First question: Links go both ways, right? I mean, if a piece of my DNA is a ritual link to me, than I can serve as a ritual link to that same piece of DNA, right? And have my buddies gather 'round in a circle, spend a few hours, and throw a Sterilize (or heck, a Fireball) spell on whatever they're using as the link, using me as their link, right?
Second question: If an Initiate is using the Great Ritual metamagic, does the ritual team even need a lodge? It seems like an Initiate using Great Ritual almost acts like a 'Porta-Lodge' with a Force equal to his Magic rating (of course, he doesn't act as an astral barrier.)
Second question, subset A: If an Initiate is using the Great Ritual metamagic, can the group now include members who don't have the Ritual Spellcasting skill? Since the maximum size will equal the lowest skill level (0) plus the Great Ritual Initiate's Magic...
Second question, subset A-1: At that point, can this be used to include people who would normally have no business being in a ritual? I can almost see an IC rationalization for this - use several Initiates with Great Ritual to 'cast the circle', adding their Magic together to determine the maximum Force of the spell and the number of people who can participate. Then let everyone roll Magic + Ritual Spellcasting (or Edge if they're mundane), throw all the hits together, and release the spell - then everyone (even the mundanes) resists Drain, using Willpower + (Drain Attribute) or just Willpower if they're mundane.
So you get a few mundanes meandering about inside the circle, holding hands and singing, saying 'Oh I feel the power! Isn't this just wizz? Man, I'm so happy to be connecting with the Mother Nature Earth Spirit! I can feel the power, man! This is so *crunch* OH GOD MY HEAD MY EYES ARE BLEEDING OH MY GOD MY GOD OH WHY DID I DO THIS?!?"
... good times.