This is interesting.
How many people know about this? Are there copies of these scrolls?
I can't go there. Too much uncertainty, too much wasted time... If only Eva was old enough! But she's not yet ready for this, in trust or knowledge. I need a proxy there, but who?
"I'll go," Lucas adds. "I have to admit that I'm curious about what a temple to Mercury would look like. And since I've seen this at the beginning, I'd like to see it through to the end."
"Does he speak Arabic?" Flavia replies. "That's what matters where we'd be going. I speak it myself, so we won't be at sea. But the more that can converse in the local language the better."
"Bashir speaks Arabic, I know," Lucas adds. "I'm sure we could convince him to tutor someone in the language before we go. I know Cecelia has been talking about picking up some Arabic for ages. She keeps threatening that she'll spend a few seasons in the Levant to learn it. I'm sure if Jasick doesn't already speak Arabic, he could pick some up prior to our departure."
"At the moment, I believe that only those of us in this room know the precise details of this find," Flavia replies. "Darius ex Tytalus knows that I've found something powerful, though I don't think that he knows it's a temple of Mercury, or even the exact location. It's possible, of course, that he has more information than I thought."
"It's also possible that he might have made copies of some or all of the scrolls. However, if so, I doubt that he'd have shared them with anyone. He's quite secretive about sources of power."
"Indeed he is, Flavia," Santiago agrees. "He'd sooner part with his left arm than share power with anyone."
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FWIW, Bashir speaks Arabic as a native language and is a very good teacher (24/21/18). He could certainly hold Arabic classes for people if they want.
[color=red]My familiar, Cidito, has the Gift of Tongues. To remain subtle, he can telepathically tell me what people say, but I cannot respond.
I am in this for Santiago, and to oppose wicked magi. If there are any benefits, all the better. If there must be sacrifice, so be it.
But on a side not guys, I am tired of North Africa. This will be my third trip and I am sure three more are coming. I want to see Greece again, go to Denmark or England, visit the Holy Land.
This is the most international covenant I have ever known. I am sure we can make it happen
Roberto is just being smarmy
"What a useful ability," Flavia replies. "It certainly wouldn't hurt having another Arabic speaker with us."
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Clearly I made a mistake when making up Cecelia. I spent a point giving her the Linguist Virtue when I should have spent that point giving her the Gift of Tongues Virtue.I had thought that Virtue was not allowed.
It is a Virtue with requisites. All Heroic Virtues & Flaws require one or more of the following: Mythic Blood, Latent Magic, Legacy, Blood of Heroes, Magic (being), and not sure what else.
Linguist makes it easier to read & write new languages though, and teach them. Tongues does not.
He is completely unaware of all of this, but Acutus is always up for adventure! In addition, Selim is a native Arabic speaker, has Faerie Speech (the Faerie version of Gift of Tongues), is good with camels, desert survival, and perhaps most importantly, has Ways of the Desert.
Trogdor, if it makes you feel any better, Solomon also has the Linguist virtue, and speaks a number of languages that he spent XP on.
Of course. Lucas would certainly remember Acutus' love for adventure from their undersea adventure, and Selim's useful skills from the City of Brass adventure. He'll recommend them both and Flavia will certainly defer to the adventurous sorts as to who to bring.
Awesome
Also, earlier, I was not trying to question the importance of this find as a player. I was roleplaying Roberto's ignorance. Lucas knows the temple at Doisettep was conjured by Primatius. Roberto believes the lie that it is real.
"So, I get the feeling that you're not going to be ready to go immediately," Flavia replies. "Obviously I want to head out as soon as possible. But I also understand the need to prepare. Why don't I give you all a season to get some resources together, talk among yourselves, and I'll do some leg work in North Africa. I'll meet back here and we can make better plans then. Does that sound reasonable to people?"
Lucas nods and replies that it's perfectly fine with him.
"I'll leave Andorra to this exploration," Santiago adds, "As exciting as it sounds, I'll help you best by trying to harass Darius and keep him off-balance. Let me know if I can help in any way."
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This is a good opportunity to have other characters brought into the group when it reconvenes.They can have been recruited in the meanwhile.
[color=red]Victory is in the Preparation, and Preparation depends on intelligence. Right now, I have a rough idea of what the enemy can do, and I have a plan for counter-measures. But I need time to heal and think. Plus I am training a small team of side-kicks Edith and Lucien. The lad is yet an apprentice, but the senorita is a fierce young Flambeau maga eager for adventure. Her skills will be an asset to the task force you request we form.
I cannot speak for my covenant as a whole, but we assembled magi are here to volunteer ourselves to your cause. These blackguards have violated your dignity and deprived you of your freedom to work magic. I cannot tolorate this. I shall bring this up sith Solomon and see what legal action cn be taken.
Mentally insert where Roberto tells Solomon all about this, with a slight spin on how his fight went down, and see what we can do.
I have a full update plan, that includes Lucien and Edith, so if IBT wants to jump in as Lucien. I nominate Fixer for Edith.
I need to update Lucien's Training and IBT needs to update the rest. Edith needs tweaking. Roberto is all caught up, but on the side he would like to acquire a few Charged Items.
As the winter of 1244 approaches, Flavia begins to draw up a list of people who are planning to come along on the expedition to the lost Temple of Mercury. She has arranged for a ship to meet the group at Palma on Majorca, where it will take them to the coast of North Africa. There, they will connect with a local guide who will bring them by camel to the site set down as the location of the lost Temple of Mercury. She's eager to get a good crew together, a mix of magi and non-magi. They are to expect trouble, given how valuable this find is likely to be.
OOC: This is a chance for people to sound off for interest on the expedition. Who still wants to come along?
