No, no need to penetrate--that would make Aegis practically worthless.
Scott
"I would be unlikely to be able to use a casting tablet, unless written with me particularly in mind. I've never been good with vis. For similar reasons I'm inefficient at casting rituals, although I can do it if necessary. I think we have a lab text for an Aegis in the library - I'd have to check the level."
"Then it looks like one of my first duties will be to learn Aegis of the Hearth. We should still have an Aegis cast before then since it will take at least two if not three or four seasons to prepare the next one. I need to set up a laboratory before I can get started on the ritual itself."
Gregorius smiles his appreciation.
"Thank-you, Tasia. The lack of laboratories is going to be a considerable nuisance, particularly since I think we have an obligation to set-up laboratories ready for visiting magi as well. Or do we only have to provide them with space for a laboratory?"
He looks questioningly towards the charter and quaesitor.
"One other matter, that I'm not sure how I nearly forgot - according the Theodoric, the covenant is haunted. On dark nights, the place is crawling with ghosts, apparently dating back to Roman times. Apparently they've been known to move objects around or break things, and possibly even mess with people's minds. The good news is that the Aegis should mean that they won't be able to affect anyone with magic resistance unless they're very powerful, and that Theodoric has in any case survived here a number of years. We've got a lot of grogs and important supplies without magic resistance, though, and I don't know how only appearing on dark nights will interact with the Aegis preventing entry - they may well already be within it for that purpose."
"Ideally, the ghosts can be bargained with or coerced not to cause us problems, or even to serve us. For less than ideal circumstances, does anyone know Ring of Warding against Spirits? Despite the reputation of my House, I'm afraid I have no particular skill with necromancy, although I could probably cast weak wards spontaneously if necessary."
[Edit: Spelling.]
Tasia checks the charter for statements about labs: who gets priority in choosing or how such selection is done, what needs to be done for visitors, how long we have to comply, etc. She'll let the others know what she finds.
"Hmmm... Yes, good point... If the Aegis becomes a priority, then the labs start becoming a priority, making the ghosts a higher priority. Regardless, the faeries are still of high priority. As for dealing with the ghosts, I am skilled at the necessary Arts, but I really have not studied such magic at all. So, like you, I am looking at casting something spontaneously. And, of course, circles have many of the same potential problems with prior presence that the Aegis has."
There's nothing about labs in the charter, other than the obligation to provide labs to visitors, which means the Council can decide. On an OOC note, at the beginning I promised that all the original magi could design their own labs (in consultation with me, of course), and that promise still stands.
Viola, BTW, has no further comment on the subjects at hand. A very good Order of Hermes Lore roll might tell you whether or not this is normal for her.
Scott
Well, Tasia will go about her covenant business as planned. "Let me know if you two find anything we should all know or need assistance with something."
Once the Council meeting breaks up, Gregorius will find Theodoric, to tell him they'll be visiting the village headman tomorrow. He'll ask if there are any particular protocols he should observe - gifts? A message telling the headman they'll be calling before they come?
Theodoric nods, "A gift would be a good idea. And yes, if he knows you're coming, that will make him feel more comfortable. Would you like me to carry the message?"
Scott
Gregorius nods. "Yes, please do so. And could you suggest a suitable gift as well? You know these people far better than I."
Theodoric scratches his head as he thinks. "Well, probably something that's hard to come by around here--some luxury from the Greek lands, maybe?"
You could probably present him with some of the wine you've brought, or perhaps some product like olive oil.
In any case, after giving his advice, Theodoric departs to carry your message to the village. In a few hours, he returns, confirming that your visit will be expected in two days' time.
Scott
[OOC: I don't think Gregorius has any reason to know that giving alcohol to a Muslim might be a bad idea. However, hopefully Theodoric does. Please assume Gregorius takes the wine if not stopped, and the oil otherwise.]
Gregorius thanks Theodoric. He'll set out a couple of daya later, taking Theodoric and one of the more presentable (i.e. not ex-leper) shield grogs with him. He'll also have asked his sodales whether any of them have any spells like Aura of Enobled Authority they would be able to cast on him.
[MTKnife, I don't know if you want to split the different magi's activities into different threads again? Maybe one for village visiting/hedgie hunting (if relevant), one for dealing with the ghosts (possibly including an introduction for Patrick?)]
((OOC - I'll probably be dealing with the ghosts since I'll be dealing with the covenant site.))
[OOC: one other thing we need to do: cast the Aegis. Probably the evening on the Council meeting. It'll need a die - I note Portia hadn't mastered it.]
That was the SG's fault. 
Take olive oil. We could of course assume that these particular Muslims drink (especially before modern times, Muslim practice was hardly uniform), but it's easier to assume they don't.
If you want to deal with the ghosts right now, yes, you can start a thread for it.
Scott
The roll is a 6--whenever it happens, it goes off without a hitch.
Scott
[On the Aegis front, Gregorius will want it cast sooner rather than later (and Portia won't want to hang around for ever). Probably best to check with Amul that an Aegis suddenly existing during the Faerie thread doesn't interfere with any of the assumptions he's been acting under, though.]
Tasia is in agreement with Gregorious.
Consider it done, in that case. What level spell did Portia have?
Scott