probably something insane and unpredictable. . .

>>26059195
Go see Mustang, explain the situation, tell him about the other racers, and ask permission to use the philosopher's stones that he possesses to open the gate. We can save the lives of the people he's planning to sacrifice, and still accomplish our goal.

>>26059463
The Gate is unique to each person, the Gate we need to access is the one that can only be opened by the Mad Alchemist.
That plan would basically wreck our ability to go forward.

>>26059503
I didn't say use a different alchemist, just a different fuel source. Give the stones to him for opening, then send him off with the federales.

>>26059195
Using the Psychic Paper, we need to get access to the case files concerning the Mad Alchemist.
For that, we need to go back to Central Command.

Using the Paper and our disguises, we request to see what information has been collected thus far concerning the kidnappings, and mark the locations on our map.
Then we see if there's a pattern, to find where the Mad Alchemist is going to set up for opening the Gate for Racers that make it.
We have to assume that he's already turned the kidnapped people into a Philosopher's Stone.

>>26059545
And why would he do that? Mustang would execute him for human transmuation.

>>26059560
better plan. I second that.

>>26059574
Because he'd then be stuck with a large number of pissed off racers who have no morals and gleefully slaughter people from distances further than Alchemy can reach, all of whom would be attempting to break the alchemist out and open the portal with the lives of more kidnapped people.

>>26059612
>from distances further than Alchemy can reach
But not distances further than Amestrian rifles can reach.

>>26059724
As I recall one racer is an Ultramarine. I don't think the rifles matter to him.

>>26059784
Depends on if he survived the xenomorphs. The Sister of Battle didn't, and he was nowhere to be found. Of course, he can't replenish his ammunition, so he may be forced to get into melee range, which is Alchemy range.

>>26059560
>>26059463
Since you're going towards Central Command regardless of what you plan to do once there, please roll 1d100.

Rolled 45

>>26059860
What horrors will this failure unleash?

>>26059828
Point.

I apologize if I'm annoying everyone with this, I just figured why not help.

Rolled 64

as you wish

>>26059860
I'm outvoted. Good luck.

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>>26059877
Though the group gets more than their fair share of strange looks, between Scott's talent for bullshit and the psychic papers, they manage to make it past the guards and into Central Command, the beating heart of Amestris' military, and therefore the country itself. Despite the size of the building's halls, it is still crowded within, with many soldiers and officers jostling around from office to office trying to resolve crisis after crisis that seems to be popping up in the city.

Scott approaches one of the interior guards.

"Soldier, we've just been transferred here to help with the Mad Alchemist kidnappings and reports of human transmutation. Where do we go to get the case files? We need to familiarize ourselves with everything before we can start work."

"I need to see your identification for that. That case is classified," the guard replies. Scott fishes around in his uniform.

"Here you are."

The guard takes the papers, eying Scott suspiciously, then looks over the forgeries and nods.

"These seem to be in order. You'll be wanting to head to the sixth briefing room on the right, one level above. They should have the papers there," the guard replies.

"Thanks," Scott says, taking the papers back and nodding to the others.

>Roll 4d100.

Rolled 60, 76, 74, 96 = 306

>>26060285
Here come the nat1's

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>>26060308
As the group walks towards the indicated room, they catch snippets of talk from the others in Central Command.
-
"...apparently two of them are demanding that Armstrong show himself and accept their challenge."

"So where's Armstrong?"

"On his way to accept the challenge of course."
-
"We've got the apartment surrounded by our best crack shots, but it probably won't amount to much."

"Someone told Mustang, didn't they?"

"Hard not to. He dropped everything and said if that terrorist wanted to see a State Alchemist, he'd show him one."

"I almost feel sorry for that one-armed idiot."
-
"...scattered reports of both of the two combatants appearing and disappearing over the city."

"Moving around a lot? That's not-"

"No, literally! One minute they're there, the next they're gone!"

"Some new form of alchemy? Or are they Homunculi?"
-
"...but not even the best automail engineers can do work that fine!"

"All I know is what I was told. He got shot and sparks and metal came out of the skin. Now get that list ready, there's only a few automail specialists that might remotely be able to put together something like that. It's probably melded with alkahestry or alchemy."

"I'll start work right away!"
-
"Another break in? It's just the barracks, we've got a lot more to worry about than someone swiping boots and polish! File it and get back to work on tracking that flying machine!"

"Yes sir!"

>>26060639
>someone swiping boots and polish!
Remember, just in case this part of the race lasts more than a day, we need to use the Psychic Paper to requisition ourselves new uniforms before the illusion wears off.

And requisition real forms and papers in 2 days before the Psychic Paper burns out.

Okay, so Zangief and Rufus are going to be kept busy with Armstrong. Worst case scenario, they come to a mutual understanding and Armstrong helps the two of them to their goal.

Conti is being held up and Mustang is going to burn him the fuck out. All good there.

One of the teleporters is probably the Ghost we met; don't know about the other one.

As for getting shot and having sparks and metal come out, sounds like Six-Slash Sam and his cybernetics.

>>26060639
Finally everyone reaches the indicated door and Scott opens it, revealing a large room with maps of the city pinned up everywhere on the walls. Many have notes or pictures pinned to them in certain locations, and many have circles, lines, or other notations drawn directly on them. Several tables and desks are scattered around one half the room, while the other half has several rows of benches facing a raised dais, obviously meant for assemblies of some sort. At least fifteen men and women in uniform are hard at work within, comparing notes, filling out forms, going through reports, and studying maps.

>>26060750
Okay, begin looking at the maps, noting down locations where people were kidnapped on our map.
Take advantage of some of the work that's already been done for us, and check the notes on the maps. See if they've come to the conclusion that the locations where the crimes occurred are part of a large-scale transmutation circle.
Also see if the locations where the crimes occurred are also near sewer manholes; quick access to the sewers would let the Mad Alchemist escape with his victim without being seen.

>>26060921
Have the Luggage and FFP stick to a corner and not get in people's way.

>>26060728
I agree with the other poster, and I'd like to know what evidence has been left in the locations of the kidnappings. See if there's a forensics lab around, or some people examining dropped items.

>>26060921
>>26061009
The crimes have not occurred near any sewer manholes, but the investigators have not ruled out the possible of the culprit using them to get around.

From what you can hear, there is currently a debate about the transmutation circle theory. Some are claiming if the people were kidnapped and not harmed there's no way the locations would matter for an array, the others are pointing out that they could still be in the area. A minority has suggested it's a red herring. Most are waiting for the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother to arrive, themselves being knowledgeable in that field. There is talk of sending for Dr. Marcoh, but people are loathe to call him in when so many other big names have gotten involved.

A few eyewitness reports Scott notices state that the suspect is of average height, but broad, with a large top hat and cane. A few speak of shining white eyes and a terrible smell.

>>26060936
The pair try to remain inconspicuous, not wanting to put their magical disguises to the test.

>>26061504
>average height, but broad, with a large top hat and cane. A few speak of shining white eyes and a terrible smell
The description is probably apt for an alchemist or character from somewhere, but the smell part, sounds like he's based out of the sewers.

Manholes might not be needed; he's an alchemist, right? So he could simply transmute the street into stairs to get into the sewers, and then transmute the stairs back into normal street.

Scott, look and ask around, if there were traces of alchemical transmutation on the street surfaces where the kidnappings occurred.

>>26061504
White eyes, possibly blinded by something. Considering that he's noted to be carrying a cane, it's probably a weapon. Likely a sword, or a focus for transmutation on the fly.

>>26061727
He might have already passed through the Gate and his sight was the toll.
So he might not even need a transmutation circle.

>>26061776
Good point. Mustang didn't lose his eyes, but there's no guarantee that his price would be paid in the same way. Best to take the cane just in case, but don't discount him.

>>26061663
"Hey y-" Scott begins to say, grabbing a passing soldier with black hair and glasses.

"Huh?" the soldier asks, blinking. "Is something the matter?"

"You just look like someone I know," Scott lies quickly. "I need to know if there were traces of transmutation at the kidnapping sites."

"If I recall correctly, there were. One of the theories is that he's been transmuting them on the spot," the soldier replies. "Anything else I can do for you, major?"

>>26061924
"Yeah. Where's the map of the Central sewer system? Instead of transmuting them on the spot, what if he just transmuted the street so he could enter the sewers without a manhole."

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>>26061971
The soldier blinks. "That's... pretty likely, actually. The map is over in that corner. There's a tunnel near each crime scene."

>>26062111
"Thank you Sergeant. That will be all."

Examine the map. Try to locate a chamber, or an area that would be conducive to one, that is at a midpoint to all of the kidnapping sites.

>>26062111
"Thanks, Sergeant. I'll call you if I need anything else."

Let's take a look at that map, and see if the tunnels lead to a central room or chamber that could be used to house the human transmutation circle for making a philosopher's stone.

In retrospect, a couple of alchemists would have been very useful aboard the Oncoming Storm.

>>26062191
>>26062260
Given how spaced out the kidnappings are, the area at the center of the sewer and tunnel network is directly under Central Command.

>>26062435
SON OF A GOAT RAPIST.

I recommend we leave command, find a sewer entrance, and head for it. Bring a couple of extra maps, flashlights, and see if we can convince the quartermaster to give us some grenades or something.

>>26062435
>directly under Central Command.
And none of the Racer Cards are responding?

Alright. Now we just need to get to the lowest level of Central Command and access the sewer system.

We don't want to involve the soldiers here, because it could get awkward when we demand that the Mad Alchemist open the Gate.

First thing we do: go find the Quartermaster, requisition a crate of grenades, 2 SMG's and plenty of reloads, using our Psychic Paper. Also some duct tape and wire.

Then we go below into the sewer system and make for where we believe the Mad Alchemist to be.

>>26062549
The Luggage Jr. is getting awfully full, just so you know.

Roll a d100, you have to get damn low to fail.

Rolled 90

>>26062948
Oh god, we ARE going to fail.

>>26063040
Good thing the updater worked, I was about to roll.

Rolled 67, 75, 59, 90, 61, 64, 74 = 490

>>26063040
Scott leaves the briefing room, tracks down the armory, and has a talk with the quartermaster. Flashing his papers and speaking of the high priority of getting arms to the soldiers trying to hold back the chaos enveloping the city at this very moment, Scott is able to procure everything requested and more.

>Gained 3 Amestrian Sub-machine guns and 500 rounds of ammunition.
>Gained 24 hand grenades.
>Gained Duct Tape and Wire

After distributing yet more ill-gotten gains, Scott and the others leave Central Command to look for a sewer entrance.

"Not again!" Elyse whines. "We just LEFT the sewers!"

"Just think of the wish, Elyse," Charlie advises. "Think of the wish and all the booze and beautiful women you'll get when you use it..."

"...what?" Elyse asks, giving Charlie a look.

"Sorry, my mind wandered, what were we talking about?"

Roll 3d100 please.

Rolled 59, 56, 86 = 201

>>26063180

>>26063180
>duct tape and wire
If needed, we can MacGuyver grenade booby traps in the tunnels.

Fortunately, we've got the shoulder lamps.


...Scott! Put on your helmet and keep that Motion Tracker on. We don't want to be unprepared.

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>>26063198
Good luck appears to be with Scott and company as they manage to find a sewer manhole with little difficulty and descend back into the maze-like underground warrens of Central. In the distance several more explosions are heard, and briefly a silver blur streaks through the sky. Whatever is going on is lost to you as Scott slips the manhole cover back into place and then climbs down the ladder to join the others.

"I had a pretty good look at that map, so I've got a general idea of where to search," Scott comments, pointing down one of the dark and stinking tunnels. "This way."

>Lore autopass.

"I'd bet my right gun that whoever it is is trying to hole up in whatever's left of Father's underground lair. We'll search there first."

With knowledge of the map fresh in mind, there is no getting lost this time, Scott leading the troop through tunnel after tunnel at a fast pace before stopping at an iron door bolted into the side of one.

"If I read the map right, behind this door is a series of service tunnels. One of them leads to the lair," Scott says. He pulls the handle and grunts. "It's either rusted shut or locked."

"Here," Elyse says, stepping forward and reaching into the trained mimic for her sword. "Let me."

Pulling out her energy blade, she slices through the door's non hinge side with a quick overhead slash. The door opens with a creak as she replaces the blade.

>>26063446
"Whoa, hang on," Scott mentally replies. "We do that, our disguises won't work. We can either do this covertly using only Amestrian gear or we can go full bore, which do you want?"

Rolled 38, 30, 2 = 70

>>26063500
Covert.

>>26063500
Alright, alright. We'll go covert.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't check with it before entering any rooms you can't see into.

>>26063531
>>26063574
Elyse takes her Amestrian SMG back, handling it with unfamiliarity as the group proceeds forward. Passing into a network of concrete tunnels set with the occasional iron door or metal grate overhead, the group heads deeper and deeper into what was once the lair of the greatest threat to life and liberty the nation here had ever known. Despite that, there seems to be little to this lair, the passage to its heart relatively straightforward. The only obstacles are the occasional barricade and warning sign set up by the authorities post incident. These are easily broken through.

A few minutes later Yellowman and his comrades stand before a large door.

"This should lead right into the lair's heart, Father's personal laboratory and general place for dicking around," Scott says. Just as he puts his hands on the door his card begins to pulse, indicating the proximity of another racer.

>>26063840
Scott, can you tell where the other Racer is coming from? Are they getting closer?

>>26063939
"I can't. Just that they're near."

>>26064007
Scott, real quick. Check the Motion Tracker. We need to know if they're already inside the lab or not.

>>26064057
Scott fumbles for the motion tracker and turns it on. Two blips are detected in the room ahead.

Rolled 67, 37, 75 = 179

>>26064186
Raise rifles, Charlie use Shotgun. Move in.

>>26064186
Alright. Charlie, keep the SMG, but take up Gertrude against as your main weapon.
Scott, may as well stick with the SMG. Stow the Tracker Helmet back in the Luggage.
Elyse, better get your sword; sling it across your back if you can.

Alright, once ready, go through the door, guns up. Scott, you take right and Charlie takes left.

>>26064276
The team hustles to grab the needed gear, then forms up, Scott and Charlie opening the door then quickly moving to either side while Elyse moves forward, sword raised in a combat stance.

Most of the room is completely bare, the military long having whisked away and disassembled anything of use or note for study. What remains are a few tables and machines too large to move without considerable danger. The only source of light comes from a few scattered workman's lanterns left here by the crews responsible for recovering everything. Most of the room is left to shadow.

Out of that shadow steps a large man in a black suit and tie. Dark glasses obscure his eyes and he smiles at Scott as he slams one meaty fist into the other.

"I was wondering when you punks would show up," he quips. "Too bad for you there's nothing to find here."

"Do amateurs like you really think you can win this race?" another voice asks from the left as Charlie whirls to see a figure in black body armor mostly concealed by shadow. Arms crossed, the figure steps forward, showing a man with black hair and an almost predatory expression. "I think you should drop out now, while you still can."

>>26064548
Curses. It was worth a shot at least. Do they show any signs of Chimerization or other signs of being from here, or do they have non-canon weaponry/equipment?

>>26064548
I can't make out who they are; the descriptions are too vague.

Looks like we'll have to fight these thugs; neither one of them fits the description of the Mad Alchemist, and he's not supposed to interfere with the Race anyway.

Scott, do you see any logos or symbols on the body armor?

And I don't think Amestrian guns are going to be enough for this; we may have to switch from the SMG to Waldorf to get through their armor.

>>26064678
If we don't figure out who they are immediately, and we know the gate isn't here, I recommend immediate withdrawal followed by a grenade to the door we came out of to try and collapse it.

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>>26064638
No signs of Chimerization, and the futuristic body armor the one is wearing definitely isn't from here.

>>26064678
"I think... I think the one has..." Scott says, straining his eyes. Elyse tenses and attempts a charge at the body armored man as he walks towards Charlie. The man smiles broadly and jumps over Elyse's head, vaulting high into the air and landing next to the man in the suit. Red lights flare to life along his armor as a breathing mask and helmet begin to unfold and cover his face.

"...Spectre armor," Scott finishes.

"You're in way over your heads, foolish children," he chuckles as his companion falls into a fighting stance.

"Come on!" he shouts.

>>26064823
Oh shoot, and not ME spectre either...

He has a breathing mask, no spores. Get Waldorf out! Kinetic barriers are useless against energy weapons. If we still have ammo, give the plasma rifle to Charlie.

>>26064823
>>26064896
Oh, and since the other one is in a stance we'll want to spray and pray with the SMG, avoid hand to hand with him.

>>26064823
>Spectre
That's not good, especially because of his gun and psionic lash attack.

Scott, get out Waldorf, and shoot the Spectre.
Charlie and Elise, fight the other guy. Elise prepare to counter whatever the guy in suit does, while Charlie fires a burst at him.

There's no way we can escape out through the door, is there?

>>26064896
And I just realized I contradicted myself. Imma shut up now and go to bed.

Rolled 76, 77, 37, 94, 43, 8, 9, 43, 88, 98 = 573

Testing...

Calling it here, will pick up tomorrow, hopefully early.

We're getting close to the finish line.

>>26064823
Run back through the door, use grenades liberally around the entrance.

>>26065043
Good night MetaOP. Sleep well. Most likely kill you in the morning.

>>26065050
Can we afford to give them a free shot at us, and potentially pile up at the door?
Sure Scott gets a +10 for tactical redeployment, but I don't think it'll be enough to get us through the doorway safely.

bump

Rolled 20, 79, 75, 2, 39, 76, 6, 99, 45, 27 = 468

Should we have Elyse cast some kind of Mage Armor or defense spell on our group?
Yeah, she's down to 3 spells, but defense spells have a +35 total bonus to them, and these guys look like they can dish out a lot of damage, as well as tank a lot of punishment.

>>26073150
Maybe a shield wall in the shape of 1/4th of a dome. Place it around the entrance, retreat, close the doors and place a grenade trap.

>>26073186
Meant to say half a dome.

>>26073186
We overheard that there are two teleporters fighting it out. One is likely the Ghost we'd met, but the other might be this Spectre. She did warn us about him and his friend.

If he can teleport, that would be bad news for us.

>>26074369
One a scale of one to twinkie, how bad?

>>26075159
At least a chocodile. Maybe even a Ho Ho.

I return. The decision must be made, fight or flight? It seems that you're leaning towards flight now, but there were a few fight posts.

>>26076170
Does Scott have any grenades on him? I'd toss one while we fall back.

>>26076289
Yes, you just got a lot of them.

>>26076318
I was mostly asking if he had actually kept a few on his person or if he shoved them all in Luggage.

Since he has some on him, I'd toss one and move back.

Have Elyse cast a wall of force between us and the grenade to protect us from shrapnel and shape the blast.

>>26076397
yes i like this plan

>>26076397
Roll a d100 for Scott and then one for Elyse then, please.

Elyse spells: 2/9

Rolled 91, 83 = 174

as you wish.

>>26076480
yay

>>26076170
"You know, you're wearing the armor but you don't seem to be one of Tosh's boys. They wouldn't be this stupid."

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>>26076516
>>26076480
"Stupid enough to pick a fight with you? My, my, who has a high op-"

"NOW!" Scott shouts, interrupting the Spectre as he pulls the pin on a grenade and tosses it at the pair. The Spectre and man in suit dive away from the explosive as everyone runs for the doorway out. Elyse throws up a wall of force on the door just after everyone rushes through it, and just before the grenade detonates. As Scott and the others race back down the way they came, laughter is heard behind them, quickly fading as distance is put between the two racing groups.

"Not bad!" the Spectre says, barely audible before Yellowman and company leave earshot. "Not bad at all..."

>>26076672
We should probably keep moving as long as we can. I'm not sure how long you guys can outpace a guy in powerarmour.

>>26076821
>Overwhelming success on last rolls means no rolling for pursuit.

The group doesn't cease their retreat until a good fifteen minutes of running is put behind them and the other racers.

"OK... Even if they move fast, they shouldn't be able to track us in this maze of tunnels," Scott says, catching his breath.

"But now what do we do?" Charlie asks. "That was our main lead!"

>>26077044
Wait and see if they try and chase us then sneak back?

>>26077082
How long will you wait?

>>26077165
No idea. I'm just trying to shoot an idea. If someone else has others or a better one, go for it.

>>26077181
Half hour.

>>26077165
Another half hour.
While waiting, have FFP using the communication gear we have to listen in on the State Military's communications and see what's going on up above.

>>26077254
>>26077215
Roll a d100.

Half an hour passes and no one even gets close enough to make Scott's card pulse.

Rolled 57

Rolling

>>26077498
Fat Fot Pot taps the radio waves and relays the following. Mustang has managed to kill the two terrorists holing up in the apartments, but Gracia Hughes, the hostage, has been critically injured in the struggle and is being rushed to a hospital. In addition, some sort of device seems to have been triggered by their deaths, but they can't tell what it's doing.

Armstrong and the musclebound stranger have finally met and have initiated a duel that passerbys are being warned to stay away from. The clouds of debris are clearly visible from half the city away.

The Fullmetal Alchemist has arrived with his brother and are being briefed.

The Mad Alchemist apparently is attempting to use the chaos gripping the city to his advantage. A kidnapping attempt was recently foiled only by a mysterious sniper who fired several shots of what witnesses claim to be pure energy at the assailant.

THEY INJURED MRS. HUGHES! THOSE BASTARDS!

I suppose we should go check out the Hughes residence.

>>26078188
Dammit, told you we should have visited Gracia. If we have a chance, can we stop by where she's at and give her some sappy healing?

>>26078255
Scott leads everyone out of the sewers and towards the damaged Hughes residence. It's a good walk before they arrive, guards and investigators already poring over the scene of the crime. The apartment building is missing a good chunk out of its top, and smoke is rising lazily into the sky as a fire-brigade packs up from putting out a blaze earlier.

"Looks like we missed one heck of a party," Charlie whistles.

"I knew we should've looked into that terrorist alert... I knew it..." Elyse whispers. Scott shrugs.

"Eh. Mustang handled it. And with alkahestry I'm sure Mrs. Hughes will be fine soon enough," Scott says, surveying the damage. "With our papers we should be able to get past that cordon pretty easily, but it looks like the area's pretty picked clean already..."

>>26078765
Shouldn't we be focusing more on the Mad Alchemist? And why he's still trying to get more materials? He should have finished making a Philosopher's Stone by now, but it seems he's behind schedule.

Gracia Hughes will be fine; they'll likely get Dr. Marcoh and his Philosopher's Stone to heal her, if an alkahestry specialist isn't forthcoming.

If we're going to heal her in an attempt to get a favor owed to us from Mustang and the Elric Brothers, we need to go to the hospital.

Scott, FFP, where was the Mad Alchemist's latest kidnapping attempt take place? We need to get back on his trail.

I'd say we should get moving and try to follow the Mad Alchemist. He seems to be our exit point.

If we lost the trail, we'll go heal Gracia.

>>26079816
Sounds good, I'll second.

>>26079816
>>26079417
"We'll go to the latest kidnapping site since it seems there's nothing here," Scott says. "It's in the industrial sector. Come on!"

Scott leads the group to a large construction site in the midst of the industrial zone. Factory after factory surrounds the area, tall smokestacks belching black clouds into the air. The construction site itself is little more than a few pillars of concrete and iron framework, coupled with several concrete slabs on the floor where the foundation is being laid. A few Military Police patrol the area, but it doesn't look like the investigators have arrived yet.

>>26079951
Begin looking around the area, see if there's an open access to the sewer system.
Ask one of the MP's where the kidnapping attempt took place; the Mad Alchemist might have dropped a clue as to where he's hiding out.

>>26080053
"You there," Scott calls out, approaching one of the soldiers. "This where the kidnapping took place?"

"Attempted, yes sir," the soldier says, saluting. "He emerged from the construction site and ambushed a steelworker leaving early from his plant. The steelworker fought him off long enough for someone on top of one of the roofs to fire three shots with some sort of weapon that fires bolts of energy. The witness has been accompanied to Central Command for further interrogation."

"No sign of a sewer manhole around here," Charlie notes.

>>26080336
"Did the witness at least say which way the Mad Alchemist retreated?"

We should take a look at where the fight occurred, and where the Alchemist retreated.
There doesn't have to be a manhole around, if the alchemist simply transmutes a hole to escape through. We should look for signs of such transmutation.

>>26080427
"He did, he ran into that alley down there," the guard points. "The victim didn't pursue, so we don't know where he went from there."

Roll 3d100.

Rolled 28, 30, 21 = 79

>>26080541
Dice Roll!

Rolled 45, 34, 39 = 118

>>26080541
>>26080541

Rolled 78, 65, 7 = 150

>>26080541
>>26080541

>>26080556
"There's signs of transmutation here, but I can't find anything else," Charlie reports, looking down the alley.

"Nothing here either," Scott says with a scowl, poking around the construction site.

"There's footprints here in the concrete," Elyse reports. "Looks like some sort of shoe, not a work-boot ."

>>26080994
Is it a pointed leather shoe sort of shape? Or is it more flat?

Rolled 9, 8, 51 = 68

>>26080994
Alright, let's follow those footprints.

Rolled 88, 28, 18, 30, 68, 1, 6, 52, 75, 56 = 422

>>26081154
Man, the RNG is seeded real low tonight.

>>26081020
"It looks slightly pointed... like a dress shoe," Elyse says. "They don't lead anywhere, though. There are only a few."

>>26081209
Scott, do you remember if there's a sewer tunnel underneath here?

>dress shoe
We know the Mad Alchemist wears a top hat and has a cane; wearing formal shoes is a high probability.

I think we should find the nearest manhole and try to pick up the Alchemist's trail.

>>26081301
"Should be," Scott says. "Sewers again, guys."

"What is your obsession with stink-water?" Elyse moans as Scott almost drags her behind everyone else to get to the manhole.

Descending back into the sewers, Scott and the others poke around for a bit. Roll 3d100.

Rolled 13, 23, 87 = 123

>>26081509
With the current seed, we are so going to fail

>>26081561
Once again, it's Elyse that notices it.

"Hey! There's something caught on this pipe!" Elyse calls.

Fluttering from the jagged edge of a broken drain pipe is a small piece of black cloth.

Scott frowns and carefully frees the piece from the pipe. Gingerly feeling it over, he narrows his eyes.

"It feels like silk, but it seems... off somehow," he says. "Oily, almost."

>>26081839
Any more details, Scott?
Can we have Scott and Elyse use their Lore skills to try to identify the material?
It sounds like an advanced nano-material.

Since we got noticed by the Truth, we can't attempt scrying without consequences, so we can't do that.

Maybe we can requisition a bloodhound from the State Military to help us track down the Mad Alchemist.

>>26081950
>Auto-Lore pass.

"That's it," Scott says, snapping his fingers. "It's an alchemically treated material, like spark-cloth, only... well, it looks like the opposite."

"So?" Charlie asks, shrugging. "Say it in English, doc."

"It's a very costly, special cloth," Scott says. "If his whole suit's made from the stuff... There's not many places that would be able to handle that kind of tailoring."

>>26082252
Excellent.
Go top-side, and start hitting up tailors, search for ones that could handle this kind of cloth, and if anyone's ordered a suit made from it, or asked to have one repaired.

Rolled 19, 3, 74, 41, 79, 57 = 273

>>26082327
"That's all well and good," Charlie notes. "But where would we start looking for places like those?"

"Phonebooths. The city has public phone booths, and in booths are phone books," Scott grins. "We just have to find the closest, ask him where we'd get a suit like this commissioned, and then start getting our feet dirty."

Roll 2d100.

>>26082327
Can we stop by and heal up Gracia first.

Rolled 73, 17 = 90

come on dice

Rolled 36, 5 = 41

>>26082379
Let's go.

Rolled 76, 63 = 139

>>26082403
That's not too hot.

>>26082393
You can. Do you want to check up on this lead or visit the hospital first?

Rolled 51, 27 = 78

>>26082527
check the lead. We can stop by the hospital on the way to the tailor if it's not too far out of the way.

>>26082527
Check up on the lead.
We need to close the gap between us and the Mad Alchemist.

>>26082553
>>26082575
It takes a while, but by checking around at the tailoring shops, Scott compiles a very short list of stores who are capable of making alchemically treated clothing. Not counting the military's own specialist responsible for things like Mustang's spark-cloth gloves, there are only three stores in Central that market notable amounts of alchemical goods. Unfortunately after checking and questioning two of the three's owners thoroughly, no leads are found.

The last store is a small two story building along a major street. A large wooden, gilded sign above the door and display window proclaims it to be "The Handsome Alchemist", and pictures a statuesque man in fine clothes with a book in one hand and a cane in the other.

A sign on the door states that due to all the chaos in the city, it is currently closed.

>>26083029
Possibly the same man, though that might be a decoy. Knock on the door, claim it's an emergency order for Mustang because the state's manufacturer is ill or something?

>>26083093
No matter how much Scott knocks, no one answers.

"I don't think anyone's home," Fat Fot Pot whispers.

>>26083565
Worth a shot. Enter through a side window. Don't want to use the front door.

>>26083657
Roll d100.

Rolled 78

>>26083911

>>26084058
Scott manages to quietly jimmy open a window in the back and climb inside without anyone noticing. Fat Fot Pot, Elyse, and Charlie follow shortly thereafter, and soon everyone is inside the building without any sort of alarm raised.

The group finds themselves in what looks like a workshop area, with several sewing machines set up around a handful of tables, and roll upon roll of fabrics set up along one wall. Racks of scissors, needles, and more esoteric tailoring tools are scattered around, and there is a small area off to the side containing a desk and chair.

A single door leads to the customer area.

>>26084683
Check the desk, see if there's a ledger.

>>26084683
Alright. Check all the fabric to see if any of it is treated like the scrap we have. Check order forms as well; most likely to find those at the desk over there.

FFP needs to be on lookout duty at that doorway, but don't be just hovering out in the open. Peek around the doorframe, all sneaky-like. Charlie or Elyse can cover the way we came in to assure our escape route. The one that isn't guarding the exit can help us search.

Be quiet while we do this. Low, indoor voices. Stay out of direct sight of the windows and doors.

>>26084683
Actually, scratch that >>26084861
Scott, take out the Motion Tracker; is there any motion in the building besides yourself?

Then check the desk for a ledger of work, and have the others check the bolts of fabric for a match.

>>26084906
>>26084876
>>26084861
Scott checks with the Tracker, but the building is empty. There is indeed a ledger in the desk, and after some searching, Charlie finds a small roll of the same sort of fabric found in the sewers. Elyse and Fat Fot Pot stand watch over the others as they search.

>>26084968
Hey, Scott. That materiel has sort of an oily feel to it, right? And we know the guy we're after doesn't leave a trail of sewer muck or whatever behind him as he moves...

Could the stuff be some sort of alchemically-imbued non-stick stuff; like Teflon or something so that gunk and blood and stuff just slides off? That'd be really handy for someone who likes to dress fancy, but uses the sewers to get around and is taking living victims to God knows what end... Check the ledger for anything about non-stick fabric, and anything else that looks fishy.

>>26084968
>>26085151
Not poster, but if there isn't anything on the ledger about nonstick fabrics we can check the order forms. If an order form is a tearaway thing (which is present and likely in this universe), when we can see indentations on the pages where things were marked on the sheet above.

>>26085151
"That's actually quite probable," Scott murmurs, leafing through the ledger. After a good fifteen minutes of skimming, Scott stops. "Apparently that stuff's called slick-cloth. It's mainly used for aquatic gear, but a few wealthy eccentrics like to have ordinary clothes made out of it due to its silky feel and costly nature. One of those eccentrics is apparently a frequent patron here. He's ordered twelve new suits made in the same pattern in the last month alone."

>>26085359
Impressive. Lets find his address, a wealthy man like this probably has his orders delivered. Either it's him, or he knows where the tailor might have gone.

>>26085505
It takes some searching, but Scott manages to find the address of one "Phillipe Frammel" in the accounts ledger. It seems that he makes a point of stopping by to pick up his orders, but paid in advance by mail once or twice.

And pause there, I need sleep. Erratic updates all tomorrow.

>>26085744
>"Phillipe Frammel"

That ain't a canon character, so what is he? A meta-resident hired by ComTrader? An uncanon character? A SUE?

>>26085889
Once or twice implies that he's native to canon, since there's been more than one order and it's been a while between orders.

>>26085744
Alright, so we've got an address to check out.

>>26085744
We should be careful when we go to this Frammel's house.
We don't know if it's his real residence, and could be trapped.

How likely is it that the Spectre is using his psionic powers to read our thoughts?

Could the "flying machine" reports refer to that Racer with the flying powered armor? Or someone else.
And should we be concerned about the device left behind by Conti? Could it be some kind of bomb meant to make sure that if he can't win the Race, no one can?

>>26085744
All right, let's get rolling. Literally. Scott and the others trek across the city to a very rich neighborhood. Manor houses and well kept estates dot the streets as the group passes through. In the distance, the occasional explosion or cloud of debris signifies the ongoing struggles of the various other racers and the natives' repeated attempts to contain them.

The address leads to a large, two story manor house behind a wrought iron fence, an intricate gate barring the path up to its front door. Unlike the other manors, the grounds outside the house seem rather small, consisting of a front yard with well trimmed grass for no more than twenty feet or so, with no ostentatious statues, fountains, or hedges shaped like animals.

A single, bored looking attendant in fine, but worn clothes stands at the gate, one hand resting on a holstered pistol.

>>26096404
Good day to you.

Is your employer at home currently? I wish to speak with him.

>>26096404
FFP are currently illusioned to look like birds, right?

While we keep the attendant busy using our Psychic Paper to ask questions about his boss, and that he's become a Person of Interest in our ongoing investigation, have FFP fly past the windows and see into the house?

>>26096477
>>26096471
"Boss just got back a little while ago, but he's busy," the gateman says, looking at Scott as he flashes his papers. "What's this about?"

Charlie discreetly 'opens' the illusionary cage around Fat Fot Pot and lets the birds out, allowing them to fly around the house.

Roll d100 please.

Rolled 93

>>26096858

>>26097186
Fat Fot Pot fly around, then inside the house. It's some time before they return, and they can't give you their report in front of the gateman.

>Talk to gateman.
>Leave to hear report.

>>26097649
Talk to the Gateman.
We have our orders, that his boss is a Person of Interest in an ongoing investigation and we need to talk with him.

>>26097649
"Nothing, there were reports about the kidnapper in the area, we are going around to see if the residents had any clues to his whereabouts"

then if he gives us a go away or unhelpful answer then we hear the report

>>26097744
>>26097768
"We have orders to talk with him. We've conducting an investigation and need to speak with the residents of this area for clues. Please inform him of our arrival and let us in," Scott says in as official a tone as he can muster.

Please roll 1d100.

>>26097928
dice+1d6

Rolled 41

>>26097928
I think we're going to have to stun this guy

Rolled 21

come on. Bluff!

Rolled 3

>>26098031
you didn't see that

Rolled 50

>>26098047
that either

Rolled 65

>>26098039
Does this get a bonus from the Psychic Paper?

>>26098039
The gateman squints, then looks at your papers, mumbling to himself as he walks over to an intercom and presses the button next to it, whispering something into the microphone. Then he hits another button and the gates slowly begin to open.

"Boss says you can enter," he glumly says. "He'll be at the door shortly."

>>26098383
Can Scott squat down by the Luggage so that FFP can whisper their report to him, making it look like he's fiddling with their cage or something?

>>26098676
You can, and do.

"Most of the house looks OK, commander," Fat whispers. "But we saw a guy in a suit coming out of a secret passage in the library. He put a candle in a certain holder to close it."

>>26098979
Thanks, FFP.
Now we need to talk to this guy to see if he's going to open the Gate for us.

>>26099100
"Good job, guys," Scott whispers, shutting the cage. He stands up and finishes walking to the door, knocking expectantly. Elyse and Charlie stand at his flanks.

A moment later, the door opens, a somewhat tall man in a dark suit standing before them. He leans on a silver-topped cane, and wears small spectacles over his pale blue eyes.

"Are you Phillipe Frammel?" Scott asks.

"I am," the man says in a deep baritone. "How may I help you gentlemen?"

>>26099281
"We have some questions we'd like to ask you. May we come in?"

Should we get straight to the point and ask him if he's an employee of ComTrade, or be more subtle about it?

>>26099765
"Certainly," Phillipe says, opening the door and gesturing. The first room of the manor is an exquisitely decorated foyer, with a double arched staircase going up to a second floor, and three halls leading from it. "Would you like to talk in the parlor, or would you gentlem- ah, and lady, I see, care for something to eat or drink?"

>>26099885
"The parlor would be fine, sir."

There's no response from the Card, Scott?
The Gate must not be active.

>>26099967
"No, no response."

The man nods and leads the group to a large room adjoining the foyer, with many plush chairs and sofas arranging in an oval, the walls covered in paintings and expensive pieces of art.

"Please, sit," Phillipe says, taking a seat himself in a large leather chair with intricate designs worked into the armrests. "Now, what can I help you with?"

>>26100182
"First, are you familiar with a company called ComTrader?"

>>26100254
"I've never heard of them before in my life. What do they deal in?" Phillipe asks, adjusting his glasses.

Mostly odd devices.

>I'm thinking we should SleepSpore him. Go check out his secret area.

>>26100343
"They deal in a great number of things, advanced devices and knowledge, for one.
"Now, is it true that you are an Alchemist?"

>>26100523
"I've never made a secret of my studies into alchemy," Phillipe says. "Last I checked, State certification was not mandatory."

>>26100583
"Then you wouldn't mind if we look over your research notes, would you?"
We should take this chance to check out his secret door in the library.
If he resists, we Spore him.

>>26100811
"Research? I don't do much of that, but you're welcome to what little I've done," Phillipe says, beginning to stand. "Is that all you wanted, or did you have more to ask?"

>>26101657
"I'm sure that we'll have more questions for you once we see your research."

What else should we ask to poke around for?

>>26101858
"Then I guess I settled into this old chair for nothing," Phillipe says with a sigh as he pulls himself up. "Very well, please come with me."

The alchemist walks from the room, leading the group down a long hallway set with tall windows permitting a view of the other various homes in Central. Arriving at a large oaken door, Phillipe turns the handle and opens it, revealing yet another large room, this one lined with bookshelves, a large polished and carved wooden table at its center, set with a single silver candelabra. Without hesitation, Flammel walks to a small bookcase near a corner and pulls two slim volumes from the top, turning and handing them over. "These contain all my research notes."

>>26102660
"Oh? I think a bit more to show us."

Scott, activate the secret door.
Charlie, cover Flammel. Shoot his kneecaps if he tries anything.

>>26102691
He's an alchemist. That's an incredibly dangerous action.

We should just Sleep Spore him and go look ourselves.

>>26102739
Take Fat out of the cage, bring it up to Flammel's face with a "Now, Mr. Flammel, please look into this bird's eyes...", then give him a faceful of sleeping spores?

>>26102739
Yeah, it's probably the safest thing to do. Better to not take the chance that he's got Alchemic tattoos or Alchemy circles stitched into his clothes.

Rolled 54

>>26102841
>>26102820
>>26102739
Roll 1d100 please.

Rolled 64

rolling

Rolled 16

>>26102917
ROLLAN

Rolled 21

>>26102917

Rolled 8, 33, 28, 61, 40, 71, 99, 61, 77, 42 = 520

Testing the seed.

>>26102937
"Please look at this bird, Mr. Flammel," Scott says, raising the 'cage' with Fat Fot Pot in it. "Do you recognize it?"

The alchemist leans forward. "No, I do-PUAGH!"

A cloud of spores jets from the 'bird', covering Phillipe Flammel's head. The alchemist waves his cane around, batting the 'bird' and Scott away as he coughs violently.

"He ain't going down!" Charlie notes. "What do we do now?!"

>>26103178
Can we use another usage of spores?
Otherwise, we can gag him and tie him up, or pistolwhip him.

Rolled 9

>>26103279
You can, and you've got one left after this one. Roll another d100.

Rolled 33

>>26103342
as you wish

Rolled 47

>>26103342
JAWOHL!

>>26103419
>>26103342
"Refuse and swine!" Frammel exclaims, slamming his cane on the ground. The wooden floor flares with lightning as a cage forms around everyone. The bars however, are not tightly spaced enough to keep Pot from flying forward and ejecting another cloud of spores into the alchemist's face. This time it does the trick, the wealthy researcher coughing violently before falling down and collapsing.

"Good job!" Scott laughs as Pot flies back. "Now we're getting somewhere!"

"Just give me a minute..." Elyse says, drawing her sword from the trained mimic and slicing through the wooden cage beams, carving out an exit for everyone. "There we go!"

"This is the candle! This one here!" Fat says, bobbing up and down over an ornate candle-holder set into the wall.

>>26103675
Okay, first tie up Frammel with the Silk Rope we have, and make sure that he's gagged. The rope should be long enough that we can tie him to the Luggage, if Elyse doesn't want to carry him (she's got those Gloves of Giant Strength, she's easily the strongest person in the group).

Take away his cane and put it in the Luggage; we don't want him to get access to it.

We may as well take along his "research notes", as mundane as they may be.

Then, Scott, activate the trigger for the secret door, and lets go in.

>>26103819
Charlie starts tying Phillipe up while Elyse confiscates his cane and notes.

Scott walks over to the bookcase and lifts the candle from the holder. Immediately the bookcase swings around and shut again, scooping the scout commander along with it, and revealing a stone staircase going down a few feet away. Two small alcoves built into the walls are the only other feature of note.

>>26104186
Check the alcoves, and tell the others to come through the secret door.

>>26104186
>typing Philippe up

We should check his clothes for any transmutation circles and other stuff sewn in. We don't want him suddenly breaking free because he had something in his gloves or shit.

File: 1374208089557.png-(32 KB, 250x250, Human_Transmutation_Circle.png)

32 KB PNG

>>26104266
Scott searches the alcoves and find a hidden button. Once pressed, the bookcase swings open again, allowing the others passage.

"I was half expecting one of you to tell me to put the candle back," Scott jokes.

"I don't get it," Charlie and Elyse say in unison.

"Yeah... I know. Come on," Scott says with a sigh, turning.

The stairs lead down to small stone basement, with several tables filled with beakers, vials, and assorted alchemic devices. An alchemic circle is drawn on the floor in the center of a large cleared space, and there are several canisters of chemicals stored in a side area...

"Look! Over there!" Elyse shouts, pointing.

Whimpering and dirty in a cell are three women. Two wear torn and tattered clothes while the last's garb hasn't seen quite so much wear and tear.

"Well, guess this is the guy all right," Charlie says, looking around. "I guess we look for a key, then?"

"We've got this, you know," Elyse says, patting her sword.

"I guess we do, at that," Scott nods.

"Who are you?" one of the women asks, finally speaking up. "You're not... You're not with the madman are you?"

>>26104548
"State Military, ma'am. But...there's only three of you? What about the others?"

The Gamesters are getting sloppy. What are we going to do now that the specific Gate we want is this much harder to get to.

Unless they planned it like this, and only Racers willing to kill innocent victims to power a Human Transmuation are going to be allowed to proceed.

>>26104805
>and only Racers willing to kill innocent victims to power a Human Transmuation are going to be allowed to proceed.

This is what I was afraid of. I was thinking of just lying low and letting things unfold so we don't have to do the human sacrifice thing.

>>26104805
"What others?" one of the dirty women asks. "I was the first... Then he brought the other two later."

"They mean the other kidnappings. You know? In the paper?" the clean one says. She turns back to Scott. "We don't know what happened to them... My guess... My guess is that he... used them... already."

>>26104875
Alright, we've got an hour before Flammel wakes up.

Let's look through this lab, look for a Philosopher's Stone if he's already used up the other victims.
Kind of odd, I would have expected him to not need a transmutation circle if he already performed Human Transmutation to get a Stone.

Scott, check Flammel's cane, see if it really does have an Alchemical Circle on it somewhere.

Elyse and Charlie, search the lab, look for a Philosopher Stone and the key to the cell; only use the photon sword as a last resort.

>>26104988
The cane indeed does have a tiny alchemical circle carved into the silver top.

Roll 2d100, please.

Rolled 60, 32 = 92

>>26105141
>>26105141

>>26105160
Elyse doesn't find anything of note, but Charlie manages to locate the keys to the cell. There seems to be no trace of a Philosopher's Stone.

>>26105297
Remove Flammel's gloves? Anything in his pockets?

>>26105297
Have Elyse let the women out, and have Charlie frisk Flammel for the Philosopher's Stone.

Scott, look over his notes, diagrams, and the transmutation circle; does it look correct for Human Transmutation, and does it look like it's been activated already?

>>26105595
We should also ask the women if they remember anything about how they were kidnapped, and how long they've been here, and if they were ever moved through the sewers.
We expected the lab to be in a difference place, after all.

>>26105403
You have Charlie frisk Frammel, and the ex-bouncer gleefully pockets several fancy gold rings, a pocketwatch, and a wallet. Still no stone.

Elyse unlocks the cell door and lets the women out, who slowly exit, eyes wide.

"Is it... Are we... really free?" one whispers.

"You are. Everything's going to be fine now," Elyse says with a soft smile. "Do any of you need medical attention? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"No... no, no, just... we'd like to leave here as soon as possible," the clean woman says. She looks you over. "Do you... do you need us to stay or can we just... go?"

Scott looks over the notes and frowns.
"It's all greek to me. I'm not an alchemist, and alchemists use cyphers and the like with their notes. The circle looks right from what little I remember, but I can't make heads or tails of the rest, we'd need to find an actual alchemist for that."

>>26106203
Scott looks up to the women. "What can you tell us about what happened?"

"He snuck up on most of us and either overpowered or forced a wet rag to our noses. The rag knocked us out somehow," one of the dirty women says. "I'm not sure how long I've been down here, but at least a week."

"Do you remember anything about the sewers?" Scott asks. The women frown.

"We've been in these cells since we woke up. Except when he needed us for an experiment."

>>26107106
What can you tell us about the experiment?

I think it's obvious now that, if you're using humans as experiment material, then you're most probably dabbling in human transmutation.

>>26107106
>The rag knocked us out somehow
Chloroform.
I'd expect it to be somewhat common knowledge in an industrialized nation such as Amestris.

I've been thinking. We know that Flammel has been working on Human Transmutation, and that there are a lot of victims already missing.

Are we sure that these women aren't Homonculi?

>>26107106
>I'm not sure how long I've been down here, but at least a week.
The kidnappings happened over the course of 3 weeks. There were at least 10 kidnappings in the first 2 weeks.
Flammel should have had enough people to perform a Human Transmutation and create a Philosopher's Stone by now.

We should check the lab again, first to find the entrance to the sewers, second to look for any device or notes that have ComTrader markings.

And while we could turn the women over to the State Military, I'm kind of leery of handing Flammel over to them, and getting Mustang and the Elrics involved. We're still operating under the conclusion that we need Flammel's specific Gate to exit this world, and having him put in a high-security prison cell would be detrimental. Especially since one of the Elric brothers, Mustang, or Armstrong are likely to question him and maintain a guard on him, and our Psychic Paper will fail against them.

Also, I don't think there are any other Philosopher Stones left in circulation except Marcoh's; otherwise, he wouldn't have had so much leverage over Mustang to restore his eyesight at the end of the series.
So I don't think it will be too effective to ask Mustang for a Philosopher Stone to have Flammel open the Gate for us.

>>26113852
After a little more searching, Charlie manages to find another secret door, this one connecting to the sewer system.

>>26110242
"He's been collecting blood from us and mixing it with other liquids and putting it in that circle of his. Sometimes he'll inject one of of us with someone and monitor us closely for a while. Everything that happens he records," one of the women says. "Once he chained me up and put me in the center of the circle and tried to do something, but I blacked out. When I woke up I was back in the cell."

"I saw it!" another puts in. "The circle glowed red, then Cecilia gave a shriek and fell. The alchemist stopped immediately, cursed, and brought her back in."

check his records

>>26114079
>He's been collecting blood from us and mixing it with other liquids and putting it in that circle of his
Sounds almost like...the Sanguine Star.
Like he was trying to make a Philosopher's Stone by collecting huge amounts of human blood, rather than human lives.
I'd like to question Flammel about it, but that would be dangerous and we wouldn't be able to trust his answers.

>>26114079
>>26114213
It's also possible that he's trying to get information on the gate covertly, by sending them through only partially, or for short bursts. I agree with his interrogation though.

As for the Star, I've got no idea if it requires a soul or just the life-blood.

>>26114079
>The circle glowed red
That implies a transmutation powered by a Philosopher's Stone.

Maybe he's trying to get through the Gate and use something else, such as other people or their blood, as a toll instead of his own body.

>>26114670
I just checked, and even the human transmutation circle emitted blue light. It appears that you're right on the money.

>>26114165
"Goddammit, everything here's in cypher too!" Scott complains, going through the records. "Paranoid sonnuvabitch."

"Well given what he was doing it only makes sense he'd try to be sneaky about it, doc," Charlie comments.

"Can we leave now?" one of the women asks.

>>26114446
>>26114213
How will you go about questioning him? Just wait for him to wake up? He's already tied up, after all.

Does anyone else think that it's supposed to be US that are used to go through the gate? We get sent through the circle, enter the gate, and since we don't come back there is no payment.

I am just FULL of bad ideas today.

Hey, Elyse. How are you at Truth spells?

>>26115035
We should probably get the women out of the cell and have them wait upstairs.
Get their names and addresses.
I don't know if we should let them go home yet, or inform the Military Police to take care of them.

It might be best to simply get their contact and address information, and let them go home and tell them that we'll be in touch.
We don't want the State Military getting too involved before we're ready to leave.

>>26115081
If a Philosopher's Stone is being used to call the Gate, and we get sent to it using the Stone, that is one way to get to the Gate without instantly triggering a Toll.
The only question would be if we're supposed to go in first, or have someone else go through first as a Toll in order to get to the next stage.

>>26115087
"P-pretty good... why?"

>>26115149
Charlie, Elyse, and Scott begin taking down names and addresses, the women hastily telling everything asked in order to expedite their long awaited return.

Well, I was thinking that if we need to question him, the best way to do so would be under the influence of a truth spell, preferably the type that don't let you know anything is different.

>>26115345
Examine his staff. See if it has symbols on it, or if there's a place where you can easily put a stone in it.

>>26115527
>See if it has symbols on it, or if there's a place where you can easily put a stone in it.
Not just that, but see if there's a secret compartment.

With that Red Glow that his transmutation circle produced, we can be fairly confident that Flammel already has a Philosopher's Stone or a Sanguine Star variant. We just need to find it; hopefully he hasn't swallowed it, like you can do with the Sanguine Star.

>>26115527
>>26115598
Scott examines the cane thorougly, but does not find any stone or hidden compartment.

>>26115478
"I can try," Elyse nods.

Roll 1d100 if you wish to expend a spell.

>>26115635
Isn't Flammel still unconscious? Should we wake him up first, or wait till the spores wear off?
I'd rather not waste a spell.

Rolled 42

for truth!

>>26115828
Slap him or throw a bucket of water in his face.

>>26115635
In terms of track "Practice Makes Perfect", what category would this spell come under?
Illusion/Mind-Enchanting?
Divination?

I'd argue for Illusion/Mind-Enchanting.

>>26115995
Mind enchanting.

>>26115888
Elyse begins casting when Frammel begins to wake up. I still need to know what you're doing with the freed victims.

>>26117196
Send the freed victims up and keep them in the library for just a bit longer. They've been injected with alchemical reagents and we shouldn't let them go free just yet.

>>26117304
Probably a good idea. We'll bring them to the hospital after this to be checked out. Don't want them to suffer any lasting harm, do we?

>>26117304
>>26117367
Charlie goes up with the women to the library as Elyse and Scott begin their interrogation of Frammel in the secret lab.

The alchemist wakes with a scowl.

"Foul ruffians!" he growls. "Release me at once!"

"We'll be making the requests here, thanks," Scott says, leaning against a wall. "Elyse, that spell working?"

"I think so," Elyse says. "Try asking him something."

>>26117703
"You have been experimenting with Human Transmutation: yes or no?
"Have you already created a Philosopher's Stone or something similar to it? What have you done with the other kidnapped victims? Did you work alone or do you have a partner?
"What was the goal of your research?
"Can you safely send someone to the Gate of Truth?"

>>26117756
"Yes, I've been experimenting with human transmutation. No, I don't know how to create a Stone, they don't exactly hand out that knowledge at stands. I sent the victims who cooperated with me out of the city with a generous compensation, and the only person I trust is my gate-man. I was seeking a way to alter the human body using alchemy to halt the aging process. What Gate? What are you talking about?"

>>26118325
"What materials were you using to assist in your research? Have you ever heard of the Star of Milos, or the Sanguine Star?
"You've been doing human transmutation but haven't suffered a rebound?
"Supposedly during one of your experiments your transmutation circle glowed red, rather than the normal blue; were you using an alchemical amplifier at the time?"
Strange. Red glow during transmutation is supposed to be powered by the Philosopher Stone.

>>26118713
"Yes, I've heard of them. No, I've suffered many failed attempts, but not a rebound, not yet. I've been very careful in my preparations. No, I don't have any amplifiers... I wish I did, it would make this whole process a lot faster!" Phillipe growls. "Now what do you want with me? Are you going to turn me over to the State, hmm? How much would it take for you to look the other way, just this once? I assure you, between this failure and the utter lack of progress I've been making, I have no desire to continue."

>>26119551
This puts us in something of a bind.
We need an Alchemist to get us to the Gate, but this one apparently doesn't have the materials needed. Maybe we need to get another Racer to use as materials for a human transmutation.

>>26119747
Lol. Why get your hands dirty when we can sit back?

>>26119820
Maybe the entire assumption that we need to make a Gate is wrong.

Maybe the Gamesters already set up an Alchemical Array with a Philosopher Stone in a hidden area, and we just need to find it in order to activate it. Or bring along an Alchemist to activate it.

>>26119747
>>26119820
>>26120008
Have anything else to ask or do?

>>26120008
>Maybe the Gamesters already set up an Alchemical Array with a Philosopher Stone in a hidden area, and we just need to find it in order to activate it. Or bring along an Alchemist to activate it.

I think this is the most hopeful scenario.

But when you think about it, the Gamesters wouldn't just let you have the tome just by winning the deathrace, right? Maybe they're trying to make the winner pay the toll for the gate.

>>26120837
"Have you gone to the labs underneath Central Command? Did you bring your kidnap victims all here to your manor? Did you perform all of your experiments here, or do you have any other labs or experiment sites?"

>>26120979
"This is the only lab I have. What lab under Central Command?"

>>26121242
"Nevermind that. Now, is all of your research your own, or is your work based upon the work of someone else?"

>>26121285
"Much of it is based on what little I could piece together from other alchemists that attempted human transmutation in the past."

>>26121518
Dammit. Seems like this is a dead end.

Alright, what should we do? Turn him over to the State Military, or keep him?
And we may very well just have to find the array hidden somewhere in Central; the portal in AvP wasn't part of an already existing device; it was just a portal plopped down in the sewers with two ComTrader sentry guns protecting it.
Maybe if we hand over Flammel, we can get some favors owed to us from Mustang.

But we might still need Flammel for activating the Gate array, assuming that it's not him that has to actually assemble the array.

>>26121659
Turn him in and let's go and see if we can heal up Gracia. That'll hopefully get us double in Mustang's books.

>>26121779
And then what?
Get Mustang or the Elrics to open the Gate for us?
Mustang doesn't have more Philosopher Stones; if he did, then Marcoh and Knox wouldn't have had such leverage over him to restore his eyesight at the end of the series.

We need more of a plan than just "get Mustang indebted to us".
Also, how do we explain the whole "impersonating State Military personnel"?

>>26121857
Hey, we're already chasing Dead Ends thanks to someone's bright idea of chasing the Mad Alchemist so why the fuck not?
Besides, there might be something to Gracia seeing as she was attacked by another racer who thought she might have something to do with this. An attack we could have prevented if we had visited her in the first place like some people suggested instead of running around chasing string.
We tell him we were trying not to cause trouble and blend in while we attempted to leave.

>>26121994
>An attack we could have prevented if we had visited her in the first place
How could we have prevented the attack if Conti was already going to go after her. The only thing that would have happened is that we'd introduce our own low rolls into that situation.

>>26122042
"Gracia, Elycia, Hide in our Luggage. Now RUN AWAY!"
There's also the fact that shit though we may be, we do eventually win fights.

>>26121857
Actually, Gracia herself should be a goal.
She was taken hostage by Conti, a Racer who had access to extra-dimensional and Meta resources and support. He might have known what needed to be done in order to get to the portal, since he was specific enough to demand a State Alchemist.
She may have overheard him and his assistant talk about the Portal's location or activation mechanism.

The plan is that we:
1. call up Sgt. Fuery at Central Command, and tell him to bring a police van and a squad to the Flemmel manor
2. turn Flemmel and the kidnap victims over to Fuery
3. Go to the hospital, heal Gracia, question her on anything that Conti said that could be related to the Race and accessing the Portal.
4. Find the Portal, and hope that Flemmel isn't the key to activating it.

>>26122180
Sounds good. I'll second this course of action/

>>26122180
Let's do this.

I wonder what happens if we lose the race?

>>26122519
We get rescued by a SHOP and then have to save the Meta from the guy who won the race.

>>26121518
>>26121659
Interrogate the butler. The man trusted the butler completely. That leaves a big opportunity for him to have obtained his research, possibly even worked with him. The Butler may have developed a stone using the people that were "sent home" without the knowledge of the other man.

>>26123885
The gate-man?
I suppose it's possible. We have 2 spells left; do you want to attempt another Zone of Truth?

>>26123948
I'm not sure. The low spells make me think that we can't afford to spend them unless necessary, but this may just be so. Before we do anything else, lets ask him if the butler was involved in the research at all. He gave us a non-answer there by saying "the only person I trust is my gate-man". This neither implies that he helped with the research or that he did not, only that he is the only trusted person.

What does everyone else think?

>>26124389
Yeah, we should re-question him with more specific questions.
He could be dodging the Truth Zone by giving vague answers that are sort-of right.

You question the butler, but though he states that he helped with minor tasks such as covering up the kidnappings, he did not aid in the research itself and is not an alchemist.

>>26122180
Scott calls up Sgt. Fuery with some amount of satisfaction.

"Book 'em, Lou!" he says with relish. "We caught the Mad Alchemist. Phillipe Frammel's your man. We've got him in custody over at his manor, send a paddy wagon and get him, will ya?"

"What's a paddy wagon?"

"It's a- Just send some people to get him and close this case, OK?" Scott says, sighing.

"Wait! You can't just throw me in jail like a common criminal! I'm a Frammel! Just let me go, I'll give you enough money that you'll never work again!" Frammel pleads.

>>26124915
I recommend keeping a very close eye on the vehicle coming to pick him up. Too many people have gotten out of or been kidnapped from those in this show.

>>26124915
"Oh no, you won't be treated as a common criminal, Mr. Frammel. We might be able to make a deal, but not right this moment. And the price we'll ask for won't be in money. Do you understand?"

We need to keep open this guy's hope that we'll bust him out of jail, because we don't know if we'll need him or not.

>>26125251
"I think so..." Frammel says, his eyes narrowing. "Very well."

And as the police wagon drives up to the manor house after a short wait, we end for the night.

>>26125367
Only 15 posts from auto-sage. So I suppose next thread will be on Tuesday?

I'm going to count that zone of truth as a success for Illusion/Mind-Enchanting on Elyse's character sheet.

I'll also add "Human Transmutation Alchemy Notes (anti-aging, encrypted)" to Scott's inventory.

Oh, and it needs to be said that we actually only have 1 spell left.

>>26125448
Should be, yeah.

>>26125517
Elyse Spells: 1/9