Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
The figure removes its cloak and hood and narrows its eyes at you. The man appears to be early twenties and an immigrant, someone who hails from Hungary perhaps.
He comes close to your ear and whispers,"Maybe I was mistaken, maybe you are simply mindless. If you are not, it may be worth your while to speak with me before this ordeal is over. Perhaps I can even get you out alive".
Not waiting for a response he heads out the door and down the hallway.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Andrew, you absorb the strike directed at you though your own attack is off base.
The Thus is quick and good with a dagger, he lands again in the same spot.
"You are slow and clumsy, eventually my strikes will bleed you out!" the Thug taunts.
The other Thug retrieves his dagger once more.
Andrew, you are up!
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michele Querini & Finn Garrety
Michele before you can even make a weak retort the door opens and Hans, Michael Santo's dead employee enters the room.
He begins chuckling, "So, this is what you wanted me to see Vykos? Tell me Michele Querini, what possessed you to come here?"
"He seeks Sadir here", responds Vykos.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Vitaliano da Riva
As you crack the door of your bedroom you see the man quickly closing your own front door.
"Doctor, hide me, they are going to kill me if you do not hide me!"
|
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
Hearing that last phrase causes him to stop. "Wait. What do you mean?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
Alyssa looks horrified at the description, "The Giovanni shall pay for this evil my Love".
She comes to you and locks you in a tight embrace, despite the coolness of her body you feel some genuine warmth come from her intentions.
"I do not know this von Achern. I assume him to be one of Jurgen's vassals. Was he helpful in getting you and the other mortals out alive? Perhaps we should seek the out and get to the bottom of why they were out on the water to begin with... Wait, was this Sir Martin alive or dead when von Achern administered vitae to him?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
The man does not slow down his stride when you ask him to stop.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Giovanni Dal'este
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
The spirit replies, "The Giovanni forced us from our eternal rest with their dark magics. We were used to spy on their enemies. In some instances we could enter areas, in other instances we could not due to some dark force or because a section of the Necropolis is just too dangerous. We would seek release from servitude that we may move on to what awaits us".
Lord Benne's eyes light up at the spirits description of the purpose it serves. "So the Giovanni may well know a great many things about Venice which Narses does not even realize they know. This is a powerful tool in our arsenal Lorenzo, should we care to use it..."
Vitaliano was pushed aside and his own door closed by a stranger. He was outraged by the intruder barging in like this.
His hands went for the cloth and he attempted to put it up around the man's mouth and nose. "Shh...shh...you'll attract attention with all your yelling, breath deep and I will hide you once you've calmed down"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michael Santo
You take Anya and she lets you have your way with her. As the night wears on, you hear nothing but her own heavy breathing in your ear as you enter into different acts of the flesh with her.
Hans does not return.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Vitaliano da Riva
You hear nothing but the stranger who entered your house slump to the floor, passed out from the chemicals he has ingested.
As you inspect the door, your lock is broken and will require a fixing. You recognize the man as a local man with serious gambling problems.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Cristiano Lintini
Niccolo turns to his two companions, "Is this something we should consider Simon?"
The figure he addresses stands up and stares at you.
"What is your name friend? You offer to barter but how can I trust a man with no name?"
Vitaliano looked down at the man, he had no real love of him. A fool who gambles away his money and never could really afford his care. He saw a bit of an opportunity in the situation and he drug the body back into one of the patient rooms before going back out front and opening the door.
He looked around to see if there was anyone there making a racket or looking for someone.
If he sees them, he would motion to the thugs to come closer.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Vitaliano da Riva
Vitaliano as you open the door you see a melee in the alleyway which leads to your humble abode!
The night is dark but street lights illuminate the blades of the combatants well enough for you to determine that there are three of them...
Alessandro cannot help but return the embrace. His heart breaking... How much will the death of those men weigh upon his soul and will he even have a soul left or just the memory of one?
Santa Trinità. That's where we will find him, them. Sir Martin was dying, I assume. I wasn't there, yet... Achern claims to be enemy of the Giovanni. Sir Baldemar may have been gored by one.
How much of you should I trust and take as genuine, how much will I always assume is artifice? Sophistry? It is only in the presence of genuineness that I can reach my potential. And why... why did she call you Great-Grandmother?
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Bassanio Strozzi
Waking to the sound of a rap on his door and the familiar voice requesting entry Bassanio pulls the covers off himself and rubs his eyes as he sits up in bed replying, "Yes, come in Etio. What is the matter, it is unlike you to disturb me when I sleep, unless morning has come and you attempt to rouse me to work at some unholy hour. You know I only awake at noon!" By the tone of his voice Etio can tell his master is groggy but he is not upset at being woken.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Are you so sure is yer faith then in yer ability tah kill? Mah faith is in God!"
Soak
Andrew spends 1 blood to heal himself, and 2 points to boost his attack....
And attacks with his sword...
Damage
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Vitaliano sees the brawl going about out on his very doorstep it seems. He closes the door just enough that he can watch the fight from where he is silently.
He is a man of science, a common man's brawl in the street is not his place. But it doesn't hurt to help patch up the winner once they are done and see what business they had in his neighborhood.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
"The fool may well have embraced the Knight. Interesting, I wonder ow Lord Jurgen will handle that. Tonight we may wish to stay here and not go there, the situation could be volatile indeed, no doubt Lord Jurgen will seek us out based on what you know".
She pauses for a moment, "Certainly we must always live a life of deception. The wolf cannot strut openly near the sheep lest they run away Alessandro. My Love for you is as genuine an emotion as one of my kind can have. I have looked for love my entire existence and found it much more elusive than power. If you require genuineness you will find little of it in the Long Night Alessandro. In all walks of life you will find deception, we did not invent it, simply improved upon something man has practiced since he looked at another man and decided that he was superior".
She walks to the table and pours a glass of what appears to be wine and gulps it down.
"She called me that because that is what she is Alessandro. My Great Granddaughter. Do you not see the family resemblance?"
I do, I did see it. And this, all this is beautiful.
You are beautiful. He squeezes her hand.
How much does she know? What is her role in this?
Please, invite her back in... She shouldn't be out there. It's rude of me.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Baldemar steps forward, his face suffused with righteous anger, "Another devil spawn clad in the tabard of Teutonic knight. Is the order overcome with your foul kind?! How dare you enter this holy house and pretend at being a knight of God! Leave this house! Get out and hie thee back to the pit from which you did crawl up! Leave and take your infernal servants with you! You are not welcome here and should there be one righteous brother left in all the order, you will be barred from all our houses! Go!" The hausmeister's body shakes in the throes of his wrath at the presence of these demons in his house.
Xing and Andrew
Xing just smiles and continues the watch the fight. She is quite impressed with Andrews fighting abilities holding off two men.
Seeing that it is meant to be a friendly match, Gio smiles at the stranger and attacks only with the flat of his blade. The young man clearly enjoys dueling. "If you had simply told me you wanted to play I would have been happy to oblige on the other side of town."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
"Lord Benne, is the ability to replicate the Giovanni's work within our power? As you have said, this could be a very useful tool for us, but I believe these particular spirits should be given the rest they deserve...assuming of course they share all they have learned on behalf of the Giovanni." he says, turning back toward the spirit as he finishes speaking.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
She smiles at you and you see her fangs grown prominent in her mouth, "My Love. This is not a good night, tomorrow she should still be ready to receive your seed. She wants this more than anything as do I", she pauses.
"Though perhaps it is fitting, to create new life on a night where so much death has taken place".
She gently pulls her hand from yours, "You retrieve her. The decision must be yours".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
The Nobleman sighs, "This is going poorly indeed. There would be no Order without me Sir Baldemar, this may well be an inconvenient truth for you but it is truth nonetheless. I will ask you again Sir Baldemar and I will not ask a third time, why were you intent on boarding the Giovanni ship?"
Sir Martin sits down gasping, "I thirst..."
Sir Heinrich turns to the Nobleman, "Lord Jurgen, I should attend to Sir Martin".
The Nobleman, Lord Jurgen by name, turns to Sir Heinrich, "Take him then. We will discuss his fate and yours tomorrow evening". Heinrich looks downcast at the veiled threat but does not reply.
Sir Martin looks at you but with a glint in his eyes, a dark intent the likes of which you have never seen before, as Sir Heinrich leads him out of the room. You are now alone with Lord Jurgen.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Bassanio Strozzi
Etio enters the room and sits on a chair nearby your bed, "A missive came from the commoners partner. The man stays at the Way of Kings Inn perhaps the most exclusive and expensive place in the city. He is a man of great means Bassanio. This may be an opportunity to do more than just fund a pipeweed field".
Michele Querini & Finn Garrety
With a weak grin and looking at Hans, "just as good as any other place I suppose. Since he is not here and you gentlemen seem busy then I will be on my way. "
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
The Thugs dagger again nicks your side and you take 1 more lethal damage (that is 2 points of damage so far which gives you a -1 to Dice Pools) unless you successfully heal then you are still at 1 wound.
This time your swing comes perilously close to the Thugs head.
He and his comrade take a step backwards. They glance back and notice that their victim has fled. The Thugs turn back to you.
"I will send you to meet your God fool!"
Both Thugs come on again.
Thug 1 . Damage.
The one flanking you scores a direct hit, right into your neck!
Brian draws his weapon, "This has gone on long enough my dear. Lord Andrew is in need of assistance". He begins walking forward to the battle.
Andrew, you are up!
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Giovanni Dal'este
You score a hit on the mans left leg which could have been quite deadly were this not a friendly duel.
"Impressive", the Saracen murmurs.
Then in a blinding whirlwind of speed the man races around you striking you three times in rapid succession!
Dexterity+Melee.
Dexterity+Melee.
This time each strike nicks you just a bit on either the arm or the torso.
He skids to a stop.
"Again" and drives his blade forward.
Once again nicking your forearm.
What will happen to me?
Will I become a threat to my people? Family, friends, house staff and associates like the captain? There is so much to do... Will I be incapacitated or incoherent for some time?
Xing and Andrew and Vitaliano
Xing Shi smiles as Brian goes to engage in combat still holding back closer to the building where her "friend" is still.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Sir de Frisia recoils in revulsion bordering on fear from the evil glint in his once fellow monk. At Jurgen's words he draws back into the conversation. Looking into the creature's eyes, Baldemar spits his next words, [b]"You dare to claim credit for the Order? Pfah! What else would the serpent say? Damn you and your questions, devilspawn! You and the Giovanni, both agents of the Dark One. I owe you no allegiance and an under no compulsion to answer. Get thee gone from here!
So saying, the knight grabs up a crucifix and thrusts it out at the demon made flesh in an attempt to drive him away.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrews grasp of how and when to use the blood is new and like a novice he finds himself making mistakes and errors, though he has more chances to learn from his errors now.
Stamina + Survival
"Aye then send me!"
Soak
Attack
Damage
Gio shrugs off the hits and grimaces at the Saracen's speed. "You're amazing! My God, you're so fast!" He lunges back at the other man, again turning his blade to keep from inflicting real damage.
[dice=Soak check 1]3d10
[dice=Soak check 2]3d10
Bassanio sits up carefully considering the missive and the words of Etio. Good Etio who has always been loyal and never led him astray. "I agree with you Etio, your advice is as good as I ever, would I be a fool to refuse it. I shall go to the inn."
Standing up in bed and raising his voice he declares, "Etio, as God is my witness I shall find a way to turn us into the most important bankers in florence and with your good counsel I shall not go astray!" He hops off the bed giving the man a quick hug before scolding him in a friendly manner. "Now off you go Etio, I have a big day tomorrow, I must have my rest!" he proclaims before he disappears under his covers.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michael Santo
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Lord Benne nods, "Yes, I believe I can duplicate such servants. I would agree, we cannot know what horrors the Giovanni clan has visited upon these poor souls".
The spirits stir and once again a representative comes forth, this time an elderly man "We shall agree to this bargain. For each of us, we shall impart to you one secret that we have learned".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michele Querini & Finn Garrety
Hans grins, "Oh, I don't think so, you can tell me what you sought him out for, after all we are friends are we not?"
Vykos chimes in, "I certainly would like to meet with Sadir, we have a great deal to discuss. I am fine with keeping you safe here until we ca produce him..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
"You will be what you are now but with greater temporal strength. As you have seen already, those who were monsters as men remain so as our kin while those with honor can retain their honor. The road to do so is not easy I must warn you but you chose this path my Love, it was not thrust upon you.
Your father before you spurned my Sire's invitation.
As your blood quickens, you will by way of natural affinity, discover the selective taste which appeals to you. This could place your associates in danger to be sure.
This choice you have made is often a double edged sword.
No, you shall be incapacitated for a few hours at most and no longer".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Cristiano Lintini
"Cris, a pleasure to meet you. Were you aware that your name means to bear or to carry Christ in your heart? Tell me Cris, do you carry Christ in your heart?" You cannot tell if this is a test or if he is simply ignoring your question, hard to red the body language of a man with a cowl over his face.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Lord Jurgen walks over to you, his face directly in yours. With a soft reverence his kisses the cross in your hand then steps away.
"Much as you may wish it, God hath not Forsaken me Sir Baldemar. Tell me, if I am so like the Giovanni, why have I not slain you? Why have I not taken you as mine own? Much like man, there are those of us who seek to do good or ill in this world. You may have met the worst of the worst face to face.
It is a mark of distinction that you have met such a creature and lived to tell the tale much less that you have the faculties to speak so coherently so soon afterwards. Perhaps if I understood what happened I could do something about it.
If you do not wish to tell me why you boarded that ship, I shall not pry again.
I fear I cannot begone from here, I have business to conduct in this city and I have business with you as well.
If you will continue to be unreasonable sadly I will have to resort to crude methods to obtain your compliance. What will it be Sir Baldemar?"