HOUSE WARS AND BLOOD FEUDS IN OLD VENARA
I write this as my last will and testament. I fear for the fall of my own House. Long has our Noble House of Delorano stood. Weathered all storms and stood strong in the face of war and peace, yet, perched on the precipice of utter demise, I find myself. Our Old City's Patron, and my oldest friend, Eduardo Perfori lays dead in his crypt. Soon enough I shall join him, with the likes of all my descendants and Household. Illness took him, as it did my one true love and wife. Both of them have been lost to me for two years now. I can hardly bear to watch the golden sunrise over the Sapphire Sea. I see it's glittering waves and thinking only of the time we three spent, laughing, and drinking too much in the grand palace. Now, I have only the ravens and shadows to keep me company as I write this.
My friend died in the plague that swept our fair and old city of Venara, two years gone. So many died then, too many. It was like the hand of devastation swept over our people in jealousy for our glory. The dark gods looked on our golden sandstone buildings and spat ruin upon us. That was a dark time, yet, the shadow cast now makes those times look like a fine Summer's day. It was only after our dear Patron's death that the sharks began to circle our fair city. The blood they smelled, it was the blood of nobility, and promise.
In the months that followed the death of Eduardo, his family fell to ruin. It was not the hand of fate that laid them low, no, it was the hands of the forces that now seek my own head. They came from the shadows and slew his family. One by one they died. With no line of succession, the Gold Counsel was left to try and choose a new Patron. I did my best, can you fault me Talos? Do you not see all men's hearts? Do you not see my sincerity? My efforts were in vain. In under a year the Heads of the Great Houses began to die. Killed by the same foul cult that destroyed our Patron's family. I wonder now if the plague was even a natural occurrence. I have become paranoid in my old age, and, my position. I am the last of The Gold Counsel that still yet lives. I know this will not last long. I can hear the guards of my manor fighting. I do not need to look to know they are losing. The assassins that slew the other Counsel members are powerful, perhaps even Marked.
Once the assassinations began, the Counsel started to tear itself apart. Blood Feuds were declared. I have been the subject of many of these. I do not know if the people here to kill me now are part of the original plot, or, just one of the Great Houses that demand my death. It is the doom of the survivor to suffer the wrath of others' loss. I shall bear this burden with grace. I do not fear these killers. When they reach me I will have already sent this message out to my family in our city keep. I die and transfer all my holdings and means to them. What remains of it, that is. The raids on our plantations and shipping lanes have brought us near to ruin.
I beseech you, my children, my heirs, my Household, put an end to this chaos. Make peace with those you can, and, rally the Old City to you. Bring them back together before the gathering darkness consumes us all. This conspiracy runs deeply, my children. It stems from the Heart of Venara, and, beats its poison into our beloved city. Purge this impurity from our lands and subjects. Do not bow to the shadow that seeks to cast our golden city in darkness. I love you all. Know my heart and spirit is with you. Rise from this blow as I know you can. Let not the House of Delorano be lost to time. Let not the sickness that eats at Venara flourish. Seek Grace and Nobility. Stand tall and strong. Farewell, I shall see you all in the Afterworld.
- Patriarch of House Delorano, Leon Delorano.
This is a time of turmoil for the grand city of Venara. Shadowy groups work in the background for unknown motives. The Great Houses tear at each other's throats, blaming each other for any perceived slight. House Delorano has become the scapegoat for many of these Houses and they seek to burn it to the ground. The Houses no longer respect the rules of the Blood Feuds and fight openly in the streets. Foes meet in duels and then dance the next night at grand balls, held where vendettas are supposed to be forgotten. Can the members of House Delorano stand against the tide of vengeance that seeks to wash over them all? Can they root out the conspiracy that seeks to undermine the very city of Venara itself? Or, will they become part of the shadow that will cast itself over the whole world? A game of intrigue, nobility, duels, and assassination awaits you, do you have the Grace and Cunning to play it? Sail with me to Venara, jewel of the continent of Taloreign, take back your great city for House Delorano!
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