by Julio Couce
(Inspired by a discussion from the mailing list)
In another adventure, the characters have found an ancient magical item. It seems to be quite powerful, but they are not able to find out how it works.
Somehow, a Tremere covenant gets to know that and they send an envoy to recover it, claiming that they lost that item years ago. To prove it, he brings an old inventory which describes an object vaguely similar. He also offers to pay some vis as a reward for finding it.
If they accept, the adventure is over, but the envoy´s story doesn´t seem very convincing, and they should distrust him. If they refuse, the envoy will increase his offer and, eventually, he will leave, threatening and insulting them. Among other things, he says that they will be taught a lesson in the next Tribunal meeting.
Several months later, the characters hear that a powerful Tremere from Transylvanian Tribunal, holder of many sigils, is moving to the Tremere covenant. With so many new votes, the Tremere are now a very important force within the Tribunal, and if the characters do nothing, they could be forced to hand over the magical item
Meanwhile, the Tremere begin to put pressure on the characters, looking into their secrets and even founding a small covenant not very far from the character´s covenant, and disputing their vis.
Things the characters may do:
Anyhow, the item must be something the Tremere find valuable. Perhaps it is the work of one of the apprentices of Verditius himself. In that case, the characters shouldn´t be allowed to keep the item, but they may get an important compensation for it.