Story : Decisions

Back to: Magus Congressus
=Arrival=
Ambrosius had taken his time setting up the table; even so, it was ready quickly. Candles burning smokelessly, a flagon of wine, hard bread and cheese to feed and quench the magi. Llewys had purchased some fresh cherries in Church Stretton earlier that day, which he prepared for the meeting with enthusiasm.
It had been many, many days since they last sat around this table with such a serious topic before them. Indeed, the last time, one of the potential founders, a satyr named Eirlys, stormed out intending to not return. Since them, they had all carefully examined each of the potential sites at which to found the covenant, and though now-and-then they had discussed many of their findings around the campfire in the evening, each mage had mostly kept their overall opinions to themselves. Now was the time to air those opinions. They'd been nomads long enough - Ambrosius was anxious to get his forge and lab set up so that he could get to work. He'd had many, many ideas during these last couple months, said to himself, "I should look into that more...", and he was anxious to get started on them.
He took stock, one last time, of the settings, and deemed it all good. Taking a seat, he withdrew a stained piece of vellum from his own bag, along with a quill and ink bottle. A brief Perdo Herbam incantation later, and the vellum was white as sand. He set to work, while he awaited the others, on his own list of "pros" and "cons" for each location, along with some notes on other things that concerned him.
He was still working on the list when he found he had company.
Marcus entered and looked around in surprise, "Am I the first? Second," he amended, "since tu est primus, of course. And I came all the way from Church Stretton in two leaps ..."
Seeing the others gathering, Bedo entered the cottage, from outside where he had been watching the late afternoon sky turn to evening. He brought no notes with him, but did bring a jug of wine and some goblets with him. "This could be a long discussion", he said gesticulating to the pitcher, "although, I hope less contentious than the last formal meeting. Has anyone seen Mnemosyne?" He grinned as he saw that his preparations had duplicated Ambrosius's work.
Longinus entered close behind Bedo. "I for one have not" he spoke carefully, "but as this is the appointed hour I expect our good Quaesitor will be here shortly." He paused at the same place he had sat at the earlier meeting. "I am interested to see how she will arrange this meeting. Each Magus to report in turn? Each site debated on in turn? A combination thereof? Some other way?" He gave a half smile as though looking forward to the debate, then bowed his head for a long pause before sitting on the stone seat and wriggling his behind as though settling on a more comfortable chair.
When Mnemosyne entered the chamber she was wearing a green embroidered dress with matching slippers peeking out from beneath the hem. It was rather a departure from the sober grey which she had been garbed in of late while travelling about. A scroll case hung from her waist, against her hip, while in her hand she held a much larger rolled scroll. She nodded sociably to the assembled magi.
"Sodales," she greeted them. She approached Bedo. "Would you mind keeping a record of the meeting, as you did before, sodalis?"
"Of course", Bedo agreed, stood and left the room, and returned a few minutes later, bearing his writing materials. 
Mnemosyne nodded at Bedo's answer and moved around the table to take a seat, making brief contact with each mage as she did so. "How did you find Church Stretton, Marcus? I trust that our presence in the area is not causing any alarums."
(Barring GM input to the contrary ...)
"Things have quieted down since the events surrounding our arrival. I have been doing my best to keep things calm and friendly. There is still some tension over the heavy-handed actions of the bishop, naturally, but fortunately none of it seems directed at us," said Marcus.
(And have I stumbled across anyone who looks like good candidates for joining our merry crew? Especially shield-grog types as per request. And is there anything else I should know about the situation in the Strettons?)
Moving on past Longinus, the maga commented, "I hope today that we will see the fruit of our correspondence. This should be a historic meeting... If only for us brave few."
To Ambrosius, Mnemosyne merely smiled and nodded and touched him lightly on the shoulder as she passed, then settled down to await the final arrival.
=The Meeting Begins=
When all the magi had assembled and readiness was indicated, Mnemosyne raised her right hand and called for the attention of her gathered sodales. She quickly, but carefully went through the formalities of declaring the meeting open and moved swiftly to business.
"At the end our last meeting we agreed to investigate all four prospective sites in more detail, as described in the minutes of the last meeting. We meet now to pick one of those sites for the foundation of our covenant."
After pausing for a moment to check that no-one wished to check any details, Mnemosyne continued on. "In the interest of saving time, I suggest we only discuss the sites in which we have an interest in. Not to say that each site does not possess its own special attributes, particularly as vis sources, but here we discuss a location for the covenant. I suspect that one site can ruled out due to practical matters, but let us find out about each site in turn."
"Does anyone have interest in Potter's Field, despite the practical problems of it being accessed but once a year?" Mnemosyne looked around to see if anyone raised a hand or voiced an aye. She herself did not. After a moment, Marcus shook his head and remained silent, as did Bedo.
Ambrosius shook his head, "No, maga. I'm very intrigued by the events at Potter's field, and hope to, ummm, study it further in the future, but I don't think it would, ah....I don't think it would make a good home. In fact, I think it might be dangerous."
After the magi had shown or voiced their interest or lack of it, Mnemosyne asked, "And Caer Caradoc?" Here she raised her own hand showing that she thought it was worthy of discussion.
Here Marcus showed no hesitation, he raised his hand quickly and firmly, "Debemus disputare de illo."
"Hockstow Forest?" Mnemosyne asked next. She made no sign of interest. Nor did Marcus. Bedo nodded quickly, and raised his hand.
Longinus bowed his head, and after a long moment the familiar Marble statuette of a hand appeared.
"And the Long Mynd?" Mnemosyne asked finally. She raises her own hand again, as did Ambrosius, Bedo and Phaedrus.
After some hesitation, Marcus half-heartedly raised his hand as well.
The vibe I'm getting here is that Potter's Field is off the list. If others edit a response which indicates that they would like it be seriously considered as a location, I'll edit the following to bring it in line--Perikles 19:53, 21 October 2006 (UTC)
"Very well," said Mnemosyne. "Let the record show that none of the assembled magi have expressed an interest in locating the Covenant at the Potter's Field site. Let us now move on to the pro's and con's of each of the other sites and entertain any comments or discussion before we move to any sort of actual vote."
==Caer Caradoc==
"Firstly, we come to Caer Caradoc." Mnemosyne looked over to the Jerbiton representative. "Marcus, you seem keen on this one. Perhaps you would like to outlay the positive points first, as well as any negative ones you think important."
Marcus considered for a moment. "There are a number of factors to consider when siting a Covenant, or indeed any structure. The first and most basic is a simple one -- how does one live? Vir pane solo non vivet, but without that bread it is difficult for him to live at all. We are not self-sufficient. Agricola non sum, piscator non sum. Agricolae non sumus, piscatores non sumus. Therefore we shall need to purchase and transport food to our home, or otherwise arrange for sustenance. The more isolated we are, the more difficult that will be. Caer Caradoc would make that process the simplest and most straightforward.
"Mens sana in corpore sano, as a great man once said. We must be healthy to be productive, and the environment at Caer Caradoc is conducive to that. Indeed the water itself brims with health! What greater inducement could there be?
"Digressing into a more philosophical vein, I put to you that wherever we settle, because we must provide food for ourselves and supplies as well, we will be interacting with the people of the Strettons. We shall have no choice. If we settle in an uncanny place, that will prove difficult and possibly dangerous. If we dwell in "faerie" and to the common mind, a regio magicus smacks more of faerie than the faerie wood itself does, we shall be announcing loudly that we are unnatural and that can be very dangerous.
"The aura is high on Caer Caradoc, but not so high as to prove unwieldy to us or damaging to those who come to dwell with us.
"Generally, I think that it is to our best interest to work with the community here in the Strettons and to make of them friends and allies, and I think we are best able to do this from Caer Caradoc. Given the demonstrated vigour of the Bishop, placing ourselves in a position where we can be easily categorized as demons or even supernatural would seem to be unwise, and since we have already offended the fae in the person of Eirlys, placing ourselves in the power of the fae of Hockstowe holds no appeal.
"As for the negatives ... " Marcus paused to marshal his thoughts.
"The negatives of Caer Caradoc are that in some respects it seems inferior to some of the other sites, I do not see any particular drawback in the site itself, only by comparison. For instance, clearly the aura in the regio is attractive, as is the defensibility of the regio from mundane attack. However, the inaccessibility of the regio combined with the fact that we are exceptionally vulnerable to threats arising from within the regio itself are considerations that I find very weighty. 
"To conclude, I think that Caer Caradoc is well suited for our covenant since it will be the best position for us to insinuate ourselves into the community and supply our selves with our needs as well as the luxuries which we, as magi, often find to be needful. It is conveniently located to serve as a base to explore and exploit those other areas such as the regio and the forest which have resources of interest to us, while remaining a safe retreat in time of trouble. It, unique among the suggested sites, allows us to best use the resources both mundane and magical in the area.
"I also submit to my esteemed sodales that there would be nothing to prevent us from establishing small outlying facilities in the regio, or I suppose, in the forest, to allow us to take advantage of such characteristics of those areas as we might need, but which would not commit all our eggs to one very uncertain and imperfectly understood basket. 
"Thank you, mei honesti sodales," Marcus concluded.
Ambrosius stood. "Magus," he began respectfully, "it seems that a ... majority of what you argue could apply to both the Caer and the Long Mynd. Aside from the, um, Font of Caradoc, they share many of the same attributes. Does the difference between the two come down to which danger you would rather face, the mundane within the world or the magical within the regio?" He raised his hand, "No, no...I suppose I meant that as a rhetorical question." He paused, seeking his words while blowing a breath out noisily. "Brother Marcus, I agree with many of your points. I think we have to be involved with the lands around us - and maintain amiable relationships with those in power. But for me, it comes down to this: Within the regio, we may...ahhh... do what we want, how we want, to address our problems in whatever manor we see fit. We need not worry about violating the Code because our actions, our very presence, is hidden. Besides, we need not all reside on the same level of the regio - or even all within it." His eyes glazes over slightly as he talked, seeming to loose focus. Intently, he shook his head once and refocused on the monk. "If we were to settle on Caer Caradoc, we would either have to restrain ourselves, disguise ourselves or declare ourselves. I would prefer to do none of these, as they could all interfere with my work...work I am very anxious to return to."
"That point is why I mentioned establishing some facilities, such as labs, within the regio," said Marcus. "I suppose that the converse of my proposal might also be valid -- that the main body of the Covenant is within the regio, but that we have some facilities based at Caer Caradoc. If supplies simply come up to the Mynd from the Strettons and vanish, we will soon find ourselves the subject of rumours which will make it difficult to operate here. If, on the other hand, we have a base which looks and is functioning in some mundane way, it is easy enough to hide the existence of some of our company or to claim that they are reclusive or hermits."
"We could, for instance, establish ourselves as a chapter house or priory, or even as a school ..." Marcus seemed rather taken with that last idea and continued excitedly, "what better way to find and recruit potential apprentices and covenfolk?"
Ambrosius' eyebrow went up, and he nodded approvingly. A school, he indicated, was an excellent idea.
"I would disagree with you Marcus, but for slightly different reasons" Bedo spoke. "To start, I agree with your basic proposals, we must eat to live, but I do not feel that Caer Caradoc is the place where that can be done most easily. First, it sits on a steep hill directly over the town, and while I am aware we could make a better track to the top its very construction would attract attention. The land on the top of the hill is too small to support us, to the front is already cultivated by the people of the Strettons, and to the rear by those of other villages. Secondly, there is the matter of seclusion. The place must have been a fort of ancient ones, placed there because it dominates the valley. To build there would place us appearing to do the same - something that would not be appreciated by the local Lords. I agree that we should build a mundane front within the mundane world, but that is not he place to do it. The front if we are to take that approach must stand between the mundane village, and the regio, not on the opposing side of the valley". Ambrosius is right, that much of the same argument applies to both the fort, and the Long Mynd, the Mynd though lies on the right side of the valley.".
"Some interesting and valid points have been raised," Mnemosyne mused. "We will need to have contact with Church Stretton, especially in the beginning when we shall have difficulty being self sufficient. However we must balance with the need to keep our distance as well - for our sake as well as the sake of the villagers. Remember, we must not interfere with mundanes. Also, as Longinus has pointed out not all of us mix well with mundanes. Actually, apart from Marcus with his gentle ways about him, the rest of us with our gifts cannot help but make any mundanes nervous and uncomfortable. It would seem that being too close to Church Stretton would be as bad as being too far away."
"You bring up an important point regarding the Bishop here as well, Marcus," Mnemosyne went on. "We are fortunate that his ire was directed solely at Eirlys. However, I agree, if we are not very careful then we will end up exposing ourselves and by extension, the Order, to attack. It is possible for the Order and the Church to co-exist amicably, but much of that depends on the individuals in question. As you say, Marcus, this Bishop seems rather... vigourous. Keeping ourselves out of sight and secure, but maintaining a public presence which can act as a front, seems to be an excellent idea." Mnemosyne nodded in agreement. "However, I am not sure that Caer Caradoc is the best site to put that plan into action."
"The location of Caer Caradoc so close to village does have certain advantages in matters of supply. I note however that Caer Caradoc is not significantly closer to the village than this cottage in which we meet. However, ferrying goods up to Caer Caradoc and then over the Mynd seems to be rather ridiculous. Further more, splitting our resources, our defences, our grogs... our aegis... between two such distant places - four or five miles up and down hills - is not the most logical approach."
Mnemosyne shook her head. "As far as I can see, the sole recommending factor for Caer Caradoc, which cannot be found elsewhere equally adequately if not better, which has been mentioned so far is it's spring. I agree with Bedo. Marcus' points are good ones - but better applied elsewhere."
==Hockstow Forest==
"Next is Hockstow Forest," stated Mnemosyne factually, keeping to the order she had listed the sites earlier. "Longinus. This is the only site you expressed interest in, and you are the only one to do so. Perhaps you would enlighten us as to why it attracts you so much?"
Longinus paused, inclining his head briefly before beginning. "By a process of elimination as much as anything else Maga. Of the other three sites, only Caer Caradoc is truly acceptable in my opinion. Hockstowe Forest offers greater seclusion, yet is not so isolated we cannot easily maintain links with the outside world when we wish. Well I realise that others may disagree, I believe that an element of seclusion is an important factor in the success of a covenant. Unless of course the magi are all, or nearly all, well suited to mundane interaction." He paused again, then gave another of his half smiles. "As an added advantage it has an excellent magic aura."
Ambrosius indicated a desire to speak. "I....ah.....choose to respectfully disagree, Magus Longinus. I know very little of the fae beyond fireplace tales at the covenant and, um, our more recent experience with the Maga Eirlys. Given what I have heard and, ah, observed, however...I do not believe that taking up residences in a fairy wood under the...auspice of a fae Lord could lead to anything good for the covenant." He pauses, mentally changing subject. "It seems to me that we can do, um, no better for seclusion than to live within the Long Mynd regio, which...ah...also has a superb aura."
Longinus turned to face Ambrosius. "Magus, to answer your points. Firstly, noting aside that for all her affectations Maga Eirlys was still a magus, and of the Magic realm not the fae realm, I consider that the fae wood is in fact an advantage rather than a disadvantage. The fae are in some ways our natural allies as they, like us, must work towards protecting the 'wild' and natural places of power from the encroachments of a tide of mundanity. Indeed, alliances between Magi and fae are common throughout the Order. Furthermore, the impression that I received from our encounters with the Fae in Hockestowe was that they were happy for us to take possession of the old covenant area without any requirement, as though they did not regard it as under their dominion. This surprises me not, considering the aura is Magic. Indeed, I believe it likely that further contact with the fae is in fact almost entirely up to us, or not, as we will." He paused and inclined his head. "Secondly, the Magical aura around the Mynd is not in fact as strong as that at the Hockestowe site. And as for the seclusion of the Mynd, I believe that is better discussed when we get to that part of the agenda." 
"I believe Longinus does have a point about the aura here," Mnemosyne put in. "From what we discovered, the Hockstow Forest aura is slightly stronger than either the Mynd or the Caradoc auras. Of course, there is the possibility, even likelihood that the next layer of the Mynd regio will prove to have an aura even stronger than that of Hockstow Forest, but at present we cannot actually confirm that." She paused for a moment, then continued on, her voice grave. "However, given the fact that we have strong evidence to suggest that that until recently there had been a demon trapped inside that aura for centuries, I am extremely reluctant to trust the purity of the aura." Longinus frowned. "If that covenant was indeed a seat of power for the Deidne, who are known to have trafficked in dark arts, and an infernal creature has been in residence all this time, then the aura could have been tainted in subtle and unknown ways. It is made all the worse that this sort of taint is apparently all but undetectable to intellego. However, a demonic taint could affect any vis extracted from that aura, anyone living in the aura, and even any spells or research developed under the auspices of the aura. We could find all our deeds turned to unthinkable ends without us ever knowing. Can we afford to take such a risk for the mere benefit of an ever so slightly stronger aura? I for one think not." She arched an eyebrow and looked around the assembled magi with her piercing blue quaesitorial gaze, as if challenging any to come to defence of the infernal powers.
"I think I understand Mnemosyne's concerns," Bedo agreed, "and for that reason I will not argue in its favour. Besides, I feel there is a better location yet to be discussed".
Longinus sighed. "Are we still on that old chestnut. We have no, I repeat no reliable evidence of any demonic activity at Hockestowe. We most certainly do not have strong evidence of such. I find it disappointing that a quaesitor, no less, should so readily jump to such strong conclusions on a single flimsy accusation of an stranger." He frowned, and made to speak further, then stopped himself. 
"As I have pointed out previously in response to your protestations," Mnemosyne replied primly. "It is primarily logic which casts into doubt your own presumptions that the entity which was until so recently trapped within the ward which Eirlys so conveniently broke cannot be considered to be demonic in aspect. The entity could not have been magical as the ward did not prevent magical access. It could not have been mundane, as any normal beast would have died centuries ago from lack of food and old age and would have been deprived of any breeding partner. The marks were clearly made by claws, and recently enough that time and exposure to the elements had failed to obliterate them and undergrowth had failed to overgrow them."
Suddenly Phaedrus can not hold his tongue any more and speaks up, "Are not demons supposed to be intelligent? Why would a demon leave excavating around the ward until now if it has been trapped in there for centuries?" Then he continued with a sigh, 'No matter whether the site actually is tainted lets not forget the obvious taint in the minds of others in the order, which I think might be a lot worse to contend with."
Mnemosyne answered. "We know these things to be true. They are they facts. So, from this we can conclude that the entity trapped within must have been of a divine, fae or demonic nature. A ward against the divine would be rather... unusual. The claw marks are rather suggestive that it was not such an entity and this seems to be the smallest liklihood, but I will admit it still remains a possibility. Fae would seem much more likely on the surface of things. However, if we examine the situation more carefully, we encounter certain doubts. Firstly, if it had been a fae being trapped within the ward all this time - why is it that there were only excavations from within the ward and none from without, where there would no doubt be many fae which over the years may try to aid one of their own kind? Surely if fae from without had sought to help one of their own trapped inside they would have been able to at least bring some sort of help over all this time. Then of course there is the testimony of this Grufydd character, which was verified by myself using Frosty Breathe of the Spoken Lie to confirm that he was not lying to us. Again, I agree this is not conclusive. Finally we come to the possibility of some kind of demon. Apart from the fact that neither divine nor fae seem to perfectly fit the situation, a demon summoned into the ward seems the most plausible being to be present. If the ward was intended to keep out certain types of being, then the magi would have taken care that they were expelled. If however, they thought to traffic with demons - as the Deidne have been accused of - or tried to bind them to their will in desperation during the last days of the Schism War, then they could have summoned a demon into the ward. The very fact that it has eluded detection for all these years is suspicious."
Longinus, still frowning, was preparing his response when he noted Mnemosyne was not yet finished.
"The basic question though," Mnemosyne continued on. "Is not so much can we prove conclusively the nature of the entity at this point, but is the chance that it was demonic and has tainted the area, along with any... unsavoury... leftovers from the a doomed House and a Covenant destroyed in unhappy circumstances, worth ignoring for the dubious benefit that establishing a Covenant in Hockstow would bring us?"
Longinus answered her. "Though I believe your reasoning is still riddled with the same errors and false assumptions that we have argued over previously, I must accept that there is a chance that there could have been demonic activity in Hockestowe, and a further chance that such could have tainted the area." Longinus' smile made it clear he was neither insulting Mnemosyne nor conceding the argument. "I can only applaud your caution and hope that it does not prejudice a measured decision." He looked back to Mnemosyne hastily, with an embarrassed half smile and bowed his head to her. "Not that I expect that it will of course."
Mnemosyne made an empty handed gesture, signifying she did not really have anything further to say on the matter. She did not really see how Longinus could argue with her logic, but then he obviously thought he did and the basic facts could not really be stated any more plainly. Perhaps this was one of these situations where one had to agree to disagree.
Longinus turned to Phaedrus. "You pose pertinent questions sodalis. Leaving aside the supposed demon, the question of how our fellow Magi will look upon attempts to reclaim centuries lost territories is indeed significant. I have mused upon this at length and discussed it also with my Pater. It is my belief that the centuries that have passed since such covenants, and many of their resources, were... lost, are enough to ensure that overall, responses will be favourable. Not all responses of course." He smiled. "However that is merely my own opinion and the truth remains to be seen."
==Long Mynd==
"Last, but not least, we come to the Long Mynd site and its regiones." Mnemosyne looked around the gathered magi. "Does anyone wish to speak first here, or shall outline my thoughts on the site?"
Longinus cocked his head and gave a small shoulder shrug "I assume, Maga, that you would prefer positive comments to start with?" he answered with another half smile.
"Ummm...Sodalis, what are your observations on the negatives?" Ambrosius queried.
Please, Longinus," Mnemosyne waved her hand, gesturing for the Mercurian magus to proceed. "If you would prefer to start with the negatives, then by all means. All of the sites have pros and cons. It matters not which we debate first."
"If I might put the positives, we can keep the process balanced" Bedo interjected. "I would say they are thus. I have no great wish to live totally within a regio, the reasons have been stated already, but I can see the benefits of using one. I would say therefore that the Long Mynd has many of the same advantages as Caer Caradoc in terms of dealing with the mundane world, but it also allows us to extend ourselves further both into a regio, and into land from which we could sustain ourselves. The area of the Mynd, before we reach other settlements is greater than Caer Caradoc, so we should find it more easy to graze flocks to support ourselves, it is less of a threatening position, and somewhat more secluded, but in fact easier to reach without needing to build tracks up such a precipitous slope."
"My proposal would be to build a mundane settlement near here, under whatever guise we feel is best, close by our route into the regio. Ship food to it, let grogs graze flocks, accept that people will know we are here, but build in such a way that they do not see it as a threat along their valley, and use it to hide that we build laboratories and such within the regio"
Longinus waited to see if anyone else had further positives to add.
Marcus spoke, "The mundane construction will be an issue, but not an insurmountable one. This seems to me to be the best option."
"One possibility which could allow us to take advantage of the regio," Mnemosyne commented. "Is that as the borders of the regio seem to be governed by altitude, rather than horizontal location, we could construct our Covenant at a particularly steep part of the Mynd, perhaps even excavating our way into the hillside if needed to build a structure such as a tower. The top of the tower on one layer could form the base of the tower on the next layer. In this way we can form a single building which stretch across the layers of the regio allowing us easy access to whichever layer we desire and without being forced to seperate our labs from the other parts of the Covenant by more than a few flights of stairs. Previously, I would have said this could difficult. However, having seen what has been accomplished with this cottage..." She let her gesture speak for itself.
"The more I consider it," Ambrosius said, his eyes, glazed once again, "the more I, ah... appreciate the benefits of Sodalis Marcus's idea of a school." His eyes focused as he looked to his brothers-in-Order. "The covenant itself, as it....ah, grows....will require more and more supplies. It is true - much of what we need, we can create with magicks, but still...more supplies will be needed than a simple shepherd could explain needing. A school, if managed properly, will grow over time, perhaps even in parallel with the covenant. The school's needs will nicely camouflage our own."
"I also appreciate Marcus' concept that a school will help us to find...and vet...potential covenfolk, companions, or...powers-be-willing, apprentices." Ambrosius nodded once again, his mind obviously continuing the train of thought privately, despite his having the floor. Moments past, and he said nothing, lost in his considerations. Just as a prudent man would think that he'd said his last, Ambrosius spoke up once again. "I may be...um... getting ahead of everything, " he nodded to Mnemosyne, "but I wish to cast my sigil with Marcus's plan, ah... regardless of where we end up. Though I am all but ready to cast my sigil for that as well...though I am eager to hear my brothers' thoughts on the problems with the Regio et the Mynd. Sodalis Longinus was to speak to this, yes?"
"I am in agreement, I believe," Mnemosyne concurred. "This could work well in conjunction with the regio, as we would be in less of danger of our more unusual activities being detected with them confined to the regio. It possibly work elsewhere as well, though could be more risky. However, I think that rather than this being an aspect of the Long Mynd site, this is more to do with the actual implementation of the Covenant. Perhaps we can discuss this a little later?"
"If we may return to the benefits and disadvantages of the site," Mnemosyne began. "I would like to clarify on the subject of the benefits. Firstly and foremost there is the aura, which I believe is the most prevalent factor for any site. In point of fact, the Long Mynd possesses not just a single aura, but three that we have positively identified. The first, the most minor of auras in the mundane world, the second slightly stronger on the first layer of the regio and the third the equal of the Caer Caradoc aura - to be found on the second layer of the regio. Not only could the varied levels of aura could be an advantage in experimentation, but we must bear in mind that there exist other layers of the regio still unplumbed, which hold the promise of even stronger auras which should at the very least equal the one at Hockstow Forest. Secondly, the fact of the regio itself is extremely useful, as Bedo has already mentioned. It gives us the ability to be secluded, yet to remain in close proximity to Church Stretton. It allows freedom of land and space and the ability not to be observed in our magical doings by the mundanes and not to offend them with whatever structure we decide to build, not whatever magics we choose to manifest within the regio. In addition to all of this, it acts as a shield from wandering bandits, raiders from across the Welsh border and if necessary, the prying eyes of an potentially (fractious/fructuous) Bishop. Then there is the fact the Mynd itself is nearly placed within easy striking distance of each of the other three locations where we have uncovered vis sources, which will allow us ease of harvesting and enable us to maintain our claims that much easier. The altitude of the Mynd is useful as it gives us a vantage over the area which could provide a useful warning of visitors. There are water sources here on the Mynd. There are at least one type of magical creature, the goats, which could prove a valuable resource in the future if approached in the right manner. Finally, there is the fact that with our Covenant placed within a regio, it could afford us a certain amount of status within the Tribunal, perhaps even the Order, in time - something that would perhaps compliment the idea of a school." Mnemosyne finished and lowered her hand indicating she had finished speaking. She looked around to see if anyone had anything to add, or if anyone wished to discuss negatives or refute her points. Her gaze lingered here mostly on Longinus, who seemed to be the least motivated toward the Long Mynd so far. Her expression was open and professional however, inviting his honest opinion and useful debate.
Longinus paused, looking around at his fellow Magi before he began. "Magi, Sodales even. I agree with many or all of the good reasons for adopting the Long Mynd as the location for our future home. The location is promisingly sited with a good vantage over all avenues of approach and defensively sound. The aura, while not as strong as Hockestowe, is satisfactory, and the possibility exists of more powerful aura areas deeper into the regio. The regio itself at first glance provides a suitable isolatary component for such endeavours as might prove... alarming to mundane eyes watching from Little Stretton, while enabling us to stay close by to Stretton itself. There is water, and potentially room for such cultivations of flora or fauna as might be suitable for our mundane needs. There are magical resources within the levels of the regio that we have been able to explore and possibly, even probably, more in the level, or levels, we have not been able to explore. These are all good things and would be enough in accumulation to make this the best site overall in my mind if there were not one more thing which seems to have been forgotten. One which makes the site as it stand seem to be..." he paused for longer than usual, clearly searching for a suitable description. "...an unacceptably dangerous place to locate a new covenant."
Mnemosyne took a sip of wine and nibbled some cheese as she waited to see where this was going. After the job he had made of agreeing with and reiterating the good points, she was curious to see exactly what this one over-riding objection was. It would have to be a big one.
Longinus leaned forward. "I think the easiest way to explain the problem is to start by a series of questions. Question one. What is the single most important feature of a covenant's defenses?" He smiled. "Now while it is possible that there may be varied answers to this question, I am quite sure that the most common answer would be the Covenant's Aegis of the Hearth. Now question two, from which most of the following questions develop. How do regiones interact with an Aegis?" He leaned back again a he continued. "I spent some time questioning my Pater on this very subject during the last few weeks. Now very little is absolutely certain, but this seems to be the core. An Aegis only affects the regione that it is created in. What happens when an Aegis boundary threads through the pathways between regiones is unclear, but an Aegis whose boundary crosses the boundary of a separate regione without passing through a 'doorway' has no effect on the regione at all." He paused and stood. "Allow me to demonstrate."
He made his way from the table to a clear area to one side. He then closed his eyes and bowed his head before beginning a soft chant for the casting of a spell. To those Magi who observed closely it was clear his voice was quieter than usual for spellcasting and the lack of gestures was noticeable. The spell also seemed to take longer than one would expect but eventually a clay model materialised. As the magi studied the model it soon became apparent that it was formed in the shape of the mundane topography of the Mynd. The defensive earthworks were apparent, the burial mound, the portway and even a hollow space where the newly repaired cottage was located. 
Longinus beckoned the others closer. "This then is the Mynd at the mundane level. Please, inspect away for a few moments while I regather myself. Think about potential placements of our Aegis on a mundane level at least." He retired slightly to rest for a moment, but remained alertly listening to the other Magi discussing the site.
Mnemosyne cocked an eyebrow at Longinus, curious as to where he was going with this, but said nothing. Looking over his model of the Mynd she did, however, nod in approval. Whether at his workmanship, the idea, his use of magic, a combination of these, or some other factor, she did not say.
A few minutes later he came to the front once more. "Now, Mnemosyne, would you be so kind as to mark out the estimated perimeter of the first regio level?" Taking the cheese knife, Mnemosyne scored a contour line around the circumference of Longinus' clay Mynd maquette. When she had complied, he gathered himself and began chanting again, this time at a more normal volume. As he finished his casting a murky looking glass shape formed on top of the Mynd, roughly covering the dimensions she had marked out but shaping as a taller version of the Mynd much like what could be seen in the first regione. "This then would be the first layer of the Regio, overlaying the mundane Mynd." He paused, bowed his head for a moment and the glass structure rose above the clay Mynd clearly showing the untouched mundane level beneath.
Again he nodded to Mnemosyne. "Please Sodalis, the perimeter of the second regio level?" The process was repeated, after another pause as he regained his composure, but this time the glass was considerably less murky. Once more the process was repeated for the third, as yet uncrossed regio level. This time the glass was nearly clear and there was no wait for Longinus to catch his breath. As a result he appeared somewhat breathless when it was done.
"Now, where, and what level, would our Aegis fit into this model?"
"That would rather depend on exactly where we decided to position the covenant proper," responded Mnemosyne dryly. "Given that we have not yet come to a decision on which site to choose, the particulars of exactly where we are going to position the buildings seems a little... premature."
"However," she went on. "Given that your objection seems to be related to the positioning of the Aegis within the regio, let us consider your arguments in the light of two basic models. Firstly, that we position the covenant proper on a location with a boundary, presumably to allow us to build the physical covenant over two seperate regios..." She tapped a particularly steep section of the Mynd where the boundaries, while still seperated by the same altitude, were horizontally close together. "For example here."
"On the other hand," she continued. "If might choose to position the covenant away from a boundary - presumably on the second layer to take advantage of the superior aura - and wholely within that layer. Either way, I see no particular reason why we would spend valuable vis to create an Aegis over any but the top layer's buildings, regardless if the covenant proper extended into other layers or not. And presumably, and again I cannot see any reason why this would be otherwise, the top layer would be the one in which we would house our laboratories, library, storerooms, sleeping places and in fact generally all parts of the covenant which were not for some reason required to be housed elsewhere." Mnemosyne tilted her head and looked quizzically at Longinus. She was still not really exactly sure what his point was with all this and where he was going.
"No Maga, you seem to miss the most fundamental danger" smiled Longinus. He bowed his head again and chanted for a moment and a shimmering bronze thread appeared in a loop to one side of the model. "Please, consider this the boundary of our Aegis. If you would place it in a location you consider suitable, then we can see plainly the implications. It does not have to be the final location, just one where we can examine how the interplay between regio levels and Aegis might work. If you wish to thread the Aegis through different regio levels then tell me as you go and I will see to it that you can do so." He concentrated again and the different layers of glass regio seperated and rose up.
Looking up, Longinus inclined his head to Mnemosyne. "Please Maga, without an Aegis in a sample location, any further explanation on my part will continue to be difficult for you to understand."
continued interaction, where some of the later questions will come up and be asked/answered
 acting for Mnemosyne in order to facilitate storytelling. If actions are not suitable, feel free to delete whole sections as appropriate 
Mnemosyne carefully placed the Aegis thread covering an area near the rim of the middle glass layer, in a position such that the top glass layer would not touch it. An aegis so positioned would not cross any regione boundaries, although areas of the bottom two layers and the mundane mynd would lie 'beneath' it.
"Thank you Maga." said Longinus. "Now, I will have several spells running at once here, so to ease my way I would appreciate another volunteer to hold one of them for me."
 assuming there is a volunteer, Longinus passes a 'tether' for his Unseen Porter spell to the volunteer and casts an Unseen Arm silently to use a pointer of some sort during the discussion. 
"So," he continued. "Here we have an aegis in a likely location. What we now need to consider, is how does this Aegis interact with the Regiones. We know already that an Aegis affects only the regio layer it is cast in." He used the pointer to indicate places on other layers that were directly underneath the Aegis position. "Thus, we know that the aegis will have no effect upon any creature or person here, here or here." He moved the pointer from one side of the mynd to the other on the first layer, passing directly under the Aegis. "And movement from here to here will be completely unimpeded by the Aegis." He paused and looked up. "This represents just about the limit of what is 'known' about the Aegis/Regio interaction."
"Now one of the major concerns I have ." He paused, looking around. "I'm not completely certain here, but I believe the crossover points we have been able to find are entirely around the regione perimeters?" 
 response? 
"However, although we have not seen this effect in our limited investigations thus far, according to my pater it is not unknown for regiones to be passable at any place where one can see from one to the other. This has been known to include, if one had sufficient skills, places like this." The pointer moved under the second layer of glass and gently tapped it the centre of the aegis area from below.
"So if one can pass through the regione layers at such a location, then in theory one may be able to enter our defensive aegis without ever crossing it's boundary."
He paused, looking around. "Does anyone have any comments on this?"
"Now question 3. Is a regio inhabitant (from a different level) who starts, geographically speaking, within the aegis, actually entering the aegis as and if he travels between levels. This breeds questions 4 and 5. If the answer to question three is yes, are we then effectively imprisoning any beings caught 'within' the aegis in a higher regione level, and what would be their response. Further, where do we sit regarding the morality of doing such a thing? If the answer to question 3 is no, then of course we have the major, major problem of being unable to use the aegis to keep out creatures 'from within'. Question 6 then. How many additional levels are there and what unknown creatures reside in them? It seems to me the answer to this is currently unknowable, and undeniably a more dangerous risk than the chance of there having been a demon at Hockestowe with the chance that said possible demon may have had a corruptive effect in the area. What if there is a dragon on the next level? Or a group of angry and violent fire elementals? We simply don't know On to question 7. How will an Aegis interact with the possible implications of travel from regione to regione. Maga Eirlys made reference to travelling a large part of her journeys from regione to regione rather than through the mundane world. If our Aegis does not prevent such, then we face the possibility of various creatures being able to freely travel to within our Aegis without have to cross its boundary. If it does prevent such travel, then we are again faced with the prospect of cutting off 'our' regione and angering more than just its' inhabitants. Next we have question 8. Since an Aegis effect does not cross regione layers, and we undoubtedly wish to inhabit several different layers, how many Aegis will we require and at what cost? Lastly, on a slightly different topic, question 9. We have already seen at Potters field a doorway that does not usually exist appear between regione layers temporarily. What then the effect if a similar sort of doorway were to temporarily open exposing a inner layer of our own regione? What effect if the villagers of Stretton were to suddenly see the appearance of strange towers and diverse buildings appear on the ordinarily bare crests of the Long Mynd? This seems unlikely to me, but is a danger that must be thought about at least."
"So then to summarise the situation. We have very little knowledge of how any Aegis will interact with the various regiones, except to say that few possibilities are favourable. We still have no knowledge whatsoever of the contents of higher regione levels, including inhabitants. It sees to me that the unknowns and potential problems at this location vastly outweigh those of all the other locations combined."
Mnemosyne shook her head. "I can see that this is a pertinent question and one most certainly well thought out, Sodalis. However, as far as I can tell, your one real objection to the Mynd site - and this is after agreeing that there are a number of excellent factors which recommend it - is actually to do with where we position the covenant buildings inside the regio. Now if we choose to position the buildings on a boundary, for whatever reason, then your points are certainly valid. However, what they amount to is that we should do some research before making such a decision. I would imagine a series of experiments with some temporary wards and using the grogs as test subjects will inform us how a rego spell interacts with a regio boundary and if the ward can be circumvented via the boundary. That should answer your third question. In the event that it is not possible to cross the boundary at that point for a successfully warded creature, then it would not affect it crossing the rather extensive boundary at any other point on this great expanse of Mynd. Given the fact that a cross layer covenant will no doubt have walls on each of its layers, I doubt we will encounter many beings who wish to pass through the boundary in exactly the point we choose to build our great hall, or whatever. Hence the fact they cannot is rather irrelevant as we will control the physical location with our walls. If however, they can pass into the Aegis via the boundary, this does indeed present a weakness in the defence of the Aegis. Presumably, in this case we would make particular effort to ensure that the mundane defences which guarded the physical entry points which would deposit an intruder inside the Aegis are as well guarded as we could possibly make them."
"On the other hand, if the covenant proper is not located on a boundary, it is irrelevant how the Aegis reacts with the boundary as anything approaching the covenant will do so on the same layer. It is only at the boundary points that we can travel from layer to another. Placing the covenant away from the boundary will solve the problem of the Aegis' workings on the boundaries, if indeed such a problem actually exists."
Mnemosyne pursed her lips and laid her hands flat on the table to steady them as they had begun to shake a little. "The point regarding our explorations of the deeper layer or layers of the regio and their inhabitants is a reasonable one. We simply do not know. However, I would point out that this situation - an absence of any kind of knowledge on the subject - is rather different to the one in Hockstow where we had physical evidence to consider, we were able to make certain logical and reasonable deductions based on the known facts and finally to back it up we had testimony from the fae residents of Hockstow. We have no evidence to support either a dragon or a raging horde of fire elementals at the top of the Mynd. Granted that it is impossible to prove the non existance of something with certainty, we must bear in mind that there could very well be dangerous inhabitants of higher layers. However, in the case of Hockstow it seems we are actually able to conclude that there is a reasonable chance that a demon did indeed inhabit that area. If anyone can provide some evidence to support theories of dragons or fire elementals then we shall have to give those serious considerations. Until that happens, however, we are in the realm of 'what if', which may as well extend to 'what if the ancient gods of Olympus decided to set up a holiday home here we have but to go and pay them a visit to be welcomed into their halls to feast for all eternity'. We do not know what is on the third layer of the regio, or any beyond that, or even if there are any beyond that. That is important, yes. But it is not, in my opinion, important enough to send us scampering away to seek an inferior location based on what simply could be, with no evidence to support those could be's, would be's, or might be's." Somewhere in the middle of this speech Mnemosyne's icy exterior had thawed somewhat. She spoke eloquently and with passion, her voice rising and falling to give power to her words and to communicate her point across to her assembled comrades. There was a marked difference from the frostily restrained maga who they had come to know over the past months. Perhaps one of two of them who had spent the most time in her company had seen something of this woman before now, but most had not.
"As for the idea that the regio would suddenly fail and reveal the the inside layers to the mundane world, this seems utterly remote. Surely we would have heard stories of the amazing appearing and disappearing mountain across the length and breadth of England if such a thing existed. The presence of a few buildings of common stone would pale in comparison to the Mynd doubling, tripling or more in height from time to time. Nay, I say. Such a thing is a mere flight of fancy."
"Sodales," Mnemosyne swung her gaze across each of the present magi, her piercing blue eyes seeking contact with each and every one. "We have gathered here because we are bold. We did not seek the safety and shelter of our parens' homes. Not for us the old and well trod paths. We are pioneers. We seek our own way. Here we are presented with a site which many magi might die to possess. A site which could turn into a legendary one, which could one day become a Durenmar, a Magvillus, a Doissetep, a covenant of repute and great standing. Here we have a golden opportunity to found something great, something powerful, something which can only do here, on the Long Mynd."
== A Call for a vote==
"I call now for a preliminary vote. Let us see which of the three sites still retain our interests. I ask you all to vote once for the site you most favour."
Longinus stood and squared up direct to Mnemosyne. "Maga. I understand that it is customary amongst the politicos at Tribunals to manipulate decisions by the way they run the meetings." He looked her straight in the eye. "I do not believe it will help us work together to develop our home if the same games are played within our own council. This is too important not to discuss fully and completely. This discussion is not complete. It is not time for a vote yet." He remained standing, resolutely holding her gaze.
Bedo responded, breaking the moment, "I'm ready to vote at this point. As I see it, we have three sites, none of which are ideal. Caer Caradoc, which I see as having mundane problems, the forest which may have demonic problems, and here, where we may have problems of how to lay out the covenant and the aegis of the hearth. Given those, and please tell me if I have missed something, I see no harm in the request for a preliminary vote, if only to see whether we can take the discussion down to two sites, and to gauge the scale of dissent."
"Precisely," agreed Mnemosyne. "I believe we must come to a unanimous decision if at all possible. If we can cut our choices down somewhat at this point, it will allow us to focus our deliberations on the relevent sites and so we can move onto a second round of discussions if necessary, and repeat as many times as needed until we are all happy. Whatever you may think, I am not playing politics here. I am trying to conduct the meeting in a way which is useful and efficient. Unless we all happen to come to a unanimous agreement right now, we will be discussing this further and thus voting again. However, I am calling for a vote as is my right as Chair for this meeting. You or anyone else are perfectly welcome to abstain if you are not ready to cast a vote."
Longinus' face was set, still facing Mnemosyne. "So what do the results of this vote mean then? If any magus abstains, then the vote cannot be said to be unanimous. Yet if all bar one abstain then two sites are dropped from discussion and the vote is carried?"
"Indeed," Mnemosyne replied. "Thus if anyone wishes to retain any of the sites in the running for consideration, I suggest that they choose to vote for them. I see no point in wasting time discussing sites that none of us really have an interest in settling."
==Vote==
"I vote in favour of the Long Mynd," said Mnemosyne clearly.
Marcus was clearly debating something internally while he waited for the others to vote.
"The same - the L-long Mynd" Bedo stated.
Longinus said, very deliberately "I vote for all three sites."
There was a long moment of frosty silence as Mnemosyne and Longinus electrified the air between them. It was finally broken when Ambrosius shook his head and spoke, having looked from Mnemosyne to Longinus and back again. "I am unclear on what we are doing. Are we to vote for the site we favor most, or are we to vote for the site we are most interested in discussing further? I want to, ah, fully understand my sodale's concerns before I decide to cast my favor one way or the other." He turned to the handless mage, "Magus Longinus, when the, um, can you summarize your points of concern, please?"
"Magus Longinus," Mnemosyne enunciated slowly, ignoring Ambrosius, her gaze never leaving Longinus face. "The call was for a single vote for a single site. Perhaps you would like to reconsider your vote, or should I consider your vote null and void during this round?"
"Maga Mnemosyne," replied Longinus evenly. "Perhaps you would reconsider your call instead of blatantly manipulating such an important collective decision." He turned to Ambrosius. "Sodales, you are aware I am sure that there are no 'undecided' votes right now. Under the terms laid out by the chair an abstention is exactly the same as saying you care not where others make your home." He turned back to Mnemosyne without waiting for a reply. "Maga. Perhaps you would also care to explain why it is that you had multiple votes last time, but deny me the same right this time."
"You are mistaken, Magus," Mnemosyne retorted. "This is the first vote I have called for. Previously I merely asked which sites were interested in and all were free to show interest in as many or as few sites as they wished. If your memory fails you, then I'm sure Magus Bedo can read you back the relevant part of the minutes. You are being afforded, and have been afforded, the exact same rights as every other magus around this table. Is it such a difficult task to state which site interests above any other?"
Longinus gave a half shrug. "Mere manipulatory semantics. There was a show of hands and a site was eliminated. You showed your hand for two sites. What is the difference then and now? None." He paused then added "Yes, it is a difficult task to choose one site now, at least for any whose mind was not made up and closed off before this meeting ever started. We have barely begun discussing the sites, let alone comparing them one to the other or discussing options involving multiple sites."
"As a magus you should be aware of the importance of words and regardless of your opinion whether this is the second or the first vote, we are all have one vote here. Previously three magi signalled interest in two sites, three in only one. Here we are voting for one. I do not see why you should be granted any more votes any other here. How you choose to use your vote is up to you. It is quite clear that the Long Mynd has been voted for. It shall be retained as a valid choice. There is no need for you to vote for it. I suggest that you place your vote on one of the other sites you believe most deserving of our consideration. However, if you do not vote in a correct fashion, I will consider your vote null and void for this round." Mnemosyne continued to face down her adversary, who seemed to be giving as good as he was getting.
Halfway through the last exchange, Ambrosius rose to his feet, the look on his face something between frustration and nervousness. He waited for Mnemosyne to finish her statement, for each of the magi to make eye contact with him. He turned to Mnemosyne, and took his seat as he began to speak, "Perhaps, Maga, you did not hear my question, as I would, um, like to believe that you would not have ignored it...ah...out of hand." He paused to let his accusation sink in. "I am not clear what you are asking for. You instruct us to cast a vote for the site we most favor, then tell us that we should vote for another site if we seek more discussion. Which is it? Do we vote for favor, or for discussion?"
Mnemosyne broke her staring game with Longinus to glance up at Ambrosius in surprise. Some of the tension ebbed from the room, perhaps. "Any site which does not receive at least one vote can be assumed to be of no interest to us, and thus can be removed from our deliberations. If we are left with just one, it would appear that we will have made our decision. If we are left with more than one, then we can move to another round of hopefully more in-depth analysis of the sites and then eventually come to another vote to see if that has in turn clarified matters again. Consider it an alchemical process. We currently have two votes of the Long Mynd, which is more than enough to carry it through to the next round. If you wish to see any other site discussed then please for vote for one of those sites. If you do not and are satisfied, then please vote for the Long Mynd. I suggest that either of these options is better than an abstention and a waste of your vote and voice." Mnemosyne's tone was still rather frostier than usual, which considering her usual demeanor made it pretty cold indeed. However, she was no longer speaking in quite the same clipped tones as a little earlier. She did sound like she might be running out of patience with repeating the same things again and again though. What should have been a simple vote to find out if any of the sites could be eliminated seemed to have sparked into a furious debate. Still, it was certainly not boring.
Longinus' head bowed for a moment and the familiar marble statuette appeared. His head remained bowed and shortly after a battered and rent chain mail mitten appeared covering it. Slowly, one by one, the twisted chain links appeared to mend themselves.
Finally after listening to a lot of unproductive debate Phaedrus speaks up, "Mnemosyne, it is clear that a vote for a single site is not unanimously approved, actually I agree with Longinus that this form is not a good one to try to eliminate uninteresting options, could you please reverse the call and ask for sites that unanimously can be eliminated instead?"
"This," said Mnemosyne slowly and carefully. "Is what I was trying to do. There is no difference between removing a site from discussion due to a unanimous vote or for removing a site from discussion because it receives not a single vote supported." Longinus made a strange choking noise in the background. "However, if makes things easier for everyone to understand, let us do it that way. Perhaps it will be all the more enlightening."
The chain mail mitten and marble hand disappeared.
"Who here votes that the Long Mynd be eliminated from the discussion?" Mnemosyne asked.
Longinus stared ahead impassively.
"Who here votes that Hockstow Forest be eliminated from the discussion?" Mnemosyne asked. She raised her own hand. Marcus raised his hand as well.
Longinus stared ahead impassively.
"Who here votes that Caer Caradoc be eliminated from the discussion?" Mnemosyne asked finally.
Longinus stared ahead impassively.
Phaedrus raises his hand.
Ambrosius raised his sigil, a steel rimmed brass plate with the relief image of a hammer and anvil.
Bedo put down his pen, and raises his hand. "Aye". After lowering his hand, he turned to Longinus, and continues. "Are you not prepared to vote at this point? You accuse others of playing politics, and then by voting for all to stay, and voting for none to be removed you seem to do it more then the rest of us." Turning to Mnemosyne, and picking up his pen again, he continued "Do I record Longinus as taking no part in this vote, and hence supporting no sites?"
"Nay," replied Mnemosyne. "Longinus does not have to have to vote for any of the sites to be dismissed - thus by himself keeping all sites under discussion. If we taken my original voting method, then it would have at least two magi for us to arrive back at this self same position." She shrugged, dismissing it.
[As soon as Mnemosyne has tallied the votes and assuming there are a clear minority interested in the Caer site]
=The Second Round of the Debate=
Phaedrus raises his hand to speak. Mnemosyne nods and gestures for Phaedrus to go ahead. "Before we launch into general discussion I would like to ask if there are any specific feature of the Caer Caradoc site that we other might have missed. Since that would be something we should try to address in whatever site we choose I deem it important to get those things enumerated and noted outside of the general discussion of which site is better." Then Phaedrus sits back to listen to the others.
==Caer Caradoc revisited==
Mnemosyne considered Phaedrus' request with a thoughtful expression. "Perhaps Longinus should address this issue, as he is only one of us who seems to retain an interest in all three sites."
Longinus looked at Mnemosyne with one eyebrow raised. "As you wish Maga." He paused for a moment, then began. "I don't think we have missed anything significant at Caer Caradoc. Probably its most obvious recommendation is the spring , with its excellent water. However I do believe that if our enterprise here meets with an success then within a few short years we should be in a position to tap, if you will excuse the expression, the waters of this spring from either Hockestowe forest or the Long Mynd." He broke off, frowning for a moment. "Though it may not be possibly to access the spring from within the Regiones - that will depend whether Arcane connections pan pass through regios or not. I have no idea, though I'd imagine it would be easy to test..." His voice trailed off. "Ahh, sorry, back to the subject at hand. I do not wish to abandon Caer Caradoc because it has no significant detractions and I don't think any here actually think the site would be a disaster. they just prefer other sites. Both Hockestowe and the Long Mynd have serious potential detractions, at least in the minds of some. If the choice was immediately narrowed down to just Hockestowe or the Mynd then I fear we could easily have a falling out as both sites have the potential to be unacceptable to some of us here. Retaining a potential third option, that few or none prefer, but all can accept, seems wise to me."
"As the choice we now make seems to me to be one that will decide the conditions where we live, work and study for hopefully the next hundred years or more, I don't see the wisdom of political manoeuvring to bring about the direct confrontation that must evolve once we narrow the choice down to two sites, until we have fully discussed all our options and reasonings. Leaving an open choice available instead of reducing the choices down to A versus B increases the chance of any dialogue being open, accepting, and listened to properly. Cutting down to only two options increases the chance of 'us versus them' mentalities and emotive rather than reasoned argument."
He turned to face Mnemosyne directly. "Maga, I do not wish these confrontations we have had tonight to continue. I did not seek them in the first place and I do not think that you did either." the corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile. "Most especially, I do not wish any portion of leadership to fall on my frail shoulders at this time, and I thank you for acting as chair in our meetings." He inclined his head briefly. "However, your attitude to any opinion that differs to your own has not been as helpful as it could. Scathing dismissals using assumed facts, many of which are not accurate, leave little room for continued discussion, inviting only direct argument. Taking a valid point to its worst, and least likely, extreme before dismissing it as a flight of fancy does the same thing. I would appreciate it if, when framing an opinion of your own, you did not present it as irrefutable truth. This is a rhetorical device, not suited to a serious discussion on a deep matter and again leaves only the option of argument or agreement, not discussion." He smiled drily and said "Indeed I am so filled up with swallowed refutations that I may need neither bread nor cheese again this night."
Bedo had been sitting, moving impatiently in his seat clearly wishing to speak, during the end of that speech, and as soon as there was silence he spoke "Rather than arguing the means by which we debate, there is a factual error you have made which I think is one of great concern, and it must be corrected. You say that Caer Caradoc has no significant detractions, but it has one that to my mind makes it impossible. What shall we eat there? You may be too full of refutations today, but they will not support us forever. The fort at the top of the hill is too small to allow both a covenant and cultivation, it is too small even for cultivation of enough food for as many as we may be, even without the covenant. The slopes are too steep, and below the slopes we are in land, already claimed and cultivated, and held as a Royal manor. Either Hockestow or the Long Mynd is more remote from population, and with work can provide us with means of support. Caer Caradoc cannot do so."
Longinus looked thoughtful. "You may be right sodales. The issue of food is one I had considered relatively minor and easily solved. I may be a more important issue than I had considered it." He paused, "Still, I would not throw Caer Caradoc away as an option just yet, if nothing more than as a way to keep the discussion civil."
"Civil?" asked Mnemosyne explosively. She had been struggling not to interrupt for a while now. "you have been decidely uncivil during the whole meeting, Longinus. Your aspertions against me seem hypocritical, as well as erronious. You have accused me of playing politics in this meeting, when all I have done is stated some simple facts and certain logical conclusions about them, which only you seem to have had a problem with accepting. On the other hand you have nay-sayed and hinted and shilly-shallied around your often non-sensical objections, which often enough seem to be based on 'what-if's' and 'could-be's'. If anyone could be pointed at for causing more delay and disruption in this meeting, it is you!" Mnemosyne took a deep breath, holding up her hand to forstall any interruption. "I apologise though - that outbusrt was hardly helpful. You are right, Longinus, I do not wish our confrontations to continue. I suggest that we both make an effort to restore the good relations between us. I am sorry that things have become so heated between us. Pax, sodalis?"
"Amici mei," interjected Marcus. "We are going to have to purchase or acquire food from outside the covenant no matter where we locate it, I am afraid. As I said earlier, I am not a farmer nor a fisherman. Are any of you? Can you salt meat for the winter? Butcher a deer effectively? Brew beer? Make cheese? We shall be purchasing our food from somewhere, I'm afraid, and a source of income must needs be considered sooner rather than later."
"In part", Bedo replied, "but in part we can also grow food - or rather we can get people to grow food. My point is, whether we are doing it for income, or to eat directly, the land is available at Hockestow, or up here on the Long Mynd. At Caer Caradoc it is not. We shouldn't rely on buying food if we can avoid it - it assumes that spare will always be available for people to sell us.". He paused, holding his hand up to keep the quiet and thought for a quick moment, then continued "I have an old friend from up near Chester, whose father was lord of a manor there. I don't believe the Geoffrey has any experience in running a manor, but he might know someone who has. We need someone who can do that side of things for us".
==The Long Mynd revisited==
After a long and pregnant pause, Ambrosius cleared his throat and spoke words of magic. His Rego Mentem spell cast, he spoke aloud. "Maga Mnemosyne, I believe I am coming to understand Magus Longinus's concerns." He rose to his feet, a piece of scribbled parchment clutched in his hands. "If I may simplify them, Magus, I understand them to be thus..." He looked down at the vellum sheet, seemingly growing in confidence and becoming more comfortable with addressing the assembly. He voice seemed to strengthen, "The magus believes that the Long Mynd site is dangerous for three root reasons: First, None of us possesses even the most basic of understandings on how a regio works. After talking to his pater, he has come away with more questions than answers. Second, there is a danger that crossing a regio boundary with a structure protected by the Aegis of the Hearth with either grant free access past the Aegis or prevent, or trap, the creature in outside our level of the regio. Third, because we have not been able to probe the highest levels of the regio, there may yet be dangers from within of which we are unaware." The smith magus looked to Longinus Mercandi for confirmation.
"Not quite sodales" replied Longinus. "The second reason does not just apply to where any Aegis we construct might cross the regio boundaries. Discussions with my pater revealed that, although we have not been able to do so in this regio as yet, it is not unknown for passage between regione levels to be available at any place where those levels overlap, for those with the right skills. Furthermore, natural inhabitants of regiones have been known to pass freely between layers with no apparent effort. Thus even were we to position our Aegis without crossing a boundary, it is uncertain whether the Aegis would provide full protection against any being crossing between layers within the Aegis boundaries, just as I tried to demonstrate with the model Mynd. This uncertainty is of course exacerbated by reason three." He inclined his head motioning for Ambrosius to go on. Mnemosyne frowned, trying to work out how what Longinus had just was substantively different from what Ambrosius had said. She gave the Verditius a curious look. Normally he had trouble not falling over his own tongue, but here he was being surprisingly articulate and comprehensible.
Ambrosius continued, "Of these concerns, I can only address the second with any certainty. I am absolutely certain that, given the design and building skills of my sodale the Magus Phaedrus and myself, we can easily construct all elements of the covenant within any of the first two, possibly even three layers of the regio. He and I have been discussing ideas these last few months, and we are very eager to get to the construction phase, and face the challenges that any of the sites pose. Personally, I feel that the Mynd site offers the most as far as construction goes, as the Hockstow site is likely ruled by a fae lord who, if the Maga Eirlys is any indication, would not take kindly to our harvesting of wood." 
Longinus coughed politely and angled his head. "If I may interject for a moment sodales?"
Ambrosius raised a hand, smiling politely at Longinus, "Normally I would agree, sodale, but at the moment, my time is short, so please allow me to continue just a moment more." He took a breath in and blew it out in a sigh, then continued, continuing to look at Longinus, "On the second point, I would offer my sodale peace and assurance. We can adapt."
"On the first and third points, I cannot offer any such assurance. I can speak for myself, and my charges: my brother Llewys and good friend and companion, the Lady Alicia. When we agreed to set out on this venture, there were a great many questions. The ones that concerned us the most were about the people we would meet in the he process of its commission, be they mundane or magus, man or woman. I have known many good people, but a more than equal number of bad. Mostly, it is simply people who are trying to make due with what they have, power of magic or strength of will, but they are driven by good or evil, selfish or selflessness, all. The odds were against us finding such a talented, resourceful and friendly group of people as we have, but I can say that I am very pleased to have met each and every one of you. The gamble that I took, with the lives of my brother and friend in the balance, has paid off and will continue to benefit us for many, many years to come, I hope.
"As I see it, the first and third points are another such gamble. Even as an elementalist, I know next to nothing about elementals. They may be allies or enemies, passive or active, I do not know. I no more of these goats than any of you. I have not been able to cross into the highest level of the regio, no been able to plum the depths of the structures...but despite all this, I am confident that, whatever arises, whatever we may face, we have among us the people best prepared and best suited to handle those unknowns. Is it dangerous? Surely. Are there uncertainties? Absolutely. And these may be true for many, many years to come. But I put my faith in my abilities, and those of my sodales, that we will address the challenges as they come, and conquer each and every one." He looked again at Longinus. "Magus, I believe you are correct in assessing the dangers, but would implore you to reconsidered their impact on choosing the Long Mynd as they best site in which to build our homes. For the covenant is not a collection of buildings, or a..." Ambrosius's voice began to soften and break, his eyes started darting this way and that. "Or a...um...political assembly." He looked down on his paper once again, it was notably shaking now, where moments before it had been rock steady. "A covenant is...ah, a covenant is a bond of trust in your brothers." 
Ambrosius looked about nervously and meekly took his seat, addressing Longinus, "I am....ah, sorry to have forestalled you, sodale. I'm afraid that the, ummmm...diameter of the sun is not as long a time as I need to say everything that swims through my...ah...gut." Mnemosyne nodded to herself in understanding. She had not paid much attention to Ambrosius when he had slipped off his spell earlier, but now she thought back the casting had seemed familiar in an odd sort of way. She wasn't sure exactly what he had done - probably something spontanious she guessed - but she was pretty sure it had been something to do with Mentem. An intriguing thought for the future.
"Thank you for your input, Ambrosius," Mnemosyne said eventually, still a little surprised at well spoken the normally shy and stumbling mage had been. "I see the three sites somewhat differently though - at least in my own mind. Quite simply it is a matter of neighbours and neighbourhood. The most common factor I can see which there are objections to relates to those issues. On the Long Mynd we have the issue of living within a magical regio, the magical inhabitants and the magical problems these things could create. In Hockstow Forest, completely leaving aside the possibility of demons, we have the fae to deal with, the nature of the fae forest which will surround us and isolate us and the fae problems which will arise due to our presence there. While at Caer Caradoc we have instead mundane neighbours, mundane problems and must deal with the fact that we would be exposed and thus entangled in mundane affairs more so than if we set up elsewhere."
"Now, speaking personally, I would rather deal with one of realms than the other two. I believe it will be far less harmful for the people of Church Stretton if we were not on Caer Caradoc. We are less likely to be driven into unneccessary or unfortunate meddling in the affairs of the mundanes. Clearly cutting ourselves off completely is less than desirable as well. However, in my judgement, Caer Caradoc does not allow us enough control over when, where and how that interaction takes place. Hockstow seems to offer the same kind of problems, but instead of interference with mundanes, we must instead consider the Order's rule against molestation of the fae. Once again, I would personally not be dependent on the fae by living right in the middle of their domain at their whims and while I acknowledge that some sort of interaction will no doubt happen over our future years in the area, I would rather be the one to decide how that interaction goes and not be forced to pass through faerie lands every time I wish to leave or enter the covenant. Finally, there is the Long Mynd. We have elementals who may or may not be able to leave their underground lake home and we have some strange goats. I don't believe that any here are worried about the goats, but they are certainly indicative that other magical life - even if it is only birds, deer, or other common animals - and who knows what may be on the higher layers. Now of course, anything which is capable of leaving those higher layers would be capable of leaving the regio entirely and wandering where it willed - however, like in the other locations we would be in closer proximity and would deal with magical neighbours and magical problems far more often than fae or mundane. As such, in my mind thre question is simply, which sort of problems shall we concern ourselves with?"
"For my part," Mnemosyne concluded. "I would rather be true to my gift and live here, on the Mynd, where my magic can bear the fullest fruits, where the Orders rules do not limit our choices of interaction with our neighbours."
OK, dudes. I'm not going to have Mnemosyne call for another vote so soon after we just had one - especially as it was so unpopular. So, please feel free to add in whatever you want in here to bolster the decision making process.--Perikles 08:28, 12 November 2006 (UTC)
==The Second Round of Voting==
When it seemed that all who wished to had talked enough and every issue had been addressed at least once, though often multiple times and approached from various angles it started to become clear that the magi had settled on their opinions. Mnemosyne called the vote, asking 'yay' or 'nay' for each site. There was a flurry of ayes and nays, sigils shown and hands raised. Nods were given and heads shaken. It did not take long at all and after the lengthy debate was somewhat anticlimatic.
"The results are one in favour of Caer Caradoc, one for Hockstow and four for the Long Mynd," announced Mnemosyne formally. It seems clear that the majority of us gathered here today are in agreement to attempt the Long Mynd as the site of our covenant."''
She looked over to the disenting magi. "Marcus and Longinus, you voted for other sites in preference over the Long Mynd, but I ask you now if you will not change your votes and consider making the Long Mynd your home, with us four. Currently we are no more than a gathering of magi and the decisions of these meetings cannot be considered binding or constraining upon you. We cannot force you to accept the Long Mynd site - which would be wrong in any case - nor to join us in our endeavour. However, I for one would be most gratified to have two such magi join me here and to join my fortunes to theirs. It is some time since we first communicated by correspondence with this day but a dream. It is here and realised now. I hope you will not turn your backs on it now."
Longinus shrugged his shoulders. "I was not aware that the vote needed to be unanimous. I will not change my vote - in my opinion the risks at this stage outweigh the benefits. But I am prepared to take these risks, at least, with my sodales in order to work together to form a prosperous covenant."
"Sodalis," said Marcus, then turned to include all the magi, "et sodales, I am by nature something of a wanderer, indeed my very magic compels me to be so, but even a wanderer needs a home to which to return. Likewise, as the parable tells us, a single stick may be broken by a child, whilst a bundle of faggots will defeat the might of a strong man. We are stronger together than apart. Of course, I will join in founding a covenant within the regio of the Long Mynd." He smiled incorrigibly, "The school might be a better use for Caer Caradoc, anyway."
Bedo smiled, hearing the response from Marcus "I have an idea regarding the school, but that can wait for more detailed planning". 
He stopped, seeing that Mnemosyne looked eager to continue. "It is for this reason that I have prepared, with the help of my parens, a charter for us. I have drawn on charters of other successful covenants in crafting this document and trust that will help to bind us together in filial feeling and camaraderie. It has taken me many months and much research to complete, but I am now at last fully satisfied - at least until we discover its inevitable flaws and vote to amend it, as all such documents must invariably be from time to time." Mnemosyne unfurled a part of the large scroll she had carried into the meeting. Each end was attached to a handle which made the rolling and unrolling of the document much easier. It was easy to see that it was not only a substantial length, but also was beautifully written in a small, but clear hand with flowing script and varied letters illuminated carefully to add to the clarity of the document.
Mnemosyne took a quill and with deft hand wrote the date and then signed her name, parens name and house at the bottom of document. She dripped a splash of red wax beside her signature and pressed her ring into the hot wax.
"Please take your time to read over this charter. I believe it to be fair and comprehensive, but there is most definitely a provision for any who sign it to vote to amend it as needed. I would also like to add that is my intention, assuming we all sign, to nominate Marcus for the position of Princeps. I believe that his talents and links with the village of Church Stretton will be invaluable to us in our founding years and suggest that he would be best one to represent us at this time, and to lead our further meetings."
Marcus looked surprised and somewhat pleased at Mnemosyne's words, but did not speak as he awaited his turn to read the charter.
"Might I make a suggestion?" Bedo asked. "This has been a long session, and I have many notes which I need to cut down to the key points. Mnemosyne, might I ask that you adjourn the meeting, for a day perhaps, or until tomorrow evening anyway, to allow me to do that, to sleep, and to allow all of us to read your very detailed looking text in daylight, and consider it well."
"A good suggestion, Bedo," Mnemosyne agreed. "Everyone really should have a chance to read the Charter. In addition, I for one could use the time to clarify my thoughts on the issues which now await us - the exact location of the Covenant on the Mynd, how we will go about creating the Covenant, and so many more. Actually, even a name is an important issue as the Charter will not actually come into effect until a name for Covenant is added to the top. Also, I look forward to the election of a Princeps and handing over these meetings as well." Mnemosyne smiled at Longinus, perhaps showing that no hard feelings were to be had.
Once anyone else who had wished to have a last say had had the chance, Mnemosyne declared the meeting to be closed in formal style, thanking all gathered for attending and setting the date for the next meeting to be held on the following day. With that she rose and accompanied the leaving magi out into the fresh air above, chatting about a subject unrelated to their business - namely the weather.
==Continued==
Next page: The Charter.
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