I need to copy over my mage's background stuff. But the mechanical parts are about ready on the sheet. While you said new spell designs in their own post, I saw you posted your own spells as hidden text, so I just put my new spell designs there as well.
I'm finishing up numbers (and a name) to post for the companion. Happily, the giant likes the supernatural troubadour idea.
Speaking grogs for Atheus:
As his personal assistant I'm thinking one of the criminals. A former clerk who smuggled goods on the Shannon and got caught because he got drunk and told the wrong thing to the wrong person.
I wanted to bring him here for discussion because since I won't be the one playing him, I didn't want to design everything.
I'm picturing a 25ish guy with a talent with languages (Gaelic, Latin, English, French and West Norse, all the ones spoke in the Isle) and some decent law, area lore and bargain abilities to help Atheus navigate the world of merchants and the like.
One virtue and one flaw are left open, and I'm very open to suggestions from the troupe that would improve the play experience!
Finnbar
Characteristics: Int +3, Per +2, Pre +0, Com +2, Str -2, Sta +0, Dex -1, Qik -1
Virtues: Educated, Linguist
Flaws: Weakness (alcohol), Warped Senses (eyesight sensitive to sunlight)Abilities
Ability Total Experience Points Score Area Lore 30 3 Artes Liberales 5 1 Bargain 30 3 Brehon Law 30 3 Charm 15 2 Civil and Canon Law 30 3 Common Law 30 3 Folk Ken 30 3 Guile 15 2 Intrigue 15 2 Gaelic 75 5 Latin 75 5 West Norse 50 4 French 50 4 English 50 4
@Vortigern Atheus has his network of contacts. Some have story flaws, but otherwise they could be construed as grogs. Do you think that would work, or would you rather keep them as NPCs?
@Vortigern would you rather keep OOC questions in the story thread or here, to avoid clutter?
Question: just to make sure, are companions present at the council meeting? Thinking mostly of LĂadan, callen's bard and Emelric's alchemist, as I can't imagine Gazik and Nithyn's magic spirit would be.
They are entitled to be I would think. As Custos they are effectively equal in social status to the Council of Advisors, even if they don't have an official role with direct authorities/responsibilities like the Council does.
Here is fine.
Forgot to comment on this!
I think a better guidance would be not the magus' Vis Extraction lab total, but his highest TeFo lab total. A Verditius CrIg expert won't price his skills on the vis he could be extracting, but on the magical flaming swords he could be creating.
Studying from vis will give us roll+12 on average (in our covenant), the cost varying with your Art score. Under these proposed rules, studying under a teacher with Com+Teach 9 means I'm paying 3 pawns (plus at least whatever I'd pay to study from vis) to avoid the risk of botching. Does it looks like it balances out? To me studying from vis seems to always be the better option, but as a player I have a high tolerance for botches and a tendency to gamble, so I'm not the best person to judge this.
For other things it looks fine to me!
I don't dislike this grog at all, I just would say I had in mind like a shield grog or two being worked in just in case. If necessary we can write a scene where Vorsutus takes it upon himself to tell Atheus that he isn't allowed to let himself get killed by mundane bandits, because it would be embarrassing for the Covenant. 
If you want to write them up as minor characters/grogs or whatever, I think largely they will all still play roughly the same?
Please welcome @ShakeZula as a new player joining the game. Both new to Isle of Wrath, and to Ars Magica! I am looking forward to sharing the Ars gospel with a new convert. @Nithyn and I have both played other games with @ShakeZula before, so we know she is good people.
Oh Lord, @ShakeZula? We're really in trouble now.
Seriously though, welcome welcome! Always happy to get another Ars convert!
Welcome aboard @ShakeZula!
Please, do! XD
I was expecting for Atheus to make a selection from the turb when he needs to go out, but hey, if you guys find a shield grog to be quintessential I'll not object to one.
Oh, not at all I think? They are all merchants at heart, but they all have their own quirks and skills.
For example, if Atheus goes fishing for trouble around Carlow he'd call Killian, who has magic sensitivity and had dealings with Ashenrise before. If he needs help in Kilkenny he'd go for Katie, who is protected by the local priest. I'd expect these two to focus on different abilities and to play very different from each other.
My proposal would be for the troupe to pick them as characters in suitable stories, if/when needed (and thus I'd not be rushing to give stats to them anytime soon). But again, that's just an idea. We can try it out once and if it works, fine. If it doesn't, we learned something.
Thank you, thank you! I'm excited to learn a new system and roleplay with you all.
I think this will make for an interesting and amusing social scene actually.
I've been kind of under the weather lately, and falling behind. Will be trying to do some catching up tomorrow. How is everyone? Anything need immediate attention?
How is the IC thread? Are people ready to move forward? I've been trying to wait for more posts, but it seems like we are stalling?
Take as much time as you need.
Everything is under control for me, I'm just going over my lose ends and tying them up (slowly).
Did @callen get the chance to see the IC thread? I'm not sure.
I'm fine with waiting some more before going on, but yeah, it feels like we are losing momentum.
I do think @callen is the one we haven't seen post at all.
If you are uninterested in the scene, let me know and we won't wait on you? If you are, please let me know that as well?
Aack. Sorry. Lost track.
Let me know if there is any confusion or just questions regarding what was described in the IC thread.
If anyone wants to read up on what was being discussed by the advisors reference Hibernia page 132, central column, the section on Paruchia and Comarba.
Aside from that, would there be any interest in a second IC thread for the Magi simply for some social roleplay?
A yes from me, on the second IC thread.
I've gotten a little confused about who the players and magi are. I think we added a player, right? Maybe we can make a new list of players and magi and associated companions? (Speaking of which, I need to finish some details of the companion I was writing up.)
I'm also interested.