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(PRP TH) - Treasure Hunt!

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  1. #1


    The Bella Bru Cafe was a quaint little restaurant/bar located in Sacramento's north. Its simple, modern and flowery interior offers a variety of breakfasts, diners, and snacks and most importantly: it's where they adventurous Awakened of the Mysterium would meet their contact.

    That is, if that contact actually showed up. Blame the rarity of rumors about actual Artifacts, but it's a bit ridiculous that this 'Crypto' actually charged via online banking to even agree to meet.
    What's more, he made it perfectly clear that any further information will only be disposed once he gets handed an envelope containing a generous upfront payment. Gone where the times where you could just head out into the world with a map and a dream.

    Crypto reserved a table on the name 'Smith' and the arriving Mystagogues would find the table empty when they first arrived. The inside of the Bella Bru Cafe was pretty empty - most of the customers were sitting outside to enjoy the mild late summer evening - and so the table the waitress would lead them to offered a decent amount of privacy.

    It was early in the evening and almost the agreed upon time - enough time to meet up, talk strategy, and just enough time to maybe get the gnawing suspicion that this evening would end up in a few wasted bucks, complimentary breadsticks and a few drinks to soothe the wounded ego.

    Belle BoxingUnicorn Corn Fedup Aurora Orianna your adventure starts here!
    The information will cost your Characters $2000 in total, which you can spread among you as you like and which I'd like you to consider in your October expenditures (that is, if you don't want to try to get this information some other way).
    You will have had the opportunity to prepare some rituals during the day, and please include your equipment, active Spells, health, Mana and Willpower at least in your first post (including them in every post would earn you a gold star, but I know that you can forget this now and then).

    And finally: the Artifact (if there is one~) is not for keeps unless you pay the full XP cost!

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  3. #2
    Belle's Avatar
    Rose Among Thorns
    Matriarch
    Presence
    (Friendly)
    Direction Sense
    (I Know The Way)
    Danger Sense
    (Spidey Adjacent)
    Occultation
    (Blinded by Thorns)
    Belle

    Nimbus: Cracks in space appear just over her skin, shaped like toothy, hellish maws. If she's extra and especially angry, those maws will speak.
    PRP Stats

    2/5 Personal Spells
    *Incognito Presence (1 suxx)
    1/3 Vulgar Spells
    Health
    Mana: 9/9
    WP: 2/3

    Equipment: Knife, Minivan, Shoulder Bag (magnifying glass, flashlight, plastic gloves), Smartphone, Wallet ($50), Artifact (see minisheet)
    Combat Stats

    Defense: 2 (Wits/Dex)
    Initiative: 4
    Speed: 9

    (Add Mind 1 to Supernal Vision)Mana 1 Spent
    2
    OCC
    2
    PRE

    Belle parks at a nearby parking garage and makes sure to walk a roundabout way to meet with the others before entering the Bella Bru Cafe. The circumstances weren't too unfamiliar to her; she'd been on several operations where tense meetings in back alleys or locked rooms were the name of the game. In those cases, it paid to have a quick exit and a safe haven to return to. She's dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, purse slung over one shoulder to conceal a small blade in case of emergencies.
    1 success

    Before leaving the car she does briefly twist her knowledge of Prime and Mind arcana to summon up her Mage Sight.
    3 successes

    She also briefly pulls into the powers of her Artifact; its own Mana bleeding into magical defenses.

    As she waits outside the restaurant for Corn and Aurora, she takes stock of the nearby surroundings.
    1 success


    Equipment: Cellphone, Shoulder-Purse ($35 personal cash; Knife), Artifact (Ring of Magic Shield), Civilian Clothes

    Stats in Signature

    Belle will gladly offer $750 to the pool!
    Artifact

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  5. #3
    Aurora's Avatar
    Aurora
    Spells
    Striking Looks
    (Riveting)
    Presence
    (Confident)
    Fame
    (Entertainment)
    Madison Cross
    (Sleeper ID)
    Gnosis
    Aurora
    Aurora

    Dedicated Magical Tool

    Multicolored copper bracelet with intricate loops winding around her right wrist.
    Nimbus

    The sweet, fragrant smells of roses mixed with lilacs emanate from her as she casts magic. The scent intensifies, bordering on intoxicating, when Life magic is cast. When Aurora casts Vulgar magic, the scent takes a nasty turn, to the putrid, nauseating odor of a rotting corpse. The stronger the magic, the more those around want to retch at the smell.
    Monthly Spells

    Monthly spells done on character sheet.


    Pulse of the Living World[POT 6]
    Organic Resilience[POT 6]
    (PrP Treasure Hunt)

    Active Spells: 1/6
    [Detect Substance]Bone
    Personal Spells: 2/3
    Vulgar:
    Mana:6/8
    WP:3

    2
    FAME
    +1
    SL
    4
    PRE

    The GTO drives past the meeting spot before looping around and parking a couple blocks away.

    Monthly Rits had been cast already, so she was ready to go. Though a bit unsure about what to expect.

    Were they about to get ripped off? Probably. Was she still going to throw money at it? Of course. There was a chance at something the Mysterium could use! Something she could study.

    Dressed comfortably in black leather pants, a tan colored sweater and her favorite long red leather coat, she strolls up. Eyes moving around the area as she does, looking for anything that would stand out.

    But she does spot Belle, and she makes her way over to her, “Hi,” she begins, “not sure if you remember me, Madison, we met at a book store.” A smile offered. Always good to make sure those you are working with knew your shadow name.

    Aurora has monthly Rits:
    Pulse of the Living World Duration 4, Potancey 6
    Organic Resilience Duration 4, Potancey 6

    Multicolored copper bracelet with intricate loops winding around her right wrist(dedicated magic tool)cell phone, car keys in purse. Stats will be on sig. And Aurora will offer $1,000


    3 successes

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  7. #4
    Corn's Avatar
    Presence
    Status (academic)
    Corn

    Nimbus: Light purple aura and a scent of freshly dug earth after a rain.
    Status (Academics) 1.
    Corn Scenes
     
      Duplication cost
      Analyze life
     Improvised out-of-path, 

    2
    PRE

    Corn is uneasy about the whole situation. Who is this guy, how he knew the artifact was useful - if it indeed was - and did he made sure he wasn't followed? Those were worse outcomes than losing their cash.

    Back in the sanctum, he has boosted his stealth skill a bit to adequately hide his gun, which he did. Sure, it was illegal to carry a concealed gun without permit, but he could turn it to a toy if he was busted.
    1 success


    Then, he decided to attempted a combined casting that would give him mage sight but also the ability to 'sense' words that resonate with fate. Reaching in his inner reserves now that his soul has grown closer to the Watchtower, Corn let himself draw on the power of his small hallow.
    3 successes



    As previously arranged, before entering the cafe, Corn has met discreetly with Belle and he had extended matter armor on both of them, just in case. He found it easier this time to ease the spell in the fallen world.
    Then they parted ways to enter inconspicuously, one after the other.
    Paradox Dramatic Failure!

    3 successes



    "Let's see what this day has to offer." Corn whispered to himself and walked in what could be a trap. He saw the girls already waiting outside, so he made his way towards them and waved.
    His unseen senses were picking up a lot of magic from his colleagues as they probably felt from him.
    Addressing the ladies, he asked. "Greetings, ladies. Beautiful evening. Have you ordered? I think I will get one of the blueberry muffins and a cappuccino."
    When they entered, he gave his order to a passing waiter and asked for the wifi code.


    Equipment: Light pistol (concealed, 1 success). Cheap, used portable laptop. Switchblade. Smartphone. Vehicle: Mid-size car parked nearby.
    Corn brings 500$ for the pool. - Aurora can keep 250$ or split it with Belle .
    Paradox counter still at 0 because of Dramatic failure on Paradox roll.

    Spells: Gain Skill (life, rote): +1 stealth, potency 2, duration 2 hours (but cast before the scene - so it ends by the scene)
    Unseen Aegis (extends to Belle too): +4 armor against physical attacks, potency 3, duration 2 hours (but cast before the scene - so it ends by the scene)
    Sibyl Sight & Dark Matter combo: (cast at hallow - no mana required as matter is 4), Potency 3, duration 2 hours (but cast before the scene - so it ends by the scene)
    For scene effects, see Minisheet. No monthly rituals at this time.
    Occult 4 because Mysterium is about the knowledge!

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  9. #5


    Belle didn't notice anything interesting - the restaurant was located in a commercial district near one of the more expensive neighbourhoods of Sacramento, so most of the people going on their business were upper middle class at least. Nothing that implied danger in any way that she could see.

    Armed with a wide array of protective magic the Mystagogues were led to the reserved table. A few heads turned when Aurora walked past them, stemming from an equal measure of vague recognition and simple appreciation of pretty people but once they sat down they found themselves in relative privacy. The Shaman noticed all the tables around them being also marked as 'reserved' - either Crypto was thorough or just lucky. Heck, maybe he was an Acanthus and therefore both.
    Other than that there was nothing noteworthy - the place couldn't have been more vanilla if it tried. No surveillance, shady people or traps waiting to spring.. at least as far as they could tell.

    Corn's order was taken - among with anything else the women would order - and the Wifi password was shared.
    And then the waiting began. Maybe they had something useful to do, maybe they were just enjoying the decent treats, but their contact really knew how to build tension. Minutes passed by and soon Crypto wasn't just cutting it close, he was actually late.


    It was actually 8 minutes past the arranged time when finally a waitress brought the fourth person to the table. The lanky, acne ridden guy sitting down was probably just barely old enough to drink. He ordered a black coffee and brushed a greasy strain of hair out of his face before greeting the Mystagogues with an apologetic grin. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Traffic was a bitch." The grin widened. You couldn't shake the feeling that this was some grade-A bullshit, that this nerd just liked to hammer down the point that he was in control. "So, what's up, how are you? Wanna do some business?" He spoke in a mumbled, fast tone that seemed more suited to a Teamspeak server.
    "Oh right, almost forgot." Lean fingers gestured a few Mudras, a few words of Atlantean were whispered and those with their Mage Sight active could see a golden Glyph form, grow, and hover around the table and when the spell fully took form the noise coming from outside, the kitchen or the other tables dimmed considerably. Crypto apparently didn't worry too much about the Lex or curious Sleepers. "Aight, now we can talk. You aren't members of those Veiled narcs, right?" A routine question rather than actual concern.


    So you have roughly 10-15 minutes you can fill before your contact arrived if you want to roll anything. Otherwise we can move this along.

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  11. #6
    Belle's Avatar
    Rose Among Thorns
    Matriarch
    Presence
    (Friendly)
    Direction Sense
    (I Know The Way)
    Danger Sense
    (Spidey Adjacent)
    Occultation
    (Blinded by Thorns)
    Belle

    Nimbus: Cracks in space appear just over her skin, shaped like toothy, hellish maws. If she's extra and especially angry, those maws will speak.
    PRP Stats

    2/5 Personal Spells
    *Incognito Presence (1 suxx)
    1/3 Vulgar Spells
    Health
    Mana: 9/9
    WP: 2/3

    Equipment: Knife, Minivan, Shoulder Bag (magnifying glass, flashlight, plastic gloves), Smartphone, Wallet ($50), Artifact (see minisheet)
    Combat Stats

    Defense: 2 (Wits/Dex)
    Initiative: 4
    Speed: 9

    2
    OCC
    2
    PRE

    Belle turns to Aurora, glad to see a familiar face. "Madison! Hi, Maya. Nice to see you again." Ah the intrigues. Cute name though. "So, have you been here before? Seems like a nice place. A bit pricey, but nice." It was also public, meaning no fireballs or crazy-overt spells being used against them. Still, magic didn't need to be flashy to be dangerous. She sees Corn and waves. "Hey there!" Crap! Don't know his Shadow name yet. "I might get some chai tea and a light snack. After you..." She gestures to the entrance of the cafe and follows her fellow Mystagogues inside...

    After ordering her drink and an orange scone, Belle takes her seat at the reserved table. The swirling colors from the patron's auras shimmer like a rainbow of emotions. Most placid, some containing a bit of spice or zest to them. She looks to Madison.
    "You want to take point on the negotiations? You put down the biggest share after all." Then to Corn, giving a grateful smile as she feels the shimmering Matter armor guarding her skin. "So, any new stock in the bookstore? I'm open to recommendations." The small talk was equally to douse her nerves and also to make sure they looked casual when the buyer arrived.

    Which apparently was going to take a while...

    Belle wasn't too worried; the worst they would get at this point was an evening out and some deposits to manage in the morning. When 'Crypto' finally arrives, she forces a smile and swallows her frustration.
    Oh great! He's either a messenger or a really out-of-depth buyer. "That's what we're here for." She keeps her reply polite and simple. She lets Corn and Aurora do most of the talking, while she focuses on 'Crypto' with her amplified Mage Sight to discern his emotional state...
    Artifact

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  13. #7
    Aurora's Avatar
    Aurora
    Spells
    Striking Looks
    (Riveting)
    Presence
    (Confident)
    Fame
    (Entertainment)
    Madison Cross
    (Sleeper ID)
    Gnosis
    Aurora
    Aurora

    Dedicated Magical Tool

    Multicolored copper bracelet with intricate loops winding around her right wrist.
    Nimbus

    The sweet, fragrant smells of roses mixed with lilacs emanate from her as she casts magic. The scent intensifies, bordering on intoxicating, when Life magic is cast. When Aurora casts Vulgar magic, the scent takes a nasty turn, to the putrid, nauseating odor of a rotting corpse. The stronger the magic, the more those around want to retch at the smell.
    Monthly Spells

    Monthly spells done on character sheet.


    Pulse of the Living World[POT 6]
    Organic Resilience[POT 6]
    (PrP Treasure Hunt)

    Active Spells: 1/6
    [Detect Substance]Bone
    Personal Spells: 2/3
    Vulgar:
    Mana:6/8
    WP:3

    2
    FAME
    +1
    SL
    4
    PRE

    A nod to Corn as he appears, though she doesn’t remember his Shadow name.

    “I haven’t yet, was waiting for everyone to arrive.”
    She says, though she does then place an order for a café americano, not milk or cream, nothing to eat.

    The heads turning doesn’t seem to faze the Shaman, and she doesn’t acknowledge it. Eyes take in the empty reserved tables, wondering if their contact was rich, or just a smooth talker. Either could be worked with.

    When the guy came and sat down, she was surprised. This guy was their contact? Was he even out of high school? But no one was here for small talk, so she remains quiet until he cast a spell. Which made her nervous due to the location.

    Are you, are you really sorry for keeping us waiting?

    “I’m Madison, so tell us more about why we are here.” To the point. “You hold the cards on this.” Where they start, etc.

    “Veiled narcs?” did he mean the Veiled Threats? Or something else? And what would her old Cabal have to do with anything. She wouldn’t be talking business until she knew.

    To Maya, “Having the most money doesn’t make me good at negotiations.” She adds with a chuckle, “We should all contribute to it, some might learn they are better than they thought.” She could charm people, most people, but that wasn’t always the way to go.

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  15. #8
    Corn's Avatar
    Presence
    Status (academic)
    Corn

    Nimbus: Light purple aura and a scent of freshly dug earth after a rain.
    Status (Academics) 1.
    Corn Scenes
     
      Duplication cost
      Analyze life
     Improvised out-of-path, 

    2
    PRE

    Before Crypto shows up, Corn replies to Belle "Ahh... now that you mention it, we brought a few new books. Some good books turn to shows soon, and we stock up." Then corn passes the time enjoying his coffee or making small talk about books, tv shows and such.

    He doesn't seem too surprised by the appearance of their contact and answers his question.
    "I hope you realize Guardians don't have to reveal their identities if asked, Stiil, with the display you did here, they would have probably said something by now... How good is this shield? Can we talk safely? You have something or information about something, we're interested in. Do you care to elaborate?"

    When Aurora mentions her sleeper name, Corn is puzzled. The man gives a shadow name and he's a mage. On the other hand, Aurora seems reluctant to reveal her ... shadow name? Corn thinks considering whether to give his shadow name or a fake name.
    "I am Corn." he says simply.
    For scene effects, see Minisheet. No monthly rituals at this time.
    Occult 4 because Mysterium is about the knowledge!

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  17. #9


    Belle takes a look at Cryptos Aura and finds a dizzying amounts of sparks in it - no question about it, this guy was an Awakened. On an emotional level she could make out a violet core bubbling around him with a light blue shell strung tightly around that core. Every now and then a dark blue flash could be seen: this probably wasn't his first rodeo and he seemed to be enjoying himself too.

    He dropped his smile quickly to lick his lips when Aurora conceded the leverage he was holding just now. "Ah, a quick one. Yeah, yeah." The greasy strand was back and he pulled in again once more. Corn even earned a lighthearted chuckle. "Sheeeet, you got me there. You're right, but I'm willing to take my chances here. Not a shield, just turning down the volume a bit. You know." Licking his lips, and then he actually winked at Belle as if they were totally in on a joke together. If he had any people skills to write home about, he was really holding back.

    "Aight, business. First, you give me the money. Then I give you the deets."

    Corn , roll Wits+Investigation please.
    Success

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  19. #10
    Belle's Avatar
    Rose Among Thorns
    Matriarch
    Presence
    (Friendly)
    Direction Sense
    (I Know The Way)
    Danger Sense
    (Spidey Adjacent)
    Occultation
    (Blinded by Thorns)
    Belle

    Nimbus: Cracks in space appear just over her skin, shaped like toothy, hellish maws. If she's extra and especially angry, those maws will speak.
    PRP Stats

    2/5 Personal Spells
    *Incognito Presence (1 suxx)
    1/3 Vulgar Spells
    Health
    Mana: 9/9
    WP: 2/3

    Equipment: Knife, Minivan, Shoulder Bag (magnifying glass, flashlight, plastic gloves), Smartphone, Wallet ($50), Artifact (see minisheet)
    Combat Stats

    Defense: 2 (Wits/Dex)
    Initiative: 4
    Speed: 9

    2
    OCC
    2
    PRE

    Belle takes in Crypto's aura, noting the excitement with just a hint of suspicion. At least he's not too nervous, so less chance of him working with a bigger, badder party. Must be itching for that payday. The reference to the Guardians does catch her attention. So good chance this treasure was less than legally acquired. She returns Crypto's look with a smile of her own, devilish impatience veiled behind closed lips. But there was no need to be grouchy just yet. "Maya, nice to meet you Crypto." She could understand Corn's confusion as far as what names were used, but the fewer connections they gave this punk the better.

    She reaches into her purse to pull out the envelope with the $2K they'd assembled.
    And now the real fun begins... She puts the envelope on the table between her and Crypto, now paying attention to his lack of carrying equipment; no bags, no satchels, no suitcases. So either the treasure was outside in a parked vehicle or other storage case, or it was small enough for him to carry covertly. "So, tell us about the item? Any idea of its properties? Or are you just the messenger?"
    failure

    That last question was maybe a bit too harsh. Belle wasn't a big fan of people who didn't understand the concept of on-time. Still, she tries to stay active and observe Crypto's aura for any perceived changes in color.
    Artifact

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