The Exarch (late summer 1242)

Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Light of Andorra
81

I think having a Familiar think-tank helps advance the story by facilitating the flow of information. As for the Mercere news, the Redcaps were chating about it in the early morning. Cidito has been wandering all around since Pietro showed up last night. He constantly sleeps on/off like cats do, so is possibly awake to poke his nose in anything at any time. One never knows if he is there or not unless they check (hence why he cannot teleport when people watch him depart/arrive).
And he is nosy. And has Richeaux scent marked and probably Lucass as well.
And it is a late morning meeting.
The think-tank helps advance the plot.

Cidito adds in...
[color=orange]Wait, Roberto is telling me that I have the story mixed up and to shut up about it. Um...
Okay, we got a list of suspects? Pick out the one that is a Diedne or Tytalus magus, and odds are he's the one to blame.

Book of the Black Vale
This book details how to get to Val-Negra, and contains brief accounts of Redcap dealings and observations. It was mainly written during the "golden-age", and contains short annotations and updates through to the early post-shism years.

Mount Perditu is a mere few leagues from Mount Arans. As the crow flies through a regio. It is a magic mountain and cannot be observed until you are actually there. There is a map to find the village of Perdut. There is a guest house there and there was a portal that is recorded as disenchanted.
There are notes on a moss-covered pylon that are scraped out. It seems that it used to be used for transport. Over thap page is a diagram of the Lantern. Instructions are crammed in what clear space is available. The Latern will guide you from Perdut through the Valley of mists, lighting the clear safe path avoiding monsters and the cosmic void, to the Circle of Light which is the gateway to Val-Negra.
It also talks about the bridge and approaching the Black Tower, how to display your banner and properly greet the Aerie Guard, and so forth.
Latter notations. 1063, Primus Entisimon resigns and his successor Teritious formally moves the Domus to Castra Solis. 1066, Val-Negra places a huge deposit with Harco in a trust managed by Archmagus Vancasitius of Flambeau. When he passed, the trust managmet duties were passed along to whomever held the title of Hausperex of Flambeau at Aedas Mercurri. In 1072, Val-Negra closes its doors to the public and goes dormant as a covenant. It is officially listed as the Sanctum of Archmagus Abbadon of Tytalus, Schism War general and last member & Pontifex of the covenant. All external assets held by the heirs at Aedas Mercuri. All land assets ceeded to Andorra covenant. All internal covenant assets held Abbadon and his heirs. Assets revert to the Primus whom hase the sole authority to reopen the covenant.
There is no direct Mercere contact with Val-Negra after that. But there is a note that Abbadon attented the Provencal Tribunal of 1172 (?), some lawsuit, the only interest noted was to confirm the above conditions are to endure.

Now as for the Mercere Bank at Andorra. As of sunset yesterday, close of the business day, the vaults held in excess of five queens Vim Value. Actual number; 157 vt & 212 vf. Today is a suddenly declared "bank holiday" and tomorrow is Sunday. Good excuse to stay closed for two days :laughing:
The bank stock is insured by Andorra's vault of one-thousand pawns of Ignem.
The toral current deposits equal ten-times what the bank currently has on hand, but there are no outstanding cheques or credits.
So the bank could give any dosen of you your vis. But if the covenant and a dozen other holders asked all at once, thap would tap the vault. So this bank would then have to request a transfer from Harco.
The Mercere are all one big banking family and everything they do is conneced. But there are others toying with this primative idea of applying mundane practice to vis. House Tremere has their own private reserves. They used to have huge accounts also, but they tapped most of it to refill their reserve after their war. Barcelona Covenant owns the bank there. Durenmar doesn't think of thier situation as a "bank". But it sort of is. Just as in Barcemona, it is managed and operated by Redcaps. But the vaults of Durenmar insured by the stocks of the Rhine service the whole tribunal.
Duresca has an extensive private vault and deals only with public service.
None of these are connected to Harco though.
We should count how many of these Mercere and other centers are. Record the random thins I say and hold me to continuity.
So to cut through the haze...
All of these banks were slightly weakened by House Tremere refilling their stash and rebuiling their tribunal.
It really did get wrecked. No faking that. A lot of it goes to pay specialists in Creo Rituals. A few Mercurian Mercere are in on that biz. And they are buying up magic weapons and devices too. Hording.
That was a pre-existing condition going back the past few years. The economy has been strong actually. "Cash Flow" has been difficult though.
The Crisis really begins in Provencal yesterday. A whole bunch of people wanted their vis all at once. Coenobium (the Redcap covenant there) does not have enough to cover evryone so requested funds from Harco.
Harco cannot handle all of these transfers. Perhaps if they shifted around from other banks and called in all their loans at once. Maybe.
This doesn't add up.

82

In that case Rilcheaux will spend the night at his quarters in Andorra and leave in the morning, grabbing some grogs to make the trip with him and donning his red cap.

83

Lucas will join in on the trip to Val Negra as well, if he's welcome, also wearing his red cap. He'll bring Petrus with him.

84

That being the case:

"So it seems to me," Horus says at last to the other familiars, "that we want to ask who gains from House Mercere being in a tizzy. And in thinking of this, I think of the men who use sleight-of-hand at the summer fairs. They want you to look at one hand so you don't see what the other hand is doing. And I wonder if that's what's happening here."

"Yesterday, I would have said that the changeover of the Flambeau primus and the opening of Val Negra would have been the topic of conversation for every covenant from here to Loch Leglean. Now? I'm not so certain. Once word gets around of everything that's happening in House Mercere, a lot of attention will shift to them. Seems like there will be a lot less scrutiny over Flambeau and Val Negra as people worry about getting their vis. Might be someone planned things this way to draw attention away from what's going on in House Flambeau and in Val Negra."

85

It's the dark of the morning and Lucas has just arrived back in Arans from Harco and is sitting on his bed getting ready for a well-deserved rest before going to Val Negra later in the morning. Cecelia lies in their bed, awake and alert, while Horus is perched in a windowsill.

"I don't know," Lucas says to his two closest advisors. "Would it be mad for me to try for the primacy? I should probably be another twenty or thirty years older. But opportunity comes when it comes. And who knows when it'll come again."

"The way I figure it, there are, at most, eighteen possible contenders for the position, and most of them have no interest in it. Too much work and not enough time for research. I could name half a dozen of my colleagues who wouldn't touch the primacy with a ten foot pole, probably more, and many of the rest would only take it reluctantly. I don't kid myself, there are some who want it, and they're probably in a better position to get it. But I'm not unqualified."

"You've got diplomatic credentials from here at Andorra," Cecelia replies. "And bureaucratic credentials from your time at Cunfin. And you've had experience running the bank and portals at Andorra as well. You haven't made any enemies, and you've made a good number of friends among the Gifted magi of the House. The only thing you have working against you is your age. And we might be able to spin that as an asset."

"You'll get Talbot's support," Horus adds. "And that's not nothing. In fact, you might get the support of the entire Milvi Antiquiti. You're probably the only member interested in the primacy. Most are so focused on their books. The Mutantes too. They'd be happy to see one of their own in charge."

"And don't forget the Redcaps. We may not get a vote, but our support is not unimportant. You're very popular with us." Cecelia smiles. "You've always been considerate to Redcaps and have worked hard to be friendly to us as a whole. Not every Gifted magus can say that. Some of the front runners will lose support because of that."

"So no, you're not mad. It'd be an uphill battle. But it's not out of the question."

"Well, the decision won't be made for some time," Lucas says, lying down himself. "We'll have time to think it over. But I'm glad to hear you two don't think I'm crazy."

86

Interesting. There are at least a dozen others who are thinking the same thing at that very moment :smiley:
As for the trip to Val-Negra, keep in mind that Richeaux has been sharged with the mission and if Lucas tags along Rich is in charge.
Also, if Lucas goes, he will miss out on the special supper meeting featuring both Markus and Pietro. Choice is yours. But it is impossible to do both things unless you get Rich to change his timetable. But like I said, he is in charge. Further, Lucas is a covenant member and is expected to attend. Rich is not.
There is no right or wrong answer. Both have pros and cons.
What method is Richeaux using to travel? If Lucas tags along, he can requisition Antoine's magic carpet from the covenant. It will take less than a day to fly there, more than a week by horse. Two or more if on foot.
Just keep in mind, these mountains are crawling with drakes and owlbears and griffons. and ogres too. and goblins.

87

Speed is of the essence, and Rilcheaux will lose less time if he waits for Lucas to attend the meeting, which is also important, and then requisitions the flying carpet. The only downside is that Rilcheaux wanted to keep the mission quiet- it is entirely possible that the point of half of this mess was to cause a situation where someone with this information could be tracked to Val Negra. While Lucas handles the meeting Rilcheaux will take the portal back to Harco and begin to question the associates of the deceased primus, find out who had access to their chambers, whom they had met recently, and who might have acquired an arcane connection. Murder through Rego Mentem would look a lot like suicide...

88

Mercuria is busy with the investigation. she stayed up all night. So any questions will be directed to her. But she is busy, talking to Dagwood. He is the Mercerian Quaesitor (there is at least one of every House). He wasn't here last night and she is bringing him up to speed. They ask to not be disturbed.
But your last conclusion does make your spider-sense tingle...

89

Did we get an answer from Lucas' InCo spells about cause of death and time of death?

90

She hung herself at around midnight. She had a habbit of keeping late hours. The body was discovered by a servant that normally brings her midnight supper. This servant was Mentem grilled by Ophilio, and is being secured in his quarters for further questioning as investigations proceed.

91

So, kinda like this.

What about Mercere's Quaesitor?

[color=red]"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to think," Vibria says. [color=red]"While this is certainly unconventional, and as far as I know unprecedented, it certainly seems to me like it was legal. A little on the Tytalus side, but legal." ((Int 1 + Code of Hermes 2 + die roll of 7 = 10.))

[color=red]"That being said...Pietro (why does that name sound familiar) is our Primus, at least until the Convocation next year. 'nuff said."

Assuming that Markus means Val-Negra (I think he does), Vibria nods.

92

Kudos on surmising my influence on how this run is working out. Lucas is being trhust into the position of George.

Vibria has met Pietro in person before. He was present in the Dragon Wars in his role as Antares, which is the leader of the warcouncil of the Archmagi, and led a commando squad of seven of his Wardens (elite combat magi, Carmen was one (still is) one).
Vibria first met him in Valencia, when she first entered the saga. Carmen was recruiting her and took her to meet her Mentor. There was an attack. The flunkies of Valten IV trying to take out Carmen. There was a firebomb. Carmen got burned, Pietro resisted, and Vibria had all of her clothes burned off. There was a fight. Pietro was hit with the Twilight Wand but recovered. Carmen returned to Andorra with Vibria, and discovered it had been attacked. So then she recruited Solomon and Vocis and Vulcanus and here we are today twelve years latter.

As for the legality of the challenge. There is a gray area. It was a legal duel and a lawful issue to duel over. Old Flambeau code was to resort to The Test of Flame or some other direct means of conflict. The ToF evolved into a Certamen school but is mostly obsolete. Followers of old tradition, such as Roberto, still know it.
Anyway, Garus came to power via a democratic election, such was his popularity at the time that he got his house to agree to a ballot (which he won by a wide margin).
Further, no challenge has been made to a living Flambeau primus since before the Schism War. Entisiomon, disgraced by the Normandy Conflict but still revered as a Schism War hero, was forced to resign gracefully. In days of old challenges were made but always lost.
So this is all quite unprecedented.

93

Rilcheaux will go to speak with the servant, after leaving his ring in his room so there can be no accusation of use of scrying. "I assume you were close enough to the late Primus to be aware of her movements and whom she met with. Who, besides yourself obviously, would have been close enough to her to have gotten an arcane connection? Was she in the habit of cleansing her letters of such a connection or could they have been used against her?"

94

This line of inquiry is a dead end. I just made up the servant with that post when I realized I needed an explaination for when and how the body was found. You do put in enough time to question him to confirm that. And no need to leave the trinket behind. The guy was already brain scanned six ways to Monday.
By the time you finish, it is the afternoon and near time for the big meeting. It will be very difficult for Lucas to tear himself away until a bit after nightfall.
Sometime before Rich gets back, around noonish, Roberto arrives at Arans looking for Pietro, claiming he is going to kick his @$$ when he gets ahold of him. No one knows where the Archmagus is at the moment. His cloud is still parked outside though, and he said he plans to be at supper.

95

I'm a big Jimmy Stewart fan, so that was the first thing that came to mind when there was a run on the bank. I just wish I had a big pile of vis to keep everyone happy with. :wink:

[hr][/hr]
After a slightly later morning abed than usual, Lucas will rise, requisition the flying carpet, and once that's settled he will go to Vocis' tower to see that the Master of Andorra wishes of him.

Cecelia will spend the day in Harco running down rumors and trying to figure out what she can learn about the death of Insatella, the coming election for primus, and the status of the bank.

She has the Virtue Social Contacts (magi) if that helps at all.

96

Does the servant at least know who would know who would have been around enough to get an arcane connection?

He is only interrogating to stay busy while Lucas finishes his meeting before getting a flying carpet to head to Val Negra, he'll turn over whatever he finds to the House Guernicus.

97

When Lucas and Vocis get to speak (the morning after the breakfast with Vocis, Vibria, and the Exarch)..

He'll outline his confusion and ask for help.

"The political landscape for Andorra is intense. "
"We are going to be asked to buy into supporting the new Flambeau Primus which in turn relates to Val Negra's return. I do not follow why Andorra is so key in that, but it seems to be. The Exarch has made it clear that House Tremere are watching the scenario with great interest but holding their hand of support from anyone for now. And everything will change in a day and throw more chaos, at our covenant. "

"Vibria and I have been asked by the Exarch to investigate Val Negra, and I'm told that Harco has a lantern to do just that. And I'd like some hard facts and truth around these issues. Any idea where to find it?"

"Further odd things are the Tremere and senior magi recently pulling their vis stocks, and the hospital project is to be no longer funded, and indeed must return any unspent vis. Yet I'm to keep that project moving. As the Exarch is one of Andorra's strong supporters we have an interest in doing this, the fact he's senior in my House just makes this political for me. " shaking his head" I like politics less than I like war, and I despise wars. "

"This morning I went to arrange the transfer with the bank here and it's closed for two days. That's odd. It's never been closed for a few days before outside of religious celebrations. You're on the inside - what is the bank up to?"

98

Lucas nods at these questions. "I have great respect for you, Vocis, so I won't prevaricate or dodge around the issues as some would have me do in this situation. There are some things that I can't speak of, but where I can, I will. And where I can't I'll tell you so. First, however, I must ask you a question of my own: to the best of your knowledge, has House Tremere made any effort to manipulate the Mercere bank through its recent withdrawal of vis from said bank?"

99

Vocis answers as his mind still churns over the question "No, I don't think so. In the circles of my peers the House is motivated by any activity which provides assurance, stability or strength. Hurting House Mercere damages us all. I trust the Exarch enough to say that he's telling the truth and not involved in such a scheme too."

as his thinking settles a bit "if the withdrawal of funds was an attack then it's a cabal not motivated along House lines, as the Houses need the banks stable to operate. "

"A set of arch-magi might be able to cause this, or a set of well connected senior magi who wish to circumvent the Order's rules perhaps?"

"But what has the funds of Vis to do with the Flambeau impact on Andorra and Val Negra?"

(To set the tone of voice for the answer: although I probably don't need to say Vocis is not at all lying, and speaking to Lucas as an equal; and also as somebody he deeply respects).

100

Meanwhile...
Cidito sits atop Nimbus, the Cloud Familiar of Pietro.
[color=orange]megow
So, whatareya? Like some sort of living cloud?
[color=blue]Huh? I am a spirit... Hey! How did you get up here?
[color=orange]I followed the birds.
With Pietro off to take care of some quick business before the supper, Cidito decided to lead the Familiar Council to investigate this cloud. There are multiple bird familiars, and he can follow their scent. So ask questions of it as you will.
But first...
Nimbus is oblivious that the birds are familiars and is responding to Roberto's cat on his back as if no one could overhear.
[color=orange]Roberto is pretty angry at yer magus for tellin' war stories. And he sez he has the stories mixed up. What gives?
[color=blue]That? I heard him talking with Michael Agustus about that. Sitting on my back hovering over the North Sea. I'll tell you. He plans to talk to Roberto about it. They want to make Santiago the new Grandmaster of the Knights of Seneca. For some reason they talked about earlier, I don't know. Santiago has a reputation as a reformer and a Shadow War hero. But he has Dark Secrets from the time he was a protege under Joel Muniz, who was Roberto's master. That whole band did a lot of bad stuff, but Roberto was but an apprentice and Santi was only with them a few month before Muniz was killed. He became Roberto's mentor and they got out of the mundane war business. Then right into the Shadow Wars where he earned his good reputation.
But that story, where the amir's wife got scorched and set off a riot. The Quaesitor investigation after Joel's death and exposed mercenary activities. Roberto testified that it was his torch that sparked that war, due to the reckless training of his Infamous Master. Roberto was ruled to be a Battlefield Gauntleted magus, mainly to make him now responsible for his actions. Then right into the Shadow Wars with Santiago as a Mentor.
But Roberto wasn't the one who did that. It was...
Hey! What's with the owl? Owls don't usually fly this high.