Chapter 9: Peace in Our Time
In which The State finds itself at Peace.
You were back in Rome when you realized that something was wrong with your mentor. He had been moving slower, feeling less chipper, and above all else, surrendering more of his duties to the senate.
It was almost impossible to understate how much it alarmed you. For most of your life, Machiavelli was a dominating presence and reassuring figure that kept everything looking normal.
And well enough to where you suppose that things could always be better. Yet it was when he brought you to your room, to celebrate, he looked at you with a grim face. Even as it hid behind a smile. "I'm dying Luciano." He said the words calmly, without any hesitation.
It was those words that nearly broke your cheerful demeanor. "What?"
"The doctor claimed, and I have every right to believe him, that my heart is out of balance. That I have placed myself under an enormous strain these past few years during this war, to the point where it nearly killed me." He was speaking, not clinically, but also not in a way to worry you.
"What can I do to help you?" You asked. No, demanded as you stood up. "What can I-"
You were stopped. "Unless you can turn back time, and stop me from going into politics…" He laughed. "That is not something we can do. Not that anyone can do."
He smiled, however, with a smile that was warm comforting, and above all else… right. He knew what you needed to hear, even when it is not what you needed.
"You must prepare yourself Luciano, for when I am gone. And I will do everything in my power, to make sure that this dream will not die." He said.
"This is your dream Master, not mine." You replied calmly.
"Perhaps. But it is a dream we now share, that you willingly took upon yourself when you were asked." He said. "What is it I told you about when I gave you the book?"
"That it is to help me become a Prince?" You asked.
"No. It is to help you be a man. Politics hasn't changed you or damaged you as it had to me. I only hope that it doesn't. But I would be a fool if I did not plan to help you."
He then pointed to the Prince. "Keep this close. It may not help you in all matters. But it will help you in the matters that are important." He then stood up. "I can only hope that I have helped you."
Reward: Machiavelli is dying, though when, is unknown. In every rumor mill, there will be an additional roll to see if he survives. With every rumor mill, his chance of survival gets worse.
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Governmental Actions: While you are still a child under Regency, there are certain things that even your Regent cannot do without your say-so. As you are the commander in chief, you are in charge of the Army, and the Navy.
You have 4 actions.
[]Rebuilding Rome: Rome is an ancient city, a city that has, for too long suffered in disrepair and slimness, you want to see just how feasible it is. DC:??? Reward: You look at a City of Marble, and wish to make it more.
[]The New Greek Islands: You look at the maps and realize that things are not going to be easy to govern the two islands that have been granted to you. But you have ideas. DC: 45 Reward: You begin to feel out what the hell is going on the islands, and figure out how they can be governed without causing another war.
[]Invest in the Future: You want to invest in your country, and there are a few ways you can do that (Write in what you want to invest in) DC: ??? Reward: You invest in the nation (Linetail what you want to invest in below this action as a line tail)
[]The Changing Winds: You look at many of the French envoys that are being sent to you. And then you look at a map. "What does the Emperor Want?" DC: 25 Reward: You learn to your dismay, that you caused a great uproar. And put the Fear of God into all of Europe.
[]The New World: You want to plan a new world Expedition. DC: 40/80 Reward: You begin the Planning phases of a New World Expedition.
[]The Pope's Continous Tomfoolery: You are this close to storming the Vatican and killing him! Why does he do this to you? You want the Senate to deal with this now! DC: 45 REward: You order the Senate to just get this damn thing over with. Do their jobs and get the pope to stop ruining your Sunday.
[]The Budget That Comes: You need a new budget, one that will fit the needs of Italy. DC: 40 Reward: You get a new budget.
[]The Lords and Masters of the Italian Landholders: You will meet the few Feudal Dukes that were allowed to maintain their holdings, as well as the Lord's that have titles in the senate, and were, for a lack of a better word, the Upper house. DC: 40 Reward: You meet your Lord's.
[]The Children of the City: You want to travel back to the city, and make friends with the people you know best, the lower classes and Scum of the Earth. This will be an official visit, and you will not give a hell if they think it is bad form. DC: ?? Reward: You meet with the Lower Classes of Rome, and make friends. (Note if it fails, your Monarchists will be outraged.)
[]The Children of the Nobility: You have been requested to gather… well not gather, accommodate several noble children while their parents work in government. So you might as well lead them well. DC: 45 Reward: You meet the children of the nobility.
Personal Actions: You are still a child, and thus, are still able to do childish things.
You have 4 actions.
[]Invent Something: You want to see if you can create something. DC: ??? Reward You try to create something. (Linetail what you want to try and create)
[]The Call of Engineering: You want to create something. Something you can build with your own two hands. (Costs one action for two turns) DC: ??? (Linetail what you want to build.)
[]The Prince: You are going to learn from your master's book, and see what wisdom you can gleam. DC: 55 Reward: you learn how to be a Prince of a nation.
[]Of God and Command: Your Master is not just a diplomat without peers, but he is a commander of men, and while he is not seasoned as other commanders in Italy, he does have immaculate organizational skills. DC: 25 Reward: You learn how to command men, and to be a leader.
[]The Keys of State Craft: Your master wants you to learn the fine arts of making friends and allies. Even if it means you abhor them. DC: 40 Reward: You learn the fine arts of diplomacy.
[]The Law of the Land: You need to learn how this new constitution works. And that means doing other things. Like learning how laws work. DC: 40 Reward: You learn more about the law.
[]The New Nobility: You want to meet the new courtiers. AKA the people you know will be wishing to be parasites to the state. DC: 30 Reward: You talk to the new courtiers.
[]The Diplomatic Situation: You need to know how the state is viewed by the Rest of Europe. DC: 40 Reward: You see the documents. And worry about progress.
[]The Eagle: Ezio has returned and back to the problem. DC: 40 Reward: You meet Ezio again.
[]To Design a Better Gun (Firing mechanism): You have an idea to make the Design better, and now all you need to do is put it to paper and try it out. DC: ??? Reward: You make the gun better.
[]To Design a Better Gun (Reload Speed): You have an idea to make the Design better, and now all you need to do is put it to paper and try it out. DC: ??? Reward: You make the gun better.
[]To Design a Better Gun (Manufacturing): You have an idea to make the Design better, and now all you need to do is put it to paper and try it out. DC: ??? Reward: You make the gun better. For yourself to make it that is.
[]To Design a Better Gun (Cannons): You have never designed a field gun before, but you enjoy the challenge. DC: ??? Reward: You make a canon better.
[]To Design a Better Gun (Cannons, Ammunition): YOu want to see if you can make a better cannon shot. Reward: You make the explosive better.
AN: Enjoy and vote in plan format please.
