Umbrae Europae [IC] (part 3) - Mist of Nycthemeron, A third installment of the Umbrae Europae Campaing (started elsewhere) Options

[Romain Pelisse]

A quick browse of the matrix quickly informs the two Shadowrunners. The renovated Mont Saint Michel was given by the French Catholic Church - a separate entity from the Catholic Church, to the latter, in attempt of appeasement in the late 50's. It became quickly the HQ of the Order of St. Sylvester in France.

[Jack_Spade]

Rex recoiled slightly at those news:
<<Seriously? Our opforce is the catholic church? Looks like this book is slightly more satanic than we thought. That is disconcerting. Nevertheless, a deal is a deal - even if you make it with the devil. We'll just have to be quick with finding this damn book.
Maybe we really need to take a look at the old estate where the books came from.>>

#47

[Romain Pelisse]

As Waywalker and Rex keeps browsing the Matrix about the Order, they quickly realized that there is more than meet the eyes there. Yes, they report to the church and therefore claims to be "the good guys", but as any magical initiatic order, it has its fair share of secrets and darkness. And to be fair, the Catholic has quite often end up "on the wrong side" of many battles through the centuries...

Also, many founders of the initial order did come from questionable part of the church - to say the least. Many people joined the order from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the modern version of the infamous Inquisition. The founding of the Order itself, at his inception, has very unexplained ties to some shady banks - including part of the Trans-Latvia Enterprises "network". All of this, of course, predates the merger of the company into NeoNET, but still.

And, of course, nothing exists in a void, so the Order has also ties with other initiate or organization. Especially in France, where the local branch has been alleged to either work directly for the mysterious "Black Lodge" or be at least tied to it, but it is common rumors for such organization. More publicly, there is definitely some collaboration with the Atlantean Foundation, and some spat with the Draco Foundation. Well, a spat to some extend, as they were clearly in cahoots during the "artifact rush" a few years ago. At least according to the information Rex and Waywalker can muster.

Not to forget, the legendary "Templars", sort of black ops or runners of the Order, about which very few actual information transpired...

[Haywire]

#35

The sheer amount of information was enough to crash a little mind, but looking for the bigger picture helped Waywalker in the matrix search.
"So, should we presume we're officially on their target? It would not surprise me if it was a rogue agent who wants the book and uses the resource of the organization. Of course, that would mean to be super extra careful..."

[Jack_Spade]

<<Well, they noticed that we are researching the book and they invested - however cheap they were - resources to tail us. If we aren't outright targets yet, we are certainly of "interest" to them.
And I don't think it matters all that much in the long run if its the whole organization or just one mage with access to their resources.

But we have to decide now if we want to go back to the archives or if we want to look at the source where the books came from originally.
If we go back to the archive there will be almost certainly a confrontation. We can't use the rat trick twice.>>
Rex replied.

[Haywire]

#36

"I think the Archive won't move form there for a couple of days, no? I'd say to follow your instinct. We'll go to the source."

[Jack_Spade]

<<Good point - if there was anything there the Sylvesters will have found it by now anyway.>>

After this was settled and the team found some rest during the night, Rex was eager to get on to visit the old mansion where the collection had came from. He toyed with the thought of sending a Kami to scout ahead, but decided against it. After all that was how he had found the opposition previously.

[Romain Pelisse]

Set on going to the actual estate from which the papers came originally, Waywalker and Rex spends part of their evening looking at the Matrix. While the information is not secret itself, any kind of information predating both Matrix crashes are also a bit tricky to correlate. However, thanks to the metadata they scanned from the Archive, they quickly puts a pin on the map.

The Contos Archive documentation, before donation, were stored in a small house inside Arles, in what is now the "Comté de Camargue". While the use of the word mansion and estate had certainly conjured images of fancy houses or even small castles surrounded by large garden in both runners minds, the actual house - as shown on the Matrix, is certainly less exotic. Sadly, few information are publicly available on the building current state, function and ownership...

[ Spoiler ]

Few information means "please roll Matrix Search" if you want to know more (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

However, the location in itself is bad news. Arles and the Comté de Camargue surrounding it, is more/less a kingdom inside a kingdom. While technically still part of France and bowing to the "temporal power of the Republic", it has been ruled by the family of Eleanor Filinaerel - born Edouard Laminsk, for several generation now. If the Count himself is now just an old, senile man - hanging to life by a tread, his own seven daughters are still ruling over the piece of lands with almost full autocratic power.

Despite the all family being made of humans, the county itself is very much "pro elf". Back in the 50's, it was one of the only part of France having regular visitors from the secretive Tir Tairngire and Tír na nÓg. While the elfish renaming of the family makes many smile, the fact is that the estate has ties for sure with the elven nations.

Matrix pictures of the region depicted a beautiful country filled with horses but also a few unicorns, and even Bayard and Pegasus ! Apparently, the family has largely invested in safe keeping Equidae of all kinds. The so called "Filinaerel" have certainly takes up the elven nasty habits of being eco friendly...

All of this means a lot of trouble for the two runners, because the County is forbidding any kind of motor vehicle within it. The private security, named "les guardians" used only horses and a few hovercraft in the swamp like part of the region. This is small army has certainly not enough firepower to be a threat to any corp or the french government, but can sure as hell take down a shadowrun team doing any kind of mischief in the domain. And not surprisingly, the worst offense is stealing or harming horses - with a swift death penalty being applied to the offender (with a silent approval of the French government).

Astral visitor are also not really welcome either as free spirits and shamans are rumored to enforce the domain security...

[ Spoiler ]

Le Comté Camargue is part of the tidbit of the original, non-canon France sourcebook for 2ed, that was left off for the (official) update on France done for 3ed... for who cares about this kind of details (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

Wow, that's a really cool twist (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Rex looked at the map - it would be a long trip through the republic and likely also a long trip by foot if they couldn't come up with some form of local transport.
<<How good are your horse riding skills these days? I can probably provide you with a spirit horse, but that might cause some questions.>>

[Haywire]

#37

The first thing Waywalker did arrving in their safehous was setting the Agents to help him narrow information on their target.
Then he madd himself comfortable on the bed and went limp in VR.
"My riding skill is non-existant, but I think I can stay on the back of one without falling, or at least I hope so. I'm also searching for a way to get a VISA or some permission, they may be eco friendly, but I think the paperwork is still in the Matrix..."

[ Spoiler ]

matrix search teamwork: 6d6t5 1
matrix search teamwork: 12d6t5 3
matrix search: 20d6t5 5

[Jack_Spade]

<<That sounds like a good idea. Hopefully, they don't have too strict leash laws.>>
Rex replied while he waited for Haywire's search to conclude.

[Romain Pelisse]

Looking up in the matrix the process to get to Camargue, Waywalker quickly realizes that, while it has increased the security, the County is still part of France - so getting in is fairly easy, but frequent, and thorough SIN checks are to be expected. The private security hired by the "seven sisters" is also known for often checking for concealed weapons and illegal items such as cyberdeck.

Waywalker's search on the property itself is also bringing mix results. First of all, the house appears to be left of its own device for a while now, and he has to go through several shell corporation before getting, at least, a real lead. But certainly not a good news. Indeed, the last change of property has happened in the late '57, when the mansion was transferred to the newly born... Draco Foundation. Since then, managed through a set of proxies, the Foundation has hold on the property without, apparently, doing anything with it. Sadly, going further back in time turns out to be even more difficult, as most information appears to have been swallowed by both Crashes...

[Jack_Spade]

<<So, to recap this: The mansion is held by the Draco Foundation inside a territory of horse fanatics with really good security that don't allow motor vehicles.
How good are you at hiding your stuff? I don't like the fact that they employ good magic security. But with the help of a sufficiently strong Kami we might be able to avoid detection, provided we are stealthy, lay low during the day and travel by foot.>>
Rex replied.

[Haywire]

#38

"I am pretty confident in my matrix skill, but not so much in the meat ones... If we're caught we're pretty much screwed. How many day will it take by foot? With you mojo could you conceal a van? Heck, if you can we can try to smuggle ourselves into it..."

[Jack_Spade]

<<If I'm reading this map right, we'd have to move 30 km cross country. The good news is, that I can just turn us into birds and have a Kami carry our gear high in the air and out of sight. I'm thinking a pair of owls should be able to quickly traverse the distance.
I'd have to camouflage your aura as well and just to be sure we should also be concealed by the Kami.

Concealing a car to the same effect is quite a bit harder - also it would likely cause collisions quickly - unless you fancy another cross country drive. But once we are in the city, I don't know where you'd park the car.>>
Rex replied.

[Haywire]

#38

"I fancy all the cross country driving we need to get to our objective, my reasoning was to have a reliable way of moving out quickly if drek hits the fan.
We could have it as backup with the drones inside parked outside the city. What do you think?"

[Jack_Spade]

<<You realize that cross country will leave some very visible tracks that no concealment in the world can hide. I could maybe levitate it with some Kami help and add some movement power to make the cross country travel faster. Yeah, that could work. Just enough lift so we don't leave any deep tracks. We'll have to move at night and I'll need a very strong Kami to help me, but it is doable.>>
Rex replied.

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

Just to be sure that I understand the latest installment of your approach. You basically wants through the land of Camargue using an off road vehicle being concealed by magic, right? Bear in my mind, that La Camargue is basically a "nice and warm" swamp. While there will be way for to reach Arles on land, you could easily get cornered if shit hit the fan. (not saying "don't do it", just point it out stuff your characters would say by researching the topic)

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

Yeah, that's why my plan is to combine the levitation power of a F9 spirit and Rex's own Levitation on the car (for a combined lift of around 2.5 tons) and have this contraption accelerated by the spirit's movement power (27m/s equals about 100km/h). That would allow us to travel over land (just above the ground) without leaving tracks. Add Concealment and night travel and we should be able to get close to the city in half an hour. Rex and the Kami will probably take some drain (physical in Rex' case), but we won't have to abandon our mobile base.

[Haywire]

#39

"I'm on board with the plan. Do your mojo, I'm ready."

[Jack_Spade]

The cross country trip was long, but not particularly exciting. Rex marveled at size of France. Most of Europe had succumbed to balcanization, turning the large national states into smaller ones with less political power - just as the corporations wanted it. But France had kept its centralized and unified structure, despite small fiefdoms like the one they were heading towards now.

When they arrived at their staging point he was as well rested as he was going to get. As soon as the sun had set he began to call upon the mighties Kami he had ever dared to call. A being even more powerful than the Warlord.
Relying on the power and understanding in and of his focus he mentally spoke the name: 'Kikone, Princess of the Shadowmoon, hear my plea.'

For a moment, nothing happened until Rex realized that the Princess of Darkness and Tide was already there, regarding him silently from behind her black shroud.
'I thank you, oh noble princess, to come to my aid in my time of need.
Help us make our way unseen, unheard and traceless like the tide to move quickly, quietly and safely to our destination.'
There was a moment of ominous silence, before the figure extended her hands and the whole car was enveloped in a thin cloud of shadow and the car began to lift from it's springs. Rex hastened to add his own power behind the action and only a moment later the car had left the ground completely and hovered 10 cm above. Rex felt the strain that this feet was putting on the Princess, even her immense powers had limits while she stayed on this world.
But with an effort of will, the car began to accelerate with a feeling that wasn't unlike falling from a high cliff towards the sea - only now they were falling towards the horizon.

[ Spoiler ]

Summoning F9 Spirit of Men: 22d6t5 7
F9 Spirit of Men resist: 9d6t5 4
Drain Resist: 21d6t5 10
No drain
Success. Thanks to Shaman Tuxedo it's four services

Innate Spell: Manascape and Levitate
Movement Power

1st Service: Levitate Car:
Levitate F9: 18d6t5 7
1.400 kg
Drain resist: 19d6t5 4
Takes 3 Stun damage
2nd Service:
Cast Manascape to turn any auras around the vehicle to look like a harmless owl
Manascape F6: 15d6t5 5
Drain resist: 19d6t5 9
No Drain
Concealment on the Car and all it's passengers (-9 to perception)

Movement on the levitated Car (no test)

Rex casts F9 Levitate:
F9 Levitate: 22d6t5 7
Another 1.400 kg
Drain resist: 21d6t5 8
No Drain

[Romain Pelisse]

Thursday 12th March 2076 (around 11pm)

Concealed and protected by the darkness of the night, the runner's vehicle hoovers through the wetland unnoticed and soon gets in the suburb of Arles. The city looks almost exactly as it looked a century before, like it has somehow escaped the all century of madness that give a (painful) birth to the 6th World. Waywalker is also immediately surprised by the quality of the local grid. No noise, decent connection, no spam...

Once inside the city, Rex asked his Kami to drop the concealment to ensure they do not attract unwanted attention from potential magical security deployed by the Seven Sisters of Camargue. It is already late and the city is pretty quiet. Fortunately for them, there is still enough traffic, mostly people coming home after a dinner party, to not draw unwanted attention to their vehicle.

After a quiet drive inside the historical center, the runners arrives a couple of street away from their target, the old building that used to shelter the Cantos Archive.

[ Spoiler ]

@Waywalker just set the level on how 'discreet' you are driving around can you roll Intuition + Sneaking[Handling]

[Haywire]

#40

Waywalker "drived" or better, almost sailed the van with the power from Rex's mojo.
"If you have motion sickness, let me know! I know a couple of tricks to deal with it."
"Wow, this grid is better than the one of half of France... I wonder who mantain and pays for it. I hope we're not going to step on some big toes..."
In the while, he looked on the Matrix for Icons running silent and/or security ones.

[ Spoiler ]

sneaking in the city with the van: 12d6t5 5
teamwork test from sekretar: 6d6t5 0
Teamwork test from Deck: 12d6t5 5
matrix perception: 18d6t5 7

[Jack_Spade]

<<Don't worry, I've grown a strong stomach and having superhuman willpower doesn't hurt either.
Just make sure no-one notices us. We need to find a place where we can hide the Van. Once we are in position we should scout out the building - I'll go astral and you might want to deploy one of your drones. Since the Draco Foundation has control here I expect some nasty surprises.>>

Rex replied while he mentally prepared for the next step of their operation.

#55

[Romain Pelisse]

Looking at the icons associated to the building for a little while, Waywalker is confused. First he expected some devices to run silent - and did find a couple of devices running silent around him. After some quick hacking - MARK, Trace and reboot, he asserted those devices were not anywhere the mansion. That being over, he starts looking for legitimate devices around the mansion, but apparently, the place - at least on the matrix, appears to be devoid of any life...