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File: a2695404434_10.jpg (387 KB, 900x900)
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Some resources: https://mega.nz/#F!rFIDxRRK!IEzkLlroRoPwmDqtxKRMsw

Discord: https://discord.gg/GQMr35k

Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/G48KCHjz (Now updated with new stats and journal entries)

Interlude & Chapter 7: >>1279480

June 20th, 1977. 8:00 AM
The gentle twilit glow of the low-hanging Hedge sun in your Hollow dances over your eyelids as you rise from the boxcar you were sleeping in. Breakfast is preserved pork slices and rolls. You start thinking about how to spend this day before the Summer Solstice:

>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Hit up contacts for leads?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Write-In
>>
>>1300406
>Visit someone you know?
Breakfast with the gang?
>>
>>1300458

this works for me too
>>
>>1300406
>>Visit someone you know?
>Breakfast with the gang?
>>
>>1300458
This. Splurge on something nice.
>>
>>1300458

I like this
>>
>>1300458
>>1300573
>>1300620
>>1300628
>>1300790
You decide against saved faerie pork and rolls for breakfast: instead, you fling yourself into the Hollow's pond and have a quick bath, then head through the tunnel in the pile-up of crates that leads to Terry's basement. You find your giant friend asleep in an armchair in front of the TV. The CBS morning news sparks and flickers onscreen; there must be something interfering with the signal. As you reach over to shake him awake, you hear the screen door on the front of the house slam shut. You look up: nothing there. You start to look around the house...

Roll Wits + Composure (4 dice).
>>
Rolled 7, 4, 7, 1 = 19 (4d10)

>>1300804
>>
Rolled 5, 7, 6, 8 = 26 (4d10)

>>1300804
>>1300804
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 4, 10 = 17 (4d10)

>>1300804
...Mary?
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1300899
Rolling explosion to complete set.
>>
Rolled 9, 2, 8, 5, 1, 3, 10 = 38 (7d10)

>>1300889
The living area around the door is empty, save for a few discarded bills crumpled on the ground. A nearby sofa has a discarded plate of half-eaten meat resting on it next to a copy of the Herald and a bottle of Jack Daniels. A rattle causes your head to pivot sharply. A flowerpot on the sidetable, full of withered flowers, is rocking ever-so-slightly on its base. You approach it cautiously...
>>
>>1300940
A pair of long, thin arms wrap themselves around your waist, and a high voice shouts "BOO!" from behind you.

You turn around. "Mary..."

"What? I was just practicing. I need to be able to get glamour somehow."

"Well, you were very good. If I'd been a human, that'd have given me a real jump."

You take a closer look at Mary. Her long, oil-slick sheened hair still falls around her face, but he's started wearing hair clips to keep the worst of it out of the twin black pools of her eyes, in which her irises shine with mad hues like rotating rings of alien stone. Her chalk-pale skin has deepened in shade slightly, making the eye-marks on it stand out more in contrast.

"So, why're you here so early, dad? Need Uncle Terry for something?"

>Go wake him up: we're going out for breakfast.

>Nah. Let's go out for breakfast, just the two of us.
>>
>>1300966
I was thinking about taking you guys out to breakfast, but since Terry is asleep, do you want it to just be the two of us?
>>
>>1300966
>Nah. Let's go out for breakfast, just the two of us.
>>
>>1300966
>Nah. Let's go out for breakfast, just the two of us.
>>
>>1300966
>Nah. Let's go out for breakfast, just the two of us.
https://youtu.be/WOuI4OqJfQc
>>
>>1300966
>Go wake him up: we're going out for breakfast.
>>
>>1300977

This is the best way to phrase it, also our little sneakster is growing up
>>
>>1300992
>>1301017
>>1301032
>>1301067
"Nah. I was actually thinking that we could go out for breakfast. Just the two of us."

Mary breaks into a grin, showing her rune-etched sapwood-yellow teeth. "Really? Can we go to that diner you got that food from when we first came back? I really liked that!"

"Of course we can."

Pat's, NE Portland. 8:45.

You order your old usual, while Mary vouches for double-stack blueberry pancakes (she WANTED chocolate chips, but you put your foot down; too much sugar, and the money all ends up going to Central American dictators anyways) with whipped cream (normally, you'd object to the gagging numbers of preservatives and artificial substances in Reddi Whip, but you can't be strict ALL the time) on top and orange juice (instead of the Coke she wanted: the mix of sugar and caffeine this early, you're sure, would mess her body's natural energy cycle up more than cream out of a can ever could.)

The two of you look at each other over the table. Mary fidgets with the wrapper from her straw, her three-joint fingers clattering on the table idly.

>So... how is living with Uncle Terry?

>...Summer school starts soon. Looking forward to it?

>Is that Sam boy and his friends giving you trouble anymore?

>Anything you want to tell me about, Mary?

>(Be silent)

>Write-In
>>
>>1301081
>>So... how is living with Uncle Terry?
>>...Summer school starts soon. Looking forward to it?
>>
>>1301081
>So... how is living with Uncle Terry?
Let's see how these two are getting along
>...Summer school starts soon. Looking forward to it?
Fuck me, we haven't even paid a sliver of attention to her education.
>>
>>1301109
She hasn't gone to any sort of school yet, post-Durance. Summer school is supposed to fill any gaps in her education before she starts high school.
>>
>>1301081
>So... how is living with Uncle Terry?
>...Summer school starts soon. Looking forward to it?
>Anything you want to tell me about, Mary?
>>
>>1301090
>>1301109
>>1301132
"So... how's living with Uncle Terry going?"
Mary pulls a face. "It's okay, I guess. I don't think he really knows what to do with me. Most of the time, he makes me meals and buys me new clothes and shampoo and stuff, and then he's out for most of the day. He gave me this"- she pulls an iron nail out of her pocket- "And said that if a burglar or something comes along, I should stab them with this and then get the shotgun from underneath his bed. He's kind of gross, too. He just eats and drinks wherever he feels like it, doesn't wash stuff until he runs all out of cleans; and he thinks I don't know it, but when I'm supposed to be asleep he sits around butt-naked on the sofa."

"Well, I'm sure he has his reasons. So, are you looking forward to summer school at Sunrise High?"

"Yeah, I guess..."

"You 'guess'"?

Mary rolls her eyes and blows a loose strand of hair out of her face. "I mean, school's REALLY BORING as far as I remember, but it'll be real cool to have some friends my age who aren't weird! Terry says I should have people over because they might accidentally fall through the hole in the basement wall even though it doesn't open for people, but I think that's just being unfair!"

>Well, I'll expect you to apply yourself, young lady. I'm not gonna say you have to go to college, God knows I didn't, but if you drop out of high school, you'll end up flipping burgers for the rest of your life.

>We aren't 'weird', and we ARE 'people', Mary. Don't be ashamed of who- and WHAT- you are.

>I think Terry's right; I know it doesn't seem fair, but it's far too risky to just invite your friends over.

>Terry's being paranoid: you shouldn't be deprived friends because of who you are.

>Write-In
>>
>>1301160
>Well, I'll expect you to apply yourself, young lady. I'm not gonna say you have to go to college, God knows I didn't, but if you drop out of high school, you'll end up flipping burgers for the rest of your life.

>Write-in
"As far as having friends over I'll leave that up to your judgement. I just want you to think carefully and to Know who you're bringing over. They could get caught in a whole mess of nonsense and we wouldn't want that for your friends
>>
>>1301175
this
>>
>>1301175
Supporting too
>>
>>1301175
Thirding
>>
>>1301175
>>1301223
>>1301298
>>1301661
"Well, I expect you to apply yourself in school, young lady! You don't want to end up a high-school dropout, flipping burgers for the rest of your life."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Terry gave me the same speech, how I don't want to end up like him."

"And as far as having friends over, I'll leave that to your judgement. I just want you to think carefully about who you invite over. They could get caught up in a bunch of mess, and you don't want that."

"I know that... but I still want friends, you know? And it's not like I can hang out with Sam..."

She trails off.

>There something you want to tell me?

>Is he bothering you? Has he hurt you, Mary? I need you to be honest.

>(put hand on shoulder) I know things can be hard, but Sam's... not normal. I'm certain those other kids will warm up to you, though. Eventually.

>Write-In
>>
>>1302003
>>Write-In
>(put hand on shoulder) I know things seem hard now, but I promise you we are on the up and up. You're a lovely girl Mary, and I'm sure you'll find friends who will give you the respect you deserve, whether they be "normal" or not. And if there is anything you wanna talk about, please know i'll always be there for you.
>>
>>1302031
I support this but I would add the

>There something you want to tell me?

at the end
>>
>>1302031
>>1302082
You put your hand on Mary's shoulder. "Look. I know things seem hard right now, but I promise you that you're on the up and up. You're a lovely girl, Mary, and I'm sure you'll find friends who will give you the respect you deserve, whether they're 'normal' or not. If there's anything you want to talk about, please know that I'll always be there for you."

Mary smiles up at you. "Thanks, dad."

Your meals arrive, and you eat them in comfortable silence. Then, Mary hurries off back to Terry's, leaving you alone with your thoughts and notebook.


>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Hit up contacts for leads?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Write-In
>>
>>1302127
>Follow up on a rumor?
Drummer Fetch and Michael Wyndham
>>
>>1302127
when's that solstice party we were told to attend?
>>
>>1302127
>-An... eccentric-looking bum started yelling at me about aliens in hot-air balloons over the Wells-Fargo building, doctors trying to harvest his organs for warlocks, and the governor's daughter being a "Witch-Ghost". That last one's clearly the raving of a madman, but those other two...
The guy reminded me a lot of Di. Damn, I can't believe I actually MISS that guy...
>>
>>1302142
Tomorrow evening.
>>
>>1302145

let's pay him a visit, this shouldn't take long
>>
>>1302145
>>1302149
Portland outskirts, 12:00 PM

Crazy Larry's curled up inside of a cardboard lean-to under a highway overpass, muttering to himself in his sleep. You grab him gently and shake him awake.

"Hhghh? Wassat? What'chu want?"

"I'm a friend, Larry. Do you remember me?"

"Yeah, y'gave me a dollar a coupl'a time. You're Jerry, fuckin', I knows that. Y'gots THE POWER, so's they say, damn right, that's what's they say."

"Well, Larry, I've got FIVE dollars for you, but first, you're going to have to answer some questions."

Larry sits up, digs a battered tin from his pockets, and starts chewing what you desperately hope is just tobacco.

"Yeah, I bet's you do, wha' with you having THE POWER 'n all. So whassit?"

>You saw aliens? Over the Wells-Fargo building?

>Tell me about these doctors who tried to harvest your organs.

>You saw a 'mummy in chains' running through the U of Portland?

>Where'd you see this giant frog in Chinatown? I don't get over there a lot.

>I want you to try and remember about that psychologist who scared you in downtown. What did he look like?

>Have you seen anything else unusual?

>Write-In
>>
>>1302350
>I want you to try and remember about that psychologist who scared you in downtown. What did he look like?
>Where'd you see this giant frog in Chinatown? I don't get over there a lot.
>You saw a 'mummy in chains' running through the U of Portland?
>>
>>1302350
>I want you to try and remember about that psychologist who scared you in downtown. What did he look like?
>You saw a 'mummy in chains' running through the U of Portland?
>>
>>1302391
>>1302501
"I want you to try and remember about that psychologist who scared you downtown. What did he look like?"

Larry's hands start trembling as he speaks. "Oh, terrible, terrible! It- it were like death and beauty an' knitting-needle teeth an' hyacinth eyes an' goddamn, it was, goddamn goddamn, was it now, that SKIN, like milk an' it smelt like a log, goddamn! I could see it, it wanded to ate me! Goddamn!"

"Okay, okay, calm down, Larry. Can you give me an address? A name?"

"It's 'crossstreets from th' soup kitchen, 's where it is."

"Thank you. Now, you saw a 'mummy in chains' running through the U of Portland?"

"IT WERE REAL! I seed it! I dun' care if'n it ran through me, it's gonna happen! I saw 'im, he was all pale and skinny an' he was all wrepped up 'n cloth and straps like them farohs. There was two men, they wasn't happened yet like him, they was wearing a lighthouse badge an' they had the nets and needles! I HATE 'EM! THEY AIN'T TAKIN ME BACK, GODDAMN, THEY AIN'T, damn straight, goddamn right, they ain't, yes sir, goddamn..."

Larry trails off into incoherent mumbling.

>Try and pull him back out and get more out of him.

>Leave him and investigate the psychologist.

>Leave him and try to look up this 'lighthouse badge' he mentioned.

>Leave him and do something else (write-in)

Optional: if you leave him, do you leave the $5 you promised? It looks like he's gone into some kind of fugue state, and might not even remember talking to you.
>>
>>1302613
>Leave him and investigate the psychologist.
Give him $5
>>
>>1302613
>Leave him and try to look up this 'lighthouse badge' he mentioned.
Leave the $5. We promised, and making sure that whatever he remembers is reinforced by physical evidence leads to increased possibility for fear.
>>
>>1302613
>Leave him and investigate the psychologist.
Leave 5 bucks.
>>
>>1302743
>>1302780
You leave the fiver tucked into his shirt pocket and head downtown.

LaChaise Psychological Services, 309 SW 3rd Ave, Portland. 1:00 PM.

The smell of gruel drifts through the open windows from the soup kitchen across the street as you climb the stairs to the clinic. The psychological office is located on the third floor of a rental building, right above some kind of religious group (what the hell IS the 'Church of Scientology', anyways? Do they worship computers or something?).

The waiting room is mostly empty: a nervous old woman seated about halfway along the left-hand wall holds her bag close to her chest, trembling under her coats and shawls. Other than that, the only other person here is a secretary, currently going through a ledger of some kind while sipping on coffee. You see a number of names mounted on the back wall, proclaiming specialties:

DR. LACHAISE, PSYD; CLINICAL DEPRESSION, PHOBIAS, AND ANXIETY DISORDERS.

DR. RUPRECHT, MD: PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS, REHABILITATION.

DR. DUSKMONT, PSYD: CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS.

The secretary looks up s you approach. "Oh! Hello, Mr..."

"Jerry."

"Ah. Well, do you have an appointment? Are you here to see someone?"

>Dr. Duskmont.

>Dr. LaChaise.

>Dr. Ruprecht.

>I'm not a mental case. Have you seen anything... unusual around here?

>Write-In
>>
>>1302878
>Dr. LaChaise.
>>
>>1302878
>Dr. LaChaise.
>>
>>1302919
>>1302923
"I'm here to see Dr. LaChaise."

The secretary nods and turns to a page in the ledger. "Well, you don't have an appointment... but it seems that Dr. LaChaise can see you. Please take a seat." As you walk away, the secretary pages him on an intercom.

A few minutes later, a short, plump, balding man with an eager face comes out of the back. He strides gently over, smiles, and shakes your hand. "Ah, Jerry, yes? I'm Dr LaChaise. Please, come back into my office."

LaChaise's office is a stately affair, with a leather chaise-lounge set against the opposite wall from a rowanwood desk scattered with papers and kinetic decorations. "Now, Mr. Jerry, I understand you might not have much financially, by your looks- sorry if I'm being presumptuous-but I'm willing to do this initial consultation for free. If you'll just take a seat on that couch over there- what seems to be the problem?"

>Well... to be honest, doc, I recently got discharged from prison, and I'm having difficulty... you know, adjusting.

>I have this... problem with saws, doc. I can't stand them. the look, the feel- but the SOUND! That's the worst part.

>Actually... I think your nurse got my appointment wrong. I'm supposed to see Dr. Ruprecht.

>Actually... I think your nurse got my appointment wrong. I'm supposed to see Dr. Duskmont.

>I'm... not actually here for therapy, doc. I want to talk to you about a friend of mine- Larry?

>I'm not here for counseling. Have you seen anything- strange around here?

>Write-In
>>
>>1303042
>I'm not here for counseling. Have you seen anything- strange around here?
Fuck it
>>
>>1303246
You remain standing. "I'm not here for counseling, Dr. LaChaise. Have you seen anything... strange around here recently?"

LaChaise gives you a look. "Sir, if you aren't here for counseling, I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave and make an appointment with my secretary. I have a busy schedule and little time for tabloid journalists or new-age conspiracy theorists. Please leave or else I will be forced to call security."

>(Burn off the Mask) That would be a bad decision, mortal- if mortal you be.

>(Intimidate) You'd be dead before you could pick up the phone. (draw knife).

>Fine, fine! (leave)

>Write-In
>>
>>1303329
>>(Burn off the Mask) That would be a bad decision, mortal- if mortal you be.
>>
>>1303329
Important clerical note: burning off the Mask empties your glamour pool (current glamour: 10)
>>
>>1303329
>Write-In
"No, this is important. People have been reporting an insane psychologist preying on the homeless around here and I need to get to the bottom of it."
>>
>>1303329
>>1303389
Something like this, but let's try something that plays to our strengths (man we need better persuasion)
How about "Listen up, here's how it's going to go. I'm going to ask a question, you give me a straight answer, even if it sounds insane. Otherwise, things are going to get messy."
>>
>>1303402
I like this better than mine.
>>
Rolled 7, 8, 4, 9, 9, 8, 4 = 49 (7d10)

>>1303402
>>1303407
You slam a hand down on the desk. "Listen up, doctor. I'm going to ask you a question, and you're going to answer it, no matter how crazy it sounds. Otherwise, things are going to get ugly, and you don't want that, right?"

Roll Presence + Intimidate (no explosions). Must beat above roll.
>>
>>1303473
May, as usual, spend Willpower to gain +3 dice. Base dice pool of 5.
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 4, 3, 4, 9, 8, 2 = 37 (8d10)

>>1303473
Spend the Will
>>
Rolled 10, 5, 7, 8, 4, 9, 4, 1 = 48 (8d10)

>>1303473
Hey, if successful, should we harvest her fear, or are we at max glamour?
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 1, 4, 6, 2, 1 = 27 (7d10)

>>1303473
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 5, 2, 1, 1, 2, 7 = 26 (8d10)

>>1303564
Whoops
>>
>>1303508
The doctor stares at you. "That's it, I'm calling security."

He reaches for the phone by his desk. Just as he picks it up, you hear the door swing open, and a familiar-sounding voice ring out.
"Now, there's no need for that, Herbert. I'm afraid my patient here may have missed his medicine today; he's struggled with paranoid delusions for... quite some time, and reacts poorly when they are challenged. Come on, now, Jerry, let's get into my office..."

A pair of soft hands gently grip your back and spin you around, putting you face-to-face with Oswald, the Autumn courtier from a few months ago. The address clicks in your head: it's the same as the business card he handed you the night of the duel.

He gently leads you into his office and shuts the door, before glaring at you from violet eyes set in his hairless, too-symmetrical head.
"I appreciate you coming to visit my office, Jerry, but terrorizing my co-workers like that is less than intelligent. I'd prefer to not have my last month of employ at this institution to end poorly. I quite happen to like Doctor LaChaise."
His needlepoint teeth click slightly with every word.

>Wait- you're a PSYCHOLOGIST? Isn't that sort of ironic?

>You work here? You the only one of our people that does so? Someone's been letting down their Mask in front of the mortals.

>...I don't suppose I could set up an appointment for my daughter while I'm here?

>Oswald! I've been tracking a monster with pointed teeth and hyacinth eyes that apparently... works... here.

>Write-In
>>
>>1303655
>Wait- you're a PSYCHOLOGIST? Isn't that sort of ironic?
>>
>>1303655
>Wait- you're a PSYCHOLOGIST? Isn't that sort of ironic?
Also,
>"Sorry, Dr. LaChaise"
>>
>>1303655
>...I don't suppose I could set up an appointment for my daughter while I'm here?
>>
>>1303667
>>1303690
"Wait: you're a psychologist? Isn't that rather ironic?"

Oswald takes a seat at his desk and slightly adjusts the nameplate (DR DUSKMONT). "On the contrary. There's no better position from which I can obtain a reliable source of fear than through the subtle manipulation of the more revolting of my clients. Trust me: not every person who seeks psychological help DESERVES it. Now, since you don't seem to have made the connection between myself and this clinic, I can only presume that you're here for something else, yes?"

You rub the back of your neck. "Well... I had a friend who started ranting about a monster at his clinic-"

"If I had to guess, that would be Larry Filmore. Tragic case, truly tragic. He has the Sight, you see."
You lean forward slightly.
"Patient of yours?"

"I wish! No, he's Doctor Ruprecht's charge. From what I gather, Larry's gifts have led to him spending his life in and out of mental hospitals, and Ruprecht's his caretaker for his most recent discharge."

"Surprises me they keep letting him out."

"They give him drugs that suppress his gifts, which make him better. Then, as soon as he gets out, he goes off of them. I guess he can't live without them."


>How did he develop the Sight?

>I could use your help with a rumor (specify which one)

>Could I schedule an appointment for my daughter?

>What do you think about the other Courts?

>Do you know anything about vampires?

>Write-In
>>
>>1303839
>Could I schedule an appointment for my daughter?
>Could you help me with a rumor? (Northwest Credit Union Fetch?)
>>
>>1303839
>I could use your help with a rumor (specify which one)
Northwest Credit Union Fetch; Warlock organ harvesters
>>
>>1303839
>How did he develop the Sight?
>Do you know anything about vampires?
Get the feeling we haven't seen the last of his Grotesqueness.
>>
>>1303839
>>How did he develop the Sight?
>>Could I schedule an appointment for my daughter?
>>
>>1303955
>>1303865

"How did he develop the Sight?"

"One of the usual ways. He is the seventh son of a seventh son; such births are very powerful. In his case, he sees through illusions and occasionally, from what I've heard, prophesys. He was the pet of Queen Lacrymosa, may her soul rest forever, until his stint at Safe Harbor, on the coast."

"He's worked with our kind before?"
"Oh, yes. That's likely why he doesn't react to your appearance that much. That, and the fact that the electroshock and drugs have probably scrambled his brain to the point where shock isn't a reliable emotion for him."

>>1303855
>>1303864
"Listen... I could use your help with something. A guy I know spotted a man loitering outside of the Northwest Credit Union, following himself. One of them was dressed nicely, and the other was in rags. I think-"

"The poorly-dressed one is a man following his Fetch." Oswald clicks one impeccably-manicured finger against his teeth. "Yes, I can see why that would be a problem. Would this man who went into the bank, the first one, WORK there, by any chance?"

"I don't know."

Oswald sorts through a file folder on his desk. "Because an employee of NWCU happens to be a client here. He was initially seeing Dr. LaChaise for self-esteem issues and general depression, but was recommended to me when his problems seemed to extend more from a systemic personality condition. I have an appointment with him this Friday (GM note: today is a Monday). This happened a few weeks ago, yes?"

"Yeah."

"In which case, the changeling will likely strike sometime in the next few days, if not sooner. If you want to try and avoid open conflict, you should bring this up with the Winter Court. They have experts who deal with these sorts of things discreetly, although the price is usually high. Alternatively, you could try isolating this changeling and speaking to him... or doing the same to the Fetch, of course. Here's the address for the gentleman's home residence: his name is Roland Fletcher. You must understand, of course, that I will publicly deny ever giving you this?..."

The address is somewhere in Vancouver, Washington; just over the river from NoPo.

>>1303955
>>1303855
You turn as you get up. "One last thing. Can I schedule an appointment for my daughter? She's a new returnee, like myself, and I think she could use some help."

Oswald sighs. "Unfortunately, no. I'm leaving this practice in July and will be engaged in an environment which will, I suspect, have my workload full."

"Well let me know if the situation changes. You're the only Lost shrink I know, and I think it'd be best if someone like us treated Mary."

You walk out of the clinic with no further incident.
>>
>>1304054
>Go to the banker's house in Vancouver.

>Research the lighthouse badge.

>Head to West Portland to investigate the random door outbreaks.

>Investigate the house on 37th street that the Nook Man said goblins avoided.

>Call on Micheal to check on his psychological health.

>Try and make contact with the Portland vampire population.

>Visit/seek help from someone you know (who?).

>Hit up contacts for leads.

>Visit the Goblin Market.

>Write-In
>>
>>1304060
>Go to the banker's house in Vancouver.
>>
>>1304060
>Hit up contacts for leads.
>>
>>1304060
>Go to the banker's house in Vancouver
>>
>>1304079
>>1304134
It takes you a while to negotiate the transit system all the way to Vancouver.

Fletcher house, 238 NE 15th Street, Vancouver, Washington. 5:00 PM.

Fletcher lives in a respectable two-story townhouse in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Vancouver. There's a tree out back in the yard, a white picket fence, a German Shepherd snoozing in the late-spring (last day of Spring, in fact) sunshine, and a "NO SOLICITORS" sign driven firmly into the front lawn. From the absence of a car in the driveway, it appears that Mr. Fletcher isn't home.

>Walk up to the house and knock.

>Try and circle around back and break in.

>Take a seat on the bench across the street and wait for Mr. Fletcher (or the fetch) to return.


>Read the Paperback of Many Tales.

>Write-In
>>
>>1304181
>Take a seat on the bench across the street and wait for Mr. Fletcher (or the fetch) to return.

>Read the Paperback of Many Tales.
>>
>>1304181
>Take a seat on the bench across the street and wait for Mr. Fletcher (or the fetch) to return.
>Read the Paperback of Many Tales.
>>
>>1304181
>Take a seat on the bench across the street and wait for Mr. Fletcher (or the fetch) to return.
>Read the Paperback of Many Tales.
>>
>>1304228
>>1304233
>>1304242
You take a seat and prick a finger yet again. Blood splashes down on the book... (8 glamour left).
>>
>>1304245
Roll Wyrd (1 dice). May spend willpower as usual (4 points left).
>>
Rolled 7, 5, 1, 4 = 17 (4d10)

>>1304248
Willpower adds 3 dice, right?
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 2, 8 = 22 (4d10)

>>1304245
>>
>>1304268
Yes.
>>
>>1304271
The cover shifts into an illustration of two masks lying on a purple cloth. One mask is of a grinning demon; the other is a weeping man. The title is "Faceless: a Comedy by The Adorned Princeps". You read through:

THE DEMON: By what rights do you have to your life, fool? You wasted it on cold matter instead of warm, on death instead of life, and so were raised to Pluto's counting-house while I was given your place; surely, you enjoyed such a position as much as I enjoyed yours?

THE VICTIM: No, damn you. My life is mine, to spend how I wish. I shall take back mine life as you took it from me: silently, without any knowing. (to self) The Demon had best not sleep in his bed tonight, for I shall slay him there. And should his wife see me, I shall kill her too, for I have no love for this stranger, wooed by a demon wearing my face.


A half-hour later, the fetch of Mr. Fletcher pulls up. It looks like solid-looking fellow who could pass for a dockworker if it weren't for the pressed suit it wears.

>Accost it on the street

>Let it go inside, then knock

>Let it go inside, then break in

>Write-In
>>
>>1304345
>Accost it on the street
>>
>>1304345
>Accost it on the street
>>
>>1304345
>Accost it on the street
>>
>>1304345

I imagine fetches don't know they are fetches, or do they?

Let's go around back, the book said the victim would try to kill the deamon tonight, so he is probably lusrking around, let's try to find him
>>
>>1304474

This, we shouldn't talk to the fetch, we should try to stop the Changeling before they get into the building
>>
>>1304345
>>1304474
thirding
>>
>>1304474
A fetch doesn't know it's a fetch until it has a face-to-face confrontation with its changeling.
>>
>>1304345
>Accost it on the street
>>
>>1305030
>>1304361
>>1304387
>>1304473
You briskly stride across the street and call out to the fetch:

"Hey, you!"

The thing turns around, making a puzzled expression with its stolen face. "Yes? Do we know each other? Sorry, but I don't mean to be impolite."

>Your life is in danger by forces more powerful than you can imagine. Leave town. Don't come back.

>(Attack him)

>You're going to get what's coming to you, you monster!

>Write-In
>>
>>1305121

Ask for some change
>>
>>1305121
>Write-In
"Sorry to bother you, but has anything weird been happening to you? I can help with that."
>>
>>1305121
>>Your life is in danger by forces more powerful than you can imagine. Leave town. Don't come back.
>>
>>1305196
I'll support this.
>>
>>1305196
I'm with this guy
>>
>>1305196

This seems like the safest option considering everything, probably shouldn't have just decided to shout at this dude but we'll deal
>>
>>1305196
>>1305226
>>1305230
>>1305253
"Sorry to bother you, but has anything weird been happening to you? I can help you with that?"

The fetch's face goes flush. "So, that's what this is about." He strides over and shoves a finger into your chest. "Look, you-you-shameless grifter! Call your friend off! You aren't getting a red cent out of me! If I see you around this place again, I'm calling the police!"

He turns his back to you.

>You've been feeling hollow, haven't you? Like you aren't really yourself? Like you're an impostor?

>(Intimidate) You wanna talk to me that way? I'll kill you in your sleep! You better be on the fucking lookout!

>(Burn off the Mask) I am no conjurer of cheap tricks!

>Write-In
>>
>>1305377
>You've been feeling hollow, haven't you? Like you aren't really yourself? Like you're an impostor?
We aren't a sperg, and we are not hobo Gandalf. Not yet.
>>
>>1305377
>You've been feeling hollow, haven't you? Like you aren't really yourself? Like you're an impostor?
With an attitude and air that is a mix of Facilier from Princess and the Frog and Gin from Bleach.
>>
>>1305377
>You've been feeling hollow, haven't you? Like you aren't really yourself? Like you're an impostor?
"There's a good reason for that."
>>
>>1305377
>>(Intimidate) You wanna talk to me that way? I'll kill you in your sleep! You better be on the fucking lookout!
>>
>>1305377
>(Intimidate) You wanna talk to me that way? I'll kill you in your sleep! You better be on the fucking lookout!

This should spoil the attempt tonight, we should stick around the neighborhood and see if the changeling shows up and try to talk them into seeing the Winter Court about it, that way they have better resources and more of an idea to go about this
>>
>>1305383
>>1305387
>>1305415
"You've been feeling hollow, haven't you, Mr. Fletcher? Like you're not really yourself- like you're an impostor. There's a reason for that, you know."

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"I think you do, Mr. Fletcher. You've been feeling it when you're on the street, mostly. Or you're at work, and you catch someone who looks like you- and who doesn't- out of the corner of your eye."

"... How do you know that."

"I have my ways. It's not just you, Mr. Fletcher. It's not the result of "undue stress" or whatever they're saying."

"Well, then... what on earth is it?"


> (Intimidate) You're a monster, "Mr Fletcher". One that has to be put down, for the sake of the REAL Mr. Fletcher.

>(Expression) You ever hear of the doppelganger, Mr Fletcher? You're it, and you don't even know it.

>(Subterfuge) You've been cursed, Mr. Fletcher. But I can protect you. All it takes is a deal with me...

>Write-In
>>
>>1305539
>(Expression) You ever hear of the doppelganger, Mr Fletcher? You're it, and you don't even know it.
"It doesn't mean that you're not real. You are. You just aren't the only 'you' there is."
>>
>>1305539
>>(Expression) You ever hear of the doppelganger, Mr Fletcher? You're it, and you don't even know it.
>"It doesn't mean that you're not real. You are. You just aren't the only 'you' there is."
>>
>>1305539
>(Expression) You ever hear of the doppelganger, Mr Fletcher? You're it, and you don't even know it.
>>
>>1305539
>(Expression) You ever hear of the doppelganger, Mr Fletcher? You're it, and you don't even know it.

>Write-In

"Why don't you take your wife out tonight Mr. Fletcher, stay away for a while, there is going to be some bad business going on here, I wouldn't want you to get caught up in it."
>>
>>1305545
>>1305553
>>1305566

I think we should stop whatever reveal there is here, we don't know how the Keeper made the Fetch or what kind of contingencies were implanted in case he realized he's a Fetch. Best case scenario he takes it really well and skips merrily off on his own way (seems highly unlikely), worst case scenario the Keeper put a "dead-man's switch" in there that immediately notifies the Gentry as to the location of straight up calls them down on our position. We should not have gone this far without talking to the Changeling himself or the Winter Court about this, there is a reason that people don't fuck with Fetches that much
>>
>>1305570
I like this idea
>>
The fetch is the deamon here guys, we shouldn't make him aware of what he is.

just warn him to take his wife for a night on the town while we try to talk with the changeling

if the feth knows what it is it will be way more dificult to kill him or for the winter court to deal with it
>>
>>1305669
>>1305539

my vote is

write-in

Why don't you take a night on the town with your wife...

let's not tell him what he is
>>
>>1305570
>>1305675

Amending mine to this, take away the doppelganger aspect
>>
>>1305675
No, we say that we will explain everything to him after he takes a night out with his wife. Then we can meet the changeling and consult Dr. LaChaise
>>
>>1305681
I know I was the one to propose the more diplomatic route, but this is the Demon from the Paperback of Many Tales
>>
>>1305655
>>1305675
>>1305680

You reach over and pat him on the shoulder. "Trust me, friend. You don't need to know that. Just take the wife out tonight. You don't want to be involved in what happens next."

You give him your best steely-eyed gaze.

Roll Presence + Expression (3 dice). No explosions. Must beat the result above.
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 3, 1, 3 = 10 (5d10)

>>1305761
Whoops! Forgot to roll.
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 6 = 11 (3d10)

>>1305761
>>1305790
Ha
>>
Rolled 8, 4, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>1305761
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 4 = 11 (3d10)

>>1305790
>>
>>1305860
"Alright. But if anything's missing from my home..."

10:00 PM.

Sunset has fallen on Vancouver, and you start looking for the changeling.

Roll Wits + Composure -2 (2 dice)

Optional: Activate the Wildwalker contract (roll 1 dice: each success removes a -1 penalty)

Optional: Activate the Viridian Embrace contract: (spend 2 glamour, roll 3 dice: each success adds +1 to your roll)

May spend Willpower as normal.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1306254

Activate Wildwalker (this roll is for that), and spend a willpower
>>
Rolled 8, 7, 10, 3, 6 = 34 (5d10)

>>1306269

Welp shitty, regular roll with added willpower
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1306272

Boom
>>
Rolled 6, 8, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>1306254

using viridian embrace
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1306384
boom
>>
Rolled 8, 4, 2, 1 = 15 (4d10)

>>1306384
>>1306393

rolling 4 dice 2 from normal + from the embrace
>>
Rolled 9, 1 = 10 (2d10)

>>1306254
Finishing the set with a plain roll.
>>
Rolled 7, 4, 3, 4, 4, 10 = 32 (6d10)

>>1306272
You try and call on nature to aid you, but she refuses to answer you. You sigh and look with your own two eyes...
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1307309
Your eyes settle on a suspect shadow in the backyard...
>>
>>1307315
And there he is, loping out from under a bush. Parts of his skin seem to gleam with gold under the streetlamps as he heads towards the back door...

>Accost him now.

>Try and follow him inside without being seen.

>Circle around for a better view and watch him.

>Write-In
>>
>>1307324
>Circle around for a better view and watch him.
>>
>>1307396
You circle around to the side of the back yard and watch as he fishes a key out from under the porch, unlocks the back door, and heads inside. You can hear him fumbling around in the living room beyond.

>Call out to him.

>Head in after him.

>Let things develop.

>Write-In
>>
>>1307641

>Head in after him.

Hopefully things would be a bit calmer there though honestly it's mostly because it might be more difficult for him to bolt this way
>>
>>1307641
>head after him
>>
>>1307641
>Head in after him.
>>
>>1307652
>>1307690
>>1307907
You slide through the back door and into the Fletcher home. You find yourself in the living room, where you see Fletcher (his back gleams in the half-light, skin of burnished gold with chain reliefs) fumbling with a .38 revolver. You can see his eyes from an angle: they're blood-shot (ruby lines dancing across marble towards a shining emerald) and carry a look of open terror. Getting spotted by him at this point would probably be a bad, BAD thing. As you step forward, the floor creaks, sudden and loud. Fletcher starts and whirls around...

Roll Dexterity + Stealth -3 (2 dice) to get to a hiding place before he can spot you. You'll be rolling against a dice pool of 7-2 from low lighting (5 dice).

May spend Willpower as normal (3 points left).

Remember! You have access to the Nature's Curse (4 dice, amplify low-lighting penalty by -1 for each success), and Viridian Embrace (2 dice, add +1 to your Stealth check for each success, costs 2 glammour) contracts! Don't be afraid to use them!
>>
Rolled 7, 9, 4, 5 = 25 (4d10)

>>1308122

Popping Nature's Curse
>>
Rolled 7, 3 = 10 (2d10)

>>1308122

And Viridian Embrace
>>
Rolled 10, 8 = 18 (2d10)

>>1308122
>>1308158
>>1308160

Well that didn't go as well as hoped, roll for the stealth itself
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1308167

Boom
>>
Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d10)

>>1308122
First off, Viridian Embrace
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 6, 10 = 20 (4d10)

>>1308493
Then Nature's Curse, since it's free.
>>
Rolled 5, 3 = 8 (2d10)

>>1308498
And finally the stealth
>>
>>1308498

Don't forget to explode the 10, could get another penalty against him
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1308498
>>1308512
Boom
>>
Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d10)

>>1308122

let's complete the set

first viridian
>>
Rolled 10, 6, 1, 8 = 25 (4d10)

>>1308122

nature's
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1308896
boom
>>
Rolled 3, 2 = 5 (2d10)

>>1308122
and stealth
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 4, 7 = 17 (4d10)

>>1308158
You reach out in every direction with your power; first, against Fletcher; a light breeze picks up, blowing the boughs of a nearby tree in front of the streetlight illuminating the living room, draping it in further shadow.
>>1308160
Next, you reach OUT, into the room itself, but find nothing to grab onto. Your glamour streams away, useless (6 glamour left). Finally, you swiftly drop your weight and press yourself against an armchair. Fletcher looks around, slowly, padding across the room...
>>
>>1309063
He doesn't so much as spare a glance in your direction. He strides into the kitchen, where you hear the fridge door swing open and bottles briefly clink. Then, creaking from the direction of the stairs and ceiling indicate his movement to the second floor.

>Look around the first floor

>Follow him (stealthily)

>Write-In
>>
>>1309072
>Look around the first floor

Check the fridge, it's weird that he decided to open it up

If there's nothing too weird in there we should probably take the chance to call out to him while we're on the first floor so as not to spook him. Something like "Fletcher, I am a member of the Ashen Court. I've come to help and to provide advise."
>>
>>1309100
Supporting
>>
>>1309100
Supporting.
>>1309072
>>
>>1309100
>>1309112
>>1309115
You make a bee-line to the fridge and open it. It doesn't look like anything weird's in there. You do a quick sweep around the first floor: roll Intelligence + Investigation (3 dice). Willpower works as normal.
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>1309193
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>1309193
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 4 = 11 (3d10)

>>1309193
>>
>>1309195
>>1309200
>>1309228

Nothing to see here folks, everybody move along
>>
File: Know nothing.jpg (79 KB, 500x277)
79 KB
79 KB JPG
>>1309195
>>1309200
>>1309228
>>
>>1309195
>>1309200
>>1309228
Nothing but furniture, light reading, and some photos.

The sounds of movement above have stopped: maybe Fletcher's sitting down?

>Call out to him.

>Go upstairs.

>Go upstairs (stealthily)

>Write-In
>>
>>1309291
>Go upstairs.
>>
>>1309291
>Go upstairs (stealthily)
>>
>>1309291
>Call out to him.

Don't want to spook him on the same floor when he has a gun

"Fletcher, I am a member of the Ashen Court. I've come to help and to provide advise."
>>
>>1309291
>Go upstairs (stealthily)
>>
>>1309316
>>1309396
You head up the stairs, carefully feeling out each floorboard, one at a time, to avoid creaks. The bedroom is at the end of the 2nd-floor hall, but your instincts draw you to a side room, with a door ajar. You look in through the crack...

The room is full of boxes and bags, with a small wardrobe off to one side, but a small, ordinarily-unassuming object in the center draws your eye. It's a plain, white piece of furniture, with four wooden legs joining to two curved pieces of wood with poles between them, allowing it to rock while maintaining stability. A soft woolen lining on the interior would likely cushion anything placed in it, and the hook above is ideal for hanging things. Fletcher is standing over it, back to the door, hands gripping the sides: you can see cracks in the gold, even in this half-light. Occasionally, you hear a wet *plip* as something falls onto the cloth, and a pitiful, wet breathing noise.

>Speak gently to him.

>Just watch.

>Leave.

>Write-In
>>
>>1309438
>Speak gently to him.
Oh God, that's a cradle.
>>
>>1309438
>Speak gently to him.
>>
Rolled 9, 6, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>1309493
>>1309502
"It's not your fault."

Fletcher spins around, gun raised and shaking. "Who are you? What do you want? Come out where I can see you!"

You walk out, slowly and deliberately, hands raised. "It's okay, Mister Fletcher. I'm a friend. I'm here to help."

"No! You're one of those THINGS! I'm not going back! I'LL NEVER GO BACK!"

He desperately squeezes off a shot.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1309557
It grazes your cheek, and you can feel hot blood rising to the surface. (1 point of lethal damage taken)

"Listen to me, Fletcher! I'm not one of the Gentry or their hounds! I was in your position, once. I escaped, like you did. There's people that can help you, but only if you CALM DOWN and come with me. The cops are going to be here shortly, so you'd best get out of here."

Fletcher pauses for a second...
>>
>>1309575
...Then shakes his head. "No, no, no, this isn't real! It's just ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FUCKING GAMES!" He turns around and starts firing at one of the walls wildly. "COME OUT, MASTER! I'M DONE PLAYING!"

He madly throws himself at a nearby mirror, swinging the gun around towards it...

>Leave. The man's obviously one of the Mad.

>Try and knock him out/restrain him: he needs help.

>Kill him: he's a rabid dog.

>Write-In
>>
>>1309585
>>Try and knock him out/restrain him: he needs help.
>>
>>1309557
>>1309575
Hey QM, we're wizened, shouldn't we have been able to use Prenatural defense?
>>
>>1309591
Preternatural Dexterity's defensive ability only applies to Dodging, which, in turn, is an action one must ACTIVELY take. Having someone panic-fire at you in this sort of circumstance would prevent that (as this, essentially, was a "surprise attack")
>>
>>1309585
>Try and knock him out/restrain him: he needs help.
>>
>>1309585
>Try and knock him out/restrain him: he needs help.
Can we use Nature's Curse now? He has a gun.
>>
>>1309627
He already has Nature's Curse on him from earlier, giving a consistent -1 to all his actions.
>>
>>1309633
Got it, didn't know how long that persisted
>>
>>1309588
>>1309612
>>1309627
You quickly move to grapple him, trying to wrap your arms around his neck. Roll Strength + Brawl (7 dice) vs. his own Strength -1 (2 dice). May spend Willpower as normal.
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 3, 1, 8 = 18 (5d10)

>>1309642
The guy's defensive roll, with his Willpower.
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 1, 6, 10, 5, 7 = 37 (7d10)

>>1309642
Lady luck, I know you haven't been with us so far tonight, but come on. Please.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1309645
...Please?
>>
Rolled 9, 5, 10, 6, 2, 9, 7, 6, 9, 5 = 68 (10d10)

>>1309642
Spending will.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1309648
Kaboom
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 4, 8, 10, 10, 5 = 43 (7d10)

>>1309643
Finishing out the set.
>>
Rolled 9, 8 = 17 (2d10)

>>1309683
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1309683
>>1309687
You wrap your hands around his neck and put him into a rear naked choke. His arms flail around as he tries to break free...
>>
>>1309691
And his gun collides with the mirror, shattering it. As the shards fall to the ground, you swear you can see teeth of a thousand gemstones on the other side...

Fletcher goes limp in your arms shortly thereafter, your stranglehold knocking him cleanly out.

>Kill him.

>Dump him in a park somewhere and leg it to your Hollow.

>Take him to the Pecularium

>Take him to your Hollow

>Write-In
>>
>>1309721
>Take him to the Pecularium
Shit. Fucking shit he broke the mirror
>>
>>1309721
>Take him to the Pecularium
>>
>>1309726
>>1309739
The Peculiarum, Midnight June 21st.

You stumble into the backroom of the Peculiarum with Fletcher's weight heavy on your back. Conrad, responding to the bell, comes down the stairs with a shotgun.

"Oh, it's just you, Jer- who the hell is that on your back?"

>One of the Mad. You need to shelter him for a bit.

>A guy who needs help. I'll explain later.

>A recent escapee. Must have made it past the Winter Court's dragnet. His Keeper's coming for him.

>Write-In
>>
>>1309787
>A recent escapee. Must have made it past the Winter Court's dragnet. His Keeper's coming for him.
>He broke a mirror while I was... soothing him.
>>
>>1309787
>>1309825
I'll second.
>>
>>1309825
I'll support this
>>
>>1309787
>a recent escapee, he must have escaped the Winter's court dragnet. His Keeper is coming for him.

>Do you know a safe place quere I can take him or someone that can help him?
>>
>>1309825

This
>>
>>1309825
>>1309832
>>1309841
>>1310344
"He's a recent escapee. He must have slipped through the Winter Court's dragnet. Went after his fetch with a gun, planned to plug the fetch's wife, too. While I... soothed him, he managed to smash a mirror while flailing around, so his Keeper knows where he is now."

Conrad somehow goes even paler than usual. "Shit. FUCK! And on the Solstice, too! GodDAMMIT!" Conrad hurls his pack of Marlboros across the room. "Look, I'll shelter him for now, but I'm going to have to tell Big Bill and the Horned King about this. I mean, I HAVE to. This is bad, this is fucking BAD. Summer's going to want to fight it, which means WE'RE going to be dragged into it." He stops and breathes, short and desperate through his nose-slits for a minute. "Okay. Look, you're partially responsible for this in my book. I'll tell the other nobles about this and leave you out of it. You go talk to Mr. Wednesdays and get access to the Grand Archive. Find ANYTHING that can help."

>Hey, this isn't my fault!

>I'll tell the nobles. I'll own up to it.

>Got you, Conrad. Any ideas what to look for?

>Write-In
>>
>>1310379
>Got you, Conrad. Any ideas what to look for?

We owe him big for talking to the nobles about this, we don't have the clout or the resources to have this be our first impression
>>
>>1310379
>Got you, Conrad. Any ideas what to look for?

The Paperback gives us hints on how to find things, could we use it to help us find a way to protect this dude?
>>
>>1310396
You've already used it during this plot thread. The text won't change again.
>>
>>1310385
>>1310396
"Alright. Do you have any suggestions about what I should be looking for?"

"Anything on the Gentry, obviously." Conrad hands you a black card and takes the sleeping form of Fletcher off of your hands before ushering you out of the Peculiarum.


Grand Archive of Autumn, 2:00 AM

The entrance to the Grand Archive is disguised as a shed on the edge of the University of Portland's campus. You knock on the front door and show the black card to Mr. Wednesdays when he opens the door, and descend into the labyrinth of bookshelves that makes up the Archive. Wednesdays jams a nib-tipped finger into your chest before you head deeper in, and shoves a pair of gloves into your spare hand. "I won't have you staining another book with your dirty hands, understand?" His inky eyes bore into you from the sunken wells around them. "Yeah, yeah, I get it."

You head into the Archive and start looking for anything that might help.

Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice) to start researching. Willpower may be spent as normal.
>>
Rolled 7, 7, 2, 7, 3, 1 = 27 (6d10)

>>1310490

Definitely popping willpower, we need this info
>>
>>1310508

SONFABITCH
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 8, 10, 9, 10 = 50 (6d10)

>>1310490
>>
Rolled 1, 5 = 6 (2d10)

>>1310513
Think I got it
>>
>>1310516

Nice, thank you for making up for my failure
>>
>>1310513
3:00 AM

From "The Shining Ones: a Treatise on the Inhabitants of That Other Place":

The Gentry are unnatural births, creatures alien to the world of flesh and blood. Horrible beyond all description, they have great power and weakness both, to those who know. There are traits that all of the Gentry possess, which serve to constrict their action in this world:

-The Gentry are almost impossible to injure using conventional weaponry. Only iron, and cold iron in particular, are vouchsafe weaponry against their kind. The most vicious weapon is that forged by hand from a single piece of meteoric iron; the mere touch of such a thing is like pure poison to their kind.

-The Gentry may disguise themselves as mortals, but their guise is flawed and imperfect beyond all measure: it is nakedly obvious to anyone not blinded by foolishness that they are not a human being.

-Our world's air is like a vile poison to the Gentry, and they cannot long abide it: they may only walk in the world of flesh and blood for 8 hours (though tales persist of elders lasting as long as 10) before they start to die.

-The Gentry are monsters, incapable of making new things or understanding others. This renders them capable of being deceived, though the path may be difficult.

-All of the Gentry are bound by arcane law even more tightly than changelings. If one can learn the laws that govern a Gentry's behavior, they can turn the tables on them.

-It is said that each Gentry has a way that they might be killed forever, known as their Doom. Such things are dangerous secrets most obscure, and, it is said, work by leveraging the arcane laws such that the Gentry cannot take any action without violating them.

The rest of the treatise is a rambling discussion about the possible origins and true nature of the Gentry (with the author putting forward the theory that they are the angels who refused to take sides in the war between Heaven and Hell).

Your research has 5 successes.

You're starting to feel tired.

>Roll for the next hour of research (3 dice, Willpower as usual (2 points left): next breakthrough at 10 successes.)

>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).

>Write-In
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 5, 3, 5, 4 = 31 (6d10)

>>1310590
>Roll for the next hour of research (3 dice, Willpower as usual (2 points left): next breakthrough at 10 successes.)

Another willpower, we're on a time crunch, we'll need to take time after this but with a Keeper on it's way we don't have time to a nap
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1310639

Shit, the dice know me, Boom
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 6, 1, 5, 5 = 31 (6d10)

>>1310590
>Roll for the next hour of research (3 dice, Willpower as usual (2 points left): next breakthrough at 10 successes.)
>>
>>1310590
>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).
>>
>>1310643
I think they're onto us both.
>>
>>1310639
>>1310658
I'll remind the two of you that you still have two re-rolls waiting in the wings from the Paperback of Many Tales (letting you re-roll your failed dice).
>>
Rolled 9, 6, 6, 4, 8 = 33 (5d10)

>>1310688
Well then. Using one.
>>
>>1310688

Thank you for the reminder, I think I'll hold off on using them myself, we wont reach breakthrough on that roll unless it went perfect and we might be fighting a Gentry later
>>
>>1310702
>>1310732

Oh wait, re-rolling all the failed dice?
>>
>>1310734
Yep.
And if we're fighting a Gentry later, we've really screwed up.
>>
Rolled 9, 6, 3, 3, 7 = 28 (5d10)

>>1310639
>>1310738

Well if it's all failed dice and this is still open I am going to go for it as well
>>
Rolled 6, 7, 10, 6, 9, 3 = 41 (6d10)

>>1310590
Gonna roll the last of the best of 3 if it's still possible
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1311175
Boomy?
>>
>>1311179
extra boomy?
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1311185
dammit, fucked up
>>
>>1311175
>>1311179
>>1311185
>>1311189
Thanks man, our rolls turned to shit pretty quick. QM's apparently on leave.
>>
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612 KB PNG
Rolled 10, 3, 10, 5, 1, 10 = 39 (6d10)

>>1310590
MAY THE POWER OF CARLTON PRIME GUIDE MY ROLL
>>
Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d10)

>>1311231
Arigato, Carlton Prime. I always believed in you.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1311237
Forgot an explosion. Pow.
>>
>>1311175
>>1311179
>>1311189
Apologies. Family was in town.

4:00 AM
You're getting close to something, you can feel it. Just a bit more digging and you'll hit SOMETHING. Just need to push the throbbing out of your head...


Your research has 9 successes.

You're starting to feel tired.

>Roll for the next hour of research (3 dice, Willpower as usual (1 point left): next breakthrough at 10 successes.)

>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).

>Write-In
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>1311489

fuck it, one more hour without will spent
>>
Rolled 9, 6, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>1311489
We only need one, then we sleep.
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 7 = 9 (3d10)

>>1311489
>>
Rolled 1, 9, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>1311489

Rolling for funsies
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>1311489
>>
>>1311576
5:00 AM

From "Shadows Over Arcadia: Jungian Theory and the Gentry":

Although each and every member of the Gentry is completely unique, they are slaves to the stories they seem to draw substance from, and therefore, fall into a limited number of roles. By matching role to individual, one might deduce that Gentry's weaknesses, such as they are:

-The Child: This is an archetype defined by extreme mood swings, bullying behavior, apparent immaturity, and an inability to make long-term plans. Not all Gentry who fit this archetype APPEAR to be children (in fact, most don't), but they all ACT like them. This makes them slightly easier to deal with than most: while more prone to destructive "tantrum" behavior when angered, they are also surprisingly easier to manipulate.

-The Scientist: also called The Doctor or The Torturer, this archetype is defined by a desire to dissect, torture, or experiment on others in a methodical, experimental fashion. This is a dangerous archetype, far more skilled at reasoning and forward thought than their kin. However, they are more willing to listen to reason from others, and can even affect something akin to empathy (in that they might be able to conceive of other beings besides themselves having agency).

-The Hag/Troll: This archetype channels primal fear of the natural world in their existence. They are uncouth, uncivilized monsters, with whom little can be done to reason, and who often fear modernity.

-The Hunter/Predator: The universal fear of being hunted shapes this Archetype. They are single-minded in the pursuit of their quarry, and are totally uninterested in all else.

-The Knight: These Gentry are warriors bound to an elaborate code of honor: literal knights, pirates, samurai, mafiosos, etc. It is on their honor that they might be felled.

-The Lord: These are the most archetypal Gentry, who assume the guise of authority figures. They have pretense to be the most "civilized" of the Gentry, and assume themselves to be the highest power in the world.

-The Paramour: These are daemon lovers and faerie seducers, who take pleasure in conquering mortals, body and soul alike, and then tossing them aside. The most seductive and vicious of all.

-The Parent: Cruel and unholy mothers and fathers who hold the twisted hate the Gentry call love for their "children". The betrayal of their captives hurts them the most.

-The Shadow: These are the kings of torture and cruelty, monsters who drive their victims from an invisible throne, letting them torment themselves.

-The Trickster: These are the misleaders and deceivers who play games most foul and cruel with mortals. They chase interest like a starved man chases a rat.

The book also has some more specific and handy references to archetypal roles that will help you in future research (+1 to this research action).

Your research has 11 successes.

You feel tired. (-1 to all Mental and Social actions)
>>
>>1311667
>Roll for the next hour of research (3 dice, Willpower as usual (1 point left): next breakthrough at 15 successes.)

>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).

>Write-In
>>
>>1311667
>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).
>>
>>1311671
>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).
>>
>>1311671
>>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).

yup, time to sleep

we should fo>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).us on >Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).omparing the appearen>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).e of the lost with whatever shape we saw on the mirror to try and narrow down what we are dealing with
>>
>>1311702

rewriting in a non retarded way

We should focus on comparing the appearence of the Lost with whatever shape we saw on the mirror to try and narrow down what we are dealing with
>>
>>1311671
>Take a nap (recover 1 point of Willpower, remove tiredness penalties: takes up 6 hours).
>>
>>1311711
>>1311702
>>1311695
>>1311691
You fall into a dark, troubled sleep, from which you wake with your focus restored.

11:00 AM; 7 hours until the Summer Solstice Ceremony.

Roll for the next hour of research (4 dice, Willpower as usual (2 points left): next breakthrough at 15 successes.)
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 5, 4, 8, 1, 6 = 37 (7d10)

>>1311890
Alright lads, we only need 4 more. C'mon Lady Luck...
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 9, 9, 2, 7, 6 = 39 (7d10)

>>1311902
Filling out the rolls.
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 10, 8, 5, 1, 7 = 34 (7d10)

>>1312050
Finishing.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1312060
And explode.
>>
>>1311902
Noon.

The books are getting older, now: you're chasing leads down through locked and chained compendia of individual Gentry. Leering, twisted faces stare up from ancient illustrations and woodcuts.

Your research has 13 successes. 2 more until you identify the Gentry in question and learn one of his frailties.
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 6, 7, 3, 7, 1 = 27 (7d10)

>>1312080
Time to see what Fate wants
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 10, 5 = 22 (4d10)

>>1312080
Apparently not you buddy>>1312121
But we'll see. Let's save our will.
>>
Rolled 7, 6, 9, 1 = 23 (4d10)

>>1312080
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1312144
Just one more...
>>
>>1312211
>>1312144
HA
>>
>>1312144
>>1312211
1:00 PM

You find the illustration in a book dating back to 19th-century England. A skeleton of living gold, encrusted with countless gemstones and coins, spikes like a crown erupting tall from his skull. The text engraved beneath calls him "The Adorned Princeps": a Gentry who ensnares the wealthy in black pacts: seven years of wealth and success, followed by seven years of torment in his cthonic realm of molten gold and gemstone stars. Most of those who return are insane, broken by his sadistic games past the point of recovery. Those who flee with their sanity do so in great fear, for they know that he will amplify their tortures a hundredfold if they should fall back into his uncaring grip.
It is known from those who have dealt with him that The Adorned Princeps may never refuse a chance to bargain or set a price beyond a person's capacity to pay.

>Research for another hour (5 more successes needed to discover another frailty)

>Return to your Hollow.

>Return to the Peculiarum

>Write-In
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 1, 7 = 23 (4d10)

>>1312332
>Research for another hour (5 more successes needed to discover another frailty)
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 6, 2 = 17 (4d10)

>>1312332
>Research for another hour (5 more successes needed to discover another frailty)
>>
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40 KB JPG
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1312398
Splosions.
>>
Rolled 4, 7, 6, 9 = 26 (4d10)

>>1312332
>Research for another hour (5 more successes needed to discover another frailty)
>>
>>1312398
2:00 PM (4 hours left until the Solstice Ceremony)

Apparently, the Adorned Princeps doesn't leave many tracks behind him. You're having to piece together information from rumors, theories, and the occasional third-hand account that drifted into the Portland archive's possession.


>Research for another hour (4 more successes needed to discover another frailty)

>Return to your Hollow and get ready for the Solstice event.

>Return to the Peculiarum and tell Conrad what you've learned.

>Write-In
>>
>>1312617
>Return to the Peculiarum and tell Conrad what you've learned.
Also tell him that with a little help, we could get even more information on securing a true Doom.
>>
>>1312617
>Return to the Peculiarum and tell Conrad what you've learned.
>>
>>1312617
>Return to the Peculiarum and tell Conrad what you've learned.
>>
>>1312624
>>1312641
>>1312798
The Peculiarum, 3:00 PM

"Ah, Jerry! My good friend! How about you come up to my office, and we can discuss things over a brandy!" Conrad grabs your shoulder and half-walks, half-pushes you to his office and locks the door.

"Listen, Big Bill's raring to stab this Gentry in the throat, the Horned King isn't answering his phone, and BOTH the negotiators we need are unavailable, so: give me some good news. Please."

"He's called the Adorned Princeps. Big on gold and jewels, runs a cash-for-souls enterprise. Our buddy here seems like he's on the lam, so he's going to want his property back. The good news is that he can't refuse negotiations, and he can't make impossible demands from people in them."

"Yeah, great. That just means he can make almost-impossible ones. But at least he's willing to sit down at the negotiating table. The real trouble's going to be herding Bill into it. Goddamnit, why does shit like this ALWAYS happen on Solstices?"

"How's our friend?"

"Strung out on painkillers. Only way to stop him from fighting." The grey puts out his cigarette in the miniature Pompeii of his ashtray. "Listen, Jerry. You're a great guy. Solid. Dependable. You mean well." Conrad coughs, which briefly erupts into a barfing hack. "Take the night off. Relax in the Hollow with your friends. I'll cover for you, say you got sick with something you picked up from the Hedge."


>Hell no. This is my fault, I'm seeing it through.

>I don't need protection, Conrad.

>Alright. Not a fan of high society, anyways. At least this way, I won't have to find something nice to wear.

>Write-In
>>
>>1312912
>Hell no. This is my fault, I'm seeing it through.
>Write-in
Give me some eyes, some hands, and we might be able to piece together a Doom for this sonuvabitch.
>>
>>1312912
>Hell no. This is my fault, I'm seeing it through.
>>
>>1312972
>>1313060
These
>>
>>1312912
>Hell no. This is my fault, I'm seeing it through.
I mean it ostentatiously isn't our fault, seeing as how this guy was the one to break the mirror, and was only there to murder someone and their family... but it's what Jerry would likely say, so let's go.
>>
>>1312912
>Hell no. This is my fault, I'm seeing it through.

You've already done enough covering for me taking the lead on talking to the Courts. I can't just leave you out in the wind on this.
>>
>>1312972
>>1313060
>>1314206
>>1314450
"Hell no, Conrad. This is my fault, and I'm seeing it through. If you can give me some help, I might be able to figure out the Princeps's Doom."

Conrad puts up his hands. "Woah, woah, WOAH. Slow your roll there, gunslinger. I'll give you some help and cover for you, if you insist, but don't get all fired up about killing this thing. You don't want that sort of reputation in Arcadia, trust me."

"Fine."

>Just give me some men and I'll do more work in the archive, try and dig up more dirt on this guy.

>Keep Mary safe. Terry and I will work security at the party.

>Hook me up with Niko. We'll deal with this guy together.

>Write-In
>>
>>1315282
>Just give me some men and I'll do more work in the archive, try and dig up more dirt on this guy.
>Keep Mary safe. Terry and I will work security at the party.

We'll keep our heads down and out of the way of the professionals in the Summer Court, hell a victory here for them would probably be seen as a good omen for their reign this year for them.
>>
>>1315282
>Just give me some men and I'll do more work in the archive, try and dig up more dirt on this guy.
I doubt we can work both security and dig up info, and I'd rather dig up more of this guy's weaknesses.
>>
>>1315464

That's fair, if we can't do both then prioritize the research
>>
>>1315487
Agreed
>>
>>1315464
>>1315487
>>1315657
Alright, then. New thread following this tomorrow.
>>
>>1316427

A day late, but as promised:
>>1321440




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