Miroslav makes his entrance. He still does not look well but he looks infinitely better than the last time any of you saw him. He seems to be nagged by a persistent cough and his breathing is still not quite right.

He looks to those gathered and says..."I thank you for coming here today to discuss our future plans. It is clear that the company of the Heart of Oak is not safe here in Khorsun...what do we do about this?"

"Yes, Masha, I...we would be honored if you took care of her and the babe," A'kos replies.  "Thank you."

"I get the feeling, brother, that Khorsun itself has become a very interesting dot on the Emperor's map.  Seems calling the levies in to man the walls a prudent course of action, even though it will put pressure on your populace.  The other alternative is having the populace man the walls - you can offer this to them if they complain about raised taxes."

"I agree with A'kos, Miroslav. The Company is certainly of note to John, and I expect that he will not relent in his desire to revenge himself upon us after the serial defeats we have wreaked upon him. However, remember that all of this began with this city. To the extent that we keep his attention upon us we may distract him from Khosun, but the strategic significance of this place is certain.

"Two things come to my mind on this matter. The first is that should we depart upon some adventure he will 'follow' us or at least attempt to destroy us while we are on our quest -- that might be a good thing as it could relieve some of the pressure you are under here and give you time to strengthen your defenses. The second is that the minute we are away he will send his forces here in order to take advantage of your comparative weakness. After all, he knows that it was our band more than the city's army that defeated his last invasion.

"So, rather than wander off on some quest that will take us away from the Great Sea, why not focus on John? Why not pick some target that is important to John and his empire? Offense is the best defense, no?"

"To Loukas's point, what target seems most likely to draw his attention away?" said A'kos.  "What point is of strategic military, economic or political significance to him that he would discard his ambitions in this direction?"

OOC: Still waiting to hear what the latest ring of spell storing holds.

Dyanna purses her lips and pouts briefly.

"I must admit I had my heart set on visiting the great library once again. I understand what you are saying though and i agree. What would divert attention away from Khorsun, the Persians! We are small fish compared to the Persians in John's eyes but i must admit that is Prince Sviatoslav mobilized a force and sent it south that he might view his northern neighbors as he does his eastern."

"You make a good point, Dyanna. It was John's efforts to diminish the relations between the Rus and Persians that began all of this, was it not? He feared the strengthening of the friendship between the Rus and the Persians... Perhaps we might offer our assistance to the Persians?"

Turning the Miroslav, "I think I must sound naive here, Voevoda. If the Persians were to begin threatening that would distract the Basilius and potentially relieve pressure on Khorsun not to mention we Rus. If the Persians and we acted together we might begin to whittle down the borders of Byzantium from North and South and this would make John's position ever more tenuous."

"Further, the likelihood is such war would carry on for generations to the south - undoubtedly John would see the Persians as the more dangerous enemy, allowing you and your liege to strengthen your position...perhaps for generations."

Miroslav sits rubbing his chin for a moment. He then looks up and says..."Perhaps a visit to the Persians is in order? But why would they help us? Is the idea or "Your enemy is my enemy" enough to make them take up our cause?"

"I do not know if it is a matter of asking them to help the Rus so much as it is offering to permit them to let the Company of the Heart of Oak help them. After all, the plot that brought together we of the Heart of Oak is the same that was aimed at their cartographer, was it not? If our efforts on their behalf help focus John's attention away from Khorsun and the Rus that is merely an incidental thing.", Loukas responds with a sly smile.

"I'm not much of a politician or tactician.  I also don't have a long attention span when it comes to unpleasant matters.  I'd love to go after the Grail now."

Balthazar's head starts unconsciously following passing ladies in the street as well as he says this.

A'kos glances at the Hedonite, and a small grin appears.

"I admire your singular focus," he said with a small chuckle.  "Perhaps both quests can be one and the same.  This Jesus was a Nazarean - what better place to search than the middle east...with a short stop in Byzantium to see what the political climate might be."

"Well, let's see about that."  Balthazar casts fly and invisibility and heads up into the sky, then uses his Hedonite find the path power to obtain the direction of the Holy Grail.  Did they have compasses back then?  If so, he'll take a reading.  Either way, he'll also carefully note the landmarks that designate the direction to be travelled in.

Note: the invisibility spell is just in case someone is lying in wait to assassinate.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:41, Wed 29 May 2013.

"I don't think a stop of any sort in Byzantium is wise. I mean, I suppose walking into the enemy's lair under his nose is daring, but whether or not it is worth the risk...", Loukas responds to A'kos. Otherwise he awaits the Hedonite's investigation.

"Has the Caliph ( I think that is right) ever been made aware of the original plot that you all were caught up in? It involved the murder of one of his officials yes? Would it not be wise to give the whole account to him?"

His head spinning, Thorn stands silently, waiting to see how the various threads spin out.

While I have a few minutes to kill, let's also see what the next page in the Book of Infinite Spells is.  Balthazar turns the page and ...

10:02, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 33 using 1d100. type of spell.

Cleric spell.  Let's see what level:

10:02, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 10 using 1d10. spell level.

That means roll a d6 instead.

10:03, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 4 using 1d6. spell level.

One random 4th level cleric spell coming up.  16 of them in UA.

10:04, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 13 using 1d16. 4th level cleric spell.

A 13 is ...


Spell Immunity

Miroslav rubs his chin for a minute with a scarred hand before speaking..."I agree, a trip to Byzantium would not be safe but a trip to see the Persian Emperor? That is another idea. He looks in the sky towards where Balthazar had flown and says...<Royalred>"We will see what our Hedonite friend discovers before deciding anything."</Royalred>

Balthazar floats back down and speaks invisibly, "This Grail is hidden magically I believe - which also implies it is likely heavily guarded.  I will definitely need all of you to help on such a quest.  I got the vague impression that it lies to the northeast, but how far I do not know."

DM: Before we depart, we need (a) ring of spell storing info (b) xp (c) master points.

Loukas rubs his chin and looks back to Miroslav when Balthazar reports his findings, "'Northeast'? That's not quite the exact opposite direction of Persia, but it's awfully close to being so."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:47, Thu 06 June 2013.

"Persia...by way of Moscow," grins A'kos.

"I can take another reading in a week.  If we travel somewhere far enough and we have a good enough world map, we can triangulate its coordinates."

OOC: Been watching too much Star Trek.

Miroslav looks lost in thought for a moment. He then looks up and says..."Dyanna and I will take a journey via the mirror to visit the Emperor of Persia and lay out the facts. This may take some time and I don't dare leave Khorsun headless, so Dyanna must stay here with her mirror to provided access to quick travel. The rest of you may follow the trail set out by Balthazar. I suggest you leave at the break of dawn tomorrow.

"Will work up the info for xp, mast points etc tomorrow AM.

Dyanna looks down with a sad expression but then looks tot he others and says..."I will be able to open a portal to get you further on your first leg of the journey."

She then looks at Miroslav and nods her head in understanding.

Loukas accepts Miroslav's decision with a nod, "As you will. Fare thee well, Captain, and be careful. We'll look forward to seeing you soon."

That this will be their first journey without Miroslav is not lost on him. It is a rather sad moment but he does his best not to let the emotion show.