Sokrates Salonikas - 1200

[Rule Hound]

DT Action #1:

We require a more complete picture of what is going on in our duchy given the ominous events surrounding the tournament (blatant assault, arson, etc. in full view of the gathering). To this end, I will be taking a force of our soldiers out on an extended patrol of our domains, starting from our main cities and working our way out to the borders in a spiraling route, like a snail's shell centered on our capital. (***OOC Not exactly sure how this works with use of domain resources, etc. but Duke Antonio wants this done so I assume I can use whatever communal domain assets are necessary. Also, he has said that he would assist as necessary to the extent of even coming along personally, but that would of course need to be confirmed/finalized with him, but he has said as much in his initial orders regarding this matter.)

Personally, I will be observing along this entire journey with all pertinent skills including Necromancy: Sepulchre 1 Witness of Death (focus to recognize wraith effects and vampiric Necromancy, necromantically enchanted items/effects), Necromancy: Ash 1 Shroud Sight (to see if anything is amiss in the Shadowlands along our journey), and Necromancy: Bone 1 Eyes of the Dead (to see if there is anything unusual about any corpses we may come across). I will also be interviewing any living witnesses to any of these incidents (the dead hordes referenced in the recent Hear Ye! posting) within our domains, transcribing their accounts into my Dark Assistant for posterity and later review by myself and/or other interested parties. I will also be questioning any likely wraiths we encounter for any pertinent information they may have.

***Here's a long shot: if we can determine through our travels that there is any sort of pattern to these occurrences, could we then determine likely locations for the next such incident? I thought I might use Necromancy: Mortis 1 Masque of Death and hide amongst the corpses at the next rising and gather whatever information might be possible in that state, as well as getting a first hand account of what is actually happening. Thought this might make for some great dramatic scenes.

Pertinent skills

For the intelligence gathering expedition:

Awareness 1
Investigation 1
Leadership 1
Ride 2
Scrounge 2
Lore: Necromantic Rituals 2
Occult 4
Auspex 1
any/all pertinent Necromancy (as per above)
other Necromancy
Our relevant military forces
Assistance from Duke Antonio

Anyway, hope this makes sense. My other action will center around mounting an expedition to excavate and restore the pagan temple we found and incorporating its assets into my cultural compound to make it permanent. Thank you.

Tests: Scissors, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Rock
Our Tests: S, S, R, S, P

[Rule Hound]

You investigate searching through the woods trying to call upon any living or dead to learn more.

You circle the greater domain from the city to the outlying towns. Little is learned concerning the recent events. Other than the night of the Cainite Tournament there has been no sign of either the Devourer or the shambling undead.

You do begin to piece together a pattern. The dark events, at least in Klagenfurt only seem to occur when you have outside Cainites visiting. It is almost as if trouble is brought when Gaul gathers.

There is talk of very large wolves being spotted in the night and howling. So far no one has directly encounter one but the few paw prints found in the now melted snow would be the size of your hand.

The Mortals of their own volition have increased patrols and are regularly checking travelors and merchant trains as they enter the territory for signs of plague. They have turned a few back but for the most part few travelers have been noted to show signs.

Most of the outlying villages have not yet seen evidence of plague but it has begun to crop up in the major city itself. First among the poor then slowly spreading to servants and a few of the prosperous.

[Rule Hound]

Downtime 2 (Combines with Sokrates)
Finalize Library/Hall of Champions and Market


Previously:
Sokrates: 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.

Rafael: My downtime will consist of creating a massive market for people bring their goods, now and after the tournament. It will consist of a goods trading area, fairground games, and betting - Klagenfurt will charge customs and get a percentage of the games and betting proceeds. Furthermore, I will support Sokrates in his museum, especially by creating a competition for people to bring their most amazing artifacts. These artifacts will then be judged and the top five winners will receive a monetary prize, along with the privilege of having their item displayed in our museum for a year.


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.


Our Tests Sokrates: P, S, P, R, R
His tests: Scissors rock paper rock scissors
Our tests Rafael: S, S, R, P, S
Rafael: Rock, rock, scissors, paper, scissors

Results on Success
Sokrates: You manage to finagle your Pagan Influence into helping you uncover a entry into the lower levels of the derelict partially fallen watch tower. You use your scrounge to help them locate some items they wanted. They will help you remove everything you find and transport it to your Library in Klagenfurt. Due to the increasing presence of the Church and prosecution of Pagans lately, they are going to lay claim to all the areas below the tower. They want you to remain quiet about their presence there but also expect both of you to come help defend them if called upon.

The relics you find are outstanding. You find Old Books, armor, tapestries, pretty much everything you wanted. +1 domain Happiness & Builder Status over Hall of Hero's/Library (one building)

Rafael: Calling in all you Influences, utilizing your Navy and the Militia to help uncover the entrance and move things you get a share of the booty. Along with enough stuff to fill the Hall of Champions and Library you get to keep most of the other nick knacks and personal items found in tunnels. Enough that when brought back to the market that they catch and hold the interest of several mortal trade consortium's. In exchange for the items (as bribes) they agree to permanently set up shop. +1 Domain Wealth & +1 Resources

Bonus test:
Sokrates: You find a old Grimoire written in a lost language. Based on what you can determine it may reference events surrounding Carthage and something about relics. +1 Influence Pagan
Rafael: In your efforts to convince the consortium's to stay you manage to slip in agreement to have a local Merchants guild formed. One of the buildings that was erected is the home to the codified guild. You gain +1 Commerce Influence & Builder Status over the Market.

[Rule Hound]

To Post
Following the April tournament in 1200 the Library/hall of Champions pretty much fell idle. Merchants and visitors slowly wandered off leaving a half filled market.

Starting in March of 1201 new activity strikes up. Cart loads of items are filing in from somewhere in the mountains. As they are unloaded they are seen to be books, old armor, weapons and historical artifacts of all kinds.

The Hall of Hero's is now flushed with the past. Armor on display, Tapestries depicting battles, miniatures depicting other glorious battles everything you can imagine. The shelves of the library slowly begin filling as scribes make copies of all the old transcripts and books that were brought in.

In addition to these which are being directed to the Hall of Hero's is many various items of value which are being stored away into a 3 story stone building. Slowly, with the borders of Trento currently being closed various merchant factions start making their way back to Klagenfurt. On one point or another they all come past the stone building and stop for a visit with the reclusive night time host.

Many are seen to latter have carts pull up and collect some of the items previously stored here. Some leave empty handed.

A few weeks latter "En el Comercio Confiamos" is carved on the entry arch and the main floor is converted into a Merchant guild registry.