Federico and Giuliano Estensi

The same statistics can be used for both brothers.

Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +1, Com +1, Str +1, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik +1

Size: 0

Age: 28

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0) (Federico has a Warping Score of 0 (2), due to the effects of Lucia's A Night's Passion spell)

Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Landed Noble, Knight, Educated, Famous; Ambitious, Oath of Fealty

Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Envious of his Twin +2, Humble –1

Reputations: Prudhomme (Lombard nobility) 4

Combat:

Dodge: Init –1, Attack N/A, Defense +4, Damage N/A

Fist: Init –1, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +1

Dagger: Init –1, Attack +7, Defense +5, Damage +4

Long Sword & Heater Shield: Init +1, Attack +10, Defense +10, Damage +7

Soak: +10

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: –1 (1–5), –3 (6–10),

–5 (11–15), Incapacitated (16–20), Dead (21+)

Abilities: Animal Handling 2 (falconry), Area Lore: Casalmaggiore 4 (politics), Artes Liberales 2 (rhetoric), Athletics 2 (running), Awareness 1 (in battle), Brawl 3 (Dagger), Carouse 3 (courtly dances), Etiquette 3 (court), Hunt 3 (stag), Intrigue 3 (plotting), Italian 5 (Casalmaggiore), Latin 3 (academic usage), Leadership 4 (armies), Organization Lore: Order of Hermes 1 (personalities), Philosophiae 1 (moral philosophy), Ride 4 (battle), Single Weapon 4 (long sword)

Equipment: Sword, shield, full chain armor, entourage

Encumbrance: 3 (4)

Appearance: Both brothers are handsome, with fair hair and blue eyes, and statuesque through years of military practice.

The twins share more than just their looks; brought up together, favor shown to neither, educated by the finest tutors, and both granted substantial estates, which they hold from their uncle. But somehow a great burning envy of the other twin burns within each of them. There is no accounting for it, and seemingly no settling it.

insert should be used by the storyguide to portray the election. They present roleplaying opportunities for the magi to use intrigue and persuasion or direct application of magic to discover their reasons for supporting Federico and to provide counter offers.

Accusations and Successions

If Federico loses, fairly or unfairly, he immediately rounds upon Lucia and Hieronymous claiming treachery while Hieronymous points the finger of suspicion at Giuliano's lackeys. At this, Lucia immediate casts her Defend Me spell to ensure that she is protected from harm. If Giuliano loses, he naturally blames his own magi and decries them as in league with his brother.

In either case, the victorious twin makes a show of magnanimity while the other storms out of the city promising a reckoning to come. If Giuliano wins, Lucia must act fast and ensnare him. She uses all the spells at her disposal to convince Giuliano that he can take the greatest prize on offer, namely her.

Once the recriminations are done and the victor is left with the spoils, the plans for the ceremony and church blessing are finalized, to be completed the next day. Depending on who wins, the player magi may be invited or not, though the gracious host invites them to stay out the evening in the palace.

There are at least two possible outcomes to this part of the scenario. The first is that Federico Estensi, Lucia's favored successor, succeeds to his uncle's lands. The second is that Giuliano proves his brother's duplicity and takes the title instead. While Giuliano himself is indebted to the player magi, Lucia switches her target, continues to work on Giuliano, and ultimately gains her mundane forces. But, crucially, her magic dulls Giuliano's leadership. He does not command the respect or loyalty that he might have done and the mundane forces the player magi face in the third act are much smaller than they otherwise might have been. In any case, the losing brother returns in Act Three.

Of course, if the player magi determine a third outcome, which manages to exclude Lucia altogether, then act three takes a very different shape.

• Control or replace Hieronymous
• Expose Hieronymous' false horoscopes
• Discredit Federico directly

Exposing Hieronymous' deceit may influence enough votes, but the magi are free to take their own path and the storyguide should apply the results of their actions as a gain in votes.

The electors described in the nearby