[Tribunal Politics] A call for ideas!

[Vrylakos]

Hello there!

I'll be putting together a little Tribunal session akin to the Fallen Fane and the ideas put forth in Sub Rosa #5.

Basically, at this game session, folks will be playing representatives of the Big 5 Covenants of the Normandy Tribunal (the Great Lieges, as it were), with one politically minded player magus as the representative for the PC covenant, Via Umbrae.

What I'm looking for is sticky issues, things that will need some wheeling and dealing, and other things that might be shoehorned into such a session and be things that haggling, politicking, and vote trading might occur over.

ANY IDEAS you've used in old games, etc. would be welcome!
Any odd scenarios that might require a Tribunal vote or plea, etc. are welcome!

I've got a few, but I feel like I need some outside input and the creativity of the Ars community.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Here's an example of what I'm putting together:

Via Umbrae:
Votes:5
Representatives - Pellegrina Circe, scholae Jerbitonis [Alternatively, Helios Excelcis, scholae Guernici]

Primary Issues at the Tribunal - [This will note the opinion of the NPC covenant on the major and secondary issues, and some private or secret issues. For your part, you'll need to decide as a covenant what your views are, and what concessions or compromises you're willing to make.]

The Magi and the Kingship of France.
Marriage of Magi to Mundane Nobility.
Initiation of a Hunt for the Magi of the Red King
Initiation of an Inquiry into Diedne Survivors.

Secondary Objectives -

The Forest of Ghent - Florum needs wood to build. Closest wood is the Forest of Ghent, a fae forest. Faerie Lord in the area knows of them, and dislikes them.

The Spider's Palace Vis Issue: Spider's Palace was abandoned for two years while the Red King issue occurred and magi were endangered. Other magi harvested vis from their sources, though the covenant was technically unmanned and no vis was being harvested. The vis was used to erect Aegi of the Hearth, among other things. Without a magi in the covenant, some parties feel the vis claims are invalid. Others [Florum] believe the magi are thieves.

The Issue of Solomon of Ex Miscellanea: Created a Hermes Portal for the Red King.

The Issue of Diana of Tremere: Believed to have acted in such a way as to deprive the Magi of Clermont of their Magical Power via forced relocation of their covenant on threat of death. This may implicate members of Via Umbrae.

Compromises and Concessions -
[you'll need to work this out. NPC covenants will have some suggestions listed as to what they will be willing to spend to get certain votes passed]

Resources for Trade - [this will note pawns of vis, etc. that a covenant has decided is worth spending to buy votes for matters important to them]

Enemies and Alliances -
[This will note what votes from other covenants the NPC covenant considers certain, as well as particular enemies or friends it will be keeping an eye on]

Player Awards-
[For NPC covenants played by the players, this will not what you may gain for your character if you manage to gain one or more of your primary agendas, secondary goals, etc. This may be Experience Points, Confidence, or even Miracle Cards for your own use, among other things].

[YR7]

One of my sagas had a Tremere apprentice do certamen with his parens as a public gauntlet. She then pulled out a queen of raw vis - no one knows from where - and ... botched. Sending just about anyone attending the tribunal to temporary twilight. (You may want to lower quantities and effect there). Now... did she win the certamen? The rules never stated "no vis", but it was assumed an apprentice won't have any if his master didn't give it to him. And since both participants went to temporary twilight, but the apprentice returned immediately - did she win? In-game (well, character background), the Infamous Master became also a Tormenting Master, and the Tremere tribune curiously didn't act in this matter.