Not a lot too do, with Dr. Benne wanting my to convince Sergei that it was not a vampire, I'm not going to press anything to see the new body. That being said, until something else comes up, I will return home and continue my research.
Michael you shake hands with the Councilor and agree to a meeting time then step into your Gondola and push off for your next destination. Rain begins to fall lightly making the trip a bit miserable but you finally arrive at your destination.
Just as you sit down to contemplate what to do with the rest of your day Dr. Cappelli there is a knock on your door.
"The door is locked, Michael. I will be right there." A few moments later, Lorenzo opens the door. "Good day, Signore Santo. What can I do for you today?"
Good idea! Make a one Charisma + Carouse roll for each hour you spend searching, difficulty 7, it will take 10 successes to figure out his name and get an idea of where to find him.
As the search for Pietro Giovanni continues the overcast sky begins to release drizzle. The drizzle is followed by a steady stream of rain. While Federico and Brice look miserable you and Donnach smile - now it feels like you are home!
"Good Day Dr. I just wanted to stop by and setup the funeral arrangements for Hans. I would like to give him his last rights for his family and see to it he gets a proper burial."
"That would seem to be a perfectly reasonable request, Signore Santo, but would that not be a more appropriate request to make of an undertaker? Please let me know with whom you have made arrangements, and I will be happy to have Hans's body delivered there...unless you prefer to take him with you now."
"perhaps that would make a great deal of sense. Yet I am unfamiliar with the process of death would you happen to know of an undertaker who would assist?
Please update your profile to reflect the XP spent by Katriana and Sergei.
After hours of beating the now rain soaked streets you finally have a name. Paolo Crenetti. His shifts vary from week to week. It seems he is not an actual man on the Doge's payroll but a mercenary who sometimes assists the guards and he is easily bought. Finding him on patrol is a matter of being out when he is out.
"Aye", Donnach grasps the flask and takes a swig smiling and laughing.
Finally after hours of searching Brice exclaims, "Found it!"
You and your companions step onto the slick cobblestones and head up a set of elegant stairs to a very well appointed building, it seems the undertaker business is quite good. Brice heads up with you to stand in the alcove as you knock on the front door and wait for an answer.
The most prominent undertakers you know of are the Giovanni's. Other people in the business Michael would need to find through a referral from local clergymen.
"The most prominent undertakers in the city are the Giovanni family. I can make arrangements to send Hans's body to them if you would like. If the Giovannis are not to your liking, I would suggest you seek out the local clergy. They would be able to refer you to someone different."
"if you recommend the business of Giovannis they I am content. I am all about building business relationships with most trusted sources and you''ve come highly recommended already so I trust your judgement. I would greatly appreciate you arranging it I will inform his next of kin. Good day doctor.
The rain still coming down hard you get back into your Gondola and head to Greetings. You see a few people scampering along the streets but very few other Gondolas out in service. Rain is bad for business.
Grimacing at the money you are losing you dock in front of Greetings and head to the Tavern. You see behind the bar Giuseppe one of Gunther's long time employees. He looks at you curiously and asks, "Are you with Mr. Kestral's party Mr. Santo?"
do I know Mr. Kestral? "No, I am not but can you tell me more about this affair that is going on. Parties like this is usually good for business and can he profitable for all who are involved Michael flips the employee a coin
Giuseppe accepts the coin and slips it in his pocket. "All I know is if you are not invited you can't drink here or stay here, invitation only. If you are looking for Signore Thesing he is home, you can go knock on his door". You have never heard of Mr. Kestral.
"is this a formal affair or just some people getting together? What time did it start ? I may try to sneak in if it's not a formal affair they if it's been going on a while I will try to sneak in. Under the pretense that I had no idea it was a formal affair and Giuseppe was helping a drunken patron and I just waltz in unaware.
"It started yesterday and will go on for weeks. That is all I know. Please if you need to know more information discuss it with Signore Thesing as I will have to ask you to leave now." There is no one else in the Tavern besides you and Giuseppe.
Gunther you hear a pounding on your front door. Both your wife and daughter are out of the house.
Ever since making that arrangement with Mr. Kestral, Gunther had planned on utilizing his 'extra free time' to his advantage... finishing up some projects around the house, spending time with his wife and daughter, and maybe even getting some much-needed rest.
The loud pounding on his front door would grant him none of those things.
Lorenzo you head out in the rain getting absolutely soaked in the process. Because teh rain is falling so hard the Gondaliers are simply not out, it is not worth them getting soaked when there will be very few fares available.
Cursing your ill luck you are forced to take the long way to arrive at the Giovanni mortuary.
As you hurry towards the alcove you see three figures already standing there. Two of the them are obviously foreigners based on their clothing, northmen you would wager as one is wearing a kilt and both have long hair which is not currently the trend in Venice. The third man is a young Venetian and there is something familiar about his face...
Donnach knocks on the door again getting impatient at the long wait. Andrew you turn to scan the streets and you see a man heading towards you wearing a heavy coat to protect himself from the rain.
Andrew and Lorenzo please describe yourselves to one another.
The man in front of you has a fine over-coat and a shirt he has obviously acquired in the city of Venice as the ruffles stand in sharp contrast to his kilt.
His right leg is deformed in such a way as implies an agregeous injury, a cane compensates for his current immobility.
He wears a ring on his right hand, a broad belt with a coinpurse.
He also has a dirk on his belt, and is drinking from a flask.
"Someone else either seeks shelter or hast business within."
The man approaching you is shrouded in a fine, dark, ankle-length coat with a hood pulled up over his head in a feeble attempt to keep some part of his body dry.
Arriving a the door of the mortuary, the man pulls down his hood to reveal a clean shaven man with dark hair and pale skin. Upon closer inspection of his clothing and bearing, it is easy to assume that the man comes from a wealthy family.
Looking at the man's face his grim demeanor is obvious.
As Lorenzo reaches the landing the door opens. Standing in the doorway is an elderly man easily in his late seventies he sways slightly and uses a cane to prop himself up.
"Good day gentlemen. What business do you seek here?"
"I am Lord Andrew ths Hardy, Lord of Moray, this is Donnach. We seek some title to lands near a small pipeweed farm on tha mainland, tha owner o that land informed us that tha family Giavonni has title to tha connected lands. I had hoped to acquire nuff tah expand tha farm to a business rather tha a hobby fer tha farmer."
"I hast a sample iffen yer inclined tah smoke."
"I know not tha business o this gentleman." Points at the newcomer.
Lorenzo thinks to himself, Definitely a Scotsman...I can not imagine there are many of his kind here, so this must the one who visited the warehouse last night...
"Good day, Signore. I am Dr. Lorenzo Cappelli. I have come to make funerary arrangements for a body that is currently left in my charge."
"A Doctor you say! I had been meanin tah look one up since mah own phsician is so far away, any chance yah thinks mah leg will heal intah more a human bent an less a dog?"
The man clears his throat. "Dr. Cappelli. Yes I have heard your name before you make make whatever funeral arrangements you want to with me. As for you Lord of Moray you will need to meet with someone else if you wish to procure land from the Giovanni family. Pietro is away for the day but will return in the evening. If you wish you may come inside and wait or return later. In either case please all of you come in this weather is dreadful today you may wait here until the storm breaks".
The old man steps back into the parlor which has plain looking plaster walls. Stepping beyond the parlor and through the double doors though the main entrance of the building has a very different look. Marble floors are polished spotless. Beautiful oil paintings adorn the walls all pictures of prominent men. The farther back in the hall you walk the older the paintings appear to be.
The entranceway has several small alcoves wherein these pictures rest. Next to each alcove is a set of three chairs and a desk, six alcoves with six pictures in total. It would appear that business is slow as no one else is here.
Through the north is a second set of double doors which are closed.
The old man sits at a desk near this door and looks at Lorenzo.
"Very well then. What is the name of the deceased and who will be responsible for his burial? Are you looking for a ceremony with a priest to oversee it or will a simple spot in the mortuary be sufficient?"
Lorenzo Cappelli ONLY:
Lorenzo it is likely that this is indeed the Scotsman you are looking for as the man who looked so familiar to you is Federico, one of your brothers employees. The young man looks quite nervous and has not looked towards you at all.
"Sadly, I know little about the man. The only name I have for him is Hans. As to the responsible party, that would be Michael Santo. I believe a spot in the mortuary would be sufficient, though the man's employer, Signore Santo would prefer that he is at least given last rites with Hans's family in attendance."
While waiting for the old man's response, Lorenzo turns in the direction of the man with Andrew, giving him a knowing dispationate look.
Turning again to Andrew, "Please forgive the imposition, but I was wonding if your man may be able to help me with something for a moment."
Michael shuffles into the house out of the depressing rain. "I stopped by the Inn to to get the usual only to be rejected. I see there was a party going on, anything of an interesting nature going on in there?
"We should like tah wait in tha chapel iffen yah has a public one in yer place."
"I am certain Donnach would be willin tah lend a hand, he has reported some boredom today and would welcome tha distraction, though he might require payment in ale o whiskey."
"Stand by the fire and warm yourself a moment. I will be right back."
Gunther heads into the other room for a moment and returns with a dry towel and a bottle, something he knows Michael will enjoy. He pours him a drink, hands it to him and places the towel aside.
"Here you are... your usual. Now, to answer your question my friend, the Inn and Tavern have been reserved for a private party for a couple of weeks. It is strictly a business arrangement, so unless something is missing, stolen, damaged, or destroyed beyond repair, there should be no need for concern."
Thinking a moment...
"Is there something I should be made aware of?"
Michael takes a drink to warm him up"No nothing to be alarmed about. Just interested in the clients which will will be partying. I will have my men stationed round the inn for those that would like to roam the city while they are jot partying. But I am always in the business of meeting people to venture into other profitable avenues. Just wanted to know anyone I should look out for."
"Thank you, kind sir." Lorenzo says to Andrew. "Come along then, this should not take too long." he says to Donnach.
Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:
Once outside and out of earshot of Andrew, Lorenzo looks at the man and asks, "Well which is it, Federico or Donnach? I hear reports that your friend visited the warehouse last night and Dominic has confirmed that he has no Scotish clientele. What is your plot? Please do not try anything foolish, my whereabouts are currently well known and my brother has been alerted as well."