The First Meeting of the High Council

Upon waking, each member of the Coterie finds a neatly folded paper at their door that reads, "Völva Lucrezia Thorne The Joyful invites you to The First meeting of The High Council. Please meet in the Great Hall tomorrow at midnight to discuss plans for the village." At the bottom of the note is a rose drawn in red ink.
At 11:30 on the night indicated, Luci sits at the head of the table in the great hall, carving a toy boat out of wood. Zacharaii enters and seats himself at the opposite end of the table, setting his goblet filled with red liquid on the tabletop. After a moment he says, "What is this Lucrezia? What plans?"
"Actually," Luci replies, "I'm glad you're here first. I'd like to wait for the others, but I've had some dreams that you may be able to shed some light on if you're willing? I know you've been spending time in the woods, and I'm not sure if you're a player in any of this, or if you know who is."
"Ask away," The Russian replied simply. Luci explains in detail, with much animation and performance, about her recent adventures in the world of dream. The Russian listens patiently before he replies. "You've an imagination to be sure, Lucrezia. None of that makes sense to me. However, I really think if you want to figure out what these particular dreams mean, you'd be better off talking to Damien. He's the one who can connect with beasts. However, I get the distinct impression the rabbit with the watch was telling you were late for an important date... although I'm not sure why."
"I'll mention it to him. I haven't had much of an opportunity as of yet. He was certainly the first to come to mind when I possessed the bird. Flying above the trees... I can see why he spends so much time in animal forms." Luci resumes her carving and makes an attempt at small talk while they wait for the others to arrive. "So, have you had anything interesting happen lately? Met anyone of note or encountered any strange beasts in your travels?"
"Nothing worth noting. The strangest bests have been right here in Elmham. I did find out that those twisted werewolves call themselves Black Spiral Dancers... it is apparently a clan that has been corrupted."
Lucrezia giggles, "Black Spiral Dancers. They sound exotic and beautiful. The twisted werewolves... do you meant the ones working with the vampires?"
"No, the ones who were fighting the Norse contingent in Einherjar."
Luci nods, and her usually cheerful demeanor turns stern, "Where are they now? Do you know what they're doing? Who their leaders are? What they want?"
"There is precious little information about them. They were shunned and hunted by other werewolves. They are corrupted by the Wyrm. They are extremely dangerous. I do not relish the thought of facing one in person." Zacharaii replies solemnly."
"The enemy of my enemy..." Luci muses. "Perhaps we don't have to fight them if they're shunned from our natural foe. Do you know any more about the corruption? Are they victims of it, or are they the creators?"
"I am unsure about their status in regards to the Wyrm, but certainly now they are willing participants. As for the Einherjar, it is a thought. As you say, the enemy of my enemy..."
The conversation turns to the Blacksmith and his son. Both vampires express a certain amount of attachment to the two, as they discuss their status in the castle.
Damien enters and sits at the table, splitting the difference between Luci and Zacharaii. "Good to know I'm not the only one concerned about those two," he interjects.
Luci smiles warmly, "I'm glad you could make it! Welcome."
"Thanks Luci. So what's this..." Damien reviews the invitation in his hand, "'First meeting of the High Council'?"
"Well, I hope at least Phaedra will join us before we get started, but we're here to discuss the village and how to run it. At the moment, there's a power vacuum and we must present a unified front if we wish to keep someone else from filling it."
"Oh..." Damien says quietly.
"Do such matters... not concern you?" Luci asks, trying to decipher her enigmatic companion.
"No, I mean, yeah well... um..." Damien appears to be uncomfortable about the question. His shoulders slump slightly and his head hangs a bit. "I don't do... people very well. Interaction with other... humanoids... not really my comfort zone. I much more enjoy the company of animals.... if you haven't noticed."
"You do not have to be involved if you do not wish," says the Russian matter-0f-factly. "We want to be clear that you are welcome, and also that decisions will be made with you or without you being here."
"I'm certain there's something you can do, even if you don't wish to mingle with the likes of us." Luci winks playfully at Damien before smiling gently. "Please stay. we value your input."
"Nope, it's ok. I'm here. I'll help any way I can." Damien's discomfort is more obvious now that his words have upset someone. Attempting to reassure the girl he says, "It's not you, Luci," before realizing he just singled out Zacharaii, "Or you Zacharaii... I'd say I'm most comfortable around you guys. It's everyone else..." He trails off a little, registering the wink Luci had given him too late and realizing that she was being playful. "I'm just gonna shut up now..."
Luci giggles at Damien's discomfort and lets him stammer a little before changing the subject, "Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you about."
Damien looks at Zacharaii expectantly before realizing that it's not him Luci is talking to. He looks back to her in surprise. Abruptly, a short man wearing a heavy silk robe enters the room.
"I'm sorry. I noticed your invitation a little late, but I am here now. It would appear we are going to be taking control of this area in a more official capacity? This is interesting news." Turning to Zach, Godric continues, "It would seem that you waste no time getting back to your old tricks my friend. How can I help?"
Lucrezia leans over and whispers to Damien, "We'll talk about it later."
Damien, using the unexpected distraction, hurridly answers Godric, "Yeah, it would seem Luci looks to have a meeting about running the village."
Godric, realizing he may have barged in on an existing conversation, apologizes, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? Please continue." He bows his head slightly and sits across from Damien.
"Lucrezia wants to make sure the local peasants are well cared for. Since I don't have any objection to having a happy and docile populace, it seems a good idea. Besides that, cultivating a herd seems a good idea on top of everything else." Zacharaii adds with a smile, "As for my old tricks, this is quite a new one, I assure you."
Godric smiles back, "Well, I am sure we will see about that. So, what have I missed so far?"
Damien shrugs, "I'm not sure. I got here barely before you did."
The group looks to Luci for an answer, as she stands and smiles. "You're not interrupting at all, and the meeting has yet to begin in earnest. I would hope for Phaedra and Grace to join us, but that may be too much to ask at the moment. I'll bring them up to speed later. I know that Phaedra is in the process of establishing a hospital in London, and I believe that keeps her very busy.
"What do you have in mind, Lucrezia?" Zacharaii asks.
Before she can answer, Godric takes charge. "Ok, so perhaps I can propose a place to start? What is happening below the town? There are more than just mines down there and that is most concerning. Also, do you notice that the locals aren't sleeping as much as they should? How can they work all day in the town and then spend the night time in the mines? Or would it seem that some never leave?"
Luci ignores his questions and raises her voice slightly to interrupt the barrage, "In an effort to establish healthy feeding grounds, better investigate the mystery of the blight, and keep a docile population that can help increase our personal comfort, we must form a system of government that fills the place of the old church."
"But, the old church isn't fully dealt with, or am I misunderstanding?" Godric asks, apparently oblivious to the interruption.
"Zacharaii has begun to establish himself as the lord of this place, but the populace has yet to recognize us as anything other than the lords that have taken up residence in the castle," Lucrezia answers with only the slightest hint of malice.
"The old church is dealt with, save one corrupt priest, and I have already requested new priests be sent from the Bishop in London," Zacharaii answers his friend's ignored question.
"Oh, well, it would seem that the problem of the church will solve itself. Have you met this new Bishop? Do you know of his disposition?" Godric asks.
"I recognize it is important to the populace to have a spiritual center. What we do not want is for the church to once again be the center of government in town. That should be us, or someone of our choosing. I have not met the bishop, but if he's in London, he should be one of Mithras' creatures (or tied to one). I'm unconcerned about whom they send at the moment. As for being recognized as the Lord in the Castle, that is the first step. And you have already surmised the second Lucrezia: setting up a friendly local government structure."
"We know so little about this village," Lucrezia muses, "There are farms to the south and mines under the mountain, but what was the church doing with all of that stone and ore?"
Looking mildly concerned, Godric asks, "Do you not fear inviting one of Mithras' loyalists into your ranks? You must know that whoever they send will also be an informant. Would it not be better to take someone loyal to you and give them this position?"
Luci fixes a glare onto Godric in a steely gaze uncharacteristic of her usual childish smile.
Zacharaii replies cooly, "Not at this moment, no."
"What do you have to say against Mithras?" Lucrezia demands. "Do you quarrel with him in some way? Do you not know it is he who sent us?"
Godric is taken aback. He sees the fire in Lucrezia's eyes and hears ice in her voice. He is momentarily at a loss for words, and it occurs to him: is this how it feels to be the subject of a vampire's domination? Surely not...
"There is no quarrel with Mithras," Zacharaii interjects through the tension. "That being said, Mithras is not here, and I won't be sending to London for his permission on how to run things here."
Godric, regaining himself, replies to the red-headed woman, "No, I have nothing against Mithras. I am not insane." Lucrezia bristles at the mention of derangement and picks up her carving to busy her hands as her own "insanity" creeps like an itch in her palms, making it impossible to sit still. "I don't know if you want Mithras taking too much of an interest in you," He continues. "He tends to be bad for business when he is in the immediate vicinity."
Zacharaii tries to put his friend's mind at ease, "He is busy with building his new Rome. Don't draw his attention, and all will be well."
Luci is still a little offended at the implication that Mithras is anything other than their generous patron. He had treated her well, and she hated hearing a word against him. She knows, however, that all in this world have a dark side and it is naive to believe Mithras' affection is unconditional. Damien seemed unconcerned one way or the other, but begins pondering Zacharaii's mention of "New Rome." He has thus far believed himself to be in Greece and isn't sure how Rome would play into the geography of his location. He remembers no mention in his history books of New Rome... His attention trails off as he contemplates his (literal) place in the world.
"Moving on then," Godric prompts, "What do we do with the peasants?"
"Yes," Zacharaii agrees, "the governance of the village. I suggest we lay down some laws and then choose someone to be the Mayor and run things day-to-day. Set up a day to hear grievances as Lord of the area and then set a couple of spies to watch the Mayor."
"You should probably make a whole city council and have some of your retainers in it." Godric suggests.
"A council is a good idea. My main concern, however, is food. A hungry populace is the most likely to rebel. We should..." Lucrezia says, attempting to refocus.
"Humans are useful for the day to day stuff. I will get some of my contacts to ship us some supplies from Londonunium." Godric interjects.
"We should make sure the farms are producing what they ought to and aren't sending their supplies to the church." Lucrezia finishes.
"But how do you plan to afford all this?" Godric asks. Without waiting for an answer, "Also, to that end. The church has to have some massive stockpiles of supplies hidden somewhere."
Luci tries to remain calm, but is quickly losing her patience. "This town ran just fine before we arrived as far as I can tell. I don't want to pull from outside help unless absolutely necessary."
"Luci?" Damien asks in a quiet voice.
"Well, define 'fine'," Godric continues. "They seem to be slaves under some sort of compulsion that is deeper than any I have..."
Lucrezia holds her hand out to Godric, requesting silence. "Yes, Damien?"
"Where is that map you showed me earlier? Do you mind if I use it?" Damien asks.
"It's... in Phaedra's room," Luci answers, puzzled at the request. "Zacharaii, would you please ask Ivan to retrieve it?" Zacharaii summons his retainer, Ivan, and Luci provides directions and thanks him with a sweet smile. The map is laid out on the table in front of Damien.
Reaching the end of his capacity for silence, Godric asks, "So, can we get back to how to stop the peasants from mining the rock and getting back to farming?"
"Peasants haven't stopped farming." Damien replies almost absent-mindedly as he studies the map.
Godric, apparently unaware that anyone was speaking, gets a thoughtful expression and begins to muse, "Although, that ore is likely very valuable. Perhaps I can send samples to one of my jewelers and see if they can do anything with it... bet it would fetch a nice price on the market..." He trails off, appearing to forget there are others in the room.
"We want them mining AND farming, as well as woodcutting and trading," Zacharaii says. "As far as I can tell, the farmers are farming and the miners are mining, and the woodcutters are cutting wood. What we want to make sure of is that they keep doing that." Zacharaii stares down his friend for a moment and finally reclaims his attention, "Don't add issues that aren't yet issues, and don't send that ore anywhere yet Godric."
"The peasants haven't stopped farming," Damien repeats, his eyes never leaving the map in front of him. "I mean... the humans haven't stopped farming. This has been a mining town for a while now. The farming was established to feed the miners. To say that the humans should stop mining and go back to farming, is to tell you to stop sailing and go back to cooking."
Luci stifles a giggle, but Godric is focused on Zacharaii and doesn't appear to hear either of them. "Why would you care where one rock goes? There is a mountain of them!"
"I have my reasons. Sometimes a secret held is better than money. Something YOU have yet to learn." The two men rise slightly from their chairs and begin to raise their voices.
"Gentlemen, please!" Lucrezia tries to interject, "Quarreling is unnecessary... although amusing..."
Godric, feigning shock and injury, "You know I can keep secrets! Why mistrust me now, friend?"
"AND unhelpful to the matter at hand!" Luci continues, trying to refocus the two men.
"If I mistrusted you, Godric, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"Fine," Godric replies, possibly finally hearing Luci, but showing no evidence of it. "We can talk about this later."
As silence falls again, everyone relaxes back into their seats. "Who will go to survey the farms?" Luci asks. Her quiet, measured voice is now in stark contrast to the heat of the conversation immediately before. Damien looks up from his map and surveys the room, knowing full well he is likely the best candidate, but feeling awkward about volunteering for anything.
Matching Luci's quiet tone, Zacharaii re-states, "Damien has said there is nothing wrong with the farms. They are producing."
"So, everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. We will establish a council. Simple. Do you have anyone in mind?" Godric, again trying to take control of the conversation.
"I think one from the mining community, one from the farming community, and Ceric (the blacksmith) to be Mayor," Zacharaii replies.
"We need," Luci begins, raising her voice a little in frustration, "to make sure that the food is being sent to the correct place. Either directly to the community, or to ourselves. Not the church."
Damien stands with purpose and addresses Luci directly, "Is there anything specific we are looking for from the farms? Or just anything weird...?"
Luci smiles at Damien. His sweet, polite, awkward nature endearing him to her like a younger brother. His question allows her to regain her composure, and her irritation dissipates, "I need to know where their supplies are going and who their leader is that can serve on a council. However, if you would stay a little longer, please? There may be more that is needed."
Damien sits down, and Godric continues, his words flying like startled birds, "You probably want to add in a representative from the lumber and merchant communities as well. Also, is there any form of law in this town? I noticed guards. Who do they report to?"
Luci addresses Godric with renewed patience, "One question at a time, please."
Godric laughs and tells Zach, "You're in for a lot of paperwork my friend!" He turns towards Luci and quiets slightly, "I'm sorry. I have long thought about running my own town. I am getting ahead of myself."
"Godric brings up a good point, " Luci nods in acceptance of his apology and continues. "A system of law needs to be a priority. Do we know if there is any formal militia?"
"I don't want to add anyone to the council beyond the two I mentioned." Zacharaii patiently repeats. "They are the prominent factions in town. If any other faction grows to need it, they can be added. As for laws, use God's law and add taxes. 10% should be sufficient. And no, there is no militia. The peasantry depends on their Lord for defense. For which I'll depend on all of us.... and when we have taxes, provide a more traditional defense force."
Godric rolls his eyes, "We're gonna need a militia just to implement the taxes..."
Luci cocks her head to the side in confusion, "The Gods have no formal... oh... you mean the Christian laws. Of course." She laughs, thinking how small a religion must be to have only one deity. "Godric makes a good point, though. If they haven't been paying taxes, they won't want to start. Let the council... come to the correct conclusion about taxes... and the populace may take it better. They may take their own leaders' mandates better than ours."
"No. Taxes are non-negotiable." Zacharaii sternly retorts as Godric nods in agreement.
"Yea, 'cause that worked out well..." Damien mutters under his breath.
Luci raises an eyebrow at Damien, but lets the comment pass. "Of course taxes are non-negotiable. It's a matter of how they're presented."
"Zacharaii! Don't forget the tea! The tea is important!" Damien laughs. The out of character outburst is met with confusion by the party. Each falls silent and looks at Damien with confusion. Damien shrinks back in his chair, realizing that tea may not be invented yet and realizing his joke fell entirely flat. "Oh, uhh... it's a hot drink I had once. I believe they called it tea..."
"We know what tea is..." Godric starts, slightly concerned. "Have you been living outside of civilization so long?"
"Why would tea be important to the peasantry?"
"Tea... is a terrible thing to waste... is all I'm saying..." Damien hesitates.
Lucrezia reaches over and pats his hand. "We'll be sure to have plenty of tea, love."
"Lucrezia, any ideas on whom to ask from the mining or farming communities to represent the council?" Zacharaii asks, again trying to re-focus the meeting.
"I'll contact the miners. I have several..." Luci feels their eyes on her and hesitates, fearing the judgment of her close association with the people of the town. ".. people... from the town who know me and work in the mines. They should be able to point me in the right direction. As for the farmers, Damien, would you be willing to go talk to them for us?"
"Yeah, if you need me to TALK to people... I'll do my best." Damien smiles a little as he playfully rolls his eyes and starts to rise from his chair.
"Thank you, Damien." Luci winks in his direction and he blushes slightly.
"I want someone they respect," Zacharaii instructs Damien. "And someone who is fair and just."
Luci turns towards Zacharaii, "Cenric may need a... gentle hand." She remembers back to their last interaction. The blacksmith had been drunk and clearly distressed. She didn't want to see him that way again but also felt that Zacharaii was too belligerent to be sent alone. "Do you think you could speak with him, or would you prefer for someone else...?" She trails off, not wanting to volunteer, but not seeing an alternative.
"I think we should speak to him together," Zacharaii suggests unexpectedly.
Luci visibly relaxes and nods in agreement, "Is there any chance of setting up a trade route with the river?"
"Yes, we are already building a dock and plan to integrate it into the trade routes as soon as possible. I do not want to have to rely on Londinium for anything if we can help it."
"That's wonderful. Growth will be reliant on our connections to the world outside this little village."
"Precisely."
"Alright, Zacharaii and I will speak with Cenric, Damien will consult with the farmers, and I will speak with the miners. It appears Zacharaii will be very busy. Godric, would you please assist him with setting up the docks? I'm not sure what is required, but I'm certain your experience would be helpful. As for the rest of us, we have our objectives. If there is nothing else...?" The gathered nod in silent agreement and Luci closes the meeting. "Then may the road rise up to meet you. We are adjourned."