"I agree with our verbose companion. The Ruby ring is the best of the lot. We must needs develop some way to divide the items fairly."

Stepping closer from somewhere over to the side, Jaleh peeked in curiously on what everyone was doing. "I thought I smelled loot. Someone mentioned a ruby ring?"

Gultunga's dire warning about the deck of cards catches his attention.  "If this deck is the very same of which I have heard tell, I shall heed your words, my friend.  Such a thing would present the same temptations to me that the cube must have whispered to Pyotr - to alter one's fortunes on the turn of a card..."  He indulges himself in considering the possibilities for a moment, clearly wrestling with the dilemna it presents - the appeal to his greed, the ability to change his family fortunes, but also the clear threat to his allies and to his very soul.

"Ha!" Barmak laughs as he looks over the list, trying to force thoughts of the Deck from his conscious mind.  "There is much here that sings to my sailor's heart!  A keen falchion, a well-made coat of studded leather - these I can see the immediate benefit of.  Yet some of these other enchanted things..."

"A ring that keeps a man warm without robes or coat, even when he is wet?  Such a thing is worth more than gold and jewels to a man of the south who might sail cold northern waters.  Upon this I would lay my chiefest claim."

"A rope that throws itself, remains steady without anchor, and ties itself into knots when commanded?  Surely this is also a sailor's dream," he says, a sly smile spreading across his face, "and a wealthy man's nightmare.  To one of a larcenous heart, I can see much worth here.  But already I have had need to scale one wall.  That need may arise again even upon the morrow!"

Looking back at Miroslav, the Persian says, "I cast my lot for the ring of warmth, the rope of climbing, a fine-quality falchion, a coat of studded leather, and one of the horses.  Of course, I leave it to you to decide what my fair share should be, my captain, and I am certain I shall be satisfied with your judgment in that.  But I should like to state my desire for any and all of these things now, should they be lawfully included in my portion of the booty."  This last part he says with a glance of acknowledgment toward Jean, not wishing to sound too greedy in front of the Frankish knight.  Yet the lusts of his merchant's heart remain at odds with his Muslim conscience's urgings toward humility...

Loukas looks over the goods with everyone else, "All of us played an equal, if different role in affairs so far; although, admittedly, Sir Jean's actions merit consideration... Here is one way to go about this: Give Sir Jean first choice as a reward and he picks one item. The rest of us follow taking a turn based on where the first letter of our name lands in the Greek alphabet. We go around like this until everything is chosen. As far as the coins go, let us each take a share except for Miroslav, who as Captain merits two. We ought to also set aside three shares value to go towards the Heart of Oak's maintenance, which shall be taken care of by him as well. Unless so many shares is insufficient...."

"I would look to further protect myself with the finely crafted studded leather," says A'kos, looking over but dismissing the rest of the gear.  "Would also take a claim for some barding to protect Storm's Wind's chest."

"Is that a deck of cards for playing pokiir - I fine hand of draw do I play...would anyone care to join me in a game?  'Tis an easy way for you to relieve the strain of carrying around fairly won spoils of war!"

He laughs boisterously at his own humor.

OOC: Want +2 Studded and any gold rightfully due him.  Y'all can haggle over the rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Mon 15 Mar 2010.

Dyanna saunters up, looks upon the pile of magic items and smiles.

"Shall I be the deck mistress?" she asks, gazing at the onlookers.  "Anyone feel touched by fortune's fair hand?"

Approaching the deck she looks on, smiles covetously and looks at those gathered.

"If I survive, I would also claim the finely crafted studded leather for my own," she says.  "And the Ring allowing for safe landing (feather falling)."

With that, she turns and draws one card from the deck before anyone can stop her.

OOC: She wants Ring of Feather Falling and +2 studded leather.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

          Not wishing to murder a companion, the Stridesman takes the next best
option left open to him . . .    Angered that Dyanna hath taken liberties with-
out a firm decision having being made by a consensus, Gultunga draws his weapon
before anyone else can react, and without forethought strikes the deck that
still lies upon the ground with all his might whilst madly screaming  . . .

         "Thee hath gone much too far wench whence we wished to take counsil, n'
thee acts most like thy power monger n' brash friend Pyotr n' stead!  His
witching ways hath corrupted thy mind as well!  This tis the only reconing that Gultunga knows . . . a curse upon the for thy action."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

Gultunga's blade bounces off the deck without so much as scratching the surface or disturbing the stack.

Dyanna looks at her card and sees the image of a sun and feels actual warmth leave the card and enter her.

Behind her a large 2' by 3' standing mirror appears.

Miroslav leaps back, half from the shock of the draw and appearance on the mirror and half to evade Gultunga's swing.
Ok just for the sake of play, lets assume that the sage consulted left the deck uncovered. Doubtful that Miroslav would do that since he is not so magic friendly. Yes you do need to declare how many draws you will make. Since Dyanna did not declare we will go with default as one draw. A house rule....there is not a limited number of certain cards per deck...there may be several duplicate cards in the deck. I will be going random with the results so it will be possible to have to face death two or three times:) Obviously if you are sucked into the void you other draws are void. Have fun!

"Stay your hand Gultunga. This one will belong to no one I suspect."

The courageous (foolish) Knight steps forward and declares in a strong (stupid) voice.

"I will draw three."

      Gultunga still wrought with anger over the wenches act of contrariness,
grabs up the whole deck, and thows it at the mirror in an overt show of dis-
content over his companions acting without mutual consent . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

The first draw brings forth a card with a picture of a medusae on it. Nothing happens.

His second card has a picture of an eagle talon on it...his mail armor and valued longsword vanish.

His third draw has a image of the moon on it..this moon has a face it seems to be alive. It looks deep into Jean's eyes when he looks at it then it says..."I grant thee three wishes but be quick about it!"

Barmak does a double-take when the Frankish knight unexpectedly takes no less than three draws from the magical deck.  Part of him shares Gultunga's outrage at the sudden impulsiveness the deck seems to have inspired in their company.  Yet at the strange appearance of the mirror and the voice offering Jean three wishes, the Persian feels a sense of envy so strong it hurts.

If I had been bold enough to draw, I might have gained those three wishes, he thinks jealously.  I may yet, if only I reach out my hand and take a card, while I have the chance...

He looks at Gultunga with furrowed brow, obviously conflicted.

Jean is taken aback and then composes himself stepping in close to the eldritch moon face and speaking very quietly.

Quick back post.....
The deck of cards stay together as Gultunga hurls them at the mirror. They bounce back to their original location as if magnetically drawn with harm to neither they or the mirror.

 Jeans wishes...

1st, his sword and armor show back up as quickly as the vanished.

2nd, a wide belt appears around the Frankish knights waist. He feels stronger than he ever has before.

The card with the moon on it looks angry and impatient but is not going anywhere on it's own.

2 draws for Balthazar please.  And yes, we all know they will be horrible.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:14, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

Miroslav, normally wary of magic, sees the good results from both Dyanna and Jean and cannot resist.

Not to be outdone by the knight he says..."I will also draw three." The card has a key on it...
His own axe changes form slightly as it lay on the ground next to his feet. It looks much the same but plainer. Next to it appears a map case.

His second draw...a card depicting a knight. From near the gate a lone Rus warrior approaches. He quickly draws near and dismounts bowing his head to Miroslav..."I am Boris Gorislavich, sent by the Knyaz to assist you in any way possible.

He makes his last draw...a card with the sun on it like Dyanna's draw. A pair of metal gauntlets seem to come out of the card and place them selves in a form fitting manner on his hands.

He sits back on his heels and breaths deeply in relief.

Important!  Just in case Balthazar has to fight the death, he loads up on magic missiles beforehand and casts mirror image before he draws from the deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

Don't forget that Balthazar also can use his scimitar if need be....

The Hedonite's first draw...a card depicting a flame. A sense of dread falls over the mage but nothing happens.

His second draw...a comet on the card. Again nothing happens.

Balthazar relaxes somewhat, "It went pretty bad, but it could have been worse.  Much like Sir Jean, I have gained a powerful enemy, but as it can't enter our world without assistance, I have nothing to fear at the moment."

Now that he has survived, Balthazar wishes to maximize his xp intake.  If this means taking nothing but coin and leaving the magic to everyone else, that's just dandy.  Otherwise, the wand of negation looks groovy.

The deck sits taunting and tempting...who will be next?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:26, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

Since his idea for how to disperse the treasure was clearly not perceived as useful Loukas shrugs and steps forward so that he is not utterly left out of things, "Well, I shall avoid yon deck of cards, but wish you all the best of fortune with it. The items I would have have already been called and I do not wish to dispute with Jaleh or Sir Jean or Bahmak over them, so I shall take my share in gems and coin."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

"Actually Loukas I felt your suggestion was excellent. I merely felt a bit odd advocating for my own first choice and then became distracted by the deck."

"Your idea has merit."

With a glance at Gultunga Dyanna snorts in disgust.  Looking then to Sir Jean, a small smile of appreciation appears at the corner of her mouth.

"To the bold victor goes the spoils," she says to the Frankish knight.  "Both on the field of battle, and in games of chance."

She nears him and her smile beams - reality is that she is a very lovely woman.

"'Tis been a day of wonders," she continues.  "If you would, I would dine with thee this eve.  I think, perhaps, the conversation could prove enlightening, and I would learn your thoughts."

"Well, I suppose it's my turn then. Let's see what fate has mind for me." Giving A'kos a quick peck on the cheek, Jaleh hurries over to the deck while announcing, "I'm drawing three." She then reaches down to draw three cards.