:: Random Item—Ink of Mustering Invitation ::

The magical sphere of Conjuration is built on an agreement between the spellcaster and some other sentient eldritch creature, known as a "companion." The pioneers of this sphere in Athanasia contracted their first companions from the ranks of Strangers who visited the infant world. The Strangers signed the first contracts with their otherworldly blood to seal the bond with their spellcaster associates, who were likewise required to sign with their own. Since that time, however, exemplar research has revealed a solution that does not involve such a painful and unnerving process.

Over the centuries, exemplars of the Light have studied the magical aspects of Strange and Mortal blood, deriving just enough of the magical composition to make a synthetic substitute that both Stranger and Mortal may use to sign a contract. This substitute is called Ink of Mustering Invitation, and is widely used by scholar magicians to make their first contract with companions of rudimentary presence.

Kept in a dry powdered form and packaged in long tube-like paper envelopes, the ink powder can be quickly mixed with water in any inkwell and used to sign a contract immediately. For safety purposes, the ink does not come imbued with mana, but is primed to accept mana from the spellcaster to activate its bonding properties.

Upon the completion of the contract, the spellcaster's infusion of mana readies it for its first use. Because of this technicality, whoever holds the contract may summon the companion in question, even if they were not the one who signed it. For this reason, many conjurors call their new companion immediately upon signing the contract, a tradition that Strangers take as a courtesy. Novice conjurors also do it to ensure the contract works, else their companion may not come in a crucial moment.

Notwithstanding, there are those who take advantage of the loophole which Ink of Mustering Invitation affords them; they will go about coercing—even perhaps blackmailing—powerful Strangers in order to sell the unused contracts extracted from them. Such items are once-use, but can turn the tides of a conflict if used at the proper moment.

It bears being stated explicitly, however: Strangers do not take this sort of betrayal as a kindness, and often turn on those who wrongfully summoned them after their demands are met...followed shortly by those who got them to sign in the first place.