[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0310  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian nods.  "Alright.  I can see your point.  So does this building add to the cost or is it included?  I would not expect a four story building to sell for your 10000 Nuyen.  Or am I missing something?"

[Ennui]

Well I haven't priced the building but I already live on the top floor.  Monthly that runs 7k.  The rest is mostly abandoned though.  I could probably get the whole thing for 20k a month.  I'll have to talk to Feather about it to be sure.  Dues would just help me pay for it I don't expect you guys to invest in my community project.  If you want to pay for half the lodge that's fine.  I just didn't think you'd made that much off me yet.

Also to sweeten the deal.  Once you get the facility up and running I'll make it an even 50/50 split.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0312  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian and Glinda look at each other and the teenaged vampire nods.  "We might be able to divert some funds for this.  Let me know how much you need and when and I will see what can be done.  Could I come see this place?"

She nods and smiles at the offer to go 50/50, holding out her hand to shake on the deal.

[Ennui]

Sure.  It's the rest of the building where we are living now.  We should have you meet Shelly and Corbin while you are there.  Let me know a good time and I'll have them there to meet you.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0313  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian smiles. "I can leave instructions with people here, so I am pretty much available any time.  Just contact me and I will come out.  I think I would like to meet these friends of yours."

[Ennui]

Sure.  I'll try for 2100 hours but I have to confirm with my people.  I'll leave it up to you guys when you want to make the big reveal, but please don't wait too long.  I really hate keeping my friends in the dark about this, but I also want you to feel comfortable enough to confide in them.  So let's try to meet somewhere in the middle.  It doesn't have to be today if you aren't comfortable with that obviously.

Hey guys we are having a guest over around 2100 hours.  Can you guys be there?

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0315  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian rocks her head from side to side a couple of times then shrugs. "Sure, 2100 today is doable.  Is there any sort of security on the building that will require me to present some form of ID?"

>>Damn, girl.  I know you are a night owl, but do you know what time it is?  2100 tonight?  That will cut into selling time, but I am doing rather well as it is, so sure.  I will let Shelly know when she wakes up.  Is someone else moving in?<<

[Ennui]

There are some Scarlet Blades who watch the place.  I'll let them know you are coming.  I assume you will bring the children?  I think that would be distinctive enough for just a general description.

Pfft.  If I'm in bed before 800 hours it's been an exhausting day.

We should discuss the strictures of the group as well.  The more we have the easier the spell will be but the less freedom we have.  Pacts made with magic are not something you can simply shrug off.  The obvious ones are Secrecy, Service and Dues.  Rule one we don't talk about magic club easy right.  Rule two We have to spend 20 hours a month doing tasks that advance the groups cause.  Since the groups cause is to support our efforts making our respective barrens a better place this should be a no brainer.  Rule three Dues 1000 nuyen a month to support the group should be simple enough.  The fourth is where it gets tricky. 

Before I get into that we should also discuss the punishment for breaking strictures.  Now seeing as anyone could make a mistake and accidentally break one of the strictures I would suggest we bar any permanent crippling or wounds because that could kill someone with as powerful as this bond would have to be.  I suggest branding.  This is a mark that is impossible to hide and makes it apparent to anyone that you have broken magical laws, not just the group, anyone.  It lasts until it is atoned for.  The others involve crippling loss of magic, and pain of death.  I may be a vindictive bitch but even those are a bit harsh for me.

Keeping that in mind we should probably take a fourth stricture and we can add a fifth for any new recruits Obedience...meaning they have to do what we say, obviously.  For our fourth there is Deed every three months we have to do something specific  to demonstrate loyalty to the group.  That seems fine but is a little esoteric but probably something we can pull off without worrying about it too much since our goals are in alignment.  Exclusive membership meaning we can't join other magical groups, again probably not a big deal.  Fraternity  we have to help other members when asked, again no big deal but breaking a stricture is bad and this one can easily be broken if circumstances conspire even with the best intentions.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0320  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian sips at her tea as you talk, her face impassive and as unreadable as a good poker player's.  When you are done, she sets her cup down in front of her. "My, you have been thinking of this quite a bit, haven't you?  I think my biggest question is whether or not it matters if our magics are no the same sort.  Do we risk anything if it does matter?"

"It seems that you have listed several options for a fourth stricture; is that correct?"

[Ennui]

The magic not being the same will make the spell more difficult yes but it shouldn't be dangerous.

Well yes...I actually wanted your input on them all but the first three simply seem like obvious choices but if you have a problem with them we can move things around.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0322  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian nods again.  "Alright.  I can agree to the first three, but I do question who would determine if an unintentional break has been atoned for?  I do not very much like the stricture that all new members must obey the ruling four.  I think that would limit our pool of potential members too much and I do not really like idea of them not having free will.  I also question whether or not the dues will be sufficient to cover the costs of paying for the building and maintaining it.  They might need to be higher to start with and we can lower them in the future.  I like the ideas of Deed and Fraternity, though."

[Ennui]

Obedience is more of a chain of command thing, like a gang or mercenary group, we aren't taking away their free will there just would be the magical mark for not following orders that they would need to atone for to remove.  Also so long as an honest effort to help or follow the order was completed success is not necessary.  We could order someone to fly but when they can't they wouldn't get punished for not being able.  At least with obedience we can come to an honorable agreement not to abuse the chain of command.   Fraternity would be similar to Obedience but anyone could ask anyone else for help.  The magic is what determines whether a stricture was broken and from what I've read it is a very letter of the law type of thing.  I think Deed would be our best bet.

I think we can keep official dues small and we can agree to each chip in additional funds so long as we are able.  I would hate for one of us to have a hardship and get stuck because we couldn't come up with say 5 grand or more.  I think it would be better to keep it reasonably low and just add to it as needed rather than using contract magic to enforce it.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0324  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian shrugs.  "Deed it is, then.  I can see a real potential to abuse Obedience and I do not see the problem with Fraternity, but I can agree to Deed.  I can also agree to your lower limit on the dues as your argument makes sense."

[Ennui]

I would suggest we attempt to enforce a command structure even if we do not enforce it with magic.  If you don't want it as a stricture that's fine.  We probably won't be inviting acolytes into the group very soon anyway.  So do you have any more questions

The main obstacle I can see at this point locating the lodge materials.  I'll have someone on that but if you can keep an eye out for some things to it might help.  The stuff is relatively cheap, just hard to find.  Especially for how powerful our lodge will need to be.

I give Jill a call and let her know what stuff I need for the lodge and ping her with a list and a short text..  Hey Jill you are probably asleep but I need a few things if you can find them.  I'll see you this afternoon.  I can't wait to play with those foci you got for me.

Lodge rating 11 will be a 22 availability but only 5500 Y.  I'll spend extra to get it if needed of course.  The ritual will cost 5 karma and I would normally learn that from my mentor spirit (one of the perks of having one) but I want to wait until I've gotten a little more info on Corse to show her I'm working on her task.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  12 June 2075  0326  Sian's Home  Chinatown Barrens  Seattle


Sian nods. "A command structure is fine and probably necessary.  What sort of materials do you need for this lodge?  It sounds like a lodge is very similar to what I use for some of my harder sorceries, but I am not certain.  Once in a while I need special pigments and chalks, rare ointments.  That sort of thing.  These are usually hard to get and can be costly.  Is this the sort of thing you are talking about?  If so, can you give me a list and I will see what I can do."

Jill does not respond right away as she is likely to be in bed..................like normal people.

What more do you need from me re Alvin Corse?  You have lots of background stuff to work with, to include address and employer.