I was thinking about claims to vis being linked to mundane ownership - is it still a valid document for that purpose?
Until someone has a better one, yes. Though until you are acknowledged someone could argue that you are outside the tribunal...
Is there a big issue that votes on either side of are particularly important? Or just about disturbing the status quo?
The biggest issue is a motion to revoke Luctatio's recognition as a covenant.
@silveroak At some point in 1198 (probably summer), Archimedes decides he needs to get ready to take an apprentice before Tribunal; he will request the best available Aquam summa within 2 seasons.
when you say best available, does this mean highest level, followed by highest quality? Will the level 16 on the redcap list suffice (if so it can be purchased at standard rates, and with the recap connections of the covenant rushed for a single pawn of vis) or do you want to send out queries to try and find something better? Or find a covenant with an excellent book and use an adventure to pursue a copy of it?
The level 16 on the list is fine. I wasn't sure that list was available to all covenants.
It is, though it is not made clear that it is to "borderland" covenants- i.e. Novgorod, Levant, and Iberia, where someone seeking a book will simply be told they have found "a seller" that comes from that list, rather than it being made known that the whole list is available. Also the list is books in Latin so it is far less useful in Thebes.
Upon return from Tribunal, Archimedes will explore the neighboring site more thoroughly, removing dirt but not stone with PeTe, trying to learn what he can about the temple and also figure out the size of the aura and the construction.
He will also try to get a lawyer hired to find out the current status of that land.
Mercator can get the lawyer hired quietly through the Tremere house. Also worth noting, you discover as you travel that Mercator is a transvestite and prefers male pronouns. He also has a collection of 3 male magical (enchanted) disguises with him.
He does want to know where his lab is however...
Archimedes is open with him about the underground portion of the covenant, but also explains that they are planning to build a larger manor house that can surround the hill completely, and also regarding the second site.
I think we should use the charter of Arae Flaviae; with the addition that only full members are allowed in the underground portion of the covenant. Mercator would be a third full member, as agreed.
Marcus will have Protected Guest status because he is likely sticking with Luctatio.
Mercator will propose that an amendment be made such that once the total tabulated membership is greater than 4 that a quorum be defined as 3/4 of the covenant's members, rounding down, calculated according to voting rights, be in attendance.
Seems reasonable, Archimedes will agree.
What does he learn about the old temple?
The disposition of the property is in some dispute. Currently it is legally the property of Guglielmo Grasso, though the local population has risen up against him, which is really only an issue when he is in harbor as he spends most of his time pirating, using Malta as a secure, or somewhat secure in the present conditions, base for his operations. He has of course appointed a governor for the island who is in hiding. There are also rumors that Grasso is involved in a scheme to overthrow the infant Fredrick II and Pope Innocent III, and a supporter of Markward von Anweiler. Constance's advisors who helped provide the covenant it's resources are supporting Markward von Anweiler while Innocent III is trying to protect the legitimacy of her declarations, since it was Constance who named the Pope as Fredrick II's guardian. Further resolution of the property disposition will have to await the outcome of the war for control of Sicily.
Interesting.
So he will proceed with the actual investigation of the site, removing dirt and looking around.
before or after going over applicants to the covenant?
During the fall after tribunal. But he only spent a few days, just getting an idea of how big the site is and seeing if there was anything obvious he could learn. It's something he didn't want to do when recognition was in doubt.
this gives you the layout, the contents are a bit different and will require more time.
in the winter of 1201 Abeite, the woodworking Verditius, produces (at a cost to the covenant of 3 pawns of vis, creo, ignem or vim) a lamp which will light a room to the level of a sunny day continuously. He realizes this isn't technically labor saving but it is the best effect he can manage in a season, he can make twice as many a season with his lab notes, and wants to know if you want more of these or if he needs to put more effort into his art of rego.
The lamp can be used in a lab to provide either superior or excessive lighting.
(note that a mundane lamp burns 1/2 ounce of oil per hour, but provides far less illumination than this magical lamp. As such it likely saves about 1/4 ton of oil per year, which amounts to half a pound per year in expenses...
In Fall of 1200 Taliha transcribes her personal lab notes for spells that she knows for addition to the library.
Preturnatural Growth and Shrinking MuCo15
Veil of Invisibility PeIm20
Aura of Beguiling Appearance MuIm10
Wizard's Sidestep ReIm10
Unseen Arm (sight range) ReTe10
Tales from the Ashes InIg5
Pass the Unyielding Portal MuHe5
Prying Eyes InIm5
[already added to Malta library sheet on wiki. All spells from Core with only the minor adjustment that her version of Unseen Arm is Sight range rather than Voice range.]