NMYF: House of serpents

[Aurora]

There was a shrug, “Shit happens and we do what we have to do.” She simply worked with what she had. “Maybe we can hit up the office after and I can show you the research. A second set of eyes might find something I missed.” More the likely. She only had access to so many Arcanas, so maybe he had others. “You know, I honestly don’t know.” Chuckling, “They’re legal to own for some reason, so maybe it’s a way to get people in the doors.” Whatever the reason, it was stupid.

Seeing the name, she nods, sighs, “Might as well.” Truth be told, she didn’t have a plan for going in. Aside from some basic research and information gathering. “Figured we could just get information and maybe see how popular the snakes are, just basic things, not draw attention and all that.” and she'll start to walk towards the door.

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[Asclepius]

Sure we do what we need to when shit happens but doesn't mean it doesn't effect us. “Sure, that's very true. When we get back to the office and you need to get anything off your chest let me know, its understandable if you have others you feel more comfortable doing so with as well. Just make sure you don't bottle this. Anyway Circling back to subject, yes I would be happy to go over your notes.” He stands for a moment Blinking, clearly looking stunned. “Legal, good lord.”

Nodding to her suggestions and giving a look over the store front. “Sounds like a plan, we shall keep it subtle for now.” He follows Aurora as she walks in.

[ReubanBrightwood]

Heading through the doors the temperature in the store is higher then outside world, the creeping chill of the seasons blasted by electric heaters and air conditioning cranked up. Rows of glass front displays present an array of lizards, snakes, tortoises and other reptiles.

Further back into the store glass tanks, bags of bedding, frozen feed and cleaning supplies stack the shelves. A dozen or so people peruses the shelves, investigate the tanks and make selections. Four of them are gathered around a store clerk in a black shirt under a display banner that read Surplus of newly Born snakes, free give away. The Employee seems to be giving a preparation talk on how to care for venomous reptiles.

Three other store workers in the black shirt uniform can be seen, two patrol the isles helping with customer enquiries and the final member of the staff is manning the checkout. There is a green painted door behind the checkout and a set of green double doors at the back of the ship. A sign lists feeding times for the reptiles and even advertises a bookable feeding experience.

So far Aurora does not recognise anyone.

[Aurora]

Nodding, “Thanks, and I have no problem sharing with you.” She knew what would happen if she shared with Phoenyx, the Arrow would be pissed. And Aurora was pissed enough for the both of them.

He understood subtle, good. He was a good choice to call in and help.

As they walk in, she makes a mental note that if you are ever cold, just visit this place. Eyes take in the rows of tanks with the various animals. But she was, of course, more interested in the free, able to kill you, snakes. But could they kill you at such a young age? Or did you have to wait until they got bigger?

So she wanders over towards that group, intending to listen and maybe learn something.
Though it was a relief she didn’t recognize anyone, that would make this a very awkward trip. But she knew it was bound to happen at some point.

Her eyes were kept on a swivel, always looking around and observing.

Perception? No perception

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-07 16:11:31	Aurora rolls 6 to Perception (Wits+Comp) (10 Again)	1, 2, 2, 2, 7, 2	failure

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[Asclepius]

He followed into the store feeling the stuffy heat of the room, it was welcome this time of year honestly. His eyes drifting across the various tanks and observering some of the creatures within. Well this looks like a place for some venomous snakes.

Observing that Aurora has taken interest in the group getting the demonstration he follows her keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. He stands on the edge of the group with her and looks around at the workers and observing what they are currently up to. Considering I'm going in roughly blind to what we are looking for, probably best to keep a head on a swivel. Any one of these workers could be the assassin, doubtful, but maybe we will get lucky.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-08 16:42:15	Asclepius rolls 5 to Perception (Wits 2 + Comp 3) (10 Again)	4, 8, 2, 3, 3	1 success

Gear

Smartphone (in pocket)
Cash (in pocket)
Car keys (in pocket)
Kevlar vest thin (Worn under shirt)
Combat knife (dedicated tool attached at belt)
Wedding ring (worn)

Stats

Health: 7
Mana: 7
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 5
Willpower: 3/3 (usable)
Armor: 1 /2 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2)
Spell tolerance: 0/2
Active spells: 0/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[ReubanBrightwood]

Aurora learns plenty about keeping venomous pets, feeding routines, safety equipment, how to milk them, good environments to keep them stimulated. She also learns that the snakes being given away are largely unexplored in terms of their venomous effect on humans as they are one of the least aggressive snakes found in California and very rarely bite humans. Humans have died after being bitten but others have survived making the venom a tenuous link to cause of death at best. The talk keeping her from noticing anything to odd.

Asclepius however notices that another of the black shirt staff members non to surreptitiously takes a member of the public through the double doors and into the back of the shop, judging by how he's looking to check no one saw that seems more then a little suspicious.

[Aurora]

Taking out her cell, she sends her fellow Shaman a text, the name of the snake they were looking for. 'Baby false water cobras (a non native breed of venomous snake), or information on Haemotoxic snake venom, college paper research of course.'

Always have a cover story.

Well, the info being shared was good, so she listens. The bit about some humans having died, and some, well, not, wasn’t lost on her. If that was the case, was that the venom she was looking for? Because what was in that fucking dart was death, plain and simple.

Had it been messed with? She had no way to know, that went way beyond what she would be able to figure out. She was a fucking contortionist, not a mixer of all things poisons and deadly.

Waiting until most of the crowd had dispersed and gone about their business, “Excuse, I’m not sure if you’re busy, but would this be a good species for a beginner? I’ve done a bit of research, but figured I could get better, more clear answers coming and asking an expert. If you are busy, could you direct me to some material I could read and use to research? I haven't been able to find clear answers in the local libraries.” she might not look it, but the Shaman was quite intelligent. And right now, this was all she had to go on.

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[Asclepius]

He reads the text on his phone, while its message was helpful in telling him what to look for, he had little clue about such a snake. He Makes a note of the suspicious actions of the staff member and member of public. Something for later discussion with Aurora perhaps, Maybe she will have an idea of whether it is worth investigating. It does not seem wise to him currently to leave her side, especially after her mention of being attacked while alone.

Listening to the gentleman giving the speech, his words not seeming to interesting until the mention of the fact that the snake in question is not a fully explored venomous snake. More interestingly that death is not an effect of the venom. What if it was not a kill attempt? What if it was a Kidnap attempt! His eyes go to the man speaking and he waits for the staff member to finish answering Aurora's question before offering his own. “I know you mentioned that the venom is unexplored because of how little aggression they show. Are there any documented effects they have had on humans? Like Nausea? Illness? Aesthetic or paralytic effects?” His eyes focus as the staff member answers, He makes effort to attempt to see through any lies that the staff member may tell.

3 successes to Detect any Lying

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-11 15:19:13	Asclepius rolls 6 to Detecting Lies (Wits 2 + Subterfuge 1 + Willpower 3) (10 Again, WillPower)	6, 1, 10, 9, 9, 1, 5	3 successes

Gear

Smartphone (in pocket)
Cash (in pocket)
Car keys (in pocket)
Kevlar vest thin (Worn under shirt)
Combat knife (dedicated tool attached at belt)
Wedding ring (worn)

Stats

Health:
Mana:
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 5
Willpower: 2/3 (useable left)
Armor: 1 /2 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2)
Spell tolerance: 0/2
Active spells: 0/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[ReubanBrightwood]

The black shirted member of staff is taking questions from the audience and in due course listens to Aurora as she approaches after the crowd has sated its interest in the baby false water cobras, two of them even take one away. "For a beginner, I would start with something a little less. They aren't volatile and as a first venomous snake I would say yes there would do well. But snakes have needs and behaviours so I would try getting something like a corn snake first. Smaller, get used to being bitten because it will happen. And if it does get out you have nothing to worry about." As for reading material he holds out a little three fold leaflet labelled, tips and tricks for taking care of venomous reptiles. "It's not a complete document for every situation but in terms of how to keep one it will get you started. But in terms of your tank, feeding schedule, keeping it happy and healthy it will do you well enough." He gives her a smile and a nod before turning now to handle he next question from her fellow mage.

Aurora please make make an Intelligence+composure check

"Well as the name suggest they aren't real cobras, the venom of this guy is necrotic like all snake venom it will damage the tissue of the bite area causing swelling. If you get bitten a lot it could cause a blood clot. But deaths are very rare."

[Aurora]

Asclepius asked some good questions, but it made her realize she didn’t give him the full story of what was in the dart. Not that she had the full story come to think of it. Cause it wasn’t sounding like it was this snake. But this was what her research had led her to, so she was starting here.

So why get a venous snake if bites are going to happen?! In what world does that make sense?! People are just stupid she thinks to herself.

“Well, getting bit is certainly not high up on my list.” Accepting the leaflet, “But I get what you are saying. Though what is the recommendation when one of those guys,” a nod to the baby venous ones, “gets out? Are gloves an approved method to use?” not that she planned to have one, but she was curious, because surely you use gloves or some shit with venous snakes.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-13 14:05:57	Aurora rolls 6 to Intelligence+Comp (10 Again)	5, 9, 5, 10, 3, 8, 4	3 successes

His answer to Asclepius’s question tells her this isn’t the snake she was looking for. “What about haemotoxic snakes? Do those fall into the same care category of those little guys? Or something a bit more exotic and expert level?”

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)