Though the weeks had passed in relatively short order, with high work loads and rules that seemed to stiffen at random intervals depending on the culprit, the accuser, the victim, or possibly just the weather, the five souls who occupied the youngster rooms of the Hall of Soldiers had grown into a strong bond together with Mariana.  They often backed each other up, helped with tasks or punishments, and even taught each other the magic they had learned in their separate classes.  Even Indrid, who had at first seemed to be a right ass had turned a corner and befriended at least those in this small group.  It seemed the one who would need the most help with tasks was Elliot who not only struggled considerably with magic, he also seemed to be the most likely singled out, assigned extra tasks, or put into detentions (by anyone other than Brother Loke, who still seemed to favor Judoc).  The youth made up for it however with helping in any physical tasks and often the others wondered why he had been pushed towards the mages corps as opposed to the knights.

This particular afternoon, the four and Mariana found themselves together on a rare occasion with the entire rest of the youngster class, being taught by Brother Loke in the complexities of ritual magic.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 03:54, Tue 01 May 2018.

"...Rituals" the Brother continues in his normal self important drone, "Are devilishly tricky to perform well, though can amplify the power of a single mage to many times his own capability.  If you are accomplishing this feat with a group of other skilled mages that each know the spell, each can put forth as much energy as the spell requires.  And while the success of your spell will often be impeded proportionally by the number of other participants, it is a way to put a significant amount of power behind a spell with relatively little involvement or negative consequences.  This is the form used most often in enchanting.  A wizard will often have a skilled apprentice or two and will use them as mana fonts for his own, more skilled hands."  He looks around the room, pausing for a moment on Judoc before he continues.

"The second type of ritual can be conducted with any number of people, who may or may not even be mages.  In this case, the mage will siphon only the smallest bit of energy from each of the participants to cast his spell.  Though this may seem like an easy solution to any high energy spell, their are costs.  You cannot select any oaf off the street, he must know what you are doing and want you to succeed.  Anyone who is against your plans can actively destroy your efforts, which is why this is seldom used for any commercial interests."

"To show you however, will be much more productive than talking to you about the specifics.  So everyone, up, into a circle."  Loke clears the area in the center of the room with a wave of his hand.  "Though some will insist that candles or holding hands are the best methods, the only thing truly required is intense concentration.  Andros."  Loke points towards Andros Wilmer, a boy in the House of Nobles, who often seems to be the example of a future Templar.  "Why don't you lead us.  Tell us spell you know best and cast it, though instead of taking the energy from yourself, use the energy we give you."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 03:44, Wed 22 Jan 2014.

Andros seems taken aback for a moment, though he recovers quickly.  Often he is picked for such tasks, although it is infrequent that the entire group is together.  "The spell I know best?  Darkness."  He closes his eyes for a moment then reopens them, focusing on the center of the room.

"Now, each of you."  Loke lets his eyes wander about the class again.  "Focus on darkness, even if you do not know the spell, simply focus on making the center of our circle into an area of blackness.  Simply let your energy flow towards Andros..."

The group shuffles about for a moment as each focuses in their own way.  Andros with a look of self-importance, whether it be natural or intended, the wealthy sons of merchants Marcus and Vincent from the Hall of Bishops seemed to only to muffle their boredom, Elliot was already sweating slightly with anxiety.

As the spell begins, each man and woman in the circle can feel the effects of their joint effort, and at least at first, the spell appears to be working.  A small sphere of darkness is conjured in the center of the room, perfectly impenetrable in it's blackness, though each in the group knows something is wrong when the first bolt of lightening crackles a few feet outward from it's center.  Andros's eyes go wide with surprise, others seem taken aback at least, but Elliot seems weak kneed and is dripping sweat.

Loke looks with his penetrating eyes towards the center of that blackness as another clap of thunder echoes hollowly from it's depths.  "Oh..."  Is the only word he utters, silencing the extra decades of experience he has on all the students.

OOC:  As of now, all of you are still standing in the circle of the ritual spell.  Please let me know what your character's intentions are.  Does he break concentration at the first sign of trouble or plan on continuing to allow Andros to channel your energy?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Wed 05 Feb 2014.