Log7th Sea: The Search for Salvation-2011/12/08-Jason-1

Game log for the 2011/12/08 session of 7th Sea: The Search for Salvation, as taken by Jason

Veldi, Septimus 9, 1668 (continued)

We head back to the Calabretta house, joined my a slightly tardy Mahmoud Ali-Hasim, who seems relucant to discuss whatever circumstances held him up. Nikolai tells us all that our quest may be over, as we can come back and meet Evelina Venzini di Sigillo in two days. We're amazed that this suddenly went so smoothly, that Nikolai seems to think he's got a romantic in with a Fate Witch, and that we're not going to be taking Evelina back to her father. Also, those of us with some experience of Vodacce culture know that for Nikoali to have seen Mercede's face means something heavy is going on. Then he talks about washing his hands of the whole thing, which certainly reflects a change in his attitude, and suggests that he should guard Benito, who "gets into too much trouble." Yeah. After Nikolai steps out of the room, we all agree he's been witched.

At dinner, Luna Calabretta di Dionna asks Nikolai for a status update and acknowledges being pleased to hear that our quest may be at an end.

After dinner, we go carousing. Benito goes looking for a decent place with a dice game, and we follow behind. He plays without great distinction, as does Nikolai, and both lose money. Felix tries to see whether they're being cheated, but doesn't see anything suspicious - so perhaps they're just bad at dice.

After about an hour and a half, four men wearing the red robes of church officials enter the bar, which immediately makes them the center of attention. They speak to the innkeeper, who doesn't seem to be able to help them, and then they start looking over the crowd. They fix on the Crescent.

Mahmoud switches to his "exotic foreigner" mode, exaggerating his differences and difficulty with Vodacce. It swiftly becomes apparent that we're a strange and confused group, which does not endear us to them. Nikolai gets frustrated with their questioning and intimidates the crap out of the two men talking to us, which causes the two who were near the door to get curious. Felix holds Nikolai back, while Benito jumps in to conciliate the two churchmen near us, and things begin to calm down. Benito loses money all night, and then we go home.

Amordi, Septimus 10, 1668

Léon succeeds in blooding his wee little snuffbox. That is not a euphemism.

Luna has a party going on tonight. That's fantastic for nobles and exotic foreigners, but it tends to leave Nikolai and Felix with nothing to do but entertain the visiting coachmen. Luna and Léon talk at length about Montaigne and the Montaigne guests she's expecting.

In the afternoon, Nikolai gets a message telling him to meet Mercede on Sigillo at 9pm on the 11th, which would be well after dark. On the docks, too, which is rather odd.

Bishop Lucio Moscato shows up and gets introduced to Mahmoud. The Bishop speaks against exclusionary behavior and in favor of talking to strangers. He seems like someone who sincerely wants to understand the Crescent society. Mahmoud's elegant descriptions of Crescent life enthrall him.

Jean-Jacque Frémiet d'Bas shows up with a courtesan - not the same courtesan he appeared with last time. In due course he has conversation with Léon. They discuss the state of the war in Ussura, which goes poorly for the Montaigne.

Benito hangs out around Daria, which means he gets a ringside seat as Luna drags the eligible men past. It's rough being Daria right now.

Off with the servants, we meet a few other mercs, including an Eisen who shares Felix's delight at being an Eisen in Vodacce.

Terdi, Septimus 11, 1668

At night, it's raining, cool, creating the perfect atmosphere for shady dealings on the dock. Felix, Léon, and Claude go to the meet early to try to spot anyone setting an ambush. There are some sheds there, akin to covered docks, and Felix settles down to lurk in the darkness there. We see a couple of cloaked figures arrive, and act as though they're waiting for something. Our party arrive and, since Nikolai refuses to wear a hat, is recognized immediately. We emerge from hiding and follow them as well, attempting to be sneaky. Felix, the professional, vanishes into the shadows. Léon and Claude, not as much.

They lead us toward the center of the island, then we cross over the peak and start heading downward, into a landscape-scale cistern. We come to a chamber where there are torches burning, and five figures waiting for us. Felix waits outside to make sure nobody else sneaks in, while Léon and Claude eventually come in to join the group. We recognize Mercede, unveiled, and Benito immediately notices that she's a hard but not unattracticve woman. Three of the others are clearly men, armed men. There's another woman there, dressed much like the men, armed, younger than Mercede, and with a distinctive scar on her face. The scar does not detract from her beauty, although the look of loathing on her face might. She reminds Nikolai that she's true to her word, and asks Evelina to step forward. Evelina explains that she likes her life the way it is and doesn't want it to change, so Nikolai should not give anything away to Nicoletto. Nikolai flirts with Evelina, which causes Benito to burst out with, "So you didn't ensorcel him to love you?" to Mercede. Um. Mercede seems a touch disgusted by the notion. Benito guesses that maybe looking deeply into someone's eyes for any length of time is a sign of love, at which point Mahmoud whispers that Nikolai has no heart for love. The sisters hug and depart together, throwing a casual "stay true to your word, Ussuran," over her shoulder. She tries to get Nikolai to let her send the letter to Nicoletto, but he refuses.

Felix hears many booted men coming and comes to warn everyone. Nikolai promises to buy them time. Felix does not approve of this plan. Benito suggests acting as though he and Léon are here to fight a duel, so they start putting on a bit of a show. Felix and Mahmoud act like seconds, while the Ussuran Mountain acts like the doorkeeper. Unfortunately, his "duel in progress" is met with "We found them!" Apparently it's going to be on no matter what.

The first man to the door, armed with a rapier, sticks Nikolai to no great effect. Mahmoud pulls a pistol and shoots at the men descending the stairs, killing one of the men with a ball to the chest. The third man down the stairs tries to push past Nikolai, meets with Felix, and manages to parry the Eisen's Bittner-stance attack. The man behind him manages to stick Nikolai hard enough to hurt. Benito uses his rapier to kill the man who parried Felix's blade, and Nikolai swipes out both men in front of him. Caution: axe psycho in effect. We begin to advance up the stairs. Léon asks what the meaning of this is, and the assailant yells something about Señor Salvadore's revenge, then retreats up the stairs. Salvadore is Mercede's husband. It's gonna be on like Donkey Kong, or Robotron, or things like that.