Cornelius looks at the cage with a raised eyebrow.
There are a series of negative reaction tests I can use to try to discern what magnitude is needed and if I know the level required. One moment
Cornelius makes for quite the interesting magician. He apparently is handy with spell analysis. A different style than the Pralicians but effective nevertheless. He casts a series of Vim spells, Intellego mainly. First in ascending level then descending.
It seems to be a Magnitude VII Ward. Not sure of the total level though, but I think that is the highest level effect. I know the ritual PeVi50r Disenchant. That should be sufficient, but it will take me two-and-a-half hours and require ten pawns of Perdo &/or Vim.
...
I do happen to have vis on me, though not enough of the right Arts. I'll gladly split the cost though, and trade you for what we need. The fifty-percent trade rate, not the double rate the Mercere screw you with.
You know what? We are into it this far. I'll pay the damn fine. The wall of drawers behind me, I bet they contain vis.
Cornelius casts a simple Intellego-Vim spell, and determines that the drawers on the lower left corner hold vis. He opens one of them...
And he is struck with the BOOBY-TRAP! It struck Vibria once, activated in another way. i just read up on it. I think Vibria regrew an arm and might be missing a finger. Not sure.
But anyway, it affects Cornelius by making him obese and giving him man-boobs. His clothes are suddenly tight and tear a little.
An image of Constantius of Jerbiton, aka Ulric, appears. Fleur remembers him from Bellaquin, the financial mastermind behind the puppet Valgravian. And the image is true to form, he is both large and obese. A whale of a magus.
clap=clap-clap
Well done Cornelius, old friend. I knew it would all come together. In fact, the curse and this image could not have been activated unless it was you. It took me four spells and more than a rook of vis to pull it off, and over a year of planning and rumor mongering, but it was worth it to make this prank possible.
Don't worry, it will wear off by the turn of a lunar cycle. But you will know what happened. And you will never, ever, make another fat joke about me again.
As for Ava and Herot and the rest, it is your playground now. I am on to better things. Both Ava and Signum are insane. And frankly, it is wearing off on you old chum.
No hard feelings. One day over beers I will tell you how I set it all up. But for now, I can tell you that I knew you would be nosing around for vis. You want to borrow that carpet a explore the realm access. Se if it is real. That was my bait old bean! I am not so unkind as to deprive you. Just speak the magic word "Zahliezean!:, and it will open. It is filthy, but functional. And alive! Rolled up it is dormant, unrolled it is awake. It can fly at great speeds and carry massive weight and...
oh yes. It is actually a genie bound in material form, and it is oath-bound to serve the magi of Andorra Covenant and follows only their commands. Good luck with those guys! I am sure their Quasitor their would be interested to learn how you came across their carpet!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Heh, my belly does roll like jelly when I laugh. You are right.
Oh, and Vulcanus has no idea. I fixed his goat but good. If my guess is correct, he is on a wild goose chase in another Realm, and has not been seen in a while.
Have fun with your own jelly rolls my friend!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH kaff HAHAHAHA!!!