The Resurrectionists: In the Stacks

[Milton]

Upon the completion of the meeting with Hall and Holden, Milton immediately reaches out to some of his contacts with the city, his mind filled with possible angles of investigation.

One in particular appears to be of prime importance: looking into the history (recent and not so recent) of Arkwright Cemetery. As Jacque had wisely suggested during their discussion, the city and county of Sacramento was sure to have documents pertaining to this topic: land deeds (at least for recent expansions), various permits, details on the owner/operator of the graveyard, surveyor's maps, and the like. Milton is especially keen to look into the Jewish section of the cemetery and its surrounding environs. If he can find discrete records of individual burials within those hallowed grounds, all the better.

Gaining entry to the Sacramento Recorder and Assessor's office at this late hour might be a large ask for another, whether or Kine or Kindred. But Milton has made it his business to render himself indispensable to many within the local municipality. And that kind of effort pays off eventually.

So, as he works the phone, the Lord drives through the benighted city, confident that by the time he reaches his destination, access will have been granted. No matter the hour.

Give me Access! 4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-08-24 20:27:31	Milton rolls 10 to Manip + Persuasion + Allies + Status (10 Again)	4, 4, 6, 8, 4, 8, 8, 6, 8, 4	4 successes

This is a research thread prior to departure for Arkwright Cemetery. Milton is attempting to use his influence with local government to gain access to records pertaining to the graveyard.

[Seryna]

Milton is met by a low level worker, having been designated to assist Milton with his request.
"Hello, I have been told that you need assistance. At this late hour. What do you need to look at?" The gentleman who introduced himself as Mr. Anderson inquires. Anderson is about 5'6'', White, with balding brown hair. He wears a standard suit in brown, and doesn't stand out much.

[Milton]

Anderson is Milton's type: small, unassuming, and ready to help. In life, they may have been co-workers. In death, Milton judges him an ideal subordinate.

"Very good, Mr. Anderson. Thank you for meeting me. I am looking for materials pertaining to a certain Arkwright Cemetery, anything from the 1930s to the present. Land deeds, historical maps or survey information, details concerning ownership or operation, and so on. If there are any records on individual burials or plots, that would also be greatly appreciated." He speaks evenly, softly, and with the assumption that he will be obeyed. It is the casual authority of the privileged.

The Lord does not give the reason for this request. There's no need to. Anderson is here to assist, nothing more.

[Seryna]

Mr. Anderson leads Milton to a research room with large tables and carefully chosen lights for reading the records. Mr. Anderson said he would gather the materials and return.

Ten minutes tick by. Twenty. Precious minutes, for this time tomorrow, Milton and the others would already be at Arkwright Cemetery.

Mr. Anderson brings in a rolled architect plan and a light, new looking folder. Mr. Anderson gestures to the front section of the architect plans, pointing out the new walls and modern architecture. The cemetery was surrounded by 8-foot walls that have been repaired and upgraded over the years. The main entrance had sturdy gates. There was a long building in direct sight of the front gate. Milton can see a moderately sized office marked ‘security office’ within this long building, other markings suggesting maintenance and administration offices.
“This marked section of three slashes represents the vehicle parking for the security team.” Mr. Anderson explains.
“A handsome, expensive extension called Grace Lane was completed in 2018 to contain a botanical garden and funeral services building. Money brought in since its completion has gone to pave roads through the presentably bland front of the grounds.”

Anderson draws a finger away from the Grace Lane, showing that there are areas without paved roads. “Some areas remain difficult to reach. The older areas.” Mr. Anderson explains. “The rest of the cemetery is accessible only by gravel paths, hardly large enough for a car, and overgrown foot trails.”
Mr. Anderson’s tone of voice is regretful as he explains that few remaining records exist detailing Arkwright’s “back half;” a fire destroyed the county records office in 1950.
The front of the cemetery, where it wears its new face, is well lit and well patrolled at night for the sake of those whose kin have paid good money in recent years. Anderson points out Millionaires Row just beyond Grace Lane.
Milton can see these areas are exposed – the Kindred investigators will be in sight of the road. The patrolling security area as well. Milton can follow the road with his eyes, noting that the areas of Soldiers Square and Potters Field are exposed as well.
Sherah Israel was near a road and Green Row. There was a second entrance adjacent to Sherah Israel, the South Entrance. This entrance had 8 feet walls surrounding it and sturdy gates.
As Milton looks between the South entrance and the main entrance, he notes a notation of ‘Residential neighborhood’ a few yards out from the cemetery.

"You say you want to know ownership? I found an old imcomplete file that lists the local government agency sold it to a private citizen in 2015." Anderson indicates the folder he brought. "Identity was under a Ark Memorial LLC."

What would Milton do now?

Go ahead and look over the map linked in Aid from Afar

[Milton]

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," Milton says, sounding moderately pleased. The man is almost forgotten as he digs into the materials. Accessing the site would likely be difficult. Perhaps the South Gate would be the best place to start, given its proximity to the Sherah Israel section and the main gate's heavy security.

After a period of reading, sorting, and listening to the steward's explanations, Milton looks up again.

"I would like copies made of these documents please. As quickly as possible." His tone is polite, but insistent. He is not requesting, but commanding.

If and when the copies are returned to him, Milton will return to his vehicle and set out into the night. His next step is to call his business and financial contacts and look into Ark Memorial LLC. Perhaps his allies will have some pull that could more easily provide them access.

Milton is happy with the information he's received and is looking to move on. If he needs to cajole Anderson into providing copies, he will (using either mundane or supernatural means). His next concern is looking into Ark Memorial using his contacts and allies in finance. He'll do that in transit. I can provide the rolls once it's clear that he's done with Anderson. After that, he'll be contacting Maeve.

[Seryna]

Anderson does provide copies. These copies do include the security office details and the gate details on the architect plans. The map provided the group in the meeting with the Invictus Coterie has the same details as these plans. Milton has learned the areas that are high visibility to the security patrol and the residential area across the main gate.

Go ahead with the rolls, goal of 6

[Milton]

Once in the car, Milton begins driving back in the general direction of the Nox.

While in route, he places multiple calls to his contacts and allies in the financial sector, looking for information on Ark Memorial LLC.

More importantly, he is assessing whether any of his allies might have pull with the company that would permit them access to the site, thus neutralizing the need to bypass security by way of stealth or larceny. If possible, the Lord would prefer to enter via the front door with the blessing of the property owner rather than sneaking and skulking.

Rolls

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-04 12:42:26	[01] Milton rolls 10 to Manip + Persuasion + Allies + Status (10 Again)	1, 4, 10, 2, 8, 10, 6, 3, 4, 2, 1, 1	3 successes

4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-04 12:42:26	[02] Milton rolls 10 to Manip + Persuasion + Allies + Status (10 Again)	9, 6, 2, 10, 7, 2, 3, 6, 8, 7, 9	4 successes

[Seryna]

Milton received a reply the following hour. The LLC was established a few months prior to the purchase of Arkwright cemetery. The LLC owned a local smaller cemetery on the edge of the domain of Sacramento, bringing the number of cemeteries to two. The LLC had no scandalous history or anything in the news media to give any idea of impropriety.
The allies did come back with a regrets, no one had an inside track with the LLC. There would be no entering through the front door with the LLC's blessing. This would take more time than Milton had.

[Milton]

Well. The limited information is...disappointing. His inability to gain access even more so. But there is only so much one vampire can do, and Milton has tried his best.

Time to turn toward other avenues of research, namely the scrutiny and deciphering of the various materials delivered by Hall and Holden.

With that, he takes out his phone and dials Maeve, looking to see where she might be in her own research. Perhaps they can meet to combine their efforts (if time permits).

[Maeve]

Maeve, meanwhile has been attempting her own research, which has been going... well, it's been a struggle. Normally, she's very good at spotting things, but she's never attempted 'research research'. It's different. Her focus is on the odd points she found in the note and the pieces associated. Like that mirror. Where can they find one? She then begins to wonder if they'll manage to find one there. And the word 'Ond'. What is the meaning of it?

Research - 2 Successes

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-07 10:38:02	[01] Maeve rolls 2 to Research (Int + Academics + Equipment) -3 (10 Again)	1, 1	failure

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-07 10:38:02	[02] Maeve rolls 2 to Research (Int + Academics + Equipment) -3 (10 Again)	8, 10, 5	2 successes

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-07 10:38:02	[03] Maeve rolls 2 to Research (Int + Academics + Equipment) -3 (10 Again)	6, 6	failure

Seryna said I could throw my original research in here real quick. Sorry it took me a minute to respond.