A'kos isn't sure he likes that deal - had he known Jaleh needed an upgrade he wouldn't have put it on the open market.

"Perhaps I'll ask you first, next time such a transaction is available," he says to her, slapping his hand against his head.

Dyanna stands with her hands on her hips listening to the dividing of the spoils.

'Hmm, it seems that we forgot someone here! Might i suggest that as good of a companion that Oleg is, that we give the scimitar to Barmak, who actually might find it more suitable, and give the wand to me since I am lacking that spell? Though Barmak might already have a more serviceable weapon."

"Thank you Balthazar."

Jaleh looked at A'kos curiously, "Why, do you have an old magical suit lying around?"

"No, sweetling, I had a nice, new, serviceable suit for you, which I just gave to that scoundrel Balthazar," he replies, glaring at the offending mage with his fiercest frown.

"Ha ha ha, you ungrateful cur, " Balthazar laughs, "But seriously, I don't think it matters very much; neither Jaleh nor I expect to get engaged in melee as part of our modus operandi."

Cuivi takes the iron flask in his hands. A look of dread passes over his face as he holds the item. He quickly shoves it deep into his pack under his other belongings.
"I will pray over this today, please excuse me."

That said, Cuivi takes his pack and goes to sit under a nearby tree where he produces the flask and sets it before him on the ground.

Cuivi returns from his prayer, his face ashen and a look of despair across it.

"This is indeed a powerful and fearsome artifact. It contains a foreign demon inside of it that needs to kill if released. Other things may also happen if the demon is released. It seems that the demon is controlled by the owner of this flask, but who would use a demon? Surely not I." He tosses the flask to the ground and walks away from it.

Miroslav bends down and picks up the iron flask from the dusty ground..."I will carry this for now then. Once we get back we can decide what to do with it...unless one of you others have an interest in carrying it?"

"Only someone who has the ability to cast protection from evil should dare hold this.  Since Cuivi has tossed it aside, I'll carry it." Balthazar takes it from Miroslav and tucks it away for safe keeping.  "Besides, I'm sure we'll be able to find something for this demon to kill eventually."

Loukas watched Cuivi's reaction and the exchange that followed with curiosity. It seemed oddly irresponsible for the good Father to toss aside an item of such power regardless of its taint. Balthazar is correct, that whomever bears this ought to have proper protections...

With a wry smile and bow, "Have I told you recently Balthazar how much I respect you and find not only your power impressive and intelligence penetrating, but your very way of being continually reminds me that you are the very perimeter of ideal manhood?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Wed 21 Sept 2011.

"Though if you stick yon nose any further up his backside you will call into question that very manhood," quips A'kos.

"But it is a very manly backside." Jaleh comments.

Cuivi shakes his head.
"Be wary Balthazar, even a wizard as powerful as you may not have enough power to withstand the evil that lies within that flask. I should have ran off with it and dumped it in the ocean!"

Balthazar falls down laughing so hard.

Loukas laughs, but becomes serious, "You are right, Cuivi, but Balthazar has shown wisdom in dealing with such things in the past. Perhaps when we return we might consider whether or not the Flask ought to be locked up and warded where one with insufficient power or with evil intentions may not get it?"

"Wise words Loukas. Let Balthazar have custody until we learn more about it's nature."

Miroslav looks over at the shore near the ship where Radvila is working on the godpost. "From the looks of things, Radvila should be done with his carving by morning. We can set the post and offer a sacrifice soon after. I suggest we eat a hearty meal and have some wine and rest the remainder of the day. Int he morning we start our quest anew."

In reply to Miroslav (msg #194):

Loukas nods, "Aye, Captain! I for one could use a rest -- my scalded body cries for wine and rest! And perhaps a song or two, eh?"

A'kos eats with the others, but asks Jaleh aside to spend some alone time talking quietly together.

Jaleh went over to sit beside A'kos and talk.


Hesitantly Jaleh took what A'kos offered her.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

Balthazar stands up and makes a grand gesture.  "Well, " he proclaims, " if we're going to eat and drink and be merry, we might as well do it the magical way.  Folks, I've been holding out on you all a bit.  Normally, my magical feasts are only for fellow Hedonites, but you have proved yourselves worthy companions beyond reproach, and I don't think the heads of my clan will find anything to gripe about in my treating you all."  He takes a dramatic pause, then with a sweep of his arms, he says, "I will now give you a True Feast of Hedonism!"

A magnificent table appears, laden with delectable fruits, beverages, meats, vegetables, desserts, and place settings for 8.  8 intricately carved chairs are positioned next to those 8 place settings, with plush cushions on the seats and backrests.  3 people also appear.  One is a dignified elderly gentlemen in a butler's uniform, the other two are slender maidens in serving uniforms.  Balthazar introduces the man, "This is Gerard.  He is the head of the serving crew, and if you need anything, just ask him for it."

Gerard bows low and says, "At your service."

Balthazar sits at the head of the table, "Alright, dig in everybody!  You need to feast for an hour for the magic to fully kick in.  It is through these feasts that Hedonites stay in perfect health, despite their sometimes impulsive and risky exploits.  After all, how can you enjoy the world if you're sick?"

Immediate Effects
Everyone is cured of all diseases.  Even the little minor nagging itches and rashes.  You all feel better than you've ever felt.
Everyone is healed for 5-8 hit points (from a nectar beverage on the table)

Effects that last for 12 hours
Immunity to poison
+1 to attacks and morale benefit as per bless spell
Immunity to fear, hopelessness, and panic

Interesting conjecture: despite all the drinks of alcoholic nature on the table, I don't believe anyone gets drunk, because I think that immunity to poison means that all contaminants in the bloodstream are eradicated.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:03, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

A'kos smiles and hands over the trinket.


He looks up then in wonder at the table provided by Balthazar.

"Come, little one, let us eat!"

Standing he holds out his hand to help her rise, then walks with her back to the table.  He holds out a seat for her, then sits beside her.  With one of his daggers he begins to feast...

Jaleh tried on the ring, seeing if it would fit any of her fingers. She then accepted A'kos' hand in standing and followed him over to the table, where again she accepted his aid in sitting. She to then began to eat.

Loukas does not squeal in joy at the feast and its presentation, but he exudes pleasure. Sometime into the actual eating he raises a glass, "You know, Balthazar, I think your Hedonites and my Velesians have much in common. I have pondered this for a while, but this wonderful meal confirms it. Perhaps when we return we might meet and see if there is not some sort of greater philosophical agreement that might not come out of this?"

Spotting the ring on Jaleh's finger, Loukas raises his glass again, "And to The Falcon and The Fox, may there be many baubles and infinite pleasures in your futures!"

 and while he has a better sense of the god's worship than I do we're sort of creating things as we go. Ultimately, Veles is some sort of combination of Mercury, Apollo, and Pluto with a little Loki thrown in. He is the god of earth and water to Pelun's lightning and fire -- hence the Druidism, I think. Anyway, I've been having fun sort of assembling a philosophy, not quite theology, to guide Loukas's actions. Not that I've actually put together in writing anything like what a follower of Veles's philosophy would be mind, you, but just trying to figure it out in my head as we play.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Sat 01 Oct 2011.

The feast produced by the Hedonite is indeed magnificent! All of the crew and party partake and everyone feels the better for it.

If the Amazon's have any reserve numbers that might be set upon you, they do not use it and the guards that have been set for the night see nothing suspicious.

In the morning Miroslav wakes early and heads to see how Radvila is coming along.

New thread...PHASIS. Continue posting here as long as you need to.

Barmak return and enjoys the feast.

PM