Rolling through the gates with a limo was not something I ever expected to do much less having it drive me to a manor so massive and yet so majestic with numerous people with such wealth.

If someone had told me that I would one day do something like this I would have called them a liar. A bad liar at that.

Seeing the many attendants and guests getting out of their cars or limos as all of them are either the richest and wealthiest in the city or are the rare few reporters that were allowed to be guests at the event. 

Such as Vicky Vale as she moves around surprisingly well, almost perfectly mimicking the guest's body language. 

She is talking to a few of the guests probably to get her next big scoop and all of them are men. The woman knows how to draw them in with the amber-colored sequin dress she is in showing just enough to draw them to her like moths to a flame. 

Moving past her and the men she is speaking with as I go past the many bushes cut into various shapes up the stairs to the main doors an attendant at the door asks for my name.

“William Beauregard Hardigan. Here is my invitation.” I say holding out the card sent to my company that has been helping clean up the filth in this city. They had to send it to the hq since I don’t have a listed address. 

If anyone asks it’s just to make sure none of the supervillains decide to come pay a visit to Mr. Clean.

He looks it over before standing aside and welcoming me in. The interior was something that I cannot deny and say it was gaudy or overly extravagant. It still was extravagant but not extremely so.

Whoever Bruce had done the decorating knew their stuff since it had just enough color to add to the atmosphere but not be too much to draw the eye away. Also, all the paintings, statues, and furniture looked like they had so much… history.

Stepping further in as several guests look at me and gesture from the men and women. Many people are here and despite the number of people this place still has plenty of room as I move past the main hallway noting the stairs going up having some people chatting if the sound from up top is anything to go by.

But then again even with my hearing, there is so much ambient noise it’s hard to tell where any one person is talking and where they are. Many of the men are in suits of varying designs but mostly similar enough to blend together whereas the women on the other hand despite having some similarities seemed to do their utmost to not be like the others.

Whether it is the older women looking to be in their sixties to younger ones in their early to mid-twenties. All of them with fake smiles that seem to be practiced and have no warmth behind them. About as much as I expected. 

If it wasn’t for the urgency I have with the Court I wouldn’t have bothered coming to this party. Though it helped to know that they would be here. Wayne parties always had the richest people in Gotham attending. Plus several members that haven’t been replaced by hunters are already here.

Calmly walking through the manor enjoying the cool paintings and statues, one in particular is what I think is legitimate knight armor on a stand. 

“That armor was worn by my ancestor in some war several centuries ago in Europe before my family came to Gotham.” A voice says, sounding mirthful yet attention-grabbing.

Looking over and seeing a man in a suit with no tie. He has black hair that despite looking like it had not been combed looked just fine on him as he makes it work, decently tall standing at least over six feet tall.

His body looks normal much like the other men he had seen. The suit does a good job of hiding all the muscle underneath with the suit being just baggy enough to keep it hidden. 

Well, I can at least scratch two things I never realized were on my bucket list until now. Get a chance to step into Batman’s iconic manor and meet the man himself. Stepping forward, my darker skin tone is not dissimilar to the skin of a native American instead of my normal pale skin tone as my hand extends out into a handshake.

He smiles and reciprocates as his grip light as he chuckles, “Quite a grip you got there. Bruce Wayne, and you are?” 

“William Hardigan, but please call me Will. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Wayne, it is an honor.” I say with a smile and some excitement. My voice is vastly different from my normal one sounding deeper and richer, almost like Xemnas from Kingdom Hearts II.

I did see him through a camera and other reconnaissance methods but it’s not the same meeting him yourself face to face. A living legend and icon to comic readers and cartoon enjoyers across generations.

Like meeting a celebrity but in this case so much more. 

“No need to call me that since that was what everyone called my father. Call me Bruce if you would prefer me to call you Will. Also, that last name is something…” He says a smirk twitching at the edges looking like he wants to chuckle.

Give the man this. If he is acting then it is a pretty good one since I can’t currently tell if it’s fake.

“By all means call me by my first name. Unfortunately, the last name is something I have dealt with all my life. If you want I will let you get a free shot if you want?” I say taking my hand back while cracking a joke to the man. 

“I appreciate the offer but I don’t think I can come up with anything you haven’t heard before. I don’t think I have seen you around these parties so you must be new. What brings you to Gotham?” 

“You are right that I am new to these parties you throw. I came here some time ago and a series of both fortune and misfortune happened and I saw the state this city is in so I started my business Solution Incorporated to help clean the city up.”

Bruce snaps his fingers when he realizes or maybe he knew all along hard to tell him when he realizes what company I own. 

“So you're the one responsible for most of Gotham becoming more bearable to look at. Your company is going well and I am glad you could come to the party, Will.” He places a hand on my shoulder and I start to walk with him as he leads me further to where the main party is happening. Seeing my reflection in some silver utensils inside of a hutch on full display.

Dark hair almost black down to my neck in a small braid with the hair woven in simple yet eye-catching patterns with a hint of red in it from the lighting and mahogany eyes with dark skin. 

“Your company must be doing well with how many have hired your company to clean up our city.” 

“We have, I am just thankful the gangs have surprisingly left us alone. I was worried a great deal and lost a lot of sleep over it.” I say with a frown playing up my part.

Bruce sighs as he shakes his head commiserating with me, “I hear you on that. They tend to do that to a lot of people unless they are big enough they can’t without repercussions.” 

“But thankfully they haven’t and so far seem to leave my workers alone. Many of them have checkered pasts but all have shown they wish to leave that in the past as they build a better future for themselves and Gotham.”

Bruce’s smile becomes just a bit warmer as an indescribable intensity can be seen in his eyes. 

“I am glad they have chosen a better path for themselves. How have you managed to keep them from going back to their old ways?”

“Even though it has eaten into my company's profits, I prioritize getting them much better pay than they would get from other workplaces. Besides a few criminal enterprises which come with a great many risks and most companies and businesses would not be willing to pay the amount I am willing to do for my workers.” 

“Strange that you haven’t had to let any of them go since even my own company has had to do so with some employees in the past.” Bruce says rubbing his jaw and looking at me suspiciously but his smirk tried to convey he was doing it in good nature.

“Some I have let go. Not all of them can be fixed with a steady income for whatever reasons. But most thankfully have stayed and helped make Gotham look and smell nicer one neighborhood at a time. Enough so that I have managed to pay off the loans I had taken out for my business to be established.” 

“Yeah something I have learned all too well myself… but I think we talked enough about work, this is a party and we should enjoy ourselves.”

The conversation drifted off as we discussed things like the upcoming Gotham Knights game or our drinks of choice ranging from alcohol to more sugary drinks like soda. Even discussing which coffee we preferred.

Before long he was laughing and chatting with me like we were old friends and a large part of me was thinking about how much of an act all of this was and if any of it was genuine since we just met and with his history of people and their double lives in this city this could all be an attempt to glean information out of me.

For what end I don’t know but that does not mean there is not something he is trying to gain or do. 

“Some history to this home of yours.” I say to him glancing at many of the things around it as he hums.

“Lots. Like that painting over there.” He says gesturing at what looks to be a lord with several men on horseback with him as dogs run ahead looking for something in a forest.

“Looks like a noble is on a hunt.” I say looking at him questioningly.

“Judge Alexander Wayne was his name. He was indeed on a hunt but not for animals. A fugitive on the run for murder. My ancestor in the painting did catch the man and had him hung as soon as he did.” 

Bruce says all of this as some of the warmth in his voice fades away and a frown marks his face. A deep frown at that, not something light like being mildly disappointed but deep shame. Shame so great that I can only think of an incident I had witnessed of a father disowning his son.

And that incident feels mild compared to the look Bruce is giving. The thing it’s not just his appearance but his demeanor has subtly shifted without him fully knowing at least until he caught it flashing me a smile.

I remain silent letting him finish the story.

“It was only after he had dispensed what he had believed to be justice that he found out the fugitive was innocent and it was someone else who had committed the crime.”

I just stood there for a moment processing that. “I… I am sorry to hear that. I have had some family members in my family tree that left some stains as well just as everyone has.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. I just take the lesson needed from it about making sure we never go too far with things.” He says shaking his head with his carefree playboy mask creeping back in.

I play along chuckling at his comment, “Coming from the infamous playboy of Gotham that seems rather odd coming from you. Are you sure you're Bruce Wayne?” 

Giving him a suspecting but playful gaze as Bruce lightly laughs as we enter a large spacious room with drinks and food all on various displays and tables with servants holding trays as anyone who is anyone in Gotham is here.

“By the end of this night I will prove to you without a shadow of a doubt I am Bruce Wayne the playboy of Gotham.” He says with a cocky smirk as he goes for the drinks immediately. 

“It was a pleasure meeting you Will and I hope you enjoy yourself!” He says waving over his shoulder at me as several people go to follow him and chat it up with the richest man in Gotham.

Moving around the area with finesse and ease but also have just enough awkwardness mixed in as I sample some food from tiny sandwiches and other appetizers.

“I don’t think I have seen you around any of the Wayne Manor parties.” A man’s voice says over my shoulder as I glance over to see an older man with a well-groomed white mustache that covers the entirety of his upper lip.

It almost makes him look like a walrus with his head completely bald. Wearing a suit that looks to be maybe just a tad bit too small for him as the buttons are struggling to hold his gut back.

“My first time being invited to one actually. William Hardigan owner of Solution Incorporated. You are?” I hold my hand out for a shake and the man smiles like he is indulging a child as he gently shakes my hand.

“Johnathan Judanski, owner of Judanski Trading Company. Your company has grown quite quickly for one just formed in our city.” He takes his hand back and I idly note when he thought I couldn’t see he wiped it on one of the tablecloths he was near.

I fight off the urge to sneer at the man. A disgusting pig like him thinking my hands are dirty is laughable at best. 

“I merely saw an opportunity to both make a successful company and help clean up this city.” I say back being humble about it all. Noting the small distortions in the air each the size of gnats float around that no one else does.

This will be so worth it I think to myself, making conversation with the man as more people come over and join in the discussion and wishing to see and meet the new guy. 

“And that’s why I don’t try and pay them more than that because they simply want even more. My father was right in that regard about how they view it as a weakness and will take advantage, not to mention how they always complain about the work environments.” The pencil-mustached man that I am growing to dislike named Edgar laments. 

His attempts in the past to do what I have done failed and his father's lessons were right despite the fact he has to be leaving out details that would invalidate his story. Not all of it since I too have had to remove some workers who refused to change their criminal ways.

Several of the others agreed with him to my chagrin in how these people know nothing about their workers and what they need. Nor do they understand the average Gothamite and why they resort to crime so readily and easily. 

“It’s a miracle you managed to pull it off then.” A woman not a part of the crowd gathered around me said as everyone turned and I saw Jaina in an amethyst-colored dress that had one strap over her shoulder yet hugged her curves in all the right ways while leaving part of her back exposed. She has black high heels that she maneuvers around in with the grace of an ice skater with a silver necklace embedded with sapphires and amethysts. 

The instant she came over many of the men's gazes snapped to her, some subtle and others not so much. The women on the other hand stiffened up looking like they rather she not be here.

“To some maybe, to me, it was just a simple thing.” I respond casually as the crowd shifts at her being here.

Some of the men failed miserably at hiding their desire for her while several women looked at her like she was something they scraped off the bottom of their shoes. 

Despite her interruption, the conversation with the crowd went on for some time before seeming to have their fill of the new guy like watching a monkey at the circus. I know they don’t fully respect me any more than they do Jaina.

In Jainas case, it’s a mixture of jealousy from the women when the men ogle her and that her family is not as old as theirs so she doesn’t come from a long lineage. Same thing in my case besides the women looking at me like the men do her.

If the women are giving me looks here it’s because they want me wrapped firmly around their fingers. Which is not happening. I will not be subservient to a bunch of incompetent idiots who think they are more intelligent than others because of how stupid they are.

It’s nothing new for me since I am used to being an outsider to some and dealing with idiots who think they are geniuses. Plus I consider that a good thing because these are people I rather not associate with unless necessary. As of now, I had no choice to my misfortune for the next several hours.

But with Jaina here it might make the party just a little more bearable.

After the growing crowd had gotten their fill I stepped over to Jaina offering my arm to her she with a raised eyebrow snaked her arm into my own as she sipped from her wine glass.

“I just admit I am surprised you were willing to show up to the party.” She said casually as if talking to an old friend. “You're a hard man to get in touch with Will.” 

I merely chuckle with a voice not my own that still takes some getting used to but I merely brush it off, “I prefer it that way to avoid the more… crazier elements of the city.” 

I shrug at her as she hums I see they have several couples dancing further into the large room. Gesturing at the people dancing, “May I have this dance?”

Giving her my best dance she gives a small smile with a twinkle in her eyes, an emotion that I can’t quite place as she gently places her hand on my own. 

“I would be delighted.” 

We walk over and place my hand along her side while she places hers on me as we flow into the song she tilts her head curiously at me. 

“I didn’t think you could dance.” She says simply having not expected me to step on her feet every step we took. 

Shaking my head at her bluntness, “Now that is just rude.”

Giving her a twirl before pulling her back in her back pressing up against me.

“Can you blame a girl for wondering when you were almost late to an important meeting?” 

Round and round we go with several guests now watching us as we seem to just take over the dance floor with other couples dancing giving us a wide berth. 

Her dress is made of some quality materials as it feels light and soft yet I can also feel her body underneath and the muscle concealed down there.

“A gentleman shows up not on time, but at just the right time.” I say back being a smartass as she snorts at that and realizes what she just did and I give her a knowing smile.

“But to be honest with you I got there as fast as I could. How are you doing after that meeting? No issues?” I ask her with genuine concern for her which almost makes her stumble a step.

Placing a hand beneath her arm as she grimaces keeping her from falling she salvages it and we continue moving across the floor. 

“I appreciate you arriving even if it was late and no. I am fine. A little stressed but nothing new.” She says brushing it off even though she tenses up at my question and trying to come off as nonchalant.

“Well if you ever have any problems I am happy to lend an ear.” I say into her ear from behind as I feel her pressing into me.

If there was ever a body made of sin it would be hers. Despite her looks and being a model, she has some muscle in there. 

“Thank you but no.” She says as the dance finally comes to an end the crowd applauds our dance in particular with several others who were dancing even politely clapping along as I merely wave back.

Jaina merely presses herself into my side when noting the many men staring at only her. The men make no move to try and dance with her as she stays by me instead.

“Well, that was enjoyable. Any recommendations for the food?” I say back walking over to the tables as several people compliment me on the dance. 

I even see Bruce giving me a two-finger salute and wink. I merely smiled and shook my head at him as he chuckled in the distance. 

“Might I suggest the Millionaires sandwich or the Vada Pav?” A rich but old voice says to our side.

Glancing over and saw an older man with graying hair, most of it white in a suit much like the rest of the servants with a pencil mustache. I have to fight off a smile at meeting the most famous butler in all of fiction.

Alfred Pennyworth in all his deadpan glory stands before me and Jaina as he gestures to two tables near us. I see the sandwiches he is talking about with one of the things being deep fried potatoes in buns. 

The other one has my mouth watering. It may as well have been a massive sandwich straight out of Shaggy Roger’s kitchen with so many things on it. The best thing was there were multiple of them. How much this all cost Bruce was something I think was just a drop in the bucket for someone like him.

I know I couldn’t afford all of this without dipping too much into my funds. Sure I think I could pay for a lot of it but oh man would it be like prying teeth to get me to cough up the money for this.

Taking an offered plate getting one of the smaller sandwiches and taking a bite. Before I thought I knew what food was. I had been living a lie all my life.

This sandwich tastes like heaven. All the meat, the lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles with black olives meshed so perfectly it had to have been a god of the kitchen who made this eighth wonder of the world.

“I think he likes your food, Alfred…” Jaina says nudging the older man in his side as he gives her the side eye but the small almost unnoticeable smile on his face shows he didn’t mind.

“I am glad someone has shown appreciation for the more simple meals that others turn their noses up at.” He says looking at the rest of the crowd as the sandwiches had hardly been touched. Everything on their plates or they had sampled had been the typical thing anyone would think a rich person would eat.

Escargot, bruschetta, baked brie, etc. But both Jaina and I noticed him glimpsing ever so slightly at things like the pigs in blankets and stuffed mushrooms. 

“It would seem we will be having plenty of leftovers for the poor of Gotham. Especially when our guests consider this to be a poor man’s meal.” 

I can’t help but snort at that as he gives me a look. Not a glare like Uncle Furgus or Dad. No, this one was just something else as it looked normal but I felt like I was being judged.

“Apologies if that came off as rude. It was directed at these fine society people of Gotham,” I say gesturing in a grandiose way that got Jaina to try and hide her face and look scarce but I didn’t fail to see the smile on her face. “After all, nothing quite like having good taste to go for the food that barely whets your appetite and is not a well-balanced meal.” 

My comment earns me a huff from Alfred, one that I think could have been a laugh if the ways his eyes stopped narrowing at me. I swear this man has one hell of a poker face.

“Well, I am glad that there is someone here besides Miss Hudson who enjoys what is before them.” 

“Alfred we have been over this, you can just call me Jaina.” She says in exasperation as if they have been over this many times.

“I am afraid I cannot do that Miss Hudson for it would be in poor standing should I break etiquette.” He says back matter of factly and Jaina rolls her eyes as she looks at me in a ‘can you believe this’ way.

“Names William Hardigan. I don’t think I got yours?” I say pretending I don’t know who he is despite fanboying more over Alfred than I did Batman. Holding my hand out to him as he looks at me and makes a show of looking around at the other guests.

“Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne family's butler. It is a pleasure to meet the man who has helped clean up our city and repair parts of it.” He says back, taking my hand and giving me a firm shake. 

A hell of a grip on a man who has to be in his fifties to sixties. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Pennyworth. Everyone keeps saying that about me but if anyone should be thanked it’s my employees.” I say back downplaying my involvement in the company helping this city become a contrast to what it was before. 

I am not necessarily lying either, yes I had a hand in cleaning it up, but it was just me organizing the people who want to have a better life and giving them incentives to keep doing this if they wish to move on from their dark past. Similar to my days as a grunt worker, yes managers can go on and on about how without them we can’t get anything done despite the fact depending on things we very much can.

It’s just dependent on the workers or at least some of them having enough sense to organize themselves. Without those grunt workers, nothing will get done so the manager if they are a bad manager are full of crap. If they are a good manager they are wrong and right. 

My point is as much as I have helped it is not all on me, but my workers that make the magic happen. I am merely the guiding hand nudging them in the right direction and letting them do the rest. 

Alfred tilts his head as he stares at me in a new light with a searching gaze of his while Jaina looks at me, her mouth hanging slightly open before she closes it when realizing what she is doing brushing some of her hair back over her shoulder trying to look aloof and not look at me directly. 

Enjoying another bite of this sandwich Alfred nods his head ever so slightly to me, “A good mindset for one to have, sir, and please just call me Alfred as everyone does.” He says to me in that respectful tone of voice he has for everyone.  

“Alright Alfred and just curious how long have you worked for the Wayne’s?” I ask, making idle conversation while munching away on a second sandwich as Jaina just looks at me curiously.

“I have been with the Wayne family since before Master Bruce was conceived.” He says matter of factly but I swear there was a hint of pride in his voice mixed with melancholy.

“I can respect that. The fact they have managed to keep you around for so long is a good sign.” I say a warm smile on my face as Alfred nods to me before glancing over to Bruce.

Me and Jaina both glance in his direction as he gets the crowd's attention tapping his glass with a spoon. “Thank you everyone for gathering here with me today on this wonderful evening occasion.”

His voice is loud enough to be heard by the crowd gathered around us. 

Leaning my head over to Jaina and whispering to her, “I thought these parties were just parties and nothing besides rubbing elbows with Gotham elites happened at them?”

“They normally are and as far as I know nothing important was to be announced.” She said back quietly looking interested in what Bruce was going to reveal.

As I move to get closer a sudden wave of vertigo hits me as I stumble and almost fall if not for Alfred grabbing me as the metallic tang of blood comes out of my nose. 

“Sir are you alright?!” Alfred says urgently, looking me over and feeling my pulse.

Despite the head splitting headache I am now subject to I was in a rather good mood with the memories of a witch named Daniella that were forced into my head. 

Losing her family at a young age when they were found guilty of witchcraft and burned at the stake while she managed to flee for her life after her mother managed to muster enough strength to make an opening in their shack for her to escape. 

Despite knowing the danger of delving into rituals like her family had she never let her desire to know more go. Maybe she just might find something she could use to bring her family back helped spur her onwards more than the desire for more knowledge. 

From city to city, town to town, she would go from place to place following any rumors or hearsay people had to say of various cults or rumors involving the occult.

Some were simply con artists or peddlers for one reason or another. But despite the many false leads, they helped her find many hidden gems. Numerous cults or individuals with some knowledge on rituals she had found in her journey. Of course all of them wouldn’t give up that knowledge without something and that was if they were even willing to trade the knowledge.

Some required a suitable trade of her own knowledge which she didn’t mind. Others saw her developing body and beauty she held and desired a night with her. Despite the hesitation she had the first few times she had followed through and sometimes the knowledge was worth it and other times… not so much.

Even joined a few groups temporarily to learn their secrets. It was one such group that had not taken kindly to her worming her way in and attempting to take their secrets for their rituals from them. 

Just as they had cornered her in a small cottage she had used to stay in the are near a small village as their medicine woman with the village raised to the ground the buildings engulfed in flames dancing to the chaos and grisly sight of the village folks bodies strewn up in trees and trampled into the ground like a dark and grand celebration had graced the village.

As the grotesque figures of the cultists come closer to her temporary home, their forms twisted from one of the rituals she had failed to learn of some narrow and small like insects mixed with a puss and moss from a lake. Others are big and massive like a hulking mountain of muscle, fat, boils, and bones as they shake the ground with each step.

Stepping gingerly on an injured leg and with a drop of her own blood activated the ritual she had hastily set up as they broke through the wooden wall and the last thing she sees is black and crimson flames engulfing her home, the cultists, and the village along with herself.

A hand snapping some fingers in front of me gets my attention and draws me out of those memories as I see Alfred’s worried expression as he is on a knee looking at me in concern along with Jaina. No one else seems to have noticed to my relief all focused on what Bruce was doing.

“I will call a doctor—”

“No!” I say waving my hands and grabbing a napkin on a table and dabbing up the blood as Alfred raises an eyebrow as Jaina goes from concerned to crossing her arms not looking too pleased.

“I will be fine, I assure you. Just an episode that happens on occasion, mostly when I was younger.”

“Mr. Hardigan, are you sure?” Alfred asks me sounding skeptical.

“I am Alfred. Just give me a moment and I will be just fine.” I say waving him off as he grudgingly stands up and looks down at me now realizing I am in a chair sitting.

“If you have another episode like this you will go to a hospital sir.” He says firmly as I smile and nod my head before looking satisfied he walks away.

“Are you sure you want to stay here after that?” Jaina asks me as I get out of my seat as she has her hands held out but to her surprise my balance is back with the blood out of my nose cleaned up.

“I am. I have to.” She has a soft look on her face, one of concern but she accepts my vague response.

Stepping closer to the crowd with her by my side, glimpsing some cart with a wheel on its bottom with a cloth cover over it standing before the crowd who all fall silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen I hope you all have enjoyed the party so far, but I felt with the current state of our city some hope was needed. Something that has been planned for this city for a long time now, and what better time than now to show the future of Gotham!” He says with a flourish pulling the cloth off.

What sat before us all was a display of a city. Not just any city but Gotham or how it would look in the far future to be more accurate.

 Or any other number you like, really. This greenhouse, either inserted into new worlds in a location of your choosing or attached to your Warehouse, is perfect for growing all manner of magical plants. So perfect, in fact, that it can grow new ones! In addition to several rows of plots and potted plants of all kinds, it contains four larger plots; one at each corner, suitable for one large tree apiece. Planting any kind of magical raw material, such as Re'em blood or unicorn hair, makes a tree that grows that material. Liquid materials are stored in hard, coconut-like fruits on the tree, easily broken with concerted effort but highly unlikely to spill, split, or otherwise damage the surrounding plant life no matter how volatile your reagent is. Since it's a magically expanded greenhouse with literally every species of plant life in it, it also has a bit of magic so that all you need to do is think of what you need and start walking down a row, and you'll reach it within seven paces. All plants within this greenhouse are automatically cared for and reach maturity within a maximum of one week. Plants are kept docile by the greenhouse's magic, so don't worry about the Venomous Tentacula eating one of your ears while you're not looking. Doesn't automatically update in future jumps, but you can bring new plants into it manually and incorporate them into the greenhouse by planting them in the provided pots. A must-have for aspiring Potions masters.

 Ritual magic is an extensive form of arcane practice that allows those using it to accomplish great works even as fairly weak mages. You have gained considerable knowledge, both practical and theoretical, on the workings of ritual magic and, by extension, sacrificial blood magic. This allows you to create far reaching and incredibly powerful spell matrices that can be supplied over time by anyone, or fuelled by the life force of sacrificed creatures or blood. Such spell matrices last much longer than common spells, able to persist for weeks on a single casting. Additionally, each casting can be built up over time, allowing it to be stretched out in small portions that, if interrupted, can be restarted without losing all the progress made on the ritual. Even fast rituals, using sacrifices of life force (from yourself or a suitable sacrifice), can be quite persistent, lasting hours where a similar spell would only survive minutes. This is extensively used by the races of the demiplane to create Rituals of Propagation, complex rituals that can be used to turn humanoids into another race, designated by the ritual design. An individual may undergo multiple such rituals, but may become unstable, either physically or mentally, if too many are done without enough recovery time between such uses, which can take several years. You and your companions will automatically recover at the start of each new jump.