So, in light of this discussion (and wanting to nail things down as I progress in my post-gauntlet time), I thought I'd bring this up here. I'd like to propose an interpretation / house rule that the laboratory process of fixing Arcane Connections be seen as a background activity akin to talisman attunements.
I have a second House Rule that I would also like to propose that I think is more substantive perhaps. I'll provide an example of what I find specifically disturbing first. Both are from Hermetic Projects pg 94.
Guttering of the Home-Fires - ReVi Gen
Guttering of the Home-Fires
ReVi Gen
R: Touch, D: Diameter, T: Individual
This spell temporarily suppresses an Aegis of the Hearth effect. The Aegis of the Hearth effect must be less than half the level of this spell + 3 magnitudes. The known Lab Texts of this spell incorporate a side effect: while the Aegis of the Hearth is lowered, the temperature within the affected boundary is lowered slightly, which sensitive characters might notice. This spell must penetrate the Aegis of the Hearth effect, of course. Note that if the Aegis of the Hearth is of a high level, then this spell may need to be a ritual.
(Base effect, +1 Touch, +1 Diameter)
Removing the Hearth's Keystone - PeVi Gen
Removing the Hearth’s Keystone
PeVi Gen
R: Touch, D: Momentary, T: Individual
The caster dispels an Aegis of the Hearth effect. There is no other evidence that the Aegis is absent, but alert magi crossing the supposed boundary of the Aegis may notice that they do not feel the characteristic tingle which indicates the presence of an Aegis. The Aegis of the Hearth effect must be
less than the level of the Removing the Keystone spell + 3 magnitudes + stress die. This spell must penetrate the Aegis of the Hearth effect, of course. Note that if the Aegis of the Hearth is of a high level, then this spell may need to be a ritual.
(Base effect, +1 Touch)
I see both of these spells as problematic because they are non-ritual spells that can be freely cast to overcome ritual spells that require vis to cast. It would be quite infeasible for any lower range Aegis to be effective against even a casual grade vim caster if they could dispel the Aegis with a lower formulaic spell than the Aegis ritual itself.
I think these guidelines (for determining magnitude affected in these two spells) are being correctly applied... and that doesn't really bother me. What bothers me is manipulating / dispelling ritual spells with non-ritual spells.
I propose that it requires a ritual spell to manipulate or dispel a ritual spell.