The Proactive Course

It is quite likely that the player magi will at least discuss the option of undertaking a preemptive strike against the Trattato. To remain within the law, this needs to be done under the protection of Wizard's War. And it is possible for these magi to build an alliance with other covenants and magi to coordinate multiple declarations of Wizard's War. Lucia and her followers are confident... but not that confident. If there is a strong enough force opposing them, they may seek surrender and exile from the Tribunal.

This route allows the player magi to engage in politics with their neighbors, potentially bringing enemies together to fight a common foe. Importantly, it allows them to control the action and the pace of the fight with the Trattato.

If the players are successful in gathering a force, the storyguide should allow them to dictate the terms under which they track and confront the members of the Trattato. For instance, if they intend to split the four and hunt them individually, the storyguide should present encounters to suit.

The troupe characters make their way through the enemy lines, either protected by a charge forcing a line through the encampment, or by magical means. If they reach the duke's command post, they attempt to take him and his magical guard down.

Unless the troupe characters timed their attack for the absence of the Trattato magi, the duke is defended by the four magi and a trained combat group of five knights who defend their duke until death. The attempt to take the duke should be seen as a "Heroic Gesture", that is, a troupe character dying during this event does not die in vain. His death carries narrative power and marks the moment when reinforcements arrive from the city, enough to force the retreat, surrender, or outright defeat of the Trattato magi and the duke.