– Twelve stars on the Woman’s crown symbolize the tribes of Israel…

– Or the Twelve Apostles, – Newton interrupted the Rabbi.

– That is a possibility, – continued Nathan ben Moses Hannover. – And the Babylon described by St. John is most likely Rome, which has already been judged. Moreover, that city has become the center of Christianity. This prophecy has already been fulfilled.

– I believe so as well. The Dragon, that is, Satan, has been defeated. After him, the First Beast – pagan Rome, which persecuted Christians – was vanquished, – Newton expounded excitedly. – The Second Beast symbolizes the spiritual dimension of this struggle…

– But what if the Second Beast is alive and well? – interrupted Athanasius Kircher, who had been silently listening until now. – What if it resides in the Holy See, merely masquerading as a servant of God? And what if the First Beast can be reborn in the form of Sweden, France, or the Ottoman Empire? Can you truly exclude the possibility that the greatest battle is still ahead of us?

– Hmmm, of course not, – the Rabbi broke the awkward silence that followed the question. – These are merely interpretations. Let us be careful not to jump to conclusions…

– Learned gentlemen! Mystics and scholars! Please, listen to me, a woman who knows nothing of prophecies, omens, and spiritual matters! – Octavia decided to put an end to the philosophical debate. She had already noticed that her new companions often got lost in details that were entirely irrelevant to the problem they were facing.

She let her gaze sweep over the gathering. In the dimly candle-lit room sat three wise men. Having listened to biblical interpretations for hours, she couldn’t shake off the association with those who came bearing gifts for Christ at his birth. She mentally assigned the role of Caspar to Athanasius
Kircher, the missionary who had returned from China and a friend of her recently deceased father. Melchior, in her mind, was Nathan ben Moses Hannover, who lived in Prague but whose people originated from Asia Minor. However, she could find no connection between the long-haired
Briton, Isaac Newton, and Balthazar.

– I value your discussions and wisdom. However, it seems to me that interpreting prophecies is less important at this moment than dealing with what is certainly happening around us. And much is happening. My father was likely murdered. The same with the emperor. Someone is plotting against
Charles II of Habsburg. The riots in Vienna were provoked by agitators…

– Miss Octavia is right. We can delve into the nature of the problem later; for now, let’s focus on the present situation, – Natan, ever calm, agreed.

– Ugh, I think it’s important to understand what we are dealing with, but since that’s difficult to determine, I agree we should focus on something that will bring immediate results. First, let’s consider our options. The three of us won’t be of much use beyond our knowledge. But my bodyguard, known to some as the Monster, and the Golem, which Nathan could summon again, might be. Miss Octavia has also proven herself a capable fighter. Have we managed to recruit any of the former agents of the late Maximilian Piccolomini?

– Only the most loyal ones. There are seven of them in Vienna. Not counting my servant, Felix.

– That’s not a lot… considering our task is to save the world…

LEADER - ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

LEADER - ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

Athanasius Kircher is a historical figure – an inventor, theologian, expert in oriental languages, and a Jesuit. He aspired to become a missionary in China, and in the world of Anno Domini 1666, we decided to make his dream come true.
 
In our version of history, he spent many years in China, working alongside local inventors and clergymen… while also practicing kung fu.
 
However, he remains much more of a thinker than a warrior. His multi-shot, repeating crossbow is highly effective in defense, as are his melee combat skills and ability to dodge. But his greatest weapon is knowledge… along with a few gadgets he can distribute among his allies.
 
He arrived in Vienna at the request of Octavia Piccolomini, the daughter of his late friend.
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OCTAVIA PICCOLOMINI

OCTAVIA PICCOLOMINI

Ottavio Picolomini had many illegitimate children. One of his sons – Maximilian (or as his father called him – Massimo) could not count on inheriting any property. However, from an early age he accompanied his father as a page, then as a messenger, and finally he became a soldier in Piccolomini’s regiment. He even received one of his father’s cuirassier armours as a gift, as it was too tight for its first owner. Maximilian himself eventually grew out of it, but he kept the armour as a keepsake. With time, Max began to perform important tasks for the staff and intelligence service of the Imperial army.
 
Apparently, he was on to something big when he was murdered in 1665. He left behind a nineteen-year-old daughter, named Octavia – after her grandfather. From an early age the girl had a restless nature. As a child, she often fought with boys – her peers. Later she learned to fight and shoot well. When Maximilian’s servant brought her the news of her father’s death, she decided to find the murderes and take revenge. She travels in male disguise and under an assumed name. Only her servant, a young boy, knows who Octavia really is.
 
In battle, Octavia wears her grandfather’s armor. Unfortunately, she is not used to it and is not strong enough to move in the armour with ease. All attempts to climb or jump are significantly more difficult (Hulking special rule gives her -1 for those tests). On the other hand the armor protects her – both from wounds and from recognition. Octavia can also use the protective properties of armor in combat. When she sees that the enemy’s blow will hit her and she will have difficulty parrying it, she lets the armor take the hit and attacks (hence the Retaliation special rule).
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RABBI NATHAN BEN MOSZE HANNOWER

RABBI NATHAN BEN MOSZE HANNOWER

Nathan ben Moses Hannover is in his seventies. Nobody knows where or when exactly he was born. Some say Cracow, others say Germany. Having received proper education, he worked as a teacher at the synagogue in Iziaslav. During the Chmielnicki Uprising the city fell, got halfway burned to the ground, the Polish nobility graves defiled, Catholic churches demolished and the synagogue turned into a stable.
 
Nathan fled along with most of the city population. The remaining 200 Jews who stayed, either because of old age, poor health, or putting to much trust in their neighbors, were killed by the Cossacks. Nathan escaped the turbulent Ukraine and made his way to Venice via Prague. There he studied the kabbalah lore.
 
A few years ago he went back to Prague, seeing in his prophecies that hard times were coming back for his people. He managed to decipher Rabbi Loew’s notes and find out the secret of creating the golem – a mighty guardian.
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GOLEM

GOLEM

 

A golem is a lump of clay brought to life through Kabbalah. No blood flows within it, and its body resembles a clay sculpture.

The only way to destroy a golem is to remove the shem—the small parchment bearing the word that animates it—or to erase the letters inscribed on its forehead.

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ISAAC NEWTON

ISAAC NEWTON

Isaac Newton was born in early 1643 in Woolsthorpe, England. Since early childhood, he was a bright and curious young man. His mother wanted him to take up a useful job, such as farming. Unfortunately, the young Isaac hated homestead living. He excelled at school and in the year 1661, at the age of 18, was admitted to Cambridge. Before leaving for college, he proposed to Miss Storey – the daughter of the pharmacist who hosted him when he was still at school in Grantham. Despite the distance, the feelings between Isaac and his fiancee haven’t dwindled.
 
Alas, soon the life of the young genius was marked with tragedy. In late 1664 the Black Plague came to England and took Miss Storey as one of the first victims. Isaac was devastated. He dedicated his life to defeating death, researching the secrets of alchemy. After Cambridge closed because of the plague, he travelled to Prague and Vienna to investigate the secret lore left behind by Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg’s alchemists. Recently, he had his first success – he gave life to a creature sewn together from human corpses.
 
Most of Newton’s backstory is actually true. Not everyone knows, that aside from mathematics or physics he practiced alchemy and wrote theological works. The real Newton’s feelings for Miss Storey dwindled when he went to college, but we decided to rekindle his passion and created an alternate version of him: a young scientist-alchemist, who wants to defy death, much like Dr Frankenstein.
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MONSTRUM

MONSTRUM

The Monstrum (Latin for “monster”) is Newton’s first and only child. In spite of its hideous looks, it is conscious and intelligent. It is not a zombie. The Monstrum breathes and feels hunger, thirst, and pain. Lost in the world, it follows its creator, but flashbacks from the previous life could turn it against the master.
 
The Monstrum rarely leaves the confines of Newton’s laboratory. It travels in a closed carriage or enveloped in a hooded cloak. Striving to recall any glimpses of past memories, it often stares at the miner’s pickaxe it’s constantly clutching.
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FELIX

FELIX

Octavia’s Servant – A Teenage Orphan. He harbors a quiet affection for his employer.

Felix, as befits a servant, is best suited as a companion to a shooter. Thanks to the combination of the “Hand me the musket!” and “Quick Reload” skills, reloading is no longer an issue, allowing the character he accompanies to fire for several consecutive rounds—assuming they also have their own weapon.

Unlike most servants, Feliks knows how to shoot. He is far from being a master, but he trains relentlessly to support Oktawia in battle and earn her respect.

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GERHARD MÜLLER

GERHARD MÜLLER

Massimo Piccolomini, as an intelligence officer, had many associates.

Some of them joined his daughter to help uncover the mystery behind the deaths of Maximilian and the Emperor as well.

One of them is Gerhard Müller, a member of the City Guard. During his daily patrols, he gathers a wealth of information. He is well-liked among his fellow guards, who might turn a blind eye to certain matters at his request.

It’s also worth noting the halberd he always carries with him. It looks intimidating, but its uses go far beyond just that!

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MAX OTTO & JOHANN BRAUN

MAX OTTO & JOHANN BRAUN

Among the valuable associates of the Imperial intelligence, there was no shortage of people involved in the broad world of crime. Max and Johann are exactly that kind of people. They have extensive connections among the locals.

Max is a master at blending into the crowd, while Johann is a true expert in street brawls.

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ELIAN KLOSS & HANS SCHMIDT

ELIAN KLOSS & HANS SCHMIDT

Elian and Hans are former soldiers, always ready to don their helmets and breastplates and take up arms.

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URSULA

URSULA

The best agent of the Imperial intelligence was Ursula, a courtesan. She was the source of the most valuable information. After Piccolomini’s death, she ceased working with the authorities and went into hiding, fearing for her life. However, when she learned that the daughter of her murdered employer had begun an investigation, she decided to help.

Ursula is no ordinary courtesan—she was Massimo Piccolomini’s top agent. She is highly skilled with a dagger, adept at preparing poisons, and can move through the streets of Vienna unnoticed.

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FRIEDRICH HOFFMANN

FRIEDRICH HOFFMANN

Friedrich is a wealthy townsman engaged in trade. His business is thriving. In 1666, few remember that things weren’t always this way. Nearly twenty years earlier, as a young man, he was on the brink of bankruptcy.

At that time, he received a loan, which—according to the official story—he invested wisely. In reality, he began working with the Imperial intelligence. If someone crosses the authorities one time too many, Hoffmann is likely the last person they will ever meet…

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