Contacts:
Italo, a taxi driver, you have his card
Esa Main, a young unkempt moody looking man, or woman... hard to tell. Runs the Forrester front desk and is always drawing in a sketchbook. Has what he calls an "electric memory" and doesn't forget what he sees. He remembers your cousin.
Kimberly Summers, "a desperate college student from Darbane University is up next trying to make this months tuition". Also a performance artist who knew your brother. Member of the Alpha Rio Theta sorority. "vegan".

Clues (Things you might want to look into later or follow up on)
-Weird dude in a cherokee headdress with a badge saying SNS on it who works at The School of the Original Sensation, in a picture with your brother.
-The School of the Original Sensation, a consciousness raising educational facility that runs classes at 10, 2, and 6 on weekdays, taught primarily by Ben Windfeather and Daryush Madari, the founder of the school.
-Darron Kingston. Your cousin. Works in Cybersecurity. Likes guns. Disappeared five years ago until you found a picture of him on an obscure internet forum. Turns out he used to be a regular and a fighter at Sad Mary's.

Corpses:
So far, none that you know of.

Stuff You Have:
Light weight travel bag on wheels
a change of clothes: white t-shirt, jeans, sneakers
Umbrella
cellphone
Bar uniform: If you know King of Fighters then like King's outfit. Vest, pants, bowtie, gloves, women dress shoes
Purse: ID, $200, business cards
A Photograph of your cousin in front of the Forrester, a hotel built by a gargoyle obsessed artist
A rented room in the Forrester for a week. Strangely, it's the same room your cousin stayed in.
Esa Main's graphite pencil

And now for quest!

You are in Sad Mary's bar. You've just finished speaking with Kim before she went on stage to weird you out with her performance art. Right now she is leading the crowd in an animal chant of "Who's there?" while spinning topless around the stage.

Nope. Too bizarre. Nope. But you know Darron was a regular at Sad Mary's so it is time to ask around.

What's next?
(1) Well, maybe you should talk to the people who aren't currently drooling over Kim's performance. Show Darron's photo around. See what happens.
(2) There are prostitutes upstairs. They might... know something. Or have skills. Both?
(3) The "real action" in the back room sounds interesting. But how do you get in there?
(4) That guy behind hte bar with a moustache is probably the owner. You bet he's probably in the know.
(5) The tattoo covered viking gang members who work as security. This is clearly a bad idea right now. Half of them will be pissed since they want to watch the show, the other half are busy working. You really want to do this?
(6) Leave. There are better leads elsewhere.
(7) Some other option? Maybe something from an earlier thread you wanted pursued or this coold new idea you had.
(8) Trust in the something like spider sense to lead us to something interesting.* (Note: Interesting thing not guaranteed helpful or survivable)

(pick as many as interest you. vote early and often! I'll try to work in any that get votes)

(I'm adding the Clues section to help manage info. I won't be able to put EVERYTHING important there btu I figure it might help jog memories, especially if we can keep this going for awhile. Is it helpful?)

Also we need a finalized pick on Marie's weakness. To speed things up I offer MYSTERY WEAKNESS
(a) Mystery weakness. I promise it'll show up and be relevant.
(b) Nope. We're picking. It has to be something that gives a penalty to some actions and is important to the character. Substance abuse, injuries, and even personality traits can be weaknesses.

>>753743
>That guy behind the bar with a moustache is probably the owner. You bet he's probably in the know.
(a) Mystery weakness. I promise it'll show up and be relevant.
Mystery box

>>753727
While I'm putting together the next post, thought players might want a quick rules explanation.

I've put the original over the edge system in a blender with what the game's author liked about Apocalypse World. So basically, when you do something iffy, it's roll 2d6. On a 6 or lower, things are bad. On a 7-9 you succeed but there are consequences (like getting hurt in the process or something being more expensive than you think). On a 10+ you succeed.

The original game had a system of bonus and penalty dice which gave you extra dice to roll and you'd pick the best (if bonus) or worst (if penalty). So that is how your traits, difficulty, and mystery weakness get factored in.

For somethings I'm not bothering to roll since they seem to be just part of the character (like the sticky fingers ending up with something you've stolen or the something like spider sense giving you a read on a choice before you take it).

Hope that makes sense.

>>753872
You approach the bar. The balding pudgy man smiles at you through his full black moustauche. He's leaning against the wall while drying glasses, ignoring the show that has most of the patrons entranced.

"So you must be the cousin," he says. "I'm Frank. This is my bar."

(cont)
roll+4d6

Rolled 2, 5, 2, 5 = 14 (4d6)

>>755029

Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d6)

>>755078
"Darron told me a bit about you. Not surprised to see you here, though I'm surprised to see you so soon. Drink?"

>>755100
Before you can respond he's put a drink in your hand. It looks like a glass of beer. It tastes like a glass of beer. Hopefully it is just a glass of beer.

Too bad that didn't occur to you until after you swallowed some. Too late now.

"So I guess you're looking for him, eh? I haven't seen him recently but I know some people. Heck, I know pretty much everyone."

In the background, in response to the crowd's repeated chanted begging of "Who's there?" Kim has begun reciting something backwards so fast that you can't quite follow it. In fact, the only people who seem to be making sense of the words look particularly buzzed.

"Don't mind her. Kim's good at working a crowd and it keeps her saner than most of the strippers. She's doing a little something for the shockers."
(cont)

>>755162
"Now before you ask any questions, let me just make one thing clear. I'm quid pro quo but I'm fair. I owe Darron a little bit for some work he did for me and he hasn't been by to cash in so until it runs out I'll charge any help I give you to his tab. First one's free though. Everything and everyone has AT LEAST three layers. So, what else you wanna do?"

(1) Why would you let me use Darron's tab. It's his, isn't it?
(2) What is a shocker?
(3) What work did Darron do for you?
(4) What did he tell you about me?
(5) Can you tell me where he is now?
(6) What do you mean quid pro quo?
(7) What was in that drink?
(8) Kim seriously makes money doing strip knock knock jokes while speaking in high speed gibberish?
(9) Any other questions you might have. Frank is connected. He may not know all the secrets, but he at least has hints to all the hidden truths.

(pick as many as you want to ask him about. I'll make sure they get answered unless things get crazy)

(The first die roll was one of those QM rolling something secret. I'll tell you later, maybe. But you think it relates to how much Frank knows about you.)

(The second die roll was to resist reflexively taking a sip of the drink)

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>755196
I'll pick a question to answer randomly just to keep things moving. Hope that is ok. Tell me if it isn't.

>>755196
You have so many questions. But a slang term you don't know? You know what a shocker is in other contexts, but that doesn't SEEM to be what he's saying.

"So what is a shocker? You say that like I should know what it is?"

He laughs. "That's your first question? Well, it's named for a drug. Shock. It enhances all yoru senses to a rather ridiculous and sometimes painful degree. The whispers are for them. Louder sounds can be pretty painful to someone knew to the drug. Taking it in a crowded strip club is... well, they pay me so I shouldn't talk shit about them."

"So they're just people on drugs?"

"Specific drugs. Shock does that. Slowmo slows down everything, makes time seem likes it's crawling. Specific local blends of LCD can make lots of neat sensory stuff. We got the cutting edge of illicit pharmacology here, no pun intended. Darron would sometimes use Shock or Slowmo before a fight, which made them all the weirder to watch."

Ask more questions?
(1) Why would you let me use Darron's tab. It's his, isn't it?
(2) Tell me about Darron's fights. I don't remember him being much of a scrapper.
(3) What work did Darron do for you?
(4) What did he tell you about me?
(5) Can you tell me where he is now?
(6) What do you mean quid pro quo?
(7) What was in that drink?
(8) Kim seriously makes money doing strip knock knock jokes while speaking in high speed gibberish?
(9) Any other questions you might have. Frank is connected. He may not know all the secrets, but he at least has hints to all the hidden truths.
(10) Other option. Leave? Talk to someone else? Back to the hotel for the night?

>>756326
1, 3, 6 9
What's this guy's angle?

Rolled 1, 6, 1 = 8 (3d6)

>>756776

"Well that's something. So I want to know. Why are you letting me use Darron's tab? It's his isn't it?"

(rolling for pumping this guy for information)

>>756844
"Yeah. It's his. But he's been gone awhile and when a professional contact goes missing for awhile... let's just say I'm invested. Plus he was pretty clear that your tab was his tab," says Frank.

"Wait, he knew I was coming here?" you ask.

"Well, you're here aren't you? He's a pretty bright guy. Was it the Craig's List ad that got you here? He'd been trying to send you a message for awhile." He winks.

"Um, a photo. In an internet forum." You show it to him without thinking.

"Yeah, I remember that. He was supposed to be around when you finally arrived but things seem to have gone off plan. I don't know if there are enough breadcrumbs to follow so you might have to find him the old fashioned way."

"Ok," you think for a second. "So he worked with you? What work did he do?"

"What'd he tell you he did?"

"Cybersecurity."

Frank laughs loud enough to hurt the ears of a nearby shocker. "Wow. Ok. Well, I guess that isn't wrong. He was data courier. Point A to Point B. He completed a job for me and a week later was just gone.

"So yeah, I owe him. He did work for me, probably worth more than he was paid in cash so the rest gets made up in the best currency there is: good will. And that extends to you. The only relative he thought would wonder about him after he left."

"And that's what you mean by quid pro quo?" You ask. "Cash and good will."

"Or whatever else we need to deal in. I'm flexible. I'm not hung up on these old style definitions of value. Currency is what you can get for it and for example, my good will means my connections which can get you quite a lot. Like say gift passes to the School of the Original Sensation, discount taxi drivers that are overly helpful, or a specific room in a hotel."

"Wait... what? The room?"

"I pull strings. I was told you'd be getting in soon so I thought I'd look out for you. As a favor to Darron. So yeah, Italo was handpicked to be your driver. If you need help you call him, if he can't handle it, he'll get word to me."

"So then what's your angle?" You give him a sly look.

"Well, I need money. I need couriers to move the money. I'd like Darron back on the job. Good help is hard to find. So I'm glad you managed to make your way here since we both have the same interests at heart."

You're pretty sure that he's telling the truth but that he's also leaving something out. Specifically you think he has other angles on whatever is going on with this. You may not know what they are, but he seems like the kind of guy who'll find a way to make a profit whatever the outcome. That said, at least he's playing straight with you here.
(cont)

"Alright then," you say.

What's next? Stuff in paranthesis are vibes or impressions you're picking up from reading people or the sorta spider sense thing.
(1) Tell me about Darron's fights. I don't remember him being much of a scrapper.
(2) What did he tell you about me?
(3) Can you tell me where he is now? (Probably not)
(4) What was in that drink? (the daily special probably
(5) Kim seriously makes money doing strip knock knock jokes while speaking in high speed gibberish? (now it seems because she caters to a very specific crowd)
(6) What's the deal with the School of the Original Sensation?
(7) Any other questions you might have. Frank is connected. He may not know all the secrets, but he at least has hints to all the hidden truths.
(8) Other option. Leave? Talk to someone else? Back to the hotel for the night?

>>756895
>>756895
6.
Also thank him for looking out for us even though it's creepy. Unless he has any leads for us or more stuff like that I think we're done here.

Rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8 (3d6)

>>757252
"So what is the deal with the School of the Original Sensation? Do you actually have passes?" you ask.

"Hippie new age bullshit. They claim that through meditation and practice you can achieve some sort of awareness... like a chemical free version of shock or slowmo I guess. Profound awareness and shit like that." He snorts. "They say it's cheaper n better than drugs but... well.. those classes are expensive. But yeah, I could get you in some classes. Swing by tomorrow and I'll have them for you."

"Well," you say. "Thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate the stuff. Unless you have something more specific to go on for my cousin..." He shakes his head. "Well I better get looking. There's a lot of island to search."

He gives you a serious and quiet look for a second and says, "Be careful, babe. The Edge isn't what it seems. Lots of freaks disguised as normals. If you don't have them, best get yourself a weapon and a working cell phone. Best believe everyone else is carrying something."

You nod and head out. You have many options you could pursue. The obvious ones include trying to get a weapon, figuring out why your cell isn't working, and what your cousin might have left in the room.

But those thoughts are interrupted by someone rushing you from behind and giving you a giant bear hug. You don't know anyone on the Edge so this means one thing. Kim has decided to make friends.

"Hey, you left! I wanted to talk to you more." She's holding your hand like more than an acquaintance and is dancing lightly on her feet in the rain. "I'm always so energized after a show. Also funded. It's a living. And an education. So... where you off to? Let's go!" She starts trying to lead you in a direction. You're not sure if she knows where she is going. It might be interesting to roam the streets at night, but that doesn't mean it would be safe.

What do you do?
(1) Nope. She's too weird. I'm going somewhere else. (Where? The hotel? Another bar?)
(2) Let's see where the night takes us!
(3) Something else?

>>757505
One of the earlier players seemed disturbed by Kim but I kind of want to invite her back to our room. That's my vote. Or we just go with her.

>>759712
Ok. She's certainly willing though she pressures you to swing by a liquor store to pick up some vodka and mixers. Unless you object, it is a quick stop and then you're walking back toward the Forester.
(cont)

>>759773
The rain is almost completely gone when you stop. Something doesn't feel right. Kim is humming happily and holding your hand. She doesn't notice until she realizes you aren't walking with her anymore. She doesn't let go of your hand.

You notice a crowd on the side of the street giving you a strange look. It's a group of men, all squat and muscled ranging from dwarfish to ogreish, each wearing spiked collars and bracelets. "That her?" The largest one says, a man with an X scar carved into his cheek.

A midsized man wearing goggles and a wifebeater says, "Yup. That's the one." He's looking at you. They start walking towards you. Luckily you noticed them first.

What do you do?
(1) We saw them first. Flee!
(2) Flee but use Kim as a distraction. Throw her to the creepy men.
(3) It's just a gang. I'm a bartender with a sixth sense. I can take them in a fight. (SERIOUSLY?)
(4) Talk to them to try to see what they want. Maybe there is a peaceful solution.
(5) Call for help. You haven't seen a payphone but maybe Kim has a working cell?

>>759803
Can our sense or people skills tell us how likely (4) is to work? That if we have a good chance. Otherwise run.

Rolled 3, 4, 5 = 12 (3d6)

>>760341
I thought we had more players. Oh well.
I guess the slow playstyle for this quest (instead of an hour or two of binging) isn't working for players.

I'm going to keep it moving though.

>>761291
They might be open to you coming with them without violence, but you don't think they'll budge on coming with them. If you speak first you can probably avoid a fight as long as you're willing to let them take you.

(1) Let's talk it out. I can always try to run later.
(2) Let's see what they want and where they want to take me?
(3) FIGHT! (the odds are against you on this one)
(4) FLEE!
(5) Other

>>761302
I'm torn between the smart and interesting. Flee on 1, go with on 2.

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d6)

>>761736

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>761736

Rolled 35 (1d101)

>>761800
You stop. These guys are dangerous but they are also a lead. You're not sure why but you're pretty sure you don't have anything physical to fear from them. You start walking towards them, your hands up. "I'm unarmed. Clearly you want something from me. Let's avoid any attention calling violence in the middle of the street. I think I saw a cop car not long ago."

As you get closer, you see most of the men are brawny and tattoo covered. Most of them have a large pentagram on their arm or neck. Unlike the young yuppie Satanists you used to meet working suburban bars, these guys at least seem hardcore.

(cont)

>>764833
"Ok. Unexpected. Interesting. I like that. Guys, no beatings unless they try to run!" The gang looks disappointed. "I will be your delivery boy. Someone important wants to meet you face to face and I'm not allowed to tell you whom. However, I'm told I should promise you that they know where 'he' is. Who's he?"

Kim is clearly very nervous and blurts out, "Her cousin! Please don't hurt us!"

"Ooh, family! Fascinating. So you're family and interesting to the important. Fascinating. We should be friends." He holds out his hand to shake yours. Running up his bare and muscular arms are a motley mix of tattoos, made up primarily of crude arcane symbols or what look like video game characters. "I'm Hulk Smash. You can call me Hulk. Or Smash. Or whatever. It's a silly name. I know it."

"So I'm just supposed to follow you down a dark street?"

He shakes his head. "Oh no. We have a limo." He pulls out his phone and sends a text. "Didn't think we'd get to use it. I'd like to ride with you. Ask you a few questions. Get acquainted." His motives are transparent self interest and powerful curiosity but unlike some people you've met, he seems to be an open book.

"Well, limo it is. Kim?" You turn to look at Kim as the limo approaches. She turns bone white when she sees a skull hood ornament, mouth in a sharp smile and eyes with tiny red stones glittering.

"Um. That car belongs to..." She turns to start running. Hulk Smash sighs and waves a hand. One of the smaller men catches her easily and sweeps her legs. You can't quite see what he does to her but when he turns back to your group, Kim is unconscious and the man is carrying her on his shoulders.

Hulk frowns. "That's too bad. I'm sorry for that bit of violence but I did warn you not to run." The limo pulls up and Hulk opens a door. "Thug1, tie her up securely so she doesn't try to jump out of a moving vehicle. I'd hate to put a premature end to her career."

The big man grunts and nods and puts her in the car gently, like a sleeping baby. The rope he uses appears to to be soft and velvety, more like what is used for gentle dominance games than for holding a prisoner. He exits and nods. "Thank you, Thug1. I'm going with her. You guys carry on. Have fun." Hulk Smash smiles and jumps in the car. "Well, come on!"

You climb in and the door shuts behind you.

That's the last for this thread since I think we'll be saging soon. Next thread will pick up with our limo riding benefactor.