The Manner of the Election

A local candlemaker provides a number of identical balls of wax, one for each of the eligible courtiers. Twelve of these balls contain a piece of parchment onto which is written the word "elector." Hieronymous draws these balls of wax from a large velvet bag, presenting them to each of the courtiers in turn. When they have all been given, the balls are broken open and the twelve courtiers finding the parchment are the nominated electors. You can consider this to have been done during the previous week and the electors chosen unless the players want to somehow influence this aspect of the process.

Of course, Lucia has already subtly influenced the election process. She has passed the date and location of birth of the major members of the court to Hieronymous. With this information, Hieronymous has cast their nativity horoscopes and determined which of them naturally lean towards his patron Federico. By targeting those who support Giuliano, he has been able to produce false charts showing a calamity befalling them or their families should Giuliano succeed his uncle. These charts, obviously fake on a Simple Intelligence + Artes Liberales roll against Ease Factor 9, can be found in Hieronymous' laboratory should the players decide to look.

This insert lists the twelve courtiers selected to elect the new Duke. To keep track of the interactions between these twelve and the player characters, storyguides may want to prepare a set of cards representing the electors for use by the players. When interacting with these characters, roleplaying should be used to discover their motives. Use of the Intrigue ability is appropriate when talking about them with others. Assume an Ease Factor of 9 to discover the elector's basic situation. Working with or through Giuliano grants a +3 bonus to these rolls.

• Donato Damiani is a minor prince of Padua with little wealth of his own, which he supplements through access to Federico's coffers. Unbothered by morals, he supports Federico from the fear that his funds may dry up under another regime. He has little interest in any subject, but can always recall an anecdote about something, somewhere, or someone. His vote can be bought through promises of financial security.

• Berto Bossi is a wealthy and influential guild leader. Promised more control over taxes that favor Casalmaggiore merchants and discriminate against those from other cities and regions, he is a firm supporter of Federico.

• The mercenary lord Pietro Trevison has a grudge against Verona over monies he believes he is owed. He has a little land, but he is anticipating Federico's ambitions in the area and believes he could become a wealthy man through supporting him.

• Piero Giudetti, a rumbustious local landowner, supports Federico out of principle; when the old Duke was ill, Federico remained in Casalmaggiore while Giuliano wasted his time abroad.

• Gullible, brow-beaten, and politically naive, Cola Polani votes the same way as his overbearing neighbor Piero Giudetti and is happy to defer to his reasoning. But if he could be granted courage, suggestions that Hieronymous has been meddling in the election could shift his vote.

• Allesandro dalle Boccole is tantalized by the prospect of his daughter marrying into money. Hieronymous has promised him that should Federico be elected he will marry within a month. And he has cast the young woman's horoscope, which shows that she is destined for greatness. He has not heard rumors linking Federico with Lucia.

• The weasel-faced merchant Maffeo Marano has much to hide. He is a crook and a swindler, which Hi-

• eronymous has discovered thanks to Lucia's magic. He has been promised amnesty and pardon for his activities under Federico, but exposure and punishment under Giuliano.

• The Lady Rosanella di Campo speaks on behalf of her ailing husband, who Hieronymous has assured her will survive into old age should the will of the stars be done and Federico made Duke. She had no opinion before, and while she objects to the imposition she dare not cross the fates.

• Simonetto Domenico is a poor knight with a small fief who has fought alongside Giuliano and should, by all rights favor him. But Hieronymous has warned him of the increasing poverty foretold in the stars should Giuliano gain power.

• Genuinely undecided, the youthful Lorenzo Di Pigli has recently lost his father and inherited his lands. He is astute enough to recognize that Federico is apparently more popular, but he can be persuaded to either side. He is determined to back the winning side.

• Leonardo Cobiancho is an elderly distant uncle, a successful soldier in his day who doesn't hold with astrology. He is quite vocal about his disdain for magi supporting any faction. Favoring Giuliano, he can see the trouble that Federico might bring to Casalmaggiore. Suggestions that Giuliano is underhanded and treacherous shift his vote.

• Monsignor d'Este is the Bishop of Casalmaggiore and dislikes Federico. If you are using the Realms of Power: The Divine supplement, rules for Holy Influence are on page 38. Assume that Monsignor d'Este has a Presence of 2 and a Leadership of 4 for the purposes of these rules. He is surrounded by his own entourage and does not take kindly to strangers approaching him directly. Questions as to Giuliano's morals lessen the Bishop's support.