The second seal (Moore)

[Anastasia]

They're handed over. Balyss says sidelong to you, "Do you have a preference on the 10th circle spell I cast?"

[Nephrite]

"Whatever Selune feels fit to allow." Moore answers, simply and with a smile.

[Anastasia]

Balyss kneels in prayer, chanting in celestial, "Oh Selune, let sickness find no safe place here, now and forever!" A wave of cooling, soothing light floods out from Balyss, spreading out of the room in every direction.

Ule stares at the spell, struggling, "What was...that far..." he gets out, his jaw hanging open.

"All disease within a mile around me is gone." Balyss rises, "Sickness holds no power over Selune."

[Nephrite]

"As you can see, we believe in our promise that we will not allow harm to come to this place because of us." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

"I would never have....a 10th circle...this changes our entire theory of..." Ule mutters, before snapping out of it. He goes to a seat and sits, "How do you get past the ninth circle? Only a few of us have ever reached it, let alone a 10th circle."

[Nephrite]

Moore rubs his chin. "That's a hard question to answer, because it's different for everyone... It really depends on what you're willing to do -- I think a lot of it has to do with being willing to expand your mind... Actually, hold on." He casts a spell for some divine knowledge and another for a little bit of luck as he plumbs his knowledge for a better answer.

Is there a K:A check or something on this that he could draw on for a more specific answer?

[Anastasia]

Sure, go for it.

[Nephrite]

[22:14] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+64 K:A might as well roll this one out!
[22:14] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+64 K:A might as well roll this one out! --> [ 1d20=4 ]{68}

Bonuses are 15 from DI and 12 from Improvisation for reference.

[Anastasia]

Reaching past the ninth circle is hard. Some never do. Loosely speaking, the first nine circles of magic are magic mortals deal with and the circles beyond it are the affairs of outsiders, immortals and deities. There's no one method where someone learns to go past it. Some find it as a divine benediction. Others obtain it as a crowning jewel of their research. Yet others simply break through the barrier like it doesn't exist for them, while others find it as a result of advanced research into an arcane tradition or methodology.

Strictly speaking, mortals can obtain 10th level magic just fine. However, few pure mortals make it that far. The overwhelming majority of heroes never make it to 21st or higher level, many of those that do may not be classes suitable to this, or may lost caster levels in their casting class. Moreover, mortals are on a time limit. Even the most long lived mortal races are gone in the blink of an outsider's eye. Finally, many mortals with the potential to do so may not be fully mortal when they achieve 10th+ level magic. They may have become more than they are through their own efforts or through a patron. This is quite common, as epic level mortal heroes are highly valued and heavily recruited.

[Nephrite]

That contained seemingly IC and OOC terms, so forgive me since I want to make sure I don't break any fourth walls here with an explanation.

Moore taps his chin a few more times and then nods. "It's something that anyone can do, given enough time and devotion. It's just that... obviously, unless you somehow attain immortality or are blessed by a divine power, you won't ever be around long enough to do enough research or open your mind to the idea of magic past the 9th Circle." Moore says, looking over to Balyss with a smile. "If a deity like Selune, or Ohgma... Mystra, Erathaol... any of them that have a domain over knowledge or magic... if they touch you and give you their blessing, then you'll usually find yourself pushing past those sorts of limits."

At this, looks down at the ground and continues thinking. "Generally, up until the 9th circle is the domain of mortals, whereas past that is the domain of everything else. That doesn't mean it's impossible for a mortal to get there, but... generally, by the time they do, they won't be entirely mortal anymore because of their adventures and everywhere they've gone. Let me ask you something, Sir Ule -- that spirit in there..." He taps his foot in the air. "Do you think it's been holding you back? I mean, it seems to -really- not want us to be here, so... I think it might be possible that it's been trying to keep you all on a very narrow and limited path of knowledge for who knows how long, rather than trying to let you all mature and grow on your own."

[Anastasia]

"No. The spirit has aided for over a century," Ule says, "His advice has constantly been good, and the times we've defied his advice have ended in ruin. His predictions have always served the empire's greater benefit."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I understand. Well, in any case, at least, you know that we're not just fabricating out stories. I think the person we're seeking is someone who came from your Empire who eventually discovered power beyond the 9th Circle."

[Anastasia]

"It may be," Ule says slowly, "It may be."

[Nephrite]

"So, what are you able to tell us about the Buried Prince?" Moore asks. "Let's start there and see if it somehow leads to this 'lost gate of Algorand' that I read a bit about."

[Anastasia]

Busy day, Neph?

"Yes, Do you know anything about him, first of all?" Ule asks.