MS Rome 337.442 being
a chronicle of the events of Rome from 1322-1390, here after referred to as MS
Rome.
In
the Spring of m1347 just before the celebration of Easter the noble poet and great
scholar of the empires of Greece and Rome Francesco Petrarch came unto the city
of Rome, and called upon the many houses of the Cardinals of the Church who
resided there. Being invited into their homes he did extoll the virtues of
those ancient kingdoms and those men of learning now long past. All gathered
there to hear him impart the wisdom of those long ago days, and debate the
morals and theories that had been proposed and how they might once again be
taken up by men of our own day. Petrarch’s presence in the city did cause some stir
and jealousies between the nobles of the city, who were all in competition to
surpass each other in the banquets and symposiums that might be given in honour
of the great man.
Proclamation by
Subject Nero
Citizens
be it known that a great chariot race, honouring the Gods, exalting Jupiter
Optimus Maximus and the Divine Nero Emperor and Consul of Rome will be held in
the Circus Maximus one week hence. All are summoned to engage in the
festivities and celebrations with his imperial majesty.
March
17th 1347
Letter Between
Subject Odo Malypense and Subject Hubert.
Hubert,
Brother
I do not know how long these charades must go on. The Beats is truly loose
about the cities and we must accept his perversions and cruelties with good
graces. To stop it we must damn out eternal souls, to let it continue we must
also be damned. I plead to you to offer me solace and comfort in this troubling
time. What shall we do? I await a sign from the Lord to guide me in my actions.
Odo
March
25th 1347
Letter
between Subject Octavius and Subject Livia.
I have once again issued summons to our brethren Andreas
Giovanni hoping that he will see fit to attend out meetings so as business of
the soul and entropy might be suitably conducted. He has again issued a rather
curt response declining that invitation; his mind it seems is only occupied
with a business of another type. However it is known to me that he requires a
certain item for his commerce, and I do hope that the new arrival to the city,
Xavier may be of some use in bringing about Andreas’s submission as it were, he
seems well acquainted with an Assamite whose blood is meritous in these sort of
affairs. I shall leave you to make all the necessary arrangements as you see
fit. If there is anything of great importance that should be known before any
action is taken do inform me as soon as possible.
Octavius Pontifex
March 29th 1347
Letter
between Subject Joanna Fiscari and an unknown recipient.
My Lady,
There have been most recently here in Rome a series of
new arrivals from France, undoubtedly fleeing the war and devastation wrought
by the English. Amongst these arrivals was included a member of the Tzimisce
Bloodline, I have engaged him with the task of using his influence upon the
Emissary from Hungary Nikita of Sredetz. With luck and his honeyed words, he is
a Greek after all and such things come naturally to them, he should be able to
help alleviate the situation our Kingdom currently faces. I shall write more
when I have further information to impart to you.
Joanna Fiscari
April 3rd 1347
Letter
between Subject Ambrolio Cornaro and Subject Pietro Conti.
Citizen! This intolerable farce can no longer be allowed
to continue! The Imperia Tyrant clad in all the raiments of oppression and
godless law that is a mockery of justice must be brought to heel and made to
pay for the crimes that he has committed against the people over whom he rules!
It is both lawful and just under the eyes of god for the people to rise against
him and for him to be overthrown!
Ambrolio
April 5th 1347
Letter
between subject Pietro Conti and Subject Ambrolio Cornaro
Ambrolio, it would not be wise to anatagonise a son of
Malkav. Tyrant and beats he may be, but he is after all and Emperor. If you
wish to depose him I think you will require the support of the Senate and the
army. See to the Legions.
Pietro
April 6th 1347.
Letter between
Subject Fabrizio Ulfila and Subject Marcellus Praetor.
Dearest friend and defender of the city of Rome, it seems
that there was a rather unfortunate incident this past night in the city not
far from the Baths of Trajan. A hostelry often used by visiting members of our
kind was attacked by a band of armed men, its inhabitants put to the sword and
the building razed to the ground by fire. Word is that there were very few
survivors from this assault. While there are undoubtedly many possible perpetrators
from this situation I do wonder how this might be suitably turned against the
thorn constantly in our side of the Brujah. Any thoughts that you might have
upon this matter will be most comforting to me.
Bishol Fabrizio Ulfila
April 8th 1347
Letter
between Subject Antelmus de Lucca and Subject Giacomo Colonna.
No doubt you have heard about the fire near the baths of
Trajan, I suspect foul play but the question is as to who. Is this the work of the
Brujah or is it the Lasombra trying to make a move? The dogs of the Inquisition
have been seen down there snooping about for a trial to follow making any
further investigation problematic.
Bishop Antelmus de Lucca
April 9th 1347
Letter
between Subject Giacomo Colonna and Subject Antelmus de Lucca.
Fear not brother fear not. It seems that the latest
arrival to this eternal city of ours have an enemy within. The violence the was
seen in the forum the other evening is part of a greater conflict that they
find themselves in. Bishop Paliuro is at work here and we need not concern
ourselves with it.
Bishop Giacomo Colonna
April 11th 1347
Letter
from Subject Corso Donati to Subject Pietro Conti.
Citizen! Osias of our blood has been torpored by assailants
unknown. We are to protect his helpless form until God in his wisdom sees fit
to return him to the lands of the waking once again. I charge you with the task
of maintaining him and seeing that nothing goes awry in his protection.
Corso
Aril 11th 1347
Letter
Between Subject Pietro Conti and Subject Corso Donati.
Citizen! It seems the most ideal time to make use of this
advantage placed into our hands. This Osias is a skilled swordsman and it would
do well of us to make use of his abilities in return for the protection and
care that we are offering to him. The plan must be advanced through whatever
tools are available. There is a guard captain of the Colonnas, we might use
Osias to send a message. I shall arrange it forthwith as I have the agreement
of the rest of the Council.
Corso Donati
April 13th 1347
Proclomation
by Subject Pandolfo.
Be it known to all the sinners and harlots of the city of
Rome that there shall, three nights hence amongst the pools and columns of the
baths of Diocletian be an orgy of such magnitude that the Olympian Gods might
blush. There in the steaming pools one might frolic with the able nymphs and
dryads of the ancent world, and witness the Gods themselves taking pleasure
amongst the trees. Pan will be your host, but what other deities will be his
guests I wonder.
Pandolfo
April 16th 1347
Letter
from Subject Giacomo Colonna to Subject Cosimo Girardi.
My friend, do not fret, but I have commissioned an able
sort to seek out the Poet Laureate who is now visiting our fair city and he
shall convince him to remove himself from the current Orsini sty that he is
forced to serve in. He shall delight in the wonders that the Colonna have to
offer. Francesco Petrarch will soon be ours.
Bishop Giacomo Colonna
April 18th 1347
Letter
between Nikita of Sredetz and an unknown recipient.
My Lord, I have commissioned on of our blood, but a new
arrival to the city of Rome himself, to engage in some subterfuge against our
rivals and enemies here. I assure you that the invasion of Naples may continue
and that the Toreador and Lasombra will be of little concern. Joanna Friscari
will be suitably sidelined. Onwards to victory.
Nikita
April 20th 1347
Letter
between Subject Octavius and Subject Livia and Subject Julian.
Brethren I write to inform you that the red herrings that
are making our research go so astray will soon be put to an end. Xavier has
taken it upon himself to remove the blight from our city and bring to an end
the injustice and fraud perpetrated against the innocent. The trade in false
relics will soon be brought to an end and our research may continue uninterrupted.
Livia, I urge you to make use of the opportunity to liberate the Shield from
its current protectors.
Octavius, Pontifex
April 22nd 1347
Letter
between Subject Julian and Subject Octavius.
I wish again to convey my thanks to you for acquiring the
finger bone that has been so long desired. I know it comes at some cost but it
would be better that it does not fall into the hands of the Giovanni who would
abuse it only for the conquest of gold.
Julain
April 24th 1347
Extract
from MS Rome
There was at this time in the city of Rome a man of
humble birth. His elder brother had been killed in a brawl with a group of young
nobles and this young man, Cola di Rienzo, harboured a great hatred against
those who had committed the crime and never been brought to justice for it. He
began to speak out publically against the Tyranny and injustice that he saw and
crowds gathered to hear him speak. He told of the ancient glories of Rome, of the
Senate and the Republic of Scipio, Cicero and Marius and how it was once again
time for the People of Rome to stand up and forge an empire. There was at this
time also grave news from the East. A great pestilence had lain low the lands
of Syria and the Tartars, and it now spread to the shores of Christendom
itself. This disease killed all that contracted it, there was much fear in the
city.
Letter
between Subject Fabrizio Ulfial, and Subjects Octavius, Antelmus de Lucca,
Giacomo Colonna, Frederico Orsini, Paliuro Grimatti and Nikita of Sredetz.
Brethren I believe that we must put aside out petty
indifferences and come together to discuss the grave matters that mow face out
beloved mother Rome and the Church of the Third Caine. I therefore wish to
summon a meeting of the Crimson Curia where these matters might be adequately
discussed and conclusions drawn that will be of benefit to all and the city
itself.
The Agenda shall be:
1.
The threat posed by the Republican Brujah to
the governance of the city.
2.
The Threat posed by the spreading plague and
those that might be responsible.
3.
How such a plague is to be combatted and the Kine
of the city preserved.
4.
A possible cessation of Gladiatorial Combats
in the Coliseum and what they might be replaced with.
5.
The Doctrine of the Blood concerning those
Cainites that maintain armies of ghouls.
I shall wait until I have received a response from the
majority before setting a date and location for the Curia. All usual procedures
will be met.
Bishop Fabrizio Ulfila
April 27th 1347
Letter
between Subject Andreas Giovanni and an unknown recipient.
Sir quite frankly I find the cost at which you sell your
lions to be preposterous, not even in Venice or Florence might one sell such
mangy beasts for such an extravagant price. That might be the way of Bougie but
it is not the manner of Rome or Italy. If it were not for the dire necessity
that I find myself in I would seek business elsewhere. I assure you that this
will be the last time we will conduct business together.
Andreas Giovanni
April 28th 1347
Letter
between Subject Gratiano and Subject Ambrosio Luis Moncada.
Dearest friend of the night and Archbisop. I write to you
to request that you summon forthwith from the city of Rome Bishop Frederico
Orsini. On what grounds that you wish to summon him I shall leave for you, but
would you please do so for the love you bear me but also for the boon that you
have granted to a Gaius Menius Pelagius, who I believe has already written to
you on this matter.
Ever faithful,
Gratiano
April 30th 1347
Letter between
Subject Ambrolio Cornaro and Subject Corso Donati.
How much longer must we wait, the iron his hot and we
must soon strike. I fear what is to be done about Osias. His ill mood does not
sit well with me. He panders to all with smiles and laughs, he talks of Republic
but it is ever so apparent he cares not but for himself. He is a lap dog of the
Tyrants; he sits upon the fence biding his time for the moment to choose a
side. What is to be done? If he is not for us then he must burn with the
others!
Ambrolio
May 2nd 1347
Letter
between Subject Julian and Subject Octavius.
Master, no doubt you are aware of the disturbances and
inclement weather and other goings on that currently afflict those souls damned
to Purgatory. These strange occurrences are most troubling. Thy have not been
chartered before and the souls in limbo themselves seem to be at a loss, what
should we do. Does Erycies have any orders or information?
Julian
May 6th 1347
Letter
between Subject Corso Donati and Subject Ambrolio Cornaro.
Citizen! Pay heed and cast all fear from you heart.
Panderers and seducers are all ultimately undone when forced to choose. One
cannot sit atop a fence when it is removed, one must fall on one side or the
other. The fence shall simply be removed, and a choice will be made, unwilling
though it may be. Such rectitude may be dealt with when the dust has settled
and the people are at peace.
Corso.
May 8th 1347
Letter
between Subject Giacomo Colonna and Nikita of Sredetz
Bishop, I fear as to the reports of the Black Monk that
is wandering the streets. The Greek suspect the infernal is at work here but
without further evidence I know not what might be accomplished. If the
infection is spreading through malefic means then there is little one can do to
stop them. The Tremere might be of some use here give their arts or even the
Cappadocians, but something must be done soon. I have heard tales of cities
striken with maladies and the fate upon Cainites trapped within when the herd
is whittled away.
Bishop Giacomo Colonna
May 10th 1347
Letter
between Subject Portia and Subject Marcellus Praetor.
My Lord, Know that if you wish to stand then the Empire
will stand behind you. The body has been too long separated from its head and
the crowning glory of the world must be once again set right. The lands of the
Germans are ready to act as the arms and fists of a new order. Their might
shall be at your service if needs be.
Lady Portia
May 12th 1347
Letter
between Subject Yolande Pireti and Subject Ambrolio Cornaro.
Citizen! I worry; can we really trust these condottieri?
They are heading to the Kingdom of Naples to put the people to the fire and
sword, can we really use them to cast of the yoke of tyranny or will there be
but new tyrants. I have my reservations.
Yolande
May 13th 1347
Letter
between Subject Benjamin Ergenheim and Subject Maritze of Trieste.
Sister, we have new orders and new shipments ot oversee.
Work must commence immediately.
Benjamin
May 14th 1347
Letter
between Subject Fabrizio Ulfila and Subject Sebastian of Genoa.
Ambassador, it seems that the fool Nero has got some of
his ghouls caught by the Inquistion after last evenings disturbances at the
Colliseum. I write to warn you lest any of your retainers might be caught up.
Undoubtedly they shall discover the location of the Mithraeum and the
activities that go on below San Clemente there. Best to evacuate those who are
worthy, for the time being those less worthy may of course be caught.
Bishop Fabrizio Ulfia
May 18th 1347
Letter
between Subject Octavius and Subject Xavier.
COME TO THE CRYPT FORTWITH, A MATTER MOST URGENT!
Octavius, Pontifex.
May 19th 1347
Letter
between Subject Fabrizio Ulfila, and Subjects Leopold von Reichnau and Giacomo
Colonna.
Brethren I like it not but I fear that it is what we must
do. The infection must be halted and
only by enforcinglky quarantining those striken with it or likely striken with
it can the body be saved. Some good flesh must be cut away with the bad. Osias
of the Brujah and his associate Xavier have been tasked with identifying the
individuals and Leopold will see to their incarceration. What has to be done to
save the city must be done.
Bishop Fabrizio Ulfila
May 19th 1347
Letter
between Subject Livia and Subject Julian.
I cant believe what has occurred tonight! To endure her
wrath and displeasure, the man must be an infernalist or something. He learns
but he does not understand, and he gained nothing from Paris, can you imagine! Im
surprised Constanica didn’t flay him alive there and then. Pay heed Julian, the
elders know and are to be respected.
Livia
May 20th 1347
Letter
between Subject Ambrolio Cornaro and Subject Yolande Pireti.
Citizen! The time us upon us, the march begins, the
people will gather. The fetcher Osias will deal with the gate captians,
reluctant swine he should be spitted and roasted over a fire, the city will
soon be flooded with troops and the
vipers shall fall.
Ambrolio
May 20th 1347
Extract
from MR Rome.
The people that Spring rose up in insurrection against
the nobles of the city of Rome. Armed men roamed the streets attacking all
soldiers and retainers of the greater families, the city was thrown into chaos
for several days and fire burned and towers fell. Condottieri were brought in to
bolster the people and lay siege to the stronger towers. The Nobles not knowing
what they were to do and fearing the wrath of the people fled the city to Ostia
with what men and valuables they could carry. Cola di Rienzo was declared
Tribune of the People and the Senate and Republic of Rome was restored.
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