"Yes, but is it for rituals, or other spells?"
((Assuming it's Ritual communion, he's adding 10 levels of power, casting total is irrelevant, except for determining success and fatigue, if any.))
((You must have WC with Sun duration to contribute to the casting of the AoH))
Laterala watches the back and forth of the discussion with interest.
When the Aegis is brought up...
I'm more interested in the size that we might want. It will require an Aegis with an additional size magnitude to cover our compound. That I would consider the minimum. To cover the adjoining lake would require 3 magnitudes to the base Aegis.
(To Zoltan) Your assistance is duly noted.
How many magnitudes are left over after the defense for each of those Aegises? Do we already have the lab texts?
Ophelia is reluctant to really join in, but when she sees the discussion veering off what she thinks is the correct course, she comments, Perhaps we need to determine the maximum magnitude Aegis we can cast, first and then make decisions accordingly. For instance, I cannot lend any power to the Aegis, this year. I never had to, I never lived in a covenant, and was itinerant for my career, going where I was needed, borrowing a lab when one was available. I was never a member of a covenant, so I didn't participate in any Aegis. And if I was present, I would stand outside the boundary during the casting, and then accept a token." Continuing on, Should it come down to it, I can learn a 5th magnitude Aegis, and a 5th Magnitude Wizard's Communion, leaving 3 magnitudes of power for the Ritual. I need lab texts in both instances." Ophelia sounds disappointed, as if she's disappointed in herself. ((If I can improve her MuVi lab total 3 points, she can learn a 30th level Wizard's Communion, instead, but that won't happen for more than a year due to the lack of a Muto text, and the quality of the Vim text.))
The lab texts can be made available. The larger area will drop the strength by 3 magnitudes. We would not be defenseless but it would be less.
To Ophelia's point.
You all seem to relying on what I can cast for this year as I understand that anyone else must learn the spell at a proper magnitude to cover the additional size. I can do at least an 5th magnitude and perhaps a 7th for the compound.
Ophelia quirks a look at Laterala, You can manage? You can provide the penetration for those Aegides, too?"
Of course. They would not do very well without it.
Taking in Ophelia's look. My House specializes in the Art of Rego my dear and I am well versed in it.
"I'd heard, but being able to single-handedly cast an 10th magnitude Aegis with the necessary penetration, I've never heard of anyone being able to do anything like that. Do you have a focus in wards or something?" She catches herself, "Well, maybe not, I don't think a focus in wards would apply." She falls quiet, thinking of the implications of the necessary casting score, and components of the casting score.
Zoltan remained quiet as the different ramifications passed between over the aegis. "So we do have two options? We can have a more encompassing Aegis, covering more ground, or a smaller one that is more potent? I'd rather have the more potent version, as long as it covered our labs and sancta. Plus they can be layered if necessary right?"
Diotima speaks up.
If we actually are willing to spend the vis, we could also have both. Myself, I fear I won't be much help. I never learned the Aegis ritual, nor even a Wizard's Communion. And magically, I'm a generalist. I can learn and cast about any fifth magnitude spell, but that's my limit.
Personally, unless Laterala knows of any potent creature in the vicinity, I would rather go with the larger version, geographically speaking. I plan to look at the nearby Roman ruins, after all, and if I understand correctly they would then be covered by the Aegis ? I'd love that.
You would be protected from anything that was outside of the Aegis. But if anything was within the Aegis, hiding in the Roman ruin when we cast the Aegis... Ophelia lets the thought hang in the air.
((Revised Laterala AOH ability 6th mag for compound. 4th to cover the lake. Sorry for the confusion on my part.))
Potent creatures? There are many dark fae in the area as is common for this country. Most, if not all, would be kept out by a 4th magnitude Aegis. Then there are the Dragons. Most of those are unknown in power as we do not poke them to find out.
To Ophelia: A risk we will have to take for the moment. I think I have chased all away but we never know. I covered all of the buildings of the compound but something could have moved in while I was else where. It is a risk.
"It is a risk even more magnified by the increased cost. I would prefer an aggressive scouring of the entire area that the Aegis is to cover in the months leading up to the casting, if we are to use the larger Aegis. We can provide security for Diotima during her investigations of the ruins, as well."
The small Aegis would cover the ruins as we are sitting over them now. The Roman site is all below ground at this point. And I would prefer the casting by mid winter which is tomorrow.
Zoltan's eyebrow raises at the suggestions. "Such aggression. How will we study the creatures if we are attacking them?" he says with a bit of a mocking tone to his voice, but then he becomes serious. "The nature of why we are here requires us to be a bit more risky. Killing the fae will not solve the problem nor allow me to do what I was brought here for. But it is sometimes necessary, I understand. However..." he steeples his hands under his chin and there seems to be a darkness that deepens in his eyes. "There is a fae out there...right now in fact, outside of this inn. It's name...her name is Juriska. I will not countenance any harm done to her. She is mischievous, to be certain. And if she misbehaves, take that to me. But she will not be harmed, or you risk my ire. She is small, slight." he holds his hand perhaps three feet from the floor. "Blue skinned, looks like a little girl. And...she does not like it when I talk to women." he looks around the table of maga with a half smile. "So she could be roused to anger. But I will handle her. I count her as part of my magical power, so do not risk it. And, I will provide compensation for her actions should it come down to it. But she is a perfect, beautiful example of the fae of Transylvania, and I will learn much through her."
If you vouch for her, I have no objection to inviting her into the Aegis and having her present when it is performed. I don't understand how she can remain apart from you, yet be considered part of your magical power.
Jane is part of my magical power and she is currently apart from me. My lab equipment is part of my magical power, and currently that is sitting in a wagon. Something or someone can be apart from you and part of your power.
"Regardless of Juriska...I may need to invite into the aegis...the fae that I 'm required to study. We should decide upon a protocol for this. This situation shall come up, we must be prepared."
What did you have in mind as far as a protocol, Zoltan?"
"I would want your advice on this, as our Hoplite." he says without a hint of irony in his tone. "I feel I will need to, on occasion, bring in some of the fae. That does not come without risk. So, in order to do so, I would want to make sure it is in compliance, to minimize the risk." he shrugs. "Maybe something as simple as not allowing me to be the one who actually invites for example, then at your discretion you could retract the invitation if you feel the Covenant is in danger. Any that are involved in the Aegis should be able to do that, I know. But maybe make it part of our Charter? The protocols, whichever we decide should be made to make you feel safer."