As it turned out after a bit of spreadsheet work, enough people already had 4's and 5's in com to allow everyone to be enhanced up to their greatest potential (either 5 or +2)
silveroak, can Anvy partecipate too? No shrinking for him because of his metal body though.
Perhaps some reduced people could be placed on the anvil to minimize the space occupied...
The big issue would be penetration... which with might one should not be so much of an issue. Other questions would be whether this would require more vis and whether it would impact Anvy's might score- both of which would not be certain ahead of time what the outcome would be. Let me know if you choose to risk it...
Leaf, Aegis and Honor are all staying out of the ritual for basically that reason. Plus as magical creatures they have other ways to increase their characteristics.
Hi all!
Penetration should not be an issue, as Gloriana can handle 10 MR even with the ritual. She can always spend 1 Confidence to pump the total +3, she has more than she can use, really. And if the circle was drawn in her Lab, she has another +5 from Props.
So Anvy/Leaf/whoever were welcome. The roll for the first Ritual was 73, 13 Penetration, and 69 for the second Ritual, 9 Penetration. Note that I am not adding the Aura strength to the roll, because that increases the MR of Magic-aligned creatures by an equal amount anyway.
Still had these questions and matters to resolve, silveroak
Also on tap:
Gloriana was commissioned by Danaë for another enhancing spell, this time Presence. Will be completed at the end of Spring 1134.
The Redcap will go to the Council members and offer the same terms as before, 1 Cr/Me pawn per participant/ritual, any number of coven folk if the Covenant pays for the vis of casting the Rituals themselves (6 Cr/Me combination per Ritual).
This also reminds me that the mirror with the ghost has been producing Me vis since 1132 (when Author put it in his lab), not sure if this has been added to the totals.
I had given a post that was semi-charactered for Oliverius. However, I realized I should really check my math before committing to that post. Just to confirm, Danae set up a plan for the ritual, got around 15 pawns of vis from various covenfolk, and then paid.. what, 12 to cast it twice? We've already determined that nearly the entire covenant is going to benefit from this... It might be more prudent for the covenant/council to pay for the entire thing, rather than have it be filtered through Danae.
No doubt! 8)
Well, let's see: Danaë had to pay 21 vis total, so she got the Covenant to put up 12 of those (actual cost for each casting of the Rituals, 12 pawns/2 for Mercurian Magic = 6), and then she got 4 pawns from Andros, 4 from Oliverius, 4 from Anna, 3 Animal from Sandor, so yes, she came ahead!
But of course, it was Danaë who commissioned the spell itself (in particular to avoid being Warped) and the casting from Gloriana; the maga wouldn't have created these spells so early on in her career if she weren't so eager for vis and to prove herself. Danaë then turned around and successfully "sold" participation spots, to hopefully help defray the 21 pawns she had to come up with. All in all, it was still pretty cheap, the Praesidium, and most of its Magi, are very wealthy.
If the Covenant wishes to commission Gloriana in the future for other such spells, or to cast the ones she already knows more times, she will of course be very accommodating! She's not that wise in the ways of pricing her work...
silveroak
Hmm, it seems to me that the big issue here is not penetration, as explained by Ignes.Festivus, but what the storyguide has in mind for poor Anvy 
.
However, I didn't think that the presence of Anvy could increase the expenditure of vis and I don't want to blow up the accounts of Danaë and the ritual's cost for the Covenant, so no enhancement for the iron man.
The real point is that you don't know for certain until it is tried.
Regarding inheritance that is a matter for the covenant to decide since there was no will left behind (or at least not one that survived!) if any of the remaining characters wants to file a will with the redcaps for safekeeping...
Though I must say that Evandrus managed to spectacularly fulfill the requirement of not being involved in adventures after 1220...
Alright, I only caught about half of the numbers there. This is why I redid my post to be a question rather than Oliverius in-character being grumpy.
Oliverius would definitely want to speak to Danae about the numbers, and suggest that it would certainly look better if the council commissioned Gloriana directly, instead of everything being filtered through Danae's pockets. While he understands the need for commerce to lubricate the way, repeating the same sale over and over again can look bad.
When Anna sees the numbers she suggests the council offer 12 vis for designing a ritual like this +12 per casting, as this is a "just" price for a 12th magnitude ritual. She could likely be talked up. People could bid on being the one the ritual is designed for. She also has a motion for the council to ask House Mercere to stop letting their vis commit usury.
note: the only way for the vis to "stop committing usury" would be to withdraw it all from accounts- given the quantities involved that will come out in whatever form they can lay hands on quickly, or in whatever trade items (like books) you are willing to accept.
Gloriana goes before the Council in Winter 1133: "Sodales, the mighty Evandrus is no more, to our eternal sorrow. We will miss him every day, in many different ways. I had the great honor to be his Apprentice, and he poured some of his vast wisdom into this unworthy vessel, so that I have both affinities and sympathies with his magical pursuits: Mercurian, Merinita, healing. I know not the custom in the Praesidium when a Master passes, will you enlighten me? Evandrus had no other Apprentices, and I believe his parens long ago passed as well (assuming here, since Warping 10 is a hard limit in this Saga, it's either Final Twilight or or one of the full-aligning options with a Realm, at that point), what is to be done with his possessions separate from the Covenant's? I put forth my claim to his legacy, and hope to complete some of his works and publish them to cement his glory in the annals of the Order; when I was his Apprentice, I became familiar with his particular style of Lab texts, and even managed to transcribe some of his spells into the Library. What say you? If this is well-regarded by this august Council, I would trek to the Mercere House to make this official. I put forth my claim even if the Council sees it fit to keep the passing of my parens...private, for the nonce."
I fully intend to assume my parens role in casting the Aegis, but as of yet, I have much to learn. Perhaps in a few years I may be able to bear the burden Aurthor has capably assumed.
Danaë addresses the uproar that seemingly has arisen about the Rituals, she has good personal skills, including Folk ken, Intrigue, Charm, and Bargain (she's also a busybody and I'm assuming aware of many rumors circulating in the Covenant), so she will first approach each Council member on their own, to assuage/charm/comfort, and later on before the full Council:
"A good day to you all, my sodales! Some have expressed their concern with the process and cost of the recent Rituals by our esteemed Gloriana, and the one to come this next Spring. Let me be succinct: I, Danaë of Mercere commissioned the creation of this spell and its casting, and am solely responsible if the way it transpired struck some of you as less than satisfactory. But let me be clear: in the same way that our esteemed Oliverius receives constant commissions for his outstanding works,-which I hope to at some point order!- I, also am a patron, and free to procure specific things from specific talents. For Maga Gloriana's services in this case. This great Ritual has undeniable benefits for all of you and our Covenant, and thus it seemed wasteful to just cast on myself, and offered all of my sodales a spot -for a very modest price that all could pay and none objected at the time- and it snowballed into most of the coven folk participating, with no complaints from our gracious Gloriana, nor from me! Magus Oliverius's and Maga Anna's preoccupations about eliminating middlemen and commissioning such great works in the future are things to consider indeed... for the future! In the present and very near future, I am not a middlewoman to be cut out, but the actual Magus who is paying for a service that will aid me in the pursuit of my magical interests. I once again welcome all of you who wish to participate again this Spring of 1134, in the Ritual of the Hero's Majesty, the terms are not onerous! This Council is free to also offer enticements for the completion of other projects, in fact, let's applaud such initiatives."
Addressing Anna's proposal:
"Dear Maga Anna, who here likes usury? No one! But other Covenants will surely benefit from the Mercere terms, even if the Praesidium does not, and I urgently remind you that we have a plethora of enemies, including willing Quaesitores! This extra vis accrued may provide the edge were we to be fined, if we are in need to bribe the right people, to wage just war, or even to heal. All worthy causes!" As always, Danaë flashes her smile at all, frequently.
Danaë would vote against ending the vis usury, but she prefers if this does not even come to a vote.
Aurthor is very sensible about continuning the legacy of a magus and thinks that the possessions of a deceased sodales should be distributed among his apprentices, so that they can (hopefully) continue his studies. So he supports Gloriana's request regardless of what the consolideted modus operandi is in these cases.
Aurthor nods approvingly listening to Gloriana's words "I also think Gloriana would be a better choice for the casting of our Aegis, thanks to the particular affinity for rituals of her magic. The events of recent years have also shown how important it is to have more than one resident magus capable to cast a such important ritual for the safety of our covenant. To support the efforts of Gloriana, I also propose to get a couple of texts on the mastery of Aegis of the Hearth spell, looking at our coffers I can say that surely we can afford such expenses." Aurthor doesn't know of the possibility that some of these texts could be recovered from Evandros' lab ruins.
Aurthor refrains from calling it usury, but agrees that the intermediation of Danaë is rather "uncomfortable". He supports Anna regarding the counteroffer to Gloriana. "Perhaps the magus who wants to avoid warping could contribute with one pawn of personal vis that would be deducted from the 12 planned for the design of the ritual." I don't know if it is feasible though, I need the answer of silveroak to my question below.
"I don't see the need for a motion against House Mercere, simply I'll vote against any expenditure of covenant's vis stocks that I consider inappropriate. And one more round of collection of vis by Danaë for the casting of the Ritual of the Hero's Majesty this Spring would fall into this category".
silveroak, for how many people a spell can be designed in order to avoid warping issues?
Anna would be happy if the vis in their accounts simply stopped increasing. However she also realizes when she is defeated. "Fine, I too shall vote against inappropriate expenditures. Perhaps we could start using some of our vis stocks for charity. Healing magic can provide great value. I suppose it is my duty to create spells to benefit the mundane people's. I also support Gloriana's receiving of Evandrus's material wealth. I admit I had not truly considered the matter of Hermetic inheritance as separate from mundane inheritance. I suppose I have Evandrus to thank for that. I believe that his work should be continued as well. After working out a lab design that is less prone to accidents. As for Danaë's brilliant idea, she is the one who was behind the sponsoring of the rituals and she deserves the rewards that brings her. While I sometimes I talk about "duty" or in this case "a just price", that is not to judge others. I'm not the Divine or even a theologian. I am merely trying to do my best. If I make more effort than most, it is because the Divine has given me great gifts." she hopes that doesn't sound too self-righteous.
Oliverius regards Gloriana's request with thoughtfulness. He's recently taken to carrying a wax tablet to council meetings to make notes on his thoughts before speaking, since it reduces his muttering to himself.(Perhaps a sign of improved commmunication skills.) "In a brief review of my knowledge, the history of this esteemed Coveneant before my own inclusion, I don't see any real evidence of this situation arising before. The more experienced magi have either moved to other pastures, or they have not had skilled apprentices to give their material knowledge to. As far as I can tell, there is no precedent. Can anyone correct me on this?" He gives a moment of looking around before continuing. "That would have made things easier. Does the charter say anything regarding this eventuality?" Oliverius taps at his writing tablet and then continues. "There are a number of possible precedents. We could have our esteemed maga Gloriana take possession of his remaining material goods. We could have it go to the covenant libraries and supplies. We could declare his repositories of knowledge go to the library, while vis and enchanted items get given to the covenant as a whole. There are a lot of possibilities; I am happy to pass all his remaining possessions to maga Gloriana, with the confidence that her heart and mind will treat it well, and use it to further our covenant for as long as she remains here. I suppose... my real question is are we making this precedent, or a single isntance?"
Socially, Oliverius is incredibly transparent. He isn't jealous, he isn't mad, he's more concerned. With Danae's social skills, it's pretty easy to see his motivation for bringing it up: Both House Mercere and House Verditius have in the past been accused of gross mercantilism. He wants to keep such thoughts away from people, in part because he is so mercantile-minded himself. In the council, he gladly stand up for the situation. "I certainly harbor no ill feelings towards Danae for her actions that have aided our covenant as a whole. She took a spell that could have been aiding only herself, and she expanded it to include our covenant as a whole. Such actions should certainly be lauded. Encouraged. I for one would be more than eager to see her innovative ideas continue. That aside, we do not wish any discomfort nor dislike to, in her clever phrase, snowball. In future years, I would suggest the covenant as a whole under-write the expenditures and time necessary to continue the intellectual enhancement of our magi and our covenfolk both. I think a small reward to maga Gloriana for her seasons of work in this pursuit would be well-recieved and well-earned."
Gentle casting mastery allows the spell to not warp additional targets- a spell with target group may be designed so that a specific group will not be warped, but changing the composition of that group in any way will void that precaution. There are rumors that those with hermetic architure have designed rooms that they could designate as being free of warping as a target, other methods to avoid warping would require some degree of reseacrh or expirimentation.
accounting for 1133:
Beginning silver:36 3/4 tonnes
income:4 5/8 tonnes
expenses: 1/6 tonne
Ending inventory: 41 1/5 tonnes