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"Some of my fellow Cardinals would give their right arms, or the arms weight in gold for a statue like this." Lucius comments, although he doesn't seem entirely pleased by the information. "Let us return it to the surface and I will speak with one or two of them - if I let them make the first offer then I have done them a favour, and much can be done amongst the Sacred College with favours."
"So we go eat and rest and leave the statue at Padre's house then come back to kill more things?" Zagathoth asks in the lull after the explosion dissipates.
"That is a good idea, Zagathoth. It will be difficult to keep going while carrying all that weight. Also, we still need to treat the Ghoul Fever that those injured by the ghasts may have. That can be quite serious." Boga pauses, "It would be good to get some additional supplies for our next foray in the catacombs, too. It might be a few days before we can return."
"Some of my fellow Cardinals would give their right arms, or the arms weight in gold for a statue like this." Lucius comments, although he doesn't seem entirely pleased by the information. "Let us return it to the surface and I will speak with one or two of them - if I let them make the first offer then I have done them a favour, and much can be done amongst the Sacred College with favours."
Boga listens as Lucius speaks. "Sounds like a clever approach. We all play our role in God's plan, and if this statue can get us favors and allies in advancing God's will, then it will be for the best."
The adventurers return to the Basilica of Saint Peter, where they report all that they have discovered to the Holy Father.
At the Palazzo D’Borja, they rest and recover from their adventures in the Catacombs San Callisto.
Boga treats his allies who were injured by the ghasts for ghoul fever over the next few days.
Quinlan finds the Ogon fox soon after they return the Palazzo. "I noticed you use a spellbook for your magic. I thought it might be good if we spent some time sharing what we can before we go back into the catacombs." with a glint of excitement in his eye Quinlan holds up his own spell book.
When Boga is finished with treatments Quinlan comes to him as well. "I saw that you have quite the collection of scrolls. Would you mind if I took a look at them."
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Johann spends the next several days out and about in Rome, sleeping at the good Father's estate, but otherwise not wanting to be cooped up indoors. For some reason, he has been feeling extremely restless, even feral, recently. That sense that something inside him wants to break out is stronger than ever.
Wandering the shops, Johann comes across a small pearl that is said to return magical energies to the user. Remembering that Quinlan offered to cast mage armor on Johann, Johann buys it eagerly. He could use the magical protection. His hide armor, an old gift from that prick Rumpelstiltskin, was pleasant enough, but he had been wounded too much recently and an alternative was needed.
One day, on a visit to some of the Vatican's more talkative guards, Johann witnesses several of the monks in the courtyard exercising and sparring with each other. Their fluid motions, the way they grab and toss each other about, reminds him of some sort of dance. Johann is intrigued. In his mind's eye he pictures himself trying to copy their motions.
"A DANCE OF DEATH, EH, FRIENDS?" The monks look over at the strange bystander. Who is this loud guy?
It's past time that they know, Ogon thinks to himself as the party returns to the Palazzo D’Borja. When they have all settled down together in a common room, the Fox speaks. "My friends, I have a secret that I have not yet revealed to any of you. It is something I guard very closely, for if the servants of the great Enemy of our souls were to find it out, it would likely spell my doom." He looks around, trying to gauge his fellows' reactions. "I am not only the Ogon Fox--I am also someone else. But it will be best to show you. Please allow me a moment."
The Ogon Fox walks into a side room and closes the door.
A minute later, the door opens, and a human man walks back into the common room. The shape of his eyes clearly indicates non-European parentage, and his black hair is pulled back in a crisp ponytail. "I am Toshio Okumura."
"Do you care to talk, my son? My offer stands and the view of Rome from the upper balcony is most calming at this time of evening."
Arc sits with Sanguinelle unsheathed and in his lap, staring at his warped reflection on the blade. "Very well. I see you are intent on shouldering this burden of mine." He stands, puts his sword back on his belt, and motions for the Cardinal to follow.
Once on the balcony, he stands in quiet contemplation for a few more moments. "I find it difficult to believe it was but a few days ago we entered this city and found ourselves embroiled in a crusade to slay the evils beneath it," he muses aloud. After entertaining another lengthy silence, he begins to speak in earnest.
"Father, I have committed a grave injustice, and I fear the Adversary's hand has guided my own. Not long ago, I was simply a student of magic and a dutiful son; now, I am a murderer and a vagabond, forced to flee my home after taking the life of an innocent man. We had engaged in a duel, and I feared I might lose... then, faster than I could blink, I found myself resenting - hating - my opponent, believing him to be inferior to myself. Once I realized what I was feeling, he was already dead."
Arc pauses and struggles to center himself, the resurfacing memories visibly taking their toll on him. "I wish I could blame some sinister influence for my sin, but I know not how what that could be, nor how much of it is still my own fault to bear. I was reluctant to embark on this quest with you and the others for fear of my history repeating itself, but now, I know I must seek absolution by any means possible."
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A minute later, the door opens, and a human man walks back into the common room. The shape of his eyes clearly indicates non-European parentage, and his black hair is pulled back in a crisp ponytail. "I am Toshio Okumura."
Johann's jaw drops to the floor. When he recovers his wits, he blurts,"SEE! A TRICKSTER FOX! HE TRICKED US! MAYBE HE ISN'T EVIL BUT A FOX AND TRICKS GO HAND IN HAND!" Johann glances around the room smirking as if he proved something important to everyone.
Toshio looks at the bear of a man disapprovingly, as if to say, Have you no decency, man? but says nothing directly in response.
He looks at the group as a whole again. "I am kitsune, as the Ogon Fox told you already. Kitsune have always had two shapes--our natural form as well as the form of a human. But most kitsune have not been forced to divorce these two shapes into separate identities, as I have."
Quinlan can't help but burst into laughter at Johann's reaction to Toshio's appearance. "You sure showed us Johann. We will never doubt your judgment again." The tiefling fails to hide his own smirk.
”I don’t get it...” Zagathoth tells the composer, ”where did the Fox go?”
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"HE IS THE FOX, ZAG! IT IS A TRICKY TRICK. HE CAN SWITCH HIS APPEARANCE BACK AND FORTH. IT IS VERY TRICKY. THE TYPE OF THING A FOX WOULD DO."
Johann sits down in a huff and crosses his arms over his chest, looking indignant.
His frown turns a bit as he considers what is going on here, and Johann switches back to his human form, then into his humanoid-bear form, and back again, several times. He finally shrugs and laughs.
"HMMMM... WELL, MAYBE SWITCHING YOURSELF ABOUT ISN'T THAT UNUSUAL AFTER ALL."
”If he is just changing like when he goes from a foxman to a fox why did he go in the other room?” the orc asks.
"Because it is not enough to change my physical body alone, Zagathoth. I must change how I think, how I carry myself. So much more is different. The process requires more time than does the physical change alone."
Over his laughing fit Quinlan takes on a more serious expression. He scans Toshio for magic to see if there is a difference between him and the Ogon Fox. "If I might ask, what purpose does this double identity serve? I understand wanting to appear human but this is obviously more than just that."
”Oh,” Zagathoth answers, either satisfied or not interested enough to ask any more questions.
When presented with his share of the gold, the orc stares wide-eyed and speechless at the sack of coins until well past when it becomes awkward. ”What should I buy?” he eventually asks enthusiastically, ”I’ve never bought anything before... how much does a house like this cost?”
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When presented with his share of the gold, the orc stares wide-eyed and speechless at the sack of coins until well past when it becomes awkward. ”What should I buy?” he eventually asks enthusiastically, ”I’ve never bought anything before... how much does a house like this cost?”
"Far more than that, my friend." Lucius replies, although his lips curl into a smile as he says so. "There are smiths in Rome who work magic into their work and with that much gold you could purchase a suit of armor with considerable enchantments worked into it - you would be much safer from the claws of the undead that way."
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"Do you care to talk, my son? My offer stands and the view of Rome from the upper balcony is most calming at this time of evening."Arc sits with Sanguinelle unsheathed and in his lap, staring at his warped reflection on the blade. "Very well. I see you are intent on shouldering this burden of mine." He stands, puts his sword back on his belt, and motions for the Cardinal to follow.
Once on the balcony, he stands in quiet contemplation for a few more moments. "I find it difficult to believe it was but a few days ago we entered this city and found ourselves embroiled in a crusade to slay the evils beneath it," he muses aloud. After entertaining another lengthy silence, he begins to speak in earnest.
"Father, I have committed a grave injustice, and I fear the Adversary's hand has guided my own. Not long ago, I was simply a student of magic and a dutiful son; now, I am a murderer and a vagabond, forced to flee my home after taking the life of an innocent man. We had engaged in a duel, and I feared I might lose... then, faster than I could blink, I found myself resenting - hating - my opponent, believing him to be inferior to myself. Once I realized what I was feeling, he was already dead."
Arc pauses and struggles to center himself, the resurfacing memories visibly taking their toll on him. "I wish I could blame some sinister influence for my sin, but I know not how what that could be, nor how much of it is still my own fault to bear. I was reluctant to embark on this quest with you and the others for fear of my history repeating itself, but now, I know I must seek absolution by any means possible."
"Pride is one of humanities defining sins Monsieur." The Cardinal responds, in the french that Arc finds most natural. "To believe that your opponent is inferior to you is one of our great mechanisms, to support us and allow us to overcome our foes. None of us is without sin and no-one finds it easy to resist pride."
The Cardinal gestures widely, encompassing his palazzo and the view of Rome it affords. "I was a poor man, my father a tradesman in Valencia, who pushed me into the church. Now I am a Cardinal, a prince of the Church. I own a grand palazzo, great artists and bishops of huge dioceses kneel before me and kiss my ring. I have the ear of the Pope on matters concerning the safety of the Eternal City itself. Do you think it is easy for me to resist pride? We must struggle against sin every day and the Adversary is a foe of true cunning."
The Cardinal leans in to look Arc in the eye. "Let me reassure you though Monsieur. God has given me gift to see the evil in the souls of me, and I see none in you. You committed a sin out of pride and a young man lost his life. It is a tragedy but God has all of our fates in his hand. The Lord has a plan for the boy you killed and he has a plan for you. Your actions have led you here, to the Eternal City and possibly the greatest battle our church has fought in a century or more - for all that many will never know of it. His ways are mysterious, but it has led you here, to a place where you can do much good."
Lucius stands, and gestures to Arc to kneel before him. He places one hand on the man's head and bows his own for a moment. "In nomine patri, et filii, et spiritu sanctii. Te absolvo. In penance, you shall serve His Holiness the Pope in Rome until your conscience and your god deem your penance paid. Amen."
The Duke of Florence visits Rome on the 4th of January to deposit an obscene amount of gold florins in his papal bank. While he is in town, he decides that being entertained by the finest musicians in Rome at the moment would be a fine diversion and an opportunity to show his appreciation for the arts.
He arranges a contest between organists John Dunstable of England, and Toshio Okumura of Japan—the West versus the East. He offers as the prize a magical organetto of building, able to create buildings, tunnels, and other constructions with its wondrous music!
The contest will be held on the 7th of January, on the organ at the Basilica of Saint Peter! A feast will be thrown by the Duke of Florence, to which everyone in Rome is invited.
"If I might ask, what purpose does this double identity serve? I understand wanting to appear human but this is obviously more than just that."
"When my mother fled Japan with me as an infant, she (and I, as I grew older) did everything to hide that we were kitsune. She feared that stories about kitsune would spread more widely and more rapidly even than stories about foreigners from Japan, as we moved ever westward. She was terrified that those who executed my father also desired to destroy his family and might pursue us as far as we could run."
"In truth, I very much doubt that we were of any interest to those authorities, or at least not worth the expense of sending bounty hunters or assassins on a years-long pursuit. Still, growing up in this way, I seemed to form these separate identities quite naturally. And when I began to suspect corruption in the Church, it became quite useful to be able to live and work in the Church as a human day by day, while more actively pursuing the sources of corruption as a kitsune."
"And when I began to suspect corruption in the Church, it became quite useful to be able to live and work in the Church as a human day by day, while more actively pursuing the sources of corruption as a kitsune."
Toshio looks to Lucius. "I am sure you can appreciate the many possible benefits of this in a world of intrigue such as that which you have long navigated, Cardinal."
"Pride is one of humanities defining sins Monsieur." The Cardinal responds, in the french that Arc finds most natural. "To believe that your opponent is inferior to you is one of our great mechanisms, to support us and allow us to overcome our foes. None of us is..."Do you care to talk, my son? My offer stands and the view of Rome from the upper balcony is most calming at this time of evening."Arc sits with Sanguinelle unsheathed and in his lap, staring at his warped reflection on the blade. "Very well. I see you are intent on shouldering this burden of mine." He stands, puts his sword back on his belt, and motions for the Cardinal to follow.
Once on the balcony, he stands in quiet contemplation for a few more moments. "I find it difficult to believe it was but a few days ago we entered this city and found ourselves embroiled in a crusade to slay the evils beneath it," he muses aloud. After entertaining another lengthy silence, he begins to speak in earnest.
"Father, I have committed a grave injustice, and I fear the Adversary's hand has guided my own. Not long ago, I was simply a student of magic and a dutiful son; now, I am a murderer and a vagabond, forced to flee my home after taking the life of an innocent man. We had engaged in a duel, and I feared I might lose... then, faster than I could blink, I found myself resenting - hating - my opponent, believing him to be inferior to myself. Once I realized what I was feeling, he was already dead."
Arc pauses and struggles to center himself, the resurfacing memories visibly taking their toll on him. "I wish I could blame some sinister influence for my sin, but I know not how what that could be, nor how much of it is still my own fault to bear. I was reluctant to embark on this quest with you and the others for fear of my history repeating itself, but now, I know I must seek absolution by any means possible."
You heard the good cardinal, Monsieur le Rouge! We both have our part to play in God’s divine plan! My part was to die to satisfy your sense of superiority, so that you realized what you are worth! Now it is time to do your part! Your “conscience” will not stop pestering you until this is accomplished, understand, Perdu!?
Cardinal Lucius is obviously oblivious to the phantom haranguing Arc Perdu le Rogue...
The ghost hovers close to Arc’s face, staring at him with dead eyes. A graveworm crawls out of the gaping sword wound in his breast...
Did you know that you sent me to Hell, Arc!?... You killed me when I was in a state of deadly sin, and now my soul writhes in the flames of the Eternal Hellfire! I will burn for infinity because of you, Arc!
Zagathoth grins broadly at the Cardinal's invitation to take him shopping and he enthusiastically accompanies the priest.
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"THAT'S TERRIBLE AND WRONG, FOX! PURSUED JUST BECAUSE OF YOUR HERITAGE? ALWAYS FEARFUL OF HUNTERS OR MERCENARIES COMING AT YOU? EVIL MEN! YOU LET THEM COME, FOX, AND I WILL PROTECT YOU."
In true Johann fashion, he can't quite decide how he feels about the Fox, waffling between wanting to be his protector and accusing him of being, well, a Fox.
"And so my penance shall be paid," Arc replies. However, the ghost's sudden appearance sets him off balance, and his hand instinctively flies to the grip of his sword as his face blanches with fear. "My will was not my own, du Berry - I would never commit murder of my own accord! Why have you returned? What will alleviate your fury and set your soul at ease?!"
"And so my penance shall be paid," Arc replies. However, the ghost's sudden appearance sets him off balance, and his hand instinctively flies to the grip of his sword as his face blanches with fear. "My will was not my own, du Berry - I would never commit murder of my own accord! Why have you returned? What will alleviate your fury and set your soul at ease?!"
A Christian burial, and absolution for my sins said by a priest over my bones... Then, I believe God will forgive me and redeem my soul, and welcome me into His Kingdom... I was killed in a state of sin, having not made confession. See that I am saved from the torments of damnation, and our debt will be settled, Perdu!
Arc falters, having not considered such a simple and compassionate solution. "Monsieur du Berry, I pledge that it will be done. Your death was a consequence of my failures, and it is my sin to atone for, not yours. Your soul will be absolved, even if I should give up my life as I took yours."
With that, he turns to the Cardinal. "It appears I have one more task awaiting me at my home in Provence. I will need a trustworthy man of God to perform last rites for the man I killed."
Arc falters, having not considered such a simple and compassionate solution. "Monsieur du Berry, I pledge that it will be done. Your death was a consequence of my failures, and it is my sin to atone for, not yours. Your soul will be absolved, even if I should give up my life as I took yours."
With that, he turns to the Cardinal. "It appears I have one more task awaiting me at my home in Provence. I will need a trustworthy man of God to perform last rites for the man I killed."
Du Berry’s ghastly expression of angst is replaced by a smile of relieved gratitude at Arc’s vow.
Bon! I will hold you to this promise, Perdu! This is not the last you will see of me until you make good on your word!
The ghost vanishes.
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With that, he turns to the Cardinal. "It appears I have one more task awaiting me at my home in Provence. I will need a trustworthy man of God to perform last rites for the man I killed."
"Then when our duty is done I shall return with you to Provence and perform the ceremony myself, if you would wish it." Lucius replies, seemingly unphased by the conversation Arc has just had with thin air. "It is the right thing to do for a friend. And it has been a long time since I saw Avignon - it would be good to do so again."
The evening of Thursday January 4th passes into night, and a cold winter drizzle begins to fall on the Seven Hills of Rome...
The rain stops after midnight, and at dawn on Friday January 5th, the adventurers arise at the Palazzo D’Borja, dress, break their fast at the Cardinal’s generous and well appointed table, and begin to make plans for the next few days...
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"That is a danger I agree Johann." Lucius responds from the head of the table, "However there are other things we must consider. Firstly that the monsters have been under Rome for a long time and have not emerged yet - it appears to me that they will not, until the Feats of Saint Valentine when the Antichrist apparently plans to make his move. Secondly, if we are to support our friend Signor Okumura then we must ensure that he does not suffer injury before the Medici feast and his great performance. Besides..." The Cardinal's lined face cracks into a grin, "I believe that some shopping was in order."
Suiting actions to words Lucius leads Zag, and anyone else who wishes to come, across the Ponte St'Angelo and towards the old roman forum, before turning off into a warren of side streets near the Tiber. Zagathoth's imposing stature and Lucius' poise (although he is not wearing his cardinalate robes) part the crowds and they soon find themselves at a cramped shop, reeking noxious fumes and run by three surly dwarves and an even more surly looking human.
"Buongiorno Signori." Lucius greets them before embarking on a long conversation in rapid Italian. The dwarves hustle back and forth, bringing out nearly a dozen suits of armour, which Lucius rejects just as quickly until only two pieces are left, one chainmail of a beautiful silver colour and another, similar but much duller - which seems to have thin strands of something very similar to bone running through them.
Seemingly satisfied Lucius gestures to Zag to try the shirts. "This one is enchanted to guard you against all blows, my friend." He explains, "the other will offer less protection but is enhanced with the bones of a true martyr and so offers greater protection against the undead. Tell me, which do you like the feeling of most?"
Once Zagathoth's choices are made Lucius haggles a little more, eventually trading Zagathoth's old chain shirt and his own longsword, for the new armour, a substantial amount of coin and a well balanced sword, nearly four feet long at the blade and engraved down the spine of the blade with ornate latin.
Accepting the last item Lucius bows deeply to the human, who so far has remained silent throughout the sale. "Il tuo lavoro è un maestro superbo. Lo manterrò bene. Le benedizioni di Dio a voi." The man's face splits into a wide grin and he and the Cardinal embrace before Lucius turns to leave.
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Johann knows that the Cardinal is probably right, but even one more lost life is not worth an organ concerto, and there are also baby snatchers out there. Over the next several days, until the group goes back to the Catacombs, he sleeps during the day, and patrols the known entrances to the catacombs at night. A few hours here, a few hour there, his sharp eyes easily observing things by the moonlight and starlight that others would miss.
"What is a marter?" Zagathoth asks lifting up the peculiar chainshirt and stretching it across his unreasonably broad chest to see if it would fit at all.
When Zagathoth discovers what the bearman is doing he accompanies him on his security ventures.
Arc rejoins the group briefly after his talk with the Cardinal, only to part ways with them again in search of new equipment.
Boga accompanies the Cardinal and Zagathoth on the shopping trip. When they stop at the dwarves' shop, he continues on until he reaches a purveyor of items specialized in magic. He browses the shop, looking at various trinkets until the proprietor emerges from the back. "Good day, my Lady," he says and shakes the woman's hand. "I see you have quite the selection of rings and necklaces, but I am looking for something a little more functional. Perhaps you have a mace or rod that will enhance my supplications to our Father in Heaven?"
"Why certainly," she replies and leads Boga to a shelf with several rods on small stands. "This one, the Lord has blessed such that any gift he gives you lasts twice as long as usual. This one, here," she says picking up a rod with a heavy, linear head that is slightly longer than the others, "allows you to give blessings from a distance rather than touching the recipient."
"Stop! That is what I would like. It could be most useful. How much?" They discuss the options and settle on 3000 golden ducats. Boga, quite pleased with himself, leaves the store and returns to the shop where he left both Zagathoth and Lucius.
"Ahh. Look at what I found! Now I can provide additional blessings from the Lord at a distance. Also, I have learned a new prayer where I may share in your pain, thus reducing the burden you must bear in combat. I am quite pleased!"
"I would like to get some supplies for scribing scrolls. Would either of you have 200 to 250 ducats I may borrow to purchase such? I want to be ready for any circumstance and preparing these holy documents seems to be the best way."
"That is a danger I agree Johann." Lucius responds from the head of the table, "However there are other things we must consider. Firstly that the monsters have been under Rome for a long time and have not emerged yet - it appears to me that they will not, until the Feats of Saint Valentine when the Antichrist apparently plans to make his move. Secondly, if we are to support our friend Signor Okumura then we must ensure that he does not suffer injury before the Medici feast and his great performance. Besides..." The Cardinal's lined face cracks into a grin, "I believe that some shopping was in order."
Suiting actions to words Lucius leads Zag, and anyone else who wishes to come, across the Ponte St'Angelo and towards the old roman forum, before turning off into a warren of side streets near the Tiber. Zagathoth's imposing stature and Lucius' poise (although he is not wearing his cardinalate robes) part the crowds and they soon find themselves at a cramped shop, reeking noxious fumes and run by three surly dwarves and an even more surly looking human.
"Buongiorno Signori." Lucius greets them before embarking on a long conversation in rapid Italian. The dwarves hustle back and forth, bringing out nearly a dozen suits of armour, which Lucius rejects just as quickly until only two pieces are left, one chainmail of a beautiful silver colour and another, similar but much duller - which seems to have thin strands of something very similar to bone running through them.
Seemingly satisfied Lucius gestures to Zag to try the shirts. "This one is enchanted to guard you against all blows, my friend." He explains, "the other will offer less protection but is enhanced with the bones of a true martyr and so offers greater protection against the undead. Tell me, which do you like the feeling of most?"
Once Zagathoth's choices are made Lucius haggles a little more, eventually trading Zagathoth's old chain shirt and his own longsword, for the new armour, a substantial amount...
Cardinal Lucius’ diplomacy reduces the base cost of the armor and sword by 10%.
Johann knows that the Cardinal is probably right, but even one more lost life is not worth an organ concerto, and there are also baby snatchers out there. Over the next several days, until the group goes back to the Catacombs, he sleeps during the day, and patrols the known entrances to the catacombs at night. A few hours here, a few hour there, his sharp eyes easily observing things by the moonlight and starlight that others would miss.
[dice=perception]d20+10
Johann’s intentions to remain vigilant are hindered by the many fascinating distractions the outlying districts of Rome have to offer: acrobats and jugglers performing in the streets for silver florins, musicians plying their trade for the same, and food vendors selling delicious-smelling fare from carts... He fails to notice the coming and going of a few dark-robed figures entering or leaving Catacombs entrances...
"What is a marter?" Zagathoth asks lifting up the peculiar chainshirt and stretching it across his unreasonably broad chest to see if it would fit at all.
When Zagathoth discovers what the bearman is doing he accompanies him on his security ventures.
[dice=perception (darkvision)]1d20+8
Zagathoth is equally distracted by Rome’s many wonders...
Arc rejoins the group briefly after his talk with the Cardinal, only to part ways with them again in search of new equipment.
As Arc shops, he occasionally spots the Ghost of Du Berry staring at him from near a rack of cloaks or a wooden dummy wearing a master smith’s armor at a forge shop... When Arc goes to the ghost, it vanishes, but he finds just what he is looking for...