Offer to Antonio - 1200

[Rule Hound]

The night after your return from the Ard Rhi's court you are wandering aimlessly in thought. Thinking of how you can profit and benefit from the events that unfold. Is there a way to prove Alfonso unworthy? Gain his Blood? Could you even beat him in the Courts if it came to monomansy...

Lost in thought you wander and head to the gate, place your hand on it and try to push. The Gate doesn't open. You hear shuffling and several men armed with Crossbows step out pointing them at you from the walls of the small fort. How silly, lost in thought you went back to Luciens old place, a place that due to his soul being joined with your you feel safe in and somewhat possessive of. What a loss that was.

What do you want. The Master is not expecting guests. Be on your way beggar we have no alms to give you.

As you prepare to end the miserable lives of these doomed guards a very colorfully dressed man steps out onto the Balcony. Though colorful even from here you can tell they are well tailored and of the finest cut and material.

"I told you, I am not giving alms to the paupers tonig..."

He gaze focuses in on you.

Now, now, lower those weapons my good men. See you not before you the noble lord Galanzia?

The guards look at your once wealthy but now thread worn clothing (no resources), back to the colorful man then just shrugs. They lower their crossbows.

Come in, come in my noble and notable friend. I figured it would just be a matter of time until we met.

[Rule Hound]

Still confused and a little befuddled Antonio accepts the invitation and enters. As he enters the small fort, the place is mostly the same as he remembers it only much more colorful. Silk cushions of every type and color, the divans have been reupholstered and there are different wall hangings.

The man pulls out a bottle from the cabinet and blows dust off it, looks at the label, puts it back and pulls out another one. Looking satisfied he brings over two bejeweled goblets, pours a little in one, drinks it down, smiles then fills them both up and hands one to Antonio.

The man takes a seat and waves for you to do the same. When you hesitate he simply says

Please, sit.

And you do. Raising his goblet

Let us drink to the future

and you do.

Duke Antonio, a pleasure. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Deamos Rivanna - Merchant Extraordinaire
. I deal in, possibilities, things that are not so easily acquired, things that can mean life or death and in our world even the appearance one presents can mean their rise or fall.

This is where I would normally go into glorious review of your attire and compliment you and all that. But my information tells me you are not a man for pointless flattery.

Yes, I am in your Domain. I am only passing through and I feed not on your livestock. As is proper, now that you are returned I let you know.


As I said this is usually where flattery wins me much favor. But lets be blunt. You are a pauper Duke.

As you begin to get riled up and ready to show this pompous peacock a thing or two

No, no my darkly glorious friend, I mean no insult. Sit back have another drink and hear my tale. I am here to help you. Offer you that which would take much of your precious time to accomplish.

looking down you realize your drink is empty, you must have drank it. He fills the goblet back up you again sit and drink (perhaps a power?) but who cares, this blood brandy is of exceptional quality and tastes real good. Very expensive stuff might as well enjoy. You are feeling a little inebriated but not to bad nothing to worry about.


You have take power from the former Duke after his heinous actions in failing to fulfill his oaths. That is well and good. But you my friend were not ready. The other Dukes look at you and laugh. Why just yesterday I caught one of their spies trying to infiltrate my new home.

They are everywhere. Why I just came from concluding some business in Trieste and even there they attempt to listen in to secret deals, bargains made that have no bearing on them what so ever.

Anyways, look at you. Once wealthy by the cut of your clothes. Worn at the edges, starting to show, slightly out of date... And living under the hospitality of one of your vassals, no place to call your own home.

You feel the need to listen, unable to interrupt while he continues talking

As luck would have it I might be able to help you. Let you gain a presence and standing. A holding and capacity to show value, worth, the upbringing that one such as you obviously had before falling on hard times.

It just so happens that the former duke was greatly indebted to me both monetarily and by boon. His debts were high. And with him being called in and held to account I have suffered greatly. But at least I still held title to this keep.

Oh, you didn't know, your former Duke had the appearance of wealth be had debts outstanding everywhere to make him appear more than he was.

This fort is mine and always has been. But you see I have business calling elsewhere and I do not want to simply leave it to the staff and guards to attend. I am looking for a quick sell you see. But yet I will not slit my throat as there is always a new up and comer that would be interested.


I see that light in your eye my friend. Yes, you are drawn to this place now aren't you. You feel that perhaps if you were able to possess it you might appear more in the eyes of your peers. You might rise to prominence and make them stop laughing... As though dear old Raetus has much to laugh about, the poor boy lives in a cave. And Lybach, well, they have much and are wealthy I will give them that, but they are to in your face with what they have, yes? And Trieste. Well, I kinda like Trieste. Did you know their up and coming Dodge is moving into the de Zarnio estate? Turns out she might just be the heir...


Now I see you get it. I am not interested in coin anymore. I have tons of it and it isn't worth storing. Coins come and go but a boon. Now that will last much longer than a coin, yes?

I can fulfill your dreams right here and now my friend. This very Fort we sit in is mine. But, it never hurts to have the favor of a up and comer yes? a Lasambra, perhaps the one Didiskalos is looking to raise in prominence and take the reins and bring Gaul back under one banner again?

But the one to do that needs to be not only equal in power and rank but needs a firm foundation to show everyone he IS their equal and their better. A Haven of their own..

I would be willing to part with this fine fort for say a Blood Boon and a Major boon. Yes, that is a fair price.

What!! you insult me. My children will go hungry, how will I afford a switch to beat my wife with. No I will not take a Major. Nor even two.

Tell you what, though it will barely get me to the coast I shall accept no less than two Major Boons for this fort. As one such as you has no need for a casting chamber I shall take that with me. (Haven x 3 - Staff, Guards and Security)

What do you say?

You are free to speak now

[Rule Hound]

Antonio: I am interested in the stories you have to speak of, your demeanor would I.ply you have many things to speak of.

I will accept your offer. I give you 2 majors owned personally by myself.


Deamos: I knew you were a wise man. Such wondrous cleverness you possess. Such a hard bargainer.

But as it so happens my good friend I have recently acquired a whole bunch of luxurious furniture, plates, and things to go into such a fine keep as you just bought. I suppose for another Major boon I could divert my wagons from their route to Laibach, as we both know this is the type of stuff that their lord is dying to get his hands on.

I could divert it here.

Yes, 1 Major boon for some Luxury. (adds a 4th dot of Haven would be luxury).

Still thinking. Tell you what. I met this wonderful little maid as I passed through a town a few years back. She is of about the age to be on her own, free from my oppressive thumb. Ok, maybe not so oppressive but still a man like me must keep his tyrannical reputation, yes?

But seriously shadowy one. She really took a liking to me. Wanted me to sweep her away to a grand castle or some such. She did some work for me and ended up tailoring me several outfits. I set her up in a little tailoring business but I am sure she would be willing to relocate to Kalgenfurt and supply you with finely tailored clothing such as my own.

I see your thoughts my friend. No you could not pull off such wondrous colors and cuts but I am sure she would be able to come up with something suitable for your complexion. I will throw her in.

1 Major Boon


Antonio: Now I'm not so lost with words and they ways of merchants that I do not see what your doing.
I feel that your trying to regain what was lost by my hand. Luxury and wealth is what your offering, so why not tell me what your really at in all this.
What is it exactly that was owed to you?

Deamos: Ah, now you should no better than top ask a merchant about deals with other customers. Next thing you will want is to know with what personage, or personages I have dealt with in the other Duchies.

My only goal is to set myself up for profit.

Tell you what. With your cleverness you have probably realized I am holding back one more bug ticket item. Now I rarely put my cards on the table in one shot but you push and push and push. Clever you are.

But never let it be said I am not a man of opportunity. Did you know that Walled Park that connects to the east edge of the Keep walls. I am sure one such as you noticed that the walls match those of your new keep.

As it so happens that is not a park owned by any local Mayor or lord. It is mine. Yes, I have loaned it out to the town to help them feel great and powerful and to give the little lovers a place to tryst. It was once part of my Keep before I sold it to the tenant before Lucien a half century or so ago.

But as it so happens my contract of loan is coming due payments are in arrears.

Perhaps if you are interested I could renegotiate it to yourself and for your use?

Yes, you guessed it, 1 Major Boon (5th dot of Haven. Size)


So for two Major boons you have purchased my Keep. Bargain done and sealed. Not a loan or such but you will own the title outright by the end of the week. For another Major I offer some Luxury form one of the finest merchant families in Gaul. And for one more Major I offer to sell you, not rent my land that is currently on loan to the mortals.

So for 4 Majors you get a wondrous Haven to outmatch what those in Laibach have. Or for a Blood Boon and one Major. Your choice. I do take boons on others but will need to agree if they are of suitable value first.

Or if you just want to look good, and not really own I could rent you the Luxury for a Minor boon every 2 years, yes?

Or is you want to rent the rest of the estate lands I could do so for a Minor every two years.

Of course you would be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance while in your possession. To ensure such I would place a lien against your fort.


Antonio: Very well, I will do 4 majors if you are willing to accept that these joins if they be in your possession or another's, they cannot be used within 1 full year between them.

Do you sell information by chance

Deamos: That would depend on what you seek and what I have....

If I don't have it the odds are one of my customers does.... I can always offer introductions.


Antonio: I am seeking information of all sorts


Deamos: My Friend, couch not your words in shadowy script. Let them flow boldly and show the darkness of their letters.

I do not offer up information in order to hope to sell more details latter. Such tips the hand and allows others to know that there may be information to be had.

I do not charge if I do not have it. But if I suspect one of my many friends does I will be happy to align your sundial in the correct direction so that the shadow points to the correct source. Leads are but a trivial matter. If I am going that way there is no cost for a introduction for long time customers. If they have not what you seek then I shall return said trivial boon as the desired merchandise was not available.


Antonio: I seek information on the other dutchies, the ones that may or may not be involved with infernal matters.
Their is no limit as to the information I seek, I wish to greater myself and my dutchy with knowlage and power alike.


Deamos: I know little of that.

I owe a favor to a really old friend.

You seek the one known as Trajan. Nosferatu.

As it so happens I was just speaking to him in Trieste before coming here. Had some business there you see.

Anyways, he speaks highly of his Clansman Morbus. Sometimes it takes a while to get a message to him. Never know what hole these Nosferatu are in, yes?

Well, Trajan speaks highly which means the wait is worth it. If there is information to be garnered he is the man who has it.



Antonio: Would you so kind as to send word that I wish to speak with him, when he free of coarse, I also do wish to keep you in mind for future purchases to assist you in your dealings. Is there a location I am able to send messengers to so we can arrange meetings on these dealings


Deamos: I appear when needed. I travel much and rarely reside in one place to long. Be it the open seas dodging the Dread Pirate Amphion or riding through the hill country like here.

You can always leave a message at the Shield of Safety. If I am in the area I will usually stop by there to add to their collection of nick nacks at the Beggars cart.


Why don't you stay here tonight. It is yours now after all.

I have a few arrangements to make now and can reside elsewhere.

I will send a pigeon to let you know when Morbus is available. You might need to shadow kill it as I doubt it would fly anywhere you no matter how persuasively I ask.

He turns and walks out the front door then gate.

Looking at your goblet it is empty and so is the bottle containing the wondrous drink you just imbibed. Something you had not had so much pleasure drinking since you were mortal. As he leaves the gate he waves his hand over his shoulder and you feel the effects of the Alcohol fade.


And so ends the scene as the Horrid Reality Blood Brandy fades....