Sorry, I skimmed the thread too quickly this morning to take in what your character said.  An interesting idea, but it seems that for Balthazar at least, nothing he is asking for is contested.

Balthazar wants: wand of negation, potion of speed, dagger +1.  If anybody has any interest in those, I missed it.

Jaleh draws he first card and it depicts a gem...suddenly mound of 50 valuable gems appear at her feet.

Her second draw...a carg with the picture of a wise old man. Nothing happens.

Her last draw...A card with a moon face on it that says to her..."You have two wishes, use then now or lose them!"

Barmak seemed about to respond to Loukas's statement when Jaleh drew her cards.  The sudden appearance of the gems at her feet stunned him into silence.  His mouth felt dry as he stared at them, wondering if they could possibly be real or were merely illusory.  When she, too, was told to make wishes, his mouth dropped open in amazement.

Madness, he thought.  These cards have made them all mad...but such riches...  With one draw I could return to my father with more wealth than the King.  His hands begin to tremble slightly as he feels the urge to reach for the deck, but again his eyes go back to Gultunga.

Or I could be obliterated.  This madness will consume me as well.

In reply to Dyanna. (msg #40):


Jean turns away from the moon-face and responds to Dyanna.

"Your invitation is unexpected as you have made no secret of your opinion of me. I will accept it however for if we are to travel together some effort must be made to understand one another."

"Of course there is much to do this day before the evening meal."


When Jaleh draws he says, "It seems fortune favors us all."

The moon card shouts out angrily at Jean who still holds it in his hand..."No wish can change the results of a draw! What is drawn is kept! Now choose before I vanish!!!"

When the card shouts at Sir Jean, Ro
2derychus, the Roman paladin leaps back and crosses himself. "I will have no part in this! Please give me my portion of the treasure in gold so that I may donate it to one of the city churches or orphanages."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

         Gultunga notices the intense desire in his friends sparkling orbs as
each card is drawn from the demons deck, and finds that he cannot allow his
tongue to remain silently still where Barmak tis concerned.  In a deep agitated
voice Gultunga voices his thoughts to Barmak . . .

         "Barmak doth naught let Gultunga still your hand for wot Gultunga hath
spoken.  It seems that our lives are naught worth the consideration of our fellow
sword companions whence the quest for power and greed are so readily at hand.  A
good number of our companions admire and praise those whom tempt the fates and
in so doing spurn the powers that be in their quest for the power they so seek
so fervently and without thought, no matter the risk to themselves or their
companions in the process.  Sword companions and sound mind be damned upon the
ship of fools that we now serve and give hand.  Gulungas advice my good friend,
draw wot ever cards thee so wish, for I fear that we are now marked for the
darkest of ends for what hath transpired here this day . . . to the great abyss
we shalt be hurled for our trespasses Gultunga fears!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

"Still your overworked tongue Gultunga. Your opinion is well known and your sidelong insults are becoming tiresome."

"Barmak I yet hold one wish. I will hold it a moment longer if you wish to draw and mayhap it can protect you from any foul result. But decide quickly the Moon card is growing impatient it seems and I would not waste it's power."

Barmak considers the Frankish knight's offer, his eyes coveting the cards.  Conflicting thoughts do battle within his mind.

Finally, he looks at Jean and says, "Your generosity is greater than I have come to expect from your people, Christian.  You are to be much praised, for it is as great as your courage.  But...if I am to win riches and increase my family name, I shall do so of my own efforts, and not by sorcery."  He smiles, feeling the tension leave his shoulders as a strange peace comes over him.  "I thank you, Sir Jean, but I shall abstain.  Make your final wish as you will."

A'kos looks on in some interest as Jaleh draws, his hand held loosely on the hilt of his sword should some fell fate befall her.  He steps forward as she pulls the cards from the deck, then back as she is given her reward.

"Fortune smiles broadly upon us all this day," he notes, though he makes no move toward the deck of enchanted cards.  "My folk have an old saying, 'Be careful what you wish for...'"

"I would relate the same to each of you."

With that he awaits the outcome of this test of will and luck.

        Whilst giving a rather obvious outward sigh of relief in response to
his sword companions public declaration over the matter of the ensorceled cards
that are so readily at hand, Gultunga slaps Barmaks back several times in
warm comradery.

        The Stridesman makes known his feelings on the matter to his faithful
and stout sword companion . . .

        "Thee r'e much wiser than most Barmak, n' Gultunga gives praise to the
gods that there is at least one amongst us that hath truely been blessed with
the wisdom needed to survive the many travails that life presents us with n'
prepares us for the next.  To sell ones soul to hath a more comfortable life in
the present tis foolhardy.  Gultunga n' Barmak hath truely passed one of lifes
many arduous trials, but Gultunga fears that there shalt be many more to come
n' the near future!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:12, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

As she watches the others scramble to pull their cards, Dyanna replies to Sir Jean.

"I hardly had formed an opinion one way or the other," she shrugged.  "Seems that you are one much respected by your peers, and you show the admirable quality of seeing all sides of each issue.  Forethought blended with decisive action...you are indeed a rare individual, and I would break bread with thee to learn more of your thoughts." 
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Thu 18 Mar 2010.

OOC: I was swimming in the pool at the Y just now, and I was thinking about what I would have done had Balthazar gotten wishes, so ...

Balthazar says, "Say, if anybody has any wishes left, it might be nice to learn the extent of the Emperor's involvement with Nicephorus' treachery, or any knowledge about Nicephorus' personal defenses or plans."

Loukas gives Balthazar a pitying look, "The Emperor's involvement in Nicephorus's plans? You mean if he was not intimately involved in the scheme we might take back all of the bad things we have said about him?"

Looking around at the others he continues, "If His Imperial Majesty is utterly ignorant of things, I'd still love the opportunity to stick a blade into him. As far as Nicephorus goes, it would be more useful to know his plans than his personal defenses. After all, he is just a functionary and if we killed him he would be replaced... And John would not have whomever it is doing anything different than Nicephorus has and is doing. Of course, this is just my opinion..."

As the others continue their card playing Dyanna pokes around the pile of finely crafted studded armor and finds a set closely matched to her size.

"This should suffice," she says, holding the cuirass up for all to see.  "Unless anyone has an objection?"

One eyebrow is raised in question.

If no one objects she stands off to the side and awaits the division of spoils, particularly the coins and jewels/gems.

Balthazar is operating under the assumption that the magic of armor won't function while he has a ring of protection, but if I'm mistaken then Balthazar would like a suit of magic studded leather too, but with 5 suits I think there are enough to go around.  If not, he's happy to let Dyanna have it.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Fri 19 Mar 2010.

Growing bored with the greed around him, A'kos shrugs.  Calling to Jaleh he says, "Don't do anything...permanent!"

With a grin for the dark skinned woman he turns and makes his way to the armorer in camp to ensure the fit on his new armor is properly set.

Dyanna says to Sir Jean, "I shall seek you out prior to the sun's setting."

To Balthazar she then asks, "Shall we study some more the relic?"

Jean speaks as he picks up the ruby periapt of wound closure.

"It seems we are in accord as to the division of spoils."

To Dyanna he says, "I will look forward to it."

And finally he turns to the Moon-faced card and speaks quietly once more.


With those things resolved he begins preparations to ride escort to the aquaduct.

Sir Jean and anyone around him feels the temp dip a few degrees and the wind pick up. Nothing else happens.

      Gultunga steps forward and addresses Sir Jean . . .

      Hold Sir Jean! Nothing hath been agreed upon, though ye say it, it doth
naught make it so!  Ye hath taken wontonly, without fairness, n' wi naught
any never mind to any O' those that hath naught chosen a thing as yet,
like yourself n' several others hath already done;  ye hath greedily taken thy
first pick O' magic treasure wonce ye n' several tuthers took cards from the
deck O' cards.  Let some O' us take our pick now before ye grab anything else;
wonce those that hath naught picked picked then take something else,  I hath
already laid claim to the periapt though it be naught in my hand.  Ye hath been
mighty unreasonable so far by thy actions, n' continue to do act thusly without
considering other!  Ye must think us to be so unimportant that our words be like
chaff in the wind.  Ye think yourself a noble man, yet ye act like it naught.
Allows tuthers to hath a pick, n' wait patiently till we r'e done for those that hath naught picked a thing yet like yourself n' several tuthers.  I hath already mentioned that I wish to lay claim to wot thee hath taken without any the one
elses consideration. (See message 16)  Show thy nobility, breeding, and fairness,
r'e be thought tutherwise amongst a good portion O' r'e crew . . . they doth naught already think it!  Nobility tis truely naught by birth, but demonstrated
by ones actions n' a chivalrous heart.  Give us proof that ye hath such a thing
beating in your chest or allow us all to think tutherwise!!  Put the periapt back . . . Sir.
      Obviously ye hath ignored wot hath been spoken before as to lay claim to it and take it so greedily . . .

See Message #16 of this thread for Gultungas claim on periapt . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Tue 23 Mar 2010.

Loukas turns to Gultanga, "We heard your claim, Northman, but Sir Jean's contribution were somewhat greater than even your own. Most of us lost some blood in the battle and some of us even had some larger involvement in matters leading up to our taking the walls here. Indeed, as much as I would like to have the gem myself, Sir Jean's actions merit it most."

Miroslav nods his head in agreement with Loukas..."Aye, Sir Jean saved the day with his clever treatment of the Efreeti. First choice of items should go to him."

Jean's eyes flashed as the Finn's insulting rant continued.

He laid his hand upon the hilt of Coffin Nail but restrained himself as Loukas and Miroslav spoke on his behalf.

"I have sought to take the advice of those who say that my temper is too quick but you, Gultunga, are testing me sorely."

The Knight very pointedly places the periapt inside his tunic.

"Are you satisfied with the word of these two?"

"I was thinking more of a mini-vacation from all this stress.  Do you think the captured city is safe for carousing yet?"