Hmmm, I forgot that it turned visible when Roberto ended his invisibility.
Find a hidden alley somewhere maybe?
Barring a better plan, tell Cidito we're going to walk out of here until we can get to where we can't be seen. Likely the far side of the palace from where he's confronting Attumah. Everyone should be looking there for the next little while. Then we'll take off.
Sounds like a plan...
So, small retcon time.
Roberto goes out of the dungeons. Lucas, Soteira and Wirth stay behind in the stairs. This also means that Wirth can make the carpet invisible, so, once out of the palace, Lucas and Soteira can get on it and fly away.
Roberto throws out his challenge. The guards escort him, but, as they know he wasn't alone, a small contingent (say, 5 guards and 5 barbarians) stay to guard the dungeons's entrance.
This means our heroes will have to go through them, either by stealth (they aren't clustered together, but you'll still have to go in their midst) or else.
Roberto is out with around 20 soldiers, with citizens going in.
If he wants, he know he can take them out. He's seen how the barbarians were powerless against him, and the guards looks wimpier.
hold that thought...
Okay, so am I to presume that all soldiers at hand are barbarians? As stated, at least the five guarding the doorway are.
Roberto stands there, silent and imposing. Back on the ship, as Cidito relays the tale, Carlos plays some tense moment music. To Cidito, he sends thoughts to be relayed. Tell Lucas to single me if he needs distraction. I am ready to bust loose at any moment.
If only!
10 men stay behind to guard the dungeons entrance (since they know Roberto wasn't alone, so they presume to trap the others): 5 palace guards, and 5 barabrians.
20 soldiers surround Roberto, and accompany him outside when he issues his challenge. Say again, half of each.
That's a lot, but Roberto has full confidence he can take them without breaking a sweat, should he wish so. He's well armed and armored, and has seen the more imposing barbarians fall to his magic*, they possibly can't stand against him should he choose to unleash his powers. On the other hand, if they're so weak, their boss can't be much tougher, so it might be worth it too**
- Even if I believe I forgot the -05 to damage due to being underwater.
** Have I statted him? I can't remember
Lucas sidles up to Wirth, tugs on his tunic, and whispers quietly so hopefully only Wirth will hear. [size=85]"We forgot about the carpet. It'll turn visible when I unfurl it, and I can't make it invisible." [/size]
Lucas! Roberto says get ready for all hell to bust loose!!!
Excellent 
You all know who I am and what I can do. Barbarians of Attumah, you have seen my fury and fled before it! Soldiers of Heracleion! You have fought by my side in the past and I wish no harm upon you! You love your princess and fear for her. Do not worry! With my magic I have sent her to a place of safety! Hidden away from Harm!
But now each of you has a choice. Either fight by my side or die by my hand! Loyal Soldiers of Heracleion! Rise up and strike down the barbarian pigs that have polluted your city!
For Queen Soteria!!!!
Okay, referencing Roberto of Flambeau 1234 (thank you Fixer 
)
Presence +1, Leadership 3, 1d10=8
Equals 12
Plus any spell still in effect that Lucas cast upon me. I forget if he did. But I am willing to spend Fortune points to say he did. Which is to say Roberto was fortunate that there is a spell, an excuse to spend Fortune points. I have been saving them up for such a special occasion
I can spend up to five.
And with his final shout for the queen, Roberto discharges PoF's, targeting five Barbarians. Not palace soldiers. Preferably the ones in the way of Lucas, if he has a clear shot. Voice range targeting is automatic, but he doesn't want Hereclionians struck by back blast. So a peppering focused on where the Barbarians are clumped together.
Not yet...
Anyway, having writ my decision set in stone, regardless of his Leadership roll (12 is pretty good, and remember Fortune!!), I am declaring my actions, posting them, and the next post will be the rolls.
Initiative with Pilium of Fire.
Quik +1, Quick Cast Mastery +1, 1D10=10
[spoiler]fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/spoiler]
ahem
How many Botch Dice should I roll? And would Mastery mitigate the amount?
Acutus pauses momentarily as the group turns to face, unsure whether he should commend them for their courage or deride them for their stupidity. Instead of immediately attacking, he uses the pause in action to intimidate them further. He thrashes around in place and then suddenlly doubles in size, becoming a huge sea creature of myth and legend. He bares his teeth and stares the group down.
[hr][/hr]
Casting Heartbeast of Outlandish Size (deft form): 9 (Mu) +12 (Anx2) +4 (Sta) + 14 (die roll 1 and 7 +x (aura) = 39 + aura
He then wants to intimidate them: 4 (Leadership [Intimidation]) +3 (Essential Virtue [intimidating]) - 3 (Presence, although I don't think being a great white shark should make you less intimidating) +x (spell description says he looks "more impressive") + 9 (die roll) = 13+x
Wirth frowns, which goes entirely unnoticed by lucas, seeing as he's invisible.
Lucas feels invisible hands tugging at him, taking the carpet, and Wirth incants... and manage not to botch!
Done, he says, as he hands the carpet back to Lucas. I'll follow Roberto. Follow the plan.
He intends to pass through the guards. Luckily for him, the barbarians aren't too perceptive, although one almost notices him, and the palace guards seem a little too confused to care*.
- He was only saved by his invisibility bonus, and the guards rolled a 0.
Ah Ah Ah, awesome
Roberto already benefits from Wirth's Frightful Presence spell, which gives him +3 to intimidate. I think that applies At worst, it'd have been Aura of Ennobled Presence, but anyway, we're talking a 15, either to Frighten the barbarians, or to Convince the guards
Roberto is alone, but his force of conviction and clear bloodlust is so great that the barbarians recoil*, frightened, while the Palace guards look confused, unsure of what to do**, save not fighting this frightening wizard.
- Total of 13
** Total of 9
Oh no!!
So, base 1 botch dice, +8 for Aura, so that's 9 dices.
-1 for Golden cord, -4 for Mastery of PoF, so that's 5 botch dices left 
That's only for the first spell, though, so assuming Roberto isn't incapacited somehow, he'll be able to cast 4 more.
Mwah ah ah, wonderful!
For a moment, the barbarians look ready to flee, and one almost does before being stopped by one of his comrades, but the sight of Acutus great teeth gives their fate away: They realize that, should they turn tail, they're as good as dead.
Still:
- If Acutus attacks, he can use that moment of hesitation to automatically gain the initiative
- If Acutus leaves them, they'll probably just flee, of hole up somewhere.
It was a very close call, I rolled 1d10=9, and they had a bonus, but still, you won by a close margin.
OOC: Oops, didn't realize that Wirth was also invisible. I thought he looked like a guard. My mistake.
[hr][/hr]
Lucas unfurls his newly invisible carpet, and whispers the activation phrase. Then, slowly and carefully he helps the princess onto the carpet, and climbs on himself.
[hr][/hr]
There will no doubt be a good deal of bumping into each other and a hand that goes awry once or twice as it gropes for the edges of the carpet. But hopefully we'll get on okay. Then it's off over the heads of the guards, assuming that'll work.
If you're careful enough, it flies.
The guards could have been a problem if they'd been too close to the dungeons entrance, but they leave you enough room, and the ceiling is high enough, for you to go high, fly over their heads all the way through the palace gates, and then outside.
It'll just need some time, unless you want to go faster, in which case I'll ask for a roll (mostly for the botch chance)
Slow and steady wins the race. I"m not going to take any chances with the princess.
My hope is that the two of these will mitigate Roberto's loosing initiative (see below)
And this is why I wish to spend the Fortune points, if I may. Increase that 9 to a 14, inspire the soldiers to rise up and attack the barbarians for me. So when Roberto's turn comes (last), there's nothing left for him to do 
And since it is jacking up the same roll, the 13 on the Barbarians becomes an 18, so maybe they are paralyzed with fear or flee in terror.
But now to deal with the Initiative botch...
That wasn't a Casting roll. It was Initiative. When you Multicast, they all go off at the same time.
Maybe.
If you Multicast Wizard's Leap, could you pull some crazy Nightcrawler style martial arts moves?
Anyway, for Combat Initiative I would normally call for one die unless their are extenuating circumstances. And this may count, as he is preparing to cast a spell. A botch could mean he mumbles the words and casts the wrong spell! Or he forgets the words. Or he trips and can take no action until the next round.
I am going to pray to God and roll five dice....
6, 5, 4, 5, 9
whew!
So no botch, Initiative of only 2!
Roberto must wait until almost the end of the round before he can take action.
No problem.
In short, you come out a little before Roberto.
You see the guards encircle him, you go a little higher, you hear him make his speech...
You can certainly try this, but they still have the numerical advantage, and you only have your charisma and reputation to back you.
OTOH, if you manage an impressive enough strike, they'll have to make a morale check, which will be hard enough. Your choice.
IMO, no, as multicasting happens at the same time. You can't teleport in several different places at one.
However, this is a good exemple of defensive fast-cast.
Well, if I have Initiative, then everything proceeds as planned :mrgreen:
Stamina +1, Creo 6+3, Ignem 12+3, Aura +3, Mastery 4, Shout the Words +1, No Gestures -5 (holding his sword & shield)
So starting from 28...
multicast PoF x five: 1D10+28 = [2]+28 = 30
1D10+28 = [4]+28 = 32
1D10+28 = [0*]+28 = 28
1D10+28 = [4]+28 = 32
1D10+28 = [6]+28 = 34
I over rolled Botch Dice on the last check. So if you are kind, apply four of those and only the first one from here.
Otherwise the Third PoF double botches...
Botch Check: 1D10 = [4] = 4
1D10 = [2] = 2
1D10 = [10] = 10
1D10 = [10] = 10
1D10 = [1] = 1
Int +1 & a Stress Die versus Warping 0 and a SD
Twilight: 1D10+1 = [7]+1 = 8
Twilight: 1D10 = [4] = 4
That is four steps below, so only a split second passes in the real world. Twilight Comprehended.
Results are at least two warping plus a Simple Die
Warping: 1D10 = [4] = 4
So that totals a gain of 6 and a Positive effect and a Gentle Gift style scar.
And only a split second of distraction. The attack proceeds as normal.
Leaving aside the botched Pof for now, though botched it succeeded and Twilight Comprehended...
So with Penetration 3 (Creo) and Penetration Mastery 4; the other four have respective Penetrations of :
18, 20, 20, & 22
Damage is a SD +15 - 5...
Fire Damage: 1D10 + 15 - 5 = [2]+15-5 = 12
1D10 + 15 - 5 = [5]+15-5 = 15
1D10 + 15 - 5 = [2]+15-5 = 12
1D10 + 15 - 5 = [8]+15-5 = 18
Plus six Warping Points, for a new total of 9 and a new score of 1
As they fly overhead and hopefully toward safety, Lucas squeezes the princess' hand in sympathy. It can't be easy for her to see her true love engaged in combat below.
[hr][/hr]
Though I'd probably have picked a different direction to go it, this is much more dramatic. 