"When the sun sets, the land will run red with blood."— Lady Jamais Sices du Sices

This is truly a golden age. Montaigne stands on top of the world, and no onecan challenge her authority. The limitless gold that pours from theEmpereur’s coffers fuels the war against Castille — a war which can only endin victory for Montaigne, and the destruction of the Empereur’s most bitterenemy, the Church itself. Beneath the surface, however, dark forces havebegun to stir, and the voices of a thousand spirits cry out for vengeance!

The Montaigne sourcebook includes:

• Information on the fifteen provinces of the Empire of the Sun King,complete with history, background information, and prominent personalities.• Tips on playing the most dangerous game of them all — courtly intrigue.• A wealth of new rules: fighting schools, new uses for Porté, MontaignePuzzle Swords, and L’Empereur’s Musketeers.• Descriptions of the native ghosts and spectres, a two-page map of theMontaigne capital, and more!

AAEEGG 77220022

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7th Sea, Avalon, Castille, Eisen, Inismore, Highland Marches, Montaigne, Ussura, Vodacce, Vendel, Vestenmannavnjar, Knights of the Rose and Cross, Invisible College, Rilasciare, Novus Ordum Mundi,Vaticine Church of the Prophets, Explorer’s Society, die Kreuzritter, El Vago, and all other related marks are © and ™ 1999 by Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

The sun that shines too brightly burns the earth below.

– Lady Jamais Sices du Sices

MontaigneThe Center of the World

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7th Sea

4

DevelopmentJohn Wick & Jennifer Wick and Kevin Wilson

WritingKevin Wilson

Additional WritingJean-Marie Baveux

Jim PintoRob VauxRay Yand

“Montaigne” TranslationsJean–Marie Baveux

EditingJim Pinto

Janice SellersD. J. TrindleRob Vaux

Art DirectionJennifer WickJohn Zinser

Cover DesignSteve Hough

Cover ArtTerese Nielsen

Interior Art

Two-Page SpreadCris Dornaus

Full Page TitlesRamon Perez

Chapter Two Who’s Who Art & MapsCris Dornaus

Other InteriorsPaul Daily, Cris Dornaus, Dærick Gröss,

Paul (Prof) Herbert, Rob Hinds,

Ship DiagramsKevin Sanborne

Graphic Design and LayoutBrendon Goodyear

Steve Hough

Special ThanksAlexander Dumas – Without whom there would be no 7th Sea.

Jean-Marie – It was a delight working with you, my friend.

Bill Ringland – I have never met a more Esteemed Gentleman.

Steve Hough – For your suggestions and enthusiasm. This book would’ve been a lot less fun without you.

The Brute Squad – For letting me bounce ideas off them, even when they sucked.

This book is dedicated to my cousin, Johnny Barnwell. You were always there for your little cousin,

and I miss our fishing trips to the Canary Hole, copperheads or no.

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Table of Contents

5

Introduction: Montegue’s Stand . .6

Chapter One: Montaigne . . . . . . .8

Last Goodbyes, Part One . . . . . . . . .10

History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Prominent Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Chapter Two: Hero . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Last Goodbyes, Part Two . . . . . . . . . . .50

The Royal Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Powerful People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

The Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

La Lie du Peuple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Chapter Three: Drama . . . . . . . . .70

Last Goodbyes, Part Three . . . . . . . .72

The Destiny Spread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

New Porté Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

New Backgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

New Swordsman School . . . . . . . . . . .79

New Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

New Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Courtly Intrigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Fighting In Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Reputation Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Puzzle Swords Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Mass Combat Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Chapter Four: Legend . . . . . . . . .100

Last Goodbyes, Part Four . . . . . . . .102

Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103All for One and One for All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Getting Along with Other Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Fighting with Flair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Roleplaying Courtly Manners and Intrigue . . . . . . . . .105

Game Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106NPC Secrets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106New Monsters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Courtly Intrigue Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Map: Charouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Map: Grenouille du Gráce . . . . . . . . .121

Map: Admiral’s Private Yacht . . . . . . .122

Map: Montaigne Ship of the Line . . .123

Hero Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

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