Hey spirit trackers! This is Zach, of team Spirit Trackers, coming to you via the internet all the way from Poland!  That's right, this time we're exploring one of the most haunted houses in all of Europe!  This estate was once the home of a prominent Jewish family before the war.  When the Germans moved in, most were murdered except for one woman and her baby.  The story goes she murdered the officers, some say she poisoned them, others say she slit their throats as they slept.

The legend says she herself was killed in the attempt, but a Russian spy who helped her got the baby safely to Russia.  Or so the legend says.  In more recent years, 2 different families have reportedly gone mad after moving into this house, the most recent were all found dead.  What horrors lurk inside this once majestic home? Will we even be safe as we track the truth inside its corridors?

The camera cuts to another intrepid Tracker. Hey everybody this is Cory! I'll be at Zach's side as we journey together into this new hotbed of the supernatural.  With us now is a local who has agreed to talk to us, most of the locals refuse to discuss the house, especially on camera.  It's Tim right?  What can you tell us about this place?

Timothy Please, it is not good for you to be here.  This place truly is dangerous for those who are unprepared for the evils locked within.

I love it, you're doing great Timmy. Now, you say evil is locked within?  Are you talking about the Jewess who murdered the soldiers here?

Timothy, a thin young man in glasses, grows upset, his face flushing. Don't talk about her that way! She was protecting...she was trying to save her family, besides, she did not murder anyone to escape, not from what I've ever heard.  The troubles started later.  After Himmler sent Herr Möller to re-establish this estate as a base.  It seems he wanted an out of the way place to perform his experiments.

The camera moves again to a blonde girl with her hair pulled back whispering to Zach. This is fantastic! Audiences are going to eat this up! And he's for real, no coaching, no faking it.  We may have finally found the big score here Zach-baby.

She notices the camera on her, smiles, and becomes very perky, suspiciously cheerleader esque, but a cheerleader, on a show like this?!

Ok, we're almost ready, so let me introduce everyone! You've met Zach and Cory, our team leaders and primary trackers.  I'm Tanya, in charge of production, Hank is on camera, Megan is our on the spot techie and expert at the equipment we use tracking the supernatural.  And last but not least is Eli! Our new webmaster and producer!  Say hi Eli!

A handsome man moves next to her, a man with eyes that twinkle mischievously, and with a smile to make fathers lock up their daughters.  Yes, I'm the new webmaster and general editor.  It's my job to make the others look good.  Of course, Tanya, you make my job easy.

Ok, enough of that, let's get our equip - Hey! what's going on over there?!

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

The Spirit Tracker team gathers at their van as they see two large trailers being set up not far from where they are.  People are moving industriously, getting the site set up.

Damn it, that better not be those pricks at Ghost Hunters.  I swear, if they scoop me again!

Eli shakes his head Nah, it isn't them, I made sure they wouldn't be anywhere near here.

How'd you manage that?

Turns out their new producer is a nice lady who is fond of tequila.  Cost me the price of a hotel room but I got their schedule and managed to tweak it a little.

I did't hear that.
Uh...way to take one for the team?  I knew you were the right man for this job.  Someone be sure to edit this from the footage later.

An older man in a suit approaches.  Ladies, gentlemen, I am sure we can come to a...mutually beneficial arrangement.  You are here to investigate the haunted house yes? We have a similar, if tangential goal in mind.  As long as you do not get in our way, I'm sure there will be no unpleasantness.

Tanya whispers Who's the creepy Russian guy? Is he KGB?

Ah, how rude of me, my name is Sergei Mikhailov, though you may call me Sir.  As to your comment, young miss, the KGB was dissolved years ago.  Its successor is the FSSR, of which, I assure you, I am not a member.  We are here as a joint anthropological study.  There are many cultural artifacts we expect to find, both from the estate's time as a regional headquarters of the Reich, and its more historic role as an ancestral home of a prominent family of this area.  As you are more interested in the spirits and supernatural that may be within, I suggest you begin your "tracking" in the upper areas, we will start at the bottom.   Records suggest what we seek are primarily to be found in the basement.  Our liaison will be meeting with you soon.  We do not intend to disrupt you, and ask you not disrupt our proceedings.  Thank you.

And with that, he turns and walks away, headed for the command post to take his position.  Another vehicle arrives, this one more interesting to a member of the team.  Eli pauses for a second, then says Hey! I know that guy! It's Eli! Eli's here! Don't worry about a thing, no grumpy Russian guy will stop us with Eli around.

I thought you were Eli?

In reply to GM (msg # 2):

Israel and Jacob have arrived at the site, seen all the work on the site, and discovered the potential problem with Spirit Tracker X-Treme!

You have also traveled to the cottage nearby and met Tim, the grandson of the woman who use to live here.  It also appears Timothy knows much more than he let on previously.  He is one of the last of the order that assisted in the creation of the Talisman of the King Priest Israel now wears.

As you head back to the camp, Timothy in tow, a car pulls up, and a man of average height and build and above average suit gets out, walks to the passenger door, and opens it to allow a woman to get out.  Israel's pulse is probably going up a bit right now as he sees Rebekah for the first time in a few months.

As you get closer, your attention(ok, maybe Jacob's attention, Israel's might be hard to get right now) is drawn to a man running up the path from the van, calling for his buddy Eli.

(GM note - whew! we're finally ready for player posts.  I think I covered the majority of bases, the important stuff anyway.)

Israel strides directly towards Rebekah. He does catch Eli out of the corner of his eye, but he ignores him for the moment.

Israel makes sure Rebekah's greeting is passionate - more so than usual - in order to show off in front of Eli. Hopefully leaving Rebekah breathless he says, "One moment, milady, I must deal with a troublesome knave," and turns toward Eli and says:

"Why, you slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler. You got a lot of guts coming here, after what you pulled."  After allowing a brief pause, he slaps Eli on the back and continues Lando's line, "How you doing, you old pirate?"

<OOC>Can I get a list of who and what we have with us on site?</OOC>

I'm going to gear up, load my weapons with the blessed ammunition, and take Duke and Alex to secure the perimeter.  I'm leaving the M4 at the base for now, I don't want to alarm anybody by walking around with an assault rifle.  There will be time enough for that later.


Alex, how you feelin' 'bout this mission?

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 4):

Eli grins, looks at the large group behind you, looks back at you. What happened? You volunteer to blow up another shield generator?

A thought shoots from the heavens and attaches itself to his brain. He reaches for Rebekah's hand to kiss it. And who is this? My dear, you truly belong with us in the clouds.


ToJacob

Alex replies: I sense great evil.  It is watching, waiting, anticipating us.  It almost feels like something in there is looking forward to what's to come. I have a bad feeling about this.

"This, my old friend, is the beautiful, intelligent, and dangerous Rebekah, my better half.  Usually I would threaten to kill you for flirting with her, but here it is not necessary...because she will kill you instead."

Israel then turns to Rebekah and introduces Eli. "Rivkah, this is Eleazar Cohen, scoundrel, schemer, and my oldest friend."  He pauses for a moment, then grins mischievously before adding, "He's basically me without proper morals or scruples."

He then points over toward Jacob and Alex, "The tank and young man speaking in hushed tones are my associates, Yakob and Alex."

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 7):

Ok, there are 2 lists.  The narrative list, and the literal list.  The narrative list is Mr. Jehuti and all his toys, all those wizards, even Morgan and the wardens.  They are here for specific reasons all related to the story. In the case of Morgan et al. assistance can be asked of them, as they will enter the house with you, but, (Spoiler) will go fight that thing over there while you handle my carefully constructed(half-assedly thrown together) encounter.  There is, also, the Spirit Tracker X! Team.

The literal list is whatever you have on you.  You means Jacob, Israel, Rebekah, and Alex. You will not have Ben for this mission.  Sergei, Ariel, Angelica, and Ruth will be in the HQ running operations there.

The base is primarily equipped for afterwards. You did not bring a holy man. (I don't remember one, now is the time to tell me) You may ask Sergei if there is any holy ordnance.   You may also ask Sergei to inquire of the wizards if they can hand over anything that might help.  Israel can go ask the wizards, Jacob needs an intermediary.  Come to think of it, probably better ask Israel or Rebekah to ask, they don't really like Sergei.  Wizards are keepers of vast unknowable secrets. Sergei is former spy, stealer and redistributor of secrets. Israel is a spy, but he's their spy.

Please do not ask for a ring of make bad thing go away.

You also have Timothy, a current unknown.

They also have me! Eleazer, shh! They aren't suppose to know you have the power cosmic yet. Oh, sorry. I mean, not my fault!

Oh, I forgot about the guy who came in the care with Rebekah.  Technically he hasn't been introduced yet.

"Ok, Eli. Here's where I do that thing you hate.  You know, where I know exactly what's going on and you get left somewhat confused.  You're here with a group of ghost trackers to check out an pre-WWII house, that's supposed to be haunted.  I'm going to tell you something now that you are not to tell anyone.  The family that owned the house was mine.  And there is something of a personal nature, in the lower levels.  That is what my team is here to retrieve.  I need your team to stay out of our way.  The spirits you're hunting are on the upper levels, not in the basement, so our goals should not be in conflict."

Rapport = 0
Deceit = 1

Not my best rolls, but I would hope they would not need to be to high, since I'm talking to an old friend.

I'm thinking that instead of trying to bring a rifle into the house, a shotgun would be more useful.  It's more effective in close quarters and we don't have to worry as much about a stray round getting out of the house and killing a civilian.

Anyway, replying to Alex:

I'll tell you about the same thing I used to tell the junior marines in my squad:

"Stay alert but relaxed.  You've had the best trainin' by some of the most feared warriors on God's green earth.  Remember your trainin' and watch each others' backs.  You've got this."

I give Alex a manly slap on the shoulder.  Oo-rah!

Rapport:  0(+0, +1 Mark of Fenris)=1

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 9):

Eli grumbles I hate when you do that...but if you have that sort of backing, I'll trust you.  Just, in all honesty, we really need this show to go alright.  Great would be better, might even get us a cable contract, but we've all sunk all we have in this.  Each show could be the last, know what I mean?  That's why the guys at the van are nervous seeing all of you here, that Russian guy looking Official.  He's KGB isn't he?

Oh, hey, since flirting with Rivkah would put an end, albeit a worthy end, to my illustrious life, does she have a sister, who happens to be here?  Or any pretty women who don't know me in that great throng you have over there? If our ventures are successful, there will be due celebrating you know.


Alex to Jacob: I heard we aren't going for a little while.  I'll be praying and getting ready when you need me. 

Sergei approaches as Alex leaves. Ah, Williams, good. Once everything is set up our guests are going to take a look at the house in their own special way.  We'll need to be ready in case something responds.  Also, it appears we have a representative of Monoc Securities joining our expedition.  Mr. March has agreed to accompany the Spirit Fodder, excuse me, Spirit Trackers as a cooperative liaison.  He will also be coordinating the distraction and seeing to their safety.

To be safe, your team and the Wardens will enter first, secure the ground floor, and locate the entrance to the basement. We'll send the Trackers in afterwards, assuming it is safe, and see them upstairs.  As I recall, there are three floors and an attic. That should get them far enough away from you to both keep them safe, unaware of your activities, and far enough away their equipment doesn't completely malfunction.  A little static and interference is good for the effect though, it seems to me.  If I understand what our friend Ben and his friends are preparing, in conjunction with this March, they should get what they are looking for.

He chuckles softly.  I am reminded of the old Chinese Curse. Well, there are two parts of it: May you live in interesting times, and May you find what you are looking for.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:49, Fri 10 May 2013.

To Alex:  Alright, I'll holler when we're ready to go.

To Sergei:  Alright, Boss.  I'll be at the trailer, gearin' up 'n gettin' tactical.  I do wonder somethin', though.  Rock salt stings like hell when you shoot a person with it, what would shotgun shells loaded with kosher salt do to evil spirits and ghosts?  Well, anyway, I think Alex has the right idea.  I'll be at the trailer.


Jacob loads up with blessed ammunition and gears up while saying a soldier's prayer:

Brave warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant and earn victory
as we show mercy to our enemies.
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be always
appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom.

Amen.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:00, Sat 11 May 2013.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."  Israel responds with a smile that is somewhere between mysterious, sarcastic, and annoying.



"Heh," Israel chuckles and shakes his head, "At least somethings never change.  If you play nice through this I MIGHT introduce you to Ariel and and Angelica, but I warn you, if you hurt them I may pull out your spleen by way of your nose.  For now, It's probably best if you get your people ready.  Someone from my team will let you know when you can enter.  And you are not, under ANY circumstances to have your people record us. In fact, its best to keep your equipment away from us - you know the effect I have on technology."


Once Eli has left, Israel and Rebekah gather gather their stuff, and are ready to go whenever everyone else is.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 13):

It is now 2 hours, 30 minutes to sundown.  We will enter the house no later than 30 minutes from now.  Team designations are Team Cloud and Team Warden.  Cloud, you have point, Warden, don't blow up the house unless you have to and you are reasonably certain it won't unleash whatever is inside.  Oh, Cloud, as a courtesy, please make Warden and myself aware before you do anything significantly stupid, desperate, or collaterally violent.

"Ah, you never let us have any fun," Israel jokes.
Israel takes his staff, sidearm, chalk, duct-tape (too much Macgyver), amulet/ring, Ben's phone and just for the heck of it, kosher salt for ghosts, and he's ready to go.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 15):

As Israel, Jacob, Alex, and Rivkah get together and make sure everything is in order, Timothy comes over and leads you in prayer. You are getting ready for the go order when a very nervous, twitchy, slightly odd looking guy in a wizard's robe runs over to you looking entirely too excited.

Guys! Guys! Wait for me! Wait! Whew! Thought for a second you were going in without my help and I mean, I'm sure you guys are awesome, your reputation says you're awesome, but without me something unexpected might have happened and you could be injected with a weaponized acid compound liquefying your internal organs and turning you into squishy bags of human soup and that doesn't sound Kosher, and I'd be sad for losing you because we just met.

He looks around at your varied expressions of confusion and mild horror. He's kind of like a puppy dog really. First, imagine you are alone, in a library, maybe using the out of the way card catalog when books and cards start flying everywhere and ghosts are terrorizing the patrons and not being quiet! Who ya gonna call? The guy with this sawed off shotgun, that's who.  I was a little bit rushed, so I only got 6 shots of the Ghost Shot.  It's mostly salt, but I wouldn't lick it, the part that's not mostly salt can cause illnesses in humans like allergic reactions, sinus infections, baldness, sterility, brainwarts, maybe even cancer or, you know, spontaneous decapitation.  Ooh, I had an accident getting the recipe exactly right, and ended up giving myself spontaneous bowel evacuations.  They hit randomly. I'm still not allowed back at that Chuck E. Cheese.  Don't worry though! I haven't had an episode in months! Wizard Listens to Wind assures me there is a 45% chance I'm cured...

Marshall looks around a little shyly, a little embarrassed, then pulls out another shotgun and more bullets.

I can outfit multiple folks, so don't be shy! These bullets, are more for heavy damage against a more substantial target.  A-agent Wi-Williams, I understand you were a marine, you probably know about incendiary rounds then.  I call these Dragon Rounds.  Mainly because I used actual dragonbreath in the construction of these bullets.  Hard to get, but worth it if you need heavy firepower.  Four rounds at present.  Also, you can't use Dragon Rounds consecutively in the same barrel, it'll melt.

Let's see.  Oh, here, you'll like this, especially you Agent Williams.  Is it true you're a vassal to F-fenris?  He seems like he'd be awesome to meet, so long as he, you know, didn't tear your face off.  Not that he'd tear your face off, naturally, but you know what I mean.   This might look like a lipstick tube, but it doesn't go on your lips, well, I guess it could, it's non-toxic...well, mostly non-toxic, and definitely not kosher.  Anyway, twist like usual, then apply beneath the eyes just like warriors and athletes do.  Helps to see ghosts, that which is invisible, or that which does not wish to be seen.  Sounds similar, but not always the same.  It isn't guaranteed to work, but it will help a lot.

That's about it.  Oh! I just want to say how much I've looked forward to actually meeting Cloud Taskforce, and it's an honor to meet all of you.  A-a-agent Levy, I have one more thing for you.  Or whoever you want to carry it.

He opens a silk pouch and removes a small slender jar with a stopper.

Please don't tell Wizard Morgan I gave you this! Try not to let him know you have it, though its use is permitted in these circumstances.  Everyone knows ghosts can possess the living.  What you do is unstopper the bottle, hold it up to the possessed's nose, and it sucks out the unwanted guest.  Left nostril works best.  It almost always works properly, but you might want to check with your buddy before, oh, dumping the trapped spirit.  Once a spirit is in the bottle, you can free them, dump them, or, well, those are the legal options.  The bottle can be used to consume the spirit, but that's highly forbidden, or used to possess someone else, which is usually forbidden. I'm giving it to you because you can use it to depossess yourselves, then just use the bottle to return the spirit to the immaterial plane.

Any questions?  I can get everyone equipped if you want, or explain anything I can.  I might also be able to get special requests, but it needs to be somewhat easy.

I'm inherently a little bit suspicious of strangers bearing gifts, so I look to Sergei and Levy for their input before accepting anything.

<OOC>Sorry, I am getting a bit paranoid lately.  Getting jumped by a 15 year old kid's goon squad in the other game has me a bit crotchety.</OOC>