(2204) The Councillors

[Winter]

Paradoxes Strengthen the Abyss as Punishment Answers Pride

Her sin could have been justified, but it couldn't go unpunished. Like Socrates drinking the hemlock, sometimes sacrifices ought to be made for the greater good.
Phoenyx wasn't ready.

The Guardian rarely speaks, when he does, it's for a good reason.
"This Consilium recognizes the Lex Magica and the prerogative of the Precept of Secrecy. Punishment and justice are administered in accordance to our Precedents and the Tetragrammaton as to avoid that equal situations be treated unequally. The council has only a say whether the party involved is guilty or not, in this case, Phoenyx herself admitted her guilt", his gaze turns over to Corn, "Those are the cardinal rules of our society, if you don't accept them, feel free to leave. As the yet standing Sentinel - the one tasked with protecting the Consilium - I shall escort you out if you wish"

From the guy who brought you "can I apply eugenics to my unborn sleeper child", the next part of the trilogy "Quiescence will deal with it".
The Guardian thought whether it was a bad Seer impersonator slipping into the Mysterium or it was just another case of the Mystagogue being inexperienced.
"Magus Corn, as any Mystagogue should know, Quiescence is anathema to Magic. It's the Abyss stranglehold upon the Sleepers' soul, what actively makes this world Fallen. And the strongest weapon in the Seers' arsenal", his gaze studies the man, "Your dismissive comment raises concern"

"Furthermore, I ask to convene a path meeting in order to discuss the matter of Councillor Phoenix's succession"

[Phoenyx]

Phoenyx remained at the parade rest she had taken as the words blurred around her. Battle lines were being drawn. Corn made a classically wordy response that nevertheless supported her decision. She didn't believe what she did was praise-worthy. She did what was necessary. Crystal, similarly, had suffered at strick rules adherence. It was not surprising that Winter backed Puck's accusation - the Guardian had shown that upholding the rules he held were worth any cost. It was ironic that he had done the same thing - broke a law for a maxima he personally held - and similarly paid the price of it.

"If I may make an observation," she announced, cutting through the debate, "we already have a precident for processing. Councillor Puck had outlained his accusation. The core of my rebuttal is I did not break the Precept of Secrecy since the spell used, though academically classified as vulgar magic, was entirely consistent with natural law - a man passing out from blood loss. I am accused with obscuring the facts - as Councillor I am required to interpret the laws, and Councillor Puck and I clearly have differing views on this." They could argue around in circles over everything else. Hell, Puck had even implied she had made the more moral choice, but choosing to rule with the letter of the law. Whether that was wise or reasonable was debateable, but what was not was that she had cast the spell.

She looked around. "Academic reasoning and interpretation aside, we now have two options before us. The council may pass sentence or move to a full trial of this case. As the accused, I would like to appoint a Provost for Council voting relating to this case - Magus Winter. As the Charter was overturned there is nothing to prevent him from occupying the role of Sentinel and Provost simultaneously, should he accept." Would Puck do the same, or sit happily on his vote for her demise? It did not matter - again, this was the right thing to do, and she would not select Viggo and be accused of favouritism.

Dark eyes found the Guardian. Had he been waiting for something like this all along, just to play some silly move of poltics? He was welcome to it. A Throne is a Warrior's prison. "As for Magis Winter's request, I serve my path at their choosing. I recommend the Obrimos meet as soon after Concillium as we are able."

Short and to the point.

[Zeromancer]

Zeromancer has nothing to add at this time.

[Puck]

"Is this a joke?"

Puck looks to Aurora before scanning the group.

"Is Ashton Kutcher waiting in the court yard? I honestly don't think I can take someone seriously when they espouse the Abyss's hold as a safe guard."

Seriously?! Commend someone for breaching the veil because the abyss has our backs?

"So tell us what the spirit of the law is Corn. Where do you have this special insight that lictors and factota don't? Because honestly? I think this is a pretty opportunistic stance for you to take. You're the guy that talked about practicing eugenics on his unborn sleeper baby to avoid a child with down syndrome but only hesitated because you were concerned using Life would mutate the child into something not human. How are we supposed to take your judgment seriously when you want to commend a lex offender? Especially one who used Life to affect a sleeper, like you openly tried to do with your hypothetical child?"

Is someone still going for that eugenics program? Did it really have to do with the Arrow? Where was the line where you were to important for the law to apply?

"Phoenyx is a Councilor of the Concilium and head of the Arrow. She needs to understand that a flippant attitude towards the Lex Magica isn't acceptable. Otherwise, what's to stop her from passing this lack of judgment on to the other talons and theurgists? We all have access to spells that can attack bodies or patterns and swing the tide of a battle. Being an arrow isn't a good enough reason to shield you from the laws. What's more, the spell in question doesn't even heal or save anyone, it just cut corners for knocking them out. So what's the real message being heard? Certain orders don't have to play by the rules? Only people not on the council have to worry about the Lex? What's the message taken away from saying Phoenyx's status as an Arrow or Councilor has anything to do with her judgment?"

Spoiler alert? Nothing flattering to the mages passing this judgment. Speaking of?

"Yo Moira!" Now Puck's attention is focused on Moira . "Want to demonstrate basic reading comprehension as part of a thankless job where anyone can say any stupid thing and expect it to be taken at face value as a difference of opinion and not an opportunity to continue his own unethical experimentation?"

Is Puck alluding to someone in particular? He'd never.

[Corn]

I want to clarify that I as a player have no issue at all with the player of Winter OR the character. Winter does what he is supposed to do.

What the fuck did Winter say about me just now?! Corn thought while his expression visibly hardened and his ire raised.
So here the usual rivalry between Guardians and Mysterium begins...

And then Puck ripped him a new one and he had to admit that at least Puck made some effort and brought up some decent points while not shying away from character assassination. At least he didn't stay on just that.

"Thank you Councilor Puck for at least offering me the chance to clear up some things said about me in a somewhat civil manner although you seem very interested about my unborn child and I don't think I have given you, or anyone, permission to bring it up. In fact, I remember that I have asked this consilium and the council agreed, that my Sleeper family and the place of my work should not be infringed upon.
First thing first, let me remind to everyone, including the Sentinel, that I said that 'the Precept of Secrecy is there for very good reasons' so allegations that I don't abide by the Lex as if I am an Apostate are at the very least misinterpretations of what I said. I believe it is the most important of our tenets and there's a reason it is a golden law. I will get to why I think Councilor Phoenyx didn't breach it and the insight Councilor Puck asked after I address the insinuations, insults and implied threats the Sentinel levied against me.

Sentinel Winter, "Corn said without making much effort to keep his scorn from his expression,
"this consilium and this councilor recognize the precept of Secrecy and I assure you I know well the reasons we need it, both for the protection of ourselves as a secret society and the metaphysical reasons - the widening abyss. I was the one that said Quiescence is the way the Abyss keeps the Fallen World sleeping and I didn't say it as a compliment to the Abyss as you insinuate. I just didn't think that anyone would assume that a Mystagogue would consider the Abyss' a good thing so I didn't clarify.
But I was under the impression that this consilium didn't abide just by the Precept of Secrecy but recognized the other Great Rights. Including the Right of Emeritus, Sentinel Winter. As of a few minutes ago, I am not only the head of an order, but also a councilor. And as a dadouchos and a Councilor, the Right of Emeritus requires a sentinel to show greater respect than spread doubt and insincere lies about me because of diverging opinions. Since we all like the tetragramaton so much, I think that it is within my rights to request this council to pass a major reprimand on you for the insults and gross disrespect towards the Moros Councilor.
Precedents. I am not here long enough to remember how this consilium deals with what Councilor Puck considers a breach of the Veil but I remember that Magus Anima has left the city in shame because he insinuated a Councilor was... what was it again, Councilor Puck? I think Magus Anima insinuated you are a plebeian and you brought him to trial over the insult.
Sentinel Winter called me, in short, a traitor and Scelestus-wannabe. Quite more insulting than calling me a Plebeian. And since I believe context matters, Sentinel Winter ignored my own words of recognizing the Precept of secrecy to go right on and accuse me. "

Turning to the group as a whole, Corn, trying to keep his voice level and get to the subject, continued.

"I apologize for getting this long to get to the actual point of Councilor Phoenyx 's supposed 'guilt'. The Councilor admitted she casted a vulgar spell to knock out the possessed sleepers. That is not admission of guilt in my opinion. Why? Because I don't think the possessed count as sleepers. I won't hold up this consilium with a long expose of metaphysical reasons that I believe make a possessed person something different than a Sleeper but if the council wants, I am willing to provide examples, in written form, to be discussed in a later date as part of the trial if the council chooses to pursue this.
As such, the Sentinel's statement that the Councilor admitted her guilt is debatable by itself. There were no sleepers present in that situation from my understanding. No Harm, no Foul as I said earlier.

Now about actual threats to the Veil, something the Sentinel seems to forget, is that there is still a big fucking spirit out there, possessing people. That's quite a bigger threat to our secrecy than a possessed person falling asleep. If the Sentinel is so adamant about protecting this consilium as he said, then perhaps he should not be gunning for the Moros Councilor or worse, the First Talon when a dangerous spirit is possessing people. The Councilor was trying to stop that breach of the Veil in a non-violent, non-deadly way. There are bigger, much bigger threats to the Veil Sentinel than a possessed person falling asleep.
From all the petty things I have seen in my time in Sacramento, trying to punish a mage that was trying to contain a breach to the Veil and a threat for the tools she had to use on possessed non-sleepers must be the top. "

Then, he turned to Puck. "Most of my answers should show the councilor my view on why the Precept of Secrecy was not breached in this situation. As for the councilor's question of what message this would send, what precedent it would make, my view is:
It will send the message that this consilium values justice over mere law. That we don't punish mages for sensible use of vulgar magic when absolutely needed when there are no witnesses. That context matters. And that when the firefighter breaks the door to save us from a burning house, we won't sue the firefighter for the damage to the door saying he could have used a window.
This is my view and the reason I think we should vote on whether Councilor Phoenyx is actually guilty of breaching the Veil - at all - and even found guilty, whether she should face a major reprimand as the Tetragrammaton suggests or a lower sentence.
Clemency without Law is Anarchy.
Law without Clemency is Tyranny. "

[Winter]

"The unelected Councillor won't have this so easy", the Guardian smirks, "he can either challenge me to a duel Arcanum, or otherwise face the consequences of his action"

[Crystal]

And suddenly, shit hit the fan. Everybody knew how much Corn liked to talk, but suddenly this affinity got weaponized. And Winter apparently took it personally. There was a lot to unpack here - most prominently how to judge insults (implied and directly spoken) and how to interpret the Lex. And they just had to have this discussion the moment the only member of the Ladder dipped out. The day just got better and better.

There was just one big problem, as far as Crystal was concerned right now: he really didn't want to get caught in this crossfire. He voiced his opinion about Phoenyx' sentence and personally he was with Corn to some extend, but he didn't exactly feel like he owed Corn the moral support right now. Not when dueling one of the longest standing members of this Consilium was on the line. People could probably judge him for that, but as far as Crystal was concerned discretion was the better part of valor here. Until he was directly asked again he'd be content with listening and maybe intervening if things got too heated.

[Aurora]

Eyes look to Winter as he speaks, speaking a hard truth.

When she was a Ladder it was about making sure everyone was treated equally in these types of situations. And here she was now, willing to over look what happened because Phoenyx was her friend, someone she trusted. Her feelings for the Arrow had been clouding her judgement. And she hated that.

While she agreed with Phoenyx’s reasoning, the Lex could not be overlooked.

Then Puck with the low blow. While she felt the same as he did about the whole fetus thing, she didn’t throw it in Corns face. Why these things always became insults thrown back and forth she would never know. But she wasn’t going to join in it.

And then came the challenge. A Duel. Looking to Corn, she wondered where he would go with this? She didn’t see him lasting long against Winter. There wasn’t anything she could say to help this situation. She wasn’t a Ladder, and had quite frankly sucked at it. This had spiraled out of control. Fast.

But it still pained her to see. The way the Councilors had divided themselves, lines clearly drawn. It was a Consilium divided. And that was not a good place to be.

The Shaman was content to say nothing for now. Wanting to see how things unraveled, if the insults would continue, if she needed to find them all an adult.

[Moira]

Moira kept her face a pleasant mask as she listened to the councilors go on very lengthy explanations, and everyone seemed to be more interested in talking about morals rather than the law. The Lex didn't legislate morality, it legislated what was wise and what was not and codified this into laws they must obey or face severe consequences.


She heard her name called to the fray, and her eyes widened just a touch. That was the only outward indication of hesitance or stress she showed regarding this situation. While she admired Puck’s icy delivery, Moira was far more passionate than her counterpart. Hmph. Ice and fire as it were. This was getting out of hand, and she was sure glad none of these motherfuckers had any of her mistakes or dumb ideas on record!


“Of course Councilor Puck, I stand ready to assist. I agree with Councilor Puck and our Sentinel on this matter. This isn’t about morality. This is about what is Wise and what is not, and the Lex is clear. Phoeynx herself has confessed, and though the situation may draw sympathy from all who have found themselves in tough situations, Wisdom is not championed with sympathy, it is found through control. We don’t have the luxury to pick and choose what to follow and when to follow it. That ship sailed when we all agreed to abide by the Lex.”


To Moira it really was that simple. It wasn’t pleasant. It never was. Their lives were governed so strictly and tightly due to the great burden they bore as the Awakened. They had to hold the line and the standard.

As for all the monkey poo being hurled around, she really couldn't speak to that and blatantly refused too. If they want to take this to the next level of butthurt that was their call.

[Puck]

​"Those were rhetorical questions meant to highlight the ignorance underpinning your argument." Puck's words are cold as ice in their delivery. "And Anima left the city without a judgment being passed, leaving no precedent to speak of."

And that was being nice enough to overlook that what Winter had said was pretty mild.

"The truth is that the people who wrote the Precept of Secrecy are long gone and you don't have any greater idea as to the spirit of what was written then anyone else. What's more, your argument that they weren't sleepers is demonstrably wrong. The only way too make a sleeper not asleep is death, awakening, or full spiritual possession to the point there is no longer a sleeping soul residing in the body to invoke disbelief or greater risk of paradox. The fact that Phoenyx was able to snap them out of their mind control and return them to their previous state proves they were being influenced and not fully hollowed out by the spirit. Even if the spirit were in that process, nothing in my library or experience says the spirit can ride multiple people like that. So when one spirit has no less then two sleepers and Phoenyx cast her spell, it's going to be witnessed by a sleeper."

Winter would illustrate the weakness of Corn's enlightened soul, but the illusion of knowledge couldn't be allowed to Lie to anyone else. Libertines have a golden rule for this scenario, and it isn't hug it out with the followers of the Lie.

"The misinformation you're using to shield Phoenyx isn't just wrong, it's a danger to leave unchallenged. You're willfully ignoring facts of the case and presenting fake expert testimony that not only wasn't true to this scenario, but lays the groundwork to misinform our constituents when making vital decisions down the road. You need to stop talking and either allow Winter to escort you out or prepare for your duel."

The silence of the other councilors is a welcome change, and Moira's entrance marked greater wisdom then the Mysterium together could muster. For now, he watched to see if Corn would insist on digging himself even deeper into his hole.