"I am Aetherius ex Mercere, and I vote for secrecy as well. I don't have a ton to share at this time about any challenge we may face, as I haven't finished going through my sanctum's documents. I may need to work on my Vim a bit, but I could learn the Wizard's Vigil to assist with rituals. As for redcaps, if they visit, we can always decide on a new procedure to limit who they can interact with, and distribute mail internally. Assuming the covenant is sufficiently gated to control access, and has a building near the gate that can serve as a guest quarter, it could work for a while."
To Lares "I concur on catching her up. While I could assist on a field expedition, I haven't learned any travel magic at this point and I don't think its likely we'll catch a shapeshifter without shapeshifting or other forms of fast travel magic or flight..."
"I believe she is travelling on foot. Catching her is likely to be the lesser problem. I am capable of flight myself given some time for preparation. I worry, however about whatever else might be out there. We are in completely unfamiliar territory, and from what I have seen, the landscape seems rife with magic. Hence the possibility of potent creatures or other dangers. We cannot afford my incapacitation at this time."
"Yes, I agree that secrecy is our best course." Tastheus's tone is grim. "I had, or have a master who might pounce on any weaknesses. As for recovering Barshako, I can help with that. Though we may have to find our water supplies as well."
Lares lab looks to have a +1 Vim, +2 Rego, a +2 bonus for animal and +1 bonuses for Cr, Co, and Pe, so it would only offer modest boosts for inventing or reinventing an aegis spell, though the aura likely offers more of a boost than the specific aspects of the lab.
Argentius has listened intently to his colleagues, clearly considering each viewpoint based on his thoughtful reaction to the various viewpoints and concerns.
"If I may add a few thoughts, sodales. While our memories are gone and our bodies made young, our lost history is a shared history. We not only founded Al Kufra together, we welcomed each magus in this group into our ranks, and by all appearances, we thrived here. We advanced our studies and our arts here. This is our home." The handsome Verditius pauses for a moment.
"This apparent disaster could be turned into an unprecedented boon. We have a second chance, an informed second chance. If we can keep ourselves protected." He leans forward slightly.
"I propose that we all sign a special addendum to this Charter," continues Argentius as he pushes forward the document. "By that fresh signature we recommit our new selves to Al Kufra and to our common weal. With that signature we commit to our common safety and mutual success. In the next few seasons and years, we may need to commit our time, our study, and our efforts to the Covenant and to each other before we re-embark on our life's work. I believe that investment will be one well made."
Argentius rests a hand on the table as he looks at each magus with purpose.
"Sodales, you have my full commitment to the common good of Al Kufra."
“Thank you, Tastheus. Having a sturdy Tytalus on my side greatly eases my mind. Will you be traveling by foot or by air?”
Lares smiles wryly. It is difficult to say whether he is happy at the shared devotion, amused by Argentius’ high-minded ministrations, or both.
“You have my full commitment. If we manage to endure, this covenant is going to be more than a dream come true. That being said,”
He looks around the room,
"how full is your commitment? I will remind you that I will not be able to learn the Aegis without help in the lab. I understand this is much to ask, but in exchange you will have substantially stronger protection for the remainder of your years."
(OOC: By my calculations, Lares would need 10 points of lab assistance to learn level 50 ReVi. That's either one Aetherius or two others: Lares' ReVi lab total for inventing aegis: 3 int + 10 vim + 10 rego + 8 aura +4 mt + 2 labRe + 1 labVi + 2 overtime = 40; with two helpers, this could be done without overtime)
Zarkut smiles. "I commit myself as well. We are all equal, and I am not too proud to assist in something that will help protect all of us. But does anyone know what time of year it is? We can only make an assumption regarding the expiry of the Aegis, but we should try to make sure everyone has ample time to learn Communion."
keep in mind that to invent a spell you have to exceed the level, and the more you exceed it results in it being learned faster- to learn level 50 aegis in 4 seasons would require a lab total of 63. To do it in one requires a lab total of 100.
The number of assistants you can have is also limited by your leadership ability.
Plasmatoris idly rubs his forehead, smearing charcoal across his features carelessly. "I want to see things here running smoothly as well," he says with a sigh. "I do not want to shirk my duties, but if appearances are to be believed, I am not the more experienced magus who came to Afrika to join this covenant. My Parens did not prepare me for adventure, and did not prepare me for delving into unknown magical secrets. Actually, whatever he had prepared me for, I steadfastedly resisted it with the cocky precognizance of youth. In the last few hours I have been realizing that few of my interests line up with the needs of a covenant in dire straits."
The Jerbiton sits up and straightens his robes a bit, smearing more of his sketching charcoal on the fine fabric. "I am no adventurer, and cannot help rescue your wife - as romantic as that sounds, I wish I could. I am no laboratory specialist, and will likely not aid much in your labwork, Magus Lares. And I am no devious master of intrigue, so likely will not be able to discover what plots in the Tribunal are coming for us." Plasmatoris leans forward in his chair steepling his fingers before him. Somehow, in managing to smear charcoal across his arms, face, hands, and clothing, he's kept the fine wood of the chair and table perfectly clean. "I am a practiced observer, and I enjoy following patterns, howerver. I would offer to look into the safekeeping of our covenant." He emphasizes the word 'our', as if dedicating himself to the task, binding himself to this trouble. In his mind, at least. "I would like to try and organize the covenfolk. To figure out who everyone is, what their jobs are, and what they know. We can figure out what language barriers we must surmount. I can also look into finding who would work as a steward, a librarian, or other key aspects of our covenant's function. I would delight to have a full list of our covenant's books, art, vis, food supplies, and everything we can."
Okeannetis looks around the assembled Magi "While I appreciate secrecy, and subterfuge, as much as any Magi, or, should I say, as much as the next Tytalus Magi, let's be honest with one another for a bit. I have rummaged around in my lab, and I know that a certain Bjornaer has delivered a Wizard's War to the older version of me. None of us will be able to face an established Bjornaer Magus, even if we work together, and even if we manage to recast the Aegis, and I have no skill in what's needed to cast it, or even to learn Wizard's Vigil, he will likely be able to kill me easily if he gets inside, and it's not gonna be enough to hold him off. And once he finds out how easy it is, we can be sure that others will as well."
And she stands up before continuing "You may well decide to go with this charade, and maybe you will manage to pull it off for a while, but if we're one of the first Covenants in this new Tribunal, it won't be long before something comes up that will need the attention of our former older versions, and we won't be able to deal with it, and our entire charade will be over. And WHEN that happens, the others will definitely swoop in for the kill. I will not attempt this charade. If you decide against my recommendation, I will go tpo my lab, grab what I can, and leave. And I will vow to not reveal your secrets to the best of my ability, but i will not be a part of this."
After the Jerbiton stops talking Silas nods and adds a bit quietly.
"The covenant has my commitment. We need to figure out what has happened and better to work together against that goal."
Silas tactfully avoids the subject of assistance in the lab. After all he wasnt asked for. Though in fact he quite sure that he could offer vital insight in the laboratory (even if this isnt exactly his expertise) but his Verditius' pride dont allow him to work under another magi. Especially one that didnt even ask for him in particular. Silas looks over at his house member with some interest. As he does he leans back and thinks to himself. It will be amusing no matter how he reacts to this.
As Okeannetis finishes Silas attention shift. He stop thumbing his finger and turn himself to get a better look at her. He says nothing but his thoughts begin to race. This is certainly concerning. Perhaps we ought to have her leave but then again that will show our hand as well... What have i gotten myself dragged into...
Aetherius gazes at Okeannetis: "And you believe you stand better chances of outliving this bjornaer foe if you reveal our predicament than if we try this charade? If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't spit on a few years to prepare for a possible war. On another note... your enemy may or may not exist anymore. Clearly, you were declared war on, and you're alive. You could have won it for all we know. Or maybe you bartered a truce."
Although I wouldn't expect that of a Tytalus he thinks.
"I said I wouldn't reveal your predicament if you decide to go with the Charade. The letter declaring it was dated 1288, which is supposed to be this year, and if my older self had dispatched him, I would have expected it to be adorned with signs of her victory, but I've found none."
"That said, I do think if we approach the Tribunal stating that this calamity has befallen us, and our entire covenant, it would behoove them to investigate this, because if someone could do it to a covenant full of Magi and Maga past their century mark, it means one, or more very fearsome foes, and who's to say that they won't strike again on other covenants. If we keep silent, and it happens again, and we're discovered to have known and kept silent, it could well be a Wizard's march on the entire covenant. And we all KNOW that the ruse will be discovered, whether tomorrow, or a couple of years from now, when the next Tribunal is held. Assuming it's not held here."
"Let me put it this way... What if its a lab accident by one of us? What if its a deliberate project endorsed by the covenant gone wrong? Do we march one of our own? I think it's too early to call in the quaesitores."
Lares seems unconcerned by Okeannetis' declaration.
"More to the point, which violation of the Code would they charge us with? I am not much of a iurista, but this wouldn't be the first time a magus has kept secrets. Endangering the Order? Hardly - we do not even now what this is. Letting knowledge of this get to the Order's enemies would arguably be a much greater danger."
He taps the table with his forefinger.
"The Bjornaer is a problem, of course. But why would he stop from slaying you if he knew you were weak? Do you think the Tribunal could act so fast?"
"I'm not much of a jurist either, but I remember the oath as if I swore it yesterday. I will not deprive nor attempt to deprive any member of the Order of his magical power, I believe. Arguably, we've lost close to a century's worth of experience in the arts. If a magi did this to us, I think he could be charged, yes."
"Just to be clear on something. Whatever happened to us... broke one or more hermetic limit. Either the limit of time... or the limit of aging and warping. Whatever effect occured... had a boundary target to affect the entire covenant, which normally implies a ritual. And it collectively affected eight magi and several magical animals and covenfolk with might. None of us resisted, and we were a hundred years more or less our gauntlet... behind a powerful aegis. To affect an entire covenant behind an aegis of tenth magnitude, through the parma of magi close to a century beyond their gauntlet, some of whom are bound to be specialised in the arts used, without being spotted while doing the ritual, with a powerful non-hermetic effect... that's not trivial. I think it's more likely we did a wizard's vigil on a ritual one of us thought would make us younger. I don't have any evidence to back it up at this point but... unless our aegis is gone, it seems more plausible that we conducted a ritual and then went to sleep on it, than speculating on forces unknown powerful enough to pull this off from outside deciding its more appropriate to make us younger rather than smite us to oblivion."