Can't win with defense
Attack Rego 0 + 48 + certimen attack (1d10=7) -5 = 50
Defense Mentem 4+ 27 +6 + certimen defense (1d10=2) ((dice hate me today)) - 5 = 34
It looks like Clement is increasing his defense, so his attack should be 3 less.
Procella's attack is ineffective against Clement's defense.
Clement's attack yields a slight advantage over Procella's defense.
AA of 6, yields a weakening total of 6+2+3=11 vs a resistance of 4 is 7, yielding a loss of 2 levels of fatigue.
The phantasm of Guernicus moves and completely envelopes Procella overcoming her.
Clement leans on the council table and wipes the sweat from his brow. You have your victory Ferilan. Try not to tear your House apart. Show wisdom and balance. Then Clement moves to his seat and slumps into it and rests a bit.
"And what do you suggest, Clement?" Ferilan asks pointedly while looking at the slumping form of Procella as several other magi move to tend to her.
You know the Oath needs to be changed to to make this work. Most parts can be done by a ruling but not all. Changing the words of the Founders from the First Tribunal will go hard on many. Look for a way to simply add to the Oath. Keep what the Founders gave us but add to it so as to deal with the world as it is today. Then you can argue that you did not change the words of the First Tribunal. It is thin but gives the Traditionalist something to hold on to.
"If whomever is Presiding Quaesitor were to employ the veto, what do you predict might happen?" Ferilan asks.
You can threaten to not validate the Tribunal which will make all rulings mute. But Poena will negotiate and will prefer it to forcing the issue. If you stand strong on not changing the Oath but give in to adding to the Oath then both sides will get something. You and Poena will move the Code forward. The Traditionalist will be able to say the First Tribunal was not changed. I think Poena will have a vast majority of the Primus. This will happen. It is a matter of how it will happen and what will happen to your House.
((I was not able to find a veto for the Presiding Quaesitor. Just ruling the Tribunal invalid in Wizard's Grimore. Not sure if there is a way round that as it did not say.))
((Houses of Hermes: True Lineages, page 54, The Wizard's Grimoire, being a 4th edition product may not be fully applicable, and I don't have it. The veto of a ruling or a vote of the Grand Tribunal can be overridden by the Primi in attendance, as heads of their respective Houses. One can also presume that this Grand Tribunal's delegates are expected to be favorable to what is being proposed. So, if the Presiding Quaesitor vetoes an issue, the Primi can overturn the veto. Finally, to be considered a valid Tribunal it must be voted upon by the delegates of the Grand Tribunal, and using the Veto here, could just as easily be overturned by the Primi.))
"Validation is the will of the delegates, but, I think you answered the question, you believe that Poena and Tria have the majority of Primi on board with the proposal, enough to override the veto of the Presiding Quaesitor. Is that a reasonable understanding?""
((Wow. That is thin. The only mention of a veto and the ability to overrule is in a story sidebar but... This would be a proposed ruling. Most of the other changes could happen quickly but the school being treated like a Bonisagus would need the two years of debate. Not that it is bad because you wanted 2-3 years before students started. ))
While it is destine to pass you can still hold your House together by using your veto. The Traditionalist will see that you tried to stop them and failed. It will help you politically in the long run as Bilera can't be Prima for long.
"I suppose if someone is to veto, it should be Procella. Procella is my choice for acting Presiding Quaesitor of the upcoming Grand Tribunal. Her principles will require that she veto the proposal, the Primi will override her veto, and the Traditionalists will be undone by their own hand. Or she betrays her principles, and choose not to veto, and the traditionalists are undone by their own inability to act in the face of necessary change."
Ferilan looks on his side, to the other transitionalists, "We will win by doing nothing, but we may lose by acting, so my choice is to not act. It's as if Bilera has seen this moment, playing us against each other until the true test of which position must needs hold sway in the House and the Order at large. The Order is becoming more progressive, we must change if we are to adapt to the changing world. Surely even the Traditionalists will begin to see this necessity." Ferilan looks at the other side, the Traditionalists, "One can hope that the Traditionalists values can be applied in light of the necessity of change."
Turning to Clement, "What do you think, Clement?"
I think it is an excellent compromise. Worth of Bilera. Now if you will excuse me I wish to rest before traveling back to Transylvania with the news.