Kriegeist nods. "I agree completely. But something else is of concern, we may be challenged to Certamen over the issue, or over membership. Are any of us particularly specialized in dueling? I am not, though I am strong enough to hold my own against non-duelists."
Though I am no expert, forcing disclosure of other mage's secrets would be a violation of the Code of Hermes, would it not? Would using Certamen to violate the code be improper?
"Yes, but not over tribunal membership, that would be legal."
Kriegest is called to the front of the room "The eldest of the new invitees, Kriegest Ex Tytalus, please, introduce yourself to the room."
You have all heard that the Greater Alps has fewer magi than normal, but there must also be a lot of people holding a number of voting sigils, because the entire meeting of the grand tribunal is about 15 magi seated in a semicircle. You notice that the young magus who was selling his paren's estate is not present, but both of the other providers of longevity rituals are present.
Kriegeist walks forward, taking position confidently in the center of the semicircle.
"As you said, I am Kriegeist ex Tytalus. I am a researcher, a teacher, and a writer. I am come to further the Order's understanding in a place more peaceful and remote than the turbulent Rhine. I enjoy the fiercest of scholarly debates, but I am a man of peace."
The older longevity specialist speaks "so what goals, what plots do you bring to our peaceful tribunal?"
"My goals? Most of my research has been into warping and auras, which I will likely continue. I don't share the obsession many of my house have with mundane affairs and agencies, I focus my attention on theory - making sure the Order's collective understanding isn't polluted by haphazard thinking."
"So rather than interfering in the affairs of mundanes you have decided it is your prerogative to police the thinking of your fellow magi?"
Kriegeist gives him a gentle smile. "I police nothing. I only challenge sloppy thinking in the very venue I now stand in, or in publication. I laud excellent research, and any good research is improved by the test of opposition."
"So you, a Tytalus, stand before a room full of Criamon to tell us you know what is apt, and Jerbiton, to tell us you are the judge of what is tasteful?"
Kriegeist frowns slightly. "I said nothing about aptness, or good taste. That is none of my business. I protect the order from corruption of Bonisagus' theory by talentless charlatans, such as Geoffrey Blackwood of Bonisagus who published a tractatus claiming that the realm of Magic was an infernal corruption of the Divine. Had I not called him to the floor, his work would have been ignored, left to skulk among the stacks of our great libraries, entrapping naive apprentices and journeymen in a web of misguided ignorance."
"And did Duernmar then pull this tractatus from it's stacks? I think you inflate your importance!"
"Enough!" the primus announces "You have poked this applicant long enough, and have heard his answers. If you want to provoke him into admitting you to the Tytalus house do so on your own time. Does anyone else have any questions which they believe would have bearing on how they intend to vote, or might have bearing for others?"
One maga calls out "Are you single?" But this brings laughter and appears to break the tension more than be a serious question.
A vote is taken and Kriegeist is admitted to the tribunal as a full member by a slim majority.
Elia is called next to stand before the council, and is asked to introduce herself.
As he leaves the center stage, Kriegeist shoots a sultry look at the maga who asked that question, but doesn't reply further.
Does the method of voting give a clearer idea how many sigils people are holding?
Yes, there are about 150 votes registered in total, the magus who grilled you holds 4 votes out of that total. An older woman near the front wearing expensive furs seems to hold the most with 25.
Elia takes the position, and addresses the assembled Magi "My name Elia Ex Miscellanea, from the tradition of Pharmacopoeian. As my tradition's reputation, I am a healer, and have been apprenticed, and stayed, till recently, at the covenant of Epidaurus. I am also a scholar of herbam, and plants are an interest to me, both for healing, and as a subject to study."
The man who had earlier challenged you to certamen rolls his eyes "great, another herb witch, because we don't have enough of those around here." Which earns him a couple of sharp glares from others.
Elia smiles at him and answers politely "Life is hard, even for us Magi. Yes, we spend a lot of time in our labs, learning, researching, enchanting, and such. But we need someone to help us stave off the effects of age, and we, or our covenfolk, get injured, and need a healer's touch. While mundane healers can do most of the lesser work, for more serious stuff, or for important people, magic, whether in the form of spells, or even the herb magic of my tradition can do well. With my ointments and salves I can help someone recover from wounds even if his body is weak, and the wounds are deep, and provide him a better benefit than any spell I currently have. and in some cases, I can give a benefit to one's recovery that would otherwise require me to cast a ritual spell." She look directly at the one who spoke "And, last but not least, with a few days' work I can try and create an ointment that can help resolve an aging crisis, if it's not the most severe."
[OOC: A +18 to recovery is a CrCo35, with Mythic Herbalism I can give someone +36, at Ease Factor 15]
"Oh, how signifigant, that your herbalism can accomplish things your spells cannot."
He snorts. The praeco clears his throat "anyone else?"
The vote passes overwhelmingly.
"Next up is Anastasia."
Anastasia advances in front of the council sitting in a semicircle. "Esteemed sodales, I am Anastasia Filia Pralicis, of House ex Miscellanea, formerly of the Rhine Tribunal. I have recently joined Gardenia." she looks at the council with a smile, awaiting any questions.
You already know who is going to speak before you finish-
"You expect to find a lot of uninducted hedge traditions in the Alps? Anything for the Gifted was brought in centuries ago."
What is surprising is that he seems to have support this time "Excuse me but he does bring up a bit of a point, why exactly have you come to the Alps?"