Completely spooked Michael but nods in agreement
"My family will not be harmed in the process wi'll they? And what of Anya will she be spared as well?
Michael approaches the monster and drinks of his blood
storyteller shadow
lies made by a poor liar :)
Gunther/Xing/Sergei prologue:
Gino swings his chair at Gunther’s sword looking to dislodge it from the large man’s grip. He grins stupidly at Xing Shi surprised to see her.
Dexterity + Melee DC 8 4d8 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 4) = 18
Dexterity + Athletics (to hold onto the sword)
Stamina (to soak 1 level of bashing damage)
"Good. Now rise my friend and let us wait for Anya to return. In the meantime tell me what is going on in the world".
Xing looks over to Gino and Marco not smiling at all.
In a broken Italian accent "If your balls are done showing themselves off to this crowd I'd suggest you leave NOW! Why does a woman have to save your lives two times now?!"
She grabs ahold of Gino's hand and tries to drag him out of there watching Marco and Gunther as she does so.
Lorenzo Cappelli and Andrew the Hardy Prologue
"If yer sayin Im leavin out details then yer right as tha evenin is a bit o a fog, even to myself. Like you say a bit too far intah mah cups, yet it begins tah sound like yah has something o great import there. Thas yer business."
"Mah interests err liquor, pipeweed an prayin tha Doge gets matters settled wit tha pope, so we ken get some help gettin tha English out o Scottland."
Shows Dr. Cappelli his new eel-skin pouch....
"Yer not helpin them English bastards, err yah?"
"I am glad tah make yer quaintance Dr. Cappelli, but I fear err friendships gonna get tested mighty early if we start supposin too much bout each other. Im not really no noble lord no diplomat, I em a warrior plain an simple, much o wha happens is beyond me, Id rather swing a sword tha travel an beg fer helps."
"Lets take a better measure o each other afore we get tah supposin too hard. Yah mention yer family tell me bout yer mum, yer dad, brothers an sisters. I got no grudge gainst you an yers an tah my knowledge yah got no grudge gainst me err mine."
Michael trays to sound as scholastic as possible
"Where should I begin in the Year of out Lord 1309 the city of Venice has fallen onto troubled times. The Doge currently have control of the city at the head is Pietro Granenigo and his councilmen who are supported but most noble families here in Venice. The trouble began about a year ago when Marquis Azzo VII died leaving his illigetament grandson Folco to he his heir. Folco's father Fasco appealed to Venice to see his son heir which they were all to thrilled to bring to rein. The brothers of Azzo believe they should be in favor and the Pope himself chose to favor the brothers over the son of a child who was never recognized. Military forces were called in to support Folio but the pope was not having none of that and threatened excommunication to those of the doge and those who support them. Violence has begun to break into the streets as communications have broken down. Guards surround the city young nobles have been assaulted. Heaven help us.
Lorenzo Cappelli and Andrew the Hardy Prologue
"Thank you Doctor, even at this late hour I may be forced into tha streets once more, my leg forces some degree o restlessness upon me. I have prayed ferverently fer you an yers, Dr. Cappelli an yes we should continue discourse."
Andrew looks like he himself will be leaving the Inn at some point this evening.
Marco Querini runs into the crowd with his guards looking oddly at Gino and the small woman with him.
Christopher’s men stand down.
Dandolo Muscle #2 stands over Dandolo Muscle #1 tying a pair tourniket around the man's mid-section attempting to stem the flow of blood.
Dandolo Muscle #3 sheathes his rapier raising his hands and calling out to the city watch as they approach.
Dandolo Muscle #4 – Glares at his foe and lowers his weapon while holding it at guard daring him to strike out again.
Dandolo Muscle #5 – "Run along before you are arrested fool, if I see you again I will finish what I started!"
Dandolo Muscle #6 – He holds his sword back seeing the guards fast approaching.
Marco’s men act.
Querini Muscle #4 – With the appearance of the guards he sheathes his sword and disappears into the crowd.
Querini Muscle #5 – Seeing his companions flee he does likewise not even looking back at his opponent.
Querini Muscle #6 – As quickly as the dagger appeared it disappears. Querini's man flees into the crowd as did his companions.
Gunther it is your action.
Once you get so far away that even the echoes of shouts cannot be heard Gino stops you.
"Saved my life twice what does that mean? Who are yyou? What do you want?"
She slaps Gino to calm him down once they are away from everyone.
"I told you i'm here to do business and I can't do business with your cousin if you go and get yourself killed can I? Who do you think saved your asses from that attack on the streets a few nights ago when you were outnumbered? My employer really wants to do business with your family."
She calms down a bit and then smiles.
"Is it such a bad thing that a woman can defend herself and the men she is after?"
She kisses him quickly before dragging him off again.
Despite his statement he lets you lead him along the streets to wherever your destination seems to be.
Michael begIns to pace back and forth pondering for a moment recalling the events transpired up until now .oO(*** ### ***)
"If you were to reveal yourself to the world at this time when tensions are high I believe one of these events may take place. Fear and panic would spread like wildfire. Just the mere mention of possibilities whispered among several of my colleagues alone caused emotions of fear, anger, disbelief and tensions among the group.this could cause for the Church and the Doge to unite and call forth witch hunts to purge the land of your kind. This has happened before as stories are told many perished under false claIms. 2nd scenario is the news wIll force the hand of the Church In turn will accelerate the excommunication for they have been all to patient with trying to resolve difference with a diplomatic solution but they still seek to control the city and bring forth there chosen to rule and after they solIdIfy there rule they too wIll seek wItch hunt so to speak but they on the other hand may not just stop In VenIce. There power extends far and beyond the cIty lImIts."
Michael thinks of possible solutions. .oO(*** ### ***)
"If you take out Azzo's two brothers then the church would think it's an attack by the Doge and the same if you take out Folco. If there was a side to choose Folco would be my choice due to the business that I run. My gondola services during the night is most profitable, the busIness is smuggling and that of a risque nature. I am quite sure the Church would frown of that, but the doge and city officials make up my best customers. If they take over it would be a lot easier to influence men who cave into cardinal pleasures of mankind. Money and power can be obtained from both parties taking over just need to be able to adapt. I spoke with a councIlman to try and gaIn favor and support of the doge to elevate my status here but how to Inflatrate the men of the cloth Is another matter altogether. Dont know how to manIpulate men who have no need of what I offer. Thats where my works end.
Gunther Thesing, Xing Shi, and Sergei Volkov Prologue:
Confused by all the chaos, Gunther rushes towards his daughter to stand before her, using himself as a shield to protect her.
Andrew the Hardy Prologue
Holding...drinking
waiting till the time to make the midnight meeting
Christopher kneels next to you, "Signore Thesing what are you doing here?"
You look about and see the Doge's men and strangely enough Sergei Volkov have finally pushed their way through the crowd towards your group.
"there are few that know Hans is dead if you assume his appearance it would be quite a shock to them and raise many questions if they see you running around in his image esecIally the Volkov twIns they have been trackIng vampIres across the lands. Since you state you have enemies how will I know it is you since you can assume many faces. I am unfamiliar with your kind and the magic that you play."
Gunther Thesing prologue:
Christopher kneels next to you, "Signore Thesing what are you doing here?"
Gunther looks downwards at his daughter's beloved Christopher.
"We shall discuss this later. Now is not the time."
"forgive my insolence, I am still ignorant to all of this and your Grand plan. Just this morning the idea of vampires existing was pure speculation nothing more than folklore. May take a minute to wrap my head around this all and absorb it all. You speak of plans and concepts beyond the mortal realm that I am familiar with. Its a lo I shall take my leave now and return at the same hour Good night."
Michael will go home entertain his children and with his new vigor will make love to his beautiful wife fully amped with the power of the blood coursing through him until she is laying worn the **bleep** out unable to utter a comprehensive sentence.
When done I will roam to the docks to see how business is going before retiring.
Christopher stands up and addresses the man in charge, "There was an altercation with a group who was attempting to accost me. My men and I defended ourselves, unfortunately I did not recognize the men. I am glad that you arrived when you did, one of my men requires medical attention. Will you accompany us to a local physician?"
The guard looks at him with a fierce glare, "No idea who did this eh? I do not believe you Signore but as a member of the Nobility I will not be able to force you to reveal what you know. Your transgressions and the transgressions of your men will be brought to the attention of the Great Council they will decide whether and how to punish you. What about ths man?" he asks pointing at you Gunther.
"He and his daughter were bystanders. I apologize for this Signore Thesing I and my family shall make reperations to you, I will come visit you tomorrow". With that, he and his injured men take their leave. You do see that one of the guardsmen has stayed behind and is talking to Sergei Volkov.
After some time speking with him his eyes light up, [b] "Ah it looks like it is time..."
As you turn to see what Sadir is referring to you feel a hand placed on your shoulder. Then you are surrounded in darkness though there are varying shades of light and dark. The scenes shift and just as suddenly you are back in the real world in the middle of the sea. Space shifts again as you fall towards shadows in the ocean. You are back in that place of darkness. For the first few shifts you wonder if you are dreaming you turn your head and see the face of the Captain above you, clutching your shirt from behind.
The darkness is not content to let its interlopers shift back and forth without some response. Each time you shift into the shadows shadowy figures clutch and grab at you. Their tendrils of darkness curlt about you, seeking to pry you away from his grip. You panic and swing wildly at them but your hands pass through them without effect.
Each time it seems they are going to steal you away you shift back into world and each time you plunge towards the darkness of the sea. The endless sea, if he drops you in here how can he see you? You have no idea where land is you would simply drown.
That concern then recedes quickly as you plunge into the shadowy realm again. Time after time this happens until finally you can no longer tell reailty from this hell that the Captain takes you into and pulls you out from. You believe after a time you see lights but whether it is light or the absence of darkness is not clear as your perception has become skewed.
Suddenly you are standing on solid ground. Across the lagoon is Venice. The Captain looks you in the eye judging if you have any sanity left.
Gunther Thesing prologue
Gunther drops the sword to his side and takes his daughter's hand in his. Eyes of anger and disappointment stare into those of shame, fear and remorse.
"Come along, Jordan. We are going home. You have some explaining to do."
The barkeep comes out form the back and looks alarmed, "Signore's do you require aid!" Aodhan and Luag wave him away.