+------------------------------------+ | Of Shadow Flambeau, the battles between Reconquista and Roman, and a | | possible peace between Arabic sorcers and Hermetic magi. Also, deals, | | broken promises, bribes, truth, and lies. A panoply of magi. In short, | | all of the usual ingredients of an Iberian Tribunal. | +------------------------------------+
The Named Magi of Iberia:
Baruch of Quaesitor Head Quaesitor of Iberia Matlus of Jerbiton Praeco of Iberia
Farusca of Jerbiton Leader of Barcelona (Eric Fulton) Carles of Jerbiton Member of Barcelona Franc Severel of Jerbiton Member of Barcelona Matlus of Jerbiton Member of Barcelona
Baruch of Quaesitor First of Duresca Haubero of Quaesitor Seventh of Duresca Maria of Quaesitor Second of Duresca Takibon of Quaesitor Eighth of Duresca
Terril Adan Ex. Misc. Leader of Estancia-es-Karida (Dave Woo) Alvar Dawla of Criamon Member of Estancia-es-Karida
Fatuus of Tytalus Leader of Hamus Acerbus (Dave Pickering) Mortis of Flambeau Leader of Interritus (Bill Filios) Gloras of Bonisagus Member of Interritus
Ferrilynna of Flambeau Leader of Plateau (Chris Van Horn) Ansalek of Jerbiton Magus of Plateau Antonius of Mercere Member of Plateau Generarus of Verditius Member of Plateau
Aubrin of Merinita Leader of Prospectus Locus (Shannon Appel) Albus of Tytalus Magus of Prospectus Locus (Shannon Appel) Catorse of Quaesitor Magus of Prospectus Locus (Kevin Wong) Docilli of Bonisagus Magus of Prospectus Locus (Eric Rowe) Drake of Bjornaer Magus of Prospectus Locus Fabricarius of Verditius Magus of Prospectus Locus (Chris Van Horn) Forticulus of Flambeau Magus of Prospectus Locus Lorum of Merinita Magus of Prospectus Locus (Bill Filios) Risus of Criamon Magus of Prospectus Locus (Dave Woo) Viator of Jerbiton Magus of Prospectus Locus (Dave Pickering) Xanti Ex. Misc. Magus of Prospectus Locus (John Tomasetti)
Asadel of Tremere Leader of Sader (Eric Rowe) Durbo of Bonisagus Magus of Sader
Xurxo of Jerbiton Leader of Victrix (Kevin Wong) Casius of Merinita Member of Victrix
Borico Ex. Misc. Independent Magus Intentio of Flambeau Independent Magus Miguel of Jerbiton Independent Magus
Gamemaster: Shannon Appel
Guest Author: Kevin Wong (Personal Log of Xurxo of covenant Victrix, Catorse's Personal Log)
In attendence: Albus, Aubrin, Catorse, Docilli, Drake, Fabricarious, Forticulus, Lorum, Risus, Viator, and Xanti; also myself, Lucindia the Seneschal.
Quorum was achieved and Aubrin called the meeting to order as elder.
Aubrin requested the sigils of the other magi of Prospectus Locus and was given them. Prospectus Locus holds 11 sigils for the Tribunal of 1214.
Points of Debate:
From The Tribunals of Hermes edited by Augusta of Mercere First Published January 1, 1214
Iberia is a land of tragedy, for its Hermetic inhabitants have allowed themselves to be torn apart by the lowly concerns of mundanes. We should be above them, but the magi of Iberia prove countless times that they are no better than their non-gifted fellows. The main conflict of Iberia is the battle between the Moslems and the Christians, and it is along those lines that the magi of Hermes have allied themselves.
The Roman covenants are those allied with the Moslems. They first formally declared their allegiance after the Flambeau atrocities of 1118. The term "Roman" arises from the covenant of Estancia-es-Karida's belief that it is the Moslems who are the true heirs to the culture of the Roman Empire, not the Holy Roman Empire At their height, from 1207-1209, there were four Roman covenants. Now there are two.
The Reconquista covenants are those allied with the Christians, or at the least allied against the Moslems. Some of these allegiances are ancient, but the term did not come into common usage until the Roman covenants began to declare themselves. For a few moments in 1207 there were five Reconquista covenants. Now there are three.
The neutral covenants are those that try to stay above the fray, each for their own reasons. Some have minor alliances with either the Christians or the Moslems. There are currently four neutral covenants.
Times grow dark in the Iberia Tribunal as the Shadow Flambeau continue to ravage the land. We may only hope that this disaster turns the covenants of Iberia away from their dangerous bickering, before it is too late.
Originally formed as an adjunct to Val-negra, Interritus has long been a bastion of Flambeau within Iberia. Its members participated in the Flambeau atrocities of 1118, and when the covenants of Iberia began to choose sides Interritus was the first to name itself Reconquista. As the wars in Iberia began to flare Tytalus and Tremere flocked to Interritus. Toward the end of the twelfth century Interritus was at the height of its powers. The Praeco of Iberia was a member of the covenant and its power continued to wax. A series of disasters caused Interritus to fall: the death of the Praeco; the disturbance of a magical regio beneath Interritus' very foundations; and an emigration of members to Jaferiya. In 1214 Interritus is still powerful-at least in part because the current Praeco still holds tribunals there-but it may never again reach the height it knew in the past.
Although initially founded on the southern border of Leon, Jaferiya was not extremely active in the Reconquista until the coming of a magus named Rasus in 1135. Rasus is a demagogue who convinced many others to join the covenant under his banner. There were 19 members of Jaferiya at its height. Unfortunately Rasus bore a dark secret-he was also a diabolist-and his downfall was also the downfall of Jaferiya. They were discovered in 1207, the covenant was disbanded, and the remaining 8 members were Wizard Marched. They became the Shadow Flambeau that have so plagued Iberia in the last seven years. To this date three Shadow Flambeau have been slain and the remaining five are still at large. All told they have slain between one and two score magi.
Although originally founded by Jerbiton members of Estancia-es-Karida, they quickly lost power in the covenant. The Jerbiton welcomed Basque shamans into their covenant and then found they had insufficient political clout to keep those shamans from inviting Flambeau in as well. The Basque knew the bitter taste of invasion, and so were happy to unite with Christians against the new Moslem enemy. Thus Pello became a Reconquista covenant. In its last decades of life Pello was oddly sundered, between crusaders, peaceful shamans, and magical investigators who wished to discover the secrets of shamanism. The covenant was destroyed in 1213 by the Shadow Flambeau, proving that the Shadow Flambeau's demons have finally turned them against their old fellows.
Plateau was originally founded for two goals: to strengthen the Castilian crusaders then pressing southward, and to take advantage of the magical resources of central Iberia, long left uncollected. Plateau has been very careful to follow Hermetic laws. They do not take part in the battles, but instead are closely allied with the king of Castile, and subtly use magic to his benefit. In 1209 Plateau underwent a metamorphosis when the three surviving members of Andalusia, a destroyed Roman covenant, joined them. There was some friction between the factions at first, but they have remarkably joined together into a cohesive whole. The Jerbiton artists and philosophers of Andalusia seem determined to bring Moorish culture into Christian society, at the same time preaching the fall of the Almohad Caliphate as inevitable.
A covenant with disturbingly close connections to the mundanes, Victrix was originally founded by Xurxo of Jerbiton at the request of Afonso I, then king of Portugal. Xurxo is a remarkably warlike Jerbiton, and he conspired with Afonso to make Portugal great. The covenant has moved several times as the boundaries of Portugal have expanded, always staying on its south border. The initial magi which Xerxo brought to Victrix were Flambeau, but a strong fay presence in the lands have caused a number of Merinita to join the covenant as well. Currently Victrix is second only to Interritus for its crusading zeal, though the Merinita try to remain above these politics.
Andalusia was founded to revel in the art and philosophy of Arabia. It was the least violent of all the Roman covenants, and only wished to be left alone-as it wished the Arabs would be left alone. Sadly Andalusia was destroyed by the Shadow Flambeau just two years after its foundation. Three survivors fled to Plateau, another covenant also formed in 1207, where they were taken in and accepted as fellows by the Reconquista magi of that place.
Originally a Jerbiton covenant enamored by the culture of the Caliphate of Cordova, Estancia-Es-Karida soon became a haven for Moslem sorcerers under the House Ex. Misc. Following the Schism War there was an exodus of Jerbiton, who wished to form new, stabilizing covenants elsewhere in Iberia. It was in this time that a Criamon presence developed in Estancia-Es-Karida, as seekers searched for Sufi wisdom. Today Estancia-Es-Karida is steadfastly Roman, but it is out of love for Moslem culture, not love for violence.
Sader is a rare covenant, able to trace its origins to an era before the Order of Hermes. It was originally founded by Berber sorcerers with permission from the Berber chief Tarik. In the years that followed Sader did something unprecendented for its time: it formed a community of magicians from a variety of traditions: Visigothic, Berber, Arabic, and Roman among them. They came together for protection against the chaos of the time. When Flambeau sought members for the early Order of Hermes, Sader was quick to join. Today Sader continues to be accepting of a variety of cultures but it fights fiercely for the Moors, knowing that unless something is done they will be swept from Iberia forever. The Tremere of Sader are some of the most powerful politicians of the Tribunal. Sader has also become home to Criamon studying the mysteries of the Sufi and a Bonisagus who investigate the inter-relations of Sader's many ancient magics.
Barcelona has always been a non-traditional covenant. It was founded by former members of Estancia-es-Karida mainly to gain Hermetic jurisdiction over the city. It is said that its members only rarely congregate, instead pursuing mercantile and other mundane interests in the city. Despite the fact that the Praeco of Iberia is a member of Barcelona, Tribunals are not held there. Instead these meetings occur in nearby Interritus. The main concerns of Barcelona seem to be mundane knowledge, mundane power, and privacy.
In the years after its foundation, Duresca was a small covenant. This all changed in 937 with the discovery of the Duresca scrolls. A large group of Quaesitors was sent to investigate the scrolls, and in the half century that followed they took over the covenant. Today Duresca is the center of Hermetic law in the Iberian Tribunal, and a summons to that place can strike fear to the heart of even the bravest magus of Hermes. Although mostly Traditional, younger members of Duresca have been allowed to consider Transitionalist thoughts.
A private covenant that remains aloof of the affairs of Iberia. The covenant is reputed to have been founded upon a font of ancient magic, but this is a secret that they guard fiercely. Rumors claim that certain acts of piracy may be traced to Hamus Acerbus, but such rumors have never been verified. If they are true Hamus Acerbus is sufficiently subtle that it poses no threat to the Order by these acts.
After its foundation Prospectus Locus quickly fell in with the Roman covenants. Prospectus Locus' members advocated Moslem superiority at Tribunal, and according to rumor even fought for them-of all of the Roman covenants, it is said, Prospectus Locus was the most active on the Moslem battlefield. In these early days the covenant was affiliated with Flambeau and Tytalus. Disaster struck the covenant in 1212 when over half of its members were killed at Las Navas de Tolosa. Since that time the covenant has been very accepting of young magi. In addition they have openly announced their disassociation from the Roman covenants. The future of Prospectus Locus is unknown and unwrit.
Our meeting gathering for Jerbiton is complete and I do not know whether to feel hope or despair for the Tribunal. I will opt decide upon the former, for I could not bear the latter. There were ten of us at attending the meeting. Two coven heads leaders and also a Praeco me, a powerful combination. There was a new face too also, one Viator, of the reborn resurrected Prospectus Locus.
We talked about unity, for it is my only hope desire that I may leave a unified Tribunal behind me. But the old break fracture was there, for while Farusca whole-heartedly endorsed agreed with my plan, Xurxo was less positive, and I should not have been surprised for he leads a Reconquista covenant.
Finally, though, we came to a decision determination. Farusca will spearhead lead legislation against the Shadow Flambeau. Xurxo will stand remain at her side, and they will find a Roman leader to do so as well. In this way manner, with Roman, Reconquista, and Neutral standing side by side by side, I hope pray we may set an example for the entire Tribunal to follow.
Ferrilyna will be pleased. Fabricarious, the new Verditius of Prospectus Locus, has agreed to make magic items for Plateau in exchange for vis. He must be provided with a want list. The Reconquista marches on.
I understand now what my pater meant when he said, "The Tribunal floor is a most glorious battlefield". I have watched Aubrin with envy this last day. He holds power on this battlefield while I have none. He is quiet and unimposing. He allows others to approach him. It is proper given the status of our covenant. All the same I am sure he makes progress for our covenant. He smiles-even to his enemies-and nods his head. Then I can see his lips forming the word, "but...."
Yesterday evening I attended my first house meeting as a magus. There are seven Tytalus in Iberia including myself. We were all at the meeting. We talked of war. Of peace. Of challenges. Of successes. Of failures. I was most impressed by a magus named Fatuus. He is the leader of Hamus Acerbus. A pirate too from what I hear. He has a great charisma. A self-confident sense of pride. He answers to no one.
Fatuus spoke words that reminded me of my pater. He said that we must choose our battles. That by unifying our Tribunal we can face an even greater challenge-the entire empire of the Arabs. His words require thought. I think I agree but some of the other Tytalus did not. Still, Fatuus is nearly a hundred. Such age does not come without wisdom. He may very well be the oldest living Tytalus. Like Flambeau we are a young house.
In a few short hours the voting begins. At midday. I am sure the battles will really begin then. Someday I will be in the midst of it. In Aubrin's place. Or Fatuus'. Today I will watch. And learn.
This is my third Tribunal since I have become the leader of Prospectus Locus, the third Tribunal since Isabel died, and somehow it seems hollow.
blowing in the wind at the mercy of the sea a boat without oars
Asadel was the one who confronted me with this fact, though the feeling had already been growing within my heart. He derided me for leaving the Roman faction, said that I should not let myself be pushed around my "younglings." He does not understand the need for individual respect, irrespective of age-I think no Tremere does-but he is right when he says we must take a stand. I shall not allow our neutral state of affairs to remain seven years hence. Now it might have been a necessity, for despite our sigils we are weak, but in seven years that will have changed.
I can not say the last day has been without success, for I convinced Terril Adan to give me a small amount of vis, so I could vote Roman, and I talked to many people about issues of relevence to both Prospectus Locus and the Roman covenants. Victrix had grown wary of our agreement last year, and offered to give me an excellent Aegis of the Hearth in exchange for the vote they owed us. After extracting a promise to help if we seemed personally in danger I agreed, and I think it will be for the best. We still owe Victrix some future service-Hamus Acerbus too for that matter, for I hold a vote from them too-but I consider the Aegis book worth as much as a possibly irrelevent vote, perhaps more.
Barcelona and Interritus are bickering, and so are Estancia-es-Karida and Plateau, and in both cases I have promised to help my friends. Still, I offered the kindest words I could to their opponents, for Isabel always taught me that is the best policy. I was surprised when Catorse approached me to tell my of a legal case pending against Haubero of Quaesitor. He stated the Durescan was innocent, and I at once began to spread the word. Early this morning, when a magus I had not yet spoken to told me of Haubero and asked that I vote innocent for him, I knew my job was complete.
The voting is about to start, and we shall soon see how everything plays out. I have sensed great hatred for the Shadow Flambeau, but I fear it is not enough to keep our Tribunal together, for the old Reconquista-Roman cleavages have begun to appear again.
IB-1353-BAR-08. Freedom of Supernatural Information Act. All officially recognized covenants of Iberia shall open their records on supernatural encounters to all magi offering reasonable requests.
This was a proposal that was put forth by Victrix, apparently at the request of the Merinita at that Covenant. As it was originally stated it only applied to records regarding faerie encounters, but by suggestion of the Tribunal it was expanded to include all supernatural encounters. The issue passed 77-0.
Duresca has stated that supernatural encounters are those involving faeries, demons, angels, spirits, and other magical creatures. It most specifically does not include magi of any sort. The reasonable request clause was added by Duresca. Any requests which do not put undue or unfair burden upon covenants should be considered reasonable.
It should be noted that this law places no requirement upon covenants to keep records, but simply requires that any extant records be made freely available if requested.
IB-1353-BAR-09. Shadow Flambeau Extirpation Act. A strike force shall be formed to hunt down and destroy the remaining five Shadow Flambeau. Each covenant of Iberia shall be required to offer volunteers to join this strike force whose years of experience total 60, to be measured by the span of years since the swearing of the Code of Hermes. Grogs and knights may be substituted for magi, with each grog being worth half-a-year of experience, and each knight being worth two years of experience, but these substitutions may not be used to replace more than 30 years of experience. If a covenant is unable or unwilling to offer volunteers of sufficient experience they may hire magi from beyond their covenant, but each year of experience of a hired magus is only worth two-thirds of a year of experience for terms of meeting the 60 year requirement. The strike force will be led by the oldest magus who is a member of the strike force. To further encourage the destruction of the Shadow Flambeau each covenant of Iberia will offer a reward of ten pawns of colored vis per Shadow Flambeau that is killed, where the Shadow Flambeau are defined as the surviving members of the eight magi listed in IB-1346-BAR-5. This reward will be split evenly among all magi who participated in the battle where the Shadow Flambeau or Shadow Flambeaus were killed.
This was a complex piece of legislation. The original issue, which simply required each covenant to offer 60 years of magus-experience, was put forth by Barcelona. The three main modifications were offered by Estancia-es-Karida, Hamus Acerbus, and Prospectus Locus. Estancia-es-Karida suggested that grogs and knights could be used as substitutes, though at different levels than in the final proposal. Hamus Acerbus suggested that the oldest magus be the leader. Prospectus Locus suggested the additional incentive of a reward. Almost every covenant of Iberia contributed to the final version of this legislation.
The final vote on this issue was 46-31. This did not reflect a lack of unification on the issue, for all the magi of Iberia wish the Shadow Flambeau to be destroyed, but rather it reflects the fact that not all magi were entirely happy with all of the clauses in the final law. Most specifically Sader offers the heartfelt request that no covenant take undue advantage of the rules allowing grog and knight substitution, lest it cost the lives of magi.
The strike force is convening immediately at Plateau. If you have not already sent your representatives, please do so at once. Duresca has expressed that any covenants who do not comply by August 28 will be penalized. This deployment must also be done with the utmost discretion. Sources confirmed to be close to the Shadow Flambeau claim that Plateau is in very immediate danger of attack.
IB-1353-BAR-10. Mundane Conflict Nonintervention Act. Repealed by IB-1353-BAR-16.
This legislation, originally suggested by Barcelona, sought to restrict magi from any participation in mundane battles, as opposed to current laws that only prevent overt magical intervention. After consideration it was determined that this act was very inflammatory, and it was repealed in favor of the more lenient IB-1353-BAR-16. The original vote on the issue was 46-31.
IB-1353-BAR-11. Barcelona Tax Relief Act. Each magus visiting the city of Barcelona must pay a tax of one pawn of colored vis to the covenant of Barcelona per year. In addition each magus must report in at the covenant Barcelona each time they visit the city. This act repeals IB-1178-CRA-3.
The legislation was originally proposed by Interritus as simply an abolishment of the Barcelona Taxation Act, IB-1178-CRA-3. In the spirit of compromise it was reduced to its current form. The final vote on this issue was 77-0.
Please note that this marks a reduction of the Barcelona tax. Previously each magus had to pawn a pawn of colored vis each time he visited the city. Now each magus must pay only a single pawn of vis per year, no matter how many times he visits the city.
IB-1353-BAR-12. Barcelona Tax Reallocation Act. All tax collected as part of IB-1353-BAR-11 shall go to the Shadow Flambeau Extirpation strike force until such a time as the Shadow Flambeau are destroyed, where the Shadow Flambeau are defined as the surviving members of the eight magi defined in IB-1346-BAR-5.
Originally suggested by Barcelona as a compromise, withdrawn after IB-1353-BAR-11 passed, but then resubmitted by Hamus Acerbus. The vote on this issue was 54-11.
Duresca has stated that taxes must be given over to the leader of the Shadow Flambeau Extirpation strike force for as long as that strike force is in existence, and that these taxes must be paid at least quarterly. Vis is to be used at the discretion of the leader of the strike force, and if any remains at the end of the Shadow Flambeau effort it is to be added to the pool of reward vis for the last Shadow Flambeau(s) killed.
IB-1353-BAR-13. Arabic Sorcerer Mutual Non-Agression Pact. Repealed by IB-1353-BAR-16.
Like IB-1353-BAR-10, this act was considered inflammatory in its original state, particularly as it interacted with IB-1353-BAR-10. It was repealed then reintroduced in a slightly reformed version as IB-1353-BAR-16. This act was originally suggested by Sader. The original vote on this act was 59-18.
IB-1353-BAR-14. The Magus Independence Act. No new fealties shall be sworn by magi of Iberia to mundane lords.
This legislation was offered by Sader as a counterproposal to earlier legislation put forth by Estancia-es-Karida. The earlier legislation was much more politicized. It forbade magi from associating with Christian lords. The legislation that was actually passed extends to all Mundane lords, and has no effect upon current fealties. This act passed 50-27.
Duresca clarifies that no current fealties (specifically those of Plateau, Prospectus Locus, and Victrix) are affected. They may
even be resworn to new lords when the old lords pass away. This act only forbids new swearings of fealty where there are none currently. It is most likely to affect new covenants, or covenants newly seeking fealty, but it could also affect a covenant that currently swears fealty if that covenant decided to withdraw their fealty for a time. It also prevents any covenants currently swearing fealty from expanding upon their oath.
IB-1353-BAR-15. The Hermetic Magic Protection Act. Non-hermetic magi may not taught be Hermetic magic unless they first swear to the Code of Hermes.
This issue was suggested by Plateau, though in a different form. It originally sought to utterly forbid the teaching of Hermetic magic to non-Hermetic mages. The Head Quaesitor was able to suggest a compromise by referring to a similar act that was put forth in Novgorod (NO-1339-OUC-07). The compromise seems a very acceptable one, because it clearly delineates when steps will be taken against non-hermetic magi. The issue passed 77-0.
IB-1353-BAR-16. Arabic Sorcerer Mutual Non-Agression Pact and Mundane Conflict Nonintervention Act. This act shall form a pact between the Hermetic magi of the Iberian Tribunal and Arabic sorcerers of the Almohad Caliphate that shall go into effect at such a time as 50 Arabic sorcerers have agreed to it. All signatories of this act shall agree to the following conditions: No magus shall interfere in any mundane battle that is more than twenty miles from his domicile unless a magus is already interfering on the battle on the other side. No magus shall harm another signatory of this act.
This proposal is a combination of two other proposals, originally suggested by Barcelona and Sader, as noted above. It passed 49-15.
Duresca has stated that mundane battles are only those between mundane forces, and thus this act has no bearing, for example, upon a mundane force attacking a faerie forest. Duresca has also stated that it plans to take a hard line on what interference in a battle means, and that it will be determined mainly by intent. Do not try to interfere in a mundane battle more than twenty miles from your covenant or domicile in any way, direct or indirect, or you will be in violation of this act.
In regard to the clause giving permission to interfere in a battle if there is already a magus on the other side, Duresca wishes to state first that this is no way changes the restrictions against overt use of magic, and second that the first magus interfering in a battle is clearly either a non-signatory of this act or a violator. Arabic violators of this act should no longer be offered the protection granted by this act.
By this time you should already have received the official additions to the Peripher Code of Iberia, along with my own commentary. What follows is my totally unofficial view of the Tribunal, which tries to describe the atmosphere to those of you who did not attend, as well as to discuss those issue which did not pass.
As usual the Tribunal unofficially began on June 21. By this time most magi had congregated, and shortly thereafter the house meetings began. I still haven't seen the official count, but I estimate somewhere between 50 and 60 magi showed. I hope the rest of you were deep in extremely important studies, because Tribunals are vital for our order.
House meetings were held for all houses except Bjornaer, Ex. Misc., and Mercere. None of the three Bjornaer of Iberia attended. (Where were you guys?) The Ex. Misc choose not to hold a house meeting. I was the only Mercere in attendence.
Early meetings were frantic, as usual. I checked the buzz and discovered that the primary topics of discussion were the Shadow Flambeau and the old Reconquista / Roman conflicts. Sadly the latter seems to have really returned in full force after being quiet in 1207. I was surprised to hear the Barcelona tax, Andalusia's old vis, and also the fate of a Quaesitor named Haubero being bandied about a lot as well. There's no telling what exactly's going to emerge at Tribunal time, and that's half the fun of the game.
The official opening of the Tribunal was at dusk on June 22, again as normal. You've already heard about what suceeded and has been entered into our Peripheral Code. So that you're up on what's up, here's what failed, and a few more comments on what succeeded.
IB-1353-BAR-08, -09, and -10 were the first three issues brought forth. It was pretty clear to me that the Praeco led things off easily, to try and develop a feeling of unity in the Tribunal. I was pretty surprised -08 passed without problem because Iberia magi are so often protective of their privacy. -10 had no real heat associated with it when it went through. That didn't develop until -13 was discussed.
The fourth issue brought forth concerned the vis in the land once controlled by Andalusia. As you no doubt recall Andalusia was destroyed in 1209. Three magi survived and joined, much to everyone's surprise, the Reconquista covenant of Plateau. The covenant of Andalusia was officially disbanded by Duresca in 1209, after all members were either confirmed dead or had joined Plateau. Thus their claim to the vis within 20 miles of old Andalusia expired.
Plateau was trying to push forward an intitiative that would allow them to have rights to Andalusia's vis. Many covenants were upset at Plateau trying to double their vis collection range, but there was much sympathy for Andalusia as well. In the end the issue failed 19-45. Afterward a watered-down version of the proposal was put forth which clearly stated that the vis would only go the survivors of Andalusia, not Plateau as a whole. This also failed, but the vote was 32-45.
IB-1353-BAR-11 and -12 were discussed next. They were relatively calm debates, and a spirit of compromise ruled.
+------------------------------------+ | "I owe you an inconvenient event." | | -Mortis of Interritus | +------------------------------------+
The seventh issue discussed regarded the location of the Tribunal. They are, of course, traditionally held at the home of the Praeco, but in recent years the Praeco, a member of Barcelona, has occasionally resided at Interritus so that he may hold the Tribunals there without dissent. This has unfortunately opened up whole can of worms.
Four different proposals were offered. Interritus asked that Tribunals be permanently held at Interritus. Barcelona asked that Tribunals float around the covenants of Iberia in a regular manner. Sader asked that Tribunals never be held at Interritus. (This seems to be part of an unfortunate growing antipathy between Interritus and Sader that we may only hope is righted quickly.) Hamus Acerbus asked that Tribunals be held at neutral location. The Praeco managed to squish these issues into one vote by simply asking the Tribunal if they wished to hold Tribunals in a non-traditional location. The answer was no, with a vote of 27-50.
The eighth issue discussed was IB-1353-BAR-13. It was at this point that open, nearly violent, discord broke out at the Tribunal. The issue was a very simple one, and many of us were surprised by the anger that it caused. It only suggested a pact of peace between us and the Arab sorcerers. However, the Reconquista covenants believed that it combined with IB-1353-BAR-10 to create a great advantage for the Moors. I doubt such was the intent, and the damage had already been done by -10.
The ninth issue discussed was an addition to our Peripheral Code that would read, "I will not molest Arabic sorcerers, lest their vengeance fall upon my sodalis." It was suggested by Sader. It seemed superfluous in light of the non-agression pact, and truly marked the continuation of our pointless Reconquista / Roman bickering. It failed 38-39.
The tenth issue discussed was an act I have already mentioned in my official commentary. It was the act requiring that all magi withdraw all future relations with Christian lords. This was suggested by Estancia-es-Karida, and the reason given was that these associations the attention of demons. Discussion was violent and voting was tense. Several people talked about invalidating the entire Tribunal. The vote originally passed 46-31, but then word got around that there was almost no chance of the Tribunal being invalidated in whole, even if this act was passed. The vote then failed 35-42, with Interritus providing the swing.
IB-1353-BAR-14 was next discussed. It was a much more acceptable alternative.
At that point the Head Quaesitor was recognized, and he brought forward three cases, as noted in my official records of the hearings. The case against Terril Adan in particular served to increase the discord of the Tribunal even more. By now thought of the Shadow Flambeau was almost gone, and the old rivalries had been clearly delineated once more.
How is it that whenever seven years pass, whenever the span between Tribunals is crossed, I forget? How do I forget that this Tribunal is so full of imbeciles? And those who are not morons, they are spineless lapdogs, who need to be taken firmly in hand, and shown what is right. Every seven years it is the same, but still I forget.
We are three days into the Tribunal now. It is nearly done. Some remaining scant issues exist: the Quaesitors' useless trials, and a few spiteful proposals put forth by Ferrilynna; we shall see how she likes not being able to practice her religion in her own covenant, but that is a matter for tomorrow. This has been my first real opportunity to write, and I must gather my impressions while they are still clear in my mind.
Calefacto's death has left AUBRIN spineless. His covenant is larger and so more powerful than ever before, but he plays games for paltry vis and books. I will bring him back into the fold by begging for help on behalf of Estancia-es-Karida.
FERRILYNNA seeks to use the destruction of the Shadow Flambeau to snatch power. Though she is grasping, she retreats when attacked. She has been put in her place. When Terril Adan sends magi to collect the former vis of Andalusia my Tremere will be there to certamen any who try and steal it from them.
MORTIS is infinitely more dangerous than I had thought. Where did he find a brain? His attempt to grasp control of the Tribunal was startling. He must be watched carefully in the future. For now I may only build on his plotting by taking the next Tribunal for my own.
Hermetic Law is a simple thing that has grown complex through 400 years of decisions and precendents. Many young magi feel overwhelmed when they are called upon by the Head Quaesitor of their Tribunal to decide the fate of one of their fellows. What follows is a short description of the main types of crimes and punishments. Specific sections discuss degrees of crime (High and Low), immediacy of punishment, and what exactly to do at Tribunal.
DEGREES OF CRIME: HIGH VERSUS LOW
There are two types of crime for Hermetic magi, High and Low.
High Crimes are specific violations of the Code of Hermes to which each of us swears. The main High Crimes are: depriving a member of the Order of his magical power; unjustly slaying a member of the Order; violating the decision of a Tribunal; endangering the Order through interference with mortals; dealing with demons; endangering the Order by molesting faeries; and scrying on members of the Order of Hermes or into their affairs. If a magus is found guilty of a High Crime the only punishments are death or destruction of the magus' gift.
Low Crimes are violations of the peripheral code. This is a complex set of interpretations of the code, Quaesitor rulings, and Grand Tribunal decisions. Some Tribunals have what have been termed Peripheral Peripheral Codes, which consist of rulings made at individual Tribunals. Every High Crime has an equivalent Low Crime, except for the crimes of slaying a magus or destroying his gift. For example the High Crime of molesting faeries is equivalent to the Low Crime of interfering with faeries. The difference is a matter of degree.
Punishment for a Low Crime is determined by a Quaesitor or magi at a Tribunal. It should be based upon precedent, and in general match the rule "an eye for an eye". Punishment for a Low Crime may never be death of destruction of a magus' gift. The Head Quaesitor of a Tribunal has the right to reject any punishment which he feels is inappropriate.
When the peripheral code was first written all punishment of magi was done at Tribunals. The infrequency of Tribunals, the size of the Order, and the danger inherent in certain criminals have all caused this to change. Quaesitors see crimes as falling into three categories, each requiring judgement and sentencing at different times.
Dangerous Infractions are those which could cause "immediate and considerable danger to the Order as a whole, or to its individual members". They are always High Crimes. Quaesitors may take immediate action or allow others to do so by calling a Wizard's March. Any such actions must be affirmed at the next Tribunal.
Lesser Infractions are small problems, the exact boundary for such a violation being determined by a Quaesitor. Usually they have sentences of no more than a year of service (or equivalent Vis). They are always Low Crimes. Quaesitors may take immediate action, judging and sentencing the guilty magus. A magus may appeal the decision of a Lesser Infraction at a Tribunal, but a Tribunal will rarely hear a trivial case that the Quaesitor was correct in judging on the spot.
Greater Infractions are larger problems, the exact boundary for such a violation being determined by a Quaesitor. They may be Low Crimes or High Crimes. In general any Crime with a potential sentence of a year or more of service (or equivalent vis) is judged a Greater Infraction. Such crimes are presented at Tribunal by the High Quaesitor; guilt and sentence are determined by majority vote of the Tribunal, though the Head Quaesitor may reject any punishment which he feels is inappropriate.
Some time during Tribunal the Praeco will call upon the Head Quaesitor to present cases. The Head Quaesitor will fully examine each case in order.
First, the Head Quaesitor will describe the magus, the crime, and the circumstances.
Second, the Head Quasitor will allow the magus to speak.
Third, the Head Quaesitor will allow debate, to be moderated by the Praeco.
Fourth, the Head Quaesitor will explain the specific violations you will be voting on. A Quaesitor will often offer several, similar violations, to be voted on from the most to least serious (for example, a Quaesitor may announce he will be putting forward the violations of "molesting fay", a High Crime, and "interfering with fay", a Low Crime, in that order. If a majority of magi vote guilty for a violation, the magus is found guilty and sentencing proceeds. Otherwise the next less serious violation is voted on, until all violations have been voted upon, in which case the magus is found not guilty by reason of innocence.
Fifth, the Head Quaesitor will suggest a punishment. In general the Quaesitor understands the code best, and his punishment should be accepted. A vote will be taken, and if a majority agree, the punishment is undertaken, and the case is closed. Otherwise anyone may suggest a new punishment, forcing a new vote. If no punishment can be determined in a reasonable amount of time (determined by the Praeco), the magus is found not guilty by reason of irreconcible Tribunal differences. In this case the magus may be retried at a future Tribunal.
Remember that the Head Quaesitor has spent decades researching the code. His suggestions for specific violation and punishment should be respected. By doing so you will be helping the Order and your Tribunal by upholding 400 years of proud tradition.
+------------------------------------+ | "Flambeau years are like dog years; multiply them by three." | | -on the age of magi | +------------------------------------+
Case #BAR-371. In Brief: The defendent Borico Ex. Misc, an independent magus, was accused of the High Crime of "dealing with demons" and the Low Crimes of "aiding and abetting dealing with demons" and "aiding and abetting a wizard-marched magus." The defendent was found not guilty of the first count, guilty of the second count, and the third count was waved. His punishment is to spend seven years of service working about infernal powers. This shall include joining the Shadow Flambeau Extirpation strike force. For each Shadow Flambeau that Borico personally kills he will be forgiven of one year of service, and if he personally slays all five Shadow Flambeau he shall be forgiven of all seven years of service.
Borico's precise crime was to give aid and shelter to the Shadow Flambeau, though he knew who and what they were. He claimed to do so only due to severe coercion, and this was confirmed by Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie. However, Duresca stated clearly that, no matter what the circumstances, aiding the Shadow Flambeau was unacceptable. The Tribunal took this to heart and found Borico guilty of the second of the three crimes he was charged with. The failed vote of the High Crime was 23-52. The successful vote of the first Low Crime was 41-36. The second Low Crime was not voted on, after Borico was found guilty of the first. The vote on sentencing was 70-7.
My Hermetic law tomes included the following notes:
DEALING WITH DEMONS usually applies to any magus who directly and with foreknowledge and intent deals with demons. It is a High Crime. The only penalty is death.
AIDING AND ABETTING DEALING WITH DEMONS usually applies to any magus who knowingly aids another to deal with demons. It is a Low Crime. The typical penalty is 7 years of service working against demons or equivalent vis payment (being 15 Vim per year, 10 Form per year, or 5 Technique per year).
AIDING AND ABETTING A WIZARD-MARCHED MAGUS usually applies to any magus who aids a magus who he knows has been Wizard-marched. It is a Low Crime. The Typical penalty is 1 year of service searching for the wizard-marched magus or equivalent vis payment (being 15 Vim per year, 10 Form per year, or 5 Technique per year).
Case #BAR-372. In brief, the defendent Terril Adan Ex. Misc., a magus of Estancia-es-Karida, was accused of the Low Crime of "interfering with the movements and actions of magi of the Order of Hermes". The defendent was found not guilty.
Terril was brought to trial for harassing several Reconquista magi who visited the lands surrounding Estancia-es-Karida. He freely admitted that he forced his peasants to withhold food and shelter from the visiting magi, but claimed that it was only because the visiting magi were in turn harassing, threatening, and brutalizing his peasants. The majority of the visiting magi submitted to Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie and Terril's accusations were proven. The final vote for guilt was 11-65.
I can only suggest that, though Terril was found not guilty, we magi should place our good above those of mundanes, for actions like Terril's will not held the unity of our Tribunal. As a side note Terril has promised not to do it again.
My Hermetic law tomes included the following notes:
INTERFERING WITH THE MOVEMENTS AND ACTIONS OF MAGI OF THE ORDER OF HERMES usually applies to magi who restrict the movements of other magi in unlawful ways. It is frequently lawful within your own covenant and sometimes lawful within your covenant's 20 mile radius, but precedents are very mixed. It is a Low Crime. The typical penalty is half-a-year's service, or equivalent vis payment (being 8 Vim, 5 Form, or 3 Technique).
Case #BAR-373. In brief, the defendent Haubero of Quaesitor, a magus of Duresca, was accused of the Low Crime of "a Quaesitor ignoring infractions of the Code". He was found not guilty.
This case hearkened back to certain cases from 1207, where several Reconquista magi were found guilty of using magic overtly on mundane battlefields. It was revealed that Haubero had been on some of those battlefields. Since he refused to submit to Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie he was presumed guilty. Remarkably, Reconquista and Roman covenants alike voted for Haubero's innocence, with the final vote for guilt being 26-50.
This was a rare opportunity to see inside the minds of Quaesitors. Such cases are normally dealt with entirely internal to Duresca. It was only by Haubero's insistence that he was given a public trial-a fact he is no doubt quite glad for.
My Hermetic law tomes included the following notes:
A QUAESITOR IGNORING INFRACTIONS OF THE CODE usually applies to a member of House Guernicus who does not report a crime he sees, typically for political, magical, or monetary gain. It is almost always an internal House issue, not discussed at Tribunal, and thus there are almost no precedents. It is a Low Crime. The penalty relates to the crimes viewed.
To a certain extent the Tribunal was tainted by discord from the start. When the Praeco was first preparing the agenda, bickering began to break out between Interritus, Plateau, and Sader. It was the typical Reconquista / Roman line, something that has not grown fresher with age. Toward the end of the agenda setting, it was like one-up-manship gone terribly wrong, as each covenant tried to propose something even worse for his opposition. The Praeco kept these issues all at the end of the agenda, in the hope that matters of import could be dealt with first. The last three issues I will discuss all came from this group of proposals. I hope all the magi of Iberia will see that nothing useful was gained by this bickering.
The eleventh proposal should have been an act proposed by Plateau that suggested be stringent investigation and punishment of all those who associated with Arabic mages. At the Praeco's suggestion Plateau withdrew it.
The twelfth proposal was also put forth by Plateau. It was the original form of IB-1353-BAR-15. Totally forbidding teaching magic to non-hermetics would have caused great discord, but the Head Quaesitor was able to effect a compromise.
The thirteenth issued discussed was a proposal put forward by Sader which sought to forbid all religious rites within covenants. It was directed at Plateau, whose leader is a fervant Christian. The vote failed 19-38.
If the Tribunal had ended here it probably would have been disastrous, for the Reconquista covenants were filled with a great anger, and talk of Wizard's War was filling the air. The Praeco correctly realized this, and he asked that -10 and -13 be revisited. The resulting compromise, IB-1353-BAR-16 was much more acceptable to all concerned.
That was pretty much the end of the Tribunal, folks. A group of magi gathered almost immediately to head toward Plateau. Since rumors say the Shadow Flambeau will strike there, it seems the best place to wait for them. Please remind your covenant leader to send his forces if he has not already. The future of the Iberian Tribunal hangs in the balance, for if the Shadow Flambeau win, there may be no Reconquistas and no Romans to war again in seven years.
I fear I have done a great disservice to my covenant and our cause during this last Tribunal. Due to my negligence, Victrix will certainly have to relocate and our power may start to wane.
The Tribunal started well. I met with the others of House Jerbiton. Praeco Matlus requested that our House work to repair the rift that has developed in Iberia between the Reconquista and Roman covenants. Farusca of Barcelona and Viator of Prospectus Locus readily agreed. I also concurred since I felt that the Christians had turned the tide against the Moors and I knew that the Roman faction had lost Prospectus Locus. It was decided that we will propose an expedition against the Shadow Flambeau to unite the factions to a common cause.
The next day I met with my fellow Reconquista leaders. I had not spoken directly with them for some time and had not realized how far apart we had become. Ferrilynna of Plateau wanted our support against Estancia-es-Karida; at times she lost her temper and even yelled at me. Mortis of Interritus wanted all future Tribunals to be held at Interritus. Both kept trying to convince me of how their initiatives would help the Reconquista cause. I thought their initiatives had no hope of passing and would only polarize the other covenants against us. But I did not say anything and let my younger brethren set the agenda of our faction.
Having come with almost no agenda I went around championing my fellow covenant member Casius' initiative. Fortunately, everyone approved of his initiative and it was one of the few that passed unanimously.
On another matter, I learned that Haubero of Duresca would be charged with some minor violations of the Code. Haubero is the Reconquista's only ally among the Quaesitori. Although I knew he was guilty I lied to Terril Adan of Estancia-es-Karida to get his support in acquiting Haubero. To try to make amends, I used the sigils of Victrix to help aquit Terril when it was his turn to be charged.
In the end, I had to vote against some of my Reconquista associates' initiatives. Ferrilynna snapped under the pressure and started threatening everyone. Mortis declared that the others were out to destroy our faction and he almost came to blows with Asadel of Sader. I did not help the others, for I was shocked at their actions. In the end I felt I had to distance my Victrix from the other two covenants.
So, with the Tribunal now over, we of Victrix will have to decide what to do next. I fear our problems must be solved with our own resources, and perhaps I have isolated us from any help.
My first Tribunal was intidimating in its grandeur and disappointing in its baseness. Virtually all of the mages of the Tribunal were present, a sight I had never seen before. I made some new aquaintances and renewed fledging friendships. I believe the other young mages at Prospectus Locus were also impressed.
Unfortunately, that feeling did not last long. At the House Guernicus meeting I was called in late and missed the first part. I was shocked to discover that one of our own House would be charged with a crime. After speaking with Haubero I became convinced of his innocence. It just seemed to be a plot against a young member of our House by the old guard. I spoke to Aubrin and asked him to vote in Haubero's favor during the trial, to which he readily agreed.
The actual voting was perhaps the most blatant display that I have ever witnessed of how fractured the Order truly is. Interritus and Plateau in turn ranted and threatened the others. Sader attacked anyone who dared to offend them. Victrix seemed to be at odds with their own allies. There were many arguments and almost a few fights. Surprisingly there were very few Certamens-perhaps everyone was too busy yelling to remember.
So, with the Tribunal now over we can get back and continue with our lives. Prospectus Locus was never threatened by any of the other covenants as Aubrin steered a neutral course for our covenant. I look forward to speaking with Cecilia again.
And so another Tribunal year is done. I suspect fear it will be my last. The twilight calls beckons strongly though only I can hear its whisper. How much good I have done given I can not say. There is a hope for unity with the war hunt for the Shadow Flambeau but in this fragile egg there are cracks growing for the struggle fight between Reconquista and Roman has reemerged again. I have done my best and if it is Xurxo who leads counsels in seven years I can only wish him luck.
Now I feel my obligations promises have been fulfilled and I can turn to the other matter of import. The books records of all the covenants have been opened concerning the supernatural. I will shall investigate them. I can only hope pray that somewhere in those tomes is the answer secret to the final Enigma. I must shall know, though in truth the answer will shall be mine soon enough no matter what I do. It beckons. The future.