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[Wednesday, July rd 2015, 10:45 AM]

Grimore. A relic of old magic from the beginning of modern history, and one that has evolved through the passage of time. Once, they were simple scrolls of animal skin or papyrus, so very fragile and easily breakable. In the dark ages, warlocks carried with them thick tomes of vellum as they traversed through the Old World. And prior to the COMP’s debut in 1987, it was not uncommon for agents to carry incognito penny dreadfuls while on assignments.

But in spite of nearly four thousand years of human history, its purpose has remained the same:

The storage of a Devil Summoner’s demons.

“It’s been in use recently,” MacKay says, worryingly glancing towards the display. “The scanner’s picking up faint energy signatures and signs of activation. When it was first used, I can’t give you an exact date, but I can estimate that it was within the last few months. Perfectly within the timeline of the missing children.”

“And has it been in use ever since?” You demand. The ramifications of this new information are staggering. A million questions are burning holes in your pocket, namely how the hell an American history museum got its hands on a fucking grimore.

But you keep your calm. Besides, it would make for a poor sight to MacKay through the twenty agitated questions while in a public area.

The priest shakes its head. “No. Repeated uses would have given off a different reading. A singular activation, but the most logical purpose is quite disturbing.”

A chill goes down the back of your spine. “There were demons inside of those pages.”

He nods. “And it appears that they may have been errantly released from their bindings within the last few months.”

“And that’s not the worst of it yet,” Fitz grouses, pointing to the image on her COMP. “Each of those pages’ve got a summonin’ circle, yeah? But take a look ‘round the edges. I snapped a few pics and brought ‘em together…”

(cont.)

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Only now do you notice that there are some sort of fragments that run along the corners. Errant designs, superfluous fragments of shapes and sketches that you figure to be without purpose or necessity.

“Okay, you see ‘em, right? Now watch this…”

You watch with rapt attention as Fitz manipulates the dials on her COMP. The six pages, each with their own intricate designs and circles, come together on the display. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the images slowly come together, incomplete designs and fragments forming a cohesive whole as they line up to form…

A bigger summoning circle. One that is, judging from the intricacy of the design and runes affixed to the circle, made especially for a powerful demon.

“This one is dormant,” She reports, dismissing the image from the display. “Hasn’t been used yet.”

“Wait, wait wait,” You mutter, trying to clear your head. Your mind’s starting to hurt at the influx of this new information. “Hold the fuck up. Yet?”

“Just as she meant it. It’s dormant,” MacKay grimly states, “There’s a faint undercurrent of energy that’s pulsing from it every few seconds, not quite unlike a heartbeat. We can’t tell what it is right now, but there’s definitely something trapped inside of those pages. And judging from the spikes on the graph, it’s quite powerful.”

...

You exhale, rubbing your temples as you process this information. “How powerful?” You eventually ask.

He looks uncertain before Fitz answers for him. “At least, if not slightly more, powerful as the snake guy we fought on the highway. Oreo somethin’ or other, the ones that those chuckefucks in Central think isn’t connected to the case.”

(cont.)

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As MacKay begins to talk to her about why it’s bad to badmouth one’s superiors, you can feel the onset of a headache. From the six faded circles, you can deduce that there are least six demons of unknown species and malignant agenda are out somewhere in the town. Six demons that are, logically, the whole damn cause behind the kidnappings.

And within the pages of the whole damn grimoire, something else is lying dormant and just waiting to bust out. Or be let out. You’re not sure which is worse, of it getting out on its own or an external force letting the damn thing free. Something with enough power to match a demon that had five agents of the Task Force on the ropes.

…well things most certainly took a turn for the worse.

“But there’s some good news that we found from this clusterfuck,” Fitz inputs, the beginning of one of her smirks spreading across her face. “The energy readin’ from the smaller pages? Some of ‘em match up to the signatures we found in the supermarket and the orphanage the other day. Whatever came out of the display definitely left a lasting impression on the store. Who knows? There might be some demons that’ve set up shop somewhere over there.”

That gets your attention. “So can we confirm that demons have taken up residence in the grocery store?”

The priest nods. “That seems to be a strong likelihood. Now that we have all the information together, it’s time to plot a course of action.”

“I say we head out,” Fitz interjects, tapping her foot on the hardwood floor. “I mean, we’ve already got ourselves a tangible lead on the bastards that’re presumably responsible for this. Why waste anymore time putzin’ around here in this dusty-” Here, she pauses, sneezing into her sleeve. "-fuckin' hell. This dusty old building?"

(cont.)

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“Because there might be some clues we haven’t found yet,” MacKay gently replies. “For instance, all the display tells us of the fragmented grimore is its origins and the author. If we were to perhaps ask a staff member, maybe the curator, even, we could find some more information.”

That elicits a pensive noise from the policewoman before she turns to you. “Eh…it’s your call, Sawbones. You’re the leader of Carina Squad. What d’you think’s best for us?”

>Stay in the museum, search for more clues
>Head to the grocery, search for the demons
>Custom option

>>48217336
>>Stay in the museum, search for more clues
Need the whole picture first.

>>48217336
>Stay in the museum, search for more clues

>>48217336
>>Stay in the museum, search for more clues
>Comm central and give them a head's up on what we found. Maybe they can arrange a government seizure of the tome.

>>48217336
>Stay in the museum, search for more clues
Would sending Fitz and Brady to scout out the grocery be wise?

>>48217420
Nah go as a team last thing we need is a surprise demon lord attack.

>>48217336
>Stay in the museum, search for more clues

You sure you're up for this, Kaz? I mean, I appreciate that you're trying to keep the SM/tg/ flowing, but...

>>48217336
>>Stay in the museum, search for more clues

>>48217979
Yeah. My health is already getting better. Lost some weight and I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. Keeping an upbeat attitude is part of the treatment. So let's positive thinking!

Writing...

>>48218050
good to hear boss. Glad you're doing better. Now all we need is for TT and bird to show up.

You mull the decision over in your head before coming to a conclusion. “We’ll stay in the museum for a little bit longer,” You affirm, glancing around the room. “As much as I want to go chasing after the missing demons, we still don’t have enough information. Sure, we’ve got a much better lead than we did a few days ago, but it’s still not enough.”

>MacKay approves +4
>Fitz disapproves -4

Fitz’s expression turns downcast before she counters. “How about splittin’ up? Send some of us over to the store, keep some here in the museum?”

You shake your head. “Too dangerous. We don’t know what came out of the pages, and I don’t want to risk anyone’s safety when it could’ve been anything to hide in the grocery store. It’s best to go together when going up against the unknown.”

She seems to be accepting of that, at least. “Fair enough. Alright, so if you’re set on stayin’ here, you think you know what you’re lookin’ for?”

Shrugging, you flip open your own COMP and start composing a message to Brady and Victoria. “Like MacKay said, we’ll probably end up asking one of the staff. Just gimme a second to let the others know what you’ve found…”

>Brady and Victoria rejoined the group.
>You quickly filled the two of them on what MacKay and Fitz discovered.

“Bloody hell,” Brady exhales, casting a nervous glance towards the display. “We’re up in it now, aren’t we? I mean, granted, it’s nice to have this lead after finding absolutely fuck all in the yesterday’s search, but Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This is a bit much for us.”

Victoria frowns. “Not with that attitude, mister.”

He raises his hands. “Just stating my personal opinion. Ain’t necessarily the truth since we had somewhat of an alright performance with Orias the other night, but I’m more worried about collateral damage, you know?”

(cont.)

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You nod. “Yeah, I get that. On the highway, we didn’t have anything to worry about. But the museum is smack in the middle of the city. It would be nothing short of a disaster if it got out.”

“So we do everythin’ in our power not to let that happen,” Fitz cuts in. “Just don’t go leapin’ to the worst case scenario first.”

MacKay hums in agreement. “That’s right. Now, according to the brochure, it seems that the current curator is one Doctor Jack Capretta, with a degree in world history and a lifetime of experience in American History. Graduated with honors from Princeton, did some teaching in Standford and retired to Lebanon after thirty years of teaching at his alma mater. He’s got an office downstairs and a lovely house in the suburbs.”

“He should be here, right?” You inquire.

“He should be. I wouldn’t see why the curator wouldn’t be here in his own museum during its hours of operation.

You smile. “Then let’s pay him a visit.”

>Entrance to the basement

The woman manning the entrance to the basement looks at you with a disinterested glance. “Good morning, sirs, ladies. How can I help you today?”

>“We’re agents of the government, and we’d like a few words with Doctor Capretta.”
>“We’re history students, and we have a few questions for Doctor Capretta.”
>Custom option

>>48218428
>>“We’re history students, and we have a few questions for Doctor Capretta.”

>>48218428
>>“We’re history students, and we have a few questions for Doctor Capretta.”

>>48218428
>“We’re history students, and we have a few questions for Doctor Capretta.”

>>48218428
>“We’re agents of the government, and we’d like a few words with Doctor Capretta.”

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You put on the friendliest smile that you can and gesture to the rest of your motley group. “We’re history students with Campbellsvile University. We’re on assignment for our professor and we’ve got some questions for Doctor Capretta.”

The woman, the tag on her shirt identifies her as ‘Lisa’, squints at the group. It’s not exactly in suspicion as much as it is one of close scrutiny. All of you are certainly dressed as plainly as you can, hovering between that fine line between formal and casual. Certainly what any modern university student would wear in good faith both on and off campus.

Hell, even though the age disparity is a little big, with Victoria being a whole seven years apart from MacKay, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t what you claim to be. That one chemistry elective you took had an Air Force retiree in his forties measuring liquids in the beakers.

Regardless, Lisa seems to buy it. Licking the side of her thumb, she opens a logbook and begins flipping through the pages. “Alright then. Do you have an appointment with Doctor Capretta?”

…well, shit.

“Ah, no, I’m afraid we don’t,” You admit, glancing nervously to the rest of your team. The only good thing about this part is that you aren't faking your apprehension. This is not good. Not good at all.

She exhales, as if she’s done this many times before. “Then you’ll have to make one. He only sees people with appointments, regardless of your reason for visitng. The closest available slot is…five o’clock later today. Would you like to take that slot?”

>Choose one:
>“Yes, please, put us down for that.”
>“I don’t see why we can’t see him now…” [Social]

>>48218947
>“I don’t see why we can’t see him now…” [Social]

>>48218947
>“I don’t see why we can’t see him now…” [Social]

We get a +30 to this as opposed to +20 since she is female.

>>48218947
>Sure! We needed to check the grocery anyway!

>>48218947
>>“I don’t see why we can’t see him now…” [Social]

I wanna see Adrian fumble here and now just for the laugh

>>48218947
>>“I don’t see why we can’t see him now…” [Social]
Let's put those perks to good use

>>48218969
>>48219002
>>48219066
>>48219189

You think about the ramifications for your next actions, consider them, inhale deeply, and put on the brightest smile you can muster. “I don’t see why we can see him now. I mean, sure, we don’t have an appointment, but if I squint at your book, he doesn’t have anyone right now.”

Lisa closes the book and coughs brusquely. “Be that as it may, I’m afraid that I’m going to have to say otherwise-”

“We’ll be in and out before you know it,” You insist, dialing up the saccharine a little bit higher, “Just no more than ten minutes with Doctor Capretta and we’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

You don’t feel the daggers in your back, or hear the sound of Brady trying to stifle his laughter. Okay, so far, so good…
Switching tactics, you channel your inner Greek philosopher and channel your pathos. “Thing is, we kinda had a hard time driving over here. Spent a good forty five minutes on the road, dodging traffic and waking up early to beat the summer heat.”

She takes off her glasses and squints at you. “Sir, as much as I’d like to help, there is a certain protocol and procedure that we have to follow-”

“I know,” You reply smoothly, still maintaining a friendly gait. “Being a student and a little bit of a part-timer on the side, I know that there’s rules and etiquette to follow. Though, I don’t like to impose. I really don’t. But I would really appreciate it if you could just let us have a brief…talk with Doctor Capretta. We’d be all kinds of grateful, might even buy a lot of stuff at the gift shop.”

Lisa seems to hesitate, glancing back towards the entrance to the basement before turning back to you. The corner of your mouth tugs in the most disarming smile you can muster as you pray to whichever deity’s watching you.

>Roll 1d100 + 30 Social (+20 for Social, +10 for Lady Killer Perk)
>Best of three

Rolled 83 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250
Praying to the Trio,

Rolled 21 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250
I'm helping!

Rolled 81 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250
Look at this one.

Rolled 34 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250

Rolled 4 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250
Rolling for posterity

Rolled 58 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48219250
How much shit are we about to catch from our team?

113 is pretty good, I'd say.

>>48219263
>>48219268
Damn, Adrian is smooth.

>>48219338
The only person who seems to get bitchy is Victoria.

>>48219338
>Considering the fact that you got Alyssa with a flat 99

Writing...

>>48219366
L A W
A
W

>>48219371
We are not having another Alyssa scenario. That is a one time only kinda deal. This girl can give us her number if she wants, we ain't calling.

>>48219474
Unless she ends up case relevant...... again.

It's only a matter of time before we get the perk for demon women, then men, then demon men, and then just generally being a fucking radiant sun of social rolls.

>>48219498
Define "relevant"

>>48219498
>Lucifer possesses her too for another round.

Goddamnit Morning Star. So insatiable.

>>48219474
Why not? She's attractive.

>>48219529
It adds way too many complications.

>>48219539
How does randomly banging some chick add complications? One night stands are a thing.

I'd have been fine with: " I don't want this turning into a smut quest."

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>>48219513
Well, the morning star is another name for Venus...


please no ban, mods. this is historical art, no one is jerking to this

>>48219512
having case information, connections to the person who did the summoning, getting attacked or seeing demons, etc.


Personally i'm betting she's the one who opened the tome...

>>48219560
Cause I'm more focused on getting the mission done than getting my fictional dick wet.

Besides you saw how Alyssa's one night stand affected Adrian.

>>48219573
I doubt it. Had we gone to grocery we never would have met her. I don't think she is plot relevant, just a gatekeeper for getting more clues.

>>48219263
>>48219266
>>48219268

>113, 51, 111

Your prayer seems to work. The cogs in her head spin as she goes over the decision of letting you in or not before she caves. Sighing deeply, she scribbles something on her logbook before giving you a hesitant smile of her own. “From one student to another, huh? Alright, see what I can do. And one last thing…”

She points to the gift shop. “You all better get something nice when you’re finished with Doctor Capretta, you hear?”

That gets everyone to laugh, dispelling the tension somewhat. And the best part is that there aren’t any daggers in your back or stifled laughter. Thank the gods. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

>>Later

After a few minutes in conversation, Lisa puts down her phone, seemingly surprised before she calls you back to the front of her desk. “Doctor Capretta will see you now,” She tells you, incredulous at the fact that you’ve got yourselves a literal drop-in appointment. “Down the stairs and a straight left through the hallway.”

Nodding, everyone begins filing down the stairs, exchanging polite courtesies with her. As you’re the last ones to head down, you turn to her. “Thanks a lot. Really, I mean it.”

She smiles. “Yeah, no problem. Wasn’t too long ago before I myself was out of university. I get the hassle of things. Oh, and don’t be alarmed by Doctor Capretta when you meet him.”

That gets your attention. Frowning, you ask her, “Wait, what do you mean by that?”

Lisa chuckles nervously. “Let’s just say that he’s…different than most curators. You’ll see when you meet him. Now hurry up! Doctor Capretta doesn't like delays..."

(cont.)

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>>Capretta’s Office
The man’s office is small, but cozy enough for at least five more people to sit in comfortably. From the width and dimensions, this part of the basement must’ve been used for storage at some point throughout the building's history. The walls are adorned with doctoral certificates, historical artifacts, the stars and stripes, and a prominent picture of the building itself.

Those don’t surprise you. What does is half of the wall dedicated to photographs; some faded and yellow, to the recent material of digital photography. But in spite of their respective ages, they all share a commonality: every single photograph has Capretta dressed up like a colonial in some sort of historical reenactment festival.

The curator himself is just as he appears in the brochure: an elderly man past his prime, but nowhere near the point of deterioration. In spite of his white hair and the faint sight of a few wrinkles going along his face, his eyes maintain the bright spark of someone passionate about their life’s work.

“Ah! You must be the students that Lisa told me about,” He says, sitting up from his desk. His words come out in a New English accent, someone born and raised somewhere in the north eastern part of America. “Please, please, do come in! I would make for a bad host to have my guests standing on ceremony. Can I offer you tea? Or perhaps something a bit stronger? I understand that you had a long time on the road just to come here for your history assignment, so you must be quite parched…”

Huh. So that’s what Lisa meant. And judging from the befuddled looks everyone’s giving you, it seems that they share your surprise.

Capretta continues, “Well, let’s get you situated nice and proper before we carry on, shall we? I myself was just about to take a break from my work. Ghastly thing, paperwork is, I tell you. I escaped from Stanford to get away from all the paper, but it seems that it’s followed me to Kentucky…”

(cont.)

On the one hand, SMT Go would be incentive for Kaz to get /fit/. On the other hand, Kaz is a QM, and The Curse strikes when most inconvenient.

>>48219844
Kaz will be hit by a truck while in Asia.

>>48219844
>SMT Go
Odd as it is, 'demons that can only be seen with certain equipment' was a thing in strange journey, so a phone game with the premise of the phone allowing you to see demons isnt that far-fetched.

>>48219755
You try to refuse his offer of refreshments, but all of you cave before his chipper attitude. MacKay is the first one to succumb, smiling and politely asking for a cup of water. Victoria and Brady follow suit, with both of them asking for tea. You and Fitz are the last ones, only surrendering begrudgingly at Capretta’s smile and the other’s pointed looks.

Though you have to admit, the iced tea is quite the relief, especially in the summer heat.

Once you’ve all gotten some form of refreshments, you all manage to settle down as Capretta returns to his desk. “So, Campbellsvile, eh? Last time I had a lecture there was way back in ’02. Better times, those were, when we didn’t have students texting on smartphones during lectures. Tell me, how is Doctor Kilmer doing? Last I heard from him, the old rascal was still teaching calculus to freshmen.”

Oh fuck.

Thankfully, MacKay seems to save all of you from answering. “Doctor Kilmer is doing quite well,” He says smoothly. You blink in surprise. For a priest, he’s pretty good at lying straight through his teeth without giving off any sort of tell. “I never took one of his courses, but from what my friends have told me, he’s quite the cutting figure in the classroom.”

“Ha!” Capretta laughs uproariously. “Damn, that means I owe him money. We made a bet years ago, long before any of you were born. I told him ‘Steven, I’ll bet you two percent of my tenure that you’ll quit calculus before our thirtieth anniversary of our graduation. You know you can’t stand freshman’. Well, it seems that I stand corrected!

“But I’m afraid I’ve let myself get carried away. So tell me, what brings you here to Lebanon of all places? Surely there are other museums that have other, perhaps even greater, historical artifacts of great significance.”

>“We couldn’t help but notice your Colonial display…”
>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”
>Custom option.

>>48219906
>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”

>>48219906
>“We couldn’t help but notice your Colonial display…”

>>48219906
>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”

>>48219906
>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”
"But uh..."
>“We couldn’t help but notice your Colonial display…”

Not really mutually exclusive.

>>48219906
>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”
easier to get stuff that isn't already done by other groups, hidden gems are a bonus.

AND SPEAKING OF HIDDEN GEMS

>>48219944
One cuts straight to the point, the other lets Capretta have a little more fun with the banter.

>>48219906
>>“Small towns are better for this sort of assignment.”
followed by
>>“We couldn’t help but notice your Colonial display…”

>>48219958
I'm afraid that if we don't cut to the point you'll fall asleep before we get anything done.

>>48219958
One segues into another while making everyone comfortable with some conversation before getting to the point.

Like so >>48219954

>>48219975
Fair enough. Though I can stay up for another few hours before picking up tomorrow as per the norm.

>>48219872
Considering the fact that I'm going to China and the Philippines...that isn't outside the realm of possibility. Both countries have drivers that can't drive for shit.

Writing...

>>48219995
>can't drive for shit
those places are completely different, though.

In the philippines, you can cross the street pretty much anywhere and cars will stop. Don't tempt fate too often, though.

In China, you bet your ass you better follow those stoplights or take the overpasses. Nobody will give a shit if you get hit.

>>48219995
>Both countries have drivers that can't drive for shit.

I can attest to that. Expect lots of shouting in either region.

>>48219995

>>48220051
Far as I've heard in China it's better to kill the guy you hit, otherwise you'll be responsible for their medical treatment.

>>48220098
Yeah people will back over the person to finish them off.

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“Small towns are better for this kind of assignment,” You reply, smiling as you cap the bottle of iced tea. “Big city museums have a tendency to get crowded really fast.”

The curator nods in agreement. “A true enough fact. Say, your accent…you aren’t from around here. You’ve come a long way from the East Coast just to attend Campellsvile.”

The fact that he was able to place your accent isn’t too worrying. You shrug. “It’s a good school, and there’s a lot of nice folks around the area. And actual people who can drive. Navigating down and up route 495 is hell when half of them are Virginians who can barely drive properly.”

You try not to make too much of a face as Fitz kicks you under the table. Oh, right. Virginian. Hopefully she doesn’t take it too personally.

Capretta seems to buy it, at any rate. “It’s a lovely place, the East Coast, with nice museums as well. But what gets me right hot and bothered in a temperamental way is the lack of…proper attitude they have to the displays within museums. There’s too much banal chatter, selfie-taking, and just seeing the museum for the sights. They don’t bother reading the signs most of the time anymore.

“So I say, ‘bah’ to interactive displays!” He says, dramatically flicking his teeth with his thumb in the approximate direction of the East Coast. “Let them keep their computers and automated tours. The world will never find a truer experience with history while they use modern technology.”

You say a silent apology to James Smithson and the Smithsonian institution. “Exactly. But while we’re on the subject of museums and displays, we couldn’t help but notice something in particular…”

That gets his attention. He leans in closer, a curious look on his face. “Oh, really now? Let me try to guess. The imported revolver from the South has drawn in a large crowd of youngsters, so that can’t possibly it. The refurbished bear trap, maybe…?”

(cont.)

Victoria clears her throat politely. “The journal. On the first floor, early colonial section. I believe the sign said that it was from…Salem, I believe?”

That manages to get the doctor to break out of his thoughts. “Ah, that’s right. Doctor Joseph Putnam’s medical journal. Did you know that he’s a direct sibling to the Putnam connected in the Salem Witch Trials? One Ann Putnam Jr., the woman responsible for the accusations to the victims. Ghastly business, it must’ve been, having to be brought up by a woman who’s lies and slander lead to the execution of twenty people.

“But it’s interesting that you’d go for the journal. Most people who come from universities head to the more…dramatic bits of our country’s history. The Revolution, the Civil War, and almost all variants of bloodshed. You must have quite the interesting assignment.”

Brady chuckles nervously. “You could say that, sir. You wouldn’t be wrong in the slightest bit.”

Much to your surprise, Capretta puts his feet up on his mahogany desk, shoving aside paperwork and utensils to make himself more comfortable. After he’s settled nicely in his chair, he smiles pleasantly. “Well, if that’s the case, then I am at your humble service! It’s not every day that we have researchers studying this period of history, let alone having the will to drive such a long distance in the morning. Just give me the satisfaction of reading your report when you send it to your professor.

“So, ask your questions! I would only be too happy to answer them.”

>Do you have any questions?
>Write-in.

>>48220244
Where'd you procure it from?

Any crazy rumors about it?

>>48220244
Are there any specifics to the accusations? What was Ann Putnam claiming they did?

Joseph Putnam....what kind of doctor was he again? It didn't SEEM like a medical journal.

Do you often open up the display for closer inspection? When was the last time that happened? Would it be possible for us to do so?

Are there any living descendants connected to the events here?

Are there any myths or legends surrounding the journal itself? Maybe something similar to a fairy tale or folk saying?

Specifics about Salem should be researched with our own methods, I think.

>>48220244
>Do you have any questions?

Have you accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into your heart?

>Where did you get it?
“An auction, if you would believe it,” He sniffs. “One of the storage lots in Louisville was having an auction of their abandoned units. Something drew me there, and when I saw this one particular unit, filled to the brim with antiques…I couldn’t resist. Spent a large amount of money to pay for it, I might add. And I can’t believe that someone would just leave a pile of valuable antiques just there. It can’t be too hard to pay one dollar per month, now can it?”

“Just out of curiosity, there wouldn’t happen to be a name attached to that storage locker?” Fitz asks, eyes narrowed.

He shrugs. “Phearson. Not that it makes any difference. The man or woman’s a veritable fool to have let such a priceless trove of history get away from him or her for only five thousand dollars.”

>Any crazy rumors about it?
“None that I’ve heard. As far as I know, this thing didn’t even exist before I discovered it in the pile. Four months is plenty of time for an urban legend to spread, but not without proper advertising.”

>Specifics to the accusations/Ann Putnam

“Oh, the usual drivel. Riding broomsticks, dancing as if possessed by demons, some nanny or wet-nurse leading away children into the woods for Satanic purposes. Typical Puritan reactions. Although in her later years, she did confess to be lying about the whole ordeal. Personally, they let her off too easily, all the families of the victims just letting her live and let live.”

Everyone simultaneously shifts in their seats and casts nervous looks at each other. There’s definitely a red flag if you ever saw one.

>Joseph Putnam
This one is on you, being the medical student that you are. “What kind of doctor was he again? I mean, it didn’t seem like a medical journal at a first glance…”

(cont.)

That gets a smile from Capretta. “My dear boy, keep in mind that this is the time period where they still bled people to make mental maladies go away. And performed amputations without any sort of anesthetic save for a leather gag. As far as the world was concerned, he was very accomplished and respected man of the medical community.”

…fair enough. You don’t really have a response to that. Besides, the pentagrams only came up when you turned the magnetite scanner on it.

>Open up the display?
“Only in a closed environment,” He states, taking another swing from his bottle of tea. “It was nothing short of a miracle that the journal didn’t disintegrate when I extracted it from the antique desk. It’s been behind a vacuum sealed environment ever since we interred it a few months ago.”

“Okay, this might be a stupid question,” Brady interjects, “But is it possible for us to get a look at it without the glass.

Capretta smiles sadly. “I’m afraid not. I can see the enthusiasm in your eyes, but even that will not permit me to let you have access to the journal. I’m afraid you’ll have to make your report without putting your hands on the book itself.”

The Englishman nods, as if expecting that. “Yeah, I figured. Worth asking, though.”

>Living descendants? Any within the surrounding area?

“Oh, without a doubt. The Putnam family is one of the oldest American families along the Eastern Seaboard. If you were to search diligently enough, I’m sure you would find a Putnam. Not that there are any in this area. What I wouldn’t give to have a conversation about their genealogy…”

>Fairy tales associated with the journal/folk sayings?
Capretta sits up in his chair as much as his upraised legs can allow him. “Now that’s quite different from rumors. Sure, there are tales and legends by the dozen for Massachusetts. Although…there is something…”

That gets everyone’s attention. “Yes?”

(cont.)

He shrugs. “It’s only a tale associated with Putnam’s time. But if you’re so curious, then I suppose that there’s no harm in sharing it. Tell me, are any of you familiar with the story of Mad Henry?”

You take a look around. Everyone’s got some sign that they don’t, from Fitz’s scrunched eyebrows to MacKay’s intrigued expression. You yourself have got no idea of any sort of this thing, Mad, Henry or otherwise.

Regardless, Capretta seems to take your puzzled reactions as confirmation of his question. “Then I shall regale it to you, in spite of the fact that I am far from a storyteller. Mad Henry was an alleged ‘black magician’ who lived sometime in Massachusetts. According to some sources, he could cast magic spells and bring back the dead to life. And, if you would believe it, they say that he got his powers by letting, get this, a demon – a demon! – inhabit the man’s body…”

He goes on to describe the sordid tale of Mad Henry, a deranged hermit with bright red eyes who pined after the daughter of a local farmer, some girl named Rachel. He showered her with gifts: goblets of pure gold, necklaces of pearl and, according to some sources, a pot of daises that never wilted. However, it was all for naught: she was in love with a man named Geoffrey, with whom she eventually eloped with.

During the wedding party, when all the town’s residents had come invited, the weather took a turn for the worse. The thunder roared and lighting flashed, and Mad Henry crashed the party, an army of the dead at his sides, eye sockets burning with blue fire. They cut their way to Geoffrey, and upon his apprehension, Mad Henry cut the groomsman’s throat from ear to ear.

Rachel had screamed and pleaded, begging the hermit to restore her husband to life. But instead, he made off with her into the thundering night. A mob was quickly formed, and they chased the corpses to Henry’s house, but there was nothing nor nobody to be found.

(cont.)

“The only thing that they found,” Capretta continues, “Was a series of illuminated globes that hang from the ceiling. They shined bright, even through the dark of the night. No one knew what they were, and no one had the desire to know. The mob torched the house to the ground, buried Geoffrey, and searched the countryside to no avail. All they could do was pray for Rachel’s safe return.”

After a year of praying, when Rachel’s family was losing hope, she appeared on their doorstep. She was dead, merely an apparition with bloodstained clothing and a bloody knife in her hands. The same knife that slit open Geoffrey’s throat. Mad Henry had cut out her tongue, so she couldn’t scream for help, but her father knew that his daughter was free at last, having killed Mad Henry after long months of madness with him. He embraced Rachel, and she gave up her soul and finally found rest.

“Now how does this pertain to Putnam exactly? Well, I did some digging way back in the day, and I discovered a wedding list for a Geoffrey and a Rachel in the early 19th century. The ink’s faded and the parchment’s nearly ashes, but for the letters ‘PUT’ was on the place reserved for the best man. Is it our Joseph Putnam? Who knows? But he is the most likely candidate since he was the only Putnam we know who stayed in Massachusetts in the years after the witch trials.”

The sound of a digital watch goes off, and Capretta checks his wrist with alarm. “Oh, dear. I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me. It’s time for me to take my medication. It’s the kind that has to be consumed with food, so I’m afraid I’ll have to leave. But it was a great pleasure taking the time with you to go over some history. I’ve missed the days when I get students coming to me for research help...”

He smacks his head suddenly. “Oh, I’m so rude. I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn’t ask for your names! How absolutely dreadful of me…”

>Aliases.
>Real names.

>>48221074
>Real names.
Lets be real guys. Aliases didn't do jack last time. It just added an extra layer of complication of being 'Andrew' around Alyssa and Madison.

No last names though.

>>48221074
>Real names

No really good reason why, just goin' with instinct.

>>48221074
>>Real names.
First names only

>>48221074
>Aliases

Chuck Steak Flank.

>>48221074
>Real names.
Just first names.

I guess cept for Fitz who just uses a shortened version of her last name. One day we'll find out and it'll probably be underwhelming.

>>48221074
>Real names

Are we going to find out Fitz's first name at last??

>>48221157
Nah she is just going to say Fitzgerald or Fitz with no indication that it's her last or first name to a stranger.

>>48221074
>>Real names.

You smile, extending a hand out to Doctor Capretta. “Adrian. It was a real pleasure to talk to you.”

He returns your smile with one of his own, and extends his own hand to clasp yours in a strong grip. “Charmed. Doctor Capretta, at your service.”
That’s the signal for everyone else to come up an introduce themselves. They pick up on your lead, giving their own respective handshakes and first names. Everyone except for Fitz. When MacKay finishes his exchange, she hesitates, mulling over before she comes to a decision.

“Fitzgerald, sir,” She eventually mutters, shaking his hand. “It was a real pleasure speaking to you.”

Aside from a raised eyebrow, he proceeds to shake her hand without any further incident. “The pleasure is mine, miss. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go take my leave. There’s a grilled chicken sandwich in the staff fridge with my name on it!”

With that, he bows politely and sprints out the door…only to turn back and say: “If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to come back during open hours. I’d be more than thrilled to entertain your questions again.”

>>[12:24 PM]
“Okay, now what?” Brady asks, munching on a bit of sugar candy he bought from the gift shop. “So we got a little more information, definitely some good leads. Ann’s accusations line up with the current events, and while I’m hesitant to rely on a ghost story…”

“These aren't normal circumstances,” MacKay completes for him, exhaling. “Both are leads definitely worth pursuing, but those take time. What we do have-”

Victoria interjects, “Are definite energy signatures on the demons that came from the journal. Both of which are at the orphanage and at the grocery store. Both are soaked with magnetite, but if we’re operating with Adrian’s safety concerns in mind, then we need to all go as a group.”

“Exactly,” You agree. “Everyone get in the car. We’re gonna head to…”

>The orphanage.
>The supermarket

>>48221284

>The orphanage.

>>48221284
>The orphanage.

Time to kil-...SAVE the children.

>>48221284
>The supermarket
orphanage is too high profile....right? The supermarket had subtler signatures?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>48221284
Rolling tiebreaker

>>48221284
>>The supermarket

>>48221284
I deleted my vote. Just go with the Orphanage.

Kaz is dead.

>>48221632
got runover by a car while looking for brunch and accidentally spotting Pixie and Alice on his phone.

>>48221632
>>48221655
Nope and kek.

Writing...

>>48221632
No he's just in teh final stages of QMLichdom, soon he will reawaken and be more powerful than before

“Orphanage. If it weren’t for that, I’d go to the supermarket, but there’s more of a clear and present danger with the kids than with the adults in the frozen yogurt section.”

Fitz nods. “Good choice. Thing is, there’s only one problem…”

“What’s that?” Victoria tilts her head.

“Getting inside of the building,” she replies, fanning herself with one of the museum brochures. “I think we got lucky with Capretta when Sawbones convinced the lady at the museum. Not so much with an orphanage. Last I checked, you’ve gotta really have an appointment. They don’t mess around when there’s kids involved.”

“She is correct,” MacKay interjects. “There’s a very long and complicated process when it comes to even walking inside of the door. It’s no small amount of paperwork, background checks, and a whole lot of hustle before you even get to see one of the kids.”

Brady finishes his sugar candy with a particularly loud CRUNCH. “So what, we’re shit out of luck?”

You shake your head. “Not necessarily. We can always just keep an eye from the car, do a few magnetite scans in the area…”

Everyone stops walking and just gives you the flattest stares they can muster. It takes a few moments for your brain to catch up to what you said before you scowl and clear the air with an exaggerated motion. “Okay, bad choice of words aside, I think the best we can do is surveillance. Maybe.”

“And if there are demons in the orphanage?” Victoria asks.

“…haven’t got to that part yet,” You admit. “But we’ll burn that bridge when we get there.”

MacKay chuckles. “I believe that the phrase is ‘we’ll cross that bridge when we get there’, Adrian.”

You shrug. “Considering our track record, MacKay, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bridge just blew up.”

“If it makes you feel better,” Brady interjects, as you all finally reach where you parked the car, “I’d pay to watch a bridge explode.”

(cont.)

“Because that’s so comfortin’ to hear from you, Brady,” Fitz grumbles as she clambers into the car. “Really damn comfortin’…”

>>One fast food stop later

Two hamburgers and a side of fries later find all of you idling on the sidewalk a good block away from New Connections orphanage. It’s a quaint building, but one that’s got some love rubbed into the frame. The outer walls have a fresh coat of paint on them, and there’s no small amount of home improvement that’s gone into the structure itself.

Adjacent to the side, there’s a furbished playground encircled by a white picket fence. The youngest kid couldn’t be older than four and the eldest you’d peg at fourteen. But it seems to be a fair split of sexes, races and ages spread across twenty something kids that’re running around the playground without a care in the world.

“Damn, I feel old,” Brady grouses from the back of the car. “I miss the days of running around like a snot-nosed little twat.”

“There's a difference?” Fitz mutters.

“Oi!”

She laughs, and even Victoria manages to stifle her giggle. “Just ribbin’ ya. Nah, you’re alright, Brady.”

“Alright, time to cut the chatter,” You order, shutting off the car. “Here’s the plan. Two of us are gonna circle the perimeter of the block, magnetite scanners active and reading for energy signatures. Haven’t decided who’s going out yet, but the second one of us finds something, we share it with everyone else, clear?”

Everyone voices their agreement.

“The rest of us are gonna stay in the car, safely away from the building. Run scans, do research on the new information…and be sure to ring up Central and tell them what we know. They might provide some insight.”

Fitz snorts. “Doubt it. Not with their heads up their asses."

“…dully noted, but with that said, here’s how we’re gonna split this up…”

>Select two people to circle the area
>Select three people to stay in the car

Gonna hit the sack. I've got a doctor's appointment in the morning, and as soon as that's done, I'll pick up the thread. Feel free to shadowrun and shitpost while keeping it bumped in-between.

>>48221815
Cricle. Fritz, us.

>>48221815
Mackay and Vicky for circling.

Brady and Fritz would fuck it up somehow.

MacKay would be good enough to talk his way out of any issues and the last time two men circled an orphanage in my town a SWAT team got called

>>48221815
Mackay and vic for circling.

>>48221815
circle Mackay and Victoria

>>48221827
Kaz, Adrian and Fritz should post as prospective parents and maybe adopt a kid.
Maybe the cute blonde girl in the blue and white dress.

>>48223114
you mean the little girl who shows up in all the pictures at the orphanage for the past 50 years? Yeah, that's a great idea!

>>48223150
>Yeah, that's a great idea!
It is! Just think how lonely she has to be. She's been at the orphanage for 50 years and nobody wants to adopt her, so she has to watch all her friends get adopted and leave her.

>>48221815
Mackay and Victoria circle.

>>48223212
At least she has the nearby forest to play in. Really, it's such a beautiful place, all that red glistening on the bushes and splattered across the ground, almost like blood!

>>48222574
Seconded

>>48219844
>SMT Go

On one hand, fuck yeah. On the other, I'd rather not have someone catching me running into Mara.

>>48224609
>Literally chasing dicks in your free time.

>>48225044

Nothing wrong with that, unless Mara hides in some gay club like the Pulse just to get us all shot.

Mara's a dick like that.

Soon.

Bump.

File: Black-Cadillac-Escalade-L(...).jpg (102 KB, 640x367)

102 KB JPG

>Victoria and MacKay circling
“Alright,” You say, making up your mind. “Victoria, MacKay, think you can keep a low enough profile? I mean, in spite of our good intentions, the whole set up looks very creepy to the uninformed. You two look the least harmless and least likely to attract suspicion from passerby.”

MacKay nods slowly while Victoria blinks owlishly. “Okay, if you say so. And if we do end up getting questioned by the locals?” The mechanic asks. “I’m not as good of a liar as MacKay is. You know, Stan, I’m honestly curious. How were you able to pull the wool over Doctor Capretta’s eyes when he asked that question?”

That actually causes the priest to wince, laughing sheepishly as he rubs the back of his head. “Ouch. Well, at one point in my life, I was an actor for my school’s drama department. Even did a few college plays on the side before I entered the seminary. Please don’t say that I’m good at lying. The term ‘acting’ is much more palatable and applicable in our situation.”

She smiles. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, then. Still, I’d rather have you do the talking. I don’t like doing it since it reinforces a bad stereotype, but if things get desperate, I’ll play the ‘no speak English’ card.”

Brady snorts as he gets his computer set up in the back. His eyes are on the computer and his fingers make the tell-tale clickety-clack as they punch the keyboard. Still, he manages to divert enough attention from his work to the group. “You’re putting quite a lot of faith in his lying skills, no pun intended. Not that I can blame you. I’m not good at ‘acting’ either.”

“Be that as it may,” You cut in, “You should have an established story just so you don’t have to improvise. Got anything?”

Fitz smirks as she shifts in the shotgun seat to face the rest of the group. “Oh, that’s easy. The go-to for cops incognito is ‘the couple’. Think you guys can make it work?”

(cont.)

File: VictoriaSheepish.png (105 KB, 444x522)

105 KB PNG

Victoria’s throat doesn’t make it past her throat, cutting off in an embarrassed squeak as she blushes up to the roots of her hair. Likewise, MacKay blanches at the suggestion, his face paling before the blonde starts to laugh. “Jesus, your frickin’ faces are too much for me! Damn, I should’ve had my camera with me…”

“F-Fitz!” The mechanic’s face scrunches up into a combination of embarrassment and anger.

“Ah, I’m just kiddin’ with ya. You know how much I love to mess with ya, Vicky,” She retorts, grinning a predator’s smile before sobering up. “But in all seriousness, the best cover really ‘the couple’. Maybe you can add in a bit of ‘tourist’ since we’re technically from out of state?”

MacKay finally seems to have recovered. Somewhat. “I-I appreciate the suggestion,” He retorts, his tone wavering before it levels out into a firm alto. “But, there are lines that I will not cross, even in the name of our duty. This is no disparagement against you, Victoria, as you are a beautiful young woman, but I’m afraid that I am still sworn to celibacy. And that will not change even with ‘acting’.”

To nobody’s surprise, Victoria doesn’t seem to be too put off by the priest’s declaration. If anything, she’s relieved before she smiles nervously at MacKay. “Thanks, and…I guess I can’t really blame you. Man of God before you’re an agent of the Task Force, right?”

“Precisely.”

You shoot Fitz the look and glare at a laughing Brady to shut up from behind his computer. “Maybe it’s for the best leave it to their discretion if the situation should arise. As long as you deliver it like you did in Capretta’s office, then you’ll be good to go.”

“I very much hope so,” MacKay exhales as he exits out of the car. Victoria is quick to follow behind him. “Okay, so about this: we’re university students on assignment, just the same as the museum. You're on that study abroad program..."

(cont.)

The ‘couple’ disappears as they round the corner, their voices fading into the dull roar of the town. You reach around and close the door behind them, sinking into the leather of your chair. “Was that really necessary?” You voice without looking at anything in particular.

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Fitz shrug as she pops open her COMP. “The suggestion? Absolutely, but the delivery…okay, that could’ve had work. Didn't expect 'em to get THAT flustered over fakin' it."

“Just don’t do it again is what our leader’s asking of you,” Brady mumbles, munching on half of a granola bar. “The last thing we need is to have both our mechanic and priest explode out of embarrassment. MacKay was looking ready to give up the ghost.”

Shaking your head, you likewise turn on your COMP and start dialing the number to Central. “Right. Alright, I’m gonna call Central, tell ‘em what we’ve got. After that, here’s what we’re gonna do.”

>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.
>Stay stationary, do some research on the new information.
>Custom option.

>>48226780
>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.
Have Brady focus on research. Fitz and Adrian can do the scans.

>>48226780
>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.

>>48226780
>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.

>>48226780

>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.

>>48226780
>Drive around the block, get some in-depth area scans.

I want to bully Victoria

>>48226862
No bully, faggot

So after recent the recent writefaggotry I gave our companion's possible alignments some more thought and this is what I came up with:

>Victoria
Law (Order aspect of it)

>MacKay
Law (Religious aspect of it)

>'Fitz'
Neutral

>Brady
Slight Chaos (In the getting along and really liking demon kind aspect that we saw in Jimenez in Strange Journey)

Just a guess though, probably wrong.

>>48226862
I want to be bullied by Fritz.

>>48226964
Really? I thought Fritz was Slightly Chaos.

>>48227141
Her personality might seem that way, but her actions don't really.

Charging headfirst into the ocean against a demonic water horse to save kids isn't really World of Strength philosophy.

She was also a cop that seemed to take her job seriously.

As it stands I can't really peg her as Chaos or Law.

>>48227201
>Her personality might seem that way

Hell if you read DS London quest, the MC of that was similar to Fitz personality wise but ended up being the Neutral champion.

The first trill of the dial tone barely finishes before you’re connected to Central. A different analyst takes your call, one Agent Goodwin, but the procedure remains the same. He listens with rapt attention as you relay the details of what’s happened over yesterday and this morning: the Seedbed, the magnetite signatures, and Joseph Putnam’s not-medical journal.

“We read you good and clear, Agent Brown,” Goodwin answers, “And we appreciate the update. This bodes quite ominous, your readings and reports, but we trust in Squad Carina’s abilities to carry out the mission. And we understand that Agent Brady is doing research onsite, but if you like, we can dedicate some of our members to supplement his efforts and aid in anything you may have missed.”

It’s out of habit that you nod, even though he can’t see you. “Yeah, I’d appreciate that. I’ll be signing off now.”

“Roger that. Best of luck with the mission.”

With that, you shut off your COMP and turn back to the group. You grunt as you start the car, feeling the purr of the engine as it surges to life. “Alright, look alive, everybody. Keep it subtle, keep it incognito. These windows are tinted, but not enough that someone squinting won’t be able to see what we’re up to.”

“Got it,” Fitz drawls, powering up her magnetite scanner. The machine whirs to life with a shrill whine as she holds it up against the window. “Ready when you are.”

“Brady, you get anything yet?”

The Englishman shakes his head. “Too many damn copypasta stories about Mad Henry and not enough historical texts about the Putnams. But I’ll keep at it if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Glad to hear it. Alright: remember, keep calm and don’t attract any attention…”

(cont.)

It’s half of an order and half of a prayer that comes from your lips as you pull out of the parking spot and merge into the main road. It’s a black sedan; of course it’s going to attract attention. Hopefully just the kind that elicits curiosity and not suspicion.

>Roll 2d100 + 50 Perception (+50 due to Magnetite scanner)
>Best of three

>Choose one:
>The Mechanic
>The Operative
>The Priest

>>48227397
>The Operative

Rolled 66, 54 + 50 = 170 (2d100 + 50)

>>48227397
>The Operative

Rolled 28, 38 + 50 = 116 (2d100 + 50)

>>48227417
damnit forgot my dice

Rolled 24, 63 + 50 = 137 (2d100 + 50)

>>48227397
>The Operative

Rolled 71, 52 + 50 = 173 (2d100 + 50)

>>48227397
>The Operative

Rolled 95, 73 + 50 = 218 (2d100 + 50)

>>48227397
>The Operative

ending already Kaz?

>>48227806
Nope.

Writing...

File: Analyst Stations.jpg (161 KB, 1201x785)

161 KB JPG

>106, 78, 74
>104, 88, 113
>The Operative

Your name is Nicholas Goodwin, analyst and five-year member of Task Force 666. You were once a working stiff in the United States Army, but your sudden discharge and retirement lead you to the streets of D.C., and eventually, the Situation Room of the world’s largest Devil Summoners organization. And you couldn’t be any happier.

“Roger that,” You finish, scratching down something on a nearby sheet of paper. “Best of luck with the mission.”

And with that, you flick off your headset and sigh in relief as your temples are freed from the device. They always make them too small, and the one you’re wearing is the largest one stock had. Sure, it did a good enough job at keeping in place on your skull, but the discomfort of the metal pressing into your skull was not a pleasant feeling.

“And…boom,” Jenkins declared triumphantly, stretching in victory as best as her seat would allow. “Thank God that’s finally over.”

You swivel to your compatriot, a wry smile on your face. “Commander Sparda’s report? His information request?”

She blinks before answering. “Yeah, that’s right. How’d you know?”

“Because you’re exhibiting signs of ‘Sparda Syndrome’.”

“The heck is that?”

You turn to give her your full attention as you tick off your fingers with every word to come out of your mouth. “Frustration, annoyance and a general desire to smash one’s head into the wall due to the incessant specifications of a certain Division Commander. And frequent sighs of stress, relief or a combination of the both of them. It’s an occurrence that happens to people that have to work with him."

That manages to get a laugh out of her. “So it’s actually a thing. I thought I was the only one.”

You shrug as you massage your temples. “Nope. Almost every single one of us analysts has had to work with the Commander at one point or another. The man’s a legend, but his demands…”

(cont.)

“Are very demanding,” She finishes with a scowl. “Seriously. I heard that he reduced one of the guys in station eight into a nervous trainwreck without even shouting. What kind of man does that?”

“Someone who has to operate with incredibly high standards,” You counter. “Considering that his Summoners are the ones that go into the worst of it.”

Jenkins concedes at that. “…fair enough. But would it kill the man to get the stick out of his rear end?”

“Are you suggesting for him to start acting like his brother?”

“Absolutely not,” She immediately retorts, holding her hands out in an ‘X’ formation. “I’ve heard the stories, about the inane demands and pranks. I’d rather deal with a professional than some borderline devil-summoning hobo with a giant sword.”

“I agree with you completely. Most of us are just wondering if the man’s doing it only out of sheer boredom.”

“Or for shits and giggles.”

“Mmmm. That’s not outside the realm of possibility.”

The two of you sigh the sigh of those burdened with the brunt of the Task Force’s weight on your shoulders. As important as field agents were, the internal bureaucracy of the Task Force was just as important, if not more so. They were the ones who held everything together, kept the organization from turning into a disorganized mess.

“Lunch’s coming up soon,” Jenkins muses, tugging at her collar. “And it’s too damn hot here, even with the AC. I’m getting a drink. Want anything from the vend?”

“Cola would be fine, thank you very much,” You answer, returning to your work. “And I’m afraid that I can’t join you or the others just yet. I need to set up an automated search for a field team before I head on out.”

“Really? Which team?”

“Squad Carina.”

That gets her to whistle, surprised and impressed. “Oh, Commander Alger’s new crew? They’ve made quite a name for themselves. That Kelpie case and holding off Orias…”

(cont.)

“No small feats, especially for a team only two months in their employment with the Task Force. He’s trained them well.”

“Apparently,” She nods in agreement, before exhaling and fanning herself with a manila folder. “Okay, I’ve reached my heat tolerance. I’m getting us some drinks. How soon can you get to the cafeteria?”

“Within a few minutes,” You answer. “See you then?”

“Yep. Make sure to actually get it while it’s cold this time.” With those final words, Jenkins departs, maneuvering past stations of analysts talking into headsets and furiously typing into computers. The automatic doors at the bottom of the floor open at her entrance, before closing and cutting off her receding footsteps against the tile floors.

You exhale, crack your joints and being going to work on your computer. “Inputting search parameters…” You mutter as your fingers dance around the keyboard. “Mad Henry…Joseph Putnam…Salem….Phearson…”

Once you’ve selected the appropriate filters, you hit the search icon and sit back and relax…
…only for your screen to turn a bright red and the following words blink glaringly from your monitor.

>ACCESS RESTRICTED
>CLEARANCE LEVEL 5 REQUIRED
>CONTACT SUPERVISOR FOR FURTHER ACCESS

“What the hell?”
In all your years of working with the Task Force, you’ve never had this come up when researching for teams. Frowning, you adjust the terms of search, going to the lowest level of clearance you can possibly muster…

>ACCESS RESTRICTED
>CLEARANCE LEVEL 5 REQUIRED
>CONTACT SUPERVISOR FOR FURTHER ACCESS

You try again, this time taking out a few of the keywords…

>ACCESS RESTRICTED
>CLEARANCE LEVEL 5 REQUIRED
>CONTACT SUPERVISOR FOR FURTHER ACCESS

…you scratch your head, wondering what the hell is tripping the system-

“Agent Goodwin.”

(cont.)

I hope we didn't just get Goodwin killed

>>48228213
well we might owe the good agent a cold one after this.

>>48228248
We'll poor one out for him later.

Caught up in your activity, you failed to notice the arrival of your supervisor…accompanied by the Floor Director himself, one Jonathan Smith, sunglasses and sharp suit in all. Both of them stand behind you, not quite glaring at you, but not quite staring placidly. No, their interests lie on the results on your computer screen.

“Agent Goodwin…” The Floor Director slowly intones, eventually turning to look at you with eyes hidden behind tinted frames. You can’t see his eyes, but you know for a fact that he’s boring straight through your body and soul. “If you could please explain what’s going on…”

…you say a silent apology to Jenkins and the lukewarm soda in the staff longue as you begin to answer your superior’s questions.

>>Carina Squad
[1:35 PM]

“You seein’ this?” Fitz mutters.

You grimly nod. “Oh, yeah. I’m definitely seeing it.”

“I can’t see shit, leader,” Brady pipes up from the back. “Magnetite scanner-”

“Shut up,” You and Fitz dryly shoot back at him.

“Well, remember how we said that we’re up the creek without a paddle?” She eventually exhales.

You turn to her with a worried look. “Yeah. What about it?”

“It’s now rainin’ shit.”

“…yes it is, Fitz. Yes it is…”

Of the strange energy readings found in the museum, no less than four of them –FOUR!– lead straight through the walls and into the building of the orphanage proper. And judging from how wild the dials and meters on the device are flocculating and spiking…

“We can confirm that we’ve got active demons on the perimeter,” You hiss. “And that they’re definitely there, right now as we speak.”

Brady looks up from his computer, the third of his granola bars dropping out of his open mouth. “Oh fuck.”

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” Fitz mutters, fingers twitching as if reaching for a weapon. “Okay, now what?”

>Deploy everyone now.
>Wait for a less conspicuous time.
>Custom option.

>>48228440
>Contact command, ask for clearance.

>>48228440
Can we put ourselves on standby? Armed and ready to engage at the first sign of conflict, or is that not possible?

>>48228440
>>Deploy everyone now.
GO MY DEMONS! SAVE THE CHILDREN!

>>48228440
>Wait for a less conspicuous time.
We can't start a firefight in the middle of the day in an orphanage. Hell I don't think we can fight them at an orphanage at night either. Too much collateral.

Is it possible we can rig up a Magnetite or Magutsuchi snack/trap for them? Nearby so they can sense it and go to it, but a decent ways away from the orphanage?

Or we can somehow have the humans in the orphanage evacuate somehow?

>>48228440
>Wait for a less conspicuous time.

>>48228440
Warn Vic and Mackay

>>48228493
>>48228509
These are options. But keep in mind that the demons might not be waiting on you.

>Magnetite
You do have the bag of pure Magnetite (500 units I believe) that you got from the Spriggan for clearing out its vegetable garden. You could use that and set it as bait for the demons.

>Evacuate
That's possible. You could call it into Central, give permission for Brady to fake a gas leak or some other not-too-threatening emergency for the kids to evacuate.

I don't mind spit-balling a little bit and postulating a specific plan.

>>48228440
>>Custom option.
Radio Victoria and MacKay, see if they have any info

>>48228596
There is also those mind wipers we have in case we have to be overt.

Expensive but this seems like a scenario where we might have to use them.

I like the trap idea. It keeps the human kids out of the line of fire.

>>48228596
>>48228622
yeah i'm for a trap as well we might not even lose the magnetite if we are a little Lucky and act fast.

>>48228596
We might actually have to use both the trap and evacuate plans if not all the demons go for the MAG.

Okay, let's take a vote. And you will be calling Central no matter what you take, so...vote.

>Set a trap with the Magnetite and lure the demons
>Evacuate the building, then clear the demons out

>>48228714
>Set a trap with the Magnetite and lure the demons

>>48228714
>>Evacuate the building, then clear the demons out

>>48228714
>>Evacuate the building, then clear the demons out

>>48228714
>>Evacuate the building, then clear the demons out

>>48228714
>Set a trap with the Magnetite and lure the demons

>>48228751
>>48228738
>>48228764
Ok guys, tell me what happens if the emergency responders show up while we are fighting demons.

And what about the damage to the orphanage from our fight? That doesn't come from a 'gas leak'.

I feel like you guys aren't thinking ahead here.

>>48228798
luring them out in the middle of the day is liable to be even worse.

>>48228813
The demons are incognito in a orphanage and grocery. I assume they have human forms or are incorporeal else they would have been spotted already.

>>48228714
>>Set a trap with the Magnetite and lure the demons

>>48228714
>Set a trap with the Magnetite and lure the demons
I'm willing to try the trap first. If it works well it should be clean. If it doesn't or we don't get all of them we can try evacing.

>>48228813
besides to what that guy said if we lure them we can get them to where we want them to be so in area where there are no civs or is tacticly better for us and set up an ambush.

>>48228798
There's no guarantee that all of the demons will fall for the trap, and clearing the them out of building gives us the chance to snoop around.

>>48228896
There is never any guarantees.

There is no guarantee that a child might stay behind cause he is a dumb kid and get caught in the cross fire.

There is no guarantee we can beat the demons and get out before emergency crews show up.

There is no guarantee that our ensuing fight won't blow up the whole damn building.

Had to take a quick break for a second. Let's see...

>Magnetite Trap
>>48228732
>>48228773
>>48228849
>>48228883

>Evacuate
>>48228738
>>48228751
>>48228764

Magnetite trap it is, then.

Writing...

>>48228798
>And what about the damage to the orphanage from our fight? That doesn't come from a 'gas leak'.
Swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus.

>>48229296
There is precedent for it. I heard that happened up in Manhattan once.

>>48229329
Heard it blew a hole straight through a semi-truck. Crazy shit, eh?

File: FitzSkeptical.png (92 KB, 443x547)

92 KB PNG

An idea suddenly strikes you, a foolhardy one admittedly, but one that should minimize civilian and collateral damages. “Did I tell you that we’ve got magnetite in the back of the trunk?”

Both Fitz and Brady blink owlishly at you before the latter responds. “No, you didn’t. When the hell did you get that?”

“Before we kinda blew up a small portion of the fairy kingdom, MacKay and I helped a spriggan take care of a few odd jobs. Gave us a pouch of magnetite for our hard work. Five hundred units of pure magnetite: a veritable honey pot to any demon.”

You can see Brady catching on to what you’ve got in store. “Dude, are you thinking about…”

“That’s right,” You nod. “We set a trap for the demons and lure ‘em out of the orphanage. Then, we hightail it to somewhere where there aren’t a lot of people and fight them then and there.”

>Brady approves +5

“It’s not a bad idea,” Fitz slowly says, staring at the orphanage, “But it’s hella risky, Sawbones. Because it’s midafternoon, yeah? And even for a small town, there’s bound to be traffic and tons of other obstructions that can muck our getaway. Not to mention what might happen if they get disinterested in the bait and head straight for the closest civilian.”

“We don’t have any other choice,” You counter. “I would love nothing more than to keep it contained, but that would take too much time to do. Clear it with Central, then with local authorities, then the fire department…we’re gonna have to cut some corners.”

She hesitates before nodding. “Well, when you put it that way, guess I really can’t argue with you. I mean, I try not to make a habit of it but…

“You’re right," she exhales. "Sometimes, doin’ the best thing means cuttin’ past red tape that law and protocol binds you with. So as long as you take responsibility for your own actions, yeah?”

>Fitz approves +3
>Chaos +2

(cont.)

You try not to blink. Brady does a good job of conveying both of your surprise. “Wait, what?”

Fitz’s laugh is dry and devoid of any sort of humor. “I explain later. We’ve got orphans to save, right? The demons aren’t gonna let themselves outta the building.”

“…right,” You cough, flipping open your COMP. “I’m gonna ring up Central. Let ‘em know what we’re getting up to. Can one of you guys get Victoria and MacKay back here on the double?”

Brady nods. “On it, boss.”

>>Two phone calls later
“Okay, Central gave us the go-ahead,” You say, gesturing towards Brady, “And we’ve got the green light to drive like the ‘Dukes of Hazard’ if things get ugly. Did you get that pass into Lebanon’s traffic grid Central passed along?”

He chews the end of his pencil as his fingers fly across the keyboard. “Yep. Patched in and ready to go. Just give the signal, and I’ll get us a straight path out of the town.”

“Glad to hear it. Victoria, MacKay, did you get all of that?”

“Yeah, yeah…we…definitely got all of that…” Victoria gasps, panting as she leans heavily on the side of the car. MacKay mutters an affirmative between deep breaths. Judging from their heavy breathing and flushed faces, they must’ve hauled ass from the other side of the street to get back here as fast as they could.

Fitz frowns. “Are you guys okay? It shouldn’t have been that far of a run.”

“Not…when you have…to dodge traffic…” MacKay wheezes.

Ouch. “Aw, crap,” You mutter. “Sorry about that, guys.”

“It’s…alright…” The priest responds, activating his COMP and fiddling with the controls. “Wasn’t a total waste…got some nice…data…”

“Alright. Setting up to receive data package....”

(cont.)

Rolled 79 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48229807

MacKay and Victoria’s intelligence confirmed what you know and dispelled a few uncertainties. Yes, there are demons on the upper most floor, an attic probably. But from the few scant shots they had of the children, they were all slightly doused in magnetite, but not enough to have been in extreme contact with a demon.

No one’s possessed. Thank God.

But as far as the four demons are concerned, they’re still up there. Slight movement, probably restless behavior, but nothing dramatic. Yet the only bad side is that you still have no idea what you’re going up against.

“Alright. Here’s the plan…”

>>Later
[2:35 PM]

“Remember how I said back in Delaware how you’re certifiably crazy?” Victoria mutters, seated in the driver’s seat as the car idles on the sidewalk.. “Because I take it back. You’re insane.”

You snort in spite of yourself as you make your way towards the orphanage. “Yeah, I get that from time to time.”

Brady’s voice comes over the COMP. “We could’ve jury-rigged something to open the sack from a safe distance. There wasn’t any need to have you open it.”

“I made the plan,” You counter, weighing the magnetite bag from one hand to the other. “Least I can do is kick the proverbial anthill by myself.”

“Just be careful,” MacKay intones.

“I know.”

The children have disappeared back into the building, their lunch break over. You can stand on the corner without too much suspicion, but it’s still somewhat sketchy to find a grown man holding a mysterious brown sack close to an orphanage. You’d report yourself if you could.

Tanned leather soaked in animal fat. Completely neutralizes the signature that magnetite can emit. Good thing it’s sealed pretty tight. The fairy’s definitely know how to make their stuff to last and work well.

And it is with a seamless motion that you yank the cord off the sack and expose the purified magnetite to the open air.

>1d100 + 30 Agility
>Best of three

Rolled 36 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48229850
Look at this one.

Rolled 100 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>48229850
Does the roll that got linked to your deleted post count?

>>48229880
I don't think it matters. Good job Anon.

>>48229880
ADRAIN FUCKING BROWN MED STUDENT

>>48229880
FUCK, WE RAN FASTER THAN USAIN BOLT.

>>48229880
World of AGI

>>48229880
AND HE RODE IN ON LIGHTNING, FAST AS A FLASH!
ADRIAN~
DEMONS BEHIND HIM, HOT ON HIS ASS!
ADRIAN~
MIGHTY AND FEARSOME, PROUD OF THEIR BRAWN!
ADRIAN~
THEN THEY BLINKED, AND REALIZED HE WAS GONE!
ADRIAN~

>>48229880
now i want a picture of Adrian being chased by a bunch of demons barely capable of keeping up, while carrying a bag of magnetite flipping them the bird.

>>48230143
Drawfags, drawfags, please come here

>>48229880
Adrian drives like mad.


>>48230143
We can only hope to have drawfags and writefags come for this quest now.

>>48230143
also with like the biggest shit eating grin you can imagine.

>>48230143
>>48230243
And Alyssafer swooning.

File: 1453753282708.gif (1.76 MB, 500x612)

1.76 MB GIF

Th-thread soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ8G1pqGRzs

Almost done writing...and laughing my ass off...

>>48230269
Kaz, are you sure Adrian hasn't become a Meta/Choujin already?
Because, he keeps doing stuff that makes me think he just hasn't realized it yet.

File: Demons.png (1.29 MB, 1576x1000)

1.29 MB PNG

The instant the scent of magnetite hits the air, there’s a horrific crash on the upper floor of the orphanage. The windows facing your street shatter as _things_ break through the opening, driven into an absolute frenzy at the smell of your treasure. You take stock of them as best you can: three moth-like things with glowing red eyes and frothing at the mouth, accompanied by what can only be described as a bipedal white deer with claws razor sharp.

Yeah, these definitely aren’t the normal customers you’re used to serving.

As one, they lock onto you, pure and unabated hunger in their eyes. Three gaunt shrieks and a guttural roar split the air and set the ends of your hair standing straight up as they tear through the air and head straight towards you at breakneck speeds.

Yep. Time to go.

You’ve never been one for track and field, but your training with Alger at Cocytus has certainly paid off in spades. You tense up your legs, close the bag as much as you can without sealing off the scent, and tear down the road as fast as you can.

Quite fast, apparently. In spite of the demons’ abilities to fly, you’ve still got a large amount of a head start against them as you race towards the black sedan.

“Oh, shit!” You can hear Brady curse over the COMP. “Mothmen and a wendigo?! Just fan-fucking-tastic-”

“Shut up and open the door for him!” Victoria shrieks. You can hear her shifting the gears of the car through the static of the headset. “We have to get out of here, now!”

The sedan’s tires spin on the ground, screeching and burning rubber as it pulls out of the sidewalk. It turns, presenting its left side to you, and the door opens to the sight of Brady and MacKay reaching out towards you and shouting encouragement. Once you make it within distance, you make a jump that wouldn’t be out of place in the Olympics and dive towards the car door.

(cont.)

>>48230426

And land face first right into Victoria's lap.

Or MacKay's lap. No homo

>>48230426
3 moth men and a wendigo glad we didn't storm the place that could have been extremely messy

>>48230475
>Not Fitz's lap

>>48230492
So fire is a safe bet against the Wendigo, what should we use on the mothmen? Also what is each of their particular flavors of cheese?

>>48230539
>Not Fitz's lap

I was thinking her commentary on that would be best if we did land in Victoria's or MacKay's lap.

Although now that I think about how she'd react if we dived right into her... Maybe it should be Fitz.

>>48230475
Not Victoria's man. She's... Cray cray. Fritz might have a giggle though.

Mackay, forgive me father I have sinned.

>>48230589
we Could always land in one of their laps while getting our legs entangled with the others.

>>48230539
Mothmen are weak to wind (weirdly) and getting shot in the face.

>>48230426
You just as much crash into the seats as much as Brady and MacKay catch you, falling back from the sheer force of the inertia. A second doesn’t even go by before Victoria floors the pedal and rockets down the side street. Mackay fumbles a bit, reaching to close the door just before it crashes into a parked car.

“Holy shit,” You wheeze, rubbing your head where it collided against Brady’s chin. It’s a tangle of legs and limbs as you try and stand up from where you’ve got Brady pinned to the cushion. “Holy fucking shit…ow, that was really fuckin’ close. Too damn close for comfort.”

All the Englishman can do is moan, clutching his chin. “FURK, MER CHIN! oWWWWWWW”

“Brady!” Fitz shouts from the shotgun seat. “We need a getaway path, now!”

She points ahead, to the sight of idling traffic. Victoria curses in Japanese, flipping a switch on the side of the dashboard. In an instant, the Cadillac’s sirens flare to life. Some cars get the hint, and they try to make way, but it’s not enough. The stoplights ahead aren’t in your favor.

“Okay, okay!” Brady retorts. “Adrian, you’re a nice bloke and all, but if you could get off me so that we don’t crash, I’d really bloody appreciate it!”

You mutter an apology as you maneuver around MacKay, hoisting up Brady with your free hand. He accepts it, cutting through the gap between the seats to get to his station in the back seat. “Okay, okay, if everyone could just calm their asses…” He mutters, punching the keyboard. “And done!”

It was if a switch had been thrown. The closest analogy is Moses parting the Red Sea, because that’s what happens when Victoria zips through the streets of Lebanon, unhindered by stoplights and oncoming traffic.

“Adrian!” She shouts, swerving to avoid a blast of Ice from the demon. “Chikushō! Not you, the demon. But where are we going exactly? I’d appreciate a destination!”

>The town’s outskirts
>The fairy realm

>>48230750
>The town’s outskirts
they will probably be more likely to follow

>>48230750
>The fairy realm
Okay maybe not IN the fairy realm but the forest that surrounds the entrance.

>>48230750
>The town’s outskirts

After I said all that, I had a dreadful feeling you'd involve Brady. Damn you.

Also let's not drag in the Fairies with this. We can take the bastards and they might not exactly appreciate us dragging rabid demons into their realm.

>>48230750
>>The town’s outskirts

>>48230750
>The town’s outskirts

>>48230750
>The town’s outskirts

>>48225129
CARLOS!

>>48230783
>>48230791
>>48230803
>>48230803
>>48230812
>>48230819

“Head for the town outskirts!” You moan, clutching your head as the blood in your brain attempts to level itself out. “But don’t head into the fairy realm. I think it’s rude to show up on the doorstep with rabid demons on our trail!”

“Got it!” She shouts. You didn’t think it was possible, but she floors the pedal even harder. The car lurches in response to the pressure, and the speedometer begins to slowly climb higher and higher.

“Uh…Vicky?” Brady nervously inquires from the back seat. “You’re goin’ really fast there. I mean, you’re a good driver and all, but don’t you think we should slow-”

Fitz shouts over him. “Can’t stop, won’t stop, don’t stop! We’re chowder if those demons get any closer. They don’t have too much guilt at blastin’ us with magic in open daylight, but we can’t fight back! We’ll get our chance to strike back later!”

“She’s right, unfortunately,” MacKay intones, still surprisingly calm in spite of the bedlam. The only sign of concern is the twitching eyebrow at the sight of the demons behind you. “I’d rather not be skewered if I can avoid it.”

You shake your head. “Okay, okay, Vicky, just…just try not to hit anyone, okay? Everyone buckle up, because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. And…just so we’re clear, here’s what’s gonna happen when we stop. I’d rather have a battle plan now than forming one up on the spot…”

>Focus your attacks on:
>Attack the Wendigo
>Attack the Mothmen
>Neither. Even spread.

>>48231044
>Attack the Mothmen
remove adds also they are weak to our most common weapon.

>>48231044
>Attack the Mothmen
I hate these guys. Shoot em first.

>>48231044
>Attack the Mothmen

>>48231044
>>Attack the Mothmen
remove bugs

>>48231044
>Attack the Mothmen

Annoying little fuckers. Also, we going by SMT4 for the Wendigo's level? Who says we got to kill them, could just TALK and recruit them.

Isn't the Wendigo scariest? Why are you shooting the little guys?

>>48231157
Kill the adds before the boss. Also the bugs have some annoying abilities, the wendigo is more of a brute.

>>48231157
cuz they have annoying as fuck attacks and the most common tactic is remove adds also weak to gun and force and guess what most our team is armed with gun and both pixie and angel have force angel even has needel gun just in case.

>>48231157
Weak to Gun potentially

Speedy little shits that can support the boss too well. Kill em now and focus down the boss with the full team.

>>48231144
Nope. These demons are rabid, like Full Moon phase in SMT:SJ. And even if they weren't, you're only Lv. 19. MacKay is 21. Wendigo is Lv. 25 in SMTIV.

Writing...

by the way i just realized something all our teams expect for ours are realy heavy on the ice and we only have one fire user we realy need to recruit some new demons cuz we have some shitty spread.

>>48231248
I've been feeling that since the first case. Really need more spread.

>>48231210
>And even if they weren't, you're only Lv. 19. MacKay is 21. Wendigo is Lv. 25 in SMTIV

Could have Fusion Booster and even then it's not unknown for the main protag to have a demon higher than his level.

>>48231266
on the nice side a large part of our teams resists and some even null ice we do have few that are weak though.

File: Leanan Sidhe.png (1.07 MB, 600x900)

1.07 MB PNG

Oh, fuck. I forgot to add Brady's Leanan Sidhe to the demon sheet.

+ Leanan Sidhe (Lv. 11) [100% Loyalty]
-- Race: Femme
-- Alignment: Neutral-Chaos
-- Personality: Friendly, Flirtatious, Horny
-- MP: 94

--Weak to Force
--Moderate Physical Abilities
--Skills
--Marin Karin [3 MP] (50% Chance to inflict Charm on the Enemy)
--Media [12 MP] (Restores small amount of HP to all allies)
--Heal Pleroma (Boosts healing by 25%)
--Life Bonus (Increases HP by 10%)

>>48231248
>>48231266
>>48231306
If you want to dedicate a session to recruiting more demons and training our current roster, I'm more than happy to accommodate.

Writing...

>>48231368
poor Brady.


Also yes please everyone needs a slightly better spread.

>>48231368
that would be nice having a little bit of a catch up session when we have the room to do so the fairy realm would be a great place to gather some.

>>48231368
Damn, will Pixie ever be that attractive?

>>48231368
>If you want to dedicate a session to recruiting more demons and training our current roster, I'm more than happy to accommodate.
As long as we can also ask Titania about why Pixie Kimono.

>Will
>Ever
That suggests that Pixie isn't the most attractive. Which she is.

>>48231423

Pixie a CUTEST.
A CUTEST.

Equal in CUTENESS only by Alice, but she's only for daughterfu.

>>48231423
when she transforms into titania for now cuteness is her main stat.

>>48231368
Need fire demons plz

>>48231462
>when she transforms into titania
Doesn't work like that famalam. There is only one Titania.

>>48231479
now you say that like it can't happen kaz has already said that named demons can get replaced under certaint circumstances by anothere demon.

>>48231462
>>48231495
Pixie evolves into a Queen Mab. provided the spot is absent.

>>48231495
Name one?

We already talked about this awhile ago. The Titania ruling is THE Titania. There is only one. Unique demons only have one simultaneous existence, you can't fuse em.

>>48231520
note replaced not copy. this means the previous incarnation is gone.

“We get the Mothmen first,” You say, “Get rid of the mooks before we hit the big bad boss guy. In every video game I’ve played, it’s the little guys that prove to be the most troublesome aspect of the battles.”

Fitz snorts. “Yeah, well we aren’t exactly operating on video game rules, are we-"

“No, he’s right,” Brady says, frenziedly typing on the computer. “Database says that the Mothmen specialize in support magic. Attack boosts, speed boosts, it varies from demon to demon, but it’s widely accepted that they’re pains in the ass.”

She blinks. “Well I stand corrected. Alright, Brady, what the hell are these flyin’ fuckers weak against?”

He squints at the screen, cursing as Victoria swerves violently to merge onto the beltway. “Force skills…and Gun.”

Even from your position in the middle row, you can see Fitz’s mouth break out into her trademark smirk. “Oh, well why didn’t you say so sooner? Say, it’s a real shame all the good guns are in the back of the trunk. Think we’ve got enough time to set up an ambush?”

“That all depends on whether or not we can make it past rush hour,” Victoria replies. “Hopefully, we can. Adrian’s stunt brought us enough breathing room to do something really quickly. Unless you just want to grab the guns from the trunk. Which in that case, keep the safeties on and the magazines out of the receivers, please.”

>>Forest Outskirts

[3:04 PM]

Victoria managed to get onto a stretch of straight forest road once you all cleared the beltway. From there, she didn’t have to worry about anything else as she just floored the pedal. By the time you reach the designated spot, and start getting ready, the demons are somewhat winded, but still hungry.

(cont.)

“MAG, MAG, MAG, MAG, MAG!” They chant as they fly straight towards your position. "GIVE US MAG."

“Oh, you’re getting it alright,” You mutter, as you flick the safety of your M4 from Safe, to Single Shot, to Happy Mode. “With a nice lead filling. OPEN FIRE!”

>Ambush, guaranteed hit
>Roll 6d10 + 4
>Hitting Weakness multiplies damage by x2
>You have 24 shots in your M4 left

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6cSbof7Pik

>>48231590
I think that made Fitz's day right there.

Rolled 4, 1, 6, 1, 10, 4 + 4 = 30 (6d10 + 4)

>>48231635

Rolled 3, 8, 3, 10, 3, 2 + 4 = 33 (6d10 + 4)

>>48231635

Rolled 4, 3, 6, 9, 9, 1 + 4 = 36 (6d10 + 4)

>>48231635

>8, 12, 10, 14, 14, 8

>>48231650
>>48231669
>>48231673
4, 8, 6, 10,10, 4
+4
8, 12, 10, 14, 14, 8
=
66
x2
132
+10%=+13.2
=
145 damage

>>48231710
>>48231724
not bad not bad at all we got some splattered bugs.
now for the big mean snowman.

i say for our combie against the wendigo we go gryphon and angel gryphon is null force so he can tie up the big brute in melee real nice like and angel resists ice.

File: blendnoob29_m4_render_med(...).jpg (21 KB, 440x440)

21 KB JPG

>>48231650
>>48231669
>>48231673
>>48231710
>>48231724

With the combined arms of the entire group, the three Mothmen caught in the crossfire aren’t perforated as much as they’re turned into Swiss cheese. They don’t even have time to shriek as their bullet-ridden bodies jerk violently in the sky, before falling and crashing onto the forest floor. One of them even makes a particularly wet noise as it smacks into a tree trunk.

But the Wendigo doesn’t seem to care. With a hair-raising roar, it plants itself firmly in the ground and bellows a challenge towards Squad Carina. Then, its eyes direct itself towards you, the last human who held the bag of prized magnitite in its hands.

“Demons!” You shout, shouldering your rifle. Your fingers dance along your COMP as you move to activate the Demon Summoning Program. “Summon them now!”

>Brady will summon:
>Jack Frost
>Leanan Sidhe

>Fitz will summon:
>Apsaras
>Lham Dearg

>MacKay will summon:
>Hua Po
>Knocker

>Victoria will summon:
>Gremlin
>Tagata Manu

>Which demons do you wish to summon?
>Please select two demons:
>High Pixie
>Angel
>Gryphon

>>48231829
>Angel
>Gryphon

>>48231829
>>Angel
>>Gryphon

>>48231829
>Angel
>Gryphon

Getting dinner. BRB.

What kind of demons do you want go get next session?

File: dds19.jpg (48 KB, 550x550)

48 KB JPG

Kaz is gone, post Pixie.

>>48232035
Fire. But if you want specifics I'll need to do research on something around our level in Strange Journey levels.

>>48232035
I'll be honest. Sexy ones.

>>48232035
Pascal!

>>48232035
A fire demon, maybe one that can or will be able to use darkness attacks, and someone to buff attacks.

>>48232035
well i'm not very familiar in demons but the elements that we currently lack in our personal roster are a elec demon a fire demon and a dark demon

>>48232089
High Pixie is Electric.

>>48232089
high pixie is electric, but we do need the other too, also more buffs and debuffs.

>>48232111
does she learn higher tier elec moves at a later lvl? i can't remember i thought she mostly learned support moves at later lvls.

by the way do any of our current demons learn higher tier ice moves at later lvls?

>>48232035
Pyro Jack is an obvious one.

Parvati is at level 25 in SMT 4 and she is always a keeper.

Vouivre is at level 26 and she is pretty good too.

Moh Shuvuu is a fan favorite which I think should go to Fitz cause it'll be hilarious.

I'll keep digging.

>>48232035
Mara

>>48232179
pyro jack should be easy to get they are pretty common.
Parvati would be quite a bit more tricky since she is an indian demon but who knows.
i'm digging the vouivre looks realy unique though that greed bit could make it a pain.

>>48232179
>>48232035
Bai Suzhen at 23

Kabuso

Raijuu

Ippon-Datara

>>48232281
>Ippon-Datara
RIP Persona Quest.

>>48232281
>Ippon-Datara

still crying on the inside.

>>48232307
>>48232308
You're not the only ones.

Sadly, it was probably for the best.

>>48232281
>>48232307
>>48232308
RIP in peace, we will never get to kill Teddie

File: Gu_Huo_Niao.jpg (46 KB, 517x747)

46 KB JPG

>>48232281
>>48231829
Azumi (I know we already have a lot of Ice, just finding demons close to our level.)

Gu Huo Niao (has good assets)

>>48232422
>has good assets
Do not fuck the demons.

>>48232489
100 Macca Brady is going to be drowning in demon pussy by the end of this.

>>48232422
gu hou is pretty shit looking at it as well just a simple agi based phys attacker.

>>48232489
Sparda fucked the humans and he didn't get in trouble.

>>48232035
>>48232422
Phoenix - Level 25

>>48232422
I vote this.

>>48232538
>Forgetting that Sparda is fucking dead

>>48232590
>Not reading the quest

Commander Sparda is Virgil. So good luck with that.

>>48232590
Probably wasn't related to him banging Virgil and Dante's mom.

>>48232545
Phoenix is nice if i remember correctly it gains the ability to revive the dead at a certaint point

File: Sparda_(Model)_DMC4SE.png (2.44 MB, 1270x2750)

2.44 MB PNG

>>48232604
Wrong Sparda. Their dad, this dapper fellow.

>>48232545
>>48232035
Oh we should get someone Koppa Tengu. That's a fun evolution train.

been awhile since you updated character + wasn't Fitz like 7-8 away from BF level?


>>48232762
yeah.

>>48232770
Something like that.

>>48232762
Vicky is the most likely to get one being a japanese demon and all that but who knows.

>>48231852
>>48231860
>>48231871
There is a bright flash of light that fills the forest clearing as Carina Squad’s demons are summoned into reality. And to her credit, the flirtatious Leanan Sidhe immediately recognizes the gravity of the situation and moves to defend her master. Angel and Gryphon stand by your side, the former hovering at your shoulder while the latter croons and paws the earth.

“Give ‘em all you’ve got!” Fitz shouts, shouting at her demons. “Debuffs, now!”

Lham Dearg roars in appreciation and slams his weapon against his chest as Apsaras begins to chant in Sanskrit. From their hands, the familiar sight of Rakunda and Sukunda lash out to bind the Wendigo.

>Buffs/Debuffs V1
>Taru-: Every level infers +/- 30% to Total Damage inflicted
>Raku-: Every level infers +/- 30% to Total Damage reduced
>Suku-: Every level infers +/-10 to Combat Modifier.

>Wendigo: -1 Defense (+30% to Damage received), -1 Hit/Avo (-10 to Combat Modifier)

It’s your demons' turns now.

>What should Angel do?
>What should Gryphon do?

>>48232770
>>48232782
I'm gonna calculate it after this session finishes.

>>48232785
I imagine nationality doesn't matter much in the grand scheme. MacKay has a Chinese demon.

>>48232799
>What should Angel do?
Zan
>What should Gryphon do?
Bouncing Claw.

>>48232799
Gryphon sukukaja
angel sukunda

>>48232821
I'll second this.

>>48232799
>What should Angel do?
Dormia
>What should Gryphon do?
Sukaja

>>48232799
>What should Angel do?
Zan
>What should Gryphon do?
Sukukaja

“We need to move up an make an offense,” You shout, pointing towards the Wendigo. “Angel, hit it with force magic. Gryhon, buff us all.”

“Yes, master/RAWK!”

The Wendigo roars as winds as sharp as swords race along its skin, leaving lacerations and cuts as it travels along its body. And before it even has room to breathe, Gryphon fires off a Sukukaja, and you can feel the magic course through your limbs. You’re faster, more alert, and definitely have a sharper insight of your surroundings.

>Wendigo is Lightly Wounded.
>Wendigo: -1 Defense (+30% to Damage received), -1 Hit/Avo (-10 to Combat Modifier)
>Carina Squad: +1 Hit/Evo (+10 to Combat Modifier)

The rest of the party moves in after you: Brady, MacKay and Victoria’s demons attack with their most powerful attacks. With the debuffs and buffs you and Fitz have already laid down, there isn’t too much of a need to supplement the support magic.

Blows are exchanged, darts fired, but it is the searing flames of Hua Po that elicits the most reaction from the Demon. The demon howls in pain as fire licks at its skin, turning white fur into shriveled clumps and cooking its skin. It is unlucky, as Hua Po blasts him once more with the attack.

>Wendigo is Wounded

But in spite of the terrible damage you inflicted on the demon, it still stands. It is wounded, and definitely not in the pristine appearance it had been back in town, but it still is capable of fighting regardless. With an angry roar, it bellows out a challenge and casts a spell on itself.

>Wendigo used Tarukaja!

“Oh crap-”

That’s all that’s able to escape from your mouth before the demon unleashes a frigid storm of ice at the whole of Carina Squad

>Wendigo used Mabufu!
>Roll 1d100 + 40 (+30 Combat, +10 Agility)
>Best of three

Streamlining combat is HARD. HARD, I tell you!

Rolled 77 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

>>48233260

File: 548_-_Decarabia.jpg (221 KB, 1188x1564)

221 KB JPG

This guy is pretty cool, shame he's lv50