Sessio IX – The Medici's Shadow

Avicellus is spending a quiet evening in Settignano, organizing his belongings and contemplating his next move, when a messenger arrives. The boy, no older than 12, hands him a folded parchment sealed with Lorenzo’s personal mark.

The letter reads:

"Friend Avicellus,

I have stumbled upon a matter of great importance—one that may shape not only Florence but the world. The Medici once hoarded knowledge beyond imagining, and now I have discovered the key to their secrets. A hidden library lies beneath their chapel, warded and long forgotten. I need your aid to reach it, for the map and means to enter are in my possession. Meet me tonight at the Osteria del Gallo Nero in Florence. Discretion is paramount. —L"

The boy fidgets, waiting.

Avicellus goes to meet Lorenzo as requested.

The Osteria del Gallo Nero is a cozy, dimly lit establishment nestled in a narrow alley off Florence’s bustling markets. The scent of roasted meats and spiced wine fills the air as Avicellus enters, scanning the room for Lorenzo. The crowd is lively but subdued—merchants unwinding after a day of trade, a few musicians playing a soft tune in the corner.

Lorenzo sits at a shadowed table near the back, his hood pulled low. A half-finished goblet of wine rests at his elbow, and a worn satchel is tucked by his feet. As Avicellus approaches, Lorenzo gives a faint smile and gestures for him to sit.

Lorenzo speaks in a low voice:  "Avicellus, I'm glad you came. I've had little peace since our last meeting. This matter... it's more dangerous than I thought."

He pulls a folded parchment from the satchel and lays it on the table. It’s a map of the Medici chapel, with a series of faint markings on the lower level.

"Beneath the chapel lies a library where the Medici hid texts too dangerous to see the light of day. Alchemical formulas, forbidden histories, even artifacts. I discovered this map through an... old friend."

He pauses, scanning the room.

"But there’s a problem. I’m not the only one who knows about it. A rival faction—the Silvani—they’ve caught wind of the library and mean to claim its secrets for themselves. They’ve sent spies to Florence, and I fear they’re watching me even now."

Lorenzo looks at Avicellus, his tone growing urgent. "I need you to help me reach the library first. Your discretion, your resourcefulness—it’s exactly what this calls for. Will you stand with me?"

“Absolutely. What is your plan to get inside?”

"The chapel's main doors will be locked for the night, but that's not our way in. Beneath the building, there's an old maintenance tunnel—rarely used, but it connects to the lower crypt. My contact in the city archives managed to confirm it still exists. We’ll need to access it through an unmarked entrance in the piazza near the back of the chapel."

He gestures to a point on the map where a faint marking indicates the hidden entrance.

"Once inside, we'll descend to the crypt and locate the door to the library. It’s protected by an iron gate, but I’ve prepared tools to deal with the lock. That’s when the real challenge begins. The Medici aren’t fools—they’ve set traps to guard the library, and I expect we’ll face them before we can reach the vault. I hope your wits are sharp, my friend."

He pauses, studying Avicellus for a moment. "Of course, the Silvani might already have spies watching the piazza or even inside the tunnels. We’ll need to move quietly and quickly. Are you ready to depart? Or is there more you need to prepare before we begin?"

Avicellus replies, “I am ready. My mask will help me to hide and move stealthily, but how will you avoid detection?”

Lorenzo smirks, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a hooded cloak of deep, muted gray.

"I’m not without my own tricks, my friend. This cloak has been treated with alchemical oils that dampen sound and distort shadows. It’s not magical, mind you, but it works well enough in the dim light of Florence’s streets—and in the tunnels beneath."

He adjusts the cloak and pulls the hood up, concealing much of his face. "That said, I’ll defer to your expertise in staying unseen. You take point. If we run into trouble, I'll follow your lead, whether to retreat or press forward. We’ll have to trust in each other to make this work."

Lorenzo shoulders his satchel and motions for Avicellus to lead the way."Shall we?"

Avicellus rises and gestures toward the door.

Lorenzo nods, slipping into the shadows with practiced ease, his footsteps barely audible as he follows Avicellus. Together, they leave the dimly lit tavern, stepping into the cool night air of Florence. The city's familiar scents—baking bread, distant fires, and the earthy tang of the Arno—mingle with the quiet sounds of a city winding down for the night.

The Medici estate looms in the distance, its silhouette imposing against the starlit sky. Lanterns glow faintly in the estate’s outer walls, and the distant murmur of guards patrolling drifts on the wind.

Lorenzo leans in close as they near the estate. "The tunnels are said to begin in the cellar of a baker’s shop two streets over. The Medici supposedly use it for discreet transport of goods—or secrets. We’ll slip through there."

He glances at Avicellus, eyes sharp and determined. "Are you ready, or is there anything else you need to do before we enter their domain?"

Lorenzo nods approvingly. "Good. Follow me, and stay close. Let’s hope the baker has retired for the night." He leads the way, moving through the winding streets with practiced ease.

The two soon arrive at a modest shop, its sign depicting a loaf of bread and a cluster of grapes. The windows are shuttered, and the street is quiet, though the faint smell of flour and yeast lingers. Lorenzo gestures toward a small side door.

"We’ll try the lock first. If it’s barred, we’ll need to find another way in. Keep watch while I work."

Lorenzo crouches by the door, producing a set of tools from his belt. He glances at Avicellus. "This shouldn’t take long, but be ready if anyone stumbles upon us."

Lorenzo attempts to pick the lock but fumbles slightly, the tools clicking awkwardly against the mechanism. He curses under his breath.

"Blasted thing—it's an older lock, more finicky than I expected." He glances at Avicellus. "Give me a moment. I can handle it."

Avicellus gives a silent nod that conceals his mounting nervousness.

Lorenzo nods and steadies his hands, focusing on the lock with renewed determination. He takes a deep breath, resets his tools, and carefully works on the mechanism.

With a satisfying click, the lock disengages. Lorenzo smirks. "There we go. I told you I could handle it." He pushes the door open slightly, revealing a dim corridor beyond.

"Your move," he says, stepping aside to let Avicellus take the lead.

 Avicellus takes the map and begins leading the way. He uses the Raven Mask’s shadow meld power in order to proceed with great stealth.

Avicellus melds into the shadows, his presence fading into near-invisibility as the power of his mask cloaks him in darkness. Lorenzo, knowing he cannot match such stealth, lingers close to the walls, stepping lightly but leaving the lead to Avicellus.

The corridor stretches ahead, dimly lit by torches spaced far apart. The air is heavy with the scent of parchment and wax. The distant murmur of voices and the faint clink of metal suggest guards are patrolling nearby.

The map shows the path to the archive winds through three distinct sections:

1.   The Hall of Accounts – A room filled with ledgers, tables, and clerks’ tools. Occasionally used after hours by clerks or overseers.

2.   The Inner Vault Passage – A narrow hallway with a single locked door and a patrolling guard.

3.     The Medici Archives – A heavily secured chamber containing the family's most sensitive documents.

The Hall of Accounts lies ahead. Peering into the room from the corridor, Avicellus sees faint light spilling from a lamp on one of the desks and hears the scrape of a quill on parchment. Someone is working late.

Avicellus motions for Lorenzo to stay back and follow closely if necessary, but to remain silent. He takes a deep breath and assesses the situation with the skill of one accustomed to navigating dangerous environments.

The person working late at the desk is hunched over a large ledger, their focus entirely on the task at hand. The room is dimly lit, with the desk lamp casting long shadows across the floor. A single chair is occupied, but the rest of the room is empty of people.

To sneak up on this individual, Avicellus would need to avoid making noise on the stone floor, ensuring the sound of footsteps doesn’t alert the clerk. The shadows of the room provide some cover, but there’s the risk of being noticed as he crosses the desk’s path.

Avicellus motions for Lorenzo to hide with him in the shadows behind the crates. He uses his raven mask's mimicry ability to call the clerk back up to the bakery using the voice of one of the Medici guards he recently overheard. He says, "This bottle of wine is almost gone! If you don't leave those books and get up here now, we're leaving without you!"

Avicellus's mimicry is eerily convincing, carrying just the right amount of urgency and frustration, as though the guard genuinely believes they're being left behind. The sound echoes clearly through the room, drawing the clerk's attention away from his work. As expected, the clerk visibly tenses, glancing toward the door and the hallway beyond. He mutters something about being needed upstairs and stands up, leaving his desk. He heads toward the door without a second glance at the crates, clearly preoccupied with the sudden call for his attention.

With Avicellus's stealth and the distraction provided, both he and Lorenzo manage to slip into the shadows behind the crates, practically blending with the darkness. The clerk passes by without noticing them, and after a few moments, he exits the room entirely, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

The coast is clear for now.

Avicellus carefully advances, his footsteps silent as he edges closer to the next section. The layout of the house offers only limited lighting, the shadows growing deeper as he moves through the hall. He peeks cautiously around the corner or through any available gaps to spot the guard.

From his vantage point, Avicellus sees the guard standing at the far side of the hallway, near a small alcove. The man is leaning against the wall, watching the hall with a distant gaze, clearly not paying much attention. The quill is still in his hand, and he seems absorbed in something—possibly writing or keeping notes. He hasn't noticed Avicellus yet, but he's positioned between Avicellus and the room with the books.

The guard appears to be relaxed, but there's still a risk in getting too close.

The Raven Mask’s mimicry ability lasts up to 1 minute, twice a day. Before the first use of that mimicry runs out, Avicellus uses it again to call the guard up to the bakery above using the voice of the clerk who just spoke in front of them before leaving the previous room.

His mimicry once again takes on the voice of the clerk, and he repeats the same urgent message: "Hurry up, the baker’s going to start without you! Get up here now!"

The guard, still distracted, jerks his head toward the direction of the call, his attention fully drawn away from the hallway. He starts walking briskly toward the stairs, muttering to himself about being distracted by some odd errands. The moment he passes Avicellus's hiding place, the rogue slips silently forward, moving quickly through the gap.

Lorenzo stays hidden, just as instructed, watching from his concealed position. Avicellus now has a clear shot at the bookshelves and the writing table. The guard is distracted and heading toward the bakery. They have a brief window of time to act.

Aviceullus looks at the guard’s papers while Lorenzo picks the lock into the final chamber, the archives.

Amidst the scattered documents, Avicellus quickly notices a letter that stands out. It’s folded and sealed with a wax emblem he recognizes—the insignia of a noble house in Florence that has a history of close ties to the Medici, but there’s something off about the seal. Upon closer inspection, he realizes the seal has been tampered with. The wax is still fresh, suggesting someone tried to open it without fully breaking the seal, but was interrupted or stopped before they could read it. This letter could be a potential lead, revealing connections the Medici may want to keep hidden.

Avicellus Pockets the letter as Lorenzo Springs the lock. They proceed into the archive. He once again passes an enhanced perception roll looking for traps or trying to perceive if there are people in the room up ahead. He makes sure to close the door behind him so the guard will be unlikely to notice that they passed through when he returns.

As Avicellus and Lorenzo move into the archives, the door quietly closes behind them, and Avicellus keeps his senses sharp, using the Mask’s enhanced perception to assess the room. The archives are dimly lit, with rows of shelves holding heavy volumes and scrolls. The air is musty, thick with dust and the faint scent of old leather.

After scanning the room, Avicellus notices a subtle gleam in the shadows near the far wall—it's the glint of a tripwire, leading to a concealed trap mechanism near a shelf full of fragile books. He also hears a faint rustling sound—perhaps the shift of paper or a small object being moved—coming from the farthest corner of the room. His keen perception also picks up the soft scuff of boots on the stone floor beyond the shelves.

It seems that there’s someone or something in the room ahead, though they might not be immediately aware of their presence yet.

Avicellus gestures and quickly mutters the incantation for Web, causing the sticky, web-like strands to emerge and cover the room in a matter of seconds. The individual inside the room struggles as they are immediately ensnared in the dense webbing, their movement halted entirely.

Since the individual is now thoroughly trapped, Avicellus or Lorenzo can easily approach and gag them to prevent any outcry when the guard returns. The Web spell has caught the individual completely, and with no immediate danger of them breaking free, there’s time to do a more thorough search without the worry of an alarm being raised.

As Avicellus moves through the room to secure the individual, he notices a tripwire near the entrance—a classic security measure. With his Enhanced Perception, he spots it easily before triggering it. It’s a simple design, but effective, leading to a small bell above the door that would alert anyone in the hall to an intruder’s presence.

Additionally, in the process of securing the area, Avicellus notices a hidden pressure plate beneath the desk. If stepped on, it would trigger a hidden mechanism that might release poison darts from a concealed hole in the wall. He warns Lorenzo about both traps, allowing them to avoid them without setting them off.

With the threat neutralized and the traps avoided, Avicellus and Lorenzo now have time to begin their search through the Archives. They can sift through documents, ledgers, and books at their leisure, knowing they have several minutes before the guard returns.

Now, with the immediate dangers handled, Avicellus can begin focusing on finding the right document.

Avicellus begins sifting through the papers and tomes, carefully inspecting each one for any markings or unique features that would make it stand out as the document they are looking for. His enhanced perception allows him to move quickly, noting that The Archives contain several important documents, but nothing that immediately stands out as the document they're looking for. However, as Avicellus scans the shelves and tables, he notices the following:

Several ledgers filled with records of Medici accounts and transactions. Most appear to be mundane financial documents, but some of them include cryptic notations in the margins, suggesting deeper dealings that might be of interest later.

One particular ledger has a small seal of the Medici family, but it doesn’t seem to be the one with the hidden instructions they need. It looks more like a regular business record.

There are also a few books on heraldry, Medici family history, and prominent figures in Florence. These books detail the family’s rise to power, but nothing that screams "important" or relevant to Avicellus’s mission.

At the back of one of the larger wooden desks, Avicellus notices a hidden drawer. It’s slightly ajar, and as he opens it carefully, he finds a folded parchment, sealed with a red wax stamp that bears the symbol of a crossed quill and a crown. This seems to be the exact document they were after—likely the letter of instructions from Lorenzo’s contact within the city.

The document appears to be a confidential letter addressed to an unknown recipient. It bears the seal of a noble house, but the quill and crown symbol doesn’t seem to correspond directly to any of the most publically known families. The letter seems to detail plans for a secret alliance and trade route that could significantly benefit the Medici, potentially undermining the existing merchants’ guilds and giving them exclusive access to a new, illicit trade route that involves luxury goods from the East.

The document contains coded text at the bottom, which Avicellus’s keen mind recognizes as a cipher—a type of secret code meant to protect sensitive information. It will require further decoding to fully understand.

They decide to take the letter and the ledgers that have the cryptic notations and try to get back out without being noticed.

Avicellus and Lorenzo move cautiously, retracing their steps through the Archive, mindful of the tripwire and any other potential traps. The webbed figure in the corner remains motionless, and the room is still. They can hear the faint sound of the guard's footsteps echoing somewhere down the hall, but it's not yet clear if he's close.

As they move back through the Archives, Avicellus keeps a sharp eye on the shadows, utilizing his Raven Mask's perception-enhancing powers to stay alert to any changes in the environment. He and Lorenzo will need to avoid making a sound while moving back past the two henchmen they bypassed earlier.

As they quietly wait for the guard to pass, they can hear the sound of his boots on the stone floor growing fainter as he moves away from his post, leaving them with a narrow window of opportunity to slip past unnoticed. With a quick but careful glance to ensure the coast is clear, they make their way back through the small clerk’s room.

Peeking into the bakery area, they spot the clerk standing at the counter, his back to them as he picks through some loaves of the previous day’s bread, clearly unaware of what transpired while he was in the other room. It seems he has not yet noticed anything unusual, perhaps assuming that the day is winding down and his shift will soon be over.

Given the current positioning of the clerk, Avicellus thinks that he and Lorenzo should be able to slip past him relatively easily, especially with the cover of the dim lighting and the noise of the bakery in the background. The clerk’s attention is on the bread at the counter, perhaps looking for a late-night snack to console himself for having missed what he thought was a night of carousing with his friends, thanks to Avicellus’s initial deception.

As they slip past the dry goods in the bakery, Lorenzo’s cloak catches some long loaves of bread and knocks them off their shelf to the floor with a soft thud. Avicellus and Lorenzo freeze, unsure if the noise will attract the attention of the clerk.

Avicellus makes ready to use his last prepared casting of the Web spell, but after about ten seconds, it seems evident that the sound was sufficiently disguised by the clerk’s own rustling through the previous day’s stale wares on the shelves behind the counter.

Avicellus and Lorenzo continue to move silently through the bakery, aiming to exit without drawing attention. They reach the front door without any immediate reaction from the clerk or the surroundings, and the door opens without any noise.

As they step out into the cool evening air, they are relieved and head directly for their safe house.

As they make their way through the winding streets of Florence, cautiously retracing their steps back to their base of operations. The night feels eerily quiet, but the familiar sounds of the city—distant chatter, the lapping of water against the canals, the occasional rattle of a cart on cobblestones—help soothe the tension of their recent infiltration.

After a few twists and turns, they arrive safely at the location, where they take a moment to catch their breath. The stolen documents are still safe in their possession. Lorenzo, always with a slight smirk on his face after a successful mission, glances at Avicellus.

“Well, that went rather smoothly, don’t you think?” he says, settling down as he pours himself a drink.

With the documents and ledgers in hand, they now have important pieces of the puzzle in place. It’s clear that the Medici’s involvement in whatever is unfolding in the city runs deeper than they first anticipated. There may be more at play here than Avicellus or Lorenzo even realize.

As Avicellus sits with Lorenzo and pour over the papers and ledgers, the contents begin to reveal their secrets bit by bit. The cryptic markings are indeed strange at first glance, a mixture of numbers, symbols, and obscure shorthand. It takes a little while to make sense of the patterns, but Avicellus’s knowledge of the underworld and his years of training begin to pay off.

Among the most significant findings are a hidden ledger, ciphers and codes, a letter from a Medici ally, and a plan for extraction.

One of the ledgers, while appearing to be a normal set of financial records at first, contains hidden notes in the margins. These are written in a cipher that, after some careful analysis, Avicellus manages to decode. The notes mention a “meeting in the shadows,” referring to a planned transaction or exchange. The location mentioned in these cryptic notes, "The Whispering Altar," suggests a hidden place of great importance.

The most complex code in the documents seems to be a form of substitution cipher on the letter Avicellus found while Lorenzo was picking the lock for The Archives. He recognizes it as a common encryption used by secret societies or wealthy merchants to protect valuable information. After some concentration, he manages to crack the first few lines, revealing references to "special shipments" and "delivery in three days," though he can’t fully decipher the meaning yet.

There is also a letter with a different handwriting style than the rest of the documents, almost a personal note to someone named “Marus.” This letter is less cryptic, suggesting an ally is trying to warn someone about the dangerous consequences of meddling in the Medici’s affairs. They mention that “The time for judgment is almost upon us,” but the significance of this remains unclear.

A more straightforward portion of the documents outlines a plan for extracting a valuable individual or item from the city. The documents mention a "shipment" but do not specify what exactly is being transported, only that it is of great importance to the Medici family’s operations. It is set to happen at night, and the involved parties are marked with certain tattoos or symbols, though he doesn’t yet know what those symbols are.

With these discoveries, they now have more leads to follow. The Whispering Altar sounds like a location to investigate, and perhaps the mention of “special shipments” and the cryptic letter could be further clues to uncovering more about the Medici's network.

Upon reviewing the letter more closely, Avicellus notices there is indeed a date written on it in code. After squinting and holding it up to the light, he makes out today’s date, but the year is not explicitly stated, only a reference to "the year of the new council." Given the context of the letter, it seems likely that the date is recent, perhaps this very year.

This suggests that the three-day delivery mentioned in the letter is either about to happen today or within the next few days, depending on the timing of the communication. This means that they’re likely right on the cusp of a significant event regarding the Medici, and the upcoming shipment could be crucial to their plans.

It seems their next task will be to identify and intercept this important shipment…