The Mercere delegates have arrived. Some of them got here late last night (Monday), and the others arrive during the day (Tuesday).
The members of the delegation are...
Decimus of Mercere: Gifted magus, pagan Mercurian cultist, originally from Andorra, trained in Rome, was a member magus here after that for several years, now a resident of Harco Mercuria of Mercere: Gifted maga, resident of Doisettep, mother was a Redcap of Andorra many years ago Korvac of Mercere: Gifted magus, Vagabond (Iberian Preginator), in charge of the Iberian Portal project authorized by the Cooperation Pact of 1214. Lejla of Mercere: Redcap, of the Milvini Antiquiti, talented librarian and scribe, Moslem, one time resident of Andorra working under Decimus, rumor has it she had his baby, transferred to Burgos in Iberia when he went to Harco Erik the Redcap: There is an Erik the Redcap in every tribunal, in every gathering of redcaps, in every saga or story I tell involving someone receiving a message from a Redcap. Miguel from Barcelona: Miguel is chief Redcap of the Barcelona Lodge, and the first non-Jerbiton to be accepted as a member of that covenant. Simon of Mercere: Simon has been here all along, one of the members of the initial Redcap detachment. He is very picky and thinks almost everything is terrible. He hails from the Stonehenge Tribunal. Gordon of Mercere: Simon has been here all along, one of the members of the initial Redcap detachment. He is cranky and thinks everyone is incompetent. He hails from the Loch Legean Tribunal. Tiana of Mercere: Tiana, played by Ryu, is one of the members of the initial Redcap detachment. She has chosen to take the Oath of Covenant and became a member of Andorra. She looks like Grace Kelly. Fedora of Mercere: Fedora, played by P.B., is one of the members of the initial Redcap detachment. She has chosen to take the Oath of Covenant and became a member of Andorra. She wears a strange style of red hat (a fedora). Tanner of Mercere: Redcap Dankia of Mercere: Redcap
[tab][/tab]The first order of business is to decide if they want the Lodge to stay, or if it is better just to go. Then if they do stay, at what price? What will it cost and what will be the benefits? Can we get a better value elsewhere? Then approach the council of this covenant with and offer or other news.
[tab][/tab]They are authorized to sign a deal or pull the plug as they see fit.
I cannot find anything of the sort, in any edition. If it's not part of the regular House duties we're not going to present it as extra duties.
As far as flat rate vs percentage goes - Carmen was the only one that wanted a flat rate and to have Portals negotiated separately. If everyone else was fine with allowing portals and accepting rent as a percentage of traffic (I realize OOC that not a lot of characters weighed in on it, probably because not everyone's watching this thread), then the majority consensus is what we will present to the Mercere contingent.
Fédora runs up to Erik and hugs him, with something that actually looks like a smile on her face (Fédora? Smiling? peeks through window looking for a rain of frogs)
[color=blue]"Grandfather! she says, [color=blue]"It's been too long! How have you been?"
Fédora doesn't seem concerned that her hug has Tiana half-trapped.
Before the Redcap meeting starts, Fédora approaches Tiana.
[color=blue]"I was quite impressed with how deftly you negotiated some of the terms of our agreement with Andorra. Would you like to present our agreement to our sodales at the conclave?"
Tiana looks very uncomfortable and her face turns scarlet. "Oh. Um, well of course I'd be happy to, but it's very important, and so you should probably do it," she says. "If it doesn't go through, then we'll have to move and..." she lowers her voice. "Well, I want to stay here so badly because my father lives nearby. If we have to move to Barcelona, I won't get to see my father, brothers and sister but for Christmastime and Easter."
Decimus Scribonius Lepedius, magus of Mercere, is taking a tour of the facilities with Redcaps Simon and Gordon. He complains constantly...
...That color is horrible...What happened to the scriptorium?...They're doing this all wrong...That chapel is an eyesore...The soldiers and staff are all inexperienced and reckless...back in *my day...This is all Antonio's fault, and that daughter of his is just as bad...are you serious? Those two girls really became members and want to stay here?...They need a strong willed and conscientious Tremere magus running things, like Octavian in the old days...They still haven't been forced to choose a Tribunal. I don't know how they get away with it, but it is useful.
Simon and Gordon walk around with him, agreeing with every word he says and adding derisions of their own.
And Decimus is being a ***k about it too. If any other members of the delegation approach, especially Tiana or Fedora, he changes his tone quickly. ...They have done a fabulous job here...Strong leadership, yes indeed...The Artifex does brilliant work...the two ladies that are so dedicated to our House that they joined the covenant...Best in the business...
But the snipey remarks resume before they are even entirely out of earshot (Judge your own Perception and Awareness/Folk Ken and roll with it how you want to)
Tiana takes it upon herself to personally escort Decimus around, being as charming and witty as possible. Which isn't really all that charming or witty, maybe her distaste for him is just too great to overcome... 2+4+4=10.
[color=blue]"I know what you mean," Fédora says. [color=blue]"I moved here with Semyon because I saw the importance of keeping the Mercere house here, and I don't want to have to move either. But I do want your help in keeping the house here."
((Per roll: Per 1 + Awareness 4 + die roll of 5 = 10. Folk Ken: Per 1 + Folk Ken (Magi) 4 + die roll of 3 = 7.))
She doesn't see them long enough to realize that they're running everything down. Before the tour, however, if they don't accept her offer to let her show them around, she will try to have one of the more charming and knowledgeable covenfolk act as a tour guide for them.
Decimus takes notice that both Tiana and Fedora desire his attention, and this feeds into his pride.
I promised these two lads that they could show me around the Mercere quarter and the hard work they have accomplished. They said you two were busy, what with being members of this covenant and all.
I was a member here once for a few years, managed the quarter. I have heard you are in the mids of remodling and reconstruction in other parts of the covenant? I would like to see the old keep and would love to take you two ladies on a tour of some of my old haunts. Say, tonight after supper? The opening meeting isn't until noon tomorrow anyway, so we will have all night.
[color=blue]"Actually," Fédora says, [color=blue]"the covenant is in the midst of remodeling and reconstruction. The Mercere Quarter has long since been restored to the magnificence it displayed before, and is ready to be put to use."
((I don't think she's lying, as I understand it. But would her sanctum be in the Mercere Quarter or with the other Andorran magi?))
She glances at Tiana at Decimus's...proposition. [color=blue]"I would love to, but I've still got some last-moment preparations to make, and I have to be my son gets to bed at a decent hour. I'm sure you understand." Fédora gives him the sincerest fake smile she can muster. ((Com 1 + Charm (Magi) or Guile (Little white lies) 4 + die roll of 3 = 8.))
Tiana laughs disarmingly. "I couldn't possibly be too busy for a handsome devil like you," she tells Decimus, with as much smolder as she can manage. ( youtube.com/watch?v=L60oR6bvN34 )
4 Presence + 3 Charm + 1 specialty opposite sex + roll 4 = 12. invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4169549/
"I would love to have dinner with you, of course, but I will be cooking for Grandpa, he hasn't had paella in years. You're welcome to join us, of course." She then just ignores Simon and Gordon, and starts giving Decimus the tour. "In the meantime though, I'd love to get your suggestions for how we can improve operations here. Obviously, it would be much more successful if you were here" she puts on a pouty-face, "but if Harco needs you more than I do, we'll just have to make do with what time we get you."
(Yeah, she's laying it on really thick. But she's stunningly beautiful, so she knows she can get away with it.)
Lejla the Redcap from Valencia, she is there. She talks to you about Decimus before you have dinner with him, warns you that he is a deadbeat dad that keeps trying to knock up lady Redcaps. But does mention that the son she bore him is a brilliant savant that learned to speak and read Latin by the time he was 5.
And what if it requires a kid?
Decimus is a prideful, selfish person. If you are trying to influence a Mercere magus, I would advise that Mercuria is gentle and sympathetic, and Korvac is serious minded and pragmatic. But Decimus is easy to manipulate, I will grant you that.
"I expect both Korvac and Mercuria to vote according to their consciences, in what they see is the best interests of the House. And I expect them to be unlikely to poison the minds of others simply out of spite. So if Decimus needs to feel special, I'll make sure he feels special. If he wants my virginity, though, he'll have to marry me to get it. I doubt he's willing to make that commitment, so I think my maidenhood is safe. Besides, we'll be chaperoned at all times by my grandfather."
You are a smart sister. Just so you know, I am on your side. I hope to revive the scriptorium and establish a Redcap's library here. I view Andorra in the ideal role of a Mercere Vault and retreat. A place where a Redcap, any Redcap, can come and relax for a season and study or relax or whatever.
