Scene Zero: Recap

(0 - 7)

Scene One: Mihai Bravu

Zsuzanna was taunting Lóránt about needing Vitae, and implies he will need to choose sides. L does not know whether Z knows he's almost Awakened a couple of times. "Of course the members of my order will be arriving privately and in advance of Prince Michael's retinue, a couple of weeks before. So we will have a chance to consult with them." She pauses. "We're going to need more feeding grounds. We will arrange for our own havens. So... look into that." She says dismissively. L raises an eyebrow. Payment in Zalmoxis's vitae? "I believe there's no reason why our presence here shouldn't be completely unobtrusive. We're not looking to exercise power in Prague." L: "I will do whatever I can to make your stay... comfortable, with the Mages." "I have learned my lesson," Z says, sincerely, thinking back to the Window Incident. "We are bound to aid Prince Michael due to ancient family ties. Our presence here prior to the visit will help him. If things end badly with Michael and the Emperor, we will return to our homelands." It seems clear that Z doesn't know what Michael's intentions are: become Rudolf's vassal, act as a co-regnant, etc. L thinks back to his embassy to Michael: Michael has a lot of momentum, and his past relations with the Hapsburgs have been ambiguous. He's defeating the Turk; this could make Rudolf's impotence look bad. Michael may have more ambitions. Of course, Michael is not winning hearts and minds in the field. It's conquest, pure and simple. "It would behoove Michael to... hitch his horse to the Emperor's cart." L says. Z considers this. "Duly noted. But I have to tell you I have heard rumors here in the castle of the Emperor's health. That he's mad." L tries to play it cool, and fails. "Who comes next, if something... horrible were to happen. Matthias? One of the Hapsburgs in Spain? There would be a vacuum, yes?" L can tell she is posting Michael as that vacuum-filler. "If the Emperor dies, to be blunt, he would be able to carve off Eastern portions of the empire. But there is no way the Protestant Estates would allow him to be their monarch." Z defers, and says Rudolf would need to be replaced by a strong central ruler. "He is a juggler. How does he manage it? I suppose that's what your friends the Mages are up to." (7 - 20)

Scene Two: Promotion

Matthieu is comfortable surrendering his position at the Kunstkammer. He is loath to leave it to a non-Guardian. Ernst offers to provide any support at the mortal court level and accentuates the importance of having a trusted Mage close to the Emperor medically. The Consilium accepts this plan, but now comes the crucial part. Makovsky points out that the Guardians need to place someone in the Kunstkammer position. Someone in the neutral order (which would mean not a Guardian, Ladder, or Mysterium). The Guardians push for an Arrow. Makovsky: "I believe it should be Astragal." Not much of anyone knows him very well. He's an apprentice of the Rhombus. The Consilium votes 5-0 to accept Matthieu as imperial physician, and Astragal as assistant at the Kunstkammer. There is also a question of where Matthieu will live going forward: Golden Lane, in the Emperor's apartments, or otherwise? The magician physician position. (20 - 33)

Scene Three: Reunion

Getting Matthieu into the chambers to administer the medicine. Matthieu considers using some of the "theatrics" found in Hagecius's notebook. Salih suggests that he look back into the past to see how Hagecius did it. Salih would need to scry. One of us would need to be in there since Salih has never been there before. Surrounding rooms? Rooms above or below? Matthieu is wondering if it is not perhaps better to move the emperor away from superstition and ritual, and towards experimental science. Kepler has his salary, has anyone told him? Salih and L will go over the next day, to present the housewarming gift. Seers/Klementinum? Return? The fake writ? L and Salih agree; the time is fast approaching that we will need to deal with them, and take the fight to them at the Klementinum. Using Father Jiri as a contact? Even though he's been probed. Matthieu should we get around the idea of physically getting into the Klementinum? And just use Jiri himself, get his progressive Jesuits to start instructing the students. Salih wants to interview the students who have had Jesuit experience, using a Postcognition ritual to plan out the structure of the inside of the compound. (33 - 49)

Scene Four: Slotting In

Before we split up, Salih casts Exceptional Luck on both Ernst and Matthieu. Ernst moves to put Matthieu into the book, and takes the book back from Ludovic. Ernst sees Ludovic has kept great accounts, and can move Matthieu into Hagecius's former position. Ernst moves his way, confident and brimming with exceptional luck, to the bedchambers of the Emperor. Perhaps a little... overconfident. (1 success on a Man + Pol + 7 roll with 9 agains)(49 - 56)

Scene Five: The Belvedere

At Tycho's and Kepler's shared home, Kepler's side of the house in all in order; Tycho's a swirl of unpacking and women's wardrobes and astronomical instruments. Tycho is excited to show off his instruments to L and Salih; but Tycho is a little bemused (and annoyed) at the fact the Emperor wants all the instruments left out on the Belvedere lawn for his use anytime he likes. Tycho says, they're the Emperor's instruments now. Tycho says to Salih, "You're not here just to help unpack." Salih asks for Kepler, and then asks for Lady Brahe. Salih presents the timepiece to much acclaim. Tycho asks after Habermel. Tycho looks at it with much admiration, thinking perhaps he'd use it for timekeeping outside; Kirsten smacks his hand. "Shall we adjourn to the other chambers? (56 - 64)

Scene Six: Doorkeepers

At the door to the Emperor's bedchamber, Jesuit doctors, Weiss and (Italian last name). Young, inexperienced, and Pistorius introduces them. Ernst is angry, and demands to know why he was not told. Pistorius says Herr Barwitz suggested the Jesuits aid the Emperor. "All appointments must go through me." Pistorius apologizes, but says, "I impressed upon you the importance of finding a replacement." And Matthieu picks up on this, citing the need for an experienced, talented doctor using the most modern techniques. Pistorius stammers, and Ernst starts to play good cop, "No, no, we must know whomever is coming in to see the Emperor." "What are your credentials?!" Matthieu demands. It is obvious from their recital of their credentials that they are dilletantes, like the other "doctors" at court. Matthieu then tells them they should check out some opportunities for further study and let him take care of the emperor. "Father Pistorius, I'm sure I don't need to say any more," Matthieu says, "And I am sure these two fathers are talented and their learnings are beyond reproach, but the Emperor's health is *your* responsibility." Ernst adds that Pistorius's presence is not the issue, it's just the proper channels need to be followed. (64 - 73)

Scene Seven: The Stars

Kepler greets Salih. He tells Salih they are completely unpacked because they were not able to salvage much of their possessions due to the religious controversies in Graz. Salih informs Kepler of his incoming salary. Kepler wakes up from his reverie, as Salih shakes his hand in congratulations: Gift of Fortune, to help the money make its way to Kepler with no difficulty. Salih says he is pleased to see concord in the household; Kepler seems gloomy and fatalistic, sensing that his stars are wrong. "I am fortunate to have made it to where I am," Salih says. Kepler says, "Perhaps I can pay you back for this with a horoscope." Salih agrees. L and Tycho chat, specifically about Hagecius. Tycho does not want "a flock of crows" to take away his family's birthright on the occasion of his death. It should at least decorate the Emperor's chambers, and not the Klementinum. Tycho has seen what happens to a high-up courtier in Rudolf's court when he dies; the Jesuits take your stuff. "Deathbed confessions." Tycho says dismissively. "Pfeh." Tycho is hinting that Pistorius is behind this, and is hoping L is intelligent enough to take that hint. (73 - 81)

Scene Eight: The Administration

Ernst remembers the chambers for Salih. Salih uses Probable Cause, and Ernst gives him a perfect description of the chambers. Using Matthieu's help, Salih describes the nature of the "ritual" and the vessels used in administering the laudanum to the Emperor. Salih plans to scry while Ernst is inside the chamber, as Matthieu administers. L stands guard over Salih in Ernst's office. Ernst and Matthieu go to the bedchamber, the Emperor is at his desk, working on correspondence. Makovsky lets Ernst and Matthieu in, does introductions. The Emperor welcomes them. Makovsky explains they have the laudanum. The Emperor, knowing the effect it will have, gets into bed, sitting up, ready to receive the elixir. Salih uses his scrying to observe the room, Ernst is also on watch. Matthieu explains the process of the administration, taking Hagecius as the basis but then thoroughly explaining what he is going to do. And Matthieu realizes that what is in the vial is not laudanum.

Matthieu catches himself. And as Matthieu takes notes and buys time, Salih notices through the scrying that something is wrong and immediately casts Bestow Exceptional Luck. Matthieu discerns composition: it's a tincture of mercury, which lends it the physical properties (weight, metal, etc.) as the laudanum elixir. Matthieu casts a transmutation, no paradox even with a large pool. He is able to save the elixir and turn it to laudanum. The Emperor goes into a calming sleep. Salih uses Mage Sight: there was a Fate effect on Matthieu and Ernst earlier in the day, a Fate/Time effect. Perhaps the vials were switched? (81 - 100)

Scene Nine: Analysis

Once out of earshot and in Ernst's office. Matthieu throws a tantrum. "Had I not looked, I would've poisoned the Emperor!"  Salih ponders revisiting what happened earlier in the day with Postcognition. With just Fate and Time, there was no Matter and Space. Matthieu says perhaps it was a matter of them being in the "right" place at the right time. Matthieu also says the first time they were together today was with Pistorius and the Jesuits. Salih casts Postcognition, and the vial for any sympathetic connections. During the handshake with the Jesuits, Salih sees no sleight-of-hand or anything out of place, no obvious spellcasting. The Jesuits' gaze goes a little bit glassy about 10 seconds before the handshake and then unglassy 10 seconds afterwards. Ernst uses Temporal Flux and discerns the vial went through some strange time travel. It is in fact the same vial, just from "the future." L uses Auspex and sniffs the vial. Describe what you smell, Matthieu says. Ernst screams, "No!" We don't want to set in into place where it is off to, Time-wise. L is knowledgable about the scents involved, describes them to Matthieu, and could pinpoint with a little research which perfumier came from. Salih wants to refill it with the mercury tincture and send it back to them. This will also provide the cabal with an intimate connection to them. Send it back with Fate? Ernst and L, "No. The time for subtlety is OVER." Ernst: "They need to know we're on to them." Matthieu, exasperated, "Why do they want to poison the Emperor." Salih: "It's about us." Matthieu is in agreement that we need to take the fight to them. "I am going to take the vial, fill it with mercury, wrap it up in the..." A knock on the door. Ernst answers. It is Dr. Weiss. (100 - 113)

Scene Ten: The Doctor

Matthieu casts Soul Marks. There is an alien soul in this body. Salih puts up Prime Sight. Awakened aura, a few spell effects. Ernst, at the door, "What brings you to us." "You know what. Hello Salih!" In a woman's voice and flirtatious feminine manner. Ernst tries to grab him, but Salih uses Shifting Sands effect to rewind time. No Paradox. Salih stops Ernst this time from opening the door, lets everyone know Diana is in someone else's body. The cabal takes time to do what they need to. L draws his swords. Ernst rushes over to get his firearm. Matthieu yells "No! We can't wound his body." Matthieu activates his Death armor. L gets into position for an ambush. Salih quickly considers what kind of magic she might have and activates Mage Sight. Ernst decides to Materialize a spirit, from within the castle, to cover any escape. "Send this thing away," the voice says from outside. Matthieu opens the door, sees Weiss and Prague Castle as a spirit. "Why should we send him away? "You don't want to see the doctor get hurt. Hello Salih!" L remains ready to ambush. Salih detects the Mind effect that is controlling him. Salih seeks to trace it back using Fate/Space. She is controlling him from the Klementinum, the basements. Ernst casts Control Spirit to keep a tighter rein on the Castle Spirit. Ernst issues commands, "Shove him into the room." The spirit gets enough success to penetrate the Mage Armor. L closes the door just as some bystanders start peeking into Ernst's office's hallway.

"I just wanted you to know," Weiss says, "You can keep trying to stop us from making you look bad, but eventually... we will succeed, and that will be the end of you. Keep your Mage Sight up. You'll catch maybe... 95% of the things we do, but eventually... we will ruin you and your reputation." Matthieu: "You must be so embarrassed that it's taking you this long." Weiss/Diana: "This is part of what our masters demand. We work hard for them. You might want to consider this as you move forward when you tire of your Consilium. You want power, but you have no idea how to get it." L puts up Awe, it affects everyone but Weiss. Salih scries: Diana's body is sitting in a room. Basement room, no windows, bars on the door. She is wearing a glorious breastplate. Looking at the machine, Salih senses she is trying to stop the scry. Salih is not kicked out, and can examine the machine in the room. Ernst directs the spirit to not allow anyone else into the room. 

Matthieu, "My decisions are my own. I serve no master." Diana: "Wander around the wilderness the rest of your short mortal life." L smirks. Diana: "I'm not hiding, I'm right here." "No," Matthieu says, "I'm right here." L draws his sword as Diana/Weiss begins to use rote mudras. He slices the sleeves of Weiss's cassock to tangle his arms. L feints, successfully, and then goes to slice the sleeves. He succeeds. Salih: Monkey's Paw. (12 hours, -1) Ernst tries to direct this castle spirit into Weiss's body, but the spirit cannot break through into the body past Diana's armor. "What is this supposed to be... your pet monkey?" pointing at L. Matthieu uses an improvised version of Pygmalion's Caress (Orpheus's Lament), and reduces Diana to tears. L gets angry, "This war is now coming to you." Weiss collapses to the ground, a weeping mess. Salih confirms she is gone. She kicks Salih out of the scrying, and help Weiss to his feet, pinning the vial to his cassock. (113 - 155)

Scene Eleven: The Llull-Bruno Machine

Matthieu: Craftsman's Eye. L: follows Weiss back to the Klementinum. Matthieu is infuriated at how petty this action was. L assures him this is how things are done at court. The machine is meant to draw ideas and memories of books and texts out of people's heads. The gold contact goes into the base of the brain. It then uses moveable type to print these out on great scrolls. We want to send a decoy into the Klementinum, some disinformation. Jiri has an incredible library, Hagecius as well. It seems like they are trying to build a huge library out of all these innocent victims. Custom paper? Ernst asks. Could we disrupt or change the supplier. Or mark the supply invisibly for scrying. We need to work on Jiri, but also work from a different angle. "Now we need to figure out what we want them to think," Matthieu says. Misleading action? Disrupt something else? Ernst: use the students at the academy as our decoy? Matthieu is opposed. Ernst: Life magic to change appearance, use it on L? Someone else with aura suppression. (155 - 170)

Scene Twelve: Zoom Ahead

Two to three weeks further along. They are going to keep targeting the Peregrinis' known associates. What do we want them to know? Ernst: I want them to know we're moving on them, without specific bits of knowledge. We want to make the Empire look more solid than it is. Matthieu: Create a mythology about ourselves. We've shown them we can stop them: assassination attempts, getting into the emperor's personal service. Pistorius? Friend of Jesuits? Slave of Seers? L: Do we want to get the vampires involved? Zalmoxis? Scrolls of Alexandria? The Seers would drool over this sort of stuff to add to their library. (170 - 180)