Before preparing for going to the cerimony Kaloforo gives a greeting to Theseus"Vale sodalis, today is a day of feast. Our destiny will be manifest today. Let me wish for you all the best. We'll celebrate latetr the decisions, for good or bad. Let me wish all the best."
(OOC Wait until you two guys find out what I have planned for you 
)
OOC You should have seen my GM at D&D---
It is time for the Council of the Covenant of Andorra to convene. It is unfortunately a Members Only sort of meeting. However, Carmen and Decimus are requested to attend, even though they only hold “associate†status. Once everyone has gathered, Antonio calls the meeting, smiles, and delivers his speech.
[color=red]Salve Sodales 
. I have called this council to discuss the issue of our membership. Before I start, let me remind you of the legacy of this legendary covenant. It dates back to ancient days, and has seen its share of both glory and hardship. It has seen a full turn of the seasons, survived winter to be rejuvenated by a new spring, and here we now bask in the light of summer. It has the potential to rival, nay, to eclipse other covenants that are her peers. We can be mightier than Fengheld, richer than Mistridge, more influential than Doisettep. We will be able to boast that our members come from every House of the Order, and we will be a tribute to the Pax Hermetica.
To that end, we have a plan to bolster our membership, and perhaps to establish a chapterhouse somewhere else in Andorra. As some of you may be aware (or maybe you have no clue), we have a multi-layered system of law at this covenant. There is the Original Charter and the Old Laws, then there are the New By-Laws. The New By-Laws get their force and authority from the Old Laws and Original Charter, for those documents give a wide range of power and privilege to those who hold the status of Pontifex, and past Pontifici have used their authority to create a more egalitarian system.
We have discussed it, and we seek to reestablish a different sort of three tiered system; Elder, Master, and Journeyman.
Elder is the colloquial term for Pontifex, which is the top rank and still retains special authority. To become a Pontifex, one must be invited and accepted by the other Pontifici. The next rank hasn’t change either, and you all already hold rank as Bishops, those that oversee the duties and affairs of the covenant. The old form was Flamens, meaning Priest. I propose the simple title of Master. You are all fully privileged members; Dimir Taar, Marie, Viola, Marcellus, Octavian and Inigo. Further, we propose that Decimus and Carmen each be elevated to the status of Master and full member. That will bring us to ten governing members of the covenant, a just and harmonious number.
The rank we would like to reintroduce is that of Journeyman. In days of old, those of the lowest rank had the least rights and the most responsibilities. This new rank shall be different. They shall have all the respect and privilege as any other member. Though they do not have a vote on the Council, they may attend meetings and have the right to speak. They shall owe dues or duties in exchange for their salary and status. A season’s worth per year or four pawns of vis.
In order to be elevated from Journeyman to the status of Master, they must be approved by a unanimous vote by the other Masters. To become a member in the first place, one must first Pledge. The pledges can be abused within the limits of the code, got to weed out the weak. Pledging takes at least a season, and to become accepted as a member and a Journeyman they must receive at least a two-thirds vote of approval. The council may also decide to elevate them directly to the rank of Master if they so choose.
A Pontifex may elevate a member from Journeyman to Master if his peers agree, but he may not demote anyone in rank nor expel anyone without a lawful vote. When it comes to a council decision to elevate someone to Master, a Pontifex may not vote and thus cannot blackball those whom he opposes. A Pontifex may not appoint new members, but he may cast his vote in council as normal.
This is just a proposal, it is open to debate and discussion of course. And to give it full effect would require a unanimous vote, and so we have to wait for Inigo and Octavian to return (which should be soon, I promise). But the reason I propose the three tiered system is to make it easier to expand our membership, and do so without diluting our leadership. As things are now, membership requires a unanimous vote of the full council, and they instantly have full voting privileges without understanding our customs and tradition. The way I propose, new members can be admitted with less difficulty, and they have a chance to learn our culture so that when they earn voting rights they can vote with wisdom.
Currently, we have five magi wanting to apply for membership. The rank of Journeyman could be the perfect vehicle for them to join us. I have not yet met Ludovicio or Vares, but I eagerly look forward to it! Their assistance of Inigo and Octavian in such an epic quest such as this, well, it should be quite a tale when the four of them return! Then Ameline, she assisted in the recent adventure into the Caverns of Entropy. I would say that these three have sufficiently Pledged.
Some of you may have met Thesus of Merinita and Gerado of Verditius. They have been asking about membership as well. Thesus fought alongside Pithius of Flambeau against Diabolists and Infernalists. Gerado is a master artisan I met in Italy. He is a sculptor, and I think his talents could prove to be a valuable asset.
Ameline would have questions but she is not at the meeting.
Mastro Kalophoro turns to Theseus and gives to him a big pat on the back. "so it seems we have found the right place". As noon approaches and the bell sings the noon he collects his thoughts for a prayer.
Theseus (smiling brightly)
(Latin): One can only hope so, we'll have to wait until we hear what has been decided at the meeting the members are having. I feel quite confident that the value each of us brings will win a place for us here. Here at Andorra we shall grow in all ways appropriate to members of the Order, and children of God.
(OOC: got to love the Optimistic flaw)
Indeed. I am actually waiting on the feedback from the other players, and once I wrap up the Val-Negra thread I can have Octavian & Inigo here at home to push for a vote. It should be soon. Much comfort and hospitality is yours until then 
Then we are t.... Ah never give idea to a master.
[color=green]Dimir Taar
[color=red]Finely spoken. Maybe you could help viola deal with the faerie pests over there (points to the mountain)[color=red]
We shall see your worthiness, but I like your spirit.
To Kaloforo:[color=red]
Tactics and strategy is a very viable and useful pursuit. We could discuss it some time.
(Well, all I had to do is ask! )
[color=red]Good ideas, I see now what Octavian saw in you. I especially love the Saint idea 
Espionnage is knowledge. Have you experience in creating a mundane ring of spies? This could be usefull with other covenants.
[color=red]
As a non-member, you can't come in. Maybe in time, but not yet. Use the time, get around, familiarize yourself with the covenant and its members.
Yeah, Bishop is the old title, they want to replace it with Master and make things more egalitarian. Your ideas as for a probationary term and minimum tenure for master status. Sound. I like the way you are thinking 
[color=green]Dimir Taar
[color=red]About time. That girl has more guts and good sense than a dozen men.
Ok, he always had a soft spot for carmen... But still, it's true!
[color=red]
Else, your system seems about sound, although we need a status for non-members. Like, 1 year of probationnary status?
It also feels like bishops should be parallel to Master status, or rather be an appendage of it. Same thing, with the added responsabilities and advantage of his duty.
I can very well see a valuable and trusted sodales given Master status, without having a bishopric to care for. Thus, one could be master, or master and bishop.
Then, I think journeymen shouldn't be elevated to master in less than 5 years, with 10 being the norm. It'll leave them time to learn our customs, and prove their desire to become a True andorra member instead of just another vampire.
Ameline... I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, her powers could be great assets to the covenant. On the other, I think the may bring more trouble than she's worth. She brings the church with her.
Theseus seems to at least have the spirit of a warrior and a comrade-in-arms.
The other guy, the sculptor... He has some fun ideas, I'd like to see him put them in application
Kaloforo with a small nod: "Just ask and I'll be glad to expose what may be needed as useful, under the practices of my parens, both in terms of intelligence and of tactics, my good Sir" After hearing his comment on getting in there, nods formally and comments that he will be working to set up his lab before all. He indicates his lab so they could continue the discussion at their leiusure. Finally, taking reverent nod, he bids him au revoir.
((OOC: I saw what now? ))
Ameline has settled into a comfortable routine in the first couple of days. Rise in the morning for first office and prayers, get a minor breaking of her nightly fast, then into the lab for her initial work until break for prayers again then time with the covenant healers if needed and teaching of the children for a bit.
She then follows with more time in the lab and followed by supper and the evening prayer offices. She adjusts at need but as long as she has lab for the season, she really needs to make sure she has that spell of light. She does her best to have Kesara assist her in the lab, teaching latin terms off hand as she works and to encourage Kesara to be with her at other times learning the foundations of faith as well as the exciting tales.
Kaloforo, instead, after bringing in his stuff, starts his usual schedule.
At the sound of the first bell he goes to the church to follow mass. Then he goes to work, which mainly consists in the morning of drawing sketches for
ideas with the statues- At the sound of the twenth hour. aftet taking a frugal meal and a prayer, he works out with the lab, preparing it for the new works to be done.
At the start of the second day, he put a sign in at the main marketplace and took some time to observe the kind of person who comes reading it. The sing is written in Latin. he is mainly around the sign, as if it does not matter to him. In case someone asks some explanations, he tells them in Latin what the sign say. He will go away before the sound of noon.bringing the sign with him. He will do sketches of the person who came speaking.
Looking for a young person for apprenticeship into artisanship. Kaloforo. Please look for me at the host lab.
I never distributed a map. Do you mean the old B1 map? I am not using that map. This castle is based off of that one, but the layout is not the same at all. I have an old map I drew a dozen years ago. I will scan it or something.
It is here, Fixer did it. the third map is the one of the castle
andorra.wikidot.com/map
He stuck the old B1 map in there, what do ya know? Hurmmm....
My castle map is almost exactly the same shape. The surrounding area looks different though. I will scan my maps and get them up sooner or later. They are so old and crumbly though! Go with the posted B1 for now. Just don't rely on the legend; as in don't tell me what number on the map you are doing such and such. Rather, describe what you are doing and feel free to be creative.
Quote modified.
Father Gonzoles seeks out an audience with Ameline and with Kaloforo, together if possible 