Second Age of Heroes (Mutants and Mastermind Quest)

[Valkur]

Omake - Lady Cecile Montague

Lady Cecile Montague was always popular debutante in Orleans. Secretly it was she who was the true spymaster for the Duchess who worked the underground in order to grow in power. With the money Cecile brought in she found herself welcomed by the Duchess who regularly kissed her forehead in private and rubbed forearms in her chambers. A lowly daughter of a burgher destined for nothing but mediocre life Cecile began her rise in bootlegging alcohol through guard posts and selling with no license. The costs of regulations and her consistency made her enough to be seen as a breadwinner by her Father but not much better than her older brother Conan Montague who was slated to be the heir of the family.

Cecile didn't like that and so she concocted a plan to be rid of her brother the only way she knew: Poison. Conan hungered regularly for the pleasures of the flesh and Cecile knew of a brothel where she could pay for the Madame to spice his drink. Well more like spice one of her OWN drinks. It was an important detail to her. But the result is the same her Brother died in the arms of a prostitute and thrown into a river that very night.

Unbeknownst to Cecile was that the Madame was a Femme Fatale of the Duchess herself. Seeing her cunning and spunk the Madame immediately set to recruit Cecile into the Duchess services. Cecile cornered and out leveraged in material for blackmail soon found herself sinking into the realm of evil for the death of her brother but also into a land of dark opportunity. Cecile's bootlegging continued and with the Duchesses blessing was able to bring in greater amounts of product for the markets. Her riches were so that she bought both title from the Duchess, Land outside Orleans, and a luxurious Manor known for it's wild parties that are second only to the Duchess herself. The manor is complete with Vineyards, Guard Posts, Walls, and even a rumored Vault holding Cecile's riches in one place. Although no thief has ever come out of the manor to confirm it's existence.

Cecile's role in the operation continues to be bootlegging but has been the point of negotiations for the big three gangs of the city. An on the next full moon will the Gangs send leaders and representatives to Cecile's Manor for what she is calling 'A Night of Opportunity'. The Night is being disguised as an invite only party and masques ball for the Gang Representatives who themselves are well off financially. If successful, Cecile will be looking to be promoted by the Duchess herself to being her Spy mistress and marrying a Noble. A carrot she actively hops and for by the stick holding Duchess. A prize she wilfully begs and grovels for so that he Dark Mistress may feel the elation of control and power.

Orleans will not know peace if the Lady Montague succeeds.