Ok. Thought it could fit the bill if we added Regulus handful of books (assuming we had some unspecified titles about odd subjects), but it seems he will need to commission a few works.
Selected entries from Regulus Petraeus journal
1206, Spring
Spring Summary
Wolfgang’s recent adventure made me think I should invest some time in spells to discern the terrain around me. Thankfully I still have time to adjust my seasonal activities.
While my laboratory is not in good condition, I don’t think I will have time to arrange it in a better way; next season I must leave for the Rhine Tribunal, in order to examine their recordings and learn what I can about the relations between covenants. Know our potential allies and enemies.
I’ve decided to put to good use the copy of Sense the Feet that Thread the Earth that I brought from Polyaigos, but I am afraid that even with my current achievements in Intellego I will have some trouble to parse some of the more esoteric points of the lab text. I’ll need to rely on improvisation and luck. I hope that the mistake that cost me my arm taught me something.
Notes: Regulus’ lab total is 15 (Intellego) + 5 (Terram) + 5 (Magic Theory/Intellego) + 5 Aura +1 Intelligence = 31. With a -4 lab general quality this amounts to 27. He will need to experiment.
With a lab safety of -1 he also needs to roll a simple die for chance of disaster (on a 1, there is risk). This -1 also means an imposed +1 risk... but I'll chose a +3 (this way he will succeed as long as he doesn't botch).
If rolling a 0 in the experimental roll or a 1 in the safety roll, check for botch with 6 botch dice (1 for experimenting, 5 from aura, +3 from risk, -3 from Cautious Sorcerer = 6). Still a lot. Let's pray.
Simple roll (to lab total): 3
Simple roll (safety): 9
Experimental roll: 6 +3 = 9 (Special or story event)
Either some effect not covered elsewhere occurs, or, at the storyguide’s option, an event unfolds as a result of your work which involves the entire covenant.
So........?
If we go with a story I have a few ideas that are easy to implement and don't require immediate action (in case no one wants to run, or if we want to wait for more magi to join).
Humm.... I probably should also say that I'm likely to keep experimenting in the future, unless people want me to stop.
(On the plus side, the spell was invented! =D)