Actual Play: West's first TT Mage game

[West]

I found these transcripts, thought I'd share.

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Thanks to Nathan W for these notes. Unfortunately Session 5 "Ice Capades" and Session 6 "Aftermath" were lost.

Sessions 1-4 told by Kai Session 5-12 told by West.

[West]

[Not commiting to doing this every time, but I had some free time this evening, so thought I'd transcribe my hand-written notes.]

Session 1, 10/16

Gus (Charles) Kordecki is investigating three recent deaths on Allen Parkway, girl in 20s, girl in 30s, guy. Dumped in public place. One has bites.

Jobs are going status quo.

This occurred in between weekly poker sessions.

Everyone notices Spooky (Nathan) has been going through mood swings the past few weeks.

Flynn has autopsied one of the Allen Parkway murders. He notices several bite marks and pieces that have been ripped away. DNA shows human DNA. Knife marks, scratch marks, bite marks from at least 2 different males.

Brock (Bryan) talks about the hottie in his academy classes.

"In real life I have a fear of zombies." - Charles

Spooky has been thinking of Lisa a lot lately, the woman he saved; ending up in his firing from the force. He is having dreams, that Lisa somehow gave him something. He shrugs it off as just a dream and resumes playing cards. Gus watches him more closely, thinking that he looks on edge.

Gus has been thinking about the Allen Parkway cases a lot. He believes they seem to be 3 very brutal murders, different except in how they committed and where they were dumped. Time of death were all around midnight and 1 am.

Flynn tells them about the DNA evidence. Gus says the bite marks are curious. Spooky asks if there was any full moons surrounding the murders. Gus says no.

Flynn says flesh was found under the fingernails.

Brock asks if any female DNA was found. Flynn says no.

After much joking around, Brock reminds the group his wicked awesome cover band will be playing off of 1960 tomorrow night.

At the bar, Spooky gets creeped out by a young blond man walking by. While outside for a smoke, he tells the group that he believes the man will kill the young woman he is talking to sometime tonight.

Gus gets the impression that Spooky is conflicted about something. When they go back inside, Spooky tries to get some snapshots of the man.

Gus is going to watch the couple and Spooky closely.

Around 12:30, the groups start leaving. Spooky follows them, seeing the couple kiss each other goodnight and go their separate ways. Spooky gets the license plates of both cars. Gus runs the plates through the internet and comes up with the names Daniel Johnson and Kathy Williams.

Spooky asks Gus to find out where the two live, and he leaves and follows the girl taking James (Adam) with him. They see her pull into an apartment complex off of 1960. Spooky notices that the blond guy is following them, and tells James. He pulls into the parking lot. The girl goes into the apartment, the guy pulls into a spot 30 feet away. James calls Gus and tells him what's happening.

While getting out of the car stealthily, James continues to tell Gus the chain of events. James notices the guy frantically talking on a cell phone, and thinks the blond may know they are following the girl. James while trying to hide is confronted by the man, saying he's calling the police, worried that he's following the girl. James gets back in the car and informs Spooky, then gets out of the car to take a piss, then returns to the car.

Gus shows up at the scene, and flashes his badge, telling the blond that he was told there is a problem in the area. The man tells him that two men are following his girlfriend. He identifies himself as Daniel Johnson. Gus walks over to Spooky's car and puts on the act of pulling them out of the car, telling them they should probably head out. The uniformed cop shows up, Gus shows his badge. He tells the cop that everything appears to be fine, just a couple of guys with two much to drink. The cop says ok, reminding him to be sure to fill out a report, and leaves.

Gus tells Johnson that the two men were here to meet one of their friends that lives here. Johnson still wants to file a report. Gus gets the man's driver's license information and suggests they go up to his girlfriend's apt. Johnson leaves with his girl.

Upon Gus' return to the car, they question Spooky as to what exactly he thinks is going on. He says that he saw the man wearing those clothes beat and kill his girlfriend, as part of some kind of vision while he was in the bar.

James suggests Kordecki revisit the scene in a couple of hours, with the two of them in the area. Spooky counters by asking Gus to take James back to his car. He returns to his office for a change of clothes, then returns to the apartment complex. He returns after an hour and a half, and gets a vantage point of the apartment.

Gus returns to the bar and tells Flynn and Brock what happened. Then returns to the apartment, saying that he's checking on them. The girl answers and says everything is fine. Gus leaves. Thirty minutes later, the lights go out.

The next morning, Spooky sees both the guy and girl leave the apartment, then goes home to sleep. Gus calls him and says nothing peculiar showed up on a background check of either the guy or the girl.

During the week, Gus is called in to check on another Allen Parkway murder. This time, the victim was killed at the scene of discovery. The victim was butchered much more than the previous three, nearly eviscerated. Upon autopsy, Flynn identifies 3 male and 1 female DNA samples present, 2 of which match the DNA of the previous victim that he examined. It is apparent now that these are serial killings by a group of individuals preying on joggers/walkers during the night hours.

Brock suggests that he be a jogger decoy to determine who the killers are.

Spooky gets a business call at his office, a woman.

Gus hears of a beating death in the River Oaks area, a woman killed. He thinks nothing of it, focusing on the serial killings.

The press is calling it the "Zombie Cult" killings.

Gus runs a check on predators and pedophiles in the area, and is shocked to see the number he sees.

Spooky and Gus meet for lunch near Gus' office. He shows Gus an article about the beating death. The woman was the person who hired Spooky to investigate her husband on suspicion of adulter. He says he had a vision that the woman would be killed. He had only followed the husband for one day. Gus suggests he tells the police. He asks about these premonitions, stating one has come to fruition. Spooky says the vision lasted only a second, and feels guilty that he could do nothing to stop it. Gus determines that nothing appears to be physically or mentally wrong with Spooky. He tells Spooky that he shows no overt signs of psychological problems. Spooky was hoping that it was a different couple.

Gus goes back and asks the Lieutenant if he can look into the wife murder. Spooky tells the Lieutenant of the wife hiring him. Lt. Dan tells Gus to interview the accused husband and acquaintances.

During the interview, the husband says he doesn't know what came over him; except that he was so angry at her he blacked out. Under questioning, he reveals he's been working a lot of late nights as a VP at his company. He says things have been fine lately, and that he doesn't drink, saying his wife has accused him lately of carrying on an affair. Gus takes him through the night in question. The man says they were preparing for bed, and a discussion began of his late nights. When Gus says the man may face execution, the man breaks down. He says he doesn't care, he has lost everything. The accused names are Ken Waterson (wife Maggie).

At the poker game, Gus and Spooky fill the rest of the group in. He says that Lt. Dan approves of a surveillance op on the Allen Parkway murders. Gus decides to use Brock as a decoy. The rest of us will stake out opposite ends of the parkway. While staking out the area during the day, Gus notices strange symbols on one of the mausoleums in the cemetery. He heads back to the office to research the symbols as well as who is in charge of the cemetery and who was buried in the mausoleum, but with no success.

The group maps out the session. James will be hiding out in the middle. Gus and Flynn on one end of the parkway, Spooky on the other.

During the night, not much happens the first few times Brock jogs up and down the road. All of a sudden, James sees four come up behind Brock. James informs the rest of us. Brock quick draws his tonfa as the four come into brawl him. Two hit on him, causing minimal damage.

James tries to shoot the assailant carrying the knife in the arm and scores a hit. He takes off. Three attackers on Brock, all miss. James reports to the rest of the situation. James takes scans the area as the other three attack again. One hits and grabs him. James shoots again and hits. Brock attempts to break free, and succeeds. Two succeed in hitting Brock, he is taking some hard shots.

A tracer round is fired from behind James, going through the head of one of the zombies (confirmed?). Brock attacks now with his tonfa, scoring hits and hearing bones crush, but no apparent reactions from his foes. James fires, dropping the woman, but she is still moving.

Suddenly a lightning bolt comes from nowhere, hitting a zombie.

Brock takes more damage, but James shoots and kills the last zombie.

Three deaths on Allen Parkway. Brutal, severe cuts, bodies left on or near Allen. Some human bites, one had a limb ripped off. Relayed to Gus via inter-departmental e-mails.

Sam had a dream involving Lisa Brown, the 14 year old girl he saved from a serial killer in 2003. [Keeping the rest of this to myself for now-Dave mentioned wanting to follow up on all this via e-mail.] Sam has been extremely emotionally charged since the dream, at times angry, at times depressed, energized, tired. No good explanation.

Background Info (Sam): After the dream, Sam looked up Lisa in various online sources. Lisa is now 18, a hostess at a Meyerland Chili's restaurant. She's apparently doing fine now, although Sam did not keep in touch. Her parents contacted Sam in 2003 to thank him. She had some therapy after the incident, but recovered quickly.

Background Info (Sam): The accountant/serial killer in 2003 didn't just kill young girls, and the full moon angle was not relevant afterall. Other murders, using different methods, were later linked to the accountant. The link between the murders appeared to be simple contact. For example, murdered girl #2 met Lisa at a teen club. Others were similar- a linear chain of contact from one to the next.

The weekly Friday poker game. Others notice Sam has been moody, aggressive, generally weird acting. And he's playing poker worse than usual. He says he had a vivid dream about Lisa Brown, has been out of sorts since then. No satisfactory answers. He repeatedly claims that he must just be tired, has had some late nights.

Michael did the autopsy on the latest Allen Parkway victim. There were genetic traces for at least two different males on the corpse.

More detail on the murders. Three evidently unrelated people in the Meyerland area. Died between 11pm and 1am. Bites on torso, legs. Some flesh ripped away. Looks like victims were alive. No signs of sexual assault/contact. Two men, one woman. The victims were found on the side of the road, drug off into alleys, etc.

Saturday evening. The group goes to Club Acadia to see Brock's group perform. Sam sees a blonde headed kid, which triggers a vision of the kid brutally beating and killing a young woman, his girlfriend. It's very vivid, and very compelling, but only takes a moment. [More to this, as well.] Inside the bar, we see the blonde man talking to the same woman. They're both wearing the same clothes as in the vision. Sam is obviously acting weird. He orders a double bourbon, drinks it in one gulp.

All adjourn outside to get some air. Gus states Sam is acting weird, asks why. Sam can give no good answer. Everyone attempts to convince Sam that he, not the kid, is the one that's acting suspiciously.

The blonde and the girlfriend leave the club, kiss, go to their own cars. From their licenseplates, Guys is able to determine the cars are registered to Daniel Johnson and Kathy Williams. Gus agrees to lookup their respective addresses. Sam and James follow the girl to her apartment.

Soon, it's apparent that the blonde (probably Daniel) is following right behind Sam's car. Sam and James pull into the parking lot of the apartment, Daniel parks 30' away and stays in car. Girl doesn't notice any of this, parks, goes up to her apartment. James sneaks out of the car, sees Daniel is frantically talking on his cellphone in his car.

Daniel gets out of car, confronts James, says he's called the cops. James call Gus to tell him what's happened. Gus comes to apartment, flashes his badge, claims to be answering the call. (In short, saves James and Sam's bacon.) Gus smooths things over, tells the bad men to leave, verifies that Daniel is welcome in Kathy's apartment, and promises to follow up later. A uniformed officer shows up in response to the call, Gus pursuades him that he has it under control, and he'll take responsibility for the situation. The officer agrees and leaves.

Gus, Sam, James leave. Sam asks Gus to get James back to his car at Acadia. Sam says he needs to get home and to sleep ASAP. Instead, he goes to get a change of clothes (to better conceal his identity should he be spotted at a distance by Daniel), doubles back, and watches Kathy's apartment. A couple of hours later, Gus returns to check in. Kathy answers, in her bathrobe (notably not in the same clothes as the vision), says she's fine. Gus leaves.

Sam stays until mid-morning. Both Daniel and Kathy leave in their respective cars. Sam goes home. He is ANGRY, preternaturally so, and takes it out on his apartment wall. Bye-bye damage deposit.

Monday morning, Gus's lieutenant visits, informs him that there's been a fourth murder. Lieutenant [named Lt. Dan by the group] assigns Gus to the case. There is a clear pattern revealed by the files. The violence is escalating. Notably, the pattern (3-4 weeks between) is broken here- this is too soon.

Gus visits the scene. It's utter carnage. Two uniformed police officers vomited upon discovering the scene. The body has been utterly eviscerated. Clearly, unlike the other murders, this body was not removed from the site of the crime. Blood, gore indicates that this was the scene of the crime- across the street from Allen Pkwy. cemetary. The body was discovered 3am monday morning. There were knife, claw, teeth markes all over body. No bullet wounds. The victim was male, mid-30s, fit. ID was left on the body, as was jewelry (save perhaps for rings on missing fingers). He fought back- there was skin, muscle tissue under remaining fingernails. The man's shoes were missing. Footprints in blood include bare feet and shoes.

Michael does autopsy. Now evidence of four different attackers, 3 male, 1 female. Flesh under fingernails is apparently 2 to 3 days dead- an anomaly. All victims had knife wounds. All of the victims were in decent shape, late 20's to early 30's. Live in River Oaks area, 2-3 miles from Allen Pkwy. jogging trails. All had ID intact, presumably jogging or walking late at night. Two of the four genetic samples match those found on the previous victims.

Sam gets a call on Monday morning, apparent typical adultery case. Wife suspects husband (VP at Horizon Wind Energy in Esperson Building) of cheating, due to frequent instances of "working late." Sam agrees to take the case at normal fees (middle-of-the-road industry standard rates), and starts following him Tuesday morning. Follows guy to lunch, sees a disturbingly vivid vision of the man beating his wife to death. [More to this, as above.] Sam continues to follow the man until he returns home (at normal time- no late hours tonight). Given his knowledge of the man's habits from his interviews with the wife, and after having seen the apparently groundless nature of the visions Saturday night, Sam decides that the VP is in for the night, and calls off the tail for the day. Sam goes home.

Wednesday morning. Gus gets a call from Lt. Dan. An executive beat his wife to death with his bare hands at 2am Tuesday. Sam sees the same thing in the newspaper Wednesday morning. Sam calls Gus, asks to speak to him at lunch. Sam asks Gus to confirm it's the same couple- it is- and explains that he was following the man just the day before... And had another vision about him. No guilt there at all, oh no. Gus's semi-expert opinion is that Sam isn't psychotic, although he is clearly distraught.

Sam tells the story (sans vision) to Lt. Dan then leaves. Gus is ordered to interview the VP. He claims to have blacked out, doesn't know why. There was no abnormal stress, although there had been some arguments about his late hours. Turns out they were legitimate (apparently)- it was just a busy time at work. Gus can tell he's not lying, and was not cheating. He is, of course, racked with remorse. Tuesday, he came home as normal. They had a minor argument about the hours, again. They were going to bed, then... Blackout. Despite intensive, blunt questioning, the man continues to claim that there was no reason why he would have been angry enough to kill, and that he doesn't remember doing it. Gus leaves the VP broken and in tears.

Their names are Ken and Maggie Watterson.

After various offscreen communications about the case (presumably phone, e-mail), Brock offers to act as bait to catch the murderers. Gus has been given a free hand, and is allowed to setup this operation on the condition that he not turn it into a bloodbath. Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, Gus surveys the area on Allen Parkway. Among other things, he sees some unusual symbols spraypainted on a mausoleum in the cemetary on Allen. Searches for the symbols come up inconclusive- the one website that seemed to have any data came up 404.

Thursday evening. We are all pulled in on this stakeout. James checks out a starlight scope and a rifle, finds a high position somewhere in the middle of the route. Brock is running back and forth over a 2-3 mile stretch. Michael and Gus take up a spot near where Allen turns into Kirby. Sam takes a spot at Allen and Studemont. James is near Allen and Waugh.

As Brock begins his second circuit, near Allen & Waugh, three men and one woman suddenly appear within 10 feet of him. No noise, no signs of them beforehand. Brock calls it in. Gus, Michael, Sam drive in as fast as they can, but are too far away to be of any help in the upcoming battle. Brock tries to run, is easily overtaken. All four assailants are moving superhumanly fast. Fortunately, James is only 100 yards away. One stabs Brock. James shoots the knifeman in the arm. Said knifeman swears, a distinct "fuck," and disappears, literally. Brock gets hit by another, James shoots again. James hits multiple times, but his shots are not effective. Neither are Brock's attacks at melee range, although most of his efforts are dedicated to blocking and dodging.

Suddenly, what appears to be a tracer bullet is fired from a nearby apartment complex. The bullet hits one of the attackers in the head, with an odd crackling nimbus. The attacker drops. Brock pounds another, to little effect. James manages to hit another with multiple rounds, but only dazes him.

Another "tracer" round strikes an attacker. Then, from the clear sky, a lightning bolt (???) strikes the apartment complex in the general area of the shooter. There's a deafening boom, and nothing more is heard from the shooter. [Paradox is a bitch, ain't it?]

James manages to take out the last one, but not before Brock is severely injured. He will require considerable hospital care.

--End of Session--

[West]

Session 2 Notes Transcription
11-15

[Following is a direct transcription of my notes for session 2.]

Moments after the events of Session 1, we find James standing over an injured Brock and three downed “zombies.” A mysterious man with severe burns approaches James, obviously in a hurry. He questions James about how many are in our group (five), and in response gives James five blue pills. He encourages James to conceal the number of people involved, if possible, and says that it is vital that all five take the pills before being interrogated. He then says he can’t hide his presence any longer and leaves.

Sam, Flynn, and Gus arrive on the scene. James explains what happened, tells everyone about the man with the pills, and gives one to each person. The still-struggling “zombies” are bound hand and foot. One had a substantial portion of his brain blown out, but still struggles and moans.

All discuss what to do, but reach no conclusion before the police (two cruisers) arrive. Seconds after the police arrive, a black van pulls onto the scene. Two very brusque men in black suits climb out of the van, flashing apparently legitimate FBI badges. They are greeted with the customary low-grade hostility of police for the Feds. They introduce themselves as Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones.

Smith states that he will be taking the prisoners, and that all should report to the police house for questioning. The police contingent of the team express more than a little concern about this, both in terms of procedure and in terms of stealing the collar. August’s lieutenant arrived with the police, and expresses some consternation about the shootings and the results. He’s puzzled by the FBI’s quick arrival, as well. He has a quick discussion with the FBI men. Afterward, he is somewhat shaken, but allows the uniformed officers to load the three prisoners into the van.

Gus, thinking quickly, takes digital photos of the crime scene, the zombies, the van, and three attempts at Smith and Jones. The latter reveals that their faces are blurred unrecognizably.

The Lieutenant calls his captain, but is tersely directed to let it drop. In the confusion, Flynn claims to be looking for something, and surreptitiously takes tissue samples from the crime scene, including brain matter.

Brock is loaded into an ambulance. The rest of the group is forbidden to ride with him, and ordered to report to the station.

Everyone piles in one car, returning to the police station as ordered. Everyone is, understandably, freaked out. Many outlandish theories are forwarded for how the fatally injured perps could still be alive and kicking. Military super soldier experiments?

During the frantic discussion, James gets a call on his cellphone. It’s the mysterious burnt pill-pusher. James, who is alarmed that the man somehow got his number, puts him on speaker phone. Paraphrase: “Look, I know this is all crazy. I can’t protect this line for long, so just listen. You must all take the pills. They’ll let you hide your memories, keep Them from being able to read them from your minds.” Then he hangs up.

Sam and Gus, based on their previous experience at reading perps, believe him. James emphatically does not. Flynn is undecided. Understandable dubiousness about the pill from the latter two. Finally, James challenges Gus and Sam to take the pill if they believe in burned boy so much. Both agree to do so, but Gus was faster on the draw, and swallows his before anyone can say anything further.

Gus goes blank for a moment. He is immediately calmer and more collected. As we’ll learn later, the pill allows him to sort, file, copy, move around his memories, like files in a file cabinet. He believes the pill works as advertised, and would allow him to conceal his thoughts as required.

Sam, heartened, takes his own pill. It works the same way. [Save for one thing, which Sam hasn’t become public knowledge yet.]

We take a quick trip to Flynn’s apartment to drop off the samples and duplicate the photos from Gus’ camera. Everyone fears the evidence will be “misplaced” by the FBI.

Finally, after dragging our feet as long as possible, we arrive at the station house. Flynn and James refuse to take their pills. James pockets his, Flynn dumps his in the car’s ashtray. The interrogations immediately start.

Gus is first. He is asked what happened. Jones stares intently at him, frantically squeezing a stress ball. Smith takes the lead in questioning. Gus tells his version of the story, glossing over the more fantastic aspects. Stakeout, armed suspects attacked Brock (the bait), James and Brock subdued them, Brock was injured. (As we discover later) Gus is told a different story of events. “There were three perpetrators with knives. No shots were fired. They were subdued peaceably.” Gus is compelled to believe this version of events, and his own memories are evidently wiped. As part of this, the existence of the pills is discovered.

James is next. He tells a very terse “Four perps, three neutralized, one escaped.” He repeats this story. James is soon unable to resist Jones’ mental efforts (not that any of us know this yet), and answers all questions truthfully. He says that he believes the perps were military experiments, due to their superhuman strength and resistance to injury. He turns over his pill when requested. He, too, is given an altered story. He believes it wholeheartedly, in spite of being involved in the events in question.

Sam is third. He has taken the pill, but is evidently too vershimmeled to come up with a cogent cover story. “Did you receive a blue pill?” “Yes.” “Did everyone?” “Yes, but I’m not sure who took them.” Sam gives the story as best he can: Gus was tasked to track down the serial killers. He recruits James, Brock, Flynn and himself to aid in setting up a trap. Sam theorizes that Gus asked friends so that he could setup the stakeout quickly. He describes how James was in a tree, Brock was running, he was on one end of Allen, Gus and Flynn were on the other. He then relates the Brock-is-attacked story in brief terms, making it clear it’s all hearsay to him. Sam feels Jones’ probing of his mind, but with the aid of the pill he is able to resist. Smith tells Sam the same cover story given to Gus and James. Sam dutifully repeats the story verbatim, but still remembers the truth as he heard it described by James and saw it on the scene afterward. Smith asks Sam if there was another shooter. Sam says that he didn’t know, because he wasn’t on the scene. Smith and Jones evidently believe him, and make no further efforts to alter his memories or dig into his mind.

Flynn tells a very similar story. His mind is dominated by the Men in Black. He reveals that he left the pill in the car’s ashtray, and left samples at home. One agent immediately leaves to retrieve the evidence. Flynn, too, is given the story and believes it wholeheartedly.

Sam, James, and Flynn are taken to a conference room. Smith congratulates them for solving the case, asks them all to write reports telling the same story they told in debriefing. Sam says that he would be happy to dictate his account to another officer, but that one of the great benefits to no longer being a cop is that he no longer has to do paperwork. The Lieutenant is pleased with the slam-dunk case (he believes the same sanitized story as everyone but Sam).

Notably, Gus is not in the room. The group is told that he has more paperwork to do. [If something else happened to Gus, it was out of common view, and I have no notes on it.]

Soon after all this, Smith and Jones visit Brock in the hospital. One agent examines the stitches, and remarks casually that the doctors did a fine job. Brock immediately feels better. Brock is hostile. (He feels the probing.) He explains that he’s a weapons instructor at the academy, and that he, in short, offloaded his entire repertoire of grievous bodily injury on the perps, to no effect. They were clearly not human! Brock is “convinced” of the sanitized story, and produces the unused blue pill on demand. Brock bluntly states his concerns that the FBI will steal credit for this bust, but he is assured that proper credit will be given to the brave and clever police. The agents leave, and Brock is somewhat mollified.

[Sam takes advantage of the lingering effects of the pill. He chooses not to share what he learned at this time.]

The next day. Everyone gathers at Brock’s home in the Heights. Brock’s recovery was swift, and he was released from the hospital. The newspapers have a story about Brock, Gus, and James’ heroic efforts and the resolution of the serial killings on Allen Parkway. Flynn and Sam are not mentioned directly. Sam is subdued, everyone else jubilant.

The pills expire, and Gus’ true memories of the events return. He checks Flynn’s house, the evidence is gone. He checks the tree in the park, no shells. (James would likely have reclaimed his brass, in any case.) Gus returns, dismayed. Sam confronts him. “So, what do you think of the story in the paper?” He taps the incorrect article on the page. Gus and Sam attempt to convince the rest that the story is wrong, and that they were made to forget.

In the midst of this discussion, there’s a knock at the door. Brock answers. It’s the mysterious burned man. [His name is Daniel, I’m using that from here on.] Daniel claims to be selling magazines for the blind, until he sees Gus and James. He talks his way in.

[I’m afraid this next scene may be a jumble. There was a lot of exposition here, and I was too absorbed to take sufficient notes.]

Daniel says that they have all been exposed to something most people never see, or indeed are incapable of seeing.

The three perps were actually zombies. The fourth (the one that escaped) was a vampire mage, something never before seen. Generally, Vampire and Mage states are mutually exclusive. That’s why Daniel was following the perps, and how he was able to get involved.

He explains that all five of the group are Awakened to unseen forces behind the scenes of the world (in effect). He also makes a passing mention of something in Sam that he must take care of someday, but that Sam is not ready to face the kind of people who could help.

Flynn counters with science, expresses extreme skepticism. As an example, he mentions Sam’s delusions about the boy in the club beating up his girlfriend. Sam angrily counters with the VP who DID beat his wife to death, just as in his visions. Flynn is obstinately nonplussed.

Daniel explains that the FBI men were members of a faction of mages called Iteration X. They were, incidentally, behind the Holocaust in WWII.

Daniel demonstrates the camera blur trick himself.

Daniel says that he himself is the last (or one of the last) remaining member of the Order of Hermes. As proof of what he says, he summons what appears to be a small storm cloud in his hand. He says this is what saved us from some of the zombies. He demonstrates, blowing away a large portion of Brock’s floor tiles with a bolt of lightning. The bolt is evidently more powerful than expected, and the resultant boom of thunder shakes the walls. He is punished for his vulgar magic by another bolt of lightning, which burns his arm.

Gus, Flynn, James, and Sam manage to swallow this with relative equanimity. Or, rather, without complete gibbering terror. Brock is, in short, freaked out. He runs out into the back yard, yelling and swearing in utter disbelief at this blow to the foundations of his understanding of the world. Sam runs after him to try and talk him down. Gus follows soon after, comforts him.

Finally, Brock is sufficiently calm to continue. Daniel pushes more pills on Brock and Flynn. They are immediately calmed, and can see the “file cabinets” where the new memories were inserted. The old memories, however, are irretrievably gone. James still refuses the pill.

Daniel mentions that it’s likely that all of them are being watched. He’s shielding as much as he can.

Eight years ago, there was a magical shakeup. Many mages were killed or just left this plane of existence. He’s of the old order. We’re now part of the new order. It’s very unusual for five people to awaken together, and to know each other as sleepers.

Zombies are known as Rots in the trade.

Gus asks about our “super powers.” Daniel is amused by this description, explains the concept of Paradox, and how we must guard against revealing magic to Sleepers (normals, Muggles, as you like).

We should also not trust anyone outside of our group. We have to decide for ourselves whether we even trust him. He explains the power in charge now, the Technocracy. Iteration X is of the Technocracy. They want to see all of humanity Awakened, their way. Humanity has lost its way, and magic must be hidden from them for now. Their goals are, in their way, noble. But the way they try to achieve them…

Technology is merely magic with scientific cover stories. If you believe computers aren’t magic, you’re nuts.

Vampires have been around forever. Some claim Cain (of Cain and Able, Genesis) was the first. Anywhere between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 100,000 are vampires. Then there are the Garou (werewolves), Shamblers (another type of Zombie/Rot).

Eight years ago, there was a huge supernatural conflict on both the Spiritual and Physical planes. The Technocracy launched, in effect, Spiritual Nukes. They destroyed most of the Spirit Realm. It’s substantially regenerated/regenerating now. But many died or ascended. Supernatural entities of all kinds died off. Hunters are gone, as far as he knows. Garou and Vampires are breeding like rabbits. Many more mages are Awakening now than ever before.

Daniel was Order of Hermes. They study and archive. Fortunately, he was well out of the line of fire on his duties eight years ago. He was following this new thing, the Vampire Mage, under direction from his Order. Now he’s on his own. Daniel is not a member of the old or new orders anymore. He’s a renegade.

Daniel tells the group to reach him by dialing 73 on our cellphones. Keep the calls short, as he cannot hide them for long, and be careful using them for any other purpose. They’re being listened to.

Daniel departs, leaving five stunned people in his wake.

Everyone discusses trying to independently verify the events of the day before, and thus find proof that this wasn’t all just a mass hallucination. Much discussion of tracking down the perpetrators supposedly arrested by the FBI. Perhaps the suspicious runaround we’d be sure to get, the coverup, the deliberate incompetence, etc. etc. would show without a doubt that something more than what was in the paper is going on. Sam finally gets frustrated and convinces the rest that there is no percentage in getting the fake FBI’s attention again for something we already know: that the perps are gone, and there was a coverup.

So we try to follow up on something, anything, to independently verify what Daniel told us. Gus remembers the symbols painted on the tombstones, found in the cemetary on Allen during his pre-stakeout scouting. His previous search turned up nothing, but this time he finds Hunter.net. The symbols are in a symbolic language used by Hunters. The page is no longer active, it’s been archived. The symbols are “Monster” and “Infestation.” Normally, these symbols can’t be seen by the uninitiated.

[Out of game exposition. We are to implement mage template. Don’t worry about history, just mechanics. The Wyrm guides vampires. It embodies entropy and decay, and it inherently corrupts. The Weaver is the embodiment of the force that takes the raw material of the Wild and builds reality. It is crazy, hubristically trapped in its own web. The Wild is unbridled creation. Nefandis are mages corrupted by the Wyrm- evil. Marauders are corrupted by the Wild- freakin’ nuts. Mages are normally under the influence of the Weaver. The Technocracy- anything outside of the normal is stopped by any means necessary. Technology is magic explained by science. Paradox will correct itself, even if it is not witnessed by a Sleeper. If anyone takes more than 2 dots in Time, David will destroy them utterly... Their characters, too.]

Later, Sam calls Daniel on 73 to discuss the thing he noticed. Daniel has “read his story” and already knows all about Sam, disturbingly. [Sam chooses not to discuss what he learned with the group at this time.]

Sunday. The gang decides to go to a strip club to blow off steam. (Sam would normally not go to such places, just like he wouldn’t go to a noisy bar, but was even more hesitant to be alone after all this crap just went down.) Everyone does shots. Sam nurses a beer all evening.

Several of the gang notice a bulky black man sitting in the corner, surrounded by three zoned out strippers. Gus and Brock see sees lines of life force connecting the girls to the man. Sam sees some kind of spiritual connection between the three. Flynn sees a black aura around the man, but is certain the man is alive. Clearly, most of our perceptions have been altered. James sees nothing unusual.

Sam and Brock see the connection between the man and one stripper falter. She’s dying. Brock goes to confront the man, Sam follows silently behind him to watch his back. Brock talks with the man, asks him let go of the strippers (in effect). Brock shows his badge, threatens him, pockets it again. The man back talks, Brock loses his temper. Brock tries to flip the table over and intimidate him but slips and falls. The man pulls out his phone, getting ready to call a lawyer, but then freezes in bewilderment or shock. The connection to all three girls is broken, and Flynn sees the black nimbus depart through the back wall. The man is left staring at his phone, dazed.

The bouncers arrive, and ask what the hell is going on. Brock starts to reach for his badge, Sam grabs his wrist to prevent him from showing it, but Brock still says he’s a cop. Sam talks over him, tells the bouncers that they’ll all leave quietly as soon as they settle their tab. They say one can stay that long, so Sam ends up paying the tab while the other four leave for the parking lot.

In the parking lot, there is an angry discussion about going maverick and losing our heads. We can’t afford to go solo now. The world just became much, much more dangerous. We’re likely to see this kind of thing everywhere we go now. As Daniel told us, monsters are right under our noses, everywhere, and we were too Asleep to notice. We’re a team now. We need to discuss our actions first.

End of session.

[West]

Session 3 Notes – 11-20

[Because I couldn't sleep, I decided to transcribe my notes now. If anyone was frustrated by the info Sam withheld in the previous sessions, see the FLASHBACKs below.]

[Note: I was unable to get the specifics for rotes used, so I will describe in general terms any spell effects. Notes for this session, and from now on, will be less detailed, per GM request to trade participation for note detail. If I missed anyone's significant actions, no slight was intended.]

Sunday night, Sam has two dreams. The first involves Brock. Sam sees Brock confronted by an ominous wraith-like entity. Notable features include “black holes” at each of the seven traditional chakra points. They suck in energy instead of radiating it, as is traditional in Eastern culture. The wraith says to Brock, in effect, “I know who you are, I know where you are. I’ve found you. Don’t cross me again.” Dozens of naked, beautiful women appear in background of dream, making out and inviting Brock to join them. “This could be yours, if you never cross me again.” The wraith attempts to make some kind of connection with Brock, but fails. Brock snaps out of it.

Sam awakens, distraught. He finally gets back to sleep, only to have a second dream. In this one, he has an intense headache. Tendrils of… Something pull at his brain. He feels anger, pain, frustration. Finally the discomfort/pain is enough to wake him again.

Monday. Gus contacts James, tells him that Agents Smith and Jones have arrived, joined by a new one, Agent Johnson. They’ve somehow removed Lieutenant Dan from his office and taken his place. They once again probed Gus’ mind, looking for information about Daniel. They know about him, no question. Gus was able to once again compartmentalize his mind and fight them off. He is given orders to text message the Agents (conventional 10 digit text number) if he sees Daniel again.

Gus talks to James. He is, understandably, distraught. Both are at a loss as to what to do about this.

Gus talks to Flynn. [Flynn has been attached to the department for some time now as a field coroner. He has basic police powers.] Gus tells Flynn the same things as Adam, tries to convince them to cut and run. He fears that he, and the rest of the group, will once again be brain-wiped and probed, or worse. James and Flynn are leery of just quitting and leaving their lives behind.

Sam had a rough night. Fortunately, his schedule is flexible, so he sleeps in. He arrives at work a bit after nine. Business is slow lately, and he lets calls pass. He is upset about events of past few days, and is just as happy for the respite.

[Sam’s home is a cheap rental house in the Bear Creek/Addicks Reservoir area, within walking distance of the park and the undeveloped area of the Addicks flood control plain- the wild, forested area. His retail strip center storefront office is in the general 610 and 59 area, South of the Galleria.]

Gus, James drive over to Brock’s home in the heights. They find him jogging. Gus relates his experiences with the Agents. All end up driving to Sam’s office.

[Incidentally, nobody can remember what Daniel looks like. Odd.]

Considerable discussion about what to do and how. The Agents appear, for all practical purposes, to be legitimate FBI, or some other government agency.

Brock reveals his experience from last night. He was visited by the wraith last night, exactly as described in Sam’s dream (above). He’s spooked. Sam is equally spooked, as his story is identical to Sam’s dream.

Multiple arguments about what to do. Do we jump the Agents? Do we go after the wraith? Do we call Daniel for advice? Do we just hang loose and wait? To make matters worse, Sam seems to be getting inexplicably agitated and short tempered. [Under the influence of the psychic entity, see below.]

They discuss calling Daniel, but fear the call being traced. Sam reveals that he has called Daniel before, and that Daniel was able to keep the call protected for a short period. Considerable irritation and concern about Sam keeping secrets like this, and demands to know why he risked this call before. Sam is reluctant, but eventually gives. He reveals the evil psychic force that has taken up residence in his mind.

[I left these incidents blank in previous notes. I will fill them in here, since Sam has come clean.]

[FLASHBACK 1: While under the influence of the Blue Pill, Sam discovers a black ball of something inside his mind. It has tendrils anchoring it in place. It hurts to even “touch” or focus on it. He cannot move it like he can his own thoughts while under the pill’s effects. After the interrogation, he takes the opportunity to probe it some more. It’s a foreign object, locked in his mind like a tumor. Sam thinks that, with a tremendous effort, he could possibly remove it (50/50 chance). But it would be at great risk to his sanity. And he cannot tell what would happen to it once it was forced out. He thinks it’s likely that Lisa Brown, the girl he saved, had it previously, and forced it out the same way (perhaps- wild speculation there). Sam decides that he cannot, in good conscience, risk dumping such a thing on someone else. So he makes no further attempts to probe or remove it, opting instead to hold it within himself until he can be sure.]

[FLASHBACK 2: The Saturday after we met Daniel at Brock’s home. Sam calls Daniel, alarmed at the mention of Sam’s ailment/possession earlier. Mind is not Daniel’s specialty, but he has seen such a thing once before. Think of the bad vibes you get in an old mental asylum. This is the embodiment of bad/evil psychic energy, and it has infested him like a virus. It will ultimately manipulate and corrupt Sam if he doesn’t somehow get rid of it. Any mage with Mind or Death arcana will see it (David, confirm? We now have both in party). It will take a mage skilled in both to remove it, and frankly Sam isn’t ready to deal with such people: Identity X or the Nefaris. The man who tried to kill Lisa Brown had killed many people before her, all related in a direct line of contact, one to the next. Lisa was last in chain, she met the previous victim at a club. Evidently, the accountant was trying to ritually kill the entity (in a misguided fashion). Daniel says that he has “read Sam’s story” and knows all about his history. Daniel has to hang up, then, as he can only protect the line for a limited time.]

As Sam is telling the group about his concerns, Flynn calls Gus to check in. He delivers an appropriately sanitized (remember, phones are being monitored) account of a murder at the Galleria, near the ice rink. Gus gives an equally sanitized explanation of his own activities of the morning.

Sam calls Daniel again, puts him on speaker. His advice is to stay cool, don’t break routine. Gus was hardest to conceal. Daniel detected many attempts to track and break his cover. The black wraith should be okay as long as it doesn’t again attempt contact with Brock. Don’t take any further action until then. Daniel will call again on Sam’s phone.

We all return to work, in an attempt to return to normality. Brock has taken two weeks leave.

James and Gus discover that Lt. Dan has taken vacation, and allowed the Agents to use his office. Gus discovers that the Agent’s black van looks like a white Acura to most other people.

James borrowed a tracking device from Sam. It’s cheap, but works reasonably well. He attempts to put it on the Acura, but Gus takes over and does it himself, since he can see through the illusion.

Flynn calls Gus, apparently super stoked about getting everyone to partake of the super happy hour deals at the Kona grill in the Galleria. Gus calls everyone else.

We arrive at the Kona. Flynn is shaken. We have a couple drinks, then Flynn shows us the ice rink. The victim of the shooting was a white male, age 27, named Tom. Normal t-shirt and jeans. The shooter was a 17 year old white male. Bystanders are curiously apathetic an disdainful of each other. Bumping into one another without acknowledgement.

Flynn sees a spirit influence and an air of death.

James sees a negative life energy.

Sam sees the same, with a heavy overlay of spritual energy.

Brock sees both as well.

Gus sees nothing unusual, aside from the people.

Everyone but Gus sees five columns, about 4 feet tall, inscribed with seven runes apiece. The top rune is glowing red, others are hollow. Bystanders unconsciously avoid the columns. Pictures of it are blurred, and the column itself is missing from said pictures.

We return to the Kona. Flynn recognized the symbols, looks them up on his Treo. He remembers a website, http://sunnyway.com/runes/meanings.html The runes are, from top to bottom:

Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.) Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape? [This symbol was inverted: “Note that a "reversed" or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its primary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation.”]

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise. [Addendum, 12/18/07: This symbol is reversed, as well. We can safely assume all of the non-reversable glyphs are in opposition, and are in their negative aspects.]

Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

While we’re trying to suss out the symbols, Daniel calls on Sam’s cellphone, asks where we are, says he will be there shortly.

Flynn notes that, unless the symbols are somehow reversed, they progress from chaos to security, in general. We notice that people get generally friendlier, more normal as they leave vicinity of columns. Gus reasons that a ritual must be performed at each of the seven stages. One has been done, seven to go.

Daniel arrives. He casts a “cone of silence” effect on the table, casually. Sam can see it. Sam’s phone and person have evidently been the subject of no attempts at intrusion by Identity X. It’s evidently safe, and should be used for future contacts. Gus’ phone has been the subject of multiple attempts, as mentioned before.

He recognizes the runes as ancient symbols used by mages and mundanes alike. He can’t read them without reference materials, but knows some mage sects use them for ritual magic.

Brock, who has been drinking, is upset about all the mysteries and obfuscations. He leaves, angry, and Gus follows to commiserate with him.

The columns are evidently the work of the Nefandis. Among other things, the Nefandis summon demons. We should expect 6 more ritual acts. They could be murders, or some other depravities, or even acts of heroism.

Daniel gets into history. 7-8 years ago, the Technocracy destroyed much of the Umbra (the “magic nukes” mentioned in session 2). Many mages died or ascended. Vampires, Werewolves, Changelings nearly died out. Now they’re all coming back in force. (Note Hunters still gone, mentioned in 2.) This is the first ritual he’s seen by the Nefandis since the event 8 years ago.

Daniel claims to be a couple centuries old. (!!!) He introduces himself as Daniel Balin, Master of Forces, and of the Hermetic Order.

He tells us we have to decide how hard we wish to hold onto our old lives. This will help us decide what to do now. Daniel offers his sanctum, but warns that it is subject to paradox effects, and time slippage may occur. Days may turn out to be years, or vice versa. We could go in for a day, come back years later. Upside, he has a library. Do we stay or go? Escape for a couple years, lie low, hope things don’t explode in our absence? Sam brings up our duty as police officers to fight injustice- we all still believe in that, no? Now we see new injustices all around. Of course, we’re ill equipped to fight them, as Gus, James, Flynn point out. Is that any excuse?

James “sees” that nothing in the library would help Sam’s problem. We ultimately opt to stay and deal with the consequences in the here-and-now.

James divines several things about the Agents and their habits. [Sorry, I missed much of this. Anyone that can fill in, please do!]

Gus decides he must return to work. He mentions establishing a code word- he will mention a color in the first sentence he says to any of us. James points out that such a code is useless, as an Agent mind ream would just reveal it.

The next day, Gus goes back to work to confront the Agents. He psychically girds his loins, defending his mind in a variety of ways.

Gus goes in and asks the Agents if he can be put on the Galleria case (he has had contact with Flynn, so knows about it). They agree. Gus feels their mind probes, manages to rather easily turn them aside, due to his previous preparations. He successfully and convincingly denies knowing who this Daniel person is. The agents actually seem convinced, or at least puzzled.

Flynn receives a call. A man has a heart attack near the candy shop at the ice rink level of the Galleria. The man’s son just walks on. Everyone ignores it. The officer on the scene jokes, but remarks how horrible and jarring the amount of apathy he’s seen is. He asks Flynn to check for poison.

Flynn and Gus go. The second rune is lit. Everyone is apathetic about the death, and each other, as well as belligerent. The officer on duty demands they just get the body out of the way.

That evening, after the Agents leave, Gus procures a picture from Lt. Dan’s desk. Using it, he mentally searches for Dan. He sees him and his wife at the Princess hotel in Jamaica or the Bahamas.

James talks Brock into helping him secure an untraceable firearm. Brock finds a source, but said source can only provide a 9mm, and not the assault rifle James hoped for. They meet Greg Ewings in a Hispanic bar on Voss. They get the gun for $750 ($500 plus a $250 surcharge for immediate service), but James wins back $50 on a magically rigged coin flip. James and Brock are now tapped of disposable cash for the month.

We meet at the House of Pies that night to discuss Gus’ status. Gus is jubilant, and somehow more suave and “on” than he normally is. Everyone notes that he fails to use his color password, but we’re unsure if that means anything. He tells us how he beat the Agents, and scryed for Lt. Dan. He is jubilant at his newfound abilities. Brock counters with his own, eventually demonstrating by stabbing himself in the hand with a fork- to no effect.

Using a combination of postcognition and the tracker Sam loaned him, James learns that the Agents drive their van into a garage on McKinney every night… And disappear from the face of the earth. They reappear each morning at 6:45am.

Much discussion and back and forth about what to do now. What evil plot should we address now? Much talk of jumping the Agents. Daniel has stated he’ll help if we have a decent plan. Flynn talks of disintegrating (in effect) all evidence. Much concern about what happens if Agents just disappear. Nothing is resolved, everyone is still at a loss as to what to do at this point.

End of session.

[West]

Session 4 Notes
12-18

[Mechanic: until we find a hallow, we get one mana per day back, as a GM leg-up/training wheels. We are to locate a hallow ASAP. See the Mage book for details.]

[We gained 3 experience for the scene, and 1 experience for the end of the chapter. We agree to contribute one to two points toward a shared Hallow and Sanctum merit. Rob, as experience in absentia for your contribution to completing this chapter, two additional points will be contributed to the Hallow/Sanctum fund in your name. We will all be contributing our chapter end 1 XP, possibly more, to the fund.]

[Rob: If you have your notes for sessions two and three, would you mind posting them on the session notes threads? You'll need to confirm with David, re: the XP awards for those. Session 2 yielded 2 XP for notes posted, sessions 3 and 4 yielded 1 XP for me. I'd guess yours would be the same.]

Note: General date is late November/Early December. Thanksgiving, and Black Friday, have passed, but the Christmas shopping rush is just starting.

Thursday night, the night after the second glyph (Hagalaz) lit, and the man had his heart attack at the Galleria. Sam has a dream. A man is staring at Sam. Not in his eyes, but somewhere inside the top of his head. He says “You can help stop what is happening at the Galleria. But you must be there in five days time.” Sam has a gut feeling that the man is a vampire. He sees a glimpse of elongated canines. “You are instrumental in stopping what is happening.” Sam feels that the vampire is telling the truth. “You will need to be there in no later than five days.”

Friday morning. Daniel calls Gus on his cellphone. [Remember, Daniel stated Gus’ phone is the least secure.] “I don’t know how, but they found me. I’ll be back in a couple months. Tell everyone else. You’ll find out what happened when you go back to work. We won’t be bothered by that set anymore.” Gus pretends he doesn’t recognize the caller, Daniel reiterates, hangs up.

Brock considers resigning (he’s already on leave). His life has become too chaotic and strange for his mundane job.

Gus is concerned about call on his line, feels like he’s a target, the call might be fake. By 8:30, he gets a call from the secretary at the precinct house, asking where he is. The captain is still on sabbatical (2.5 months left), and Smith, Jones, Johnson didn’t show up for work. Gus is needed, to help be in nominal charge in their absence. Gus feigns illness and refuses to come in.

James tries to get Brock to pick him up for work. He’s feeling the pinch after his illicit gun purchase, can’t afford gas.

Sam proposes we all meet at the Galleria for lunch. Gus was already planning in dropping by. Everyone settles on meeting at 10am.

We arrive. It feels oppressive. Even we feel it now. Everyone is snappish, grouchy, apathetic. People repelled. They avoid even being on the floor if they can do so. The columns are translucent. Flynn saw a strong death aura. Brock, Sam see a strong spirit connection, pulling something. James studies the interconnections, sees that it is interwoven with him, and everyone else nearby. Directly, and to negative effect. He sees no connection to a potential victim number three, but it’s early yet. Gus examines the correspondences, sees it’s related to someone not here. Sam sees that the columns are spiritually connected into one source.

Brock impatiently decides to touch the column, in spite of grave misgivings. He feels as if something tried to rip and pull his very life away, and has to struggle to keep it (takes 5 lethal damage in the process). He has great difficulty attempting to heal himself. Ultimately, the next morning, he succeeds in healing by Spirit means.

The murder happened on 1:00pm Wednesday. The heart attack was at 2:30pm Thursday. We expect the next one Friday afternoon, possibly linked to crowd size, possibly simply once daily.

Gus asks why we are getting involved with the columns. We are ill equipped to deal with this. Two weeks ago, we didn’t even know about it, couldn’t have known about it. Why get involved now? Sam compares it to a mugging in an alley. We may not know about it, and couldn’t see it, two minutes before we walk past the alley. We’re still obligated to help when we see it. Gus concedes the point.
We’re staking out the Galleria, around the ice rink in the basement. At about 12:30pm, the vampire from the dream appears. Brock and James recognize him as the same vampire that James winged a couple of weeks back when we confronted the zombies (session #1). The vampire is casually, even happily, strolling around. He’s whistling “It’s a Small World.” It’s really kind of creepy. James is convinced the vampire is related, and casts a curse, “Your Timing Sucks,” on him. The vampire doesn’t seem to notice or react. He eventually leaves. He climbs the stairs to level one, walks toward the bathrooms, and loses Brock as he attempts to tail him. Sam got the distinct impression the vampire recognized him. Gus scries for the vampire, finds him, sees him running away at superhuman speeds.

Sam and James argue about going to Smith, Jones, Johnson for help. James argues that they seem to have been acting with minimum force, and even to our benefit, in the coverup. Perhaps they are protecting the public? Sam is violently opposed, sees mind alteration as an assault.

We argue about what to do, should we get involved with this thing that is clearly well over our heads. Sam points out that we know, short term, someone will die. Maybe we can help? At 12:45pm, a kid screams “Oh my God, it’s a bomb!” (James quickly determines there is no bomb explosion in the near future.) Absolute panic and bedlam. Sam realizes that this is part of the plan, and that someone will get killed in the mob. He climbs on a table, and actually succeeds in calming everyone in earshot. But it is too late. One is injured, one is killed.

Brock manages to catch the 16 year old kid, who claims he thought it’d be a funny joke. There is no bomb. He is in tears.

The police arrive. Sam pursuades Gus to order them to take the kid away, as nothing good can come of handling this while under the column’s influence. Gus agrees, and orders them to handle the boy with kid gloves, read him his rights (Brock already did), get Juvi involved ASAP, do it all by the book. The cops grudgingly agree, clearly under influence of columns already.

Gus, James, Brock argue passionately about how to handle the kid. Clearly, he was influenced by the vampire. Should he suffer for it? Sam sees no lingering influence, spiritually, on the kid.

It occurs to James that we should be looking into the glyphs and their meanings, in order to determine the possible circumstances of the next death.

Sam hears constant whistling in his head. Now it’s “Would you like to swing on a star?”

Time passes. Brock and James think to check the tracking device on the black FBI van. It’s in a tow lot downtown, not too far from 1301 McKinney (where it was last seen). They go to the lot, and can see it from the sidewalk. It’s no longer disguised, and looks like a black van to all concerned. The two flash their badges, get in to examine it. It’s been there 2-3 hours, was towed from the lot for blocking multiple spaces. No license plate. The only odd thing is a green goo covering the driver’s seat, eating away at the upholstery. Nothing else unusual.

Gus reports back to work, Sam decides to tag along in case something lies in wait for Gus when he returns. The workplace is in a generally laid back, “the cat’s away…” mood. Jones, et al, didn’t show, no call. They have no contact info for them. Nobody is sad to see them go. Captain is still gone. The office buzz is about the Galleria, and all the weird deaths. Gus is buttonholed by a lieutenant, who heard Gus was in the Galleria at the time of the third death. Gus says he was feeling poorly that morning, but felt better, and decided to swing by the crime scene (from Wednesday) before returning to work. The lieutenant is assigning two uniformed officers, Chord and Marx (the ones who were there before, and who took the kid), to watch the skating rink Saturday. Gus is to report there, too. Gus agrees, downplays weirdness as coincidence.

Sam and Gus investigate the ruins some more, look at old files. Ruin #3, “Isa,” represents treachery, deceit, betrayal. Today, a kid lied and someone died. Ruin #4, “Perthro,” is reversed. In this state, it symbolizes addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise. Some ties to female symbology, as well. It seems pretty clear it will be a woman, and that drugs will likely be involved. Gus gets a feeling that symbol #5, “Ingwaz,” involves some form of mechanical failure. Sam is certain that symbol #7, “Othala,” involves him.

We all meet up at 3 or so at a local Hooters. Sam tells about his dream, re: the vampire. They discuss what to do, given recent events. Finally, they resolve to find the vampire. Gus, with James’ help, manages to scry for the vampire. Finds him in a crappy apartment on Westheimer: suggest “think where you live,” telepathically probes for clues, traces a unique gothic painting in apartment. Finds apartment. It’s on second story of beach loft with sliding glass door at entrance. James sees a connection, the vampire definitely is the primary person behind the columns.

Meanwhile, Sam is watching all this, absently humming “Somewhere beyond the sea.” Sam is getting increasingly agitated, even furious, getting a headache. He is extremely impatient. Go. NOW. As Sam fumes, Brock expertly plans an attack. Brock opens the door. James enters right, Gus left, Sam goes low. We enter the apartment complex. Brock brings a car jack to break the sliding glass door. Sam talks the spirit of his gun into helping him. Gus and James similarly magically gird their loins.

As the group arrives at the apartment, Sam hears “THAT’S MINE!” The vampire is somehow pulling the “psychic tumor” from his brain. Sam resists with all his might, but ultimately the vampire takes it away from him. Sam feels no ill effects. In fact, he feels like the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders. Sam is angry, and afraid. It’s clear that the vampire needed this last piece to complete the spell at the Galleria.

The team busts in. Brock breaks the glass cleanly. James manages to duck inside, push aside the blinds, and lands a clean shot. Gus follows right, gets off another solid round. Sam enters, and delivers the final shot. All three land with devastating effect, and the vampire falls.

Sam: “Gut check, everyone. Do we believe in vampires?” Evidently, we do, and fall back on our immense stores of vampire lore (watching not one, but TWO seasons of BtVS). James gets a butcher knife from the kitchen, and goes to work sawing off the corpse’s head. Sam breaks a wooden chair and laboriously drives the splintered leg through the vampire’s heart. We wrap the body in bedsheets, make sure to collect the spend casings and the jack, and prepare to depart. Gus manages to protect himself, James, and Sam with an incognito rote. Brock is able to successfully darken his skin tone. Fortunately, this all went down before people started returning from work, so few people were home. Vampire blood turns to ashes. There is some hope that we got away with this hit.

We make it to Brock’s car. We drive way out into the country, douse the body with diesel, light it with a reddi-light log, and burn it to ashes. We scatter the ashes to the four winds.

Brock is okay with the actions we took today. Gus is great with it, justice was done. Sam thinks it sucks, but it had to be done. James is profoundly disturbed by our actions (losing a point of Wisdom).

[West]

Session 7 Notes
02-26

[General note on these summaries: My notes are, by necessity, “Spooky-centric.” My notes are designed to track my actions in the campaign. As such, Sam’s activities may appear highlighted while the actions of others may be in lesser detail or glossed over. This is not intended as a deliberate slight. Please feel free to add any details relevant to your own characters from your own notes.]

[This session’s notes, in particular, are somewhat sketchy. I have little incentive or desire to track the details of a nasty, vitriolic, and generally unenjoyable argument. Now that much of the issues are moot points, as they died with the characters, I‘ve decided to go ahead and post my notes for this rather unfortunate session.]

The session picks up after returning from the fledgling cabal’s first Consilium meeting. All members report what they discovered.

Zack, John, and Sam were approached by various factions within the organization. Zack was approached by “Bong” and “Fat Albert” of the Free Council. John initially approached the Adamantine Arrow, but had a falling out over their lack of respect for his mentor, the apostate Russell. John instead made an in road with the Mysterium. Sam was contacted telepathically by Char of the Adamantine Arrow, and felt an emotional connection with their ideals and goals, or at least what little he understood of them.

Flynn was not invited to join any orders. Brock and Flynn instead decided to attempt contact with the ailing Hierarch. The Hierarch allowed their presumptuous contact, over the objection of his underlings, and they enjoyed a brief discussion. The Hierarch described the new Houston cabal as an experiment, but gave no specific instructions for its use or intended purpose. Brock’s impression was that the Hierarch was something of a figurehead, but concluded he must have some degree of power even still.

During their contact with their respective orders, Sam and Zack were charged with recovering a laptop and a collection of external solid-state drives. This laptop contained information about potential and current Awakened, including their names and current whereabouts. As such, it was vital that it be reclaimed and returned to the Consilium.

Sam was also told that the whole setup was a clever ruse, in that the actual information was etched into the hardware of the laptop, and not stored as electronic data at all. Instead, the solid state drives contained tantalizingly false, encrypted information, as well as a virus designed to spread to all vampire data stores when the drives were accessed by more powerful vampire IT equipment. Further, the laptop was deliberately designed to be insufficient to decode the false data, encouraging this transaction. This ruse, in combination with Force mage spells to be cast later, would allow the Consilium to track the virus to vampire data stores, allowing them to cripple the vampire information network. During the course of the conversation, and a follow-up contact with the Arrow, Sam was instructed to contact the Arrow when the laptop was recovered. He was not told anything about the Arrow’s intentions once it was recovered. He was warned that the Silver Ladder and the Guardians of the Veil must not be told anything of this, as they would no doubt use the information on the laptop to swell their own ranks in a bid for political power.

Zack was evidently told somewhat differing information about the data and how it was stored. He was told that it was vital that the laptop be returned to the Free Council, in order to stop an internecine war within the Consilium. He is also told that the Arrow intends to send in a strike force if we fail (a fact which Sam confirms with his contacts), causing a possible war in the supernal community. John was similarly directed to return the laptop to the Mysterium, and reiterates their stance that no information should be lost, under any circumstances. All three orders agree that the laptop must not be destroyed.

Brock and Flynn, who had no Consilium loyalties, came to the conclusion that the laptop must not go to any given order. Instead, it must either be destroyed (thus preventing any one order from using the information to gain an upper hand), or given directly to the Hierarch. Sam is hesitant to do either, as he fears that either action will alienate the Consilium at large, leaving the cabal more vulnerable than it already is. Brock and Flynn argue that the Hierarch would be a more powerful ally than any one order. But, even then, the laptop is too powerful for the Consilium to use, in any form. According to them, it should be destroyed and kept out of anyone’s hands.

All agree the laptop must be recovered from the vampires. Anything less means the destruction of the already weakened Awakened. This is never in doubt. But considerable venom, heartache, anger, and acrimony is expended debating its fate after recovery. Ultimatums are issued. Honor is disparaged. Loyalties are questioned. Battle lines are drawn and crossed. John ultimately makes the difficult decision to leave the Mysterium as a show of loyalty to the cabal. Zack and Sam refuse to leave their orders, and will not commit to unilaterally ignore their order‘s commands if they contradict the cabal. This is taken as a sign of divided loyalties by Brock and Flynn, who take a hard-line stance that any action not wholly and completely in agreement with the cabal‘s decisions and interests above all else is dishonorable, treacherous, and disloyal to the cabal. This stance is unpopular with Zack, and especially hurtful and disagreeable to Sam. Considerable sarcasm, vitriol, wheedling, bullying, and breast-beating ensues.

John and Zack come to blows, mystically, over John’s debatably ill timed use of magic in the course of a heated argument. John sees no problem with his use of personal enhancement spells as needed, Zack sees it as a threatening gesture under the circumstances, and casts repeated counter spells. Others have their own opinions, but for whatever reason don’t intervene. Multiple F-bombs are dropped. Nothing further is resolved.

Ultimately, Zack makes an impassioned speech convincing the group that the laptop’s information is too important, and that it must be saved. John agrees, and argues persuasively that the laptop should therefore be returned to the Adamantine Arrow. Everyone agrees to this course of action, with varying levels of enthusiasm. Multiple wedges are driven between all members of the cabal, except perhaps between Brock and Flynn.

[A post-session retcon: see the thread “A post blowout suggestion from Flynn” in the archives. During the evening and following morning (game time), considerable discussion is had over points raised in this debate. Some methods of mechanically solving cabal disagreements are proposed, including debating rules and formalized mission statements. These are met with varying levels of agreement and enthusiasm. Nothing is resolved, and already strained relationships are pushed to the breaking point, and possibly beyond. (This will prove tragic, given the events of Session 8.) A delicate détente is forged over booze and cigars around the breakfast table the following morning, allowing the team to reluctantly work together that day.]

Everyone breaks up the following morning to pursue various leads. Flynn and John perform research on vampires in the library. Flynn and Brock hit the streets and eventually track a vampire to the Rooftop Club downtown. [I’m afraid I have no details on the steps leading to this point, sorry.]

Meanwhile, Sam performs a slow, laborious session of post cognition, starting from the parking lot of the Montrose Compound and tracing Geraden’s path the night of the book store fire. The Consilium contacts had previously revealed that Geraden was entrusted to deliver the laptop and drives, but was mugged, and his memory of the event erased. The latter was confirmed earlier by Zack.

Within walking distance of the compound, Geraden was jumped by four people in Gothic dress. This includes two skinny guys who appeared fuzzy to Sam, one mousey but otherwise nondescript man, and one large tattooed man. [Later described as a taller, heavier Vin Diesel.] The four drove up behind Geraden, and the big one one-punches Geraden and throws him in their car. The car is a Caprice Classic, license WXY-124 (which turns out to have been taken from a stolen Toyota pickup truck). All four Goths moved at superhuman speeds. The big one had multiple tattoos, including one distinctive one on the back of his neck. The car drove off in the direction of downtown. Sam was able to write down the license plate and a sketch of the tattoo after the vision.



Sam meets up with Zack and John. Research reveals that the tattoo is a vampire mark signifying some kind of covenant, but it is not specifically a Daevan sign. Sam calls Brock and Flynn, and reports what he found.

Brock and Flynn go to the Rooftop Club. Zack, John, and Sam pile in Sam’s car and rush to join them. Flynn makes eye contact with one of the vampires at the club, winks, and makes kissy noises. He has evidently gone insane.

[End of Session]

[West]

Session 8 Notes
03-11

[General note on these summaries: My notes are designed to track my actions in the campaign. Therefore they are, by necessity, somewhat “Spooky-centric.” As such, Sam’s activities may appear highlighted while the actions of others may appear in lesser detail or be glossed over. This is not intended as a deliberate slight. Please feel free to add any details relevant to your own characters from your own notes.]


The session opens on a weekday evening, with Brock and Flynn in the Rooftop Club downtown. (Sam, Zack, and John are about 7-8 minutes away by car.) The two spot a large, tattooed man (who bears a striking resemblance to a larger Vin Diesel) enter the club’s VIP room. The man soon leaves, carrying a black leather case roughly the size of a day planner. The tattooed man meets up with an average looking man at a bar table, and both head for the door.

Brock and Flynn initially attempt to follow the two, but Brock is pulled up short when he realizes they are being watched by a pretty Asian woman. Brock gets a bad feeling about her, and tells Flynn to let their targets go. Flynn texts John with a description of the big, tattooed man.

Flynn approaches the bartender with the intention of sending the Asian woman a drink. The bartender mouths off, and Brock intimidates him with a feral glare. Flynn settles for winking at the woman from across the room.

Immediately after catching the woman’s eye, Flynn becomes extremely and inexplicably frightened. In a panic, he heads for the door, imploring Brock to follow him. Brock starts to do so, aiming a glare at the Asian woman. She returns the stare, and Brock is rooted to the spot, paralyzed with fear. Flynn leaves without him.

Just outside the club, Flynn sees the two men having a smoke. One of the men calls after him as he quickly turns to re-enter the stairs. He waits in the stairwell, and calls Brock on his cellphone.

Sam, John, and Zack arrive. Due to the parking situation, not to mention the need for a speedy getaway, Sam elects to avoid valet parking, and talks Zack into staying with the car and driving it around the lot. The rest go in. Zack is accosted by the big tattooed man, who demands to know what the group is doing there. Everyone is shaken. It’s unanimously decided that discretion is the better part of valor, and everyone leaves.

The group returns to the Montrose compound. Zack contacts Pimp Skinny, who is also known to do business from the VIP room at the Rooftop Club, in hopes of getting information on the big tattooed man. After a long negotiation, Zack negotiates for the information at a cost of $5000. Some think this price is too high, and refuse to pay it. Various strong-arm and negotiation tactics are proposed, but rejected. Ultimately, Zack foots the bill for $4000, while Sam ponies up the remaining $1000.

The man’s name is Jordan, aka Big J. He lives at a house in the heights, 1323 Ashland. Jordan does business at the VIP room a couple of times a week.

At 10:30pm or so, the group goes to try to find John’s mentor, Russell, at his accustomed spot on TC Jester. Russell is not home, so they go home.

The next morning, at 7:30 or so, the group rises and everyone but Flynn (who must work) digs into some research regarding vampires. Their goal is to locate general information. They find the following:

-Vampires fear sunlight. They normally go into “torpor,” a near comatose state, during the day. There are, however, cases of vampires moving around during the day.

-Vampires often sleep in secure locations, sometimes using retainers or guards as further protection. Some have the ability to meld with solid objects for safety as they sleep.

-Some vampires can sense mages. Some can perform magic.

-Garlic does nothing to vampires.

-Vampires can feel warm or cold, depending on time since last feeding. This includes the genitalia of attractive Asian female vampires. (Thank Brock for this question.)

-A stake through the heart can immobilize a vampire.

-Sunlight and fire are especially harmful to vampires.

-Vampire powers can include heightened senses, superhuman speed, control of animals, inducing fear, superhuman stealth, shape shifting, magic, raising the dead, entering the Twilight, and passing diseases.

This research involves everyone working in concert, and takes about 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, at work, Flynn is presented with the corpse of Frank Neumann, a 23 year old Caucasian hacker. The corpse arrived in the coroner’s office at about 7am. He died of an apparent heart attack. Massive amounts of energy drinks were found in his system. Flynn’s abilities and experience tell him that this cause of death is not as it appears. Flynn speaks with the spirit of Neumann, explaining the situation (that he‘s dead). Neumann is skeptical. Flynn asks him for information on his death, and Neumann agrees provided Flynn find a way to help him move on. Neumann felt a sharp pain at the base of his skull immediately prior to death. He was hired by Big J to crack the encryption on some stolen drives using a laptop provided. Neumann was told the drives contained credit card and/or banking information.

Flynn relays this information to the group. Using this, and the information Zack procured, they determine that the laptop is very likely still at Big J’s house in the Heights. During Flynn’s lunch hour, the group drives out to scout the house. In wolfhound form, Brock sniffs around the perimeter. It’s a small, two-story home equipped with steel shutters on all the windows. Brock sees vibration sensors on the fence, a camera on the back of the house. He hears floorboards creaking inside, and smells ramen noodles. He hears a woman in the house next door apparently calling animal control, and decides to leave. The group meets a block or so away.

The group arms themselves with two of the MP5s procured previously.

Flynn calls in sick for the remainder of the day. He says to leave Neumann in the fridge, and he will deal with the case when he returns. The group discusses the situation, and ultimately decides that this is the best opportunity they will have. They trace the power lines serving the house, and locate the nearest telephone pole transformer serving the area. John casts Incognito on the group. Flynn surreptitiously destroys the base of the power pole, then narrowly dodges it as it falls. Power is disabled. This is at about 1:30pm.

The group quickly but casually approaches the house. Sam casts Influence Sound to mask sounds from within the boundaries of the house, in hopes of concealing noise from gunfire.

Flynn disintegrates the gate, then the lock on the front door (eventually). The group storms in, John and Brock at the front, then Flynn, then Zack, and Sam brings up the rear. It is very dark inside the house, as all windows are covered and all lights are out. A man eating ramen noodles is very surprised to see us. He is quickly subdued and questioned about the location of the laptop: all computer equipment is upstairs.

Sam locks the man in the closet with a chair wedged under the doorknob, while John and Brock charge upstairs. They hear someone slam into a door, unsuccessfully, then decide it is too dark to confront the remaining six (per John’s mindscan) occupants of the house. John and Brock return to the first floor. Sam casts Nightsight on himself, and gives his habitually carried flashlight to John.

We hear a metal-on-metal grinding sound, and Sam immediately concludes that someone is attempting to escape out of a shuttered window. Flynn runs out to the back of the house to head off any runners, while Zack watches the first floor. Note that Flynn is outside the boundary of the sound damping spell, and can therefore hear nothing from inside.

John runs up the stairs, followed by Brock, then Sam. John and Brock see Jordan, now equipped with claws dripping blood. Another man, Spetsnaz Knife, stands behind him holding bloody knives. The Asian Woman, Chun Li, stands at the far end of the hall. Spetsnaz is fast, and nails John with a thrown knife. John can smell the diseased blood on the blade.

Another man with a gun peaks out from behind a door.

John nails Jordan’s hand with a thrown knife of his own. Sam shoots Jordan, and he falls to his knees. Chun Li catches Brock’s eye, inducing paralyzing terror. This proves to be a mistake, as it sends Brock into frenzy. He immediately turns into his beast form, runs down the hall, and attacks her.

Brock is stabbed by Spetsnaz. Brock, in turn, guts the fallen Jordan.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Zack hears noise from an adjacent room, as if someone is breaking through the floor above. Before he can decide whether to investigate, Zack spots several blocks of apparent explosives wired and placed around the ceiling of the house. He shouts a warning and runs out the front door.

John uses his mental abilities to calm Brock, allowing him to break out of his berserker frenzy. Spetsnaz ducks out of a room, stabs Brock viciously, and retreats to the room again.

Sam shoots at the man peaking out of the doorway holding a gun, but misses.

Brock follows Spetsnaz into the room, which turns out to be densely packed with computer equipment.

John nails the gunman with a thrown knife. Sam follows with a deadly shot, killing the man instantly.

Brock is severely injured by Spetsnaz, and falls unconscious. John enters the room to see Spetsnaz looking down at a hole in the floor. John lands a glancing blow.

In the corridor, Sam sees Jordan stirring and beginning to rise. Sam puts his gun to Jordan’s head and executes him.

Meanwhile, Flynn has returned indoors. Rat, Flynn, and Zack fight. Flynn shoots Rat, and Zack manages to graze him as well. Rat grabs Flynn’s arm, and uses a vampire ability to render him deaf and blind. Zach and Rat wrestle over the door, as Zack attempts to escape while Rat attempts to avoid exposure to sunlight. Rat attacks and damages both Zack and Flynn.

Upstairs, Spetsnaz guts John, who fall unconscious. He runs outside and down the stairs, slashing Sam on the way by. Sam manages to shoot Spetsnaz on the stairs, severely injuring him. This to be a mistake, as Spetsnaz returns and attacks Sam again, severely injuring him and knocking him unconscious.

Flynn is blinded, and all other team members are unaccounted for. Zack shoots the plastic explosive, setting it off and destroying the house.

John and Brock are killed in the explosion. Sam is severely injured and buried in the rubble. Flynn and Zack are thrown out of the house.

[End of Session]

[West]

Session 9 Notes
04-01

[General note on these summaries: My notes are designed to track my actions in the campaign. Therefore they are, by necessity, somewhat “Spooky-centric.” As such, Sam’s activities may appear highlighted while the actions of others may appear in lesser detail or be glossed over. This is not intended as a deliberate slight. Please feel free to add any details relevant to your own characters from your own notes.]

Session picks up immediately after the explosion of the Heights house in Session 8. Flynn has successfully revived Sam, but Zack, John, and Brock are dead. (Zack died of his injuries, while John and Brock were killed immediately in the explosion.) Sam is in bad shape, but in no immediate danger. Flynn is injured as well. The two leave the scene of the explosion and go to Flynn’s car. Sam allows his Influence Sound to drop as they leave, removing the sound barrier around the remains of the house, in hopes of creating a minor distraction to cover their escape.

Flynn brings Sam up to speed regarding the events after the explosion of the house, and breaks the news to him about the death of the other three. Sam is, of course, confused and bereaved. The two discuss a cover story, thin though it may be. Sam was hired by an intermediary under a false name, to recover a stolen laptop. Sam’s informants led him to believe that the laptop contained credit and banking information. Sam had Flynn and Brock help out, as they did with Gus in the Allen Parkway killings. The house was wired to explode, and someone must have panicked. Boom. After some debate, Sam decides it’s probably best to deny ties to John and Zack. John was an enigma, but Zack had strong criminal ties, and could present unneeded complications. Sam feels like an ass doing so, but can see no way to explain them. They can come up with no good explanation for why they left the scene afterward.

The two discuss plans for the next few days. Flynn must return to the coroner’s office first, in order to keep a promise. As the two reach the parking lot, a man taps on the window. Flynn rolls it down, and the man asks “Where is the Spear?”

Flynn stonewalls. The man is a complete blank to mystical senses. The man claims to be a historian, and he was waiting for the two. Somehow, he knew they would come to this place at this time. Sam and Flynn argue tensely about what to do. Finally, Sam decides they have entirely too many people hunting for them, and tells the man that a mage took it. Sam misremembers that the mage was Smith. [In actuality, it was an agent of the Arrow. No attempt to mislead, simply misremembered in the confusion.] The man leaves. Flynn is irked at Sam freely giving such information. Sam apologizes. He didn’t want yet another complication, and wanted to be rid of the man as fast as possible.

We enter the coroner’s office. Flynn retrieves the body of Frank Neuman (the hacker) from the freezers, and performs the necessary spells to contact his spirit again. Sam watches the door as they talk. Flynn determines that the hacker is still somehow anchored to this world. Frank states that he must finish his last task, to crack the encoded drives included with the laptop.

Flynn dismisses the spirit. Sam and Flynn discuss how the drives cannot be cracked, as they contain no information but the Consilium’s virus. Flynn speculates that the drives are his anchor to the world. Flynn checks the hacker’s personal effects. Sure enough, a drive is included with Frank’s effects. The hacker will not be able to finish his job, but Flynn states that he could also be released by the destruction of the anchor. Sam disassembles and examines the drive, and is luckily able to tell Flynn how to destroy it without leaving outward signs (once reassembled). Flynn does so with a precision destruction spell. The drive is then wiped down and reassembled, then returned to the evidence locker. Flynn concocts a cover story of needing to examine the effects to determine the origin of odd markings on the corpse’s leg. Flynn creates such markings using Alter Corpse.

The ghost disappears with the destruction of the drive.

The two leave the office and head to Flynn’s place, so he can gather clothing and personal effects. While Flynn does so, Sam contacts the Arrow for advice. Sam explains the situation. His contact says to expect reinforcements, including a man named Goodrich. Sam is directed to return to the compound and perform damage control as best he can.

Sam and Flynn arrive at the compound and see a Toyota Landcruiser in the parking lot. The two are suspicious, and attempt to contact Terisa by phone, but forget her refusal to answer phone calls. They park and enter the compound.

Inside, they find three men sitting around the kitchen table. Terisa is serving them coffee. One of the men introduces himself as Goodrich, a first talon (basically a lieutenant) in the Adamantine Arrow, and the other two as Cole and Kai. They are the reinforcements. Sam warily responds in kind, and then angrily growls, “Better late than never.”

Goodrich attempts to heal Sam, but his wounds are too severe. Goodrich strongly advises that Sam head to bed immediately, and Flynn agrees. Goodrich is able to completely heal Flynn.

Sam heads to bed, and the conference moves to his apartment. Sam gives the three a rundown of current events, including the death of the previous three cabal members and the laptop situation. He states that John was able to sense seven minds in the house, but only six people were accounted for during the combat. Some sounds were heard that could have been the opening of one of the metal shutters, but nobody is certain. The fate of the laptop and the remaining drives is unknown.

Sam insists that Zack and John’s personal effects be boxed up and moved to the backup storage garage, in order to remove evidence that the two were living there, and help support Sam and Flynn’s thin cover story. John had next to nothing. Zack’s belongings are boxed up and delivered to storage the next morning.

The group decides to hole up in the compound. The Montrose house is the only hallow in the Houston area, and it is vitally important to keep it out of anyone else’s hands. That is one of the primary directives for the three new Arrow agents. Sam expresses grave concerns about both the police and the vampires, especially the latter now that the cease fire has been broken. Goodrich attempts to explain that Sam can’t be found by mundane means, and is difficult to find by mystical means, while he’s in the compound. It’s occluded. But Sam counters that there are simple, mundane records placing this house as his home address.

Time passes. Cole and Kai decide to take guard duty in shifts. Cole does so invisibly, but sees nothing. Kai goes on duty. First, he is approached by the “historian” from the coroner’s office parking lot. As before, he asks after the Spear. Kai says he knows nothing, and politely, but firmly, requests that the man leave. He does so.

At approximately 1am, a black Mercedes Maybock drives up in front of the compound. The vehicle is being driven by the Daevan emissary (“Stephen Dorff”). He rolls down the window and tosses out a brown paper bag. “You guys need to learn to clean up your messes.” Kai notices an Asian woman, “Chun Li,” is sitting in the passenger seat. She looks very upset. Kai is smitten with her.

The bag turns out to contain Sam’s Glock .40, with the grips removed. There is nothing special about it, magically, and no other modifications are evident. Sam worries that the grips can now be used by Vampire mages (he remembers such things do exist) to forge a sympathetic connection with him.

The next morning, Goodrich drive’s Zack’s car and possessions to the storage garage. He takes a cab back, then drives his own vehicle to drive by the Heights house. He sees a cleanup crew is already on site. The two decide to stop a bit down the road to investigate.

Cole turns himself invisible, while Goodrich casts Incognito on himself. There are many bystanders. Cole notices three, in particular, have vibrant auras. Cole initially thinks this means they are (possibly unaligned) mages, but later realizes it may indicate that they are shape shifters. Their behavior over the next several minutes (listening, sniffing the air, etc) may support the latter. Cole points the three out to Goodrich via radio (courtesy of Sam‘s PI supplies), then starts searching the wreckage for the laptop or other clues.

Goodrich approaches the foreman, tries to convince him that he’s the owner, and asks after computer equipment. The foreman says the home was owned by a corporation, and asks for credentials. Goodrich attempts to BS around it. The foreman says Berkshire Hathaway reps were in that morning, and Goodrich wasn’t with them. Goodrich attempts to bribe the man, fails. Man is not offended, but can’t risk the account. Goodrich continues chatting, trying to distract him and cover for Cole, until the man’s patience wears thin. Goodrich leaves.

Cole searches for 10 minutes, no results. Goodrich notices one of the three men spotted earlier is following him. Goodrich moves on to Brock’s abandoned car. Fortunately it was left unlocked. Goodrich gets in. Cole notices two of the three men are gone, while the third is looking and listening in Goodrich’s area. Goodrich manages to hotwire the car, drives back to house to pickup Cole.

Cole notices a laminated card with 5 IP addresses on it. He has no idea what it is, but takes it anyway. The card has the Shell logo on the back. Cole gets in the car and the two leave. They go back to the compound, pickup Kai, and return by cab to recover the Landcruiser. As they do so, they see two of the three men searching the rubble. Goodrich snaps a picture with his phone.

Everyone conferences back at the Montrose compound. Sam remembers Berkshire Hathaway recently purchased the Galleria. BH owns forty properties in the general area, all priced at $400,000 or above. HCAD histories show all were distressed properties, purchased well below marked appraised value. This is nothing particularly suspicious, in and of itself.

Sam sends the IP addresses to his Arrow contact by secure e-mail. He soon receives a data map of Houston backbone networks. All five IP addresses fall within OC48 range of Shell Tower in Greenspoint.

End of Session.

[West]

Session 10 Notes
04-08

[General note on these summaries: My notes are designed to track my actions in the campaign. Therefore they are, by necessity, somewhat “Spooky-centric.” As such, Sam’s activities may appear highlighted while the actions of others may appear in lesser detail or be glossed over. This is not intended as a deliberate slight. Please feel free to add any details relevant to your own characters from your own notes.]

The session picks up with the discussion at the end of session 9. Sam is still gravely injured, and needs at least four days bed rest, along with constant medical care (courtesy of Goodrich and Flynn) and magical aid (from Goodrich). The group decides to sit tight during this time and wait for developments. Goodrich is still confident that the Montrose Compound’s occlusion will protect from mundane interference from the police. Sam is still concerned.

Cole brings us up to speed on the Daevans. They’re Machiavellian power brokers, all about trading for and taking power. They see a hole in themselves now that they’re the undead, and are seeking to fill it. They tend to attract the beautiful people to their ranks, and surround themselves with the same.

The Arrow’s goals in this area are to sort out the vampire bloodlines and power structures in the area. They also want to track down the three unaffiliated mages (or shape shifters?) and find out their allegiances.

Sam, with nothing better to do, drags his computer next to the bed and does a little digging. He discovers that Berkshire Hathaway owns a large stake in Enron Broadband. He checks the occupant list for Shell Tower, and discovers that Enron Broadband has offices there. This likely explains the IP addresses and their physical locations discovered previously.

Four days pass. Sam fully recovers, thanks to Goodrich’s ministrations.

The team decides to check out the forty BH owned properties, found by Sam, and see if there are any more Vampire strongholds like the Heights house. We rent two cars. Cole and Kai roll in one, while Flynn, Sam, and Goodrich take the other.

Flynn sees one house, at 93 Sugarberry, with an aura of death around it. It has heavy drapes, but is otherwise not notable. It’s in a gated community (the group managed to sneak in past the guard). Most of the rest of the houses are either for sale or in the process of remodeling.

Sam does some background checks on the Sugarberry house, discovers it was sold to BH 12 months ago. Nothing else significant. No utility records are found.

Kai and Cole take alternating guard duty that night. Sam does some research on Dreaming that evening before hitting the sack.

During Kai’s shift, a man walks up on the sidewalk just beyond the borders of the Montrose Compound. “You pussies gonna hide in there all night?” The man is Johnny Drama (otherwise known as Spetsnatz Knife, one of the vampires from the Heights house). Kai and Johnny get into a pissing contest. Kai finally has enough. He spells up and steps out of the protection of the Montrose Compound, bagh nakhs drawn.

Johnny says “I’ll give you props for not being a bitch. You go first.” Kai gets the sense that Johnny is a little faster than him. Kai lands a couple of solid blows, but Johnny is unphased. “That’s nice. My turn.”

Kai is stabbed twice and falls unconscious.

Cole goes on shift, and discovers Kai lying on the sidewalk in a pool of his own blood. The bagh nakhs are gone. Two fingers have been dragged through the blood. Cole looks around carefully, then levitates Kai inside. Goodrich is awakened and heals Kai as much as he is able. Bed rest is still required.

Kai recounts the incident. Goodrich dresses him down, Kai is defensive, as he feels he and the cabal were being dishonored. Goodrich espouses Arrow rules. Kai reluctantly agrees that this kind of thing will not happen again. Cole intercedes for Kai, tells Goodrich to cut him some slack. The notable point here is that Johnny, and presumably other vampires, could not enter the Compound.

Kai describes his attacker. Sam recognizes him as the one who killed John and Brock. Sam’s only response is to growl “Shoulda hit him harder.” Clearly, Sam is fine with trying to kill Johnny.

Flynn’s memory is jogged, and he mentions Jordan’s tattoo. It is a sign of the Carthian Movement, according to Cole. The Movement is a young group of political activists trying to shake up the existing order. They’re newcomers, and fear the existing elders. They’re fans of democracy. One notable ritual is “The Chain.” During Carthian meetings, they all stand in a circle. Each member takes an artifact they hold in value or esteem, and pass it to the member next to them. In this way, their bonds as a group are strengthened. Perhaps this is the reason why the bagh nakhs were taken, as trophies?

Sam and Cole take the rest of the night’s guard duty. Nothing further happens.

The next morning, Flynn, Sam, and Cole drive by five more of the BH houses. Kai and Goodrich stay behind, to allow Kai to rest. The three find nothing significant.

While they’re out, they go by the hardware store to get parts for Kai, so he can forge new bagh nakhs. They also swing by a gun shop to get new grips for Sam’s gun. Finally, they swing by the store and get Terisa’s groceries and first aid supplies.

Over the next couple of days, the group polishes off the rest of the BH properties. A BH house in River Oaks has been demolished and is being rebuilt. Notably, it is steel frame construction, and shows signs of having a substantial basement. The discovery is filed away for future use. Goodrich is periodically reporting information like this back to the Arrow.

The group decides to go check out the Sugarberry house in more detail. In order to circumvent the gate, they decide to approach from an adjacent, un-gated neighborhood, and cross the bayou to the house’s back yard. Copious spells are cast on Cole, allowing him to enter invisibly and sense consciousnesses in the house. Cole carefully crosses the narrow bayou, and approaches the back fence.

Goodrich touches his pet crow (apparently, he’s had a pet crow all this time?), and sprouts wings. This causes him some trouble, in the form of paradox backlash. He flies up into some nearby trees to gain a better view of the Sugarberry house.

Cole approaches. He sees the death pallor, but is met with only static on the sense consciousness. This is odd, as he cannot even sense animals or insects. He carefully, slowly opens the back gate and enters.

Cole returns several minutes later, fully visible, four or five houses down the street. The house was empty, according to Cole. Through the window, he sees a notepad with the words “Rooftop Club, 11:30pm” and that day’s date on it. The group returns to the Compound.

On the way back, we swing by the River Oaks house. Goodrich attempts to pump the foreman for information, claiming to be looking for a contractor. The foreman says they only do private work, and orders Goodrich to leave the private property. Goodrich complies.

On the way back, Cole recommends that the group recon the Rooftop Club right then. The group debates the merits of this.

End of Session.