A'kos finishes reading the manual before him, closes the book, then his eyes, and considers the weapons lore he just learned.  His mind is aswirl with untapped potential, and he feels as if the hand of fate has guided him to a point where he can meet the challenges the party will face, and still have a small chance at survival...

"I am done reading," he says aloud to the others, a strange note of relief in the tone.

Standing, he strokes Jaleh's hair then makes his way to his saddle, laying down on the stone floor to catch some sleep.

Jaleh, who'd been busily practicing the exercises from the book she'd read, stopped when she felt A'kos stroke her hair. She then followed him over to the saddle and laid down to cuddle up next to him.

The time spent in the library goes by swiftly. Knowledge is absorbed and books are disintegrated. Each tome turns to dust once it is read. This absorbtion seems to please Apollonius.

Make changes on your sheets for reading the tomes if you have not already done so. I still have to do some work on the spell books...that will take a few more days unless I get inspired:)

At the final feast thrown by Apollonius on the eve of the party's planned departure Miroslav sits in his chair looking at the trappings of the great library..."I would never have guessed that the treasure that map lead to would have been the wisdom and knowledge gained rather than the material wealth of the library itself.

I will miss the tranquility of the library but we must return to our families and homes in Khorsun. We leave at first light tomorrow but first If I recall Apollonius has something to share with us."

The great Lich stands..."I have been pondering your questions regarding the Grail...You are not the first o have sought this. It was found years ago in the realm of the Fisher King but was soon lost once again. In my studies, I have found that perhaps the items was returned to the watch of the Fisher King in his castle Corbenic far to the west in the isles of the Britains.

Now from what I understand the Fisher King is a title ad not a single person...I am afrain I have no more information about this. Hopefully what I have offered will help in some way."

Though the days of study and song, as Loukas has come to think of them, he has given a good deal of thought to Balthazar's quest for The Holy Grail. He finds himself a bit ambivalent about it. While it would certainly be a venture worthy of great songs he wonders if finding this Christian artifact would help those who did not follow the Christós. Ultimately, his desire for more experiences that will further supplement the Chronicle of the Fellowship of the Heart of Oak that he has composed over the past few days mitigates the theological and dogmatic concerns that had risen in his mind. Though, when the topic came up after he could not help but feel some skepticism.

When Miroslav speaks and Apollonius offers his information, Loukas considers, "How long ago was the Grail last found and then lost, Master? It almost sounds as if the finding and losing of this cup is as natural as the daily rise and fall of the sun, which suggests that perhaps it is not supposed to be possessed by anyone."

This message was deleted by the player at 11:32, Mon 09 Jan 2012.

"I'd add further the latter quest takes us away from your initial stated goal of vengeance, Hedonite," adds A'kos.  "For my part holy relics offer little to interest me, else I would've spent more time w/ Sir Jean when he was still part of our company learning about his faith.  What I know I can respect, but my freedom I hold to and that is a church that is all encompassing...for me, vengeance has a certain, sweet flavor to it."

So, I've heard, do some poisons.

Dyanna looks lost in thought for a few moments then replies.

"I have no thirst for vengence but then again I don't share your history. A trip to the end of the world? I am not sure I am up for that either. To be honest, I could be content here in the library for the rest of my days."

She looks at the ancient lich and smiles.

"Many poisons do," Jaleh said in to Barmak's comment. "I've made a living off vegeance. People like their vengeance different ways. It's very profitable. It's nice visiting here, but sincerely, I think I would open my own throat if I had to stay here. I'm getting a little stir crazy as it is."

Apollonius returns Dyanna's smile and says..."You would be most welcome to do so!"

He then turns and and answers Loukas..."I cannot answer that queston since I have not had contact with the outside world for many a year. I can say that it was found and lost four and a half centuries ago...after that I cannot say. You may be correct though. It might be an item that is meant to be lst and found over and over again."

Miroslav scratches his beard..."A trip to the ends of the world? That stirs something in my chest but slightly less than the thought of vengeance. My vote would be to deal with that idea then we can discuss the ends of the earth."

Heinrich listens quietly, then asks, "Pardon my ignorance, but why are we seeking vengeance?"

Loukas turns to Heinrich with a cynical smile as he is pouring wine into his goblet, "Ah, yes. A good question for you to ask, my friend. Those of us who have been amongst this fellowship the longest, which is to say everyone but yourself, Cuivi, Dyanna, and a few of the crewmen, were brought together as agents of Byzantium serving the Emperor. As it turns out, however, the service that he sought from us was rather different than originally described. Which is to say that those of us who had been assembled by the Emperor's factotum were not told that they were to be sacrificial catspaws, whose mission was to be destroyed."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:00, Sat 21 Jan 2012.

"Loukas has the right of it. We were used as pawns by the emperor and his lap dog. Being sacrificed in a murderous political ploy has not set well with us."

Balthazar is perfectly happy to seek vengeance first, then go after the Grail, a quest of unknown duration after all.

I've been waiting to hear what spells are in the spellbooks before deciding whether Balthazar choses to read the Silver Libram or not.

"So, we return home and from there determine next move? I am ready! The tale of the Fellowship of the Heart of Oak will not write itself, my friends!"

"That sounds fine to me. I mean, I am just a little lost as to what we're doing at this point anyway." Jaleh commented.

"No worries, darlin'," replies A'kos, once again using his saddle as a backrest as he seeks to store the restful periods of life against future action.  "They're lost too...jus' doin' a better job o' fakin' it, though."

Heinrich nods, and says, "Yes I would be rather ....irritated... at being set up as well. Was it the emperor personally, or just his lackeys?"

In response to Heinrich, "It was one 'lackey' in particular, and the Emperor would know very well what this particular 'lackey' is up to. My former Emperor is not so disconnected from what is done in his name that he would not know. One does not make oneself Emperor and become such, after all."

Barmak, who has been wandering around in the library, reappears. He's carrying the sack as well as the book he was allotted. Thank you for your hospitality. Are we ready to depart?

The Heart of Oak leaves the docks of the ruined city with the rising of the sun. All good byes have been said and books collected. Miroslav has promised Apollonius that he would return in the future with a load of new tomes and such much to the ancient lich's delight.

The winds are favorable and the ship makes good time the first day out. Storms plague the rest of the voyage, nothing to serious but often the crew find themselves fighting against a headwind, still within two weeks the port city of Khorsun can be seen on the horizon.

As the ship approaches the city you can see all is not well.

SOrry about the delay...all this RPOL stuff was easier when I was unemployed:) TIme for a new thread...join me on the KHOSUN thread.

Not joking - I am not ready to move on until I know what is in the 7 spell books, and I was waiting on that to make my next free spell choice as well as deciding whether to read the Silver Libram now or wait.