Rome: Chapter 1 – Fiora Cavazza

Chapter 1 of the Rome Pack of the Facebook game, Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy.

In-Game Introduction Video
thumb|450px|rightVideo Summary: "Please wait a moment while we synchronize the DDS. You may find yourself daydreaming more often and sleeping less. This is a normal side effect of the program. Many of Rome's biggest names spent their lesiure time indulging in its many brothels. They were ideal information hubs for those eager to scale the social ladder. Fiora Cavazza was one such courtesan. Investigate her contacts; find out who she knew, and what she did with that knowledge."

Who You Know
The Rosa in Fiore bustles with clients, most of them disgusting. Madonna Solari pushes us to mingle. Flirt. Romance. Seduce. Whatever necessary. Men of power are quick to share it for a night of fantasy. There is no shortage of coin nor hedonist in Roma and business has never been better.

Playing Nice
Requirements: 12 AP (per execution)

Rewards: 25XP, 357 florins.

Filth can be hidden by shadows. Foul smells masked by stronger scents, mostly imported. Disease is … difficult. Madonna Solari is quick to dismiss any girl with symptoms, but with so many sailors playing in foreign lands, I fear we face a losing battle. Still, our work continues.
 * This one seems nice enough. He has some minor connections. We trade poetry. His teeth appear as though they wish to escape his mouth; they garble his speech and I struggle to understand him. Fortunately, he has no desire to kiss me.
 * Another partner. He wears a rash upon his chest. Inflamed, discolored scales. I turn him away. Disgusting! I am told he may retaliate, that he is a military commander. I scoff.
 * This mercenary is handsome. Opulent. He will pay me well. His face bears several battle scars. Noble women must find them unattractive, but I think they give him character. He begins to undress, so I do the same.
 * A lady of adventure! I invite her in. Women pose much less risk, though they risk much being seen with us. She is an artist. She knows at least one of the masters, though she will not reveal his name. Perhaps next time.
 * I have seen this man speak outside his church. Ristoro. An insatiable beast, making a mockery of his frock. He denies it, but we all know he serves the Borgia. I tolerate his perversions.
 * No impressive connections today, but my job requires persistence. I need only one powerful “friend” and I will be done with Madame Solari. Done with the Rosa in Fiore. I am not ungrateful. I am a fine wine served in a low class tavern.

Flirting With Danger
Requirements: 14 AP (per execution), Colorful Frock.

Rewards: 25XP, 357 florins.

The Jubilee has brought all types of people to Roma. Some famous. Some wealthy. We have a promising group of guests today. I put on a smile. A swagger to my step. This may be the day.
 * This one claims to be a prince. He is perfumed. His fake scent overpowers mine. He has put more time into his hair than I have. Every curl immaculate. Every whisker of his beard trimmed and ordered. Every word from his mouth groomed as well.
 * A treasure chest of an ambassador! He yearns to share his secrets and I promise him confidentiality. Golden coins begin to tumble from his mouth!
 * I entertain a banker from Firenze. I expected significant gratuity. I should have known better. Still, he has introduced me to some of his powerful companions.
 * A thick accent. I cannot place it. He has obviously travelled far for the Jubilee and he is looking to relax. I help him. He begins to share stories about his country and its views on Italia. His views are dangerous. He tells me several of Roma’s politicians agree with him.
 * An hour with a gentleman! He woos me. Dotes on me. Begins to ask me questions. I see! He plays the game as well. We trade information.
 * I have made allies today. Gained insight into Roma’s social circle. The other girls are jealous. Good. I have earned everything I have.

Payoff
Requirements: 15 AP (per execution), 3 Smugglers, 2 Slavers, 2 Doctors, 4 Politicians, 2 Frocks, 2 Courtesans.

Rewards: 27 XP, 366 florins

Tonight I am to escort Santino, Madonna Solari’s brother. I will take one of his arms and Lucia the other. He is a dangerous man. A swindler. I complain but soon realize that no amount of protest will make any difference.
 * Santino delivers payments. Bribes. He does not speak long enough for me to learn his contacts. Who are these men?
 * Threats, now. Santino punches a man! Demands information. He gets it. Shipping routes. Slave trading?
 * I question Santino, but he responds with a slap! Lucia defends me and receives the same answer!
 * Santino tells us to wait in a courtyard and knocks on a nearby door. There is no answer. He kicks it several times, but it does not give. He fumes and swears!
 * We are sworn to silence, though we do not know what we have seen. He punctuates his threat with a flash of his dagger. I am not impressed, but Lucia weeps.
 * I am left with only the slightest comprehension of Santino’s business, which appears to be crumbling. His anger betrays his fear. His mistakes have made him enemies. He assures us his sister will hear of our cooperation and then he leaves. After he has turned the corner. I spit.

He Walked In
Requirements: 17 AP (per execution), 1 Perfume (per execution).

Rewards: 31 XP, 376 florins.

Santino enters the Rosa in Fiore. He wears a bruise on his cheek. A man follows behind him. Well-dressed. Hawk eyes. Noble. I recognize him at once – Cesare Borgia. Cesare studies the room, considering each girl. Our eyes lock and he smiles. He gestures me to him.
 * The Borgia are corrupt. Everyone knows it. Few speak it. I do not concern myself with morals. How could I, in this business? Besides, his charisma is intoxicating. I am immediately drawn to him.
 * He questions me about my night with Santino. I try to hide my opinions, but fail. He is skilled. He reads my face. Finally, I tell him what I suspect. He confirms it. Santino and his sister have been dabbling in trades where they are unwelcome.
 * Cesare asks about my clients. Borgia in particular. I tell him I have never heard the name before. He smiles. I pass his test.
 * I begin to undress, perhaps a bit too eager. He stops me.
 * Cesare asks me about my ambitions. He is the first.
 * Cesare explains the situation. In exchange for their lives, Madonna Solari and Santino have given Cesare the pick of one girl. Me. I will leave the Rosa in Fiore and move into luxury, merely posing as a courtesan. I accept. Not that there was a choice.

Black Market
I have served the Borgia for six years now. Done horrible things. Seen the fantastic. I regret none of it. A war has made its way to Roma, fought in the streets, the senate, and the churches. Cesare has tasked me to coordinate his shadow army.

The Prince of Faith
Requirements: 10 AP (per execution), 1 Ritual Dagger, 1 Courtesan.

Rewards: 19 XP, 132 florins. I have brought flesh for Brother Ristoro’s appetite. New girls eager for experience. In return, Ristoro has prepared church documents and trinkets for Cesare’s agents. I have avoided the worm since my time at the Rosa in Fiore. I hope he has forgotten my face.
 * He does not even glance at the other girls. He walks right to me and puts a hand upon my cheek. Tells me I was always his favorite. I kick him between the legs and threaten him with Cesare’s wrath! He whimpers.
 * Ristoro opens several drawers and produces religious icons and amulets. He believes they will be useful to Cesare’s plan. I am not convinced, but I take them.
 * I exaggerate Cesare’s request. A little extra coin for myself. Payment for having to gaze upon this wretched man.
 * Ristoro hands me a stack of documents. He says it is filled with pardons and payments for Cesare’s contacts. Officially sealed by the Church. Why anyone would give this man such power is beyond me.
 * Ristoro provides me with various pieces of religious gear. Junk. I am not sure that I can put any of it to use, but I take it anyway. Perhaps he toys with me.
 * As I turn to leave, Ristoro tries again to touch me. The girls move into his path and pull him away, giggling. They have a long night ahead. I almost feel guilty leaving them behind.

Go-To Girl
Lia de Russo. Smuggler. She is not at our meeting point. She never is. I wait several minutes and then turn to leave. Suddenly, she steps into my path. I follow her into a locked shop that she has apparently claimed as one of her storehouses.
 * I try to make conversation. She is uninterested. She hands me some blood-stained relic and smiles.
 * I cannot fathom why Cesare would want any of these random objects.
 * Now this is a treasure! Not one I particularly need, but I cannot imagine where she obtained it. She does seem proud.
 * How did she get past the guards? Of course. Cesare owns the guards. Is there nothing out of this woman’s reach?
 * The room smells of death. Heavy with insects. It would not surprise me to find the previous owner’s body on the other side of the counter.
 * I manage to collect the requested items from Lia and pay her the coin. She keeps her palm open. Good girl. I give her the rest of her payment and she clucks her disapproval. I tip her.

...And The Beast
Requirements: 10 AP (per execution).

Rewards: 18 XP, 170 florins.

Cesare employs his own blacksmith, Auguste Oberlin. An former Swiss mercenary and weaponcrafter. I knock on his shop door. My my. Aren’t you an ox of a man? Then he speaks. Articulate. Intelligent. I am shocked.
 * He slaps me on the shoulder as I enter his shop. It stings! He offers me a drink.
 * He shows me a wide range of standard weaponry. I relay Cesare’s requests and have Auguste deliver the weapons to my helpers outside.
 * I notice small drawings covering most of one wall, starting with crude designs at the top and progressing to beautiful, intricate revisions near the bottom. Auguste explains that he distributes Borgia propaganda in Roma. I am amazed. How do such large hands produce such fine detail?
 * Auguste asks about Cesare’s more bizarre requests. I tell him what I know. Cesare has several renowned inventors and engineers in his employ. Rethinking weapons of war. Creating new ones.
 * The smith’s wife tells me I have overstayed my welcome. Demands that I leave. Auguste shouts back at her. The two growl at each other like wild dogs.
 * Auguste urges me to visit to him again. Carrying the last box of supplies, I push through the door. I promise him I will return. His wife scowls and I reply with a challenging wink.

Spare Parts
Requirements: 12 AP (per execution), 1 Inventors Tools, 1 Modified Arquebus, 1 Gold, 2 Copper, 2 Zinc.

Rewards: 22 XP, 189 florins.

Gaspar de la Croix. Engineer. Marksman. Recluse. He frightens me, but His technical skills are unprecedented. His workshop is humble but overfilled. It is difficult to navigate without knocking over his myriad tools.
 * Gaspar is singing in French. A sad song. I sense loss in his strained voice. What has he lost? I wait for him to finish before I speak. He startles.
 * The engineer is distant. He barely acknowledges me. Most of the parts he has repaired are already packed nicely into boxes.
 * He asks me uncomfortable questions. Have I ever witnessed death? Is death drive by fate, chance, or choice? I do not answer him.
 * He tinkers with a weapon. Aims it towards the clouded window. Squints at the shadows of people as they pass on the street outside. Sighs. Puts it back on the table and adjusts it further.
 * I offer Gaspar his payment, but he tells me it is not necessary. I leave it on his workbench anyway.
 * I thank Gaspar for his help. He answers with a subtle shrug. A haunted man. I am careful to avoid his front window as I walk away from his workshop.

Underground Army
Cesare's personal collection of misfits and miscreants grows, their only purpose to create strife within Roma. I am to meet with his key soldiers. Coordinate plans. Provide supplies. Study his animals in the wild.

Hired Muscle
Requirements: 14 AP (per execution), 1 Cinqueda, 1 MatchLock Rifle, 2 War Hammers, 2 Pikes, 2 Spears, 3 Long Swords.

Rewards: 26 XP, 480 florins.

The condottiero Rocco Tiepolo collects warriors. Prides himself on acquiring exotic mercenaries and tactics. He is expensive, but the Borgia have no shortage of money. When I arrive, he is waiting for me. Food on the table. He pours wine.


 * I pick the mercenaries with obvious battle scars. A clear sign that they know what to expect. Tiepolo corrects me. Says all of his men have slain countless rivals, so those without scars are more impressive.
 * Some men show off their weapons. Brag about their exploits. Tease. I look for the silent ones. The serious faces.
 * Tiepolo instructs two of his mercenaries to fight for my favor as we dine. They are brutal. Each draws blood from the other. No small wounds, either. When they are finished, I tell Tiepolo I am not interested in damaged mercenaries. We both laugh.
 * The mercenaries ask where they will be sent to fight. I tell them I suspect Roma will be their battleground. They protest, but Tiepolo silences them.
 * Tiepolo shows me paintings of his own exploits. He has only lost two battles in decades of combat, but he commanded neither. I ask if he is for sale. He tells me Cesare will have to send more coin for that. He asks if I am for sale and I tell him that I have already been purchased.
 * Tiepolo invites me to stay longer. Tempting, but I decline. He hands me a signed contract for each man I have selected and I pay him with a pouch of Cesare's coin. The mercenaries are eager for battle. I promise them they will find one soon enough.

The Heedless Horseman
Requirements: 17 AP, (per execution), 4 Slavers, 6 Courier Horses, 8 Roman Sentries, 1 Decorative Armor, 2 Heralds, 1 Curio.

Rewards: 32 Xp 456 florins.

Donato Mancini is Cesare's finest horseman, perhaps better than Cesare himself. The Borgia have gathered for a private race today. The Circo Massimo. I am to bribe Donato to let Cesare win. Threaten him if he will not.
 * Donato is a confident man. His horse is completely under his control as he approaches and bows. I signal my men to present him with a gift. Exceptional armor. He dismounts and orders his assistants to help him fit into it.
 * I relay Cesare's threat to Donato. He is not surprised. He tells me the winner will win the race. There are no other factors.
 * I sit beside Lucrezia Borgia. She refuses to look at me. Thinks me a plaything for Cesare. Perhaps I am. The race begins! Cesare rushes ahead of Donato. Is Cesare is [sic] the better rider?
 * Donato advances, but is blocked by one of Cesare's officers. I hear Lucrezia mutter to an acquaintance. The rider is Teodor Viscardi. One of Cesare's henchmen.
 * Teodor produces a blade. Thrusts it at Donato! Donato leans away, then kicks his horse to blaze past both Teodor and Cesare. The crowd gasps! Donato wins! Silence as he rides past us to claim his victory.

Rake
Cesare has sent me to meet with the Cento Occhi. Thieves. Many of them young. Lanz is their leader and Cesare believes he has led an attack on a Borgia carriage. He provides me with evidence. Tells me to make a deal with the gang.
 * I find Lanz outside a church, counting coins from a pouch he nicked. He does not look up, though he knows I am here. I throw a crude dagger into the dirt near his feet. Wide eyes. Apologies. He realizes I represent the Borgia.
 * He reclaims his ugly weapon. Sheaths it. Offers to return the stolen money. I tell him he will do that and more. His gang will serve Cesare.
 * Lanz tells me he has already spent the coin, but he will deliver a portion of it today. Good faith. He asks me to watch him work... if I can keep up.
 * I watch him bump into a merchant in the crowd. He is gone before the man turns. Next, a noble woman. A priest. He steals from five people before he is spotted. The man calls for guards!
 * A mounted guard charges into the square and Lanz pushes his victim beneath the horses' hooves. The rider falls. I lose sight of Lanz for a moment, then realize he is halfway up the side of the building beneath me.
 * Before Lanz leaves, I check my pockets. Everything seems to be in place. I believe Lanz will deliver payment. He fears Cesare.

Close Shave
Cesare has employed a master spy. Baltasar da Silva. He hides behind the guise of a barber, though I am told he has no skill at it. Together, we will stalk Cesare's enemy - a league of assassins. There is much to learn.
 * Cesare has thrown one of his own senators to the lions. A high profile man with big ambition, notorious for corruption. The senator barely survived an attack this morning, yet Cesare has afforded him no guards. We follow him, waiting for the Assassins to strike again.
 * The senator remains indoors most of the week. Under Baltasar's lead, we are never spotted.
 * The senator finally heads for the market. His walk is brisk. Paranoid. Eyes everywhere. Suddenly, a shadow overhead. The assassin is above us!
 * The assassin leaps! As he lands upon the senator, a weapon protrudes from his wrist. Pierces his victim's neck! The cloaked killer mutters a few words and vanishes. We give chase! Gone.
 * Baltasar grins. Though I feel failure, he is pleased by what he has learned. He takes notes.
 * Though we lost sight of the assassin, we have learned much. The garb. The hidden blade. The technique. Baltasar will continue to stalk these cloaked killers and report back to me.