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The next morning, I met up with Thane at the caern, again showing up as Brings-the-Pack.
(God damn, I miss that cougar-shifting talisman. I was getting bored with it earlier, but now that I'm deprived of that option, I really miss having it. And don't get me started on the cat's eye marble talisman that granted me access to the umbra once per month. You'd think being able to go 12 times per year was incredibly limiting, but 12 times per year is infinitely more times than zero. Fortunately I can still have conversations with Kargamis across the gauntlet. So frustrating. And if Salem or Slug get mauled again because of something stupid they do after I sacrificed both of my talismans and a metric assload of tass to get them healed? Great. Here I am hoping that a pair of garou won't be reckless. I am not going to hold my breath.)
Justin was present when Thane showed up, but the conversation ended up being solely about how the Shadow Lord has a telescope fetish that lets him see threats for miles around despite any obstacles. Interesting. I wonder if I might appear on that? I asked to see it, but it was stored elsewhere--The Vault, it would seem, is Thane's hideout within the city, and Justin knows where it's at. Maybe I can get a look at it without permission in the future? Time will tell.
Thane brought up information that Briari had shared yesterday, about the nephandus in the Queen's Tower being (potentially) betrayed by the Spirals. Thane seemed very cognizant of how it could be a trap, but at the same time that it was an opportunity that they could not afford to let slip past in the event it was legitimate. I offered similar advice to him that I'd given to Briari the night before. However, I'd had a little time to dwell on the matter and extrapolate some assumptions about this nephandus.
If he is the one warding the Queen's Tower from scrying, then he must have some skill at both Correspondence and Spirit magick, likely Prime as well to keep the warding effect fueled. I was able to set up defenses around my cabin's property when I had a Disciple's knowledge of Correspondence and an Apprentice's knowledge of Spirit and Prime. But he seems much stronger in Spirit and perhaps Correspondence as well. If they garou miss on the first strike, he might teleport away--or he might not be where he appears to be when the garou strike. And anyone who attacks will likely be exposed for a later counterattack. What kind of counterattack I can only speculate wildly upon.
I advised Thane to hit hard, fast, and with numerous types of attacks.
I also advised him to not use any gifts or rites beforehand that might be directed at the nephandus, as these would likely alert him to an incoming attack.
I also advised him that talens that activated on impact or had an immediate effect once activated might be of use as weapons (and he agreed to discuss these options with Mouse). Though he might be able to defend against talens (especially if he has a high command of spirit magick).
Justin offered to do a "Veil friendly" drive-by himself after he'd suggested using kin initially--and mentioned Benedict as a possible participant. Justin then wanted to know if I could mask him so he appeared like a regular human. I again repeated that anything magick being used in the area in advance might alert him as to there being something up.
Lastly, after playing up how powerful a foe this could be and the dangers of not getting it right the first time, I offered--if I was available--to try and unwork the Nephandus's magick used against the garou. Call me once to let me it's about to go down and give me a chance to prepare. Call me a second time with a countdown to the attack happening. And then I'll be there (via Correspondence) to "Drop out of hyperspace like a star destroyer" and do my best at countermagicking. If the garou are able to put the mage down, they'll likely attribute a portion of their success to having a mage in their corner, thus heightening the value of having an alliance with a mage. That might help pave the way for Zach and Benedict and the foundation of a chantry later.
Now let's see about sharing this info with those who know I'm a mage and hoping to hell and back that this nephandus is nowhere near as powerful as I've made him out to be and that the Spirals are honestly looking for a means of killing him as opposed to this being some kind of trap.
This could be easy, or this could be the death of us. Welcome to world of mages, garou. Time to make my own preparations.
(God damn, I miss that cougar-shifting talisman. I was getting bored with it earlier, but now that I'm deprived of that option, I really miss having it. And don't get me started on the cat's eye marble talisman that granted me access to the umbra once per month. You'd think being able to go 12 times per year was incredibly limiting, but 12 times per year is infinitely more times than zero. Fortunately I can still have conversations with Kargamis across the gauntlet. So frustrating. And if Salem or Slug get mauled again because of something stupid they do after I sacrificed both of my talismans and a metric assload of tass to get them healed? Great. Here I am hoping that a pair of garou won't be reckless. I am not going to hold my breath.)
Justin was present when Thane showed up, but the conversation ended up being solely about how the Shadow Lord has a telescope fetish that lets him see threats for miles around despite any obstacles. Interesting. I wonder if I might appear on that? I asked to see it, but it was stored elsewhere--The Vault, it would seem, is Thane's hideout within the city, and Justin knows where it's at. Maybe I can get a look at it without permission in the future? Time will tell.
Thane brought up information that Briari had shared yesterday, about the nephandus in the Queen's Tower being (potentially) betrayed by the Spirals. Thane seemed very cognizant of how it could be a trap, but at the same time that it was an opportunity that they could not afford to let slip past in the event it was legitimate. I offered similar advice to him that I'd given to Briari the night before. However, I'd had a little time to dwell on the matter and extrapolate some assumptions about this nephandus.
If he is the one warding the Queen's Tower from scrying, then he must have some skill at both Correspondence and Spirit magick, likely Prime as well to keep the warding effect fueled. I was able to set up defenses around my cabin's property when I had a Disciple's knowledge of Correspondence and an Apprentice's knowledge of Spirit and Prime. But he seems much stronger in Spirit and perhaps Correspondence as well. If they garou miss on the first strike, he might teleport away--or he might not be where he appears to be when the garou strike. And anyone who attacks will likely be exposed for a later counterattack. What kind of counterattack I can only speculate wildly upon.
I advised Thane to hit hard, fast, and with numerous types of attacks.
I also advised him to not use any gifts or rites beforehand that might be directed at the nephandus, as these would likely alert him to an incoming attack.
I also advised him that talens that activated on impact or had an immediate effect once activated might be of use as weapons (and he agreed to discuss these options with Mouse). Though he might be able to defend against talens (especially if he has a high command of spirit magick).
Justin offered to do a "Veil friendly" drive-by himself after he'd suggested using kin initially--and mentioned Benedict as a possible participant. Justin then wanted to know if I could mask him so he appeared like a regular human. I again repeated that anything magick being used in the area in advance might alert him as to there being something up.
Lastly, after playing up how powerful a foe this could be and the dangers of not getting it right the first time, I offered--if I was available--to try and unwork the Nephandus's magick used against the garou. Call me once to let me it's about to go down and give me a chance to prepare. Call me a second time with a countdown to the attack happening. And then I'll be there (via Correspondence) to "Drop out of hyperspace like a star destroyer" and do my best at countermagicking. If the garou are able to put the mage down, they'll likely attribute a portion of their success to having a mage in their corner, thus heightening the value of having an alliance with a mage. That might help pave the way for Zach and Benedict and the foundation of a chantry later.
Now let's see about sharing this info with those who know I'm a mage and hoping to hell and back that this nephandus is nowhere near as powerful as I've made him out to be and that the Spirals are honestly looking for a means of killing him as opposed to this being some kind of trap.
This could be easy, or this could be the death of us. Welcome to world of mages, garou. Time to make my own preparations.
