Thadeus frowns, "I'm not sure we have one available for this season. I understand that Betula," he nods to the Criamon maga, "will be using Tacitus' former lab to learn the ritual that will be needed in the spring to set up the Oak Grove. Janus had started dismantling Frederic's former lab to set up his own out of doors, so I'm not sure if it is still functional."
"That leaves mine, but provided I can have the vis to do so, I was planning on using to bind my familiar this winter. Tessa's is closed until such a time as we are sure she won't return. That would only leave the lab in the former Council room in the old tower, which is rather basic, as Thom can attest," this time he nods to the Merinita magus, "or the lab in the cottage, which I understand it is less than ideal, barely liveable in the winter."
"Of course, if I don't get approval to draw the appropriate vis from the covenant's stores, I won't be able to bind my familiar in the next season. I just don't have determine what I will do with my season then."
"Or to train some more, if some young people in the area are interested in a change of career. With a number going to the Oak Grove, our capacity to maintain suitable watches is stretched to the limit. When magi or companions have to travel, that further taxes our capacity. At least that's what Hamish was telling me. I would leave it to him to tell us how many more we need."
“My ability to invent the spell is barely enough in a standard lab so anything more basic will not be enough. Just bear it in mind and tell if and when you want me to do the lab work” replies Angus smiling
Recruiting many people at the same time is difficult to manage. Osgar advices against it.
Unskilled labour is easy to find, even in numbers. When you need particular skills, you may have to compromise, and won't get many at the same time.
Horses take skill to procure, lest you be cheated. You should send a character who has both ride and bargain. (I would not assume that a character with only animal handling has experience with horses or know their prices, but if you have both ride and animal handling, I'd allow using the higher one.)
Food supply is a critical factor, regardless of the silver supply, although I do not think that is a concern until you recruit too many.
The immediate concern is servants and teamsters, and Osgar is already managing that to be fully staffed by Spring. If you want to procure horses, please announce a character who does it as well as their targets. In theory, one trip to the market may do it, but the ease factor is lower if you spend a season researching the market, and waiting for an opportunity.,
He had planned to, but according to the Log, he had not started. He used Frederic's lab as it was early on, and then kept to reading. He had probably only had the grogs make the basic furniture and canvasing, planning to move the actual lab equipment later. Maybe @John_Graham_52 confirms.
I believe the walls etc are in place but given Angus got a full Winter season, and Janus left before that, I assumed he made no progress on setting up the lab equipment. The heating magic item is on the structure ready for retrieval
I should draw everybody's attention to the less reliable vis sources in this post.
Thadeus has offered to collect Creo in Carlisle, and I think Cath'rinne will collect Herbam outside Edinburgh. They can do so safely, being familiar with the source. The Mentem and Corpus sources have not been collected, and you do not know how hard it will be until you try. Worth noting if you want to volunteer for a story.,
14 pawns of Creo, 2 pawns of Aquam, 15 pawns of Corpus and 6 pawns of Mentem
Cath’rinne - 5 Mentem (or Creo then Corpus)
Thadeus - 5 pawns (Creo and Corpus but would like to trade for Perdo and or Vim)
Thom - 5 pawns
Sionag - 5 pawns
Nauvi - 5 pawns
Betula - 5 pawns
Elric - 3 pawns
People can make their bid for their vis pick by updating replying to this post please and I will update the list. Thanks
I'm willing to be part of the vis hunt for the Mentem vis offered by the Faerie Queen - however I don't think I should be the main character and Cath'rinne wouldn't want to talk to mundanes to arrange the art part. She suggests Thom may be interested. Maybe during their stay at Ungulus?
Thadeus' preference would have been Perdo and/or Vim (he might still ask the Council if it is possible to have 7 pawns to bind his familiar), but barring access to those he will go for Creo, Corpus, or a combination of those.
14 pawns of Creo, 2 pawns of Aquam, 15 pawns of Corpus and 6 pawns of Mentem
Cath’rinne - 5 Mentem (or Creo then Corpus)
Thadeus - 5 pawns - none drawn and debt of 2 pawns for next year
Thom - 5 Mentem but will defer to Cath’rinne if required, otherwise Creo
Sionag - 5 pawns, corpus ideally
Nauvi - 5 pawns - needs 7p Cr/Co for LR (Not from the list above, already considered on vis stocks retained) - 4 Creo 1 Aquam
Betula - 5 pawns
Elric - 3 pawns - Creo or Corpus
People can make their bid for their vis pick by replying to this post please and I will update the list. Thanks
Thadeus will tell Osgar that his priority is correct. But that if he comes across someone with the skills to procure, train, and/or care for horses, then not to let that person slip away. You never know!
If it takes a few years to develop this, then so be it. But it is good to know that we are looking for this as well.
Does he ask? If he asks, Cath'rinne will support any request for Thadeus to be able to bind his familiar asap, especially since he has found it for a few seasons now. She doesn't think it's normal to hang arround with a familiar for several years without forging the cords (even if she'll probably joke that it's a lesser heartbeast). She would add the following caveat:
The 2 additional pawns are reduced from next year's salary, or Thadeus commits to a work season to earn extra pawns from a council payment during the coming year, payment which could be advanced, or he borrows vis, extra vis and reimburse the coffers;
Drawing that vis can be from the reserves but shouldn't compromise our ability to cast both aegis rituals, create the chapter with ritual magic, or deplete the funds reserved for longevity rituals.
Thom expresses interest in mentem vis but will “defer to his betters” in the allocation of vis expressing his hope to someday acquire imaginem vis.
He also seeks to be an active participant in the faerie queene vis collection, offering his hope that Finn could share a tale or tell with her. Short of that, Thom could write a little ditty or two but “it will pale by comparison to Finn the great bard…”