Solomon sits quietly as Carles speaks, his facial expressions indicating that he is listening carefully to the magus, "Sodale, I thank you for the tea, and your insight; it does not disagree with my own thoughts of why my counsel was requested. That said, I do feel that I might be able to provide some aid as an impartial party to the dispute and could perhaps aid both covenants in finding a suitable compromise. As for library exchange, I would definitely be interested in discussing such at your convenience to determine if we can be of mutual aid to one another.
I would like to thank you for your advice and offer some in return. Many quaesitors might find a familiar eavesdropping on the conversations of magi tantamount to magical scrying, and thus a violation of the Code. In a covenant full of them, it might be best to steer clear of any hints of impropriety. I would hate to lose the opportunity for us to work together in the future over such a misunderstanding."
(Does Solomon know anything about Eray Caecus of Tytalus)
Erat Caecus. My bad. Typo I shall presume you asked him directly. But first he responds about Noscur.
I cannot control what the cat does. He goes where he wills. And overhearing is not eavesdropping. He was hunting rats. Now, sending him to interrogate mice, that's a gray area. But they have ruled in my favor in that one.
Make a Code of Hermes roll to see if you know the case he is hinting at. And make an Order of Hermes Lore roll to see what you already know about Erat Caecus (on top of what Carles tells you). He's infamous. And prestigious.
Erat Caecus. Where do I begin? He is master of the Obsidian Ring, the largest and most influential agency of informants and operatives in the three-tribunal area that is run by a single magus. The agencies of House Tremere and some of the Tytalean Cabals are larger. But Erat Caecus operates alone, according to his own agenda. Whatever that may be. For all anyone knows, it could be just an ego trip. But many other magi who dabble in the art of plotting and scheming, those of lesser rank or still youthful and inexperienced, the agents and operatives the hire are often connected to the Obsidian Ring.
What does this have to do with anything? I don't know. Maybe he wants to influence your Barcelona discussion. Who knows what his motive and position may be?
Although, rumor has it he has a grudge against Metron, and there is that going on tomorrow night...
Solomon shrugs, “There are those that might see things differently, I only wished to provide you a warning that some quaesitors interpret the Code more liberally than others. As for Metron, I’m certain there are many magi with a grudge against him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more start coming out the woodwork in the next few days.”
(I’m at work and can’t get on Invisible Castles from here, could you roll for me? )
What Carles told you is pretty much what you know, but I would point out that the character has appeared in background descriptive details in the old Houses of Hermes book.
But now it is time for breakfast with Catorse of Gurnicus
Another member of Duresca is present. Tresmilla of Gurnicus. The table is set with fruits, cheese, porridge, juice, and bread. Catorse greets you with a cheerful smile.
Good morning friend
Come in. Sit down and join us. Did you sleep well?
Solomon limps slowly in, his weight leaning heavily on his staff. His leg always seemed to bother him more in the morning, and the walk to Carles' room just after he awoke hadn't helped. Once he takes a seat he exhales a quiet sigh of relief before he answers, "It was a much needed rest sodalis after the trip here, thank you for your hospitality." He smiles and grabs a piece of bread and cheese and begins to eat.
He is purposely only going to make small talk to force them to bring up whatever subjects they wish to discuss.
Tresmilla smiles at you while peeling an orange. Good morning Sodale. How are you faring at Andorra? I've heard that they have bounced back quickly, and are up to their usual antics once again.
Solomon nods to Tresmilla as he sips a glass of water, "I would say we are in the process of 'bouncing back.' As for antics, I'm not entirely sure as to what you are referring, but yes there were some locals that needed to be informed that we have returned."
You say "we" as if you were part of that group all along. Is that woman really so inspirational that she has galvanized you all together so quickly? What is her name? The daughter of Antonio, your new ponifex...
Solomon raises an eyebrow at the tone of the question, "I say we because I am an oath-sworn Master of the Covenant of Andorra. It is irrelevant as to how long I have been a member of that covenant or the inspirational qualities of any of my fellow masters."
Solomon smiles warmly, "My thoughts at this moment are that I am not fully aware of all of the intricacies of the issue to make an informed opinion. However, I do know that the purpose of negotiations such as this are to ensure an outcome that is neither wholly acceptable nor completely abhorrent to both parties."
That is a defeatist attitude. We simply have to convince them that what we want is in their best interests. Which it is.
Catorse shakes his head. That is the wrong attitude. Solomon is right. Compromise is a matter of give and take. I do see your point, and the ideal would be to get Barcelona to cheerfully cooperate in establishing portals and allow free access to the city. On the other hand, they are clamoring about security issues and racketeering and endangering their "masquerade". Then on the other hand... is that the third hand? anyway, they have profited handsomely from the access and service fees they have been getting, And they have encouraged traffic and are part and parcel of what they call "racketeering".
Catorse stops to have his glass filled with orange juice by a servant, takes a bite of bread, and swallows. Tresmilla shrugs her shoulders and picks up from where he paused.
In a nutshell, that is what is going on. They don't want the portals because they want to control all access to their city. But they will permit private Hermes Portals to preferred individuals, if a fee is paid.
As it is now, according to previous rulings, Barcelona's magi cannot deny access to the city, as the goods and services that can be obtained there at international ports is considered an essential necessity. But they do have the right to observe and regulate your activity. Most magi, except for their "friends", have to announce their arrival ahead of time and are escorted into the city and chaperoned at all times. You must state your business, conduct your business, and if you must lodge you must do so at their inn. But they waive all sorts of these mandates, charging fees or "fines". "oh, you just want to vacation and are not conducting your business? That's just a fine of a pawn of vis and a pound of silver . We'll give you the whole season, and waive the fine for staying at another hotel if you also pay the fine for having us make all sorts of nifty arrangements for your luxury."
Pathetic.
They complain about troublemaking magi, but they charge fees to let them run around free and make mischief!
Solomon nods sagely, "I see, and what exactly is it that you do want, Tresmilla? You seem to have many complaints, but it is still not clear to me exactly what Duresca's end goal is. If I knew that, I might be able to recommend a solution, and perhaps aid in negotiating for it with Barcelona."
Duresca, as a covenant, has not declared or agreed upon any goal. But like all good quaesitors, we would like for Barcelona covenant to uphold the Pact of Mutual Cooperation from 1214. At minimum we would like them to approve and assist in the creation of a Mercere Portal to at least one other covenant in this tribunal. Your Andorra doesn't count, you are outside the tribunal and that was only a Hermes Portal and it got destroyed anyway.
Most of us would like to take it a step further and get them to voluntarily agree to certain reforms. The tribunal could mandate them, and we have the votes. But coercion rarely works and things could spin off into ugly debates and tangential rivalries.
There are three reforms that most of us agree upon. First, the system of indulgences needs to be curbed. The way that the charge a "fine" for granting certain allowances. Fines should be fines, fees should be fees, and their system needs to be more honest and transparent. Second, the ruling stating how they are allowed to observe and regulate the activities of visitors needs revision. Our ancestors of previous tribunals empowered them to pretty much scry upon other magi in their city.
There are mixed opinions on those two points, but they mostly lean towards what I said. But the third is something we all agree upon. We want them to accept a Gurnicus Quaesitor/Hoplite as a member who will be charged with the responsibility of Hermetic Security for the good of the tribunal.
Now myself and a few others would like to go even further than that, and have them agree to establish several Portals in their outer suburban area. But if they would at least just finally agree to the one, things would run so much more smoothly.
“Those seem like relatively reasonable requests, and I believe they represent a good position to negotiate from. As for a Guernicus Qaesitor/Hoplite, I’m not certain that anyone, a Tribunal or otherwise, can dictate that a covenant accept a magus. However, a recommendation to the Barcelona covenant might be accepted, especially if said Guernicus had a Gentle Gift. I have my own opinions of what Barcelona might be willing to accept, but before I share them, I would like to know what, if any, role you expect me to play in these negotiations?”
Catorse smiles. Exactly that. Share your opinions, your insight. Be the one that approaches them with the "recommendation". It is well known that your covenant and theirs share a close relationship. Use that to keep a sympathetic ear and balanced approach to both sides of the issue.
Solomon pauses, taking a long drink in order to give him time to decide on a response, "Catorse, everyone, I am honored by the faith you place in me, but I don't believe it is my place to present a recommendation to Barcelona from Duresca, as I know longer reside here. However, what I will do, and what I recommend, is that you formally request for me to serve as an arbiter in this dispute. In that capacity I can provide what I believe to be a fair and equitable arrangement for both covenants, and it will ensure that the formal agreement will hold legal weight recognized by the Grand Tribunal."
I like to think of it as a recommendation from the Quaesitors united in thought. But maybe you are right. An arbiter you shall be, that will indeed be most helpful.
Solomon nods, “A recommendation from the Quaesitores might be seen as more confrontational and since every quaesitor hails from Duresca, it may come across as somewhat one-sided. By me serving as arbiter, I can provide an unbiased outside opinion.”
So yadda-yadda-yadda.
A few Quaesitores from other parts of Iberia show up, and one guy from Provencal. But two-thirds of the meeting consists of members of Duresca. It goes on all afternoon and that evening, and long into the next day. About half take the hard line with Tresmilla, the other half want to be as soft as the possibly can as long as Barcelona sets up a permanent portal with Duresca or another major covenant.
Catorse brings up the Arbiter idea you had discussed with him. He suggests that you be sent to talk with the Barcelona magi, equipped with a list of maximum and minimum desires (which of course you keep secret), and see what they will agree too and what they might want in return if they seek further concessions (concerning the way the get to regulate visitors to their city and profit off of them).
He looks at you, everyone does, and put on the spot suddenly you may hesitate to think of a response.
You start to speak, think about what you were going to say, for you were just about to speak it...
But then suddenly you all hear the dull echo of an explosion deep within some part of the building. And everything goes black. The lights didn't go out. Someone checks and they burn themselves with the candle. But the entirety of Duresca is cloaked in impenetrable darkness...
I shall presume you asked him directly. But first he responds about Noscur.
)