagnosis) 2 + (die roll of 0, and it's a botch!))
Stultus thinks about that for a moment, then spreads his hands. "Why shouldn't they? They may not be Gifted, but they know more about what goes on in the Order than nine-tenths of the covenant-bound magi do. They have the knowledge required to understand the issues. It's mere custom that prevents them from voting, nothing more. Mere custom that treats them as less than us Mighty Wizards Of Earth-Shaking Power..." (Yes, the mocking capitals are clearly audible). "Each should exercise their vote, or give their proxy to someone they feel could best represent their interests. Guided by their knowledge and their conscience, just like the rest of us."
Apparently Tranquillina has a diverse collection of smiles that indicate something other than happiness: the current one seems to categorize Gerulf's last response as foolhardy, while admitting that she herself might feel the same way and hence understand. "We are certainly not lacking for resources - that much is well known," she submits. "And in my opinion, my sodales here at Mons Electi are indeed quite accomplished - perhaps more than they are given credit for. We are also not bereft of allies in the world...." If there was any hint of manipulation in Gerulf's response, it has escaped Tranquillina's notice - she's feeling pretty good about things right now.
The conversation moves on to more standard questions and answers about life at Mons Electi. ((Please feel free to continue this conversation in the thread, if you want - I just want to say how it ends while I'm thinking of it - we can pretend everything happens in a sensible order.)) Tranquillina's demeanor changes noticeably: she is extremely interested in anything even remotely related to magic, and even cheerful at times. She does ponder the scars on Gerulf's hands, trying to imagine what might have caused them, but she doesn't really have any basis for judgment. I have to get my hands on a book about Medicine, she bemoans to herself, not for the first time. ((For many Abilities it's possible to make a Characteristic + Ability 0 roll even if you don't have a score in that Ability; but not for the ones with asterisks by their names on ArM5 page 63.))
When the conversation draws to a close, Tranquillina stands up, smoothing her dress out unconsciously. "Gerulf, it has been excellent speaking with you. Know that I plan to support your application for membership to this council, and I anticipate a smooth vote of confirmation. It will be a pleasure to have another Bonisagus around - after only four years, I have not gotten used to being the only one at my covenant."
"And what would your response be, if the asker were not himself a Mercere?" Tranquillina is leaning against the frame of the door leading to the hallway, her arms folded tightly. Her tone is not overtly antagonistic, but neither is it timid.
Gerulf likewise seems to brighten for a short while, though he remains somewhat chilly. His mood seems fatigued, though it is clear that he is more interested and engages much more in discussion on magic and theory in this setting than he did in the dining room.
Gerulf finishes the last of his wine and stands as well. "I suspect that we will get along quite well, and I appreciate your vote of confidence." He takes his cane in hand and replaces his gloves. "Shall we rejoin the others, then?" His tone has shifted, and there is a subtle aura of distaste in it. "That Tytalus... is a strange one. What was his name? Stilting? Saltsbury?"
Gerulf stands behind, leaning slightly on his cane. He watches Stultus to see how he responds, but his expression is without mirth.
Alexei seems to be slumping is his chair a bit and his gaze seems rather unfocused. It's only after a moment or two that you notice a fresh looking red stain on his tabard, towards the left side of it, where he was wounded if you recall.
[color=blue]"Alexei!" Fiona shrieks, and springs to his side.
[color=blue]"Somebody get the doctor!" she says, looking at the others, before she casts Revealed Flaws of Mortal Flesh on him (without gestures, due to her Mastery). ((Sta 3 + In 5 + Co 15 + Aura 5 + die roll of 2 = 30, making the roll by 20. Her Penetration is 3, so she has a Penetration total is 23...probably not enough to get past his defences. Alexei's hair and eyes turn white for a moment before returning to their normal color.
Anything else she is wanting to do will also run afoul of his Parma, so she won't bother.
Alexei starts in his chair at the sudden ruckus and looks about confusedly then winces in pain at the movement dropping his staff.
"Fiona..! What!" he tries muttering as she's racing over to him.
Helmut looks over from where he was kissing one of the serving women in a discreet corner of the chamber. "Alexei! What's the matter!" and starts rushing over. Alexei is meanwhile covering his ribs with his hand and they come away wet and red.
(( He was talking about being the most skilled at a spring covenant, which in his experience tend to be populated by just-post-Gauntlet magi. Just to clarify. ))
Stultus regards Tranquillina for a long moment. "Why, naturally, I'd say that they shouldn't be allowed to vote." He is leaning slowly forward as he talks, fingernails digging like claws into the tabletop, voice growing shrill and crazed. "That their sigils should be taken away! That they be locked in cages like the unGifted animals they are!! Or skinned, to make cloaks for more deserving folk!!!" He holds that pose for a moment, staring at Tranquillina with a demented snarl on his face, and then snaps back to the vertical like nothing ever happened, voice resuming a calm and even tone. "There. I've shown my true colors. You may feel vindicated now."
"Look, you have two choices. You can take me at face value, or not. Point is, there's not a single thing I can say that would change your mi.... crap." He stops in mid-word as Fiona springs to Alexei's side, and watches those events unfold with a frown of concern on his face.
EDIT: edited to take the whole thing with Alexei into account.
))