>>30107038
[But first, something to read]

You, Bernardo, your humble servant, and Louis, the feisty French duelist, leave the villa Bernardo acquired for you with only a small chuckle escaping Bernardo at Louis extravagant nature. Today's light is fading slightly into the Venetian horizon, but the dark is the perfect time to enact your operations. You aim for the Antoni Brotherhood, the criminal organization seated near the Jewish quarter and the poorest parts of town, and you have brought along all the muscle you currently command to get yourself free of the "loan" they pushed on the tailor shop you now own.

You adjust your sleeves and your overcoat as you walk, shoes tapping on the street's stones. The three of you remain in relative silence as you approach the location of their operation. Bernardo looks up and glances around it, "Remember, Signore, Isaac said they commanded at least two dozen men, I believe." He says, checking his notes and nodding to affirm his statement. Louis is rotating his wrists, loosening them up for the inevitable scrap. "Ah, what a joy it will be to strike a blow to these villains." The Frenchman's eyes are eager and he shifts his feet slightly, preparing for the impending dance of combat.

"How do you wish to proceed, Signore?" Bernardo asks you as he places his hand on the sword-handle at his hip. You have your dueling sword with you as well.

>A (Go in the front, attack)
>B (Attack stealthily)
>C (Don't go in attacking.)
>D (Investigate first

(D) investigate 1st, As much as i trust Louis's ability I do not want him to just hurt too soon, Learn about those who may not be as Loyal to Giovanni and his second, as the others.

>>30107038
>>30107140
>D (Investigate first)
then
>B (Attack stealthily)

They might have the advantage in numbers, but since they're in the "poorer parts of town", they don't have the quality as we do. Ruffians and thugs aren't that great in a fight, let's see if these guards are actually competent in their jobs, and how they carry themselves.

I'd expect some to be slacking off their duties, try to observe their watch pattern.

>>30107250
Don't want to rush straight into them, Veto (B) Investigate their matters, concerning The Tailor shop See if they had beef with the old owner or the shop themselves

>>30107140
>C (Don't go in attacking.)

>>30107140
We have bought everything we have seen so far in town. Why not try to get these guys on our level? We kinda need a makeshift army that can defend us if daddy figures out where we are.

>>30107412
>c don't attack.
We are Italian, mob it up a little.

>>30107038
>D (Investigate first

>>30107412
A private army of thugs. I like it!

>>30107620
Not thugs. Repo men/ private security. More money going legit.

>>30107667
Agreed, What can we do against our father if most of the city of Venice sees us as "THAT" group

To Generally ask, where's the nearest open theatre?

>>30107706
We need to continue to grow in power and influence. We are a noble that cares about the working class, we aren't on anybody's radar yet but we will be. We need all the friends we can get right now.

Sweet. Was searching for this thread in the catalog.

Ready to quest

Am reading, OP. Welcome back.

>>30107928
Ok, read the OP.

I say we go with a diplomatic approach, we don't even know if they are hostile. Seems like a bad approach to just charge in and start slaughtering people.

If they are hostile and make the first move, feel free to slaughter them. But first we try to talk them around to seeing things our way. We need some muscle for our operations.

>>30107250
>>30107243
>>30107326
>>30107277
>>30107412

You put your hands in your pockets as you think hard and speak, "We'll be investigating today, nothing too serious yet, for now, let's just keep our heads down." Bernardo nods and Louis, though a bit put out, agrees as well.

The three of you stay near it and investigate for nearly an hour, watching people move in and out of it. It's not too hard to tell the men apart, each of them wears a red bandanna around his left arm and carries his sword on his left hip. None of them you've seen, though Bernardo recounts that you've seen at least ten individuals, seems to be Giovani, but perhaps that's just because he's keeping nondescript.

Bernardo interrupts you after a long silence, "Signore, perhaps we should go in and see what they're all about? We can perhaps falsify a reason for seeing them?" You don't find this to be too terrible, and head down.

The three of you enter without much noise and an unsurprisingly rough looking gentleman steps out of the back room, trying his best to look tough with his face covered in scars and his eye-patch. "What do you want?" His voice is an unusually deep growl, a scar across his throat probably the cause. You bow your head in greeting and say.

>A (I'm here for security)
>B (I'm here for a loan)
>C (I'm here to look around.)
>D (Write in)

>>30107758
[The nearest theater is a few blocks away, it is unoccupied for the moment.]

>>30107928
>>30107987
[Thank you! Glad to be back]

>>30108097
No need to falsify, we own the tailor shop, we owe them money, and they still owe our moneylenders their last payment. Very silly really, we already work together and didn't even know it. We all have the same goals, we need to pool some resources.

>>30108097
>>A (I'm here for security)

Because talking money with loan-sharks is beyond stupid.

>>30108097
(D) Ask them about the situation regarding the tailor shop, I also want to know if these men would be trustworthy enough to possibly hire for ourselves? (I doubt the matte of possibilityr but doesn't hurt, I'll allow others to Veto my idea on possibly hiring these guys for ourselves (with good reasons backing it))

Another Idea is
(D) Come up with an agreement after consulting with Isaac how much The brotherhood's last payment is, Perhaps strike up a deal where they stop hassling the tailor shop in exchange for being let off the final payment (depending on the amount of that final payment)

>>30107038
Fuck Yeah, Medici Quest. None of the other recent quests seemed to to be as interesting to me as this one.

>>30108180
They are are primary competition, we need to buy them or beat them

>d) offer them a contract to be our exclusive collection agency. Open a branch of our now ever expanding money lending operation at their/ near their location, we handle the numbers, they do what they do best. Win win.

>>30108159
This.

No need to mislead them.

We owe them money and they owe us money.
They may be bandits and ruffians, but they are not our enemies today.

>>30108322
Banks need someone to collect money.

>>30108322
THIS! This would be a great way of creating an influence, However i want to be able of trusting the Antoni brotherhood before we even begin that process

Seems the autist came out in full force for this thread.

>>30108368
>>30108357
>>30108322
>>30108180
>>30108161
>>30108159

"Yes, I'm here with the nearby tailor-shop. I wanted to talk about settling my debt." You explain casually and the man nods, "Ah, where is the Signore who ran it?" he says, suddenly reasonably polite. You smile thinly and shrug, "He had better business to attend to, I suppose. I bought the business from him. And I learned about our debt, so, how much do I owe you?"

He goes back into the office section of the building and comes out with another man, this man significantly more slimy looking to you, with a single cut across his left eye, rendering it blind. "Ah, the tailors. Yes, welcome." He says and shakes your hands in a very Medieval way, putting his free hand on your arm shaking with his own.

"Let's see....he owed a total of....300 florins." He says after the introductions, "So, naturally, he's missed a few payments, and now that burden passes to you. But, a man of such wealth as you, Signore, should be able to handle such a paltry sum easily." You smile, "We can work something out, how much do you owe the Jew?" His smile falls a few molars as he asks, "Why is that important?" Your smile notches up a little more, "Well, you see, I own the Jew as well. So, that debt is mine now." He laughs at your words and nods, "Alright, very clever sir. Yes, the business owes 150 florins to the Jew for our payment."

The two of you arrange a reasonable deal and then you ask to see his boss.

(cont)

>>30108418
Stop posting.

>>30108368
Our well paid Frenchman will obviously be our eyes and ears inside of their operation.

>>30108452
These guys are slimy as fuck. Unless they're gonna impress us in the immediate future I don't want to get on the merry-go-round with them.

OP told us in the last thread that they were hurting the jew's business by taking too much from the locals which fucks our prospects long term.

It may well be better, however, to win the loyalty of their underlings after we investigate them further. Slimy assholes strike me as unfair managers and while I have nothing against sharing power with decent partners, these guys don't look like a great long-term investment.

>>30108428

He leads you upstairs and demands that you and your guards leave your weapons behind. Louis utterly refuses and chooses to remain downstairs with his weapons, saying that they're worth more than his life. He departs. Bernardo hands over his sword without a word. You, begrudgingly, do the same and give over your blade.

The top floor of the building is a very comfortable office with heavy textile covering the windows, blocking out the sun. An older man, in his 40's maybe, with a broad figure, sits behind a desk polishing a pistol. "Ah, so you are the eminent noble my men said wished to speak to me. I have been watching you with great interest, Signore, buying out local businesses into your cause. It must require a great deal of capital. I am Signore Giovani. And you are?" He extends his hand as he smiles, his gruffly comfortable face seeming genuine as he looks into your eyes. You reach forward, mind racing about how to answer his question.

>A (Tell the truth)
>B (Lie, write in how)

>>30108452
>>30108501

Louis Hundred-Hands isn't a spy, he's a leader of men and a champion fighter. If we put him at the head of the local toughs, assuming they were salvageable, that'd be better than having him work as a mole.

It's a tough fit either way because of how awful his italian is right now, we're gonna have to shell out for a tutor for him unless we want to hire guards that speak french well enough to follow his commands.

>>30108532
He doesn't know the ins and outs of Medici politics.

Tell him you're a Medici out of Firenze and see what happens.

>>30108532
Lies are always best when they are partly true.

>>30108554
Although let us NOT give our father leads that can point him to us

>>30108554
I have a feeling Giovani has some other connections outside of the brotherhood, Maybe with a few assasins and hitmen, Lets not namedrop

>>30108569
>>30108582
This guy's a gang leader in Venice, he has no pull with our father's court. Making up a name is stupid, Isaac knows who we are and it's trivial for Giovanni to shake the Jew down.

>>30108599

Okay, that won me over. Voting to tell the truth so we avoid showing fear and motivating this guy to dig deeper at the expense of our friends.

>>30108554
>>30108599
>>30108622


So he can sell us for a bounty when he looks into our story and finds out that a wanted young Medici noble fled from Tuscany just a few weeks ago?

Are you even thinking about the consequences?

Look guys, NEVER tell someone anything more than you absolutely have to.

Information is valuable. The information you guys want to part with is EXTREMELY valuable to some people. Let us not throw it around.

>>30108532
>A (Tell the truth)

>>30108532
introduce ourselves as signor medici but keep it vague

>>30108644
were just some foreigners bastard son as far as he knows

Small fish or not, telling him shit like this is dumb.

Especially since he is a small fish, why would we use a big card like this right now?

Embellish the truth.

We are a young noble who wishes to prove his own worth without simply inheriting our fathers fortune, and for this you have left your home to start an empire.

>>30108652
Veto'd to some extent
Only tell him the MOST BASIC of information as opposed to slapping everything onto the table, How capable is Bernado in French? Maybe consult with him, He might consider us influental enough if we show prowess in a foriegn language as opposed to just a "Lying" italian man decrying nobility

Oh right, and even though we were a medici noble, we have technically been disowned.

So yeah, the truth you want to tell isn't even the truth. It just digs us deeper into a hole.

>>30108644
Obscuring ourselves to a guy we might want to do business with seems counterproductive.

>>30108689
He's still looking for a name and there's no way there'll be a lack of reprisal if he finds out from our unprotected associates that we lied to him. Paranoia isn't the winner here.

>>30108532

>B (Lie, write in how)

Say that you are a noble from Genoa who is looking to come into his own as far as humanly possible from you unsavory relations.

Parallels our story enough to cover gaps and won't land us in shit if Giovanni decides to turn on us later.

>>30108532
>A
unlike both of these samefags, I'm just gonna vote

>>30108737
He also might think us a fucking naive retard for throwing the cards onto the table when we are speaking to a known criminal.

>>30108756
He also might think us a naive fucking retard if we assume he doesn't already know plenty about us and try to lie. Don't be rationalizing your way into a pistol-shot in the chest.

>>30108772
I doubt a small time gang leader can afford a firearm

>>30108532
A - tell the truth, but don't mention that we're disowned, and give him our family name. Also don't go into detail about what we're up to in the area, say nothing we don't have to.

>>30108599

> it's trivial for Giovanni to shake the Jew down.

We may want to fix that you know? That or make sure he can't say anything like that.

>>30108737
>>30108793


Seriously, what is with this blind naive trust when dealing with what is essentially a low-level mob boss.

Did you forget a wanted man by our own father?
Wanted dead I might add.

>>30108787
Are you fucking illiterate? It's right there in the goddamn post, he's polishing a pistol.

>An older man, in his 40's maybe, with a broad figure, sits behind a desk polishing a pistol.

Don't fail to take in the post and argue with other people like a fag. And don't pretend to know the economics of the game without asking if you can't even read.

Fuck, quit spergderping up the quest.

>>30108805
The internal politics of venice are full of mobs in power and public organizations trying to promote community strength just to get to the point where they can have a police force.

Could you stop being a paranoid prick and threadshitting because the vote's going against you? The argument's over, the least you could do is vote and try to let us have fun without demanding everything be secret.

>>30108689
Something like this please.

We are a noble that wishes to prove himself on his own, for reasons we do not wish to disclose.

We obviously don't lie to him, lying is stupid.

We just don't tell him anything he doesn't need to know.

So A) Tell him we are here, and what we plan on achieving. Not WHY we had to leave, or anything about our past that is of no importance to him.

He has no business delving into our past and he isn't even asking about that.

>>30108873
This works.

>>30108805
The way to win here is to gather power, not to suspect everyone before they move against us. We're openly associating with enough Venetians to have our name start to be known, there's no going back now. Lying to people who've been watching us strikes me as dumb, it just gives them an opportunity to smear our name before we even get started.

Bankers trade on their names, Anon.

>>30108711
>>30108689
>>30108622
>>30108599
>>30108582
>>30108569
>>30108554

"I am Signore Medici, and I like to make my way in cities I choose to live in. Firenze was getting a bit too crowded for me, and I wanted to spread my wings a little bit." You explain and he shakes your hand firmly, "Well, I am honored to see such a famous son in this city, and especially in my office." he bows his head and smiles, "So, what can I do for you?"

>A (Business proposal, aggressive)
>B (Business proposal, reasonable)
>C (Write in)

>>30108917
>C

"Well, I was told you were a man of affairs and knew of the goings-on in the community - you have certainly spotted me quickly. Can you tell me how things go in the city and the district?"

Time to find out how he sees the world.

>>30108917
>B (Business proposal, reasonable)

Now that he knows who we are, we can't exactly make him mad.

>>30108917
gonna second >>30108935
might go with B if he's reasonable and not a murdering bastard

>>30108917
We have been reasonable in the past, we shal be reasonable now.

B)

More specifically, how he can help us, how he is currently extorting a business we now own, AND that he owes another business we own money.

>>30108935
>>30108947
Both of these

File: 1391911128017.jpg-(851 KB, 1600x1200, Al-Swearengen-deadwood-18(...).jpg)

851 KB JPG

>>30108917
I'll second >>30108935 and hope that the guy shows himself to be pic related

>>30108935
>>30108947
>>30108968
>>30108971
>>30108974

He grins, "I certain am very aware. The community around here is the shame of all of Venice. People scratch a living from a world that doesn't want them. So, I'm here to collect the boys who are willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to cut their way from the world. I mean, we're descended from great Rome, why not live like it?" He asks and gestures grandly towards the various pieces of artwork he has, busts made in the Roman style, and even an actual gladius on his wall.

You rub your jaw, "Indeed, but there's more than one way to conquer the world." At your words he laughs, "Very true, very true indeed." He looks you up, "So, this proposal?" he asks and you smile, "Well, we're both up and comers, so I was wondering if you wanted to consider an allegiance? You have a lot of contacts and establishment here, and I have a lot of money and ability, together we can really become something."

He rubs his jaw thoughtfully and puts the pistol down on the desk, "So...I work for you? Or we work together?"

Well?

>A (Together)
>B (He works for me)
>C (I work for you)
>D (Write in)

>>30109291
>A (Together)
This ensures a mutual agreement, in the meanwhile we can build our own influence, hopefully pushing him into the sidelines eventually
B would be an insult due to our position at the moment
C would really hinder our progress

>>30109210
A, and D.

Propose that if he starts providing real security and tries to become what Venice had in the way of police, we'd be able to cut him in on the money available from district business - which would improve with greater stability.

"Signore, it would be as untoward for a newcomer like myself to propose to lead you as it would for a noble's social status to be easily dismissed by the fops in the doge's palace because someone heard I was in the employ of lower rank. Let neither of us insult the other - we shall work in concert to bring improvement to each other and expand our influence."

"Let us be like Roma in this - its greatest power was its industry. A simple aqueduct allowed all to eat, and they made such wares and supplied their armies so well that the whole of the Mediterranean was bringing them exotic spices and precious things. You know this as well as I do, signore."

"If you could provide protection - and I mean doing what the guardia should, keeping ruffians from theft and misbehavior - we could pay you a decent sum sufficient to gather armament and be a true contender for district money. I know how well the city guard pays those that run it - a patron of worth could do this well. I might even be able to arrange such a thing, but it would require certain support - for example, the Jewish business I have bought into would be far more able to earn coin - some of which would end up in your coffers - if their usual clients were assured of safety, which the Guardia fail to do entirely."

>>30109377

So, work to set the guy up as a legitimate part of the community and tie his income to providing a service? Probably not the worst idea, if he goes for it.

Obviously, he works for us.

If we can afford to tell him that to the face yet is up for discussion.

I'm tempted to tell him that he works for us, to go with B

We are offering him an opportunity to join us while we are still getting started.

As soon as we start expanding our influence he will be forced to join us or fold under our power if they refuse, it is an invitability. It should go without saying that joining us now would be the wisest choice for both of us.
We do not plan on sharing our table with him once we reach the top, but if we are up front about it we wont need to "push him to the sidelines". He will always be there, and there wont be a point where we need to backstab him and remove his influence.

>>30109210

>A (Together)

We have higher aspirations than just the Ghetto.
He can run it once we take over the governance of this part of Venice.

>>30109443
>guy with a pistol in his hand, two dozen guys working with him
>has us alone in an office
>we don't know him that well yet
>he's been watching us for a while
Why do you want to force everyone to work under you when they might get insulted and decide to shoot us in the head?

Do you have a napoleon complex?

>>30109443
Of course, there would still be huge benefits for him if he works for us, like becoming the leader of the underground, if that is to his liking, as >>30109450 proposed.

Just let him know now so he doesn't end up pissed when we discard him as a partner and demote him to a chip in our game.

>>30109324
>>30109377
seconding these.

>>30109481
We aren't forcing him, we are trying to convince him that it is the best option.

He isn't the boss of venice, yet he seems to be doing fine? Does he need to be our equal to get what he wants? Probably not, thats what I would like to find out.

If his goal is to rule the city, he will become a huge thorn in our side eventually.

>>30109526
Look, this is how political advancement works, in the Rennaisance or anywhere.

First, you meet people on equal terms instead of flexing dick and trying to convince everyone you're the winner like some aspie who can't relate to people.

Then, when enough people think you're a pretty cool guy personally, you're able to elevate yourself by providing them benefits.

Always give people a reason not to want to overpower you besides saying 'hurr I should be in charge.'

>>30109450
>>30109443
>>30109403
>>30109377
>>30109324

You spread your arms out and smile, "You would be doing a disservice to the legacy of Rome to do any less than work together with me. You provide much needed safety, the honor of a true Roman to guard his countrymen, and can rise to become greater than even the guardia. They are corrupt and inefficient, you run an organization of excellent men, and with proper financial backing, can become the de facto guards of the town. Money from all of my enterprises, guarded of course by you and your men, would flow back into your coffers as pay increases and everyone lives a quality life." You say, smiling, "Let the Doge sit rich in his castle, our wealth will exceed his in only a few year's time."

The man thinks hard on your proposal and speaks slowly, "That all is very enticing. You bring many excellent points to the table, Signore, but, what's to stop me from taking you captive and ransoming you off to the Medici? I'm sure they'd pay well for one of their sons." He levels his pistol at you as he says this, but a sad look dwells in his eyes as he does so.

Bernardo tenses up next to you and he waves the barrel of the pistol, "Don't be stupid, I have a sword too, you know? And you're in my home." He stands up and walks forward, "So, Signore, tell me, what's to stop me?"

You resist the racing of your heart and your rising fear.

>A (Keep calm, talk him down)
>B (Act quickly, take him out)
>C (Offer him money)

>>30109324
>>30109377
>>30109403
>>30109513
I'm with these guys.

>>30109443
>>30109489
>>30109526
These all seem really short-sighted and power trippy, gonna get us hated, betrayed, killed.

>>30109593
Yeah I know, I just wanted to shorten the period of "playing around and finding solutions we both agree with" to "do as I say" to zero.

>>30109645
Shake your head sadly. "I am persona non grata in Firenze, exiled and hunted - you can tell by the company I keep today. You truly feel a father that would exile and kill his own son would reward you if he could get away with it? Signore, do not be insulted but listen - my father holds a town under his sway and risks his own heirs for the sake of pride. His father crippled Machiavelli, perhaps his greatest advisor, for little reason. Do you really think he would not simply thank you by way of dumping your body in the Grand Canal? He pays for nothing he cannot take by force - do you not know men who would not do the same in his place?"

>>30109645
>A (Keep calm, talk him down)

>>30109725
>reward you if he could get away with it
Meant 'if he could get away with not doing so.'

>>30109645
We're Right fucked aint we?
Sitting this round out, Though i would preferably Chose
>A (Keep calm, talk him down) since if we try to fight him, We could risk a gunshot at a PRETTY DAMN CLOSE RANGE, and medicine aint so fantastic, Even if he missed, We only have our fishs whilst he can grab his sword, Louis is an excelent fighter but the situation we're currently in (AT THIS TIME AND MOMENT) he can't fight

If all else fails I would go for C and figure his price

Still though none of my suggestions are to hold weight, I'm not deciding in this one, Let everybody else decide

>>30109593

>political advancement

Everyone really followed this list perfectly bro.The mongrels really followed this list to the letter bro. I can almost feel the pretty cool guy when they rolled up the Caliph in a carpet and trampled him to death.

>Aspie

This is the most retarded meme in 4chan history. You can't even talk without a dozen retards calling each other aspies no matter what you say. This is more cancerous then any tumblr meme.

>>30109725
this might work if we don't appear to be afraid, desperate, or begging

also we need to buy a pistol soon and recruit those guards

>>30109809
>hurr durr whats soft power precious
>lets be like the crusaders and kill everyone we dont like while we call mongols mongrels and ignore the later years of the golden horde

if your gonna threadshit like this at least make it funny

>>30109645

>A (Keep calm, talk him down)

Lets not get shot. Though thinking on it he wants us ransomed so he doesn't want to do much damage to us.

>>30109645
Man, I know saying we were a Medici would backfire on us.
I told you so, goddamnit.

Ohh well.

Convince him that the benefit of working with us far outweighs the pittance of money and considerably risk he takes for holding a noble ransom.

"We came here to you without our weapons, telling you of our status, fully aware that you might consider this, but I know you are not the man to pick the lesser prize."

>>30109725
and
>>30109933
maybe throw in something about how a sure income for life is preferable to the risk of a kidnapper of nobles being thought a risk to all nobles and hounded by vengeful great houses

>>30109933
You think telling him which noble family we're from is more damaging than having come here in the first place without guards, dressed like a rich guy?

We'd have been better off either not going or investigating first, but that wasn't an option we went for.

>>30109933
>>30109822
>>30109809
>>30109783
>>30109756
>>30109752
>>30109725

You don't move much, just open your hands and speak, "There's nothing stopping you. If you want me dead, you kill me. But you'll find little joy in my death, and even smaller reward in it. As for ransoming me, a Medici would rather swallow his own tongue than pay a single soldi to a man who holds power over them." You say this, meaning your family, but in a way you reference yourself. He smiles thinly and then laughs, a deep warm chuckle, and puts the pistol in his belt.

"Well spoken, Signore. Forgive my forward behavior, but every nobleman who has ever tried to buy me, and make no mistake, I know what you are trying to do, has grovelled and wept as a child or a woman when I put my weapon to him. Yet, despite that, you are fearless. I suppose it is indeed true what is said about Medici." He says and pats your shoulder, "Very well, you have my men, on one condition. I order my men, only. These men are people I have saved and take care of, they are brothers to me, not just workers. I will hire more, if you wish, but these men in my Brotherhood, all twenty-five of us, will remain sacred. Do you promise this?"

You agree, naturally, it's a small price to pay, and when you finish drawing up papers, settling on his duties to protect your businesses with his men, to stop badgering locals for money, and, most importantly, to collect debts for you, without force, you depart with Bernardo.

[cont]

>>30110011
CLOSE CALL!

He was showing classic italian bravado and you guys wanted to kill him. This is what we should expect when we offer fair treatment, so maybe the posturing was stupid from the start.

>>30110041
we should have accepted the chance that guys living in renny-era italy would be poor, smart, and hungry

this is the kinda guy the world's full off in 1600, lets not get uppity next time

>>30110011

Louis walks with you and bows his head, "Forgive me, Signore, for not being there where I was needed." You forgive him, saying that he may have done more harm than good if he were hot-headed about it, causing you and Louis to share a smile. Bernardo, however, is extremely disgruntled.

When you return to the small villa he takes you aside, "Signore, I cannot say with good faith that I trust Giovani. He seems a man driven by his whims and while he is enraptured with your courage, what's to stop him from leaving your side at a crucial juncture for another man he becomes enchanted with. I have served with men like these, men who idolize and revere other men they see as heroic, their opinions are as the wind; fickle and untrustworthy. If you'll forgive my demand, I believe a replacement would be most beneficial."

You nod, taking his concerns into account and gesture towards the table, "Bernardo, your tome has arrived, please transcribe your notes there, and I will continue them with Samuel. As for your concerns..."

>A (They're noted, [take no action])
>B (They're meaningless, [take no action])
>C (I agree, [act on removing him])
>D (Write in)

>>30110109
>A (They're noted, [take no action)
For now, I

>>30110109
D.
"We did not just win Giovanni's loyalty to so easily cast him aside. But we are best served by keeping him at his present power without adding to it - we will surpass him, and he will earn enough that if he is not some greedy fool, we will have no reason to replace him so long as he is no cause of problems."

"But if he becomes greedy and heaps abuses on those around him, well, let us be great enough to be the hand that feeds him instead of being so small we rest in the palm of his hand. If he bites us then, there is consequence - but for now we must work with what we have."

>>30110109
>>A (They're noted, [take no action])

So we just need to beep being a magnificent bastard. Not like we weren't doing that anyway.

>>30110192
This is A except we tell Bernardo that we'll keep an eye on Giovani and try to make him obsolete, so that's fine by me.

>>30110263
>>30110147
>>30110192
>>30110204

"I believe that we will keep a firm watch over him and continue to inspire, as always, Bernardo." You lean back with a confident smile as you talk and he pokes his head out from the next room and sighs a bit, nodding his head, "Yes, Signore, I live to serve. I simply pray to the Most High that nothing ill comes of this." He says and quickly starts writing.

Louis is in the largest room upstairs where you can hear his feet moving in quick bursts of movement as he practices. The Frenchman seems like a wise investment, you think amicably. He's famous, so having him around may be a deterrent enough from a fight, and his reputation isn't baseless. Though his price is, quite frankly, insane. You could purchase a modest home with his yearly salary.

As you sit, finally relaxing for the first time all day, drinking from a bit of wine, Bernardo reappears with the massive book in his arms. "Here, Signore, this is a bit more appropriate for our ledger."

He passes you the massive book for your inspection...

http://pastebin.com/NugjMkag

You glance over the book quickly and nod, "Perfect note-keeping as usual, Bernardo. Thank you, my friend." He smiles and bows his head, "For you, Master, anything." He makes sure the ink has dried, closes the book and goes to bed, and shortly thereafter, you go to sleep as well....

[Day 3]

(cont)

>>30110405

The morning sun wakes you, as well as Bernardo's cooking. As you eat breakfast, Louis dabbing his mustache clean shortly after you start, the man basically inhales his food, Bernardo sits down with a small plate and eats quickly, like a soldier. That must be the big difference between military men and nobles, you surmise.

"Signore," Bernardo says, interrupting your thoughts, "It's time to give your orders for today." Louis sits up as he grins, "Yes, I'm ready to serve."

Bernardo Carafa
Effort: 20/20

Train Claudia- 20
Investigate Businesses- 10
Shop for Clothes and Equipment- 10
Book-keep/Follow Me- 20

Louis Hundred-Hands
Effort: 15/15

Teach Me- 15
Teach Giovani's Men- 15
Teach Giovani- 10
Find Potential Recruits- 20
Bodyguard Me- 15

>>30110478

Bernardo Carafa
>Train Claudia- 20

Louis Hundred-Hands
>Teach Giovani's Men- 15

Then let us go pick up our interim scribe form Issac's bank.

>>30110478
Bernardo is supposed to be training Claudia. He was supposed to start yesterday, actually.

Louis is gonna guard us until we hire some more guys.

We should collect Samuel and go hire guards and take advantage of the businesses that aren't being harassed anymore. Not to mention check up on Isaac and the tailor shop.

>>30110544
I don't want us to go around without a guard so I'll second this.

>>30110478
Bernardo will teach Claudia
Louis will train Giovani's men
we will go get our scribe form the jew and see about hiring guards

>>30110478
Bernardo trains Claudia.

Louis guards us, that is his job for now.

>>30110598
>>30110538
Why are we training Giovani's men if we don't want them to be a threat to us later?

>>30110629
Frankly with that shitty italian of his I'm not sure he can train anyone yet.

>>30110544
>>30110629
Agreed we still need the Frenchman for now.

>>30110629

What? They're our allies. Just Because Bronando has a bad feeling doesn't mean we should purposely make them less effective at their jobs.

That's the kind of think that will get us backstabbed.

Lets keep the Frenchman guarding us, it is for that purpose that we hired him.

Security by obscurity is not security at all.

>>30110606
>>30110598
>>30110592
>>30110544
>>30110538

"Bernardo, I want you to begin training the woman. Louis, you will come with me today, I want to make sure you earn your keep." You say and Bernardo bows his head, taking his leave without another word. Louis stands up and puts on his absurd hat. You are forced to speak, "Louis, where did you get such a hat?" The man laughed as he adjusted it on his head, "Why, I served in the King's Musketeers Corps, of course. I was cast from their ranks for dueling seven of them to their deaths after a rousing night of drinking." he says and takes a fencing stance, poking you in the forehead with a laugh. "These little details of the past are but memories, what matters most to me is the present."

You rise, pulling on your cloak, "Indeed, that is of the most importance." The two of you depart, and your first step is to pick up Samuel, who is ready for you with several sheets of paper and pots of ink. He eager, and you greet him properly.

The first order of business is to find more guards. As you leave the Jew's office you see four of Giovani's men, swords at their belts, sitting outside the moneylender's. And, surprisingly, you see at least two other people pass you to go inside. It appears the presence of the Brothers at the door, along with the spreading word of your leadership over the moneylender, is drawing customers.

Now, as for recruiting guards...

>A (Hire sailors)
>B (Hire soldiers)
>C (Hire current guards)
>D (Write in)

>>30110754
We have a list of former clients of Isaac's, start with those.
Hire a mix of the lot of them, I'm sure there's gonna be a need for expertise in terms of fights on the docks, fights in the military district, and police contacts.

A couple of out of work marines might not be the best thing, but above all the focus should be on residents of venice with families, not crazy fucks willing to kill themselves for nothing or betray us if someone offers slightly more money.

>>30110748
Okay, but let's do this after we hire some guys to guard us while we're not being guarded by Louis.

And after he learns all the necessary italian, or we can provide a translator or something.

>>30110801
>might not be the best thing
Hurr. Including a couple of out of work marines might be a good thing.

>>30110754
hire a mix of the three try to get some sargents as well for leadership

>>30110754
>A (Hire sailors)

Hiring town guards is bad move when we're planning to subvert their organization.

Sailors tend to deal better with a diverse people, and considering our less than exclusionary policies that's a plus.

>>30110754
>A (Hire sailors)

If the war against the Ottomans have just ended, then there should be a surplus of sailors, meaning that we will be able to find better me among the mariners than the others.

>>30110801
>>30110855
These, except look for former guards that aren't employed anymore because of downsizing after the wars.

>>30110885
>>30110921
I don't mind leaning toward sailors, but try to avoid drunkards and rootless men whose main talents are fishing or tying knots.

>>30110921
>>30110855
>>30110845
>>30110801

You ask Samuel for the client list Isaac gave you yesterday and read over it. "Alright, we'll start here." As you start moving, however, Louis stops you, "Seigneur, might I make a suggestion? While your grace is very in touch with the common man, it is not very practical, or dignified, for a nobleman to be....uh....hitting the pavement, as it were. You should summon people, as the great nobles in France did for me, when they called me to task for my crimes, as well as for favors of both the blade and the heart." He appears momentarily swept away in reverence before sighing, "Ah, the point, of course, is that now that you are becoming more established, perhaps starting from the bottom and gaining some disposable workers would be in your best interests." You nod your head and pause on the street. Does his idea have merit? Hiring a few boys or young men to run letters for you, and have Samuel write them, would certainly be more efficient than doing it yourself.

>A (You like your hands on approach, continue as you were)
>B (It's time to start acting like a nobleman. Let's start hiring pages and errand boys)
>C (Write in)

>>30111023
[Pavement should be road, because otherwise it's an anachronism, sorry!]

>>30110942
We have had a hard enough time walking around town with a Jew. We need some pure blooded Italian men to act as our escort.

>>30111023
If you would like a page than hire one out of your already ample pay. As far as I am concerned that is your job. Besides, it's too hard to find good employes, your passable at best and need to learn your role.

>>30111023
The Medici were self-made. We tell Louis that like our forefathers we must earn pages and errand-boys before we spend on them friviously, but that the wait won't be too long if we keep being industrious.

We're not made of money, and our current expenses are gonna bleed us dry in less than a year if we keep up like this. We can get servants when we're making bank.

>>30111153
Gonna vote against insulting the guy who killed seven dudes one night after too many drinks. We just tell him it's not a priority yet and move on.

>>30111175
this seems reasonable, seconding

>>30111175
This is fine.

>>30111153
>Be a dick to our bodyguard
Real bright idea.

>>30111195
The guy we disarmed in 3 rounds of combat?

>>30111048
Venice is pretty cosmopolitan. We'll have italians as well as enough foreigners that we don't seem like a racist prick to the locals, I think.

>>30111023
Right now our fledgling operation needs our eyes and ears, there will be a time for pages and errand boys.

>>30111250
The guy who let us disarm him, from the way OP told his story.

>>30111241
He should not speak to us like he is Bernardo. We pay him handsomely for his bodyguard services, not his financial advice.

>>30111250
>>30111293
Man I can appreciate that you're getting into character here but it's no fun playing a nobleman who treats his servants like crap and acts like he's hot shit all the time.

Anyway, the +6 bonus Louis has is a good reason not to be a dick to him, and the fact is he's part of our inner circle at this point, he's a retainer. He's not gonna manage our books and be privy to every secret but an opinionated comment is a bad reason to antagonize him.

>>30111293
>Our exposition fairy goes off to do something
>OP is kind enough to shift exposition advice to another character
>NOT HIS PLACE!!!

There's a certain level of meta situational awareness you need to retain in order to not become That Guy.

Besides that, even in character you're acting like a petulant shit.

>>30111293
QM's probably using him to nudge us along so that we've got errand boys sooner rather than later and make this more about delegating than about going and handling every little thing personally.

We should take the hint and move on so we can do that sooner rather than later (like after we're not making a huge net loss per month).

>>30111270
>>30111220
>>30111195
>>30111175
>>30111153
>>30111048

"For the moment, Louis, as undignified as it may be, the Medici are workers first and nobles second. Our title is just a mark of our success. We will do what needs be done now, and once we are comfortable with our situation, we can hire these men." He smiles and bows, "This is why you lead, Seigneur, and why I follow."

You head to the first man's home and begin your hunt. The majority of the day is spent looking for men willing to serve as guards. As dusk begins leveling on us you look at the records.

Ten of the thirteen men were interested in service, and the total cost for their services, per month, is 1 florin in total. Cheap services, considering they expect a bit less, and you were willing to offer a bit more for the sake of loyalty.

Equipping them, properly of course, will be significantly more expensive than their monthly pay, but it's a one time fee. The real issue, however, will be acquiring the correct equipment. While you do own a smith, he can hardly be expected to create plate, weapons, greaves, and helms for them in a few day's time. That is simply impossible, especially since you took his daughter from him.

>A (Hire other smiths to make gear)
>B (Insist Andre do it)
>C (Write in)

>>30111376
>>30111358
>>30111293
>>30111382
alright guys i think weve made up our mind to not be an asshole lets focus on the quest

>>30111358
How would we ic know he is a +6. We know he is good at swinging a sharp stick, maybe great (not that we have seen that) we also know he is French. That's about all we know. I would not say he is in out "inner circle" any more than the Jew is. He is simply our overpaid bodyguard. But the best we can do on short notice.

>>30111471
Because he got a +6 to every roll and we had to burn spirit points every time in order to not get screwed?

>>30111410
D - Andre has friends and contacts, time to ask him who's reliable and not too expensive.

We could also see if Giovani's got anything lying around in the meantime we could buy, rent or borrow.

Any smiths we do commission, we can provide a few day-laborers to for the unskilled work to hurry them along, so our guys will have a hand in making their own arms and armor. Tell the new hires we can pay them an extra florin or two while they're doing this stuff and that they'll get to see their arms get made, be measured if necessary for some customization, and maybe make a friend or two among the tradesmen.

And everyone's gonna get invited to the turk's tavern after, we'll spring for a few kegs to celebrate our enterprise.

>>30111410
>C (Consult Andre)

Even if he can't manage it I'd rather we not go over his head on this.

>>30111471
It was pretty clear that he was described as an excellent fighter who took on multiple guards at once before we dueled him and got lucky, which was also heavily implied if not outright stated during the fight.

Let's not be like the guy who demanded to know how a common criminal could afford a pistol when the QM said it right in his post, bro. Take it easy.

>>30111533
>>30111504
these

>>30111504
>Tell the new hires we can pay them an extra florin or two while they're doing this stuff

>we'll spring for a few kegs to celebrate our enterprise.

Can we not piss money down the drain? Also, I don't thing you know how much a Florin is actually worth.

>>30111542
I thought that it was heavily implied, and our character suspected, that he threw said fight because he wanted a job more than the victory.

>>30111575
Okay, how much is a florin actually worth? Keep in mind we have several thousand of them, an extra ten won't be a huge deal if we can get our shit made faster and get to the business of not losing 200+ florins a month.

Every day we speed up our readiness to push towards profit is worth a setback of one more florin a day for day labor.

>>30111580
Either way, his skill was pretty evident to the MC.

>>30111610
I was thinking a florin was worth like 1-10k USD, I mean we fucking bought a business for only 150.

>>30111659
Think of it in terms of how many we have in total. Noblemen pissed florins away by the bag for stupid reasons and they were serious money to the poor, but we're a banker and their value to us is less important than speedily turning investment into a positive income.

>>30111659
I got the sense it was more like $100. You can buy a shitty business for 15k, or less if there is outstanding debt.

>>30111659
Nah, it's maybe twenty to a hundred bucks. The pope and the various italian republics charged each other millions and millions of the things to settle treaties, depending on the era. Don't even get me started on Spain and France's gold and silver economy by this point.

>>30111690
>>30111659
>>30111610
>>30111575
>>30111580
>>30111533
>>30111504

[An aside. The average peasant can expect to earn about 4 florins a year for his work. A well paid craftsman can maybe do double that. Professional soldiers get about 6 florins. Andre makes so much because he gets lucrative contracts and is considered an expert, despite his poor business. Mostly, however, the guilds encourage higher pay for more quality workers. We are, as you can see, exceedingly wealthy. And we are not even the richest man in Venice. Far from it. Wealth is grotesquely imbalanced. Most transactions, day to day, are done using soldi (which are pieces of silver) or lira (which are larger pieces of silver). The conversion rate is 20 soldi=1 lira, 6 lira=1 florin.]

You head over to see Andre, who is working on a pike-head, yet another in a massive crate full of them. "Whew," he says, dunking it into the water and putting it at rest, "That's good for now. The Arsenal is keeping me very busy. What can I help you with, Signore?" When you tell him about the men you are hiring into your entourage he nods, "Ah, a very wise choice, Signore. Sometimes numbers afford a safety skill cannot. As you can see, I am very busy at the moment, but, perhaps one of the Masters I recommended earlier? They will charge decently, but I cannot see a full soldier's gear costing more than...say....2 florins per gear." You thank him and consider who to visit.

>A (Bertelli, the Master)
>B (One of the others)

>>30111741
[While my in-game economy isn't perfectly historically accurate, if it were we'd be here for hours just calculating exchange rates and various other things, I have simplified it to the rules I laid out for easier understandings. We'll operate under those assumptions from now on, as we have been. Showing even two florins is impressive to a peasant.]

>>30111726
Oh shit, this is during the Spanish exploitation of the Americas? Yeah, there's going to be a massive glut of silver driving down the market.

>>30111779
Shit we need to get in on some of that action. We could finance a pirate ship right now if we wanted.

>>30111741
>A
He's probably got surplus shit to get rid of anyway, we might make a deal for cheap gear since the army's been reduced in size by the wars.

Hey guys, if we hired any experienced sailors in those 10 guards, they might know enough french to have half of them train with Louis while the other half guard us.

He can pick up more Italian from them to be a better trainer and bodyguard.

>>30111779
Well, 'murrica was found by Columbus a hundred years ago. Spanish gold extraction has been in full swing for a while, and the Spanish kingdom gets more and more dominated by French interests from now until the War for Spanish Succession in 1701.

>>30111806
Why do you think I've been going on and on about the Venetian Arsenale, where they had so much fucking industry they were the first place in Europe to be able to make one ship per day on average?

You guys gotta l2history.

Much better money in it for us if we don't pirate, admittedly.

>>30111848
But we have a band of swarthy men and a French sword hero. Also Jews that are down to work with criminals to launder the plunder. We are easily 2/3 the way to pirate.

>>30111934
Okay, since you failed to see the name of the quest we can consider the fact that scurvy is bad, malaria is bad, the Barbary Corsairs will rape the shit out of anybody based in venice who wants to pirate in the atlantic, and we could probably get to be doge of venice in this quest and invade whole nations instead of trying to prey on spanish silver shipments and then getting dicked by inflation.

>>30111983
Rather have the silver shipments delivering into our pockets instead of trying to rob them.

>>30112022
Now you're thinking like a merchant prince.

>>30111848
>>30111824

You head over to Master Bertelli's shop, though a shop doesn't really do it justice. The building is a foundry, a titanic leviathan of industry, with dozens of men working under his supervision. When you appear, with Louis in tow, you are taken to see the Master himself. The man himself appears slight, but his limbs are knotted and strong, like a willow tree, but you can see that he is every bit the master that he is claimed to be as he rises and looks over Louis before smiling. "Signore, that is one of mine, is it not?" He says and Louis pauses, taking a bit to mouth the words before nodding, comprehension dawning on him, "Ah! Yes, yours!" He says, drawing the weapon in a flash of steel and presenting it to the Master. The man inspects it and smiles, "You take very good care of it, Signore, very good care indeed." He says and bows his head to you.

"Welcome, Signore, I have been told that a nobleman from outside of Venice came to see me. It's an honor you came all this way. What can I do for you? Perhaps a batch of my best work for yourself? Or maybe something for your Honor Guard? Whatever the work is, within reason, I will craft it for you free of charge, as I do for other great nobles." He says, bowing further. This man is shrewd, you think, giving away free work to spread the name of his.

>A (Accept his gift for a personal gift, buy the Guard's weapons)
>B (Accept his gift for your guards, making them "Honor Guard" )
>C (Write in)

>>30112081
>B honour guards
I think we should have these honour guards as our personal bodyguards with luois as the captain what do you guys think

>>30112081
>A
Our guys are a good start, but I don't think we rate an honor guard just yet and we suck so hard at fighting we might as well get good arms and armor from the best guy in town.

Ask him if we might commission decent arms for ten men after accepting his gift, and that we will likely return for more afterwards.

>>30112117
We're gonna be REALLY flashy if we get an honor guard right now. I want more protection and power before we're openly visible like that, we've still got Florence looking for us.

>>30112081
Personal gift. Ask if he knows anything about guns, you do fancy owning one of them.

>>30112081
We aren't exactly a soldier ourself, but a top quality set of armor made by a master is worth a small fortune.

Honor guard would be great and all, but I think we can afford to purchase that, the personal set is far more valuable.

That, and our current rag-tag group of sailors isn't exactly what I would call an honor guard.

Although it's not as if they own the armor we let them wear, so if we replaced them we would get to give them the armor of the man they replaced.

>>30112175
I agree. Though it's a dick move to yank away their gear like that. so I'd rather we just gave them what we could afford to lose in the first place.

We can have a contest of skill later and pick our honor guard from the winners.

>>30112197
>dick move

No it isn't. These armors are fucking expensive, of course they don't own them.

A construction worker doesn't own the crane he operates any more than these guards own the armor they wear under our employ.

>>30112229
Yeah, but if we give them a position they don't deserve in the first place - and for sure giving them honor guard armor would mean that to them - and then take it away, let them suffer demotion etc, we'd probably be undermining their loyalty with a dick move that way.

I'm going to head off for the night, Would Bear be kind enough to email me a link to the archived thread at the end of session and if he plans on hosting a session tomorrow (sunday)

>>30112174
>>30112175
>>30112155
>>30112117

"A suit of armor and a blade from your forge would be a very treasured gift, indeed." You say and he smiles, clasping his hands, "Wonderful. Signore, I will begin work on it as soon as you depart. It will be ready by tomorrow, prepared for your noble bearing." As he moves to usher you out, you hold up your hand, "Ah, one more thing, Signore Bertelli. If I could perhaps purchase breastplate, helm, greaves, and pike for ten men as well? I am willing to pay well." You say and he smiles wider, "No no, Signore, consider it part of my gift to you. I believe that we will be very good associates. Whenever you have an order, come to Bertelli, and I will give you the best in Italia." After thanking him you inquire about firearms and his grin reaches up to his ears, "Why Signore, I cannot craft more than a barrel to a gun. however, my cousin is an expert at gunsmithing, and will be willing to sell you an excellent one. His business is on the other side of the canal."

You depart after leaving the address of your villa for him to deliver. The next step is the gunsmith, Signore Crivelli.

His shop is much more akin to a proper shop than the massive display of industry his cousin showed. "Ah, Signore, welcome." The man behind the counter, the only man in the store, greets you and when you inform him that you were sent by his cousin he takes you to the back to set you up.

[cont]

>>30112290
I'll do it, and we're running again on Tuesday.

>>30112318
Thanks bro

>>30112288
Dude, that's like saying the fighter pilots should keep their aircraft after they leave the service.

Quality arms and armour cost a smal fortune, anyone expecting to keep the armour after they leave is a fucking moron.

Hell, an office worker doesn't even get to keep their computer when they quit, and the armour would be a much more significant investment.

>>30112389
He's talking about giving out honor guard status and then yanking it when convenient. The armor is ours, sure, but the analogy would be first making an average pilot part of the Blue Angels and then demoting him to regular when you find a better one except that personal honor would leave the pirate willing to sell out to the Russians or something.

The way to avoid this is not to make an honor guard, which is a status symbol, until we need one to underscore our authority.

>>30112318
Fuck yes. Stacked charge pistols in a belt, here we come.

>>30112443
Yeah, this is what I mean. These are proud venetians.

>>30112468
Pike and shot is how you fight in 1600.

I suspect we'd want them with sidearms like swords, and shorter pikes, about 10 feet long.

Probably the guy's not gonna make military length pikes for us though, we said they were for our guards didn't we?

>>30112318
>>pike
>I think a Halberd or another type of poleaxe would be more appropirate. A pike is basically a 20 foot long spear, and not too terribly effective in close quarters, or with only 10 men.

>>30112318

There is a long wooden hall with targets at the end, scarecrows from a farmer's field it seems, and a variety of firearms line the walls. "So, what would you be interested in, Signore? A musket? A pistol?" As he asks these questions he lifts them up in order before passing by a few guns he leaves unmentioned. "What are those?" You inquire and he hangs his head, "They are Dutch imports. I cannot craft them to you, but I would be very willing to sell them, they lack the grace or accuracy of my muskets. The Dutch call them "donderbuss" and they are woefully inaccurate, they cannot fire further than I can spit." he says and hefts the weapon, showing you the flared opening where it would shoot from, and its shorter companion, the "draak" or "dragon".

"So, which of these would you be interested? I'll craft a new musket or pistol for you, but if you want the Dutch weapons, you can have them right now." He offers.

>A (A musket)
>B (A pistol)
>C (The donderbuss)
>D (The dragon)
>E (Combination of the above)

>>30112494
>>30112496
[You're absolutely correct. Both of you guys. A shorter length polearm with arming swords is what he'll provide.]

>>30112494
Obviously, when we ordered 10 and not 10,000

>>30112516
A pistol, one that would befit to be carried around by a noble for self defense.

>>30112516

>B (A pistol)

>>30112516
Pistols between 2-4 of them. And 1 musket.

>>30112494
I'm not disputing the effectiveness of it, but our situation is suboptimal for traditional pikes. If we're in a city, we're going to run into issues with space and numbers. Since our men in the city will likely be engaging in smaller numbers, and in closer combat, smaller, more versatile polearms would be better, hence why I suggested the Halberd.

>>30112603
Now now, isn't that a bit expensive?

>>30112516
"Maestro, there was a treatise out of Naples some fifty years ago that has been reprinted more than once now. In it is described a gun that can discharge more than one shot without reloading - might I commission you to make a pistol or two of this type? Perhaps it would not get ten shots, but three would be far more than is expected."

>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superposed_load
>An early mention of superposed loads is made by Giambattista della Porta in his book Magia Naturalis (published in 1558), wherein he describes a brass gun that could discharge ten or more bullets "without intermission."
>Porta's description is very similar to a Roman candle, in that it uses a propellant charge topped with an undersized ball, followed by a slower-burning charge to add a delay, repeating until the muzzle is reached. The chain of charges is fired by igniting the last layer of slow-burning powder, whereupon the gun fires each charge in succession.

We gunslinger of Venice now.

>>30112606
The town guard are using shorter spears they refer to as pikes.

OP addressed it though.

>>30112615
If cost is an issue, I'd go with the pistols. Easier to conceal, and you can carry more of them, which is useful as fuck in an era where reloading takes a fucking age and a day.

>>30112616
This is fine by me if the QM accepts it.

>>30112603
If we can't get that shit I'll agree with the pistols, but I have no idea why we'd want the musket too.

>>30112615
We so need to find out prices but with single shot pistols you will be happy you have an extra when you need it.

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>>30112616
secondan

>>30112655
For Bernardo :3

>>30112616
>>30112615
>>30112603
>>30112596
>>30112557

You first mention the idea by della Porta to him and he laughs, "That's madness. This man has a fine idea, but the notion of four ignitions firing without disruption isn't possible. Besides, I would have to draw up a plan for this and craft it knowing nothing. I'm sorry, that is just impossible." He says dismissively before you bring up a pistol, "Very well, I can do a pistol, but I will give you a pair of them, it always pays to be prepared in-case your first shot should fail or your weapon misfire. I will, of course, charge you for the price of one." He says and writes down a number on a piece of paper and offers it to you. The paper reads '30 florins'.

>A (Accept his price)
>B (Haggle)
>C (Write-in)

>>30112678
Bronardo

>>30112697
Sure, buy the pistols. Ask him how much for a second set and a musket for Bernardo.

>>30112655
Honestly, neither do I, the extra penetrating power might be more useful piercing armour, and for better accuracy, but in the close combat of urban fighting, the size could prove to be a major hinderance.

The way I figure it, if we're close enought to actually fire at someone in the city, we're likely close enough to be accurate and our shots strong enough for it to be less of an issue.

>>30112697
My only quandry is if 2 pistols are enough, 2 more pistols means twice as many shots before having to painstakingly reload.

>>30112697
2 pair for 50, one free musket, and you can use our moneylending service at a better rate.

>>30112697
I'm not sure about renessaince noble bearing, but I'm fairly certain haggling as a noble would make you look like a cheapskate.

Well, for minor purchases like this of course, not for major deals.

>>30112737
And you will get first refusal of any gun orders we need henceforth

>>30112737
Now that is mercantilism! Lower the price by offering more while giving them your own services!

I'd go with this.

>>30112748
>>30112737
Yeah, we're not in a shop down at the market buying random shit. This is a craftsman of quality and he probably knows all the right people.

Let's take the hit on coins and hope for good reputation.

>>30112772
Man he's rolling in gun orders, his cousin is the master of the arsenale foundry.

>>30112697
>>A (Accept his price)

Lets accept this one.

>>30112697
>A
not gonna haggle with the guy who supplies lifesaving firearms

>>30112737
Why do we need the musket. For 50, we might as well spend 10 more and get 4 pistols.

I swear this is the negoiation learned at the school of Homer Simpson.

>>30112697
>>A (Accept his price)

Because explaining to the haggling crowd the flaws in their reasoning would take too long.

>>30112827
Yeah, might change my vote from the musket to a set of pistols for Bernardo if we're gonna stay in the city for a while.

>>30112785
We can pay full price but I Still want 2 pair. Ask him to embellish them with fine engravings and silver, and offer him (almost) interest free lending.

>>30112697
A

We are a noble, this is peanut money, if we haggle, we will look bad.

>>30112827

>Homer Simpson

Okay I laughed at the image of Homer haggling in 1600 Italy.

Lets meet in the middle.

Two sets of pistols for 50 florins, if that is not an option then we buy a single pair.

>>30112857
Goddammit, now I'm laughing at that image.
Naturally the merchants sound like that sterotypical Italian-American guy.

>>30112827
You misunderstood >>30112737
It's ok we all can't reading comprehension

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>>30112857
Itth not enough to get two for the price of one! I'll need them thilver engraved ath well!

>>30112903
Stop being a cock, Homerzilla.

>>30112847
>>30112844
>>30112808
>>30112789
>>30112785
>>30112775
>>30112772
>>30112748
>>30112737
>>30112735
>>30112715

Your next order for another pair, powder, and shot for four. He looks over the order and rubs his beard, "Very well, I will offer this instead." He reaches over and takes his previous offer, scratches it out and writes a new offer down. "80 Florins." You look over the order and smile, "Ah, Signore, you know how to charm a noble. Very well then, I will accept your generous offer, and..." You pause, raising the tension of considering whether or not to give a favor.

[New System- Favors

Favors are now visible in your records, and will be noted either next to the Alliance or Enemy they are owed to, or by, or if they are owned by someone who is neither Ally nor Enemy, they will be in the Favors section. Favors range from Minor, Lesser, Average, Greater, and Massive. The exact effects are not immediately known, nor quantifiable, but they represent the amount of debt you feel you owe/you are owed, and how much the party expects.]

>A (Give him a Minor Favor)
>B (No favor, just thanks)

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>>30112914
This guy

>>30112885

Nah they speak Real 1600 Italian. So homer has no fucking clue what they are saying.

>>30112919
He's got links to the Arsenale, so I'm fine with him feeling we owe him one.

I'd say give him the minor favor: right of first refusal on our commissions or whatever is appropriate.

>>30112935
he's right, you're being an asshat and you've done it before in this thread

>>30112919
I feel this mechanic would be better introduced when the guy said he would give us all that free armor!

But yes, favors are good, while it may cost us a tiny bit in the short run, people doing favors for each other gets us attention, potential for new deals, and potential for return favors. All good stuff.

>>30112919
Minor favor. The gunsmith will do well to see no harm comes to us if we "owe him one"

>>30112919

>Two pistols: 30 Florins
>Four Pistols: 80 Florins

Bear, did I miss something?

>>30112962
OP's trying not to overwhelm us, give him some slack.

>>30112985
Two pistols for the price of one: 30 florins.

Price per pistol without him cutting us a deal: 30 florins.

Total cost of four pistols at full price: 120 florins.

Cost per pistol we're offered at 80 florins for all: 20 florins.

We save a third of normal price.

Come on, man. This is practically arithmetic.

>>30112985
Nevermind, I see it.

All you idiots can stop typing your lectures.

>>30112962

When we return tomorrow to pick up our armor, we can likely use the favor system then.

>>30112962
>>30112942

"I would be happy to offer you a token of my appreciation at a later date, if you need it, Signore." You offer him courteously and he bows his head, "Gratzie, Signore." He says, bowing more fully, "I will have these ready by the end of the week, fully tested and prepared." You give him the address to deliver to and leave the gunsmith's with a feeling of satisfaction.

As you walk home Louis suddenly leans close and whispers, "Seigneur, I don't mean to intrude on your thoughts, but we have been followed since we left the gunsmith's by a few men. They have been doing their best to try and hide, but they are very poor at it. How would you like me to handle the situation?"

You keep walking along with Samuel closer to you. Home is within two streets from here. You could reach there in very short order and be safe. But that does risk giving away your home.

>A (Have Louis handle it)
>B (Continue home)
>C (Handle it yourself)
>D (Write-in)

>>30113019
>can't do math faster than a snail
>everyone trying to explain it to me is an idiot
4chan fags, everybody

>>30113032
"Samuel, take heed and stay behind Louis and myself. Watch our backs and keep safe."

"Louis, you are with me. Be ready to strike, but let us make no assumptions. These may be my father's men, or some fool youths looking for easy money."

See if we can sneak up on these guys. If we hear them run off, shout a challenge. Be ready to beat ass, but use Louis to help protect us.

>>30113033
>mad because now he cant masturbate over how smart he is.

No one cares.

>>30112938
This is the Simpsons we're talking about, the generic Italian guy speaks with the sterotypical Italian-American accent, and Homer, STILL doesn't understand him, played for laughs.

>>30113032

ask him what he judges to be the best course of action.

>>30113056
>thinks everyone is out to make fun of him
>thinks multiplication, division, and simple logic are smart
You get made fun of a lot, don't you? Why don't you try not being a shithead

>>30112919
Btw op what did the gunsmith look like? We are still looking for a husband for the smiths daughter...

>>30113032

>>D (Handle it together)

Lead the group into a side street, then circle around and confront them.

>>30113067
"If it would please you, I can remove the hand of one of these youths easily enough. They don't seem to be very professional, and they are armed with simple clubs. I believe them to be little more than thieves. It is becoming night time. And a noble walking anywhere appears easy prey." He whispers quickly, his right hand tapping on his sword handle.

>>30113077
The gunsmith is younger than his cousin, around mid 20's from his looks. Not unappealing to the eye and of healthy appearance.

>>30113055

I don't want Samuel being attacked. Better to keep him with us, than have him be abducted and killed because he can't reveal information.

>>30113055
Seems solid.

>>30113077
The husband for her daughter needs to be a metalsmith, I think. Part of the dowry is her dad passing on his blacksmithing secrets.

>>30113032
>C (Handle it yourself)

Stop shitting up this awesome quest guys, just enjoy the show.

Revealing where we live isn't exactly something to worry about, we haven't exactly hidden.

Although I am curious as to why we are being followed.
Have Louis handle it.

>>30113086
Tell Louis these fools aren't worth sending to the devil and to scare them off. If they have no proper business with us, they'll have business with the point of our swords!

If that fails, go with >>30113055

>>30113086

We don't want any problems with the Venicians. Have Louis rough them up a bit, if the are as foolish as they appear to be.

>>30113087
He's gonna be with us, just not in the front rank.

>>30113032
>>A (Have Louis handle it)

>>30113086
We may have a target for operation mantrap. Marrying into that family is exactly what we were looking for the daughter. Make sure that ends up in our notes!

>>30113055
>>30113083
>>30113087
>>30113090
>>30113118
>>30113131
>>30113135
i'm with these guys

>>30113077
>>30113090

Do we need the husband to learn the secrets? Couldn't her children do just as well? Having a gunsmith allied to us is very alluring.

>>30113090
The two trades go hand in hand, and his cousin is the metalwork master lest we forget, besides guns are the way of the future, investing in guns is a safe move.

>>30113167
It's pretty clear that if we want the old metalsmith, who knows the gunsmith's family anyway, to keep us in the loop on his guild we need to find his daughter a husband that works for both of them and that means learning secrets.

The gunsmith is already part of a rich and capable family and we don't know if he's unmarried.

The old smith knows the gunsmith's family and probably would've arranged a marriage by now, the master of the arsenale respects him.

But we can ask the old smith and find out for ourselves, it's not like he's gonna be useless for advice.

>>30113276
As he says, the gunsmith is already part of a rich family, he has no reason to be interested in claudia.

>>30113222
>guns are the way of the future
Man ring bayonets aren't gonna be a thing for over a century
Guns are gonna be unreliable, backfiring shit for a long time and completely dependent on pike formations working with them for just as long.

>>30113167
>>30113222

Why would a wealth and regionally renown Master gunsmith become the apprentice and heir of a sword smith?

Also if he's a master he's up their in age.

Seriously though, just spending a few more seconds thinking and you should be able to see why the idea is ridiculous. You guy's aren't idiots.

>>30113159
>>30113138
>>30113131
>>30113118

Louis lunges towards them, drawing his blades in a flash of light, catching the moon's light on his weapons as he advances. The youths jump back, startled at the sudden aggression, and proceed to run away in a panic. "Bah, what a waste," Louis says as he sheathes his swords quickly, "As you have desired, Seigneur, I have removed the pests from your sight." The three of you return home in short order and Samuel, good boy as he is, immediately begins updating the ledger.

[Ledger updated]

The night is now upon you and you remain in the main room, Samuel having gone home and Louis remaining upstairs in case of any attack. Hours pass into the night as you read Roman works before the door opens, an exhausted Bernardo on the other side trudges into the living area, and in a very casual move, collapses onto the couch.

You give him a few minutes to collect himself before he rises. "Signore," he begins, "That woman is the Devil himself. She is conversational and beautiful, but she is unlearned as a babe. She isn't even able to read. She can scribe her name without issue, but this will take a very long time indeed. Are you certain that she is the one you wish to employ, Signore?"

>A (Yes, I'm sure)
>B (No, there can be others.)
>C (Give it more time)

>>30113297

Bear said the gunsmith was in his twenties. I said that we should apprentice the children to the sword smith, because it wouldn't make sense to remove the gunsmith from his profession.

>>30113332

C. Maybe it would be wise to invest in some basic tutoring from other sources, and Bernardo can step in later to teach her more advanced techniques?

>>30113297
Metalworking is metalworking

The gunsmith is younger than his cousin, around mid 20's from his looks. Not unappealing to the eye and of healthy appearance.

Do you not like to read, or is it that you can't?

>>30113332
C
I know we can get better women but right now, she's what we have.

>>30113332
>>30113368
C

>>30113332
>C (Give it more time)

She's fine.

>>30113332
>>A (Yes, I'm sure)

Conversational and beautiful. Is what we need it may take time but once she has some basic education she will be useful.

>>30113372
>Metalworking is metalworking
Just...I'm glad you're never gonna be working on any metal or guns I need maintained.

>>30113372
>Do you not like to read, or is it that you can't?
what a fucking cunt
now im gonna vote against whatever you say until you stop being a fuckhead

>>30113372

He has no need for marriage since he is already rich. We should offer that to someone who needs it and thus can be controlled. Not someone who wouldn't give a fuck.

>>30113372

Christ, can't you just accept that you're wrong about damn near everything you say.

As if the attention namefag attention whoring wasn't enough.

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>>30113429
Sweet, time to get my internet boxing gloves

>>30113391
>>30113368
>>30113383

"Peace, Bernardo. She may be unassuming now, but writing and reading can be taught, charisma and charm are natural things. However, I will consider looking into more basic tutors to allow you to ply your knowledge on her more advanced skills later. For now, however, you will teach. Even tomorrow," you assure him, as tomorrow is the Lord's Day. The Jews will not be working, and most of Venice will be in Church. It would become you greatly to appear at Church, if not to remain there for the majority of the day. You are uncertain as to the nature of Louis's religious leanings, as he is French the question is truly up in the air.

Bernardo rises and begins cooking dinner for the three of you. He returns while the stew is cooking to speak, "Signore, have you considered another important asset we could recruit to our cause? A man of the cloth would be vital to making certain problems disappear, as well as to help our public appearance when the time comes. I know for certain that your Father has several Bishops in his pocket." You nod your head sagaciously and think on it.

>A (Go to Church/Look for a Priest)
>B (Go to the Church/Be devout)
>C (Don't go to Church/ Look for a Priest)
>D (Don't go to Church/Disregard the Church)

>>30113332
Should have cought one and question his for a bit.
Could be random muggers, could be hired by someone to keep eye on us.

>>30113510
>>A (Go to Church/Look for a Priest)

Back to pretending to be a good C... whatever the hell we are.

>>30113510
We have been devout thus far, why stray the course.

>>30113510
Go to the church, be devout, and after the sermon ask the priests who they see as a great churchman or scholar, a man of substance - perhaps not in power, but nevertheless capable, as you need a spiritual adviser of acumen.

>>30113556
{Catholicism is the dominant religion in the area.]

>>30113571
this

>>30113510
>A (Go to Church/Look for a Priest)
>B (Go to the Church/Be devout)
Can't we do both? I mean, we could play up the whole piety issue by hiring a priest on retainer as a consultant to any religious issues that pop up, while still attending church, to make connections. If asked why we have both, we could claim to save the time of running to church with every issue, while at the same time, not neglecting the holy atmosphere that a house of god provides.

Or something like that.

>>30113590
>>30113571
>>30113565
>>30113556

"I believe that is wise, Bernardo, but Sunday is a day for prayer." You say and he smiles, "Ah, what a change of pace for you, Signore. It would please your family to see you so strong in the Faith." He says and heads back to finish the food, call down the Frenchman, and then eats with you. After dinner Louis and Bernardo decide to have a gentleman's duel.

Before they begin, however, Louis takes a book from the table and opens it with his right hand, holding his sword with his left. "Seigneur," the duelist says with a bow, "Allow me to display my skill for your entertainment." Bernardo chokes up on his sword a bit as he takes a stance, the two of them facing one another and then beginning their combat.

A flash of steel dances through the air as Louis ignores the fight, reading the book and turning the pages with his thumb as he parries and thrusts, both accurately and potently, his feet shifting almost automatically. Wherever Bernardo strikes is an opening created by the duelist. Eventually, Bernardo takes the attack, and Louis finds himself easily fending off the former soldier before disarming him and placing the tip of his blade against Bernardo's forehead, not even piercing the skin, with a smile. He closes the book, "I hope that I have reinforced your faith in me, Seigneur." He says and bows, heading back upstairs.

Bernardo rubs his forehead, "Damn French." He mutters and goes up to his room, bidding good night.

[cont]

>>30113659

The next morning you wake, wash, have your clothes washed, and head to the Church. As you prepare yourself your retainers gather in the main room, awaiting your orders.

Bernardo Carafa
Effort: 20/20

Go to Church- 20
Free Day- 20
Train Claudia- 20

Louis Hundred-Hands
Effort: 15/15

Go to Church- 15
Free Day- 15

>>30113733
Let's all go to church. If Louis or Bernardo don't wish to enter they may remain outside, but for sure they better keep an ear out for useful church news and a religious adviser.

>>30113733
Bernardo Carafa
>Train Claudia- 20

Louis Hundred-Hands
>Free Day- 15

We don't even know if Louis is religious. I'm don't want to make him but he s our guard.

>>30113733
Us and frenchy go to church, Bernardo works with the girl.

>>30113733

Have Louis and Bernardo join us for Church. Even if they don't participate, they can still offer council if we find a priest or two to our liking.

>>30113733
give them both a free day I think they have earned it

>>30113817
Sadly, we need to be guarded at all times. Even on the sabbath, we are hunted by florence.

Louis can have a day off as soon as we get our hired men to guard us, but on sunday they'll probably be in church. At least on day two of employment.

>>30113813
>>30113780
>>30113837
these

>>30113800
>We don't even know if Louis is religious.
That's matter of simply asking.

>>30113780
>>30113800
>>30113803

"Bernardo, you will go train Claudia. Louis, you are free to either come with me or to enjoy the Sunday to yourself." You say and the Frenchman bows, offering his hat, "Seigneur, I will be happy to accompany you. I have sinned greatly and need to repent for my misdeeds before the lord." Bernardo bows and leaves to fetch Claudia.

You and Louis head to the Church, which is extremely busy, and you manage to fight your way to some seats and begin prayer. Your prayers are devout and honest, you apologize for your crime back in Florence, and for your rapacious nature, though it is all you know. Louis, to his credit, appears to be praying genuinely beside you.

After the service Louis steps aside as you reach one of the Priests who was conducting the service, Father Carlo.

"Padre Carlo," you say, bowing your head before him, "Permit my rudeness, but I wish to take council with you." He smiles and moves you to his chambers in the rectory where he sits opposite you at his desk. "Yes, my son, how can I help you?"

You smile, "Padre, I would like to make a request. At times during the week, I find myself embroiled in business and Earthly works. As such, sometimes, I find myself in a question of faith. I would like to have a priest live at my villa to help guide me through the turmoils of this life." He nods his head, apparently unfazed by the question.

"Certainly," he says with a smile, "Let me think..."

[cont]

>>30113886
He's also a french musketeer. The king of france is the supreme supporter of the catholic faith even when he's in a spat with the pope, so I bet Louis is probably catholic unless he's a Huguenot and if that's the case it's amazing the guy's a musketeer.

Could be a heretic atheist or some shit, tho.

>>30113938

"Ah, yes, we have a few among our clergy who would be willing to do such a thing. It is not uncommon for nobles to request such services, as even the wealthy are busy on Sunday, and traveling to take service at the Church is a time consuming endeavor." he says and leans back in his chair before offering you a few choices.

"Padre Gasparo, Padre Pietro, and Padre Andrea are all capable of performing the services usually requested by noblemen. Gasparo was an accountant before he joined the Church, Pietro a quartermaster for the military, and Andrea was an envy for the current Doge. All of these men are capable and have expressed no particular attachment to the rectory."

You lean forward with a polite smile and a bow, "Thank you, Padre, I choose..."

>A (Gasparo)
>B (Pietro)
>C (Andrea)
>D (Write in)

>>30113996
>D Can we get us an appointment with eminent lawyer and scholar Paolo Sarpi? He's probably looking to settle things in the community right now if it's a time of mild disarray.

>>30113996
>B

>>30114036
just googled him, you huge sperg
>survived assassination attempts
>took on the pope
lets ask but if he's unavailable ill go with c so we can l2politics

>>30113996
Hmm, Gasparo is a double eged sword, on one hand, he could bring useful business contacts, but on the other hand, he brings a largely redundant skill set.

Pietro having an in with the miltiary would be good is we decide to seriously focus on smithing and security operations.

Andrea's a connection to local politics, with all that entails.

>>30114177
Redundancy is a good thing when your capacity is still being worked on.