Schwartz observes the Certeman closely. Creo Corpus isn’t usually a combination resulting in harm, so even if his Sodale falls, all should be well. But staying close, just in case, seems prudent. Can’t have the healer getting injured.
Meanwhile George the Scribe is exploring. Is this a neutral site, or is it the outer grounds of a covenant? And after the base is set up, are there other grogs about to interact with?
It is the outer grounds of a covenant.
"Very well, you have conceded." He snarls and breaks the certamen. The other longevity specialist approaches you, "Don't let him get to you, he did the same thing to me when I set up my stake as a longevity ritual specialist 4 tribunals ago. There are a lot of people prefer not to go to him because he is, well, who he is." She glances back over her shoulder at him. "But he certainly has set himself up as justifying having the highest prices for longevity rituals. He charges 5 times the base cost, and can only seem to provide longevity rituals up to age 80 or so, he has apparently focused attention in his arts to where his theory is weak. I figure his current ritual isn't getting any better, so its just a matter of time. In any case, you and I should figure out what each of our strengths are and try and find a more amicable way to split up the customers he doesn't have."
Elia nods at him, and turns to the other longevity ritual specialist "Thanks, I don't plan to charge too much, but I don't want to undercharge, and cut your business, too much. My specialty is not so much longevity rituals, though it is a side effect of learning healing spells. But if you want, I can focus more on the healing rituals, ointments, and such, as it is really more so I can contribute to my new covenant, and not having to work too much on longevity rituals would actually be good."
@silveroak Am not sure if this was overlooked, or whether you're still thinking about a response, but I didn't want this to get lost.
any info on the estate sale? I knew I wouldn't detect enchanted items but anything with a constant effect would show up right?
Kriegeist is mostly interested in any unfinished research, anyway, so looking through whatever lab texts are there.
Or un-investigated non-hermetic artifacts.
You find several texts in ancient Greek, as well as painting and sculptures- maybe figurines or something similar? A jewelry box with a collection of unusual bits of jewelry, and a jade wand.
How are they divided into lots? Kriegeist will take note of the lot numbers, and head back in, to ask the magus what sort of bids he accepts. (ie just vis, or other considerations too)
Giovanni and George head towards the covenant, looking for the autocrat. Giovanni to find out what goods they may be interested in, and which things they may have for sale. George to find any scholars he can speak with.
Once the certeman is finished, Schwartz continues his discussions with the mage concerning cat adoptions.
The magus accepts both silver and vis, at the exchange rate of the greater alps (200 MP per pawn). The lots are generally a single item except where there is a natural collection- for example the jewelry box and all its contents are a single item.
You notice that a lot of the lots are not yet up to a single pawn of vis in value in the submitted bids.
Kriegeist says to the magus, "There are several lots I would bid on, but I do not have ready vis on me at the moment. Would you consider a longevity ritual, or a season of service in another way, in exchange for several of the lots? I could write my initial, and let your value to that season, divided by the number of lots, be weighed against the other bids."
He looks at you in puzzlement "I suppose, I mean several of the lots are being paid for in gold instead of vis."
"Well, I presume you want payment immediately. If I have a year, I can pay in the ordinary way."
"Well yes, I do prefer immediate payment. Did you just finish some large enchantment or something?"
Kriegeist nods. "Something like that. Also, I wasn't expecting to have any need for vis to spend here, so didn't bring any."
"Very well, which items did you want to bid on?"
Kriegeist considers, then says, "I can provide a ritual of the 16th magnitude, for any age up to 12 decades. This I will bid against these lots [the books, the jewelry, and the various art objects]. Of course, if you prefer ready tender, feel free to disregard my offer without causing offense, but it is all or nothing on those lots."
"A ritual? You mean a longevity ritual? And you would pay the vis for it, or would I?"
"Yes, a longevity ritual. You would cover the cost, but I think you know that's still a bargain."
He scribbles down some notes "Results will be determined after the formal meeting"
As the formal meeting approaches messengers come to gather the group. "You will each be given a chance to present yourself to the tribunal and they will vote on each of your memberships individually."
They proceed from the person who has been out of gauntlet the longest to the "youngest".
Schwartz attempts to gather the Mages, away from prying eyes. “They will probably try to get the location of the covenant from one or all of us. Right now, until we can fully explore our new home, probably isn’t the right time for such disclosures. Even though he was “mad,” I can think of many good reasons Mingus focused on secrecy.” But we need to agree, it only takes one person to talk to endanger us all.”
Elia nods in agreement. "He is mad. Don't discount us seeing him again."