7 Autumn Moonlight

Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Light of Andorra
121

Kallista tends to Daphne's food, cutting it into bite sized morsels. She turns to her wine cup. Smells it, swirls it around, and smells it again. Takes a small taste.

[color=red]"Antonio, this is good. No wonder your friend drank too much of it. I can't remember if you've met Daphne. She's grown since I recieved your invitation."

She reaches for the bottle and this time pours more than a taste.

[color=red] "Would you like some song to lighten the mood, after Daphne is finished?"

[color=red] "And if you don't mind me asking... who is this Metron of which your friend spoke? A Faerie of some sort I hope."

122

[color=green]Antonio: [color=red]Mountain wine :smiley:. We have our own vinyards. Makes us more money than the silver mine does.
Metron is a renegade, one I had thought was slain. He is an Infernalist, though he is self deluded and does not admit it to himself. Octavian and Inigo, they could tell more of what he is like nowadays.

A song would be nice :slight_smile:

123

As octavian moves to lead the room, Ameline speaks up [color=red]"Hold Queasitor. You seek to fan the flames of division and strife and then leave while others have to bear the brunt. Stay and listen to what your words bring about."

[color=red]"Then here is another truth, where Kesara goes, I go. Such was impact of the message I received. No other covenant will necessarily protect the girl as strongly as this one. No other covenant has the number of mages and sheer diversity of talent. Many other covenants do not would not care to be in the line of fire. The journey frm here to some other covenant is fraight with danger and is the most likely way to for her enemies to get her as they woud only have to be watching the roads to andorra rather than infintrate the covenant and breach the defenders. Would you dump her on another covenant unprepared and either unwarned or unreadied. The fact is that where the infernal seeks to taint and slay, the Lord has the power to oppose if you pray and call upon him. Nothing is beyond him if you have faith. Should we all gather to pray for his protection, I have faith that he will provide."

She studies Inigo, [color=red]"Are you prepared to actually train an apprentice. Do you have the training in the arts and skills or would she be better with another Parens. After all, the arch mage could train her and she would still be here with you for you to assist and spend time with. I could train her as well but then she would be dedicated as much to God as the order as I am."

[color=red]"The queasitor does raise a few good questiions about how Metron got loose and how people got to where they were. I wouldn't care but appearantly they are involved in the actions that released Metron. Now, I do have a the gift to sense holy and unholy presences that were parma's to be lowered and permission given, I could inspect all of the order members and then all of the coven folk for infernal influences. This is a drastic step though. One perhaps not necessary." Is it scrying if you use divine gifts as opposed to magic? The covenant now knows also that she has this ability and the infernal warned. Then again the truth is always the best course.

124

Yes, it still counts as scrying, and is outside the scope and perview of Inspection via Intellego to discern the truth of a statement. But if everyone volunteers...

:smiling_imp:

125

Kallista whispers as not to talk over Ameline [color=red]"Can I get a token for some illusions?"

126

To that Kallista sneezes wine back into her cup, you took her by surprise when she was taking a sip.

[color=red]"Sorry, I do not doubt the power of anointed one iesus. Indead he is capable of laying waste to many a city. But what you suggest may not be taken as a friendly invitation to the hearts of some. But I would not object. "

127

The giant man takes the lead entering the hall first, and paying his respects towards the magi present.

"Has anyone misplaced a custos?" He asks cheerfuly then. "Quite the amusing one as well, I must say."

128

He gives you a wink and a smile, a lustful glance, and he gives you a token :wink:

129

He stops, turns and bows. "My apologies. Good night mistress Ameline, everyone." He then proceeds to retire for the night.

130

Despite his own disagreements with Octavian on several matters, Vares recognises that the Tremere Quaesitor raises some extremely valid points.

"Metron appears to have been active in the Barcelona area some time before we arrived. He is searching for relics left by Flambeau the Founder, being drawn to them. According to Vanacastium, Metron has already absorbed several metaphysical aspects left behind by Flambeau in his final stand, making Metron into something other--something more--than 'just' a rogue Magus or even a Diabolist. We do not presently know the limits of his abilities, and the counter-scrying Power of the Infernal shields him from direct searches. He could have been following us or erected Infernally-tainted and therefore unusually effective veils of unseeing around agents who then kept tabs on us. Unlike full-fledged Demons or other Infernal creatures, they would be able to infiltrate an Aegis, observe, and, if needed, act.

"His greatest notable weaknesses seem to be his volatile behaviour--unable to show the restraint which would afford him well; the Infernal is not known for its Patience--and his obsession with all things of Flambeau. Kesara, as the heir to Flambeau's line and, if we are to believe some indicators, the next Lumina, draws his attention because of that connection. In his efforts to seize her, Metron will likely take considerable risks and not hesitate to destroy anyone or anything that gets in his way."

Vares considers what he should say next. "We can discuss specific strategies of how to deal with him in a closed Council session. These other points--Metron's potential use of nearly undetectable surveillance or agents, and his few observable, apparent weaknesses--are better known to all."

131

Vares listens to Ameline's own explanation. He scrutinises her closely. "If you would ask us to make ourselves vulnerable to your assay, what guarantees do you offer in return? Would you allow us to search your thoughts to determine if a promise to search for that trait and that trait alone is genuine?

"The irony is that if--and this is not an accusation, merely a statement of fact--you were in fact Infernally- and not 'Divinely'-Touched, WE would be unable to tell the difference. We would open ourselves up to you, and even a magically-sought confirmation of your intent could not reveal the certainty of it."

OOC: The total 'invisibility' power of the Infernal is probably its single greatest asset. No one seems to have really thought out the full ramifications of it. It makes the frantic, almost frenzied claims of Infernal corruption everywhere seen in 3rd Ed. comprehensible, if not necessarily accurate.

IC: Vares lets the others absorb it for a moment before saying, "We then are left with trust," an odd smile crosses his face, "or maybe 'Faith'. Things which most--but not all--of us lack or find extremely difficult."

Standing up, he makes a counterproposal. "Ameline, in full view of our fellow Magi, I will drop my Parma to allow you to evaluate my nature in this one regard if you will drop yours at the same time, allowing me to seek the answer to the question of your intent. I will have to trust that you will do only as you say; you will have to trust the same of me. Any of our fellows here are invited to monitor the magical exchange, but only that."

Assuming Octavian hasn't left yet, he says, "Quaesitor, you may oversee it, observing that the terms of the Code are met."

132

[color=green]Antonio: [color=red]Kesara will remain here with her father, where she is safest. Inigo asked me to be her Hermetic Godfather. Octavian would be more familiar with the tradition than most of you. Tremere and Bonisagus magi do this more often than other Houses, though the terminology is different. Kesara is his apprentice. I shall tutor her for a season and turn her back over to him. As Vanacastium said, her Arts will be open to him. It is in the tradition of the Founder. Reculed's first teacher was Labarius, but we all know his true master and mentor was Delendar.

Vares, you are more cooperative than Octavian. As a petitioner, you are hereby charged with the duty of managing internal security. See if you can coordinate with Octavian, as I want him on External security

As for other concerns, I am not worried about Tribunal politics at the moment. No more arguments, no more debates. My friend Kallista has come with a song to entertain us...

And another glance. Unaffected by his Blatant Gift (due to Parma), you find his gaze captivating and his charm hypnotizing.

133

He has left, Twice :laughing:

This time though, it is Carmen that speaks up...
[color=green]Carmen of Flambeau: [color=red]Knock it off!!! The custom, though never formally written, is to use Hermetic Intellego Magic that discerns the validity of a statement. No probing for anything, no using powers others don't have and thus no one can verify, and no silent casting. Everyone has to see clearly what is being done, and it should be limited to yes-no-true-false type results. I respect the power of God and his is the purest love in existance. But I am sorry Ameline, Vares is right. You could be Satan's daughter and high preistess, and we will never be able to tell. We cannot depend on a power you have and we don't, a power where the results are only known to you and you can give any answer you want. Not that I distrust you, but matters of investigation need to be open and avove suspicion.

134

OOC: Not sure of Vares' offer to let Ameline 'take his measure' in terms of Realm affiliation crossed with your last post cutting off debate, Marko.

IC: Vares is momentarily taken aback by the enormity of the task with which the Archmagus (?) has just charged him. It doesn't show on his normally neutral expression, however. "Arrangements and allowances will have to be made. I do not have the Quaesitor's investigatorial authority."

OOC: If not for the just-cited effectiveness of Infernal infiltration and 'cloaking', I can think of quite a few ways to improve internal security. But there are always limits to any open location, and Vares is actually better at gathering intelligence and maybe SOME counter-intelligence than outright security.

135

Then reverse the assignments :smiley:
You take external, Antonio will work on Octavian and get him working on the internal. As much as the Tremere frustrates him, he has earned his respect over and over again.

and OOC, I was writing my one post while you were writing the second one, and we cross posted on each other, No biggie :smiley:

136

Vares, who has already volunteered, remarks to Carmen, "You could always use yes/no on Ameline to compel her to say truthfully whether she could discern an Infernal presence or not. The spell cast on her would be open and Hermetic; the origin of her powers would be unknown, but you would know truthfully if she thought she sensed the Infernal or not."

Very seriously, he reminds the others, "The mundanes have become consumed in their search for the 'Infernal', often violating the tenets espoused by the Church's ideals. If we are not careful, we could follow the same route. There is a danger: the events of the 10th Century proved that. But while we seek to confirm what we can with our magic, we must also learn that trust goes beyond the strength of our Parma and our ability to slay our foes who do not heed the Code. "

OOC: External intelligence is much more to Vares' liking. Seriously, he doesn't have the authority of a Queasitor which is required to investigate internal matters, and while Vares may skirt the edges of the Code he is always careful not to violate it directly.

I have some ideas on how to address the matter, but most of them require lab research and there may not be time for that IC.

137

Kallista will respond in kind with a flirty smile.

(ooc i'm going to assume enough time has passed that Ardonis and the Giant are in the Hall)

Kallista finishes her glass of wine and trades Daphne for the Lyre with Ardonis. Takes notice of the Giant and says something in Greek that comes across as "Wow".

And starts to put together a song. She'll take about 10 minutes to make the charm/song.

138

[color=red]"Make what test of me you will prior to sensing for the infernal. I would not ask anything of you if I did not have trust and faith. I will admit that my faith accords me some resistance to magic but without my parma is should be weak enough that your spells should be able to affect me. I trust in God to protect me from harm and secret attacks. All i can do wit this is sense the holy and unholy, I can not read minds or test for lies." Ameline is as good as her word and she drops her parma putting all her faith in god that things will go as they must.

OOC okay parma down, I no longer have the parma + form resistance. I do still have resistance based on form and a resistance 10 for my true faith.

139

Ludovico appears nearly livid, standing and speaking heatedly. [color=red] "Do you two 'seek' to set precedents for tyrannical use later? You may as well begin your witch hunt today! Hestia's grace, you would think we had devils under every doorstep. There is no reason to behave so hastily or so foolishly!"

Here is speaking broadly, raising his hands together in a urging gesture.

[color=red] "Amicus Vares, I expect better from you. Do not so eagerly set a precedent where all will be expected to surrender their rights or immediately be cast into a shadowy suspicioun. It is not the path of the wise, no matter how conveniently placating it may seem now. Athena's path is more patient and longsighted. I urge you to reconsider."

His manner here is earnest and almost confiding, speaking in a familiar tone to his friend.

[color=red]"Maga Ameline. You would do well to remember the Old Ways are not forgotten, no matter how the more militant of your kind of have attempted to make them so. When High Olympus speaks there are still those who listen. Before the Code your devotion to your own God is none of my affair. Do not presume you are, or should be, among like company however. I assure you, you are not. In that I am, and have ever been, unabashed. And I say now, if you would dare accuse me of devilry on such grounds... we shall meet again in one months time."

Here he seems rather heated once again, his face reddening towards the end and an accusing finger pointed at Ameline.

[color=red] "As I said, however, I bear you no intrinsic ill will." he says before turning back to the room at large. [color=red]"All here know I am skilled in the spiritual endeavors of the Art. I am not adequately prepared, yet... in perhaps shorter work than most I could be ready to prepare wardings of not inconsiderable strength against the shades and devils that seem to have inspired such fear, and worse, division. I offer this alternative, and my own skill and service to bolster it, that we may face our true enemy... rather than turn on one another."

Now once again speaking broadly, and urgingly, to all present.

140

[color=green]Antonio: [color=red]Ludovicio! I said enough! (like 8 posts ago :laughing: )[color=red]. I will not tolorate threats against a woman of the cloth in my presence! And Ameline, just as I would not cause you to submit to a Pagan interrogation ritual of some sort, I cannot condone the use of your powers on others either. Respect and tolorance for all faiths. Not everyone believes your powers are holy or even accurate. I do, but I will not force that upon another.

Now everyone shut up!!! I want to hear Kallista sing....