Sessio IV — Bring out your dead!

Avicellus dons the Raven Mask by putting it inside his plague doctor mask, an immediate and profound transformation begins to unfurl, one that touches upon both his senses and his awareness. As the Raven Mask settles over his face, a cool, almost soothing sensation spreads across his skin. It feels as if a gentle breeze, laden with the whisper of feathers, brushes against him. The intricate carvings seem to pulse briefly, syncing with his heartbeat, and then a calm silence envelops him.

Almost instantly, Avicellus's senses sharpen to an unprecedented level. The dimly lit warehouse, which moments ago appeared shadowy and indistinct, now reveals its hidden details. Every creak of the wooden beams, the faint rustle of distant rodents, and even the subtle movements of Lorenzo as he tends to the crates become crystal clear. Shadows, which once seemed impenetrable, now appear as faintly outlined forms, giving him an intuitive sense of where everything lies within the gloom.

There’s a profound sense of connection to the darkness around him. The shadows no longer seem like mere absences of light but living entities that acknowledge and welcome him. When he moves, it’s as if they flow with him, making his steps silent and his movements fluid. He feels a newfound confidence in his ability to remain unseen, almost as if the shadows themselves are his allies, ready to cloak him from prying eyes.

His mind sharpens as well. Details he might have overlooked before now stand out vividly. The carvings on the crates, the subtle signs of wear and tear on the warehouse floor, and the slight changes in the tones of Lorenzo's voice—all these nuances are clear and decipherable. It’s as if a veil has been lifted, revealing the intricate dance of the world around him.

A strange yet comforting realization settles over him: he can now replicate sounds and voices with uncanny accuracy. He tries to focus on Lorenzo's voice, and to his astonishment, he finds he can recall its pitch and cadence perfectly. This newfound ability feels as natural as speaking his own thoughts, and he knows instinctively how to summon and use this power at will.

The Raven Mask doesn’t overwhelm him with its power; instead, it feels like an extension of his own abilities, amplifying and enhancing them subtly but significantly. It’s as if a part of him has always been meant for this kind of work—moving unseen, gathering secrets, and manipulating shadows—and the mask merely unlocks that potential. Despite the mask’s apparent darkness, there’s no malevolent intent in its power. Instead, it feels like a tool crafted for those who walk the delicate balance between light and shadow, truth and deception.

Avicellus breathes in deeply, absorbing the sensations and newfound clarity. The Raven Mask feels almost like a gift, a relic meant to aid him in his journey through the complex web of Florence’s political and magical intrigues. He remains cautious, aware that such power always comes with a price, but he also feels a growing confidence. With this mask, he can become a force in the shadows, guiding events and people with a deft, unseen hand.

In this moment, Avicellus knows he is no longer just a healer from Florence. With the Raven Mask, he has the potential to be a master of shadows, a guardian of secrets, and a pivotal player in the unfolding drama of his city.

Avicellus, with the Raven Mask now hidden beneath his plague doctor mask, feels an enhanced connection to the shadows around him. He moves quietly across the warehouse, testing the stealthy capabilities of his new artifact. Every step feels lighter, the dark corners of the room seemingly welcoming him as he melds into the shadows.

As Avicellus Approaches Lorenzo, the ground beneath his feet seems to soften, absorbing the sound of his footsteps. Each movement is precise and controlled, a testament to the mask's augmentation of his natural dexterity. His senses feel heightened; he perceives the subtle shifts in the air and the faintest echoes within the vast space. This awareness allows him to anticipate and avoid any potential sources of noise that might give away his position. The darkness itself seems to cloak him more effectively. The deep shadows in the warehouse wrap around him, rendering him almost invisible as he edges closer to Lorenzo.

As Avicellus nears, he can see Lorenzo is still deeply focused on inspecting the artifacts. The usual creaks and rustles that might alert someone to a presence are completely absent, thanks to the mask's powers. When Avicellus is just a few feet away, Lorenzo suddenly straightens, a slight tension visible in his shoulders. He turns sharply, eyes scanning the area where Avicellus stands. However, Lorenzo's gaze passes over him, unseeing, the Raven Mask's magic keeping Avicellus hidden in plain sight. After a moment of lingering tension, Lorenzo shakes his head, perhaps attributing the fleeting sense of being watched to his own nerves, and returns to his task.

He speaks up, “So, where is it I am to take these artifacts for safe keeping? It seems that securing these powerful objects is to be my first mission.”

Lorenzo, startled by Avicellus's sudden appearance, straightens up and turns toward him. His eyes widen for a moment, then narrow as he realizes how close Avicellus had come without being detected.

"Impressive," he remarks, a hint of admiration in his voice. "The mask suits you well. But more importantly, it seems to enhance your abilities considerably."

Lorenzo gestures toward the artifacts, carefully packed and ready for transport. "Your task is crucial. These artifacts must be secured in a location known to few and accessible to even fewer. We need a place where the powers they possess can be kept from those who would misuse them, but also close enough to Florence for us to retrieve them when the time is right."

He paces slightly, his brow furrowed in thought. "I have arranged for a safe house just outside the city, near the village of Settignano. It's an old estate, long abandoned, but structurally sound and hidden from prying eyes. Few know of its existence, and even fewer venture there."

Lorenzo steps closer, lowering his voice. "Take the artifacts there under cover of night. I will give you directions, and one of my most trusted allies will meet you at the edge of the city to guide you the rest of the way. Ensure that no one follows you, and trust no one on this journey. The safety of Florence—and possibly more—depends on it."

He hands Avicellus a small parchment with detailed directions to the safe house. "Keep these instructions secure. Once you reach Settignano, burn them. We cannot risk any trace leading back to this place."

As dawn breaks over Florence, Avicellus, with the Raven Mask carefully hidden beneath his plague doctor mask, begins his journey. The artifacts, now securely packed, rest in a sturdy wooden cart, which he has disguised with coffins to avoid suspicion. Avicellus did not disguise the artifacts amongst trade goods, but he placed them in a wooden coffin and put several more coffins in the cart (covering the one with the artifacts in it). He is hoping that this will result in people thinking that he is transporting plague victims and prompting people to give the cart a wide berth and avoid interfering with him. The streets are quieter in the early morning, the city’s pulse slow and rhythmic as merchants start to open their stalls and the day laborers begin to stir.

Leaving the warehouse, Avicellus navigates the narrow streets, keeping to the shadows and lesser-traveled paths. His mind races with the details of the mission: reaching the safe house in Settignano undetected and ensuring the powerful artifacts do not fall into the wrong hands. He knows that any encounter could jeopardize the operation.

As he reaches the bustling market square, a critical junction on his route, Avicellus notices the early risers—vendors setting up stalls and a few townsfolk moving about. He must decide whether to blend into the crowd, using the throng of people as cover, or to take a quieter, less direct route through the side alleys. Each option carries its risks and benefits.

Avicellus steers the cart through the lively market square, relying on the bustling activity to provide cover for his unusual cargo. People bustle about, setting up stalls and hawking their wares. The sight of coffins draws wary glances from some, but Avicellus keeps his focus on navigating through without drawing undue attention.

As he maneuvers through the crowded square, Avicellus spots a group of city guards inspecting a nearby vendor's cart. They seem to be scrutinizing the goods for contraband or illegal items. He knows he must decide quickly: should he continue straight ahead, risking scrutiny from the guards, or take a detour through a narrow alley to avoid the potential checkpoint?

Avicellus steels himself as he guides the cart onward through the bustling square. The guards, clad in the city's livery of blue and gold, eye the approaching cart warily. As he nears the checkpoint, Avicellus can see them exchange a few words before one steps forward, holding up a hand to signal him to stop.

One of the guards, a burly man with a stern expression, steps forward and calls out, "Halt! What's your business here? What's in those coffins?"

Avicellus takes a moment to gauge the situation before responding.

“Death. I advise you not to get too close…at least not unless you’re dressed like me.”

The guard eyes Avicellus suspiciously, clearly unsettled by his ominous response. He shifts his weight, glancing nervously at his fellow guards before returning his gaze to Avicellus. "Plague victims, then?" he asks cautiously.

Avicellus nods solemnly from beneath his plague doctor mask. "Aye. We've had a surge in cases in the city, and I'm tasked with transporting these poor souls to a safer place for proper burial. Best not to disturb them. The disease is a fearsome one."

The guard nods, looking uneasy. "Very well, proceed. But make haste. We don't want any outbreaks in this part of the city."

Avicellus nods in agreement, urging the cart forward carefully. As he passes through the checkpoint, he lets out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that his ruse has worked thus far. He continues along the path towards Settignano, keeping a keen eye out for any signs of trouble or unwanted attention.