Sokrates Salonikas - 1199

[Rule Hound]

Downtime 1 & 2
I would like to create an historical/intellectual component to the proceedings that will appeal to warriors of a more philosophical or poetic bent. I was thinking of a "hall of champions" or museum type of exhibit dedicated to great pagan heroes of our region's past, admiring their better qualities such as strength, valor, loyalty, etc. (i.e. the noble savage) while still paying homage to the ultimately civilizing effect of the church (so as not to offend the papal authorities) Hopefully this will please everyone without ruffling any feathers. We will have some dynamic dioramas of famous battles with appropriately outfitted mannequins, short explanatory plaques for those that can read, and wandering attendants to verbally explain for those that cannot. If possible, we will also stage some mock battles depicting these events as well, possibly as say the "halftime show" in the tournament or during other such appropriate breaks. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be my Dark Assistant skull, whom I shall prepare beforehand with some rousing, dramatic accounts of these pivotal historic events. Then I shall mount him as a supposed relic, the skull of some grand pagan hero who can than recite back to me accounts of "his" grand exploits on command when I visit the exhibit.

Things I will use to create this exhibit:

Leadership 1 (to rally workmen?)
Linguistics 1 (Latin, Greek) to write the explanatory material
Lore (Pagan) 2 to know appropriate tales and legends to depict
Scrounge 2 to obtain some appropriate pagan arms and armor, clothing, accouterments, etc.
Theology (Pagan) 2 to make exhibits more authentic
any appropriate Necromancy ex:
Sepulchre 1 Witness of Death to get some firsthand accounts from pagan wraiths (historical "consultants")
Ash 3 Dead Hand to get samples of ancient pagan items (weapons, relics, tools) to create authentic replicas
Influence (Pagan) 2 to get some actual pagans to contribute, perhaps portray actors in the re-enactments, or consult with their wise men/scholars

Requirements

• Resources
  
• Someone with minimum Crafts x 3 to create the models, relics, tools and tapestries
• Someone to train slaves Both Melee, leadership and performance skills.

Result on Win:

• Crude Stone foundations of the start of the main building
• Wooden hall with a few side rooms built well enough to be used for the tournament.
• The stone foundations are enough to begin building a true larger scale stone building in the future
• Replica's or actual historical armor and artifacts, tapestries depicting battles and dioramas

Bonus test:
outright win Downtime 1 - You have managed to locate a once well traveled, narrow valley/gap with the ruins of a border fort (located midway between Kalgenfurt and Liabach). From what you can determine there has been several  battles that have taken place there over several centuries. The upper levels of the fort are mostly crumbled but as it was built on the cliff-side overlooking the narrowest area. The book you found that references this mentions that there were stables at the lower edge of the cliff, in the cliff. And that most of the border fort actually was in the mountain with only a watch tower above. If you can find someone to spend a downtime and they can manage to excavate the collapsed entrances there is a good chance there is a hall of hero's that you can "relocate" to Klagenfurt.
outright win Downtime 2 - Workers were invigorated and you have also managed to get the start of some cellars and underground rooms.

His first set of tests: Scissors, paper, rock, rock, scissors
Our tests 1: Rocks, Rock, Scissors, Rock, Paper
Our tests 2: Paper, Rock, Scissors, Rock, Rock
His second set of tests: rock, paper, rock, scissors, paper


ST NOTE) Emissary will contact him to help "improve" the outcome. 

Penalty options for failing quest test

• Gaining 1 Beast Trait
  
• Gaining a Derangement for the game (or 2 derangement traits if you have one – ST discretion)
  
• Gaining 1 Derangement Trait (if you have a derangement)
  
• Losing 15 minutes of game time
  (Due to entering a fugue/vision state - ST's will tell you when it happens)
• Taking 3 points of lethal damage
  
• Down 1 Willpower
  
• Taking 1 points of Aggravated Damage
  
• Minor Boon to draw deck
  
• Minus 2 penalty to one attribute for 1 game
  

[Rule Hound]

Please keep the contents of the conversation private until I say otherwise as I am running other scenes at the same time and do not wish to cross contaminate.

The aid of Rafael goes a long way to meeting the basic requirements of both yours and his down times. You are able to utilize his Resources to get wood and basic materials to begin construction. However, there are a few skills that are missing and needed to make this more than a temporary wooden structure.

That said One night as you are gathering supplies and cleaning a skull to use as part of the display a cloaked figure comes calling. Obviously a feminine figure below it. As she approaches you and slips back the hood you recognize Saraphina, the Emmesary that had previously been sent from the Court of Narses.

Begin conversation
"Greetings friend. Sokrates Solonikas is it not?

I see you strive to benefit your Lord and lands. It is so good to see Cainites improve and work towards a better future.

[she is using Entrancement to make you like her more]

I have received word that your Dukedom is going to host a tournament? My Liege has interest in seeing what skills are put on display, both by the mortals and Cainites alike. Especially with this new Crusade coming.

Tell me, what events and activities do you plan? Do you have any goals beyond just hosting the tournament?

[You tell her of the basics of what you hope to accomplish]

Your ideas thrill me, such an artistic endeavor for one not of my clan. Perhaps I shall stick around the area and come watch.

[She looks like a thought just struck her]

You know, my associates back home are getting a little stuck in their ways, never wandering or travelling but always looking for new profit. With all this turmoil you seem to be an up and comer. Someone who is going to rise and be very valuable to our society some day. Not like many of these neonate layabouts in my clan who simply whine about how their art is never shown, displayed. Talking about their great skills but never really demonstrating it.

Perhaps, were we to come to agreement I might be able to persuade some of these fine Toreador to help you. And gain a little backing in material and supplies and perhaps more from the older ones?

Add a artistic touch that will surely impress all visitors when they come.

What do you think? I could make your efforts and results jump up to heights you did not realize you could reach?

[Rule Hound]

Agreed to Price