[color=red]"I'm Adonis, poet and musician, custos to my mistress the maga Kallista, just 'off the boat' so to speak, from Thebes. And you sir are exactly what I am looking for, are you able to speak the language of this region and tell this soldier and donkey whisperer thank you for tending to my animal?" He points to Jehan.[color=red] " Oh I have coin for both your troubles." He pantomimes a stack of coins closes his eyes wishing some would appear, since it worked for finding the Giant.
The giant nods some as he listens, then puts the chidren down, patting them on the back and, as anyone familiar with the Occitan dialects would understand, sending them back to their mothers. "I don't know where that is, Thebes, but it sure sounds far," he says in Latin once again, with an amicable smile as he turns back to the recent arrival, then to Jehan with a wave. "Oy, He's from Thebes, and he wants to give you money for tending the donkey, he says. He looks funny, the children called him pailazo... a clown."
Turning to Ardonis again with an amused expression, the giant man nods encouragingly.
Jehan answers and replies in the catalan dialect of Occitain, [color=blue]"He wants to give me money, I will not say no. The way he abused that donkey was harsh. Injure it and then travel on it all day knowing it had been hurt." It would be extra to help get to the next destintion.
Ardonis smiles [color=red]"Good then! I have three cases and no idea where to go. Kallista said we should have some lodging? Provided by Antonio I believe."
Ardonis smiles at Jehan and motions to the wagon. He doesn't look like the type of man that can even help with one of the cases. They are heavy and over packed.
Hermetic History
Arwan, you should be aware that I do not have Lion and the Lily. I am sure it has some interesting stuff, but for this game the history as written in ToH-Iberia and the WGRE. I have a vague idea of what the Logtharian tribunal is all about, but I mistakenly thought it was more north, like in Burgundy, not touching the Pyrenees. I also thought it was more of a modern concept, something that current magi want to do.
I think everyone here has been into Ars since at least 4th edition or earlier. But for anyone that is unfamiliar with the WGRE, it stands for Wizard’s Grimoire Revised Edition. It was a classic. In just one text, it gives you everything that any three or four other sourcebooks give you. Anyways, it contains a long list of code rulings, which gives you insight into Hermetic History.
Even though there are rules for regional tribunals set in 773, all of the rulings through 931 make no mention of Regional Tribunal. I presume they are all rulings from Grand Tribunal, though 931 mentions “the tribunal at Durenmarâ€. Val-Negra was established as a covenant in 774. The very first ruling to have a regional tribunal label in the heading is 997 Val-Negra, Sanctum Law. The text also refers to the “Tribunal at Val-Negraâ€. However, a later entry in 1072 specifically states “The Val-Negra Tribunal (then covering Iberia)â€.
The entry for 1096 details the split. “The grand tribunal redrew the boundaries of the regional tribunals to relocate Val-Negra within the Provencal Tribunal. (See ToH-Iberia, p. 40)â€. Even the page reference is part of the quote (see WGRE, p. 27). This confuses matters, because there it talks about a Provencal and an Iberian Tribunal, and how the redistricting caused many Flambeau magi to leave Val-Negra and head south to establish new covenants. However, a previous entry specifically names a Val-Negra Tribunal, which at the time covered what is now Iberia. I had always presumed in included the Provencal as well. This Logtharthing throws me off 
Taking everything into consideration, I have come up with the following. At one time there was a Val-Negra Tribunal; covering the covenant of that name, Andorra, and what is now Iberia. Logtharian may have squeezed in somewhere, and perhaps Provencal had grown independently in southern France and the west Pyrenees. In 5th edition history, the Domus had already been removed from Val-Negra by the time 1096 rolls around. It’s power had waned and was no longer the center of Tribunal politics. The GT redistricts, what was Val-Negra is now divided between Provencal and what is now Iberia. Val-Negra the covenant is placed in the Provencal, as are several other covenants in the Pyrenees. The rest are now Iberia.
Andorra is the exception. In 1096 the Knights of Seneca were elsewhere, teamed up with a band of Hermetic Sahirs and allied with El Cid, forming the Covenant of Valencia. Andorra was all but forgotten, occupied by a lone ancient magus long since out of contact with anyone and prone to fits of long Twilight. It wasn’t on the list. Call it a clerical error, but the Grand Tribunal never redistricted Andorra. And it is borderland enough where it is not so simple to assume the GT would have chosen one or another. A lost covenant rediscovered in Galicia would be a simpler matter.
Anyway, after the death of El Cid the covenant of Valencia breaks up, the Sahirs join Estacia-es-Karida, and the Knights of Seneca begin their pursuit of Lumina Legends. Before that they were rogue warriors and crusaders 
. In Valencia they discovered texts expanding upon their legends and lore, leading them first to Val-Negra then to rediscovering Andorra. It is thought that Delendos was here during the Schism War. It is known for fact that Valdarius was, the discovery of his Vault proves it. In 1111 Francisco Florenzo of Flambeau meets Schroeder of Bonisagus, the former being the Grandmaster of the Senecans at that time and the latter being the last withered member of old Andorra. The mantle of Pontifex is passed on, Schroder passes into Final Twilight, and Francisco remakes the covenant into the image you see today.
As far as which Tribunal it is in, the magi of the day decided to leave the charter unadjusted as is and see how long they could get away with it. At first they escaped notice. But before long you had the antics Coronado Cortez of Flambeau. Cortez was Antonio’s Infamous Master, known for his use of excessive force and ruthless attacks. Fuego, who used his proper name Frederique back then, exhausted every political favor at his disposal to keep his Amicus out of trouble and keep Andorra independent. They were the former Pontifici of Andorra. After Cortez was slain by his enemies, Fuego made Antonio a Pontifex and dumped it all on him. Fuego left the covenant in pursuit of his own mysterious interests. Antonio made Rodrigo Pontifex, and the two have ruled the covenant ever since. The Mercere were already a presence, but Rodrigo is the one that created the Mercere Quarter and gained the favor of his Primus. This has helped secure Andorra’s independence for many years now.
"I have no idea myself. I'm just a visitor, but I see Antonio and the lot of them over there," the giant replies as he points towards the group of magi.
Then, turning to Jehan, he asks "He's asking about some lodgings. do you know about any of that?"
[color=blue]"Most of those that might know would be in the banquet hall I guess." Jehan says carefully using Occitan. The mages are not just over there but inside in the banquet hall for some sort of feast along with most everyone else of importance. He might have been there but he was just told that he is fired because he won't be an assassin, his pay for services in his pouch so he is not going to be more helpful than needed.
The only reason he helped with the donkey is that he loves animals and trusts and cares for them. People can't be trusted as he got another lesson from Moses. He is glad he is a master of keeping everything about himself and what he knows to himself.
When the guy that hurt the donkey is instead trying to motion to him to do work of a common laborer isntead of getting out money, He turns to go back to quarters.
I assume Ardonis will fail a Folk Ken roll to read Jehan's emotions. Unless Jehan isn't hiding that fact he is upset?
[color=red]"Oi! Where's he going? He's gotta wait for us to get the cases before he shows us where to go!"
Ardonis will hurriedly try to get one of the cases out of the wagon in order to follow Jehan. He has an awesome -2 str and may need to roll to not hurt himself.
OOC: Marko, thank you for the extended, revised history. I take it that the Senecan-Sahir split is what left Valencia vulnerable to opportunist rivals within House Flambeau who sacked it early in the 12th Century?
My earlier statements seem to stand, however. If Andorra was never named in the redistricting and all those NOT named were presumed to be in Iberia--and the one Archmagus in residence had last voted there at the time of the split--then it would be assumed to be a part of Iberia. The same goes for those who joined subsequently. If their last votes of record were in Iberia and they never bothered to change their registration, they--and their Covenant--would remain Iberian.
mine is not a revised history. Fifth edition is the revised history
Point is, some of what was Val-Negra had become Iberia, but some of it was carved off and given to Provencal. Andorra is situated geographically in such a way that it could easilly fit into either.
BBut I am still playing with your idea
Jehan pauses to watch the clown play with the cases rather than actually go to find someone he can speak to or asking the giant blooded one that can speak latin but it is only a momentary pause before he keeps going and gets out of there. He is not hefting cases for the stranger. As for reading his emotions and intent. That is what Jehan is best at hiding. He i(or well she) is a master of concealing her emotions and lying. Of being the unreadable figure, keeping all to himself.
OOC: Good luck beating Jehan's guile roll of 15 (com 2 + guile 5+2 + roll of 6)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013135/
invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013301/
no luck. it's not stressful.
Ardonis turns to the very large man hoping he'll know where to go with the cases. Each are inscribed with two large symbols in white. One is the marking for a Sanctum and the other unknown.
The giant runs to Ardonis' aide, picking the case with ease so as the lithe man will not hurt himself. "He doesn't know, pailazo. Come, let's to the hall, leave the cases here and they'll be fine," He seems amused still, despite Jehan's stoical behavior, quite obviously because of Ardonis' general behavior. "Although, perhaps you ought to give him the coin you promised first?" he remembers, calling Jehan back: "Hey, come back, he's got to give you the coin still!"
[color=red]"Thank you." He says to the giant and fishes something out of the case.
[color=red]"I'll be right back." Ardonis turns to go to Jehan taking a coin out of his purse. He holds out his hands to Jehan (if he allows Ardonis to approach) in one hand is a seed and the other a silver penny. He puts the coin hand first, pulling back the seed hand. Then puts the seed hand first, pulling back the coin hand.
Jehan definately shows anger this time, his hand reaching for the hilt of his weapon. [color=red]"First he abuses his animals, then expects me to be common laborer and now he is planning on playing a game mocking me. He is going to play a trick of guessing which hand has the money and if I am right, I get paid, otherwise I get nothing. Tell this fool to go to the hall before I gut him."
Ardonis drops the silver coin, but holds onto the olive pit. He scurries back to the giant. [color=red] "I think I might have made him mad ... Lets go to the banquet hall. I don't think being stabbed would go over well with my mistress." Ardonis grabs Kallista's Lyre out of the case and will follow the giant with an embarrassed look on his face.
Txatxu frowns at the exchange, wondering why should the man be in such a bad mood. "I'm sorry pailazo, he's said he doesn't want it. Let's just go."
He eyes Jehan a moment, then offers the angry soldier a smile, before they move on towards the hall.
That is the issue, he is a soldier, not a porter. He does pick up the coin before heading back to quarters for the night.
"A divergence of opinion. One could view it as a strength originating from the fractitious Roman Tribunal. Votes at Tribunal are a resource. To split or entirely deny that resource is wasteful.Furthermore, Magvillus has proclaimed that the Order cannot force the covenant to make a decision directly without going to Grand Tribunal. There is no grand conspiracy; at least not of the quaesitores. While politics are involved, it is but the flint that will strike steel that will enflame the resentment of magi towards this covenant's unique status." His voice grows solemn. "To placate them through Harco risks only to fuel that hatred."
He turns his attention slightly at Ludo after he tries to imply something with a nonchalant expression before turning back to Vares. "It is pointless to argue with me on this topic as I am not the one that must be convinced, nor will I be involved in that decision. The moment the members of this covenant chose to get involved in politics outside the territory of the covenant, they drew attention and ire of select members of the Order."
He sighs disappointingly at the threat. "Normally, I would ignore the internal politics of House Flambeau were not the covenant of Andorra embroiled within it. The moment that occured, the only responsible action was to play the part that was asked of me. Why would I try to fabricate distrust that already exists?" The tone of his voice appears more rhetorical than anything as his eyes gleam in the magical torchlight.
"Will you then attack me as you did Metron, blindly and without consideration that one of your allies would have been caught in your spell were it not for a timely wizard's leap? What if it were your daughter? Metron will not be above using her as a shield. Did you consider that a spell of frost and cold may not be as effective against a former member of House Flambeau. A house renowned for their specialty in the relevant arts?" His eyes look squarely at Inigo. His face an icy mask of calm.
"Did you consider your answer to mistress Farusca when you agreed to take her offer of custos and use of the portal without hearing her conditions? Did you consider the reason I politely gave to refuse her offer, or Captain Perez' assessment, that contradicted your own judgment on their abilities? Did you consider whyso much attention was drawn to Barcelona shortly after our arrival? Or why I stated it was quite convenient that master Caecus made his appearance? Why did I, a member of House Tremere, leave the room after he issued his challenge with the words referring to leaving your group to deal with the battle of wills?"
He motions politely towards Ludo. "Did you consider how master Ludovico had rejoined the group despite the fact that he had not entered through the portal with you? Did you take into consideration the consequences of Metron now being loose in the mundane world when you congratulated master Vares and Ludovico despite not following either of my or your orders and thus allowing Metron to escape while stranding expedition in Perdut? The more fundamental question begs to be asked, why and how was Metron located in Perdut in the first place?"
If any interrupt him, he replies. "Master/Mistress (depending who it is), master Inigo needs to hear this if he wishes what is best for his daughter."
He addresses the group as a whole. "Just as the debate of the status of this covenant demonstrates. You see only everything at face value and let the grasp on what is truly important slip away. Metron knows the girl Kesara is here. He will have time to prepare and plan for an attack. Meanwhile the covenant will have to maintain a constant vigil. My recommendation remains to send her away so that Metron is forced to spend time and what little resources he has in tracking her down thus increasing the chances he will be noticed. Consequently, the convenant will be fully freed to pursue him throughout Iberia and deal with him accordingly. Failing that, Archmagus Perez is in my estimation the best among the covenant to give her tutelage. The success of mistress Perez' is evidence enough." He smiles wanely.
"If you insist on taking her as an apprentice. So be it. I've given you what others will not: the plain unadultered truth."
He bows contritely to the entire room. "I shall excuse myself. I've had too much to drink." He leaves the room for his chambers. If any check his cup, he has only been drinking water.
throwing down on each other with the drama speeches! Awesome! Remember to separate player from character. Octavian (the player) is not as much of a DK as Octavian the magus. But even though he is a Dk, his words are worth listening too (OOC - Octavian plays up his Judged Unfairly flaw a bit much 
)