((Note from the OOC Thread: Eve has misunderstood Ophelia. She is not objecting to Juriska being part of the Aegis ritual.))
This may be paranoia, but I would prefer a few steps to ensure the invited Fae are not demons. Preferably before the invitation. Hitting them with a spell to remove infernal might a few times, and making them pass through an anti-infernal ward. I would also prefer general notice before bringing a Fae in. You are the expert, so I would understand if you say that Fae balk at these restrictions, but when there would not be undue burdens I think they would be wise.
Zoltan thinks a moment before answering. "I hadn't considered that possibility, but I suppose it could happen. We shall make the protocols as you see fit." he gestures to include them all. "I would want such situations where a fae invited in to be with what assurances can be made. Casting spells on a fae can be taken in different ways though, even if it is harmless to them. They do not think like you or even I do and may respond poorly. But, if it were necessary as judged by the magi, then it shall be done, or they will not enter. What would be some other precautions? Wards against the fae around your sanctum would be wise, but possibly impractical. Perhaps it would be done before inviting in a fae? In which case we might need to get casting tablets, maybe an item?"
Like I said, you're the expert, we don't want to let our fear get the better of us. If such precautions are overly burdensome to our research we can skip them. Perhaps we could have two levels of protocols, one for our resident expert, and one for everyone else when it comes to letting Fae in?
The fist and most basic precautions would be to make sure that before you invite any fae, you tell all of us. Thus, if it comes to that, any of us could revoke the invitation at any time.
Then, well, not letting the fae wander around alone would also be good. That, Zoltan, would be your responsibility if you invite such a guest.
And, obviously, if a fae enters a sanctum without the permission of the owner, it should expect to die. I believe there is no need to inform such a 'guest' of which magi are less likely to have lethal defenses, or any defenses, in place. A word of warning regarding the fact that entering a sanctum is forbidden and that lethal defenses are considered normal might do a lot of good there.
"Wards around the magae's sancta are problematic if you have brought fae with high might within the Aegis; and Diotima makes excellent points. If a fae is wandering about, you should expect the invitation to the Aegis to be immediately revoked by any maga. It will significantly weaken the creature and perhaps forestall its most devastating attacks. With notification provided to all residents of the Oppidum being the primary considration, I'm comfortable with you using your judgment as to any necessary additional precautions we might need to take.
But we've veered off the point, I think. Does Juriska need to be close at hand, able to cross the Aegis and come to you at will? I'm willing to support you if you think it's necessary. If you think a token will be satisfactory for your needs, that's fine, too."
Zoltan nods at all of the suggestions. "Yes, this is good, this is what I was hoping for. I shall inform all if I invite any of the fae in and provide what information I can regarding that particular fae. This way, you might decide it is too risky and can perhaps over rule my intentions to invite. Bear in mind though, my purpose for being here is to study the fae, preventing that without good reason could cause us difficulties. An additional level of protection...perhaps we can have an alternate lab for me at the edge of the Aegis, one that I use for the fae, one that could be warded? That could help prevent any wandering fae I think. I'd have my regular lab wherever it shall ultimately be, and then we can make a lab for a special purpose...housing the fae? And of course, if a fae enters your sanctum, do what you feel is necessary, if I could just ask for patience you might get me before destroying it. But that would be up to you of course." he pauses and takes a drink.
"With Juriska, I would like her to be treated as if she were my familiar. I know I cannot legally have her treated thus without actually making her my familiar, but if I could ask that favor. I will do what I can to keep her occupied and out of trouble. Your parma should protect you from most of her mischief, she is likely to vex many of the lady covenfolk though. I can show them some charms that might help them."
"My concern isn't necessarily with the problems she can cause the magi individually, it is the problems she can cause our covenfolk collectively, which will be a distraction to us if we have to get involved in undoing the effects of her pranks or mischief, to use your term. If she is likely to do these things, I would suggest that she be given a token. She can then be uninvited from the Aegis, at the discretion of any of us. She may even remain within the Aegis at this time, but perhaps the bulk of her powers will be circumscribed by the Aegis, and she may recognize that her freedom within the Aegis has a price. So, based on your description of how she might behave, I support giving her a token, but I would not support her being included during the casting of the Aegis."
She's part of his magical power, I could not in good consciousness object to her participation in the Aegis while asking for Jane to participate. Yes, a familiar is an even closer bond, but the principal stands, at least in my eyes.
Zoltan listens to both maga but nods to Eve. "I appreciate your belief in that." he sighs. "But I have to defer to our Hoplite. If she can be allowed a token but not be part of the casting of the aegis, I think that would be best for now. Maybe in time she can earn that privilege, I believe that is reasonable."
Ophelia looks crossly at Eve, "One reason for the Aegis of the Hearth, if not a primary reason is to keep creatures who will cause mischief out. Most magi past gauntlet can handle low magnitude supernatural nuisances. A collection of magi in a covenant can easily handle it, but that's beside the point. The Aegis frees magi up so they don't have to involve themselves whenever the latest nuisance comes along. At Zoltan's own admission, Juriska will cause mischief. If she causes enough mischief she may end up wreaking havoc such that this covenant, pardon me, oppidum cannot handle. Perhaps she can earn the trust of being included in the Aegis, but trust must be earned. And lest you forget, he is free to invite her back into the Aegis as he desires. So, what is the principle here?
That people be able to use their magical power. If Zoltan is okay with but a token, then there is no issue. I do wish to point out an Aegis only reduces penetration once inside. It will not provide any manner of limit on her ability to cause the covenfolk annoyance.
"The right of using one's magical power goes to the point of another maga's nose. If Juriska creates mayhem that requires the magi to act, and interrupt their activities, isn't that also an interference with a magus's power?"
((OOC, it does more than reduce penetration, that's really a side-effect of how penetration is calculated, it can prevent effects from even happening, if the level of the effect can't be succesffully cast. In Hermetic terms, it's pretty powerful, it makes spells that could be cast easily impossible to cast. It's not just penetration, it also circumscribes what becomes possible.))
Laterala watches the back and forth with interest. Violeta leans close and whispers a question to which Laterala shakes her head.
The fae in Transylvania are not the cute flower fairies of Normandy. There are no brownies or fauns dancing around mushroom circles. The fae of Transylvania are more likely to want to slay people they come across if not tightly controlled. I am willing to provide 1 token beyond what is decided for Zoltan's fae friend for now. i want to see that they can and will be controlled before I allow more inside the Aegis.
"How does one limit access to the tokens? Are we each provided two, and if necessary we seek another out to borrow one of their assigned tokens?" Ophelia seems genuinely curious about this. ((And I hope it's clear she's not casting aspersions on Zoltan's character, but is asking how we limit who gets invited in, as the only way this seems possible is to have a limited number of tokens in possession of each of the magi, but this might be a problem when more than several magi and beings visit.))
((Eve's suggestion doesn't speak to Ophelia's point. Nothing limits any magus from inviting more than one faerie into the Aegis. At least, if we are limiting the magi to two tokens each, then we are limiting the number a magus might bring in. Could they ensorcel and compel Ophelia to bring them 10 tokens?))
To Ophelia: I would suggest that you and I track the tokens handed out. We have no secrets here and a slight delay for friends and family is a small price to pay for extra security.
Zoltan nods at the wise ideas being presented. "One token for the fae, other than Juriska. That token held in confidence by Laterala and only given to me after I inform the magi and receive the consent of the Opidda? Perhaps a limit on how often this can be done? Once per Season being acceptable? Of course I can still invite someone in on my own...but should we make it part of the charter I would certainly be held accountable by my sodales*."
((*More than that, Zoltan also has a flaw he picked up from his Mystery, but he's not likely to mention that))
"What about the alternate lab? Do we have the resources for an additional lab?"
We do but it will not be quick. I think all of this can be done easier if we try not to solve it in one council meeting. If we ban all fae being invited until Zoltan can set up a demonstration as to how they will be controlled and contained. This could be a lab outside the Aegis or any some enchanted items or wards.