A time-worn missive

Opening the Way

Tags: fragile

A letter on faded, pocked papyrus, written in an archaic form of Southern. It invites "Boas" to visit by way of "your nearest portal," with instructions and a circle of arcane sigils. "Ask for Calcus when you arrive."

To unlock it, you must:

• translate the archaic dialect;
• find a portal (other than the one depicted in the missive);
• determine how to "invoke the axiom of local contagion";
• acquire a pouch of powdered cinnabar (1d4+8 uses, Value 2);
• attempt casting the spell the first time, and risk miscasting it.

Opening the Way

pouch of powdered cinnabar (____ uses, Value 2)

When you use ink of powdered cinnabar to carefully trace the sigils of one portal inside the permanent sigils of another, and then invoke the axiom of local contagion, a passage opens between the portals and remains until you leave their presence or dismiss the axiom. The sigils you drew then vanish. Passage through the portals is usually safe and instantaneous.

When you stand before one portal and hold the sigils of another portal perfectly in your mind, mark a debility to manifest those sigils as lines of glowing light. When you then invoke the axiom of local contagion, roll.

• On a success with a 6, the portals open, but close as soon as your focus falters.
• On a success with no six, as above — but only if you mark another debility.
• On a bust, mark a debility and pass out from the strain.