But of course, all of these characters are a welcome addition to the expedition 
As for vis, we now have an Ignem source yeilding 4 pawns a year (it came along with Roberto).
But he can use Terram instead.
But as for this moment, Roberto will seek out a private discussion with Marcus...
(( Woops, spoke too soon. JL and I are hashing out an introduction.))
Revised the vis inventory sheet to reflect the Ignem income Roberto brought along when he joined (4 pawns per year).
And, looking at the sheet, here is my revised request...
30 pawns of dedicated ReTe vis 
There is a ton of the stuff!
Regarding the ReTe Vis. 1 pawn weighs 5 stone, and it cannot be transferred to another, more compact form.
Then 5 Rego, 5 Perdo, 5 Ignem, and 5 Vim will have to do the trick.
Will catch up and post some dialogue Sunday night. Right now I gotta get some sleep, then work, then sleep, then interwebs 
No Vim from our stores. If you want to take something else and trade it for vim at Harco then do so.
Then 5 of whatever we have the most of, 5 Perdo, 5 Rego, and 5 Ignem
Also, Roberto still needs to meet with Markus, and given the chance he would like to pull Korvin aside for a moment to ask for a favor...
((Marcus is at your disposal, come by his cottage on the mundane side, and he's happy to talk. Meaning he invited you to come if you had questions, so it's up to you to initiate the conversation. I have no idea what to say if you don't ask. ))
I can see it now, each grog is carrying a 5 stone chess piece...
4 Creo, 3 Perdo, 3 Rego, 4 Corpus, 3 Ignem, 3 Mentem
And one chess piece to take to Harco
Alabaster Expedition Personnel Roster
Roberto - Magus, Expedition Commander
Cidito - Cat, Magus Familiar
Pinchas - Rabbi, Advisor
Carlos - Specialist
Johan - Assistant Specialist
Pedro - Specialist
Ache - Assistant Specialist
Alberto - Sergeant
Allen - 1st Corporal
Villaume - 2nd Corporal
Deykin - Grog
Miroslav - Grog
Wen - Scout
bump
Bump right back at ya! 
Pinchas will be glad to come along, as long as he (a) gets a chance to warn Abigail and Ra'am that he'll be absent and (b) makes his travel restrictions very clear to Roberto.
He does not travel on Shabbos: between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday, he's essentially immobile. (Travel on a ship is OK if the purpose of travel is a mitzvah: this qualifies.) He's also essentially vegetarian while on the road, it's just easier that way.
Must have missed that
The next morning, as Roberto incorporates the use of the rosary in his Parma Magica ritual and invokes the protection of Saint James, he whispers another prayer.
Mother Mary, grant me the wisdom to protect me from the devious ways of the Tytalus magi and all their sinful guile.
He then comes knocking at Marcus' door. (small talk), then...
Anyway, I have come seeking your advice as to this situation in Cairo, the manuscript concerning the Alabaster Lionesse. What do you know about it? And what troubles do you have in Egypt? What do you know of Leolinus, Jabl Tariq, and Lord Soulis?
((if you want Korvin to come to Cairo to cast an AoH for you jet let me know. Should not be a problem))
Marcus invites Roberto in, and the two sit in chairs angled and facing a fire. "I know nothing of that tome, or the device it describes." Marucs offers Roberto a cup of brandy, and then begins sipping his as he sits in front of the fire.
"No, it's more about what's being asked, who is asking, and who was asked. Carmine and Andru are both important to Mons Electi, and if any of us were asked, we would do it. As to my troubles in the Levant, they are my own, and it would be best not to mention my name, unless you like making things harder for yourself, which I can appreciate. I can give you some history of the two, Carmine and Andru, if you wish."
Marcus doesn't seem inclined to wait for Roberto to assent, and continues on, "Andru filius Astrolabe, Apollodorus, filius Astrolabe. For all intents and purposes they are brothers, both gauntleted at the same time. I don't know much about Astrolabe, except he was a pretty good Astrologer. But we know Apollodorus was Xenophon Tremeris, who assumed a new identity. We know that Astrolabe had two apprentices at the same time. We know, that since the fall of Constantinople, the House has become more... aggressive. Some Jerbiton magi even know how to use mundane arms, and know effective combat spells, or have gone so far as to learn to become dangerous themselves, and they've begun to work together and coordinate through Andru. Not all Jerbiton are happy about this, I suspect that your Leolinus is one of these not so happy."
"As a newly gauntleted magus, Andru spent some time travelling the world, even further than his Itinerium allowed. He visited covenants and cities of Hispania, and there fell in love with a beautiful Flambeau maga, who made his art come alive. The pair had children, of course, but sadly none of them were Gifted. Andru is ruthless, just as Carmine is, but they are ruthless for our side, and both understand the sense of honor you would have at facing off against the Fat Bastard. It may have already occurred to you, but you may be a chess piece that they are willing to sacrifice. Question any advice your major domo gives you, because it will always be slanted to favor the interests of his parents, most. Andru is his pater's filius, but his pater is not Astrolabe, it's Apollodorus. Apollodorus was a skilled manipulator and a Tremere who broke away from his House. All of his apprentices show a similar aptitude for manipulation or a desire to manipulate."
"I do have one ally you can call on, Heliobus of the Covenant of the Pyramids. Although, the Fat Bastard may already be making overtures to the covenant, or just lying in wait. I suspect that this is part of the reason why Carmine called upon you, instead of me. Heliobus is a flibbertigibbet, and would mention that I was in the area. He may be less inclined to talk about me, if it's only an amicus of mine, and not actually me."
((if you want Korvin to come to Cairo to cast an AoH for you jet let me know. Should not be a problem))
Roberto has Cidito scent mark Korvin, or some location near his sanctum.
I will keep you informed, thank you my friend 
Roberto shall respond to Marcus when I have time to write out a well thought out reply, gotta go to sleep (just deleated two paragraphs of incomprehensible rampling)