"Wait...you're doing what?!?" Wen yells when Roberto tells her that she has to go back home. "Why now? Why wait until we're halfway to Cairo before you realize that, no, I can't come with you after all?" She then launches into what sounds like a tirade in Welsh for a couple of minutes, looking rather agitated.
Um, the guy playing Roberto forgot. Had a lot on my mind lately. Was distracted by other stories. The car ran out of gass. Locusts! It wasn't my faulllllt!!!
Roberto looks at Sirocco and smiles as he tries to bluff his way out of his mistake.
There is another strategy I had in mind. It was mentioned that you have multiple means of transit available. A portal perhaps? I'd like to send one or two agents ahead of me to do some scouting and recon.
Or maybe I could just send Johan back. I kinda wanted to get him out on a ship.
OR...
JL, if you wanna play along...
The excuse is made "it is not a ship at sea, it is air travel. Your curse will have no effect". But of couse it probably will have an effect, but hopefully one that adds some zest and excitement rather than killing characters off.
((So, it's not a case of "we have to send her home" as it is "we never brought her in the first place"? Works for me. Otherwise, you'd have to deal with a stowaway. 
))
((I'm out of this, this is a character problem, with multiple characters and competing interests. As to who he'd be sending ahead, it's a function mainly of how much Latin they know, so that they can reasonably communicate. They'll probably get a warping point, too, as this would be a transport directly there type of thing.))
Sirocco inclines her head, "Carmine did tell you there was a portal to Cairo, that expired in about two weeks. There's still time to use it, should you desire. It isn't being renewed, so alternative arrangements to return are most likely necessary." ((You tell me how much time between Roberto being contacted by Carmine and arriving at Valnastium, but at least two is probably necessary. There's still the problem of returning with a woman aboard. But that's up to the players and characters to work out...))
That's what makes it an Adventure
I like the stoaway idea. Her father (another member of the turb) told her she could come with as far as this, and she is trying to convince us to go further. And if she doesn't get her way, she will find a way to get her way 
((Wen actually doesn't speak Latin, she speaks decent French. Her stock in trade is kick-ass Survival and decent Awareness and Stealth. Oh, and being Reckless...if you need someone to go in and beard the lion, she's your girl. I would actually prefer for her to be involved, but I'm okay if she's not; it's not like she's had a chance to do anything yet anyway.))
That is why I want her on my team
I say stowaway.
((Could always do to Carlos what was done to BA Barracus, from the A-Team, when they got on a plane, which was like every other episode. I mean, you're at Valnastium, Mentem and Imaginem are kind of specialties...))
Junior. Johan VanHalen Junior
But yeah, it is a Personality Flaw after all.
[size=85]errr..., could you do me a favor and magically sedate one of my grogs, He's afraid of flying...[/size]
"We have a wand that can do this, put a person to sleep until sunrise or sunset. It's yours for the mission, and may prove useful in other ways."
((As Call To Slumber D:Sun, usable two times per day. D:Sun should make the sleep last until sunrise/sunset. Sorry, about getting the grog's name wrong, it's enough to keep track of the magi and companions, I let the players worry about their grogs. ))
Most excellent
Thank you.
Then we are on our way...
Road to Venice
((I've unexpectedly run into a block of free time, while the forum is behaving well enough for now that I feel comfortable posting... Keeping a copy of everything in Word to make it easy to transition if it really becomes necessary.))
Sirroco escorts everyone to the portal to Venice. She directs Roberto and whomever else he chooses to go through first. Upon arrival, Roberto is greeted with stark blackness, and what should be the portal back to Valnastium is solid, and impassable. Of course, Roberto did notice that there is a physical key to the portal, so it's possible that such a key is necessary here, as well. As the pair move a bit, Roberto can tell that he's bumping into a wooden wall...
Roberto casts CrIg10 Lamp without Flame. He has it mastered, so no need for a die roll.
Well, there is... So I'll roll on your behalf... No botch. In fact, I continued to roll...and rolled two more exploders for a roll of 32 (not including the CT). So, I used up all the ones.
Roberto cast the spell effortlessly and finds he and the other person are a closet surrounded by clothes that have no substance. It's quite obvious that the clothes are an illusion. There is a door, and Roberto guess that he should probably open it, before others begin to come through and the closet becomes an even tighter fit than it already is.
Then the door I shall open
The door Roberto opens up leads into a slightly larger sitting room, with a settee and chairs and side tables for about 4 people. It's not very large at all. As he opens the door a bell attached to the door rings, and in response Roberto can hear sounds of people in the house coming up some stairs. Roberto can tell that they are walking up and towards him, based on the pace. There is a window outside, and the late morning sun is shining bright. The window is open and the warm sea breeze fills Roberto's nostrils with air from the sea.
The gentleman walking up the stairs catches sight of Roberto, and then grimaces for a moment, before adopting a serene manner, "Welcome, my lord magus. Do I presume that you are Roberto? You match his look as has been described to me." The manner of his speech has that cadence of someone forcing out a welcome greeting when they don't feel like it, but don't intend to be rude. "I am called Venerio, and I am at your disposal. Feló is seeing to the supplies for your journey, and should return later in the afternoon, but I can send a runner and let him know you wish to see him sooner." By his manner, he expects Roberto to know who Feló, so it's a good guess that this is Carmine's son. "How many are we expecting?" He asks as the next pair of Roberto's team comes through the portal.
Round about a dozen I think. And how are you today sir?
At mention of a dozen, his face kind of drops in shock, "I'm doing well enough, I suppose." He ponders the issue, and then delicately mentions the lack of space. A dozen, eh? That's a bit on the large side, although I was told to expect it, the House isn't quite large enough to handle that many very easily without disturbing the master of the House. Do you have some you can send off to the ship right away? I can send a page to escort them to the docks, while a few of your retinue stay here with you."
Roberto splits the party into two groups, those that go on ahead to the ship and those that stay behind here.
Those that stay here: Roberto, Carlos, Pinchas, Wen, Cidito
Those that go to the ship: Pedro, Alberto, Allen, Villaume, Johan, Deykin, Miroslav, Ache
Roberto takes Pedro aside and talks to him in a low tone using Spanish. Make sure everything is up to shape. Take Junior with you, he knows ships. Ask about it, if it really flies and how well and such. I told Junior the girl is staying behind, so keep up the farce. Before we ship off, I will dose him to slumber using magic. I think this curse is all in his head, a prohibition personality trait. And if not, we are flying, not sailing. Just keep him off that topic and keep him calm. Here, take the wand in case you need it.