"I don't expect to find a lot of uninducted hedge traditions in the Alps, no. However I am looking to investigate some of Mingus' theories. I'm not sure I believe every claims he made, but if he's not completely mad then I may be able to gain insight from his research that I can use to contact traditions that would otherwise be difficult to locate." and in a jest, she adds "and if he's just completely mad, then I guess we'll at least put his theories to rest."
"His theories should be burned, there is nothing to test in his mad claims and ramblings!" comes the declaration from a man who is clearly criamon, and there are a lot of heads nodding at this statement.
"That may be the opinion of House Criamon, but it isn't shared by all in the rest of the order. As you know, Mingus found a home within my house when you declared him orbus, and he recently brought some unusual ideas at the grand tribunal. You're unlikely to convince anyone outside of your mystery by refering to your inner truth alone. If you're right about the wrongness of his theory, it's the magi of Gardenia who will find out firsthand, so if you're sure that he's wrong... you should be happy to see someone of my House - of his House - looking into whether his claims are valid because only our work can demonstrate that his claims are empty. Myself, I believe he stumbled upon something that can be studied - whether he reached the right conclusion remains to be seen."
There is a hurumph but no more discussion. The vote is again close, but you are admitted.
Which brings us to Schwartz.
Schwartz strides into the room and glances around curiously. “My name is Schwartz of Merinita. I am pretty good at finding things. And you have some things in the Alps worth finding.”
The gadfly responds "We have so much worth finding because we discourage anyone from taking too much. Is that something you can respect?"
"You misunderstand me sir. Perhaps if I get to the point, I will be more clear. In my brief travels around these beautiful mountains I have located hundreds of Fairie Auras, I estimate there are over a thousand Fey Auras spread throughout the Alps. There is no way I could explore, much less exploit a tiny fraction of that many sites. So, no, I have no intention of taking too much. I am good at finding other things that may be of interest, but sticking with the topic at hand:"
"What if I could help find those fey sites close to each of your covenants? You must already know where some of them are, but do you know where all of them are? How could you? It is the nature of some Fey to move about, to change locations and stories. But, would it be useful to know where the sites within a couple days walk of your covenant are at this moment in time? Even if you believe you already know, wouldn't outside confirmation of what you know be useful?"
"This is just one of the things I can locate, that might be of some use to my friends. I think I can make useful contributions to the Tribunal. As to why I would like to move here, I think that is obvious. You are here, you know how wonderful these mountains are. After seeing what I have seen, who wouldn't want to live here?"
"So if we elect to include you you will, from the goodness of your heart , provide to us all the location of any and all few which might harass or be exploited by our covenants?"
In the spirit of the fey, a bargain may be struck. No mage can be expected to spend his time helping others for no compensation. If I asked you to create a longevity potion, such as you are expert at making, would you do it for free? Every expert is valuable. I simply state that that is a service which is available, depending on your decision it could be available to you.
"And it would be available to all, for this fee, regardless of house or intent?"
I would not deprive a Mage of his power. If I found a site within two days walk of a covenant, and they had paid me to find it, of course it would be theirs. If someone intended to use my information to break the code, and I knew about it, then no, their intent would matter. As to houses? Vis is vis.
He nods and looks around.
Schwartz passes unanimously.
Leaving Oscen remaining.
OOC: Oscen left the game discord and has last been seen on the forum on April 11th.
After the covenant members have been voted into the tribunal discussion begins regarding the tribunal response to the encroachment of divine auras.
"We have long had a tradition in this tribunal of conserving magical resources, restricting the number of mages to ensure there is enough for everyone. Now these mundane forces come in, towns spring up everywhere, and nobles building churches to placate the tempers of the church while Fredrick riles them up by declaring himself king of Jeruselum while he is excommunicated."
"House Jerbiton has spent literal centuries establishing a beneficial relationship with the Church, and would hate to see this go to waste because a few hotheads are panicking about a handful of dominion auras. We may not be able to influence the choices of the Cathar lovers in Provence, but here we should continue to support the church."
(Who is speaking?)
Neither of the magi who spoke are ones who commented on your admission. The second appears to be the primus of Jerbiton.
Kriegeist speaks up, responding to the Jerbiton, "I am a newcomer here, obviously, but do you mean to say that the church actually has a good relationship with the Order in the Alps? They are friendly, don't accuse us of consorting with demons, accept us and our magical workings? That is truly wonderful!"
Schwartz speaks up, “i too am a newcomer here. But if there are good relations, is there a way to reason with the church leaders and keep them out of magical and fey sites?”
"Well." the Primus looks at the ground "There are of curse still ignorant individuals, but we have been building a campaign of reconciliation with the college of cardinals in Rome, and we certainly don't want to throw that away by acting in bad faith. Locally there has been a bit of an influx of new priests as there has been something of an increase in mundane settlements along trade routes, and of course German princes bringing in their favored priests for the churches in their lands. And the situation has been complicated by the excommunication of the Emperor, and his claiming the crown of Jerusalem. Perhaps we should see how things develop and put off this vote until the next tribunal."
"Is there anything to vote on? The rulings of the Grand Tribunal apply everywhere, do they not? My understanding is we're allowed to interfere with the church to protect and reinforce magical auras, but I don't believe the intent was to require your House not to speak with the church."