Zoltan considers this for a time. "I think you are right. We have some good starting ideas for when we eventually invite in some fae. There is much I will be studying before we get to that point, such as the locations of the nearest faerie regios. Once that time comes I will have additional spells and perhaps items to provide assurances. Since my purpose here is to study the fae, will time and vis spent designing items be covered by the Tribunal? As well as other costs that might be incurred? I'm sure there would also be reports on progress, which we can discuss later. Right now, I resolve not to invite fae in, other than Juriska, until we are ready, and will be able to present demonstrations of our readiness for the Oppida's approval. If this is acceptable then please, let us move on, I do not wish to have this meeting only be about me and my projects."
So whats the next topic for discussion?
The size of the Aegis I think is still under discussion.
"I favor the smaller Aegis for the time being. Before enacting the larger Aegis, I would like to spend a few months scouring the area for creatures. It's by no means a perfect solution, but it's something that gives us a measure of comfort that we've scoured the area for monsters."
I also prefer a smaller, stronger Aegis. If we have the resources we can always maintain a two Aegises, but I would prefer the best possible for defending our sancta.
"I too favor the smaller and stronger Aegis, as long as it covers enough of the Oppida, I assume it would? That is my vote, if so."
The smaller Aegis, then
Well, with that settled, I suppose I should disclose my priorities for the next few years. Ophelia pauses, and stands behind her chair, and smooths her dress out. She appears much more comfortable standing than she was sitting. "I don't have Diotima's obvious facility with Latin, nor do most of my grogs. That will change over the next year. My grogs will be taught, and then I'll take the time to learn Latin to a sufficient, if not better, level. Also, having never been part of a group of magi before, I will undertake learning the Ritual Communion and will purchase a lab text for this in Greek so I can learn it more quickly. That being said if you ever think you might be doing something that requires additional protection, feel free to call on me. My grogs and I are at your disposal. Like you, I have my own beliefs about what is part of my magical power. My Immortals are part of my magical power."
"With that said, what are everyone else's plans for the coming year or years. Diotima mentioned investigating the ruins, but I would like to hear more about that."
"Ah, the ruins," Diotima speaks up.
"This place was part of the Roman Empire from... well, the dates are a little vague, but about 60 Anno Domini to 400 Anno Domini, with quite a bit of back and forth at both ends; and the Roman Army had a fort here, a castellum. But what is particularly interesting is that even after the Roman Empire lost it for good, The people around here kept a Latin culture under their successive overlords, at least that is what my research suggest, right until the time they were reunited with the new Western Roman Empire under the Carolingians, and this place was the center of this culture. I am hoping that some classical texts that are otherwise lost to us may have survived here for a while, and that some fragment of them might still be recoverable from the ruins. It is, I know, a long hope, but I am here to pursue it.
Beyond that, well, there are classical texts who have never been properly translated from Ancient Greek to Latin, and I could easily spend the rest of my life working on them. Magically, I suspect I may have to invent some spells to help me look for buried parchment, and I suppose I should learn more spells that are useful for groups of magi working together, this has not been a large part of my life until now.
Oh, changing the subject, I should really mention something about my familiar. She can take eating to extremes, particularly since she can change her size. I fear the covenant may have to start keeping a few cattle and sheep to keep her content. Of course the costs should be considered part of my expenses, and if they go beyond the support that the oppidum expects to extend to its members, I will pay for them out of my own pocket. I have been doing it for some time, and I have actually invented a ritual spell for just such a purpose, one that creates purple dye. I have been using it sparingly, of course, in fact I've only cast it once and still have some left over, but purple dye is always in demand."
Eve is next I have already been tasked with the production of an underwater craft for the purposes of exploration. However before I can project long term plans I need to ask the council one important question: How large should the craft be? I could make a small one fit to hold a few magi, with little comfort and little spare room. Or I could build a massive ship fit to house a small covenant. The only questions would be the cost in vis for opening, and the resources needed to make a sufficiently large laboratory. There are other details, but size is the main one when it comes to planning my time.
I would like to be involved in any exploration of the ruins. I have a bit of an interest in history. I would also like to note that Jane can be a bit odd at times. I'm sure some of us have noticed the difficulty magical creatures have towards to learning. Is it safe to assume the covenfolk are capable of dealing with her without having a panic attack if she for example, asks the cook to cook a rat she just caught?
Zoltan's expression remains rather black, in fact it is a bit difficult to tell if he heard or understands the various projects that the magae report they will be handling, before he finally speaks up.
"I believe there will be crossovers with my projects and everyone else's." he gestures to Ophelia. "I feel I can handle myself in combat...yet I am untested. Our Hoplite is in charge of the Turb, or will be, so I will report to you before going into the field and leave it to your discretion should you need to come with. I'm sure I could benefit from your experience." he nods towards Diotima. "The ruins...without knowing too much about them, I do know that the fae love to emulate the pomp and circumstance of what they feel are powerful mortals. They might have interest in the ruins, and if it is studied again, they might take interest again, or perhaps they have been there all along? I feel it would be a good idea if we were to do at least a cursory look for a faerie presence or aura there. That is the first step in my research anyway; to find the auras. I could check the ruins first before looking elsewhere." he pauses and a sly smile creeps across his thin lips. "And purple? I love purple...the tribunal has strange fashion rules, should it not clash with any such rules, I would like my valet to see the quality of the dye and perhaps make use of it?" finally he turns to Eve. "I must not neglect the lake in my studies, there may be a thriving underwater kingdom, should we discover this, your submersible would be invaluable. A sugestion regardless would be for it be combat worthy."
I was considering spells to make the hull transparent and the water clear as air. It would allow sight ranged spells to be quite effective. My calculations put Perdo Imaginum and Intellego Aquam as the ideal arts for this. I could make the enchantments with just my knowledge of magic theory, but it would be ideal if someone else placed the enchantments. My actual facility in those arts is less than stellar. Did you have any other ideas for combat worthiness in mind? Specific enchantments?
Diotima turns to Zoltan
"Yes, I'd be quite grateful if you could take a look at the ruins. I'm her for old parchments, not faes looking for a victim.
As for the dye, I don't have much left, only about 2 pounds, but that should be plenty unless you're looking to create a whole wardrobe out of it."
"I'm at anyone's disposal for their investigations. I'm here to serve the oppidum first, then the Tribunal. Eve I would help you with your enchantments, but those aren't particularly good areas of mine, so I doubt I could do any better than you could."
Is there any further business to attend or questions that need answered before Zoltan give's us a demonstration?
I'll distribute various plans for submersible creation after the demonstration. It will be easier to discuss, and understand if we have hard copies.
"If you are prepared to do this now, by all means, let us do it now. It is inefficient to break the council meeting, view the demonstration, and then return to the council meeting. I would prefer to adjourn the meeting after Zoltan's demonstration. And time is of the essence here, as Laterala has said that the Aegis needs to be cast tonight."
Zoltan seems lost in thought, perhaps contemplating a whole new wardrobe of purple...
"Eh? Oh, beg pardon. Yes, if we're ready we can see the demonstration now. Certainly. First, I thought I'd show you Juriska, I wouldn't be conjuring her, more akin to coercing her to show herself. After that I'll conjure a stony goblin. They are...a bit more predictable in temperment." Zoltan stands and gestures to the door with a sweep of his cloak.
Eve hands out a few sheets of paper on each are the plans for the submersibles, they have the plans for the enchantments, notes about size and the like I'll want these back, its a bit embarrassing, but I've always relied on others for arcane connection removal.
Eve hands out sheets of paper that more or less say this with various qualities of handwriting.
((I was trying to do the elder runes from memory, and made a few mistakes. I fixed it via edits. In all honesty they probably won't be worth it. ))