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1999/02/09 Landsraad High Council Meeting
Log edited with Logedit 2.6.9pl on Wed Feb 10 10:12:03 EST 1999
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You walk through the Double Doors.
Congressional Chambers -- Landsraad Congress (Kaitain)
The room is slanted, forming several tiers of seating. Each group
seats has a designated pattern on the back of their chair,
representing the House it belongs to. At the front of the room is a
large table where there are seats for the High Council members only.
Behind the table is plush throne, draped in all the colors of
Corrino. Directly infront of this setup is an open area considered
the floor, where people may address the Chamber.
Players:
Arn Nils (table)
Azzo (moritani) Praxton (table)
Fredhrick (throne) Reverend Mother Ona
Iason Sarina
Mintor (atreides) Sha'ara'diin
Nikolai Steffan (ginaz)
Exits:
Double Doors <E> leads to Inner Rotunda -- Landsraad Congress (Kaitain)
Joral walks in from Inner Rotunda through the Double Doors.
Joral joins the Corrino seating.
Nikolai enters. After glancing around the room to gather who is in
attendance, Nikolai bows low to the Emperor. He then moves swiftly
to the Rastanyev table, placing his attache case upon it.
Fredhrick nods to Joral as he arrives.
You join the Rastanyev seating.
Joral bows deeply to the Emperor, then takes his seat.
Arn steps forward onto the chamber floor, silently waiting until he
has the attention of the whole of the assembly. "Noble Lords and
Ladies," he starts, "I call you to rise as this meeting of the
Landsraad High Council is now called to order. His Grace Paulos
XVIII, Siridar Duke Atreides of Caladan, has the Chair." Arn makes a
short pause, the span of a heartbeat, then on an impulse opens his
arms in an bidding gesture and adds, "Truth and obeisance to the
Forms!" Arn bows and retreats to the Atreides seats.
Nikolai silently opens his case and moves some of its contents into
neat piles on the table.
Tolben walks in from Inner Rotunda through the Double Doors.
Tolben is followed by two Guild Security Agents. One follows close
behind, the other a few paces back.
Praxton rises from his seat, and awaits for his colleage, the Viscount
Alvstad, to do likewise. "I, Praxton Atreides," he calls, "do
declare the Landsraad High Council to be in session." He strikes his
gavel for punctuation.
Tolben and an entourage of Guildsmen quietly pass to the Guild table
with a faint swooshing on robes.
Tolben joins the Guild seating.
Nikolai hands a note to a page and whispers for it to be taken to the
Duke Atreides. The page does as orded.
"The Chamber will please be seated," Praxton says calmly. He picks up
a small sheet of paper from the table before him, presumably the
agenda.
Nils remains in his seat, physically unable to rise like his younger
colleague. In lieu of this, he makes a slight starting movement, as
if to stand up, and nods to all present.
Mintor sits composed and motionless.
Azzo sits silently.
"This Council was much saddened and grieved", Praxton states, his tone
somber, "to learn of the untimely death of our cher cousine and
esteemed Councilman, Earl Valeri Rastanyev. He was a very young man,
one of the best and brightest of his generation. This Council would
like to express its condolences to the Great and Honorable House
Rastanyev, who has had the misfortune of losing two Siridari within
the span of three years." He pauses, then turns toward the empty
third chair and bows his head in silence for a long moment.
Features melding into an unreadable mask, the Baron pulls out a chair
for his sister before seating himself.
Arn joins the Atreides seating.
Joral bows his head.
Nikolai clutches a moment at the black band around his sleeve.
Nils crosses himself in the O.C. manner.
Fredhrick joins those present in honouring the missing RAstanyev by
dipping his chi a bit - though not fully bowing his head.
Praxton lifts his head and continues, voice carrying to the upper
reaches of the Chamber, "The Earl Valeri was bestowed the
Councilship by his father, the late Earl Constantine Rastanyev, who,
fearing the incapaticitating effects of the malady he suffered late
in life, petitioned the High Council to allow his son to stand in
more or less permanent proxy for as long as his term would last.
This arrangement effectively secured the transition from father to
son, and precluded the need for a more elaborate solution."
Reverend Mother Ona slips into a light memory-trance after so many
years it comes to her easily. Myoptically she notes that the Guild
have arrived.
Sha'ara'diin's eyes sweep downward, his head bowing for a moment in
repsect to the fallen Siridar.
Filarion walks in from Inner Rotunda through the Double Doors.
Azzo nods respectfully to Count Filarion of Lankiveil.
The Atreides Chairman takes a long breath, then exhales, giving the
gallery a weary look. "The death of our esteemed Councilman, and the
accompaigning circumstances of the succession to his Earldom, give
this Council pause as regards how best to proceed. It is not clear
if the suit for inheritance presented to His Sublime Majesty by the
Lady Ivanova Katherine Rastanyev empowers her to succeed her brother
to a position neither of them were elected to. As both the Great
Convention and the Landsraad Laws of Proceedure bestow 'great and
sufficient powers of self-determination' to the High Council, it was
determined in chambers that the issue would be opened for discussion
in open session."
All discussion stops at the Guild table at Tillip's arival.
Tillip walks into the chambers, using his left hand to hold his mask
in place. He slowly surveys the room, aburbtly stopping upon seeing
Tolben in the Guild area. He strides over to the seat and joins it.
Filarion enters the room, glancing about, not being able to hide a
tidbit of curiosity at this historic chamber. He sweeps into a low
bow towards the throne, holding it for now. Under his left arm he he
carries a briefcase with the Harkonnen signet.
Tillip joins the Guild seating.
Praxton glances down to read off a sheet of paper, "The issue, then,
is whether or not to call for new elections to the Landsraad High
Council. The floor is opened for debate, all present may request
leave to make a brief remark. If a motion is presented, supported by
three Houses represented by lawful proxy, the matter will be voted
on in session by ayes or nays."
Fredhrick's eyes focus on Praxton when the issue of Ivanova Ratanyev
is brought up. Perhaps this would be the time to find other Imperial
Business to attend to.
Sha'ara'diin joins the Bajazet seating.
Arn retrieves a neat, black notepad from his briefcase and leans back
in his chair with an expectant look at the chamber floor.
Sarina joins the Bajazet seating.
Filarion raises a thin eyebrow, but finally makes his way for the
empty Hakonnen table.
Filarion joins the Harkonnen seating.
Kalador walks in from Inner Rotunda through the Double Doors.
Kalador joins the Bajazet seating.
Kalador enters the chamerbs quickly, moving towards Sha'ara'diin with
out hesitation.
Reverend Mother Ona moves her hands to smooth out the skirt of her
robe and glances to the High Council table.
Nils speaks in a soft, scatchy voice. A small microphone clip on his
lapel amplifies it enough that others may hear. "According to
Section 27.6 of the Great Convention..." He shuffles through his
notes, and quotes: "'Landsraad High Council members shall be the
House that receives majority vote. If none are clearly majority, two
highest shall participate in a run-off.'" He puts special empasis on
the word 'house.'
Nils clears his throat, and continues. "The House of Alvstad
continues, as it did at the death of Lord Constantine, to interpret
this clause to mean that it is the House, and not the person, who is
elected to the High Council, and that the seat belongs not to Earl
Constantine, nor to Earl Valeri, but to the House of Rastanyev. New
elections would be unnecessary and Unconventional."
Joral looks up to the Emperor.
Reverend Mother Ona flicks a glance to Nils as he speaks, her dark
eyes glitter as she watches him carefully.
Nikolai remains motionless and offers not even a nod in response to
the Alvstad's words.
Azzo raises an eyebrow, obviously much interested.
When Nils begins to speak, Fredhrick turns his atention wholly upon
him, so as not to miss anything thta the Alvstad might have to
offer. His expression however, gives away nothing ofhis own opinion
on the matter.
Arn looks up at those present and continues hitting the keys of his
notepad with subtle clicks.
Sha'ara'diin reclines back into his seat, faceted eyes focusing in on
the ailing Alvstaad, his visage awash with thoughtful contemplation.
Praxton looks about the Chamber, trying to ascertain if anyone else
will emit opinions.
Sha'ara'diin leans forward slightly, attempting to gain the Chair's
attention.
Steffan flicks a few ashes from his cigar into the nearby ashtray,and
then puffs on it once more. His facial expression though wavering
little.
Iason listens to that silently, processing the data.
Praxton prompts, "Yes, Baron?", while peering to the Bajazet seating.
Mintor rises slowly seeking recognition from the Chair.
Rising from his seat confidently, the Baron places the palms of his
hands upon the table before him, leaning forward slightly. "No
disrespect to the honorable Viscount, however is the intent of the
phrasing truly to suggest that a seat belongs to a House in totem,
or to a House figuratively, namely the Siridar of said House? I
submit that the phrasing could be contrued as to suggest the
Siridar, not the House and it's sucessor's as a whole." He inclines
his head slightly before finishing, "But that is only this humble
Baron's opinion."
Mintor rises slowly seeking recognition from the Chair.
Praxton nods his head slowly, looking at the Baron with renewed
respect. "This is the opinion of many legal scholars," he says, "and
one shared by this Council."
Praxton says, "Chair recognizes na-Duke Mintor Atreides."
Sha'ara'diin bows slightly at the esteemed Duke's words, then
gracefuly retakes his seat.
Mintor bows to the Chair. "My Lords and Ladies. I would only speak to
concur with the Baron's point, which is I think quite to the point."
Mintor resumes his seat.
Filarion studies all this, slightly taken aback by the absence of his
Baron.
Arn nods to himself while busy taking notes.
So that's one vote in favour of Ivanova retaining the seat, and two in
favour of holding an election. Fredhrick makes a mental note of
who's expressed what opinions.
Praxton asks the Chamber, "Are there any more opinions from the
floor?"
Nikolai rises to be heard.
Joral has a look of concern on his face.
Reverend Mother Ona glances to the na-Duke Atreides.
Mintor meets the Reverend Mother's gaze calmly.
Nikolai reads from a sheet on the table before acknowledging Praxton's
call. He steps from the table into the well. He regards those at the
LHC table and the Emperor as he begins, "Your Majesty, elected
members of the High Council, member Houses Major of the Landsraad,
House Rastanyev humbly appreciates the opportunity to be heard
concerning its elected seat." He pauses and paces across the well.
(OOC) Nikolai just assumes Praxton would acknowledge me. :)
(OOC) Praxton says, "If y'all wait for me to acknowledge you, it's
going to be an awful long night. ;)"
Arn stops typing and gives the center floor his full attention.
Sha'ara'diin nods to his Vizier, then straitens himself in seat, his
gaze held by the Rastanyev representative.
Fredhrick glances to Joral briefly before giving his full attention to
Nikolai.
"The Great Convention was written not overnight, but over the course
of many, many years by the greatest scholars and statesmen in the
Known Universe," Nikolai states. "The words of the Great Convention
are to be construed narrowly. It is not our place.... in this
forum... to interpret what we wish from the written words of the
Great Convention. No! We are called upon to uphold the Great
Convention." He stops and looks from Siridar to Siridar.
Reverend Mother Ona glances over to the Guild representives and for a
long momment her engimatic dark eyes observes them, before turning
her full attention back to the speaker.
Nikolai repeats the exact words, placing emphasis where needed, from
the GC, "LANDSRAAD HIGH COUNCIL members shall be the HOUSE that
receives majority vote."
The Guild legate spares a brief moment to look down his mask, held
tightly by the left hand, at the onlooking BG Reverend Mother. His
eyes blink twice, and then his attention slowly returns to the idle
regarding of the proceedings on the floor.
Nikolai inquires rhetorically, "Are we to change these words to now
say 'Siridar of the House'?"
Marius walks in from Inner Rotunda through the Double Doors.
Praxton snaps his gavel twice, sharply, "Order please. Order from the
floor."
Eyes darkening to the color of hardened flint, The Baron bristles
under this rebuff, cool distance cloying about him like a mantel.
Reverend Mother Ona simply archs an eyebrow at this outburst.
Azzo rises from his chair, hoping to catch the spokesman's attention.
Joral places his hands flat on the corrino table.
Arn nods a quick welcome to Marius before turning back to the fuzz.
The speaker in front of Nils crackles as the Viscount replies in
agreement with Nikolai: "The Great Convention is a document of great
precision, not of fancy turns of phrase and 'figurative' language.
It is not a poem, or an epic, or a mystical treatise, where every
phrase has a multiplicity of meanings. The Drafters of the
Convention were neither poets nor mystics, but Statesmen, and I
choose to trust their choice of words and not twist their meanings
to fit an agenda. Where the Convention says 'House', I read 'House';
I urge all present to do the same."
Mintor rises to gain the attention of the Chair again.
Nikolai opens his hands and stretches out his arms, "I put it to you
fellow representatives of the Landsraad, is this really a vote on
whether House Rastanyev retains a seat in the Landsraad High
Council..." he then wags a finger at no one in particular, "or are
we voting on whether to ammend the Great Convention?"
Marius joins the Atreides seating.
Iason silently rises as well.
Nikolai turns to face Praxton directly, "I put it to you, Duke
Atreides, is this the proper method for ammending our most sacred of
documents and guides?"
Praxton calmly adresses Nikolai, "The Chamber will address the Chair
as 'Lord Council' or 'Your Honor.' "
Fredhrick simply raises a hand to his chin, assuming a 'thinker' pose
as he watches and listens to the events on the floor.
Nikolai bows shortly to the Emperor, then says, "I thank the High
Council for this moment to speak." He nods to Praxton before
returning to his seat.
Mintor rises to gain the attention of the Chair again.
"Furthermore," Praxton states clearly, "this is not a question of
ammending or interpreting or breaking our heads open as to what the
drafters of the Great Letter meant. There is a situation here, one
that weakens the Landsraad as a whole, and this Council is empowered
to seek solutions."
Azzo sits down again.
Sha'ara'diin nods silentlly in agreement with the Lord Council, his
features masked and carefully guarded.
Nikolai turns quickly and offers the retort, "Solutions, yes!
Blatantly ignoring the specific terms of the Great Convention, no!"
Azzo ayes Nikolai's retort.
Mintor rises to gain the attention of the Chair again "Your Honor, may
I be recognized."
Praxton bangs his gavel again once, sharply. "Ambassador Venyenko, you
are out of order. Regain your seat, if you please." A pause, as the
Chamber stills. "Chair recognizes na-Duke Mintor Atreides."
Arn frowns. He turns his head and tries to see what the attendants are
doing while voices raise disharmony in this political choir.
Steffan leans back in his chair now smiling a bit more, intermittinly
glancing at Mintor, now puffing on a new cigar. He occasionally
looks down at his notes to help him intrepret the situation.
Mintor says, "I am of the opinion, My Lords, that the difficulty
arises not because of any difficulty with the Convention, but rather
due to the unusual state of one House..."
Nikolai slowly takes his seat.
Mintor says, "The stability of our most percious institutions can not
be held hostage to the instability of one of its members."
Azzo frowns.
Sha'ara'diin inclines his head emphaticly in agreement with the
Na-Duke, then scribbles something down on a notepad beside him, his
hand, unusualy travelling from right to left as he writes.
Tillip rises slowly from his seat, signalling with his right hand that
the Guild wishes to be heard.
Mintor says, "Absent a resolution of the issues, the internal issues
which confront House Rastanyev, why would that House not agree to
step aside from this debate and allow the position on the Council to
be conventionally filled?"
Mintor seats himself.
Azzo walks to the floor. Clearing his throat, he says, "Your Majesty,
Lord Council, my Lords, Reverend Mother, Sirs, although I am not
here on any official basis, I cannot but voice my thoughts about
this question. I would like to add that I am in no way expressing
the opinion of House Moritani, to which I belong; for I am
expressing my own personal viewpoint, and I hope the voice of
reason."
Azzo pauses.
Tolben leans to the side watching the other man rise as a look of
suprise crosses his face.
Nikolai rises sharply from his chair and expresses his desire to be
recognized by the Chair.
Azzo says, "The Great Convention is clear. It is by no means a
document to be taken lightly.""
The wisened old Reverend Mother actually looks amuzed by Azzo.
Mintor raises an eyebrow at the Moritani tutor, but otherwise remains
impassive.
Azzo says, "As Amabassador Venyenko has clearly pointed out, the seat
is appointed to a House and not to any one individual."
Azzo says, "It is therefore the House's Siridar's duty, or that of his
legal proxy, to occupy the seat."
Azzo says, "My point is the following: Remember the Hagal Crisis, and
the Retanian Revolt. By no means should the Great Convention be,
mmmm, amended."
Azzo returns to his seat.
Praxton raises a brow, clearly taken aback by the motion coming from
the usually silent Guild seats. He inclines his head to Tillip in
acknowledgement.
Sha'ara'diin raises his left had to his forhead rubbing it slightly,
his brow furrowing and creasing under the weight of a slight frown.
Tillip walks slowly from the Guild area, taking every step slowly and
delicately. He walks before the Council, holding his mask. The voice
which emits from its little metal grille is metallic and raspy. He
begins by looking at each individual Siridar, and then he turns and
with a bow ackowledges his Sublime Majesty and the LHC. He turns
back and speaks, "None of you know me. Tomorrow you will be in
possession of a Letter of Introduction. To save time I will inform
you now that I am legate Tillip Soreen of the Spacing Guild and on
this subject we ... will ... be heard."
Tolben whispers to one of his robed companions and shifts
uncomfortably in his chair.
Reverend Mother Ona sits up a bit straighter, her attention focuses,
you have fathered the old Reverend Mothers rapt attention.
The Guild's Legate takes a deep asthmatic intake of breath, shuddering
his chest. He walks slowly in front of the siridars, "I am not
endorsing any individual interpretation of the Great Convention here
advocated." He pauses and grabs a railing. His eyes go wide and his
chest shudders again. He rises to his full height and proceeds, "Let
us imagine, if you will -- what it would be like without the GReat
COnvention. Anarchy, Chaos ..." he turns to the Emperor, "Civil
Wars," he turns back, "And other catastrophes. We exsist now in a
triumverate, history's weakest system of governing. Only the GReat
Convention keeps us from annihilating our comfortable lifestyles."
Arn nods at a comment from Marius.
Filarion remains impassive, his eyes taking in his surroundings.
Tillip extends his right hand, and holds it there, "In your hands you
have the future of our system. Be very wary. We of the Guild would
be most ..." he pauses taking a deep breath. The next word is spoken
deeply with great emphasis, "disturbed, if you were to alter the
Great Convention. We take no sides in this. Neverthless, we ... will
... be ... watching." He turns around sharply in his heels and makes
a bow before returning slowly to the Guild's area.
Fredhrick raises one eyebrow at the Guildsman's words then looks to
Joral again.
Tolben glances around the room measuring reactions.
Joral turns his head between the Guildsman and the Emperor, an unhappy
look on his face.
Praxton breaks the silence by giving the table before him a small tap
with his gavel, "Council will now hear motions from the floor."
Nikolai stands to be heard.
Mintor rises to be recognized.
Nikolai interjects before Praxton calls the vote, "House Rastanyev
maintains that the Great Convention is clear. Its words are not
subject to expansion. If the High Council insists upon a vote, it
MUST be to recall House Rastanyev from its rightful seat. I quote
from the Great Convention, 'Landsraad High Council members shall be
recalled only by a two-thirds vote by the Landsraad Congress. Motion
must be made within the Landsraad Congress in the proper form.' The
only vote that can be taken in this forum is whether to bring the
issue before the entire Congress for a vote. Then, and only then,
can a two-thirds vote recall House Rastanyev from the Council." He
looks directly at Praxton, "The Chair surely must concede this
point."
Sha'ara'diin narrows his eyes and shifts slightly in his seat, perhaps
a bit discomfited by the Guildsman's words.
Mintor rises yet again to be recognized.
Marius steeples his fingers and watches the action on the floor
carefully.
Joral raises his hand to be recognized.
Sarina shifts uncomfortably in her seat, before leaning over to
whisper to her brother.
Praxton strikes his gavel a full nine times, each time louder and with
more force. "Nikolai Venyenko", Praxton declares calmly, "if you
once more disturb the peace of this hallowed Chamber, you shall be
removed. House Rastanyev has had its opportunity to voice it's
opinions, and you waste this Council's time with insolent repetition
of scant value and near-total contempt for the office of High
Council which you appear so covetous to regain for your House."
A frown washes over the Baron's face, as his gaze drifts appraisingly
over his sister, he shakes his head, then leans towards her
whispering.
Filarion smirks at this, eyeing the Rastanyev party for a moment. Then
he returns his gaze to the seat.
Arn finally catches the eye of an attendant and nods to him as a
further underlining of the Duke's warning to Nikolai.
Fredhrick stands as the Duke Atreides finishes rebuking the Rastanyev
and waits to be recognized by the Lord Council. Even the Emperor
obeys the Forms.
Sha'ara'diin's head snaps in the direction of the sharp wooden
rapping, a scowl forming around the corner's of his lips at the
Rastanyev's apparent lack of respect for the Lord Council's
position.
Praxton takes a long, steadying breath. He begins to show signs of
fatigue, even as he inclines his head respectfully to the Throne.
"Your Majesty," he says.
Joral lowers his hand.
Fredhrick draws a deep breath and slowly exhales it before speaking.
"If your concern over the seat of House Rastanyev is based upon it's
apparent instability, then We have this to offer for your
consideration. We have appointed Lady Ivanova Rastanyev as Regent of
the House and charged her with the task of ruling until a suitable
heir can be found."
Reverend Mother Ona attention sharpens on the Emperor.
Sarina pushes her chair back, and quietly slips out of the room.
Sarina walks to the east and passes through the Double Doors.
Praxton allows a respectful pause at the end of His Majesty's words.
Then he turns again to repeat his words to the Chamber, "Are there
any motions from the Chamber floor?"
Mintor rises yet again to be recognized.
Praxton inclines his head in the direction of the Atreides seats.
Joral looks to have relaxed.
Mintor says, "Lord Council, I move that in accordance with the Forms
and under the terms specified in the Great Convention that an
election be held to fill the vacant seat on the Landsraad High
Council, with all due haste.""
Mintor sits back down.
Praxton makes a small scratch mark on the notes before him with a
stylus. To the Chamber, "Motion to call for elections received. Is
the motion seconded?"
Sha'ara'diin rises like a steely, coiled panther. "House Bajazet
seconds the motion, Lord Council." The Baron intones soberly in a
confident unwavering voice.
Another mark goes on Praxton's notes. "Is there a third House
supporting the motion?", he asks.
The Chair's gavel strikes the table once, sharply. "Motion not
seconded. The issue is tabled pending a full discussion on the floor
of the convened Landsraad."
A shake of the head accompanied by a sigh is the only reaction drawn
from Sha'ara'diin by this turn of events.
Reverend Mother Ona nods her head as the gavel clatters against thet
able, was the old crone asleep
Mintor shrugs ever so slightly then nods.
Praxton shuffles some pages around, shaking his head slightly. "The
remaining items in the agenda are postponed to a later date. Pending
any further business, this Council stands in recess until 12
nAlmanin, ten standard days from now."
Nikolai nods and appears as if he were vindicated.
Fredhrick walks to the east and passes through the Double Doors.
Mintor rises and stretches inconspicuously.
Mintor bows deeply as the Emperor departs.
Nikolai gathers papers into his attache case and heads for the double
doors.
Filarion gets up from his seat as well, casting a brief glance around
before readying himself to make his exit.
Steffan stands and bows deeply as the Emperor departs.
Azzo bows respectfully.
Joral walks to the east and passes through the Double Doors.
Reverend Mother Ona stands, and quickly with far more speed than you'd
imagine for such an elderly woman, she makes her way to and out the
door.
Rising slowly, a subtle scowl is firmly etched across The Bajazet's
features.
Reverend Mother Ona walks to the east and passes through the Double
Doors.
Arn rises and bows to the departing Emperor, then gathers his
equipment and makes ready to leave.
Praxton leaves the High Council table.
Marius leaves the Atreides seating.
Praxton walks to the east and passes through the Double Doors.
---------------------LOG ENDS - STATISTICS----------------