Grotte di Castello Tesino

[Raetus]

The Cave is located on the right bank of the river Senaiga and it is extend of 700 mt. Snaking into the mountain for about 400 meters, the Cave of Castello Tesino is karstic and featured by galleries, arabesques, stalactites and stalagmites formed over the millennia. The constant temperature, the high humidity and the possibility of nutrition, related to the presence of water, are good conditions for the rich flora and fauna groundwater. The cave show strange marks on the walls, due to the Ursus Speleus Ros, the cave bear. It is here that Duke Raetus calls upon his court to discuss the matters of Trent.

[Alfonso Valencia]

Alfonso offers a bow as he enters the cave and finds himself a seat.

"Your Grace, Lady Morrigan.  I have spoken with my Knights, they should be along shortly but we can begin now." 

(OOC got a couple players interested in coming in as my knights, they're just waiting on character confirmation and such from the ST's.)

"As always, my honest counsel is yours.  The way I see it, we stand at the precipice of achieving something truly great your Grace.  Significant power and influence for yourself, and by extension myself and all of your other vassals as well.  A rising tide lifts all ships as they say.  That being said, earning the Ard Rhi's bestowment will be no simple task.  As most of my clan tend to be, he possesses a certain belief in the superiority of Lasombra blood."

"This presents us with our first roadblock.  The Duke, Lucien La'Chard.  His Lasombra blood and rank make him the favoured selection for the Ard Rhi.  This means that not only must the blood-hunted traitor be dealt with, he must be dealt with before Duke Lucien can stumble across him.  Though he may have bent the knee for now, make no mistake your Grace.  He will betray you and steal the Grand Dukedom if he can.  He is fool, but an arrogant one that does not suffer vassalage lightly.  Furthermore, you must have seen in his countenance that he is following a road.  If he follows the Road common to my clan, then he is especially not to be trusted.  I will of course not presume to tell you what you must do, but know that I stand ready should he ever defy your interests and his oath to you.

"Our second roadblock concerns the rather monumental task that the Ard Rhi has set before us.  In order to win the throne that is rightfully yours, we must find, slay, and drink the hearts-blood of the Brujah Infernalist traitor Nicodemus Petras.  Unfortunately for us, it is unlikely that he will be easily found, and we know very little about the man."

"Here is what I believe we know.  He is Brujah, and likely both intelligent and possessing of potent blood.  So he can be counted on to be a fierce foe in single combat.  Furthermore, he has considerable infernal power at his disposal, enough to recover from a near total dismemberment/decapitation and threaten the life of the Ard Rhi.  He is currently seeking, and may have already found, some sort of power infernal artifact that most likely supplies at least a portion of his abilities.  His infernal master is a Demon by the name of Bezekeial (OCC I believe, can't remember exactly).  Beyond that, we know precious little.  Where he lays his head, his motives and goals, associates, true level of power and so on.  This is something that I believe must be rectified, know thy enemy.  Besides whatever we can divine through scholarly pursuits, intelligence must be gathered.  I believe that the Cappodocian Raqa may be able to help us in this regard.  We have been told that he has the power to call forth the spirits of the dammed and put them to question.  If such a method could be used on the traitor's deceased compatriots, we could learn much indeed. Your Grace, Duke Galahad seems to acknowledge you as his superior quite readily and thus compelling Raqa should be relatively easy.  I will also compell my own knights to scour what lore they can bring to mind for anything that may help.

"As for how to find him, well I have several thoughts on the matter.  As we are located on a major trade route and Lady Morrigan commands significant influence amongst the merchants that both travel it and reside here, she could possibly let it be known that she would "appreciate" any news and/or rumors that might link to some sort of Infernal activities emanating at or around the Free City.  Certain sorcerous may aid our search as well, so if you need anything in that regard Lady Morrigan just say the word."

"Also, I was with the Ard Rhi when the Raqa made a report regarding an excursions he and the Laibach duchy embarked upon. I trust you have all heard of what the Pope plans for the Church in Triest no?  What I overheard regarding that location was quite interesting.  Apparently this particular site is host to some sort of Infernal aura that has kept his particular group of Kindred from entering, and when they convinced a stalwart crusader to enter he was driven mad with fear before his heart exploded.  Through means unbeknowst to me, they tracked the traitor to this building.  Whether he is still there or not is anyone's guess, but even if he is not there may be something in that crypt that will help our search.  Now, one of my Knights may be able to help us enter, but failing that we need alternate and like occult solutions that may allow us entry.  In the meantime I will have my men cordon off the area and prevent other mortals from interfering.

[Raetus]

"Thank you Alfonso that does indeed like a reasonable summary of last gathering. It seems likely that Nicodemus derives succor at the Holy Trinity Church when the grounds are re-consecrated this may very well drive many of those within to the four winds; Nicodemus hopefully along with them. As I understand it the Brujah are fleet of foot and will escape with great haste and therefore we must respond quickly to any such attempted escape. Send your men to surround the church and instruct them to carry homing pigeons and hunting dogs so that we in Trent may be informed quickly of there escape, while your men with aid of hound may pursuing the scattering host within. Your knights should be informed not to engage Nicodemus directly but only track him and capture the mortals for cross examination. Morrigan can organize a rapid means of transport from Trent to Trieste and there she will be able to track the fiend as long as his feet meet terra firma. Morrigan have you anything else to offer to this discussion?"    

[Alfonso Valencia]

"Your Grace, if you think it wise my Salubri Knight may be able to counter the infernal aura and allow us to penetrate the church before the Pope's men can arrive. This would minize our exposure to the kine while giving us a chance to secure Petras before he can take wing on us again. Properly warded, i believe we could put together a strong enough force to concern him."

That being said, my fighting men will keep the area secure and warn us of any new developments."

[Raetus]

"Does this holy knight believe his state of grace will extend to others? I have no use for a mindless Baron."

[Alfonso Valencia]

"Yes, I have experienced this power of his before. The healing powers granted by his blood can extend this state of grace to cover several Kindred in fact. Granted, it was not within this particular situation but I believe it might be worth testing. I believe we can remain on the periphery to test its effectiveness before committing fully.

Believe me, I have no intention of committing suicide. But as your Grand Dukedom hinges on us getting to him first, I believe that it may be worth the risk."

[Rule Hound]

OOC) If you send your soldiers to lock down the Church let us know.

[Raetus]

Very we'll move forward with this plan. Retrieve what you can from the church. Although if the artifact is there I recommend not touching it directly. Baroness Morrigan may have some perspective on this if she ever awakens from her meditation. The Duke's eyes glance at his glassy eyed Sister.

[Rule Hound]

OK, When ready put who and what you are sending together and the orders issued if you are not directly with them.

If this is a downtime. Again, tell me what characters are going or spending downtime actions. Is this by order of the Duke and as such the downtime service. And then a 2 sentence description of what you wish to accomplish.

ie. We wish to secure the church and keep anyone else from entering. We wish to loot it and collect all artifacts and secure them in our caves so we can protect them and Morrigan can study them latter.

Things we are sending that we feel will help accomplish this.
Obvious supplies. Alfonso is sending his militia and giving instructions to keep everyone else out while his retainer collects anything inside to be brought to is.



I would then do a write up of any additional conditions I think you need to accomplish your goal/Quest.

[Morrigan]

Morrigan turns her head to Reatus. "I was not meditating brother, I was listening. You should try it sometime. I will of course help in anyway I can."

[Raetus]

How many cainites are within these knights you speak of Baron Alfonso?

[Alfonso Valencia]

"Two active Canites. Enough to secure my rank as your Baron. Possibly a third if he recovers from his torpor."

(Ooc things are still in flux a bit. Some of my roommates are making characters and whatnot. Besides the salubri one is probally making a toredor or brujah fighty type)

[Alfonso Valencia]

"Oh, I almost forgot. Lady Morrigan, should we successfully recover these artifacts it seems prudent to have some sort of warded chest with which to secure them. Could you provide said receptacle?  I can craft one if you would be willing to lay your potent magicks upon it."

(OOC we're beyond the realm of established mechnics here, so if anything you might have or caan think of doing is even slightly relevant go for it )

[Morrigan]

"I am afraid that I do not have the capability to ward such a chest, however I can enchant said chest to not open except for certain persons"

(OOC; Do not have ward ritual, but can animate the chest and then unless it's broken, it won't open. So make it sturdy!)

[Alfonso Valencia]

Alfonso nods. "That will certainly help. I will get to work straight away."