Guelphs and Ghibellines

This adventure involves two important medieval Italian and German political factions. Their history is long and complicated and not essential to this adventure, other than to demarcate one against the other. The Guelphs are supporters of the pope and the Papal States, and the Ghibellines are supporters of the emperor and the Holy Roman Empire. While most men do not wear their political insignia on their sleeve, the principals in the current struggle have made their political sympathies known and come from families who declared their political affiliation long ago. Everyone knows who is for the pope and who is for the emperor.

they choose the new Holy Father.

The war depends on the choice of the next pope. A staunch opponent to the emperor means a continuation of hostilities, which could mean the sack of Rome. A moderate pope would end the war and concede to the emperor's wishes. Rome holds its breath as it waits for the cardinals to decide. Regardless of the outcome, the city wants a decision.

However, the war is merely the immediate issue; the next pope needs to guide the Church through many challenges. Cathar heretics hide in the hills of southern France like fleas on a dog's back, and are equally difficult to remove. The king of Hungary is demanding papal support for his crusade into Bosnia to rid the Bosnian Church of its heretical Patarians. The nobles of France cry for another crusade into the Levant, while the damage of the last crusade against the Byzantine Empire still scars the hills of Anatolia. And within the papal curia, certain members are discussing the Order of Hermes and how that organization should fit into the greater scheme of things.

As Rome waits, the cardinals cannot reach a majority verdict. Supernatural entities and two wizards are interfering with the cardinals' deliberations. One of the cardinals, Riccardo Annibaldi, is a diabolist, and using his demonic master's aid, he stands at the threshold of assuming the highest religious posi-