POV vote winner, second vote

Yeah, I got sidetracked by a Superbowl party. I have 243 half-written, and I am working to finish it now. Then, I'll move on to 244. I have to work on the missed Town Builder chapter tomorrow.

I have been editing book 4 and am reaching the part where he reveals that his burnt aether channels to Zyna. In terms of changing the narrative plot, healing aether channels is different from raising potential. It is canon that the only way for a normal person to raise potential is with apex essences (or at least that is what the MC was told). Since burned mages show a reduced aether channeling in potential on a tablet reader as the damage, that would mean only apex essences would help. But in terms of "healing" burnt channels, it is different. It takes approximately 100-110 minor essences for 1 point, 30-33 major essences for one point, and 3-4 apex essences for one point. So I will be editing the text to reflect that as I go and it will be in the discussion with Zyna.

So what would that mean for Castile who has lost 3 points of potential? We are going to assume it is 3.5ish since the tablet only shows round numbers. She would need between 10 and 14 apex essences to restore her channels.

Now, onto the POV vote! The mystery person from Earth won! So now we need to resolve some of that mystery. A group was portaled from Earth, so there will be multiple people, but only one will be featured. I am not sure where they are going to be pulled from yet...plane, train, bus or hotel (or post an idea in the comments). This interlude is coming up somewhat soon.

The MC has a hero-saving syndrome, so I am making it a female. Basically, whoever it is, is going to motivate the MC to figure out the World Gates to get them home (no the MC is happy in Desia). I am limited by how much text I can put in the poll choices, so here is a more descriptive choice:

Karina Krzykowska (30ish years old) - she is a tough woman who doesnt need saving. She has two daughters and a son on Earth she desperately wants to return to, though. She manifests a spell form that gives her incredible strength.

Lexi Morris - a young girl (10 ish years old) who only wants to go home to her family. She will have incredible potential in the illusion affinity

Teresa Cortes - (20ish years old) a college student who is engaged. She wants to return to her fiance. She has an incredibly deep aether pool and excellent Aether Shaping attributes

Evie Maguire - a young girl (10 ish years old) Lexi's friend. she will have a really high affinity for Necromancy

Anika Strauss - a middle-aged lawyer who has no strong affinities. she is an exceptional athlete and picks up the sword quickly. maybe an Olympian fencer