Gaia smiles.  "I like the way you think, Carus.  I'll find something to go with the wine.  And we really should begin planning right away.  In the mean time, I'll ask the Queen of Heaven to guide our trip and pick an auspicious day to leave."

Gaia waves bye.  "Until this evening."

(I make sure everyone has the location of my loft above the family storehouse before we depart.)
"I shall await your surprise expectantly lady. Till then." as I sketch a bow and admire her graceful ease as she fades into the night...

I keep my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary...to Lucius and Quintus "All this talk of missions and minions has me rather excited. And to meet the Princeps in person, if only I could tell my family!" as I clap Quintus on the shoulder and grin broadly, striding confidently.

Quote from: skofflox;494621(I make sure everyone has the location of my loft above the family storehouse before we depart.)
"I shall await your surprise expectantly lady. Till then." as I sketch a bow and admire her graceful ease as she fades into the night...

I keep my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary...to Lucius and Quintus "All this talk of missions and minions has me rather excited. And to meet the Princeps in person, if only I could tell my family!" as I clap Quintus on the shoulder and grin broadly, striding confidently.

Make a Detect Roll.

2d10:1 & 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3296454/

Quote from: skofflox;4946352d10:1 & 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3296454/

You see:

Spoiler

Nothing out of the ordinary.

I will take a step back so you guys can plot, plan, interact, etc. Let me know when you are ready to make a move.

Nicephorus, by morning the slave will bring Gaia the details about Pomponius Mela's birth. You can use this to make a Divination roll when you are ready. It takes several hours for each attempt to put together an astrolgical chart, and each attempt can focus on only one of the following: the subject's past, the subject's future, or the subject's present situation.

Skofflox, the slave will bring Carus the letters by morning as well. I will post a handout in this thread for you today.

Quintus removes his helmet as he walks, and nods politely during the conversation, but otherwise remains quiet.


ooc: It is sometimes difficult for me to post each day on weekends, and this weekend has been particularly busy, but I should be able to keep up during the week.

Quote from: Sigmund;494702Quintus removes his helmet as he walks, and nods politely during the conversation, but otherwise remains quiet.


ooc: It is sometimes difficult for me to post each day on weekends, and this weekend has been particularly busy, but I should be able to keep up during the week.

No worries sigmund.

Skofflox, here are the letters from Pomponius Mela to Claudius:

Spoiler

Letter #1

Claudius,

I hope all is well in Rome and that the gods are keeping you and your family safe. There are rumors you are love struck old friend and that the object of your affection is an actress. Of all the women in the empire, you selected your's from the ranks of the infames. What an enigma you are to me and what a scandal this will cause. You must come visit me at once so I can purge you of this folly at the altar of Astarte. If this actress is any indication, the temple will suit your tastes perfectly.

Your Loyal Friend,

Pomponius Mela

Letter #2

Claudius,

I sincerely wish you were here. The Library of Tingis is stocked with interesting material by the Greeks. I've stumbled on some unusual claims. They may lead to nothing, but if true I could be the first to map the location of the Garden of Hesperides.

Your Friend Pomponius Mela

Letter #3

Claudius,

Tell your nephew I shall have a map worthy of his divinity—the greatest map ever rendered by mortal hands. The texts in the library were true. I've been to the garden and beheld the nymphs with my own eyes, even tasted the golden apples with my own tongue. While they failed to make me immortal, their meat was beyond description. And I learned something of great value from the Nymphs. Something I cannot put into writing, but information of another sacred site that will bring great joy to our dear Princeps.

Pomponius Mela

Letter #4

Claudius,

If this is the last you hear from me, then write me off as dead and do not come here to find me. What I said in my previous message was true and the knowledge may be my doom. I am certain I know where to find a most spectacular artifact, one of great significance to Poseidon. A strange cult pursues me. I believe they worship a golden bull but cannot be sure, as my sources on the subject have been vague and contradictory. Fear that this message will fall into their hands keeps me from revealing too much about the artifact's location. I have one last place to explore before I can confirm. Will contact you soon if all is well.

Mela, proud descendant of Sertorius

Quintus, upon arriving home, summons his slave, Theodorus, and sends the man to the homes of two Evocati that had served well and loyally in the past with orders to report to Quintus in the morning for a new assignment and an offer of possible further rewards to be discussed. He then removes his armor, spends some time cleaning and polishing it, and then dons his tunic and clavus angustus and straps on a pair of carbatina and then sharpens his gladius until Theo returns, at which time he orders the slave to put on his best tunic and prepare to leave for Carus' house.

Quote from: Sigmund;494914Quintus, upon arriving home, summons his slave, Theodorus, and sends the man to the homes of two Evocati that had served well and loyally in the past with orders to report to Quintus in the morning for a new assignment and an offer of possible further rewards to be discussed. He then removes his armor, spends some time cleaning and polishing it, and then dons his tunic and clavus angustus and straps on a pair of carbatina and then sharpens his gladius until Theo returns, at which time he orders the slave to put on his best tunic and prepare to leave for Carus' house.

Okay Sigmund. There are many Praetorian Evocati, but the two who stand out most are Gallus and Hostus.

EDIT: In some cases I will just be using a single name for characters so you guys aren't swamped in full roman names all the time. But let me know if you want to know someone's whole name. Whether I use their full name or a short name won't be a reflection of how significant they might be in the setting.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;495003Okay Sigmund. There are many Praetorian Evocati, but the two who stand out most are Gallus and Hostus.

EDIT: In some cases I will just be using a single name for characters so you guys aren't swamped in full roman names all the time. But let me know if you want to know someone's whole name. Whether I use their full name or a short name won't be a reflection of how significant they might be in the setting.

ooc: Okay

Those who go to Carus' house can feel free to interact. Or if you have something you want to do before morning let me know.

Going to start posts again Monday (to give everyone time to gather and prepare before you set out or anything like that).

During the day, Gaia, stops by the houses of a couple of her superiors who she can trust to be discrete.  she lets them know that she had a dream that she was in Africa protecting the land from a storm. She asks them about contacts and priests of Isis who live in the areas from Mauretainia to Cyrenaica and lets them know that she might be away from the City for a while.


Gaia arrives at Carus' house with a bottle of Greek wine and a basket of goat cheese, oysters, and green olives.  Out of curiousity, she looks at the goods in the warehouse as she is led in, checking to see what Carus deals in and how well he's doing.

(Assuming that no one else has arrived yet.)
She hands the basket to Carus.  "Here is something to keep our thoughts strong."

Once they are settled in and niceties are established: "For some things, we should wait until the others arrive.  However, I think we are better disposed to handle the travel details than they are.  I think the best cover to go with searching for olives to import is to pose as merchants.  And the best way to do that is to be actual merchants.  I know a guy who can get me a couple of cartloads of cloth for a reasonable price.  I'm sure you can find some other things to bring.  We can set aside a large wagon's space for goods that each of us want to take without looking too suspicious.  Do you know of a ship we can hire?"