I guess that servant's mother will be getting her dress back, with a new scarf to boot, Tranquillina thinks wryly. She racks her brain to think of the highest-ranking Bonisagus magi she can who are at the Tribunal proper; she wants to address this perception problem immediately, rather than wait until the Tournament starts. ((Int 3 + OoH Lore 1 + stress die 0 (no botch) = 4, aw crap.)) "Loys," she directs, annoyed that her addled mind is unable to remember even the simplest things, "store that gift basket safely and locate the Redcap named Florence*. Hand her one of the rose petals - tell her it's Creo Vis, c-r-e-o-v-i-s - and ask politely, on my behalf, for the name of the senior Bonisagus present at the Tribunal. Tell her I have a report to deliver that cannot wait until Murion's arrival. Ah, you might let her see the other two petals in your hand as you ask; they are certainly for her if she can provide the proper information." Tranquillina pats Loys on the back, who adopts a huge lopsided grin and heads off for the Mercere villa.
((whoever the Redcap was who delivered the invitation to Jerome))
She happily greets Praxiteles and introduces herself to Jerome. "I am very pleased to see both of you, and particularly to make your acquaintance, Jerome. How are you finding the Tribunal facilities so far? - I trust you are comfortable. I truly recommend stopping by the artwork in the bath house, if you have not already done so - perhaps, as a friend of Praxiteles, you already know about this!" she finishes with a big smile.
"If you do not have other plans - both of you, to be sure - I would be delighted if you would join me at Mons Electi for dinner tonight. A bit of a more quiet setting, for a time, might be an excellent antidote to these frenetic proceedings. Will you meet me at the west** gate at close of Tribunal business this evening?"
** ((whichever gate leads to the bridge to Mons Electi))
Assuming they agree (at least one of them), Tranquillina will escort them to her quarters, give them a tour of her laboratory (unless they don't want to cross the sanctum marker), and then host them for dinner in her comfortable receiving room.
(Edited to add: I only realized later that the petals are really Corpus Vis. Maybe I the player am addled this season! Nevertheless I'm leaving it - just goes to show how febuddled Tranquillina is after her unrecommended lab routine last season.)
Jerome is a Jerbiton who expects a certain level of hospitality when extended an invitation. Further, his facade/persona is as suggested in The Lion and the Lily. It's reasonable to expect he'd expect a token. As a member of Confluensis, this is something that probably needs to be navigated carefully... Whether he is given a token is going to set the stage on how I'm going to play him. Let's do an Order of Hermes Lore check to determine exactly what Tranquillina knows of Jerome. Alternatively, if one is looking to invite an influential and worldly Jerbiton of the Tribunal to dinner, a better alternative might be Praxiteles pater, Mathieus. I'll run with it however you want to play it.
Hmm, hmm. I think it's reasonable to feel strongly that Mons Electi shouldn't be handing out casting tokens, pretty much at all, during the Tribunal. Also, Tranquillina is definitely trying to suck up to people with this dinner invitation, and insulting someone by not offering a token is not a good start to that plan.
I remember reading about Mathieus, and originally was put off by the fact that he didn't seem too interested in Hermetic matters. But maybe this meeting is more about mundane pleasures and luxuries anyway (the Tribunal facilities). And if Mathieus wouldn't care about not having a token, that's a huge plus. (Tranquillina also has the side motive of getting a few guests to see her sweet lab setup. Word gets around....)
Ok, so let's make that Order of Hermes Lore check - in fact two, one for Jerome and one for Mathieus. Int 3 + OoH Lore 1 + stress die.
Not bad. If you're willing to retcon the last few posts, I'd be happy to switch the original invitation to Mathieus. (Although I did like the idea of tantalizing Jerome with a description of The Great Game....)
Mathieus arrives, and Praxiteles has already explained the token thing, and it's not a big deal. It's not that Mathieus, or even Praxiteles aren't interested in Hermetic matters, it's the idea that they are sufficiently happy with their Arts as they are that they don't feel a need to learn anything else, at this particular time. Sufficiency means they don't keep researching their Arts for Arts sake, and they don't have the desire to get their Arts to a point to invent a spell in 1 season, when they might be able to invent it in 4 season where their Arts are at now. Does that make any sense? Praxiteles can also effectively explain the token issue, and so long as the company pleasant, conversation witty and/or erudite, food of good quality, and the wine is high quality and never stops flowing...
((Fair enough, on the more nuanced description of their Hermetic outlook.))
After the greetings and a perfunctory tour of her laboratory, Tranquillina leads them back into the plush receiving room, where a servant girl and a page/runner wait on the guests hand and foot. The wine is indeed good and plentiful
"We are so pleased that you made the trip here from Paris, Archmagus Mathieus," Tranquillina gushes. "I have not yet had a chance to visit that reknowned city. What is it like? How different Conventio Eboris must be from this remote locale."
The magi take in Tranquillina's lab, but she can tell that they are doing it out of politeness, more than true interest. Labs are personal things, made to suit the magus using it. Mathieus makes comments about his studio for paintings and to display his musical instruments, and Praxiteles makes a comment about his sculptor's studio, but only to illustrate how a lab can differ and reflect it's owner.
"Please, no, don't call me that. Mathieus is sufficient. And as to Eboris, I have always lived in a city, and prefer it. It makes magic a bit more difficult, but I rarely have to deal with the problems of acquiring things I need. Of course, you're but a day from Autun, a few days further from Dijon, so you're not exactly in the hinterlands. This regio, though, is remarkable. So large. I've never seen anything like it. And the Rego alignment... most remarkable." Mathieus is dressed in the latest fashions from the court in Paris, and his hands are bedecked in rings that would rival a Verditius. ((He looks like Orson Welles as he was in Casino Royale.)) Praxiteles and Mathieus look to be about the same age.
"If you ever wish to visit, you're more than welcome. We can always use experience magae to help with the Itinerium.
Even a specialist like Tranquillina understands that people can be in the presence of corpses for only so long before dinner, so she keeps the lab tour brief.
"I admit it took me a few months to get used to this aligned aura - but of course it is nothing but a boon to us," Tranquillina agrees, nodding to the servant to replenish the plate of finger-sized savory pies that is leading up to the main course. "I can imagine the wonderful uses to which a painter would put a Rego aura, at least if any part of the process were magical. We have been able to witness, in the time leading up to this Tribunal, just that sort of mastery from Praxiteles." She smiles at the sculptor.
"The Itinerarium?" Tranquillina repeats. "What little I know about that suggests that it focuses on art, about which I am scarcely qualified even to speak with you two!" she chuckles self-deprecatingly. "I know not what I could contribute, other than my enthusiasm. Are there formal art schools in Paris? For that matter, are there formal centers of mundane study at all?"
"Oh, my, yes. Plenty of opportunities for learning, but if your Gift isn't gentle, it can be a challenge. One thing, and I'm sure my filius will confirm it so, is that the Arts necessary to work magic to make things aren't really all that difficult. The challenge is the control one must exercise over their magic to make their vision match what they are creating, which is altogether different than Arts. I could instill the effects necessary to do the spells, and teach anyone how to control it. It's nothing special." Matthieus takes a glass of wine and savors the bouquet. "This is lovely. Anyway, we have two Itineria. One for gently Gifted and one for normally Gifted Jerbiton apprentices, so we are always looking for magi who are themselves interested in culture and can extend their Parma over one or two to keep things well in hand. I'm sure you can imagine what happens if you stick 5 Gifted individuals in some tavern room that the results are not good."
Tranquillina emits a bubbly laugh. "I can imagine! A couple of years ago I finished reading the famed treatise Magus Invictus, a copy of which we obtained from my House's library; it mentions such a situation as a useful application of the Founder's breakthrough." She adopts a thoughtful expression, wondering how many other people she could actually protect at one time with her Parma Magica. "Hmmm ... do these Itineraria take place in a small period of time? or several events over the course of months? Or is it essentially one's focus for the entire time?"
"It will probably be no surprise to you," she continues, tilting her head back towards the laboratory they both toured, "to learn that I have an interest in how our magic can address matters usually left to the medicus or chirurgeon. My pater eventually became extremely knowledgeable in medicine, something I have not yet had time to address. Are there courses of study in these fields to be had in Paris? Or perhaps you know of some suitable reading material for a beginner...."
"The Itinerium is a season long event. The time spent in Paris is about a month."
"The school of Medicine in Paris is foundering. It is not a good school for Medicine, but you may learn enough. You would be better off pursuing an education in Bolagna or one of the Italian universities. Your Gift will be disadvantageous to you, though. As to suitable reading material. I sadly have none. Medicine does not interest me, and well, the quality of those texts easily available in Paris is... suspect."
"Hmmm ... thank you for this valuable information, sodalis," Tranquillina muses.
As the main course is being cleared away, she casually moves to what in her mind is the most important aspect of this meeting. "So, Mathieus ... how do you find the location of this Tribunal? And the construction of the main buildings? Of course much of the artistic excellence is due to our friend here," she smiles at Praxiteles. "Are you comfortable in your lodgings? I would be happy to hear any suggestions for improvement, indeed any feedback you might have, positive or negative." She holds her breath.
"Truly marvelous. No expense was spared in this endeavor. We should make this place our true and final home for the Tribunal, as the Regio is so vast. I'll mention it to Celeres later this evening. Privacy is virtually assured in this place, too." And throwing this conversation to something Tranquillina has heard, mentioned by others, Apollodorus's absence has been noticed. "Where is my House brother. Apollodorus in Twilight? He's awfully young for it, but it's not uncommon. This covenant is a jewel, and these accommodations could be a suitable stop for the Gifted Itinerium." ((Apollodorus was reupted to be about 50 years PG, which would make him , about a decade older than Praxiteles.))
Tranquillina has to pause for a long moment, making sure she really heard what she heard, before responding in a burst. "Oh, I am so glad to hear that, I had not even thought about future Tribunals, but you are quite gracious to consider that possibility, I hope you will spread the word among your House that their valuable feedback can be given to the mundane helpers or directly to myself or any of the Mons Electi magi." With all of the complaints she had heard earlier that day, she couldn't have hoped for anything better than a generally positive review with some misgivings. She double-checks Mathieus for any sign of guile, but finds none.
A light knock at the door is followed by the appearance of Loys's face. "Begging your pardon, respected sirs," he says in Latin with a bow, then crosses over to Tranquillina to whisper in her ear. "Florence sends her thanks for the three vis petals, and is pleased to inform you that ________* is the senior Bonisagus present at this Tribunal." He then retreats to just outside the doorway, ready to run other errands if necessary.
((JL can tell me who this is!))
The interruption gives Tranquillina a little time to gather her thoughts about Mathieu's last question. "It could well be Twilight, sodalis, and I can't pretend not to be worried about that possibility. I suppose he might also simply be shielding himself from the press of Tribunal, but perhaps that is only hope speaking. I know he would have much to teach me about the Itinerarium that you have described to me. It sounds like a very interested opportunity for more senior magi, although it is hard for a researcher such as myself to secure the time that would be necessary to participate." She hopes the return to a previous topic will deflect attention away from Apollodorus. ((Com 3 + Guile 3 + stress die 0 (no botch) = 6.))
Celeres it the most senior member of House Bonisagus at this Tribunal.
Mathieus inquires further as to Apollodorus, "So, which is it? I'd hoped to have an in-depth discussion with him. He and Andru seem to have developed some refreshing attitudes towards the militarizing of our House. Many young Jerbi are now interested in progressing to aggressive negotiations when diplomacy fails. We have a few competitors in the Dimicatio and Certamen contests this year, unlike years past. It's an open secret in the House that Apollodorus is the force behind this change in the House."
((The present conversation is still happening on day 1 of the Tribunal. I propose we handwave the delivery of the gift basket to Celeres, which is what Tranquillina now plans to do with it. On day 2 she will certainly find out that Celeres has a high opinion of Mons Electi's running of the Tribunal; she can imagine, if she likes, that her sucking up had some part in that.))
Tranquillina sits silently for a very long moment, looking at the wall above the closed door to the hallway. "I joined Mons Electi almost five years ago," she almost whispers. "I have never set eyes upon Apollodorus. I cannot imagine that would be the case, were it simply up to his intentions." She looks Mathieus in the eyes, not unkindly, but mutely.
"That would be an amazingly long twilight experience for a magus of his age. He's not much older than my filius, Praxiteles." Praxiteles nods in mute agreement. In fact, his silence should not be lost upon Tranquillina. He has deferred almost all conversation to his pater, and has only made slight comments about the quality of the meal...
((Quick Folk Ken roll for Tranquillina to guess at Praxiteles's state of mind. Deferentially polite? Intimidated by his pater's presence? Distracted? Depressed?
Per 2 + Folk Ken 3 + stress die 8 = 13.))
Praxiteles facial expressions have been one of mild disapproval of the adjustment of the House's politics, and that he differs with his pater's view. Make love, not war is Praxitele's motto...
((These two questions might have to be separated by a small period of transitionary chit-chat, but I'll post them both at the same time.))
To Mathieus: "You mentioned a shift in attitudes towards 'aggressive negotiations', and readiness for battle in general. Does House Jerbiton perceive a particular sort of threat that spurred these attitudes? Certainly I would not expect magi to fear mundane conflict...." she leaves the other option unspoken.
To Praxiteles: "I saw the Tournament lists, and I noted that you are one of our Dimicatio contestants! Best of luck to you; are you looking forward to the competition? I myself have signed up for the Certamen bouts, although with no real expectation of extended success."
Nevertheless I'm leaving it - just goes to show how febuddled Tranquillina is after her unrecommended lab routine last season.)
