Yet more hoarding (Surraruthru)

[Anastasia]

"Hmmm," Kascha considers, "Healing. Lots of healing in case things go wrong. I can manage some if I devote my 9th circle spells to to it, but an expert would be better."

Ebony lies face up, hands folded over her stomach. "The most powerful dispels we have. Some system to pull someone out of the vault in case of trouble, perhaps simply reinforced rope or wire that won't easily break. Flexible options in case there's further escalation."

[Iron Dragoon]

"So that's Jaela. Ropes could be done by the Phase Spiders or Afina? I'm not sure about the healing, but it sounds like a Balyss job."

[Anastasia]

"Balyss is good for that," Kascha agrees, "But both of them are busy right now, so we'll need to wait for them to return."

"I can see to the ropes." Ebony says, slowly rising from her place. "They will be strong and light. Protecting them from fire would be only wise."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru nods.

"If I knew a 10th level dispel spell, I could likely do the job, but I know of none. So, until they return, what about seeing to offerings for the awakening of the Cryohydras? What is needed for that?"

[Anastasia]

"Tepen should know," Kascha says, as Ebony departs. It's only a few moments later for Elder Magi Tepen to enter.

"You requested a consultation on a esoteric use of awakening?" he asks by way of greeting, coming within and staying standing. "Explain the situation."

[Iron Dragoon]

"We came across a... Hive? Pack? of Cryohydras. Ranging from six to twelve heads, and a few more. On encountering them, we were able to charm them into non-aggressiveness. One of them, a ten headed, apparently took a liking to me... She considered me a potential mate, from what I gathered. This nest of Cryohydras also had an egg room. They started to become aggressive when we found it, but we were able to calm them. They're magical beasts, but if we could awaken them and recruit them... They would be a significant boost to our defenses, and a nasty surprise to anyone trying to invade, and a solid backbone to any assault force."

[Anastasia]

"Hm." Tepen considers this, leaning on the Staff of Vithos as he considers the request. "You could power it with a wish or miracle, though that's brute forcing it and slow. A trip to a higher end planar magic shop would likely get you a customized spell that could do it or a lead to one, or you could make your own with research."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... I haven't been able to do any spell research since I arrived at Aurora... I'd be interested in doing it myself, but I have no idea how long that would take."

[Anastasia]

"Well, it involves..."

This is a good time to discuss how I do spell research. A few salient notes.

- It's free, it just takes time and the effort of writing up a spell. I encourage players to make new material and having to pay for the privilege works against that.
- You declare the intent to make a new spell and spend time working on it IC. This is done off camera and the time taken varies on the level of the spell. Spells similar to existing spells (a coldball instead of a fireball, an awaken magical beast instead of awaken) are quicker and more original spells are longer.
- You can't make copies of spell types you don't normally have access to. For example, a wizard can't research a spell identical to cure light wounds.
- You can't exceed normal limits in this way. For example, a sorcerer can't research a new spell and add it to his spells known as a freebie. He has to take it as one of his spells known. As such, a lot of research tends to be the domain of wizards, clerics and other prepared spellcasters.
- What's permissible is as always as DM judgment call.


I'd allow a sor/wiz spell to awaken a magical beast. Magical beasts fall within K:A and that's right up a wizard's alley.

Let me know IC through Surraruthru's reaction if he's going to follow this path or not.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... The idea of doing so is very attractive... I believe I'll start with researching awakening typical animals and build from there. I'll likely have to ask for assistance, but I believe I can do it."

[Anastasia]

Okay then, what's your plan here?

[Iron Dragoon]

Start the research and work on the spell while waiting for Jalea and Balyss to finish their stuff. If it finishes by then, do the treasure retrieval and awakening in one go, if not do the retrieval first and return again when the spell is done.

[Anastasia]

Okay, go ahead and write up the spell that you want and post it in nagging for review.

[Anastasia]

Days of effort pass, but soon enough Surraruthru has finished it. His very own new spell, awaken magical beast. With that done, he now...

Ball is completely in your court now, if you wanna continue to the hydras or do something else or what here.

[Iron Dragoon]

I'll do the hydra thing, but I need to redo my spells and stuff, and since I work tomorrow, it probably won't happen until Tuesday.