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Post by Diocles on Dec 14, 2021 22:51:16 GMT
I escort my cousin Helena to her seat and then take my place, looking to Petronius to begin the proceedings. I glance at Belisarius and Nicepherus, too, hoping that this debate does not grow into a physical altercation.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 15, 2021 1:11:59 GMT
I must confess I am much more nervous about this gathering than I was the previous council. My prior ignorance of what's happening in the city was a form of bliss. However, I am thankful for my 'friends of Michael' in the room and I hope we can see more stability in the near term.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 1:30:30 GMT
It is indeed Petronius who rises and speaks, though the Lady Chrysalia also stands.
"This Tenth Council is held under the auspices of the Michaelite Toreador and the Obertus Tzimisce to address the question of the Ventrue headship. Are there any here who would speak?"
Before either Belisarius or Nicepherus can speak of their claims, however, the Bishop Alfonzo steps forward.
"I am not on the Council," he acknowledges, "but I have some rights of memory in this City. I am sure I speak for many when I ask--where is Caius, Emperor of the Night? He has been absent from his usual haunts for a few nights, but to call a Council? To replace him? Why? Surely, jumping to the conclusion that he is ... dead is far too much, far too soon?" He pauses and gestures around the room. "After all, where is the Autokrator? If she is absent, why not just 'replace' her? What of Sarrasine of the Children of Judas? Is he, too, to be replaced because he has been busy of late?"
At the point, both Belisarius and Nicepherus move to stand together. "We have here," says Belisarius, "an object that was very dear to my brother, Caius. If anyone with Auspex wishes to examine, I place this object in the hands of the Obertus Tzimisce and the Michaelite Toreador. Both the Toreador and the Tzimisce Quaesitors have examined it."
The Bishop strides forward to take the small image that Belisarius places in Lady Chrysalia's hands.
Chrysalia speaks next. "All who wish to examine the portrait approach now, for it shall not be brought forth again."
In the end, the Bishop Alfonzo, Chantry-Master Abetorius, and Theophilus of the Lexor Brujah approach and examine the image.
The Lady Chrysalia then speaks again. "Witch hunters slew the Emperor of the Night, in the Acropolis, on 27 March."
There is a swell of murmuring and shock, but it is exacerbated when the Tremere backs away from the image.
"She is right!" he exclaims in horror.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 15, 2021 1:35:20 GMT
To my companions, in their heads, I say But I thought the demon was what slew him?
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 1:42:54 GMT
Chrysalia replies in your minds. The demon held him there, but the witch hunter destroyed them both.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 15, 2021 1:46:30 GMT
"Of course, and this news might come as a shock to us all, but should it really be all that surprising? After all, witch hunters slew my Sire nearly two centuries ago, and now they have new help in the form of the accursed Children of Calomena!" I rise in my anger but master myself and resume my seat.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 1:48:54 GMT
There is a general murmur at the mention of the Children.
(Everyone can roll Perc+Empathy, +3 difficulty because it's busy and crowded)
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Aida
Aida Group
In search of knowledge
Posts: 874
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Post by Aida on Dec 15, 2021 1:52:28 GMT
{two successes} I, too, speak into all of our minds. It appears that what happened that night was a bit messier than we remembered.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 15, 2021 1:54:48 GMT
zero successes
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 15, 2021 2:29:20 GMT
zero successes
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 3:45:49 GMT
(I'll just privately message Aida about it, so we don't have to wait for Alexios. I can discord him if he makes it.)
Petronius lifts his hand. "I can appreciate, Bishop Alfonzo, that you felt this Council was summoned prematurely, but I can assure you that Trinitarian families have been more thorough and careful than that."
Lady Chrysalia adds, "If there are no further doubts about the necessity of a new Ventrue head, let us proceed. Who is put forward by the Ventrue?"
She addresses you, Sir Diocles, Quaesitor of the Ventrue.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 15, 2021 3:49:15 GMT
I stand and speak boldly after a pause. "Both Lord Belisarius and Lord Nicepherus have brought forth claims, but the Lexor Brujah have been unable to provide a legal solution."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 3:53:51 GMT
"Unfortunate," says Petronius the Arbiter. "So there is no Ventrue consensus?"
Belisarius steps forward. "The lack of the Autokrator's knowledge is a difficulty, but there is no question of succession. The headship of the Antonian Ventrue should fall to Antonius' only living childe. The Caesar Magister's claim, based upon his being the eldest childe of Antonius' eldest childe, does not hold weight, given that Septima Dominica never ruled, despite being alive and active when Caius took over for my Sire."
Nicepherus puts in angrily, "I am sure that there are many here who would agree with me!"
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Post by Diocles on Dec 15, 2021 3:54:56 GMT
I keep my gaze fixed on Belisarius and do not encourage my elder brother with any acknowledgement of what he has just said.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 15, 2021 4:04:08 GMT
This being an internal Ventrue matter, no one speaks. Only the Lexor Brujah might be expected to pronounce an opinion, but Natalya the Autokrator being absent keeps them silent, too.
Finally, Lady Alexia, the only member of the other Antonian Ventrue Scion House, says, "General Belisarius is the childe of Antonius. Who could presume to direct him who is not a childe of that same Sire? And the Head of the Ventrue cannot give orders to one of his own, how can he be the Head?"
Nicepherus' eyes flicker black for an instant, but he manages to keep control.
"I take the Headship of my House," declares Belisarius.
"The Obertus Tzimisce so recognize," says Lady Chrysalia, her onyx eyes daring anyone to speak.
"The Michaelite Toreador so recognize," says Petronius.
"Welcome, General Belisarius," says Lady Chrysalia, holding out her hands to him. "Come and take your place with the other Trinitarian Heads."
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