Second floating panel, not sure what I am seeing in that.

It looks like Ravat is using a drill to etch the circle into the stone.

Either that, or he's defacing the runes on a protective seal of some kind. If he's really drawn out all those runes with an electric drill, he should retire from this whole business of being evil and become a master craftsman.

What I don't get is why Ravat wants to screw over Nabonidus. The way I see it, if Nabonidus is too weak to face Void again, there will be nothing in their world that could stop the entire Nightmare legion, let alone Void. And, assuming Mace will reach godhood when he gets that Power of his unlocked, if he dies, then the Dreamworld will definitely be screwed. So, Ravat seems to be changing his allegiance from Nabonidus to Void because that means more death and destruction. I can't wait to see his backstory.

Y'know, I feel like you're the first person to have a character use power tools in a summoning ritual. Most tend to keep the modern and fantastic separate. =P Which is kinda stupid if you rely on it as a rule. So long as the rites are observed, who cares if you took less time?

I mean it depends on the requirements of the ritual.

I like to think most rituals aren't so much dependent on the specifc marks or objects used as they are dedication. The act of a ritual is a show of faith or offering to a greater power.

As a result having to jump through hoops to make something happen isn't entirely unreasonable. Like only using specifically blessed tools in a predetermined method in a chosen timeframe at a select location.

It isn't about the materials themselves. It's about getting attention and trying to curry favor.

But that depends on the system of magic itself.

True enough. All depends on how picky the entities are. You can get the attention of just about anything if you're dedicated enough. The question then becomes, "Can I convince this thing to help me? Or at least stop it from pulling out my intestines for bothering it?" The ritual can be as much a part of that as how you conduct yourself in said entity's presence. But with some, they may not care, or at least look past the shoddy materials if you're polite enough.

For example? In The Dresden Files, Harry once summoned a spirit of knowledge to get some information. The spirit appeared, and then expressed dismay with his choice of... a Cabbage Patch doll. Yeah. While he did provide the necessary elements for summoning, and gave the proper respect to the spirit, his choice of a vessel for said spirit got a raised eyebrow.

Maybe not the weirdest or worst thing to inhabit, but it's a little odd watching one of those dolls chew tobacco and drink whiskey while you ask it your questions. =P

I mean could've been worse.

He could have tried to contact a Loa.

Or...I think that's what he DID do actually. Been a while.

Yeah, I don't remember everything in the Dresden books. Might have to reread them sometime. And still need to get a hold of some of Butcher's other novels. I want to see what else he's done.

Personally I'd love to see Riordan handle the Loa mythos.

Baron Samdhi for example. The whole beer and cigars thing really goes to them.

Plus the idea of someone who digs every persons grave, to the point you are not allowed to die until Samdhi has dug yours, is interesting.