Five Days Later...

[Archaelos]

When you arrive in the morning, Sgt. Dixon directs you to the conference room. A tall, broad shouldered man with steel grey hair waits within. When everyone has arrived, including those recently released from hospital care, he snaps to the podium.

"I am Major Lawrence Langley, U.S. Army, retired. I am the chief of operations here at JTFPR Vancouver, and when an ass is on the line, it is usually mine. Because of matters beyond our control, senior staff in Inverness saw fit to deploy you into the field while I was not on site. This was against my express wishes, but shit happens, and someone has to dig the damn latrine. In this case, you unlucky bastards got a trial by fire.

"I handpicked each of you for this team, based on intel assessments. I'm glad to say you proved my choices were sound. I won't have to rip any new assholes. Yet.

"I've read the reports, and a few things bear discussing. First, Mr. Cross summarily executed a prisoner. We at the JTFPR would like to stress that we abide by the Hague Convention, the Geneva Convention, and the Geneva Protocols. We do not condone maltreatment of prisoners. That said, we are a military task force, not a collection of peace officers. We are certainly not babysitters. Times arise when doing what is necessary and doing what is right may seem at cross purposes. Hard choices are called for, and I will not stand for armchair generals second guessing my men in the field. Mr. Cross and Corporal Ferryman both assessed this as necessary. Well, then, in my judgment it was damned necessary, and anyone who says different can choke on my left nut. Just be certain that your judgment in the future is equally sound.

"Tactical considerations, I would like to say that at least you pukes didn't fuck up too badly without my supervision. You were damned lucky the bastard in the southwest quadrant didn't frag you all with that IED, but they say luck favors fools. We should never be in short supply. In the future, secure the perimeter before waxing with the meriment.

"You achieved the primary mission objectives: securing the data discs and the harddrives of the server system. While Inverness is bleating about wanting their sysops to question, I say we're best done with these fanatics. I have a note from..."

He unfolds a letter and then pulls out a pair of eyeglasses to read the note.

"From Hauptfeldwebel Joachim Walter, of the Munich office of the JTFPR, it reads: 'Congrats Yanks on the job with Miles Erikson. That prick has been a problem for us for years. Slimey bastard, quick as a damn snake. Next time you are in Deutschland, a round of Dunkel on me.'"

He folds the letter and replaces it in his papers.

"Second on the agenda, the decision to blow the holy hell out of the compound. This had several reprucussions. One, you managed to destroy the server in the computer room. Mr. Franklin assures me he can retrieve the data off the harddrive, so we may salvage that aspect of the mission yet. Two, you managed to kill Kurt Wilkes. I'm damned certain your secondary objective was to capture Wilkes alive. Not roasted a shade over welldone. Can anyone explain to me what went through your minds when you decided that you were going to give your Daisycutter impression?"

He raises an eyebrow, "Corporal Ferryman, how about we begin with you? Your actions were inline with expectations until the decision to blow up Mr. Wilkes. Would you care to share your thoughts? And don't worry Mr. Cross, I know it was you that threw the explosives, I'll get to you in due course."

[Origen]

"You achieved the primary mission objectives: securing the data discs and the harddrives of the server system. While Inverness is bleating about wanting their sysops to question, I say we're best done with these fanatics. I have a note from..."

Jon will smirk, but remain at attention.

He raises an eyebrow, "Corporal Ferryman, how about we begin with you? Your actions were inline with expectations until the decision to blow up Mr. Wilkes. Would you care to share your thoughts? And don't worry Mr. Cross, I know it was you that threw the explosives, I'll get to you in due course."

Jon will stand at attention when addressed thus, salute, and say, "I was the first to encounter Mr. Wilkes. I have three cracked ribs to show for it. I'm not a hand-to-hand sort, sir, but I'm no push-over, either. That guy took me down with one shot. I was unconscious when they finished him, but if they did, then I trust they made the tactical decision to put him down because we didn't have the resources to do anything else. I'm a marine, sir. We don't do non-lethal. If there are capture missions in the future, I'm going to need better training and weapons to do non-lethal ops.

As for the explosion, our tech said to get out. I asked if that was his best guess of the situation. He said yes. If I'd stayed, I would have been killed in that explosion. He felt that there was a threat in that compound that warranted violent action. I'm not an occult specialist, so I trusted the judgment of someone I'd been sent to work with.

In everything, I'd stand by the judgment of my team mates."

(OOC: This is my interpretation of what I read that night. I'm not trying to spin it. If I get any details wrong, it's an honest mistake.)

[Archaelos]

Major Langley smiles, momentarily, then says, "So your excuse is that you had addled wits following the body beating Miles Erikson delivered to you? Well, I've been a punching bag before myself. Your point about Marines not doing nonlethal is well taken under consideration. However, amongst your fellows you have a former U.S. Marshal. Mr. Chance, does the Marshal Service train you in the method to take prisoners alive? When Mason Cross decided to find out the prize behind door number 1 by blowing it and himself up, what were you thinking, Mr. Chance?"

[hidufel]

Major Langley smiles, momentarily, then says, "So your excuse is that you had addled wits following the body beating Miles Erikson delivered to you? Well, I've been a punching bag before myself. Your point about Marines not doing nonlethal is well taken under consideration. However, amongst your fellows you have a former U.S. Marshal. Mr. Chance, does the Marshal Service train you in the method to take prisoners alive? When Mason Cross decided to find out the prize behind door number 1 by blowing it and himself up, what were you thinking, Mr. Chance?"

Major, For my own part, i felt something... sinister, for lack of a better word. As I appoached that door i felt an inescapable presence almost as if someone was attacking me. I cant described any other way. Masons reaction to this... force, coupled with what i knew to be his greater knowledge of things in that matter, led me to trust his assessment. I made a judgement based on what little information we had, however that turned out.

We had our objectives, the data disks had been secured. we had the computers upstairs secured. Wilkes, unfortunalty, wasnt taken alive. Granted i didnt realize mason planned on detonating half of nevadas arsenal, but we needed the place cleared. at that point we got as many of the prisoners as were left alive out as we could.

[Archaelos]

The Major considers Daring Chance's reply, then says, "I'm given to understand that Mr. Horner was examing the centrifuges when the pivotal decision was made, and that Corporal Amaia was providing rear guard duty. If either of you have any comments to add to the observations made by Corporal Ferryman and Mr. Chance you certainly may. But for the moment, we come to Mr. Cross. Would you be so kind as to explain your decision for us?"

[Baelfyre]

Mason replies "Jon and I were already badly hurt. Niko was acting like the explosion had knocked him half out. Then, when I was examining a rune that should have completely non-magical, a hand of fire reached out and grabbed me. It was not physical, but it was real. The list of supernatural creatures that have a close personal relationship with fire and supernatural fear effects is pretty short. Nothing on that short list was going to be slowed down by two effectives, one of whom was a tech. It was, and is, my opinion that if we had gone in that room most of us would have died."

"So I made the decision to make the most destructive attack I could come up with off the bat after sending the mission objective and personnel unnecessary to make the strike to safety."

[Archaelos]

Langley seems to accept Mason's answer. He closes his folder and says, "Well, that just about covers what I wanted to say. One last word though, you boys did good. I won't say great. Our bosses over in Inverness are chomping at the bit over Wilkes. They'll get over it. Before next mission, I hope you get to know and trust one another. We're fighting a war here, make no mistake.

He looks around the room slowly, "Right now, you don't even know who the enemy is. Hell, I don't even understand half of it myself. But it's a war, not just for your country, or your fellowman, but, well, as hokey as this sounds, a war for your soul. You need to be briefed on your predecessors last mission, but I'm not prepared to burden you with that. Not yet."

"For the moment, Mr. Nguyen, our expert on the paranormal, would like to have a word with you. I believe he needs your assistance."

Langley gathers his papers, and walks out of the room. He closes the door behind him.

[Archaelos]

About five minutes pass before Robert Nguyen enters the room. He is a thin, lankey man with wire-rimmed glasses. He's wearing a t-shirt that features a puzzled looking David Duchovny and the words "I don't wanna believe man, really!" He's carrying a box full of jumbled papers.

When he reaches the podium he clears his throat nervously, then cleans his glasses, then clears his throat again, "Hi, um, fellas. You guys sure had a blast on the last mission, huh?"

He grins like he's just made the funniest joke in the world, then goes on, "This is the data, I mean, this is part of the data from the disks you recovered. One of the disks. It was ASCII. Text files. Horner...David, right? He can um, explain. Not that it matters. Anyway.

"We have all of this. Most of it's well, not very useful. Gibberish. Manifestos. They documented everything the cult did. We found the receipt of sale for the dynamite. Man, that sure was a bad investment."

He grins again.

"In any event, we have to go through this. The box. Well, the data, it's on the papers in the box. And the other box. As you know we're short on manpower. We're looking for occult references. And references to the occult."

He can't help himself, he brays an annoying high pitched laugh at his own joke.

"We need your help. Horner and Cross, you too are most qualified, so you'll organize this, right? Right. The rest of you can help. Just look for odd things, unusual. Gas bills and dynamite purchases aren't really unusual. I mean spooky crazy unusual. Like if there were pirate ghosts, that would be crazy unusual. So if you guys find that...yeah, it's what you're trying to find. Something, we don't know what yet.

"Once we get the tape decoded, we'll pass that along to Horner, David I mean. David Horner. Then you can try to find any network matches in the data from either side, or both sides. I, uh, will get that too you as soon as I can. Then back to the books for me. Oh, I'll get the other box."

He opens the door, and drags another paper box full of printed material into the room. "Ok, fellas. Let me know if you find anything. Oh, and the old man, that's what we call Pierce. At least, that's what I call him. He's springing for pizza for lunch. Let Dan know what toppings you like. Don't order the BBQ, they don't do it very well, not this place we get the pizzas from. Anyway, I'll let you fellas get to work. Cross and Horner, sort out what the others need to do, I'll be in my office."

He walks out.

[Origen]

Jon looks at the big pile of papers for a moment, and blinks.

"I'd rather have something to shoot."

[Archaelos]

Everyone should make several checks, depending on which skills you have, as broken down here.

If you have ranks in Research, make 4 Research rolls.
If you have ranks in Search, make 4 Search rolls.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (Arcane) make 3 Know. (Arcane) rolls.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (Tech) make 2 Know (Tech) rolls.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (Art) make 1 Know (Art) roll.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (History) make 1 Know (History) roll.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (Current Events) make 1 Know (Cur. Ev) roll.

List them with all of your character mods, etc. Aid another will be handled as this:

If you have no ranks in any of the above, then it is assumed you are aiding the rest of the team. To do this, please make the following:

4 Intelligence Checks.
4 Wisdom Checks.

Each successful Int check will add +2 to one of the Research or Search checks.
Each successful Wis check will add a special +2 bonus to one of the Knowledge checks.

You can make the rolls however you want, dice, favorite online roller, etc. Just post the results with the mods under this thread. (And label them...Knowledge (Arcana) or Research or Intelligence check or whatever). Thanks.

[Origen]

What about a Stealth check to see if I can make it out without anyone noticing I'm gone?

[Baelfyre]

If you have ranks in Research, make 4 Research rolls. (+9)
Total(roll)
22(13)
14(5)
27(18)
27(18)

If you have ranks in Search, make 4 Search rolls. (+4)
10(6)
11(7)
19(15)
19(15)

If you have ranks in Knowledge (Arcane) make 3 Know. (Arcane) rolls.(+15)
16(1)
35(20)
31(16)

If you have ranks in Knowledge (Tech) make 2 Know (Tech) rolls.
Don't have

If you have ranks in Knowledge (Art) make 1 Know (Art) roll.
27(18)

If you have ranks in Knowledge (History) make 1 Know (History) roll.(+11)
30(19)

If you have ranks in Knowledge (Current Events) make 1 Know (Cur. Ev)
roll.
Don't have

[Origen]

4 Search rolls. I was going to make Int or Wis checks, but I'm a little blurry this morning, and just realized that's only if you have no ranks in ANY of the above skills.

4 Search checks:

Search checks, roll #1 (1d20 + 9): 18 + 9 = 27
Search checks, roll #2 (1d20 + 9): 8 + 9 = 17
Search checks, roll #3 (1d20 + 9): 16 + 9 = 25
Search checks, roll #4 (1d20 + 9): 12 + 9 = 21

[Baelfyre]

After several hours of sifting papers, Mason looks around and says "Let's take a few minutes to share results so that we can prioritize our results, shall we?"

(assuming everybody agrees, he continues)

"This what I've got so far:

1st - You find journal written by Samuel Hollings. It discusses joining the cult. He says the worship fire, and hope to one day locate the "Pacific Flame", and artifact older than recorded history. He emphasizes the importance of fire, burning, and purification. You know that Samuel Hollings was the cult-terrorist killed during the hijacking of the Queen of the West ferry. Based on these documents, he was the cult's high priest of fire.

2nd - In another document, you find evidence the Kurt Wilkes, the cultist that Mason blew up in the compound, was the original founder of the Fire Cult. He and Hollings apparently have struggled over the leadership of the cult, until Hollings was killed.

3rd - You find an elegantly written letter, signed by Kurt Wilkes. It is addressed to "Your Most Excellent Eminence", and asks for copies of scrolls from antiquity. These scrolls apparently deal with the location of the Pacific Flame Artifact.

4th - The final document you find is a letter written by Sara Gallway to Kurt Wilkes. She is very concerned by in her words: "the influence of the German on Sam. Sam's a good man, but I don't like how much time he's giving. You can't let a telepath fuck with your mind like that. It's dangerous. And the German is more dangerous than most telepaths."

While you don't know who Sara Gallway is, you suspect the "German Telepath" is a rogue agent, notorious in the occult underground for his ability to erase and modify memory. Possibly one of the other members of the team has found a better connection between Samuel Hollings and the German.

"Next?" he says.

[Origen]

1st - You find a set of emails exchanged between Kurt Wilkes and an "unknown sender" discussing transfer of money from Welle Sparkasse Munchen. The emails direct Wilkes to purchase the necessary components to construct a large bomb - dynamite, ANFO, and detonators.

2nd - You find a note from Kurt Wilkes to a Sara Gallway reminding her to "check up on the bids on eBay, we don't want to lose the item." The note makes references to previous communications, but you've not located those yet.

3rd - You find a set of transcribed phone records. They deal with Samuel Hollings, the attack on the Queen of the West, and orders coming from someone in Atlanta, GA. You recognize that Hollings was one of the terrorists involved in the hijacking of the Queen of the West. The transcription is clear that Hollings was taking orders, not acting on his own initiative.

4th - Clearly connected to the last entry, you find an exchange of letters between Samuel Hollings and the cultist Kurt Wilkes, where Wilkes insists on "forwarding the information to the Buddhist". Hollings disagrees at first, but finally gives the OK.

Just for clarity:

Kurt Wilkes was the cultist in the compound that Mason blew up in the last room.

Samuel Hollings was the former leader of the cult. He was killed during the hijacking of the Queen of the West.

You don't know who is in Atlanta, nor who "the Buddhist" is. Nor do you know for sure who Sara Gallway is, but the document indicates she had an office in the compound, making you suspicious she is the woman you killed.

[Origen]

Do the descriptions of the explosives in the emails match the explosives we utilized in the cult compound?

I would like to search specifically for the earlier emails between Kurt Wilkes and Sara Gallway about the Ebay sale.

Regarding this sentence: "The transcription is clear that Hollings was taking orders, not acting on his own initiative." Do we know who he was taking orders from?

I would also like to search for other references to the Buddhist.

We're looking at transcripts of printed out ASCII files, right? Can I talk to the tech who had all this printed out, and have him do a word search through the files for references to the Buddhist?

[Archaelos]

Do the descriptions of the explosives in the emails match the explosives we utilized in the cult compound?

Someone with ranks in the Craft (Chemical) will need to roll for this. Add +2 to the roll.

Regarding this sentence: "The transcription is clear that Hollings was taking orders, not acting on his own initiative." Do we know who he was taking orders from?

Someone with ranks in Research should roll for this. Also, add +2 for this roll.

I would like to search specifically for the earlier emails between Kurt Wilkes and Sara Gallway about the Ebay sale.

Ok, make a Search check at +2.

We're looking at transcripts of printed out ASCII files, right? Can I talk to the tech who had all this printed out, and have him do a word search through the files for references to the Buddhist?

You can make a Search check for this at +4. This bonus reflects Robert Nguyen's assistance with the ASCII search.

[Origen]

Someone with ranks in the Craft (Chemical) will need to roll for this. Add +2 to the roll.

Would a Demolitions check also work?

I'll post the results of the Search checks shortly, and have them emailed to you.

Who has ranks for the Research check? Anyone? Anyone?

[Origen]

Ok, make a Search check at +2.

Search checks (1d20 + 11): 17 + 11 = 28

You can make a Search check for this at +4. This bonus reflects Robert Nguyen's assistance with the ASCII search.

Search checks (1d20 + 11): 8 + 11 = 19

That was actually supposed to be a +13, so the final result is 21.

[Origen]

Demolitions check:

Demolitions check. (1d20 + 9): 2 + 9 = 11

[Origen]

The follow-up Search checks reveal:

1) You find several emails between Gallway and Wilkes that appear to refer to the same eBay bid.

a) The first is where Gallway informs Wilkes that "a security asset was posted for sale, by our friends in Atlanta".

b) Wilkes wants more information on the nature of the "asset".

c) Gallway replies that it was "one of those that killed Sam on that damned ferry boat."

d) Wilkes orders Gallway to place a bid of $35,000 CDN.

e) She responds that that isn't enough. It would seem that, "The Haitians are out bidding us, and they have deep pockets. Unless you want to throw away a few hundred thousand, they'll get the asset. Who knows why they want him."

f) To which Wilkes replies: "Get Sloan on the phone. Tell him I'm sick of these games, I want the asset, and that's not negotiable."

g) The final email from Gallway reads, "I don't think threatening Sloan is a good idea. Really, he's not the kind of guy you want to fuck with. I don't know why he's bidding this out on the open market, but he is. He's making a point or something. I don't know. If it's that important, let's use the reserve fund."

h) The final email from Wilkes, appears to be the original you found, ordering Gallway to make the highest bid, at all costs, even if it means spending the reserve fund.

2) Nguyen's ASCII scan on the disk found 3 additional references to the "Buddhist".

a) "The Buddhist is no friend of the German. If we can play the two one against the other, we will be in a strong position." -Samuel Hollings

b) "Our Buddhist friend has relocated to California. He's trying to get one of those liberal universities to fund another dig. How he's going to convince anyone that a dig in Guatamala is connected to Shingon Buddhism is beyond me." -Sara Gallway

c) "Rev. Minyamato has the scrolls, he's a very amicable guy. Let me talk to him, that's all I ask. I've exchanged letters with him several times, and even if his ideas aren't the same as ours, he's wise enough to see that we have mutual interests. He'll help us, I know it. And we'll help him. He's a Buddhist, how dangerous can he really be? Aren't they all pacifists at heart?" -Kurt Wilkes

The last note appears connected to the letter Wilkes wrote to "Your Most Excellent Eminence".

[hidufel]

I'm sorry i havent participated since... ive been in a doped up cold induced fugue since thursday. Im begining to think a little clearly now, and should be able to send out some rolls later totday.

[Joe Kickass]

I've got a lot of the relevant skills, including Craft Chemical. But I'm still at the family's for Thanksgiving. If someone wants to roll for me cause you need results now, go for it. Otherwise I'll probably get to it tomorrow.

[Archaelos]

If someone wants to roll for me cause you need results now, go for it. Otherwise I'll probably get to it tomorrow.

That should be fine, we're not in a rush. Lots of information on these rolls, probably good to have them spread out over a few days.

[Baelfyre]

BTW, I'm waiting on everybody to post their various information bits before asking questions, to minimize the relevant basic information being scattered all over the thread.

[Baelfyre]

Before doing anything else, Mason is going to officially ask for help from the NSA on finding physical locations on the e-bay posters, and ask FISA for warrants. Particularly the first poster.

1) Can Mason find any Arcane references to the "Pacific Flame"

2) Is there any indication who took over the cult after Wilkes death? Assuming he's dead, mind you.

3) Are there any specific scrolls mentioned in Hollings letter to "Your Most Excellence", and if so does Mason recognize them?

4) Is "The Germans" real name or current location known?

5) Are there any identifying phrases etc that might shed some light on who was giving Hollings orders during the Queen of the West incident.

6) Do a search on California university professors and schools trying to get archaeological permits in Guatamala. Also, research big names in Shingon Buddhism.

7) Background on Rev Minyamoto? possibly connect with 6, above.

Also, any information from Arcane Science or Research rolls?

[Origen]

Before doing anything else, Mason is going to officially ask for help from the NSA on finding physical locations on the e-bay posters, and ask FISA for warrants. Particularly the first poster.

I would also like to devote my efforts to assisting with this, if I can.

If they have one of ours, and time is of the essence, then we need to find out where he is.

[Archaelos]

Before doing anything else, Mason is going to officially ask for help from the NSA on finding physical locations on the e-bay posters, and ask FISA for warrants. Particularly the first poster.

These requests will be passed up to JTFPR-Inverness. Niko can make a Profession (Intelligence) check to see if he can garner assistance from his contacts. Daring Chance can make a Profession (Law Enforcement) check for his contacts as well.

1) Can Mason find any Arcane references to the "Pacific Flame"

Make an Know (Arcane) check at +2.

2) Is there any indication who took over the cult after Wilkes death? Assuming he's dead, mind you.

Forensics has assured you he's quite dead. As to the first question, you'd need someone to fly to Edmonton (day trip) and do a Gather Info check. I think Daring is the only one with that skill ranked up.

6) Do a search on California university professors and schools trying to get archaeological permits in Guatamala. Also, research big names in Shingon Buddhism.

Make a Research check at +2.

7) Background on Rev Minyamoto?

JTFPR has a dossier on him here. (http://www.criticalfumble.net/forum/showpost.php?p=217289&postcount=3)

[Archaelos]

I would also like to devote my efforts to assisting with this, if I can.


You can make a Military Intelligence Requisition check. Your rank entitles you to a +5 bonus on the d20 roll.

[Origen]

You can make a Military Intelligence Requisition check. Your rank entitles you to a +5 bonus on the d20 roll.

w00t!

Military Intelligence Requisition check: (1d20 + 5): 19 + 5 = 24

Emailed the results to you.

[Baelfyre]

Archaelos: There are no specific scrolls named. From the information you've read, you deduce that neither Wilkes nor Hollings knew the names or details of the scrolls.

Based on Minyamoto's reported findings from his assorted digs, do a survey through those findings for anything fire or flame related.

Friederich Eitmann. Current location, unknown. JTFPR Dossier here.

Is a picture included in the dossier?

Likely Charles Sloan. The calls were to and from Atlanta, where Sloan's wife maintains residence. All of the contact information points to his involvement on the Queen of the West as organizer and motivator for the attack.

Do we have any information on Sloan's current whereabouts.

re: Pacific flame
Make an Know (Arcane) check at +2.
20+17 37

Forensics has assured you he's quite dead. As to the first question, you'd need someone to fly to Edmonton (day trip) and do a Gather Info check. I think Daring is the only one with that skill ranked up.

Oh, Daaaring....
;)


Make a Research check at +2
Re: permits/grants
18+9+2
29

Also, Wilkes referred to getting Sloan on the phone. Check the phone records and try and find him using those.

Arch, I'm using a physical dice on my desk. In light of the lucky streak I'm having, I'm more than willing to use an email die roller of your choice. Just let me know.

[Archaelos]

Based on Minyamoto's reported findings from his assorted digs, do a survey through those findings for anything fire or flame related.

Nothing matches fire or flame. Robert Nguyen brings you copies of every article Minyamato has ever published in scholarly journals: exactly 3 of them. The first is from the Journal of Far Eastern Religion, "Ascension in Horror", and is a historiographic study in Japanese Buddhism since the Hiroshima bombing. The second is in Contemporary Postmodernism, "Singing in Nirvana", and is a biopic of the impact of the life of Kurt Cobain. The final article in Central Asian Journal of Comparative Philosophy, "Images of Representation" details Minyamato's examinations of physical statues carved in the likeness of the Buddha.

Nguyen also shows the group two notices, one from Far Eastern Religion and the other from Islamic Studies in Review both stating that, "Articles concerning the find in the North Swat Valley are forthcoming". The preview statements are two decades old. According to Nguyen, the promised findings were never published.

Is a picture included in the dossier?

No.

Do we have any information on Sloan's current whereabouts.

JTFPR Intelligence is trying to find that out now.

Also, Wilkes referred to getting Sloan on the phone. Check the phone records and try and find him using those.

Do a Search check.

I'm more than willing to use an email die roller of your choice.

I trust you, heh. Probably for the best for everyone to go to email die rolling though. I'll post about, so everyone on the same field.

[Baelfyre]

First, concerning the Pacific Flame.

You've heard whispers, rumours, the shadows of the shape of myths. The Inuit called it "The Fire that Lights the Heavens"; proto-Numidian tribes in Africa speak of "Rivers of Light from the Belly of the Earth"; the Mayans may have called it "The Eye of the Sun God"; and it may be what the Dynastic Egyptians knew as "Ra's Right Hand". In Tibet it is "The Fire that Burns Eternal Ice"; in Papua New Guinea, "The Living Flame which Belched from the Salt Waters". It is less than a myth. It is a name, and nothing more.

It may not even be that. It may be an illusion, a figment, a false memory of some catastrophe in mankind's prehistoric past.


The first thing Mason is going to do is write a quick report, detailing where he heard and or read the fragments, in case something happens to him. He's also going to share this verbally with the team.

Do any of those have anything remotely approaching a physical description?
(I'm guessing the answer is something along the lines of "Heh. No.")


Nothing matches fire or flame. Robert Nguyen brings you copies of every article Minyamato has ever published in scholarly journals: exactly 3 of them. The first is from the Journal of Far Eastern Religion, "Ascension in Horror", and is a historiographic study in Japanese Buddhism since the Hiroshima bombing. The second is in Contemporary Postmodernism, "Singing in Nirvana", and is a biopic of the impact of the life of Kurt Cobain. The final article in Central Asian Journal of Comparative Philosophy, "Images of Representation" details Minyamato's examinations of physical statues carved in the likeness of the Buddha.

Nguyen also shows the group two notices, one from Far Eastern Religion and the other from Islamic Studies in Review both stating that, "Articles concerning the find in the North Swat Valley are forthcoming". The preview statements are two decades old. According to Nguyen, the promised findings were never published.



Second, research grants.

Your friend Minyamato has applied for multiple grants, at every university on the west coast, and half the ones on the east coast. Looks like he picked up funding from a group called "The Foundation for Comparative Religions". His grant proposes a three year dig in Belize, near the Lamanai ruins site. He proposes to study "Similarities in Mesoamerican proto-medical beliefs with Shingon Meditative Practice". He's been given a rolling grant of $350,000 USD annually for the study.

Do research into this "Foundation". Particularly tax records and finances. Again, share this with the group.

Search check on phone records (already emailed)
19 (15+4)

[Origen]

I am going to request a couple of days to go follow a lead. I'd also like to talk to [whoever is appropriate] and I will share what I've learned behind closed doors.

I'd also like to take at least one other person with me.

[Archaelos]

Do any of those have anything remotely approaching a physical description?

Very good guess: heh, no.

Do research into this "Foundation". Particularly tax records and finances. Again, share this with the group.

They've made probably a dozen grants in the past twenty years. Most deal with East Asian religion, though they seem to have a soft spot for Mesoamerican shamanism as well. Most grants have gone to U.S. university professors and have averaged about $100,000 USD a year. The Foundations funding comes from a variety of sources: a government "matching funds" program, several universities (Stanford, UC Berkeley, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, etc) underwrite portions of the operation in exchange for graduate 'learning experience appointments', trust funds endowed by former (now deceased members) none amounting to more than thirty thousand dollars. Nothing seems particularly interesting, they seem to be a standard research grant foundation.

Search check on phone records

Calls to Sloan were made to an internationally registered cell phone, routed through a Dandridge Corporation office in Washington, DC. The cell relay is behind the Dandridge firewall, so no way to find the physical location without accessing their Corporate system.

[Baelfyre]

Mason will offer to accompany Jon.

[Origen]

Calls to Sloan were made to an internationally registered cell phone, routed through a Dandridge Corporation office in Washington, DC. The cell relay is behind the Dandridge firewall, so no way to find the physical location without accessing their Corporate system.

Who is our best computer guy?

Mason will offer to accompany Jon.

Jon accepts the offer gladly.

He will say, quietly, "If the boss okays it, I might need some back up."

[Baelfyre]

splits equally between Mason and David.

[Origen]

splits equally between Mason and David.

Either one of you could automatically make the DC 10 for Aid Another, and give the other guy a +2.

[Baelfyre]

Ok. How do we that within the mechanics of the system? And can it be done remotely, since Mason will be off with Jon?

[Archaelos]

To arrange the days away, you'd need to speak to either Major Langley if you want it considered as an official operation or to Ted Pierce if you want it considered as leave.

[Origen]

To arrange the days away, you'd need to speak to either Major Langley if you want it considered as an official operation or to Ted Pierce if you want it considered as leave.

I will speak to Major Langley, and explain that I have a contact that I'd rather not name who may be able to give us a lead on the "Ebay deal."

Edit: WAIT.

Scratch that. He's a personal friend. I'd like to take a couple of days of leave. We're worried about a leak.

[Archaelos]

Scratch that. He's a personal friend. I'd like to take a couple of days of leave. We're worried about a leak.

Then you'll need to do a Wealth check for the travel arrangements.

[Baelfyre]

IF he has a difficulty with the wealth check, Mason will try to make one. Also, would you be so kind as to make Mason's wealth check for 4th level?

[Archaelos]

roll d20=13+5=18
Wealth 14 + 1= 15 + 1 (3 rnks prof) = 16

Your new Wealth is 16

[Origen]

Then you'll need to do a Wealth check for the travel arrangements.

What's the DC?

[Archaelos]

DC 15, you can do that with a Take 10, losing 2 pts of Wealth. Mason can also take 10 on the check, he loses only 1 pt if he's willing to do that.

[Origen]

DC 15, you can do that with a Take 10, losing 2 pts of Wealth. Mason can also take 10 on the check, he loses only 1 pt if he's willing to do that.

What do I have to roll in order to NOT lose anything?

;)

[Archaelos]

What do I have to roll in order to NOT lose anything?

;)

Wealth loss is a comparison of current Wealth vs. the DC. A DC of 15 of higher is automatically 1 loss, no matter current wealth. Jon would lose a second point because the DC is higher than his current Wealth. The Wealth check only determines if the item is within your price range.

[Origen]

Wealth loss is a comparison of current Wealth vs. the DC. A DC of 15 of higher is automatically 1 loss, no matter current wealth. Jon would lose a second point because the DC is higher than his current Wealth. The Wealth check only determines if the item is within your price range.

Got it.

Well, I feel this worth it. So I'll be eating in the office cafeteria for a while.

I will subtract 2 from my wealth, putting it at 7.

[Baelfyre]

Mason will pay.

He can always make him work it off at the shop later, anyway.
:sasmokin:

Edit: Hey, I just read the basics about wealth bonus. Mason is Wealthy! Nice. I'd like a Ferrari, please.
:)

[Baelfyre]

Mason says "Hey Jon, where are we going? I just want to know if I have enough ammunition or big enough guns."

[Joe Kickass]

Sorry for the delay.

Here's David's findings from his research.

David found schematics relating to the centrifuges from the compound. They were being tested for use in concentrating highly flammable liquids. However, the orders for the chemicals needed to produce these liquids were never filled.

A mass of bank funding transfers. After a bit of sorting, they detail several different account exchanges. The cult had money transferred to them from a bank in Munich, then transferred most of that out of Canada into a U.S. bank in Delaware. From there, the funds were paid to a corporation in Atlanta, GA.

With this information I want to see if I can find out who put that money into the bank in Munich, and the nature and owners of the corporation in Atlanta.


You also find plans for a ritual spell of some sort. The cult appears to have been convinced that if they concentrated enough fire into one area, they could resurrect their dead leader, Samuel Hollings. The documents are mostly pseudo-mystical gibberish, revealing instability in some of the cults leadership. By the end, the documents become almost deranged, with details of human sacrificial burnt offerings, and detailed descriptions of ancient cultures destroyed by volcanic activity.

This would seem to be the reason for the centrifuges and the flammable materials they were trying to create. I will attempt research into any similar rituals, though this is not my area of expertise.


A letter, bearing an international postmark from the Canary Islands, it says: "Ms. Gallway, I urge you not to deal with that Japanese charlatan. He will abrogate the Cairo Accords if he is successful. He has no regard for etiquette. If you force my hand, I will become personally involved in this matter, and I believe neither of us wishes for that. My agents converge on Seattle, Belmopan, Unguja Mjini and other less savoury locations even as we speak. Pray that you are among those on my side, or your beloved master will never achieve the final act of his performance. I trust you take my meaning."

The letter is signed "F. E."

Do we know who this is?