Book 3: Chapter 7: Something Incredible.
-[X]The Prime Ministers' Pet Project: The Prime minister is wishing to use the surplus of Gold in the budget to fund schools… Grammar School he calls them, to teach latin, Italian, and Greek, along with mathematics and literacy. He just needs your support for the Senate to Approve them. DC: ??? Reward: You begin the process of founding new schools for the Major cities. (Will complete in two turns)
The Work continues.
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-[X]The Last Will and Testament of Leonardo Da Vinci: The Great master has left behind something for the Italian Kingdom. DC:??? Reward: One Last Gift. Rolled:
D100 + 20 => 90+
D100 + 20 => 119+
D100 + 20 => 100+
D100 + 20 => 120+
D100 + 20 => 103+
D100 + 20 => 119+
D100 + 20 => 100+
D100 + 20 => 99+
D100 + 20 => 98+
D100 + 20 => 68=
Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the greatest minds to ever live. Even greater than you, in many ways. But he was always secretive, something that was filling all who knew him with a sense of Envy and mistrust. They think that he was crazy, mad or even just out of touch.
Yet there was something he always liked about you. When you last spoke, before he passed. He told you this. "Use this for the Wealth of Nations. Of Italy and our home. But never abuse that power."
When he died, you never realized what he actually meant.
To Luciano, the young King I have to respect.
Your Master Machaveli had wished that I had openly placed this to the open, for all the world to see, but I unfortunately do not believe that the technology we currently have would make it useful.
Or safe.
That is why many of the things that I am about to tell you is most important. And that only you should decide what it should be used for.
In my notes, I have created several inventions, encoded so that others would not basterdize my work, or see it only be used for the weapons and warfare as so many wished to see. My inventions are for all of mankind. For the world to see.
While I am certain that much of it will seem foreign to you, I know that you are smart enough to realize what it may mean for all people, if they are to be created.
You see, a colleague of mine, whom I entered correspondence with thanks to Master Gotz, has informed me of this wonderful invention that can print books at a speed that would be mindbogglingly fast, even for the new age that we live in. He will in due time, send you the schematics for it, for I believe it will be a project that will be or interest to the First Minister.
As for my notebook, I leave it to you, along with all the schematics that it has.
Though two pieces of information that I have may be of some use to you. My Steam engine is something I have long had a fascination for, and that I wish for you to try and expand upon it, try and create something bigger, that could heat water at will, or pump water out of the deepest mines. Or use it to find a way to light entire cities so that we may not be scared of the dark.
And finally, I leave you with a matter that I had only recently discovered, and one we should take haste to capitalize.
In the Sinai Peninsula, the region is ideal for a construction project the likes of which the world has never seen before. Cutting through the continent and using a system of canals, you can open a new door way to the East, without traveling through the world, or to the West as Columbus had. India, China, all will be within your grasp.
It would just require lives, and blood to see it done. In my notes, there are maps of the region, the sediment layout, everything I was able to receive from your spy Ezio when he was in Egypt for me.
My last wish… Do not needlessly wage war for your power. Only for Italy.
Your first king in a thousand years to be one where the people choose. Do not waste it for ambition and greed.
Your humble servant.
Leonardo.
Reward: You have Leonardo's notebook, and with it, all his inventions and ideas. You will need to decipher it though.
He also leaves you with two great engineering projects.
One of his steam engines, that he believes can be modified and made more powerful, serving whatever use that it can be… to serve and create something that all of Italy can benefit.
Along with the most ambitious project ever devised by human hands. He believes that you can create a canal that can do… the impossible. Serve as a sea gate to India and the East.
Gutenberg will also send you a copy of the design of his printing press in a few turns once he is finished with it. He believes it can change the world.
New Actions Available.
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-[X]Rebuilding Rome (The Sewers): You have a strong belief that if the city can remain clean and healthy, the city's entire place will follow. DC: ??? Reward: You begin a reconstruction of Romes's Ancient Sewers. (Costs 4 Turns) Rolled:
D100 => 22
With all that The First Minster is spending, he refused to sign off on the budget, instead wishing to finish his pet project, before everything can be made whole.
Failure!
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-[X]The Moderates and You: The Moderates are what you expect. Men who want nothing more than to keep Italy stable, happy and their positions secured. It is an honorable position to have, and perhaps there are things that can make things happy. DC: 20 Reward: You meet with the Moderates, and discover their objectives and political makeup. Rolled:
D100 => 70
Senator Travoli's moderates as they were called… well they were nothing of the sort.
They were radicals in the most dire manner. They despised war, viewing it as a waste of the state's resources that could be used to increase trade, and build infrastructure. Almost everything that they viewed as wrong with the world, went back to the inability to trade, and exploit markets for their own benefit.
That is to say they are not insane. They were fans of the Navy, and they would spend much to maintain it's current form.
Yet they are also incredibly naive when handling diplomatic affairs. They are easily swayed.
It is quite a good thing that the Republicans and the Grazini's are in a coalition… because otherwise, you feared, they would have done something incredibly stupid.
In fact, their greatest ally was a domestic rabble-rouser that started a newspaper, that was slowly entrenching itself into Italian Society.
Octavian was a strange man… but soon you felt, he would become one of the most powerful men in the country.
Yet they were remarkably able to get people on the side. And you honestly didn't care. They did good work. And weren't threatening to kill you.
Reward: You learn about the moderates and other people in your government.
They are strange, but they are also competent.
The Moderates do not provide any bonuses to the Rumor mill. But they do not provide any debuffs as well.
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-[X]Simple Matters of Trust: You and Isabella take a long look at each other, as you led her through the fields. "Is everything alright?" You asked. DC:40 Reward: Unknown. Rolled:
D100 => 72
Isabella was quiet as you walked across the field, and you watched as she shivered, standing in place on the open field. "Are you alright?" You asked as you tucked your pistol into its holster, seeing that she was no longer in any danger.
"It's strange to hear those words?" She said with a quiver in her tone, as she sat down, and you followed her. "Strange indeed."
"How so?" You asked. "Showing care is not a weakness."
"You haven't met my father or grandfather. They dotted yes, they cared, but they never loved." She said. "When I was young, I was told that I have a duty to preform, one that is to secure alliances, and to make friends, serve my families interests… and only theirs."
She took a breath and held herself tight, clutching her knees. "When I became ill, the doctors told my father I would not live. That I would die. That God had cursed me with my frailty and everyting was because of his sins… but he never took it as his sins. He blamed me, and my mother, before he died. Charles ran away, and chose to ignore the responsibilities that he was born to, because he decided that adventure and glory were what he desired."
"And what is it you desire?" You asked.
She laughed. "I have no desires, my duty is to my husband. To you."
"That doesn't answer my question." You stated. "What is it you desire?"
Isabella looked out into the horizon. "I don't know. I thought I would be dead by now. I never thought about what I wanted. Only that I had to do my duty. And die. All my being is to secure alliances and bring children into this world. Everything else is secondary. Even my political training is merely a means to an end."
You took a breath and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I'm just a pawn in politics just like you. I don't have desires."
"Yes you do." You replied. "You just don't know what it is yet."
She looked at you, and than your cheek. "Why do you care if I'm happy or not?"
For The Love of Man Activates!
"Because you are my wife… and you are a person that shouldn't be that way." You said. "Because I do care."
There were tears in her eyes, and she looked away. She said nothing more.
Reward: You have begun to build an understanding with Isabella. And she is beginning to realize the empathy that you have…
And that she doesn't need to be afraid of you.
And that no one can hurt her ever again.
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-[X]Retirement: Machiavelli is enjoying his retirement. But that does not mean you do not come to him for wisdom. DC: 0 Reward: You get Wisdom from your Old Master. Rolled:
D100 => 65
"You should let me die." Your master said as he looked up from his writings. "What part of retirement do you not understand Luciano?"
"I still need your advice." You stated. "And you are still here to give it."
You master Laughed. "Indeed I am, before my heart kills me. So what do you need?"
"Do you think we will be at war?" You asked.
His face became serious. "At the moment no. With the Navy as strong as it is, they will keep the mainland safe for a time. The German princes do not see a threat right now from Italy, now that you married the Emperors grand daughter. But France still holds much desires, and they will want their territory back."
"And the Ottomans?"
"Irrelevent at the moment. Your thrashing has given him pause, and the hungarians might be able to finish the job." He said. "But I doubt it. Suliman is different than his father, more calmer, more able to trust and take action. He's dangerous."
"So am I." You stated.
"No you are dangerous because of how little power you wield." Your master said. "They can't just spy on you to see what is happening. Suliman is all-powerful, his armies obey him and his command is law. He will wish to stabilize his rule. And do it well before he sets his sight west or south."
He smiled. "You were wise not to marry his sister. He would have used her to influence our affairs."
"Thank you." You stated. "Now what?"
"I'm old Luciano. Please, I want to be able to bask in my success, and die peacefully, not enamored in politics."
"You know that won't happen." You said.
"True, but an old man can hope." He stated.
Reward: The Master gives wisdom.
-[X]Letters from an old Friend: Charles has sent a letter from the New World. A New World he intends to conquer. DC: 0 Reward: You look at the whole letter, and realize something strange. He doesn't want to come back. Rolled:
D100 => 1
Loot Quality:
D100 => 21
My brother,
How it warms my heart that I can call you that now. I have had a wonderful time in the New World, and I have conquered much. And there is still more.
I wish I could send you anything… but there is nothing I can send other than my love, and the gold I give you.
I have sent you slaves that these savages are… but I learned of your disdain for such practices. Which is quite a pity. This new world needs labor, and African slaves are the most readily available ones that we can use. For there are just not nearly enough Spaniards to come to the New World.
Charles, Prince of the New World.
Reward: Charles may have allowed his power to go to his head… his letter is clearly unhinged.
And he is also expressing interest in exploiting the new world for all it's worth…
As well as using it on the backs of slaves.
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-[X]The Keys of State Craft: Your master wants you to learn the fine arts of making friends and allies. Even if it means you abhor them. DC: 40 Reward: You learn the fine arts of diplomacy. Rolled:
D100 + 15 => 57
You learned well from your wife, who was a remarkably good teacher.
Reward: +1 to Decorum.
AN:
@RealOtto Your roll bonus really caused me to tear my hair out right now.
HOLY FUCK!
