If you guys are planning any skullduggery I would point out that I’ve got +18 to stealth and could be temporarily dissuaded from my plans for a relaxed evening. Still I think that the best option at this point is to see what the Doge has to say tomorrow.
Appleciders: My mistake, I thought Joseph had the travel journal.
ETA: I will still spend an evening with some wine unless someone wants to persuade me to try this spying operation.
An evening with a good book sounds like just the thing for me. I seem to have acquired just the thing.
Well, let’s roll Knowledge(Bad Roleplay) and assume Harald has noticed you fidgeting with locks and such, then :o
"Pssst. Pssst, um… Jackmo, right ? You seem the deft “scout” type said he with audible quotation marks, interested in watching over our future money ? A few of the lads and I, we have trust issues with the overly wealthy. Wouldn’t want Mr. Moneybags to give us the shaft and go on an urgent state junket overnight, right ?
The introduction to the book is written in a language you speak, as are the first few potion formulae. Nothing here is particularly revolutionary; these are potions Zachary knows well. However, there are marginal notes scribbled in a different hand that are quite insightful. You pick up a better understanding of an alchemical process that enables you to brew True Strikepotions.
“Hmmm. I’ll follow the doge for a little while, but I am loathe to draw his ire again. And frankly, I’m a bit weary after that fight. I doubt the doge will cheat us, as I believe he will have further use for us. Also, while he said we would be ‘properly rewarded’ he did not say what that reward would be. If I see him doing anything untoward I will find you at your lodgings.”
Giacomo will follow the Doge for a while, as said, using all the subtlty his natural stealth and elven cloak can provide. If he sees anything untoward, he will return to find the party. If nothing happens within, say an hour, he will return for his bath and wine. He’s not going to be breaking in anywhere, or confronting anyone on his lonesome, unless something really unexpected happens. He will make perception checks to see if he notices anyone noticing him following the doge, and if he feels this is the case he will nonchalantly wander off in a random direction and then head home.
Joseph makes no special effort to eavesdrop on the whispered plans of his new BFFs; anyway, he’s got enough experience with these types of nobles to know that the Doge is unlikely to snub the men who very publicly saved the lives of him and his son. He enjoys a pleasant evening of reading, bathing, and eating.
Shortly after the rest of the party leaves, Giacomo doubles back through an alleyway and settles into the shadows to watch the Doge. His hiding spot is impeccable, and only gets better as the dusk settles in. For the next half-hour he watches as brigades of soldiers with buckets of water and wetted sacks enter the building. Gradually smoke stops pouring from the doors and windows and the Doge and his son re-enter the building. Lamplight is visible in the library window.
Giacomo gets bored and starts to develop a leg cramp. Not seeing anything unusual he returns to his lodgings stopping to get some wine and a bite on the way on the way. He cleans himself off, considers finding a brothel, but is not in the mood. He remembers his promise to Joseph and calls on him, seeing if he is awake and still interested in splitting the bottle.
Although I could break in and try to overhear something, it just doesn’t seem like a good idea. It’s a lot of risk for little gain, my knowledge (fourth wall) skill tells me that the doge will want us for something and is unlikely to stiff us. If he does, we can take our revenge together. There wouldn’t be much I can do about it tonight.
If the fire is threatening to spread to neighbouring buildings ; as I understood was the case, then Harald will supplement his “generally standing around in case something fishy happens” policy with offering to help any forming bucket chain. This might be a toff neighbourhood (see what I did there ?) but plenty of little people would suffer were it to go up in smoke.
Other than that, having noticed nothing untoward happening for an hour or so, and seeing as though the rest of the party has fucked off in search of earthly pleasures, he will then opt to go look for some as well. The docks seem like a decent enough place to start looking for casual carnal delights at affordable prices ; but if possible I’d like to stop by some street doctor’s stall first for a little patching up (read : Heal check) to make the best of a restful night.
Joseph is lounging in a nicely appointed hotel room, going rather intently through a series of correspondences in a foreign tongue and taking notes in the margins, but seems happy enough to put it aside when Giacomo shows up to split the bottle and tell war stories.
The Doge’s men have put the fire out in short order, and don’t need any assistance. Harald goes by a shady healer and gets his wounds patched up a little.
Joseph and Giacomo spend the night chatting, but don’t come up with any new insights into the Doge’s machinations.
Taye investigates his book, but he can’t make heads or tails of the language.
The next morning, the group assemble one by one at the piazza outside the Duke’s front doors. Taye arrives early, but he doesn’t see a good way inside-- the Doge’s guard is vigilant at every entrance and at many windows. Taye even spots a couple of crossbowmen patrolling the roof. Zachary arrives next, with the Brute in tow, and Zachary and Giacomo come shortly thereafter. Harald, his face and shoulders swathed in bandages, strolls into the square with Solsken, completing the group. As the clock strikes nine, the elderly Elf who stood next to the Valentes yesterday opens a small side door, walks out, and beckons the group inside without speaking. You all follow, and he leads you up to the library, where the Doge sits and Marco stands stiffly next to him, leaning on the table to take weight off his injured leg. The uniformed solider who stood next to the Doge yesterday is sitting in the corner, poring over a table of maps. The Elf proceeds over to stand at the Doge’s left side as you all fan out in front of the Doge.
Marco Valente pushes a pair of books over to the side and speaks quietly. "After yesterday’s events, we’ve pulled in a few leads. Your capture of the mage who invaded this library was key, and we’ve gotten some information from him that may lead to his superiors. The city guard has already made a few arrests, but one suspect has fled. We have reason to believe that he’s on his way north to Milan seeking asylum. We need you to push northward and arrest this man. He’s a half-elf, about seventy years old (that’s an active middle age for such a man), quite wealthy and the scion of a cadet branch of the Marioni family. His first name is Umberto, and we believe he’s running with his wife, who is a human, somewhat younger, and a talented sorceress. You’ll be able to recognize him by his pale blond hair, his unusual height, and a long, thin scar running across his forehead from his left eyebrow up to his scalp. His wife, Maria, is only about forty, with jet black hair and a habit of wearing several fancy silver bracelets, rings, and a necklace with a blue stone. They were last seen running north out of the city, and we need you to catch and arrest them. You’ll be well compensated for this; these two are known troublemakers.
Marco gestures toward the silent Elf. “Alessio here has your compensation for yesterday’s work; you performed with a skill and decisiveness that has impressed us. Achilles, the captain of my guard, will lead you to the stables where we can loan you horses. Do you have any other questions?”
Achilles produces a heavy bag from a pocket and hands it to Joseph. It clinks and jangles, and the weight is quite satisfying.
Harald starts opening his mouth to incisively ask what possible jurisdiction either the Doge or our little band of mercenaries could have in Milan over what sounds like a powerful family ; question the ethics of kidnapping people and scaring their womenfolk without solid proof beyond the tortured word of some pansy in a dress and furthermore why he doesn’t send trusted family henchmen or oath-bound Genoan soldiers to do his scutwork ; but snaps it shut as the pouch comes into view. The mention of gift horses and further remuneration seals the deal. Free fortune, low effort ?! Yesplease.
Can Harald pronounce the word “ethics”?
Probably not :). But he still intuitively understands a rough “thass fucked up”/“worthy of blood being spilled” dichotomy. The provenance of the blood is purposefully left blank…
Joseph hefts the bag in his hand, then half-turns so that the rest of the group can see his expression, and raises one eyebrow inquisitively.
Speaking to Joseph
“Taye is willing to do this thing but I have questions.”
to the Doge
“What might we expect from the sorcerer? Anything specific you can tell us about her craft? Anything at all about magic?”
“Also, you will provide horses, what about other provisions and weaponry? Are there any contacts in Milan we can use?”
Will I have enough time to reconjiggle some spells for the wilds? [I really do hate D & D’s Vancian magic system…]
A job’s a job - and a Doge’s favour could come in mighty handy for a man looking to run a respectable patent-medicine business. I’ll have one each of bomber’s eye and true strike prepared, I can use my other two at a few minutes’ notice.
"She’s a master of illusion, misdirection, and trickery. You probably won’t have to worry about direct attacks from her, but rather being stabbed in the back or led astray.
I hope you’ll be able to apprehend them before they reach Milan; of course, my authority doesn’t reach that far. I’m willing to add a bonus to your pay if you can stop Marioni and his wife before they reach the safety of the city walls. In addition, I want you to catch Marioni because if my uniformed guards are observed doing it, it could have political ramifications for me."
Yes.
This smells a little like “work” and “responsibility” to Giacomo, but not overly so, and the adventure sounds entertaining. It could be a way he could prove himself to the brotherhood as well. So he is down.
He addresses Marco:
“My lord, will we be provided documents giving us the lawful authority to arrest these people in your name? Or would you prefer this operation handled more, how shall I say, independently?”