Our cast:
- Marco McQueen: A Wizened Oracle who helps run McQueen Automotive with his father. Related to the Zerilli crime family, he works as an informant to the few honest cops in Detroit.
- Miroslav "Mir" Callaghan: A Palewraith Darkling and member of the Guild of Shadows. He is intrigued by certain artifacts and puzzled by strange gaps in the Guild's occult library. He is investigating an artifact that will allow him to rewrite time.
- Nicole "Nikki" Callaghan: The cold Flowering Fairest with the gift of artistry, she has become a world-class art thief. As a child she traded away her emotional attachments.
- Rocco McQueen: Levinquick Elemental who seeks to push the boundaries of where he can go both physically and in cyberspace. He is also looking build a new guild, one for people like himself.
Haunted by the Past
First we engage in a bunch of flashback research into the Quill of Fate and the Tome of Ages (now that I had time to formalize what exactly they do and where they came from). Mechanically both of these were extended Intelligence + Academics rolls with a bonus from Miroslav's Library Merit. For the Quill, I let him make 3 rolls. He gets 2 successes, then 3 more, and finally 5 for an exceptional success. He chooses to gain Informed Condition with regards to Occult.As Miroslav turns the Quill over in his hand, the simple faded feather seems colorless at first glance but a different pale hue colors it with each glance. The Darkling's research suggests the Quill of Fate may be over a thousand years old, its first recorded usage being by 6th century infernalists. Down through the ages it has been used to sign important deeds, contracts, and pledges: the Magna Carta, the Treaty of Tordesillas, the Declaration of Independence.
The artifact seemed lost after World War II. The last rumors had in the possession of an artist known as the Blind One. Mir had tried to track them down for months before he heard of Grandmother Stone and her shortcut.
The changeling wonders what being created this device, an item that can forge a binding agreement between any two entities. His search had turned up no point of origin or rather that the origin of the Quill had been written out of history. He would have to be careful what purpose he put this artifact to for it was said that it had a habit of escaping its owners once used.
Next we get to the Tome of Ages. Miroslav gets 5 successes on the first roll. Another exceptional success, he can't get the Informed Condition twice so opts for the option of reduce the final goal by his dots in Academics. This gets him the next level on my information chart and I belatedly realize that final nugget of information he would likely already have. So know he knows everything...about the Tome of Ages that is.
Using the Quill on the Tome of Ages would allow him to alter his destiny and that of his allies. The Guild of Shadows definitely seeks to use it for that purpose. The book holds the tales of all who have encountered it, dating back thousands of years. Within its many pages run the scripts of Medieval England, Rome, Arabia, China, Greece, and Egypt as well as less identifiable languages.
But something is odd about the book. It has popped up in ancient monasteries, Buddhist temples and supposedly the Library of Alexandria but always in the same form. The paper is modern non-archival grade paper. It uses the binding techniques of the 20th century. It was seemingly written or at least made sometime within the last century. Or perhaps the near future.
From his reading of the book, he knows the Queen of Shadows retrieved the book from the Witch-House at the cost of her memories. He also knows that his retrieval of the Quill is even now written down within it. He doesn't have much time.
Finally Miroslav has managed to learn the full story of his father's tale that he was blessed by a fairy princess.
As he drifts off that evening he casts his mind back to the story of his father's birth. Ever the tale teller, Aiden Callaghan loved to spin yarns. As he would say, it was the depth of winter and the power was out. His mother, worn down by four other children, was alone for once, her husband on a business trip and the children off with their aunt.
Then she went into labor.
She managed to get a neighbor to call an ambulance but it became stuck in the snow and ice on the way back to the hospital. As the medics tried to get it out, a golden-haired woman in a red cloak appeared and told her the baby was doomed to die. Then she touched her, Miroslav's grandmother, saying the child was blessed and would live. She called herself Alice Ruby and hailed police car to whisk her to the hospital. It is a story Miroslav's grandmother denies but one that works with what he knows.
Who or what is Alice?
The next day, Miroslav decides to visit his mother. He finds her at her home, a simple one bedroom apartment not far from where he grew up. She is happy to see him again and cheerfully accepts the gifts he has brought from his travels while she cooks lunch for him. She mentions that Mr. Wilkens, one of her customers, was asking about him. Miroslav recalls helping the old man retrieve a 19th century book. He promises to call him soon.
Miroslav turns the conversation to his father. He learns that dad has moved down to Austin and asked his mother to come down and live with him. She seems reluctant however. Mrs. Callaghan meanwhile pesters him with questions about his life. Miroslav keeps it vague but does mentions that his sister is in town. Vadomma is excited to hear that and asks him to invite his long absent sibling over.
Later that afternoon, Nikki calls her brother to get her mom's new address. Her voice fills with irritation when she learns that her brother has already informed her mother that she is in the city. After hanging up, the young thief travels in disguise to the apartment.
Once within a few blocks she reverts back to her actual features and hurries up to the apartment. The streets are fairly empty with only a couple of homeless people begging on the curb and a nun out for a walk.
Vadomma breaks out into a smile as she opens the door. She asks what her daughter has been up to in past 6 years. As Nikki fends off questions about work and friends, she notices that many of the valuables her father gave her mother are missing. Her mother initially claims they were damaged but when pressed admits that she was forced to sell them.
Nikki rolls Wits + Investigation to notice the missing valuables. She gets her mom to open up with a Manipulation +Persuasion roll.
With some prying, Nikki eventually gets her mom to admit to going in debt to the Detroit mob to keep her shop open. While her mother tells her it was only for a small amount, Nikki can tell she is already in too deep. Where once she sold pot under the counter for medicinal uses, she is now being pressured to sell less discriminately. From what the criminal knows, this is just the beginning.
Nikki rolls Wits + Streetwise to determine how bad the situation is.
Later as Nikki heads back she notices something else. That nun is still there. She's watching her mother's apartment.
That evening Marco works late at the McQueen Automotive. As he pulls himself out from under a beat up F150, a late-model Impala pulls up in front of the building. A frustrated looking Maeve Sheely steps out. As the mechanic approaches he can see the interior is all torn up. He files that away, recalling that Maeve works as a drug runner for the mob and is apparently his cousin Joe's main squeeze these days.
Marco rolls Intelligence + Streetwise to recall Maeve's rep. He also remembers that she was one of Nikki's 'Mean Girls'.
Maeve tells him that she needs the car fixed up by next weekend. Marco is sure he can have it ready within the next few days. While he has her there he engages in some idle conversation, trying to learn what her section of the criminal network is up to.
Marco rolls Manipulation + Socialize with a + 1 bonus to pump her for information.
Maeve says she has a pickup at the docks and lets slip that there is some 'heat' coming into town. Marco recalls Aspen Imports, one of the mob's proxies, is located in the docks. They must be handling the weapons shipment.
Just then Joe's muscle car pulls up and Maeve leaves. Marco makes plans to meet with his friend Officer Chris Allen.
Elsewhere in the city, Rocco does some searching for good self-defense classes while he contemplates an involved plot of internet money laundering and stealing from the mob. Closing his laptop, he decides to put that to the side for a moment. He heads out into the Hedge to talk to his contacts.
He finds Leo the Rook at the Night Market and asks him what he knows about the reappearance of Ruzena. The tiny Hob doesn't have much new to say except that she has mainly been seen near the Goblin Market.
Rocco rolls Manipulation + Persuasion to make use of his Contacts Merit.
Elsewhere in the Hedge, Miroslav checks in at the Guild of Shadows headquarters. He leaves the Quill hidden in Detroit while he relates information on the other items he has discovered in the last few months such as the story of Grandmother Stone.
While he is working, Feral Tom comes by and asks about his search for the Quill of Fate. The mad Beast seems particularly interested in the item, ranting about righting wrongs. However he seems unsure which wrongs those are. He says he'll remember once they are righted. He also mentions the rumors of time traveler blood being for sale in the Goblin Market.
In talking with other guild members, Miroslav learns that there have been a number of potentially prophetic dreams: dreams of the color red, blood, a red throne and a growing darkness. He begins to worry about Alice again.
At the same time, Nikki is visiting the local art scene in her alias, Yvette Mirage. At a gallery, she soaks in the Glamour from an excited upscale crowd.
Nikki rolls Presence + Expression to gather 3 points of Glamour.
The motley meets up that evening at the Goblin Market. As usual the guys arrive first. Nikki comes again in disguise, nut as she walks down the street towards them she notices an odd man standing by the street corner. On closer glance, she sees a priest's collar. But most odd is that he is Eric McNeil, Miroslav's old Goth friend.
Nikki feigns ignorance and enters the Market, paying no attention to the boys. The others soon follow her inside.
Everyone got to roll Wits + Composure verses the 3 successes Eric got on his Dexterity + Stealth roll. Only Nikki managed to beat him.
As soon as the others arrive, Nikki informs them that they are being watched. Moreover, she mentions that a nun was watching her mother's house that afternoon.
Concerned Miroslav decides to sneak out to investigate. Recalling a line from his Book of Tales, he chooses to make his way around the back of the Market.
Miroslav rolls Dexterity + Stealth verses Eric's Wits + Composure - 2 for darkness. He fails to beat Eric so uses his Token to reroll and succeed.
The Darkling creeps up on the priest until his only a few feet away. Calling upon Warlock's Gaze, he tries to determine if Eric is under some enchantment. He learns his friend is still simply a mortal.
Miroslav makes a second roll to get within 2 yards of Eric, close enough to get a surprise attack or possibly a killing blow on him. He uses the first clause of the Contract of Spellbound to sense magic on his old friend.
Quietly Miroslav steps out of the shadows and greets his friend quietly.
Eric seems unafraid, much to Miroslav's frustration.
Miroslav tries to scare him with his creepy entrance but fails on his Manipulation + Intimidate roll.
The young priest explains to Miroslav that he knows of his and his sister's wicked ways. He alludes to how Mir tormented Ryan Martin with ghosts and how his sister caused Jennifer Conner to be committed. He also reveals that he was the one she confided in. He knows they are not human. He asks him to repent.
Miroslav tries to counter his arguments that he is a monster with a theological debate but despite his best efforts his old friend counters him.
Miroslav rolls Subterfuge + Manipulation to fast talk him, gaining a bonus from his occult lore and a point of spent willpower. But even with a reroll from his Fast Talking Merit, he can't beat Eric's roll of Resolve + Academics + 1 specialty Theology -1 for Fast Talking.
Eric asks his friend one last time to repent. Miroslav doesn't answer.
Eric warns him that the next time they meet will be his last. Then he walks away.
Miroslav joins the others. While they individually contemplate this turn of events, they continue to seek out rumors about Ruzena. From a man-sized cockroach, they hear that she is the one seeding these rumors about time traveler blood, apparently for an unknown seller who arrives Thursday night.
Figuring it is a trap, Miroslav says he will warn the Queen of Shadows. Rocco decides to see what the roach hob is selling. He ends up haggling with X'ot'xyl, as the creature is called, over some bubble gum that inflicts guilt on the one who chews it. He ends up trading some gewgaws and a whispered secret while also fostering some goodwill.
Rocco rolls a contested Manipulation + Persuasion, losing barely and paying a higher than average price. His follow-up Manipulation + Persuasion roll succeed and opening a Door for the purposes of establishing a positive relationship between the two.
Nikki asks Marco for a ride back to her hotel. On the way she asks how he knows about her mom's situation. Reluctantly he tells her how he is a mob informant for the police. She decides she can trust him. He lets her off and then she travels in disguise to her real hotel.
Rocco meanwhile grabs his Hedge Cycle and drives back to Marco's house. When Marco gets back he tells Rocco about his activities as well. They spend the night discussing security measures.
The next day Miroslav meets with the Queen and tries to convince her of the danger. She agrees with him but feels there is too much of an opportunity here. When she asks for volunteers to go in her stead, Miroslav volunteers.
Marco and Chris meanwhile have breakfast on the edge of the city. The Wizened updates his friend on the weapons shipment and the officer says he will stake it out.
When Marco returns to the shop, he finds a gang wearing red bandanas harassing his customers. Marco approaches them and manages to scare them off for now. But they say they will be back.
Marco rolls Presence + Intimidation to scare off the gang.
Experience time! Not many Aspiration filled but plenty of good roleplaying. I give 2 roleplaying Beats plus the session Beat. Miroslav fulfilled two Aspirations early on (learn about the quill and his father's fairy story). Nikki fulfilled 3 Aspirations (reconnecting with her mom, learn how far she can trust Marco, and connect with the local art scene). That averages to 2 overall so the group earns an Experience.
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