I, Borgia

1512, the loss of Divinity
[Construction, Stewardship, 23+20=43]

A small snag is hit in illarios construction of the castle, finding that its hard to work under piles and piles of snow. While in the rest of Italy it may not be as much of a problem, high up in the mountains it proves to pile up more and more. He covers what he can so it won't be damaged by any wetness and does what he can to order more men and supplies so he can clear off the work site.

[363/500]

---

[War: Martial, 88+18+15=121]

You give Ast the command to march the Pisan army north into Modena to attack the Ferrarese army, hoping to break their siege on the conquered city. For once things seem to go smoothly for your armies, as their march goes unimpeded aside from a few momentary distractions amongst the soldiers. They soon reach the outskirts of Modena and are met with a line of soldiers and cannons. It would seem that the scouts of Ferrarras army told of their coming. While the Ferrarese had the initial advantage Ast was able to distract them with cannon fire of his own, all the while his cavalry circled around and charged their back lines, leaving the infantry free to engage the Ferrarese soon retreated back to the rest of the army at the siege camps, and a counter siege has begun as they refuse to retreat.

---

[Smuggling: Intrigue, 20+17+10=47]

Despite the recent chaos in the ottoman empire, it is no easier to smuggle anything to the Shia rebellion then before, perhaps worse even. Every pirate and opportunist has come out in full force, Tunisian and mamluk privateers, Crimean Cossack raiders, The knights hospitaller, The black sea and eastern Mediterranean have become something of a pirates dream. The ottoman fleet, or rather their fleets for the two halves of their civil war, are more focused on attacking each other rather then putting down these raiders. Suffice it to say your ships aren't penetrating that swarm of leeches.

---

[Rescue: Intrigue, 27+20+20=67]

Thanks to Sophia's byzantine contacts she's able to scrounge up some more information on what happened to Belotti. Apparently there's been conflicts between the assassins and templars over the keys Belotti was helping to find, to open this vault of theirs. Well it would seem that the last of these keys was below the yerebatan cistern, and the assassins beat the templars there. A few templar scouts were able to make out an older man matching Belottis description, shackles on his legs, helping them in their search. It would seem he was captured and is now being forced to help their search. With the time it takes for these messages to travel they likely already found the key under yerebatan, Giving each side at least two, you don't know if there's more. Belotti is either at one of the assassins dens, not great, out searching for more keys, or at this vault of theirs.

---

[Colonization: Learning, 5+18=23]

Once again you have the N.W.C. round up settlers for the eastern coast of the continent, though there's some unease from the settlers once news of the last expedition there's reaches them. Horror stories start to form in their minds as to what might have happened, enraged cannibalistic natives, psycho cults and evil gods, Monsters that roam those lands, you have the N.W.C. start to crack down on talk like that. You can't have these settlers going in with some fatalistic outlook, there certainly won't be a colony then.

You will learn of its fate next turn.

---

While the company is semi-independent you still hold a great amount of authority of it, so you decide to allow their request to be allowed to form their own armed forces, but under a few conditions. These armies be up to the standard of the current forces of Romagna, armed with cannon and pistol, and trained to a quality standard. Should there be an armed conflict in the territory with one of the commanders of Romagna present they will defer to that commander's authority. Michelangelo helps you in the wording of the law so that there is no miscommunication in these rules. While the company does appreciate being allowed to form their own forces, obviously they don't quite like the limitations placed upon them. Regardless they start forming a few, admittedly smaller, platoons from mercenaries and some of the preexisting settlers, and these forces should be ready in Barbaras and the cape within the year.

---

[Security: Intrigue, 34+20+17=71]

When you ask Arnao how the assassin could have made it into Ravenna he just gives you a strange look. "The assassins are masters of infiltration, slip off those robes and they look the same as any other traveler we would get inside. Even if we kept all visitors out, they are still capable of climbing the walls in the dead of the night, I've seen them launch themselves up the sides of buildings as if they were spiders. Then there is their ability to kill, for which they've so lovingly titled themselves. I've seen the work lady Sophia has put in place but even them assassins are always finding new ways to kill, new ways to circumvent defenses.

The only way to completely defend yourself from them is to have the city under full lockdown and kill anyone out in the streets who isn't a guard, or hide yourself away on some distant island and hope they don't find you." there's a slight pause before he speaks again. "My apologies if this seems rude senor but this is obvious information about the assassins. I know that you have some sort of truce with them in Italy, but do you really not know anything about them? Their tactics or techniques?"

You stumble a moment over your words, trying to find the right way to say it. "I.. suppose I've not had need to know much about them. I've managed to evade their ire until this point so it seemed that Sophia's defenses would be enough." The crow lets out a long sigh before saying "The only true safety from those murderers is in their destruction. Your treaty with the Italians has let you grow complacent, and it puts your family in danger. Place bars over your windows, spikes along the walls, but these are only temporary solutions. You do not fight mere individuals, or even a group, but a cruel invasive idea, demanding that they answer any believed wrongs with blood and destroy any sense of peace or stability in the pursuit of their goal, and it is impossible to kill an idea."

---

[Compass: Learning,25+35+18=78]

Leonardo's work continues on the compasses, trying to find an easier and more reliable way to make them. He feels like with the prototypes being tested by a few hired hands as well as his own small expeditions with Salai that he's close to having a design hed feel comfortable having a soldier or sailor use, and by that he means durable enough for it to take some dedicated effort on their part to break it.

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 3+20=23]

To say Elena's attempts at starting the school are anything less then disastrous would be a lie. Shortly after she begins to stock the facility with papers, books, and various metals for demonstration, a disaster occurs. No one quite knows how it happened but many of the caves underneath the fortresses collapsed, causing much of the mountain above to collapse alongside them. Some blame the miners for not being careful enough when setting up supports, others claim that it was caused by the mercenaries using abandoned mines as storehouses for gunpowder and shot, some say it was merely an act of god. Regardless, though the forts still stand much of the original buildings have collapsed with the mountain, including Elena's would be school.

---

[Repairs: Stewardship, 70+20=90]

Djangos repairs of Bolgona continue to be quickly done, if only so that he can escape the place sooner. He swears that he doesn't feel safe there whatsoever anymore. He says that someone nearly burned down the inn he was staying at and he swears it wasn't an accident. Most everything is done in the city, all that's left is a few repairs on the cisterns of the city, then he is out. If he never sees bologna again it will be too soon.

[234/250]

---



You can barely feel your arm some days after the attack, dumb and cold from the wound and medicine the doctor uses. You hand is nearly useless, the hole in it barely healing. You need an end to this, no matter how suspicious it may seem. You make your way into the crypts once more, entering by a different entrance since you can't use your hand for a ladder along the way. Dust, cobwebs, and all manner of vermin are your only companions as you make the trek, before finally you find yourself at the coffin where you've hidden the items before.

It takes quite a bit longer to open up the crypt, unable to use your other hand for leverage on the crowbar, but eventually you manage to crack open the casket enough to look inside. The same ancient skeleton is there, along with….where's the shroud. Where's the apple!? It feels like some icy claw grabs your heart and tries to crush it as you look into the crypt, desperately hoping they just rolled under the skeleton, but try as you might you find nothing, nothing but a slip of paper, marked with the assassins symbol.

Your legs grow weak beneath you, and you unsteadily lower yourself to the ground to sit. The assassins have the apple, and the shroud. When did they take it, when they tried to kidnap Lupo? It's the only time you encountered them since you last used the artifacts. You use your sixth sense and look around for any sign of their passing. The lightest imprints of boots in the dust, unbloodied. If it had been the one who had attacked you and Lupo there would be blood from where Lupo stabbed him, or he would've used the apple against you. Was there a second assassin?

You find yourself thinking yourself into a frenzy, eventually screaming in anger and dread. If the assassins, the Italian assassin, learn that you had the artifacts and hid it from them your truce may as well be over. They wouldn't trust you whatsoever, why would they after proving yourself a liar. What can you even do from here? You slowly get yourself back up on unsteady legs and make your way out, more paranoid then ever. Does Machiavelli know? Leonardo? How did they learn of the pieces of Eden you had? You make your way back home and lock yourself in your office, trying to think of a plan.

---

Fighting has been heavy in Milan, as papal and imperial forces work to expel the French armies from the land. One Gaston de Foix, a French commander recently arrived on the battlefield, immediately led his forces to begin sacking the lands of any city loyal or sympathetic to the Italian forces, starting with the city of Brescia. Any city that hasn't surrendered or paid tribute faces the same fates. The forces of Charles and Juan meanwhile hunt down Gaston and every other sign of French movement in the area, taking on a no survivors policy until the French surrender or flee.

---

Cesare has reached Rome, and has put the city to siege. Cannon fire and siege weapons rain death upon the romans, with many of their guns aimed for the lands of the papacy. The Swiss guard marches back to Rome to face Cesare, with the few papal guard left in Rome fighting desperately and savagely against your brother. Ferdinand has also been trying to march his army out of Germany and back south, but the constant assault from Cesare's French allies strip away at the former Spanish kings army. Obviously Cesare, along with Isabella, have been excommunicated from the church, and you've received some letters from Julius demanding that you do something to stop your brother. Apparently there was supposed to have been a council of sorts, regarding both a peace to this war as well as the supremacy of the popes divine authority, but it has been cancelled due to the current assault on Rome.

---

It would seem that the only member of this league that can repeatedly fight off the French in this war is the English, leading multiple invasions along the French coast led personally by king henry the 8th​. The only problem however is that the man lacks the funds to support the army for long, often retreating back along the channel. Apparently, the boy is not quite great at the conservation of funds, having hosted more games, ceremonies, and tournaments then is financially sound before the war. It would seem that even the English grudge against the French is not enough to fight off empty bellies.

---

Wallachia, led by Ruxandra, has joined this "War of three emperors" on the side of the byzantine rebels. Her forces have led constant raids along the border, as well as capturing land up to the city of Varna. Maria Palaiologos, Empress of Byzantium and grand master of the byzantine rite after the assassination of her adopted father, approached your wife with the offer of joining the war some months ago, promising her whatever lands she can take from the ottomans and a guarantee of independence should the ottomans be defeated. While many of the boyars protested against this they soon found themselves falling in land or falling in a grave with the aid of her new ally Vali.

---

Speaking of the war of three emperors, while the Byzantines are the unofficial leaders of the rebellions, they don't all consider themselves byzantine subjects. Many in the Greek lands have declared full independence under the old names of their lands. Achaea, Epirus, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, each is vying for its own independence in the war, despite Marias efforts to unify them. A lot of maps just might be useless by the end of this war.

---

you have 1140 florins, a rebuilt elite army, 3 regular armys, a group of bodyguards, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects


[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts
[] Try to find someone within the church you could push into becoming antipope?

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
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1513, the Sack of Rome
[Tracking: Intrigue, 10+20+10+20+17=77]

Arnao's investigation into the assassins hits quite a few snags along the way. Search as he and the cento occhi might the assassins left little signs of their time here, and little to look in to. He asks you to describe the assassin that broke into the villa, and you didn't exactly commit the mans details to memory, though one thing does catch his attention. "So the assassin only had a hidden blade? No sword at his side, Dagger, nothing?" "If he had one I didn't see it and he didn't use it against us, is that important or something?" Arnao pulls out a small book from one of his pouches and begins to flip through it while saying "It is unlikely that most Branches of their creed would go unarmed unless they were a very traditional branch, and the English are anything but traditional.

Now there are a few possibilities, either he merely didn't pull out a weapon or lost it, but I don't think it was the English. If this is a more traditional branch like it sounds it could be either the French or Spanish brotherhoods, though id lean towards the French. They are slavishly devoted to the old ways od their creed, and far more cultlike. They rely almost entirely upon the hidden blade, giving out a dagger and sword only to their higher-ranking members. They may have sent their junior members after you either due to allegiance to the French king, simply because you are a templar and they thought you and your family vulnerable, or some other reason or a mixture of them. It would also explain why we didn't find any signs of an English ship they may have come by.

You trade with Provence, yes?" the question surprises you a moment before you respond "I inherited trade with Provence when we annexed Pisa, what about it?" "That is likely how they arrived, if I may have your permission to look at the logs of Pisa's harbor me and the eyes may catch a lead we could then follow on." You want them found, at least to hopefully cover up that you had the artifacts, so you give a nod. "Permission granted, and from there you may hunt them further at your discretion so long as anything unsavory cant be tracked down to me. You may also want to speak with the templars in savoy, they may know more about their French neighbors, ill send a letter so they'll know you might come by." With a nod and a salute from the crow he leaves the room, off to find the crows and give out commands.

---

[Repairs: stewardship, 33+15=48]

You allow Django to retreat from bologna while a few workers are given the basic description of what needs to be finished. Shortly enough, the city, while still bearing scars if you know where to look, is back to its original shape. The citizens are no longer living in buildings with holes in the roof nor walls cracked and falling. The city walls, likewise, are in good shape, should any army come to attack they won't immediately fall. The citizens are still surly and strange however, possibly the only reason they haven't revolted being that you've sent an army at their rival of Modena.

---

[???: Stewardship, 35+20=55]

Its some time before you next hear from Django. Apparently he's been racking his brain on what he'd actually want to build, and while he had many ideas, a good number were either unpractical or would cause another attempt by the zealous to try and murder him. Eventually he came across an idea with the help of the acting troupe that Georgios helps with. The plaza that they've been operating out of recently has been closed off due to some merchants or nobles desire to build a new villa, and they've been looking for a new place to work out of, and as steward and a friend of Kostas he could give them some tips. Sadly no tips were to be had, but there was inspiration, as Django decided to build a theater in the old Greek style.

Well, mostly In the old Greek style. While that certainly works for what they needed, it was outdoors, and a simple stone platform with seats around it, while possible, would be incredibly boring, so instead he plans on building a grand building for theatre and other artistic display with the wonderful inclusion of a roof, truly an architectural genius of our time. This does however cause issues for lighting, and so with the aid of the actors he devises large windows above the stage and throughout the building to allow in as much light as possible centered on the stage. Failing a sunny day there's also plenty of scones and candelabras and a grand chandelier in the main chamber to provide lighting. Hopefully the building will be done within a few years but obviously that's only if everything goes well.

---

[Loans: Diplomacy,68+20=88]

While it may not have been the English assassins who attacked your home this time, it doesn't mean they won't try again in the future, and it wouldn't hurt to support the young king in his current financial troubles against your mutual enemy in the French either. A legal writ promising him the funds to be acquired via the bank of Medici, sadly you don't have one of your own banks in England yet, for a total of 700 florins, equal to quite a bit more in their shillings. There is to be no interest charged on this loan, only the promise that he should not aid the assassin, and where possible harm them as he would the French with just a touch more discretion. This part of the deal obviously isn't part of the information given to the bank but rather sent shortly ahead of the coin to henry directly.

A response is received shortly after from the young king.

"Dear Duke Borgia-Romana of Romagna,

My thanks for your offer of coin, it is one I will gladly accept, though I fear matters with these assassins may prove tricky. I vaguely know of those you speak of, my father mentioned them few times in passing in-between the time of my brothers death and his, so my knowledge as to how to recognize or have them hunted is limited. I do still plan to honor the conditions of your loan however I can, but it may take time for me to begin. I do hope you understand.

May we fight together on the field against the French, King Henry of England and lord of Ireland."

---

[Alliances: Diplomacy, 45+20+20+10(Charles and Juan vouching for you)-40(vast difference in strength)=55]

You decide to try suggesting an alliance with Emperor Maximillian. Machiavelli tells you that it is a poor plan, men of that strength don't seek allies of your rank but subjects, but it can't hurt to try. A few weeks, however a very blunt response comes your way. "To the Count of Romagna,

While your offer of alliance is recognized and appreciated, the emperor does not wish to be tied by alliance to such a lower power. You may request admittance to The holy roman empire as one of its very many territories and this request would then be debated amongst the electorates and lords of the empire. May your days be ones blessed by the Lord.

Signed, Imperial steward Balthasar Magne."

Machiavelli Asks you for the letter without telling you why, and seeing no reason not to you oblige. You immediately regret this decision as he has it framed in his house labelled "The hubris of Borgia".

---

[Treasure hunting: Learning, 52+18=70]

Searching for new pieces of Eden goes about as well as you'd expect. These items have been hunted, horded, and coveted for millennia, perhaps since the dawn of man, so it wont be an easy thing. You search though ancient records, find many allusions to things which may have been pieces of Eden, Miracles of god, or mere exaggeration for a better story. Looking towards the ancient gods, as apparently, they existed in some manner if consus spoke the truth, perhaps Zeus's lighting bolt was a staff of Eden such as the one that Juan took from the papal palace, or maybe you might find some lead further east searching for whatever it was that Nergal had hid though your uncertain if you even wish to travel to the east again. Egypt may also hold some artifacts but you'd need to get around the mamluks for that. You would need quite a bit more time and more sources of information to find a good lead on something tangible.

---

During all the various tasks that you've busied yourself with, you make sure to set some time aside for your sons and nephew. The two older boys seem to have taken the assassins attacks to heart, growing somewhat paranoid and alert at every noise in the dark, though you manage to get the two to distract themselves from it for some time.

Lupo, you allow him to indulge more into his stories, that or pester Guillaume who is all too happy to tell tales of knightly valor, and he tries to mold himself into the righteous and just knight he wishes to be, all the while keeping his "Chrysaor", a Schiavona according to Lupo and Guillaume, close at hand despite the request to not train with it until the next year.

Giovanni likewise spends his time deep into stories, though instead of ones of knights and heroics they are instead of the ancient past. You ask him about it and he tells you he simply feels drawn to it, finding these old legends help him focus his mind. He and Lupo often find themselves challenging each other to games or competitions, a competitive spirit developing between the two.

As for Apollonio he seems to have been unchanged by the assassins' attack, though you suppose that makes sense since he wasn't targeted by them nor near the attack. He spends his time exploring every nook and cranny of Ravenna, often with a small following of grooms to keep him from harm, doubled since the attack, and often without as the little monster seems to love sneaking away and giving people a fright. You can only hope that he will grow out of it by the next year for when his learning begins, otherwise he may just escape his tutors and their lessons.

Overall, they seem to do be doing well after the attack, that or they've mastered the ability of every child to lie to their parents. You do your best to make sure they feel safe and protected here, and hopefully one day they won't need your protection, but even now you imagine that won't stop your worry.

+1 relationship with the boys, Apollonio has gained +5 intrigue, +5 learning

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 14+20=34]

Elenas metallurgy school continues to flounder, seemingly dead before it even arrived. The clearing of the collapsed mines has left her with little opportunity to even think about the school, as rubble is cleared away and sifted through for the greater part of the year. She requests the support needed to help with the repairs, either manpower or cash.

---

[Rescue: Intrigue, 65+20=85]

Sophia has managed to finally track down professor Belotti with the aid of a byzantine templar by the name of Leandros to the fortress of Masyaf. An ancient assassin fortress since before the crusades, it once housed the leaders of the assassins in the holy lands, it fell into the hands of the Mongols long ago, and since then has been largely abandoned save for the villagers in the surrounding mountains. The assassins of this age managed to track down the last of their keys, located beneath a bookstore. Leandros had led the templars expeditions here throughout the past two years but had been chased away by the assassins, his men giving their lives to ensure his escape.

Now its once again infested by assassins, and sadly one professor from Pisa. Leandros split away from Sophia, his goal here being the reclaiming of at least one key so as to deny the assassins entry to the vault, and he has no interest in the professors survival, leaving it all on Sophia. The break in to the fortress is not a clean nor easy thing according to her, but she manages it somehow, and finds Vivaldo in a tent in this main chamber and library of the fort. With this place guarded as it is it proves challenging to free the man, but she has an idea. Age and weather have taken its toll, and much of the place is falling apart. One statue along the crown of the fort pushed to the ground below and it had results better then expected. It fell to the earth and punched a hole into some lower part of the fortress. The assassins jumped at the event, and though it put them on alert it distracted them long enough to free the old man.

Sophia dressed herself in an assassins robes and used the combination of disguise and distraction to sneak the old man out "on the orders of the master assassin". It took some time to escape the town, haggling for a horse for herself and the professor to escape on, as well as many days travel to reach a port willing to risk the pirate and warring ships to hop along the coast back to Italy, coin she tells you you owe her, but the professor is back if worse for the experience. While the assassins treated him well he was still a prisoner and they made sure he knew it. He kindly requests some time off, and in exchange he brought some tomes with him from the assassins fortress, just what he managed to have on him at the time of his rescue. As for Leandros, Sophia doesn't really care what happened to him, she had a dislike of the man.

---

[War: Martial, 49+15+18=82]

Though it takes more time then Ast would have liked the Ferrarese army is finally chased off from their siege, freeing up the Army of Ravenna. It wasn't some great battle or impressive feat of cunning, but the mere lack of supplies and support. Apparently they were expecting for the army of Gaston de Foix, the kings nephew, to come and help them, but an unfortunate accident took the life of the young general, ending a quite impressive record for the few months he led any army. In a cavalry charge against the city of Turin in savoy, an attempt to open a path for the French to send in more forces, his horse stumbled, leading him to fall from his saddle, leaving the boy underfoot his own cavalry charge. Needless to say the king was furious at this. Their misfortune is to your gain however.

Army of ravenna freed.

---

[Construction: Stewardship, 43+20=63]

Yet more snags are hit by the construction crew, as more and more snow seems to want to stick to the lands where the castle is being built. Shovels are turned from moving dirt to snow as they find themselves facing one of the few enemies mankind is yet to beat, weather. The fourth and final floor of the building Is finished however, leaving the interior to be finished along with a few towers to keep an eye on the horizon.

[426/500]

---

[Compass: Learning, 29+35=64]

It isn't a pleasant last few months of testing the compass for Leonardo, as he travels aboard a ship of the N.W.C. to test the compass further in non ideal circumstances. These tests do work out however as when he comes back he tells you it is fully ready for actual use and production, as well as that he hopes to not set sail on the ocean ever again.

---

Speaking of the N.W.C. news has come from the colony ship to the American coast, and it isn't good. Once again nothing but a half built settlement is left standing, with not a sign of bodies, warm or cold, anywhere to be found. Even members of the company are starting to believe the claims that the land there is cursed and in need of an exorcism.

---

The sack of Rome is over. Cesare, after months of a never ending barrage upon the city, has marched his men inside, fighting off the few guard still willing to fight, and marching right into the apostolic palace. Now stories from here vary depending on who does the telling. Cesare claims that when he marched in and demanded to be led to the pope he found the man dead in his bed, either by illness or taking his own life. Others however claim that he marched in with a sword and plunged it into the popes heart.

This is a horrible turn of events, for multiple reasons. One, it's a horrible blow to the morale of the holy league and has left the papal army unsure of what to do with their leader dead. Two, the Borgia name is now even further reviled then before. A pope hasn't been killed in half a millennia, and it doesn't matter if your brother didn't actually do it, the stories are already spreading, claims that Cesare is a demon that took human form, that Juan is satanist and practitioner of witchcraft, that you are the spawn of lucifer himself and adopted into the one family evil enough to be worthy of it, and all these tails spreading from the French.

For now Cesare holds his army in the old city, or what's left of it, either settling in to occupy the city, or perhaps he has some other reason. More Spanish armies start to pour in to Naples, seemingly going for complete control of the peninsula.

---

You hear a knocking at your door one evening, not recalling if you had any visitors scheduled. After the last few unexpected visits you make sure to keep a pistol in your good hand when you open the door, though that proves unnecessary when you find an aged dutchman in a rectors clothing at your door. "Good evening sir Borgia, My apologies for the tardiness in arriving but with a war in the way I believed it safer to travel carefully." "Sir Boeyens? I should be the one to apologize. I had forgotten that you were coming, I would have better prepared my home for a guest if I had remembered." "There is no need, I should have sent a letter telling of my arrival but things have been quite busy on my journey. You may still get your opportunity to clean up however. I've just come by to let you know I've arrived sooner rather then later. For now I'm staying with that fool Belotti, the trouble he's gotten himself into just during the time it took me to get here. I'm more then willing to talk papal matters whenever you wish, and now seems to be quite the time what with Good pope Julius' fate. The man always expected to die by the sword, though I imagine he would've rather it have been in the holy land facing off some heathen brute. Anyway I don't wish to take up any more uninvited time, ill be off now just send a messenger when you have the time, now have a good night."

---

you have 735 florins, an elite army, 3 regular armys, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects


[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts
[] Try to find someone within the church you could push into becoming antipope?

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
1513, the year of two popes
[Mines: Stewardship, 69+15=84]

Once again you send directions for the foreman to expand his mining operations, expecting once again for something to go wrong, either digging into yet another underground stream, some deep cavern they would grow lost in, or simply finding nothing at all, but it seems for once that the hunch of the foreman leads him to a new iron vein. Fairly deep, Good quality ore, and a lack of inherent dangers to mining there leads to the quick construction of housing and a smelter near the mine, ready for use. Now all that remains is carting the smelted iron back to the nearby Florence, then from there the rest of your cities.

+10fl/turn

---

[War:Martial, 17+20+20+10=67]

Not wanting to waste much time with the army of Ferrara currently in retreat you send Guillaume off with the army of San Marino to try and take Ferrara as quickly as possible. However, snags are hit. Guillaume is not experienced with leading men afoot nor in organizing a march, leaving him to rely on the few veterans amongst the army for guidance, which does little to help their respect for the knight. Secondly, despite sending them off quickly after news of their retreat, the greater part of the Ferrara army has managed to make its way back home. Lastly the French force once led by Gaston de Foix has begun making its way to Ferrara to reconnect with allied forces. The only benefit Guillaume is left with is that the Ferrara forces are disorganized, unfocused, so before he even thinks of taking the city he focuses his efforts or raiding and sabotaging the enemy forces, techniques that the Hospitallers isolation has forced them to learn. With some luck and time whittling away at their men he believes it should be a simple matter of marching on the city.

---

[Assistance: Intrigue, 77+20+17=114]

You decide that king henry could use some support with his introduction towards assassin hunting and maybe try to reach out and find the surviving English templars to introduce him to, and so you send Sophia off to the isles. She protests some, claiming the land to be a damp rock unsuitable for herself, but you manage to motivate her into going with the promise of a few luxuries and a new coat that should keep her warm while there, as well as a few of the knights templar as a guard so that what happened to Ruxandra wouldn't happen to her.

Of course henry himself is rarely there, running back south into France soon after dealing with some administrative or ceremonial work, so she deals instead with his representative and almoner bishop Wolsey. Henry tells Sophia that anything she would tell him can be told to the bishop, even matters regarding these assassins, so he becomes her main partner in their hunt for these assassins. Unfortunately the Thames den where they'd been attacked once before was completely cleared of any sign if their existence, barring the few blasts you had left behind, so that gives little to track down. Most of the hunt is left targeting the old administration of England left behind by the old king henry, and are little pleased by the new one. Sophia tells you that shell be sending letters every few months regarding hers and the kings progress, however it will be censored as while thankful henry doesn't want give away any unnecessary secrets.

---

[Research: Learning, 13+18=31]

You decide to give a look towards the tomes that Belotti brought back, though he's still in the process of translating most of them. Language drift and his already weak grasp of Arabic lead to many mistranslations and revised versions that he has to make, but eventually a picture starts to form. Most of these come from the time of an assassin master from the crusades, an old man by the name of Rashid Al-Din Sinan, Al Mualim, or the old man of the mountain. They largely recount some few techniques and traditions of the order, at least as far as you can tell. Belottis translations prove confusing at best, leaving strange and rambling words, excessively strange even for such a cult. More time is needed for these papers to really mean anything.

---

[Conversation: Diplomacy, 2+20+20=42]

You had meant to converse with the rector about potentially endorsing him or a candidate he found suitable for the position of pope with the aid of Machiavelli. You had planned to tell him how it was now time for a wise and learned pope rather then a warrior or politician. It was time for someone who can mend the wounds of Italy and put things to rest. Sadly that is not in the cards right now as the bishops of Romagna have requested his help in current temporal matters, and you honestly cant blame them for asking for the help.

Cesare has temporarily exiled most of the papal court to Urbino for the time being, still holding limited power, while he places his own "Pope" in Rome. This new pope, formerly Ramiro de Canizares and now pope Honorius IV, was almost a complete unknown before now, his claim to fame being his opposition of the inquisitions bloody actions against the heathens and heretics in Spain, often leaving much destroyed in their way. This pope, forced upon them has caused quite the stir amongst the church, many claiming him illegitimate as he wasn't properly voted for, while others, those with more humanist views, have decided to put some amount of faith in the man before decrying him, claiming that this may be an act of god seeking a peaceful pope to end the spilling of Christian blood. Now if this were all that had happened Adrien likely wouldn't have been bothered, but events in Avignon have led to questions being asked.

What cardinals have fled Rome and Urbino have converged in Avignon, former site where the French held the pope before. Amongst themselves, and with aid of local nobility, they have voted upon their own pope, one Ancelt Lemery now pope Gabriel. A favorite cardinal of the French kings son in law Francis and a man more similar in temperament to the late Julius, though now on the side of the French. While he was voted for by cardinals, there wasn't even half of the cardinals in total, bringing yet more claims of illegitimacy onto this pope, not to mention that he's nearly a puppet to the French prince.

The question of the two popes amongst the clergy has been whether either is legitimate, and whether either holds true power. Adriens answer to this is a dangerous but potentially useful one, in that there must be another vote for who is to become the true pope. However, the two new popes must also be allowed eligibility in this vote regardless of how they came to the position.

---

[treasure hunting: Learning, 58+18=76]

Again the search for these artifacts goes poorly. You look through templar records and find many mentions of the various kinds of pieces of Eden in various places, but the information is outdated at best, leaving whoever you send after them unable to find much more then dusty ruins. Spears, swords, staves, apples, rings, so many different supposed items and you cant find a single damned one. You need to expand your search as the northern Mediterranean seems picked clean.

---

[Construction: stewardship,98+20=118]

Finally the construction of illarios castle is complete. He invites you up for a tour of the beautiful castle, a four storied wonder high up into the hills, high walls and towers to keep it secured against any who would try and take her, and with a beautiful view of the surrounding lands, letting you view all the way to Florence on a clear day. The inside is beautifully decorated, painted by Michelangelo and stained glass windows painting rooms in a myriad of color, and comfortable despite its ominous if impressive exterior. The building has been reinforced not just aggressive armies, but also certain sneaky individuals. The windows, both stained glass and clear, have been reinforced with steel and lockbars, making it incredibly difficult from any wound be invader. Every door similarly has been given heavy lockbars to prevent forced entry. Should both those fail there are a myriad of secret entrances and halls not on any documents that would allow guards or your family to escape quickly and quietly or attack with the element of surprise. Overall it's the castle of any would be kings dreams, though sadly it wasn't finished in time to taunt the old pope. All that's left is to move in.

Gained defenses for your family against invaders of all types, though not immunity of course.

---

[Construction: Stewardship, 22+20=42]

Sadly Djangos project does not go as smoothly. The theater of his simply refuses to be made easily. Wood and stone is delivered late, workers get drunk and lazy sometimes alongside Django, or the weather decides to be unhelpful, rain soaking the ground where the foundation is to be laid. Despite the setbacks Django still seems to enjoy the project, often coming up with new ideas with the acting troupes inputs or finding some new artist to leave their mark upon his construction. He does hope that the theater will actually be appreciated however. If there is one thing he has learned that the zealous hate as much as a heathen, its an entertainer.

---

[War: Martial, 99+14=113]

Now freed from the Ferrarese siege Kostas is free to continue his northern march. The march is largely peaceful Kostas, cities like Parma quickly surrendering with the French forces in disarray and unable to help they wisely decided to avoid a siege, having been nearly the center of all conflicts so far, and it shows. Things get trickier as they march north east now into the ancient bastion of Pavia, as they haven't been beaten down yet. Backed by mercenary forces the city has stood as the bulwark of Milan's southern defense, unable to be breached yet.

Kostas admits even he can't charge his way through all of that, and settles in for a siege of the city, parking his men as far back as the cannons allow while digging up earthen defenses. This city has been capital to ancient kingdoms such as the Ostrogoths and Lombards, and even when defeated it has proven a bloody wound for its captors, hopefully Georgios can escape that fate.

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 74+20=94]

With a majority of the fallen mountain side cleared Elena returns to trying to set up her school from scratch. She finds a building, not as damaged by the collapse, and purchases it from its former owners for cheap with your money, then gets to work on its repairs, or rather the builders do while she recollects the tools and tomes needed for her to teach. Hopefully there wont be another incident, but just in case she has stored some of the more precious items inside the Borgia-romana bank for safe keeping.

---

It doesn't take a genius to realize there are tensions among the citizens. Religious tensions are on the rise due to the current state of the church as factions within the citizens start to form, and the only thing they can seemingly agree on is zealotry, harassing the non Christians of your cities. These groups are at their worst in Florence and bologna, normally unhappy with everything normally and all the worse now.

---

The N.W.C. has finally had to make use of their newly made forces as both colonies seem to find themselves in conflict with the locals. In Barbaras one of the tribes local to the region tried to perform a raid upon their armory, possibly in an attempt to arm themselves with gunpowder weaponry. Its only thanks to the watchful eyes of one of the new recruits that stopped them in time to prevent anything being taken. This has lead to what seems to be attempts at trade with the other tribe of the area, seemingly willing to civilly acquire the weapons where their more warlike neighbor failed, trading crops food and luxury items for the weapons, such as green jade figures, strange dark and bitter plants, and golden jewelry. There's been some debate over how to approach the trade amongst the company, though a slight majority is leaning towards accepting the trade as they'd be the only supplier.

As for the cape colony, its less dramatic but potentially worrying. A group of one of the African tribes, perhaps scout, crossed over the border the colony had set up, leading to a standoff as company soldiers rushed to let them know they aren't welcome. No shots were fired but these scouts continued to test the border over the coming weeks, and in greater number. Their intent is unknown, perhaps they merely don't understand the concept of a border as one soldier claims, or maybe they're probing the settlements defenses.

---

There's been tension amongst the holy league as arguments have begun over spoils. Venice wants quite the hefty reparations from the French once the wars over, both in gold and control over various major ports to make up for what Naples took back. Naples however has no wish for them acquiring any more fiscal power, as they'd just use it to take back whatever they've lost. Maximillian seeks to keep the peace between the two but their fighting proves incessant.

---

The wars in Byzantium continue as multiple new kingdoms or republics form from these rebellious states. The Cossacks of Crimea have now joined in the rebellions, a much easier war with the black sea in-between them and either ottoman emperor. The brothers continue to fight against everything and anyone around them, losing men slowly but surely as each tries to defeat the other before focusing on rebels. Constantinople now lies somewhat securely in the Byzantines hands, though the assassins continue to be an ever present enemy.

---

The day has finally come, one you've been dreading somewhat. Lupo is now of the age where he can start training with his sword. Nothing to complicated yet of course, simply the basics to help build a strong foundation for him, but now that he can swing the sword he wastes no time doing so nor acting as the knight he wants to be. One day hes Roland, the next El Cid, Galahad, Percival, even Joan of arc one time. The boy pesters his teachers to train him to fight as they did, and every time he must be told to wait till he's older.

Lupo has gained Beginner fighter and beginner swordsman! +3 to prowess, +2 to prowess when using a sword, +1 martial

He has also gained Whimsical! +2 martial, +2 diplomacy, +1 intrigue

---

you have 880 florins, an elite army, 3 regular armys, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Work on translating those assassin texts

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
1514, The fracturing league
[Trade: Stewardship, 37+20+15+10=82]

Trying to set up a trade deal with the Kalmar union proves difficult at first, not only due to the distance needed to travel by ship but also because of the Hanseatic league. They do little to hide the fact they oppose Scandinavian trade, wishing to keep their hold of trade in the north, and while not attacking your ships, they do little to aid them, forbidding them to rest in their ports or purchase anything at their markets, making the journey a long and harsh one though easier than a land route would be. King Christian the 2nd​ does however try to entice the trade as he can, giving very good prices on both the imports and exports of his land that you do though its citizenry. Illario tells you this isn't out of any kindness on the mans part, rather the opposite. This trade completely cuts out the nobility from any of the profit, leaving it to fall either into the kings coffers or the citizens while starving out the nobility, at least that seems to be the hope. The north has little in variety of what it sells, largely rural goods such as cows, pigs, a variety of grains, but what they lack for in diversity they make up for in quantity.

Trade route established, 30fl/turn

Lots of rural goods

---

[Colonization,Learning, 34+18=52]

The colony at the center of the coast is proving to be too troublesome at the moment so you decide to have the colony try further north at the mouth of a river. Its rather far north, a worryingly long journey, but with some luck it could prove valuable. The river should prove a boon for agricultural needs and would hopefully prove good for trade, and if the land is anything like its closest neighbors in France and England then it should be fairly comfortable for settlers. Just in case you also request that the company send along some extra soldiers of theirs with the colony in case of any native issues. The ship is filled with those poor and seeking a better life as usual, but you also get some religious groups leaving as well, thinking that the recent religious issues causing a falling out with the church for some citizens.

You will find their fate next turn.

---

[Tracking, Intrigue, 68+20+20=108]

Arnao left for France a few months ago now. You had suggested he take the cento occhi with him but he says that a large group would only attract more attention and that these Italian thieves would stick out like a sore thumb in France, it'd be better to work with whatever local templar presence there might be. His report finally arrives, delivered by a merchant of the Levesque family, and its information is both plentiful and worrying. The identities of the two assassins are found, one man by the name of Gautier de Carnellion and one woman by the name of Melisant LeBlanc. Gautier, the one you had fought, is apparently descended from a fairly important member of the French assassins who had been one of the key members during their plot to brand the knightly templars heretics. As for Melisant little can be found, likely one of their many indoctrinated converts, though you know that she was the one who must have stolen the pieces of Eden.

With the aid of fellow assassins and the lead they had the pair of assassins reached Paris, but instead of heading straight for their den they instead went to the villa of Francis Valois-Angouleme, cousin, son in law, and heir-presumptive to King Louis. What ties he has to the assassins to make him their first stop is worrying to say the least. Louis was never a friend of the templars but neither was he one to the assassins, the new king of France being allies with the assassins cant be good. They soon left for the den, located deep in Frances catacombs, a maze and death trap ten times over compared to Ravennas.

Most worrying however is when Arnao learned why the French assassins targeted you. they had heard from Italian contacts, no confirmation on whether they were also assassins, that not only had you left yourself with little protection, but they had heard of Belottis discovery of Alaric's treasures. That must be how they learned of at least the shroud, Belotti or his assistants must not have been quiet about their discoveries.

For now Arnao plans to remain in France to see what else he can learn, see if he could find some useful piece of information, but he's ready to act or leave when called.

---

[Smuggling: Intrigue, 73+16+17=106]

For once smuggling goes well, though this may be because Machiavelli ignored the water almost entirely. Ships are sent from Ravenna to Trieste in Austria, after their somewhat recent earthquakes they are happy for what trade they can get even in passing. Then it's a matter of paying off Hungarians until the weapons and food reaches the northern Wallachian border, and from there its their problem. It's a somewhat expensive supply train for you to fund but the supplies are going to use from what you hear, long range cannons and mortars firing into any army waving ottoman flags from entrenched positions along their borders. Apparently the rebel armies are growing rather possessive of their lands at this point, not wanting even their allied armies to enter after a conflict erupted between the Achaens and Epirusians over Athens. For now Wallachia is sticking within its own conquered land or aiding their byzantine allies.

---

[Festivals: Stewardship, 98+20+15=133]

Given the tensions going on right now both from war and religious matters you decide it may be best to distract the people with some sport, games, and entertainment. Jousts, wrestling, jesters and more fill the streets as the people are distracted for a time, betting upon the games and filling themselves with free food, but even now you can see that there are still some tensions among them. It seems that even bread and circuses aren't enough to really deal with the simmering tensions that are brewing. It does keep things calm for a while however so there's that.

---

[STEAM!: Learning, 42+35=78]

Leo takes another crack at the steam device to try and get it working in some way, again progress is minimal. Leos technical description of his work continues to elude you, but at the very least he sounds like he's making some progress. If nothing else it sounds like some of the design could be used for a large water boiler, and a warm bath is always a good thing.

(626/1000 progress on the steam engine)

---

[War: Martial, 63+18-10=71]

While the last army of Romagna, the army of San Marino, is sent to occupy Modena for the foreseeable future, Ast is ordered to march into Ferrara to support Guillaume's forces in the pursuit of any stragglers of the French force. While they may be disorganized however it doesn't mean they are weak, and what forces are engaged give a good fight, with firing retreats and cavalry charges from the flank where possible. While some of the army is stripped away they do manage cause losses amongst Ast's forces while fleeing towards the city.

---

[war: martial, 88+20=108]

These attacks are however enough to help clear out as many of the French from the surrounding land as possible, as was Guillaume's goal so that he wouldn't find himself surrounded when he put Ferrara under siege, so goal accomplished. Now he marches his force on the city where he admittedly has no experience at all, so he just sets up cannons around the city to be fired in volleys throughout the day, hoping that they will just surrender so he won't have to try and charge on the city. It's a simple plan but not necessarily a bad one at least.

---

[War: Martial, 83+14=97]

The siege of Pavia continues, though it's a slow and tiresome one. The city lives up to its reputation, not only being near impossible to break through its walls, as well as the city's defenders fighting viciously and without mercy, sending out raiding parties at night to sabotage and harass Georgios's men, and proving quite the pain to take. Progress is made however as Kostas's cannons are able to inflict a heavy toll on the cannonry of the city as well as breaking a tower or two. A bit more time and luck and the city may be taken.

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 81+20=101]

Things seem to be going well for Elena's school as now a proper building has been readied and remodeled for its new purpose. Some of the stains refuse to come out but those should be covered up by new stains from metalwork in the future. The tools and supplies are moved inside as well as many of the records made by the smiths of San Marino though they are kept under heavy lock and key, Moreso to protect them from disaster than thievery. All that remains now is to gather students and perhaps a few more teachers then just Elena.

---

It would seem that the league is beginning to fracture. The talks of spoils have now been replaced by debates over who leads the league now that Julius is dead and neither pope is aligned with them. Venice claims it should take the lead as it has been in this war the longest. The empire claims it should lead as it is the strongest. England says it should lead as it has been most successful. These arguments have led to this alliance being barely one even in name. The Swiss have nearly completely dropped out of the war, the venetians are in talks with the French though the nature of these talks is unknown, the H.R.E. likewise is seeking peace terms with the French as well as seeking an end to the papal conflict, England continues its fight in France as henry seeks glory, but even he starts to pull back his army's while he lacks German support.

---

The papacy conflict has continued, as the two popes continue to have factions begin to back them in this newly formed power struggle, as the remaining cardinals as well as Adrien try to form a conclave so that a proper election may be held, but the Avignon papacy refuses to acknowledge a need for a conclave, though Honorius has claimed he will allow it should they be gathered, confidant that god will choose the right candidate. Rumors have even begun to spread that the French pope and cardinals seek to split from the roman church, claiming it has been defiled. King louis refuses to acknowledge the Avignon papacy, but he is growing weak as his son in law gathers support, and his authority is almost ignored.

As for the conclave a few names have been put forward as candidates, aside from the two preexisting popes. For his leadership of the cardinals in this time and having arrived just as he was needed some of the cardinals have begun to support Adrien. Others support Giulio de Medici, not just because of his family's power but also for his honorable nature and support of the arts and sciences as well as already being a cardinal unlike his cousin Giovanni. A surprising choice has also come up during this time, one Zobor Rudolf of Hungary, a minor cardinal of little importance, but that is precisely the reason he was put forward as a compromise choice. He holds no ties to any of the warring kingdoms and empires and has shown himself to be a respectable enough figure within the church. King henry tried to put forward Wolsey but this was quickly put aside as the man didn't have the influence nor was he virtuous enough to garner any meaningful support. This abundance of choices has led to worries amongst a portion of the cardinalate however as if the votes are too far divided it may form a new schism in the church.

---
A peasant's rebellion has broken out in Swabia against what they claim to be the corrupt rule of duke ulrich of wurttemberg. Calling themselves the poor Conrad they march on his lands to depose him and the various taxes and excises he has imposed on them. Whether anything will come of their rebellion, who knows, you only hope it won't spread southward.
---

you have 915 florins, an elite army, 3 regular armys, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Work on translating those assassin texts

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
1514, the walls of Pavia
[Construction: stewardship, 4+20=24]

In the short time that Django had been away from the theater it would seem that it had become infested by the worst of all parasites, teenagers. The kids took over the worksite in the time he was gone and turned it into some sort of meetup point for parties or games. Now normally Django would be all for kids finding somewhere they could be free of expectations and prying eyes, but not when its where he's invested a lot of time and money into. He tries to negotiate with them, offering coin and favors, but the kids refuse to budge. Eventually he's forced to call in the guard to help clear them out, but it doesn't help clean up the place, nor does it remove the haunting realization of Django's that he's put down the very thing he would've been part of in his youth.

---

[Trade: Stewardship, 66+20+15+10=111]

Setting up a new trade deal with England goes far smoother than last time. No assassin plots or tricks get in the way of the new deal, though just to be safe checks are placed both on the ships when they are sent off and when they arrive for any signs of assassin boarders. From England Romagna will receive fine wool, mined tin, and a variety of quality naval supplies, while from Romagna England shall receive guns, blades, rubies, and in the future hopefully silks and spices once the war in the east is over.

+30 fl/turn

---

[Schools? : Learning, 58+20+18=96]

Belotti is confused by your suggestion of expanding the university's and opening them to the public. "Might I ask why you would want this? Most of these kids are learning their parents trade or being put to work, I doubt the commoners would appreciate it, and neither would the kids. I already have had enough trouble teaching the children sent by their parents to the university, I can't imagine these kids would enjoy it any more." "I merely want some basic knowledge of mathematics and letters to be spread among the populace to improve their day to day works. I can't imagine that they'd protest too hard against something like that." Belotti gives a surprised look before saying "commoners will protest anything that complicates their lives, and this would be one. If you really want to educate them it needs to come from people they trust, their elders, the church, not a group associated with you, no offense." "Then we could approach the ones they trust, ask the local clergy to set up schools at the church. The people are already zealous so they'd likely accept a divine teaching." "i…fine, ill see what I can set up, but if people react negatively to this don't blame me."

In the next few months the churches of Romagna either start or expand limited schooling for the children of their members, a large amount of it being part of learning the teachings of the bible, being taught the modern Tuscan language, and very basic mathematics, simple addition and subtraction. It does give the church more influence, and even then, many parents don't want their kids being pulled away from their daily duties.

---

[Elections: Diplomacy, 89+20=109]

Getting cardinals to support Adrien isn't all that hard. The mans already taken up quite a leadership position amongst the remnants of the non Spaniard and Avignon papacys. They just needed a little extra push to fall in behind him. The Hungarian began to put his supporters, little as they may be, behind Adrien as well as he believed him to be a more likely calm faction amongst the candidates. The Medici on the other hand is far more ideological supposedly, and not in the way you would want. Apparently, he went to meet Cesare's pope to figure out his competition and instead came out his greatest supporter, claiming that the man was a kindly and pious man more deserving of it then his cardinalship bought by his family's money. Whether he's been paid off, frightened, or is a true believer is irrelevant, as his endorsement has given the Spanish pope some legitimacy in peoples eyes.

This has led to something of a three way tie between the remaining popes, as each vie for influence amongst what cardinals are still undecided or not tied to their choices as tensions continue to rise, largely stemming from the Avignon pope. He seems to judge any and all amongst the church who wont support him as being corrupted by fear or greed, letting earthly desires pull them away from gods will, which just so happens to be his reign as pope, go figure. The Spanish pope and Adrien at least are cordial, though where Adrien advocates for a calm return to tradition, the Spaniard says that's exactly what led to the situation they are in right now. Men who sought to use the church and its power as a means of self enrichment or pursuing their own goals rather then the divine position it is. It needs to be remade so that these men cannot either rise to the position or cannot abuse their power, and that will never happen under the status quo.

Two of the candidates are out of the conclave, three remain.

---

[STEAM! : Learning, 14+35=49]

Leos work on the steam devices continues at a lethargic pace. Even for all his genius it does little for his progress as the device continues to elude functionality. Sometimes he doesn't have the energy to work on it, old as he's getting, devoting more of his time to send letters to friends and loved ones.

(675/1000 progress on steam engine)

---

[Repairs: Stewardship, 39+15=64]

It's been some time since the collapse in the mountains but some work does still need to be done. Most of the fallen stone and dirt has been cleared away, leaving the repair of the paths that were destroyed as well as the rebuilding of the buildings destroyed in the collapse. There's little to salvage from the homes, flattened as they were, meaning that it will be almost entirely starting from scratch to repair them. The gold does help with getting in the materials for rebuilding however.

---

[Persuasion: Diplomacy, 99+20+15+20=154]

If anyone would have the force necessary to take on the French assassins it would be your brother, but you need to be careful with your letter. He only needs to know about the shroud, the apple can stay secret for now, but you need to be sure that nobody else would have access to or be able to intercept the letter. Unfortunately he has left Rome and returned to castile so its not as simple as sending a courier to the holy see, so it must be sent by ship. Despite now being enemies technically in this war you still have trade with Spain, and following that trade are crows. It takes some time to be sure which are actually crows but once they are found you approach them with the letter, telling them it must come into the hands of your brother and no one else.

"Dear brother,

It would seem that the assassins of France have decided to take advantage of the current chaos as they've attacked Ravenna. I wish I could tell you that I fought valiantly or that they were fended off, but in truth I, Lupo, and our nephew Giovanni could barely fend off a singular assassin. If this were all however I would not be bothering you with it. Before their attack I had come into the possession of a piece of Eden, a shroud that could heal all wounds. While we were being attacked a second assassin had found their way to where I had it hidden and stole it from me.

Obviously any piece of Eden in assassin hands is a danger to us, but I don't have the forces necessary to take on the French, but I have discovered a few things. First the identities of the thieves, Gautier de Carnellion and Melisant LeBlanc. second, the assassins are in league with the French heir presumptive Francis, the same one supporting the Avignon pope, as they went first to his manor before meeting with their mentors. Lastly, though you likely already know this, they are deeply entrenched within the catacombs of Paris, likely the surrounding country as well though I don't know the full extent of their influence.

I've sent Arnao into Paris to keep an eye on them, and I ask that you assist him with the aid of his fellow crows or whatever you deem necessary so that we may take this piece of Eden and whatever else they may have out of their hands and into ours. I admit I know little of the templars place in France, only of their eradication when whichever French king declared them heretics, but if there is any presence there we might work with them as well.

There is also the matter of the upcoming conclave, as you've no doubt heard. If you would send your pope to attend it would be most appreciated, as an end to the current religious conflict before it can become a schism would be a boon to us all.

Sincerely, your brother and duke of Romagna, Valentino Borgia-Romana."

It is some time before you receive a letter from your brother in return. It comes by one of his crows, and thankfully there's little in the way of complication as the crows merely come to your home to hand deliver it before disappearing.

"Dear brother,

I had heard the French had obtained new pieces of Eden and this helps identify one of them. The tie between that whelp Francis and the assassins is also appreciated if worrying. My crows are already settled in the Aquitaine region but I can move some north to meet with Arnao. Most of the templars in France are settled in either Brittany or the regions of burgundy, ill attempt to work with them but know they are a proud yet ineffectual people, claiming descent from the templars of old yet doing nothing for all the legacy they love to claim.

As for papal matters canizares is not under my authority. He's been given relative independence as a vassal of the Spanish empire, though I believe he already plans to attend, either to take part or give some speech I do not know. If anyone could command him it would be either Joana or god.

Give my nephews my best regards and hopefully I will be able to meet them soon. Do try to make a treaty with the French soon, most of your "allies" are swiftly abandoning the war and making their own treaties so its best to pull out before you find yourself the only foe left in Frances sight.

Sincerely yours, your brother, king consort of spain and lord general of her armies, Cesare Trastamara Borgia."

---

[War: Martial, 1]

Its September 18th​ 1514, the army led by Georgios Kostas is raining iron and stone on to the fortress of Pavia as they have been for months nearing a year with little to show for it. They're hoping that if they can't breach the fortress they can starve it out via a full encirclement. What they don't know however is that France has been making new allies in the background while the league has been breaking. During the night a mixed force of French knights and soldiers along with venetian mercenaries gathered quietly outside of the Romagna sight, and just as the dawn broke over the horizon, they attacked swiftly and mercilessly.

The captains and commanders were the first to be wiped out, targeted for death or capture and ransom so that the army would remain disorganized, and from there French cavalry would race through the camps in formation, trampling the tents and beds killing any still trying to arm themselves before they even saw the enemy. The venetian mercenaries meanwhile targeted and captured the siege weaponry and cannons before they could be readied by Romagna forces.

The Romagna army of Pisa was destroyed completely in less then a day as cavalry scoured the surrounding lands for any retreating force, and the next day they began their march southeast, into Parma who swiftly surrendered and then on towards Ferrara to aid their allies there.

---

[War: Martial, 17+20+10=47]

With the quick march of the French and venetian forces Ast, Guillaume, and the knights templar are caught by surprise. The dispersed army of Ast, still hunting down any remaining of the original French forces, are caught on the hunt by French cavalry charging them in the field. Just as Guillaume's forces have settled for a siege of Ferrara they were struck by the alliance forces, leading them to quickly flee the recently set up camp. Its not as catastrophic of a defeat as outside Pavia as the armies still remain, though the army of San Marino is at a third of its forces and Guillaume's men are likewise hurting, surprisingly few casualties among the Knights templar but severe losses of supplies and equipment leave attrition on the march home to make up for it.

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 11+20=31]

Well the school is technically set up now, though you aren't impressed by Elena's results. Yes a school does exist teaching the people of San Marino more of the secrets of metallurgy, but the problem is in the teachers and students. The teachers, pulled from the better smiths of the original community in the forts, have no desire to teach those not of their own, and they've made that clear as they bar anyone without roots in the mountains to take part. You tell Elena to march back and fix it as the intent was for it to be open to anyone who could afford the schooling.

---

[Spying: intrigue, 71+20=91]

Arnaos espionage goes well at the very least. He's set up an identity as a barber in the city, and few people think much of a barber, so when he's cutting hair or plucking teeth no one expects him to be listening in on his customers conversations nor prowling the streets at night. With the help of recently arrived crows he's able to collect a few records of the city to help with future operations, maps of both the streets, buildings, and most importantly, the catacombs. Of course its not quite as simple as it sounds as the tunnels are deeper, older, and more twisted then anyone can remember, and the are discrepancies amongst the maps, likely caused by the assassins to obscure and protect their den.

After the investigation of the city Arnao tries to form a hierarchy of the assassins, finding who is important, who has control of what operations, and who is actually a member, and this goes far more poorly. Due to the entrenchment of theirs they are in every level of society, and its hard to figure out just who is properly an assassin or merely their pawn. Needless to say its hardly an enviable position.

---

There's finally word from the colony in northern America, not great but not disastrous. The journey was plagued by storms the whole way, which only got worse the further north they got as they changed from rain to sleet, nearly turning the sails solid some days. They arrived at the mouth of the river on your map and made their way down it, only to be harassed by yet more unruly natives, seemingly even less advanced then those further south. They went to the banks of the river and started to holler at the ships as they passed, whether intimidation or challenge who can say, but a few shots from the muskets send them running. Finally they reach the rivers source to find cold wet lowlands and forests, uncomfortable to much of the Italian colonists. It's a slow and muddy start but eventually something resembling a colony begins to form, if an unpleasant one.

Northern colony begun, if not well off.

---

you have 1090 florins, an elite army, 3 regular armys, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Approach france to work on a peace treaty

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Work on translating those assassin texts

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?

---

Sorry this one took a bit long to come out, things have been busy on my end and this part didn't exactly help either
 
1515, An end of war for now
[Laws: Stewardship, 38+20+15=73]

Putting the new laws in place is simple enough, they already had started trading with the natives in Barbaras for their jade and "cacao" and various local crops. They already weren't trading weapons either to not give away their advantage in the area, as they've even locked away a majority of their weapons in an armory to protect them from any theft or raids. They've also already been exploring the surrounding lands so they aren't blind nor reliant on supplies from home, so really the laws are nothing more making it official.

---

[Tracking: Intrigue, 1]

The Occhis attempt to find Georgios is a disaster from day one. As soon as they've crossed into Milanese territory they are ambushed by French forces in the area, even worse in that they made sure to capture, not kill, the thieves. Now they've been hauled to who knows where for who knows what, questioning, coercion, or something else the French have planned. Obviously, they also come up with nothing on Georgios, whether he's alive or dead or wherever he may be.

---

[Inventing: Learning, 39+35+20-10-20=64]

You try to get your two engineers to work together to try and find some common ground, but anything between the two might as well be scorched earth. Every little suggestion from either one is met with objections and insults from the other. Any progress they do make is lost swiftly in their arguments, any idea shoved away as they are preoccupied with their conflicts. The only thing you are thankful for is that they didn't kill each other or start a fire.

---

[Mercenaries: Martial, 50+16=66]

Given the near end of the war the amount of available companies has risen considerably, though many have decreased in number. A few options stand out to Belotti, and an extra possibility as well. The first would be a more local solution, hiring Ottaviano Sforza-Riario, son of Catarina Sforza. After her death and the lack of friendly neighbors the man has been hiring himself and his men out as condottiero during the war, getting experience and coin for the trouble. Despite your experience with his mother Belotti says he could be a very useful ally, as well as keeping a potentially belligerent force within your lands occupied.

The next option he has is actually a foreign group, a free company out of Tunis. The company is fairly recently formed, hired by the Spanish to harass Sicily and Malta while the Spanish armies were invading, and led by a man named Ramzi al-Bahar, originally a baker who turned to piracy and then later leadership of his company once the wars started. He and his ships proved daring raiders and skirmishers during their time afield, and they might work for you now.

Thirdly is a Corsican free company, led by one Lazzero Avanol. The island, while part of genoa, shares little of their mercantile nature, being a far more military people, often becoming leaders of Genoese fleets or their mercenaries, though this ones somewhat different. They hold little regard for genoas control of the island, finding them useless in their administration or support, and so the local noble Avanol took to leading nearly 3% of its population as mercenaries so that they might fund the island. Of course that's less impressive when you consider the island only has maybe 50000 people on it but they certainly proved their skill during the war of the leagues, having fought for the late pope.

Lastly is Belottis suggestion, and you admit none of your suspicions were quite what he has planned. He wanted to fund the expansion and improvement of the knights templar back into as impressive a band as they had been since the crusades. Of course this would grant them some amount of independence but its unlikely they'd be fool enough to bite the hand that feeds them. Other nations might enlist their services when not working for Romagna, and of course any army, even semi independent, would have some influence in the realm, but what you sacrifice in direct control you gain in a local and professional army. It is of course your choice and you may choose not to, its merely a thought he has had.

---

[Immigration: Stewardship, 3+15+20=38]

When you tell Illario to try and drum up folks who may want to join the colonies, he's very blunt in his response. "I don't work for the company, so no." "It cant be that much trouble Illario, just tr-" "did you not hear me? Its not my job, you specifically had the company made to deal with that sort of thing, they do it already, I'm not going to waste my time and theirs trying to get together another ship full of people. Now unless you've got anything that is actually my job to do then I'm going to the docks."

---

[War: Martial, 19+18-20(two damaged armies)=17]

You had sent a message out to be delivered to either Ast or Guillaume for them to try and engage the French and venetians forces, so when instead you find the remains of the armies outside Ravennas walls you were surprised. Your trip down from the castle is interrupted by this army, Ast at its lead, fire in his eyes. He is disheveled, his once bright and polished armor scarred, scratched, and tattered, dirt on his face and in his hair, bags underneath his eyes. "Mind telling us why you thought it was a good idea to take both armies, crippled and broken as they are, to fend off a fresh French force Borgia!?" he yells loud enough for the gathered men to hear. "Were you wanting us to all die out there for nothing? Did you expect us to grin and accept you sending us to death with a thanks for the opportunity!?"

You try to compose yourself before you speak, you have a few of the guard that traveled with you but you can feel their fear at the site of these soldiers, tired and battered as they are. "Ast, I don't know why you think acting like this is a good idea but I need you and the soldiers to disperse, ill only talk with you if you do this." "Afraid of how they might react for more fool decisions out of your mouth!? Don't want them to hear of your next plan to march on France by sea, or to invade into the H.R.E. now that they're distracted with peace talks? These men and I are tired of being commanded by someone who so wants to play at being a great conqueror. May the French treat you with all the respect you deserve."

Ast and the remains of the army left that day, some few remaining to stay with their families, others grabbing the family to join their march, as they're marching with Ast into the Swiss cantons. They seem to have joined one of these cantons as soldiers or returning to their other jobs, believing the Swiss to hold more respect for the military both current and former. The few to remain were Guillaume and his knights, who had split off from their fellow soldiers, not necessarily disagreeing but not wanting to throw away the new home they have.

---

[Spying: Intrigue, 71+20+15(templar and crow support=106]

King louis the twelfth is dead, long live King Francis. Louis died of gout on the very first day of the year, miserable and enraged. Sadly it was an entirely natural death as Arnao discovered so nothing could be used against this new king, and despite a search louis doesn't even have a bastard to his name that could be pushed as heir, leaving only Francis to take the place. Other than that he does discover some less then pleasant news out the court. Francis has placed his full support behind the Avignon papacy, in secret deciding that the French church will be its only church whether Lemery is elected by the conclave or not. With the conclusion of the war and remaining hostility's with Italy the people are unlikely to oppose it aside from the most zealous of them.

Maps and plans for the Caribbean have also been found. It would seem that Francis wants to get into colonization and has marked out the swampy but fertile northern coast of the gulf as his own. Whether it will actually succeed is anyone guess, but the fact he's trying means another competitor in the area beyond the Siennese and Napolese colonies. May a storm fall on his attempts.

Then there's his ties with the assassins as more of that has been brought to light. Apparently he was approached by them while his father was still duke of Milan, making this a fairly old connection, possibly leaving him with friends amongst them. There may even be assassins within his council now if its new members are as Arnao suspects. They still have yet to discover Arnao nor his fellow crows, and with the financial assistance of the southern templars they manage to set up a small den of their own, though he says he cant tell you its location, just in case the letter gets intercepted.

---

[Treaties: Diplomacy, 26+20+20+20=86]

Machiavelli sent a letter the courts of Paris, requesting for either an ambassador to be sent to Firenze to work on a treaty or permission to be allowed into Paris so that they might negotiate. The letter soon arrives, granting Machiavelli and yourself the permission to come and protection of the crown. It's a long and tense journey of some weeks by carriage, during which Machiavelli drills into your head how the French court works. He also tells you to stay near him, for as long as he is near you won't be targeted by the French assassins. Giovanni, barely a man, is given regency for as long as you are gone.

Paris is a sight to behold once you reach it, marvels of construction and design, but Machiavelli tells you to not let it distract you from your goals. The two of you are given rooms within the palace of Fontainebleau, a large and impressive place. You are left with a guard for as long as you are there, just as much to keep an eye on you as to protect you. the two of you are left waiting for some days as the king deals with other business, wanting to personally deal with your treaty. Normally having you wait like this would be nothing but a stalling tactic, either to put pressure on yourselves or gather useful information, but given that he was made king a few months ago its not entirely out of the realm of belief he is actually busy.

Eventually the two of you are brought out to the gardens of the palace, an enclosed area filled with all manner of bright and colorful flowers. Seated at a table at the center of the garden is the king himself, nearly half your age and smiling as you approach. It seems a genuine one, though there's also a feeling of amusement from the boy. "The duke of Romagna and the great diplomat Machiavelli, I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet you in the person. I hope you don't mind us having our talks of the treaty here, but its such a wonderful day I couldn't help but arrange for us to meet here."

Nor could he help but have an assassin watching over the affair from one of the walls. You almost didn't notice but a nudge from Machiavelli and your sixth sense helped you pick them out. There's likely a few others throughout the gardens to keep an eye out for any deception. "Our thanks for having us. Its about time to put the acts of the league behind us so we might end any hostilities between out people and doing it in such a lovely place certainly helps. But even now I can feel myself missing home, despite how lovely this palace is, so if we could get this finished within the week that would be wonderful."

Francis smiles more and looks between the two of you. "Strange, I find myself agreeing with your desire for an end to this conflict, but I'm not quite sure you truly believe so. You had tried to have your men attack mine after all, even as you were waiting for a response from us. It's a good thing they hadn't however, likely saved their lives as my generals had orders to put down any remaining forces with as much force as necessary. Not to mention your attempts at having those thieves and bandits of yours try to infiltrate Milan, who knows what they could have done if they weren't discovered." He says all this almost casually, as if you were speaking about nothing but some minor inconvenience, but he makes sure to look you in the eyes as he's saying it.

"Merely attempts, failed ones at that, to try and ward off any conflict from coming to Ravenna, we had every intent to honor this treaty and your trust in us." He stares at you a moment longer then comfortable, before nearly saying under his breath "you have a strange idea of honor then my friend. But talks of honor can wait, some servants should be by soon with food and drink for us to have while we get to work on figuring out the terms, so let's get started, shall we?"

You will have an amount of points to spend on this treaty, lessened by your failed actions against France while asking for the treaty. You may gain more points by taking less favorable terms such as paying reparations or promising them a portion of the ships you create every year. You may have an excess of points but you may not end the treaty with negative points.

You have 3 points

French Terms.

Pay 200 fl/turn for 10 turns to France. 2 points

Give half of your ships to France every turn for 10 turns, strengthening their navy and halving your profit from ship sales. 2 points

Aid France in their colonial ambitions. 2 points

Support the French popes claim. 3 points

Become a French vassal. 5 points



Romagnan terms.

White peace. No points spent, nothing gained or lost.

Annex Modena. 4 points

Annex Ferrara. 4 points

Annex Parma. 4 points

An alliance with France. 4 points/ cant take with French vassal

No French colonization near your colonies. 3 points

Paid 200 fl/turn for 10 turns. 2 points

Trade deal with France. 1 point

---

You are also given the choice to pay a lump sum of 600fl for the release of all captured soldiers, commanders, thieves, and more. Will you pay?

[] yes

[] no

---

The war in the east has had an interesting turn of events. Sultan Sulim has died, believed to have been poisoned, though the amount of suspects is too great to figure out just who it was. This would have ended the ottoman civil war but Sulims son, Suleiman, has taken his place in the war against his uncle, claiming the man is too treacherous to be allowed to rule. Suleiman however is not the general his father was, and already some losses can be seen, both against the various byzantine rebellions and his uncle Ahmet.

---

Before you had arrived to make your treaty with France, the English made theirs. They have been given the coast of Normandy in exchange for both the end of their war as well as payment for the damages they have caused in France. King henry has been hosting months of celebration for his victories, claiming that next, once he's had a son, hell take the war to the Scots. Sophias told you that, with the hurdle of administrative work facing him, that's unlikely to happen any time soon.

---

Joana and Spain meanwhile have taken from Naples both Sicily and the isle of Malta, but that isn't the important part. Joana has forced her father to give up all claims in Spain and abroad, and declare that from then on the inheritance of the kingdom of Spain shall follow her line, and when she passes it shall fall to Leon. They've also been made to support the Spanish pope in the conclave that is to happen by the end of the year.

---

The Swiss meanwhile simply got what every heart desires, enough gold and silver to drown themselves in. well, not quite literally, but they made quite the fortune in their deals with both the H.R.E. for their soldiers and the French for their peace.

---

As for the H.R.E. Maximillian has settled for a slight piece of land expanding the Netherlands. Not exactly the outcome they wanted but turmoil in their lands from a spreading peasant rebellion force him to change his focus. The lord of the Netherlands, one Charles Hapsburg, is thrilled with it however, as much of the land is coast prime for docks for trading and ships.

---

The colony of Barbaras has done well for itself, well enough it can be considered self sufficient. They control much of the northern coast of the peninsula now, and despite the Itzas, as they've been discovered to be called, rather horrific practices, they have proven to make for good neighbors so far. T hear the settlers tell it they even have rather impressive constructions, such as a grand pyramid in their jungles and other impressive buildings of stone, though obviously no match for Italian cannons.

---

The cape colony is also faring well, though it still hasn't quite reached self sufficiency. The natives continue to be somewhat posturing, though in spite of the occasional staredown they've accepted the colonies presence and will at times trade with them. They've even tried to hire the company guard, trying to trade strange shells for their aid against other tribes. The soldiers complain the fools don't even have gold down here.

---

you have 1615 florins, 1 regular army, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Approach france to work on a peace treaty

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Work on translating those assassin texts

[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?

---

Bad rolls and bad decisions have led to this not turning out great
 
1515, The Conclave of Sienna
The debates with king Francis last the greater part of a week as the two of you go back and forth on what you want or want in return for allowing something. Francis makes sure to hold the advantage, hanging your attempts at subterfuge and you recent loss of men over your head throughout it, leaving it known in no uncertain words that if he wished he could have his men flood into Romagna if you tried anything more. Machiavelli and yourself both deal with the new king, trying to get a deal that's beneficial for Romagna, but Machiavelli does often deride you for grasping too far at times. You also can't escape the prying eyes of the assassins during your time there. It feels like you are using your sixth sense at all times, and it just barely picks them out of a crowd or from the edge of your vision. But eventually the talks come to an end.

"I believe this is something we can all happily agree to Duke Borgia. I am glad this did not take too long for us to finish, I wouldn't want my people to think I'm too preoccupied with Italians as my father was. I just need you to sign it to signify your agreement, yours as well Machiavelli as you were a major contributor to its creation. I also, of course, will have a few of my fellows sign as witnesses to its authenticity, you've likely noticed them in the gardens by now, and their good character should lend it some credence." The king says in his heavily accented Italian, the Milanese dialect rather than Tuscan at that. You've grown tired of hearing him speak over the past few days and will be glad to be rid of him. You and Machiavelli both put your signatures on the parchment, any excess ink is dried with sand, and then a few of the assassins come from their resting places.

Your hand drifts towards your hip, your dagger at the ready as you watch over them, but all they do is sign the paper, though you notice a limp to one of them, and you can't help but speak. "Foot giving you troubles friend? Must've been some foolish endeavor that led to that." The man looks at you and you recognize him, from what little you had seen of his face and Arnaos description. Gautier de Carnellion, still feeling the effects from when Lupo stabbed him. his face is one of contempt as he glares at you, a younger man then yourself by about 10 or 15 years, cleanly shaved with long brown hair tied at the back, blue eyes, and rather angular face. He's missing the ring finger off his left hand, an old tradition that Arnao told you they still practiced. You make sure to memorize every detail on his face, hopefully to place a bounty on him in the future. In a harshly accented Tuscan he says "Its nothing that wont be answered for tenfold you Borgian rat."

"Friends, please, I don't know what the cause for this sudden hostility might be but there's no need for aggressions, the inks barely dry." The king says from his chair. "But I must also ask you not to Cajole our friends here Borgia. They might obey me in my home out of a respect for me, but I've little control over them outside." Gautier gives one last scornful look to you before scribbling his signature on the treaty, returning to whatever hovel he came from afterwards. The rest of the assassins scratch out their signatures, Chritophe de Longueil, Guillaume Bude, Claude de Bectoz, Roes'de Saint-Prix, and Caterina Sole. Bankers, nobles, a priest, and commoners, though all more importantly assassins, hardly the type you'd accept the good reputation of.

"As for your ransoms they should still be in Pavia, ill send a notice to them for them to release your men and escort them to the new border and from there they will be given food and supplies enough to last them until they reach one of your cities, with horses for the officers of course. I do hope that they make their way home safely.

I am glad to have made this deal with you Borgia, trading a few cities not even under Frances direct control for coin, guns, and ships is hardly a large sacrifice. Of course this treaty will have little effect on the relations between either of our respective orders, I doubt I could get them to stop if I tried. Effective people but I can't say their methods are all too grand, a blade in the darks not quite as impressive as a cavalry charge but it does get the job done I suppose. So id suggest you start on your way back home before they get any ideas." The last part is said icily, though still with a lazy arrogant smile on his face. You want to say something, anything to have the final word, but Machiavelli grabs you by the shoulder.

"I've arranged for a carriage to be waiting for us near the southern gates. Half of your guard should already be there, so let us collect the other half and be on our way Valentino." Its not a request but a demand as he starts to tug on you to get you moving. You try to say something but he keeps hushing you before you've left the palace with your men. "Are you a fool or suicidal, I really must ask." He says as the guards form up around you as you begin your march to the southern gate. "The French rite is more than happy to kill any templar they see, they don't need your antagonizing them as well." "That was the man who attacked my son, I couldn't just let him go by without a word." "You could, and you will in the future lest you want to make your wife a widow and leave your sons without a father." From there the journey is quiet as you move, sixth sense active and picking out one in every 50 to 70 people, from the guard, the peasant, and the rich, as an assassin, or at least an enemy, leaving you constantly glancing behind your back to keep an eye on your followers, of which there are a few. Assassins of course, but you make out a crow or two keeping an eye on you. When you've finally reached the carriage you and Machiavelli climb in and tell the driver to make his way south as quickly as he can.

You arrive just before the ransoms, soldiers, thieves, and officers flooding into Firenze. Among them is one Georgios Kostas, gladiator, bodyguard, actor, and now cripple. During the attack on your men at Pavia it seems his arm was clipped by a cannonball, and that was enough to rip away his right forearm. The mans a brute, and that might be the only reason he lived. The French forces, recognizing him as the general by his garb, treated the wound while he was in captivity.

Georgios: -10 prowess

Cities of Modena and Parma gained

Trade with France gains: 40 fl/turn

Paid 600 fl, will pay 200 fl per turn to France, will lose half you profit from selling ships giving them to France, the French colonies will be more successful

---

[Development: Stewardship, 77+20+14=111]

You gave Giovanni a few tasks for while you were away, such as trying to improve the cities while you were away. A vague order, intentionally so as to give him a bit of a free reign while he was in charge. So he worked with Illario on a simple series of improvements to the cities cisterns and aqueducts, expanding them into newer parts of the city of Ravenna, while also expanding the nightmen so that these newer parts of the city would remain clean of the foulness that came with a city. Not necessarily impressive work but still necessary for day to day living.

---

[Recruitment: Diplomacy: 68+17=85]

As for the bodyguard, he finds a rather strange option. Another Greek, even a gladiator as Kostas was, though he's lived a very different life. Anacletos, a former slave gladiator of the ottomans, he's recently escaped his servitude during the chaos of the war, fled across the sea to originally Sicily, then further north being paid to guard a priest and his family. The man is certainly skilled if not exactly personable, but Giovanni took a liking to the man and offered him a permanent position as a personal bodyguard for your household. His Italians not great, in any dialect, but he's proven himself a formidable fighter, either with sword or spear. He rarely removes his helmet, Giovanni tells you it's a instinct from the ottomans training, but underneath is a heavily scarred dark skinned man with long curly hair reaching down to his shoulders. Your first meeting with him isn't the best as you had just arrived from France fairly late at night and he wasn't exactly courteous, but once Giovanni arrived he stopped pointing a spear at you and Machiavelli. At least he's diligent.

Recruited the bodyguard Anacletos, no last name

Martial 14

Stewardship 8

Diplomacy 6

Intrigue 17

Learning 7

Prowess 24

---

[Army: martial, 72+10=82]

With your only remaining army being that of San Marino you'll need to form another, and soon unless you want to appear weak to your neighbors. So you start building a new force in Ravenna, trying to gather up enough men and equipment for it. All the veterans either left with Ast or want nothing to do with serving you again so you are forced to recruit the mostly fresh and unblooded men that are willing to serve in the army in war time. Not to mention the cost in arming them or giving them even basic training. It feels like its gonna be a long few months, maybe years, getting this army ready.

---

[Recruitment: Diplomacy, 94+20=114]

Your search for a general feels like you are bashing your head against a wall until it breaks. Any general you find refuses to serve after hearing the fates of your last one and the bodyguard you forced to be a general. Then Giovanni comes rushing into your villa, telling you he's found someone. When you ask where he says the tavern and that does little to raise your spirits, but he insists you meet the man before you dismiss him. relenting you let him lead you to a small place, the saints barrel, and inside you find a young Hungarian man.

"This is the man uncle, Varga Corvinus, he was a commander for a venetian mercenary company during the war." You look over the man, unruly blond hair, scraggly beard, and deep into his cups. "And what's so special that you think he'd make a good general?" you say aloud. "Because I've told your nephew here who my family was, and like so many others they think military skill flows in the blood." He says before downing another drink. Despite his apparent inebriation his voice is clear if accented, as are his eyes. "But you have shown that you are skilled during your service to the venetians, haven't you? You wouldn't be alive if you weren't talented."

"I am alive because my men decided it was in their best interest to spare me the dignity of an execution as they rode off with my coin and horse before going to die against the French." "There's little need to speak of yourself that way, before they turned on you your battles in Padua, Turin, Nice and wherever else were incredibly successful. If they hadn't betrayed you you would've led them to glory and they got what they deserved." Giovannis too busy trying to motivate his new found friend here that he's completely forgotten to mention something he'd brought up.

"What is this lineage you speak of? Are you the son of some other general or commander I should recognize?" you interrupt your nephew as he continues his motivational speech. A long sigh escapes this Varga before saying "I'm not a part of the lineage, just the bloodline. I'm a bastard, same as my father before me, so I there's nothing I'm inheriting. As for the blood, my father was John Corvinus, bastard of Matthias Corvinus Hunyadi." That certainly rings a bell, that Hungarian king who died when you were just a teen. A famous general during his time but he died heirless. You had heard that he had a bastard he tried to make his heir but he died before that could be put in place, leaving his bastard with little but a few possessions in Croatia. You'd thought they must've died out.

"Any proof of this claim Corvinus? It's a fairly big one so I can't just take you at your word, you must understand." He looks at you a moment before reaching into his shirt and pulling out a locket. Its an intricate piece, gold from the looks of it and emblazoned with the cross of Lorraine, one of Hungary's symbols. Opening the locket shows a simple shard of wood. "From what my father told me this is either a piece of the true cross, some pagan world tree, or some other important wood depending on how drunk he was. Might just be something dug up and sold as one of those years ago. But what matters is that it was claimed to be such, and you don't just stumble across something like this. It was part of the treasures my grandfather tried to give my father to strengthen his claim, not that it worked. Hope that's proof enough for you because I've got little else."

He's honest at least, or at least he seems to believe what he's saying. You have to admit, if he is what he claims that is impressive, but as he said skill doesn't flow in the blood. "I'm willing to offer you the position Varga, but id like to get a few records of your work, see if its as you say. Stay here a week or two while I talk with the venetians and if they prove what you've said you'll have the position." "Joy of joys, so glad to be given the chance." He says, sarcasm blatant and his drinks finally starting to get to him.

The venetians quickly prove his claims true, with records of his service for them against the French. So soon enough this supposed scion of Corvinus is hired.

Varga Corvinus

Martial 21

Stewardship 14

Diplomacy 14

Intrigue 7

Learning 9

Prowess 17

---

[STEAM!: Learning, 65+20+18=103]

Elena is given the "dreaded" work on the device, though she makes some progress on it. Its still far from being ready or useful, but the heat from the steam no longer warps the metal enough to crack any seams in the metal or escape, nor does it contain the pressure too well causing it to blow up.

(773/1000 progress on steam engine)

---

[Translation: Learning, 49+20+18+10=97]

The translation of the assassin books continues smoothly. As learned previously most of them are book discussing both the philosophy and techniques of the order, as well as a design for their hidden blade. Its also a collection of the various Journals of the old man of the mountain, one of their masters. Active during the 4th​ crusade, apparently he had led this sect of the order as a sort of sage and father to keep them loyal to him. He also used a lot of hallucinatory drugs to keep them under control and to strengthen his image as a mystic. He came into possession of a piece of Eden, located in a vault of Jerusalem underneath Solomon's temple, nearly losing it due to the foolishness of one of his assassins.

the old master had also been a collaborator with the templars, feeling a kinship with them and their ideology, but refused to give up this piece of Eden or its power to Robert de sable. The journal ends soon after, having followed the mentors observation of the assassin who once failed him as he now hunted the templars his mentor once worked with so that the master might keep it to himself. He must not have lived long after this as the journals end with many blank pages. If you had to guess perhaps this assassins killed him and took the piece of Eden himself, though you cant be sure. This does however lead to a problem in the present, as Belotti is now wondering what a piece of Eden actually is.

---

[Spying: Intrigue, 20+20=40]

Arnaos work hits something of a snag after your meeting with the king. After you left the assassins were on high alert for anything and everything, leaving him little opportunity to do anything other then cut hair. He does appreciate the list of names you send him, as they might be useful in the near future as targets to investigate.

---

There's been another interesting development in the war in the east. Sultan Suleiman, son of the recently dead sultan Selim, has agreed to a peace with the various rebel forces. In exchange for a peace between them as well as the promised freedom of all territory on the western side of the Bosphorous as well as land in eastern Anatolia for Shakulus rebellion from Cyprus to Sinop, they would all focus upon his uncle Ahmet in an alliance. While your experience with alliances is shaky given the state of Ahmets forces this may just put an end to this war in the near future.

---

The conclave has finally concluded. The cardinals of the faith all gathered in the duchy of Sienna alongside the three papal candidates and enough armed men to protect them and to tear them apart should they try anything, courtesy of Duke Auditore. The debates lasted months as each candidate spoke of their virtues and by what right they should be given the authority of the holy church and faith.

Ancelt Lemery continues to be as fiery as ever, saying he would lead the church to new strength and a crusade upon the mamluks, weak as their faith is right now. All the same cardinals who had had their own conclave in Avignon have come out in support of their original choice in their pope Gabriel. However they are the only ones to do so, having gained little in the way of new support since then.

Then Spanish pope, the one chosen by the Spanish crown, Ramiro de Canizares now known as pope Honorius IV, despite his uncommon way of having come to the papacy, has managed to gain an impressive number of followers. They measure among the more pious, if less realistic, among the cardinals, supporting his ideals and call for change.

Lastly is Adriaan Florensz Boeyens, the Dutch theologian. Not actually a cardinal though he doesn't necessarily need to be one. He has gathered support by his desire to return to a status quo, as the conflicts over the papacy have caused nothing but chaos that needs to be put to an end. Many of these supporting him follow this same belief, though some have been pushed his way with your help.

When at last white smoke rises from sienna the people wait with held breath to hear the decision. Churches wait to open, nobles wait to see who draws a blade first, and gamblers bet upon who it will be. A crier soon exits the sienna cathedral, and cries out for all to hear. "Ramiro de Canizares had been chosen as the new pope!" it was a close thing, not for the Frenchman, but between the others, and seemingly the only thing giving Honorius his slight edge was the cardinals who desired someone with more experience. At once messages are sent across the globe to let people be informed, both of the decision and the events immediately following after this.

From what Adriaan tells you, upon hearing the result, Ancelt tried to assault Honorius, screaming about how he is a puppet of the Spanish and a deceiver of the masses. The mercenaries were able to restrain him, though he did try to take one of their swords. He was escorted outside the city under heavy guard and told to leave sienna immediately for breaking his word to keep the piece by Duke Auditore. As for Adriaan he was somewhat disappointed but accepted the decision, and wished Honorius luck in his future.

Then not a month later France declares the conclave corrupt. They say for all to hear that the results were fraudulent, the cardinals coerced into voting for Honorius or Adriaan on pain of death, of all manner of things that would invalidate the decision. They have claimed that pope Gabriel is the rightful pope and is who shall be followed in France. Honorius tried to reason with them but they refused to even acknowledge his existence. In response he has excommunicated France, while they have done the same in return to Spain and Italy.

---

you have 1395 florins, 1 regular army, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Approach france to work on a peace treaty

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Have a prosthetic built for Georgios

[] Send the manuel of assassin techniques to Cesare, his crows may find it useful


[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Maybe you could make one of these hidden blades?

[] Try to track down this altair, he may have had a piece of eden

[] Continue belottis search for this ring of soloman

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
---
I rolled three d100 for who would win the conclave, with a slight advantage for Adriaan, but Honorius just barely won
 
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1516, End of the three Emperors war
[Training: Martial, 36+21=57]

Corvinus's first order is to continue the creation and training of a new army after the mass desertion. His suggestion for getting the needed manpower is a simple if expensive one of increasing the pay of active duty soldiers and giving these soldiers not in active duty a small monthly payment. According to him soldiers are typically only paid during service with a much smaller amount paid full time to protect the cities, but a permanent wage will not only ensure loyalty, but a consistent source of soldiers.

As for his training, you do notice a few differences between what Ast had taught the men versus what Corvinus is teaching, even with your lack of martial knowledge. Where Ast would have the infantry use their handguns for an early disruption of the enemies formation then have the cavalry charge before engaging, Corvinus has only a few musketmen mixed in with a formation of pike bearers, with cavalry largely used for scouting. When you ask him why he's training them this way he tells you its because of the conditions of your duchy and the enemies you are likely to face.

"Right now the greatest threat to you and Italy is France, they've been poking their nose in while atop their fancy horses and in their plate armor. I read the reports from the tail end of your war and how the French cavalry wiped you out with some venetian assistance, so you need something for handling these horses. Pikes have long been used to handle any charge, and muskets are proving even more effective at punching a hole in hide or steel, so using the two together is a defensive force to worry about, as well as being effective at assault so long as you don't tell them to invade a fort. As for the cavalry, we simply aren't going to have as many as France no matter what we do, so its better to use them for scouting or patrols, skirmishes if they're good enough."

---

[Building: Stewardship, 41+20=61]

Djangos Theater continues to come along, slowly but surely. The walls are largely built, needing only a few interior walls left, but again the ceiling proves to be difficult. The windows and specific aspects of its design to allow as much light as possible while preserving its structural integrity aren't exactly easy to make, but time and inspiration from buildings in Florence should help with it. Then it comes down to actually decorating the place, but that's still far in the future for Django.

---

[Mines: Stewardship,31+20+15=66]

Sadly Rubies are not an unending resource. As the foreman tells you this mine might last another3 to 7 years before there simply aren't any more rubies to find. So Expanding this operation would be a bit of a waste. So to try and continue to profit off gemstones they'll need to find a new source before the mine is depleted. So you send out a few surveyors to look for the sign of anything that might be profitable throughout the whole duchy. Luckily, one is able to find something. Not in some deep cavern or mine, but just outside a small farming village in northeastern Abruzzo. A famer, drilling for a new well, struck stone, but not just any stone, but marble. And its not just plain white marble, not to speak poorly of it, but blue lapis lazuli. Not as valuable as rubies, but still valuable. Of course the farmer doesn't want to give up his land so a hefty payment is given to him for the land and a quarry is soon started.

Lapis quarry set up, 10 fl/turn

---

[Introductions: diplomacy, 6+20+20=46]

You had planned to meet with the new pope to introduce yourself personally and get off on the right foot with the man, perhaps ask him to do something about the Borgia family's bedeviled reputation, but once you arrived in Rome at the popes invitation you found the city in a state of lockdown. You and Machiavelli were ushered to papal apartments to wait, all the while asking what had happened only to be told they are still investigating. Its not until a few days later that you hear some of the rumors. Apparently a cult of "wolfmen", likely the followers of Romulus, had attempted to break into the Vatican the day you had arrived. They stole some items of importance and supposedly had tried to break into the pope's room, only stopping after being discovered by a guardsman. Even now sights of these wolfmen are popping up around the city. A few days after you and Machiavelli are apologized to but asked to leave for the time being while they search for the wolves, asking you to return after this has been dealt with, so the week in Rome goes by wasted.

---

[Prosthesis: Learning, 74+35=109]

Asking Leonardo to build a prosthesis turns out to be simpler then expected. Apparently the art of prosthetics has advanced considerably, especially in the north where there are prosthetics even allowing knights to use their false hands in combat. Leo merely needs to collect a schematic of one and then tweak the design as needed. A simple letter north to Juan easily helps with the schematic, then it comes to Leos attempts to improve it. The old design is fine, functional, but could certainly be improved. The original schematic was only meant to attach to the forearm, and with Georgios's wound leaving too little to grab onto the new design would need to attach at either the bicep, which wouldn't be comfortable, or two brace points at the shoulder and the back. And because the elbow is still intact it does allow for rotation and articulated movement of that joint still. The only simple part is what you'd want to be the most complex, the hand. Despite Leos fiddling with the design there's no way to control it without external force, leaving Leo to simply refine what already existed. With the design figured out all that's left is to build the thing.

---

[Gifts: Learning,17+18=35]

You have a copy of the deciphered book of techniques made and have it sent to Spain, to the crows, but when you ask your brother how he liked it later on in a letter he asks you what you are talking about. Apparently, the crow you had sent the book with never reach his home, attacked by pirates or assassins or who knows what else. Needless to say you need to have another sent.

---

[Treasure hunting: Learning, 91+20=111]

Belottis translation of those assassins' journals only made him more curious about what Solomon could have known, and after a few days of requests, you let him take a ship and his apprentices into eastern Anatolia. The land is largely under shakulus control now though with war and a change in leadership comes chaos with banditry amok, so a few mercenaries travel with him and his apprentices. Eventually arriving at where he believes the vault to be, roughly at least, he starts to comb the land for any passage, either buried or hidden. It takes a few months of these searches, until eventually something is found. Buried by the sands of time as well as some very literal sand is a building of black stone, inscribed with old Yiddish script carved into it, warning that it should only be opened when stars fall. Belotti isn't superstitious but he does tell you that night he saw a shooting star, and so roused the men to enter the vault. With torches lit they traveled into its depths, travelling down a long cold stairway. Eventually they reached a round chamber, and Belotti tells you he couldn't believe his eyes. The room was entirely lit despite its depth by glowing green stones set into the ceiling, depicting the stars of the night sky. Belotti wishes he could examine it more but he could tell people were growing antsy, and so he had them search the chamber, collecting whatever they could find. Most were scrolls of ancient papyrus, preserved down here for who knows how long, and Belotti has to scream at his apprentices to be careful with them.as for Belotti he finds at the center of the chamber, encased in a glass dome, is a simple brass and iron ring. He waits for everything else to be collected or sketched before taking a prybar to the glass. He tells you there was probably some trick to opening it but he's old and can't be bothered with that sort of thing. Grabbing the ring the party left, chartered a ship, and set off.

Ring of Solomon? Collected.

Writings of Solomon? Collected

---

[Consoling: Diplomacy, 59+20+20=99]

Since returning from Pavia Georgios has been spending much of his time since his return not in his old training grounds but with the black sheep, those actors he at times performed with. He's even been staying with Marina, the woman he had been after though you don't know if they ever got together. You find him with the troupe at Django's incomplete theater, showing him around since he didn't get a chance to see it before being sent off. When they notice you they aren't exactly welcoming, cold stares and whispered words being most of their greeting. "I'm sorry to interrupt you all, but would you mind if I speak with Kostas privately a moment?" one of them almost says something but Kostas raises his hand, says something to them, and they pull away, leaving the theater.

Kostas approaches you, quiet until standing directly in front of you, before saying "What is it you want Borgia." "Well I was wondering how you were Georgios, its been some time since we last talked." The brutes eyes narrow as he stares at you "I wonder why that might be." He says with a harshness to his voice. There's an awkward pause before you say "Oh right, the design for your prosthetic is done, all that remains is for Leonardo to put it together. I don't fully understand how it works but I'm certain Leonardo could walk you through it." "I suppose he could, Now if there's nothing else I would like to return to the troupe if you don't mind."

"Well I kind of wanted to talk some more Kostas, but you aren't exactly being that talkative." "Why would I want to be talkative with the fool who sent his bodyguard to lead a battalion, who led to my arm being ripped off by cannonshot? Do you think a steel hand will truly be able to replace what I lost and that will make things okay?" he's silent for a moment, as are you, before saying "try and take what happened as a lesson, to pay attention to what someone can actually do and not what you want them to do. I'm returning to the troupe, please leave before we come back." He walks away towards where the actors had left from, no intent or desire to continue speaking with you.

---

[Edumacation: Learning, 66+20=86]

You did tell her to go correct her mistake before but now you actually mean it as you send Elena to correct her mistake with the school for real this time. The teachers at this school refuse to bend at first, but Elena's eventually able to beat it into their heads that they should be teaching whoever wants it, not just the original people of San Marino. After that they start to train a more significant amount of smiths and metallurgists, though not without the occasional muttering.

San Marino Metallurgical school gained, bonuses to Smithing and arming your armies

---

[Training: martial, 37+14=51]

Having Anacletos train a new group of bodyguards may have been a bad decision this early on. He's still not comfortable in the language and often needs someone who can speak Greek or Turkish to translate for him, which isn't great for the training. What he can train them in swordsmanship or spearmanship however is useful, but that isn't all there is to guarding people. Many of them still haven't been trained in recognizing threats or actually fighting in a way that defends somebody, a fault in Anacs training.

---

[Spying: Intrigue, 77+20=97]

Arnao continues his work in Paris, cutting hair by day, sneaking through the streets at night. Most of his espionage has been taken up by the French church lately, as their pope seems to be the center of events currently. With the support of king Francis he has been giving fiery speeches to the people, not just against the "false church", but also singing the praises of Francis, claiming him to be the divine and pious king that shall lead France out of the rut the late king had.

What isn't public however is what the assassins are doing during this time. They seem to be having more of their members either joining the church or rising up its ranks, filling it with "pious" souls. With a great many of them speaking in the popes ears they've been giving him information, "gifted to him by god", of traitors and heretics among the people of Paris, many of them being templars or their sympathizers. Many have been exiled, more executed, all the while being presented as almost a show to the people to encourage their zealotry in the Avignon Church. The king is all to happy to allow these acts to happen with the "evidence" provided by the church against these men and women.

Arnao and the crows have been helping to funnel these templars out of Paris to old hiding places of the templars, and once they're out he plans to follow them as he has some leads outside of Paris.

---

[Apollonio milestone: 36]

Its Apollonios ninth birthday, and the little devil is nowhere to be found. You are all at the castle Illario had built, a safer place these days for the boys. He told Lupo he was going to the castles garden to pick some flowers, but seems to have gone elsewhere. This isn't the first time Lupo tells you after asking, hell often lie about where he'll go or what he'll do, either a game for his brother and cousin to come find him or to get away with something they wouldn't approve of. Anacletos is off racing around the castle and nearby village to find the kid, but he's a slippery beast. Eventually he is tracked down, just outside the village, playing in a lake with some of the village children. Just this once he's forgiven for scaring you like that, but the still continues to escape and ignore the consequences.

Apollonio has gained Trickster: +4 intrigue, +2 prowess, -1 diplomacy

---

The French Colony has finally started on the southern coast of the Caribbeans. It's a swampy but fertile place, great for the growing of the local sugarcane, tobacco, maize, and all the other crops of the new world. Horrible for the people though with its heat and humidity, though it won't be French hands tending the fields from what you've heard. Once the colonies and plantations are more established they plan on sending in slave laborers, purchased from Africa, to do the hard work. You wish you could sabotage their efforts instead of helping, but if France finds you in breaking this treaty they'd have every right to assault Romagna.

---

The war in the east is calming down now. With every single group fighting against Ahmet he simply didn't have the manpower to keep up, and soon surrendered to his nephew. Keeping to his word Suleiman has guaranteed the peace and independence of the many Balkan states and the new shia state under Shakulu, despite the protests of his advisors. This has brought shame to the remains of the ottomans, but its also brought back Byzantium, at least somewhat. None of the freed states wish to now subject themselves to some girl empress, and there will soon be a meeting of these leaders to discuss the future of their lands. There's also the matter of the reestablishment of the orthodox church and the Ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. Needless to say, despite the fighting being over, the chaos isn't.

---

you have 1640 florins, 1 regular army, a fleet, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Approach france to work on a peace treaty

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Try to convince Cardinals to vote for Adrien as Pope

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] start bribing cardinals so they'll vote for Adrien for pope (100 fl)

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Have a prosthetic built for Georgios

[] Send the manuel of assassin techniques to Cesare, his crows may find it useful


[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Maybe you could make one of these hidden blades?

[] Try to track down this altair, he may have had a piece of eden

[] Investigate the ring of Solomon?

[] Investigate the writings of Solomon?

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
1516, A peaceful year
[Army: Martial, 84+21+10=115]

Finally the new army of Ravenna is ready, trained in Corvinus's tactics though they are no black army. All are armed with sword and pike, with one in every four soldiers being armed with a musket and shot. The Cavalry, now no longer heavily armed or armored, resembles the Zaporizhian Cossacks of Crimea more then anything else now, equipped with long spears and curved sabers better for use in the saddle. He also equips this light cavalry with the smaller telescopic sights Leonardo had made some years past, claiming they would be good for reconnaissance even if they were fragile. Corvinus is almost sad all the wars are over, he would've loved to put these men into a proper battle to test them.

---

[Fortification: Martial, 43+13+10=66]

With the wars now over its time to think about the defense of these newly captured cities. The Lucca commune, though largely peaceful cant be ignored, neither can marquis Francesco Gonzaga and mantua. The biggest threat however is Milan and its new duchess, Jeanne de Valois, distant cousin to king Francis. With that Illario is given command of as many workers and engineers as he deems necessary to construct a strong wall of fortifications along the new border, with preference towards the Milanese border. As usual most of these forts start as little more than wooden palisades and simple earthworks, btu special attention is given to a fort at the meeting point of the Mantuan and Milanese border, right along the po river. Its position means it needs to be imposing to either front, as well as having the resources to actually maintain such a fort.

---

[Steam!: learning, 6+20+18=44]

Elenas given the task of working on the Steam device once again, and from the look on her face she is not pleased. She locks herself away with the device, telling you to not bother her if she's going to be wasting time on this. By the time she's done it seems barely anything's changed with the machine from your point of view, but her response to that is to ask what you would even know progress to look like.

---

[prosthesis: learning, 98+35+18=151]

When Georgios's prosthetic is finished it is a work of art, not only in its construction but also appearance. While it would be impossible to make the hand look like flesh, the hand still looks entirely like Georgios' hand before the war, merely one of metal with a few pins in place to lock the hand so it might hold something. When Leo gives Kostas the hand and shows him how to use it and put it on the bodyguard, while not happy, at least seems satisfied with the prosthesis.

Georgios one handed trait is replaced with master crafted prosthesis, -4 prowess.

---

[Roads: Stewardship, 13+10+15=38]

When you get around to finally building the road to connect bologna to Modena, you come to an embarrassing revelation. Everyone who could have worked on the road is currently busy with a different project. You start working through whoever is actually available, Belotti has lectures at the university, Guillaume has no head for construction, leaving only one man left, and you know he wont let you forget this. Machiavelli doesn't even let you try to lead into asking him when you approach the man. "Let me guess, you have work that needs to be done but nobody skilled left to actually do it." He doesn't even lift his eyes from whatever he's writing as he says this. You want to leave then and there but the road needs to be built, so you swallow your shame. "A road between bologna and Modena needs to be built to connect Romagna's newly acquired territory. Neither city is likely to appreciate this with their rivalry. Can you have this road built or not?" he places his quill in his inkwell, wipes off his hands, and says "who am I to say no to such an earnest request, but do know this likely wont be made easily." He leaves the villa, heading out to prepare, you assume. Meanwhile you just feel like a fool.

His skill certainly doesn't lay in road building, that's for sure, as just getting started with the road takes longer then desired. He tries to hire a foreman to get the work done but he cant find a one willing to take the job. As for workers its largely the same, by the time he's started the years already over and the northern gate out of bologna barely has twenty feet of brick laid.

---

[Ships: Stewardship, 31+20+15=66]

While your drydocks may put out quite a number of ships, most of these are larger, heavier, and slower ships. So, just to make sure you have a few faster ships on hand should the need arise, you send out Django to purchase some. Thankfully after the three emperors war, the war of Rumelian independence, the war of orthodox independence, whichever name for the wars you wanted to go by, the newly independent states are looking for funds, and are more then willing to sell off the ships they had captured or purchased for the war. While a few of them bear the marks of war they're still fast, still armed, and still float, and that's good enough.

Light ships added to the armada.

---

[Espionage: Intrigue, 96+20=116]

Arnao and his team, now located in Orleans, have been keeping their eyes on Assassin movements the past year, particularly their movements north into the now English Normandy. Apparently many of their kind in the territory have been persecuted by the new English lords, governors, and mayors put in place, and are seeking to resolve this problem. They've also been moving into Dutch Calais, less for aggression but more for their own espionage in the Netherlands, as far as Arnao can tell at least. As for the templars in Paris Arnao and his men were able to get the vast majority out before the church could condemn them. It seems that the assassins are now taking great power in the church, one of their members even forming within it a new knightly order, the servants of saint d'Arc. The army isn't the worrying part however, it's the political and religious influence that comes with it. Tying themselves even further to France and its society will make them all the harder to handle in the future. Arnao is working with the templars there to try and discredit this new church in the eyes of the people, but they have a lot of ground to cover.

---

[Training: Martial, 84+14+10=104]

Anacletos, with the aid of a professional translator, is finally able to drill into the recruits for the bodyguards not just the physical prowess needed to protect, but also the ability to recognize threats and how to stay in a formation focused on protecting their charge, not just ending the threat. Its not easy of course, the language barrier still proving a hurdle despite the translator, but eventually the men are ready enough. All that's left is dividing them into groups assigned to each member of your family, but that's easily taken care of.

New bodyguard group made.

---

It's been a few years, but finally Sophia has returned home from England, and she is glad to be rid of the place. The moment she steps off her ship she heads straight towards her home, and a nice warm bed. The next day is mostly spent listening to her complain about England, from the constant rain, the dampness, the smell, and the king. According to her the man is a braggart and a fool, better on the battlefield then in any court. When he isn't ignoring his advisors or plotting some invasion of Scotland, he's continuing the celebrations for conquering Normandy. Then there's his flirting with anything in a dress, which Sophia did not enjoy, and his failures to produce a male heir. Its only the day after that that she finally gets to her progress in removing the assassin presence in England.

You already know about her and Wolseys efforts in Normandy, but in most of England things have progressed well. The two have managed to remove much of their power by the seizing of assassins associated properties and framing their public members as French traitors. This has led to not a removal of the assassins, there's still far too many of them for that, but they have caused them to retreat from southern England for the time, spreading into the north, the isles, or Ireland. Since Sophia considers henry a fool, the task of continuing the hunt of English assassins has been left in Wolseys hands, now that he's been inducted into the English templars. If henry Grows half a mind he may just be inducted as well, but now that is solely their problem.

Sophia has returned and is available

The English templars have taken back some power and influence.

---

Sometime around October a ship arrives in Ravenna's docks, flying the crow of Wallachia on its flag. Off the ship comes a beautiful woman, aged prematurely by the war, many streaks of grey in once pure black hair. Ruxandra has finally come back to Romagna. If you had know she was coming you would have prepared something. When your told of her arrival you gather your sons and make your way from the castle to the city. When you finally arrive the boys burst out of the carriage and run off towards the villa, leaving you behind with only Anacletos for company. You make your way there, not quite as fast as the boys, and once you're inside the villa you see and hear them talking to her, too fast to make out everything they're saying as Ruxandras trying to get ahold of Lupo to see his scar.

When she sees you she tells the boys to calm down and moves over towards you and wraps you in a hug. "I see you've grown older since last I saw you. last I was here you would've been able to keep up with those boys, now they're leaving you behind." "Hey, you're no younger looking then I am, or are you ignoring the grey in your own hair?" She punches you in the arm at that, and the family goes into one of the more comfortable rooms to catch up on what's happened since she's been gone.

Ruxandra has returned for now.

---
[Lupo milestone: 67]

For the past few years Lupos been focusing not on the knightly warriors and their exploits against armies and monsters, but rather on the kings and dukes and the laws by which they rule. This has led to him becoming more and more focused on not just what is lawful, but what is just. If he's to inherit the title of duke of Romagna he needs to be just yet fair, to do things the right way unlike those murderous assassins. What he'd think of the templars and assassins, of your deals with the cento occhi or the assassin twins, you do not know, but soon you will need to tell him.

Lupo has gained Just. +2 stewardship, +1 learning,+1 diplomacy, -3 intrigue

---
Joana And Cesare must be quite happy now, as Ferdinand of Naples has passed. Their hated father and father in law is now gone from this world, and that means an end to their worries about his attempts to retake Spain. this has however led to the issue of inheritance in Naples. only two of his children, legitimate anyway, remain, Joana herself, though many nobles debate that as she separated her line from her fathers she is ineligible, and Catherine of Aragon, the wife of king Henry of England. these nobles truly don't wish for either choice, unwilling to become subjects to either power. some believe the prince of Sardinia is now the only one eligible for the inheritance, while others claim the Ferdinands bastard, Miguel Fernandez, should inherit the land as he's the kings oldest living son that hasn't taken up the cross, but that again brings up debate as Hes the son of the former princess of Granada, and these nobles refuse to let a Muslim rule over Naples. There are also calls for Ferdinand's grandson, Charles of Ghent, lord of the Netherlands, to take power. Overall, Naples has become a shit show.
---

With the annexation of Modena and Parma, all the cities and towns and land under your control is becoming just a bit much. You may wish to divide up the land a bit and place them under the control of some loyal governors.

---

you have 1950 florins, 2 regular armys, 2 fleets, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (takes one turn, and is much more likely to succeed with your map, you may choose a location on the eastern American coasts/Bahamas, 500 fl) (currently limited to three colonies)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Louis soon to come of age, perhaps you could arrange a marriage for him?

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Have a prosthetic built for Georgios

[] Send the manuel of assassin techniques to Cesare, his crows may find it useful


[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Maybe you could make one of these hidden blades?

[] Try to track down this altair, he may have had a piece of eden

[] Investigate the ring of Solomon?

[] Investigate the writings of Solomon?

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?
 
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1517, A Meeting of Brothers
[Navy: Martial, 89+20+10=119]

Guillaume's creation of a new fleet begins, obviously, in Ravenna, at the drydocks. He works with the shipwrights to build a fleet more capable of distant battles, less resource heavy and able to survive longer without resupply. The two fleets you have now are enough for the Mediterranean, but since France has proven unreliable Guillaume believes it best to have something that can take the fight to their waters. This has resulted in the construction of a fleet focused more on speed and the ability to raid enemy coasts or merchant ships. Guillaume isn't averse to a bit of piracy, the hospitallers were not much more then holy pirates for the time he was with them, so he knows exactly the kind of damage these ships could cause. However, actually having the ships built is an issue due to half of your ships going to France right now, leaving little to go towards this fleet. Since Guillaume can't force the drydocks to build more ships faster, he's going to focus on train up some sailors and marines in the art of raiding. However this new fleet is already facing some issues, mainly because there isn't much room for it. You've only got the two port city's and they're already holding fleets of their own. While the ships can anchor off the coast, it's definitely not preferable to a proper port.

New navy started, not finished

---

[Upgrading: Stewardship, 87+11+15=113]

Thankfully when trying to arm your new force of bodyguards no bolt crashes down from the sky, the earth isn't rend asunder, the sea doesn't rise to swallow Ravenna whole, worst there is is a slight drizzle of rain that feels ever present this year. You also manage to get more then a singular sword blade out of it, which is also a big plus. The smiths are hired to produce chain, brigandine, and pieces of plate to be worn by each of the 24 men, along with a shield, side sword, spear, and wheellock pistol. The last of these are made by Elena and a few fellow engineers she knew. While the armor isn't quite plate armor from Milan, its still more then enough for the general purposes of the guards, and the weapons cover are also designed more for fending off danger rather then hunting down enemies. Overall, these men are sufficient for the protection of yourself and your family, and it didn't even take a disaster to arm them.

The bodyguards of the Borgia family are now very well equipped. +10 to all rolls defending the Borgia family.

---

[Survey: stewardship, 69+20+15=104]

Djangos survey in Parma and Modena goes surprisingly well. None of the new citizens give him any trouble, though he doesn't give them any reason to as, according to him, he didn't divulge that he worked for the Borgias, that he was Romani, nor that he was orthodox. This left him to travel freely the plains of the lower Po Valley. Most of the land is farmland, little in the way of resources other then the crops the people grow, though they are abundant. However, Django seems to have found himself some luck, as when he started searching in the small part of the mountain range within Modena on the border with Lucca, he managed to find a small crack in the mountain, a simple cave entrance one needs to squeeze their way into. Once inside the cave and traveling as far down as felt safe at the time, Django came across something fine. Veins of silver, cracks in the earth filled with, in Djangos opinion, the finest of metals not only for its beauty, but also for its protective properties against the supernatural. Staying only long enough to collect a sample as evidence as well as a little more for personal use.

Silver seam found, lucky you

+20 fl/turn, allows the minting of new currency, can be used in Jewelery, and can be used for killing werewolves.

---

[???: Diplomacy, 32+20=52]

A part of you realizes it may have been a poor idea to give Machiavelli free reign on handling Firenzes issues, but its tensions are becoming even more worrying then Machiavelli is. Most of its current issues stem from its citizens, as everyday they are on edge, the paranoia from the city's reputation and history having fully become a part of the city's culture now. However, there are some in the city everyone respects due to their charitable donations given out everyone of the citizens, the Medici. Even if they've lost Firenze as a city under their legal control, their influence both local and abroad has kept them powerful enough to become a central figure in the city's politics once again. And so, Machiavelli has gone to them for aid. In exchange for their help keeping the city stable they wish for some of their old titles and powers returned, further entrenching them in Firenze.

Medici are now helping to keep the citizens from killing each other, at the cost of regaining some of their power.

---

[Roads: Stewardship, 9+20+15=44]

Illarios return to the roads is not a happy one, because as soon as he arrives to take over the crew Machiavelli pulled for the job, their boss decided they wouldn't work until their pay was doubled, then tripled when the pay was offered. If that were all then Illario would have just hired a different crew, but the original team would loiter at the worksite and not allow anyone in. Illario then decided to contact the local guard, not to do the work but to scare off the original crew. Shovels and hammers are no match for crossbows and swords, so they eventually ran off, leaving Illario to discover why they were so obstinate. Only half covered by brick, in a shallow grave, was the body of a man. The face was caved in, but he wore the mark of Modena, so their attempts to disguise the corpse were pointless. These bologna men must've had a Modenese come by, and so indulged in their old rivalry and let things go a bit too far. Illario also checked for any stab wounds, and finding none can at least claim Machiavelli wasn't an active part in this. The dead man does lead to a pause in the work as Illario now needs to have the road torn up and a body delivered, as well as answering questions for the local guard on the identities of these men. After that Illario decides to instead restart the road at the Modena end, as many of the locals have little wish to help him right now.

---

[Training: Intrigue, 69+20=89]

After getting their new equipment, the guards need to learn who they're most likely to be using it against. Sophia's training includes how to properly search for an intruder spear first, how to hit a moving target climbing a structure, how to safely approach potential ambushes, and how to actually keep an eye on what's happening above them which is harder than you'd think. Sophia drills every possible counter tactic to the assassins' techniques as she can think of as well as how to approach the assassins in a fight. While they don't take incredibly well to it at first, they start to get the hang of things.

+5 against assassins

---

[Gifts: learning, 37+18=55]

Thankfully no assassins attack the courier this time and the manual copy makes its way to Cesare this time. While many of the techniques in it were largely known, largely due to experience fighting the assassins, what they didn't have were records on their techniques for traversing the lands. The assassins are evasive bastards, seeing even a sheer wall as a new way forward, nor the greatest of drops as anything more then a way to evade their enemies. While some of these techniques are obviously out of date, its still better than the crows breaking their legs trying to mimic the assassins. Cesare does appreciate the gift, promises to pay you back someday.

---

[research: Learning, 17+35=52]

Leonardo's deciphering of Solomon's writings hits multiple roadblocks as he works. First and foremost is that not only is it all in ancient Hebrew script, it is also literally ciphered. While Leonardo has some experience with ciphers, its quite a different thing to do it with an unknown language. Leonardo also doesn't seem to have much drive in what he's doing. He's often found lost in thought while working, and whatever he's thinking about doesn't seem to be pleasant for him. You try to ask him what's wrong, but he deflects the questions, saying hell tell you once he's figured some things out. You allow him to take a break from the work since he simply isn't making any progress anyway.

---

[treasure hunting: Learning, 25+20=45]

Sadly Belottis search for this prophecy chamber is similarly troubled. Brutus, whatever he may have been in his life, was certainly no writer as he failed to mention any important detail to the location of this chamber that was supposedly so important. He obviously meant for it to be found as he had written down some sort of code phrase that would have opened it, but not once in any of the scrolls is there the slightest mention as to its location. This leads to Belotti and his students to scour Rome and its countryside. Its easier now with the war over, but it still leaves a lot of land to cover. He's keeping a record of his findings, and technically he's working with the papacy making a land survey at the moment for some added support, though he's making sure he and his students keep their mouths shut about the chamber.

---

[Spying: Intrigue, 17+20=37]

It seems the assassins in France have finally caught wind of Arnao and the crows, as the barbershop and tunnels they were using as a base of operations has been raided by their order of jean d'arc, investigating for signs of heresy. Thankfully the crows were able to escape, setting fire to anything they couldn't take with them, but this certainly is a turn for the worse to have the eyes of this inquisition in all but name after the crows. For now they've retreated east towards burgundy, hoping to lose the assassins with the aid of some French templars in the region.

---

[Family gathering: diplomacy, 53+20+25+20=118]

With the end of the war and peace treaties in place to keep people honest both the Trastamara family and Borgia-Romana are finally free to meet. Its strange to think that this will be your first time meeting Joana or any of hers and Cesare's kids, but hopefully it will be a good first meeting. Since its still not been long since Cesare's invasion of Naples and Rome, nor does he hold any love for his old home, your family will be travelling to their palace in Spain. After making your sons promise to be on their best behavior, and having your wife promise to be careful with your third child, you all depart on a ship westward with your bodyguards in tow.

The trip is uneventful, Lupo being the main source of trouble once you start to pass through various towns and cities on the way to Madrid, either trying to flirt with any girl that catches his eye or taunting those he considers "Unvalorous villains". After the first few attempts Anacletos is made to keep an eye on the boy. Lupo at least is well behaved, if too inquisitive for his own good, asking any question that comes to his head, and you have neither the answers nor insight he's looking for about Spain.

Once you've reached the castle you are given a grand welcome from Cesare and his family and brought inside for the finest food Spain has to offer. The palace is quite the sight to behold, decorated and updated to a modern style, though still in the process of being updated. The palace isn't what interests you however. Time has not been kind to Cesare, as his hairs gone almost completely gray with a scant few black strands left, and wrinkles are starting to grow across his face, though his eyes are still as bright and strong as ever. You had only seen a portrait of Joana before but she's also aged, if not as severely as your brother. You also see their son Leon for the first time, just around 13 years of age and resembling a younger Cesare, though with the hair and eyes of his mother. Then there's Cesare's two daughters, you only heard a little about them in the time since the war started, young Loreta and Andrea, six and five respectively.

The day goes by well, Joana and Ruxandra getting along well, bonding over being two of the few female rulers of their own lands, while the boys escape to play at being knights. Apparently, Leon had inherited his fathers skill with the blade and Lupo wanted to see how he compares. You and Cesare meanwhile head up towards the balcony to talk somewhat privately. "I must ask when you became quite so old little brother? Last I saw of you you were the young and little loved governor of Romagna, and now you've been replaced by this aged count while I've been away, with two sons and another kid on the way, i can hardly recognize you anymore." "Don't act like I'm the only one looking older Cesare, or have you somehow grown blind to the gray in your hair?" the two of you share a small laugh before there's a pause in the conversation as the two of you look out over the land.

"Of all of the misery's god put upon man when Adam bit into that apple, time truly is the worst one. Despite my continued fighting with a sword I can tell I'm nowhere near as skilled as I once was, age leaking away at me, slowly but surely." A gloom seems to settle over Cesare at his words, and you can't have that. "Well if you're going to continue feeling sorry for yourself we can stop this talk, or we can move onto something more pleasant to speak of. I noticed your son seems to be taking after you, surely that's something to be proud of?" He's silent a moment, before saying "In some ways I am, in others I'm afraid he's becoming too much like me, too much desire despite a kingdom being his future. Its only now that I'm finally getting the chance to relax, after years of dealing with that Bastardo Ferdinand, placing that fellow Joana found in the papacy. I thought that would only be the start, but I fear if I lead another army I may not return home, or for him to go to war in my stead, I don't want that to be my sons fate, to grow without a father, to feel his father sees him as nothing but a pawn, or that he will be struck by some cannon shot or peasants spear and be lost to the tides of history."

You wait for him to continue, and when he doesn't you step in "Then try to put some amount of sense into him, try to give him some new goal to strive for that will keep him as safe as can be. You don't need to be as father was, sending him off as a tool. The arts, trade, the new world, try to find something else he's passionate for that won't put him in harms way." There's another pause as Cesare thinks over it a bit. "Eh, worrying over my son can wait for now. Let's instead worry over yours. He becomes a man by the end of the year, right? I know he's had to deal with those bastard assassins already, but have you brought him into the templars?" "No, not yet. I do plan to introduce him one day, I'm just not sure how he would react. he may see it as a group as bad as the assassins with some of our tactics, or even worse he may truly believe in the templars as more then just a tool for his own use." Cesare groans at this before saying "Nothings worse than a true believer in the templar cause. Endless empty platitudes and believing the order is anything more than what it is." Another pause in the conversation as Cesare's wracking his mind over something. "Speaking of, don't you have actual knight templars in your employ now? How did that happen?"

The two of you continue your talks, switching from topic to topic as you catch up on all the many things that have happened over the years, with a few suggestions for each other along the way, expanding the knightly order for you, continuing colonization for him. your visit lasts another few weeks before its time for you to finally return to Italy. Apparently the boys got along well, though Lupo is annoyed that his younger cousin got more wins over him. the journey back is a calm one, Lupo now constantly watched by Anacletos to keep him from causing trouble. Once your back your glad to find nothing has gone awry when you've been gone, and Giovanni has continued to handle the regency well while you've been away.

Relations improved between the Trastamara and Borgia-Romana families.

---

The debate for who would become the new lord of Naples continues, with little in the way of progress. There is more or less equal support for the three remaining options, for Ferdinands Granadan bastard, for his cousin count of Sardinia, or for the choosing of a new dynasty to rule Naples. Charles, Ferdinand's Dutch grandson, the only one with a somewhat clear claim on the land, has been rejected by the nobility, as they have no wish to become a part of the holy roman empire nor do they wish to be ruled by someone so completely removed from Naples. The choice to choose a new dynasty from amongst their own of course leads to the issue of which of them that shall be, but these nobles still prefer that to the other options even if their choice isn't the one to become royal. The supporters of the Sardinian Count Enrique Trastamara, descended from the Navarran basque family line, was given the county by Ferdinand to rule in his stead, and some claim that is the best claim to rule the now lordless lands, though he would likely need to form a cadet branch of his family. Then there's the bastard son, the prince and knight of Granada. The young man is a favorite of some, finding him to have a warriors spirit and a scholars mind, obviously exaggerated praise to improve his image to overcome his heritage, though Machiavelli tells you there's some truth to it as the man served Machiavelli as an assistant and student for some years in his youth and proved a bright individual. Regardless, the debates continue over who is to actually rule Naples.

---

The divided nations of Byzantium, of which there are many, have finally decided on how they're going to progress from here. Despite the efforts of the would be empress maria, many of the nations are quite fond of their new found freedom. None however are fool enough to believe they are strong enough to stand on their own in the face of foreign aggression, and so they've formed an unexpected confederation amongst themselves. This League of Byzantium has given large amounts of individual freedom to the nations, but there is a central council of the kings and counts of the various states that work together as a whole for the good of the whole, at least in theory. From among the states one of their leaders is to be elected to the role of emperor. None have stopped themselves from making comparisons to the holy roman empire, though some now say there is now an arguably more holy, more roman empire, so which would actually hold the title now? How long this league will last is anyone's guess, as some expect it to fall apart or for one of their members to try and take the role of a new emperor permanently.

Not only has this led to a newly reawakened Christian power, its led to a reawakening of orthodoxy. Once limited to the lands of Moldavia and Lithuania and beyond, there now exists a strong central site for the faith once more. The patriarch Theoleptus of Constantinople, a figurehead of the old sultans who purchased the title and was used to control the orthodox in the ottoman empire, has been ousted from his position, and the new patriarch Cyril of Rhodes has taken his place. He has started off strong, rebuilding many of the churches left abandoned by the ottomans and rebuilding peoples faith in the church. With the current chaos in the western church, there are some who have begun to look east for spiritual guidance.

States of the League of Byzantium: Thrace, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Achaea, Epirus, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Macedonia

---

Barbaras has done well for itself, as they've recently expanded further south in the peninsula. The neighboring people, these Itza and their Mayan neighbors, have found themselves at war with the people to the north, these Aztecs. Most of the Mayan armies had been decimated by the encroaching Aztecs and, seeing an opportunity, the governor Luca Venier gave these maya a choice, fall under the benevolent flag of the Barbaras colony and its protection, or fall under the blades of the Aztec. When given a choice like that, you realize there isn't really a choice, and so in return for their subjugation they were protected by the guns and cannons of the N.W.C.. The colony has more then tripled in size, now controlling a majority of the peninsula and even a few patches of land beyond it. With its trade with the French and Siennese colony, they aren't just surviving, but thriving.

The Yucatan colony is completely self sufficient, though now more martial

From Barbaras you gain jade, cacao, vanilla, and tomatoes. Italian food shall never be the same.

+70fl/turn

---

The cape colony has also done well, though less martially then in Barbaras. The nearby Xhosa tribes, have actually become something of an ally to the colony, the once hostile relations a thing of the past. The colony has also been working with the Khoekhoe nomads, trading them supplies in exchange for their expertise and knowledge of the land to expand more safely. With this expansion has come an increase in power and the ability to use its power. An admirable fort has been set up on the cape, a bastion and beacon for the many Portuguese sailors coming from their outposts beyond Africa. And because they now hold enough power to enforce it they've been placing tariffs on any ships passing through, charging them a fair amount of coin for the exotic items coming through the port. Not only has the colony become self-sufficient, it's become profitable.

+80 fl/turn

---

Sadly the good luck with the colonies doesn't continue, as after a brutal winter the colony on the northern river was nearly wiped out. If that were all the colony would have been abandoned for somewhere else, but instead they were found by a confederation of these native peoples. This group, located somewhat further south of their location, sent a group of their warriors and hunters to the colony, not to wipe them out, but to aid them. This was not a good thing, as now this Iroquois confederation holds considerable sway over the colony. Fools that these colonists were, they've gladly made themselves nearly a tributary of the confederacy, enjoying their aid of food and shelter for gunpowder and muskets.

Lawrence river colony is now loyal allies to the Iroquois confederacy.

---

Leonardo approaches you one evening, asking to speak privately. When you ask if this is about what's put him in a slump he says it is. And so you find yourself later on in your office, while he is telling you of his decision to resign from his position as engineer. "I don't believe I have much longer left in this world, Borgia. the hair has left my head and crawled down my chin, my hands shake when I try to draw my schematics, and i wish to spend whatever time I have left with friends, and that's in Sienna. Id rather be surrounded by friends and loved ones when I pass, not politicians and spy's." You try to convince him to stay, but he is determined. He says he would've left without a word had he believed he wouldn't be hunted by some crow for it. By the next day he's already gone, what projects he cared for packed and ready to move, the rest left behind.

---

you have 2410 florins, 2 regular armys, 2 fleets, and enough ships for trade

You have six actions, use them as you will

You may take up to two extra actions but each will subtract 10 from your rolls as you stretch yourself

Please make your vote in plan format

You have the sixth sense bonus and may have an advisor aid you or do a task on their own

Martial
[] The simplest way to expand is to take the land by force, send an army to try and conquer somewhere

-[] Where?

-[] What is your Casus Belli?

[] Have one of your armies train and try to improve

-[] which one?

[] Perhaps you could give the legionary eagle to one of your armies, it could do great things for morale

[] Spend some time to form another fleet of ships and train a crew to man them to protect or attack any naval foes

[] As Romagna expands you may need another army to defend it, start building one.

[] Perhaps you should look into mercenaries you could hire

[] Hire one of the mercenary groups you know of (300fl)

-[]Which one

[] With your current independence you may want to improve your defenses, send some men out to improve the forts

-[] north or south?

[] Write in

Stewardship

[] Give one of your stewards the funds to pursue their own projects

[]You can always make more trade deals(you will need more ships for oversea trade)
-[] Who?

[] The current iron mining operations are doing well, but perhaps they could expand? (50 fl)

[] Your brother found blacksmiths while you were away, perhaps they could forge you something?

-[] What?

[] The ruby mines could always be improved, try to do so (75 fl)

[] The woods are dense and large, perhaps you could expand the operations (50 fl)

[] you could encourage immigration somewhere

-[] where?

[] The docks are in good repair at least, perhaps you should purchase some ships to help with trade and defense (100 fl)

[] There's a whole new world out there, fund the company to form a new colony (may start a new colony or help expand existing ones, non American colonies are more difficult to start. 500 fl)

-[] Where?

[] Write in

Diplomacy

[] Add new laws for the N.W.C. to follow in their colonization efforts

[] Louis soon to come of age, perhaps you could arrange a marriage for him?

[] Maybe you could look for an alliance, without marriage?

-[] Where?
[] The templars need new blood, maybe there's someone you could recruit?

-[] who?

[] Perhaps you should go meet one of your neighbors directly?

-[] Which one?

[] You know where Ezio lives, perhaps you should send him a friendly letter

-[] About what?

[] Send a letter to a different Power, such as Venice, the Ottomans, etc

-[] Who?

[] Write in

Intrigue

[] You now have two assassins, give them a target(50fl-200fl depending on the danger/Importance of the target)

[] You now have your own groups of thieves and spies, now what to use them for?

-[] Write in

[] Start spying in foreign land, blackmail or opportunities won't find themselves

-[] Where?

[] write in

Learning

[] Give your engineer resources and let them design what they please, perhaps making something of use (50fl)

[] Continue experimenting with the volley cannon, perhaps some new inspiration will strike?

[] Start experimenting with the steam engine

[] Have a prosthetic built for Georgios

[] Send the manuel of assassin techniques to Cesare, his crows may find it useful


[] try to find this prophecy chamber from Brutus journal

[] search for more pieces of Eden

[] Maybe you could make one of these hidden blades?

[] Try to track down this altair, he may have had a piece of eden

[] Investigate the ring of Solomon?

[] Investigate the writings of Solomon?

[] Write in

Personal
[] Try to befriend people in your court

-[] Who?

[] Send a letter to a family member

-[] To who, and what about?

[] You should learn how to use that dagger Cesare gave you

-[] Or maybe something else?

[] Write in

[] Try to train a stat

-[] Which one?

---

Rolled for how the colonies were doing, barbaras did great, cape did good, Quebec did not

Also rolled for the Napolitan successors and they more or less tied, except Charles who rolled a 1

Leonardos about 65, hes two years from when he historically died, he wants to rest

Cesare has had character growth, it's a miracle
 
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