Vitrum Ergastulum
Description: The "Vitrum Ergastulum" or 'prison of glass' is a tricky meta-magic ritual that captures the residual essence of blood magic paths or rituals; the power to capture mystical residue allows the thaumaturge to examine the workings of other sorcerers. Ergastulum are prized by Tremere thaumaturges as much for their perfection, as for the residual essence that might lead to a new sorcerous discovery. The 'prison of glass' is previously enchanted so that when the correct moment comes, it may be activated with a word of power to capture sorcerous residue. Due to the exacting nature of this ritual and its expense, few neonate or ancillia Tremere could afford to cast this ritual even if they could find a teacher willing to share this difficult rite.
The ergastulum is a perfect hollow glass ball weighing precisely one hundred and thirteen grams. It must be three point eight centimeters in radius; it is transparent and its exterior is etched with six inscribed circles set perpendicular to one another. If carefully inspected, the ergastulum show all the hallmarks of handmade Viennese craftsmanship and would be ludicrously expensive to duplicate.
The criterion surrounding the enchantment of an ergastulum are rigorous because it must never be directly touched except by new tools, once a tool has been used, it must be discarded for the sake of the project. The enchantment itself requires the 'prison of glass' to be handled with silver tools and enchanted on the three nights of the full moon.
Origin: This ritual is believed to have been created by one of the original and now deceased, Council of Seven members. This individual is believed to have been a master of meta-magic, optics, and astral magic.
Ingredients: The most expensive hand blown, transparent glass. Several sets of brand new silver tools.
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Notes: This ritual was first observed by Prince O'Reilly and Madame Mina when they were thaumaturgically investigated by the then Tremere Justicar Anastaz di Zagreb in the Spring of 2013. In both cases, the residual essence of necromantic workings were found in their meta-auras and capture by this ritual for testing in Vienna.
