Why do you think they specifically selected me? Yes, I am sure they know of my history with that fat bastard. But why not ask of one of the elder magi? Or of the council itself?
Well, I am the deadliest magus at Mons Electi, despite my relative youth.
I'm shure you would (you raving lunatic)
Roberto sips more of the brandy, reflecting on it's flavor.
Not bad. What is the pedigree of this spirit?
Indeed, that would be most helpful. meow
Eh? Marcus, do you have a saucer so I can pour a little brandy for Cidito? He seems to be acquiring my habbits, and he has begun to favor wine over milk now.
Anyways, do go on.
That fat bastard is a depraved dealer with devils. His displeasure is irrelevant to the task at hand. Though knowing his factional sympathies may come in handy. I myself am not at all displeased to see the Jerbiton take a more martial focus. Good for them. Let them take on the roles of knights and nobles. Let the Flambeaux go back to being Flambeaux.
I can see why .
Not sad at all. The Gift is a heavy burden.
It is not so much a matter of personal honor or making myself feel good or garnering prestige. What it is, more than anything else, is a sense of duty. It's a Flambeau thing, I don't expect you to understand. But this wretch is a criminal outcast, a stain upon our Order. And I just plain don't like him.
I am no pawn! If anything, I am a rook
I jest. But if that is what they really think of me, then they seriously misunderstand me. And underestimate me.
"You're not putting the pieces together. Very well. Andru is Apollodorus's filius in all but name. He has used the power of the Primus and the tragedy of Constantinople to begin institute significant changes in House Jerbiton. Everything he does is connected to the work Apollodorus did, but it is subtle. If Carmine is here asking for you to do this, it is because she and Andru believe that there is a connection to House Guernicus. Any piece may be sacrificed to expose them. Believe what you will about the Guernicus conspiracy, or corruption, or whatever you'd like to call it. If Andru or Carmine ask it, it's related to Guernicus."
"As for the covenant of the Pyramids, it is a half journey's day away from Cairo."
I think I am. You misunderstand me. I have no other goal than to see to a matter of justice. The goals and schemes of others are of no consequence. But it is useful knowledge to have, so that I may safeguard myself from being manipulated towards other goals that are contrary to my purpose.
i do unserstand, and though it seems convoluted, I have come to expect as much where it concerns Apollodorus.
And so far these are good changes, and I am sure Carmine has been influential.
That does cause me some concern, for as you seem to be telling me, the primus of Jerbiton is the filius of a Tremere magus turned Jerbiton, one that was an unparelled master of Rego and who has many enemies in House Gurnicus.
That part makes no sense to me. Why me? Are they trying to proove a point to me?
And that part concerns me. For the moment, I need to chalk that up to your being a paranoid Tytalus lunatic (and I mean that in the best way). I cannot progress otherwise. But I shall indeed be wary.
I can believe that there is a corrupt cabal within Gurnicus. I saw it myself in the actions of Valarian at Tribunal. Injustice. I pray this corruption is limited to Normandy.
But what you fail to understand is that, if the whole of that House is corrupt, then it is all over. The Order will quickly disolve into a Second Schism, one that will decimate the ranks and shatter what little cohesion we have left.
For if it is true, to the extent that you say it is true, then there are going to be a lot of people I need to kill in order to restore Justice. And I don't like killing.
Excellent. I plan to set up a clandestine base of operations in Cairo, then go visit them.
Sure you don't wanna come with? Put on one of your disguises, no one will recognize you. Grow some legs, loose an arm, put on an eyepatch.
By the way Marcus does provide for the cat's needs. "I don't don disguises, I'm not about subtlety. My sole attempt at intrigue was last summer, and I feel, in some way, that it contributed to the circumstances surrounding Praxiteles death. I'm about overwhelming force. Do you have means of contacting me, if you think you should need that kind of assistance? "
Let the cat scent mark you. Or mark something in the corner of your chambers. He probably already has.
And I am as subtle as a brick, so I understand your point.
What is the political climate like in Cairo? The Hermetic presence, if any, what is it like? Hedge Wizards or rival magics you are aware of? What of the mundanes?
"Probably best he marks the table, or something in the cottage, than me. I'll make sure to leave the door open when I'm outside excavating. Give me something of one of your grog's before you leave, so I can travel to you."
Marcus takes a sip of his brandy, "Tense. There's always a flare up of minor skirmishes, never know if one is going to flare up into a full fledged war, or crusade. The magi there, are always concerned about that. I kind of liked it, myself. Regardless, in Hermetic terms, the covenants have generally chosen sides in the mundane conflicts of the past. Covenants in Ayyubid empire favor them. You are aware of the current Crusade, then?" If not, Marcus will explain that he has just received word from an ally in Acre that the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II has arrived in Syria. His apparent goal is Jerusalem.
"But, if your traveling with that Jerbiton captain we were with at Thera, you should be fine. His ship is a nef, and he speaks Arabic well enough to pass. And you needn't concern yourselves with hiding obvious Christian jewelry or other signs of devotion, the Ayyubid's and their administrators are most tolerant."
Cidito looks slightly embarrased. I already sprayed in yer corner
Roberto glowers at the cat. You don't need to leave the door open, I don't think. I can never seem to observe him doing it, so I am not sure how his translocative powers function.
That's hundreds of miles from Egypt, not so much a concern.
BTW, are you using 4th edition Levant (Blod & Sand), 5tgh edition (Cradle & Crescent) or mixing the two (as I would probably do)?
anyway... I am not asking about the Levant as a whole. Just Cairo. Is Pyramids the only covenant in the region I need to be aware of? Are there other magi in that area? What about other mystical organizations?
What do you mean by "his ship is a nef"? Oh, and are their any women on his crew? One of my henchmen has an aversion to women serving on a ship with him, some sort of curse.
((Post more later.
A nef is a kind of ship. There are probably a few magi, but he doesn't know them. I'm at a softball game, we can advance to Valnastium, then Venice by narration and ultimately Cairo, if you would like. And the ship doesn't have a crew at all.))
Roberto and his entourage arrive at Valnastium with as little visible pomp and circumstance as possible. But everyone is buffed up and suited & booted. Fresh pressed & geared up. Doublet of Impenetrable Silk, [i]Aegis of Unbreakable Wood[/u], and Ward against Heat & Flames. Plus Roberto has Shriek of the Wooden Shafts & Howl of the Steel Weapons.
Roberto is not paranoid, nor does he expect a confrontation. It is to build a reputation, the "invisible" pomp. If anyone asks or tests us, we are prepared. But overt displays of power and glory are muted. No banners, no uniform dress, no herals, none of that.
But the cat ruins all that.
As soon as he sees any of the magical cats that supposedly dwell here, he walks upright and proceeds to introduce himself.
My name is Don Diaz el Cidito of the Orange lineage. I humbly request an audience with the King of Cats. My entourage seeks rest in your lair and perhaps to speak with your hoomans.
((Sorry, the weekend got away from me and more got away from me.))
There is a magus of Valnastium nearby, who does not identifies herself as Sirocco. An OoH roll of 6+ will tell you she is a filia of Andru.
"The King of Cats is currently away with his human. But Carmine notified us of your impending arrival. The portal to our house in Venice is at your disposal, and from there, we have an escort for you to the ship."
Tut-tut! Not so fast! I need to feed my hoomans and meet with the other magical cats of the Great Colony. And I'd like to visit the hall of string.
Mind you, that Sirocco is not a cat. The intro and this follow up were intended for another cat. Sirocco may have overheard and piped up though.
But no matter. Roberto glowers at Cidito.[size=85]P*nche gato...[/size] 1d10=5, Int +2, OoH Lore 2 (Flambeau)
Carmine told me that her son would meet us here and join our expedition. Or am I to meet up with him in Venice? In any case, we would like to take a short rest and maybe grab a meal. And I have never been to Valnastium before. I'd like to take a look around and breath in the experience
((The entourage has only just gotten underway. Portal to Harco and then another to Valnastium maybe takes 30 minutes to an hour, max.))
Sirocco expresses a bit of regret when answering Roberto, "Apologies, but Iker thought it best to prepare for your journey once he learned your desired method of travel. He is coordinating efforts at our House in Venice and provisioning for the voyage, the mundane provisions, of course. But Andru did want to lend you one thing." She pulls out a white kerchief. "My pater said this might be useful to you, and as you have a measure of faith it might be even more useful to you. You are, of course, welcome to stay for a bit, but figured that you might wish to refresh yourself when the task is done and spend time here." ((Folk Ken check of 12+ here might tell more.))
Per 0, Folk Ken 2, Die roll 1d10=4
grrr....
and two points of Confidence makes for 12.
Ad Mortem Incurrite. One never knows when it is the last chance. And I promised the cat he could visit this hall of string that another familiar told him about. And we skipped breakfast, figuring we would just eat here.
Roberto examins the cloth curiously, then folds it up neatly and tucks it deep within his clothing.
What is it?
((It's not worth spending confidence, here, so I won't let you.))
Roberto's pressing does have Sirocco yield to his wishes, and a quick breakfast is put together, nearly on the spot, near the portals. She doesn't seem interested or inclined to offering a tour, at this time. "We presumed you would be through quickly, and have not adequately prepared for a visit with the requisite level of pomp for a visiting magus. You are, of course, welcome to stay and visit, but few magi will be available to speak with you. I am, of course, at your service. Men of action, and the like, desiring to be onto the deed that needs doing, is what we prepared for now. Of course, upon your return, we will ensure a suitable welcome for you."
In reference to the cloth, as Roberto examines it, he notices a small piece of what appears to be bone sewn into the fabric. "That is a piece of a finger bone of St. Cyprian. Andru credits that with surviving encounters he has had with diabolists."
I was trying to avoid the pomp. But a quick breakfast is fine.
Also, I was supposed to do this at Harco but we rushed on over hear to make it in time for breakfast. (he has one of the grogs produce the huge stone chesspiece) I have access to a large supply of dedicated vis, Rego Terram vis. Perhaps it is something an Alpine covenant might be interested in?
"What are you looking to get for it?" Favored forms here would be Imaginem, Mentem, Vim, and perhaps Corpus, where Roberto could expect the best exchange rate.
Vis exchange is something I should have done back in Harco. All I want for this single piece is a good deal. Meaning, I will give you this one in order to secure a trade deal with you. Mons Electi needs books. And Lab Texts.
The girl on my team, I have to send her home anyways. Strategic reasons. I will send her back to Mons Electi with a letter stating the deal we make, she will have a dozen or a score of these, and whence I return from Egypt we will finalize arrangments.
((I don't have any particular objection to this, but you need to open up a discussion with the other players about how this plays out. Is Roberto taking it upon himself to negotiate without informing the council of Mons Electi? Or do you want to hash it out OOC with the other players as to what the terms of the trade agreement will be, and we finalize it upon Roberto's return? Trading these away makes the Portal much more difficult to maintain, you need at least 14 of these, annually, plus the fees for casting the rituals. Alternatively, consider establishing a permanent portal, but some of this is beyond the scope of what can happen here. I don't think Roberto can reasonably promise a dozen or a score pawns of ReTe vis for trade on an indefinite basis.))
"I'm not prepared to negotiate with you, nor am I entitled to do so on behalf of the council of Valnastium. The only ones who may do so are the Primus, and the Secundi, and our resident member of House Guernicus. Constance is the Secundus in residence, but she is currently in Twilight. We can try and locate Laetitia, our resident member of House Guernicus, if you'd like."
Essentially, I need to send Wen home. Almost slid that past myself, Junior's whole prohibition mumbo-jumbo and all that. And we whisked along past Harco and I almost forgot about the vis trade. What sort of deal do I want to make? We can hash that out as a group OOC. Not a reoccuring trade, I was thinking a one shot exchange of a dozen or twenty of these things in exchange for some decent books and lab texts. We need a new Terram summa (our old one is hidden in the trunk of an NPC former PC).
And I am figuring we can get a better deal from Valnastium than from Harco.
And are you telling me we cast an annual Hermes Portal? Are we spending more than we make? We have a queens worth of this stuff nearly, but we must still spend wisely.
So the best I am hoping for is "yes, we can make a deal, details hashed out later". Wwn goes home, tells the magi, we work out something OOC, Web oversees the transport of some pawns and Roberto picks up the books when he gets back to Valnastium.
.
