Kokoro, Kyle, Robert, and Xhiva:

It is approximately 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 17th.  Unless you chose to put in overtime today at Presidio, the large mixed convention construct located in Albuquerque, New Mexico where you all work, you have been off duty for several hours.

You each receive the following message on your preferred work device, “Code Red.  There has been a level 4 breach in the space time continuum in a residential area of Mendocino, California.  Breach appears to have occurred near the cross streets of Williams Street and Little Lake Street.  You are tasked to contain the situation, investigate, and prepare a report indicating exactly what happened, why, and how the situation can be prevented from reoccurring. The jet is being prepared and will take off at 2200 hours.  You will be meeting a potential new recruit, Bernard Hathaway, at the airport in Santa Rosa and driving to Mendocino.  He will be assisting in the investigation.”

Xhiva receives an additional message notifying him that his trainee, Ashley Collins will be accompanying the group on this mission.


Bernard

It is approximately 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 17th.

You receive the following message from Kiki Roswell:

“There has been a level 4 breach in the space time continuum in a residential area of Mendocino, California.  The Presido Construct is sending in a team to investigate and handle the situation.  Please meet them at the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport at 11:00 pm.  Rental cars have already been arranged for the drive to Mendocino.  This is your chance to see if you work well with the team and if you would be interested in becoming part of the Presido construct.  I’ve called in a few favors to get you this opportunity.  Don’t disappoint me.”

Bernard, if you watched the news tonight, you are aware that there is a very nasty storm that was supposed to hit Mendocino California and the surrounding areas tonight.  The forecast was for high winds and heavy rain including possible flooding.


OOC:  This is your chance to introduce your character to the group.  Please indicate what he or she was doing when they received the message, their reaction, and any special preparations or research they are doing prior to boarding the jet.   If you would like for me to provide you with the information privately at any point so that you can choose what to share with the group and how, just let me know.

A level 4 breach indicates either a moderate continuing disruption in space/time over a relatively large area or a significant continuing disruption in space/time occurring over a relatively small area.  The only higher level is 5 a significant continuing disruption in space/time occurring over a relatively large area.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:41, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):



Robert and Rose are currently in the mansion of a very VERY rich man doing some robbing:

As Robert is working in cracking a safe open he hears the voice of his familiar on his shoulder “How much longer is this going to take you and what’s in the safe that’s so damned important? We only have about another hour before Mr Hanson gets back from his office” Without pausing in his work he replies to his closest friend “Do you want the alarms to go off? I’ve almost got it in answer to your first question and as to the second, I’m after the Fabergé egg that the asshole who lives here just paid a few million for and has stashed inside here.” “A FEW MILLION!?” Her tiny voice yells out in his mind, “DAMN! We’re going to be rich, do you know how many grapes were going to get for that kind of cash?” “None, we’re not stealing it to sell, this is a retrieval job for a family that this egg was originally stolen from during the war, and also it’s a bit of payback since this is the same guy that used his influence to try and get the vote passed to have the park closed so he can build his factory”.  Rose tilts her head to the side “So stealing and returning the egg is your revenge on him? Sure he will be pissed but his insurance will cover the loss, seems a bit light on the revenge part of you ask me” she replies in a disappointed tone. “The stealing part is the job, the revenge part is already in the works. He has an important board meeting first thing in the morning with his backers from what I’ve learned and well, it seems poor Mr Hanson suffers from sever allergies and has to take medication for it every morning. So I replaced his meds with something else entirely and the effects of the new pills should kick in sometime during the meeting with his share holders”. The safe lock clicks and the door swings open revealing the jeweled egg inside, Robert takes the egg and places it in a pouch which he pockets. “Ok we got what we came for, let’s get out of here” just as he finishes his statement his phone vibrates in his pocket, drawing his attention. He looks at his phone and reads on the screen “CODE RED, level 4 breach in place. Report to Presidio ASAP.” Robert curses under his breath “well guess we’re not getting any sleep tonight”.

Roughly 20 minutes latter Rose inquires absently while munching on an apple slice on the drive back to work “By the way, what did you put in Hanson’s new meds?” “A combination of speed, acid and viagra.”  I reply. Rose stops in mid bite and looks shocked, “sick, that’s just sick Robert.”   (Not enough drugs to kill the guy, just enough to make for a SERIOUSLY awkward/embarrassing situation)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

Bernard raised his eyebrow at Agent Roswell’s text message. He annoyingly typed the response “You cleaned out the entire fridge. I had 4 meals ready, and you ate and drank everything!” He didn’t hit send yet. The realization and his nerves began to act up, this was his first real assignment since he learned of the true world around him, and this was a doozy too. His thoughts returned to that brutal vampire that nearly killed him. He needed a smoke. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at his empty fridge again...still empty, only the baking soda was left. Feeling his annoyance rise again at his mentor/handler, he clicked on send without another thought. It took only a few moments before a reply was sent back.

“:p Come on, you knew I was hungry. Think of it doing little ol’ me another favor. I did save your life after all.”

Another beep.

“You got this, right? You’ve been wanting your chance to do some good, and this is it. It’s a lot bigger than what I had in mind for you, but this group I’m sticking you in would be a great fit if it all works out. I believe in you, Darling~”

Bernard’s nerves were acting up again, his right foot wouldn’t stop bouncing, and he really needed that smoke. He stilled himself for a moment before typing back “Yeah, I got this. I think I’m ready. Also please stop calling me that. It stopped being funny after the first 2 dozen times.”

Send

“Please send over the Presido Construct info and the dossier. I’ve got calls to make.”

Send

Beep

“You got it Darling~ email with dossier attached should be coming in to you shortly. You’ll leave me a meal in the fridge after you leave, won’t you???”

Bernard slammed the empty fridge closed before walking into his small home office. He opened the window, letting the cool March air into the apartment, before lighting up a cigarette. He accessed NWO services about arranging transport to Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport...thank god, they’ll fly him out there. Sure, he could have made the six hour drive from LA to Santa Rosa, he’s been driving all over the state lately, but driving well into the dead of night afterwards, that would have been pushing it. Doable, but pushing it. Economy? Fine, he’ll take it. It won’t even be a 2 hour flight. Alright, booked.

Next was contacting Mendocino’s Sheriff, to confirm and let know about him and the Presido Construct’s arrival, and to clear up as much red tape as possible. The smoother the transition, the better this will all be. No stupid mistakes, not during his first rodeo. Locating the contact info, he rang up the Sheriff's office.

A harried sounding female voice answered, “Mendincio Sheriff’s Office, Clara speaking, how may I help you?”

"Good evening, the is Federal Agent Hathaway with FBI's Special Division. I'm calling in regards of the recent anomaly that's occurred in your area, can you please put the Sheriff on the line?"

It sounds as though Clara had put her hand over the phone, but you can still hear her easily enough as she calls out, “Hey Chet?  CHET!  I’ve got some FBI agent on the phone wanting to talk to you about some sort of anomaly.”

“Hello, this is Sheriff Chet Powell.  Officer Fellman said you wanted to talk to me about some sort of anomaly?”

"A pleasure to speak with you Sheriff. My department specializes in unique events and anomalies, tell me, have you or your men and women noticed anything odd around town lately? I'd like you to tell me in as much detail as possible of any occurrence."

You can almost hear a frown in Sheriff Powell’s voice as he says, “Could you please provide me your credentials?”

"My credentials? Yes, one moment. Expect a fax in just a moment." Faxes sent. "You should be receiving them now. Let me know once you have at it."

His tone is a bit friendlier but still gruff as he says, “Okay, it looks like you’re legit.  But I have no idea what you are talking about.  Does this have something to do with the Wish Upon A Star! embezzlement case?  Was there some sort of issue with the paperwork or something?”

"While the scandal is definitely something of an interest to us, they may play as only a small factor to a newly separate investigation. So are you saying you...haven't noticed anything unusual in your area? Nothing out of the ordinary? Hmmm. Our sources indicate we have abnormal activity occurring in the residential area of your town. The matter of these activities are meant to be classified unless they're absolutely needed to be disclosed, so I cannot divulge the exact nature of the matter. Usually there are noticeable signs of such events, and our sources have never been wrong yet. These signs are usually crucial in bringing matters to a close, so please warn your men and women to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. As we are speaking, we're having a small response team to assembled and prepped to arrive in Mendocino, myself included. We're due to arrive between 1-3 AM depending on inclement weather. Please bare in mind that desecration is to be maintained."

“You mean other than this god damned storm?  Sorry, forgive my French.” The Sheriff continued, “No, nothing that I can see the FBI being interested in. The diver’s death was clearly an accident. Several people drown each year looking for abalone. The two missing hikers were found. They just managed to get themselves turned around. Obviously, you don’t care that a bear got into the Harker’s house and damaged their kitchen. And you are even less likely to care about the possible dog-nappings. So, no, I think your sources are probably confused. But, anyhow, I need to get back to filling sandbags and helping the O’Malleys board up their windows. You and your team are welcome to take a look around, but be careful on the drive in. The storm is supposed to be really bad by that point.”

"I see, well, thank you for the info, and we'll be careful on the way in. As you can imagine, we will still be coming in to follow protocol. You and your boys and girls be safe now, too."

Bernard cracked his neck after hanging up the phone. He thought about getting a hold of mayor's office, but it appears that nothing major has happened...yet. No need to tangle more sleepers into this mess, especially those damn politicians. They'll only make the investigation more difficult than it needs to be. They can cross the bridge when the time comes.

Bernard swivel in his chair as his thoughts went to the Presido Construct. Agent Roswell, Kiki has really high hopes for him. In the two months he’s known her, she’s taken a great deal of interest and time to take care of him. She must obviously see something in him worthwhile. ‘I wonder what she sees in them, too?’ He decided that whoever he’s meeting on the team, he’s gonna get on the right foot with them.

He reached over and grabbed his phone before getting their info and dialed them...line’s busy. Of course it would be busy. He tried again and it was still busy. Putting down the phone, he hummed to himself. He can only hope for the best and expect the worse. To play things on the safe side, he'll be sure to get everyone extra coats, umbrellas, hot drinks and food when they touchdown in Santa Rosa. Coffee or tea? Obviously he'll get a bit of everything. He now needs to start packing to leave.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

     Going to the week long Paranormal and U.F.O. Convention of Albuquerque or P.U.C.A (Poo-Ka) was a mistake. It was great at first being able to walk around the place like i was somebody special instead of someone who just didn't fit in with the union, with there stupid suits and mirror shades. It was surprising to see that i could still pull a crowd after being out of the spotlight for so long. I mean i was never an A-lister, but its good to see i'm still a bit relevant. The girls though, they would not leave me alone, some of the guys too. Even the talent handler the Con assigned to me tried to corner me in my hotel room. Goth girls don't know how to take no for an answer. So much melodrama.

      I just had to finish this one last panel and i could leave. It was a Medium reading for the crowd. I hated these. The first three rows were nothing but fan girls in gothic lolita dresses. There were ghost and spirits everywhere. You have to be careful doing this kind of thing. Paying attention to, much less communicating with them gave them power and made them more real. I tried to pick out just the nice looking ones, peoples siblings and grandparents that were just a little too protective to let it go and pass over. I called upon a couple of significant others, but you gotta be careful with those because you never really know why they're sticking around. A little brush of the livings minds can help you avoid calling on anyone to crazy. The audience was so primed i didn't even need the chip adhered behind my ear that amplifies my power (focus). After about an hour of that the program director switched to a Q/A type format. As i scanned the crowd to pick the next question i noticed a hole in the center that the spirits stayed away from. Wierd. I squinted a little to see what was going on and... Shit! Bianca was here! I quickly pointed randomly into the crowd, "you there, whats your question" i said, not even looking. Bianca was like the Queen of all fan girls, really creative. She used to pretend she was a vampire but i knew first hand that she had a heartbeat if you know what i mean. Then she got super clingy and i had to cut her loose. She was crazier then i was.

       "so um yeah, how come you never showed these um so called" and he even made finger quotes "Psychic Medium Abilities" what a dick "on the show. That stuffs not real, I've watched the Mentalist and uh, is the last episode real it looks fake" The troll stammered. All the fan girls shot him daggers. Which is dangerous because most of them tended to carry blades of some kind or another. "The guys didn't want to take the show in that direction" i said touching my forhead. I thought i saw something move in the corner of my eye but when i looked nothing was there. "and thanks for reminding me of that."i Snapped at him. "Yes the video is fake, the building was old and in disrepair, it collapsed, we should have known better." The troll just stood there staring at me, drool sliding down onto his shirt. "Moving along, Next question." i said, bouncing back to put on a more cheerful face. I pointed to a happy looking fan girl reaching her hand so high she almost levitated out of her seat, "you there." The girl jumped out of her seat and ran over to the microphone. She pushed the troll out of the way and he stumbled into an empty chair and slouched down. "Like um, is it true that your totally using your Psychic abilities to like help the cops and like FBI and government guys solve murders and stuff. That's so Shwifty" she positively beamed with excitement. "Um Yeah, something like that, i do what i can"

      As if on cue my phone went off with the bad boys ring tone, "speaking of, thats those government guys right now" i accentuated checking my phone, thats right guys, im an actor too and... Shit! "uh yeah, i gotta go. Theres Ghost Bros merch in the back." I said leaving the room to a stunned crowd. Then i peaked my head back in threw up some devil horns and shouted "Love you P.U.C.A., i gotta go, have a great time and goodnight!"

      Somewhere in the middle of the crowd a girl squealed "He called me Pooka, i love you too Kyle"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:33, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

“Well, that should just about do it then.”

Akari yanked herself out from under a wide, futuristic style armored custom Humvee as the vehicle rolled itself down from the ramps back onto the garage floor. She wiped sweat from her forehead leaving a black smear of grease instead. “You have a hybrid powertrain that can push out a combined 2000 horses…..and you strain yourself driving down a country road.”

If a vehicle could look embarrassed, it did. “….that pothole was enormous.”

“Stop downshifting to brake. If you idle too fast and throw yourself into too low a gear you risk wearing out your transmission prematurely.” Akari stood up to stretch but frowned at the truck.

“Oh, leave the poor AI alone.” A second voice from nowhere sprang up. “You know you don’t mind working on it.”

She turned towards the partially reconstructed cyborg laying on a table nearby. “I’d rather be working on you, Ryuichi.” She fussed. “I still have a LONG way to go before your body is going to be ready for you, husband.”

“I know.” He answered, pausing a moment. “Although I do wish you’d put down the tools and go out every once in a while.”

“Go out?” She repeated, heading over to her workbench and picking up new tools and a project. “Go out….where the people are?” Akari glanced up briefly at the holographic figure now sitting backward in her desk chair. “Why so ever for?”

Her husband smiled and chuckled a bit sadly. “You’re always alone.” He said, his voice dropping, “…you used to be so outgoing. So...social.”

She stopped and put down the tool, biting on her lower lip a moment, clearly awash in painful memories. Then looking up with a smile, “I’ve got two amazing guys right here to keep me company. I’m never alone.”

Ryuichi’s eyebrows furrowed and he frowned. He knew when she was hurting. He opened his holographic mouth to say just that but then, “You have an incoming message from Kiki Roswell.”

Oh, the boss. She listened to the message, “I’m on my way…but uh.” She said pausing before she hung up. “I’m not using a rental car, I’ll never hear the end of it….”

It only took about 15 minutes for her to throw some clothes in a bag, throw that bag in her truck, and gather her tools and put the MarkIV back into its place in the trunk. She had her computer, her foci, and her glasses. It was all she needed.

Within the hour she was at the airport, standing on the parking apron looking up at the company jet as IVAN was being pushed into the cargo area underneath. She turned down the volume on her two-way and popped in her AirPods to drown out IVAN’s never-ending stream of complaints coming over the comm line.

“Cheer up beloved.” Said a voice in her ear. “Now you get to go out and ‘people’ for a while.”

If she could have glared at her husband she would have. Instead, she headed over to board the aircraft.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

Upon arriving at the airport and getting checked through security, Robert makes his way to the private jet that the team will be flying on. Walking towards the jet to board on he sees the team milling about and notices Akari watching the crew load an impressive looking custom Humvee onto a transport plane, a truck that would make Batman himself jealous of. With a tone of dead seriousness “ Rose, I will say this once and only once so you better listen carefully ok? When and if at anytime we are in Akari‘a truck, you will ride either on my shoulder or in your pouch at ALL times got it?” Robert shivers at the memory of the last time they rode in that truck, “And why is that?” Rose inquires’ “ her truck is much nicer than that old beetle you drive around, and it’s so much cooler”. “HEY!” I exclaim, “I love my beetle, it’s a classic, and I’m saying this because the last time we rode in her truck you put tiny claw holes in the seats” I start counting off on my fingers, “first I hade to pay a fortune for the repairs to the seat, it’s a custom job damnit, second she was so pissed at me that she made me wear a damned tutu and sing I’m a little teapot as revenge for that damage that YOU caused, it’s a blessing that videos and paperwork on me tend to disappear thankfully (cloaking background), and third, she’s a freaking hacker Rose, for weeks she was turning the heat up and down in our house, couldn’t get a decent nights sleep all that time so NO SITTING ON THE TRUCK SEATS!”
With a disappointed sigh from Rose “Fine!  But there better be grapes on this flight damnit”

   While waiting for the rest of the group to show up i worked with Akari on designs for protective outfits for everyone. She did all the hard work i just helped add a little flair. I could tell that she was a little down in the dumps so i was playfully flirting with her the way i do with my fans. Not enoph to make anyone think theres anything going on, but enoph to make them feel special. I even saw the corner of her mouth turn up into a little smile. That was a lot for her lately. Don't get me wrong, shes cute and all, but she was a long way from being ready for anything like a real relationship. You dont even gotta be psychic to figure that one out.

    "...He said you gotta go out and people?" i said with a chuckle. "well he's right. Luckily for you i'm a pro at people-ing. Why im the best People-er around. I'll teach you how i do it and nobody will be able to tell we're not normal." That got a snort out of her. "See its working already"

    She was still talking to her dead hubby, which was a little upsetting. So long as she kept paying him attention he would always be trapped, unable to move into the next frequency. Alas who was i to argue with love. She definitely had some co-dependency issues she needed to work on though.

    Suddenly i felt that sensation that deer get when a mountain lion sneaks up on them. A massively powerful predator had just entered the scene. I turned around and saw the thing. Its deadly Maw dripping read from its most recent meal. I literally hid behind Akari cowering. I pointed at it and yelled to alert everyone in the bay, "Demon! get it out! get it out! get it out!"

     The sugar glider on Roberts shoulder looked cute and innocent holding its little strawberry, but I had seen the truth of the enormously powerful entity that it truly was. "I told you to get rid of that thing Robert. Its just biding its time till we're weak, then it'll devour all of our souls". The little sugar glider cocked her head to the side and made a questioning sound. Then took a huge bite of the strawberry, red juice running down her mouth, and chewed in exaggerated motions. I shivered.

In reply to Sheriff Chet Powell (msg # 6):

I rolled a 10, 6, and 2. If the target is 6, I have two successes.

There was a fairly lengthy segment on the news last night about the Wish Upon a Star! Embezzlers.

Prosecutors have filed a 200 page indictment against the Wish Upon a Star! Foundation, a charity that claimed to sell stars and planets to donors with the promise of sharing the profits with cancer researchers.  The owners of that "charity," Bill and Georgia Hayes, are accused of embezzling that money and fleeing the country.  Not a dime of the $5 million went to cancer research.

Wish Upon a Star's social media campaign involved giving people who donated to the foundation the "deed" to a star or planet, which they were able to share on their Facebook profiles.  Donors were told they could own their own star, which they could use to wish for a cancer free future.  This generated publicity for the scam, allowing them to fleece more people out of money.

Federal law enforcement believes Bill and Georgia Hayes transferred their money into an overseas bank account before fleeing the country.  An international manhunt is on for the couple.  There are very few leads, but a picture was posted yesterday to Bill Hayes' Instagram account showing the reputed conman in what appears to be a new speedboat.  He's shown making a rude gesture at the camera, a possible insult to the federal investigators who are looking for him.

"Powering On! on a permanent vacation!" the Instagram message reads.  "Try and find me, (expletive)."

In addition to the speedboat, the couple are believed to have purchased homes, cars, gym equipment, and several all-expenses-paid vacations to a health spa called Portals Bermuda.

From what you have been told by Agent Roswell, it is highly unlikely that the Technocracy would be interested in this type of situation. It certainly would not be a class 4 alert.

Instead of laughing at the his reaction and outburst, I opt for a small sigh instead, "Shes not a demon Kyle, shes a spirit familiar. I really do think you've seen one too many demon possession films, if I were you id worry more about all those goth girls running after you trying to take your soul. The way they're after you I wouldn't be surprised if you vanished one day only to later be found chained up in one of their basements" I reply with a laugh. "As for you Rose" I look pointedly at her as she slowly and methodically eats her strawberry, "Please stop antagonizing him, we're all on the same team and are supposed to be getting along and your tormenting him doesn't help." (telepathically I send to Rose "you do of course get extra munchies for that later on though, it was actually comical but I do have to make the appearance of keeping peace lol")

Xhiva “Resurgence” Gopala and Ashley Collins are chatting with each other as they arrive at the jet.  Xhiva has been a member of your team for a while now and you are all aware that Ashley is his new trainee.  He was showing her around the facility just a few days ago and likely introduced her to each of you at various points.  Both are carrying a small suitcase and wearing raincoats.  Ashely is also carrying an umbrella.

They set their luggage with the other items to be loaded on the plane and everyone begins to board.  Ashley glances around as she does so, wondering why the baggage handlers are whispering comments to each other and staring a bit at the party.

The jet is similar to the one that was used on the Criminal Minds TV series.  Comfortable seats arranged in a way that makes it easy to talk with the other members of the team.  Enough room to hold a dozen people easily.  Actual tables where you can set a laptop or papers.  A small fridge with an assortment of drinks and snacks.  And a reasonably comfortable bathroom.

After greeting the other members of the team, Xhiva moved to a seat that was a bit away from the rest of the group and pulled out his laptop.  “I’m sorry,” he said to the others, “But I have a report that I simply must complete tonight.  If I focus on it during the ride to the site, I should be able to give all of you my full attention once I am there.  Ashley, why don’t you use this as a chance to get to know everyone else.”  Then, after putting on a set of noise cancelling headphones, he began typing.


OCC:  Posted on Xhiva's behalf by the GM with his permission.

Looking just a bit nervous and rather stiff, Ashley takes a seat next to the person who appears to be the least intimidating -- Kyle.  “Good evening Mr. Moskowits.”  In an attempt to make a good first impression, she continues, “I was reviewing the current edition of the Mendocino Mercury before I left for the airport.  Do you believe that the article that was titled “Lights in the Sky” might be related to the reason why we are being sent to Mendocino?”


OCC:  Ashley is sitting close enough to the other individuals on the jet, that they can easily hear the conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

After getting seated on the plane I look over at Akari "Question for you Akari, realize its not top priority with what were heading to this evening but whenever you get some free time could I trouble you for a favor? Being that info gathering via computers and other means are more your forte and not mine, would you mind looking into the Wish Upon a Star fundraiser? Specifically any possible clues as to where Mr. and Mrs Hayes could be tracked to? Fleecing all those people the way that they did gets my nerves on edge and I feel a reckoning coming their way."

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

"Thank you Kyle-kun, your American-style buffoonery is very entertaining," she said then jumped a little as he hid behind her screeching. She looked around, towards what he was pointing at.

She expected to see nothing. What she saw, she couldn't understand. "Sore nan desu ka?" She stepped back, her eyes wide then reached up to rub them. She MUST be seeing things. When she opened them again, whatever that was that she had seen, had vanished. Also, judging by Robert's reaction there was nothing to be concerned about.

More of Kyle-kun's buffoonery. She rolled her eyes and boarded the plane. She headed straight to the back row, last seat against the window, put both her feet into the seat, her knees to her chest, hiked up her hoodie, and stared at everyone boarding.

She hadn't brought much on board as the bulk of her things were still in IVAN. As Xhiva popped open his computer she glanced down at her wrist-worn computer and her keyboard flashed briefly, outlined in lines of light in front of her. Then just as quickly blinked away.

Nah...too much work. Maybe there's a movie on this flight...

It was then she realized Robert was speaking to her. "Huh? Oh.....Wish upon a Star foundation. Sure." Her keyboard flashed up again and she started first looking into this foundation.

On her initial search, Akari discovers the information that Bernard remembered from the news report along with additional details.

Bill and Georgia Hayes, a childless couple in their 30s, defrauded approximately 50,000 donors out of a total of $5 million.  They did this by claiming to sell the “deeds” to stars and planets to the donors with the promise that the profits would be shared with cancer researchers.

According to Cheri Black of the FTC when commenting on the case: “You can’t buy stars, solar systems, galaxies, comets, or black holes.  No one is authorized to sell those.  Any deeds you get from such deals are not legally binding.”

The Wish Upon a Star Foundation would sell donors the deed to various celestial bodies, the type of which was determined by the size of the donation which ranged from planets at the low end ($50) up to galaxies ($10,000).  The deeds were designed in such a way that users could share them on their Facebook pages and each donor was given a vague set of coordinates so they could find it with a telescope.  The campaign went viral especially among some of the older communities on Facebook and brought in a large number of donors, especially on the lower end.

Ultimately investigators determined that the “charity” was an embezzlement scheme.  None of the money ever went to cancer research.  A 200-page indictment has been filed against the Wish Upon a Star! Foundation.

You are able to confirm that over the last few years Bill and Georgia Hayes had purchased several homes in California, two luxury sports cars, gym equipment, high end jewelry, a speedboat and, multiple all-expense-paid vacations to a health spa called Portals Bermuda.

Interestingly, there is a rather lengthy editorial in the Mendocino Mercury relating to this issue and calling for the investigation of Positive Mechanics.  Apparently, Bill and Georgia Hayes were very involved with this “self-help” religion.  They attended three weekend seminars ($6,750).  Georgia Hayes purchased weekly “Zone of Influence Realignments” lead by the founder of Positive Mechanics “Master” Lucius Selig ($25,000) and Bill Hayes made a very large one-time donation to the “church.”  The health spa known as Portals Bermuda used to be owned by “Master” Lucius Selig (who lives in Mendocino).  The “Powering On!” reference in the Instagram message that they posted yesterday is actually a reference to one of the slogans of Positive Mechanics.

Apparently, investigators have determined that Lucius Selig was not directly involved in the embezzlement scheme, however, since he was not included in the indictment.  And while Positive Mechanics appears to have been popular for a while, it seems to effectively be out of business at this point.  Portals Bahama has been shut down and while Lucius Selig still regularly posts to the Positive Mechanics website and is apparently trying to sell a book, he no longer seems to have many followers.

Federal law enforcement believe that Bill and Georgia Hayes transferred their money into an overseas bank account and have fled the country.  While an international manhunt is on for the couple, currently they are not certain which country they fled to.

OCC:  Determining which bank they transferred their money to or determining what fake name they used when they purchased their tickets and what country they flew to would require a hacking roll.  Since Federal law enforcement hasn’t had much luck finding them, they clearly hid their tracks well.  So the difficulty will be an 8 before any bonuses are applied.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:01, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 20):

Akari peruses the interweb a bit, reading up casually on these Bill and Georgia Hayes. They certainly stole a lot of money, and did a pretty good job of hiding their tracks from some of the most talented skip-tracers federal law enforcement had to offer.

But Akari wasn't one of the most talented. She was the best.

She quickly built a profile of the two Hayes and their closest friends. She pulled a few key pictures using steganography, and cross-referenced some facebook friends and likes. Digging....

Today: Akari rolled 10 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 3, rerolling 10s ((8,8,10(+9),4,4,1,9,10(+4),6,8))

She smiled a bit to herself as her fingers flew over the light-created keyboard. Glancing up through her VR goggles at Ryuichi who was leaning over the seat in front of her. "Remember how much you hated flying?"

"Ugh. At least I can't puke on you....again. By the way IVAN says to turn your radio back up."

Akari shook her head. "Is he still complaining?"

The specter chuckled. "He is still complaining."

Akari sighed and turned down her radio even more.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

Bill and Georgia Hayes, or rather the person who they hired to help them hide their tracks, may have been good but Akari is much, much better.  Of course, it certainly didn’t hurt that Bill was foolish enough to post that picture to Instagram yesterday.  It gave Akari a very useful place to start.  And, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time that gloating got someone in trouble.

As Akari dug through the records, she found several traces that indicate that the Hayes probably hired Liberation, a hacker whose work she had seen before, to create their new identities and help them get themselves and their money out of the country.  That gave her yet more clues to work with.  After all, each hacker has preferences and quirks.  Knowing who did something helps make it easier to guess how they would have done it.

Before long she found her answer. Bill and Georgia Hayes are currently going by the names Thomas and Virginia Madison.  The flight pattern they took when they left the country was clearly meant to hinder pursuit including disembarking in France, remaining there for a day, and then driving to an airport in Spain to board their next flight.  But their ultimate destination was Herceg Novi, Montenegro.  Montenegro is a small country in Southeast Europe located on the Adriatic coast of the Balkins.   It does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.  Herceq Novi is a coastal city and quite possibly where the picture of Bill in the speedboat was taken. According to their credit card records they are staying in the Lazure Hotel, room 14.

Their money was transferred to the Erste Bank in Herceg Novi.  Akari was able to find their account number.  It appears as though they have already spent more than half of the $5 million.  Liberation does not come cheap.  Houses, sports cars, speedboats, jewelry, and other luxuries are expensive as well.  For some people, $2 million would be sufficient for a permanent vacation.  But with the way that the Hayes have been spending their money, Akari doubts it will last more than 5 years.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:31, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

Laying back to try and catch up on some semblance of sleep I peek through dark colored lenses to make sure Rose wasn't getting into any trouble which tends to be a full time job most days, she may appear to be a sweet innocent tiny furball that could easily fit in the palm of your hand but she's a powerful familiar who could rend steel to shreds if need be. At the moment she was merrily hopping from seat to seat and flying about the cabin, luckily this being a privet jet, it wasn't much of an issue. "Do try and behave please Rose, the newbie is looking nervous as it stands and if you freak out Kyle any more than you do already his nerves are liable to snap from the tension" I tell her through her telepathy with a chuckle. "Moi? Sweet harmless innocent little ol me? would I do anything of the sort?" she asks in an obvious mischievous tone. "Yes actually, yes you would" I reply back to her, please at least try and keep the trickery to a minimum while on flight lol" and as the hostess starts to bring out some snacks and food, I watch Rose start heading towards Kyle and Ashley as they're in their conversation, with a sigh I lean back and close my eyes and do my best to ignore the incoming yelp that's probably about to happen. I hear Rose's tiny form plop down on the armrest of Ashley seat and hear her ask in an innocent tone "you going to eat that fruit?" at least she asked the question telepathically, small favors there i guess, last thing i need is for the stewardess to get freaked out by a talking sugar glider.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 22):

It didn't take too long. Probably just long enough for Robert to enter REM sleep. Akari bit into the apple the stewardess had brought her and as she did, glanced up to see Rose staring at her with giant eyes.

Hungry eyes. Akari maintained eye contact with her as she bit into the apple again, making sure to crunch loudly. As she did, she used her magic to reach into Robert's pack. Surely he brought some grapes for Rose.

She grabbed onto the first thing she felt and pulled it to her. Hmm...nope tools. She put it back and reached a different direction pulling something else out. It was a small pill bottle. Viagra? oh kaaay, my lips are sealed on that one. She put it back and on the third try found a small baggie with some grapes. Daiseikou!!

During the minute it took her to find the grapes she continued to nibble on the While searching she continued to nibble the apple taunting Rose. She couldn't tell if Rose was sad or pissed, but before the glider could do anything she held out a small cluster of grapes. (arete: 1 success)

The change was immediate and the glider grabbed the cluster and jumped back down, across Kyle, and onto the face of the sleeping Robert, who grunted.

Unsure if Robert was awake or not, Akari said to the air, loud enough for anyone else to hear as well. "Hey Robert, Bill, and Georgia Hayes are in room 14 of the Lazure Hotel, under the names Thomas and Virginia Madison." There is a pause, "Using the hotel CC system, she's currently sitting on the beach sipping what appears to be a.....Mai Tai? maybe? In a ..." she squinted at the slightly pixelated image, "..red bikini? Really??" She mumbles with a huff. "She's much too old for that...geez she's in her 30's!"

"Anyway, only about 2.5 mil. left of that money. Let me know what you want me to do."

She pulls out of the systems and goes back to playing a video game. Ryuichi, sitting in the seat next to her glances over. "You have a 20,000 dollar bleeding-edge rig....and you use it to play Minecraft with IVAN."

She shrugs, "It's his favorite, and brace your ears...I'm about to kill him and take all his diamond ore."

The electronic shriek that came next was over Akari's comm. and luckily (probably) unheard by everyone in the cabin. Ryuichi winced and pixelated out of existence and Akari responded with her best villain laugh to date.

OOC: The scream came from a spirit, so if you have enough spirit or mind, you probably heard it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

  "you know i think the pretty red head is on to something" i said praisingly. "Don't get me wrong, stealing from charity is a dick move. But its not exactly our forte now is it. Now mysterious lights in the sky, that's like the beginning of a sci-fi movie. I totally think that... Ack!!" I startled and ducked as rose ran over me to get to the grapes.

   Its not my fault. That thing is a vicious spiritual predator that can rip a man limb from limb and she was coming right for me. Plus Akiri did it on purpose. She knew there was a direct line between Robert and her with me right in the middle. She was probably just upset with me flirting with the redhead. I had to duck again when it ran back over to Robert. This time i didn't scream out.

   I kept an eye on the beast till it settled down in its victims lap. he barely stirred. Then just 's i was about to relax i heard a deafening scream. Startled i shouted out again, "AH.. Who,s that screaming. someones in the back is being injured... badly." Then the Evil laugh bubbled out of the innocent looking tech girl.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

"Oof" I exclaim as Rose lands on my face "did you really need to land on my face Rose?" "Ummmmm.....you do realize who your talking to right Robert? where else would I land?" Raising my eyebrow at my own stupid question, of course she would land on my face as i was falling asleep, its her nature lol, shortly after I hear Akari start rattling off the information she found on the newly named Mr and Mrs Madison, their status and their new location. a low whistle "As always, I'm impressed Akari, not even halfway through the flight, in less than an hour you were able to get info that FBI teams have been failing to get for weeks, maybe they should change the I in their name from inspectors to incompetents, thank you for looking into that." Laying back once again I start to try and think up a plan on the type of reckoning the Madison's should receive, in mid thought I feel Rose in my head "You know, if you start getting funny looks from Akari in the future, its your own fault for not putting stuff up after a job" she says with a chuckle as she chides me. "Huh?' i reply, "What are you talking about?" "You left the pill bottles in your pack from earlier tonight, she saw them as she was getting the grapes that YOU forgot to give me, if she makes fun of you its your fault and you deserve it" Rose was enjoying herself at my expense way to much, with a low sigh I drift back to my nap, guess I was the incompetent one tonight, oh well, what lady luck givith, she can taketh away when it suits her fancy, at least I got to her Kyles shocked exclamation, though ill have to scold Rose later about that, she really does need to lay off on the tormenting of the poor guy.

Ashley, looking pleased about the praise, started to remove her ipad from her purse so that she could pull up the copy of the article that she had bookmarked when a sugar glider plopped down on her armrest and telepathically asked, "you going to eat that fruit?"  Ashley jumped slightly but was quickly drawn in by the innocent sounding voice and cute appearance.  “ooh…aren’t you cute.”  She gently stroked the tiny creature as she offered it one of the small pieces of honeydew that had been included in the fruit cup.

Ruby didn’t linger long however.  Noticing the cluster of grapes Akiri was offering, she quickly set off to claim them as well.  It took a lot of energy to fly after all….and regardless of what a certain technician might have said earlier…. eating all of the fruit she could convince Robert and his friends to give her was NOT going to make her fat.

Ashley frowned slightly as she saw Kyle’s reaction to the sugar glider passing over him.  “Are you alright?  Do you suffer from musophobia?”

But she ended up dropping her ipad on the floor as Kyle shouted "AH... Who’s that screaming. someone’s in the back is being injured... badly."  Not hearing anything, she glanced around wildly and didn’t see anything either.  Her expression changed slightly as she gave Kyle the look that indicated she was having doubts about his sanity and inched a bit further away from him in her seat.  The villainous laugh coming from Akiri didn’t help matters and she wistfully glanced over to Dr. Gopala wishing he was finished with his document so that she could speak with someone…normal and then reached down and picked up her ipad, checking to make sure that it hadn't been damaged in the fall.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

The Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport is relatively small with only a few flights coming in each day.  In a fortunate coincidence, however, Alaska Airlines was test marketing a new flight between Los Angles and Santa Rosa that was scheduled to arrive exactly 30 minutes before the rest of the team was.

While the Los Angeles International Airport was as crowded as usual, things seemed to progress incredibly smoothly.  A window at the ticket counter opened up just as Bernard arrived, meaning he only had to wait in line for five minutes to check his bags.  The security checkpoint was running extremely smoothly and he moved through the line two or three times faster than normal.

Based on the number of people waiting at his gate, it was clear the flight was very lightly booked and as he boarded, he could easily see why he was flying economy.  It was the only section there was on the small plane.  As it was, the stewardess had made an announcement as they were boarding stating that people could sit wherever they wanted.

The four other passengers who boarded with him distributed themselves around the plane, giving him the option to have a row entirely to himself if he wished.

The flight itself was non-eventful, although due to the weather, there was a fair amount of turbulence as they got closer to the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport.  Still the flight arrived on time, slightly early actually, and the landing was reasonably smooth.

Bernard had already received a text notifying him that the team had decided to bring their own vehicle, so a rental car would not be needed.  But he would have sufficient time to find the airport coffee shop and buy hot drinks for the team if he wished to do so.


OOC:  For players that are new to mage, this is an example of what a coincidental three dot correspondence effect can look like (in this case correspondence 3, life 3 since it was used on someone other than the caster).  Three dots in the sphere would let someone teleport from one location to another; but as you can imagine, that is very vulgar.  So, someone cast an effect that made it so that Bernard could be exactly where he needed to be, when he needed to be, as comfortably and smoothly as possible.  And since there was nothing obviously magical about it, it was a coincidental effect.  Did the test flight exist before the spell was successfully cast?  It doesn't matter.  As far as consensual reality is concerned, it did.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:50, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 28):

OCC

I would like to add that I would have checked my weapons properly at baggage checkout, case and all. I don't know exactly how checking weapons in at baggage at an airport is like, but at Staples, I had a customer bring in weapons to ship and it was relatively easily. Hardly anything different done from the norm when using the UPS station.

I'm not too sure what weapons and body armor I was issued, but if I could be left to my own devices, I would bring 2 handguns, 1 smaller handgun to fit in my holder by my foot, and 1 assault rifle, with plenty of bullets for all. (Don't ask me what kind of guns exactly, I don't know enough about them)

In Character

Having retrieved all his luggage, Bernard stood aside in the corner of the baggage claim. He had received a message that a rental vehicle was no longer needed. Good, one less thing to maintain or worrying about. Now he was going through his NWO issued tablet and was looking to secure lodging for his team. There wasn't too much being offered in the small town of less than a thousand, just some Bed & Breakfasts, cabins, and small homes being offered as inns...no, too vulnerable. After much more searching than he hoped, he eventually found a found a motel with vacancy still available before he sent the number to his phone and dialed them up.

The phone rang for a long while before a shaky young man's voiced picked up. "Y-yes! Thank you for c-calling Motel Seaside and Sand! How can I help you?!"

Bernard looked down at his watch and saw it almost 2300 hours, he wished he called sooner, but he had to hurry packing to catch his flight. "Good evening, how are ya going tonight?"

He heard a thunder crash on the other side of the line accompanied by the young man's yelp. "S-sorry about that sir! We're having a bit of thunderstorm tonight."

"Hang in there, sport, the storm will pass soon enough. I'm online and I saw you have some vacancies, can I go ahead and reserve three rooms with two beds and hold them for an hour?"

"Umm, okay, just one moment sir, just checking my computers, though I can tell you we have plenty of rooms. Okay, there. So three rooms with two beds?"

"Yeah, that's good to hear actually. My party is still trying to figure out sleeping arrangements, so can I call back soon to confirm?"


"Sure-" Another thundercrash and another yelp from the young man. "S-s-sorry about that sir! Can I please get your name and contact info?!"

"Hang in there sport, the storm will pass soon enough" Bernard repeated to the youth again, hoping to put him slightly more at ease. He then gives the clerk his contact and payment info before hanging up with him.

Bernard then eyed the airport's coffee stand. He had hoped that once he got a vehicle rented, he could have driven to a more reputable place to get everyone food and drinks, but this will have to do. He adjusted his luggage around so the suitcase filled with spare coats and umbrellas were on top of his cart before taking a seat near the stand. Pulling out his NWO Tablet, he researched into past cases with similar Level 4 Space-Time Breaches to better prepare himself while he waited for the rest of the team.

He soon received a message that the team's plane has touched down. He picked up a variety of foods and drinks before heading out to where the plane was, and he could already see an impressive Humvee being offloaded. Bernard couldn't help but whistle at the beauty. What he would have done to ride that instead of his squad car back with LAPD? He read on his dossier that this beaut belongs to Akari Yamimoto, and that it was her baby and sole driver. He just hope that she'd let him take it out for a spin just once.

He thought back to the dossier. It certainly delved into everyone capacities and expertise, but hardly touched on their personality. He hope there wouldn't be much clash. God knows he's seen that plenty too much back in LA. "Well...here's putting my best foot forward." He moved to go meet them.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 29):

As the plane starts to land and final approach, Akari slips her seat belt back on and looks out the window at the storm. The belt buckles just in time as the plane dips violently in the storm and lightning lights up the cabin briefly. "Hey Robert, can you do anything about this?"

She pulls her hoodie up again. **IVAN...its raining. I know how you feel, but don't worry, I'll get you fixed up and nice again as soon as we stop. And there are six of us now. One's a new guy so BE NICE, or I won't install those anti-grav modulators until we get home.**

Maybe it was her imagination but she could feel the rumble of annoyance all the way up here.

In reply to Akari (msg # 30):

Waking up as we start the final approach, I hear Akari's question to me, "Sorry, smaller weather and forces I can deal with but something on this scale is still beyond my ability....for now at least"

Kyle looks out the window as the plane passes thru the layer of thunder clouds on decent. "i hope all those storm spirits out there don't notice us passing thru... nope to late. get ready for turbulence guys"

As if on cue the plane starts shaking. Kyle pulls out a device. "this little box here emits a frequency that the spirits don't like. just gotta dial it into storm spirits." (2 success)

the turbulence stops, right before leaving the cloud layer "there we go. you see if you pick out the right frequency it the area becomes annoying to the extra demintional beings and they move away"

(anyone sitting close enoph to touch him can see the spirits too)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

In reply to Kyle Moskowitz (msg # 32):

Akari lets out the breath she had been holding as the plane settles. "Oh good. Nice Kyle. Thanks." She flips on her computer, running a program. (2 successes) then looks out the window. "Oh..." for a moment she is fascinated by the storm spirits and their storm dance through the lightning. It reminded her of dolphins. Playful and graceful....and powerful in their element.

Except....they looked a little annoyed as they moved further from the aircraft. Just as well though. she didn't relish the thought of crashing into the national forest below.

After a few minutes, she turned back towards the front as the plane started touching down.

The turbulence clears long enough for the plane to make a safe, if slightly bumpier than usual, landing.   Fortunately, the jet taxis up to a jetbridge, so you don’t have to disembark from the jet and walk into the airport in the rain.

While the jet is taxiing, the pilot’s voice comes over the loudspeaker.  “We have arrived at the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport.  It is currently 2335 local time.  The current temperature is 47 degrees and the weather is stormy.  According to the national weather service, the temperature in Mendocino is 43 degrees and they are experiencing a severe storm with high winds and heavy rain.  We are currently on the edge of that storm.  Bernard Hathaway should has indicated that he will be meeting you at the gate.  Your luggage will be waiting on the jet bridge.  The vehicle will be unloaded and brought around to the front of the airport.  Once the mission has been completed, please send at text to 505-956-1854 and we will be dispatched to pick you up.”

Ashley and Xhiva disembark from the plane with the rest of the group and pick up their bags out of the stack at the edge of the jet bridge.

As the pilot indicated, Bernard is waiting at the gate and IVAN will be brought around to the front of the airport for you.

Bernard walk up to the team with all the food and drinks on top of his cart of luggage. "Good evening, Presido Construct, glad you guys got here safe and sound with the storm so close by. Name's Bernard Hathaway, former detective from LAPD, and currently with NWO, pleasure to meet you all." He then gestures to the food and drinks. He will shake anyone's hand who offers it. "It's cold as hell outside, and we've got a long drive ahead of us, so I got us all something for the road, so help yourselves. I also brought some spare coats and umbrellas for anyone who needs one in the top trunk, grab one if you need one." Bernard will make any quick pleasantries with anyone that starts it. "We do have a long trip ahead of us, plenty of time to talk and get to know each other then, so I recommend hitting the road as soon as possible. Unless there's anything you need here from Santa Rosa first?"

OCC: Let me know if the coral color doesn't work for anyone's screen.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 35):

Akari has her bag with her and heads off the plane with the others. After listening to the pilot's message she remarks offhandedly TO Kyle or Robert, "Charles M. Shultz....isn't that the guy who created the Snoopy and the Charles Brown? The um," she thinks a moment. "The Penis gang!"

Disembarking she walks toward the man designated as Bernard Hathaway and listens as he gives the rather lengthy introduction of himself. She says, "Akari." Then looks over the food and grabs a cheese tray and fruit (with grapes) "Arigato, gaijin-san."

She currently wearing her goggles (think Tracer or my icon picture) and an over-sized black hoodie with a subdued honeycomb pattern on it. The hood is up, over her head, with random strands of hair poking out the front. She's quite obviously Asian complete with accent. She's also wearing baggy denim jeans (actually bib overalls but top is hidden under hoodie) and high top boot-type sneakers.

She looks both ways down the terminal seeing both ends. "Man, I thought that airport in Oklahoma City was small...it is very large compared to this one." She walks over to a giant Snoopy and takes a selfie, in which she doesn't smile, but does the 'V' with her fingers.

A bit antsy, she waits on the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

Ashley and Xhiva exchange greetings and introductions with Bernard, shaking hands and accepting a hot drink and a snack.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Hathaway,” Ashley responds, “I’m Ashley Collins."  Since he had mentioned his profession, she adds ”biochemist.  Thank you for the food and drinks.”

Ashley is dressed in business attire.  She is wearing black slacks, a dark blue blouse, and flats and already has a raincoat and an umbrella.

“I’m ready to head out whenever everyone else is.”


OCC:  Since I’m not entirely sure exactly what Xhiva would say or how he is dressed (though based on what I’ve heard about him so far, I’d say he is probably in business attire as well) I’ll leave that part open for now.

    I chuckled at Akari's words, "Wow, that changed a lot in translation. And now i want to see the Snoopy anime." I looked thru the refreshments, "ooo Fresca, don't mind if i do." I was wearing black cargo pants with lots of pockets, a crisp white button up shirt, a skinny black tie and a motorcycle jacket. "Kyle Moskowitz," I introduced myself, shaking hands, "Minor celebrity." [since Ryan has influence ,ill change mine to fame. been coming out that way anyways]

    I reached into my luggage and pulled out a small bag of chips. "If you guys all want to wear one of these" I pointed to my own chip adhered behind my ear ~It will make it easier to keep in contact, and for you to see what i see~ i continued talking telepathically.

    As they put them on (assuming you put one on) they heard a thousand different voices speaking garbled messages at once, like rapidly turning the dial on a radio, before becoming clear. They looked around shocked at the plethora of strange ghost and spirits they never knew were there before. ~don't freak out, it only works while I'm transmitting. Also try not to pay attention to them unless you have to. It lets them zero in on our dimensional frequency, in turn allowing them to exert more influence~ I warned
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:37, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Walking by I shake Bernards hand "Hi, names Robert, thanks for the coffee", I grab a coffee then start to catch up as Rose sees the grapes now in Akari's possession and leaps off of my shoulder to land on hers, I sigh a little "Rose, could you behave for a little bit please? at least until after we get on the way?" Rose turns her head to my and sticks her tongue out at me. "Fine, lol just be careful ok, the rains coming down pretty hard".

Rose telepathically "Hello......you going to eat those grapes by chance?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Bernard's attempt to gather data about Mendocino was moderately successful and provides an indication why the technician who received the alert didn’t provide additional information along with it.  The information he finds is limited at best.

“Despite its small size, the fact that it is an extremely popular artist colony and makes the majority of its income from tourism, significantly increases the chance that certain types of Reality Deviants may be present.  This includes including fairies and some of the more artistically inclined types of vampires and mages (see Piper Pastore).  No vampires or fairies have been documented as living in Mendocino.”

A later notation was added to the page by an un-enlightened citizen: “A script analyzing the text of various small-town newspapers has indicated the possible presence of one or more individuals with extra-ordinary botonny skills.  Several of the plants listed as winning prizes in the Annual Mendocino Garden Contests over the last few years have been things that are not typically found in nature, such as a carnivorous purple orchid.”   It does not appear that anyone ever followed up on that information.

When Bernard clicks on the link associated with Piper Pastore’s name, it goes to a dead page (403 error, page not found).  And when he attempted to do a search on her name in the database, he did not receive any results.  While that might not be significant, Bernard’s instincts are telling him that something might be wrong here.

OCC:  If anyone wants to do further research, please give me both a research roll (intelligence + research + library) and a computer roll (intelligence + computers) (the hacking specialty will apply)  Difficulty for both with be a 7.

Team members with a bit more experience with the Presidio databases would be aware that data on reality deviants is not removed upon their death.  It is just updated to include the date of their death.

Note:  This information is based on the 2 successes that Bernard indicated he received in the Discord chat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:08, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

As was mentioned before, the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport is small.  There are two gates, a coffee shop, a Hudson News (where you can by books, magazines, snacks, and various other small items), the ticket counter, the baggage claim area, bathrooms, and a statue of Snoopy.  That’s about it.  Both the coffee shop and the newsstand have closed since Bernard arrived and your group appears to be the only passengers in the airport.  The ticket counter is also appears to be closed and you only see a couple of airport employees who seem to be closing down, cleaning up, and getting things ready for tomorrow.  One of those employees does a double take as Rose flies over to Akiri.

Both Ashely and Xhiva accept one of the chips.  Ashley looks very uncomfortable as she hears the array of voices and sees the various spirts, but does her best to follow Kyle’s advice and ignore them.  She doesn’t really relax though until the transmission ends and the spirits once again fade from view.

Provided she has turned her radio back up, Akiri can hear from IVAN that he has been brought around to the front door and is VERY unhappy about being rained on and more than a bit concerned that he is going to get hailed on at some point in this trip.  He thinks they should find a nice hotel somewhere, one with an underground garage, and wait out the storm there.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 00:00, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 41):

Akari is a bit concerned about IVAN. Not so much that the wind, rain, or hail would hurt him. She was more concerned that wet feet would be getting in, along with open food. She was praying no one spilled.

She accepted the chip from Kyle and looked around at the jumble. It was a little more intense then she was used to, but nothing she hadn't seen, or heard, before.

Smiling, she held up the grapes for Rose. After all, that's who she got them for. Can you be addicted to fruit, she wondered? "Better head inside Rose, it so to be rainy and windy out here."

She listens to Bernard for a moment then tries to see what she can dig up. (Research roll: 3 successes -- Computer roll: 11 successes) pulling into the coding of the site and following IP accesses. She's trying to work backwards to see if she can find who deleted the file. There are ALWAYS traces remaining.

Messing around with her computer she starts wandering towards the front and IVAN.

In reply to Akari (msg # 42):

Walking up to IVAN I see Akari looking from IVAN to the group drenched from the rain then back to IVAN with a look of concern, "No worries Akari, I got you and IVAN covered" Walking up to IVAN I place my hand on the floor board and concentrate for a moment, after a moment a barely visible thin sheet of force spreads across the interior floor and seats inside IVAN, acting as a barrier against all the wet clothing. "There ya go, water protection at its finest" I comment then stand aside to allow the others to enter.



Robert rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 3, rerolling 10s ((2,9,8,4)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

Akiri quickly determines that an entire section of the page on Mendocino, California was deleted approximately 20 minutes after you received the alert.  A trace of IP addresses indicates that the action was performed by someone inside the Presidio construct and further research focuses it down to Susan Douglas’s desktop computer.  She is Jonathan Norton’s administrative assistant.  Jonathan Norton is one of the higher-level managers in the construct and is part of the Syndicate.  The changes appear to have been made by someone who already had access to the system rather than someone who hacked their way in.  Of course, you are well aware that someone could have used social engineering to obtain a user’s id and password.  Since Robert is part of the Syndicate and you know he pays attention to the political side of things, he may be able to provide you with additional information.

With a bit of effort, you are able to reconstruct the missing data.  Most of the records have not actually been deleted, the links have just been modified enough that they don’t come up on a search.  But there were two deletions:  a couple of paragraphs on the Mendocino informational page and all of the records relating to Lucius Selig.  (Note to Akiri:  That name sounds very familiar.  Like you might have seen a reference to it very recently.  Give me an intelligence roll if you don’t remember or can’t find it.)

Prior to the deletion, the last update to the Mendocino page was made three years ago and consisted of the information that was just removed.

“The members of the Selig/Pastore family initially came to our attention as a result of their association with Lucius Selig (see Lucius Selig).  Multiple members of this family possess enhanced abilities and appear to either be mages or sorcerers.  The family refers to themselves as “Children of the Anomaly.”  No correlation or association with any of the known groups of tradition mages or crafts has been discovered.  While additional observation is warranted, currently, other than Lucius Selig, no member of this family is considered an active threat.

Please see their associated pages for additional information:

Emerson Selig
Jean Selig
Lucius Selig
Piper Pastore
Nicolae Pastore
Lex Pastore
Morgan Pastore”

Pulling up the associated pages takes a bit of effort since the links have been modified, but is no challenge for someone with Akiri’s computer skills.  These pages have been updated a bit more recently, with the last update being about a year ago.  There is an exception to this.  The page on Lucius Selig has not been updated for 2 years.

Emerson Selig:

Grandfather of the family.  Age: 65, Birthdate: April 15, 1955.
Address:  45530 Little Lake St., Mendocino, California, 95460
Group Affiliations: United States Army (Retired) Bell Laboratories Skunkworks (Retired)

Emmerson Selig can best be classified as an Esoteric Scientist (with abilities similar to those shown by members of the Sons of Ether).  He has an affinity for machinery and the ability to create working devices without knowing what they will do when he is finished.  Engineering is an emotional and intuitive act for Emerson.  Emerson’s specialty is in esoteric science focusing on the unique sonic spectrum associated with each individual.  He has created and utilized devices that have allowed him to search for other individuals with extraordinary abilities (this is how he met his wife, Jean Selig), and devices designed to animate the energies of a person, once that person’s body dies. Fortunately, the traumatic events of his life have kept him cautious and afraid to push boundaries

In the past, Emerson Selig experimented with performing resurrections by tracking the deceased through its unique sonic spectrum.  He then utilized a device (the Transducer) which harmonized with this spectrum, drawing the spirit back into its original place.  He stopped this line of research after adversely affecting one of his children (Lucius Selig) during an experiment.

According to Emerson’s writings, while serving in the Vietnam War as a radio operator, he appears to have met a reality deviant going by the name of Seventeen (no additional information is available on this individual).  Seventeen was in position of a powerful device which he was using to heal a young boy and eventually ended up teaching Emerson how to use the device.  It appears that something must have happened to Seventeen in Vietnam.  Emerson has indicated that he died and is currently in possession of the device.

After leaving the Army, Emerson worked as a researcher for the Bell telephone company and continued his researches into esoteric science during his free time.  He became obsessed with researching how science could call back a deceased person’s personality, or essential spirit.  Emerson was at the height of his scientific powers when the family’s hamster died in 1993. He built a machine that he thought would pinpoint the hamster’s energy signature and draw it back into its body, effectively resurrecting the hamster. Had Emerson been any less careful he would have collapsed time and space.   The experiment was a success (from Emerson’s point of view, anyway) but it also injured his son Lucius, who wandered into Emerson’s lab and grabbed his pet hamster during a critical moment. Lucius was pierced with powerful sonic energy.   The hamster was revived, but exposure to the energies caused Lucius’ spirit to separate from his body and travel to other dimensions.  It took quite some time for him to gain control of this ability and resulted in him being confined to his home for much of his childhood.  Emerson, consumed by guilt over what he did to Lucius, retired from esoteric science. When his wife died, he refused to bring her back.

Since Emerson has ceased his experimentation and research, his current threat level is considered low to moderate.  If the technocracy had been aware of the hamster experiment earlier (before it became clear that it had resulted in the cessation of his research), he would have been considered a high threat and dealt with accordingly.

 
Jean Selig

Grandmother of the family.  Age 63.  Birthdate:  Unknown.  Died:  Dec. 21, 2017

Very little information is available about Jean Selig, including precisely which enhanced abilities she may have utilized. No records about her are available prior to her marriage to Emerson Selig.  And even after the marriage, she could never be tracked by mundane or enhanced surveillance.

However, Jean Selig appears to have acted as a muse and teacher to the other members of her family, encouraging and perhaps magnifying their abilities.  The term, “Children of the Anomaly” appears to have come from her.  Since her death, the family has floundered and their fragile connections to one another are starting to break down.

Threat level:  none.  Subject is deceased.

Piper Pastore

Mother of the family.  Age 39.  Birthdate:  November 2, 1981
Address:  45530 Little Lake St., Mendocino, California, 95460
Affiliation:  Elizabeth Allen Gallery

As a child, Piper Pastore had the ability to observe every iteration of reality and every dimension.    Due to the trauma, she experienced by seeing the accident that granted her brother his abilities, she suppressed her own.   However, the abilities have recently started to return.

An illness which, caused her to experience visions of every possible version of herself, caused Piper’s abilities to manifested at a young age.  Her mother Jean, helped her through the transition and encouraged her to take up painting as a way to process what she saw.   A few years later, Piper’s twin brother Lucius had the accident which caused his spirit to begin traveling through alternate dimensions.  Piper lost her gifts soon after.  Statements Piper has made indicate that she resents her brother for “robbing” her of her gift.

Piper is currently makes her living as a painter.  Her heavily-abstracted realism paintings are moderately successful; though, only enough to be sold in small local galleries.   More recent works have shown indications that she may have regained the ability to see into realms of non-standard reality and some of the images have been identified by void engineers as beings they have encountered in their travels.

Piper meet her husband Nicole during an “artist retreat” in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Married and broke, the two moved from New Mexico back into Mendocino. Piper gave birth to twins, Lex and Morgan. Piper appears to be deeply unhappy and may be suffering from clinical depression. Her family is living in a cramped home with her father and brother. She has been arguing with the only gallery owner who will show her work. Her husband has been distant— when he’s not at the radio station, he’s obsessively working on an experimental instrument called the laser harp. The couple barely talk anymore and Piper may leave him within the year.

Threat Level:  Low


Nicolae Pastore

Father of the family.  Age 42.  Birthdate:  September 3, 1978
Address:  45530 Little Lake St., Mendocino, California, 95460
Alias:  Nicolae “Kid Galaga” Pastore
Affiliation:  Public Radio, Galaga Laureate

Nicolea Pastore uses sound and sonics to produce supernatural effects, such as moving or destroying large objects.  His children Lex and Morgan brag about him at school saying that he has taught them “Sound is the key to the Multiverse” and that he is perfecting an instrument made out of light.

Nicolae refers to the “instrument made out of light” as a Laser Harp.  The laser harp is meant to be an instrument that can manipulate sound in three-dimensional space, allowing him to sculpt sound rather than playing it.  He believes that this will let him fine-tune frequencies to shape sound, time and space.  The instrument would be so delicate that it couldn't be built out of wood and strings.   He believes that only light would be fine enough to give him maximum control.

The only child to two emotionally distant parents, Nicolae grew up in a remote country home in Kansas, far away from children his own age.  According to notes from a school counselor, his parents were concerned about his odd habit of turning the family television to static and watching the noise and cupping his hands in front of the screen, as though he were trying to catch the electric hiss from it in his hands.  At the recommendation of the councilor, his father attempted to focus his attention elsewhere by buying him a viola.

According to comments Nicolae has made, one night after a fight with his mother, he ran into his room and picked up his viola, sawing one ragged, angry note against the strings. As he played the note his door slammed shut seemingly on its own. Pictures fell off Nicolae’s bedroom wall. From then on, he attempted to recreate that moment.  His sessions on the viola sounded like caterwauling noise to anyone else, but he was in ecstasy, summoning chaotic musical forces around him like a localized storm.

As a teenager he became a minor celebrity in the local arcade for his ability for his ability to play Galaga while blindfolded. He shattered high scores by listening for auditory cues from the cabinet.  The newspapers called him “Kid Galaga.”

Once he reached adulthood, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to study under an amateur scientist who studied “acoustic levitation”, Dr Kim.  Apparently, Dr. Kim vanished while they were in the process of creating a larger than life harp using two-inch-thick cables.  No additional information is available about Dr. Kim but it sounds as though he might have been a Reality Deviant (possible Son of Ether) who was dealt with by another construct.

He interned in Santa Fe for several years before meeting his wife-to-be Piper Selig. After eloping with Piper, Nicolae moved to his wife’s childhood home in Mendocino, California. The couple had a pair of twins, Lex and Morgan. Today Nicolae works as a producer at a local radio station. His nights are spent trying to perfect his laser harp.

Nicolae’s distracted, daydreaming nature was initially a counter balance to Piper, who often feels anxious and over-stimulated. Today, Nicolae’s absentmindedness and his obsession with sound research is starting to grate on Piper, who feels unappreciated. She may leave him.

Threat level:  Moderate.  While Nicolae Pastore is actively practicing magic and attempting to create additional supernatural effects, he has thus far not caused any significant damage to Technocracy resources nor to reality as a whole.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:36, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

Lex Pastore

Son of the family.  Age 10.  Birthdate:  June 17, 2010
Address:  45530 Little Lake St., Mendocino, California, 95460
Affiliation:  Dana Gray Elementary School, Fourth Grade

Lex Pastore is highly intelligent and shares his grandfather’s innate sense of engineering paired with his interest in esoteric science.  His teachers have made several recommendations that he skip one or more grades, but both he and his parents have refused.  Recent homework assignments indicate that his scientific pursuits are taking on a darker and more esoteric tone.  The death of his Grandmother and the natural maturing and individuating of his twin sister has badly frightened Lex.  Due to this fear, he has been attempting to solve the riddle of death and resurrection in hopes of finding a way for him and Morgan to be together forever.

His aloof and analytical personality, high intelligence, and extremely close relationship with his twin sister have resulted in him having few relationships outside of his family.  He has no close friendships with any of his classmates.

Motivating Fear:  The realization that he and his twin sister Morgan are going to get older and separate. Over time they will resemble each other less and less. One of them could die. One of them (he fears that it will be Morgan) will become bored or fed up with the other twin and leave. These fears are rooted in the death of his grandmother Jean and the rocky relationship between his mother Piper and her twin brother Lucius.   He is terrified of being alone.

Threat Level:  Currently Low to Moderate may increase as he becomes older and more experienced at scientific experimentation.  Possible recruit once he reaches a suitable age?



Morgan Pastore

Daughter of the family.  Age 10.  Birthdate:  June 17, 2010
Address:  45530 Little Lake St., Mendocino, California, 95460
Affiliation:  Dana Gray Elementary School, Fourth Grade

Morgan Pastore is an empath, someone gifted with the ability to feel as other feel.  This gives her the ability to know (or intuit) what people around her are thinking and feeling.  This gift extends to the natural world; she seems to have an affinity for plants and they do unnaturally well under her care.   While she sings and speaks to all of her plants, she has one special plant she named after Jean, her deceased grandmother, that she spends hours whispering to.

It is extremely challenging to follow Morgan covertly.  She always picks up on the fact that something is wrong and spots the individual following her.

Projective analysis indicates that separating Lex from his twin might prove disastrous.  She acts as both a moderating influence and a conscience to him.  Her presence also appears to ground her family in general.  This could be a side effect of Morgan’s empath abilities. On the other hand, Morgan’s family, all of whom are highly focused on their own concerns, tend to ignore what she has to say.

Jean Selig appeared to have been training Morgan’s empathetic abilities.  Case in point: Jean and Morgan used to play a game where they would try to have a conversation by only using facial expressions. At first it was play, but within a year Jean and Morgan would “talk” in this way for hours at a time.

It should be noted that Morgan keeps her uncle at a distance. Lucius, the most selfish of Jean and Emerson’s family, is living with his sister after being run out of his self-help cult, The Power of Positive Mechanics. Assuming Morgan is a true empath, it’s possible that she suspects her uncle of taking advantage of her family.

Threat Level:  Low.  Possible recruit once she reaches a suitable age?
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:36, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

Lucius Selig

Piper’s Twin Brother.  Age 39.  Birthdate:  November 2, 1981
Address:  578 Montgomery Street, San Francisco California
Alias:  Master Lucius
Affiliation:  The Power of Positive Mechanics

Lucius Selig is a very powerful mage with the ability to project his consciousness into subdimensions and to add new worlds to the multiverse.  His method for this travel is a focused sonic meditation he learned from his mother Jean which allows him to send his mind into a "blank" universe. These universes were like clean sheets of paper and Lucius eventually learned how to write on them. Lucius has recently developed the ability to build new worlds within these spaces and to take other people with him.

He started a church: The Power of Positive Mechanics. Positive Mechanics began as a self-help group but as Lucius grew in power and ability it mutated into an influential and wealthy cult.

Next, Lucius built Portals Bermuda, an extra-dimensional health spa and resort for the spiritually aware. It is accessible only to the wealthiest of his followers, who traveled there through interdimensional wormholes originating from the Positive Mechanics headquarters in San Francisco.  Portals Bermuda is a cosmic abomination, cobbled together from five different subdimensions and its rickety structure is putting a significant strain on reality.  This poorly construct resort has already produced reality bending paradoxes.  Currently, Lucius' wealthiest followers sip margaritas on alien beaches and do yoga in the middle of prehistoric forests while the poorest worked as unpaid interns.

Biography:  As a boy Lucius was completely oblivious to the extra-ordinary pursuits of his parents. At the age of 11 he wandered into his father’s laboratory while Emerson was trying to resurrect Nimsesku, the family hamster. Lucius grabbed the pet at a crucial moment in the experiment and he was bathed in dangerous chaotic energy. The experiment brought the hamster “back from the dead” but it also caused Lucius' consciousness to separate from his body and travel to other dimensions. This ability was not a gift at first. Lucius could not control where and when he traveled. Without warning he would slip into a trance, his consciousness gone from this physical plane. Lucius did not understand what was happening to him or why he could no longer live a normal life. His father, wracked with guilt, could never bring himself to explain the experiment to his son. He pretended the experiment never happened and told Lucius his condition was the result of “blackouts.” When neurological therapy failed to cure Lucius his parents pulled him from school. Lucius was a shut-in until early adulthood.

It was then that he had his so-called awakening and learned to control his powers. In his bestselling book The Power of Positive Mechanics, Lucius claims that he traveled to a planet of pure crystal: Murok-Inoo. There, he met a sentient crystal who became his spirit guide. The crystal taught Lucius how to control his powers and how to create new worlds. Lucius made this experience the centerpiece of his religion. He preached a message of mystical self-reliance, arguing that everyone could be as powerful as he was if they focused their positive energies and rejected all “negative thought patterns.” Lucius used his powers for personal gain, experiencing enormous success characteristic of many charlatans. He impressed his followers by taking them on spiritual pilgrimages to other dimensions, but he never told them the true source of his power. He swindled fortunes from his clients, who all believed that Master Lucius got to where he was through positive thinking and not due to the effects of a magical ritual.
 
Known Associates:

Personal assistant and boyfriend, Christian Garcia.  Christina Garcia has shown signs that he is growing increasingly concerned about the actions of his cult-leader lover.

Murok-Inoo (Spiritual Guide): Lucius meditates and communes with Murok-Inoo, a sentient crystal who lives in outer space. Lucius named one of the locations in Portals Bermuda after his teacher. We do not know whether such an entity exists anywhere other than in Lucius' mind.


Threat Level:  Extremely High
None.  The situation has been dealt with.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 48):

Akari looked up at Robert with a genuine appreciation for the saving of IVAN's floorboards. "IVAN thanks you," she said. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text message to Liberation after turning off any ability to track or trace the call, and routing it through several secure locations as well as a bit of magick. "Hey L1B3R4710N, what's up?"

"Hiya!" came the reply

Of course, she didn't actually know Liberation. She felt like he was a guy, but she didn't know. Nor did she feel the need to try to find out. They were all hackers, a community. Much the same way that leading neurosurgeons of the world know each other or the top nuclear physicists were all acquaintances. So were the hackers of the world, and they ALL kept secrets. It was considered Taboo among the elite to hack each other. They all had hacked against each other here and there, but those hack battles...well that was all just business.

This was personal. "Hey, how much $$ did Bill and Georgia Hayes pay you?"

">.< Of course it was -you- to track me. Anyway, those two? For a couple of millionaires, they were pretty tight. Not enough."

"Well, they won't be that much longer. I'm opening an account in the Credit Suisse, here's the number 86573 95739 60019 482427. Putting some more in there for you. You can thank me later."

"LOL ok H3X4D3C1M4L. I appreciate. Hack ya next time."

She ended the text and hacked back into their bank and moved the remaining 2.5 million into a new Swiss bank account. Oh, she wasn't heartless, she left them 10 grand. It was enough to get them home to the states if they wanted, or to another cheaper hotel.

She toyed with the idea of giving them both criminal status with an order to expedite back to the US, and she had to decide which charity to donate this money too.

"Hey, Robert-kun, what charity do you want to donate that Wish Upon a Star money to?"

Reaching IVAN first she climbed into the driver's seat and immediately the interior lighting turned red. "This precipitous precipitation is coetaneously pestiferous and pernicious.”," IVAN said. "It was quite fortuitous that your colleague safeguarded my underbody urethane metatarsal stabilizers."

"Aliterate much?" Akari teased him but nodded in agreement, and IVAN continued his rant.

"Now what about my outside? What if it hails? Or worse, this is California, what if there is an earthquake? The odds of one occurring while we are there is 1 in 1--"

"Never tell me the odds." Akari interrupted. "And besides. Your 'outside' is enhanced carbon fiber and kevlar composite over a steel and titanium frame. Your windows are transparent reinforced aluminum polycarbonate, and your tires are self-sealing, synthetic nylon compressed polymer." Akari shut the door, waiting for the others, "A little hardened water isn't going to hurt you."

IVAN harumphed. "If you rode on the rack by the drone you wouldn't say that. In fact I--" He stopped speaking abruptly as the doors opened and the others started to get in.

"Everyone, I got a bunch of info about the Selig family and I think we should go to Portals Bermuda." She prints off a copy of all the info she found and hands it to the first one in.




OOC: Today: Akari rolled 9 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 4, rerolling 10s with rolls of 10(+10,1),6,7,7,3,10(+6),7,4,10(+1),6.  Hacking. (I gave it a diff of 9 before mods seeing as its a swiss bank account, which became diff 4)
- Today: Akari rolled 3 successes using 3d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 4, rerolling 10s with rolls of 5,4,5.  Arete.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

Motel Seaside and Sand

Bernard loads his luggage into the truck of IVAN while also bringing out and holstering his weapons (2x Glock G22 & 1x Sig P365) before sitting in the front seat next to Akari. Bernard takes a moment to admire IVAN as he ran a hand along the dashboard. "Aww man, ain't she a beaut? You built this girl, right? Man, what I would have done to have something like this back in LAPD when I got roped into a turf war."

"He." Bernard looked over to Akari. "IVAN is a he, Hathaway-san."

'Of course, derr" he thought to himself before he humored her. "Right, right, sorry about that, ol' boy." He gave the door handle a soft pat. "And please, Bernard is fine. Hopefully we'll be working together more after this." Bernard blinked when he heard the sounds of what seemed like a printer printing off sheets.

Akari leans over before producing a small stack of papers and hands it off to him as everyone takes their seats. "Everyone, I got a bunch of info about the Selig family and I think we should go to Portals Bermuda."

"Portals Bermuda?" Bernard goes through the papers before finding the info on said location. "In San Francisco? That is definitely a place of interest, but what do you think we'll find? ...There is also the matter of getting in, too. I can tell you, even some federal clearance, us getting a warrant to enter and search the place is gonna be pretty damn hard. In LA, we've hard more than one of these cults to deal with, and every time we come close to any of them, every one of their members slams down lawsuit after lawsuit, bogging down the entire D.O.J. systems. That stuff takes months to clear up, so you can imagine that they'll want to stay as far away from this as possible for however long they can. And if we want to buy our way in, well, don't know about you guys, but I sure as heck don't know any millionaires to get us in either."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

After stowing their luggage, Ashley and Xhiva took two of the seats in the back, careful not to spill anything.  Xhiva once again put on the noise cancelling headphones, pulled out his laptop, and got back to work.  Ashley listened quietly to the discussion, not contributing anything for now.

OCC:  Although I posted before most of the other PCs, I will assume that Akiri handed the documentation to a PC rather than to one of the two NPCs.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 50):

As Bernard gets in and admires IVAN inadvertently calling him a her, there seems to be something starting to jab you in the back, but Akari mutters something in Japanese and the strange uncomfortable anomaly is gone.

Akari hands the paperwork to Bernard. "Well...my husband and I started it. The design is mostly his vision." She chuckled slightly. "Too much HALO I guess." She runs a finger over the steering wheel. "But most of the electronics and materials are from me. Some of his systems are....unique."

As people get in, the inside of the windshield becomes a monitor of sorts (think Jarvis's maps in Iron Man) and she plots out the hotel he mentioned. "Well, I'm currently in possession of 2.5 million dollars, but that money isn't ours either. We need to donate it, or I can get a list of those that were scammed and divide it back up among them."

She brings up the Motel Seaside and Sand doing a 360 rotation on the buildings, "Well if we get these last bungalows we'll be away from the bulk of the crowd and can come and go in relative secrecy. IVAN can stay under these trees."

// Under trees?! So birds can utilize my chassis to deficate upon?! //

Akari sighed and muttered. "Ok NOT under the trees then....Out in front, nice and sunny."

// Alpha particles are a detriment to my veneer! //

With another sigh, she looked at a different set of bungalows. "Ok, these ones have a carport for IVAN" The car seemed to purr in response.

She'll wait until everyone is in and situated before driving off.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 50):

Akari shrugs a bit. "Well you guys did things, how do you say...by the book...did you not?" she glances over at him, pulling her hoodie down finally. "You may find that things are not so much 'by the book' here. Besides," she adds, "Anyway, it sounds like you have to teleport in through Positive Mechanics. What kind of warrant did you need for THAT back in the Los Angeles?"

"If the building is locked then Robert can open it." She says with a smile. "And you do too know a millionaire. Actually multi-millionaire. He is sitting behind you." She thumbs her finger at Kyle.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 53):

Agreeing with Akari "Locks are just a means of entertainment most poor souls provide me without knowing they're doing so" I reply with a chuckle, I can get us in just about anywhere you like, probably even Fort Knox or the NSA if I have a mind to do so. As far as the rest of the stolen funds are concerned Akari, Iv always loved the concept of Karma, how about we find a nice children's tech/computer camp somewhere and send the money to them and also have it set up that they get a wonderful all expense paid weeks vacation at the same resort that the Madison's are at, I think it would be poetic justice that the money they stole is used to brighten some budding future hackers days" I start to chuckle at the thought of the Madison's face when they realize the money is gone from their accounts and it being used to fund a field trip for children to the same resort.

    I looked up from my older model Iphone. It only has a couple of cracks in the screen "sorry, I was looking up the local history of the area around that place Akari found. [5 successes] Then i saw a link someone sent me from the con I spoke at," I said dispirited. "Never read the comments," I read the comments, there was a massive flame war going on between the trolls and my fan girls and if Fanggurl95 was who i suspected i was in trouble. She was organizing the other girls and leading the charge. "But yeah, i got all that Ghost Bros money, so let me know if we need anything our normal funds don't cover. Maybe some fuzzy dice for IVAN"

The headquarters for Positive Mechanics are located in the historic section of San Francisco, which is in the northeastern part of the city, near the waterfront and the financial district.  It is close to Union Square, the cities main shopping and hotel district.  Kyle is able to find quite a bit of information about the history of San Francisco and these neighborhoods in particular, for instance Union Square got its name from pro-Union rallies held there on the eve of the Civil War and was built and dedicated by San Francisco’s first American mayor, John Geary.  But, none of it seems particularly relevant.

However, when Kyle turns his attention to researching the Positive Mechanics church itself, the information becomes much more interesting.

The church appears to have experienced a schism about two years ago.  Prior to the schism, the leader of the church was Master Lucius Selig.  According to the church’s primary webpage, the current leader is Master Christian Garcia.  The membership of the church seems to have decreased significantly since the schism and it only offers a small assortment of meetings and activities.   There are seminars about the Power of Positive Mechanics every Sunday night at 7:00.  There is a fundraiser/bake sale scheduled for Saturday, April 11th.  And there is a picnic in the park followed by reflecting on the wonders of the universe while gazing at the night sky scheduled for April 25th.  There is no mention of Portals Bermuda or of any type of spa currently associated with the church.  While the church is still in possession of the original headquarters building, you find a few records that make you think they may be having trouble affording the payments.  It appears as though they may be looking for someplace less expensive, which is a shame, the current building is quite lovely.

There is no information on the church’s primary home page indicating how or why the leadership changed.  You are able to find a small article from the associated press around that time claiming that due to a scandal involving drugs and hypnosis, Master Lucius Selig was forced to step down from his position of leadership in the Power of Positive Mechanics church.

However, while it appears that he no longer has official ties to the church, Master Lucius Selig seems to still be claiming leadership of the faith.  He is in possession of the Power of Positive Mechanics Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages...ics-986662621384539/ and has been posting videos to http://archives.powerofpositivemechanics.com/

You are also able to find links to several of the family members Facebook pages.  But there isn’t much information there.  None of them seem to update their pages regularly.

Lucius Seligs personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/peopl...elig/100009548686936
Nicoale Pastore:  https://www.facebook.com/profi...p?id=100009482654486
Piper Pastore:   https://www.facebook.com/profi...p?id=100009486254549
Emerson Selig:  https://www.facebook.com/profi...p?id=100009537738381


OCC:  Ignore the video titled Yonder on  http://archives.powerofpositivemechanics.com/.  It is not relevant for this game.  The other videos are.  For the video titled “Words of Wisdom with Master Lucius - An Open Challenge to The Charter” please replace the words The Charter with The Order.  The video “Words of Wisdom with Master Lucius - I'm Back!” was uploaded just a few weeks ago.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:33, Wed 23 Sept 2020.

Looking a bit confused, Ashely asks "So, where are we going first, Mendocino or to San Francisco?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Wed 23 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 56):

Looking at the links shared from Kyle, Bernard shares his thoughts. "I think we'd better head North to Mendocino and take as much stock and info we can gather. Then Saturday or Sunday we'll go south to San Francisco and go to the seminar the church is holding."

Bernard then turns to Akari and showed her the final video Lucius posted. "Akari, do you think you can have a program running to track the traffic and commits of his most recent post? New subscribers, too? I think it would be a good idea to watch out if this guy gains more momentum and followers. Don't want to get caught in the middle of another resurgence or schism."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:30, Wed 23 Sept 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 58):

"That shouldn't be a problem. Gimmie a few." She says. As a WAZE map appears on the front windshield and the vehicle starts to move, smoothly merging into the road ahead.

Akari is looking down at the light board, her fingers flashing over the keys as text starts pilling up on the smaller screen in front of her.

"Uh.." She looks up at the road briefly. "Mendocino." She answers Ashley and then focuses back on typing code. "Besides," she adds, "What can we do in San Fran at 2am anyway?"

"I don't know about you, but a shower and a bed await us in Mendocino."

She works for a while on it, humming to herself, then suddenly snarls and deletes the whole thing. "Trash. Gonna start over...." (got 4 successes)

She approaches it a different way and it seems pleasing as she keeps typing away looking down at her screen. "Hey, there are USB ports back there to plug in if anyone needs." (got 5 successes)

The truck moves smoothly along the freeway, passing and merging, even using signals while J-pop plays on the stereo.

Eventually, if no one talks she dozes off.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Thu 24 Sept 2020.

Relaxing in IVAN and reading through the files "A shower and sleep sounds wonderful at the moment, been going non stop for almost a full day now. This Lucius Selig guy seems like a right piece of work, reading here through the files it seems that little Morgan seems to be an empath and keeps her distance from her uncle, has me wondering what nasty skeletons he has in his closets to get that reaction from her." Typing a quick message on his phone back to headquarters, "Files mention that his threat level is none, situation has been dealt with, wonder what that's all about and what was done. Perhaps after the church seminar I could visit their office later that evening and take a peek around and see what can be found." Looking up and seeing Akari dozing off here and there "Ummmm silly question but does IVAN have an autodrive function perhaps?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Thu 24 Sept 2020.

In reply to Robert (msg # 60):

"No, according to the reports, Morgan empathy is what drives her away. She won't need a logically reason if her instincts leaves her uncomfortable or even terrified of the man." Bernard thinks on it for a moment, "Though that said, we shouldn't rule out that she's witness to something. That said, if we try and approach her ourselves, she instantly become suspicious and warn the family. We'll have to be careful with her, maybe place remote cameras to watch them all?"

Watching Akari's dropping eyes, Bernard starts tapping her on the lap to get her attention, making her jolt a little in her seat. "Hey Akari, I'm used to all nighters, I can take the wheel and drive us up there if you need some Zzz."

He turns back to Robert, "Also, I will NOT trust those self driving cars with my life. I've read up too many times with those accidents! Between 2014-2018, there have been 38 accidents alone with them in 'motion,' and just think about how many self driving cars are actually employed? That's a much larger ratio and percentage of accidents!"

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 61):

The car continues until it hits the rumble strips and Akari jolts awake, in part due to Bernard's tapping. "Ahh!" She exclaims and the truck swerves hard back into the road. Those of you nearby would notice that Akari's hands have still not touched the wheel. "IVAN!" she yells, "NANTEKOTTA!" She then begins a tirade, in Japanese, aimed directly at the center dashboard, where a screen is currently dark.

Everyone in the car feels an odd vibration, subtle but noticeable, and you get the distinct sense the vehicle is .... laughing.


*nantekotta - what the f**k
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 62):

Bernard now slightly worried about his and everyone else's safety, asked "So, umm, are you okay to drive? Plenty of space to pull over."

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 63):

Akari glances over at Bernard. "I'm not driving right now. IVAN is, and I think he's paying me back for driving him in the rain." She points a glare at the dashboard again then looks back over at Bernard.

"You wanna drive?"

In reply to Akari (msg # 64):

Bernard got a little excited at the thought of driving this baby, but remained mostly objective. "Sure, pull over where ever." Her words about IVAN driving went over his head, there was no way IVAN could drive itself and 'Pay her back.'
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 65):

Akari pulls over to the side and then after Bernard gets out she hops over to the passenger seat. "IVAN be nice ok?" she says before Bernard can come back around.  As Bernard goes to the door, the car rolls forward. Akari is clearly in the passenger seat now getting some coffee. It continues to roll forward just out of reach.

Running after the car, he yells "You didn't put the brakes on!"

The car reverses suddenly and Bernard narrowly misses the open door. It then starts creeping forward and back, toying with the former detective.

"Not this time!" Bernard hops in and slams the door shut before slamming the brakes. Akari looks up startled from the sudden maneuver. "Bad car!" he looked to Akari, "How did you forget to put it in park?!" he exclaims while wiping his forehead and shaking the rain out of his hair.

"He's messing with you." She said simply.

"What?! He?!"

"IVAN is."

Bernard looks flabbergasted, "The car, IVAN?!"

"Hai." She looks at the dash again. "He thinks he's funny..." She looks mad but there is a glimmer of mirth there.

Bernard looks at her as though she's a little crazy, "Heh, yeah, the car thinks it's funny!" IVAN honks the horn indignantly, "Fine, IVAN thinks he's funny!...Wait, what?!"

"You could tell him he's a handsome vehicle. He likes flattery." She says.

Bernard slowly looks down at the steering wheel, rubbing his thumb against the high end leather. "Whaaaaaaaaat?" he said in a low, gasping breathe.

The vehicle is still creeping backwards.

"No, no, no no no!" He tries holding down the brakes, but they refused to cooperate. Fortunately there are no other cars on the road at this crazy hour and weather.

"Bad car! That's a baaaad car! ...Wait, no! Who's a pretty car?! You are, you are! You are one of the raddest, most badass looking cars around! A Lambo would look at you and wish it was more like you! Please, please work with me!"

The car finally stops and waits.

Bernard lets out a shuttered breathe before leaning his head against the steering wheel. "The car IS alive. IVAN is alive. Someone could have WARNED ME!" He then glares hard at the dashboard, "Just so you know, I was already all sweet on you before your little stunt."

Akari looks at Bernard "I did warn you." She looks back at the console, which lights up in a subdued, shifting  fractal pattern because its dark.

"You could have acted a little more serious about telling me the car is sentient, instead of being so casual about it." Bernard's right eye twitched for a moment. His right eye twitched again before rounding back on the rest of the passengers. "You all knew, did you?! ...Ashley, you okay there? You're actually looking a little shell shocked over there." Bernard asked genuinely worried. Ashley was still seated in the middle with her eyes cracked open to their fullest, and her hand leaving a noticeable dent in her cup.

Akari spoke to the vehicle, "IVAN its okay to talk now."

The fractal pattern undulates as IVAN speaks. "First you want me to be placid, then you mute me out, then you want me to be silent once more. You must make up that vivified cortex of yours. And Bernard Hathaway, I assure you, I am QUITE sentient. "

"And you talk too?!"

Akari, with a look of slight annoyance, begins "You're also quite a--" as the horn begins to honk and drowns her words out.

"...well, she's technically not wrong either" Bernard comments.

"Yes, I am articulate" IVAN stated smugly.

"Seriously better than some people I know. Just another one of the many failures this county lets continue on...wait, why am I talking about ethics and American education with a car?!"

"Are you done with the tantrum IVAN?" Akari asked.

"Quite.  And I enjoy ethical discourse. I find it enlightening."

"As do I...I'm still doing it!"

Akari giggled at him.

Bernard held his head up before resigning himself to facts. "You know what. I'm in Knight Rider. I shouldn't be freaking out. This should practically be the best day of my life...Nope, still freaking out."

"At least he didn't burn your butt off like Kyle. Or light someones trash on fire with his spotlights like with Robert" Akari admitted IVAN's prior stunts.

Bernard looks down at the dashboard before raising an eyebrow, "...God damn IVAN, you're kind of an awesome badass, aren't you?"

"Kind of." IVAN held back no modest, and anyone could get the feeling he's pleased.

It takes time for the various members of the team to review the information found by Akari and Kyle and many of them were quiet while they did so.

Ashley, who had been busy listening to all of the videos on the Power of Positive Mechanics website after reading the various printed documents that had eventually been handed back to her, initially didn’t notice that Akari had drifted off to sleep.

She did glance up from her iPad as Robert and Bernard started talking.  “Talking to Morgan or at least observing the family seems like a good idea.  I’m concerned Lucius might have done something to her twin brother Lex.  One of the people they interviewed for the “Lights in the Sky” article mentioned she’d been seeing hallucinations of the boy who used to live there when she was being interviewed about seeing strange lights and hearing strange noises coming from a house in her neighborhood.  Apparently,” she pulls up a document on her iPad “he was like a ghost.  Glowing.  He ran right past me and disappeared.  He melted into a wall and was gone.”

Anything else she might have said is instead turned into a small shriek as the car hits the rumble strips and then jerks back onto the road.  From the back of the car, she can’t really tell that Akari’s hands aren’t on the wheel, but she can’t help but think that Bernard might have a point about switching off drivers.

The next few minutes were more than a little frightening, with the car seeming to have a mind of its own, moving backwards and forward as Bernard attempted to enter the driver’s seat.  She glanced around a bit wildly trying to see how the others in the vehicle were reacting to the situation and glancing out the back windows to make sure they weren’t going to hit anything.  Her face was pale.  Her eyes wide.  The cup a bit dented from the grip she had on it.  But, when Bernard asked her if she was alright, she did her best to answer confidently.  “Yes…. yes, I’m fine thank you.”  Though, there was a bit of a tremor in her voice.

She took a few deep breaths and did her best to convince herself that a car being sentient was no different than some of the uplifted animals that she had seen in the labs.  It was just another wonder of technology and science.  She patted the seat gingerly as she agreed.  “Yes, IVAN is very impressive and quite fascinating.  It is a pleasure to meet you IVAN.”

She then took a quick glance at the time on her iPad, feeling a definite sense of relief as she realized that they had to be getting close to Mendocino by now.  While IVAN was impressive, she was fairly certain this would all be easier to process later…when she wasn’t inside of the vehicle.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 58):

Akari finishes the coding for the tracking app and successfully hacks the site to install it without notice. Tracking the IP addresses of new members, posts, and changes made and by whom. It also goes one step further and gets the personal info of anyone posting or making changes as well as tracking back the IP address to their physical location.  (10 successes)

as Bernard is "driving" he notices in the rear view mirror. Kyle is passed out like a 5 year old in the back of the bus. his gentle snores going off in perfect rhythm. He looks peaceful. A few minutes later Bernard gets a feeling like something is watching him. He takes a quick look in the mirror and sees the car is full to the brim with a host of entities filling up every possible space. some of them beautiful and stunning, some twisted and deformed. As Bernard turns back to look in shock, the entities are all gone. Kyle is snoring peacefully. a few minutes later, with a big smile on his face, he mutters the name "Bianca" in the middle of some unintelligible words.

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 69):

Seeing Kyle fast asleep snoring away I get a mischievous look on my face, looking at Rose it seems there's a private discussion between the two and after a bit Rose snickers, slowly and gently moves forward and crawls to a spot and lays down on Kyles chest and simply stares at him. Taking out my phone i get ready to snap a picture "Well, this should be interesting" I quietly mention.

At approximately 2 am, the team arrives at Mendocino.  The rain has gotten heavier during the drive, sheets of water frequently covering the windshield and splashing up as you drive through areas where the water has puddled in the road.  Clouds have completely obscured the moon and stars, making it a very dark night.  Fortunately, IVAN is extremely responsive, the streets are nearly empty, and Bernard is a skilled enough driver to successfully handle the weather.

As the team reaches Mendocino they notice something a bit odd about the sky.  It is still dark, of course, but at varying points of their drive to the hotel, it looks dark purple, dark gold, burnt orange, and forest green.  Additionally, Robert can hear a quiet, persistent, low-frequency humming or droning noise.  The hum gets louder when they drive past the neighborhood where the Selig/Pastore house is located, and then quiets as they continue on to the hotel, but it never goes fully away.

Mendocino, is a small town, approximately 2.3 square miles.  As they drive through the downtown area on the way to their hotel, they notice that the windows of many of the stores, galleries, and restaurants have been boarded up, but fortunately, other than some broken tree limbs and a lot of wet trash and water, there doesn’t seem to have been much damage.  The sand bags seem to have prevented any significant flooding.  Other than the streetlights, the town is dark.  Most people are probably sleeping and hoping the storm will have cleared by the morning.

Motel Seaside and Sand is located near the coast on Ford Street.  While most of the rooms at the hotel are dark as well, the lobby is open and manned by a tired looking teenager.  The team doesn’t have any issues getting bungalows located near the carports that IVAN preferred.  In fact, as the team drives to that area of the parking lot, they notice that they probably could have gotten almost any room they wanted.  The parking lot is fairly empty.  Though, that probably isn’t surprising considering that March is still a bit early for the tourist season.

OOC:  Please make an Intelligence + Occult roll and give me the results in your next post.  Please also make a Perception + Awareness roll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

Kyle grabs rose like a teddy bear, "bianca, we cant do that in public. you naughty girl." he mutters in his sleep. Snores a little more. Then mutters again, "do you think the hickey will show up on the cameras. Maybe i should wear a turtle neck"

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 72):

After a bit of a shocked moment Rose turns and looks over at Robert, after a few moments the party hears Robert softly exclaim "Come again? Are you serious?" I look around at the rest of the group then shrug my shoulders and lift my phone back up as if to take a picture "Ok, but get ready for world war 15" I chuckle, he is NOT going to like that picture" Rose turns back to Kyle, still wrapped up in a hug with him, slowly stretches up and plants a small kiss right on Kyles lips and waits for Robert to take a picture of their precious moment, "There, thats comedy gold right there Rose, your brilliant. "I know" she replies then settles in as comfortably as possible and waits for Kyle to wake up. A moment later the rest of the groups phones ping and Robert lays back to enjoy the rest of the ride. (Players phones ping or vibrate or whatever notification your device is set to, Robert test messaged a copy of the photo of Kyle and Rose kissing to everyone)



I dont have Occult so just rolled intelligence and got a 4, 4, and 1
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Sun 27 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 71):

She giggles at the texted picture and looks back herself at Kyle.

Asks Benard "could you please stop near the front door so we don't have to walk so far in the rain, but head into the rain so it doesn't all go into his trunk?"

Once they do stop She'll get out with everyone, grab her couple of bags, and heads to one of the bungalows, her hoodie pulled up, and water beading off of the soft material, keeping her dry.

She is looking around as she opens the front door.



OOC 09:33, Today: Akari rolled 7 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 6,9,8,7,10(+10,6),4,5.  int+occult.

09:32, Today: Akari rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 5, rerolling 10s.  arete.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

Bernard looks at the picture and awws for a moment, but feels a little unsettled by Kyle's comment. 'To each their own, I suppose.' Though he did let slip as he said under his breath "Who the heck is Bianca?"

Akari looks at him with a bemused smile before shaking her head and heading inside.

Before Bernard leaves the car, he looks to IVAN's dashboard then the radio. He wasn't too sure where he was supposed to be looking at when addressing the vehicle. "So, um, IVAN...you're good here, right? Did you need anything or...something? Everyone kind of glanced over you, and, um...I really don't know what I'm doing to be honest. You're obviously here and part of the team...soooooo-" he trails of, feeling a bit awkward talking to a car be himself. Sure, a talking car, but still!

(OOC: Rolled 5 successes for Perception, will add results for Intelligent when update is available.)

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 75):

Akari jumps out as Bernard looks around IVAN wondering exactly what part to address when talking to him, he looks up and sees a young man sitting in the seat where Akari had been. The man smiles at Bernard then as Bernard blinks or looks away briefly once he looks back the man has vanished.

IVAN responds "I am functioning within adequate parameters, Bernard. I shall be ensconced in due time subjacent the sanctuary once all have extracted their appurtenance."

Once everyone has left and gathered their stuff from him, he rolls off silently and backs into the carport as far as he can and powers down somewhat.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:56, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

Since it had been covered in her initial “coming on board,” briefing, Ashely was pretty sure the construct would pay for each of them to have their own rooms.  So, when she realized that only three rooms had been reserved, she verified with the front desk that vacant rooms were still available and requested one of her own near the rest of the parties.  If other people want their own rooms, there are plenty available and as long as you keep your receipts, you will be reimbursed by the construct.

The rooms themselves are fairly typical motel rooms:  two queen sized beds, two easy chairs with a table between them, dressers, nightstands, a tv with access to cable, even a small refrigerator.  The rooms are decorated in the costal style, lots of blues and whites and pictures of seaside scenes.

The clerk at the front desk mentioned that there is an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, an in-hotel restaurant, and that room service is available from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm.


OCC:  Results from your rolls.

Akari has a very clear memory of a recent training session that had been titled: “Signs of Reality Tampering.”  During the lecture, the trainer had mentioned two things that seem relevant.

1.  Large magical rituals can influence the weather even if they weren’t specifically intended to do so.  For instance, adding extra magical energy to the atmosphere can make storms stronger than they would have been otherwise.

2.  Types of magic can be associated with different colors.  Purple is associated with correspondence.  Orange is associated with Forces.  Spirit is associated with gold.  And time is associated with green.  Those were the colors that you saw reflected in the sky while driving to the hotel.

------------

Kyle either didn’t attend the training session or wasn’t paying as much attention.  He remembers that storms can be the result of heavy magic usage and that certain types of magical effects can have colors associated with them.  But, doesn’t remember any details.

-------------

Robert doesn’t have any dots in Reality Deviant Data.  So, he probably hasn’t attended any training related to the subject.  He does remember seeing a YouTube video discussing how odd colors in the sky (specifically green and purple) can be a sign that a tornado or hurricane is coming.   The odd noise that he is still hearing might be a sign of tinnitus, though he’s not experienced tinnitus before.

------------

Since Bernard doesn’t have any dots in reality Deviant Data, he would have no way of knowing whether or not the storm or the odd colors in the sky are significant.  Note:  You accidently rolled perception + alertness instead of perception + awareness.  But since Robert hasn’t mentioned hearing an odd noise yet, no re-roll is required.

------------

If Robert does mention hearing an odd noise and anyone else is trying to hear it as well, they will need to succeed on a perception + awareness roll (diff 6) in order to do so.
 If Robert asks Ruby, she can hear it but isn't having any issues tuning it out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 77):

Bernard would like to suggest that everyone pairs off with a partner to stay safe and alert. Back in the force, having a partner watching his back has saved his bacon dozens of times. Who knows what anyone will run into at any given time.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 77):

After arriving at the hotel and heading from Ashley, “Thanks for the info Ashley, I’ll get a room myself thanks. Anyone else hear that buzzing sound? Someone in this town is using some heavy Force sphere work here, and it was strongest back around the targets house. Something g interesting is going on around here.” (And I do make sure we’re the only ones in ear shot when I mention this. “Cmon Rose, let’s get settled in.”

In reply to Robert (msg # 79):

Akari listens for a moment trying to hear what Robert is hearing.

"That's odd." And she'll try to pinpoint where it's coming from or what it could be.


OOC: Akari rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 ((10,8,7,6,7,1)).

    I was still really sleepy when we drove by the house. I knew wierd stuff was going on there but i couldn't remember the training, i was too tired.

    I saw the text that Robert sent. It was cute. I don't blame rose for wanting to kiss me. All the girls do. Especially the dangerous ones. I posted the picture on my official twitter account. By the time we got to the hotel Rose was internet famous. My fan girls eat this stuff up.

    "I guess you and me are Roomies Bernard, This will be fun. Plus that way the couple over there can get a room to themselves." He motions towards Akari as he gets his bags and heads to the room. "We'll be right next door Akari, try not to steal all the WiFi like last time." he says remembering the good times of the last mission, before everything went wrong. It always goes wrong.

     He went in and checked out the hotel room. Hotels are always haunted, lots of bad stuff happens in them. Also sometimes good stuff. Either way it leaves lots of psycic residue. I knew i shouldn't look. It was like turning on an ultraviolet light and looking at the stains, but i couldn't help myself


Spirt and Mind Sphere Scan.
18:18, Today: Kyle Moskowits rolled 3 successes  with a target of 6 ((6,7,9,2)).
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

Ashley listened to Bernard’s suggestion and then shook her head, “I hadn’t realized police officers typically shared hotel rooms.  Nevertheless, I am certain I would be more comfortable in my own room,” her tone was decided.

Xhiva also arranged for his own room.  Even if he had wanted to share, which he didn't, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to share a room with Akari.  So, Kyle and Bernard are the only team members sharing a room.

OOC: I checked with Xhiva's player and confirmed he wanted his own room.

-----------

When she concentrated, Akari could also hear a low frequency rumbling or droning noise that seemed to be coming from the south-east.  The Selig/Pastore house is south-east from here.

If she or Robert do any further analysis (such as by using the force sphere or her device) they can determine that the frequency of the hum is 56 hertz, modulated from 1.5 hertz.  But neither of them are able to tell what is causing the sound.

---------------

Since the consensus appeared to be in favor of going directly to the hotel instead of driving by the house first, the team has not yet seen the Pastore/Selig house.  They just passed by the neighborhood on the way to the hotel.   Note:  As mentioned before, this is a very small town: 2.3 square miles.  The house is less than two miles away.

----------------

Kyle’s room was not haunted.  And, as he expanded his senses outward, he noticed that there were only a few of ghosts lingering in the hotel.  He was able to detect the ghost of an elderly woman, the ghost of a younger man who looked as though he may have shot himself, and the ghost of a middle aged man.

There was some psychic residue in his room:  a mixture of good and bad.  Kyle was able to pick up on a few passionate romantic encounters, some sweet (newlyweds on their honeymoon), some tawdry (a couple having an affair).  He also picked up on a fairly nasty fight, though fortunately it doesn’t seem as if it turned violent.  All in all, its really a fairly typical hotel room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:25, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 82):

Hotels are better than telanovelas to a psycic medium
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 82):

Akari sets up a could of holographic generators so Ryuichi can materialize. He relaxes on the bed and watches whatever is on tv while throwing out ideas and generally helping Akari theorize on the hum, while also subtly encouraging her to go to bed and get some much-needed sleep.

But, before she can sleep she does try to analyze this hum further, unsure of what can cause such a noise. She had several theories and quickly set to work bunking or debunking each.

Theory 1: Causation: Cell Phone towers.
     She looked up a map of the towers in the area and there were a few although the closest and most likely was a T-Mobile tower located north, towards Fort Bragg. Verizon had a tower but its distance meant that coverage was spotty at best. The same was true with AT&T and also Sprint. However, the frequency emitted by towers could be stopped with any metal enclosure, therefore, it wouldn't be heard inside of IVAN. She moved to her next theory.

Theory 2: Causation: Electrical Grid.
     This theory had the same problem as with the cell phone towers. A metal enclosure would block any hum emitted from a substation or high voltage powerlines. She moved to her next theory.

Theory 3: Causation: HAARP.
     The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is an isolated military compound in Alaska that uses radio waves to study outer space and for testing advanced communication techniques. Owned by the Void Engineers, and the subject of dozens of conspiracy theories, such as mind control and weather manipulation....some of them actually true. However here, they likely wouldn't have been called out for the actions of another construct that had little to do with the information given. It was also most likely too far away to affect Mendocino. Next.

Theory 4: Otoacoustic Emissions.
     These were sounds caused by the naturally occurring vibrations of the hair cells in the inner ear. This would be a viable possibility except that both IVAN and Ryuichi could pick up the hum as well, and since both lacked hair cells or inner ears this eliminated theory number 4.

Theory 5: Tinnitus.
     This theory includes a widely reported auditory phenomenon called tinnitus, ringing in the ears. This a relatively common medical condition that causes people to hear high-pitched squealing tones. However, the frequency of this tone and the tones reported by those afflicted with tinnitus are too diverse, as tinnitus has a higher frequency and thus a higher pitch, which this has a lower frequency and thus a much lower pitch. Also, neither IVAN nor Ryuichi have inner ears and would not be afflicted, ruling out theory number 5.

Theory 6: VLF emissions.
     It was possible that this hum is rooted in Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio transmissions. The human body would sometimes experience electromagnetic (EM) energy and interpret it in a way that could create sounds. This was established in 1960 with the American neuroscientist Alan Frey in his "microwave hearing" experiments, which showed that certain high-frequency EM energy could be heard as sounds. There were plenty of biophysical models available that predicted and explained the impact that VLF EM energy had on living tissue, even non-lethal weapons designed to impact and shut down a human body. Although this theory would have to be further researched, possibly with the creation of a VLF cage, or blocking box, to test.

Theory 7: Simple noise.
     Her next hypothesis was fairly simple. This hum was the grand accumulation of low-frequency sound and human-generated infrasound that would be felt more than heard. This would include everything from highway noise to all manner of industrial activity. However, the remote and rural nature of Mendocino, and lack of highways or industry, makes this theory unlikely.

Theory 8: Naturally Occurring.
     This theory takes into account that the hum is a terrestrial or geological phenomenon that generates low-frequency sounds or perceptions of those sounds. For example, there is a well-documented history of animals predicting earthquakes and taking action to save themselves. From an evolutionary perspective, there may be survival value in having members of a population highly sensitive to some types of vibrations. When it comes to this hum, some humans may have a similar physiological mechanism in place.

Theory 9: Magick
    Finally, this could be some sort of by-product of the magical forces colliding in the sky above them generated by one or more reality deviants on the ground nearby. This was the most likely causation, however, all causes needed to be explored and dismissed regardless of which one she felt was most likely. Her scientific logical nature precluded otherwise.

After an hour or so of researching and theorizing Akari stumbled into the shower and then into the bed that just so happened to have 500 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets (Arete: 1 success) over a memory-foam mattress (Arete: 2 successes). Ahhh!

She'd have to remember to thank Bernard for splurging on the upgraded room amenities tomorrow.

Robert's room was comfortable and warm and after the long day, the bed looked very tempting. Still, first he wanted to make certain that the room was safe.  So, he performed a careful search, looking for any hidden recording or listening devices.  Soon, he was certain that there was nothing there.  The room was as secure as it was comfortable.

Before long, he and Rose fall asleep.

However, despite the cozy bed, Robert's sleep was hampered by weird dreams.  Eventually, he sat up in bed with a big yawn, stretched a bit, and rubbed his eyes. Suddenly, he heard the shower turn off.  A woman emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. Slowly and sultrily, she walked towards Robert,  the movement accentuating her hourglass figure. When she reached the bed she flicked her long, raven-black hair and let the towel drop. She prowled onto the bed with a devious smile, pushing Robert back with her delicate hands until he lay back. As she started kissing his stomach on the way up his chest, his hands reach out gripping the sheets. She slowly worked her way up chest and started nibbling, face buried in his neck. She knew all the right little spots to make him feel good.  Then she suddenly came up and Robert realized that he was face to face with a skull; that a skeleton in black robes was straddled over him. Robert tried to escape as she raised a sacrificial knife to plunge into his heart, but his arms were wrapped up in the sheets and he couldn't get loose. He could only scream in terror. As the knife comes down Rose jumped on Robert's chest, chittering and threatening. The Female Death fled, floating thru the wall as if it was never really there.

Robert woke up again. This time to Rose jumping on his face.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:38, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 84):

It was a little bit later as Akari slept peacefully that Ryuichi appeared beside her, sitting on the bed watching her slow rhythmic breathing. That familiar longing, that loneliness, crept over him again, as it so often did, and he reached his hand out to her face. To touch her, to feel her warmth once more, for just a moment.

But unsurprisingly, his fingers again passed through her, and she stirred a bit but remained asleep. As his fingers passed through her, he looked down at his arm, seeing the wounds there that would never heal. Wounds on his face and chest that still seethed and blistered with a green toxic energy.

The same energy that had taken his life, and had forever ripped away a part of him that he most loved, and left him standing in a doorway between two worlds.

There hadn't been enough time, he thought. There was never enough time. Isn't that what every ghost says? That if only they could have another year, another day, another minute. What would he tell her in that precious time? What could he tell her that he hadn't already said? Already felt? Already done?

He looked around the room, floating off the bed silently. Maybe something was broken inside of him. Kyle pressured him to leave her while he pressured her to let go. She refused to turn away from him, to look forward. He wanted her to move on, to be happy, but doing so meant he would lose her. It meant he, too, would have to turn away and move on. But he knew that he couldn't. Not yet. He could still protect her. He would protect her. He was her emotional support, her grief.

She was his pain. His purpose.

His love.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

It didn't take too long for Akari to give me and Kyle a shout out with all of her theories and ideas for the unusual humming they all heard and felt before sending out an email. Very impressive at how fast she spat those out. He's had to work with federal agents before, and the few he met with the Ops Center have been the only ones to be nearly as impressive with the few things he's seen Akari do so far. It almost blew his mind really...but then again, they were ordinary sleepers while he was now enlightened, now working with other enlightened individuals working with an officially recognized Construct.

It didn't take Bernard too long to pull out his cork board tiles from his carry-on and stuck them together on the wall before writing things out on some flash cards.

Kyle blinked tiredly at him as he got ready for bed. "Wait, did you seriously bring something like that with you?"

Bernard kept most of his attention to filling out flash cards, "Oh yeah, it really is easier having everything hanging up in front of you. It isn't just a TV or movie thing...there. Let's see what we can put together."

Kyle yawned, "By we, that means you, right? 'Cause I'm ready for sleep. ~Yawn~" His face drops into the pillow before snuggling into it. Bernard could hear some murmuring coming from him, but paid it no mind.

After over an hour of studying all the information the team had brought together, some things began to fall into place. "I think I got something!"

Kyle let out a snore, "No Bianca, don't do that. The fan girls have fangs, too."

Bernard tapped his chin as he looked intensely at the cork boards. "I think...Kyle needs to talk to someone about this Bianca chick... Anyway~" He began to type out an email for everyone to include his new findings.

16:20, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 ((6,5,9,7,2,4,8)).

      I woke up early like usual and went for my morning jog. Bernard was sleeping in his cloths. tape and strings and pictures were all over him. must have fallen asleep working on the case. I slept really good but i had another dream about Bianca. I really do miss her, to bad shes batshit crazy. I dreamt i was in that big fancy house i had build in Albuquerque. Not that i get to spend much time there. She kept asking me to come see her, but i told her i had a job in Mendocino and couldn't put it off. The team was counting on me. She kept getting pushed out of the room like somebody was physically pushing her back. Probably just my subconscious reminding me that the doc said she was bad for me. Then she would just come in from a different door or window. weirdest thing. i should probably call the doc and...

       Hey look, that ghost just told someone to hold his beer, this is gonna be good...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

It wasn't extremely early when Akari woke up. She was lagging just a bit, but a little bit of cheap hotel coffee would wake her up. They probably had a long day ahead, but she'd promised IVAN she'd work on him a bit, plus she had to wipe him down. He got so cranky when he was dirty.

She'd had good dreams that night. It was the times before all of the craziness started. The times before where she, where THEY, were happy. Together. Akari and Ryuichi.

It had only been three short years ago, but it felt like another lifetime. Another world.

A world where they didn't have to fight monsters, or reality deviants, or crazy phenomena. It was a world where they were still madly in love. A world they were able to be together.

It didn't matter they were both barely out of high school. That their first apartment was barely more than a bedroom and a bathroom in downtown Tokyo. What mattered was they were happy.

But, like reality, that dream came to an abrupt halt as her alarm began to sound. Sighing, she rolled over, halfway expecting to see him groggily smiling over at her, and a faint wistful disappointment briefly washed over her. It had been over a year, but it still felt like yesterday.

And it probably always would.

She quickly got up and got dressed, heading outside to see to Ivan, bringing several hotel towels with her. Her heart lightened as she saw Ryuichi sitting on the hood waiting for her, smiling and waving.

He looked as he did the day they'd married. Gone were the horrific injuries and oozing wounds left by that demonic creature. She'd seen him with them, and they scared her. Not because they were terrifying, but because seeing them meant he'd been hurt, badly, and she knew his final moments were those of agony and anguish.

IVAN's voice was not enough to fully cut through her joy at Ryuichi's presence. "You have lain dormant quite long enough. My superior chassis is quite disheveled and awaits its cleaning."

Even Ryuichi could not keep from laughing at the sweatdrop face Akari made as she got first to cleaning, then to installing as Kyle ran by in his morning jog.

Bernard’s flash cards and cork board prove useful in creating a timeline.

1.  Approximately 30 years ago, an accident occurred during a spell to resurrect a dead hamster.  This accident gave Lucius Selig the ability to astrally project to other dimensions, but he did not have the ability to control it.

2.  At some point, after becoming an adult, Lucius gained control over his powers.

3.  Using those powers, he created a religion (The Power of Positive Mechanics) and Portals Bermuda (an extra-dimensional health spa).  The church was founded approximately 5 years ago and Portals Bermuda was founded about 3 and a half years ago.

4.  Approximately 3 years ago, his actions were detected by the Technocracy (specifically the Presidio construct).  This also brought the other members of his family to the Constructs attention: “The members of the Selig/Pastore family initially came to our attention as a result of their association with Lucius Selig (see Lucius Selig).”

5.  Approximately 2 and half years ago, Lucius Selig posted a video to a group he called the Order saying that he knew they were after him and that they would not succeed in stopping him.

6.   Approximately 2 years ago, the last update was made to Lucius Selig’s record in the Presidio databases.  That update stated “Threat Level: Extremely High  None.  The situation has been dealt with.”

7.  Approximately 2 years ago, there was a schism in the Power of Positive Mechanics church.  Lucius Selig was replaced as the leader by Master Christian Garcia.  Prior to that Christian Garcia had been Lucius Selig’s personal assistant and boyfriend.

8.  Speculative:  It is possible that approximately 2 years ago, Lucius Selig’s powers were damaged in some way.  In several of his videos he has commented that he is no longer able to visit his spirit home.  He may mean this literally.  Additionally, if he still had access to his powers, it seems as though he would have been able to use them to regain control of the church.

9.  The latest updates to the information about the other members of the Selig/Pastore family indicate that Lucius was living in the same house as them.  The last updates were made a year ago, indicating he moved in some time after losing control of the church.

10.  A few weeks ago, Lucius Selig posted a video indicating that he would be working with his nephew Lex, on a project that would in the words of Lucius help him regain his spirit home and “regain me to my former glory and more.”  According to the video, that project was supposed to occur a few days after the video posted.

11.  Recently (prior to the alert but probably no more than a week or so ago), individuals in Mendocino started noticing strange lights in the sky and at least one neighbor reported seeing “hallucinations of the boy who used to live there when she was being interviewed about seeing strange lights and hearing strange noises coming from a house in her neighborhood.”

12.  Yesterday, a major and somewhat unexpected storm hit Mendocino.  Major magical workings can cause storms or make already existing storms more powerful.

13.  Yesterday, the team received an alert saying “There has been a level 4 breach in the space time continuum in a residential area of Mendocino, California.  Breach appears to have occurred near the cross streets of Williams Street and Little Lake Street. “

14.  Yesterday, shortly after the alert was sent out, someone attempted to delete the information in the Presidio database relating to Lucius Selig and made it hard to find the information relating to the other family members.  This action appears to have been taken from a computer located inside the Presidio Construct, specifically the one belonging to Jonathan Norton’s administrative assistant, Susan Douglas.  Speculation:  Possible signs of a coverup?

15.  When the team arrived in Mendocino, various team members saw strange lights in the sky and heard an odd and unexplained hum.  Both Nicolae Pastore and Emerson Selig's magical abilities are related in some way to sound or sonics


Bernard also made a consolidated list of the extra-ordinary abilities each living family member appears to have.

Emerson Selig:  affinity for machinery, especially machinery that focuses on the unique sonic spectrum associated with an individual, created and utilized devices that allowed him to search for other mages, created and utilized a device that reanimates the dead by drawing their spirit back into their body.  Possessed and has used a powerful device (wonder) called The Transducer.  Possible spheres: Life, Spirit, Matter, Correspondence

Piper Pastore:  ability to see other dimensions and realities.  Possible Spheres:  Spirit, Correspondence, maybe Time.  It is likely all the spheres are at a fairly low level.

Nicolae Pastore:  uses sound and sonics to produce supernatural effects, such as moving or destroying large objects. Attempting to create a “Laser Harp” (possible unique foci or possible device/wonder).  Possible Spheres:  Forces, Prime

Lex Pastore:  highly intelligent and shares his grandfather’s innate sense of engineering paired with his interest in esoteric science, attempting to solve the riddle of death and resurrection.  Spheres:  Unknown.  Uncertain if he has awakened yet, but if he hasn’t, it appears likely he will do so in the future.

Morgan Pastore:  empath:  someone gifted with the ability to feel as other feel, has the ability to know (or intuit) what people around her are thinking and feeling, affinity for plants, plants do unnaturally well under her care, spends a great deal of time speaking to a plant she has named Jean (the same name as her grandmother) (possible familiar? Could a ghost possess a plant?)  Possible Spheres:  Mind, and Life

Lucius Selig:  ability to travel to other dimensions (the umbra) and to take other people with him, ability to create new places in the multiverse (the umbra), uses focused sonic meditation as his foci.   Possible Spheres:  Spirit, Correspondence, Prime, Mind  It is likely that many of these spheres are or were at a high level.


OOC:  Do you have any specific questions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:50, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

The worst of the storm had cleared by the time that the various team members began waking up.  The sky was still grey and looked as if the rain might start again at some point, but at least for now the rain had stopped.  There was only a slight breeze as opposed to the much heavier winds they had been dealing with last night.

Individuals with awareness will notice that the sky is still occasionally taking on various unusual tinges:  purple, orange, gold, and green.  Robert had managed to tune out the hum by this point, though if he tried to listen for it, he could still hear it.

Kyle’s jog was pleasant enough.  The weather was cool, but not cold.  And while the humidity was still rather high, it wasn’t raining, at least not yet.  There were a variety of cafes, shops, and galleries located near the hotel, and as he jogged, he could see various owners or employees removing the boards that had covered the windows during the storm and preparing for the day.  As he jogged, he watched as a ghost said, “Hold my beer” and then attempted to perform an elaborate trick on his skateboard, only to fail and crash badly.

As Kyle jogged, Akari had a pleasant early morning working on IVAN and chatting with Ryuichi.

At approximately 8:00, Robert received a brief response to the e-mail he had sent to their manager, Ethan Wellesley.  He had thanked Robert for the suggestion about using someone with cloaking to shadow Morgan Pastore.  Though now that Robert thought about it for a bit, he realized there aren’t many individuals in the construct with his level of cloaking.  He may have just volunteered himself for that job.  As for the question about Lucius’s threat level, Mr. Wellesley stated that he did not oversee that operation and did not remember it being discussed.  He mentioned that he checked and did not see any information relating to it in the databases.  So, he was uncertain what was done to resolve the situation.

Rose seemed tired and a little on edge this morning.  She was chittering more than usual and looking around suspiciously.   She barely touched the grapes Robert offered her for breakfast.  If asked, she will tell Robert that something (possibly a spirit) tried to hurt him last night and she had to protect him from it and that after she chased it off, she had stayed awake the rest of the night to make sure it didn't come back.  But, she isn't sure exactly what it was or whether or not it will return.

Ashely woke up around 7:30 and after showering and dressing, headed down to the hotel restaurant for a quick breakfast, assuming someone on the team would send her a message when it was time to head out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:56, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 91):

Walking outside looking haggard drinking down some coffee like it was water "Calm down Rose, its the morning, the rest of the team is up and ill be around theme for the day. Ill talk with Kyle and see if he knows or can find out anything about last night, and thank you for watching out for me as usual." Opening the custom pocket in my coat made especially for Rose, "Now climb inside and catch some sleep, the new internet celebrity queen needs her beauty rest." I say to her with a smirk, she yawns to the point one would think her mouth was about to unhinge like a snake then she rubs her eyes and starts to crawl into her little hideout, just loud enough that only the party members closest could hear her "I want a tiara, all queens have a tiara" with a smile and a little laugh "And a tiara you shall have, Ill see what I can get made up for my heroine, now get some rest.

"Morning Akari, getting IVAN all nice and dried up I see, and morning to you as well IVAN. How was your rest last night Akari? you get any strange visits from skeletal death spirits as well?" seeing Kyle finishing up his morning Jog about that time "Morning Kyle, any chance you could take a look at my room after you get cleaned up? had a little incident last night, strange lucid dream involving some strange lady that turned out to be some sort of skeletal death spirit that tried to stab me in the chest with a knife, Rose chased her off and woke me up, watched over me the rest of the night so shes a bit frazzled and exhausted at the moment. "Taking another long swig of coffee, "Oh and touché with your net post, Rose says shes a queen now" I chuckle "Going to have to find her Highness a tiara, you see an IHOP or similar place on your jog? I have a serious craving for some pancakes."

In reply to Robert (msg # 92):

Akari smiled. "Rose wants a tiara? I can 3d print her one. No need to go out. She like rubies? Emeralds? Diamonds?" She paused and set down the sonic screwdriver she was using and tapped a bit on one of the computer screens that hovered in the air around her. Most of them showed impossible to decipher quantum mechanics, but one now showed the specs for a tiny tiara.

"Strange skeletal spirits? No..." she said thinking. "Just one, and he's not strange or skeletal." She turned to seemingly an empty area. "Ryuichi, did you see anything odd? Anyone else?"

There was silence. Then...

"Nope," she finished. "He didn't see anything weird, but he wasn't really looking, he said." She will start "printing" out the tiara after she gets specs from Robert or Rose. (arete: 3 successes)

In reply to Akari (msg # 93):

“Hmmmm, guess just me then, maybe Kyle will know something. She’s partial to rubies, thanks” I reply back to her with an appreciative smile”

A small head pops out of the pocket long enough to say, “Rubies sounds nice, they are the same color as cherries.  Maybe I could have some cherries later?  Oh, and the creature didn’t look like a skeleton.  It was an extremely ugly woman with long black nails and purplish-blue skin…sort of like the color of a bruise.  She had long black hair decorated with bones, horns, and jagged fangs.  And red eyes.  She crawled on top of you and looked like she was going to stab you with her claws. I was very brave to attack her.  I definitely deserve cherries later.”

Once Ruby mentioned that his description of the creature was inaccurate, Robert realized he had never actually seen it.  He dreamed that he woke up and saw the woman crawl on his chest and then actually woke up when Ruby jumped on his face.


Private Message to Kyle:
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:35, Fri 02 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 95):

With a little laugh “cherries it is then, I’ll get you enough that you won’t be able to even finish them all” I smile at Rose as she recounts her brave heroics of saving me.

In reply to Robert (msg # 96):

IVAN "I, too, wish to partake in these 'cherries'"

Akari rolled her eyes. "You're a vehicle. You don't eat cherries. The pits would go through your water pump, and then get stuck as they tried to pass through your lower radiator hose." She thinks for a moment. "I heard it is the same amount of pain for a guy as giving birth is for a woman. You don't want that." She could feel IVAN about to protest. "If you don't believe me, look it up." She went back to work on his flight controls.

It was less than a minute.

"HOLEY SCION ON A SUBARU!! Please never give me any cherries." IVAN exclaimed

Akari chuckled to herself. "Ok IVAN, I won't."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

After finishing her breakfast, Ashley noticed that most of the team had gathered around IVAN and headed out to join them, "Good morning.  I just wanted to check and see what the plan for today was."


OCC:  Since it looks like Kyle doesn't have time to post right now.  Go ahead and assume that he answered you Robert.  We'll let him backfill what he said later.  You can also assume that any other currently inactive team members will join you if you ask them to do so.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

"hmm, there are two ghost here but i don't think it was them" i said holding my arms in the classic thinkers pose for added effect "Sounds serious. I think someone lured a Night Hag to you. Not even i have enough juice to pull one of those from the deep reaches. It Eats fear, so ah... don't be afraid?" i said with a shrug. "Once they latch on they don't let go till the victim is all used up. Then when all your fear circuits are burnt up you kinda lose all will and just kinda sit there and drool on yourself.I can try to set up a device that boost the frequency of our world in your room, but to something that heavy it might just be a minor annoyance. It might trouble rose too. If you want i can get in your head and try to shore up your fear defenses. its kinda unpredictable how long that will last though. Your other option is to just not sleep, like those kids in the freddie movies." Then i had a thought. "Maybe we should have Bernard inspect your room. Sometimes reality deviants..." I made air quotes when i said the silly term. There wrong, but there just people playing with powers they don't understand and trying to explain them... "Leave lures to draw in such things. If there powerful enoph to draw one down on you from afar you might be screwed. makes me wonder who you pissed off. Now it is possible for it to just happen upon you and decide to latch on. There are weird things going on in this town, but its unlikely. Oh and there's an IHOP two blocks that way."

As she listened to Kyle’s explanation about Night Hags, Akari received a ping indicating that one of the monitoring programs on her VDAS had detected something significant.  When she checked, she saw that it was a post that was made approximately 15 minutes ago to a bird watching site by user Mendocino Birder.

The post said:

“Hey everyone.  I made it through the storm alright.  It may have even proven lucky.  I think it must have blown in a rare bird.  Has anyone ever seen something like this before?  I haven’t been able to find it in any of my field guides.



I saw it in my yard just a little bit past dawn and was able to get a few pictures before it flew away again.  Hopefully, it will return.  If anyone knows what type of bird it is, do you know what it eats?  I’d like to put out some food for it.

It was about the size of a parrot and although I'm sure it was a trick of the light, the feathers almost seemed to glow."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 99):

"Ya, no offence Kyle, but no one goes into my head, well Rose excluded" I laugh a bit "But she's an exception and as far as searching my room, I had that covered last night and if I didn't find anything, then its not there." Hearing a sound coming Akaris direction, "Anything interesting pop up Akari?"

Speaking of Bernard~

He snap awake with a snort as he sit up in his chair before rolling his neck and moans. He had fallen asleep at his desk as he finished typing out his email and proofreading it, but never hit the Send. He wearily looks to the right at his board wall before looking to the left at the clock. It was almost 9. Bernard stood up with a stretch while scratching himself all over, he missed his shower last night too. Damn.

He walks over before rubbing some deodorant on himself and heads out the room while dragging his feet along the ground. He has his cigarette at the ready for the moment he steps outside.
Outside, he takes a deep drag after lighting up before noticing the rest of the team. He walks over to them.

"Hey, sorry about that. Was up late putting everything together. I went ahead a sent an email now with everything that's happening...ahhh, you'll see it in your email." He let out a yawn. "I'm gonna get some breakfast after this" he takes a huff of his smoke, "Any new news or development?"

OOC: Sorry, thought I posted this last night during Luci's game.

"ok welp, I'm gonna go take a quick shower. I'll be ready in 20 Minuets." I said in a cheery tone, before ducking into the hotel room. People always get huffy with the experts when there's not an easy solution. Oh well, its his circuits. I'm sure hes got a solution in mind. Still i wonder who he pissed off that has that juice. Maybe it was a whole coven. Meh, probably nothing i need to worry about.

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 103):

Akari looks up at Kyle as he wanders away. "Umm...how long is a 'Minuet'?" she asked, not really to anyone in particular. "I mean, are we talking a traditional 17th-century sonata? Those can get kinda long. Each of the three movements can total up to around 20-25 minutes if it's a piano sonata, but others, like the "Hammerklaiver" are around 45 minutes in length. That's a long shower, but maybe...." there was a pause and she huffed a bit, pulling out her light-board, "....I am NOT being too detailed, he clearly said Minuet."

There was another pause. "No....that doesn't make any sense beloved. That's the top of a mosque that calls the Muslims to prayer....a MINARET. Two different things....." She giggled. "You're so silly. IVAN, play the first two movements of Beethoven's moonlight sonata. That would be just about the right amount of time..... " She pulled up the program and the post, "Ok, well yeah, maybe I did hear him wrong but he ..... What the?!"

She was looking at the picture of the phoenix. "Hey, guys....check this out."

Akari immediately started a location search for where exactly this picture was taken and what time. Those things were usually embedded, but hidden, in the photos themselves, in the code, and not hard to find with the right skill and software."

And then Moonlight sonata began to play.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Mon 05 Oct 2020.

Akari is easily able to pull up the location and time stamp of the picture.  It doesn’t appear as though the photographer made any effort to modify or remove them.  The picture was taken at 7:10 am at GPS coordinates which correspond to a house at 228 Flores Street, a few blocks away from the intersection of Williams Street and Little Lake Street where the anomaly was detected.  The house at 228 Flores Street belongs to a Richard Feldman, age 67, a recently retired accountant.

Resurgence woke up at 6:15, took a showered, and changed into a fresh set of cloths. A white button-up shirt with gray dress pants, and a spotted black tie. After getting dressed I sat down at the end of my bed, pulled my laptop out of its case, cracked it open, and worked on my report until it was done.

"Now that this is finished. I should go to the dining room to grab a bite to eat. I have been so wrapped up in this report I haven't made a proper introduction to my teammates yet." Resurgence thought to himself.

Before going for to the dining room Resurgence threw on his gray suit jacket. Resurgence spotted Ashley sitting at a table in the hotel dining room. I grabbed a big breakfast two plates of food four pieces of bacon, three pancakes with plenty of maple syrup, two cups of coffee with lots of cream no sugar. I sat the table with Ashley and chatted.

"How did you sleep last night Ashley?"

Stuffed to the gills with courtesy breakfast Resurgence and Ashley headed to the team at and IVAN.

"Hello Robert, Kyle, Barnard, Akari. Call me Resurgence. I'm sorry I was so focused on my report I haven't been able to dedicate my focus and attention toward our case. I was in the middle of some lab work while I was called to action by the Persido Construct. I needed to finish the report to hand off the responsibilities to my lab technician. Thank you all for your patience. Would anyone like a banana from courtesy of the hotel?"

Xhiva pulls out a banana from the coat pocket

Resurgence continues, "The tryptophan in bananas will make you feel better, daily intake of bananas increases brain power, while the high vitamin B content reduces anxiety."

Resurgence looks to Robert and says "A night hag that sounds terrible. Is this the first time you have ever experienced anything like this before?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Mon 05 Oct 2020.

In reply to Xhiva Resurgence Gopala (msg # 106):

Akari looks over as Xhiva comes out of his room finally. "Surge....are you SURE you're done?" she's teasing a bit then snatches the banana he's holding out of his hand.

"Breakfast! Thanks!" she turns it upside down and peels open from the bottom. If anyone is looking at her oddly, she remarks. "Hey, its how the primates eat them. Good enough for me. And you don't get all those strings this way." (true fact)

She goes to bite into it and notices Rose's big begging eyes peeking out from Robert's pocket, and she sighs a little before breaking off a small part and leaning over to drop it in.

Pulling her VR goggles back on, she taps a few commands out on her light-board, then the whisper of a buzzing noise can be heard from IVAN as a clamp releases on the rack of lights above the roof. A small black drone, matching IVAN's aesthetic releases and comes to hover beside Akari.

She takes a moment to activate its cameras and pipe what it sees through her screens, so all can see, and sends it out to 228 Flores street.

"Ok" she mutters, "Let's see what probably wants to remain unseen..."

Akari does look back up at the others as the drone flies away. "We probably want to investigate this in person...and the house....just saying. Oh, and by the way." She looked at Surge. "Tell Ashley and Bernard why they call you Resurgence."




(drive/pilot: 5 successes; arete: correspondence 3 successes (for the distance) --> scanning using computer arete: 6 successes (cycling through each sphere) )
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Tue 06 Oct 2020.

A few minutes later, Akari began receiving images and scans from the drone as it reached 228 Flores Street.   The scans indicated that there was nothing unusual about the house itself (wood and brick, Cape Cod style), or the inhabitants (an older man doing a bit of light housework, a small Scottish terrier, two canaries).

The back yard had clearly been set up to appeal to birds.  It contained multiple bird feeders with a wide range of different types of foods, several tall trees, and a large bird bath.  There were quite a few birds in the yard, but none that looked out of place.  One blue jay appeared to consider attacking the drone and squawked at it threateningly.  But it backed off when the drone moved closer to it.

It appeared that Richard Felman’s statement that the bird flew away shortly after he took a few pictures of it was accurate.  Since it was now approximately, 9:00 and the pictures had been taken at 7:10, depending on its average flying speed and long it had decided to travel, the bird could be some distance from here by now.

Fortunately, Akari had two pieces of good luck.

First ivan found an unusual feather under a blackberry bush in the corner of the yard.  The feather was solid and appeared to be made out of gold.

Second, the metallic feather and the picture, when run against the Presidio's database of Extra-Physical Entities (Spirits) as part of the scanning process, produced a possible match.  The creature appeared to be an Alicanto.

“Alicantos are nocturnal birds that can be found on the desert planet Atacama.  Their wings shine at night with beautiful, metallic colors, and their eyes emit strange lights.  Atacama eat precious metals and ores and the color of their wings indicate the type of metal they prefer.”

So, it is likely that the bird has found a safe place to sleep.  And since it eats metal, the team won’t need to worry about it trying to eat someone’s pet.  However, it sounds as though it might go after someone’s jewelry.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:31, Mon 05 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 107):

Catching the banana piece that Akari dropped in for her Rose takes a big bit of it and sighs contentedly at her treat "Thank you Akari" Rose replies in a whisper that only those closest would be able to hear, she drops down into the pocket and rummages around for a moment then pops back up, now sporting her new ruby adorned tiara and looking more pleased than any one creature should look "And thank you for my tiara, I love it, it looks so pretty." Running up out of her pocket she dashes up Roberts coat and on top of his head. Once settled in a comfortable sitting up position she taps the top of Roberts head, he looks up towards where she sits and there's a moment where you can only assume they are mentally speaking to one another, Robert chuckles a bit then replies "Ok, your majesty" I take out my phone and aim the camera towards Rose and wait until she's all set' "Ready?" I ask, she poses in the most regal way possible then nods. I take a picture of her then show it to her for inspection, "That work for you darlin?" she beams with excitement and nods her head then points to Kyle while looking at me. Tapping a quick message, I forward the picture to Kyles phone then as an after thought I go ahead and forward the photo to the rest of the group, "Hey Kyle, would you mind terribly posting the photo to your fan site for Rose? Her Majesty wants to make a showing for her adoring fans."

After a few moments of posing and preening, "ok, im going to finish my nap now" she says, and at about that moment she hears the description of the bird, more importantly the part about eating precious metals and with a very loud squeak the clutches her tiara and races into her pocket and after a moment her eyes peek out and a low growl escapes from her and the look in her eyes gives no doubt about the fate of any poor fool who would dare to try and snack on her new prized possession.

"Dont worry Rose, no one is going to eat your tiara, I wont let them." Looking Akari's way, "I agree, we really do need to investigate both the bird sighting and the house ASAP, we may need to ummmm, acquire some gold somewhere as a possible lure for the bird if it comes to it"

In reply to Robert (msg # 109):

Akari puts ivan on auto-pilot programmed to systematically sweep the area in a logical pattern scanning for any sign of this bird or locations large enough, or likely enough, that it would roost in for the day. Then she turns to Robert nodding. "I agree."

Then she looks to the others to see their decisions as she puts the final touches on IVAN's new volitation system.

Kyle comes out of the hotel room exactly when the song stops playing right after the Surges introduction. "why do they call you Resurgence? is it cause you've always got a snappy comeback?"

He shows his phone to rose, "check this out little one. I've made you your own twitter page. Its already got tonnes of fans(32), oh look Akari just followed you."

He sees the picture of the bird, "Oh a gold Atacama, Ive always wanted one of those but they were a limited release." when everybody looks at him questioning , he clarifies. "Oh yeah, one of the guys, in my convention, reskined that Pokemon game with some of the actual critters from the deeps. Helps us to remember things about them. This could be troubling. Maybe these church folks harmonized there place with the frequencies of the deep, explains why things that shouldn't be here keep popping up. If its cycling thru random frequencies there's no telling what could pop thru. This could get really dangerous."

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 111):

Hearing Kyle and seeing her new Twitter page she mentally cheers “YAY!, you’re not such a bad spirit guys after all” she exclaims for everyone to mentally hear and in a blink of an eye before anyone could react she flies out of her pouch and over to Kyle and gives him a tiny hug before rushing back to Roberts coat once again.

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 111):

Akari looks directly at Kyle, keeping a straight face. "Then...

"Let's..."

"Get..."

"DANGEROUS!"

IVAN chimes in "I am the tenor that sings in the night."

Akari groans and facepalms.

Ashley glanced over at Resurgence with an expression of curiosity when Akari recommended that he tell them how he got his nickname, only to be distracted by Rose’s antics.  She gave a quiet aww as the sugar glider flew over to give Kyle a hug.  Though her expression quickly turned more serious as Kyle mentioned that additional creatures could appear if the anomaly was harmonized with the frequencies of the deep.  “Then, it seems as though we should investigate the house first.  I’m ready whenever everyone else is.”

In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 114):

Akari is tired of waiting on everyone (surge and Bernard) and finishes up and jumps into IVAN and gets him started up, revving the engine to get the petrol flowing. She'll wait for the others to all pile in and then heads over to the bird area or the house area, whichever one she gets to first.

In reply to Akari (msg # 115):

Robert will walk around IVAN and hop in the front passenger seat, as he buckles himself in Rose pops out of her pocket l, tiara resting on her head, she hops on the dashboard (careful to keep tiny claw tucked safely away). She takes n a regal pose as she points out the front windshield and in her tiny voice commands “Onward my loyal subjects, bring glory to your Queen” she leans over and pats IVANS dashboard before saying “And glory to IVAN as he carries us onward to VICTORY!” She then leans over and in a whisper towards IVAN “us enlightened beings need to watch over these less enlightened ones, such a hard days work taking care of the common folk don’t you agree?”  After giving her little speech she turns a slow circle before laying down and curling up there on the dash and moments later the quite breathing of Rose the Queen can be heard as she slumbers away.

Smiling at Rose’s speech I turn to look out at the rest of the group “you heard the Queen, let’s get the day started everyone”
This message was last edited by the player at 12:14, Wed 07 Oct 2020.

Kyle responds to IVAN "I am the guy that wont get out of your blind spot..." then slides across the hood Starsky and Hutch style and gets in the passenger seat. "Ive always wanted to do that" he says excitedly

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 111):
"Resurgence is my alias. I died once or at least one time I was "presumed dead". Fortunately there was a miraculous doctor who brought be back."


Resurgence walked up to IVAN reached for the nearest door and let it open long enough to allow Ashley in.
"After you Ashley", said Resurgence as he bowed his head slightly before allowing her in first.

Once everyone was in the car Resurgence said "Goodness this Alicantos creature seems like it's going to cause some trouble. It IS nocturnal so maybe we could have a night reconnaissance team search for this majestic animal and stake out the Selig home. Count Ashly and I in. Come to think of it, it was also night time when we heard the frequency emission from the Selig/ Pastore home. If we don't hear those emissions this morning that could mean whatever is happening there is being conducted at night. A night reconnaissance team might be able to uncover something about the Selig home and the our majestic alien beauty. Of course we will have to be careful. I think we should head to the Selig/ Pastore home to ask some questions first thing".


OOC:
Resurgence rolled 6 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,3,7,8,8,10(+4),8.  Xhiva heard the frequency emitted from the Seilig/ Pastore house.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

In reply to Xhiva Resurgence Gopala (msg # 118):

Akari gets back out and physically pushes Benard into the rear seat cause he's standing around smoking and smoking is bad for you. She also sets it up so that IVAN shows Bernard several photos of what lungs look like after smoking. Then she gets back inside and starts driving over towards the Selig home.

"Ask some questions?" She repeats. "Ok...like what? Hello, Technocracy calling. Just wanted to see what you deviants are doing to mess up reality and ask you to kindly stop." She glances back "Sounds good right?"

Obviously, she's being a smidge sarcastic. Along the way, ivan catches back up with IVAN and auto seats itself back into its home.

“Thank you, Dr. Gopala,” Ashley said as she stepped into the car and made her way to the back seat once again.

She listened quietly to the conversation during the six-minute drive to the Selig house.  Since she ended up sitting next to Bernard, she was able to see the pictures of damaged lungs as well and as they reached the house she mentioned quietly, “IVAN is right, smoking can cause significant harm to your lungs and other organs.  I understand that nicotine is addictive and it can be hard to break the habit, but there are a variety of treatment options available.  Dr. Martinez mentioned that he was working on something new when Dr. Gopala introduced me to him last week.  I could give you his e-mail address if you think that you would be interested in joining his study.”

The neighborhood surrounding the Selig/Pastore house contained older houses in a variety of styles. Victorian, Colonial, Cape Cod, and Craftsman seemed to be the most common.  The houses and yards were still quite well maintained.  While this was an older neighborhood, it was a nice one.

When the team reached 45530 Little Lake St., they saw a sage green, two story, Victorian style house with a large wrap around porch.  The porch and house were trimmed with elaborate gingerbread style woodwork and upon a closer look they could see dragons carved into some of the designs.  There was a flower bed full of healthy-looking plants and flowers in front of the porch along with several equally healthy-looking plants in hanging flower pots.  The entryway to the front porch was flanked by two small bushes.  The front door had a large circular frosted-glass window in the top half of it.  The welcome mat in front of it said, “Beyond here, there be dragons.”  A mailbox hangs on the wall to the left of the door.  While curtains were drawn, making it hard to see inside, it appeared that lights were turned on in most of the front facing rooms.

https://i.imgur.com/P8UrxOa.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-120">https://i.imgur.com/P8UrxOa.jpg" alt=''>

Perhaps most importantly, there was a strange creature or creatures grazing on the front lawn.  The creature was not immediately identifiable.  It clearly wasn’t a terrestrial animal nor was it something out of commonly known legends or myths.  The closest equivalent would probably be either a tall and slender goat or maybe a deer.   The creature(s) were approximately the height of a horse, though much slenderer.  Their fur was fern green.  They had cloven, silvery hooves.  But the most unusual thing were their antlers or horns.  The creature(s) appeared to be connected by two long flexible horns (or perhaps it could better be described as two tubes) with one end connected to each of their heads.  The horns themselves appeared to be clear but containing a glowing aqua liquid.  The creature(s) appeared to be moving in unison, making it hard to tell if it was one creature with two bodies or two separate creatures connected to each other somehow.

Worse, there was a pre-teen boy, with a skateboard, standing across the street and a couple of houses down, clearly filming the creature(s) on his cell phone.


OCC:  Kyle is going to be the only person with the necessary skill to identify this creature.  If you want to try to do so, please roll intelligence + Subdimensions difficulty 7.  It isn’t in the Presidio’s Database of Extra-Physical Entities (Spirits)

For the moment I am assuming that no one has any special perception spells up.  If you want to use any types of special perception, let me know what you are doing and make the necessary rolls.

And yes, the hum can still be heard by Robert and by anyone who has already made or succeeds at an awareness roll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:25, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 120):

Taking in the information and seeing the kid across the road recording it all "Sorry kid, hope that phone wasn't expensive" Robert focuses his attention towards the kid while placing his hand over his bracelet with a look of concentration in his eyes.

Narrator description to follow if successful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:55, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 120):

After frying the kids phone I’ll attempt to pinpoint the humming sound and see what I can see with force perception, using focus and taking time for concentration to reduce DC.

Robert rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 3, rerolling 10s ((2,5,1,9)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

OOC: This would be said before we arrived to our destination.

Bernard put his pack of cigarettes away out of respect for IVAN and his still new car smell before airing out his coat near the open window.

"Just so you all know, I could quit at any time, also, know that I used to have a pain problem a while ago, and I wasn't liquid enough to have good health insurance. These guys saved me a lot of pain, and before you all go ahead and say that they're addictive and dangerous, think about all the other crap doctor's shove down your throat. The exact same thing. Did you all know that doctors used to prescribe frickin heroine?! Eventually they learned how dangerous and addicting they were, and you know what they replaced it with? Practically the exact same thing, just an extra thing thrown in so they can say it's not the same!"

Bernard's hand automatically reached into his pocket before pulling out his carton again. He realized what he was doing before he opened them before putting them away again.

"Plus, just became enlightened recently, so these things are the only things that stopped me from having a nervous breakdown. It's not like I'm a chainsmoker or anything. I know guys that kill three cartons in one day, it maybe takes three to four day to go through a pack. Maybe two if it gets rough. 'Sides, Roswell got me some custom packs as a graduation gift of sorts. It would be terribly rude if I don't use them. Who knows how much they ran her, and on a government salary!"

Bernard turns to Ashley, "You're new to this crazy crap, right? What did you do when you learned about all this?"

In reply to Robert (msg # 122):

OOC: This would be after Robert tries to pinpoint the humming source.

"Robert, get me a direction, I could get a reading and investigate further with my NWO Sunglasses Foci!" Bernard pulls out said device before donning them.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 123):

"Quit at any time huh?" Akari repeats. "Yeah? That's exactly what ALL addicts say. Stage one: denial." she hums a bit. "Hmm...Resurgence is taken....hmm...Blacklung is an available moniker I see."

She stops IVAN a distance away and observes the kid and she watches the creature. Realizing it's not in the database, she releases ivan to get some better shots - from far enough away as to not spook it, but with a super zoom lens. And she'll try to id it as well.

She's never seen anything like it.

She is going to scan the rest of the area with her computer and see if that noise is any louder now or anything.



OOC: I rolled but I made it diff 8 cause no subdimension skill. If its still 7 then she got 1 success, if it's 8 then 0

ARETE roll with computer unique foci inside sanctum (diff -4) 5 successes
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 125):

After recieving the images on his tablet, Bernard got ready to forward it himself. "Hold on, let me send these over to Roswell. She might have something in her Database hopefully." He then muttered under his breath "Assuming she not in my home trying to stuff her face again."

In reply to Narrator (msg # 120):

Looking around to make sure no one else is recording the creature “Amari, I don’t suppose you have a program or something that could possibly corrupt any uploaded info going to the cloud or leaving this immediate area do you? Took care of that kids phone right quick and scanning the area for any other recorders but to be on the safe side the last thing we need is pictures or videos of this creature hitting the net.”

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 124):

Hearing what Bernard says to Robert, Rose’s body tensed up and the group could almost swear that the inside temp of IVAN dropped a few degrees. Rose raises her head with a deliberate slowness and those that look at her eyes notice they are no longer their pretty shade of blue but are a deep crimson red instead. “Oh Shit!”, I say out of reflex, “umm Rose..” and before I get another word out she quickly turns her gaze to me, raising my hands in submission I blurt out quickly “never mind darlin, never mind.” Rose’s gaze turns back and focuses on Bernard, “Robert belongs to me G-man, only I tell him what to do and I would suggest you remember that in the future.” Her voice leaves no room for error in the thought that she is deathly serious at the moment. After a few seconds of holding his gaze she yawns a deep yawn and when you see her eyes again they are back to their normal blue. She lays her head back down and as she goes back to her nape “don’t forget Robert, lots of cherries later on”
“Yup, you bet Rose” I reply as I look around at the others and simply shrug at them.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

[Earlier to Bernard.]
    "don't take it too hard with the black lung thing. There only trying to help. Trust me i know how hard it can be to maintain Balance. I Enlightened very young, I was almost convinced it was all in my head. They had me drugged up six ways to Sunday , the little green pills were the best. they just make everything all fuzzy and warm," i said somewhat longingly. Then snapped out of it and continued "The Chems help you to pretend everything is normal, that its all ok, but they also limit you. Once you find your truth you wont need the crutch the Chems provide anymore, then you can spread your wings and fly
" i said drifting off again, before being brought back by a bad memory "Not literally though. I saw someone try to do that once. It ended badly"

[at the house]
[note to GM, with medium merit i always see ghost and spirits in area i believe, also scanning with mind and spirit when we drive up 1 success. Also Kyle Moskowits rolled 2 successes to identify our fern green friends.]

    "oh my look at that" I said excitedly holding my phone up to scan the creature into the modded pokemon game. "we get bonus points if we find something that hasn't been scanned. OOO and look how their watery horns are attached to each other, that's how they mate. Oh wait now i remember they are..." [gm fill knowledge here please]

In reply to Robert (msg # 128):

After waiting a few minutes I lean closer to check Rose, after a few moments I lean back and in a low voice “Dont pay it much mind Bernie, Rose is like a mother hen 100 times over, to her I’m her familiar and not the other way around and she gets prickly when anyone but her tells me to do anything, was a nightmare growing up at times.” Seeing Kyle use some form a Pokémon app on the creature, “pst hey Kyle, I just had a thought, does Rose show up as anything on that app of yours?”  Rose stirs a bit in her sleep and in a sleepy voice she says in her sleep “yes, make me a tower of strawberries, make it reach the skies. All hail to the Queen baby.” I chuckle a little at that last part, “she’s a Bruce Campbell fan, made me play Army of darkness 5 times in a row one day.”

Ashley frowned, looking a bit insulted at Bernard’s comments about doctors and medications, perhaps not surprising considering that she is a Progenitor.  But she managed to stay quiet and didn’t interrupt with the lengthy defense of modern biochemistry playing out in her mind.  At his question, she answered, “It sounds as though your enlightenment was a good bit more challenging than mine was.”  As her gaze fell on the creature grazing in the front lawn of the Selig/Pastore house, she added, “but that is probably a conversation better saved for a different time.”  She quickly removed a small pill holder from her purse and swallowed two dark blue pills.  After putting the pill holder away, she pulled out her ipad and began jotting down notes.  “They definitely are not terrestrial in origin,” she said more to herself than to anyone in particular.

A few houses away, the boy’s phone sparked slightly and then went dark.  With a frown, he tried turning it on and off a few times and gave it a slight shake.  But it stayed dark.  Shoving the phone in his pocket with an unhappy look, he got on his skateboard and started heading down the street away from the group and the creature.

The results that Robert received when he tried to determine exactly where the hum was coming from were a bit confusing.  The hum seemed to be coming from one of the rooms on the second floor and on the far side of the house.  But it also seemed to be coming from somewhere both near there and yet also very far away at the same time.

The creature(s) seemed utterly unconcerned by and utterly uninterested in ivan.  They ignored the drone and the team in the car observing them as they continued grazing, stopping at one point long enough to move closer to the front door.  One started eating leaves off of the small bush and the other started eating the flowers in the flower box next to it.  ivan had no problems getting a variety of very good pictures.

After getting a copy of the pictures, Bernard forwarded them to Roswell.  Later today, he will get a response back from her saying that she has never seen anything like the creature before, but that it looks like something the Void Engineers might have encountered at some point.  She will recommend that he ask Kyle or that he have Kyle ask some of his colleagues if they are familiar with the creature.

With one success, Kyle was only able to get a brief look at the mental and spiritual status of the area surrounding the house.   But that was long enough to see something very disturbing.  The barrier between the physical world and spirit world is extremely thin here.  In fact, he thought that there were areas or pockets in and around the house where the barrier was non-existent (gauntlet 0), meaning that humans could walk into the spirit world as easily as passing through an open door and spirits could physically manifest in our world just as easily.  Kyle wasn’t seeing any ghosts at the moment, and the spirits he was seeing were also unusual.  They looked more like beings he would see while traveling in the depths of the spirit world or like beings he had never seen before rather than the normal animal and technological spirts he might expect to see.

It took a moment’s thought, but Kyle did eventually remember hearing about the creature(s) grazing in the front lawn.  They had been rather unimaginatively named Empyrean Ruminants.  Not a lot was known about the reclusive creatures, which seemed to spend most of their time nibbling on various types of flora.  But it was known that Empyrean Ruminants mate for life.  Once a mate is found, the pair’s antlers begin a melding process.  This process allows the couple to share cerebral fluid, which in turn unifies all brain-related activities.  Every experience is shared between the two Ruminants.  Every decision is determined by their shared thoughts.  And, of course, if you kill one, the other will die as well.

Kyle wasn’t picking up any strong emotions from the creature(s).  As best he can tell, they seem to feel content and as if they are enjoying the grass and leaves.  Their minds do feel alien and as though the creature(s) are sharing the same thoughts.

(I’m assuming Kyle used mind 1, which seems to be mostly be limited to emotions.  Since Kyle doesn’t have correspondence, I don’t believe he would be able to sense anyone inside the house from here.)


OCC:  Akari and Bernard especially, but really everyone.  I’m currently having trouble determining exactly which spheres or combinations of spheres everyone is using at the moment and right now that makes a big difference in terms of the information, I need to provide to you.

As a reminder, you can have more than one type of perception up at a time.  But once you have two spells (or types of perception up) your difficulty starts increasing.

For example:  My assumption is the Bernard is planning to use a Correspondence 2 effect (Correspondence Sensing p. 159) to try use his normal senses to see what is happening in the area where Robert thought he heard the hum.  But I’m not certain about that.

I’m a bit confused about what Akari is doing as well.  If you are using a unique foci, you would need to be using your own arete (3) and one or more of your own spheres (correspondence, matter, or prime)

If Akari is using her VDAS wonder she would be rolling the wonder’s arete and could use the wonder’s spheres.  But, the bonus for unique foci would not apply.  If you are using the VDAS, are you doing so with one sphere at a time (if so, I will need 9 rolls at difficulty 4) or are using a combination of spheres (if so, for every sphere above the second the difficulty increases by 1).

Also, just as a reminder for everyone:  Use World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialized system only if you have a relevant specialty in the attribute or ability you are rolling.  I do not believe anyone has a sphere at level 4, so you would not be using it for arete roles.

For rolls where you do not have a specialty use World of Darkness 2nd ed system
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

[i do have correspondence 1 which i think boost my range a little? might take 2?; i also have spirit 4. His specialty i guess would be banishing basically forcing a sidestep]

"... they cant de tangle. There minds are forever linked. Kinda romantic." i said, my mind elsewhere. "till she gets super clingy and possessive, and attacks your fans because they "looked at you funny." I'm a celebrity. If my fans aren't looking at me "funny" I'm not very good at my job. Ahem anyways they should be mostly harmless for now. I would send them home, but there's nothing stopping them from walking right back. Some of the places inside are so harmonized that you could accidentally walk into another dimension as easily as walking into the next room, there's no telling where we could end up, but y'all are down for adventure right" I said while attaching my body camera and getting gear ready, checked my C.O.F.A.R. (Crystal Oscillating Frequency Altering Ray)[foci] Then I pulled out my .44 Redhawk and loaded the anti spirit rounds in case things got rough. "By the way dimensions tend to harmonize around me[natural channel lowers gauntlet around me by 1], so going in there may destabilize things further. fair warning"

i responded to robert, "i tried scanning her once but it came back all garbled, lots of warning signs popped up though." [shes your critter, you have to define her]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

Ashley concentrated for a moment looking carefully at the house and the area surrounding it and then added, “I’m not entirely certain of the proper terminology.  But whatever happened here seems to have had an impact on the flow of time in the area as well.  Perhaps an analogy would be the best way to explain it.  Imagine that time is a lake.  Whatever they did tossed a rock in the lake and caused ripples backwards and forwards.  The ripples don’t seem to be particularly large, but that could explain why people were seeing odd colors in the sky before the anomaly was detected.  Whatever they did impacted both the past and the future as well as the present.  I haven't learned enough about time to explain it any better than that though.  I specialized in biology and chemistry, not physics."

In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 133):

Quickly Akari will hack into the nearest cell tower (should only be one...the T-Mobile one she located earlier) and will start a 'honeypot' scenario on the network in order to intercept all internet traffic that would pass through and filter out any mention of, or picture of, these creatures. Replacing pictures with legitimate strange animals like the African Dik-dik, or the giant Elund, with auto postings of 'random' people debunking such pictures as hoaxes. She'll also filter with keywords such as "check it out" "what is this" ect.(7 successes on hacking: 6,9,9,2,10(+4),4,1,5,1,3)

While she's at it she'll get rid of the bird sighting as well, and track any saves or reposts and scrub as best she can. (6 successes on hacking: 9,6,2,2,1,2,4,1,8,2)
(13 successes on hacking: 10(+2),4,2,1,5,8,7,10(+10,10,8),9,10(+4) )

Then, Akari is going to go back to trying to analyze these creatures and cycle through a scan of each sphere.

Correspondance: 3 (3)
Spirit: 5 (4)
Entropy: 5 (3)
Forces: 3 (3)
Life: 2 (0)
Matter: 4 (4)
Mind: 3 (3)
Prime: 5 (5)
Time: 1 (1)


She will also try to focus on the surface thoughts of any minds inside she might find.
Mind+Corr: 8,8,3,3,9 (not sure what the target would be, but -1 for sanctum if applicable)



OOC: Numbers in parenthesis are if my sanctum bonus does NOT apply
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 120):
Fascinated by these never before seen creatures Resurgences' first though was that these creatures may act like earth animals to human contact. They will most likely be scared or defensive depending on how we approach them.

"If these creatures are connected to their mate for a lifetime they may be very defensive if they feel threatened or think we're hostile." Resurgence said. "These creatures need to spread out but, we don't want to put ourselves into harms way as we approach the Selig home. It's already dangerous enough".

Resurgence focuses on areas that the Empyrean Ruminants could feel safe and hidden if there was a lot of disturbing human activity. Believing the animals might threaten the team Resurgence focuses on the safest parts of the distant foliage and prays. Resurgence quietly prays to himself to the god Ganesh, the remover of obstacles to allow safe passage for the team in our investigation. The distant foliage grows more lush and, delectable the animals may sense this foliage is more safe they are drawn away from the Selig Pastore home. All Empyrean Ruminants are drawn away from the Selig home clearing the path for the Persido team.

OOC: The lush growth appeals to the creatures and leads them away from the house so the team is safe to approach without fear of hurting or disturbing the creatures. What do I need to roll?

With the Life sphere I would also like to see if I can sense unseen presences around the area and in the Selig Pastore home. If I sense life I will communicate to the team.

When the team gets out of the car Resurgence would use Mind Sphere to observe the animals' behavior to see if the animals were fearful of any presence.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 121):
Thank goodness the kid is gone. This home has already drawn enough attention from the locals, inquiring professional media might be alerted if things get out of hand.

In reply to Ashley Collins msg #133:
Ashley you are showing yourself to be a exemplary progenitor.

In reply to Akari (msg # 134):
You got this Akari! You can protect us the cyber front like no one else.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

Akari easily hacked into the nearest cell tower and set up her “honeypot.”  It appeared as though nothing had been uploaded about the Empyrean Ruminants yet, but the trap was in place to intercept anything that might be uploaded later today.

Several people had already replied to the bird sighting, most either indicating that they had never seen anything like it and asking follow up questions or offering guesses about what it could be.  There had been even more people who had saved the picture to their devices and a couple of people who had posted it to other bird watching sites.  Fortunately, the viewership of all of these sites seemed to be limited.  Bird watching was a niche hobby after all.  Akari’s program was able to clear the threads from various forums and corrupt the pictures that people had saved to their hard drives.

Unfortunately, there was almost no data available on Empyrean Ruminants in any computerized database.

Viewing them with the Correspondence filter turned on, let Akari determine that the space around them appeared to be normal and their exact distance from her.

The entropy filter indicated that probability seemed to be normal around the creatures.

There didn’t seem to be any unusual forces around the creatures.  Looking at them with infrared allowed her to see that they did have body heat and according to the database temperature was quite a bit higher than terrestrial deer.  The average temperature of a deer is 101.3 degrees.  Their temperature was 110 degrees.

Due to their alien nature, the information the life filter was able to provide was indicated to be speculative.  They appeared to be an adult male and female in good health.  They weree both six feet tall.  The male weighed 410 lbs and the female weighed 380 lbs. But their biology was indicated to be highly unusual, even down to the color of their blood (dark blue).  The software was quite certain that they are not a member of any known terrestrial ungulate species.

The Empyrean Ruminants were made of organic matter rather than inorganic matter.  So, the matter filter didn’t pick up much.  They didn’t seem to have any sort of impact on the matter surrounding them.

The mind filter indicated that the creatures appeared to be content and that there seemed to be two layers to the creatures’ thoughts:  a lower animalistic layer and a higher layer full of alien symbols and concepts.

The prime filter indicated that like many extra-dimensional entities, the creatures did have some quintessence in their pattern.  There did not seem to be any magical effects that had been placed on the Empyrean Ruminants.  Their resonance appeared to be Pattern: Contemplative.

Unfortunately, the VDAS system was unable to find data when there was no data available online.  The spirit filter indicated that the creatures are manifested spirits of an unknown type.  It also confirmed what Kyle said earlier, the barrier between the physical world and spirit world is extremely thin here (and non-existent in some areas).

The time filter did not indicate that the creatures were affecting time in any way, but did confirm what Ashley mentioned earlier.  There were small ripples in the time flow around the house.


The Right Click Effect on Akari’s Device does not let her sense or read another person’s mind but rather pulls up all relevant data about them in online databases.  Unfortunately, while she was able to pull up a wide assortment of information about the family members, most of it would be useful in determining their current location or current activities.

The following information seemed to be the most relevant:

Emerson Selig had not appeared on any cameras yesterday or today.  He had not made any purchases with a credit card in the last several days.  His last credit card purchase was the book “Illuminati – 2012” by Nishan Kumaraperu.  He has an old-fashioned cell phone that does not appear to have a GPS feature.  He had not made any calls on it in the last week.

Piper Pastore has not appeared on any cameras today.  She was recorded on a grocery store camera yesterday afternoon.  Her last credit card purchase was a variety of groceries, many of which looked like things that are quick and easy to serve:  rotisserie chicken, salad from the deli, etc.  The last known GPS location of her cell phone was the house.  But its current location is unknown.  Her last call was to the elementary school her children attend.

Nicolae Pastore has not appeared on any cameras yesterday or today.  He requested leave for “a family emergency” from work yesterday.  His shift has not started yet today.  His last credit card purchase was a late dinner at a local dinner a couple of days ago, probably after he got off of work at the radio station.  The GPS feature on his cell phone indicated that it was in the house.  His last phone call was to the radio station where he works.

Lex Pastore has been absent from school since February 28th.  His mother has reported that he is ill.  He has not been seen on cameras since that time.  He does not have a credit card.  His cell phone is in the house.  He has not made any phone calls on it in the last week.

Morgan Pastore had an excused absence from school yesterday.  Her mother said it was for a family emergency.  She has not been seen on cameras today or yesterday.  Morgan Pastore did not show up for school today and neither of her parents have called in to excuse her absence.  She does not have a credit card.  Her last phone call was to her house a few days ago.  The last known location of her phone was the house.  It currently cannot be detected.

Lucius Selig has not been seen on cameras today or yesterday.  His credit card was last used to buy an advertisement in the local paper for his book.  He has a very large balance on his credit card and the payment is overdue.  The GPS feature on his cell phone appears to have been turned off shortly after he bought it.  The last call on the cell phone was to Domino’s Pizza, two days ago.

None of them have recently updated any social media sites.  The last update made by any family member was the video Lucius Selig posted a few weeks ago.


OCC:  Akaria, I owe you an apology.  I realized while re-reading the book last night while I was waiting for the Cox technician that I had sort of forgotten how your Device worked.  Your wonder casts the Right-Click Rote as found in p. 602 of the Mage 20th Anniversary Edition books (modified to be 2 dots of mind and 2 dots of correspondence since the rules are a bit different between the books).  That means any time you use it; it would be a Mind (2) + Correspondence (2) + any additional sphere you want to use.   And any information it is pulling is coming from available computerized databases.

That said, the correction doesn’t seem to cause an issue with most of your rolls and since it was my mistake, I’m going to let the only one that might have been affected (life) succeed as well.  I’m just mentioning this for future rolls.

Mage can be a bit challenging for me at times as well.  Maybe more so, since it seems like I’ve been researching like crazy for the last few days trying to figure out the correct details to provide everyone.

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:45, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

OCC:

Resurgence, the Pastore/Selig house is in a residential neighborhood.  There are houses on both sides of it, across the street from it, and presumably behind it.  Your only options would be to lure the creatures into someone else’s yard, to lure the creatures towards the edge of the Selig/Pastore’s front yard (away from the door), or to try to lure them towards the backyard of the Selig/Pastore house.  Your view from the car is limited, and you can’t really tell from here whether or not there is a fence surrounding the back yard.

If you get out of the car and move over so that you can look, you will see that there is a 6 food wooden fence surrounding their backyard but that the gate is open.  It is possible that the creatures initially wandered out of the back yard through the gate.

Resurgence would be making an arete roll using the life 2 sphere which allows him to alter simple patterns.  He would be altering some of the grass and plants to smell and taste better to the Empyrean Ruminants and to appear more lush.  That should be a coincidental effect and no penalties should apply.

So, you would roll your four arete dice against a difficulty of 5 (unless you are doing anything to reduce the difficulty)

---------------------

Since you do not have correspondence, using life perception will allow you to sense additional details about life forms that are within the range of your normal senses.

That would be an arete roll against difficulty 4.

----------------------------------

Using mind to determine the animals' emotions would also be an arete roll against difficulty 4

You will probably want to spend at least one success on duration, increasing the duration from one turn to one scene.

------------------------------------------------------------

If anyone wants to have certain perception spheres for a scene (need one extra success, so two successes total), or fore a day (need two extra successes, so three successes total), make the necessary rolls at difficulty 4 (remember if you have more than two effects up on yourself at a time, it increases your difficulty for any other magic effects.)


I’ll type up what the Empyrean Ruminants do after Resurgence makes his rolls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

"So, ignore me if this sounds too simple or easy, but instead of luring the thing to someone else's property, we lead it to the backyard. Then maybe somebody, not naming any names, could camouflaged themselves and close the gate? Or, maybe make the wind blow the gate close? That way we don't have to worry about anyone else catching wind of a strange deer creature."

Ashley smiled in response to Resurgence’s praise, “Thank you Dr. Gopala.”  Then glanced wistfully at the Empyrean Ruminants.  “I don’t suppose there would be any way to take them back with us for further study.  But before we send them home, would it be possible to sedate them long enough to get a few blood, tissue, and cranial fluid samples?  It wouldn't have to be a lot.  Just a few syringefuls of fluid and some tissue from its flank.  The research potential is tremendous.  Especially if they aren’t already in the databases.”
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 137):
Still concerned about the teams safety when approaching the house. Resurgence stepping out of IVAN to investigate the surrounding area of the Selig Pastore home. Walking along the house line to see if he can spot someplace the Empyrean Ruminants could go which would allow the Presido amalgam so make a safe approach. Making sure to walk as calmly as possible to not disturb the Empyrean Ruminants Resurgence observed that there is a 6 foot wooden fence surrounding the yard but their back gate is open. Otherwise there is no were for the Empyrean Ruminants to go without causing a mishap.

OOC: Resurgence rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 4 ((10,9,1,4)).
Resurgence focuses on the foliage in the backyard. Quintessence 1.

As inconspicuous as possible Resurgence returns inside IVAN to report what he finds.


In reply to Bernard Hathaway & Ashley Collins (msg # 138/ 139):
After returning to IVAN Resurgence says to Bernard Hathaway "I agree but, Robert should go. Destracted by all the easily available food around the home our Empyrean Ruminants shouldn't notice him."

Resurgence turned to Ashley "Brilliant Ashley, Robert may be able to get a sample."

Resurgence turns to Robert "Robert, if you go back there to close the back gate this may be the only time anyone could get close enough to the aliens to retrieve a DNA sample. If you retrieve a sample it would no doubt help the Construct to make new discoveries, who know what could come out of this. You could be commended. But only if you're in a safe position to do so."

Resurgence continued "Your safety is of the most importance. If I could find plants with natural sedative qualities I might be able to make a sedative you can use on the Empyrean Ruminants'."

OOC: If Robert accepts I will roll Arete to sense the emotions of the Empyrean Ruminants' for the scene. I would also like to sense sedative plants to attempt to make a sedative. See msg #52 in the OCC thread.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Tue 13 Oct 2020.

In reply to Xhiva Resurgence Gopala (msg # 140):

As long as the way to the front door is reasonably clear of the animals, Akari will grab her taser, tricorder, a small tool kit, and her squirt gun, and walk up to he front door. She is wearing her vr glasses. At the door she pauses a moment and has her computer ping each of the Selig/pastor cell phones for location. If anyone answers or not she makes notes on locations. If she hears the ringing inside, but no answers. She’ll turn the knob. If it’s locked, she’ll pull the lock picks out and pick it.

The Empyrean Ruminants paid Resurgence little attention as he carefully investigated the area surrounding the Selig/Pastore home, especially since he was moving calmly and remaining at a distance from them.  A glance through the gate, showed that there was a variety of foliage in the backyard as well, in fact far more than should be there.  Most backyards were not the home of what appeared to be an alien forest.  It seemed highly likely that the backyard contained one or more of the pocket dimensions that Kyle had mentioned earlier, possibly the one the creatures had initially escaped from.

It was a simple matter for a talented progenitor to modify the surrounding foliage.  Soon a variety of the plants near the back gate and in the backyard were began letting off an especially tempting scent.  The Empyrean Ruminants raised their heads, sniffing at the air and, leaving behind the bush and flowers they had been eating, began walking towards the back gate.

Ashley looked at Robert hopefully.  “It shouldn’t be overly challenging, even if you have never taken a blood sample from an animal before.  I was doing it as part of my lab work in high school.”  She quickly began digging through her bag and removing items.  “You’ll need gloves, of course, and a 20-gauge needle for the blood.  It might be challenging to pierce the antler to draw the cranial fluid."  She handed him a second larger needle, "This type of needle is typically used for gathering bone marrow.  It should be sufficient.  And of course, you’ll need containers for the tissue sample.  The easiest place to draw the blood will probably be the jugular vein.  In most ungulates, it can be found on either side of the neck.  I would recommend checking the lower part of the neck, about 6 to 8 inches down from the throat.  Use the thumb of your left hand to occlude the vein, that will make it expand so that you will know where to insert the needle.  Insert the needle with your right hand, making sure to hold it at the same angle as the vein.  If you don’t feel comfortable taking the samples, I’m certainly willing to go with you and do so myself.”

As Resurgence looked around, he noticed several plants in the flowerbox that had natural sedative properties including blue lotus flower, balm, and lavender.  The Empyrean Ruminants had already been snacking on the lavender.

Once the Empyrean Ruminants started walking towards the backyard, Akari made her way to the front door and tried pinging each of the family member’s cell phones.  Emerson Selig’s phone did not contain a GPS feature, but when called, she could hear it ringing inside the house.  Lucius Selig had disabled the GPS feature on his phone shortly after he bought it.  When called, she got a message indicating that it was out of the coverage area.  The GPS feature had been turned on for Piper Pastore and Morgan Pastore’s phones, but currently the phones could not be located.  When called, Akari received a message indicating that they were out of the coverage area.  According to their GPS features, both Nicolae Pastore and Lex Pastore’s phones were located in the house.  When Akari called them, she could hear the phones ring.  Judging from where the sounds were coming from, the three phones she could hear all appeared to be in different rooms on the second floor of the house.  No one answered any of the phones.

When Akari tested the door knob, she found the front door was locked and so, she pulled out her lock picks and tried to pick it.  (OCC:  Dexterity + Streetwise, Larceny or Security Difficulty 6)

Akari also noticed that there was mail inside the mailbox.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:26, Tue 13 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 142):

Akari will try to turn on the GPS feature of Lucius' phone remotely. She will also take the mail and note the postmark dates.

She'll then reach into her bag and pull out her electronic lockpicking set and insert it into the lock, then the nanobots that make up a part of her arm seem to glow slightly and flow into both the machine and the mechanical lock to move the tumblers and unlock the door.

Several things go through her mind as her nanites retract and she pushes the door open slowly. What to say if someone is actually here. Hmm...FBI seems to work. Neighborhood Watch? Police? ... PETA? You've got some weird animals in your yard ma'am, got a license for those? Hopefully she won't have to say anything.

Still, she puts away the lockpicking device and unlocks her super soaker and cautiously looks around the front area before stepping inside followed by Kyle.

Once the door is open she'll use her computer to start recording.



OOC: Hacking the phone's GPS: (INT+Computer: -8 to diff. stopped at 2 :) ): 4,2,1,4,4,6,6,8,8,9

Picking the Lock: (Dex+Technology: -7 to diff. stopped at 2 :) ): 1,8,2,5,4,8,6,2,7 -- 7 successes

Perception + Awareness: Diff: 6 - 3,6,9,8,5,6 -- 5 successes. (if its perc/alert then 4 successes)


This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Wed 14 Oct 2020.

While Akari was certain that she would have been able to turn on the GPS feature of Lucius’ cell phone if it was in range, she remained unable to locate it.  The only message she was getting was that it was outside of the service area.

As Akari glanced through the mail, she got the impression it probably hadn’t been removed from the mail box for a couple of days.  There was the standard junk mail including a catalog for educational toys and a phone bill.  However, three of the letters looked as if they might be something more than junk mail or bills: one for Piper Pastore, one for Lucius Selig, and a card for Lex Pastore.

The lock on the front door was not particularly complex and between the electronic lockpick and the nanobots, Akari was able to open it in less than a minute.

OCC:  I’m not sure that your Universal Nanotech Interface would have applied to this roll.  According to your character sheet it is for “Electronic Lock/Alarm”.  This was a standard key based lock.  But even without that reduction, you still made the roll easily.

As Akari entered the door, she saw the side of a stairwell directly across from the entryway.  The side of stairwell consisted of dark wood rectangular panels trimmed with a lighter wood molding.  One of the panels has two hooks where people could hang up coats.  It also appeared that one of the panels might be designed to open, as if there might be a room or closet under the stairs.

To the left of the stairwell she could see what appeared to be a small sitting room, but from this angle she couldn’t make out many details other than a wooden chair with a cushioned seat and some shelves with various knickknacks on them.

The steps of the stairwell were on the right-hand side and past the steps she could see a hallway that likely led to a few other rooms on the lower level of the house.

Directly to her right, she saw the entrance to the living room.  On a quick glance, she could see a sofa, a couple of chairs, and a fireplace.  The TV was currently turned on and paused.  It appeared to have been paused in the middle of a speech or presentation by Lucius Selig.

Akari could see that a dining room was beyond the living room, but she would need to go closer to see much more than the wooden dining room table that appeared to have some sort of device sitting on it.

The house was quiet.  Akari didn’t hear any sounds indicating that someone was coming to ask her what she was doing here.


https://i.imgur.com/ZpeEwGZ.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-144">https://i.imgur.com/ZpeEwGZ.jpg" alt=''>


OCC:  The panel is currently closed and there isn’t a person going into it.  I just couldn’t find a better picture of this part of the house.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 144):

Before stepping inside Akari whispers to Kyle right behind her. "Hey do you think you can work with Surge or BlackLung....I mean Bernard....and get a reading of what happened here the past 2 days? Maybe the spirits saw something, or you can get a feel for the emotions present or last ... um...emoted....here?" she frowns a bit. "....or something?"

She says over the radio back to the others. "Maybe we should start the Nothing to See Here" protocol?"

In reply to Narrator (msg # 142):

Hearing Ashley's explanation I look over and see Akari break into the house "Well, guess I'm not needed over there so may as well make myself useful" I take the needles and reach into my coat and concentrate for a bit, after about a minute I pull out my revolver, break open the breach and start loading the stun rounds (oddly enough no sounds come from the gun from the breach being opened or the rounds being loaded, you hear nothing from it). "Be back in a moment" I hop out of IVAN and start sneaking towards the Empyrean Ruminants as they went to the back yard.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Wed 14 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 144):

Seeing as she gets no response on the radio, and unable to start the protocol herself as she has no mind sphere, IVAN drives away (apparently with everyone still in it except Kyle, herself, and Robert since it's been a few days) to start patrolling the area and do what he can to watch the area, activating his avionics control system as well as the on-board cloaking device. Once Robert has samples he'll return to pick them up or to let people out once they express a desire to exit. :) (just don't get out cause he's about 20-30 feet in the air. Enough to be above the powerlines if any)

Meanwhile, Akari and Kyle will cautiously enter the home. She'll activate her life scanner on her goggle interface, as well as the matter scanner, with a touch of correspondence in order to map the area and the places she can't immediately see before she takes more than a step inside.

As some sort of feedback fills her ears she stopped and takes a step backwards. "well...that sucks...." along with whatever else happens.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

Robert hopped out of IVAN and headed towards the Empyrean Ruminants as they made their way into the backyard.  Since he was passing through a fairly open area, it seemed as if it would be a simple matter to follow his progress.  However, it wasn’t.  He seemed to always be somewhere observers weren’t looking, taking advantage of every bit of cover or shadow available.  And even when an observer was looking right at him, their gaze seemed to slide away to something more interesting.

The Empyrean Ruminants, still contentedly grazing, didn’t even glance up or sniff at the air as he approached and took aim at them with his X-5 Protector.  Between the silencer and the modification that he had made to further decrease the sound of the gun firing, the normal pop of the taser rounds could not be heard.  Though the smaller of the two Empyrean Ruminants did make a sound of distress when she felt the taser rounds impact against her and her mate’s flanks and the larger Empyrean Ruminant gave an irritated snort.  The two of them looked around, trying to determine where the attack had come from, but were unable to locate Robert.

Still, it took longer than Robert expected for them to actually fall unconscious.  In fact, he was just about to try a second shot before first one and then the other lay down on the grass.  He waited another moment and they finally appeared to fall asleep and didn’t move when he attempted to gently prod them.

Obtaining the blood and tissues samples was more challenging than Ashley had implied and it actually took a couple of attempts to find the vein and to pierce the horn.  Fortunately, the two Empyrean Ruminants remained sleeping and still as he did his best to follow Ashley’s instructions.  Eventually, he was able to obtain and store the samples.

(OOC:  You don’t have the science or medicine abilities.  So, while you were able to follow the instructions it was challenging and took a while.)

As Resurgence had earlier, Robert also noticed that the backyard looked quite odd and as if it was much larger than it should be.  It appeared as though the Empyrean Ruminants had been slowly making their way towards the large alien forest that he could see a few feet away.  And considering that alien forests are not typically found in California, he could easily conclude that this was probably one of the areas Kyle had mentioned.

(OOC:  Is Robert heading back to the group or going exploring?) 
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:45, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

Ashley, uncertain about what she was supposed to do next, remained in IVAN awaiting Robert’s return or further guidance from Resurgence.  As she waited, she finished typing up the information that the various team members provided into the notes section of her ipad and then asked, “What is the Nothing to See Here Protocol?”

OCC:  Akari, since you botched, I rolled the one paradox dice you gained for paradox backlash.  There were no successes. So you gain one dot of temporary paradox but don’t suffer any other ill effects.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:10, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 149):

Bernard leaned away from IVAN as it began to move and drive away. He placed the radio back in his ear after it got staticky and loose in his ear (He may have used it to scrape a cartoon sticker from his FBI Badge), before he made his way over to Akari and Kyle. He patted his sidearms under his coat assuredly before reaching the two. "Sorry about that, there was an issue with my radio. Got it fixed, don't worry. What have we got?"

Akari looked annoyed, "House sweep, Nothing to See Here Protocol?"

Bernard grimaced at that, "Yeah, things look way too chaotic to safely keep contained. I vote yes on Nothing to See Here." He scooped up the discarded mail on the floor and held it ready for a quick fallback plan he's used many times during LAPD.

OOC: Bernard's plan to fall back on, if he's gotta, is pretend to be a neighbor's housemate being asked to return some wrongly delivered mail. Assumingly he's the only one seen, though I doubt it was actually come to that. He doesn't though.

P.S. Also sorry about the delay everyone. I've been helping my dad pack some of my things for the past few days from LA to bring to here. He's on his way now, and I've been assisting with my cousin's upcoming wedding.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 149):

Akari hated it when the fact that reality didn't like her as much as she disliked reality was brought to the forefront. She glanced down at her arms and watched as glowing circuitry seemed to trace lit patterns up her forearms. They felt warm, as did her face and glancing up at a reflective surface in the area she pulled back her hoodie slightly to see them around the edges of her face as well.

She chewed on her upper lip a bit. "Paradoja sangrienta! La realidad chupa el DICK!" She noticed Kyle glance at her in concern. "Yeah...and not the good kind of dick either. The kind that's all twisted and useless."

Before she could curse more in Spanish, Benard walked up and although she tried, she couldn't quite keep the annoyance from her voice, even though it wasn't annoyance towards him. She'd apologize later.

"I don't think anyone is home, but ..... " she pumped up her water gun a few pumps. "Be ready."

She'll try again to scan, this time using her own Arete and using Prime/Corr to scan for anything special.


OOC: Arete roll: 10,5,8

In reply to Akari (msg # 151):

"Say the word, and I'll perform a sweep. I even know a small trick," Bernard holds the mail up and gives it a shake, "if you want me to go in by myself and you guys be ready on standby, listening to the radio."

In reply to Narrator (msg # 148):

I’ll be rejoining the group after the samples are secured

As Akarai scanned the residence with her prime and correspondence spheres, it quickly became clear that the house was filled with dynamic resonance.  Currently, the strongest source of resonance seemed to be coming from the dining room and felt like dynamic: seeking.  The most logical assumption was that whatever ritual was performed yesterday was probably performed there.  But the resonance was extensive enough and varied enough that Akari could also assume that multiple users with dynamic resonances have likely performed various effects in various rooms of the house over the course of months, if not years.  The sitting room to the left seemed to have a dynamic: creative resonance.  The room under the stairs had a dynamic: nurturing resonance.  And rooms above her seemed to have dynamic: musical, and dynamic: anxious resonances.

Akari’s correspondence sense indicated that there were seven rooms on the lower level and five rooms on the upper level.  However, the readings were a bit distorted as if space wasn’t working exactly right.  Based what Kyle said earlier, it could be that the weakness of the barrier between the physical and spiritual worlds was causing some rooms to seem larger than they should be or causing odd connections between rooms and far more distant places.

OCC:  For Everyone:  Various spheres may end up working a bit differently inside the house and it is quite possible that you will be facing penalties on certain arete rolls.  Make absolutely sure that if you are rolling arete that you tell me what you got on each dice rather than just telling me how many successes you have.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

IVAN finished circling the block about the time that Robert returned with the samples.  Ashely quickly requested that he stop and once the car did so, jumped out and hurried over to Robert.  “Were you able to collect the samples?”  She beamed as he offered them to her.  “Thank you so much.  Can you just imagine how much we are going to learn from these?  It just a shame that we won’t be able to publish the findings in any of the major journals.”

“IVAN, would you mind opening your trunk?  The samples will probably be safest in there, especially if we are going to be exploring the house.”  Once the samples were safely stowed, she dragged the distracted Dr. Gopala from the car and said to Robert, “So, should we join the others inside?”

[at the mention of "Nothing to See Here Protocol"]

"Sorry guys i forgot", i said as i ran out to the front yard and put down a small device with a speaker. I made it to emit a frequency so boring that every mundane in the area ignores what happens in that area as if its completely unremarkable [ Kyle rolled 2 successes 5d10 target 6?  unremarkable ward (mind 3).]

[ inside house kyle does mind/spirt scan no success, but naturally sees things with medium]

"There's a lot going on in here, its affecting my sences." kyle says cluching his head "too much static"

as akari pulls her weapon and tells kyle to get ready, he pulls out his very large and loud looking revolver, and replaces the blanks with Ectoplasmic Disruptor Rounds

[ooc: you cant silence a revolver, paradox!]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

OCC:

Kyle:

1.  Your arete is a 4 not a 5.  And since you forgot to check the show each dice box, there is no way for me to determine how many successes you would actually have gotten.  You’ll need to reroll.

2.  As mentioned in Discord, in order to succeed on the “Nothing to See Here Protocol” for a house, you would have needed 3 successes + additional successes for duration.  It probably will need to be an extended roll.   Information on extended actions can be found on p. 217 of the core book.  For simplicity, I will copy past the "Nothing to See Here Protocol" from discord to the helpful hints thread.  But yes, for the mind 3 version, the difficulty on this one will be a 6.

3.  According to Guns.com some revolvers can be silenced and based on tv shows, games, etc. the modern consensus will allow guns to be fully silenced.  So, I have already ruled that Robert’s effect was coincidental and did not earn paradox.


Everyone:

Once again, please follow the rules below for your magical effects:

1.  In your post, please try to be detailed.  Let me know what you are trying to do and how you are trying to do it.  This includes describing which foci you are using and how you are using them.

2.  Let me know which Sphere(s) you are using.

3.  Let me know any modifications that will affect your roll.  For example: Are you spending Quintessence or Willpower?  Are you using any unique or specialized instruments?  Are you taking extra time?  Is this meant to be a single action or an extended action?

4.  Roll your Arete and let me know what numbers came up on each dice.  Your difficulty will vary depending on various factors and I will need to be the one to determine whether or not you succeeded. For an extended action, go ahead and roll your arete for each turn you are planning to spend casting the effect.  (Rules for extended actions can be found on p. 150 of the core book)

5.  Feel free to suggest whether you believe the effect should be considered coincidental or vulgar and why.

Currently Robert is the only person consistently doing this although he keeps doing it by private message.  Honestly, unless there is a reason your action needs to be a secret,  I’d prefer the information be placed in the thread itself if possible.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:18, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

"Here you go Ashley, those buggers took longer than normal to knock out, glad they weren't able to see me" I Chuckle a bit, I close my eyes for a bit while placing my hand over the bracelet on my left arm and after a moment of concentration, what can only be described as a rippling of the air around me like a mirage, and as quick as it appeared it vanishes. "I do so love being sneaky, well I'm heading back to the house to check it out follow me......if you can." I say with a mischievous grin that would make the Cheshire cat proud.



I walk towards the house, fitting my communications ear piece into place "I'll head inside and scout the place out" I whisper into the mic wondering if anyone even knows where exactly I'm at. I silently sneak past Akari and Kyle through the doorway quieter than the proverbial church mouse with my revolver in hand and my claws silently extending from their fingertips and I begin my search.


Anyone trying to see/look for Robert, you subtract 3 dice from your dice pool if you're attempting to see him (This effect is due to his background)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

In reply to Kyle Moskowitz (msg # 156):

As the samples are put into IVAN's trunk, there is a small refrigerated cooler there for exactly that type of thing. There are also two cans of Cactus Cooler also in the cooler staying ice cold and ready for later.  What they also see, if they rummage in IVAN's trunk space, is what appears to be a partially constructed human body, folded up in a very IN-human way. If you look closer at it....the eyes snap open and stare glassily at you, following your movements silently until the trunk door is closed again.

Meanwhile, IVAN rumbles ever so slightly.

Notices Kyle's big old gun and remembers that Robert has a big old gun too. "Why are we bothering being quiet..." she sighs and starts walking towards the kitchen/dining room based on her perceptions. She has eidetic memory so she knows the layout of the house already.

She is going to keep her prime sense up and starts recording on her goggles.

//IVAN....tell Ryuichi to stay back....something is weird here and I don't want him getting caught up in this//

She'll look around for any clues looking around the dining room/kitchen area first.

"So," She whispers to Kyle and Bernard. "I'm guessing whatever spell was cast was cast in the kitchen. Also...I think the room under the stairs is the mom's room. Upstairs seems a bit ... anxious. We should look there next." She looks at Bernard, who is, in her eyes, an expert at investigation. "Do you think it's better if you go in alone and we back you up? or should we split up and cover more house at once? She looks back outside seeing Robert getting the samples from the taken care of. "Robert should be done soon too hopefully."


OOC: So not sure what to roll so I rolled a bunch of options:
Awareness: 4,6,8
Perception: 10,6,4
INT+Investigation: 7,8,3,8,8,7
INT+Enigmas: 5,8,8,2,2,8,5,9

(and I figure we can see the animals getting samples drawn if not Robert standing still obtaining them for 'longer than expected'. but if not...then amend the post since she'd just think Robert hasn't gotten out of IVAN yet like Ashley and Surge, and the two animals fell over ... possibly dead!)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 159):

Bernard cracked his neck side to side, before his eyes jolted around the house. "Alright, I'm gonna pose as a neighbor returning some mail" he holds out said mail before pulling his gun out and hiding it under the small stack of paper, "You two stick to the corners and sweep as I call them out and walk around. Anyone shows, nonlethal takedown as quick as possible, keep it clean. When shit hits, I'll pull out the federal badge out. At least that's what I suggest. Once bottom floor is clear, we'll move up to the second level."

00:34, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,7,9,5,6,1,4.  Sweeping the House w/ Investigation(+INT).

00:33, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,8,1,3,10(+6),4,8,4.  Sweeping the House. (w/ Per+Alertness)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

Ashley smiled as she realized that there was a small refrigerated cooler in the trunk and began stowing the samples, only to hesitate for a moment, her eyes widening as she saw the partially constructed human body.  She stood there silently for a time staring at it, feeling more disturbed as the eyes opened and stared at her.  “Do you talk?”  She asked it, as she tried to figure out if it was some sort of clone or robot without touching it.  When it didn’t answer, she reminded herself firmly that she had seen other unusual things in the labs and that it was fine.  She wasn’t sure she believed that, but she was going to do her best to act like it.  It was a relief to close the trunk and once she did so, she asked Resurgence, “Why does Akari have a partially constructed human body in her trunk?  And what exactly is it?”

Meanwhile, while Ashley had been stowing the gear and talking with Resurgence, Robert snuck towards the house once again finding away to take advantage of every bit of concealment and shadow available.

OCC:  Due to the difference in times between the various groups, Robert will be arriving at the house after the team inside completes their initial sweep of the lower level and probably after Kyle finishes enacting the Nothing to See Here Protocol provided Kyle decides to make a few more rolls and turn it into an extended action.

Since Robert rolled very well on his stealth roll, it is going to be very hard to spot him while he is actually sneaking up to and into the house.  However, Robert is not invisible and if there is no logical way for him to conceal himself, he can be seen.  And he may be detected by various magical sense or abilities depending on what is being used and how.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

Bernard took the lead as the team performed a quick sweep of the lower levels of the house.  The room to the left of the stairs that initially looked like it might be a sitting room was in fact set up as an artistic studio with an easel and partially completed painting.  As they then turned and headed the other direction, towards the dining room, they passed the living room on the right-hand side (the side of the house facing the front yard).  On the left-hand side (the side facing the backyard) they passed the stairwell and a half bathroom.  As they continued on, they noticed that the kitchen was also on the side of the house facing the backyard and through the kitchen window got a glimpse of the Empyrean Ruminants laying still in the backyard.  The dining room was on the side of the house facing the front yard and across the hall from the kitchen.  And at the very end of the hallway, was a small laundry room.

There were no people or obvious threats in any of the rooms, although several things looked odd or out of place in almost all of them or registered as strange to magical senses.


OCC:  I have lengthy descriptions for each room and believe I should have pictures for most of them.  But, posting them all at once doesn’t make sense.  You will get detailed descriptions when you actually investigate each room.

Are you stopping at the dining room to look around or heading upstairs next.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 162):

Akari points towards the dining room, in hopes to steer Bernard that way first as she follows behind him, keeping a watch around the sides with her eyes and through magick still. Looking at the 'odd' things carefully.

Elsewhere, the partial body in the trunk closes its eyes as the door shuts, filling the space with darkness once more. "....Yes." it says quietly. "I can talk. but I am not yet ready...."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 142):
"That flowerpot has everything I need to make a sedative." Resurgence said.


In reply to Robert (msg # 158):
Ecstatic at the sight of Robert.

Resurgence lifted his fists into the air and exclaimed "Yes you did it! Well done Robert. You had to put yourself in harms way to retrieve these samples for the Progenitors'. Your deed won't go unrecognized."


In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 155):
Resurgence says to Ashely
"Who knows maybe in 25 years the NWO might decide to declass. the findings to enlighten the masses. Don't rush out to buy a new subscription to 'The Inquirer' anytime soon."

"Now lets put our Empyrean Ruminant samples in a safe place."

Resurgence opened IVAN's trunk and to reveal a freezing cold storage container inside, two cans of Cactus Cooler, and a partially constructed human body.

Resurgence said "This should be a perfect place for our precious samples."

Not paying to much mind to the contents in the trunk (except for the Cactus Coolers). Resurgence watched Ashley place the Empyrean Ruminant samples safely into the container then he closes the rear door to IVAN. With the samples safely placed into the chassis of IVAN Resurgence walked around to the passenger door and retrieved his black leather bag.


In reply to Ashley Collins (msg # 161):
Resurgence replied "I'm will talk to Akari about what she has in that trunk."

Resurgence places his right index and middle finger onto his right ear over the speaker chip and says



"I'm ready to go. Let's catch up to the Amalgam."

As Resurgence runs to the front door he makes a beckoning gestures to Ashley.

Resurgence looks to Bernard and says "What are you going to say to them? Hey I'm your neighbor sorry to intrude but, I received your mail recently. It's funny because got a job with the Postal Service recently So I could tell people I'm a boxer."

Resurgence makes a fist and punches the air.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

Holstering his sidearm, Bernard tosses the mail aside when entering the dining room. "Usually a disarming voice could calm a suspect down for a moment before I could make a takedown, or it'll immediately create aggression in which I could identify and respond appropriately. Usually I would have a warrant to protect me politically, but that's not gonna do us squat here. The only justification it would do me here was me gonna let them know about the alien goat thing grazing on the lawn." Xhiva's jab and attempt at humor went sailing over his head as he kept focus at the matter at hand.

Bernard crossed his arms, looking at the room as a whole and tried to figure out what he was looking at.

OOC: Don't know if I'm meant to reroll again for each room, or if we're to use my original roll for my first room sweep, but just in case I'll roll again and Michelle will use the roll she wants. Boy do I hope she'll use the first one. T_T

1st roll: 00:34, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,7,9,5,6,1,4.  Sweeping the House w/ Investigation(+INT).

00:33, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,8,1,3,10(+6),4,8,4.  Sweeping the House. (w/ Per+Alertness)

2nd roll: 02:14, Today: Bernard Hathaway rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,7,4,1,2,6,10(+2),3.  Sweeping the House w/ Alertness+Perception Second Roll.

02:13, Today: Bernard Hathaway botched using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed, Specialised system with a target of 6, rerolling 10s with rolls of 1,5,1,4,9,7,1.  Sweeping the House w/ Investigation+INT Second Roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:19, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

There were two open doorways leading into the dining room: one from the hallway which the team used to enter the room and one from the living room.  Under normal circumstances, the room probably appeared rather ordinary.  It had a dark brown wooden floor, white wainscoting on the lower half of the walls, and slightly faded wallpaper in shades of cream and brown with a repeating pastoral image.  It was furnished with a wooden dining room table and six wooden chairs with cream colored cushions which were positioned on top of a large area rug with an abstract pattern.  The china hutch next to the wall displayed the Selig’s wedding china.  A large mirror with a gilded frame hung on a different wall.  A chandelier was hanging from the ceiling.

But a closer look revealed quite a few things that seemed to be wrong or out of place.  The wainscoting on the walls was no long even, but instead seemed warped, rippling up and down in a wavelike pattern.  The ceiling was also oddly distorted with rings of concentric circles forming something like a shallow funnel above the dining room table.  And the chandelier looked distorted and partially melted.

https://i.imgur.com/vCREL61.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-166">https://i.imgur.com/vCREL61.jpg" alt=''>

In addition to the rust colored placemats (some of which appeared to have been pushed out of place) and the two candle sticks with candles in them (one of which was laying on its side) sitting on the table was an odd mechanical device.  The bottom of the device was rectangular and metallic with various buttons and indicators on it, and then connected to the top of the metallic box by a metallic rod that was at a slight angle were three metallic discs each one slightly smaller than the one below it.

https://i.imgur.com/MvuOn73.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-166">https://i.imgur.com/MvuOn73.jpg" alt=''>

In the corner of the room bordered by the wall containing the doorway the team entered and wall holding the mirror was a second unusual object.  The object was about six feet tall and four feet wide.  It looked like a square made from four polished and stained 2 by 4s.  36 thin beams of light could be seen extending from the top board to the bottom board, each beam a slightly different color.  There appeared to be some sort of power pack attached to the bottom board as well.

In the opposite corner, positioned so that it had a clear view of the dining room table and the doorway leading to the hallway, was a tripod holding a digital camera.


OCC:

If anyone on the team gets close enough to the dining room table to step on the area rug, there will be rumbling sound and the floor will shake (it feels like a very minor earthquake.  Strong enough to be felt but not strong enough to knock anything over).  If they step back, the rumbling will stop.  If they continue to approach the table or remain where they are, the rumbling will stop after a few minutes, unless someone else approaches, in which case it starts again.  The rug itself isn’t relevant, it just gives you an idea of where the effect starts.

As Akari noticed before the room was full of dynamic: seeking resonance.  Additionally, the unusual object on the table is an extremely powerful device with a dynamic resonance.  She gets feelings of healing and transportation from it.  It definitely utilizes the correspondence sphere, but that feels like a minor portion of what it does, other spheres, ones Akari was less familiar with are the primary ones.  The object in the corner of the room also had a dynamic: musical resonance to it, but does not appear to be a device.  She has a feeling that it might be a unique foci.

Akari can also tell that the effect that occurs when the team approaches the table does not appear to be an active magical effect.  It seems like it might be a paradox effect lingering in the room after whatever happened last night.

Akari, Bernard and anyone else who succeeds on an investigation role will remember that Emmerson Selig had a powerful device called the Transducer that he obtained from Seventeen when he was in Vietnam.  That device was the one that he used during the experiment where he brought a hamster back to life and in the process awakened Lucius Selig’s powers.

They will also remember that Nicolae Pastore had been trying to create an instrument made out of light that he called a Laser harp.

Robert has reached the front door of the house by now and Resurgence and Ashley are just a few minutes behind him.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

"Akari, do you think you can remote access the camera without touching it? Less evidence we leave of ourselves, the better. Plus, who knows if touching or moving it will trigger anything?"

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 165):

Akari will take the lead, as Bernard is a better observer and a better shot than she is. She'll head to the dining room next but will reactivate her scanner if necessary. Prime and Life, and correspondence of her own, trying to get a feel for these strange anomalies and trying to puzzle together what is going on with the patterns here.

She adjusts her VR goggles, allowing an overlay of the room to be seen (by her) with smaller displays of item analysis appearing if her gaze lingered on any one thing for more than a few seconds, the details increasing the longer she looked at it.

Held in one hand was her water gun (currently loaded with pepper spray, super glue, and liquid BAM (boron, aluminum, magnesium: which is currently the world's slipperiest substance, and of course water. In the other is her tricorder, which is the actual scanner looking incredibly similar to one from Star Trek but a scad bit more updated and futuristic. She's using the tricorder in conjunction with her VR goggles and own magick to get a more detailed reading.




OOC:
Wonder-scan for life - 10(+1),8,10(+1),6,4
wonder-scan for matter - 7,8,10(+10,5),3,3
Personal Arete for Corr - 6,4,6 (has a -3 difficulty due to unique foci)


BAM: Stands for: Boron, Aluminum, Magnesium: which is currently the world's slipperiest substance. Where Teflon has a coefficient of friction of 0.05, BAM maintains an incredible 0.02. For a general reference, steel maintains a frictional coefficient of 0.16

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 167):

To Bernard "Sure....shouldn't be a problem." She holds up her computer, taps out a couple of commands, finding the wifi and getting access to the computer network the camera is on. Once in and after establishing a connection, she will see if this camera records, and if so, go back to last night if possible and get the footage.

OOC: INT+Computer (hacking) difficulty -8: 10(+8),3,8,10(+3),5,6,6,10(+8),9,9
 (if my diff was 2...that's 13 successes! great gooogly mooogly! :) )

She'll initially step onto the rug then step off as it starts to rumble, then examine it for reasons. Then eventually step onto it and stay on it before examining the device.

Since her tricorder is already out, she'll tap a few buttons on it, changing its recording and analysis parameters, adjust her VR goggles, and then do both an in-depth matter scan and an in-depth prime scan of the device.

OOC:
Arete: matter 3,2,4 - 3 dot matter scan (3+3=diff 6? add: -3 diff for using unique foci)
Arete: prime 4,7,8 - 3 dot prime scan ( 3+3=diff 6? add:-3 diff for using unique foci)

Perception: 10, 1, 1
Awareness: 5, 1, 1
Investigation: 9
Enigmas: 1, 8, 3
Intelligence: 10(+1),6,5,10(+4),1
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Sun 18 Oct 2020.

Akari’s life scan of the room made it clear that there were currently no life forms in the room.  Though due to the number of successes she received, she was also able to tell that there are some small animals in the living room (specifically 10 fish and one extremely healthy hamster).  If she wanted, she would also easily be able to find some DNA traces in the dining room (specifically hair and finger prints.  There is no blood).  The life scan also indicated that life is one of the major spheres used by the device sitting on the table.

The matter scan indicated that the items in the room were made out of the materials that she would expect:  the floor was oak, the table was cherry wood, etc.  The unusual device in the corner of the room was made from maple wood with copper wiring.  It had a large battery pack attached to the base.  The device on the table was primarily made from steel and copper though it contained traces of other types of metal as well.

The correspondence scan indicated that the space in the room was normal for the most part, though there is something odd about the area of the ceiling that looked distorted.  It seemed to connect to something other than the room above.

Akari was able to find three files stored on the camera and indications that files had been uploaded from the camera to a computer in the past.

File 1 was stored two days ago.

File 2 was stored late yesterday afternoon.

OCC:  To see files 1 and two, do the following:
1.  Go to thecharter.org
2.  Click on Sign In
3.  Go to Charter Archives (it is the second icon down on the far left)
4.  Go to Emerson Video Tapes.
5.  File 1 is Emerson Video Log, No 6
6.  File 2 is Emerson Video Log, No 7.
7.  While I've probably posted much of the information you can find on the various pages at charter.org already, I'd appreciate it if you didn't spoil yourself by reading anything else right now.  And some of the information there is/will be different than the information in my game.

File 3 was stored yesterday evening and appears to have been damaged, with partially missing data.

File three had been recorded in the dining room, and Akari could see that most of the family had gathered in that room.  Nicolae was in the far corner making adjustments to the object that was still sitting there.  Emerson was filmed walking away from the camera towards the device sitting on the table and making adjustments to it.  Piper and Morgan were in the corner of the room closest to the hallway and the living room.  Morgan was sitting on the floor with her eyes closed and appeared to be concentrating on something.  Piper was standing next to her looking anxious.  Lucius, who was standing in the doorway leading to the hallway was dressed in an what could best be described as an old-fashioned diving suit, though he had not yet put on the helmet and was still holding it in his hands.  No one was saying anything.  At this point, the image was still clear with very little static.  But, once Emerson said, “Now” while turning on the transducer and Nicolea started playing music on the laser harp, the image became much more distorted and staticky.  Akari was able to use her computer skills to clean it up a bit, but it was clear that the magic being used in the room had interfered with the camera.  Still the team was able to make out Lucius putting on the helmet and walking towards the kitchen.  Then, the image cut out for a bit, nothing but static and nothing to recover.  Just as they were about to assume that nothing more had been recorded, they heard Piper’s voice yelling “There,”  and caught a quick image of her scrambling to get on top of the table as quickly as possible, knocking over the candlestick, and thrusting her arm upward, but the camera wasn’t angled in a way that allowed them to see what she was reaching for.  After that, the image cut out entirely, and nothing else had been recorded but static.

The in-depth matter scan of the device provided similar results to the one she received when she initially scanned the room.  All of the materials in the device were terrestrial and most were metallic.  The primary component of the exterior base was steel, the primary component of the discs attached to the top was copper.  The interior of the device contained wires and various mechanical and electrical components.  Based on the age of the materials used, it appeared that the device was made in the 50s though the actual mechanics used indicate that whoever built it had a much more advanced and unusual grasp on engineering than would be anticipated during that time frame.  Akari was fairly certain that it was either made by a Son of Ether or by someone with a similar type of paradigm.

An in-depth prime scan indicated that this was in fact a Talisman or Device (an item with its own arete score and one that can be used by non-awakened individuals) rather than a simple artifact or invention.  As Akari noticed earlier, the device was extremely powerful.  It had an arete of 5 and at least four spheres (which included Correspondence and Life).  All of the spheres appeared to be at least at level 3 and some of them might be as high as level 5.  In the wrong hands, this item could be very, very dangerous.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

It took Kyle some time to make the necessary adjustments to the device to get it to emit the needed frequency.  But after a few minutes of work, he was confident that anyone in the area would be ignoring the house as long as the speakers were there.  He was walking down the hallway to join Akari and Bernard about the time that Robert reached the front door.

OCC:  Kyle is back with Akari and Bernard in time to watch the videos if Akari shows them to the team.  Robert is currently at the front door and can easily join them while the group is watching the videos if he wishes to do so or can do something else if he wishes to do so.  Resurgence and Ashley are just a bit behind Robert and can also join the team while they are watching the videos if they wish or can do something different if they wish.

after finally getting that device working, i went back in and met up with Akari and Bernard. "Ok im back, took forever to tune it in. Hey whos that old guy in the video."

Akari showed me the first video, "hmm, either he belongs in a psych ward so he can deal with the loss of his friend, or he rendered the veil thru brute force and fractured reality in the house" I looked around at the mishappen room "Maybe both"

Making sure to step over the Nothing to See Here (NTSH) device left by Kyle on his way to the front door Resurgence pockets the sedative plants (blue lotus flower, balm, and lavender). As Resurgence makes his way through the front door he hears audio of the recordings playing through Akari's laptop. Resurgence briefly glimpses Piper on the table reaching her hands up on the video before it turns into static.

"I retrieved some sedative plants from the flowerpots outside. I can make something non-lethal gas throwables that could render an assailant unconscious or even passive enough to make for an easy take down."

Resurgence grabs 4 small glass viles from his black leather bag. One of the glass viles is an opaque dark brown with a black dropper screwed onto the top, and the other 3 viles are transparent. Resurgence places the blue lotus flower, balm, and lavender into their own vile then unscrewed the dropper from the dark brown vile, and squirts a dropper full of liquid into each plant vile. Resurgence places a cap on each vile and gives them a good shake one at a time before placing each back into his bag. Then Resurgences sashes the bag over his shoulder.


In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 165):
"When we were called upon for this mission that's our warrant the Empyrean Rumenant's on the lawn is our probable cause, and the hubris of this family is an out of control threat to the masses. Lucius didn't stop when "Positive Mechanics" was taken care under control now he's a man with nothing to lose that's dragged his own family into this." Resurgence said somberly


To the team Resurgence says "When you guys did a sweep what else did you see? Kitchen cleaning supplies, chlorine in the laundry room? Anybody on this floor at all?"

Resurgence yells out into the house "If there is anyone in here come out now with your hands up!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

Ashley glanced around nervously as Resurgence yelled out into the house, positioning herself so that she could easily see the staircase.

The house remained silent.  Several minutes passed and absolutely nothing happened.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

In reply to Xhiva Resurgence Gopala (msg # 174):

With Resurgence's yell throughout the house vibrating in his ear, Bernard draws his weapon again and holds it up ready while positioning himself near Ashley, gun aimed at the staircase. After some time with no one descending, Bernard calls up "Federal Agent! Come down and surrender! You have one minute to comply!"

Assuming no one comes down or anything, Bernard will prepare to sweep the upstairs next. "Preparing to go through the second floor next, who's on me?"

Once again the house remained silent and nothing happens for a moment or so.  Then, a small brown hamster wandered out of the living room and across the hall towards the studio.  The hamster ignored the group, its attention clearly focused on whatever hamsters think about from day to day, probably finding food or a warm quiet place to nap.

https://i.imgur.com/G9Am8Rq.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-177">https://i.imgur.com/G9Am8Rq.jpg" alt=''>
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 177):

Akari jumps as Surge starts yelling. "I thought police were supposed to yell that BEFORE breaking and entering..." She mutters, then jumps again as Bernard yells as well. Although she already magically swept the house, she waits a moment to see if she missed something. When it stayed quiet she smirked a bit.

She finishes up with the kitchen and downstairs. (Did she see any of the stuff Surge is asking about)

When she sees the hampster she flashes back on something that was said/found earlier. "Wasn't there something about Lucius bringing a hamster back to life?" She does a prime scan on it, pointing the tricorder in its direction as her fingers manipulated the device before she goes to the fridge to see if there is anything in there a hampster might eat to capture it.

"Hello, little guy..." she says gently. "Want some <insert hampster snack>?"



OOC: Not sure if her effects are still up, seems like I roll them every post lol
Rolled personal arete using my unique foci (-3) scanning prime. 2,1,6
Also rolled on the wonder: 9,10(+1),10(+8),7,8.  Scanning with Wonder: Prime and LIfe.

The hamster’s whiskers twitched slightly at the word carrot and it started waddling towards Akari as she headed toward the kitchen.  Though it was not clear if it was responding to the word carrot or to the fact that a human was heading towards a room where it knew food could be found.

OCC:

With her eidetic memory, Akari would remember that a few decades ago, Emerson Selig performed an experiment to bring a hamster back to life.  The experiment went wrong and ended up giving Lucius his powers.

Akari and anyone else:  you can keep up any of the enhanced sight that you want to, provided you got enough successes to add to the duration.  But, as mentioned before, for any two magical effects, which would include two different types of enhanced perception, that you have up, the difficulty of your magical rolls increases by 1.  Just let me know if you are keeping something up and what and I will adjust descriptions accordingly.

The life scan revealed that the hamster was, in fact, a hamster.  But it was the healthiest hamster Akari had ever seen, its body was practically overflowing with both life energy and quintessence.  It somewhat resembled a familiar, at least in terms of the quintessence, but it wasn’t exactly the same. The hamster was also over 30 years old and still appeared to be in the prime of its life.  The average life span of a hamster is 3 years.

If anyone looked at the hamster with spirit sight, they would see two things:  First, unlike Ruby, it was not a case of a spirit inhabiting a terrestrial body.  The hamster’s spirit or soul was that of a hamster.  Second, the spirit was tied extremely strongly to the body, unusually so and that fact had something to do with a magical effect.


Like many of the other rooms in the house, the kitchen appeared to be dated.  The floor consisted of large green and white linoleum squares.  The cabinets were painted white.  The walls were painted a sort of brownish pink shade.  There was a round clock on the wall that was stopped at 07:06.

There was a drying rack next to the sink, a few unwashed glasses and cups in it, and dishwashing detergent sitting out next to it.  There was a tea kettle sitting on the stove.  The plain white refrigerator had a variety of homework assignments and notes attached to it with magnets.  (OCC:  Let me know if you decide to read the stuff attached to the refrigerator).

The counters were cluttered with small appliances, canisters holding various food items (flour, sugar, rice, etc), and cookbooks.  It looked as though one of the kids had made an art project out of candy recently, and it was sitting on the countertop as well.

Other than dishwashing detergent, no cleaning supplies were sitting out in plain sight in the kitchen.  But, Akari could assume that they were probably in one of the cabinets.  On the initial sweep, Akari had noticed that there was Clorox in the laundry room.

Near the refrigerator and by the windows was a small kitchen table, with three chairs.  Yesterday’s newspaper was still sitting on the table.

Akari opened the refrigerator door to see if she could find something that might seem appealing to a hamster.  The inner door looked normal and those shelves held milk, juice, eggs, butter, and a few cans of pop.  But, the rest of the refrigerator was no longer a refrigerator.  Instead it appeared to be the doorway to a long white tunnel made of a substance that wasn’t quite plastic, wasn’t quite rock, and wasn’t quite ceramic.  The tunnel glowed with a white light that seemed to be coming from the end of it, but it curved in a way that prevented seeing very far down it.

A closer look would also reveal that the upper cabinets on the far left had a pink glow coming from the cracks around the closed cabinet door.

https://i.imgur.com/DNxrqae.png" data-lightbox="images-msg-179">https://i.imgur.com/DNxrqae.png" alt=''>
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:53, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

Sighing at all the yelling by supposed professionals "We pick our way into here and those two decide to start yelling, amateur's" still keeping to what shadows can be found I start making my way up stairs to see what I can find, once I get to the top of the stairs I look around to see what's around.

(OCC, anyone looking that can see Robert will notice he has his revolver out in one hand and some very sharp claws protruding from his fingers as well. Rose is poking her head out of her pocket and scanning the area as well.)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:04, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

The stairwell was lined with pictures of several generations of the Selig/Pastore family.  One thing that Robert noticed as he snuck up the stairs was that twins appeared to run in the family.  It wasn’t just Lex and Morgan and Piper and Lucius but older generations as well.

Additionally, as he walked up the staircase, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.  As he glanced towards the wall, he saw the movement was coming from one of the pictures.  A small image of a boy fell from the top of the picture to the bottom and then vanished.  The same thing happened when he passed one of the other pictures.  In both cases, the effect did not repeat.

OCC:  Robert:  I rolled perception + awareness on your behalf.  23:20, Today: Narrator rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 4,3,9,7,9.  Perception roll.  That is why you saw the message in the pictures.

Anyone else who succeeds on the same roll while going up the staircases will see something similar.  But since the effect isn’t tied to any specific picture or pictures you will each see it occurring in a different picture.



The hallway at the top of the staircase led to a study which was directly in front of the landing of the staircase.  If Robert decided head down the hallway leading away from the study, he would find three bedrooms and a bathroom.  The bedroom with the twin beds and the bathroom were on the side of the house that faced the front yard.  One of the bedrooms with a queen-sized bed was on the side of the house facing the backyard.  The final bedroom, also with a queen-sized bed, was at the end of the hall and bordered three external walls.  A quick sweep would reveal that none of the rooms contained a person or an obvious threat.

OCC:  As I mentioned before, I will post detailed descriptions of each room as they are investigated.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:43, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # In reply to Narrator (msg # 179):

Akari’s eyes go wide as she stands in front of the fridge. Wordlessly but without looking away from the fridge she reaches out to bump her fist into Bernards's shoulder then realizes he’s gone. .“Ah shit.  Hope I’m not about to become the Keymaster...” She does quickly scoop up the hampster and put him in her hoodie pocket so he'll be safe..er.

Then she takes a step back and she starts cycling through the spheres. As well as looking with her eyes. She backs up a bit more to look at the dining room ceiling hole as she frantically typed out code on her devices trying to unravel the programming of the localized reality phenomenon and will spend a WO on anything that would be a botch cause she doesn’t want a second paradox point. “So much for staying together on a sweep. Figured cops would be trained to not just leave their partner." She sighed, "Guess I don't count....” but she’s more annoyed at Kyle for leaving her as well.

“Ugh.” She mutters. “Whoever re-wrote the reality program in this house must be on crack.” Then into the radio "yeah, there is a hole in the ceiling here, and a portal in the fridge."

OOC: I’m on my phone so I’m not sure what I rolled. There was a lot of text. But I clicked it at least 9 times for the spheres in order.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

Bernard, with no one piping up to join him with a the sweep of the upstairs level, moves at it alone with the sidearm ready. Unaware that Robert's shaded form was practically besides him, he looks through each room, only checking for any signs of life. Upon seeing none, he holsters his weapon again and lets out a sigh.

"Alright, final sweep cleared. No one is here at all...at least not in this reality or whatnot." Bernard speaks into the radio. He then directs his next words at Xhiva, "Also it might be a tad surprising, but a house we're in the middle of infiltrating, you may not want to scream and announce our presence."

He turns the radio off, "God, it felt like my heart practically jumped out of my chest" he mutters to himself.

OOC: Don't know if I rolled high enough to see the pictures move.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 181):

Over radio mic "Ok people, this place is really hitting the freak meter. It isn't just the immediate family that has twins, the family photos here in the stairwell has litters of twins going back several generations, I dont suppose anyone wants to take a wild guess on the statistical probabilities of that happening? Also, I just saw a image of a small boy fall from the top to the bottom of a couple of the pictures here...this family definitely have some issues, Rose and I are about to take a search through the study here, anything of interest down there?"

OOC: Move into the study and begin a search of the room of anything of note or interest.

OCC: 12:32, Today: Robert rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 ((7,7,5,2,6,9)).

OCC: Rose failed (no successes) using 6d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 10,1,3,4,1,9.  Rose, keeping an eye out on the surroundings.
(She must still be sleepy lol)

In reply to Robert (msg # 184):

"Is that what I freakin saw while going up the steps?! This place keeps getting stranger and stranger. Akari, Kyle, please tell me we've got something a bit more grounded for us to work with."

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 185):

"I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out myself." She can't help but add. "You'd be able to judge it for yourself if you hadn't left me standing ALONE in front of a portal to Gozer's Temple."

She makes a sour face. "If Zuul comes out here and eats me, I'm haunting all of you guys."

Downstairs:

The hamster gives a startled squeak as it suddenly gets scooped up, but soon settles down into the hoodie pocket and relaxes in the soft, warm, confined space.

As Akari examined the passageway leading from the refrigerator into the unknown, she realized something about the distortion she had seen in the dining room ceiling.  The funnel effect had been directly over the area where Piper had scrambled onto the table and thrust her arm upwards.  And if the ceiling had been made out of a soft clay, the effect might resemble what would happen if someone thrust their arm up into and through it.

OCC:  If anyone positions themselves so that they can look directly up at the distortion in the dining room ceiling, they will see that the hole doesn’t appear to lead to the next floor.  Instead they will the image of a small boy floating or falling through grey fog.

But, for now Akari’s attention was focused on the portal in front of her.  She frantically typed out code on her devices, trying to unravel the programming of the localized reality phenomenon.  She received the following results:

OCC:  Since you rolled 16 times, I’m going to assume that if you failed a roll you just tried again.  You did need to spend willpower once to avoid a botch.  So, reduce your temporary willpower by 1.

Correspondence:  The passageway is six feet tall and three feet wide.  The length of the passageway is unclear but is probably less than 400 meters.  It does not link to a space in the terrestrial world.  Akari can assume that it leads into the umbra.

Entropy:  There is nothing unusual about the currents of chance or destiny in this area.  There walls are very well made and do not have any notable weaknesses.

Forces:  It took Akari three tries to get a successful forces scan of the phenonium and even then the results weren’t particularly useful.  The air temperature of the portal is 75 degrees.  The light appears to be normal light.  No unusual forces are detected.

Life:  The only life that Akari was able to detect were herself, the hamster, and any team members who remained nearby.

Matter:  The substance the walls were made from was not terrestrial in nature.  It most closely resembled porcelain but was far more durable.  It had both a high malleability and a high tensile strength (similar to that of carbon fiber).

Mind:  Akari did not detect any strong emotions coming from the passageway.  The hamster is reading as calm and a bit hungry.  Ashely, who entered the room while you were making your readings, is reading as nervous and curious.  I’m not certain which other team members might still be downstairs with you or what their emotions are.

Prime:  Akari recently saw a video image of Lucius dressed in protective gear (the scuba diving suit) heading into the kitchen while Emerson and Nicolae were conducting the ritual to retrieve Lex from the “fog space”.  It appears as though the refrigerator was deliberately made into a portal into the “fog space” as part of that ritual.

Spirit:  The portal definitely leads into the umbra.  Akari can detect one spirit with technological aspects near the end of the passageway (approximately 400 meters away).

Time:  There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual about the way that time works in the passageway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

The word that first comes to mind when observing the study is “cluttered.”  The study is located in a small, semicircular room.  It has a wooden floor covered by a large circular rug.  A simple wooden desk holding a computer, piles of paper, a desk lamp, and a small photograph of Emerson and Jean is located directly in front of the windows.  The computer is at least 5 years old and is not locked or password protected.

An old wooden chair with pealing red paint is sitting in front of the desk.

To the left of the desk is a wooden filling cabinet, a bookshelf, and a corkboard filled with papers and notes.  To the right of the desk is a cabinet with a ham radio sitting on top of it, a second taller bookshelf, and a locked safe (that is opened by punching in a four-digit code.)  There is a clock on the wall which is stopped at 07:06.

There are a variety of books on the bookshelves, including a full set of encyclopedias, but the most common subjects are science and secret societies (such as the Illuminati).  There is also a small subsection on American military history.  Almost all of the books are hardbacks and many are leather bound.

As Robert glances at the windows, he notices something unusual.  Despite the fact that it is 9:30 in the morning, the view outside the windows is as black as a moonless night.  And, there are eyes…lots of eyes…watching.

https://i.imgur.com/0JhZt8l.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-188">https://i.imgur.com/0JhZt8l.jpg" alt=''>

The transducer showing in the picture is currently in the dining room.  So the top of the filing cabinet is empty

Ruby, who’s eyes keep drifting shut does not notice Bernard approaching the study.  Since Robert is currently investigating rather than trying to conceal himself (and honestly about the only place he could conceal himself would be under the desk and that wouldn’t be a very good hiding spot), Bernard can easily see him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

After Resurgences yelled into the house the void answered back. Dead silence. Feeling dissuaded by the barren residence Resurgence reaches into his bag and pulled out dark black aviator sunglasses, and put them on his face gathers himself.

OOC: 22:33, Today: Xhiva Resurgence Gopala rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 3,2,5,6.  Sense life, Sense Prime.

If I succeed I want to be able to see Robert going upstairs

Noticing the group splitting up Resurgence follows Akari to the kitchen. Realizing Ashley entered the house Resurgence says to Ashley

"Come with us to the kitchen."

Upon entering the kitchen resurgence starts searching the cabinets to see what he can find. When Akari opens the refrigerator Resurgence says

"Thank goodness I put on these glasses that fridge if generating some intense white light."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 187):

Akari is going to do something probably very stupid.

She steps into the refrigerator...

**Oh great and mighty Gozer. Your loyal follower stands before you. Please don't eat her...**
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 188):

Over the mic "well that's something you don't see every day, it should be bright as day outside but looking through the windows up here in the study it appears to be night time and there are a whole bunch of eyes looking in here, I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say I'm looking out into the Umbra up here guys. How's it looking down there in the kitchen Akari?"

OOC: attempt to open the safe, using keypad enhancement to lower the DC

No sooner did Resurgence mention the extreme luminous refrigerator he watch Akari get sucked into the the portal.

Placing his index and forefinger onto his ear Resurgence yells "She's in the fridge, Akari stepped into the fridge. I can't see her anymore."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

As Resurgence glanced around the house with his life and prime senses up, he was able to detect a life form, Robert's, sneaking up the stairs.

As Akari ran her scans on the refrigerator, Resurgence checked inside the cabinets.  Most of them contained the expected items:  glasses, dishes, storage and serving containers, pans, etc.  The cabinet under the sink contained a variety of cleaning supplies.  However, there was one exception.  The top left-hand cabinet, which was located directly over the candy art project and which was glowing a faint pink, opened onto a pastel world made entirely of candy.  It even smelled pink somehow and quite tasty.

https://i.imgur.com/CqZdDEg.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-193">https://i.imgur.com/CqZdDEg.jpg" alt=''>
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:10, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

It took a couple of attempts but eventually Robert managed to open the safe.  The four digit code ended up being 0706.  Despite its large size, the safe was almost empty.  It contained a folder holding the family’s important personal papers (birth certificates, Jean Selig’s death certificate, social security cards, car titles, the deed to the house, etc) and a leather journal.

A quick glance through the leather journal indicates that it contains entries about Emerson’s life starting with recollections about the Vietnam War and leading up to a few days ago.  It doesn’t appear as though the journal is updated regularly and most of the entries aren’t particularly long.  But, it would probably take at least an hour to read completely.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:18, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

Deciding that Akari shouldn’t have to go into the refrigerator by herself, Ashley dashes in after her and follows her down the long white corridor and into Portals Bermuda.

The room at the end of the hallway looked like something out of a Star Trek movie. The walls were made of a smooth white surface with glowing blue, green, and sliver patterns etched into them.  There were additional glowing blue lights at the top of the walls.  Akari could see multiple computer terminals and hand print readers, with the largest terminal being in the middle of the room.  A sign saying “Portals Bermuda” was hanging on one of the walls.

But it also looked like it may not have been maintained for a while, plants and mosses were growing from cracks in the wall and the ceiling.

https://i.imgur.com/i8KHpXP.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-195">https://i.imgur.com/i8KHpXP.jpg" alt=''>

As Akari entered the room, the hologram of an attractive woman with silvery white skin and wearing a silver and white uniform approached her.  She was intermittently flickering in and out.

https://i.imgur.com/4J1AA0q.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-195">https://i.imgur.com/4J1AA0q.jpg" alt=''>


“Welcome to Portals Bermuda, the most trusted name in interdimensional travel.  I’m ALVAS, your interdimensional travel agent.  Please come with me.”

Her tone of voice is friendly.  But while her voice is not robotic, it does seem as though she is putting the emphasis on the wrong words, making it sound just a bit off.

She led them over to a console that shows five options:  St. Malibados, Todos 7, Murok-Inoo, Viridian Heights, and Carboniferous Island.

“Would you like to select your destination or would you like for me to select a destination for you?”

Ashley remained quiet and looked to Akari for guidance on how to handle the situation.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

I opened my eyes and noticed that everyone left the room with out me. Wait is this the room i was in a minute ago? I must have spaced out again. It was a long term effect of the drugs they used to have me on. [it wasn't the drugs] I heard some noise from the kitchen and went to see if my friends were grabbing a snack. I got there in time to see Akari walk into the refrigerator, followed quickly by Ashley. I couldn't just let the girls run into the deep by themselves, so i dashed in after them, opening up my psycic scences on the way

Kyle Moskowits rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 5 with rolls of 6,2,3,10.  mind/spirt scan.

Looking through the files I found in the safe, I pocket the journal for later reading as it’s to much to read through at the moment. I gather up the rest of the paperwork and roll them up and stash them in one of my inside coat pocket. About the same time I hear the message about Amari walking into the strange portal in the fridge. “She WHAT?!...Damnit” I Curse aloud, “And here I thought she was supposed to be the calm and calculating member of the group, who would have thought she be gunning for my title of recklessness lol. I open myself up to the patterns of reality and attempt to bend them to my will as I start towards the kitchen and in that instant small arcs of electricity snap across my skin and around my eyes as I make for a blinding sprint to the portal at a speed faster than I normally would be running, “Arg, I really hope nothing bad is on the other side.....GERONIMO!” I cry out, mimicking one of my favorite Doctor Who actors and I leap through the portal after Akari. (And apparently Ashley and Kyle lol)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

https://i.imgur.com/4J1AA0q.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-198">https://i.imgur.com/4J1AA0q.jpg" alt=''>

ALVAS flickered as Kyle dashed into the room and turned to face him.  “Welcome to Portals Bermuda, the most trusted name in interdimensional travel.  I’m ALVAS, your interdimensional travel agent...”

Only to be interrupted by Robert bursting into the room a moment later, moving as quickly as an Olympic sprinter.  She flickered once more and the speech began again but this time, it was as if two out of sync voices were talking.

“Please _Welcome come _to with _Portals me. _Bermuda, Would _the you _most like _trusted to _name select _in your _{interdimensional} destination _travel. or _I’m would _Alvas you _your like _{interdimensional} for _travel me _agent. to _Please select _come a _with destination _me for _Would you? _{you like to select your destination or would you like for me to select a destination for you?”}

Kyle was able to tell that ALVAS was a rather simple technological spirit, not much more advanced than a very basic and highly specialized AI.  Her emotions initially matched the friendly politeness that customer service agents are supposed to project but shifted slightly towards irritation when her speech was interrupted by Robert’s arrival.  Her surface thoughts currently matched what she was saying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 198):

Coming to a stop when I enter the room I look around with a look of complete loss on my face, "Huh, feels like we stumbled onto the set of a Doctor Who show." Remembering the info about Selig having a portal room to other various places that he would vacation people to he suddenly feels a bit silly about calling Akari reckless, "Well then, I guess you found the entrance to the hub portal room, but who in the world puts the entrance in the fridge? that has to get annoying at times. Like what if you get the midnight munchies and go to get some snacks and forget that the fridge isn't really a fridge?" about this point I notice a furry head peeking out over Akari's hoodie "Ummmm Akari...get your self a new friend there?" Looking over to Kyle, "You getting any readings from this place?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 198):

Akari looks around, taking in all the details for a bit, (cameras, doors, where the robot came from...etc), then turns to ALVAS "Can you elaborate about each of those destinations? And please tell me who the last person here was, and where they went>"

She jumps a bit as Ashley comes in, followed by Kyle. **Oh good, I'm not going to die alone.**

Akari starts to head to the computer screen to take a look at it...what it says, what you can do on it. Then she jumps again as Robert bursts in, running like an Olympic sprinter and has to literally skid to a stop, catching everyone's attention. **Oh it's a gun party. At least the two 'yellers' haven't come in yet**

As she listens to the robot speak she'll lean on the wall a bit, casually feeling for any sort of access panel or plug or hole for speakers (any opening), maybe in the space behind where the monitor is attached to the wall. She'll crouch down and see if there is a panel under the counter-mounted one as well for access.

If she ABSOLUTELY needs to, she has a small portable battery-operated drill in her bag that she will use to make a tiny hole somewhat smaller than the circumference of a chopstick

If she finds one, she'll be discreet, but her nanites will invade and give her access to the computer, where she can then create a back door in and give herself wireless access before unhooking. She'll also see if she can access cameras (if they have them) and save them on her computer to look at later.

"Did you find anything good upstairs Robert?" She asks him. "Specifically, the source of the hum we thought might be coming from up there."


OOC: So if the target diff was 6 then she got 5 successes 4,8,8,2,5,4,7,6,3,6.
If the target was a 6 but then applying her bonuses then she got 10. Guess its hard to hack and be secretive about it right in front of someone LOL
But once she gets in she's REALLY IN...10 successes 4,3,1,10(+2),6,10(+6),6,6,8,6. (if diff is standard, with her -8 to her difficulty)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 200):

"The study upstairs has a computer has a computer you may want to check out later, I also found a safe with a bunch of personal paperwork, social security cards, birth certificates and the like. Also found a journal we should probably read through later for any pertinent info, just had a thought, maybe you could scan the journal and have a program do a key word search or something?"

Bernard felt unsettled entering the room with all the odd eyes upon them, but ignored it as best as he could. It didn't look like they could do anything. He heard the safe swing open as he was looking through the paper work on the desk. "Anything useful in there?"

Robert rummaged through the safe for a moment, "It looks like I got some some Birth Certificates, a Death Certificate, socials, titles and deeds...oooh, what's this? ...I've got Emerson's journal...dates back pretty far."

"That'll be useful hopefully. Give us a little insight on what the hell is going on."

Resurgence's voice yells over the radio "She's in the fridge, Akari stepped into the fridge. I can't see her anymore."

"She WHAT?!...Damnit!" Robert cursed loudly.

"You've got to be kidding me, with no support or notice?!" Bernard complained loudly as well.

"And here I thought she was supposed to be the calm and calculating member of the group, who would have thought she be gunning for my title of recklessness" Robert laughs before dashing out of the room with what looked like sparks of electricity jumping off him.

"Hey, wait for me!" Bernard called out for him, but he was already long ahead of him. He felt harmonious teamwork was going to be some ways from now. Bernard shakes his head before running after him and into the kitchen. He was taken back by what he saw, it really felt like it was a movie come to life. Resurgence was standing there, looking as shocked and awe as he was.

"Surge, where is everybody else?!"

He looked back at him, "They've all gone inside now, it's just us now!"

"Not for long" Bernard pulls out both of his sidearms and holds them ready. "Stick close to me, who knows what we're expecting." He puts a finger to his ear, "If anyone can hear me, I'm comin in."

He then moves in low into the blinding light, the first thing he hears is Ashley trying to say into the radio "We can hear you, right now it's safe and-oh"

Bernard squints in the bright room as he eyes adjusted, "Wow, this guy's a fan of bright lights." He put his weapons away.

"Welcome to Portals Bermuda, the most trusted name in interdimensional travel.  I’m ALVAS, your interdimensional travel agent.  Please come with me."

"Whoa!" Bernard jumped at the woman's sudden appearance as she flicked into existence next to him. "Um, hi?" He blinked, "Wait, Portals Bermuda?! Did we just stumble our way in here? This had literally only happened to me twice before." He nearly reminisced about a couple of odd events in LAPD, but shook it off.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:21, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 202):

She will radio back to IVAN (who's been grazing during this time) to see if he can get a spatial location on her position. He should know already, but she'll mention she's in the umbra in Portals Bermuda, towards the edge of our communication range.

As her friends come in, she will look at ALVAS and ask her to pause for a moment.

Then assuming she does...

After Bernard speaks, she'll answer him. Her voice is level, if not a bit icy as well, "No Bernard-Kun, we did not STUMBLE our way here. And no, I was not being reckless persay, You should remember that there were portals for the rich to vacay, and I did a thorough scan before I went in. And also, I hacked the camera in the kitchen, You and Kyle, and perhaps Ashley and Surge, all saw it. On it, we saw Lucius dressed in the scuba suit while Emmerson and Nicolae were conducting the ritual to retrieve LEX who, if you recall, had been missing since Feb 28th, because he fell into the 'fog space'."

She adds, "I also radioed that I found a portal immediately, by the way." She shrugs, "Anyway, it was logical to enter, as we would have eventually anyway."

She heard a familiar voice chuckling. **You still thought you were going to die**

**Yeah, well then we'd be together again.**

She turns to regard Bernard sidelong from the corner of her eye, her tone the same, "And then YOU left, went upstairs I assume, and said quote 'Akari, Kyle, please tell me we've got something more grounded for us to work with' to which I replied also quoting 'I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out myself. You'd be able to judge it for yourself if YOU hadn't LEFT me standing <u>ALONE in front of a PORTAL to Gozer's Temple."
</u>

"But it's alright." "Here," she hands him the three relevant pieces of mail from the front door addressed to Piper, Lucius, and Lex. "Maybe these might help."

She clarifies and her tone changes back to its usual. "Gozer was the god in the Ghostbusters movie, the first one, and there was a portal in the fridge in that movie too."

"Thank you Ashley-Kun. Girls gotta stick together and all that, but still thanks for, and Surge too, the desire to not let me die alone." she smiles.

She'll reach down to her hoodie pocket and pet the hamster's head, while going into the quick pocket of her pack for the small amount of food she always carried with her for Rose and pulled out an airplane cracker, breaking off a bit and giving it to the hamster. "Yeah Robert, new friend. His name is Nimsesku"

"This is the same hamster that Emerson did the experiment upon. The one that went wrong and gave Lucius his powers. He's 30, older than me."

"Oh and yeah, upstairs did either of you find the source of the hum? I speculate it's coming from that Laser Harp in the room that had the musical or anxious resonance that Emmerson may have put back after the experiment."

She taps her temple, thinking, "Oh and that device on the dining room table is the Transducer used to open this portal. It's a wonder that is WAY more powerful than mine. But, I actually have no idea how long it will remain open. But perhaps after we lift the prints from this hand scanner, and/or I hack in and get relevant info, we should leave, for now, so we don't get trapped in here."

She looks around. "In our dossiers, it was mentioned that this whole place puts a huge strain on reality, and look..." she points to the grasses and cracks. "It's starting to deteriorate.

"Hmmph....'Reckless'...watashi wa shiri."



OOC: "Reckless...my ass."  <--- said like the smoking landlord lady in Kung Fu Hustle.

Gotta love eiditic memory
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 203):

Holstering my gun, but claws still kept out

 “No, I didn’t find the source of the hum yet,l, I made my way here ASAP once I heard people were going through the portal. I was focused on getting in the safe and searching the room that I spaced that the portal was probably to here, my bad.” Handing the journal and other relevant paperwork that I took from the safe to her, “Perhaps you could find some answers in these, it’s a bit curious that they have so many sets of twins throughout their generations, that has to be rigged somehow.”

Looking at Nimsesku “Ello there”

Bernard did NOT like being talked to like that in the slightest, "Whoa, whoa! First off, I never called you reckless! Second of all, stumbling our way through was just a figure of speak. Thirdly, I wouldn't have to finish the sweep of the house like that if a certain someone didn't start screaming their damn head off. You don't pull that kind of dumb shit back in LA, that will get you shot and killed in a firefight before you even knew it started! My only problem is that no one should go at it alone if they can help it! I may be new to all this magic and multi reality shit, but there are some things that makes sense in this reality that should apply to all."

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 205):

Akari regards Bernard cooly while he rants back. It passes through her mind to simply ignore him and go back to the business at hand. She starts to, and then that familiar voice in her head speaks again. **He's newly awakened. He's new to the team, he's an old cop from an old world, AND his lungs are black. Maybe you could give him a break beloved?**

**Fine. I will**

She nods. "You are correct. It was impulsive of me to step in, but I determined that it was at least 85% safe before I did so. Mr. LA police officer, have you never had a situation where you had to determine a situation that could go either way. Also, I knew Kyle, Ashley-Kun AND Surge were here or nearby, I had 'backup', as you put it." She gestures around, "I was only going to scout it out then return. You should at least try to trust your senses more." When she says 'senses' it's quite obvious she means the magickal ones.

"And...there are MANY things that make sense in THIS 'reality' that will NOT apply to all, Bernard-Kun."

To Robert. "How many twin sets are there?" Once she hears his answer. "Yes...that is quite a bit, but not completely unheard of. If the twin genes are passing from the mother's side there is a greater chance. There is also the chance that one or more of their family members were adept in changing Life patterns, or Entropy and may have tweaked the chances of twins to a much higher number."

She goes back to what she was doing and listening to ALVAS talk about Portals Bermuda.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

As ALVAS began speaking to Kyle and Robert, Akari had time to examine the room in more detail.  As she did so, it reminded her more and more of the setting in a soft science fiction novel or a space opera.  All of the expected features were there: glowing lights, doors that opened by pressing your hand against a sensor, touch screen monitors, sleek walls made of an unusual material, interesting glowing patterns on the walls.  But, some of the underlying technology that should have been there appeared to be missing.  That became even more clear when Akari tried to find plugs, holes for speakers, wires, etc.

In additional to the passageway that the team had used to enter the room, which had not contained a door, there were two doors, both of which had handprint readers next to them and resembled the doors in Star Trek.  There was a dark dome on the ceiling of the room which Akari believed acted as a camera.  ALVAS had walked out of the computer in the center of the room, solidifying as she did so.

The console on the computer in the center of the room was clearly designed to be used by individuals who were not particularly technology literate.  When you touched it, it showed you five icons with the words St. Malibados, Todos 7, Murok-Inoo, Viridian Heights, and Carboniferous Island next to them.  The picture next to St. Malibados looked like a beach.  The picture next to Todos 7 was of a snow-covered mountain.  The picture next to Murok-Inoo looked like an alien planet with lots of crystals.  The picture of Viridian Heights appeared to be an alien city.  The picture next to the Carboniferous Island looked like a jungle.

Once ALVAS had finished greeting Kyle and Robert she returned to Akairi.  “I apologize for the delay in response.  St. Malibados is a luxurious beachside resort where you can enjoy the swimming, surfing or just relaxing and working on your tan under the twin suns.  Todos 7 is a destination for individuals who prefer snow to sand.  In addition to some of the finest ski slopes in the multiverse, you can enjoy sleigh rides to scenic destinations, snowshoeing, taking pictures of exotic animals, or just relaxing and drinking hot chocolate in the hot tub.  Murok-Inoo is Lucius Selig’s spiritual home and the perfect place to visit if you wish to seek enlightenment or to meditate and discover your spiritual home and your true role as a divine child of the cosmos. Just as Master Lucius learned that he could be whatever he wanted to be, so to can you learn to change your paradigm and manifest your desires.  Viridean Heights is a bustling metropolis where you can relax in comfort while exploring the wide variety of culture available throughout the multiverse.  You will have access to the finest museums, plays, concerts, and any type of food you can imagine.  If you prefer a different type of adventure, perhaps you would like to camp on the Carboniferous Islands where you can explore a lush jungle while observing and hunting animals that can no longer be found on earth.”

As ALVAS spoke, Akari was finally able to find an access panel and began the process of subtly hacking in.  As she did so, she quickly realized that there was something odd about the computer as well.  It felt more like what someone with a non-programmer’s (and non-hacker) understanding of computers might picture computer operating systems and programs to be like rather than like actual operating systems and programs.

ALVAS sighed as she was once again interrupted and Kyle caught another quick flash of irritation along with the thought: “I’ve been alone here for ages and now when I finally have a chance to help someone, I keep getting interrupted?  I thought guests were either supposed to enter together or at regular intervals.”

“Pardon me for a moment, please.”  ALVAS turned her attention to the console and typed in a few commands.

As she was doing so Akari was able to turn her entire focus to creating a backdoor in, giving herself wireless access, and downloading the data from the cameras.  She was finally able to do so, but the whole process felt surreal.  Like hacking in a dream rather than hacking in real life.

It also gave her time to ask Robert about what he found upstairs.

In the meantime, Robert was using his abilities to get a feel for the electrical currents in the room.  And, much like Akari, he quickly realized that power here worked more like it would in a dream or in a nonscientist’s imagination than it would in real life.  There was power flowing through the lights and computer terminals.  But the power was just there, it wasn’t coming from wires in the wall or any normal power source.  He did notice the access panel and asked Rose to relay that information to Akari.  Though Akari appeared to have already noticed it.

Once ALVAS finished typing in the commands, two more copies of herself stepped out of the computer.  One rejoining Kyle and Robert and the other walking over to Bernard and once again starting her greeting.

The original ALVAS then returned her attention to Akari, “I apologize.  But I will be unable to tell you who the last guest to visit Portals Bermuda was or what destination that guest chose to visit.  That information is confidential.”


At Akari’s request the original ALVAS stopped speaking, but the two new ALVAS spirits who had noticed that many of the team members were carrying guns had started speaking at this point.

“I apologize, but guns are not permitted on St. Malibados, Todos 7, Murok-Inoo, or Viridian Heights.  Limited hunting is available on Carboniferous Island.  Additionally, guns in the reception area must be holstered.  There are secure storage facilities available for your firearms and electronic devices.”

Those two ALVAS then fell silent as well, waiting patiently for the team members to finish their discussions.

Ashley returned Akari's smile.  "I couldn't just let you go in by yourself."

Nimsesku looked at Robert as he said “Ello there”, and continued eating his cracker.  Kyle picked up on Nimsesku’s surface thought that while a carrot would have been better, the cracker was quite tasty.

IVAN radioed back that Akari appeared to be in a realm at a junction between the high umbra and the dreaming.  The realm appeared to be physically tied to the house.

After a few moments thought, it was clear to Akari and really anyone else who considered the subject, that the original Portals Bermuda could not have been closely tied to the Pastore/Selig residence.  Lucius had been living in San Francisco when he was operating his church and his extradimensional resort.  He had only been living in his father’s house since he lost his position as the head of the Power of Positive Mechanics.



OCC:  Okay, I think I covered everything that needed to be covered by me.  If I missed anything or anyone, just let me know.  The next post, which may be later this evening, will cover what you found, read when you were glancing at the papers on the fridge, in the study, etc.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:37, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

Kyle looks to his hand but finds that his gun is already holstered. Weird? "Shes a tech spirit like IVAN. You know now that i think about it i bet they would make a cute couple. Shes currently irritated that were not letting her complete the job shes been waiting to do for so long. How long has it been now since the last time you helped somebody?"

After she responds Kyle kinda drifts off a bit then comes back starting a hole knew dialog chain like. "hey old man, dont worry we'll hook you up with plenty of carrots after this." He reaches out a hand to fist bump with the hamster. "Say, where did all the people how live here go?"

After the hamster responds Kyle drifts off again more noticeably

[ooc: the drifting off is just an effect to address my slow response time, IC: could be something wrong with him, people have seen him do this before but not as frequent]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 207):

It HURT Akari to see the non-logic in a place where logic and order should flourish. It gives her a pause to see the layout and electrical system design, but with some effort, she figured it out.

Enough to hack ALVAS anyway.

....hmm...I wonder if I can change what she looks like...

Documents


Refrigerator:

While she was examining the refrigerator, Akari had a chance to read the documents that had been attached to it by magnets.  Even though most of her attention had been focused on analyzing the portal itself, due to her eidetic memory, she was also able to remember the documents as well.  The majority of them had been various homework assignments that Lex and Morgan had done well on.  For example, Lex had received a 100% on a math test.  And, Morgan had received a B+ on an English assignment to describe a location.  The location that Morgan described was interesting.  She referred to it as the “shanty town” and said that it was a place where refugees from other worlds could gather and help each other.  Her teacher had praised her imagination and the comments she had made about people helping each other.  But had taken off a several points because the class was supposed to describe a real place, not an imaginary one.  A few more points had been taken off for spelling errors.

There were also a few announcements for upcoming events in Mendocino including an advertisement for a collective art show titled “What Remains,”  Piper Pastore was one of the participating artists, and a notification that the Fort Bragg Garden Club meet every second Monday at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Finally, there were two notes addressed to various family members.  One note was from Lucius complaining about the fact that someone had recorded over some of the video tapes containing interviews that he had had with local television stations and insisting that no one touch his remaining tapes.  He also complained that someone kept eating all of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch even though he had clearly marked the boxes as belonging to him.

The second note was from Morgan to her parents and grandfather.  It said: “Mom, Dad, Grandpa, I think something is really wrong with Lex.  He’s been acting very strangely recently and he won’t tell me what is going on.  Could one of you please talk with him?  Love, Morgan”


Emerson’s Study:

Bernard had barely started glancing through the piles of paper in Emerson’s office prior to receiving Resurgence’s message about Akari stepping into the refrigerator.  But he had already started noticing a pattern.  A short time ago, he would have simply assumed that Emerson was a conspiracy theorist or perhaps a bit paranoid.  But, is it really paranoia or a conspiracy theory if a shadowy group actually is observing you and your family (admittedly far less frequently than Emerson seemed to assume)?  Clearly Emerson had been trying his best to research the Technocracy, though with limited success.  For instance, he seemed to think it was called the Order.

Bernard had also noticed a note written on stationary paper decorated with bunnies.  It said, “Grandpa, I overheard a conversation between Uncle Lucius and Lex.  I think Uncle Lucius is trying to figure out how to break into your safe and use the Transducer in a science project with Lex.  I’m scared that might be dangerous and that Lex might get hurt.  Love, Morgan”

 
The Mail:

Akari handed Bernard three envelops, one addressed to Lex, one addressed to Piper, and one addressed to Lucius.  The ones addressed to Lex and to Piper both came from the same e-mail address:  Dana Gray Elementary School.

The letter addressed to Lex was a “Get Well Soon” card with a picture of a dog on the front under the words “Sit, Stay, Heal.”  Inside the card said, “Get Well Soon” and had been signed by what you would assume were all of his classmates.  One thing that can be noted as you read through the messages is that they are all extremely general.  It seems as though Lex may not have been particularly close to any of his classmates or if so, they didn’t bother to say much more than “I hope you get feeling better soon.”

The letter addressed to Piper was from Lex’s teacher, Susan Felleman, it expressed concern about Lex’s extended absence and indicated that a doctor’s note would need to be provided if he was going to miss any more days.

The final letter, which was addressed to Lucius Selig, did not contain a return address and while it did have a stamp, it did not contain a postmark.  Inside was a typed message on plain white paper was inside that said, “Your next payment is overdue.  You know what could happen if you don’t comply.”  It was not signed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:01, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

ALVAS 2 considered Kyle’s question about how long it had been since she had helped someone for a long moment both looking and feeling a bit confused. “I’m not certain.  That information does not appear to be in my files.”

When Kyle reached out his hand toward Nemsusku in an attempt to get the hamster to fist bump with him, Nemsusku instead shifted positions so that Kyle was petting him instead.  Nemsusku made a clicking noise by rubbing his lower and upper teeth together that indicated he was feeling calm and content.  Since the hamster understood about as much human as a cat or dog would, if Kyle was asking him the question, he didn’t seem to realize it.

ALVAS 1 and 2, on the other hand, responded once again sounding a bit confused, “Portals Bermuda is the premier gateway to the multiverse.  No one lives here but me.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

Mindful of all three ALVAS, especially the one standing a bit too close to him, Bernard suggests to the group, "Perhaps after this stop here, we could maybe visit Murok-Inoo and see Master Lucius and his spiritual home?" He then turns to his ALVAS, "ALVAS, do you have records of when Master Lucius was last here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:29, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

ALVAS 3 reiterated a variation of the statement that ALVAS 1 had initially given to Akari, in her typical blandly polite and friendly tone. “I apologize.  But I will be unable to provide that information.  Information about when and where staff members and guests have visited is confidential.”  As had been the case throughout, the emphasis was placed on the wrong words, giving a slightly uncanny valley effect to her voice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:55, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 212):

Akari whispers to Bernard, "Yeah it won't WILLINGLY tell us that...give me a few, this space is strange."

She continues to hack ALVAS. Her goal is an info dump of its records....and to change her appearance into this girl, or this other one. (see images in discord)



OOC: I had rolled earlier for the hack and got 10 successes, do I need to roll again?

As Akari gets an information dump of the computer’s records she quickly notices another oddity.  No records have been created prior to 07:06 pm yesterday.  That doesn’t mean that information from prior to that date isn’t there.  But, it’s like it’s always been there.  And, even then, there aren’t many files.  There is a list of guests, a list of staff, a copy of the liability waver for portals guests, brief descriptions of each location (which ALVAS had already provided), some short lists of rules and guidelines including information on how to access the locations, camera records from last night, and that is about it.

As Akari glances through the lists of guests, she quickly notices that it is incomplete.  There are a few dozen names listed and then the rest of the page is just filled with filler text: Lorem ipsum.  The same is true for the staff list, though more staff names are listed and many of them have: “TRAITOR, DO NOT TRUST THIS PERSON” listed next to their names.  In the case of Christian Garcia that text is in bold red letters, underlined, and has multiple exclamation points next to it.

The camera records from last night show Lucius Selig, dressed in the old-fashioned diving suit entering the room through the passageway you used.  He ignored ALVAS when she manifested.  Instead he simply touched the icon on the computer for Veridian Heights, pressed his hand to the reader on the door to the left, and walked through.  The recording is less than a minute long.

It didn’t seem possible to modify ALVAS’ appearance.  That information wasn’t even included in the computer.  But Akari tried anyway, inputting rather than modifying the data.

https://i.imgur.com/SJxL9UV.png" data-lightbox="images-msg-215">https://i.imgur.com/SJxL9UV.png" alt=''>

And for a moment it seemed to work.  The three ALVASes flickered once again and changed forms.  However, they then glanced down at themselves with a frown, concentrated, flickered again, and went back to normal.  Kyle could tell that ALVAS was definitely feeling upset as she said to the room in general, using all three avatars voices, “Don’t do that.  Changing someone’s appearance without their consent is rude.”  She didn’t appear to know precisely who had done so or how, though.

Note:  If you read the liability waver it says the following:

Liability Waver Form

Required for Entrance to Portals Bermuda:  The Multiverse’s Premier Resort for the Spiritually Aware.

Participant Name:  __________________


In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the activities at Portal Bermuda, the Multiverse’s Premier Resort for the Spiritually Aware, I the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

1.  The risk of injury or death at Portals Bermuda is significant, including but not limited to:

* Permanent spatial/temporal displacement due to wormhole malfunction
* Disappearance by an interdimensional police organization (aka “The Order”), the agents of which may or may not have infiltrated Portal Bermuda
* Centipede attacks in the swamps of the Carboniferous Forest
* Allergic reactions to the nectar from the Mother Tree
* Falls associated with bungie jumping from the Mother Tree
* Seismic activity due to the naturally unstable tectonic plates on Murok-Inoo
* Poisonous gas sometimes released from vents on the surface of Murok-Inoo
* Drowning within the blissful Technicolor riptide of Saint Malabados
* Jellyfish stings, jellyfish harpoons, hissing jellyfish, delinquent jellyfish, existentially depressing jellyfish, exploding jellyfish, mindwarping jellyfish, hallucinatory jellyfish, opiate jeullyfish, etc.
* “Flash Freezing” in the high-velocity arctic winds of Todos 7
* Sudden and fatal onset of spiritual awareness
* Collateral damage from other patrons exercising their newfound godhood

2.  I furthermore promise not to hold Portal Bermuda, it’s managers, shareholders, or Master Lucius Selig responsible for any universe-collapsing paradoxes that may result from traveling across time and space.

3.  I furthermore promise to leave any cell phones, cameras, or camcorders at the reception desk in the intent of preventing the aforementioned universe-collapsing paradoxes.

4.  I promise to obey the commands of all security forces within Portals Bermuda with the knowledge that they operate under the authority of Master Lucius Selig.

5.  I promise to submit myself to disciplinary hearings, should my behavior cause any of the guests or staff to experience a Negative Thought.

6.  I promise to Power On! In my daily life and to share the inspiring and paradigm-changing message of Master Lucius Selig with everyone I meet.


Signed: _____________
Date:  _____________
Witness:  _____________
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:05, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

"hey, when they mention "the order" do you think there talking about us"

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 216):

Bernard answered "With extreme certainty... I assume you weren't being sarcastic?" He had finished reading the waiver, but his eyes quickly got drawn back to the outrageous kinds of jellyfish that he read earlier. 'Really, I mean those aren't really here on Earth, right?!' he nervously thought to himself. He wasn't the biggest fan of the water to start with.

Hoping that ALVAS couldn't intercept or read personal text messages, he sent a message to Akari with his phone. [Could you possibly kill any of her security measures or put us on a VIP list of kind? Something to get us in without leaving a trail to us or the construct?]

Putting his phone away, Bernard tried to keep the ball rolling with the ALVASs, or at least his ALVAS, so Akari could keep on working. "So yes, I think it is rude to change someone's appearance without even asking, though I have to admit that you looked a bit prettier just a moment ago. Don't get me wrong, I think you look very beautiful now, like some sort of graceful space angel, but if you had to change something about yourself, would there be anything?" Bernard tries to give a charming smile, knowing it was most likely futile against a computer, but still hoped the line of question would at least give the AI some pause. "It must also being dreadfully boring being coopt up in this place all day and night. Do you have access visiting some of these destinations, or just limited to this room? Silly question, just how fully aware are you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

ALVAS 3’s frown deepened as Bernard inadvertently insulted her by stating that the appearance, she had been changed into was prettier than the one she had chosen for herself.  The attempt to complement her current appearance might have helped mitigate the irritation slightly, but her tone was still that of a customer service representative forcing herself to be polite to a customer she was starting to wish would just go away as she answered, “I am quite fond of the appearance I selected for myself.  Thank you.”

Just then ALVAS 2 realized something and asked Kyle, “Did you just indicate that you were a member of the Order?”  Her tone was even and polite, but he could sense that her emotions had just spiked with the predominant emotion being alarm.

All three ALVAS stopped speaking to the others and turned to look directly at Kyle, awaiting his answer.

Akari could detect firewalls being put up in the computer and anti-virus and anti-malware programs starting to run.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:42, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 219):

Akari thinks to herself, wisely keeping her mouth shut You mean you CHOSE that appearance?!

"No way Kyle!" She looks at ALVAS incredulously then back to Kyle, "Unless the Boy Scouts have started giving kidnapping badges these days." She pauses. "Wait..." she pulls out of ALVAS, "Have they?!" She looks truly shocked, "You DO mean the Order of the Arrow right? Have other guests disappeared?"

ALVAS 1 returns her attention to Akari, while ALVAS 2 and 3 continue to watch Kyle suspiciously.  “I have no records of any guests disappearing,” she answers reassuringly.  “But it is vital to remain wary.  The Order is extremely dangerous.”  ALVAS 2 and 3 are now glaring at Kyle.  “And is not to be trusted.  If you see any indications that someone might be a member of the Order, you should report your suspicions to a member of the security team at once.”

She considered Akari’s follow up question for a moment, “I am unfamiliar with the Order of the Arrow.  The Order is an interdimensional organization which is actively attempting to prevent Master Lucius and his guests from obtaining enlightenment and manifesting their true roles divine children of the cosmos.  The Order is much more evil than the IRS.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Sun 25 Oct 2020.

ALVAS then came to an unfortunate conclusion...."and it would be highly likely for an evil and untrustworthy individual to attempt to change a beings form without her consent."

OCC:  Anyone attempting to talk your way out of this, please go ahead and include a charisma _ expression or a manipulation + subterfuge roll.  Be sure to let me know what you roll on each dice.  Good arguments might get you a reduction in difficulty.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:48, Sun 25 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 222):

Akari checks her phone then shrugs slightly, texting back without having to use her hands. **ALVAS isn't purely a computer, she's like IVAN, and is a technological spirit. Kyle would have a better chance of affecting her, but I'll see.**

Then to ALVAS, "More evil than the IRS?! Is that even possible?? The order of the Arrow is a boy scout order of... well extreme boy scouts."

She looks pointedly at Bernard and Kyle. "Hey...maybe you boy scouts should tell your friends to stop kidnapping people, apparently. They're giving all of you a bad reputation." She looks a bit of a mix between disgusted and snobby. "I'm not sure I want to be associated with you if that's how you ARROW guys act. How rude to try to change her appearance, she's QUITE beautiful the way she is right now. HMMPH"




OOC: Were the records something I had already accessed? and is it possible for me to give a status change for us, or at least mark PAID on our tickets?

Hacking again quickly and getting out: 2,8,10(+9),8,10(+8),5,7,6,3,10(+8) to change the status to VIP and/or mark PAID for us all

CHA roll only (I don't have expression or subterfuge) Die roll: 4,3 then tried again with a 2,5
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Sun 25 Oct 2020.

suddenly realization of his error dawned on him and kyle turned up the charm, "Of course i was talking about the boyscouts. no we dont have a kidnaping merit badge. We help find people and guide the way. By the way i love your make up, really draws attention to those eyes. We just heard that Master Lucius lost his pet hamster here. Nimsesku here is just distraught without him, poor guy. He said Master Lucius stepped out to get him some carrots and has been missing for a long time." Kyle holds up the poor hamster, "You look like the kindhearted type, wont you help us reunite the little guy with his master"

Kyle Moskowits rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 1,5,7,5,6,7,7.  cha/expression

In reply to Kyle Moskowits (msg # 225):

Akari looks startled a bit as Kyle yanked the hampster from her pocket. "Hey...he was trying to eat." She picks up the cracker he dropped and tries to give it back to him. "Here you go, Nemesku."

She gives him a few scratches.

ALVAS nodded in response to Akari’s question about the Order being more evil that the IRS, “They are truly vile.  The IRS simply takes far more money from Master Lucius, our guests, and The Power of Positive Mechanics than they should.  The Order is trying to shut us down and prevent us from helping people achieve enlightenment.”

She then frowned thoughtfully as Akari continued to imply that Bernard and Kyle were members of an extreme order of Boy Scouts.  “They do not look like juvenile males under the age of eighteen.”

While Akari doesn’t believe she has succeeded in convincing ALVAS that Bernard and Kyle are boy scouts, she doesn’t seem to have made matters any worse. And ALVAS does not appear to suspect that Akari was the one who changed her appearance.

As all three ALVAS’ attention turned to Kyle, Akari was able to sneak back into the system, add their names to the guest lists, and check the boxes next to VIP, paid, and consent form completed.  Despite the increased security measures and the non-standard logic, the system remained no match of Akari’s skills.

ALVAS relaxed slightly as Kyle turned on the charm.  “The information in my database about Boy Scouts is limited.  I do know they tend to enjoy camping and are most likely to wish to visit the Carboniferous Islands followed by Todos 7.  If Boy Scouts truly attempt to act as guides rather than kidnapping people, it is unlikely that they are an subset of the Order.”

Nemsesku gave a startled squeak as he was suddenly pulled from the warm, cozy pocket he had been resting in and dropped his cracker.

ALVAS smiled as she glanced down at the cute hamster and reached over to gently stroke his fur.  “He is so soft.”  She flickered again as she concentrated.  “My records indicate that Master Lucius did once own a hamster named Nemsesku.”

Nemsesku calmed down as his cracker was returned and he received gentle scratches from the two women.

She sighed, “If you are all willing to promise that you are not members of the Order, I will help you access your chosen destination.  However, if you decide to go to Todos 7, Nemsesku should remain here.  Cold is bad for hamsters.  I would be happy to watch him for you.”

“Which destination do you wish to visit?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Sun 25 Oct 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 227):

Akari nods at ALVAS. Well, she can most assuredly answer no to THAT question without lying at all. She's NOT a member of anything called 'The Order' or anything with 'order' in the name. "I am NOT a member of the order nor a member of the IRS, who takes too much money from ME as well. Hmmph. All I'd like to do is take a nice vacation."

She looks at the others. "Well, I'd like someplace warm and sunny, or exotic." she looks around at the others. "HOWEVER, I'm a child of the technological and cultural age. I want to go to Viridian Heights." She's not just saying that either. To Akari, Viridian Heights sounds like Tokyo and very VERY appealing to her personally.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Sun 25 Oct 2020.

Instead of jumping headlong into the fridge like the others Resurgence has something else in mind. After opening the cabinet to the "candy land", as he could only describe what he just say. Resurgence single mindedly returned back to the cleaning supply cabinet. Toiling in the kitchen Resurgence made, a few lethal and non-lethal substances with basic house hold cleaning supplies. Resurgence created a few bottles of chlorine gas, and bottle of chloroform.

"It's been more than a few minutes. Nobody has come back through the portal. There is no use waiting here any monger I'd better break on through to the other side."

With the voice of Jim Morrison singing through his head Resurgence ducks through the fridge clutching his bag tightly to his chest.

OOC: If I found break fluid and pool chlorine is in the cabinet I'm bring it with me.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Mon 26 Oct 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 228):

Akari takes Nemesku from Kyle and slips him back in her pocket, then, in a lofty, commanding voice. "Kyle, make yourself useful. Go back outside and grab the thing I left on the table outside. Hurry. Go." She hands him a sack to use.

Kyle telepathically messages nemsesku ~thanks for your help with the ladies little dude. You are a chick magnet, truly. I am impressed with your skills. I owe you some carrots~

"yes Captain my Captain" Kyle says jokingly then rushes off to complete his appointed task. Kyle likes to take direction from hot chicks. Too bad she was married to his friend. Maybe one day though, you never know.

Nemsesku's whiskers twitch slightly as Kyle sends him a telepathic message promising future carrots and then he settles comfortably back into place in Akari's pocket.

ALVAS looks just slightly disappointed as Nemsesku disappears into Akarai's pocket.  But, she smiles at Akari, “I am certain that you will have a lovely time in Viridian Heights.”  She moves over to one of the walls, touches a hidden panel, and a drawer opens.  “Please place any firearms, cell phones, cameras, or camcorders in the drawer.  You can secure them with a voice print.”  She then moved over and pressed the Viridian Heights Icon on the monitor.  “Once you have finished securing your devices, just place your hand against the reader at the door and it will open to Viridian Heights for you.”

She glances around at the other individuals in the room, “Are you all traveling together or separately?”

Ashley quickly volunteers, “I am traveling with Akari to Viridian Heights and promise that I am not a member of the Order or of the IRS.”  She waits to see if the others offer up their cell phones before offering to place hers in the drawer.

As Kyle heads back through the passageway to the refrigerator he passes Resurgence, who was just about to make his way into the refrigerator with an assortment of lethal and nonlethal substances.


OCC:  There is no brake fluid or pool chlorine in the house.  You were able to find Clorox in the laundry room if you looked there.  And were able to find other normal cleaning supplies in the kitchen and laundry room, I’ll be nice and say including rubbing alcohol.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 232):

Akari too says, "I too am not a member of the Order or of the IRS....evil bastards." Then she locks her phone and places it in the drawer as well.

On the radio to everyone **Catch us up Kyle. Ashley and I are going into Viridian Heights!**

Then to IVAN **Leaving phone behind, track me thru the computer if you can**

She'll wait to see if anyone else responds, but BEFORE Surge arrives (with his terrorist cocktail) to place her hand on the reader and step through the doorway.

As ALVAS 1 helps Akari and Ashley secure their cell phones, ALVAS 2 and 3 await Bernard and Robert's responses.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 234):

Deciding to go check in on Surge before he pulls off another dumb stunt, Bernard pats himself down. "Wait, hold on. I think I left something in the last room. Giiiiive me just a moment to go and get it. Be back in a moment, Space Angel."

Bernard then heads back the way they all came in to intercept their wayward teammate to update him since he's been unresponsive on the radio...though that might be a good thing. There's no way he could know if ALVAS is capable of intercepting their transmissions.

passing Surge Kyle says, "hey Surge, the spirit in there doesn't like weapons. If you go in there with a bomb??? she might get upset. I wouldn't suggest it" Not sure what exactly Akari was talking about Kyle grabs everything on the table of interest, throws it in the sack and rushes back. Following Alvis's instructions Kyle follows the girls thru the portal.

*Resurgence pops into Portals Bermuda*
“Welcome to Portals Bermuda, the most trusted name in interdimensional travel.  I’m ALVAS, your interdimensional travel agent.  Please come with me.”
Seeing the rest of the team Resurgence doesn't say anything and listens to the nice attractive
 blue lady.

"Uh okay, thank you. I have always wanted to visit Portals Bermuda. Power on! Please tell me more."

Resurgence pretends to be attentive to the blue lady while actually waiting for someone on his team to clue him in to what is going on.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

Once Kyle and Bernard leave the Portals Bermuda reception area and head back down the passageway to the refrigerator, ALVAS 1 helps Akari and Ashley secure their cell phones (neither woman has a visible gun), and pass through the door to Viridian Heights.

The doorway opens on to what appears to be a large hotel suite or apartment with containing furniture which appears to have been grown from a fuzzy type of moss.  If someone sits on the furniture, they will find that despite its somewhat unusual appearance, it is extremely comfortable and quite soft.  The walls have a tie-dye paint job in purples, blues, and greens and are decorated with yet more of the fuzzy moss.



There living room contains a couch, few chairs and tables, a desk and a few additional light sources which seem to be bioluminescent plants.

Beyond the living room they can see a small kitchen area, a bedroom with two queen sized beds, and a bathroom.  While the fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom look unusual, they are familiar enough that Akari and Ashley believe they could use them without any issues.

In addition to the door that they entered.  The women see two doors that they believe led out of the suite and a large window that shows a lovely and exotic city scene.



Ashley clips a small sample of moss from one of the wall hangings and after placing it in a vial, tucks it into her bag.  She then asks Akari, “Should we wait here for the others, or see where the other doors lead?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:34, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

Since Robert never answered ALVAS 1’s question about whether or not he was traveling with Akari and Ashley, ALVAS 2 assumed that he wasn’t and that he had not yet made up his mind about where he wanted to travel.

In an attempt to help him make his decision, she explained:  "There are currently five lovely destinations that you can visit.  “St. Malibados is a luxurious beachside resort where you can enjoy the swimming, surfing or just relaxing and working on your tan under the twin suns.  Todos 7 is a destination for individuals who prefer snow to sand.  In addition to some of the finest ski slopes in the multiverse, you can enjoy sleigh rides to scenic destinations, snowshoeing, taking pictures of exotic animals, or just relaxing and drinking hot chocolate in the hot tub.  Murok-Inoo is Lucius Selig’s spiritual home and the perfect place to visit if you wish to seek enlightenment or to meditate and discover your spiritual home and your true role as a divine child of the cosmos. Just as Master Lucius learned that he could be whatever he wanted to be, so to can you learn to change your paradigm and manifest your desires.  Viridean Heights is a bustling metropolis where you can relax in comfort while exploring the wide variety of culture available throughout the multiverse.  You will have access to the finest museums, plays, concerts, and any type of food you can imagine.  If you prefer a different type of adventure, perhaps you would like to camp on the Carboniferous Islands where you can explore a lush jungle while observing and hunting animals that can no longer be found on earth.”

When he exited the refrigerator, Kyle warned Surge, “Hey Surge, the spirit in there doesn't like weapons. If you go in there with a bomb??? she might get upset. I wouldn't suggest it"

He then walked back into the dining room.  The following items were still sitting on the dining room table:  6 rust colored placemats, two candlesticks with candles in them (one of which is lying on its side), and Emmerson’s transducer.

The transducer is an odd mechanical device.  The bottom of the device is rectangular and metallic with various buttons and indicators on it, and then connected to the top of the metallic box by a metallic rod that is at a slight angle are three metallic discs each one slightly smaller than the one below it.

https://i.imgur.com/MvuOn73.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-240">https://i.imgur.com/MvuOn73.jpg" alt=''>

Since the transducer is about the size of an old-fashioned record player, Kyle can carry it but it will be awkward, bulky and probably take both hands.  It will not fit in a bag.   If he wants to, he could stick the placemats and candlesticks in a bag and carry both the bag and the transducer.

If Kyle hurries, he may arrive back in the Portals Bermuda reception area during ALVAS’s conversation with Robert and Surge, depending on how long they speak with her.  Regardless of whether or not they have continued on to another destination, ALVAS will be happy to help Kyle join Ashley and Akari in Veridian Heights.  However, before she does so, she will insist that he place his cell phone and his gun in one of the security drawers for safe keeping.  Firearms are not allowed in Veridian Heights and cell phones are not allowed in any of the destinations.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:14, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

Bernard, intending to speak with Surge outside of the Portals Bermuda reception area, headed down the corridor that led to the refrigerator.  Unfortunately, while they were both in the corridor, Surge passed him without stopping to talk.

By the time that Resurgence arrived in the Portals Bermuda reception area, Akari and Ashley had already left.  Since he had passed both Kyle and Bernard on his way in, it wasn’t surprising that neither of them was there.  Currently, other than the three ALVAS, the only other person in the Portal Bermuda reception area was Robert.

ALVAS 2 was currently explaining the various available destinations to Robert.

ALVAS 3 greeted Resurgence and at his request for additional information began to explain:  “There are currently five lovely destinations that you can visit.  “St. Malibados is a luxurious beachside resort where you can enjoy the swimming, surfing or just relaxing and working on your tan under the twin suns.  Todos 7 is a destination for individuals who prefer snow to sand.  In addition to some of the finest ski slopes in the multiverse, you can enjoy sleigh rides to scenic destinations, snowshoeing, taking pictures of exotic animals, or just relaxing and drinking hot chocolate in the hot tub.  Murok-Inoo is Lucius Selig’s spiritual home and the perfect place to visit if you wish to seek enlightenment or to meditate and discover your spiritual home and your true role as a divine child of the cosmos. Just as Master Lucius learned that he could be whatever he wanted to be, so to can you learn to change your paradigm and manifest your desires.  Viridean Heights is a bustling metropolis where you can relax in comfort while exploring the wide variety of culture available throughout the multiverse.  You will have access to the finest museums, plays, concerts, and any type of food you can imagine.  If you prefer a different type of adventure, perhaps you would like to camp on the Carboniferous Islands where you can explore a lush jungle while observing and hunting animals that can no longer be found on earth.”

ALVAS 1 stood near the computer terminal, waiting to provide additional assistance if needed.  She will approach and help Bernard or Kyle once one of them returns saying, "Welcome back.  Did you find what you were looking for and are you ready to continue to your destination?  If so, which destination did you decide to visit?"


OCC:  I am assuming that Resurgence took Kyle’s advice and concealed his bomb somehow?  If not, the response is going to be extremely different.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:45, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 238):

Akari is in HEAVEN right now. She sits on ALL the furniture and enjoys the soft moss for a moment before going to the bathroom to check it out.

"Three seashells?!"

She leaves and then heads to the window to look out with Ashley, hearing her question. "Oh wow!" She breathes excitedly, "I waaant to wait for our nakama....buuut..." she indicates out the window. "LOOK! How awesome is THIS??" She grabs the hotel 'things to do and see' pamphlet and peruses it briefly, committing it all to memory, then tucks it away in her bag for the others. She also opens the other doors and takes a quick look outside, also checking their room number and floor, before coming back in beside Ashley.

Akari forces herself to take a deep calming breath. "Ok...focus...We're not here for a vacay...we're here for work." The way she says it is like a mantra.

She puts out her arm and checks her computer to see if it still works, as well as IVAN.

**IVAN...you there?**
This message was last edited by the player at 13:24, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

"Surge! Surge?!" Bernard called out to the older man that passed him up in the hallway, but he kept on walking as though he didn't exist. "I'm talking to you! SURGE!!!" He still kept going. After 10 seconds of processing it, Bernard covers his face with both hands and softly bangs his head on the corridor wall.

"The hell is wrong with these people" he moaned. An image of Kiki Roswell looting his fridge ran through his mind, accompanied by a red flash. "Kiki, you bitch, what were you thinking sending me here."

With a twitch of his eye, Bernard follows along the corridor long enough for him to get a signal with his phone before sending a text to his mentor.

[Hate you. Probably gonna die soon, and it's your fault. Stay out of my home.]

He didn't even get a chance to click his phone off before he got a reply for her.

[Love you too, Darling~ Don't worry, you'll be fine. You'll see.]

Another beep, accompanied with a selfie from her...she was already at his apartment, making herself look too comfortable. He can recognize the recliner she was sitting in. The odd thing was he was seeing another of her in the background, but he didn't have a mirror in the living room?

Growling to himself, he turns around back around and returns to ALVAS. "Welcome back.  Did you find what you were looking for and are you ready to continue to your destination?  If so, which destination did you decide to visit?" She does raise an eyebrow at his obviously stressed state.

"Yeah, yeah. Um, hey Space Angel, could you just send me to where ever you sent the girls to?"

The small locker intended for Bernard opens up before she could give an answer. He sighs as he puts his cell phone and two handguns away.

"Right this way to Viridian Heights." ALVAS said pleasantly enough with a smile on her face as she gestured towards Akari and Ashley's destination. Bernard goes through without even looking to Robert or Resurgence.

Seeing Ashley looking into another room, but no Akari, Bernard pulls out another cigarette and holds it in his mouth before giving the room a quick inspection. If nothing makes him cautious, he'll make a beeline to the window so he could crack it open to light up. Bernard barely blinks at the amazing city in front of him.

Taking a long drag, he comments to the city "Why the hell not?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

Kyle looked over the normal stuff to make sure it wasn't important. "pretty sure she didn't want this stuff. Kyle checked out the transponder to see if he could figure how to pack it away without breaking it or messing it up, maybe see if he know what it does. "Akari will be pissed if i break this"

19:43, Today: Kyle Moskowits rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the World of Darkness 2nd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 6,2,10,7,7.  int/tech transponder check.

before he heads out he reloads his gun with blanks then goes to find akari, checking the required items with Alvas. "Thanks for watching my stuff. Now i know ill see you again. Oh could you open the door for me please, hands are full" he flirts with the cyber spirit, then heads in the portal she directs [kyle assumes she directs him twords the one the girls did, but she might not have]

Ashley looks tempted as well. “It does look like a fascinating place to visit.  Surely the others will be arriving any minute now.”  She glances back at the door they entered wondering why the rest of the group is taking so long and then as Akari checks the doors leading out of the suite, Ashley takes a few more samples and explores the other rooms of the suite.  “The beds appear to also be composed of living moss.”  She sits down on one, “and are as comfortable as the chairs and couch, even the blankets and pillows appear to be made of living plants.”

As Akari opens the two doors, it quickly becomes clear that neither of them led to what would be considered a standard hotel or apartment hallway.

The door to the right opened onto a hallway that was lined with television monitors, each playing a different channel.  If Akari stepped into the hallway and glanced back at the door to the room, she could see that the door had been painted the same colors as the floor (black and white stripes) and did not have a room number on it.  She could also hear sounds coming from each monitor, though turned low enough that it was currently just a quiet and unintelligible mixture of noise.

https://i.imgur.com/Es7YNNR.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-246">https://i.imgur.com/Es7YNNR.jpg" alt=''>


The door to the left opened onto what could best be described as the sanctuary of a non-standard church  (probably the Power of Positive Mechanics).  When she initially opened the door, the lighting was in pleasant blues, greens, and purples.  She was able to see pews and an aisle leading up to a pulpit with the following image painted on the wall behind it.



One of the other walls consisted of a huge stained-glass windows with the glass set in the following image:



However, if she lingered in the doorway for more than a few minutes, the lighting of the room changed from the welcoming blues, greens and purples, growing increasingly darker and redder.  Just as the room was almost dark enough that she couldn’t see clearly, the image on the stained glass mirror appeared to change and the heads of some sort of animal seemed to appear on the other wall.  But, before she could get more than an unsettling impression, the room went entirely dark.  A few seconds later, the appearance was back to what she had initially seen.

If Akari stepped into the sanctuary enough to look at the other side of the door to the room they were currently in, she could tell that it was a hidden door.  They would probably be able to find it again, but it wouldn’t be obvious from the sanctuary.  The door blended into the wall and did not have a room number on it either.

When Akari checks, she sees that her computer is still working and IVAN responds to her query with a “Yes, Akari, I am still receiving your transmissions, though they are faint.  I am working to boost signal reception now.”

-------

Bernard arrives in the room during Akari’s explorations and is greeted by a somewhat distracted Ashley, who is still busy analyzing the various plants in the bedroom and making notes on her ipad.  Thankfully, ALVAS hadn’t noticed and confiscated it along with her cell phone.  “Hi Bernard,” she calls back over her shoulder.  “Akari should be back momentarily.  She was just taking a quick look to see what was on the other side of the doors.”  Although unusual, the room seems secure enough and Bernard isn’t seeing anything that seems threatening.

As Bernard opens the window, he is able to take in the exotic but pleasant smell of the city.  The scent is not readily identifiable (and probably isn’t earthly) but there are elements of amber, frankincense, sandalwood, and jasmine.

----------

Kyle is able to figure out how to carry the transducer without damaging it.  As he glances over it, he remembers that while Akari was arguing with Bernard in the Portals Bermuda reception area she had said: “Oh and that device on the dining room table is the Transducer used to open this portal. It's a wonder that is WAY more powerful than mine."

After investigating it, Kyle is also quite certain that Akari is correct about it being a powerful wonder.  If he still has his spirit perception up, he is also quite certain that one of the primary spheres it uses is Spirit.  The device appears to be fairly old (possibly made in the 50s or 60s) and is unusual enough that Kyle could assume that it was probably either made by a Son of Ether or by someone with a similar type of paradigm.

Once Kyle checks his guns and cell phone a smiling ALVAS 1 happily opens the door for him and Kyle is able to enter the Veridian Heights suite.  Currently, Ashley is in the bedroom typing something.  Akari is re-entering the room from one of the far doors, and Bernard is smoking a cigarette by the window.

------------

Meanwhile, Robert and Surge are still in the Portals Bermuda reception area with ALVAS until I hear otherwise from their players.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:47, Fri 06 Nov 2020.

Bernard burns through his stick pretty quickly with how stressed he is, but halfway through he asks Ashley, "Okay, so I know I'm not the only one stressing at least a little, so how are you holding up? Cause I think I've sort of hit a homeostasis with my stress level, so I think I'll be fine for the most part here on out."

Hearing her answer, he also asks "Another quick question, how long have you known Xhiva, and is he...all there?" He makes a gesture to his head, "Cause earlier when I went to go get him and warn him about ALVAS, it was as though Kyle and I didn't exist. Went right passed us and...I don't know. Forget I said anything."

Bernard resumes finishing off his smoke while opening up his phone and examined the picture Kiki sent him. There was just something not right with the second Kiki in the picture. It wasn't a reflection, one Kiki was sitting down and the other was walking across. He's had thought he'd had seen more than one before at the NWO training facility, but she would deny it anytime he brought it up, and now he had proof of something. If he managed to get out here in one piece, he'll finally have her where he wanted her and get a straight answer.

Ashley answered, “While this is certainly very different than my time at Stanford, it has been fascinating as well.  The opportunity to gather samples and examine life forms not found on Earth is just incredible.  And, of course, while I certainly don’t want to embarrass myself in front of my coworkers or make a mistake that jeopardizes our safety or the mission, I do realize that I am primarily here to observe and learn.  Since, I have experienced team members to rely on, in many ways this is less stressful than my comprehensive exams and dissertation defense were.”

“There are various relaxation techniques that I utilized during my last few years at Stanford that you might find helpful:  guided imagery, breathing techniques, light exercise, and so on.  I could easily provide you the links to some helpful articles and books if you’d like.”


At his follow up question, she answered: “I was introduced to Dr. Gopala a little less than a week ago, shortly after I was hired into the Presidio Construct.  To the best of my understanding, he will act as my trainer for a while, possible for a mission or two, and then I will probably be rotated to a different trainer and assignment.”

"I'm not certain why he walked past you without responding.  Perhaps he was lost in his own thoughts?  I've had friends mention to me that they said hello to me while we were walking to class and I didn't notice them.  It might have been an extreme version of that."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Sat 07 Nov 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 246):

Checking my gun and phone into the lockbox, I follow after Akari, Kyle and the others, once I arrive to where they're located and I look around I let out a low whistle "Wow, I wonder if they got one of the Doctors to do their interior designing. If nothing else, this is most definitely going to be an interesting trip." Looking down into his coat, "Rose darling, would you keep a weathered eye out please? last thing I want is any nasty surprises while we are here."

Observing Bernard, Robert, and Kyle checking their guns and cell phones with ALVAS. Resurgence places the phone onto the reception desk with right hand still over his phone Resurgence says to ALVAS.

"Be care with this it's a low tech classic I don't want to buy a smartphone. Anyway thank you ALVAS I will follow my friends where ever they're going."

Resurgence slides the Nokia 3310 along the reception desk over to ALVAS. Feeling in awe and fear of this place he cautiously follows Robert, Bernard, and Kyle to the Veridian Heights suite. Resurgence notices Bernard, Robert, Kyle, and Ashley settled around a living room with very odd looking furniture upholstered with a material that looked organic which he could only describe as moss in appearance.

Resurgence walks in the direction of Kyle and Bernard until he is in close enough proximity to talk to each of my and says.
"Hey fellas sorry about ignoring you earlier. I was not sure if you were really the real Kyle and Bernard this place has me on high alert. You understand what I mean; as I was traveling through the fridge portal to Bermuda I didn't feel safe having a conversation there I felt if I stayed there any longer I would be stuck between worlds. A portal made by one of these Reality Deviants, you never know what could happen. I wasn't sure if you guys were a manifestation of my thoughts or real. I thought that If I acknowledged you guys at that time in that place I would have fallen into a Reality Deviant trap and I would be stuck. Am I blabbering on? That was you guys in there, right?"

Resurgence gives Kyle and Bernard time to respond then.

Resurgence turns to Kyle and says.
"Thanks for the advice I didn't bring bombs with me this time. When I was in the kitchen I didn't want to go through the portal haphazardly, so I went to work while I was waiting. I found a few notable average everyday cleaning products that I could use to make a few nonlethal's."

Resurgence reached into his black leather bag and pulled out a few paper thin form fitting respirators.


Resurgence looks away from Kyle and starts speaking openly to the team.
"I don't want a repeat of the mission we had in Kansas. I never want to repeat what happened that time. So I brought these respirators for the mission."

Resurgence handed out respirators to the team. First to Kyle, then Bernard by the window, then to Robert, and Ashley who was analyzing the moss furniture.

"Here you go." Resurgence said as he smiled to everyone as he handed the respirators over.

After each team member had a respirator in hand he says.
"You all might need these. As you all might have seen, I have been mixing some substances. These respirators will protect you from airborne particles. This is a commonly used device in my field of study. You all may be aware of how this is done but, I will demonstrate how to properly don this PPE. First grab the lower end and place it on the underside of your chin then take the upper T shaped end and stretch it up and pass your forehead to your hair line. Place the upper end firmly onto the top of your forehead. While you pull the respirator over your face it scans the surface area. The respirator will maneuver itself to the most ideal comfortable position upon your face after it is placed upon your forehead. You won't even feel like its there. Any questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 246):

At first, Akari was pleasantly surprised and delighted at the new hallway, the new place, and the overall new-ness of the experience. She starts recording on her VR goggles and also places a pillow in the doorway to keep it from closing while she took a few steps forward into the hall to look at the nearest monitors and see what was playing. She also takes a look further down the hallway at what was beyond.

She does look backward at her own door. Partly to make sure it was still there, and partly to see her room number...then realizes there is no room number.

**Where in the cosmology ARE we?**

She'll try to ascertain a precise location in a moment after she returns. Then she goes back and to the other door, standing in the doorway for a bit looking around the room beyond the left door. But, as the lighting changed and the room before rolling through everything she knows about animals. Blinking, she took a step back. Then when she saw the face she slammed the door shut. What kind of animal WAS that?

Even as she somewhat freezes, her mind starts rolling through everything she knows about animals, and will try to figure out what that could have been.

Her eyes wide open, she looks back to the others... Bernard, Ashley, (and Kyle?)

"Chikushō are maa!"

/chee ku SHOW ah RAY mah/ - (roughly) holy shit balls

As Akari explored the hallway of monitors, she could quickly tell that they were each playing something different.  Some of them appeared to be showing various television shows (game shows, cartoons, dramas, etc.) many of which seemed similar to but not quite identical to shows that had been aired on U.S. television stations over the last decade or so.  Others were showing family videos of the Selig/Pastore family:  Nicolae and a very pregnant Piper talking in the car as they moved to Mendocino; Nicolae, Piper, Lex, and Morgan on a camping trip; Lex and Morgan performing in a play called Monster and Bunny; Nicolae documenting his research into various sounds, and so on.  As Akari looks down the hallway, it seems to open up into a large room containing with various items in display cases.

After exploring the hallway of monitors for a while, Akari investigated the sanctuary next.  As she slammed the door shut and tried to decide what type of animal head had just started appearing on the walls of the room and how the image in the stained-glass mirror was changing, she came to the following conclusions.  The heads seemed to have the shape of a rat’s head though much larger (the size of a deer head); however they also appeared to be covered in scales and have two long fangs.  As for the stained-glass window, a shadow had appeared over the white portion of the abstract pattern that had resembled two men hugging with one of the two holding a knife that he was about to plunge into the others back.


OCC:  Surge, feel free to edit your post to remove the question about where Akari is.  She would have been visible and looking through the second doorway when you arrived in the room.  She probably slammed the door shut during your comments about the face masks.

In terms of time frame, Bernard arrived while Akari was investigating the hallway of monitors.   Kyle would have taken a bit longer to arrive since he had to go get the Transducer and bring it back.  Akari had probably moved to the second doorway by that point.  Robert and Resurgence probably entered the room shortly after Kyle did, so while Akari was glancing into the sanctuary. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:43, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

Bernard accepted the mask from Resurgence, "Yeah...thanks...ah, it's alright what happened, I guess. Can't exactly understand what that feels like or how that works." He didn't know how else to approach the strange matter, so he settled for holding up the mask, "Thanks again."

Finishing off his cigarette and putting it out, he then addressed everyone. "Alright, so now that we're all here and had a couple of minutes to cool down. Time to make a strategy." Bernard turned his head towards the hallway where Akari was, "Akari?"

"Chikushō are maa!"

"Akari, you good?" Bernard moves to the door frame to check in on her and hopefully get everyone back on track.

In reply to Bernard Hathaway (msg # 254):

She'll nod to Bernard. "Hai, Bernard-kun." Then she'll explain what she saw in the rooms in detail.

OOC: Has Surge given these out to us before ever?

She'll take the respirator from Surge and fit it into her hoodie, which is already doubling as a respirator. Can't hurt to double up.  And then she'll wait to see what everyone else wants to do.

"hey Akari, i got your thingy. Its kinda heavy"

Kyle seems unimpressed at the alien surroundings, he did spend a year in the void after all.

"you know its kinda surprising, In most places in the void, breathing usually isn't a problem. Most people that checkout do it from being dismembered by some alien monster, or going insane. The later is usually more common. like by a lot."

Resurgence says to Bernard
"I feel like this whole place is one big ticking time bomb waiting to happen. The Empyrian Remnants roaming the yard, the otherworldly reception room full of ALVAS, all of the different worlds that can be visited from Portals Bermuda. We are in a very delicate artificial reality. You're welcome for the respirator. How does it feel to be without your guns?"

Resurgence Looks to Ashley after his PPE donning exercise and says to her.
"Don't be alarmed about the respirators we will be fine. Learn anything interesting about this mossy furniture?"

After hearing Bernard's proposition to come up make strategy Resurgence responds.
"Yes a strategy. Well since we know people are still coming here for other worldly vacations we should pretend like we're rich vacationers like Bill and Georgia Hayes looking to have a good time. We need to blend and gather information about the were about of the Selig's from any person we may come across. What will we do when we find Lucius, how do we neutralize him, and maybe the other family members if they have musically augmented weapons of destruction or something?"

In reply to Xhiva Resurgence Gopala (msg # 257):

Looks at Surge, "Well we kinda know where Lucius went already. And...we're already 'rich vacationers'. I made sure that we're all on the VIP lists and its all-inclusive fully paid for already."

"I think the remnants just happened to come through because the gauntlet right by the house is very thin. Also, the portal has moved. I believe it was once supposed to link to the actual physical location of Portals: Bermuda, not Portals: Selig Fridge." She looks around. "It might not be a delicate as you think. It's not an artificial reality, this is a real place. We're in the Umbra after all. Heck, you can travel to deep space from here. These are just different planets. Though Kyle is the expert on Umbra."

She pauses a moment thinking. "I'm not sure at this point that we're trying to 'neutralize' him." Tapping her finger to her lips in thought briefly she states, "I don't think our orders said to 'neutralize'...at least not yet. Pretty sure we are supposed to just investigate for now."

But as Surge mentions Bill and Georgia Hayes, she starts to laugh. "well, one. Bill and Georgia are in (whatever town she found them in before she took all their money). On Earth. And two..." she holds up two fingers. "Blend you say?!" and then points to the suit-wearing people. "Wearing suits? On a vacation? Yeah....I'm not the most social of socialites but even I know a suit and tie doesn't tell the world 'Hey, I'm on vacation."

She pulls off her hoodie and pulls her large, expensive-looking 'camera' from her bag. She's not wearing her respirator yet, since wearing a respirator also does NOT say "hey, I'm here for a party, shopping, and sightseeing.' in her opinion.

She also takes off her hoodie and turns it inside out where there is a bright, crazy colorful pattern. Looking more and more like a stereotype Asian tourist. "Ahh." She says, over accentuating her accent. "You. You stand...ah...ova dere. You stand. I take picture." She pushes Kyle over by Surge and Bernard and takes about 9 pictures too many. "You see. We having the fun time now. You see. You stand. You see!"

She's going to head back to the door NOT the one in the church with the creature and open it, intending on going out and exploring what's right beyond. She will, however, make a mental note of where her room is, or the hallway to her room, in relation to the other static objects in the outer room(s). Also how many steps she took, those sort of weird details...because...yeah, she's weird. :)



OOC: Bringing chemical weapon bombs SOOO says 'terrorist' more than 'tourist'
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

In reply to Akari (msg # 258):

Taking in all that’s going on Robert looks Akari over as she changes around her hoodie and poses with her camera, “I’m  of sure if I should laugh or facepalm myself at the moment, I thought that whole cliche image was an 80’s look” I chuckle a bit. “ But ya, I believe it’s observe and investigate for now,  it eliminate, at least not unless all hell breaks open on us and he leaves no other option.” Looking around and thinking of all the portals and where they lead to, “So any suggestions where to go from here?”

Ashley accepts the respirator and the reassurance with a “Thank you,” though she does make a mental note to try to find out later exactly what happened in Kansas.  “Most of the furniture consists of acrocarpous mosses that resemble leucobryum glaucum.  The decorations and blankets are made of pleurocarpous mosses that resemble hylocomium splendens.  While I could provide further detail, the most relevant information is that none of the plants appear to be toxic, poisonous, or likely to cause an allergic reaction in humans or animals.  Though I wouldn’t advise allowing the pets to try eating any of it.  While I don’t believe it would harm them, since it isn’t terrestrial in origin, it might have unusual or unpleasant effects.”

As the team begins planning their strategy, Ashley remains quiet for the most part, taking detailed notes on her ipad.  Though she does mention, “ALVAS did indicate that it had been so long since she had assisted visitors to Portals Bermuda that she couldn’t remember the last time she had done so.”

Akari stepped out of the suite and back into the monitor lined hallway.  As she walked down the hallway, she could hear the low murmurs of sound coming from the various screens each of which was displaying a different program.  If she took a closer look at the monitors themselves, she was able to find controls that would let her adjust the volume or change the channel.

As mentioned before, they were currently displaying a variety of programs.  Some were showing various television shows (game shows, cartoons, dramas, etc.) many of which seemed similar to but not quite identical to shows that had been aired on U.S. television stations over the last decade or so.  Others were showing family videos of the Selig/Pastore family:  Nicolae and a very pregnant Piper talking in the car as they moved to Mendocino; Nicolae, Piper, Lex, and Morgan on a camping trip; Lex and Morgan performing in a play called Monster and Bunny; Nicolae documenting his research into various sounds, and so on.  There were even a few advertisements for products Akari had never heard of.

The hallway itself was twenty steps long and opened into a room that most closely resembled some type of alien museum, though it doesn’t seem to be a specific type of museum.  There isn’t a theme to the items being displayed:  Nature, History, Art, etc.  Rather, it seems more like someone just put up displays of items and scenes that they found interesting.  A colorful display of advertising art containing cereal boxes, soda cans, and posters advertising products you’ve never heard of is located near a diorama of aliens building a pyramid in an alien desert.  A seashell that sings a beautiful song in an alien language is displayed near an assortment of armor made of porcelain and glass and clearly designed for  non-humanoid creatures.  A large four dimensional Rubik's cube is located between a display of books and videos that, outside of the museum, only exist as mentions in other works of fiction (ex. Galaxy Quest, or In My Father’s House) and the skull of a humanoid woman, with a broken key embedded in the keyhole in its forehead.  And so on.

Akari does notice several pieces of interesting technology including a small alien space craft and a technomagic mirror that shows viewers reflections of themselves as they might be if they were from a different dimensional time line.  The control buttons for the various sectors/arc of the multiverse are clearly labeled.



While the room is quite large, it seems easy enough to navigate.  Akari is able to see three exits.  The one that she came down is labeled: “Videos.”  A second is labeled: “Gallery.”  The third is labeled: “Arcade.”  If Akari listens, she can hear the hum from earlier coming from the direction of the “Arcade” hallway.

As she explores the museum, she notices what appears to be a small family of aliens taking pictures of a stuffed and mounted Gryphon with a mannequin dressed in a classic space patrol rider uniform sitting on its back.


This message was last edited by the GM at 05:27, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

Stuffing the respirator into one of his coat's inner pockets, Bernard followed Akari's lead and stuck by her while trying to look as relaxed as possible. The things that he saw throughout the museum was nearly mind blowing. If it weren't for his recent induction with the NWO, he would have thought he was in some sort of psychotics, drug induced dream or something. He was sure to take slow and even breaths to keep his cool.

He looked down the hallway leading to the Gallery. In his mind, his first instincts would be to investigate there first, but there seemed to be more activity in the Arcade section. Before he could ponder further, a small family was touring near them as well, but they were different. They seemed human, but there was something obviously off about them...aliens? Possibly.

He flashed them a polite smile when they made eye contact with him. He nodded and asked, "Hi there, how are you all doing?"

While at first Bernard wondered if the family might be human, as he looked a bit more closely, it became clear that they weren’t.  The extremely fair skin and silvery white hair might have been within the range of human biology or a sign of albinism.  The father’s orange eyes and the mother and son’s violet ones could have been contacts.  But, the pointed ears and seven fingered hands were a definite sign that something was a bit off.

The man glanced at the woman who gave a small shrug and then answered, “Ni am sorrime. Ni care- vamme han- tye.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:28, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

Bernard raised a confused eyebrow before shrugging and gave them another polite smile. He hoped he conveyed the simple meaning before turning back around and observed the collection once more.

He tapped Akari's shoulder before pointing at the Arcade Section. "Hey, seems like a lot is happening over there. Should we go take a look see at what all the fun is about?" Bernard looked back to see that hardly anyone left the room yet. "Should we take a peak inside before everyone else?"

In reply to Akari (msg # 258):
"All expenses paid you say? If this place is anything relative to a respectable getaway resort a martini, gambling, and some music could really loosen up vacationers that might have information. I know it might help me a little Umbral martinis sounds really off putting though."

After listening to Akari quote himself about neutralizing Lucius Resurgence says
"Yeah you're right maybe the union has some other plans for our man Lucius. This family has been through a lot but, Lucius is a really bad and dangerous. I hope he goes quietly and is more than willing to cooperate."

Briefly Resurgence turns to Kyle and says "What's your feeling about this place so far?"

When Akari mentions his suit Resurgence raises an eye brow and says
"This suit? It's more like a work uniform to me a suit can be worn during any weather condition. I wouldn't do lab work in this outfit but, out on the field it's fashionable and, it has a lot of utility. Just look at all these pockets."
Resurgence tugs on all the outer pockets on his jacket.

Before Akari takes a photo Resurgence tugs on his jack to straighten it out to feel comfort before giving a beaming smirk.



After listening to Ashley's analysis Resurgence turns to Robert and says
"You better not let that fur baby of yours take bight of that furniture. How is lil'Ruby doing?"

Resurgence follows Akari and Bernard through the hallway and into the museum
"The family videos seem out of place next to this broadcast of what looks like the reality game show "Survivor".

Upon observing a few of the fixtures in the museum Resurgence says to the team
"This place looks like a performance artist just came through here"

Resurgence was particularly captivated by the technomagic mirror. Briefly the thought passed through his mind that the person on the other side of the mirror might be a past life. Thoughts he pushed out quickly for their absurdity.

Resurgence hears the response Bernard receives from the Aliens and says
"I will go where ever you all go."