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Session 14

Page history last edited by Michael Grasso 13 years, 10 months ago

Scene 1: Missed Appointment

 

Wilhelm does not show for his follow-up appointment. The next day, Salih goes to the Klementinium to inquire after him. At the gates, Salih speaks to the provost who goes into the complex. When he returns, the provost tells Salih that Wilhelm is being sent to the University of Graz. (0-5)

 

Scene 2: Returning the Tablet

 

Makovsky and Santiago meet to hand back the tablet to Santiago. Makovsky thanks Santiago, and says if he finds more of these sorts of things, to bring them back so the cipher can be cracked. Santiago asks if he believes it's a code? Santiago asks about what his attitude should be to "savage" Mages. Makovsky says try to speak to them with High Speech, if not, try to explain basic building blocks of magical theory, because they may have no vestiges of Atlantean culture. Makovsky says it would be best if Santiago had someone with Mind magic, and says he knows of no one who might be willing to travel. He could also use Death or Spirit. Santiago says he could work on these things once he arrives and can use Portal and Makovsky says on that day, come to see me. (5-12)

 

Scene 3: Scheduling the Dissection

 

Jesensky comes to see Matthieu in his office. He wryly asks if Matthieu wants to do the dissection in early June and seeing Jan Mydlar this week to talk about getting a body. His life took a rough turn and he was eased into the Executioner position. He's at the Green Frog, in his outcast room. He could give one of the unconsecrated dead. Jan wants to educate rather than entertain like an execution. June is bad, but in the great hall it shouldn't be too bad for the attendees. Matthieu wants to bring no one to the meeting. What about Mydlar, is there a way he could be paid with a gift? No, just words. The Emperor does not usually ask for bodies to be displayed openly. Talk around how he got into the job. (12-18)

 

Scene 4: Leaving the Front

 

Ernst and Lóránt have a discussion about their situation post meeting Prince Michael:

 

Lorant says to Ernst: "Let me rest for a few hours... but please, come up to my room this afternoon, and let us discuss recent events over a bottle of wine and some light refreshment."

 

Several hours later, as Ernst, Lorant, and Lorant's ward Yakov snack on bread, cheese, and wine, Lorant begins his tale:

 

"As you may have guessed, there was more to that letter of introduction that Zsuzsanna provided us than I had been disclosing. I deciphered the code before we even left Prague. However, since the secret message mentioned only me, I thought it best to keep it to myself, and not further involve nor endanger you nor the other Perigrini, given your previous... uh... entanglements... with the Ordo Dracul.

 

"Zsuzsanna saw fit to introduce me to an elder vampire of the Ordo... this learned sage is thousands of years old. The things he seen, the knowledge he possesses... it is unbelievable! His servant Corneliu has been escorting me to his hermitage in the hills the past several nights, where we talk until the dawn. He asks me about the state of affairs in the outside world... for I believe this was predominately why Zsuzsanna sent me, to be a link for him to the present.

 

"But where our interests really lie is in discussing the secrets of the occult. I have been sharing with him my knowledge of kabbalistic lore and the modern advances in astronomy, such as they are. And he has revealed to me some of the most amazing alchemical secrets... I cannot wait to return to Prague, to acquire a laboratory and once again take up the practice... I have let that research fall by the wayside for far too long. Oy, and the mathematics... the sacred geometry! My new mentor knew Pythagoras! It is astounding!

 

"I tell you, Ernst, this trip has proven to be a resounding success for all involved, eh?" Lorant raises his glass in a toast.

 

After he sips some wine, Lorant's face turns serious. "I have to admit to you, however, it is proving hard for me to not be naive... to put on blinders to the potential dangers. I see the learning this man possesses... and, well, there I go: he is not a man. He is a creature. He is damned. But, the things I have learned in just these few short days... it is like the curtain has parted for me finally! I feel as if my own Awakening cannot now be very far away! I have so many new avenues of research open to me now, my mind reels! I may soon be like you and the others... true miracle workers!

 

"But, when I stop to consider the road I am beginning to walk down, I cannot help but worry... am I becoming Faust? Is such the fate of all occultists such as us? Can our thirst for knowledge ever truly be sated? And at what price?"

 

After a moments pause, Lorant breaks out of his reverie. "Bah! Listen to me, I sound like a worried old hausfrau... enough of this handwringing! We shall return to our boon companions in Prague as new men! We have gone through this political and metaphysical crucible, and we have emerged stronger and wiser... and I daresay we will be well rewarded by his majesty upon our return! And that, my friend, is worth another a toast!"

 

After swallowing, Lorant continues, "We have a long road home before us, and several side treks to make on our way back to Prague. Which brings me to one of the issues we must deal with: the Lady Elizabeth Bathory. I believe I may have hit upon a most elegant solution... one that may be amenable to both of our sensibilities. We both desire justice... the woman needs be to punished for the crimes we suspect she has committed.

 

"However, she is a woman of great learning and refinement. Despite her personal biases, it would be a shame to lose such a learned mind. But perhaps even more importantly, she is the wife of one of His Majesty's trusted vassals... to expose her and her crimes would be a serious blow to the Emperor and the nobility politically. It would be a shame to weaken the Emperor thusly, especially when we are slated to return with such a victory as we have secured here on his eastern border...

 

"I have discussed this matter with my new mentor, and his manservant Corneliu will be accompanying us at least partway on our journey home. I have proposed that we offer the Lady Elizabeth an ultimatum-- induction into the Ordo Dracul, or execution for her crimes. If we can make her see the wisdom of giving up her infernal blood alchemy and embracing the Ordo, we can hopefully reform her and redirect her keen intellect to more enlightened pursuits.

 

"Also, given what little I have gleaned about vampiric society during my discussions with my mentor, bringing her into the Ordo's fold will make her their problem. And they will be much more efficient, expedient, and discrete than Imperial justice could ever hope to be. In this way, I hope society may reap the benefits of her reform, and that His Majesty may be spared the potential embarrassment if she should continue to prove to be problematic...

 

"So, Ernst... what say you to this scheme?"

 

"Would bringing her into that fold be a good thing?"

 

"We're doing it so she'll stop doing what she has been doing."

 

"Would she even stop?" Lóránt says she becomes their problem if she joins them. If she draws attention to herself, the Ordo will deal with her personally. She is the absolute power within her domain so unless she bothers another noble of equal or higher rank, she can get away with this forever.

 

"We need a backup plan. If her joining the Ordo does not..."

 

"Even if she does not join, she may continue in her behaviors. Will we need to... put her down?"

 

Ernst is eager to do so. Lóránt gets out his pen because they are about to write the letter that Salih will scry upon to receive communication from Ernst and Lóránt. Lóránt informs Salih of all that has happened, including Ernst's Awakening and Lóránt's meetings with the Ordo Dracul and Prince Michael's desire to be protected by Mages. Michael is coming to Prague and he has been "successfully reigned in." (18-28)

 

Scene 5: Meeting the Cabal

 

Salih brings the cabal together to tell them of the news. "A lot has happened," Salih says with a long pause. "Ernst has Awakened." (28-

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