O&F5 Session 12: the Scarlet Bastion

20 Oakenfall, 103 III-Inter, Scarlet Bastion of Cappebraccia   The two-pronged plan to infiltrate the Scarlet Bastion is finally set in motion as Oloward the Magnificent and the Faithful Five split up to fulfil their respective roles: while Elentari "Ela" and Ievos team up to impersonate the emissaries of the Arlesian patrons of the Oriflamme and steal the Grand Condottiere's personal effects, the rest of the party board Biancazuro Ruarotti's gondola to infiltrate the arsenal and blow it sky-high.   When Ela and Ievos, using the letter of introduction from the Arlesians, manage to smooth-talk their way in, the Grand Condottiere assumes them to be emissaries of a mysterious Arlesian known as Montignac. They decide to go along with this and talk their way into his personal study, speaking about the razzia in the Cappebraccia Ghetto and offering absolution, and parrying an offer from the Preacher. The Grand Condottiere relays to them that the Oriflamme is retained on a mission outside the city for Montignac, then asks them to leave him alone for a moment.   Meanwhile, on the other side of the Bastion, Biancazuro (who badly impersonates a gondolier with horrible arias) smuggles the rest of the party in in barrels of horsefeed, iron ore and blackpowder. They are towed into the bastion by crane and taken to their respective destinations, which sees Bubbles San ending up in the stables by accident. Oloward, Nykkaen and Tavi are taken to the right place - however, Oloward blows their cover.   Things also go south with the condottiere, when it turns out that he has used the break to contact Montignac to verify the identity of his agents. The two of them overhear an agreement by Montignac to secure the city while the Oriflamme leaves to do whatever he wants them to do, which he says is of "worldwide importance".   The sessions ends as conflict heats up...