In reply to Najewa (msg # 121):

  i wasn't referring to you...  i
..i mean nobody reads anymore.   Pickman's books are full of demons, spells, and rituals. 

Note:  Wraith may have read some of his books concerning she is also a horror writer.

"are there copies of the books that where stolen?"

Wraith will try and deduce what the wizard is up to creating and what the scythe has to do with it and possible other uses for it(like destroying the the created)

All the worlds monster of myth,legend and reality:  KS (2 Active Points) 11-
08:43, Today: Wraith rolled 7 using 3d6 ((2,1,4)). made by 4 for +2

Literature (Horror fiction):  KS (2 Active Points) 11-
08:44, Today: Wraith rolled 15 using 3d6 ((5,5,5)).blew it

Secret Socities and Cults:  KS (2 Active Points)
11-08:44, Today: Wraith rolled 10 using 3d6 ((1,6,3)).made it by 1 for +1

Deduction 13-(modified 16-)
08:46, Today: Wraith rolled 14 using 3d6 ((4,4,6)).overall made it by +2

Malleable Man changes, morphing to appear as his idea of a street thug.
"He said he was going to use street thugs, maybe if we find out where he's hiring them we could follow them to his island."
Unfortunately, Malleable Man's idea of a street thug appears to come from the cover of the Vanilla Ice "To The Extreme" album.

Looking around at the others Warhammer checked to see if there was any other threats before approaching the group.

"What was that all about?" He asked

In reply to warhammer (msg # 125):

Wraith. The phrase "the forgotten gods" seems familiar.   (Really bad rolls)

Note:  information may be on a computer.   Google search works wonders.

many of the things that were under lock and key were one of a kind.  I've read all...  i...i need to see what i can salvage

The curator sounds very frightened.

"We are sorry for the damage to your museum, we are only seeking information in an attempt to find the suspect and hopefully return the stolen items back to you." Ginormica tells the curator.

As the others attempt to persuade the curator for any last details that might help in the search, Sentinel steps into the office and regards the open safe.  The Mage has taken his prizes but perhaps something remained related to them.

Anything left in the safe?  List of contents?  Notes?

In reply to Sentinel (msg # 128):

There is nothing useful left in the safe.   The curator says.  i have some of his books in the library section.   They are not as rare as those in the safe.   Hey. I can bring up the lake on my laptop.   Would that be helpful?"

"Yes please, and could you bring us those books"

In reply to Wraith (msg # 130):

He brings out the books.   Most are fictional.     I think these 3 bookd mention that lake. 

He puts 3 books on top of the pile.

Warhammer asked a question,  would anyone like to answer him?

The gorgeous Indian woman turns to Warhammer. "An evil wizard has taken street thugs and gang members, and has transformed them into Demons with his vile magics. He raided this museum for two purposes. The Pickman books from the wall safe, and the scythe I grabbed- it is an evil artifact that can aid and speed the transformations to demon forms. By keeping the scythe from him I have only delayed him in building a Demon army. He has retreated to some island. Hopefully the one listed in these books."

"Personally, I'm still curious as to how he'll collect the street thugs."
"Not that I would ever USE something that could clean the streets of riff raff, SOME of them might be innocent."

"Might check craigslist, I mean could just be advertising a job." Ginormica suggests.

In reply to Justin Pym (msg # 131):

Wraith will read the books as fast as she can if she is under a time limit
any of the book that can be purchased at a reasonable(100$ max apiece) cost she will go and get cash

Warhammer pondered for a moment, "At least you kept him from reaping the full benefits of his plan." the voice behind the mirrored face mask said.  "I have little knowledge of magic but if you can come up with a way to reverse the transformation, I can design a weapon system to help deal with them. Oh, hi, I am called Warhammer." the 7 foot tall chunk of titanium alloy armor said, waving his hand at the group.

"My name is Ginormica, it is a pleasure to meet you. If Demons are biological entities with a proper sample I could examine their biological composition and help provide an analysis of their genetical and biochemical makeup providing insights onto how to harm them," Ginormica tells the newcomer.

The mystic looks the assemblage of heroes over and nods, "I'm Sentinel, magic's right in my wheelhouse.  And guarding against extra-dimensional incursions, like drawing demonic spirits to posses the bodies of street thugs in an attempt to raise an army, is why I was sent back to this dimension."

"So, science types," he looks to Warhammer Ginormica, "magic will laugh at most of the physical laws but the end result won't be much different than your average super power.  The basic elements should still oppose one another - water or cold vs fire, light vs dark, you get the idea.  Just beat on em enough and they'll fold but it'll take longer.  But under all of that is a mystical energy, and we find a way to disrupt or cancel it and hopefully the demons won't be able to remain in this plane.  I might be able to pull that off but I've got to understand the basics of how it was done first."

"You find anything promising I'm those books," he smiles to Wraith, "Let me know."

"When I hit Runt's mind I could tell he had a mental link with the mage.  Can't be certain if the mage is pushing some control over each of his soldiers or not.  Any opportunity to disrupt that link could be important."

"Likewise when Runt hit me, bloody Hell, that gorilla's strong.  I can't go toe-to-toe with that one.  He might deserve a double-team.  We've seen his lieutenants, we need to pick our dance partners and have a bit of a plan how we're going to handle each."

"Snake Island - sounds like a good bet this is where they're headed.  That means walking on to their home turf.  This'll be a lot tougher than what we just went through and longer we take to get there the bigger his army will be when we arrive."

"So I'd like 5 minutes to examine the sickle, see if I can determine how the mage planned to use it, see if it hints at any vulnerabilities in his ritual.  Then we should be on our way."

"What do you say?"

Spend extra time using mystic sight on sickle to try to determine how it could be used to summon demons to this plane - how such an approach could be disrupted.

22:27, Today: Sentinel rolled 9 (with 2 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Detect Magic: Detect A Class Of Things 13- (Sight Group)  0
-by 4

22:19, Today: Sentinel rolled 15 (with 5 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Power:  Magic 13-.
- failed by 2, hopefully the extra time provided some bonus, plus anything Wraith can add
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Thu 06 Aug 2020.

Malleable Man looks at those that have introduced themselves, and says, "I may be out of my league, sort of. The only thing I know much about is the shop floor. But I'm flexible... no, wait, that wasn't meant to be pun. I control my body and can change it. But, I'm in."
"Whatever happens, I can't have an army of demons stalking the streets. Too many lives are important to me... wait, I mean..."
"Ah, I got it. 'I've left too many hostages to fortune to allow fortune to progress unchecked' is what I should've said."
He looks around, again, as if embarrassed at having spoke. "Just call me Mal. It'll be easier."

Najewa rounds out the introductions as the spirit energies depart, leaving her a normal (mostly) human in peak physical form. "And I am Najewa, the Spirit Warrior. My knowledge of Magic is minimal, only the rituals of my people. I shall be glad to watch you, Sentinel." She hands him the scythe, glad to release the evil artifact. She studies what he does, trying to hone her nascent abilities.

In reply to Najewa (msg # 140):

Wraith:  reading the books do mention the lake and 1 mentions the island.   The description of the demons sends goosebumps up the arm.

Sentinel and Najewa:  the scythe,  when used with incantations (and gestures) across the ground like a real scythe can open a dimensional portal between worlds.

Najewa:  this is starting to sound a lot like a ritual from the native American past.  Nervous Elk may actually know more

Warhammer and Ginormica:  without someone to examine. You are out of luck.  But. In observation,  all of the demons that attacked you were humans at one time.   Dome still wearing their "colors"  This includes the Wizard.   So. Basically they are street thugs with demonic powers.  A dangerous combination.

Malleable man.... um, you help take down the burt items.  The curator asks you.     are they taking that scythe soon?  Ever since that woman picked it up,  I've had a bad feeling. 

11 p.m.

In reply to Justin Pym (msg # 141):

Almost forgot.   The scythe is from a native American tribe... Najewa's to be exact.

Malleable Man's jaw drops, reaching the bottom of his sternum before he catches it with his left hand and pushes it back up to his face. "I hope they won't be taking it at all! Excuse me, I have to go ask some questions."
The articles in his hands are carefully set down, and Mal runs to find Sentinel or Najewa or anyone that might listen. As is usual, he doesn't hesitate in speaking but blurts out as soon as he finds one of them, "hey, I was wondering where we were going to secure that staff. It needs to be locked up tightly, and not carried onto the island that's possible the lair of the evil magician who's itching to get his hands on the staff in the first place."
"I may not be one of the big brains, here, but I recognize by-product synergy when I see it. That wizard guy probably only mentioned the island so we would go there with the staff, allowing him to set up an ambush and get a second shot at getting what he wants."

Najewa shakes her head. "I would not be so foolish. No, I will consult Nervous Elk, my tribe's shaman. If any know of how to lock this thing away from mortal hands, it would be he."

Warhammer looked closer at the Scythe. "Excuse me, can you turn it over." he asked as he examined it closely but not touching it.

20:15, Today: warhammer rolled 5 (with 1 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  examine scythe Metallurgy 14-. Made the check by 9

In reply to warhammer (msg # 145):

(Warhammer are you looking for something specific?)