The Redcaps are whispering amongst themselves.

Leander listens. His attitude seems to have shifted from slightly bored and irritated to amused. "If it will help bring this to an end, I vote Aye," he says loudly.

"Alright, I believe that's most everyone!"

"The council, as being made from a member of each covenant, therefore  de facto designates which magi are in which proto-covenant by the usual redcap methods. Let the good sense of our Mercere sodales sort out the wanderers. Before they wander off might be best."   

Klaudios scoops up his conveniently assembled papers.

"Until then, we all have better things to do?" he says, looking at the Guernicus, eyebrows raised.

Brontius looks mildly pleased at the result at least they were able to get something done. "Yes, the aye's are well within the majority on all of the motions on the floor. In two year's time I expect we will all have a number of proposals for the governance of the covenant. Until them be kind to one another we are going into inhospitable territory and the magus you help today may well be in a place to aide you tomorrow. If anyone needs my services for legal advice or to perform other quaesitorial duties I will be at the covenant in the far east but will be only about a long day's magical travel away. The same goes for the defense of your homes. If you encounter supernatural hostile elements you need only send word. I expect our wander's feel the same. Further if your covenant structures are not sufficient to the task of keeping you and your retainers safe and secure I can also assist in that way as can our Verditius friend."

He looks around the room "I do not think any of us are in the mood for further hard business but we could have motions brought forward to be tabled until next meeting. While I believe all hermetic law should derive from the Oath and therefore derives from magi breaking their Oath we are well aware of cases that have happened in other Tribunals and we could uphold their rulings as out law on a case by case basis, reading them into our Peripheral Code. Otherwise I have no authority to keep you here. No magus has that right. So you may leave if you choose I intend to stay at Harco for a time to confer with my mentors and then return to Iberia to finish the final seasons of my training."

Qais rolls his eyes.

Leander looks to Andre. "I have a few errands to handle. I can meet up with you around the solstice. Where should we meet? Alexandria?"

As Leander makes his vote, Andre steps up beside him, in a show of unity,  "Aye, to all".

"For sure", Andre offered his forearm, "I'll see you there".

But, with their business concluded here, Andre leaves with Leander.
Outside, they will part ways ... till Alexandria.

Vespera smiles as she reaches out to curl her arm through Malik's, casting a sidelong glance towards Andre and Leander as they talk. "I believe those two have the correct mindset," she says to him, letting her etiquette fall away and her bubbly cheerfulness surfacing again. "But I hope as this meeting breaks apart I can still steal you away for a long while to discuss our plans. We must work together to build a good home for ourselves and our books.  I know challenging ancient Alexandria is more my little librarian dream than yours, but I am confident I can convince you of the merits of throwing your skills to this task before you build your future grand designs."

She hasn't looked at Marius all night.  She's left him alone, trusted him to do his own task. Only now as the meeting is breaking apart, does she half turn, reaching towards the man to beckon him closer to attend the conversation as she begins talking to her Verditius companion.

Summoned, Marius relinquished the chair he was guarding for his mistress, and headed to her side.

Malik nods.  "I agree we should make plans, but one moment first. I'll be right back."  He politely separates, and approaches the group of redcaps, taken aback at the dark looks they direct his way.  "Pardon me, gentlemen.  I hope my motion won't cause any problems for you.  It wasn't my idea, but I thought it a good one.  I wanted to make to you the same offer I have made to others - once I pass my gauntlet and everyone is relocating to Africa, if you need help with construction of the Mercere house, please let me know, I'd be happy to. I will be at Alexandria."

In reply to Malik ex Verditius (msg # 157):

Qais smiles maliciously. In a voice loud enough for most in the room to hear, “You believe my looks were directed at you in particular? Ha! It bodes poorly for this whole group that you choose to shirk your duties of choosing and of running your meetings and foist it upon those who don’t traditionally vote. The dependable redcaps. I’ve half a mind that we should choose the Criamon. A fitting choice considering the letter of your decision, if not the spirit of them.”
This message was last edited by the player at 06:46, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Malik scoffs. "A good number of us aren't even magi yet, myself included.  You wanted one of us apprentices to organize a meeting, between covenants we don't even know the locations of?  Or to sit here for hours and hours while a few debated endlessly holding the rest of us hostage just to name a chair and a format for the first meeting?  Let them correspond, there are better things to do."  He shrugs.  "My offer stands, do as you will."  He turns to the blond redcap, who is quietly drinking at the back of the group.  "Benedict?  Could you join us to discuss the Alexandria site at your convenience, please?" Saying no more, he walks back and retakes his seat.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:46, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

In reply to Malik ex Verditius (msg # 159):

“Yes, that is exactly what your Parens or whoever invited you expects. That you will begin a tribunal from scratch. Though I am sure some hope to see failure here.”
This message was last updated by the player at 13:52, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

This is their first meeting Qais. None of them have ever been called upon to do anything but learn, yet. And we all come from different places, with differing customs. We will see what happens when they formally meet.

Already groups have begun forming Covenants. That is actually more than I expected of them. Considering their inexperience, and the effect of their Gifts, cooperation may not be something they are used to.

In reply to Giovanni of Mercere (msg # 161):

"Well they will need to get used to it quickly to survive," Qais says dismissively.

During the social time, and in the environs of Harco, as the sum of magi go about preparing for their new endeavour, Marius will seek out Javan, and ask to have a word with him.

"I understand that you are seeking a place to home yourself, and go about your works.  Should you choose to join us at the new Library in Alexandria*, I can assure you that you will be very well looked after".

Marius speaks Latin effortlessly and with the proverbial silver tongue (Presence 2), and will attempt smooth talk the scholar into joining his Mystress, Vespera of Tremere, at the new Library Covenant that is being established.

Javan stands out among the people of Harco. Nearly nine feet tall, but with a lean, athletic build, he can help but draw attention. His tiny companion, Sirena, is almost lost standing next to him.

When Marius approaches him, Javan listens to his brief spiel and smiles. He glances at Sirena and gestures briefly.

"My master says he will join you in the new Library. While others have expressed interest in his skills, your offer is the most persuasive," she says in flawless Hermetic Latin. She watches as Javan gestures and continues, "He wonders if the magi settling there have any magic that could recover what was lost. From what he understands about magic, it is unlikely, but hope remains."

OOC: Sirena is usually with Javan when he is in public. I don't want to break these posts into Javan's and Sirena's so will include her in his.

Marius smiled.   Of course the man had seen the wisdom in Marius' words.
But listening to the man's query, through this smaller mouthpiece, Marius replied, Come, I shall introduce you to my Mystress.  It is she who can best answer your question".

And so it was that Marius introduced Javan to Vespera of Tremere.


Whether you two role-play out this conversation, here or elsewhere, is up to you.

Malik, sitting with Vespera, shrugs.  "It depends what was lost.  Recovery is usually impossible, replacement can be quite easy."

When Javan hears Malik's response, he seems disappointed briefly then shrugs it off. He gestures to Sirena.

"My master thanks you for your answer. While new books can be written, they will not replace what was lost. The books that burned included art and comments aside from the main text. So much experience and thought were lost.

"He does look forward to recording what he knows. He would love to make knowledge available to more than just those who can read Arabic, Classical Greek, or Latin. History and knowledge should be available to all, not just those whom the gatekeepers deem worthy," she looks up at Javan with a smile.

"I'm sorry, he hates to see knowledge lost. He is still angry about the Latin invasion of Constantinople. He remembers it like it was yesterday. For me, it was half my life ago."

"Well," Vespera says as she is introduced, her smile turning from Sirena towards the large man. "It is quite a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Javan.  Knowledge is something to be treasured and cared for. I have spent my youth being trained by a heartless librarian, and I have developed a great affection for books as a cause."  The Tremere turns a playful smile towards Sirena, something glittering briefly in her gaze before she recovers her composure. "Even the recovery of knowledge implies a loss, an imperfection like a scar in our library. I hope to prevent any such loss in the future."

"Excuse moi," says a voice from somewhere around everyone's feet. A small, sleek feline, cream and gold, hops up onto Vespera's lap, and then onto the table. The cat braces its paws on her shoulder to tilt its head back to peer up at Javan, its eyes squinting at the big man.  "I have never had the chance to visit Constantinople, Jewel of the East, Cradle of Scholars," the cat says in a strangely accented Latin. "I would love the opportunity to read some of your scholarly works. I taught little Vespera to read, I am quite proud of her."

With a slight roll of her eyes, Vespera says in a carefully polite tone, "You have been quite a good tutor, Lecteur, since I was willing to turn pages for you."

Both Javan and Sirena smile with delight as the cat introduces itself. Javan gestures and Sirena begins talking again.

"As far as I know, all of my books were lost with the fall of Thermakopolis. I hope to have a chance to create new works but haven't had a place to settle down and put pen to parchment. Marius suggested that the covenant, new Library, that is planned for Alexandria could have a place for us."

Sirena bends down a bit to look at Lecteur. Her tone shifts slightly as she speaks for herself, "House Jerbiton is known for its intelligent cats, are you related? When I was a young girl, I knew several at Thermakopolis. One recognized my gift for languages and introduced me to Javan."

Lecteur casually preens his whiskers, leaning closer to peer at Sirena. After a moments of study, he replies, "There is more to a tom such as I than lineage, though little Vespera's master would disagree. No, I am not from some noble lineage, but from noble purpose. My family has long kept mice away from the magical books these magi prize."

(OOC: If Javan's player is commiting to the Library Covenant, we should tag him as such and move this discussion to Lux Arcanum Forming thread.  I should also mention that Lecteur has Magical Air for those unprotected by the gift, but if they are used to magi it might be recognized.)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Sat 20 Mar 2021.

"Oh, that is a noble purpose indeed. We will also want guardians for the non-magical books, but that would be beneath your station," she says happily.

(OOC: I will ask the SG to move both Javan and Sirena to the Lux Arcanum group. FYI Sirena has the Unaffected by The Gift virtue so its Magical Air shouldn't bother her.)

Arnaldo enjoyed the company of his future sodales to the covenant they plan to make, but that doesn't mean that he didn't want to foster relations with the other covenants.

And so, maybe absentmindedly, perhaps with a desire to open dialogue, even he wans't sure, he approaches Corvus. "Salve sodale, I have never had the chance to meet one of your House so far, but my desire to learn more about transformations, and animals, makes me want to get to know thee better. Might we be able to speak?"