1227

Episode 2.23, "Tribunal," Spring 1227

With spring, the covenant has its first council meeting of the year. The charter was amended to increase the salary for the job of Exchequer, as incentive because no one ever wants to do it. It's salary becomes 6/year, every other post remains at 4. The post of Exchequer is empty, since it was held by Innocentius, and Samson takes it.

Profundus has asked for a year off, since he was asked to teach all year in 1226. Victor has granted this.

Several of the covenfolk and custos are beginning to age; those magi who are looking for something useful to do with their season of service might consider making Longevity Rituals for them.

Nualla expresses her thanks to everyone for welcoming her to Cor Draconis in the form of a song. Council meetings promise to be much more lively in the future!

Jocelyn has been preparing for Tribunal since her arrival, and a pavilion, gifts to other covenants, food and drink, and many other comforts have all been arranged. About mid-season, all the magi, the Black Cloaks, and their servants set out for the short journey to Tara. The hill is already surrounded by the many covenants of Hibernia, with the oldest (Circulus Ruber and Lambaird) at the top, near the central rath, and the youngest (Cor Draconis and Mimisbrunir) at the bottom of the hill.

Soon after arriving, Lucien is found by the autocrat of Elk's Run, who delivers the last of the covenant's vis payments, in compensation for the damage caused by Igneous of Flambeau. This settles the debt, and the distinguished old man asks if Cor Draconis has any openings for a man of his skills. He asks that Lucien pass on any word he might hear of job opportunities within the Tribunal.

Many of the magi go shopping, but Sander, Blane and Nuala attend the Sacred Council while Lucien, Victor and Alfeva go to the English Council. At the former, the Druid MacGruder tells Sander of the latest concerns of the Coill Tri: Clan MacTyre continues to raid into Connacht seeking Gifted children, making it hard for the druids to pay their tribute, and someone is hiring mercenaries out of Briefne to raid Druid homes in search of vis and enchanted items. At the English Council, Hellas of Ashenrise lays out the plan for the Tribunal of the Pale and Victor unveils the communication network he has completed linking Cor Draconis to Ashenrise, Praesis, and Mimisbrunir.

Visioturpis seeks out Samson to question him about the Mournemount affair. After being told the Quesitor intends to use Intellego Mentem magic to get what he needs, Samson goes to a private place, lowers his parma, and takes one knee. Visioturpis uses powerful Mentem magic that inflicts a Warping point and then departs without telling Samson what he found.

That night, Victor calls all the magi together and describes the Tribunal of the Pale: a new Tribunal along Ireland's eastern shore which would implement a traditional Peripheral Code. No more macgnimartha, extended Wizard War, the keeping of cattle or a cathach. Ballack of Praesis would become the new praeco and Alfeva, as the ranking Guernicus, would be Chief Quaesitor. The magi are skeptical; no one seems to think this is a good idea. Even Samson, previously outspoken about reforming the code in Hibernia, stays silent. Victor admits that his house is pressuring him, and has offered anything Cor Draconis wants. They could sever their dependence on Aurele de la Croix, they wouldn't have to worry about William Marshall knocking on their castle door. He asks the magi to think about it, and we will vote in a few days.

The next day, Indrechtach leads the Tribunal in an opening ceremony and blessing. The cathach of each covenant is presented; there are no new covenants this Tribunal. It's the first time in a long while that's been true. The Coill Tri donate seven Gifted youths as tribute.

The following day is set aside for the Certamen Tournament. Each of the eight competitors parades up the hill, to much shouting and celebration from those assembled. Each is dressed in special garments noting their covenant. Alfeva, as the youngest competitor, is last, accompanied by Hermeline. The lists are revealed, and her bout is first, against the oldest competitor: Archmage Busiran, Champion of Circulus Ruber. Redcaps book bets. None of the Cor Draconis magi bet on Alfeva's bout, but Polumeta does put some vis on Cosrach Cam, who is heavily favored to win against Svana of Tremere, Champion of Mimisbrunir.

Alfeva wins the coin toss and chooses the Form of Aquam; Busiran chooses the Technique of Perdo. Busiran tries to converve his strength, in anticipation of future rounds in the tournament, and begins wearing Alfeva down a little at a time. But in the seventh round a lucky blow gets past Busiran's defenses and he is hurt; from that point on, both magi are spending everything they have and taking every opportunity. They wear each other out (and both run out of Confidence) before Alfeva finally goes down in the 13th round. She lasted far longer than expected, and Busiran staggers off the field (at -3 for Fatigue). During the bout, Nuala tries to distract Busiran with singing, using her Enchanting Music to incite the crowd to lust. Her supernatural ability has no effect on the magi present, but the covenfolk and grogs in the crowd find themselves unable to look on Alfeva without thinking lustful thoughts about her. This would prove a recurring problem over the course of Tribunal, as random strangers stare and hit on Alfeva.

After that, the rest of the tournament was anticlimactic. Cosrach Cam defeated Svana (winning Polumeta a couple of pawns) and would go on to win the tournament, defeating a weary Busiran (who was out of Confidence).

The following day, Alfeva presented the evidence against Innocentius, who was declared an enemy of the Order. But he was conspicuously not Marched, which might be unheard of in the history of infernalists in the Order. Presumably, the sanctuary offered by Cantarus at Qui Sonant Pro Quieto is respected enough that Praeco Milvia and Chief Quaesitor Visioturpis are not willing to authorize invasion of the covenant in order to dig Innocentius out. But he is effectively a prisoner there, possibly for the rest of his life. Caterina was again declared an enemy of the Order and the call for her destruction repeated.

Helles asked that the cult of Mercury be allowed to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies at Tribunal, as is done at tribunals elsewhere. There was some sympathy to this, in the interest of inclusion and since it seems harmless, but mistrust of Helles is so strong that any proposal he makes is viewed with suspicion.

Finally, Cantarus asked for volunteers to recover the lost treasures of three magi interred at Qui Sonant and recently acquired by Hugh de Lacy and Aodh of Connacht. (These were in fact given away by Finn last season.) This needs to be done without violence and without getting caught.

The fourth day of Tribunal began with Visioturpis presenting the facts of Mournemount and the Stone Table. The magi responsible have fled to Loch Leglean, where it is believed they have founded a covenant. Thus, getting damages from them is now a matter for Grand Tribunal. Einri suggests the magi who helped them -- Samson and Pollices of Ashenrise -- be punished, but Visioturpis squashes this idea, saying they did not violate the Code and are guilty only of having bad taste in friends. However, as some form of compensation, the magi who lost apprentices are given first choice from this year's tribute. Oswald, who lost one apprentice, stands, thanks everyone for their consideration, but declines the offer.

Lugardis of Elk's Run stands to propose suspending the Macgnimartha. It has proven impossible to protect apprentices from English magi. She respects tradition, but perhaps this tradition is too dangerous, for now. The tribunal is conflicted on the issue, and a vote is put off until the last day of Tribunal.

Alfeva is called upon to provide the results of her investigation of Lambaird covenant, which was charged with mundane interference and disobedience of Tribunal. After laying out all the evidence, it is clear that Lambaird as a covenant is innocent, but Brian of Flambeau is guilty. He has pursued his vengeance against the English and brought his covenant to the attention of English lords, who have brought on a learned magician to locate the covenant and raid its vis sources. When Alfeva is asked for a recommendation regarding punishment, she picks her words carefully: Brian has no apprentice (killed at the Stone Table) or familiar (whose death started the vendetta in the first place). He has a talisman, but ordering its destruction may just further anger Brian, who shows no sign of repentance for his actions. But Hibernia has one punishment not usually available: exile.

Visioturpis apparently agrees, and commands Brian to leave Hibernia within three days of the end of Tribunal, or be Marched. Brian refuses, saying, "What kind of upside down world do we live in, when English are allowed to commit murder, but a loyal Irishman is exiled?" And he walks out of tribunal.

That night, Victor calls the magi together and asks them to vote on whether or not Cor Draconis will participate in the Tribunal of the Pale. The vote is overwhelmingly against; only Victor and Alfeva are in favor. Victor accepts the council's vote, and goes to tell Helles the bad news.

At dawn, magi choose apprentices from the tribute youngsters. Dalton, Ballack, Indrechtach, Bran, Helles, Pollices and Baetain of Praesis all take apprentices. Brian is a no-show.

As the tribunal takes up the issue of matters to bring to Grand Tribunal, the first item on the agenda is the Tribunal of the Pale. But without Cor Draconis or Mournemount, there are only three covenants willing to participate: Ashenrise, Praesis and Mimisbrunir. Helles has to take the item off the agenda, and is ridiculed by the Irish magi. The rest of tribunal is taken up with debate over Grand Tribunal matters, and one of those issues will be the seeking of restitution from the Magi of Mournemount in Loch Leglean.

On the seventh day, final votes are taken. After a speech from Sander, the motion to suspend the macgnimartha is barely defeated. The proposal to allow the cult of Mercury to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies is approved. Sander is among those magi chosen to represent Hibernia at Grand Tribunal, and his pride prevents him from declining this honor. At the closing ceremonies, Victor leads a ritual of the Cult of Mercury.

Everyone returns home, some after last minute shopping. Samson buys Louis of Verditius's Door of Surprises for his sanctum, borrowing vis from the treasury to do so. Others buy lab texts or minor enchanted items.

Within a few days, Brogan arrives with important news: Brian of Flambeau has refused to obey the will of the Tribunal, and has been Marched. Magi are told to meet at Circulus Ruber to hunt Brian down. Whoever kills him gets his stuff. If he leaves Ireland, the March will not pursue him.

At the same time, Victor calls a meeting of council and, with heavy heart, says goodbye.

To: Victor Autolycus filius Diana

Copied to: Konstanzia (senior Tremere, Hibernia); Goliard (Exarch of the Tribunals of the British Isles)

Re: Reassignment Orders

Victor Autolycus, you have done well. At your Gauntlet, you were given a challenging task: the creation of a communication network, within seven years, tying together the four pro-Order covenants of Hibernia. You have succeeded without recourse to outside assistance. Your House congratulates you, notes your exemplary conduct, and thanks you for your outstanding service.

However, with the failure of the project to institute a Tribunal of the Pale, the House is reconsidering its policy in Hibernia. The Order faces many challenges and our House resources, while great, are not infinite. Objectives need to be prioritized in accordance with House Tremere's strategic and political goals.

Accordingly, you are instructed to return immediately to Coeris for a full debriefing on the current political situation in the Tribunal of Hibernia. Accompanying this letter is an arcane connection to laboratory space in Coeris which has been set aside for you, and a charged item which will allow you to send the contents of your lab ahead of your mundane travel. You are expected to bring, along with you, all laboratory texts, personnel, and other resources which were allocated to you upon your assignment to Uisneach. Your sodales have decided they do not require the support of House Tremere; so be it.

We look forward to your return, and your complete report.

Victor succeeded in his initial task in Hibernia: the creation of a communications network linking the pro-English covenants. However, he has failed in the eyes of his House by failing to bring Cor Draconis into the Tribunal of the Pale project. He admits to everyone he suspected something like this might happen, but he did not want anyone to vote for the Pale project simply to keep him from being recalled. He thanks everyone for all they have done, affirms his respect and admiration for them, and steps down as princeps. He nominates Sander to replace him.

That night, there is a feast in Victor's honor, organized by Nuala. Victor's orders make it clear he is to take the Black Cloaks with him, and this loss is keenly felt, as many of the magi had become friends with their shield grogs. Samson asks for military honors in the morning as Victor departs, and Alfeva ensures everyone turns out. The Black Cloaks -- many of whom now bear enchanted items made for them by their magi -- follow Victor out proudly, and they walk off into the sunrise.

In private conversation, Samson suggests that Polumeta take over the job of princeps, but she cites her rigorous lab schedule and demures. Later, in council, Sander takes the job. This leaves the position of head librarian open, and Nuala fills that role.

Scenes from the Hill

Polumeta remains closed up in her lab with her sewing partners; access to the sanctum is strictly controlled.

Episode 2.24, "March," Summer 1227

At the Eye of Balor ceremony on the first day of summer, Sir Blane of Somerled and Nuala of the Younger House were wed. The ceremony was performed by the druid MacGruder, who arrived at Uisneach a day early in order to cast a horoscope for the couple. Each gained a geas: Blane must never refuse a request by a druid in Ulster, and Nuala must never wield an axe. The Eye was lit and Maedoc led the cows between the fires in a ritual purification; one of them was selected for sacrifice by MacGruder and the omens were very good. This beast later served for the wedding feast. Together, Blane and Nuala planted an aspen tree which, thanks to a little magical help from MacGruder, grew to maturity in moments.

Rumors have begun to spread among the nearby folk that Nuala is a leanawn sidhe, a faerie temptress known for her song. When the husband of a leanawn sidhe dies and she is left a widow, her mournful song heralds death (this is the banshee).

At the festivities, Sander began to pursue his duties as Princeps. He asked Samson to find some duty around the covenant for Klara, he asked Alfeva to hold a tournament to select a new honor guard to replace the Black Cloaks, and he inquired with Samson and Polumeta about equipping that honor guard. Privately, the GM rejoiced that all the offices are now held by PC magi.

The command to muster for the Wizard's March had already gone out, and the next day two magi from Praesis arrived: Guillaume of Flambeau and Baetain Ua Traimair, the traitor who turned the cathach of Praesis over to Ballack of Tytalus. Guillaume was bombastic and aggressive, with his twenty-something apprentice and a black greyhound familiar in tow, eager to pursue the March but also anticipating a restful day at Cor Draconis. Baetain was quiet and reserved, accompanied by his white wolf familiar.

Nuala was summoned to Donal's Watch, where she received a communication from Sorcha. Sorcha believes Brian is trying to reach a powerful faerie regio at the mouth of the river Boyne, where he first met his salmon familiar. Sorcha wants to help Brian escape, and she proposes that she and Nuala join the March in order to learn their plans, then get word to Brian to help him avoid the March. Nuala reluctantly agrees, and brings Sir Blane in on the plan. Blane, of course, cannot lie. And so when Samson approaches him and asks him to join the March, Blane suggests that he has a way to help Brian, and Samson should not ask about it. Samson takes this advice, tacitly agreeing to the plan to save Brian from the March.

Rather than linger at Cor Draconis for another day, Samson leads his party -- including Nuala, Blane, Maedoc, and Coleman (who has come along to record the events of the March for posterity) -- off at once. This embarrasses Guillaume and Baetain, who had expected to stay the night at Cor Draconis, and they hurriedly catch up on the road to Lambaird.

The large party arrive at Lambaird two days later, and are quickly summoned to a war council. Dalton, princeps of Lambaird, is the senior Hoplite in Hibernia. He has also been Brian's friend for decades. He suspects Brian is lying low in Kildare, country he knows well, so he lays out the plan: more magi, including a large war party of Redcaps out of Leth Cuinn, have not yet arrived. Samson is therefore charged with drawing a small group of English soldiers towards the Hill of Allen, an ancient site sacred to the kings of Leinster. This bait should prove too tempting for Brian to resist. He will emerge from hiding and, when he does, Dalton and the rest of the March will pounce. Samson has two days to complete his mission; by then, the rest of the Marching magi will have arrived, and the war party will have reached the Hill of Allen.

The next morning, Samson leads the group from Cor Draconis away, but Nuala, Maedoc, and Blane quickly separate from the others. There are only a few ways to reach the faerie regio at the source of the Boyne: a person can be invited in by some powerful faerie guardian; the regio can be entered on one specific day of the year (Trinity Sunday, which is in two days); or an individual can follow the Boyne all the way from its mouth at the Irish Sea to its source and thus gain entry. On the assumption that Brian may be following the river back to its source, they travel the most direct route to the Boyne and begin to follow it upriver, keeping an eye out for Brian. Presumably, he is traveling through the river as a salmon, making spotting him extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, Samson and Coleman go to the nearby town of Naas, where the English have been repelling raids by the O'Byrne and O'Toole clans. Coleman and Samson disguise themselves (very poorly) and enter the town in time to see Irish clansmen being led to the gallows in the town square. But no sooner are the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles about to be hung when they loudly shout out a plea to an obscure Irish saint, the ground begins to shake, and all their bonds fall off. Laughing, the Irish seize horses which have been held for them by compatriots in the crowd, and swiftly ride out of town. They are pursued by a small group of English knights. Samson tries to grab the reins of the lead knight and recognizes him: it is Sir Erwan, who came to Uisneach seven years ago to duel all the magi one by one. Startled by this recognition, Samson loses control of the reins and Erwan -- who did not appear to recognize Samson in his leper disguise -- rides off in pursuit of the bandits with a handful of knights in tow.

Samson and Coleman mount up and pursue. Catching up to Erwan, Samson reveals himself and Erwan gives chase, quickly leaving the other English behind. Erwan is the superior horseman and rider, but although he strikes hard with his sword, Samson's layers of magical defenses and thick armor make him all but immune to Erwan's blows. Samson is unhorsed, and he calls Redwing down to attack Erwan. But, in a dazzling display of swordsmanship, Erwan strikes Redwing down, slaying the hawk instantly. Samson feels the sundering of the Gold, Silver and Bronze cords, and the loss of his true friend.

Meanwhile, Nuala, Blane, and Maedoc are patrolling the river Boyne when Nanook, whose hunting skills are keener than any of the humans, snorts in alarm and runs to the center of the river. Brian has been discovered in his salmon-form. Brian is a master of Aquam magic and he controls the river to draw Nanook off and form a huge waterspout with which he can attack the magi. Maedoc demonstrates his newfound cat leap feat and pounces on Brian, which earns him lungs full of water when Brian casts a spell upon him. With Maedoc choking, Nuala and Blane attempt to parley. They convince Brian to talk, and they tell him of Dalton's plan to draw Brian into battle at the Hill of Allen. Brian releases the water in Maedoc's lungs before Maedoc transforms into a monster, and Brian departs, returning to the river, but armed with the knowledge he needs to avoid the ambush.

Elsewhere, Samson and Erwan renew their battle, which is protracted. Samson can easily disarm Erwan with magic, but Erwan's mundane armor protects him from Arc of Fiery Ribbons and Erwan's own superior sword skills allow him to parry Samson's every blow. But even when he is able to regain his sword, Erwan cannot penetrate Samson's magical Soak. Finally, Erwan miscalculated and leaves himself open, and Samson is able to cut him in the thigh. Realizing he is wounded and is now at a disadvantage, Erwan falls to his knees, drops his sword, and yields.

Samson is torn between anger and grief over the traumatic death of Redwing and his own knightly code that requires him to honor Erwan's surrender. After great personal struggle, he finally accepts Erwan's surrender and -- after Erwan's men and Coleman finally arrive -- agrees to release Erwan on the condition that his family pay his ransom in silver within the year.

Samson, Coleman, Nuala, Blane, and Maedoc reunite and await the March atop the Hill of Allen. When the war party arrives, Samson tells them that Brian has escaped, fled to Faerie. Dalton, who pursued the March out of duty, accepts this, but other magi -- most notably Guillaume of Flambeau -- are disappointed that the March ends without violence.

Scenes from the Hill

• • The rest of the summer passes in relative quiet. Polumeta is usually busy in her lab, but spends some time with the children. Anyone who wants to see Lucien needs to knock on the Big Blue Wagon. Alfeva is always reading. Sander sleeps late into the day but can be seen working in his lab by night.

  • Samson holds a private funeral for Redwing, which includes cremating his beloved familiar from the top of his tower and letting the wind take the smoke.

  • There are rumors of a four-armed giant seen near the Hill, pulling trees out of the ground with its bare hands. Everyone suspects Maedoc.

  • After Samson's repeated personal losses, the tension that developed between he and Polumeta over the Mournemount incident seems to have passed. They are once again in each other's company.

  • Sarah, the eldest of the children of the magi, is almost six and Ziroonderel has begun to teach her about magic and the Order. Like all the children, Latin is her native tongue, but she also speaks Gaelic. She is an anxious and worried little girl, and doesn't like leaving Uisneach. Sarah is a favorite of the various familiars who live on the hill: Nanook, Cassandra, Kaine and Hermeline. She has been all but abandoned by her parents, and is raised by Ziroonderel with occasional appearances by Samson and Polumeta (when they're not in their labs).

  • Robert, Samson and Polumeta's adopted son, is three, loud, and full of energy. He is prone to Turbulence, moments of uncontrolled magic. He misses Redwing, who used to watch out for him.

  • Finally, there is Sela, the unGifted daughter of Samson and Polumeta. She's a year old, and seems like a strong and healthy baby. She has Polumeta's Faerie Blood.

  • Word begins to spread of a great tournament to be held at Uisneach on the next summer's eve (the Eye of Balor ceremony). The best competitors will have the chance to become honor guard to the wizards of the Castle of Dragons.

  • By the end of summer, a herald arrives from Leinster with 18£, the ransom of Sir Erwan, paid by his aging father.This is the standard ransom for a wealthy (landed, but not titled) knight.