As for Fedora, Odo is happy hanging ot at the Silver Rooster and having their meeting over drinks and chicken wings 
Actus and Fedora are sitting with Matteu waiting for Odo to come downstairs. There is an altercation, a group of guys in an argument over a dice game. There is shouting, some cuss words, one guy shoves another. Matteu excuses himself and walks over there. He twists a bracelet on his wrist and says "Why don't you calm down?". They all stop their quarrel, he buys them a round of drinks, takes away the dice, and everything is peaceful again. Then he comes back over to your table, just as Odo enters the room.
Farusca cackles. Hahahaha! Oh, I remember being your age. Still, don't let Blondie's freaky family fool you. She has become a conservative prude in her maturity, not at all like her parents.
And that is not what I mean.
I don't know what sort of strange accounting she uses. Some sort of Jewish witchcraft she learned from her mother maybe. She equates a pawn of vis as two gold marks[sup]1[/sup], and visa-versa. The vis source, it yields roughly a queen every year. By her accounting, each covenant receives a rook every season, and the rest is for "expenses". She has "expenses" totaled at almost fifty gold marks[sup]2[/sup]. I don't know how that balances or why it costs that much or what is going on. All I know is "expenses" means you guys. You are a part of their covenant, the project funds members of their covenant and funds none of ours.
I mean, you see what she is doing, don't you? She is recruiting young magi or those who have trouble finding a covenant that will tolerate them coughRobertocough, luring them in with a sweet deal, and stack the deck in Andorra's favor.
I am not ordering you around Pere. I really need your help. I understand the dual membership restrictions. Almost every covenant has one. But I am willing to retroactively elevate to to a Senior of Barcelona[sup]3[/sup], and you would thus have the rights and benefits of an honored former Senior. Your interests and loyalties should ever remained tied with us and ours with yours. This is Barcelona, your city, your home, your family.
[sub]1 one gold mark is equal to six pounds of silver, a pawn of vis is worth 12 pounds which thus equals two gold marks. Unlike other parts of Europe, gold is a common form of currency in Iberia. The County of Barcelona mints a gold coin that is worth sixteen silver pennies. I think.
2 Farusca is confused by the numbers because she rounds things off and makes incorrect estimates. The vis source yields 8 pawns every lunar cycle, which equals 104 pawns per year. After each covenant takes 40, the remaining 24 is converted to cash to pay for everything. That equals 288 pounds of silver, or 48 gold marks.
3 Barcelona Covenant also has a hierarchy. Only two ranks, Junior and Senior. All Seniors are techniclly equals, but some Seniors are more equal than others. A former member of Barcelona, Franc Several, holds the status of an Honored Former Senior. He faked the death of his former identity and started a new one in Valencia, yet maintains a close relationship. He has been trying to form a new covenant there for years, but has been most unsuccessful.[/sub]
"It sounds like she may have some advantage over you, but I don't see how that means she is taking advantage of me. I couldn't answer how the finances are calculated, or what portion is actually vis cost versus being translated from gold. I did not come to the Andorran covenant because of this situation, but an offer was made to me to hasten my acceptance. I do not wish to make any enemies, and frankly don't want to get involved in hermetic politics at this point, but if it came down to it I would be siding with he Andorran covenant at this point."
(Farusca has botched this one )
Acutus raises an eyebrow, "I've been known to get in a brawl or two. I prefer hunting though, preferably creatures of the magical variety."
Matteu lets loose a heart laugh at that. Then there is that altercation, which he quells by telling them to calm down and taking away their dice. Then he returns.
Back when I was younger, it was more fun just to box with them. Getting old I guess. I can still lick any dozen men at once, but I am so sore after it that it ain't worth it anymore. I just use magic now. The barcelet, an improved version of a magic item I had years ago but hardly ever used. Like I said, back then I used to just mix it up.
Then there is Odo, who specifically wants to talk to Fedora. Maybe I need to shout again...
FEDORA 
[color=blue]"Yes?" FĂ©dora says from table behind Odo, as she dips another chicken wing in her sauce bowl, tears the meat off the bone, sets the bone aside, and wipes her fingers on a napkin.
Speaking as a member of the Andorran covenant, it seems to me that she is taking the necessary steps to protect the vis source you lack the resources to protect for yourself.
Speaking as a presumably former member of the Barcelona covenant, you bungled this deal. Barcelona could have done the very thing Carmen is doing - recruit new magi to protect a valuable vis source. Instead, you chose to stay chained to the city and hold to your Jerbiton-only restrictions, while farming out the real work to a wealthier and more ambitious covenant. The only thing keeping Andorra from claiming the source as their own and cutting you out completely is the goodwill you've fostered over the years. I suggest you do all you can to maintain that.
But again, that's me speaking as a former colleague of Barcelona, not as a journeyman of Andorra. I would not presume to speak for my new Pontifex.
Pere smiles the smile of the victorious. He finally has something Farusca needs and that she can't get anywhere else. Now that is a truly generous offer. I humbly accept and look forward to a continued healthy relationship with my original sodales.
Acutus smiles, "Oh, I have no doubt that you can still bloody a nose or two. But, as you said, sometimes discretion is as useful a tool as a strong fist, I'm still learning that myself. So how long have you been here? Do you work for the magi?"
Fleur looks at Pere and raises one eyebrow, then shakes her head and turns back to Farusca. "It seems to me that he two covenants are well entwined in this endeavor, and it would be best for all to foster good relations. Speaking of which, I would be quite interested in being introduced to some of my Barcelonan Brethren and sisters, especially those who might have interested in some rather excellent relations." Fleur gives Farusca a wink.
He smiles. "Odo of Jerbiton. Pleasure to meet you. As a Senior and Chairman of Barcelona Covenant, I welcome you and hope for a prosperous relationship.
From the start, I want you to know that I support this Portal project and want to cooperate with you in every way I can. I supported the portal treaty at Tribunal, I pushed the older conservative members of my covenant into accepting Solomon's plan, and hope to guide this covenant away from the insular closed ways of the past." Odo smiles again 
Matteu butts in. "I think you buttered her up enough. Get to yer point."
Quiet you.
Okay, there is one issue. The other Iberian covenants are treating us like a bank. It was one thing to loan them silver so that they could afford to set up houses in various suburbs. Most paid us back. It was natural, we have property connections. But now, less than half of the covenants have managed to set up portals. Some of the others keep petitioning us to loan them the vis. We did it once for Estancia Escarida because we trust them and they paid us back in services worth twice that value. Others are crying favoritism and want to do the same thing. We don't want to do that.
Honestly, I think House Mercere should provide funding and low cost loans to finish the project. I'm sure you agree, and I am sure they plan to do so. I was hoping you could possibly maybe kinda expedite matters."
At the end of the meal Fleur thanks Farusca for her hospitality. "It seems your city has much to offer, and I must thank you for the wonderful dinner. I believe I will need to be heading towards Malorca, but I hope to be back often."
Assuming this portion of the story is otherwise essentially done:
Fleur arrives at her new Sanctum after a half day's travel from the nearest portal. She is rather tired, she is not accustomed to doing this much exercise while standing up. Donna is a half yard behind her as she lays eyes on her new... fixer upper. The windows are all out, she will need to find a glazier, or some sand and attempt some craft magic. The garden is overgrown and overrun though she thinks she can make out some grapes in the forest of weeds. The house itself is stone, and looks structurally sound f overgrown with moss and weeds. The feel is... eerie. It is no wonder that the stones remain instead of being salvaged by locals. She will need to get her staff in order soon and set them to work on this place. Donna clears her throat "My workshop?"
Fleur smiles "I believe we can find some room on the first floor. I expect my lab will be in one of the upper floors." But first she has some business to attend to.
She locates a serviceable desk and retrieves some paper and quill from her supplies.
Dear Carmen, when you sent me to Malloraca to protect the vis supply, I had little idea what might be involved, yet on the way here some issues have become clearly evident. Farusca asked for a meeting with myself and Pere, where she attempted to recruit us into her plans and convince us that you were not to be trusted. She offered Pere a position within the Barcelona covenant, some form of retroactive elevation of his status, which he accepted in conjunction with his position in Andorra, I am unclear how exactly this affects the portions of his oath with regards to foreswearing past allegiances and memberships. I would like to assume he will have reported this to you as well, but if he does so there is no harm in me repeating the information, and if he doesn't then it is more essential that I ensure you are aware. I am not certain what Farusca's degree of influence is, but she seems to think highly of herself as a manipulator, and I do not doubt that she will cause further issues for our covenant. I would suggest that if we are able to do so, we should establish our own gate to Sa Dragonna, so that if she persuades the Barcelonian covenant at some future date to try and cut us out of the deal we can argue that Mallorca and Sa Dragonna are not properly part of Iberia, and that we have an established presence here which predates her claims.
Carmen quietly thanks you in person next time she sees you, but says nothing more. You do notice that you receive a temporary staff increase fixing up your new place though, and there is no difficulty requisitioning funds and supplies to style it up however you like..
any xp?
For the record, Pere is going to inform Carmen of his new 'former Senior' status with Barcelona. He just hasn't had time since returning with Acutus.
yeah yeah, "sure sure chef" :mrgreen:
Keeping track of the "one xp source per season" rule, what other advancement options are going on? This was pretty long and full of intrigue. I am thinking 12xp?
3 points of confidence for everyone, and an extra point for Fleur
Would 4 each in area Lore Andorra, Area Lore Mallorca and Area Lore Barcellona be redundant or appropriate?
No, this is very important. Pere can't stand Farusca. He thinks the Barcelona covenant is wasting away and spends too much of its time fawning over its own reputation, most of which is her fault. Andorra, on the other hand, is a legitimate Hermetic power (from Pere's perspective, anyway). He's looking forward to undermining Farusca's claim to Sa Dragonera on Carmen's behalf, just to teach the old bird a lesson. And to improve his own standing, of course.
I set aside this season because multiple adventures (Sharkman Begins, this one, now Sharkman in Andorra) were happening concurrently. I'll go with 5 in Charm, 5 in Intrigue, and 2 in Order of Hermes Lore. I didn't 'roll' any of those, but they all seem appropriate.
Results of Fedoraâs Intelligence
If I may have Peregrines permission, I would like to hand-wave the Road to Pamplona and just write up the information gathered. Peregrine can choose to include this en toto in her report, or may opt to color/alter/censor/etc as her morality and sense of duty dictaes.
Barcelona: The Portal project is actually going more smoothly than anticipated. The covenantthere is whining for money, this is to be expected. Rumors of Hermetic corruption are exaggerated. There is corruption, this is certain. But it is minor and mostly focused on the activities of a single magus named Erat Caecus of Tytalus. The facts are vague and questionable, as is what may qualify as âcorruptionâ. The rumors of the death of Trentus of Flambeau appear to be false. He seems to have survived an assassination attempt by agents of Erat Caecus. The experience drives him to put an end to Erat Caecus and his organization.
La Vella: Rumors of Hermetic Squatters are true. The Covenant of Bellaquin, part of Provencal, had serendipitously set up a chapter in our fair capitol. Archmagus Valgraven of Jerbiton and his daughter. The property was purchased some many years ago, and they have an âarrangementâ with the Archmagi. They even have a deed signed by Archmagus Antonio, granting them title to a small regio and a vis source in the town. It was part of Antonioâs (failed) master plan of creating a new tribunal with covenant in the Catalonia region.
And the freaky part is that they have recruited a team of dopplegangers. Or so it seems. A French Flambeau magus named Robert, of the Milites. He looks eerily similar to Roberto and has similar mannerisms. Robert is blond and clean shaven, whereas our Roberto has black hair and is currently sporting a goatee. Robert is also much older, though he appears in his mid 40s. The blond doppelganger has a daughter, named Carmen. She was visiting when Fedroa was there but just leaving and is currently adventuring up north in Ultima Thule. She looks identical, though is much younger, Their Carmen has raven black hair and her mother was married to her father. Our Carmen is a blondie and is the half Jewish bastard love child of old Antonio.
AndâŠ
There is a maga who looks just like a female version of Vocis. Her name is Artemis onf Tremere. She knows our Carmen, the blond one, and they worked together back in the day during the Ultima Thule Vexillation.
Coincidentally, she knows their Robert.
When Vocis is about to finally depart from Transylvania, he is met bby Artemis who introduces herself. [color=blue]âSalve sodale. I am Artemis of Tremere, filia Roto. I would like to travel with you brother. My amicus Robert has invited me to visit him in Provencal.
Naturally, Vocis will be confused and might think she means our Roberto.
Doisettep: In Faith and Flame, there is described a covenant called Aedas Mercuri. This is the legal name of that covenant, Doissietep is a commonly used nickname. They are heavy into the cult of Mercury. They also have a three tiered hierarchy system like Andorra, though they are more old school about it and stricter. They also have ties to the Knights of Seneca. Finally, they are a primary supporter of Andorra Covenanâs independence. Or rather, they support not annexing us. They are also a former Val-Negra Tribunal covenant.
Pamplona: Pamplona is a covenant of Ex-Miscellanea wizards trying to assert themselves and demonstrate their refinement. There are at least one magus with the Gentle Gift, another with the normal Gift, at least two (maybe three) Ungifted Folk Witches, and unknown others. They are all very well educated and Latinized. They dwell in scattered locations in the region, but meet regularly in a cave under a tower owned by the Gently Gifted member. He has noble heritage and has friends in House Jerbiton.
This is what Fedora knows from her point of view (except for the Vocis bit). The others only know what she shares, and even this is incomplete.