The Upcoming Tribunal of 1221

The next Tribunal meeting will take place, by agreement, in the ruins of Glanum (Chapter 8, Arelat: Glanum) in summer 1221. The Praeco Dama of Merinta, a maga of exceptional age and power, commands respect from many in the Tribunal, and is known to favor female magi. Despite her membership in Castra Solis, she lives apart in a small tower near Mimizan in Gascony, where she pursues her magical interests in seclusion. Perhaps for this reason she is regarded as acceptable by many Mercurians, and even Aedes Mercurii pay heed to her words if she chooses to speak.

Since the former Presiding Quaesitor Tibaut died last year, it is assumed his filia Beatrice will take the position, but this could be contested and will be the first order of business. (Normally the Presiding Quaesitor is appointed at the close of each Tribunal meeting, together with two advisers.) Beatrice has yet to establish any respect amongst the competing factions, as she is young for the role. Beatrice is nominally a member of Castra Solis, but she has taken to spending all her time in the Arelat of late, reputedly because of a falling out with the Flambeau Primus, Garus.

Given the recent upheavals, it is likely that the dominating theme at council will remain interference with mundanes and the effects of the Albigensian crusade on the Tribunal. Those most affected by the crusade, the Hermetic faidits and refugees from other covenants affected by de Montfort's forces, will demand license to defend themselves or enforce what they see as their right to reclaim their magical power. They seek the approval and backing of Garus and the milites of Castra Solis, even overt magical aid against the crusaders. The aloof conservative faction, led by the Mercurians of Aedes Mercuriae and supported by those southern covenants removed from mundane society and thus unaffected by the crusade (Ara Maxima Nova, Stella Durus, Miniata Sophia) will argue for not interfering and waiting out the current struggle, relying on their isolation to ensure their safety. If the Tribunal decides to formally intervene against the crusaders and the Church, the Pyrenean led group may boycott any future discussions in 1227 and even attempt to secede from the Tribunal entirely. Meeting the requirement of four covenants, they may petition to declare themselves an independent new regional Tribunal at the next Grand Tribunal, scheduled for 1228.

An issue also in many senior magi's minds is the growing power of the Coenobium, long respected as a source of stability and a paragon of cooperation amongst magi. The Jerbiton-and-Mercere controlled collective has greatly increased its influence, unopposed in the turmoil created by the recent destruction of several covenants by the crusaders. Its increasingly expanding hegemony makes even former allies uneasy. Tolosa Paratge's internal war may also be raised, if any magi feel the situation should be resolved by the Tribunal and bring a case.