A Gifted Mercere could still take a political stance, though that would be somewhat unusual. Less unusual than a non-Gifted Mercere though to be sure. The goals of the Hibernian faction broadly speaking and those of Inchmore and its founding specifically are not exactly the same, though Inchmore is a gambit in the broader strategy of the Hibernians.
Inchmore serves three strategic purposes all of which would be known to any Inchmore Magus.
- Deprive the Conquerors of Praesis of Spoils/Profit
This is not entirely successful as the Magi who conquered Praesis still made away with a great deal of loot from the Covenant. However in giving up the site of Praesis and Inchmore being founded they have no continuing claim on the vis sources of the area and thus have been deprived of immediate income with which to repay their vis loan war debt. Inchmore is intended to serve as a focal point / gambit for a broader economic (mundane and hermetic) undermining of the Continental Reform movement in the hopes of forcing them to default on said loans.
- Reestablish A Peace/Treaty-brokering site for the Tribunal at large and in particular for the Coill.
This is a facet of the culture of the Hibernian Tribunal in that Praesis served this function before its fall. Inchmore was founded with the intent of it serving as the new focal point for these social/cultural functions to replace Praesis.
- Establishing a Cold vs Hot War.
The political impetus in reaction to the fall of Praesis that led to the founding of Inchmore could easily have been a violent eruption of multiple Wizard Wars in the Tribunal. Instead Quaesitor Visioturpis browbeat the Hibernian hotheads into what is essentially an anti-colonialist / divestment strategy. Part of the goal here is to take overt, even blatant, but peaceful actions unless directly threatened/attacked. To not allow the Hibernians to be depicted and treated as the violent barbarians who require civilizing. That said ... this is just the strategy the Hibernian faction is currently following in no small part to gain the support of the senior Quaesitor of the Tribunal. Visioturpis is sympathetic to the Hibernian faction and Tribunal customs but stern on the Code. Things could easily develop in alternative ways through play.
These are all valid choices which I wouldn't steer you against.
I will say you could also easily break type a bit with a Mercere. They are still supposed to be a viable character in play and in whatever kind of interests are going on in the game. I wouldn't see any House as a non-option for Inchmore.
