This has been simmering for a month... Who's doing what and how are you going to integrate it into your 4-5 year plan?
It should be clear now, given the timing of Isen's story when and how Valerian makes his move. At least outside the realm of the Tribunal...
As Corvin noted, most of Isen's plans are even more long-term.
He had counted on having spend time in the magic realm by tribunal, which would have allowed at least some traps and costly one-use "items" through Watching Ward, as well as casting the more powerful Aegis, but, sadly, events and more pressing priorities kept conspiring against this, utterly foiling his plans.
So, for now, our magical defenses are mostly non-existent.
He feels guilty and shameful about this, since this is his domain.
He'll have to make do with spontaneous magic (yes, I have the embryo of a small backup plan to compensate partly). But mostly, we'll have to rely on mundane thingies.
That is:
Tranquillina can teleport, and she will certainly agree to carry the collection of AC rocks. (That is, once she realizes she's gotten herself into a potential war zone here. 
) She's not particularly capable in a fight, but she could probably make a pretty good scout at the very least.
She will also be willing to assist the expedition to Scotland, her native land, to procure a fallback place. There's a lot of deserted land there, so it shouldn't be too much trouble.
so rebuilding the wall will happen with the extra stones from the Tribunal building.
How soon can we have the improved AoH up?
I was thinking of a magical bell(s) so that once it was rung in some place then a larger, central alarm would sound. but just having an alarm and people trained to do something when it sounds will be a good start.
sketching it out. Not as easy as I had hoped:
ReTe base 4 ( base 2 x2 for metal) D: Diameter +1 R: AC +4 T: Part +1
3 uses per day +2
Trigger +3 When smaller bells are rung.
Material metal 4 size small x2
Total is 43 for each small bell.
It's the SG's call as to how much time Viscaria can spend using ReTe Craft magic to add secret passageways and archery nooks. Also, until the other shoe drops, it is unclear how effective she'll be at this.[1]
She enchants the Quarryman's Rings as part of Tribunal effort in 1223, establishing a 4-man quarry team [2], and the quantity of stone they produce and much is needed for each project is subject to SG's call.
Directing Melanie to split her time between her cursor exercises and actually being useful to the covenant by using her Area Lore to design and establish escape routes which take advantage of the many boundaries and what not, and then directing the military grogs to set up periodic defenses and weapons caches on these routes: probably requires some die rolls from someone.
Creating Illusory walls, floors, magically and mundanely concealed pit drops, etc. Again, it's a question of how much time this takes, and, not to put too fine a point on it, what lab texts we have available. Depending on what the lab texts from Confluensis look like, Viscaria will have anywhere from 1-4 seasons that she can dedicate to actively working on defenses like this.[1]
Drilling the grogs with these new procedures and intentions in mind? Happens as part of their general experience gathering.
Beyond that, we're still deciding on spell and enchantment formats, and who would be responsible for them. Vis
[1] You are explicitly asking me for answers which I cannot give you until you answer questions I have asked you. Some of these are in-character revelations, like "what are the results of Mother's Footsteps," but some aren't. ESPECIALLY with the discussion about changing lab text rules, the difference between what Viscaria can do in 1222 and 1227 is huge, and it isn't clear when she gets any of that.
[2] Actually, depending on our rulings about Talismans and Lab Texts, this might be a 3-man team, with Viscaria pocketing one set of the spells to become her Talisman later.
It all hinges on Isen being able to cast it... Which apparently in turn hinges on fiona
Isen has a partial solution to this.
As part of his backup plans, he came upon this spell:
Circular Ring of Enduring Concentration ReVi 20
ReVi general (Sustain a spell you have cast whose lvl is less than (lvl +2 magnitudes of this spell)
R: +1 touch, D: +2 ring, T: +0 Ind
As "Maintaining the Demanding spell", but with Ring duration. This maintains a Concentration spell of lvl 15 or less, if the caster was inside the ring at the time of casting (note that the Target is the spell maintained, not the caster), the spell is centered on the ring, and the spell is static (which would make it "leave" the ring), so long as the ring is intact.
This isn't very flexible, due to the Ring limitations, but it nonetheless allows us to create static illusions, lights, fires... and have them maintained. Due to the risk of botching, though, Isen will not be very keen to do this a lot.
Why not just make ring/circle CrIm illusions?
For some reason, when I saw the name of the spell, I read it as "Circular Ring of Enduring Constitution," and I thought, "Cool! Can Fiona have that cast on her bedframe?"
Now I'm thinking of a playa's circular bed ... Ring duration ReHe effect to rotate it.... 8)
Viscaria smiles broadly at Isen -- she has never seen him so engaged with life! She smiles wickedly during each of her comments, clearly playing the devil's advocate.
"This is all very impressive, Isen, but perhaps a bit overwhelming. We must ask ourselves two very important questions about each of these -- Who, and when? A defense plan needs to be designed in stages, so that at any given point we are not weaker than we started because we have not yet finished implementing the plan."
"Who, and when, Isen? None of us specialize in Imaginem or Auram magics, though this enhancement enchantment sounds like Alexei's business. And why charged items? We have ample resources here -- though admittedly, we have NO Animal vis and an overabundance of Herbam vis."
"Now, this sounds like a task up my alley. Though, I suggest something more grand. The chief importance of a shield grog is that he carries a shield, yes? So what about a ring that conjures a shield on command? Better yet, one that can conjure either a shield or a dagger at will, and can also hurl those daggers unerringly at a target. Better yet, make it hurl any object held in the hand, so it is not limited to conjured projectiles."
"Well, we are all certain to become Rego specialists soon enough, so we should certainly employ Rego based magics in our defense plan, but Mentem? I agree that we need to defend against it, and have ample Mentem in stores, but who among us is talented in those magics?"
"Well, when you invent such a spell, I will certainly be eager for a copy of the lab text."
"I still cannot imagine the sort of assault against which this defense would be valuable, but you seem quite set on it, so I give you my leave to design it."
"For the time and expense, wouldn't we be better served simply casting a better Aegis? As I understand it, the current one would not even dissuade my familiar from entering."
"Exactly how is this superior to a sturdy copper bell?"
"Again, my apologies to Scotland for being so uncouth, but what exactly makes it better than the vast, uninhabited, easily defended, confusingly pathed regio we have right here? A complex path through the boundaries, well disguised and provisioned, will cause no warping on our residents, require no additional resources, and has the added bonus of being something we can implement immediately, without taking up our own time."
"I think you've strayed somewhat far afield from our original theories, Isen. Delightfully so, and perhaps we are better suited to your plan than I understand. But the critical questions remain -- who is going to do this work, when are they going to do it, and in what order?
"Let us be more practical and specific in our considerations. First, the Aegis. As I understand the spells, we all need to learn Wizards Communion, and those who can, should learn the Aegis spells. That is one season spent studying Muto Vim spells and possibly a second studying Rego Vim. Do we have a variety of spells in our library to maximize our time doing so? Which additional Muto Vim and Rego Vim spells should we acquire to encourage us to engage in such study?
"Second, personal safety. Is everyone here capable of defending themselves while within our covenant? Given the peculiar nature of our aura, does everyone have a Rego-based attack form? Does everyone have a Rego Corpus spell that will allow them to escape danger? Even a freshly opened apprentice is capable of taking advantage of the secret passages that I will be building, given the aura."
(With a Rego Aligned Aura of 10, that means even if your ReCo is 0, you can cast a transport spell that moves you 500 paces. If you have ReCo 15, you can do that silent and still.)
"After this, we want to develop an defensive system which everyone is familiar with that takes advantage of our particular strengths and weaknesses. The phrase Rego Terram comes sharply to mind, but even beyond that enchantments should use the vis we have in abundance, and apply our particular strengths to the task in ways we can all use.
"Alexei should make enchantments that enhance our turb. Isen, you should implement your ideas about the wall. We should each create one layer of defense that takes advantage of our approach and strengths. THEN, we should team up -- for example, I could create an labryinth that only something the size of a cat can navigate, and Fiona could create an item that temporarily turns you into a cat."
Fiona coughs gently. [color=blue]"You mean, aside from the woman who can turn men into pigs?"
[color=blue]"S'alright," Fiona says as she picks her teeth with her fingernail, then belches loudly before grinning at Viscaria.
[color=blue]"Been trying to find someone to enter my labyrinth for years," Fiona mutters under her breath.
OOC: That should have read "no Animal Vis and an overabundance of Herbam Vis."
(Actually, this would hide the structure. I was more thinking of a Room version, with 1 magnitude for size, in order to have a "lost room". Yes, this is as hard as the actual structure, but makes more sense IMHO. And is cooler).
[/quote]
Check the spell, it is wonky. It has target Boundary, because it enchants the entire boundary so that you can't find the structure inside it. So, by the logic of the RAW, a version with target Structure would allow you to keep a specific room hidden within that structure.
By this logic, I could create an enchanted device for hiding rooms in structures much more cheaply.
Base 3 +1 touch +3 Structure +2 Sun +3 trigger +1 2 uses/day , +3 List of Users = ReMe 27. Of course, we'd need oodles of Penetration thrown in there too. Viscaria has got a ReMe enchant-LT of 76, which would only provide +11 levels for + 22 penetration.
IIRC, there was a good reason... But I can't remember it.
Ah, yes.
It all began with a discussion on Ring/Circle light spells on the forums.
If, say, you create a Ring/Circle light, it can't illuminate something outside the ring. But if you have a light spell inside the ring, which is maintained by it, its light can escape.
The same goes for illusions: A Ring/Circle illusion can't expand outside the boundaries of the ring. But an illusion whose origin is inside the ring, but maintained by it, can extend outside.
Well, there are few things that interest him 
And, despite being a warrior, he's quite nerdy, in that he's morose and reclusive, but can animate and talk a lot about what interests him 
Isen smiles warmly at Viscaria's comment
Aye.
It is a preliminary outlook, as I said, but you're right, it is very important to know who will do what, and when. I'll admit I have not thought about it, especially as I have no right to assign tasks to any of my sodales.
As for being overwhelming? Maybe, although, given the forces arrayed against us, I don't think so. But I'll tell you: Better safe than sorry 
I know.
You'll pardon me for being thorough. I was thinking we could hire a specialist, just like we hired you*. As fer the Charged items, I recognise that lesser or greater items would be better, but there are a few reasons to that.
The first is that they are easier to produce. I may not be able to do some things as lesser enchantments, but it may be possible as Charged Items. It is also faster: If we want to equip, say, 5 grogs, we will need multiple seasons. With charged items, hopefully, one or two will suffice, which saves us time. Sure, once used, these will be spend. This is a drawback, but I don't expect them to be needed that frequently.
Of course, now that you say it, maybe we could commission these to one of your sodales, although I expect the vis cost to be dire.
*This is a cue for the new magi to join and be accepted!
Isen smiles warmly
You can do that, of course! Such a shield would be useful for them.
But there's a reason why I settled on a ritual to create diamond heads.
An item that hurls them directly, like I do with my Ice Daggers, would require Penetration, so it may fail.
So, of course, we could settle on an effect like the Invisible Sling of Vilano. But this would require them to train in Finesse, which is a foreign skill, whereas we already have crossbowmen, which is also a skill we can easily hire teachers from.
I must say I also thought about time. If my assessment of your skills is right, you can create such a ritual in one or 2 seasons, giving us more arrowheads that we'll ever need, and then equip all our crossbowmen, having them immediately operational. OTOH, even such a skilled verditius* as you could only equip what? 3 to 5 men per season with a item casting Invisible Sling of Vilano.
Then, most items would be metal or stone, something we can expect our opponents to be warded against, whereas diamond, being more exotic, is less likely to be included in our enemies defenses. We, on the other hand, can prepare for this, so that even if they are turned against us through Rego Mentem magic, we'll be warded against diamond**
Finally, there's also Jacques. He could use these diamondheads for his arrows, allowing him, too, to pierce through any ward that would repell metal arrowheads.
Isen winks!!! He winks!!! Doom is coming!!!!
That's the trick! We do not need mentem, only Perdo and Vim!
And it is not that difficult an enchantment! 4th magnitude only! We should be able to do it, or hire a specialist to do it*.
*New magi asked, please answer!
Isen nods.
And I'll to it gladly.
My defense plans factor this, too. Bound earth elementals, released and controlled by you and me. We can even use these as traps: The circle that contains an elemental can also serve to maintain the spell that makes it invisible. So either our enemies break the circle inadvertently, releasing an unbound and furious elemental, or our grogs do it and flee.
Nonetheless, with Valerian being an adept of Terram of considerable skill and expertise, it is probably wise to limit our use of such elementals, and learn how to conjure other kind of beings. Air Elemental being, in my opinion, quite easy to come by
I am of the convition that this spell can have other uses, such as maintaining illusions, like I told you before. Combined with either Perdo Dispelling or Rego suppressing magic, possibly activated by a Watching Ward, I am sure we can use it to create a lot of clever traps
Isen is quite puzzled.
Well, the kind of assault we already suffered, of course!
They came to our covenant, breached our wall, and, from there, translocated inside. Should they try the same tactic, the new wall will obscure their sight, thus keeping them out of our grounds. Don't you think so?
Isen sighs.
I am working on it, having already learned the 10th magnitude Aegis.
Sadly, this suffers several drawbacks.
The first one, of course, is that it becomes harder and harder to increase my arts to the point where I can learn each new Aegis. Consider that the next one is a 15th magnitude spell. It will be years before I am able to learn it.
Then, due to the Boundary we need to cover, our aegis is weaker than we could expect. Consider that the 10th magnitude one I barely managed to learn only gives a 7th magnitude protection.
Last, but not least, channeling such energies comes at great risk, despite the protection afforded by my familiar. A 10th magnitude Aegis is already dangerous enough.
You also forget that, with suitable Arcane and Sympathetic connections or the help of Wizard's Communion, one can easily punch through our Aegis. Let's say I learned a third magnitude Intangible Tunnel.
Imagine: Cast from our Aura, I can reasonably hope to pierce through a 7th magnitude protection, without the help of any arcane or sympathetic connection!
So yes, our Aegis needs to be improved. But even then, we won't be safe, far from it. An "Invisible Eye"-like effect would protect us when our aegis fails, and at a much less greater risk to the caster
Isen laughs, but not mockingly, not of viscaria, but from her choice of words, so down-to-earth in the midst of this high-magic discussion.
Because I don't think of just warning people to follow a preset plan. Being able to talk in the mind of our covenfolks would allow us to direct and coordinate them throughout the covenant, despite the noise and confusion. To tell covenfolks to hide in the depths, while the crossbowmen would go to the east, for exemple. This is something no copper bell could achieve.
Paranoia?
My parens... Is a bastard, a backstabbing one, fond of dirty tricks, devoid of honor, and recoiling at nothing to achieve his goals. Yet, living with him taught me to be cautious, and expect the worst.
The problem with the regio? A simple hound will allow them to find us, provided they can see through Regio boundaries. They also have much more weight and power in this tribunal than in scotland.
I'll admit that this is only marginally better, though.
Isen nods.
We already have enough magi mastering Wizard's Communion to allows the casting of the 10th magnitude Aegis. The more, the better, though. The problem with the Aegis is that it requires a high level of Rego and Vim to learn. Although I'll agree that all those who can should learn it, I think that we should, if possible, try to each have a different specialty, so as to allow a variety of tactics. As you have yourself noticed, we lack some Arts here. Having all of us study Muto and Rego Vim can only, in my opinion, weaken Mons Electi.
While I agree entirely about your later approach, it seems to me that your emphasis on Rego Terram is at odds with this. Moreso, we should, in my mind, avoid relying too much on Terram, given Valerian's abilities here. You should pursue it with diligence, and I can somewhat follow you on this. But the others should follow other paths.
But yes, the goal of my defense propositions was to list all kind of ideas, with those among us interested by a given idea and able to implement it doing so. I have no authority to assign tasks to the magi here. Yet, I think that we should all try to bolster our defenses as much as we're able to. If someone want to do something else, fine! So long as it is useful. My task is to try to cover our bases, and propose the best possible solutions to what we may face.
Ah, thanks, I was working through Serf's Parma.
Actually, that's ReMe 32 
(and IMPRESSIVE lab total, btw 
How do you manage it???).
As a spell with moon duration, working with Wizard's Communion, Isen can manage an effective Pen of about 34 (discounting the Aura, since our ennemies parma benefit from it, too). Good, but probably not enough.
If she could reach a lab total of 86, Viscaria could do it with Pen 50 in 2 seasons, but I don't know how to manage it. With help from the apprentices, maybe? Or do you have already factored it in?
Alexei looks a bit confused. "I'm not sure about the shield summoning spell. Are we trying to hide grogs or make them look like they're not soldiers? The power used to create that might be better directed elsewhere, such as just having better gear with spells on them. But if the goal is to have grogs that look like servants and can suddenly be armed, I suppose that can have some uses. Regarding the dagger...Are you familiar with Vilano? A member of my House, he invented a spell that flings things but does not magically impel them at the point of contact. So if the item is mundane, like a rock, or dagger, it will fly as an arrow, and strike just as hard, no matter the parma. An item like that could be used by anyone, but might require some practice." He starts doing some calculations.
"How many charged items shall we create? If we are looking to make armour stronger for example, we could make several copies and have the spell target a group. It could maximize the time in the lab as well as the use in the field. A group of armour...ten suits, enhanced for a Moon. I already know such a spell, two spells really, one to make the armour stronger and one to make it lighter. Once I designed a simple to use item, whether charged or not, we would then have a lab text that could serve us a long time...and might be useful to sell to others as well."
That just seems ridiculous. I will accept that magic light cannot illuminate creatures with magic resistance, but a magically created light source generates non-magical light, the same way that a magically created fire can create natural fires.
On the other hand, your circle can be used with multiple magi casting whatever spell is inside it,
"Then don't demand. Suggest! I find that if you speak in specifics, it is much easier to react to than nebulous ideas. See how even as we talked generally about providing magical enhancements to our turb, we were very nebulous, but when we suggested Alexei do it, he immediately replied with how he would prefer to do it.
"It's not like we're using the vis for anything else!"
"A most convincing argument. Let me check the numbers...." She pulls out a wax tablet and a abacus. "With only Theraphosa helping me, I could create a ritual that generates a Platonic Individual of gemstone in a season, but I would be very tired by the end of it. That would be maybe two or three bolt heads. We'd want at least two more magnitudes of size to make it worth our time, which would create a very large diamond, that I would then have to cut into bolts and arrowheads. Perhaps it would be easier to make a ritual Muto spell?
(CrTe Base 25: Create a cubic inch of gemstone. +1 Touch +2 Size = CrTe 40 (which I can do with Abigail AND Sheelagh, while experimenting wildly). MuTe Base 3: change dirt to stone, +2 gemstone, +2 size= MuTe 15, but I don't know if you can make a MuTe ritual)
"Again, sir, I say that you have convinced me."
"Perhaps this is a blindness due to my focus on earth, but where does one get Air Elementals from, anyway? Earth elementals comes from veins of earth that have been untouched by man.
"They didn't breach our walls. They snuck in. They only blew up a wall in frustration when they couldn't get past the ward. Or at least, this is how Theraphosa described it to me: they were inside and at the door to Apollodorus's study."
"How would this work, specifically? Perhaps we should create some kind of scrying device like the Tapestry of the Watch to monitor internal movement as well as look for spell effects? Something that monitors the Aegis?
"I remain dubious. A coherent code system would achieve the same effect. I can see us wanting to direct our turb, but the rest of the covenfolk should be left to their own initiative -- give them goals and safe havens and the capacity to choose which ones are best for them to get to."
"Emphasis? Emphasis! We have not touched our treasure trove. Do you realize that we'll have over a queen's worth of chess pieces sitting in storage by the time Tribunal begins. That's over two hundred effective pawns of Rego Terram vis, gathering dust. And another queen's worth of Herbam and Mentem. Could we please, for the love of whatever being you claim to worship, could we begin to use our resources to defend ourselves?"
Int 3 + MT 6 + Specialty 1 + Rego-aligned Aura 10 + Verditus(Shape/Material/Philo, Max MT) 7 + Craft:Silver 9 (Verditus bonus) + Familiar (Int 1 + MT 7 + 1 specialty) + Lab General -2 + Forge Companion 2 + Superior Tools 1 +Magic Forge 2 + Magic Trunk 2 + Greater Feature 3 + Greater Focus 4
= 57 + T+F+ Mag(Sim Spell)
= 57 + Re 10 + Me 6 = 73.
Verditus Bonuses
Lab Bonuses for Items
It's easier to see on the spreadsheet.
Hrm.....I'm short 3 points from my earlier summation. Seem to have some typos somewhere in my original formula shorthands. Keeping track of all these nickels and dimes and which ones apply when over the 5 year gap is apparently a pain in the arse.
I honestly hadn't thought about using Wizards Communion with anything beside Aegis. Now that we have a bunch of wizards who know it, maybe we should think about more moon duration security measures.
Abigail adds 11, bringing me to 84. An altered work routine would get me the rest of the way.
"While we are discussing our defenses, should we consider re-organizing our government as well? This constant shifting of Princeps duties seems to be very confusing to the covenfolk, and does not highlight our strengths. In Phoenix, our covenant was run on a system designed to accomodate a family of 4 blood-related magi. It hardly suited our strengths."
Theraphosa, who actually knows something about the Code, offers a suggestion. "I myself am a fan of a system wherein each magus, familiar or companion takes a position with clearly defined responsibilities, and holds a second vote in matters under their purview. Anything not covered by such titles would be presented to the council as a whole.
"Alexei has already claimed the title of Imperator, or commander in chief. Viscaria would be a sensible choice for Aedilis, or the Commissioner of Works. We should also have a Diocetes (treasurer) to counterbalance them, whose job would be to ensure the collection of vis and other incomes, and make sure we do not overspend. Also, an Interpres (spokesman) to greet guests, and then other roles to suit temperments."
[color=blue]"I have no problem with restructuring our governance, in light of our combined experiences. I know that I, for one, find it rather frustrating that I must sacrifice two or three months out of the year. Add in the three months a year I spend in teaching Sheelagh, and that only leaves me half a year I can spend bettering myself...or bettering the covenant.
"I think an equitable distribution of duties, each according to their strengths, seems like a fair way to go. Alexei has done a good job as Imperator; I have no complaints. Korvin...I can see him handling inter-covenant relations, dealing with any visitors. Especially the magae, if the rumours I hear are to be believed?" Fiona smiles at the Mercere with half a wink.
[color=blue]"Someone to act as steward, to account for our magical resources, and to ensure that they're used most effectively. And I include ourselves in that.
"As far as mundane resources, our flocks, our silver, our people, whatever else we have. Do we want to handle that ourselves, or leave it for Henri and have him report to the Council?"
"Let us first see what positions each maga would take up of her own choosing, and then see what holes need to be filled. Also, you should decide if positions go solely to the Gifted, or if companions and familiars also have a voice at this council."
(OOC: Traquinlina and Moro, feel free to join this discussion -- we're non-linear, remember!)
(This section will be updated as people speak up)
Alexei - Imperator
Fiona
Isen
Jacques
Korvin
Moro
Traquilina
Viscaria - Aedelis (Comissioner of Works)
Tranquillina stands, unconsciously smoothing out her dark green pleated skirt (one you have never seen her wear before), and waits for the spider to finish before speaking. [color=magenta]"For both decades of Nigrasaxa's existence, my pater certainly made important covenant decisions autocratically, but he left many of the day-to-day necessities to be shared among us other magi. I think the sort of bureaucracy you propose is quite tenable."
[color=magenta]"For several years there I carried out essentially the duties of a Vilicus. I had no particular expertise in communicating with craftsmen, other than simply the willingness to do so. But certainly," she adds with a muted cough, [color=magenta]"I am better suited to shepherding mundane resources than magical ones." The tiniest of blushes forms on her face at this last reference. [color=magenta]"I know none of us wants to be bothered with mere coinage - but having someone's attention on finances could well prevent another near disaster with the bishop, as happened the summer I joined you."
[color=magenta]"If Korvin wishes to assume the role of Interpres, I do not lack confidence in his abilities. I offer to be available for consultation, on any matters involving relationships with other covenants, and particularly those in the northern Tribunals."