In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 22):

"Well, right now Byron, any use works for me," he said. "What do you think Mike?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 23):

Mike pulled out his lucky strikes from his shirt pocket, "Well, I don't think students would be of any help. I imagine half the fraternities get up to all sorts of pranks and shenanigans to woo the ladies. I'd feel more comfortable consulting with an expert. Maybe there's a directory posted somewhere we can check to find Professor Larae's office." Mike lit his cigarette and shrugged, "Seems to be the best option to me." He looked at his friends and raised his eyebrows looking for some sort of consensus.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 24):

"My vote is with you. Wherever this directory leads. Byron, could you lead us to the wing?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 25):

After a quick look around, Byron leads the party towards the west wing of the university. Passing numerous classrooms, the rambunctious academic air begins to fade, replaced by a somber, subdued environment. The lights slowly are replaced by candles, hardened wax hanging over the edges of their sconces. The few students you see have their noses in books, muttering incantations, with beaded shawls and scarves instead of the typical university sweater. With a little searching you are able to find a a placard on a door reading Professor LaRae. Below the name is a bronze number 11. Strangely, the number 22 and 33 have been carved into the wood, seemingly with a knife, forming a small triangle
                                                                                                       11
                                                                                                       /      \
                                                                                                    22  --   33

Byron raises his hand but before he can knock the door slowly swings open. "I've been expecting you....". Behind a large oak desk sits a small wrinkled women with large glasses that magnify her eyes till they seem to occupy the majority of her face. Her desk is littered with trinkets, feathers, small bones and wooden carvings, and the walls are decorated with various sigils and signs. Seeing the 3 strangers at the door she jumps slightly. "You're not Patricia?" she says questioningly.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 26):

"Sorry to intrude Professor LaRae," Mike started, "We've come across some interesting, well what should I say...artifacts recently. And Byron here suggested that you might be able to help us." Mike scratched his beard and did his best to look apologetic for interrupting her.

"My name is Mike, by the way, and this is our friend Clarke," He extended his hand.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 27):

Prof LaRae adjusts her glasses and peers at Bryon. "Ah, I've seen you before, you work with Professor Roach? Insufferable man, always ignores the signs from the stars. But what can you expect from one born in the light of Venus," she says in a wavering voice. Her large eyes scan over the group before latching on the box in Clarke's hands. With a loud screech her chair slides across the floor as she pushes herself away from her desk, clutching at the numerous beads draped around her neck. "What... what... what..." she stammers as she raises a bony finger towards the box, "have you bought into my office?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 28):

Mike turned to follow the professor's gaze, "Oh, that! We were hoping you could help us figure that out. You see, this contents of this box has brought us a lot of trouble over the past few days. Byron mentioned something about a seance to figure out what it is."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 29):

The professor, seeming to have calmed a bit, leans forward in her chair, eyes fixed on the box. "What is...it? I can feel it probing the world around it but something is keeping it contained". Seemingly of its own accord her hand reaches out and grabs a pen and begins to scrawl on a blank page, her eyes never moving. "It's curious like a child...but with a depth of knowledge I could never begin to fathom". As her hand finishes moving, she finally looks down at the page and with a shudder turns it over. Resting in her hands in her lap she says "I think you had better come in. I imagine you have quite a story."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 30):

Clarke closed the door behind him, a gently click could be heard as it shut.

"Professor LaRae," he started, and then hesitated before plunging in, "Mike would be the best to tell our short tale of woe, but if we are going to have a seance then I believe I should sit it out. Not that I fail to believe mind you. It is simply that I have other issues which may jeopardise a positive outcome for all of us."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 31):

Mike glanced sideways at Clarke. What were those other issues?

He turned back to the professor, "Well it's a long story, but what we can determine so far that when the rock is touched, it may be able to possess the faculties of whoever touches it, imbuing them with strength. I think it can also cause hallucinations in those around it. Furthermore, we have reason to believe it can possess and reanimate the dead."

Mike scratched his beard, "Professor, I'm just a simple businessman. But we seem to be in over our heads here." As an afterthought he added, "We've kept it in the container because risk of contact is too dangerous."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 32):

As Mike talks he can see the professor become more and more interested and by the end she has risen out of her seat. "Where did you get it? What plane does it access? Does it communicate through images or words?" Her questions seem to came at a mile a minute before she collects herself. For a moment suspicion fills her expression. "You brought me... a rock? That talks? This isn't some sort of scam is it?". While she seems wary, her tone sounds hopeful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:01, Fri 19 Oct 2018.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 33):

With the professor looking worried, Mike's look softened, "I'm not sure how it can communicate, but I think it may be when someone comes in direct contact with the stone. We obtained it through an acquaintance after some rather confusing cloak and dagger situations that I still haven't wrapped my mind around."

He put up his hands as if defending himself, "I assure you, professor, this isn't a scam. We're not looking for money or payment or even to sell the rock. Rather we just need a qualified professional who can do a seance that might help us understood it better."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 34):

After a moment, the look of suspicion leaves the professors face. "A seance you say? Yes, I'd be willing to help." Rummaging through the piles of papers on her, she pulls out a day planner. "I have some time at the end of the week.... Say.... Friday? If you could leave the stone her, I'll study it and gather the materials we will need." She begins to jot down some notes on a slip of paper, seeming to forget the group as she writes.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 35):

"A chance," Zoe said. She gently stroked the professor's chin. "Leave it and run. Catch the first taxi out of town. Let her deal with her demons as they rise from the abyss one seance at a time. She will writhe, she will scream and then... she will cease."

Clarke flicked a card out from his sleeve and twirled it through his fingers. "Professor," he started slowly, "our friend gave up everything to keep this ... entity safe. Everything. If you take it out that box for study purposes, it will not be here on Friday. And you might not either."

"Can we do the seance earlier?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 36):

"Earlier?" Her eyes blink slowly behind the coke bottle lens of her glasses. "It's dangerous to contact the other side without certain precautions." Turning around to a large bookcase she pulls an enormous book off the shelf. Placing on the table, you can briefly spot the title, but it appears all in French. "What can you tell me about the entity? Has it shown you any signs? Given you any messages? Tempted you to do anything you wouldn't normally?" she asks as she begins to thumb through the pages.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 37):

Clarke thought he had a faint recollection of the book from his past travels. They were not pleasant memories, but they still left a vivid imprint.

Roll: Occult: 12 - Pass

Zoe leaned on the desk, looking at him. "Come on now Clarke, you've got this one."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 38):

While Clarke only has a passing familiarity with the French language, he is able to recognize the author's seal that is stamped on various pages. The Admirable History of the Possession and Confession of a Penitent Woman is a classification of demons written by French inquisitor Sébastien Michaëlis.  Told to him by the demon Berith when he was exorcising a nun, Michaëlis' work has passed into general use in esoteric literature despite its age.

"Anything you could tell me about the entity might help," says Professor LaRae, adjusting her beaded shawl.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 39):

"It appears to be inhibited by lead and appears to be partly conscious. As if attempting to free itself of its bonds. And," Clarke hesitated, then persisted, "it has the ability to make figments real. Hallucinations take real weight in this world, as if they are crossing over from ethereal form to physical being. Mike, is there anything else you could add?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 40):

Mike scratched his beard, hesitant to tell the truth. "Well, I think it may be able to possess the dead."

The words fell into the air as he took his time to find the right words. "There was a man, who had recently died near the stone. And he just woke up and started talking in this voice..."

His voice trailed off. He knew how crazy it sounded, despite him having witnessed it.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 41):

The professor's finger slides down one of the many indexes of the book. "Necromantic capabilities... And what did this 'dead man' tell you? The end is neigh? Promise you power? Maybe that a beloved member of the family was performing depraved sexual acts in the otherworld?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 42):

Clarke pulled his glasses forward slightly. The events of the night were jumbled now, and the night sky kept getting darker each time he remembered it. But there were sections he recalled. Key phrases.

"That I know nothing of eternity," he said. "My mind is cobbled together like a shattered vase and," he paused. Taking a deep breath, and looking directly at Zoe's projection, he said, "I can bring her back."

"And I believe this demon or monster truly can."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 43):

"Clarke is telling the truth of it. I don't know what this thing is, but it sure as hell is dangerous. We need to do a seance tonight if possible."

Mike reached for his smokes but thought better of it and looked around for an ashtray in the professor's office.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 44):

Clarke looked at Byron. "Is there anything you would like to add Byron? You are the most knowledgeable about the occult out of the three of us."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 45):

Zoe glanced at Byron and then back at Clarke. "He's a scholar, it might take a little time."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 46):

Clarke tapped his briefcase with his middle finger. "I am sorry Ma'am," he said to the professor. "Our friend here, and your university's student, has been studying the history of the artefact. Perhaps we can wait a minute or so more?"