Anulus Connectens: Janus of Mercere

Christian_Andersen · February 21, 2018, 10:31am

Effects in Familiar bonds require at least R:Touch, that makes sense. Janus still does not go for T:Group, he lives with the fact that that both he and Proserpinus can't activate at the same time:

As for the spell to monitor the health of Redcaps I think I'll keep it at base 10, because I want a somewhat fancy effect. Also, it'll be too easy otherwise, even with Janus' Deficiency. And I just found a way to hack it.
Regarding whether an information gathering spell should work if the target goes away from the caster...I've put some limitations and requirements into the design. Although the rules IIRC don't touch upon this in any way:

Spells
Sense of the Recap’s Well-being
InCo20
R:Touch D:Conc T:Ind
The spell monitors the health of the recipient, specifically if he or she is sick, injured, poisoned etc. The information is relayed to the caster by an intermittent sound (due to Janus’ sigil) . Under normal circumstances this sound is below the hearing threshold of a human, rising in intensity with the degree of hurt the recipient suffers. The sound the spell gives is unique for each person it affects, recognizable by the caster with a little training. The design of the spell utilizes the use of Monthly Maintenance of the Demanding Spell to make it useful. Janus needs to gather an Arcane Connection from the Redcaps, for the spell to continue to relay information. He also notes that the spell seems to have a maximum range limiting it to sensing Redcaps on the same continent as him.
Base 10 +1 Touch, +1 Conc

Janus neds to work a bit for this spell, due to his Defiency.

He has studied a bit for this
He has another apprentice (who is assumed to be at the end of his or her apprenticeship, for a good lab bonus)
He arranges for this single season to have six of his grand-grand-sires present in the lab, for the "Person" Free Lab Virtue (with a corresponding -6 Safety!)

Tellus · February 21, 2018, 12:11pm

I was told that effects must target one or the other.
The trick is go back to the ArM5 core book.

Christian_Andersen · February 21, 2018, 1:42pm

Yep, and It's actually more clear than I remember:

So from this, the aforementioned effect is ok.

But also:

But there is no mention of who controls it, if the effect affects both. and by this one could infer that is must be either the one or the other. And this was the part I remembered. However the first quote (4th point) quite clearly says both can be affected. And I think that it intends to limit familiar enchantments, specificlly excluding other effects like a mouse familiar shooting PoFs.

Erik_Tyrrell · February 21, 2018, 3:35pm

It says the familiar, the magus, or both. I'd say that to target both you'd need to have an effect with the "Group" target or something of the like.

Your effect can target either the familiar or the magus. This seems inconsistent with the description of both the shared senses power and the mental communication power.

It looks to me like bond effects can target the magus, the familiar, or both (that is both at once). They can't be designed to target either the magus or the familiar depending upon choice.

Christian_Andersen · February 21, 2018, 6:08pm

I’m not sure if the mistake lies in the rules or if the example effects are just suboptimally designed.

But it does make sense balance wise that a Touch effect is designed to work on either the maga or the familiar. And a Group effect could work on both at the same time. But not anyone else

In which case the fire ward in the bond is for Proserpinus alone. Janus has a slightly lesser ward for himself, from that incident with the dragon

Tellus · February 21, 2018, 9:47pm

I would refer back to this, when I was working on effects for Bausas and his faimilar bond with Callidus

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 10:37am

Yep. That seems fair.

Another thing:
I'm looking into the design of some MuAn spells to give the Redcaps' horses extra abilities, so things like Eyes of the Cat etc.
I'm writing up:

a) Does it even need a Terram req? The hooved need not be actual iron, and I'd prefer if it didn't cost a magnitude.
b) T: Part seems in order here. But then again, why doesn't 'Eyes of the Cat' need that?

Tellus · February 22, 2018, 10:44am

Gain, surely? Not retain. (emphasis added)

I don't think so, no.

Good question.

Erik_Tyrrell · February 22, 2018, 11:22am

I agree that no Terram requisite is necessary.

I also think that target individual is appropriate. You're changing the hooves on the entire horse, not just the hooves on part of the horse.

Edit: Yes I realize that this line of reasoning could be twisted to "I turn all of the hearts in the target to stone, not just the hearts in part of the target". But it does seem to match with eyes of the bat, eyes of the hawk, gift of the bear's fortitude and other spells.

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 11:47am

T: Part Co spells: Disguise of the New Visage, Arm of the Infant
The rest of them are T: Ind. (Except InCo "Sight of the True Form", Intellego can be a special case, and two Boundary Rituals)

Why?

Why is Eyes of the Cat T: Ind? Why Curse of the Unruly Tongue, why Spasms of the Uncontrolled hand?

Anyway, the two T: Part spells may be the ones designed wrong, so we'll the rest of them as Ind. Although it does seem the very thing for T: Part to cover.

New design:

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 12:28pm

Okay increased Soak for a horse...By analogy from Corpus it is Base 15 for +3.
Base 15 for Mu An gives a horse scaly, armoured skin. But how much Soak is this? This sounds dragon-y and much higher.

So is it more natural for an animal to have armoured skin than a human? I’d say yes. So perhaps Soak +3 for a house is a lower base?

Janus can easily invent a base 15 spell, but he does not want an unnatural look for the horse so lower Soak is desirable. And with lower base he might pull the spell off in same season as the other low level ones.

Erik_Tyrrell · February 22, 2018, 1:09pm

I've a thought on the use of target part versus individual.

The distinction I'm favoring is "is it reasonable to change the entire body in this way?"

Turning to stone: It is reasonable to turn the entire body to stone ergo changing the target's heart or hands to stone is target part.

Changing the target's eyes with Muto Corpus to give better vision (eyes of the hawk/cat): It is not sensible to turn the entire body to see better so these spells can be target individual.

Changing into a wolf: You can change entirely into a wolf, therefore giving a target a wolf's nose and olfactory sense acuity is target part.

Arm of the infant: It does make sense to change the entire person into an infant so target part

Curse of the Unruly Tongue: It does not make sense for the entire body to stutter and slur so target individual (getting a bit stretched here)

Spasms of the Uncontrolled hand: It does make sense for the entire body to spasm so target individual... yet it's target part in the book. Drat!

Changing the hoofs of a horse to have more iron like properties: It's more of a grey area here but I'm inclined to say that it does not make sense give an entire horse properties related to the hardness of iron and therefore it can be a target individual spell.

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 1:36pm

Spasms of the Uncontrollable Hand is base 2 (lose control af a body part) and Despair of the Quivering Manacles is base 4 (control large scale movements). So something in the guidelines themselves delve into how much of the body is affected.
But this is counter productive. A single art is easier to affect than a whole body in guidelines. But in parameters Part is harder than Ind (the whole).

If the entire horse gets the hardness of iron it would be hard pressed to move. It should get Soak bonus but that’s anther thing. But the hooves ( or teeth for that matter) are not moving parts they are contact surfaces for body parts.

But a clean up of guidelines would be a priority of mine for an ArM update. I could see a v5,5 but don’t see a need for such great changes that a v6 is needed. Meanwhile i’ll work with what I’ve got.

Janus uses T ind for the iron hooves.

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 2:00pm

I think T Part should only be used for “a limited portion of a homogeneous mass”, like a chunk of rock on a mountain or a portion of earth from the ground. Both examples are harder to affect than a rock or pile of earth of the same volume respectively .
[Edit: I've re-read the difition of Part, and it says the exact opposite than me. But since most spells are actually designed using my definitions...]

For humans or animals all body parts are distinct objects and thus T individual . No Animal spells seems to be Part. Plus Arm of the Infant and Disguise of the New Visage should both be Ind. They use base 3 “ utterly change size or appearance “. Either they become 1 mag lower or one could invent a base 4 (where none currently exist in core rules) to fit.

I haven’t yet looked at Herbam spells it but I assume it’s the same as with Co and An

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 2:44pm

Looking at Doublet of Impenetrable Silk is uses base 4 "change animal product in minor, unnatural way". Same base 4 guideline allows "major change in beast, leaving it recognizable the same animal". Higher guidelines for living animals makes unnatural changes.

So could it be considered natural for an animal to have a thicker hide, good for +3 Soak, since some animals naturally have this kind of hide?

And would it be reasonable to interpret the base 15 "scaly, armoured hide" as higher soak (+6 or +8?). Stellatus the Dragon in the Beastiary has Soak +20 with Stm +8, sp that's Portection +12 from his hide - a full chainmail is good for +9.

What I'm looking for is a the right Base to use for a not-too-unnaturally-looking soak boost for a horse.

jason72 · February 22, 2018, 3:39pm

The Fur That Turns Blades from TtA page 43 is MuAn 20, if you want a published "+soak for Animal" example.

EDIT : The Power Protect the Head, page 56 of RoP:M gives +5 soak to a group of animals.

As to maximums, 2 points of extra Soak is a Minor Magic Quality and for the Animal Qualities in HoH:MC have a bonus of 1 or 2. A shell gives a bonus of 4 but has an offsetting penalty to movement. Those might be examples of naturally possible, with unnatural guidelines needed for higher?

Christian_Andersen · February 22, 2018, 3:47pm

Thanks. I'll look at TtA once I'm back home with my books.
If more than 2 seems major/unnatural for animals, isn't it odd that Tough virtue and Gift of the Bear's Fortitude both give +3?

Christian_Andersen · March 2, 2018, 11:03am

I'm now through Janus +90

He has spent 32 seasons of study: Magic Theory plus Arts. Abilities have been completely neglected. The remaining seasons have been spent in the lab. He has not taught an apprentice in this period, but has had the need for help from one of his filii for a few of the harder projects (Int+MT 8, so no biggie). Janus has done no work on his lab, although for the single season he invented the sepll *Sense of the Redcap's Well Being' his lab was rearranged to aloow 6 of his blood kin to be present. This +6 Co speciality was needed to help offset his Intellego Deficiency, and the corresponding -6 Safety meant this was not a desirable situation for the future. Although he did no experimentation during this period.

Janus spent some time on projects to allow a ship to explore the hot deserts of Africa or Arabia. His other area of interest was buffer spells to the Redcaps' horses plus spells to find and help wounded Redcaps. Below follows first Janus' lab projects and later on his stats.

Familiar Bonds

Familiar’s Ward Against Blistering Desert Heat
ReIg48
R:Touch D:Conc T:Ind
Pen 0, 6 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Essentially a beefed up Ward against Heat and Flames, protecting Proserpinus against fires up to +35 dam. Even though lower power may have sufficed for desert travel Janus keeps up his habit of exaggerating and by this also safeguarding against moderate to powerful Fire Jinns. Also, it the ward is somehow dispelled it can be reactivated multiple times per day.
(Base 4 +1 Conc, +6 for up to +35 fire damage. Mod: +5 keep conc, +3 (6 uses/day))

Familiar’s Ward against Scouring Storms of Sand
ReTe30
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Waves of sand and stone as well as sand storms can't come closer than 10 paces to the familiar. Design is based on Break the Oncoming Wave. As the original spell does not affect the water a ship floats on, this effect does not ward against earth in its natural place.
(Design: Base 5,+1 Touch +1 Conc, +1 Stone. Mod: +5 uses, +5 keep conc)

Familiar’s Trackless Step
ReTe20
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Proserpinus leaves no tracks or prints on earth, mud or sand.
(Design: Base 4, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 uses, +5 keep conc)

Shape of an Eagle
MuAn25
Pen 0, 25 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Effect transforms Proserpinus into an eagle. He enjoys the ability to fly, as well as the sharp eyes. As a cat the avian form bothers him, and he is loath to keep the shape for longer than necessary. Luckily Janus’ tendency to exaggerate gives many daily uses.
(Design: Base 5, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 keep conc +5 uses)

Familiar of Outlandish Size
MuAn16
Pen 0, 2 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Effect increases Proserpinus’ size by +1.
(Design: Base 4, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 keep conc +1 uses)

Christian_Andersen · March 2, 2018, 11:14am

I'm now through Janus +90

He has spent 32 seasons of study: Magic Theory plus Arts. Abilities have been completely neglected. The remaining seasons have been spent in the lab. He has not taught an apprentice in this period, but has had the need for help from one of his filii for a few of the harder projects (Int+MT 8, so no biggie). Janus has done no work on his lab, although for the single season he invented the sepll *Sense of the Redcap's Well Being' his lab was rearranged to allow 6 of his blood kin to be present. This +6 Co speciality was needed to help offset his Intellego Deficiency, and the corresponding -6 Safety meant this was not a desirable situation for the future. Although he did no experimentation during this period.

Janus spent some time on projects to allow a ship to explore the hot deserts of Africa or Arabia. His other area of interest was buffer spells to the Redcaps' horses plus spells to find and help wounded Redcaps. The spells are his legacy to those who follow him as Custodian of a Mercer House. He needs to write up the lab texts or actually teach them.
Below are first Janus' lab projects and in the next poston his stats.

Familiar Bonds

Familiar’s Ward Against Blistering Desert Heat
ReIg48
R:Touch D:Conc T:Ind
Pen 0, 6 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Essentially a beefed up Ward against Heat and Flames, protecting Proserpinus against fires up to +35 dam. Even though lower power may have sufficed for desert travel Janus keeps up his habit of exaggerating and by this also safeguarding against moderate to powerful Fire Jinns. Also, it the ward is somehow dispelled it can be reactivated multiple times per day.
(Base 4 +1 Conc, +6 for up to +35 fire damage. Mod: +5 keep conc, +3 (6 uses/day))

Familiar’s Ward against Scouring Storms of Sand
ReTe30
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Waves of sand and stone as well as sand storms can't come closer than 10 paces to the familiar. Design is based on Break the Oncoming Wave. As the original spell does not affect the water a ship floats on, this effect does not ward against earth in its natural place.
(Design: Base 5,+1 Touch +1 Conc, +1 Stone. Mod: +5 uses, +5 keep conc)

Familiar’s Trackless Step
ReTe20
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Proserpinus leaves no tracks or prints on earth, mud or sand.
(Design: Base 4, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 uses, +5 keep conc)

Shape of an Eagle
MuAn25
Pen 0, 25 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Effect transforms Proserpinus into an eagle. He enjoys the ability to fly, as well as the sharp eyes. As a cat the avian form bothers him, and he is loath to keep the shape for longer than necessary. Luckily Janus’ tendency to exaggerate gives many daily uses.
(Design: Base 5, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 keep conc +5 uses)

Familiar of Outlandish Size
MuAn16
Pen 0, 2 uses/day, bond maintains concentration
Effect increases Proserpinus’ size by +1.
(Design: Base 4, +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 keep conc +1 uses)

Spells

Sense of the Recap’s Well-being
InCo20
R:Touch D:Conc T:Ind
The spell monitors the health of the recipient, specifically if he or she is sick, injured, poisoned etc. The information is relayed to the caster by an intermittent sound (due to Janus’ sigil) . Under normal circumstances this sound is below the hearing threshold of a human, rising in intensity with the degree of hurt the recipient suffers. The sound the spell gives is unique for each person it affects, recognizable by the caster with a little training. The design of the spell utilizes the use of Monthly Maintenance of the Demanding Spell to make it useful. Janus needs to gather an Arcane Connection from the Redcaps, for the spell to continue to relay information. He also notes that the spell seems to have a maximum range limiting it to sensing Redcaps on the same continent as him.
(Design: Base 10 +1 Touch, +1 Conc)

Steed with Cat-like Senses
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
MuAn10
Target animal has its sense of vision and hearing changed to have many qualities of the cat’s senses. It can see in near-darkness, and has sharper eyes and ears. In Janus’ version the animal is extra sensitive to small birds and rodents, but feels no actual need to chase them.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 extra sense +1 size)

Steed like a Bloodhound Tracking
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
MuAn5
Target animal has its sense of smell enhances to that of a bloodhound, and with a little training and guidance by an animal handler can actually track by scent. In Janus’ version the horse reacts most strongly to cats or foxes. This is limited to whinnying and need not result in a chase.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Steed with Iron Hooves
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
MuAn5
The hooves of the horse are changed to be hard as iron, thus the horse needs no shoes. The horses hooves aren’t actually iron, just very hard and tough. In Janus’ version of the spell the hooves change occasionally to have one or other of iron’s qualities. Faeries with aversions to iron may at times react. Affects animals up to Size +4.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Steed as Sure Footed as a Mountain Goat
R Touch D Conc T Ind
MuAn5
Horse affected gains the agility of a mountain goat, good for +3 to rolls to move in rough or steep terrain.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Cloven Feet of the Reindeer
R Touch D Conc T Ind
MuAn5
Horse affected gains the cloven feet of a reindeer, good for +3 to rolls concerning moving in snow.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Hump of the camel
R Touch D Conc T Ind
MuAn5
Horse affected gains the camel’s ability to store water, greatly increasing the time between needing to drink. Although nothing like a real camel’s capacity. It does not gain any actual humps since this would hamper the placement of the saddle.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Steed of Armoured Hide
R: Touch D: Conc T: Ind
MuAn25
The hide of the horse becomes tougher and more resistant to damage (+4 Soak) while remaining supple and still looking fairly natural to the casual look. Through examination will reveal unnaturally thick hide. In Janus’ version the hide changes slightly in colour, patterns, or texture over the course of days.
(Design: Base 10+1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Steed as Swift as a Gazelle
R Touch D Conc T Ind
MuAn5
Horse affected gains the speed of a gazelle, good for +3 to rolls concerning this.
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Winter Coat of the Reindeer
R Touch D Conc T Ind
MuAn5
Horse affected gains the warm hide of a reindeer, and it turns white, good for +3 to rolls to resist cold..
(Design: Base 2, +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 size)

Redcap Steed's Tireless Journey
ReAn25
R: Touch, D: Conc, T: Ind
The Redcap’s steed is immune to the felt effects of pain and exhaustion, effectively ignoring Wound- and Fatigue Penalties. Works on animals up to Size +4. Used in conjunction with Monthly Maintenance of the Demanding Spell it can potentially last for long journeys. Janus warns that a long journey where food, water and sleep is foregone is dangerous and ill-advised. he also notes that one of the Custodian's most vital tasks is knowing when to and when not to use this effect, as well as inform the recipient in no uncertain terms of the full nature of said effect. Because horses are deemed more expendable than true-blooded Redcaps, this effect is designed to be able to run for many months. Janus’ Talisman has a shorter-lasting effect for humans. Tethered, Harnessed.
(Design: Base 10, +1 Touch, +1 Conc, +1 size)

Custodian’s Soothing Voice
ReAn20
R: Touch D:Conc T:Ind
At the sound of the caster’s voice the targeted animal is calmed down and allows any normal contact, and even dampens the effects of the Gift sufficient for a skilled animal handler to control it. Janus designed the spell to help casters get to touch range of a skittish horse. Spell ends if the animal is spooked by injury or events not considered normal or naturally experienced on a regular bassis (werewolves, stable fires, magical botches etc).
(Design: Base 5, +2 Voice, +1 Conc)

Design note: It is my opinion that Animal spells concerning the mind of animals are not subject to Size modifications, same as Mentem spells. I know the Animal Form covers both mental and physical effects, but the limited mind and emotions of an animal does not need as many different effects. And each individual Animal guideline is either one or the other, so there is no extra flexibility one needs to balance out. I can find no mention in A&A that an animal’s mind is viewed significantly different than a human’s. Actually, an animal’s mind should be simpler. It seems downright silly to me that a dwarf and a giant are equally easy to affect with mind-magic. But even a horse is more difficult to calm down than a dog.

Actual Eyes of an Eagle
MuCo(An)5
R Touch D Conc T Ind
Spell gives the recipient eyesight like that of an eagle, enabling one so see at great distances, even details, and look into the sun. Simulates the effects of InIm Eyes of the Eagle by transformation rather than manipulation of species. In Janus’ version the appearance of the eyes change occasionally, so they may look like bird’s eyes for just a blink of an eye.
(Design: Base 2 +1 Touch +1 Conc +1 powerful)

Shape of the Majestic Eagle
MuCo (An)25
R Per D Conc T Ind
Spell changes the caster into the shape of an eagle, by hanging a small cape of eagle feather on the back.
(Design: Base 20 +1 Conc)

Projecting the Arcane Council Member
Re(In)Im15
R Touch D Conc T Ind
Projects caster's image on surface or in medium close to the target object. Image can speak, hear and see but not move. If recast it may appear in another place at caster's choosing. Designed to work through an Intangible Tunnel
(Base 2, +1 Touch, +1 Conc, +1 two senses +1 intelligible speech, +1 In req)

Transporting the Tending Turb
ReCo50
R Touch D Mom T Group
Transports a group of people to a place to which the caster has an arcane connection. If the place is scryed prior to casting the teleportation spell, the caster can make a Finesse roll to direct how the transported people appear around the arcane connection, up to 10 paces away. Janus notes that the spell causes Warping, but it is designed to use for emergencies when a Redcap being monitored is in grave danger.
(Design: Base 35 +1 Touch +2 Group)

Minute of Reckoning
ReVi50+5
R Arc D Diam T Ind
As HP page 80. Even though a 10th magnitude version seems excessive, Janus exploits the Intangible Tunnel to cast his teleportation spell, in order to bring an injured Redcap and his rescuers home. He also invents the spell at levels 5, 10, 20, and 30, in a subsequent season.

Minute of Arcane Seal
ReVi40
R Touch D Diam T Ind
As HP page 81. Because of the reduced Duration compared with Arcane Seal, this spell closes a Tunnel up to level+10.

Devices, Lesser

Wand of Shading Clouds
Wand made from a piece of oak struck by lightning, insert with a magnet.
Gathering the Shading Clouds
ReAu 50
R: Sight, D: Conc, T: Group
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, device maintains concentration
Resembling the spell 'Gathering the Stormy Might' the device allows the activator to target a single cloud however vague and form it into a severe version over the course of the time such weather normally builds up. Such natural weather, or weather formed with this effect, can be controlled, moved or even dissipated at will. Janus would like the opportunity to produce nice, shady clouds as a refuge from the scalding sun, and to move it along the ship.
(Design: Base 4, +1 Conc, +2 Group, +3 Sight, +2 size; Modifications: +5 maintain concentration, +5 (24 uses/day))

Wand of Landscape Restoration
Wooden wand with magnet insert in bronze band
Restoring the Wake of Gaia’s Ship
ReTe45
Pen 0, 24 uses/day
R: Voice, D: Conc, T: Part
Effect allows the wand to continually restore earth and rock altered by magic or other unnatural means. If used immediately to a change there is no need for FInesse rolls, otherwise this may be needed to restore earth and rocks into the precise way they were before. Janus uses the device to hide the tracks left behind by sailing a ship across land using Sailing on Gaia’s Back.
(Design: Base 3, +2 Voice, +1 Conc +1 Part, +2 size, +1 rock, +1 fancy effect; Modifications: +5 keep concentration, +5 24 uses/day Unlimited use

Sailing on Gaia’s Back
MuTe(Aq)35
R:Touch, D: Conc, T: Part
Pen 0, 1 use/day, Device keeps concentration
Transform an area of sand and stone around ship to unnaturally have the properties of water, so a ship can effectively sail across land. When moving the water-like earth does not evaporate or seep into adjacent earth in significant amounts. However if stationary this can eventually become a problem. Due to Janus’ sigil of change the water-like earth changes appearance: sometimes it looks like water, sometimes earth behaving like a fluid, sometimes solid like normal earth with the ship looking completely out of place partially buried in it. When the ship contacts boulders or small hills earth and stone sprays as waves would, when in contact with a ship’s hull.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +1 Conc, +1 Part, +2 Size, +1 stone; Mod: +5 keep conc)

Shield of Sand Wave Breaking
Miniature bronze shield with a piece of magnet insert in lead
Deflect the Oncoming Sand Wave
ReTe25
R: Per, D: Conc, T: Ind
Pen 0, 24 uses/day, device maintains concentration
Effect as per the spell 'Deflect the Oncoming Wave' in the core rules. Waves of sand and stone as well as sand storms can't come closer than 10 paces to the device. As the original spell does not affect the water a ship floats on, this effect does not ward against earth in its natural place. By placing several of these strategically Janus is able to cover the entire ship. He has created 6 copies of the device, enough to cover the ship with redundancy plus the flexibility to equip Grogs moving about with one or more shields.
(Design: Base 5, +1 Conc, +1 Stone. Mod: +5 uses, +5 keep conc)

Glove of the Water Supply
Leather glove with a bronze disc in the shape of a drop of water, adorned with a piece of beryl
Water of Solid Rock
MuAq(Te)37
R: Touch, D:Sun, T:Part
Pen 0, 12 uses/day, Environmental trigger: Sunrise/-set
Transforms a part of a body of water up to a maximum of about 35.000 liters (Base Individual: Pool 5 paces diameter 2 paces deep) specifically into one pebble per 1.000 liters. As a side effect of Janus’ sigil all pebbles ever made by this device are unique but with no discernible system to their appearance. The pebbles are stored in a box clearly marked “water” alongside the device when it is not being used. The transformation persists until dispelled due to the “constant effect” modification. Typically a pebble is dropped into a designated water barrel with a volume of just over 1.000 litres before the effect is dispelled.
(Base 5 +1 Touch +2 Sun +1 Part, +1 Stone; Mod: +4 (12 uses/day), +3 Environmental Trigger: Sunrise/-set)

Glove of the Food Supply
Leather glove with two plaques; The first in the shape of a chicken drumstick, made from bronze insert with magnetite. The second in the shape of a loaf of bread, made from cedar wood.
Food of Solid Rock
MuAn(Te, He)42
R: Touch, D:Sun, T:Circle
Pen 0, 12 uses/day, Environmental trigger: Sunrise/-set
Transforms food (animal and vegetable matter) inside a circle traced upon activation into specifically one pebble per activation. Janus finds it pragmatic to transform each day’s worth of rations at a time. As a side effect of Janus’ sigil all pebbles ever made by this device are unique but with no discernible system to their appearance. The pebbles are stored in a box clearly marked “food” alongside the device when it is not being used. The transformation persists until dispelled due to the “constant effect” modification. Typically a pebble is dropped onto a table or into a crate of sufficient size to hold the food as it transforms.
(Base 10 +1 Touch +2 Sun, +1 Stone, +1 He req; Mod: +4 (12 uses/day), +3 Environmental trigger: Sunrise/-set)

Glove of the Arcane Stretcher
Leather glove with amber insert
Gentle Stretcher of the Injured Redcap
ReCo30
R Touch D Conc T Ind
Pen 0, 1 use/day, device maintains concentration
The person touched is gently and steadily lifted into the air, to ensure comfort and avoid worsening any wounds while transported to an infirmery. Particularly tricky movement may require a Finesse roll, which is why Janus only entrusts this device to specific, trained grogs.
(Design: Base 15 +1 Touch +1 Conc. Mod: +5 device maintains conc

Devices, Charged

Amulet of the Good Vis Guide
A simple brass amulet
The Good Vis Guide
CrMe20
R Eye D Special T Ind
Target of the spell has his memories of an event of up to a full day enhanced to complete clarity. Janus intends his Redcaps to use a charge to help follow up on leads and rumours of supernatural beasts, places with auras, vis sources etc. The user needs to keep concentration, but any rolls are easier (+3) than normal as long as he and the target discuss the matter at hand.
(Design: Base 10 +1 Eye +1 special (as Conc))

Amulet of the Helpful Peasant
A simple brass amulet
The Helpful Peasant
ReMe15
Target of the spell is greatly inclined to answer the Redcap’s questions of local matters, travel routes, weather conditions, mundane hazards, and rumours of supernatural matters. The user needs to keep concentration, but any rolls are easier (+3) than normal as long as he and the target discuss the matter at hand.
R Eye D Special T Ind
(Design: Base 5 +1 Eye +1 special (as Conc))

Christian_Andersen · March 2, 2018, 11:16am

Janus +90
Characteristics: Int +3, Per -1, Pre +1, Com 0, Str -1, Sta +2, Dex -1, Qik -1 (1)
Size: 0
Age: 117 (51), Height: 168 cm, Weight: 72 kg, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0 (2)
Warping Score: 6 (6¼)
Confidence: 1 (3)
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, True Friend (Familiar) (Bonus: +3 to appropriate Personality Traits)*, Hermetic Magus, Major Magical Focus (Home & Hearth), Affinity with Magic Theory, Alluring to Magical Beings (Bonus: +3 to Communication and Presence with Magical Beings), Cyclic Magic (Positive): +3 During Fall and Winter, Enduring Magic (Effect: Roll simple die to increase spell duration), Inoffensive to Magical Beings, Inventive Genius (Invent Lab Totals: +6), Mutantum Magic, Puissant Leadership, Puissant Magic Theory, Deficient Technique (Intellego), Driven (House Mercere legacy), Busybody (amorous liasons among Covenfolk and locals), Close Family Ties, Difficult Spontaneous Magic, Slow Caster
Personality Traits: Driven (Mercere legacy) +3, Loyal (Familiar) +3, Reliable +2, Brave -1
Combat:
Dodge: Init: -1, Attack --, Defense -1, Damage --
Fist: Init: -1, Attack -1, Defense -1, Damage -1
Kick: Init: -2, Attack -1, Defense -2, Damage +2
Soak: +4
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Area Lore: Local 4 (lineages) (1), Artes Liberales 2 (cermonial magic) (6), Awareness 3 (searching) (1), Charm 3 (seduction) (16), Code of Hermes 3 (political intrigue) (2), Concentration 3 (spell concentration) (1), Covenant Lore: Anulus Connectens 4 (internal relationships) (1), Folk Ken 5 (women) (3), Infernal Lore 3 (detecting corruption), Intrigue 3 (Hermetic) (10), Latin 5 (hermetic usage), Leadership 3+2 (debate) (2), Living Language 5 (poetry), Magic Lore 5 (abilities) (4), Magic Theory 16+2 (enchanting items), Order of Hermes Lore 4 (personalities) (10), Parma Magica 4 (corpus) (10), Philosophiae 2 (ceremonial magic) (6), Survival 2 (woodlands), Teaching 4 (hermetic apprentices) (12)
Arts: Cr 9, In 9, Mu 11, Pe 8, Re 13, An 10, Aq 10, Au 10, Co 12, He 10, Ig 13, Im 10, Me 10, Te 10, Vi 10

Spells Known:
Circle of the Matured Livestock (CrAn 25) +21. Cause an animal to reach full maturity over the course of a single day or night
Steed as Sure-footed as a Mountain Goat (MuAn 4) +23. Tethered
Cloven Feet of the Reindeer (MuAn 5) +23Tethered
Hump of the Camel (MuAn 5) +23. Tethered
Steed as Swift as a Gazelle (MuAn 5) +23. Tethered
Steed Like a Bloodhound Tracking (MuAn 5) +23. Tethered
Steed With Iron Hooves (MuAn 5) +23. Tethered
Winter Coat of the Reindeer (MuAn 5) +23. Tethered
Steed with Cat-like Senses (MuAn 10) +23. Tethered
Steed of Armoured Hide (MuAn 25) +23. Tethered
Personal Ward Against Beasts (ReAn 5) +25. Tethered
Custodian's Soothing Voice (ReAn 20) +25
Redcap's Tireless Journey (ReAn 25) +25. Tethered
Cloak of the Seal's Skin (ReAq 5) +25. Tethered
Arcane Breeze at the Back (ReAu 5) +25. Tethered
Arcane Shield Against Rain (ReAu 10) +25. Tethered
Arcane Ward Against Storms (ReAu 30) +25. Ward against a type of severe weather phenomenon, such as gale force wind
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) +23
Sense of the Redcap's Well-being (InCo 20) +12. Sense all useful information about a body
Actual Eyes of an Eagle (MuCo(An) 5) +23
Arcane Senses of the Cat (MuCo 5) +25. Tethered
Shape of the Majestic Eagle (MuCo(An) 25) +23. Tethered
Footsteps of the Undine (ReCo 10) +27. Tethered
Transporting the Tending Turb (ReCo 50) +27
Circle of Harvest in a Day (CrHe 25) +21. Bring a plant to maturity in a single day or night
Arcane Instincts of the Forest (InHe 5) +11
Coat of Arcane Comfort (Cr(Pe)Ig 5) +23. Tethered
Palm of Flame (CrIg 5) +24
Arcane Lantern (CrIg 15) +24.
Major Ward Against Heat and Flames (ReIg 35) +28
Projecting the Arcane Council member (Re(In)Im 15) +11
The Crystal Dart (Mu(Re)Te 10) +23
A Window of Singular Direction (MuTe 15) +23
The Well Trodden Path (ReTe 10) +25. Tethered
Tingling Hand of the Gift (InVi 15) +11. Side Effect: Forces Turbulence roll
Wizard's Day of Communion (MuVi 25) +23
Unravelling the Fabric of Vim (PeVi 10) +20
Monthly Maintenance of the Demanding Spell (ReVi 20) +25. Harnessed, Tethered
Minute of Arcane Seal (ReVi 40) +25
Monthly Maintenance of the Demanding Spell (ReVi 40) +28, Mastery 3 (imperturbable casting, adaptive casting, stalwart casting).
Minute of Reckoning (ReVi 50) +25. Also on levels 5, 10, 20, 30

Proserpinus
White cat
Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre 0, Com 0, Str -7, Sta 0, Dex +3, Qik +4
Size: -3
Soak: 1
Magic Might: 13
Cord Scores: Gold +3, Silver 0, Bronze +2
Familiar Powers: Magic Theory 8 (enchanting items)