Nzld
First Post
Valeria turns to face Gasparius directly, smiling at him in an almost patronizing manner, though there is a hint of compassion, not scorn, in her eyes.
"Dear, beautiful Gasparius, you must, of course, be used to the games of power that take place within the walls of Fengheld, and though I have only heard stories of its machinations, I can imagine how you might have been influenced during your years of apprenticeship there. But Fengheld is a large and powerful covenant, perhaps requiring such complexities of rule and leadership, whereas Teneo... well, we are not so complex.... not yet, anyway. Perhaps one day we, too, shall be as mighty as Fengheld, and surely our charter will grow and evolve to reflect the changing needs of the covenant, but for now, at this, the birth of Teneo, a central authoritarian figure could prove detrimental."
She then begins to address the magi as a whole, looking from one to another as she makes her points.
"We are four magi, newly Gauntleted and, obstinsibly, equal in knowledge and power, though, undoubtedly, we each bring differing strengths and weaknesses to Teneo. Though we may individually differ on various issues as to how best to serve Teneo, guided by wisdom and logic, I am confident we, as a council, will reach the best decisions. Obviously a unanimouos vote on all decisions would be unrealistic and impracticle, and I do not propose such be the guiding principle of our oath, but most certainly a three-fourths majority can be expected to settle matters of importance without call for any one of us to be given undue authority over the others, or weighing one person's vote more highly than anothers."
Valeria pauses a moment to take a breath, before continuing.
"In our situation, with only four magi to determine the fate and destiny of Teneo, it is imperative that each magus contribute to the best of his abilities, in matters both magical and mundane, and it is equally imperative that no magus's opinion, insight, or vote be undermined. Should an issue come before the council that leaves us, as Gasparius says, deadlocked, that would mean that two of us are in disagreement with the other two. I say that an issue that splits the council so is one worthy of further discussions... of greater investigation... perhaps, even, of external advice... but it is not," she says, stressing the 'not', "one that should be decided in the favor of any single one of us."
"To grant veto power to any one of us would nullify the entire democratic process within Teneo." She looks to Gasparius again. "You seek a means to decide a tie vote, believing a three-fourths majority and unrealistic expectation, but you would, in fact, be establishing just the opposite." Once again she addresses the magi as a whole. "Were one of us to wield the power of veto, that person would indeed be able to break any deadlocked decisions, but that person would also have a greater influence on all covenant decisions. That person would only require one consenting vote amongst three to dominate the other members of the covenant. More importantly, as any single consenting vote would enforce that person's position, it would therefore require the united opposition from all three other members - aye, the very three-fourths majority you feel is unacceptable in deciding matters to begin with - it would take that three-fourths vote to stand against any wielder of veto."
"Shall that be the democracy that marks Teneo... that three must stand against one to thwart authoritarianism?"
Valeria lets the question hang in the air for a moment as she looks to each magus in turn.
"Sodales, I do not say these things because I fear any one of us has such ambitions for power, or that we consciously abuse such power were it granted to it, but the simple fact of the matter is that establishing the basis for such a power establishes a precendent for totalitarianism... or worse, anarchy!"
"Nay, we magi of Teneo can decide matters in council without need for a strong arm. It is my belief that most issues that come before us will be decided unanimously, but, lacking unanimous consent, it is worthy to sacrifice the will of one in favor of the will of three. Should a decision be so tenuous that a three-fourths majority cannot be reached, then that issue should not be decided, but should continue to be discussed until such conditions, arguments, conssessions, or agreements can be made with which to establish the three-fourths majority."
Valeria finally looks back to Gasparius.
"Gasparius, as I have said, we need no central authority amongst us, but ponder this: if you believe that one amongst us has the wisdom and logic to decide where others cannot, then surely that person would have the wisdom and logic to sway the votes necessary for his position. If the position is worthy, surely two amongst us can be made to see is as so and to vote in consent, accordingly."
She turns back to all the magi.
"I digress, however, my friends. For the sake of our initial binding oath, the three-fourths majority must stand. In the establishment of the covenant charter, however, should any amongst us still favor a veto power, provisions for such could still be brought before the council, where upon a three-fourths vote would establish it as law."
"Dear, beautiful Gasparius, you must, of course, be used to the games of power that take place within the walls of Fengheld, and though I have only heard stories of its machinations, I can imagine how you might have been influenced during your years of apprenticeship there. But Fengheld is a large and powerful covenant, perhaps requiring such complexities of rule and leadership, whereas Teneo... well, we are not so complex.... not yet, anyway. Perhaps one day we, too, shall be as mighty as Fengheld, and surely our charter will grow and evolve to reflect the changing needs of the covenant, but for now, at this, the birth of Teneo, a central authoritarian figure could prove detrimental."
She then begins to address the magi as a whole, looking from one to another as she makes her points.
"We are four magi, newly Gauntleted and, obstinsibly, equal in knowledge and power, though, undoubtedly, we each bring differing strengths and weaknesses to Teneo. Though we may individually differ on various issues as to how best to serve Teneo, guided by wisdom and logic, I am confident we, as a council, will reach the best decisions. Obviously a unanimouos vote on all decisions would be unrealistic and impracticle, and I do not propose such be the guiding principle of our oath, but most certainly a three-fourths majority can be expected to settle matters of importance without call for any one of us to be given undue authority over the others, or weighing one person's vote more highly than anothers."
Valeria pauses a moment to take a breath, before continuing.
"In our situation, with only four magi to determine the fate and destiny of Teneo, it is imperative that each magus contribute to the best of his abilities, in matters both magical and mundane, and it is equally imperative that no magus's opinion, insight, or vote be undermined. Should an issue come before the council that leaves us, as Gasparius says, deadlocked, that would mean that two of us are in disagreement with the other two. I say that an issue that splits the council so is one worthy of further discussions... of greater investigation... perhaps, even, of external advice... but it is not," she says, stressing the 'not', "one that should be decided in the favor of any single one of us."
"To grant veto power to any one of us would nullify the entire democratic process within Teneo." She looks to Gasparius again. "You seek a means to decide a tie vote, believing a three-fourths majority and unrealistic expectation, but you would, in fact, be establishing just the opposite." Once again she addresses the magi as a whole. "Were one of us to wield the power of veto, that person would indeed be able to break any deadlocked decisions, but that person would also have a greater influence on all covenant decisions. That person would only require one consenting vote amongst three to dominate the other members of the covenant. More importantly, as any single consenting vote would enforce that person's position, it would therefore require the united opposition from all three other members - aye, the very three-fourths majority you feel is unacceptable in deciding matters to begin with - it would take that three-fourths vote to stand against any wielder of veto."
"Shall that be the democracy that marks Teneo... that three must stand against one to thwart authoritarianism?"
Valeria lets the question hang in the air for a moment as she looks to each magus in turn.
"Sodales, I do not say these things because I fear any one of us has such ambitions for power, or that we consciously abuse such power were it granted to it, but the simple fact of the matter is that establishing the basis for such a power establishes a precendent for totalitarianism... or worse, anarchy!"
"Nay, we magi of Teneo can decide matters in council without need for a strong arm. It is my belief that most issues that come before us will be decided unanimously, but, lacking unanimous consent, it is worthy to sacrifice the will of one in favor of the will of three. Should a decision be so tenuous that a three-fourths majority cannot be reached, then that issue should not be decided, but should continue to be discussed until such conditions, arguments, conssessions, or agreements can be made with which to establish the three-fourths majority."
Valeria finally looks back to Gasparius.
"Gasparius, as I have said, we need no central authority amongst us, but ponder this: if you believe that one amongst us has the wisdom and logic to decide where others cannot, then surely that person would have the wisdom and logic to sway the votes necessary for his position. If the position is worthy, surely two amongst us can be made to see is as so and to vote in consent, accordingly."
She turns back to all the magi.
"I digress, however, my friends. For the sake of our initial binding oath, the three-fourths majority must stand. In the establishment of the covenant charter, however, should any amongst us still favor a veto power, provisions for such could still be brought before the council, where upon a three-fourths vote would establish it as law."
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