Loukas nods at Miroslav's words, "Yes. I agree. I was not 'laughing' at your suggestion that we obtain Excalibur or Balthazar's that we pursue the Holy Grail, A'kos. My concern is that I don't see how either the sword of the cup will help us against the Emperor. They will doubtless lead to great adventures, but we are no longer mere adventurers my friends.

"We have consistently foiled the schemes of one of the greatest powers on Earth and this latest embarrassment will make him look weak before his nobles and other states, like Persia, for example. John will have to focus some attention upon us sooner rather than later, so the matter is not simply one of keeping our adopted home safe, but of protecting ourselves from his next move.

"After all, what enabled us to defeat him this time? Magic. Not only Balthazar and Dyanna's, but the various magical devices you both have. Do you not think that he  will not be made aware of this? The next time we find ourselves confronted by him his forces, whatever or whomever they are, shall be prepared.

"Your suggestion of a horn, A'kos, seems to me to be potentially more useful. If you can describe it, perhaps we might better come up with more information about it whether we visit Apollonius as Dyanna suggests or not.

"Ultimately, however, it seems to me that we need to not only be prepared to defeat him in the next battle, but remove him entirely. I know that is a bold statement, but until he is removed from the scene we shall not have the freedom to pursue our own desires as Balthazar would like to be able to do. What's more, once we succeed, we need to make sure that whomever sits on the throne next has either no ill will towards us or is so busy that he can not pursue John's campaign against us. This would not only serve our needs, but those of the Knyaz as well."

"The Persians are then your key," replied A'kos with a shrug, shifting his attention to the strategy being suggested.  "If they are engaged with Byzantium, the Emporer will have to turn his attention in that direction."

He pauses, adds, "I say this not in terms of alliances, for such are weak things, and prone to misunderstandings and betrayals.  But if we can somehow trick either side into attacking the other, then, for a time at least, we can search out some 'useful' item to execute the overthrow of the throne."

"If this plan is not useful in and of itself, still it provides a framework for those of you with greater intellect to form a plan built around intrigue and illusion."

He sips his wine, his unusually sober eyes staring out at the rest of them.

"We don't need to stop armies and fleets - at least I hope not.  We just use Dyanna's mirror to enter his private chambers and take him out.  It might be easier to execute that plan with Excalibur and the Grail, but honestly we could probably do this now."

In reply to Balthazar the Hedonite (msg # 237):

Loukas nods appreciatively at A'kos's comments. "Good point. This also makes me realize that we are certainly able to pull much of this off we know little about these politics."

To Balthazar he responds, "We know the sword will make its bearer King of a distant land and cut a swath through his enemies. What does the Cup do?  It is a healing device of some sort, no?

"Do you know anything of the Emperor's magical resources? Knowing whom his Court Wizard is might give us some sense of his defenses. I mean, how likely is it that he knows what has happened here and that we used the Mirror to such great effect?"

"Agreed - let's find out everything we can about the Emperor and his inner circle.  Knowing the players involved will dictate our strategy.  If we are facing powerful magical opponents, we must consider the temptation to remove the ring from the cleric we captured in the fleet battle earlier.  It is a ring of spell turning; could be very useful.  On the other hand, the cleric himself seemed to be a pious man who happened to be working for the wrong side."

"Such is the fate of most who fall outside of the inner circle," remarked A'kos.  "Oft it seems that one must lose scruples in order to reach the highest levels of leadership.  If one must destroy one's comrades, what use of such ambition...no, the steppe for me.  But first Byzantium falls..."

A'kos takes a deep draught of his wine, and leans against Jaleh's shoulder.

"What are your thoughts, little temptress?"

Dyanna lets a pout flash across her lovely face and says,

"So no interest in visiting the library again? Ah well, in the future perhaps."

Her expression changes as it often does when talking about the mirror as she says enthusiastically,

"We most surely can attempt to scry the Emperor through the mirror. Surely his magical resources will be far above our own though. We must take care with this. This man in the inheritor of the glory of Rome, he will not be left unprotected."

"I've not much use for libraries," says A'kos, studying the Spartan with a keen glance and careful to keep his tone neutral.  "You might find the books there useful, however."

Jaleh gives A'Kos a sidelong glance and mutters "Little temptress, ha!" She yawns and stretches and says, "I feel less than spectacular today. I killed the Khan, don't make me do everything."

Miroslav laughs at Jaleh's humor then orders a cart to be rolled into the room. He stands before it and says..."Here lies the choice loot taken from the Pecheneg horde. Dobrynya had his men working on it all night. They have cataloged each piece.

There was gold as well, we have divided that up evening between all the troops, it does not add up to much on 75 gold coin each but at least it is good to be able to pay those who fight for their city."

On the cart lay armor, weapons and misc items of quality:

ring spell turning to Balthazar
brooch of shielding To Balthazar
cloak of protection +1 "to Dyanna
incense of meditation
periapt of proof against poison
tome of understanding to Loukas
potion of diminuation


splint mail +3
2 leather armor +2
shield +2
2 studded leather+2
studded +3 To Heinrich
mail +2
mail +3 To Ulfr
splint mail +1
scale mail +2


scimitar +2
24 arrows +2 To Heinrich
dagger +2
2 spear +2 1 to A'Kos
hammer +2 To Radvila
hammer of thunderbolts
dagger of venom To Heinrich
battle axe +2 To Ulfr
hand axe +2
long sword +3 frostbrand
sword +5 To Oleg
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Thu 01 Nov 2012.

Loukas also laughs at Jaleh's comment. The stuff in the cart is an impressive haul. "For my part I have no interest in the arms or armor. The other items, though..." A slight grin of avarice crosses his face, "This are very interesting. As we did at the Library I put my interests in order:

1. tome of understanding
2. ring spell turning
3. periapt of proof against poison
4. brooch of shielding
5. cloak of protection +1
6. potion of diminuation
7. incense of meditation

"I am happy to negotiate this process or have Miroslav moderate it as he did back then. We all have earned our share here and I would not have bad feelings come from this."

"I've armor enough...and though the swords are tempting, I am honor bound to wield Frost's Bite.  I have noted the two spears, however.  I would claim one, at least, for myself."

"As to the rest, something that may add to my defense in battle would be welcome.  Other than that, I've no interest in baubles and tomes."
He gives further consideration, turns and whispers something to Jaleh.


Looking up at the others he finishes, "Sell off the rest for a booty in gold and jewels - or maybe, Miro, you would favor some among your soldiers the arms and armor for deeds well done on the field of battle."

"Here's what I'm thinking.  If one of you has a free hand for a magical ring, I'd like to give you my ring of spell storing.  You'll be able to cast the spells stored in it, giving us another backup spellcaster in the party.  I can replenish the spells during downtime.  It has:

Ring of Spell Storing:
1st) magic missile, sleep
2nd) invisibility, stinking cloud
3rd) dispel magic"

OOC: So yeah, the ring turns anyone into a caster.  5 segment casting time across the board, will be cast at Balthazar's level.

"Then, I'd like to gear up to be ready to do battle with an opposing caster.  The best item in the loot to do that is the ring of spell turning.  The other is the brooch of shielding."

"The only other items I am interested in are the magic arrows, but you can see that even in that mass melee we just had, I didn't actually get around to using my bow."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Sun 21 Oct 2012.

Loukas listens to Balthazar's offer with interest, "What you say makes sense, my friend. I am happy to pass on the Ring of Spell Turning and the Broach. I have access to Druidic magic, so I would suggest somebody else should take the Ring of Spell Storing."

"I would think such a bauble would make you that much more powerful," noted A'kos.  "I will be too embroiled in hand to hand to recall such powers."

"Perhaps Dyanna, if not you, Loukas."

"Actually, I think giving Jaleh the ability to make herself invisible and put the guards to sleep through that ring might make her the best candidate.  Just pointing that out, but leaving it up to you all."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Mon 22 Oct 2012.

"I agree with Balthazar. Jaleh, this ring will give you even greater flexibility in future missions."

"Greater flexibility," murmurs A'kos.  "I approve of that message..."

Loukas laughs and rolls his eyes at A'kos, "Of course, you do."

Amused at his own witticism and basking in the pleasure of companionship A'kos is well content to allow others to plan.  He would lead when the moment called for it - for the nonce there was wine and a fine woman to enjoy.

Leaning back he kissed her lightly upon her shoulder, a proud smile adorning his face.

Heinrich looks over the captured items, a low whistle coming from his lips. <DarkGreen>"Quite a haul. They had a wide range of ...enhanced.. goods.  Some of the armor and hand weapons would be a vast improvement over what I am using now.  You all definitely move in interesting circles. <DarkGreen>

He leans back, trying to assimilate all the plans going on around him.

Miroslav, the new Regent of Khorsun, smiles and says..."We have danced this dance before my friends. And as before I will settle this."

He tosses one of the fine spears to A'kos and says..."May it serve you well."

To Loukas he hands the tome..."You are already wise beyond your years, at times, may this serve you well."

To the Hedonite he hands the broach and the ring that will turn a spell away. "Your plan is sound...these will help in the case of a magical foe, as I fear may be the case when dealing with the emperor."

He hands the finest set of studded leather armor (+3) and the quiver of arrows to Heinrich saying..."When you sail north with Oleg and Dobrynya, these will come in handy for sure, protect Lord Dobrynya and the Heart of Oak!"

To Ulfr he hands the finest set of mail (+3) and the Battle axe saying..."Like Heinrich, you're to sail north. I trust you to do your best."

He looks at the rest of the loot and say..."A few items have not been doled out yet...I will wait ti hear from some of the others and for some suggestions on how they best can be used before settling on the suggestion of selling them to the merchants of Khorsun."

Loukas grins as he excepts the tome, "I thank you, Regent. We of Veles will bless the negotiations over these goods as we do all such deals."

Leaning back he takes another sip of mead and wonders aloud, "I hope you're right about my wisdom, my Captain and Regent..

Dobrynya, who had been watching the events unfold stands and raises a hand saying..."I would like to introduce some of you to a man who has come to be a great friend over the past months you have all been gone from our city."

He lets his hand trail towards a man who stands in the distance..."This is Thorn. My plan was to take his to Novgorod with me but upon further thought I would feel better leaving him here. His advice has been invaluable. He is far far from home but let him bend your ear."

A'kos stows the spear, and watches the proceedings stoically.