Play@YSDC

Duc's Palace, Guest Quarters - Vyones, Auvergne, France
11:30 PM - Sunday, April 19, 1517

After the servants had cleared away the dead body, Leonardo bade Jacques good night, and the Chevalier returned to his guest chamber.

Jacques:

With a sigh of weariness, Jacques returns to his room and pours himself a small glass of red wine from a jug. He takes an appreciative sip. "You don't get that on Rhodes", he mutters to himself.

Trying not to get distracted by thoughts of the amazing ladies' styles from Narnia, the knight kneels by his bed, crosses himself and speedily says his prayers. Scant seconds later, he finishes the wine and collapses on the bed, hoping for sleep.

Jacques managed to fall asleep quickly this time. The wine helped, no doubt.

I'll wait here for the other players for now until they go to sleep, at which point I'll proceed to the morning.

Jacques awakened in the morning much refreshed, with sunlight streaming in through the window.

Jacques:

With military efficiency and practice, Jacques tidies himself up, dresses, belts on his sword and dagger, then goes hunting for some breakfast. He sends a palace servant to request an audience with the Duc. He expects the Duc may wish to speak to him quite early.

"Do you require breakfast first, Chevalier?" asked the servant.

Jacques:

"If the Duc is available, I had better speak to him first. Breakfast can wait."

"The Duc does require breakfast," said the servant. "He is currently taking it. I do not know if it would be wise for me to interrupt him."

Jacques, if you want to insist on seeing the Duc now, please roll Persuade or Status.

Jacques:

"No, I don't wish to disturb the Duc's breakfast. I'll have a quick meal myself then wait on his availability."

"As you wish, Chevalier," said the servant. After several minutes, the servant returned with a tray of sumptuous food. There were fresh bread, eggs, and fresh fruit of several varieties, as well as some delicious-smelling strips of bacon. "Gui l'Argot wishes to have an urgent audience with you. He says he wants to apologize for his unconscionable behavior toward you last night. What shall I tell him?"

Jacques:

Jacques snorts. "He obviously couldn't find a good way to escape last night then. I have no interest in speaking with M. l'Argot before I speak with the Duc. My intention is to speak briefly with the Duc myself then if the Duc himself agrees, have l'Argot speak to him. Or be questioned, as the case may be. He will have his chance."

Jacques happily tucks into bacon and eggs.

"I shall inform him that you have declined, Chevalier," said the servant, bowing and then departing.

Jacques:

Jacques enjoys his breakfast while he can.

Jacques:

1d%L25%

OOC:   Unexpected success!

Jacques heard quiet footsteps walking on the other side of the rear wall of his guest chamber.

Jacques:

Jacques heads over to the rear wall suspiciously. He's far more used to castle walls as thick as a man's leg is long. He tries to think if there might be a corridor directly behind the wall, that he knew of.

Jacques looks closely for any signs of a secret door

Jacques:

1d%pHdd75%

OOC:   Nope.

Jacques is puzzled but shrugs and goes back to his breakfast.

If there was a secret door, Jacques couldn't find it.

Jacques:

Jacques polishes off his eggs, collects the pear he'd chosen to finish with, and heads back to the mysteriously noisy rear wall. Between bites, he listens carefully at the wall, straining to hear anything.

Just in case...

1d%L25%

OOC:   And nope.

There were footsteps just behind the wall.

I'll still count your earlier Listen success.

Jacques:

Curious, Jacques listens carefully, staying very still himself and just taking note of whatever he hears. And quietly munching pear.

The footsteps moved onward to the left.

Jacques:

Jacques shrugs to himself, none the wiser.

Tidying up, he makes sure he is presentable then heads out of his room. Jacques decides he should be present as soon as the Duc is available. He goes searching for a servant who can take him to wherever audience with the Duc will be this morning

Jacques found a servant walking through the hall, and he escorted him downstairs to the audience hall, a vast high-ceilinged room filled with artwork and decorations that put his lavish guest quarters to shame. It was still early for court to start, so not many people had gathered yet.

Jacques:

Happy to stretch his legs, Jacques roams the great hall. Out of professional interest, he occupies his time looking through windows and doors to see what the palace's defences are like, how many men-at-arm are visible and such-like questions.

He also discreetly keeps a look out for any other notable people he might identify.

Jacques crossed paths with Leonardo da Vinci. "Good morning, Chevalier," he said. "I see you are also an early riser."

Jacques:

"Master Da Vinci," Jacques answers with a smile. "I trust you had a quieter night after we rogues all left. Yes, you are correct though, too many years of rising early. I think it's a habit I cannot break now."

"But is all well with you, Master? Were you able to rest? And your devices are undamaged?"

"Thank you, I slept well," said Leonardo. "I have also mastered the art of sleeping for short amounts of time, perhaps half an hour, as needed. I find doing so occasionally throughout the day can refresh me as much as a good night's sleep. All of my devices are in working order. The crystal still does not glow. I do not know if the thief did something to it to cause it to lose its luminescence, or if it merely faded over time while it was secured in my puzzle box. It had been a while since I had last examined it."

Jacques:

"Most amazing. It reminds me of how fireflies glow."

"Am I right, Master, in saying you have in the past been contracted by various cities to invent devices to better assist with their defences? Machines of war?"

"I have indeed," said Leonardo. "Why do you ask? Are you considering a contract yourself, perhaps on behalf of the Knights Hospitaller?"

Jacques:

"Sadly no, although professionally speaking, I would be very interested to see some such devices of yours one day."

"In fact, I was thinking more about your suit of armour that killed the thief last night. I wondered if that was such a device?"

"No, that one I made not for military use," said Leonardo. "I built it over twenty years ago, and I demonstrated it at a celebration much like this one in Milan, hosted by Ludovico Sforza. It can be made to imitate human movements, but it cannot actually fight. I can see there would be a high demand for an automaton that could fight on its own. I can foresee a day when there would be no more need to risk fighting men on the battlefield. Machines could fight each other, and war would be far less bloody. However, I have thus far been unable to devise an automaton that can act on its own or be controlled from a distance."

Jacques:

"Good heavens." Jacques looks stunned at this thought. "An army of just suits of armour, with no men inside to bleed and die. What an image."

"Well, St John would approve of the reduction in blood on the battlefield. Although you would be doing me out of a job. I suspect I am safely employed for now though."

"I'm sure it will be quite some time before such things are possible," said Leonardo. "I would not be able to devise something like that in the time I have left, and I doubt anyone will complete it within your lifetime either."

Jacques:

Jacques laughs quietly. "I can rest safe in the knowledge that I am in no danger of being safe but without a job."

"But what of this lady who commissioned a thief to steal your crystal? Have you had any further thoughts on who she might be? I wonder who would even know you possess such a jewel?"

"Well, the letter was written in Italian," said Leonardo. "That narrows it down somewhat, but not as much as you might think. There are several prominent wealthy and influential families that could afford to hire the thief: the Sforzas, which I mentioned, the Borgias, the de Medicis, and others. Any one of them could have done it, and some female members of those families are in attendance here. They could also be married and have different surnames now. My purchase of the crystal was not a secret, and while I did not put it on public display, I'm sure it was common knowledge."

Jacques:

Jacques' eyes widen. "St John protect us." He kisses a ring on his hand that bears the St John's Cross. "I recognise those three names. They are as famous as any families in all Christendom, I should think. None would be good families to make an enemy of either, I imagine."

"Well, be on your guard, Master, in case another thief is dispatched to steal your gem. I shall keep my own eyes open as well, although I fear my feeble wits are a poor addition to your own."

"I shall, and thank you for aid, Chevalier," said Leonardo.

Yes, that's fine. Everyone has heard of those families.

Jacques:

"I am happy to assist. Well, Master Da Vinci, have a good morning. I might seize this moment to keep stretching my legs, please excuse me." With a polite nod, Jacques continues his inspection of the palace defences, and slightly less obvious inspection of guests.

The palace was well defended, with several guards on duty in the hall. Only a handful of other guests were present so far, including a Spanish priest, an elegantly-dressed Italian lady, and a Moorish man in extravagant clothes that displayed his obvious wealth.

Jacques:

Jacques stands unobtrusively against a wall somewhere and gazes admiringly about the beautiful hall. At the same time he has a bit of a look at each of the three individuals.

Jacques recognized the Italian lady from descriptions he had heard of her. She was Bianca Luciano, a wealthy widow from Venice. What he had heard of her beauty was not the slightest bit exaggerated. Her late husband had been related to the Doge of Venice. He had been a military officer who had been slain in battle in the recently ended war. She had inherited his not inconsiderable holdings upon his death and added them to her own. She noticed Jacques paying attention to her, and she gave him a smile.

Unfortunately, the 48 just fails. Your Know score is 95%, so half of that is actually 47.5%. Any roll under 47.5 (i.e., 47 or less) succeeds, and a roll of 48 or higher fails. However, since you only barely failed, I'll give you that you know that the Moor is a wealthy merchant and captain of a ship, though you don't know his name.

Jacques:

Jacques nods in response and strolls gracefully over to the lady.

He gives her a polite, brief bow. "Madame, I could not leave you standing here alone. Please allow me to introduce myself, I am the Chevalier Jacques du Baudin, fellow guest of the Duc. I believe I have the honour of addressing Mme Luciano?"

"The honor is mine," she said with a curtsy. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and an expensive white dress. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Chevalier."

Jacques, please roll Status.

Jacques:

1d%60%

"I have heard of your exploits in battle," Bianca continued, fluttering her fan. "You are truly a courageous and honorable man. How is it that no woman has claimed your heart yet? Or has one?"

Jacques:

Jacques looks suitable embarrassed, smiles and holds a hand up in polite denial. "Mme Luciano, you give me too much credit. I am just a humble soldier doing my duty. To answer your question though, I have been away on campaigns for quite a few years, and most recently based on the island of Rhodes. There has been so little time for romance I fear."

"But I also have heard of you, Madame, as your beauty is famous even in distant Rhodes. And justly so."

"You flatter me," said Bianca. "I do not have the face of Helen of Troy, which launched a thousand ships. My own face is good for fifty, perhaps. My late husband was a fighting man too. I have always been fond of a man in armor."

Jacques:

"My condolences on your loss. I believe your late husband fell on the field of battle? A true warrior's death, although that is little consolation I'm sure."

"Thank you for your sympathy," said Bianca. "He died heroically at the Battle of Marignano, the last one of the war. He served directly under Bartolomeo d'Alviano, who led the Venetian forces. Captain Luciano always led from the front, and his men were eager to follow him. He was in the vanguard of the charge against the Swiss forces when his Venetian reinforcements arrived to aid the French and routed the enemy, but not before he took a wound from a Swiss pike that proved to be mortal."

Jacques:

Jacques:

1d%95%

Jacques knew that the Battle of Marignano was the last major engagement of the recently ended War of the League of Cambrai, which had just ended with victory the previous year. The battle was fought southeast of Milan on September 13-14, 1515, pitting the French under the newly crowned King Francis I along with his allies the German landsknechts and the Venetians against the much vaunted Swiss mercenaries. The Venetian forces, under the command of condottiero Bartolomeo d'Alviano, arrived on the morning of the second day and helped secure the victory, which led to Milan becoming part of the Kingdom of France once more in the Perpetual Peace made the following year. Few of the Venetians had actually engaged in the battle; probably Captain Luciano's men had been the only ones. Jacques had also heard of Bartolomeo d'Alviano, who was a well-known military leader. He had survived the Battle of Marignano, but he had died later in 1515 at the siege of Brescia.

Please see here for more information. You know anything that would have been known in 1517, including the presence of Leonardo da Vinci at the meeting between King Francis I and Pope Leo X in Bologna, and that that was when the king convinced Leonardo to move to France. You would also know the information about Bartolomeo d'Alviano here.

Jacques:

"Mme Luciano, your husband truly died a brave warrior's death."

"I must say you describe the events of that day with most commendable attention to detail. You paint the picture of events with your words, however painful they must be."

"I for one believe all the educated ladies of Christendom should have the opportunity to better understand something of military, business, and political affairs. We are all just as affected, it would be unjust to be kept ignorant."

Jacques:

1d%H75%

"Thank you, Chevalier," said Bianca. "Or may I call you Jacques? My husband would always talk about his campaigns, though of course he was not the one who told me about his final one, and I would always listen attentively. I know more about the art of war than most women."'

Jacques could tell that Bianca was in fact in the market for a new husband, and she currently had her sights set on him.

Jacques:

"I should be most honoured if you would call me Jacques. And you were clearly a studious listener with your late husband."

Jacques looks over at the other occupants of the hall and lowers his tone discreetly. "I'm afraid I do not recognise the other two guests here. You are most certainly better acquainted with society than I, do you know of them?"

"The Moor I do not know, Jacques," said Bianca, "though he is clearly a man of great wealth, someone it would be good for me to meet. The priest I've actually met. He is Inquisitor Ignacio Fernandez, of the Spanish Inquisition. A ruthless man, to be sure, and a powerful one. He could be a useful ally...or a dangerous enemy."

Bianca's Know rolls about the Spanish priest and Moorish merchant:
d%
d%

Jacques:

Jacques:

"Well, what say you, Mme - ah - Bianca, shall we be adventurous and introduce ourselves to M. le Moor, and learn what he does? I must say, it's an interesting time to be a Moor. All their lands in Christendom are now reclaimed by Spanish and Italian armies."

"A splendid idea, Jacques," said Bianca. "You are right, I do not think the inquisitor would be too fond of him, especially with the Moors having controlled part of Spain for so long and only finally having been driven out 25 years ago. I have a feeling that would be mutual. But I think we should get along well with the Moor. Why don't you lead the approach and then introduce me?"

Jacques:

Jacques nods agreement. "A sound strategy."

He heads over to the Moor. "Pardon me, I don't believe we have met but you are clearly another of the Duc's guests. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Chevalier Jacques du Baudin."

"A pleasure to meet you, Chevalier," said the Moor, with a deep and boisterous voice. "I am Captain Abdullah al-Rashid."

Jacques, please roll Status.

Jacques:

1d%60%

"I am captain of a ship, not a company," Abdullah added. "A merchant vessel. I am not a military man such as yourself."

Jacques:

Jacques:

"Indeed, Captain, I recognise your name and understand you are a merchant captain of great renown."

"May I make known to you another of the Duc's guests, Mme Bianca Luciano?" Jacques politely gestures towards Bianca.

Abdullah approached Bianca with a big smile. "At last we meet, Madame Luciano," he said, bowing over her outstretched hand and kissing her knuckles. "Legends of your beauty fail to do you justice."

"You are too kind," said Bianca, with a curtsy.

"I have been to Venice many times in my travels, but I never saw you there, or I may never have left."

Abdullah's Know roll:
d%

Jacques:

Jacques stifles the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he aims for a relaxed, friendly expression.

"Where is home for you, Captain? Or do you live aboard your ship, sailing the seven seas, wherever fates and the winds take you?"

"I do often live on my ship," said Abdullah, "though I will come ashore when I am in port and stay somewhere in the city. I am rarely this far inland. My home port is Tangier, and I spend the most time there when not at sea."

Jacques:

"Do you have much trouble with Barbary pirates? While I was on Rhodes, we spent months of every year chasing and battling those rogues."

"Oh, yes, I've run into them sometimes," said Abdullah. "They want to get their hands on my valuable cargo, and also to enslave my crew. But my ship is faster than theirs. I made sure of that. What of your campaigns? I'm sure you have some interesting stories."

Jacques:

Jacques shakes his head modestly, looking slightly embarrassed. "Nothing very impressive, I assure you. For the last several years I've spent some months of each year aboard ships chasing those same Barbary pirates, and the rest of the time garrisoning Rhodes to ensure it's not invaded."

"I'm enjoying a change from eating Greek food, fish, or ship's rations. On which count, I am most grateful to be a guest of the Duc."

"As am I," said Abdullah. "I've had French food before, whenever I've docked in Marseilles or another French port, but never anything so sumptuous as the Duc provides. Even the bread is a feast for the palate. One does get sick of fish after too much of it."

Jacques:

Jacques smiles at the thought of such good food. "It is something we French do take seriously, our food. But was it fine food alone that tempted you, a sailor, so far inland? That and the chance to meet the most the most radiant of Venetians, of course." Jacques gestures towards Bianca at this.

"Ah, that alone would be reason enough to come," said Abdullah, bowing again to Bianca. "And what brings you to these festivities?"

Jacques:

"I'm traveling from Rhodes to Paris, and simply happened to be passing through as good fortune would have it. The Duc most generously asked me to stay for the festivities."

"And yourself, lovely lady?" Abdullah asked Bianca.

"This is the social event of the year," she replied. "I came here to meet people worth meeting, and I have clearly done so already."

Jacques:

Jacques looks suitably modestly embarrassed as ever. "Well, I'm sure Captain al-Rashid meets that description, anyway."

"But it would be bad manners not to introduce myself to the other guest here." Jacques adds very quietly, "Do not feel under any obligation to join me though."

With a stoic expression, Jacques heads over to the Inquisitor. "Brother Inquisitor, Chevalier Jacques du Baudin, Order of the Knights Hospitaller, at your service."

Bianca and Abdullah were quickly in deep conversation with each other, and they hardly noticed that Jacques had left.

"It is actually Father, Chevalier," said Ignacio Fernandez, studying Jacques intently with a piercing stare with eyes black as pitch. "I am a priest as well as an Inquisitor. It is good to meet you."

Jacques, please roll Status.

Jacques:

1d%60%

"Ah, Father, I do beg your pardon. I've been away from civilisation too long, my manners are deserting me."

"Have you travelled far, Father?"

"Not as far as some," said the inquisitor. "I came from Spain, took ship to Marseilles, and then rode here to Vyones. And from where do you hail, Chevalier?"

Jacques:

"Oh well," as ever, Jacques looks embarrassed talking about himself. He waives a hand to suggest his life history is very trivial. "I was raised in the country, here in France, but I've spent many years campaigning and the like. The last several years, I've been on Rhodes, having joined the Hospitallers. We hold back the Turk and we chase Barbary pirates."

"And an excellent job you do at keeping the infidels at bay," said Ignacio. "In Spain we have only driven out the last of them 25 years ago. Still, there is plenty of work for the Inquisition. Heresy is more rampant than you might think."

Jacques:

"Heresy? Father, you astound me. I had no idea such still existed in civilised countries. Not counting the Turks and their like, I have certainly met plenty of men in Christendom who were far from good Christians, which will not surprise you I'm sure."

"But heresy? That is something else again."

"I too was surprised at just how much there is," said Ignacio. "Heresy lurks beneath the surface, it is subtle. At least an infidel is honest about his leanings. The Knights Hospitaller is a faithful order, but surely you have heard of the Knights Templar? Over two centuries ago, they were exposed as heretics. They were executed, and their order abolished. Even a well-respected order of knights can be corrupted. We must always be on our guard."

Jacques, please roll History.

Jacques:

1d%H20%

OOC:   Unexpected success.

While Jacques had not formally studied history, he had learned all about the various knightly orders of the past and present. The Knights Templar had been founded in Jerusalem during the Crusades by Hugues de Payens in 1120. It started with only nine knights, though it had since grown. The order had been a rival of his own Knights Hospitaller. Pope Clement V had in 1305 tried to merge the two orders, though both of their leaders had demurred. Nevertheless, the Pope had persisted, inviting both Grand Masters to Avignon in 1306 for discussions. Grand Master Fulk de Villaret of the Knights Hospitaller had been delayed, but Grand Master Jacques de Molay arrived in 1307. The Pope had brought up criminal charges from an ex-Templar which were most likely false but were under discussion by King Philip IV and his ministers. The King was deep in debt to the Templars due to war with England, which may have motivated him in pursuing the charges. On October 13, 1307, he simultaneously had de Molay and numerous other Templars arrested. They were accused of numerous heretical and criminal acts, and they were forced to confess under torture. Specifically, they were accused of worshiping an idol called Baphomet, spitting on the cross, denying Christ, and various other abominable things. On November 22, Pope Clement gave the order that all Templars be arrested and their assets seized, and he ordered papal hearings to be held. Many Templars, including de Molay, recanted their confessions. However, King Philip made sure that they were burned at the stake in Paris on March 18, 1314. Pope Clement relented to King Philip's demand that he disband the order.

With that amazing success, you can assume that you know everything here or in your own knowledge and research that would have been known in 1517.

Jacques:

Jacques nods. "Yes, I have read of the Templars in our records, and heard the stories of course. But that was 200 years ago. The world was rougher and still filled with pagans then."

"I am no doubt a complete innocent on this topic but I had assumed, in this more advanced age we inhabit, heresy was no longer to be found within the borders of Christendom. From what you say though, I gather your experience has been otherwise, Father?"

"Indeed, I have rooted out my share of heretics," said Ignacio. "They are not easy to find, for they look like everyone else, and they can feign being true Christians. They had to become more subtle in this advanced age, in order to hide better. The ones who were easy to find have already been caught. The infidels are always easy to find, of course. Why, look, there's one over there." He glanced in the direction of Abdullah, who was still engrossed in conversation with Bianca. "While Spain is liberated again, things are not so peaceful in the East, not since Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453. That opened up the floodgates, and the infidels can invade Europe from that direction. The Turks also now control the Holy City of Jerusalem, which centuries ago was in Christian hands, until we were driven out."

Jacques:

Jacques listens respectfully. "Yes indeed, the Turk has a mighty army. He is wiley and fierce. It is up to us to hold fast our borders and keep him at bay, which may be a never ending struggle. But Spain winning back its lands from the Moors is a great proof that we can succeed."

Looking to steer the conversation onto less gloomy topics, Jacques asks, "Are you well acquainted with the Duc?"

"Not very," said Ignacio. "I have met him before once, years ago. Apparently he recalled me from that meeting. Or, more likely, his wife the Duchesse did and reminded him. Do you know him well?"

Jacques:

"It is pure happenstance that I am here. On my journey to Paris, I just had the good fortune to be passing through during the Duc's festivities,I had no idea they were planned. The Duc then generously invited me to stay a few days, although I only know him by reputation. Most kind it was of him though."

"I know little of the Duchesse but the lady must be of a pious nature if she desired of her noble husband to invite you, Father?"

"Most fortunate indeed," said Ignacio. "The Duc is a generous soul, he merely sometimes has problems recalling things. Fortunately, his wife the Duchesse is both considerate and blessed with an excellent memory. You'll see when court begins, which probably won't be long now." In fact, the great hall was now filling up with people of all sorts.

Jacques:

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Father, I hope we shall talk again at some point. I had better marshal my thoughts and questionable wits before speaking with the Duc." Jacques gives the priest a polite nod then moves to join the throng, keen to make his report to the Duc as soon as possible.

Jacques is moving to the thread linked below:

The Duc's Court