Dust and blood

[Iron Dragoon]

Do you now? Well, I know being contacted this way is a bit shocking. Would you like time to prepare?

At the same time, she sends to the others, I've made contact with another arcane academy. They're trying to use a magic symbol to break through the Ninth Circle. Anyone interested in a visit? We've been invited.

[Anastasia]

Bastian's voice is heard all around you. "Really? We're up to the 14th or 15th circle. It makes me forget that it's a struggle to get even to the 10th."

I've heard of different ways to do it. Mine involved a personal ordeal and meditation on the Red Knight's wisdom.

Ooooh, I can answer this. There's different ways, but the main thing is an investment of effort to continue past the 9th circle. I'm not sure why that's the point where you have to do that, but it is. They must be new to it and struggling to figure out that investment.

[Iron Dragoon]

Yes, I'm interested in how they're going about it. I want to determine if they deserve help or not. Last thing we need is another empire like the Mageocracy breaking through the Ninth Circle.

[Anastasia]

Better us than someone else. Really they're an opportunity waiting to be discovered. I'm surprised someone hasn't done this already, I wager someone's interfering.

They might be. It's not that hard for wizards of that level to negotiate a pact with a powerful enough being to teach them, and any deity who they serve would want to help them rise to that. Mortals of that power are rare and precious.

[Iron Dragoon]

You two are going to come, then? Dolmaya, any interest?

[Anastasia]

'I'll mind the store, as they say,' Dolmaya says at last, 'I have no great interest here and you should expand your own reaches instead.'

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa sends to Koros, I will be bringing two others with me. Are you prepared?

[Anastasia]

'We have prepared a place in the Astral. You are welcome at Villa Martez.'

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa casts a quick Legend Lore on that.

[Anastasia]

It doesn't come up - it must not count as legendary.

[Iron Dragoon]

Do I have any idea what that is? Any knowledge roll for it?

[Anastasia]

K:P, I suppose.

[Iron Dragoon]

K:P/Bibliotheca:

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+72 : 4 + 72, total 76[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

No dice. At your level of skill you know that means just a few things - it's painfully obscure, it's brand new or it's completely unknown to anyone.

[Iron Dragoon]

Anyone ever heard of Villa Martez in Astral? I can't recall anything about it, but that's where they want to meet.