Con Spells Cloaked
Supreme Aug:Pre+3 Man+2 dur 12hrs;Skill Mastery Socialize+2 Persuasion+4 dur 12 hrs
(2002) Formal Business Concilium
41616
THREADID
122
POSTS
101 - 110
DISPLAYED
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Day-um.
Nobody to herald to nobody in what? Twenty minutes?
At least that's part of what he was surmising with the result. Can't be a voice for for a nonexistent heirarch. Plus it seemed he may be stuck playing the councilor game with the diamond. He didn't want to. At all. But he also wasn't sitting in silence while a council with one and a half functioning councilors made decisions for everyone. Or two and a half maybe? He had no idea what was happening with Morgan.
The former herald continued to watch, looking as defeated as his Heirarch.
The violent display is mesmerizing. And very educational. Don’t fuck with the ice cream man.
A glance stolen at Winter, are the two aligned by more than their path and order?
And with a swift flick of wrists the Parabola of Campanella, Hierarch of Sacramento, had met the x-axis, after a display of theatrical fireworks no less.
It's not the fall that kills you, but the Landing.
"Enough", the rite master says, "In a battle of Wisdom, the contestants measure the strength of their convictions. From this test, the Winner gets to affirm the Truth... beyond doubt. Today, Magus Star emerges victorious", he nods to the younger man, "The Charter is reaffirmed, the Hierarch of Sacramento shall be picked from the ranks of its Councillors", of course - despite its traditional role - the Guardians don't attach much significance to Dueling. When you see reality in different shades of gray, binary outcomes are rarely the optimal course of action.
"Magus Campanella has fought well and as it is in our customs, both duelists depart under friendly terms. But the outcome of the contest cannot be challenged", he says, looking at the man yielding man.
The ring of flames surrounding the contestants is extinguished with a flowing motion of his hands.
Star had done his part to undermine a crumbling throne and showing Campanella the lies of Pride. Now he too needed to play his part to enforce the Veil.
He looked at Anima.
Bright blue eyes are practically shining as the pain, exertion, and moment bring the world into focus.
There's no resistance but the nod comes late, assenting to the end of the Duel. It's distraction, not silent protest. Does Campanella understand now? Mastery isn't the end. 'Most Wise' wasn't a divine benediction. These are all things that they made. Things that could be broken.
And we got the eyes to see
Another world outside that's full of
All the broken things that I made
False thrones.
"Campanella," the angel said quietly as he stepped toward the other man to offer assistance to help him to a seat, "Is under protection until he recovers."
With everyone is focused on the Duel, Papilio leaves.
The deed was done, he ekes closer to check on the condition of both duelists. Funny that nobody had asked him to scrutinize their spellwork, not that he did complain. The mission was the mission.
And now they were down to two Councillors, he thinks as Papilio leaves the room without much fuss do disappear God only knows where. Reducing their institutional body to a shaky relic in the minds of the many, but the Guardian thought otherwise. It was an opportunity to set things straight.
Shodan was still on the hook, so was the election of the new Hierarch - with just two councillors to boot, what a dick move - at this point they were going to reschedule the whole thing.
Campanella does not speak. He can't.
Definitely thankful for the Hierarch's assistance though - hands hands are still shaking and he feels light headed, like he is walking on air.
And not in a good way.
The Moros takes a seat and manages a sigh.
Phoenyx stared as Campenella went down and choked out a yield, but her face was not one of shock but excitement and awe.
That was incredible.
There was clearly a lot more to Star than she had realised. Perhaps that was his nature, or what he wanted. He was a Guardian of the Veil, and this showed just how much of a veil there was around her fellow Obrimos. But in many ways, he was demonstrating precepts the Arrow had learned and understood, and Star was playing them out. Creating order from Chaos. waiting through the midst of possibility. When he moved, it was with decisiveness and purpose. It was inspiring, almost enviable.
Did he even know that? Would he even care? It was impossible for the Talon to tell.
As the former Hierarch was taken to his seat, the Arrow begins to process the implications. The Charter said the Hierarch was chosen from the Councillors, and this was not done. Campenella assumed the role by presumed mandate, and Star had enforced - perfectly - the rule of the law as written. This was Just, as was Star's protection of the beaten Moros.
And the Mastigos Councillor, she realised, was gone. This meant only two, or perhaps three, of the so-called Councillors remained.
"With respect councillors, this might be a good time to pause and make sure level heads prevail." Sorry, Shodan. This is going to take a while. The Arrow's tone is level, taking opportunity of the silence. "The decision of what is to happen to Magus Shodan remains in question. If a trial, then a date, Factota, and a Provost must be set. Beyond that, there is the question of representation on the Council for some of the paths, and of both a new Sentinel and who leads the Council, if anyone." She pauses, and looks around the room. "Perhaps it may be simplest to declaire the next Concillium date for all Official business. If any position is not filled at that time, it may be assumed that path is not represented until they choose a Councillor by the methods in the Charter. This also gives the Councillors in position opportunity to convene and arrange terms and positions, the Paths without Councillors to asses thier position, and for Magus Shodan to more formally prepare his defense." Because let's face it, Winter would be caught naked casting fireballs on Main Street before he let Shodan get out of this one.
Her piece said, she slips back against the wall. Waiting.
And to think that he was coerced into silence with an overt display of Hierarch's magic after a poorly thought-out comment regarding the bureaucracy's operation. Now that very bureaucracy was crumbling to dust for all to see. They don't have a Hierarch. One of the Councilors seems to have slipped away when nobody was looking. Pixel's fate as Herald was kind of uncertain, too, since the person who appointed him no longer held his office.
So rather than marvel at the fact that Star defeated Campanella in a matter of moments (shit, even his one-sided duel with Winter lasted longer), the Libertine is more concerned about what does this mean for governance and power structures going forward. And, of course, what it means for his safety.
Just when putting it all to rest was within reach...
"I have my defense very formally prepared" He answers Phoenyx when she finishes. Weird, she of all people should know that he is rarely done talking after just a few sentences "But I can be ready whenever. Of course, it goes without saying that until a verdict is announced I can operate under assumption of innocence, correct?" Interestingly, the Charter was kind of vague about this crucial principle of trials, so he looks for an answer to the Councilors, as well as Star - if he voiced his opinion on one part of the law, he just migh have one on another.
The Viper or The Mongoose? The Liberator or Usurper. The next few minutes will tell the tale.
Anima catches Winter's look and meets the Guardian's eyes. He holds the gaze for a long moment, then slowly stands, turning he takes in the gathered mages of Sacramento. He studies each face, one by one; the rebellious, the accused, the returned, the abstract, the fallen, the guilty, the pink, the firebird, the quippy, and the angel. Finally, he looks back at Winter, studying the man for a long beat.
The real problem right now isn't one of order, it's of watchtower. Hierarch, Council, Guardians, Libertines, the Wild will one day reclaim them all. Predator or prey, just taking part in the great cycle is Primal. So Viper or Mongoose....
He acknowledges Phoenyx's argument with a nod.Then Shodan speaks up, Anima looks hard at the man. Read the charter...
Honey Badger don't care. Honey Badger don't give a shit. Honey Badger got things to do.
"Two voices among the twelve awakened of Sacramento. Two watchtowers to be the wisdom for five. Two seats do not make a council; they are just two chairs. I propose we reconvene in April. Let Thorn, Iron, and Lead sort themselves out and acclaim a representative before we move forward. Should a Path decide they do not wish representation, then the gathered should elect the voice in their stead. It is time we unite as the Wise to bring order out of today's chaos."
Or ya know, don't, because the Wild is beautiful chaos.
What's it gonna be Winter, Liberation or Coup?