Lucius prepares to strike
Lucius's plan to ascend to demigod-like status through a ritual while tricking the other circles into participating in it is a complex and ambitious scheme. To succeed, he must carefully manipulate each circle's motivations and desires, all while concealing the ritual's true nature. Here's an outline of his plan:
Step 1: Gaining Support from the Circle of Silver Lucius knows that the Circle of Silver values order and stability. He presents the ritual as a means to enhance the Empire's magical defenses, ensuring that no external threat can ever breach the citadel's walls. This appeals to their sense of duty and loyalty to the Empire. He assures them that this ritual is the only way to safeguard the Citadel's autonomy from the Emperor's interference.
Step 2: Appealing to the Circle of Bronze's Ambitions The Circle of Bronze seeks power and knowledge above all else. Lucius frames the ritual as a unique opportunity for their members to gain unprecedented magical insights. He hints that the secrets unlocked during the ritual will grant them the upper hand in the ongoing magical arms race. Lucius stokes their competitive nature, making them believe that this ritual will ensure their dominance over other magical institutions.
Step 3: The Hidden Requirement Lucius deliberately withholds critical information about the ritual's requirements, particularly the need for the life forces of Wild Ones, Lemurians and the mages of the inferior circles. He convinces each circle that their participation is crucial, but he provides only partial details about the ritual's components, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. To further mask his true intentions, he insists that the specifics must remain confidential to avoid leaks to the Emperor forcing the inferior circles to swear secrecy using the Oath Rods.
Step 4: Orchestrating the Ritual During the ritual, Lucius positions members from each circle strategically. He ensures that none of them have a complete understanding of the entire process. The ritual itself is designed to obscure the nature of the sacrifices, making it appear as if they are channeling benevolent energies for the Empire's protection. This deception prevents the participants from realizing the true cost.
Why They Would Not Participate If Informed: If the members of the other circles knew the full extent of the ritual's requirements, including the sacrifice of Wild Ones and Lemurians, and themselves, they would likely refuse to participate.
Lucius's success hinges on his ability to maintain the secrecy of the ritual's darker aspects and manipulate the desires and motivations of the other circles. Should his deception be exposed, the consequences for the Citadel and the Empire could be dire, potentially leading to a power struggle with the Emperor and conflict within the Citadel itself.