Consortium Special Project: Defenses for the Commonfolk

Greeting esteeemd colleagues! It is I, your glorious Chairman, Velos.

I come to you now with a wondrous opportunity. A few weeks ago I dispatched a group adventurers one an expedition for the spot Kingdom of Zereth Maestros. Yesterday they finally returned with quite the bounty. In addition to some fascinating relics they also found a vault full of Zerethian Warding Crystals.

As you may or may not know, Zerethian Warding Crystals were and are the pinnacle of abjuration magics. A single one is capable of projecting a field of protection of a city that rivals those of divine origin. Not only are they capable of protecting from external threats, but they can be tuned to dampen or disrupt hostile magics, purge possession and charm magics, and burn select intruders in arcane fire. These effects can be extended to the entire protected area, or restricted to specific zones.

Generous as I am I have decided to donate the surplus to the Consortium. Of course as chairman this does happen to place me in charge of deciding what projects deserve such spoils.

After much thought I have decided that the best way to choose a recipient, or recipients, is one that benefits the people of this fine realm. As I’m sure you are aware our realm is not exactly a safe one for the average person. Despite the efforts of the EON, Council, RnA and recently even our dear Consortium, the world continues to be plagued by apocalypse after apocalypse. Fiendish wars, ancient entities, and less civilized dragons all wreak havoc on a regular basis.

Your task is a simple one, at least on paper. design a defensive system that can shield a minor population center from the effects of whatever calamity is plaguing the realms. This design must use materials readily available to the Consortium, so no unobtainium barriers or divine blessings, and it must be somewhat affordable for the common folk.

You will have one week to produce a working prototype, with the winning design being immediately moved to production upon completion of safety testing. Each individual on the winning team will be provided with a Zerethian Warding Crystal to use as they see fit.

Now I understand that not all of you are skilled abjurers, and so you are welcome to team up to tackle this. In addition a Zerethian Warding Crystal will be on display in the main hall so that those interested may study its arcane patterns and how it interacts with the weave.

Finally I will mention that this contest is restricted to members of the Consortium. Fortunately we are still scripting applications, an our clerks are capable of approving them in record time. Unfortunately due to some intrusions during the science exhibition and the value of the crystal, security systems have been set to inactivate and contain any unauthorized guests. To all outsiders consider this your first, last, and only warning. Thieves will be disintegrated. Survivors will be stasis locked and thrown into one of various unsafe portals until they cease returning.

Well that’s all I have for now. May the best Artificer win.