Investigate 4

Israel grabs a few hairs and scans the room for anything that looks out of place. He then scans the bookshelf - books with deep creases showing they've been read often are of interest, as are any that look unread, but dust free (meaning they could be used to hide something).  If she has a journal or diary somewhere, Israel skims the last few entries. Spots on the shelf, mirror, or a desk or dresser that look like something was recently removed are also of interest - if it looks like something (like a photo) was once prominent but has been removed, he makes a note to ask the mother about it. Finally, I'm letting Bob out of the phone to scan for anything strange but unseen in the room. I'm not really expecting anything, but it can't hurt.

I'm sending Levy a text with the relevant information and updating him about the 3rd missing kid.

In reply to Jacob Williams (msg # 15):

to Jacob:  You send the text and go about terrorizing Scottish yuppie kids for the day.  Give me a roll to determine what you glean.

to Israel: You find out she is not speaking Maggie C. after what she supposedly said about her friend Susan, who was seen at a party with Maggie's ex-boyfriend, who dumped her upon finding out they're cousins.  She also got into a little trouble at school when she got in a fight with that loser gothchick wannabe.  For real.  Thankfully, the admin like her and she got off with barely even a warning.  The rumor is the loser is looking into transferring schools, and it serves her right, the wench.

Nothing else of great importance jumps out at you until you let Ben out to explore the room.

Right here Boss. Hidden inside the mattress is a...totem...although that's really weird, I haven't seen a shaman or witch doctor in these parts in a while, and of course voodoo is hard to imagine in Edinborough.  Oh sure, fakes and wannabes show up at Stonehenge and other places occasionally, but one with this much actual talent?  Not likely.  Somebody's cursing this girl.  Probably nothing overly sinister, nightmares, restless sleep, maybe playing with emotions some.  If you take it out, we can tell more about it, maybe even trace the maker.  Of course, depending on how it was made, it could curse or even attack you. Your call, that's why you get all the credit, and the babe.

"Best we take it with us. No sense in leaving magical trinkets lying around."

Israel takes the totem and the hair sample and heads out.  He tanks Mrs. McCready for her time, and does his best to reassure her (Empathy 1 + Roll 3 = 4).  He leaves the house and drives out to someplace isolated, so he can prepare a spell without distraction.

His first attempt will be to simply be to track the girl using her hair sample.  Should that not work, or be too weak to be useful, he'll attempt to track the maker of the totem.  (It's up to the GM to decide on a case by base basis whether I need to role for the tracking spell or not.)  If I have to track via the totem, I take some extra time to cast some protective spells and pray before I attempt to cast with it.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 17):

The hair is reasonably fresh, and plenty of it, so no roll required.  You get a general direction, and a clear indication she is no longer in this town.

Your preparations complete, you use a tracking spell on the totem, attempting to track the magical energies back to their source.  You get the same direction as before, similar distance, maybe not the same, but not here.  The more you follow the path, the more you decide it is probably pointless.  The weird construction of this funky little toy is probably throwing you off.  A girl made this, and probably an emotional one, and everyone knows that can throw magic off. She probably tried a fortune charm, or good dream charm or some version of a dream catcher that went wrong, and that's what made it wonky.  When she calms down, she'll most likely call home and come a'running.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Fri 13 Sept 2013.

In reply to GM (msg # 18):

Later that day, after school, when you meet up to compare notes before returning to Glasgow.

I coordinated with the local constabulary, and determined the 3 students you know about are missing, and two additional girls have not been seen by either school faculty, their parents, cops, or you.  One is almost certainly nothing, she's staying at her sister's going to a college day over there. We have verified she signed in for it this morning.  The other girl is the on-again/off-again girlfriend of our super jock Patrick Mclanahan.  Jinkies, I think I found a clue.  It also appears Patrick and our goth wannabe Sean have been friends since kids, but don't advertise that fact.

I gotta say fellas, it looks like a ritual sacrifice to me.  Sean convinces Patrick and his girlfriend to help him with some black magic, probably using a ritual, and they target pretty, popular Miss McReady.  They all had motive, if you watch Dawson's Creek.  The totem could be a sign they've been messing with her all along, or one has.

The troops who checked Mr. Goth-wannabe's house found several books on magic, a couple of them weren't entirely jokes. 

Returning to Glasgow?  Nope, not a chance.  I've got an active spell and a general direction - that's good enough for me.  Israel's following the trail, stealthily of course.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 20):



meanwhile, College Day at University of Glasgow

Hi! What's your name?

Morgan, I'm from Edinburgh and staying with my sister right now.  You?

Ruth, I'm living with my brother here in town so I can attend school here.  Isn't it all exciting?

It is.  You know Ruth, you have, almost a glow,  like an aura surrounding you, it's pretty.

Thanks! I think.  I know what you mean, you have one too, must be the excitement right?

I'm sure that's it.  Wanna hang out today?  Oh hey, I heard Glasgow has a famous cemetary, are you familiar with it?

Oh, yeah, well, the one I know is the Glasgow Necropolis, which one gets to from The Cathedral of St.Mungo, crossing the Bridge of Sighs, and passing through the gates over the Molendinar Burn.*

That sounds awesome, let's go visit after this.

(ooc: *I didn't invent any part of that.  How cool and convenient is that? How could I not use that at least once?)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:25, Thu 19 Sept 2013.

In reply to GM (msg # 21):

Hey Israel, guess which direction your magical trail is pointing in.

I'll give ya 3 guesses, you only gonna need 1.

<OOC>Sorry, been busy, apprenticeship and all.</OOC>

Meanwhile, back at the school:


You call those pushups, McDuff?  Why my dear sainted grandmother can do better than that and she's been dead for 8 years!  Get up off of my floor!  Outside, now!  Run until Duke here tells you to stop!  Look at all you fatties, it's a disgrace!  You're a disgrace to your school, you're a disgrace to your families, and you're a disgrace to yourself!  What are you gonna do if Longshanks decides to invade, huh?  Sit on him?  Now go and don't stop 'til Duke says to stop!

Damn, I should've been a DI...


Mentally to Duke:

Give 'em a good show, but don't run 'em too hard.  And let me know if any of them smell off.


Investigation:  1(+1)=2

I'm trying to notice anything that seems off about any of these kids, especially anything indicative of black magic, whether victim or perpetrator.

In reply to Jacob Williams (msg # 23):

It's faint, you and Duke catch it only because it is more than one.  Several students have been tampered with.  Some subtle, like a nudge to be nicer, or happier.  In some cases, maybe even mild curses or charms.

It looks like someone has been practicing.  And not just one someone either. The styles are too different.  One uses neuromancy (big no no from the guys with swords)

One fiddled with emotions (grayer area, not immediate decapitation)

And it looks like someone used good old fashioned curses and charms depending on what they wanted to do. (oddly, most of these are well within the bounds of what the Council permits, after all, Wizards guard against Black magic as everyone knows, but even they reserve the right to go after enemies.  Ranging from mild irritants to Righteous Smiting!)

With a little consulting from Ben or Israel, the first two are basically similar magical types, works a little differently, different targets/triggers, but basically similar.  The third is its own critter.  That is also the person most likely responsible for the little treasure is Rose's bedroom.

While the kids are on their run, I contact Israel with my findings.

Levy, we've got more than a little bit of trouble here.  Accordin' to Ben, we've got some full-fledged neuromancy, some emotional tweakin', and some cursin' goin' on 'round here.  What's our next play?

I'm following a thaumaturgic (is that a word?) trail for the moment - which seems to lead back to Glasgow.  I'll scout ahead, meet me there as soon as you're through at the school.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 26):

(Levy is on his way to back to Glasgow. My understanding is Williams is still at the school, class is over for the day.)

Conference call between Williams, Levy, Ben, and Sergei.

Sergei: So it seems Miss Rose McReady was kidnapped by Sean, the anti-social black magic amateur, Patrick, the jock, and his girlfriend Maggie. There is also a young woman by the name of Morgan involved, likely the source of the item found in Rose's bedroom.  From discussing this issue with Ben, and my own sources, it appears she is the brains of the outfit, if not the leader.  Proceed with caution. The Wardens are awaiting word from you if the laws are being broken, or if you need backup.

The ritual is most likely going to be held at the Necropolis here in Glasgow.  I have an operative en route to provide an extra pair of eyes and ears.  This is your mission however, and I trust you to handle it discreetly and with a minimum of collateral damage. That means none if possible agents Williams and Levy, none. These are also legal minors, so no blood shed if possible.

In reply to GM (msg # 27):

Although Israel left earlier, Jacob arrives near simultaneously at the Cathedral in Glasgow.  The sun is going down and you both feel the magic nearby.  It is the hair-raising, tingly feeling.

to Israel: This may be more serious than previously thought.  There is real power being channeled nearby.  Enough to do something nasty.

So how do you want to approach?

Who's the other operative?  We need to make contact and move in on the ritual, quietly if possible, then we can see if we need the Wardens or not.

In reply to Jacob Williams (msg # 29):

The other operative is Ruth Levy. She was approached by Miss Morgan and had the good sense to play along and pass a message to me when she could.

Israel, she would have gone far in KGB, though you might want to talk to her about her interest in the Stasi. Although I am biased on that one.  Apparently she likes certain "history" books and spy fiction. I tried to explain the truth was often more fascinating than fiction, she spent the morning interrogating me for details. KGB interrogators would have learned great efficacy from her tactics.  Of course, we were a little short on teenaged female agents.  For Shame.

Ruth is currently infiltrating the circle, you should find a message at the gate to the Necropolis, as well as a fresh cutting of hair or something so Israel can track her easily if need be.

If need be, you can call for backup here, or Levy can summon the Wardens, who have been in touch, and are ready to swoop down and decapitate the lot of them.

*grumbling*Waste of resources...

"I'm gonna recon the area, check things out before everything starts exploding and we unearth another ancient evil or somesuch."

Israel takes the time to cast a stealth spell around himself (looking to add 3  to stealth)(Thaumaturgy, so I'll roll if you think necessary but unless he's interrupted or we're suddenly in s super rush, its kinda hard for him to fail this.)

Isreal chants, "Nahlot Vokun" and fades into the shadow.

Israel checks for any notes left by Ruth, and then begins to scan the area, reporting back to Jacob if things are calm enough for them to move in slowly.  If crazy things are already going down, then he tells Ben to contact Jacob to come in gunning.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 31):


This close, you can feel Ruth's presence like a beacon, closer you are, stronger the sense is. Concentration is minimal, though you can strengthen it if you like, at this strength you can tell which direction, approximate distance, and if she is in danger or trouble. (Trouble raises adrenaline, danger loses blood)

As you move through the Necropolis, the statuary and mausoleums provide cover for you as you search.  A ritual is being performed inside a building near the back.  You feel the energy building.  As you get close enough to see, the one you guess to be the jock and his girlfriend are, ahem, going at it to the exclusion of all else.  A train could suddenly pass, and they'd never know it. Rose is standing nearby in a ceremonial robe, and Sean is standing nearby chanting. Rose has been stripped naked and laid across the tomb.

Yes, you see ceremonial hoo-hah, some of it looks like it was refashioned into gear someone saw pictures of in books.  But some of it looks like genuine articles make carefully and with skill.  It's enough for several different rituals from what you can tell, which makes identifying what they are doing exactly difficult.  On a folding table you see an ornate candle and a silver dagger, the big, curvy, nasty looking kind.  A book is open and sean is currently chanting from it.

Ruth is not far from you, but difficult to see from here.

(Yep, the first thought in Williams mind is probably: those kids need more clothes on.)

To Jacob: You get a break this time, they appear too wrapped up in what they are doing to have noticed you.  Levy hears you, as does Ruth.

(But at least he didnt yell out Hey Levy! I got a -1!)

Williams also smells something wrong.
{Loki dressed as Elmer Fudd} Be vewwey vewwy quiet, I'm hunting adowescent cuhtists. Buahahaha. Oooh, that almost looks like fun. Except, you know, for summoning a being of darkness. But don't worry, if this is the ritual I think it is, it won't be here long, then it leaves, and the fun begins.  So what are you going to do about it? You know, I could meddle just a little, and cause them to summon, well, you would be mostly you, you could perform the deed, and I'd get a new follower.  What do you say?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Fri 21 Feb 2014.

Israel moves into the best position to observe and act while still remaining unseen.  He says a quick prayer for guidance as he analyzes the situation.

(Conveyed via Ben) - "So how do we want to play this.  We've not had much luck with suddenly interrupting summonings so far.  I'd rather not get almost impaled again."

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 34):

(er, sorry for rewriting that post.  *GM makes a worried face* Oopsieshit)

Ben: Don't worry boss, odds are you'll get that being impaled bit right eventually. Now, if you wait a little longer you'll see some impaling of a different sort.  You two could take notes if your techniques are subpar.

In reply to GM (msg # 35):

(GM needs brains badly - Me confused.  What's the plan for going forward?  I overwrote part of Mike's, then Josh asked a question, so what's the plan, attack the teens, sneak forward, sit here and wait for bad thing to be summoned, which will happen very soon.)

Well, I have absolutely no idea what my part of the plan was anymore after you rewrote my post.

So, new plan, Plan R, R for "Robert."  We issue the go code to all of our bombers that are holding position at their fail-safe points and preemptively bomb those Russkies back to the Stone Age...

I think I was attempting to sneak closer.  Judging by what I know of evil summoning rituals, magic, and the concentration required to perform said rituals (which is way the hell less than Levy) and my penchant for action first and thinking and analyzing the consequences later, for shits and giggles I think I'm going to keep up the angry-Bible-Belt-former-drill-instructor-turned-substitute-teacher role and go slap the ever-loving hell out of our wannabe cultist.  Let's face it, when a big-ass marine bitch slaps you in the middle of a ritual, it does 3 things:

1)  It hurts like hell.
2)  It breaks your concentration.
3)  It gets your damn attention.

And as a bonus, it gives Levy and Ruth time to come up with a better plan to save my ass while I'm busy trying to keep from being devoured by Cthulhu after he dips my balls in sriracha so he can have a taste of home while he's dishing out swift justice on a cocky sumbitch that should know his damn place.

So, yeah, basically, Plan R...

While Jacob is...well...being Jacob, Israel is looking for a way to end the ritual that does not end with explosions or devouring or vendettas with ancient evils or being almost impaled with sacred spears.

Lore (Roll -1 + Skill 3) = 2