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Post by wolflet59 on Sept 17, 2008 14:52:26 GMT -5
you have a little information from the room, from Kristine and from Jimmy - the mages and Meg have all been discussing the aims of Commute.. the students are currently creating various powders and philters ... at the very least there ought to be that sort of thing available from the site. someone need to collect or bring a few 'uses' over?
What else could you do?
the girl obviously does not want anyone around - or to be watched.. there could be things that you could do though.. Jimmy Bean seems very concerned and has jumped at the chance to get someone 'real' along to help - maybe a little smooth talking could get things done.
There are cards in her room - and a shallow bowl of liquid point to her telling fortunes - looking into the future.. gazing.. but if she were a mage then she would be able to take care of things? maybe she is not the sort of awakened that you have come into contact with before...
Back at the site there are plenty of missing persons - plenty of unsolved including drained too - many put down to ghouls who are an undisputed reality.. wheras vampyre are the thing of myth - something most police would steer clear of putting on the report. There are a few violent attacks coupled with bites and loss of blood ... put down to some major ghoul assault or crazy attack .. the indication of some big tough nasty is skirted around but the more reports you read the more it seems that there are more than ghouls lurking in the background.
Areas.. most are low profile easily forgotten people. Where there has been a citizen with freinds and influence the reports have been 'sensitively' written... instant death then a crazed bloody frenzy .. lets the families down kinda gently.. but the outcasts have the vague details - organleggers bodychop crime..
You would need to get a few people checking on missing persons - which generally only include the SINners.. theres a big g ap when it comes to metas or the SINless.. Access to the Star DBase would no doubt help..
Attacks which have occurred in a single area usually have a follow-up linked into gangs in the area - occasionally ghoul bounty has been claimed inthese sort of areas after a spate of missing non-people. A lot of scare went around after the Brotherhood had zeroed in on non-citizens. Noone cared for a long time until Chicago spilled over. Plenty of roumours about tac squads demolishing buildings in Seattle and other cities.. So now the Star do take account of the nightly body-count. At least there are bodies to count...
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Post by Crimson D on Sept 17, 2008 16:47:54 GMT -5
I gave safecracker a quick call and asked him to switch gears. I wanted access to the stars databases and as it turned out he had a few backdoors he maintained in their system. He dumped all the vampire data on me and sent me the backdoor which he gave me in good faith since I'd given a nice chunk of money that morning.
Turns out I was using a hidden admin account. It would be tricky to find me and even harder to attack me since the system would actively fight to protect me. ((read matrix)) With access to all their databases I kept to the Seattle DB and continued my search from there AFTER routing though 3 proxies which added to my load and search times but I wasn't going anywhere.
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Post by gremlin on Sept 17, 2008 17:24:00 GMT -5
Henri's fingers are poised ready to begin his background checks when his phone rings. He answers it and listens to what Bishop has to say. "We're concluding negotiations here. We need some research on paranormal creatures or methods that can drain a person's strength in their sleep - can either of you get on it?" "The only things I heard of that can do that are vampires, but I'm no parazoology expert. Does the victim have any physical injuries? While he waits for a reply, Henri starts to upload the commute staff files into a database.
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Post by Braddoc on Sept 17, 2008 18:49:48 GMT -5
Magically, the place seems..kinda empty. He didn't spot any fetishes or focis, she had some tarot cards out thought..maybe just a seer, some someone with some occult knowledge. In this day and age, most folks can't really differentiate occultism with magic.
"Very well Miss. I shall see what can be arrange, and I shall contact you personally when it will be ready for you to gauge."
They exited her room and were alone with Jimmy.
"Very well Mr. Bean, I shall see what can arranged. Your cousin..she does not feel like a Mage thought. Perhaps it is becasue he her status. I shall talk to my employer about arranging a transaction, but if possible, I would like to be close to her, all the while respecting her privacy, it only in case something happens. As you know, Magic is a harsh mistress; backfires can happen, and I would like to have competent personnel close in case of a mishap.
----------------------------------------
Back at the Commute, he got everyone that was free together. "Ok guys, talked with Illiya; she gave me a 50 grand payout for tha thing at the mine. So we all get 5 grand. Wrench and Tranq, you weren't there, but since it would suck to be left out, here's a 'stick for you too."
He also gave out 5 Grand to Meg, if only because she was present. "if you don't want it..perhaps It could be invested in the corp?..Like stocks?"
"I have spoken with Mr Bean's cousin. I didn't spot any magical items of activity...seems more like a good card reader than a Mage. Yet again, I can't assent auras. but she did detect my quicken spells, so she must have some degree of magic in her.
She needs materials to create a barrier, I think she might have meant a Ward, around her room to help her detect things while she rest. She wants something big. which will surely require lots of materials. It sounds costy for you and the corp Meg, but that's our ticket inot chinatown, that will keep the nosey groups form there in cehck, if not they'll be at least less inclined to hit us."
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Post by Crimson D on Sept 17, 2008 21:13:21 GMT -5
The best thing about my rig is it was portable and i got to test that as I threw it on my back and kept working, your asking yourself how do I type? Simple, virtual keyboard. I broke it into two pieces so I could type with my hands at my side.
I bet she's researching into a highly specif kind of ward. Something that repeals the virus carrier. I guessing this because it's what I would do, although I don't understand why she doesn't use a spirit...... Did she touch any of you? I could assess her aura in that manner as well. ""
Shade's fingers are in a constant state of movement.
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Post by wolflet59 on Sept 19, 2008 17:07:32 GMT -5
doesnt sound like she wants something to boost a spell so I would guess she wants ritual materials - the students are in the process of creating these - there are some very fresh batches and more coming through - they practiced on the crystal, copper and silver I brought from the mines a while back... but what we regard as a warding could use anything at all to focus in the power.. she wouldnt need magical materials. Does she know what is or is not required?
I may hazzard a guess that like F-E says she has a talent but could be all self taught... You say she saw your magics meaning she has a natural sight - leading to the lack of spirits.
I dont think the ritual powders will help - but they may give her moral support being proof we can deliver - and could lead to her accepting someone to confide in - or at least let them hang around..
Jimmy will want to know what you intend - he is the one who has brought us in so treat him as the 'client' who is worried and concerned about his cuz...
organise a plan between yourselves and set it out to Jimmy Bean - If she is scared of the night then you got a couple of hours before dusk..
He has probably set up some sorts of surveillance already - but non-magical I would guess... how are you going to approach this?
she hands over half a dozen sugar shakers of powdered crystal and four sticks of silver paste-sticks theres a bag of tiny copper nails too - all general use materials for sprinkling drawing and knocking into stuff.. they have a brand-new shiny appeal.. the students have been busy practicing..
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Post by scawire on Sept 19, 2008 21:00:32 GMT -5
After the night of getting to know one and other and filling in Silverwing about what is happening in Micro's life, Micro sets up a meeting with Blair his Mage doctor friend. RING RING Hello.
Hey there Blair it is Micro it has been awhile I was wondering if we could get together and discuss what I messaged you about a few days ago. How is the Coffee shop in Downtown we use to go to in Collage.
I'd be happy to see you again but I've been holding fort in downtown all the time since that is where I work these days. How is your place. You still making the money to get that good coffee.
Well I've down graded a bit and I've stopped living at my Parents old place I'm now down in Tarislar. Here is my address.
Ok give me a few hours and I'll be down. Watch out for those Elves they can be a trike bunch. Blair Laughs then hangs up.
Blair shows up a few hours later in his car. Not to bad of a car I guess being a doctor does pay the bills. Blair works out of the downtown hospital and I figure he may have seen or heard something that could give us a lead on our Vamp case.
Micro and Blair spend some time catching up on what is happening, after a pot of coffee later Micro brings up why he called Blair. I'm looking into some Vampire rumors and was wondering if you can give me any info on where the most victims that fit the bill are at being attacked at. Also if there are any signs that would help me tell if the victim is a vamp casualty.
Blair takes the last drink from his coffee. Well one reason I never wanted to meet in public is I don't need anyone hearing this... (WOLF LET ME KNOW IF BLAIR KNOWS ANYTHING) ... Well that is all I know right now I am housed in Downtown so I don't learn all the happenings around the city.
I'm sure being a doctor can get busy at times. I was hoping if you have the time if you would check into this vamp thing for me, any info you could give me about vamp characteristics or where the possible victims are being hit at that would be great. Here is something for your time I know you don't really need the extra nuyen but a bit more can never hurt. Micro gives Blair 700 Nuyen.
Blair takes the creds and adds I'll see what I can get for you when I'm not swamped at the hospital.
Micro asks one more thing before the conversation gets back off buisness and on to a lighter conversation. There is one more important thing I was hoping to get some info on. I have a friend and well. [pause] I kind of locked a spell on him and is doing alright it's just that he gets edgy at times so I was wondering if you could let me know of some drugs or herbs that would help keep him from getting too jumpy.
You what, you really have been upping your mystical skills sine we last talked. Blair goes into alot of medical lingo but at the end he dumbs it down for Micro on what to do. (Let me know wolf what Blair said, thanks.)
The conversation then goes back to sports and other friendly talk. After Blair leave Micro goes down to the electronic store and picks up a wrist-model cell phone and calls Blair with the number so when he finds anything out he can let Micro know right away.
(OOC New gear Wrist-model cell phone (75Y), 700 Nuyen to contact 5000 pay out from the mine. Micro will put 1000Y into group funds to up our equipment some more. New total ( 1500-775+4000= 4725Y)
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Post by Crimson D on Sept 19, 2008 22:34:07 GMT -5
"My thought is, it may be using a form of shape shifting or mist form to enter via the air ducts. It's a classic of old horror movies... maybe we could ask her to sleep some place else for a night and ambush the damn thing with a decoy."
I didn't have access to all the databases I needed. I could probably track down a old friend and call in a marker or two but it's best to save such things for real emergency's. Once the meeting was over I went back to the forge building. I was probably going to end up sleeping her tonight. I gave safecracker another call. One backdoor on the house was a bit much and given what I was asking, which was access to the rest of the databases. No small order. That would take a few hours of organizing. I promised him 500 for it.
While I waited for him to call back I did some ritual martial shopping of my own.
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Post by wombat on Sept 20, 2008 4:47:08 GMT -5
"I'd like to pay a visit back to her room to have another look around." Bishop said to Four-Eyes "And to plant a bug, of course."
"If we can get her out of her room I can do the works, covert cameras and everything. But I'd need you to get a hold of some specialized gear. Failing that, I can just find myself a good vantage point and watch her room, but I'll probably need some sort of magical disguise as my white skin will stick out like a sore thumb and I'd be made in no time."
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Post by wolflet59 on Sept 20, 2008 6:22:47 GMT -5
You have all been putting out feelers for intel on Vampires
there is bio evidence, security records, street chit, noos items and rumour
Human metahuman vampiric virus HMHVV has been identified as the agent causing the change. this can be chemrecognised by the Hartz-Greenbaum blood series - a close up chemsniffer will recognise this chemical signature.
It is widely recognised that vamps pass on the infection in a 1:1 relation - the traditional bite. There have been rumours of attempts to infect multiple hosts all at once through transfusion however this seems to be myth. Vampire have all exhibited preturnatural abilities many recognisable as spells. The awakened have succumbed or fallen to vampirism often in an attempt to extend their lifespan - often named lich
Great physical and spiritual power are the benefits
they are known to drain physical and spiritual energies from a host in order to survive. Knight Errant experiments on starvation have identified bio shutdown leading to dormancy for extended periods
traditional methods employed against them tend to favour garlic - a traditional bio cleansing agent with blood cleaning properties - sanctified objects- again purity plays a large part silver and golden blades pure sunlight or UV beheadding and running through the heart burning. All traditional methods of ensuring your opponent is dead. experimentation has shown that these agents have a cleansing effect on the virus at the biochemical level causing often violent reaction throughout the body - rupture incineration sometimes violent explosion-
The virgin sacrifice - again purity - the lust for blood would seem to have this too as blood was seen as the essence of the body - hence an attraction to one who is connected to purity.
to be so bound up in this attraction and revulsion with purity must turn many to the opposite of filth and degredation - to exist in the absence of purity, sewers, graves, pain and terror. It would seem the vampire is a victim of it's own longings.
There are different cultural exhibits popularised through trid shows and stories - aspects to historical reasoning.. the wolf and bat shape in european myth were creatures to inspire fear. the Chinese hopping vampire detects breath - the chinese essence of life. Japanese vampire leech the essence of the pure and minor gaki leach individual pure items like gold fire and beauty.
Many attract loyal cultists followers familliars - mundanes who exist under the sway of the vampire willing to support their master, often ending up as suicides.
What does it mean in Seattle? killers on the loose with enhanced strength and agility - natural body armour or a regenerative capacity. There are known differences between vampires in the traits they exhibit. Some withdraw into covens and operate in secrecy. Many take on psychopathic tendancies becoming feral creatures. The mainstream attempt to live what they called normal lives preying on the citizens however these tend to be for a handful of years before paranoia or frenzy become dominant.
The worrying trend for the societies of magic has been the isolation of mages inside corporations and persuing their own ends. the lack of communication leads this already highly isolated group to be vunerable to such parasites especially with the disturbing knowledge that most of the still cognative vampires encountered have been active spell users.
There are rumours of 'Blade' bounty hunter organisations - after the Vampire hunter films of the 20-hundreds. These will hunt and then loot the vampire. After all with dominance over citizens of influence there are often many items gathered over the years - and if dozens of unsolved crimes traced and solved the city can often supply a reward.
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Post by gremlin on Sept 20, 2008 11:42:39 GMT -5
Henri continues to work at his terminal while waiting for an answer to his question. He was finding his questions going unanswered more and more frequently these days, and was beginning to wonder if he'd been lapsing into his native language without realising it. Henri also got the distinct feeling that even though he was by no means an electron jockey, and no-one else had volunteered for this task, if anything got missed he'd be looking for a new contract. With the database completed, he sent the computer's search program on it's way through the matrix to see if the Commute's staff had been completely honest with Meg. Computer (2), standard search: TN5 +2(Terminal mode), -2 (data haven contact - Shadowland)[dice=6][dice=6] Time taken:[dice=6]+[dice=6] x3 hours = 21hrs Cost: 210¥
Who's paying the bill? [rand=7763937750927293226379397598025177968647919483522955904543510717]
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Post by wombat on Sept 20, 2008 11:47:27 GMT -5
"So, have you found any dirt yet?" Bishop said as he as he entered the room, looking over Henri's shoulder at the terminal screen.
"What are your thoughts on the Bean situation? You think it's some sort of vampire? There's no blood loss or puncture wounds, so I'm not sure I buy the explanation..."
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Post by wolflet59 on Sept 20, 2008 13:32:43 GMT -5
Henri is connecting into Shadowland.. the 210yen would cover coffe and donuts (expensive donuts.. well OK very expensive donuts..)
linking into this loose association of heavy-hitting deckkers would usually cost a good few thousand - these are the guys who conduct tailored datasnatches to grab what you want - heavy on industrial espionage..
You have the documents which each of the members have provided - background checks on shadowrunners and other SINless are tough as there tends to be little on them sketchy at best
Wrench - Nathan Maerdamin ex-racing rigger, mechanic/driver - stepped away from the commercial racetrack six years ago. Drone use and word has it that he is reliable. fotos match
Harley - little intel - no fotofit matchups - a best guess would be she succumbed to the last SURGE around eighteen month ago lost her life and is building another
Shade - two years of City deputy jobs - 'investigation support' submitting astral and magical readings for casework for the different city investigation teams - fire police. a working mage. prior to that draws a blank. no pics match up earlier than that.
Bishop - English accent professional soldier at a guess no background. - Shadowland could probably dig out files if you want them to - for a big cost. You know you dont want to atttempt putting out a request for intel from the government of Great Britain
Chuck - you diddnt expect much intel - gang colours match up with a troll gang working the Cascades -Seattle route - indicating a whole host of potential activities.
Micro - college education - speeding violations Born: Calgary, Algonquian Manitou Council three years college- new to Seattle you could dig out college records an such..
Henri - you dig a little into your own history.. Recent shadow work in Seattle rating good. current wherabouts can be traced through his legit SIN. Foto recognition traceable through to CATCo Quebec
Megan Fredericks Seattle citizen corp director of Commute college graduate UK known mage SIN
Four-Eyes Jacques Duplessis Arms dealer legit permit - street says he can get things done AKA Four-Eyes(fixer) known to run a team of bodyguards. Name comes up in Cascades as a citizen deputy trid ID links to SIN Vincent Delacroix living at 34-A, St-Mattews Road, Tacoma. Occupation: Private Investigation Worked in and around Seattle name linked to Don Hasseltorn
Henri was surprised at the intel he could dig out without too much hassle - a day's hard graft had also pulled out the records of the students.. all were Brit Citizens taking a sebattical year out of current studies. Birth dates and places checked out against school rostas.. if there was a mole or two working for the GB government or a corp sponsor - then it was being kept quiet and well hidden - which would need a serious dig into their backgrounds. Their basic information had been released - all awakened ten human one elven one orcen all studying a four year philosophy course - magic - all taking a year out studying at Commute Seattle in a college link deal with industry.
George and also Lucille are easier to trace through their matrix ads.. George bills himself as a catering specialist in real game meats been going for eight years - outdoors catering. Lucille advertises transport and medical supplier again she has a seven year history - that's a lot more than most!
The gardeners are all hired from the nearby area - Meg had organised a pool of potential recruits prior to setting up the biz so she knew they would not be dangerous 'plants' - they may well get bribed or coerced into betrayal but they were reasonably clean six month ago.
Benny the college boffin - college records show he has worked there for five years since his own graduation - a college career man. Just the sort who would send discreet reports back to the authorities.
One point about Great Britain is it is now under the sway of the Lord Protector close to being a police state. Certainly the small country has had a lot of political dealings with megacorps - nationalising the country resources keeping many of them in restricted zones.
A power shower and a couple of hours of zees refreshed Henri. He was a little disconcerted to find that he could be traced via his old foto ID - maybe a change of face was in order before someone else caught up.. Henris research showed up those who had a history and those who had apperared from nowhere... whether those histories were correct was a different story..
This gives you a starting point - Henri cannot dig too deep into searching any deeper as the next layer will not be 'public domain' you need a deckker. - but as said if you want to go through Shadowland that sort of deckker will cost bigger bucks. Great resource though..
Your request is listened to by your Shadowland contact send us what you have already and we can conduct a full public search which would get you a good deal of travel intel - tickets an purchaces . We can get you most recorded public data - but would stop at corporate zones. That would cost you 500 apiece.. a thou for a public history.. then depending on the corp you want a datasnatch from would determin corp action.. them's our prices for personnel history. We can do a surveillance package for current activities week on week. Any of these take your fancy? An option here would be to did deep and erase too ! could be cheaper to get some face surgery.. Thank you caller ! Shadowland is here for what you need
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Post by wolflet59 on Sept 20, 2008 14:24:09 GMT -5
You need another visit - couple of hours to dusk - Bishop thinks about the stakeout - CHinatown is very busy with the overhead 'People bridges' makes it an easy place to lose tails by using these bridges between hirise buildings
If the place was well run then the zone would be a megaplex or a hypermall - but it isnt so the general feel is drab dank but very interesting rather than white sparkly and beautifully lit. the population is well mixed so you wouldnt stand out too much
Jimmy Bean should be able to help with surveillance.. he seems to be part of the local area and that's the sort of guy you need.. he can certainly call on a few boys to crash your gates and still keep a pleasant smile when handing over the cash... Meg says to suggest it to him...
Bishop listens to the scuttlebut on vamps.. so where does that leave them all - carting around silver bayonettes? gold knuckledusters? Van Helsing xbows and howly water.. that is a lot of tall orders. What else is easier.. or more appropriate..
(Do we even need it?)
The college education from a few of the mages kicks in with a dozen quotes from standard texts on meta virus - yes it exists and yes it is supposed to work - a ying used to neutralise a yang purity against depravity
Meg tells you I have been reliably informed that both vampyre and also ghoul have a very low metabolism so their heat sig is weak - less than 90 degrees a human is considered dead.. Firstly determine that the cousin Karen? Kathy? is in danger.. and how/why.. keep Jimmy informed at every step - he is - i suppose, our client - so he calls the shots. If he says stop then that is what he wants... we can argue the toss afterwards.
Decide what you want doing before dark. I will get over to Chinatown and liase with Jimmy Bean - there should be an order of IR spex arrivin here soonest I will bring them over..
seems like she wants to make an impression....
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Post by gremlin on Sept 20, 2008 14:32:14 GMT -5
"So, have you found any dirt yet?" Bishop said as he as he entered the room, looking over Henri's shoulder at the terminal screen. "Nothing yet, but I only just started the checks. It's gonna take hours before we get anything solid, if there's anythin' out there to get.""What are your thoughts on the Bean situation? You think it's some sort of vampire? There's no blood loss or puncture wounds, so I'm not sure I buy the explanation..." Henri stepped away from the terminal as he continued the conversation with Bishop and shrugged. "It could be, hundreds of vampire trids show them leaving no trace on their victims, that legend has to have come from somewhere. He walked with Bishop as far as the entrance to the bathroom, then stopped. "It could also be some kind of spirit. I'm just guessing here, I never took parazoology at college." Henri turns to enter the bathroom, then stops in his tracks as something occurs to him and gives himself a mental slapping for not thinking of it sooner. "Check with Meg, I'd bet there's a parazoology professor at the university. Might be she can get us an appointment."-------------------------- Henri returns to the computer after his phone's bleeping informed him that the computer finished it's search. He sits down and starts to read through the findings. His eyes fell on the section regarding him and he froze. current wherabouts can be traced through his legit SIN. Foto recognition traceable through to CATCo Quebec"Oh drek." He found that his mouth had gone dry. Someone had done their homework and had pegged his fake ID. Not only that but the photo stored on the fake credstick had been tied to his old military records. He was going to have to move fast if anything he'd built up over the past months was to be salvaged from this clusterfrag. Henri types in a hasty response to his unknown Shadowland contact. Will get back to you with starting points and requirements. I don't hold the credstick on this one. With that done, he severs the connection and quickly sanitises the section on himself to omit his current whereabouts. It takes him a few minutes to find F-E and he hands over the chip containing the data. "There's everything I could find on the people here. I can get more detail, but it'll cost us. You seen Wrench anywhere?"
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