Confirmed, doing the initiation and the Extended Masking. Just waiting on an IM convo with BishopMcQ to confirm the ordeal.

I took creative liberties with the off-time story assuming that nothing within should be outside of his capabilities, nor really affecting the outcome of the game at large. Please let me know of any rolls I should make.

Feeling disconnected from Papa as a character and trying to renew my connection and a sense of direction for him. To that end, I also feel like the trip to the lake is flying blind... Anyone else's thoughts on better intel we could seek?

To be honest we still dont know what artifact we are going after without a object to search for it is very hard to find.

Saytr--You do have a description of the artifact. If you cannot find it, let me know and I will repost it.

Here are my notes:

North beyond mountains and rivers, in a great lake surrounded by cliffs. "There is a stone, black as night and veined with rubies. Your world has many names for it, but it is best known as the 'Lover's heart.' In the hands of a mortal it grants all that they dream for, but not what those who knew them think they would want. It binds one of the Endless into your realm and holds her hostage to live two existences." The Endless are unending ideals, Platonic Forms given life or the embodiment of such that Plato realized. One is trapped within the heart-shaped stone, as Desire.

The Far to the south and east, among jungles and great standing stones. "The feather was that taken from Samael before his fall or perhaps before his rise. Time for beings such as it, does not flow the way it does for you. It was taken by the cthonic lords and given to Tezcatlipoca when your people still dug in the mud." Tezcatlipoca is the brother of Quetzalcoatl and helped create our world, but those are the only similarities between him and the kind and benevolent Feathered Serpent. He is known by many names, but the most fitting are 'The Ever Devouring Darkness,' 'The Enemy,' and 'The Lord of Near and Far.'

Location:
Crater Lake Once a popular tourist destination, Crater Lake has been under military control for the past several years. No one is admitted within the miltary cordon zone, and elaborate anti-surviellance measures have prevented remote intelligence gathering by a variety of corporate and national powers. The lake is contained within the caldera of an ancient volcano. Snow and rainwater are the only contibutors to the lake, and evaporation the only exit for the water within it, making its water famous for its clarity and striking deep blue color. The lake measures eight kilometers by ten kilometers across, and the deepest point is 394 meters, making it the seventh deepest lake in the world (with its average depth of 350 meters, it is the third deepest lake in the world). The caldera rim around the lake ranges in elevation from 2,100 meters to 2,400 meters.
The mountain is snow shrouded except for a brief summer season. The area is rumored to do strange things to Magic, though reports are scattered from greatly hampering it to hugely elevating its potency.

Last April, viral footage of Peace Force troops opening fire on civilians sleep walking towards the Crater Lake zone made its way around the Matrix. The surviving journalist released a comment about dreams calling her to the place, just before she was arrested, indicted and executed for Treason.



Artifact:
There are multiple artifacts that have a general power structure as was described. The description matches the Lover's Heart or Heart of Desire. Scholars disagree on its origin, citing the original stone arrowhead that Eros was to use upon Psyche, the heart of stone from the Sumerian creation myth, or a more modern object. The Lover's Heart has a gamut of speculation, from fulfilling the heart's deepest needs to making the bearer irresistible from carnal lust.

The Lover's Heart was last spoken of in shadow and darkness, near the City of Roses. One of the mewling creatures which declared itself Prince was taking his love into a secret area. He did not name the place, but discussed it being a few hours to the south.

The Lover's Heart is spoken of giving its holder everything that their heart truly desires, but is rife with consequences. Mortals have lost the art of understanding their heart, and instead see only the lies they tell themselves.

North beyond mountains and rivers, in a great lake surrounded by cliffs. "There is a stone, black as night and veined with rubies. Your world has many names for it, but it is best known as the 'Lover's heart.' In the hands of a mortal it grants all that they dream for, but not what those who knew them think they would want. It binds one of the Endless into your realm and holds her hostage to live two existences." The Endless are unending ideals, Platonic Forms given life or the embodiment of such that Plato realized. One is trapped within the heart-shaped stone, as Desire.


Discussion (Papa's POV):

His various icon then looks to each team member as if speaking to them individually. "Stating with North beyond mountains and rivers, in a great lake surrounded by cliffs. and then adding my research results The Lover's Heart was last spoken of in shadow and darkness, near the City of Roses. One of the mewling creatures which declared itself Prince was taking his love into a secret area. He did not name the place, but discussed it being a few hours to the south. The Lover's Heart is spoken of giving its holder everything that their heart truly desires, but is rife with consequences. Mortals have lost the art of understanding their heart, and instead see only the lies they tell themselves. I came up with either Lake Shasta or Crater Lake."

He pauses to allow a moment to mentally digest, then continues. "Hestaby lays claim to the former. I would be all in to point to that, except that she is not a he... taking his love. So that removed, I say we focus on Crater Lake. Trying to filter the plethora of Princes down to one that could fit that I came to three: First, Ni'Fairra who is believed to have a home south of Portland. Not really anything strong, but when the filtering was done, he remained. Raintree, who is a missing person of interest to the rinelle ke'tesrae and finally Piper, who died in 2068 in an automobile accident with his lover. Currently I am digging deeper into Raintree. Thoughts?"

Eying both the results and the accumulated data to date, Papa grimaces. Ok. Gotta be Piper... Jenna Ni'Fairra fails out for the same reason Hesteby did.He spins up another search, this time for Piper. He then considers the state of the defensive systems. Time to find out where to appropriate some supplies. He queues up a follow up search to start looking for where he can acquire the electronics equipment he needs.

From the Tir national news feeds, Prince Dell Piper's death was ruled as an accident after his car ran off the edge of a mountain road south of Diamond Lake. The prince and his lover were found locked in a tight embrace by rescue crews, dead from the impact. Digging a little deeper, you find several pirate broadcasts with a strong conspiracy bend. Images from the road near the supposed crash site show flat, open, straight roads--not the type of place that GridGuide generally veers off a ravine and crashes. Satelite images, obviously hacked from military assets, show three clear circles punched through the windshield. The broadcast claims that Piper was assassinated by the High Prince's orders to recover an "item of national security." It continues with the fact that the unexplained incidents and military quarantine of Crater Lake began two weeks after the "accident." The pirate broadcast was shutdown with extreme prejudice six months later.

Okay, so does anyone know about any facilities or buildings at or around Crater Lake? Sounds like we're looking for a needle in a haystack at this point, so anything we have could help to narrow it down.

Could Papa perhaps track down some of the people from the pirate newsbroadcast to see if we can get any further information from them, or find out which satellites they were hacking to get their imagery of the area?

Zian, unfortunately, has no knowledge skills that would help.

Our weekly total is 147.

Siren would also like to acquire some ritual materials during the downtime (assuming this can be done during the time).

Upgrading her Magical Lodge from Rating 6 to 9 (AV 18; 1,500¥) -- 2 rolls -> 4 days
2x Spirit Binding Materials Rating 9 (AV 18; 6,750¥; incl. 25% discount due to High Resources Magical Group) -- 2 rolls -> 4 days
2x Spirit Binding Materials Rating 6 (AV 12; 4,500¥; incl. 25% discount due to High Resources Magical Group) -- 3 rolls -> 6 days

So, all should be available during that time, right?


BTW, what is the date ingame by now?

Bye
Thanee

Extraction happened Wednesday August 3, 2072

Current date: Thursday August 11, 2072

Thanee--Supplies are fine.

Team -- Don't forget you also have the hand mirror, rabbit's foot, and puzzle box. The hand mirror has been used in the past to contact your employer and D'zan. The rabbit's foot is believed to spread disease. Opening the box allows you to Call a Free Spirit known as the Engineer which is known to have Divining and Wealth. There's also Those-Who-Walk-in-Darkness (AKA Harvey).

Bartering with contacts or doing some info gathering is not beyond your reach. Likewise, there is a ton of information in the thread which feels like it is being passed over.

And then, let's see and summon a few Force 6 Spirits of Man and try Binding...

First attempt 1 service, 1S Drain
Second attempt 3 services (spirit resistance glitched), no Drain
Third attempt 1 service, no Drain

I definitely need some more practice there...

Fourth attempt 1 service, 1S Drain
Fifth attempt 2 services, no Drain
Sixth attempt 1 service, no Drain

How bad can you roll... only one of all those was roughly on average so far.

Ok, three more... then it's enough...

Seventh attempt 1 service, no Drain
Eight attempt 5 services, no Drain Finally a reasonably decent roll!

Now for the hard part... Binding... after having rested enough to get rid of the earlier Stun.

Magic + Binding -> 8 hits -- looking good, but...
Spirit's Resistance -> 8 hits

Drain Resistance -> 5 hits + Edge -> 5 hits => 6S Drain

*sigh*

Guess the spirits don't want to get bound right now... one set of materials and one point of Edge wasted. Bit of a headache. Back to Meditation.

Bye
Thanee

Actually, make that 5x Force 6, no Force 9 (Force 9 is a bit too optimistic with my pretty low skill in Binding ).

Bye
Thanee

I wanted to point out that we have the oracle in Papa's head that is being largely untapped and used at this point.

Let's try that again after some rest...

Summoning -> 7 services; no Drain (so far so good )

Binding -> 5 hits + Edge -> 2 hits
Spirit's Resistance -> 4 hits
Drain Resistance -> 1S Drain

Yay!

So, one spirit bound with 9 Services owed, all Edge used up.

Spirit of Man (F6; Movement, Innate Spell (Levitate)).

Bye
Thanee

Papa spoofing lifestyle for his place with his father for another month.
Middle Lifestyle Hacking + Spoof (12, 1 day) - Hacking(6) + Spoof(6) + Hot Sim(2)
[3,2,3,5,1,3,6,2,1,5,3,1,5,5,6,6] = (5->5)
[6,4,6,6,3,6,3,3,2,6,5,3,5,5,6] = (7->12)

To that end, I would like for Papa to have spent several of the days off talking with Harvey about the trip, the item, Locket, opposition, the location, and ways to better locate the item when we are near.

What's under the pile?

All the stuff from hitting the other team...guns, armor, server, drugs etc.

I'm pushing to the actual flight tonight. This last week I didn't see posts from everyone.

Are there definitive questions that people need answers to? Right now it feels to me like I have put out information, but the team isn't sure what to do with it or doesn't remember it. If you are confused or not having fun, let me know, so that I can address the problems.

Just the usual "everyone waiting for everyone else" going on, I guess.

Well, then... Siren's back in town!

Bye
Thanee

Our weekly total is 148.

Throwing up an IC post at this very moment with some sort of plan in it - promise!

Our weekly total is 149.

OK going to post tonight with rolls and then the next part of the plan. Anyone have anything they want to add to the mix?

This is the 2nd week in a row without any posts throughout the week. Are people taxed with RL stuff, not interested in the story, something else?

Out of town all week with work; long days. Back now, but gone to scout camp 6/7-17.

Retail has picked up recently. And having another kid coming, life is busy just waiting on others

Conjuring (Force 6 Air Spirit)
16d6.hits(5)=9

Resist
6d6.hits(5)=1

Drain 2S
10d6.hits(5)=3

Forgot the extra for Centering but it came out fine. I have an Air Spirit 6 with 8 services. I will spend one to possess me leaving me 7 left. This spirit will have the optional powers Energy Aura & Elemental Attack.

Increase Reflexes Force 4 (on Zian with Gen helping)
20d6.hits(5)=7

Drain 4S (this time with Centering)
16d6.hits(5)=4

Increase Reflexes Force 4 (on Zihao with Gen helping)
20d6.hits(5)=5

Drain 4S (this time with Centering)
16d6.hits(5)=6

Dropping the Increase Reflexes into Sustaining Foci. Gen will be covering the group with Concealment and Guard (Force 6).

Spell Defense (aiding Zian from Zihao)
4d6.hits(5)=2

Spell Defense (aiding Zian from Gen)
6d6.hits(5)=0

EEK!

Edge
6d6.hits(5)=1

Summoning a Force 8 Water Spirit: Magic + Summoning + Power Foci + Speciality (16d6.hits(5)=7)
Hits for the spirit to resist: Force (8d6.hits(5)=3)
Optional Powers: Energy Aura, Binding

4 Net Hits.

Drain from Summoning (DV 6S): Charisma + Willpower + Centering (16d6.hits(5)=3)

Taking 3S.

Casting Extended Detect Life (F6) into sustaining foci: Magic + Spellcasting + Aid Sorcery + Power Foci (19d6.hits(5)=4)
Drain (DV 5S): Willpower + Charisma + Centering (16d6.hits(5)=4)

Takin 1S (Total 4S).

Recasting Detect Life (F6), 480m range into sustaining foci: Magic + Spellcasting + Aid Sorcery + Power Foci (19d6.hits(5)=5)
Drain (DV 5S): Willpower + Charisma + Centering (15d6.hits(5)=5)

No additional drain (Total 4S).

Casting Extended Mind Link (F1) into sustaining foci: Magic + Sorcery + Aid Sorcery + Power Foci (19d6.hits(5)=7)
Drain (4S): Willpower + Charisma + Centering (16d6.hits(5)=4)

No additional drain (4S).

Giving the F8 Water spirit the command to possess me (3 net services).

Telling Gan to use Movement on the group and to provide Spell Defense via Teamwork: Counterspelling (6d6.hits(5)=2)

Setting Spell Defense: 15

Harvey, eh? What is he? An animal? A living skull?

And Siren will assense whatever it is, Papa is holding in his hand there.

Intuition + Assensing -> 4 hits

Bye
Thanee

At this point, jumping back to the present. Conversation about the change is happening at the Drop Zone.

Moving forward, I'm going to ask that people post actions before I make the bump. The retroactive posts make it difficult to keep the flow of actions in sequence. If folks are going to be AFK, please drop something in the OOC thread to let me know. If you post a general plan of actions, I can roll and post for you as needed during the absence.

My intent here was to have just downloaded my own mini-library of references, blogs, maps, photos, history, new reports, etc that I could search through later.

Searching through the offline data store for details about the area. Focusing on threats [flora, fauna, geographical] and habitations or structures, both known and rumored. 24 hits.
[6,5,2,4,3,3,5,6,4,6,2,3] = (5=>5)
[3,5,4,2,5,5,1,4,6,2,5] = (5=>10)
[1,1,6,2,4,5,6,5,6,6] = (6=>16)
[2,6,2,2,4,5,1,6,4] = (3=>19)
[3,2,5,1,6,1,1,3] = (2=>21)
[2,1,1,6,1,1,1] = (1=>21) Glitch
[3,3,6,4,5,5] = (3=>24)
[1,2,2,1,4] = (0=>24)
[4,2,3,3] = (0=>24)

So Papa's skin and eyes are still discolored?

Redjack--Yep. Papa can also still feel the presence in the back of his mind.

Well... this means, Siren won't use this source of knowledge at all, for whatever reason.

Bye
Thanee

Or you pass it on to someone else...

It's more like and pass it on to someone else, right?

But how exactly do you place one stone into the hands of two?
Shouldn't it be the way, that the next bearer will have to give it to the one after that?

Any takers? Anyone want to have cool voices whispering in their head (they actually are useful, I think)?

Bye
Thanee

Have two folks cup hands and give it to them at the same time or put it in one person's hand and will it to them, then repeat on the other.

Siren can likely knock 1 hit on Magic Theory -- With the comment about will, the rock itself is probably immaterial actually. It would be used as a triggering device to help a non-spellcaster focus, the way a spellcaster does when channeling mana.

Yeah, I was mostly thinking about who will be the new bearer then... both?

Guess we will have to try to find out...

Bye
Thanee

Papa intended to give it away. I guess we give it to both the twins.

Hahahahahahahahaha. Ha. Ha....

I will take that as a no!

In that case, there is no other option but to give it away to someone outside of the group.

Bye
Thanee

Hey All - I had to take my computer into the shop for repairs (motherboard is dying on me) so I will be without a computer for at least a few days and I personally find it really challenging/frustrating to post from my phone or pad. I will get back on as soon as I get it back. Until then I will be avoiding doing any large pasts.

I am gong to post tonight after the house is settled and kids are asleep though so we keep moving forward.

As for the last post... the exchange of "Harvey" happened on thursday, so Siren's timeline is still there currently. We fly on friday, and Siren might not be there, then.

I have edited the date into my posts to make it more clear.

I don't even know how much of this I can tell the twins, so I would prefer, if Papa would explain it.

Bye
Thanee

Thanee -- In case you missed it. I posted on Thursday that everyone was on the hill and to no longer do the retroactive posts.

Sorry, I did miss that part. Bad timing with what happened there.

But Siren will not be there, then. The current state is completely unacceptable to her.

Bye
Thanee

Okay, time to put on my surly GM hat.

We had some posting problems, and I asked if folks wanted to continue the thread. At that point, everyone affirmed that they wanted to keep going. I committed to pushing forward each week to keep the thread moving forward and everyone else would post at least once a week.

Now, due to the retroactive posts, I have to make a decision.

Option A: Do I push the game forward and we edit multiple posts to be in-line with the timeline of the bump? This would mean that everything with the rock happened at Crater Lake, and the team is all standing there. (Which is honestly, where I put everyone before folks started rewriting the past.)

Option B: Allow the revision of the past, and we edit/delete posts made by several people to fit the revisionist history? This would mean that Siren is left in LA while the team continues the job, or the team scuttles the smuggler and deals with LA before making the trek later.

Either way, we have to edit or delete multiple posts. Which way does the team want to go?

As a last resort there is:

Option C: Say it's too much work and people are too busy to post regularly, and we put the thread in hibernation until life calms down.

Let's do this: Let's work this out quickly in IM, have Bishop make a quick wrap up post and I will endeavor not to make catch up posts that require IC interaction from the other team members in historical parts. This workable?

So, to start this off: I propose that the stone (and Harvey) passed to both the twins from Siren and Papa and we start there. Thoughts?

Sorry about that!

But you must admit, that this is something, that cannot just happen "between the lines".

I only reacted to the post where "Harvey" was offered, which was one part of a multiple days post, unfortunately.

Bye
Thanee

Im good with and and b and redjacks suggestion. I would rather not put any of these games to sleep.

Or.... I could simply edit my post, since I'm the only one using date/time and offer Harvey right now, in the Tir. Better?

Redjack--Yes, if you change your post to give Siren the rock once you land, then Thanee just has to remove the date markers and edit the last post about not coming. (Unless Siren plans on walking through the wilderness) Then you are free to offer it to the twins or whomever else, but the conversation can happen IC and everyone will be in the same timeline.

Thanee--I do understand that it is not something that can be easily handwaved between the lines which is why we got to the point of two divergent histories and need to edit to pick one.